Western air temple – courtyard

Katara and Kaiya landed Appa in the courtyard two hours after they had set off, just like Katara had said. As soon as Appa was safely on the ground, Aang leaped onto Appa's head where Katara was, with great ease, picked her up in his arms and kissed her passionately, until she had to pull away for air.

"I missed you," Aang whispered to his wife, when she turned her head to look up at him.

"It's not been that long Aang ... but I missed you to," She replied, before leaning up to kiss him again. When they had finished, Aang turned round to see Kaiya dangling off the edge of Appa's saddle in an attempt to get down. She looked below her to make sure that she had a clear landing space, and then unwrapped her hands from the edge of the saddle, and landed gracefully on the ground with a light thud. Momo then flew through the kitchen door, and landed on her shoulder licking her face, his way of saying 'Welcome home'.

Aang smiled down at his daughter, and then looked at his son as he walked out the kitchen smirking, obviously at Momo and Kaiya. He then helped Katara down, and then unloaded the supply's from inside Appa's saddle, and carried them in to the kitchen where he helped put them away, using his bending when necessary.

*Mum, mum, come and watch the new move dad taught me!" Akira pleaded, desperately pulling on his mothers robes in an attempt to drag her out into the courtyard, after everything had been unpacked. Katara smiled and sighed, and then followed her ecstatic son outside. She took at seat on the small fountain located in the very middle of the courtyard, freezing the water momentarily so that they didn't get wet from the splashes of water. Aang held out his hand, signalling that Kaiya should go ahead of him, but instead she grabbed her father's hand, so that they could walk together. They joined Katara on the edge of the fountain; Kaiya nestled in Aang's lap, who had his arm around Katara's waist as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Akira waited until everyone was paying attention, and then proceeded to get into his stance. He spun his arms around, creating a large ball of air, which he then jumped on top of, balancing on it with one foot, the other foot resting across his leg, and his arms folded across his chest. He finished off his move by jumping off the ball, doing a back flip in the air and landing in a bow just to show off. He rose to the applauds of his family.

"That didn't take you long at all to master did it?" Aang said to Akira who was walking to join them. Akira just shook his head proudly, as he confirmed what Aang had said.

"He's just like you when you were 12 then," Katara said to Aang, prodding him in his ribs.

"That's a little different considering I am the Avatar," Aang chuckled.

"I'm hungry," Kaiya interrupted as she stood from her father's lap,

"Is anyone else?" She asked. Akira nodded and followed his sister back into the kitchen. Katara and Aang stood up, Katara pushing her hand down, melting the water in the fountain and letting it flow fluidly again, before she followed their kids to prepare some food.

Kitchen

Aang, Katara, Akira and Kaiya were sitting at the low table in the middle of the kitchen. Katara had made some Jasmine tea, and Aang was teaching the kids some new tactics in Pai-sho. The whole kitchen suddenly shook, and there was a loud rumble from outside. Aang stood up and grabbed his staff, from where it leant against the wall, making sure his family were safe before he walked out into the courtyard, staff at the ready.

"Twinkle toes!" was the first thing he heard before he was knocked aback by Toph who had run to hug him tightly. Zuko, Sokka and Haru followed Toph off the ship with the rest of their families, although they weren't as enthusiastic as Toph. Katara, Akira and Kaiya came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. As soon as they knew they went to meet everyone, Kaiya and Akira running ahead of their mother.

"Sokka!" Katara cried, running over to her brother, and hugging him tightly,

"What a lovely surprise," She added as Sokka returned the hug. They hadn't seen each other in six long months.

"What bought this on?" She asked surprised, not once been expecting this,

"Well we all needed a break, so we thought we'd come up here and just you know, chill," He replied. Katara just laughed and gave her brother another hug. After Katara and Aang greeted the rest of them, before leading them into the lounge to make them more comfortable.

"Kids, dinner in an hour!" Katara shouted back to them, before she went inside.

Kids the courtyard

After all the kids had sais their 'Hi's' and 'How are you's' and after all the hugging, the kids found themselves sat around a fire, which Rozin had created after they had collected some wood, chatting about what they had been up to. Most of the conversation revolved around Akira and Kaiya, since the others had, had a chance to catch up whilst they had been on board the balloon.

"So how's your Water bending coming on Jade?" Kaiya asked her cousin.

"I'm not entirely sure" She replied honestly,

"I was sort of hoping that I could practice with you and your mum, so then you could tell me and so that I could get better at it," She added a bit embarrassed.

"Sure, I was gonna practice with my mum tomorrow morning so you can come and join."

"That would be great!" Jade replied cheerfully,

"You don't know how much it means to finally be able to practice with another bender," She laughed.

Rozin was sat across the small fire from Kaiya, and was unaware that he was staring at her, until she looked over at him, her sapphire blue eyes locking on to his liquid gold ones. They held each other's gaze for a moment wondering what the other one could be thinking, before Kaiya's cheeks tinted pink and she looked away, deciding to strike up a conversation with Tia, to break the awkwardness of the situation. Rozin turned his gaze to his feet frowning slightly, a little annoyed that she had looked away, and mentally kicking himself for not coming up with a topic of conversation so that he could talk to her.

"So Tia ... How are things going in Omashu?" She asked, absentmindedly poking at the fire with a stick she had just found, watching the cinders float up into the air as she disturbed the flames.

"OK I guess, it's not much fun when you can't get to see your friends, or can't get out of the palace to make new ones," she answered truthfully, looking to Kuzon when she said this, who was fiddling with one of his wrist holders he used to keep his darts in, then flushing a deep red clearly embarrassed when he caught her looking at him.

"KIDS!" Katara's voice shouted from the kitchen, along with a clatter of bowls and pans as they came into contact with the earth floor.

"Looks like dinners ready," Akira said nodding to his sister. Kaiya stood up and bended a small stream of water from the fountain to snuff out the fire, they then headed into the kitchen to grab some food. Rozin making sure he got a seat next to Kaiya, whilst also getting a smirk from Kuzon as he mouthed the word, 'Loser'. Rozin scowled and deliberately stuck his leg out as Kuzon walked past him to take his seat. Kuzon toppled forwards and landed on the lap of a bewildered Tia. He immediately got up his face crimson, and then sat as far away from her as he could. Rozin couldn't help but laugh at him, leaving the others a little confused.

"So, what's on the menu Auntie Katara?" Tao asked, as he picked up his chopsticks, getting ready to eat.

"You really are Sokka's son," She sighed to herself, remembering how much Tao resembled Sokka at a young age.

"We have stewed turtle shark, or spiced soup," She answered as she placed each one on the table, along with some bowls. The kids laughed and joked with each other while they ate, complimenting Katara every now and then on her exquisite cooking. Afterwards they joined their parents in the living room for some ginseng tea, watching Haru get his ass kicked by Aang as they played four games of Pai-sho, Haru loosing each one.

Later that evening Kaiya and Akira escorted their friends to their assigned chambers – whilst their mother and father finished clearing up – and bid them goodnight.

The next morning Rozin awoke with the sun, as did his father. Rozin got up careful not to wake his brother, who was sprawled across his bed, mouth wide open, snoring lightly, washed his face, got dressed and went outside. He sat in front of the fountain in the courtyard meditating, just like he did every other morning, before he stood and went through the basic forms of Fire bending. He was later joined by Kaiya who was always the first one in her family to get up. He decided to finish by doing a couple of advanced Fire bending movements just to show off a little bit. Once he had finished Kaiya led him into the kitchen to make some tea.

Rozin sat at the table and wiped his brow with the back of his sleeve, watching Kaiya as she gracefully moved around the kitchen until she finally came to sit opposite him.

"Tea?" She asked, holding the tea pot in front of her.

"Yes please," He answered. He had to admit he was parched from his Fire bending, and was desperate for a drink. Kaiya bended the tea into two cups, handing one to Rozin.

"Mmmmmm Jasmine my favourite," Rozin said before taking a sip, and managing to burn his tongue.

"Careful it's hot," Kaiya informed him a little bit too late, laughing at the expression on Rozin's face.

They sat in silence for a moment, waiting for their tea to cool down before they could drink it.

"You're really good you know," Kaiya said, to break the silence. Rozin looked at her questioningly.

"At what?" He asked her confused.

"At Fire bending."

"Oh ... um thanks." He replied, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, slightly embarrassed at having missed the obvious.

"So when do you guys have to leave?" Kaiya asked after another long pause of silence.

"Soon I think," He replied, cautiously taking a sip of his tea, to see if it was drinkable or not yet.

"I wish we could spend longer together, so we'd have more time to catch up, I hardly ever get to see you guys," Kaiya said sadly, as she bended her tea into different shapes allowing it to cool off a little more, before popping it into her mouth.

Rozin watched as Kaiya's expression fell, he hated to see her upset, since he had, had a crush on her for a while,

"Well maybe you could come back with us and spend some time in the Fire Nation, since you've never been there before," Rozin suggested softly, keeping his eyes on Kaiya's face as he said it.

"Wow, are you serious, that would be amazing, I'd love to!" Kaiya exclaimed, clapping her hands together with joy. Rozin couldn't help but smile at her reaction; she smiled back blushing slightly, Rozin smiled even more at this locking his golden eyes onto her ocean blue ones. Kaiya collected herself after a moment and tore her gaze away from his,

"Erm ... more tea?" She asked,

"Oh ... Um yes please," Rozin replied, handing her his cup. She bended some more tea into both cups just as Zuko appeared in the doorway, a slight sheen of sweat covering his face and arms.

"I'll take some of that please" He said, smiling warmly at Kaiya. She smiled back, before getting up to get Zuko a cup and filling it with tea, whilst he took a seat. She handed Zuko his tea before returning to her own seat.

"Dad ... Would it be alright if Kaiya came back with us and stayed with us in the palace?" Rozin asked his father. Zuko looked at his son, who hadn't taken his eyes of Kaiya whilst he'd spoken; he then looked to Kaiya as she blushed again, and looked down at her hands. Zuko smiled to himself before he replied to his son.

"I don't see why not, just as long as it's okay with her parents"

"Okay with what?" Aang asked as he walked into the kitchen, hand in hand with Katara. They both looked at Zuko.

"Rozin was wondering if Kaiya would like to accompany us back to the Fire Nation, and spend some time there," Zuko replied smiling at his son.

"We were wondering if that was alright with you," He added taking a sip of his tea. Katara and Aang looked at their 13 year old daughter who sat nervously twiddling her thumbs. Aang went to sit by Kaiya and pulled her into his lap.

"My little girl is growing up," He said softly as he kissed the top of her head.

"Is that a yes?" Kaiya asked quietly, looking up at him. Aang turned to look at his wife for confirmation.

"I guess its okay," Katara reluctantly said. Kaiya all but crawled out of hers fathers lap, throwing herself to her mother and hugging her tightly.

"Thank you sooooooo much!" She giggled with delight,

"Don't worry she'll be in safe hands," Zuko said to Aang and Katara.

"I trust that she will, you are the Firelord after all," He laughed.

"Kaiya why don't you go and get Jade, I heard that she wanted to practice Water bending with us," Katara said as she poured herself an Aang some of the tea that Kaiya had made. Kaiya nodded and bowed, before happily skipping out of the kitchen door to locate her cousin. All eyes fell on the 14 year old prince as he fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Would you like to accompany us Rozin? I'm sure my daughter would be more then pleased to see you there," Katara asked him. Rozin blushed slightly.

"I ... erm ..."

"He'd love to," Mai said as she walked through the door, Kuzon following her whilst pulling sappy faces at Rozin, who scowled menacingly at him in return.

Training area

"Wow, where did you learn that?!" Kaiya asked Jade her mouth slightly agape.

"Nowhere, I taught it to myself," Jade said shrugging her shoulders,

"Oh yeah sorry, I forgot," Kaiya said apologetically.

"Nah its fine, you get used to being the only bender after a while," Jade replied, as she bended a stream of water around Kaiya, and then back into one of her pouches. Kaiya walked up to Jade and put her hand on his shoulder.

"I'll teach you a move Kaiya hasn't even learnt yet ... Kaiya do you want to sit this one out?" Katara asked her daughter.

"You got to be kidding me, no way" She answered with a grin on her face.

Kaiya and Jade joined Rozin to watch Katara demonstrate the move. They watched in utter amazement as Katara pulled water from the air around her, before sending it at one of the rock dummies Aang had made for his kids to train with, and slicing it in half.

"That was amazing!" Jade and Kaiya squealed together,

"Do you want to practice it?" Katara asked. Both girls nodded their heads, getting up quickly with excitement to join Katara.

Kaiya was the first to master the technique, getting it after her first two attempts; Jade on the other hand didn't.

"Jade do you need some help?" Katara asked as she watched Jade's sixth failure.

"Would you be able to go through the steps again please Aunt Katara?" Jade panted with exhaustion.

"Of course I will," Katara replied smiling at her, before proceeding to go through the steps again. After about three more tries Jade finally got it, and was overwhelmed with satisfaction.

"Whooo, go Jade!" Kaiya shouted from where she was sat, at Jade's success. Katara laughed at her daughter's enthusiasm before congratulating Jade.

"Well done Jade, anyway that's enough practice for today, you've both done extremely well, so why don't you two go and get cleaned up and I'll meet you both in the kitchen so I can fix you up something to eat." Katara ordered. Kaiya and Rozin held each other's gaze for a moment, before Kaiya got dragged off with Jade.

"You like her a lot, don't you?" Katara asked Rozin, as soon as the girls were out of hearing range, and they were the only two left. He looked up to Katara and nodded, embarrassed that he had just admitted his feelings for Kaiya to her mother.

"She likes you to; I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you." Rozin smiled when Katara said this.

"If I ever find out that you have done anything to hurt my daughter in any way or means possible, you will have me to answer to, and trust ma it will not be pretty," Katara's voice had turned deadly serious, as she turned to face Rozin, her usual liquid blue eyes were now like solid pieces of blue rock, as they bored into Rozin's. Rozin gulped intimidated from the woman stood leaning over him.

"I would never ever dream of hurting her lady Katara, she is the best thing that has happened to me, and I wouldn't trade her for the world," Rozin replied truthfully, his voice slightly shaking. Katara evaluated him for a moment, seeing nothing but truth in his eyes, before she gave a small smile, and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"You make a perfect couple," She said rather reluctantly, before leaving to go and clean herself up.

Courtyard

"Are you positive you have everything you need?" Katara asked her daughter,

"I'm sure mum," She replied, giving her a hug.

"Wait!" Aang called, as he walked up to them with Momo sat on his arm.

"I want you to take him with you," He said as he placed Momo on Kaiya's arm.

"Wow, thanks dad," She said hugging her father. Usually Aang wouldn't let Momo out of his site, unless he accompanied Katara on her trips to the market. Before she departed, she gave her mother and father one last hug, and rubbed noses with her younger brother.

"Be good for mum and dad, and I won't forget to bring you back a present,"

"I'm gonna miss u Kaiya" Akira said hugging her tightly,

"Me too" She replied. This was the first time Kaiya had ever been away from her family, the first time she had gone anywhere without them.

After she had boarded the balloon, she waved to her family until she could no longer see them.