I Don't Own Avatar the Last Airbender
"Inaru?" I was shocked, I hadn't seen her in years, three years in fact. But that wasn't why I was scared, she knows me, well the me that I use to be, the me that I don't like remembering. And if she was here then it wouldn't be surprising if more of them were here. Actually why were they here? Was a raid about to happen? Oh god, my kids are out there. What if-
"I thought you died!" I was slammed out of my panicking thoughts as I felt a pair of arms wrap around me. It was shocking, she was hugging me. I didn't know why.
"Wah?-!" I was use to being hugged, Buo and Bahi often were touch starved, probably from the first few years of their lives. So I was very use to giving and receiving hugs, but this, I didn't understand it. What was happening...?
"What happened! I thought you were killed by that earthbender" I blinked as I took a step away as I looked at her for a long moment. Needing it to get my thoughts in line as i stared at her before saying the first thing that came to my mind.
"They're telling people I died?" She wasn't with me when I went out for that final time, so she wouldn't know, but I thought my actions would have been the talk of the nation for at least a while, but to hear that they just told everyone I died, that hurt, genuinely hurt. All my services and they say some random earthbend killed me?
"Y-yeah, I heard after that last raid, it was crushing...I, I left after that. You were my captain, and the thought of serving under some hotshot start up just seemed like an insult to your memory. Some of the other's also left, Ban and Maki left with me before we went our own ways, and I heard Ruke also left after a few months" I needed to sit down, this was to much. I didn't think they would leave because of me, I'm glad they did, but I didn't think they would have cared enough to. I had no idea what I was suppose to do so I just continued to say the first thing that sprang to my mind
"And I wasn't a hotshot? I was like fifteen when I was became your commanding officer" She laughed at that, in the way that it was clear it was the bluntness of it, coupled with the fact that I hadn't seen her in almost four years now, it wasn't surprising. To her I did just rise somewhat from the dead. And for me I was facing a face from my past, the past I wasn't fond of remembering. I don't think either of us were comfortable at the moment.
"You were, but at least you weren't a jerk, well a massive jerk, you had you're moments" I winced at that because I knew exactly what she was talking about. She didn't know the half of it, and if she did then she was being kind for no reason. This conversation is stuck to much in the past, I don't like it, so time to try and change the topic.
"Yeah. So what are you doing in a village like this?" She looked at me like she thought I was crazy before saying back.
"What do you mean me? I'm no longer a solider, I can be wherever I want, but you're suppose to be dead, why in the world are you here?" I didn't know how to respond to that really. How in the world do I explain what I've been up to without sounding crazy? I don't think I could really.
"I... I kind of abandoned the mission we were on and fought and probably killed a few Fire Nation soldiers in my escape" She blinked at that, looked at me for a long moment, before an unease smile made it's way on her face. As I cursed at myself for continuing to say the first thing that came to my mind.
"W-what?" I sighed as I looked away at that. I didn't like the old me, the thoughts of honor and my own pride overwhelmed my own since of what a human life is actually worth. No teenager should have a kill count, and mine most certainly shouldn't be as high as it is. She deserved an answer though, I was a traitor, the one thing that anyone that knew me back then would think impossible. All because of my only weak spot.
"Well-" Just as I was about to try and explain it, two childish voices interrupted me as I felt someone small run up and hug at my side.
"Dad! Whose that?" I blinked as I looked down at Buo who was smiling up at me. My voice caught in my throat a bit as I looked up at Inaru and saw the pure confusion on her face. It was enough to get a small laugh out of me as I finally said to her as I placed a hand on my son's back.
"The reason is, I kind of adopting two kids" Yeah, I figured I'd see that expression on her face, the kind that basically screams 'what the world' but I figured that would happen, so right now I turned my focus on my kids and said.
"This is Inaru, she's an..old friend from back in my solider days and even before when we were kids" I didn't hide anything from them, I mean how could I expect them to trust me if I hide behind my past. I don't like who I was, I don't like remembering what I've done, but it was me that did it, and I'm always going to remember, even if I hate it, that person was still me, I can't just run from it. And that's what I would be doing if they didn't know. I'm just beyond grateful they quickly got over it, but I still remember the week where they ignored my existence.
"They-yo- KIDS?" I noted Buo and Bahi were now looking at her with a bit more seriousness. I didn't use the word friend much nowadays and most of my old friends aren't really nice people either, but I knew that wasn't what got their focus. I just said she was with me as a solider, most Fire Nation solider's are firebenders, and well that's not something they're comfortable with, even though she couldn't bend they didn't know that yet. I reached out and placed a hand on Bahi's shoulder while pulling Buo a bit closer so they could hopefully relax knowing I was right there.
"It's kind of a long story" Because it kind of was.
"I knew you had a soft spot for children but you gave up everything for them?" I nodded as the two of us looked over at one of the two beds in the room I had rented where both kids were sleeping at the moment.
"Of course, I couldn't just leave them there to die. I made my choice and I don't think I'll ever regret it" She sighed and looked over at me for a moment before giggling a bit before saying.
"The feared Flame Prodigy is now a teenage dad trying to make ends-meet... I wish you let us know Captain, we all mourned you" I frowned at that as I knew she was right, I should have let my men know, they deserved it for all the battles we fought side by side in. But I figured I would be marked as a traitor and they would want nothing to do with me, burning my letters without a thought. I didn't consider that it would just brush my actions under the rug instead.
"I didn't know the military would sweep my actions away like they never happened, I always wondered why there was a lack of wanted posters out for me. I guess they figured bringing me in wouldn't be worth the trouble... I'm sorry Inar" She twitched at the nickname like hearing it was such a strange sensation, before she sighed to herself as she looked away for a moment before saying.
"I get it, I don't know what I would have done if you were marked as a traitor, I would have felt so hurt and betrayed I'm sure. But my time away from the fighting and combat has taught me somethings... From the looks of it, it's also taught you a lot, you're...softer I suppose. I remember when we were kids and you were always so strict and serious all the time. I can't remember a time where you were so openly smiling" Yeah, I remember that as well.
"I am softer, and it's nice. That life which seemed so important now just seem so... I don't know, all this time with my family traveling around, it's been so freeing I guess. I know I saved them but they also saved me from what I could have been. The person I was heading to become if I hadn't had such innocent joy in my life, not just stress of the war" She winced at that, clearly remembering all the times I was 'trained' by my father or trainers. None in my early years were worth remembering if I wanted to be in a good mood.
"I-... I was hurt at first when we first ran into each other, but I think I'm happy for you Captain. That life wasn't one that you should have had to live, no matter how good you were" I gave her a grateful smile, honestly I missed Inaru, she was a very old friend of mine. I had met her when I was around seven, and she was one of the main reasons why I didn't become some monster of hate and rage even as the years went on and as I got enlisted before quickly climbing ranks. Speaking of.
"Come on Inar, it's just Sho now. I'm not your captain anymore" She giggled a bit at that before saying.
"Sorry, it's just an ingrained habit at this point I guess. I hope you don't mind...Captain" Now she was just doing it on purpose, and yet I chuckled all the same as we shared one of the first laughs we've had in almost four years before I said.
"It's a bit weird, but I guess I'm still also a bit use to it as well. Strange huh?" She just shrugged as I looked back over at the two sleeping kids for a moment while a content smile pulling on my face. After about ten minutes of quiet air between us, she broke it and said
"They really are your kids huh?" I blinked to myself as I thought about the question before replying back in the most serious tone I could.
"I brought them in when they were only five. I don't think they even remember they're original parents anymore, just nightmares or flashes of them. I've taken care of them for coming on four years now, they are my children now, end of story... If anyone tries to hurt them, I'd kill them without hesitation" I didn't like killing, I've always found it disgusting, during my time as a solider I could mostly ignore it, but I know I would do it in a heart beat if it came down to it, if it was for them, I don't think there was anything I wouldn't do for them.
"...I'm glad you didn't take after your own father" I smirked a bit at that before saying.
"I tried his strict method, I barely lasted a week before they melted my heart" She smiled at that as I looked away from them for a moment to look over at Inaru as a question flared in my mind as I asked her.
"So, what are you planning on doing next? Really what are you doing in a random place like this to begin with? You were always the homey type, so you exploring the Earth Kingdom lands doesn't really make sense to me" It seemed we had finally hit something that caused the air between the two of us to become cold. I frowned as I looked over at her own sad face. After a while she spoke up.
"It's my mother, she's sick, it's not looking good to be honest with you Cap- Sho. I'm currently working with a couple traveling merchants, acting as a guard right now to get some funds to send back to her to pay for some of the more expensive medicines and herbs" Her mom? My frown feel into a morose look as I recalled the woman in question. She wasn't always the nicest to me but I knew it was because she was terrified of her daughter getting into a relationship with any guy, and we were practically best friends back then, before we joined the war.
"I'm sorry to hear that Inar. I wish I could help but I'm not really looking to good on cash at the moment either. Paying for our travels is becoming more and more expensive as they grow up. I want to settle down at some point, but every time we do... It never ends well" It wasn't only one attack that scarred my kids against large amounts of fire.
"I figured you wouldn't be able to do anything. I'm honestly surprised you managed this well. You never were use to having to live like more common folk" She said that like I was one of the royals, needless to say I most certainly wasn't. I was born into a 'nice' family with an older brother and a war general father, which basically dictated my path in life until a few years ago.
"Well being broke isn't to hard once you get use it to... I don't suppose you could tell me where those merchants your protecting are?" She blinked at that before asking me.
"Are you sure you want those two to be with you on something like guarding some merchant from bandits?" I didn't really like it but bodyguard work pays well and they can defend themselves well if they have to. I've made sure they could by teaching them as much as I can about self defense and earthbending. Against some random bandits, frankly I'm more worried about what they'll do to the bandits than anything.
"They both are earthbender's, pretty decent to for their age. I'm certainly proud of there progress. Sure I would hate for them to get in a fight with the chance of getting hurt, but I'll be there as well, and you know me Inaru. I'm a bit rusty but a couple thugs aren't a problem" She seemed to think about it for a long moment before saying.
"Fine, but I'm going to come with you Captain. I trust you to protect them but I wouldn't feel right if I let you three go off without as much protection as you can get" I just gave her a thankful smile.
"Oh, by the way, are you planning on shaving any time soon because the bread just doesn't suit you" Annnd she's ruined the mood.
I'm just writing whatever comes to mind for this story, which is usually how I write, with every now and again some preplanned plot points but this story is literally just because I felt like writing. And as such, random character from Sho's past because this is clearly just a random project of mine that I'm not putting basically any effort into. Well, I am putting effort in because my lack of empathy and in general most emotions makes writing 'wholesome' stuff hard, even if I will admit that I find watching or reading it nice. This kind of an experiment to also try my hand at a few new topics to base a story around as well so there's that. Anyway, See ya.