Fighter | Sokka

1| Cabbage Slugs and Conflict

"Winter, spring, 

Summer and fall.

Winter, spring,

Summer and fall

Four seasons,

Four loves.

Four seasons,

For love." 

"Kiyomi! Kiyomi!" I looked up from the soy plants I was picking to see my young neighbor, Chan running towards me, disregarding the plants at his feet. 

" Look what I found!" The small boy ran up to me holding a cabbage slug. 

"Ew Chan! Get that out of here! That's a cabbage slug! Those things can multiply faster than jackalopes, and destroy these crops quicker than you can blink!" Chan looked panicked for a moment before running to the stream and chucking the green blob into the forest beside it. I chuckled as he smiled at his work and skipped back to me. 

"What was that song you were singing?" I sat back on my legs and wiped the sweat from my forehead. 

"Oh, it was a song my grandfather taught me. He learned it when he visited Ba Sing Se from a friend he met. It's a funny little song but it helps pass the time." I smiled and laughed at the buck-toothed child as he seemed disinterested in what I was saying. 

"Oh." Was all he said. When it came to the boy, not much could keep his interest unless it had something to do with bugs, food, or both. 

"I'm gonna go find more bugs. Bye Kiyomi!" I waved him off just as my friend, Bao called out for me to get home. I stood and brushed off my legs. I enjoyed this time of day in our small village of Gaon Lu, the sun was just starting to set, and the leaves on the trees were glowing with the evening sun. I smiled and took a breath of fresh air in. Nothing could be better than this! 

As I made it home, I could hear my grandfather talking with another village elder. 

"They just showed up and took over. Practically threatened to burn everything to the ground." 

"But the 100-year war is over, why on earth would someone just want to show up and cause trouble?" 

"No one knows. From what the messenger told me, they seemed to be deserters still loyal to Fire Lord Ozai." My eyes widened and I gasped. I quickly hid behind a tree so I could listen in on the conversation. I knew if I were to interrupt now, they would end the topic and move onto something boring. 

"They say it's because they hate the idea of the Earth Kingdom villages and cities being free. They want to take over the smallest areas possible to prevent drawing in unwanted attention, but still feeling like they have some power to push over us small guys." 

"What about the benders?" I heard my grandfather ask. I knew he was concerned, as so many of the younger generations in our village were earth benders. 

"They tried to fight back, but it was useless against the fire. Many of them haven't been properly trained since they're so young." At this moment I heard my grandfather sigh. 

"Just let me know if anyone hears anything else, we must protect our people." Nothing else was said. The door opened and out walked Wei, my grandfather's oldest friend. I quickly stood and acted as I had just gotten home. When he saw me, he smiled. 

"Hello, Kiyomi!" I bowed as he passed and walked into the house. My grandfather was sat at the table, a look of distress on his face. 

"Papa?" He looked up shocked and quickly smiled but I knew he was still distressed. 

"Ah, Kiyomi! Welcome home!" I smiled and walked over to the stove to get a bowl of my Papa's chicken soup. 

"Papa, I heard what you were talking about with Wei." I saw the elderly man's face drop. 

"I hoped you wouldn't have, but I knew you would find out eventually. Please, sit. I'll tell you all I know." I sat down across from him. 

"A few nights ago, in the village across the river was attacked by a group of Fire Nation deserters still loyal to Ozai. They threatened to burn the whole village down if they weren't allowed to assume complete control over the entire village and their imports and exports. Which means that when our shipment of goods crossed the river, the delivery was met with brute force and hostility. The ship captain was informed by the dock master that the village was taken over, and told him that since our village was so close in proximity that we must keep on watch, we could be next." My eyes widened in shock. 

"After 100 years of torment from the Fire Nation, could we be subjected to however long they decide to take up residence here?" My grandfather shrugged. 

"I hope they don't stay long and Fire Lord Zuko shuts them down. What they're doing is not only causing widespread panic among the valley settlements, but it's also treason against the current Fire Lord." I looked down at the soup and stirred it around with my spoon. I lost my appetite, and I knew my grandfather could tell. 

"Let's just forget about that for now, and we shall deal with it when the time comes." It was silent for a brief moment. 

"Ah I almost forgot Lei stopped by. I think he's taken with you." I looked up in shock, my face turning a bright shade of red. 

"N-no, he couldn't be! I'm just a simple girl, he's the son of the village's mayor, plus we've been friends forever!" 

"Now now Kiyomi, you sell yourself short. You are not just a simple girl, you are one of the most beautiful girls in the village, not to mention you are smart, caring and one of the greatest fighters I've ever seen!" I smiled. "You are as beautiful as your Mother, the spitting image of her, and your Grandmother." 

I felt a twinge of pain in my heart, but I didn't let my smile waver for the sake of my poor Grandfather. The only thing I remember of my mother was her beautiful bright green eyes, and her long hair that was always pulled up into a tight bun. Whenever I look at a picture of my mother, I always see myself, except for my eyes. Mine we're always a bright blue and nobody could explain why.

"Now my dear granddaughter, you are almost 20 years old, and I'm am getting so old and grey. Would you at least try to make this old mans heart happy and just go on at least one date with Lei? I'm sure he'd be trilled!" My eyes widened and I blushed, but I was saddened at the thought of not having my grandpa with me for a long time.   

"Alright Papa, anything to make you happy." A wide smile grew on his face. 

"Brilliant!"

*Credit to pidgedee on Twitter via her picrew OC creator for the amazing visuals!*