When the innkeeper/bartender shows up, we exchange our coins for plates, chopsticks and mugs, and we can finally storm the buffet without Katara breathing down everybody's necks. There's not much conversation, it's mostly Sokka trying to keep the mood up by bantering with Katara, in that teasing way siblings use to affirm their love for each other. And while Toph joins in the teasing one way or another and even Aang makes the occasional remark, I notice that Judai keeps completely silent. Doesn't eat much either, only pushes his sausages around with his chopsticks, mind all over the place. It's a little distracting and I'm about to ask if he's okay, but Aang beats me to it. Judai takes a moment to piece his scatterbrain back together, then wards off the question with an "I'm fine." It's obvious that Aang doesn't believe it (and neither do I), but he refrains from probing any further.

"How come you're a vegetarian, by the way?" Judai asks instead. Quite randomly, I might add.

Aang's taken aback as well, but then readily explains that he doesn't want any lives to be taken for his lunch. It's kind of fitting. Then Sokka gets himself mixed up in the conversation, setting an all-out dispute into motion.

I sit quietly and smile to myself, watching the boys debating the benefits of meat and vegetarianism is rather amusing. Also, Sokka is astoundingly knowledgeable for a Water Tribe member, spouting health facts all over. Though I suspect he's overdoing it. If meat were that good and vegetarianism that bad, Toph must be big and bulky while Aang must be rattling while walking. Oh spirits, those images!

I can't keep myself from snorting, unintentionally interrupting the discussion. I get some sidelong glances, but I don't care and get up instead. "I think I'll go for another skewer. Your fascinating debate has a way of increasing my appetite."

"Can you bring some for me too?" Sokka asks and I nod with a grin.

"You know what, I'll load my plate and everybody can grab one when I come back."

Sokka gives a thumbs-up and I walk over to the buffet, where I find that the innkeepers put up some vegetarian skewers as well. I hum happily while picking two of them up. Aang's gonna love this!

I turn around and nearly knock Nila over the head with my plate. She squeaks in shock and I hastily apologize.

"Nila!" Judai calls across the room and we girls turn around. He's halfway upright.

"It's okay, Judai!" Nila yells back. "You can stay where you are!"

He nods and falls back into his seat while Nila closes her eyes with a deep sigh. She's tired, and my big sister instincts kick in.

"What's going on?"

"Judai's being overprotective," Nila answers, and I raise my brows. She misinterpreted the question deliberately, that's for sure.

"Yeah, I guess it's one of his hobbies. I can't blame him, though." I place my full plate on the counter. With a heavy sigh, I lean forward and pull Nila into a quick embrace. She gives vent to a small sniff and steps back, wiping her eyes. Then she manages to compose herself and looks up with new determination. "One of my roommates fell sick. I'm here to fetch some tea."

"That's really thoughtful of you." A lot more thoughtful than me anyway. I had tea in my hands this morning and I didn't think of bringing some for Judai. A maybe-eleven-year-old beats me in social skills. Why am I not surprised?

The innkeeper, who noticed our little exchange, is already on the spot with a big mug of tea. "Here, take this to your friend. But be so kind and try not to spill any, okay?"

Nila turns to pick up the mug and bows. "Of course. Thank you very much."

"No problem," the man smiles and makes a shooing motion with his hand. "Now go."

Nila bows again, and then she's gone. I take my plate and return to my own place. Judai is quick to ask what happened, and I shrug.

"Looks like you're not the only one who woke up in a fever this morning. She wanted tea for a roommate."

"She's amazing, isn't she? Always caring for everyone, even when she's close to breaking down herself. To think she hasn't even hit her teens yet..." He drops his chopsticks, only to cup his face in the freed hand. The other, in a terrible breach of etiquette, is underneath the table. "I wish my sister would be this mature..."

"You have a sister?"

Judai flinches, sitting up straighter and banging his palm onto the tabletop. "I didn't say that."

What the...?

"Yes, you did," Toph comes with the honesty mace, and I feel a sudden urge to smack her. Even a blind girl should be able to read the signs! "You said you want your sister to be as mature as that Nila girl."

"Well, I meant that I want a sister like Nila!"

I pray to the High Dragons for some relief of the tension. The whole table has fallen silent. Judai is glowering at Toph, an explosion waiting to happen. Toph remains relaxed, doesn't even seem to realize what she's doing. Please, please, don't let her call him out on the lie! I can't deny I'm curious myself, but that doesn't mean I approve of driving people over the edge.

Then Toph shrugs. "Whatever you say, Featherdragon."

Judai huffs and grabs himself a skewer with a little too much vigor. But I feel like I can breathe again. Disaster successfully averted. Judai strikes me as a generally soft fellow, but he's a firebender alright. Which apparently is the exact same thing that went through Toph's head. I mean, are we done with the nicknames yet? Featherdragon sounds like something to settle on, I really can't decide whether I find it ridiculous or awesome.

An awkward silence follows, during which everyone picks up a skewer, presumably so they're not the first one to make a sound. I know that's definitely the case with me. But hey, if anything good came from the whole near-calamity, it's the fact that Judai is eating. Plus, I doubt Sokka is going to shut up for long.

But as it turns out, there is no need for the Water Tribe warrior to crack a joke. While everyone's still indulging in highly concentrated face-stuffing, Guard Li shows up and calls out for a certain Shiko from Pon Kwo, and a girl three tables away answers. They have a conversation I can't hear from my seat, but when they're done, the girl instantly runs off, leaving the inn as if stung by a lion adder.

"What was that?" Judai asks, and I'm glad to find that there is no trace of anger left in his voice.

"I think her parents came to pick her up," Sokka suggests.

"Probably..." Judai murmurs, brows furrowed. Here we go again...

"What are you thinking about?"

"Just calculating... Pon Kwo should be a one hour ride on an ostrich horse, or half an hour by ferry. Kalai is about three times the distance, so..." He trails off and leans back, arms crossed. Of course. He wants to be home.

My throat goes dry. An hour from now, Judai will be gone. It feels so unreal, and yet the mere prospect kills me a little on the inside. I don't want him to be gone, I don't want to be stuck with technical enemies again. I pick up my mug, take a huge gulp. Useless, still sandpaper.

"I'll miss you," I whisper, eyes fixed on my tea. It's so green and... deep.

"I'll miss you, too. But chin up, the final chapter is yet to be written, right?"

Taken aback by Judai's upbeat tone, I find myself looking right into a pair of light gray eyes which are glinting with enthusiasm. It's too much, I need to turn away. There is a short pause, then I can hear Aang say, "It's not your fault, Kamina's just bad at keeping eye contact."

"Nothing personal," I mumble confirmation and take another sip of my tea. Blast it, how many times did I send the wrong signals already?! "Really need to work on this..."

"It's okay," Judai says. "I was just worried is all. It's not the first time and I was afraid that... you know..."

I look up, waving the matter aside. "No, you're not making me uncomfortable. So, uh... You were saying?"

"Right, I was saying you should come visit." And now he's grinning again, beaming at everyone around. "You'll get lifesaver discount."

"Lifesaver discount?" Aang repeats quizzically, looking a little lopsided with one brow up and one brow down. Judai gives him pretty much the same look in return and I clench my teeth, trying hard not to laugh at the boys.

"They don't know yet, Master Innkeeper-In-Training. You never told them."

"An innkeeper, huh?" Sokka pipes up, rubbing his hands with delight. "Do you think you can teach Kari some of these delicious Fire Nation recipes?"

Katara raises her brows at her brother, causing Judai to chuckle awkwardly. "I'd rather leave that to Kami, I guess."

"Of course," I scoff. "Because I'm stuck with that meathead, as opposed to you."

"Well, at least you get to travel around. I mean, I would love to..."

"Judai from Kalai."

Already?! I turn my gaze at Guard Li, some selfish part of me hoping I misheard. But Judai jumps, he's heard the call, too.

"Here!" he hollers, almost crackling with joy. He bids his goodbye with an excited "Catch ya later!" and rushes off. I watch him talk to Guard Li, then he disappears out the door of the inn.

"Now that's what I call a dynamic exit," Sokka notes. Can't claim to disagree here, though my amusement is limited. I keep nibbling on my skewer, the food suddenly tastes bland. It's not like I didn't know this was coming, but... it's too early. I'm still confused. There is too much that still feels unfinished. Guess I need to figure it out for myself.

While the gang slowly eats up and drops breakfast in favor of talking, I watch the inn emptying. More and more kids are being picked up by Guard Li and occasionally Hina. Sometimes, they have to go directly into the rooms, and I see Nila again, accompanying a girl who sways more than she walks. She's covered in bruises, and Guard Li apparently orders Nila to hang back. She shakes her head vehemently, but in the end, she stays in the taproom while Guard Li leaves with the other girl. I wave her over and drag Judai's abandoned plate away. Half of his skewer is still there, but I'm not entirely sure what to do with it.

Nila immediately asks where Judai is, and I wordlessly point at the inn door. Sokka waves the question aside and says he'll be back, which is probably accurate. But in the meantime, Nila can eat with us.

"How was the night?" I ask. "You look tired."

"I am tired," the girl sighs. "But so are you. I don't believe anyone slept well." Sokka inhales to protest, but Nila forestalls him: "Except for your friends, maybe."

I nod sagely. "Slept like turtle ducklings, those four. Judai and me, on the other hand... Well."

"Did you at least talk to him?" Sokka wants to know, causing me to run a hand through my hair.

"I did. Not exactly what I had in mind, though."

"What is it?" Nila asks. "Maybe I can help."

The first thing springing to mind is It's grown-up stuff, you wouldn't understand. Then I realize that Nila is Toph's age. A bit younger perhaps, but not by much. I take a deep breath.

"What do you think would be better – winning the war in the future at the cost of more lives, or stopping it right now, neither winning nor losing?"

Nila tilts her head, looking at me weirdly. "Are you kidding me? You didn't discuss that, did you?"

I shrug and send the rest of the gang a quick I-rest-my-case look before turning back at Nila. "Yeah, thought so. Judai also said I don't make sense."

"Why would you even ask such a question?"

"Why indeed..." A pointed look at Aang, who quirks a brow. Then back at Nila. "Funny story, really. So, what do you say? Hypothetically."

Nila shakes her head. "I don't want to think about it. It cuts both ways. Sure, I want my dad back as soon as possible, but it's too late for a truce to work out. If we don't win..." She shudders. "I just escaped Earth Kingdom clutches. I don't want to go back."

Aang next to Nila looks like he's going to bite off his lower lip. The Water Tribe siblings wear somber expressions, Toph's is closer to 'dour'. Even they can't stop the sympathy.

Yup, welcome to my life, folks...

Three weeks since the last update... I had a nice summer vacation, though. To think I started this fic on a winter vacation... Time does fly.

Guest review time! Only one this time, by a guest with the very relatable name "DragonLover151". Well, relatable for me, anyway. Dragons are awesome! Can't wait for the next season of Race to the Edge. It's scheduled for release in a couple days! *.*

Aaaanyway... To DragonLover (in case you get to read this, I see the overflowing love for Judai here and imagine you getting bored), and pretty much everybody else: I agree that Kaminaang is a lovely ship, and I'd totally pull it off if Aang weren't katarasexual. Sometimes, I think to myself, "You know Zen, you want to try writing a Zutara fic anyway. Why not use Kaminaang as a side pairing?" Well, because most probably, I'll never get around writing it. I returned home with fresh ideas, even for crack fics, but I find Zuko and Katara exceptionally hard to write together. However, if there's a Zutarian out there who also thinks Kami and Aang would make a good couple, you're welcome to try. I'd love to read something like that!