Hey All! I know I haven't written anything since my hiatus with General Aang (which I will start up again soon, I promise) but I thought I would try and get my creative juices flowing for ALTA again with a short story. Hope you all enjoy! Just as a quick note, I don't have any Toph in this story because I thought she wouldn't have really added that much to it and I kinda draw a little of my creativity from Legend of Korra so sorry in advance…. Just to let you know in advance, if I decide to branch off from this story and use toph, I decided to send her on a scouting mission to see what resources and or information she could gather on Katara and Sokka's Dad through this episode. I know lame excuse, but it's what I could think of. lol
I do not own ALTA.
"Remind me why we can't just fly on Appa guys?" Said a very tired Aang.
"Come on Aang, we have been over this again and again so stop complaining, we can't fly cause we are in enemy territory, I don't have to remind you that everyone in the Fire Nation thinks that you are dead right now, and I'd like to keep it thought way" stated Sokka, who was quickly becoming aggravated.
"Well maybe if we had more breaks along the way, I wouldn't be complaining as much!"
"That's enough you two, give me that map Sokka" said Katara.
As she examined the map, she discovered that there was a town not too far from where they were located.
"Hey guys" Katara began, when she finally gained there attention, she continued: "There is a town not too far from here, we can take a break and gather supplies, sound good?"
Sokka began to protest until Katara gave him the death glare, if looks could kill, the firenation would be in big trouble. After Sokka thought for a few minutes, figuring out how far it would put them off schedule, he finally had to give in.
At this Katara smiled, quickly glancing over at Aang. All she saw in his eyes was relief and gratitude.
As they started their walk towards the town, they began to notice that it was getting dark out.
"Hey Katara, I think we should start to set up camp, in the morning we can make our way to the town."
Sokka, undeterred declared: "I think we should keep going, the town has got to be around here somewhere…"
"Sokka, the map is upside down…" said a very annoyed Katara.
"I meant to do that" he said as he attempted to nonchalantly flip the map back over but failed miserably.
Aang just rolled his eyes and began to set up camp while brother and sister bickered. As time went on, the argument escalated between them to the point where Katara was seething at her brother.
"You are unbelievable sometimes!"
"So are you Katara!"
"Guys, I think you both need to calm down, Sokka: go gather some fire wood. Katara, could you help me pick some berries and nuts so we can eat?"
"Sure Aang" both said at the same time.
At this, brother and sister went their separate ways, both cooling off with each step. As Aang and Katara were walking back to camp with a variety of berries and nuts, even some apples; Aang noticed that Katara seemed a little bit off.
"I wish you wouldn't fight with him all the time"
At this Katara stopped and leaned up against a nearby tree.
"I don't want to fight with him, but I mean seriously! He can be so immature sometimes; I don't even know how to be level with him anymore. It's like he is trying to make me mad or something."
"I get what you mean" When Katara looked at him in confusion, he began to explain: "When I was back at the Southern Air Temple it wasn't always fun and games, you had to be disciplined as well. The monks in training didn't always like to meditate or practice airbending, me included; so we tended to revolt against the older monks. Sometimes this would work and other times it didn't, most of the time, the older monks would just ignore us and our immaturity. I guess we were kinda looking for them to fight with us, once we realized we could no longer "egg them on" we sorta stopped fighting them on it for the most part". When she still looked confused Aang let out a long sigh.
"I guess what I am trying to say is that if you just ignore his immaturity and you don't stoop down to his level, than you might be surprised at how quickly he would change his attitude. I mean, think about it, you guys bicker all the time and all he does is egg you own, just let what he says to you roll of your shoulders, and things might change, including his attitude."
Katara just kicked some loose dirt by her feet: "I guess your right; I'll try not to fight with him"
Aang just smiled: "good, now let's get back to camp before Sokka gets worried."
After their conversation, Aang noticed that Katara's mood changed immensely. Sokka noticed this as well when they returned to camp: "Hey sis, I just wanted to say sorry for getting under your skin back there.."
Katara smiled and walked over to him, giving him a hug: "I'm sorry for losing my temper at you back there to, I said a lot of things I didn't mean"
While both still hugging Sokka said: "Truce than?"
"Truce"
After dinner was served and eaten, the trio found that they were in no way ready to get any rest yet.
"Hey guys, why don't we tell some stories from our past to pass some time… Get it? Stories from our PAST to pass some time?"
"Not funny Sokka" said Katara.
At this, Sokka frowned..
"Hey, I thought it was funny" said Aang.
At this, Sokka visibly brightened: "Thanks buddy"
"Ok I'll go first" said Katara.
As it grew later and many stories had been passed between friends, it was now Aang's turn to tell a story. Being the joker he is, Aang thought it would be fun to tell a very scary story. He decided that he would tell of when he went down to the Southern Earth Kingdom and camped in a forest much like this one. He added a little dramatization that it was said to be a place for lingering spirits, trapped between the physical world and the spirit world and on nights close to a full moon, the spirit world and the real world would almost come together. This would allow the spirits to walk the earth again, haunting those who camped in their forests. Obviously, this did not go over well with either Katara or Sokka.
In the middle of his story Aang looked at both of his friends. Katara was fidgeting slightly and it seemed as though she was tense while Sokka, trying to keep up his manly attitude was very nonchalant about the whole thing but Aang could see right through his façade. He was probably more scared than Katara was.
"You want me guys to stop telling it?"
"Maybe another time Aang" said Katara who was now looking around the darkened forest "this place gives me the creeps"
"It's ok guys, bright and early tomorrow morning we will head out to the village. I took a look at the map and it should be less than a mile North of here. So let's all try and get a little rest, there is nothing to be afraid about."
"I wouldn't say there isn't ANYTHING to be afraid of in these woods" said a creepy older woman.
"AHHH" the trio screamed as they all jumped up and quickly clasped each other in death grips.
As the three looked on towards the offender, they relaxed slightly when they found that it was only an older woman, though Aang still kept his guard up just in case.
"Hello children, my name is Hama and I work as an inn keeper in a village not too far from here. You can come stay for the night. It is not safe for you to stay out in the forest at night; people say that spirits have been taken innocent people away. If you are taken, you never return."
"Hi, my name is Kuzon, this is Katara and Sokka". Aang said while pointing to Katara and Sokka respectively.
I need to keep an eye on her; something just doesn't seem right about her… Aang thought. But instead of voicing his opinions, he just smiled and thanked her for her generosity. Sokka, being the simple man that he always claimed to be, asked immediately if she had any meat, to which Hama replied "absolutely". At this, Sokka was all for going, though Aang was weary of the women, he agreed.
As they packed up Appa and began there walk to the village, Katara began asking Hama many questions. At the end of the conversation, she had a better understand of who she was. From what Hama said, she was a simple inn keeper who had been living in the town for decades. She lost her husband years ago and had not seen her son since. She was into art and enjoyed taking strolls at night to just enjoy nature.
After her conversation, Katara strolled back to a safe distance from Hama and told both Aang and Sokka: "I think we can trust her, she seems genuine and reminds me a lot of gran gran."
Sokka nodded but thought she was a little creepier than gran gran ever was.
When they made it to the inn, there was only one room with two beds.
"Don't worry guys, I'll sleep outside tonight" said Aang.
When Sokka and Katara were about to protest, Aang continued saying: "really guys, I'll stay with Appa, he'll protect me if I need it."
At this, Sokka seemed to be satisfied but Katara was still skeptical. Being outside could be dangerous in unknown and possibly dangerous territory, but before I could voice my opinion, Hama spoke up.
"You can stay in the barn down the road, there is plenty of hay for your beast and you should be ok for the night until I can find better arrangements for you tomorrow."
At this, Aang gave Katara's shoulder a reassure squeeze before he followed Hama out the door to his sleeping arrangements.
Hama returned much later in the evening, claiming that she had other things to take care of before she went to bed, though Sokka didn't trust her, Katara decided to just accept the answer and her kindness and decide what there next step was in the morning.
No one slept very well that night.
So first chapter is up, I probably will put chapter 2 up sometime tomorrow or Monday so keep a look out for it. Read and Review guys!
