Kaida Queen Of Ice <<ATLA; Book two: Earth>>

CHAPTER FOUR

   I stepped out and sat down on the patio, looking up at the stars in the dark night sky, my hand gripping Yoshiro's necklace. I could feel the warm tears streaking my cheeks as I was so emotional especially now when I wasn't near the ocean anymore.
   Not only that but I mentioned my mother which was very rare for me to do outloud.

   "Natsumi," I jumped at the voice and looked over at Song as she came out. I quickly wiped the tears away as she sat next to me.

   "I'm so sorry." I apologized.

   "You don't have to apologize. I know how you feel, we all feel that way." She sat next to me. "The Fire Nation has hurt me too." She showed me the burn on her leg.

   I wanted to heal it but if I couldn't heal Zuko I doubt I could heal Song. "I'm sorry."

   "Your boyfriend seems to have been hurt as well." She said and I stayed quiet. "He must have been really scared."

   "Yeah." I replied and sighed feeling bad as I remembered what he said earlier. "He was only thirteen."

   His father burn his own child with no remorse.
   Iroh couldn't have just called us friends, he had to say we were dating. I shivered in disgust but she thought I was just cold. We stayed out there for a few minutes before heading back inside and finished dinner.
   We helped them clean up but Zuko pulled me outside.

   "I'm sorry, Kaida." He said and I pushed his hands away.

   "Zuko, Don't you dare apologize to me!" I said my voice cracked but I had to stay strong. "You will never know what it feels like. I don't want your apology, it means nothing to me."
   I leaned on the rail and looked away. "The Fire Nation took my mother."

   "They what? Kaida, I do know." He said and I looked at him confused. "My father took my mother from me...I don't know what happened to her, she just disappeared but I know my father had something to do with it."

   I felt bad and looked at him, I hesitantly pat his shoulder and he looked at me. "I'm sorry." I said but then I grew angry again.
"You're really confusing. If you understand my side then help me understand why you want to help the same man that took your mother from you.."

   He stayed quiet and looked down, maybe he was contemplating but I didn't hear any defense on either side. I sighed and left him outside but he just followed me in and helped us finish cleaning.
   We didn't say anything to each other for the rest of our time there and we were going to leave once we were done.

⇢ ⇢ ⇢

   "Thank you for the duck. It was excellent." Iroh bowed.

   "You're welcome." Song's mother replied handing him leftovers. "It brings me such joy when someone eats my food with such.. Gusto."

   "Much practice." Iroh patted his stomach.

   "Thank you for the hospitality." I bowed.

   "Junior, where are your manners?" Iroh and I both turned around to look at Zuko who was walking away. "You need to thank these nice people."

   "Thank you." Zuko replied bowing and walking away.

   "I know you don't think there's any hope left in the world but there is hope." Song quickly called to him. "The Avatar has returned."

   "I know." Zuko said and we walked out.

   I knew he wasn't over catching the Avatar and restoring his stupid honor.
   He stopped and began to kidnap the ostrich horse from the stall.