Book Two – Water and Air
Chapter Twenty – Gone Tonight
Sokka, at this point in time, had now had enough. The thick, winter air swirled around, letting the snow and ice crystals dance a soft wind dance around the five nomads. Sokka shivered in the cool winter winds and immediately kneeled next to Kiari's lifeless body; he threw his machete down before he could hurt anyone else with it.
He ever so gently began to wrap his arms around Kiari's shoulders, to pull her into a hug, but a dark brown, reddish stain on the neck of her parka and near her head in the snow made him stop to examine Kiari further. His eyes widened in fear as he gazed down at Kiari's limp body.
Enormous gashes and bite wounds surrounded the side of her neck and jaw; obviously the wolf had gone for the throat. One of the easiest ways to kill prey. Sokka could immediately begin to feel his heart gather in his stomach and shatter into a million pieces. He had never seen something so devastating, so horrid and morbid happen to a love one so close to him. It was too much for Sokka to bear.
He softly lay Kiari back down to the blood covered snow under her, he winced and shivers as tears immediately began to sting his eyes, but he tried so desperately to hold them back as he gazed up to the dark, cloud filled heavens so the winter wind could lick his tears away. Although after a moment, he squeezed his dry eyes shut and hung his head to let those tears spill like rain.
Everyone stayed still, not sure how to act in this extremely delicate situation. Sokka sat on his legs, hunched over Kiari's now lifeless and color-less body. He sobbed softly, not caring who saw, it didn't matter anymore. He shook in his spot, his back basically trembled from sobs and cry-hiccups which overwhelmed him and pretty soon, he was holding his head in his hands near his lap.
Aang stared in utter shock, complete misery at the two from afar across the frosty snow. He could feel his heart accelerating, beating viciously in his chest from the mere sight of actually watching his friend fall to her death. Tears threatened to fall from his brown/grey orbs as well. He stood, motionless, that is until he remembered a certain someone making an appearance. He whirled around, only to see Katara kneeled near Lehlan's injured body as he lay limp in the snow. Aang finally remembered how to exhale as he quickly walked over to the two, not wanting to bother Sokka, knowing anything could set him off now.
"K-Katara?"Aang said in a shaky voice as he neared. He noticed Katara holding Lehlan's upper body close to her warm chest. She had her eyes shut tight, as if she were mourning over his injuries, as if she knew him from somewhere. Aang grew confused but he stayed still to watch for what was going on. He shifted his feet in the icy snow and sniffled softly.
Katara clung to Lehlan for dear life, her arms tightly wrapped around his shoulders and her face buried into his soft winter coat. Aang could tell, by this point in time that she was crying; soft whimpers could be heard. Aang softly stepped closer no, and kneeled close to Katara, wondering if she was okay. He softly let his hand meet her shaking shoulder.
"Katara, I'm sure Lehlan will be fine…" Aang murmured softly, his dark brown hair gently flickering in the calm winds. With this, Katara quickly looked up at him, confusion could be seen in her teary, water stained eyes.
"Y-you… know his name?" Katara whimpered as she clung to Lehlan. Aang softly nodded, feeling strange about it too, "How?" she finished. Aang heaved a sharp sigh and knelt next to her, softly brushing a few stray hairs out of her face.
"He told me …" Aang said softly, as if it were still kept a secret. With this, Katara gently looked down at Lehlan, who seemed to have enough strength to gaze back and open his mouth to speak.
"You guys are the Vyntresser and the Avatar… W-with the two, mixed to-together…it…makes…" Lehlan was cut off as his words shortly became grunts and winces of pain. He laid his furry white ears flat to his head and chuffed a little, arching his head down and gritting his teeth in agony.
His side was split, a large wound only fixable and healable if it were sown or stitched back together. Katara winced, seeing his pain and softly gazes around, seeing white, luscious snow everywhere. Aang knew just what she was up to, and was immediately at her aid, though he didn't like where this was going.
"Aang… You need to make fire…" Katara said softly, gazing into his eyes in a pleading manner, as if he was her and Lehlan's only hope. Aang stared back at her in a nervous way before nodding a little and heaving a soft, shaky sigh. He then inhaled a cool breath and let it out. The air fogged before him even more so than what it normally would, as if it were steam; as if his insides were heating up to aid him with his bendings.
In a matter of seconds, Aang softly cupped his hands and revealed a flicker of fire to Katara. He smiled at her with much enthusiasm, much hope, yet he was scared. Scared to death of what may become of the now three teens out here. He kept his weary smile, hoping Katara was phased, and in turn, she slowly bended up a reasonable amount of snow up over the flame, and with her position, she slowly began to bend water above Aang's hands as it melted.
Katara, soon after, raised the now chilled water above Lehlan's side and softly pressed it to his gushing, bloody wound on his side. She smiled and began to heal him, she feeling ever so thankful she had met Jeong Jeong. After a few silent moments between the three, Aang let his fire flicker out, he not wanting to use the fire more than he had to. Katara softly slide her hands off of the white wolf before her and smiled a small, victorious smile and beamed at Aang softly. He in turn nodded a little and gazed back at Lehlan as he began to stand.
"Thank you, Vyntresser …" Lehlan stopped short before smiling at the young waterbender before him. "Katara." He finished softly before he heaved a soft sigh and gazed over Katara's shoulder in worry.
"You're welcome. It's the least I could do… You saved Aang's hide," Katara said, almost chuckling as she glanced at Aang. Just as Aang was about to become defensive, he stopped and gaped.
"Wait, how did you know that? You were knocked out cold, completely unconscious and-"
"Kiari," Lehlan said suddenly, making both teens jump in their spots and gaze at Lehlan. He instantly began to leap and bound over where Sokka and Kiari were. His ears laid flat and his tail stiff and down behind him. Aang and Katara both stared in Lehlan's direction before Katara quickly turned to Aang.
"What happened?" Katara breathed, noticing Sokka's position and faintly hearing his cries. Katara grew nervous once Aang's facial expression fell. He bit his lip and looked away softly, Katara urged him.
"Aang, what happened," Katara whimpered, now getting worried. Aang gazed back at her, his eyes even full of glistening tears. Katara gazes at him, slightly wide as her eyes, too, began to fill with cold tears.
How could he tell her? He couldn't… Her best friend from childhood was dead, and there was absolutely no way of bringing her back now. He could hear Katara's cries now…
"Katara, s-something… happened…" Aang started shakily but before he could continue, Katara softly began to stumble to her feet and follow Lehlan's paw prints in the snow.
She stumbled over her own two feet and the thick snow underneath her. She had never felt so tired and worn out in her life, and for some reason, being around Lehlan made it all worse. She held her head softly in her hands and shut her eyes tight as she so desperately attempted to stop the world around her from spinning. She slowly began to regain the balance she needed to at least see somewhat straight and she quickly continued to head towards Sokka, Kiari and Lehlan. As she grew closer, Sokka's cries and sobs full of angry words of nothing, became clearer, and more distinct to Katara's ears.
She softly approached but quickly stopped once she saw the blood spilled before her. So much of it was gone from someone's body, she knew no one could survive losing that much blood at once… Katara gaped softly, now seeing the vicious gashes on Kiari's neck; her head hung over Sokka's arm as Sokka basically cried into her bloody chest. Katara softly shook her head as tears instantly began to stream down her cheeks. She tilted her head down, as if opening her eyes would only shake her more.
Her heart shattered. No longer would she be able to hear Kiari's laughter, her long, almost white hair flicker in the wind, her smile and sarcastic cracks every now and then… She was gone…
Katara softly covered her face with her slightly torn gloves and sobbed into them, as if she didn't want anyone to see her crying. She wept silently into her gloves before she felt a pair of warm arms come around her. Katara instantly grabbed onto Aang, knowing instinctively it was him, and wrapped her arms tight around his middle.
She softly began to bury her face into his chest, crying and inhaling a few times over again before cry –hiccups got the best of her. Her tears were now stained and streamed with cold tears; tears she never thought she'd shed over this situation. She never in her life wanted to see yet another death from her tribe …
Her mother's death was more than enough…
Aang gazed at Sokka who continued to sob, not caring who heard, it didn't matter in this point in time. Nothing mattered. His love was dead… Gone, like a feather on the wind…
Aang heaved a soft sigh as a few tears trickled down his cold cheeks as well before he softly called to Lehlan, who stood near Sokka, over to him. Lehlan slowly came trudging before Aang gently scooped Katara up into his strong arms, cradling her in his loving warmth. He gazed down at Lehlan and sniffled softly
"w-we should leave him alone for a little bit …" Aang said softly, knowing when Sokka was raged, you didn't want to get too close. He figured he'd check on him a little later, once he's settled from his angry yelling and loud crying.
Lehlan nodded from Aang's last statement and followed the young airbender as he began to trudge back to the cave. Aang frowned and held Katara close to him, comforting her, keeping her warm and safe… knowing everyone today has had a taste of danger and fear… Kiari the most.
After what seemed to be hours, the night had dwelled around for a long enough time, and Aang knew the sun would be rising again on the horizons, although he knew he'd see it when it'd be close to mid morning. He kept his watchful eyes fixed on the snowy distance, praying for the light of a new day. He sat on his rump, his knees tucked close to his chest and his nose and chin softly buried into his clothed knees. Katara lay comfortably next to him, curled underneath her parka for warmth, and Aang softly stroked her side, keeping her steadily lulled in the sleep she was in; she needed it most.
"A strange thing, death is…" Lehlan suddenly said as he slowly came and sat next to the other side of Aang. He laid his ears flat on his head, yet his eyes should much sorrow, yet at the same time, so much wisdom. Aang jumped from the suddenness; his quiet shattered softly with Lehlan's husky, deep and almost majestic voice. Aang gazed at Lehlan, his piercingly blue eyes fixed on the water tribe warrior down South from the cave. Aang followed Lehlan's gaze and fixed his eyes on Sokka. He heaved a dry sigh.
"It is, isn't it…" Aang agreed, his voice croaking from lack of water; he not wanting to leave Katara's side even for one second to get some water down further into the cave. Aang studied Sokka hard. He had now buried Kiari under a clean blanket of white snow, away from where the battle scene was held, which meant he had moved further south of the cave, away from the three in the warmness of the mountain.
Sokka sat on his legs, his hands on his knees, and he gazed down where he had buried Kiari. Aang couldn't tell clearly, but it looked as if he had laid something over her snowy grave; obviously a possession of his. Aang felt his heart basically shatter, thinking how terrible it was for Sokka to go through a death. Again.
"You don't know when it will come, but when it does… It shocks everyone…" Lehlan said softly, his eyes fixed on Sokka. Aang averted his gaze from Sokka to the wise wolf next to him in a curious manner. Lehlan only glanced at Aang.
"Everyone knows it's coming… It should be no surprise…"
"But Kiari was so young… Why now?" Aang questioned softly, his eyes tearing again, but he so desperately held them back. Aang shook his head softly in confusion.
"It was her time… Everyone, everything… has a set time, when their soul must go home…" Lehlan said softly, yet wisely. He flicked his ear softly and continued to gaze out to the distance. Aang frowned and gazed to the snowy distance, where Lehlan's piercing eyes were set. He frowned and heaved a long sigh.
"But not me…" Lehlan suddenly said, and with this, Aang quickly gazed back at Lehlan, confusion coating his now teary eyes.
"This ol' sack of fur and bones has seen one too many deaths…" Lehlan said, almost in a pitiful manner, but the majestic prick in his voice never ceased.
"What do you mean? You've got to be only what, 5, 6 years of age? It's normal for a wolf…Snow wolves don't live long around here, there's not much food on the snowy tundra of the South P-"
"I've been around longer than you can imagine, Aang…" Lehlan heaved a warm sigh and gazed about, "I knew, Aditya…" With this, Aang's eyes widened.
"You, knew Katara's past life?" Lehlan nodded.
"As well as many before Aditya's time... Aang," Lehlan started as he gazed at him for the first time this evening, his eyes almost hypnotic; "Katara's struggling…"
"W-with what?" Aang questioned, feeling his heart sink. He softly glanced down at Katara before keeping his gaze fixed on Lehlan's wise blue eyes.
"The pains she's dealing with… Everything she's telling you… There's a reason, Aang. It won't get better." Lehlan breathed as he looked down; Aang immediately frowned, but before he could say anything, Lehlan spoke, "Not unless you listen to me…"
"I-I'll do anything," Aang breathed as Lehlan leaned closer to him.
"The sun rises in seven hours, Aang… You have until then to find the one whom of which looks like the Vyntresser's cycles combined…" Lehlan said softly.
"…Hinadi," Aang breathed before gazing back at Lehlan, curiosity filling his eyes.
"He… he, holds the powers you need, to complete the cycle Katara is so miserably struggling with." Lehlan said, almost in a whisper.
"He?" Aang said with a frown, knowing Hinadi's gender.
"His temper is vicious, so stay on his good side…" with this, Aang swallowed hard and gazed out to the distance, feeling queasy almost. Aang nibbled his lip and felt Lehlan's warm presence next to him.
"Wh-what do I need to do?"Aang whispered softly, gazing back at Lehlan. Lehlan perked his ears softly and narrowed his eyes.
"Go…"
Aang's eyes widened softly as he gazed into Lehlan's piercingly blue orbs.
"G-go?"
"Find the one whom of which looks like the Vyntresser's cycles combined…" Lehlan repeated softly, "But you must hurry… the chi that flows between Yin and Yang will slowly be separating… Golden in the sky, when the night, meets the day…"
Aang gazed at him, thinking about his little riddle before opening his mouth to speak.
"I-I have to find…this Shirlakoi, before the sun rises?" Aang questioned; Lehlan only nodded.
"You need to hurry…" Lehlan said softly before Aang quickly gazed out to the horizons, determination now filling his heart and mind. He nibbled his lip before quickly standing.
"I'll be back…" Aang said nervously, not even sure if he knew what he was looking for, but he figured he'd go search; it was for the sake of Katara. Nothing was stopping him now. Lehlan only smiled as Aang began to leave the cave. He sat near Katara to fill Aang's presence for the time being. He stared Aang down with an enthusiastic smile, knowing deep down Aang knew what he was doing.
Aang slowly trudged past Sokka, who sat pitifully in the snow, gazing down at Kiari's snowy grave. Sokka quickly gazed up at Aang, noticing his pace was quick and heavy, and he was set out for the Southern most part of their homeland. Sokka softly croaked Aang's name and wearily stood, his knees wobbling a bit. Aang slowed but continued as he gazed over his shoulder, his eyes full of worry, yet determination.
"Wh-where are you going?" Sokka questioned softly, Aang never stopped walking.
"I'm going to get help…" Aang said softly before turning back around, "Take care of Katara for me…Keep her safe…"
Sokka frowned and let his shoulders slump a little before cupping his hands over his mouth, time had let Aang get almost out of ear shot from Sokka.
"Be safe," Sokka called; Aang only waved his hand in acknowledgement that he heard him, and he kept right on marching, not knowing where he was going, not knowing exactly what he'd run into along the way. The night was so threatening, and if attacked by those snow wolves, there was no hope for his return… Sokka watched his body slowly disappear into the snowy haze and he softly hung his head to gaze down at Kiari's grave.
Not being able to gaze at it any longer without crying, he softly turned on his heel and headed straight for the cave where his now two traveling companions remain. Sokka sighed, the air fogged before his face, and he slowly entered the cave, a warm fire was present and Lehlan and Katara were softly cuddled near it.
Lehlan's ears perked softly as Sokka approached and without much thinking, he sat close to Lehlan and Katara's sleeping form. Lehlan softly sat up as Sokka sat and gazed at him gently. Sokka gazed back, not sure really what to make of the stare. He almost feared for his own life, having this majestic white beast of the South stare him down with the most piercing eyes, but he figured Lehlan wouldn't hurt him… Katara and Aang had already made him basically part of the family now, without much consent from Sokka.
He heaved a soft sigh and gazed at the now slowly disappearing fire; he stayed near it, taking advantage of its warmth while it lasted. He knew, without Aang around, he couldn't make a fire. There was no wood around here, no dried leaves. He knew he had his parka to keep warm as well as the huge white wolf with the fur coat, and the warmth of his sisters' presence. He stared the fire down for hours it seemed, until it turned into warm embers, flickering in the calm, now approaching dawn light.
After those few hours had past, Katara slowly stirred and opened her eyes, her gaze immediately hitting Sokka. Katara gazed at him long and hard before his gaze met hers. The two siblings stared each other down, as if they were having a conversation through their minds; showing much love, yet much sorrow and loss towards one another. They remained this way for a little while before Sokka frowned and his eyes began to water. He forced his gaze away from Katara's sleepy gaze and stared at the disappearing, flickering embers.
"Aang's gone…" Sokka croaked, and with this, Katara shot up softly.
"What?!" Katara said ever so softly. Sokka gazed at her lovingly, hoping to calm her nerves.
"H-He went to go find help…" Sokka said softly, but before he knew it, Katara was on her feet, heading for the exit of the cave. Sokka perked up a little as Lehlan did. His ears perked and he softly barked, as if calling for Katara.
"K-Katara!" Sokka called softly, yet rather impatiently as he stood; wounds and sores from yesterday instantly began to make themselves present. He quickly began to stumble towards Katara; his warm socks making the freezing ground under him sweat a little. Lehlan quickly followed.
Katara stumbled out into the cold snow, wearing nothing but her torn parka, pants and socks. Her long hair was slightly mangled and it flicked about in the cool winter morning winds. She gazed at the horizon and the promise of the sun showed, the dawn of a new day had come and only a tiny sliver of the pale yellow sun was present. Katara shook her head and gazed around quickly, hoping to see a sign of Aang somewhere, footprints, anything. He was gone.
Katara pant softly and gazed around before staring deeply towards the direction of the sun; she fumbled past Kiari's snow grave and whimpered a little, feeling the chill of the morning basically freeze her joints and bones. Katara began to cry. Tears streaming her cheeks and with this build up of anger, confusion, sadness, the loss of her loved one to the vicious winter tundra, she couldn't hold anything back any longer.
"Aang!!" Katara hollered ever so loudly to the winter winds; her voice echoed forever it seemed. She softly hung her head and stumbled to a slow stop before panting softly, her cheeks streamed with tears. She inhaled a deep breath and softly threw her head back and up once more.
"A-Aang!!" Katara hollered aloud, this time a lot louder, yet her voice trembled and cracked softly. She then hung her head again, as if yelling threw her energy away. She whimpered before ever so softly falling to her knees, knowing Aang was completely done for, wandering by himself out in the winter jungle. She shook her head and buried her face into her cold hands.
"A-Aang…No…" Katara murmured softly; her back trembled with sobs, cry-hiccups and tears, she couldn't even think straight. She heard soft, yet quick footsteps approaching behind her. Sokka quickly fell to his knees and without much thought, he pulled his sister into his arms, and in turn she pushed her face into Sokka's chest.
"S-Sokka, he's… gone…" Katara whimpered softly and shakily into his chest. Sokka shook his head before gazing out to the wintery morning haze, it seemed so gorgeous, so luring, such a trap anyone could fall into and it be fatal. With his intent gaze, tears in turn stung his eyes, and fell freely down his cheeks. He then quickly shut his eyes and nuzzled his head to Katara's, burying his face into her soft, flickering brown hair. He sniffled a few times and held his own flesh and blood of a sibling in his tight embrace.
"H-He's… gone…" Katara whispered softly before falling rather limp in Sokka's grip. Lehlan slowly strolled up next to the two, his ears laid flat, but his eyes flickered with hope. He gazed out to the hazy, dream like horizons; majestic smile and all.
A/N: …. Whoa whoa wait,…. I'm, done with book 2!! O.o this is impossible…
Okay, it's possible lol :D Okay I know, you all basically hate me now, for leaving yet another yummy cliffhanger :P and now you guys are gunna spam my e-mail, and my DA page with words like continue! And WTF?! And stuff… Oofta.
My next book will be coming soon! So please be on the lookout!
Book Three – Sidkah's Eclipse
I want to say THANK YOU to all my loyal reviewers and readers. Thank you so much! With out your encouragement, and to some of you, nagging e-mails and spam comments on my DA page… I would've never gotten this far with this series. Let's hope my next book will go by a bit faster! Thanks so much for all your patience!
Chao for now!
-Vyntresser
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I don't appreciate spammers, so leemee alone if you're gunna spamIM me or some crap! Lol and NO I'm NOT giving away ANY spoilers for 'Sidkah's Eclipse' so DON'T ASK! Cause I WILL IGNORE YOU!! Whether it be here, DA, youtube, through e-mail or chat. I WILL NOT REPLY! So save your breath. Erm. Words lol
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In loving memory of Mako. Who… just so happened to die on my birthday T-T oh fun…
We love you Mako!! -heartheartheart-