Chapter Twenty

Surprise, Surprise!

It seemed like hours passed before Aang finally emerged from the back room. Immediately, I was on my feet to greet him, feeling relieved to be away from Meng's disgruntling gaze.

"Aang," I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he'd answer my questions: Who's Aunt Wu? What's going on here? "I —," I was interrupted as a new presence filled the room.

Standing in the doorway where Aang had just exited was a short, stout woman with a head of gray hair. She stared at me steadily, and motioned for me to come with her.

Blinking in confusion, I shot Aang a wayward look, and he simply shrugged. Swallowing, I hesitantly followed the woman back into a small, warm room. Four pillows were positioned around a tiny fire pit.

"Sit, my dear." The woman nodded towards a plush cushion. I obliged, and looked at her curiously. "As predicted, the Avatar and his wife came." She smiled at me, "I am Aunt Wu." She stated, as if reading my mind.

"Nice to meet you, Aunt Wu. I'm —," I began to introduce myself.

"Vinca. Vinca Demean." Aunt Wu finished gently. "Born into a nonbending family in the Fire Nation colonies. Your parents died while you were at a young age — your brother went to war, while your grandmother perished in a fire." I stiffened, staring at her with wide eyes. Oblivious to my reaction, she continued on, "You were arrested on account of being believed to be an airbender, " her eyes flickered to my wrists, where the burn marks still faintly showed.

"How do you —?"

Aunt Wu shifted, leaning forward. "Darling, I can sense some terrible discomfort stirring in your past." She carefully took my hands in hers, where she slowly ran a finger over my scars. Her eyes fluttered closed momentarily, and she hummed quietly to herself, as if deep in thought.

I was beginning to feel uncomfortable, and made to move my hands out of hers, but froze when she abruptly announced:

"Fire." Her eyes flashed open, and she studied me intently. "Fire. And...guilt." She released my hands and settled back on her seat with a sigh. "My dear, to further look into the future, one must smooth over the bumps in their past."

I swallowed. "Aunt Wu," I started, "I...I don't understand."

"You fear the flames," she said, "the flames that did this to you. The flames that killed your grandmother - the guilt that sits on you for allowing it."

"No, I don't." I said curtly, my voice firm.

Aunt Wu stared at me blankly. "We both know that is untrue, darling." She murmured softly.

Looking away, I stared intently at the ground.

"But, you must know, that you cannot be blamed for the fire than killed your grandmother, Vinca."

I glanced sharply up, "Why not? I - I could've done something. It's my fault that she died - if I hadn't - if I wasn't —"

"If you weren't an airbender, where would the world be now?"

"The same," I protested, "The war would be over. I didn't do anything remarkable. Aang was the one who —,"

Aunt Wu sighed. "You're ignorant, if I must say." She smiled softly, "When you've come to...terms with yourself, please, return."

I blinked, "What?"

Aunt Wu was already rising to her feet. "You're in denial, so when you've understood, come back. I have a feeling it won't be long." She began moving towards the door. "See you soon, Vinca dear."

I simply stared at her before shaking my head. "Oh - okay, alright, uh, see you soon, then." I slipped through the open door, and closed it gently behind me, my mind still swirling with confusion.

As soon as I stepped through the door and back into the lobby, Aang jumped straight to his feet, a relieved expression on his face as he subtly brushed Meng off. "Hey," he greeted brightly, "how was it? What'd she say - did you like her?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I reached for Aang's hand. "It was...interesting - and, she, ah, said for me to come back later?" I ducked my head with a frown, my last words coming off rambled together.

Aang blinked, "...alright, then," he grinned, "Will do." He squeezed my hand, "Want to go get something to eat?"

I nodded, still a bit distraught, "Sure."

My husband cocked his head towards Meng, "See you, Meng."

"Bye," she toed the floor, looking like she wanted to come more - or, even, come with us, but she shot Aang a warm smile and me, a not-so-much one.

Once we were back on the street, I glanced at Aang. "I don't think she likes me that much," I mumbled.

"Don't be silly," Aang laughed, swooping down to press a kiss to my cheek.

I laughed lightly, rolling my eyes as I nudged him away. "So, what did Aunt Wu predict for you?"

"Hmm...she predicted that you'd ask me what she predicted."

"Really?"

He laughed, "Kidding. She said...she said that the future is good. Bright."

"That's a relief," I poked him, smiling up at him. "I better stay with you, then!" I teased warmly.

"Hey - what's that supposed to mean?"

Giggling, I leaned into him, "Kidding," I echoed his own words, and he simply chuckled. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did." Aang reached for my hand.

"Okay, smarty-pants." I squeezed his hand, "Another question, then. Where are we going for this - honeymoon?" I inquired, my expression hopeful.

Aang simply raised an eyebrow. "It's a surprise, remember?" He cheekily reminded me.

I scowled at the worn cobblestone road. "Yeah," I admitted, "but I was hoping you'd forget that it was a surprise and just tell me."

He chuckled lightly, "Maybe next time." He winked at me.

"Why can't you tell me?" I whined, pouting.

"It's a surprise."

"Yeah, but..." I trailed off, sighing. "West. There's a ton of things out west."

He nodded. "That's true."

"If I guess it, will you tell me?"

Aang grinned. "Nope."

After grabbing lunch, Aang and I headed back to Aunt Wu's place. Now that I knew what to expect, I was a little bit confident - but still nervous.

As soon as we entered the small building, Meng approached us, her eyes only on Aang. Making a face at her (in which she didn't see) I bid farewell to my husband before silently retracing my old path to the backroom. I wasn't surprised to see Aunt Wu, waiting for me.

"Relax, Vinca." Aunt Wu smiled as I sat down. "Your nerves are running haywire."

I flushed, lowering my head.

"Hm..." She tapped her chin before rising to her feet. "Maybe some tea will help. Jasmine, right?"

I blinked. "Uh - yes, please. Thank you." I was about to ask how she knew my favorite flavor - but thought better. She was Aunt Wu, after all.

The elderly lady moved to the back of the room, where a pot of tea was already simmering over a small fire. Carefully, she retrieved it, and, along with two cups, returned to her former seat. A few moments later she was handing the cup over to me.

"It smells delicious." I stated, drinking in the warm, familiar scent. I was suddenly hit with the memory of Iroh - and smiled.

Aunt Wu beamed at the compliment. "Thank you. It is my favorite flavor, as well." She lifted the cup to her lips.

There was a short, peaceful silence in which the fortune teller broke.

"I remember when the Avatar and his friends first visited." She recalled, "I predicted they would, and they did, a bit lately, if I may add." Aunt Wu chuckled, setting her tea down. "Your husband is still the same - taller, though." She smiled. "And maybe a little bit more mature. Spirits, was he ever so eager for his fortunes." Leaning forward, she glanced warmly at me. "Mainly his love life. Future and...present."

I raised an eyebrow, giggling into my hands. I could only imagine a younger Aang rushing into Aunt Wu's about his love life.

"It was pretty funny." Aunt Wu agreed with a chuckle of her own. "The Watertribe girl - Katara - was also very eager on her future, as well." She grimaced a bit. "Maybe too eager."

My giggles increased.

Aunt Wu was laughing quietly as well. "Her brother, Sokka, didn't believe in my ways. Science, he said, was the answer." She smiled. "A very energetic group, that was."

I bit down my laughter and smiled back at her. "Yes," I nodded, "and they're good people, too." I shifted back, glancing at her. "Did...Did all your predictions come true?"

Aunt Wu merely smiled softly. "Vinca, my dear, it's up to you if your fortune comes true. My predictions can change as easily as the wind. And you should know how that works, being an airbender." She paused, then added, thoughtfully. "Yes, most of them did come true."

I looked at her in awe. "That's - That's really interesting." I told her. "How can you see the future?"

"Through many years of learning, studying, and observing." Aunt Wu replied, voice nonchalant.

"Wow..." I breathed. I silently wondered how long it took before she was able to do so.

"Now that you've relaxed..." Aunt Wu changed the subject, "I'd like to read your fortune, if I may."

I blushed, "Oh! Right. Ah..." I glanced at her. "How...?"

"I'll take your hands, dear." She reached for my hands and overturned them so that they were palm-side up. Aunt Wu stared intently at them, occasionally drawing a wrinkled finger over my palms (which tickled).

"Do you see anything?" I inquired shyly after a few moments of silence.

Aunt Wu hummed to herself, oblivious to my question. Then, "Ah...yes," She breathed, seeming delighted. "Excellent. Vinca, it seems that you have a very...interesting path ahead..." Her eyes narrowed as she continued staring at my palms. "...oh, my..." she exhaled, frowning deeply. Humming, she traced a line on my hand. "Wonderful...wonderful..." She seemed delighted once more. "Good...oooh, that'll be tough...ah, there you go..."

"Aunt Wu?" I frowned, trying to pry her from her musings. I was desperate to know what she was seeing - or, uh, reading.

"Ah," She let go of my palm, looking up at me with a pleasant expression. "Don't sound so worried, darling." She commented upon seeing my distraught face. "Your future is lovely - as was your husband's."

I beamed. "Really? That's great - what happens in my future?" I pressed earnestly.

Aunt Wu simply smiled. "Oh, Vinca, my dear, now that's the surprise. You mustn't worry, though. It truly is lovely." She straightened to her feet.

My smiled faltered. "What? A...surprise? I repeated. What was with all these surprises?!

Aunt Wu laughed lightly at my displeasure. "Yes," She confirmed, collecting our now-cold tea cups. "Life is a surprise in itself, Vinca. Now, if you'd like to find out what the surprise is - live it." She gave me a soft look. "You'll do well, darling."

I rose to my feet, bowing my head at her. Admittedly, I was a bit disappointed - but a part of me was relieved. Not knowing the future meant that I didn't have the worry that much about certain things, which was good. "Okay..." I trailed off, "Thank you so much, Aunt Wu."

"You're welcome. Now, hurry along. You have an eventful night tonight, dear." Aunt Wu winked at me, chuckling heartily to herself.

AN: Oh, my. I am really, really sorry - I was planning on getting this up much earlier (two weeks earlier!) but my internet blew out, and it's taken forever to get it back up. Then, when I came to upload this, it didn't save - and I had to retype it. So...yeah, I'm really, really sorry! ^^'