Sorry it took so long. Kaida does not belong to me. That is all Crazy-Little-Doll. Please don't forget to review.****
Chapter 25
"Kami!" I shouted as the door closed behind her. I was about to run after her but a hand pulled me back. The hand belonged to Rai.
"Kayla you can't go after her. This is a problem she needs to figure out herself." He said. The anger and frustration I use to feel for Rai slowly came back to me. It didn't mean I stopped loving him, but it sure got me mad. I ripped out of his hold.
"She is my best friend and she needs me." I said daring anyone to try to stop me. Zuko walked over to me slowly, putting a hand on my shoulder gently.
"Maybe we should talk to her." He said. He sounded so hurt that it made me want to cry.
"No I think I should. She's mad and if anyone understands Kami its me." I said wiggling out from under Zuko's hand. I ran after Kami without anyone else stopping me. I had no idea where she went but I was not going to stop looking for her till I found her. Even if I have to run around this huge palace all day. It turns out I didn't. I asked a maid if she seen a crying girl any time soon and thankfully she did. She pointed me in the right direction and I found Kami.
She was sitting in front of a portrait of the royal family. There was a young Zuko who held hands with a young girl. Azula? It must be since the little girl looked so much like Aneko. There was a intimating looking man who had a hand on Zuko and a sweet pretty woman who held on to Azula. A big happy family. Well if you believe in that bull. I knew the truth.
Kami sat on the floor with her head bend down low. Her hair had become a mess and was falling into her face. Her small body shook with tears. She looked so miserable. Poor thing had a rough day. "Kami." I said softly.
Kami sniffled. "Go away." She mumbled. I walked a little closer to her, hoping she would open up to me. We been best friends forever, she had to let me help her. What good were friends if they couldn't help you in your time of need?
"Kami please lets talk." It was obvious that she did not want to talk. She flung her hand in the air and unleashed blue flames in my direction. I quickly threw myself onto the floor, away from the nasty fire. Even though I know I shouldn't have, I flipped out.
"What is your problem!" I shouted. When Kami didn't say anything, I pushed her. She flung to floor, turning her body so I couldn't see her face. "Why aren't you talking huh? You don't think twice about shooting fire at me but the moment I say something you forget how to speak?"
I heard crying coming from Kami's lifeless body. Instantly I cursed my temper. How could I be such a horrible friend. I crawled over to Kami and wrapped my arms around her. She was shaking violently but other then that she didn't push me away.
"I am so sorry Kami. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." I said gently. "I know this is a difficult time for you but if we talk about it I promise it get better."
"You don't know anything about my problem." Kami voice came out muffled. I could barely understand her. I pulled her gently onto my lap and like Mother does, I combed my fingers through her crazy hair. Kami face was pink and swollen from tears. Even when she calmed down, tears still fell like they would never stop. I was so sick of crying. If I could make it disappear I would.
"I might not know what it feels like to meet my parents for the first time." I said, my fingers never stop moving through her hair. "But I do know you. If you can tell anyone anything its me."
Kami eyes narrowed and she looked back at the picture of her Grandma, Grandpa, Father and Aunt. A family she never knew she was part of. "Really? Because if I do remember correctly you don't tell me anything. Why should I tell you my problems." Kami is starting to get on my last nervous. I let out a deep breath.
Time to spill my heart out. "Fine you want me to tell you everything, I tell you. I want to stop this oncoming war so badly because I want to be known for something other then the Avatar's daughter. I want to do something I believe in and that will help everyone. I am madly in love with Rai. To the point where it scares me. I would do anything for that boy even if he drives me crazy. I don't know how it happened only that I fell for him hard. I can enter the spirit world some how, I guess its because Father blood runs through me. I hate it when my toes stick out from under my blankets and I hate it when my food touches one and another. There you go, you know everything about me."
Kami let out a bitter laugh but it was a start I guess. She digested everything I told her and only smiled. So I left out a little secret about dying soon but why would I tell her that? She was sad enough. "Nice."
"Now tell me, what's your problem?" I asked hoping she wouldn't try to burn me again. I didn't stop combing my fingers through her hair. It was as if I had become her mother.
Kami closed her eyes for a moment as if she was trying to forget everything that happened today. She slowly opened them, her strange dark blue eyes that sometimes seem to become a golden color. A mix between the beautiful Kaida and handsome Zuko. "I feel…I feel…" Kami closed her eyes again.
"Hurt, betrayed, mad, confused, broken." I threw out some emotions that could possibly describe the way she felt. Kami smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Yeah, all of them." She shook her head slowly. "Its just so hard. All my life I have been trying to understand myself. Wondering who my parents were. And all this time they been living the great life." Kami voice was filled with hate.
I had to make her see that it wasn't there fault. I knew by the pain in her parents face that they would of done anything to keep her. Kami was to precious for them to risk her life. If only Kami could see that. She was to blinded by her anger to see anything right now. My eyes fell on the portrait again.
"You see that picture?" I said. Kami eyes fell on it then she looked away quickly.
"What about it?"
"That girl." I said pointing to the young innocent looking Azula. "What do you think about her."
"She's crazy." Kami said doubting my own sanity.
"Yes but from this picture what do you see?"
Kami stared at the picture as if the answers would jump out at her. "Well she is adorable, pretty little girl. Doesn't look capable of hurting anyone. She seems to be hogging up the spot light. I don't know. She looks nothing like a crazy person."
"Your right." I said getting into my point. "She looks harmless but she is deadly. Looks can deceive you. Imagine you being a little girl again and seeing Azula like this. You think she was good and she only hurt you. Possibly take your life. Your life would be constantly in danger. As long as Azula was crazy and still able to trick people then you will always be on her kill list."
Kami listened to me careful. If we were lucky maybe it actually was soaking in her stubborn brain. "Zuko and Kaida knew this. They knew how Azula could be. They did everything they could to protect you. And think about it. If you never got shipped off to Northern Water Tribe you would of never meet me. Your crazy smart best friend."
She laughed, sitting up. She fixed her hair while staring at her family. Even though she was quiet she did not seem to angry. My words seemed to have a positive affect on her. Maybe, just maybe this whole problem could be forgotten and Kami could love her new parents.
"Kami?" I asked softly when she still hasn't said anything. Kami barely turned around.
"I'll see you later Kayla." she said as she got up, dusting the dirt from her dress. "I would like to think. Alone."
I jumped to my feet, not feeling all to happy with Kami walking around the palace by herself. But honestly what could I do to stop her? "Don't you think you might get lost? This is a big place."
Kami shook her head, her brown hair slapping her gently in the face. "I find my way. There are enough people to ask for help."
"Ok well be safe." I said feeling uncomfortable with this. But the feeling doesn't keep me from walking away, heading back to the throne room. Before I leave though I look over my shoulder to see where Kami is going. The only problem was that she didn't move. Kami stood in front of the portrait, her hand on top of Zuko. I felt like she wanted this moment to be private so I didn't turn back.
I almost got lost a couple of times but finally I found my way back to the throne room, only to find out that everyone left. Rai went to his room, Taya was with Zuko somewhere and Kaida was in the garden. I was unsure where to go. I could go see Rai but I was still a little peeved off about before. I didn't want to be mean or anything to the guy I love. I could go find Taya and Zuko but I had no idea where they are and if they were talking about serious stuff I didn't want to interrupt. So I decided the safe choice would be to go find Kaida.
I found the garden fairly easy to my happiness. The garden was nothing like the one at the Earth Kingdom Palace but it was good enough. I could see Kaida sitting elegantly on a bench, her hand waving over some water. She was playing with it like I did sometimes but I could tell this was nothing like me. Kaida reminded me of Mother when she waterbended. They looked so powerful and calm at the same time.
I was going to leave, not wanting to disturbed her but somehow Kaida heard me. "Hello Kayla. Have you come to join me?" She said in the sweetest voice I ever heard. She smiled at me and it was like someone turned the sun on.
I felt comfortable as I took a seat next to her. "Look umm what should I call you?"
"Kaida please. Simply Kaida."
"Well then Kaida, I am so sorry for the way Kami acted." I said looking at the water that matched Kaida's eyes. "She is normally a sweet girl but she is hurt and-"
"You don't have to explain that to me." Kaida said, her face crumpling with pain. She dropped the water she was playing with and curled her hands into a fist. "She has every right to be mad. I just wished she wasn't."
Seeing that talking about Kami was a touchy subjected I changed it to something totally different. "I read about you in a book. It said you can bend both fire and water. I think that is amazing but how do you do it?"
Kaida smiled a little, still hurt from her daughter she cared about so much. " I don't know. My father was a firebender. My mother a waterbender. Some how I just got the best of both world. I prefer waterbending though. I could honestly not tell you. Like you can't tell me how you travel into the spirit world."
My mouth dropped open in shock. How did this woman who I only meet today know so much about me? It was as if those blue eyes knew all my secrets. Did she know everyone of my dark secrets that I kept hidden from everyone? The one no one not my best friend, new friend and lover even knew.
Kaida noticed my fear and quickly grabbed my hands, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Oh dear I didn't mean to scare you." I relaxed a little but not enough to breath normally. You know how it feels to think someone knows all your secrets? Its terrible. Even if the woman is as beautiful and motherly as Kaida.
"How did you know that?" I asked panicking.
"Let me tell you a secret." Kaida turned her hand over, showing me her palm. At first I was not sure what to look for but then I saw it. There was a strange symbol that looked like the ocean on it, as if someone burned it on. I touched the symbol with my fingers but pulled back quickly.
"What happened?" I asked breathless.
Kaida giggled slightly closing her palm. "Well I got into a little fight you see with Azula and her friends. I almost died but was saved. But for a price. When I die I shall become the ocean spirit. It was what I had to give up to live. That's ok though."
"That's why you knew about me going into the spirit world. Its because you will be a spirit." I said slowly putting the pieces together. The fire lord's wife was as interesting as he was. Kami had a cool mom.
"Yes and I know what Yue told you." Kaida said miserable. I thought she burst into tears any second and for some reason I liked that. Not the crying part of course. Knowing someone knew about my horrible future and crying over it made me feel not alone. I had someone finally to talk about it with.
Unfortunately I didn't have time to talk to Kaida about it because her husband was coming our way with Taya at his side. Kaida's eyes brighten at the sight of Zuko. I knew that was the look of someone madly in love. I would know by now how it looked. I was in love.
Zuko grabbed Kaida's hand, bringing it to his lips. "I missed you." He whispered lovingly. Kaida blushed, intertwining her fingers with his.
"I missed you too my love." She said. Zuko leaned down, planting a soft loving kiss on her lips. I looked over at Taya who was fiddling with something that looked like a flute. She barely noticed the kiss. She was in her own world.
"Um excuse me." A voice said behind us. I turned around to see Kami standing there, looking small and vulnerable. Her eyes were swollen from fresh tears she must of shed.
Kaida let out a small cry as she struggled not to hug Kami. "Yes?" Zuko asked.
"Can I talk to you two really quick." Kami asked playing with a piece of her hair, her nervous habit. Kaida jumped up from the bench excited. Zuko who was a little more in control, nodded his head and walked towards Kami with Kaida at his side.
I was dying to know what they were talking about but I wasn't going to get into there business. Kami would tell me when she was ready. So to keep my mind of the reunited family I turned my attention to Taya.
"Nice flute." I said. Taya sat down next to me, putting the flute on the empty space between us.
"Thanks. I use to love to play but that was a long time ago." she said bringing her knees to her chest. Something about Taya was off. She always been quiet and sarcastic but this was not normal for her. I wonder if I could make her talk.
"So what were you and Zuko talking about." I asked as casual as possible. Taya eyes wandered around the garden.
"It's a secret."
"Trust me I can keep a secret." I said thinking about everything I kept inside. Even though Kaida knew I wish it could be Rai or Kami. Not because I had anything against Kaida, she was wonderful. I just wanted the people I was close to, who trusted me to know my secret.
Taya looked me over, trying to figure out if I was trust worthy. I guess I passed the test because she got talking. "Well you did save me from that horrible Tamae. Zuko was talking to me about my mother." Taya eyes got a little watery but she quickly blinked them away. Taya, the one without emotions. "He told me what happened with them."
"Oh yeah you told me they had something together."
"Right." Taya eyes fell on Kami. "You see my Mother loved Zuko. They were each others first love. Zuko was the only one who actually got under my Mother's coldness. They were destine for each other. But then you see Zuko changed. He wanted someone to tell him she loved him. Someone to hold him. Someone to be warm and fuzzy. The totally opposite of him and Mother. Enter Kaida, his childhood friend who is so terribly gifted. She was good for Zuko. She showed him something, Mother never could. It broke her."
I thought about poor Mai. If Rai ever left me I would be so hurt. Even if it was the best thing for him. "Zuko felt terrible." Taya continued. "He still does but he says there is something about Kaida that he loves. He said 'I was tired of trying to peal away all of Mai's layers.'"
"Why did he tell you all this?" I asked.
"Mai is my mother and he didn't want me to have the wrong idea about him." Taya looked miserable. Nothing was adding up. So the fire lord told her a old story no big? Why did she look so depressed. Like she wanted to break down crying.
"Taya? Is that the only problem you have?" I asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. She tensed up.
"Well no." Taya said on the verge of tears. "Mother loves me, I know that for sure but sometime she is so cold. Its like she doesn't have any feelings. She is always to same thing…bored. The only time she was happy was with Zuko and Daddy. But Zuko is madly in love as he should be and Daddy is never home. My life sucks Kayla. Why else you think I ran away? I wanted to get something, anything out of Mother."
Poor Taya. I could not imagine having a mother who could not express herself. I was starting to realize how luck I really was. My parents have always been there with me unlike Kami. My parents have a always told me they loved me and showed everything they felt unlike Taya. I took them for granted and now it was to late to fix it.
"I don't want sympathy." Taya said picking up the flute and putting it on her lap. "Living with Mother made me like her. I feel nothing but regret."
I had nothing to say to that. Honestly what could I say? "Why do you have a flute?" I asked when I could not take the silence anymore.
"I love to play it. It is my favorite thing to do but when I ran away I stopped playing. Zuko knew this about me since he is friends with Father and got me a flute. He is so sweet and he truly loves Kaida."
I looked over to the new family, wondering if they were done speaking. Kami's lips were closed so I assumed someone else was talking. Man do I wish I could hear them. But not even my wonderful hearing could make out a word.
"Kayla, I know this has nothing to do with what were talking about but do you have any idea what we are going to do about Aneko?" Taya asked putting the flute to her lips and playing a single tone.
"I have some idea." I said slowly, unsure how to put my plan into words. "Aneko is only doing what Azula wants because they are torturing Kane. If we free Kane then…"
"Then Aneko would stop fighting and possibly be on our side!" Taya said her eyes widen with excitement. I guess talking about her Mother with me and Zuko helped her loosen up a bit.
"Yep but how we find Kane and free him. His under Azula control." I said thinking logically. I wish it be easy but nothing was easy in my life lately.
"I know someone who can help us. An old um friend of mine." From the evil smirk on her face I knew that this guy was no friend of hers. "We can see him right now if you want. Bring Kami and Rai just in case we need to scare him a little."
I laughed, happy to actually put my plan into action. The adrenaline rush I get from doing something to stop Azula and Aneko was going through my blood stream. "We could go after Kami is done talking then head to your 'Friends' house. We can go free Kane tonight."
"Deal."
I heard footsteps coming towards us and turned around to see a beautiful sight. Kami was standing between Zuko and Kaida. She was not touching them or anything but you could see the change all ready. All there eyes were tear free. Kaida seemed to be glowing with happiness. Zuko who really didn't show much, had a smile on his face.
"Everything ok?"
Kaida did something very risky. She gave Kami a kiss on the top of her head. I got ready for Kami to go all blue flamer but instead she only smiled up at the beautiful woman.
"Nothing we can't fix." Zuko said, beaming. I could not help myself to smile. There going to get back the daughter they lost so many years ago. Everything was going to be fine. Well at less between Kami and her parents. She found some peace at last.