Chapter 35: Omashu (1)
"Yeah, ya know, I let 'em take 'way the kids," Tamashi picked his nose. The dilapidated village's chief's voice was coarse, loud, and simply unpleasant to hear due to the thick accent he acquired over the years. The worn and broken Chief looked nonchalant despite the crowd of thin but furious Earthbender prisoners. Compared to the rest, despite a balding head, white hair, and patches in his garb, one man looked more dignified.
Meanwhile, Tamashi looked uneven.
Even when standing in the distance, Katara did not find the man pleasing to her eyes, and it's not because of his bent stature and scars blessed on him by the torturous villagers during his early years. The novice waterbending would find anyone displeasing if they choked her brother a day before.
"Why?"
The man opposite Tamashi was Tyro. The powerful earthbender with excellent leadership qualities quickly led the capture of the firebenders in the prison rig - also - Haru's father.
"Why? Did 'ya fucking ask me why?" Tamashi began to chuckle. No, he hollered.
"That's mighty 'ne, eh? Look around ya, rock bastards!" Tamashi shouted.
His fierce expression stunned the other recently freed prisoners. The broken Chieftain ferociously smacked his chest, barking till he spat with his words.
"I ain't the only one to give up! Every fucking village did cause we have nothing! Nothin!"
Tamashi lunged at Tyro, gripping his collar, "Yeah? We have roofs. Ain't that nice?! But do we got some food? And how were the kids to grow and live if your own fucking wife couldn't survive!"
Tyro's face was now covered with spit while Haru clenched his fists. Tamashi looked around, a mocking sneer on his lips as his glare slipped from the villagers to Sokka, Haru, Katara, and the final visitors who reached the village a few seconds ago—Nik and Aang.
"You all fucking kicked me! Broke me! Tore me to shreds!" His voice turned hoarse, "Whaddaya think woulda happened, eh? Every fucking child dead. That's what! I saved them! I! Me! That's fucking who!"
His words make the villagers quiver. Not in anger but sheer sadness.
"And here they come! Earthbenders. Move rock, move pebbles, get fucking caught, and leave your families behind, eh?" Tamashi chuckled, "What ya gonna do? Stone me? Then just do it but don't 'ya fucking dare all come self-righteous! Cause guess what?! You all fuckers are not a shred better than me!" He howled.
"Ya, hear that, Haru! You fucking kicked me! But yer the earthbender from the moment these firebenders came kicking in! You didn't do anything! If you didn't, then fuck off and let me take care of the young'uns!" The man hatefully glared at Haru till it evaporated the latter's anger, making the youth step back and dodge Tamashi's gaze.
"The kids got food now, yeah! Shelter. Some fucking decent clothes!"
Tamashi's sharp screams silenced everyone. Even Tyro's expression couldn't help but change and fall crestfallen while Suki and Aang had their shoulders hanging low.
"That's why we broke out these guys," Sokka scratched his chin. While he revealed an empathetic expression, his words remained carefree, stunning everyone present. "The only problem here's got to be that you felt weak... I get it. I do. I don't have any sob story to share, but no matter food or shelter... no child should be separated from parents who are willing to work and support them. So, one way or the other, I promise every village will have their children returned..."
The young Chieftain glances at the villagers, inclining his head, "As for who kicked you and whatnot, that's not my concern."
Giving Tamashi a knowing glance, Sokka turned around, glaring at the crowd around them as he demanded curtly, "Give way."
"You can't!" Tamashi suddenly spoke. "Kid, y'all never gonna win... please don't drag children in, too!"
His voice was surprisingly soft.
"You said that your kids have food and shelter..." Sokka chuckled, looking back and observing the almost begging expression on Tamashi. "I reckon that if asked, they would want their parents more. And I know where they are. So sit back, let your injured bones rest a bit."
Sokka walked out while Haru bowed deeply, "Sorry... for everything, Uncle Tamashi... I was scared back then. Too scared. But I'm gonna help out... you know. Let my actions speak louder."
Meanwhile, Tyro grasped Tamashi's shoulder before pulling the man into a bear hug. His actions made Tamashi quiver as old Tyro grumbled, "We're gonna get your kid back, Kiddo. We all lost while promising victory... and you had to bear the brunt."
Tamashi clenched his jaws. He was younger than Tyro by a lot. Like other villagers, Haru's mother was nothing short of family for Tamashi. That's why his decision to give up the children stung them the most and why he could still accept all the beatings. His body felt weightless, and Tamashi finally felt dizzy before falling unconscious in Tyro's arms due to the intense emotions that filled his mind.
---
"So... we are going to Omashu after all, huh," Katara mumbled while Nik and Suki looked at Sokka. Since the man promised and took responsibility, they were willing to hear what he had to say. With the earthbenders returning, Tyro had everyone return to their surrounding villages to refurnish the region and build safer houses.
Currently, Nik and others are in one such structure. Haru and Tyro, meanwhile, were catching up.
"They're kids, Katara... I know I said that others' problems shouldn't affect us." Sokka looked down, unable to meet others' eyes.
"Yep, you're one big hypocrite," Katara grinned, forcing Sokka to smile back.
"Suki, what do you know about Omashu? Tamashi still hasn't woken up," Sokka inquired. They sat in a circle, looking at Suki, who had gotten out of her Kyoshi kit but kept the face paint on since it's a hassle to constantly remove and reapply it.
"I think some noble lord from the Fire Nation took charge, but overall, the Kyoshi Warriors did not hear of any citizen being cast out of their homes."
Sokka nodded, and he looked at Nik.
"I have a few fire soldier uniforms," Nik replied.
"Before acting, we should find out Omashu's present situation. The Fire Nation wouldn't care for strangers' children out of kindness, not by tearing them away from their families. Sure, they are provided food, shelter, and clothes, but why would the Fire Nation or Phoenix King incur such costs?" Sokka frowned.
"Maybe they did it to truly help?" Aang inquired weakly, not believing his own words but unable to cast suspicions.
"There's no reasonable explanation that justifies kidnapping children," Nik replied with a dark expression. He was invested in this task for personal reasons, too.
Aang nodded, feeling disgusted.
"Anyway, these are just speculations. We should calmly approach Omashu and observe as much as possible," Suki spoke up as she perceived the surroundings tensing.
The group nodded at her words.
Traveling to Omashu was easy on Appa's back, permitting them some respite before the news of the prison rig disappearing travels to significant sources. If possible, they wanted to deal with the issue before turning their attention to the imprisoned Fire Nation guards. Keeping them around for too long would invite unwanted trouble, and the Earthbenders had yet to decide what to do with them. Killing the guards would be the obvious choice, but the war ended, and the Earthbenders weren't murderers.
The situation was unpleasant and burdensome, but nobody forced others to stick with Sokka or Aang. Be it Aang's origins or Sokka's need to shoulder a Chieftain's responsibility was something Nik accepted despite being free from any further 'obligations.' Given his short companionship with the group, Nik helped them enough already, but he also didn't have anyone else—literally.
"Alright, I doubt that Tamashi will help us. That outburst was clearly due to the return of the other prisoners, but as he said, he willingly gave up. A man who has remained silent after years of torture... is not expected to co-operate easily. Time is of the essence—"
"Why don't we interrogate the guards?" Nik suddenly proposed. It's as Sokka said. The chance of Tamashi cooperating after cooling down was low, so it was better to inquire about Fire Nation soldiers. And they could know many recent happenings.
"I... don't know how," Sokka revealed an embarrassed expression while Suki coughed, "I know a few techniques. A little bit of pain ought to get it done..." Her vague words gave others an adequate idea of what was up.
"I don't know any exact technique, but I'm willing to help. We should partner up," Nik smiled, and Suki's expression brightened somewhat.
"Of course!"
---
"Oh! He was great!" Suki exclaimed as wind phased past the group on Appa. "He made the guards separate and asked them the same things! We soon compared the information and found a few things about Omashu."
Nik shrugged. He learned a few things from the wardens he serviced. He knew torture in theory and experience, so it all worked well. With a smile, Nik offered praise, too, "Don't lower your contribution," he chuckled, "If it wasn't for your locks and techniques, they wouldn't have admitted it so easily."
"You're just saying that," Suki rolled her eyes but glanced at Nik expectantly. Relatively well-versed with hints, he shook his head, not minding to feed Suki a few more words of praise. Seeing the duo, Katara stuck her tongue out with a soft 'ugh' while elbowing Sokka with a 'can you believe them' look. Meanwhile, Sokka, who wasn't well-versed in noticing social hints, dismissed his sister, reflecting on the information he received about Omashu.
*Pinch*
"Ow! What?!" Sokka yelped and glared at Katara while she scoffed and crossed her arms, "Nothing!"
"Come on, spill it! You just twisted a lot of flesh! What is it?" Sokka groaned, and feeling Suki's and Nik's stare landing on her, Katara blushed, "I said nothing!"
Glaring at Sokka fiercely, she grew quiet.
*Yawn*
Aang slowly sat up on Appa's head and looked back with an exhausted expression, "Guys, can you keep it down? I'm trying to sleep..."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Suki grinned, "Anyway, how far till Omashu?"
"I don't know, I was asleep," Aang rubbed his eyes.
"I wasn't paying attention... where are we?" Sokka inquired.
Katara and Suki looked equally clueless as they didn't keep an eye on the road as much as they did on others.
"Tall? Mountainous? With a red flag resembling a Phoenix?" Nik inquired as others nodded.
"Yeah, we crossed it half an hour ago," Nik smiled.
"What?" Sokka exclaimed.
"What to do?" Nik shrugged, "Aang was sleeping. I don't like waking people up once they are tired. You were busy, and I didn't want to disturb you. Suki was talking - better not to interrupt her and Katara..." Nik looked at her while the brown-skinned woman hurriedly dodged his gaze, "She looked deep in thought, too," Nik smiled as Katara blushed a bit and couldn't help but finally gaze at Nik with a wronged expression.
"So..." Aang narrowed his gaze with a dazed expression, still not completely awake.
"Sigh, it means we turn around. Come on, dude, not cool!" Sokka mumbled and leaned back with a huff while Nik snickered. The more time he spent here, the more he began to feel pleasant. The practical pranks were a clear indication of that matter.
"I wasn't talking that much," Suki grumbled.
*GRRRAAAGGGHHHHH*
Appa let out a growl while turning.
"Appa thinks you did," Aang called out, and Suki closed her eyes in frustration.
"Don't worry," Nik comforted, "I was enjoying it."
Suki observed his expression and finally sighed in relief internally.
They only missed Omashu because Aang never planned to move by the location closely.
Appa finally landed on a deserted location away from Omashu, and the group looked at each other.
"Alright, time to change clothes, people!" Sokka shrugged as Nik extended his left hand. Instantly, four sets of fire nation guard's armor fell on the ground alongside earthen tunics and trousers with a light green hat and a bandana.
"We will be on the other side," Katara spoke while picking up her armor as Suki followed after waving at Nik playfully.
"Say," Sokka whispered, "Do you know why Katara is acting like a crazy gal?" He questioned while taking off his tunic. Aang's ears perked up, and he reasoned, "Maybe she is affected by personal trouble?"
"Maybe she's just hungry," Nik, too, added. Sometimes it's just the stomach.
"Oh, that's possible," Sokka nodded, agreeing with Nik, "But we just ate before leaving."
"Not enough," Nik donned the red tunic before wearing the set of crimson and dark-red body armor. Grey trousers and similarly colored boots. The helmet of the guards had a flame-like carving and had a skull-white mask to cover the face.
Sokka wore a similar armor. Soon, wearing the same set of armor, Katara and Suki walked out. However, they had selected the men's uniform with shorter and more compact stature. Aang donned the traditional Earth Kingdom clothing and had his arrow on his forehead covered by the bandana and the remaining round hat to cover his head.
"Let's go! I did want to enter the city in different circumstances, but there are many fun things to do in Omashu, too. Once we get inside, I'll be your fun guide!" Aang gave an elegant bow before quickly rushing out.
The remaining group looked at each other before following.
*Chrt*
Momo's ears perked up, waking up when others left. Seeing nobody present, he once slumbered on Appa while the ten-tonne Sky Bison slumped down with its three pairs of legs stretched outwards.
***
Alternate Title: Two Sides To Every Story; The Burdened Chief; The Price of Upbringing; Solace; Outburst; Anger; Just Fury; Broken and Beaten; A Tragic Chief; Sokka Has No Sob Stories, He Only Has a Will And Ambition; The Young One's Promise; The Earthbenders Return; A Broken Man's Anger; Hypocrite; Next To Omashu!; Fulfilling Roles; Torture?; Suki and Nik Bonding Over Weirdest Shit; Jealous Katara; Katara Needs Some Attention!; Sokka: She's Crazy! Aang: Seconded. Nik: I Think She's Just Hungry; There's Never Enough Food; A Voluntary Association; Growing Friendship
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