Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Korra or Avatar the Last Airbender. I only own my own characters and ideas

Chapter Eight: Surprise

Two weeks later

Sokka was laying on the ground as Khari had her sword in his face with a smirk on her face. Sokka nodded at her as she stuck her hand out to help him off the ground. Khari had gotten a few of her stitches removed a few days ago so Sokka decided he would train Khari as long as she didn't hurt herself. Sokka thought Khari was doing excellent considering she had stitches and had only been fighting with her sword a few times. Khari turned her arm to examine the wound and how it was healing. Khari soon started to giggle, making Sokka raise an eyebrow at her before she took off towards the area where she cut her arm. Sokka shook his head as he chuckled at her. When Khari arrived at her destination, she took a deep breath before she lifted her legs to knee height. Khari soon pulled herself to the ground, hitting it. A boulder soon appeared which Khari kicked into the air. She sent her cables to smash the boulder which left it crumb into rubble. Khari soon started to move light on her feet as she pulled the metal cable around her. She soon saw a flashback of herself practicing the airbending techniques with Aang. He was teaching her how to work with her earthbending and the airbending techniques at the same time. Aang was soon replaced with the young girl and then he reappeared again. Khari soon fell to the ground almost having her cables smack her across the face. Khari started to rub her arm but she soon got up and made her way to the palace. Something continued to tell her to go find this girl but Khari shook her head as she continued to walk. When she got to Iroh's room there was a package on the bed with her name on it. She ran her hand across the package with a smile. When she opened the package, she pulled the book out of the box. She ran her hand across the cover of the book to see it was like the one she had read a couple of weeks ago. She flipped the book around to see no title anywhere. When she opened the book, she saw her father's name. Khari stiffened as she read the name again. She started to flip through the pages quickly trying to understand who had the book and why they would give it to her. Sokka walked in as Khari started to read the book.

My youngest son Tenzin has just become a council member. I can see how happy it makes him but nothing will ever compare to how happy Lin and Khari make him. The way his face lights up when Khari wobbles to him at night. I don't think that little girl will ever do anything to make him upset. Lin and Khari are Tenzin's world and I don't think anything will change that. I don't even think the fact Khari could potentially be an earthbender or a nonbender will bother Tenzin. One thing Tenzin has already learned is Khari seems to be very good with animals. She has occasionally been caught feeding the lemurs her fruit. Tenzin only laughs and makes sure Khari gets something to eat. Khari makes Tenzin so happy when she shows interests in certain things with the Air Nation. We have caught her wobbling through the spinning gates a few times. I've assured Tenzin that if the gates haven't broken yet a small girl won't break them. I think my favorite memories of the two is when he reads to her and they both fall asleep. I only hope as Tenzin's career advances and his family expands, he continues to treat Khari the way he does now.

Khari ran her hand over the page as a tear ran down her cheek. She noticed a note on the ground which she carefully picked up. She slowly read the note before she crumbled the note. She threw both the book and the note on the floor before she ran out of the room with tears in her eyes. Sokka looked for the note to find out what could make Khari so upset. When he read the note, he sighed. He began to slowly read the book and smiled a bit as he remembered the happy times that his nephew's family had. Sokka soon went to search for Khari but when he found her, she was cutting the stitches out of her arm. He sprinted to her as fast as he could to prevent her from doing any more damage. He ripped something off of his outfit, wrapping it around her arm. He gave her a sympathetic look before he spoke.

"Hey, talk to me. I'll listen to you. You just have to talk so I can listen," Sokka offered Khari the chance to talk.

"He claims to love me but he doesn't. He couldn't possibly love me after throwing me off the island. The only airbender that ever loved me on that island was Grandpa Aang and he is gone. That book showed me at that at least at some point in my life I was good enough for them. He said that I would probably want the book because it would remind me of Grandpa Aang but I know the truth. He doesn't want it Uncle Sokka because it reminds him of me. I just don't understand what I did," Khari sobbed.

Republic City

Tenzin was sitting in his office trying to complete some paperwork but it became difficult over the last couple of days. The other council members began to notice Tenzin's state and became concerned. Tenzin was now just starting at the papers in front of him when Mala knocked on the door. She soon entered to see Tenzin distracted yet again. Tenzin didn't even realize Mala had entered the room when he grabbed a picture of himself with Khari. He ran his hand over the photo slowly stopping at Khari. He thought about the night she left the island every day, multiple times a day. Mala gave Tenzin a sympathetic look as the tears ran down his face. Mala didn't know what she could do. She had told Tenzin where Khari was and he had expressed his feelings on her coming home. She left Tenzin to sit with his picture of Khari and she would return later to talk with him. At Police Headquarters, Lin was walking through the lobby when she bumped into another officer. She shouted at the officer to find something to do. Everyone turned their attention to her but quickly turned their attention back to their work before she shouted at them. Lin walked into her office, slamming the door behind her. She covered her mouth with one hand before she punched the wall with the other. She walked over to her desk, picking up the picture of herself with Tenzin and Khari. She began to cry as she continued to stare at the picture. Her office door soon began to open, making her throw the picture in the direction. The person quickly shut the door, leaving the woman to be alone.

Fire Nation Royal Palace

Khari's arm had been restitched and she was running around the palace again. Zuko smiled as Khari pointed her sword at one of his guards. She put the sword away and continued to run throughout the palace. A few guards grumbled when Khari pulled a small part of the wall out so she could jump on it as she laughed. Zuko thought about how Khari reminded him of certain people. Khari was running so fast she ran into Izumi who looked down at her over the rims of her glasses. Khari giggled at her before she ran towards the throne room. Izumi raised an eyebrow as she shook her head at Khari. Khari quickly closed the door and looked round. When she didn't see anyone, she used her cables to pull herself on one of the wooden beams above, sitting and waiting until Kimiko came in the room. Khari sat in the room for what seemed like forever when she heard the door open. She perched herself for a second before she jumped. She saw that she was about to jump on Izumi so she quickly used her cables to try and pull herself on the beam but she got wrapped up in the cable and the other part was on the beam. Izumi walked over to Khari as she dangled in the air. Khari tried to laugh but she knew she was in trouble as Izumi looked at her over the rims of her glasses.

"Do I even want to know?" Izumi questioned Khari.

"Well, I mean it depends on if you want a super long story or a super short story. I mean I can make it short. So, Kimiko and I have been scaring each other so I had the perfect plan or what I thought was the perfect plan. I thought I would pounce on her like an armadillo lion pounces on its meal when she came into the throne room but when I jumped it was you. Now I had to think of something so I wouldn't jump on you so now I'm just kinda dangling here like a spider. It is actually pretty fun. I might hang like this more often. Do you think Kimiko would want to hang out with me later? Hey, I just made a joke there," Khari informed Izumi.

"Khari, I'm not finding any of this very amusing. You could have been hurt. Plus, you look like you're stuck. I want you to be more careful okay," Izumi voiced her concern.

Khari heard a familiar laugh which made her extremely eager to see the person. She wrapped her one free leg in the dangling cable as she tried move her hands as much as possible. She soon felt the cables move before she dropped to the ground. She looked up at her cables that were stuck in the wooden beam before she used her bending to pull them out only for them to slam into her stomach. She grunted as she turned to her side. She saw Katara, Kya, and Toph standing in the doorway with smiles on their faces'.

"Well, so much for surprising her," Toph said sarcastically.

Khari looked up at her for a moment before she stood. She stood where she was for a few moments, before she ran over to the three. She hugged Toph first and started to cry. When Toph tried to pull her back Khari held on tighter which made Kya and Katara look at each other. Toph could never understand how Lin could throw Khari off the island or treat her the way she has treated her in the past. Toph understands she did send Suyin away but at least she sent her daughter somewhere unlike Lin who had only kicked poor Khari off the island. Toph didn't think she raised such a stupid child but here is proof she did. Toph debated on if she should go to Republic City to give Lin and Tenzin a piece of her mind which might end with a few injuries but she knew it would do no good. Khari finally let go of Toph to hug Kya and Katara. After everyone had talked for a bit everyone but Khari went to discuss what they told Khari were important matters. Khari smiled before she ran to the kitchen to grabbed two large pieces of meat. Khari looked around before she grabbed the two large piece off the counter, quickly avoiding the servants in the kitchen and any guards. She sprinted across the grass to the large area where they housed Zuko and Iroh's dragons. As soon as she entered the large housed area both dragons looked up and flapped their wings. She walked over to Druk, tossing one piece to him before she walked over to Sakata. She stuck the piece of meat out but Sakata stood, rubbing his head against her. Khari laughed as the dragon began to push her around lightly with his feet. Khari soon looked at the doorway to see a group standing there but she couldn't make out the faces with Sakata pushing her around. She soon felt something grab her wrist before someone picked her up and covered her mouth. She started to kick and scream but no one could hear her. She tried to see who grabbed her but they had a tight grip on her. She watched Druk and Sakata both fly out of their housing area before something was placed over her head. She heard a roar before she heard a few guards. She continued to try and break free but whoever had her had tightened their grip. She felt the ground shake and the person let her go. She went walk but she felt her feet leave the ground. She yanked the bag off her head to see that Sakata had grabbed her and they were now in the air. The guards were fighting the intruders that had grabbed her and her family and friends watched as Sakata took her away.

"Sakata, bring Khari back down here right now. You know better than to act so foolish. You know Iroh won't be happy if you even breathe on her the wrong way. Sakata, I said bring her down!" Kimiko demanded.

Sakata looked down at the group before he blew a small amount of fire in front of him. She slapped her face as the dragon landed on the palace. Sakata placed Khari down who then looked up at him. She saw that the guards had apprehended the intruders and they were being taken towards the prison. Druk laid on the ground next to Zuko as the group tried to find a way to get Khari down. Zuko smirked as he looked back at Druk. He knew if anyone could get her down or at least help get her down it would be Druk. Druk lifted his head as Zuko walked over, receiving a small pet from his friend. Druk soon started to flap his wings before he took off towards Sakata and Khari. Sakata grabbed Khari, soon taking off himself. Everyone on the ground watched as Druk followed Sakata higher into the air. Sakata hit Druk with his tail, knocking him back but Druk continued to follow him. Druk bit Sakata's leg, trying to pull him down but Sakata broke free.

"Zuko, Khari is going to get hurt with those two fighting over her. We have to figure out a new plan. Please," Katara pleaded.

"I think Khari can get herself out of this. There is something she isn't telling us but if not Druk can handle it," Zuko informed the water tribe woman.

Everyone continued to watch as the two dragons fought over the young girl. Khari managed to pull one of her arms out which she placed back on Sakata. He looked down at her and she smiled at him. She nodded and he let go. Khari screamed as she fell until Druk flew under her. Everyone on the ground breathed a sigh of relief as Khari laughed on Druk's back. Khari saw that Sakata was coming towards her and Druk. She didn't understand why Sakata was being so possessive and over protective of her. Khari rolled over, grabbing onto Druk just as Sakata slammed himself into the two. Khari held on as tight as she could but it was becoming difficult. Druk scratched Sakata in the side making him back away quickly. Druk flew towards the ground as fast as he could but Sakata hit him with his tail, knocking Khari into the air. She screamed as she began to fall through the air again. Khari saw Druk coming in her direction so she sent her cables towards him in time for him to gently place her on the ground. Before anyone could get close to Khari, Sakata placed himself in front of her. Druk landed and soon jumped at Sakata. The two continued to fight until they stood a distance apart. Khari's eyes widened before she ran towards the middle of the two dragons. The two dragons began to breathe fire at each other as Khari reached the middle. She stuck her arms up, screaming at the two but the last thing anyone saw was the fire surround Khari.

"Khari! No, you can't do this! You can't just die! WE CAN'T LOSE YOU TOO!" Kya shouted.

The two finally stopped and everyone held their breath to see what the outcome would be. Everyone stood there in silence for a moment as they tried to grasp what they were seeing. The two dragons stood there, not wanting to move an inch. Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko looked at each other before they looked ahead again.

"No way. S-She's a lavabender. That is so cool. That has to be some rare gift or something if even Toph can't do it. Like I mean totally rare because she is the first one, I've ever seen or heard of. I mean it's cool she isn't a dragon meal too but a lavabender that is amazing," Kimiko babbled on.

Where Khari stood was a protective barrier between the two dragons made out of lava. Khari looked up at the group as she pulled some of the lava back. Khari tried to focus on the lava as hard as she could, considering this was the first time she had ever used lavabending. She soon saw the lava start to solidify. Once it had all turned into obsidian, she kicked both sides, sending them at the two dragons. Sakata started to rub his snout once he was hit and Druk shook his head. She gave them both a look, making only Sakata lay down. Khari marched over to Druk who stared her down. Zuko chuckled as the girl stood in front of his large dragon.

"That boy better mind his place before I show him where his place is young one. He is no fledgling, so he shouldn't act as if he is. Ever since his boy left, he acts like a fledgling and I'm no sitter. He could have killed you acting like that. He treats you like a toy. I understand you have your grandfather's aura but when it comes to animals you should be more careful. Like I said I will teach Sakata his place if he doesn't learn. I am to be respected and he will listen to the things I say, or the other people in the palace. He is forgetting who the stronger dragon is here. Iroh won't come home to a dragon if Sakata continues to act like this," Druk informed Khari.

"Relax old and apparent wise one. I know my place. You're pissed because I do my own thing so just relax," Sakata replied.

"I will not relax!" Druk roared.

"Both of you relax. Sakata go to your resting area and Druk you need to understand that Sakata lost something important to him so he is occupying himself. Don't give me that aura crap. I get it is like his but I don't know how to control the things that come with it. I just want you two to get along. I mean it Druk or so help me Lord Zuko will be the one without a dragon," Khari snapped.

Everyone stared at her as she started to storm off towards the palace. She entered Iroh's room, slamming the door behind her. She sat at the desk for a bit before she grabbed a sheet of paper and a pencil. She started to sketch even after she heard a knock on the door. Kya walked in to see the concentration on Khari's face as she continued to sketch on the piece of paper. Kya tried to see what Khari was sketching but she had the paper pulled close to her. When Khari was finished Kya saw a young girl on one side and her father on the other. Kya saw that Khari had drawn herself in the back between the two. Kya took a closer look at the sketch before she snatched it and ran towards the other adults. Khari ran after Kya, trying to retrieve her sketch. When Khari reached Kya, she was handing her sketch to Katara. Katara examined the sketch carefully before she looked over at Khari. Katara left the room briefly, quickly returning with a picture of a small girl. Khari tilted her head as she touched the picture. Khari felt like she knew the girl but she had never met her before. Before anyone could ask her anything Khari left the room. She felt so lost, confused, scared, and upset that she had no one that might even remotely understand her. She strolled over to the area her grandfather would use to meditate and sat under the cherry blossom tree. She soon heard the turtle ducks swim around in the pound next to her which made her smile a bit. She felt a hand on her shoulder but she didn't look up. She eventually saw her Gran Gran sit next to her but they both stayed silent. Katara handed Khari a photo that she had never seen before but it did make her happy. She had seen so many pictures of herself with her grandfather but never one of the two at the spinning gates. She felt her eyes start to sting a bit as they started to water. She was so small in the photo but she could tell she was determined to prove herself to her parents even then. She looked at Katara who was smiling at her as she ran her fingers across the photo. Khari stood, trying to decide what to do. She could train, eat, sleep, write another letter to Iroh. She wondered why Iroh and her Uncle Bumi didn't come to visit her. When they wrote their letters, they didn't seem mad at her but she didn't understand why they didn't come to visit her. She handed Katara the photo before she ran to get her equipment to train. Once Khari got to the training area, she placed the bow and quiver on her back but she gripped her sword tightly. She whistled, making three guards come stand near her. When they knew their task, they stood in their positions. One of the guards ran towards her but she spun around him, kicking him in the back of the leg. Khari watched the guard fall before she turned to the other two guards. Everyone came to the training area to see Khari in front of the two guards.

"Why would she want to use those weapons when she is such a skilled earthbender? Why would she want to waste her talent by using those outdated objects?" Toph criticized Khari.

"I asked her the same thing but she loves them. The sword has brought her closer to Sokka. It makes her happy. She has used her bending when she uses those outdated objects. I think she is trying to prove herself to everyone. I think she wants to prove she doesn't need her bending or them. She doesn't realize she doesn't have to prove herself to anyone. I would follow Khari into any fight and I know Iroh would too," Kimiko responded.

The group continued to watch Khari fight the royal guards. Khari got close to one of the guards and tried to knock his sword out of his hand but she failed. The guard tried to attack Khari but she quickly countered it. She took a couple steps back before she used her earthbending to launch herself in the air. She pulled her bow and an arrow out, quickly pulling the arrow back and releasing it. Everyone watched as the guard was struck in the shoulder with the arrow, making him drop his sword and grab the wound. When she landed she used her cables to pull her sword back to her. The other two guards looked at her as she stood and waited for one of them to move. When one of the guards finally moved towards her, she smirked at him. She waited until the guard got close enough to kick his feet out from under him. She heard a thud then the guard groan before she ran towards the final guard. She thought he was going to swing his sword so she stuck her sword up in defense but the guard never swung. She looked at the hand on her arm and tried to pull away but the grip got tighter. The guard threw her across the training area, making her land with a thud. Khari groaned as she looked in the guard's direction. She reached for her sword but before she could grab it the guard kicked it out of her reach. She felt a chunk of earth hit her in the stomach, launching her in the air, then she was hit in the side with another chunk. Khari landed on the ground again with another thud. Khari started to push herself off the ground and pulled her bow and an arrow out. She released the arrow, striking the guard in the leg. The guard quickly bent over and grabbed the wound. Khari jumped up and sprinted for the guard who was still focused on his wound. When she was close enough she jumped, kicking him in the side of the head. The guard fell to the ground, hitting his head with a thud. Kimiko winced as Khari looked at the three guards on the ground. Khari soon felt the pain from the fight. She grabbed her side as she limped over to the group. Zuko looked around her, shaking his head at his guards. He was impressed with her improvement but he did need those guards. Everyone noticed that Khari was paying attention to her wound. Kya tried to check on Khari's condition but Khari reassured everyone she was fine. Khari smiled at everyone as they gave her a concerned look. As Khari began to stroll towards the palace she began to stumble a bit. She took a few more steps before she fell on the ground, groaning. Kya ran over to her, crouching down to check on her condition. Khari flinched, making Kya pull back for a moment. When Kya reached back again Khari pushed her away.

"Mom, I'll get up! Please I just need a second. Mom I promise!" Khari shouted.

Everyone gave Khari a sympathetic look as she continued to hold her side. Toph stared at the ground, thinking about all the things that Lin and Tenzin had done to Khari over the years and how everything was now affecting her. Toph slowly made her way over to Khari, still thinking of how she had been treated for years. Toph sat down next to Khari, gently placing a hand on her arm. Khari continued to hold onto her side but she rolled on her back to see Kya and Toph there with a concerned look. She propped herself on her side and began to vomit. When she was done, she managed to get herself up and tried to walk towards the palace again. She soon collapsed again only no one heard a sound from her and she didn't move. Katara and Kya rushed over to her to check on her now worsening condition. They saw Khari was now unconscious. Kya began to lightly tap on Khari's face but there was no reaction. The two women looked at each other before Kya looked at everyone else and shook her head. Sokka sprinted over, scooping Khari off the ground and rushing her into the palace. He placed her in the bed as Katara and Kya rushed through the door. Sokka left as quickly as possible to let the two women try and figure out what was wrong with Khari. When Katara lifted Khari's shirt there was a large bruise covering most of her torso. Kya pushed lightly on Khari's ribs which made her whimper a bit. Katara began to examine Khari's head, revealing a gash on the side that would require stitches. The two began to fix all of Khari's injuries, hoping they would be giving her some comfort. The two were in the room for a few hours when they knew they did everything they could do for Khari at the moment. They had agreed on taking turns to check on Khari for the next day or so. Katara ran her hand through Khari's hair as she kissed the top of her head. Katara tried to ease her nerves but by the facial reactions Khari was making it was hard. Khari began to have a flashback.

A very young Khari was running around the courtyard on Air Temple Island but was soon knocked down when she ran into Aang. The avatar looked down at his granddaughter as she giggled. When she got up and started to run again, she looked back at him. He knew that was Khari's way of saying she wanted to play. He started to follow her, calling her name as she hid from him. When he got close, she jumped out, making him jump back a bit. He laughed as Khari hid behind the pillar and popped her head out. Khari loved to her grandfather's laugh but he already knew that. She soon felt someone grab her, making her giggle more. She looked over to see both her parents smiling at her. She hugged the two as tight as she could, still giggling.

The sun was barely up but Kya came to check on Khari again. She rubbed her eyes as she sat on the edge of the bed. Khari soon started to groan but she stayed where she was. Kya placed her hand on Khari's arm but there was still no reaction. Kya sighed, hoping something would happen. She soon put her face in her hands and propped her elbows on her knees. She didn't know what they would do about Khari. Khari tried to slowly open her eyes but it took her some time. She pushed her head deeper into the pillow and tried to open her eyes again. Once she finally did she saw her Aunt Kya sitting on the bed.

"You look as terrible as I feel. I think I can make some space for you in the bed," Khari chuckled.

Kya looked up to see Khari giving her a weak smile. Kya hugged Khari making her wince in pain but she didn't care. She soon moved over, letting Kya lay with her. She placed her head on Kya's shoulder as the Water Tribe woman told her stories of her childhood. It didn't take long for the two to fall asleep. A few hours later Katara came to check on Khari but she stopped in the doorway when she saw the two asleep. She continued into the room, quietly closing the door behind her. She walked over to the bed, placing her hand on Kya's hand. Katara then ran her hand along Khari's cheek which made her open her eyes a bit. Khari tried to sit up but she struggled quite a bit which concerned Katara. Khari tried to place her feet on the ground but when she tried to stand she fell. Katara rushed to her side and Kya instantly sat up, looking over to check on her. Khari began to cry but she didn't look up at the two women. Katara wrapped her arms around Khari, making her smile.

"You'll be okay. I promise you that you will be okay with some time. You have to regain some strength is all," Katara tried to reassure the young girl.

Khari looked up with a smile and nodded. She knew her Gran Gran had never lied to her before so she knew she wouldn't start now. Khari placed one hand on the bed side table and Katara grabbed the other. The two women soon got Khari back into bed but they could tell she was still upset. It wasn't hard to figure out why Khari was so upset. Kya hugged her trying to smile a bit.

"You're stong without them. They don't define you. Remember you are strong no matter what," Kya whispered in her ear.

Khari pulled away, looking at Kya who nodded at her. She couldn't believe that she was making everyone thing that she felt she wasn't strong. She knew she was stong but she missed her parents. She didn't understand how they could do what they did to her. She thought maybe one day she would understand but she doubted it. She knew she would never be accepted by them no matter how hard she tried. She knew that she should just stop trying because it would be a waste of time. She knew she had family that did love her and those are the people she would appreciate. She did know one thing and that was she was strong. She would rest for a few days and start training again. She was Khari Beifong and a Beifong is always strong and she was no exception.

(Author's Note: So I wanted to apologize for the wait for the update. It has been a crazy couple of weeks for me. As you can see Khari is still trying to adjust to not being on the island and we see some family input. We did continue to see how Lin and Tenzin are taking the situation. I hope you liked the chapter. I hope you continue to like how things are going. Thanks)