39
Hoshiko looked out over the side of the saddle as they traveled over the water, frowning as she watched the cloud cover that Aang and Katara had created. She knew they needed to be hidden, but she wanted to at least look out at the sea as they flew. She looked over at Zuko, who seemed to be contemplating the same thing on the other side of the saddle.
"So, where exactly is this safe haven?" She asked him.
"It's my family's old house on Ember Island." Zuko said.
"Whoa, what?!" Sokka suddenly turned his attention to the scarred prince, "You never said anything about this being the Fire Lord's house!!"
"Don't worry, it's a safe place." Zuko assured, "Nobody's been to that place in a long time. It's been abandoned for years."
"But Ember Island isn't exactly abandoned!" Sokka said, "Someone's gonna notice the prince being back there!"
"The last time I went there, nobody recognized me." Zuko said, he turned to Hoshiko, "You remember that don't you?"
"Ember Island? Yeah I remember." Hoshiko said, "Nobody there knew who you were." She smirked and snorted a little, "Do you think Chan and Ran Juan still remember you?" Zuko let a smile come onto his face at the memory.
"Who're Chan and Ran Juan?" Kotaro asked.
"A couple of guys who invited us to a party." Zuko said.
"We destroyed their house later." Hoshiko said with a grin. Everyone looked at the pair oddly. "Well… technically, Zuko and Kagemi did it…" Everyone still stared at her, and she shifted uncomfortably, "It was Azula's idea!"
"Sounds like fun." Toph said, "How much of it do you remember?"
"Not much to be honest." Hoshiko said, "Remember that it was Kagemi in control, not me." Toph nodded.
"We're close to the island now." Aang announced to the others, he looked back at Zuko, "Where's the house?"
"It should be up on a hill, the area's pretty isolated." Zuko said, coming over to Aang, looking out over the saddle, he pointed it out to him, "There." Sokka directed the bison in the direction Zuko had pointed out while Katara and Aang made careful work to keep their cloud cover until they landed.
The pleasant noise of seagulls came from the beach nearby, and the palm trees swayed in the breeze. The house looked very inviting, nestled at the top of a hill above the beach, but maybe in need of a little fixing up. You could see where the house's paint was beginning to chip, and where the shingles of the roof needed to be replaced. Many of the walls were covered with various plant life that had decided to take advantage of the abandoned place, but it was still a very lovely home. Everyone separated, taking their own tours through the place.
Hoshiko walked around through the house, looking in at the main rooms, through the open and airy porch, into the garden, and finally into the courtyard, Kotaro following her the whole way.
"You look like you're falling in love with the place." Kotaro said with a chuckle. Zuko overheard them as they walked through the courtyard.
"I think I am." Hoshiko said to him, she looked at Zuko, "You know, despite the fact that your dad is pure evil, he had good tastes."
"Actually, my mother did most of the interior decorating." Zuko said, looking around the place, "She wanted it to be comfortable. A home away from home sort of thing."
"Well, since we're gonna be here a while, we should stock up on food." Katara said.
"Me and Suki will go!" Sokka offered quickly. Hoshiko raised a curious eyebrow at his eagerness, but said nothing. He probably just wanted some time alone with her. No one argued with him and gave him the money, sending him off to market.
"And since we're here, we need to train, Aang." Zuko said, Aang nodded and they both headed into the courtyard to practice up. As they started, Kotaro pulled on Hoshiko's hand and pulled her away from the group. They walked around the house for a little, looking for a good room for the two of them, and they soon found one with a large, comfy bed just big enough for the both of them. Hoshiko sat down on the bed and smiled at him.
"This is nice." She said to him. She fell back on the bed, "We need a bed like this."
"Was there something wrong with the sleeping bag?" Kotaro asked.
"Yes, it wasn't big enough." Hoshiko said, she pointed at him, "And I know it was because you wouldn't let go of me when we were sleeping."
"I just wanted to stay warm." Kotaro said innocently.
"You're a little liar. You were humping me in your 'sleep'!" Hoshiko accused with a laugh. She expected him to laugh back and deny it, but paused when he gave her a sultry look.
"And if I was?" He asked, Hoshiko blushed as he stepped closer.
"Kota…" She breathed when he leaned over her, making her lie half-way down on the bed, propping herself up on her elbows.
"Maybe I wanted to do something like that with you." He said, "Is that so wrong?"
"I-It's not wrong, but…" Hoshiko looked away, her face bright red. Kotaro grinned and moved to lie beside her, still grinning.
"You're a beautiful girl, Hoshi." He said, "It's hard to resist you sometimes." Hoshiko smiled and rolled onto her side to kiss his cheek.
"And you're a very handsome boy." She said, Kotaro smiled and turned on his side so he could face her. With a smirk, she added, "Although, I am perfectly able to resist you."
Kotaro immaturely stuck out his tongue at her and pushed her onto her back. Hoshiko laughed at the action, and Kotaro smiled. He moved to get up and headed out of the room, "Well, this apparently-resistible boy is going to go watch Aang train, seeing as there's nothing else to do."
"Oh, I was just teasing!" Hoshiko said, coming after him. When she turned the corner, Kotaro caught her around the waist and kissed her soundly on the lips. When he pulled back, he smiled at her slightly astonished expression.
"So was I." He said, he pressed another quick kiss to her lips before releasing her waist and taking her hand in his so they could continue on together.
They moved to sit on the porch as Aang and Zuko practiced in the courtyard in front of them. Since they had apparently come in at the middle of the lesson, they watched Aang perform a few moves in sync with Zuko. The lesson came to an end soon enough and they both decided to take a break.
"Doesn't it seem kind of weird that we're hiding from the Fire Lord in his own house?" Katara asked, looking around at the architecture of the place.
"I told you, my father hasn't come here since my family was actually happy," Zuko said, "And that was a long time ago. It's the last place anyone would think to look for us."
"Hey!" Sokka called to the others as he and Suki came into the courtyard, carrying a couple bags of supplies, and Sokka holding some sort of scroll in his hands, "You guys are not gonna believe this— There's a play about us!"
"We were just in town, and we found this poster." Suki said, gesturing to it as Sokka unrolled it, revealing a picture of a cast depicting Aang, Sokka, Katara, and the eyes of Zuko in the background with an intense red tint.
"What? How is that possible?" Katara asked as she and the others went up to inspect it.
Sokka turned the poster around so that he would be able to read what was on it, "Listen to this: The Boy in The Iceberg is a new production from acclaimed playwright Pu Won Tin, who scoured the globe gathering information on the avatar. From the icy South Pole, to the heart of Ba-Sing-Se. His sources include singing nomads, pirates, prisoners of war, and a surprisingly knowledgeable merchant of cabbage."
"Brought to you by the critically acclaimed Ember Island Players." Suki finished.
"Ugh!" Zuko groaned, "My mother used to take us to see them. They butchered Love Amongst the Dragons every year!"
"Sokka, are you sure it's a good idea to attend a play about ourselves?" Kotaro asked.
"Come on! A day at the theater? This is the kind of wacky, time-wasting nonsense I've been missing!" Sokka said, holding up the poster to him again. Kotaro pushed it back down.
"I think it would be interesting." Hoshiko said, "I mean, I'm kind of excited to see how they would depict us."
"It doesn't sound too bad." Aang agreed, "And maybe we could all use a break."
"You're just saying that to get out of earth bending training this afternoon." Toph accused.
"Maybe a little, but I really do want to see this play." Aang said, not about to lie to someone like Toph.
"We'll take a vote." Sokka said, "All in favor of going to the play tonight, raise your hand!" Sokka, Suki, Aang, Toph, and Hoshiko did so, "All opposed?" Zuko, Katara, and Kotaro raised their hands, "Four beats three, we're going!"
Everyone got prepared for the play, dressing in good outfits they could wear to the theater, and since Shinjuns were allowed inside, Hoshiko and Kotaro were pleased to be able to sit with their friends. Zuko wore a cloak over his clothes to hide his scar so no one would recognize him right away, and Aang wore a hat to cover his arrow tattoo. They purchased their tickets and went to their seats in the back of the room on the high balcony. There were two benches big enough for all of them to sit together.
Toph and Katara all sat on the front bench, and Aang made to sit next to Katara, but Zuko sat in between him and her, not realizing what Aang wanted.
"Hey, uh, I wanted to sit there." Aang said.
"Just sit next to me. What's the big deal?" Zuko asked.
"I was just… I wanted to… okay." Aang relented and sat down beside Zuko as Suki, Sokka, Kotaro and Hoshiko took their seats on the bench behind them.
"Why are we sitting in the nosebleed section?" Toph complained, "My feet can't see a thing from up here!"
"Don't worry, I'll tell your feet what's happening." Katara assured as the lights began to dim. The room became quiet and the curtains rose, revealing a pair of actors depicting Katara and Sokka rowing on a boat in icy seas. Sokka excitedly pointed to them, then at him and Katara, then back at the actors. He was clearly thrilled that the two of them were the first to be seen in the play.
The actress playing Katara sighed loudly, "Sokka, my only brother, we constantly roam these icy South Pole seas, and yet never do we find anything… fulfilling." Hoshiko raised a brow at her dramatic tone.
"All I want is a full feeling in my stomach, I'm starving!" The actor playing Sokka declared, making the audience laugh.
Hoshiko and Kotaro shared a glance, sharing a silent message between them. This is going to be a long play.
"Is food the only thing on your mind?" The actress playing Katara asked.
"Well, I'm trying to get it out of my mind, and into my mouth, I'm starving!" The actor playing Sokka replied, earning another round of laughs from the audience.
"This is pathetic!" Sokka hissed to his sister, "My jokes are way funnier than this!"
Toph cackled in her seat, "I think he's got you pegged!"
The actress playing Katara stood up, "Every day the world awaits a beacon to guide us!" She began dramatically, "Yet none appears! Still, we cannot give up hope, for hope…" She sniffled, "Is all we have!" She fell down on the boat dramatically, apparently beginning to cry, "And we must never relinquish it! Even to our dying breath!" She began to sob. Hoshiko snorted behind her hand at the sight of it, and Kotaro had trouble keeping his laughter to himself.
"Well that's just silly." Katara said, not noticing how a few others were giggling about her behavior, "I don't sound like that!"
Toph laughed again, holding her stomach, "Oh man! This writer's a genius!"
A light shone down on the boat as a large 'iceberg' appeared behind the boat, with a little floating 'boy' at the top.
"It appears to be someone frozen in ice," The actress playing Katara said, "Perhaps for a hundred years!"
"Oh, good grief." Katara muttered, crossing her arms.
"I told you they were bad actors." Zuko said to her.
"But who?" The actor playing Sokka asked, "Who is the boy in the iceberg?" Aang leaned forward, excited to see his entrance in the play as the two actors went up to the top of the iceberg platform.
"Water bend! Hi-ya!" The actress sliced her hand in a karate motion and the iceberg opened up with an impressive display of white smoke, and from behind out jumped the actor who was playing Aang. The audience applauded the entrance, and Hoshiko had to bury her face in Kotaro's shoulder to keep from guffawing aloud.
It was a woman. A little bald woman who was playing Aang.
"Who are you, frozen boy?" The actress playing Katara asked.
The actress playing Aang giggled, "I'm the avatar, silly! Here to spread joy and fun!"
"Wait… is that a woman playing me?!" Aang asked, mortified at the sight of her.
"Well, you are still a kid," Kotaro began, "It's normal for a woman to play the part of a child because their voices are so high. A man's voice would be too deep."
Hoshiko snorted again, "That doesn't make it any less funny though." Aang scowled at her, "Sorry."
On stage, 'Appa' appeared as a big costume beneath which the legs of several men could be seen, like a dragon at a parade. Someone made a fake roar from backstage as it jumped off the platform and started running around the stage.
'Katara' gasped, "An air bender! My heart is so full of hope, that it's making me tear bent!" She grasped 'Aang's' leg and began to sob loudly.
"My stomach is so empty, that it's making me tear bent!" 'Sokka' said, mimicking his 'sister' and beginning to fake cry while holding onto 'Aang'. "I need meat!"
'Aang' gasped and pointed up, "But wait! Isn't that a platter of meaty dumplings?"
"Ooh! Where? Where?" 'Sokka' asked, looking for it. 'Aang' giggled.
"Did I mention that I'm an incurable prankster?" She asked with a grin. The audience laughed at her antics.
"I don't do that!" The real Aang said, "That's not what I'm like! And I'm not a woman!"
Toph laughed, "Oh, they nailed you, Twinkle Toes!"
'Katara', 'Aang', and 'Sokka' moved off the stage and a ship set moved center strange on which stood people dressed as Zuko and Iroh. Iroh was very short and pudgy with white hair sticking out in pointy tuffs from his chin, cheeks, and topknot.
"Prince Zuko," 'Iroh' began, his voice very cartoonish, "You must try this cake!"
"I don't have time to stuff my face!" 'Zuko' snapped, his voice cartoonishly throaty and hard, "I must capture the avatar to regain my honor!"
"Well, while you do that, maybe I'll capture another slice!" 'Iroh' said, before devouring the cake.
"You sicken me." 'Zuko' said, looking back out the telescope prop.
"They make me look totally stiff and humorless." Zuko muttered, crossing his arms.
"Actually, I think that actor's pretty spot on." Katara said, giggling.
"How could you say that?" Zuko snapped.
"Let's forget about the avatar, and get massages!" 'Iroh' said.
"How could you say that?!" 'Zuko' snapped. The real Zuko groaned and covered his eyes. Toph couldn't stop laughing, and Hoshiko couldn't help the giggles that slipped out of her.
The play went slowly, covering the major events, and Hoshiko didn't understand most of it, but watched with interest as they went to the Southern Air Temple and found Momo, which was really just a puppet with a fake arm attached to it. Then they went on to Kyoshi Island, where they met 'Suki', and 'Sokka' donned a warrior's costume, asking if the dress made his butt look fat, a part where Suki giggled uncontrollably. Then, they met a big, muscled Bumi and faced his "riddles and challenges" which somehow ended with 'Aang' fighting a man in a bunny costume while 'Katara' moaned dramatically. Then they went on to steal a water bending scroll from some pirates, where 'Sokka' asked why she stole it, and she tearfully replied, "It just gave me so much hope!" The real Katara couldn't stop rolling her eyes at the actress.
Then, it got to a point where, as Hoshiko understood it, 'Aang' had been captured by 'Zuko' (She knew it was supposed to be Zhao, but she hadn't seen him once in the entire play, so she assumed they just took him out). Then, someone dressed in a five foot tall Blue Spirit mask came to rescue 'Aang', and when he had defeated everyone, 'Aang' happily declared, "My hero!" and jumped into his arms. Zuko and Aang shared an awkward glance at the sight of it, but said nothing. Zuko was just thankful they didn't know he was the Blue Spirit.
The set changed to a forest and the annoying sound of 'Katara's' sobbing reached their ears again as she and an actor lowered on a rope swing over the set.
"Don't cry, baby!" The actor depicting Jet said, "Jet will wipe out that nasty town for you!"
'Katara' popped one of her legs up, looking completely smitten with him as they made it look like the town was being flooded, "Oh, Jet," 'Katara' purred, "You're so bad." Katara's face bloomed in a red blush and tried to hide her face with her hands in her embarrassment.
"Wow, Katara." Hoshiko said, shaking with laughter, "I knew you had a crush on Jet, but… wow!"
"Hush!" Katara snapped.
Soon, the play reached the part where they arrived at the North Pole, and the gang had met Yue.
"This must be my entrance!" Hoshiko said excitedly, looking forward to seeing herself on stage.
"Wow, we're finally here at the North Pole!" 'Aang' said happily as they walked onto the stage. On the other side, a young woman in a white wig appeared, and behind her, another young woman with big, oversized cat ears and an incredibly fluffy black tail. Hoshiko lifted a brow at her appearance, but decided that was just how stage makeup was done.
"Hello, avatar." 'Yue' greeted them, "I am Princess Yue."
"Wowie!" 'Sokka' exclaimed, putting on a completely smitten look and running over to Yue, getting down on one knee and smiling goofily up at her, "You sure are a pretty princess!" The actress playing Hoshiko came over and hit the back of his head with a karate chop, and he fell to the ground cartoonishly stiff.
"And I'm her bodyguard, Hoshiko." She snapped at him. "If you know what's good for you, you won't get too close." 'Sokka' held a bump on his head and got up, going back to the others.
"Well, at least they got that part right." Hoshiko said.
"I didn't think we would find a Shinjun here in the North Pole!" 'Katara' said, looking at her.
"I'm not staying here." 'Hoshiko' said, "I'm only here until I find my precious soul mate!" Hoshiko's lips pursed when she saw her actress strike a dreamy pose at the mention of 'soul mate' before turning back to the others, "You see, we got separated years ago when we were on vacation in the Fire Nation."
"Vacation?!" Hoshiko hissed angrily, gripping the back of the bench in front of her. "I was enslaved, dumbass!"
'Hoshiko' sighed, "But I've been here for so long, waiting for him to appear, but I've just about given up hope that he will ever come."
"Oh, you must never give up hope!" 'Katara' said, quickly coming to her, taking her hands in hers, "We will help you find your beloved soul mate!"
"Oh, thank you!" 'Hoshiko' said, "You are my new best friend!" She and 'Katara' hugged happily. Hoshiko and Katara looked at the stage in disbelief, knowing their relationship didn't start like that at all.
"Hooray! A new friend!" 'Aang' said happily, jumping in between the two girls, "Group hug!" The three girls hugged with happy smiles on their faces as 'Sokka' snuck off with 'Yue'.
Hoshiko rolled her eyes at the sight of it, "Oh, brother."
The play progressed on, going to the Fire Nation attack on the North Pole, and in the middle of it, 'Yue' turned into the Moon Spirit.
"Don't go, Yue!" 'Sokka' said, "You're the only woman who's ever taken my mind off of food!" They shared a kiss, and 'Sokka' smacked his lips, "Did you have pickled fish for dinner?"
"Goodbye Sokka," 'Yue' said in a dreamy voice as she was lifted up on a moon platform, "I have important moon duties to take care of. And yes, I did have pickled fish."
Sokka's eyes teared up as he watched and Suki was giggling.
"You never told me you made out with a moon spirit." Suki giggled.
"Shh!" Sokka hissed, "I'm trying to watch!"
Suki scowled at him.
Hoshiko looked down at her bracelet, and Kotaro saw her behavior. He gently covered her hand and kissed her cheek, offering her some comfort. She smiled at him, silently saying 'thank you' and thread her fingers through his.
The set was cleared again and little Fire Nation ships began to move across the floor of the stage. In a moon fish costume, 'Aang' came out and began stomping and kicking the little ships, a Zhao doll in her hand, exclaiming, "The avatar's back to save the day! Yay!"
The curtain came down then for intermission, and Toph was the only one of the group who joined in with the applause, everyone else was groaning, glad to have a break from the play. The group left the theater to meet on the stairs outside the balcony they had been sitting in.
"So far, this intermission is the best part of the play." Zuko said.
"Tell me about it." Hoshiko agreed, "They make me look like a totally lovesick ditz! All my character ever does is talk about Kotaro!"
"And apparently, the playwright thinks I'm an idiot who tells bad jokes about meat all the time!" Sokka complained, holding a bag of jerky.
"Yeah, you tell bad jokes about plenty of other topics." Suki said.
"I know!" Sokka cried.
"At least the Sokka actor kinda looks like you." Aang said, "That woman playing the avatar doesn't resemble me at all!"
"I don't know." Toph said, "You are more in touch with your feminine side than most guys."
Aang stood with an insulted noise, but Katara said, "Relax, Aang. They're not accurate portrayals. It's not like I'm a preachy crybaby who can't resist giving over-emotional speeches about hope all the time."
A silence followed her comment.
"What?" Katara asked, looking around at them.
"Yeeeah, that's not you at all." Kotaro said, earning him a jab from Hoshiko. "And to be honest, with the way they're portraying you guys, I'm not looking forward to how they're going to show me."
"Listen friends," Toph began, "It's obvious that the playwright did his research. I know it must hurt, but what you're seeing up there on that stage is the truth."
When they filed back in, the play opened up revealing a set meant for Ba-Sing-Se.
"Well, here we are in the Earth Kingdom!" 'Katara' said.
"I better have a look around to see if I can find an earth bending teacher!" 'Aang' said, being pulled up on a harness to fly over the crowd.
"This is it! This must be where I come in!" Toph said excitedly.
"I flew all over town," 'Aang' said, coming to a landing on the stage, "But I couldn't find a single earth bending master!"
"Here it comes!" Toph said, nearly jumping in her seat.
Rocks on the set suddenly began to rise as a trapdoor in the floor opened and an enormous muscley man with shaggy black hair and an outfit resembling Toph's rose up, lifting the fake rocks above this head.
"You can't find an earth bending master in the sky," He said, "You have to look underground!" He threw the fake rock away, to crash somewhere else. Everyone began laughing at the sight of the actor depicting Toph. Toph was standing and listening intently.
"Who're you?" 'Aang' asked him.
The man spat at the ground before speaking, "My name's Toph, because it sounds like tough, and that's just what I am!"
"Wait a minute… I sound like… a guy." Toph said, "A really buff guy."
"Well, Toph, what you hear up there is the truth." Katara said smugly, "It hurts, doesn't it?"
"Are you kidding me?!" Toph said, beaming, "I wouldn't have cast it any other way!" She happily sat back in her seat, "At least it's not a flying bald lady!" Aang scowled and moved his hat further down his head to cover his arrow.
"So, you're blind?" 'Aang' asked, waving her hand in front of 'Toph's' face.
He chuckled, "I can see you doing that. I see everything that you see. Except I don't 'see' like you do. I release a sonic wave from my mouth." He turned to the group and let out a scream that was like a banshee's. Hoshiko and Kotaro covered their ears with winces on their faces, as did most of the audience, but Toph had the widest grin on her face as she listened, "There. I got a pretty good look at you." The audience applauded him.
The play progressed on, moving on to where Zuko, who was wearing a ridiculously long and flowing wig separated from his uncle. The play moved on to where they fought Azula in a run-down town, and they had cornered her, and to escape, she pointed to the sky and said, "Wait! What's that? I think it's your honor!" And when everyone turned away, she went through a door and escaped. The play moved to a village, where a white haired man sat down on the ground, begging for food, wearing a large had and a heavy cloak.
"Spare change?" He asked 'Zuko' holding up a bowl.
"Oh no…" Kotaro groaned, realizing that this must have been his entrance.
"I have my own money to look after!" 'Zuko' snapped. "You look familiar, though. Have I seen you before?" He lifted up the hat to look at the man, and gasped, stepping back as the hat fell off, revealing a set of ridiculously huge wolf ears. "Kotaro!"
"Prince Zuko!" 'Kotaro' exclaimed, standing up with a smile. They shared a handshake.
"What?" Kotaro asked, looking at the stage in disbelief. He and Zuko shared a glance, wondering what the heck was happening.
"It has been a long time." 'Zuko' said, "What are you doing here? Are you still searching for your soul mate?" 'Kotaro' nodded silently, "I see. I too, am searching for someone. Perhaps we can search together?" 'Kotaro' nodded and followed 'Zuko' and 'Iroh' as the play moved on to Ba-Sing-Se.
"What just happened?" Suki asked.
"Apparently the playwright thinks we knew each other before." Kotaro said.
"I'm sorry, but does no one else notice how there is next to no mention of slavery in this play?" Hoshiko asked, "It's really starting to tick me off."
The play continued on to a very boring scene with 'Aang' trying to stop the drill in Ba-Sing-Se, which she did, but it wasn't as exciting as they had hoped it would be. The play moved on to where they found 'Jet', who was crazy after being brainwashed by the Dai Lee. The scene ended with him going into a sort of spasm, and as a rock floated down on the set, he moved under it.
"Did Jet just… die?" Zuko asked.
"You know, it was really unclear." Sokka said.
The next scene was really awkward. It was where Katara and Zuko were trapped in the crystal catacombs of Ba-Sing-Se. And things between the two actors were… well…
"I have to admit, Prince Zuko," 'Katara' began, "I really find you attractive."
"You don't have to make fun of me." 'Zuko' snapped at her.
"But I mean it," 'Katara' purred, moving to sit next to him, "I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me."
Zuko and Katara shared an awkward glance, and put space between the two of them on the bench.
"Wait!" 'Zuko' said, standing up, "I thought you were the avatar's girl!" Hoshiko saw Aang stiffly nod once.
'Katara' laughed, "The avatar?" She stood up and walked over to him, "Why, he's like a little brother to me! I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way. Besides, how could he ever find out about… this?" She and 'Zuko' came close and wrapped their arms around each other. Aang abruptly stood up to leave.
Sokka, oblivious as ever, saw him do so, "Oh, you're getting up? Can you get me some fire flakes?" Aang wasn't listening as he left the room. Hoshiko looked after him pitifully, knowing that he must have been upset by this scene.
The next scene depicted the avatar gang as they came across Iroh and Kotaro, who were asking for their help in freeing Zuko. When 'Kotaro' saw 'Hoshiko' however, that was completely disregarded as she ran to him and dramatically jumped in his arms.
"Oh, Kotaro!" She cried happily, "My one and only love! After all this time I have finally found you!" They shared a sloppy kiss, which made the actual Hoshiko and Kotaro grimace a little.
"Oh, like we'd ever." The real Hoshiko muttered, throwing some popcorn at the stage.
"Actually, I'm surprised you two didn't do that." Sokka said with a grin, earning a handful of popcorn in his face.
Suddenly, 'Hoshiko' moaned and stepped away from 'Kotaro' "Ughhh… Ohhh…"
"What's the matter?" 'Aang' asked.
"Oh, no! It's happening again!" 'Hoshiko' cried, she reached her hand out to Kotaro, "My love! Save me! Aaaaah!" Suddenly, a thick black tarp came up from below stage, and there was a dramatic moment, where a spotlight shown down on where 'Hoshiko' was behind the black tarp. She let out a cry and fell to the ground, and when the tarp disappeared, another person dressed in a completely different costume, all black, stood up.
"Ha, ha, ha!" The actress laughed, "Behold! After so many years, I, Kagemi, the ni-nin of Hoshiko's shadow bending, am in control once more!" She turned to 'Kotaro' "Get out of my way, dog boy!" When he didn't move 'Kagemi' used shadow bending to knock him aside and walk off stage. When she was gone, 'Kotaro' collapsed on his knees, crying out with a dramatic wolf howl. The real Kotaro gaped at the stage.
"Since when do I howl?!" He demanded angrily, taking offense to the animalistic characteristics they had added to him.
The next scene that came up was with 'Azula', 'Zuko', and 'Iroh'. The stage held up two flags, one for the Fire Nation, and one for the Earth Kingdom. Zuko stood in between the two as his uncle stood on the Earth Kingdom side, and Azula on the Fire Nation side.
"Well, my brother? What's it going to be?" 'Azula' asked, "Your nation? Or a life of treachery?" The Zuko actor looked very torn between the two.
"Choose treachery!" 'Iroh' said, "It's more fun!" 'Zuko' began to walk over to him.
"No way!" 'Azula' cried. 'Zuko' looked at 'Iroh' and pushed him down before walking over to 'Azula'.
"I hate you, Uncle! You smell! And I hate you for all time!" 'Zuko' shouted, before walking away with 'Azula' as the Earth Kingdom flag came down on 'Iroh'.
Katara held her hand over her mouth and looked over at the slumping Zuko, who looked at the stage miserably, "You didn't really say that, did you?" She asked.
"I might as well have." Zuko muttered.
The next scene, Azula came upon Kagemi fighting off some of the Dai Lee, who she defeated easily. She smiled and said, "How would you like to give your loyalty to the Fire Nation, Shinjun?" Kagemi turned to her and bowed.
"It would be my honor, your majesty." She said.
"The pacing in this play is terrible." Hoshiko muttered.
The next and final scene of this act was where Aang got shot by Azula's lightning and then the curtains closed for another intermission. Everyone wanted to get out of the theater, so they all converged just outside their room, as did many others who went to get refreshments.
"It seems like every time there's a big battle, you guys barely make it out alive." Suki commented, "I mean, you guys lose a lot."
"You're one to talk, Suki. Didn't Azula take you captive? That's right! She did!" Sokka replied.
"Are you trying to get on my bad side?" Suki asked.
Sokka stepped back, "I'm just sayin'."
"Does anyone know where Aang is?" Katara asked, coming up to the group.
"He left to get me fire flakes, like, ten minutes ago." Sokka said, "And I'm still waiting!"
"Like it's impossible for you to get your own fire flakes." Hoshiko said, Sokka stuck out his tongue at her immaturely, and she mimicked him.
"I'm gonna check outside." Katara said, going to see if she could find Aang.
After she had left, Sokka turned to Suki, "Suki, what are the chances you can get me back stage? I got some jokes I wanna give to the actor me." Suki turned to him with a serious expression on her face.
"I'm an elite warrior who's trained for many years in the art of stealth." She said, sounding as if she was insulted by his question. The seriousness was broken when she smiled and said, "I think I can get you backstage." He and Suki walked away to find a way inside.
"I think those jokes the Sokka-actor gives are pretty accurate." Kotaro said, "And he should be thankful his character even has lines. Mine has only spoken up twice, and that's not counting the stupid wolf howl." As he talked, a little boy dressed in an Aang costume ran by them.
"Geez, everyone's getting so upset about their characters." Toph said, she looked at where Zuko sat against the wall, his cloak up over his head, "Even you seem more down than usual, Princey Pants. And that's saying something."
"You don't get it. It's different for you." Zuko said, "You get a muscley version of yourself taking down ten bad guys at once and making sassy remarks."
"Yeah, that's pretty great." Toph said with a grin.
"But for me," Zuko began, "It takes all the mistakes I've made in my life and shoves them back in my face. My uncle… He's always been on my side, even when things were bad. He was there for me, he taught me so much. And how do I repay him? With a knife in his back!" He slammed his fist down on the floor. Hoshiko jumped at his sudden ferocity, but it disappeared as Zuko's expression turned to one of sadness, "It's my greatest regret, and I may never get to redeem myself." Toph slid down to sit beside him.
"You have redeemed yourself to your uncle." She said, "You don't realize it, but you already have."
"How do you know?" Zuko asked.
"Because I once had a long conversation with the guy," Toph said, "And all he would talk about was you."
Zuko's face brightened a little and he moved his hood away, "Really?"
"Yeah, and it was kind of annoying." Toph said.
"Oh, sorry." Zuko said. Toph smiled at him.
"But it was also very sweet." She added, Zuko smiled softly, "All he wanted was for you to find your own path and see the light. Now, you're here with us. He'd be proud." She punched his shoulder.
"Ow!" He scowled and rubbed the spot that she hit, "What was that for?"
"That's how I show affection." Toph said, "You should see Hoshiko's shoulder. She's sure to still have a few bruises." Zuko looked over at Hoshiko and she nodded.
"She likes to do love taps." She said, "'Cuz hugs and kisses are too girly for her." Toph stuck out her tongue in Hoshiko's direction and she laughed.
The little boy in the Aang costume came back again and looked at Zuko's face, seeing as it was no longer hidden by his cloak, and smiled at him, "Your Zuko costume's pretty good, but your scar's on the wrong side."
He took off running again, and Hoshiko burst into laughter when Zuko yelled, "The scar's not on the wrong side!" And put his cloak back on with an angry huff.
"I'm curious as to why they chose a separate actress to play Kagemi," Hoshiko spoke up after a moment. "She and I are technically the same person, not in personality obviously, but in appearance."
"Maybe the Hoshiko actress couldn't get the personality down?" Kotaro suggested with a shrug.
Soon, there was the call for everyone to come back to the play, and they went back inside. As much as they didn't like this play, they wanted to see it to the end. Once everyone came back, Sokka had a happy expression on his face, looking rather proud of himself, with Suki on his arm.
"I take it your trip backstage went well?" Kotaro asked him.
"Yep!" Sokka said happily. They all sat down, watching the play. Hoshiko looked around when she saw Aang hadn't come back. She tapped Katara's shoulder as the lights dimmed and they opened onto the first scene.
"Where's Aang?" She whispered.
"He's fine," Katara assured, "The play's just getting to him."
"Oh." Hoshiko said, though she had a feeling it wasn't just the play. She let the subject drop, though, watching the play go on.
After a while, she saw Aang coming back in, and he moved to sit beside Sokka, instead of his previous place beside Zuko.
"Here's what you missed," Sokka whispered to him, "We went to the Fire Nation, and Kotaro joined the group, and you got better, and Katara was the Painted Lady, and I got a sword, and I think combustion man died. Ooh! Look! The invasion's about to start!" Aang didn't say anything.
"You okay?" Hoshiko whispered to him. She was quickly shushed by Sokka, and she scowled at him.
"I just want to let you know, Aang," 'Katara' said, "That I'll always love you… like a brother!"
"I wouldn't want it any other way!" 'Aang' replied girlishly before taking off into the air on her 'glider'. Everyone grouped together to look for enemy ships, and when there was a pause, 'Sokka' spoke up.
"Hey, Toph, would you say you and Aang have a rocky relationship?" He asked. The crowd burst into laughter and Sokka began to excitedly jump in his seat.
"I told him to say that!" He whispered happily to the others, who rolled their eyes at his excitement.
"I hope everyone's ready for the invasion. Slap-a-pow!" 'Sokka' continued, striking a pose. The real Sokka burst into laughter, as did most of the audience.
The scene changed to the Fire Lord's throne room, where everyone grouped together.
"We finally made it to the royal palace, but no one's home!" 'Aang' said.
"Actually, I'm home." 'Zuko' said, "And I want to join you!"
"I guess we have no choice." 'Sokka' said, "Come on!"
The real Zuko scoffed, "It was not that easy."
"Wait!" 'Kagemi' said, jumping out from side stage, "I can't let you leave! Where the princess has failed, I will prevail, and take the avatar's life!" Everyone prepared for a battle, but 'Kotaro' stopped them by holding up his hand and walking over to where 'Kagemi' was. She looked confusedly at him, until he suddenly swept her into a kiss. Hoshiko looked at the scene oddly, and Kotaro scrunched his nose slightly at the sight of it. When he pulled away, 'Kagemi' made a choking sound, holding her throat, "What… What have you done to me?"
"I've given Hoshiko the only chance she has to come back." 'Kotaro' said. Kagemi kept pretending to choke.
"Nooooooo!" She cried as a black tarp came up over her, which, with special effects, turned white, and suddenly, 'Hoshiko' had returned.
"Kotaro!" She cried happily, jumping into his arms with a smile, "I knew you would come for me, my love!" 'Kotaro' smiled and they all walked off stage, ending the scene.
"I guess that's it." Sokka said, standing up, "The play's caught up to the present now."
"Wait, the play's not over!" Suki said, pulling him back down.
"But it is over, unless… this is the future!" He said, making a spooky "oooOOOooo" Sound with his mouth until Hoshiko slapped the back of his head to get him to shut up, "Sorry."
An actor playing Ozai appeared on his throne, "With the energy harnessed from that comet," He gestured to a lantern representing Sozin's comet, "No one will be able to stop the Fire Nation!"
'Azula' ran into the throne room, "Father! Zuko and the avatar are at the palace. They're trying to stop you."
"You take care of Zuko," 'Ozai' said, making very dramatic gestures, "I will face the avatar… myself!" And with a carefully placed puff of smoke, 'Ozai' disappeared through a trapdoor.
'Aang' and 'Zuko' appeared on either side of 'Azula' "Aang, you find the Fire Lord, I'll hold her off!" 'Zuko' said, and the actress playing Aang took off into the air.
"You are no longer my brother," 'Azula' declared, "You are an enemy!"
"No! I am the rightful heir to the throne!" 'Zuko' said.
"We'll see…" 'Azula' said.
The two of them battled. It was a very impressive display, considering their 'fire bending' was really just long lines of ribbon. Zuko watched with wide eyes as flame-shaped tarps suddenly rose up, the largest one ending where 'Zuko' was. And through the silky material, they could see his silhouette as the actor fell to his knees and disappeared from existence through a trap door in the stage, crying "Honor!"
The audience applauded her victory, while the gang looked at Zuko, who was just as speechless as they were.
Next, 'Aang' came upon 'Ozai' in his throne room.
"So, you have mastered all four elements?" He rumbled, looking at the actress.
"Yeah! And now, you're goin' down!" 'Aang' said in a voice that was far too cheery to be suited to the scene.
"No, it is you who are going down!" 'Ozai' stood up, "You see, you are too late! The comet is already here, and I'm unstoppable!" Aang watched with wide eyes as the Aang on stage battled 'Ozai'. The battle was very intense, considering it was all just special effects. Hoshiko was on the edge of her seat. The battle just seemed far too real. She wanted to do something to help 'Aang'. Kotaro was just as tense as she was, and carefully grasped her hand in his, holding it tightly as she watched.
A little into the battle, 'Ozai' shot a river of 'fire' at 'Aang' which swirled around her until she fell onto the ground, all the while shouting, "Noooooo!"
Everyone stared at the stage with big eyes, unable to believe what just happened.
"It is over, Father." 'Azula' said, coming up to him, "We've done it!"
"Yes, we have done it." 'Ozai' said, 'flames' rose up around him as 'Ozai' was lifted up onto a platform, "The dreams of my father and my father's father have been realized!" The Fire Nation flag dropped behind him in the background, "The world… is… mine!"
Everyone in the audience stood up except for the gang, who all stared at the stage in disbelief. They were in Fire Nation territory, so they should have expected a happy ending for the Fire Nation, but… This was just…
None of the gang bothered to stick around to see the actors after the show. Instead, they gathered their things up and left. They walked in silence for a while, until they were well outside the theater and heading on the path home.
"That… wasn't a good play." Zuko said.
Everyone voiced their agreements.
"I'll say."
"No kidding."
"Horrible."
"You said it."
"But the effects were decent."
"I guess."
"The dialogue was terrible."
"Oh yeah."
"You're just upset because your character didn't have any lines."
"I'm not allowed to be upset over that?"
"Never mind."
Hoshiko awoke in the middle of the night, looking out at the walls of the room she and Kotaro shared. She glanced over at him, seeing that he was sound asleep on his side of the bed. Sighing softly to herself, she tried to move the bed as little as possible and got out, deciding she needed to take a long walk to tire herself out so she could sleep. If Kotaro sensed that she had gotten up in his sleep, he made no indication of it.
She got out of the room, sliding the door shut and walking through the house. She stopped when she came upon another form hunched over the stairs in the courtyard. She couldn't see them very well, so she switched to her natural 'night vision' her pupils turning a bright green color as she looked to see who it was.
"Aang?" She called to him. The young air bender looked up when his name was called and Hoshiko came down towards him, her eyes still green, "Aang, it's the middle of the night. What are you doing up?"
"I could ask you the same thing." Aang said, his voice sounded tired. Hoshiko sat down beside him.
"I couldn't sleep." She said, "That play… I know it was just a play, but…" She turned to Aang, "The thought of losing this war terrifies me. I didn't want to get nightmares." Aang nodded.
"Me too." He said, "I don't want to let the world down. And Sozin's comet is just a few days away." Hoshiko looked at him with wide eyes.
"…No it's not." She said, Aang turned to her.
"Yes, it is." He said strongly, "I checked. It'll come in four days' time." Hoshiko covered her mouth in shock.
"Gods…" She breathed. Four days? Well, technically it was night now, so only three days away. Three days! "That's so close…" Aang nodded again.
"I don't think I'll be ready to face the Fire Lord in three days." Aang said, "My air bending is perfect, but my water bending could use improvement, so could my earth bending, and I know little more than the basics in fire bending." Hoshiko nodded, knowing what he said was true. "I won't be strong enough to face him then." He slumped further, looking at the ground. Hoshiko looked at him oddly as his shoulders began to shake.
"Aang…?" She called quietly.
"I'm scared, Hoshiko." Aang said, his voice breaking. Hoshiko's eyes widened when she realized he was crying. She had forgotten that even with all that power and strength and wisdom, Aang was still just a kid. She put her arm around his shoulders and held him as he silently cried. He was still just a child, he couldn't take the weight of the world on his shoulders, not yet, anyways. Maybe when he was older, but not now. He was still just a kid. The weight of the world rested on the shoulders of a little boy. Hoshiko gently rubbed his back, comforting him as he let out his fears. They stayed that way for a few minutes, until Aang lifted his head, sniffling, and wiping the tears from his eyes. Hoshiko didn't say anything, knowing that he probably didn't feel better, and he was definitely not okay right now. Aang let out a shaky breath and turned to her, "Thanks."
"No problem." She replied. They sat together a little longer in silence, Hoshiko staying there for Aang, silently letting him know that if he needed anything, she was there.
"I won't be ready in three days." Aang said, "There's no way I'll be ready."
"What do you want to do?" Hoshiko asked quietly, "It's you who has to face him, Aang. This is your decision." Aang nodded and thought for a moment.
He turned to her, "I think we should wait until after the comet's passed." He said, "I'll be ready by then." Hoshiko nodded.
"Then that's what we'll do." She said, although a little voice in the back of her mind was telling her it was a bad idea, she ignored it and tossed it away. Aang stood up, and she followed. "Do you want to walk with me? I'm trying to tire myself out before I go to sleep." Aang shook his head.
"No, I'll be okay." He said, "I'll tell the others what I'm doing tomorrow." Hoshiko nodded and gently put her hand on his shoulder.
"We're all here for you, Aang." She said, "You know that, right?" Aang nodded and smiled gratefully at her.
"Yeah, thanks Hoshi." She smiled and went on, planning on going to the beach to walk for a little bit, "Hoshiko." She turned around, "I really mean it… Thanks." Hoshiko smiled at him.
"You're welcome, Aang." She said, and returned to what she had been doing before and continued walking.
Still, in the back of her mind, was that tiny little voice, telling her that waiting was the worst thing to do, but she tried to ignore it as she went on.
I have no excuse for this lateness. I'm really sorry.