A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for delaying this chapter, it took me a while to write it and I kinda just wanted a break from things over the easter holidays. Having said that, this chapter is extra long that you'll be happy to hear. I wanted to split it into two chapters, but there just wasn't a good place to do so, so you're getting the whole thing together XD
Also, I wanted to thank you all so much for your support! Just crossed the 300 review mark which is insane! When I first joined the site, my aim was always 100 and maybe even 200 if I ever got lucky and you guys just went to triple that, so I'm really grateful to each and every one of you! It means a lot, so thank you! :) I really hope you all enjoy this chapter, it's got a lot going on as I try to tie up loose ends.
2 Days Later:
Aang's POV:
I stare at her as she lies so painfully still in that hospital bed. Fluids are running through one arm, an extra cannula in her other while an oxygen mask covers her nose and mouth. Her head sports a white bandage from where the bricks had hit her when she used her body as a living shield to protect me.
I grip my knees tightly from my seated position by her bed, wishing that she'd just wake up and look at me with that soft expression of hers. Heck, she could be as angry as the battering waves for all I care as long as she was awake and not lying so quiet and unmoving as she is. 'I can't believe I let this happen to her. I just...lost control. I saw Roku's dead body and I...'
I close my eyes, unwilling to allow myself to open that can of worms just yet. But I feel the wetness slide down my cheeks regardless and my shoulders shake. 'Why does everything I touch get hurt?' I cry silently as I continue to watch the girl.
Her chest slowly rising up and down is the only indicator I have to know that she's still alive. That I hadn't killed her with my own foolishness. 'Look at what I brought to her. It's not enough that I emotionally hurt her, but I had to put her in a coma too?' I hiss at myself as memories of the event plagues my mind.
2 Days prior:
I airbend the bricks from around me, coughing as dust poisons my lungs. I cringe when I try to move as something sharp sticks into my side. But before I can contemplate it any further, my eyes widen when I remember how Katara tried to shield me from the roof's collapse before I realised what was going on.
I jerk myself up to a sitting position as I snap my head to either side of me. My heart stops when I spot a chocolate-coloured hand poking out of the rubble.
"Katrara!" I shout as I push myself to my knees and frantically shove building materials off her.
I freeze when I've uncovered her. Blood trickles down from her temple and her eyes remain closed.
"Oh spirits no. Please no." I choke out as I stretch out a shaky hand to feel for her pulse. 'I won't be able to take it if I lost her too.' I beg as my fingers press against the underside of her jaw.
The most painful seconds of my life tick by before I feel her pulse throb against my fingers, erratic and irregular. I almost feel like sobbing right then and there as I gasp my next words.
"Thank the spirits." I uncover her legs from the rest of the wreckage. 'If I hadn't thrown up an air shield at the last possible moment, she'd be dead right now.' I think to myself with trembling hands as I scoop her up in my arms. 'She needs a hospital.' I realise numbly as I get to my feet, but either I'm drained from all that power I used in the Avatar State or that infection has finally taken hold as I find my knees buckling underneath me.
I twist my body just in time so that the unconscious waterbender lands on me as we tumble to the ground. I grit my teeth and push myself up, keeping the girl on my lap as panic starts to set in.
"Shoot, what am I going to do now?!" I curse under my breath. My question is answered a moment later as I hear scurrying feet.
"KATARA! AANG!" Sokka's yells fills me with indescribable relief.
"Sokka!" I shout, although not as loud as I hoped I'd be. It must've been loud enough as the older boy's face enters my line of vision. His face immediately pales as he sees his sister lying motionlessly on my lap. For a moment, the older boy is unable to say anything as his knees gives underneath him as he stares at his sister.
"Is she...?" Sokka's voice trembles as he reaches a hand to feel for a pulse at her wrist.
"She's alive." I hastily say. "But she needs urgent treatment." I add urgently. That seems to snap the man out of his stupor as he nods his head frantically.
"Of course. TOPH!" Sokka screeches, I flinch at the loudness as guilt swarms within me at seeing Katara's brother so terrified like this. It's a long minute before the short haired girl appears from the wreckage.
"What's with the yell..." She trails off as the corner of her lips twitch down. "Spirits Sugarqueen." The earthbender curses as she sprints towards us. She doesn't waste any time in creating an earth slab beside me. "Put her on that and I'll get her out of here." Toph instructs.
With Sokka's help, we transfer the waterbender onto the makeshift stretcher. When she's settled, I shift up onto my feet, but as soon as I'm standing, the world spins around me. 'Shoot, not now. I need to know if Katara will be ok.' I beg silently, but the spinning only worsens and I find myself stumbling forward in an effort to follow Toph and Sokka.
The non-bender spares me a glance and when he sees me clutching my head he stops abruptly and stretches out a hand towards me.
"Jeez Aang, are you ok? You look..." My ears drown out his next words as I find myself falling forward. Arms rush to grab me, but we both end up falling to the ground.
"What on earth are you two doing?! Sweetness over here needs a hospital and you two are just messing around!" Toph's angry shouting hurts my head even more.
"Aang? Snap out of it buddy!" Sokka voices as he snaps his fingers in front of my face. I squint my eyes at him as my fever takes hold.
"Katara...make sure she's ok. Please." I plead as my vision starts swimming with black. I feel the water tribe man shaking me and clutching me tightly.
"Woah, stay with me buddy." Sokka insists frantically, but I can feel myself drifting out of consciousness.
"I'm sorry." I whisper as I close my eyes to rid myself of the throbbing pain from my abdomen.
"Aang!" I hear him shout in fear.
"Stop your whining Snoozles, he's still alive! Sheesh, put him up on here with Sugarqueen." Toph orders. I feel myself being moved a moment later, but my exhaustion takes hold and the last thing I hear is Toph's muttered complaints. "Can't believe you have me moving two unconscious bodies on our day off, some fun you let me get involved in."
Present Day:
My hands clench more tightly until I see the knuckles go white. 'If I knew how to control the Avatar State, then this wouldn't have happened and the only person who could've taught me is...' My throat closes up at the thought of the old man. I've been trying so hard to avoid even thinking about my guardian, but it's becoming increasingly difficult as I watch the unconscious waterbender.
"Aang?" I look up at the sound of my name to find Sokka standing in the doorway in surprise. I try to smile in greeting, but it comes out as a grimace instead. "What are you doing here?" The older boy asks in confusion as he closes the door behind him and goes around the hospital bed to stand opposite me.
"I had to see if she was ok." I mumble as I return my gaze to the girl. Her eyes remain closed and her body is still so motionless.
"You should be resting. The doctor said you had sepsis or something weird like that? Point is, you sitting up and watching her isn't going to speed up her healing any quicker or yours for that matter." Sokka chastens as he places the plastic carrier bag he's holding on the small side table.
"Did they tell you what's wrong with her?" I ask, sidestepping his advice. He frowns at me.
"Well, yes. But don't worry, she'll be ok." The engineering student insists. I fist my baggy trousers tightly.
"Tell me." I request simply.
"Aang, I don't think that's a good..." He starts unsurely, but I cut him off with one glance.
"Please." The plea is more emotionless than I thought it would be, but it's enough for the man to halt his arguments.
"She has a couple of broken ribs, a fractured leg and a…well they called it an extradural haemorrhage. Basically a brain bleed, but she's already had surgery for that. Oh, and a laceration to her arm which they stitched up too. Not sure why doctors always enjoy throwing out a bunch of fancy words." Sokka grumbles after he's finished listing his sister's injuries. I pull my hands off my trousers and clasp them tightly together in my lap to try and still their trembling. When the man notices my subdued behaviour, he bites his lip.
"You know this isn't your fault, right?" The older boy voices softly as he comes to crouch in front of me. I can't look him in the eye and have to turn my head.
"Katara's in a coma because of me. How is that not my fault?!" I argue heatedly, feeling frustrated at his lack of anger towards me.
"I'm not blaming you for something that you never caused." Sokka retorts stubbornly.
"Well, you should." I mutter with clenched fists. "The roof came down because I couldn't control myself." I add bitterly.
"Oh, you mean after you just saw your guardian killed in from of you? Who could control themselves after something like that?!" I flinch hard at Sokka's bluntness.
"Sokka don't." My whisper is strangled as I try to control my heavy breathing, but the older boy isn't letting up.
"Aang, you just lost someone you were close to. It's ok to let yourself feel that pain." The watertribe man voices gently, but I find my lips quivering.
"You wouldn't understand." I mumble as I stare hard at the white sheets covering Katara's lower half.
"Then make me." The engineering student insists.
"If I let myself feel the pain, I'll slip right into the Avatar State. I can't do that anymore. I'm sick of the destruction I keep causing." I utter as bile forces its way up my throat. A hand rests on my shoulder, urging me to look away from Katara's still form and into familiar blue eyes.
"Buddy, it's ok to not be ok." Sokka whispers softly. Tears sting my eyes at how kind he's being to me, despite everything.
"Why aren't you mad at me? Katara's in a coma." I choke out. The older boy's eyebrows furrow as he stares at me.
"Well, for one thing I know she'll be ok. Katara has always been a fighter." Sokka murmurs affectionately as he briefly flickers his eyes to his sister before returning his gaze to me. "Another thing is, I can see how much you care about her. And because you're torturing yourself enough over it as it is." The man answers wisely with a small knowing smile. My eyes skirt away from his.
"I should go." I stutter while pushing my chair back and getting clumsily to my feet. The watertribe man slowly rises to his feet also as he watches me closely.
"I know it's too soon to bring this up, but my Dad said it can't wait. You know you need a new guardian, right?" Sokka voices cautiously. A throttling sound escapes me as I grasp the stand for my IV fluids tightly.
"I'm old enough to take care of myself." I whisper quietly. Sokka raises his hands in a placating manner as he nods his head.
"I know that, but legally you still need one till you're 18. Dad's job is still to find you a safe place to live. Ozai might've been arrested, but there are still others who escaped." Sokka's face darkens as he says this and I immediately know who he's referring to. My face falls.
"Yon Rha is still out there?" I echo back numbly. The thought alone prompts a flare of phantom pain to run up and down my body as a bout of anxiety enters me. It must've shown on my face as the engineering student immediately kicks himself.
"It's not important right now. I just...Dad had an idea. He...he's willing to become your legal guardian if you don't mind." Sokka says, dropping the bombshell as he eyes me carefully. I freeze at the suggestion, before slowly backing away.
"No. No way! Has he learnt nothing from what has happened?! He should be pushing me a thousand miles away from him, not bringing me closer!" I voice angrily, frustrated that no one sees the danger I pose and the pain that I've already brought upon them. The ponytailed man raises his hands defensively.
"It wasn't my idea. He did also suggest Kuzon, but Dad's not all that sure he trusts him yet. Point is, you need a guardian otherwise you'll be put back into an orphanage." Sokka explains. I almost vomit at hearing that word.
"NO!" I bellow with wide eyed fear. I don't realise I'm shaking until Sokka crosses the distance between us to pull me in a hug.
"Hey it's ok. I get it, you don't want what happened before to happen again. Listen, maybe Dad being your legal guardian is your best bet. I mean, would it be so bad if we were brothers?" The older boy asks teasingly.
I swallow as my cheek remains pressed against his shoulder as he pats my back. 'This is...different. Sokka has never been big on hugs like his sister is.' I think dumbly, before shaking my head and pulling away as Roku's words echo in my ear.
You don't tell them.
People will come after you.
Assassination.
My stomach twists as a wave of nausea washes over me.
"I can't do it. Roku..." I trail off at voicing the man's name and tears collect in my eyes at the thought of him. 'Why did you die for me? Was I really worth that much for you to protect me?' I wonder with trembling lips.
"Aang?" The older boy probes softly as he returns a hand to my shoulder. I drop my gaze to the floor.
"I'm dangerous. Being the Avatar makes me a risk to everyone around me. I'm not doing that to your family Sokka. I'll... I'll think of something else." I plead earnestly, but the watertribe man looks anything but convinced.
"Aang, this might sound crazy but when I look at you, I kind of feel like you are part of the family. I mean, you grew up in the same city as us, you've already been round to our house, you're who I sit with during lectures and you care about Katara as much as I do. What more is there?" Sokka voices honestly as he gazes at me with open and steady eyes. A lump lodges itself in my throat as I start shaking my head vigorously.
"No please, don't do this to me." I croak as I side step around the man.
"Don't do what?" Sokka demands as confusion enters his blue orbs.
"Don't give me another family to destroy." I choke back before backing out of the room as quickly as I can. The wounded expression on the man's face has me almost bending over in guilt.
"Just think about it!" He hollers just as the door closes behind me. I screw my eyes closed before pushing my IV fluid stand forward. 'Kuzon. I need to talk to Kuzon.' I decide to myself, but the twisting in my stomach fails to ease.
As I walk awkwardly down the hospital corridor, the urge to rip the fluid line out of my arm gets increasing strong. I'm just about to fiddle with it until I spot Kuzon lying on a bed in the next room. The firebender is grimacing as he unwraps one of the bandages around his torso. I bite my lip before entering.
"You shouldn't be doing that." I advise lightly. The man's head snaps up and his hands immediately drop to his lap at the sight of me. He doesn't seem to know what to say for a minute before he purses his lips.
"I'm glad you're alright. I heard you had a nasty infection of some sort." He finally says. I shrug my shoulders.
"And I heard you had third degree burns over half your body." I throw back, making the man's lips twitch into a half smile.
"Still as sharp as ever." Kuzon jokes lightly, but I don't smile. He coughs awkwardly before rubbing his neck.
"Was there something you wanted to say?" The firebender asks as he drops his hand to the mattress.
"Why'd you do it? You've never stuck up for anyone before. Why now?" I query, the question having bugged me since it happened. My father's best friend exhales loudly as he leans back against his pillows.
"When your parents died, I promised your father on his gravestone that I'd look out for you. I could tell that girl meant something to you and I couldn't stand to see you look so desperate." Kuzon pauses and drops his gaze to the bed sheets. "I guess, I was tired of being the coward and wanted to show you how sorry I was." He adds in a mutter before raising his eyes to meet mine. I swallow and flicker my gaze away.
"Well, I owe you a thank you. I don't know what I would've done otherwise." I mumble as I kick at some imaginary dust on the ground. From the corner of my eyes, I see the man shrug before a twinkle enters his amber orbs.
"So, who is that girl? Are you two more than friends?" The firebender asks with a wide grin. Heat rushes to my cheeks as I glare at the man.
"No!" I yell in protest, but his smirk just broadens.
"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure I heard you two exchanging I love yous." Kuzon teases as he shifts on his bed to catch my eyes when I duck my head.
"She's just a flat mate at uni." I insist firmly.
"A flat mate huh? Sounds like there's definitely something going on." The man muses as he strokes his chin. The tips of my ears pinken in horror at his implications.
"Kuzon!" I rebuke, making him quirk an eyebrow.
"Yes?" He voices questioningly.
"Our dorms are opposite each other that's it." I grit out. Part of me wonders why I'm even bothering to explain this to him. He shoots me a knowingly glance.
"But you want her to be yours?" Kuzon asks slyly. I give him the mother of all glowers as I feel my flush increasing by several shades of red.
"I don't want anything. Besides, I'm the reason she's in a coma right now." I utter quietly. The man's face immediately switches to regret as he leans forward.
"Oh jeez Aang, I didn't know. I'm sorry." The firebender apologises as his eyebrows furrow in concern. That same lump rises up my throat and without a word I find myself dropping into the chair beside his bed.
"If she wakes up, she probably wouldn't even want anything to do with me. I was so horrible to her when we were in that cell together. I said things I shouldn't have." I choke out as our arguments play over on a loop in my mind. A hand rests on my shoulder.
"I don't think you could chase away that girl if you tried. She had that look in her eyes whenever she gazed at you." Kuzon reassures with a pat of my shoulder. I frown and glance up at him.
"What look?" I ask in confusion. A soft smile etches across his lips as he watches me with the same fondness that he used to reserve just for me when I was little. My heart aches at the thought.
"That look of adoration. It...kind of reminded me of how your mother would look at your Dad." Kuzon whispers in remorse. In a rare moment, the air escapes from my lungs at hearing the comparison.
"Are you sure?" I croak back, suddenly feeling scared.
"I was there when your parents first met, so I know the look well." The firebender confirms with a nod. I close my eyes briefly.
"That much, huh?" I echo back as I run a hazardous hand through my hair.
"You don't sound pleased." My father's best friend points out with a frown. I bite the inside of my cheek hard.
"Kuzon, I'm..." I stop, flickering my gaze to the door to make sure there's no one lurking around. "... I'm the Avatar. I'll put everyone I know in danger. Besides, I've done enough to her. She needs someone who'll be able to look after her. Not to mention I'm just a teenager, why would she want anything to do with me?" I list off, knocking down my confidence with each logical reason.
"Sounds to me like you're just making excuses." Kuzon says with an eye roll. "Have you even asked her?" He asks as an afterthought. I shake my head.
"No. I've shut her down whenever I think she'll say something about it. I think it's best if I leave. I've got enough credits to graduate. I don't need to stay in uni anymore and..." I ramble, but the man grips me by the bicep.
"Woah hold on there. Stop being so drastic. Uni is as much for the experience as it is for the learning. What would your Dad say if he heard you were just going to drop out like that?" Kuzon voices sternly. I stare at him with slack jaws.
"Kuzon, you do realise you don't need to be a stand in for my Dad right?" I point out bluntly. The man's face drops and I realise that was probably a bit too rude. "I mean! You don't have to try and make things right anymore. You made a mistake and...you saved Katara so I forgive you." I amend quickly so the firebender doesn't get the wrong idea. I watch as he pushes the base of his palm against one eye and it takes a moment for me to realise he's doing it to hide his tears.
"Aang, you shouldn't forgive me for doing one decent thing after everything I've put you through." Kuzon utters, his voice becoming strangled. I bite my lip before turning my head to the side.
"It wasn't just one thing. I...I knew you were watching over me for a while now. You always disappeared before I could catch you though. And...as much as I was angry at you...I was grateful. Knowing you were never too far made me feel less lonely." I admit. Silence falls between us for several moments before a shallow sob escapes the man. I turn to face him in surprise to find that he's furiously rubbing at his eyes.
"Even after everything, you were still grateful for my presence?" Kuzon queries in disbelief. I give him a half smile.
"You've always been family to me Kuzon. Nothing would change that." I confess. I'm taken off guard with the sudden hug. Even more so when I catch a familiar whiff of cologne that hits me with a rush of nostalgia.
"You were always such a sweet kid." The firebender murmurs by my ear before pulling back.
"I do have one more question." I say when the man stops rubbing his eyes.
"Fire away." He says with a smile.
"Why didn't you ever follow me to uni?" I ask with tilted head. His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline in surprise.
"You noticed?" The firebender questions with widened eyes. I grin slightly.
"Airbending prodigy, remember? I could tell when the air currents weren't being broken in the background." I remind which prompts a chuckle from my father's best friend.
"Of course, you would notice that." He murmurs with a fond shake if his head. "I was worried my movements might be tracked if I went off-grid so I didn't want to risk it. Besides, I knew I'd see you when you came down to work in the weekends. Though I never did understand why you continued to work in the city where you'd most likely be spotted." Kuzon says as his eyebrows bunch together slightly. I give him a rueful look.
"I wasn't ready to say goodbye to my hometown for good." I admit with a sigh. He gazes at me sadly before reaching over to pat me on the back.
"It's hard saying goodbye isn't it?" Kuzon voices softly as his eyes pierce into me with a double meaning. Bile rises up my oesophagus at his implied meaning.
"I apparently need another guardian." I whisper as I look down, feeling that even voicing it is an act of betrayal in itself.
"I'm sorry about what happened to..." He starts, but I immediately cut him off.
"Please don't say his name." I plead as my stomach twists once more. I feel him squeezing my shoulder in understanding.
"Alright. I...Hakoda did bring it up with me." Kuzon mentions. I glimpse up.
"And?" I prompt, but the firebender withdraws his hand from me and exhales deeply.
"I'm sorry sport, but I can't do it." Kuzon apologises without meeting my eye. I stare at him before shaking my head in disbelief.
"Why not?!" I argue, feeling as if my world is tipping closer and closer over the edge. The firebender pinches the bridge of his nose, which he used to do when he knows he's going to say something that I wouldn't like.
"You said it yourself, I'm the reason all this stuff happened to you. It wouldn't feel right to become your guardian after all that." At his words, I open my mouth, ready to refute his argument. But he raises a finger and I begrudgingly let him continue. "Let's forget that the councilman even trusts me, you do realise I've betrayed the Triple Z right? And with the few escapees there's a chance they'll come after me. The last thing I need is to put you in more danger than I already have." Kuzon explains with sad eyes. I close my mouth, hating that he's right.
"B-But this might actually work! I'm a danger to you and you're a danger to me, which means there's no one-sided guilt if anyone else became my guardian." I protest desperately. The words don't even make sense to me, so I'm not surprised when the man raises his eyebrows at me.
"That just sounds like a recipe of a double disaster. Aang, I'm sorry but I can't." The firebender apologizes with slumped shoulders. I clench one of my hands.
"You're the only one I know from my past life. And you said you promised my Dad you'd look out for me!" I accuse as some of my bottled-up hurt spills out into the open. Kuzon's face crumples at the jab and he takes a moment to rub at his bruised sternum.
"Aang, this is my way of looking out for you. I can still visit you." The firebender tries to reassure me, but tears start to well up in my eyes. I'm just about to sprint out of the room when the man's quick reflexes move to grab my wrist to stop me. "Oh no, you don't!" He grits out as he pulls me closer to the bed. I duck my head out of his line of vision as more tears escapes its confines. "Oh sport, please don't take this the wrong way. You'd know I'd love to take you in if I thought it was for the best." Kuzon murmurs as he wraps an arm around my shaking shoulders.
"No you don't, your guilt is holding you back. I thought you were different, but you're just another person that doesn't want me." I choke back as I try to swallow back the urge to vomit. His fingers around the ball of my shoulder joint digs into my flesh at my words.
"I..." He's speechless for several moments before I feel him shake his head. "I am guilty, but that's not why I'm saying no. And what are you even saying that no one wants you?!" Kuzon demands, his tone goes up several octaves, but I don't answer. "What about Hakoda? He wants you! And that Katara girl? I doubt she was in that cell with you just for the sake of it. And her brother looked very concerned about you too. Or what about the son of the Triple Z leader? I suppose he felt forced to free you?!" Kuzon lists off with hard eyes. He gives me a light shake when I don't meet his gaze.
"It's called pity!" I blurt out with watery eyes. The firebender's lips part in shock before he pulls himself together.
"My boy, you have a lot to learn about the differences between pity and genuine care. I can tell you for a fact that those people, your friends - they care and want you in their lives." My father's best friend promises with unwavering eyes. I glance away.
"I can't have Hakoda as my guardian." I whisper instead, making the man frown.
"Would you prefer to be in an orphanage again then?" Kuzon questions with open confusion. I grit my teeth.
"No. Never again." I vow seriously which elicits an exaggerated sigh from the firebender as be leans back.
"Those are your only two options. Either you accept the councilman's generous offer or you're back at another orphanage, except this time it will be in another city." Kuzon points out as he watches me carefully. I bite the inside of my cheek so hard that a rush of metallic explodes in my mouth.
"This isn't fair." I mutter with closed eyes. A pat to my back has me re-opening them.
"It's only for two years. Hakoda is a nice man and you're already friends with his children. Nothing has to change." The firebender soothes as he withdraws his hand from me. I swallow and jerk my head in a stiff nod.
"Yeah." I mumble numbly as I push myself away from his bed, but the man grips my wrist once more.
"Hey, it's better this way." He insists, but as he speaks his gaze drifts down towards my hand with a slight frown. "Hey, why's your skin so rough?" He asks as he lifts my arm to his eye level, but I snatch my hand out of his grasp before he can see anything.
"Just an injury from when the building fell on me." I lie quickly, hating how easy it's become to hide the truth. Kuzon frowns, unconvinced.
"Then let me see it." The firebender insists, but I stubbornly create some distance between us to stop him from grabbing my wrist again which causing his frown to deepen.
"It's not a big deal. I'm in the hospital, remember? The doctors will look at it " I lie again, almost cringing at even the thought of anyone else seeing it. The man purses his lip as he rocks back and forth on his hands in thought.
"What about trading secrets? One of mine for one of yours?" Kuzon suddenly suggests. I blink twice in disbelief.
"What makes you think I have a secret?" I ask cautiously, being careful not to step into the trap that he's laying out for me.
"You talk quickly when you lie." My father's best friend points out bluntly. My shoulders sag at this. 'Spirits. It's been such a long time since I've been with someone that really knows me.' I realise anxiously.
"Kuzon..." I start, ready to refute his offer. But he speaks over me before I can finish.
"I'm going on trial after I'm discharged from the hospital." The man utters. My jaw drops.
"You're what?!" I echo back, appalled.
"I was part of a gang Aang. It was expected. I've... I've done things I'm not proud of. I won't be suprised if I have to serve time in prison." Kuzon admits as he flickers his gaze to the wall. I stare at him in disbelief.
"You just said you'd be able to visit me!" I accuse as anger mixes with despair. The man slumps back against the head rest.
"Well, I will...once I'm released from jail." The firebender mutters gingerly. I clench my jaws.
"That's not funny." I hiss as the man raises his hands in defence.
"Just trying to lighten the mood." Kuzon mumbles as he scratches the side of his head. I glare at him.
"Lighten the mood?! Katara's in a coma because of me! Roku died protecting me. I'm expected to suddenly accept a new guardian when my last one died just days ago! And now I find out that the only person who actually knows me is going to be locked up in prison! Tell me how am I supposed to lighten up?! My life has just been one horrible mess!" I shout as angry tears threaten to spill.
"Aang..." The firebender echoes softly as he raises a hand towards me, but it freezes mid-air with my next words.
"No one understands what's it been like for me." I voice thickly as I turn my back to the man.
"Is that why you hurt yourself?" Kuzon asks quietly. My shoulders stiffen, before sagging once more.
"So, you knew." I mutter.
"I had a hunch, but I had hoped I was wrong." The firebender admits. My head drops as I stare at the ground.
"You're not." I reply, my words becoming strangled with shame.
"Hurting yourself doesn't change what happened." The man utters wisely, but I close my eyes.
"No it doesn't, but how else will I be punished?" I ask devoid of emotion, too numb to care if I'm being too honest.
"You don't need to be punished." Kuzon argues as he reaches out to take my arm. I slap him off and round on him in frustration.
"I'm fed up of getting away with all my crimes! I deserve this!" I retort sharply, stunning the man who simply stares at me before his eyes hardens.
"You're wrong." Kuzon spits back before rolling to his side away from me. "Get out." He mutters. This time it's my turn to stand with an agape expression as I gaze at his back.
"What?" I echo back in shock, wondering if I heard wrong.
"I said get out. I'm not talking to you until you realise how ridiculous you're being." The firebender explains rigidly. My jaws slacken in disbelief.
"You're joking." I protest weakly, but the man remains stubbornly still.
"Out." He orders. I frown at him and take a step forward.
"But..." I start, but he cuts across me with shocking ferocity.
"OUT!" He yells, making me jump in surprise. My lower lip trembles as my eyes fills up once more. A drop falls to the ground. Then another. I sniff and spin on my heels and push open the door without another word.
As I go through, I pause and glimpse behind me to the rigid man. His shoulders shake ever so slightly and I immediately know he must be crying. I swallow thickly, knowing that I'm the reason for his pain or for whatever is going through his mind right now.
I close the door just as a raw whimper escapes past my lips. I slide down the closed door until I'm sitting on the ground in despair. Fingers run through my tangled mess of hair as I grip the strands roughly. 'Why do I hurt everyone that gets close to me?' I wonder as my chest tightens.
"Aang?" I gulp at hearing my name. The voice sounding vaguely familiar as I look up. My heart plummets when I see it's Hakoda who's standing a metre away from me. Deep concern is etched into his features as he approaches me slowly. The expression reminds me too much of a certain waterbender and I have to abruptly look down.
"Zuko told me he saw you and Kuzon having a disagreement. Are you alright?" Katara's father asks gently as he kneels beside me. I look up at the mention of the young firebender.
"Zuko's here?" I echo back in surprise. The older man smiles slightly as he gives me a hand to pull me up.
"Yes. He came to see how you were doing but you were gone from your hospital bed. Come on, you're still in no shape to be walking around, let's take you back." Hakoda suggests lightly as he starts steering me back to my room.
The sensation of broken air currents has me turning my head to the side, but other than a disappearing shadow, I see no one. I give myself a mental shake as I continue walking down the corridor with the older man.
Zuko's POV:
I observe with sombre eyes from behind a wall as the councilman steers Aang back to his room. 'That boy is breaking.' I realise despondently. 'And I have no idea how to help him. I couldn't even bring myself to comfort him, had to drag Hakoda down here instead.' I voice with silent bitterness. I chew my lip as the events from 2 days ago unfold before my mind's eye.
2 Days ago:
My gut swirls with apprehension as I watch the huge building cave in with Aang and Katara still inside. I'm so shocked that I barely even notice Sokka screeching his sister's name and sprinting towards the fallen warehouse while his Dad just stares in stunned silence before dropping to his knees as his shoulders shake in an attempt to suppress his crying. 'Shoot. I should've stopped her. If she dies that's on me.' I realise in horror as I remain rooted to the ground, waiting to see the two benders appear from the rubble relatively unharmed with sickening naivety.
It's an age before I see Sokka's earthbending friend emerge with a hovering slab of rock, on which both Aang and Katara are laid unconscious. 'Shoot.' I curse as Sokka grasps his sister's limp hand briefly before I see them loaded on an ambulance.
"You good for nothing traitor!" I barely have enough time to duck when a ball of fire is thrown right at me seconds after the shout. I remain crouched on the ground as I look up to find my father approaching me as fire escapes his nostrils. I gulp. 'I'm done for.' I realise with wide eyes as I scramble back to my feet.
Before I can decide whether I should run or fight. A short haired girl swiftly moves in front of me. It takes me several moments before it dawns on me that it's Toph. She stamps her foot hard against the ground and my father immediately sinks into the earth until he's waist deep.
"Officers!" I hear her shout as Sokka's father comes to stand beside me with hardened eyes. Two police officers come running and chackle the man's hands in front of him with cuffs as they pull my father out of the ground. But Ozai doesn't stop there as he twists his head to look at me.
"You're a despicable excuse of a human being! You're not my son, you've got that?! And when I'm free you're dead, you hear me? DEAD!" He screeches before being pushed forward. Toph blows her bangs off her eyes as she turns to face me with a raised eyebrow.
"Great father you have there." The blind earthbender utters dryly. I swallow and wrinkle my nose at her.
"Rub it in my face why don't you." I grumble as I start walking away from her.
"Hey!" Voices shouting is the only warning I get before I find fists flying in my face. I fall roughly on my back as Ozai lands on top of me and rains down blow after blow.
"You worthless...useless...hopeless piece of trash!" My father yells as I cover my face in an attempt to protect myself from his hits. Hands come quickly to pull him off me as he thrashes against Toph and the group of officers. "I should've got rid of you when you were born, boy! You're nothing. NOTHING!" Ozai's shrills are so loud that it attracts the attention of the surrounding officers and arrested gang members.
I swallow thickly as I watch the police finally get the man under control and shove him in a fortified police van before slamming the door behind him. I stare long and hard at the space where he stood, even after the van has driven away, too frozen to move. Someone comes to kneel beside me and when I glance to the side I find it's the councilman.
"I always wondered what kind of man would set fire to an orphanage or target innocent people. I suppose I now know the answer. It's because he's not a man." Hakoda mutters with a shake of his head. He gives me a gentle pat on the shoulder before rising to his feet. "I'll need a statement from you to give to the police. Just standard stuff." He adds quickly when panic starts to settle on my face. I nod my head numbly as he starts to leave. "I need to be with my daughter, but if you want to drop by I'll be at the Elemental Hospital. It might be worth you getting a check-up after that too." The councilman drops causally as he walks off.
I watch as his pace speeds up until he's worriedly running off to catch a ride with a police officer. My eyes mist at the scene. 'Wow, he really cares about her. Not like my Dad.' I think sullenly as I touch my cheek, wincing at how tender it is.
"Sorry Sparky, I should've got to you sooner." I look up at the feminine voice to find Toph standing over me with a hand on her hip and a scowl on her face. "Can't believe he caught me off guard like that." She mutters to herself. I grimace at the nickname that she stubbornly decided to bestow onto me during our riddle together at the library.
"It's fine." I wave off with a mutter as the girl quirks a disbelieving eyebrow at me. She doesn't say anything as she offers me her hand to pull me up.
"Does he usually beat you like that?" Toph asks bluntly with furrowed eyebrows.
"Oh no, it's usually much worse..." I trail off when I realise what I'm saying and almost smack myself at being so flamboyant about it. The short woman's frown deepens as she stares at me.
"And that's something you've never reported, why?" Toph demands as she crosses her arms. I snort at her.
"Have you ever tried reporting your father? Because it isn't easy to work up the guts to do it." I reply heatedly, prompting the earthbender to raise her hands up in defence.
"No need to get so touchy about it. You're the one who had to put up with that after all." The woman retorts. I shoot her a sidelong glare.
"You're just as unfeeling as you were in that library. I guess that's just how you are." I fire back, but the girl doesn't seem bothered by the insult as she shrugs.
"I'm no Katara that's for sure. But..." She trails off as she lifts one shoulder up uselessly. "I won't pretend I know what you went through. I'm just saying it looks tough." Toph utters nonchalantly. I scrutinise her for a moment, looking for any traces of insincerity, but her words sound genuine. I press a hand to my tender jaw, knowing it's on its way to leave a bruise.
"It is what it is." I mumble, pretending it doesn't hurt anywhere near as much as it does.
"You should talk about it." The earthbender suggests, but I shoot her an incredulous look.
"I thought we established you aren't very good at this." I point out, more rudely than I intended. I'm greeted to a hard punch to the arm.
"I didn't say me, fire brain." Toph retorts with a roll of her milky green eyes. I rub the assaulted area as I inhale deeply to control my temper.
"Right." I mutter under my breath, before glancing around us at the remaining officers. "You think they'll be ok?" I ask unsurely as my mind casts back to both Aang's and Katara's unconscious bodies.
"You mean Sugarqueen and Twinkle toes?" The earthbender elaborates. I blink twice before realising she's just using more of her nicknames.
"Yeah." I confirm and watch as she drops her hand from her hip.
"Twinkletoes will be fine. Sugarqueen, I'm not so sure about...she was in pretty bad shape." Toph admits sombrely. I flicker my gaze to the ground, recalling how she doesn't know that the kid just saw his guardian killed in front of him.
"I don't think Aang will be as ok as you think he'll be." I mumble to myself, making the girl frown.
"What is that supposed to mean?" She queries.
"He just saw his guardian killed in front of him." I mutter as I shove my hands into my pockets. The earthbender falls silent for a long while before exhaling a small breath as she pulls back her hair bangs with her hand.
"Then he's going to need us." She ends up saying. I stare at her.
"Us? I'm barely his friend." I emphasise, but the girl pats me hard on the back.
"You spend more time around him than I do. I'd say you're probably one of the closest people to him outside Sugarqueen and Snoozles." Toph points out before stepping back. "Speaking of which, I need to see Sokka to make sure he's not wailing like a baby." The short haired woman throws out casually, but the way the skin around her eyes wrinkle tightly, I can tell she's more concerned than she's trying to let on.
"Ok. Thanks by the way." I say as the earthbender gives me a half wave before going over to talk to a policeman. I sigh before sagging my shoulders.
"Finally. I was starting to think she'll never leave." A voice drawls out from behind me. I widen my eyes and spin on my heels to find a very bored looking Azula perched on a rock as she stares at her nails.
"What...why are you still here?!" I exclaim in shock, having expected her to have escaped and be long gone by now.
"What do you think? Father's been arrested and the company is now officially yours. You think I want to be left out?" My sister states dryly, as if stating the obvious. I stare at her.
"The company isn't mine until I'm 21." I remind, wondering if she knocked her head on something. Azula looks up and gazes at me in disdain.
"Father made you an official shareholder when you turned 18 and appointed you as the CEO if anything were to happen to him. Being 21 means you're allowed to make major decisions or changes in the company, but for now you're still in charge and oversee the general going ins and outs." My sister explains in boredom. My jaws slacken at this.
"He did?! B-But he hates me! Why would he do that?" I splutter before narrowing my eyes at her. "Wait, you're lying to me now, aren't you?" I question with a scowl, but the firebender simply wrinkles her nose at me.
"I'm not. He told me so himself. Apparently, he did it in exchange for Mother's silence on what Father was up to." Azula answers with a shrug of her shoulders. I swallow.
"Mum? Why didn't you tell me?!" I demand, feeling aggravated, especially considering she knows how much I miss her.
"Didn't see a need to until now." Azula quips back. I glare at her.
"You wouldn't happen to know anything else, like where she is?" I ask heatedly as I start to wonder what other stuff she's been hiding from me. This time the woman presses her lips tightly together in displeasure as she pierces her eyes into me.
"I do not." Azula grits back. I eye her carefully, looking for any signs of deceit, but from the rigidity in her back and the way her knuckles turn slightly white with how hard she's clenching her hand, I conclude that she must be telling the truth. 'Only Azula will be calm when lying and right now she's anything but calm.' I think dully as part of me had wished she did know.
"You sure?" I press, but her hand erupts in flames.
"I told you I don't." She spits back and I quickly back down.
"Fine, fine. Sheesh. You act as if you've never lied before." I mutter under my breath, earning me a scowl.
"Now, about the company..." Azula starts as she leans forward. I narrow my eyes at her before sighing.
"Do you want to be co-partners?" I ask before she can continue and I can't help but feel smug at being the one to put a baffled expression on her face.
"I'm almost impressed Zuko. Maybe you did learn something from me about manipulation after all." Azula murmurs as she smooths out her features. I smirk at her.
"No manipulation. You've always been better than me in business studies, so it makes sense that we'll work together. I do have one condition though." I voice while keeping a close eye on the way her eyebrows bunch tightly together.
"Oh?" Is all she says, but it's enough for me to continue.
"We're not running it the way Father did. No more underhanded tactics. From now on, we run the company according to a moral code." I state firmly, waiting for her inevitable rebuttal. Instead, she leans back in thought.
"That can be arranged. As much as you like to believe that I'm the spitting image of our Father, I have multiple ideas to make the company more successful without resorting to Father's methods. He was just never keen to listen." The firebender discloses with a spiral of her wrist. I blink, shocked at how easy that was.
"And you'll have to run by me any decisions you want to implement?" I cautiously add which prompts a quirked eyebrow from my sister.
"You still don't trust me." She echoes blandly with steady eyes. My lips part and I hold back the harsh retort that would've went along the line of: 'of course I don't trust you!' I opt instead to shrug my shoulders.
"The CEO has a duty to check on all decisions being made in their company." I reply easily. At this, the woman smirks.
"You really are growing up Zuzu." Azula coos before jumping off the ledge she was sitting on and back-flips onto her feet. "Try not to let the pride get to your head." She voices breezily with a backward wave as she slips out of my sight.
Present Day:
I gingerly graze my cheek bone with the tips of my fingers as the bruises from my father's punches has taken an ugly purple shade. It serves to remind me of how little my worth is to him.
I flicker my gaze up at the empty spot where the airbender once stood. 'I wonder what it's like to have people actually care about you? That kid is surrounded by love, but he just pushes it away. If he knew how hard it was for others to have even an ounce of that, maybe he'd actually be happy.' I voice silently with closed eyes.
With a shake of my head, I make up my mind to pay the airbender another visit later, hopefully once he's calmed down a bit.
A/N: One word – heavy. Lol. Aang really is going through hell and back, but he's a tough kid and I know he'll be able to get through them, but things always get worse, much worse before they get better. I thought it would be fun to parallel Zuko & Aang a bit in this chapter. With Aang you have people that want to help him and love him, but he's too scared to appreciate them and with good reason ofc. Whereas Zuko is just dying for that love that no one seems to give him. *Sigh* and then we have poor Katara. Ngl I had fun writing the more medical aspect of that first part XD
Some medical explanations:
Sepsis = organ dysfunction due to poor blood supply as a result of severe infection that results in widespread immune reaction causing leaky vessels, so the body's fluid exits the vessels, leading to a drop in blood pressure so organs don't get enough blood supply. This can be fatal if not treated.
Extradural haemorrhage is a bleed that occurs above the brain covering (dura) which occurs from severe head trauma.
Cannula is just that tube they put in a vein in your arm to administer the fluid through.
I think that was it? If there's any other medical words you didn't get and want to know just let me know.
Next chapter is still in Aang's POV, but I think it will be the last chapter in Aang's POV because after that I switch to someone else's. Next chapter will focus on Roku's funeral and something else which you'll see for yourselves XD Unfortunately, I think it's at that point in the year where I'll have to drop off until late July because of revision and exams. If I get a spare moment I'll update before then, but if not then I'll see you all in a few months. I didn't want to leave you all on a cliffhanger so I made sure to get this out, but yeah I do apologise in advance for the wait for the next chapter. Until then, keep well everyone! And if you have a moment pls drop your thoughts. See you next time! :)