Chapter 10: Return to Being Forgotten
Little Falcon: Hey guys, I've been busy as if the late so I apologize for the delay. I hope you didn't think I left this story hanging? Because here I am proving you wrong. Hahaha! Well, here's the update and as always tell me what you think.
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!
Her knees were still trembling when she got out of the frozen cave. The words she heard rang repeatedly in her head, so loud that she didn't even hear the others call her. A sudden tap on her shoulder made her jerk back to reality.
"What's wrong?" The young fire lord immediately looked towards the cave feeling that something bad has happened to her when he wasn't around.
"It's nothing," the blood bender clutched his sleeve to prevent him from venturing inside. What she failed to notice was how her hand shook in the attempt to stop Zuko.
His brows furrowed as he instinctively placed his warm hand over hers. Something DID happen… why won't you tell me?
"Did you find anything inside the cave?" The avatar, obviously oblivious that he was interrupting something, asked from a distance. Katara quickly withdrew her hand then turned towards the others.
His amber eyes returned to the glassy contents of the fissure for a while he stared before making his way back to the gang. "We'll find no clues here. Let's get moving… this place is making me uncomfortable," the water tribe warrior continues to turn his head in almost every direction as if expecting something paranormal to appear. Hearing no disapproval, everyone got on the humongous sky bison and flew away.
As soon as they were out of sight, a shady figure stepped out of her hiding place. "Here I thought you have become perceptive, Zukie. Guess I was wrong," the fallen fire princess crossed her arms as a sadistic smirk formed on her lips. "I'll see you soon… Azrael."
From the town they landed in, the gang discovered the tragedy that befell that village and the culprits responsible. "Please tell me you'll kill all those disgusting blood benders! My entire family was killed in that attack!" one villager pleaded his rage almost tangible through his words.
The townspeople began to congregate around them sharing the same sentiment.
"They're cursed! Killing them is the only punishment they deserve!"
"Those benders think they're gods just because they can control us like pawns! They should be crucified!"
Each statement of hate was like a physical blow on her insides. Overwhelming guilt squeezed her chest to the extent that she was barely breathing. She wanted to get out but she has no right to walk away. This was only a small fraction of the punishment she deserves.
Although Aang tried to console the people, their cries for justice grew louder and louder. It wasn't surprising since their only hope for retribution lies with the person standing before them. Throwing an apologetic look over his shoulder, the blood bender's eyes grew wide. Shaking her head slightly, she assured him that no harm was done. A complete, outrageous lie.
Her dark blue eyes scanned the growing crowd- old people, teenagers and women carrying their babies… all wishing for one thing. A quiet squeeze of her hand by someone made her avert her gaze from the others and towards the person beside her. Without saying a word or meeting her eyes, the fire bender held her hand tighter as if telling her to hang in there.
When the gang finally found privacy, the others tried their best to not discuss about the event and focus on other things that had nothing to do with blood benders like Suki and Toph's pregnancy, baby names and plans for remodeling their house. Discreetly, Azrael exited the room and went up the roof- a location where no one was around but still she was close enough to know that everyone below is fine. When Sokka's lame jokes and Aang's contagious laughter were gone… the crowd's horrifying pleas echoed in her head. Raising her head towards the crescent moon, she blinked back her unshed tears. I brought this upon myself…
"You're not a bad person," his husky voice came from behind as his light footsteps approached.
Her eyes slowly opened but didn't meet his gaze. "After all that you saw and heard, you're still as deluded as ever," the distant tone of her voice made his chest heavy. It was as if Azrael was winning over Katara… fault over reason.
"I don't know the reason why you ended up doing the things you've done but I'm sure you did it because you had to… and that's enough for me. I know you all too well to tell that you wouldn't do things that would endanger other people's lives," Zuko stepped right in front of her so that she'll see that his words held no lie. Just for a quick second, he swore he saw a glint of Katara's gentle eyes before they turned cold and cruel.
Azrael began to walk away, leaving the fire lord staring at her back… unheard. Just before she makes the final step, her feet stopped moving as her back was against him. "Zuko…"
His eyes lit up upon hearing her melodic voice call his given name as if it was a different name that only she can pronounce.
"You really love me, don't you?"
Taken aback by her question, he stuttered for an appropriate reply.
"Did you know… the pathetic part of being in love is sometimes even the worst person in the world can be the best person in your own belief," she turned her head slightly just to have a glance at him before jumping off the roof.
Shock left him paralyzed, staring at the spot where she once was. What can I do? Every time I try to come near you, you pull away. I want to help… I want to be there for you… but what can I do when you won't even let me in…
By the time the blood bender returned to the inn, she caught sight of both her brother and the avatar frantically running around as if their pants were on fire. "What's wrong?" asked Azrael as she made her way towards the pair.
"Suki's demanding carrot-apples!"
"Toph wants radish-melons!" They said at the same breath.
Her mouth formed a silent "O" then she looked at both them with pity. It was the infamous craving older women speak of when they talk about pregnancy but that's not what made her sympathize with the odd couple… it was where they can get the vegetable-fruit their other half was dying to eat. As she took note of their almost comical expression, something inside her twitched. How easy it will be if I just returned to the old me dealing with these menial problems… These two men before her are powerful warriors however when dealing with their wife, they are just like any other husband… overly protective and full of needless worry.
Her eyebrows suddenly rose as she recalled her long trip allover town. "Wait a minute. I think I saw a merchant selling those…"
"WHERE?" Sokka and Aang were at her face even before she finished what she was trying to say.
Not only did they buy a dozen of the vegetable-fruits they were looking for but they also decided to have a piece of every mouthwatering comestible they deem Suki and Toph would crave next. Needless to say, on their way back to the inn even the blood bender, who was only meant to be a guide, was also carrying an armful of vegetable-fruits.
"Gee, thanks a lot Kata-err- Azrael," they were together for weeks now and they still can't get her name right. Somehow the thought that they can't forget about her former name made her happy. Aang grinned widely as they continued their walk back.
"Yeah, what will we do without you," her heart made a painful leap as she heard her brother said his favorite line whenever his sister got them out of a pinch.
Unknown to her, there was already a smile on her face, hidden by the pile of stuff she was carrying. "Nah… you'll be okay without me," she whispered so low that even she can't hear her own voice.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN?" A very angry fire lord roared as they opened the door. Behind him, the Kiyoshi warrior and the blind bender were still in the middle of a harangue about the things they want to eat. Apparently, Zuko wasn't worried that the three were gone for so long but he was at way passed his limits in listening to his pregnant friends' unreasonable cravings.
"Easy there hot head, you might burn your hair," Sokka pushed the stuff he was carrying on Zuko's reluctant hold before bouncing off to sit with his wife.
"Sorry we took so long Zuko," being the polite one, the avatar laid his stuff on the table before grabbing the vegetable-fruit Toph demanded.
For a quick awkward moment, Amber met sapphire before both of them turned away.
"You bought so much! I'm beginning to think that I'll be as big as a whale-cow even before the baby is born," Suki sighed heavily before taking another bite at her carrot-apple.
"I concur," said Toph, raising her hand hesitantly.
"If you think that's your problem then wait until you get the really weird cravings," the blood bender's mouth said even before she can think.
The girls' eyes grew wide in shock. "What do you mean?" asked the two in unison.
Giving up any attempts to drop the topic, Azrael let out a breath of defeat. "There are instances where pregnant women eat something not really meant to be eaten…like raw grain, wood chips and even dirt," she explained and soon after the two girls ran towards the bathroom to hurl big time.
"I…is that true?"
"Odd as it may sound avatar, I don't exactly enjoy hearing them throw up. What reason would I have to make that lie?" Just for that moment, she felt like she was back to being Katara… the naggy and sarcastic Katara.
As the hours grew late, everyone retreated to the confines of their own rooms while one person remained, staring at the high moon. Inhaling sharply, she began to perform complex bending. You'll be okay without me, right?
Grabbing her satchel at the corner of the room, she walked out of the inn fighting the temptation to even glance back. The sound of dragged steps made her stop. "Here I thought I was successful in putting everyone to sleep,"
"Where are you going?" The words spewed in between his gritted teeth as he forced his eyelids to remain open.
With the deafening silence, she heard something dripping on the ground. Her pupils dilated as her instincts told her what it was. As if to prove it wrong, the blood bender threw a quick look over her shoulder. Just a mere glimpse… and it made her turn fully to face the weakened fire lord.
Thick crimson trickled from his arm down to his fingertips and finally soaking the earth. His hand holding the blade was shaking as his amber eyes displayed no hint of pain.
Right then and there, she felt like her heart was being torn off her chest. You cruel guy… don't make it harder than it already is. Without breaking their eye contact, her right hand made a slow turn. Hearing him grunt in retaliation didn't stop her one bit.
The pain he used to wake him up began to grow dull and soon his vision started to grow blurry, his limbs heavy.
I know I'll be hurting you the most since you're the only one who knew Katara really returned. Don't worry… this is the last time I'll ever cause you pain. Tears poured out of her eyes with every step she took towards him.
The last thing he saw were her brilliant blue eyes before darkness claimed everything. The last thing he felt was something soft and warm against his lips. The last thing he heard were her footsteps growing weaker and weaker until finally… there was silence.
Little Falcon: Read and review okay?