-Inside the Jasmine Dragon-
"After all that they've done why didn't they just kill Elder Fung and his son?" asked Hahn
"If I may, Iroh?" said an elderly earth kingdom man
"Of course" said Iroh
"Well, little one" the old man started "There are many fates quite worse than death, and finding yourself married to a horrendous looking, money grubbing elephant mandrill is indeed one of them.
"EXCUSE ME!" exclaimed his wife "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Iroh and the kids grimaced in sympathetic pain for the poor old earth kingdom man. It didn't look like he was going to get out of one without getting slapped and being forced to sleep outside
"Oh not you my dear!" said the husband "Every morning I thank the heavens above for allowing me to be married to such a delicate flower who looks just as beautiful now as the day I first laid eyes on her"
The elderly woman blushed and giggled softly as her husband gently kissed her hand. The whole tea house looked on kindly.
"He's good" whispered Tai to a nodding Iroh
"So, why did Azula help the avatar and his friends?" Asked Hui
"What I'd like to believe" said Iroh "Is that little family showed her more kindness than she had ever received most of her life. Her father only favored her out of her abilities and not actual love. Her mother and I, while not meaning to, we did give more attention to Zuko rather than her.
"So she was not exactly evil, was she?" asked Kanna
"More like confused, misguided and bitter" Said Iroh "She expressed that in very hateful ways. However after losing her friends Mai and Ty lee, she slowly lost her grip. When she lost the Agni Kai to Zuko, it had finally sent her over the edge. All her emotional walls that she built up over the years, just shattered along with her sanity"
"Sounds like an excuse" Hui said
"No, not an excuse" Iroh said "Just an explanation"
"So what would make her care one bit about anyone else?" asked Lan
"Never underestimate the healing power of love and kindness..."
Chapter 10
-The Great Spirit Hunt pt 1-
The clouds drifted by as Elder Fung's small airship floated away from Totodan. Seeing as the newly married would have no need for it, Kang suggested that they take it as payment for all the grief they suffered.
As they floated through the sky, a soft voice echoed from the small cabin. It was beautiful sounding lullaby
No matter where you are
no matter where I go
I take a piece with me
as I leave a bit with you
And as you drift of to sleep
just know I'll be there
To love you always
and keep you safe
Zuko looked at the cabin from his position at the wheelhouse. He knew that lullaby very well; It was what his mother sung to him and his sister when they were very young. He just never expected, Azula of all people to be singing it. Katara was also shocked by Azula's attitude shift. Ever since the addition of the old man and the twins, she seemed almost sweet. At the very most pleasant.
"She seems like a different person doesn't she?" said Katara
"Yeah she does. I just hope it's for real and not another trick" replied Zuko
Inside the cabin, Azula gently pulled the covers over the sleeping Te and Ye. Without even thinking she, slowly leaned down giving each a kiss on the forehead. She paused in reflection just a bit as she realized what she done. It wasn't like her to have any sort of maternal instincts.
"They need me" thought Azula as she gently stroked the girls hair
On a nearby bunk Aang tossed and turned in as he shivered in a fitful sleep. Azula's eyes darkened as she saw the weakened avatar. A cold uncaring voice from deep within her mind demanded that she take her revenge on him. Walking slowly over to the avatar, she thought of how easy it would be, just to squeeze the life out of him. As her hand slowly hovered over his throat, she remembered his mercy and kindness. She had been told that he risked his life to save hers on the beach. When she had asked why the avatar had simply said that he wanted her to live.
"Such foolish mercy to help an enemy" thought Azula in confusion
She didn't quite understand the emotion she was feeling, so she softly pulled her hand away, instead reaching for his blanket, gently tucking in the avatar.
"I don't know why I doing all of this, I really don't" she confessed to the sleeping Aang "What I do know is that you or the others will probably never forgive me, but I want you to know that I am indeed sorry for all the wrong I've done...Though, if you ask me about this later, I will deny it"
Kang and Katara slowly left from their hiding place in the doorway after witnessing everything. Kang knew the girl had some good in her, but Katara was left in a state of shock. She had never expected that from Azula.
As Azula left the cabin to go back on deck, Aang's eyes slowly opened, smiling weakly.
"I forgive you Azula" whispered Aang closing his eyes and settling into a more peaceful sleep
Meanwhile...
Xi'an was out cold, completely exhausted. He had spent practically the whole night using his healing on Kip. With the breaking of dawn he collapsed, he did all he could it now was up to Kip to recover.
However his sleep was very fitful. Invading his dreams were strange visions, disturbing visions. A giant owl flying in the sky holding a scroll, a Warrior woman with a painted face sharpening her fans, an evil bald man
Waking up in a cold sweat, He was relieved to see Kip run over to him barking happily and licking his face. Sokka and the girls were equally as glad to see the little pup was okay. Looking around Xi'an noticed they were on they were on a hill overlooking a small village.
"Hey buddy, are you okay?" asked Xi'an picking up the small ball of fur
Kip responded by barking happily and licking his face.
"Okay okay, that's enough Kip, just don't scare me like that again" laughed the boy "So where exactly are we guys?"
"According to my map it looks to be near the village of Tenlin. It should be a good place to resupply." said Sokka checking his bag "Oh no..."
"Don't tell me you lost the money!" said Suki "You didn't, did you?"
"Uh...Um" stuttered Sokka
"Way to go noodle brain!" said Toph "Now what are we gonna do?"
"Not a problem guys" said Xi'an "I got a few gold pieces. As I see it, Kip and I owe you guys anyway. I don't know about you guys but a night in a soft bed, a hot bath and good cooked meal sounds really good right now. What do you say big guy? A soft bed of straw and all the cabbage you can eat?"
Appa growled in agreement then slurped Xi'an.
"How about it guys? My treat" Xi'an said petting the bison on the nose
"Sounds good to me!" said Sokka Toph and Suki at the same time
As they entered the village, the small group noticed 2 things. One, the town was a busy mess with a lot of hunters in town. Two, they noticed that the local residents were taking great interest in Xi'an. As they walked through town, they noticed the whispers of the old ladies, the looks of uncertainty and little kids slowly following them. Xi'an ignored them; he was used to being ostracized and hated for how he dressed and his 'odd eye'. A bell rang as they entered the modest village inn.
"Can I help you?" asked the Inn keeper
"We'd like some lodgings for the night" said Sokka "and a warm and safe stable for our Bison"
"Of course..." said the innkeeper stopping as his attention turned to Xi'an "You!... those eyes"
"And here it comes" Xi'an sighed lowering his eyes. He had hopped that they wouldn't notice. He readied himself for the eventual rejection and prejudice that his eyes made for him.
"It would be an honor for you to stay here" said inn keeper excitedly "and don't worry your bison will well taken care of"
"You're not afraid? Of the unlucky "odd eye"?" inquired Xi'an
"Maybe in other places your eyes may be considered odd. But not here..." the innkeeper laughed "In fact you look almost exactly like the hero that saved this town hundreds of years ago. We will always be forever in his debt. And to think, a descendant of his, here in my humble inn"
"I think your mistaken sir." said Xi'an "But if there is no problem, I'd like to pay for the room and stable"
"Normally it would be 10 silver pieces but for you it will be on the house" said the innkeeper "I couldn't possibly charge you"
"Do you have a family, sir?" asked Xi'an
"Yes, I do." replied the inn keeper somewhat uncomfortably
"Well make sure that you keep them fed" Xi'an said laying 4 gold coins on the counter
"Such generosity, thank you" the innkeeper said "If you need anything just ask"
"Right I now I think I just need some air" said Xi'an
Over the course of the day, the group received similar reactions from the town's people. When shopping in the market, Sokka and Xian had to make the shop keeper accept the gold piece as people hurried to catch a glimpse of the young tracker. Children touching him for luck, grandmothers wanting him to bless their homes, women wanting him to marry their daughters, old and young men trying to measure up the young man.
Xi'an wasn't used to much attention and even less used to being practicably worshiped. Mercifully, with the exception of the cook watching Xi'an eat, dinner was at least less stressful. Xi'an merely picked at his food while Sokka and Toph gobbled their food as if someone would take it away any second.
"What's wrong?" asked Suki with a hint of concern in her voice
"I don't know to be honest" replied Xi'an "I guess I'm so used to being hated and spat on, that it's hard to accept all this attention. It got me wondering who they think I am"
"Just go with the flow" said Sokka "It could be worse"
"So you're the one the whole town is clamoring about?" a voice beckoned "Humph, you don't look like much. Certainly not a legendary hero, more of a snot nose kid."
Looking across the room, the group saw a very large man with Yu Yan tattoo on his face. Staggering up to the table he glowered at Xi'an with a look of disgust and jealousy. With the strong smell of wine on his breath, it was more than obvious the man was heavily drunk.
"I never claimed to be anything or anyone. I have no quarrel with you, so how about you just let me and my companions eat our food in peace."
"You threatening me, little boy? Are you looking for a fight?" sneered the angry man" Come on, show me what you got tough guy!"
Without any hesitation Xi'an stomped the floor sending a thin column of earth up hitting the man right in the groin. Then he splashed his drink in the man's face. Using his bending, he then froze the liquid to his face. As the man struggled with the ice on his face, Xi'an pulled his fist back and let loose a punch that shattered the ice and knocked the man out promptly. A round of applause echoed in the small restaurant as a pair of waiters' drug the man out.
"Nice job with the earth bending, Toph" said Suki
"Uh, I didn't do anything. Xi'an did" said Toph
"How..?I thought you were a water bender" said Sokka "You can bend both?"
"How is that possible?" asked Suki "I thought only the avatar could bend more than one"
"I just can. Look, I...rather not talk about it, okay." said Xi'an angry with himself for using bending again
"Alright...for now" said Sokka not wanting press it ..yet
"Thanks" said Xian
"Well, well, well that was quite a display" said yet another voice
The whole table of kids stiffened and put up their guard, waiting for yet another fight. Instead of another huge man, it was a kindly elderly old man.
"Easy young ones, I'm not looking for a fight. I'm the Village elder, Tao. May I join you?" He said gently
They all nodded as Tao took a seat.
"Maybe you can help us here" said Toph "What exactly is going on? Not that I'm complaining, but why is everyone treating Xi'an here like royalty?"
"That painting is why"said Tao pointing to a painting on the nearby wall
On the wall was a very detailed painting depicting a lone warrior making a desperate stand against a legion of earth kingdom soldiers. While he looked a bit like Xi'an, what was unmistakeable was that they both shared a similar trait. It was the eyes, one blue and one green.
"Who is that? " asked Xi'an
"You must not be from around here if you don't know. It is a wonderful long story" said Tao " It was during the era of Avatar Kyoshi, when 1000 of Chin the Great's soldiers appeared at the very gates of this village. For over a month they occupied the town, pillaging, bullying, killing and other horrible things I rather not describe. Then on one clear blue day, a most unusual man appeared. What wore, and the small details like how tall he was are open to debate this very day. However one thing everyone agreed one was his eyes, one the most brilliant ocean blue and the other the deepest green jade. He was of the two lands of earth and water and yet at the same time he was neither."
"Where did he come from?" asked Suki
"No one knows. Some thought he was a mercenary or just a cruel drifting wanderer. They didn't expect that he who looked so different would care about the plight of the town, much less bring an end to terrible suffering of the villagers."
"So what did he do?" asked Suki
"He walked into to this very restaurant, announced that he had no money and hadn't eaten in a few days. He asked that if anyone would be kind enough to feed him a simple hearty cooked meal, he would in turn rid the town of the soldiers by nightfall"
"That is either very brave" said Toph "or very very stupid"
"Maybe a bit of both" laughed Tao "Of course, everyone laughed at the unusual man and the soldiers saw him as no immediate threat. If nothing else, perhaps a bit of vile entertainment for later, so they let him have his 'last meal'. A small child and her mother, perhaps out of pity or maybe just blind hope they paid for a simple bowl of stew, a bun and a warm bowl wine for the man. He ate slowly savoring the first meal he had in days. As the sun began to set, he finally finished, emptying his bowl of wine. Thanking the woman for her kindness and gently patting the child on the head, he assured them both that he'd make sure the soldiers were gone by nightfall"
"Did he keep his promise?" asked Sokka
"Indeed he did. He smiled ever so slightly as he walked out the doors into the street. What happened next is again open to debate, but what is known for sure is that he did indeed keep his word using both earth bending and water bending to rid the town of chin's army. He beat them so bad that no soldier would ever think of coming here again looking for trouble. Then as swiftly as he arrived he disappeared... until now"
"You can't possibly think I'm that hero" Xi'an exclaimed
"No but I think you are a possible descendant of him. The same eyes and the same ability to bend two elements" said Tao "I don't think it's a coincidence your here now"
"Why do I get the feeling, that you want us to do something" asked Sokka
"It's true I do need you to do something for me. These are dark times for our village; people are disappearing from the village. While some blame the Panda Spirit Hei Bai, I do not. I think there is something else going on. Something more, sinister. Tomorrow is the day of the Great Spirit Hunt. I need you to help us."
"I only hunt to eat, I don't hunt for sport" said Xi'an with distaste "I make it a point not to tangle with the spirit world"
"I'm not asking you to hunt him,I'm asking you to find out what happened. I need you to help this village as your ancestor did so many years ago... Please. If Hei Bai is innocent then the village should know" pleaded the elder.
"I'll give you my answer in the morning" said Xi'an
Night fell on the small village as the small group settled into their bunks. From a the window Xi'an saw Kip and Appa sleeping soundly in the stables. There was so much to think about.
"Hey" said Sokka "Your going to do it aren't you?"
"Yeah" replied Xian "Before we came here I think I had a vision. One of them was a panda bear spirit. Maybe we needed to be here for something"
"Sounds like Aang's avatar stuff" yawned Toph
"It does doesn't it?" said Suki cuddling close to Sokka
"Well whatever you chose, we'll back you up" said Sokka "Right now it's best to get some sleep"
"Yeah, your right" yawned Xi'an hopping into a bunk "Looks like tomorrow is the great spirit hunt, whether I like it or not"
Soon they all closed their eyes, settling into a dreamless sleep