~o~o~o~o~o~o~ Chapter 11~o~o~o~o~o~o~
As soon as Hahn left the room, Katara felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Black spots started to dance in her vision, she felt as though she couldn't get enough air. The blackness consumed her, a feeling of relaxation, and bewilderment settled in. Katara felt the cool air rushing through her hair and was abruptly greeted by warmth.
"Katara!" cried Sokka as his sister fainted. Aang flew up to her and caught her before the brave Water Bending Master could fall. He cradled her in his arms, and hugged her tightly, he missed her so much.
"Let's get her out of here. I don't want her here when she wakes up. It'll just upset her." Zuko said softly.
"Let me call Appa" Aang said fumbling for his whistle.
"Hey… Zuko, how did you get here?" asked Sokka as he stared at Zuko. "You don't have a flying bison."
Zuko turned red, and mumbled something under his breath.
"I didn't quite get that." Said Sokka innocently.
"I snuck in like last time." He hissed. If Zuko's face was any redder he could have been a human match.
"Oh! It's just like the time you kidnapped Aang when he went to the Spirit World when you were hunting us." Sokka said cheerfully.
"You might say that…" Zuko said turning redder from embarrassment.
"Wow, You're pretty sneaky aren't you Zuko." Commented Toph as Appa landed.
"Well, hunting the Avatar was kinda my thing." Zuko tried to say as nonchalantly as possible.
"That makes you a stalker doesn't it?" Toph said with a twinkle in her milky eyes.
"I WAS NOT STALKING THE AVATAR! THAT MAKES ME SOUND LIKE I WAS IN LOVE WITH HIM! I WAS HUNTING HIM!" bellowed Zuko his cheeks flushed red.
"Whatever you say." Toph said her hands up defensively. Zuko climbed on Appa sitting in the corner of the saddle.
"Stalker." Toph whispered as she climbed on Appa.
Zuko turned his murderous eyes on her. "Just because you're blind doesn't mean I won't throw you out of the Fire Nation." He growled under his breath.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Toph gleefully said showing off her bright, white teeth. Laughter filled the air as Appa flew towards the Fire Nation.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Mai paced. She walked around the palace about five times and walked up and down the stairs a few million times. Yet she could not shake this feeling restlessness. Perhaps it was because the way her and Zuko had parted. Regardless, she paced and paced. She nibbled on her lip, she had even considered the severity of her actions.
"Would he banish me?" Mai wondered as she continued to pace, deep in thought, when she ran into something, or rather someone.
She fell back, tripping over her royal attire, knocking her out of her stupor. "Oh! Sorry about that Mai." Chucked Iroh as he helped her up
"There is no need to apologize, I was preoccupied and walked right into you." She said trying to muster up a smile as she dusted herself off.
"You look as though something is bothering you, would you like to join me for some tea?" Iroh asked.
"I'd really like that." Mai said surprised with her answer as she trailed Iroh into a different room. Truth be told she wanted to talk to someone about how she felt and how worried she was about Zuko.
"What kind of tea would you like?" Iroh asked.
"Umm… Jasmine tea. " she quietly said as she sat down. She knew that Iroh enjoyed making tea and required no help.
"Oh! That is one of my favorites." Iroh said good naturedly.
"You look as though you would like someone to talk to." Iroh observed.
Mai looked slightly started, and nodded mutely.
"My nephew had that same look on his face, whenever he wanted to talk but never wanted to bring it up himself." Iroh said, as he filled the tea kettle with cold water, placing his hands on the sides of the kettle and warming up the water with his fire bending.
"I did something bad." She whispered softly.
"Oh?" Iroh said. He did not pause in his work, as he sprinkled the jasmine tea leaves into the pot. The crispy leaves submerging itself in the hot water, the delicious flavors invading and coloring the water.
"When that Water Bender was kidnapped, the servants came to me earlier that morning and told me the news, she also gave me something to aid in the search of her. But my feelings got in the way." Mai said, twiddling her fingers.
"I see." Iroh said as he strained the leaves from the piping hot water.
"I ended up telling Zuko later, but it was significantly later. If I had told him earlier then perhaps they would have been able to leave and find her sooner. But I was so mad and so jealous because of her." Mai said as she accepted the hot cup of tea only pausing to drink her tea.
"How did he react?" Iroh asked calmly, sitting next to her drinking his tea.
"He didn't really say anything. He just took it from me and left. He didn't yell at me, he just looked furious and left." Mai said as she felt tears pricking her eyes. She took a deep cleansing breath. She was not one of those girls who cried at every little thing. She didn't want to start now.
"My nephew isn't one for expressing his feelings very well, not with his words at least." Iroh said thoughtfully.
"So I gathered." Mai said with a bittersweet smile.
"Well, why did you do it?" Iroh asked taking a sip of his tea.
"I hate her. Zuko has a special place for her in his heart. A place that I can't get to. Why am I even telling you this! You don't know anything about me, you probably don't care!" Mai said snapping, her face turning red from embarrassment and frustration as she stood up.
"Because you need someone to talk to." Said Iroh soothingly as he guided her back down to the ground.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
It was dark, very dark. Katara desperately tried to see in the dark.
"Hello?" she called out. She clenched her fists, fear heightened her senses.
"Hello Katara" said a voice that chilled her bones. She turned around and was face to face with Hahn. Katara let out a scream as he advanced towards her. Tears poured down her face, he seized her by her forearms.
"There is nowhere to run now Katara." He said cackling evilly.
"Katara! Wake up! Katara!" Sokka said, hugging Katara's sleeping form. Katara's sapphire eyes snapped open, tears leaking down her cheeks.
"Huh?" was her intelligent answer.
"Katara, we were so worried about you, you started screaming and crying." Sokka said hugging her tightly.
"I had a nightmare." Katara whispered. She held her arms close to her body shivering slightly.
Zuko took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. "You're safe now Katara." He whispered hugging her, rubbing her arms, carefully warming her up without burning her.
"Thanks Sokka and Zuko" she said smiling.
"Don't get me wrong Sugar Queen, I was worried but they're willing to hug you. I don't do hugs" Toph said with a smirk on her face.
Katara smiled and dragged Toph into the group hug. "Thank you guys. I love you so much." She whispered smiling.
This is when she noticed that someone was missing, a particular bald someone, that had a tattoo on his head.
"Where is he?" she asked.
"Guiding Appa." Said Sokka.
Katara stood up and clutched the thick coat around her. She carefully slid down to where he sat holding the reins.
"Katara! Should you really be moving?" Aang asked worriedly.
"I'll be fine." She said smiling.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the two lovers. "So… where are we?" Katara asked trying to make conversation.
"We're almost at the Fire Nation. We figured that when you woke up you didn't want to wake up to see ice." He said, his eyes glued to the sky.
"I'm sorry Aang." She whispered as she wrung her hands.
"What?" asked Aang, disbelief colored his voice, he turned to look at her.
"I'm sorry Aang. I should never have believed that you left me for good. I never should have agreed to marry Hahn when you weren't there. I was being selfish. I mean I understand that you're the Avatar and you have things to do, that can't include me. I can completely understand that. I was being selfish thinking that I was the only one in your world and the only one that needed you. I am sorry-." Katara explained, her eyes averted but was cut off when Aang grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Don't you dare apologize to me. I should be begging you for your forgiveness. I never should have left you." He said, holding her, running his long fingers through her hair.
"What about the rest of the world!" Katara exclaimed.
"You ARE my world." Aang whispered. "Without you, a safe world means nothing."
"That's not very Avatar-like behavior." She giggled, tears leaking down her face.
"Katara, will you forgive me?" Aang begged. His big grey eyes searching her face for any answers.
"Will you ever leave me again without telling me?" she asked
"Never." He said instantly.
"Will you fly me to see Sokka whenever I want?" she asked her sapphire eyes sparkling
"Anytime. Just tell me when" he said eagerly.
"Will you make me yours? I'm getting to be an old maid." Katara asked
Before Aang could answer, groans of disgust could be heard in the background. "GET A ROOM YOU GUYS!" called Toph.
Katara and Aang laughed. Katara interlaced her fingers with Aang's. "Only if you'll let me." Aang whispered.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Mai laid on the bed, and stared up at the ceiling. Despite Iroh's advice, and assurance Mai could not shake the feeling from her heart that Zuko was going to be angry and stay angry.
Her coal hair hung sleekly down her back, pulled down from her trademark buns. They pooled around her on the soft sheets, her amber eyes closing sleepily. She hadn't' been able to sleep well after Zuko left.
Her thoughts drifted to her youth, and how much she loved for so long. No one had ever really understood her as she was growing up. The one thing that the Govener's daughter wanted but couldn't have was the Fire Lord's first born son, no amount of being quiet or well mannered would get her marriage to Zuko.
Her heart yearned for him even when he was banished, she'd turn over the concept in her head several times about joining him on his search for the Avatar, but had concluded that she'd just get in the way.
Zuko had once told her that she didn't express herself enough, and that it'd be better if she was "high-strung and crazy". She softly giggled at the memory, that had certainly been a night to remember. Everyone was very frank with their feelings that night. Even Azula.
Ah, Azula. She hadn't thought about her power corrupted friend in awhile. Regardless to what everyone said about her, Mai still went to visit her at least once every week.
"I need to be honest with him. About how I feel." Mai whispered to the unhearing ceiling, not hearing the soft click and creak of the door.
"Who is he?" came Zuko's light tenor voice.
Mai immediately sat up, her long hair swishing beautifully. "Did you rescue the Avatar's woman?" Mai asked as flippantly as possible.
"She's not the Avatar's woman, she has a name you know." Zuko reprimanded.
"Did you rescue Katara?" she asked, her thoughts screaming at Zuko.
"She actually saved herself." Zuko said smiling fondly at the memory. "I've only seen Katara that angry once."
It seemed as if all the air in the world had escaped from Mai's lungs, there seemed as if there wasn't' enough air in the world. She clenched her fist and closed her eyes, as she tried to calm herself down.
"Mai, what's wrong?" asked Zuko, his amber orbs staring at her.
Mai whispered something so soft, as her body continued to shake. "What Mai? I can't hear you. Tell me what's wrong. I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong!"
"I AM SO SICK OF LISTENING TO YOU TALK ABOUT KATARA AND HOW AMAZING KATARA IS. IF KATARA REALLY IS ALL THAT AMAZING THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU MARRY HER AND MAKE HER THE FIRE MISTRESS? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW IT MAKES ME FEEL WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HER AND ONLY HER?" Mai screamed tears of anger filled her eyes.
"SO YOU THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY THAT YOU STOLE EVIDENCE THAT COULD HAVE HELPED ME SAVE HER? THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU DID MAI. DO YOU RAELLY THINK THAT WAS SMART? WAS THAT REALLY ALL THAT MATURE?" Zuko bellowed back, his eyes burning with an intense rage.
"No. It wasn't. I was and am insanely jealous of her." Mai said, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. "I understand that she's your best friend, but I'm your wife. I'm supposed to be your best friend and your wife." She continued to softly cry, her tiny shoulders shaking.
"Oh Mai. You are. I love you. Even if she wasn't the Avatar's 'woman' as you so fondly put it, I wouldn't ever leave you. She is my best friend, but you have to understand that I would never ever leave you." He said pulling her close and softly cradling her.
"I'm sorry…" she said crying into her arms.
"Although, I don't like seeing you cry, I'm glad you're expressing yourself." He said smirking a little.
"Oh shut up." She muttered smiling a watery smile.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Katara stared out the window, the beautiful nation was coated in a redish, golden hue. She closed her eyes and smiled happily as she soaked in the warmth from the setting sun.
"Only if you'll let me." Aang whispered.
Katara's sapphire eyes snapped open. Her cheeks turned a crimson red. 'I can't believe he said that!' she said giggling happily.
"I wonder if that means he's going to marry me?" she said out loud, hanging over the railing.
"Wonder if who is going to marry you?" came a soft tenor voice. Katara spun around her face redder then the sunset.
"Should I be getting jealous?" asked Aang slyly as he winked at Katara.
"N…no!" stammered out Katara, as she turned around quickly, her eyes shut, her braid whipping out behind her.
They stood together, a foot apart staring out at the lively city. Katara gulped in the fresh air as she tried to calm her beating heart.
"Katara?"
"Hmmm?" she answered her eyes still closed.
"You've been my best friend since I've woken up and I fell in love with you since the moment I woke up, and that love continues to grow day by day."
"Aang?" whispered Katara as she looked at him, she had seen him only this serious when he was about to go fight the tyrannical Fire Lord.
"Katara?" he whispered, he bent down with one knee on the floor.
"Yes?" she squeaked out, as she tried to remain calm.
"Will you do me the honor of…" Aang began his eyes bore into her face.
"Yes?" she calmly whispered with bated breath.
"Going penguin sliding with me?" he asked with a huge grin on his face.
- End-
ORRR….
"Going penguin sliding with me?" he asked with a huge grin on his face.
Katara's jaw dropped as she stared at Aang. "Seriously Aang?" she wailed.
"I'm kidding!" he said with a Cheshire cat smile plastered across his face.
"Will you marry me Katara?" He asked his gray eyes sparkling.
"I'll go penguin sliding with you. " She said curtly, and turned on her heel and walked away.
"Awww! Come on Katara! You have to admit that was funny! But this, this is cruel and unusual punishme-" whined Aang until Katara turned around and captured his soft lips with hers.
"I love you Avatar Aang." She whispered, as she hugged Aang's chiseled body close to her, taking in the very scent that was Aang.
"I love you too Water Bender Master Katara. My Seifu." He lovingly whispered in her ear, joining in a kiss once again. A kiss that would have made Romeo and Juliet jealous.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful Water Bender Master, who fell in love with the Avatar. The Avatar that was the last Air Bender.
-Ending 2-
Then I was considering an Epilouge? Maybe their actual wedding? Or should I just end it there?