Himoko's POV
"Take good care of these, coming by the originals these are pretty rare nowadays." Karlie told Aang, handing him a few Air Bending Scrolls. Aang nodded in understanding, jumping up into his Sky Bison's Saddle that I have learned the name of as Appa. Karlie turned towards Katara, handing her some Water Bending Scrolls
"These should help with yours and Aang's training. I even wrote some things down on a few illustrations to make it easier if needed." Karlie informed her and she nodded with a smile
"Thank you."
"No need for thanks. After all, what's most important is that Aang learns Water Bending as fast as humanly possible." Karlie told her, clapping her hand on her left shoulder with a small smile. I smiled at the sight, tightening the my wraps around my forearms for extra stability. Alea bundled on over to me, a cute carrier pack strapped onto her back. I crouched down and scratched behind her ear, her leaning into my hand lovingly
"Can't forget about you." I muttered before she jumped up into my arms, snuggling into my chest, using her big ears to cover her body like a blanket. I looked over only to see Pappy walking over with a few guards trailing behind him, two of the guards I recognized immediately. The first guard, who stood the right side of Pappy was the guard who saved me the day my parents passed away. On the left side of Pappy was an unmistakable golden eyes, Adrian. Adrian and I locked eyes for a moment, seeing the relief with them that I managed to leave Omashu. Even now as I stand here, Appa ready for take off, I was hesitant to leave. If Adrian said was true, then there was a big possibility that Omashu would be taken over, a possibility that Pappy would be killed along with Karlie. I shook those negative thoughts out of my head, I need to stay optimistic. Pappy stopped in front of me, resting both of his hands on my shoulders, leaning down slightly to become eye level with me
"I will see you when you succeed at helping Aang bring peace to the world. Be careful, Himoko." I nodded firmly, tears threatening to spill out of my eyes. He chuckled at the sight, bringing me into a bear hug, careful not to crush Alea between us
"I will miss you..." I mumbled into his chest
"As will I, but we will be together soon. I want to say... I'm thankful that you survived that night, thankful that Commander Queut and his division found you when they did. I'm thankful that you are here." His words of sentiment and love sounded odd for me to hear out loud. Pappy has never been a person who would speak to me with love, he wouldn't say anything related. He was more of a goofy uncle, expressing his emotions through bad puns and jokes. I buried my head further into his shoulder, nodding
"I'm happy that you took me in, Pappy." I confessed to him. We stated silent for a moment, just enjoying our last embrace for a while before pulling away, only for me to be pulled into a hug by Karlie
"Go kick the Fire Nation's asses for me." I stifled a laugh at her words, nodding
"Make sure Pappy doesn't eat too much meat and jennamite, it's bad for his health."
"Will do." She agreed quickly, pulling away and resting her hands on my arms. She smirked
"If Aang magically loses those scrolls. Kick his ass for me until next time we meet when I can kick his ass." I heard Sokka snicker in the background and I rolled my eyes, letting a grin escape, "Sure."
"All aboard!" Aang yelled, drawing our attentions towards the 12 year old. I pulled away from Karlie's grasp and walked over to Appa, stopping momentarily and looking over my shoulder. I stared directly at Commander Queut, mouthing a thank you to him. He nodded stiffly, pride in his eyes. I handed Alea to Katara, who was already seated on the saddle, before climbing up Appa. I seated myself, taking my backpack off and placing it with the rest of our luggage near the back of the saddle
"Yip yip!" Appa took off into the air with speed and agility, the wing blowing through my dark locks. I looked over my shoulder down at the group below, seeing all of them wave bye to me. Once again, my eyes locked with Adrian's, a conversation being made between them silently. I nodded in his direction before I looked back to the front, watching the clouds soon become beneath us. We flew elegantly through the air, the sun high in the sky for high noon. I leaned over the side of the saddle, watching as Omashu slowly left sight beneath the clouds. I remember something, something I forgot to do yesterday due to recent events. I looked over at Aang, Sokka laying down with a stretch and yawn
"Aang."
"Yes?" Aang asked me, not taking his eyes off from the horizon
"Can we make a quick stop?" Sokka let out a groan, sitting up in annoyance
"I told you that if you had to go then go before we leave!" Sokka told me and Katara slapping his arm, giving him a look of warning
"Sokka!"
"What?" I snorted unattractively, shaking my head before crawling over to Aang's side, plopping down beside him
"I want to show you something." I leaned over and began whispering the directions into his right ear. After a few seconds, he nodded in agreement
"Sounds fun!"
"W-Whoa, wait. What sounds fun?" Sokka asked in confusion, "It's a secret~!"
Appa touched the ground, crouching to let us off. I climbed down with Alea resting my arms, sleeping her days away. I walked forward with Aang trailing behind me. Sokka was about to protest until he took in his surroundings
"What the..." Katara's eyes widened, her mouthing becoming agape. We were at my old home.
The earth was scarred by scorch marks, the greenery only black sticks that would crumble if touched. I walked forward towards the mass of black on the ground, scorched up wood and a stone foundation was what was only left of the man-built family home. Aang stopped beside Katara, dumbfounded
"What is this place?"
"A old Sky Bison Breeding Ground. My family home." The three froze in their spot, horror crossing their faces
"T-This is where-" Katara stuttered out and I nodded, turning towards them with a fake smile
"Yesterday was the anniversary of my parent's deaths. Yesterday I turned 15 years old."
"Holy cow..." Sokka muttered, studying the burns permanently on the earth
"Why did you bring us here?" Katara asked, rubbing her arms
"I don't really know why exactly... I guess I just wanted to say goodbye to this place once and for all, say goodbye to my parent's grave."
To Be continued
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Sound Bender (Avatar: The Last Airbender) #Wattys2017
FanfictionPrincess Himoko of Omashu is the Great Grand-Daughter of King Bumi. Adopted Grand Daughter to be more clear. Her parents were the last air benders in existence, leaving her alone after a attack on them by the Fire Nation, leaving her all alone until...
