As I Fall: LOK

Chapter Four

It was a three day journey to Republic City by ship.

Admittedly, Haitana didn't spend much time outside her room, only knew that there was someone quite popular onboard due to the chattering she occasionally heard from outside her door.

Of course, she didn't get to stay on the upper deck with all the more prestigious members and politicians and educators of high merit. Only the bottom floor, with the merchants and workers.

It was alright though, nothing that Haitana wasn't used to back home. The music they sang each night and the laughter that echoed through the corridors gave a small sense of home to this metal contraption.

Only two more days and she would be starting her new life. Excitement bubbled along her veins at the very idea— she was in wonderment about what the city had in store for her.

She had yet to discover the dangerous journey she would endure, and she felt herself panicked as she had never been on her own before. It seemed too privileged, to have her parents always tending to her needs and having everything provided for her, now at least.

She wished Elian were here as shouting and loud banging had sounded from the top of the ship. It was only the first day, a little taste of what was to come, but she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed at the sense of loneliness that transpired through her very being.

Shooting out of her bed as the pleading calls grew louder, Haitana made a break for the deck of the ship, leaving behind Siso and Pickett without thinking twice. Her feet slammed on the metal steps, clamoring with an echo that was barely heard above the shrieks of terror.

When she had finally gotten to the top of the deck, her first worry was that the ship might be sinking. She saw people running around, ducking for cover, grabbing their family members.

Eyes darted every inch of the ship, inspecting for damage, but alas did not see the cause of all this panic. "What's going on?" She questioned the first person she saw, a woman who held onto her young son for dear life.

"It's, it's a," a boney finger pointed at the ocean in front of the ship, before a large snake like creature shot out of the vast body, spraying waves of high pressure water at the deck. People hit the ground, groaning with the impact, and someone shouted. "Unagi!"

Haitana sighed, rolling her eyes. How foolish were these people, she wondered to herself, you don't scream at a Unagi. With a fierce determination, she walked to across the deck to the front of the ship, passing by people who continued to succumb to their panicked nature.

She was calm, almost too calm for the circumstance, as she propped herself up on the bow of the ship. Standing with her legs pressed together, in a straight line, she lifted her arms to her ears— palms facing the back.

The Unagi took notice of her and went to spray water at her, but once he realized her stature, he only cocked his head. The ship halted to a stop, stalling in the ocean, and the yells calmed down as all attention focused on the young girl who had stopped the Unagi attack.

Lowering to her knees, she pressed her forehead to the deck of the ship, still holding her palms facing up. The Unagi let out an abrupt sound, before placing his head in her open hands. All was calm, all was still, and Haitana pulled her forehead from the ground slowly to look the Unagi in the eyes. "Hey, big guy," she greeted. "You're scaring all these people."

The Unagi only groaned in response, nudging her hand to pet him. Haitana ran a careful finger between his eyes, almost laughing at the child-like, nature of it all. "I know, you're just hungry," she softly stated in understanding. Reaching into her burlap sack, she pulled out a bag of treats for aquatic animals, and tossed it into the air. The Unagi caught it and launched back into the water, swimming away with a new content.

Haitana waved a farewell to him as he drifted further and further from the ship, but stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "How in the world did you do that?" A man asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

Without looking back, the young girl just shrugged, "Unagi's get panicked when people yell at them," she informed in almost a whisper. "Misunderstood creatures, really. They're not the best at making friends, but are extremely loyal to anyone who has time to understand. I guess I've always just had all the time in the world."

Turning her head slightly, and averting her gaze over her shoulder, she stood slack-jawed at the realization of the man behind her. Once again she found herself mysteriously meeting members of the royal family, but this time was much scarier than the last. Former Fire-Lord Zuko, removed his hand from her shoulder, before placing it under his chin in thought.

"O-oh my gosh," Haitana barely spit out her words, fumbling terribly. "Fire-Lord Zuko. It is an honor," she bowed to him with embarrassment. How had she not realized before?

Only laughing, he shook his head. "No need to bow, after all you just saved my life— and the lives of all the people on this ship," he put his hands behind his back. "I am indebted to you."

Haitana shrugged, sending a crooked grin at the man with a sheepish blush. "It's alright, it's really nothing" she said as if her actions were nothing but another mere experience. "Working with animals is kinda what I do."

"Ah, of course," he said with a new realization. "You are Master Elian's daughter. It all makes sense now. I heard about your visit to the palace yesterday, and if there is anything I can do to assist you— just let it be known."

"I-um-oh, wow, thank you... so much," she whispered in shock. Taking one last gaze over the horizon, she saw the Unagi flip in the air off in the distance, and a small smile crept onto her face. Things were certainly starting to look up— maybe she didn't need her parents after all.