51 Danev

Walking back through the slums, it wasn't hard to tell that I was home. Somehow, it was all the same, but different. It wasn't even that long. At most, 4 weeks. I hadn't been told just how long I was gone, but I knew that in Citadel, even 4 weeks could make one hell of a difference. I saw that difference as I walked my way back through the walls of the Hive. There were no guards. At first, I wasn't even sure if anyone was home. For all I know, the turf war could have been reignited without me, but that wasn't the case.

When I walked into that courtyard, and the domino effect of stares turning towards me finally filled the plaza, I knew what it was. War. They already had it all. Every single hornet held iron swords and spears. Some held bows and Goni wielded a crossbow, bolt loaded. They all had their eyes on me, and I had my eyes on them. It was as though none of them knew how to react. As though I were a ghost and they were curious, yet terrified. It wasn't until Riu pushed his way through the congested crowd to the front to see me face to face that I knew I was home.

Then something unexpected happen. He walked up to me. And hugged me. It wasn't the kind of hug that lovers would share, no. It was the embrace that friends, that brothers would share after a long separation. While 4 weeks may not have been considered long, the idea of death being a factor may have played in. He patted me on the back and stood back, rejoining the crowd. By now, I was caught in a circle of hornets.

Handshakes, high fives, hugs, all of it. I was with my family. I couldn't even hear the distinct comments and "welcome backs", but it didn't matter. I had been away from home. I had been away from my family, my "brother". But that didn't matter. I was back now.

Any doubts I had before about the agreement with the Fire Nation were dead now. This was my family. And I was getting them out of this alive. Even if it took killing every last hornet, we would keep this family alive. I would keep this family alive.