Chapter 6

Hello! Now this chapter jumps around with the time of day so DO watch out.

The next morning I was awoken by the sound of footsteps.

I slowly opened my eyes to see Aang with shaving creme all over his head as he continued to shave his head. Katara was fixing her hair loopies and gave a bright smile when she finished them. After finishing them, she got up and went to find who I assume would be Toph.

Finally, my eyes laid upon Sokka, who was swiping his machete along his cheek and chin. My eyes stayed on him. He was truly a sight to behold. He was funny, yet serious, sarcastic yet a leader but most of all, he was free. Free to do what he wanted.

His eyes darted down in the mirror, catching mine and holding them. A smile erupted onto his lips before turning around to face me "Well I see that you're finally up!"

"Yeah" I responded sitting up and stretching my arms above my head. "We were about to wake you" Aang added in as he bent some water from a bowl across the room and brought it to him, and then continued to wash off the shaving creme. 

"A girls day out!" a voice rings from inside Toph's room. Suddenly Katara runs from the room, her usual smile on her face. "Mika! Do you want to join Toph and I for a little spa day?" she asked.

Behind her, Toph was shaking her head back and fourth and mouthing 'NO!'.

"You know, I would but I should probably get home and let my parents know I'm alright" I spoke, feeling almost guilty for not going. 

"Aang and I can walk you home" Sokka spoke before grasping an arm around Aang. Aang shot Sokka a look but quickly wiped it away. "Yeah! I was just gonna walk around town today, so you're stop is on the way" he laughed lightly.

"Thank you" I spoke as I grabbed my stuff and gripped it tightly to myself.

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"So, you're parents own a small market stand?" Sokka asked as we walked through the Upper Ring. I nodded my head "My Grandparents owned the place as did their parents" I explained "What do your parents do?" I asked.

Aang instantly looked down as did Sokka. A frown now replaced his happy smile. "My father is somewhere on a ship with the warriors from my tribe. My mom, she's somewhere away from this war."

I instantly felt bad for asking, his father was away and his mother had passed on.

"But here's my stop" I spoke, hoping to lighten the dark mood. "Alright, but Mika, remember, you can always come to our house" Aan grinned before giving me a small hug like last night and he was off.

Now it was just Sokka and I. 

"Thank you" I spoke, looking into his ocean eyes. "It's no problem, but like Aang said, come by whenever you want to or if the Dai Li is bothering you" he spoke, a look of concern on his face. "I will, have fun today alright?" I smiled before crushing him into a hug. He stiffened but melting into it. Once I pulled away, I turned and walked into my small home.

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No one was home.

"They must be at the stand" I whispered to myself as I grabbed a pen and a scroll.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I came back home and no one was here. I'll be around Ba Sing Se, but I'll be home when the moon rises.

-Mika

I quickly rolled the scroll up and set it on the table before I started my way out of the house. On the way out, I spotted a piece of paper on the floor, but ignored it.

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The sun now began it's descent into the earth. 

I had spent the day walking around the city, eating foods, practicing Earth Bending and even saw a heard of animals lead by no other than the Avatar.

Reds, purples, yellows and oranges danced across the sky, causing warm feeling to go through my body. 

"Two apples please" I smiled at the vendor before handing him a couple of gold pieces. "Here you are Miss" the man responded before handing me the apples.

I shot him another grin before starting my way to a nice spot to watch the sunset: a small tree on a hill. I bit into the apple as I walked towards the grassy patch of soil, my feet content with the grass.

Suddenly, my eyes landed on an old man kneeling in front of the tree, candles lit.

ALERT ALERT CRYING ALERT OKAY!

"Happy Birthday my son. If only I could have helped you." the man whispered, his voice cracking. Then he started to sing.

  Leaves from the vine, falling so slow. 

Like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam. 

Little soldier boy, come marching home. 

Brave soldier boy, comes marching home.

As  he sung, his voice cracked as tears slipped down his face and into his beard. I placed a hand over my mouth as I hid a cry. The man continued to sit, eyes closed as he breathed heavily. With each breath, the flames grew and shrunk.

I stepped forward and proceeded to sing along to the song.

 Leaves from the vine, falling so slow.

Like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam.

Little soldier boy, come marching home.

Brave soldier boy, comes marching home.

The man looked up from the grave. He made no effort to wipe his tears, he continued to stare at me. "Who may you be?" he asked, his voice cracking. 

I slowly stepped up towards him and bowed. "I am deeply sorry for interrupting you, I was just coming to watch the sunset" I whispered, tears falling onto my cheeks. God I've been crying alot.

"It is alright child, I was just saying Happy Birthday" the man spoke before he started packing up the things. "Wait! This isn't his grave?" I asked, my eyes widening. The man shook his head "He does, but I am unable to visit it" he spoke, his head dropping.

I turned towards the tree. I lifted my hands and rose them up carefully, causing a small, square piece of earth to rise and settle. I turned back towards the man "What would you like me to write?" I asked quietly.

"His name would be just fine, it is Lu Ten" he spoke, another tear falling from his eye.

I slowly moved my hand, causing chunks of earth to fall out of the square, leaving it to read 'Lu Ten'. The old man smiled grimly at the tombstone.

"I'm Mika, and I'm sorry for your loss" I whispered. "And I am Iroh and thank you so much" Iroh smiled, pulling me down to the ground with him.

"Will you sing the song with me again? It would bring me great joy" Iroh asked looking into my eyes as I gave a firm nod.

This chapter is for the fallen uncle that gave us so many memorable times.