Define Me ~ ATLA

A Simple Monk

Chapter 9

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Caoimhe's POV

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"Caoimhe?! You've been here this whole time?" I sheepishly scratched the back of my neck as Aang, Katara, Sokka, (and Momo?) gaped at me.

"Oh yeah, I saw the village a while ago and figured I'd come to have a look around, you know? So what have you guys been up to?" I chuckled out my question, feeling nervous with the weight of all the eyes that were watching our interaction.

"We've been captured." Sokka deadpanned. I sucked in a shaky breath.

"Yikes," Sokka and Katara both rolled their eyes - apparently not appreciating my methods of compassion. Aang did give me a goofy smile though - hence, why he is my favorite - that kid finds the humor in everything. I sent him a smile and wink to let him know it.

"Caoimhe, you know these people?" Suki stepped beside me, sending me a wary glance. Great, am I gonna be tied up too cause my stupid friends can't act like normal unsuspicious human beings?

"Yeah - remember how I told you some of my friends and I were all traveling to the North Pole together?" I asked and she nodded slightly. I gestured towards my three captured companions and Momo. "Right. Well, this is them. So... how long are they gonna be tied up for...?"

"Well at the moment I see no reason to trust that they - and you - aren't Fire Nation spies." She stepped closer, grabbing my forearm forcefully. "So maybe we'll just throw you the Unagi and see if you survive." Now I'm not sure exactly what the Unagi is but though I would make a tasty snack, I don't particularly feel like getting eaten today.

"Woah, Woah, Woah... I promise we're not Fire Nation! We're traveling with the Avatar to the North Pole!" Katara - ever the lifesaver, argued our case. I desperately nodded along with her, really not wanting to die. Suki, the chief, and most of the villagers gave our group sceptical looks.

"The Avatar hasn't been seen or heard of in a century - why should we believe you?" The chief drawled. I winced when Suki's grip tightened on my arm, her nails digging into my skin.

"It's true! I swear it! Aang really is the Avatar!" I told the villagers. From behind me I barely heard Sokka whisper to Aang to show off his airbending tricks, which the nimble fighter did so elegantly, blasting himself into the air with a swift updraft and landing lightly. The crowd gaped and marveled and I took the chance of Suki's distraction to rip my arm from her grip, rubbing it with my other arm as I examined the fingernail scars. It wasn't bad, just a few marks but dammit it hurt - or maybe I'm just weak and a wimp...

"You really are the Avatar!" Suddenly, the crowd of villagers erupted in cheers, people were chanting for Aang - a guy even passed out after foaming at the mouth - basically, it was chaos. Sokka and Katara were let off their ties and Momo chattered his way onto my shoulder. I gave him a pat as I smiled at the siblings.

"So I guess traveling with Aang really does have its perks, huh?" Sokka rolled his eyes, apparently grumpy about something, and so I ignored him, letting him stalk behind us as Katara and I walked to Suki and the elder. The two apologized for their treatment of us but we simply shrugged it off, alls well that ends well, right? To make up for it, they offered us a room to sleep, fully catered for free, and... well, we weren't just going to say no, were we?

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I woke up the next morning feeling more refreshed than I had since I arrived in this world! Man, I really missed my big comfy bed, but the ones given to us were almost as good! When I walked out of the room Katara and I were sharing, I wasn't surprised to see everyone else already awake and eating at the table, after all, I do like to sleep in when I can.