Difficult choices

Ch12

It was mid morning, the sun actually shined in full gaze. Even though the sun shined the forests still seemed to linger of death. Zuko and Iroh rushed to get back to their ship, neither looking forward to what was needed to be done. As they walked Zuko couldn't stop thinking about his conversation with Cho and why she bothered to speak with him.

Flash back

"So why are you and the Avatar enemies any way? He seems like a nice guy, what could he have done to you?" Cho asked, "He's the Avatar that's the reason." Zuko said plainly, "Ok touchy, so if you're a prince then why you here? Is it true you were banished?" Cho asked, Zuko looked at her with a shocked look and with his full attention captured now. "How did she know? How could she have heard way out here?") Zuko wondered, Cho then quietly giggled and raised her hand to cal him. "Relax I heard it from a fire bender that came a couple of months ago. I just remembered it." Cho said, Zuko only turned his head not saying a word. "You don't really talk to people do you?" Cho asked curiously, "I don't need to talk to peasants who don't understand me or anything about me." Zuko snapped, "Well when you talk to everyone like this how could they? You don't give them a chance, if you talked then people might understand you and want you around." Cho commented, Zuko now began to get angry. Not at what she said but the fact that she was right. "What did you say? You think you're real smart huh? You understand nothing." Zuko said in a low voice, "Really you mean people don't turn you away at the sight of you? People don't look at you and only see a man with a scar that scares them? People turn the other way when you come because of who you represent and don't bother to make you feel welcome though you may be just passing through? If not then I guess I truly don't understand." Cho said,

Zuko couldn't say a word; he was actually left speechless at this girl's insight. He then got up and started to leave when he stop and turned to face her. "Maybe you got some understanding about me and talking with you actually isn't so bad. But it's late and I need to get early to attend to something. I'll talk with you later" Zuko said, after say that he went up to his room to sleep, leaving Cho to staring out the window.

END of Flashback

Zuko couldn't understand how she could have any idea what life is like for him and that made him want to talk with her more. "Zuko are you ok?" Iroh interrupted, "Yes I'm fine just thinking." Zuko answered, they were approaching the ship and Zuko began to slowing his pace, Iroh decided to calm him. "So you and Cho talk last night?" Asked Iroh with a grin, "Yes and I wish you stop doing that." answered Zuko, "You won't make an effort to talk to new people then I must step in. Besides I would like grand children and to see you happy again." Iroh said chuckling, before they could finish talking they approached to mess hall. Zuko didn't know what to say of if he could do it. (Maybe it won't happen. Maybe it wasn't a ghoul but indeed an animal.") Zuko thought then remembered the bite marks then relished it was a ghoul. "Open this door! It's me Zuko... open up now!" Zuko hollered, the crew welcomed them and asked countless questions. Iroh explained everything to them. Once he was finished the crew were left speechless and hating the idea of what had to be done. "But its Taku, we can't do that to his body. He was one of us, our friend. The Lieutenant said, "It must be done. Other wise he will rise again and attack us. Do you really want to see Taku like that? What would Taku want done?" Iroh asked, the crew looked at each other and parted showing Taku's body lying on the ground. Zuko walked toward him with a sword in hand. Zuko now stood over the body and pulled to blanket off him. The look of fear still was on his face and Zuko couldn't help but remember all that Taku did for them all.

"Zuko maybe I should do it?" Iroh asked but was cut off, "No he was under my command so I must do It." said Zuko, he raised the sword above his head and letting it hang there for a moment. Two members of the crew tried to stop him but were restrained, while other looked away only hearing a clunking sound of the sword hitting the body. Once done Zuko turned to address his crew. "Taku has been spared the fate others would have had. He will be given a proper burial later. Now you will all come to a village where you will all be safe." said Zuko, the crew didn't refuse; they followed Zuko and Iroh through the forest. No one said a word, no one could say anything.

Aang stood outside near the edge of the village gathering his thoughts. None of this seemed real to him, it was like a nightmare. As he watched to trees Katara walked over to him now knowing what to say thanks to her talk with Iroh. "Hey Aang are you any better?" Katara asked, "Ok I guess this, I can't get over any of this, first were fighting the fire nation and now demons. I don't understand why I got to do this? Why I got to solve the worlds problems and why you and Sokka got to be dragged alone." Aang wondered a loud, "Because Aang you're the Avatar and that means helping people no matter what the problem. I know you weren't trained to do this kind of thing and you don't want to be the Avatar but you are destined to save the world and you're going to face all sorts of problems and after the war you'll have to continue to solve the problems of the world. It's not fair to ask this of you but its who you are and something you have to do. I believe in you and so does Sokka. As for us were here because we want to be, it's not your fault or anyone's, were friends and were here for ya.

Aang felt better and wanted to say something to Katara as well but couldn't when he looked outside the village. Someone was now standing at least 15 feet from them, someone who wasn't there a minute ago. He was young but older than them, neither of them liked to looks of this guy, mostly his eyes. "So you're the Avatar welcome to our island, Let me introduce myself I'm Kane and we've been waiting for your arrival" Kane introduced himself, "What do you mean waiting form me, why?" asked Aang, "Your coming has been for told by my master, he has been waiting to meet you. As for why he needs your help, if you would be so kind." Kane said, as he spoke he slowly stepped towards them. Katara trying to pull Aang away, but couldn't. Aang glared at Kane eyeing him something just didn't seem right about him. "You're not human are you?" asked Aang, Kane shook his head in response. "Then I will not help you, now leave." Aang threatened, "Or what? What will you do what can you do? Will you kill me? If not then I'm not going any where." Kane said, "I don't believe in killing so no." answered Aang, giving Kane the coldest glare he could. "Then your a fool!" barked Kane, Kane then made a dash for them; it was as if he vanished in thin air. Aang and Katara both looked around only to find him standing behind them neither could move. "You're out of your league boy if you won't kill me then you will not leave this island. But why should I have to kill you and why protect these human, they are weak creatures with no loyalty to anyone but themselves. Like you said why should you give up your life to fix the problems others caused? Doesn't it frustrate you knowing you can't live a life of your own, can't love someone due to your fate? Humans will not change only become worse and nothing you do will change that fact." Kane said, He then walked around them circling them. Kane grinned at them and never lost eye contacted. His eyes were cold and dead, giving both Aang and Katara the creeps. "It doesn't have to be like that you could change that. My master could help you, could help you become a master of your own destiny. Join us and live the life you should and the life you deserve.

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Ok Kane doesn't disappear he just move really fast, ok just wanted to make that clear