Laura: I will put more Maiko but not for a few chapters
arizony: I'm trying to pace them to keep the flow going. I hope you continue to enjoy it
coolmac1718: Thank You. I agree. Just because Aang loves her doesn't mean he's gonna put up with her hurting him. I hate when they write him like he's absolutely dependent on her. She needs him just as much if not more.
Sorry for rambling. Enjoy
At first light he was already beside Appa. Katara was nowhere to be seen. Relief etched on his face as he airbended himself onto the waiting bison.
"Wait, she's coming." Zuko yelled running across the courtyard, his hands holding onto the bag that Aang recognized as Katara's. 'Isn't that sweet.' He had to stop hanging around Mai so much, she was rubbing off on him. He reached for her pack and Zuko passed it to him gratefully.
"So, you're taking her to the South Pole. That's good. She's missed her family."
Aang looked at him in disbelief. 'Had he entered some bizarre part of the spirit world. Was Koh playing with him? He certainly didn't want to know when the hell Zuko had learnt that.'
"I guess we better get going then." Aang said quietly. Zuko stepped back as Katara came running behind him. "Sorry, I just couldn't find my brush and then…" seeing the airbender's tight lipped smile, she stopped talking and climbed up onto Appa's leg.
"Goodbye, Zuko." she said from the saddle. "Good luck." he replied.
"Zuko." Aang said bending his head lightly. Zuko placed his hands together and saluted. "Avatar… Aang have a good trip."
"Thank you. Yip-Yip." he commanded and Appa rose gracefully into the air. His giant tail obscuring the Firelord still looking up at them.
Aang pulled the great beast towards Katara's frozen home. He sincerely hoped they'd have good weather. They were traveling very light and he was sure they would make good time as long as Appa didn't get too tired.
They had been flying for several hours and still Aang hadn't made a sound. The stillness of their journey had begun to wear on her nerves. She knew it was going to be difficult traveling with her former love but this was beyond what she was willing to tolerate.
She peered over the saddle and noticed that Aang had started to list to the side. She knew he had been pushing himself too hard. His change of physique had definitely not escaped her notice. Those definitions could only be the result of some serious bitter work.
Katara hadn't spoken to Toph or her brother since her fallout with Aang. She didn't blame him. If anything he had gone beyond being a friend. He had tried to shield her but when they had showed up as part of one of the tribe committees. It had been impossible to hide what was going on between her and Zuko.
Aang had ended up standing up against Sokka in deference to the fragile peace. It would not do to have the Firelord murdered by the leader of the Southern Water Tribe. Aang had done some fancy earth bending to keep Sokka from reaching Zuko.
Katara had gotten it a little more difficult. Toph was the best in her field and she had not let up. It had warmed her heart to see how much Toph cared about Aang, at least he wouldn't be alone. Yet she was saddened that what had mistaken for love at the time would have to cause all this havoc.
Katara had honestly believed that if Toph and Sokka saw how much in love they were it would sooth everything. She'd figured they'd have to accept the new arrangement. She'd been wrong.
Once everybody had been subdued and Aang had reassured the men that had been pushed into the corridor that no one had died, they had been able to talk.
Sokka was pined to the wall busy shouting at Zuko. Katara remembered Zuko looking down to the ground his eyes determined not to show how much it pained him to have Sokka, yell at him that he had proved to be worse than his father. Katara had smacked her brother but not even the red hand print on his cheek could stop his outrage.
'At least Ozai had courtesy to show what he was really like. He didn't masquerade and stab a friend in the back. You just proved what I thought all along. Your whole family doesn't know how to do anything without destroying something else..'
Aang had attempted to calm him but received a tongue lashing as well. 'And you, how can you defend him? How can you stand there and protect him after everything he's done to you. He went behind your back and stole her."
Aang walked over to Sokka and earth bended him down. "You can't steal what wants to be taken," his comment drew a stricken gasp from Katara but he ignored her. "Because, I am the avatar. I have to keep peace. I have to put aside my needs and do everything to protect that peace. We cannot afford another war Sokka. It's been hard for…all of us."
Katara had watched as her family tore itself apart. Miserable at what Aang was probably thinking of her now, she turned curiously to Toph. Who after their fight had remained strangely silent. "You don't have smart comment?" Katara asked bitterly.
"I don't have to spell out what you did. You know. I'm sure once you realize that, nothing I say will make you feel worse than what you think of yourself." Toph replied. Together Toph and Sokka left the palace since under the current circumstances they would not be unpacking. "Let's go Sokka. We need to get home." The atmosphere in the palace suffocated by the misery of its occupants.
Aang went after them but he was stopped by Sokka's words. "Don't worry Aang, we won't say anything."
He turned to his sister before glaring at Zuko. "Mom wouldn't have liked this. You know that. I hope you can see what you've done before its too late." he glanced meaningfully at the downcast Aang.
Katara ran to her brother but he held her off. "I will always love you Katara. You're my sister and I know I can't protect you from everything. I just wish I could protect you from this." He hugged her and let her go.
"Will you come back?" Katara asked.
"While you continue with him. No. I can't condone this. I can't watch as you hurt all of our family for some whim. When you come to your senses. I will come back. Goodbye sister." Sokka climbed into their air balloon assisting Toph into it.
"See you, Twinkletoes." Toph said bending to hug Aang. Zuko had wandered out into the courtyard to see them off. "Firelord." Toph was beyond angry but good manners dictated that she acknowledge him as a peer. Sokka had no such compunction and ignored the firebender. "See you, Aang."
Their relationship had destroyed so many others. Katara had no idea why she had recalled such a painful memory. She rubbed her eyes, she was so tired of being apart from all her friends. Now was the time to remedy that and she would begin with him.
Katara climbed over the saddle and onto Appa's head. Gently she took the reins from the sleeping boy's hands. She pulled him back against her and she realized he didn't fit as well as he used to. He was much taller so she moved back on the bison's head as far as possible and still be able to steer.
Thank the spirits for the long reins looped around the animal's horns. Aang shifted and curled himself into a ball. His head had come to rest on her abdomen and Katara fought down a blush at their proximity. She had dreamed of this moment for so long but its completion was bittersweet.
Katara was very aware that the moment he woke up he would spring away from her. She would let him rest. She savored the taste of him, her mouth lingering on his pale hand as she kissed the tip of his arrow. This was only the beginning of their very long road.
