Chapter 15: Yielding Waters

Little Falcon: I got sidetracked by the sequel to this series that I almost forgot about updating this. I still believe the first one is better though. We're nearing the end so don't hold back, read and review please.

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!

"Why?" She let his deep sultry voice together with the gentle sound of his beating heart echo in her mind before she broke away from her mediation. His effect on her was overwhelming at best, just by hearing his footsteps her heart raced, at the sound of his voice her body felt light and upon meeting his eyes she felt ultimately treasured. His handsome features only grew more breath-taking throughout the years and much to say about his musculature. Gone was that sad, angry fallen prince that vowed to hunt them down to the ends of the earth.

It was completely unfathomable how he was able to decipher exactly where to look despite it being his first time in this terrain. Something compelled him towards a certain direction, like a strong push that somehow tells him where to go. Being true to his instincts, the young Fire lord didn't hesitate and there he was a few feet away from the most beautiful sight he had beheld. His breath got caught in his throat as he marveled at the scene: The great falls parted as they crashed against some unseen force protecting the meditating maiden nestled on spot where the falls deposit into the lake. Her eyes were calmly closed and her body equally at ease. Her long wavy hair swayed with the wind like a thin dark veil. Whether it was the moonlight or some strange illumination, her breath-robbing magnificence seemed more celestial than natural. He somehow felt a need to bow before something so ethereally entrancing. It took ten long minutes before logic found its way back to his system. Licking his lips, the fire bender cleared his throat before asking. The moment she opened those eyes, his knees softened like jelly, threatening to give way as he gazed into his favorite shade of midnight blue. "Why did you let me meet her now of all times?" He had to talk or else he might lose his reason again.

"Do I need to have a reason?"

"No," Why was he even asking this question? She reunited him with the mother he thought he would never see again! What more can he ask? However, there was a nagging tiny voice at the back of his mind that told him that happiness like this comes at a price. His heart beat against his ribcage excitedly as he watched her elegantly walk on water and make her way towards him. Without even thinking, he reached for her hand and pulled her to his tight hug.

It was certain, ultimately indubitable, without question, being in his arms is the safest place for her. The avatar, generals and even formidable adversaries could attest to her prowess in battle. She's definitely strong, more than enough to hold her own. However, when Zuko reached out for her and trapped her in his arms, he made her feel that that strength wasn't enough simply because, it was him. It had always been him who was meant to protect her… from her enemies, from the world and from herself.

Without words, they basked in each other's presence in an embrace that seemed to grow closer that every minute. Their lips sought each other's in a passionate exchange that seemed to erased every kind of thought in their head other than the feel of the lips on his and hers. His chest swelled with pride as his honey-colored eyes reflected her swollen lips and eyes misted with passion.

It was like plunging a knife into her heart. She broke their eye contact and asked. "Are you happy?" She didn't trust herself to walk away from his arms instead she just rested her head on the hollow spot in between his neck and shoulders.

His reply came swiftly and effortlessly. "Yes," Holding her closest as he possibly could. "I regained my honor, I got my friends, I found my mom… and I have you…"

Then twisting it further in as she heard his honest answer. How she wished his answer would be the same even if that last part wasn't included. "You'll always have me…" No matter what…

His eyes grew wide in surprise to have her kissing him. This was the first time she initiated something this intimate and not a moment too soon, he responded with equal fervor as they were again locked in sizzling exchange. It was only when they were halfway down did his senses kicked in. In the midst of their… moment… he lost his balance, making them fall on the cold lake with a big ungraceful splash.

"What. Did. You. Say?" At that minute, the young Fire Lord felt that he was going to get the answer to all his questions but he pushed that thought at the back of his head as he tried to imagine something a little positive, something a little further from the reality the facts were trying to convey. His body moved automatically but his mind was paralyzed by a single realization that he can't bring himself to admit.

"Katara said that this place is compromised and that Ozai's people will most likely target this area just to get to me. She suggested going to the Earth Kingdom, Omashu. I already sent word to King Bumi of our arrival so that it won't pose a problem. She went ahead to make sure the path to the fortress is clear. If there is anything wrong, she'll send a signal. That's what Katara said hours ago before she left," Ursa relayed her message as she urged every townsfolk towards the concealed waypoint.

"She left us here?" The water tribe warrior got hold of his trusty boomerang and prepared to catch up to his little sister but…

"She said that you and your friends will protect us," True, the population that would be taking the exodus was more than a handful, probably several caravans at least. These people were peace-loving folk despite some of them being able to bend elements. Aside from the gang, there's no one else. Sokka was reluctant but he slowly nodded his head in acknowledgement. In a deeper point of view, he knew why she volunteered to do the scouting. Aang and Sokka need to protect their respective wife, Zuko- his mom. On the other hand, Katara had… the sad, painful comprehension came to him. She was doing this all for them while no one was doing anything for her.

As everyone pitched-in to usher the people to move, there were two individuals were left behind, motionless.

Her gray blind eyes reflected the fire nation's former first lady's uneasy gaze. For the longest minute, Toph stared at her silently before wheeling around to join the others.

Miss Ursa… if you really want to show your appreciation, then lend an ear to my request… Katara's stern appeal rang in her head as steadied her shaking composure as she personally told her first lie to the son she had just reunited with. The earth bender's sightless eyes knew the truth, of that she is certain, however it was perplexing why she never told anyone about it.

Water is fluid, soft and yielding. However, it can put out fire, wear away rocks and even destroy iron- those that cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: where what is soft is strong.

As soon as they stepped inside the silent sanctuary, she sensed the blood coursing through those veins. Normally, she would just feel if there were people or animals around however, it was a full moon tonight. Her heightened senses told her how many are there and exactly where they are. It was like a blindfold tag except that she was the only one allowed to peek, and peek she did. There were a few soldiers and archers with the two neophyte blood benders but there was no sign of the fallen Fire lord and his maniacal daughter. Katara concentrated harder to locate the two but to no avail. It was either they are watching at a very distant place or they aren't here at all. She prayed that it was the later because she'll never let go of this opportunity. Finally, a chance to put a stop to the chaos she, herself, began.

At a safe distance, she watched her preys scatter and then convene after a short while. Obviously, they found out that there was no one here… except for her that is. There wasn't any reason for them to stay in that place any longer. However, she would never let them leave.

With a sharp inhale, her hands fluidly moved through the air followed by light foot work. With a flick of her wrists, the waters encircling the secluded village burst towards the heavens and froze instantly forming a cold prison for her prey. As the thin veil of cloud was lifted, the full form of the silver moon reflected in her intense sapphire eyes. Time to end this…

Her dragged footsteps came to a halt. No one noticed since she was intentionally falling far from the caravan since they left the sanctuary. However, her eyes were fixated on her son's back. How wide and muscular it has become, how much burden he was forced to carry after she left him to fend for himself under the cold, calculating gaze of his cruel father. Suddenly the gravity of her former sin melded with the one she just willingly committed, it was so heavy that she couldn't even take another step forward.

"Mom? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Zuko's worried tone only made her feel worse.

"I lied…" Looking at him straight in the eye, Ursa divulged her sickening secret. "She's not scouting ahead. She chose to stay behind and deal with the problem herself,"

"What did you say?" The water tribe warrior pushed his way out of the moving crowd just to heard the answer loud and clear. "Did I really hear you say that my little sister is out there fighting ALONE?" Long-lost mother of their friend or not, this person lied to his face and if it weren't for his wife and Aang holding him back he would've done something very physical just to wring out the truth from her.

The avatar's eyes coasted towards the blind earth bender that was standing adjacent to him. "You knew she was lying from the very beginning, didn't you?" His voice wasn't harsh or accusing but gentle and almost quiet. Sokka ceased struggling upon hearing the air bender's question. His head turned disbelievingly towards Toph. "Why? Why didn't you tell us?" Aang asked the question just so that no one would dare to scream at his wife for her questionable deed.

"Because, like me, Toph believes that Katara needed to fight this battle alone," Taking back everyone's attention, she spoke with the wisdom of her years. "She needs to recognize herself again,"

"She already does. She came into terms with it already!" With no hint of respect just blatant rage, the pony-tailed warrior exploded.

"Not after the people started calling her murderer. Even in my pregnant condition, I hear her heart began to hesitate again after that. It's the kind of doubt that won't be quelled by sugar-coated words of reassurance and encouragement," her sightless gaze mirrored everyone's dejected faces. "More than anything, it's this moment that will define who she is,"

After a short while, Sokka let out a surrendering sigh. "I guess this is where my job as big brother ends. After all, she has all the support she can get," he cocked his head towards the spot where the young Fire Lord was supposed to be standing. The others merely smiled quietly before returning to their post in guarding the procession.

A shot of thunder sung past his ear and landed on the nearby fallen tree, blinding him for a few seconds before he instinctively dodged a fire blast that came from the same direction. The hidden village was still a little too far but he felt the surge of power that could only come from a technique rendered by a powerful bender. "You're staying behind? This is a first. Are you really that scared of blood benders?" His amber eyes focused on the dark shadows the moonlight can't touch.

"Zukie, Zukie, Zukie, I control two of those blood benders you speak of remember?" the fallen princess of the Fire Nation stepped out of the darkness with her pretty face decorated by a creepy smile. At her heel was another person he never wished to see. His eyes still disapproving while his face as apathetic as ever. Despite having lost his fire bending abilities, the former Fire Lord held his head high as if he's still wearing a crown.

Forming a battle stance, his eyes darted back towards his sister, a mocking smirk formed on his lips. "Then its Katara you're afraid of," not a second too soon, Azula charged like a bull that's seeing red. Zuko read all her moves, blocked and evaded each of her strikes before delivering one of his own that sent her flying at a distance.

"I want to settle this matter once and for all. I challenge you to an agni kai…" The meeting of the flames- a duel initiated by fire benders to civilly resolve conflict. His healing scar gave a painful twitch to remind him of his first duel against his own father, the man in front of him now.

"Humor me, Zuko. Even if Azula agrees, who will the one to see you fall?" True, he needed someone on his side to bear witness to events that will transpire so that no bias can be made.

"I will be his observer," the great flying bison landed nearby and with him was a person everyone least expected.

Little Falcon: Read and review okay?