A Golden Tomorrow
By Entei Artist
Chapter 1- Mysterious Girl
Aang and Katara peered at the fruits and vegetables on sale at the marketplace, intent on filling their food stock with as least money as possible.
"How about some squash?" Aang suggested.
"Cost too much," Sokka replied, picking up an apple and examining it.
"Pears?"
"Still too much."
Aang sighed. "Then what can we buy?"
"Remember, we're on a tight budget. We can't have everything."
Aang and Sokka continued arguing, but Katara stayed silent. "Does anyone else think that we're being watched?" she asked them.
"Nope," they said at the same time, oblivious to the golden eyes watching their every move.
The group was so busy deciding what to buy and what not to buy that they didn't notice the girl walking towards them.
"I think we're done," Sokka said.
"But we only bought corn and dried beef!" Aang protested.
"That's all we'll need," Sokka stated firmly and turned around from the food stand, only to lay eyes on the girl behind them.
Sokka's mouth dropped open, making him look like a complete idiot. "Who a-are you?" he finally choked out. The teenage girl was about Katara's height; she had long black hair that was tied up by a strip of cloth with a Sakura flower stuck by the ponytail and golden eyes that sparkled it the sunlight; and she was clothed in a casual short, red kimono.
"I'm Akai Kaji," she answered smoothly. "And you?"
"I-I'm Sokka and this is Katara and Aang, the---" Sokka stuttered, but before he could finish, Katara stopped him.
"I don't think we should tell her that Aang's the Avatar yet," Katara whispered in his ear fiercely.
"The ---umm…. Uhh…" Sokka struggled.
Akai giggled. "It's okay; I don't expect you to tell me everything on our first meeting. You look like you're out of money. Can I help you?"
Flustered by the girl's generosity, the group let her help them anyways for they really didn't want to eat corn and dried beef for lunch.
After nearly buying the whole food aisle, Sokka asked Akai, "Why are you helping us anyways?"
"My… parents always told me to help those in need…" she told them slowly, sadness hinting in her voice.
Katara immediately recognized that tone. "Your parents… they weren't killed by fire benders, were they?"
"Yes, they were…."
"Then, where do you live?" asked Aang.
Akai gave him a sad smile. "I am a wanderer. I have no permanent home."
"That doesn't tell us why you have so much money!" Sokka pouted.
"Aren't you a stubborn one? I didn't expect you to tell me everything about yourselves; you should do the same," Akai said in an arrogant voice, surprising Katara in her change of mood so quickly. Something wasn't right about this girl….
To Be Continued….
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