Hello reader...sorry for the long over-due delay. School has started and as always it's killer. But here is chapter 8 for your entertainment and i hope it was worth the wait. Believe me the plot is about to get awesome :) i'm so excited to write it. Oh and for those who are wondering for OCD purposes i don't believe in Author's Notes because then my chapters would be off and that would drive me bonkers...anyway read and review!
"This way!" Toph called and she changed directions.
Aang felt the same disturbance as the rest of the group followed Toph.
Appa groaned overhead as Sokka leaning over, "There's a cliff just ahead!"
They reached it and waited. "They're close…" Toph laid her hands on the ground.
"Where at exactly?" Yamato asked.
"It's tough to say," Aang answered, "The cliff makes it harder to sense because we have to listen downward first then over."
A second later the four coffins popped up from the ground.
"Those are all four of the hidden tombs," Chiriku stated somberly.
Yamato nodded, "They have probably violated these tombs in order to get to you Chiriku. I suggest you stay behind."
Chiriku nodded. "Aang you and your friends stand guard. Naruto you and Sora go up the middle. Sai you and Sakura take left and I'll take right."
"Yamato-dishou, why do I have to be with him," Naruto complained.
"Naruto…" Sakura warned him before he frowned.
"Just stay behind me I'll take care of this," Sora proclaimed before jumping off the side of the cliff.
Naruto grumbled before taking off after him. Aang signaled for Appa to land.
"Yo why are you waiting here?" Sokka asked jumping off.
"Yamato believes that the people who stole these bodies are after Monk Chiriku because of his affiliation with them. Our job is to protect him," Aang answered.
"Should we have let Captain Yamato go by himself?" Katara asked.
"He was a member of their elite Anbu squad I'm sure he would have asked if he needed help," Suki answered.
They watched as the four tombs stop them begin to fall beneath the earth. The gang all gasped and just as Aang was preparing to jump off to stop it something unbelievable happened. The landscape began to change dramatically. Everyone took a step back and mountains were created instantaneously from the meadow it previously was. An instant later the cliff side began collapsing Sokka yanked Toph away as Aang dove after Chiriku. A few seconds later they both landed safely by the rest of the group.
"We have to do something," Katara stated slightly frantic.
"What are we supposed to do? Toph can't even navigate us through that mess?" Sokka countered.
"Why?" Aang asked.
"The landscape keeps changing," she grumbled, "Sometimes it's one thing and the next think I know it's different…whatever this is, it's not normal."
Aang sighed, "I'm going to take a look around from above you guys stay here and guard him."
"We're going to need more back up from the other monks. They must be powerful ninjas to cast such a jutsu to fool not only people on the outside but probably on the inside as well," Chiriku advised.
"You're probably right. With as good of earth benders as Toph and Aang are…even they can't make things appear and disappear," Sokka said arms folded.
"What was that power Kakashi and Guy were talking about that can do that?" Katara asked.
"Genjutsu," Suki answered, "It's a trick of the mind that's linked to a person's inner chakra. But this place is huge and that's a lot of chakra…"
"I think Monk Chiriku is right," Aang concluded, "We need more help. You all go with him and protect him I'll stay here and offer assistance when needed."
"Aang you shouldn't be alone…" Katara cautioned.
"Don't worry," he smiled at her, "I'll be here when you get back."
They all boarded Appa and took off back towards the Fire Temple. Aang took a deep breath in before opening his glider and jumping into the air. He circled the entire area but had no luck finding a way in.
"Better try the ground," he mumbled to himself.
He landed just outside the new mountain range digging his fingers into the ground. Come on…where are you guys? He thought. Just then a small explosion sounded not too far from him. He jumped back up into the air hearing a lady cackle, he flew high up so as not to be spotted by the enemy. He looked down and saw Sai release lions from his scroll. The lady easily blocked them by earth bending so Aang shot down quickly to head off her next earth bending attack.
"I believe I'll be your opponent from now on," he stated steadily standing up.
"Oh aren't you another tasty treat, but I have yet to finish the main course so you'll have to wait until dessert," she replied laughing slightly.
"It seems we both posses the same power or earth it's only fair that we are the ones fighting," Aang stated again as Momo took his staff from him, "Sai go find the others."
"Hai," he replied before launching himself into the air on his inked bird.
She sighed, "Well it seems you won't let me have my fun…shall we?"
Aang got into his bending stance as the battle began.
"We shouldn't have left him…" Katara stated anxious.
"We had no choice," Sokka said getting annoyed with her attitude.
"Katara he's going to be fine, he's the Avatar nobody can compete with him," Suki rubbed her back as the Appa took off with the extra people on his back.
This was one of the most difficult earth bending battles he had ever been in. One instant a rock was there and the next it would disappear. He needed to end this quick if he was going to be able to help the others.
The lady yawned, "So four elements huh, and I thought Fuka was special. Well I think I need to call this a day my partners have finished their tasks and it's time for us to leave." With a snap of her fingers she disappeared.
"What…" Aang breathed in frustrated, "She just…"
He slammed his hand into the earth cracking the area around him.
"Naruto!" he heard a familiar call, Sakura, he jumped back up into the air.
A second later he saw Sora jumping through the area, "Sora!"
He young monk looked up at him and continued jumping, "Wait up!" Aang landed next to him.
"I felt Naruto's called a while ago they are in this direction," he told him.
Aang nodded and followed behind him, felt his call…how can he feel his call?
"Here!" he yelled as he prepared to blow the doorway open.
"Wait let me…in case we injure the wrong people," Aang tossed his staff to Momo then collapsed the door.
"Naruto!" they yelled and charged in.
Ahead of them they could see Naruto being held by a woman while she was…sucking something out of him. Aang locked eyes with the woman from earlier and scowled.
"Well, well…looks like both the special targets have shown up," Fuen stated chuckling.
A scream rippled through the air and Fuka grasped her throat.
"Fuka…are you alright!" Fudo asked helping her stand.
Aang took the opportunity to glance to his left seeing Yamato, Sakura, and Sai all locked in a stone prison. Sai was clutching his left arm and Sakura looked a little worse for wear. He glanced back noticing Naruto wasn't being held but still couldn't stand properly. He reacted instantly and sucked Naruto's body towards his and Sora's .
"Thanks," he whispered softly to Aang.
"Don't mention it…what was she doing?"
"She was sucking out my chakra," he answered trying to stand.
Aang kept a firm hand on his shoulder, "Don't move let us handle this."
Naruto reluctantly nodded while Aang eyed Sora. Sora began channeling chakra to his clawed arm when another man appeared.
"Time to go," Fudo said glancing at the two women.
"I believe you're right," Fuen agreed, "We have delayed long enough."
"I'm afraid you won't be going anywhere," another voice said from behind Aang and Sora.
Everyone looked up to see Monk Chiriku and the rest of the gang surrounded by more monks.
The threesome jumped up by their boss, "Until next time," the man with a scar across his face said before the group all disappeared.
Aang scowled again, "How are they doing that…" he mumbled.
"It's a type of teleportation," Naruto answered, "If we have a sensor type chakra reader here we might be able to follow."
"No…even if we could we wouldn't there are too many wounded," Aang answered looking at the rest of the team.
Aang helped everyone out of the prison and onto regular land. Katara began healing the injuries.
"Thank you," Sakura smiled at her.
"Of course," she answered smiling.
The next evening they were back in Konoha with Sai in his hospital bed.
"How your arm?" Sakura asked checking him over.
"Feels fine," he answered eyes staring at his sheets.
Sakura smiled at him before running her chakra through his arm.
Aang sat on the top of their roof his head in his hands…he felt horrible.
"Aang," he heard his wife calling him, "Can you come down here please?"
He didn't move, he didn't respond, he just sat there and let feelings he hadn't felt in 6 years resurface again. Humiliation, useless, and most of all…failure. Their first mission was a failure. Rushing water sounded behind him but he didn't move as her gentle figure walked towards him.
Her finger trailed down his neck then back up and when he didn't respond she sighed and sat down directly in front of him.
"Look at me," she said softly.
"No…"
"Please?"
He shook his head.
"Aang don't do this to me…"
"Do what?" he asked looking up at her. She grabbed his hands before he could put his head back in them.
"Stop this now. It was just the first one. Plenty of others have failed their missions. We have a job to do here and we both you know can't do anything well when you sulking like this," she kissed his hands.
Aang sighed then lifted his head up looking into the evening sky, "You're right but…"
"No buts. The past is over we just have to push it aside, it doesn't matter anymore. The only thing we have control of is now. We learn from our mistakes and we move on ok?"
He brought his head back down and tried smiling before frowning again, "Nothing I did worked. I could bend the earth and it would land somewhere and then the next thing I knew it was gone. So I used my other elements which she deflected. I just…I couldn't figure it out…"
Katara pulled him in close to his head was resting on her shoulder, "We knew coming here would be different. That people wouldn't react the same way as they would in our world. This power here is different and there are things here that we probably won't be able to understand. This woman you faced she was obviously one of those people who just has a power that we cannot understand. But I bet if we were to talk with people here we could figure out how to beat her."
Aang smiled and kissed her neck, "I don't know how I could ever live without you."
Katara chuckled, "You will never have to. I'll be by your side until we're old enough for our bodies to be laid to rest next to each other, surrounded by our children and grandchildren."
He lifted his head capturing her in a kiss, "I love you."
"As I love you," she replied leaning into his lips.
Aang felt his body respond, "We need to go downstairs."
"Yeah…" she agreed standing and letting him sweep her up and into the window below.
They closed the door to their bedroom and an instant later their hands were all over each other. His lips caressed her neck as she undid his sash. His shirt was pulled loose from his pants and she began working on the other tie. His pants dropped a second later as he let his hands wander from her back to the side of her dress where her tie was. Katara's legs hit the back of the bed halting Aang's attempt to remove her clothing.
"Wait," she said pushing him away from her. She stood back up letting the loose dress fall from her body as Aang removed his shirt. They both took a second to stare at each other in their undergarments then he slowly walked back towards her.
His hands gripped her shoulders lightly gently pushing her back and sliding her towards the headboard. His head leaned down and kissed her stomach as he worked his way up to her lips. Her hands traced his arms as he held her close to his body. He placed a few simple beautiful kisses before taking his time to remove some hair out of her eyes. She smiled at his tender attention and decided to return the favor by stroking his cheek and tracing the contours of his face. She only got part of the way done before he kissed her again this time with more force and longing. It had been weeks she realized since they had made love to each other. All the training and such had taken a physical toll on their bodies not allowing for more than a few heated kisses. Now all of the stress and need was coming out in this moment, all of the bottled up emotions were being released in their need for each other.
"Are you guys ready?" Aang asked his group.
They all nodded at him.
"This is going to be difficult and the most important thing is to remember is that whatever you see…none of it is real," he advised.
"Hai, Aang-sensei," Lee answered. They all giggled.
"It's not too late to back out…once you open these paths there's no turning back," Aang smiled, "Time to begin then."
He took a deep breath before taking one last look around his surroundings. He had created a domed cave for them to sit in for the first part, trying to recreate what Guru Pathik had done for him.
"To begin take three deep steady breaths and get into the mindset of meditation," he watched as they all complied, "The first path is the Earth chakra located at the base of the spine, it deals with survival and is blocked by fear. What do you fear?"
Aang listened to their reactions most of the similar, increased heart rates, he heard Katara gasp, and Lee and Suki began shivering, "Remember nothing you are seeing is real, lay out all of your fears before you. Once you have accomplished this let them go and flow down the creek."
It took longer than he anticipated for some of them to let go of their fears but eventually they all did, "Excellent job, now we have to go to our next location."
Aang led them to the giant waterfall Yamato had created for Naruto's training. He was currently with Asuma and Sora training so Aang decided he could utilize this spot for their purposes. They assumed the same pose in the same order.
"Resume your meditative positions, it's best to keep this same still frame of mind during the entire session. Now to open the Water chakra located at the sacrum or hip bone. This chakra deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt. Now what do you blame yourself for? Lay it all out before you."
"I can't…" he heard Sokka choke out.
"You must learn to forgive. You need to accept the reality that these things happen. Don't let them poison you or the energy you're trying to release, you have to forgive yourself," Aang told him as he watched Sokka's tears flow freely from his eyes. "Forgive yourselves."
This was the longest chakra for them to open. They wanted to hold onto this guilt thinking one day they could make up for it or make it better. But with Aang's last words ringing in their ears they finally let go.
"This was a tough one for me to open too," he told them, smiling tears in his own eyes.
"What did…" Suki started.
"Later…for now don't lose your focus we need to move to the next location."
Aang led them to a mountain pass then surrounded them in a ring of fire. They sat down a little apprehensive but trusting at the same time.
"The next chakra is the chakra of Fire. It's located at the stomach. It deals with willpower and is blocked by shame. Now what are you ashamed about? Face it then let it flow down the creek."
After dealing with the second chakra path this one seemed significantly easier to them. They finished it quickly know that any fighting would be useless. If they wanted more power they had to face these terrible truths head on and they did.
"Good work," Aang said as he extinguished the fire, "Don't move."
Everyone stayed put as they watched Aang whip an air current around them. A second later they felt themselves being lifted off the ground and away from the mountain pass where they hovered above some trees.
"The fourth chakra is Air. It's located in the heart and it deals with love and is blocked by grief. Now lay all your grief before you…and remember with all grief it is replaced by love. Let your grief flow down the creek."
Katara instantly thought of her mother and her death then Aang and his death. But then his dead face replaced his live and smiling face. Seeing him dressed in his ceremonial robes and them swearing their vows to each other. She cried again thinking if only her mother had been there but as soon as she thought about her mother she faded away and unconditional and beautiful love filled her eyes.
"Very good, this one if by far the easiest," he told them as their air circle slow dropped them down into an abandoned district.
"Aang…this is the Uchiha district…we're not supposed…" Lee started.
"We're not staying here long. I'm using this place because of the truth that it speaks and what the next chakra represents," Aang answered as they all settled into their positions. Aang whipped up another current, "Listen. Listen to the sound."
They heard a variety of noises like doors creaking, fabric blowing, and the hollow hum of the current traveling through abandoned walkways.
"The fifth chakra is the chakra of Sound. It's located in the throat and deals with truth and is blocked by lies that we tell ourselves. Confront yourself and let the lies flow down the creek."
The humming kept circulating back to them until it eventually died out. "Accept who and what you are," he told them.
Once they finished there he lifted them back up and placed them on top of Hokage tower with the setting sun just above them.
"The seventh chakra is the Light chakra. It is located in the forehead and deals with insight and is blocked by illusion. The greatest illusion is the separation of things that actually are the same."
"What do you mean?" Toph asked.
"Think of home, we have four nations. Are we really so different from each other? Lee are the five great nations really any different? Think of the trying times ahead…everything is connected. Work this out in your own mind, is separation an illusion or reality?"
He let them mold over what he was saying and was surprised that they weren't getting it as quickly as the others…for him this had been the easiest one.
He sighed, "Think of it this way. I command the four elements and each element defines a part of our world. So in essence are we really separate or are we all connected. Toph's metal bending is also an illusion since she is only bending a purified and refined earth."
"Oh!" he heard her gasp.
He smiled then, "See what I mean now."
"Yeah…I had never even thought about bending metal until Xin Fu said I couldn't do it. But I could because I'm already an earth bender; they aren't separate forms of bending they are one and the same."
"Exactly," he smiled at her.
"Toph's explanation was better than yours…no offense," Sokka said.
"None taken just concentrate…remember the swamp Sokka, when I found Appa…everything is connected," he advised.
"Oh!" Aang turned to see Katara's face light up.
"That's it…Lee?" Aang turned.
"Thinking back to the history of the first Hokage, all the clans were separate. It wasn't until the unity of the Senju and Uchiha clans that people began to create the Five Great Nations. All we are is people living in the same world and working and training for the same purpose. We are the same," he answered then opened his eyes looking for praise.
Aang smiled, "That's exactly right. And even now I'm sure your Hokage would welcome in another clan to the Hidden Leaf if they were seeking a new place to stay because in the end there is no separation we are all just people."
Once Sokka and Suki opened their eyes they were shocked that night had crept up on them.
"We have one more chakra to open," Aang told them before lifting them all up onto the Fourth Hokage's head.
"This last chakra is particularly difficult to open. It is the chakra of pure Thought and is located at the crown of the head. It deals with pure cosmic energy and is blocked by earthly attachments. I know none of you can control the cosmic energy but focus on the energy around you in nature and within yourselves. Picture all that attaches you to this world then let them flow down the creek…forgotten," he said the last word just above a whisper.
Katara began to cry again, "Aang…you…"
"Shhh Katara, don't worry about that now…you need to focus on yourself."
Her tears didn't dry, "But…"
"I know, love was and still is a good thing and you need to love. But in order to pull out you energy you have to be able to let them go," he choked slightly remembering his experience.
"What if we can't?" Suki asked with her own tears streaming down her face.
"Then you will never be able to access the full extent of your power and your chakras will remain blocked," he answered.
She nodded her head and refocused on what she had to do.
"I know it's hard and it seems like a terrible price to pay but don't dwell on that. Think about being able to protect those you love because you were able to do everything you needed to do."
Katara gasped again not even trying to hide her small sobs, "Aang…" she choked.
"Let him go…you would never forgive yourself had you been able to save him and couldn't because you couldn't do what you needed to do. To protect our son you first have to let him go," new tears formed in his eyes.
Another hour passed as tears were shed and doubts emerged but soon all of their eyes were dry and a gentle peace settled over their hearts. Aang opened his eyes to see everyone staring at the ground lost in their own thoughts. Toph was the first to move and she stretched out her legs and arms.
"I'm going home," she stated simply then walked off without waiting or expecting an answer. But she halted hearing Aang's voice.
"We've completed the opening of our chakras take your time to move and remember everything you've done will be blocked if you cannot keep this last chakra path opened."
Toph nodded after hearing his final words then walked off on her own.
"I need to go speak with Guy-sensei," Lee stated somberly then left more quiet than anyone had ever seen him.
"Aang?" Katara asked.
"Yes my love," he answered.
"Can you tell me what you experienced when you went through this?"
He took a deep breath before crawling over to her and pulling her between his legs, "Do you guys want to hear this as well?"
Sokka and Suki both nodded.
"Very well, the first few chakras were hard for me to open. With Earth I saw the Blue Spirit kidnapping me, I saw Katara being dragged into the earth by General Fong I saw myself out of control in the Avatar State and I saw myself losing to Fire Lord Ozai." Katara shivered against him. "With Water I saw my shameful behaviors of running away because I was the Avatar and I saw all those innocent men hurt because I wasn't in control of myself. I had to learn that while I'm not a cold blooded killer…accidents do happen that are beyond my control sometimes. With Fire I saw myself burning your hands Katara and I remembered my shame at being to overzealous to learn something I wasn't ready for. I never wanted to fire bend again but Pathik told me that to be the Avatar is to be a fire bender so I had to accept it that someday I would learn to fire bend. Air was particularly painful for me, I saw my people lined up before they all disappeared one by one. Then another face appear," he looked down at Katara and kissed her cheek, "You saved me from my grief."
She smiled, "Why am I always the one that is saving you from stuff?"
"I don't know…but I love it," he kissed her lips before continuing, "Sound was slightly hard for me. I had to accept that I was the Avatar even though I had hidden the fact from you and Sokka in the beginning because I never wanted this responsibility. But I saw myself as a protector and I knew that since I know what pain and grief feel like I want to work extra hard not to let others feel this pain. That was my duty as the Avatar, to protect. Light was really easy, I remember our time in the swamp and how the connection related to the four great nations. We're all people benders or not so technically we're all one and not us and them. If you think about it, two non-benders can have a bending child, why try to separate that? The last one though…Thought, I couldn't do it. It's the reason I was blocked before I got shot by Azuzla's lightening. I had one earthly attachment on this planet and that was you my darling wife. I couldn't let you go, I tried to argue with Pathik that love was important for another chakra and he agreed it was but…while love was important I had to put aside earthly love in order to attain my greater power. Nothing can connect me to this world if I am to enter the Avatar State."
"But after your battle with Ozai…you willingly entered the Avatar State and extinguished the flames…you weren't attached to anyone then?" Katara asked.
"No…do you not remember the Ember Island Players?"
"I do."
"I thought you had a thing for Zuko and I lost you. While my chakra path was yet again blocked by my scar I didn't think I had anyone in this world anymore. Friends and such aside I still considered you a friend but I knew I wanted more and at that time…I thought I'd lost you as my girl."
Katara turned to face him, "But I was always your girl."
"Yes you are my forever girl," he smiled caressing her cheek.
She smiled and kissed his gently, "I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? This was 6 years ago trust me I'm not harboring any resentment for what happened back then."
"I know but…even now when you have to enter the Avatar State…do you still have to?"
Aang knew what she was trying to say, does he still have to let her go, "Yes…to an extent."
She nodded her head somberly then turned back around cuddling into his chest, "That's good to know."
"I didn't tell you before because I haven't had to do it, but I guess now…"
"Now we will just have to work extra hard to make sure nothing happens to you during that state. You have to forget about those you love but that doesn't mean we have to," she answered fervently.
Aang held her close, "Katara…"
"I'll always watch your back Aang, even though I know…"
"Don't finish that sentence…please," he asked her hiding himself in her hair.
She turned again to kiss him, letting him feel the love she held for him.
"Katara's right though. You're risking your own life and your own damn happiness and love to enter the Avatar State that protects others. The least we can do as your friends and family is watch your back while you're protecting ours," Sokka said smiling at his brother.
Aang turned his head away from Katara's lips, "Thank you for understanding."
"Aang we love you, you're our brother," Suki told him holding out her hand. He took it letting her squeeze his before turning his attention back to Katara.
"Come on we should go get some rest, I'm sure you're all exhausted."
Aang was about to bend out a rock jut when Katara shook her head, "Let's walk and enjoy the evening."
He nodded as they were followed by Sokka and Suki each couple holding onto the other like they were going to be separated.
"So would you like to show me the results of your training?" Kakashi asked.
"Well we're not too sure but…" Suki stated standing next to a tall tree.
"Well the only way to find out is to do, even I can tell your chakra is different let's see if this works," he stated.
"Yeah might as well see if what we did was worth it right?" Sokka looked over at Suki.
"Either way what we went through was life changing whether we're able to mold chakra or not," she smiled then turned back to her tree.
Sokka smirked, "Last one to the top gives the other a massage."
"Deal," she smirked back.
"Ok now focus, feel the energy in your body then concentrate it down to your feet," Kakashi told them while he settled down next to a tree to read his book.
They both closed their eyes and brought their hands together with the pointer and middle finger sticking up, left hand slightly higher than the right. Suki went through the steps of opening her chakra paths quickly then focus on her internal energy. She imagine it flowing around her body in a non-descript pattern before she told it to go to her feet. She imagined she could see the flow change then felt a large clump of her energy on both soles. She opened her eyes slowing not breaking her concentration forgetting everything else except her tree. She took on step forward then placed her left foot knee height flat against the tree. She fought her anxiety and excitement and she focused all her energy to her left foot to hold her steady when she slowly placed her right foot against the tree. She gasped suddenly losing her concentration and falling right on her butt.
"Good work, stay focused Suki," Kakashi grinned.
"Yeah…"
"I think running is a good way to start."
She nodded and stole a quick glance at Sokka, he kept his eyes closed in concentration but was already five feet off the ground.
"Sokka!" she screamed.
"What!" he yelled falling flat on his back, "What was that for?"
She smiled at him, "Like I'm going to let you beat me."
She smiled at her again, "Bring it."
Suki concentrated again but took Kakashi's advise. Walking backwards about ten feet she ran directly at the tree then up and up and up. Her excitement got the better of her and she marked her place with a kunai knife before lithely jumping down landing on the ground.
"I can't believe it," she was shocked, "I can't believe it! Katara!"
Katara looked over from the river to see Suki waving excitedly at her and pointing to a kunai knife. Katara's mouth fell open.
"Oh my spirits, Suki! I'm so happy for you!" she yelled.
"Hey what about me!" Sokka yelled arms folded standing upside down on a branch.
Katara's hands went to her mouth, "Sokka!"
He laughed at the girls' reaction, "Yeah I know…I'm awesome."
"Oh no way!" Suki yelled forming her hand sign then began running up her tree again.
Sokka smiled before turning to continue his way upward. Suki ran fast up her tree concentrating on her feet. But as fast as she was Sokka was waiting for her at the top.
"Oh you…" she started her threat.
"So that was a one hour massage right?" he winked at his wife.
She scoffed, "We never settled on a time limit."
"Well since I'm the winner…"
"No the only thing you've won is the actual massage. Now you quit your gloating and we can discuss our next exercises on the ground."
Sokka laughed before running back down his tree.
"That's a great accomplishment you two, even Genin graduated from the academy don't pick it up that fast," Kakashi praised.
"Well we're older and have more experience than rookies," Suki stated stretching.
"Oh that's true no doubt, so next is going to be typical jumping. As you know many ninjas here can jump great distances thereby cutting down walking time," Kakashi explained, "So the process is the same now just apply that to you feet and jump."
Katara was flabbergasted by the turn of events; Sokka and Suki were molding their chakra. They were getting stronger and she hadn't noticed a great difference in herself, but at the same time she wasn't really looking all that hard. But after seeing her brother and sister progress so much gave her new inspiration to find out what the chakra training had done for her.
She turned her back to the others knee deep in water. She took a deep breath letting her hands graze over the top as she let her element's energy fill her up. She swayed with the natural flow of the river letting herself get lost in her element. She began to move starting slowly at first, then picked up the pace to match that of the water becoming one. She didn't have to open her eyes to know what she was doing, she had practiced these forms enough to do them in her sleep.
"You're so beautiful when you bend."
She opened her eyes not breaking her rhythm to see her husband smiling at her.
"Enjoying the show?" she asked teasing.
"Very much so but I wonder…" he sat down near the river, "Have you experimented yet?"
She shook her head, "Not yet I was just about to."
"Keep doing what you're doing I'll keep watch," he told her.
She closed her eyes again and kept circulating through her movements. Aang watched her steadily trying to decipher what may have changed if anything did. As he watched her go through the routine twice he realized something was indeed different and that he was looking in the wrong spot. Water benders traditionally keep their feet on the ground using them to make their movements flow steadily with the beat of the push and pull. But, he noticed, that was no longer the case. Every time she moved her feet the water would swirl around her.
"Excellent," he stated.
"What?" she asked stopping mid motion, "Did you notice something?"
"I did and I think you're going to like it."
"Well what is it?"
"I don't want to tell you but I want you to see for yourself. Come out here and bend," he told her.
Katara listened watching her movements carefully. "Now bend at me," he told her.
She shot a traditional water whip at him.
"Now do the same thing with your feet," he smiled.
"My what?"
"Your feet. While I was watching you I noticed that every time you moved your feet the water around you would swirl different than the water you were bending and the current. You have an enhanced version of water bending," he told her excitedly.
"I…what?" she was thoroughly confused.
Aang laughed at her, "Just try it. Go through a few stances the leap backwards and shoot some water at me and you're see what I mean."
Katara was unsure at first but decided to try it out. She drew the water out of the river and whipped it around her body. Once she stopped she did a back hand spring and felt the water she was previously holding react to her movement. It followed her protecting her legs as she flipped. She landed hard dropping instantly to her rear in shock.
"That was cool," he told her sitting in front of her.
"I…how come I didn't notice?"
"Probably because the current was affecting the way it felt to you. Don't worry we have lots of time to perfect it and learn the way it reacts to your body."
Katara still sat there in shock, "I'm at a loss for words."
Aang laughed at her when Toph walked up.
"Take a breath there Twinkle Toes this freak show isn't over yet," she announced walking up to the group.
"So Master Toph, what have you learn?" Aang asked turning to face her.
"Oh just wait and see. Yo Sokka, Suki pay attention!" she called over to them.
"Just what's so important that you had to interrupt our training session?" Sokka asked.
"Oh just watch," she stated throwing one of her metal rods into a nearby tree embedding it in the bark, "After our training was over I took a nice long walk around the village when I had a thought to try something and this is what I came up with." She stretched her hand out to where her rod was. A strong current could be felt when suddenly the metallic rod landed back into her hand.
"Pretty awesome huh?" she smirked.
"Magnetism, that's very impressive," Kakashi complimented.
"Yeah I was a bad ass before but now…I'm unstoppable," she laughed to herself before tripping over her feet and landing on her butt.
"Yeah, because bad asses land on their butts all the time," Sokka teased.
"Oh shut it I hardly got any sleep last night," she grumbled.
Katara took in her appearance immediately, she looked terrible, "Toph what have you been doing all night?"
"Practicing what else?"
"You look like you've walked through the Si Wong Desert have you slept at all?" Katara walked over to her checking her vitals.
"I woke up a few hours ago when Kiba nudged me…"
"Kiba?" they all asked together.
Toph got a little red, "Well…he found me in the morning practicing and we talked for a bit then we kinda fell asleep on each other."
"Fell asleep on each other? Did he take advantage of you!" Katara's voice raised two octaves.
"No! Geez Katara I know how to take care of myself…it was just one little kiss!"
"A kiss!" Suki covered her mouth holding back laughter.
"No that's not what I meant! Ugh I'm going home, for real this time and to bed!" she yelled before storming off.
"Did she just say…" Aang started.
"Yep," Katara answered.
"Do you think they really…" Sokka started.
"Yep," Suki answered.
"Her first crush…well her first real crush. Sokka doesn't count," Katara said.
"Why don't I count?" he asked.
"Fine her second crush," Katara amended.
"Anyway it seems we've got some…reconnaissance to do," Aang smiled at Sokka.
Sokka read his grin, "Yes I believe you're right."
"What do you mean?" Suki asked looking between to two men's smirks.
"Oh nothing," Sokka answered, wheels turning in his head.
"No! I forbid it Aang, you and Sokka will keep you're noses out of her business!" Katara demanded poking a finger into his chest.
"What we just need to make sure he's good for her," he admitted hands up.
"If I hear her complaining about you two rats invading her privacy, so help me you will," Katara never got to finish her threat when Aang grabbed Sokka and jumped into the air.
"Gotta catch me first my love!" he called out.
Katara's eyes narrowed as she looked at Suki. The other girl nodded before she launched three kunai in their direction. Katara stood poised and ready when a thought struck her, Do I dare?
She waited until Suki made them turn back their direction when Katara reached out taking control of Aang's body. He yelped and began falling from the sky with Sokka screaming from the top of the glider. Katara kept her hold on Aang and used her new found foot technique to bend water to soften their landing.
Once the boys hit the ground Katara made Aang stand up and walk over to her, "So you were saying?"
His eyes were wide, "You can blood bend? Without the help of the full moon!"
"Looks like it, so my dear, sweet, darling husband will you leave our dear friend Toph alone as she pursues her new relationship her own way?"
He gulped as Sokka stood up staring at his sister in shock.
So i worked harder on my grammer for those who have commented on it. I thought about adding a lemon then decided against it, does anyone want to see a lemon or are limes like that good enough? I know this isn't a Kataang fluffy fic or anything but if you have requests and such for things like that let me know and i'll try to add it into my story...no promises though :) Well as always please please please REVIEW!
