This is the big farewell for our favorite characters. It shows how heart-breaking it was to go their separate ways. I hope you like it!
There is a big rejoicing in all of the land. All of the innocent were freed putting the now surrendered soldiers in their place. Everyone was reunited with their friends and loved ones. Zuko took his rightful place on the throne. At last, after many years, there was peace spreading across all the distant lands. After the coordination, a massive celebration took place. It seemed like this perfect life would never end. All of this happiness was abruptly stopped when everyone knew it was the time to head back home.
"I should be going home to see my parents." Aang and Sokka look at each other and try not to smile. "You know what I mean." She snapped. In a softer voice, she continued, "I really owe it up to them."
"Then we will all miss you Toph." Katara replied.
Toph sniffled. "I need a group hug!" she exclaimed. Aang and Sokka slowly backed up to sneak away, but Toph blocked their escape and grabbed everyone in a great embrace. "I love you guys." She said, squeezing them even tighter.
"Yes, we are definitely feeling the love." Sokka replied sarcastically.
Toph let go and punched Sokka in the arm.
"Ow!" he yelped rubbing his arm. Suki giggled.
"It was great to know you Toph." Suki replied.
"You too Suki. And keep this one in line." She added, pointing towards Sokka.
"Hey," Sokka protested.
"I will." Suki promised.
Toph continued her farewells. "Goodbye Ice Princess—"
"Katara's no ice princess." Sokka stated.
"But she is to me." Zuko softly added. Sokka stared at him in disbelief while Katara blushed and Aang looked down.
"Yes, and it was nice knowing you too Hot Head." Toph added grinning, breaking the silence. She turned to leave when Aang called out, "Hey, what about me?"
"Don't worry Twinkle Toes. There is no way that I'll be able to forget you." She pulled him in for a surprisingly soft hug. As she started walking off, she added, "Well, I'll hope to see you all again soon."
Sokka covered his mouth as he tried to hold back a laugh. Suddenly, a bump in the ground appeared and pushed back, knocking him flat on his face. Toph smiled and waved behind her as she boarded the boat.
Now, sadly, it was Aang's turn to leave. Aang turned to Katara and forced a smile. "You would probably be helping your people get back home faster anyway, right?"
"You're welcome to come with us Aang." Katara suggested.
"No, I need to do some things on my own for a while." Turning to Zuko, "Thank you for believing in me and helping me learn fire bending."
"That should be the other way around." Zuko replied. He smiled. "Thank you."
Aang gets up on Appa and takes off, waving at the others below him. "I'm going to miss that kid." Sokka mentions, still waving until the speck in the sky disappeared.
A messenger came up to Zuko and told him something. Zuko then turns and tells the others, "Your boat is almost ready for departure."
Suki and Sokka head over to the boat that was being loaded. Suki looked over on the dock to see Katara and Zuko standing so close to each other that their hands were almost touching. She continues to watch them, unnoticed.
She finally leans over to Sokka and asks, "Is it just me, or does your sister really like Zuko?"
Sokka looks up from loading their things to look at the two. "Katara and Zuko? There is no way that she could ever fall for him." He turns back to his task.
"They have been through a lot together." Suki quietly said to herself. Taking one last look at the couple on the dock, she sighs then helps the now luggage-covered Sokka.
Katara turned to Zuko, tears in her eyes. "I don't ever want to go, but I need to help rebuild my home."
"I wish you could stay here—" he pulled her closer and breathed, "with me."
"If only it could be that easy." She suddenly started sobbing and thrust herself into his chest. " I don't ever want this to end!" she cried.
He held her closer and whispered as a tear ran down his own cheek, "Neither do I."
Finally pulling herself away, they stare into each other's eyes. Slowly, he lifts her chin and their lips touch. It was a happiness that they never wanted to end. The one thing that interrupted them was the calling for all the passengers to board the ship. The two slowly separated.
"Thank you again for helping me see my true destiny to help Aang."
"But I didn't—"
"It was you that I kept seeing. At first, it was all about capturing the Avatar, but you somehow messed with me. It became more like wanting to see you. The only problem with that was that I knew you wouldn't like me in return, unless I have done some changing. It was then that I realized that going after the Avatar was wrong. You helped me see that."
By now, Katara had tears running down her cheeks. Zuko softly wiped them away. He took her hand and kissed it tenderly. The boat horn was heard.
"You'd better be going, before you miss your ride home." He had struggled to say. She sniffled as she hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I'll miss you Katara."
"I miss you already, Zuko." She stammered. She buried her face into his chest.
"Katara, let's go!" her brother called. She rolled her eyes, making Zuko slightly chuckle.
"I guess I have to leave then." She said sadly. He took her hand and kissed it again.
"Goodbye Katara." He whispered.
She slowly turned to leave and got on the boat before it took departed from the dock. She looked back longingly to see Zuko still standing there. They watched each other until the distance between them grew to where they couldn't make one another out any longer.
For the next few parts, I plan to have separate things showing what the characters are now up to after returning home. Please continue to read and I would love for reviews. I want to hear your opinions and any ideas on what to continue with.