Whoa! Thanx goes to all of you who reviewed! I really didn't expect so many on just the first chapter! So, you asked for it, and here it is:
Burden
II
"Hello? Is anybody here?"
Aang's voice echoed back along the temple walls, rebounding with such sharpness and preciseness one would think it were a child, playfully mimicking the Airbender. But the echoes soon died, and a tense silence once again reigned over the three.
They looked about almost anxiously for someone— anyone— who would answer Aang and relieve their taut nerves. In doing so, however,they soon found themselves distracted with the small yet admirable intricacies of the temple that are often overlooked at first glance. Extravagant, detailed artwork lay engraved into the walls; names had been inscribed into the rows of pillars which soared to the hand-carved ceiling.
And finally, steps could be seen at the opposite end, leading up to a massive statue of what Aang guessed was the Earthbender they were searching for.
The individual it represented sat in formal fashion, his sleeved arms folded neatly in his lap, back straight and head held high. A mustache swerved round his lips, accompanied by a beard that elongated until it lapsed on to his folded arms. Such wisdom lied in that face. Experience shone in his stone eyes; discipline was evident in the wrinkles which creased his forehead and cheeks.
This was him. The Master the wanderer had referred to. Aang just knew it.
"Ah — ah—ah— ahhhhh– CHOO!"
Aang and Katara flinched at the sudden sound, and angrily Katara whirled on Sokka.
"You have a knack for ruining the moment, you know that!"
Sokka sniffled and gingerly caressed his nose to rid of the tickle. "Well, get rid of those damn flowers then!" he snapped. "You know I have a sensitive nose. Why'd you have to buy them anyway? Gonna be kinda hard to care for them when we practically live on Oppa's back, don't you think?"
Katara flushed, and, puckering her lips defensively, she cradled the bouquet of flowers like a mother would an infant. "I couldn't help it," she said, and her voice grew softer before continuing. " . . . They were mother's favorite . . . I had to have them."
It wasn't like Katara to throw her gaze downcast like she did presently. It just was not in her fiery, stubborn nature. Sokka stared, unsure of what to say, or if he should in fact say anything at all.
Besides, how could he possibly, when it was a comment about their mother she had made?
"Ahem."
The man from whom the sound came had been as quiet as a thief in the night when approaching the three from behind– so that even Aang, the mighty Avatar, sailed at least a foot into the air from surprise. Katara started as well; and Sokka released one of his unnaturally-pitched yelps of which puberty was the culprit.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," said the man quickly, bowing for forgiveness. "It was not my intention to frighten you."
"It's okay," replied Aang. Then he flashed one of his charming grins, and took a confident step forward. "We came to see an Earthbending Master. We were told he was here?"
The man smiled and nodded, rendering relieved simpers on to travelers' faces. "Oh, how kind of you to come and visit him."
"A-actually," Katara interjected, politely, "m-my friend, Aang, wanted to learn from him. Does he teach?"
The man blinked, then frowned, confused. He stared at her for a moment, as though he'd not grasped her words. And, suddenly deeply saddened, he shook his head. "Oh, dear. I'm— truly sorry.You didn't know? . . . Our beloved Hu Zhang passed away seven years ago."
An awkward silence fell upon them, as thick as an animal pelt.
A moment later: "Dead?" Sokka squeaked. "But we went a day off course to come down here to learn from this guy— oomph!"
"Sokka!" Katara hissed, nudging her sibling hard in the ribs.
"But you may still pay your respects, if you wish."
The man was smiling expectantly when Katara turned back to him, and, almost automatically, her gaze fell to the bouquet in her arms.
She knew what he was suggesting, but she was hesitant. Having these flowers in her grasp, the flowers which she recalled clearly entrancing her mother long ago— well, as asinine as it sounded, it felt vaguely as though she were clinging to Mother herself.
But could she really refuse?When it would bringdishonor toHu Zhang?
Visible discomfort was writ on Katara's face, as she fought a battle within herself. Reluctantly, she looked up, and forced a smile; "Sure."
The temple, they learned, had been built specifically in respect for Master Hu Zhang after he'd died. Three entire years it had taken, to build the masterpiece— three grueling years of constant work and sweat, from the finest Earthbenders of Gansu. But hard work was nothing in comparison to completing that temple for the one who had saved their entire village from annihilation.
Hu Zhang had not only been the Earthbending Master of Gansu, but also its hero. When the Fire Nation had shown up on their doorstep (of course the other Earthbenders did everything they could), he'd been they one who had warded them off as though they were nothing but mere ruffians. From that day on, to the day he died, his name was to go down in Gansu history.
And when that time had come, the completion of his temple, the whole city had gathered to pay their respects, to shed their grateful tears onto his grave—
Presently, the three were lead through the winding halls of the temple, until they reached an arched doorway which led into a courtyard.
The courtyard was rather small, 18' x 20' at most. But for what size it may have lacked, it made up with its inconceivable beauty and tranquility.
Aang was welcomed with the sporadic warmth of the evening sun, as he stepped through the opening and on to the tufts of lush, green grass. He lifted his face to catch the last bit of it, right before it receded into the air's initial crispness. Next he took in the sweet fragrance of the superfluous blooms that surrounded them. They and the abundance of orchard trees lay enveloped in a subtle orange film beneath the sunset, and slowly swayed with an unfelt breeze.
Beyond that, through the glowing chestnut branches, a headstone was visible.
Katara, Aang, and Sokka headed toward it on their own accord, not bothering to wait for their guide who seemed to have disappeared behind them.
Katara was lost in thought as she moved subconsciously to kneel before the grave. There she placed the wintersweets gingerly upon the soil, and read aloud from the words that were carved into the stone:
Here lies Hu Zhang, Earthbending Master and hero, who protected
the city of Gansu from the wrath of the Fire Nation. Albeit he was not
a native to Gansu, the inhabitants will cherish him as their own.
It was so— sad. For Katara that is. As she knelt there, staring blankly at the words, that ember of emptiness in her heart began to glow, reminding her shamelessly of the village she no longer had.
If only she and Sokka had had that kind of luck. If only they had had a hero at the time.
Memory was such a heavy burden. It was like a fuse, slowly eating away at the rope which led to her insanity— or the shattering of her spirit.
If only there were away to rid herself of those memories that haunted her so.
"H-hey, guys," Sokka stammered, coming up to stand besidehis sister,"what's that?"
Katara looked up, followed Sokka's line of sight. A few feet beyond the headstone a pillar protruded from the wall. She climbed to her feet, and, craning her neck, squinted at a piece of parchment which lay within the recess in the pillar. It was difficult to see, for it was least 11 ft high---
But after a moment of concentration, realization struck her, and she gasped. Vigorously she pointed to it, roughly pulled at Aang's collar. "I-it's a scroll!" she cried, then deliberately brought her voice down to a hush whisper. "It must be the scroll on Hu Zhang's technique! You could learn from that!"
"How?" Sokka said, skeptically. Arching a brow, he crossed his arms. "They're not just gonna— let us borrow Hu Zhang's scroll. They practically worship the guy! That scroll's like, sacred to them!"
Katara's face fell.
Aang smiled, however, when an idea came into his head. "What if we just told him I was the Avatar?" he asked logically. "They'd have to let me learn from it then, right?"
"The Avatar? You're the Avatar?"
All three whirled to find the man behind them, a look of astonishment on his face. Then a slow simper stretched his thin, old lips. "My, my, what a pleasant surprise!"
Hurriedly Aang rushed to the old man, clasped his hands in plea. "Please! I need to learn Earthbending. If you could just let me borrow that scroll"— Aang pointed to the pillar— "then I could give it back as soon as I was done!"
The man shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Avatar or not, that scroll is precious to us. And as good as your intentions may be, I cannot trust a child totake care of our city's scroll."
"Please"— katara was the one to speak now— "I would keep the scroll in my care; you can trust me."
"No."
"Please!"
The man's lips twitched, and he said once again, more firmly: "I'm sorry, but no! Now, I'm sure you can find other Earthbenders elsewhere who would be glad to teach you—,"
"But Aang needs a master—!"
"— then I'm sure there are Masters elsewhere who would be more than happy to take in such an eager pupil." He exhaled after a moment, relaxed his tense shoulders, and the pleasant smile returned as though the discussion had never happened. "Now," he drawled, "would any of you care for a cup of fine chi meng tea? A Gansu original."
In her mind, Katara was counting to ten. With each number, though, she felt her temper was rising instead of fading, and she was sure she would explode. Her angered breaths quickened as her clenched fists trembled at her sides; her eyes shone an icy, murderous blue.
And suddenly, without explanation, it vanished. Her expression mirrored his own, with an angelic smile that told of only good intention, and a slight tilt to the head. "Why, yes," she replied, "if you wouldn't mind; tea sounds heavenly at the moment."
Nodding, the man turned and vanished through the doorway to comply with his guests' wishes.
As soon as he left, Katara's smile faded and her nostrils flared.
"What was that all about, Katara?" asked Aang. "I don't want any tea."
Shedidn't answer. Instead, she turned back to face the pillar with a sigh— a sigh that signified a decision. "If he won't let Aang borrow the scroll," she said, "then we'll just have to borrow it without his permission . . ."
It was twilight hour, when the sky glowed with the receding light of the sun. However, within the forest, the creatures did not have the privilege of light at this time, due to the intricate weaving of branches that sewed out the sky's faint glow, save for the occasional sprays that managed to penetrate the weaker patches of leaves. But even then, no creature that dwelled at the bottom, among the fallen leaves and twigs and bushes, would have ever known those soft sprays existed.
In the darkness, from out the bushes came a small animal, minding its own business— only to be crushed moments later by a paw that was two times larger than itself.
A beautiful woman climbed down from her massive pet, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The mere sight of her would have stopped any man dead in his tracks; she was a tall, elegant woman, with a fiery temper and lack of compassion; her dress, as fine as silk and made deliberately to flaunt skin, complimented her thin, curvaceous figure; her smooth, black tresses fell unevenly parted, therefore only one of her almond-shaped eyes being revealed upon her radiant face.
She was beautiful, yes— but so is cobra, which moves with such grace and elegance that belie its poison. And so the same went with Jun— for she was as deadly as she was beautiful.
Leisurely she strode through the darkness, until she came to what she was looking for.
Not that she doubted her pet's abilities in sniffing the brat out, oh, not at all. She just wanted certainty, nothing more.
Carefully, not wanting to dirty her dress, Jun crouched down and began to sweep away the leaves.
And there, sure enough, were the footsteps of no doubt the ones whom she was searching for. A sense of triumph thumped in her chest, just knowing she was on the track, and a slow, wicked smile graced her fine red lips.
"I've finally found you . . . Avatar."
(Hey, what's the name of Jun's pet?)
So, yes, I was initially going to combine chapters two and three, but it turned out being way too long. So I guess I'll have to tease you a little longer. Til then, keep reviewing if you want me to continue