Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long with this chapter (again...) Life's been absolutely hectic juggling my half finished script, countless unfinished drawings, about four stories (and two new ones in the planning process), homework, and hmm, what was that other thing... oh yes, a life... but that's not exactly a priority now is it? ; )
Hopefully this chapter's better than the last one...
Disclaimer: Avatar and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. Everything else belongs to me.
Chapter 6: The Healing Touch
The girl hurried inside the temple, quickly pushing the door shut behind her to keep out the gale that raged outside.
"Monk Gyatso!" The girl gasped.
The monk turned around in surprise. "My child, what are you doing out so late? You should be in the dormitory..."
"I know, monk Gyatso. I need you to do something for me."
"At this hour? Get some sleep, and I'll help you in the morning."
"But you don't understand." The girl looked up at him with determined eyes. "I want to bear the symbol of a monk."
This statement immediately got the monk's attention. "You know the traditions of the temple. The monks..."
The girl cut him off. "I have lived in the temple my whole life, I know all the others know. Yet they can show who they are proudly, while I cannot. I want to be able to be proud of who I am."
Gyatso regarded the girl solemnly. "If the other monks found out... they would not see it your way. The consequences will be severe." He put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "You and your brother were put in my care after the death of your mother and father. I consider you my family. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"I know." The girl replied, hanging her head. "But I can't take living like this anymore. I just want to be treated like the others."
The monk looked at the girl for a long while, his inner thoughts raging like a mighty storm while his exterior remained calm and collected.
"I'll help you... my brave little halvatar."
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Admiral Zhao looked out smugly at the icy ocean. He leaned against the cold metal railing bordering the deck of his ship. He had good enough reason to feel confident, to defy the supposed power of the water nation's people. The corners of his mouth curled into a sadistic grin as he heard the waves crash in resistance against the bow of the great ship, then relent, flowing peacefully along the sides. A fitting metaphor. The water nation would fall to the firebenders, just as the waves fell to his ship. Of this he was certain. He inhaled deeply, smelling the satisfying scent of smoke billowing out the stacks of the countless fire nation navy ships parading behind his.
"The smell of victory."
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Almika laughed as the snowball hit her arm, exploding into a fine white powder. She stumbled back and leaned against a tall sheet of ice. Zuko ran over and found, to his great surprise, that he too wore a small grin. He looked around. In all the excitement they had gone quite a ways from where they started, and being unfamiliar with the landscape, Zuko had no idea where they now were. The girl finally was able to cease her fit of giggles and looked around as well. Her eyes suddenly lit up in recognition. She stepped back from the sheet of ice and made a few large flowing motions with her arms, bending out a cleanly cut hole going directly through the thick ice. She smiled playfully at the boy beside her.
"This way."
She began crawling through the opening and, after a moment's hesitation, Zuko followed after her. The going was fairly slow, but finally the two benders came out the other end, landing on the snow covered ground. Zuko took a moment to enjoy feeling the sun on his face again, then looked at his new surroundings. At once, his look of relief turned to one of alarm. There were domes of ice and snow dotting the landscape, a marketplace, bridges, roads... People had already spotted them and began murmuring to each other anxiously.
"We're in the city." Zuko gasped, looking nervously at the group of men that were gathering together.
The girl giggled. "Aren't we the smart one? Come on! I'll give you a tour." She took his hand and began walking.
Zuko didn't budge. He had seen the glint of a spear among the group of waterbenders. He whirled around, preparing to scramble back through the hole and escape, then quickly stopped himself. Once in the hole, he would be at the mercy of the waterbenders, either crushing him in the ice or simply freezing up both exits. Going back the way they came would be suicide, but were the chances of escaping through the city any better? Even as these thoughts came, more and more benders were gathering, and whatever window of opportunity he had was closing fast. He finally whirled around and, grabbing the startled girl by the wrist, began a mad dash away from the group. He heard shouts from behind him and running footsteps, accompanied by the protests of the girl he was dragging along, but they were soon drowned out by the thumping of his own heart in his ears.
"What are we running from?" The girl yelled to her companion.
Zuko didn't answer. He turned his head to look behind him and found, to his horror, that the group was gaining on them. He turned away from the frightening sight and tried with all his might to run faster. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his side. He tried to keep going, but lost his footing and stumbled forward, finally falling face first in the snow. He heard a high-pitched scream, then quickly slipped into unconsciousness.
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Zuko opened his eyes slowly, letting his vision focus. He looked up and quickly realized, to his surprise, that he was in a cave. A small fire flickered nearby, illuminating Almika's face. Her features were drawn and her fair skin looked even paler than usual. Her hands were placed gently on his side, and small clay pitcher of water sat nearby.
"The spear was in deep. It took me much longer to heal." The girl apologized, concentrating on the spot where her hands lay. After a moment, she removed her hands revealing hardly any evidence of a wound. She folded her hands in her lap and sat silently, looking down at the stone floor so as not to make eye contact with her patient.
"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "I never thought that... I have no idea why..." She bit her lower lip. "I'm so sorry."
"It's alright. I'm fine." Zuko responded, remembering his uncle's instructions not to tell her about the war.
"Still, there must be some way I can make it up to you." She dipped her hand in the pitcher and pulled it out again, now a luminous white. "I can heal the scar on your eye."
She reached her hand forward, but Zuko quickly grabbed it. She looked at the firebender in surprise.
"No, don't..." Zuko said quickly. Upon seeing the slightly hurt expression on the waterbender's face, he slowly explained. "It reminds me of my place." It's what keeps me searching for the Avatar. It's what keeps me fighting to go home. He added silently to himself. He cringed slightly. He still remembered his father's fiery blow. He could still feel the flames.
The girl let the white glow fade, then nodded. "I understand. The scar isn't really there, is it?" She placed a hand softly over his heart. "It's here."
Zuko didn't respond.
Almika looked into his eyes, expecting the feeling of sympathy that she had often felt for the young firebender for the past few days, but was startled when a different feeling began to well up within her. She gave him a small, almost confused smile.
"I guess that scar will have to heal first." She said softly.
They stayed that way for a moment, blue-gray and amber eyes locked. Almika leaned forward, close enough to feel his warm breath on her face. She was about to lean in closer, when Zuko interrupted.
"What... what did you learn about the airbenders?" He managed to say.
The girl quickly backed away from him, reading this as a sign to stop. She looked down, her cheeks beginning to take on a pinker hue.
"Oh, the airbenders. They are a very peaceful nation, very spiritual. They prefer to defend themselves rather than attack. Airbending is more of a defence than anything else." She smiled to herself, recalling fond memories. "Which fits their peaceful disposition perfectly."
Zuko felt his heart beat fast with excitement. This information could very well be the key to defeating the Avatar.
Almika smiled for a moment, then stood up and walked over to a suitably flat space on the stone floor of the cave. She laid down silently, watching Zuko as he began setting up fight patterns in his head.
"Zuko." She said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"What is it?" He asked, halting his planning for a moment.
She smiled at him. "I think my brother would like you."
Almika turned over to get some rest after the long day, leaving Zuko alone with his thoughts. He watched her rhythmic breathing for a few moments and suddenly wondered to himself why he had stopped her from kissing him. He looked up at the ceiling, realizing regretfully that he knew the answer. This is not about her. It's about finding the Avatar's weakness.
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Aang stood in the front courtyard of the guest house, gazing up at the stars that dusted the navy blue sky. Katara walked up beside him, followed by Sokka.
"Aang, come inside. You've been out here for a long time." Katara said, pulling her coat tighter so as to keep out the night chill.
"I know you're scared for your sister Aang, but don't worry. We won't let those firebenders have her for long." Sokka intervened.
"It's so confusing..." Aang mumbled, partly to himself.
"What's confusing?" Katara asked.
"My sister... I feel like she's happy."
"Happy as a fire nation captive? I think you're picking up on someone else's brain waves." Sokka said, giving the young monk a good natured tap on the head.
Katara gave Aang a small smile. "Tomorrow morning we'll find her Aang. Don't worry."
Aang nodded slowly and followed his friends back into the guesthouse. Before going inside however, he looked one last time at the starry sky.
"Good night Almika. Wherever you are."
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Okay! We have officially made the connection that Almika is in fact Aang's sister. I know you all of you probably knew that, but now it's official! Wow, a lot of fluff in this chapter... I really don't think I've ever written so much fluff in one sitting. Well, hope you like! Reviews make my fingers type!