Twisted Fate | Kataang

Chapter 7: Infidelity

About half an hour later, Haru was back with a teller who was willing to try and analyze the situation.

"You can call me Lei," The elderly woman said as she sat in the dimly lit kitchen with Katara and Haru. Her worn hands were adorned with many bangles and rings, red lipstick on her lips. "Now please, bring me the little one. I hear this is a rather odd situation."

Haru went to get Tyro, leaving Katara and Lei alone for a minute.

"So, uh, how often do you do these things, Lei? I-I mean, how often are you correct?" Katara managed to stutter out.

"I'm nearly always correct," The old lady smiled, the wrinkles on her eyes apparent.

"Oh, that's nice," Katara tried desperately to sound pleased.

"Here he is," Haru said, placing Tyro in the extended arms of Lei.

Lei closed her eyes for a minute as she held the baby's tiny hand in her wrinkled palm. "Oh-Ooh!" She exclaimed. "Good gracious! My, my, my..."

Katara felt dead inside. This, she knew, was it. Her long dreaded exposure was finally here.

"What? What do you see?" Haru demanded.

"This child...," Lei opened her eyes wide, "He's an Airbender!"

Katara felt herself go pale.

"What? But how can that be?" Haru gasped.

"My son, there has been infidelity in this household," Lei's eyes were sad as she said this. "And I think you know what I mean," she frowned, nodding at Katara.

"I don't understand, infidelity? You must be mistaken!" Haru's eyes were pained, confused. "Katara, tell me she is mistaken!" His green eyes pierced Katara.

A wail escaped the waterbender's mouth. Her vision became misty. "Haru, L-Lei is not mistaken," She stammered.

"I think I'll leave you to it," Lei's chair scraped against the wood floor as she stood up and placed Tyro in Haru's arms. One final glare at Katara, and she let herself out the door.

By now, Katara's face was completely covered in tears.

"Why?" Haru's voice trembled with hurt. He placed Tyro in his high chair.

"Haru, please, I feel like such an idiot. Believe me, I tried to tell you."

Haru's face fell into his hands. He sat in silence for a moment, then said, "The only jerk who could've done this is pretty obvious, thanks to the Fire Nation."

No words, just silent sobs from Katara's end.

"I mean, I knew you had a thing with him once. Saving the world together and all. But I thought you were over him!"

"I was!"

Haru looked his wife straight in the eye. "When did I stop being enough for you?"

"Haru, it isn't that! Please don't say that."

"To think I actually believed I had a chance with you. He's the avatar, I'm just a peasant."

Being wallowed up in his own anguish, he didn't realize that his words were stabbing Katara.

Tyro started to coo, catching their attention. "Hm," Haru sighed, defeated. "He's not even my child."