Naya and the Last Airbender

xxv. Splitting Up

          MY heart pounded in my chest as I sat down in the spot that Kanya and I once did to catch up. My friends left not too long ago to prove that Long Feng is a liar, while I stayed behind to, hopefully, reconcile with my mother. Although it was unspoken, I had a feeling she would show her face soon.

It must've been only a few minutes that passed by since I sat down before I felt a presence behind me.

"You seem upset," her voice said from behind. I didn't bother looking as she moved and sat down beside me. My eyes were focused on my fiddling fingers.

"You're a liar. I know there is something going on with you, with this place. I'd have to be an idiot to think that someone so high up in the Dai Li wouldn't recognize anything wrong," I spat.

There was so much anger, so much betrayal built up inside me it was hard to conceal.

"Naya, you have to believe me when I say that I had no idea that the Dai Li was so corrupt. I was aware of the 100-year war, or obvious reasons, but Long Feng is so powerful I didn't want to speak against him," Kanya told.

"Even if it was for your kid?"

She sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm a horrible mother for that. But you have to understand that if what you say is true, Long Feng would have no problem with hurting me. I was scared. I am scared."

"But I'm the Akshata. I would never let anyone hurt you," I said, finally looking at her. It was hard to look her in the eye after what I said. I managed to jump the gun on some accusation that seemed only a little bit real.

"I know. But I didn't want to risk it. It just reminded me of the Fire Nation—" My mom held a hand to her lips and choked back a sob.

That night flashed before my eyes. All along I've felt sorry for myself for what happened that day, but not once did I think about how my mom felt after what happened to her. It must've been so horrible to see my dad die and her child run away. Spirits, how could I be so stupid?

"Okay, I'm. I'm sorry I ever doubted you in the first place," I whispered.

My mom bent down and laid her head on my lap and she cried, while I silently, and guiltily, stroked her hair to calm her down.

+

          HOURS had passed before I saw my friends face again. I met them back in the Earth King's palace, where I patiently awaited their return.

"Naya!"

My head whipped around to see my friends running into the throne room. I immediately got up and ran to them. They all had smiles on their faces, so I could only assume they came bearing good news.

"Long Feng got arrested. We showed the King the drill in the wall," Aang said. "But what happened with your mom?"

"Well, I actually think she's innocent—"

"Now, come garner around kids," the Earth King commanded which made me stop taking.

We walked towards his gold throne. I let out a sigh of relief knowing that Long Feng isn't breathing down our necks. My mother was also nowhere to be seen, and that oddly lifted a weight off of my shoulders.

"I want to thank you, young heroes, for opening my eyes. All this time, what I thought was a great metropolis was merely a city of fools. And that makes me the king fool," said the King. Bosco, who laid at his feet with Momo and Yue on him, groaned in response. "We are at war with the Fire Nation."

It was disheartening to see the king so upset. His reign was merely a joke, as he was Long Feng's puppet. If I were in his shoes, I would be just as upset.