23
Hoshiko looked over the side of the bison as they flew over the outer wall. She looked over at the plains as Aang flew the bison closer to a large encampment about five miles outside the outer wall of Ba-Sing-Se.
"Wow…" Sokka said, looking at it, "It's huge."
"How big did you think it was gonna be?" Hoshiko asked him. Sokka shrugged.
"I dunno." He said. Aang brought Appa down near the edge of the encampment. The Shinjuns in the encampment noticed the bison right away, not used to seeing such a large creature. A crowd began to gather around the bison as Hoshiko picked up her things.
"Hey, Hoshiko," Aang said, catching her attention, "Can we meet your friends?"
"Sure." Hoshiko said, strapping her bag to her back.
"What?" Sokka whined, "What about Chameleon Bay?"
"It's just a quick stop, Sokka." Aang said, jumping off the bison when Hoshiko did, "Besides, how often is it that you get to visit a Shinjun encampment?"
"Oh, fine…" Sokka grumbled, sliding off Appa. A tall Shinjun came out from the crowd. He was a Shinjun of Avian descent, with a sharp beak on his face, and feathers decorating his head and arms. When Hoshiko saw his headband with the small red jewel just over his forehead, she bowed to him.
"Greetings, travellers," He said, "I am Iguru, Chief of this encampment. What brings you here?"
"It's an honor to meet you," Aang said, bowing, "We're here to re-unite our friend with her friends and family." Hoshiko raised her head when Aang spoke of her.
"What is your name, child?" Iguru asked her.
"My name is Hoshiko," She said, "These are my friends Sokka, and Aang." The chief looked over at Aang.
"I thought I recognized those tattoos." He said, "You are the avatar, are you not?" Aang nodded.
"Yes." The chief bowed to him.
"It is a great honor to meet you." He said, "Who is it that you are searching for?"
"With all due respect, Chief," Hoshiko said, "I think it won't be too hard to find them." She walked past him and closer to the crowd and shouted, "I'm looking for a Reptilian girl named Xana?"
"That's me!" A squealing voice shouted from far away, a scaly, clawed hand raised in the air. A few grunts were heard as the person suddenly pushed through the crowd, as she got closer, the three kids began to hear the words she was saying as she pushed past them, "Excuse me. Pardon me. One-side!" She finally came into view as she pushed a couple apart near the front of the crowd, "Best friend of the friend of the avatar, coming through!" She looked over at Hoshiko and smiled, each one of her incredibly sharp teeth showing in her smile. She squealed excitedly, jumping up and down on her feet, "Hoshiiiiiiiii!!"
"Xana!" Hoshiko cried happily, holding her arms out openly for a hug. The reptilian ran into her arms with such force that she knocked Hoshiko to the ground. Hoshiko laughed when the reptilian nuzzled her blonde head against her cheek. The chief smiled at the two girls, then he turned to the crowd and waved them away, telling them that there was nothing more to see. Aang smiled at the two girls, while Sokka looked impatient for them to get up. Hoshiko laughed and pushed herself up, with the reptilian girl still clinging to her neck. "Okay, Xana. Let go, I can't drag you around all day."
"Why didn't you respond to my letter faster?!" Xana whined, "We all got so worried!" She hugged Hoshiko's neck tighter, and Hoshiko coughed.
"Can't… breathe…!" She gasped, Xana gasped and instantly released her. Hoshiko took in deep breaths, her hand over her chest. She smiled at Xana, "I see you still have that iron grip of yours." Xana smiled and nodded vigorously, standing up as Hoshiko did. She looked over at Aang and Sokka. She started poking Hoshiko in the side where she knew she was ticklish.
"Introduce me! Introduce me! Introduce me! Introduce me!" She said each time she poked her, Hoshiko squirmed wildly, trying to avoid Xana's pointed fingers as they kept switching sides. She laughed as she kept going.
"Okay! Okay, stop!" Hoshiko laughed, Xana stopped instantly and waited patiently as Hoshiko collected herself, rubbing her sides, "Xana, these are my friends Aang," Aang smiled at her, "And Sokka."
"Hey." Sokka said, raising his hand in greeting.
"Guys, this is my friend, Xana." Hoshiko said, Xana smiled, all her sharp teeth showing as she went over to Sokka, who flinched as she seemed to suddenly pop up next to him.
"Hi." She said, holding out a clawed hand for Sokka to shake. Sokka cautiously took it, looking warily at her sharp teeth, "I like your ponytail."
"It's a warrior's wolf tail." Sokka corrected, Hoshiko snorted in laughter, "And I, uh… like your… teeth." Xana gasped happily, and put her hands to each of her cheeks, turning away with a light, happy blush.
"Oh~! You're so sweet to notice!" She cooed, "I just had them sharpened yesterday. I'm so glad you like them!" She turned to Hoshiko, "I like your friends. They're nice." Hoshiko smiled at her.
"I'm glad to hear that." She said, Hoshiko looked over at the many, many tents in the encampment. Xana cocked her head to the side curiously.
"What is it?" She asked, Hoshiko looked back at her.
"Is… Is he here?" She asked quietly.
"He who?" Xana asked, and then she laughed, "I'm kidding! Of course I know he who!" She started walking, "He's this way." Hoshiko, Sokka, and Aang followed her as they moved through the crowd of Shinjuns to a small red tent that would have never been noticed by the group. Hoshiko stood at the entrance, feeling her heart race in her chest. Xana stepped aside with an eager smile, "He's in here."
"Okay, and this he is…" Sokka said.
"Who else?" Xana asked, "Hoshiko's hanbun tamashi, Kotaro!"
"What are you waiting for?" Aang asked, seeing that Hoshiko hadn't moved, her hand clenching over her chest, "Go on!" He pushed her forward, wanting her to go and see this person she cared about so much. Hoshiko looked up at the tent, then sighed.
"What if…" She said quietly, "What if he's changed?" She turned around to face her friends, "I mean, two years is a long time! What if he changed his mind about me?"
Xana gasped, "Hoshiko, bite your tongue!" She came up next to her, "This is Kotaro we're talking about! He would never, ever, ever change his mind! Not about you! Every day since he came here, all he's asked about is you, so don't you dare think that he doesn't care about you anymore!" Hoshiko looked at her friend, and nodded.
"Okay." She took in a deep breath and moved aside the flap of the tent that acted as a door. Xana pushed Aang and Sokka forward.
"You don't want to miss this." She said, pushing them inside. When they came in, they saw Hoshiko standing completely still as she stared at the back of a Shinjun a few feet away, who was fiddling with something. Hoshiko took a deep breath in and out, and stepped closer to him.
"Kotaro?" She asked quietly.
"Xana, I told you," Kotaro said in annoyance, "Your canteen will be fixed when it's fixed, so stop asking."
"No, Kota," Hoshiko said with a small smile, "It's me." Kotaro froze and turned around. He looked at Hoshiko with wide eyes and slowly stood up. He walked over to her, staring at her in awe. Hoshiko smiled at him. "Hi."
"Hoshiko…" Kotaro murmured, reaching for her face and gently cupping it in his hand, "I'm… I'm not dreaming again, am I?" Hoshiko let out a small laugh.
"No." She said, Kotaro smiled widely and pulled her into his arms, embracing her tightly. Hoshiko returned it full force, small drops of tears working their way out of her eyes. Kotaro held her tightly against him, afraid that if he let her go, she would disappear from him again. Hoshiko nuzzled slightly into Kotaro's tunic, happy to have the one she loved back in her arms. Xana looked at the couple with a happy smile, and Aang smiled at them as well. Sokka looked more impatient than happy for the couple.
Sokka looked at the scene for a second more, then back at Xana, "This is what we weren't supposed to miss?" The two teens broke apart in surprise at the sound of his voice, "We have a schedule to keep!" Xana pouted.
"Oh, you're no fun." She said, Hoshiko smirked.
"He's never any fun." Hoshiko said.
"Hey!" Sokka whined at her, "I can be fun!"
"Who are you?" Kotaro asked, looking at the two boys in his tent.
"Kota, this is Sokka," Hoshiko waved her hand at him, "And Aang. They're friends of mine, they've kind of been looking after me since I joined their group about two months ago." Hoshiko gestured back to Kotaro, "Guys, this is Kotaro, my hanbun tamashi."
"Nice to finally meet you," Aang said, reaching out to shake his hand, "Hoshiko's said nothing but good things."
"Hey!" Kotaro exclaimed, recognizing him, "You're-"
"The avatar, I know." Aang said, he smiled at Hoshiko, "Looks like you're in good hands, Hoshiko. We'll be heading out." Hoshiko nodded.
"See you in a week." She said, waving goodbye to the two. Aang nodded and he and Sokka went out. Xana followed them out of the tent, and when Hoshiko went to see them off, Kotaro grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, his lips crashing against hers with such force that Hoshiko was frozen in shock. She felt her insides warm as he held her to him, one hand gently holding her face, the other going around her waist.
When he pulled away, he smiled at her, "I've been waiting two years for that." Hoshiko stared at him, stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly. He let her go and she smiled a smile that only a love-struck teenager could make. A goofy, yet unbelievably happy smile. She tried to walk backwards towards the exit, but stumbled on a pillow that was lying on the ground. She quickly got her footing back before she fell, and she laughed nervously, turning to the door. Her hand rested on the flap that acted as the tent's door as she looked back at Kotaro. She smiled and bit her lip, looking him up and down, noting all the changes in his appearance that she liked. She gave him a small wave, and he waved back with a smile and she giggled slightly as she stepped out. When she had left Kotaro smiled widely and pumped his arms victoriously, whispering "Yes!" to himself.
Hoshiko waved goodbye to Aang and Sokka as they took off on Appa to Chameleon bay. She turned back to her friends, "So, Xana, I imagine you have a bunch of stuff planned for me since I got here."
"Oh, yeah." Xana said, taking her hand, "I got tons of stuff planned for you."
"Uh, Xana," Kotaro began with a smirk, "Don't you want to tell Hoshiko about that thing you learned since you came to the encampment?" Xana froze in her tracks, turning and glaring at the wolf Shinjun.
"No. Because Hoshi doesn't need to know about that." Xana said through clenched teeth at him.
"Oh, I think she does." Kotaro said with a smug smirk.
"Know what?" Hoshiko asked, wondering what the two of them were talking about. Kotaro turned to her with that same smirk.
"Well, Xana-" The reptilian girl smacked her hand over his mouth.
"Nothing!" She said quickly, "Nothing at all! It's nothing, so let's just leave it at nothing!" She directed the last part of her statement to Kotaro, who still smirked behind her hand. He reached up and poked her side, making her twitch violently and release him.
"Tickle her!" He said to Hoshiko, and he began tickling Xana, she began laughing a high-pitched, squealing laugh as she tried to push him away. Hoshiko watched the two, dumbfounded, until Kotaro shouted, "What are you waiting for? Come on!" Hoshiko nodded and went over to her friend, tickling the side opposite Kotaro. Xana's laughs became even louder and squeakier as they kept going. She kept begging them to stop, but they did not relent. Soon, she fell to the ground in laughter, Hoshiko and Kotaro still tickling her.
"Stop!" She cried through her laughter, tears coming out of her eyes, "Stop it! Ha, ha! You're gonna make it come out! Hee, hee, hee, hee! Stop! Stop it!" Suddenly, Xana's neck seemed to extend and Hoshiko jumped back in surprise, and Kotaro jumped back because he was done. Hoshiko covered her mouth as she tried to cover up her laughter at the sight of her friend. Xana, it seemed, had frills on her neck, and they now stood out for everyone to see. Her blonde hair had gotten caught on the ends of it, making it look like it spiked off of her head. Xana blushed embarrassedly.
The Shinjun couple shared one glance with each other before looking back at Xana, then bursting into laughter, holding their stomachs as they began to roll on the ground. Xana's blush deepened as she pushed the frills back down.
"Shut up!" She said angrily at the two of them, "It's not that funny!" They didn't stop laughing and she scowled as she fixed her hair back in place. Hoshiko stood up, her laughter dying out as she patted her friend's shoulder.
"Sorry, Xana." She apologized, "But, you have to admit, that is pretty funny." Xana turned away.
"Was not," She said, pouting like a child and crossing her arms across her chest. Hoshiko smiled.
"Was too," She said, Xana glared at her.
"Was not!" She argued.
"Was too!" Hoshiko said back, smiling at her.
"Was not!" Xana said, squealing like a child.
"Was too!" Hoshiko said, mimicking her voice. Kotaro watched the scene between the two with a smile.
"Was not! And if you say it was, I'll yank your tail so hard, it'll come off!" Xana said, Hoshiko backed off from her friend.
"Okay, okay, sorry." She said. Kotaro came up next to her, linking his fingers through hers.
"Xana, with all due respect," He said, he smirked a little, "Which isn't much," Xana scowled at him, "I think there's someone else Hoshiko needs to see before she does anything else."
"Who?" Xana asked, Kotaro gave her a stern look, and she gained a look of realization, "Oh… right." She started walking away, "In that case, I'll just head over to the Chief. He wants some help with the bonfire tonight." She turned her back and started heading back to her tent, Hoshiko looked over at Kotaro.
"Kota?" She gave him a questioning look. He smiled softly down at her.
"Come on." He pulled her along to where a small, white tent waited alone, guarded by a reptilian man. Kotaro went over to him, "How is she?"
"Hard to tell." The man replied, "She's been pretty quiet for a while, though. She might be resting." Kotaro nodded.
"Thank you." He said, he pulled Hoshiko as he went through the tent's door, holding it open for her. She looked around the tent, her eyes widening slightly when she saw a bed with a badly burned figure resting on it. A long, slightly balding black tail poked out from under the blanket the person was under. Two black ears stuck out from their head, which had been burned in different places, leaving many disgusting burns across their scalp where hair would no longer grow. The skin across what she could see of their face was red, with darkened purple spots of where their skin had died, but refused to come off of their body. The person was lying on their side when they came in, seeming to be asleep, but at the sound of their entrance, they turned their head, their crystalline blue eyes gazing at them. Their face had been badly burned as well, their skin had reddened, with red splotches along the planes of their cheeks and neck.
"Kotaro…" The woman at the bed murmured, her voice weak. Her eyes looked to Hoshiko, and they widened slightly.
Hoshiko looked to Kotaro confusedly at the sight of the person, and he looked back at her with a soft smile. "Hoshiko," He began, "Would you like to say hello to her?" Hoshiko looked at the woman, who had turned over, so they could see her face as she gave them a weak smile. It seemed her entire body had been thrown into a fire, causing her entire skin to look a painful shade of red with darkened patches of where the burns had either gotten more intense, or where the skin had died and refused to come off of her body.
"Kota, I don't know who she is." Hoshiko said to him, Kotaro frowned slightly, but the woman didn't seem to notice, reaching a hand that had only been burnt down to her forearm. Her wrist and her fingers were still intact. Her chest, shoulders, as was the rest of her body minus the neck up.
"Hoshiko…" She said weakly, her eyes welling up in tears as she held out her hand to her, "My daughter…" Hoshiko's eyes widened as she stared at the figure who said she was her daughter. Her eyes began to well up in her own tears as she realized it was her own mother that was speaking to her. She covered her mouth in shock as her tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Mom…" She whispered, rushing over to the side of her mother's bed, taking her hand in both of hers, "Mama…" Hoshiko's mother reached out with her other hand, which was only lightly burned, and caressed her cheek with it.
"Hoshiko…" Hikari said weakly, tears streaming out of her own eyes. Hoshiko closed her eyes as she held her mother's hand to her face, "My darling daughter…" Hoshiko opened her eyes and looked at her mother's burned face. She began to cry harder at the sight of her burns.
"Oh, Mama…" She cried, "What have they done to you…?" She began to sob, burying her face in the bed. Hikari's hand went around, holding the back of her daughter's head. She brought her face next to hers, crying alongside her.
"Oh, Hoshiko." She cried, petting her hair, gently shushing her. Kotaro, seeing that he was not needed here, quietly left the two alone in the tent.
Hoshiko lifted her head and looked at her mother, "How did this happen? What did those fire benders do to you?" Hikari closed her eyes as the memory returned to her.
"Hoshiko!" Hikari cried, searching for their daughter among the village, seeing the Fire Nation soldiers burning different houses to the ground. "Hoshiko!"
"Hikari!" Akira shouted to his wife, running over to her, "We have to go!"
"I'm not going without my daughter!" Hikari said, Akira looked at her in surprise, as if he didn't even know she was missing. Hikari pulled her hand away and started running into the village, "Hoshiko!" She ran, not seeing that Kotaro had grabbed Hoshiko and was pulling her away from the soldiers, "HOSHIKO!" She ran to their house, finding that it was burning into the ground. Tears began to stream down her face at the thought that her daughter had been inside when it had begun burning.
Her heart almost stopped when she heard stomping against the ground behind her, and she turned to see a Fire Nation soldier coming towards her on a rhino. Her eyes widened as she saw him lift his fist, preparing to blast her with fire.
"HIKARI!" A voice shouted to her, Akira jumped in front of her, bringing up a thick, black shadowy tentacle towards the fire bender to knock him off, but the soldier blasted through it, and had it go straight through to Akira. Hikari cried out his name as she saw him being burned alive. Only a second later did the soldier aim for her and her clothes caught fire. She shrieked in pain, falling to the ground, trying to put the fires out as the soldier galloped off from the two of them.
…
Hikari felt unbelievable pain as her skin, while no longer in flames, still burned against her body. Tears came from her eyes as she stared at the blackened remains of her husband lying before her. She reached out an unburned hand to him, her limb shaking as she reached out for his hand, grasping it in hers.
"Akira…" She murmured tearfully. A shadow cast itself over her body. She did nothing in response to it. If it was a fire bender come to finish the job they started, she would welcome it, then, at least, she'd be with the ones she loved.
"This one's alive!" A voice shouted, Hikari glanced up to see it was an Avian Shinjun. After a moment, another one appeared, looking down at her.
"Can you speak?" He asked her, Hikari tried to open her mouth, but felt extreme pain when she tried, a small whimper escaping her lips instead of words. The man turned around, "Someone bring a stretcher!" Moments later, someone was carefully lifting her up on the stretcher, and carrying her away. The man from before came up to her, and he looked at her concernedly, "Are you alright?" She couldn't answer him. It was too painful, being burnt up as she was, and being without those she loved.
"For so long, I thought you were dead." Hikari said, she reached up and gently petted her daughter's ear, as she knew she liked, "Until Xana came to me, telling me you were alive… I was so happy." Hoshiko looked at her mother, tears pouring down her cheeks. She lay her head down beside her mother's, closing her eyes.
"I missed you, Mama." She murmured. Hikari gave her a small smile, and continued to pet her ear.
"I missed you, too." Hikari murmured.
"Is she still in there?" Xana asked Kotaro as he sat outside of the tent that held Hoshiko's mother. She held up her lantern to see him nod his head, for night had fallen, and other than the lantern's that were lit around the encampment, the lighting around the white tent wasn't very good.
"Yeah, they're still talking." He said, he stood up, "Why? You want to talk to her?"
"The Chief's calling everyone together." Xana said, pointing her thumb at where a bonfire was being lit, "We're celebrating our new arrivals this week."
"Oh, right…" Kotaro said, reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck uneasily, "I forgot that was today." He looked up at Xana, "Should I get them?"
"I'll do it." Xana said, "Move aside." Kotaro sidestepped the reptilian girl as she walked past him and into the tent.
"…And he had the stupidest look on his face." Hoshiko said to her mother, seeming to be telling her a story, "And when he stuck the pentapi on me, it felt so strange!" She squealed a little bit, squirming slightly at the memory, "It was one of the weirdest sensations I've ever felt!" Hikari laughed a little at her daughter's story. She stopped and looked up at Xana, Hoshiko turned her head and saw her friend there, "Hey Xana."
"Hey," Xana said, "Everyone's getting together for a big bonfire tonight. We're celebrating everyone who was able to be with their families again. Wanna come?" Hoshiko frowned slightly.
"Actually," She said, turning back to her mother, "I think I'd rather stay with Mom." Hikari shook her head (As much as she could, anyway).
"No, you go." She said, "You've spent more than enough time with me. You can tell me some more stories tomorrow." Hoshiko looked at her concernedly.
"Are you sure? You don't mind?" She asked, her mother nodded.
"Go and have fun with your friends." She said, "I don't mind."
"Well… okay." Hoshiko said, "But I'll come back tomorrow." She gently grasped her mother's unburned hand before she stood up and followed Xana out of the tent. Kotaro put his hand on her shoulder once she came out.
"How was it?" He asked, Hoshiko looked up at him.
"I… I really missed her." She said quietly, "I didn't know that she was like…" Kotaro put his arm around her shoulders, holding her close.
"I know." He said quietly, rubbing her arm, "But she'll get through it. Your mother's lasted two years like that. Soon, she'll be able to walk again." He kissed the top of her head, "Come on." He led her to where the celebration was being held. He sat her down next to him in the crowd of people. They were all talking happily with each other, passing around different food and drink. Xana and Kotaro sat on either side of their friend, and they were silent as the Chief stood, raising a goblet in his hands.
"Tonight, we are surrounded by our friends and family." He said, "Tonight, we celebrate the reuniting of these families. Through Shinjuko's grace and mercy, we are with our loved ones once more!" He turned to the statue of the woman with large angel wings and a lion's tail that stood behind him, clapping his hands twice and bowing his head in prayer, the other Shinjun's following his example. They were all silent in prayer for a moment before the Chief turned back to them, "Praise Shinjuko!"
"Praise Shinjuko!" The other Shinjuns shouted out.
"Now," The Chief said, raising his goblet, "Let the celebration begin!" Cheerful music began to play, and soon, people were dancing happily around the bonfire. Kotaro instantly stood, taking Hoshiko's hand, and pulling her into the circle and dancing with her as the words were sung aloud by all who knew the song.
"A single thread in a tapestry
Though its color brightly shine,
Can never see its purpose,
In the pattern of the grand design.
And the stone that sits on the very top,
Of the mountain's mighty face,
Does it think it's more important
Than the stones that form the base?
So how can you see what your life is worth,
Or where your value lies?
You can never see through the eyes of man.
You must look at your life,
Look at your life through heaven's eyes!
Lai-la-lai-la-lee-lai-lai,
Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-la-lai-lai,
Lai-la-lai-lee-lai-lai!
Lai-la-lai-la-lee-lai-lai,
Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-la-lai-lai,
Lai-la-lai-lee-lai-lai!"
Hoshiko laughed as Kotaro lifted her up into the air and spun her around. When she came back to the ground, he twirled her around. They smiled warmly at each other as they danced within the crowd under the stars. Hoshiko's laughter died down when she saw Aang's bison come soaring through the sky. She stopped dancing and watched as it landed near the camp's edge.
"Hoshiko?" Kotaro asked in confusion when she stopped. He followed her gaze to the bison, and then looked back at her. She gave him an apologetic glance and left him, heading over to the bison. He followed her as she ran towards them. She saw Sokka and Aang sitting on Appa's head.
"What are you doing here?" She asked them.
"I had a vision." Aang said, "Katara's in trouble." Hoshiko looked up at him, worried for her friend. She looked back at Kotaro.
"Kota… I'm sorry." She said, "I have to go…"
"What?" Kotaro asked, coming up to her.
"My friend is in trouble." Hoshiko said, "I… She needs help. I have to go." Kotaro took her hands in his.
"Then I'm coming with you!" Kotaro said.
"No." Hoshiko said firmly, "Kotaro, you're better off here. Trust me."
"I'm coming with you." Kotaro repeated, "I'm a lightening bender, remember? I can help." Aang and Sokka shared a surprised glance, not knowing this piece of information.
"Kota-" Hoshiko was cut off.
"Hoshi, I lost you once, I don't want to lose you again." Kotaro said firmly. Hoshiko looked at him in surprise. She saw the determination in his eyes and sighed. She turned to face Aang and Sokka.
"Is it alright if he comes with us?" She asked them.
"We could use all the help we can get." Aang said, Hoshiko nodded and started climbing up on the bison, Kotaro following her on the furry creature.
"Heyyyy!" Before Aang could get the bison to lift off, Xana came running towards them, "Where the heck are you going?"
"I need to help my friend." Hoshiko said, "Do me a favor, and tell my mom I'm sorry. I won't be able to finish that story." Xana looked at her worriedly, but nodded.
"Okay…" She said, "You'll come back in one piece won't you?" Hoshiko smiled and nodded.
"I'll do my best!" Hoshiko called as Appa pumped his large tail and took off into the air.
I have a POLL about the next chapter, go and take it!
Also, here's the link to the song they dance to: [www. youtube. com/ watch ?v=BPb2FqFN7-A]
Just take out the spaces.