Hooray for fast betaing! Also, has any of you seen the trailer for the Avatar movie? It looks EPIC~ Though I'm really pulling out for the second one, since that will have Ty Lee :D
Ty Lee scrunched up her face as she held the fish as far away from her as possible. It smelled completely awful, suggesting it had been dead for quite awhile.
"Eww! Hasoka!!" She squealed, throwing it back into the basket, "You didn't tell me that would be in there!"
Hasoka shrugged. "You didn't ask."
"You still could've warned me!" She huffed, then looked at her hand, "Aw man! I got fish slime all over me!"
"Just put it in the water. It'll wash right off."
"Okay…"
Ty Lee wasn't angry at Hasoka. She was just having fun. Besides, she was in way too of a good mood to be upset for too long. All the time she was spending with Sokka was really influencing her.
It had been a few weeks since they started 'dating'. Of course, it was all held very secretly, usually involving both of them to sneak out late at night to a spot in the woods (though she had to be super careful. Nikumu almost caught her going out of the dojo once). If Suki ever found them, she would be majorly ticked. She was already majorly ticked, and Ty Lee didn't want to push it further by shoving their relationship in her face. Besides, there was something romantic about the wooded setting. Or maybe it was just euphoria after all of those sweet, extended kisses…
Ty Lee shook her head, reminding herself to remain in the present. She would see Sokka again tonight. Then she could think about stuff like that. Until then, she had to focus on the task at hand. Even though life was absolutely perfect at the moment, she still had work to do. Unfortunately.
"Seriously, what did you think I had, Ty?" Hasoka asked playfully. "You knew what we were doing today. And couldn't you smell them?"
Ty Lee had been assigned to assist Hasoka in the monthly feeding of the Unagi today, since the remodeling of the dormitory was practically finished and handled mostly by volunteers. It turned out that the elephant Koi that also lived in the bay generally ate all of the little fish in the area, and to keep the Unagi from eating the Koi someone from the island was appointed to specifically hand out the food to it, usually a Kyoshi Warrior. Hasoka had explained earlier that you had to learn certain calls to get its attention, which had been passed down from generations of previous feeders. Though, way back when, they actually fed the beast criminals and war prisoners as well as fish. She was pretty certain they didn't do that anymore. At least, Ty Lee hoped they didn't do it anymore.
To do this job they were actually allowed to wear something other than the traditional warrior garb. It wasn't anything especially extravagant: just a blue tunic and leggings. But Ty Lee had been forced to wear the same outfit for so long that any change was good. Besides, he makeup had the horrid tendency of running off with her sweat, and that was always uncomfortable, not to mention embarrassing to be seen like that.
"No…I wasn't really paying attention until I actually had it in my hand." She shivered, not wanting to touch a fish like that again, "How can you handle them like that all the time?" She shoved her dirty fingers into the bay.
"I've gotten used to it. I was a little squeamish at the start, but it really isn't that bad." She lifted another basket off of the small cart they had taken to the beach and laid it on the sand next to the other three they had already placed.
"How long have you been feeding the Unagi?" Ty Lee asked.
"Since I was…hm…seven? Eight? Somewhere around there. It was maybe two years after my parents were killed…and I don't really remember when that was. I was causing so much trouble around the island that they had to put me to work."
Ty Lee instantly felt ashamed. She hadn't meant to bring up Hasoka's tragic childhood; in fact, she almost forgot about it because of how little it was spoken of.
"Causing trouble?" She asked warily, not sure whether she should pry any more.
"Yeah. Oka, my foster mom of sorts, told me that I used to be a wild child. I stole. I got into fights. I cut myself. The only way to calm me down was to give me something to do. She said that I was like that because I was dealing with the grief…" She smiled, "But I'm over that now, so stop giving me that sad face! I don't even really remember my parents, so it doesn't matter. Oka and Otou became my parents, and then when I joined the warriors they became my sisters and cousins. If you think about it, the loss of my original family gave me a larger one."
Ty Lee understood that. Leaving behind her family, all of her sisters and her negligent parents, brought her into a completely new kin. She definitely liked it better here than at home. Here she actually felt like she belonged. Like she was loved. Sure, some of her new relatives were hard to live with, but it was a lot more improved from her old life.
Hasoka handed her one of the baskets. "Here. We need to wade up to about our waists, then we let them go. The Unagi will smell them almost immeadiately, so we have to be quick about getting out of his way."
Ty Lee frowned. "And we don't have to touch them?"
"Only if you want to." She replied, grabbing her own basket. "C'mon."
Ty Lee steadied the weight of the basket in her arms as she entered the water. She did not want the fish to fall out on her. Smelling like fish wasn't something very desirable, especially with her rendezvous with Sokka tonight. There was a chill as the water rose up to her knees. Even though she had lived her for quite a while now, she still could not get used to the unnaturally cold water of the bay. Ember Island had never been this icy.
Once her waist was covered with the frigid water the cold was almost unbearable. It was like sharp little knifes stabbing into her skin. She was surprised that the water wasn't frozen. Forced to take very rigid steps, she lifted the basket above her head to keep the smell from permeating into the currents. Hasoka was doing the same, except she wasn't walking so awkwardly. All of this experience was clearly present in her actions. It was hard for Ty Lee to imagine a little seven-year-old Hasoka doing the same thing, her head barely bobbing above the surface. Ty Lee had never had to work like that at that age.
"Okay! Now!" Hasoka commanded, tipping her basket into the water. Ty Lee followed her example, being careful not to let the fish land anywhere near her. They plopped into the clear liquid in a rapid procession.
Running out of the bay was much easier than vice versa. The water grew warmer the closer they got to the beach, and though it was still cold there was a big difference. Ty Lee could hear the Unagi break the surface to receive his food, creating a giant wave that was heading for them. She wanted to turn and watch him eat, but knew if she did she would be caught in that wave. She was wet enough as it was.
They reached the sand just in time to miss the surge of water and for Ty Lee to catch a glimpse of the Unagi. The magnificent beast splashed back into the deep waters, having eaten his fill. She sighed inwardly. It may not be the prettiest creature, but it was still amazing. Sure, she would never want to touch it (it was probably a hundred times worse than a normal fish) but it was sure fun to look at. Elephant Koi, too. All of their colors were simply beautiful.
"Hey…what's that out there?" Hasoka asked, pointing out to something in the horizon. A mile or so from where the Unagi had just been was was looked like a small ship, steaming towards them. "We aren't supposed to get any cargo ships today…"
Ty Lee put her fingers around her eyes to reduce the glare from the sun reflecting off of the water and peered closer. It was too far away to see anything, really. It seemed to be too big for a cargo ship, though. And there was a lot of smoke coming from it…
Wait. Smoke…
"It's a Fire Nation ship!" She gasped, "And by the looks of it…part of the royal navy!"
"Really?" Hasoka tried to look closer as well, but obviously couldn't tell.
"Uh huh. I've ridden in ones like it a lot."
"So…what does that mean?"
Ty Lee considered this for a second. Why would a Fire Nation ship be coming to Kyoshi Island? They didn't get many ships here in the first place. A few Water Tribes coming for trade. Cargo ships, of course. The occasional vacationers from the Earth Kingdom mainland. But that was about it.
"Maybe…" She struggled to think of an answer. Then it hit her, "Mai! Mai's coming for a visit!"
She could hardly hide her excitement. Her best friend was coming! After months of separation she was going to see her again! They would have so much to catch up on. She had to know what life was like in the Fire Nation now. And about Zuko. She could tell her about Sokka, too. She didn't think she would be the kind of person to tell anyone else about him, anyways.
Hasoka looked at her a bit solemnly and nodded. "That's probably it. Let's go meet her, then. We've got nothing else to do."
As they walked over to the docks, Ty Lee couldn't help but notice Hasoka grow more and more sullen. Almost angry. Wasn't she happy for Ty Lee? She hadn't acted this way when Sokka had come to the island. Then she understood: Hasoka had become her best friend too. She might feel threatened at Mai's arrival, or fear that she would be ignored. Ty Lee wanted to tell her that she would still be her best friend as well, but didn't know how to bring it up nicely. A slip of the tongue could cause her attitude to worsen.
By the time they reached the docks the ship had already berthed, several men tying up the ship to keep it from floating away. Ty Lee felt a happy nostalgia as she saw the bright colors of the Fire Nation flag sailing above the vessel. It may not have been the best of homes, but it was her home. She missed it, even if Kyoshi Island was more pleasing to her.
Ty Lee was surprised when a dark-skinned girl clad in blue came out of the ship instead of Mai, accompanied by a young man that she had seen briefly before. She almost frowned when slowly, Mai came out behind them. She had been afraid for a moment that she had only gotten her hopes up.
Mai was in the most beautiful dress Ty Lee had ever seen her in. It was deep red, simple, but fitting Mai's style. Her hair was a smidge shorter than before, with ornamental pins holding up her buns, but other than that she hadn't changed much. She was the same-old Mai.
Ty Lee waved frantically and ran up to meet her, instantly drawing her in a huge hug from which Mai oddly didn't squirm or slink away from. Hasoka remained at the end of the dock, watching the exchange from afar.
"Mai! Oh Mai! I've missed you so much!!" She cried, dancing back and forth in her grasp.
"I've missed you too, Ty Lee." Mai said softly, giving a rare smile.
"And Katara!" Ty Lee turned to face the waterbender, "It's nice to see you too! My, you've gotten real pretty."
Katara smiled. "Thanks, Ty Lee. You too."
Ty Lee then went to look at the boy, whom she now recognized from the ceremony at the end of the war. He was taller, with darker skin, though lighter than Katara's, and long rich hair. She was almost inclined to be attracted to him, The only thing that immeadiately turned Ty Lee off, however, was a small beard and goatee on his face. She had never been a fan of facial hair.
As she continued to stare at him, she realized how uncomfortable she was making him. He shuffled his feet a bit, looking more at her nose than her eyes. A small blush appeared on his cheeks. Yet he still didn't speak up. Didn't introduce himself.
Katara noticed this and intervened. "This is Haru. He's an old friend from the war. Haru, this is Ty Lee, the girl I was telling you all about."
He nodded shyly. "Hi."
"Hi, Haru! It's very nice to meet you!" She took his hand and shook it. His blush increased dramatically.
"Ty Lee…we need to talk…" Mai began.
"Yes we do! You have to tell me all about life in the palace now! Is it better or worse? How are the people doing?" She turned to Katara as well. "And most importantly: how is Zuko? And Aang?"
Their paled faces soon told her that this was not the question to ask. They quickly answered at the same time, in the same agitated tone.
"Busy."
"Aw…that's a real shame." Ty Lee frowned, "But I guess that's what happens when you're the Avatar and the Fire Lord and-"
"Ty Lee, I didn't come here to visit." Mai announced coldly.
Ty Lee blinked. "You…you didn't…?"
"No. I need to tell you something. And the rest of the warriors and the leader of the island. You have to bring them to me. Now."
"I'm glad you could all come here. I'm afraid that what I have to tell you is of the greatest importance. Fire Lord Zuko sent me here right away as soon as we were informed of this."
Ty Lee fidgeted on the ground. All of the warriors as well as Sokka and Oyaji had come in to the dojo hear what Mai had come to say. Though, she didn't really know why Sokka had to come in the first place. He had only been an honorary Kyoshi Warrior for a short time, and he definitely wasn't a leader. She was still glad he was there. She was sure that whatever Mai was going to tell them wasn't good. 'Greatest importance' generally translated into one thing: trouble.
"You are all in a considerable amount of danger," Mai breathed in, "Ty Lee, most of all."
Ty Lee froze. She was in danger? From what? From who?
"Azula escaped from the mental hospital where she was being held."
No. No, not this. Anything but this! Ty Lee felt her heart stop beating for maybe two whole seconds. Hasoka turned to her and grabbed her hand, squeezing it for good measure. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Sokka looking at her, concerned. It still didn't get her out of the daze she had fallen into.
"Although the Fire Nation has taken extreme measures to weed out those still loyal to both her and her father's rule, it seems we overlooked a number of them. Less than a week ago she was smuggled out of the building, her nurse murdered along with several guards. They most likely fled by boat."
"How does this put us in danger? Azula should be going after Zuko, right?" Suki asked.
Mai shook her head sadly. "She seemed to have developed an obsession with Ty Lee. She would cry out her name at night…we think she may be out for revenge. And knowing these followers that have her…they'll be willing to do anything for her."
"What are you going to do about this?" Oyaji asked fearfully.
"I've enlisted the help of Katara and Haru to help guard the island, but they can't do it on their own. You need to check every ship that ports here. Any one of them could hold her." She sighed. "I would stay here and help too, but I'm needed at the Fire Nation in case she changes her mind and strikes there instead. We can never be sure what she is thinking."
Nikumu leaned over and hissed into Ty Lee's ear. "Nice going, brat. Now we could all go under because of you."
Ty Lee didn't answer. Couldn't answer. The panic and shock still held her brain in a headlock. No reasonable thought could come out. Only that Nikumu was right. This was all her fault.
What had she done?
