#azulea

The Dancing Warrior: Water, Chapter 9

(Sokka x OC Reader)

The sun was long gone, sunken deep behind the horizon as the fire glowed golden, just like the sun. The sky was a deep, deep blue, almost black, and the water along the shore just as dark to match. Accompanied by the full moon shining down on everything.

There they sat across from each other on the cold sand. The Fire Nation girl and Water Tribe boy. Navani sat with her legs crossed in front of her, leaning back on her palms, running her fingers through the grainy sand. She let out a sigh, careful not to be to loud. Katara and Aang were fast asleep only a few feet away from them.

She moved to a normal sitting position, glancing at Sokka poking at the fire with a stick. He sat with his knees up, starring at the fire, thought heavy on his mind. And it didn’t go unnoticed by the girl. She got up quietly, and settling beside him. She could tell something was one his mind, maybe she could help him.

“Are you ok?” She asked, gently placing her hand over his, taking the stick from his grasp.

He didn’t look at her, “Mhmm.” She ignited a small ball of fire from her palm. Adding the small flame to maintain the bigger one.

She turned and looked him in the eyes, “What are you thinking about?” Again taking his hand in hers.

Glancing down, intertwining their fingers he began, “Two years ago my dad and the other warriors left for battle. I had my war paint on, bags packed and everything. Ready to go off to war. But dad said I was too young. Even though he though I was a strong warrior. He said I needed to stay in the south to protect Katara and the rest of the village. Saying that a man knows where he is needed most.”

She looked at him with sad eyes, not realizing the lump forming in her throat. Her heart ached in her chest as she ran her thumb along the back of his hand, “I’m sorry, it must’ve been hard for you. Having to look after a village with your sister and all.”

“Yeah, I don’t know how anyone could live without a father. Let alone me.” He looked up, catching her gaze. He saw something he had never seen in her eyes before. They swelled with sadness, drooping almost. But he could tell that she was trying to make it seem like they weren’t. She was putting on a forefront. Then he had realized what he had said.

“Oh, Navani. I didn’t mean it like that.” He apologized, turning towards her and taking both her hands in his.

Her head hung low, “I know you didn’t. It’s alright.” She explained, speaking so her words wouldn’t waver. When she looked back up, tears swelled in her water line. He pulled her to his chest, holding her tightly. Her arms wrapped around him as she pressed her face to his chest, trying hard not to cry.

She couldn’t help it but all she could think about was how lucky he was to have a dad in the first place. Yes, she knew her father was out there somewhere, but when she was little she would fall asleep, wishing for him to return home. Hoping that he really did want her as a daughter. But she’s gone 15 years without a father and she could handle 15 more. Or at least she thought she could. The way she sat in Sokka’s arms sobbing said so otherwise.

The boy caressed her hair, like how he had seen Meena do before, “Hey, it’s ok. I didn’t mean to make that sound the way it did.”

Navani pulled away, looking at him with glossy eyes and tear stained cheeks, “It’s not your fault, Sokka. I shouldn’t even be crying over something so irrelevant in my life. Something so stupid.” She scoffed, feeling the lump in her throat grow heavier, along with her tears. She looked towards the sky to prevent them from falling.

Sokka placed his hand on her cheek, guiding her gaze back to him, “It’s not stupid, ok? These feelings you’re feeling aren’t stupid. It’s ok to let them out every once in a while, and I can tell that you’ve needed to for a very long time.”

She sniffled, looking him in the eyes as she spoke, “Thank you,” She wiped away her tears, “I guess I did need that...”

“You can always come to me for things like this.” He gave her a warm smile, finally having a moment to take her in.

The light from the fire illuminated her skin, highlighting her amber eye beautifully. Almost as if it was glowing. Meanwhile the moon aided her blue eye, turning it gorgeous shade of blue, a bit brighter than normal. She just looked so captivating and he couldn’t resist. She watched him lean in closer, glancing down at her lips as if asking it was ok. She answered by leaning in further. Their lips a fraction of a second apart, only stopping at the sound of a stick snapping under someone’s foot.

“Who’s there?!” They both jumped from their sitting position, Sokka wielding his boomerang and Navani shifting into a fight stance, her palms igniting a flame.

A man in water tribe clothing, with basically his whole left side of his torso and arm wrapped in bandages, emerged from the shadows behind them.

“Sokka?” He called once he was in close enough range.

Sokka’s confused expression shifted into a smile, “Bato?” Navani still stood in her stance, unsure if she should back down or not. At this point Katara and Aang had awoken.

Navani let down her guard, returning to a normal standing position as Sokka and Katara ran towards the stranger for a hug, “It is so good to see you two! You’ve grown so much.” The man cheered happily.

Aang walked past her to greet the man, so she figured she should join in as well.

“Hi, I’m Aang.” He bowed.

“And I’m Na-“ She began, only to be interrupted by Sokka and Katara asking questions. Her face fell and shoulders slouched as a big gust of wind sent chills through her body. Aang warmly placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a smile. Which she returned happily.

Soon Bato had lead them to the abbey where he was being cared for. Introducing the group of young adults to the sisters and leading them into his room. He pulled the door aside, Sokka and Katara gushing at the sight. Different decorations were hung on the walls, pelts were laid out on the floor, and there was a pot in the middle of the room with something cooking in it.

Katara and Sokka made themselves right at home, walking in.

“Bato!” Katara gasped, “It looks just like home!”

“Everything’s here. Even the pelts.” Sokka exclaimed, crouching down to run his fingers through the fur.

Aang trailed slowly behind them, “Yeah...nothing’s more cozy than animal skins.”

Navani stood in the doorway with a feeling in her gut that she didn’t like, “My mom had a few in her room. We didn’t really use them much since it never really got cold back home.”

Navani wandered in hesitantly, looking around. She recognized a few things, but other than that she was completely clueless. She eventually slowed, standing next to Aang. She somehow felt out of place, like she should know about these things even though she didn’t. She was a part of the culture after all....right?

Katara handed her and Aang small bowls of the sea prune stew. She loved eating them but she had only ever had them on occasion. Mostly because they typically didn’t agree with her stomach most of the time. But as she settled on the floor she took a small sip anyways, disregarding the fact that she would regret it later. She continued to eat her soup as Bato told stories from the South.

Soon after she had notice Aang get up from his spot and wander over to a hat hung up on the wall. As he placed it on his head, Navani couldn’t help it and giggled.

“Aang.” Bato called, “Please put that down. It’s ceremonial and very fragile.” Aang placed the hat back on the wall, walking to the other end of the room with a slouch.

Navani frowned at the sight, moving to go comfort the boy, only for Bato to ask, “And what about you, young lady? I never got your name.”

Navani turned, startled at the mans sudden interest in her, “I’m Navani.”

The man gestured towards her clothing, “I saw you fire bending earlier so I’m assuming you’re from the Fire Nation?”

“Oh, yeah.” She glanced down at her dark burgundy tunic, “But my mother, Meena, is from the Southern tribe.”

“Ah, yes! I knew you looked familiar. How could I forget?” Bato laughed and smiled, “She hated my guts but I will say that she is one of the best warriors I’ve ever seen.”

Navani smiled, “Yeah, she’s a great teacher.” Finally having a reason to warm up to the man.

“And what about your father?” He questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“He’s Fire Nation and the reason I can do this.” Navani demonstrated, lighting a small flame in her hand, “I’ve never met him but he sends his regards every month.”

“Well,” Bato chuckled, “Leave it to Meena to fall in love with a man she can’t have.”

“Oh.” Navani muttered, recuperating her guilty and unwelcome feelings from just a few moments before, “Uh, I think I’m going to grab some fresh air.”

She stood up, making her way towards the door as her head hung low.

“Oh! And by the way, Navani, I suggest you change out of that tunic before someone gets the wrong idea.” Bato called just as she slid the door open. Navani didn’t turn to look at him. She didn’t mean to but she accidentally pushed the door closed a little too loud, catching the attention from all the people within the area.

She muttered an apology, quickly leaving the reserve for a walk. As she wandered down a trail she felt the lump in her throat form again. Not everyone form the Fire Nation is bad, she thought. She had unintentionally found herself at the beach they had set up camp earlier. She noticed Aang perched on the boat washed ashore. She slowed, deciding to give him his space.

She turned quickly at the sound of heavy footsteps and watched as a man rode by, stopping in front of Aang. Navani was too far away to hear and care frankly. She stood silently at the edge of the beach as her stomach lurched.

“Uh oh.” She muttered, grabbing her stomach in pain. She stumbled her way over to some bushes, letting go of the food she just ate. She coughed and gagged, her stomach blatantly rejecting the food entirely. Once she had finished she slumped against the side of a tree, feeling miserable.

“Why did I eat those sea prunes?” She complained out loud.

“Navani?” Aang questioned, walking over to her, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” She struggled to stand, “I just shouldn’t have had the sea prunes. They can never sit right in my stomach.” She took hold of the boy’s outstretched hand, allowing him to put her arm around his shoulders for support.

“Well, let’s get you back to Sokka and Katara for some food that you can actually eat.”

===

The next morning she had woke up feeling better but she only got to relish in it for a little while. Seeing now that Bato was now taking them “ice” dodging, her stomach was doing flips again. Bato had instructed them all on what to do. Aang and Navani both in charge of the gip. Navani was nervous beyond belief. She had been on boats before but nothing ever like this. The boat rocked and jerked back and forth as they all took control of their positions. The only time she moved was when told to, other than that it was like she was frozen in place. She nearly wet her pants when the boat neared a blockade of rocks too close to each other to pass through.

“Aang, I need air in that sail.” Sokka commanded, “Katara, Navani, I want you to bend as much water as you can between us and those rocks.”

Navani waddled over the the side of the boat, careful not to get too close to the edge.

“Now!” Sokka yelled, signaling everyone. Aang blew gusts of wind into the sail as Navani and Katara moved swiftly to bend the water beneath the boat. They all let out sighs of relief once they made it over the rocks. Once they docked the boat on the shore, Navani raced off, happy to be in solid land again.

“The spirits of water bare witness to these marks.” Bato exclaimed, “For Sokka, the mark of the wise.” The man painted a symbol on Sokka’s forehead. The Katara, who bared the mark of the brave. And now Navani.

“For Navani, the mark of the aid. For being there when needed.” Bato painted a symbol on her forehead as she smiled bashfully.

“Now for Aang, the mark of the trusted. You are now an honorary member of the water tribe.” Bato claimed, swiping his thumb across the boy’s forehead.

“I can’t.” Aang rebottled unexpectedly, startling them all and wiping off the fresh paint.

“Of course you can.” Katara exclaimed, only to have the boy protest again.

“Aang, what do you mean?” Navani questioned, stepping forward, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

His head hung low as he explained himself, “You can’t trust me. A messenger gave this to me for Bato.” He pulled out a wad of paper, handing it to Navani. She uncrumbled the paper, revealing a map. She hadn’t been able to see what it was a map of before Sokka snatched it from her hands from over her shoulder.

“This is a map to our father!” The boy yelled in her ear, causing her to jump back, “You had it the whole time?! How could you?!”

“Sokka, I’m sure he didn’t mean it.” Navani tried, only for Sokka to push her aside.

“You can go to the North Pole on your own!” He turns to stomp off, looking over his shoulder, “Katara, Navani, are you coming?”

Navani and Katara stand beside each other, glancing from one another. Navani watched as Katara padded over to her brother.

“Sokka, you can’t just abandon Aang like this. You’ll get to see your father eventually.” She argued, anger bubbling inside her.

“Why are you even part of this?” Sokka stomped over, sticking a finger in her face, “I knew you wouldn’t understand! You don’t even have a dad!”

In that moment, her heart sank into her stomach and her palms grew hot. The anger the flowed within her went straight to her palms, creating flames but she quickly stopped herself, knowing it would only worsen the situation. Instead the anger diminished into sobs as she pushed past them and ran off, choking on her tears.

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MY BABY IS FINALLY HERE! TAT (Already waiting for the second wave)

DerekDerekDerek

I call it a good week.

Bonus:

Jesus and Inuyasha have the same voice actor...

I can’t.

THEY ARE FINALLY HOME! 

I can’t believe this cuties are already here OMG! They are 10 times better than what I expected ;7; Good thing that I already ordered the other set >_<!

Thanks to @beerwolves for being awesome <3

What are you waiting for, go to her store and get them.

**

And when I thought that he would never arrive...

I’m dead

Still waiting for Jill tho.