Chapter 12: Tying loose ends
I was beside myself of worry as I paced to an forth in front of the Water tribe cultural Center. In knew, I simply knew that Sokka had been on the festival and as soon as I heard the news of the terroristic attack I had swung myself on the Noodle Cart, not caring that I lost ingredients and water as I cycled over the cobblestrones of the streets. I never had ridden a bicycle that fast, my legs were still shaking but the only thing on my mind was my daughter. I felt like crying, what should I do when something had happened to my squirt? I feared she was crippled or worse! "Officer – have you seen a young woman?" I almost gripped the sergeants shoulder pieces. "Sokka Adachi´s the name, around my height short cropped black hair!" my voice was short of pleading. The officer looked down from guarded eyes. "I´m sorry sir, if your daughter is not with the moon priests, the healers from the hospital." He did not speak further as cold fear dug sharp claws in my head. I prayed to all spirits in existence that Sokka was well and alive. "Show me the bodies." I responded, my voice sharp and icy. My jaws were grinding as I tried to prepare myself for the worst, it was a hopeless preparation I guessed.
The officer stepped aside after searching me for weapons. "You´ll find them." Her stated in a plain voice. I walked into the park. The grass was trampled, partially muddy. The bushes were trodden into the ground as if a herd of oostrich horses had passed through the lawns. I soon heard heart wrenching cries. A lot of bodies were placed on white linen, mothers, sisters, lovers – all sorts of people were crying, some of them even fumbling with the shredded remains of their beloved ones. My pulse was throbbing in my head and I felt close to passing out as I reached them. The bodies were smelling gruesome, blood, shit and the other smells of a butcher´s shop. I felt a twinge of nausea as I passed the sobbing people, I was relieved for every dead body who did not wear red. I was sure my daughter would wear her mother's Gi. She was a really nostalgic young woman. As I saw a red trouser I hurried towards the body my sight already blurring. An old man was kneeling before the male body, whose legs and under belly had been torn to shreds by a grenade. It looked horrid, like straight out of a nightmare. So, that was what war looked like!
"Thank the heavens I mumbled." And walked on, luckily the old man did not her my words, some other people did though. They eyed me as if I was the biggest scumbag alive. There were no other people clad in red, also there was nobody who could have been my daughter. I was furious, what kind of monsters could do something like this. There were children dead – little children who were going to elementary school! I could understand the unbearable pain that their death would cause their parents. I just had been lucky to not experience that pain myself. Nevertheless, I still was worried, what if Sokka was injured? I stormed back towards my bicycle and rode again, sweating and gasping for air I arrived in front of the hospital. Hell, was loose there. Groaning und whimpering people were rested in front of the small seeming brick building. Nurses and healers were bustling around in bloodied clothes. I looked Men with iron shards in their Chests, Children with blood streaked, deformed faces, arms and legs. But still there was no Sokka.
I squeezed myself through the rows of hastily erected stretcher beds until I caught a woman who was holding clipboard and pen. "Excuse me Miss?" I had to stop myself from grabbing her shoulder and yanking her around. The woman was sweat streaked. Flies were buzzing around everywhere, it was impossible to keep them away from the wounded. "Yes. What can I do for you?" she asked obviously stressed out. "Is a young woman…" she interrupted me. "Name!" she commanded harshly. "Adachi Sokka." I responded while I was short of losing my temper. The woman flipped through her papers, while I again prayed to Sousanoo, the mother of faces, the spritits of fortune and every other god I could think of. After a felt eternity, she shook her head. "No, nobody with the name Adachi or Sokka." She stated. "Thank you." I was almost jubilant as I jogged back to my cart. Drops of sweat were pouring down my nose as I started towards the moon temple. The moon temple was of course located on a hill, the slope dragged itself endlessly.
The streets seemed almost death, the shops of republic city had already closed and the few people who were outside hurried around. Most likely they also were searching for missing family members, I supposed. The temple district was silent, it seemed as if the worldly noise died down, shattering against invisible walls. Even I could see the strange, fish-like spirits floating through the heavens along with other strange looking things that walked the wide gardens of the temples. I felt my hair rise up slightly. I still was not comfortable around spirits and most likely I would never be. I had grown up in a time where just a few chosen ones had the "true sight" and I had never been part of this exclusive circle. But now the Spirits materialized when and where they wanted. It was surprising that not more accidents occurred. I saw two-legged lemur like beasts feed from the offerings that were given at every one of the countless small shrines on the roadside. Some screeching little hippo thing seated itself inside of my rice steamer. Somehow the air around me suddenly felt a bit chilly as the spirit started munching with squeaking sounds most people would call adorable. "Hush- fuck off!" I blurted but the little thing did just lift his head and looked at me with huge eyes. It did not even pay attention as my hand which was almost reaching it and munched on. This little thing was sly, it had learned that humans could not hurt it, and so I did not give a fuck about us.
I was wondering what the high spirits thought about us, most likely we were nothing more than insects to them. Finally, I reached the blue and white painted walls of the moon temples. I parked the noodle cart. At once spirits hurried at it, some of them even flew through me – I felt a strange chill as they passed. These damned flying hippos, how much of them were even here? My noodle cart was swarming with at least thirty individuals. I walked into the gardens, there were ponds and artificial streams everywhere. Black and white Koi were circling through the steaming waters in little schools. The park was calms, there were a few people praying in front of the moon goddess statue, some also sat in front of the statue of La and the minor river gods. They without a doubt were bringing offerings for their ill. I walked over the stony path until I arrived at the wooden temple building, which looked like an oversized version of a watertribe temple. I walked up to the wooden doorframe which was closed by a polar bear dog pelt.
I went inside, a slight wetness was in the air, that made it seem cool and lively. The wide praying hall had been restructured into a makeshift hospital. Around twenty people were lying in beds, most of them already treated. They did not look nearly as bad as the ones in front of the hospital. Priests and shrine servants bustled around in a silent, efficient way. An elderly woman spotted me and crossed the distance with silent strides after patting a man's head and rising from his bedside. "What can I do for you brother?" she asked. I quirked my eyebrow. I still was not used to this – the whole tribe is a family - bullshit. The southern ways were quite strange sometimes, and this woman spoke in the broad, slow way of the southerners. I was still catching my breath. "I'm searching for a woman named Adachi Sokka." I stated while I was rather sure Sokka was not here. The woman nodded. "Your wife?" she asked while turning. "I am going to ask sister Kanna, she knows the names of all our current patients." She responded politely. I waited until the woman returned shaking her head. "I don´t know if it is good news but we know of no Sokka Adachi brother." She responded, while I let out a deep sigh. Sokka had not been injured, but if she wasn´t where could she possibly be?
"Thank you very much – I´ve places to go." I responded hurrying out, my legs were aching but the setting dawn seemed much brighter now. I had no Idea where Sokka could be and so it would be wise to return home. Maybe she was there. I chuckled at my own ignorance – most likely she would be there, I highly doubted she would just go home after witnessing something like this. Even I was shaken and I called myself a rather tough man. I felt sad that Sokka had to lose her childlike trust in humanity like that. You couldn´t protect your child from life itself but knowing that didn´t make me feel any better at all. It was already dark, just gas lanterns giving a flickering light in the dark streets. While I was riding homewards I notice five police patrols in the streets. The cops were outside, most likely whipped up by olong and shouting superiours. I had myself been in these shoes twenty years ago. When I arrived in my neighborhood I could see the soldiers of the terra triad on the street. They were smoking pipes, carrying clubs and brutish looking swords. "Yo." One of them huffed dryly. "Evening." I responded as I halted in front of my garage and entered the house without caring about my precious noodle cart. I started tumbling upstairs, I was utterly done for, my steps heavy and loud. It was pitch-black in the staircase, I even jammed a splinter into my hand, but I had no time for cursing. As I arrived upstairs I twirled my arms as I heard a body move, joints were knocking.
"Dad?" I almost did not recognize my daughters hoarse voice. I grit my teeth as I fought the shivers that were running through my body. I guess there aren´t many times in my life I had been more grateful about anything than for this single, mumbled word.
"Who the fuck are you – answer me!" Sokka stated her voice quivering almost frantic now. I still had not responded anything. "M-Me." I responded as I stopped a mighty airblast reflexively. I nevertheless was almost pushed over the edge of the stair. "O-I-I´m sorry." Sokka responded waving her hands around to find me. I could see her now, as I followed the countless flows of air, the bending calmed me. As if it were broad daylight I walked up to her and grabbed her searching hands. My squirt rushed into me and hugged my stinking, sweat soaked self. Sokka also was shivering in horror and started sobbing incoherently. "Shh-shh." I tried to calm her, rubbing small circles on her back, I myself was tearing up. I felt guilty, if I had not allowed her to move out – would she have seen this bloodshed? Had I been an irresponsible good for nothing father? It hurt to hold her like that, if Yumi just had been alive. Damn it Miss Adachi, why did you have to leave me so early – huh? We stood there for half an eternity, I was at a loss of words, but Sokka calmed like she always did.
I then gently forced myself out of Sokkas embrace and opened the locked door towards my flat. It was rather hot up here but since it was not very rainy at the moment I had loosened some of the roof tiles. You could see the stars from my bedside, I always had loved a starlit sky. The Oil Lamp was still flickering and so I hastily lit some more lamps until I could get a better look on Sokka. My daughter looked unharmed, though her hands were full of bloodstains. She eyed them almost frightened. "Come, I´m taking care of that squirt." I responded pouring some water and soap into a bowl. She nodded with puffy red eyes and followed me like an obedient four-year-old. I did wash her hand gently, while I was close to sniffling, too. The water turned an ugly maroon. I spilled it on the roof, while Sokka was scrubbing her hands furiously. I determined gripped the towel. "That´s enough Sokka." I responded softly and led her to my bed. "You´re hungry?" I asked after seating her. My daughter was thinking. "No – no I-I.." she gulped. "I´m a coward dad." She admitted with a small voice. "I didn´t do anything as – as this guy killed the people. I- I just attacked after this weapon was empty. A-And after frog-man was killed." She responded staring at her feet. My vision was spinning. Sokka had done WHAT!
She had attacked one of these armed Killers. I gripped a table. "Dad?" she asked. "Are you crazy Sokka? You could´ve been killed too!" I snorted while the fear was plainly evident in my voice. Awesome, now I was bawling. "What shoud I´ve done if you also left me squirt huh?" I just hugged the shit out of a dazzled Sokka. She quickly melted into me and also started sniffling again. "Thank the spirits you´re alive Sokka. I `m so glad you´re still here. You reckless idiot!" I also added some rather colorful curses. My nose also was filled with snot, I snorted into a handkerchief and handed it to my daughter. She dug herself under My cushions, obviously exhausted. I snuggled myself behind her, I supposed we both felt the need for some closeness. Sokkas still shoulders slowly relaxed and her breath became slower and less forced. "Wanna talk about that frog guy?" I asked her. Sokka tensed up. "No – not yet dad. I – I. Couldn't help him. He´s dead cause he was t-the b-bravest guy I´ve ever seen." She responded shivering. I just started caressing her hair as I had done when she had been a child. "He´ll be in the otherworld for sure Sokka. That´s a thing I believe. But you aren´t a coward kid, you´re a very brave young woman and I´m proud to be your father." I croaked Sokka just gripped my hand and dragged it around her belly. "Huh, like the old days?" I asked marveling. Usually Sokka hated cuddling with her old man, but today of course it was a different thing. My daughter went to sleep, while my Arm started prickling, also I felt cold because there was no blanket on my back.
Nevertheless, I did not dare to move. My little girl needed her sleep. I also dozed off and was woken by being nudged into my shoulder. I toppled and rolled from the futon. Sokka was breathing heavily, yelling. There was an airblast that propelled her across the mattress. I rolled over and shook her. "Don´t you..H-help!" Sokka cried as I shook her awake forcefully. "You´re safe Sokka, you´re at home." I responded as she was getting up and wiped her tears away. My daughter was panting heavily. "I-I dreamed, I was there again. B-but this time the man killed everybody with his – t-thing." Sokka chocked down a sob, it hurt to see her like this, I had no idea what I should do. "Wanna talk about it, squirt?" I asked her. I was sure I could not get any sleep for the rest of this night, most likely Sokka could not sleep as well. While she was fighting her constricted throat at first, the words started pouring out. Her words did not make much sense but that was not important. It was important to get them out of her chest. Sokka started crying as she told me about this young warrior who mindlessly charged the terrorist. It was indeed admirable courage but I was glad Sokka was not THAT courageous. She still had done something most people would never have dared. I just wuzzled her head. "Just please don´t worry me like that again Sokka." I responded honest, while my daughter mumbled something into my shoulder with a muffled voice. She than dug herself in the cushions. "How did you come home Sokka? I mean, did you really remember the way back here?" I asked wondering.
How much exploring had my daughter done since she arrived in Republic? "Chief Bei Fong brought me here." Sokka responded. There was another unpleasant throb in my chest. Lin had taken care of my little girl – there was even more on the make-up list now! I asked myself how I could cross the gap between me and Linny, I just wanted to be her friend again. But that idiotic woman would not even listen to my excuses! Why in the heavens had all Bei Fongs to behave like gods damned Monoliths! "Spirits. The girls will worry themselves sick about me!" Sokka suddenly yanked upright. "The girls?" I asked dazzled. Sokka was living together with girls? She must have seen my dazzled face because she frowned. "Why are you staring at me like that dad?" she asked dumb folded. "Well – ehm." I felt myself flushing. "I- just never thought you would move in with girls - like in GIRLS!" I stated smiling embarrassed. "What?" Sokka looked adorable, her nose crimped and all.
"Oh yes, my father thinks I´m some kind of man-eater who moves in with a bunch of single blokes. Thanks very much dad." Sokka deadpanned. Actually, I had imagined that Sokka was more of the solitary housing type than anything else. "I thought you would live alone?" I added weakly. It was the first time that a wry smile flushed across Sokkas face. "Geez old man, what the hell are you." Sokka shook her head. "No I´m living together with five other women, close to the spirit portal." She told me. "Not the nicest of places." I added slightly worried. Sokka snorted. "Well Dad – if you´re not running through the spirit forest at night, or forget the offerings you can´t even see the spirits. The people are just making a fuzz about nothing, like always." My daughter explained. Actually, that sounded different from what I had experienced in the temple district. "These little flying Hippos are worse than dove-rats Sokka. These bastards are just looming in the air everywhere. The little scoundrels devoured ten pounds of rice Sokka. What do things that basically are energy even need food for! In the spirit realms, there isn´t even a piece of matter!" I griped, releasing a bit of the tension that I held in.
"Dad – can you make some tea?" Sokka pleaded. Under different circumstances I might have laughed at her but today I gladly shuffled off to the stove. The Kettle soon was piping and I could add some Matcha powder, for unfathomable reasons Sokka loved this grassy, bitter brew. Tea shouldn´t be green, it should be golden! I poured two cups and handed one to Sokka. She blew over the steaming liquid and cupped the clay pot in her hands. Her face relaxed seemingly. She took a first gulp, I almost wanted to tear the cup out of her hands. Just like her mother she drank her tea so hot I almost felt physical pain watching her. I would have to let my tea cool for at least a quarter of an hour. As I finally was able to drink the tea Sokka had finished her cup, placed it on the bedside and wiggled herself under the sheets again. "Good night dad." She responded. "Good night my little squirt." I responded patting her head, Sokka just let out a slight gargling sound. "Should I call you little princess instead? I ´ve hear that´s …" I responded. "Don´t you dare." Sokka mumbled. I chuckled at that. Even though I had barely slept I got up at dawn and prepared my sauces, Noodles and dumplings. I left Sokka a note, tat told her I was in front of the police headquarters. My daughter slept soundly as I left the flat.
The triad men started at me disturbed as I cycled to work like it was an usual day. Most likely my earnings would be trivial today, but I was not going out for the money. I was going to crack a wall named Lin Bei Fong. I arrived at my usual place as the only cart for the day. I started firing up the oven as some cops passed by with struggling captives. "Morning lads!" I greeted waving. My first dumpling, which usually were my own breakfast, were still in the steamer as they returned. "Yo Mr. Lee, setting up the stall after yesterday?" Hi Shin asked surprised.
"Yeah – the world doesn´t stop turning and people need their food, no matter what crazy psychopaths are running loose." I responded. The guys laughed a forced laugh. "Fry us some noodles – extra spicy n with komodo-rhino." They ordered. "There you go, gents." I responded. "Say officers – is Chief Bei Fong living in the headquarters or when does that woman go to work." I asked them innocently. "Heh, you´re a crazy bloke Mr. Lee – courting the iron maiden. Heck that takes guts." Tenma Feng blurted. I just rolled my eyes. "If I were courting I´d definitely use firelily – roots in my dumplings." I smiled deviously. Me and Lin courting, please – that was plainly ridiculous! No, when I was being objective it looked exactly like that. "Furthermore I know the Chief since childhood guys, it´s just that we lost touch like almost thirty years ago and she´s pissed." I responded. The guys were looking at me as if I told them I had ridden a dragon all the way to the moon and back. "What -Chief Bei Fong was in school?" one of the officers blurted, while his colleagues facepalmed.
"Yeah – at four nations elementary to be precise." I responded, did these guys think Lin had been born reading a book or what? "Always thought that a Bei Fong would have private tutors." The man added. The sesame oil was hissing as I was stirring the noodles around and put a lot of Chilipaste, black beans, Soja sprouts, onions and shred cabbage in it. Alongside the Komodo meat was sizzling in another wok. The guys were talking about their cases, mainly muggings, break ins and other daily business. I listened while tending the noodles. I handed them over in paper bags, along with chopsticks. "Seven silver forty." I responded. The guys handed the cash over and started enjoying their meal. The happy faces told me it was good, and spicy. "Well. Chief Bei Fong comes at dusk and leaves at dawn Mr. Lee." One of the guys responds. "If there´s nothing special – you know, I can´t believe she´s human." He responded openly. "I mean, I love my job but I´d be in the nuthouse if I was on duty every fucking day of the year!" he responded. There was admiration in his voice. Lin – what kind of bullshit were you doing, no wonder you were close to looking like an old hag! That woman should prepare herself for a good shouting! Shortly afterwards another group of night shifters came in for some noodles.
Actually, I got even more customers than usually, mostly because nobody besides me was on the street. I´ve never heard so much praise of my cooking skills before and somehow got a bit flustered. Damn I was not some high and mighty cuisine chef, just a noodle man! Nevertheless, I prepared two bags of fried noodles; with turtle duck, eggs, spring onions, cabbage Bamboo, mungo sprouts and black beans. Then I headed towards Lin´s office again. I knocked. "Enter." Her voice was as harsh as ever, maybe even harsher. She looked at me, Lin was even paler than usual and her eyes adorned by grey rings. "Fuck off Lee." She rambled, but not with as much gusto as usual. He table was strewn with paperwork; a pile of empty mugs was resting next to her table. "I thought I´d make clear that I´m not giving up on you without a fight Linny." I responded while it felt as if somebody was pouring acid down my stomach. Geez I was behaving hilarious, I rambled at myself. Compared with what happened to Sokka this was not even worth to be called a problem. She looked at me wide-eyed, for a second it seemed her features were softening. "I hope you still like them." I responded while I placed the bag on her desk and plopped myself down in one of the interrogation chairs. Lin grabbed the bag and started slurping the noodles wordlessly. I smiled and ate the noodles. Nevertheless, I could not catch up to Lin, who seemed to have abandoned her pristine table manners. She let out a burp, embarrassed placing a hand in front of her face. "Aww come on Lin, like I wouldn´t burp after a good meal." I chuckled humored. "Well – what do you want Lee." She stated matter of factly. It was like a slap in my face. I locked eyes with her, she looked away quickly. "I´m sorry for dumping you all Lin – for not keeping the promise I gave uncle Sokka." I said silent. I had failed Sokka, I had not kept the Bei Fong Family together, because I was too selfish. "And you think simply bringing dumplings and saying sorry will cut that Lee?" Lin frowned angered. "Not even Yumi would buy that from you! And I´m not all over you, no matter how shitty you look." she snarled. "Just say I´m not important and you´re just grateful that I brought your daughter home.." she added bitter. I frowned, my voice brimming with fury. "You´re lying Lin and you know that! You´re like a sister to me, so cut the bullcrap and let me explain!" I responded angrily. Her eyes went wide but she did not say a word.
"I stopped writing because Yumi got pregnant Lin, as you may have figured out. You know how dangerous pregnancy was for her. I was – just worried sick! And then she gave birth and believe me." I still shuddered at the memories. "that was the worst day of my live Lin…It almost killed her." I responded silently. "Oh." Was all Lin managed to choke out. "She did not get much better afterwards. You know, I was bawling the day she was able to walk again… after four months." I admitted. "W-Why haven´t you written, I – I would have helped you!" Lin blurted. I could just look down in shame. Yumi had not wanted it, she had insisted I would not let somebody else see her like this. "You know Yumi Lin, she didn´t want to seem weak, this proud little idiot." I responded. "She is taller than you Lee." Lin responded dryly. "Well and furthermore I had to make a living and raise a little spitfire. Sokka always has been two hands full." I responded in fatherly pride. Lin nodded smiling. "I can picture that Lee." "And yeah – as she turned seven Yumi died, and damn it Lin I – I just was busy to keep it together." I concluded. There was a wrangled sound. "Y-You´re kidding Lee. That´s the worst joke I heard in years!" Lin stated with trembling hands. I shook my head – sadly I was not kidding.
"W-Well – how do you say something like this Lin?" I rambled upset "Do you write a letter? Hey guys – my wife died, just to tell you! I – I gods." I wrought my hands. What SHOULD I say, how should I explain something I had not understood myself? Lin had risen from her leathery seat and was pacing around. She was upset, sad and maybe even angry, I thought of giving her a hug but as I rose she did not turn her head. Her breath was loud. "Please give me some space Lee." She responded, her voice brimming with emotion. I was astonished that little Linny had grown into somebody so – bottled up. The Lin I remembered could not even bottle up a bad day at work! Most likely I would destroy the fragile link I was developing if I pushed on right now. So, I just sighed. "As you wish. You know Bei Fong." I paused placing my words with the delicacy of an artist. "I´m not here to see the iron maiden… so long." I responded and left, closing the door gently. Lin loved such cultivated quirks, which was a reason why she and my little brother had worked for so long. I was barely halfway down the hallway as I heard the muffled sound of tearing metal. I shook my head, what Lin was doing was not the proper way of mourning. She had to get that herself though. Also, I had left my noodle cart long enough – I was not Kuangs Cuisine, which could open whenever the Chef wanted!
Authors note: Sorry for not updating for soo long, but attending university is work. I would like some feedback though.