My head was still reeling from the long talk I'd had with Zuko last night, and it showed on my face the next day. Katara thought I'd suddenly got sick with how pale I looked with the dark circles my eyes, but I assured her it was just because I didn't sleep well. Sokka yelled when he saw me and asked if I'd risen back from the dead so I smacked him with a snowball, refusing to even answer. After refreshing myself with cold water to the face and taking a nap with cucumber over my eyes, I looked a little more lively and was awake enough to deal with the council meeting hosted by Yu Dao.
A lot of people were in agreement that this motion for unified nations needed to be developed, but no one could agree upon how and some strongly advocated still for the complete separation of the nations. Drumming my fingers against the table, I dozed off once or twice until Katara would poke me awake, especially when it became more obvious that I was sleeping. Everybody was giving long winded speeches, decorating their opinions with useless fancy words in order to try and gather people to their side through flattery, eloquence and whatever else they thought they could get away with.
There were other things lined up for discussion, such as factory development and oil supplies which was something our Southern Water Tribe had a great deal to say about, especially since we'd fought over the resource with the Northern Water Tribe and they were still a little tetchy that they lost. Whenever arguments broke out, Aang would act as the peacemaker, calling for calm and quiet so that we would all get along as best as we were able. For now I focused on simply listening to all the opinions and ideas suggested by everyone around me, stockpiling information so that I could improve upon any ideas I might have and register who would support what, who I would be fighting against and who I could manage to persuade, as well as also trying to figure out a way to please everyone.
It was a laborious process that gave me a headache, but I kept at it until the meeting broke for lunch and was scheduled to resume in two hours. Taking this opportunity, I went outside in order to see Momo and Appa, throwing myself against Appa's head in order to embrace his fluffiness as he growled happily and stomped all six of his feet like he were dancing for joy and Momo attacked me with licks all over my face until I waved him off and caught him again to hug him properly. "I've missed you guys. Sorry it's been so long." Growling at me again, Appa licked me with his massive tongue. I always seemed to end up covered in someone's saliva. Honestly I should expect nothing less by now.
"I figured you'd be here." Turning around to smile at Aang as I made a fuss of our furry friends, he came and joined me, reaching out to rub Appa's nose. "Zuko talked to me. He said that you'd both worked some things out, but you still haven't forgiven him. I'm glad you're moving on from all that anger and pain you had bottled up inside you. I was starting to get worried."
"Did Zuko ask you to come talk to me?" I quipped childishly, pouting as I held Momo purring in my arms as I stroked his large ears.
"No, in fact he asked me not to, but I just had to tell you how excited he looked, and happy to. I haven't seen him smile like that in a long time, and that was because of you Kayo. I just wanted to say thank you. I know it's been hard for you, so I think you're really brave trying to face your feelings finally." Why did Aang have to be so damn wise and smart? Honestly, being friends with the Avatar really meant that you had no chance of keeping things from him. He just seemed to know.
"Well…there is something I wanted to ask your help with Aang." I admitted slowly, looking away out of embarrassment as I pushed through the last layer of stubbornness I had.
"What is it?"
"Zuko was right when he said I hadn't forgive him, but what he might not have said was that I told him I didn't know how to. But I want to. At least, I want to try and see if it works at all. I don't want to hold onto this kind of feeling forever, it's just too exhausting and for a long while I could feel it sapping at my spirit. That's why I started deteriorating close to the time of the Yu Dao conflict, and why I kept on getting fevers after. I want to feel peace again, and I can't do that until I learn how to forgive Zuko…and myself. You're the Avatar and my friend, Aang. I was hoping you'd be able to share some spiritual wisdom with me." Beaming brightly, Aang reverted to being that quirky little kid as he jumped up in celebration.
"Of course I'll help! Oh boy, I've been hoping for this for two years now, let's get started!" Grabbing my hand in order to take me somewhere quiet in order to meditate, I squeaked in alarm.
"Hold on Aang! The meeting will be starting soon and we haven't had lunch, shouldn't we…?"
"This is way more important stuff, so let's get to it. The sooner we start, the sooner I can try and guide you towards forgiveness and inner peace. I'm excited!" With his voice cracking and breaking several times in that one breathless sentence, I couldn't help but laugh freely as Aang created an air ball then pulled me up onto it in order to scoot away where I squealed from the exhilaration, feeling the rush of speed before Aang and I alighted on a cliff ridge surrounded by the fresh scent of pine and clean air.
Aang lectured me for a while on the principles of forgiveness that he learned from his teacher Monk Gyatso and the other monks at the Southern Air Temple before then guiding me through some exercises. It was all about breathing in and letting go, contemplating the source of my troubles in order to fully understand them so that I could hold them in then release them outward in a cleansing process. Quite honestly I felt very peaceful, though not quite into the realm of forgiveness yet and before long, two hours had gone by and I insisted that Aang bring us back. "It's an important debate Aang and we need to be there. Besides, if the Avatar isn't present to maintain the peace, who's going to stop old mould for brains Minister Kaito from facing off with General How?"
"Monkey feathers!" Aang yelped and hurriedly rushed us back. Katara was waiting for us at the entrance, tapping her foot impatiently as we both then alighted on the ground as Aang's air ball dissipated and he let his arm go from around my waist.
"Where have you been? I was worried sick! You just suddenly disappeared without any notice, you didn't even tell anyone where you were going!"
"Sorry Katara, Kayo just asked me to help her work on forgiveness and I got a little carried away. She and Zuko have been talking and it looks like they're going to try and work things out." Completely forgetting her annoyance, Katara clapped her hands together and smiled brightly.
"That's great! I'm so happy you two are finally talking!"
"Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves yet, I haven't forgiven anyone for anything, and we're not friends. We're just starting over and letting things happen naturally." I waved off as I walked inside, but Katara and Aang grinned at each other before jumping into one another's arms and kissing. I could hear it all behind me so I pulled a face. Oogies. Preparing myself for another exhausting and boring few hours of people either talking smack at each other, or speaking a great deal without actually saying anything at all.
