The Sea of Ice (Sun and Moon Book 2)

Chapter 23 - Never

Aang woke, his breathing strangely even though he felt panicked. The source of the panic eluded him, until he realized that he couldn't move.

It wasn't the kind of immobility that comes from being chained up or held down--Aang knew the feeling of both of those. No, this was the kind of immobility that came from being UNABLE to move. He couldn't move his body at all. He tried to wiggle his fingers and toes, but felt no reaction. He tried to open his eyes, but the darkness did not fade. It was as if his mind was separate from his body--but the sense of claustrophobia and panic as still there. He KNEW he couldn't move.

It sent his heart racing, but his breathing remained even and his body felt relaxed, not tense. Aang tried to calm himself by blanking his mind, but he couldn't get past the fact that he was trapped and couldn't move.

He struggled and he fought against it, tried to break whatever bonds held him captive--but whatever was holding him was stronger than anything he'd ever encountered. It surrounded his mind, locked him in, caged him in his own skin. Aang struggled against it until he was exhausted, until he couldn't think or feel anything anymore. And then, for the second time in Aang didn't know how long, everything went black.

**__**

The clanking of spoons against bowls is the only sound. The silence is tense, filled with words both said and unsaid. Uncle's movements are steady and precise, but I can see the anger and pain he holds just beneath the surface. My movements are quick and sharp, my body coiled like a snake about to strike.

Jin is quiet, her eyes darting between Uncle and I as if waiting for one of us to blow up.

And Lia went to bed awhile ago--she didn't feel good. She is usually the buffer between Iroh and I, but not tonight. Jin finishes her food quickly, and leaves the room as fast as she can without actually running. She stammers something about sleeping well, and disappears up the stairs.

I put down my spoon.

Uncle keeps eating. "You should keep up your strength." His words are normal, caring even. His tone, however, is as sharp as any blade.

"La knows I need it, with all your pushing."

Silence descends again, broken only by his slurping up the rest of his soup. He looks at me, sudden tiredness lining his eyes. "I do not wish to argue with you, Katara."

"Then stop asking for things that are impossible." I try to keep my tone reasonable, but it comes out as frustrated.

"You cannot hide for--"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT I CAN'T DO!" My shout echoes, ringing through the empty front room of the Jasmine Dragon. The candles flicker, but that is the only visible manifestation of Uncle's anger.

"He will find out eventually. What are you going to do then?"

"He won't find out, because you're the only one who knows, and you're not going to tell him." We stare each other down, the tension in the room escalating. We've been fighting this battle for weeks.

Neither of us is going to back down. Uncle is every bit as stubborn as... HIM.

"He will never be a part of her life!" I hiss the words across the table, spitting them in the old man's face.

Iroh says nothing, just looks at me. His anger appears to be gone, replaced by something that looks like sadness. With a sudden burst of movement, I stand and stalk out of the room, slamming the door behind me.

He will NEVER hurt Lia. No matter what I have to do.

_____

So stubborn, Katara! *shakes head sadly*

Anywho, same as usual, five comments and I'll update. ^-^