A/N: Longest one yet! They seem to be getting longer as they go, so that's good for you! Please review, and enjoy the fluff/Toph-y ending. :)
"Aang, what's wrong?"
Katara grabbed his staff, and he yanked it out of her hands.
"Leave me alone, Katara," he responded, tearing up the hallway to his room.
"No! You agreed to the idea three days ago; what's wrong with it now?"
He ignored her, opening the door with a flick of his hand. Air rushed to the doorknob, twisting it as he pushed in.
"Talk to me. What's wrong?" Katara insisted, following him into his room.
"You wouldn't understand," he sighed, sitting on the bed, staff dropping to the floor.
"Maybe I will," she replied, mollifying her tone to a softness she knew would get him to open up. "C'mon." She sat next to him.
"Airbenders don't live in cities," he finally responded, "and they never have. And they won't."
"I know this is hard for you-"
"It is hard for me, Katara! I grew up in a temple. Airbenders should, surrounded by other airbenders to help them. It's hard to learn asceticism when you're surrounded by a city."
She didn't know how to respond. He was right, of course. He usually is, she thought. He's wise.
"Aang," she said gently. "Air Nomads are just that - nomads, right? Constantly going from temple to temple?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"If you move from one place to another, what's the harm in moving somewhere new?"
"This city!" he replied, gesturing toward the window. "And the temples! Am I just supposed to abandon the culture of my people for convenience?"
"No. Not at all. The airbenders will never be what they once where. I know it hurts, but it's the truth. But you can always remind people what was lost from the war."
"How?"
"Preserve them as they are, as they were a hundred years ago."
"You mean… like as a museum?"
"Sort of. Think about it. All of the soldiers returned from war? A lot of them don't have jobs. They could help clean them and maintain them. As soon as they open to the public, the Fire Nation air balloons could ferry people there. The revenue would be great for rebuilding them even more."
"And the Northern Air Temple?" he asked, looking down at her with the same wide, hopeful eyes she had grown used to. He really had gotten bigger; he was so much taller than her now. She took a moment to look at him objectively. His shoulders were broader, but he wasn't thick through, not earthbender style. He was still an airbender: nimble and strong, agile in his movements.
"The… the Northern Air Temple? You already made it clear that you want some of the culture preserved. And they fly. Surely that's a feat unto itself?"
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right," he admitted. "It's a good idea. But where will I live?"
"Here?" she wondered aloud.
"No. I could never live here. I need the breeze, I need open space and air where I can feel the sky, not stuffed between buildings."
"I can understand that," she replied honestly. "I feel hopeless when I'm not around water. But you'll figure it out, Aang. Just have hope that it'll work out, and it will. One day, you'll find a perfect place. Could you really go back to the Southern Air Temple with all of those memories?"
"No. I guess not. Thank you, Katara," he replied genuinely, taking her hand in his. "You always know how to help."
She smiled kindly. Of course she would help him. I always will.
Aang squeezed her hand comfortingly, then let it go. Tracing her cheekbones with a thin finger, he sighed.
"You're really pretty, you know that?" he murmured.
Katara blushed, looking down at her hands in embarrassment. Of course Aang would say something like that.
His hand tilted her chin up, and his eyes closed as he leaned in.
"Lady Katara?"
Cheeks flaming, she leapt from the bed, speeding through the door between their rooms and into her own, swinging open the main door.
"Yes?"
The messenger's eyebrows rose as he no doubt took stock of her bright red face, but he held out a packet of paper without comment.
"They just came, Lady Katara." He bowed, retreating down the hallway.
Closing the door hurriedly, she took them back to her bed.
"Katara?" Aang called through the door.
"One moment!" she called back shakily.
Lady Katara, Daughter of Head Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe and Tribal Princess
Kaipho, Western Earth Kingdom Territories
The last bit was scribbled out and replaced with Kaipho, Fire Nation Colonies
She scowled. That would be Arnook's answer. He always insisted on titles, of noting your personal importance. She slit open the seal, unfolding the short letter.
Lady Katara,
I hope that this note finds you well. After reviewing the political plan of the Fire Lord and Avatar, the Tribal Council has come to a decision to aid your efforts in Kaipho. Enclosed are the seals and names of three councilmen and their families, as well as one lesser chieftain and his family who have agreed to make the journey to the Fire Nation Colonies in order to properly represent the Northern Water Tribe. Thank you for your post-war efforts, and give your father my regards.
Tribal Chief Arnook
She was thoroughly surprised at the note at the end; his formalities were usual ever since his daughter's death. Maybe he is becoming at least somewhat happy again.
The second letter read only Katara on the front. She smiled, ripping open the seal with zeal.
My Dearest Katara,
I am thrilled to hear about your advances in Kaipho, and wish you and Aang the best. Suki and Sokka are doing well, although she has not started showing yet, I have full confidence that she will in no time. The healer informed us that she is eight weeks along.
Your plan sounds like an excellent one, and I hope that it succeeds as you want it to. Regrettably, we still are rebuilding, as you know, and we hardly have enough people to spare. Until we do, I'm sorry to say that we have no one to represent us. Hopefully you can fulfill that job until we have a councilman to spare. I know you will do a wonderful job!
It has only been two weeks, yet you have missed so much. A young child showed a sign of waterbending. Her name is Kafia. She is eight years old, and Councilman Sook's youngest. Pakku is already teaching her, but I'm sure you would be much better with the little one.
Either way, we miss you terribly. Sokka and Suki say hello, as does Mother. There is a Councilman from the Northern Water Tribe on diplomatic travel, and his son was looking forward to meeting you.
I love you and stay safe,
Dad
Katara sighed. No representatives. Except for you of course, she reminded herself. And a new waterbender! She ached to teach her in the way that Katara never had, but she had full confidence the Pakku was more that sufficient, if only he could tone back the sarcasm.
And the damn Councilman's son. She knew her Dad meant the best and would let her pick, but he clearly favored some men over others.
He would get over it if you didn't marry at all, a tiny part of her mind argued. He loves you. He won't force you into anything.
Yes. She had the option of just outright refusing to marry, and option she was going to chose until she saw fit not to.
"Katara?" Aang called again. Her cheeks flamed again at the thought of what had almost happened, but she clapped her hands to them, willing them to calm down as she returned to Aang's room.
"There's a new waterbender in the Southern Tribe," she said with glee, sitting next to him on the bed again.
"Really? That's awesome!" his face lit up, and she grinned. He took such pleasure in the little things.
"Yeah, it is. Dad can't send anyone from the Southern Tribe, but Arnook is sending 4 families."
"That's great!" he said with even more gusto. "This might actually work!" He pulled her in for a celebratory hug, holding her tightly. "Your plan was so good," he whispered into her ear.
When he let go of her, she saw the same serious look in his eyes, the one that signaled he was about to kiss her.
Heart beating out of her chest, she leaned in and-
Thump!
She pulled away for a second time, and Aang sighed this time. The door flew back at them, and Aang shot a gust of air at it, and it flew to the side.
"What the-"
"Sugar Queen?" a familiar voice rang out as Toph stepped into the room. "You two are on the bed? Alright, Twinkletoes, get it!" she whooped.
With a sheepish grin, Aang stood.
"What's up, Toph?"
"Aw man," she laughed. "I knew you two were close, but sharing a bed? I'm impressed."
"Alright, I think that's enough," Katara cut in before her face melted off from all of the heat in her cheeks.
"You two are so in for sexual jokes! Hey, Aang, is that a rock in your pants or-" she stopped as Katara drenched her in water.
"Fine, fine. I'm leaving. My metal bending school needs me. Those losers are lost without my guidance. I'll see you two later. Name the baby after me, Katara!" she sang as she left the room.
A/N: There you go! It's been a few days since I've updated, but I figured you could use a bit of unadulterated fluff. Well, sort of. And sexual Toph jokes. I always peg Toph for a sexual joker when she gets older, so I stuck in one or two there. I'm pretty sure it's still within T-rating, so enjoy :) The next one will be out in a day or two. Please review
