Island

Chapter 3: Arrival at Ember Island

Flying high, near the clouds, Appa soared across the vast ocean separating the Earthkingdom and the Fire Nation, towards Ember Island. Aang and Katara sat at the head of the large flying Bison, anxious to see their friends again. "I'm so excited Aang. Just think, soon we'll be with all our friends again!" Aang smiled at the thought of his old friends.

"Yeah, I know. It's been a long time since we've seen the others. Who knows how much they've changed since we last saw them." Aang had noticed that Sokka had seemed depressed the last time he'd seen him. He was funny and happy whenever Katara was around. And when he and Sokka were by themselves, he'd be a completely different person. He wasn't funny or his happy old self. He just seemed down in the dumps when he wasn't around Katara. He hoped that this time would be different though. He hated to see his old warrior friend like that. And if Katara found out that he was so depressed, then she'd be the same way and that would break Aang's heart. The last thing he ever wanted was to see his wife so unhappy.

After two hours of flying, Ember Island finally came into view. "Look, there it is!" Aang said. He sent Appa down towards the island and came to a soft landing right near the Fire lord's beach house. Aang hopped off Appa and helped Katara down from the sky Bison. They turned around to find Zuko. "Still flying I see," he said.

Katara ran up to Zuko and gave him the biggest hug he'd ever gotten. "It's good to see you too Katara." She smiled at him. He still had that good sense of humor she remembered so well.

"I'm glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor now that your fire lord," she laughed. She let Zuko go and let Aang talk to him. "Good to see you're enjoying married life Aang."

"Well, I doubt that I'll stop enjoying it Zuko. I think I can live like this for quite some time."

"Hey, don't I get a hug too?" Katara turned around to the sound of the gentle old voice.

"Iroh!" She ran up to the kind old man and gave him the biggest of hugs. Aang and Zuko rolled their eyes and sighed.

"What can I say; I'm just naturally handsome to women."

"Yes uncle, you're irresistible to women," Zuko said. Suddenly, the earth rumbled under them and before they knew it, Toph was right in front of them.

"Hello there sugerqueen!" Katara smiled at the sound of her old nickname and hugged her best friend as hard as she could.

"I'm glad to see you could make it Toph," Aang said as Toph gave him a hug. "I guess your parents really do trust you."

"Yep, and besides, I wasn't going to miss out on seeing you guys again. There's no way I'd pass up on an opportunity like that." Then, they all heard a very familiar voice.

"Well it looks like we're just in time for a big welcome." Katara knew that voice all too well. She turned around to see Sokka.

"Sokka!" She ran right into his arms and never wanted to let go. She wanted to hug her big brother forever.

"I'm glad to see you too Katara." She finally let go and started talking to Sukki, giving Sokka some time to talk to Aang. "So, how's life with Katara Aang?"

"It's good Sokka. But she really missed you." Sokka nodded and turned his attention to Zuko.

"So, how's your life as fire lord?"

"It's challenging. So many trade disputes lately. I'm glad Aang thought of this. I just needed some time to get away from it all." Aang could well understand that. It only meant that he'd have to leave soon to fulfill his Avatar duties. He didn't want to leave his wife, not for one minute. Doing that was like driving a knife through his heart. But even with the war over, the world still needed him. Even if it meant having to be apart from Katara for a while. But he knew he'd be with her again once that happened. And that eased his pain a little.

"Well," Zuko said. "Why don't we all go inside and get settled?" Everyone followed Zuko up the path to the beach house. After he'd become fire lord, one of the first things Zuko had done, was renovate the beach house. As they walked through the doors, they were dazzled by the wonder and splendor of Zuko's beach house. "Allright, the rooms are upstairs. Follow me guys." They made their way up to the second floor and saw paintings and fine art crafted from all over the fire nation. They rounded the corner and saw five doors at the end of the hall. The one right at the end was the biggest, signifying that it was reserved for the fire lord.

"This is it," Zuko said at last. "Okay guys, you can all choose your rooms and who you want to share with."

"Come on Aang," Katara said. She took her husband by the hand and before anyone could say a word, she had pulled him into one of the rooms and locked the door. Sokka could hardly believe his eyes. He hadn't even got the chance to protest. He still had his protective big brother instincts in him. He just wanted Katara to be safe. He trusted Aang, but he was still weary about them being alone.

At last, Zuko broke the silence. "Well, I'm going to turn in for the night. See you all in the morning." And with that, he closed his door and the others did the same. Sokka was glad to be with his sister again, but as he and Sukki dozed off, he felt like something strange was going to happen tomorrow.