Make your choice
A Zutara story
Chapter 2

It seemed like the sea would never end. The sky was cloudless, so that it was possible to see the horizon far away. She closed her eyes and listened to the wind and the waves beneath them. The sun warmed her body, so that she groaned in ease. Everything was perfect. The weather was perfect, the day was perfect and soon, she would be able to see the first icebergs. For a moment she was afraid that it all could just be a dream. After this long time she would finally be home again and she already knew what she would do first when they arrived at the South Pole. She would hug her grandmother as tight as she could. Suddenly Appa's loud bellow roused her from her thoughts. She had totally forgotten that the others were there, too.

'Hey, Katara!' Aang came to her side. 'Are you finally awake now?' He grinned widely.
'I didn't even sleep.' She answered dreamily. 'I just was in thoughts until our little fur-monster interrupted me.'
'Oh, I understand.'
'Well…it's a wonderful day, isn't it? Look, this wonderful view and feel how warm it is today. Heavenly.'
Aang looked at her sceptically and then raised an eyebrow. 'Are you sure you're awake?'
She looked at him with pretended fury. 'What did you say?' Katara tried to grab Aang's arm, but he was quicker and pulled back fast, so that she landed at her hands on the saddle. He laughed at her.
She looked at him, ready to attack again. 'You…you little-'
'Hey, lovebirds. Could you please stop playing around? I'm trying to concentrate here, so could you just try to be a little less noisy?' Sokka stated from the bison's head.
'Okay, Sokka. We'll try.' Aang smiled mischievous, while Katara flushed lightly. Lovebirds. It just sounded so unfamiliarly. Aang had been her best friend, since she knew him, but to be considered as a couple felt a bit strange. She wondered anyway, why Sokka had never complained about his little sister having a boyfriend now. Well, she should be happy about this.

'Sokka, why isn't Suki going along with us?' Aang asked his best friend.
'I've already told you a thousand times that she, Ty Lee and the other Kyoshi warriors returned to Kyoshi Island.'
'Won't you miss her?'
'Of course I do miss her, but I know that I'll see her again soon.'
'So they are going to visit us?'
'No, but I'll visit them. The Kyoshi warriors are going to help people all over the world again… and I'm thinking of helping them.'
Katara sat up quickly. 'You're going to do what?!'
'Oh come on, Katara. I'll stay at the South Pole for a few weeks and then I'm going to visit my girlfriend. There isn't anything wrong with it.'
'No, there's nothing wrong with it, but you could have told me at least!'
'I don't know if you realized it, but I DID tell you moments ago. Now stop acting like this; you're so annoying sometimes.'
'Stay calm guys, don't argue now. I'm sure we'll be there soon.' Aang tried to stop them, because he hated the bad mood which was coming up.

They were calm for a longer time and Katara continued staring at the sea. She had to admit that she already missed Toph. Even though they fought many times, Toph still was one of her best friends and she got very close to her lately. Although she had these feelings, she thought that Toph made the right decision to go to her parents. Besides, Katara was sure that they would meet the little earthbender soon again and she really was looking forward to this moment.
All of a sudden Sokka yelled: 'There, I can see it!! Katara! We're finally back!'
Katara turned around swiftly to look in the direction, where Sokka pointed at. Huge icebergs appeared in her view and she felt a rush of happiness flowing through her body. Finally.