Rhythm of the Rain
Chapter Nine
By DamageCtrl
All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.
"There it is," Haru said as the ten ton bison began his decent. The clouds melted around them, dampening their clothes. Aang sat just above Appa's head as the rest of the group sat around the saddle. "What do you think?" He asked as he looked back at the others. Sokka was leaning back against the back of the saddle, looking dispassionate about the whole thing.
Katara and Suki were peering over the edge. Toph was sitting by the front of the saddle, her arms crossed over her chest as she frowned. "Wow..." she began sarcastically. "It's gorgeous. I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life."
Haru chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry, Toph...I forgot." She merely shrugged and leaned back against the saddle.
"Hey, there's your family's house!" Katara said, pointing to the familiar home on the hill.
"Just in case Aang was able to come, my father had the barn stocked with some hay for Appa." Haru told them.
"Thanks!" Aang said. He patted Appa's head. "Hear that, boy? Food is all ready for you!" The massive beast let out a low groan and jerked forward, speeding up.
"Looks like Appa's hungry," Suki chuckled. "So where do we land?"
"I dunno," Sokka shrugged. He played with his boomerang lazily. "Why not by that towering pillar of smoke?"
"Pillar of smoke?" Haru asked. He turned around and followed the direction of Sokka's pointed hand.
"What is that?" Katara gasped as she rushed across the other side of the saddle. In the distance was a gray pillar of smoke rising into the air.
"It's coming from the fields over there!" Suki shouted.
"Aang!" Katara said as she turned to look at the airbender. "Aang! Turn Appa around! We have to stop that fire!"
"I'm on it!" Aang shouted over his shoulders. He gripped Appa's reins and tugged him sideways. The bison began to turn towards the fire. Aang's gray eyes searched the surrounding area. "I'm going to land him! Do you see a stream of water or something?"
"All I see are rice paddies!" Suki shouted as they swept down, flying just a few feet from the neatly spaced rice fields. Katara shoved her sleeves up to her elbows. The infant rice plants had just been transplanted into the soil and the paddies were filled with water.
"That's good enough!" Katara said. "Aang! Take me closer!"
"Right!" The bison lowered and Katara stood up. Up ahead of was a meager wooden house. Smoke was coming from its roof and the glow of burning embers could be seen through open windows.
The young master waterbender narrowed her eyes and slipped into a defensive position. With concentrated movements, she turned her body as she moved her arms around her. Below them, water from the paddies were pushed and pulled into a ball of water. The bottom trailed over the paddies, feeding more water into the growing body until it took on the shape of a wave.
"We're getting close to the house!" Sokka shouted. He looked over his shoulder and let out a yelp. His eyes followed the wave that threatened to collapse on top of them. "Um...Katara..."
"Not now, Sokka!" Katara growled as she continued gathering water from the paddies. "Just a little more!"
"Katara...!" Suki shouted, her voice shaking as a wave of water nearly two times as tall as Appa was lifted over their heads.
Momo's green eyes went wide as saucers as he clung on to Sokka. The blue eyed water tribe warrior whimpered. "Eep."
"Katara, now!" Aang shouted.
A yell escaped Katara's mouth as she threw her arms forward, willing the water to spill over to the right of Appa and on to the house. Gallons of water poured over the burning house, instantly dousing the flames. Steam rose upon impact and Aang pulled Appa away.
The excess water streamed over the ground and back into the near-by paddies. "We need to check for survivors!" Katara added.
"Let's go!" Suki grabbed Toph's hand.
"Wait! I want to land first!" Toph yelled. Before Appa was able to properly land, Suki jumped off the bison, dragging Toph with her. The younger girl screamed, but landed solidly on the ground. Her bare feet instantly sank into the muddy ground and Toph's eyes narrowed. "Ew!"
"Sorry!" Suki said, sheepishly. "I forgot about the mud..." Toph just scowled in the direction she was facing.
"Do you feel anything?" Aang asked as he floated down beside her. Toph gritted her teeth and buried her feet deeper into the mud until she reached more solid ground. Her face went blank as she struggled to feel any vibrations.
No one in the group dared to move, for fear of disturbing the blind earthbender. She shook her head. "I can't feel anything...if someone set the fire, they're long gone."
"Haru," Katara said as she jumped down from the bison. "Do you know whose house this is?"
The young man shook his head. "No...But my parents might."
"Arsons?" Suki gasped. The old man nodded as he sat across from the group of teenagers, his arms crossed over his chest.
"When did this happen?" Haru asked.
"Just after you left to find Katara. It started with a barn that belonged to a Fire Nation couple that had just settled down," Haru's father told them. "Fortunately, they weren't in the barn when it started. They were inside their house, asleep. By the time I and some of our neighbors got there, the barn was nothing but a smoldering frame of what it was."
"It was lucky that the house did not catch on fire." Haru's mother added.
"It was a warning," Sokka frowned. "They purposely set the barn of fire as a warning."
"He's right," Suki agreed. "I've seen it before. The first fire is a warning, the second is the real thing. If whoever is being threatened didn't do as the arsonists wished by the first fire, they'd be killed."
A sinking feeling filled the room. "What happened to the couple?" Aang asked hesitantly.
"They were scared and left as soon as they could pack their things," Haru's father explained. "However, now that they left, the arsonists believe it worked. Since then, three more buildings have gone up in flames. Four counting the one you found. We've managed to salvage one, but I'm afraid that as long as Fire Nation citizens - ex-patriots or not - reside here, they will continue to be threatened in such a way."
"Well...do you have any idea who might be behind the fires?" Katara asked.
"No," Haru's mother said sadly. "I don't want to point fingers either."
"There is so much anti-Fire Nation sentiment dotted throughout the area, it would be impossible to pin point a particular person or even group," the old man sighed tiredly. "The most we can do is be on the look out for any suspicious activity."
"It's kind of strange, isn't it?" Sokka said, scratching his head. "Why would they set fire to buildings that belonged to Fire Nation people?"
"Most of the people who settled here from the Fire Nation aren't benders...and even if they were, it would take a very accomplished Master Firebender to be able to save a burning house. If that is at all possible." Haru's father said.
"Then it looks like we have our work cut out for us," Katara mumbled. She looked over at the airbender beside her. "Where should we start, Aang?"
"First we should go talk to the Fire Nation settlers," Aang said. "As soon as we hear their side of the story, we'll talk to the village elders."
"What about the arsonists?" Haru asked, worriedly. "What if they strike again?"
"We can't do anything about that until we find out who they are," Toph told him. "We need to gather some information."
"The best place to go for that would be in the market place after sunset," Haru's mother suggested. "But it's too dangerous for child such as you."
Toph snorted. "Lady, do you know who I am?" Toph asked indignantly. "I'm the Avatar's earthbending master. Not to mention the reigning belt holder for the earthbending rumble tournament."
"When she's right, she's right," Sokka said as he leaned back against his chair. "Suki and I will go with you."
"Fine, just don't get in our way, Snoozeles."
"Haru, Katara, and I will go talk to the Fire Nation settlers tomorrow," Aang told them. He looked at the old couple across from them. "Do you know who we could talk to?"
"Of course, young Avatar," the old man replied with a nod of his head. "Haru knows were to find the eldest of the settlers. They've been the most active in trying to come to a peaceful resolution to this."
"Great!" Sokka said as he grinned. He sat up and clapped his hands together. "We're all set! Now, I think the big question is - what's for dinner?"
"Instructor Ming's class has submitted their proposals, Lord Zuko," the clerk said as he bowed before the young leader. "Where should I put them?"
From behind his desk, Zuko waved his hand careless. "I don't care."
"Very well, Lord Zuko," The clerk placed them on the one empty area at the front of Zuko's otherwise cluttered desk. "Is there anything else, my lord?"
"No," Zuko didn't take his eyes off the document he was approving for a second. The clerk bowed once more then headed out the door. He closed it quietly behind him. Back at his desk, Zuko lifted up his seal and pressed it across the bottom of the document. "One done...four hundred left..."
As he gathered the next document from the stack to read, the door sounded with a knock. "Zuko...its tea time! You promised!"
"Give me a moment," Zuko looked over his desk and began shuffling papers aside to make room for his Uncle's tea. "Come in, Uncle."
The door opened and the rotund old man walked in, followed by a servant carrying a tray of tea and pastries. "Looks like I came just in time," Iroh smiled merrily. "How are things going?"
"I just received another half dozen documents to add to the already monumental stack I already have to review," Zuko grumbled. The servant placed the tray on his desk and Iroh sat across from him. "How do you think my day is going?"
"But a much needed break is on the way," Iroh replied enthusiastically. The servant bowed discretely and slipped out the door. The old general poured two cups of tea and gently slid one filled cup to his nephew. "You will be pleased to know that your birthday celebration plans are going very well. Acceptance notices are coming in from all over the world."
Zuko nodded. He cupped the porcelain tea cup with his hands and brought it to his lips. Steaming hot liquid coursed down his throat and he closed his eyes. "I hardly find the duty of having to entertain all those dignitaries, officials, and representatives a break, Uncle. I'm starting to regret the celebration."
"You don't have to worry about a thing," Iroh said. "The celebration is for you. It is your birthday and you should be able to do what you wish."
"I'm sure someone there will want to talk business or politics."
"But there will also be cake," Iroh told him cheekily. Zuko opened his eyes and stared at his Uncle for a moment. "Do you no longer like cake?"
The Fire Lord rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I still think it is more trouble than it's worth. I won't have a moment to rest."
"Well, you will be the man of the night. Everyone will want to talk to you."
"And thus I'm regretting the celebration already and it hasn't even happened yet."
Across the desk, Iroh chuckled and brought his own cup to his lips. "By the way, how do you feel about saber tooth mooses?"
"Moose?" Cake...now moose...what is in this tea? Zuko looked from his Uncle to the tea cup and back. "Why are you asking?"
"Just answer the question nephew," Iroh urged. "I heard they are very cute when they're young."
"I don't hate them. But I don't like them, either. And aren't they man eating?"
"Hmm...I see..." So that is no on the moose...then again...the likelihood that it would grow up and try to eat us is rather large... Iroh rubbed his chin and looked across his nephew's desk. A new stack stood out from the usual tower of paper and he reached out for one of the parchments. "Ah..." He nodded as his eyes skimmed the papers. "The proposal project for the young ladies..."
"That is the last of them," Zuko said with a bit of relief. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the pile. "Do you know the kind of proposals those girls have been suggesting? Flower gardens...city beautification...state sponsored fairs..."
"Those are excellent suggestions!" Iroh retorted. "Flower gardens and other elements of city beautification would help uplift the spirits of our citizens here. It would make them proud of live in the capitol of the Fire Nation again. However, if we spend money on beautification before settling our debts with the other nations and dealing with the post war issues, both the other nations and our people will be unhappy with us."
"That is exactly what I'm saying!" Zuko agreed. "We have more important things to spend money on than bunch of flowers and trees."
"The festivals and fairs seem nice...you might want to think about bringing back two or three national holidays over the next year...if only to raise the morale of the people." Iroh suggested.
"We've already covered that at last month's meeting," Zuko nodded. "But other than that, nothing has really stood out. We've received some money from tariffs and it would be good to put it into something that would really benefit the nation."
"What about this one?" Iroh asked. Zuko looked back at his Uncle as the old general placed is tea cup down and continued reading one particular document. "This participant suggested putting money into vocational schools for adults to learn a new trade and help re-energize the economy."
"Learning a new trade? That could take years of apprenticeship under a master..." Zuko mumbled.
"That may be so for carpentry and pottery and other such occupations, but there are some things that can be taught in less time. Basic medical aid training, for one," Iroh suggested. "You can also put money into sending former soldiers into vocational institutions to learn simpler trades...things other than war. That would solve the problem of many of our soldiers who currently have nothing to do."
The young Fire Lord leaned back against his seat, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Under my father's reign, many of them were to be career soldiers...without a war, many of them have nothing else to do."
"Why don't you keep this proposal," Iroh suggested as he put it aside. "It is a good idea and we can work from it."
"Who submitted it?" Zuko asked. He lifted the document and skimmed over the words. His eyes focused on the name at the bottom and he swore.
Seeing the look on his face, Iroh sighed. "Her father is good man who knows how to treat his people well. It does not surprise me that she has ideas like this."
Zuko let out a heavy breath, Katara's words of a second chance echoing in his ears. "I understand..." he mumbled."I will keep this in mind."
"How are the other documents coming along?"
"My head is hurting just reading them over," Zuko frowned. "Some of the propositions and resolutions the nobles and officials have been submitting have been nothing but a waste of time. Some are even petitioning against the ones I've already passed."
"Many of the nobles do not like being told what to do," Iroh told him. "During the reign of your father and grandfather, they were free to do what they wished, so long as they supported them in the war effort. Now you are asking them to help you rebuild a nation at their expense. I'm afraid your views clash with theirs."
Zuko let out a heavy sigh. "I don't want our views to clash. As nobles of the Fire Nation, they should be willing to help make this country better."
"Many have their own interests at stake. Remember, your views have been shaped by years abroad and time with the Avatar. You have seen and experienced things that will influence how you rule. I think it is for the better," Iroh assured him. "But there will always be those who disagree with you."
"It is necessary that they trust me, Uncle...but they're still so suspicious. Every little thing I do is scrutinized," Zuko told him quietly. "I feel as if they don't even want me as the Fire Lord..."
"Don't say that, Zuko. It is your destiny and right to be Fire Lord," Iroh stated sternly. "You are a doing a fine job rejuvenating this country. You decisions have been just and thoughtful. Just give them time to see the fruits of your labor. They will come to understand why you do things the way you do."
Zuko narrowed his eyes and took a sip of his tea. "There are some things, Uncle, which I don't think they will understand."
"Our property has been targeted by those would be vigilantes without remorse," an old woman told the trio that sat before her. "I've lived here for years and this is the first time it's happened!"
"How much damage has been made?" Katara asked.
"Several vegetable fields were recently scorched," one man told them. "But the property is nothing compared to what've had to put up on the daily basis!" A series of agreements came from around the room.
Katara took a deep breath. They had been meeting with a small group of Fire Nation ex-patriots that were still in the area. Following directions from some Fire Nation villagers they had met in the market, they arrived at a house of one of the older Fire Nation settlers a several few days earlier. Since then, they had been going back and forth between the two groups, trying to come to some sort of peaceful resolution to the problems.
To the Earth Kingdom villagers, the best way to end the tension was for the Fire Nation settlers to leave. But even amongst the Fire Nation settlers, there was a sense of anger and frustration at the Fire Nation, or more specifically, Zuko. They believed he had withdrawn his troops too quickly, leaving the citizens who had settled in the Earth Kingdom open to attack from the formerly oppressed Earth Kingdom.
That was just one of the reasons why they did not want to return to the Fire Nation. But the main reason was that the Earth Kingdom was now their home. For the Fire Nation settlers, the best way was slowly inching towards retaliation. They had tried all other peaceful means and still, there were Earth Kingdom villagers who allowed their bias against the Fire Nation to influence their daily lives and thus avoid peaceful co-existence with the Fire Nation settlers.
"You can tell them once more," a man said as he leaned forward. "If they do not stop this pointless destruction of property and harassment, we will be forced to take matters into our own hands!"
And to emphasize his point, he created a swirling ball of fire in his hands. Katara frowned and bended the water from the pouch she carried with her over the flame. Steam sizzled from the spot where the fire had been and all eyes were drawn on to Katara. She lowered her hands and folded them on her lap.
"That won't be necessary," she stated strongly. "Thank you for your time today. We'll be taking into consideration what you have told us in our talks with the Earth Kingdom elders."
"See to it that you do, Lady Katara," another man told her. "No one is more tired of this war than we of the Fire Nation. Before I die, I'd like to be able to live in peace without the fear of dying the next day from an attack."
Aang, Haru, and Katara bowed their heads respectfully to their hosts before getting up and heading out the doors. As soon as the house was out of sight, Katara let out a low growl.
"Well, that went great!" Katara grumbled. She rubbed her shoulder as Aang stretched his arms behind him. They'd been stuck in the house since they arrived just after lunch. The sun was now setting.
"Who knew they're angry at the Fire Nation..." Haru said. Most of the Fire Nation citizens he had met were very proud of their background.
"They're not mad at the Fire Nation," Katara frowned. "They're mad at Zuko," she said, her eyes narrowing at the thought. "Because he withdrew the troops, the Fire Nation settlers were left defenseless in the face of returning Earth Kingdom villagers. It's been hard for them here, but they won't return."
"Like they said, it's their home, too," Aang reminded her. "We can't force them out if they don't want to leave."
"They're paying taxes on their land, they're not harassing anyone, and they're willing to take part in the community," Haru sighed. "I really don't see any reason why the villagers would be trying to kick them out."
"A lot of the tax money in towns that the Fire Nation had conquered is from the remaining ex-patriots still living there," Katara told them. "It's because they still have money from before the war ended and are taking part in Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom trading lines."
"They're definitely settling down, all right..." Aang sighed. "There is no way we can just ask them to leave."
"Still...if the harassment from the villagers continues, they'll start to retaliate," Haru added. "And then we'll have another war on our hands."
"This is so hard..." Aang said despondently. Katara reached over and put her hand comfortingly on his shoulder. "Ending the war is easier than keeping the peace."
"I know, Aang," Katara agreed softly. "They're never the same thing..." The trio walked silently back to Haru's family's house. Half way to the house, a gray haired woman dressed in green was seen running towards them. Panicked eyes locked on to their's as she called out for them. The trio recognized her immediately.
"Mother?" Haru asked. His eyes widened as panic spread through his body. "Mother!" He darted forward, followed by Katara and Aang. "Mother, what's wrong!"
"A fire!" Haru's mother gasped as she stumbled forward and grasped on to her son's arm. "A fire down by the river! The Tang's house!"
"Where are the others?" Aang asked.
"They went to help!" the woman answered, frantically pointing to a dirt path down the main road. "Haru! Quickly! Take them there!"
"Ye...yes!" The young man nodded.
"When did they leave?" Katara shouted over her shoulder as they ran after Haru.
"Just a few moments ago! Hurry!"
"Is it arson?" Aang gasped as they ran down the dirt road.
"It has to be!" Katara frowned.
"They're becoming more daring!" Haru said as they turned on to a different path. "Since you arrived, no fires have been started!"
"They must not be happy with how the Fire Nation settlers are getting comfortable since you've arrived." Katara told him.
"I'm supposed to stop this from happening!" Aang shouted, frustrated. "And now I'm the cause?"
"We'll deal with it later!" Katara shouted. She looked up ahead and saw the plumes of smoke rising over the trees.
"We're almost there!" Haru yelled. As they approached, they heard yelling from the people that were already there. As they emerged into a clearing by the lake, they found a reasonably large house engulfed by flames. It stood behind a stone wall that was still in the middle of construction. Tools still lay about the area as well as piles of stone blocks. The house had been completed, but now glowing with the orange and yellows of fire in one side of the house. The roof had already caved in over some parts of the house, but the main body of it was still standing. Parts of the wooden window covers had already fallen apart and eaten away by the fire.
"We can still save it!" Katara asserted. Her eyes locked on to the river not too far away. "Come on, Aang!"
"Katara, Aang!" Sokka shouted. He and Suki were among the villagers running towards the river and back with buckets of water in their hands. "Hurry it up!"
"We're getting to it, Sokka!" Aang shouted. He spotted Toph among three other earthbenders, including Haru's dad. They were lifting soil from the ground and on to the fire in an attempt to smother it out. Aang's eyes widened. "I have an idea! Toph!"
"Not now!" the thirteen year old blind master shouted.
"Toph, I have an idea!" Aang shouted. He turned to the blue eyed waterbender. "Run to the river's edge and when I tell you, stomp your feet."
"What?" Katara asked, staring at her friend as if he'd just lost his mind.
"Just trust me!" Aang assured her. Katara let out a heavy breath, but did as she was told. "Toph!" Aang shouted. "Help me make a ditch towards the house!"
Toph released her pile of dirt and turned towards Aang. Following the vibrations from his footsteps, she located him easily. She heard him call to Katara and suddenly, she felt another set of vibrations. Toph's blank eyes narrowed and she held her hands up.
Beneath her feet, Katara felt the earth tremble and jumped back as a narrow, but waist deep trench was opened. Aang helped Toph direct the trench to the house. "Now what?" Katara shouted.
"Bend the water into the trench!" Aang yelled back. Katara took her stance and quickly began pushing the water into the trench. Before long, the river pushed the water into the trench itself and Katara bended it towards the house. "I'll bend it over the house!"
"I've got a better idea!" Toph said. Narrowing her eyes, she molded the area between her hands. The soil rose and formed a narrowing tube at the end of the trench. "Now, just force the water through! The pressure will do the rest!"
"It's just like a spring!" Katara gasped. She concentrated and directed her arms towards the tube.
"Everyone! Stand back!" Suki shouted as she directed the other villagers away. From the opening of Toph's stone nozzle, water spurted out like a geyser. Water slammed into the house gallons at a time. Aang and Katara continued forcing water into the tube as Haru's father moved the stone nozzle slowly, from side to side, trying to put out as much of the fire as possible.
As the fires died down and the smoke began to dissipate, the villagers who had come to help began to cheer. Toph was picked up by the earthbenders and lifted into the air, all while she screamed to be put down, as she was truly blind when she couldn't feel the earth beneath her.
"We did it!" Katara gasped. "Aang! We did it! We did it!" Katara jumped up and down excitedly. The Avatar grinned widely as villagers patted him on the back and on the head.
"Well, you guys too long enough," Sokka said as he reached them. Both he and Suki were wet from the running to get water from the river. "Good job, guys!"
"We were starting to think that you guys wouldn't make it in time!" Suki smiled, soot and dirt caked on her to her face.
"Haru's mom met us half way," Katara explained. She looked around the area. "Where is the family?"
"Over there," Sokka said, pointing to the small family of five that was standing by the unfinished wall. A middle aged man and his wife were standing with there three children. The woman was trying to hold all her children at once as the man stared at his home with pained eyes. "They got out of the house as soon as smoke spread through the house. The youngest son is a fire bender, but they were having dinner at the time, so it wasn't him."
"Arson..." Katara frowned.
Suki nodded. "The fire started in one of the empty rooms of the house...that's where they said the smoke started from."
"We should go talk to them," Aang urged. "Make sure they're okay."
Katara nodded and looked back at the family. The oldest son was probably as old as Toph if not younger. He looked up at their home with horror as their mother tried to hold him and his younger sister and brother in her arms. Their neat red and gold clothing was once a sign that they were well off. Now, they were covered with dirt and soot from the fire.
Aang was about to head over when Katara's hand flew out and stopped him. "Wait..." she said as her eyes focused." Just...wait..." Aang looked at her, confused. He followed her gaze and settled his eyes on an old woman from the village.
She had white hair and was dressed in peasant clothing in the subdued earth tones. However, she was also one of the village elders. In her hands was a worn, but still usable blanket. She made her way across the clearing and silently draped it over the mother's shoulders. The Fire Nation woman looked up, panicked at first, and then relaxed as she saw the old woman.
Aang and the others couldn't hear what the old woman was saying, but the Fire Nation mother began to cry and gave the woman a hug. From where they stood, Katara smiled.
"Even after we witness such a horrible act, there is still good willing to be shared." Suki mused softly. Sokka glanced over at her. For a moment, he studied her dirt covered, messy haired profile and smiled. He looked back at the Fire Nation family that was being surrounded by consoling Earth Kingdom villagers. His hand slowly moved over Suki's and squeezed it. He smiled softly when he felt her squeeze back.
"Everything seems to be ruined..." Haru sounded as he approached them. His eyes were lowered as he clenched his hands tightly at his sides. "We were too late."
"No," Katara said sternly. She shook her head and put her hand on his shoulder. "We weren't too late... even if the house burned down, we wouldn't be too late."
Haru lifted his face and looked at her, confused. "I don't understand..." Katara smiled and motioned over to the villagers in front of them.
"Someone out there has a lot of hate...but right here, there are people who do not...even if they don't realize it," Katara told him. " Earth Kingdom villagers willing came to help a Fire Nation family, Haru. Your father said this was so even before we got here. Do you understand? It will take some time, but peace is possible."
The young man stared at the waterbender with awe. She was always so full of hope and promise, so much that he believed in her so much. Even in the darkness of the night, her face glistening with water and sweat and her hair falling out of its braid, she looked accomplished and happy. He slowly removed her hand off of his shoulder.
Katara looked up and gave him a questioning look before suddenly being engulfed in another hug. "Thank you, Katara..." he whispered.
"Hey!" Sokka growled behind them. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Haru?"
"Sokka, calm down," Suki hissed. "It's just a hug!"
"Heh..." Katara smiled weakly and slipped her hands between her and Haru. "My brother's such an idiot..." she laughed nervously. She gently pushed Haru away and took a careful step back. Guilt was gnawing at her heart again, just like it had back at the South Pole when she held Haru's arm. Even as she disregarded it as pointless with no basis, she couldn't fully suppress it.
"Um...we better see if we can help!" Aang interjected. He jumped between the two and Sokka with a hopeful smile on his face.
"We should...um...ask some questions...see if there might have been any warning to all of this." Katara rambled quickly. She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"That sounds like a good idea!" Suki agreed quickly. She grabbed on to Sokka's arm and began to drag him towards the villagers. "Come on, Sokka."
As Suki dragged Sokka away, the Water Tribe warrior made motions from his narrowed eyes to Haru's wide ones. He grumbled out a warning as he passed. "I'm watching you..."
Katara groaned and rubbed her temples. Without looking back at Haru, she followed the group to the Fire Nation family. When she got there, the villagers were trying to calm down the children as Aang and Haru's father spoke to their parents.
"We know it came from the sides of the house," the man told them. "My daughter smelled smoke and so I went to check. I went into the room and everything seemed fine, so we sat down to dinner. The next thing I know, the house was covered in smoke. When we rushed out, I saw that the roof over the storage area had collapsed."
"Your roof was made of wood?" Haru's father asked. The man nodded.
"Wooden planks, yes."
"Maybe the fire started on the roof," Suki suggested. She looked over at Katara. "Is it safe to look inside?"
"Probably not," Katara frowned. "Parts of the wall and remaining ceiling might come down..."
"I can take a look," Aang said. He created his air scooter in his hands. "What am I looking for?"
"Anything that could've been thrown up there to start a fire," Suki told him. "Remnants of rags, broken glass that was filled with oil...stuff like that."
Aang nodded and hopped on to the scooter before zooming into the remnants of the house. Meanwhile, the rest of the group looked back at the family. "I hate to ask, but is there anyone you think might have caused this?" Katara asked. "Have you been receiving any threats or harassment more than normal?"
The father shook his head. "No...Not since the Avatar arrived at least."
"Before, we didn't receive any verbal threats whenever we went to town. Occasionally, we'd get strange looks or be turned away."
"Turned away by whom?" Sokka persisted.
"From one of the meat stalls in the market," the woman explained. "I don't understand why. We never had a problem before...even directly after the war ended."
"Can you tell us the name of who owns the meat stall?"
"Chun Hae," the woman said. "But as of lately, his son has taken over. But after he started, we've been turned away more often. Vegetable stalls, the fabric stall I used to frequent...they've all turned us away. And some have been hesitant to sell to us."
"I think it's time we investigate this," Katara nodded. "We should go pay them a visit tomorrow."
"You guys!" Aang shouted excitedly. "Look what I found!" He scootered back outside and jumped off the ball of air before it dissipated. He held out his hand and revealed a burnt and soot covered arrowhead.
"I see..." Sokka mumbled. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Someone tried to assassinate them."
"No," Suki grumbled. "Someone tied flaming rags to the arrow and launched it on to the house to start the fire. That's the reason he couldn't see anything wrong inside the house. The fire started outside on the roof."
"So we have archers on our hit list," Toph smirked. "That narrows it down."
"The only archers in town are Chun Hae's grandsons. They were training for the war when it ended and were sent back." Haru's father told them.
"Toph," Aang said. "We'll leave the investigations to you, Suki and Sokka. Tomorrow, Katara, Haru, and I have to go talk to the village elders."
"Try to question all the people they said and...," Katara glanced at her brother and leaned over to Toph. "Make sure he doesn't do any questioning. Ever."
"Gotcha."
"What about the family?" Haru asked quietly.
"Elder Jyung has offered them a place to stay until they can rebuild." Haru's father assured them.
"Even after all of this," the Fire Nation man told them proudly. "We will not be frightened into leaving. The Earth Kingdom is our home now and this village is our community. They are good people. A few ill tempered rebels will not chase us out."
An ostrich horse! Old eyes narrowed and crossed the idea off the parchment in front of him. "No...He's probably had enough of them..."
Iroh lifted his head and looked out into the court yard before him. He was sitting inside the palace. The screen doors were wide open and he had taken his place by the doorway. Several steps below, in the middle of the cemented yard, was Zuko. Shirtless and dripping with sweat, the young Fire Lord was practicing once again. His Uncle watched for a moment longer. Zuko's form and reaction time had improved greatly. He wouldn't be surprised if Zuko would eventually be able to create the blue lightning fire his sister had been gifted with.
He reached over and took a sip of his tea. Ah...but he has a long way to go... He mused to himself. He put the tea cup down and looked down at the paper in front of him critically. "I wonder how he feels about an exotic pet cat..." he mused."Zuko!" he shouted, not bothering to look up. "Do you like cats?"
Zuko didn't miss a beat in the middle of his sparring session. "No!" he growled back. He did a flaming round house, sending two soldiers who he was fighting with flying across the court yard.
"No cats..." Iroh mused. "Too bad...the South Pole had started a breeding program, too..." He crossed the 'exotic foreign cat' from the list. At the top of the paper was the title 'Possible Birthday Presents'. Iroh rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He was nearing the bottom of his third page and he still hadn't come up with a birthday present to his nephew.
He heard a scream from the court yard and snapped his head up. Zuko landed a few feet away from a soldier whose sleeve had caught on fire. "Someone put that out!" Zuko shouted as he ran his hand down his face. He shook his head tiredly.
Iroh chuckled to himself as several soldiers ran out. One doused the first soldier with water. "Shall we continue, my lord?" one of them asked.
"Take a break for now," Zuko ordered as he walked towards the palace. He snatched a towel from the ground as he walked up the stairs. "We'll resume afterwards."
The soldiers before him lined up and bowed deeply before breaking apart and heading for different parts of the palace. Zuko wiped his face and neck with the towel as he reached the area where his Uncle was sitting. "I think if you keep it up, you will need new soldiers."
"They're fine, Uncle," Zuko said. He took the tea that the old general offered him and sipped it as he leaned back against the wall and stared out into the courtyard. "What are you writing?"
"This? Oh...nothing...just a list of decorations for your birthday party." Iroh told him casually as he rolled up the list.
"Celebration..." Zuko mumbled. He let out a heavy sigh and watched the soldiers spar amongst themselves and laugh.
Iroh followed his gaze. "Your men are good, but they are no longer providing enough of a challenge for you," he said. "Our style in the Fire Nation has one basis. Everyone starts learning the same thing, especially in firebending. Perhaps you should practice with a new style...if only to better yourself."
"If you haven't noticed, Uncle, we're not exactly brimming with Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe Warriors willing to spar with me so I can get better." Zuko said, rolling his eyes.
"I just think that if you are able to find someone with a different style, it will make you more flexible. Flexibility in a fight isn't a bad idea." Iroh said, casually munching on some small pastries.
Zuko narrowed his eyes and mulled it over. "I'll see what I can do..." He leaned back against the door way and looked down at the tea. "Uncle...do you think there are many who do not want me as Fire Lord?
The old man looked up. Zuko looked lost in thought, as if his mind had been preoccupied with that particular thought for a while. He turned his head away hesitantly. "There are always those who wish to become Fire Lord."
"But do you think the Fire Nation disapproves of me?" Zuko continued.
"Why do you ask?"
The young Fire Lord's hand tightened around the tea cup. "There are...things I want to do. But I know they will not be acceptable. Especially to the nobles."
Iroh sat up straight and studied his nephew. He knew what exactly that 'thing' was. "Rebuilding a nation and running a country requires many sacrifices, Zuko. Including many sacrifices of the heart."
The Fire Lord lifted his head and looked at his Uncle. "What should I do?"
"I cannot make the decision for you, my nephew," Iroh told him as he sipped on his tea. "Whatever your decision, you will have to fight for it. However, know that I will always support your decision. And that I am a big fan of the heart." He lifted up his cup and took a drink.
A heavy silence hung in the air. For a few moments, Zuko sat there, a calculating look on his face. Finally, he lifted up his tea cup and drank down the rest of its contents before putting it down. He stood up, a determined look on his face. As he started down, towards the court yard, he tossed his towel to the ground. Flames burst from his hands as he narrowed his eyes.
"Then I must get stronger."
"Place your seal here," Aang said as he pointed to the bottom of the parchment. He had gotten used to signing treaties, having overseen so many since the end of the war. "Now, the Fire Nation settlers will approve it. Your seal goes here..."
Three Fire Nation settlers, an old woman, a farmer, and the merchant whose house had caught on fire all pressed their red inked insignias at the bottom of the document. A collective sigh of relief was released as Aang held up the treaty.
"In accordance with both groups, the elders of this village and the representatives of the Fire Nation settlers have come to a peaceful resolution to end the hostilities." Haru's father began. Below the wooden platform where they stood about the crowd of villagers and settlers, the crowds paid careful attention to what was being said.
"Effective immediately, discrimination against the settlers is prohibited and punishable by law..." Katara said as she read from the parchment. They were in a large open area at the center of the town. On a wooden the platform, the elders and representatives were over seen by the Avatar and Katara.
A day earlier, the village elders had approved of the resolution. The night before, the Fire Nation settlers had as well. Being promised protection from harassment and discrimination under Earth Kingdom laws would not end the intolerance, but it would make life easier for everyone. Hopefully, it would bring the settlers closer to the village, closer to tolerance and closer to peace.
Everyone knew it would take time and that the bias would never really disappear, but it was better than nothing. At the platform, the village elders and the settlers bowed to each other respectfully. On the ground, a mixture of groups cheered. It had taken the majority of the day to finalize, but just before the sun set, they had all agreed.
"Let us celebrate the treaty with our new found brothers and sisters!" Haru's father announced. Shouts of agreement chorused from the crowds and Katara ran to the edge of the platform. She waved her hands in the air, signaling the band to start.
As the sungi horn's melodies started to play, everyone began wandering through the streets. Food had been provided by the wealthy merchant and the village elders to promote mingling. No social event was complete without food. All around them, torch lights were lit up along the street, lighting the area, as lanterns hung over head.
Aang handed the document to Haru's father before turning to Katara. She was bowing to the Fire Nation settlers as they headed off the platform to join the festivities. "Katara!" Aang said. He rushed over and smiled brightly. "Not bad, huh?"
"Not bad at all, Aang!" Katara laughed. "Have you seen the others?"
"Nope," Aang said. "They left early to follow a lead for the arsonists."
Katara raised an eyebrow. "Even Sokka?"
"Suki said she'd get him," Aang beamed. "When I saw her walking out, she seemed to be pulling his ear." Katara grinned.
"I wonder if they found anything-"
"Aang, Katara!"
"Watch out!" The two on the stage turned towards the voices and immediate saw the flaming arrows raining down on the screaming crowd.
"Aang!" Katara yelled. The young Avatar moved around the platform and sent gusts of air towards the arrows. They were swept to the sides diverted to the roofs of nearby buildings. Katara rushed to put them out with her waterbending before they had a chance to spread.
"There they are!" Suki's voice yelled out from somewhere in the back of the crowd. "Get them!"
The earth began to shake beneath them, signaling Toph's response. Several yells echoed through the area as Toph lower her fingers, dragging four young men neck deep in quicksand-like earth.
"Ah-hah!" Sokka shouted, seemingly appearing out of no where. "You thought you could escape me, didn't you!"
Towards the end of the street, Sokka could be seen standing over the protruding heads of the young men while Toph and Suki cautiously stepped forward, both still ready to fight.
"What is going on here?" an old man said as he stepped from the crowds. Aang and Katara darted through, trying to get to the scene.
"Why don't you ask these guys?" Sokka replied quickly. "These four are archers that have been setting fires to the houses of the Fire Nation settlers."
"They are not!" the old man insisted. "These are my grandsons! They would never do such a thing!"
"Oh yeah?" Toph asked. "Yesterday, we went around the market asking why some vendors wouldn't sell to the Fire Nation people."
"They seemed really nervous, but never had a good reason," Suki added. "And when we moved, Toph felt some following us. None of the market stalls claimed to have been talk and kept avoiding the subject when we brought it up."
"Then we went to the burnt houses and dug through them. We found several arrowheads in the rubble, meaning all the fires were started the same way," Toph continued. "We went to find the archers and everyone pointed us back to the meat stall owner's grandsons."
"They were supposedly archers in the Earth Kingdom armies before they got sent back. So we've been following them the whole day," Suki said proudly. "We figured they'd try something with the signing today."
"And look what we found," Toph stomped her foot on the ground and one of the young men rose from the ground on a pillar of dirt. In his hands was a bow. His eyes widened and he dropped it immediately. "We also found a few trees in the forest that were hollowed out."
"That's where they've been keeping their weapons and tools, including oil, matches, and rags." Sokka said.
"This is impossible," the old man said. "They would never do that! I know them!"
"No, the Avatar's friends are telling the truth," a woman admitted as she stepped forward. "The eldest told me that if I continued to sell to Fire Nation citizens, I would be targeted next."
"The same with me."
"And me."
"Hae Mong, is this true?" the old man asked. His eyes were hopeful as he looked down at a young man still buried in the dirt.
He turned his head away. "They don't belong here, grandfather. Not after what they've done!"
"They haven't done anything!" Katara exclaimed. "Don't take out your frustrations and hate on innocent people! You hated it when the Fire Nation harassed and terrorized your people and now you're doing the same thing!"
"Toph, release them," Haru's father said as he looked down at the young men. "We'll put them in jail."
"I think we have all the proof we need," Aang said sadly. He lifted his hand and waved for two large men to come forward. Toph stomped her foot once more and the other three young men shot up from the ground. Bows were still in their hands and two had arrows. "Take them away. They'll be a hearing to institute proper punishment tomorrow, as was agreed upon."
The men lead the four away, escorted by a few earthbenders, Suki, Sokka, and Toph. Katara fumed. "I can't believe they would fuel such animosity..."
"I can't believe they shot flaming arrows into a group of crowded people," Aang mumbled. He turned back to the people and raised his hands. "Attention everyone! The arsonists have been caught!"
"This is a great day for us!" Haru's father added. "We all should feel a little safer now that they were captured! Now is a time to celebrate!"
"Let us continue with the festivities!" Someone shouted. Several shouts of agreement rose into the air and Haru waved his hand to get the band started again. Music filled the street and Katara let out a heavy breath.
"Come on, Katara," Aang said. "We did what we came to do."
"It's just been so much...so draining..." Katara sighed. She looked at her friend with a weary look. "Is this what you've been doing the whole time?"
Aang beamed a smile. "Well...I am the Avatar!" A hand shout of from the crowd as a line of people dancing in a circle passed.
"Avatar! Dance with us!" someone shouted. Aang laughed and smiled widely.
Without hesitation, Aang joined the mixed group of settlers and villagers in the circle. Katara smiled fondly as she watched. "Katara," a deep voice said behind her. A large hand placed itself on her shoulder and she looked up at Haru's father. "You did much work as well. We are indebted to you once again."
"No," Katara assured him. "I just did what Aang said. The real work will be done by you and the other villagers."
"But not without your help," he insisted. He smiled warmly and patted her shoulder. "You should join the festivities. Celebrations like this don't happen very often."
Katara nodded and smiled as he walked away. Celebration... Slowly, her smile faded and her eyes widened. "Oh no..."
"Katara!" a voice shouted behind her and she whirled around. Haru was running forward, smiling and waving a hand in the air as he squeezed through holes in the crowds. "There you are! Some of the elders are asking for you to come by and try their cooking."
"Haru," Katara reached out and grabbed his arms. Large, worried eyes looked up at him. "How long have we been here?"
"You mean since we arrived from the South Pole?" he asked. Katara nodded. "Over a week and a half...almost two weeks."
Katara paled. Her hands dropped from his arms as she stumbled back. "No..."
"Katara?" Haru asked, concerned. His eyebrows furrowed as he stepped closer. "Katara, you don't look well."
"Where is Aang? I need to speak to him!" Katara began frantically. She darted forward, but Haru grabbed her arm and held her back.
"Katara, what's wrong?" he insisted. "You look terrified!"
"I need to leave!"
"Leave?" he gasped, his own eyes growing large. "But...the celebration just started-"
"No, it hasn't!" she said, pulling her arms away. "I'll miss it if I don't get going!"
"Katara, what are you talking about?" Haru exclaimed, still trying to hold on to her hand. "Why do you need to leave?"
She looked back at him. "I have somewhere else I need to be." she stressed.
"Katara..." Haru began. He looked around the area they were standing in. They were off to the side, away from the majority of the celebration happening closer to the platform area. His eyes moved back to her and squeezed her hand desperately. "Katara, I..." He trailed off and slowly looked away. His face was burning with a blush.
Even in the dark, the young waterbender could see the red tint on his cheeks as he bit his lower lip nervously. She turned her head away and pulled her hand back, not missing the sharp gasp from his lips as she did so. "I'm sorry, Haru," she told him, just loud enough so he could hear her. "I can't stay."
He closed his eyes and gave a nod of is head. He tried to ignore the pain in his chest as he turned back to her. "I'm sorry..." he said softly. "I didn't mean to make this uncomfortable for you."
"No, Haru...it's all right," Katara assured him. "I understand..." Her eyes drifted away. "You can't help how you feel..."
The earthbender lifted his head and looked at her. "I should've known you would've already found someone else..." he admitted sadly. He offered her a weak smile. "You've been around the world...someone must've caught your eye. He's a very lucky man."
Katara closed her eyes tightly and shook her head. No...No, he's not... She took a deep breath lifted gaze to meet his. "I'm sorry, Haru."
He shook his head. "Thank you for coming to my village," He said. He gave her a warm smile and bowed. "Katara of the Water Tribe."
Katara smiled back sadly, understanding his pain. She didn't want to hurt him, but she didn't want to lead him either. She nodded her head and raised her arms. "One last hug? Between friends?" She offered.
Haru chuckled slightly and nodded. "Friends." He asserted. As he and Katara met for a hug, a boomerang whipped past his head.
"Haru!" Sokka growled. "What did I tell you?"
"Its okay, Sokka," Katara assured her brother as she pulled away from Haru. "We're just friends."
"Yeah, right..." Sokka grumbled. He raised his hand and caught the weapon with ease at it returned to him. He kept his glare on the earthbender as Suki joined him.
"What are you guys still doing here?" Suki said. "Let's join them!"
"We can't," Katara replied, shaking her head. "We have to get going!"
"Get going for what?" Sokka said. He was chewing on a chicken leg he had picked up from one of the tables.
"We have two days to get to the Fire Kingdom, remember?" Katara told him, exasperated. "It's Zuko's 18th birthday! I told him we'd be there!" As she said his name, Haru's eyes widened with realization. He watched as Katara waved over Aang and began telling him what was going on. The young airbender's eyes widened. Apparently, he had forgotten as well. He nodded and motioned for Suki and Sokka to get Toph.
"Haru, sorry we have to leave so early," Aang said suddenly, snapping Haru out of his daze. "We completely missed a ship out to the Fire Nation. If we don't get started on Appa soon, we won't make it in time for the Fire Lord's celebration."
"Hundreds of leaders from around the world are going to be there," Katara gushed. "And they'll want to see Aang there."
"Thanks for having us, Haru," Aang added. "Come on, Katara. We need to thank Haru's parents and get moving."
Katara nodded and stepped aside as Aang went to look for Haru's parents. The two were left alone once again and Katara looked back at Haru. Reaching out, she took his hand and gave him a comforting squeeze. "You're a good guy, Haru. Thank you for everything."
He smiled back softly. "Have a save trip, Katara." The waterbender released his hand and bowed her head before disappearing off into the crowd. His eyes saddened as the smile left his face. Part of him couldn't believe it, yet the other part of him wondered why he didn't realize it sooner. Katara of the Water Tribe was in love with Fire Lord Zuko.
A.N. - Just a quick update. This was a rather boring filler chapter, but at least Haru has been properly denied. I will be busy this coming week with plans for the next weekends, but I will try to update when I can. Thank you all for your patience and for reading!
