A/N: Hey guys! Sooo you'll be happy to know that I'm back with a longer chapter! It's kinda sad towards the end, so I apologise in advance XD Hope you like it.
Next day:
Sokka's POV:
My knee bounces up and down absent-mindedly as I chew my lip vigorously. Aang's words from the day before still play as if on a loop in my head. 'He has to be lying. He has to be. Trying to guilt-trip me or something. He wouldn't have hidden something about our mum if he was genuine.'
But that expression of his. It looked too broken to be fake. Too tortured. I scratch my head hard, knowing there are other things I should be thinking about, like exams for example, but I'm too consumed with confliction.
"Sokka?" I blink at the sound of Yue's voice beside me and remember that I'm in the canteen with her and Toph.
"Huh?" I echo back.
"You've been staring into space for the last 10 minutes, are you ok?" The white head asks in concern as she rests a hand on my arm. I give her a half smile.
"Yeah sorry. Just got my head in the clouds I guess." I try to reassure, but the girl shoots me a dubious look.
"Both Katara and you have your heads in the cloud?" She queries with a quirked eyebrow. My lips part slightly at this and I give her a sheepish expression.
"Yes?" I voice back hopefully, but it elicits an eye roll from the girl.
"I'm not buying it." Yue expresses blandly, making me deflate.
"Right of course. You're too smart for that." I joke lightly, making the girl beam.
"So?" She prompts a moment later. I click my tongue, knowing that Katara hasn't yet told her about our Mum. I scratch the back of my head.
"I found out someone was lying to us and I'm frustrated." I utter vaguely with a wave of my hand, but the white head furrows her eyebrows at me.
"Are you talking about Aang?" She asks with wide eyes. I stare at her in surprise.
"How did you...?" I trail off, but she picks up on my line of thought.
"Katara was very brash with him yesterday and remained tight-lipped on why, despite all my pestering. I'm confused, what on earth did he lie about?" Yue questions with a frown.
I press my lips tightly together, ignoring the knowing glance that Toph shoots me. The only reason why I told her is because it's hard to hide anything from her. My fingers tap against the table surface in thought, until small slender hands reach out to still them. My gaze flickers up to her open crystal orbs.
"I want to help." Yue murmurs softly. I gulp, finding it hard to say no to such a kind expression. I release a low sigh, but still something holds me back. Voicing those words still hurts, regardless of it already being 2 months since it all happened.
"His mum was killed." The earthbender butts in bluntly. I flinch briefly before shooting a glower to the black-haired girl.
"Toph." I hiss, eliciting a semi-apologetic shrug from the girl.
"You were taking your sweet time, so I thought to help." She points out. I open my mouth to argue, but the shaky breath beside me halts my actions as I flicker my gaze to Yue who's covered her mouth with a hand.
"Oh spirits name. I'm so so sorry, I-I didn't know. Spirits of the moon, are you..." She trails off, at a loss on what to say before squeezing my hands gently, reminding me that her fingers are still in mine. I swallow and give her a strained smile.
"It's alright. I...it's hard, but I'm focusing on finding her killer." I settle on saying, as Yue's eyes crumple.
"I can't believe this happened. I wish you never had to go through that. Spirits and that's why Katara has been so sad lately?" The white head utters, posing it more as a fact rather than a question. I nod my head slowly.
"Yeah. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just...had the feeling Katara didn't want anyone to know." I mumble while dropping my gaze, but another light squeeze of my hand has me looking back up.
"Don't ever apologise." Yue vehemently rebukes. "Gosh I need to go and find her!" The girl expresses, pushing her chair back, before pausing.
"But wait, what does that have to do with Aang?" The white head queries while tilting her head to the side. My jaws set in anger at the boy.
"He knew who was behind my mother's murder but didn't tell us. He still refuses to give me any significant details. Heck, everything he told me about being an orphan was probably a lie. And I don't know if he was somehow involved or..." I stop when Yue starts staring at me. I shift in discomfort. "...what?" I echo back unsurely.
"You think Aang is involved? We're talking about the same child, right? The Aang with that wide grin and innocent face? 16-year-old Aang?" She emphasises carefully. I snort at her.
"It's not like Aang is a particularly common name." I remind sarcastically, but the girl ignores my tone as she shakes her head and grabs her bag from the floor. Toph and I wait blankly as the student continues to dig in her backpack before finally pulling out a crumpled paper.
"I remember Katara telling me your dad works for the council in one of our first conversations. It was something we clicked over because my dad is also on the council. But in a neighbouring city. Apparently, they collaborate a lot though." Yue explains, while I shake my head in confusion.
"I think Snoozles is as confused as me. What does that have to do with the Airbender?" Toph chips in fortunately.
"Dad has a lot of files at home. I'm...I'm not really meant to be looking at them, but I'm a curious reader." The white head admits with a slight flush, eliciting a smirk from the earthbender and a grin from me. "Anyway! Aang isn't involved in the way you think he is." Yue continues in a rush. Her crystal irises flicker from the paper in her hand to us. "I shouldn't really give you this. It was under classified for a reason." The white head murmurs while chewing her lip. Toph and I share a glance.
"I won't tell anyone if that's what you're worried about. And Toph is pretty great at keeping secrets...most of the time." I mutter with a pointed look at my house mate who snorts.
"I was doing you a favour, otherwise we'd all be here for the rest of the day." The earthbender defends without remorse.
"That doesn't mean you can just tell anyone." I retort, prompting the girl to blow at her bangs.
"I didn't realise that Mr Heart-races-a lot considered Yue as just anyone." Toph fires back with finger quotation marks around the new nickname. I feel heat rising to my cheeks at the jab while Yue flickers her eyes to me curiously, making me feel even more embarrassed.
"So! What I'm trying to say is you can trust us not to spill to anyone." I quickly divert, ignoring the smug expression that appears on the earthbender's face.
Yue gazes at me with a quirked eyebrow for a few moments longer before passing me the paper. My eyes drop to the official looking page and I start to read. A frown makes its way across my features as I recognise the article.
"This is the same article my Dad has back at home about the orphanage that burnt down years ago. I don't get it, what has this got to do with anything?" I ask with a head shake.
"Go to the last page and read the writing at the bottom corner." Yue instructs. I do as told, still bewildered. There in the corner, in very fine print, is a section I must've overlooked when I first stumbled across the article:
"Allegedly burnt down by the gang known as the Triple Z. Sole survivor was 14-year-old Aang Southern. Relocated to safer location. Details not disclosed for precaution."
I stare at the small paragraph, reading it over and over again, thinking that I'm reading it wrong, but no. There's the official council seal and everything.
When I finally accept that I have understood it correctly, two things strike at me. 1? Dad must know that Mum was killed by a member of this gang, but never told us. 2? Aang witnessed the destruction of two of his homes.
I swallow, feeling sick at the mere thought, especially after what I said to him. 'Katara said Aang lost his parents in a fire. I assumed it was an accidental one and so does she, but was it? Surely it can't be a coincidence? And if it isn't, then does that mean this gang is after him? But why? And why did they go after Mum?' I silently fire question after question to myself, but there's no answers forthcoming.
"See? Aang can't be involved." The whitehead murmurs quietly. I bite the inside of my cheek.
"Ok, you've convinced me. But I overhead him saying that this same gang was involved in my Mum's death. Why would they do that? What's their motive? And why have I never heard about them before?" I query and watch as a regretful expression crosses those crystal eyes.
"I...I wish I knew." Yue whispers in guilt.
"Can't you ask your dad?" I plead, but her eyes go wide as she shakes her head vigorously.
"I can't. He'd be furious if he found out I read this, forget about showing it to someone else. He'd never trust me around his office again." The whitehead explains desperately. I suck in a breath, knowing I can't push her. But I can push my Dad. Dad who lied to us. A mixture of disappointment and hurt swirls within me at the thought.
"I understand. Thank you for showing me this. I'll get to the bottom of this and..." I pause as shame runs through l me. "...spirits, I have to apologise to Aang. I was a right jerk to him." I say, slapping my forehead hard. "Shoot and I have to tell Katara..." I continue, missing the panicked expression that crosses Yue's eyes.
"You can't!" She shouts, stopping my tirade. I stare at her, my mouth agape.
"What? Why not?" I demand.
"Because I shouldn't have even told you. There's a reason this is classified. Just think about it." The white head stresses. I furrow my eyebrows and glance at Toph who has been surprisingly silent throughout this exchange. When she senses my eyes on her, she shakes her head silently.
"For all your supposed smarts, you sure are slow." The earthbender mutters. I glare at her, but she continues on regardless. "Gangs hurt people who know too much information." Toph states and suddenly things make sense.
The reason why Dad didn't tell us. Why even Aang didn't say anything. 'He was trying to protect us and I just kicked him out. Made him spend Christmas all alone.' Something stings the back of my eyes. I push my chair back suddenly and get to my feet.
"Where are you going?" Yue asks anxiously.
"I need to talk to Aang; tell him how sorry I am for accusing him. And...I won't tell Katara." I add to reassure the girl who heaves a sigh of relief. "But I don't understand why you told me? Even though you said it's dangerous." I question and watch as the girl chews her lips.
"I said I wanted to help. This is my way of doing that. I believe you when you and Toph say that you won't tell anyone. Katara...I love her, but her emotions dictate a lot of what she does. I don't want her to get hurt, she's..." At her pause, I find myself filling in the gap for her.
"Katara is too stubborn for her own good." I finish, before sighing. "I just don't know what I'd say to stop her being so mad at Aang. It's my fault that they aren't talking now." I mumble shamefully.
"You'll figure it out. Why else do we call you the idea guy? " Toph reassures with a grin. I roll my eyes at her.
"Ideas for projects and assignments. This is different." I grumble.
"Toph's right, you're really bright. I'm sure you'll find a way." Yue encourages with a soft smile. The heat creeps back up my neck at the praise.
"Mr Heart-races-a-lot." The earthebender sings. I send her a death glare.
"Zip it Toph." I mutter, thinking of a way to change the conversation. "I'm surprised you're even this invested in someone you don't know." I utter, prompting a shrug from the blind girl.
"You know him. That's enough for me. Besides, it's not like I don't sense Twinkletoes on campus. Maybe you'll finally have the manners to introduce me." Toph explains nonchalantly, but I can tell she is more curious than she lets on.
"Twinkletoes?" I splutter.
"The guy has really light footsteps, different from everyone else's. So, I I've come to recognise him by that whenever he's nearby." The earthbender explains with a wave of her hand. I give her a dubious look.
"Right. I've got to run. Erm...thank you Yue." I voice gratefully, eliciting a warm smile from the girl.
"Anytime. I hope you get to the bottom of all this. And..." She rises from her feet and pulls me into a hug. "...I'm really sorry about your mum. If you need to talk, I'm always here." Yue murmurs softly. Words seem to have escaped me, but I somehow manage to nod numbly.
"T-Thanks." I stutter back, catching the smirk on Toph's face. I stick my tongue out at her, prompting the earthbender to flick her fringe to the side in amusement. After giving me a final squeeze, I stumble away from the duo with an awkward wave.
The further away I get from them, the more my smile slips as thoughts swirl around in my head. 'Aang witnessed two events of destruction. That can't be a coincidence. Are...are they after him for some reason? But why? He's a child. Granted, a gifted child, but that can't be the reason they want him, right?' I chew my lip and stand outside of the lecture hall, by the back door that I've noticed the boy using.
I lean against the wall, tapping my foot impatiently as I wait for our next lecture to start. Its 10 mins before I spot him walking with his head down, eyes occupied as he reaches for the door handle. I clasp his hand before he makes contact, startling him as he snaps his grey orbs up, widening them at the sight of me.
"Sokk-" I cut him off before he can finish.
"I'm sorry." I blurt out, making the airbender blink twice.
"What?" He echoes back, as if he thinks I'm playing a trick on him.
"I'm really really sorry for the way I treated you. I was wrong and a jerk." I clarify. He furrows his eyebrows as he crosses his arms.
"Alright what do you know?" Aang asks bluntly, taking me by surprise. My lips move up and down wordlessly.
"W-what are you talking about?" I stumble, but when he quirks his eyebrow, I foolishly forgot that this is a child genius. Nothing gets past him.
"You wouldn't be apologising unless you knew something. So?" The airbender explains patiently. I shoot him a guilty look, feeling ashamed that I needed Yue to convince me with some fancy classified document rather than simply believing him.
"I know about the orphanage." I voice quietly. But I might as well be shouting it by the dramatic change in the boy's demeanour. His face pales into a deathly white, his eyes crumple and his mouth hangs slightly open.
"How?" He croaks back. I scratch the side of my head, not wanting to get Yue in trouble.
"My Dad is on the council remember? I saw some of his papers that I probably shouldn't have." I lie. When I see him opening his mouth again, I rush to continue, even when the words are still jumbled in my head. "Listen, I...spirits I don't even know what to say. That fire. Both fires. They were on purpose weren't they? That gang, they did that." I utter, dropping my voice, despite knowing that all the students should be in the lecture right now. Where we're meant to be. Aang closes his eyes briefly as he half turns away from me.
"Yes." His voice is barely above a whisper. My heart thuds painfully against my ribcage at the confirmation that I was so hoping wouldn't be true.
"I..." I start, but the boy doesn't let me continue.
"It's ok!" He expresses with forced optimism, the hollowness in his eyes telling me that its anything but ok. 'But comforting isn't my forte. That has always been Katara's department and I can't even tell her.' I purse my lips.
"Why would they do that? Are they...are they after you?" I ask quietly. From the way the airbender's shoulders stiffen, I'd take that as a yes.
"It doesn't matter. You should forget you even read that, ok?" Aang implores, but Katara doesn't call me hard headed for no reason.
"How can I forget it when they're the reason my Mum's dead?" I retort harshly, making the boy's gaze drop to the ground.
"I didn't mean it like that." Aang utters lowly. His shoulder bunched around his head as his eyes remain glued to the floor. The sorry sight makes me feel guilty. I pinch the bridge of my nose.
"I know, I know. Sorry. I just...aurgh. My Dad must've known this and didn't say anything. You knew and didn't say anything. I would've thought you'd want them caught after all they did to you." I explain, as my tone accidently becomes accusatory. Sharp eyes snap up to meet mine with a fire I hadn't realised that the boy possessed.
"You think I don't want them stopped more than anyone? They took my parents away from me. My home. Kids I grew up with. G-Gyatso..." His voice breaks at the last name. One I've never heard before.
"Who's..." I start, but stop when Aang's face screws up in pain. I swallow. 'I thought I've felt raw hurt, but this...this is something else entirely.'
"How did you escape?" I breathe out as I stretch out a hand to rest it on his shoulder, but he jerks his body away from me completely.
"It's not important." The airbender's voice is empty, devoid of the usual upbeat tone I've grown accustomed to over the term. I stifle the protest that so badly wants to slip out, knowing that it's not my place to push. For the moment. I run a hand through my short hair.
"Ok, alright. So, there's a gang out there that's killing people. But why? What do they want?" I ask, trying to shift the direction of the conversation to easier waters. The boy seems to shrink in himself. A flicker of something crosses his eyes, but I can't put my finger on what it is.
"They want power. To control as many cities as they can. They generally sell drugs to fund their projects. I still don't know what those projects are exactly or how they make enough money from just selling drugs." Aang elaborates as I furrow my eyebrows.
"How do you know so much about them?" I ask in confusion, making the airbender shift in discomfort.
"I just do." He answers vaguely. I frown at him.
"I thought we're meant to be on the same side?" I mutter, feeling hurt and frustrated. The boy parts his lips slightly at those words before turning his head to the side. I watch him take a deep breath before he finally speaks.
"We can't be. It's bad enough that you know this. Too many people know as it is!" Aang voices firmly, making me blink. 'Does he know about Yue?! No, he wouldn't have asked how I found out otherwise. Unless he's testing me.'
"Who else knows?" I question, making the airbender falter.
"Well, you...erm...Katara..." He trails off, another name on the tip of his tongue, but he withdraws it on the last second. I shake my head.
"I haven't told Katara. I..." I pause, knowing I shouldn't keep lying to him. "Listen, I want to be honest here because we're on the same page. Yue and Toph knows. That's only 3 people." I explain. A range of emotions cross the boy's face as his lips move wordlessly.
"What?! You've put them all in danger! And who in monkey feather's name is Toph?" Aang screeches, making me flinch at the sound. I raise my hands up in a placating manner.
"We all kind of found out at the same time. And Toph is my house mate." I say, but the panic remains on his face.
"And you haven't told Katara, why?" The child genius fires back in confusion.
"Because we realised it was too dangerous and...well, you know how emotional Katara is. She has a habit of storming head first before thinking." I reply, but the boy simply grips the sides of his hat.
"Great, just great. 4 people know, one of whom I've never even met before and the other I've barely exchanged more than a few passing words. On top of that, Katara will keep hating me because we can't tell her. Thanks, Sokka." I cringe at the sarcasm in Aang's voice, something I hadn't expected I'd hear from the innocent looking boy.
"Who's the fourth person?" I ask dumbly, but at Aang's withering glare, I snap my jaws shut and try another tactic. "I'm sorry, but it's better this way. The more people that know the better we can stop this gang." I try to reassure, but the airbender shakes his head vigorously.
"You don't get it, do you? The police have been trying to track them for years. They can't be found." Aang expresses darkly. I scrunch up my nose.
"That's a negative response from someone who's usually so positive." I fire back. The airbender's hands clench slightly.
"You need to learn that not everything is at surface value." Aang mutters quietly. Any retort I had ready on my tongue dies at those words.
And for the first time, I really scrutinise the boy. The way his shoulders almost hunch. The darker bags under his eyes that I always assumed was just how he looked. The beanie and fingerless gloves that he never seems to take off even when the weather is warm. The constant long sleeves and slightly baggie orange attire he's always wearing.
"Yeah...I think I do." I breathe back, surprising the airbender. "Look, I won't ask you any more questions today. I've probed enough, but I want us to figure this out. We both lost loved ones to this gang and if they want power, they aren't going to stop till they get it, so we need to work together." I stress, but again that flicker of panic envelops him once more.
"We can't!" He snaps. My eyelid twitches at his stubbornness.
"Why?! This isn't fair that you're trying to keep me out of it! My mother deserves justice just as much as yours. I don't care if it's dangerous. They can't hurt anyone else." I express vehemently, silencing the airbender. But not for long.
"Then let me handle it. I'll get the justice you want for her, but you have to keep away." Aang begs, but I'm not someone that can just wait patiently on the side-lines while other people do all the work, even if my abilities are limited compared to other people.
"I know I'm not a bender, but I can help!" I argue, prompting the child genius to stare at me.
"This isn't about whether you can bend or not! This is about keeping you safe." Aang explains firmly, but I shake my head.
"You say that, but here you are trying to make me stay out of it. Newsflash Aang, I don't need bending to look after myself!" I bite back. The boy's lips become pinched white as he presses them tightly together.
"I don't want you to die!" He shouts, the words catching slightly in his throat. I stare at him, finally understanding the problem. 'His parents were killed. His orphanage was burnt down, killing everyone he knew. He must be afraid of anyone else dying.'
"I'm not going to die." I finally say after a long stretch of silence, but the airbender shakes his head.
"You don't know that and I'm not risking it. Just keep out of it until I figure who's behind this." Aang orders, in a tone I've never heard him use before. 'I'm learning things left and right about this guy today.'
"Why does it have to be you?" I fire back. The boy's hands clench once more.
"Because!" He grits out. I snort.
"That isn't a real answer." I retort, but Aang continues to gaze at me steadfastly, waiting for me to cave. "You can't stop me. If you won't include me, then I'll investigate on my own." I vow. Palpable fear grips the child genius. It's so thick that I almost want to take it back.
"They killed your mum because of me!" Aang blurts out. My jaws drop.
"What?" I echo back numbly as the airbender moves from one foot to the other without meeting my eyes.
"You said it yourself. They're looking for me. The only people who know my current location are a select few council members. Your dad must be one of them. They killed your mum to get your dad to talk." Aang mumbles, but it doesn't matter how quiet his voice is because it feels like thunder in my ears. A punch to the gut. A blow to the side. A kick to the head. And I find myself taking a step backwards.
"You're the reason?" I repeat back, chills traveling down my spine when I realise Mum could still be here. 'If Dad had just given Aang's location, she wouldn't be dead. I wouldn't feel so guilty. Katara wouldn't be so withdrawn. Heck, Dad wouldn't be so sad. Just one little thing. This boy's existence led to this catastrophe.'
Aang flickers his gaze to me, his orbs hesitant, frightened even, as he nods his head slowly. Something ugly twists inside me.
"So, this is your fault?" The words fall out of my mouth, but my brain is screaming to me that it isn't. That it isn't fair to blame him for this. 'But how can I not? Mum's dead because they wanted Aang for whatever reason. She's not going to be around for my graduation at the end of the year or my wedding or the birth of my first kid or birthdays or Christmases or...anything.'
"Sokka..." The airbender starts, but I shoot him down with one look, making him shrink even further into himself.
"And here I wanted your help when all you were trying to do was protect yourself by hiding the truth from me." I growl, ignoring the rational side of my head that's currently rebuking me. The boy's eyes widen to the size of saucers as he starts shaking his head and taking a step towards me.
"No! I only told you because..." Aang tries to explain, but I cut him off.
"Save it! I don't need your help. I don't want anything to do with you." I spit out. The airbender's face crumples and his bottom lip quivers as tears fill his eyes.
I clench my jaws and jerk my head away from him, too much of a coward to look at that broken expression any longer, despite being the one to put it there. 'This isn't fair. Mum paid for something that didn't even involve her. How can I not be mad?' Instead of standing around any longer, I spin on my heels, ready to leave the building, not caring that I'm skipping a lecture. A hand snaps forward to grab my the edge of my shirt.
"Sokka please." Aang pleads, his voice scratchy from holding his tears in. I rip my hand out of his.
"Don't talk to me." I bite back, too absorbed in my inner turmoil.
As I start walking away, I hear something fall behind me. I glance briefly over my shoulder to find the airbender on his knees, clutching his head.
I bite my tongue and force my suddenly heavy feet forward. 'I can't deal with this. Not now.' I voice silently, but a part of my heart feels like cracking and a part of my brain is shaming me for my ridiculous outburst. I tune them all out and push open the door roughly. The cold air hits me square in the face. 'None of this is fair.' I hiss to myself.
Aang's POV:
'I shouldn't have said that. I don't even know if it's true. Does Hakoda know my whereabouts? Was that why the Triple Z targeted his wife?' Despite asking myself these questions, a small part of me, the part that's meant to be a genius, knows it probably is. 'I don't know why it slipped my mind to start with. It's so obvious. It might even explain Hakoda's strange reaction when he met me. But why would he sacrifice his wife's life just to protect my identity?'
I shake my head. 'It doesn't matter. Sokka hates me again. More than ever. And when Katara finds out, she'll hate me even more. I'm just...destined to be alone.' I realise as the tears that line my eyelashes finally falls.
A/N: Yeah, well that got worse very quickly. You're welcome? XD So I thought it would be nice to bring in a bit more Toph, I know I haven't given her as much of a role as I had anticipated when I first started this story, I hope to bring her in more, but she unfortunately isn't as core to the story as the other characters which is sad because I love her character. Oh well maybe something will pop along later for her. And I hope you all liked that twist in the end, even if I made things more depressing.
So now that induction weeks are over, uni is meant to get quite a bit heavier, I had a look at my timetable and it looks intense and confusing. I'm going to try to stick to weekly updates, but if I'm gone for a few weeks it's because I'm trying to understand how clinical years work since it's apparently mainly self-directed learning which SUCKS. Anyway, next chapter is a Katara's POV I think and is a bit more positive you'll be relieved to hear (got to give you guys a break from the heart ache now and again right?). Keep well everyone and see you next time!
26/9/21