DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER! SERIOUSLY, WOULD YOU BELIEVE ME IF I DID? THIS IS MY ENTIRE STORY AND I DO NOT OWN THE ATLA CHARACTERS, PLACES OR ANIMALS!

Chapter 9: Life, Love and Loss

"Hello Aang, you want to speak with me?" Roku asked as he walked over to Aang.

"Yes Roku, I'd like to ask for your advice" they started to walk through the Spirit World. "Was it always this hard for you?"

"I don't understand your question young Avatar."

"I mean, how did you do it? How did you be the Avatar, fulfil your Avatar duties, and raise a family? How Roku, it seems so complicated!" Aang said really quickly and he realised that he was starting to yell. Roku looked a bit stricken back because of all of the questions. He thought for a little while before finally giving Aang and answer.

"Well Aang, I was sixteen when I found out I was the Avatar, I already had a crush for a girl, so that part of my life wasn't hard." The Spirit World dissolved around them and changed into a scenery that Aang remembered only too well. It was one of Roku's memories, a memory of him and Fire Lord Sozin before Roku found out that he was the Avatar. He and Sozin were practising Firebending when two girls walk past them. Young Roku got distracted by the girls and tripped over a tree root. Sozin helped him up and he blushed as the girls laughed at him. One of the girls blushed back at him and waved at him. The memory faded and they returned to the Spirit World and Aang focused his attention back to Roku.

"Was that the girl, who turned out to be your wife?"

"Yes it was Aang, I loved her, it was so easy back then, when I didn't know I was the Avatar…" his voice travelled off, for he knew that his memory wasn't helping Aang at all.

"Okay, but what happened to you when you found out that you were the Avatar?" Aang was getting impatient with Roku.

"Okay, okay Aang" the picture dissolved again and changed to a memory of Roku leaving to learn the other elements. It showed Roku learning the elements and finally returning to the Fire Nation to a new Sozin, and a new love. It showed his wedding day and his family growing, with his children and him travelling the world.

"When I returned home as the fully mastered Avatar, I was older, wiser and ready for love. I married the love of my life –"

"The woman whom you had a crush on when you were sixteen" Aang interrupted.

"Yes Aang, her name was Ta Minh. We got married a few months after I returned home. Turns out she loved me as much as I loved her. My Avatar duties started on my wedding day, when Sozin told me his plans for world domination. When he told me his plans, I refused straight away for I couldn't let him take over the world. I knew that he wouldn't let it slide, but he was my best friend and I forgot about his plans soon after he told me. Little did I know, but years later, his plans had been carried out, despite my warning? I confronted him when I found out that he was carrying out his plans, he tried to challenge me and he attacked me from behind." He paused and looked at Aang as the memory carried on. It was showing him and Sozin having a duel in Sozin's throne room.

"Uh Roku, what has that got to do with love?"

"I'm getting to that Aang, I'm telling you that about my Avatar duties" he looked back onto the memory and Aang watched it too.

"I let him go after the battle, mainly because of our past friendship, big mistake. I had no idea what he was up too, for we didn't talk to each other for twenty-five years after our battle. I lived at my home with my wife, I never forgot what Sozin was planning and the world was at peace, so I left my Avatar duties with only Sozin's plans in mind. When my volcano on my island erupted, I attempted to stop it, but I needed help. My animal guide left me to get Sozin, and he helped me face the volcano. When we were about to leave, a poisonous ball of gas flew up into my face and I couldn't breathe. I couldn't see, I reached out for Sozin and begged him to help me, but he just looked on and he told me that he has no found the opportunity to take over the other nations. He got onto his dragon and left me to die…" Aang looked at Roku with a shocked expression on his face. Sozin was like his brother; it would be like Sokka leaving him to die. It would've felt horrible. Aang had a new sense of respect and sympathy for Roku. "I had a family with Ta Minh. And I didn't forget my Avatar duties, for it was mainly peaceful. It is easy for you too Aang, for the world is at peace once again. Follow your heart, and you shall succeed in every thing you attempt". The Spirit World faded and Aang felt his spirit floating back down to his body…

Soon enough, his spirit returned to his body. Aang opened his eyes, and he saw Katara looking down on him from a few storeys high. 'How long was I in the Spirit World?' he asked himself as he stood up and Katara skipped down the stone steps and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Hey Aang, missed you whilst you were talking to Roku" she pecked a kiss onto his lips and Aang kissed her back. 'Thanks Roku for the advice, hang on, what about the Air Nomads?' he thought suddenly. Before he knew it, Zuko ran to the sanctuary.

"What is it Zuko?" Katara asked and she unwrapped her arms from around his waist. Instead he put his arms around Katara's waist and pulled her closer to him.

"Mother… just got a… memory about the… Air Nomads!" he said trying to gather some air to fill up his lungs.

"Well where is she? And where is Mai?" Aang asked and they walked closer to him.

"Over with Appa, she doesn't like the memories that she's remembering, it's shaken her up… it's about your people." They ran at full speed all the way down the mountain to get to Ursa.