Hours had passed, the sharp pain in Aang's shoulder kept him alert. He looked down at the area, already the work Katara had done was coming undone. He could feel the toxins working their way back around the wound. There must be some blade still there, he thought, and if I'm having an issue, who knows what is happening to Toph and Lin. He shook the thought from his mind and turned his attention back to the earthen jail that held his attacker. His heart was heavy from worry still, he had watched too many of his friends come under fire this day, it was way too close of a call. An exceptionally sharp resurgence of pain filled his mind and he gasped with the pain of it. He had been taught to think around the pain and let himself fall into a meditative state, the pain dulled.
"This way," he heard her call from a little distance, and felt the footsteps approaching.
"Who exactly is he, Katara?" the voice of a young policeman said.
"We don't know Saikhan, he's working alone. An extremist, he simply wanted Aang dead- only stated that he wants control. I can only assume he's just a criminal gone mad," she said as they entered the cave.
They were a troop of about a dozen they carried with them a large metal box with small slits in the top, presumably a prison for high-risk criminals until they could get him to the jail.
"He pulls daggers out of nowhere," Katara added, "be careful."
"No problem," Saikhan said, "do not remove him from the earth, instead bend it around him and bring him into the box- then we can take down the earth once he's inside."
They began to work at once. A metalbender created a doorway into the box, Kurei was moved outwards until he was inside. Quickly they closed the opening and dropped the earth from around him. They heard only a voice, quiet but threatening, "just you wait Avatar."
"Get him out of here," Saikhan called, and the men moved out with him quickly.
"Where's Chief Beifong? Lin? Are you alright Avatar Aang," he asked when he noticed the pale color of the Avatar's face.
"They're receiving medical attention," said Katara, "Aang has been rather badly injured himself, I need to get there quickly to see if they have similar wounds. We're in no condition to walk- Aang where's Appa?"
"I'll call him now," he responded, and took out a bison shaped whistle from his pocket. Within seconds Appa was before them and they boarded to fly up to the temple."
Katara set to work again on Aang's shoulder, "This seems to be rather worse than I thought. Saikhan, can we get a message out to any other healers in the area? I'm afraid Toph will need more attention, especially if she has been hit with a similar blade, but I can't leave Aang."
"Of course," he said, and leapt down from Appa's back upon landing to hurry off.
They were met outside by a frightened looking Tenzin, who immediately set to work helping his father down.
"Mother, Lin is fine- but I'm worried about Toph. She's not able to communicate with us anymore," he said.
Katara looked at Aang, eyes wide.
"Go," he said, "Tenzin will help me inside."
Katara ran off quickly.
Tenzin draped his father's good arm around him and attempted to lead him inside. He quickly noted the color of Aang's face and the new flow of blood dripping out from his arm.
"We need more healers," he said, frantically.
Almost as if in response he saw his sister running towards them. Her dark hair had grown long in the last few years, her worried face made her look much older.
"Ten! Dad!" she called, "mom sent word- I came as soon as I found out," she added pointedly looking at her bison that was over with Appa and the others.
Tenzin implored her with his eyes to help him.
Noticing this she deftly took hold of her father's good shoulder and began to lead him the rest of the way toward the house.
"We're almost there," she said, "mom didn't tell me that it was this bad here…" she mused.
Finally they made it inside, Katara was directing people around trying to get clean-up under way when she noticed the trio enter.
"Aang!" she called worriedly, "you look awful! Why didn't you get me Tenzin? Hi, Kya."
In a few swift movements she turned Kya out and moved Aang to a seat. Kya brought over a bowl of water for her to use and set it next to her.
"Where do you need me mom," Kya asked.
"Toph is doing better, she's sleeping. I was able to get all of the particles of the blade out and combat the toxin, now that I know what I'm looking for it should be easier," she said half to Kya and half to Aang, "Kya I need you to go and check on her, it wouldn't hurt to try a bit of healing on her yourself."
"Got it," she said and sped off.
Tenzin lingered back to give his mother space to work, he admired the way she moved her hands, pulling the water back and forth over Aang's shoulder. The color was quickly returning to his face. He quietly moved forward when he thought he wouldn't be so much in the way.
"Thank you Tenzin," Aang said, eyeing his son's temid look, "you were a great help today. I'm glad I know I can count on you if ever I'm not available."
Tenzin saw his mother give the avatar a sad look as she pulled once more on the stream of water.
"Lin is upstairs, Tenzin," she said, keeping her eyes on her work, "you should go see her, she's fine- but I think she may still be worried about Toph."
Tenzin nodded quietly.
"She's not in any danger, Ten, you should remind of that," Katara added, looking up at him.
"I'll do that. Are you alright dad?"
"Of course," he said with a smile, "I've got the best waterbender in the world fixing me up."
Katara managed a smile at this and Tenzin was satisfied some of the tension in the room had cleared as he made his way up stairs to find Lin.
Once they were alone Katara felt that she could finally exhale properly.
"Sorry, Aang," she spoke as she finished bandaging the knife wound for what was hopefully the last time, "I really thought I had it cleared out, it was a tricky poison…"
"It's okay Katara, really I'm fine," he said with a smile.
She huffed at this and narrowed her eyes, "cut it out Aang. You are not fine. You lost a lot of blood. It's different with Toph, you and I both know she'll be fine. You need to rest- you and I both know…"
He held his good hand up to her cheek, which stopped her short, "Sweetie, I'm okay. Really I am," he added a bit impatiently, "Of course I'm tired, I've never tried to hide that from you, but I'm still here and I'm completely capable of protecting my family." He stood up, as if to prove his point, and made his way towards the staircase.
I know you're still strong Aang, she thought, but I don't know how much longer you will be.
Sorry for the time between posts- I had a rough time with this one. Next chapter will be coming soon. Peace- the evenstar.