Avatar: The Return of The Songbirds

Chapter Thirty-Seven - She Saved Us

But with every good thing, you always have to wake up. The next morning came too quickly for Chris. His body felt like it was being weighed down by a train. He could hear the other's starting their day around him, but his eyes refused to open. He felt like he needed more sleep and yet he felt over rested leaving him feeling groggy and disoriented. "Jesus, why won't m y eyes open!" Chris groaned to himself, before rubbing his eyes aggressively. It took him some time, but eventually he was able to slowly hoist himself up into a seated position, and lazily survey his surroundings. As his eyes came into focus he watched as everyone moved effortlessly around the branches surrounding him.

"Tsovey, be careful!" Tatal's voice caught Chris's attention, causing his head to shoot in the young child's direction.

"I am! We are just playing." Tsovey whined.

"Do not play on the branches!" Tatal barked. "Come down and play here." She added, with a stoic face.

Tsovey looked at her sister for a moment before rolling eyes. "Fine." Tsovey groaned, slowly making her way down with Lerukì close behind her.

"You have to be mindful, Tsovey! What if you fell." Tatal scolded.

"I know! I get it, I'm sorry." Tsovey pouted, looking down at her feet.

"It was my idea...I'm sorry." Lerukì proclaimed shyly.

Tatal sighed softly. "I just want you guys to be safe. It is alright, I was being too harsh. Go play." Tatal chuckled, looking back at Tsovey who was still looking down at the ground. "Tsovey, look at me." Tatal requested. Tsovey stayed firm in her stance for a minute before obeying her sister's order. "I am sorry, I was being too controlling." Tatal repeated with a gentle smile. "Do you forgive me?" Tatal asked, lightly bumping Tsovey's shoulder.

Tsovey's face stayed blank for a moment, before a mischievous smirk grew on her lips. "Yes, I forgive you." Tsovey giggled, giving Tatal a tight hug. Tatal just laughed as she watched the two younger kids run off to the other side of the tree.

"They are lucky." Tatal sighed in defeat.

"Why do you say that?" Nick questioned with a chuckle.

"That they are cute." Tatal replied in kind.

"Yeah, you're not wrong." Chris exclaimed mid stretch.

"Oh, you're awake." Tatal stated with a smile. "Good morning." She added.

"Good morning." Chris replied roughly.

Tatal shook her head at the disgruntled man before letting out an amused giggle. "You should get up, breakfast is getting cold." Tatal suggested, gaining nothing more than a nod from Chris in response. She took his "words" and left it at that, before walking over to the fire her mother had started. As she was walking she looked to her left and was met with Sìlaru sitting by herself. "Sìlaru, are you feeling okay?" Tatal asked, walking over to the young child, but same as before Sìlaru said nothing, she simply just nodded her head in response. "Would you like to go play with them?" Tatal continued and again Sìlaru said nothing. She just shook her head. "Alright, if you need anything please do not hesitate to ask us." Tatal requested with a warm smile. This time Sìlaru nodded with a small smile. That was the first emotion she had shown since her capture. "Alright then." Tatal finished, gently rubbing Sìlaru's hand before standing and continuing her walk to the fire.

"You got her to smile." Zuko chuckled. "You and your family are impressive." He praised.

"Thank you, but why do you say that?" Tatal laughed.

"The day she came...I've never seen someone look so terrified." Zuko confessed, as he crossed his arms. "She was covered in dirt and blood...we couldn't even tell if the blood was hers." He continued. "We tried to talk to her, but she ran to a corner and stayed there for three days." Zuko paused, clearing his throat.