Chapter 14: Dark Deals
Little Falcon: I bet you thought I was dead. Sorry to disappoint you but nope, I am very much alive. And yes, I am very much late. And yes, I am very sorry.
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!
Familiar faces looked at her with distant eyes. Disappointment, shock and finally surrender. Obviously, even if they won't admit it, there was a dark thought in the back of the minds that was slowly clawing its way forward- Katara was capable of doing those crimes. Her new grandfather, her brother's master, her friend's teacher, her lover's uncle… willing her mind to stop detailing her relationship with each one of them, she held her tongue unless she was spoken to. There was nothing to defend since everything that was said had been the truth, she was connected to those killings and attacks one way or another. Her hands are blood-soaked despite being clean.
"WHERE IS SHE? I WANNA SEE HER!" Their cladestine interrogation was cut short by the ruckus outside. Her empty blue eyes dared to gaze at her spectators as the chains that bind her limbs rattled at her sudden movement.
"I will control my nephew before he bites off more than he can chew," Iroh sighed in surrender as he stalked off after sparing her a pitiful look.
Her ears strained to hear the only set of footsteps that slowly began to grow weaker at every minute until finally it was no more. "If there is a part of you that believes, I am capable of starting this catastrophe… then you should also believe that I am the only one capable of ending it,"
"What is it that you propose… Azrael?" Like a sharp, icy wind blowing against her face, she winced inwardly. The white lotus… people she considered family second to her own now called her by some stranger's name as if they had nothing more to do with her. It was an event she predicted but her heart never prepared for its impact. If not for the binds that hold her fast, she would've been down on her knees in shock.
Swallowing what's left of her dignity, her former self faded into her subconscious. Katara is not the one they need to talk to. Immense killing intent poured from her eyes as she lifted her downcast gaze. The ones on the other side of the bars literally had to step back instinctively. By the time she spoke, they have proven that there is indeed a different side to the gentle water bender they thought they knew.
"Calm yourself, nephew," called out the lotus grandmaster as he approached the enraged fire lord. With a stern nod, he dismissed the guards who were more than happy to leave.
It was an unspoken respect they have for this person that they are unable to take another step forward or utter another defiant word. On contrary, now that the guards have left and that the way was open they felt completely blocked out.
"How was the information leaked? We are be the only people who knew about it…" her blind eyes narrowed in agitation as she itched to stomp her feet and split the walls apart to let her friend out of that miserable place.
"It doesn't matter now. Her secret is out and now she has to face the consequences of her mistakes," he averted his eyes from the Zuko's pleading gaze. "Even with my rank or your title. There's nothing more we can do for her,"
"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS? We're already planning on doing something about it!" The accused's big brother courageously stepped forward with that defiant glint in his eyes. Although, it was a given that his little sister is leagues stronger than him, it was never an issue to Sokka. Katara is his little sister and he's going to protect her until his dying breath whether she asks for it or not. It was only through his loving wife's restraint that he stood his ground instead of storming in the dungeon.
Iroh reply was his unwavering silence. "Let her out now," Zuko said under his breath as his reason was undoubtedly numbed by his emotions. Blue flames burst from both his clenched fists as his eyes narrowed threateningly as he prepared for combat. Right now, the person before her is not his uncle but another obstacle that stand between him and Katara.
"Violent as usual, eh, Little Fire Lord," Another member of the esteemed organization emerged from the dark corridor.
"Jeong Jeong," it was the former fire admiral formerly known as 'the deserter' but now no one would dare to call him that. "Does the White Lotus really find Katara guilty?" The last air bender held his battle staff at ready.
"Gather your things and head towards the south gate," the peace-loving elder commanded, ignoring Aang's question entirely.
"Did you not hear his question? Katara is…"
"South gate. Don't make me repeat myself," with that Jeong Jeong turned at his heel and left.
His pupils dilated upon understanding. The fire in his hands slowly died as he left immediately without another word. The others followed his example but not before throwing a glance at the frozen smile on Iroh's face.
"Exactly, what did she propose to make you let her go?" While his eyes still reflected their retreating form, his inquiry was directed at the others hiding in the shadows.
"Whatever made you think we let her go?"
"Took you long enough," a stranger under a tattered cloak said using a familiar tone.
Everyone almost jumped out of their skin as this person came so close without any of them detecting her presence. "Ka…Katara? How did you…"
"Questions later. Right now, we need to get out of here," which was really logical since the townsfolk hate her and that spending time with the well-known war heroes will surely raise suspicions. So without further delay, they rode their trusty flying yak and went on their way.
Their destination according to her was the far end of the earth nation where the other blood bender was last seen. Not long after they were airborne, she removed her disguise and there was only one question that was asked by everyone in unison.
"How did you manage to get out?"
Her blue eyes reflected the fire nation's land area growing smaller and smaller until clouds covered her vision. "I made a deal with the White Lotus," she answered truthfully.
His brows knitted in uncertainty upon hearing her reply. There is always a catch in a good deal. Not to mention the fact that she just negotiated her way out of a death sentence with the White Lotus as judge and the people as jury.
"What kind of deal?"
"A time-bound one but it's nothing I can't handle," reassuring them with a smile, she began divert the topic into her plans regarding the arrest of the last troublesome blood bender who was wreaking havoc all-over the map.
All throughout the journey, her sudden aloofness worried the others but she earnestly cleared it up using fatigue as an excuse. They all bought her valid reason except for him. Maybe Aang and Sokka had been with her longer but he's been with her long enough to discern that the way she was acting had nothing to do with physical exhaustion.
They came at last to a grand waterfall. Wide curtains of pristine water poured from the mountains and is deposited to a clear lake.
"This is great and all but where is…" the water tribe warrior's inquiry was cut short when he saw his sister going through the waterfall with no signs of emerging.
Without being told, the others were on her tail as she went deeper into the cave that was naturally concealed from the naked eyes. Their jaws dropped and their eyes almost popped out of their sockets as they saw an entire city at the other end of the cave. It was lively and rich. People, both bender and not, lived together harmoniously. No one seemed to mind their arrival since they weren't the only people entering the city.
"What the…"
Her sapphire eyes wandered towards the scared prince. A slight smile lifted her lips seeing the honest surprise in his handsome face.
"Zuko? Is that you?" His heart almost stopped beating as he heard a voice he never dared to forget. His body stiffly turned while his mind debated reality from fantasy. That voice… it can't be…
His eyes widened in utter shock as he saw her face. It was the same as he remembered in his dreams, only better. Her beautiful face may have a few lines of aging but her eyes were still full of life and her smile was still as bright as the day he last saw her. "Mom…" his trembling lips uttered while his legs were already halfway towards her.
"Oh my god, Zuko!" She ran up to meet him and trap him in her arms as tears trickled down her face. "How you've grown!" She laughed and cried at the same time while still holding him close. Drawing back, she brushed her thumb against the barely visible burn marks on his face. "You brought him here?" Her gaze coasted over the only person she recognized from the group.
"Katara, you knew my mother was here?"
"I asked her not to tell you. I didn't want to rattle your stable title. I am still under banishment for high treason after all,"
"Ms. Ursa, I'm sorry it must've slipped from my mind that you reside here. We are simply investigating something else entirely," the water bender lied nonchalantly which earned helpless laughter from the others while the mother and son relished the moment further.
In her invitation, they eagerly went to her house to dine while formally introducing each other. In their merry conversation, they found out that Ursa was actually elected leader of this unnamed sanctuary and that the existence of this city is legally permitted by the crazy genius king of the earth country.
It was a given that they'll spend more than a few hours in that place so Katara took her time in taking the longest walk she can before returning. "The person you seek is not… and was never here," her feet froze automatically as another person walked beside her. "In fact, the last time he was seen- it was from a village miles away from here,"
"So, what are you trying to say?" The water bender was so tired of playing pretend.
"The first time we met, your eyes held the look of a cornered predator but now it somehow changed. Was it because of my son? Was it for him that you brought him to this place? Whatever your reason is, I'm glad you did. I will always remember what you've done for us," the older woman wept quietly in front of her while she remained unshaken.
"I just want him to regain everything that was taken from him," Coming at last to a secluded clearing, she stood straight before her body began to perform elegant movement as fluid as water.
"Why do you appear as if you're in such a hurry to help him rebuild his life?"
"Because… I want him to find a reason to live when someone in his life again disappears," then her moves grew more intense and right then and there, Ursa knew what she was practicing wasn't water bending at all.
Little Falcon: Read and review please…