Hey guys. Sorry for the delay... but this chapter is longer than I thought it would be... and I am not done yet.
Sokka and Katara would fit to travel the next day, after they sucked on some frozen frogs. Kasai chuckled at the look on Sokka's face when he realized that he was sucking on a frog, and it began to move in his mouth. Kasai still found herself laughing about it as Sokka still found himself complaining about it as they traveled on. They were walking along a river's edge when they heard a growl. When they investigated and saw a man standing face to face with a platypus- bear.
"Run! Then zig-zag, then climb a tree." Sokka suggested, Aang and Katara also shouted suggestions, the man did nothing but dodge a swipe from the beast and stared, unaffected.
"I am alright." The man smiled. "Thank you."
"Why aren't you doing anything?" Aang asked, the beast took another lunge and Appa came out of the forest and roared his roar, scaring the animal until it laid a giant egg. Kasai just stared at the entire scene soaking it in. She had never seen a platypus-bear before, only illustrations in books.
"Obviously, the best way to handle this beast is have a bigger beast nearby." Kasai smiled. "Sir, are you alright?"
"Oh yes. Thank you." he bowed politely.
"You could have seriously been hurt, weren't you scared?" Katara asked.
"No. Aunt Wu told me I would have a safe journey." the man smiled.
"Aunt Wu?" Katara asked.
"My village fortuneteller." the man clarified. Sokka scoffed, "Oh! Here." the man handed Aang a small, wrapped package. "Aunt Wu told me to give this to anyone I meet on my journey. Have a nice day." The man walked off happily. Aang unwrapped the package and it was an umbrella.
"Why would he give us this?" Kasai asked, then thunder clapped and it began to downpour rain, Kasai frowned. "This could be why..." she snatched the umbrella and opened it. Aang and Katara squeezed themselves under it too.
"We should go see this Aunt Wu, it would be interesting to have our fortunes told." Katara said.
"Oh come on, you can't believe in that stuff Katara, it's all fake." Sokka said.
"How did she knew we would need an umbrella?" Aang asked.
"Because the sky has been gray for days." Sokka bit back.
"Just admit that you're curious and you can come under the umbrella." Katara said to him.
"Kai, be on my side, you can't believe in this stuff."
"Sorry Sokka, I have known and seen too much stuff that is between the spirits and earth not to believe in fortunetelling." Kasai shrugged. "Plus it's dry under the umbrella." they began wlking towards the village.
"Honestly, here. I'll predict something..." Sokka waived his hands sarcastically. "It's going to keep drizzling." Just then the rain stopped.
"Not everyone has the gift Sokka." Aang closed and shook the umbrella.
"Sorry." Kasai laughed. They walked until they reached a small village, and they had no problem finding where Aunt Wu lived and worked. They knocked on the door, Katara practically bouncing with excitement. A little girl answered the door.
"Welcome, Aunt Wu knew you'd be coming... I'm Meng, Aunt Wu's assistant." her eyes widened at Aang. "Hello, come in. Would you care for any tea of some of Aunt Wu's special bean curd puffs?"
"I'll take a-" Sokka started, the girl held up her hand to him, not taking her eyes off Aang.
"So what's your name?" Meng asked.
"Aang." Aang said simply.
"That rhymes with Meng, and you've got some pretty big ears on you, don't you?" the girl gawked, Katara and Kasai took seats next to each other and giggled, Kasai leaned over.
"Well, I figure that's one way to do it." Kasai giggled.
"Kai, that's mean. She's just a little girl." Katara swatted her playfully.
"Uh huh, I bet you were flirting up a storm back at your village, eh? You must be an expert." Kasai teased her.
"What about you miss rich?"
"I am smooth as glass little watertribe girl." Kasai flipped her hair. "Poise and eloquence is instilled in me."
"Uh huh." Katara rolled her eyes, the little girl came back with their tea and snacks, tripping in a rug. Aang caught the tray and the girl before they hit the floor. "How cute."
"Amateur." Kasai whispered. The little girl looked embarrassed and shuffled away, an older woman emerged from a back room.
"Welcome young travelers, who's first?" Aunt Wu smiled. "Don't be shy... I don't bite."
"I will." Kasai shot up, her friends looked at her strangely, she was hardly ever this interested in something. "What? I figure a futural insight wouldn't hurt." she followed the woman back, hearing Sokka griping about being in a house of 'nonsense', then they went into a back room and when the door shut Kasai and this woman were alone.
"Don't be nervous child. You have obviously faced more horrific things in your past than an old woman." Aunt Wu sized her up. Kasai stood there, trying not to let her mouth fall agape. "Please, sit."
"Right." Kasai sat down. "Sorry, I've never done anything like this before. Honestly if my father could see me right now, he'd probably have a fit." she chuckled.
"What a pretty trinket, may I?" Aunt Wu gestured to her mother's necklace.
"Well I don't take it off anymore..." Kasai started, Aunt Wu reach forward and touched it.
"Oh, what darkness and great sorrow this necklace tells of. A shackle, but it's missing a piece... it's broken." Aunt Wu said.
"It was my mother's. This was the first gift that my father gave her, when they were betrothed. There was a pendant attached, but it went missing the night she..." Kasai swallowed. Aunt Wu caught her eye.
"What a soldier you are..." she gestured for Kasai to place her hand's in the older woman's. "Yet your hands are so undamaged. And strong. There is so much wisdom and strength in your hands and in your eyes... especially for one as young as you are." she sighed. "Oh... what happened to you, poor child." Aunt Wu whispered the last part, shaking your head sadly. "There is a decision for you to make, so much rests on you."
"I've already made it-" Kasai started.
"Have you?" Aunt Wu looked up, boring her eyes into Kasai's. "No... You will be tested. So much will be tested. What has been in your past is nothing compared for what is to come." Aunt Wu held her hands a little tighter. "Bonds broken, your twin bond. A great battle with demons, and flame, and a dragon... no a man.. no something even more ghastly... a monster." Kasai began panting, she tried to pull her hands away but Aunt Wu's grip was too tight. "Death. So many dead, because of you... the flames, they're too hot. He's screaming... don't you hear him screaming?" Kasai tried harder. "You leave him to die... You... you love him. That's why he's dead. You're in pain, so much pain, but seeing him dead..."
"Who's dead?" Kasai asked, voice cracking. "Aunt Wu... you're hurting me." she tugged at her hands again.
"You love him... you promised him a new world... Make your choice." Kasai finally got her hands back from the old woman and shot up, stumbling slightly. "Oh dear... you have so much at stake in your future... I'm sorry." Aunt Wu shook her head. "That monster..."
"Is my father." Kasai knew exactly who she was eluding to.
"You'll never escape him dear." Kasai began backing out as Aunt Wu stood up. Those words, they scared her. Kasai had never been more frightened in her life, but there she was, backing away from this old woman as if she were a threat. Before she knew it, she was back in the waiting area with Katara, Aang and Sokka.
"Kai..." she jumped slightly, but it was only Katara. "Hey... how was it... are you alright?" Kasai looked back at Aunt Wu.
"I need some air." she headed for the door. "Your turn Katara." Kasai reached for the handle.
"Kai..." it was Aunt Wu, Kasai turned. "You can try to run dear, but no matter the path you choose..." Their eyes met. "You will lose... everything." Kasai couldn't get out of that door quickly enough. She walked quickly through the little town, apparently her face looked frightened because a young man stopped her.
"Excuse me miss, are you alright?" he asked.
"What? I mean yes. I am fine, thank you." she smiled.
"You came in with the other travelers, right?" he asked.
"I did, they are still at Aunt Wu's." Kasai nodded.
"I have an inn, there is plenty of room for you four, well I have two rooms, but they fit two people. They're big." he smiled, Finally, no sleeping on the ground. She thought.
"We'll take them." she smiled. "Show me the way." she followed him across the square and was shown the two identical rooms, they were side by side and they were perfect for them. "I am not sure how long we are staying, but here..." she gave him some gold pieces. "this is for three nights."
"Perfect. Enjoy your stay... if you want... I can.." the young man began to blush. "There is a place down the street. He has the best noodles and roasted pheasant duck for miles around." he whispered something nervously to him, Kasai smiled.
"We passed by a tea room in your inn? How about we start go there."
"Oh.. right! Yes." the boy smiled.
"Since I don't even know your name yet." Kasai lifted an eye brow.
"I am Sheng." he nodded his head.
"Kai." Kasai smiled back, they walked down stairs and sat in the inn's small but cozy tea room. Kasai could see that the inn didn't make a lot, but the young man had good taste, he asked what she preferred and began to make the pot. He sat it down and pour her cup for her, waiting for her to take a sip before pouring his own. "This is very good. Where is the tea grown?"
"Right here... well. My parents farm it, near the base of the volcano. The soil is really rich." he smiled.
"This is some of the best jasmine tea I have had. Do you sell it?" Kasai asked, thinking her Uncle would surely enjoy it.
"I do, yes." he smiled. "We don't usually get a lot of travelers here, where are you and your friends from?"
"I am from the earth kingdom, the brother and sister that are with me are from the northern water tribe, and the bald monk is the Avatar." she sipped.
"The Earth Kingdom? Really? Are you a bender?" he asked, a little too excitedly.
"No." She smiled, the boy's face fell. "What?"
"Nothing..." he tried to recover.
"No, not nothing." she looked at him.
"Aunt Wu predicted that the girl who was a powerful bender was going to bring great things into my life..." he smiled.
"Oh..." Kasai smiled. "How often is Aunt Wu correct?"
"Oh... I can't think of a time she's ever been wrong." Sheng said, then her friends came in the Inn.
"Kai. There you are." Sokka said.
"Hey guys, this is Sheng. I got us rooms here, because I don't want to sleep on the ground tonight." she smiled.
"Hey." Sokka brushed the inn keeper off. "Why did you run away so fast?"
"Yeah, we were worried, are you alright?" Katara asked.
"Yeah. Just fine." Kasai smiled, "Sheng, This is Sokka, Katara, and Aang." she pointed at the bald monk. "Aang here is the Avatar."
"It is such a pleasure." Sheng bowed to Aang, who looked a bit uncomfortable.
"Thank you for having us."
"I will show you to your rooms." Sheng gestured.
"You two go ahead, I'll catch up." Aang said, then sat down with Kasai.
"Aang I really don't have the patience..." Kasai started.
"What did she mean by you will lose everything?" Aang asked, Kasai rubbed her hand over her face.
"I don't know..." she sighed. "It could have something to do with that fact that my family and others I know and love are considered the enemy."
"Kai..." Aang started. "You're with us... right?"
"What? Why would you ask me that? Yes. I've made my choice."
"Kai, I'm serious."
"I am too. I am staying right here."
"Kasai." Aang hissed. "Can I trust you?"
"Yes." Kasai looked into his eyes, then sighed. "I see him. In my dreams sometimes."
"See who?" Aang asked.
"Avatar Roku. I see him. He visits me, even before I met you. He came the night you made his statue's eyes glow, and for weeks before that." Kasai confessed.
"The eyes glowing, that was from me being at the air temple, and before that.. Sokka and Katara found me in an iceberg." Aang remembered.
"At the temple, when you were Roku, you said I belonged here. I belonged with you, and ever since I have been on the path with you he's stopped coming in my dreams. The night you made the statue glow, it was liked he attacked me. He wanted me to do something and I didn't understand... but now I do." Kasai looked in Aang's eyes. "I know I lied, and I know I am still asking you to lie to our friends but please... I need to be here."
"Aunt Wu said you will lose everything."
"She also said I would never be rid of my father... both can't be true." Kasai smirked. "I'll take the former if it means changing the world."
"Kai, these rooms are really nice, thank you." Katara came back in. "Soo Kai, what did you and Aunt Wu talk about?"
"What did you two talk about?" Kasai asked back.
"She said I am going to marry a powerful bender." Katara giggled. "What about you?"
"We... didn't talk much of love." Kasai shrugged.
"Well.. I can't wait to go back to her, I want to know so much more." Katara meant it when she said she couldn't wait. Kasai, Sokka and Aang didn't see much of Katara. Sokka was off proving that Aunt Wu was a phony, Aang was trying to fin different ways of impressing a girl, stupidly asking Sokka for advice. Kasai was a bit more wrapped up in the things Aunt Wu predicted. The next morning she decided that she would go and ask Aunt Wu some more questions, and found Katara standing outside the door, obviously annoyed.
"Katara?"
"She won't let me in..." the waterbender huffed. "Honestly! Are you here to see her? Could you ask her some questions for me?"
"Umm... no. Katara, I think you've had enough readings."
"Fine... I am going to go get a papaya." Katara sighed and walked away.
"Kai." Aang and Sokka called her over.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if you could help me..." Aang started.
"Aang has a crush on a girl and he doesn't know what to do to make her notice. I said she probably already knows and to be cool and aloof, but he won't listen to me. So since you're like a girl, you could give him some advice."
"I'm like a girl?" Kasai asked the watertribe boy.
"Yeah. I mean you don't do make up and your clothes are always guy is, and your hair is always down..."Sokka trailed off when Aang elbowed him and he caught a glance of the way Kasai was glaring at him.
"It seems you're wise not to listen to him." Kasai looked Sokka up and down. "Do something nice for her. And make it something special. Like you listened to something that she wanted or needed and you got it." she shrugged.
"That sounds hard." Sokka said.
"Walk away waterboy." and Sokka put his hands up and did so. "Listen Aang, people like to be shown that they matter and what they say matters. Does that make sense?"
"Yes." Aang nodded. "But how am I supposed to find out what she wants or needs?"
"Talk to her..." Kasai laughed and patted his shoulder. "And listen." they noticed a crowd gathering in the middle of the square and they joined Sokka and Katara. "What's going on?"
"Aunt Wu is going to read the clouds." Katara said.
"This is ridiculous, this town relies on that woman too much." Sokka muttered. Aunt Wu began translating the shapes in the clouds. She read everything from the luck for twins, to how good the harvest will be, then at the end she announced with a cheer.
"The volcano will not destroy the town this year!" the town cheered.
"She predicts whether they should evacuate from the base of the volcano too?" Sokka groaned. "These people are doomed."
"Don't say that Sokka." Kasai smacked him arm.
"Hey guys, did Aang just spoil that couple's romantic moment?" Katara asked, Kasai looked over and sighed.
"Seems like it." she sighed. In a rush of wind, Aang ran over, grabbed Sokka and went.
"Where are you going?" Kasai yelled after him.
"Be back later." He shouted back. Katara and Kasai looked at each other and shook their heads. The girls went on their way buying stuff they would need when they left the village and Kasai had her hands full keepying Katara away from Aunt Wu's, the watertribe girl was absolutely obsessed.
"I can't believe you aren't going in for another reading. What we heard of it, it seems like there are some pretty intense questions that need to be answered." Katara said.
"Yes, but I am not sure if I want to know the answer to them." Kasai shrugged.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Many people solidify their destinies on their way to changing it." Kasai said.
"Wow.. that was... serious, even for you." Katara arched her brow.
"I think my Uncle said that." Kasai realized she actually couldn't remember a lot about her Uncle and sighed.
"You miss your family, huh?" Katara asked.
"Yeah.." Kasai cleared her throat. "What did Aunt Wu tell you?"
"I asked her about my love life." Katara smiled excitedly, "She says I will marry a great bender one day. Did you ask about yours?"
"No." Kasai scoffed. "Honestly, I hope a never get married." Because then I'd have to be Fire Lord. She thought the last bit to herself.
"Why not-"
"GUYS!" Aang ran up to them, a winded Sokka was struggling behind from trying to keep up with the airbender.
"What?" Kasai asked.
"The volcano.. Aunt Wu was wrong." Aang said. "It's going to erupt."
"Need... to.. evacuate... village." Sokka panted.
"'Right there warrior guy?" Kasai asked, Sokka put his hands on his knees and nodded his head. Sokka went to the gazebo where Aunt Wu did the cloud reading. "Listen everyone! The volcano is going to erupt, we need to start the evacuation, now!" some people looked around, but most kept on with what they were doing. "Hello! Aunt Wu was wrong!"
"You always think Aunt Wu is wrong." Some guy remarked in a scoff.
"Listen, I want to believe Aunt Wu as much as anyone else. But My brother and the Avatar have seen the lava. We need to evacuate." Katara begged someone to listen, but not one did.
"This people are going to be destroyed. We have to do something." Kasai looked around.
"The only person they'll listen to is Aunt Wu." Aang sighed, then he perked up and snapped his fingers. "Then we make Aunt Wu tell them."
"How?" Sokka asked. "We'd have to drag her up the volcano."
"No. The clouds. They are only water and air." he looked at Katara.
"Let's do it."
"First step, we are going to need her cloud book." Aang smiled.
"I'll distract her." Kasai said, nodding to Aang. "Katara you should get Appa ready to fly, Sokka... try not to anger anyone." Sokka pouted. "And stop pouting." Kasai walked to the house and knocked on the door. Aunt Wu herself answered.
"I knew you were coming." she smiled.
"I.. I need to know more.." Kasai told her, she looked back over her shoulder as Aunt Wu lead her inside.
"What do you need to know?" Aunt Wu said, when she sat down.
"The monster you saw, my father. Does he survive?"
"Your father? Why of course.. he survives..." Aunt Wu said kindly.
"Please tell me you're lying... please.." Kasai begged.
"Child?" Aunt Wu questioned.
"Just..." Kasai sighed. "Am I going to die?"
"I don't see death in your future.." Aunt Wu looked at her. "Are you afraid?"
"No... I am not afraid of anything." Kasai responded defiantly. She had be in the woman's uncomfortable presence for longer than she wanted to be. Kasai excused herself, not caring if Aang was out of the way anyway. When she and Aunt Wu came out of the house when Sokka came up to them.
"Aunt Wu. Look at the clouds." he feigned panic and pointed like an idiot. Kasai looked up to see a big skull in the sky.
"That is... nicely done." Kasai mouthed to Sokka, then the whole town shook.
Dun dun dduuuunnnnnnnn!