Wild At Heart (Zuko)

Chapter Eighty-Five

At the rock dock that Aang and Toph created for the ships to utilize, Kali stands with Zuko a little ways back from the rest of the group. Mostly because Zuko is suddenly very nervous about how the Avatar's allies are going to react to him being here. His experience with Katara has made it clear that not everyone is going to simply accept his appearance here with Aang. That they will only see the Fire Lord's son. Zuko reaches for Kali's hand, grasping it tightly. Kali leans into his side, clutching back to his hand to comfort him. To reassure him that everything will be okay. As the ships dock and their passengers disembark, Katara and Sokka race forward to meet their father, Hakoda.

"You made it, Dad!" Katara embraces her father happily.

"Were you able to locate everyone I told you to find?" Sokka asks him.

"I did" Hakoda answers as two members of the Foggy Swamp Tribe disembark the ship behind him. "But I'm a little worried, Sokka. Some of these men aren't exactly the "warrior type"" Hakoda turns head slightly toward the two swamp dwellers who descend the wooden ramp from the ship.

"Oooh-whee! This place ain't nothing like a swamp" One of the swamp dwellers states and then points accusingly to a rock in the water. "What you reckon that is, Tho? Some sort of Fire Nation exploding trap what eat ya?"

"It's just a rock, Due" His companion assures him.

"Well, I'll be" Hakoda lets out a breath and turns to his children.

"Is it just me, or are those fellas a little loose in the leaf-hat?" Hakoda asks. Bato walks past, behind the chief and his family, stopping beside Sokka who glances over at Kali and Zuko close by. 

"This is Kali" Sokka introduces. "And...Zuko" Hakoda turns to look at Sokka who shrugs a little. "He's here to help" Hakoda turns to Zuko and takes a deep breath.

"I hope that's true" He offers and Zuko nods a little. He hopes that it is true as well. He so wants to believe that he can do the right thing when it comes to it. That when facing his father he isn't going to fold.

.....

A short time later, everyone is scattered among the gathered allies, talking and catching up. People from the Water Tribes to the Earth Kingdom. Allies that Aang, Sokka, Katara and Toph have made along the way. Kali smiles as she looks around. There are a good number of people here. They might actually have a shot at succeeding here. All of Aang's adventures and help have created such a wide group of allies. Kali turns and her eyes widen.

"Adair!" She shouts and runs over to him as he disembarks a ship, followed by other naturebenders. Adair smiles and catches Kali as she hugs him, spinning her around slightly. "You came"

"Of course we did," He assures her softly. "You asked for our help" He sets her down and touches the top of her head. "This is crazy by the way" He points out, ruffling her red hair before he reaches back and runs his fingers through his own red hair.

Zuko is close behind Kali in approaching them, and close behind him is Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph. This is the one group that they had no part in collecting. This alliance is all down to Kali and Zuko.

"Guys, this is Adair" Kali introduces warmly as the rest of the group joins her.

"Wow" Aang whispers. "More naturebenders" He looks at each of them, their green skin proudly on display and an array of hair colours, with Adair being one of only two red heads among them, looking much like Kali, very much like Kali.

"Avatar" Adair greets, bowing his head in greeting. A male figure appears at Adair's shoulder, an older spitting image of the young naturebender.

"Bodhi" He introduces, bowing his head slightly to Aang before he turns to Kali. "We didn't get to meet whilst you were visiting Tian Tang..." Adair smiles softly.