Hey, guys…
It's been a while, hasn't it?
Sorry.
Here's a nice chapter to make you feel better.
I figured you'd all be pretty upset at the lack of Korra tomorrow.
Does anyone know when the new season is supposed to start?
Soon, I hope…
Well, I'll stop rambling! Here's the newest chapter! ^^
…
The rain had cleared by the next morning, and the only people to have gotten any sleep were Sokka, who had accepted what had gone on with Katara and Zuko, and Toph, who had no idea what had even gone on the night before. Aang didn't catch a wink, feeling very much too upset to sleep, and Katara was by far too giddy to sleep. Zuko had been dozing in and out, guilty about basically crushing the young avatar's hopes at being with the beautiful water-bending girl.
As Katara cooked breakfast, no one spoke. Toph immediately sensed something was off and she kept to herself as the others were doing, but Sokka, unaware as to the things, was blabbing on and on about totally irrelevant things. Whatever passed through his brain, apparently. Katara didn't want to say anything to Zuko, and vice versa, as they didn't want to upset Aang with their words. So, aside from Sokka, everyone was silent as Katara cooked, and as she dealt out food, and as they packed up.
Toph offered to help Katara pack, though once they were in the tent, she was really just in the way.
"So," she said, picking at her teeth as she stretched across the floor, right in Katara's path. "Why's everyone being so quiet?"
Katara rolled her eyes as she stepped over Toph – she really hadn't expected her to help – and she shook her head. "Just a quiet day, I suppose."
"Everyone obviously knows something that I don't," Toph replied. "And I don't appreciate being kept out of the loop. What's going on that no one's talking about."
"Nothing's going on," Katara replied, fidgeting a little bit as she rolled up her furs. "Just that Zuko and I kissed last night…"
"You what?" Toph exclaimed, accidently shooting shards of rocks from the ground in her excitement.
Katara shrugged. "It was just a little kiss…nothing major…"
"Oh, this is major alright, Sugar Queen," Toph said, sitting up and gazing in the direction of where Katara was standing. "This is very major. Do you know what this is going to do to Aang?"
Katara was being stubborn. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, don't be so stupid," Toph snapped. "It's obvious the boy is madly in love with you. How could you do this to him?"
"I wasn't trying to do anything to him!" Katara said defensively. "Can we please just drop this? I feel bad enough already. And I don't want to feel bad about being in love for the first time ever."
Toph was quiet for a moment. "You sure you love him?"
Katara sighed. "I've been in love with him almost as long as I've known him," she replied. "Now, let's get a move on. I want to get this over with."
"Get what over with?"
Katara shook her head. "I have no idea."
Toph rolled her sightless eyes. Teenagers.
…
They set off shortly after Katara and Toph's exchange. It was only a few hours before they reached the Air Temple, and then Aang led them through the temple, straight to where he knew the last piece of crystal would be. It was just where he said it would be, and they put it with the others – they now had all four pieces of Crystal. All they had to do was combine their bending and together they would have to give it to Zuko.
This was where it chose to be the most challenging. With their minds they needed to show that they believed Zuko was the most worthy of them all to accept the power the Crystal had to offer. Toph believed, Katara believed, but for some reason, Aang was unable, even for a few moments, forget about what had happened between Zuko and the girl he loved in order to show that he believed Zuko was worthy.
"Maybe we should take a break," Zuko said, panting and holding his head from the number of times the crystal had rejected him and sent him flying backwards.
Katara nodded. "That's a good idea." She turned to Aang. "Aang? Can I speak to you for a moment?"
He didn't answer, and Katara sighed. "In private, please?" When he again didn't answer, she looked to Sokka for help.
"Well, would you look at that over there," Sokka said. "Come on, guys, why don't we go observe it for a suitable amount of time to allow for a motivational conversation?" He grabbed a hold of Zuko and Toph's arms and pulled them along behind him to the other side of the temple, just out of earshot.
"Is everything alright?" Katara asked after a moment.
"No," Aang said, not looking at Katara. "No, everything is not alright. You're with Zuko. I didn't even have a chance…"
Katara shook her head. "I'm so sorry, Aang. You're a really great guy. Really, I honestly mean that. Anyone would be lucky to have you. But…"
"But you'd rather be with Zuko, the talented, attractive prince."
Katara shook her head. "I don't like him for how talented and attractive he is," she responded. Then she added, with a grin, "If that's what I was looking for, you'd be a sure-yes."
Aang sighed and offered a small smile. "Really?"
"Of course!" Katara exclaimed. "I mean, you're the avatar! Who's more talented than the avatar? And I always have been a sucker for tattoos."
Aang looked at the ground with his smile still on his face and he rubbed the back of his head. "I guess Zuko is a pretty good guy," he finally said. "And he's definitely worthy to have the powers of the crystal. I'm sorry I caused so much trouble."
Katara shook her head and smiled. "It's alright. It's important that you understand."
He sighed. "I guess I do. I love you, Katara."
She smiled again. "I love you, too, Aang. Just…not like that."
Aang held his arms open. "Hug?"
Katara giggled and threw herself at him. "For you? Anything."
…
"Alright," Zuko said, his fingers tingling from the fire that was blowing from them. "Are we all set?"
Aang nodded, his expression firm. "We're all set. Ready…set…go!"
All at once they used their powers to circle the crystal in earth, air, fire, and water. When the pieces were completely glued together, they closed their eyes and willed the powers of the crystal to find their way to Zuko.
This time, instead of backfiring, the crystal disintegrated and, with a flash of light and the widening of Zuko's eyes, it surrounded Zuko, lifting him gently into the air for a total of thirty seconds, before he was dropped lightly on his feet.
Once there, he closed his eyes and shook his head. When his eyes were once again opened, he grinned. "I know how we're going to end this war."
…
One more chapter after this! ^^
