Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The Mark of Dragons
"Now men," I started to say; pacing in front of the recruits and holding out my trusty boomerang. The snow crunched under the heel of my boot as I pivoted. "It's important to show no fear. We are the water tribe. We fight to the end with courage!" I found my words moving, but looking at the blank faces of the kids sitting cross-legged in front of me with snot dripping from their noses, I knew I was the only one affected.
One of Sanna's boys raised his hand and waved it around as if I wouldn't be able to see it otherwise. "I gotta pee!" He declared. I wished I couldn't see or hear him. How was I going to get these boys ready for the real world if I had to keep stopping my plans for bathroom breaks and… and… for them to grow up?
"Listen!" I exclaimed, trying to reach them. "Until our fathers return, they're counting on us to be men and that means no bathroom breaks!" And by La, I needed at least one of them to hurry up and grow. There were only so many hours in a day, and I didn't want to spend all of them working. Sure, I didn't want to go penguin sledding with some bald kid like Katara. But that doesn't mean I didn't have hobbies. Like… like…. Well, if I had time, I could find some hobbies.
Sanna's boy didn't stop. "But I really need to go", he said; jiggling his legs a little to express his urgency.
Sighing, my shoulders dropped. How did Dad ever manage to do this; teaching the younger tribe members? I should have taken notes. "Okay", I caved. "Does anyone else have to go?" And…. Every hand shot up in the area. Slapping a gloved hand over my face, I groaned and dismissed the class.
As the younger boys scampered away from me, my eyes landed on Kaya standing off in the distance. Her arms were full; carrying a basket with all Gran-gran's healing supplies. But when she saw me looking at her, she smiled. It was a smile that made this impromptu bathroom break not so bad.
"Have you seen Aang?" Katara asked as she approached. And then the moment was ruined. "Gran-gran said no one's seen him for a while".
"If no one's seen him, why would I?" I asked as the sound of laughing boys drew both of Katara's and my attention. They better not be goofing off. Not when we haven't even gotten to hunting training yet.
But following the sound of laughter lead to the missing bald kid; laughing and playing with the boys as if they were old friends. I frowned. My lessons were fun. Why didn't they laugh for me when I made boomerang jokes? "Katara, get him out of here", I demanded. "I got a class to teach".
And the next thing I know, the kids were climbing all over the swimming bison like it was a snow fort. Aang sat on its back helping the smaller kids complete the climb. My shoulders tensed. Great. Now it would be ten times more difficult to get the recruits to focus. This is why I don't schedule playtime until after I'm done talking. Katara starts laughing at the kids' amusement. I almost felt bad for putting my foot down…. But, I really need at least one of them to learn how to feed themselves. To feed their family. "Stop!". None of the younger boys paid me any mind as they continued to run and climb on the swimming bison. But my shouting bought me Aang's attention. That was something at least. "We don't have time for this. We are in a war. These boys need to be ready".
Aang jumped off the bison's back and floated to the ground as another example of his airbending freakishness. "What war?" he asked as he made his way over to Katara and me. His voice was innocent. So, innocent that it was kind of annoying.
"You're kidding, right?" I asked flatly. How could he not know? The whole world got turned upside down because of the Fire Nation. How could he not know?
Before Aang could give me an answer. Something caught his eye. "Penguin!" He screeched before darting off; running faster than most can through the snow. Almost like he was floating on top of it. Damn airbender.
So, I asked Katara the same question as we watched him go, "He's kidding, right?"
She didn't have an answer, so she frowned at me. Why couldn't she smile like Kaya? Kaya would smile if I asked her a question. Of course, she also wouldn't be able to answer me. But…. You know what, never mind.
"Alright tropes", I called out once Katara left to chase after the bald kid. "Come back. We're going to learn how to bait fish today".
Standing by the bison's leg, Sanna's boy raised his hand. "But I still gotta go!"
"Then hurry up!" I shouted, grinding my teeth. We were never going to get anything done at this rate.
I ended lessons a little before lunch. As I had expected, after playtime with Aang none of the boys were too keen on learning about fishing. But at least two of the older boys were able to tie strong enough knots in their fishing line. I'd have to see about taking them jigging soon. If they could be trusted to do that, then I could spend more time tracking large game, and then everyone would be able to eat meat. It would be meat all around!
As the kids ran off to their respective tents, I scanned the village. Most of the women were busy minding the fires and boiling snow to replenish our freshwater supplies. Maybe there would be enough that we would be able to wash tonight. I bet the girls would like that. Kaya always seemed more relaxed after a wash. Speaking of the yellow-haired girl…. I glanced to the left and found her squatting in front of one of the elders. Not Gran-gran old. But old enough that this elder didn't have any children in her tent. Her husband and sons had all left to fight in the war. Kaya had one of the elder's hands in both of hers as she rubbed the skin around the knuckles. Just like she had done for Gran-gran when I had decided to make her boots. Her expression was gentle as she worked in silence. And I was happy to see that the elder wasn't sneering at Kaya or trying to pull away. In fact, the elder seemed completely at ease with Kaya's foreignness. Guess Gran-gran was right. The other women just needed to get used to her.
As if reading my thoughts, Gran-gran wandered over to my side. "She did well today", she told me. "Kaya remembered the words for burn and salve. And can tie a bandage better than my old weathered hands". A moment passed in silence as Gran-gran and I watched Kaya massage the elder's hands. "I think the next time you bring home a seal, I'll teach her how to brew some of my blubber remedies. Healing is an appropriate trade for the wife of a chieftain".
My cheeks filled with heat at the reminder. Right… marriage. That was still years off. Not until Kaya was able to understand what the necklace she wore meant and she was able to give me her consent. Not until I had the means to build her a tent and hearth of her own. And…. And not until we both felt ready. Still, as I watched Kaya work, I couldn't help but think maybe it wouldn't be years off. She seemed content enough. I felt content enough watching her. Was this what Dad felt when he had been engaged to Mom? I wish I could ask him.
A high-pitched whistling sound filled the air; echoing off in the distance. Everyone stopped what they were doing; heads swiveling to find the source. Looking to the East, I watched with dread as a red flare went off high in the sky. High enough that it could be seen miles and miles away.
"Isn't that the direction where the wrecked fire nation ship is?" Someone asked amidst the silence that had taken over the village.
Unfortunately, they were completely right. Hushed whispering broke out as mothers found their children and everyone discussed what we should do. Do we break down the village and move further inland? Not an optimal solution. There were not enough able bodies to carry all our supplies and at least here we had our ice structures to offer some protection. When the whispering grew louder and louder, I knew I had to step up before panic became too strong. "No one is to leave the village", I declared; sounding more confident than I felt.
Letting go of the Elder's hand, Kaya stood up and turned to the sound of my voice. Following the other women's example, she remained where she was instead of approaching. Her brown eyes glimmered with confusion as she looked around the village; trying to get a read on the atmosphere. But she always looked back at Gran-gran and me; waiting for one of us to tell her what to do. Did she know what that flare meant? She didn't seem particularly alarmed by it. So, either flares were something commonplace to her, or she had no idea what they could be used for.
"We don't know what caused the flare to go off", I continued before I could get too distracted by the yellow-haired girl. "Panicking won't help. We'll stay together and work together. If anyone sees anything suspicious come find me. Until then, we will not abandon our homes". The whispered died down and I was left with the hope that I had made the right call.
"My grandson is right", Gran-gran spoke to the women; using her wisdom to back my leadership. It was something we've been doing since Dad and all the men left. Without her support, I doubted anyone would listen to me. I was, in some cases, more than half their age. "I suggest we continue with our duties. We'll need to make sure our homes and food storages are secure. We most all help each other". Gran-gran's words were the end of it and soon the women were breaking off to do just as she suggested. When we no longer had the attention of everyone in the village, Gran-gran turned towards me. "I will supervise the efforts, and I know you'll want to check the ice walls. Have Kaya accompany you. The others need to see her helping". Before I could comment or ask why Gran-gran was calling across the village. "Kaya, come here child".
The yellow-haired girl didn't need to be told twice. She picked up her feet and fell into a light jog as she made a beeline for us. Her brown eyes were wide as she picked up on the tension everyone was now carrying in their shoulders. "Kaya help?" She asked once she was standing in front of us.
"Yes, child", Gran-gran answered. She placed a gloved hand on my shoulder. Kaya's eyes tracked the action. "Go with Sokka and stay with him". Gran-gran spoke her words slowly and clearly.
Kaya nodded once; locking eyes with me. "Kaya stays with Sokka", she repeated the direction. If the situation were different, and we weren't concerned about the origins of the mysterious flare, Kaya's improved grammar would have been complimented. But now wasn't the time.
"Come on", I said as I held out a hand to her. Which Kaya took after only a small hesitation as she worked out what I wanted. "We're going to check the foundation", I told her as I lead her away. I didn't expect her to understand. But right now, I needed to talk to somebody. Whether they could understand me or not.
"And keep an eye out for Katara", Gran-gran called after us. "She and Aang haven't returned yet". I swallowed my worry as I kept going. Katara better come home. I won't be able to look Dad in the eye if she doesn't.
Katara wasn't happy with me. Not that she usually was. But banishing her first friend in years from the village was making her feelings more noticeable. Girls! But what did she expect me to do? Aang admitted to messing with the wrecked Fire Nation ship. He was the reason the flare was set off. Accident or not, he was bringing danger to our shores.
I sighed before refocusing with a small shake of my head. Now wasn't the time to be worrying about my little sister. Not when I had a village to defend. In a spare tent I typically used for cured meats, I adjusted the sleeves of my tunic and fastened them tight to my writs with thin rope made solely for this purpose. Kaya sat across from me with my warrior paint set up between us. She had been quiet, more so than usual, ever since I had turned Aang away. What did she think of that choice? I wanted to ask but didn't have the time or means to teach her the words.
She kept glancing out the tent flap as I pulled on my boots; chewing on her bottom lip as she thought through whatever was rolling around in her head. As a yellowed-haired person, was her thoughts different from ours? Or did she have the same worries? Hopefully, La would grant me the time to find out.
The warrior paint was next. It was something I had witnessed my dad do a handful of times. It was something I had practiced even more. But this was the first time I was applying the paint for real. Kaya's eyes studied my every move as I started by painting the skin around my eyes. "You don't need to be scared", I tried to assure the both of us; switching from the black paint to the grey. "I know what I'm doing". Expect, I didn't. Before picking up the white paint, I set the grey down. "I'll keep everyone safe". My words sounded hollow to my ears, so maybe it was a good thing Kaya couldn't understand them.
"Sokka", Kaya said once I had completed my warrior's face and finished preparations by strapping my boomerang to my back. When I locked eyes with the yellow-haired girl, she opened her mouth. But closed it soon after; unable to find the words she needed to express whatever thought she had in mind. Her eyebrows dipped inwards and her scarred hands curled into fists. It must be frustrating; not being able to say exactly what you're thinking or feeling. I'm glad I'm not a yellow-haired person.
Speaking of yellow-hair….. Other than the occasional passing thought, I had grown accustomed to Kaya's strangeness. Enough so that I hadn't even bothered to think what Aang might have thought about Kaya's weird hair color. It didn't matter with the bald kid, but nothing could be risked when dealing with Fire Nation soldiers. "Here, Kaya", I spoke over any attempt she might have made to voice her thoughts. Reaching over my warrior paints, I grabbed the hem of Kaya's hood and tugged it over her head; covering her yellow color. "Keep your hood up", I order. Kaya blinked twice; not giving me the sense that she was comprehending what I was asking. "Hood", I repeated, tugging at the garment. "Hood".
"H-hood", Kaya repeated slowly after the second prompting.
"Hood", I tugged on it again. "On", I said patting the top of Kaya's head. "Keep your hood on".
If she understood more, I'd explain why. But now wasn't the time for a lesson, and it'd be better if Kaya wasn't confused by orders when the Fire Nation arrived. So, I stopped once Kaya gave me a hesitant nod. Studying her face, it was still obvious that Kaya wasn't born one of us. The pallor of her skin was something we only saw in our dead. And there was nothing I could think to do to hide the yellow of her eyelashes and eyebrows. Hopefully, the Fire Nation wouldn't be looking too closely. Glancing out the tent flap; taking in the uneasy silence of the village, I took a moment to steel my nerves. It's warrior time. "Let's go", I said as started forward. Trusting Kaya to follow. I'd find Gran-gran and leave Kaya with her before climbing to the lookout point. If the Fire Nation was determined to ruin what little my people had left, I was going to be the first one they'd have to contend with.
Things… weren't going well. Having been knocked into the snow after my initial attack, I found it hard to decide what I should do next. The leader of this band of Fire Nation soldiers (identifiable as leader only by the stupid helmet on his head), stalked to the front of his men. His most noticeable feature was his scarred left eye and it definitely screamed horrible firebending tyrant. He stood with his back towards me. Him and all his men; facing the women and kid who were cowering together. "Where is he?" Scarface demanded to know. Except he was met with silence. My muscles twitched and my heart stilled when Scarface's arm shot out; snatching Gran-gran from the crowd by her hood. Doesn't he know that's no way to treat an elder? Even if we are on opposing sides.
All the women seemed to gasp at the same time as Katara reached out in an attempted to bring Gran-gran back when she was ripped away from her. But the fire bender had Gran-gran well in hand before any real attempt could be made.
"He'd be about this old", Scarface said as he shook Gran-gran to emphasize his reference. "The avatar! Master of all elements".
Still, my people offered no information. How could they? No one has seen the avatar for over a hundred years. Honestly, despite Gran-gran insisting he was real, I thought the dude was a myth. Unhappy, Scarface threw a tantrum; unleashing a wave of fire over the heads o my people. Women and kids alike yelped in fear as they ducked their heads and covered their faces. I had to do something; I need to do something. My muscles tensed under me as I prepared to charge at the threat.
"I know he's here!" Scarface demanded; shaking a closed fist at his audience that had smoke leaking out from in between his fingers.
Before he could release another blast of fire, and before I could do anything heroic, A figure dressed in a women's coat with the hood pulled up dashed in front of the others holding a cooking pot. Kaya! What are you doing? My breath hitched in my throat. Almost as if the whole world had slowed down, I watched as Kaya flung the contents of the pot at Scarface. Water sloshed out of the pot and into the air; flying in his direction. I blinked and a second later Scarface was drenched. I guess…. That is how you put out a fire.
For a brief moment, everyone stood still out of surprise. Including the Fire Nation soldiers. I bet no one from a small village like ours had ever tried to do that to them before. Scarface recovered faster than anyone else. He growled deeply from the back of his throat before lunging forward.
Kaya tried to take a step back to stay out of arm's reach. But Scarface had her faster than she could react. With fistfuls of Kaya's coat, the firebender pulled her in close; the motion forcing her hood off her head. "Kaya!" Katara yelled in alarm.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Scarface yelled into Kaya's face.
To her credit, Kaya didn't cry. Instead, she tried to break free from Scarface's grip; scratching at his hands with her ungloved ones.
Scarface breathed with labored emotion through his nose; emitting steam as he waited for some sort of response from the yellow-haired girl. But, of course, Kaya had no words for him. It was in that silence, that I watched as Scarface took a moment to take in the situation. "Yellow hair", I heard him comment. Out of curiosity, maybe. But I didn't like it. Like a set trap, I was ready to be sprung as Scarface turned his attentions to a different part of Kaya. He let go of her coat in favor of grabbing onto her scarred hands. I couldn't see the firebender's face, so I had not a single insight as to why the scars of a girl would interest him so, but he pushed up Kaya's coat and tunic sleeve on her left arm before the gasping. Quickly, he did the same to Kaya's right arm; ignoring my people who were still huddling together in front of him. And ignoring all of Kaya's attempts to claw herself away from him. When the burn scars on both of Kaya's arms were visible, Scarface said barely loud enough for me to make out, "the mark of dragons". A low murmur broke out amongst the Fire Nation soldiers at the announcement. The mark of what?
Though I finally found what I needed to get my feet moving again when Scarface asked Kaya, "But what would you be doing here?" His voice taking a more shocked tone than the demanding one he had been using before. Didn't his mother ever teach him he shouldn't crowd a girl like that!?
Letting out a battle cry, I held my club with two hands as I charged Scarface. In response, Scarface pushed Kaya in the direction of his men, making the yellow-haired girl fall into the snow as he widened his stance and ducked a shoulder right as I ran into him. Propelled, I sailed over the firebender, my feet above my head as I lost my grip on my club. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have announced my approach with a war cry. There wasn't much time to recover as I had to roll out of the way of a fire blast. Landing on my knee with one foot under me, I grabbed my trusty boomerang from my back and flung it into the air. Scarface dodged and my boomerang went sailing past his head; disappearing from sight. No worries, Boomerangs come back.
In the meantime, Sanna's older boy picked up a nearby spear as Kaya climbed to her feet. "No fear", Sanna's boy proclaimed before tossing the weapon to me. I snatched it out of the air easily enough; only half noticing when Kaya made a move to rejoin our people. But, now on the opposite side of Katara and Gran-gran, she stayed on the outskirts. I couldn't blame her. Sanna was the closest person to Kaya.
With the spear in hand, I charged again. This time for sure! But Scarface used his arms to block and actually broke my spear! And he didn't even break it once, but multiple times. Before using my own weapon against me! Pushed off my feet, I landed on my butt and all I could do was stare up at Scarface and his stupid helmet. His face expressed how unimpressed and unaffected he was by my efforts; causing me to grind my teeth. I had trained so hard for the day I would have to fight the Fire Nation. Was this truly the best I could do?
It was in that moment with Scarface looking down at me that my boomerang came back. Whirling through the air, it clanged into the back of his helmet, throwing the firebender off balance. Serves him right! I couldn't help but think as he staggered to regain himself. When he was steady again, Scarface growled as flames shot out of his closed fists as if he was holding daggers made of fire. This… was bad news.
However, entering the scene on the back of a penguin came Aang; right under Scarface's feet. Scarface was knocked off his feet as he fell backward. His stupid helmet left his head and crashed into the snowy floor; revealing that Scarface was bald as well. Except for one patch that he had a ponytail growing out of. The kids cheered at Aang's return as he got off the Penguin. Given the moment of respite, Kaya dashed over for the outskirts of the group. Dropping to her knees she slid the last couple of inches to my side. "Sokka", she whispered in a scared voice as I felt Katara place her hands on my shoulders. Probably doing the same thing Kaya was doing; making sure I was okay. Except…. I was supposed to be the one making sure they were safe.
"Hey guys", Aang greeted as the penguin waddled away. Like he hadn't just interrupted a fight.
Feeling embarrassed I raised a hand. For the first time, I was grateful that Dad wasn't here to see this. "Thanks for coming, Aang".
Scarface, regained himself and he approached with his men; arms raised in a fighting stance. But Aang wasn't having it. With his staff in hand, he stood in front of our tribe and sent a blast of chilled air over the Fire nation soldiers; blowing snow onto their uniforms. "Looking for me?" Aang asked cheekily.
Scarface was already soaked from Kaya's attack. Adding the snow now on his person, he was probably freezing. But still, he continued his approach; his men flanking his sides and closing in on us. "I've waited years for this", Scarface shared as if we cared. "Hours spent on training only to find that you're only a child!"
In fluid movements, the firebender started another attack; sending multiple fire blasts in Aang's direction. But our bald kid was able to block them all by twirling his staff out in front of him like a baton. Aang kept the fire away from us. Even as the feeling of heat on our skin had the women and child cowering once again; some crying with terror. Kaya clung to me as she closed her eyes against the approach of the flames.
When there was a pause between attacks, Aang lowered his staff with resolve and looked directly at Scarface. "I'll go with you if you promise to leave everyone alone".
Raising out of his stance, it was clear when Scarface accepted Aang's offer. He gave a singular deep nod. "No, Aang!" Cried Katara as she stepped past Kaya and me as two Fire Nation soldiers came to collect Aang; pushing on his shoulder to get him to walk in front of them. No. I thought, echoing Katara's words. How much did these guys have to take?
"It's okay, Katara", Aang tried to reassure my sister as he was led away. Climbing to my feet, I pulled Kaya up with me to watch Aang go. "Will you take care of Appa for me?" Aang asked, speaking louder and louder the further he was pulled away.
We watched him go for lack of a better option. With his Fire Nation guards, Aang was pushed past Scarface how had an accomplished expression on his stupid face. He tracked Aang's progress towards his ship with his eyes. Only looking back towards us when Aang stepped foot on the ship's gangplank. I knew something bad… well, extra bad was going to happen when Scarface's eyes lingered on Kaya. "And take the mark bearer", he ordered.
"No", Katara cried again as we both tried to grab onto the yellow-haired girl. But just like with Aang, two soldiers came and ripped her away from us. Unlike Aang, Kaya didn't go willingly.
A bunched of different sounds from her nonsense language left Kaya's mouth as she kicked at the two soldiers who had grabbed onto her arms; dragging her through the snow in the direction of where they wanted her to go. "That wasn't part of the deal!" Aang yelled from the gangplank as he heard what was happening behind him. Kaya twisted in the hold the Fire Nation soliders' hold as Aang's complaint went unheard. But nothing she did was enough to shake off two fully grown men.
"Kaya!" I called taking a hurried step forward.
Gran-gran gripped my shoulder to still me. "You have no more weapons, Sokka. You must wait". And so, defeated, I watched as the two foreigners were taken from our village. Was this what Katara felt when I had first banished Aang from the village? It's awful.