From Chapter 14: The Crown
Katara found Aang that evening sitting on the same ridge where he and Zuko had spent most of the day. Silhouetted against the waning half moon, she could see that the young Avatar was deeply troubled.
Nothing had been mentioned at dinner about the extended meditation session he and Zuko underwent, but there was a distinct level of tension between the two boys throughout the meal that Katara wasn't about to dismiss. However, despite her suspicions that the two had an argument, she was apprehensive about saying anything to Aang about it.
Since Zuko's return, the camaraderie she now shared with her former enemy was nothing short of miraculous. That he could have changed so much and become such an important part of their small mismatched 'family', was a testament to how much all of them had grown up. And the idea that there was strife between the two boys whom she cared so much about made her heart ache.
She didn't want to see them at odds, but she also wondered if it was really her place to try and step in to resolve matters. Somehow, it just didn't seem appropriate, yet she couldn't pinpoint why.
So, rather than bring up her concerns, she merely settled down on the soft grass beside him.
"You should probably get some rest," she suggested gently.
The moment she said it, she wished she hadn't, for Aang's response was immediate and cold.
"I'm not tired," he snapped.
His reaction surprised her, and left her feeling completely out of sorts. Aang had always been like a younger brother to her; someone she looked after and took care of. But lately, and especially as the eclipse drew nearer and nearer, he was behaving less and less like the little kid she knew.
As she stared at him in shock, it dawned on her that he actually surpassed her in so many ways, both in bending and in maturity. Looking at him now, she didn't see a child anymore…she saw a young man.
This realization was both startling and frightening at the same time. Looking away, she bit her lip and said nothing.
"I'm sorry," Aang sighed dismally, suddenly returning to being the sweet innocent boy with whom she was so familiar. "I just have a lot on my mind."
"It's understandable," she replied sympathetically, resting a comforting hand briefly on his shoulder and relaxing somewhat now that he seemed more like himself.
With not much else to say on the matter, the two sat in silence, watching the moonlight dance on the river below. Katara was just about to plunge ahead and ask what was bothering him when Aang spoke up instead.
"What gave you the idea for me wearing Kyoshi's things when I was on trial in Chin?"
Katara blinked at the unexpected question.
"Well…" she began, musing on the answer even as she gave it, "Oyagi had said that Kyoshi's clothes were still connected to her spirit, and…Gran-Gran used to tell me that sometimes spiritual energy remained in areas where something important happened." She shrugged uncertainly, "I guess I just figured that if you had on her kimono and since we were there where everything took place, and on the spring equinox no less, something was bound to happen. And it did."
Aang's head jolted up when Katara mentioned the equinox. "Wait! That happened on the equinox?!" Ignoring the confusion on his friend's face, Aang pressed on with another question, his tone very serious. "Do you think that may have been the reason it worked?"
"I don't know….maybe. It could very well have been a combination of all those things." She paused and looked at him uncertainly. "Why do you ask?"
Taking a deep breath, his only reply was merely to hold the headpiece out to her, and she gasped when she recognized what it was.
"Is this…?" she marveled, gingerly taking the small object from him and examining it.
"Roku's crown…yeah," he answered. Seeing the puzzlement on her face when she looked back at him, Aang explained quietly, "Zuko gave it to me this morning."
"Where did he get it?"
She handed the headpiece back to Aang, and he frowned as he replied. "He didn't say."
Katara's brow furrowed in thought as she assembled the pieces of their conversation together with this new discovery.
"That's what you were doing today isn't it? You were trying to contact Roku and restore the Avatar Cycle."
Aang only nodded.
"Did it work?" she asked timidly, even though she already knew the answer.
As expected, Aang shook his head 'no'.
"Maybe if you tried again on the Autumnal Equinox," she suggested, trying to sound optimistic, but her voice died off as she realized the futility of trying then. The comet would have already arrived, and it would possibly be too late. But maybe…
"Zuko thinks the eclipse would have the same effect," Aang stated grimly.
Katara looked away guiltily. That was exactly where her own thoughts had been headed.
"He may be right," she admitted hesitantly, glancing at him sidelong. When his expression darkened angrily, she turned to him and hastened to add, "Think about it Aang! The first time you went into the Spirit World, it was right before the Winter Solstice. And the trial in Chin was on the Spring Equinox.
"Even in the North Pole, at the Spirit Oasis, it was a full moon. So it stands to reason that if you used Roku's crown during the Eclipse, it would be possible for you to get in touch with him and then maybe-"
"And what about the attack on Ozai?" shouted Aang furiously, cutting her off. "I can't do that AND try to contact Roku at the same time!"
At first, Katara shrank away from his angry outburst, but then her jaw tightened with firm resolve.
"Then we should postpone the attack."
"WHAT? No!" cried Aang as he sprang to his feet and began pacing agitatedly. "How can you even say that?!"
"I'm just saying you need to put this into perspective," she entreated, also rising to her feet. "You're vulnerable right now. The entire Avatar Cycle is in jeopardy. If something happens to you before you can reconnect with your past lives, then you won't come back!" She paused before adding in a lost, terrified voice, "Ever."
"You sound just like Zuko," Aang stated coldly.
"Well at least I'm not the only one trying to talk some sense into you!" she retorted in exasperation. "But if you won't listen to him, then please, listen to me," she implored, taking a step toward him. "The world has waited a hundred years for this war to end. I think it can wait a little longer if it means not losing the Avatar forever.
"It there's even a chance that you can restore the Avatar Cycle during the eclipse, then you should take it," she continued. The more quietly she added, "We need you, Aang...I need you."
Looking into Katara's earnest, tear filled eyes, Aang wanted to scream in frustration. He could feel his resolve crumbling beneath the weight of her plea. It was so unfair that she had this much power over him; that a simple look or gesture from her could make him want to do anything to please her. And when she said 'I need you', how exactly did she mean that?
"Please, Aang," she whispered, taking his hands in hers, "at least think about it some more before you decide. For me."
For her. Anything for her.
But this, at least, was one thing he could give; he would think about it. It didn't matter that a period of consideration wasn't about to change his mind, because she wouldn't have to know that.
"Okay," he conceded at last, "I'll think about it."
His answer seemed to be good enough for her, because she smiled warmly at him and wrapped him in a tight embrace. Oh, how he wished he could hold on to that moment; that he could call her his own and never have to worry about the consequences. He clung to her tightly, unwilling to let go but knowing that they couldn't stay like that forever.
Finally, she stepped back, beaming at him with that beautiful smile that made his insides turn to mush.
"Come on," she prodded gently, "It's getting late and you need your rest."
Aang merely nodded and followed after her down the hill.
Anything for her.
Author's note: Well, I meant for this to be posted a lot sooner, but I sprained my ankle yesterday morning and trying to type with my foot propped off to one side is uncomfortable to say the least.
But using the mouse isn't so bad, so I did at least finish Mersang's scene pick from 'The Trial', which is now up on my deviantArt page, and there's also a bonus illustration I did for myself from 'The Factory'.
AND! Congratulations go to qtpie235 who, as the only reviewer to actually mention the hidden joke at the end of the chapter 'Good Intentions', has the honor of picking any scene from the series thus far for me to illustrate next.
As for this scene, I hope all the Aang/Katara fans enjoyed it. I've wanted to get this written for a long time now, because it really is a turning point in how Katara sees Aang and is very important for his development at well. So please (please!) let me know what you think.
Oh, and I have no idea if 'Avatar Day' really took place during the equinox. The show never mentions it one way or the other, but for the purposes of this plotline, that's when it happened.
