Hola, mi amigos. First off, I hate Spanish class with a passion. I used to take German, but when I got to German III, my high school chopped it from their classes! BAH! So now I'm stuck with Spanish and I don't really like it. I just miss German. Learning another language after learning a second language is tiring
AAAAnyways, here is chapter 14!
By the way, GASP! A PRO is reading MY WORK? That's unheard of! Gosh that excited me sooo much!
Thomlina, you almost made me cry with your review! :D :D :D I was so happy! And stepping away from fanfiction? Lol I've only written two! (which are still in process) but I have actually started a book of my own. It's pretty legit if I say so myself :D
Ok, this chapter is a little awkward at the end. Make sure to read my end comments, I will explain.
Enjoy!
A KATAANG FANFICTION: CHAPTER 14-
QUESTIONS
The normal sea of people was not a surprise. There were many cries of "Avatar Aang!" and "He's awake!"
He smiled as people surrounded them left and right, all asking if he was all right. He nodded again and again, showing them the back of his head and his stomach. They all hung on to every word that issued from his mouth.
"Actually," he told them, "Katara here was the one who really saved me. She healed the wounds." He placed an arm around her shoulders. There were several "Awwws" throughout the women of the group.
"And now," he called out, "we have to go. But I want to give a sincere thank-you first." He paused. "Who here was Katara's healer?"
After a moment of silence, a tentative hand rose into the air.
Aang smiled. "Come forward."
She did. She was a small, shy-looking healer, close to her fifties.
"What is your name?" Aang asked kindly.
"Kiri," she answered softly.
"Kiri," he said, "I want to give you a personal thank-you fro taking care of Katara while I was unable. I will never forget it." He gave her a full bow. "You now have an Avatar forever in your debt."
Kiri blushed. "It was my honor, Avatar." She murmured.
"I will never forget it." He repeated. Giving the old woman a genuine smile, he turned to Katara.
"Ready to go?" He asked her. She nodded enthusiastically, limping forward. Aang frowned.
"You're not going to hop home." He told her. "Come on, I'll call Appa." Swift as the wind, he picked her up in his arms, the clutch still in her grasp.
"Thank you all," Katara said, blushing. "Especially whoever saved this big lug." She slapped his chest affectionately.
With that, Aang flitted out of the door. Thankfully, his bison whistle hadn't been lost, and he pulled it out now.
"Aang, I'm fine . . ." Katara said, grinning. "I can walk until Appa gets here."
"You sure?" Aang questioned, concern clouding his eyes.
"Positive." She reassured him, nodding. "I've been getting around all week, haven't I?"
"I suppose you have," He said, placing her on her foot again. "But, put your broken arm through mine," he insisted. "I don't want you to fall."
Katara rolled her eyes. "You're such a worry wart . . ." She teased, but slid her wrapped arm through his. Satisfied, he began to walk, tugging her with him.
Relieved that she seemed able to keep up, he cleared his throat. "So, Katara . . . I know I really brushed it off in there, but . . . About that family thing."
"What about it?" Katara urged.
Aang blushed. "Well . . . when were you thinking of starting one?"
Katara contemplated, staring at the ground as she hopped. Sighing, she answered. "I honestly don't know . . . I mean, with Azula and all . . . I don't think I would want to start one while she's still out there. It could make our first child a potential target."
Aang suddenly burst out into a huge grin.
"What?" Katara questioned.
Aang's smile broadened. "It's just . . . When you said 'our first child', it gave me chills. Ours just sounds . . . Unreal."
"I know what you mean," Katara murmured. "It sounds just strange." She, too, blushed. "And to think of a little baby calling me 'mama' . . . it's all so new to think about."
"Too bad it won't be easy," Aang laughed. Pointing to the sky, he said, "There's Appa!"
Eh was right. The ten-ton bison landed in front of them with his usual bellow.
"Hey, buddy!" Aang laughed. Letting go of Katara's Arm, he ran to his bison and buried his face in the fluffy fur. Katara shook her head, chuckling.
"You're such a boy! She called, hobbling to the edge of the yard. "Maybe you ARE too young for me!"
Aang gave her a playfully sassy look. "Baby, you should have thought of that before you met me at the alter!"
Katara smiled. Grunting, she hopped the rest of the way to Aang and Appa. Patting Appa's big nose, she leaned back to rest against Aang. "I'm just kidding," she said, "you're definitely not too young for me." She picked up his hand, tracing the arrow that decorated the back of it.
"I know," Aang said. "You're such a tease."
"A lot more fun than I used to be, huh?"
Aang shrugged. "You know, I never really thought that you weren't fun . . . probably because I was always in a daze when I looked at you." He laughed. "I was so obvious . . . the only one who never seemed to notice was you." He tugged her hair.
Katara elbowed him in the side gently, still teasing. "I noticed, Aang. I just chose not to acknowledge it."
"Ouch," he muttered. "That burned."
"Yeah, yeah." She laughed. "Let's go." She pulled his hand, moving toward Appa. No sooner had she limped when Aang picked her up from behind, sweeping her into the air. The breath whooshed out of her in surprise, but quickly returned when they landed in Appa's saddle.
"You need to warn me before you do that," Katara said, rather breathless. "When we're old, you're gonna give me a heart attack."
"Sorry," He murmured, setting her on her foot again. Katara noticed that he had gone completely serious.
"Now what is it?" She asked gently, brushing his arm.
"Nothing . . ." He said. "I'm just glad you're alive."
Katara stared at him for a moment. "We're alive," she corrected, "We."
Aang gazed at her, trying to pull together his suddenly scrambled thoughts. The moment prolonged. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" he murmured, placing a tender hand on her cheek. "I still can't believe how absurdly lucky I am to have you in my life."
Abruptly, he leaned forward and kissed her. At first, Katara thought that she would fall, but Aang held her steady. Reassured by his strength, she brought her hands from her side, reaching up to cradle his face the exact same way she had after Sozin's Comet.
For a blissful, clear moment, it was only Katara and Aang, and everything was perfect. He slid his arms around her, pulling her closer. She didn't resist; she just delved deeper, not caring if the world were to end at that moment. He wove his fingers into her hair as he had countless times, lips still moving against hers.
For a moment, Azula never existed. For a moment, it was only them.
For a moment, everything was right.
But, as the young couple broke apart, the troubled of a stained world were still upon their burdened shoulders. They pressed each other's foreheads together, eyes closed. Katara's lips quivered as she thought of her adversaries, and Aang immediately sensed her discomfort. Within a split second, she was in his protective embrace, arms around her as if to block out all of her fears. She pressed her face against the base of his neck, wondering if they could ever be free of the mounting curses that seemed to pile on them so willingly.
At the same time, she knew they couldn't.
It broke Aang's heart to put her through this. Saddened, he held her tighter, using one hand to stroke her back in circulating motions.
"You are my life," he whispered. "I want you to know that. I promise you that I will take Azula out, not matter what." Slowly, he smiled. "And, Katara?"
"Yeah?"
" . . . Happy birthday."
Katara pulled back, looking at him curiously.
"What?" He said. "You didn't think I would forget it, did you?" he kissed her again. "Happy eighteenth, love."
"But, how did you find out?" she pressed, confused.
"Your dad," he said. "I asked him right before the wedding. I was tired of missing your birthdays," he gave her an innocent smile.
Katara let her head drop onto his chest again.
"What can I get you?" he persisted.
"Nothing," she murmured. "You already gave me the best gift of all . . . you're alive. Plus, I think that the wedding was enough of a gift, don't you?"
"That ended in disaster," he pointed out.
"We still got married," she countered. "Just don't' worry about a gift. You've already given me everything I've ever wanted." She placed a tentative hand on his chest. "You gave me YOU."
"Thanks, Katara." He sighed. "But you know that I have to get you a gift."
"No, you don't," she added firmly.
Aang smiled. "What if I told you that your gift is already bought, made, and ready?"
Katara pulled back again. "What are you talking about?" she said, suspicious
"Nothing," he said airily. "You said you didn't want a gift."
"Oh, stop," Katara laughed, ditching her attempts at being serious.
"No, no . . ." he grinned. "It's ok; you don't have to have it."
Katara gave in to her helpless curiosity. "All right, fine. I want it. Now what is it?"
Aang smiled. "I thought so." Letting go of her, he crouched down and began to rummage around in one of the bags that sat on the edge of Appa's saddle. "Where did I . . . Aha." Standing up importantly, he pulled a rolled scroll from the bag.
"What's that?" Katara asked, truly curious now.
Aang beamed. Extending his arm, he offered the scroll to her. "Why don't you open it and see?"
Katara became suspicious again. Taking it cautiously, she warned, "Aang, I swear, if this one of those pranks where a fake prickle-snake falls out when you unroll it—"
"It's not," he interrupted. "I promise."
She examined his eyes, concluding that he was telling the truth. "All right." Eagerly, she pulled the scroll open, examining every inch of it with excited eyes.
Aang smiled as he watched the anxious light fade from her eyes.
"Aang," she stated, confused, "why did you get me a painting of a house?" she turned the open parchment so that he could see.
He grinned even wider. "Read the caption, love."
Katara turned the scroll back to her, scanning the caption. Suddenly, her eyes widened. Her jaw dropped in amazement. "Aang . . . you didn't . . ."
He nodded. "I did."
"You built us a house?" she added, stunned.
He nodded again. "Yup. Actually, I just did the plans. Some benders in the South Pole built it."
Katara stared at him, gaping. "When did you do this?"
'When I found out your birthday. I sent off the plans immediately, asking them to have it finished with a painting sent by today." He grinned. "I'm glad there are some earthbenders down there."
Dumbfounded, Katara stared at the gorgeous house in her hands. "Is this for real?" she muttered rhetorically. "Aang, it's beautiful . . ."
"And it's in the South Pole," Aang said. "I thought you would like to live there so you're close to family and friends. And, since I don't really have a home with family and friends . . ." he looked at his feet. "Well, it's not really a hard choice, is it?" Abruptly, he turned away. "Let's head to the house that we live in now," he said quietly. "We need to get ready for our date."
Katara re-rolled the scroll. She instantly knew why he had grown so sad in that small second.
His people.
She shook her head, watching Aang slide down to Appa's head. He rarely talked about the Air Nomads, but she understood how sore of a subject it was for him. The older he got, the more he seemed to yearn for someone like him.
Katara was about to slide down next to him when someone shouted out from the ground.
"Avatar! Master Katara!"
In unison, the couple looked over Appa's side. It was a small group of men, probably around six or seven people. They were all professionally dressed.
"Can we help you?" Aang asked, ever polite.
"Yeah," answered the man in front. "We were just wondering if we could ask you tow a couple of quick questions."
The smallest of frowns creased Katara's forehead. However, when Aang glanced up her, she nodded in exasperation. He inclined his head. Wordlessly, he stood up, picked up Katara, and jumped to the ground. Bending his knees slightly, he placed her on the stone-paved road.
"Excellent!" Cried the spokesman. "We won't take long. Now, you tow are the thing that all of Ba Sing Se are talking about." Motioning, he brought a man with a scroll and brush to the front. "So, Avatar, you first. How did it feel not being able to help your wife at the wedding?"
Katara internally groaned. Glancing up, she saw Aang's jaw clench. For a moment, Katara thought he might hit the spokesman. However, he merely replied, "Excruciating," through locked teeth.
"Write it," the man said, tapping the scribe. "Do you blame yourself for the disaster there, Avatar?" he asked Aang.
Katara cringed.
Aang now clenched his fists. "Yes." he replied darkly.
Sensing danger, Katara pried one of his fists open and slipped her hand into it. That seemed to calm him down a touch.
"Last one," the man murmured, nudging a man how was also holding a scroll. "And, Avatar," he said grandly, "now that you are married, do you and Katara plan on re-populating the Airbenders?"
Aang and Katara froze, both of them instantly going tense.
"Excuse me?" Katara said hotly.
"You know what I mean!" the man laughed. "Isn't it your duty to have little Airbending babies flying around the house? Heck, there's a whole nation to repopulate!"
The couple turned scarlet. Completely taken aback, they stared at the man furiously. He did not seem abashed in the slightest. He just grinned idiotically, looking from Katara to Aang. "Well?" he pressed.
Katara stared at him, infuriated that someone could have the simple nerve and selfishness to ask a question like that. "Did you seriously just say that?" she asked stiffly. "That is an extremely personal question."
The man shrugged. "Everyone is dying to know."
Aang seemed to have gone temporarily immobile. He hadn't moved an inch, hadn't said a word. His eyes were cold, his expression colder. Concerned, Katara touched his face. "Do you need a minute?" she murmured, motioning away from the men. Aang nodded stiffly. HE turned around and walked away, leaving her to face the man.
And face him she did.
Immediately after Aang walked out of sight, she whirled on the men.
"Do you have ANY self-respect?" she snarled. "Do you even have a conscience?"
The man stepped back, raising his hands in defense. "Hey, people wanna know—"
"I don't care what people 'wanna know'!" Katara snapped. She stepped forward, getting right up into the man's face. "He has been through more that you could EVER imagine! Yet you have the nerve to approach him with those questions!" she jabbed him in the chest. "Its people like you how make me sick. HE lost his whole people. He defeated Ozai for you, yet you still torture him with unnecessary reminders of his past." Shoving him back, she turned on her heel. "Why don't you go back to the garbage you came from?" Letting out a loud huff, she began to stomp/hop away. She had not taken three hops when she heard:
"So, is that a yes or a no on the whole repopulation thing?"
Instantly, she turned around. Eyes blazing, the ripped the water form the nearby grass, turning it black. Without hesitation, she slammed the man to the ground and froze him there. Making sure his head was exposed; she limped away, ignoring the gasps of astonishment.
Breathing heavily, she finally reached an alleyway that was only about twenty yards away. She could see Aang in there; he had his forearms propped on the wall over his head, slouching forward against them.
"Aang?" she asked softly. He didn't answer. Grunting, she hopped forward again. She reached him just in time to see a single teardrop fall form his chin. Carefully,, she reached up and wiped away the streak it left. "Hey . . . do you want to talk?"
He didn't answer.
"All right . . ." she sighed. Carefully, she slid her back down the wall, sitting with her legs straight out. "I'll be right her if you need me."
Still no response.
For the next two hours, time slowly slid by. Aang didn't move, and neither did Katara. Determined to sit him out, she stared at the opposite wall, daring herself to stay still. Pretty soon, her butt was asleep.
Still, neither moved.
Another hour passed.
Katara was counting the hairs on her arm w hen Aang finally stirred. She looked up hopefully. HE stood straight, pushing himself away from the wall. Without a word, he strode past Katara, not even offering his hand to help her up. That alone was extremely unlike him. Worried, she struggled up to her foot, using her crutch as a sort of lever. "Aang!" she called. He didn't stop. More concerned by the second, she set off for him.
"Aang!" she said. "WHAT is wrong?" Struggling to keep up, she nearly fell on her face. A slight sting of anger panged at her when he paid her no heed. "Aang, I swear, if I have to waterbend you to the ground, I will!" she pointedly ignored the face that he was a waterbender, too. She was about to let another threat fly, but he suddenly dropped to his hands and knees.
"What?" she muttered. Increasing her speed, she realized that he was crying, crying harder than she had ever seen him. Dropping to his side, she dropped her crutch. Kneeling, she placed a hand on either side of his face and pulled him to her. She placed his head on her shoulder, situating it just right. Due to the face that he was bigger than her, it was a bit awkward. However, the comfort that she offered him wasn't awkward. She wrapped her arms around his waist, rocking back and forth. She could feel him shaking. "It's ok . . ." she murmured. "It's ok . . ."
HE shook his head, lips pulling back from his teeth in silent sobs.
"Aang," Katara said, "what in the world is wrong?" she placed her cheek on the top of his head. "You're kind've scaring me."
He didn't reply.
Katara sighed, shifting so that she was bit more comfortable. She sat there patiently and waited for him to calm down. Improvising, she began to hum the same tune that he had sung whenever he held her.
Ten minutes later, calming him down was proving to be a difficult task. Several times, he began to glow, and Katara had to try everything she could to prevent him form slipping way into the Avatar State.
"Come on, Aang . . ." she whispered. "Talk to me . . ." Bending her head over, she kissed him gently. Stroking his forehead, she rested back again.
Appa had sauntered over, sensing Aang's pain. Katara leaned back against on of his stocky legs, hearing him rumble softly. He seemed to be asking what was wrong with Aang.
"I don't' know, Appa," Katara mumbled. "I'm guessing its something to do with the Air Nomads."
The giant bison lowed sadly, sniffing at the back of Katara's head. She smiled, patting his nose over her shoulder. "It's all right . . ." she told him. "He just needs some time to calm down."
In truth, she was wondering if Aang would ever come to. It had been close to twenty minutes and eh was still having a hard time.
It was now the middle of the day. The bright sun beat down on the empty road, but Appa's large structure cast a cool shadow over Aang and Katara.
Rubbing her ravenous stomach, Katara glanced down hopefully when Aang abruptly began to relax. Slowly, his face fell slack, and his eyes drifted open. His stormy gray gaze stared off into the distance.
"Aang?" Katara said hesitantly. "Are you ok now?"
Gradually, he nodded. "I'm sorry," he whispered hoarsely. "That's the hardest it has ever hit me . . ." he trailed off.
"Don't be," Katara said. "Those men had no right to ask those questions."
Aang sighed.
"But seriously," Katara muttered, "what brought that on?"
"It's just hard . . . being the last one." Aang shuddered.
"I would love to talk," Katara murmured. "Why don't' you just let it out?"
Aang stared her down, his bloodshot eyes blinking again and again. "Katara," he rasped, "you have NO idea how many times I have asked myself that question."
" . . . What question?"
He gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "The one that guy asked . . . About the Air Nomads."
Katara had been expecting it. She took a deep breath. "To tell the truth, I've asked myself that question a million times, too." She took his hand. "Tell me what you think of it."
He stalled, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "I'm not sure . . ." he mumbled. "I've always thought about it . . . whether or not it was my 'duty'. Yeah, I've hoped that I'll have Airbender kids someday, but, not to repopulate . . . just for the sake of having someone like me, being able to teach them what I know. He took a deep breath. "Raising a family is one of my biggest goals in life. So is passing on my knowledge of airbending."
Katara stared at the ground, turning slightly red.
"And," Aang added, "I could never put you through that. Ti would be way too much to handle."
Katara gave him a small simile. "Well, I'm glad that you don't' feel like it's your duty . . . but Aang, I would have done it."
He stared at her, not seeming to comprehend what she was saying.
"What?" she asked.
"Katara," he murmured, "I still wouldn't do it. You're the one who ahs to deal with a all of the pain." He placed a hand on her cheek. "I would never do it. EVER." There was a hard edge to his voice.
Katara placed her hand over his. "What if I wanted to?'
Aang shook his head. "No. It would be too mentally painful. Do you realize that to actually do it, our kids would have to marry each other?" he shuddered. "That could be very . . . Awkward."
Katara frowned. "True."
Aang sighed. "Katara, the only reason I want us to have kids is for the joy of raising a family . . . not because we have to." He stood up stiffly, grunting. Offering her his hand, he said, "Come on, we should head to the house now."
She nodded, taking his hand. She felt the wind gently push her up as he pulled.
"Thanks."
"Yup."
As he picked her up in his arms, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his unexpectedly. She kissed him like he had kissed her just a few hours ago, long and deep. She pulled away slightly, a centimeter separating their lips. "Please don't shut me out like that again. You need to talk to me, let me help you."
For the first time in hours, Aang smiled. "I love you," he murmured.
All right. See what I mean? Drama in the extreme. Blah. I didn't really like this chapter, it was waaay out of character with poor Aangy but that's ok.
If you are wondering, I know that their children would not have to . . . . you know . . . ICK. But, Aang and Katara don't know that! Mwahahahahaha.
I will post the next one in a while. I only have 18 chapters so far. Also, I am currently taking a break from this fic for a while . . . It's boring me for some reason. I'm going to work on my other fic, my PhanPhiction, Farewell my Fallen Idol. It's about Phantom, which I desperately love!
Buh bye! Love you all!
P.S. I laughed so hard when I realized that all of Aang's name entries were changed to Sang! Sorry about that! blame my dumb spell check!