To The Four Winds

By AbeSedecim

Part 1

"The end of summer, is just the beginning of fall."

It was a time of tranquilly when all nations breathed easier knowing that peace was setting in where once war had been waged. The people rejoices as heroes returned home and villains were condemned to there rightful justice. In every house there was celebration, joyous goodwill around every corner, and no place was more festive than one little tea shop in the City of Ba Sing Se.

The Jasmine Dragon was alive with excitement even as the day was coming to an end. Since the morrow the reopened shop had been the center of much happiness and mirth. The feasting and fun times had not stopped since they begun. The tea was set as the sun turned to dusk, all around they gathered filled with cheer and goodwill. The regaled one another with jokes and pranks, they told many stories of past experiences, but in remembering the past they pondered there futures in a world with no war.

"Yeah, me and Suki were thinking of heading on down to the South Pole for R Reeling and Riling," said Sokka with a big toothy grin.

"Sokka's dad said the Water Tribe may need some help gathering food before Winter starts, so he asked me if I'd like to come and take a tour of the old home land," said Suki. "Plus, I figure it would be chance to learn a few things from the water tribe warriors."

"You're sure Lover Boy doesn't just want to show off his new girlfriend," laughed Toph? The moment their faces turned red everyone had a good chuckle. "Well, while you go fish I'll be doing a little hunting of my own. The Council of Five has been reformed and they want me to join a search party to find the Earth King. Apparently nobody told him the war was over already."

"What about you Zuko," asked Katara? "Will you and Mai be heading back to the Fire Nation?"

"There are still a few affairs of state I have to settle, but afterwards I'm going to dedicate every resource I have to finding my mother," said Zuko.

"I trust you're not thinking of doing it alone," asked Mai with those cold creepy eyes?

"I wouldn't even dream of it," said Zuko with a smile and laughter ensuing.

Everyone was cheerful, but there was one whose mind seemed to wonder away from the rest. One who was happy to be with his friends, but something seemed to bother him.

"Aang," called Katara noticing his slump. "Is there something wrong?"

"Huh," he said snapping out of his trance? "No it's nothing, just thinking."

"Thinking about the first stop on a long vacation," asked Sokka?

"You worked hard Twinkle Toes; maybe you should take a trip with your girl."

The very thought wasn't that awkward, but still Aang seemed to avoid the question.

"Hey how about coming over to the see the South Pole, I bet together we can find an actual Pole up there," said Sokka.

"Or you come to the Fire Nation and check out the hot springs, I'll even let you check out the Royal Spa treatment," said Zuko.

"Well you two can tag along with my group if you want, if you don't mind roughing it down the road," said Toph.

The thing was Aang looked as if he knew what his decision was, but could seem to come out and say it. So, he did what anyone would do, he changed the subject. "Wow, it's getting late isn't it?"

"Young Aang is right," said Uncle Iroh with a grin. "Tomorrow is a new day for everyone, so maybe we should all get some rest. If you like, I would be honored if you all spend the night."

"Just make sure you bring ear plugs, Uncle can snore like a dragon."

Everyone laughed including Uncle, but Aang still remained lost in his thoughts a fact that attracted Katara with feelings of concern.

The dusk turn to night and the stars never looked so bright above the great city light's. Uncle had set up some futons and everyone was sleeping soundly, but one could not help but stir in her slumber. Katara aroused from his slumber and saw that Aang was nowhere to be found. She looked outside and looked all around, but could not find him aware on the grounds. So she looked above and saw him sit on the roof of the building staring into space like some vigilant bird.

"Aang," she said climbing up on the roof. "What's the matter? Couldn't sleep?"

"I've just been thinking about something ever since we started talking about the future," he said as she sat by his side?

"Is this about us," she pondered. "Because you know no matter what the future holds I'll always be there by your side."

"I know, but there's something I need to ask you," he said with a heavy exhale. "Do you miss you old home?"

"…I guess I am a little homesick," she said thinking back to life before Aang.

"I'm sure your Gran Gran misses you and everyone else at your tribe, that's why I want you to go with Sokka back to the South Pole."

"Aang, what are you saying?"

"I thought that when the war had ended we could be together, but when we talked about the future I began to wonder about my own destiny. You have a family, friends, all of which I lost long ago, but I think I need to know if I really am alone. I need to find out if I really am the Last Airbender."

"Aang, you know you're never alone," she said taking him by the hand.

"I know, I got you and the others but this is something I need to find out."

"Then take me with you."

"I wish I could, but I know you still have some things you need to figure out too." He looked into her eyes and she knew she had seen her heart. There feelings for each other were strong, but they could go through with there love without being absolutely certain of where there destinies lied. "No matter what I find Katara, we will be together again I promise."

"Just remember next time; no doubts," she said nearly shedding a tear.

"No doubts," he said with kind smile. Together they watched the stars, each knew they had there own path to follow neither one knowing what was to come.

The morning came and they gathered at the western docks beyond the outer wall. Everyone was there to wish each other good wishes and farewells as they went down there own paths of fate. To the South by way of a ferry, Sokka, Suki, and Katara were headed to the South Pole thru the Serpent's Pass. To the West by way of airship, Fire Lord Zuko and Mai were heading back to the Fire Nation escorted by the royal guards. To the East by way of trusty flying Sky Bison Appa, Aang and his pet lemur Momo were going on there journey of self discovery. To the North by way of her own two feet, Toph and her newly acquired Team Terra would wander the farthest mountains in search of the Earth King. Before they parted ways, there was one person who gave them all some sound advice to help them along the road.

"Remember, the four winds have there own directions but are always connected by the same force," said Uncle Iroh. "Not matter which way the wind blows, nothing is ever divided."

"See you guys soon," said Sokka.

"We'll be sure to keep in touch," said Zuko.

"You and I have got to have a sparing match," said Suki to Mai.

"You're so dead when we do," she said cold cocky smile that matched Suki's.

"Aang…be careful," said Katara looking in his eyes.

"You too," he said. Together they kissed a symbol of there trust and a token of good luck.

"If all this show of emotion is over already I got a platoon to lead," said Toph said turning to her troops. "Alright you Slackers get the rocks out of your toes and let's move out." At once they complied and strutted off with Toph.

Zuko and Mai left with there escorts heading toward the airship nearby.

Aang boarded Appa and Momo hung around Aang as Katara boarded the ferry heading south. They looked at each other one last time, there fates to be divided for who knows how long. "Yip, yip," said Aang and away he flew, the ferry departed with all onboard. Uncle Iroh was about to go home, but something bothered him that he couldn't help but say to himself.

"I wonder if anyone was listening to me."