Beta read by Scribbles I

Healed and Hunted

Conversation

Chapter Four

The Library

Kat

She didn't know why she was studying so hard. She had gotten a perfect score on the review, and she had only used the books a few times. Kat decided it was because she had nothing else to do. Not on Sunday. So she stuck her nose back in the book and forgot the rest of the world.

Someone pulled out a chair across from her after a few pages. Her eyes flicked up in annoyance. The annoyance quickly turned to surprise.

"Uh," Kat wished she had a more articulate noise. It was embarrassing enough to be taken by surprise.

The man wasted no time, "Why didn't you do it?"

The book she had been reading found its pages meshing together curtly. Kat hadn't actually intended to slam it, but there it was. He didn't seem to mind.

"Why didn't you fight?" he asked impatiently.

She answered, equally eager for the conversation to be over, "Why bother? It wasn't like it mattered."

This didn't seem to satisfy him. He kept watching her, waiting for a more fulfilling answer. When she went back to reading, he shifted in his chair uncomfortably.

"Is there some reason you ask, or did you sign on with them to pick my brain?" Kat kept reading. She had made it two pages before she looked back up to see if he would answer.

"Them?" He repeated. His accent bothered her. She couldn't place it, and that was frustrating.

"Yes, them. The higher-ups. I wouldn't answer them, either. Did they send you?" This was a question that needed to be answered before the conversation could continue. When he realized this, he provided the information.

"No. I haven't spoken to anyone. I was curious, is all."

Kat nodded, "Then, in that case, I didn't fight because I didn't want to. I had no desire to be injured, or on television. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve for this place."

"You looked ready to fight." His voice seemed to fit the quiet of the library. She wasn't sure, yet, if he was soft spoken or was just speaking softly. The difference was significant in her mind.

"So did you," she countered, "But my fight was not with you."

"And that's all?"

"Listen. Being on TV is for politicians, celebrities, criminals and activists. I am none of those things. I am a victim of my birthright. Nothing more, nothing less," she said smartly. The conversation ended when Aang and Toph sat down unannounced.

The Nation went away quickly, though not in a threatened manner. He seemed to simply be...shy. Though that wasn't the proper word, Kat decided. Perhaps reserved. He wasn't the type of person to seek the company of others.

"What was that all about?" Toph asked, her fingers tracing over the braille in a book. The girl stared blankly forward, though she was paying attention to many things.

"That," Kat said, looking to her family, "was the Nation I didn't fight."

"Sore for a rematch?" Aang asked, staring down at Toph's book. He seemed to be reading it as easily as she was, though with his eyes.

"No. He just wanted to know why I didn't fight. I don't think I gave him the answer he was looking for," Kat answered.

Aang chortled quietly, "That was pretty funny."

"Which part?" Toph asked, lifting her fingers from the page. Aang gently guided them to a previous point on the page, and she read the lines quickly.

"I don't understand what he means by 'Green Rocks,' but I assume it's important," Aang said, kissing Toph's fingertips.

Kat, out of practiced habit, looked away. It wasn't too sweet, but it was private. It was weird at first, but now they were adults. Kat suspected an engagement, but neither one of them would 'fess up.

"I think you should schedule another match with him. Some random time, so they can't mess the pit up again," Aang was saying.

"Why?" Kat tried to backpedal into the conversation.

Toph looked around, though there was no one else around. "Because if you don't, he will."

Aang needlessly added,"And since you ended the fight..."

Kat nodded. "Alright, I suppose. I think he can take it, anyways."

Military Base, Location Unknown

Hakoda

Whenever they had time to settle down, the men got loud. They would catch up on the news back home, read letters and emails, eat sweets from care packages. Drink smuggled alcohol. He was surprised that there were messages waiting for him. He moved his laptop to the side and plugged in headphones, trying to drown out the men around him.

"Papa, I lost my first tooth!" said his granddaughter from the screen. She held up a tiny tooth in her hand and showed it off to the camera.

"Katara's in school, so she couldn't make it. She said to tell you she loves you, though, and hopes to see you soon," his son said. The young man was beginning to resemble Hakoda, and the thought brought him up short. The last time they had seen each other in person, Sokka's wife had been his girlfriend. He had never met the young girl on the screen.

"Papa, did you know aunt 'Tara paints? She painted me a picture!" the little girl squealed. She ran off screen and came back moments later with a piece of paper. On it was a face he was very familiar with, and it brought unexpected memories.

"She said that I look like her mommy, a little." Hakoda saw the resemblance, now that the two were side by side.

"Be safe, dad. Let us know when you're coming home, alright?" Sokka said, reaching for the camera. When the video ended, Hakoda watched it a few more times. He saved it with all the rest of their videos and shut his laptop down.

He didn't have the nerve to tell them he would never go back to the states. It hurt too much to do it. They had once flown to Paris to see him, but he only got to spend a few hours with them. He missed them, but not enough to head home.

"Whoa, did you guys see this yet?" someone yelled over the ruckus. People seemed to quiet down and look at another screen in the middle of the room.

"Psh, just another notch. You'd think they'd get over themselves," another said.

"What is it?" Hakoda asked, only blankly interested. If everyone was going to be buzzing about it, might as well know what was going on.

"Some Inheritor caused some trouble during one of their matches. She threw in the towel without a fight. Caused some big hullabaloo back home."

"An Inheritor who doesn't want to fight? We could use more of those," Hakoda grumbled, and went about his business. The barracks continued as usual while he prepared their next move.

They were going to strike the splinter pockets in Africa, he decided.

Far away and hot. Nothing to remind him of home and plenty of Inheritors to fight. After seeing Kaya's face, he needed that distraction.

A/N: Sorry for the wait. I was on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic. Just got back at...2430 (12:30 AM) this morning. I'd like to take the time to thank Scribbles/Omega for fixing all my repetitive mistakes, and apologize for my inability to learn to fix them on my own. So, thanks Scribbles. I hope you guys are enjoying this shebang as much as I am. And now, I will ask a question you are to answer in your review:

What is the funniest way you've ever started a story? (Ei: "Once upon a midnight dreary...")