A/N: I am a horrible person for having this take so long I know! I will try to get another one up within a day to make it up to you guys!
The Southern Water Tribe
"THERE WAS A PERSON INSIDE YOUR HUT?" Sokka yelled loudly. "That's it. I'll station some warriors outside each door and window. They will be replaced every four hours so they are always fresh! That's it! That should keep you safe!"
"Sokka," Katara began, "I really don't think all that is necessary. After all, I am a water bending master, I can fend for myself".
"Don't be ridiculous Katara! That person could have hurt my niece and nephew!"
Katara sighed and looked at her brother, "I appreciate you being so protective Sokka," She reached over and grabbed his hand, "But I think I am going to go spend some time in the Fire Nation anyway". She looked over at Zuko, "Zuko has invited me and the kids to go stay at the palace with him. It should be a fun adventure!"
"My sister? Go all the way to the Fire Nation with no one around to protect her?" Sokka threw his hands up in the air, "Oh, now I have heard all the crazy ideas in the world!"
"Sokka" Suki said, placing her hand on her boyfriend's shoulder as a gentle warning.
"Excuse me?" The young Fire Lord asked looking directly at Sokka, "Do you not think I am capable of protecting Katara?" Zuko was genuinely offended. He couldn't explain why, but he knew that he would do anything to protect Katara and her children.
"Sush, Spaky" Sokka waved him off with a flick of his hand, "You will be too busy running a country to have time to worry about one, stubborn, water bender"
"Hey!" Katara yelled, "I am not stubborn!"
"I've got it!" Sokka exclaimed, "Suki and I will just come with you!"
"Don't you have things to do here?" Zuko asked, hoping he would get to spend some time with just Katara, "Shouldn't you be learning how to be chief from your father?"
"He will be okay for a few weeks," Sokka grabbed Suki's hand, "Come on let's go pack!"
"Sokka, maybe we should let them go alone?" Suki suggested, sensing that there was something else going on between them.
"Nonesense!" Sokka shouted as he dragged Suki out of the room by her wrist.
Zuko shook his head, Sokka is clueless he thought to himself. I wonder how he would react knowing that his baby sister kissed me last night. Zuko shook the image of last night from his head. He knew Katara was embarrassed about it, even though she shouldn't be. He had wanted to kiss her since the day he fought Azula. He had wanted to kiss her more than he had ever wanted to kiss Mai, more than Rashmi.
He could never figure out why he wanted her so badly. Obviously she was beautiful, a slender body, luscious lips, and deep sapphire eyes he could just stare into for hours; but there were other beautiful girls out there too, and none of them made his heart race the same way. Last night, he finally realized why he wanted her to kiss him, and wrap her body tightly around his so badly. When he realized she was in danger, he had never been so scared in his life. He couldn't imagine a world in which Katara no longer existed. Just the thought of her dying sent a crippling pain down his body. He loved her.
Zuko glanced up and noticed Katara shifting uncomfortably in her seat, "Is everything okay?" He asked her.
Katara snapped out of her own mind and looked up at Zuko, "What?" She blushed, "Oh. Yeah. Everything is fine".
Oh La! Could I be any more embarrassing? It's like I am fourteen years old all over again! All I can do is think about kissing Zuko! Her face began to turn red as she imagined what more could have happened if they had continued kissing. Stop it Katara. Zuko would never want you now. You've already been with a man, and he left. No man will want you now.
Katara knew that when Aang left, that it would mean she would be alone. In her tribe, for a woman to be with a second man, if her husband had not died, was unthinkable. A woman was truly meant to be with only one man, and if he left, well that was that.
Zuko looked over and saw the frown on Katara's face, "Come on 'Tara what's wrong?"
Katara looked up at Zuko, surprised he had used her nickname from so long ago, "Nothing. Really." She said forcing a smile.
Zuko took a deep breath, "Listen Katara," He walked over closer to her, "If it is about last night-".
"I need to go finishing packing my things!" Katara jumped up and ran out of the room.
Zuko leaned back into his chair. If Katara doesn't want to talk about it, I won't bring it up. I will just have to wait.
The Eastern Air Temple
Aang was sitting in his study when he heard a knock on the door, "Yes?"
A familiar cheery voice echoed from outside the door, "Aang, it's Mi, can I come in?"
"Of Course!" Aang stood up from his desk and opened the door. "Do you need something?"
"Actually, I was hoping we could talk," Mi sat down on the bed and patted the spot beside her, "It's kind of important".
Aang sat down next to Mi and took her hand in his, "Tell me what's wrong," He kissed her hand, "I will do whatever I can to make it better, to make you happy".
"It's just" Mi looked at the floor and took a deep breath, "Aang, I am with child".
Aang's jaw dropped open so wide it nearly hit the floor, "Are you sure he asked Mi?"
Mi looked at the floor and nodded, "Well this is great news!" Aang cheered, "I would love to have another child! Perhaps it will even be another air bender!"
Mi chuckled as she got up and locked the door, "I was hoping you were going to say that" She looked up at Aang, her eyes hollow. Her eyes reminded him strongly of Azula's eyes, filled with hatred.
"Mi? Are you okay?" He asked cautiously as he rose from the bed.
"Am I okay?" She asked back, "I am great. I am pregnant with the Avatar's child. Finally everything can be set into motion." She inched closer to the Avatar. "Oh, and I don't want my son to be raised with some half water tribe half air nation mutt, so I got rid of him".
Aang lunged forward at the girl, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY SON?" He yelled at her as he began to air bend in her direction.
"I would be careful if I were you" She smiled at him, "You wouldn't want to hurt your unborn child would you?"
Aang dropped his arms by his side in defeat.
"If you ever want to see Tenzin again, you will have to do as I say. Do you understand?" She looked the Avatar straight in the eyes, "And if you don't follow my rules, you will never see Tenzin again. And I will drink a special medicine to make me lose this child".
Aang hung his head low. He could not believe what was happening.
"Oh, and one more thing" She said reaching and pulling something out from her chest hidden safely under her clothes, "We already took care of your precious water bender and half breed children". She tossed Katara's betrothal necklace over to Aang, "Does that look familiar?"
Aang clutched the betrothal necklace in his hand. It was the one he had carved for Katara. This can't mean that she is gone. My children can't be gone. Tears began streaming down his face, he couldn't control them.
"What have I done" He whispered to himself. I was selfish. I left my family unprotected. And for what? I had an amazing wife and beautiful children, and because of me, they're dead.
Mi walked out of the Avatar's room and shut the door behind her.
Aang clutched the betrothal necklace close to his heart and lay on the ground. He couldn't force himself to stand, all he could do was lay there.
