.
Crime in the Nations
Katara's Journal
Entry 3: Necessary Advice & Alliances
Author's Note: Hello guys! I am trying to do better at consistent writing. I really quickly just want to apologize for the spelling errors in the last chapter. I truly did not find those at first after a reread once the chapter was already published. That was awfully stupid of me. Anyways, my other stories will be updated shortly. Book 4: Keeping peace has short chapters so it will probably be updated first. What I Was Looking For has the longest chapters. Up to 6,000 words per chapter so that one takes much more time to update. However, I will make it my mission to update that one as soon as I get a good flow of it. Hope you all enjoy this chapter!
-kataangforeverrr21
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender nor any of its characters/ideas. Please do not sue me.
"Ok, so let me get this straight!" I yelled out of nowhere. I was not going to buy this so easily. Zuko and Aang look befuddled. They probably expected a different reaction. "You mean to tell me that the Fire Nation is actually evil?! How come we have never heard of this then? Care to explain that 'Zuko'?"
Zuko glared at me, "Look, I took it out of the kindness of my own heart just to help you and your boyfriend out ok? And yes, the fire nation is extremely evil. They have done this for a century in secret. The nations probably just don't want to cause unease or whatever stupid reason they have. Don't kill the messenger."
"Aang, please do not tell me you believe this shit." I snapped.
Aang looked torn between what to say, and that angered me even more. "Look, Katara. I think that maybe you don't know what you feel and that's why you channeled all of your emotions into anger. Just try to take a deep breath-" He tried to reason.
That was it. I quite literally felt like Mount Fuji. My head was boiling up so much that it was a possibility that it would erupt. "Really?! How would you believe this stranger," I pointed at Zuko, "Over your own girlfriend?!"
"Katara-" Aang spoke up but ws quickly interrupted by Zuko.
"Spirits, just trust me ok? Why are you neglecting all this anyways? It was supposed to help you, not turn you against the world."
"Because we don't even know you! I mean, have you ever considered that you could be wrong? That maybe… just maybe… you were fed misinformation? How do you even know all this bull shit anyways? Did you read it off Google?!" I cried.
"Because I am Fire Nation!" Zuko finally burst out.
Aang and I look stunned. I had no words left to say. Here we were, fighting a complete stranger who tried to help us but my own irritation got in the way. Now, I didn't know what to believe, say, think, or do.
"What." Aang said bluntly and perplexed.
Zuko's face also seemed disoriented at his own outburst. He stuttered, "I-I mean I was Fire Nation. I was actually the prince believe it or not." Aang and I's jaws dropped even more. He continued, "I was banished. Also, if you could, please don't tell anyone. Anyways, I know all of this because I was part of it. My mission for several years was to find the current Avatar but I eventually gave up and settled down. Trust me when I say, I was lucky to get out. Now, I want to tell my story and take that cruel nation down. But, I can't do it by myself. I had to tell someone and that someone happened to be you both. So… in return for my help, will you guys help me?"
It's been four days since our encounter with Zuko. I invited Aang to come over to my apartment because I felt the need to apologize. I gave Zuko my phone number and told him that I would think about his offer. He said it was alright and I abruptly left, leaving them both in the dust in the middle of a vacant and dark park. I realized soon enough that I can't come up with a decision without Aang. I truly don't have a clue of what to decide or do. Sokka was gone for the weekend leaving the apartment all to myself. I invited Aang over to take up on this one time opportunity of peace and quiet. I hear the doorbell ring and assume it's him. I open the door and find myself face to face with a tall man with gray eyes. Aang.
I was immediately saddened. His eyes had bags and his hair looked untamed. I must have caused him so much distress when I ghosted him for four days. Right after we started dating too. The guilt started to overflow and I felt like just giving him a hug. And the Spirits knew how much I wanted to. But, I knew that it would be unfair to him. Maybe first… I should just explain myself and then see where we stand.
"Hey Aang. You can come in." I say quietly and awkwardly. Fuck, things have never been awkward between us like this. I hate this. I just wanted to sink into a hole.
"Hey Katara. So, why did you call me here?" His voice sounded like he hadn't spoken in days. It was so hoarse. Another reason for me to cry.
"I felt like I should definitely apologize and explain myself to you. The way we left things off was… unorderly and rude." I said.
"Oh." He stated dryly. I cringed at that.
"Okay so… Aang." I look into his eyes, "I am so sorry for everything I have done and said these past few days. First of all, I really did not mean to lash out at you when you were trying to be so understanding. My emotions were all over the place and mostly channeled towards anger just like you said. I didn't listen to you. So, I hurt you. And I deeply regret that. Again, I am so very sorry. I hope that you find it in your beautiful heart to forgive me." I finally ended my apology with a tear daring to escape my eye.
Aang's demeanor softened as I finished. He looked more understanding than angry now. "Katara." He sighed, "I was never angry with you. Just hurt… that you didn't listen to me. But, I understand your temper and of course I will forgive you. I always will."
I looked partly shocked. I thought for sure that he would have more mean things to say. But of course, Aang was perfect. "Thank you for understanding. And I know… I hate how temperamental I get. It always gets in the way and makes everyone I care about hate me and-" I was cut off.
I felt Aang's lips crash onto mine. Oh how much I missed his taste and his touch. Once I recollected my consciousness, I started to move my lips against his. We separated and I felt like I was in heaven.
"You never cease to amaze me, Aang." I say as he chuckles. I waste no time kissing him again. Our tongues joined and eventually we moved to the couch. He sits on the couch and I climb on his lap as our mouths continue to follow the movements of a dance of passion. However, a thought begins to creep in my mind… I don't want to move to the next level yet. I've always looked at sexual intimacy as a sacred act when it comes to a serious relationship. And this didn't seem like a halfhearted relationship. Not only that but, we still need air to survive. So we both part.
Aang kisses my forehead, "Have you come to a decision, Katara? Just know that I'll support you no matter what you choose. Always."
"No, I have not. I wanted to ask for your advice actually." I ask him unsure of what he would say.
"Really?" I nod.
"Why me?" He asks, obviously befuddled.
"Well, you just seem so wise and like you know exactly what to say in any and every situation. You give out good advice and right now is a time when I need it. So, Mr. Fei, can you give me the honor of hearing your words of wisdom?" I teasingly ask him.
He taunts, "Of course, Miss Ayek I honestly think that whatever your heart tells you is the way to go in this situation. Zuko explained about where he came from and why he even wanted to help us. He opened up about his past. That counts for something. We should at least try to trust him. What he knows about your mother must go beyond what he said that night. He can be useful to us. Just like we can be useful to him."
I pondered over what he said for a moment, "You know what? You are totally right. I didn't really think like that. I was just mostly afraid that he would betray us, given his past and all. Thank you, sweetie."
I told Zuko that Aang and I would help him. In return, he assured us of his help. We decided on a date to meet each other once again and talk about plans and such. I continued to fill out my journals and graphs. I even made a timeline. With Zuko's knowledge, what happened to my mom is much clearer now.
There was a Fire Nation Raid. They heard rumors of one last remaining waterbender in the Southern Water Tribe. They came that day looking for me. They stopped by our family's house. They found my mother and probably decided to threaten her into giving up the name of the last waterbender. She told them it was her. Because in reality, the last waterbender was her own little girl. Me. She wasn't even a bender. And so, they killed her… not knowing of her lie. She sacrificed herself for me.
As I wrote down the final details with tears in my eyes, I couldn't help but notice a detail or two missing.
Who spread the rumor of there being one last remaining waterbender?
Who killed her?
I wrote these two questions down on a post-it note and stuck it onto my chart. Aang looked at my board with a questioning look.
"I need to figure this out. I need to know so that I can finally come to peace with this." I said quietly trying to see how I would come up with these answers.
"This one might be hard Katara. How many murderers do you know that will just 'fess up the name of a victim they killed?" Aang reasoned.
I cleverly said, "Well there was Samuel Little. Didn't he confess who his victims were and how he killed them?"
"Smart ass." Aang scoffs.
I giggle at his annoyance. He looks so cute when he swears. "Look, it's possible that we may be able to dig it out of the murderer who killed my mother. I am a master waterbender after all."
"Oh okay then, excuse me Sifu Katara for not remembering that trait about you." He teased.
"Oh… so that's how it's going to be huh?" I play along as I tackle him onto the floor. We keep finding ourselves in this same position. Kissing while close with each other. It feels adventurous and addicting. It's been a month since we started dating and we still haven't gotten any further than making out. I obviously feel ready but I'm not quite so sure about how Aang feels. And I don't want it to get awkward if I ask him so instead, I've just been avoiding the unavoidable conversation.
We finally part our lips. He breaks the comfortable silence, "You look so hot when you do that."
I blush at his compliment, "Aw thanks. And you look so sexy under me."
"Spirits, it should be illegal for you to talk like that." He groans and kisses me again in the same position as last time. Unfortunately, we are so distracted that we don't hear the front door unlock. My brother steps into the apartment and sees us making out on the floor.
"Gah!" He yells as he quickly covers his eyes. Aang and I look up to see Sokka gagging. "Get a room please- wait no, don't get a room. Just don't do that on my floors- fuck, don't do that anywhere actually. Damn it." He says as he goes to his room as dramatically as possible.
Aang and I stare at each other and begin to explode with laughter, "Wow, I have not seen him in a while and this is our reunion?"
"Yeah, my hypocrite of a brother has been busy shacking up with Suki. He hasn't stepped foot in this apartment in ages." I say as I try to calm down my laughter. I finally remembered how to breathe and so I got off of Aang and started to clean up.
"When are we meeting Zuko again?" Aang asks as he too helps me put away our boards and charts.
"In two days we will meet at that one café down by Yangchen street." I check my phone's calendar just to make sure.
"Ok, I have to go to work now. My lunch break is over." Aang sadly said as he grabbed his phone.
"That was your lunch break?!" I exclaim. Aang looks confused. I roll my eyes, "I need a new job. My lunch breaks are like 15 minutes."
"You know what? There is a clinic that's hiring near here. You should check it out." Aang says before leaving the front door.
"Ok, thank you sweetie. I think Toph used to work there." I kiss Aang's cheek and wave him goodbye. I close the door and go back to cleaning up.
I don't have any shifts today so I call down at the clinic and ask for any open spots for hiring. I make an appointment and continue on with cleaning up. As I look at all of my charts and boards, I realize that I would have to do this all over again. This time, it will have to be a lot bigger. With that thought, I call Toph. We definitely need new and more allies for a project this big.
It's been two days. I forgot to write in this journal. Anyways, a quick summary would be that I got the job at the clinic. I explained to Toph about our situation. We decided to tell Suki and my brother together. And today is the day we meet up with Zuko. Toph is coming with us so she is currently at my house getting ready.
"So, how is this Zuko guy?" Toph asks while casually picking her toes.
"He's… mysterious. Overall, he's quiet and a bit of a dick." I responded while trying not to look at that disgusting site.
"How is he a dick?" She asked.
"Well, he yelled at me when I yelled at him and-"
"Oh so he's got a temper like you?" Toph chuckles.
"Dude, no. He's way more explosive."
"Suure. Anyways, that's not what I was asking. Is he hot?" She bluntly asked.
"I'm in a relationship, why would you ask that-"
"Girl, is he hot or not?"
I rolled my eyes at her most common question, "Fine. I mean, he is attractive I guess. Like I said, I'm already spoken for so I wasn't paying much attention but he looked like a normal fire nation guy. Just… cuter?"
A voice behind me speaks, "Well that's an awesome way to be greeted." My face turns red. Of course Aang had to arrive when I said that. "My girlfriend is speaking of another man. Damn." He teased.
"Sorry Aang. She asked." I said as I went up to him.
"Well I didn't ask for a description. That's all on you." She said as she too got up.
"Geez, thanks for the help. So, are we going?" I embarrassingly said.
"Yeah, well if you are all ready-" Aang was interrupted.
"We are!" Toph quickly added.
"Ok then." He chuckled, "Let's go."
As we drove down Yangchen street, I could see people of all nations walking down the streets. I looked at the Fire Nation civilians and they looked so innocent. How could they be the ones causing all of this alleged harm to the world? How come no one knows?
Aang pulls into the café's parking lot. We get out of the car and walk inside. Aang and I scan around for golden eyes and dark shaggy hair. We see a match in the back. That has to be Zuko. We walked up to the table and unsurprisingly, it was Zuko.
"Hey. Who is the extra?" He dryly greeted.
"Excuse me?" Toph exclaimed, "This extra has a name you know. Toph. It's a pleasure to meet ya." She mocked. He slightly smiled at her rudeness.
"I told you." I whispered into Toph's ear.
"Yeah yeah." She whispered back. I sat next to Zuko so that I could be in front of Aang.
"Ok so… Zuko. Is there anyone else who knows about this?"
"No. Except for the important people of the fire nation. My family. And my Uncle Iroh. He's a good person by the way. He's actually the one who got me to realize the error of my ways."
"Ok but what's the game plan?" Toph asked impatiently.
"You're all master benders correct?" He asked, we all nodded. He continued, "Good because we are all going straight into battle. The fire nation is ruthless. So we have to train hard. If you don't know how to fight or potentially kill, then this is not for you." He finished speaking. We all looked at each other. That word right there sent chills down my spine. Kill.