Disclaimer: Zutara shippers, TURN BACK NOW! This is a not only a Gaang story, but Kataang as well.
I will go down with this ship. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Zuko. He's a bamf, but Katara is Aang's. Haha, well I hope you enjoy! :)
Aang rested his head on his hand wearily. The day of speaking with diplomats, politicians, and mayors had exhausted him more than riding giant koi fish. He felt as though all this talking, speeches, and treaties - as good as they are - aren't getting them anywhere. Rebellions sprouted everywhere, and the people of the Earth Kingdom still despised the Fire Nation, even five years later. Aang knew first hand what loss had felt like. They had no idea what it was like to lose all of your people to some pointless war, and yet, he had been the first to forgive them.
Forgiveness is the key to unlocking happiness, Gyatso had once told him, if one does not condone, then it is they who are the prisoners.
He wanted more than anything to see Gyatso again, to hear his wisdom, to learn more of his mastered arts. He was like a father to Aang, always giving him praise and guiding him through the tranquil life of the monks. Back then, he had taken his life for granted, with no Avatar responsibilities to uphold. Aang laughed when he remembered how cumbersome he thought cleaning his room was.
"What's so funny, twinkle toes?" Toph asked, her voice echoing off the empty meeting hall.
"Just. . . a memory," he rubbed his eyes, and looked upon Toph. She was wearing green attire of the Earth Kingdom underneath the metal plating she'd constructed herself. "What do you think of the plans for the new city they're making you build?"
"Eh," she shrugged, "It'll look pretty and all from what I hear, but do you really think it'll solve world peace?"
The truth is, he didn't really know what to think of it. The newly constructed council of the four nations decided recently to build a dazzling city on Yue Bay in the Northeastern Earth Kingdom, boasting about how it will be the seat of all their governments. They gave it a fitting title, Republic City, where every nation would be treated equally. '
When word of Toph's Metal Bending Academy had passed the Council table, and how successful it had been, (she now had over three hundred students with multiple schools) they had given her the opportunity to help build the city.
"It's worth a shot, isn't it?" he said, standing to leave the hall.
Katara's hands were sore, and her eyes began to droop. She'd been in the medical clinic all day curing ill patients. Since there are few waterbenders that are skilled in the healing arts in Ba Sing Se, Katara was promoted to Chief Physician. She was so excited before, embracing the opportunity to help people in her own way. But now, the job was taking a toll on her. There were times she was at the clinic around the clock. Citizens and soldiers alike from all nations had come in hurt from the rebellions. Katara had heard the unnecessary fighting was from rivalry terrorist organizations, waging an underground war against each other. Of course, that was a bit far fetched for her.
"Miss Katara, there's a patient that needs to see you." One of the nurses, Ming, told her, interrupting her from her train of thought.
She nodded to her, and walked into the lounge where she saw an old friend. "Haru!" He looked beaten up, but it wasn't anything she couldn't fix. Although, his arm had a nasty break. Katara helped him gingerly into her private office where she laid him on the bed.
"Thank you, Katara," he said, grimacing as he lowered against the thin blanket. "I heard you're the best healer around."
"It's going to be okay," she assured him, bending water onto his broken arm first. Underneath her palm she could feel the bone mend back in place, which made his face relax more. After his main injuries, Katara healed the minor cuts and bruises until he looked fresh and rejuvenated.
"Wow, it's like it never happened." He said, examining his arm.
She placed her hands on her hips. "And what exactly did happen, Haru? You don't strike me as the type to pick fights with someone."
His eyes fell to the floor in shame. "It was this group of thugs, harassing an elderly man for his money at the market today. I couldn't just stand there and watch him get mugged, so I asked them to back off. . . and then I lost my footing when they attacked." He now looked up at Katara. "These aren't your normal street thugs, Katara. They were trained. And if they're roaming the streets freely, then there's a lot of people in danger."
The news didn't sit well at all with Katara. Although, it did explain why there was such an increase in injured patients. "I'll talk to Aang about it, maybe they can double the city guards."
Haru nodded. "I think that would be best. Thank you again, Katara."
She watched him leave the clinic, packing up her belongings as well. Everything felt so fragile right now, with the war just recently passed. Grief and sorrow still filled the homes of those that lost their loved ones, on both sides. With these rebellions, Katara feared it won't be long until it all breaks under the pressure.
Zuko tossed and turned in his sleep. He dreamed about all the frustration when trying to find his mother. Getting the information alone had been so difficult for him. The anger had become so strong that it escaped his mouth. . .
"I've listened to all your stories, father!" He screamed at him through the bars of the jail cell, his breath was hot steam that made the metal glow red with heat. "You will tell me where my mother is, you will tell me because I am your Firelord!"
It only made him more furious when his father just sat there, smiling that half grin of satisfaction. He'd made his son fume without even doing anything. "Why should I? You didn't even ask politely."
Zuko had fallen onto his knees, the energy of the fire within him had instantly faded into embers. "I beg you, father. I just want to see mom again."
He mocked his son by laughing. "Are you going to go cry to her? You need to grow up, Zuko. It was a mistake to appoint you as Firelord."
"Maybe it was," Zuko said calmly, surprising Ozai. "But if I had meant anything to you before, you will honor me with the location of my mother."
His father was silent for a moment. The air was thick and heavy, weighing on Zuko's shoulders. He tightened his fists in anticipation.
"On one condition," he proposed. "You will release your sister."
He snapped his head up to his father, his eyes wide with shock. "Azula can't be trusted."
"Then MAKE her trust you, Zuko!" He bellowed at him, his voice booming off the brick walls. "If what you say is true, then family should be very important to you."
Zuko gritted his teeth, trying to hold his tongue against the volley of curse words he wanted to yell at his father. After what seemed like a long time, Zuko bowed his head once more. "I will accept your condition."
"Good," Ozai said, the smirk smile returning to his lips. Within Zuko's stomach was a knot; he had regretted his actions almost instantly, but it was already too late. "Your mother is here, within the palace. But Azula has the key to her underground chambers."
"Again, you no good, lousy pea brains. I want you to punch-" her fist pummeled through the metal like butter, "not gently caress. Metal is strong, refined, and unwavering. You knuckleheads need to be tougher than the metal."
Each lily liver looked at her from their individual slabs of metal. Toph crossed her arms, listening to each of them with careful complexity.
A girl named Akane grunted as her hand sunk into the slab. She pulled it just out as quickly, and from what Toph could hear, put it up to her mouth to suck on her probably reddening knuckles. She sighed. The boys in her class had gotten it down faster than the girls, which made sense to Toph. They were stronger and less dainty than the women.
Izo's metal slab was so disfigured and crumbled, it would make any metal bending teacher proud. "Not bad, Izo. A few more years and you'll be able to bend rusting iron," she joked with him, slapping him on the shoulder.
He laughed, the sound made the insides of her stomach flutter. "I learn from the best."
She shook her head, smiling as well. "Alright, get back to work. If we're going to build this new city, I'm going to need some actual metalbenders."
"Yes, Sifu Toph." They all said in unison, then continued morphing their slabs.
After the lesson was done, Izo had lingered in the dojo. Toph walked up to him, leaning against the wall casually. "Did you need something, Izo? Perhaps some more training since you need it so badly," she said sarcastically.
He chuckled. "Well, that's not exactly why I stayed, but I could use some extra one-on-one practice." Her cheeks flushed slightly at his smooth voice. "The real reason I'm here is because I wanted to thank you personally, Toph. I came here thinking I was some lowly earthbender, unable to bend something as powerful as metal." She sensed his face become closer to her own. "Yet, I was wrong, and you showed me that."
Suddenly, his lips were upon hers, just briefly, and then she felt the vibrations of his steps exiting the room. Toph stood there, her heart fluttering from the small gesture. It had been her first kiss.
I'm just a simple guy who enjoys his cured meats, his boomerang, and sarcasm, Sokka thought to himself as he unhappily sat in the council chair, listening to a petition. I didn't ask to represent the Southern Water Tribe. . . stupid Katara. She thinks she's the boss since she's dating the Avatar. Bleh, gives me the oogies everytime I see them.
"And what is your opinion on the matter, Councilman Sokka?" Councilwoman Rhon-Ya asked, glaring at him like she usually does.
He waved his hand dismissively. "I say let them erect the monument when the city is built. I'm sure Avatar Aang will be most pleased."
"Then it is decided then," Councilman Chong declared. "We have come to the consensus to humbly accept your offer of the Avatar Aang Monument."
The Fire Nation representative bowed deeply. "It will be a true honor to deliver this good news. The Fire Nation will immediately construct this feat in the hopes of symbolizing our peace and goodwill." So Aang finally tamed the fire beasts. Sokka snorted to himself, it only took him a hundred and seventeen years to do it.
Sokka sighed in relief when he checked that there were no more petitions scheduled for the rest of the night. He stood and stretched, feeling his sore butt ache from sitting most of the day. "If there's nothing more you wish to discuss my fellow councilmen and women, I must return to my wife back at home."
"Retire for the night if you must, Sokka," Chong said. "There will be a long day ahead of us tomorrow. We must make the preparations for Republic City."
He bowed and gathered his things, mumbling under his breath as he walked the short distance from the Council Chambers to his apartment. "Stupid Council, stupid petitions. . . they're all just going to bore me to insanity. Thank you Katara and Aang for this wonderful opportunity. Really appreciate it."
When he walked into the large apartment, Sokka was pleasantly surprised to see Suki setting the table with plates full of food.
Sokka sniffed the air appreciatively, setting down his bag before he walked to the table. "This is great, hun, but what's the occasion?" He asked while sitting down, not waiting to start wolfing down the roast duck and bowl of noodles.
She took the seat across from him and smiled. "I want to tell you some good news, Sokka-bear. And I figured we could do it over a nice meal."
He swallowed a mouthful of duck, and cleared his throat. It was unlike Suki to wait to tell him things. "Good news would be nice after a day of horrific council duties."
"Sokka," She said quietly, hesitating for a moment while her eyes started to fill with tears. "I'm with child."