Chapter Six

The Village

"What are we going to do?" Katara asked.

"Taking flight is risky but walking isn't the best option," Sokka said.

"I think we should take flight. At least if we head more inland we have a chance to out run them," Khundes said.

"But they'll see which way we went. Walking they won't know which way we went," Sokka said.

"Think Sokka, they probably have their vehicles. They'd get us in no time," Khundes looked up the tree to Aang. "Its your call Aang."

Aang jumped down from the tree and looked at them all. "I think we'll have to risk flying," he said. "We have a better chance of losing them because they can't fly."

One by one they all got into Appa's saddle, except Sokka.

"Sokka come on," Katara said.

Sokka sighed. "I still say this is a bad idea," he said, and grudgingly pulled himself into the saddle.

"We'll worry about that when the time comes," Katara said.

"Yip yip!" said Aang and Appa took off into the air. In the distance they could see the the Fire Nation ships. Khundes walked to Aang and sat down by him.

"Head east Aang. There's a village there we can take shelter in," Khundes said.

"Are you kidding!? You want us to go into a Fire Nation village with the Avatar who is supposed to be dead," Sokka said.

"Its better than flying around, not knowing where to go. We need to take cover. Up here we are vulnerable," Khundes said.

"I guess its a good thing we know someone from the Fire Nation," Toph said.

Sokka moved to the corner of the saddle. "Yeah, so he lead us into the heart of the Fire Nation," he grumbled.

It was sunset by the time they landed. They landed in the forest outside the village so they could hide Appa. Aang and the rest of them were dressed in Fire Nation clothes. Khundes stepped forward and held out a bandanna. "This is the last thing. Aang, I know you don't want to cover your arrow but-"

"I know. If I don't then I'd give us away. I don't like it but I'm willing to do it," Aang said. He turned to Appa and Momo. "You two need to stay here. We'll be back as soon as we can," he told them, pat Appa's head and he, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Khundes walked to the village.

When they arrived in the village there were children running around and playing. Aang smiled as he watched the children play then he heard one of them say, "I'll be Princess Azula, you be Prince Zuko, and you can be Ba Sing Se and we'll take you over!"

Aang's smile faded. Katara placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn't look at her. All he could feel was guilt.

As the walked toward the village center, two Fire Nation guards stepped in front of them. "Halt! What is your business here?" one of them said.

Khundes looked at the guards. "We are here to rest and buy supplies. We've been traveling for quite sometime," he said.

"Judging by your uniform I'd say you are a soldier. Why aren't you at Ba Sing Se?" the other guard asked.

"I've been told to escort these four to the Fire Nation's capitol," Khundes said.

"By whose orders?" the first guard asked.

"My father, Admiral Natto," Khundes said.

The guards were silent for a moment. "Alright. Proceed," they said.

Later that night when they were in their room when Sokka spoke up. "Your father is one of the Fire Lord's admirals?"

"Why didn't you tell us?" Katara asked.

"I didn't think it was important..." Khundes said

"Well it was! See Aang? How do we know we can trust him?" Sokka said.

"Because, if he wanted to betray us, he would have done it when the guards stopped us," Aang said.

"He could still betray us! We'll get to the Fire Nation capitol and he could betray us there!" Sokka said.

"Sokka, what do I need to do to convince you?" Khundes asked.

"I don't know. I'm going to bed. Good night," Sokka said.

"What I have done to show mistrust?" Khundes asked.

"Your Fire Nation! The Fire Nation don't care about anything. They don't want to help. They only destroy!" Sokka said, getting up in Khundes' face.

"Sokka..." Katara said.

"No Katara! He wanted to know so I'm telling him. The Fire Nation took our mother away! I'll trust you, or any Fire Nation person I'll meet," Sokka said.

"What about Zuko's uncle?" Katara asked.

"He helped us get Aang away from Ba Sing Se, thats why him," Sokka said.

"So for you to trust me I have to get thrown in prison?" Khundes asked.

Sokka apparently took offense because he punched Khundes in the face. Khundes fell back to the floor.

"Sokka!" Aang said jumping up to push Sokka back. "Sokka stop!"

"No... its ok," Khundes said, getting to his feet and looked at Sokka. "If he doesn't want to trust me he doesn't have to."

"I'm going back to Appa and Momo. I'll sleep in the saddle," Sokka said and stormed out of the room.

Khundes walked to the bed and sat down on the edge of it.

"Toph, lets go after Sokka, see if we can get him to come back. Katara, you stay here with Khundes is that ok?" Aang said.

Katara hesitated. "Yeah, thats fine. We'll be ok," she said.

"Alright, come on Toph," Aang said and they walked out of the room.

After Aang and Toph were gone Katara looked at Khundes. His lip was bleeding. "You're bleeding," she said. She tore off a piece of the scarf she was wearing, got it wet and started patting his lip with it.

"Katara, its just a scratch. Believe me, I've had worse," Khundes said and his eyes met hers. He put a hand on her cheek and she placed her hand on his.

"I'm sorry Khundes... I shouldn't have kissed you back there. You are a very nice guy, but..." Katara paused.

"Its ok Katara... that was just as much my fault as it was yours..." Khundes said.

"No it was mine... all mine. I felt so needy and you were being so kind to me. I love Aang. I have for a long time now," Katara said.

"Its ok. I just hope that we can still be friends," Khundes said with a half smile.

Katara smiled at him. "Well dun! I'm not going to hate you just because I love someone else."

Khundes smiled at her. "Good."