The White Assassin

Ch. 6 - Familiar Faces

I've been away from the Avatar for almost a year now. The whole incident with the old man has really given me a good relationship with the fire nation. Yeah, if you call trying to capture me and getting their asses kicked a good relationship then I would agree. It's been good other then that though. I've been living in the town of Salerno for the time being and I've enjoyed my stay here. However, Muriel and the other town members know that my leave is soon and they're expecting it. To be honest, I can't wait to get back into the wilderness and go back to where I belong. But I feel as though I'm missing something. Every morning I feel as if I'm leaving something behind. True, Muriel has been a caring motherly figure in my life for these past months but it's not focused towards her. I started to get this feeling after I announced my full stay in Salerno. It almost seems like I'm missing the group, Aang, Toph, Katara and Sokka. They were a lively bunch, always making each other laugh and keeping the mood happy. They never ceased to amaze me, but I wonder how they are. I read newspapers that the Lord of the Fire Nation is still in commission, so maybe they never went after him. They shouldn't have, they would've been killed if they did. Maybe they actually listened to me and took my advice. I hope they're all alright. Maybe Aang has mastered his air bending, and maybe Sokka isn't still a butt head. I know I have improved over the year of my stay. I've stayed the same height and my hair has grown to a more substantial length. I wonder if Aang has changed in his looks? In fact I wonder if any of them have changed their appearances.

I was sitting on my bed staring out the window. The sun was just rising and the sunrise didn't show it's usual glow. 'That means something big is going to happen today... It probably won't be good.' I thought. I got up and made my way towards my closet. I dressed myself in a casual outfit of browns and whites. I then threw my black cloak over my shoulders and made my way downstairs to greet Muriel. When I stepped down the last stair I saw her cutting some fruit in the kitchen. "Good morning, Muriel." I said. She looked up and saw me at the base of the stairs. She smiled a warm smile.

"Good morning Hale. How was your rest?" She asked me. I walked towards her. Her hands were cutting the fruit with grace and her fingers were steady.

"I slept well, thank you." I stated. She nodded and continued to cut the fruit. Her attitude seemed to be a little more fearful then usual. I would walk down and usually she would greet me with a warm hug and smile. However, today was different. Something was wrong.

"What do you plan to do today?" Muriel asked me. I looked at her and when I saw her she was concentrating on the fruit. She didn't lift her head like she usually would. Her gray hair hung low and her eyes looked glossy, different from the warm smile I saw just a minute or two ago.

"I don't have any major plans, would you like me to stay around the house and help clean?" I asked her. She gave a pitiful smile and shook her head.

"No." She said. "The gods would not be happy with me if I let such a beautiful girl be cooped up inside an old and dusty home." I chuckled at her statement and so did she. She always called me beautiful and that any suitor would be lucky to have me. I never saw what she meant, I saw myself as dirty and unorganized. Also selfish and bossy but she saw beyond all that. She took me in and gave me a warm home. Not only that but she made me happy, happier then I've ever been. "Do you know what today is?" She asked. I shook my head. "You watched the sunrise this morning, did you not?" She asked.

"I did. The colors were dull and not as vibrant. What does it mean?" I asked her.

"Something's going to occur today. Whether it be good or bad I don't know. But whatever it is, it's going to be personal towards one of us. Whether it be me or you, I have no clue." She replied. She stopped cutting her fruit and looked up at me, her knife's blade still facing towards the counter. Her eyes looked at me with worry and her face showed pity. "I think it would be best if we both stayed inside for today."

"I agree." I stated. We nodded our heads at each other and she continued to cut her fruit. I took my cloak off and hung it next to the dining room table. I made my way back over to the kitchen and opened the ice box. I took out some of the vegetables and started to slice them. I washed them and put them in a pot to make some soup for lunch. I started to boil the water and added the spices like I usually would but then I had a bad feeling in my gut. I ignored it and continued to cook when there was a sudden knock at the door. I looked at Muriel concerned and she looked at me. We don't usually get visitors, we live on the edge of town so we don't get company and when we do it's the tax man asking for money.

"Go to your room, Hale." She said. I looked at her in shock, she never acts demanding like this. "Now!" She exclaimed in a whisper. I nodded my head and walked calmly up the stairs. However, I didn't go to my room. I curled myself against the wall next to the stairs so I wouldn't be seen. I wanted to see and hear who was coming into our home and I was ready to take action if I needed to. I heard Muriel open the door and greet whoever was outside. "Good afternoon, how can I help you?" She asked them. 'Even as a protector she still sounds so sweet and innocent.' I thought.

"We're sorry to bother you miss, but we have no food and have been traveling for quiet some time. Would you mine sparing some of your food with us?" A female asked. Her voice sounded strong but cracked at the end. 'She sounds distressed.' I thought.

"Absolutely my dears!" Muriel said with sincerity in her voice. I smiled at her kind nature and heard the door close. "Please have a seat, I have some soup heating up on the stove now. We can all have some, please make yourselves comfortable." Muriel's footsteps came towards the stairs and as she passed the wall she looked directly at me. She gave a playful smirk and I smiled with nervousness. "You're very lucky that I take jokes well." She half whispered to me. I nodded playfully and she reached out her hand for me to grab. I took it and she pulled me up. "Come, we have guests to serve." I nodded and we made our way downstairs.

As I stepped down the stairs I heard murmurs and whispers. I couldn't make out what they were saying but I didn't have time to worry about it. Both my feet touched the main floor and I made my over to the kitchen. Because it was open, there was no wall dividing the kitchen to the living room where our supposed "guests" were seated. I heard gasps from my right and payed no attention to it. However, a certain voice made me stop. "Hale?" the female voice said. I looked towards the voice and I was shocked. I saw Katara, Sokka and Toph. All of them sitting next to each other and staring with wide eyes at me. "What're you doing here?" Katara asked me. 'So she was the voice I heard from upstairs.' I thought.

"That's not of importance." I stated. I held two bowls of soup and Muriel held two more and we walked over to the group. They were given a bowl of soup each and I went to go get myself a bowl. Once I did, I went back into the living room and sat down. "What is important is why you three are here. Where's Aang?" I asked. When I brought up his name they all looked down and a sad expression grew on their faces.

"That's why we're here." Sokka said. I sipped on my soup and looked at him with pleading eyes, signaling him to continue. "We need your help, Hale." He stated. 'My help?' I thought.

"I thought I told you I was done helping you back in the forest." I stated.

"Well you did but the problem is... Well.." Sokka started but he became nervous.

"We didn't listen to you." Toph finished for him.

"What? Don't tell me.." I started to get worried when she said that. 'It can't be..' I thought.

"We went to the fire nation to take on Lord Ozai.." Toph said. I widened my eyes in shock and I felt my heart stop. They all looked down with sadness and regret.

"Where's Aang?" I asked. I started to get agitated and I spoke through my teeth. 'If they did anything to him I...'

"He was captured by the fire nation and we couldn't get him back. We tried Hale! We really did! That's why we came here, we were searching for you." Katara stated. "There was a rumor spreading around that the Winder Seeker was staying in this village and we had a hunch that it could've been you." I felt myself become angrier and angrier. Not only was I supposed to forget about them but now because of their stupid decisions Aang is captured by the fire nation. Who knows what's going on there?

I stood up and put my bowl away. I grabbed my cloak and a bag that I had already packed for my departure. "Where are you going?" Muriel asked.

"I'm going to go save my friend." I said. I turned around and Katara, Sokka and Toph all stood up with me. Muriel looked worried and sad. "I'm sorry I have to leave so suddenly but I wish to thank you for caring for me for so long. You were the mother I always wanted but never had. Please, stay strong Muriel. I will return one day, I promise." I said to her. The group walked towards me and stood in front of me ready to go.

"Just don't get yourself in too much trouble Hale. I won't be there to rat yourself out of jail if you get arrested." Muriel said crossing her arms and smirking playfully. I smiled at her and closed the door, not without hearing her last words to me. "What a troublesome air bender."

We started to walk towards the direction of the fire temple, and we walked with pride. I hope he's alright but I wonder why I've been thinking of him so much. Then it hit me. All these emotions I'm feeling towards him. All of these feelings of nervousness and weakness around him. All the worry and concern I feel towards him must mean one thing. I'm in love with the Avatar. No matter what happens I will save him, even if I die in the process. Not only will I save him for my sake. But I'll save him for the love of his friends and the people that he has helped over the years. 'Don't worry Aang. We're on our way!'