Kataang one- shot people! It used to be. Now it's the whole Fire story re- written. Awesome!! Yep. It's during the time Aang was passed out after Azula shot him. So here we are… (Katara's POV)
I leaned on the railing of the ship, eyes closed, as the warm evening summer breeze went peacefully around me. I opened my eyes to view the sea around the ship. The moon reflected on the water, then disappeared behind the clouds. I heard footsteps behind me. Toph had come to join me on the railing.
"Hi Toph," I said.
"Hey Sugar Queen," she teased.
I smiled a little. I barely smile these days. What? With my best friend passed out or worse? I needed the sound of his voice, the warmth of his hugs, and the dazzling smiles he flashes.
"So what's up?" Toph asked me as she leaned on the rail by my side.
"Same old," I said.
"Yea. I hear you sister. There's nothing to do. Twinkle Toes and I would be pranking the Fire Jerks right about now."
I laughed a bit.
"Thanks for getting my hopes up. I feel like Zuko on a bad day," I said.
Toph giggled. "It's always a bad day for him."
This time we both laughed. I can always rely on Toph when I need cheering up. Sometimes, when she's a brat, I can't. Then rely on Sokka or Aang. Mostly Aang. Sokka usually makes it worse. Sokka silently walked over and scared me. I jumped when I saw him in full Fire Navy uniform.
"You've got to stop wearing that around me you idiot," I snapped.
Sokka removed his helmet reveling his older face and grown hair.
"Keep forgetting you hate the baddy waddy Fire Nation and that you'll never forgive them for what they've done to your poor heart," he taunted.
I punched his face.
"Ow! What was that for?" he said rubbing his cheek.
"For being a jerk by making awful jokes like that at a time like this," I said.
Toph laughed. "Seriously Snoozles, you need to be quiet around your sister like that."
"Oh yea! I forgot it's alright that you can! Totally!" Sokka argued.
I left them to argue. I began to walk toward the door that led to the bedchambers. Two people dressed as guards stopped me. They pulled off their helmets. It was my dad and Bato.
"Going to visit Aang?" my dad said.
"Yes," I replied.
"You left the door open and I noticed you need to change his bandages," Bato said.
"Thanks," I said.
They let me through and I walked down the hall. It was very dimly lit. I finally reached Aang's room. Sure enough the door was open and he did need new bandages. He also needed a healing session. He had a pained expression on his face, one that I hate to look at. I walked in and shut the door. I walked over to a small drawer and took out some new bandages. I grabbed my water skin pouch on the top of the cabinet and then turned to Aang. I sat him up and removed his old bandages revealing the star shaped scar on his back. It cut through the path from his arrow and down his back. But the scar wasn't the only thing blocking his path. From the few weeks he had been out, hair had grown. I miss when he was bald and childish. I loved that part of him. I placed to new bandages around him after I healed his wound. The pained expression on his face softened. He sighed in his sleep. I placed him down and smiled a little. He was still alive thank the spirits. He began to mumble something. I couldn't understand at first but his mumbling grew louder.
"K- K- Katara," he moaned.
I gasped. Almost crying I sat quickly on the bed. Was he waking up.
"I- I- I need," he said.
"What is it?" I asked almost begging for him to wake up.
"I- I- I need," he said again.
"What do you need?" I said lifting him up, desperate.
"I- I-."
But his voice faded softly. His breathing still calm. I lay him back down on the bed. I got up and then lost feeling of my legs. I sank to my knees and cried. I wanted him back. No, I didn't want him, I needed him.
"Aang," I sobbed, " I need you. You don't know much how I miss you."
He wouldn't stir. I pulled myself together and sighed, wiping tears away. I swallowed my sadness and slightly smiled at myself.
"I can't believe I'm crying over you," I said softly as if he were awake. "It's just… I never felt like this before. It's like when my mom died. Except it's never been this emotional. Sure I was sad but, you seemed to wake me up from depression when I found you. You helped me regain my courage and hope. You became my source of energy and life and happiness. I miss you."
I looked at him longingly. I sighed. I felt more alive when I kissed him at the Cave of Two Lovers. It gave me more courage to trust him but I never knew why it did. I thought for a moment.
"What if?" I thought aloud.
I kneeled on the bed and kissed him softly on the lips. Life seemed to rush back. I pulled away with a smile. I knew what this was. It was the most powerful emotion ever made. It was love. That's why I cared for him so much. It was because I loved him. I sighed again.
"Good night Aang… I love you," I said as I walked out of the room and shut the door.
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So it when on for two more weeks at least. Every time I walked in I kissed him hello and every time I left I kissed him goodbye. My life and energy seemed to build up because of him. But one evening after I healed him and after dinner I leaned on the rail with Toph. We heard shouting from the chambers. I averted my eyes from them. I didn't wanna think about it. I heard a crash on deck were I was. It was probably Pipsqueak or The Duke making a scene. But I heard a familiar voice.
"Momo?" it said.
Toph smiled. "Twinkle Toes! It's gotta be you!"
Life was really rushing back now. He was awake!
"Aang!" I exclaimed. "You're awake."
"Are you sure?" he mumbled. "I feel like I'm dreaming."
I hugged him. "You're not dreaming. You're finally awake."
Life had rushed back forever. I pulled away as Sokka hugged Aang in his disguise.
"Aang! Good to see you back with the living buddy!" he said.
He pulled Aang away.
"Sokka?" said Aang confused.
Aang began to faint.
"Uh oh! Somebody catch him! he's gonna-," Toph shouted.
I ran toward him but I was to late. He hit the floor. I woke him up after I kneeled next to him.
"You must have some questions," I said leading him to Appa.
"Why are we on a Fire Nation ship? Why is everyone dressed this way? And why am I the only one out of it?" Aang asked me.
A warrior in disguise gave Aang a red robe similar to the one I was wearing.
"You need to take it easy, okay? You got hurt pretty badly," I said.
He sighed and closed his eyes.
"I like your hair," I said smiling.
"I have hair!?" he said opening his eyes and feeling his scalp. "How long was I out?"
"A few weeks."
My dad walks over to us. Great. Just what we need.
"Everything okay?" he asked us.
I averted my eyes. "We're fine Dad."
He offered his hand to Aang.
"I'm Hakoda, Katara and Sokka's father."
I was getting annoyed.
"He knows who you are. I just called you "Dad" didn't I?" I snapped.
"I guess you're right," he said.
"Nice to officially meet you Chief Hakoda," Aang said kindly offering his own hand.
My dad grabbed Aang's hand.
"It's an honor to meet you," my dad said.
"Great, great. Now you guys have finally met, so would you mind giving us a little privacy?" I hissed at my dad.
"Of course," he said walking over to Appa.
"Are you mad at your dad or something?" Aang asked.
"What? Not at all, why would you say that?" I asked him.
He shrugged but almost immediately groaned and held his side in pain. I hate to see him like that.
"Maybe we should go upstairs. You need a healing session," I said.
I helped Aang to his feet and walked him down the hall. We were silent most of the way. But he broke it.
"So… what else happened besides being on this Fire Navy ship?" he said.
"Not much. It's mostly been like it was before I found you. Just sitting around and waiting for something to happen," I said.
"It feels like my fault."
"Stop taking the blame because it's not. It's Azula's."
He nodded. I opened the door to his room. He looked around it as if he still couldn't believe his eyes. I pulled out a platform and two bowls of water. Aang walked over to the platform and sat cross- legged on it. I bended the water out of the bowls and onto his wound.
"Tell me where your pain feels most intense," I whispered.
Aang's eyes were squeezed shut. He gave a soft grunt of pain.
"A little higher," he said.
I moved the healing water over his shoulders and back.
"Wow," he whispered. "You're definitely in the right area there."
"I can feel a lot of energy twisted up around there. Let me just se if I can…" I said.
Then I pulled the healing water up and away from his scar. He arched back painfully but then recovered. Breathing heavily, he put a hand to his head. I assumed he saw himself in the Avatar State.
"I went down! I didn't just get hurt, did I? It was worse than that. I was gone. But you brought me back," he gasped.
I sighed. "I just used the Spirit Water from the North Pole. I don't know what I did exactly."
He turned to me. "You saved me."
I placed a hand on his cheek. "You need to rest."
He got up from the platform.
"I'm not tired," he concluded.
"Aang please," I begged as I stood up as well. "You got shocked and nearly got killed. I think you need more time to heal."
"No. If I was out for weeks then don't you think that's enough time?" he asked.
In my heart I knew it wasn't but somewhere in my mind was telling me to listen to him. I shook that thought out and sighed.
"Aang. Please. Rest, for me?" I pleaded.
That brought him down.
"Okay."
He walked over to his bed and placed his staff on the wall. He lay down on the covers and yawned.
"Maybe your right."
I smiled. "Good night."
" 'Night."
As I walked down the hall I remembered something I always said.
"I love you."
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The next morning, we sat around Sokka who was sitting on top of a create on the deck. We were eating noodles. Sokka was explaining to Aang what happened.
"After what happened in Ba Sing Se we needed to get you to safety. We flew back to Chameleon Bay where we found my father and the other Water Tribe men. The Earth King decided he wanted to travel the world in disguise, so he set off alone… Well, not completely alone. Soon, the bay was overrun by Fire Nation ships. Rather than fight them all, we captured a single ship and made it our disguise," Sokka explained pulling out a map. "Since then we've been traveling west," he pointed to Chameleon Bay and moved his finger to the Serpent's Pass, "We crossed the Serpent's pass a few days ago. We've seen a few Fire Nation ships, but none have bothered us."
Aang frowned. "So what now?"
"We've been working on a modified version of the Invasion plan," Dad said.
"It's Sokka's Invasion plan," I said annoyed.
"Yes, Sokka's plan. We won't be able to mount a massive invasion force without the Earth King's armies, but the Solar Eclipse will still lead the Fire Nation vulnerable," he said.
"So we're planning a smaller Invasion. Just a ragtag team of our friends and allies around the Earth Kingdom. We already ran into Pipsqueak and The Duke," Sokka said.
We turned to look at them.
"Good to see you again Aang," Pipsqueak said.
"And the best part is the Eclipse isn't even our biggest advantage." Sokka whispered. "We have a secret."
He paused and looked left to right as if the Fire Nation was right next to us.
"You!" he finally whispered.
"Me?" Aang said confused.
"Sokka. Don't tell him. He just woke up," I snapped.
"Katara he's gonna find out sooner or later," Sokka argued.
"Find out what?" Aang asked.
"The whole world thinks you're dead! Isn't that great!?" Sokka said standing up and raising his hands in the air in triumph.
Aang was horrified. "WHAT!?"
"Aang please try to relax," I said.
He stumbled to the railing.
"No, no, no, no!" he yelled.
"Aang," I said trying to calm him down.
He turned to us.
"The world thinks I'm dead? How is that good news? That's terrible!"
"No, it's great. It means the Fire Nation won't be hunting us anymore. And even better, they won't expect you on The Day of Black Sun," Sokka said.
"No, no, no, no, no. You have no idea. This is so messed up!" Aang yelled.
We heard another ship blare its horn. Aang grabbed his staff.
"I'll handle this. The Avatar is back!" he said.
Aang opened his glider. It made him wince and grab his side. Still, he tried to get on the glider.
"Aang, wait. Remember, they don't know we're not Fire Nation," I pleaded.
Aang was sweating heavily. He sighed and folded up his glider. Bato and my dad placed their helmets on.
"Everyone just stay calm. Bato and I will take care of this," Dad said.
The Duke and Pipsqueak threw a tarp over Appa and Momo. Toph, Aang, Sokka, and I crouched in a stairway to watch. A captain and two guards walked over a small bridge and over to our ship.
"I hate not being able to do anything," Aang whispered angrily.
"Hopefully you won't need to," Toph said.
We waited for a minute. The captain of the ship spoke with dad and Bato. I was frightened that we cold be killed.
"What do you think they're saying?" Sokka asked me.
"I don't know," I said.
Dad and the captain bowed. Then the captain walked over the small bridge.
"They know!" Toph shouted.
She Metalbended the floor and made the bridge buckle under and it fell. They fell into the ocean. I leapt out of the stairwell and Sokka ran quickly with Aang to safety inside the ship. I ran over to the side of the ship. I bended a small water mountain between the two ships. I turned the circle and thrust my arm forward. The water slammed the other ship knocking it back. We began to make our escape as our ship slowly made its way out of the other ship's eyes. Then we were hit in the hull with a fireball.
"Load the Toph!" I heard Toph yell.
The ground vibrated as Pipsqueak slammed a rock onto the ground. I heard her blast the rock toward the other ship. It zoomed past me and it hit the trebuchet, demolishing it. She fired another one that flew over my head. It hit a flaming ball. This continued over and over with Toph and the ship. One ball hit the water causing a large splash around us. A chained metal projectile shot into the water and punctures the hull of our ship. It pierced it causing a huge leak. It pulled out of its hole and it flooded the hole even more. I waved my arms upward and then pushing my palms down and exhale, freezing the hole.
"I'm gonna give us some cover!" I shouted.
I pressed my arms down, pushing down the water between the two ships. A cloud of mist rose up as it formed. I bended the cloud of mist up. I pushed my arms out and made the mist float out behind the ship. A fireball pierced through the mist and hit stone disks.
"Aang, no!" I heard Sokka shout.
I turned around to see Sokka grabbed Aang's staff to hold him back.
"You're still hurt, and you have to stay secret. Just let us handle this," he said.
I ran over.
"Aang please. Don't do this. You could get killed," I said.
"So could you. You're to precious to me," he said to me.
His words just fell out of his mouth. He covered his mouth and blushed. He became angry at Sokka again. Then he grabbed his staff away.
"Fine," he said and walked away as if nothing happened.
"What was that all about?" Sokka asked me.
"I don't know," I said.
There was another explosion and we were caught in a wave of smoke. The ship exited the mist. Another fireball hit the back of the ship. I shielded myself from the attack. The engine was on fire. I threw water at the fire, extinguishing it. I saw Aang's face peer out of the hall. I gave him an 'I'm sorry' look. He smiled reassuring at me. I smiled back. I suddenly found myself lost in his eyes. I felt him lost in mine.
"Katara!" Sokka yelled.
It shook me out of my trance. Aang hid himself again.
"What?" I said.
Sokka pointed to the serpent from the Serpent's Pass.
"Oh," I whimpered.
But our luck got better as a fireball hit the serpent. It attacked the other ship instead. I collapsed in exhaustion, eyes closed. I was still awake but only just. My head was pounding with blood. I felt light headed.
"Katara!" Aang's voice said.
It rang in my ears. His voice was closer now.
"Are you okay?" he asked me.
I opened my eyes. The other surrounded me. Toph was on my right side and Sokka was on my other. Aang was in front of me with a worried expression. Even Momo, who was on his shoulder, knew something was wrong.
"I don't know. I just fell," I said.
"It was probably from all the bending or pressure of fighting. I did that once," Toph said. "My master had no idea how if he kept me on the beginner's level. My parents weren't to happy."
I nodded and tried to get up. But I failed and sank to the ground.
"I just don't understand. My side is hurting though," I said.
"Maybe you have a muscle cramp. Any Bender can get one. I once did," Aang said trying to help.
"I guess," I said.
It did feel like one. I breathed in then out. It was going away.
"Yes. It's a cramp," I said.
"But how did it make you fall?" Sokka wondered.
"I felt exhausted after the fight."
"You need rest," Aang said smiling.
"Touché," I said as he helped me to my feet.
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After I healed I was getting hungry. So I walked into Sokka's room who was talking with Toph.
"You guys want dinner?" I asked.
"That sounds like a good idea to me," Sokka said.
I smiled. "Let's get Aang."
We walked down the hall to his room. He was staring at the ceiling when we walked in. He sat up when we did.
"Hey, Aang, we're going into town to find some dinner," Toph said.
He clutched his stomach. "Well, I am pretty hungry. Maybe dinner's a good idea."
Sokka pulled out a red headband. "Here, tie this around your head. It'll cover your arrow."
Aang looked at the headband. "I'm not going out if I can't wear my arrow proudly."
"Aang, be practical," Sokka said as Aang lay back down on the bed.
"You guys go ahead we'll catch up with you," I said.
Toph and Sokka left the room and closed the door. I rested a hand on Aang's shoulder.
"I think I understand why being a secret bothers you so much. You don't want people to think you failed," I said to him.
He looked at me. "You're right, I don't. But the problem is, I did fail."
He turned away from me.
"Aang that's not true," I reassured.
He shook my hand off and looked at me again.
"It is true. I was in Ba Sing Se. I was there, but I lost. And now, the Earth Kingdom has fallen for good," he snapped.
"It's not for good. Remember we still have a plan, The Invasion," I said.
"And I hate the Invasion plan too!" he shouted ripping the tapestry over his bed and threw it to the ground knocking his staff over. "I don't want you or anyone else risking their lives to fix my mistakes! Especially you. Yea that's right. I can't stand to see you hurt. Watching you fall today was even painful. Someone as kind and caring as you doesn't deserve that kind of pain. I've always known that I would have to face the Fire Lord, but now, I know I need to do it alone."
"Aang. You'll get killed. Your life is more important than mine. I'm just a Southern Peasant while you are the Avatar. The world's only chance for survival," I said.
"You're life and my life are just as valuable. And you are not a peasant. You are the greatest Waterbender ever. I've never felt closer to anyone in my entire life then you. But now it's time for all of you guys to be safe," he said.
"Aang," I begged.
"Katara, please. Just go, please."
I sighed. "Is there anything you need?"
"I need to redeem myself. I need my honor back," he said.
I paused before I opened the door.
"You sound like Zuko. I think you're pushing yourself to do this now," I said.
"Go," he whispered sternly.
Defeated I left the room.
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I found Sokka and Toph waiting for me at the front of the boat.
"Where's Aang?" Sokka said.
"He's not coming," I said.
As we walked through the dirt roads in town Toph tugged at my Kimono's sleeve.
"What?" I asked brushing it away.
"Your heart rate is fast. Are you okay?" she asked me.
"I'm not sure."
"You know, if I didn't know any better, I think you like Twinkle Toes," Toph mocked.
I blushed furiously. Literally.
"What? I- I don't… No. I- I. What in the world would give you that crazy idea!?" I snapped.
We walked into market place. Sokka was picking up the food for us and Aang as Toph and I argued.
"I knew it! Ever since I joined you and Aang's heartbeat have raced. I knew there was something going on!" she said triumphantly pointing her finger in my face.
"No I don't. I love him like a brother but never like that," I said pushing her hand away.
"Yea right. Katara just admit it. I'll keep it a secret I promise."
She held up both of her hand to show she wasn't lying. I sighed.
"Fine. I think I've developed a crush on him but it doesn't mean I love him. I still act motherly towards him to protect him. And if you breath a word about this to anyone, especially to Sokka or Aang, you will pay," I said.
"YES! I knew it!" Toph shouted.
"Knew what?" Sokka asked as he gave me a bag to carry back to the ship.
"A question in a game we were playing," Toph said quickly.
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I placed the food for Aang on a tray and walked it down the hall.
"I brought you some food," I called and walked inside.
I looked left and right but Aang was gone!
"Oh no!"
I dropped the tray and ran to my dad who was talking to Bato on a balcony. I had tears in my eyes.
"I'll leave you two alone," Bato said leaving us.
I walked up to my dad.
"What's wrong Katara?" he said.
"He left," I said.
"What?"
I was getting frustrated. "Aang. He just took his glider and disappeared. He has this ridiculous notion that he has to save the world alone. That it's all his responsibility."
"Maybe that's his way of being brave," Dad suggested.
I was furious. "It's not brave! It's selfish and stupid! We could be helping him. And I know the world needs him , but doesn't he know how much we need him too? How much… I need him. But how could he just leave me behind…"
There was a brief moment of silence.
"You're talking about me too, aren't you?" he asked.
I cried. I wasn't just talking about Aang. My dad did the same thing.
"How could you leave us, Dad. I mean, I know we had Gran Gran, and she loved us, but… but we were just so lost without you," I sobbed wiping tears away.
I turned away from Dad and continued to cry. He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"I'm so sorry Katara," he said.
I hugged my dad and cried in his chest. Dad hugged me back.
I kept crying. "I understand why you left. I really do, and I know that you had to go, so why do I still feel this way? I was so sad and angry, and hurt."
"I love you more than anything. You and your brother are my entire world. I thought about you every day I was gone, and every night when I went to sleep. I would lay awake missing you so much, it would ache," he said.
Tear ran down my face. I felt his finger under my chin.
"Now, I would like to ask. Why do you feel that you 'need' Aang?" he asked me.
I sighed. "He's my best friend. I can't help thinking that I like him more than that. I don't want him to die before it's to late to realize," I said.
"Katara!" Toph's voice yelled.
I turned away from Dad's embrace and looked at the door. Sokka and Toph were puffing, out of breath.
"What?" I asked quickly wiping tears away.
"Aang's gone!" Sokka gasped.
"I know," I hissed.
"There's rain around here. He could get killed!"
I looked at Dad. "We'll see you soon."
"Find him. The Invasion force and I will meet you at the point," he said.
"I left you a list of people you should find. There's a scroll with it. Please give it to a Mechanist at the Northern Air Temple," Sokka explained.
I felt something in my pocket suddenly. I put my hand in it and pulled out Aang's bison whistle. Since there was no time to run all the way downstairs and then jump on Appa, I put my lips to the end and blew. No sound came out but Appa flew up to the balcony.
"Katara, there's some money in the cabin right there. Let me get it," Sokka said.
I looked again at my dad. I hugged him and then I hopped on Appa and helped Toph up. Sokka ran over, hugged Dad, and leapt onto Appa. I fell on his head and picked up the reins.
"Yip! Yip!" I shouted.
Appa soared through the air going the same direction the ship was destined for. Momo appeared on my shoulder. I looked at him. He chirped sadly.
"Don't worry Momo, we'll find Aang," I said.
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We passed over a blockade by hiding in the clouds. By morning we reached a small crescent shaped island. The one we went to during the Winter Solstice. I saw Aang laying down on the hardened ash of the volcano. Momo hopped onto Aang and licked his cheek. He woke up as he landed by him. I ran over to him and Sokka and Toph followed me. I dropped to my knees and hugged him with tears spilling out of my eyes.
"You're okay!" I exclaimed.
Toph, Sokka, Momo, and Appa gathered around and formed a group hug. Aang broke away.
"I have so much to do," he said.
"I know," I said, "but you'll have our help."
"You didn't think you could get out of training just by coming to the Fire Nation, did you?" Toph demanded playfully.
"What about the Invasion?" Aang asked.
"We'll join up with my dad and the Invasion Force on the day of the eclipse," Sokka said.
"Hey, what's… Oh… It's your glider," Toph said grabbing Aang's burnt and destroyed glider from the water.
She handed the glider to Aang as we stood up.
"That's okay. If someone saw it, it would give away my identity. It's better for now that no one knows I'm alive," Aang said.
He jumped to a mound of trickling lava. He looked down solemnly. He spun his glider over his head and then slammed in into the lava. He jumped away as it caught fire from the heat.