Hello here is chapter 7, there seems to be some confusion going on in my story, I apologize I'm new to this so I don't always remember to add certain things, but just to clear things up this is a AU story, it takes place a few weeks after the Swamp Episode, I'm sorry that I didn't clarify why Zhao was still alive, in my story he survived the battle for the North Pole, and like I said I don't really like giving things away, but the reason they may seem OOC is because of the bending switch, and I know Sokka is OOC I promise its part of the story and will be cleared up in time, hopefully this will help clear things up a bit. :). Thank you all who review I'm always happy to answer questions, if you guys are confused about anything else just let me know, Happy Reading.
Sorry guys fanfic hasn't been letting me update.
They had all went down stairs to eat. It was awkward, but Katara had forgotten about how hungry she was well until Ling brought in the food, It was a delicious course of rice, fish, and bread.
Sokka did not breath a word, even though he wasn't eating much at all. Katara was worried, she wanted so bad to ask him what's wrong to tell him everything was going to be ok, she knew it had to be more then Zuko and Iroh, but she kept her mouth shut.
Aang and Iroh broke off into conversion with Lee at the end of the table, and he and Iroh had already decided on a game Pai Sho, over a cup of tea later in the evening.
Katara sat there and ate in silence even though she wasn't really that hungry anymore. Zuko was trying his hardiest to ignore his uncle and eat, he was starving and was thankful for the meal, and for once Sokka's silence was actually soothing, he could hear his own thoughts again.
Ling came into the room with another bowl of rice. "Oh my, you guys were hungry." She smiled setting the pot down in the middle of the table.
A young man carrying fire wood came through the door at that moment, he was somewhere between mid and late 20's had light brown, that was almost red, shoulder length. He was well built, but he also had an annoyed look on his face. From behind him a small boy barely seven came running in after him he was also holding wood. He had short black hair and a line scar across the side of his face, his face broke into a huge grin as he laid his eyes on Ling.
"Gran, you won't believe all the fire wood we found." He beamed, holding up a few sticks in his arms.
Ling laughed at his excitement. "I can see that. Did you guys have fun?" She looked up at the young man who set the wood by the fire place.
"We ran into a weird trail outside of town, I think that fire nation may be near by." He said in a low voice. Iroh and Zuko tensed up when the young man looked at them.
"Yes, those fire nation are ruthless." Lee agrees, glancing at Ling.
"They sure are." Sokka said, everyone looked at him though he did not look up, just took another bite of rice.
Katara's eyes started to water but she pushed them back.
"Lee you're so rude." Ling said lifting up the small boy. "This is our grandson Hachi and our son Habiki."
"Son in law." Habiki corrected, somewhat annoyed.
"Come now Habiki, be polite to our guest, in fact Lee and Amarante have just gotten married. Isn't that adorable?" Lee said and then laughed. " Ha we even have the same name Lee." The old pan flicked his pipe at Zuko.
"It's astounding." Zuko mumbled, taking a bite of fish. Lee didn't notice Zuko's tone and continued to eat.
" Amarante dear, do you have anything to sleep in?" Ling asked, helping Hachi get a plate.
Katara shook her head. "No, but it's alright, I'll be fine." She said.
"Nonsense child, I have just the thing, here come with me."
"No i don't want to be a bother" 'please don't make me' she secretly thought even though new clothes sounded nice.
"don't be ridiculous child"
"No, that's really ok I don't want to-"
Ling put Hachi down and grabbed Katara's hand. "Come on." She ignored Katara protects and lead her down the hall.
Lee chuckled to himself. "Women, any excuse to play dress up." Zuko rolled his eyes in agreement when he saw Lee was talking to him.
"Grandpa, can we go read the story about the dragon?" Hachi shot up out of his seat.
Lee put down his cup and smiled. "Later my boy, right now I think that I owe Mr. Musi a nice cup of tea."
"Now we're talking." Iroh grinned as he, Lee, and Hachi got up.
"Would any of you gentleman like to join us?" Lee asked.
Aang was about to get up when Zuko grabbed him, and sat him back down. "Sit down Avatar." Zuko whispered to him, Aang was not going to leave him alone with a moody water tribe warrior and a moody earth villager. They all sat around and ate quietly.
"So is Hachi your son?" Aang asked when the silence became to unbearable for the Airbender.
Haciki was sitting where Lee had been sitting, and was eating. "Yup." He answered quickly. He didn't even look up.
"Oh well, where is your wife at?" Aang asked.
"She's dead." He scooped another spoonful of rice into his mouth still not looking at Aang.
Everyone at the table returned to silence, Zuko just wanted to run away.
"Oh I am um, so sorry, if you don't mind if I asked, what happened to her?" Aang stuttered?
"She was killed in a fire nation raid a couple of years ago." He said.
"I'm sorry" Aang said again.
"It's alright kid." Habiki sighed, obviously not wanting to talk about it anymore.
"Those fire nation are ruthless, heartless bastards that want to take everything away from you." Sokka said, while Aang and Zuko looked at him with wide disbelieving eyes.
"Yeah." Hachi agreed, and he then whipped his mouth and got up and then looked at Zuko. "Anyways, I have work to do." And with that he got up and left.
Zuko shot a cold glare at Sokka who did the same, he knew that fighting with him now would be pointless and stupid, so he did the only thing he could he got up and left.
Sokka glared at him a bit longer and smashed his hand on the table and also got up leaving Aang alone at the table.
Ling had insisted on giving Katara not only something to sleep in, but a whole stack of new clothes for tomorrow, she also some how managed to get Katara into her private tub, and although it felt wonderful, and she did like her new clothes, she couldn't help but feel like she was taking advantage of Ling. She had been so kind to her and all Katara could do was lie, and now she was sitting in a bath tub while Ling brushed her hair.
"You have beautiful hair Amarante." She complemented, as she began washing it again.
"Thank you Ling, um you really don't have to be in here." She said, it's not like it was awkward, she used to bath with her grandmother in the room all the time, but this was just a little weird.
"Nonsense, do you know how much time I spend around men, its nice to have a little girl time, I haven't had fun like this since Sonya was alive." She then stopped combing Katara's hair for a moment, and then started up again just as suddenly.
"Who's Sonya? If you don't mind me asking." Katara asked rubbing some soap in her hands making suds.
Ling then smiled. "Sonya was my daughter, she's Habiki wife and Hachi's mother, she was killed a couple of years ago in a fire nation raid. Here." She reached around her neck and pulled out a locket. "That's her right there." She pointed to the young women in the picture. She had long back hair that fell down her shoulders a delicate ivory face with two bright green eyes, and sitting beside her husband and son she looked happy.
"She's beautiful." Katara said, and then looked down at her necklace, thinking of her own mother.
"Yes she was. Habiki was so broken after she died, I don't think he would have carried on if it hadn't been for Hachi, he lives only for that boy." She said.
Katara felt tears coming to her eyes. "That poor child."
"Hachi is a strong boy, he reminds me so much of her, I can see her though him." Ling said, starting to tear up herself. Katara tuned around and places her hand on top on Lings. "Oh my, where are my manners? Anyways we've told Habiki that he's welcome to find a new wife but he only had eyes for Sonya, it reminds me of the way that Lee looks at you." She said.
Katara blushed. "I don't think that he looks at me quite that way." She said.
Ling raised an eyebrow. "No, trust me I know that look, my Lee had it for me, Habiki had it for Sonya, and your Lee has it for you." Katara turned bright red as Ling kept talking. "It's funny though, when they wear children Habiki was so mean to Sonya, she would come home crying from his teasing, but that's only because he was head over heals for her even back then. When they got older, I remember when Habiki came and asked Lee for Sonya's hand, and Sonya stood at the door listening even though she was suppose to wait in the living room" she smiled thinking back on her beloved daughter "How she came bursting in when Lee said yes. I had never seen her so happy before; Hacki was born a few years later, she loved the boy more then anything, she even gave her life to save his."
A tear fell form Katata's eye, she must have been brave Katara thought, wishing she had that kind of courage.
"She sounds wonderful." Katara said, Ling kindly looked at her and touched her check with her hand for a moment, and then stood up whipping her eyes as she did.
"Would you like me to cut the ends off your hair to make it nice and smooth, I don't mind I did it for Sonya all the time." Ling said.
Katara gave her a kind smile. "I would like that." Ling then grabbed the scissors and her and Katara chatted away the evening.
It was kind of late when Katara finally made it back down stairs, she was wearing a long green tunic, and she also had a towel in her hand and was drying her hair. How she missed being a Waterbender at that moment she sighed looking for her brother she wanted to talk to Sokka and try to reason with him.
She came into what looked like a sitting room. Iroh and Lee wear drinking tea and were deep into a game of Pai Sho. Aang was standing near by waiting to play winner.
Lee and Iroh were discussing why their generation was better then the others and laughing loud.
"Hey you guys haven't seen my brother have you?" She had already forgotten his alias.
Aang shook his head. "After dinner he went to his room I think."
"Ok, well I'm gonna head up there and see if he's ok."
Aang gave her a long look. "Do you want me to come?" He asked, but Katara just shook her head.
"That's ok." She said in a small voice, she left the room, and Aang began to worry he had never seen Sokka as wound up as he had been the past few days.
"Hey I'm gonna go back upstairs for a bit but I still call winner." He turned to see Iroh steal Lee's White lotice tile, Lee didn't even noticed and Aang left.
"You know what else is wrong with this generation? They don't take the time to play a little Pai Sho, have a nice cup of tea, and work out there problems."
Lee nodded take a puff of his pipe. "And their awful hair cuts." He added. Iroh just nodded.
Katara found Sokka In his room looking at a map at the end of the table. He didn't even look up when she came in.
"Hey Sokka." She knocked softly, but he still didn't look up. "Are you ok?" She asked coming in slowly. He still didn't look up. "Sokka I know your mad but, Iroh was just trying to help." She said, he didn't move for a moment, and then Katara heard a little chuckle come out of him, it was dark and scary, and she backed up a little.
"I know your naive but I never thought you were this stupid." He laughed darkly, and she glared at him.
"Sokka what's your problem?" She asked quietly.
Sokka quit laughing and then turned around quickly. "You what to know what my problem is Katara." he took a step closer. "My problem is that my little sister is siding with fire bender's and not just any fire benders, but the prince of the fire nation."
"What? Sokka you think that I should have voted to spend our money on supplies instead of the inn?" She demand to know.
"No." He snapped. "Earlier with Iroh, don't you understand they're trying to separate us, there still trying to get Aang, and your just playing along like nothings wrong."
She glared at him trying to fight back tears. "Why are you acting like this Sokka? We all agreed. Even Aang agreed why are you being so paranoid ." she snapped back.
"Aang's a child, and he's the peace keeper that's what he does he's the Avatar, he doesn't ignore sides, but what your doing is just stupid, your siding with them."
"Why because I want my bending back." She yelled, tears began filling her eyes.
"Yes exactly." She was taken back by his comment, and he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Damn it Katara, we can't just stop fighting the war to get your bending back, Aang needs an earthbending teacher, and we need to get away from Azula, but we can't do that if they stay with us, there venomous Katara." He the went up to her. "We can't put you ahead of Aang, you can't keep putting him in danger just because you have some need to save everyone."
Katara eyes narrowed tears began falling freely out her eyes. "My selfish needs? It's not my fault that a spirit picked me and Zuko."
"See exactly that." Sokka interrupted going back to the map. "If you hadn't been playing in the woods with fire boy then we wouldn't be in this mess."
"You told me to run Sokka, I was just listening to you. How am I supposed to defend Aang without my bending."
He slammed his fist on the table. "It's your bending that got us into this, all of this, and mom would still be alive if for once you stopped revolving your life around that stupid gift."
She suddenly didn't want to hear anymore, and she ran out of that room faster then he could have caught her, but he didn't, he watched his sister run out the door.
She ran past Aang in the hall who called her name but she didn't respond didn't know where to go or what to do, and so she ran up to her room.
Zuko stood on the other side of the door to Sokka and Aang's room. He had heard pretty much everything, and while he didn't know the story of their mother, he knew that Sokka hit a soft spot on her. It actually pained him, and he then saw her run out the door, he wanted to go into the room and punch the water tribe boy in the face for what he said about him and his uncle, but instead he headed to talk to his uncle.
"Hmmm," Lee murmured, taking a sip of tea.
Iroh stoked his beard, it was down to the final moves.
"Uncle I need to-" Zuko stopped when he saw his uncle and the man Lee were in a engaging battle of Phi Sho, he had seen this particular sight many times on his ship, where is uncle would stare at the board for hours until he found a way to win, and he always found a way.
He rolled his eyes. "Uncle." He said, annoyed Iroh did not take his eyes off the board. "Uncle." He said again, still nothing. "Uncle!" He finally yelled, but Iroh kept his gaze on the bored. Zuko angrily grabbed Iroh's piece and moved it for him.
"Hey, it was my turn." Lee said annoyed.
"Yes, that's cheating Zuko." Iroh glared and Zuko clinched his fist tightly, trying not to punch something or someone.
"Uncle, I really need to talk to you."
"Don't you have a wife to talk to? Now go away you ruined our game." Lee snapped.
Zuko throw him a cold glare, and Iroh just chuckled. "I say we call it a tie its late anyways and this old man needs his rest, how about tomorrow." He said getting up
Lee smiled. "Tomorrow Musi, and the next time won't go easy on you."
Iroh then bowed and he and Zuko headed up to his room. "Now nephew, why did you mess up my game of Phi Sho?"
Zuko ran his fingers trough his hair. "We need to leave uncle, we're getting nowhere we can fine the Aunt Wu lady on our own, besides the watertribe boy is going to kill me if we don't get out of here, and why aren't you disagreeing." Zuko asked. His uncle had a calm look on his face.
"Why would I disagree? You're right we could go on our own, but that would mean leaving tonight."
"Wait, tonight? Well I mean we have the rooms and all we might as well enjoy them." Zuko didn't want to leave not yet anyways.
"Ok then, well good night Zuko" Iroh said pushing him out the door, Zuko gave him a puzzled looked
"I'm sleeping with you aren't I" he asked Iroh just shook his head
you can't sleep in here."
"Why?" Zuko asked confused.
"It's to small my nephew." He laughed, and for the first time Zuko looked around Iroh's room, it was much smaller then Sokka and Aang's. It only had one bed a small window and small desk.
"Where am I supposed to sleep?" Zuko argued, not liking the look on his uncle's face.
"Well you could try the young warriors and Avatar's room, or you have nice young lady and king size bed upstairs." He winked.
"Uncle." Zuko yelled, and then blushed. "That would be wrong, and besides I think she wants to be along." He said thinking of the fight.
"Well then I suggest you find somewhere else to sleep." He sat down on the bed.
"Wait uncle I still need to-"
"Tomorrow Zuko." Iroh stated, laying down on the bed.
"You can't just kick me out!"
"Goodnight Zuko." He waved his hand in air. Zuko sighed, and then walked out slamming the door behind him after he left Iroh sighed. "If only he would open his eyes and give me some grand babies".
"How does he always do that?" Zuko muttered, first he had the option to leave and he turned it down, and now he had nowhere to sleep. With a groan he pushed himself up against the wall, 'damn' he thought, before he made his way to the sitting room.
Aang made his way back to his and Sokka's room, after seeing Katara running crying. He went after her, but she refused to open the door to her room, and he sighed wondering what happened. He knew Sokka was pretty mad at dinner but it seemed strange to hear him yell at Katara. He opened the door to see Sokka looking over a map, his face was red, and it looked like he had been crying.
"Hey Sokka." Aang said coming in.
"Hi Aang." He said simply, still not looking up.
Aang closed the door and put his hands together in fount of him. "What are you doing?" He asked trying to make him talk, but Sokka still didn't look up.
"I'm trying to find the best place to ditch the fire benders, and then we can go find you a earth bending teacher." He looked confident of his plan.
"What about Karara's bending? She can't stay a fire bender Sokka." He stated simply.
"No, but as long as she just doesn't use it we'll be fine until we can figure some way to get her bending back."
"But what about Zuko? He can't stay a water bender either, and then what about the spirits-"
"Enough Aang." Sokka broke in. "Has everyone forgotten that we are at war with the fire nation or had it slipped yours and Katara's minds?"
"I haven't forgotten Sokka, remember they wiped out the last of my people and have been chasing me nonstop around the world, but Katara just wants her bending back, and besides Iroh and Zuko aren't-"
"Iroh and Zuko." Sokka laughed. "Is everybody on a first name basis with them now, I thought you said they murdered all your people."
Aang was taken aback and he tilted his head and stared long and hard at Sokka. "Sokka I don't know what your problem is, If this is about Yue or something but Iroh and Zuko are in just as much trouble as we are, but maybe together we can-"
"There is no together. Aang they're trying to get to you, this is their plan, act like they're helping us, then boom, that's when they attack, when we least expect it and they take us down from the inside, come on they have been trained for this Aang." Sokka snapped, and then he laid down on his bed. "We're ditching them tomorrow and that's final." He snapped. He turned around away from the Avatar who sighed heavily.
" but how can he do that without his bending" Aang asked said, Sokka said nothing and looked away." Ok Sokka, if it will make you feel better then we'll go our separate ways, but If your worried about Katara, don't be she can take care of herself and there is something going on I don't know what Sokka but I have a really bad feeling about this whole bending switching Its not right." Sokka said nothing, and Aang sat down on his bed. "You really hurt her feelings Sokka." Then he blew out the candles falling to sleep. Allowing Sokka to lay there with a heavy mind.
Zuko had settled sleeping on the hard couch in the sitting room, he had thought about going upstairs, but then realized he liked having all his male parts. He had found a small pillow but it wasn't much bigger then his hand, it was also very itchy. He crossed his arms over himself, he was cold, a Waterbender, and bed less, he was a prince he should be sleeping a kind sized bed with the finest silk and gold trimming with servants waiting on him hand and foot, he sighed angrily.
"Lee is that you." Zuko heard a faint voice 'crap' he thought, and he then saw the old man Lee, come into the room, he was wearing a white and blue night gown. His eyes widen with fear for his mental state as he sat up.
"Lee my boy, what are you doing down here?" He asked, holding up the candle to Zuko's face.
"I was um…. Sleeping." 'trying not to poke out my eyes from your sight'.
"I see." He lit the candle on the desk and blew out the one in his hand. "You know, that bed my wife gave you and your wife is big enough to fit two people." He smirked, sitting down.
Zuko blushed. "She's not feeling well." He said trying to hide his red face.
"and why are you not taking care of her, we have tons of tea"
"shes wants to be left alone" Zuko snapped not wanting to talk about Katara , she was the whole reason he was in this mess.
"Well, there are some moments when you need to leave them alone, and then there are the other times when they only want you to think they want to be left alone." Zuko raised his eyebrow and Lee continued. "Tricky little things they are, but that's why we love them." Lee smiled, and Zuko took a deep breath, he did not like where this is going.
"She really isn't feeling well, I think this is one of those leave her alone times." Zuko stated, all he wanted to go to sleep.
Lee just laughed. "I remember when I was that naive and stupid." Zuko glared at him. "Now, I don't know what you're fighting about-"
"We're not fighting." Zuko angrily countered.
"Alright alright." Lee put his hands up. "Now, while I don't know what's going on, I do remember the cold lonely nights sleeping on the couch when I should of just swallowed my pride and apologized."
Zuko raised his eye brow. "We're really not fighting, she had a fight with her brother." He said.
"Then why aren't you upstairs trying to make her feel better." Lee rolled his eyes.
'I'm the last person she should be talking to about solving family problems' Zuko just shrugged.
"I know its scary when your first married and I know who scary the wedding night is-"
Zuko's eyes widened, he did not want to have this conversion. "Ok ok,, I'll go upstairs and tell her I'm sorry, or whatever just as long as you'll go away." Zuko stood up quickly.
"That's the spirit. Come on I'll walk you up there."
Lee walked Zuko up to Katara's room. Zuko sighed 'she's not going to be happy about this'
"Trust me Lee, she'll be happy to see you." He patted Zuko's back with his hand. "Now, are you sure you don't want any advice?"
"NO NO!" Zuko backed away. "That's fine I'm just going to go in there now." He opened the door.
"Good, cause I have a wife of my own who's waiting." He laughed and respectfully bowed and began walking down the hall.
"I'm just gonna pretend I didn't hear that." Zuko shuttered, trying his hardest not to think about it.
Song for this chapter is Tongue by Seether.
Thank you, stay tuned for more.