ATLA: Bonds Within Bending

Rotten

Aang's POV

I waited until Katara woke up before leaving her to regain her strength in peace. This night has been one of the worst ones for a long time. Even though it's been over two hours since the incident, I'm still bubbling up with rage, but now I don't even know why I'm angry. I want to get back to my apartment but I should definitely talk to the others before I go. So I'm filling in Toph and Sokka with my perspective of what happened, until Iroh has finished talking to Katara, then I'll show her how upset she's made me with everything she's done. She has no right to kick me down like this.

"So you said he had hook-swords? Like the villain from that childrens story who couldn't defeat a flying boy who wore a green dress and tights?", Sokka laughed at what I said, checking that Toph's laughing with him. I understand he wants to impress her, but this is serious. How isn't he getting this? His sister has been knocked out for hours. For someone who is supposedly so protective over her this is a bad image.

"You're wearing a green dress and tights", I raised a brow at him, annoyed at his immature reaction, pointing out the similar description of this character with the Kyoshi warrior costume he's wearing. I watched him turn quiet and get embarrassed. "Whatever weapon it was it managed to do this", I removed some of the bandages that were wrapped around my knuckles and arms, to show what Jet left behind before scurrying off.

"Can I?", Toph held out her hands to me, asking if she could feel the wounds. I held one arm out to reach her hands, she cautiously lifted them and placed her fingers around the edges of each gash, trying her best to not cause me any more pain, unlike Katara, who clearly couldn't care less about my feelings, which she couldn't have made anymore clear. I lifted my head to look back and see if Iroh was still talking to her.

To my surprise, Katara's eyes were fixed on my knuckles, she then raised her gaze so she could look me in the eye, to show she was acknowledging me, before turning back to Iroh. Her face was expressionless, I wonder what's going through her mind right now, if she remembers anything that happed.

"I've felt cuts like these before. My father kept Earth kingdom relics in our house, some dumb hobby, one was like a long hook. He told me it was something Earth soldiers would use, because he's an idiot he accidentally cut himself whilst messing around with it. When mom found it, it was gone for good", Toph sighed as she explained, struggling at the mention of her father. "Wherever Jet found this thing, or even made it, he wanted to show he has Earth heritage for sure", she continued.

"The actual weapon is here somewhere, it would help a lot if you could help out. Could you ask Zuko to get it for you? I should go talk to Katara. Oh and do not go running off again, this is a serious matter guys", I ordered and waited to see them walk towards Zuko, making sure they wouldn't sneak away for another make-out session. I approached Katara.

She was sat up on the table, holding a cup of tea in both hands, staring blankly forwards, she looked like a shell, almost as if her life-force has been drained. She isn't just tired though, she seems ill. I stopped myself before I reached the table, so I could observe her before engaging in any conversations. But she must have seen me walk to her in the corner of her eye, she took a sip of tea before talking.

"I didn't invite him here. I don't want him anywhere near me, or anyone I'm close to. Of course you don't have to believe me, but I would rather tell you the truth before any false accusations get sent my way", she grumbled, feeling the strange distance between us turn even more rotten. I thought for a moment so I would choose the right words, knowing this conversation isn't going to be so much of a nice one.

Iroh had an awkward expression on his face, he gritted his teeth and raised his shoulders, uncomfortable with the hostile atmosphere that's been created. He gave me a quick reassuring smile before taking small and quiet steps away from us.