A/N: I am sorry. Truly. But no excuses. We're finishing this up pretty soon. I had bigger plans for it, but se la vi. Thanks for keeping up with me.
Healed and Hunted
Family Time
Chapter Thirty Five
Uncle's New Building
Lee
He wasn't sure what was going through his uncle's head. The building was a piece of crap. He was surprised it hadn't fallen down already. He couldn't stop himself from expressing his opinions.
"You never see the potential of things, nephew." His uncle replied, in their mother-tongue.
Lee responded in kind, "What potential? It's falling to pieces."
"So were you, once." His uncle told him.
After that, there were no objections. It was true.
His thoughts drifted back to Katara. She was never far from his mind. Especially lately. They hadn't spoken since he'd left the school. That was four days ago. It was awful. But he couldn't help it. He didn't know what to say.
He had to see her in person.
And she wouldn't be able to come home until next month. That was crazy. How was he supposed to deal with that length of time? He could go to the school, but they'd made it very clear he was unwelcome. No refunds or returns.
He pulled out his phone, deciding text was better than nothing.
Hey.
A few moments before she replied, Hey.
He took a breath, trying to think. What to say? Katara sent him another message before he could decide. It wasn't like her, but he supposed someone had to say something.
Sorry for the theatricality. Uncle scolded me for it. He could hear her saying it. She was probably laughing, smiling. Genuinely apologizing.
It's okay. I'm just…glad you said yes.
Were you worried?
Though it was painful to admit, he did. I didn't know what to do if you said no. I didn't know how to move forward.
Well, she messaged, there's no more need for that. Did Aang talk you into it?
Lee had no idea what she was talking about. He thought about it, but could think of nothing relative. The last thing he and Aang had spoken about had been his pending trip to Washington. As he was typing his reply, his phone buzzed again.
Speaking of, near a TV? Aang's on with the President. Things look tense.
He told her where he was, but she had to leave after that. When he looked back up, he realized his uncle has left him far behind. The old man was already beginning to draw up designs for the renovations. Lee hoped things were going to be as smooth as his uncle seemed to think. Fingers crossed.
Press Conference with the Ava
The President of the United States
They'd been in heavy debate for five days now. The President had done nothing but devote his time to the Ava. Things were as ready as they were ever going to be. For the first part, anyways. He and the Ava were in agreement on very little, and yet everything that mattered.
The system wasn't working.
What that meant to the two men was something very different. The President, while labeled by his people an "Inheritor-sympathetic" wanted some form of regulation. A system that the Inheritors had to follow.
The Ava, however, had his own ideas. Fine, mark the Inheritors. On a driver's license. Not a public display that invited torture.
Fine, let them go to school for Inheritors. Don't threaten prison, unless you were going to do the same to high school drop outs.
Persecute those who sought their own justice on Inheritors. And those were many in number.
The Ava would not back down against this. There was something deeply rooted in the man that the President just couldn't understand. Something about those missing years in the Ava's files had to explain it. But he couldn't out and out ask, now could he?
Finally, the I-Suppresant. It was to be made voluntary. Parents weren't allowed to decide for their children. In fact, the shot was already (as of the beginning of this week) only available to people of eighteen and older. Children had been experiencing some nasty side-effects that adults were not.
The press was devouring this information. He could see it on their faces. He knew which ones where here, which slant each of them would play, and how many of them would be denied by their editors. Granted, the government had no laws prohibiting what could be printed. That didn't mean they couldn't apply pressure when and where necessary.
The Ava was just doing his best to stay above the pointed questions and unveiled barbs. The President had to give him credit. For a young man- though wasn't he supposedly 400 or something?- he was doing well. The Ava had a gentle smile and kind mannerisms that, normally, would have meant press fodder. Except there was this one way the bald man hardened his eyes that made some press members cringe. It was almost exciting to see.
"So, Ava Aang, what exactly does this all mean?" A female reporter asked from the back. The President didn't know the voice, but could have recognized her visually.
The bald man squinted to find her, "Well, hopefully, it means that hostilities are at an end. Hopefully it means that there will be no second-class citizen based on things a person is born with. Hopefully, it will mean that there is a choice, not a solution."
Flash of cameras, but no one speaks. The video cameras wait patiently, silently. Everyone is waiting.
"I'm looking forward to seeing this program. If everyone just takes a moment to breathe and forget their prejudices, we'd realize how similar we all really are." The Ava was saying.
The President smiled, "We have time for one more question."
But there were no time for questions. A disruption at the back of the room brought everyone to a standstill. Just a crazed bystander. And, yet, so much more.
His protection detail jumped for the man, while one grabbed the President from behind. The Ava was on his feet, ready to spring into action if necessary.
The President was being dragged out of the room by his security, but he was trying to see what was happening in the press room. It wasn't often that his job made him feel like a child being led around, but right now he would have given anything to see. Instead, he looked up at the television screen.
The man had not been alone. There were, in total, five others. The secret service was hard pressed to catch them all. It looked like children running around on a playground. Reporters were screaming and running to the side of the room, trying desperately to get out of the way. No one knew if there were weapons involved.
"Sir, we need you to keep moving." His security detail told him.
The President nodded and grudgingly tore himself away from the screen. As he did so, he felt the building shake. He had to stop and see. He was only human, after all.
A glance back at the screen revealed a red river, frozen in mid-air. Red paint, was all. Except the Ava seemed dangerous. The woman who'd thrown the paint was tackled to the ground.
"Sir." His security was persistent.
But still, he was more interested in the video on the screen.
The Ava spoke, calm and precise, "You think that throwing paint at me is going to make me ashamed? You think that causing a scene will make me think twice? No. It is people like the six of you that need to rethink things. This attack will not stand. I speak with the authority of every Ava before me. Your terror ends now."
The President could only smile. At least the Ava was no push over.
The Training Room
Kat
Jason was there, now. He was one of the oldest children still here. There were others, on their way, but certainly nothing like before. With so many parents forcing the I-suppressant on their children… Well, it was clear that the Inheritor way of life was being threatened.
Thousands of years of martial arts, philosophy and bending were dying before her eyes, and she could but watch. She knew that it was probably going to get worse before it got better. She just wished there was something she could do.
"Is everything…alright?" Jason asked. The young boy seemed to have grown up these past few months while she wasn't looking.
She smiled, "Of course."
The boy stared at her.
"Really, I'm fine." Kat insisted.
Jason sighed, "I thought we agreed to stop lying?"
The Water-Inheritor laughed. They had, hadn't they? But that was ages ago. Lifetimes. For both of them, she realized. His adoption process was taking far longer than necessary. She'd even called Sokka in on it, but his case load was full, and he hadn't gotten around to it. Maybe, Kat mused, that was why Jason seemed so much older suddenly.
"So we did." She agreed, trying her best to smile.
"So," Jason prodded, "What's bothering you?"
"A lot of things." She told him. And that was the truth, if only in a roundabout way. He wanted specific details, but she wasn't keen on sharing.
But he wasn't finished yet, "Yeah? What kind of things?"
Kat tweaked his nose with her fingers, "Right now, a kid that asks too many questions."
"Are you missing your family?"
They stared at one another for a very long moment. With a loud exhale, Kat consented to the conversation. It wasn't as if she had anyone else to talk to.
"Yes. A bit. It's been a while since it's just been me." She told him. There was something liberating in saying it out loud. It was okay to miss her family.
Jason nodded, "You guys were really tight."
There was nothing to add to that.
"Is Toph going to be okay?" He asked.
"Well, probably. She has another surgery next month. After that, I should be able to help her. " Kat shrugged. She wasn't worried about Toph anymore. Everything would work out, one way or another.
Jason blinked, "What do you mean you can help her?"
Without thinking about it, she drew water from the air. She let it circle her hands until it began to glow, "Have any bruises or cuts?"
He nodded and pulled up his shorts to show his skinned knee. He flinched when she placed her hand there, but didn't look away.
"It's a special form of water bending. I learned it by accident." She told him. She lifted her hand away and smiled. It was always a nice feeling, using this form of bending.
He looked at his healed skin, wonder in his eyes.
"Can you teach me?"
Kat agreed to do so. Kyoshi was a bit far off in her studies, and Kat had never taught this form to anyone. It would be good practice. The lessons were to begin the next day, with vigor and diligence. She had no time to waste.
Definitely Not Pacing
Lee
God, this month was forever. It had been October for as long as he could remember! But there she was. He could pick her out on the bus. She was still sitting in her spot, though there was plenty of room in the front now.
She's not looking out the window.
He glances back at her car, smiling briefly. When the bus finally stops, he tries not to run to her. It's corny and lame and he's not going to do it. But damn, why did he park so far?
She's the last one out of the bus. Has she always looked so wonderful? She has this smile that lights up the whole planet, and he can't stop staring. Her eyes meet his, and they crinkle even further.
"Hello there, my good sir." She says, obviously trying not to laugh.
He bows and places an English accent instead of his own, "My lady."
A pause before she jumps and wraps her arms around his neck. Ah, there was what it was like to feel warm again. A heartbeat and all. Wasn't it lovely?
"What's the plan for this weekend?" She wondered, placing very suggestive kisses on his neck. Lee had to breathe to try and remember. Kat wasn't being very helpful when it came to that, actually.
He cleared his throat, "Well, we're going to my uncle's new shop."
They were backing up, now, and he found himself pressed against the car. He was far too distracted to notice. Kat was definitely still apologizing for her theatrical acceptance.
But then the car door opened, and Kat pulled away. Her dark cheeks were very, very red.
"Aunt Tara!" Kyoshi said.
Kat shot him a look, "Why didn't you tell me she was in the car?"
Lee shrugged, "I was a little preoccupied. It must have slipped my mind."
And her eyes narrowed. Hah, her anger was glorious. Then replaced with beautiful confusion. God he missed her.
"What are you doing here? You just...pop up everywhere." She asked the small girl. Kat bent down to her knees, looking at the child.
Kyoshi pinched her aunt's cheeks, "Uncle Lee is house-sitting. Includes me and Appa. Mom's busy with Uncle Aang and Dad's on a business trip."
For a moment, it sounded funny. Hearing Kyoshi say it, it sounded like he was just another part of the family. Just another person who belonged there. It'd never been that way before. Not with his real family, not even with his uncle. He'd been an annoyance, a failure. A tagalong. To suddenly be a part of something so…perfect. It was strange.
"Ah. I see." Kat was saying. She was staring at him, now.
Lee shrugged, "Well, we should go. Lots to do."
That included cleaning, painting, restocking, mowing, building, paving and all other manner of things. Uncle was a heartless taskmaster. All he wanted was a few decades alone with Katara. But no one cared what he wanted.
They arrived that night, and Lee couldn't help but smile at the glee in Kat's eyes when she saw her new canvas. Uncle wanted every wall done. Every white surface- which Lee had lovingly painted this week- was to be covered in anything she wanted.
Kyoshi was a big help, for such a small girl. She took care of the smaller spaces, sweeping, picking things up. She was excited to be out of the house, Lee thought. Poor girl was always cooped up nowadays. It wasn't safe for her anymore.
The floors had already been done, and all that was left for the main lobby was for Katara to paint. When she demanded everyone leave her alone- except Kyoshi, who was free to come and go- Lee found himself just waiting outside the door. Sure, he could have been doing something, but he wanted to be close to her.
At the end of the first work day, Kat covered the wall in canvas, so no one could see. She seemed rather pleased with herself, which was something a little new. While her art was amazing, Lee remembered her having a level of loathing of anything she created.
"So, do we get a hint?" Uncle asked over dinner. Kat had cooked them all something...well, something. Lee couldn't tell what it was, but it tasted alright.
Kat looked up from her niece, "I wouldn't know how to describe it. It's not something I've ever seen, only heard about. It's been on my mind recently, and it fits in with the rest of this place."
Kyoshi smiled, "It's pretty."
The girls were laughing behind their hands. Lee didn't mind. As he thought about it some more, something occurred to him. It should have occurred to him weeks ago, but it didn't. He'd been so focused on Kat's return that he hadn't even noticed.
It was the anniversary of his mother's death. His appetite and smile vanished almost instantly. All he wanted, now, was to step outside and breathe. He did so, and tried to put on a brave face for his family. Hah, his family.
"I was wondering. I didn't want to bring it up." Kat said, stepping from behind him. Her arms were around him, even before the door closed.
He shook his head, "I just…forgot. I was so caught up in everything. I guess I understand what it was like for you."
"Mm. Yeah, I guess. But, you know, you don't have to hide. It's okay to be upset." She told him. Kat moved in front of him, examining the ground. There was a hole, waiting to be filled with water. A pond, like the one he and his mother had sat at so long ago. Nostalgia nibbled at his control.
"I'm okay. Just needed a minute. I'm fine, really."
Kat nodded, "Well. Regardless, it's still okay. You're doing better than I do."
They had nothing more to say.
Lee was inexplicably tired. He was heartsore, he knew. It was silly to pretend otherwise, but he didn't want to talk about it or admit it to anyone. Lee sighed, and laid his head on her shoulder.
"You never talk about her." Kat told him.
This he knew, "I only knew her for a short time."
The woman he was supposed to marry turned with a sympathetic smile, "Also because it hurts to do so. I get it. Honest."
"She would have loved you." He told her. And it was true. He could just imagine an aging Ursula and Kat, both beautiful and smiling. For a moment, he thought about the sound of his mother's laughter, and couldn't remember.
Kat interrupted the thought, "I wish I could have met her. And, even if it means we never would have met, I wish you hadn't lost her."
And, for a moment, he agreed with her. While the two women would never have been equal, he was glad to have Kat. He was about to tell her, when he heard something break inside. Glass, it sounded like. They moved as one through the door.
When he pushed the wooden barrier open, he paused. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It didn't make any sense. And then she spoke.
"Evening. Long time no see, Zuzu."
It seemed something was out to make today suck.