Avatar The Last Airbender: Water and Fire [ON HOLD]

Chapter 17 - Resolve

Resolve

Disagreements and Plans

The day after we had discussed the announcement from the King, Iroh returned to Ba Sing Se with Aang. Iroh told me that he had opened a tea shop in Ba Sing Se, and that he would very much like to spend the rest of his retirement working there. If you shall need to find me, come to Ba Sing Se and look for the Jasmine Dragon, he said to me. I was sure to remember that name, and I'd always think of Uncle Iroh when I heard it; it suited him so well. I bade Iroh and Aang goodbye that morning, and watched as Appa flew far into the distance to become a spec in the glistening golden sky. "The Dragon of the West loves to drink Jasmine Tea", I whispered to myself, smiling at the peculiar phrase. I was sure to miss Uncle Iroh.

Midday: I awoke from my daydream and blinked my weary eyes. I was in the tailoring room, with Aunt Nina. Returning my attention to her, I resumed my fussing. "Aunt Nina, you don't need to make me a new dress. I know that you want to, but I'll be leaving as soon as Aang returns from Ba Sing Se," I protested. She looked at me, "That gives me all the more reason to make you a new dress. I don't want you to leave looking bland. Besides, I don't know when I might see you again. Aang also agreed to help you discover the reason behind your powers; who knows how long that will take," she rebutted me.

I rolled my eyes, amused by her argument. "I will come back you know. I won't be gone for that long," I told her. She huffed, "Really? I thought I heard something about you learning to water-bend, then learning to fire-bend, and even learning to use your father's sword - my goodness! I really doubt I'll see you in a while. I just hope you don't outgrow this dress too soon," she sighed tiredly.

I giggled at her worries of time, but I suppose she was right. With all my aspirations, I'd be gone very long. I left Nina to her tailoring, and decided to go out to the front yard, to meet with Katara and Suki. On my way downstairs, I caught Haru's gaze. For the first time, he scared me; I had never seen so much desire in him, and I feared that he would act irrationally to satisfy his emotions. He's a good guy - there was no doubt about that. There was nothing wrong with his personality, but I suppose he's changing.

That day, when we kissed for the first time, I realised just how much I did love him. But in all honesty, I was only desperate, like now. I was desperate to make him happy. I didn't want things to change from our childhood. But both of us are growing up; that is a fact. Change is inevitable. He is expecting more than friendship, but I'm not ready. I'm not familiar with this new relationship, and I don't think that I can meet his expectations. As much as we care for each other, I can no longer feel the same way towards him.

I thought that he'd be more realistic about our relationship, but it seems I've misjudged the extent of his true feelings. By remaining in his presence, I was only a bad influence. As much as I wanted him to succeed in his ambitions, I didn't want him to sever his relationship with his parents. I sighed and turned away, not giving him a second glance.

I was truly fuming at Haru for having such reckless expectations; I'm hoping that my absence will conjure sagacity into him. Outside, Suki and Katara were sitting on a fallen log. We greeted each other and I sat on a large rock opposite from them. "Where's Toph? Is she with Sokka?" I asked to start the conversation. Both Katara and Suki giggled, "Toph says our conversations are too girly, so she went off to earth-bend," answered Katara.

"And Sokka is looking around the town; he's trying to find whatever interests him," Suki added. I nodded my head in understanding. I sighed, "When Aang gets back, where will you go, Suki?" I asked without much interest. She smiled and answered without hesitation. "I'll go back to Kyoshi Island, where all the other girls are waiting for me. Sokka will have to go back to the Southern Water Tribe, but we'll keep in touch," she said blissfully.