"Is everyone ready?" Katara called from Appa's saddle. She had gotten up super early and packed everything before any one even opened an eye. The scream startled Aang, first. "Ahh!" he screamed awake. After scratching his head letting his eyes adjust to the light, he understood what was happening. He airbended himself to his feet and turned to wake up Zuko.
Reika, who awoke with Katara, was helping her on Appa's saddle. Finally, the two lazy birds found their way to Appa, though he was hard to miss, and Aang propped himself on Appa's head, while Zuko struggled to get all the way up. Finally, Aang turned around to make sure everyone was on board, and he said the ascending words, "Yip, yip."
Once they'd been in the sky for a good hour or so, Katara couldn't stand it any longer. Sure, she loved talking to Reika, and she liked that they were friends, but she couldn't ignore the fact that Aang knew nothing of her and Zuko. She made the decision that had kept her up all night, and went to whisper in Zuko's ear. "Keep Reika company," she urged. Zuko was confused, but when he saw Katara heading over to Aang, he understood everything and nodded.
When Katara reached the daydreaming airbender, she sat across from him. He drifted out of his day dream and looked at Katara. He was so glad it was her. "Don't let me bother you," Katara laughed. "I know your Avatar mediation is important." Aang laughed with her, and said, "No, I was just thinking." This was it, Katara thought, just hook, line, and sinker.
"You looked pretty deep in thought. What were you thinking about?"
Aang, a little caught off guard by the question, let out a frustrated huff. "It's… it's just…" Aang couldn't find the right words to say it. "I…" he tried again. How was he supposed to word this? He glanced at Katara who was smiling patiently at him. He looked up at the sky and decided it was lunch time, though he just wanted an excuse to land.
…
When they found an area surround by trees, Aang jumped off Appa, and turned to Reika and Zuko. "So we need to find some leechi nuts and berries for meals. Katara and I are pretty good at finding leechi nuts, so if it's okay with you, you two can go searching for berries." Though he was talking to Rei, Zuko smiled, "It's fine! Gives Reika and I a chance to get to know each other." Aang felt a pang of jealously hit him, but ignored it because Zuko was one of his best friends. He simply nodded, and turned to Katara. They both disappeared into opposite ends of the forest.
Once Reika and Zuko were out of earshot, the Avatar turned to Katara and sighed as he flopped on the ground. Katara was expecting this, and sat next to him. "Okay Aang, spill," she commanded, with a smile.
"As long as you don't make fun of me or make this anymore awkward than it needs to be," he said. Katara laughed her response and Aang sat searching for the words to say this.
After was seemed like a lifetime to Katara, Aang drew in a breath of air, and blurted out, almost as if he was afraid common sense would get the better of him. "I like Reika." As soon as the words spilled off his tongue, he clamped his mouth shut, and didn't breathe, scared of how Katara was going to react. How did she react?
She flung her arms around the bald monk and smiled, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't understand," Aang said, when she broke the embrace. "That's because I haven't told you, yet!" she announced, overjoyed. Aang was dumbfounded, and sat, completely still, looking at Katara like she was insane. "Tell me what?" he asked, his tone giving way to just how confused he really was.
"Last night," Katara began. "Reika admitted she like you, too!" Now the Avatar's eyes were as big and happy and Katara's. "Really?" he asked. Katara nodded in reply, but was suddenly less cheerful when the Avatar's expression turned much darker and he looked grim.
"What is it?" she asked, sympathetically. "Where do I go from here?" Aang asked, clearly depressed. He hung his head between his knees and sighed. Katara placed one motherly hand on his shoulder and he looked up. "Tell her how you feel," She ordered. Aang looked at her like she belonged in an asylum. "Are you crazy? I already tried that with… well, you." Katara turned a deep shade of pink and blushed at the memory. "It's different this time," she managed to spit out. Aang was, once again, immensely confused. "How do you figure?" He asked.
Katara took a deep breath, attempting the easier wording. "Well, the girl likes you this time." There. She had said it. She had finally brought up the fact that she never saw Aang as anything but a brother and a friend. She glanced over at Aang, who thankfully looked quite unaffected by the comment concerning her and much more interested in the comment concerning Reika. "Rei-Reika likes me?" It was as if he had already forgotten because of just how hard it was to grasp, but Katara nonetheless nodded. Aang just seemed so awed at the mention of a girl liking him.
"So what do I do?" He begged Katara. She inhaled and sighed. "Tell her that you really like her. It's not as hard as you think and you'll be so much happier when it's over with." Aang nodded his understanding and turned to leave before she stopped him. "Aang, wait a second," she stood to follow him. He turned around with a wide grin that showed just how he couldn't retain his joy. "I wanted to tell you before someone else did…" her voice trailed off. "What?" Aang asked. Katara took a deep breath and figured the correct wording. Finally, she said, closing her eyes and holding her breath, "Zuko and I are together." She opened one eyes and then the other as she let her tense breath out. Aang smiled and grasped Katara's hand, "I'm really happy for you two." What he didn't say was the relief he was feeling that Zuko wasn't going to try to hit on Reika. After all, what shot did he stand against the Firelord, himself?
…
When Aang and Katara got back to the camp, Zuko and Reika had already been there waiting for them. They all sat around a circle and chatted while they munched on their leechi nuts and berries. Laughing and joking, just like old times; besides Reika, they all felt nostalgic to their old days of travel
After everyone was full, including Appa, they ascended into the sky and began to finish their last part of the trip: the part when they land in the fire nation.
…
After traveling for hours more, Aang pulled the bison right next to the giant Fire Nation palace, and he crawled into his shed to rest for the night, while the four bipedal animals walked hand in hand towards the gates of the palace.
"Fire Lord Zuko!" One of the slacking guards yelled as he straightened his posture, and saluted his Lord. Zuko dipped his chin, and the guard immediately escorted the Avatar, the Fire Lord, and their girlfriends to the back entrance of the palace; the one strictly for special guests and family. Reika stared questioningly at Aang. "Fire Lord?" She asked. Aang smiled at Reika. "Did I forget to tell you? Zuko's the Fire Lord!" Reika smiled back, though she wondered how something like this slipped his mind.
When they reached the enormous gates, the guard turned and bowed deeply to Zuko. He nodded his appreciation and the guard slipped away. Zuko opened the doors and held it open for his three friends. They all shuffled to the Dining Hall, where a splendid dinner was waiting for them all. When they reached the room where the scent of fried seal was coming from, they were greeted by Suki, Toph, and Sokka. "The servants came and got us," Suki explained, as she noticed the looks of confusion on her friends' faces. "Who's the air bender?" Toph asked the adventurous group. Reika was hiding behind the shoulder of Aang, and when she heard the mention of her, ducked lower and blush a light pink. Sokka looked at Toph like she was crazy. "Um, Toph?" He began, "That's Aang. You know, 'Twinkletoes'?" Toph flung a rock at Sokka, missing him by an inch when he moved to the left. "No you idiot!" Toph practically screamed. "The one behind Aang!" Reika was deepening in shades of color and only crouching lower and lower. Suki and Sokka couldn't see anybody. "Who?" They asked, searching.
Before Aang had a chance to introduce Reika, Toph took manners into her own hands, and Aang was earth bended to the side to reveal a blushing young girl. Katara put her arm around the nervous girl, and smiled at everyone. "Guys, this is Reika." Suki smiled back at the girl, but her boyfriend couldn't quite be that subtle. "Air bender! Air bender! What do you mean 'air bender,' Toph! Aang is the last air bender, remember?" Aang went into an explanation of how he used spirit bending to give Reika air bending abilities and everyone was amazed… everyone that is until the entrees were brought out, and Sokka was distracted by the scrumptious smell of the four nations. To celebrate the Fire Lord's return, the head chef had prepared famous dishes from the four nations, which Sokka couldn't help but inhale deeply and savor every breath until his food was placed in front of him. From the water tribe, piping-hot giant sea crab came out on blue china plates. From the Earth Kingdom, deep-fried pickled radishes awaited to be eaten. From the Fire Nation, hot ginseng tea, a favorite of Zuko's uncle, was served. Lastly, specially made moon peach pies for dessert from the Air Nomads, came out on small saucers with little forks.
They all feasted – some more than others – and after eating the last spoonful of pie, people started dispersing. First Sokka and Suki left to their rooms, and then Toph decided to hit the hay, too. Aang, not wanting to impose on his host and fire bending-master, left the room with Reika, showing her to her room. It was Zuko and Katara all to themselves now, and so Katara scooted her seat closer to her boyfriend, so they could talk without shouting across the room. Katara sat silent for a moment. She twirled her dark hair between her fingers, as she often did when she was nervous. "Excited to be back home?" She finally managed to spill out. "Definitely, no more rocky bed," Zuko nervously laughed. Neither of them knew why they could hardly hold a conversation, and it was frustrating them both.
Katara let out a big yawn, and Zuko caught it. "Are you ready to go to sleep?" he asked politely, as any gentleman would do. Katara smiled and nodded shyly. Zuko stood from his seat and held his hand for Katara to take.
"I'll walk you," he offered. Katara answered by grasping his hand, and allowing him to help her up.
They walked side by side, Zuko with his arms tucked beneath his robes, and Katara with her hands clasped firmly behind her back. Things had gotten strangely more awkward since their arrival in the Fire Nation.
Zuko suddenly turned around. "Well, here we are." Katara noticed that they had walked the entire way without saying a word. She hadn't even felt like she walked ten inches, let alone through a couple of twisting hallways. Katara looked at Zuko, an uncontrollable pink blush creeping into her cheeks. She let her thick hair fall into her tan face, and Zuko felt the blood rushing to his cheeks as well. Whenever he thought just how beautiful the water bender standing before him was, he couldn't help himself, and he just got so nervous.
Katara turned to stand in front of the door way, facing Zuko. "Well," she began, "thanks for walking me to my room." She tried to smile, but the whole situation was immensely awkward. She fidgeted with her thumbs uncomfortably and looked down at her feet.
Before Katara could say or do anything to stop – for even recognized what was happening – Zuko hesitantly moved his face towards hers. His soft lips seemed to be in perfect alignment with hers, making their hearts flutter uncontrollably and to the same beat. He was so gentle, so cautious. It had only been a moment before Zuko pulled away, his smiling gold eyes reflecting off hers. She returned the light smile.
"We should tell everyone," he almost shouted. Katara didn't even try to play dumb. "Tomorrow. At breakfast," he continued. Katara opened her mouth to protest, and tried to speak, but her voice came out all dry and cracked. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I-I'm not so sure I'm ready for that." Zuko was initially hurt, and his expression showed it. "Why?" he asked. "It's not that I don't want people to know!" Katara cleared up. "I mean the only people who don't are Suki, Toph, and –" "and Sokka," Zuko interrupted. Katara bit her lower lip and stared at Zuko with worried blue eyes. He understood. After all he had a sister, too – not that their relationship was exactly relatable to Katara and Sokka's, but it was close enough. "How about this," Katara began, lacing her delicate arms through his strong ones. He embraced her back. "I'll tell Toph and Suki tomorrow, and then Suki can tell Sokka. That way everyone knows, it's just not as… well, public." Zuko smiled and nodded his agreement.
He hugged her tighter, and Katara did the same. She felt so safe and warm encased in his arms. Finally, he did have to loosen his grip. When he did, the cold air rushed back into her. He planted a gentle kiss on her cool forehead, and turned to leave. Katara didn't step in her room until Zuko turned the corner, and was out of sight.