Hey I am really kinda disappointed at the lack of reviews last chapter. I will discontinue this story if I don't get some reviews! I know it isn't exactly like Anastasia I was only inspired by it…jeez… anyway enjoy this one.
Chapter: The Gloomy Orphanage
Disclaimer: If I owned Avatar would I be writing fanfics instead of making episodes? NO!
0000
Katara pulled her body out of her sleeping bag for the third night in a row. She couldn't sleep. Nightmares always intruded her slumber now but she couldn't tell Sokka or Aang, they would worry far too much.
The nightmares tugged at her sanity. She felt as if that her bridge between sanity and insanity was breaking apart. Her thoughts constantly were moving back to that awful day when her mother died and the secret of her life that her Gran-Gran told her. And now with the Avatar on her plate she had ten million more things to worry about. It was becoming an unhealthy ordeal and she couldn't get control.
She picked up a long stick and began making swirls in the dirt; her knees were locked at her chest with the other arm. She wondered when this would all end, yes at the end of the summer but then a new load of troubles will release on shoulders. Lately she didn't even know who she was before.
She didn't like knowing that another person was inside her. It made her feel uncomfortable and she would have already lost it if it wasn't for Sokka and Aang and now Toph. They helped her stay on the edge instead of falling off. But she needed someone to pull her away from the ledge and onto stable ground. She wanted to know who this person was and what she needed to do because she could feel the presence. The damn thing punctured her mind and sent her images she didn't understand or see clearly for that matter.
The embers of the fire were still blazing and Katara poked them with the tip of the stick she was holding. She sighed heavily; this had never bothered her so much before now. She looked over Aang's young featured face and smiled slightly. He was on his back, head lulled to the side with his mouth slightly open and a tiny stream of drool coming from the corner of his mouth.
Katara knew that it was worth these lonely late nights to be here with her friends; saving the world. That is such a funny saying, 'saving the world'. It sounds so deep and powerful but they are merely children and teenagers trying to make it through the war. It doesn't seem so deep and powerful when you are living it.
Katara flung her braid over her shoulder and began stroking it between her fingers. She felt in the grooves of the braids design and sighed. She didn't want to be a nuisance to Aang's mission.
Her thoughts traveled to the Fire Nation next. Why the hell didn't she hate them? She should hate their guts and consider them scum but she didn't. She actually had somewhat of a soft spot for them and she did everything she could to hide it. She actually felt sorry for Prince Zuko and his odd Uncle.
She examined her three friends. She wasn't sure how much longer she could stay with them. This burden was worsening everyday and she feared that she would begin to take it out on her friends. She wanted to find what this thing was that was growing inside her was.
Sokka muttered something in his sleep and turned over to face her direction. Katara froze; if he saw she was up he would immediately get suspicious and ask her twenty questions. She sighed in relief when his snoring continued and decided she should go to sleep too. There was no telling when one of these buffoons would wake up.
0000
"Katara…" Sokka teased blowing in Katara's ear. Katara groaned and thrusted the base of her palm up smacking Sokka's nose. "Ouch!" Sokka wailed and tumbled back holding his nose. "Oh shut up you big baby, that was hardly even a tap!" Katara yawned and stretched her arms out. Sokka lowered his hands and lifted his sore nose to the sky. He sniffed a few times and wriggled it around to get the feeling back in it.
"That was not a tap Katara. That was like a--mob attack!" Sokka said dramatically with vivid hand expressions. Katara rolled her eyes and began rolling up her sleeping bag. "You have no idea how stupid that sounded." She said comically. Sokka crossed his arms and leaned up against Appa.
"Will you both just shut up so we can leave already?" Toph moaned and swung her pack over her shoulder. Aang nodded in agreement beside her. "Toph is right we have to get going." Aang said. "Where do we possibly have to go?" Sokka scoffed and flicked a bug off his shoulder nonchalantly. "I dunno." Aang said and loaded his things on Appa's back. "Good enough for me." Sokka shrugged and got up from the grass.
Katara shook her head and smiled. Flying without a destination was becoming a pastime. It was true they didn't have anywhere to go really but it was just building anxiety to stay in one spot. So she too loaded her things on Appa's back and got on.
Soon enough they were flying in the clouds and Katara got some peace and quiet to think. She fingered her necklace and the hidden trinket behind it. She yearned to find out who this person was.
"Katara?" Aang asked waving a hand in front of the waterbenders face.
"Huh…what?" Katara shook her head away from buzzing thoughts.
"I was talking to you." Aang stated with a trace of concern.
Katara forced a little laugh and teased where Aang's hair would be. "Sorry, I'm still tired." She said nonchalantly and focused her gaze on the ocean below.
"But we slept in, how could you be tired?" Aang asked and kneeled next to her.
Katara gave Aang a blank look and quickly tried to come up with something. Nothing came to mind so she shrugged her shoulders and leaned lazily over Appa's side and reached out a hand as if she could touch the water if she leaned out far enough. She wasn't in the mood to talk to twelve year old boys anymore.
The fly was becoming awkward and long. Sure Toph and Aang talked but it was quiet small talk; not anything that lightened the mood.
Someone tapped on her shoulder heavily. Consumed in a dramatic mood Katara mistook it as a thick weighty poke. She hated being poked.
She spun around and scoffed. "What reason to you have to poke me?" she screeched a little too dramatic for her character.
Toph tumbled back on her rear in surprise. She stared absently at the suddenly enraged Katara and stood up with her hands on her hips. "I didn't poke you, I tapped you. Get it right princess." Toph countered jabbing a finger in Katara's shoulder.
Katara stood up and glared down at a smirking Toph. "Where do you get off calling me Princess? I'm not the one that walks around with some entitled…air or something!" Katara snapped balling her fists at her sides.
"Excuse me? But if I recall you have had your nose stuck in the air lately!" Toph scoffed.
"Well what's that suppose to mean?" Katara asked snottily.
"It means; that you have been moody, arrogant, pompous, and a thorn in my toe for the longest time now, and I'm sick of it!" Toph screamed standing on the balls of her feet.
"Well it appears to me that you're the only one who thinks that Toph!" Katara snapped lowering her face into the blind earthbenders.
"Ah, that is where you're wrong." Toph smirked and pointed at Aang and Sokka who had been watching nervously the whole time.
Katara's eyes widened. "Is that true?" she asked a little softer then before.
"Hey don't bring me into this." Sokka said and held up his hands defensively. Aang agreed with the young warrior that he didn't want to be involved.
Katara lowered her head. "So it is true." She mumbled bitterly trying to digest the situation.
"Well yeah…you have been really…uh…different lately." Aang said cautiously putting a hand on Katara's stiffening shoulder. Aang wished he would eat his words because Katara immediately turned on him and smacked his hand away from her.
"Katara he is just saying the truth!" Sokka piped defending Aang. Katara snapped her gaze to her brother now. Now he was against her too. Toph stood there with her arms crossed; a triumphant smirk on her face.
"Well if I am such an awful person then why am I still even here?" she bellowed not really expecting an answer. And no one gave one to her. She screamed in frustration as tears prickled he backs of her eyes. She turned and leaned over the side of Appa to look at the sights so she could calm down.
She hadn't noticed that she was becoming such a pain and she didn't want to accept it. Who wanted to be told that they were getting on everyone's nerves and have them point out your flaws? No one wanted that and she was apart of that no one.
She wasn't sure why she was now acting this way. It had just sort of crept up on her out of no where but there was no way that she would tell Aang or Sokka about this, and certainly not Toph.
Being around the group now was starting to become unfit. She suddenly didn't want to be there anymore and had urges to just leave and be done with them; find something of her own. But what was there to find? She asked herself this and came to the conclusion of nothing. That's why she stuck around in the first place but she couldn't help but wonder if she should at least try to find something.
They were flying over the town of Rempuisha now. And from where they started it was a long distance so they were making good time. But still, they had no destination so there was no reason to make good time.
Katara saw a large statue of a previous Avatar in the middle of the town and felt woozy. She stared into the well carved eyes, they looked so clear even high in the sky. They were talking to her, telling her to close her eyes. A flint of purple crossed over them and Katara's head lulled to the side and sleep blanketed her.
'Katara!' a voice hissed. Katara snapped her head around through the foggy darkness and saw nothing. 'Katara listen to me, it's me, you…find him, find him Katara. Your health is in danger. Your loved ones are in danger, find him, find her, they can help. Find them! It's your time to leave!''
Katara screamed subconsciously and jolted up still 'sleeping'. She felt her stomach rise and her body sky rocket downwards with her arms flowing around airily. Someone clutched her wrist and she rammed into Appa's side.
"Katara!" Sokka wailed and held on with both hands to Katara's wrist. Katara opened her eyes getting rid of the purple specks in front of them she blinked numerous times before she realized what was going on. She screamed and used her free arm to grab Sokkas forearm.
"Sokka help me!" she screamed. She heard Aang gasp and saw Toph look around without a clue of what was happening. Toph suddenly got it and reached around for Sokka's waist. She clutched around it and tugged. Aang slowed Appa down greatly as Toph and Sokka tried to pull Katara back in.
Katara felt her brother's grip on her begin to slip and her eyes watered. Tears rolled down her cheeks and fell from the round of her chin.
'Leave Katara, go find them…'
Katara gasped and looked away trying to figure out what all this meant. She thought she had an idea, no…she knew she had an idea. She looked up at her struggling brother with teary eyes and she bit down on her lip. She hoped that what she was doing was the right thing; they were now flying over a lake and this voice…this voice inside her head was beckoning her so.
"Sokka…I have to let go…" Katara said softly.
"What?" Sokka wailed and looked down at his sister in disbelief. "I am not letting go Katara." Sokka said defiantly holding tighter.
"I have to or else it won't ever stop." Katara whimpered.
"What won't stop? Katara…"
"Good-bye Sokka…" Katara trailed off. She yanked her arm back from Sokka's grip and began to fall down into the unknown lake where her final resting place might just have been.
"Katara…no!" Sokka bellowed and still continued to reach out to her. Toph pulled him back and put a hand on his shoulder comfortingly as the warrior stared down into his hands, defeated.
Aang however wasn't about to give up. "Appa, yip-yip!" he commanded and the flying bison swooped down towards the lake. Sokka felt a burning sensation in the backs of his eyes as he watched his sister continue to fall face first towards the surface of the water.
A sickening splash sounded and Katara went under. "Katara, no!" all three of the friends said in union. The bison was over the place where Katara fell; Aang was about to jump in to save her when she didn't come up but something rumbled under them. A faint mist of murmurs surrounded them. Aang gasped and looked around worriedly; he sensed something that was beyond their world in their presence.
'LEAVE!' a familiar yet an unfamiliar echoing voice bellowed suddenly. A thick column of water sprang up from the lake sending Aang, Toph, Sokka, Momo, and Appa soaring through the air and into the distance.
0000
Katara groaned and curled her fingers through the wet sand under her. She felt the sand particles stick under nails and scratch under her chin. Again she groaned only this time more aggravated and rolled over on her back so the insides of her eyelids were red and they had to twitch.
She wasn't sure what had happened. She remembered falling asleep and waking up hanging over the side of Appa. Another thing she vaguely remembered was the want to fall over the edge. It actually felt…right
She stretched out in the shape of a star and let her back crack. It was a sickening sound really but it felt so good. Once she let her body stretch she decided she needed to get up. After all, you can't spend all your life in the sand no matter how much u wanted to.
As Katara stood she brushed off grains of sand from her rear and what she could reach of her back. She didn't like the feeling of sand in her hair or anywhere on her for that matter; it was like biting into a cotton ball.
She looked out into the distance where her friends would be. She instantly felt a pang of guilt but paid no mind. Her mind was made up; she had to figure out who she was if she was ever really going to be of any help to Aang on his journey. She just hoped she would be back in time to be there for him. But still, she could have at least talked to them about it.
Rempuisha was only a few miles away. Sure she was tired but she was confident she could manage a little walk through the forest for at least a little while. So she refilled her water skin and set out on the path through the forest.
As soon as she set out she realized that the sun was already going down. Perfect. There was no possible way she would reach town by then. By the looks of it the forest would only get thicker as she went so she would have to manage without a clearing to rest in; which means the more dangers there were going to be.
She walked until it was too dark to walk and settled under a massive tree with high branches. The glorious moon was blocked out by heavy clouds that unfortunately threatened rain.
Now all scrunched up in a ball in a niche of the tree Katara closed her eyes to sleep. But the precious substance would not come. Soon the lyrics of rainfall sounded on the leaves that were everywhere around her. She felt a cold drop of rain fall to the corner of her eye and slid along the line of her closed eye. Stupidly Katara opened it regretting the action instantly when it stung her eye. She closed it and rubbed it with a knuckle as she bolted upright.
Something about the atmosphere around her or the way the rain instantly began to drench her after she opened her eyes made her break down. She pressed her back into the trunk of the tree until the jagged edges of the bark poked into her body. Face in knees she cried; she sobbed. She wasn't even sure why she was sobbing like a four year old either. It was like every stress and feeling of the whole journey with Aang and her brother tugged themselves loose of her restraints and released. It might have also been a dash of such confusion of who she was.
In front of the boys and Toph she would never ever dream of crying. She needed to be strong for them and be like a motherly figure. If she wasn't how she was to them, who would be? At that moment she hated them, and she hated everything else. Why the hell did she have to be put through this murder? What did she do? That stupid boy at the South Pole should have handed her to the Fire Nation and let them do to her as they did her mother. That stupid, stupid, boy! Why did he ever let her live? Obviously she didn't deserve it; someone up there in the skies hates her and wants to see her suffer. And she was, that god was doing his job very nicely and now he made her regret, something she hated to do. Regret; going to such extremes as regretting her life.
The thoughts were darker than Katara thought her mind could process. But she didn't care about staying with herself, she wanted to let it out and let it be over with. But a little voice inside her told her it was only the beginning.
'I'm worthless; a worthless no-name waterbender from a worthless no-name barbaric Southern Water Tribe village.' Katara sobbed heavily to herself and closed her aching eyes.
The next morning Katara had a head splitting headache, even a squirrel running through the brush made her flinch. She could already tell it was not going to be a good day. Thoughts of the previous night were slowly slipping away from her mind which was a good thing. It was most likely acting on the mood of the setting but those feelings were always there, she knew they were.
She readjusted her skirt line and began to walk along the path to the town hopefully it would be brighter than the dull gray sky. Now she wondered what the town was like. She doubted it wouldn't be like any other town she had come across during this adventure
Finally the town came into view and it was a pathetic sight to see. The streets were covered in assorted filth and the homes were either boarded up or breaking down from the center. The whole atmosphere was depressing and nauseating was the smell.
Katara rolled up her nose and trudged through the muck of the streets. She had to find to find a place to stay for awhile. Aches and pains wouldn't get her far if she didn't rest awhile in one place. That was something foreign to her now.
Katara flinched at each person that passed her by. They were all so…disturbing. Their presence was depressing because they seemed depressed themselves. But it wasn't hard to imagine considering the drab of the town. She found it hard to be happy here as well and despite the previous night she nearly always had a smile plastered across her face. It was in her nature to do so but now, her nature disappeared.
She gathered up her courage for the next person to walk by so she could ask them where to go. She balled her fists at her side to remain calm as a man walked by in the same depressed fashion as everyone else. Reluctantly the waterbender tapped the man on the shoulder causing him to stop and look at her in a confused fashion through glazed eyes. Katara smiled her warmest and cleared her throat.
"Hello, uh, do you know a place where I can stay for a time around here?" she asked a little awkwardly.
The man surprisingly smiled, somewhat anyway and tipped the hat he was wearing respectively. "Welp, we've got an inn, but dat place ain't very nice for such a pretty little lady like yourself. So's I recommend goin' ta Madam Buzel's Orphanage and be helping der." He said kindly.
Katara pondered on this. She didn't need an orphanage to take care of her but helping out other children sounded nice. So she kindly thanked the man and he gave her directions. And the place was just as expected, depressing and drab. But despite that she heard laughter and joy seeping through the gray stone walls of the towering orphanage.
The wind began to blow a little harder and Katara felt a bubbling sensation in her stomach. Something about this place was calling to her and it was weird to say the least. The sign that read, "Madam Buzel's Orphanage", was flapping dangerously in the wind. Katara dashed to the door when she felt a raindrop and knocked; it echoed eerily.
The door creaked open a crack and Katara tried to see through it and was met with a large green eye.
"Vello?" a sweet woman's voice piped from the other side.
Katara leaned in eye to eye with the woman. "Uh yes I would like to be of service to Madam Buzel? Are there any chances I could…uh…speak with her?" Katara asked loudly over the now pouring rain.
"Vell, she has not veen taking very many ladies, vut I suppose I could have vu talk with her." The voice said cautiously. Katara 'whooped' internally and heard the sound of unlatching locks. The door swung open and a tall thin woman with thick curly black locks of hair stood there timidly. She reached out an ivory palm and motioned for Katara to follow her. Katara nodded her head and stepped into pure darkness.
The place was pitch black and musty as could be. There was a massive draft throughout the entire place and it was cold and depressing. Not very surprising either judging by the rest of the town matched it perfectly.
There was the sound of a match being lit and then the dim glow of a candle soon after. The door was shut with a bang and Kataras' heart rate pumped up a few notches. The place was downright creepy; no other word could describe it.
The woman began walking and Katara jumped to follow right at her heels. She felt as if she didn't the whole place would swallow her whole.
"Vat is your name?" the woman asked suddenly. Her sweet accented voice echoing off the damp stone walls.
"Katara." The waterbender said quietly. In the dim lighting Katara saw the woman nod her head.
"I am Stella." The woman said and decided to continue on with her story. "I am tventy-five and came to vork here ven I vas—eh—seventeen. I had novere else to go so I vade a living here caring vor zee children."
"Vat are vu here for?" Stella asked staring from the corners of her eyes. Katara bit her lower lip. If they knew she was wanted of the Fire Nation then they would kick her out and she would really have no where to go. And she took that mans word that she didn't want to check into the towns' inn.
"I'm an orphan." Katara lied quickly looking away. If you looked Katara right in the eyes you could always tell when she was lying. It was a weakness that was more of an annoyance than a burden. Thankfully Stella bought the lie and just nodded her head, her thick mop of shiny black curls bouncing around her shoulders.
Finally after walking through nothing but darkness they found themselves in front of two heavy wooden doors that look old and damp. Katara cast a wondering look at Stella who smiled shyly. "I suppose I vill talk to her." She laughed lightly and walked in without knocking. Katara assumed it was a privilege for someone who worked there for eight years.
Katara shifted from foot to foot anxiously after a few moments of waiting. Suddenly the door creaked open and Stella poked her head through. Stella jerked her head back to motion Katara to come in with her and she did. The room was well lit but it was drafty like the rest of the place and it didn't escape the sound of dripping water. It was made to appear nice but the furniture was worn and some of the fabric was torn, the floor scuffed, and the wall paper peeling at the edges.
"What is it?" An old woman croaked behind an old water stained desk. Katara felt a bump rise in her throat at the sight of her. She wore far too much makeup. Her cheeks were candy red, lips bright pink, eye shadow a humorous blue up to the brow. The makeup did not hide her wrinkles or her age spots. It was obvious even from a sitting position that she was wearing a corset that was far too tight for her chest perked out disturbingly.
Katara ignored the elderly ladies appearance as much as she could and cleared her throat to speak. "My name is Katara." The old lady leaned up in her seat and folded her hands neatly over the desk. Katara cringed at how long the nails were and how purple. She truly was a comical sight to see. Stella walked behind Madam Buzel's chair and placed her hands on it gracefully.
"What is your purpose for coming here?" the old lady pried with a questioning eye.
"Well I have nowhere to go and I need somewhere to stay. And I would be happy to work with children." Katara sped through the words quickly and eagerly.
The woman closed her eyes and laughed in her throat. "What is your age?"
"I just turned fifteen."
"Well we don't pay anyone under seventeen and you get told what to do and when to do it. You get kicked out when I am bored of your services, understood?" Madam Buzel barked.
Katara nodded her head wildly until she felt her neck pop. She cautiously turned to leave and wait for Stella when the Madam stopped her again.
"Miss Katara are you a bender?" the woman asked suspiciously.
Katara turned around with a smile on her face ready to agree but Stella was shaking her head for her to say no behind the Madam. Katara furrowed her brows in confusion but decided to go with Stella's judgment and say no. "Good." The woman hissed and motioned her leave. Stella pulled up right beside her with a candle in her hand.
Stella shut the door trying not to make it slam with all her nervous adrenaline. The tall woman leaned against the door and heaved a sigh of relief. Katara bit her lip nervously as they began walking through the darkness again. The Madam sure was strange and intimidating. And why wasn't she supposed to tell the Madam she was a bender; that bothered her.
"Stella why couldn't I tell her I was a bender?" Katara asked.
"Zee Madam does not allow venders in zee orphanage. She does not vant to attract Vire Nation." Stella said and furrowed her brows in thought.
"What is it?" Katara asked, noticing Stella's deep thought.
"Nothing." The woman said hastily and they again stopped at a door. Only this time the door was smaller and didn't look as important. "Der, viz shall ve your room. Sorry you shan't have it to yourself." Stella bowed and unlocked the door with a silver key.
"Oh no." Stella muttered and took the key out of the key hole. Katara looked around and didn't see anyone else. Katara looked up at Stella in a confused manner. "I suppose zee Madam vanted to speak to her." Stella said with a fake smile. Katara noticed this and gave the woman a sideways glance. Now that Katara was more settled and relaxed she realized how cold it really was. It was cold enough for her to see her own breath. It was warm outside but in here it was like she was back at the South Pole.
"Vell I am off. I hope dat you girls vill get along very nicely." Stella winked and closed the door leaving the candle behind for Katara. The waterbender looked at the closing door and almost wanted to run out and beg for her to take her too. This place was beyond creepy.
"And I expect you to wear them tomorrow!" a voice boomed outside the door. Katara nearly jumped out of her skin in surprise. The door swung open and a thin body was thrown inside. The door was slammed shut and the figure stood in a huff. At sight of Katara sitting on the bed with a blank expression the girl flashed a bright smile.
"Hi, I'm Aki." The girl beamed and reached out to shake Katara's hand.
Katara shook the girls hand and smiled in relief. "I'm Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."
Aki nodded and looked around in distaste of the room, something bundled in her arms. Katara really couldn't make out the girls features because of unbelievably dim lighting. "I wish it was lighter." Katara mumbled more to herself than to Aki.
Aki smiled slyly and leaned into Katara's ear. "I can help but you can't say anything." Her voice was playful and taunting.
Katara slowly nodded her head in confusion. How could she possibly help the situation? Suddenly a spark ignited at the tips of Aki's two fingers and it shot across the ceiling, catching about five ceiling candles on fire, instantly illuminating the room. Katara gasped and fell off her cot with a thud.
Katara looked up at Aki who had arched her brow. "You're a—" Katara began but her voice gave out. Aki rolled her mystical eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know; a firebender who can amazingly bend lightning in fire's place." Came a sarcastic remark. Katara sat up on the bed and looked with wide eyes at the girl about her age. About her height, thin, pale, illuminating blue and green eyes, and blonde hair loose around her shoulders. She certainly didn't look Fire Nation.
Katara didn't want to ask questions so she only nodded her head and swallowed the large lump in her throat. "And you're a waterbender." Aki stated knowingly. Katara bobbed her head up and down curiously. "I can tell through your clothing, your eyes and especially your posture. Waterbenders have certain things about them that separate them from non-benders." Aki stated in a bored fashion. Katara laughed a little and shifted into a more comfortable position.
"My real name is Akiko." The girl said as she examined some clothes in her hands. She scoffed and crossed her arms.
"The wench took away all my good clothes. She said I can't dress so nice in front of the children." She mumbled and stripped down into her under shirt and put on a gray knee high dress with slits up to the hip bone. It was off the shoulder and had bell shaped sleeves that stopped at her slender white wrists. A silvery thin sash was around her tiny waist to make the dress more form fitting. And it did, she looked thin and flawless.
"It's not so bad." Katara said honestly looking over the top dress again. Akiko shrugged her shoulders and pulled up some mildly tight navy blue pants under the knee-high dress. Katara envied the girl for her natural beauty even though she was known for her own.
Katara started to pull off her animal skin boots for rest but Akiko stopped her. "I wouldn't." she warned. Katara arched a brow at her. "You never know when someone is going to call on you, and you won't have time to put on your shoes." She said slipping on her own flat soled, mid-calve brown boots.
"Oh." Katara mumbled and pulled up the thin sheets that were supposedly going to keep her warm. "Can you extinguish the lights?" Katara asked situating herself in the thin sheets. Akiko was finger combing her hair and shook her head no. "But you're a firebender." Katara pointed out now sitting up. Akiko shrugged her shoulders and pulled her hair over her shoulder, tying it into an over-the-shoulder ponytail. "It's a long story but I guess I could tell you."
When she was done Katara sucked in a breath and shook her head of a fog that covered her mind. It was quite a story if she had to say so. "So my bending evolved into its next state; lightning." Akiko finished and leaned back into her cot. Katara nodded her head and uttered a 'wow' before opening her flask. She drew out a sliver of water and extinguished the lights one by one with it.
"Good-night." Akiko murmured to Katara.
"Good-night." Katara murmured back her eyes growing heavy.
Akiko shifted around noisily for a few moments before all grew quiet and her slow steady breathing mingled with the silence peacefully. Katara considered this situation sort of awkward, but peaceful at the same time. She was just glad to have someone her age and someone relatable to work with.
After meeting Akiko, she felt somewhat…accomplished. It was odd and made her want to laugh at her stupidity, but that's the feeling. Loud and clear, announcing itself to her thoughts. It was random but lately everything was completely random in her life.
Through the annoying sound of constantly dripping water that wouldn't leave her presence, cobwebs, cold stone walls, draft, and musty odor, Katara managed to fall asleep. Though right before she fell asleep she felt an eerie feeling about the girl in the cot next to her. Like a piece to a puzzle that she couldn't find through all the clutter. But something was still missing, something really important. The thought was silly and it was quickly suffocated by sleep that was much needed.
0000
"Katara…Katara…Katara!" Akiko shook Katara's shoulder violently. Katara's eyes fluttered open to a still dim room. Her eyes narrowed in on Akiko's face. Akiko's hair was in its ponytail draped over her shoulder tickling the waterbenders nose. "Alright I'm up." Katara yawned and arched her back on the mattress. Akiko lifted herself up and straightened out her newly found clothes.
Katara got up and felt down her long braid. Hairs were coming out in all places and some parts were frizzed and gave her that feeling of biting into a cotton ball again. She moaned in irritation and quickly redid it, not wanting the hassle of brushing her hair with her fingers. It never worked out well and it made her aggravated.
"Come on. The children are already up and waiting." Akiko bowed and put a hand on the door, waiting for Katara to follow. Katara nodded her head dazed and followed Akiko out and down the long dark hallway.
They were walking along walls that lead to a small door similar to their own. "This is one of the nurseries for the children under eight. We work in here mostly." Akiko said and opened the door with a silver key.
The room was somewhat well-lit and the children were laughing and playing with old wooden toys shaped like horses and people. Katara smiled at the sight. There wasn't much in the room but a toy box, a few chairs, beds, and cribs filled with bouncy babies. Akiko's eyes lit up immediately and she smiled broadly as children surrounded her legs with hugs.
"Aki who's dat?" a girl asked pointing a chubby finger at a startled Katara.
Akiko smiled and nodded her head to reassure the waterbender. "That's Miss Katara. She will be playing with you all too." She told the curious girl.
The other children kept asking questions which Katara gladly answered but she noticed a small body with fiery red hair sitting in the corner next to a bed. His knees were pulled up to his chest and he had a scowl on his small freckled face.
Katara leaned into Akiko's ear. "Who's that boy?" she asked gesturing over to the lone boy.
Akiko looked over at him and then to Katara. She sighed in despair. "That's Dustin. He doesn't get along with the other children. He never really speaks to any of them and he is very shy." Akiko said and turned around to feed a baby.
Katara 'hmmed' and began walking over to the boy. She sat down on her knees in front of him and smiled warmly as he looked up at her in surprise.
"Hello I am Katara. What is your name?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
Dustin got a sour look on his face and turned away. "Why do you care?" he spat.
Katara was silently taken aback and somewhat hurt, but shrugged it off quickly. "Well because I would like to care; about everyone here." She said softly.
A few moments went by of complete silence between them. The rest of the room was loud and joyful but in Katara's ears it was deadly quiet and venomously tense. She sighed and was about to get up when a voice stopped her.
"Dustin." The boy said quietly
Katara snapped her head around and widened her eyes. "What?"
"My name is Dustin." The boy said lifting his eyes up to look at her.
"Well Dustin, shall we go and enjoy ourselves?" she said sweetly holding out a hand for him to take.
Dustin quietly got up and was about to take it when he stopped and looked up at Katara. Katara arched a brow in wonder of the boys mind. "Can you play house?" he asked in a bashful voice.
The girl beamed and took the boys hand herself. "Yes I can." Katara said and winked over to Akiko who had a shocked expression on her face.
The days went by quickly caring for the children. They were all happy and bouncy, taking up much of Katara's heart quickly.
After spending about two weeks with the children Katara had grown about just as attached as Akiko had; especially to that red head boy Dustin. He was a sweetheart but didn't get along with other children upsettingly. He said they didn't like him because he didn't want to be adopted; he wanted to stay the same forever.
Katara opened the door and waved to Akiko who was fixing a little girl's black hair into long braided pigtails. Akiko nodded in return with a smile and continued braiding the shiny black hair.
Dustin was laying face first on his bed as still as stone. Katara frowned at this and walked over to him being careful of stray toys. Lately he had been in more of a pleasant mood but now he wasn't. Katara sat next to him on the bed and put a hand on his back that caused him to turn his head and look up at her with glittering green eyes.
"What's wrong Dustin?" she asked. Dustin frowned and sat up on his knees. "Some people want to come see me today so they might adopt me." He spat and stared down into his small hands. Katara restrained a gasp and put her hand on his shoulder.
"It will be fine." She said in a positive tone.
Dustin had tears brimming now. "No it won't Miss Katara! They aren't my mother and father, they never will be!"
The hard thing about Dustin's life was that he was seven when his parents left him at the orphanage. They held no reason why and he begged an answer of Madam Buzel but none was given to him. He always held the hope that his parents would come for him again but he found out when he just turned nine that his parents died in a raid. He found this out only four months ago.
"Dustin you don't even know if they will adopt you." Katara stated and wiped away a tear that was falling over Dustin's freckled cheek.
"Do you think I will?" Dustin asked hopefully, wishing the answer no. Katara bit down on her lip hard and debated on her answer.
"I personally don't think so." She said carefully.
She hoped he wouldn't take that as a no but unfortunately…he did. He beamed and flung his arms around her neck. "I didn't think so. Thank you Miss Katara." He said and jumped down to go get a snack. Katara opened her mouth to call out after him and change what she said but she just couldn't. She couldn't see him so sad. She sighed in bitter defeat and stalked off to help Dustin get ready for his visit.
0000
Akiko sighed and pulled the curtains apart to look outside. It was once again storming. "I like spring, just not the weather." She mumbled and closed the curtains as a low rumble of thunder cursed her statement.
Katara laughed lightly and tucked herself into her bed. Akiko did the same and rolled over on her side to face Katara. "Hey I have a question." She said.
"What is it?" Katara asked propping herself up on her elbow.
"I noticed you have a proposal necklace you always wear. And I uh…do you…have someone back…home?" Akiko asked awkwardly and looked down at the stone floor. Katara blushed crimson and held the gem in her palm.
"No I don't. I'm not ready for that." She laughed nervously. "Do you?"
Akiko tensed and immediately snapped her gaze to her bag and then to Katara. "I'm not wearing one am I?" she asked quietly and lay on her back not expecting an answer. Katara arched a brow and was consumed with questions all of a sudden.
"What places have you gone to?" she asked playing with a strand of hair.
"A lot of places. I've been kicked out of every single one." Akiko said softly and played around the place where her necklace would have been. "This one most likely won't be any different."
Akiko's tone told Katara to shut the hell up and she did. Obviously the girl had a lot of tender subject to speak about and Katara did not want to get on a lightningbender's bad side.
Katara settled her head back into her bed innocently and closed her eyes. The storm raged on outside and the air was still and full of dust to fill the lungs. The place was still as unpleasant as it was when she first arrived. The children just made her stay; if they weren't there she would throw herself back on the streets.
A loud crack of thunder and a bright streak of lightning consumed the world around them. The door of the two teenager's room was thrusted open and Stella stood in the doorway with her bouncy black curls partly pulled into a silver clasp.
"Gels vake up!" she screamed shining the candle in each young girls face. Both of the teenagers bolted up right and were consumed in worry. "Gels, young Zustin is gone!" Stella bellowed and hid her forehead in her palm as silver tears fell from her eyes.
Akiko and Katara looked at each other in shock. Their gazes snapped back to Stella and they demanded a reason of his disappearance. "Vell, I suppose tis' because he is vanted to be adopted." She said as honest as she could. Katara gasped and pulled her head into her hands.
"It is all my fault!" she wailed.
Akiko scowled at her partner and jerked her from her bed. "You can finish your sob story later. We have to find him!"
Katara was startled but considered her roommate to be correct and followed them out into the halls at a quick pace. "Where could he have gone?" Katara asked. Akiko told her that he loved the forest when they would go out for outings so that would be the wisest choice of where he would go.
They went out the back door and into the pouring down rain. The mud squished in protest under their feet and the rain stung their eyes but they didn't care. They had to find this boy before something horrible happened!
The three females ran to the edge of the forest and began calling his name. When there was no response they had to take drastic measures. "We have to go into the forest." Katara ordered. The other two looked at her as if she was mad.
"Ve don't have any lighting." Stella pointed out. Akiko bit her lip and cast a warning glance over at Katara.
"I don't care. We have to go in anyway!" Katara bellowed and began stalking into the forest. Akiko watched after her in admiration and followed along with a nervous Stella.
The forest was dark and gloomy. It was casting warnings to turn back everywhere but the three did not pay any mind. The tree tops bent together forming a monstrous set of teeth. The rain fell like bullets giving the entire place an eerie feeling and the thunder and lighting were like battle sounds.
It was a good half hour and they were in the forest deep. The trees were tightly knit together until they fortunately got to a clearing. But what was there shocked them. There propped up on a rock was little Dustin, asleep and shivering his wits out.
The three were about to run to him when a growling noise stopped them dead in their tracks, heels high in mud. "What was that?" Akiko whispered hoarsely. Katara shushed her and listened. "Oh my—" Katara began. The three screamed and jumped back when a giant wolf jumped from nowhere. A lone wolf it was, about as big as the three put together. Its teeth glistening, claws at the ready for the first kill.
It took a flash of lightning to see that Dustin had a giant gash in his head. Katara cocked her head to the side. He wasn't sleeping, he was knocked unconscious! The waterbender didn't care who was there and who was not. She spread out her arms and all the rain was balled into a boulder sized orb. Katara felt hot sweat run down her temple and fall from the round of her chin. As the creature approached Katara grit her teeth until she was sure they would wear away and then launched the orb at the filthy creature with a low cry and a whole bodied movement.
The beast yelped and was flung back into the trees out of sight. Katara panted and leaned over on her knees to catch her breath. Akiko lurched forward and helped her up and they scurried over to Dustin.
Dustin opened his eyes and whimpered a little as Katara held him in her arms. He vaguely smiled up at her and he could have sworn he saw her smile too.
Katara felt tears of joy spring to life as she held her little friend in her arms. She was about to pull him in for an embrace when something sharp collided with her body, sending her flailing back empty handed of the boy. She felt her spine twist and twitch as it collided with the hard bark of a tree, her head following not even a second after. She slumped to the ground with the world around her spinning. She looked up at an unfocused image of the wolf and Dustin, curled up against the heart of the rock, scared out of his mind. She was helpless.
Akiko swallowed a large lump in her throat as she watched the sight. No, Katara wasn't necessarily her 'friend', but that shouldn't matter. She had to save them even if it meant being thrown out on the streets for being Fire Nation. She glanced over at a sobbing Stella and sighed heavily. Stella would tell on her, it was her job to do so if it concerned Fire Nation.
Suddenly Akiko's eyes became focused and full of hate and energy. As lightning flashed so did she. She embraced the element and used it to her advantage. When the next streak flashed across the sky she used quick reflexes to grasp it into her control and plant it around the wolf's paws.
The wolf yelped in surprise and backed off the boy. It snapped its attention to Akiko who did nothing but stand her ground as Stella watched with wide eyes behind a tree. The wolf slowly approached the angel-like girl.
Akiko clenched her fists. She felt the bubbling sensation in her stomach, the energy building into a V from her stomach and into her arms and down to her knuckles. She couldn't bend lighting like Princess Azula, oh no. This lightning would take the Princess' out.
The energy released around her knuckles, weaving in and out of her fingers. The wolf snarled and leapt forward for a fast kill but Akiko was far too ready. She lifted her pulsing fists and extended her hands into points. The lightning gathered and shot off into the beasts' direction. The wolf was shot back into the trees and this time, did not come back.
Stella gasped and pulled her body behind the tree out of sight. She could never rat out a friend but this was Fire Nation. She suspected of it all along but never thought that it was true. If the Madam ever found out she knew she would be kicked out onto the streets. She had nowhere to go. She bit down hard on her lip and knew what she had to do, even if it meant betraying Akiko.
Katara groaned as she was thrusted up on her feet by the hands. She wobbled dangerously on her feet but soon found stable ground. When she came to her senses she looked around hastily for the beast. She was expecting it to attack at any given moment.
"Relax bubble-girl. It's gone." Akiko smirked. They began walking over to a sobbing Dustin. Katara leapt forward and consoled the frightened boy with everything she had. "Dustin it's all okay now." She cooed into his ear. She kept repeating the sentence until his shaking stopped and he fell limp into her arms. She blinked away rain that had fallen into her eyes and scooped him up into her arms.
Stella was silent and Akiko was tense as they walked back to the orphanage. Katara didn't know what was going on and at this point didn't care. Her motherly personality kicked in and all she cared about was Dustin.
0000
Once Dustin was cleaned up and in bed Katara decided she too needed a shower and some rest. She shook out her wet hair like a dog and finger-combed down the long chestnut locks. Her temperature was still hot from the shower and she felt a little dizzy because of it. She made a mental note to herself not to turn the water up so high.
She shifted her weight to sit on her bed but stopped when she heard voices echoing down the hall. She slowly stood and began walking to the door and down the long dark hallway.
XxXx
"Fine Stella, do what you have to do." Akiko spat. She was hurt and felt betrayed.
"I am truly sorry." Stella said softly trying to put a hand on Akiko's shoulder.
Akiko backed away as if something burned her. She looked at Stella as if she was crazy and denied the want to cry. The older woman was going to turn her in and she would be kicked out of town. Why did this always have to happen to her? Why? Why couldn't she ever just stay in once place for more than a month?
Stella lowered her eyes with guilt sewed across her face. "I suppose vu should go and git your zings."
Akiko glared daggers into the woman's heart. She stepped up into Stella's soft face and scowled. "If you rat the girl out you are truly unhonorable." She spat. She turned her back on the foreign woman and mumbled a 'wench' just loud enough for Stella to hear. Akiko then ran off with lightning speed to her room.
She pulled open the door and had to once again deny the urge to cry. She could hear the shower running as she collected her things. How would her roommate react to this? She wasn't sure when the Madam would come for her but she knew it would be soon.
She remembered how it was at Aunt Wu's place. Agni she was so different then; she carried the image of weak, soft, and defenseless; all because Wu didn't want to arouse attention with her Fire Nation spirit. Even to Prince Zuko she was different out of habit. Now she was free to act like the Fire Nation girl she was. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks at her actions back at Wu's place. An outcast, a little girl who ran from a fight! It was pathetic to look back on her time with Aunt Wu.
The door was thrusted open and there stood the comical looking Madam Buzel with an ugly mug as always. Her eyes were like daggers as she grabbed Akiko's arm and pulled her out the door. Stella quickly grabbed Akiko's things and trailed along behind the Madam after closing the door.
0000
Katara felt a bump rise to her throat. Something wasn't right here. Her curiosity got the better of her and she perused walking down the pitch black halls that she memorized already.
She stopped when she came to the main entrance and saw three figures standing in the open doorway. She knew instantly who they all were and was mortified. She had the grossest feeling that Stella told Madam Buzel that Akiko was Fire Nation.
Approaching closer around a corner, Katara could hear everything they were saying loud and clear.
"You filth! I should have known you would be Fire Nation." Madam Buzel spat. Akiko did not say anything though Katara could see she was clearly fighting back tears of pain and agony.
"No wonder you are orphaned! Disgusting little bitch." Buzel continued on with streams of insults and curse words.
"That is probably why you have been kicked out of every place you go and have lost everyone you ever slightly cared for." Madam Buzel taunted in her ear.
Katara could still hear her and outwardly flinched. The woman's words were as cold as ice and as venomous as a snake. Her eyes glistened in hatred and putridity and the whole atmosphere around her was of the most vile Katara had ever sensed in her life.
Akiko balled her fists. "And who loves you?" She asked softly.
Madam Buzel was taken aback. "What did you say you gross little wench?"
Akiko looked up at her with tears streaming down her face. "And who, might I ask, has ever loved a disgusting creature like you?" she screamed boldly.
Madam Buzel's nostrils flared dangerously as she grabbed Akiko by the shoulder-swept pony-tail. "You little bitch." She said venomously. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner." She spat wickedly.
"You deserve no respect." Akiko said firmly with the tears still falling.
The Madam snarled and thrusted Akiko out into the mud. Katara almost lurched forward to help but she stopped herself.
The Madam threw Akiko's things at her and slammed the door before heading off into the other direction, fuming. Stella just stood watching the doorway hearing Akiko's sobs. The girl should have been used to being thrown out by now. But then again, no one can ever get truly used to not being wanted anywhere.
Katara put her back to the wall and bit her lower lip. If Stella had told the Madam that she was a bender then that would have been her too! Why didn't Stella tell her? That was a mystery Katara didn't want to find out.
Katara could smell the hatred and betrayal all around the orphanage. Akiko's disappearance depressed the children and everything was in gloom like the rest of the town.
0000
The day came of when Dustin would be leaving. Katara had to discuss it with him nearly every day leading up to it to make sure it was fine. Eventually Dustin came around and actually became excited. Katara never realized she was so persuasive to change someone's point of view.
Katara was tucking the little ones into bed and she finally got to Dustin's bed for a final good-night. "Good-night Dustin." Katara smiled and pulled the blankets over his chest.
"'Night Miss Katara." He said. "Harana, Aryanna, and Cye got adopted yesterday." He said excitedly wriggling into his blankets.
"I know." Katara smiled and sat next to Dustin on his bed. "Are you excited still?"
"Yep. They're nice." Dustin said and yawned heavily. "I don't think I could ever fall asleep I'm so excited."
Katara laughed lightly and brushed his scraggly red hair from his forehead. "Well I hope you'll be happy with them." She said honestly and got up to blow out the candles.
"Miss Katara?" Dustin piped. Katara turned and looked at him with sad eyes.
"I'll miss you." He said with a large yawn and he snuggled into his blankets. Soon after his words his breathing was slow and deep. Katara felt tears of joy prickle the backs of her eyes as she blew out that candle.
She walked down the hall to her room. Something in her was absolutely dieing to leave this place. She was done with it or something. Mission accomplished. She tried to ignore it but dreams led her to believe that this place wasn't anything anymore.
0000
The next morning Dustin was taken away and there was only twenty children left in the entire orphanage. There was nearly fifty when Katara had gotten there. And Katara somehow didn't feel sad. She was glad Dustin would be going to a better place than this dump. And his new home wasn't even in this town which was another plus.
Katara roamed the halls considering the children were all down for a nap. Stella walked by without a glance and Katara inwardly smirked. She probably felt guilty for ratting Akiko out and she should. She saved her life and she showed no thanks for it.
Katara walked pasted Madam Buzel's doors which suddenly were yanked open by the Madam herself in all of her colorful glory…if you could call it that. She had a slightly irritated look on her face and she grabbed Katara's arm pulling her to the door.
"Madam Buzel what are you doing?" Katara asked suspiciously.
Madam Buzel grabbed Katara by the braid and began walking at a faster pace. "You have been a thorn in my side for far too long Miss Katara." She said bitterly. Katara tried not to laugh. She hardly spoke to the woman and did nothing to upset her.
"I got you a job at the Fish Market in Dormshaft." She said sourly ignoring Katara's "ouches" and "owes".
They reached outside when Buzel finally released Katara's braid. Katara reached up and stroked it gingerly and eyed Madam Buzel spitefully.
"Now you go straight until you hit a fork in the road and then go left and be grateful like I know you aren't." the Madam spat and thrusted Katara into the streets before she could protest.
Katara looked back at Madam Buzel who was walked back into the orphanage and she stuck her tongue out at the vile woman. She really was a putrid thing now wasn't she? But Katara knew this day would come and she was more than ready for it.
So she followed the Madam's directions and finally reached the fork in the road that she spoke of. There were arrow signs in the middle of the two roads. The one on the right read "Kermau" and the one on the left said, "Dormshaft".
"Go left, she says." Katara said mimicking the Madam's shrewd voice. Suddenly thinking of Buzel's words she remembered that she accused her of not being grateful, which she wasn't but she didn't have to say it!
"And I am grateful, grateful to get away!" she called over her shoulder.
She eyed the signs and wondered. "If I go left I am stuck working at a Fish Market until I am Gran-Gran's age." She thought bitterly. "But if I go right…" she trailed off not knowing the end of the story that was before it. She had two choices, go safe or go to the unknown and find her purpose. Tough call.
She growled and frustraition and plopped on a lone rock in the middle of the signs. She was having an internal battle with herself on where to go. Her mind was telling her to go left but her heart was telling her to go right. Both are reliable, yet one cannot be her destiny.
Katara made her choice and she stood taking in a large amount of air. Her body shifted to the left, Dormshaft. Suddenly she stopped and closed her eyes. Agni she better be doing the right thing! She felt the adrenaline stab her heart and pulse through her body and pump at her brain. Katara bolted to the right and down the path. She ran at full speed not daring to look back.
0000
Yeah Akiko pops up everywhere because she is just weird like that. You'll see next chapter. "Angel of Reunions" she's like Pukka in Anastasia, bringing everyone together you know?
Hope you liked it! R&R!
A/N: If anyone can draw an anime Akiko ring me!