Chapter 33
Relaxation
The water was cold but relaxing. A pleasant contrast to the heat of the desert. All of us had stripped to our underwear and were enjoying the cool water.
"Waterbending ball!" Katara screamed, launching herself over the edge of the waterfall above us. The ensuing total wave soaked not only is but the ground around us. I had a sneaking suspicion that the ground had been watered in a twenty-mile radius. Sokka shrieked, shooting upright and lurching out of the water.
"Gee Katara, 500 year old maps from the spirit library. Just splash some water on them."
"Sorry." Katara apologized, reaching out and slowly pried the water from the old parchment. Sokka grunted.
"We need to figure out what our next step is." He stated gesturing to Aang to join us from where he was soaking Appa. Aang walked over, bending the moisture from his clothes. Toph, noticing that we were gathering joined us and plopped onto the ground beside Sokka.
"First matter of business." Sokka stated, looking immensely proud of his words, "we know when the fire nation is weak, now we just need to use it to our advantage." Katara frowned thoughtfully.
"How will that help though? An eclipse doesn't last very long, its not like we can attack the fire nation on our own..." She trailed off, eyes going wide as she looked at Sokka, "You can't be serious." Sokka nodded with a goofy grin.
"We'll need to time it so that Aang is facing the Fire Lord just as the eclipse begins."
"Um, no offence Sokka but what are you talking about?" I interjected in confusion. I was completely lost.
"We're going to build an army and attack the fire nation on the day of black sun. Aang will defeat the Fire Lord on that day." The reaction was immediate.
"There's no way I can do that! Day of the Black Sun is a little more then three months away! I can't master all four bending styles by then! I don't even have my firebending teacher!" Aang cried, shooting upright in a panic.
"Aang, calm down, you don't have to master firebending, remember that won't be working when you're fighting the Fire Lord anyway." Sokka comforted, the excitement bleeding into his voice lessening the comforting tone significantly.
"Does anyone see that there is just one other tiny problem with this plan?" Toph asked, spitting something into the grass to her left. I grimaced but then turned to ask,
"What is that?"
"That Sokka somehow thinks we're going to get a big enough army to take down the fire nation in three months."
"She has a point," Katara agreed, turning to her brother with serious eyes, "How are we going to get an army that big?"
"I was thinking," Sokka explained, leaning over the map
"Uh oh." Toph interjected, grinning. I sniggered at Sokka's annoyed expression.
"As I was saying. I was thinking that we could go to Ba Sing Se and talk to the earth king, get him to back us and provide us with an army. Then if we could we could..." Sokka trailed off before adding in a quieter tone, "try to contact dad, get him to help too." It was quiet for a moment, all of us picking up on the insecurity in Sokka's words, insecurity that effected each of us.
"What do you think Pala?" Katara finally asked, easing her voice into the silence like a foot into a hot bath.
"Are you asking for what I think or what the future holds?" I asked, trying to sound jovial but failing.
"Both would be nice." Toph replied, even she was effected by the dark mood that had fallen upon us. I shot a glare at her only to remember that she not only didn't care she wasn't even aware that I was glaring. No matter how funny it was to see my companions forget that Toph was blind it wasn't so funny when you were the one forgetting.
"Fine, in all honesty you guys are following the future as I know it, of course things have changed, my rescuing Appa probably-"
"What do you mean rescuing Appa?" I froze at the sound of Aang's sharp voice. He was staring at me, so was everyone else for that matter. I grinned nervously.
"In the traditional story those sandbenders were supposed to steal Appa and sell him to traders going to Ba Sing Se, that was a heavy influence on you heading to Ba Sing Se in the first place. Although the earth king bit was important as well." My mind wandered to what would happen in Ba Sing Se. Was there anyway I could help Aang? Stop him from getting hurt by Azula? And if I did what would change? The effects were not something I could control and nothing I could predict but I had also promised that I would protect my friends. I would think about it more later.
"WHAT!" Aang shouted, dragging my thoughts back to the real world.
"Aang, its okay, Appa's fine, we're fine, there was no cactus juice or friendly mushroom clouds." I quickly interjected as Katara tried to sooth the young airbender.
"I have a feeling that that is a really, really funny story." Toph smirked. I ignored the comment and coughed to catch the attention of Aang and Katara.
"Anyway, my point is so far we're on the right track. Is there anything else we need to talk about?" I added, turning to Sokka. He shook he head.
"Good, then maybe we should find some other stuff to do." With that I stood and walked away, effectively ending the awkward meeting.
While my friends dispersed I walked over to Appa's saddle and retrieved a scroll. Aang had managed to nab one from Wa Shi Tong's library while it was sinking for me and now my curiosity was getting the better of me. Unlike my old scroll which was red this one was had no fancy decoration. It was a plain, unimpressive scroll. That didn't mean the contents matched the outside. Excited I rolled it open and read the first few words in excitement. I frowned in confusion and rolled the scrolls all the way to the beginning to read the title. I took one look at it and laughed. It read 'Legends and Fairytales around the world' Aang had found me a children's book. I didn't mind though, learning about fairytales in this world would be interesting. Sitting down I began to read the first story, only to be interrupted.
"Hey Pala, I need a sparring partner." Sokka called while he carefully checked for nicks in his boomerang. I sighed but smiled and tucked the scroll away, picking up my fans and walking over to practice.
Half an hour later we were sweating and out of breath. Sokka had pushed both of us to our limits, using every trick he knew. I had returned in kind.
"Call it a tie?" I asked, straightening with a grimace, wiping sweat off my brow. Sokka nodded in agreement and hurried down to the water to cool off. I was about to follow him when Katara walked up to me, she looked upset which confused me. Had something happened that I wasn't aware of?
"Pala? Can I talk to you"
"Sure." I responded, walking over to the blue eyed girl.
"Privately." Katara insisted when I got close enough, taking me by the elbow and dragging me away. Once we were out of earshot she rounded on me.
"Don't think I'm jealous but I... I think it is unfair to show that you have a favourite among your friends." She sent me a look like she expected me to begin asking for forgiveness. As it was I had no idea what she was talking about.
"What?" I frowned, "You're going to have to be a little more clear." My befuddlement twisting my nose into a wrinkle.
"What I mean is that you are constantly complimenting Toph. I don't know if its on purpose or not but... I'm uncomfortable with the favouritism." I blinked at Katara in shock. She was partially right, I had been complimenting Toph quite a bit.
"Katara, I don't care for Toph more then any of you." Katara's doubt was clear so I explained.
"Yes Toph is cool and yes she is a great earthbender but the truth is, you are just as good in waterbending and you have plenty of merits. So does Sokka and Aang. The reason I compliment Toph is partially so she feels a part of this team. She came in so late that we already have tight bonds and she needs to know that we have space for her to become one of us as well. Also remember what she lived with? She needs to know that someone believes her to be incredible. The teasing way I complement her is meant to be just that, teasing. But it still helps her self-esteem. Each of you have something that makes you unique and incredible Katara, Toph just needs to be reminded." I smiled. Katara still looked bothered but there was a furrow in her brow suggesting that she was thinking hard.
"Don't compare yourself to Toph because you're not Toph. And just to let you know," I grinned, "you are one of the best waterbenders I have met, you have natural skill Katara. You probably would have been a prodigy if you had a master in the south." Katara's eyes had become watery in the last part and she smiled, wiping a damp eye.
"Thanks," She stated softly.
"No problem amazing, incredible, waterbending, friend of mine." I teased, causing her to laugh. Shaking her head Katara walked away. I shook my head and went back to Appa's saddle and my scroll. Internally berating myself. I had once again forgotten that Katara was only fourteen. She wouldn't understand everything I do and would need my support. It was hard being the oldest on the team although mentally Sokka wasn't that far away from me. I pulled out the scroll and contentedly began reading. The current story reminded me of Cinderella, except it was quite a bit different. The story was earth kingdom in origin and it revolved around a girl freeing a magical fish from her father's net. In return the fish promised her whenever she was in trouble it would grant her a wish but to use the wishes sparingly for he could only help her three times. Of course there was a party, the girl wanted to go but couldn't so she asked for beautiful dancing slippers and a dress. The fish provided both as the first wish which was what confused me. As I read on I was fascinated to find that the second wish was for a second outfit but the third was honest help. The king had sent the guards after the girl, believing that she was trying to seduce the prince. In reality she had just wanted to go to a party and be the most beautiful. She begged the fish to save her. He did, turning into a human man. I was shocked to read that it was the fish and the girl who lived happily ever after and not the prince. It was an intriguing story. Excited, I found myself reading further, excitement flowing through my veins.
Zuko
I stared off into the distance, my mind far away. All the way in the fire nation, my homeland my father sat as Fire Lord. A man who had hated his brother, taught his daughter how to lie and disfigured the face of his son. I reached up and gently touched the scar. I barely felt anything. It was a sign of dishonour and shame yet when I toughed it I no longer felt the familiar drive to hunt down the avatar and show my father that he had made a mistake in banishing me. Instead, I felt cold run through my body like it had in the North Pole. I was once again underwater, about to drown.
"What are you thinking about?" Uncle asked, taking a seat beside me.
"Everything." Nothing more had to be said.
"I see." We sat together in quiet contemplation before Uncle Iroh broke the silence.
"Perhaps I have been too much of an idealist or perhaps I have just refused to see what was in front of my eyes the entire time." I turned to my uncle in was he talking about? From the look in his eyes it almost seemed as though he was talking to himself, unaware that I was here beside him.
"My father disapproved of my wife, did you know that Zuko?"
"No." I replied. It felt necessary somehow, and at the same time I felt he hadn't heard me.
"He did. He thought that the daughter of such a minor noble was not appropriate for the future Fire Lady. I married her anyway and then we had Lu-Ten. When she passed away Lu-Ten was only a few years old. I continued to raise my son, giving everything I had to him. He reminded me of her." The grief in my uncle's voice was evident and I felt uncomfortable just sitting here, listening to him.
"Then Lu-Ten died and the world went mad. I didn't care anymore, I thought I had nothing to live for." He paused, "I thought Ozai would make a good Fire Lord and you would one day make an even better one. So I vanished, disappeared in search for the Spirit World so I could be reunited with my son." I felt a shiver run through me. There had been rumours that my uncle had gone to the spirit world, rumours that he had never confirmed or denied, at least in my presence. Despite the rumours no one knew what had happened. My uncle's voice was cracked with guilt and pain as he talked and I wanted nothing but to either run away or tell him that it was okay and that he didn't need to tell me this. But my curiosity was winning. I wanted to know what happened to my uncle in the spirit world, I wanted to know if he had found Lu-Ten.
"I found the natural portal almost a month later and entered..." my uncle trailed off before continuing in a softer voice. His voice sounded like stones rubbing together it was so rough. He wasn't far off from crying.
"I found many wonderful things and people. I even got to meet some major spirits but I never found Lu-Ten." He cleared his thought then continued.
"I can see now that I was blind to my brother's hate and cruelty. He only cared for power. He saw power in Azula and therefor he took her under his wing. He taught her how to hate." There was silence for a long time. I looked at my uncle.
"You couldn't have known." I finally admitted. Uncle Iroh just sighed and turned to look at me, eye to eye.
"I don't know if there is a way to save your father or sister Zuko. At one time I would have told you that everyone could be saved but I don't know anymore." He rubbed his hand over his face and for a moment I could see just how old my uncle was. I frowned then stood up and touched his shoulder.
"Its not all your fault. You can't blame yourself for my father's choices." I insisted. Uncle Iroh didn't deserve the lot he had drawn in life. He should have had a wife and son who lived. He should have been the next Fire Lord. He should have never had to deal with a ungrateful nephew who didn't realize how much his uncle had given up for him. One day my father would pay for what he had done to his family and the world.
Azula
I stared at my long fingernails in mild disinterest. The ends had been filed into acute points and I was pondering painting them red. Legs tossed over one side of my chair I found my thoughts wandering to that girl. The strange earth kingdom girl who had gotten in my way twice. The first was in New Ozai as it was now called. Omashu no longer. The second was in that rundown town on the edge of the desert. She had cried out, warning uncle... before I had even pointed at him. True is she had warned my fuddy-duddy uncle as my finger pointed at him there wouldn't have been enough time to escape and that was the crux of the matter. She had known my target just after I had chosen it. There was no way she could have known. I leaned backwards to glance at the girl in pink.
"What do you think Ty Lee?"
"What do I think about what Azula?" Ty Lee asked as she fixed a tear in her painfully pink outfit.
"The girl... what was her name again?"
"Wasn't it Pala or something water tribe?" Ty Lee giggled, "Pala, Pal-a, Paalllaaa" I twitched.
"She's earthkingdom." I responded, "She wouldn't have a watertribe name."
"Do I get a say?" Mai asked, her voice as flat as Ty Lee's was perky.
"Go ahead."
"I don't think she's earthkingdom. She looked like a colonial to me."
"Oh, and what makes you say that?"
"Her skin tone is a burn, remember the news from the North Pole that you told us about? I think she was burned and a waterbender healed her. Maybe even the waterbender that she travels with." I paused and thought about it for a moment. What Mai had said made sense. If she was a colonial or a low class citizen she might be aware of me as I did have quite a reputation. My lips twisted at that thought, mentally painting her skin tone lighter did give her the right look for a low class citizen or a colonial. Mai actually might be right.
"Well done Mai." I praised. Another thought occurred to me.
"I bet that's why she's using a watertribe name. She doesn't want to give away her origins." I would have snorted but that was unladylike. I knew it was expected of me to be a lady. A ridiculous notion but one I would have to put up with until I was Fire Lord.
"Umm, excuse me, Princess? A man has arrived with some... news for you." I looked up to see one of the servants I had decided to bring along from the royal procession. He was shaking so much I could see it. My mouth quirked down. Usually that meant bad news. I wasn't in the mood to hear bad news.
"Bring him in." I replied briskly. Another man walked in. He too was shaking so much it was visible and there was a notable stutter in his voice.
"M-M- My P-p-p-princess."
"y-y-y-yes?" I replied watching him. The man twitched.
"my- my name is-"
"I don't particularly care what your name is. What news do you bring? I suggest you spit it out quickly or I will become cross." I glanced at my nails then back at the man. I could see the lump in his throat bob up and down before he continued with less of a stutter this time.
"The girl... the non-bending one who follows the avatar? Th-there's rumour going about that sh-she's the avatar's- the avatar's." My patience was waning thin. I wanted that message now!
"She's what? The avatar's what?"
"The avatar's spirit guide."
A/N So what did you think? Sorry it took so long to update, life is insane. Which brings me to another point. I am going to be writing a series of one shots and behind the scenes moments for this story called Ripples in the World. It's going to cover all sorts of things such as what's going on with minor characters, spirits, major character scenes that didn't make the cut for this story. It should be up in the next day or so. If you have suggestions I'd love to hear them as well.
Once again.
Princess Kassie Out.
