Hey everyone - thanks so much for reading my story. I appreciate all the feedback you've been leaving me. Definitely let me know if you find any horrible inconsistencies. Sometimes it's hard to see something from a high-level view when you are so engrossed in the writing/storyline. aangfan

OlOlOlOlO

1 Month ASC

Aang and Katara spent three days with Toph before leaving. They took advantage of their time together to continue Aang's earthbending training. Although he was a fully realized Avatar and was technically considered an earthbending master, Toph was still by far superior in her skills and Aang did want to continue his training with her while he had the chance – especially in the area of metalbending. He knew he wasn't quite ready for the full-blown metalbending training yet, but wanted to keep working towards it as his ultimate earthbending goal.

Aang and Katara decided to head for Ba Sing Se after Gaoling since it was almost on the way to the Northern Air Temple. Aang wanted to talk with Iroh before confronting the king.

On the way to Ba Sing Se, they stopped for one night in the foggy swamp to say "hi" to Huu, Thu and Due. They spent the evening dining on giant bugs (well, Katara did anyway) and plants found native to the swamp. The campfire was warm and many stories were told around it that evening about the fall of the fire nation.

Two additional nights were spent with King Bumi in Omashu. Rebuilding there was almost complete! It didn't take much time at all to rip out the fire nation buildings and machines that had been running the city since Bumi was captured. Since the rebuilding began a few days after Bumi's escape on the Day of Black Sun, Omashu was just about back to its glory days as an earth kingdom city. Other than a few scorch marks here and there, one would never have known that the fire nation had ever occupied the city. Only some of the chutes of the mail system had yet to be reconstructed.

From Omashu, Aang and Katara headed straight for Ba Sing Se. They camped the few additional nights it took to get there.

Finally, Appa landed in front of Iroh's tea shop. Aang and Katara dismounted and walked in. When Iroh saw them, the three of them embraced as a grandfather would embrace his grandchildren.

"I did not expect you back so soon!" remarked Iroh.

After the embrace, Iroh headed towards the back of the tea shop. When he reemerged, he was carrying a tray of tea. "Come! Here is some jasmine tea for you. Let's catch up!" The three of them sat at a table and began to tell their tales.

"Rebuilding in Ba Sing Se has been progressing quite nicely these past few weeks," said Iroh. "All of the fire nation tanks and machines have been removed. There are no longer any fire nation flags either. It will take a little while to finish it all though – the Order of the White Lotus did some damage taking back the city. Oh, and I received messages from both water tribes. Things are going well with both of them, too. They understand the plan and are in agreement. How have things been on your end?"

"We flew to the Eastern Air Temple and met with the guru Aang studied with a few months back. Kuei had not been there, but he gave us some information about the Air Nomads," said Katara. She then went through the entirety of what they had learned.

"Well, for all our sakes, I hope something can be done about the airbenders," replied Iroh. "The cycle will surely be broken if new airbenders are not born or found."

"We also had a chance to visit with Toph. Aang studied more earthbending and we learned where King Kuei is," said Katara.

"You mean the fact that he is at the Northern Air Temple," asked Iroh.

"How did you…." began Aang. "Oh. I suppose you received a message from Sokka and Suki, too."

"Right here!" Iroh said as he held up his letter.

"Well then, you are up to speed. We are going to take off tomorrow for the Northern Air Temple. It should only take us 2 days to get there on Appa," said Aang.

"Do you two plan on spending the night?" asked Iroh.

"Yes, if you have room," replied Katara.

"Fine, fine," replied Iroh cheerfully. "You two are always welcome here, you know that. Take the two rooms you had a few weeks ago."

"Er….uh….Iroh. We...actually only need one room," said Aang.

Iroh gave him a sly side look. He paused – then smiled and nodded – and walked to the back of the shop with the empty tea cups.

"Katara, do you mind getting the things we need from Appa's saddle while I talk with Iroh about the king?" asked Aang.

"Sure, no problem," she replied. She gave him a kiss on the lips and left the room.

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"Iroh? Iroh, can I talk to you for a second?" asked Aang as he walked to the back of the shop.

"Sure, come on back," he replied.

"What do you think I should do about Kuei?" asked Aang. "I mean, if he doesn't want to leave, what can I do?"

"Have you thought about what is really going on in his mind?" asked Iroh.

"Well, he's led a sheltered life here in Ba Sing Se for all those years. He never saw the outside world. He probably didn't have much fun either. Since he was freed from his obligations – or so he thought – he probably went crazy with all the new things he's found."

"That's what I think is happening, too. I know the parallels aren't exact, but does this remind you of anyone? Someone who had a great responsibility but was hesitant to take it on in favor of a normal life?"

"Oh," is all Aang could muster after hearing that.

"My advice to you is to appeal to his sense of duty. You were hesitant to take on your role as Avatar in the beginning, but you made the right decision and here you are. How will you get him to make the right decision as well?" Iroh asked.

"Thanks Iroh. That gives me some things to think about." Aang turned and walked a few steps.

"Oh, and Aang, I see your relationship with Katara has progressed. I'm surprised you are sleeping in the same bedroom. Are you two…..being careful?" Iroh asked.

"No need," replied Aang. "I took your earlier advice. We are going slow. We spend a lot of time together and like to cuddle when we sleep. There's some kissing, but that's all. Don't forget, I am only 12..."

Iroh interrupted, "Actually, I should say 'Happy Birthday' now while you are here. I may not get another chance before you leave to head north."

Aang hesitated and started counting the days on his fingers. "You're right! My birthday is only a few days away!" Aang realized. As with most of the airbenders, Aang had a fall birthday. "Thanks, Iroh. For everything."

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Later that night, Aang and Katara were readying themselves for bed. Katara was taking out her braids in front of a large mirror and Aang sat on the bed watching her.

"Did you get what you needed from Iroh," asked Katara.

"Sure did," he replied. "I think I have a way to get Kuei back to Ba Sing Se."

"That's great, Aang. What are you going to do?" asked Katara.

"I'll tell you on the way there," replied Aang. "As for right now, there's something else I want to, ah…..talk about."

"What is it, Aang?" asked Katara.

"Actually, it's not so much talk as this." He stood up and came in behind her to gently kiss her neck.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against his. She let out a slight "mmmmmm".

She turned to meet his eyes. Their lips met as they had so many times before these past few weeks. Their tongues danced inside her mouth, and then his. The rhythm of their kiss was very intense. As they kissed, they slowly inched their way onto the bed.

Aang turned Katara onto her back and straddled her. He broke the kiss and moved his kissing back to Katara's neck. At one point, he even nibbled her right earlobe. She scrunched up her shoulders and giggled, "That tickles," she whispered. He smiled and then returned to her neck.

Aang's hands eventually made it down to Katara's breasts. He stroked them and squeezed them, but as he made his first move ever to remove her top, she sat straight up and looked at him. He fell back onto the bed and everything came to a stop.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I just thought…..well, I know we haven't talked about it yet, but I think I'm ready for a little bit more…." he replied.

"What brought that on?" asked Katara.

"You ask too many questions," Aang replied. He crawled forward on all fours until his lips got very close to hers again. "Aren't you ready?" he asked.

"Yes, but…," she started.

"Don't worry, I am not going to take this too fast. I promise," he said.

The deep kissing resumed. Katara was now sitting up with Aang sitting on her lap in the opposite direction. His hands, once again, made their way to Katara's breasts. He reached down to find the tie that kept her top on and this time, she made no sounds at all that made him think she was having an issue. The only problem was, Aang couldn't figure out how to undo her top!

"Here, let me show you," she whispered in-between kisses. She reached her hands down and undid a few knots – then her top became floppy and loose. She grabbed Aang's left hand with her right and placed it inside her loose top. Aang's right hand soon followed into the loose top and to the other side of Katara's chest.

He stopped kissing her for a moment and took both his hands and pushed her top down over her shoulders revealing her white binding underneath her clothes.

"Katara…." he began as he looked at the binding.

"Here," she said as she unwrapped the binding, showing him how it worked. As she got to the last wrap, Aang placed both his hands on her breasts again under the binding and it fell away from her body. She laid down on the bed and he straddled her yet again.

He looked into her eyes for a few seconds and the kissing began again. In addition to the motion of their mouths, there was now a rhythm a bit below as Aang gently massaged the brown mounds he now had full access to.

His lips moved once again to her neck for a few seconds. Soon he was down to her collar bone, and eventually moved down her chest to her nipples. He gently kissed each of them as she arched her back in pleasure. "Aang, that feels really good."

"Katara, they're fantastic," he said. "I've always wondered what you looked like under your clothes."

"Aang!" she yelled. It was shortly followed by an embarrassed smile.

"What do you expect? I love you. And even before I knew I loved you, I still had a crush on you," he replied.

Katara grabbed his neck to bring his head back to hers.

Soon the kissing stopped and they hugged each other tightly.

Katara noted that she felt something strange on her hip as they hugged. She thought she knew what it was, but didn't want to broach that subject until the time was right. Slow, she thought.

"I love you, Aang."

"I love you, too."