Winds:
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino. I do not own any of this; this is purely fan fiction and is made for entertainment only.
Chapter 4:
"Attention students."
Aang looked up at the loudspeaker.
"Due to harsh weather conditions, all after school sports have been cancelled."
Aang groaned, as did several other students in the room.
"Please go home on the bus." Then it was silent.
So, the first football game of the season had been cancelled. Aang was disappointed, but at the same time, content. He able been incredibly nervous all day, and this provided a welcome relief. However, the concept of a "opening game" still hung in the back of Aang's head.
With a content sigh, he set his head down on the desk, in no rush to have class finish.
Class ends soon enough, leaving Aang to walk with Katara to her locker, and then to his. They then headed to Sokka's locker, which was the floor below theirs. Due to Sokka being a junior, his locker was in a different wing of the school then the sophomores.
The two made idle chit-chat, Sokka and Zuko walking behind them.
"So you disappointed Aang?" Sokka asked, referencing the cancelled game.
"Eh, kind of, I guess," Aang shrugged his shoulders. "Wasn't looking forward to the crowd."
"Understandable," Sokka nodded, "But there's nothing like hearing the roar of the crowd, having all eyes on you."
"But your just an attention who … hog." Katara corrected.
"Hey!" Sokka squeaked with indignation. Aang and Katara chuckled. Aang looked at Zuko, who wasn't smiling, but his face was relaxed.
Aang wasn't quite sure what to think of Zuko. He walked around like he had a metal rod instead of a spine, but kept his shoulders slouched and his head down. He always had a hood over his head, and aviators that covered his eyes. Messy bangs came over his eyes, so only the lower half of his face was visible.
Zuko never smiled, and Aang smiled all the time. Fun wasn't in Zuko's vocabulary, and Aang couldn't understand why. Aang was always goofing off, smiling, having fun. But there was a certain sadness about Zuko, some sort of companionship factor, that made Aang empathetic for him.
" 'cuse me for a minute," Sokka said, sliding over to a group of girls. Zuko waved goodbye, his face stoic, and briskly walked out into the pouring rain.
Aang and Katara stood, watching as Sokka conversed with Yue. The rest of the girls seemed to fawn over him, much to Sokka's delight. All but Suki, actually. The two sophomores watched bemusedly as Suki and Sokka began arguing over something, to the point where Yue stepped in between the two.
"What does Suki have against Sokka?" Aang asked.
"Sokka is very . . . sexist," Katara struggled to explain. "They don't always agree. Rarely do they get along. But I think it might be a bit more than that."
"What do you mean?" Aang was confused.
"I . . I'm not sure, but I think Suki might have a soft-spot for Sokka, but he being his typical idiot self, has no clue," Katara explained.
Aang nodded
With a goodbye hug to Yue and a evil glance at Suki, Sokka walked back to his sister and friend.
"Are you done?" Katara teased her brother.
"Yes," he shot back. With a grimace, Sokka pushed open the door and three ran out in the rain.
Thunder rumbled and rain poured down. Everyone in the parking lot were soaking wet before they could even reach their car.
All three kids' shoes squeaked as the boarded into Sokka's truck. Backpacks were stuffed under the dashboard, with feet placed on top. The truck provided a welcome relief from the thunder, but the noise from the rain was amplified. The windshield wipers moved feverishly, trying to clear the rain.
Sokka dropped Aang off first, as Aang had to work at the bakery. "Bye," Aang said to his friends, giving Katara a one-armed good-bye hug.
"Bye Aang," Katara said.
"See ya, buddy," Sokka waved.
Aang shut the door, and quickly jogged into the bakery store.
- A -
As Aang walked into the bakery, a huge bolt of lightning lit up the sky. The bakery had two glass walls, both that faced the street, so the weather was clearly visible. The other two walls had a terra-cotta-like finish, and the sleek wooden tables furniture and comfy canvas couches matched nicely. Light blue, orange, and yellow accents gave the place a welcoming feel. The glass panes facing the street made the room seem very open.
"Hello, Gyatso," Aang greeted his uncle.
"Hello Aang," Gyatso smiled, wrinkling his face. "How was your day?"
"Good," Aang replied, "The game was cancelled because of rain."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Gyatso said earnestly. "I believe we are almost out of flour. If you would be willing to run to the store and buy a bag or two, that should be enough help for you to have the night off.
Aang smiled grateful. "Of course. Thank you Gyatso."
He unlocked the "Employees Only" door that led to the basement. He dropped his backpack and threw on a yellow and orange rain jacket. The grocery store was just down the road and across main street, so it wouldn't be too far of a trip. Thankfully, the lightning had let up, but it was still pouring. Aang flipped up his hood, and walked out into the rain.
- A -
Aang walked briskly to the grocery store, taking off his hood once he was inside. He wiped the soles of his shoes on the mat and stuck his hands in his pockets. Aang had only been to the store once before, so he just planned on wandering around until he found flour.
Truth was, Aang didn't know what he would do after he got the flour to Gyatso. He hadn't made any plans with his friends, and he had no real source of entertainment in the basement of the bakery. Playing outside would be no good, as it was storming outside. He had already explored the majority of the town on nicer, sunnier days this weekend. Honestly, since he had moved, Aang felt like he was missing something Katara and the rest of his friends had filled the gap left by his previous friends, but there was still a bit of emptiness in his heart he couldn't describe. So Aang just decided to leave his thoughts be and wander around the store.
As he turned into the cereal isle, he saw a familiar body.
"Katara?" Aang asked. Sure enough, the figure clad in dark jeans and a light blue sweater turned around to reveal his friend.
"Aang!" Katara smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"Buying a bag of flour for the bakery," Aang explained. "But I'm kind of wandering around, 'cause I have no clue where it is."
Katara chuckled a bit and shot him a look, pointing upwards. Sure enough, Aang looked up to see that each isle had a sign listing the products in the isle.
"Heh..." Aang rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Thanks."
"Yep," Katara smiled. "I can show you where it is though," Katara offered.
"That'd be great," Aang replied, wanting to get more time with her. He glanced at her basket, which was almost full with food. "Here, I can take your basket,' he offered out a hand.
"It's okay, Aang, I got it," Katara replied half-heartily. Truthfully, it was getting kind of heavy.
"Please," Aang gave her puppy-dog eyes. "It's the least I can do, since I'm interrupting your shopping."
"Alright," Katara relented and handed him the basket. "Thanks."
"Anytime," Aang said earnestly. "How about I help you finish your shopping, then you show me where the flour bags are?"
"Okay," Katara agreed. Aang nodded, and began to follow her.
Once Katara's basket had been stuffed as much as possible, they headed for the baking goods isle.
"Here it is," Katara motioned to the bags of flour. She took the basket back from Aang.
"Thanks." Aang reached down and threw a twenty pound bag over his shoulder with a grunt.
"Let's go," Aang's voice was a bit strained with the effort of finding how to balance the bag.
As they walked to the register, Aang asked, "Is Sokka or someone else here?"
"No," Katara answered, her voice had become softer. Aang looked at her with concern, noticing the change in pitch. She looked down at the ground, sadness in her eyes.
Aang felt a pang in his heart. "So are you walking home?"
"Yeah, it's only a ten minute walk." Katara nodded. Aang instantly began to think how he could help her.
"Well if you let me drop this bag off at the bakery, I can help you carry this stuff back to your house," Aang offered.
"Really?" Katara looked at him, surprised.
"Yeah," Aang replied earnestly.
"Oh..okay," Katara smiled at him,"Thank you." They checked out Katara's food, before getting the bag of flour scanned.
"If you hand me a bag," Aang proposed, "I can carry it in my other hand." He motioned to the arm not holding the flour bag.
"Nah, its okay Aang," Katara declined."I can carry this stuff to the bakery."
"Okay," Aang relented. "Ready?"
"Yep," Katara answered, and the two ran out into the rain.
- A -
"Gyatso!" Aang yelled as they walked through the back door of the bakery. Aang looked around the brick kitchen. "Gyatso, I have the flour." He set the bag down on a countertop.
"Aang!" Gyatso greeted. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Aang said. "Katara his is my uncle, Gyatso. Gyatso, this is my friend Katara. I'm going to help her carry her groceries back to her house, then come back. Is that okay?"
"Sure Aang," Gyatso agreed. "Just call me if your plans change." He gave Aang and all-knowing look.
"Thanks," Aang grinned. As they left, Aang look half of Katara's groceries.
"Follow me, I know a shortcut," Katara stated, dragging Aang off into the woods behind the bakery parking lot.
"Why are we going through the woods?" Aang asked, as he hopped over a fallen tree.
"It's faster than walking along the streets," Katara explained, "Sokka and I would play in these woods all the time when we were little. There's a path straight to our backyard."
"Cool," Aang complemented, looking around the woods. Trees towered over them, green leaves blowing in the wind. The trees caught most of the water, but the ground was quite muddy.
"Katara did you hear that?" Aang asked suddenly.
"Hear what?" Katara looked at Aang.
"Hear a little yap, or something," Aang explained. He had stopped walking and looked around.
Suddenly, a little brown blob raced from one tree to behind another.
"Katara, I think that's a dog!" Aang exclaimed. He set the groceries on a tree stump, and sprinted after the dog.
"Aang!" Katara yelled after her childish friend. She rolled her eyes but had a faint smile.
Meanwhile, Aang was chasing after the brown blob. "Hey! Come back!" he yelled. He eventually gave up running once it hid inside a log, and tried a different approach; food.
"Hey Katara, toss me an apple!" Aang shouted.
There was an "Okay.", followed by an apple whizzing by his head. Thankfully, he caught it before it hit the ground.
"Here buddy," Aang coaxed. He took a bite of the apple, spit it out, and offered it to the dog. It hesitantly crawled out of the log, and took the apple piece.
Aang returned to Katara a minute later, holding a quivering ball of brown fuzz. "Katara, look." Aang's voice was soft.
"Aww," Katara crooned. "Aang, he's just a puppy."
Aang looked down at his arm, admiring the little ball of fur. "Let's get you home and washed up, you little mud ball."
He picked up the groceries with one arm, and the puppy snuggled into his other.
"Ready?" Katara asked, smiling at the scene.
"Come on buddy, we're going to help you out," Aang confirmed. They set off again.
- A -
Katara and Sokka's house was a modest split level home. It was on a hill, so the front was only one story high, but the back was two. The backyard was quite big, and it extended into the woods. The house itself was a shade of white, with blue accents.
Katara unlocked the front door, and they walked inside.
They both left their muddy shoes by the door and wet jackets hanging on the banister. There was a half flight of steps leading up, and another half leading down. "Up or down?" Aang asked Katara, not sure where to go.
"Up." She led him upstairs. In front of Aang was the kitchen, and to his right was a living room. The hallway to Aang's left had many doors along it; most likely bedrooms. The floor was made of a dark wood, which matched the furniture, and the walls were painted different shades of brown. Most of the wood accents were white. The blue canvas couch provided a contrast from the walls and floor.
"Nice house," Aang complemented.
"Thanks," Katara said. They set the groceries down on the kitchen countertop. "Let's get you cleaned up," Katara petted the puppy.
"This way," Katara said, leading Aang down the hallway. She opened the second door on the left, revealing a bathroom. Katara started the water for the tub, using her finger to see if it was warm.
"Okay, buddy, here goes," Aang said, placing the dog in the inch of water. He stuck his socks in his pocket and rolled up his khakis mid-calf, and stepped in the tub.
Katara gathered water in her hands and cleaned off the dog with it, while Aang kept him calm. Not that is was very effective, as both kids' shirts became very wet, and their recently-dried pants became soaking again. "Easy boy," Aang calmed, as the puppy easily leaped out of the tub. "It's like he flies." Aang chuckled.
"Aww Aang, look," Katara pointed at the now-clean dog. The puppy was all white, save for a patch of brown on his head.
"It kind of looks like an arrow," Aang remarked wistfully.
Katara looked at the pup. "Yeah, it does." The dog tried shaking itself dry, to no avail. Aang sat down next to Katara on the edge of the tub.
"What are you going to name him?" Katara asked looking at Aang. He became solemn, and stared at his hands.
She set a gentle hand on Aang's back. "Aang?" Katara asked hesitantly, afraid something was wrong.
"Do you believe in reincarnation, Katara?" Aang spoke with a start.
"I . . . I haven't given it much thought," she confessed. "Do you?"
"Yes," Aang said, with the tone of one deep in thought. Katara searched his face, which was contorted in a mixture of thought and anguish.
"Aang?" She placed her other hand on his.
"I moved here from New York. I left behind a few friends but I also left behind my best friend," Aang explained. "He was a Great Pyrenees; all white but had a light brown arrow on his head, exactly like this one right here. His name was Appa. He passed away a week or two before I moved here, roughly when this one was born."
Both Aang and Katara looked at the puppy, which was sitting on the floor, watching them intently. Aang gave him a faint smile, which the dog seemed to return.
"Hello Appa," Aang smiled at the dog. He responded with a yip.
Katara rubbed Aang's back. "Come on, let's get some dry clothes on."
Aang picked up Appa, and Katara led them back to the door, and down the stairs to the basement. The stairs led to an open room, with a small bar against the left wall and and air hockey table. The whole place was covered in beige carpet that felt good on Aang's bare toes. There was a closed closet under the stair, and a hallway leading off the the right.
Katara led Aang down the hallway, and into the only door on the right. Inside was a TV over top of a stand with cabinets. Two broken-in couches rested along the walls perpendicular to each other. The one couch across from the TV had a good few feet of space behind it. Crammed in the corner of the two couches was a huge sub-woofer taller than the couches and behind that, a bookcase full of DVDs and video games. The room was small enough it was comfy, but several people could fit in the room.
"Set Appa down here," Katara directed. "I'm going to get some of Sokka's old clothes for you." She headed into the room across the hallway and emerged with a stack of clothes. "These should fit. You can get changed here or in the bathroom next to Sokka's room."
"Thanks Katara." Aang took the clothes.
"I'll be back, I'm going to go change real quick," Katara said. Aang could hear her footsteps as she headed up the stairs.
Aang threw the clothes on the nearby couch and stripped off his pants. He grabbed the pair of Sokka's old football sweatpants and threw them on, followed by the socks he had previously put in his pocket. He stripped off his wet shirt, only to find Appa curled up in a ball on top of the dry one Katara had gotten for him.
Aang chuckled, "Well I guess it's yours for now buddy." He took his wet clothes and folded them, and set them neatly the corner. Aang then sat on the floor in front of the couch, and leaned against it, so the sleeping Appa was in line with his head. He grabbed the television remote off the couch arm and turned on a random channel.
At that moment, Katara walked back in the room, with some popcorn.
"Ooh, popcorn," Aang said excitedly. Then he looked at Katara.
She had changed into an old long-sleeve soccer tournament shirt, and plaid pajama shorts that were short enough to make Aang thank the spirits that he was no longer wearing wet pants.
Sure, Aang had a bit of a crush on Katara, but he was her friend too. There was the physical attraction, sure, but that wasn't what Aang was really interested in. There was something about this girl, that was different than the others. Aang genuinely cared about her; he wasn't entirely sure why the feeling was so strong, but he knew he would do anything to help her.
"Uh, Aang?"
"What?" Aang snapped out of his little daydream.
"I asked if you wanted popcorn," Katara repeated.
Aang blushed. "Oh, yeah, please."
"You aren't wearing a shirt," Katara noticed.
"Sorry about that," Aang grinned sheepishly. He motioned to Appa, who had now flopped on his back in his sleep. "My friend took the one you gave me."
Katara laughed. "I see that. Well, if you get cold, let me know."
"Thanks," Aang said. Katara sat down on Aang's right, leaning against the couch as well. They watched TV for sometime, content in just the company of each other.
Aang broke the silence a little while later. "Katara, I'm sorry if I couldn't ask you this, but why wasn't Sokka at the grocery store to help you, or at least pick you up?"
Katara sighed. 'No, it's okay, you have a right to ask. Sokka is out helping assistant-coach a little kids' football team. Then he's going to the movies with Yue, I think. He deserves a bit of time off."
"You said the last part like that's something you haven't had in a while," Aang pointed out.
Katara looked away. "It's true, I haven't. I do most of the cooking and cleaning here, and chores. And play soccer. Sokka helps out with the rec. football leagues to earn a bit of spending money when he's not out playing himself."
"Isn't there an adult here?" Aang asked.
"Yeah, my Gran Gran," Katara answered. "She works late at the hospital; delivering babies."
"I understand," Aang said. "I apologize."
"It's fine," Katara dismissed.
Aang looked at her somber face, and desperately wanted to make her feel better. "You seemed very surprised when I offered to help you carry the groceries back here," Aang noted.
"I . . .I was," Katara confessed. "I've been used to doing things on my own. Since. . ." She trailed off.
"Since what?" Aang pursued.
"My mom died when I was eight," Katara finished. "My dad has been overseas fighting since. He's been on two tours; the last time I saw him was two years ago." There were tears in the corners of her eyes. Her hand played with the gem on her necklace.
"I'm sorry." Aang looked at Katara with pained eyes. One tear fell over her eyelid and began to run down her cheek. Aang lifted his thumb and slowly wiped it away. "I understand what it feels like. To be alone, to be the only one. To have the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Katara sniffled. "I'm sorry Aang. I didn't mean to get upset." She let out a small chuckle as she choked back the tears.
"It's okay, Katara," Aang assured her. "I'm here for you. You aren't alone anymore. And you won't ever be."
"Promise?" Katara looked into his eyes.
Aang stuck out his pinky finger. "I will pinky-promise you."
"Okay," Katara let out a small smile.
Aang sat up straight, and began to speak in a mock-sophisticated voice. "I, Aang Windland, solemnly swear to. . ."
Katara couldn't help but giggle at the goofball in front of her. Such a serious promise, yet it was handled by the means of little children. Aang smiled, realizing Katara was feeling better.
"This time for real," Aang said, his voice back to normal. "I promise no matter how things are, when you need me Katara, I will be there for you."
Katara curled her pinky around his.
"I promise too."
Do we like the new version better? Regardless, I hope you enjoyed it.
- Dapper
P. S. I hope everyone here had a good Thanksgiving