Chapter 6: Primal Blood
Little Falcon: Sorry for the long wait, I've been busy with a lot of things. I'll update whenever I can okay? For now, read and review like always.
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea, that's all. If I did own the series I'll be the happiest person on Earth.
"NO!!!" she heard her own voice shout repeatedly as blood spilled on every direction. Everywhere she turned was tainted crimson. Fires made the puddles of blood glisten. Every inch of the ground reflected the full moon above.
"It's your fault…" one voice said followed by the malicious laugh of the other two.
Snapping her eyes open, she sat up. Sweat trickled down her chin as the fire continued to crackle nearby. Her sapphire eyes watched the flame as her mind recalled the nightmare that has been plaguing her every night since she saw the faces of the three blood benders that attacked the young fire lord and the avatar. It was the blood blender's voice in her dream, she was sure of it.
It had been two weeks already and not a decent sleep. Even just closing her eyes, moments of horror filled her mind. Half asleep, half awake, she walked down the busy streets of the nearest town. The sound of children's laughter made her take a glance then press on but one specific face called her attention. It was enough to make her take a second look. I know her…
A little boy about five approached the nearby stream to refill his jug when a shadow appeared behind him. The jug almost broke when it slipped through his little fingers but the stranger caught it in time.
Her hood fell on her shoulders as her long dark hair waved with the strong wind. "It's you. You've come back," the kid's reaction surprised her and even more when the boy wrapped his short arms around her torso.
Handing back his jug, she stared at him openly before she asked "You know me?" to look into the kid's eye, she sat on her heels as she waited for a reply.
"Of course, I do! You're the water bender, Katara. You saved us from those murderers," Like receiving a physical hit to her head, images blurred its way to her memory so fast she can't make sense out of it. Soon after, she told the kid not to breathe a word about her to anyone before she journeyed to the only place that she thought would help her remember.
Among the surrounding greenery, the burnt land was like a scar on the earth. Her hand was shaking as it touched the charred ground. Ruins of burnt houses and marks or dried up blood were all that remained. A silent testament to what had happened. Walking around, she found a half burned rag dog buried under a pile of ashes. Her sky blue eyes widened in recognition of the doll. It was here… it all happened here…
The sound of the sky bison above made her jump. Her eyes narrowed in both inquiry and agitation as the avatar, the young fire lord and the water tribe warrior jumped out of the large saddle. "We finally found you," leave it to Aang to break the ice.
"You made a deal with us to protect us. Why did you leave all of a sudden, Kata-…Azrael?" Sokka said her name in discomfort as he approached his sister… formerly.
"Yes, I did. But you only needed protection from me when there's a full moon. I trust you guys can watch your back when there's nobody pulling the strings of your will. Or am I mistaken?" Azrael spat as her eyes met Zuko's. Anger seething through her eyes.
"What are you so angry about?" The air bender asked frankly.
"Nothing," she looked away. "Now that you're here, I don't need to go to the palace to teach you something important," Azrael was looking at only the avatar now.
"What? Only me? What is it?" he glanced at his two companions first before approaching her.
"Yes, only you because you're the only one able to water bend so I'm going to teach you how to counter their blood bending," she walked passed him and led the way to a clearing.
"What do you mean their bending?" Zuko followed her first. His eyes unable to leave her form even for one second.
"Their blood bending is basic and can be broken,"
"How do you know all of this?" Sokka asked.
"I just do," the blood bender replied shortly before positioning herself and motioning for Aang to take position as well.
"What made you decide to teach me?" thinking that this was a first step in growing close, a childish grin broke through the monks face.
"Because I won't be able to protect you guys anymore,"
"WHAT?!" the three exclaimed in unison.
"I don't need to explain myself to anyone. I breaking the deal but I'm making an effort to keep you alive by teaching the avatar how to break their bending," she snapped. Also… it's a failsafe. If I didn't succeed in killing them then… these people can.
Flashback…
"Teach us blood bending or we will kill every single villager in sight," How were these people able to learn of her forbidden bending? Even with her valiant efforts to save everyone, their numbers were too many and she was the only bender around. As the hopes dug in her skin as she tried to free herself, smoke and screams filled the air.
"No!" Katara's reply was almost instant. She knew what these people will do with the forbidden bending. They will kill a hundred, no, a thousand more villagers once they've learned of it. Her determination began to waver as the heartless murderers began to line up the surviving villagers in front of her, beheading them one by one while asking the same question and upon her reply, heads roll.
Aang! Sokka! Toph! Sukki!... Zuko! Help me please… the water bender wanted to shout but her tears made her silent. In her heart, she was expecting her friends to come to her rescue like they always do. It was only when the killer's blade was against the little boy's neck did she realize… They're never coming… I'm alone.
As the sword was posed high head to separate the head from the body, "All right! I'll teach you but you have to promise me everyone else goes free," Katara demanded. Her eyes staring at her captors fiercely as tears continued to trickle down her chin. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…
"You have my word," the leader of the three nodded.
Only a few pointers from Katara, the three were able to made people follow their will. The survivors were released finally. Without warning, one of the three withdrew his sword and plunged it deep in her stomach.
Even through the excruciating pain, Katara watched as how the three murdered those who swore they would set free. "A word advice: Never take the word of a killer," he withdrew his blade from her body then joined his companions in the slaughter.
NO! NO! NO!!! This is all my fault! I did this! As she tried her best to heal her wounds, unconsciously, she wished for a power to forget the sins she made, to erase the faces of the people who died that day and to somehow be alive to make those three pay.
End of Flashback…
Little Falcon: read and review please…