The Honor of Love (ATLA fanfic)

10. Family

I walked towards the village. I felt so incredibly sad and empty. I could not believe what had just happened. I could go back to Ba Sing Se, but how would I get there? I'd be all alone again. Maybe it is just my anger speaking. It must be. It will be alright, just calm down.

The village was quite small. It was next to a river that was being controlled by a dam, a few hundred yards away. It had a small market where people did their daily groceries. It was very laid back and quiet. There wasn't much joy in the town, but good enough to roam for a bit. I searched the small stands on the market. I did not have any money left. I walked with my coat in my hands, humming my favorite song.

I felt my stomach growl and ache of hunger. I inhaled deeply, smelling the scent of fresh pastries, cooked meat and tea. I laid my hand on my stomach and watched the pastry stand carefully. I saw the man looking of the stand looking to the other way as I quickly grabbed a fruitpie and hid it under my coat.

I felt a big hand grabbing my arm and pulling me close. "You are gonna pay for that!" The man growled. I tried to pull my arm out of his grip, but he wouldn't let go.

"Jenna!" A woman shouted. Shocked I looked behind me and saw a woman approaching me. She pressed a copper piece in the man's hand and shook her head towards me. "What did I say? Don't grab stuff, only look at them. Okay?" She said to me in a childish tone. I nodded heavily. "Try keep an eye on her, will you?" The man growled again.

The woman grabbed my hand. "Come, let's get you some tea and a hot meal." The woman said when she entered her house. "I am sorry, I usually don't steal, I am not like that at all i'm-"

"My husband is at work," she said when she put on the cattle, "please, sit. down." I sat down on a pillow in front of the table and watched the woman carefully. She was in her late twenties and looked very well maintained. She was graceful and elegant and she surely must be from higher society. The house on the other hand, looked like it needed some heavy maintenance. The walls needed painting and the furniture looked old and outdated. I could not exactly put my finger on it why she's here.

"Are you from the Watertribe?" She asked when she sat down and looked at my blue dress. "Yes," I said and I looked up, "My mother was from the Southern Watertribe." I replied and I took a sip of my tea. I suddenly saw the smoke in the woman's cup increasing but she quickly blew it away. "Although, I was born in the Fire Nation." I said without hesitation. Her dark eyes looked up, very much surprised. "Me too." She replied and smiled.

"You are far away from home." She said to me as she watched me devouring the plate of steamed vegetables and meat. "So are you," I said with my mouth full, "You're not going back?" I asked her. "No," she replied with a sigh, "my husband is stated here for a while. I don't know how long it will take. I do miss my home a lot." I smiled faintly at her. "Me too," I said and sighed, "but you will return soon. I can assure you."

"Aren't you going home?" She asked me. I shook my head. "Not yet," I replied and put my tea down, "I have some more business to do. I just broke up with my group. Some Freedom Fighters are stealing everyone's food." I realized what I said and shyly put the fruitcake on the table. "Ah yes, they stole my husband's cargo a few days ago."

"Oh well." She said as she waved her hand and she set her eyes on my necklace. "You do should be more careful," she said as she gave a short nod towards my necklace, "the sigil of house Hou Xing, a green dragon can be easily spotted."

I froze and my hand flew up to my necklace, covering it. "I wear it with pride." I replied stiffly. The lady smiled "And you should. Your father did the right thing, even if it cost his life."