Chapter 9: Nightmares and hopes

After the battle was over, the remains of the Northern Water tribe gathered in the palace grounds, so the chief could at least say something to help his people to move forward. The tribe's population was halved, at best. The Avatar and his companions survived, but the same cannot be said about the princess or the majority of the tribe's warriors. The following week was as grim as the atmosphere which governed the city. It was easy to tell that only from the burial of the dead. Instead of the traditional freezing the body, and sending it into the sea, the bodies were just gathered on boats and burned.
Arnook stood on the cliffside just above the sacred bay where they usually did one's last rites before sending them to the afterlife. Behind him were the other survivors. There was the Avatar with a sad face, Sokka who tried to act brave, Katara whose eyes were red from crying, her fingers squeezing a bloodied pendant. There was also Nathan, but he, too, did what he could to not betray any emotions. There was Ranna, the young waterending master, the only one of the three who was still alive. He, for once, didn't care who saw and was openly crying. Even the ever-rude Pakku was silent in grief. There was also Kaito, Ikken and Kuai. They and many others were lying in the boats further to the sea, their bodies burning the same way their souls did, determined to see the end of it.

They watched their friend's and family member's bodies burn in silence. They stood there until the fire went out. Arnook tried to find words to comfort his tribe, but failed. There was too much death. He just shook his head, and left so the others wouldn't see him crying. The rest of them soon followed.

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That night, Arnook didn't sleep soundly. No, his mind didn't let him rest, instead it showed him his daughter. His dead daughter.
He stood in the spirit cave. There was no blood, no ashes. Arnook walked to the pond, where the spirits resided. What he saw, terrified him more than the fleet of invaders. He saw the Ocean spirit. Dead, torn body of a fish. It's dead eyes watched him.

"Why?" asked a voice he knew so well. Arnook turned around. It was her. Yue. She was as beautiful as when she was still alive, before all this. Arnook didn't find the strength to talk. His vision blurred with tears.

"Yue" he whispered. Yue didn't respond, instead she looked at him with disappointment.

"Why did you let me die?" Yue asked, pleaded even "Why didn't you save me?"

Tears flowed out of her eyes down her face. Her father pulled her in a hug. They stood there silently, Arnook suffering in guilt. Then, the whole place exploded. Arnook hit the ground. He looked up, only to see the Fire Nation admiral.

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Arnook woke up, his clothes soaked in tears. Soon, he regained his composure, and decided to go for a walk. Maybe it would help him calm himself. Arnook put on his ordinary clothes, and left the palace. He walked through the palace grounds and reached the square. It was still full of craters, stained by blood. He looked up to the sky. The moon was there, as a sign that his daughter didn't die in vain. Arnook's eyes were teary once again. But he couldn't grieve forever. Noone could, especially him. Arnook was the chief, he had to take care of the tribe. He sighed. What he needed wasn't more thinking, but to clear his mind. Arnook then took different route, leaving the main street and opting to walk to the residential area next to the palace. There was a part of their gallery, which was basically an alleyway of trees sculpted out of ice. Somehow, it remained untouched.

Arnook didn't expect to find anyone there, but he did. It was Nathan, sitting on a bench and looking to the sky. He was lost in thoughts. Arnook joined him.

"Oh, chief. It's you." Nathan acknowledged chief's existence.

"The stars are beautiful, don't you think?" Arnook asked. He didn't know what to say.

"Yeah." Nathan shared the sentiment of knowing nothing.

"You couldn't sleep either?" Nathan interrupted the silence after a few minutes.

"Yes. You aren't surprised by my appearance, but you have me curious. Why are you here?"

"Huo got captured." the younger man said, and didn't explain it further. Not until Arnook asked.

"The guy left a note. It said he was hired to get him to the mainland, and execute him along with me. He even gave me his location." Nathan told him, sounding bitter. Arnook understood. From what he knew the two of them were almost like brothers. It was without question that Nathan would try and free his friend.

"You know it's a trap?"

"Yeah."

"And you still insist on going?" Arnook asked, and Nathan nodded.

"Just know you are always welcome in the Northern Water Tribe." Arnook offered.

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The next few days consisted mainly of working on repairing the city, and the Avatar and company preparing to leave. And Nathan training. The man didn't do anything else. He literally only rained, ate and slept. The day they had to leave arrived quite early, sooner then they expected, and later than Nathan wanted. All of the left on a boat. That kept up for a few days, until the Gaang decided to fly the rest of the way. Nathan was to join them on Appa.

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As they said their goodbyes, Pakku decided it was time to finally hand over the gifts he was to give to the group.

"There is one last thing." Pakku announced "Katara, I want you to have this. This amulet contains water from the spirit oasis. It has unique properties. Don't lose it."

As he said that, his usual frown shifted into a small smile. His first female student had grown on him. He was surprised when the said girl hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, master Pakku." Katara said, smiling. They both grew up,they learned respect. Even Pakku did.

Katara stood to the side.

"Aang, these scrolls will help you master waterbending, but remember. There's no substitute for a real master."

The twelve year old in question bowed his head and grasped his new scrolls with a small smile. That smile would later turn into a grin once they were in the air.

"Nathan, this blade" said Pakku while carefully taking up a sheathed sword "is a gift from the chief himself. He said it would help you in future battles, and keep those you care about safe."

Nathan took the sword. It was katana, with blue fabric on the handle. He had no idea where it was forged. The water tribe had no blacksmith he knew of. But well, it would come in handy. Nathan bowed, not much differently from Aang, and walked to Appa the fluffy boi.

"Sokka" Pakku smiled as the boy excitedly approached, and patted him on the shoulder "take care son."

The boy was speechless. Pakku turned around and walked away from Appa, hiding his smile. He loved messing with people.

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"So, what's the plan?" Sokka asked. He knew Nathan had his own agenda. There was silence as they flew in the clouds, sun shining. Such an unfitting weather for the mood Nathan was in.

"The plan is simple. I go to the commander, fight my way through his men all the way to Huo and kill anyone who gets in my way." Nathan growled.

The saddle, yet again, went silent. Aside from Appa, who choose just that very moment to groan.

"You are going to that fort Pakku told you about?" Nathan asked, sighing. He could frown all he wanted, but they still got to him.

"Yeah, they'll take us to Omashu. Aang has a friend in there who will teach him earthbending." Katara smiled "We'll be there for some time, so maybe we could meet there… right?"

Katara made effort to express they wouldn't mind if he stayed. Nathan smiled, but he either didn't notice or didn't care at the moment. It was more of a sad smile. His mind was not in there. Katara could only hope he wouldn't get caught too. Or worse… But he survived the pole, Katara thought. He won't die.

Nathan, on the other hand, was trying to come up with an actual plan for the rescue. It all was in vain since he didn't know anything of he location. He would really have to cut his way through.

"Yeah, we could." Nathan finally said.

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Huo finally woke up. He was in a cell. What happened? The chief let them wander the city, right? Huo got up and walked to the bars. After hitting the metal bars it came to him. The North was under siege. They were losing, and he infiltrated the enemy ranks. Tried to kill Zhao. And failed. He failed, and now they were probably dead. Huo punched the wall. Fuck.

The door of his cell opened and through them came two men in Fire Navy uniforms. They took his arms, each man one arm, and led him out. His whole body hurt. Every single move hurt. While being dragged Huo finally looked on himself. His torso and left arm were burned red.

The two soldiers and the prisoner emerged on the deck. Huo was then thrown ti the two men in the middle. He recognised the one in black. It was the man who beat him. The man who burned him. Huo tried to attack, but he was too slow, and weak.

"I see you retained some hope. Good." Said the other man "I'm commander Shang, and I have some business with that friend of yours."

Huo didn't care. He just wanted to get away. He struggled, but the two guards kept him in place.

"See that beach? Further in that forest is a clearing. There we will wait or your friend."

And cut! So, how do you like it? Is it making the impression I want it to? I hope you did like the darker part of the story, because, well, it's war and war is full of shit like this. Still, I wouldn't go too far. I hope I didn't.
Once again I ask for your opinion and/or suggestions. Really guys, I do want to know what you think so talk to me.

We are getting to the second book of the Avatar series, and for those who are checking every chapter in hope for ships: I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait some time, since there won't be any aside from the canon for a few weeks. Also, what do you think Nathan should do during the Book Two?

Thanks as always.

Khai