Falling For You ✰༄ ѕσkkα

Water || The Art Of Fake Bending

"My Mom said you can sleep here tonight. But you should leave in the morning," Haru led us to a farm outside of the village that's positioned farther up the hillside. There is a huge barn made out of dried bamboo, with a straw roof. It was large enough to fit Appa inside which surprised me, considering we sleep outside almost every night. There are a couple small pens with nothing inside of them, and two one-story buildings resided nearby.

After walking around the town for a bit, I retrieved my tree branch from Appa's saddle. Pain was starting to rise up from my heel, and some fresh blood was appearing on the bandages. I decided to re-wrap it after I get everything ready for bed.

"Thanks! I'll make sure Appa doesn't eat all your hay."

Appa was already munching on a whole hay bale, and I'm sure that he would eat at least two more. Dust swirled in the sun's rays, and stray straws of hay were scattered on the floor. The air was slightly sweet, but there was a few bitter notes showing through. I moved in further, and started unpacking for the night.

Katara left with Haru, and I tried to decide on where to place my sleeping bag. The sun was slowly setting over the horizon, and I finally settled on being somewhat close to Appa, but more towards the center of the round room. Sokka took a hay bale and decided to sleep on top of that, which I could never understand. I always though hay was itchy, and the least bit comfortable.

Before the sky was completely dark, I went down by the water pump. I took some extra bandages and the burn medicine along with me. I filled up my flask and sat on the ground, taking off my shoes, carefully unwrapping my left calf.

The skin was a mix of pink and red, being darker the closer to the middle it got. Blisters were scattered around the aggravated flesh, and it looked leathery when I moved it from side to side to get a better look. I tipped over the flask, and I sucked in a sharp breath. It stung and I could only think back to when the flames had licked my leg. After about five seconds I stop pouring the water because I couldn't bear it any longer. I could feel tears forming, but I briskly moved the back of my hand across my face and swiped it under my nose.

"Zuko, you are the worst," I mutter under my breath.

I took the lid off of the silver pot and scooped up some of the greyish-green paste on my hand and reluctantly smeared it on my burn. It reeked of aloe and something sweet like lavender. I groan as the pain seethes through the shiny damaged skin. I take the bandages and wrap up my calf before slipping back on my boot. I make my way back to the barn just as the moon peaked out from behind the clouds.

I lit a lantern and set it down near me. I pulled out my flask and took small sips of water. I didn't want to drink it all, since I wanted to try some more waterbending later on tonight. Soon, Katara ambled back into the barn, and set up her sleeping bag to the left of mine. Aang was settled on top of Appa's head, with Momo resting next to him. There was a small window in the roof, and I could see the moon rising high up in the sky. Katara took the lantern in her lap, and started telling us about what happened while she was gone.

"It was so brave of Haru to use his earthbending to help that old man," she said while staring into the orange glow of the flame.

"You must have really inspired him."

"I guess so."

I congratulate her, "Good job, I'm sure he really appreciates it."

An aggravated Sokka turns his head to us, "Everyone should get some sleep, we're leaving at dawn."

"Awe c'mon, really? Can't we sleep in for once?" I complain.

"Absolutely not! This village is crawling with Fire Nation troops. If they discover you're here, Aang, we'll be eating fireballs for breakfast. Good night."