BEFORE YOU READ THIS, please take note that there's been some kind of error with the last chapter. It's there, but it didn't cause alert mails to be send. I'm sure I'd have at least ONE hit if that were the case. The update date didn't... well, update either, so you could search for it a while with the default filter of "Latest Update". So yeah, if you're a follower directly jumped here, please go back one chapter and read it first, else there'll be a lot of confusion.

By the time I'm back to Rubona, the sun is barely peeking over the mountaintops. The sky is streaked with pink, and it's cooling rapidly in the shadowy valley.

The village itself is surprisingly lifeless. A couple windows are illuminating the street, but else? Nothing. Not even a firebender lighting up the lanterns.

I weave between the houses, trying to reconstruct the way to the main street. I think we chased Kiran through here. Or there?

Maybe I should have stayed in the outskirts and walked along the village borders to find it... Well, too late now. I just keep one course, I'll arrive somewhere sooner or later.

Before long, I start hearing voices, and many of them. I follow the sound until I reach the village square, the goal of finding the main street forgotten.

The square is bursting with people, explaining the general emptiness of the rest of the place. I spot some familiar faces, most notably Guard Li and Hina. Apparently, someone put up a table for them, laden with paperwork. I push through the crowd to get a closer look, and it takes me a minute or two to figure out that they are sorting the children we freed with people who are willing to take them in. I wonder if I should draw attention to myself. They look very busy, and I don't want to disturb them, but I could use some help.

The problem solves itself when someone crashes into me from behind and I stumble, catching Guard Li's eye. He calls out for me and waves me over.

"You're back," he states the obvious. "Where are your friends?"

"Tidying up the campsite," I reply smoothly. I think that's what they do, apart from taking care of Appa and Momo, and while they're at it, they're probably also debating how to take down Firelord Ozai. It would make sense, seeing how I'm not around and there is no danger of anyone walking in on them. "They sent me ahead to check on things. We're taking your offer."

Guard Li smiles. "Thought so. You better hurry, your friend is waiting for you."

Waiting? I hope he doesn't mean what I think he means, but I think he does. I shake my head, Judai is too nice for his own good. "I bet he is. Which way do I go?"

Guard Li gives me a quick description and I run along, down the main street into an older part of the village, where the houses are randomly strewn out like mushrooms, rather than in a street-creating pattern. The inn isn't hard to find, it's the only two-story building around, complete with what appears to be a stable. Which makes sense, with an inn existing mostly for travelers who potentially come with mounts... I doubt Appa would fit in there, though. A sign reading Inn is hanging next to the door, I figure it's the only one around and doesn't need a fancy name to be distinguishable.

The place looks clean and inviting, with white walls and a gabled red roof. It's not the kind of place which makes you want to run away real fast, and I have a good feeling when I push open the door.

I'm not disappointed. The room is brightly lit by lanterns, with a fireplace crackling on the left side. The counter is right across the room, with another door next to it which I assume to lead to the guest rooms, or maybe a bathroom. With yet another door on the right side, it's hard to tell.

A Fire Nation banner is hanging behind the counter, then there is a bulletin board with papers pinned to it which I can't read from here, a picture of Firelord Ozai occupying an extra shiny place on the wall... But the best feature is probably the scroll shelf. Pity I won't get a chance to read them.

Tables in various sizes are all over the room, most of them occupied by children no younger than ten. Which means no Mari, but I spot Judai and Nila at a round four-person table near the fireplace and make my way over to them. Nila is sipping tea from a cup, eyes red-rimmed and puffy, there's no doubt she's been crying. Judai looks tired to no end, head hanging low as if just about ready to hit the table. He, too, has a cup of tea clasped between his hands, but I'm not sure he'd notice if it suddenly puffed out of existence.

Feeling mischievous, I snatch at the rim of the cup and lift it out of his grip, noting with satisfaction that it jolts him awake.

While I slip into the seat next to him, smirking, he protests half-heartedly, "Hey, I was going to finish that."

Comfortable with the past tense, I raise the half-full mug to my lips and down the tea in one gulp. "Already done," I announce, then add with mock modesty, "No need to thank me."

"You're crazy," Judai states, a small smile on his face.

"Why, thank you!" I jest right back, then take a breath to pull myself together. "You two are doing okay?"

"More or less. Exhausted, mostly," Judai replies, sending a glance Nila's way which I can't decipher. If the girl notices, she doesn't show. There is more to this, so much is clear, but I don't ask.

"Where's Sora and the rest?" Judai changes the subject, and I shrug.

"Camp. I'm sure they'll be here in a bit, they just sent me ahead. There is something I need to clarify with you."

He clicks his tongue. I'm not sure what to make of it... Could be disapproval, could be interest.

"Well, I'm listening."

"It's about this whole six-bed room business..."

"You want to split," Judai basically jumps down my throat, though the tone is neutral. It really puts me on edge. What is he thinking?

"Well, yes, but..."

"It's okay, you don't have to say it," he interrupts yet again, striking me speechless. "You guys are a team. I'm not a part of it. That's fine, I already talked to the innkeeper. She said I can sleep in the stables."

Apparently, Toph is already getting to me, because I feel the urge to punch him. I can't believe this guy! "This isn't about you, you idiot! What are you thinking?!"

I'm pretty sure I know what he's thinking, but I won't say it out loud. Assuming is what started this whole thing. But dang it, it's not like I don't want him around!

"Keep it down, you two!" Nila reminds me of her presence with an emphatic hiss, snapping me out of my rage as a side-effect.

"Sorry," I mumble, then remember that room volume is completely fine. I sigh and turn back to my dumbstruck conversation partner. Boys... "For the love of Agni, Judai, it's not like we're trying to lock you out. You're a nice guy, and you're my friend. It's not you who's the problem, it's Kuzon."

Finally! I have his attention! "What do you mean?" Judai asks cautiously, eyebrows raised.

I tighten my grip on the mug in my hands. How am I supposed to put this? "Kuzon is... very private. Like, with his body. I won't give details, that's his business. But I kinda disregarded it when I said we can sleep in the same room, sorry for that. He won't undress in front of you."

"I see..." Judai drawls, intently studying the tabletop. Then he pulls himself together and looks up. "I can respect that. But that still means I get to sleep in the stables, doesn't it?"

That's... kinda right, actually. "I'm afraid so. Unless we find another solution."

"You should talk to the innkeeper," Nila suggests. "Maybe you can trade rooms?"

"I already asked if that's an option, but she said she won't do it because most of the kids here are badly injured. That large room which can fit six beds is actually the attic, you see? So we healthy people are the ones who get to heave themselves up two flights of stairs instead of one. Or none, while we're at it."

I nod my understanding. It makes sense, but... "I don't like it."

"It's okay, don't worry about me." Judai flashes a crooked smile which looks more than a little forced. "I've slept in worse places than a hayloft."

I want to bang my head against the table, but opt for pinching the bridge of my nose instead. "That's the problem!" I cry exasperatedly. "You deserve a bed!"

"You know," Nila reintegrates herself into the conversation. "If Kuzon has such a big problem with undressing, you can just have him sleep fully clothed."

"That..." Judai launches into a speech, then pauses. "...is very embarrassing."

I understand the sentiment. Sometimes, the most obvious solution is also the most elusive. Way to overthink things...

Nila shrugs. "The next time someone tells me that you become wiser with age, I'll tell them about you two." She's barely finished her sentence when she starts to yawn. "Well, I'm off to bed. Try not to tie your brains into knots without me."

"You're pushing it," Judai remarks sullenly, causing Nila to smile apologetically.

"Good night," she says and leaves with her cup. I watch her take it to the counter, where a man comes to pick it up.

"Hungry?" Judai distracts me. I check in with my stomach, which is very adamant.

"Yeah, but I want to wait for the others. In fact, I think I should go pick them up. I ran all across town to find this place."

"I'll come with you," Judai offers, and I raise a skeptical brow at him.

"You sure you're up to it? You were half asleep when I arrived."

"Then some fresh air can only be good, right?"

I roll my eyes, both annoyed and amused. I can't deny that it would be nice to have him along. "Hard to argue with that logic."

It doesn't take long for us to find the gang. I notice that Sokka is the only one carrying a backpack, and I wonder what he has in there that he needs it so desperately.

"Writing stuff," he replies to my inquiry, then abruptly changes the subject, "Did you find me some meat?"

Judai chuckles at that. "You're really into meat, aren't you, Sora? Don't worry, there's hippo cow stew at the inn. I already had a bowl while you were gone, it's delicious. In fact, I think I'll get seconds."

A grin splits Sokka's face and he puts an arm around Aang. "See Kuzon? That guy's got taste!"

"Sora, I'm a vegetarian," Aang sighs, and I file away a new information. "It has nothing to do with taste."

I can't help giggling at the scene. "Let's get moving, before Sora starves on us!"

And that's precisely what we do. On the way, I sum up what Judai and me have been talking about. Aang is not exactly ecstatic about the idea of sleeping with his headband on when he doesn't really need to, but he's willing to do it, for Judai's sake.

Afterwards, Judai explains that he got a few coins from Guard Li and distributes them, two coins each. They're not actually money, they act as vouchers, showing that we have the right to use the inn's service for free. One is for today's dinner, the other for tomorrow's breakfast. We can exchange the coin for a bowl, which will be refilled as often as we need. No info on breakfast yet, but we'll see about that when the time comes.

"But doesn't that mean that you already used up yours?" I ask Judai. I mean, if he already had a bowl and didn't keep it...

"No problem, I'll take yours," he states matter-of-factly, amazingly keeping a straight face while doing so. I curl my lips into a pout. I snatched his tea, I can't say anything against it, even if I wanted. Not without exposing myself to more ribbing, that is.

"Good thing you're deciding that," I end up quipping. "But I call dibs on the first serving!"

"Goes without saying," Judai remarks, and I start wondering if I ascribed more slyness to his prior statement than there actually was. His subsequent yawn and a good stretching of his arms appear to reinforce it, he seems too tired for banter.

"Something wrong?" he asks, making me realize I've been staring.

"I'm okay, but you seem a bit out of it."

"I've been a slave til a couple hours ago, what did you expect? I can barely remember what decent food looks like, and I doubt that infection I caught is already out of my system."

Shock.

"Infection?" I repeat uneasily. That obviously doesn't sound good.

"Four weeks, Kami!" Judai presses, and I remember that that's the time he spent imprisoned. "You've seen Mari getting shipped off, you didn't believe they kept me around for so long because the demand for teenage boys is so small?" He's positively agitated by now, and I can only stand and stare, too shocked to think of anything to do or say.

But fortunately, we have Katara. "Please, Judai. You know it's not Kamina's fault." She lifts a hand to place it on his arm, but lets it hover for a moment to see if he'd swat her away. I'm a bit surprised that he does. I mean, I touched him before, and he never had a problem with it.

"I'm sorry," he mumbles, eyes downcast and voice thick with emotions I can't quite place. Guilt, definitely, but there's more. Could be a trick of the light, but I'm eighty percent sure he's trembling, too.

A gentle push from behind reveals the presence of Sokka, and I serve him my best death glare. This is not the moment to shove people!

Sokka rolls his eyes, then gestures at Judai and mouths what could be a he needs you. For all I know, it might as well be cloud-cuckoo. Reading lips is nothing I make a habit of doing.

Anyway, I shake my head. Judai already pushed Katara away, what makes Sokka think he'd let me in while he's in that state?

Sokka drags a hand down his face, as if mightily impressed that someone can be that dense, and proceeds to shove me again, this time applying constant force to my shoulder blades until only mere inches separate me from Judai. I know he noticed at least my toes when his eyes flick upwards, surprised, but bright with unshed tears. Sokka pulls a vanishing trick and steps back, leaving me in a decidedly awkward position. Thank you very much, Sokka!

Better get this over with, at least I can blame it on the Water Tribe warrior when this goes wrong. I take the last step and wrap my arms around Judai, fully expecting him to pull away. Which, for some reason, he does not, and I find myself nuzzling into his shoulder.

"Idiot."

It's probably not the most sensitive thing to say, but I'm not exactly a professional as far as being social is concerned. Besides, it's very appropriate. He is an idiot.

But before I can drift off contemplating the many ways of idiocy, I feel a pair of arms lock around my shoulders. Then a tremor.

I don't consciously recognize the signs, not before Judai actually breaks down anyway. But I'm not surprised. I sensed it coming on another level, keeping such strong emotions bottled up is a demanding task. They're bound to burst out sooner or later.

Personally, I feel a bit detached throughout the whole crying fit. I'm not here to cry with him. I'm here to support him, hold him while the sobs rack his body. This whole comforting business is still not my kind of thing, putting together sensitive things to say. But words aren't needed here.

I don't mind. I know we'll be okay.

Now think of a cute kitten, I don't want you to leave completely depressed. Meow!

But dang, it was necessary. Judai used to be a sort of antagonist before I played heaviness-induced switcheroo (details on my profile, if anyone's interested), and part of me is still seething about it. Some things are not to be taken lightly. Hence... this.

FEEL THE ANGST! O.O

Ironically, I listened to "Red Balloon" by Charlie XCX while writing this, which is a super upbeat song from the "Home (2015)" soundtrack. DreamWorks. Yeah...

Meow!