Chapter 11

I took a short break to think about some things, but here goes the next chapter. Disclaimer: I do not own the Airbender series.

Katara hung her arm down the side of Appa. The air whipped her hair about her face and chewed the inside of her bottom lip. She looked at Aang up front as he held tightly to the reigns and steered the huge, loveable beast.

"You really have a load on your mind, girl." Suki sat next to Katara.

"That obvious huh?"

"Yes. Tremendously. Tell me about it."

"Suki," Katara stammered. "I-I can't. I mean, there really is nothing to tell. I guess the ghost thing really bothers me."

Suki withdrew her fan and ran a finger down the crest of it. "That was really scary. Who would have known an invisible person would begin slaying people so soon after Avatar Aang defeated the firelord? If you ask me, it may be coming from inside the palace walls."

Katara shifted so she could not see Suki's eyes. Could it be true that someone was within the walls trying to kill off everyone? Why wouldn't it show itself?

"Hey gang! We're gonna rest here for the night. Appa seems to be yawning every two minutes."

Aang carefully steered Appa to the ground. They appeared to be somewhere not too far from the Fire Nation, but still within the perimeter.

Katara hopped down, then Sokka and Suki and Momo. Aang came over to Katara and took her hand.

"Thanks for coming Katara."

"I wouldn't let you go alone, Aang."

Aang looked down and then behind Katara. "Hey. It seems someone was just here."

They hurried to a site where some sticks probably used to make fire was nestled by some trees and a few eaten fruits laid nearby and the smell of smoke was still heavy in the air. Katara saw something glinting in the early evening moon. It was silvery and looked like a spider's web.

"Hmmm," she plucked it from one of the branches and drew the thin, thread through her fingers. Just that motion made her blood run cold, and she did not understand why.

"Looks like a piece of hair," Aang commented. Katara dropped the hair and stepped from it. Her stomach roiled with hunger as they hadn't eaten in so many days now. Maybe Momo found some more nuts and pears?

"You must be hungry Katara," Aang whispered to her. Katara saw how Suki rested her head on Sokka, and then he dipped his head to kiss her on the lips. Katara faced Aang who had concern drawn over his face.

"Katara, do you know how beautiful you are? I can't stand when you are not by my side."

Katara nodded and kept her arms crossed over herself. "I'm never leaving your side, kiddo."

"I'm not a kid, Katara."

"I didn't mean-"

"You guys here that?" Sokka had come over with Suki close behind. "It sounded like a rush of water.

"Water?" Aang looked at Katara briefly before stepping away from her and they each surveyed the ground.

"Footprints, Aang. They're everywhere!" Katara listened carefully as the sound of rushing waters came again. Then they felt the tiny sprinkles of that liquid hit each of their skin.

"It doesn't take much to figure out a waterbender is nearby." Sokka said.

"That can be a good thing…right?" Suki asked.

"Depends, " Katara smoothed down her hair. "Hama was a violent foe with mental issues. And a great waterbender."

"Well, it's not like she's here. She's imprisoned now." Sokka said then he joked: "Probably wasted away already, decrepit and dead."

They all laughed nervously as Sokka, Katara, and Aang remembered the havoc called Hama.

Hama and Maxim

"You did not have to do that! Seriously!" Maxim shook more water from his half of a robe and shook out the remaining droplets of water from his hair.

"You were talking to someone- -who?" Hama demanded about to wave her hands again to rain down more water upon Maxim's head.

"Myself! I wonder off sometimes in my sleep."

Hama moved about him like a cat. She could read the signs of lying very well. Maxim held his hands up in defense, his breathing was erratic, and looked around nervously.

Hama still smelled a light fragrance hanging around the air.

"Look, Hama. We're both weary and beat. Let's just try and relax the rest-"

"Hush boy!" Hama stopped him and backed away with her ear turned upwards. "We have company not too far away."

"What are you…an animal too?" Maxim shook his head, already thinking of leaving this old, mysterious woman. The only reason he stayed, was because Hama proved resourceful.

And dangerous.

"Sounds like a group of people too. Ah, the scent is familiar here." Hama lifted her wrinkled, weathered face to the night air and inhaled deeply. Her long, white hair sailed around her like wings and her thin body stood atop a small mound.

Maxim took her arm. "Let's go check it out."

*Couldn't think of anything else to write so far. Here is the latest news though: My book is now available for FREE as a download for the month of August only. Contact me for more information on where to view the entire book

Thanks, and Chapter 12 of Avatar Aang coming soon!