Book 4 Air
Chapter 20 To Keep a Promise
Pacing fast along the wooden planks from the dock, and stepping on the loose white sand. Katara made her way to the summer Inn; she held her head high as she knocked on the door.
The door opened gently as the two elderly women were surprised to find the waterbender up so early. The sun was barely shining along the ocean's horizon.
"Miss Katara, your tasks aren't ready yet." Li said.
"Please go rest; your tasks will be after dawn, later this morning." Lo said.
"No." Katara said sharply.
"What?" asked Li and Lo at the same time.
"I've received news from Zuko. It's his sister Azula. I didn't want to tell you. But I've made up my mind. I'm going back to the palace. Zuko or Aang might be in danger. I can't risk their lives over these tasks. Please, after Azula is brought down. I might finish them. But now isn't the time. I promise I'll make it up to you, and to the Fire Nation." Katara said deeply as she bowed.
With that Katara left, running back to the floating boat waiting to aboard her to the ship. Once inside the wooden craft, Katara lowered her head. Almost ashamed to look back at the councils.
Li and Lo watched the boat slowly make its way to the large vessel, they both smiled lightly.
"She has passed her fourth task." Li said.
"To protect the ones you love. Even if it means to sacrifice your needs." Lo said.
"And she has chosen her path." Lo said as she looked at her sister.
Li turned her gaze back to her smiling sister in return.
"Her destiny unfolds…" Li said.
"And a new chapter begins." Lo said as the two sisters watched the steaming ship begin to set sail to the harbor.
"May the spirits be with you on your journey young waterbender." Li and Lo said as they closed the door.
Katara walked along the deck, before finally looking back at the summer inn. The island moving further away from her sight.
'I hope I didn't disappoint them…' thought Katara as she walked to the railing.
Leaning on the metal bar, she sighed.
'Please let everyone be alright…' Katara thought wishfully as the first ray of light shone across the blue ocean.
The view of the Fire Nation palace was seen as the two bare feet heavily made their way down a hallway and in front of a decorated red and golden door. Raising her hand to knock the hollow wood, Toph hesitated.
Then before her knuckles hit the door's surface, it opened.
"Oh… Hi Toph." Aang said surprised to find the blind earthbender up so early.
"Hey Twinkle-toes." Toph said.
"So umm, did you want something?" asked the airbender as he looked at her questioningly.
Toph nodded as she grabbed his shoulder rather gently-firm but gently. "We need to talk…" Toph said with a serious look in her features. The blank stare in her eyes almost seemed to carry along her firm words.
"Uh, sure…" Aang said as he walked back into the room.
Walking over to the bed, Aang sat and looked over at Toph who seemed to be thinking. Her creamy pale green eyes hidden beneath her long bangs appeared to close then slowly open.
"I know it's hard not to worry about the people you love. And somehow you want to make them first priority above everyone else. But you have to realize that Katara is strong. She can take care of herself." Toph said as she clasped her hands together.
"There isn't anyone else I know, who is more determined than Katara…Well besides Zuko of course…" Chuckled Toph.
"Heh, yea…Zuko is pretty persistent." Aang said agreeing with the blind earthbender.
"Which comes to another thing I want to talk to you about, Aang." Toph said as her dull eyes narrowed.
The airbender's eyes slightly widen in surprise. It was very rare for Toph to say his name, much less so seriously.
"Ever since the councils arranged Katara to marry Zuko, I've been feeling you tense-and I figure it would be understandable that you might be slightly jealous. But Zuko confirmed he'll try and break the marriage. Why can't you trust him?" Toph asked with curious tone.
Aang sighed, he had a feeling that Toph knew. But he didn't want to admit it-he didn't want to believe it.
"Katara's been so busy ever since it was decided. I never got to really talk to her about what she thought. Then I've been having these terrible dreams that she falls for Zuko, and leaves me!" Aang nearly cried out recalling his nightmares.
"What's wrong with that?" Toph said rather amused.
"Katara's my girlfriend!" Aang exclaimed.
"Well, I think in the end Zuko might be good for her. I mean I'd rather want her to be with someone I know who can protect and love her. Then to have some sloppy cow-pig jerk take her away." Toph said as she scratched her arm.
Aang opened his mouth to protest, and then he stopped hesitantly thinking about it.
Zuko would be able to take care of her, and probably give her more than he could ever dream of.
No…He tried too hard and waited too long to get her, and he won't lose without a fight!
"I don't care! Katara is my girlfriend! If Zuko thinks he can have her. He's wrong!" Aang cried out as he clenched his fists, standing up.
"Relax will ya? It's not like it's true. It was all a dream, remember? Besides you still are Katara's boyfriend. So why worry?" Toph said as she secretly thought Aang was being too controlling yet she still thought it was very amusing how he talked about Katara falling in love with the Fire Lord and then suddenly stated something about a possibility of Zuko's feelings.
Aang narrowed his eyes and then sat back down.
"You're right…" Aang said almost in defeat.
"Am I ever not right?" Toph said as she hit the side of the airbender's arm.
Aang chuckled as he smiled at the blind girl's boastful attitude.
"Now get ready to go to the Earth Kingdom, I'm coming with you." Toph said as she hopped off the bed and walked over to the door.
Aang rubbed his sore arm and looked at Toph with a confused look. "Why?" Aang asked.
"I figured since my parents are a couple miles away from central. That I'll take the trip with you. But I gotta say, I'm not looking forward on going onto that metal ship." Toph said as she nearly cringed at the last time she was at sea.
"Ha-ha, alright Toph. I'll get ready now." Aang said as he stood up.
"Good…See ya at the docks Twinkle-Toes!" Toph called out as she left the room.
Aang smiled, 'In some way she always knows how to cheer me up…' Aang thought as he grabbed his glider.
Aeron's eyes opened slowly as she lifted her arm. Gazing at the bruises she sighed in a dull tone. She was relived for waking up with no serious pain, at least physically anyway.
The emotional scars were still deep, clawing their way deeper into her heart. So much she felt like giving up almost completely-almost.
Turning her head she saw the woman sitting at the table. She seemed to be reading a book, the morning's rays shined through the window. Casting its glow over the woman's face and eyes, Aeron blinked as her eyes widen in realization.
'It couldn't be…' thought the warrior girl as she tried to sit.
Whimpering in pain she fought to sit up, pushing her bandaged palms on the bed. Lifting her weight up on the small cot, she panted out.
"You should be careful sitting up like that…" the woman said with concern as she walked over to the girl.
"Here drink this…" the woman said as she held the cup to the girl's lips.
Hesitantly the girl slurped the warm liquid. Pulling away she cringed at the bitter taste.
"It's medicine, it should help numb your pain…" the woman said as she placed the cup down.
Aeron's eyes drifted to the side as she stared at the woman.
"Why do you have the golden orbs of the Fire Nation?" Aeron asked low and almost coldly.
The woman blinked with slight surprised then her features soften calmly.
"My father was the son of a Fire Nation man. That is probably why I was born with these eyes…" the woman said truthfully.
Aeron sat still, she knew better. Only the royal bloodlines of the Fire Nation along with the wealthy nobles carry the golden iris.
"There is more than that…You're not telling me the whole truth." Aeron said.
"Ah…But then it wouldn't be called a secret now would it?" the woman said warmly.
"Besides, you, yourself have the same eyes my dear." The woman pointed out.
"My eyes are from my mother! She was a noble from the Fire Nation…And yet she was a fool to fall in love with the general of Shin-Ko Clan. My father…" Aeron nearly cried out as she gripped the sheets full of hatred.
Her body trembled at the memories, those painful memories of the Fire Nation men destroying her home. Flames burning to the sky of darkness as dying screams were heard. Dying screams of her mother…
"It's alright, my dear…" the woman said as she embraced the girl.
"Let the hate go…Let the sadness melt in with your tears…Release that pain within your heart…" the woman said full of wisdom and kindness as she patted the girl's back.
The girl clenched the woman's blouse as she cried into her chest.
'Father…' Aeron thought as she continued to cry, secretly inhaling the lovely scent of the woman before her. Reminding her of a mother's tender touch, and aching in her heart because of it.
Standing up from his bed, Zuko dressed in his usual royal robe and combed back his black hair into a bun. Rubbing in between the bridge of his nose and eyes, Zuko sighed. A small knock was heard at his door. Facing the red oak, he spoke, "Come in."
It was the woman servant Miki.
"My Lord, I am afraid I bring terrible news…" the woman said as she lowered her head.
"The previous Fire Lord Ozai has passed away…" Miki said as she looked up at Zuko.
Zuko's eyes widen from the sudden and unexpected news. His eyes gently glistened as the final rays of hope vanished from his golden orbs.
Ozai is dead…And so is the possibility of finding Zuko's mother…
Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I hope you liked the small piece of Taang. And more hints on Aeron's past. Please review and tell me what you think!
