Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Korra or Avatar the Last Airbender. I only own my own characters and ideas
Chapter Sisteen: The Fight
It had been a few days since Suyin had caught Khari in Shen Tao's house. The two still weren't speaking and everyone could feel the tension between the two. That night at dinner had been like the last few nights. The family stared between Khari and Suyin to see if one of them would break the silence or not argue when they do. Khari pushed her food around before she stood to leave. She heard someone clear their throat and she looked to see her Aunt Suyin put rice in her mouth as she looked up at her. Khari huffed before she tried to leave again.
"You are not free to leave this table young lady," Suyin said calmly.
"I'm not hungry okay. Is that a crime too? I mean we already know having feelings is one so fuck let's just make not being hungry one too. LEAVE ME ALONE!" Khari shouted.
"Excuse me? My rules remember? I may not be your mother but you will listen to me while you stay in my city," Suyin said sternly as she stood.
"You may not be her but you sure do act like her," Khari huffed, crossing her arms.
The Beifong children stared at Suyin for a moment, before they quietly looked down at their food. Baatar stood to say something but Suyin told him to sit. Khari looked at her Grandma Toph who was quietly enjoying her dinner. Khari found it odd that she had no input in the matter. Khari left the room without another word. She heard her Aunt Suyin calling her name but she didn't turn around. When she saw Ling, she gave him a small wave. Suyin gave Ling a new partner until she decided what she wanted to do with Shen Tao. Shen Tao has been put on temporary leave until Suyin decided if he would take his position in her guard seriously. Khari continued walking until she was away from the Beifong home but she felt eyes on her. She looked up to see citizens of Zaofu and members of the guard staring at her. She looked at the ground as she continued through Zaofu. She soon felt someone grab her wrist, making her turn around. She saw Shen Tao with a small smile on his face but Khari didn't feel like smiling.
"Hey, I knew what could happen if I did anything other than guard the Beifong family. Don't blame yourself for what happened. I had fun the other night when we had breakfast. I would do it all again, even if it means I get kicked out of guard. It will be okay," he tried to reassure her as he put his hand on her face.
Khari gave him a slight smile before she hugged him. She hasn't felt like this since Iroh. When Suyin found Khari, she was with Shen Tao. She was about to walk over to them but someone cleared their throat. When she looked back, she saw Toph standing there. Toph soon stood next to Suyin and looked forward. Suyin looked at her mother as she waited for her to say something. Suyin watched as Khari laughed a bit before she looked over at Toph.
"You may not remember this but when you were her age you did the same thing. Lin did the same thing. Lin and Tenzin started to see each other when they were only a year older than Khari. You dated different boys at a rate that concerned many. I let you date because you would do it without my permission anyway. Su, I need you to listen to me. Khari hasn't had a great life or many happy moments. Don't take this from her," Toph told her.
Suyin looked over at Khari again as she laughed with Shen Tao. Khari smiled at Shen Tao before she told him she would see him later tonight when she snuck out. Suyin and Khari stared at each other for a moment before Khari turned her back. Suyin tried to smile but she couldn't seem to form one. She felt a hand on her back, making her turn to see Baatar. When Khari was away from everyone, she used her cables to pull herself to the top of a building. When she reached the top, she hugged her knees. She placed her chin on her knees as she thought about everything that has happened since she has been in Zaofu. She watched the sun start to set when she heard the click of cables. She soon heard footsteps near her. She already knew who came to stand with her because she found her after she ran out of Shen Tao's house a few days ago. Toph stood next to Khari which made her look up for a moment before she continued to watch the sunset.
"You did always pick the most amazing sights," Toph smiled.
"I think you think I forget your blind sometimes. Why must you try and antagonize me like that?" Khari asked.
Toph laughed as she sat next Khari but the young girl didn't look at her. She didn't really want to be around other Beifongs right now. She knew her Grandma Toph had something to say but she only stared ahead. Toph pulled Khari close and laid he head on her shoulder. Toph placed her head on top of Khari's as she sighed.
"You know Badgermole, she isn't trying to be your mother. She only cares and wants what is best for you. Maybe you two should sit down and talk about what happened. I think she would listen if you tried. All I'm saying is I would like if you both sat down and explained yourselves. Put it behind you and be happy with that young man if he makes you happy," Toph advised.
Khari pulled away to look at Toph and she wondered if Toph was serious. When she saw the look on Toph's face was serious she got up and gave her a look. Her Aunt Suyin had done nothing but try to parent her since she has been in Zaofu. She parented her before she got beaten, after she was poisoned and even now. Khari really tried to not get frustrated but it was hard whenever she thought about it. Khari sighed as she thought about what her Grandma Toph said to her. When she realized her Grandma Toph wouldn't let the situation go. Khari looked over at her grandma Toph who was now standing to get ready to jump down. Toph jumped down while Khari stared at the sky. Khari soon jumped down and walked towards the Beifong home but stopped when she saw her aunt and uncle standing there talking. The two stopped and stared at her but she looked at the ground. She continued to walk towards the home when she felt someone grab her arm. When she looked at her arm, she saw her Aunt Suyin holding on to it as she smiled at her. Khari pulled her arm out of her grasp before she continued to walk. Khari heard her name but she didn't turn around. When she reached her room, she saw Kuvira sitting on her bed with a concerned look. Khari held the door as she yelled for Kuvira to get out. After Kuvira left Khari slammed the door shut. She hit the wall as hard as she could without punching a hole through it. She grabbed her picture of her Grandpa Aang and smiled at it like she did whenever she was upset. She just felt like he would understand her better than anyone. She soon heard a knock at her door but she didn't want to look up quiet yet. When she finally looked up, she saw her Uncle Baatar leaning against the doorway with a smile. He gestured for her to follow him but she only looked back at her photo. She sighed before she put the picture down and followed her Uncle Baatar. She glanced at him periodically to see him smiling each time. She soon saw that they were entering her Aunt Suyin's office where they met her Aunt Suyin and Grandma Toph. Suyin sat at her desk as she stared Khari down. Khari leaned against the wall as Baatar shut the door. The two women stared each other down while Toph and Baatar sat down. Suyin gestured for Khari to sit but she only leaned against the chair. Khari finally decided to sit but she still continued to stare at Suyin.
"Khari, I think you thought when I said my city my rules it was a suggestion but it wasn't. I'm telling you that you will follow my rules as long as you live in Zaofu. This isn't up for debate," Suyin said.
"Oh, again with controlling behaviors. Don't you know that doesn't work on me?" Khari smirked.
Suyin slammed her fist on her desk as Khari laughed a bit. It didn't take long for the two to start yelling at each other. Baatar pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed as the fighting continued. Khari soon slammed her fist on the closest table, putting a small dent in it. The two continued to scream at each other about everything that happened since Khari arrived. Toph was starting to lose her patience with the two. Baatar cleared his throat to try and get the attention of both women but failed. Baatar could tell Toph was losing her patience with the two but he sat there silently. Khari pointed her finger at Suyin, screaming how she is just like her mother. Suyin screamed about Khari never listening to the adults. The two women were so busy arguing they weren't focused on the cables that were about to slam into them. The two were soon knocked back by cables, leaving them both on the ground. They both looked up at Toph as she started to yell at the two.
"She started it..." Khari mumbled.
"Well, I am putting an end to it. You two fight with each other worse than you do with your own siblings. Now I expect you to get along. Are we all on the same page?" Toph asked.
"No! No, we are not on the same page. She told me I was whoring around her city. She opened her mouth without any facts. She doesn't even know why I was there. You know I'm really starting to see why my mom didn't want us to come around you when we were growing up. Maybe I should have listened," Khari snapped.
"Maybe you should have!" Suyin spat.
"You're just like Mom! Ugh, you're so frustrating. Don't worry I'll pack my things and be out of your way by tomorrow!" Khari screamed as she left.
Suyin's expression softened as she looked at the ground. She felt her eyes start to sting a bit. Khari stormed by the Beifong children who stared at her then the office door. Khari slammed the door to her room shut and slid down to the floor. She started to wipe the tears out of her eyes. She soon stood and started to pack her things in her bags as she continued to cry. Khari grabbed her staff and placed it on the bed before she turned to the door. She grabbed the rest of her things and made her way for the door. She slowly reached for the doorknob before she sighed. She finally opened the door to see her Grandma Toph standing there. She hugged her briefly before she walked away with tears in her eyes. Khari walked out of the Beifong estate but turned when she heard her name. She saw the Beifong children standing there with tears in their eyes. She put her bags down as she crouched down. The children all ran over to her, hugging her as she blinked away the tears. As she pulled away, she saw her Uncle Baatar in the distance but she only smiled at him as she stood. As Suyin walked out Khari turned her back to the family as she gripped onto her things tightly, trying not to cry. The Beifong family stared at Khari for a bit before they went into their home. Khari stopped for a moment and felt the cool wind on her skin as the tears finally started to fall. She stood where she was for a moment before she took a small step. She heard her name and stopped again. She looked up to see Shen Tao standing at the opening of his house with a concerned look on his face. She strolled over to house with a small smile as she looked at the ground. He grabbed her things and invited her in to talk. She stared at the ground for a while as Shen Tao waited for her to tell him what happened. She hugged him as she started to cry and tried to explain what happened. At first, he didn't know what to say. He sighed as he thought about what he could say that could possibly make this situation any better. The domes had already gone up for the night but that didn't stop Khari the last time. Shen Tao remembers the first time Khari tried to leave at night. He looked at her for a moment before he sighed again.
"I think you are both being a little too harsh on each other. How about you stay here tonight and if you still want to leave in the morning you can? After what happened with Yun wouldn't you feel safer leaving Zaofu that way?" Shen Tao asked.
Khari nodded as she looked around. She knew Shen Tao was right about feeling safer if she would leave in the morning. She grabbed something to sleep in, leaving Shen Tao to sit by himself. When she returned, she had a long pair of green pants on and a t-shirt. Shen Tao grabbed her a pillow and a blanket which she set up on the couch neatly. He made her a cup of tea to calm herself then they both went to bed. In the Beifong home everyone was in their rooms but Suyin. She sat in her office as she thought about what had happened. There was a small knock on the door making her look up to see her mother standing there. She saw that her mother had Khari's staff in her hand which made her look down. She didn't understand why she wouldn't take it with her. Suyin sighed as she stood and went to her mother, taking the staff from her. She sat down as she stared at the staff. She smiled a bit as she ran her hands over the personal touches Khari had made to the staff. Her eyes started to water and she felt her nose run so she grabbed a tissue, wiping her face.
"She couldn't have gotten that far. You know you want her here. Please don't make the same mistake your sister did with her. I can see you care for her," Toph spoke calmly.
Suyin stared at the staff a bit longer before she looked up at her mother. She rushed out of the room before she continued down the hall. When she opened the door to the estate she started to look around. She didn't know where to start. She didn't know which guards would have seen her or where she planned on going now that she left. She spotted Ling and his temporary partner not too far from where she was standing. She ran over to them, asking if they had seen Khari at all. The both gave her a sympathetic look as they shook their head. Suyin started to look around again, thinking of any possible person that could have gotten a glance at Khari as she was leaving. Suyin's eyes stopped on Shen Tao's house for a moment. Maybe Khari stopped by his house before she left Suyin told herself. She rushed over and began to knock on the door, hoping he would answer. She stood there for a few minutes and lowered her head. As she was about to leave the doorknob began to turn. When the door finally opened a sleepy Shen Tao stood on the other side, rubbing left eye. Suyin stood there quietly as Shen Tao tried to wake up enough to process what was going on. The two stood there for a moment of awkward silence.
"You are my last hope. Did Khari stop here? She left and I have to find her. Will you help me?" Suyin asked.
Shen Tao pushed the door back further and invited Suyin into his home. She turned to him and continued to talk. She didn't understand why they were coming in the house. He told her to quiet down a bit before he turned her around. She couldn't believe her eyes. Khari had never left the city. She looked over at Shen Tao before she walked over to Khari. She pushed the hair out of her face before she called her name a bit. Khari yawned before she rubbed her eyes. Khari propped herself up a bit as she woke up a bit.
"Aunt Suyin? What are... You came looking for me? Aren't you mad at me?" Khari asked.
"Oh Khari, I'm sorry. I should have asked questions before I started acting. Please come home or at least stay in Zaofu," Suyin responded.
Khari sat up as she stared at her aunt for a moment. She glanced over at Shen Tao before she turned her attention back to Suyin. She smiled at her before she hugged her. Khari felt her Aunt Suyin wrap her arms around her, making her smile again. She thought back to the night she was kicked off the island for a moment. If she would have lingered just a bit would she still be on the Island? Would they have come for her? Khari knew it didn't matter anymore and she found family that did care about her. Khari was soon handed her staff and she stared at her hands. She loved it and didn't want to leave it behind but she felt it would be wrong to take it with her. She ran her hands over her personal touches as she smiled again. She then realized that Shen Tao and Suyin were staring at her. She then realized that she was keeping the two awake. She stood for a bit before she went to grab her things but Shen Tao stopped her. They both looked up at each other as they laughed a bit. Suyin raised an eyebrow as the two continued to laugh. Shen Tao grabbed Khari's bags for her and opened the door for the two women. He helped Khari take her things to her room as the three spoke quietly. Suyin had told Shen Tao he could have the next day off but the following day he would have to go back to the guard. Khari smiled as she hugged her. Suyin kissed the top of Khari's head before she went to bed for the night. Khari got to her room and she quietly and slowly opened the door to see the Beifong children sleeping in her room. She turned her head to Shen Tao for a moment before she looked back at them.
"Is that offer to stay on your couch still there?" she whispered.
He nodded as the two chuckled at the sight of the Beifong children asleep in her room. The two left as quietly as they had entered the room. When they got back to Shen Tao's house, they had placed her bags on the floor. She started to make her way for the couch but Shen Tao pushed her towards his room. She gave him a confused look as he made sure she was in his bed comfortable before he shut the door. She was so tired she soon closed her eyes and didn't wait to see if he was coming back. Khari thought she was going to have peaceful sleep but she was wrong.
Khari was on the outskirts of Zaofu when she heard a noise. When she turned her head, she was in the city but she still heard the same noise. She turned her head again to find herself in the Beifong home. She started to hear the noise more clearly now but when she turned her head again, she was in the interrogation room. She was soon able to figure out what the noise was but before she could find it, she was on the outskirts of the city again. She didn't understand why her location kept changing. She soon felt something hit her before someone grabbed her and laughed. She recognized the laugh. NO! They had locked him up it wasn't possible. She felt him gently stroke her cheek from behind. She tried to bend but nothing happened. She didn't understand. Why couldn't she bend. She soon felt his hand move down to her throat and his warm breath at her ear.
"Don't worry Miss. Beifong, it will all be over soon," he whispered, as his grip tightened.
"NO!" Khari shouted as she sat up.
She was breathing heavily as she put her hands up to her throat. Shen Tao's bedroom door flew open and he looked around. When his attention turned to Khari, he saw her hugging her knees with tears rolling down her cheeks. He slowly approached Khari and sat on the bed. She didn't look at him when he touched her hand. All she saw was Yun. She continued to tell herself that he had been locked up and he couldn't hurt her anymore. She suddenly felt sick in her stomach which made her jump out of bed and sprint for the bathroom. When Shen Tao got to the bathroom, he found Khari throwing up. He sighed as he thought about what he should do. It was still pretty early to be waking the Beifong family but he knew he couldn't leave Khari like this. He took a quick peak at Khari before he sprinted to Jia's house. He started to pound on the door until she opened the door. He informed her of what was going on with Khari and that he needed her help. When Jia and Shen Tao returned Khari wasn't in the bed. The two gave each other a concerned look as they looked around the room. Khari stared at them from the roof corner. She jumped on Shen Tao with her armband shaped like a blade. He stared at her as she held the blade in his face and breathed heavily. Khari blinked a few times when she heard her name. She looked over to see Jia crouched next to her and Shen Tao under her. She reshaped her armband and sat on the floor next to Shen Tao. She felt her shirt stick to her back from the sweat. She felt someone place their hand on her shoulder but she needed a minute. When she finally looked up, she saw Jia giving her a concerned look.
"I saw him. Yun. He grabbed me by the throat and told me it would be over soon. I'm sorry for scaring you both but I'm okay. I just need to tell myself it was a dream. Please I'll be fine," Khari tried to reassure them.
The two still gave her a worried look but decided maybe she just needed more sleep. Khari crawled into the bed as the two left. She stared at the wall the rest of the night until she saw the domes open. She soon sat up and gazed out Shen Tao's bedroom window. She sighed as she thought about her dream again. He was in prison she told herself. He couldn't hurt her anymore. She took a deep breath as she stood and smiled a bit. She wasn't going to let him bother her anymore. When she exited Shen Tao's room, she saw that he was still asleep so she quietly got herself another outfit. She soon wandered into his bathroom to take a shower and change. After she was done, she could hear moving outside the bathroom door. When she had finally changed, she opened the door to see Shen Tao with a goofy smile on his face. She giggled as he handed her a cup of tea. The two laughed as they enjoyed their morning tea. Khari glanced over at the clock to see that it was about the time the Beifong family usually had their breakfast. She thanked him as she grabbed her things and sprinted for the Beifong home. Shen Tao shook his head as he poured himself another cup of tea. Khari bumped into Ling and she quickly apologized as she continued to sprint for the estate. When she entered the estate, she heard very little talking coming from the dining area. The amount of talking she did hear was the children asking about her. When she got to the entrance of the room everyone looked up and smiled.
"Khari!" the Beifong children shouted in unison.
They all jumped out of their seats and ran to her. She crouched down to hug them as they showed their excitement to see her. As they hugged her, she glanced up at her Aunt Suyin with watery eyes. This is what she had wanted with her parents and brothers but she found it somewhere else. The told her that they slept in her room but she informed them that she already knew because she tried to sleep there last night but it was a little occupied. A guard soon came in with a letter for Khari but she only stared at it. Suyin watched as Khari stared at the letter before she stood. Suyin strolled over to Khari, taking the letter from the guard before she dismissed him. She noticed a mark from the United Forces and smiled a bit. She tried to give the letter to Khari but once again Khari only stared at the letter. Khari brushed her fingers against the letter as she looked up at her Aunt Suyin. She took the letter from Suyin and smiled a bit. She stared at the letter, trying to put the question she had in the back of her mind. She sighed as she continued to think about the question. Suyin gave her a worried look as Khari played with her letter.
"Aunt Suyin, are we sure Yun and Zhen are really locked up? I mean do you think they could get out and hurt me...us?" Khari asked slightly worried what the answer would be.
"Khari, sweetheart are you okay? I want you to know that they are both locked up and can never get out to hurt you again. Tell me what brought all of this on," Suyin responded.
"Umm a nightmare...throat. Y-Yun," Khari started.
"Khari, are you trying to have us figure out some riddle? Do you really think you should be playing games with this situation?" Suyin asked.
"Words not...my head. Help..." Khari managed to get out.
She dropped her letter as she slammed into Suyin. When Suyin grabbed Khari shoulders to check on her she noticed she was unconscious. Suyin cradled her as she demanded someone to get Jia. Suyin pushed some of Khari's hair out of her face before she ran her hand across it. She wondered what had happened that Khari was now in her condition. Suyin let a tear drop fall on Khari's face as Jia ran into the room.
(Author's Note: So, the person at the end of the last chapter was Toph...obviously. So, Khari and Suyin fought about the Shen Tao thing. Also, more Khari and Shen Tao. I also wanted Suyin's children to get along. I wanted them to be excited whenever she is around. So, I will let you guess what is going on with Khari this time. Thanks for reading. Reviews are always appreciated.)