I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has sent in reviews! They definitely encourage me to keep writing. I'm going to try to finish this by the time my classes start on the 19th but i don't want to rush it and end up with something i'm not proud of. But i promise to finish it! Expect daily updates, i'll try my best!
Aang woke up to something tickling the inside of his nose. As he moved his head away and opened his eyes he realized it was just Katara's hair. Pleased by the thought he sat up on his elbow and started playing with her hair. She definitely had some of the most beautiful hair he has ever remembered seeing. It was long, full, and silky smooth and he loved it when she wore it down. There were a few tangles in it this morning so he got up and got her comb and started brushing her hair. Katara woke up a few minutes later and was puzzled at the situation.
"What are you doing?" She started turning her head so he stopped brushing.
"Well it had tangles in it so I decided to get them out…" He scratched his head suddenly thinking she probably found that a little creepy.
Instead she just laughed at him, "You like my hair that much?"
Aang nodded his head as Katara continued to laugh. When she pulled the sheet off her body Aang was a little shocked. He had forgotten that Katara never did re-wrap herself last night and he marveled at her. Katara caught him staring and instantly covered herself with her hands.
"Aang, seriously, why are you staring?"
"What? Oh spirits, I'm sorry, I was just kinda lost in my thoughts." He turned around to give her some privacy.
Katara laughed to herself again as she got dressed and crawled on the bed.
"You know I don't mind that you look it was just the face you had was a little weird."
Aang blushed a bright red and scooted off to put on his robes. Katara continued to laugh as she picked up her comb to finish the job Aang had started.
"Ok enough with the laughing." He turned to face her.
Katara had her lips pressed tightly together as she made a locking motion at her mouth. They both headed towards the kitchen and found that they were the first ones up. Aang lit a fire while Katara put on a pot of water and oatmeal. Aang watched for it to boil while Katara went to find some honey, she was successful and Aang heated the pot up to de-crystallize it. As the oatmeal was finishing people began to wonder in. It was a simple breakfast since there was no fruit left over from dinner and no meat could be found anywhere in the air temples. Katara checked on some of surviving flour but was unsurprised that it was no good. After going over their plan for today everyone separated to accomplish their different tasks. Katara and Aang headed down to the mock battle field. As they descended Aang held his breath taking in the sight. Katara had her hands wrapped around his left arms as she shared in his sorrow. At his feet was the collarbone of one of his brethren, he bent down to pick it up. He held it in his hand as he traced the edges with his thumb. He took another deep breath and placed the collar bone back on the ground.
"Let's just make a pile here then I'll make a box to put it all in."
Katara kissed his cheek and set off in a different direction. They were careful where they stepped since they didn't want to break anymore of the bones that were scattered about. The pile grew bigger and bigger as they worked their way over to the cloth structure where Gyatso's body lay. The top of make shift tent had been blown away from when Aang entered the avatar state his first time. The sides were more ripped apart from the flying debris caused by his involuntary vortex. Katara had finished her side and joined him over at the site. He slowly approached Gyatso's body and knelt before it. He gently lifted the necklace from his body and held it in his hand. If Zuko hadn't made him one for his coronation Aang wouldn't hesitate to wear this necklace, but since he already had his own he thought that it should stay with its original owner. Katara knelt beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Are you going to keep it?" she asked quietly.
"No I have my own already so I'm going to keep it with him." He stroked the surface with his thumbs.
"We're almost finished, where do you want to bury them?"
Aang hesitated a moment and he thought it over, "They can all go under his statue in the entrance to the temple. That way all who pass by and over that site will be reminded of the past and what it means to be an air bender."
Katara smiled up at Aang. This was one of the reasons she loved him so much, everything he did had a purpose to it, especially important things such as this, "Then we will make the entrance extra special so nobody will ever forget."
Aang looked over at her and kissed her. She smiled as she stood up to collect for bones from off the ground. Aang gently grasped Gyatso's skull and walked it over to the pile. Instead of setting it on top of the others he decided to keep it separate and bury him separately. They finished cleaning out damaged tent and with a quick blast of wind they collapsed the rest of the tent. After gathering up the shards Aang set them on fire and waited for it to burn out. Aand then bended a horizontal vortex and sent the ashes scattering off the cliff. All that was left was a barren open plain.
"You know what?" Aang said slightly optimistic.
"What?"
"This would be the perfect place for a shrine to the old benders. Just plant a few trees around the perimeter and re-grow the grass. I can bend up a structure big enough to house anything I want in it."
Katara had a thought while Aang was talking, "You know what, this would be the perfect placed to teach anybody to be an air bender. If you decide to energy bend some people this could be your teaching location."
"You're right," Aang looked down at her and smiled, "This would be the perfect place. We can start again right where the old race ended."
With that thought Aang bended a stone box out of the ground and they filled it with the remains. Gyatso's body was placed in a smaller box and Aang bended the boxes up to the main entrance by Gyatso's statue. He was getting ready to bend when Katara touched his shoulder.
"We should wait and have a proper funeral with everyone."
Aang conceded and looked around the place. Some of the columns were chipped and Aang quickly fixed it with bending. Katara then water bended a stream to clean up any smoke marks and polished the surrounding area.
"I bet if we talk to the others we could find some Air Temple flags around that maybe haven't been burnt." Aang was starting to get a little excited.
"You know I bet you're right let's go find them."
It was late afternoon by the time everyone had finished and met in the kitchen for lunch. They ate the left over oatmeal and anything else they still had in their packs. The Kyoshi warriors had weeded out the entire place and began planting a new garden. Sokka and Suki went through and organized any rooms that may have been in disarray then helped the warriors finish their jobs. Toph and Haru had repaired all the broken areas of the temple and finished earlier than everyone. But since she didn't feel like pulling weeds she decided to teach Haru a modified version of air ball.
"You guys didn't happen to come across any air nomad banners of flags while you were around did you?" Aang asked.
"No we didn't find any." Suki answered.
"That's ok I'll just have to get someone to make some."
"Once were done eating were going to have a small service at the entrance." Katara informed.
Everyone nodded in compliance as they finished eating. Once everyone was done they all walked over to the entrance and stood in a semi circle opposite of the statue. Aang walked forward and moved the two boxes to the side then got in his earth bending stance. He bended the statue of Gyatso up and set it down to the side exposing the ground beneath it. With another motion a hole the size of the large box appeared and Aang placed the large box in it. After replacing the statue Aang again bended a circular ravine around it with small spouts sticking up. He then whipped his hand around in the air stealing the water from it and filled up the ravine. After a few tries Aang was able to get the water flowing through the spouts, drain out and then back up again creating a never ending fountain. After finishing the water he bended a stone directly in front of the statue and placed the small box inside. After sealing it in the earth Aang knelt in front his master and silently prayed.
Monk Gyatso, I hope that my actions on behalf of our nation will make you proud. I'm trying to do the right things and I just hope that I may receive guidance and wisdom from you as I begin to rebuild our race.
He had his head bowed and his hands outstretched on the fountain he created. Katara walked up to him then and rested her hand on his shoulder. With one last sigh Aang stood and lifted the necklace from around his neck and bended it so it rested on the statue. He pulled Katara in and buried his face in her hair. She held him close as he fought back tears.
"I hope they are proud of what I have been doing." He whispered to her.
"They are, I know they are." She lifted his face out and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Come on we still have more work to do before we leave tomorrow."
Aang nodded and turned to the rest of his friends, "Thank you, for all of your help, for everything."
They all returned his smile as they came up to them in one big group hug.
The next morning they met Appa back on the same rock they landed on. Aang took another look at his home before they set off. He knew he would be back and soon.
"Aang come on we have to go!" Sokka shouted from the saddle.
In a quick jump Aang took his place on Appa's head and they set off to the South Pole.
Halfway through the trip Sokka called Aang and Katara up into the saddle.
"Ok here's the plan. When we get home it's going to be Katara's birthday party and that's when we're going to spring the news." Sokka explained.
"Spring what news?" Asked Toph.
"Our engagements, well we're not going to just tell them we're going to propose again in front of everybody." Sokka was beginning to get excited.
"What's the point of asking again?" She asked again.
"Can you just go with it…technically Aang and Katara can't be engaged because she is barely 16 and it's against our customs to become attached at an early age. So in order to not go through that Aang is going to propose again and I figured I might as well too since they are going to have a combined wedding!" Sokka was officially way too excited. He began the layout of the perfect times to propose for both him and Aang. Suki handed back Katara's necklace per Sokka's order.
The Southern Water Tribe came into view late afternoon and it had been transformed. As Appa swopped around they all took in the site of it. When Katara, Sokka, and Aang first left it was nothing more than a few igloos and skin tents, now it was a growing metropolis. They had kept the same igloo layout but everything was more improved. The city was huge and circular using some of the defenses from the northern water tribe. It had two layers of icy walls before anyone could enter into the city. In the center of the city stood three giant round buildings that Aang guessed housed the chief and was the capital building. Icy roadways and igloo houses surrounded the remaining area. There were 4 watch towers placed at the outer walls and each signaled their arrival. They could see people beginning to file out of their houses pointing at the sky. There was a small area near the inner wall that was uninhabited and Aang directed Appa to land there. He landed gracefully and people began crowding the area, in the front was Chief Hakoda, his warriors, and Katara's Gran Gran. Katara slid off Appa's head and ran straight for her flinging her arms out around her. Aang and the rest of the group gently slid off and walked towards the group of people. Chief Hakoda walked forward to meet them as Sokka ran to hug him.
"Hello Sokka." He pulled him out of the hug to get a good look at him, "And who did you bring with you?"
"Oh well you know Aang and Toph and this is Haru he helped fight in the invasion…"
Hakoda shook his hand, "Yes I remember you."
"This is Suki, you should remember her."
"Yes she captured that Warden and helped us escape, how could I forget." Shaking her hand also.
"And these are the rest of the Kyoshi warriors here visiting." The girls waved hello.
"Well you are all welcome here as guests. Are you tired from your trip?" He looked at their group.
"No we're fine, we had a good night's sleep yesterday but I think we could really go for some real food." Sokka looked pointedly at Aang.
"Hey don't you take that tone with him just because you eat more than your fair share at any meal." Katara bickered with her brother.
Aang and Toph laughed at them as they followed Hakoda through the crowd.
"Aang!" Katara called from behind, "Come here!"
He stopped walking as Katara and Gran Gran caught up with him. Katara reached for him and he took her hand.
"Let me get a look at you my boy."Gran Gran said as she scrutinized Aang.
He stood there as she looked him over carefully taking in his presence and he started to shuffle on his feet.
"Well you certainly are a man now. The last time I saw you, you were shorted than Katara and looked as if you skipped too many meals. That is not the case now." Gran Gran said.
Aang smiled bowing in respect to her but she waved it off, "None of that now, if there is going to be bowing then it will be coming from our city to you. We owe you much and nobody can ever repay that debt."
"It's not a debt that needs to be repaid, I'm just happy that I could make this difference to better everyone's lives," He told her solemnly.
Gran Gran nodded as they began walking again with the group. Katara took Aang's arm as he whispered to her,
"I think she knows."
"I wouldn't be surprised if my father told her since you did ask him over a month ago now."
They were led to a large looking igloo just off to the side of the city's center building. The ground was covered in animal skins which Aang still had to get accustomed to; there was a fireplace across from the door with chairs around it. The kitchen and dining table were on the east side of the house and there were stairs leading to another level above.
"When the water benders from the northern tribe came down here they drew up plans for a new city. The villagers they met with insisted on keeping the same look as they had in the past years. But the biggest feat is the foundation, in order for our city to stand they had to freeze a large column of water that surrounds the city, but the walls are just thin layer and if you're not careful you could fall into the icy water below." Hakoda was explaining as Aang, Katara, and Gran Gran walked in.
"That's brilliant! I can't believe you guys have gotten so much done since we left. It's like a whole new place here!" Sokka was completely engrossed in everything his dad was saying.
"Alright enough I'm sure they just want to rest and refresh before Katara's birthday party tonight." Gran Gran interrupted.
"There are rooms upstairs and a bathroom if anyone wants to clean up. The party begins at dusk." Hakoda and Gran Gran walked over to the kitchen to get some snacks together. Katara took one of the chairs and Aang sat in front of her. She wrapped her hands around his neck and rubbed lightly as they stared into the fire. Hakoda and Gran Gran shared a smile as they walked over with some bread, fruit, and jerkey.
"So," Gran Gran took a bite of fruit, "you ladies are called the Kyoshi warriors, do you have any other names?"
One warrior with light brown hair laughed, "My name is Adele, I kinda took over Suki's position since she started traveling with the Avatar."
"And you are a fine leader." Suki commented.
"Thanks, this is Nadia, Qing, Keeko, and Loni. Ty Lee from the fire nation has joined our group but she is with her friend Mai."
"Ty Lee, that name sounds familiar…" Hakoda scrunched his eyebrows together.
"She was with Azula when they attacked us at the Boiling Rock." Sokka told him.
"That's right the girl that can do the acrobatics…"
"She turned against the princess shortly after attack against you, we met her in prison." Adele said.
The conversation remained light as another person entered the house.
"Master Pakku! How are you?" Katar jumped up to give her new grandpa a hug.
"It's good to see you Katara and I thought I told you to call me just Pakku." He smiled at her.
"Sorry, old habit still."
"Avatar Aang it's good to see you again." He held his hand out to shake it.
"You too sir," Aang replied.
"I was wondering if I could have a word with you and Chief Hakoda." Pakku looked over at Hakoda.
"Certainly," Hakoda walked over and followed them out. They kept walking until they reached one of the smaller building that stood next to the capital building. When they entered Aang noticed it was the messenger bird station.
"We have just received a scroll that the fire lord is one his way and should be here by the end of the week, why is he coming?" Pakku and Hakoda both turned to look at Aang.
"Oh well…" Aang stuttered.
Hakoda started to laugh, "You intend to ask Katara to marry you tonight don't you?"
Aang sighed and smiled, "Yes I do, I had informed Zuko before we left and he said he would be here for the wedding which Katara wanted to have by the end of the week."
"So have you already asked her?" Pakku inquired.
"No...well yes but no she doesn't have her necklace yet but we kinda are unofficially engaged." Aang got very nervous and suddenly felt very small standing next to these men.
Hakoda and Pakku looked at each other having a silent conversation.
"Do you have the necklace with you?" Hakoda asked.
"Yes," Aang said quickly and pulled a box out of his pocket and handed it to Hakoda.
He opened the box and both their eyes went wide. Aang shifted his feet as they scrutinized his work.
"Well," Pakku broke the silence, "this is some fine craftsmanship."
"It is indeed," Hakoda lifted it out of the box and into more light; the diamonds began to sparkle. Aang had gone shopping with Sokka in the fire nation to buy the ribbon part of the necklace. The only problem was the necklace was a little heavy for just one strand of ribbon so Aang decided to buy a small strand of leather to help hold up the stone. He took it to a seamstress who used silver thread to stitch the blue satin ribbon he bought and the leather together. After holding it Hakoda handed it to Pakku both of them keeping silent.
"Traditionally any young man that proposes to a young lady before she is 16 cannot be allowed to marry her." Pakku said and Aang gulped, "But that is a Northern Water Tribe tradition, Southern Water Tribe traditions are a bit different." Pakku placed the necklace gently back into the box and Hakoda gave it back to Aang.
"Well, since you are planning on making it official tonight I don't see the harm. But you know that three days before the wedding you and Katara…" Hakoda started
"Are not allowed to see each other thereby tests the bonds of love that have formed between the couple." Aang finished his sentence, "I plan on up holding any other Water Tribe customs."
"I see that Katara has talked about this with you." Hakoda and Pakku laughed.
"Yeah, she got pretty excited." Aang scratched his head.
"Well then I guess I better go get Kya's necklace from her."
"Um, that won't be necessary."
"And why is that?"
"Well Sokka is planning on proposing to Suki using that necklace. Don't tell him I told you he wanted it to be a huge surprise."
"Hmmm," Hakoda stroked his chin, "I guess this means I need to have a talk with my son." Hakoda left the building and Pakku and Aang followed him back to the house. Katara gave them a funny look as Hakoda pulled Sokka aside to speak to him.
"What was that about?" Katara asked Aang.
"Oh um nothing…" He stuttered.
She raised an eyebrow and stared at him, "Nothing…I don't believe that."
"Well Zuko sent a hawk and Pakku was confused so I kinda had to tell them about our plans."
Katara started giggling, "Oh Sokka is going to be mad."
"Yeah I hope your dad doesn't tell him too much."
After a few minutes Sokka stormed out of the room directly at Aang.
"You ruined everything! Why did you have to spoil it?"
Aang held his hands up defensively, "It wasn't my fault technically Zuko ruined it all."
"Zuko isn't here to ruin anything, you did!"
"Sokka chill out." Said Toph.
"Enough Sokka!" Katara yelled.
Katara returned the glare he was giving to her now and they held it until Hakoda stood in between them.
"Sokka, Katara is right. We received a hawk from Firelord Zuko telling us of his arrival and we were confused and when we questioned Aang he told us the truth."
Sokka was still pouting over his ruined plan when Suki suggested that they take a walk.
"So what exactly was ruined?" Gran Gran asked.
"Sokka's ridiculously thought out birthday proposal for Suki and me." She looked over at her Gran Gran and smiled.
"Yes I thought so; I knew you two would be getting married, but Sokka. She must be one strong woman to put up with him." The entire room laughed at her joke.
The party was set up in the open area where they landed earlier. Since it was a 16th birthday most of the town showed up because now Katara was eligible to be married. Many young men showed up at the party but they never approached her and when some did they were disappointed in her lack of interest. Aang watched with amusement but there were times when they wouldn't get the hint and he stepped in before she could lash out and water bend at them. Some of the young men after being turned down by Katara went to mingle with the Kyoshi warriors; they enjoyed the company but showed no real interest. Aang also watched Hakoda as many older men came up to talk with him. He guessed that they were trying to negotiate a type of marriage but since Aang had beaten all of them to the punch a month ago he just smiled. Katara was happy to be reunited with old friends and made new ones that night. Toph clung to Haru the entire night since her usual way of seeing didn't work really well on the ice. Aang knew he was going to have to get some rock for the wedding so she could feel more comfortable. As the sky darkened Aang did the honors of lighting the lanterns surrounding the party, he took a deep breath letting his chi fill his body with fire and with lightening fast precision they were lit. After his display a couple of women brought out a giant birthday cake they had been working on all day. Katara's eyes lit up as she marveled over her gift.
After everyone enjoyed a slice of cake Sokka jumped up on a table and shouted, "Alright I know that this is Katara's birthday and all but I have an announcement to make." He jumped down and the crowd was silent. He walked over to Katara as she handed him her necklace and he made his way over to Suki. She was trying hard not to smile or begin crying too early but it didn't work. As Sokka asked her again to be his bride she jumped up out of her chair and kissed him. The surrounding crowd began cheering as he tied the necklace around her neck. Aang was getting sweaty palms which got him confused, he already asked her once and she said yes so what did he have to be nervous about. The crowds cheering increased in volume as Sokka planted a kiss on Suki, then it hit him. Last time it was just him and Katara and now there is a crowd.
Toph reached over to punch him in the arm, "Why are you shaking?"
"I'm not shaking."
"Just because this isn't earth doesn't mean I still don't feel. I know you just heat yourself up with fire bending so why are you shaking?"
"I dunno I'm just nervous I guess." He started rubbing his hands together.
Toph was laughing as Haru asked, "But you know she is going to say yes so…"
"I know but last time it was just me and here and now there are all these people and I just get nervous." He started shuffling his feet.
"Oh twinkle-toes if I could earth bend right now I would shoot you over so you would land right on top of her!" Toph continued to laugh at him.
"Well I would never have made it all the way over there. I would have stopped and shot a rock at you which would have turned into a duel." Aang stubbornly told her.
"Yeah right, you would not be able to react in time with your mind all boggled. Face it I would have won." She punched him again in the arm.
Aang glared at her even though she couldn't see it made him feel better. When he looked up again he noticed Sokka motioning for him to make his move. Aang stood frozen for a half a second before making his way over to Katara. He took the necklace out of its box and asked Haru to hold the box. Aang gently placed the necklace in his pocket then straightened out his robe. Haru gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder and Aang began walking. Katara was chatting with Adele and Loni and they paused when Aang approached them.
They all began to smile as they knew what was coming and all Aang managed to say was, "Ummm…"
"Nervous there Avatar?" Adele teased.
"Well you never know, she just might say no." Loni commented.
"That's true there are many good looking boys wandering around here…maybe she changed her mind."
"Yeah, there have been a few of those, what were their names again"
"Oh stop it; it's kinda cute that he is actually nervous." Katara smiled at him.
"Well I was nervous the first time I just didn't have all these people watching me…why did Sokka think it was a great idea anyway?" Aang was clearly losing his nerve.
"Because Sokka loves the attention and he loves making a scene," Katara answered, "You know you could out do him."
"How?"
"By making a bigger scene than he did," as she spoke she bended a small amount of water and turn it into snow.
Aang smiled at her and took her hand leading her into the middle so everyone could see them. As they both stood there staring at each other Aang began carefully bending water from the surrounding area. The crowd turned to watch what he was doing and they all fell silent. Aang concentrated on his giant water ball and didn't notice Sokka glaring at him again. After containing the water he bent a small current that sent him up into the air and with a large breath we broke his water ball and created snow that fell over the entire crowd. Many of the children began laughing trying to catch the flakes on their tongues as the adults smiled. Aang landed in front of Katara and she was beaming at him. As the snow fell around her Aang thought she looked just like an angel, the light from the ¾ full moon made the flakes sparkle. He slowly dropped to both knees in front of her then hesitated for a moment so the crowd could see what he was doing. Aang reached into his pocket and pulled out the completed necklace; this was Katara's first time to see the band he had gotten for her. She gasped as the diamonds began to sparkle, slow tears leaking from her eyes.
"Katara," his voice caught slightly, "marry me please?"
Katara had her hands up to her mouth, Aang had picked the perfect necklace to go with the stone and it was just as beautiful as she remembered.
"Yes Aang! Yes!" she screamed and launched herself at him. The crowd cheered again as they embraced and kissed.
Aang suddenly broke the kiss to whisper to her, "Hold on tight."
Katara was suddenly flying up in the air and she let out a small shriek of delight. They both smiled at each other as Appa joined them in the air. He caught them on his back and they flew around laughing together. They could hear the kids screaming in delight as Appa landed. Aang and Katara slid off his back and Aang secured her necklace around her neck. Once he finished he picked up her hand and kissed. Katara blushed at his tender action and they only had a moment to recover before they were bombarded with people offer congratulations. They tried to fight their way out of the crowd but it took a light hearted command from Hakoda to really make the crowd disperse. Aang looked over to silently thank him and saw many of the same men who had approached him earlier had come back and patted him on the shoulder. When Aang turned back around Sokka was storming up to him again.
"You just had to do that didn't you?" he asked stubbornly.
"Do what?" Aang played innocent.
"Seriously the sir burst into the sky was over kill."
"Oh stop being such a cry baby Snoozles." Toph and Haru walked up to the group.
Suki started rubbing Sokka's shoulder to prevent him from making an unnecessary come back and Hakoda, Gran Gran, and Pakku approached them.
"Well that was some proposal." Said Hakoda.
"Yeah sorry about the jumping I just could restrain myself." Aang scratched his head.
"Nonsense you're happy and people like to see that kind of stuff," said Gran Gran.
"So since you are both engaged what kind of wedding did you want to have?" Pakku asked Katara and Suki.
"Well we have kind of already sort of discussed this…" Katara started a little shy.
"And we decided to have a combined wedding!" Suki finished.
"Well when was this combined wedding supposed to take place?" Gran Gran asked.
"End of the week!" They answered together excitedly.
Everyone in the group laughed.
"Well I guess tomorrow then we better start with the planning, good thing you are a water bender Katara because most everything will have to be made out of ice." Gran Gran informed.
"That's ok with me," Katara looked at Suki, "What about you?"
"I think it will be very unique especially since there will be 3 cultures that will be mixing together." Sokka put his arms around his fiancé kissing her cheek.
"Well there will be no doubt, this wedding will be unique." Hakoda placed a strong hand on Aang's shoulder.