A/N: Thanks again to all who read and reviewed. If anyone goes to see Semi-Pro this weekend, please let me know how the bear scene went, that's my bear that I get to take care of and help train. ) But if you don't, that's ok, I probably won't see it for another week. And please R&R!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.
Chapter 14
Suki woke her the next morning before dawn and gestured to Katara to follow her. Katara got up and followed her to the treatment room where Shawn was waiting, his needles ready. He asked Katara to lie down and started working quietly. Suki helped and the treatment went quickly and quietly, ending with a massage and another waterbending test.
"Very good," Shawn said when Katara drew a water whip up and moved it in a circle before placing it back into the bowl.
The water barely made it back into the bowl, and Katara felt tired as Suki smiled at her. Shawn left them, reminding Katara that she had another treatment after lunch. Suki grinned at her as they walked back to their room.
"So what are we going to do today?" Suki asked.
"Don't know, but I'm sure Sokka and Aang will have ideas. Personally, I'd like some time alone with Aang, but don't think that'll be possible until we leave."
"I know what you mean," Suki sighed. "Why did Toph interrupt us last night?"
Katara felt a giggle rise in her throat, but didn't let it escape, simply smiled at Suki.
"While we were in Omashu, it seemed that Aang and I were always getting interrupted, mostly by Sokka and King Bumi. And Toph and Zuko were interrupted too. You know Toph, she has to have her revenge."
"Yeah, sounds like her," Suki said as they reached the door and opened it to find Liz getting ready and Toph still sleeping.
Suki motioned Katara to the corner where Liz was as the waterbender grabbed clean clothes. Katara followed and started dressing as Suki sat next to her fellow warrior.
"What's up with Zuko, anyways?" Suki whispered. "I know Aang needs a firebending teacher, but last I saw, you all hated him. What happened?"
Katara sighed as she pulled her shirt over her head.
"Toph and Zuko became good friends," Katara whispered. "She said it was because they understood each other and were there for each other when they needed a friend. Toph was captured and it was Aang's idea that Zuko and I rescue her dressed as spirits. We did, and he's actually better than I thought. Zuko also almost sacrificed himself for Aang and us twice, facing his sister and when we faced the assassin outside Omashu. I just can't hold a grudge after that, and he tries so hard, just to make amends."
Liz nodded as Suki sighed.
"I guess I should give him a second chance too. He has been trying," the warrior said.
"That's up to you," Katara whispered. "I'm going to get something to eat. Wanna come?"
"Yeah, let's go," Suki said, helping Liz up.
The three got up and headed to the kitchen, finding some bread and fruit as the four boys walked in. Katara smiled as they entered and passed out some bread and fruit to them. She was about to ask if they had seen Toph up when the earthbender walked in, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Zuko handed her his breakfast and rose to get his own as the rest started eating.
"What took you so long last night?" Toph asked Katara, keeping her misty gaze on the waterbender.
Everyone turned to Katara as she set her breakfast down and took a deep breath.
"I was going to the bathroom and saw Master Shawn exit out the front door. I remembered Hama and followed, listening in," she said.
"Who's Hama?" Zuko asked as Suki, Liz, and The Duke looked at Katara quizzingly.
"I'll tell you later," Toph replied, and Sokka smiled and nodded at Suki.
Suki shrugged and turned her attention back to Katara as the waterbender sighed and continued.
"I heard him talking to his daughter, asking her to leave us alone."
"What?!" several people cried, Sokka most loudly.
"Shh," Aang and Toph hissed.
Katara smiled at her brother and continued. "She said she couldn't stop. It sounded as if someone else was holding something over her to make sure the Green Dragon finishes her job. She said she won't bother Shawn, but can't promise anything else."
Everyone stared at her in silence after she finished. Aang finally spoke up.
"Did Master Shawn find out?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, he knew. He asked me that if I face her again, to not take drastic measures. She's still his daughter."
Toph slammed her fist onto the table. "That's not good enough! She nearly killed you and Zuko! I'm going to make her pay!"
Toph rose and started heading to the door, but Zuko caught her hand again.
"Let me go," she said, anger and tears in her voice.
"No, she'll have you in a second if you step out there. We need to wait," the firebender replied softly.
Toph struggled a little before her shoulders sagged and she gave up, turning to sit again. Toph ignored Zuko throughout breakfast. Aang finally broke the silence and tension.
"So, what are we going to do today?" the Avatar asked.
"We could play some more games," The Duke suggested.
"I'm up for that," Toph said as Sokka opened his mouth.
He quickly shut it again and gave Suki and apologetic look. Katara and Liz caught it and started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Zuko asked, curious and missing the exchange.
"I think Sokka wanted some alone time today," Katara said, still giggling.
Zuko looked at Sokka and smirked. Toph stood up and smirked at the warrior as well.
"Well, c'mon, lets' kill some time," she said as she headed to the dining room.
The others followed as Aang ran back to his room to get some game pieces. They played all morning, changing games and teams. Katara thought it was fun to have a girls versus guys game, but Zuko and Sokka seemed less than thrilled about playing their counterparts who were keen to beat them. The girls won, and Katara excused herself to start lunch.
She came back out with sandwiches to Aang beating Zuko at chess as Toph and The Duke studied the board. Suki and Sokka had disappeared, and she saw Shawn helping Liz out of the treatment room.
"Sun Kai, can you help me get some supplies from town?" Shawn asked once Liz was seated again, his gaze directed at The Duke.
The boy blushed and nodded. "Can I have lunch first?"
Shawn nodded and went to Katara, grabbing a sandwich from the tray she still held. "We'll leave after Katara's treatment. Did you tell them what happened last night, Katara?"
Katara nodded and laid the tray down, everyone grabbing sandwiches and glancing from Katara to Shawn. Shawn turned to the group as Suki and Sokka reappeared, looking flustered.
"I know it may seem odd that I ask that you go easy on the assassin, but she is still my daughter. I heard in her voice that there is a chance that she can be turned, but another holds leverage over her. Stop them and you can stop her. I'll take you out tomorrow to search an area where she may be staying. Katara, I'll see you in my office as soon as you're done."
With that, Shawn turned and headed to his office. Everyone was quiet as they ate and Katara hurried to his office as she had finished. She found Shawn gazing at the portrait of his family. He looked up at her as she entered, and quickly wiped his face.
"Master Shawn, are you all right?" Katara asked, worried.
"Fine, fine, my dear. I'm just worried, for everyone involved."
Katara nodded and went to the table, lying down after removing her outer shirt. Shawn came and performed acupuncture on her again. He was silent during the entire treatment and when finished, he left quickly. Katara felt sad for him, but dressed and hurried back to her friends to play some more.
Shawn and The Duke were just getting ready to leave as Katara came out. They smiled at her, The Duke blushing as they headed out the door. Katara hurried to where Zuko and Toph were playing chess with Aang and Liz watching.
"So, Sun Kai?"
Zuko and Toph glanced at her, but returned to the game as Liz and Aang chuckled.
"Apparently that's his name," Liz said. "Master Shawn refused to go by his chosen name, and finally he gave up and told us his real name. But only Master Shawn says it."
Katara nodded and watched the game for a while. She was about to offer Liz a game with a spare board when Toph looked up at the door, surprise on her face. A knock sounded and Aang jumped up and raced to the door.
"Wait," Katara and Zuko called simultaneously before turning their attention to Toph.
"Who is it?" Zuko asked as Toph started smiling.
"My mom," she whispered as she stood up and headed to the door.
Aang was looking worried until he heard Toph's answer, then grinned and opened the door, revealing Huiliang Bei Fong with a short, gray haired attendant behind her. Toph's mother smiled kindly at Aang before spotting her daughter heading her way and met her half way, ending in a hug.
"Oh, my dearest daughter," Huiliang Bei Fong said as she kneeled, hugging her daughter.
"Hi mom, I missed you too," Toph said as she hugged her mom back.
Zuko and Katara rose and walked over to the mother and daughter, but stayed back. Katara noticed the attendant behind Huiliang Bei Fong, grey haired and hunched over, with her head bowed as Aang shut the door. Before anyone could say another word, Toph had separated herself from her mom and stomped her foot down, causing the attendant to disappear into the earthen floor up to her shoulders.
"What's going on?" Toph's mother asked, shocked. "Lung is a loyal servant."
"She's no servant," Toph said angrily. "She's an assassin known as the Green Dragon."
The servant lifted her head and glared at the earthbender with young, emerald eyes before she grinned.
"Very good, young lady. How did you know?"
Toph moved her foot sideways, and Jade grimaced as the ground tightened around her. Toph smirked as the assassin gasped for air. Zuko moved to go to Toph, but Katara held him back.
"You changed your footsteps, but you can't hide who you are, not from me," Toph said smugly. Her tone changed back to anger. "Now get out, and leave us alone."
"I can't do that," Jade replied. She moved something around in her mouth and spit onto the floor before her. An explosion occurred, making everything turn the color of dirt.
"Aang!" Katara cried before a wave of air cleared the dust form the air.
Katara stared at a small hole in the ground and a hole the same size in the ceiling, just large enough for a person to get through. Dust and bits of tile fell through the roof into the hole in the floor.
"I'm alright," Aang said as he hurried over to her. Toph's mom and Liz were coughing, but it seemed everyone was all right.
"What happened?" Sokka asked as he and Suki came out of one of the rooms and stared at a hole in the ceiling.
"The assassin was here, and I'm going after her," Toph said as she kicked the doors open.
"We're coming too," Aang and Sokka said.
"And me," Zuko said.
Toph turned to him but shook her head. "No, you're still in no condition to fight. Twinkle toes, Sugar Queen, you're with me. The rest stay here in case she comes back. This way, hurry!"
And with that, Toph was off, earthbending through the streets. Aang created his air scooter and Katara climbed onto his back as they took off after Toph. They followed her through the city and into a desolate, run down part of town as the sun started setting. Grey dust flew from Jades' hair, showing its' true black color as the sun was starting to set behind them. She glanced over her shoulder and threw something towards Toph who was slightly ahead of Aang and Katara.
Aang whipped his hand out, knocking Toph to the side with a wave of air as the object hit where Toph would have been, creating a large explosion. Toph stood up, dusting herself off as Aang and Katara stopped next to her.
"Thanks, but she's still mine," Toph said as she stomped her foot down as the assassin turned down an alley.
A pit opened in front of Jade and the assassin stopped just before she reached it. Aang waved his arm out again and a wave of air hit Jade in the back, causing her to tumble forwards. She jumped up at the last second and then hit the side of the pit, jumping again to hit the wall of one of the buildings neighboring the alley and jumping off that to disappear around a corner. Aang and Katara were about to rush after her, but Toph surprisingly held them back.
"Wait, Someone else is there, hiding, talking to her. This way," Toph said before climbing up and over one of the buildings.
Aang and Katara followed carefully and soon the assassin's voice and a low, male voice came to them. Katara peeked her head over the roof and saw Jade waiting next to a shadowed building in a small run down courtyard. The courtyard had seen better days probably fifty years prior with many of its cobblestones missing, and several scraggly trees were next to the run down buildings and a few plants hung from creaky balconies.
"They're coming, all right!" Jade hissed. "Now tell me where she is!"
"Not until the job's done. You wouldn't want anything to happen to her, would you?" a deep, rusty male voice said.
"No," Jade hissed back. "There they are!" she said as she threw a yellow ball at the trio as she spied them on the roof.
"It's the poison," Katara yelled as she threw one of her daggers at the assassin as they scrambled down to the small courtyard.
Aang quickly airbended some bubbles around their heads as the ball burst on the roof, creating a yellow cloud. Toph stomped her foot down again, but then everything went quiet. The cloud did not disperse quickly and Katara saw that Toph was about to move, but Jade's voice came to them.
"Don't do it, or the Avatar will die."
"Don't hurt him," Katara said as she eased closer to the voice.
The poison was starting to clear, but their bubbles held. She saw Toph more clearly a few feet from her, facing Jade who had Katara's dagger at Aangs' throat. His arms were pinned behind his back with the assassin's other hand. He glanced at Katara then Toph, looking worried.
"Not a step closer," Jade ordered.
Katara stopped and waited.
"You don't have to do this, Jade," Katara said, trying to plead with her.
The assassin gave her a hard look, her eyes looking like green daggers.
"Yes, I know your name, and I heard your conversation with your father last night," Katara continued. "You don't have to do this. We can help you."
"Hah! I've heard that before," Jade said as she stepped backwards, taking Aang with her towards the dark recess where her companion was.
"Not from us," Aang said quietly as he backed up with her.
"I'm sorry Avatar, but it's too late," she told him quietly before shouting over her shoulder. "I have him, now let's get this over with!"
"No," Toph whispered.
Katara glanced at Toph quickly and saw that she was worried as loud footsteps came from the building. A large man came out, smirking at them, his every other footstep striking the cobblestones with a metallic clang. She recognized the man who came out, stomping out with a metal foot, metal hand and a tattooed third eye on his forehead. Katara ducked into a fighting stance with her remaining dagger as Toph ducked as well, ready for anything. The man nodded as Jade backed up even with him.
"Katara," Toph whispered as she edged closer to the waterbender. "Can you bend yet?"
"A little." Katara replied.
"Can you do that thing Hama taught you?" Toph asked, even more quietly.
Katara was shocked that Toph would even suggest it, but didn't let it show as she felt the strength of a dawning full moon come into her.
"What's your plan?" she whispered.
"You get Aang, I'll take care of him," Toph said.
Katara was silent for a moment before she let out a hesitant "Ok."
Toph moved her foot slightly, but the motion caught Jade's attention.
"Don't move, earthbender," the assassin said as she moved the dagger closer to Aang's throat, drawing a small red line.
Katara felt anger well up within her as she saw Aang's blood. She took the energy from the moon and felt her anger draw up within her like a beast trying to get loose as she turned her sight on Jade.
"I told you not to hurt him!" she yelled as she thrust her hands out, focusing on Jade's arms.
Jade tried to move, but was suddenly still, her face white in shock as her arms and hands let Aang go and handed the dagger to him. The man growled as Toph kicked up a cobblestone out of the street and kicked it at him. He concentrated and a line of fire flew from his head to the rock, destroying it in an explosion.
Katara heard the sounds of people running towards her from behind as she diverted her attention to Jades' body, causing her to kneel. Jade was struggling uselessly and Katara felt tears running down her face as the assassin slowly knelt against her will.
Aang was driven back into Katara's line of sight by a thrust and saw and explosion throw him even further back. Katara was distracted and her attention left Jade for a second, but that was enough to lose her control over the assassin's body. Jade stood and threw Katara's own dagger at her.
Katara twirled, dodging her dagger, and drew the water out of some of the scraggly plants surrounding her before she sent it back at Jade. Jade dodged the sphere of water and sent a small blast of fire at Katara. Katara brought the water back to her and used it to block the fire.
Some of the water dissolved at the impact, but Katara sent it back at Jade as several icicles. Jade dodged, but one clipped her shoulder. Katara focused again on the assassin's body as she felt her water leaving from the bloody wound in her shoulder.
She knew she was losing strength and focused all of her will on making the assassin kneel. Jade looked pale as she tried to fight the blood bending, but couldn't and slowly she kneeled, placing her hands on the ground. Katara saw Toph come next to her and soon Jade was encased in earth to her neck as the waterbender sagged to the ground, exhausted.
She glanced at Toph as Aang came next to her, there to hold her as she collapsed. She looked up at Aang, tears still flowing freely from her eyes and saw a sad look on his face.
"What?" she asked weakly, wiping her face. "What happened?"
Aang glanced at Toph and Katara followed his gaze and saw tears dripping off the earthbenders' face as her features were shadowed by her bangs. She looked behind Aang and saw Sokka and Suki glaring at Zuko with their swords out in the alley connecting the streets and the courtyard. The firebender was seated, looking at the ground, and looking very humbled.
"C'mon," Aang said, helping Katara to her feet. "Let's get you back and some rest. I'll tell you when you're rested."
Katara let him help her stand, but shook her arm free and stepped away. "No, what happened. Where's that maniac?"
Aang looked sad and was about to speak when Toph started talking.
"I was dodging and Aang was helping me fight the man, but we were losing ground. Suddenly Zuko was there, and was asking, or more like demanding the man to stop. That he'd pay him more to stop. The man fired at Zuko and he blocked, creating a few explosions. In the confusion, he disappeared. I don't know where to."
"Zuko hired him to kill me a while ago, in the fire nation," Aang said angrily. "He just told us now."
Toph was suddenly earthbending, heading back to Master Shawn's house as fast as she could. Katara saw Zuko look up as she passed, trying to say something, but he only looked longingly after her. Katara walked haltingly towards Zuko, her exhaustion making her steps ragged and awkward. Aang tried to stop her by grabbing her hand, but she shrugged loose of him. She marched as well as she could and knelt next to Zuko.
"You know you deserve our hatred," she told Zuko angrily. "And that the only reason you're still alive is because Aang needs a firebending teacher."
Zuko looked up at her, and she almost swore she saw the beginnings of tears in his amber eyes. He nodded and was about to look at the ground again, but Katara caught his chin with one hand and kept her gaze on his.
"She's going to hate you for a bit, but she needs you. We all do. You should have told us, but I still forgive you. Now go after her."
Katara stood as Zuko stared at her in shock and walked past him, towards Master Shawn's house. She was suddenly exhausted as Sokka, Suki and Aang shouted to her, but she ignored them all. Someone came up behind her and touched her elbow. She looked back, glaring, and was surprised to see Zuko and not Aang there.
"You're exhausted. Let me help," he said.
She nodded grudgingly, and Zuko took her arm with his free hand and swung it around his shoulder on his uninjured side. They limped back into the streets and Katara heard the others fall in behind them, whispering in low tones where she couldn't make out the words.
"They're talking so I can't hear," Zuko said quietly after a while. "Why did you forgive me tonight anyways?"
Katara glanced at him and sighed.
"You risked your life to save Aang and all of us a couple times now," she said softly. "Even tonight. None of us like the fact that you hired an assassin to kill us, but that was then. I think you've changed."
Katara glanced at Zuko again and saw that he had his head down, and looked deep in thought.
"You're right. I should have told you guys, but you didn't trust me, and since we've been in Omashu, I didn't think he'd follow. I'm so stupid! I was a different person then, but now…I thought you would be the last to forgive me, but you're the first. That means a lot, thanks."
Zuko raised his head and smiled slightly at Katara. She smiled back and turned her attention forward again as she tripped over a rock. A figure was waiting up ahead and Zuko stopped abruptly, staring as Toph walked towards them. Katara stepped away from Zuko as Toph came closer. She heard the others stop behind them as well as Zuko walked to Toph and kneeled in front of her.
"I'm sorry, I should have told you," he said to Toph, his head bowed. "I'll do everything in my power to stop him. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?"
He raised his head at the last and Katara saw a hint of a smile form on Toph's face in the moonlight as tears flowed down the earthbender's face.
"Yes," she said quietly as Zuko stood and they met in a hug. "But you have to do everything I say for a week," she said as she hugged him, a smirk crossing her face.
Katara heard Zuko laughing and what sounded like crying as Aang came up next to her. She looked back and saw Jade held in earthen shackles encasing her arms and Sokka and Suki brandishing a sword on each side of her. The assassin glanced at Suki and Sokka occasionally, sending glares, but remained silent.
"Why did you forgive him?" Aang asked, curious and not understanding. "Why did she?"
Katara looked at Aang and saw he was still confused and angry.
"Because he saved our lives several times, and maybe even tonight. And because she loves him," Katara said. "Can you help me back. I'm exhausted."
Aang looked at her and she smiled at him. He slowly smiled back and created an air scooter. Katara climbed onto his back and held onto his neck as they took off, leaving everyone behind. She buried her face in his neck and started crying as they left the others behind. She almost fell when the air scooter disappeared and Katara found that they were at Master Shawn's house.
Aang caught her and helped her inside. Master Shawn was there suddenly and Katara felt him pick her up and carry her to the girls' room. She caught Liz looking at her sadly, but was asleep before Shawn even laid her in bed.
A/N: Whoever guesses correctly where I got the Duke's real name from, gets a special review to one of their stories and I did borrow Toph's mom's name from Kasamari's Gradual Changes.