Chapter 2: Republic City

[unedited]

It had been exactly 8 months since Haru left, Ty-Lee had gotten over it however, and was doing just fine. Right now she was hurrying to finish cleaning the training shack. She was gonna go see Rayseal. Ty-Lee wouldn't admit to herself that she actually wanted to see Shang. She still missed Haru sometimes and she felt bad if she was falling in love with someone else. Not in love. Ty-Lee inwardly kicked herself. Nothing was going on between her and Shang. She sighed and then walked out the door toward the hotel. As she walked along she thought she heard Haru call her name. A smile lit up her face and she turned around. "Haru I-" But it wasn't Haru. No one was there. She'd just imagined it. She gave a sigh of frustration. Why did he have to run away from her? What did she do? How was she gonna move on, if she kept hearing him calling her? She hated this feeling. She hated not knowing. She decided she better not go see Shang. It just felt wrong. She passed Meumi as she walked in the opposite direction of the hotel where Shang was staying. "Hey Meumi?" She said suddenly. "Yea?" The young girl replied. "If you see Shang, tell him I can't come to the beach with them," She said. Meumi nodded. "Sure thing Ty-Lee," She said cheerily. Ty-Lee smiled her thanks and walked off. She felt very bad, she didn't want to let Rayseal down. She really wanted Ty-Lee to come collect shells with her. But she couldn't. Not with Shang, it felt wrong because her heart belonged to Haru. Even though he did run away, she was still in love with him. She went to a small cafe and sat alone to drink her tea. Even after she finished her drink she stayed awhile. She just sat deep in thought. Pretty soon Shang himself walked in. Ty-Lee was surprised. She quickly turned away hoping he wouldn't notice her and she could sneak out. But unfortunately he saw her and came over. "Hey," He said. Ty-Lee cleared her throat. "Uh, hey, didn't expect you'd be here," She said nervously. Shang smirked as he said, "I didn't expect to be here either, but as it seems my little sister was too sad to go shell collecting, a certain someone had to cancel," Ty-Lee felt really bad now. "I'm sorry about that, I just- couldn't now," She said rather shyly. Shang leaned forward and took on a serious tone. "Why not?" He asked. "You canceled a day at the beach with us to come here all alone and drink-" He looked in her cup. "Tea, I don't get it Ty-Lee, what's wrong?" He asked. Ty-Lee sighed. "It's nothing, just-" Shang put his hands on top of hers. "Just what?" He prompted. Ty-Lee looked him in the eye, she couldn't lie to him. She had to tell him about Haru. "I- it felt, wrong to be with you," She said. Shang looked puzzled. "Why?" He asked confused. Ty-Lee avoided his penetrating gaze. "Because, I have, I have a, a boyfriend, and I don't know why but, it felt wrong," She explained. Shang was stunned. He hadn't expected that. He was shocked but he couldn't show it. A girl this beautiful of course she had a boyfriend. He stammered out of his surprise and said, "Oh, well, you and I are just friends, nothing more, it's harmless and besides, it's Rayseal you'd really be going to see," He made it sound so simple. But Ty-Lee knew it wasn't. She sighed. "No, I, I gotta go now, I'll see ya Shang," She stood up and walked out. Once outside she immediately regretted leaving him, wondering, she stood a moment seriously considering going back inside. She fought hard with herself, half of her wanted to go back and tell Shang that Haru had run away mysteriously and she didn't know why, and the other half wanted to just walk away from it all. Just walk away from all the pain, and feelings, and confusion. She sighed. She was about to walk back in but then Shang came out. He grinned. "Haven't left already?" He asked jokingly. Ty-Lee sighed and her gaze wandered. "Something you wanna tell me?" He asked once again serious. Ty-Lee thought it was adorable that he could jump immediately from one expression to the next. One minute he'd be joking and the next serious as a heart attack. No, she couldn't think that, she told herself. "Um, no, yes, I mean," Ty-Lee fumbled. Shang rested his hands on her shoulders. "It's ok, just spit it out," He said encouragingly. Ty-Lee took a deep breath. "My boyfriend, he, uh, ran away, and I don't know why, but I'm sure he'll come back, I'm sure." Ty-Lee spit out fast. Shang blinked in surprise. "He ran away?" He asked. Ty-Lee nodded. "What kind of guy runs away without telling why," He sounded upset. "Why would he do that?" He asked disgusted. Ty-Lee shrugged. "I don't, know." She said. Shang looked really mad. Ty-Lee sighed. "I gotta go," She whispered and walked off. Shane's hand still rested on her shoulder and slumped to his side as she walked away. He watched her leave. She was-sad, he thought. She was so beautiful. Wait, did I just think that? He asked himself. He furrowed his brow in confusion, he really, really, really, liked Ty-Lee, he'd always thought they were just friends and the attraction he felt for her was just because she was so nice and cheery all the time, but now, as he watched her walk away from him, he felt a sudden urge to go after her, he wanted her, he needed her, he couldn't just let her walk away, he, yes he finally admitted to himself, he loved her. He sighed. He wished she would love him back, he wished she'd turn around and come running back and jump in his arms and he'd kiss her. But that was just a wish, that'd never happen. She has a boyfriend, he told himself. But, he ran away, that doesn't mean she's free, from what it sounded like she still loved this guy. Shang was at war with himself. He couldn't decide what to do, and Rayseal seemed to really like Ty-Lee as well. If she could only see that he was in love with her, that Rayseal liked her too, he wanted her so bad that it ached. He knew a pathetic guy like him didn't stand a chance of winning her heart. He had nothing, no real home, no parents, he was poor, pathetic. He went back to his hotel. As he walked in, Rayseal asked where he'd been. "Uh, just in town." He said as simply as he could. Rayseal raised an eyebrow. "And what have you been doing this whole time big brother?" She asked curiously. Shang sighed. "I've been, around, doing, stuff," He said not wanting to tell her how terrible he felt. He sat on the bed. "Mm hmm," Rayseal said skeptically. Shang stared at the ceiling for awhile. "Have you seen Ty-Lee at all today?" Rayseal suddenly asked. Shang drew in a sharp breath, then quickly recovered. "Um, why?" He countered. Rayseal shrugged. "I was wondering why she couldn't come shell collecting." She answered half truthfully. Shang tensed up. "She-was just busy," He said sounding a little sad. "Are you sad?" Rayseal asked bluntly. Shang sighed. "No," He mumbled. Rayseal knew something was wrong. "I can tell you're lying!" She said tauntingly. Shang looked over at his little sister. He smirked. "Aren't you the smart one, alright, I'm not fine," He said. "But I don't wanna talk about it," He told her sternly. "Why? You can trust me," Rayseal said not understanding. Her brother told her everything. She was his confidant. Shang gave a frustrated sigh. "Alright, I did see Ty-Lee and we talked, but that's it." Rayseal looked at him quizzically. "Then why are you sad?" Shang looked at her again. She reminded him so much of their mother. She always wanted to help him, to fix his problems. "She told me why she couldn't come, but that's none of your business." He said with a half smile. Rayseal giggled. "Why why why!" She begged. Shang laughed. "You're so persistent," He said laughingly. Rayseal giggled. "Tell me!!" She said. Shang chuckled. "Ok, ok, she, just, she has a boyfriend, and she's busy," He said. Rayseal frowned. "Oh," She whispered. Shang lifted her face to look at him. "It's ok, she's still your friend," He assured the young girl. "Yea, but,"She looked away. "But what?" Shang asked. "But if she has a boyfriend, she won't have time for us," Shang shook his head. "Not true, she'll have plenty of time for you," He said. Rayseal was puzzled. "And what about you?" She asked. Shang wasn't sure what to say. "Uh, well, it's better if I don't see Ty-Lee for awhile," He told her. Rayseal got a huge grin on her face. "You love her!" She blurted out. Shang was taken aback. "Uh, no, why would you think that?" He stammered. Rayseal laughed. "You do!" She declared. Shang sat on the bed again. "Please," He scoffed. "I do not," He tried to convince her. But she wasn't at all convinced. She jumped on the bed next to him. "You're in love with Ty-Lee!" She practically yelled. Shang quickly took the opportunity to tickle his little sister. He tackled her over. "Stop! Sto-op!" She gasped out as she giggled and kicked. Shang finally stopped. "Ok, I do," He gasped out. Rayseal sat up. "Do what?" She asked. "I am in love with Ty-Lee, but you can't tell, got it?" He said pointing a finger at her accusingly. She nodded. "I promise." She said. Shang smiled. "Good." He said happily.

A few weeks passed. Ty-Lee didn't see Shang anymore, but she would occasionally go shell collecting with Rayseal. At this particular moment Ty-Lee was sitting alone on that hill overlooking the village. She had been thinking about Haru, and trying every possible reason why he'd run away, but she couldn't find an answer. She heard a twig and was on her feet in a heartbeat. It was just Suki. "Hey Ty-Lee," She said. Ty-Lee sat back down. "Hi," She replied. "So, I got a letter from Katara, and it's the annual Republic City celebration and she wants us to come, you know, since we always help her with decorations," Suki said with a smile. "Of course!" Ty-Lee said. Suki smiled. "By the way thanks for taking charge of the Kyoshi worriers while Sokka and I were away," Sokka and Suki had gone on a three month trip somewhere, Ty-Lee forgot where exactly, but they left her in charge to be Kyoshi leader until they got back. She smiled. "You're welcome," She said. Ty-Lee stood up and both girls walked down the hill to the village. Ty-Lee packed her things and then came to the harbor. She saw Rayseal walking along the beach. Rayseal also saw Ty-Lee. She ran over. "Where are you going?" She asked curiously. "I have to go to Republic City for awhile," She explained. Rayseal took her by the arm. "You gotta come see something first!" She declared. Ty-Lee nodded. "I have a little time before my ship arrives, I guess I can what is it?" She asked. Rayseal grinned. "A surprise! Come on!" She said and led Ty-Lee toward the hotel. When Ty-Lee stepped foot inside the room she gasped. "What- you're moving?" She said looking at the boxes. Rayseal nodded. Ty-Lee was speechless. She didn't want them to leave. It seemed like all her friends moved away from her. She hated that. Just then Shang came in and Ty-Lee was no longer speechless. She had plenty to say. "You're moving?" She demanded. Shang gave her a half smile. "Yea!" He said it like it was a good thing. "Why? Do you have any idea what you're doing?" Shang was about to intervene but Ty-Lee wasn't finished. "How could you? Why is it that all my friends always leave me? Not you too," She paused to catch her breath. Then continued. "I can't just sit back and watch you leave, you cannot be-" Shang grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her in for a long, soft kiss. When they finally parted, Shang said, "I'm not leaving Kyoshi, just the hotel, I got a job and now we've built a house, it's just right outside of town," Ty-Lee got major butterflies in her stomach. He'd just kissed her. How could something that seems so wrong, feel so right? The question swam through her mind as she listened to what he had to say. He was staying in Kyoshi. She wanted to say something, like, good, or congrats on the house, or anything really, but she couldn't. She was so stunned. The feeling it gave her when he kissed her, it was gentle, soft, yet full of emotion. It was, wonderful, it was like, he had wanted to kiss her for a long time, but the kiss had been like he was asking permission to be this part of her life, to be more than what they are. She was so stuck in her daydream that before she knew it she leaned in. She stood on her toes and kissed his lips. He was very surprised. He didn't expect this from her but he kissed her back. What was she doing? Ty-Lee couldn't have just kissed Shang, what about Haru?- she quickly pulled away. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Shang just stared at her. She took a step back. Shang reached for her hand but she ran out. "Wait!-" Shang called after her but she was gone. Rayseal was stunned. She stood there her mouth gaping open. "She does love you!" Rayseal declared. Shang sighed sadly. "No, it's not like that, you don't understand." He said.

Ty-Lee ran out of the hotel. She couldn't believe herself. She'd just kissed Shang after he kissed her. What would Haru say? Actually, she didn't care what he'd say. He ran away and he'd have to explain that before she ever explained why she'd kissed Shang. Ty-Lee came to the harbor and boarded the ship. They soon took off for Republic City.

They arrived late that night, and went strait to Toph's house. When they knocked on the door The Duke answered it. "Hello ladies, come right in," He whispered. Ty-Lee smiled her thanks and followed him to the living room. She had the couch, Sokka, Suki and Besha got the guest bedroom. She had nothing to complain about, the couch was comfy and they had a really nice home. She lay down to get some sleep. But she couldn't fall asleep, she kept thinking about Shang, and how she felt when he kissed her. And how she impulsively kissed him. How good it felt, yet how bad she knew it was. But, what if Haru never came back? What if she never saw him again? She sighed and shut her eyes. She wasn't going to think about Haru or Shang this entire trip out here. She soon fell asleep.

The next morning, the girls went shopping for supplies. Everyone was talking and laughing, and just having a good time. Except Ty-Lee. She just kind of walked behind the rest of them. She had told herself she wasn't gonna think about Haru or Shang, but she couldn't help it. She had to know why Haru left, it was killing her. "Earth to Ty-Lee?" She faintly heard a voice. "I think she's gone into space, never to return." It was Katara. "What?" It took Ty-Lee awhile to realize she was joking. "Oh, sorry, I just-was thinking." She mumbled. Katara laughed. "Yea you were, whatcha thinking about?" She asked curious at once. Ty-Lee sighed. "Haru," She breathed out. Suki grinned. "Ooh, you two are so cute together," She announced. Were they really? Ty-Lee asked herself. He'd left, and she was falling in love with another man. Is that really 'cute?' She wondered. How was this happening. Haru wasn't supposed to leave, he was supposed to come back and love her, she loved him. Or did she? She inwardly sighed, completely frustrated. After they finished their shopping, they went to a small tea shop. "Well, it'll never be as good as Iroh's place, but it's still good," Katara said. As they sat, Ty-Lee stared across the road. She watched all the people walk by. They all seemed to be going somewhere, doing something. Some hurried along, others walked at a normal pace. A couple walked by holding hands. They stopped in front of the tea shop and kissed. Ty-Lee felt a terrible pain in her chest. She wished so badly that she could have someone like that. But all she had was a runaway boyfriend and a charming man she could never have. She could have him, but she couldn't. She still felt a little something for Haru. If only-but he was gone. A young man came out of a store carrying a trash can. He emptied it into a dumpster. Something about him seemed familiar. He had long brown hair. He was tall. He turned around. It was Haru!! She couldn't believe it! He was here! In Republic City! She stood up. "I gotta go!" She yelled and ran across the road. She ran up to him and grabbed his shoulder turning him to face her. "Haru!" She yelled. He blinked a couple times. "Ty-Lee!" He declared. A tear escaped her eye. Haru wiped it away and kissed her deeply. "What have you been up to?" He asked when they parted. "What?" She said unbelievingly. "Me? You're the one who ran away!" She practically yelled. Haru frowned. He scratched his head nervously. "Oh yea, guess I owe you an explanation," He said sheepishly. "That's right you do!" Ty-Lee was furious. "Well?" She demanded. "I left because I- that is I- well, you-" Ty-Lee's fury increased. "What?!" She yelled in his face, this caused him to take a step back. "Because I thought you liked being a Kyoshi worrier more than you liked me, I just needed to get away for awhile and think, on my own." He said. Ty-Lee was on the verge of tears. "You coulda told me," She whispered with a sob. "I- I cried for months!" She declared as tears flowed freely down her soft face. "How could you do this to me?" She asked. "I don't understand," She whimpered. Haru felt bad now. "I didn't plan on being away so long, but I've been working for a guy here and, I just sorta, forgot to come back." He said a hint of sympathy in his voice. "Oh some boyfriend you turned out to be, first you leave me, then forget about me!" Ty-Lee said angrily. Haru put his hand on her shoulder only to have her smack it away. "I'm sorry ok, I didn't mean to screw things up!" He yelled. "Don't yell at me I'm right here!" Ty-Lee yelled back. Haru growled in frustration. "I can't do this with you right now!" He said. "Oh, no, you can't seem to do anything with me!" Ty-Lee retorted. Haru took in a sharp breath. "I'm so, so, sorry," He whispered. Ty-Lee wiped away another tear. "I cried, for months, after you left, I loved you Haru, and I thought you loved me too," She said sobbing. Haru put his arm around her gently. "I do love you, and you have no idea how sorry I am to of put you through this." He said apologetically. Ty-Lee sighed and wiped her eyes. "Ok, I should go, people will start to worry," She said. Haru nodded. "Ok, so, I'll see you later?" He asked. Ty-Lee nodded. Haru kissed her before she could walk away. It was a deep passionate kiss. He pulled back, and let her go. She didn't want to go back to Toph's. she couldn't. Instead she went to the docks and sat at the end with her toes touching the water. She twirled her feet around making little rings across the surface. She stopped and watched as her reflection slowly came up and stared back at her. Who am I really? She asked herself. What was my life like, before I met either of those boys? She wondered. She thought a moment. Before she met Haru she'd been helping Azula, but then betrayed her and went to prison. But after the war was won they let her out. She was gonna go back to the circus, but then Suki asked her if she'd like to be a Kyoshi worrier. She excepted of course and that's when her life began. She regretted helping Azula, but that's in the past, the Avatar forgave her as did his friends. Including Haru. Things had been wonderful when they first started falling for each other. They were fine until, until he started coming to Kyoshi for regular visits. Then he started being weird and left without a word. But, maybe, if he hadn't left, she wouldn't have been walking on the beach that day, she wouldn't have met Rayseal and Shang. Maybe she would've met them somewhere else, at a store or something. But she wouldn't have given them a second thought. Just new people in Kyoshi nothing special. She was glad to of met Shang. It was then that she realized, everything happens for a reason. Nothing is a mistake, people shouldn't have regrets, those things happen so you can become a better person, they define you, without them the world would be full of selfish spoiled people everywhere, you need mistakes so you can learn from them and know that not everyone is perfect. In fact, no one is. Not one single person on earth is perfect. Haru left, so what, she became friends with someone because he left. She could forgive him. She helped Azula try to kill Aang. So what, he forgave her, he knew that Azula was a manipulator, he knew she could say whatever she could to make you do what she wants. So if Aang can forgive her for trying to kill him, then she could forgive Haru for running away from her. She stood up, dried her eyes, and tried to find Haru. She went back to the store he'd been working at but he wasn't there. She waited for an hour and he still didn't show. She sighed and began walking away when Haru came running up. "Hey, what's up?" He asked casually. Ty-Lee stood on her toes and kissed him before she explained. Haru blinked in surprise. "What was that for?" He asked. Ty-Lee grinned. "I forgive you for running away," She said happily. A smiled creeped up on Haru's face. "Ok, so, you're not mad?" He asked. "No," Ty-Lee said. Haru leaned down and kissed her harshly. When they parted, Ty-Lee told him she needed to go to Toph's and help with making decorations. Haru nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked. Ty-Lee nodded with a smile.

Ty-Lee returned to Toph's place just as they where getting out the supplies needed for making the decorations. Suki grinned mischievously as she walked through the door. "Where have you been?" She asked. "What do you mean?" Ty-Lee wondered a bit confused. "Well, at the tea shop you ran across the street to Haru and we didn't see you again after that." Suki said the grin still spread across her face. "Oh, I was around." Ty-Lee stated simply. Suki nodded. "Well, you gonna help or what?" Toph asked. Ty-Lee smiled at the pregnant blind girl. "Of course!" She said and began working. While the women talked the children played in the other room. "So when are you and Haru getting married Ty-Lee?" Suki asked. Ty-Lee blushed a little. After all that'd happened she thought marriage was far in the future. "I don't know," She said. Suki grinned. "You mean he still hasn't asked you? You've been going out for what? Four years now?" Ty-Lee blushed deeper. They actually hadn't seen each other in almost ten months, but she couldn't tell them what happened. "We haven't really talked about it, we just like hanging out with each other, marriage is.... I just don't know." She said uncertainly. Then Katara spoke up. "Do you want to marry him someday?" She asked. Ty-Lee wasn't sure what to do. She wasn't sure if she would marry him or not. She didn't want to right now, maybe in a few years, if she was sure he was the right one. She couldn't let them know her thoughts. They'd be full of questions and stuff. So she put on a fake smile. "Yes" she replied. Toph moaned and grabbed her swollen stomach. Ty-Lee held her breath. She was worried about her friend. "You ok?" Suki asked alarm in her tone. "Yea, just a kick I'm fine." She said. Suki sat back in her seat. "Ok few," she said relieved. Ty-Lee let out a breath of relief. The women worked until it got dark when The Duke came home. "I see you ladies are having a good time" he said with a smile. He came over and kissed his wife. Ty-Lee smiled. They were such a cute couple. They where perfect for each other. She wished she could find someone who was perfect for her. Suddenly there was the piercing squeal of children running down the hall. In came Kya, Besha, and Bumi. They ran into The Duke as he stood in the entrance to the dark hallway. Ty-Lee watched as the kids begged him to make them fly, he picked them up one at a time and spun them around in the air as they squealed in delight. "Wow, he's really good with kids," Ty-Lee stated. Toph only smiled and nodded. "Well I really should get back home now, "Katara said. "Come on kiddy's" she called. "Aw! Can't we stay and play with Uncle Noe?" Kya begged. Ty-Lee then remembered his name was Noe, she always forgot since she was so used to calling him The Duke. "No we gotta go home and see daddy now," Katara told them. The kids skipped to the door and they soon left. Suki yawned. "Well, I'm tired." She stated plainly. "I'm gonna go to bed, Sokka should be back soon, goodnight guys," She got up and walked to her room. Ty-Lee sighed. "I should go to sleep too," She said. The Duke smiled and nodded. "Yea, it's late, come on Toph, lets go to bed," He helped her up and they left to their room. Ty-Lee lie on the couch a long time, thinking about the conversations. Marriage, ha! As if they'd be ready for that any time soon. She yawned and soon fell asleep.