Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Korra or Avatar the Last Airbender. I only own my own characters and ideas
Chapter Twenty-one: The Accident
It had been two days since Khari had been injected by Hikkari's now ex-fiancé. She told everyone other than the scratches and the ribs she felt completely fine. They think maybe it was a delayed reaction to something that was mixed in the syringe. Katara, Kya, and Jia still beat themselves up for laughing and telling everyone she was fine but Khari reassured them every time that she was okay and she wasn't mad. That morning Khari was stretching so she could train a bit. She closed her eyes before she reached down for the ground but she bumped into something. She opened her eyes to see Korra standing in front of her. Khari gave her a look as she continued stretching. When she was done, she grabbed her katana swords. Korra started to follow her as she walked away a bit.
"Master Khari, why do you have those three swords? Do you really need that one that stays by your side? It looks like it moves slow. Does it move slow? Where do you put all your weapons? Aren't they all heavy to carry? Master Khari, aren't you going to answer any of my questions?"
"Isn't there somewhere you have to be? I have to train right now. I need to focus or I could get hurt or hurt someone. Yes, they are heavy. I have so many because they were gifts and the one by my side moves slower than my katana swords. Yes, the one by my side has to stay there. My bow and arrows go on my back, my daggers have a special area near my arrows, my staff I can shrink so I can put it against my back of with my arrows. My cables are attached to my wrist, my swords are attached to my sides. No more questions. Go so I can focus please. Oh, and stop calling me Master Khari, it's just Khari."
Korra smiled and nodded as she ran to Katara's hut. Khari smiled as she began to swing her swords. She jumped the air and spun, sticking her arms out. When she landed, she threw her swords in the air and jumped. When she was close to her swords, she grabbed them, moving them down in one quick motion. She ran before she jumped and spun, dragging the swords on the ground. She pulled them up quickly along with snow and ice. She felt someone staring at her so she turned around to see her aunts and uncles staring at her along with her Gran Gran and Royal family. She didn't know what she was doing. She was just doing some basic training. Nothing too fancy yet here they were watching her like was doing some amazing work. She put her swords away before she walked towards them. She touched her face when she felt something warm and wet. When she pulled her hand back, she saw blood. She touched under her nose again to feel for any cuts. When she looked up, she saw that her Gran Gran, Aunt Kya and Jia were gone. She didn't get it. It was just a bloody nose. She had gotten them more frequently since the night of the party. She felt fine each time just a little blood. Khari stopped walking towards the group and started to look for the three women. She made sure she had wiped all the blood off of her face before she continued her search. When she finally found them, she could tell they were upset. She slowly approached the women, hoping they would listen to her. She sat between her Gran Gran and Aunt Kya and stared at the women.
"You guys shouldn't be upset. It was just a bloody nose and I feel fine. There was no way you guys could have known I was going to have a reaction to that stuff. I'm not mad and I'm still alive. Please don't beat yourselves up too much. It could be worse I could be on my death bed right now and you guys could have laughed." Khari flashed them all a smile but received no response. "Oh, come on. Even Grandpa Aang would have smiled at that. I promise I'm fine. If you leave me every time, I get a bloody nose you'll waste so much time you could have spent loving me."
Khari watched as her Aunt Kya slowly looked up. Khari smiled at her before she kissed Katara on the side of the cheek and pushed Jia's chin up a bit. She stood and started to sprint towards her hut but quickly stopped. Izumi stood in front of her hut with a smile on her face. Khari slowly approached, wondering what the fire lord could want. Izumi gestured for her to walk with her. Khari occasionally glanced up at Izumi as the two walked. She wasn't sure if Izumi just wanted to walk or if she wanted to wait to talk to her. She looked up when she heard Izumi clear her throat.
"Khari, could I ask you to do me a favor?"
"Of course, anything. How can I help you?"
"You may tell me no and I will not be hurt or get upset. I really am asking a lot especially for someone your age. The reason I'm asking you is because of how skilled you are and I trust you. There is a gentleman, Hiroshi Sato. He lost his wife a few weeks ago to what at first looked like an attack from the triads but evidence has shown us recently that it was someone else. You are aware of what my husband did for a living so we think maybe someone like that may have targeted the Sato family. Mr. Sato has helped people of our status for years and it is our turn to repay the favor. He has a daughter around Korra's age. Do not feel obligated to do it but know I asked you because I trust you. Try to bring the person back alive but if you can't I understand."
"I... I don't know what to say. I know I'm not obligated but I feel like I am. He has a daughter that lost her mother. I could never imagine what that is like. Give me until nightfall."
Khari watched Izumi's expression changed. It was as if Izumi wanted her to say no. Izumi nodded and walked away. Khari gave Izumi a strange look as she walked towards the Fire Nation Royal Barge. When Khari entered her hut, she started to look through her things. She looked up when she heard her door open only to be snatched off the ground. When she was turned around, she saw Iroh. He held onto her arm and stared into her eyes. He let go of her arm, slowly touching her face.
"Tell me it's not true. That I overheard wrong. That you aren't going to go do something stupid and that you'll stay here with me. That you aren't going to go look for the people that made Mr. Sato a widower. Please, tell me I'm wrong."
She didn't look at him and that was all the confirmation he needed. She started to pull away but he stopped her. He unlatched the necklace he gave her, making her reach back towards him but he stopped her. He pulled something off of his uniform and attached it to her necklace before he put it back around her neck. She pulled it up a bit to see what had been placed around her neck. It was a medal with his name on it.
"That's in case they have a heart enough to send your body back. I would rather them send it to me. Katara doesn't need to see what they would do to you. Be careful, K. I need you to come home safe."
Khari didn't know what to say. Iroh didn't just care about her but he worried about her Gran Gran. She bit her lip before she lightly touched his hand. She smiled at him but she could tell that he was upset. She stuck her face in his neck as she hugged him. She felt his breath on the back of her neck. She felt him move his head a bit but she didn't want to move. This could be the last time she was going to see him. When she went to look up at him, she felt his lips on hers. He pushed her back against the wall as he continued to kiss her. He started to move down her neck, making her stretch her neck a bit. She raked her fingers through his hair.
"Hey Khari, mom wanted me to give-" Kimiko stopped midsentence when she looked up from so files.
Iroh pulled away from Khari and smiled before he left. Khari stormed towards Kimiko before she yanked the files from her hand. Kimiko laughed a bit as Khari read over the files. She saw the evidence pointed to a group that targeted inventors. They had killed several people already. By the look of it, Hiroshi was the intended target but they took his wife's life instead. Maybe hoping that whatever he was working on would stop due to the grief. The one thing she did notice is it looked like it was done by firebenders. Easy to pin the blame on the Agni Kai Triad. This looked good, too good at that. She looked at the pictured closely and read the notes. She knew exactly where she had to go. The Fire Nation, Hira'a too be exact. It concerned her that something bad was happening there. That means something bad was happening near the Forgetful Vally. The spirits would do anything to protect themselves. Her grandparents have told her stories about the Forgetful Valley. Khari smiled as she told Kimiko to leave. She went and sat on her bed, grabbing her picture of herself with her grandparents. She stared at her Grandpa Aang for a bit as she thought about what she should do. She told Izumi she would do it but messing around near the spirits was dangerous. She took a deep breath before she got up and started to get ready to head out. When she had finished packing, she made her way for the docks. She saw Izumi and Iroh talking with each other. She informed them where she was going and that if she wasn't back in one week to come look for her. She told them to wait until she left to tell everyone else what was going on.
Fire Nation
It was three days later and Khari still had no hint of who had killed Mrs. Sato. She thought she was close to getting someone to talk but he stopped giving her answers. She knew something had scared him. She had her outfit Izumi had gifted her on to hide her identity. She had it pulled up over her mouth and nose and had a cloak pulled up over her head. She felt eyes on her, making her turn around. She saw a small girl gesture for her to follow her. Khari tilted her head but followed the young girl. When she rounded the building, she saw the little girl pointing to the Forgetful Valley. She didn't want to go in there but that was the closest lead she got. She thanked the little girl and made her way through Forgetful Valley. She soon saw a building up ahead but didn't understand. From the stories she heard there was no way a building would be able to be built here. She stomped on the ground to see a decent sized building with at least fifteen people inside. She slowly approached the building and pulled the covering over everything but her eyes. She dropped her cloak and used her cables to pull herself to the top of the building. She slowly and quietly removed a section of the ceiling from the building. She used her seismic sense to see if anyone was near her. She didn't know how she would get what she wanted yet act in a way that would keep her Grandpa Aang proud. She watched as someone walked under the opening giving her the perfect chance to pull them up. She threw him on the ground, bending the earth over him before she pulled her cables over his neck. She waited for him to black out before she got up. She jumped down the hole, hoping no one would hear her. She heard something behind her, making her pull her bow and an arrow out. She didn't see anyone so she ran down a hallway, hoping to find someone. When she found someone, she placed her hand against the wall. The wall opened and the ground shifted, sending the person into the hole before she closed it. She pulled one of her daggers out and held it at the man's throat.
"Tell me what you know about the murder of the Sato woman. I want to know who was in charge of attacking the Sato family. Tell me where to find them."
"You can find them in the room below me. Her name is Ryoko. She will not go down without a fight and she will not be easy. Good luck walking out of here alive."
Khari covered all but the two small holes so the man could breathe. She opened a small hole and jumped down. She started to look around but the room was empty. She knew there was one more level under her so she opened another small hole and jumped through. She was soon in a room with two women her age and three men older than her. At the blueprints was an older woman. Khari froze, knowing she really screwed up. Everyone in the room turned their attention to Khari, making her freeze. Spirits, this is not the time to freeze. You need to fight. She told herself. She saw a cold smile start to form on the older woman's face. Khari was showing fear and that was exactly what this woman wanted to see. Khari tried to hide her fear but she knew it was too late. She was soon surrounded by everyone in the room.
"Everyone in this room is prepared to die for me and our cause. Are you prepared to die for yours?"
Khari stared at the woman who she figured was Ryoko. She came all this way and she wasn't going to run now. She started to look out of the corner of her eyes at the people on each side. In one quick movement she pulled her Katana swords out, moving towards the right and swung her swords. She heard a scream and ducked when she saw a bright ball coming in her direction. She kicked the ground, sending a pillar up at one other person. She saw two of the men go to send fire blast at her. She pulled her arms up which pulled a barrier up. She was knocked back, making Ryoko laugh. She wasn't going to give up. She shot two arrows and reshaped them, pinning two of the men to the wall. Ryoko's head snapped in her direction as she gave her a smirk. She used her cables to pull the final two and threw them at the ceiling, quickly grabbing the ground. She used her earthbending to pin them to the ceiling. Khari smirked at Ryoko as she growled. Khari expression changed when Ryoko pulled a detonator out. She didn't think Ryoko was that stupid. Khari tried to pull the building down but it was hard. She punched the ground as hard as she could sending cracks throughout the room. She tried to collapse the building again with more success. The ceiling started to fall and the walls started to crumble. She started to sprint as fast as she could to get away but she saw Ryoko didn't move. When she looked back one more time Ryoko held the detonator up and pushed a button as she smiled. There was a large explosion, collapsing the rest of the building. Khari used her earthbending to try and protect her from any shrapnel or earth that could crush her but it was too much. She lost her footing and started to fall, and everything fell on top of her. She felt the pain of being buried under the whole building. She tried to bend everything but was in so much pain. She moved her hand a bit, clearing some of the debris from her head and hand. She saw a spirit coming in her direction, making her lift her head a bit. She didn't have enough energy to keep her head up. She started to close her eyes as a figure appeared in her vision. The last two things Khari saw before she fainted were airbending tattoos and a blue wolf spirit. After what seemed like forever there was a large rumble, making Khari open her eyes as much as she could. She saw a large scaley thing in front of her and started to feel some of the weight being lifted off of her body. She felt something pull her, making her open her eyes again. She saw Sakata with his neck lowered, trying to find a way to help her up. She held onto her swords as she used the last of her energy to metalbend herself on to Sakata.
"I don't know how you did it Sakata but I'm happy you found me. You're a life saver. Let's get to the Southern Water Tribe"
Sakata grunted before he took off. Khari fainted not long after they took off. She was leaning against her swords which were pushing against Sakata. Sakata tried to move a bit but he knew he couldn't move too much. He flew faster, trying to get to their destination quickly. They eventually arrived at the Southern Water Tribe where Sakata tried to move quicker than he was before. On the ground below Kimiko and Iroh were talking Bumi, Izumi, and Suyin. Kimiko looked up to see Sakata.
"Iroh, doesn't that look like Sakata? What would he... oh no. It's Khari," Kimiko managed to say.
When Sakata landed everyone ran over to him. There was a thud, making everyone run to Sakata's other side. They found Khari on the ground in horrible condition. They could all tell something terrible had happened but until she woke up no one would know what it was. Iroh scooped her off the ground and made his way for Katara's hut. Kimiko placed her hand on Sakata's head as she told him what a good boy he was. Iroh burst through Katara's door, turning around to show Katara, Kya, Sokka, Mai, and Zuko, Khari's condition. Katara stood there and stared at her in disbelief. This is the worse Katara had ever seen her in her life. Sokka touched Katara's arm, snapping her back into reality. Iroh took Khari to the back where Katara and Kya would work on her. He placed her in the bed and turned to face the wall. He felt a hand on his shoulder but he didn't know what to say. When he walked out his mother was in tears, speaking to his grandparents.
"This is my fault. I should have never asked her to do that. Dad, I knew what they did but I asked her to go. I probably killed Khari. How am I going to face Katara? Kya? Toph? Any of them? What if Khari doesn't forgive me?" Izumi cried.
"You're right it is your fault... but none of them are going to blame you like you think they will. Khari? She will probably have a new scar and maybe it will be her new favorite. Katara? She couldn't even stay mad at Lin and Tenzin when they almost killed Khari. Kya? You're her best friend. Toph? You're her favorite out of all her friend's kids. Suyin? She almost got Khari killed too and she sent a letter telling you she needed you when it happened. Bumi? He trusts anything you do or say. Lin and Tenzin? They have never been there for Khari so who gives a shit what they think. Sokka? He knows you always look out for Khari. Aang? That's his favorite grandchild but he would have understood. Me? I don't really understand but I know Khari will be okay. Stop acting like this now. Khari has watched the women around her show strength during situations like this. We can't let that go now," Iroh tried to make Izumi feel better.
Izumi smiled at him, hoping he was right. They all sat and waited for some form of news on Khari. After a few hours Kya and Katara exited the room. Everyone stood to see the exhausted look on both women's faces. They looked up at everyone who was staring at them, waiting for answers. They glanced at each other before they left the hut. Everyone stayed silent for a moment, hoping that one of the women would come back but they didn't. Kimiko touched Iroh's arm, giving him a brief smile. Iroh looked over at his mother before he took a step towards Khari's room. Shen Tao got out of his seat but Iroh turned to him, shoving him back down. Baatar and Suyin moved to grab Shen Tao while Izumi and Bumi grabbed Iroh. Kimiko and Ling got between the two before they could fight. Iroh pulled away from Izumi and Bumi and made his way for Khari's room. When he opened the door, he stood there for a minute for his brain to process what he was seeing. Khari was covered in bandages, cuts, bruises, and looked pale. He slowly made his way over to her, placing his hand on her face. He tried to keep himself from crying but he couldn't help it. He fell to the ground as he held onto her hand. He felt a hand on his shoulder but he didn't look back.
Republic City
Tenzin sat at his desk in his study going over some papers, thinking of Khari yet again. Last year Suyin had sent him a picture of Khari to show him what he was missing as she put is. She still had that signature smile the press loved. He never framed the photo but he kept it where he could see it every day. He opened the book he hid the photo in and smiled. His little girl had grown up on him. Suyin told Tenzin that Khari would have made one amazing airbender. He thought about if Khari would have been an airbender. An acolyte knocked on the door, making him look up. He was handed a letter that said urgent in bright red ink. He wondered what could be so urgent. He thanked the acolyte and sat down to read the letter. When he opened it, he froze. He saw Khari's name and the word die in the same sentence. Khari could die and the last time he saw her he turned his back to her. There was another knock at, making him jump. Lin gave him a grin while rising an eyebrow. Tenzin smiled at her as he tried to hide the letter from her. He managed to hide the letter in his desk before she made her way to him. He smiled as she kissed him.
"Tenzin, what's wrong?"
"I'm just stressed from work and tired. I think I need to go get some sleep. I'll be in the room in a bit."
Lin gave him a worried look but agreed. When she exited his study, he pulled the letter out again. He couldn't believe he might never see his little girl again. He lied to Lin about Khari. They could go see her. They should be on their way to see Khari. He didn't understand why he didn't tell Lin. He felt someone staring at him, making him look up. He saw Meelo standing there with his head tilted a bit.
"Dad, what aren't you telling mom?"
"It's your sister. Your Aunt Kya wrote a letter to me about her. She didn't go into much detail but she said Khari is hurt. They... they don't know if she is going to make it. I don't want your mother to know. I don't want her to feel what I do. We didn't even say hello to her last year. The last time we spoke I told her she was just a kid and couldn't travel the world. I don't even know if your sister knows I love her. That I'm proud of her. She is an amazing metalbender, earthbender and from the one time she attacked me I could tell she was great with weapons. She would make a fine leader one day. You know you Grandpa Aang always spent the most time with her. They were inseparable. If he was alive, he could tell you anything about her... I can't even tell you what her favorite color is."
"Dad, you have to tell mom. She has a right to know. If Khari dies you won't be able to hide a funeral from her."
Tenzin stared at Meelo for a moment before he opened the book with the photo in it. He was trying to process what was going on. Meelo smacked his table a few times to get his father's attention. Tenzin blinked and nodded so Meelo knew he understood. Meelo gave him a concerned look before he shook his head. Meelo exited his father's study, hoping his father would talk to his mother about Khari. Tenzin stared at the letter again before he folded it and put it in the draw. He hid his picture of Khari again and exited his study for the night. When he entered his room, he watched as Lin got ready for bed. He went to his closet and stared to get ready himself, thinking of how he was going to tell her. He turned around when her heard her pull the blankets down but turned back to his closet. He took a deep breath as he closed the closet doors. When he turned around, he saw that Lin was already laying down. After he pulled the blankets over himself, he turned his back to Lin. He took one final deep breath as he thought about her reaction.
"I got a letter from Kya. Khari's been hurt and they think she might die," he managed to say.
Southern Water Tribe
It had been three weeks since Khari came back from wherever she was. The only thing anyone knew is she went to look for the people that killed Hiroshi Sato's wife. There was still no change in her condition. No one left the Southern Water Tribe because they feared the worst. Iroh spent the most time in her room but everyone was in her room every day. Tenzin and Lin had come to see her but only stayed for a few hours. Tenzin could only look at Khari in that condition for a few hours. It was early one morning and everyone was still sleeping in their own beds except Iroh who had been by Khari's bed since she had returned. Khari started to mumble softly as she moved her hand a bit until she touch Iroh's hair. She brushed her hand against his hair as she took a deep breath. He moved his head a bit but Khari started to push him lightly. He raised his head slightly as Khari opened her eyes. He sat straight up, placing his hand on her face. He picked her up, spinning her around as she laughed. She started to complain about the pain so he put her down. Katara and Kya came in to see what all the noise was about to see Khari sitting on the edge of the bed. Katara ran over to Khari and held her as tight as she could. These last three weeks had been the longest of Katara's life since the war. She thought she had lost Khari this time but Khari managed to pull through again. Khari looked up when she saw movement towards the door. She smiled when she saw everyone standing there but sitting up was getting exhausting. She tried to lay back but it was difficult so Kya helped her a bit.
"Khari, I'm so sorry. I should have never sent you to do that. I wish I could take it back. If I, could I would. I want you to know how sorry I am," Izumi apologized.
Khari gave her a confused look. She knew Izumi said something but she didn't really hear it. Izumi looked down, thinking Khari was ignoring her. Khari smiled a bit, trying to think of how to respond to what to say to Izumi. Everyone soon noticed Khari's face and gave her a worried look. Khari looked down because she didn't want to see how they stared at her when she told them. She felt a hand on her arm but she still stared at her bed.
"I... I didn't hear anything Izumi said. In fact, I haven't heard very well since the building explosion in the Forgetful Valley. It is muffled and I'm trying so hard to hear but I can't. Just leave, I want to be left alone."
She heard a muffled noise so she laid down and turned her back to everyone. It wasn't anyone's fault she couldn't hear. Well not anyone here anyway. She didn't blame anyone here for anything that happened to her. She blamed the people that did this to her. She felt a hand on her arm and someone sit on her bed. She then saw a letter in front of her face. She smiled as she took the letter. She thought maybe her parents were checking on her. She knew that someone had to have told them what happened to her. When she went to open the letter, she froze. She didn't understand. She had only been in the Southern Water Tribe a month and already she had received a letter for I.K.D., but how? She sat up and opened the letter and stared at the words for a few seconds before she finally started to read it.
Dear Khari,
That was some impressive work in the Forgetful Valley. I thought things would be worse considering the location but you managed to do an impressive job. I still do need to meet with you. I want you to know the truth. I want them to know the truth. I need you to tell them. Remember, sometimes the truth hurts.
"Izumi, Uncle Sokka, I need to know who gave you guys this letter," she shouted as she tried to jump out of bed.
She crashed to the ground, still holding onto the letter. Katara and Kya ran in when they heard the thud. They tried to help Khari off the ground but she was so focused on the letter. When Sokka and Izumi came in the room she handed the letter to Izumi so Katara and Kya could help her up. Khari winced in pain as she was placed in bed. When she glanced over at Izumi, she saw that she was staring at the letter. Khari reached out, grabbing her hand. Izumi snapped back into reality and smiled at Khari.
"What's wrong? Do you know who has been sending me those letters?"
Izumi shook her head and smiled at Khari. She kissed the top of her head and walked out of the room. Khari raised an eyebrow. Izumi was hiding something from her and she knew it. Outside of Khari's room Izumi opened the letter and read it. How could she be so stupid? She almost got Khari killed in the Forgetful Valley. Someone had watched what happened and didn't even help her. If it wouldn't have been for Sakata, Khari would be dead Izumi told herself. Izumi crumbled the letter before she lit it. She turned her hand, letting the ashes fall to the ground. She was going to make sure as much of what happened that day was erased. Khari would have a new outfit made for her and Izumi decided she would hide the one she had now. Khari's weapons would be fixed to look like they had never been in battle. She was going to try and make Khari forget as much as she could. Now she was going to write to Hiroshi Sato and ask a favor of him. She wanted Khari to be able to hear again and she knew that Baatar and Hiroshi would be the people to help with that. Everyone stared at Izumi as she got lost in her thoughts. Izumi jumped when Mai placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Izumi, sweetheart please relax a bit. Katara and Kya will take great care of her like they always do. If she can't hear like she did before soon we will cross that bridge but for right now, she just needs us to be here. You are usually so calm in these situations, I don't understand." Zuko voiced his concern.
"Someone knew about Khari in the Forgetful Valley. Someone watched it happen. Someone that wants to meet her and wants her to know the truth. Someone could have killed her if Sakata didn't get there first. I almost killed her. Why should I remain calm? She's sixteen, I almost got a sixteen-year-old murdered. I was the idiot who sent a sixteen-year-old to do something I didn't think our guards or Lin's Police Force could do. I have to live with the fact I made that choice that almost cost Khari her life. I don't know how any of you are calm," Izumi replied.
"Mom, Khari will be alright Katara and Kya always fix everything. She will just need some time," Kimiko smiled.
"I'm sorry but we can't fix any of the hearing loss. We just finished working with her and there is nothing that we can do. Khari is going to have to learn to adapt to not having her hearing the way it was before. It may take some time but she will get the hand of things," Katara informed them as she walked out of Khari's room.
Izumi stared at Katara for a few minutes until she noticed everyone was staring at her. She didn't know what to say so she went to leave but Iroh stepped in front of her. He crossed his arms ad simply stared at her. Izumi took a step forward but Iroh still didn't budge.
"Iroh, move out of my way."
"No. You can't just run away. Now go sit in a chair or go sit with Khari."
"Iroh, I said move," she demanded, grabbing his shirt.
Iroh stared at her for a minute, holding his breath. He was scared that if he made one wrong move something worse would happen. She blinked a few times before she let him go. She didn't even look around before she left. Zuko looked over at Sokka and Katara before he went after her. Iroh glanced at Katara who slid the door to Khari's room open for him. Iroh entered her room to find her pulling her hand away from one of her ears. She touched her ear again but this time she looked at it. As he got closer, he saw why she was playing with her ear. He saw the little bit of blood on her fingers and by her ear. He took her hand, making her look up.
"I tried to collapse the building on us. I want to tell you this now that I can't hear your response. Ever since my parents kicked me off the island, I hope every day that they will ask me to come home. I thought maybe the night of my birthday they would have. Last year the look on Daddy's face made me think I was finally going home but I didn't. Then when I woke up, I thought they would at least be here but they weren't. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. Am I not a good enough bender? Is my behavior still bad in their eyes? Do I remind them of someone?"
Iroh sighed and stared at her. He opened the drawer next to her, pulling a letter out. He held onto it for a bit as he thought about if she really needed the letter right now. He squeezed her hand, holding the letter out towards her. She glanced up at the letter before she took it from him. Her vision was fixated on the letter for a bit until Iroh took it and opened it for her. She shook her head as she thought about how he was treating her like she was broken. She froze when she saw who the letter was from. They wrote to her. They knew she was there but they weren't there when she woke up.
Dear Khari,
If you are reading this you woke up from whatever happened to you. No one could give us very much information because they didn't have it themselves. Your mother and I did come to see you but I couldn't stand to look at you like that. You looked so broken and damaged and I couldn't take it. Khari, I hope you got the chance to read this letter. You are so young and brave. You're strong and I need you to listen to your Aunt Kya and Gran Gran while they help you get back on your feet. Your Aunt Suyin gave me a new picture of you a few months ago so I thought maybe you would want the latest one of the family. Your brothers are getting big. I think Mica will be ready for his tattoos soon and Meelo asked about you. We are all thinking of you. Feel better, maybe come visit the island.
Love Dad.
"Get out. Get out!" she shouted, making everyone run in. "He sent some stupid photo of the family without me. He is boasting about Mica getting his tattoos. He doesn't even know why I'm here. The best one of all is I can visit the island. VISIT! I mean seriously It's not like it wasn't my home or anything. Why can't he tell me how proud he is of me? I'm his daughter. Isn't he proud of me?"
(Author's Note: So, as you can see Khari's connection with animals and spirits is stronger now that she is older. Yes, I know she is an earthbender but Aang did mention in a previous chapter she was different. Does Izumi know more than she is leading on about the letter? As you can see Lin and Tenzin don't really know what they want with Khari. Also, Izumi blaming herself for the accident makes her act out. Another thing you see is Khari did lose her hearing. I can't wait to work with that. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Reviews are appreciated. Thanks for reading.)