Avatar Crossroads: Origins: Reunion Part 1

The countryside of the earth kingdom was a gorgeous green, a darkish green, fitting with the season of autumn. A soft rain had just accompanied the valley, for likely the fifth time that week. Now the sun was low in the sky, looking close to setting, creating a beautiful orange sky. Clouds took up some of the space, meshing in perfectly, as if it was a painted backdrop. The only thing that didn’t fit in, were the train tracks set over the grass, with a fence guarding it.
A train was fast and approaching, going across the tracks, with the sun shining to the east of it.
The locomotive was moving north, to the united republic, the nation created from the Firenation colonies left over after the hundred year war. The train was scheduled to go there, to a village called He Shui.
As the train continued to move, a child could be seen on the edge of the window inside one of the cabs. A seven year old girl, with wavy blonde hair was staring out, eyes wide open. The girl was busy gawking at the countryside, it was totally new to her.
“I heard in the summers, it doesn’t snow here.”
“Tat’s ri-wi-digulus!” her three year old sister stuttered. Her hair was a deep chocolate brown, falling into two braids, much more orderly than her older sister’s blonde locks. “Ow ken it not snouw?”
The younger girl was currently sitting on the lap of her mother, who currently had her arms wrapped around the younger girl’s stomach in a hug. Her hair was the exact same shade of that of her daughter standing tiptoed to the window, even the same skin tone. The blonde child eyed her sister.
“Cuz, it’s too hot, Koko!”
“Bud Angie.” The younger sister replied, “Doez that mean we gonna melt?” the blonde girl paused, thinking on that for a moment, before looking back.
“No, just you.” The water tribe girl’s eyes widened, looking to be on the verge of tears. She turned to her mother, hands still pressed to the scarf across her neck.
“Maaaaum-“ The older woman’s grip over her daughter tightened as she sighed.
“It’s okay Kokoro, your sister’s just giving you a hard time.” The little girl continued to wear her thick blue jacket, while her sister’s white coat was strewn across the cushioned seat opposing Kokoro and her mother. “Isn’t that right, Angela?” The blonde child pouted, moving her head up and down in agreement.
“Yeah…” she looked away, as the mother than smiled, seeing her daughter calm down.
“Besides, even if you did melt, daddy would put you back together with waterbending.”
“Weally?” Kokoro asked, astonished, while the mom smiled.
“Really-really.” The child finally calmed down, smiling at her mom’s words, while the blonde girl continued to look out the window. Her eyes were a bright orange, much different from her sister’s ice blue eyes. Their father was a cop, in the southern water tribe… so naturally he had to use his bending a lot… which the girls saw a lot of.
Angela had thought it was the coolest thing ever, but was disappointed to learn she was a firebender at the tender age of five. For the past two years their mother had given her lessons to control it. The girl casually blew out of her mouth, a thin streak of smoke etched out from her throat, bouncing off of the glass and falling back towards her younger sister. Kokoro took a casual sniff of it, she started coughing, it seemed alike to a small animal sneezing.
“Hahk, hahk,” Their mother flicked her hand quickly, to disperse the smoke.
“Angela.” She protested, the blonde girl sighed, bowing her head.
“Sorry.”
As she said that, the door to their cabin opened slowly, with a man entering. He had dark tanned skin and chocolate brown hair, Kokoro smiled.
“Daddy!” their mother sighed in relief as her husband walked in quickly, stepping over her to grab their daughter. The cop picked her up quickly, resulting in the girl purring.
“What’d they say?” the mother than asked, he sighed.
“The engineer said that usually these trips take about a day, and we should be there before noon tomorrow, in the morning.”
“That’s good.” Their mother replied, sighing as she sat back… she seemed rather stressed. The husband continued to hold Kokoro, taking a quick sniff, before twitching.
“Someone start a fire or something?” Angela looked down, while her mom sighed.
“It’s nothing.” Her husband’s focus then returned to his younger daughter, who seemed in better spirits.
“Momma said it I melt, yoll fix me.” The father smiled, he was currently wearing a bright blue dress shirt with beige slacks.
“That’s my job Koko, I fix things.” The girl giggled as he quickly nudged his nose with hers. His wife smiled at this sight, before eying him for a moment, rather intently. The father sighed, before looking to Kokoro.
“Hey um… when was the last time you went?”
“Um-um…” they had recently potty trained her, and now time was a difficult subject. Angela turned, eying her father.
“Five hours ago.”
“Hm…” her father replied, before slowly setting Kokoro down. “You need to go?”
“Um… um… well.” Kokoro blushed, looking down. The man sighed, looking back to Angela.
“Do you?”
“Kida,” she replied, earnestly. The cop then sighed, nodding.
“Alright, Angela can you take your sister to the woman’s restroom, it’s just outside the cabin.”
“Okay.” The firebender replied, eying her sister. “Come on Koko.” At that, Koko began running towards her older sister, nearly tripping when Angela caught her. “Come on.” She smiled, grabbing for the door with one hand, and her sister’s hand with the other, their dad eyed them one more time.
“Just remember, after this, it’s off to bed.”
“’Kay dad.” Angela replied, leaving the room, Kokoro followed. At that, the mother, sat up slowly, smirking.
“Sure you can trust Angela to find it?” The father shrugged.
“She’s a smart girl, it’s not like they’ll find the door leading out and fall onto the tracks by mistake-“ The wife’s eyes widened at that thought, while her husband shook his head.
“Don’t worry, the engineer said the doors between cars are child-locked.”
“Thank goodness… almost like you’re trying to give me a heart attack, Okeer.” Her husband simply smiled.
“I know you have enough to be worried about.”
“Tell me about it.” She sighed. Okeer noticed something in her hand, a letter. His wife had been looking over it for the past week, unsure. It was a letter from her mother, asking for her to visit her in the United Republic…
To see her for the first time in twelve years. The mom glanced down to the letter, rereading it for what must have been the hundredth time, she could probably speak it by memory.
“Dear Tanya” It began.
”I have… had such trouble finding the proper address to send this to. I didn’t think I would ever find your address, but then by chance I received a letter, from your husband, Okeer.” Tanya eyed her husband, who continued to sit there. At first she was annoyed her husband would betray her like this, come in contact with her mother… but she had gotten over it. It wouldn’t be fair to Okeer to not be allowed to have contact with his mother in low…
She was the only mother he had left.
”And… in the letter, he told me so much, about what had happened over the past twelve years. He mentioned how he met and married you, and how you now have a family of your own. He said you had two young daughters, and I just couldn’t imagine it… my Tanya, my little girl has a family? I can’t help but feel proud, of how far you’ve come.” Tanya had remembered tearing up at this part, the first contact she had with her mother in twelve years, and she said she was proud of her…
Her mother, the one she never even said goodbye to, the one she ran away from… she was still proud of her.
”You had always gone your own way, and that was something I always loved about you, how you refused to conform. And now you have children, so I can’t help but feel happy… but that’s not fully why I’ve sent this letter.”
“I’ll cut to the chase, I’m currently living in a village in the united republic, named He Shui. I discussed this with your husband and he agrees… I would love for you and your new family to visit me, I can handle the ferry and train fare, just please come… It’s been too long… and from what I’m hearing from Okeer, you’ve been a wonderful wife to him, and I would love to meet the father of my daughter’s children… which brings me to one final topic.
Tanya, you aren’t going to deprive a grandmother of meeting her grandchildren, are you?
With love,
Your mother, Mizuki”
So here they were, on a train heading north to the united republic. They had figured it’d be better to go straight north, than have to deal with renting a sato-mobile, and then crossing through republic city (Kokoro was not ready to be in large cities). Okeer had taken care of all the planning, to calm Tanya’s nerves.
She couldn’t help but feel unsure, nervous about seeing her mother.
Frankly, she was afraid of Mizuki bringing up the topic of her sister, Sirisha… the one thing she would not discuss with her husband… to the point that Okeer only knew she had a sister because Mizuki told him.
“Are you sure about this?” she then asked, urgently, Okeer sighed.
“It’ll be fine.”
“But, what if… something could go wrong, and-“
“Tanya, it’s just meeting your mother, nothing can go wrong.”
“I know, but…” she sighed, while Okeer quickly stood up, sitting down at the side of his wife. Her hair fell down her back in a tight braid. He rested his hand over hers, in an assuring manner.
“We could turn back, we could-“
“Tanya… if my girls aren’t going to grow up knowing my mother, then can’t they at least grow up knowing yours?” His wife sighed at that… grandma Kokoro’s death was still hard on Okeer, even three years later. Kokoro had been really supportive for Tanya, helping her with everything since marrying Okeer. She helped teach her how to be a mother, to care for Angela. And then Tanya was well on her way with child number two, when her mother in law passed…
Okeer’s family was mortified, but not as much as their youngest, Okeer… so it was Tanya’s idea that their second daughter be named Kokoro, after the woman that had done so much for them.
Sadly, Angela could only vaguely remember her grandmother, she was four years old at the time of Kokoro’s death… so neither of her parents wanted to make that mistake in regards to meeting Mizuki.
“Your right…” Tanya sighed, while Okeer nodded, slightly uplifted by his wife admitting he was right (that NEVER happened). “It probably won’t be that bad.” Okeer nodded in agreement, hand slowly falling to her shoulder. Tanya sighed, eying him. “You worked so hard for this… thanks.” Okeer’s head nudged inwards, kissing her on the forehead. His arm then fell across her back, as Tanya sighed, nudging closer and leaning on him.
Frankly, she was tired… they both were.
“I love you.” She replied, Okeer nodded.
“You too.” As he said this, the door slowly opened, with Angela pulling in her toddler sister… the girl looked freaked out. Tanya nudged off of her husband, eying her daughter.
“Something wrong?” Angela sighed.
“No, Koko just saw a lady in there… got scared.”
“I wasn’t scawred!” she replied, defiantly… before looking down. “Okie, maybe a wittle.” Tanya sighed slowly, standing up, and stepping over to her. Angela looked up to her.
“It was this big blue lady, she looked so mean… the moment she started to yell at us, I grabbed Koko’s hand and ran out.” Okeer smiled.
“That’s a good way of dealing with scary women… clever thinking Angie.” The blonde girl smiled at that. Tanya was on one knee, calming her youngest.
“It’s okay Koko, you’ll be fine.” The little girl with the braids nodded hesitantly… still freaked out.
“She said, said dat dere was fire wrats on this twain, and… I don wike wrats!” she vented sharply. Tanya’s eyes widened intently at this, while Angela shrugged.
“She was saying it to me, but… I guess it was cuz I’m older?” Tanya and Okeer eyed each other for a moment, as Angela continued, “What’s a fire rat?”
“It’s nothing hun,” Okeer replied, “Nothing you need to worry about.” Tanya continued to console Kokoro, who remained glued to her scarf.
“You’re okay sweetie, alright?” Kokoro’s hyperventilating slowly began to cease, as she nodded.
“I didn’t know her but she wahs mean.”
“It’s fine.”
“I wanna sweep on daddy tonight!” she replied, to which Tanya sighed, and Okeer nodded.
“Sure thing Koko.” It annoyed Tanya how much Kokoro preferred Okeer, was it just because Angela was mean to her, and Tanya looked like Angela? Angela seemed kind of annoyed by this as well, but was relatively used to it.
The way she saw it, every time Kokoro had these little episodes, she’d always get what she want… and she did not realize that yet… and as long as Kokoro was actually genuinely freaked out, it’d be alright. Besides, she’d grow out of it… eventually.
Okeer quickly sat down at seat, next to his wife. Kokoro immediately hurried up the seat, climbing onto her father’s lap. There weren’t any beds, so the best they could do was sit in these seats and wait for the ride to end. Tanya eyed Kokoro as she snuggled into her dad’s chest. Her eyes were relatively open, as she eyed her mom for a moment, who casually smiled, patting her on the head. With that, Kokoro then grabbed for her blue scarf, pulling it in. This nudged Tanya closer, awkwardly… but she wasn’t complaining, her daughter was acknowledging her presence after all (even if it was just the scarf). She rested her hand over the girl’s head, it was strange how the family unit looked like this.
Okeer patted the little girl on the back, keeping her warm, while Tanya eyed Angela, who had turned out the lights and made her way across from them, on the other booth. The mom sighed.
“Angela, would you like to sleep on my lap?”
“No thanks mom, I’m good.” She replied, nestling into her coat, and right next to Tanya’s small luggage bag. Tanya sighed, eying her eldest as she fell asleep. Kokoro scowled.
“Ahter dis twip… we go home, wight?” This trip had probably been the hardest on the youngest, seeing the edge of the earth kingdom and how it wasn’t snowing freaked her out enough. Tanya smiled, nodding her head.
“I promise, Koko.” Kokoro smiled, before finally drifting off to sleep. Tanya sighed, before nudging her head to her husband’s side, and doing the same.
The Shiki family was finally at peace.

MEANWHILE

“Well I’m so glad to hear how well baby number three’s coming along.” Yuriko replied, crouching down to pick up a dropped cup. A woman sat across from her, at a bar stool. Though she didn’t drink, she liked to come here, if atleast to chat. Most of the other people in the room were either customers of Yuriko’s noodles, or were chatting… much like how the short brunette was speaking to her short friend.
Yuriko sighed, “When I had Minami, it was a bit hectic.”
“I remember.” The friend replied, as Yuriko glanced, she could see a woman with untidy brown hair, smiling. She wore a red and gold colored shirt, which meshed rather well with her orange necklace. There wasn’t much to discern this woman from the others in town…
Apart from her full belly, which sounded like it had a lot to do with “baby number three”.
“So, what are you thinking of naming him… or her?”
“It’s definitely a her, Yuriko, that’s what the healer said.” The woman replied, while her friend rolled her eyes.
“That healer predicted Aria was going to be a boy, and that didn’t happen.” She could remember Ren being a bit disappointed over that, even more so after Minami.
“Well it’s different.” The woman replied, “It’s a girl, I can feel it.”
“I bet Aimee’s going to like that.”
“I hope she’s not jealous, this one could be a bender, and Aimee can’t bend.” Her friend was a firebender, while Yuriko herself was an earthbender…
It was strange how well this worked.
“Well, let’s hope for water, make Kaleb happy.” Her friend smiled at that, “Still… what about a name?”
“I don’t know.” The woman sighed, “I was thinking maybe Kara, or Kimi, but… they just don’t fit.”
“Good point on that… ” The earthbender woman replied. She had turned away to go through her cabinets quickly, business currently was slow… it was roughly eight o’clock. “I suggest something without a K in front, maybe an M?”
“That could do it.” the woman replied, Yuriko looked back.
“Just don’t name her Aria, or Minami… wouldn’t want to get them all confused.”
“Yeah, not doing that.” The pregnant woman replied. She took a quick sip of the glass apple juice she had ordered… She was likely Yuriko’s only adult customer who bought apple juice… most others would usually come for alcohol, though the prices were cheaper at a nearby Firenation tavern.
“So…” Yuriko muttered, eying her friend, they were both roughly the same height, with Yuriko being a bit shorter, “I heard your mom’s in town.” The pregnant lady immediately grumbled at that.
“Yeah, I think you can guess why.” She quickly referred to her stomach, “She’s unhappy that she’s missed out on Aki and Aimee in the water tribe, so now she’s come down to see this one.”
“Sounds like you and her don’t get along.”
“We just don’t, it goes back a few years, like twelve.”
“Gonna tell me about it?” Yuriko then asked, her brunette friend eyed her for a moment, thinking about it, before… shaking her head.
“It’s… well it’s personal, I haven’t even told Kaleb about it… pretty sure Mizuki told him though.”
“What, that Aimee’s not his?” the woman joked, the friend eyed her with an impeccable glare… leading Yuriko to sigh. “Just a joke, Siri.” Yuriko shrugged… Something that annoyed her about her friend was how Sirisha took everything so seriously, and personally. It was clear how much she cared for Kaleb, she wasn’t the type to pull that…
And she had plenty of chances, even after he broke up with her in the Firenation… she could have gotten with a lot of other guys, but he refusal (and depression) was rewarded, when he returned asking her to marry him.
And move to the northern water tribe… but that was another story, one her earthbending friend had heard enough of.
Especially because it was mostly Sirisha bitching about Kaleb getting stressed over nothing.
Yuriko returned to cleaning the cup that was in her hand… at that, the door leading out of Yuriko’s restaurant immediately opened, revealing two kids running in, a boy, roughly seven years old, and his four year old sister, who was chasing him.
“Mom, mom!” Sirisha growled at that, turning to see her son, the boy looked agitated, his eyes were a bright yellow, as opposed to his sister’s gray eyes. “Aimee’s blew me away.”
“Did not!” Aimee replied, scowling to her older brother. Sirisha sighed.
“Aki, your sister isn’t a bender, that’s impossible.” Aimee grinned at that.
“But-but she did-“
“Head back outside, your dad’s probably looking for you.” Sirisha replied, Aimee laughed as Aki approached the door leading out, she quickly spat out her tongue. Yuriko eyed the little girl for a moment, while Sirisha snapped, “None of that, you want Mrs. Kuroda here to see you have no manners!?” Aimee pouted, looking down from her mother’s berating.
“No…”
“Then enough of this… blowing-stuff.” Honestly, Sirisha had no idea what that was all about, only that Aki continued to complain about her blasting him to the ground, tripping him without using her legs, blowing leaves at him… and Kaleb was slowly going to his wit’s end over Aki and his annoying fibs.
“Okay momma.”
“Then go back outside… I’m sure your dad’s waiting for you.” Aimee nodded, approaching the door slowly, looking back to her mom. “Aimee?” the girl focused on her, hesitantly.
“Are you mad at me?”
“…” Sirisha sighed slowly, eyes softening, “No sweetheart… go play outside, I’ll be out soon.”
“Okay.” She turned away, and finally left the room, with Sirisha groaning from this…
Her kids were too rowdy, it was driving her insane…
Or maybe it was just the baby in her belly that was doing it. Yuriko watched this for a moment, sighing.
“You know, she’d make a good playmate for Aria and Mina.” Sirisha shrugged at that. She had never even seen Yuriko’s daughter, Aria. Apparently the girl was always too busy playing in the woods.
“Let’s give it a few years, when they can properly talk and not lie… or set us on fire” she then supposed, Yuriko smiled at that, nodding her head.
“Mom…?” a voice then asked, Yuriko turned quickly, to see a little girl with bushy brown hair standing there. The girl wore a small red dress, which actually meshed well with her eyes… her husband’s eyes.
“Yeah, Mina?” The little girl remained focused on her mother, as she blinked three times in the span of ten seconds. Minami was still getting used to the concept of “talking,” something Aria had mastered easily.
“Dad wants you, said dat… da… da books.” The girl looked to be straining herself, so Yuriko nodded, stepping away from her friend.
“Alright, thanks Mina… while I’m out, you watch the bar. Got it?”
“I watch… watch…” she stuttered.
“The bar.”
“The bawr.” Minami replied, Yuriko sighed, nodding.
“Close enough.” The woman nodded to Sirisha, “Ren sometimes needs my help with the books, he doesn’t keep a system so-“
“Yeah, I get it… I’m sure Mina can handle this.” She smiled, Yuriko left the room, as Minami stepped more into it, unsure. She was roughly two years old, and barely on the cusp of three. Sirisha watched as the little girl wandered around the room aimlessly, she couldn’t climb up the tall bar stool that Yuriko had been sitting at, so instead she wandered. Eventually this led her to Sirisha, who simply smiled.
Minami, now she was a tamed child, not doing anything crazy, shooting fire at people, lying to everyone…
Then again, she couldn’t talk, but she did look the honest type.
“Hey there.” Sirisha replied, Minami seemed much focused on one thing…
Her stomach.
“H-hi.” She smiled, remaining focused on Sirisha, who realized the pregnancy was intimidating the girl. Slowly and casually, Minami climbed up the nearby bar stool, reaching the top, and sitting on it proudly. Her legs bounced around excited, while Sirisha grinned.
“You did it.”
“Yeah…” the girl muttered, smiling at Sirisha’s praise…
Yuriko never praised her.
Sirisha eyed her neighbor for a quick moment, noticing that Minami was still looking at her belly. She looked down, referring to it.
“Do you know what’s in here?” she asked, hand arcing around it.
“Food?”
“…” Sirisha sighed, “Do you know what else is in here?” Minami eyed it, really focused. “Your mom had one too, not so long ago.”
“She did?”
“Yeah… do you know what it is, now?” Minami eyed her stomach rather focused for a moment… before coming up with an answer.
“B-ba-baby.” Sirisha smiled, “Dat’s a baby.”
“Very good.” The woman praised her, “You’re very smart.”
“It’s a baby.” She repeated to herself. Pointing for a moment, before, pausing. After a moment, Sirisha nudged a little closer.
“Do you wanna touch it?”
“Huh?”
“You can if you want, move your hand up and touch it… she won’t mind.” Minami focused on this, before nudging closer, until lowering her hand to the woman’s stomach… tracing her palm around it.
The girl was especially careful, trying her hardest not to hurt anyone. Finally her grip relaxed slowly, as Sirisha smiled.
“Do you feel her?” The girl was silent, taking this in slowly. The woman remained focused on her, as her eyes slowly widened, looking up to the woman with a look of astonishment.
“…Yeah.” Minami smiled, “I do.” Sirisha could only smile at the child’s amazement… she wasn’t even that much older than the baby she was going to have. “Who is she?”
“She’s going to be my little girl.” Minami raised an eyebrow, perplexed.
“I thought dat… A-a-Aimee was your l-little girl.”
“You can have more than one.” The woman replied, “I’m sure you and Aria are mommy’s little princesses.”
“Hah.” Minami then laughed, “Onwy pwin-cess is… de-de earth pwincess.” Sirisha raised an eyebrow at that.
“Why’s that?” the woman than asked.
“She not-not marwied.” Minami was slowly getting the hang of this. Sirisha was a bit surprised how much Yuriko didn’t spoil her girls, then again…
Ren seemed like the one that was more excited to have kids. Sirisha could remember when Yuriko was finally having Minami, and how she had to watch Aria in the hospital as the birth was taking place.
Even though Sirisha wasn’t here… she could remember someone yelling “YOU DID THIS TO ME!” With Aria looking up thinking her mom was dying.
“Still, I don’t think the earth princess would be the only princess.”
“Buh she is!”
“Not true, I hear in this desert colony they have a princess, and she’s around your age.”
“Wuh!” Minami stared, while Sirisha smiled. Kaleb had went to see this place with his friend once, to study sandbending(despite him and Sifo being waterbenders), the Shen Jing desert was an interesting place… especially considering they had a tribe large enough to be considered royalty. “Wuh her name?”
“I don’t know, honestly.” Kaleb probably knew, he loved that political crap. Minami nodded, slowly moving her hand away from the woman’s stomach.
“When’ll she be… h-ere?”
“A few months from now, not long.” Minami smiled at that, while Yuriko hurried back into the room, quick to approach a nearby stove that had an order of noodles in it. Minami eyed her mom, smiling.
“Hi mom.”
“Hey Mina…” Yuriko replied, eying her on the chair for a moment. “Get of your perch, I bet daddy needs your help.” Minami smiled, before scowling at the realization she’d have to climb down. The girl was about to attempt it, when Sirisha’s hands came to Minami’s sides, as she slowly picked her up, and lowered her to the ground, groaning at the pain of doing so.
“Thanks!” she smiled, hurrying away, while Sirisha groaned. She was pregnant after all, now wasn’t the time to be doing ANY heavy lifting.
Even though that little girl probably didn’t count. Yuriko smirked.
“Kids right… they take all the energy out of you.”
“Right…” Sirisha replied. As she said that, she turned to see a man walking in, Aimee was on his back, and Aki was walking beside him. Sirisha smiled at seeing her husband.
“Hope they didn’t tire you out.”
“They might have.” Kaleb sighed, “Hard to think they’ll be another one running around.” Sirisha grinned at that, before turning to Yuriko, who had finished up with the order and had it ready to hand out to a customer.
“We should get going.”
“So soon?”
“It’s probably past the kid’s bedtime anyways… and my mother’s visiting tomorrow for lunch, so I should probably prepare for that.” She shrugged, while Yuriko nodded.
“You have fun with that.” As she said that, the family of four exited her restaurant. Yuriko sighed slowly in relief. “…Thought she’d never leave.” She said to herself, Sirisha loved talk.
“I guess that’s what I risk… being friends with her.” She joked to herself. As she continued to shine the dishes, she turned to the sound of the door opening, she sighed.
“Sirisha, didn’t you say-“ she then paused as she saw a little girl stepping into the restaurant, dark brown hair over a torn green dress. She wore a green bow in her hair, which matched her eyes rather well…
Her mother’s eyes.
“Where have you been?” Yuriko instantly asked.
“Playing.” Aria smiled, stepping into the house, she carried a small slingshot with her.
“You were out with the birds again.” Yuriko then deduced, Aria smiled, while her mom sighed. “Do you know how late it is?”
“Um… well…” Aria did not know,
“What color was the sky?”
“Black.”
“And what does black mean?”
“Dark.”
“And what do we do, when it’s dark?”
“We go to sleep?” The woman nodded.
“Yes Aria… change into your clean clothes, and then you can help me with these dishes, and get you off to bed.”
“’Kay mom.” The little girl smiled, stepping into another room, while Yuriko sighed.
“Kids these days…”

MEANWHILE

The earth kingdom pub in He Shui, as usual… was very lively. Men were sitting all around the room, drinking and having a good time. There wasn’t a Firenation pub, so this place worked well enough. And nearby was a small motel that was usually used by Firenation citizens, so this place was more convenient, anyways.
A man sat at the stool, taking quick swigs of his drink in succession, with another man sitting across from him, excited.
“You sure know how to drink.” The older, balding man replied, his friend nodded…
They were both Firenation men in this pub, so they decided to drink together.
“It’s what I do.” The younger man replied, with impeccable slurring. “My mother’s paying for me to stay in that motel, so I’m figuring… why don’t I just spend that money here?”
“That’s pretty clever thinking.”
“Yeah well, it’ll get me through the night.”
“I bet, if my wife caught me staying here, she’d hang me from my intestines…” the balding man replied, while his friend shrugged. “That reminds me… didn’t get your name.”
“Blaine Gazu… you might have heard of me.”
“…Can’t say that I have.” Blaine’s eyes widened in disappointment.
“Blaine Gazu, son of Gavin Gazu, the industrialist?”
“Never heard of you.” Blaine pouted at that, immediately, while his friend sighed, “I’ve been a bit too busy with other things to really notice what’s going on in the business world, my kids are a handful.”
“Your hairline is evident of that.”
“Ohh, that’s a tough blow.” Blaine smirked, while his friend simply chuckled. “You know Blaine… you’re a good time.” He nodded at that.
“Thanks… I might as well have a good time here, not gonna have one tomorrow.”
“Why’s that?”
“My mother is expecting me to show up at our reunion and it’s-“ he quickly flicked his fingers “IMPORTANT, that I don’t mess this up.”
“Why, you not on good terms with someone?”
“No, more like someone’s not on good terms with someone else, and I not being either party.”
“So you’re just showing up because your mother said so.”
“Pretty much, usually I’d be living it up in the Firenation, but… here I am.”
“Yeah, currently my family’s just passing through, taking a look around… we like to vacation around, thinking of seeing republic city, maybe catch a probending match.”
“Oh don’t get me started on that crap!” Blaine complained, “It’s all fake, they stage the matches just to make more and more money.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” His friend nodded quickly, “And even as a firebender it’s obvious.”
“I’m not saying this because I’m a nonbender, I fully believe that probending is just a bunch of cheap plays to a crowd. You know that crap pisses me off.”
“I know, right? I’m only going because my kids are big fans.”
“Oh, if I had kids who were probender fans, I’d be so pissed.”
“I mean… it’s fun to look at but… pretty visuals will only get you so far!” his friend replied, Blaine’s eyes widened.
“You get me so much!” Blaine smiled, taking another sip of his beer, his friend quickly ordered one. “I thought you were heading out.”
“Nah, having too much fun, don’t worry… I won’t slow down if you won’t.”
And to that… Blaine simply grinned.

THE NEXT DAY

“Well Kaleb, things are going well, I suppose.” A calm voice replied, Kaleb breathed slowly. He was currently sitting in the living room of their house, hand attached to the phone. “Maka isn’t making a fuss and…”
“What about Meme?”
“No clue… best left at that.”
“Good, that’s good.” Kaleb sighed in relief, this situation had been dealt with four years ago, the last thing he wanted was for it to become a problem again. “Still, I have to thank you for the funding.”
“It’s no problem Kaleb, the board approved, I just signed on the order.”
“Still Sifo, you could have said no.” Sifo chuckled at that.
“I’m not one to throw my best friend into the fire, if it means anything, I didn’t just do it for you.”
“…I know, Siri really appreciates it too.” This grant was the only thing keeping them here, Sirisha really loved the neighborhood… if they couldn’t work here, they’d end up in republic city, commonly joked in the northern water tribe as: a cesspool.
“I heard kid number three’s on the way.” Sifo liked this topic well, especially because Kaleb told him he’d be the godparent… Sirisha got to pick who was the one for Aimee, and Aki… so it was only fair Kaleb chose for this one.
“Yeah, and I’m sure she’d thank you.”
“Any idea on a name?”
“No, not really… do you have any clue?”
“Well, being an adopted only child who never had a mother apart from yours… I suppose Kana won’t work?”
“No, it wouldn’t.”
“Well, I don’t know what to tell you.”
“I just… we need something creative.”
“…Just don’t give it an A in front, I know it seems clever to have Aki and Aimee Akira, but they’ll probably grow up hating it.”
“Alright, Werrick.”
“Hey, nothing wrong with my name, it’s classy.” Kaleb smiled at that.
“Right…”
“So…” Sifo then replied, trying to change the subject.
“so?”
“You told me a bit about it last month, about some kind of reunion?”
“Yeah and?”
“According to my calendar, it’s… today.”
“Well, we live in different time zones so-“
“That’s crap and you know it.” Kaleb worked hard to try and not talk about this openly, you never knew when Sirisha could be listening in.
“Alright, yeah it’s today.”
“I suppose you’re excited to meet more of her family.”
“Of course I’m excited… probably not as much as my mother in law, but I’m definitely excited.”
“Make sure to get me all the details.”
“Why?”
“Just in case it goes badly, I don’t want to awkwardly bring it up the next time you guys visit.”
“Well if you ‘awkwardly’ bring this up, I could just as easily ‘awkwardly’ bring up another topic.”
“You wouldn’t.” Sifo could tell he was joking, but Kaleb enjoyed talking about this ‘topic’… just because, well…
He really couldn’t say.
“No I wouldn’t… you know I wouldn’t.”
“I do… thanks.”
“No problem.” Kaleb sighed, before deciding to finish the call, “I should get going.”
“Yeah, me too… I’ll call you later.” After that, the phone went silent, with Kaleb smiling slightly.
“Who was that?” voice then asked, Kaleb turned immediately to see his son standing there, inquisitively.
“That was uncle Sifo.”
“Oh… so what’s today?” the boy then asked, Kaleb sighed.
“Um, today is… is… the day your grandmother visits.” Aki seemed easily disappointed by that.
“She visits every week.”
“I know, that’s what makes it so special, you expect it.”
“…Okay?” the boy then asked, with a sigh. “Is there anything… ‘unexpected’ happening today?” the firebender then asked, Kaleb sighed.
“Not that I know, but you never know what the future may bring.”
“You seem to know… and uncle Sifo seems to know.” Kaleb scowled at his son, easily annoyed.
“How about you go wake up your sister?”
“No, she’ll blast me!” the boy complained.
“Aki, your sister isn’t a bender, she’s not going to blast you.”
“You don’t know that… you’ve never been around when she does!” he protested.
“Right…” Kaleb sighed. “What’s it like when she blasts you?”
“She just… she waves her hands out, and suddenly I’m pushed back, it’s like when I throw fire, but… minus the burning.” Aki really did sound ridiculous, Kaleb had no idea how to deal with his problem… Aimee seemed just fine.
“So it was like firebending… but without firebending.”
“…”
“Sure it wasn’t waterbending, maybe she could be a waterbender?” Kaleb supposed out loud, with his son shaking his head. “Well then… I don’t know what to say.” He replied, Aki pouted, looking down, “Just wake her up… I’ll get your mother.” The boy obeyed, heading out of the room.

MEANWHILE

As Okeer began to notice, light was streaming in from the window his daughter had looked out from before. He wasn’t sure when he actually woke up, but now everything was becoming really apparent. He felt a small body nudged ontop of his, that possessed his hair color. A woman with blonde hair’s head was nestled in between his shoulder and his neck, she seemed pulled in on account of the blue scarf wrapped around her neck that was being pulled on by his younger daughter.
He then noticed another thing, Angela was sitting on their seat, with her head on Tanya’s lap.
‘So, someone changed her mind…’ the older sister casually woke up herself, it was then that she eyed her father for a moment, who had a smirk. Angela was all about trying to outgrow them, she was seven years old, and did everything she could to be independent, she didn’t need a night light, she didn’t need any stuffed animals, and she sure as hell didn’t need to hold her mom’s hand…
And that, obviously wasn’t happening right now.
Okeer’s smirk continued, while Angela scowled.
“You’ll tell nobody.”
“I’m not agreeing to a seven year old on that.” He smirked, the girl sighed. “Look on the bright side, you’re doing what your mother asked.” The blonde girl pouted quickly, before getting up from Tanya’s lap. Tanya detected the change, but didn’t wake up. Okeer eyed Kokoro for a moment, before smiling.
He knew very well how much of a heavy sleeper Kokoro was, same for his wife. Slowly, and effortlessly, Okeer stood up, cradling his daughter, and shifting his wife to lay down fully on the cushion, she didn’t notice a thing. After that, he noticed Kokoro was still clutching her scarf, so he decided to make a quick change. He rested the little girl in her mother’s arms, wrapped Tanya’s arms around Kokoro, and then managed to step away without waking a single body.
This was his usual thing, and it was a nice way to help improve Tanya’s confidence as a mother. Every day he’d usually wake up early, as did Angela, so he would take this chance to spend time with her. The girl waited at the door, watching her dad.
“You finished?” he glanced back to his wife, seeing her clutch his daughter tightly.
“Yeah, think I am.” He replied, turning towards Angela, “Let’s grab some grub.” The girl smiled, nodding at that. She quickly opened the door, which Okeer followed, stepping out of the room, into the railroad car it was situated in. This train was considerably luxurious, nothing he could ever afford on his salary, and luckily he didn’t have to, as Tanya’s mother afforded it. With so, they could see doors leading into the rooms, which occupied passengers, one of which looked to be the bathroom Angela talked about taking her sister and running from.
“You need to go?” he asked, eying the blonde girl,
“No.” she replied, walking forward towards a door, likely leading to the next car. Okeer sighed at his daughter’s indifference, as she paused at the door, wondering how to open it.
“I got it.” He replied, pressing his hand to it, and opening the door. Angela stepped out quickly, with Okeer sighing in annoyance and Angela peaked around the outside area of the train car. The train was currently taking a turn, so she could feel her hair blasting backwards from the wind.
“I bet someone wished she’d let her mom braid her hair now.” Okeer joked, while Angela scowled. Tanya would always try to braid her hair, which Angela would have none of… she liked having her hair feeling free.
It was annoying how at seven years old, Angela Shiki already had full control of her personality. He opened the next train door, which Angela (naturally) hurried into.
“Hey, wait!” he protested, while his daughter naturally ignored him… it might have been she smelled food on the other side. Okeer sighed, passing through the door, and shutting it behind him, finding himself in a large sized rail cart…
Immediately he recognized the scent of earth kingdom food, something he was rather used to, having to visit his parents on Whale Tail Island. People were standing all around the area, mingling and excited to eat their breakfast. Most looked like they were heading to He Shui as well, though others looked like they were going directly to republic city(which was this train’s second stop after He Shui). As Okeer glanced around the room, he couldn’t see his daughter anywhere. As usual, Angela had just disappeared.
How predictable…
The father sighed for a moment, looking around the crowds of people, he walked by a few, sighing.
“Hey, um… I’m trying to find my daughter, think you might have seen her?”
“No sir, I haven’t seen any water tribe kids around here-“ Okeer sighed.
“She had blonde hair, and a fair complexion.” he added, they shrugged, he quickly approached other groups of people asking the same question. It didn’t help… he went by a couple Firenationers who seemed relatively quiet. “Have you seen my daughter, Firenation complexion, blonde hair?” they eyed each other, wondering whether they had seen her or not, and then sighed, disagreeing. Okeer groaned at this, “Well if you do, please tell me-“ and instantly at that, he heard the sound of a plate falling down to the ground, and impacting someone. Everyone was quiet from the sudden change, the cop turned his gaze slowly, before seeing something in the corner of his eye.
A tall old woman in blue clothing stood there, with what looked to be a green soup having fallen over her clothes. A plate was at her feet, with what appeared to be a blonde little girl standing in front of her…
Looking mortified.
“Do you know how much I paid for these clothes?” the woman yelled, angrily.
“I- I didn’t mean to-“
“You little rat!”
“You were standing there and I didn’t-“
“Did your mother ever teach you manners?”
“I-“ Okeer started to get closer, trying to get a better look of what was happening. The woman looked like she was trying to make a scene.
“Or is manners a thing they don’t have in the Firenation?”
“I’m not from the Firenation!” Angela protested. The woman looked very much like she was about to hurt Angela in some capacity, while the people surrounding simply…
Didn’t know how to comprehend this.
“Do they teach rats to lie? Because that’s all I’m seeing-“
“I’m sorry!” the girl squirmed.
“Sorry doesn’t pay the bills… you little RAT!” She looked about to strike at Angela, when immediately Okeer caught her hand, with a tight grip.
“Leave her alone.” The woman scowled, eying him and his impeccable grip.
“This isn’t your business… this is between me and this rat.”
“It’s my business when that rat happens to be my daughter.” The woman’s eyes widened in confusion, while the people surrounding them looked about as confused as the racist old lady.
“How can this rat be your kid?” she asked, in confusion.
“Because I have a loving relationship with her mother, my wife… So leave her alone.”
“She stained my shirt!” the woman replied, trying to maintain her pride. By now Okeer had released her hand, standing in between her and the little girl.
“You can buy another one, now quit harassing my kid before I report you to the conductor.”
“You report me? I have every right to report you”
“Fine, then I can go tell him how you were about to try and beat a child for staining your shirt, and also how I also happen to be a cop, let’s see who he believes.”
At this, the old woman scowled, turning away, unhappily. She began muttering racial slurs, some revolving around rats, like “rat lover” and others revolving around “Traitor”. At this, everyone stared, before quickly falling back to their daily routines of ignorance.
Angela’s breathing had calmed down, as she quickly turned to her dad, before running to him. He knelt down as the blonde girl hugged him.
“She was… she was so scary!” she replied, while Okeer sighed, patting her on her back.
“You chose well, getting Koko out when you did.” This was obviously the same woman Angela talked about from last night. The blonde girl nodded,
“Thanks for stopping her.”
“Hey I’m not about to let that old crone hit my little girl, aren’t I?” Angela smiled slowly, nodding. She slowly fell away from the hug, eying him.
“Still though, you cheated.”
“Hm?”
“You pulled rank on her.”
“She had it coming, saying those mean things.” He replied, she nodded.
“Why does… why did she call me a rat?” Okeer sighed at that, “That just seems… like a mean thing to say.”
“Well, is she mean?”
“Yeah.”
“You’ve got your answer… mean people say mean things.” Angela nodded slowly at that, “Especially the ignorant ones.” She took that in for a moment, eying him curiously, “Now I hope you listen every time we go around somewhere new… I know you think you’re grown up but… there’s nothing wrong with holding your dad’s hand… got it?” he asked, the seven year old took in, thinking over it, before nodding her head.
“Yeah.” He slowly raised up from his kneed position, with Angela quickly taking his hand, holding it.
“That’s more like it.” He smiled. Angela nodded her head quickly. It was a strange pair they made, a father and his daughter…
But Okeer wouldn’t have it any other way.
They then turned to see the car door open, to reveal a woman with slightly messy blonde hair stepping in, with a little girl sleeping over her shoulder, partially awake.
“Hey mom.” Angela smiled, while Tanya sighed… she then noticed Angela was holding her father’s hand.
“I can see you two wanted to have some time alone.” Both parties shrugged.
“How’s Koko?” Okeer asked.
“She’s still all tuckered out, you know how she gets on trips.” Everyone nodded. Tanya looked past Okeer, noticing some food out on trays. “Well, I’m starving… how about you two get some food for all four of us, while I pick out a spot to sit?” she then supposed, Angela eyed her.
“Why don’t you get food?”
“Too occupied with sleeping child.” Tanya chided, while Angela nodded. Kokoro continued to snooze, sounding like she was muttering something, as usual.
It was probably something about spirits. Okeer and Angela nodded, hurrying away, while Tanya glanced to see someone eying her curiously… having seen Okeer defend Angela from the old lady, and then talking with her.
“Yeah?”
“Gotta say mam, you’re lucky to have him.” The blonde woman smiled.
“I figured that out a long time ago.”

MEANWHILE

The bedroom was a nice dark color, as Kaleb could tell. The blinds were shut, though light could be seen from inside the room. His wife continued to sleep on their mattress, under their gray blanket. She didn’t even seem to notice that the door had opened. Kaleb drew closer, resting his hand over her side, causing the woman to groan.
“Come on, it’s time to get up.”
“Five more minutes…” she pleaded, while Kaleb smirked,
“Your mother’s coming whether you like it or not, so wouldn’t you want to be more prepared?” The woman’s eyes shot open, causing Kaleb to smile.
“You couldn’t just let me sleep.”
“Nope, ‘fraid not.” He smiled, before casually kissing her on the forehead. Sirisha sighed, before pulling the blankets away, and turning. She seemed to be taken this pregnancy much better than she had taken Aki and Aimee, she definitely wasn’t as moody like before. Sirisha continued to sit there, as her husband dropped his hand to her stomach, moving around it.
“How is she?” Sirisha yawned.
“A bit cranky, you probably woke her up.” She complained, with a slight grin. Kaleb smiled at that, edging forward to quickly kiss her. He stood back up, while Sirisha sighed. “Do I have to?” she complained.
“Yes, then you can sleep in tomorrow.”
“Can’t, we have work, remember?” she smirked, while Kaleb sighed.
“How did I ever end up with you?” The brunette woman shrugged.
“You could have easily stayed in the water tribe and never come back… but you didn’t.” Kaleb smiled.
“And I still have yet to regret it.” He uttered, at that, his wife slowly stood up, quickly gaining her balance… at this point, she was rather used to walking top heavy. “Go get a quick shower, I’ll get the kids ready to see Mizuki.” He smiled, the woman nodded.
“Alright.” She stepped away, leaving Kaleb alone in the bed room. He observed the room for a moment, it was a nice homely yellow, complete with a gray rug… they couldn’t decide on a color, so eventually they just both went for a color they both liked that didn’t dominate the other(blue vs red), the rug just came with the house. And then covering the wall was a collection of frames containing old pictures…
Most of the pictures came from Kaleb’s family in the northern water tribe. All pictures of Sirisha were either of her alone as a child, or of her grown up with Kaleb(one of which was a picture of them together on their first date). Kaleb’s family was very photogenic, a trait he would continue to exhibit.
It was also a slight bit funny how Sifo Werrick, a man who wasn’t even related to Kaleb, was involved in these pictures, and even he developed the trait… showing up in many pictures of himself and Kaleb.
It made sense, Sifo was his best friend after all… even if sometimes he made him so furious.
Kaleb eyed more of the other pictures for a moment, before turning back, and leaving the room. His son was just waiting outside, looking to him.
“Dad, Aimee did it again!” Aki complained, while Kaleb sighed.
“Is she up?”
“Yeah…” he pouted.
“Good, now make sure to be good for grand-gran, none of this blowing stuff, got it?”
“But!”
“Got it?” he then asked, to quick Aki sighed, nodding his head.
“Yeah dad.” Kaleb quickly stepped past him, into the hallway, while the boy groaned. Aki watched as Kaleb walked away, before beginning to walk out of the hallway. Aimee immediately popped up beside him, forcing the boy to fall back fearfully.
“AGH!” he hit the ground hard while the little girl giggled to herself.
“Stop doing that!” he protested, while Aimee casually spat her tongue out in defiance.
“I didn’t even do it dat time!” she announced smugly, while Aki growled.
“But you cudda.” He stood back up, frowning. “You better do none of that when gran-gran’s here-“ the girl’s eyes lit up at the sound of that.
“Gran-Gran, she’s coming?!” she asked, excited, while Aki nodded.
“That’s what dad said yesterday-“ immediately, Aimee pushed past Aki, moving with a sudden blast of agility. The boy tumbled back into the wall with a groan, as his sister disappeared.
“Why does nobody listen to me!?” he yelled, unhappily.
As Kaleb stood at the door leading outside, he glanced out the window to see something, a car approaching.
‘Looks like the type Mizu would rent…’ It looked like a rather high on the line sato mobile, since Sirisha’s father was rather wealthy, Mizuki had a lot of cash the throw around…
Though she really didn’t like to, she seemed more the type to share it with some charity instead of her own family… then again, being a fire sage (well, a recently retired one) did a lot for someone’s character. As Kaleb eyed the approaching vehicle, seeing it park, he felt a hand quickly reach for his leg harshly, turning, he saw Aimee standing there, and the little girl was attached to his leg.
“Is she-is she here?” the girl asked, quickly. Kaleb found himself smiling, nodding.
“Yeah, she is.” At that, Aimee turned to the window, trying to jump up and down, looking to it. Naturally she failed, not having the height necessary. The girl wore her usual orange dress… the same one she usually wore on Sundays (Sirisha had their clothes planned out for every week). It meshed well with her hair, which was braided upwards with a small yellow bow. The girl was excited, though disappointed that her height meant she couldn’t reach up to see the window.
Kaleb crouched down, to grip the girl by her arms. The child smiled as he pulled her up, settling her near his right shoulder, allowing her to see. Aimee’s mood improved even more at this, staring out in the window. She could see an old woman with graying blonde hair stepping out of the vehicle. She had bright orange eyes, much like Sirisha’s. Aimee waved instantly, while the old woman smiled, waving her own hand.
Mizuki reached the door, proceeding in a knock on it. Kaleb opened it quickly, with the little girl growing more excited. Finally it was open, and the old woman stood there, face looking the further it could from a frown.
“May I come in?” she asked. Kaleb shrugged, holding the excited toddler in his hand.
“That depends, are you gonna hold her?”
And to that, Mizuki simply smiled.

MEANWHILE

“And you know… I LOVED THIS GIRL!” Blaine yelled, “And she just betrayed me, saying… ‘Act your age Blaine’… I was acting my age!”
“I know, you said you were drunk.” His friend replied, “What’d she do?”
“She broke up with me, never wanted to see me again!”
“That’s cold.”
“She was a total bitch!” Blaine slurred. “I’m as ‘grown up’ as they come!”
“I bet.” His friend replied. They had been drinking the entire night, and while Blaine was clearly drunk, his friend seemed much more sober, it was like alcohol didn’t even affect him.  Blaine didn’t even notice it, he just liked having someone to vent his drunken problems to. As he had noticed, they were the only ones in the bar now, the bartender looked rather tired, but wasn’t going to lose any business…
Especially with all the money Blaine was paying.
“So what was her name?”
“Um, well…” Blaien heaved, “It was a… um… a J-j… A joan? Maybe a Ming? I don’t… it’s not important.” He replied, his friend smiled.
“You’re totally right man… you just gotta get back on that ostrich-horse.”
“I don’t think I… I can do that, -BELCH- right now!”
“Oh well-“ as Blaine’s friend sat there, nodding to Blaine’s chatter, he turned to hear the door opening, with a tall young toddler stepping in quickly. The boy looked just like his father, apart from having a full head of hair.
“Dad?” the boy asked, The man turned, eying him. “Mom’s been looking for you.” The man’s eyes widened at this, before nodding.
“Oh, I’m sorry to have worried you… how about I take you back to the motel, and we can get ready to go?” the man asked, the boy took a sniff, before nodding.
“Okay.” He quickly hurried to his father, who quickly picked him up.
“Where’s your sister?” he then asked,
“With mom, they’re ready to go.”
“Well, so am I.” the man replied, he turned to Blaine, who looked rather confused. “This is my son.” The man eyed the boy for a moment, noticing the child holding his hand out… Blaine slowly smiled, drunkenly shaking his hand.
“I’m Blaine.”
“Josa.” He replied. With that, Blaine’s companion stood up from the bar stool, saluting.
“I gotta get going.”
“Yeah sure, take care Hiro.” Blaine replied.
“Good luck with your reunion.” The man waved, leaving the bar with Josa.
It was then Blaine realized two things in his drunken stupor…
1: Those were the coolest people he ever met.
AND
2: It was morning, and the reunion was in about an hour.