Disclaimer: I do not own the following show used, Avatar: The Last Airbender nor do I own it's plot and it's characters. I am merely a fan who writes and authors fan based stories about said subject. This story is in no way profitable and is not rightfully mine to make profit from. So, as a mere fan who does not in anyway own said show or make money from, obviously, I can toy with, tamper, create and/or destroy ANYTHING of the original I please because it in no way effects the actual product. Any thoughts against this, please, do tell.
Notes by Nerf-or-Nothing: I saw The Awakening and was all giggling-squeals-giddy it was just that awesome and yeah... it definitely had to do with the massive waiting period up till then. AH! I so loved it. SO AWESOME! Yue made an appearance and some more freedom fighters and the earth king was so oddly cute! Ah, everything was just so cool! Azula was pretty but oh so evil, she's clever enough to know that Zuko knew the Avatar could very well be alive and so had Zuko take the credit, so if the avatar does show again Zuko gets the blame.
The part with Yue was pretty cool. She's actually a big part of my plot... heh, you'll in Chapter Seven. WOOT!
Love and Marriage
Chapter Two
Katara held onto Aang's arm, a thoughtful look on her face as she studied him. He was unconscious for almost an entire two months and been awake for only a few days... and he's already changed so much... Moving her eyes to look at his hair she frowned thoughtfully. I couldn't imagine him with hair... it looks good but I miss seeing his arrows... he just doesn't seem the same with hair. Standing up straighter, she was glad he had grown taller. Now she didn't feel as awkward standing next to him since he was the same height as her.
Her eyes still trained on him but deep in thought, she didn't notice when he turned and caught her staring but she did catch his blush. Grinning, she slouched a bit and hugged his arm a bit tighter.
"I'm sorry Katara."
Katara looked up at him and gave him a concerned but confused look. "Why? What do you have to be sorry for?"
Aang looked at the sky and frowned. I don't deserve her kindness... not when I was so ready to give up my love for her. I'm a failure...but I can't help but still want to be with her. Smiling, he shook his head. "Nothing... but I do need to apologize for being so rude lately."
Katara stopped walking and forced Aang to stop with her, before turning him to face her. Her face was stern and it surprised him. "Don't. Don't apologize." Eyes softening, she smiled gently and hugged him. "I understand your in pain and I know you must feel like the whole world is resting on your shoulders." Gripping his shoulders more tightly in the hug she rested her cheek next to his heated one. "But... just remember you have me... and Toph and Sokka. You have people who love you and people who want to help you. Let us carry some of the weight for you... because you're not alone and you don't have to be. Your not a failure."
Aang stood their in slight shock. Her speech was very touching and he couldn't help but feel warm. This time when he smiled, it was genuine. Lifting his arms, he wrapped them around Katara, one on her mid back and one on her shoulder blades and brushing down her thick hair.
A soft sigh came from beside them, followed by someone clasping their hands. "Ah, young love. So sweet."
Breaking away quickly, both as red as fire itself they looked at two old ladies standing close to them with their hands clasped and eyes glossy and wistful. Their blushes managed to darken even further.
Aang coughed and put a hand behind his head.
Katara clasped her hands in front of her modestly.
Both of them looked at each other and quickly looked away.
"We should..." Aang started.
Katara nodded quickly. "Right, get going."
When they started walking away, there was two feet between them. As they walked away one of the old ladies smiled. "Such a cute couple."
They blushed again, but as they got further and continued walking, they began getting closer until Katara once again grabbed Aang's arm and hugged it tightly. The moment of embarrassment nearly forgotten as they let joy and content overcome them.
- - - - - - -
Sokka scratched his head and looked one way before turning his head and looking the other way.
Toph crossed her arms and scowled. "Well? Let's get moving already!" Toph muttered, voice still quiet but with a sharp edge. Her impatience getting the better of her.
Sokka looked at her and smiled sheepishly. "Uh, love too but I don't know where to get moving... exactly."
Toph stomped her foot and Sokka flinched, eye-twitching and pouting because Toph could actually terrify him more then facing an army of firebenders would. Uh, how does she do that! I'm a fearless warrior and she's just a little blind girl... a little blind girl who could seriously kick my ass... gulping at the thought, he straighted and tried to get his dignity back but Toph had felt him flinch and was smirking ever so slightly.
Flushing from embarrassment and scowling he turned to the right and pulled out a small map. "It should be this way... luckily I brought a map."
"And you didn't remember you had a map fifteen minutes ago because...?" Toph mocked sarcastically, her hands on her hips and standing tall with her back straight and shoulders pushed back with a show of confidence.
Sokka scowled again , a tad annoyed that she just had to mention it.
Since Toph had gotten her new outfits, it was easier to tell she was indeed a girl, and a maturing girl at that. Her usual earthbending outfit hid this fact very well and even the fancy dresses Toph wore hid her maturity well. As custom to high-society women, they were required to be demure. Toph had also grown slightly taller, among a few other things, and stood at his chin. He was still a head taller then her... and he even selfishly hoped he would always be. It shamefully made him feel more manly and strong since Toph was stronger then him, the least he could have is being taller.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts and rid himself of his blush, he started walking again.
Toph frowned thoughtfully, confused but started following him nonetheless and soon, easily matching his steps beside him. Shoes once again covered her feet and it did make it harder for her to feel vibrations, so she had to concentrate more to be able to sense them more thoroughly. Aang had actually been helping her through meditation. He, who was her and Katara's student, was teaching them all something.
It was one of the things that was bothering her. She could sense it, could feel that Aang thought he needed to do it all on his own, to right this himself... and that in the end he'd most likely lose his life. She didn't doubt he could die, if he tried to do it alone.
Aang was teaching them about opening their Chakrah's and meditation. It actually helped a lot, she could see everything as clearly with shoes as she could without and didn't have to be distracted while she did. It was even better, because when she didn't wear shoes, she could see farther and in much sharper visuals to the very last detail.
Sokka suddenly stopped and Toph hadn't noticed, to deep in her thoughts so Sokka quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She fell right into him and he had to grab her shoulders to steady her.
"Toph, are you okay?"Sokka murmured with concern, his voice soft and gentle as he held her shoulders tightly, Toph still very close to him.
Toph's eyes widened and she scowled but a slight flush showed she was embarrassed she wasn't paying enough attention. She was nearly crushed by two Llama-Camels and a carriage. Scowling deeper she pushed against Sokka's chest and away from him, crossing her arms and huffing. "Just fine, Warrior boy. I was thinking and didn't pay enough attention."
Eyebrow twitching and a deep, comical frown on his face, he huffed haughtily. "Well, no need to get so cranky. We're here." Face sobering quickly, he put a hand on the small of her back and shoved her through the gate, albeit gently, his lips grazing her ear as he whispered to her. "Just try not to get lost in thought anymore, we have to be careful. They may think Aang's dead but they know we're still alive."
Toph's cheeks were an interesting shade of pink as she nodded quickly.
"Welcome to Xiao Lang Academy. I am Feng Mei, are you here to sign up?" A woman asked, her voice loud, but gentle and with much confidence.
She had to be in her early fifties and had gray hair, styled in a high bun with gold chopsticks and soft, smoky gray eyes surrounded by wrinkles from many laughs, smiles and frowns. She was dressed in a red ninja outfit only her sleeves were long and billowy. She had her hands clasped and hidden in the sleeves.
Sokka nodded with a wide grin. "Show us the way ma'am!"
The woman sharply turned her head to Sokka and narrowed her eyes. It was pretty scary. "Do NOT call me ma'am."
Sokka jumped back, arms flaying and almost landing on the ground painfully.
Toph stood still, slightly dumbfounded. Are all old teachers insane?
Feng Mei looked kindly again, straightening with a wide, cheerful smile and eyes closing in bliss as she held a hand to her cheek. "I'm much to youthful and beautiful to be called Ma'am. Call me Young Feng."
Sokka did fall to the ground this time with his arms in front of his face and his expression incredulous with his blue eyes slanted and his right eyebrow twitching.
Feng Mei started to glare again and Sokka quickly stood, bowing and giving a small scared grin. "Yes m..." her beginning glare deepened. "Young Feng..."
Toph's lips twitched and she closed her eyes, sighing dramatically. Yeah... guess they are... although this old bat seems to have surpassed all others. She certainly surpasses Master Yu in crazy.
"Wonderful!" Grinning brightly again, she began walking away. "Follow me to get signed up and receive your robes."
When they got to the main Dojo house, Feng Mei gave them a sheet to look over and asked them to sign.
Sokka gave Toph's shoulder a squeeze when they turned to go sit down and review the papers. As he began to lead Toph away from Feng Mei, he noticed the old woman eye them suspiciously. Gulping, knowing what he was about to do might get him killed, he moved his hand from her shoulder to her waist and pulled her close and kissed her cheek, while pulling away he whispered to her to follow along and then proceeded to tell Toph he'd read the work and she'd sign it when he gave an okay.
He had effectively made it look like he was whispering sweet nothings to Toph, but Feng Mei could not see Toph's murderous, albeit flushing face.
"Ah, so adorable. You make a handsome couple, but try to keep the displays of affection to a minimum in school." Feng Mei said sternly but couldn't help but begin to blush and sigh dramatically, muttering quite loudly about her memories of love.
Both Toph and Sokka blushed this time with their eyes twitching and perpetual scowls. They both thought if they didn't improve their skills, then at least they'd perfect their current face ticks.
Sitting down, Sokka read through it, with Toph next to him and he'd lean over her, telling her when to sign. He had her sign every spot he did so they'd have the same classes.
- - - - - - - -
They're first class together was hand to hand combat, something Toph was already very good at, often having used it when fighting close combat when the Earth Rumble tournaments would hold a special event where bending of any sort was not allowed.
When they met outside in the courtyard, they were dressed in black and white long sleeved robes with black slacks underneath and bare feet. That bit was Feng Mei's request, adding it as an endurance quality. It couldn't have made Toph happier to have her feet in between the soft soil again. She hid is quickly when Sokka elbowed her.
Outside, there was no one else around. Sokka began to get nervous and looked around. Did they figure us out? Is this an ambush? "Um... where are all the other students?"
Feng Mei smiled an overly large, Joo De smile. "Well... since the new Academy, Fire, opened up a couple blocks away we've been... lacking some business."
"You mean we're the only students?" Sokka asked disbelievingly.
Feng Mei nodded, "Why... of course. And as our only students, we're going to honor you by making you pay double for each lesson!"
Sokka's jaw dropped and Toph sweat dropped.
"WHAT! That's no honor, that's robbery!"
Feng Mei clasped her hands and smiled politely. "Why... whatever do you mean? It is your great honor to pay double since our efforts will be placed only on you two, are prized students."
"Only students." Toph offered and got shot a dirty look by Feng Mei.
Feng Mei gave them a sly look, "It'll be your honor. By the Mighty Agni, how have you children been raised! You should know better then to question Fire Nation tradition and culture!"
Sokka started to sweat and looked worried. He began to stutter. "I-I didn't mean it like that! It's just... uh..." Sokka looked at Toph and his face suddenly brightened. Slinking over to Feng Mei he smirked coyly and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Ya see Young Mei..." Feng Mei's old face beamed at him for that. "I'm just a tad bit poor and since I'm the man and all I'd hate to have to ask my rich girlfriend," Toph's sensitive hearing caught it and she sent a glare his way. Feng Mei eyed them curiously. Sokka laughed nervously. "She gets a tad cranky about this too... can ya cut a guy some slack? I mean your young... you understand."
Feng Mei grinned at the flattery. "Why of course-"
"Not." A raspy deep voice cut in calmly.
A man stepped out of a smaller dojo house, dressed like a ninja, only unlike Feng Mei, his sleeves were tight and wrapped with black cloth around his forearms. He appeared in his late fifties but seemed very strong and fit for one of such age. "We're poor to young man. And since your so young, and we're old."
Feng Mei quickly turned red and she clenched her fists, sending the man a death glare, which he began to sweat nervously under but coughed and continued.
Sokka backed away from Feng Mei, apparently she was a firebender, and the fire she bended wrapped around her comically. She was obviously pissed at the mans words of age concerning her.
"So respect your elders..." his voice cracked.
The glare deepened and the fire grew. Suddenly the fire dissipated and the dark looked disappeared into a suspiciously happy grin and she practically began skipping towards the man. "Oh Xiao Lang, dear!"
The man visibly flinched and gulped. He grinned nervously. "Yes Feng Mei?"
In a second, Xiao was clutching his grayed head with both his hands and lying, slightly twitching on the ground.
Sokka and Toph both winced, at the sight and sound and in Toph's case, also the vibrations.
Feng Mei crossed her arms, the large paper fan held tightly in her right hand. "What was that...?"
Groaning, voice slightly high pitched and obviously a bit dizzy he looked up at her with a puppy dog look.
"Well?"
Sighing and sitting up, still rubbing his graying head he bowed his head. Defeated. "Yes... Young Feng," sighing in exasperation. "dear."
All hostility gone, Feng Mei grinned brightly. "We'll let them go with the regular price. Right dear..."
Xiao had comical tears at the corner of his eyes and a large pout but one look from Feng Mei made it vanish. "Yes Young Feng."
Sokka turned to Toph, "Think it's too late to go to the Fire School they were talking about?"
Feng Mei glared at him from across the court yard and he pointed to Toph, who punched him in the arm.
Toph grinned wolfishly. "Not a chance. Young Feng will be a marvelous teacher. She certainly knows how to keep her man in line. I admire that."
Feng Mei ran all the way across the courtyard with amazing speed and agility for an old lady and swooped Toph in a hug. "Why aren't you the sweetest little thing. You'll be my pupil, and wily old Xiao can have the rude boyfriend."
Sokka and Xiao's jaws dropped at the same time.
Toph and Feng Mei were walking away, chatting and gossiping like old friends.
"So..." Toph began just as they were getting to far for the men to hear. "Are the lessons going to include how to keep men in order? I'll gladly pay extra for that." Feng Mei just laughed.
Women. Both men thought bitterly at the same time.
Chapter End
Thank you all so much for the reviews, they were very sweet. YEY Season three is HERE! I am actually changing just a tad to fit more along the lines of the show but most of my plot is still intact. Check out my other stories while you can, I'll be posting a one-shot series soon and it should please everyone... hopefully. It won't be out for a while.
Anyway, anyone get the feeling Mike and Brian are reading fan-fiction and gathering ideas from us authors? I mean, I've read stories where Aang actually died when the lightening hit him and Katara's oasis water brought him back. Coincidence, maybe. I've read stories where Yue can descend to earth and did you notice she moves clouds out of the moons path? Which is a concept often used in stories with her. Those weren't the only coincidences either but hey, maybe I read to much into things. Heh, it'd be nice to think though.
Review please, it'd be much obliged and I do love feedback. It tends to make me feel better when I question my work... :
