9 weeks ASC

On a sunny morning a few weeks later, Aang invited Katara to go flying with him. Katara wasn't into flying like so many of the others – Aang, Teo, and Kuei – but she did enjoy the occasional feeling of freedom and independence that flying could bring. Plus, as far as locales go, there was nothing like the air currents around the northern air temple. Although no one other than Aang could add any power to their glider, she found that one could still stay airborne for at least an hour without having to land.

On this particular day, after flying on their separate gliders, Aang had Katara land on the landing pad.

"I want to try something," he said to her as he twirled his glider back into a staff.

"What?" she asked.

He put his staff off to the side and walked over to her glider and put his hands on the triangular shaped bar that a rider normally hangs onto when in the air. "Let's go together."

"Oh, Aang, I don't know. Will this glider be able to hold us both?" she asked.

"I think so. Plus I'm an airbender – there's lots I can do that a normal air walker can't ," Aang replied. "C'mon, let's go."

With that he pulled her to the edge. They stepped off and headed straight down into the valley. The next thing you know, the nose of the glider is heading right for the sun – Aang had turned the glider 180 degrees and they were now headed for the upper reaches of the sky.

"A-ha! This is great Aang!" Katara screamed, liking the extra oomph that an airbender can add to the flying experience.

Aang leveled them out and they flew a bit away from the air temple. They were flying in between mountains when Aang asked, "Have you been out this way before?"

"No. I usually just stay close to the temple. The air currents there are a bit more predictable there. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen any other person out this far before," she replied.

"I guess you're right. I take it for granted sometimes that I can fly some places that you and the others can't," he said.

Aang turned his head and looked at Katara. She was smiling, obviously enjoying the flight with him. She closed her eyes and let the wind sail past her face and pull back her long brown hair.

Aang noted how beautiful she looked and a slight grin appeared on his face.. Katara opened her eyes and looked at him. "What?" she asked.

"I'm just admiring the view," he said. Katara blushed.

Aang moved his to her on the bar and leaned in for a kiss.

OlOlOlOlOlO

After Aang and Katara landed, the two went for some lunch in the dining area. That afternoon, it was back to the daily training regimen for both of them. This was an unusual day for Katara in that she normally practiced her waterbending in the morning. However, because of the flying 'date' she had with Aang, she decided that one afternoon of training wouldn't be so bad. Not only that, but Aang had agreed to go over some waterbending moves with her in the shallow pond.

As the two of them were just about to the peace garden, Katara spotted two figures sitting on a bench.

"Shhhh!" she quietly said to Aang while putting her forefinger over her lips. She grabbed him and pulled him behind a bush.

"What is it?" he whispered back.

"Look," she said and nodded towards the bench.

It was Fei Yen and Kuei. Aang and Katara couldn't hear what was going on or what was being said, so they just sat back and observed for a few moments.

Kuei was facing Fei Yen at an angle so that their knees were almost touching. He had both her hands in his. It was a formal pose; they were definitely discussing something very serious.

"Let's go," said Aang, wanting to continue to the pond.

"No!" she said insistently. "This looks like a situation you just don't barge in on."

A few minutes went by. Kuei and Fei Yen rose from the bench and started walking towards Aang and Katara's hiding place. Aang and Katara quickly rose from their crouching position and pretended like they had just gotten there and hadn't been sitting there watching them all along.

"Katara!" shouted Fei Yen. "I'm getting married!"

"Oh Fei Yen, that's wonderful news!" Katara replied back grabbing Fei Yen for an embrace.

"Congratulations Kuei," said Aang as he patted him on the back.

"Did this just happen?" asked Katara.

"It sure did," replied Fei Yen. "Katara, I need someone to talk to or I'm going to just burst…come with me!"

"Um…sure. Aang, do you mind?" Katara asked.

"No, no. You two go ahead. One day without practice won't do you any harm," Aang said. "As for me, I'll be in the practice field working on my earthbending and firebending. Waterbending will have to wait for another day."

"Thanks Aang," Katara replied.

The two girls giggled as they walked away, back towards the door to the temple.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Katara and Fei Yen ended up in Fei Yen's room and sat down on the bed.

"So Fei Yen, how do you feel? Did you know it was going to be today?" asked Katara.

"Oh, I'm super-giddy. I'm just full of happiness. I didn't see it coming quite this soon!" Fei Yen replied.

"Where do you think you'll get married?" Katara asked.

"I want to get married back in Qi Cun. Kuei doesn't have many friends – and those that he does have are more than willing to travel a bit to come to the wedding. It just seems natural that we should get married there," Fei Yen said.

"Are you going to go back home before the wedding?" asked Katara.

"I know Kuei won't want to. He may not even want to get married there. He just wants to stay here. I love the people who live here, but they aren't my family. I hope he agrees to go back for one visit before the wedding, just so I can get my Mom to help me plan," said Fei Yen. "I want to visit in person – you can't just do things like that sending messenger hawks back and forth."

"I'm sure he'll agree," replied Katara. "How about a dress?"

"I've always wanted to wear my Mom's dress," Fei Yen said.

"You are old-fashioned, aren't you?" noted Katara. "First waiting on the sex, now you are going to wear your Mom's wedding dress?"

Fei Yen smiled at her. "It's just how I was brought up. Family is close and traditions are followed."

"To each their own," replied Katara. "I'm not one to judge. Whatever makes you happy."

"Katara, will you be a bridesmaid?" Fei Yen asked.

"You want me to be in your wedding?" Katara replied rather surprised.

"Yes. I've got lots of extended family who I can ask, but you and I have become great friends. We've spent hours everyday together. I would be honored if you would stand up with me – and be by my side as I plan."

"Yes! I'll be a bridesmaid!" Katara answered excitedly. She gave Fei Yen a hug.

OlOlOlOlOlO

That evening, Aang went to Kuei's room. Now that he was getting married and presumably making plans for the future, Aang was convinced he was out of time with regards to the subject of Ba Sing Se. On the way, he stopped by the dining area to pick up some watermelon juice, his favorite.

Knock-knock

"Enter!" he heard from the other side. Aang turned the knob.

"Kuei, how's the wedding planning going?" he asked sarcastically. "I know the girls were gone together for about three hours this afternoon. Is the big event all planned?"

"Heh, heh," he giggled. "You'd think, wouldn't you? Fei Yen has asked to get married in Qi Cun. She also wants to leave immediately for a trip to Qi Cun to let her family know and to make initial plans."

"Are you ok with all of that?" asked Aang.

"I'd rather marry here, but again, she has strong feelings about it. I love her and want to make her happy," replied Kuei.

A minute went by and nothing was said.

"Aang, I think I need to return to Ba Sing Se," Kuei said.

Aang had just taken a sip of his juice. When he heard that last statement, he forcefully spit it out all over Kuei's bed.

"Oh sorry about that," Aang said as he bended the juice out of the sheets. "What did you just say?"

"I was just saying that I think I need to return to Ba Sing Se," replied Kuei.

Aang didn't know where this was coming from. He wasn't looking forward to this conversation expecting that Kuei would put up a huge fight about returning to Ba Sing Se. Now he, himself, is bringing it up and wants to willingly return without an argument? Weird.

"Kuei, I have a confession. I don't mind telling you this now that we are good friends," said Aang. "I initially came here on a mission to get you to return to Ba Sing Se."

"I know," Kuei replied. "I figured you did."

"Do you mind if I ask…" Aang began.

"….what changed my mind?" Kuei finished.

"Aang, when you first met me in Ba Sing Se, I was immature. Sure, I was twenty-five years old, but as you know, I didn't have any human friends, I had never left the palace before, and I was naïve about many things. When Ba Sing Se fell to the fire nation, all I wanted to do was be free and go where I wanted and be with whom I wanted. I have now spent six months on my own. I have made good friends. I have been free to go and do what I want. I have met the woman of my dreams. But now that there is a wedding on the horizon and a family will surely be coming soon. It's time to grow-up," Kuei said.

"Wow," Aang said amazed at the change in the man in front of him. He hadn't realized this had been going on in Kuei's head all along.

"And there's one more thing, too," Kuei continued. "Everyday you, me, Fei Yen and Katara spend time together. You are only thirteen yet you are so responsible. I admire you, Aang. Sometimes I have to step back and remind myself that you aren't just a young friend – you are the Avatar. You defeated the Fire Lord two months ago. You practically have the whole weight of the world on your shoulders – not to mention that you are the last airbender – and look at how you handle it. Then look at how I handled being Earth King…there's simply no comparison. You are a role model for me."

"Have you said any of this to Fei Yen yet?" asked Aang, impressed by the words that just came out of this friend's mouth.

"I've mentioned some of it in passing," Kuei replied. "I know what she wants and I think its time we sat and had a serious conversation about the wedding and about our future."

"Kuei, I wish you all the luck in the world," Aang said as he gave him a one-arm hug. "You're going to be a fantastic Earth King….uh…..again."

OlOlOlOlOlO

During the next week, many plans were discussed and agreed upon. Fei Yen and Kuei decided that they wanted to get married in the late spring. Kuei agreed to both of Fei Yen's requests – that the wedding take place in Qi Cun and that they visit there shortly to inform her family of the upcoming nuptials.

In turn, Fei Yen, who wasn't nearly as attached to the Northern Air Temple as Kuei was, agreed to return to Ba Sing Se to live in the palace with her new husband after they were married.

As a result of these plans, Aang and Katara had to make plans of their own. Aang was anxious to see the village of Qi Cun so he suggested they escort Kuei and Fei Yen there in the next week or two. After the visit there, he promised Katara that they'd make their way south to the Southern Water Tribe for a much needed visit. Along the way, they'd stop again at several places to check on the progress of the world's rebuilding (and, of course, visit friends). In late spring, they'd be back in Qi Cun for the wedding.