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Light from the Shadows Chapter 6
Kakashi
Upon leaving the prison rig, Sakura had picked up on his sour mood. Nothing like a fight to really remind you of your demons, right Kakashi? At least you didn't put your entire fist through that man's chest.
Kakashi had avoided telling her any more than necessary to give her the message. Killing people had once come easy to him, and he didn't want to become the person he had once been. Though it seems harder and harder every time we get into trouble. Sakura was on edge the last couple of days and it had nothing to do with his behavior. Something about the solstice, but she didn't want to tell him anything more about it. This is kind of like when she felt Aang coming. Is something else coming? Something just as big? I hope not, I can't handle two all-powerful 12 year olds.
On their travels, Kakashi had accidentally slipped into a slight parenting role. He controlled their money, and as he was a stingy bastard, they always had a little. (Though this was honestly because he kept adding his own money to theirs.) This and the two little water tribe siblings were always bickering and he found himself splitting the fights up more often than not.
Today they were flying through an especially fluffy batch of clouds. They were lazy, cotton candy-esque clouds with just the right amount of sunshine leaking through. Kakashi laid back and absorbed the sun's rays. He was happy for the peaceful moment among their company. Katara was leaning over the side watching the clouds, Aang was relaxing and chewing on a reed, Sokka was whittling (not very good but at least it kept him occupied), and Sakura was reading.
Katara mused out loud, "Those clouds look so soft, don't they? Like you could just jump down and you'd land in a big, soft cottony heap."
Sokka looked up from his work, "Maybe you should give it a try."
She looked back over her shoulder at him, "You're hilarious."
Aang turned to them with a massive grin on his face. He picked up his staff and yelled, "I'll try it! Yeahhh!" The boy jumped off of Appa's side, laughing as he hurtled down through the clouds. Katara and Sokka looked over the side, presumably to be sure he was all right. He's got his staff. Aang's fine. A moment or two later, he landed beside the two on Appa's saddle, drenched. Sakura protectively held her book against her chest to avoid the wet boy.
"Turns out clouds are made of water!"
He airbended his clothes dry. Sokka and Katara were eyeing him.
Katara suddenly pointed in front of them, "Hey, what is that?"
Sokka moved to the side of the saddle and saw what she was looking at, "It's like a scar."
Kakashi glanced out at the ground and saw what they had been speaking of. The lush green of the landscape came to an abrupt stop. Then everything was black for quite a distance. It was obvious who had done it. Fire Nation. Aang brought Appa down to the ground. The group dismounted and were wandering around the area. Kakashi kicked at the ashes, they were cold and had settled. This attack must have happened within the last three months. There was no regrowth of the forest just yet, the forest had been damaged spiritually as well as physically, it would be a little longer yet before anything regrew.
Sokka looked around solemnly, "Listen, it's so quiet. There's no life anywhere."
Kakashi's kicking dredged up an acorn and he passed that to Katara. She took it and met his eyes. An understanding of sorts passed between them.
She walked up to Aang and put her hand on his shoulder, "Aang, are you ok?" Kakashi kept mussing around in the ash and came upon a helmet, Sokka turned and looked at him.
"Fire Nation! Those evil savages make me sick! They have no respect for—"
Katara shushed him. Aang was quite depressed. Kakashi got this feeling that Katara was trying to baby him with warm fuzzies and the good of the world. Sorry girl but this world isn't made of warm fuzzies. It's made of cold, stabbing needles and everywhere you look there's another one. You can't keep him from that truth.
"What? I'm not allowed to be angry?"
Sokka was correct. Who wouldn't be angry at this sight? Then Kakashi realized what Katara was trying to do. She was trying to keep him calm. If he got angry, the Avatar State ensued, and although Kakashi had yet to see it, he was assured it was not a place Aang liked being put in. Apparently he couldn't control himself in such a state and the destruction that ensued was catastrophic.
Aang sank to his knees in the ashes and sighed. He ran his hands through the burnt earth.
"Why would anyone do this? How could I let this happen?"
"Aang, you didn't let this happen. It has nothing to do with you."
Kakashi spoke up, "Aang. She's right. This attack happened within the last three months. Which means that is has happened after you woke up. There was nothing you could have done for these people. You can't be everywhere at once."
"But it has everything to do with me! I should have been here! If I was awake for it, I could have traveled here first! It's the Avatar's job to protect nature. But, I don't know how to do my job."
"And that's why we're going to the North Pole. To find you a teacher."
That's not the kind of teacher he means, Katara.
"… a waterbending teacher, yeah. But there is no one who can teach me how to be the Avatar. Monk Gyatso said that Avatar Roku would help me."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at this. Wait. How is a dead man, his past life, supposed to help? Can the Avatar speak to the dead?
Sokka thought this was outrageous, "The Avatar before you? He died over a hundred years ago! How are you supposed to talk to him?"
Aang let a palmful of ash flow through his fingers and drift on the breeze, "I don't know."
Momo hopped on his lap and Aang started petting him. It was disturbingly similar to a depressed old lady petting her cats.
Katara fiddled with the acorn Kakashi had given her, "Hey Aang, are you ready to be cheered up?"
"No."
"Well too bad."
Katara threw the acorn at his head and it bounced off.
"Ow! How was that supposed to cheer me up?"
Sokka giggled, "Heh! Cheered me up!"
He was promptly whacked by another acorn Katara picked up off the ground.
"Ow! Yeah I probably deserve that."
You see Sokka, if you just kept your mouth shut, so much less pain would come to you.
Katara bent down in front of Aang and gave him another acorn, "These acorns are everywhere , Aang. That means the forest will grow back. Every one of these will be a tall oak tree someday, and all the birds and animals that lived here will come back."
"Thanks, Katara."
Kakashi heard a footstep behind him and turned. An old man, wearing green robes and using a walking stick approached them. He walked directly up to Aang.
Sokka, always distrustful and rightfully so, walks closer and questions, "Hey! Who are you?"
The old man smiled at them, "When I saw the flying bison, I thought it was impossible, but those markings… are you the Avatar, child?"
Kakashi saw Aang's eyes meet his own and question, should I tell this man that I'm the Avatar? Is it safe? He nodded and Aang turned back to the man, nodding in turn.
"My village desperately needs your help." Kakashi smacked his forehead with a palm and let it slide down his face. Oh my GOD. I AM SO SICK OF VILLAGES NEEDING OUR HELP, can't there be ONE place that says, 'Great! Welcome Avatar! We don't need your help, we just want to feed you and your company good food and enjoy each other's company'? Yeah I knew it was a long shot.
…
They followed the old man to his village and upon the first sight of the place, Kakashi knew they really did need help. A good part of the village had been burned out or destroyed. A sad air blew through the place. It had the feel of a ghost town waiting to happen.
The group walked down the main 'street' of the village (it was really the only street left at this point), and into a building where some of the villagers had gathered.
Their escort stopped in front of a man, presumably a village chief and introduced them.
"This young person is the Avatar." Okay so he introduced Aang.
The village chief smiled at them, "So the rumors of your return are true," he bowed to their company, "It is the greatest honor of a lifetime to be in your presence."
Aang returned the sentiment and bowed to the chief, "Nice to meet you too. Uhhh… So… is there something I can help you with?"
The man's expression changed to a pained one, "I'm not sure…"
The old man burst out, "Our village is in crisis! He's our only hope. For the last few days at sunset a spirit monster comes and attacks our village. He is Hei-Bai, the black and white spirit." Kakashi felt Sakura stiffen next to him and heard a slight gasp escape her. He cast a sidelong glance at her and saw that she was hanging on every word from the chief, writing it all down in her little notebook. What does she know? Maybe she'll tell me later.
Sokka cut in, "Why is it attacking you?"
The chief looked up and walked to the doorway they had just entered, he looked out at the setting sun. His expression was forlorn.
"We do not know, but each of the last three nights he has abducted one of our own. We are especially fearful because the winter solstice draws near."
Katara looked at him, confused, "What happens then?"
Sakura was the one to answer, "When the solstice approached, our world, the natural world and the spirit world grow closer and closer. On the solstice, the line between the worlds is practically gone. The spirit would be able to pass through at will and do some real damage then." She never looked up from her notebook. Her scribbling continued.
The chief turned to her, "Hei-Bai is already causing devastation and destruction. Once the solstice is here, there is no telling what will happen."
Aang scratched his head, "So… what do you want me to do exactly?"
The old man spoke again, "Who better to resolve a crisis between our world and the spirit world than the Avatar himself? You are the great bridge between man and spirits."
Aang was clearly not confident in his response, "Right… that's me…"
Katara took Aang's hand, "Hey, 'great bridge guy', can I talk to you over here for a second?"
She, Aang, and Sokka walked to a window across the room and spoke amongst one another. Kakashi and Sakura were perfectly happy remaining near the door.
"So how do you know so much about the spirit world?" Kakashi asked Sakura.
She seemed a bit… hesitant in her answer, "I learned about it at a library."
She only paused her writing for a second before she reluctantly continued.
"So you know about the spirit world and Aang doesn't. Seems a bit weird, right?"
"He's the Avatar, he'll figure something out, right?"
She shifted her weight and Kakashi could tell she felt unsure about it too.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Why don't you teach Aang about it…? Tell me about this library you found this information at."
"I-it was just a regular old library… I really don't know that much…"
"Mhmmm I'm sure… any regular old library has information on the spirit world."
"Well it is pretty common knowledge that the solstice is when the worlds are at their closest…"
Kakashi hadn't known that. That's not exactly something the Fire Nation Academy focused on though. They are probably the least spiritual people I know. Most of the teachings in that horrible place were about past heroes of the Fire Nation and how to kill, and accurately.
"I guess I didn't know that."
He stopped questioning her.
For now.
Sakura stopped scribbling, circled something she wrote and closed her book.
…
That night, Aang went out to see what he could do about the spirit. He walked down the main street. Kakashi and the rest of the group watched him from the windows. The kid was scared shitless. Kakashi could tell by the way he gripped his staff and kept his arms tucked close to his body.
"Hello? Spirit, can you hear me? This is the Avatar speaking…"
He walked out of Kakashi's hearing range.
Aang was just about to exit the village gate, when Sokka spoke up, "This isn't right. We can't sit here and cower while Aang waits for some monster to show up."
Kakashi looked at the young boy, his face was lit up by the last of the sun's light. In the rest of the room, many of the villagers were also in the building, waiting in fear to see what would come of Aang trying to help them. The old man that had led them to the village came up behind Sokka and Katara, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"If anyone can save us, he can."
Sokka was determined, "He still shouldn't have to face this alone."
Kakashi looked around the room for Sakura, but didn't see her anywhere.
"Have you guys seen Sakura?"
Sokka waved it off, replying, "She said something about going upstairs? Not feeling good or something."
Kakashi left them to find her. He began searching the first floor rooms, not finding her. She wasn't on the ground floor. He apologized to those he disturbed by peeking into the rooms. Upstairs was just as fruitless. Kakashi was just about to declare her missing when he caught a glimpse of one more door he had missed. He went to investigate and found her there.
Or he kind of found her. When she didn't respond, Kakashi moved in front of her and sat down. She was in a meditation pose, her palms were face up on her knees, legs crossed and breathing smooth. He was hesitant to touch her as it might break her concentration. I guess I'll just wait here. Outside the building was chaos, Kakashi could hear the sounds coming in from outside and wondered how she managed to stay so focused on her meditation. My peace would have been broken at least five times by now.
~Sakura~
Sakura knew the solstice was practically upon them. Many of the less powerful spirits in the realm were excited, it was there chance to cross freely for a short time during the year. She met with some of her old friends and they, of course, made her stay for tea.
The unspoken leader of the group, Sayuri, was the most beautiful of the geisha spirits, her makeup was always the perfect blend of serene and coy, her eyes a water-blue. They were enticing. When she was alive apparently men sought her out for those eyes full of water. She constantly walked around with a parasol and wore the most beautiful kimono. Sometimes she called her little geisha friends her fellow geiko, (some dialect they shared that Sakura was not privy to but enjoyed writing about immensely). Sakura liked and admired Sayuri, but her favorite of the geishas was Pumpkin. She was a little bit chunky, apparently in life she had had one to many pumpkin pasties. She was always quick to laugh, drank way too much alcohol and had a tiny mole on her cheek that Sakura absolutely adored.
While she was there, the tea party included Sayuri, Pumpkin, as well as Tatsuhiya. Luckily the bitchy Hatsumomo didn't show up. The tea table wasn't big enough for five anyway. When Hatsumomo did show up to their parties it was always awkward as Hatsumomo and Sayuri had been rivals during their lifetime.
Their tea table was a low wooden table set out on an eternally green patch of grass with cushions spread out around it. There was always fresh tea to be had. Music always came with their tea, this time Pumpkin entertained them with a beautiful flowing flute number. The group was happy, laughing and dancing.
"Sakura. Tell us. How have you been? You haven't been here to visit us in so long." Sayuri pouted as she held her hand.
"You haven't been married off without telling us have you?"
Sakura blushed.
"Of course not! I would tell you all about it if that happened to me! But seeing as my parents are deceased it is unlikely for an arranged marriage to happen to me. And I'm very happy with that."
She smiled at the woman opposite the table from her, attempting to convey confidence in her decision. On the inside she was on the fence about marriage. Sakura was a completely independent woman... who also thought it would be nice to rely on someone else every now and then.
"At least you get to marry one day, Sakura. During my life I had many men, but only loved once. He was already married, and as you could imagine there was no way we could actually be together. It was tragic."
Pumpkin leaned in towards her and whispered in her ear,
"Don't get her started or you'll be here forever listening to her talk your ear off!" Her friend chuckled and pulled out a beautiful fan to cool herself.
"But really, what has you so busy Sakura? So busy that you can't come see us as often as you used to. We used to have these parties daily! We haven't seen you in foreverrrr."
"It's only been a few weeks!"
"A lot can happen in a few weeks, Sakura."
"Don't I know it."
"But let's get on with the juicy bits. Who is he?"
"Who is who?"
"The man you're with! You've obviously got someone taking up all your time!"
Her embarrassment grew, "There isn't a man, Sayuri. I am traveling on a journey, sometimes it's hard to find a blank space of time where I can cross and not have to worry about my body being moved."
Pumpkin wrinkled her nose.
"I forgot you have to worry about that."
"I am traveling with the Avatar by the way."
The ladies were on the edge of their seats.
"What!? Tell us everything!"
"Is he handsome!?"
"Cute?"
"Tall?"
"Smart?"
The questions bombarded her.
"Well for one thing, he's just 12 ladies, he's just a boy. Aang may be very mature for his—"
"Aang… what a strong name!"
"Yeah, sure, but he's just a boy, he doesn't really care about stuff like that. He's an airbender, so he was raised by monks and keeps his head shaved. Though I'm not sure how as he doesn't have a razor or anything like that… He's kinda short. He's still young so I'm sure he'll be much taller later on in his life. Aang does have his moments when he's smart, and figures things out that sometimes even I wouldn't have thought of."
At least they stopped asking about the man in her life.
"Really? But you know everything Sakura."
"Pfft. Yeah right. I'll be reading a book til the day I die, let me tell you that!"
The ladies giggled and continued their party. The food in the spirit world was always just as delicious as the food in the real world, and you could eat as much of it as you liked. The tea never cooled and the spirits never aged. It was altogether a glorious place. Today's party featured Sakura's favorites. Jasmine green tea, Spiced Chai tea with milk and sugar, paired with pork dumplings and mini apple tarts. Sakura was in heaven every time she came to the spirit world. Whoever cooked here knew what they were doing!
Sakura put down her cup and looked at her friends.
"On a more serious note. Ladies. I'm in a village in the physical world that's being plagued by a spirit named Hei-Bai. Do you know of it?"
The ladies thought to themselves.
"I can't say I've heard of it… maybe it spends most of its time in the physical world?"
"I don't know. It took a friend of ours last night and we're trying to find him."
The geishas gasped.
"Oh no. How very horrible! I'm so sorry, Sakura. I hope that you find them."
True and good friends were hard to come by during their lifetime. They knew just how hard it was to lose them.
Pumpkin squeezed her hand.
"It's been a good while Sakura, I think you better be making your way back. We will escort you to the crossing land."
"I appreciate it greatly, Sayuri."
They all stood and started their short journey to the crossing lands. Sayuri led them. Sakura watched her walk and fell in love with their aesthetic all over again. She knew they took very small steps, having the kimono wrapped so tightly, but for some reason they seemed to just float right along.
You are in the spirit world, Sakura, they probably are floating.
Their kimono were always impeccable. The one Sayuri was wearing was a deep read at the bottom and was heavy and thick with embroidery. The fabric was died in a gradient, slowly flowing from deep, blood-rust red, to a red-orange that reminded Sakura of sunset, to a tangerine, then on to a canary yellow before ending in a crème color that made up the rest of the kimono. The designs on the kimono were leafy and full of wonderous little details. Sakura could spend all day looking at the garment and find something new every time she looked at it. The obi at her waist was a deep navy blue and was tied in a large box knot on her back. The sleeves of the kimono were also of a gradient dye, starting in crème at the shoulders and ending in the same burnt, sunset orange from the bottom of the garment. The ends of the sleeves also had embroidery sewn into them, but far less than the edges around the bottom. Her hair was up in a glorious updo, adorned with jade combs and beaded hairpins. She was a spirit but her makeup was always beautiful. Her skin was made up to a pure white, with just a hint of rouge on her cheeks. She wore mascara but little other eye makeup. Her lips were painted red, and made to look small and round.
"We're here, Sakura. Time to go home." Her friends hugged her and Sakura was sent off. She imagined the door and knocked. She opened the door and flew back into her body.
~/~
About an hour later Kakashi was starting to get worried. Sakura hadn't moved, not a single inch but to breathe. He was about to rouse her, shake her shoulders, something, when she snapped open her eyes.
"Sakura?"
"Kakashi!? What are you doing here?" Kakashi narrowed his eyes at her.
"I could ask you the same. Tell me, what exactly are you doing up here?" Sakura stretched out, she hadn't moved the entire time Kakashi was there, her joints and muscles were probably tight.
"I was meditating."
"I've never seen someone meditate for so long without moving like that. What are you hiding?" Kakashi looked out the window. It was dark outside now, and the only think lighting the room was the shine of the moon and a couple of dim candles.
"I... can't. I can't tell you."
"Sakura," Kakashi looked her in the eyes, searching for something there and finding nothing. He furrowed his brows, "Don't you trust me? You can tell me anything. Please, tell me what's going on!"
Sakura sighed and rose from her sitting position. She walked to the door to lock it then shut the blinds on the window and the room was darkened significantly.
"Kakashi. What I'm about to tell you, you have to swear to never, and I truly mean never, repeat to another living soul."
He put a hand on his chest and the other in the air, "I swear. On my warrior's honor."
Sakura sat down in front of him.
"Before I came to Kyoshi Island, I lived in Omashu."
"I know. Your parents died and you left for Kyoshi."
"Wel... that's not a hundred percent true. See what really happened... was that I wandered in the desert for a long time, looking for their bodies. Looking for a clue to what happened to them. But see in the desert, bodies are buried in days, and tracking factors can be lost within minutes. Especially in a sandstorm. I didn't know where I was going. After I got the letter from King Bumi, I went a little crazy."
"I don't understand. So you wandered the desert for a while, then came to Kyoshi?"
"No…" she looked at him as if daring him to interrupt again. He put up his hands and beckoned her to continue. "See after a long while in the desert, it had to have been six months or so, I found Wan Shi Tong's library. Yes I know it's the stuff of myths and legends and some don't think it really exists. But it's true. It's real. And I was there. I studied with Wan Shi Tong for five years. We covered so many things, ideas, theories, the spirit truly became something of a friend to me. He may not have liked me at first as I was just another 'selfish' human, but after a couple of years with the spirit, he taught me many things."
Sakura lowered her voice even further. It was just above a whisper.
"He taught me how to cross into the spirit world."
Kakashi's jaw dropped.
"Then why...? Why aren't you out there helping Aang?"
"Because I can't! I can only fully cross, and enter the spirit realm. I can't communicate with spirits in this realm. I can only see them. If they should begin the conversation it is easier, but most either cannot or do not wish to do so. This one is so blinded by rage that it cannot form words with one such as me. Aang is the only one who could even dream of understanding and soothing the spirit."
"So when I came in. You were in the spirit world?"
"Well, I'm assuming so, I cannot see what is happening around my physical body while I am there."
"What if someone else had come in and seen you? What if they had tried to shake you awake?"
"There's a pretty big chance I would have never made it back alive."
Kakashi gulped, "That's a pretty big risk, leaving the door unlocked like that, then. Please tell me the next time you are thinking of crossing over, I can be there to watch over your body. To make sure nothing happens to you."
"I would-" Sakura was cut off by a loud noise outside. The spirit had come back to the village. It was a large alien looking spirit. There were black and white markings on its body and it had incredibly sharp teeth. While they looked out the window at it, the beast destroyed two houses and a watchtower using its strength and a type of blue energy it released from it giant maw. The spirit moved out of their field of vision, but they could still hear it destroying what was remaining of the village.
Sakura took his hand and they returned to the first floor of the building. Sokka and Katara were standing with the village chief at one of the front windows, watching Aang. Sokka appeared to be poised to jump out the window and help his friend at a moment's notice.
"It doesn't seem too interested in what he's saying. Maybe we should go help him?"
The Old Man reminded him, "No, only the Avatar stands a chance against the Hei-Bai."
Katara met her brother's eyes and put a hand on his back, "Aang will figure out the right thing to do, Sokka."
Kakashi watched Hei-Bai through the window on the other side of the door. Sakura joined him. The spirit was smashing a building with his fists, punching the structure into the ground over and over again. Aang tried to get the spirit's attention, but the entity was too angry to be reasoned with, it swatted the boy away and Aang hit a roof before sliding off and collapsing on the ground.
Sokka got up again, ready to leave, "That's it! He needs help!"
Katara took his hand to stop him but it slipped through her fingers, "Sokka! Wait!"
He ran out the door to help Aang. Katara moved to follow, but Kakashi caught her shoulders and held her back. She looked back at him desperately, but understood. He continued to hold on to her as he moved back to the window.
The old man reiterated his statement, "It's not safe out there!"
Kakashi peeped his head out the window and saw Sokka booking it toward Aang. The spirit beast was standing over Aang.
Sokka yelled out at the spirit to catch its attention, "Hei-Bai! Over here!"
He threw his boomerang and it bounced off Hei-Bai's backside, nothing more than a prick to the creature. He ran to Aang, and they shared some words, but Kakashi couldn't hear them over the noise of destruction from Hei-Bai. What happened next seemed to take only seconds. Hei-Bai flashed to the two boys and took Sokka. The spirit and Sokka disappeared in an instant. Aang opened his glider and took off in hot pursuit of the spirit monster and the boy. Kakashi let his arms drop as he realized what just happened.
"Sokka!"
Katara's voice was a desperate scream. She ran after them but stopped at the village gate. Her legs gave out and she fell to the dirt. Kakashi and Sakura ran up to her and helped her up. Tears streamed down her face and her expression was broken. He helped Katara back to the room and looked back at Sakura.
"Are you staying here?"
"Yes," and as Katara continued toward the main building, he turned back to Sakura, "I'm staying in case they find their way back. Or if I hear anything, see anything. I'll be lookout while we wait. Will you please take Katara back to the building and have her sleep, there's nothing she can do right now."
Kakashi nodded and walked back to Katara, who had stopped just outside of earshot. He took her back to the building and had the chief find her a room to sleep in for the rest of the night.
He looked out of one of the large windows in the building and saw Sakura still at the edge of the forest, just sitting under the gate. She looked to be meditating. Please tell me she's not trying to cross out in the open like that!
Kakashi rushed down to her and found that she was not crossing over, just very serene and serious in her vigil.
"I'm sure they'll be back."
"Oh I know that Aang will be back, I am just worried about Sokka. What if Hei-Bai takes him to the spirit realm and Sokka never comes back? These sort of things happen."
Kakashi sat beside her and pulled her into his shoulder.
"You should get some rest."
"Everything's going to be okay, right?"
"Sure. I'd be surprised if Aang returned without him."
Sakura looked up, "Aang?" Kakashi snapped up and looked out and around them. There was no one there. He looked at the woman next to him and a tear had fallen down her cheek.
"Oh no," she looked at him to explain, "He lost Sokka."
"Is Aang here?"
Sakura nodded, "Yes but he's in the spirit realm. Or partially. I'm not really sure how the in between area works. Like there's the spirit realm, which highly resembles a swamp, and then there's where Aang is, which is in our realm, but invisible to unenlightened humans, such as yourself, Katara and the others. But don't feel bad, there are very, very few of us. Anyway, Aang is literally right in front of us, as a 'spirit' of sorts."
Sakura chuckled, "No, Aang. He can't see you. Yeah I get that it's frustrating. You're in the spirit world part of this realm. No, I can't tell you why I can see you, I've been sworn to secrecy. Yeah I know that's unfair. Just try and find him okay? We'll keep Katara calm and unworried."
She got up and patted the air, presumably where Aang's shoulder was supposed to be. Kakashi was astounded by her abilities. To see a whole other world…. Wouldn't that be something?
"Good luck, Aang."
Appa came up the wall to the two standing at the gate. He huffed and Kakashi rubbed the sky bison's giant fluffy head.
"So you can see Aang? And he's in the spirit world? Or in between of sorts."
"Yeah something like that."
He took the Appa's reigns and turned him toward the village, "Don't worry, Appa. Aang is going to be back soon." Kakashi led Appa into the village, then returned to Sakura's side, to await their friends' return to the physical world.
Sakura's eyes widened and she scooted closer to the edge of the gate.
"There's a spirit dragon flying toward Aang."
"What!? Is he in danger?"
"It's coming closer every second. I'm not sure. Some spirits like Hai-Bei are malicious, but most I've met are not so evil. They usually just gossip about each other." She turned quickly and flattened herself against the gate, as if avoiding something in the path.
"Apparently Aang's bending doesn't work in the spirit realm. He just tried to fly on his glider into the village and fell." Sakura chuckled but composed herself within a couple of seconds.
"The dragon just landed in front of Aang, they're just inside the gate of the village." Regardless of knowing he could not see any of this, Kakashi looked into the main path of the village and even let himself be disappointed when he could not see the dragon and the boy.
"Aang is asking the dragon if he knows where Sokka is. The dragon touched Aang with his whisker and Aang's eyes glowed. I wonder what he's showing him." Her brows furrowed then a smile grew on her face.
"The dragon is Avatar Roku's animal guide! Like Aang's Appa. He's asking the dragon if there's a way to save Sokka now, by talking with Avatar Roku. I wonder if he could contact the man through the spirit realm…"
She whispered the last part.
"Aang just left on the dragon."
Kakashi pouted, "Aang gets to have all the fun! Riding dragons in the spirit realm."
"I don't think it's all fun and games. He's doing his best to try and find his friend that has just been kidnapped by an angry spirit. That may never come back."
Kakashi realized what he had been saying and shut his mouth. Katara came out of the main building and saw them standing at the gate.
"Hey Kakashi, Sakura. I'm going to take Appa out and look for them."
He wanted to stop her, but there wasn't a reason he could give her without blowing Sakura's cover, so he stayed silent and let her take off on the giant bison.
She was gone for the rest of the afternoon. The village chief had prepared them a meal and Kakashi accepted it. It was mostly soup and bread, but all food tasted delicious if you only waited long enough to eat it. Once the sun had just about set, Katara returned and waited on the porch of the building with Kakashi and Sakura.
Aang appeared out of the forest and glided towards them, landing right in front of them.
Katara was the first to rush up and hug him.
"You're back! Where's Sokka?"
Aang hung his head, "I'm not sure."
Kakashi and Sakura shared glances. Shit.
…
That night Aang confronted the beast again.
It appeared, bursting straight out of a home with a wind chime out front, sending haunting noise into the night.
Katara yelled from the window, "Aang, what are you doing? Run!"
Aang ran up and floated down in front of the great beast, placing a hand on its head. They apparently shared a moment and Aang floated down to the ground.
"You're the spirit of this forest. Now I understand. You're upset and angry because your home was burned down. When I saw the forest had burned I was sad and upset. But my friend gave me hope that the forest would grow back."
Aang pulled something out of his shirt and showed it to the spirit. It was the acorn Katara had given him earlier. He placed it on the porch and backed away. Hei-Bai took the acorn and turned away from the scene. As it walked into the forest, giant bamboo shoots grew, and from them emerged all the kidnapped people.
Katara ran up and hugged her brother, "Sokka!"
He yawned and looked back at Katara, "You were trapped in the Spirit World for 24 hours. How are you feeling?" She looked him over for injuries.
"Like I seriously need to use the bathroom!"
…
The chief of the village spoke to them before they left, "Thank you, Avatar. If there only were a way to repay you for what you've done."
Sokka looked around off handedly, "You couullld give us some supplies and some money?"
Katara angrily elbowed him, "Sokka!"
"What? We need stuff!"
The chief bowed again, "It would be an honor to help you prepare for your journey."
Sakura turned to Aang, "Proud o' you, Aang. You figured it out all on your own."
Aang scratched the back of his neck, "Actually, I did have a little help… and there's something else."
Sakura stiffened next to Kakashi. Don't blow her secret kid, or I may just have to hurt you.
She asked him what he was talking about, the tension slowly releasing from her form.
"I need to talk to Roku and I think I've found a way to contact his spirit."
Katara jumped into the conversation, "That's great!"
Sokka fiddled with his pack and responded, "Creepy, but great."
Aang turned to them but spoke to the whole group, "There's a temple on a crescent shaped island, and if I go there on the solstice I'll be able to speak to him."
Sakura held up a finger, "Hold on. The solstice is tomorrow, Aang."
Their bald friend looked at Sakura, "Yeah, and one more problem. The island is in Fire Nation."