A/N: Hello my darlings! Some of you may recognize this from a previous story of mine and, yes, I am rewriting one of my older stories.
For those of you who don't know, this is an AU in which the Hundred Year War did not happen, however the events leading up to it did. As such, things are going to be very different, as you will see in later chapters.
I hope you enjoy!
Some nights it still kept me up, worrying about the future of my culture. Sure, there were the Air Acolytes but they weren't airbenders, they simply donned the garb and tried to live as closely to the culture as they could, they'd never be able to live at the temples as I once did. As my people once did. Until Firelord Sozin did away with them in an attempt to do away with me.
I often find myself wishing I hadn't been born, or that air nomads weren't the next in the cycle but I always catch myself and scold my thoughts. He would have gone after the water tribes or the Earth Kingdom if the Avatar had been of those nationalities and their fate would have been the same as my brothers and sisters. Even worse, that Avatar likely wouldn't have survived. My situation was unique and led to my preservation for an entire century. To the world, I was dead for one hundred years, one hundred years for tension to brew and anger to rise. They were ready for an all-out war when I'd been woken up by the Southern Water Tribe boy and girl, a war I was shocked to find hadn't happened yet.
Evidently, the Earth Kingdom and water tribes managed to ally themselves just in time to prevent invasions of either land and continued to ward off Firelord Sozin, but when Sozin died and Azulon took the throne, the pressure intensified and small skirmishes broke out, but still, war remained at bay. When Ozai took the throne, there were times of peace as the Fire Nation adjusted to its new leader and, thankfully, Ozai never had the opportunity to fulfill the full frontal attack on the water tribe that he'd planned, as I was broken out of the ice burg a few years later and left to fix this mess as soon as I could, leaving on Appa and gathering world leaders to convene on Kioshi Island and discuss matters.
In the end, it was decided to make both Iroh and Ozai Firelord over the Fire Nation. Ozai could keep his title but all counsel had to go through his brother, certainly a more peaceful man. The Fire Nation would also be responsible for the reconstruction of villages desecrated by their attacks, though they were permitted to seek aid from the other nations. The Earth Kingdom, which had been lying to its people about the war was instructed to keep an open book policy with its people, and a team of ambassadors from each nation was to remain in Ba Sing Se to insure this. The Water Nation was instructed to simply help wherever they could—a lot of which mainly consisted of helping each other. The Southern Tribe had sacrificed a lot to help keep the threat at bay, leaving it vulnerable to occasional raids—none very serious—but lives were still lost and homes were ruined. As were families.
In my brief time with the Southern Tribe, I'd befriended two siblings that were without a mother, perished in one of the raids, and a father that was out at sea, helping to fight the threats plaguing the world. They'd fed me and took care of me while I stayed with them, recovering from my time in the ice. I'd repaid their hospitality by leaving them behind. Katara, the sister, was eager to come with me on my journey but I was determined to keep her from harm's way. She was barely a beginner with her waterbending and I couldn't be worrying about her if worse came to worse. Sokka was the same, he had heart but he didn't have experience, and I wasn't willing to risk him either.
But, oddly, I missed them. It'd been a near decade since I'd seen them, as I've been touring the nations, learning the elements as I went and checking to make sure they held up their end of the bargain. So far, nothing appeared to have changed for the worse. The Fire Nation had improved, in fact, and much of my time was spent in the palace, training with Prince Zuko and Princess Azula. The three of use sparred frequently, but in the time I was there, Zuko's interests had shifted to Mai, the daughter of a noble man, and Azula's had also shifted elsewhere, and away from me, to a young woman named Ty Lee. Whether or not that attention was romantic, I never asked.
After two years spent in the Fire Nation, and my mastering of the elements complete, I was finally returning to where I was found ten years ago, eager to see Katara and Sokka again. Though, I as promised, I'd made a stop on an island a little out of the way, but I figured getting this trip out of the way may have been better than having a trail of letters follow me south.
The thing was, my trip was very much finished but one young woman refused to let me go.
"Aang," her voice whined and I resisted the grimace that yearned to show. "Have you been listening to anything I've been saying?" her hands rested on her hips, her torso leaning toward me and I reflexively leaned back. Coco was lovely, but most the time I had a hard time keeping my head around her. Her antics were charming at first, but one could only hear about how wonderful he was before he got tired of it.
"Sorry, Coco," I apologized with my hand rubbing the back of my neck. "But I really have to go if I want to make it to the Southern Water Tribe before dark."
She pouted and puckered her lips, leaving me with a surprised expression and my cheeks tinting pink, I was sure. I leaned forward slightly pecking her cheek before leaping up into the air, landing on Appa's head, taking his reins into my hands. "Ready, boy?" I asked loudly, ignoring Coco's crocodile tears and focusing on my bison's grunt of agreement, even he was bored of that lengthy farewell. "Yip yip!" I called and with one glorious push off, we were in the air, and Coco was behind us, calling for me to write her as soon as I could.
I probably wouldn't.
Ten years ago, when I awoke from the ice burg, I was presented with a face that had been imprinted in my mind and a laugh that I could soon not forget. I wrote back to her and Sokka as often as I could and was always eager to hear from the both, though I yearned for her letters more than his. I wouldn't say I was in love with Katara but every woman I met was easily compared to her and not a day went by that I didn't think of her. Certainly that meant something.
As the journey went on, I found myself resting in Appa's saddle and soon rummaging through my pack for warmer clothing as we neared our destination. As a form of respect for each culture, I donned their nation's colors, though I always wore mine underneath. I slipped the parka and pants over my own clothing and pulled on the boots, removing my shoes as I did, already I could feel my toes going numb.
A grunt from Appa brought me back to my usual seat, the Southern Tribe—now city, by the looks of it, was in view and even from this distance I thought I could hear the roaring of city life, it was very different from when I was last here and it looked much like the Northern City. A frown creased my lips; this wasn't part of the agreement. But, if I thought it to be an issue I would discuss the issue further with the chief, Hakoda.
"Alright, boy! Let's land at the docks, they're expecting us there." With a grunt, Appa sailed downward at an alarming speed, just as eager to see our old friends as I was. Still, he landed gracefully and I jumped down, quickly pulling my hood up, shielding my bald head from the chill. Almost instantly, however, it was knocked off by a woman who had rushed forward to greet me, I'd have fallen if Appa weren't behind me. "Oof," I grunted, suddenly gasping for air.
"Katara," a voice warned and the woman stepped back from the embrace, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looked back to her father and (practically) uncle, along with another man I didn't recognize.
"It's good to see you, Aang," she said, reclaiming her modest posture, though there was a glint of mischief in her eyes that was ever so teasing and daunting. She stepped back from me, joining her parents and the other man, who now stepped forward to introduce himself.
"I am Hahn," he bowed, his hands meeting in front of his chest as he dipped and I returned to formality. "Representative from the Northern Water Tribe, here on my chief's behalf."
"It is an honor to meet you," I replied, making my own introductions. I bowed to Chief Hakoda and Bato, paying my respects to both leaders. I soon found my hand in the firm grasp of the chief's, his smile wide as he clapped my shoulder.
"Welcome back, Aang, it has been too long," he sounded pleasant but his eyes gave him away. He looked weary, and his body language suggested he didn't like having Hahn there. Before I could even contemplate saying anything, Katara stepped forward.
"We've constructed a barn for your bison, Avatar, and it's not far from where you will be staying. Both of you should remain fairly comfortable in this weather."
"Thank you," I replied, burying a gloved hand in Appa's fur. "You hear that boy?" He groaned in response, tossing a lazy glance in the direction of Katara before going back to the barrel of hay that had been placed before him just after we had landed.
"Come, Aang," Hakoda finally said, "We have much to discuss."
Soon after, we were seated in an enclosed room, Hahn, Bato, and Katara were elsewhere, tending to other tribal matters while Hakoda sat across from me, his face serious and concerned. Silence ensued, neither of us sure what to say.
"It looks different," I finally said. "When I was here before, it was just little huts that barely stood off the ground. Now it's—"
"—A city," Hakoda finished for me, his expression was still grim. "The south has never been very big on architecture. Our goal was survival, we don't have the defensive advantage that our sister tribe has in the north. But, when they came to our aid, they sent waterbenders meant to change that. Now we look almost exactly like her. Their city layout is ingenious and effective but the south is losing what it means to be from the south."
My forehead creased as I frowned, leaning back in my chair. This was a problem I was not prepared for.
"Frankly, Avatar Aang, I wish you had come to our aid, sooner. Arnook has forced my hand in binding the tribes together, which I wouldn't mind so much if I felt like I had a choice."
"What?" I gasped, suddenly realizing that Sokka hadn't been with the welcoming party. "Where's Sokka?"
The frown on Hakoda's face deepened. "He's in the North, with Princess Yue. They're to be married within the month."
"You agreed to that?"
"Sokka loved Yue," the chief explained, "and I am happy for him. But we both knew that we needed information on what is happening in the Northern Water Tribe and Sokka agreed to serve as our eyes and ears. Though, I believe Arnook suspected Sokka's motives."
"Hahn." That explained his presence here, and his greeting me.
He nodded grimly, standing to pace to the room as he spoke. "Arnook has proposed that we further cement the tribes together and become one nation, with the marriage of Sokka and Yue as well as Hahn and Katara," his tone turned sour, as if there was a rotten taste in his mouth.
I blinked several times, gathering my thoughts as best I could. Hahn and Katara? "H-how does Katara feel about that idea?"
Hakoda turned to me, his eyes sad. "They're already betrothed, Aang. Hahn gave Katara a betrothal necklace when she visited Sokka in the North several months ago. When she returned, Hahn was with her."
"Marrying someone from the North?" I exhaled loudly, rubbing my hands over my face. "How can she do that? The northern tribe doesn't allow women to bend!"
His eyes grew sadder and I stood, leaning over the table, already anticipating what he was going to say. "She can't bend. She never learned any bending other than northern healing techniques. Hahn insists she shouldn't and I think she's heard it so many times that she's started to believe it."
The air grew heavy as I absorbed this information. I'd always assumed Katara would have found herself a teacher since she'd been so adamant in learning when I had met her. I didn't think about anything that could have happened while I was gone, I was too focused on saving the world to think about any of these possibilities.
"I should have taken her with me," I whispered softly and Hakoda shook his head.
"This is hardly your fault, Avatar. You were only a boy and already had enough on your shoulders. Katara would have only been a burden."
"No," I insist softly, "she wouldn't have." A sigh escapes as I fall back into my seat, consumed by this dreadful feeling growing inside me.
Just then, the door flew open and Hahn stepped in, Bato, Hakoda's right hand man, behind him. "Sir, the hunting party is gathering for our last trip before the storm set in. We're waiting on you."
"Thank you, Hahn, Bato," he nodded. "We'll continue this at another time, Avatar."
"Yes," my eyes slipped to Hahn, "we will."
Hours later, I'd managed to find my way to the barn Appa was being housed in. It was expansive, with a loft built into it that held a little area for me to relax in. There was a trough in the ground, water somehow being pumped through it—likely through the canals that now ran through the city. The tribe had even been kind enough to provide Appa with toys, should he ever find the desire to use them. For some reason, I didn't think he would.
Resting on his back while he napped, I thought about the last ten years, the friends I had made like Zuko, Azula, Toph…all without Sokka and Katara. It felt wrong, almost, leaving them behind. I wondered what would have happened if I had brought them. Would Katara have learned to water bend? Would Sokka be stuck in the Northern Water Tribe serving as a spy? If not, would someone else have taken his place? I didn't know these answers and I desperately wished I could turn back time and get them.
But the question that haunted me most of all was this: would Katara and I be together if I had brought her?
My insides screamed that yes, yes we would be together and we would already be married by now, likely with a kid on the way.
I was pulled by my thoughts, however, when the door to the barn opened and closed rather quickly and the sound of footsteps echoed in the room. I didn't move, however, listening intently to the person's movement, curious as to their purpose.
"Should we put it in the water trough?" a voice whispered, the other quickly shut him down.
"No, we drink that water, if we put it in there we might get sick—or worse."
"Then in the hay bale?"
There wasn't a response but I could hear them moving. I flipped onto my stomach, inching forward to see two men, one of them caring a rather large and suspicious looking vial, inching toward Appa's food source. I debated, briefly, how to fend them off, Appa hated fire and water was likely their element. Earth was hardly an option. Looked like it was going to be air. Besides, I needed that vial.
I threw a gust of wind at them, startling the jittery one that had been holding the vial, sweeping the thing to me before landing between them and the hay bale. A jet of water fired in my direction and I rolled away as it splashed beside me, leaving me behind Appa's paw and by the time I'd leaped to my feet, they were gone.
Uncapping the vial and lifting it in front of my nose, I waved my hand above the opening, pushing its scent toward me.
White Jade.
Someone had just tried to poison Appa.
THINGS TO NOTE: Sangok's role has been changed to Hahn's role. I just liked that better.
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