Encounter with Embers
KATARA RETURNED WITH her assembled Northern Water Tribe warriors and healers the day after Sokka did. Jet felt rather relieved to be back on solid land and be in warm temperatures.
Katara and Jet were in awe of the massive forces that had been created in their absence and they both shouted with joy. The small hope that they had forged in their hearts was becoming a reality.
And further more, Sokka noticed Katara's arrival and beckoned her with a smile. "Sokka." She greeted her brother with a hug. "How's everything?"
Sokka grinned. "Mission successful. There're two people I want you to meet."
Katara blinked. "Two?"
"Come this way."
Sokka led his sister to another room. He covered her eyes, then uncovered them once they were in their father's chambers. Hakoda's quarters were decorated in relics from the Southern Tribe, and in a way it felt just like home, as Bato's tent had been.
Katara drank in the familiar scene, in awe, until her eyes fell upon Hakoda.
"Dad?" her heart pounded in her chest and her knees felt weak. It had been over two years…and he was as strong, able, and…and everything.
He smiled and walked toward his beautiful daughter who resembled her mother so much. "Katara…"
She threw herself into her father's arms, crying with joy. That's funny, when had she started crying? "Daddy…"
He pulled away slightly, wiping his daughter's tear. "Katara…what's the matter?"
Sokka looked on, concerned.
She laughed softly. "I'm…I'm just happy, Daddy, really." And she hugged her father again, vowing to never let two years pass between them like that again.
Sokka smiled, then remembered the other person he'd wanted Katara to see. He snuck out as Katara and Hakoda caught up with everything that had happened.
"I'm a master bender now Dad." Katara informed her father proudly.
He looked surprised and elated. "You'll have to show me everything you've learned. I'm eager to see it." and he hugged his daughter tightly. "You've become a beautiful young lady. Your mother would be proud."
Katara wiped at the tears that kept falling. "Oh, Dad…"
"Oh, Katara?" Her brother Sokka interrupted. He sounded smug.
She turned to glare at her brother for interrupting her precious time with her father, but the person beside him caught her attention more. It was Haru…standing tall, handsome and…nervous? Why would he be nervous?
It mattered not. She pulled away from her father. "Haru!" she ran and tackled him, engulfing him into a giant hug. "How'd you find us?!"
He shrugged slightly, then smiled. "I heard that the Avatar was searching for recruits." His arms wrapped around her, and Katara realized how much she had missed the young Earthbender. She melted into his arms, noting how he smelled of sweet earth and sunshine.
"I'm so glad you're here." She murmured to him.
They both blinked, as they remembered they were not the only two people in the room. Sokka and Hakoda's suspicious gaze made Haru realize he valued his life. He laughed tensely. "I'm glad too. I'll…uh…catch up with you later, alright?" he retreated quickly.
Katara blinked and turned to face her father and brother, who feigned innocence. She rolled her eyes and chased after Haru.
Sokka turned to Hakoda. "Ten copper pieces says Haru will make the first move."
Hakoda crossed his arms and looked at Sokka menacingly. "Sokka, shame on you."
Sokka cowered slightly. "Dad…I'm-"
Hakoda grinned. "Don't you know that when betting on love lives you use gold pieces?"
Sokka blinked and then laughed.
WHEN KATARA CAUGHT up with Haru, they had reached King Bumi's courtyard. Haru had enjoyed this tranquil place to collect his thoughts. It helped him to be patient for Katara's arrival. And now she was here…literally and metaphorically.
"Haru, don't let my brother and father scare you. They're just playing around." Katara assured him.
He laughed. "Sorry Katara, I didn't know." He replied.
Katara smiled, and looked about the courtyard. There were many trees, plenty of earth, and a pond that looked deep enough to swim in. but then again, didn't most courtyards look this way?
"Thank you." Haru said suddenly.
Katara blinked. "What for?"
"You gave me the courage to fight for my village…and brought my father back to me."
Katara turned to look at Haru. He looked so handsome; his green eyes alight with happiness. "So you took back your village…I knew you would."
"I kept the image of you…and perseverance…in my head the entire time I fought." Haru informed her.
Katara blushed at Haru's bold statement. Had he really…? It was almost romantic… "Oh…Haru…"
He took a step closer to her, taking her lithe hands in his. "You've inspired me to fight for everything I cherish." His voice was softer now, almost…huskier.
She found herself lost in his green eyes, and she squeezed his hands. "Haru…that means a lot to me…to hear you say that." She hugged him again, burying her face into his broad chest. He had grown more muscular since she had seen him last. Probably because he became a warrior full time…
His fingers tilted her chin up to gaze into his face. "I'm so glad to see you again." He murmured.
"Me too…" Katara went on tiptoe, her mouth inches away from his-
"Katara, come quick! Azula's attacking Omashu!" Sokka's scream rang throughout the corridors.
Haru and Katara both blushed and instantly drew apart. They raced to the war council room. There Aang, Jet, Sokka, Suki, Toph, Zuko, Mai, and Bumi stood, their faces grim.
"She's trying to breach the castle." Iroh explained, after talking in hushed tones with Bumi's other advisors.
"I say we take her dead on." Zuko announced, his were fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white.
Mai stood close to Zuko, her hands rested protectively on her stomach. Katara, and probably the rest of the room, wondered why she stood in such a way. Mai usually stood with her arms crossed, or touching Zuko in some way. Well, such details weren't important at a time like this.
Mai rested a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "We need to take Ty Lee."
Sokka frowned. "It's not wise to fight in close proximity with Ty Lee…"
Katara frowned. She had kept a personal grudge against Ty Lee from the day she had met her. "Let the benders fight her. They will be able to keep their distance."
Sokka nodded. He was rather disappointed that he and his father's section of this major army would be useless in this battle.
Katara smiled softly to Sokka; she as his sister understood his disappointment. "I'll prepare my division of Waterbenders to be on the frontlines." It was somehow an unspoken understanding that Katara led these benders into battle. They relied heavily on Katara's abilities and judgment and she had somehow become their unofficial leader.
Haru, having just been reunited with Katara, raised his voice: "My village's benders will follow in a second strike against the Firebenders."
Toph nodded in agreement. "I will join Haru's troops."
Aang looked to Zuko. "Will you lead with Katara?"
"Aang and I will lead the entire attack. I must converse with my sister before the attack commences."
"Hey, what about me? I need to bring Ty Lee to our side." Mai protested.
"You are unable to bend." Zuko stated. He looked at her with disguised worry.
"I am Ty Lee's friend. And a skilled warrior." She argued, glaring at Zuko.
"You are in a weak condition." Zuko reminded her.
She grit her teeth and looked away. "What is more important, Zuko? Ending this war or one person's life?" her hand rested on her stomach once more.
Zuko frowned at her. "Do as you wish, then." He spat, and left the room to go dress in armor.
Mai crossed her arms. "Let's prepare." And she left the council room as well.
AANG FELT VERY scared as he, Zuko, and Mai walked up to Azula and Ty Lee. Zuko and Mai seemed to have tension between to two of them, and were not harmoniously attached as usual. Aang had a bad feeling about this entire transaction. He looked back to Katara's assembled Water Army. She was risking her life today…if anything happened to her… he grit his teeth and tried not to think of it.
"Azula." Zuko hissed.
She smirked, giving her brother her full attention. "Zuko. You're a traitor, but I never would have expected your disloyal ways to rub off on my dear friend Mai."
"Azula, you and Ty Lee fight for the wrong goal. This useless war will kill us all if we do not choose to fight for peace." Mai spoke out. She looked into Ty Lee's eyes, pleading with her to silently leave Azula's side.
Ty Lee's face softened at seeing her old friend Mai. She was the look in her eyes. And knew that she was tempted to do as Mai wished. She resisted the urge to hug her. She had missed Mai so much, and it wasn't the same without her around. Azula was more temperamental lately, especially when New Ozai had been recaptured by the Earth kingdom. She could have been back at the circus, not involved in this war, if only Azula hadn't coaxed her to come…
"Shut up, traitor. I have nothing to say to you." Was Azula's harsh response.
"Leave us, Azula, and blood will not be shed this day." Zuko warned.
"Sorry brother, no can do. Father wants Omashu in his hands, and wants you filthy Earth Kingdom rats to know what it means to defy the Fire Nation." Azula replied. She turned and signaled her troops, who prepared themselves for attack.
Mai, is desperation, spoke: "Ty Lee, think about the consequences of siding with Azula."
And Zuko signaled his troops as a tear fell down Ty Lee's cheek. "Oh Mai…I'm so sorry."
Katara wasted no time and her warriors attacked with as much water they could carry. They used the water in unison to sweep across Azula's troops of Fire Nation soldiers.
Sweat dripped down Katara's brow as she barked orders and assisted with the bending. Her warriors loyally followed her and obeyed every command. And her heart cried with injustice every time one of her warriors was injured or sometimes even killed.
Haru's division of villagers led the second assault, and then the rest of the Earthbenders joined in. He smirked with every Fire Nation soldier that fell under his earth. And mourned silently for the family at home that had lost a father, brother, or son.
Toph fought close to Haru, but cackled with glee. The excitement of battle called to her and she responded properly as the daughter of the Earth Kigndom. Every time she used her bending, her heart sang. This was what she had been born for. The life of a warrior was hers.
DURING THE BATTLE, Sokka watched from behind the safe stone walls of Omashu. His skills as a warrior were not needed, and he felt anxiety for not being on the battlefield, helping his sister and his friends.
Suki came to him, pressing a kiss to his muscled back. "They'll come back safe." She assured him.
He sighed, watching Aang's Airbending from a distance. "I know…but…"
"But nothing. They're capable of fighting this war. With or without us."
He kissed her gently. "I know."
She smiled and watched with him, their hands clasped together firmly.
ZUKO PERSONALLY SOUGHT Azula and battled her.
"You've gotten better, brother dear, but still not good enough." Azula mocked as she attacked with her lightning.
"I will defeat you Azula." He hissed and dodged her attack. He battled with a fervor he had not known he possessed. But he thought of Mai and their unborn baby the entire time and prayed that they would be safe.
Firebenders fought back as best as they could, but were outnumbered by the Omashu army. And the Waterbenders extinguished their fires before they could even be created. They resorted to slinging burning coal at Omashu's walls, but were thwarted once again by the Avatar, who blew anything that flew at Omashu's walls back into the Fire Army.
Aang felt so numb as he observed the bloodshed in the battle field below him. He alternated between Airbending, Waterbending, and Earthbending. Wherever he saw he was needed, he filled the position. But, it was physically and emotionally exhausting, and he wondered how many more hours this battle would rage on.
The Fire Nation's blood began to seep into the soil of the Earth Kingdom, but occasionally Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom blood meshed as well. When only a third of Azula's army remained, she called a cease fire and retreated.
The field was littered with bodies and blood. Most of it was Fire Nation. The Omashu army carried their dead back into their city and left the Fire Nation to do as they wished with their dead.
Katara clutched her injured arm and sighed in relief as she was reunited with Haru, Zuko, Aang, Toph, and Mai. "Zuko…you're burned."
He too, grasped at his wounds, and shook his head. "No…you are as well."
Katara pulled into the last of her water reserves and pressed it to Zuko's burned. It immediately healed him, and she collapsed with exhaustion. Haru caught her at the last moment and cradled her like he would a child.
"Thank you." Zuko murmured to Katara.
Mai pulled him into a hug. "I've failed. I need to convince Ty Lee…"
Zuko hugged his love tightly. "I know…but you and the baby are alive…that's all that matters." He forgot where he was for a moment, and everyone looked at them with shock.
"Mai's pregnant?!" Aang squeaked.
Haru blinked and Katara immediately snapped to attention. "What?!"
Zuko laughed nervously as Mai rolled her eyes. "Let me handle this one." She whispered to him, and turned to face their friends. "I may be…we are not certain yet. We'll let you know once we do." She explained.
The others didn't know what to say, and Zuko's temper flared. "We'll all meet at the council room in one hour. Freshen up." He stalked off, Mai following him.
Toph laughed and went off to do as Zuko commanded.
Aang fretted over Katara until Haru hushed him. "I'll take her to the infirmary. Get some rest."
Aang watched as Haru tenderly carried Katara to the infirmary and realized, belatedly, that he'd lose her to him. But then again, he'd never had her to begin with. Feeling dejected, he left to go feed Appa. He'd understand.
KATARA FELT SAFE in Haru's arms and dozed in them until they reached the infirmary. Yagoda, the master healer from the Northern Water Tribe, looked concerned and made Katara her priority.
"The poor dear…" she tsked softly.
"You know her personally?" Haru questioned. He did not leave Katara's side and instead observed the healing.
Yagoda smiled. "Yes. I was friends with her grandmother, and when Katara came to the Northern Water Tribe for the first time, I recognized her as Kanna's granddaughter immediately." She chuckled softly.
"Oh…" he looked down at Katara, still concerned. "She led the troops today…she was great." He informed the wise healer.
"That's just like her. When she arrived to our tribe, she fought Master Pakku to teach her, even though it was against our customs."
Haru laughed. "She did very much the same when I met her." He looked fondly at the sleeping warrior-child before him.
"Young man, have you told her how you've felt yet?" this healer knew everything, it seemed.
Haru blushed and looked down. "I almost did, until the Fire Nation attacked."
"I'll leave you alone then." And she left them to their little curtained-off corner of the infirmary.
Katara had been wavering in and out of consciousness, hearing on half of what was said, and understanding only half of that even. "Haru?"
"Sleep now. We have a meeting in an hour." He hushed her.
She nodded and did so. He smiled and stroked her unbound hair. Sometime in the middle of battle, her hairstyle had been 'ruined'. He saw her fight today, and was impressed, but not surprised. Her bending had become very powerful, as did his own. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and waited faithfully by her side until she would awake again.
Telling her he loved her could wait, at least for now.