Summary: Yes it is another Zutara fan-fic, but I've haded some Karu (Katara&Haru) scenes, just so I could please everyone! But it's not the typical Zutara fan-fic since there are a few new twists thrown into this story, and I hope you will like them. Anyway, the story is about Aang and company and their quest to find an Earthbender to help him master his next element. All seems to go well, until the ruthless Fire Nation attacks Omashu and Katara is taken during all the craziness. Now it's up to Sokka, Aang, an old friend and a new character (OC?) to try and rescue her, before it gets too late. With the end of the summer creeping up on them, it's a race against time to find Katara as well as master all four elements! NOTE: Some of the chapters may be pretty short, while others may be longer...really depends where my inspiration is leading me!
COMMENTS PLEASE: I've never written an Avatar fan-fic before, so my fighting scenes may not be well written and I apologize. I would like some feedback from you wonderous fan-fic writers, but PLEASE no flaming. I don't appreciate it, and I'm sure you wouldn't either.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own anything Avatar related, Avatar is owned by Nickelodeon and not me...do I really need to say this?
Chapter 1: Memories and a Reunion
The air was crisp as Appa flew through the fresh morning air of the Earth Kingdom. Aang sat lazily among Appa's head while Momo slept beside him. Sokka was as usual sleeping away, while Katara had to listen to his annoying snoring while perching herself over the side of Appa.
"How much longer until we reach Omashu?" Katara asked.
"Hopefully we'll be there within a twenty minutes; I see some land up ahead" responded Aang.
"Aang, I just wanted to say how proud I am of you right now. Back there at the North Pole, you really proved yourself to be a great Avatar as well as a person. You really impressed me with your wisdom and care for others…even if they are from the Fire Nation" said Katara.
"Thanks Katara that really means a lot to me" He responded as he looked at her tired body. He could tell that she was worn out physically and mentally. "Are you ok Katara? Looks like something is bothering you"
"I'm just overwhelmed by all that has happened; that's all. I'm worried about the fate of our nations…the spring is coming and you need to still master Earth and Fire. I mean, your Waterbending is pretty good, but you still need to master two elements! I guess I'm just worried, that's all" she responded wearily.
"Don't worry, Katara! I promise that everything will be ok. With King Bumi on our side to teach me Earthbending, I know I'll be able to learn in no time" Aang responded with a cheerful smile.
"If you say so Aang. But just one more thing, why did you help out Zuko back there? He's our enemy, why would help him?"
"I don't know. He reminds me of an old friend I used to have 100 years ago and he was from the fire nation. I guess he just reminds me of him since whenever there's trouble it's always involving him…plus um, Katara I need to tell you something about Zuko"
"What is it?"
"Well you see, he's the…"
"Are we there yet Aang?" Sokka yelled as he awoke from his deep slumber.
"Sokka, why are you always interrupting our conversations? Can't your patience hold out just a little bit longer? Besides what do you care, you've been sleeping the whole time anyway!"
"Look Katara I'm sorry, it's just that we've been flying for such a long time, that I'm in desperate need of movement and food, I'm starving!"
"You're always starving" said Katara as she gave her brother an annoyed look. "Sorry Aang, but what were you going to tell me?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it" responded Aang, "besides, we're here you guys! We're finally at Omashu!"
"Thank god, I can finally stretch my legs" Sokka complained.
Appa finally landed onto the ground, and the great sites of Omashu could be seen over the hillsides. To at last reach dry land, the overwhelmed travelers walked across the stone bridge to the main gate. There, they were welcomed by the city guards who pushed and pulled the ground to open the main gate. When the last bit of stone had been pushed away, King Bumi stood in front, with welcoming arms.
"Bumi, it's so good to see you again!" Aang shouted.
"Aang, I'm so glad you are alright. I heard about the Fire Nation attack on the North Pole and you had me worried. I'm so glad for your victory, but this is just the beginning. I knew you'd be coming back to master your Earthbending, and I have the perfect person to help you!" responded Bumi.
"You mean, you're not teaching me?" asked Aang in puzzlement.
"Are you crazy? I'm a frail old man, and what you need is someone younger who can keep up with someone like you" said Bumi as he pointed to a shadowed figure in the back of the crowd behind him.
The shadowed figure walked forward through the crowd of people. One by one, the villagers moved aside as the shadowed figure slowly made his way into the light of day.
"Haru!" yelled the three young travelers in astonishment.
"Haru, what are you doing here? Why aren't you with your village?" asked Katara.
"Aren't you happy to see me Katara? That's the welcoming I was hoping to receive from you" he responded as he let out a small smile.
"Of course I'm happy to see you! I'm just surprised that's all. So you're going to be the one who will be teaching Aang how to earthbend?"
"That's right Katara, Haru here, has become one of my best students. I've never seen anyone so driven before, and because of his ambition, he has become one of the most powerful Earthbenders" said Bumi with great pride.
"Thank you King Bumi, but my ambition would not have been without Katara" responded Haru, as he store into her deep blue eyes.
"Thanks" whispered Katara as she blushed with happiness.
Bumi motioned for Aang and Sokka to head back to his palace, leaving Katara and Haru at the main entrance. The noise from the crowd soon decreased, all could be heard were the nervous heartbeats of the young waterbender and earthbender.
Oathkeeper: So there you guys go! My first chapter! Sorry to say that my first chapters of anything really aren't that great, but I promise you that it WILL get better. Let's just say that I one of those writers who's chapters get better as the story progresses! I would also like to say that I've finished the fan-fic entirely over break but finding the time to update will be the problem since my break ends this coming monday on the 2nd...so then comes the piling of homework and preparing for midterms! I'm planning on writing a sequel to this story since it technically is NOT finished but I would like to continue the adventure in separate "stories" even though they all tie into once big story. COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!