Hey everyone here's the next chapter of The End Has Yet to Come! One, I would like to thank all the people who have been reviewing this and I can guarantee you that you are in for a treat. This chapter is more of a filler chapter but necessary. The fun will probably start at the beginning of the next chapter. Half of this is told from Aang perspective and the other half is Katara's. Thanks again for everyone who has been reviewing and keep on doing just that please!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of its characters (no matter how much I wish that to be true).

Alright people, to the story…………………………………

Chapter 1: Things Left Unsaid

The morning after I receive the letter that may have changed my life forever, I begin packing for my trek back to the icy habitat known as the South Pole. The fire nation heat has taken a toll on my well being and I guess the change of scenery might not be as hazardous as I am leading myself to believe. As long as I don't have to lay my eyes on the reason for my distance and distress, the couple who are responsible for the murdering of my soul, I shall have a painless experience. But, we all known this could never come to be.

I grab the few belongings I own, being the Avatar requires a minimum amount of earthly attachments, and swiftly make my way to the outer grounds of the palace, to the stables where I housed Appa, my only companion I could depend on.

We had been inseparable companions since my sixth birthday which I would never forget, no matter how many years I was capable of living.

--------------Flashback---------------

It was a quite spring day upon the mountainous region on which our Airtemple, my home, resided. My element surrounded the exquisite sculptures and vegetation present in a lush pillow-like setting, just inviting you to fly away in it and manipulate its currents. I had wanted to do just that but Monk Gyatso, my mentor and father figure, had other plans for us to accomplish.

He had woken me with a start and a shove of my shoulder. "Aang, Aang! Come on, time to wake up; we have a long day ahead of us and if you don't get up right now, you aren't going to get Egg Custard Tarts for dessert later on," He whispered into my half asleep ear and like that he was off into the wind.

I jumped out of my bed, with a little help from my Airbending and groggily rushed to get my nomad garbs on. After I had finished however, I noticed a letter on the face of my wooden nightstand. I made my way over to it, pondering the whole while what could possibly be contained in that letter.

Had I gotten some sort of trouble with the Elders from our temple or was it just a prank note from Gyatso to get me anxious? Which ever the case, I slid my finger under the parchment and found to my relief a friendly letter from Kuzon. It was a peculiar message however that left me rather mystified.

Dear Aang,

You better rush over here as soon as you have finished training for the day. Our new gifts need to be acquainted and I know Gyatso wouldn't mind. Hope you are enjoying your present as much as I am mine.

See you later,

Kuzon

Ok, why did Kuzon always have to so brief in his messages. They all left me bewildered and I had to mull over them for hours to make any sense out them. But, there always was a reason to his madness, much like Bumi. What surprise was he referring to though? I haven't received any presents since my birthday party last year. Oh well, I have to go meet up with Gyatso; he is probably having a conniption at this very instant.

On that note, I summed up an Air Scooter and sped of down the corridor, careful to not knock over other pupils in the process, in search of Gyatso. I was enjoying the wind in my hair, comforting myself within my native element, when I happened to run right into Gyatso's back.

We were both knocked on our backsides with a loud thump and a round of pure hilarity. After a few seconds however, I was able to contain myself and scurry to my feet. I lent him a helping hand and he proceeded to tell me what we were going to act upon for the day. But it a rush, he spun me around and covered my eyes with his strong hand leaving me blind to what was occurring around me.

The next thing I knew, I was being slobbered and leapt upon by a giant, white fur ball. I felt as if my face had been scratched with sandpaper but as I my eyes came into focus I realized that it was just a tongue. Wait! Whose tongue was this? Then I realized what the surprise Kuzon had been referring to was, my very own Sky Bison.

I had dreamt about this day for years, the day a young Airbender received his life companion. Once your majestic beast chose you there was no turning back. You would be companions for life and your emotions would be shared for eternity. Your souls became bonded and each sensation one experience the other did as well. This was just beginning for Appa and I's lifelong union with one another.

I turned to Gyatso with the look of pure bliss on my youthful face and uttered "Oh Gyatso! Is he really mine? Are we to be bonded like you and Athena?"

"Yes Aang it's true! You are ready for the next step in your journey to becoming an Airbending master! I'm so proud of you buddy and you have shown so much skill in such a little amount of time. I've never taught an Airbender with your ability before young man and I am truly honored to be your guardian," Gyatso exclaimed as Aang beamed with adoration.

Before Gyatso knew what was occurring, the young Airbender jumped up and hugged him will all the joy and love he could mustered .After Aang's next exclamation, Gyatso's heart swelled and he couldn't help the tears that freely flowed down his aged face.

"Gyatso, I wish you were my Dad," and with that the hyper, carefree young boy was off to visit Kuzon with his new pal in tow. As Aang and Appa disappeared into the sunlight, Gyatso uttered the words so softly it could be mistaken as a whisper, "Me too little buddy, me too." The sobs and quiet snuffling could be heard as Gyatso found his way back to his sleeping chambers and whimpered himself to sleep.

-------------End Flash-----------

From that day forward, Appa and I were inseparable, going to Air Ball tournaments together or just goofing around with Monk Gyatso .He was my companion and at this point, my only confidant.

In the past few months however, I had neglected him and as I approached the stable the guilt welled up inside me. He was the only one I had left and I knew that he would never do anything of the sort to desert or harm me in anyway, unlike my friends, or ex-friends as enjoyed calling them.

I slowly crept along the earth trodden path and pushed by the heavy wooden door open swiftly and quietly, as if not to wake the other animals who inhabited this barn. "Hey buddy, you still in here," I quickly whispered and as soon as I the words had left my mouth, Appa had turned his head to me in a silent nod of approval.

I swear as soon as that occurred, the atmosphere of the room brightened as did my spirit. Why hadn't I come to see him more often? Well, as if my subconscious was answering my own question, I was too busy sulking over my emptiness inside, but if this is how my one visit with Appa made me feel I don't understand why I just wouldn't have spent all my time in this barn with my best friend by my side.

"I missed you buddy, you're the only one I have left," I said as I stroked his nose and received a lick of my face for a reply. I rapidly reached into my pocket and withdrew the moon peaches I had horded for him this morning after a quick breakfast. I swear, I had held them out for no moon that a millisecond before they were snatched out of my palm and into his growling, monstrous stomach.

I talked with him for a few more seconds before I uttered the words that changed his demeanor from happy to ecstatic in a matter of moments, "Buddy, we have to go back to the South Pole." He stood straight up and was walking towards the entrance to the door before the words were even out of my confused mouth.

I was glad that he was excited, but then the fear hit me like a ton of bricks. What if he is still there? What if they are married? It's been 3 years since the engagement, so she has either moved on or stayed with that slimy, deceiving snake of a fiancé (or maybe even husband now)."How can I face this Appa?"

My response was grunt and a quick knock of his head in my direction. He knew my pain and I his. In that moment I knew what his reply would've been had he had the ability to speak our language, "You have me, and that's all you will ever need."

On that note, I loaded my bags in his saddle, and hopped on his back will a new set of determination. No matter what I would face, it would never be alone. Appa would always be by my side.

(Katara POV)

This day had started out the same as any other, teach waterbending at sunrise, go home and yell at Sokka for messing up the icy palace, go home and cook for a dying Gran Gran, and then go do her favorite thing of all, go shopping in the market while watching the sunset. It was almost like a meditation, something to clear her mind from the treacherous and depressing path my life had taken. Gran Gran was fading each day and it was killing me inside.

The woman who had been like a mother to me, once my own had been viciously been murdered in the Fire Nation raid, was slowly disintegrating with each passing day. The woman once full of life and conviction, much like myself, was shriveling away and even though I knew soon enough she would be in a better place, a world so much like our own but full of serenity where you couldn't feel the pains of this world. You would be in an exceptional state, but not the ones you left behind.

They would grieve for you and feel the burden of your passing. Their insides would feel mangled and they were left to pick up the pieces, feeling as if they could have done more, been better, anything could have been better than what the did for you, or lack there of. Now I am feeling the pressures of it all. Everyone looks to me for comfort and yet I have none to give. I can't consol others while I am most likely in a worse mental state than them. I don't want pity, or at least I am trying to convince myself for that fact to remain true. If they had known what I had done, they ripping of another's life apart, killing their very soul, they would not feel the need for sympathy.

I was such an ugly, monstrous excuse for a human being, it hurt even to look at my reflection in the mirror. I used to give others joy, it had been a talent; now all I could do was capture it and rip it to shreds. I suppose that is why I took the evening mediation walks, to get away from the world.

I would drift off and realize what a miniscule part I played. I was put a mere toy for the spirits to do their bidding with. Perhaps, looking to the sunset was a way to just regress and be a child once more, the joyful times of my life or perhaps it was more than that.

Perhaps, I was yearning for more, a speck on the horizon that would save me from my troubles. But, I knew that would never be true. The one person who could turn my life around I had destroyed all those years ago. But as I had done that, I realized I had kill off a part of my being as well. I didn't know how large apart until these past few months, when I needed him most of all.

Gran Gran was going to perish any instant and there was absolutely nothing I could do, no one to bring me back. The one person who might have had that, ability had vanished years ago on that fateful day when we both died inside, though I hadn't realized until now how essential he was to my survival. I needed him like it was vital to be surrounded in my element, water, and I had lost it forever. I couldn't get him back, no matter how hard I had pleaded with the spirits to undo the damage I had done.

He wasn't lost to the world, only to me. I had heard of his travels when new villagers would come home from their trips around the world. The stories they would tell blew my mind away. Even though I had known his sheer force and determination, he always exceeds in amazing me. He was so full of power and wisdom in his now 17 years, people who are at their lives end could never achieve and I had lost it all. I notice my ignorance now, after the life altering ordeals we had been through. I had lost the ultimate prize, Aang and he was in no way ever coming back so we would see him once more.

It was if he had vanished and he wouldn't even reply to the hundreds upon hundreds of letters Toph and Sokka wrote, in an urgent matter, to him. But, I decided that today I would turn over a new leaf and try to make emends for the wounds I had initiated. I, Katara of the Southern Watertribe, was going to fix the breaks and bruises I had caused and become the healer once more, my true self.

So, as I went through the shops that night, I thought about nothing but my element as it swirled around me, the beauty it could make and the healing it could accomplish. I was lost in my whirlwind of thoughts and as I came into the present, while looking at the beautiful jewels our village had to offer. I stumbled across the most strikingly gorgeous man I had ever laid my eyes on.

I could only see him from the back, but you could tell he was exquisitely built. He was adorned with a blue sleeveless shirt with a glacier blue crisscrossing design along the back. He was festooned with trousers the same color as the intricate design on his shirt. His boots where strong and worn in and a belt hung at his hips. He had just purchased a small scroll and tucked it into a loop on his belt.

His hair was a cocoa brown, much like my own, and it was chopped short, in a buzzed cut manner. He was about 6' 4" and was toned to perfection, his pale skin glistening with the sun's rays. But as he turned around, everything became clear to me.

His once vibrant of a child, had become a dull gray unlike his previous storm gray eyes. The no longer twinkled with excitement and determination; they held no sensation at all. He had lost the baby's roundness to his face; his cheekbones now protruded and strong chin exposed. He still held a childlike innocence how ever and his nose still reminded me off a button. It finally hit me when I saw the blue arrows adorning his extremely handsome face however. The symbol of his lost race screamed out at me to run now, but I couldn't.

I was stuck to the ground with no place to hide, my insecurities exposed and we locked eyes. As we did, he still didn't recognize me for I had changed as did he. But, I would have known him anywhere. I was lost and the realization occurred to me and then denial hit.

No, he couldn't be here; it was a trick of the light. But, yet, here he was in the flesh, standing tall and strong, while my knees buckled. The next thing I knew, I was spiraling out of control into the black abyss, with no hand to hold. Not even my own.

Thanks guys for reading this chapter; it was kind of short though! I want constructive criticism so please review! I will give you chocolate kisses if you do………….. (Jk). So, please press the bluish, purplish button down there and review. Thanks a bunch everyone. I love you all.

Kataanglova8 

Oh and just so you know, Katara passed out at the end if there was any questions on that part. Bye see you next time.

Oh and before I forget, I wanted to thank Niveous for the Appa/Aang scene idea. Thanks again and I dedicate that scene to Niveous! Alright, bye guys and please review!