Sokka - A 19 year old water tribe warrior that is Katara's brother. He is a warrior from the southern water tribe.
Katara - A 18 year old water bender from the southern water tribe who is Aang's water bender teacher.
Aang - The Avatar who is 16 year old ((technically 116)) who was raised by monks. He will have to master all four elements and save the world from the fire nation.
Akari - A 15 year old girl. She is the last decedent of the northern air tribe, and she was raised by earth benders. She can bend both air and rock, although her air bending is the more dominant element.
"Aang stop that, it tickles!" Akari laughed as the avatar continually poked her in the ribs with a long stick. The avatar laughed, and couldn't resist giving her one more poke before adding the stick to the growing pike of wood.
"Hey Katara," the Avatar said, "think this is enough wood?
Katara looked at the 4 foot pile of random branches and wood.
"I think that's good." She said and smiled.
"Now if only Sokka would get back with the food…" Akari said.
Just then Sokka came into view. He had a largish sack slung over his shoulder.
"Here you go," Sokka said.
He smiled at Akari as he handed to bag to Aang who at once started rummaging through it. Katara added a final stick to the pile of wood.
"Aang," she said, "Can you start…"
"Oh sure!" Aang said with a smile, and with the snap of his fingers a little flame started to burn at the wood.
"You're getting pretty good at that." Akari said as she kicked the ground and a big square of rock emerged from the ground.
"Akari…" Katara said. "Could you help me here?"
Akari walked to were Katara was and sat down next to her and started helping her sort the food.
"Sokka," Akari said.
"Whatttt…….." Sokka said in the annoyed complaining voice he could manage. "I got the food isn't that enough?
"I was going to tell you to sit down and take a load off…" Akari said smirking.
Sokka shot her a frown, sat down and put his feet up on the table.
"I'll help you." Aang said and went and sat down next to Akari and Katara.
He picked up something red and wet.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Meat." Akari said.
"EWWW!" Aang said. "I CAN'T BELIEVE I TOUCHED THAT!"
Everyone laughed while Aang looked around frantically for something to wipe his hands on.
"Here." Katara said, and water bended a huge stream of water onto Aang's hands.
"Air dry!" Akari said, and then air bended a small gust of wind at Aang. She was still learning.
"Thanks..." he said and re-adjusted his shirt. And quietly airbended the rest of himself dry while Akari wasn't watching.
Akari laughed.
"Can I get some food over here pleeaassee?" Sokka said as his voice cracking on the please.
"Hold on!" Katara said.
"Eat this while you're waiting…" Aang said as he threw a hunk of break at Sokka.
Akari picked up a piece of the meat and laid it on a pan over the growing fire. It sizzled and wonderful smells drifted through the air.
"Sokka…you're drooling" Akari said.
"I love meat…"Sokka said and drooled.
"Hey Akari," Katara said, "Could you and Aang go down to the river and wash this pile?" She nodded towards a pile of fruits and vegetables.
"Alright." Akari said smiling, grateful for the little break from the campground scenery.
"Come on Aang." Akari said.
Aang picked up the simi heavy basket and started towards the river.
They reached the river, and Aang put the basket down. He took a running start and jumped into the water splashing the wetness all around him.
"Aw….Aang." Akari said a bit annoyed. "At least take off your clothes first."
"Oh right." Aang said remembering that it was Akari's job to wash the Gaang's clothing. "Sorry."
"Its alright." Akari said sighing.
Aang started removed his upper shirt, and Akari stole a quick glance at him when his shirt was over his head. His lean muscles were protruding from his body, and his skin was glistening from the water.
Akari noticed she was staring and flushed hardly and looked away.
When she looked back Aang was in his boxers. They were orange. He was staring straight at her.
"Well?" he asked.
Akari flushed harder, wanting to make a distraction while she undressed she thrust the basket of food at Aang.
"Here." She said. "Start washing."
After checking that Aang had occupied himself, Akari stripped off her shirt exposing her dark green swim suit top underneath. Debating or not to take off her pants, she decided against it. After all, he was the avatar, and her swimsuit bottoms were pretty small.
She turned towards Aang and caught him looking at her. She flushed again.
She's cute when she's embarrassed. Aang thought.
Still flushing deeply Akari walked over to where Aang was and sat down next to him and the basket. She picked up a cabbage and dipped it in the river and scrubbed it a little. She felt Aang's eyes on here the whole time noticing that he was just sitting there.
"You know, there is an easier way." He said.
"Oh really avatar? Enlighten me." Akari said knowing exactly what it was he was about to do.
As she predicted he waterbended a medium wave of water over the basket washing everything.
Aang looked at her and cleared her throat,
Akari was confused for a moment, but then realized what he was suggesting.
"Can't you do it?" She asked.
Aang shook his head. "You need more pratice."
Akari sighed to herself, and did her best to airbend some air on the basket, but all she managed was a small breeze.
She looked at Aang with a small look of disgust.
"Come on," Aang said. "Try again."
Akari focused all of her concentration on airbending. Sure, she's done is a couple times, but never this much.
She tried again, but failed. She looked at Aang with pleading eyes.
Aang airbended a gust of wind at the basket, but stopped before it got too dry.
He looked at Akari with an eyebrow arched. "Your turn." He said.
Akari frowned at the basket. "I can't." She said at last.
Aang got up and stood behind Akari. "Stand up." He instructed.
Akari did. "This isn't going to work." She said. "It's been too long."
"Just try." Aang said. "Give me your arms."
Akari stuck her arms out on each side of her and sighed.
Aang positioned them in the stance. "Now move them up, and then sort of twist them like this." He moved Akari's arms the way he wanted them to go. Akari flushed very deep grateful that he couldn't see her face all the way.
Aang let go. "Try it like that."
Akari flushed harder, not wanting any eyes on her at the moment.
She followed the movements he had instructed and it was a success.
"Hey," Aang said beaming at her. "I didn't get these arrows for nothing."
Akari laughed and gave him a playful shove. Aang stumbled backwards and fell into the river.
He looked up at Akari shocked.
Akari's eyes got big and she reached out her hand to help him up. "Sorry-"
He pulled her in as soon as she grabbed his hand. Akari tumbled head first into the river. Into Aang.
"Sorry." Aang said laughing.
Akari laughed and earth bended a huge rock up into the air. She climbed on top and did a dive into the water. Aang smirked at her when she came up to the surface. He poked her stomach under the water.
"You're it!" he shouted.
Akari laughed and started after Aang. She felt something grab her ankle. She was dragged under the water. She couldn't breathe. She air bended a little bit of air from the surface, but she was getting drug down farther and farther, and it was getting darker and darker.
I don't want to die! Akari thought.
Flashes of Aang, Sokka, and Katara flashed through her mind. Flashbacks of her childhood. When she first started earth bending, her first night away from home...Aang...
Akari felt herself getting lighter and lighter, she drifted out of all consiness.
-Meanwhile-
Aang turned around. "Akari...?" he said, and laughed. Aang suddenly got the feeling that something was wrong. "Akari?" He called again nervously. Aang dove underwater. He looked around. The water was very clear. He saw a giant Cat Gator dragging Akari down by her foot. Aang gasped. He swam over to the cat gator, and punched him in the side. The cat gator growled, and shook Akari by her foot. Blood oozed everywhere in the water. Aang felt his chest tighten up. He needed air. He swam quickly up to the surface, and took a deep breath. He dove back underwater, and swam to Akari. He took a hold of her waist, and tried to pull her up. The cat gator wouldn't let go. Aang braced his feet against the cat gator's head, and water bender a huge whirlwind of water at it. The cat gator growled and let go, then swam away to look for another victim to eat. Aang pulled Akari to shore. He laid her down on the bank. He put his head on her chest. She had a heartbeat, but she wasn't breathing. Starting by her stomach, Aang moved his hands up to her chin water bending the air in her lungs out. Akari coughed, and her eyes fluttered open. She tried to sit up, but cringed when her foot moved. Aang helped her sit up straight and looked at the large gaping wound on her leg.
"Looks painful…" he said.
"Try actually having it." Akari said with a weak smile. "here." She said, and started to unwind the cloth of her swimsuit by her middle. "Aang," she said when she unwrapped about a yard of cloth. "Can you somehow cut this?"
Aang looked around with something sharp. He saw a sharp rock sitting on the shore about a foot away. He picked it up. "Will this work?" he asked.
"Whatever will do." Akari said.
Aang picked up the tangled cloth in Akari's lap, and getting as close as he could, cut the cloth. He picked it up, and started wrapping it around Akari's foot. Akari winced in pain as he wrapped it tighter. He finally ended the job by tying a knot on top.
"Can you walk?" He asked.
"I don't think so." Akari said.
"Then here." Aang said, "Wrap your arms around me neck."
"A-are you sure?" Akari said.
"Trust me." Aang said and smiled down at her.
Aang piggybacked Akari back to the campsite.
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