Chapter 6
Running the Gauntlet
The reaction to Iroh's surprise appearance was quite warm and jubilant. Aang rushed to hug him, as did Katara. Sokka saluted, and Zuko smiled happily as he also embraced him.
"Good to see you again Uncle, we've all missed your company." Iroh laughed as he made his way to the galley, and started to prepare some tea.
"My company is always welcome. So, I have heard the news from the White Lotus. Arnook's death is quite a shock and a disappointment. I don't know a lot of the workings of the water tribe's politics, but I smell usurpation." Iroh said, pouring a cup for his nephew. "We should be cautious of this, Avatar, this isn't like with Ozai, when the corruption was out in the open. We might be opening a jar of files with this one. We should act with reason and with diligence." He finished sipping his tea.
Sokka agreed with Iroh's statement, "My thoughts exactly. We need to figure out the root of the assassination." He saw Toph come back into the galley, brooding. "What's wrong? Is Tikaani ok?" Toph shook her head and sat down, not getting herself any tea.
"He is really distraught. I don't think it's the storm that bugged him, something else did." Toph said distantly, not really looking at anyone, seeming to be thinking about something.
"What about the storm? Did something happen?" Katara asked. Toph made a face and then, with a long sigh, she explained what happened:
"OK, fine. Tikaani was doing really good in the city, he was really responsive and seem to be having fun. Then the storm broke out and Tikaani bolted like a foxalope. I found him in a box in an alley. This wasn't something I could avoid Katara, I had no idea what his reaction would be to thunder and lightning. He is OK now...but, he is so quiet, like he just completely shut himself off. He would maybe say one or two words and then just space out and rock back and forth. He is chewing on his hands and eating his hair, too. Something happened that's causing him to be really regressive." The group was quiet at this report. Katara, however, leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. She looked coolly down at Toph.
"I told you he would be happier on the ship." Toph scowled and looked heated at Katara's statement.
"Right, because being locked up like animal and not given equal opportunities is exactly what he wanted. I mean, who needs to learn to make decisions and see things you never seen before and enjoy life, when all you're expected to do is sit there and shit yourself."
The tension in the galley was thicker than paste. Nobody knew what to say. Katara didn't have a retort but looked to the side. Iroh spoke next, making sure to speak in a tone of neutrality, letting the smoldering fire die.
"Can someone tell me about the lad? I would like to get to know this new member of your crew. Maybe he would also like nice cup of chamomile tea." At Iroh's prompting, Aang answered, hoping that the disagreement between the girls had faded.
"Tikaani is our only witness to the murder of Arnook. Because of this, the men that killed him are also after Tikaani's life. We've been asked by his caregivers to take him with us. It's...been difficult since none of us know how to handle a child like him." Aang looked at Katara questioningly, and then at Iroh. "Maybe you have the experience needed to communicate with Tikaani." Iroh frowned lightly and shook his head.
"I am afraid my knowledge is limited, as well. Children like Tikaani are often dispatched or sent away, but I have met one or two that are like him. From what I have seen and experienced, each one is unique and you need to look beyond what he is missing and look at what he has." Aang nodded at this statement,
"I agree with this. Katara, I was wondering if you could do a favor for me?" Katara tilted her head at Aang, now curious.
"What are you asking, Aang?" Aang bit his lip and plowed through.
"I want to know if you can waterbend into Tikaani's psyche like you did with Jet. Heal him in that fashion, and maybe we can find out what is making his so stressed." Katara seemed to agree with this and nodded. Sokka and Zuko also liked this idea. Iroh seemed to show no opinion, but Toph was furious.
"Are you serious!? How dare you? You can't just go up and walk into his head like that. How do you know it won't have an adverse effect? He isn't like Jet, who was brainwashed. Tikaani's mind is something completely different. Who knows what will happen if you even try? Have you even fathomed to ask for his permission or are you just going to up to him and go 'Oh, hi! Surprise brain rape?', 'cause I would like to know what kind of ethics y'all are fucking over sideways." Everyone took a step back mentally and realized that they had just crossed into something personal. Aang tried to explain his reasoning.
"We're not going to 'brain rape' him Toph, we're going to try some therapy to see what caused him to regress and close up. I promise to do this with the greatest care as possible. I'll agree to ask permission before we do this, his consent is important." Toph seemed to be put at ease, and looked at Aang with bit of respect. She slowly grinned,
"Alright, I'm gonna ask Spunky what he wants. I'll see if he's willing to talk." Toph left the galley and headed towards Tikaani's room.
Under the desk, Tikaani was laying on his stomach, his legs bouncing on the furs as he tapped his fingers on the cool metal. He was lost, listening to his thoughts and replaying memories and feelings over and over. He didn't realize at all that Toph was trying to talk to him. She broke his train of thought however when she grabbed his hand and squeezed it. It was then that he heard what she was saying.
"Katara is going to come by, is going to do some waterbending, or, rather, waterhealing, and see if she can use it on your head to de-stress you. If you agree to this just squeeze my hand back or give me some indication that you're OK with this." Tikaani recorded the information and played it over and over to see what he could understand. Katara wanted to use waterhealing on him. That he could agree to, waterhealing was fine. However...
I don't trust her. She says words to me like I'm a child. She doesn't see me as a man, she sees me a like a boy. She is always angry and uses mean words. She is nice on the outside, but under that is anger and meanness. As long as Toph and Aang are here, I will let her waterheal. Tikaani squeezed back, and rolled back his eyes, curling up on the furs. Slowly, he tried to relay what his ever busy mind was saying.
"OK, but only if you stay. Only if Aang and you are here." Toph gave him another squeeze and a piece of ginger candy.
"You got it, Spunky, we'll stick around." Toph got up as Tikaani turned around with his back facing her.
She was ready to leave, when Aang and Katara walked in. "I was just going to get you. Tikaani consented but only if Aang and I are here." Katara lifted an eyebrow and adjusted her waterskin on her shoulder.
"You got him to talk?" She asked, uncorking it and walking over to Tikaani. Toph sighed and tilted her head as Sokka and Iroh came in to observe.
"Yeah, I did, kinda. He shut off immediately, though. You need to use touch to establish something. He won't connect unless you touch him." She said, relaying her observation. Aang knelt beside him and helped Tikaani get into a sitting position. Tikaani made an unhappy squeal and clung on to Aang as Katara bent the water out of the waterskin. Tikaani had his arms around Aang and his head on his shoulder, but with some coaxing he lifted his head for Katara, who bent the cool glowing blue water onto his temples. Exhaling, Katara closed her eyes. Tikaani did as well.
Layers upon layers of memories, thoughts and feelings were all tangled up in knots, but it was anything but disorganized. Everything seem to be set rigidly, and in strange and unfamiliar patterns. Katara felt around, looking for what had happened that morning. But the chi pathways were completely different than from what she was used to. They were set in strange, foreign patterns that she couldn't follow. She stumbled around until she found a knot of fear and anxiety. She slowly tried to reroute it when she felt an echo of voices: Do your damn job....kill the little retard...we need to kill the boy...our plans will be unraveled.
Katara jerked back immediately, when felt someone pull her off Tikaani. She blinked, looking around and noticed the fear on Toph's face as Tikaani was limp on Aang's shoulder. Tikaani's eyes were glazed over and still. Aang didn't move an inch. Neither did anyone else.
"He...screamed for a second and then just went limp. I told you this was bad!" Toph's voice was tense. Iroh walked over to pull him off of Aang and see if he had pulse. He pulled away in shock as Tikaani suddenly started to seize.
Sokka rushed over and laid Tikaani on his side, his voice firm,
"No one panic! Toph, get him a pillow, let him get through this." Katara just stood there, eyes filling with tears.
"What did I just do?" Katara's voice was hushed as she stood, baffled. Aang rushed over to comfort her, holding her in his arms.
"It's not your fault, we had no idea what would happen. We just need to hope that this is a side effect. You might want to check afterward, to see if there is any lasting damage." Katara shook her head at Aang's suggestion, too frightened to use any more waterhealing.
And, just as easily as it came, the episode left. Tikaani was still. Sokka checked his pulse, and sighed in relief as Tikaani was stable. He gently laid Tikaani on the pelts and put the pillow that Toph grabbed under the boy.
"My dad taught me about this after I saw one of his men go through it. I think it was minor, Tikaani will be OK, but he just needs time to recuperate. Until then, Katara, there can be no more waterhealing."
Sokka got up as Iroh sat beside Tikaani.
"I will watch him and alert you if anything happens." Iroh said, his voice not hiding his worry. Katara walked out with Aang, apologizing over and over to Toph.
"I am so sorry I didn't-" Toph cut into Katara's reel of apology,
"Stop. There is no need for an apology. We all knew the risks, it happened. Tikaani is fine. There was nothing that could warn you that he would seize up. Just focus on letting him nap."
Katara didn't look reassured.
"You knew it was a bad idea. You knew something like this would happen." Katara said as she was at the door to her and Aang's room. Toph sighed and shrugged.
"No, I didn't. I thought it was a bad idea but I had no idea about what his reaction could've been. Just think of it as a lesson learned. There is no reason for you to feel guilty." Toph said, heading down the hall to the galley. Katara looked at Aang, who opened the door.
"She's right. Don't guilt yourself; there was nothing that you could've done to prevent this." Katara nodded and lay on the bed.
"Nevertheless...I'll listen next time Toph warns me about something like that."
Iroh listened to Tikaani's breathing, his own thoughts erratic and busy, half wondering what to do if Tikaani got seriously ill, and half feeling sorry for Katara. He looked over at Tikaani and couldn't help but feel grateful to the gods that he was blessed with a nephew that was healthy. But yet, he couldn't pity Tikaani, he didn't see it at all necessary.
Tikaani's legs jiggled rhythmically, before he stirred and awoke with a moan. He was panted hard, and then sat up. Iroh noticed that his eyes were out of focus, and his mouth was dry. He got u and grabbed the basin and put in front of Tikaani. He waited for a moment before Tikaani vomited a little of his breakfast into it. He coughed up the rest and started to shake and cry before laying back down. Iroh got up and left the basin outside.
"I see you still don't feel good. I should make you some ginger and lemongrass tea for your stomach." Iroh said, sitting down again. Tikaani jiggled his leg as his head swam. "I suppose I should get used to you not responding right away." Iroh gently reach over to push his hair away. Tikaani flinched, but let him do it.
"Yet, we are making progress."
Oh good La my stomach hurts so much, and my head is on fire. What did that woman do? I just remember being really relaxed and then in great pain. Why did she hurt me? I don't understand. Was it an accident? Did she make a mistake? I hope she says she is sorry, you shouldn't hurt people. I don't think I will stay close to her.
Tikaani gurgled and coughed as his stomach clenched. He was still dizzy, but the pain was starting to ebb away. He hadn't realized it, but Iroh had left, leaving him to rest alone. Tikaani sighed in relief.
In the bedroom, down the hall, Aang and Katara were sitting in bed, discussing what to do.
"We should embark again and see if we can find the ship that made port and confront the two water tribesmen. They are probably still at port, but they may leave soon. We should try to find them now." Aang said, standing up, getting his staff, and whistling for Momo. Katara was still on the bed looking pensive and unhappy.
"That may be wise; we should look for them now. I am sure someone must have seen two Water Tribe folk. I'll get my waterskin." Katara stood to get her skin, when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to find Iroh with a tray of tea.
"Zuko and Sokka left a little bit ago, they are going to look around the docks for any sign of the Water Tribe ship, you two should catch up to them. However, I advise you all to leave port soon. Another storm is coming in from the northwest. If you leave now you won't have to be moored here for another day or two." Iroh gave the tea to the two benders and continued, "Also, Tikaani just awoke. He is back asleep, but I thought I should tell you. He is still ill and queasy. Toph and I will stay here with him, but you two need to get going and find those men."
Katara put the tea down and hugged him. Aang thanked Iroh before running out with Katara on his heels.
"Thank you, Iroh." She called out as she closed the ship door and embarked into the town.
The two men looked all around the east and west banks, but there was no sign of the ship. Sokka look dismal, wondering if they had just taken off or not. Or, if they were even here.
"Damn, no hide or hair of anyone. The closest lead we got is that someone saw two men wearing blue enter the Nag Ng-uek tavern on the south edge of the port."
Zuko adjusted his dao, which were hidden from view, on his shoulder, when Aang called out from his right.
"HEY! Guys, have you found any info on the ship that we're tracking?" Aang asked, stopping and catching his breath. Katara joined up with them, and Sokka shook his head at the question.
"Only lead we've got is that two men in blue were in the Nag Ng-uek tavern."
"Well, that is best lead we have. Now c'mon, let's go find out." Aang said, heading down the South edge of the port to the tavern.
The tavern was small, dingy, and smelt of tobacco and deception. The name was from the mermaid statue erected outside of the tavern. It's soft, kind-looking face seem to radiate a kind of sad gentleness, in spite of the seedy-looking tavern she was guarding. The four gathered in alley by it and discussed how they should execute the confrontation of the suspects.
"Iroh says that we need to be careful. I think it would be a bad idea if Aang and Zuko go into the bar first, they will be recognized more quickly if they did. It's wiser if Katara and I go into the tavern and scope out the area." Sokka suggested, taking hair out of it's wolf-tail. "You two wait here, I'll… uhh…caw like a crow-rat if something goes down." Sokka added on to his plan. Katara agreed, as did Aang and Zuko, who both kept to the shadows.
"Right, we'll stay here if anything nasty happens." Aang assured Katara, who hugged him, before going inside the tavern with Sokka, looking more like a pair of scruffy water tribe citizens than legendary warriors.
Katara glanced around the area and found two water tribesmen talking to large brusque-looking man with an iguana-coyote chained to his chair. Sokka took a seat by the men and Katara took one nearby. Sokka listened to their conversation, but the words that they were speaking were not in the common tongue spoken by all of the nations, but in an old Water Tribe language that was rarely used nowadays. He recognized some of the words, but they were spoken too fast for him to understand them.
A feeling of shame welled up in him realize that he didn't know his own people's original language. However, he did catch "Ba Sing Se" somewhere, and "Bo Feng", which Sokka knew as a rogue gang of Fire nation navy that made a 'bootleg turn' after Ozai fell. Frowning deeply, he got up and tried to get out of the tavern with Katara when he heard the iguana-coyote growl. The heavy built man turned his head to the two of them and didn't say a word, but got up and headed out the back way with the two water tribesmen following. The chatter of sailors and scoundrels was almost distracting enough to detract from the noise of the three men leaving. Katara and Sokka headed outside and into the alley.
"Did you see them?" Aang asked, getting up from sitting on the crate. Katara frowned, but nodded. Sokka looked disappointed.
"I got almost nothing. They were speaking in a language I barely remember, but they did say something about Ba Sing Se." He said, scratching the back of his head and looking unsure, when, suddenly, the large man came into view. His bright gold eyes and the spike through his nose gave him the fierceness that the gang recognized as someone not to be trifled with.
"Whutta set of saps like you doing out here? I saw you water-rats eavesdropping, gotta say I didn't expect the Avatar and his minions to be skulking about." The man had a deep and rustic-sounding voice that almost felt thick and heavy, like the person it came from.
"We've come to ask about the two men you were talking to." Aang said with authority and power, gripping the staff in his hand. Katara, Sokka, and Zuko all took their place beside him. The man laughed, brushing back his knotted dreadlocks.
"Aren't you precious. Well, I don't have time to play. Why don't you go and wrestle with these boys." He stepped back, letting a pair of hungry iguana-coyotes rush past him.
"Have at it, Shango, Tonga. Fire Dog says it's on the house." The pirate captain left, allowing the iguana-coyotes to stay behind. As Katara began to run after him, Aang airbended them down the alley, shouting.
"Forget about him! Hurry! We have to get back on the ship; they are going to sail to Ba Sing Se!" Aang said, frantically trying to get out of the alley. Katara was on his heels, but the blast of fire behind them told them that Zuko was still there, fighting the iguana-coyotes. They both looked at each other, before Aang whirled around and headed back.
"Tell the captain to get the ship ready, I'll be there at two twitches of a lemur's tail." Aang ran back into the alley and sent another burst of air at the iguana-coyotes. "C'mon! The storm is coming! They are leaving, so we need to get going." Aang noticed Sokka slumped against the wall, off to the side, with his shoulder bleeding.
"They are not easy creatures to evade. They just keep coming!" Sokka said, being assisted by Zuko, who helped him out of the alley. Aang stamped his foot and with a strong swing of his right arm he sent up the stone on the pathway to encase the iguana-coyotes. Aang turned on heel and headed out, following Zuko and Sokka.
"Why didn't you use your firebending or boomerang?" Aang asked, as the stormy winds whipped his robes. They headed up the gangplank and Katara opened the ship door.
"We've got to go now, Iroh says the storm is going to make landfall in less than ten minutes. We got a report from one of the ship hands that an old warship left with two water tribesmen. Their captain is Gao Tu."
Aang helped Sokka inside the ship. Katara gasped at his wound and then took him down to heal him. Zuko ran up on deck and shouted to his men to get the ship running. Aang also got up on deck and noticed the smoke in the distance. He grimaced, as the wind was too strong for a glider or sky bison. Appa had been below deck in a hold for quite some time. Aang bit his lip and wondered if he should brace the storm and go out. But, after some thought, he realized that it would be too risky.
The ship headed northeast to Ba Sing Se. The roar of the storm was near, as the rain started fall on deck and the waters shook the ship. The ocean's turbulent mood seem to resonate with the crew as they all worked hard to secure the deck and run through the hurricane. Aang ran below deck and shouted to the engine room attendants to brace themselves for stormy water. Aang felt a rush of urgency and briskly ran back up to the deck. The rain was falling heavily, and the smell of salt and cold rain made Aang wrinkle his nose. The large oil lights were being tended by the firebending sailors. The ship could barely cut through the wall of dark clouds and rain, but Zuko urged the captain to head through, in hopes of catching up with the ship.
Finally, after preparations, the ship began to head its course. Aang hoped that they would just clip the storm and not actually go through it. He was down below and heading to his quarters, when he passed Tikaani's room. He opened the door and found Tikaani curled up under the desk again. Aang grimaced at the smell of vomit in the room. He took some water from another pitcher and washed it from the floor and out of the ship's window with a long swoop of waterbending. Aang walked over to Tikaani and knelt beside him.
"Tikaani, you OK? You look really green." Aang felt his forehead. He wasn't warm but the fact he was seasick was apparent. Aang tried to lift Tikaani up and see if he could eat some ginger and rest someplace that didn't rock so much. "C'mon we'll get you some water and some rest."
Aang didn't like how clammy and pale he was, and now the boy was almost completely unresponsive. He led him into his own room, and under his own desk. Katara turned her head as Aang gently helped him, while Tikaani slid under the desk and curled up into a ball.
"Aang? What's wrong with Tikaani?" She got away from the vanity and crept down to Tikaani's level.
"He's ill, I think from seasickness more than anything else. I'm going to get him some ginger for it, you'll stay with h-im!" Aang jerked to the left as the boat was barraged with waves. Tikaani fell over from his sitting position with a loud bang. Katara rushed to help him sit up again, her face taut with worry.
"He didn't even yelp. He's so...out of it." She commented, brushing the hair out of his eyes. Aang also looked puzzled as he took off his outer robes. He glanced over at Tikaani who was rocking back and forth under the desk, his once inquisitive navy blue eyes seeming so far away. Aang sighed and headed to the door, when it was suddenly swung open by Toph, who was holding a tray of ginger tea.
"I figured he was here. I checked his room and he was missing so I figured that Aang kidnapped him." She tried to find the desk and accidentally kicked Tikaani. He made a slight noise as Katara helped her with the tray.
"Be careful, Tikaani is under the desk." Toph knelt and took Tikaani's hand.
"Sorry Spunky, can't see shit remember?" She apologized; however, Tikaani made no response and continued to rock. Toph pulled out and had her hands on her hips.
"Spunky closed up shop I see. Don't know why he shut himself off, must be the constant wave of stress. Aang, have you tried anything to bring him back?" Toph looked at Aang questioningly, with her hands still on her hips. Aang frowned and shook his head.
"No...I haven't tried; do you know anything that could help?" He asked, but Toph threw her arms in the air.
"No idea, he hasn't been this regressive since he arrived. Only thing I can think of is a bath, but the ship is too rocky for one. Maybe you could try just...touching him. He responds better when someone is holding his hand or touching him in some way." The ship lurched again, making Toph fall over.
"Oh sonova-OW dumb boat." She got up again and headed out the door.
"Well at least it isn't flying. Take care of the kid." With that she left, leaving and Aang and Katara with Tikaani.
The two look puzzled as rain and thunder echoed all around their cabin. Lights flickered, casting shadows all around the room, giving it a quiet and soft texture. Aang sat beside Tikaani and grabbed his hand. Katara sat near as well. Aang was patient and still, with Tikaani carefully reading his expression. Then, Aang started humming. It was a wordless, old tune from days long passed. It had a hauntingly familiar feeling to it, like a distant memory. Aang watched as Tikaani stilled his endless rocking and hummed along with Aang. Eventually, Tikaani broke free of Aang's grasp and got up onto his and Katara's bed. Aang sighed, as Tikaani made himself comfortable.
"Feeling better now?" Aang asked as he got on one side and Katara on the other. Tikaani flinched against Katara and grabbed Aang's hand.
"What's wrong?" he asked, as Tikaani rolled on his side, facing way from Katara.
"Don't...let her...hurt me." He said burying his face into a pillow. The look of hurt and shame could be easily read on Katara's face as she got up from her spot.
"I'm going to see what Toph is up to. I'll be back when Tikaani is asleep." She left before Aang had a chance to apologize for Tikaani's statement. Sighing loudly, the Avatar gave a sideways glance to the water tribe boy, wiggling his ankle.
"I should be angry at you for chasing away my girlfriend, but I can't blame you for being wary of her. Good night Tikaani." Aang airbended the candles out and waited for Katara to return.
Down the halls Katara nearly fell over twice with the rocking ship. She walked into the galley, where Zuko sat eating some sweet wheat bread.
"Still up?" He asked through a mouthful of bread. Katara got a moonpeach and took a bite before sighing.
"Yeah...Tikaani got in bed with Aang and I, and he kind of got frightened of me. I left so he could fall sleep and then I'm going to go back in." Katara seemed both tired and irritated, but there was still a shadow of guilt in her voice.
"I see. Maybe while he's asleep you could try to comfort him, you'll be surprised at how he reacts in the morning." Zuko assured, getting up to sit next to Katara. She threw the pit away and leaned forward, with her elbows on the table.
"Part of me wants to kick him out of the bed, but the other half really wants to stay beside him. He's not just scared of me, everything is a new experience, and he is going through so much at once. It's no wonder he shut down." Katara got up and walked to the door. "I'm gonna see if he fell asleep. I'll take your advice, Zuko." Zuko smiled shyly at Katara's words but as she opened the door Zuko added.
"It's a good idea tonight while he is still unstable, but try not to coddle him all the time. There are some nights you should kick him out." Katara laughed at Zuko's final words of wisdom before heading back to her room.
She opened the door to find Tikaani not in the bed, but under the desk again. Katara smiled a bit and sat down beside him. She gently brushed the hair out of this face and pulled one of the linen blankets over his shoulders. Katara couldn't really understand him, but she did understand the fear of being alone and having the world move so fast under your feet. She recalled when Hanai told her that his mother had wanted to drown him. She wished that Tikaani never had to suffer that kind of rejection. Her mother was taken from her, his threw him away. Katara hoped that she could give the comfort he lacked right now, far away from Hanai and far away from the life he knew. She hoped that she could give him the reassurance that there was someone here to catch him if he fell.
"I'm sorry, Tikaani. I am sorry that I hurt you. I just want to help, I just want to understand. Maybe, you can teach me how, I'll try to listen." Katara bent down to kiss his cheek before getting up to sleep with Aang. He woke up as Katara pulled back the covers, wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her neck.
"That was very kind of you to tell him that, I am sure he could teach you lot." He said nuzzling her close. Katara only sighed as she blew out the last candle.
"I don't know if I could listen...or just dismiss it as a fluke."