A/N: So here we have some awkward dealings from the previous night. Alcohol is a powerful thing people. And it can make people do some really stupid things. Some of you were not happy with how the last chapter ended. Well, sometimes things like that happen. Here is the continuation of this story, we see the new arc start to take shape. I hope to finish this story this year. Disclaimer - I own nothing.
Katara had been awake for some time but she hadn't opened her eyes yet, the morning light coming through her eyelids already unkind. Her muscles felt stiff and there was a mild shooting pain just behind her forehead. She was laying on her back, the covers skewed and kicked off the bed in the night. Her braids were still in her hair, her makeup smudged and in just her bindings. She slowly opened up her eyes and found herself alone in her bed. She wondered if she was supposed to be alone or not. Snippets of the previous night swam through the fog of her mind. She remembered the ceremony, lots of wine, dancing. She remembered images of walking home with Aang, and something about strawberries.
Her mouth fell slack and she smacked her lips together, her mouth drier than she Si Wong desert. She sighed and spread her arms to help her sit up, one hand falling upon a piece of paper as she pushed herself up slowly. She looked over and grabbed the paper, seeing it was a note from Aang.
Katara,
I have a meeting with your father at Air Temple Island today at noon. I will come back over when I am done. Also, I'm sorry I allowed things to get so out of hand and I hope you can forgive me. I love you,
Aang
She reread the letter at least half a dozen times, trying hard to remember the details of last night. Eventually the picture came together. Make out sessions against buildings and in dark alleys. The strawberry incident. Taking off her clothes and begging him to make love to her, despite their agreement. Him fighting with himself to say no. She grabbed her head and groaned, completely embarrassed. She had made such a fool of herself, and yet he was apologizing. But something else about the note was nagging her. What could her father and Aang possibly be meeting about?
She got off the bed slowly and made her way to the bathroom, checking the clock in the hallway. It was half passed eleven. She wondered how long he had been gone, being the early riser he was. She decided to herself that she was going to find out what this meeting was about and why she was being left out. Katara had enough time to take a quick bath and she needed one, covered in dried sweat and her face and hair a mess. She stripped down in the bathroom and ran the water, filling the tub and quickly getting in. She let loose the braids and washed her face and hair, leaving her body for last. This was a purely functional affair, no time to relax in the water. Her head pounded still and she used some of the water to heal herself, feeling her headache disappear after a few moments.
When she was deemed clean, she got out and drained the tub, bending most of the water out of her hair, of which was being unruly today. She sighed and braided it down her back, leaving her signature twin hair loops out. She dried her body off with a towel and threw it and her bindings in a the hamper. She dressed quickly in her shorter tunic, knowing it was hot outside. She was slipping her shoes on and running out the door by ten minutes till noon, giving her just enough time to get to Air Temple Island.
She reached the edge of the bay, standing on the dock, and realized the ferry was already gone. She huffed and jumped off the dock, propelling herself forward and landing on a thick blade of ice, riding out waves she made towards the island. She laughed a bit as she passed the ferry, going much faster than the boat. It didn't take her long to reach the other dock, wasting no time as she jumped up onto the platform and ran towards the temple.
Aang and Hakoda were inside Aang's office, seated comfortably with some tea.
"It must be serious if you are coming to me and not Chief Arnook." Aang spoke softly, looking across his cup to Hakoda. Hakoda sighed and put his cup down.
"I don't think this is something that he can help with." He declared slowly, choosing his words carefully. Aang nodded and set his cup down.
"Please, tell me everything. From the beginning."
"It started on the new moon a few months ago -"
He was interrupted by the loud bang of Aang's office door bursting open, Katara standing in the doorway and breathing heavy.
"Katara!" Hakoda exclaimed and both men stood.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Aang said, and then blushed, realizing her father was right there, but it just came out so easily.
"What's wrong? You two are having a meeting without me!" She said and walked into the office, closing the door.
"Katara, this has nothing to do with you." Hakoda said as sternly as he could without being cold. "This is between Avatar Aang and myself."
"Why? Whatever it is, it has something to do with home. Something's wrong."
"This is your home. You are safe here." He said, brushing aside her keen intuition.
"Please dad, whatever it is, I can help. I can't stand thinking that my people are in danger and I am here doing nothing about it."
"That's why I am here with the Avatar. He can hopefully fix this so you and everyone else is safe again."
"Hakoda, please." Aang spoke up and they both looked to him. "Your daughter and I have been through a lot together in a short amount of time, maybe there is something she can do to help too."
Katara gave him an appreciative smile, of which he returned, Hakoda sighing as she walked towards them, taking a seat next to her father.
"I just don't want you to get hurt." He tried to fight back.
"I'm a tough girl, I can handle myself." She said and ended the conversation on that note, her father displeased.
"Please, you were saying?" Aang encouraged him to continue. Hakoda cleared his throat and started over.
"A few months ago on the last new moon of winter, that's when everything went wrong." He said solemnly, the young couple waiting for him to continue. "We found one of our hunters washed up on the shore near the village. His weapons were missing and he had been dead for some time. He had told his family he had gone on a hunting trip the week previously, so he was not exactly missing."
"That doesn't really sound suspicious." Katara said. "Hunters get overpowered all the time. Are we sure it wasn't a polar bear dog attack? Or a pack of wolves?"
Hakoda shook his head.
"No, the circumstances surrounding his death point to foul play. It's all in how he died. There were no wounds on his body and no signs of drowning. We took him to our healer and what they found didn't make sense."
"What did they find?" Aang asked. Hakoda hesitated.
"His lungs weren't intact."
"What?" They both balked.
"It was like he was torn apart from the inside. No animal can do that. It's not natural."
"How many men have been found like this?"
"At least half a dozen."
Aang closed his eyes and shook his head. "Were there any connections between them?"
"No, some were alone, some were in small groups. No enemies either, just normal men. All of them were out hunting, that's the only connection."
"Why did you wait so long to come and see me?"
"I didn't mean to. The one happened first, then the last all happened within a few days of each other. And each was worse than the last. But it's so strange because it's stopped in our territory."
"What do you mean, in your territory?"
"Whatever or whoever is doing this, they've moved from the Southern Watertribe, skipped over the Patola Mountains, and went straight for Whaletail Island. We warned them when the attacks stopped. Before I left for the wedding, I received a report back from just outside the Chin village; same method of death, two men." His voice fell at the last sentence. Aang stayed quiet for a few moments, taking it all in.
"This needs to stop. I have to make this right." He said quietly, standing and walking over to a map on the wall, tracing the pattern of the assailants path.
"It's either headed towards Ba Sing Se, or straight here." Katara said, standing and walking over to him.
"We can't let either happen." He looked to her and frowned. "Looks like we're taking another field trip."
"To head it off." Katara nodded and Hakoda sighed behind them.
"Katara, I really don't want you going."
"Dad-" She was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder.
"Hakoda, Katara is one of the most powerful benders I have ever encountered. And while I don't want her in danger either, I can't protect her if I leave her. I think the best thing is that she comes with me."
She smiled and looked to him and he looked into her eyes.
"Can you promise me you will protect her?"
"I guarantee it. On my life, I will shield her from harm. I would never let anything happen to her." He said without looking away from her.
"Aright, then I guess this meeting is over." He said and smiled to them. "Now down to the burning question; how long have you two been together?" He folded her arms and Katara blushed.
"A few months now." She said quietly.
"How did you two meet? The council?" He asked.
"Zuko." They both said and laughed.
"Zuko? Again?"
Katara laughed at his reaction and came up to hug her father. She looked up to him. "You have to leave tomorrow don't you?"
"Yes, but I think you do too."
"Yeah, we should leave first thing in the morning." Aang echoed, knowing the journey was going to be rough and dangerous. Hakoda leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Be careful, both of you. If you need anything from me or the south, just send word."
"We will."
Katara let go and Hakoda came up to Aang, gripping his arm in the watertribe fashion that men did and then bowed to him respectfully. They came up and let go, smiling to each other.
"Take care."
"Love you, dad."
"I love you too." He said with one more hug and left, closing the office door behind him. She was hesitant but slowly she did turn to Aang, who had a small blush on his face.
"You look refreshed."
She nodded and looked down, not sure what to say. More than a little embarrassed about how she had looked that morning.
"What time did you leave?"
"Oh about eight."
"Hm, that's late for you." She said and laughed.
"Yeah well, I had something to knock me out for quite a while so…"
"Yeah." She nodded and looked back to him, blushing. An uncomfortable silence fell between them and she fiddled with her hair.
"How much do you remember?" He asked softly.
"Pretty much all of it."
"Ah." He said and rubbed the back of his neck. Still that silence wouldn't go away, it hung around them heavily. She sighed and her stomach flipped.
"I know you think you have to apologize, but you don't."
"I-I don't?" He said and his hand fell to his side as he turned towards her.
"No, I do."
"No, it was just the alcohol. Nothing to worry about." He said and took her hands. She looked up into his eyes and realized they were both blushing.
"No, it's no excuse. I was aware of what I was doing, even with how far gone I was. I knew what I was asking you to do was wrong. And in the moment I didn't care. But I care today. And I actually want to thank you for being a man. A real man. And realizing it wasn't the right time for us."
He shook his head. "Don't thank me too much. One more glass and I would have said yes."
"We can stand here and play 'what ifs' all day, but the fact is, you saved our relationship."
"We would have been fine either way. We've been through so much together, would we really throw this away over a poorly timed act of passion?" He asked, his face turning deep crimson. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"No. I don't think so."
"But I still stand by what I said last night; you deserve something special. We both do. Whenever the time comes, I'll make sure to make it so romantic, you won't know what to do with yourself." He said and hugged her, resting his chin on her head. She smiled into his chest and hugged him back.
"I'm glad we're okay."
"We will always be okay." He whispered into her hair. She pulled away and sighed, looking back to the map.
"So, what's the plan?"
"We need to get ready. Pack for all kind of weather, it's colder south and in the mountains. And we might be tracking it for a while. We will have to see how long it takes us to find it."
"Alright. I'll go home and pack. Will you be over tonight?"
"Why don't you stay with me tonight? It just makes more sense. " He said softly. She saw his point.
"Yeah okay. I'll go pack and come back in a few hours."
"Alright."
X
She took the ferry this time, her bags almost overbearing. She had one filled with summer and winter clothes, another bag with water pouches and healing herbs, one with dried meat for herself, and the last, and biggest, a tent and sleeping bag with optional pelt lining. With the tent and food on her back and a bag in each hand, waterbending herself across the bay would have been impossible.
Getting off the ferry, she found Aang expecting her, probably seeing the boat from his home. She smiled and he grabbed the two bags she was carrying.
"I guess I should have said pack the essentials only," he teased.
" I did." She grimaced and he bumped her shoulder with his, revealing that he was smiling. She laughed and adjusted the straps on her shoulders and they walked up the path towards his home.
"You can leave these in the living room and then we can grab a bite to eat."
"Is it almost six already?"
"Yeah, time flies huh?"
"Well it certainly wasn't fun. That bag right there is full on healing herbs, medical tools, soaps, and water skins, at least four."
"Four?" he asked and raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, you never know. I also have a two pots inside the tent on my back."
"Is it a two person tent? Or will I be sleeping out in the cold?" He joked and she smiled.
"It's actually a three person tent, to be honest, but it should fit one person and one Avatar." She teased.
"And the other bag?"
"Winter and summer attire, and boots."
"Good job. I guess you did cover the basics." He said and opened the door to him home for her. She stepped inside and slipped off her shoes, stepping up to the hallway and walking into the living room. There was one solitary bag on the couch. She came over to it and dropped her stuff, looking inside the bag, being nosy. She found two sets of clothes, some fruit, and some money and that was it.
"Really?" She said looking through the bad and then looking to him as he set the bags next to her.
"I don't need much, I'm a nomad. Most of my stuff is with Appa in his saddle."
"Are you saying I have too much stuff?" She asked and crossed her arms.
"No! I'm just saying I need less than you." He said and rubbed the back of his neck.
She stared at him for a moment and clicked her tongue, letting the subject drop. It wasn't worth the fight.
"So, food?" She asked and looked away from him.
"Yes! Let's get dinner, everyone should be waiting," he said and came to her side, lacing his fingers with hers. They entered the hall and everyone was waiting for him, as he said. He said a quick prayer and both of them grabbed their food, talking little during dinner. They finished and walked back to his house grabbing their stuff to sleep in out of their bags.
"I'll change out here, you can change in my room."
"Okay." She said and gripped her nightgown in her fingers. She walked back to his room and slid the door closed and he hesitated, watching her outline undress against the paper door. He felt heat rising in his cheeks but he couldn't help but stare. With her tunic dress off he watched as she took off her bindings and combed through her hair, only to watch her stop and look at the floor. He wanted to ask what was wrong but she bent over and grabbed her bindings, putting them back on before she slipped her night gown over her slender body. She moved from sight and he shook his head. Clearly she wanted to make sure she wasn't sending him the wrong message and he was okay with that. He changed into his sleep pants and took his clothes in his hand, having showered earlier that morning. He knocked on the door.
"It's okay." She said softly and he opened the door, finding her curled up on the wrong side of the bed, staring at the mural.
"You alright?" He asked and closed the door behind him, tossing his clothes next to hers.
"Yeah, just admiring your work." She smiled and sat up, crossing her legs, leaning back on her hands. "I could look at this painting for hours."
"Funny-" He caught himself and bit his lip. He was trying not to say anything.
"What's funny?"
"Nothing, forget I said anything," he blushed and turned down his half of the bed, sitting down.
"No, tell me!" She laughed and crawled to the top of the bed.
"It's just…" He looked into her eyes and blushed, bringing his legs up onto the bed and stretching out. "I could say the same thing about you. I could watch you forever."
Her smile faded and she came closer to him, her lips just inches from his.
"Really?"
He nodded softly, caught in her hypnotic gaze for once. She framed his face with her hands and her knee came over his legs, her sitting in his lap. He was watching her every move, the weight of her body in his lap made him instinctually reach around her waist, framing her body. Both of them were blushing but there was something in her eyes, the way they turned dark blue like the ocean at night. She pressed her chest against him and kissed him softly, her eyes closing. Though her lips were soft, a fire burned behind them and he wasn't about to let go. He pulled her closer to him, their bodies flush, and he kissed her deeper. Her tongue came out and lined his bottom lip, sending his head spinning. His lips parted in a sigh and he came to meet her, tasting her like he had the previous night but so much more aware of her. Her hands left his face and came to touch his neck, feeling the muscles under his pale skin. She broke the kiss and he was disappointed only temporarily, her lips finding a soft spot on his neck. He ran a hand up her back and exhaled a little harder as her tongue found his skin.
She was going to continue but he took her face in his hands, kissing her a little rougher than before, his tongue sliding against hers easily. She was lost in his taste, her breathing coming short. He kissed the corner of her mouth and made a trail from there down the side of her neck, making her whimper softly. He found her pulse point easily and sucked on her skin, his name gracing her lips in the most satisfying way he could imagine. Her legs gripped him and her arms held his head to her skin, feeling heat pool between her legs. He kissed her skin and let go, leaving the tiniest mark on her, kissing over her collarbone. Her heart was pounding and sweat was starting to bead on her skin, but she tasted just fine to him. He kissed down her chest to just the top of her cleavage.
"Aang, please. We have to stop."
He sighed and pulled back, letting his head hit the headboard. His eyes were heavy with desire and he smiled at her.
"You started this."
"I know, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. My pleasure." He chuckled and she kissed him again briefly before swinging her leg off of him, laying next to him. They got under the covers and Aang turned off the light on his nightstand, curling against her back and slipping an arm around her waist. Their hearts took a while to calm down but when they did, they were ready for sleep. They whispered love for each other and fell under soon after.
X
She was being shaken before the sun was even up, the sky outside his window a pale lavender.
"Katara, it's time to get ready."
"Ugh, this is too early. Start without me." She grumbled and he raised an eyebrow.
"Come on, we have to get an early start. " He said and pulled his sash on over his normal pants, having changed those while she was still asleep. She sat up slowly and her hair was wild in the morning, curling in every direction. Aang thought she was beautiful, she did not. She lifted her night gown half way and looked to him.
"Out." She said grumpily. He just laughed.
"It's not like I haven't seen it before."
She responded by ripping it over her head and throwing it at him, Aang catching it with ease. She put her hands in her lap and smiled back at him, still in her bindings.
"Let's go, we have to catch breakfast and load up Appa." He said and left with her nightgown in hand.
"Alright." She said and stretched a bit, lazily getting off his bed. She looked down and it was a mess, just like her hair. She made the bed without being asked, happy to help after the restful night she had with him. His house was much quieter. She could hear the crashing of the waves on the rocks from his room. That combined with his warmth and steady breathing kept her asleep all night. She smiled and walked to his bathroom, shocked at how big it was. It was at least the same size as the master bedroom, an enormous bathtub in one corner, large enough to fit four people with room in between, and so deep. It stood up to her waist from the floor, no space underneath. A complete bamboo bath. She looked for the sink and washed her face and brushed her teeth, having had Aang place her stuff on the counter last night for her. She combed through her hair and it seemed like it was going to cooperate today. She put it half up in a bun, letting her loops out and pinning them to the bun. The rest of her hair fell behind her in loose waves. She turned off the light and walked out to the living room, seeing him waiting for her.
"Just let me get dressed and I'll be ready."
"Just go like that." He said and she threw him a look that made him laugh big and loud. She rolled her eyes and ignored him, going through her stuff and finding her casual clothes from the last trip she made with him. Luckily, the blood had come out of her skirt and shirt. She threw her arms in the holes and pulled it over her head, letting it shimmy down her body. She wasted no time stepping into the long navy skirt with the slits up the side and decided she didn't need leggings, it was midsummer. She didn't bother to put on her leather belt either. She smiled and turned to him.
"Ready?"
"Yes." He said and grabbed her hand, leading them out of the house once they had on their shoes.
Breakfast passed in the same manner that dinner had; prayer, then food. They ate quickly and were on their way back to his house when he stopped and turned.
"Norbu?" He asked and a man of about 40 came forward. He was tall and lanky like an airbender should be, but he had the golden eyes of the fire nation.
"Yes, Avatar Aang?" He asked shyly.
"You have studied the hardest, been with me the longest, and you have done so much to help make my dream live. I leave you in charge while I'm gone. I don't know how long I'll be this time."
Norbu nodded and smiled, bowing deeply.
"Thank you so much for this opportunity. I will not let you down."
"I'm sure you won't," he said and bowed to him, smiling. When they were done he came back to Katara and they walked to his home to grab their stuff. Once they were sure they had everything, they left his home behind, Aang blowing on his bison whistle. He appeared quickly, his smaller companion at his side. Aang laughed and threw them some melons from his bag. They ate as he packed his and Katara's stuff onto Appa's back. He turned and held his hand out for her.
"Off we go."
She smiled and accepted his hand and with his help climbed into the saddle. Amhi came up to her and nuzzled her, making her laugh. She had gotten so much bigger since they had brought her home, almost doubling in size, now about half the size of Appa.
"Aw, baby, I'm sorry but you can't go."
"Oh, uh… I actually told her she could." He said and rubbed the back of his neck.
"You what?"
"You can't separate them, Katara!"
"Why not? It's too dangerous for her! She's still healing." Katara argued.
"Oh, trust me, she's plenty healed. You can't separate... mates." He said the last word delicately.
"WHAT?!" She screamed and Aang turned around.
"You heard me! Don't make me say it again!" He said, blushing.
"Wh-" She looked from Appa to Amhi, appalled. "When did this happen?"
"A few days ago. I came home and I was going down to feed them breakfast and I thought they were playing because it looked like he had tackled her… but then I realized…"
"Is- is she okay? I mean, she's just so small compared to him."
"Yeah I checked her later that day, she was fine and happy as ever." He said with a giggle. She couldn't help but laugh now, thinking.
"I bet the look on your face was priceless!"
"Me? The look on HIS face was priceless."
They both laughed and Amhi flew off, waiting for Appa.
"Yip yip." He said and Appa hurried to follow his mate, Katara and Aang still smiling.
