A/N: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender. I only own my own OCs.
Trigger Warning: mentioning of kidnapping
So sick of this lonely air
It seems such a waste of breath
So much that I need to say
So much to get off my chest
Chapter 5: Old Faces, New Betrayals
A few days after encountering Aunt Wu and saving the village from an erupting volcano, Zora continued to keep her fortunes to herself. Sokka tried a few times to see what Aunt Wu said to her, but Zora kept saying she wasn't ready to talk about it.
The biggest thing on her mind was her father.
Her mother spoke little to nothing about her father growing up. Of course when Zora was little, she asked why a lot of her neighbors had their dads around but not her. Hanna always played it off the best she could. "We're perfect just the way we are, Zora." That's always something she would say. It always made her wonder what he was like. Was he a strong earth bender like her? Did he have the same colored eyes that made her so unique?
Most importantly… Why didn't he want to know about her?
Zora tried her best to shake off the feeling, like she had for her entire life, but something about Aunt Wu's fortune did not sit right with her.
Zora and her friends eventually made their way through a forest before stumbling upon a small beach, where Sokka found a couple weapons.
"These are Water Tribe weapons." He concluded.
Zora walked next to him and examined the hatchet he held. "Is that a whale's tooth?"
"Sure is." He sounded proud, Zora noted.
Sokka then looked at the arrow, examining it closely. "This is burned." His eyes turned to slits. He looked around and found a nearby tree with slash marks on the bark. "There was a battle." He placed his hand on the trunk of the tree, his fingertips gliding over the marks. "What tribe warriors ambushed a group of firebenders. The firebenders fought back, but the warriors drove them down this hill." He showed the ripped up ground where skid marks led a path down the hill.
Zora's eyes grew a bit, impressed with how Sokka knew all this just by a couple observations.
Suddenly, Sokka was running down the hill, everyone following suit.
They made it to the beach, where Sokka looked around even more.
"So then what happened?" Aang asked.
"I don't know. The trail ends here." Sokka said, sighing.
Zora and Katara looked around, both spotting something in the distance. Katara spoke up, "wait, look!"
Sokka and Aang whipped their heads to find a boat that was anchored to the sand next to a boulder. Sokka gasped, "it's one of our boats!"
Everyone smiled before running towards the boat. Sokka and Katara walked up to the boat, while Zora and Aang hung back a bit. "Is this dad's boat?" Zora heard Katara ask her brother.
"No, but it's from his fleet." He concluded. "Dad was here."
Eventually the group decided to set up camp and rest for the remainder of the day. Aang and Katara had fallen asleep, Aang curled up on Appa and Katara in her sleeping sack.
Zora sat on a log adjacent to Sokka's log, who had not spoken much since the other two fell asleep. Sokka's blue eyes were focused on the dimming fire in front of them, his stick poking at it every now to keep the embers going. She didn't want to disturb him, knowing that feeling a bit too well.
The nights Zora's nightmares became too unbearable, she would sit with Sokka while he held Appa's reigns. Sometimes, Sokka wouldn't say anything because Zora wasn't ready to talk, and she appreciated that so much.
This is how Sokka was tonight, so Zora sat. She waited for him to speak when he was ready.
"You don't have to stay awake with me if you don't want to." He spoke gently.
Zora shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not too tired." However, she struggled to keep a yawn at bay, trying to hide it in her shoulder. Sokka chuckled a bit.
"I'm okay. I promise."
She nodded, "I know you are. I just want you to know I'm here if you-"
Suddenly, there was a rustle from behind them. They both stood up, anxiety racking through Zora. Sokka reached behind him and grabbed his hatchet.
"Who's there?" Sokka yelled in the distance.
Zora saw a man walking towards them, so she resulted in her earth bending stance. "Don't come any closer!" She yelled, her fists ready.
The man did not listen.
She was about to stomp her foot when she heard the man speak. "Sokka?"
She stilled, as did Sokka. His eyes grew wide as the man came closer, and his appearance became clearer.
It was a middle aged man with long brown hair that was half up in a ponytail, slightly tan skin with some pale hints to it, Water Tribe robes, and bandages that covered the entire left side of his body.
"Bato?" Sokka gasped, a questionable look on his face.
By the time this happened, Aang and Katara had stirred awake. Aang was still trying to fully process what he had just heard. "Who the what now?"
Zora let her guard down and stood closer to Sokka. Katara had stood up, gasping as well. "Bato!"
A smile spread on the siblings faces, as they raced towards this man named Bato. They flung their arms around him, almost like someone seeing their best friend for the first time in a while.
"Sokka, Katara! It is so good to see you two!" Bato said, hugging the two teenagers. "Oh, you've grown so much."
Aang and Zora walked together towards the trio. Aang introduced himself first, because ya know, Avatar things.
"Hi! I'm Aang."
Zora nodded, "and I'm Zora."
However, Sokka was way too excited for introductions. "Where's dad?" He asked quickly.
"Is he here?" Katara inquired.
Bato shook his head, "No, he and the other warriors should be in the Eastern Earth Kingdom by now."
Sokka and Katara's heads hung low, when the wind began to pick up. A chill ran up everyone's body, Zora shivering a bit. Even Bato shuddered at the wind. "This is no place for a reunion. Let's get inside."
He wrapped his arms around Sokka and Katara, leading them away from Zora and Aang. Bato glanced over his shoulder, gesturing to the two stragglers to follow them. For some reason, Zora felt slightly annoyed. She quickly shook it off, walking with Aang and following the Water Tribe people in front of them.
The moon was high in the sky, Zora noticed. It was big and round, able to be seen as clearly as ever. The brightness illuminated the beach, and displayed a boat bigger than the fleet they had found earlier. Zora and Aang had managed to catch up to the three, just as Bato finished the story he was telling the siblings.
"Your father carried me to this abbey. The sisters have cared for me ever since." He paused and yelled ahead. "Superior, these are Kota's children. They have been traveling with the Avatar and an Earth Kingdom girl. I found them by my boat."
The women approached Aang. "Young avatar, it gives me great joy to be in your presence. Welcome to our abbey."
Aang bowed his head. "Thank you, it's truly an honor to be here." He smiled. "If there's anything-"
"What smells so good, Bato?" Sokka interrupted. Zora frowned, scowling at him.
Zora pushed it away, however, and moved to introduce herself to the women. "Thank you for letting us be here," she said politely, "My name is Zora." The women bowed their heads in respect.
Bato spoke again, "the Sisters craft ointments and perfumes."
"Perfume? Maybe we could dump some on Appa, because he stinks so much." Sokka exaggerated. Zora pet Appa's nose gently.
"You don't smell that bad, buddy." She whispered to the large creature. Appa huffed through his nose a bit, signaling that he agreed with her. Zora giggled quietly.
"You have your father's wit." Bato deadpanned. Zora stifled a laugh, trying not to make Sokka mad. Katara rolled her eyes at her brother.
Bato walked the group over to a nearby door. He opened it, revealing a room with a fire pit, fur rugs, Water Tribe weapons hanging in the wall, and traditional Water Tribe tapestry hanging along the biggest wall too. Zora admired the room quietly, her eyes wandering.
"Bato! It looks like home!" Katara gasped, running in, Sokka close behind her.
"Everything's here, even the pelts!" Sokka kneeled down and ran his hands through the fur.
Aang gulped and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, nothing's cozier than dead animal skins."
Zora elbowed Aang in his forearm. "Ow!" He whispered. She glowered at him. "Be nice."
Sokka, Katara, and Bato gathered on the three mats and sat down around the black kettle that was hanging above the fire. Bato removed the lid to reveal a stew of some sort.
"No way! Stewed sea prunes?" Katara said, practically drooling over the substance.
"Help yourself." Bato offered.
"Dad could eat a whole barrel of these things." Sokka voiced.
Aang and Zora were handed a bowl, sniffing it, but boy what a mistake that was. Both Aang and Zora scrunch their noses, Aang almost gasping for air and gagging. They both sat a ways away from the others, considering there weren't many other places to sit near the fire.
"Bato, is it true you and dad lassoed an arctic hippo?" Katara asked eagerly.
Bato chuckled a bit, "it was your father's idea. He just dragged me along." He then paused. "Well, the hippo did the dragging."
Sokka and Katara ate their dish quickly, while Aang piped into the conversation.
"Hey, I ride animals, too! One time there was this giant eel and I-"
But alas, he was once again interrupted.
"So, who was it that came up with the great blubber fiasco?" Sokka asked. Zora scowled at Sokka again from behind him. She almost wanted to kick his back to make him realize he was being a jerk.
Bato laughed, "you knew about that?"
"Everyone does!" Katara added.
"What's that story?" Aang asked, very intrigued.
Sokka waved his hand at Aang dismissively. Zora huffed quietly, her anger starting to rise. "It's a long one, Aang. Some other time."
Aang's shoulders fell a bit, his face suddenly disappointed. Zora put her hand on his left shoulder, signaling to him that she was with him. Aang smiled graciously at her, mouthing a "thanks" to her. She smiled.
"You and dad had so many hilarious adventures." Katara noted.
"Not all of them were hilarious at the time," Bato started, "but everything's funny with hindsight."
Zora didn't even notice Aang got up and quietly moved to a head dress, putting it on his head. Bato spotted him though, "Aang, please put that down. It's ceremonial and very fragile."
Zora whipped her head and bit back another laugh, the ridiculous looking thing on his head and his scared look of getting caught almost made her burst out laughing altogether. Aang placed the item gently back on the wall.
"Was it you or dad that put an octopus on your head and convinced Gran-Gran you were a water spirit?" Sokka asked.
Zora saw Aang begin to walk towards the back of the cabin, so she placed her bowl down and stood up. "Excuse me, I'll be right back."
However, her words were not heard. She walked and sat next to Aang, who positioned himself in the corner, lazily lying against the wall. She sat and crossed her legs, gently pulling them to her chest. "Sorry, Aang." She apologized on behalf of her friends.
Aang shrugged, feeling a bit upset. "It's not your fault."
"They're just excited to see him, it feels like. Just let them have their moment."
He sighed, but nodded his head. She wrapped her left arm around him, laying her head on top of his. He leaned a bit more into Zora.
Zora and Aang hadn't had much alone time together, but the few moments they did, they had made a small connection. Zora felt like he was her little brother, wanting to protect him and defend him at all costs. Aang had even given her some words of wisdom when she had felt misplaced with the group. She knew that Aang wasn't just an ordinary teenager, but she knew he still had feelings like one.
Bato and the siblings continued to speak for a little while longer, while Zora and Aang sat in the corner of the cabin, having their own conversation. Momo was snuggled against Zora's leg as she gently stroked the creature's head.
One thing caught Aang and Zora's attention though. Bato sat up a little straighter, clearing his throat. "There's something I should tell you kids. I'm expecting a message from your father."
"Really?" Katara asked excitedly.
"When?!" Sokka interjected.
"Any day now. Your father said he'd send a message when he found a rendezvous point. If you wait here until the message arrives, you can come with me and see your father again."
Zora and Aang both tensed up a bit. They quickly glanced at one another, almost as if they had the same thought. Zora was nervous that the siblings would abandon their journey, as selfish as she sounded. She wanted them to continue to help Aang like she wanted them to. Zora could tell that Aang had the same fears and concerns. His face gandered towards the three Water Tribe people, and he gulped quietly.
"It's been over two years since we've seen dad. That would be so incredible. Katara!" Sokka said, his smile as big as ever. Zora was happy for the boy, but sad at the same time at the thought of them not continuing on with their journey.
"I do really miss him. It would be great to see dad." Katara said.
Aang turned his head away from the group and crossed his arms. Zora placed her right hand on Aang's shoulder, letting him know that she was there for him.
"It's been far too long, hasn't it?" Bato asked.
Suddenly, Aang stood up and walked out of the cabin. Zora, concerned about the boy, stood up with Momo in her arms. She walked after him, making sure he wasn't alone.
"Aang-"
"Don't, Zora." he kept walking, his feet leading him back to the beach where they had set up camp.
Zora sighed, following him. "I know this hurts but-"
"They're just going to abandon us like this? Why?" Aang questioned, looking everywhere but at Zora. "T-They promised."
"Aang, this is their-"
"I know, it's their dad. I get it, but what about saving the world? What about stopping the Fire Lord? What about-"
Zora finally stepped in front of him, stopping the boy in his tracks. She placed Momo on her shoulder, and her hands went to Aang's shoulders. She had noticed the boy had gotten a bit taller in the last few weeks. He was not just about two inches shy of being her height. His big brown eyes stared at hers, tears threatening to fall from them. Zora smiled sadly at her friend.
"They'll find their dad and rejoin us somewhere, I know they will. Katara wouldn't leave you like this."
"They've had no problem ignoring us all night, Zora. What makes you think they would care about following us now?"
She sighed, her head hanging down a little. "I understand you're hurt Aang, but you-"
"No, I don't need to understand what they're feeling." He snapped, shoving Zora's arms away from his shoulders. "I just want my friends to not abandon us." He continued walking. Zora sighed again and walked behind him.
"You don't have to follow me." He said.
"I want to, Aang." She assured him.
He stopped in his tracks and turned around, facing her. She smiled at him softly. "I'm here for you."
He took a deep breath, nodding his head. He let Zora catch up to him before they both walked back to the beach. They found the old Water Tribe fleet, deciding to climb on to it and watch the waves crash against the night sky. Zora's hair was knotted into a fishtail looking braid, a couple front pieces of her hair free from the hold. Aang sat with his knees to his chest and arms circled around his legs. Zora sat with her legs crossed, Momo settling in her lap.
"I can't believe they would leave me." Aang whispered sadly.
Suddenly, they heard neighing in the distance from an ostrich horse. It galloped towards the two, with a man riding on its back dressed in Earth Kingdom armor. It approached fast, Zora not having time to stand up quick enough. Aang flew himself onto the edge of the fleet.
The soldier stopped once it noticed Aang. "I'm looking for Bato of the Water Tribe."
"Uh, I know Bato." Aang said slowly.
The soldier stood up to hand Aang a scroll. "Make sure he gets this." Aang gently grabbed the scroll, and the soldier rode off into the night. Zora made her way over to Aang and looked over his shoulder as he opened the scroll.
On it was a map of where Sokka and Katara's dad's fleet was in the Earth Kingdom. Both Zora and Aang gasped, Momo's eyes even looking over the scroll.
"It's the map to Sokka and Katara's dad." Aang noted. Zora tried to read it closer, but Aang suddenly crumpled it in his hands.
Zora's eyes shot to Aang. "Aang, don't."
He quickly shoved the ruined scroll in his pocket. "I don't want them to leave."
Zora sighed. "Why don't I take it? That way it won't get lost. You're constantly airbending and it could blow away."
Aang looked over his shoulder, sighing. He reached into his pocket and handed the paper to Zora. She put it in her breast pocket on her robes, making sure it wouldn't get out. She patted Aang on the shoulder. "Let's head back, okay?"
He nodded without looking at her. They both climbed off the fleet, Momo flying behind them, and walked back to the cabin. Zora and Aang entered the cabin again to find Bato, Sokka, and Katara in the same spots as when they left.
"Hey, everyone." Aang said, making sure to let them know he had left and come back. Zora rolled her eyes a bit at the petty gesture. "Sorry we were gone so long."
"Oh, hey Aang! I didn't notice you left."
Aang's eyes twitched a bit, Zora noticed, but he kept his cool. "Yep, and now I'm back. Sure could go for some delicious sea prunes!"
Aang sat down next to his friends, making sure Zora had a spot to sit as well. He picked up his bowl from before and shoved the food into his mouth. Zora's face scrunched up in disgust, Momo staring at the boy from her shoulder with a similar face.
"Did you go with him?" Sokka asked Zora, an eyebrow hitching at her.
She nodded as they all watched Aang almost choke on his food. She sighed softly, but hugged her cup of tea in her cold hands.
The next day, the group walked back to the beach with Bato, basking in the warm sun. Bato was admiring the fleet that sat on the sand. "This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father."
Zora heard a quiet gust of air behind her and turned to see what the noise was. Aang was whistling and held his hands behind his back. She cocked an eyebrow at the boy, wondering what he was up to.
"Yep, it's got the scar to prove it." She heard Bato say, missing the first part of the conversation thanks to Aang. "How about you, Sokka? You must have some good stories from your first time ice dodging."
Sokka's eyes casted downwards. Katara spoke up for him. "He never got to go. Dad left before he was old enough."
Zora looked at Sokka sadly, catching his glimpse. He quickly looked away from her though, almost ashamed of the fact he missed out on memories with his father.
"Oh, I forgot you were too young." Bato apologized.
"What's ice dodging?" Aang asked innocently, trying to be part of the conversation.
"It's a rite of passage for young Water Tribe members. When you turn 16, your dad takes you… You know what? You're about to find out, Sokka." Bato placed his hand on Sokka's shoulder. Sokka looked up at the man, smiling.
They all boarded the ship and set out onto the body of water. Bato explained what ice dodging was to everyone before Sokka took hold of the sail, ready to perform at his best. Katara and Zora were in charge of the mainsail, while Aang was directed to control the jib. Bato was explaining to Aang that his position was solely based on trust.
Zora saw Aang's temple twitch a bit, as he twiddled his thumbs. "I know that! Why wouldn't I know that? I'm the Avatar! I know about trust!"
Zora mentally kicked Aang, almost smacking her forehead. "What's with him?" Katara asked.
"Who knows, he's a boy." Zora pointed out.
Katara giggled. "Yes he is."
The next twenty minutes became a bit too hectic for Zora's liking. Everyone worked together well to get through the ice dodging, but Zora laid flat on her back once the boat had settled away from all the rocks they had almost crashed into. Momo sat on her chest as it fell and rose, trying to regulate her breathing. Sokka stood over her, snickering at her. "You okay?"
"Peachy." She said, as he smirked down at her, offering her a hand. She took it as Sokka helped her to feet. Bato and Sokka guided the ship back to shore, where they all got off and stood on the sand. Zora's black pants were soaked around the ankles, and her braid had become untidied. She took out her hair tie and let her long brown hair flow in the beach winds. Although, she didn't see Sokka staring at her.
Bato called everyone over together, as he held a paste in a bowl. He stood in front of Sokka with the paste, putting his two fingers in it, before smearing the paste on Sokka's forehead. Sokka earned the Mark of the Wise. Katara and Zora earned the mark of the Brave, and Aang earned the Mark of the Trusted.
However, that didn't go over well with Aang at all.
"I can't." he said sadly.
Zora's eyes widened, while Sokka and Katara looked at him confused. "Aang…" Zora whispered.
Sokka looked at her, his eyebrow bitched in confusion. "What is he talking about?"
"Of course you can!" Katara said happily.
Aang wiped the paste off of his forehead, backing away slowly. "No, you can't trust me."
"Aang, what are you talking about?" Katara asked.
Aang looked at Zora, who was shaking her head. She knew this wouldn't go over well at all. He sighed and hung his head down. "A messenger stopped by last night and gave us a scroll for Bato." He walked over to Zora and unzipped her pocket, taking the crumbled scroll out. He walked over and handed it to Katara for her to see.
"Aang, you didn't have to-" Zora whispered to Aang, but he shook his head.
All three Water Tribe members looked at the scroll, soon finding out it was from the siblings' father. Aang continued, "You have to understand, I was afraid you wouldn't-"
"Aang, you don't have to lie for me." Zora suddenly interjected. Aang looked at Zora, his eyes wide with fear. "You know I crumpled up that scroll, please don't take the fall for me." She lied. Zora knew that her friends would hate her, she knew Sokka would never talk to her again.
But she knew Aang needed them more than she did. She knew Aang needed their help saving the world.
Zora didn't need to continue this journey.
Katara gasped, putting a hand over her mouth, while Sokka angrily ripped the scroll from his sister's hands. "This is the map to our father! You had it the whole time, Zora?!" He yelled, staring angrily at the girl. "How could you?!" He yelled even louder.
Zora looked up at Sokka, his face read anger, but his eyes displayed unbelievable betrayal. She winced at his gazed, hugging her arms around her middle. "S-Sokka…" She tried to plead.
"No, you can go back home by yourself! We're going to find our dad!" He screamed at her. He turned around and began to stomp away.
Bato tried to stop him. "Now, Sokka, I think you should-"
"Katara, Aang, are you with me?" He asked the two.
Katara looked back at Zora, who looked at the girl apologetically. However, Katara closed her eyes, tears forming in the corners. "I'm with you, Sokka." she said finally.
Zora felt tears streaming down her cheeks, trying to hold in her sob. Momo purred gently on her shoulder. Katara turned to Aang, "c'mon, Aang."
Aang looked at Zora, sad for her, his shoulders falling a bit. He ran over to her, hugging her gently. "I'm sorry." He whispered to her. She hugged him back, squeezing him a little. "Don't be. Take care of them for me. Especially…" she trailed off. They pulled away, Aang nodding at the girl in front of him. He knew she meant Sokka. He knew she cared for him. A sob escaped her throat, and she let go of Aang. He walked back with his friends. Bato, casting a disappointed look at Zora, walked away with the rest of the group, leaving Zora to herself.
Zora sank to her knees in the sand, her hands fisting the sand next to her. Sobs racked her body, she fell forward so she leaned on her forearms. Her heart broke slowly, never wishing to see that look in Sokka's eyes ever again. But, would she even see Sokka again?
Zora started to collect herself, wiping her tears as best as she could. She went to slowly stand up, but suddenly a hand wrapped around her mouth and an iron grip around her middle, trapping her arms to her side. She tried to break free, but she saw someone tying a cloth around her ankles. She tried to scream, but the sounds only met with muffled attempts.
"Stay quiet, and we won't hurt your friends." A cold, sinister voice whispered into her ear.
Zora's eyes widened, scared that this man knew of her friends. She stilled, not making any more attempts to break free. She couldn't risk her friends getting hurt.
Even if they did hate her now.
Sokka, Katara, and Aang were packing up after defeating Zuko and his weird, bounty-hunter girlfriend from yet another abduction attempt. Sokka was tying his bag to Appa's saddle, when Aang came and sighed loudly next to him.
Sokka looked at the teenager quickly, his eyebrow hitching up in question. "What's up, Aang?"
Aang casted his gaze to the right, avoiding eye contact. This must've not been good. "I… I was the one who didn't want to give you guys the map at first."
Sokka stilled in his spot. His heart skipped a slow, agonizing beat. Zora.
"Zora took the blame for me, I'm not sure why. It wasn't her though. We can't just leave her behind, Sokka. S-She cares too much about us.. about you."
Sokka continued to stare at the teenager. "Aang, why didn't you-"
"I didn't want to lose you two. We've been in this together since you guys saved me from the iceberg. I'm so sorry," he started to tear up a bit, "Zora shouldn't be left behind. Please, Sokka."
Sokka's heart was thumping rapidly, he felt his arms shake a bit. He was going to leave Zora behind, all because of his blind rage. How could he do that? They were… friends.
No, she's more than that.
Sokka nodded at Aang once, before turning and yelling for his sister. "Katara! We have to go!"
Katara ran over, not before hugging Bato goodbye. Sokka and Bato saluted each other, before they were off. Appa flew back to the beach in no time, but to find that there was no girl. Sokka's eyes widened in fear.
Appa landed next to the Water Tribe Ship, but not before Sokka was already leaping from the saddle once close enough to the ground. He looked everywhere, but didn't see her, or anyone.
Sokka heard the sound of a chipper, looking up to find Momo flying to him. Momo gave Sokka an almost desperate look, and then flew over a couple feet to the left of them. Sokka walked over to Momo to find not just small footprints of a woman, but multiple sets of footprints around them. He also noticed footprints of many ostrich horses.
He gasped, and fell to his knees. His heart was constricted with worry and guilt. He felt his breathing speed up, his eyes pricked with tears.
"Zora…"
A/N: to be honest, I haven't written a cliffhanger in a while! I'll be sure to get this next chapter up soon. The song in the beginning is Make It to Me by Sam Smith. Feels perfect for Sokka and Zora in their beginning stages of their feelings for each other. See you all soon!