A/N. Next chapter will be out in two/three days, I had a blast writing it lol! This one is setting things up…
As she sat on the stairs leading to the door of the house, Katara watched the clouds pass over the town. A few hours ago, On Ji and her father had gone, on order of the governor… To the northern gate. That place had been the spot where Piandao had offered terms, and apparently, something had been happening in the siege camp… Could it be that there was another discussion about the surrender of the town? Surely not, the governor would never give up, certainly not now that he had been reinforced…
Aang was there… Just outside the walls… On Ji had said it, and Katara knew it to be true… Of course, Aang would have found Appa, and he would have concluded that she had to be near. He was surely keeping away from the fighting because he thought Azula had captured her… Tui and La, what a mess. She knew that the airbender was probably in a dark place, the same horrible state of mind as she herself had been during the three weeks of his coma… But at least, she had the knowledge that he was safe, although severely wounded…
He had none of that.
Aang was probably being torn apart by horrible thoughts… As he always was when something worried him, when he blamed himself for something…
"Where are you my love?" She whispered out loud, not caring for anyone to hear. Who would? The courtyard was deserted, and the house was empty except On Ji's mother and some servants. The stables, making up one side of the yard were already ready as the field hospital, to receive any wounded from the fighting.
And the fighting would probably start soon. Piandao would not risk the town being reinforced once more, and now that the odds were being balanced, he would start bombarding the town with the catapults in a much more aggressive way than he had done until now.
The gates at the front of the courtyard creaked, and, peering up, Katara saw that Orsu walked through them, having opened them himself. On Ji, looking shocked, followed. Watching the older man's face, the waterbender realized that he was angry. No, not just angry… In a rage.
"He didn't even consider my proposal! We could be talking, finding a way out of this mess! But no! That bastard won't even think about what I suggested!" Orsu waved his hands above his hand in an exasperated gesture. Frowning, Katara found it hard to believe that he was talking about Piandao. At least, she assumed that was whom they had been meeting at the northern gate…
"Father…" The Fire Nation girl began, but her words were drowned when Orsu began to speak once more.
"He should have taken Lord Piandao's proposal! One hostage! That was all they were asking! But no! Now, we have a far great problem!" With that, the older man suddenly turned towards where Katara was sitting and seemed to deflate into his normal posture, slightly bent as if he was thinking.
"Sorry, I should explain." Orsu took a few steps towards her, before faltering for some reason, "Or… well, maybe my daughter might explain. On Ji, my dear… Can you explain what Master… Katara… is doing in this town?"
Ah… So, he had finally understood who she was. Katara had suspected he had known all along that her real name was something different than Sapphire… But apparently, he had learned who she was.
"Father… You remember when the school closed… right?" On Ji began shyly, as Katara rose to come and stand in front of Orsu, "They told you that it was because of a… illegal activity on school grounds. Ehm… Well, a few days before, a new student, Kuzon, had convinced us to go to a party. A real one, not like those receptions at the Governor's house!"
Katara had to restrain herself and not add her own version of the story, for she doubted it would be well received. Orsu seemed to balance on a fine line between being angry at the governor, or being angry with his daughter. Better not to meddle in it… Except if it was needed.
"Yes? You told me all that when the school closed." Orsu didn't sound very happy.
"Yeah… But I didn't tell you of what I learned… when Sapphire appeared. She was the girl with Kuzon, the one who danced with him when the Headmaster interrupted the party." Katara saw the older man's eyes flicker to her for a few seconds before returning his attention to his daughter.
"Ehm… So… Sapphire, or rather… Katara" On Ji whispered her name, "ehm, was captured because the soldiers thought she was breaking curfew. And she couldn't get out, and needed a place to stay… I only learned who she was after… And ehm… didn't tell you…"
That last part was spoken so quietly that the waterbender had to strain to hear it, but she also watched Orsu. On Ji's father closed his eyes, letting his hands slide over his face in a such a defeated gesture that Katara felt bad for having lied to him. He had not asked for any of this…
"And you?" He turned his attention to her. The waterbender sighed, knowing she had to speak the truth. He deserved nothing less.
"I was on my way to Wulong after defeating Azula, got captured as On Ji explained. The soldiers didn't know who I was, and I managed to make a story up about living in town. I couldn't get out, and I know that trying was suicide… So, I was hoping for an opportunity to leave. That was about all I could do."
"You know you could have asked for help." Orsu didn't sound angry, rather annoyed at having been lied too.
"Not to insult you, but would you have helped a Water Savage?" Katara raised an eyebrow.
"Mph… Maybe not." On Ji's father was not looking at her at that moment, "I don't know. I still don't know! On Ji, you have put us in a very difficult position. If Kantuno, or Agni forbids, the princess find ou-"
"Azula is here?" Katara nearly spat the words, feeling anger bubble to the surface. Of course… Of course that bitch was here. The Spirits had a cruel sense of humour, and the waterbender knew that whatever or whoever was pulling the strings of fate had thought it funny to have her here. With Aang just outside the walls… Of course Azula would try and use her thin, conjured human shield… And knowing Aang, he would not dare to do anything…
"The Princess is here… If Kantuno is to be believed." Orsu nodded, but not before she saw the slight hesitation in his eyes. He had clearly not expected such a strong reaction out of her. And Katara didn't doubt that the hatred she felt towards that bitch was visible in her own gaze.
"What happened?" She asked, trying to hide the surprise she felt that Orsu wasn't angrier than this… They had lied to him for weeks, and he just accepted it, as if it didn't matter…
"We thought we were going to speak to Lord Piandao. They were waving a truce banner… But it wasn't him." On Ji's father began, but his voice faltered, as if he didn't know what to say.
"It was him." On Ji spoke up, and her ember eyes were wide with… something. Katara didn't recognize whatever emotion was in the girl's gaze, because her own went blurry. Him… him… him…
"The Avatar." Orsu supplied the details, but Katara didn't need it. She knew about whom On Ji had spoken... Aang... Aang had come to the town... He was truly here! looking over the man's shoulder, through the gates, she could see the top of the town wall peaking just above the roofs… So close… So close to him… But in the dying light of the sun, she could also see the glinting of helmets and weapons…
She was being kept prisoner by her enemy… without Azula even knowing about it. Tui and La, if that… that woman… knew what she could do… Katara had to resist laughing, for it was all so futile! If only she had waited with Zuko for news, instead of racing to Wulong. This whole mess could have been avoided…
Her heart began to beat slightly faster at the idea that the only thing she needed to do was make Aang aware she was safe… Spirits, if only he would know!
"Did you speak to him? How is he? Is he alright?" Katara had to know… But the look in the eyes of the two people in front of her didn't make her heart beat in a calmer manner. She saw the slight hesitation, the shame…
"Avatar Aang isn't… an easy man to read." Orsu spoke softly, confusing her. Aang? He wore his feelings on his sleeve, always so open and easy-going… But yeah… She could see what the older man meant. Knowing the airbender, she supposed he had gone into the same state of mind as he had done when Appa was missing. Closed off, lashing out against anyone who tried to be kind… And falling back into sullen silences after that.
"Kantuno said that Avatar Aang has a week to leave the Fire Nation… Otherwise, it would have dire consequences… On you. I gather that all that is a lie?" On Ji's father asked, and she realized that he had actually talked to Aang… Tui and La…
"Yes, but how is he?"
"Sad." On Ji spoke up, and Katara looked at the girl. Her own gaze betrayed how she felt, and it was clear to the waterbender that the Fire Nation girl had been shocked by whatever had been said or done outside the northern gate. The unspoken question was probably written all across her face, because On Ji continued.
"He seemed… Lost. Like all the happiness was gone from the world… And angry. He was… ehm… kind of formal."
Feeling her heart crack at the idea of Aang unable to laugh, or see happiness anywhere in the world… Spirits, that was the most horrible thing that could happen to him. The airbender was always trying to see the bright side of things, and even if he sometimes fell into a brooding mood, Katara knew that there was always a way to pull him out of it. She remembered that once, at the Western Air Temple, he had been able to bounce back from his feelings and make the whole group laugh with stories from the Sun Warriors…
At that, while on the wall opposite him the depiction of the silver-grey eyes from Jinora had been staring at him. He had always been able to bounce back… But Katara also knew that he was unable to do that when it concerned her. He had never broken his own rules, except when it concerned her…
"Angry at himself?" She asked, knowing the answer before the girl spoke again.
"Yes! He… The governor insulted the Air De… Nomads… and the Water Tribes. He and your brother shrugged it off, as if it wasn't important."
Sokka! Of course, she could have known… But to hear that her brother was also safe was such a relief that the waterbender couldn't hold in the wet, happy laugh that crossed her lips. Of course that bastard of a governor would try and insult her friends… But they had heard it all over and over again. Aang had once told her that the term Air Degenerate had been used even in his own time.
She herself had had more difficulty to adapt to the fact that even people from the Earth Kingdom considered the Water Tribes as savages, but now, she just ignored the insults, knowing that they were not based on any realistic proof, but rather on ignorance.
"They are both here?" She asked, knowing that, of course, Sokka would be here too. He might be a giant pain in the ass, but he and she shared one sacred truth. That whenever the other was in need of help, it would be given. Willingly.
"That group were her friends I suppose?" Orsu asked, but the girl in front of her ignored her father, instead turning her attention to Katara.
"I believe… You talked about everyone. So… The Avatar, your brother… Toph, I'm sure, Suki I believe to have seen. And there were also two men from the Water Tribe, one of which looked a lot like Sokka. The other, I have no idea."
Katara's head began to swim with the knowledge… Everyone was here. It sounded like all her friends had come here… Except Zuko, but she suspected he was probably at the siege of Fire Fountain. Apparently, even her father had managed to find his way to the siege. She couldn't imagine one other person from the Water Tribe that resembled Sokka. Everyone was here… So, they had to suspect that she was here. Glancing once more to the walls, the urge to just run up and jump down, not caring that both her ankles would probably break, grew stronger by the second…
"I told him you were here!"
That sentence broke through her own thoughts. Aang knew? Spirits…
"What did you tell him?" Spirits, please, just say that the girl had told the airbender that she was safe.
"That… That you miss him…" On Ji sounded shy for an instant. Katara had to resist groaning out loud. That was so stupid… Yes, she missed Aang with all her heart… But she also knew that the airbender would overthink it. He probably thought she was a prisoner… And by telling him such a thing, he would be considering every stupid thing imaginable… And if her father and brother were there too, they would encourage him. They would do anything they needed to do to get in. She needed to get to them… Before they did something rash.
"Orsu." She turned to the older man, "Is there any way you can get another meeting with them?" That was her only hope…
"No. The governor is furious I took the negotiations in my own hands. He won't permit me to even sent a messenger." The older man sighed, "They are going to attack the town now that they know you are really here. Listen… Master Katara… I don't understand why my daughter chose to help you."
Neither did she, to be honest.
"And I suspect that there are still things you both aren't telling me."
Like the fact that On Ji wanted to flee the town nearly as much as she herself did?
"But know this. I think the Avatar and Lord Zuko are right. Azula lost any loyalty I had to her the moment she acted dishonourably, claiming to having kidnapped you to use as a bargaining chip. True Fire Nationals have honour, and we don't hide behind people."
Katara bit her tongue, because it sounded to her that that was precisely what Fire Nationals did. She had seen it over and over again. The first time she had seen it, was when her mother… Well, it was their tactics. Use people to get to their ultimate goal.
"The only problem is that apparently, the princess is here. It would explain why the council isn't being convened at the governor's house. They unfurled the royal banner near the North Gate, so the Avatar and your friends are probably afraid too. If even half of the stories, the people whisper about Avatar Aang and Master Katara… I think he will do anything that needs to be done to ensure your safety. Even if that thing is to leave before the week is out. Correct?" On Ji's father didn't seem too bothered that she was in fact Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, which, to be honest, surprised her a little.
"Aang…" She began, "Toph and Suki will talk him out of any stupid ideas, that is for sure. He will probably not do anything rash." Katara didn't include the fact that if Aang was influenced by people like Sokka or het father, he would be able to do stupid things… Like flee to the Fire Nation in a storm, hours after waking up from a three-week-long coma.
"Alright then. Lord Piandao will probably send another delegation to speak to us before he begins to attack the town. I suggest that I or my daughter try to give them another message, making it clear this time, that you are in no danger. Agreed?"
Katara thought about it for a moment. It was the safest, most effective way to avoid too much bloodshed… Did she like it? No… No, if it was up to her, she would whip the soldiers away from the northern gate, break them open and dash over that stupid mile of open country… But it would mean to leave On Ji here, while she had promised to get her out… And it was dangerous… Way too dangerous. Because if even one of the soldiers managed to find a way to hurt her in that mile of running… Aang would see it. And then, Kirashi was probably doomed.
"Why are you even helping me?" She asked instead, trying to make sense of it.
"Because I love my town and the people in it. Azula and Kantuno don't care about them, but someone has to. And I believe that Lord Zuko needs to win, otherwise the world will continue to hate us… And enough people have died…" Orsu sounded sad at that moment, and Katara believed every word he told her.
Looking up to the sky, she saw that the clouds were turning a deep purple as the sun began to sink underneath the horizon. She could feel the soft wind on her skin, and it made her think of Aang. The wind always danced around him, stirring his tunic in the most unnatural way… People found it strange, but she had always loved seeing that, because she knew that he was so used to bending his element that he did it without even thinking about it…
"We do it your way." Katara nodded, feeling a pang in her heart at the thought of being separated even longer than absolutely necessary… But she needed to show them they were the people trying to avoid the bloodshed that they were the good guys…
Orsu nodded, and walked away. For someone who had learned that one of the enemies of his supposed sovereign was inside his home, he seemed… Rather calm.
"I tried Ka… Sapphire." On Ji took a step forward, coming to stand in front of her.
"I know." Katara sighed.
"He seemed… Sad. And angry." The Fire Nation girl shivered, and the waterbender supposed she had seen what Aang looked like when he was truly angry. His otherwise kind silver eyes darkened by rage, squared shoulders and a straight back… And she knew that most people fled from the airbender when he was angry… Because they were afraid of what he could do…
"Don't worry about it On Ji… He won't flatten the walls or something like that. Aang hates violence."
But he is more than capable of it… But Katara didn't add that sentence.
"He told us…" The girl said softly, "He… When Lord Kantuno said that he was an Air Degenerate… Agni, he just shrugged it off! He acted as if everything was his fault! He… I couldn't stay silent, he thought that whatever happened to you was his fault…"
Katara felt tears slowly make their way to her eyes, as she heard the confirmation of what she had feared. Aang was truly going down a horrible spiral… She knew that Orsu would make sure her friends knew she was alright… But she didn't want Aang to suffer any more. He didn't deserve that… Certainly not after all he had already had to deal with. He had done everything anyone could have asked him, he ended the horrible war… Only to be met with a worse kind of fate. One he absolutely didn't deserve…
The urge to just fight her way through whatever was guardian the gates become stronger and stronger. Biting her lip, she turned her back to the courtyard, and began to walk up the steps leading into the house. Orsu would make sure they knew. That had to be enough… If she tried to fight her way out, there would be bloodshed… And she couldn't do that to Aang. He would come and help her, no doubt… But what would happen? And he had managed to end the war his own way… She couldn't ask him to break his principles simply on her account. That was something she wouldn't do.
Entering the house, she heard that On Ji was following her inside, not speaking another word. Katara didn't know what to do, so turned to the library. As she entered, she let herself fall into one of the chairs at the table. From the corner of her eye, she saw that Orsu was also in the room, bowing silently over a book he had put on the stand close to the window.
"So… The Avatar is truly an airbender…" The man's voice had changed. Outside, it had been gruff and irritated, clearly not happy about the fact that the world had gone to shit. But here, inside his beloved library, Katara could also hear the wonder. Orsu seemed to close reality out of this place, preferring his books and knowledge.
"He is." She answered, hearing the door close as On Ji also entered.
"I… I am truly sorry for what our nation did. A few years ago, I bought some scrolls from a passing merchant. They were about the Air Nation, and they made it seem… Well, I could not imagine such a people attacking us. I suppose that we attacked them… Correct?"
"Yeah… You did. Aang survived because he had frozen himself in an iceberg… But everyone he knew and loved died." Katara answered, not willing to speak more than that about the genocide of her… Husband's… people. What he had told her… Was only for her ears. And that was enough. He would tell the world in his own time what they had lost.
"And he still is able to forgive us…" Orsu shook his head.
"He didn't forgive. He just never blamed you. I doubt he would forgive Sozin." The waterbender spoke. She knew that that was the truth at least.
"Lor… Sozin was wrong to attack the other nations… I would like… When all this is over, and we are able to speak freely about everything… I would like to meet the Avatar, properly. And apologize for what we did… I don't think it will change much, but he should know we are sorry. That someone in this country is sorry for what happened." Orsu sounded sad, as he let his finger glide over the page of his book.
"Zuko apologized, and I believe Iroh did too a few months ago. Aang hates it. He doesn't blame you…"
"But he would blame us if anything happens to you."
"I… yes. Probably." There was no use in lying. Aang had been rather clear about how he felt about that, when they had spoken about it in their room at the Western Air Temple. That if anything would make him change his ways, it was the threat of having her killed or worse…
"Well… If what you say is true, he will probably go, as Kantuno told him to do. In a week… in a week, Lord Piandao is going to attack the town with everything he has. I just know it, they will be attacking now that they know the Princess is here… We need to prepare." Orsu closed the book, looking far older than he actually was.
"The garrison will have prepared… At least, they should have. But knowing that Hide is in command at the northern gate, I doubt they will be ready." Katara scoffed.
"He leaves the work to his lieutenants, but that wasn't what I meant. The hospital will need supplies, and I doubt Kantuno has even thought about what kind of wounded will arrive in droves the coming days… Soldiers with burns, their arms burned off… Men with bellies full of arrows… Men dazed by the reality of war. Proud soldiers, screaming for their mothers… That is what will be coming to the hospital the coming days… When the Avatar leaves. For the moment, he is probably the reason that no attacks are being carried out."
Yeah… Katara knew what that looked like. She had seen it at the North Pole… Smelled it, felt it… She had heard the cries and the shouts, even days after the battle. The field hospital Chief Arnook had set up had operated up to their departure… And Katara remembered the pools of blood, the waterbenders doing what they could to save soldiers…
"I know." She sighed, "I can help out wherever I can… Some waterbenders can actually heal with their bending. I guess I could do small things, on unconscious soldiers… So they wouldn't know. But I can't help more than that." It killed her to say it, but what else could she do? She wouldn't be able to help them in any meaningful way…
"That is more than enough… If you want, I can show you around the hospital. If you can do what you say, I would give you free rein… As long as you aren't discovered."
"Yeah… At least, I would do something useful. On Ji… Do you want to come?" Katara turned to the girl, but saw the rather pale expression on her face. As she shook her head, the waterbender understood. Most people were not comfortable with the idea of spending time with sick and wounded people…
But she was rather used to it… And if she could do something to help people… She would.
Answers
Guest : I guess both reviews are from the same guest (if not, sorry, I answer anyway in this). Next chapter will make things clearer, this one had to be done to make sense of what happens next lol!
Katara2323: Thank you so much! I doubt some chapter sometimes (like this one), I hope you enjoyed them all nonetheless!
Shade5280 : Believe me, I wanted it from the first chapter, I have been struggling so much to keep them apart. I'm a huge Kataang fan, so separating them is torture for me too!
Jjsmith103 : Of course, Hakoda hates he missed yet one more thing in his daughter's life, but then again, he is incapable of using his head when his emotions are in the mix. The Fire Nation kids may like Kuzon, but they have been told their whole life that the avatar is evil, and so they may think they were being manipulated… I don't know, but I feel like it could be a possibility. It was an evil spirit, but yeah… We'll see lol!
