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Chapter 14: Abort

KPOV

This wasn't supposed to happen.

That was all I could think as I started puking into the toilet.

No, no, no. This wasn't supposed to happen.

I knew exactly what was happening, and I needed to leave as soon as possible. I had sent the letter to Zuko last week. It wasn't what I had originally planned, but I needed to escape soon, and I needed Zuko on my side.

"Master Katara? Are you ok in there?"

"Yes, it seems my stomach wasn't quite used to the ice scallops yet."

"Ok, I have some remedies if need be. The princess is waiting for you."

"I'll be out in a minute, I'm sure I'm fine."

Nothing came as a response, and I could feel the steps moving farther away from the bathroom door. I groaned as another wave of puke came out of my mouth. I melted some of the water off of the wall and used it to rinse my mouth.

After making sure I was presentable, I walked out of the bathroom, walked down the hall to the Royal Room. Yes, it literally says that on the map they gave me to study. Inside sat the Emperor, his wife, and the Princess, as well as her soon to be groom. It almost made me cringe to see them, knowing how Sokka felt.

But that was all going to change.

"You called for me, Princess Yue?"

"Yes, I wished to talk to you about your stay here."

I looked at the Emperor with curiosity, and he stayed straight faced, letting his daughter continue. It probably wasn't her idea, whatever was going to be said, but it was her duty, as the soon to be Empress, that she needed to be the one to bear bad news.

"Yes?"

"We would like to offer that your stay with us becomes permanent." I paused, knowing this was going to happen soon enough, waiting for her or her father to continue. "We require your assistance. We understand that you have ties in the Southern Nation, which is why we are willing to bring anyone here, grant them life in the North. You have a fiancé, no?" I nod. "Yes, he can come. But that means that your… gifts can only be used to assist the north, and you will have to give your blood to the Moon and Sea gods for our oath."

I didn't bow my head; I never have when it came to them. The emperor had first taken it as a sign of disrespect, but after getting closer to me, understanding what I could do, he realized it was actually a sign of respect. Or, well, a little bit of both.

For once, I bowed my head. I could feel the heavy air around the room, knowing that they knew exactly what I was going to say next. "I apologize, but I can't take that offer."

The emperor sighed. "Katara, you are probably the most powerful person besides the Avatar, and you alone could take down a whole army. Maybe even more so as time has gone by. Our Nation is clouded in fear of the Fire Nation. We have done our best to stay out of war, but it seems inevitable now. We can offer you so much more, here, in the North. You weren't even part of the army in the South! You were a simple school teacher!" He ran his hand through his hair in exasperation. "Your father doesn't even know of the power you have. Can you really live with such disrespect? Can you live with being unknown your whole life? Being stuck in that small village, no longer seeing the world?" He stared at me with such conviction. "You have only reached the bare minimum of what you can really do, I can see it in your eyes, your need to see the world. You can help us conquer countries, the world even. All of it, at your fingertips."

I smiled, and the emperor sighed once again. "I am going to have to decline, Arnook."

Hahn, Yue's betrothed, seemed astonished. He stood, angrily glaring at me. "How dare you. Who do you think you are? Just because your some kind of good bender, you think you can decline-no- humiliate our emperor? You are nothing but a woma-" His sentence was cut short by a sharp icicle pointed directly at his adam's apple.

"Please, would you like to finish that sentence?"

"Hahn, if anyone has humiliated me here today, it is you. Katara is a respected ally whom I'd gladly let guard my life. I put my own reputation on the line asking this of her."

I let the ice fall into water, soaking Hahn, and I could see Yue trying to hold back a laugh. Hahn huffed and left the room to go change. As soon as he left, I gave Arnook a look. "Really, Arnook? Him?"

He rubbed his head. "Despite his flaws, he's one of our best warriors."

"Pfft, yah, for an army that hasn't fought for almost 100 years."

"See what I mean? We need you here!"

"So does the South, and that is where my loyalties lie."

"I understand, but I also know that's not the whole story." He looked upon me with skepticism. "You're planning something. I know it, I can feel it. Not only the Fire Nation will be raining down on us. You know something, probably too much. You wouldn't happen to be willing to tell me?"

I paused, not knowing what to do, so I decided it was time for the closest thing to the truth. "I plan on only staying for about a month longer. I…" I looked down at my stomach. "I'm pregnant."

Yue gasped. "No way!"

"Yes." I smiled up at her. "I'm with child, and I'd rather be with my soon to be husband, as my pregnancy goes along, instead of training armies. I'm sure you understand."

Arnook wasn't convinced, but knew he couldn't go much farther with others in the room.

Before he could say anything, there was a sudden boom and the floor shook. Hahn came running back into the room. "The Fire Nation is here!"

Without a second to process, I immediately began to make measures for protection. "You need to head to the oasis, right now. That is the safest place for you. Hahn, go with them, protect them with your life. I will go out there now."

I ran out of the room and used a com to give orders to the troops waiting for action. Within minutes, I made it to the wall, where men with bows and arrows as well as some guns were firing. Water benders stood with them, mending the wall as the Fire Nation broke holes into it, or tried.

"Hurk! I'm diving down, I'm going to get onto that ship." Before he could even respond, I threw myself off the wall, diving into the freezing cold water. I used the water push me up into the air and landed on the back of the boat. I had no real armor on, only some warm animal skins. I didn't need it though.

There were about 10 men in the back, and I brought up a giant wave, pushing them off of the boat. A wave of arrows came and I easily evaded them. There were about 12 Fire Nation ships, and I planned to wipe out all of them.

More men came to the surface of the boat and I fought them to the end, either throwing them into the sea or… ending their life. I finally made it inside of the boat, making my way to the captains room. When I found the Captains room I locked the door behind me. He tried to fire bend at me, but I blended his blood to stop him.

He screamed in pain. His fire was trapped within him, with no way out. The was excruciating, especially for fire benders, since their element came from within. I turned his arms to the wheel and swung the wheel to the right, making the boat crash into the boat next to it.

And then I stopped his heart.

I ran out into the open, jumping onto the next boat, to do the same, in which case I was again successful. Other benders joined me after I took down the 4th ship.

I knew that this was my moment, the one chance I could get.

I had two other guys with me. We ran into the boat, and one of the Fire Nation's men lit the door on fire. I was already inside. "Run! Go stop the Captain!"

It was the last boat, and it was my last fight.

The room blazed, filling with smoke, I would have suffocated if I didn't stop him as quick as I did. He laid on the floor, fire burning around him, and I broke the small window, and jumped out of it. I fell into the water, swimming deep enough they couldn't see me and I swam to the deserted part of the Nation, the area that was literally ice, and that's it. Only fishermen every really come to the area. I had a pack waiting for me, ready for my escape.

I started walking inland, going to the nearest village to ask for a ride to the Earth Nation.

I could hear the cheers of victory as the last boat sunk to the ground. Only about 7 of them actually sunk, the rest were taken in for supplies they could use. Azula hadn't been on these boats, and there hadn't actually been much of a fight. There soldiers weren't strong or well trained, I could tell just by fighting with them. Azula was just wasting the weaklings, sending them to their death. Or to the capture, knowing they were useless. I gripped the pack on my back with anger.

I wouldn't die until she was off the thrown she held herself on. There was no way she would get away with using lives like this. Not even the North would be willing to sacrifice people like that.

There was an old country home, most likely a fishermans home, and I stumbled upon their door, fatigued. I didn't have to fake how tired and worn out I was. My muscles were on fire and my energy was practically drained, not to mention I had no idea how my baby was doing. Before I could even knock on the door, I fell to the floor on their porch.

I woke to the feeling of a warm cloth on my forehead and blankets tucked into my sides. I did my best not to freak out. I kept still, letting my sense slowly come out of their haze. I opened my eyes to see the walls of the small igloo I had come across on my journey to the village. I looked around, groaning in pain as I felt how sore my muscles were. A little old woman with white hair came into the room, with a bucket of hot water. When she saw my awake, she called out. "Henry! She's awake!"

An old man with dark colored eyes and hair came into the room and another man was with him, probably my age. "How are you ma'am. What is your name."

"Hana. My name is Hana." I said groggily. I slipped the cloth off of my forehead. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Three days. We were afraid you'd never wake up. You were really beaten up. We did our best to bandage your wounds."

"Thank you." I said, smiling at him. "You all must have saved my life. How can I repay you."

The old woman gave me a toothless smile. "Please, sweety, why don't you just stay for dinner. I'm Ka. How did you come across our home?"

I stood up to get a better look at them. "I was… I was fighting on the shore of the Capital. I was stealing supplies from the ships when one of the men pushed me over board, and I washed up here. I just kept walking trying to find my way."

"You were a part of that? No wonder you have such severe wounds. They must think you died."

I nodded. "Yes, which means I should be heading back soon."

She nodded. "Yes, well, at least stay for dinner. You've been gone for three days, one more won't kill them."

"Uhm, can I see that?" I asked, pointing to the steaming water.

She brought it over. I put my hand in it, and sighed in relief. The water started making its way up my arm, and soaked into my skin, relaxing the muscles throughout my body. I then put one hand to my belly, and sighed in relief as I felt the life that was growing there.

I looked up to see them looking at me with astonishment. "You… you're a waterbender. I didn't know any of the armies water benders were woman."

"I'm a special case."

"I can see that."

"Hedrick. Change her bandages as I start making dinner. Henry, go see if you can catch anything today."

The men both nodded, the old couple leaving the room as whom I assumed was their son, Hedrick, came to change my bandages.

"I, don't really think that's necessary."

"What?"

I unwrapped the bandage on my arm, where I had a cut, and it had healed, almost completely closed with no scar. His eye widened. "I've never seen such healing."

"Like I said, I'm a special case."

He sat at the foot of my bed. "How… how was the fight?"

I looked at him with curiosity. "Why do you want to know?"

He looked at the door, seeming worried his parents were going to walk back in and hear the conversations. "I wanted to join the army, help my nation. But Ma was against it, she didn't want me do die. But… do you think I should have been there? Should have been helping."

I gave him a soft smile, reached over and set my hand on his shoulder. "Hedrick, was it?"

"Ya."

"Your father is from the Earth Nation, right?"

"Yah… people can tell by his skin and eye color."

"Just because he has Earth Nation blood, does that mean you need to join their army?"

He slowly shook his head. "No, I'd never thought about that."

"Well, maybe, this is where you are meant to be. The God's have a plan for all of us, and yours doesn't have to be helping the Nation. Sometimes, it's just helping the people you really love."

He nodded. "So… it's not shameful."

I laughed. "Please! Not everyone joins the army. You want to know what I was before? A teacher. I taught high schoolers! And look where I'm at now. My journey has only just begun, but yours doesn't have to end with the army."

"Thank you, Hana."

"My pleasure. Now, help me unwrap these bandages so I can heal myself."

He smiled and began unwrapping the one on my other arm as I unwrapped the one around my stomach.

When Ka came back, she came to tell us dinner was ready. We sat at the table, eating a warm stew, and my belly grumbled in happiness as the warm food went down my throat. "You are with child, aren't you?" Ka finally said, breaking the silence held at the table.

I didn't choke on my food or anything, although I was slightly taken aback. "Yes, I am."

"Is the father in the army?"

"No."

"Hmph."

"Are you married?" Asked Hedrick.

"No, not yet. Engaged. He… lives in the Southern Water Nation."

"The South? What's he doing there?"

"That's where I'm from."

"The North actually asked for assistance from the South. Now, we are in real danger."

I could feel the hostility forming. Ka didn't like strangers in her home, no matter how polite she seemed to be. However, I just laughed, not wanting to create a fight. "Yes, well, that' sjust what happens sometimes." I stood from the table. "I really think it's time for me to get going. Do you have my bag?"

"Yes." Henry said. He stood and opened a closet and pulled out my bag. I grabbed it.

"I'm really thankful for everything you've done for me. My life is indebted to you."

"Have a safe journey, Hana."

I left the house, as the sun was already on the horizon. It was going to get dark soon, which meant the boats were leaving, and I'd have to wait for morning to hop on one to the Earth Nation. I walked into town and paid for a hotel room and waited for morning.

Morning arrived and I went to the docks. The craziest thing happened.

"'Tara! Is that you?!"

I almost laughed. "Ku! No way, what are you doing here? I didn't think you'd be in Northern Waters for a long time."

"Well, what with the fightin' an all we gotta call tellin' us they need some-a new stuff. War is gud for business, ya know."

"I'm sure."

He looked me up and down and laughed. "Well, ain't you a sight for them sore eyes. You's a runnin' agin!"

I laughed. "I'm going to have to agree with you this time. This wouldn't happen to be the same beauty I came in on?"

"Well's o-course it is! Cap never let's us get out-a work that easy. Now, let's getcha where you need ta go. I'll go tell ole cap you getting a ride. We headin' back to the Earth Nation. You need a ride, no?"

"Ku, you know me so well."

He gave me a toothy grin and jumped back onto the boat. Not much longer, I heard shouting and Haru came running onto the deck. "Tara!"

"Haru!"

"I'd never think I'd see you again!"

"Well, here I am!" He jumped off the boat and squeezed me in a big hug. "It's offly nice to see you again. Here, I'll take your stuff. I hear you are coming with us."

"Yes, I am. Thanks." We got on the boat and the first step I took was covered in men, coming at me with excited chatter and hugs. I laughed as I became surrounded. "Yes, Yes, I missed you too."

"We need your cookin!"

"Hahahaha."

"Hey, Tara, are you ok? You seem to be a little… wait, were you in the battle?"

I nodded. "But I'm fine. Nothing few cuts and bruises I couldn't fix. Just tired."

"Everyone back off, let the lady go to sleep."

The all backed off and Haru led me to my old room.

As my eyes closed shut, I just hoped Zuko got my message, and he was safe. Now, I just needed to make sure me and my new baby stayed safe as well.

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