Chapter 6
A/N: I kinda struggled with this chapter since it's the last part of Appa's lost days. Getting to the Gaang soon I promise! Would you guys want to see some other character's POV or something? Let me know!
Important: I'll finally have an update schedule instead of spitting them out. Each chapter will come either weekly or bi-weekly on Friday's or Saturday's (depending on when I get it done/my need to have things posted immediately lol). If you want updates on my life or sneak peeks or even some art I do, check me out on Tumblr under the same name!
The scenery passes by below them, lit by the moon above. Kakashi wonders where the bison is flying to now. They pass over a great body of water, boats floating on its surface. Appa only drops suddenly a couple times, roaring as his tail seizes. That had given Kakashi a good scare each time. He pats the bison on the side, telling him to stop and rest. Yet, the bison obviously has a destination in mind and doesn't stop his flight. Appa is as stubborn as Kakashi.
Kakashi sighs and decides to try and take Appa's mind off the pain of his tail. He starts to tell the bison about his village, sharing stories of his team, old and new. He divulges the story of his sensei, sacrificing himself for the sake of the village and damning his son to the duty of jinchūriki. Even going on to tell the adventures he and his students had back when they were a full team. Rain makes his hair stick to his forehead, but he forges on, talking about how strong his little genin have become. Kakashi keeps speaking until his voice grows hoarse. Appa is silent the whole time, yet Kakashi can tell the flying bison is listening to his stories. Kakashi isn't sure how.
They fly into a mountainous region, with stone mountains towering above the ocean below. Flying higher and higher until they're above the clouds, Kakashi finally sees buildings decorating the three highest mountain tops. It reminds Kakashi of Kumogakure.
Appa lands harshly on a flat stone platform. He quickly jumps off the bison, moving to check on the wound. However, Appa starts to move deeper into the temple without waiting for Kakashi. He follows the bison move through broken stone pillars and an old feeding area. The place is obviously abandoned. Maybe abandoned isn't the right word, Kakashi thinks as he sees some skeletons scattered throughout the temple.
The place mirrors the ruins of Uzushiogakure. It reminds him that this world is in the middle of a war. The destruction of a home seems to be universal in warfare. He can only hope that Konoha doesn't end up like this.
Kakashi is led through the maze of the temples. The whole place is covered in mist from the high elevation. The bridges around him don't have handrails, allowing Kakashi to peer over the edge into the clouds below. Some of them aren't stable enough to cross. Kakashi doesn't want to fall from this height. It's when they're crossing over one of the stone bridges to another mountain does Appa finally makes a sound. The bison excitedly speeds forward. "Hey!" Kakashi calls after him, jogging to keep up. Appa tackles a man sitting in a meditating position to the ground, licking him. Kakashi thinks that this old man is Appa's owner.
That is until Appa stops licking him, seemingly shocked that this stranger isn't who the bison thinks he is. The bison flies back to Kakashi, growling at the man who sits up.
The stranger is an old, bald man with a long, scruffy, white beard. He's thin, seemingly just tanned skin and bones, and wears a yellow robe. He spots Kakashi standing by the angry bison, bushy brows rising in surprise. "Hello," he greets. "I am Guru Pathik."
Kakashi puts a hand on the bison, stopping Appa from attacking the man. "Yo, name's Kakashi and this is Appa. I'm guessing you aren't the guy we're looking for, huh?"
"I'm afraid not," he says while wringing out his beard of the bison's spit. "I've been expecting the bison for quite some time, but not without his Avatar." The guru gives Kakashi a questioning stare. "And definitely not with you."
Kakashi crosses his arms. "That makes two of us. Did the Avatar send you a message to expect his arrival?" Maybe he could come pick up his bison.
Pathik just shakes his head. "No, I had a vision many years ago of helping him. That's why I came to the Eastern Air Temple."
"And I guess I wasn't in that vision of yours?"
Instead of answering, the guru smoothly rolls backward to his feet. He approaches the two but stops when Appa starts growling once more. Pathik raises his hands in peace, so Kakashi puts his hand in front of Appa to stop the bison once more. He steps forward to meet the guru. Pathik motions to Kakashi. "May I?"
Kakashi lifts a brow. "Do what exactly?"
"I am able to read spiritual energy, and it may help you and I make sense of your role here."
He thinks about it for a moment before nodding. The guru doesn't seem to be a violent type anyways.
The old man closes his eyes and brings two fingers to Kakashi's forehead, not quite touching his headband, and drags them down to his heart. He tenses for a moment at the vulnerable position and only relaxes when the guru's hand travels down towards his sternum. Kakashi doesn't feel anything happening.
"I see…" Pathik says as he draws his hand away, returning it to stroke his beard. "You've been through so much, so strong yet so brittle. A very tough life of pain and loss. You're very protective of your own, aren't you?" The guru opens his eyes to look at Kakashi closely. "How did you come to be here; I wonder? You are not supposed to be here, yet you are. Interesting."
"If I knew the answer to that, I'd be back home right now."
"No, no. You are meant to be here, but not here." Kakashi can't decipher the guru's cryptic speaking. The guru can tell, reading the quarter of his bare face. He continues, "You are meant to be helping the Avatar with his travels. I suppose it is because the bison's energy is so similar to the Avatar's. After all, their energies are deeply entwined."
"You mean I was bought to help save this world?" Kakashi momentarily loses his cool and grabs a fistful of the guru's robes, bringing him close to Kakashi's face. His black eye is bright with anger. "You tore me away from my village to solve your own problems. I have my own fight to deal with."
The guru is still relaxed in Kakashi's hold, actually looking sympathetic to his plight. "I am sorry, but I am not to blame, only the messenger."
"Then who did you receive the message from?" Because if Kakashi ever met whoever took him away from his village, he would kill them, spirit or not.
"The energy of the spirit world swirls around you, mingling with the foreign energy of your world. Perhaps it was the work of both of our worlds moving as one to bring you here. Perhaps, it was to save you."
Kakashi's mind flashes back to the moment that he died, out of chakra and out of time. He releases the guru, who merely straightens out his clothes. Kakashi runs a hand through his silver strands. "Shit…"
"Perhaps it would be best if the two of you rest here for a couple of days," Pathik gently suggests. "especially with that wound." He makes a motion towards Appa's tail.
Kakashi wants to get away from this old man as soon as possible but can't find any flaws in the guru's plan.
The guru takes Kakashi's silence as a yes. "I'm afraid there aren't many beds left in good condition. If you find one, you are welcome to take it."
"Thanks, but I'll be fine."
Appa is already moving back into the temple, so Kakashi bids goodnight to the guru and follows after the bison.
They make it to an old stable. It's in clear disrepair but Appa still circles around and lays down on a small pile of dead hay. Kakashi places a hand on a broken pillar and peers into one of the smaller stalls. It's still pretty big compared to a horse's, but smaller than Appa's full size. He turns to the bison who's peering at him with curious large eyes. "So, I'm guessing this is your old home?" Kakashi asks as he walks over.
The bison rumbles, resting his head in the large paws.
Kakashi sits against the fuzzy side of Appa, silver hair mingling with white fur. "Must've been quite a place back in its prime."
Appa yawns in agreement.
"You know, I think you would've been great friends with Pakkun. Maybe one day I'll be able to introduce him to you." Kakashi's dreams are filled with pugs and miniature flying bison.
Kakashi makes sure to clean Appa's wound every couple of hours over the days that they spend at the temple. The bison's tail looks better and better each day until the only evidence of the bite mark is the difference of fur length. Kakashi is sure the wound is scarred underneath the thick hairs. The guru visits them every so often to give some supplies and fruits (Kakashi only falls for the horrible banana and onion concoction once). Once Kakashi feels that Appa's done reminiscing about his home, he finds the guru on another mountain top, a winding stone path winding around the slope. Pathik sits cross-legged, birds and woodland creatures perched all over him.
"Finally ready to leave, are you?" Pathik asks as he takes a sip from his bowl.
Kakashi tucks his hands into his borrowed pants' pockets, resuming his usually slouched position. "Think so. As much as it was nice to meet you, I think it's about time we get going."
"Before you go," the guru hands Kakashi a tied roll of parchment. "I have prepared a message for Aang. I can trust that you'll deliver it to him, yes?"
"Sure." Kakashi takes the scroll. "But how will I find where the Avatar is?"
Pathik motions to the bison, still lounging behind them eating the melons. "Appa's and the Avatar's energies are mixed. They have an unbreakable bond. It's quite remarkable," the guru chuckles.
Appa yawns in response but is attentive. Anything to bring him home.
The guru approaches the bison's forehead, waving two extended fingers across the giant arrow marking. "By reading his energy, I can sense where Aang is." At the good news, Appa licks the old man, making him laugh. "Funny what invisible strings connect us all."
Kakashi watches curiously, wondering if the guru is using an ability to chakra sensing. "And where exactly do my strings lead?"
Pathik smiles softly at him. "They fade off over the horizon, never arriving at any destination, but never disappearing. They are thick cords, braiding into an unbreakable rope. I believe that is what will lead you back to your home once this world is finished with you." And doesn't that sound ominous. "But there is a small thread that also follows Appa's energy, following after Aang."
"So, that's what I have to do, help the Avatar end the war?"
"I cannot tell you your destiny here, Kakashi. I believe you will be the one to forge it."
"Well, I might as well 'forge' towards finding this Avatar," Kakashi shrugs.
The guru nods and turns toward the resting bison. Pathik places a hand on the center of Appa's head, both closing their eyes as leaves gently fall around them. Kakashi blinks at the serenity of the scene before him. They stay like that for a few moments. He still can't tell what Pathik is doing to read Appa's energy.
When Pathik removes his hand, Appa is already flapping his tail, impatient to get in the air. "I believe that is your queue to get on," Pathik says to Kakashi. "You will find Aang within Ba Sing Se."
The name rings a bell in Kakashi's mind. The place was just north of the farm that he and Appa had stopped at according to Xi the farmer. He almost wants to slap his forehead at the roundabout directions. Kakashi jumps onto the bison's back with a flip, landing gracefully on the saddle. He turns back to face the guru. "Thanks for the help," he nods.
"I will see Appa again soon. As for you, Kakashi, I wish you luck handling the Avatar."
"How bad can he be? Isn't he over a hundred years old?"
Pathik only smiles and waves goodbye. Kakashi shrugs and settles down on the saddle. "Yip yip, Appa." And the bison immediately launches into the sky, flying faster than ever before.
Kakashi passes the time by rereading his favorite orange-cover novel. Appa is clearly focused on getting to Aang as fast as possible. They fly back west but move farther north. Kakashi can already see the tall stone walls they're heading toward. When they pass over the first wall, Kakashi finally sees the scale of Ba Sing Se as he spots the large agricultural fields. It's probably bigger than Konoha and Sunna combined. Stone pathways are leading through the walls, one of the few entrances into the city. Appa continues to fly into the city, flying over the second wall. The next section of the city is densely populated, small houses. The buildings are run-downed, with few lights lining the crowded roads.
Appa continues to fly farther into the city, crossing into the next residential section. This area is much nicer than the first, torches lighting up the cleaner houses. Most have steepled, green-tiled roofs lined with gold color. With the protective walls and style of architecture, Kakashi is starkly reminded of his home. Kakashi sees a stable with a large enough area that Appa can land on. The bison sees it too, sweeping down to land on the ground below.
Kakashi hops off and observes the strange sleeping animals around him. He could probably convince the stable's owner to let him and Appa stay while finding the Avatar in the large city. "Stay here," he motions to the flying bison.
Appa huffs but plops down onto his stomach.
He walks into the building, still lit with candles. A counter and a bell, but no person. He hits the bell and leans against the counter, waiting for the night-attendant to return to the front desk.
Before the curtain behind the desk parts, Kakashi can hear movement back outside. The animals are awake, creating a ruckus. Appa is still out there, making Kakashi rush back out to check on the bison. Kakashi is gone before the attendant can get a glimpse of him.
The bison isn't where Kakashi left him. He looks up to see Appa flying away over the houses. Kakashi curses and runs after the runaway bison. He hops onto the rooftops, keeping the white spot in the sky in sight by jumping from roof to roof. There's no evidence of his presence on the tiles.
Two figures spring out of the alleyway and onto the roof in Kakashi's path. They're dressed in dark robes with green and gold detailing. Long sleeves with gold lining hide their hands, making Kakashi wary. Still, he has to follow after the bison no matter what, so he jumps over the two.
Or he would've if two pairs of stone hands hadn't launch towards him. Kakashi quickly dodges out of the way, bouncing off of a tower's wall next to him. The rock hands create indents in the stone wall, showing their intent isn't friendly.
Appa is already getting farther and farther away. Kakashi fires two shuriken at his attackers, but they easily move the green tiles below their feet to block. He adjusts his direction, trying to move around them to head in the bison's direction. He sees Appa duck back close to the ground, the surrounding buildings obscuring Kakashi's view.
Another pair of hands fire out of the darkness while Kakashi jumps between buildings. His eye widens in surprise as he attempts to adjust his course. Still, one of the hands clips his foot, knocking Kakashi off balance as he lands. As he rolls to his feet, three people surround him on the rooftop, all dressed in the same outfit.
"Surrender yourself," one states. There are no inflections in his voice.
"Ah, sorry, no can do." Kakashi looks at his surrounds. The three are standing in front of him, all ready to attack. Kakashi stands on the edge of the roof, alleyway behind him. "See I have to get that bison back to the Avatar. Help end the war and all that."
"There is no war in Ba Sing Se," they all say simultaneously.
Kakashi narrows his eyes at the three. He inches backward as they crowd around him, hands ready to launch the stone gloves surrounding their hands. "My bad then, I'll let myself out then."
He falls backward, rock hands brushing passed his nose. Kakashi lands on his feet, kicking up a large cloud of dust around him. He runs through the cloud, dashing off in a random direction, and his attackers aren't far behind. They run past a nondescript barrel as they round the corner after him.
A puff of smoke and Kakashi is in place of the barrel. The shadow clone will poof away sooner or later, so he starts to move. He makes sure his hair is tucked under the rice hat this time. His headband is safely stored away. All he has left is to replace his infamous face mask. Kakashi makes sure that the road is clear before stepping out of the alley but still keeps to the shadows of the buildings, moving where the bison had landed.
Appa is gone and all that's left is a giant footprint. Even with his superior nose, Kakashi doesn't catch the bison's scent.
He's stuck here without Appa, no Avatar in sight. He wants to scream into the night sky, but barely refrains. As Kakashi passes by a tailor shop, his eyes catch a thick, emerald scarf in the window.
When the tailor returns in the morning, he scratches his head at the empty window mannequin and the gold coin on the counter.