The Burning Truth-Harmony

Part 23~Before the War

Sokka, Toph, Isu and Katara stayed in the bush as they glanced at the map, as they walked out.

"This is it. The official rendezvous point for the invasion force," Sokka announced as they looked around the area.

"How did you pick this place?" Toph glanced at Sokka.

"Before we split up, my dad and I found this island on the map. It's uninhabited, and the harbours surrounded by the cliffs seem like the perfect secluded place."

"Nice choice, Sokka. And we're here four days ahead of schedule," Katara praised as Zuko raised his head, hopping off Hachi's bison.

"Wait. Four days? The invasion's in four days?"

Sokka yawned, waving him off. "Whatever. That's like four days from now. Let's just calm down, and" Sokka fell over, snorting as Iroh caught him, laying him down.

"Sokka's got the right idea, Zuko. We're here. We're ready. The best thing we can do now is get plenty of rest."

Isu cheered, throwing her sleeping bag down. "Don't worry about it, Zuko. We can talk about the invasion tomorrow." She laid down, letting out a loud yawn as Katara smiled, zipping up Isu's bag.

Hachi gently took Zuko's hand, taking him to the side. "Are you okay?"

Zuko nodded unsurely. "I'm okay."

"It'll be okay. We're all here."

"I know."

"I love you." Zuko let out a small squeak, stepping back as Hachi blushed. "That's the first time I've said that, isn't it?"

Zuko nodded as he tried to hide his laughter.

"Oh, shut up. I didn't mean to say it."

Zuko reached out, pulling Hachi into a soft hug. "I love you too."

Hachi squeaked loudly, blushing more as he buried himself into Zuko's shoulder. Zuko lifted Hachi's head, kissing him as Hachi relaxed.

"Let's go to bed."

Hachi nodded, helping to lay out the bedding as they lay down together, curled into each other's embrace.

~~~

Isu hummed to herself as she walked around the forest.

"What are you doing?"

Isu let out a tiny scream as she turned and blasted Hachi in the face.

"Isu! Why?!"

Isu hopped over, wincing. "Oh, sorry. Come on." Isu pulled Hachi up, hissing as she saw the blood leaking out of his nose. "That's not good."

"Not good. You broke my nose."

"It's not broken. It's just bleeding." Hachi gave his sister a pissed look as she chuckled. "I'll get the medical kit."

In no time, Hachi had a cloth pressed to his nose, hissing as he tried to stop the bleeding. "You never answered my question. What are you doing?"

"Oh, I can't sleep."

"It's getting closer."

Isu hummed, looking up at the sky. "I wish grandfather was here for this."

"I don't. He would judge me." Hachi chuckled as Isu smiled.

"He would be proud of you. You've grown a lot."

"I have?"

"Yeah. You're brave now. You're not afraid and just following orders anymore."

"I don't know. It feels like that sometimes."

"Maybe, but you have made progress."

Hachi hummed, glancing at her. "You've changed too."

"I have?"

"You're less violent."

"No, I am not!"

Hachi laughed, standing up. "You should think back because you're a lot less violent than I remember."

"Sacrilege!"

Hachi continued to laugh as he returned to his place of sleep. He paused, seeing Zuko rolling in his sleep. "Zuko?"

Zuko muttered something, but Hachi couldn't identify what he was saying.

"Hey, it's okay. We're still here." He gently rubbed Zuko's temples, waiting for him to calm down before pulling him into a hug.

~~~

Three days before the invasion.

Toph raised her hands, breaking off a large piece of rock. "Ready, Zuko?"

"Ready." Zuko raised his hands as Toph threw the rock at him. Rather than catch it, he punched it, breaking it into small pieces before bending the tiny rock around him and throwing them at Toph.

She stomped the ground, creating a wall to protect herself before blasting it forward and forcing Zuko to jump out of the way. He hit the ground, sending a tower up before punching out tiny discs to throw at Toph.

Toph pulled rocks around her, breaking down each of the rocks.

"He's doing well," Iroh praised, sipping at his tea as Hachi coughed, dragging this attention away from Zuko.

"He's been working hard." Hachi paused, chewing on his lip and twisting his feet. "Do you think he'll be able to handle the invasion?"

Iroh hummed, looking at his tea. "I honestly don't know. But I know he won't be alone regardless of what does happen."

~~~

Two days before the invasion.

Katara slid around Hachi, bending the water from the river and slapping him. He took control, lifting the water off him and turning it to ice. He threw it at Katara as she raised a wall of water, absorbing the ice into it.

She moved the water around her, creating a whip and lashing at Zuko as he jumped from side to side. He jumped into the river, pulling the water up into a large wave that crashed into Katara, who cut it in half.

Isu and Hachi were watching the fight intently, neither willing to take their eyes away.

Toph scoffed. "Our fight was more interesting."

~~~

One day to the invasion.

"Are you scared?" Katara glanced at Isu as she shrugged.

"I don't know."

Katara sat next to Isu, holding her hand. "Everything will be okay. Eventually, it will be."

Isu nodded, leaning against Katara's shoulder as they closed their eyes. They jumped as a giant fire burst over the trees. "I guess that's Iroh and Zuko's fight."

They laughed, a huge smile on their face.

~~~

Hachi smiled as he placed the last of the bandage around Zuko's forearm.

"I think I got more beat up in that fight than in the entirety of this war," Zuko complained as Hachi giggled.

"I'll get Katara to finish the healing."

"Wait. Can you stay?" Zuko held Hachi's hand, holding it tightly as Zuko sat down softly.

"I'll stay. As long as you want."

Zuko smiled, raising his hand and running his hand through Hachi's hair. Hachi hummed, leaning into the touch when he almost fell over, accidentally hitting one of Zuko's injuries.

He groaned, holding his side. "Okay, maybe you should get Katara."

Hachi laughed with Zuko, giving him a kiss before he headed out to find Katara.