55 months ASC

Aang was in the living room using his airbending to play with Aria (and quite enjoying the small blasts of air that he could entice her to make on her own) while Katara was catching up on some of her scrolls.

"Hmm, here's one from home," she noted aloud.

"From your Dad?" Aang asked.

"No, it looks like….it's from Sokka," she said as she finally recognized the handwriting.

She silently read the scroll.

"Aang, you're not going to believe this," she said to her husband.

"Good news?" Aang asked.

"I think so," she replied.

"What do you mean you 'think so'?" Aang asked.

"My Dad is going to be a Dad again," said Katara.

"You're kidding!" said Aang.

"Kirima's pregnant," explained Katara.

"I think that is wonderful news. They are so good together and now they are going to be parents," said Aang, always the optimist.

"Yeah, I agree about that part. But don't forget how Sokka became chief. Dad was hurt and never really recovered. And he is not as young as he used to be," said Katara, more out of concern than anything else.

Aang got up from the floor and sat down next to Katara and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "They are going to do just fine," said Aang.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Aang awoke late on one beautiful spring morning. He was in a surprisingly good mood – not that he usually wasn't his normal pleasant self. But for some reason, today just seemed different. He took his time greeting his family, performing his morning rituals, and eating his breakfast. Because it was so late, he was virtually the only person in the dining area when he ate his breakfast.

He thought to himself, I think it would be a good day to observe airbender training.

He made his way down to the training area where he watched Youfeng conduct his usual drills. Aang sat on one of the nearby observation benches. He especially enjoyed the sparring. Meifeng and Kanpu were actually going at it quite aggressively. Kanpu was still the youngest by a wide margin. But he had probably come the furthest of any of the six original students. He was now 10 years old and had already been training for quite a few years - and he was very skilled at sparring. Meifeng was on the verge of completing her training and becoming a master, yet when it came to actual combat, Aang wasn't sure which of his students would win the battle.

Practice ended and Aang spoke briefly with Youfeng about his observations from today. Aang was also very proud of Youfeng who had seamlessly taken over the airbender training in his place. Most of the time, their opinions matched and, as a result, Aang had the utmost confidence in his former student.

Aang headed over to his private training area after he had eaten a light lunch (after all, he had a late breakfast). Aria was off to one side blowing a leaf around while Katara worked on her waterbending while attempting to keep an eye on her little girl. Aang joined in and started his own training session.

After a few hours, they both called it quits for the day.

"Are you ready to head home?" asked Katara.

"I'll be there in a few minutes. I need to speak to Youfeng privately about something first," replied Aang.

"Oh, ok," she said to him as they walked towards the main building of the temple together.

Aang made his way to Youfeng's door. He was just about to knock when he heard screaming coming from the inside. He hesitated for just a second when suddenly the door flung open and there stood Meifeng looking like she wanted to rip someone or something apart.

"I don't care what you say. This is my life!" she screamed. She turned to Aang, "I'm sorry, Master. It has been a very bad day." She turned and stormed out of her home.

Youfeng stood there in his living room and stared at his master who was obviously at a loss.

"Aang, come in," Youfeng said. "I'm sorry you had to see that, but we've had some….issues in the family."

"Do I dare ask?" Aang asked his friend.

Youfeng sighed. "Meifeng has just informed Min and me that she is engaged to Kochi."

"I take it congratulations are not in order then?" asked Aang.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm having a hard time letting go," said Youfeng. "And they have been together a while now even considering the short break-up."

"Youfeng, be happy for them. She is already 16, the legal age for engagement and you know he is a good guy," said Aang. "There are definitely worse things that could happen."

"But what about her training?" asked Youfeng.

"You already know she is close," answered Aang. "That is actually the reason I came to see you. I wanted to tell you that I plan on announcing her graduation tonight after dinner. She will receive her tattoos in one month's time after she passes the test."

Youfeng sighed. "Yes, that is great news, Aang. I don't think I have any more excuses left," he said, chuckling ever so slightly.

"So are you two going to be alright?" asked Aang.

"I think so," said Youfeng. "I'll try to track her down so that she's not surprised by the announcement tonight."

"Actually, let's surprise her," replied Aang.

That evening Aang made the big announcement to everyone who lived at the Eastern Air Temple. In one month, Meifeng would become the third master airbender in the world.

Upon hearing the news, Meifeng jumped up surprised and was congratulated by all her friends who were sitting with her in the dining area. Kochi gave her a huge hug and a peck on the lips. She would only need to wait one more month until the test and the ceremony.

She looked over at her parents. Youfeng was staring at her with a proud look in his eye. Meifeng looked over at him and immediately let go of any anger she had being holding towards her parents from earlier this afternoon. She ran over and gave her father a huge hug.

"Now you'll have to decide if you are going to shave this mop off!" said Youfeng teasingly ruffling her hair.

OlOlOlOlOlO

56 months ASC

Shen had arrived from the Fire Nation two days before Meifeng's test with Aang.

Although Aang was no longer her primary teacher anymore, both Youfeng and Aang agreed that Aang would conduct the final test for Meifeng. It would be done in the same location in the Earth Kingdom where Youfeng had passed his test. In an effort for him to get used to testing students, Youfeng would also come along - but to observe only.

Airbender training had been cancelled for the next three days while Meifeng took her test, took part in the ceremony, and then was tattooed. The students would, as they had with Youfeng, serve her every need during the days long tattooing.

Aang, Youfeng, and Meifeng met early in the morning on the airbender training grounds of the Eastern Air Temple. Meifeng looked nervous, but there was something else Aang noted.

"Youfeng, is she alright?" asked Aang privately.

"I think so. She was actually getting sick this morning," Youfeng stated.

"Physically sick?" asked Aang. "You mean like throwing up?"

"Yes, but she seems to have gotten over it now. I think it is just nerves," said Youfeng.

Aang looked over at his soon-to-be-newest master airbender. She just looked worn down – very pale, sort of sweaty, and with dark circles under her eyes.

"Meifeng, are you sure you are up to this?" asked Aang.

"Yes, master," she replied. "I'm very confident I can adequately demonstrate my airbending skills for you today."

"Very well then," said Aang. "Follow me."

The three airbenders then took off for the testing spot.

OlOlOlOlOlOlO

The celebration dinner had been set-up and all that was left to get the party started was the guest of honor, Meifeng. It was getting dark out and most of the residents of the temple were getting a bit ancy. A good number of them had never seen attended such a party – they were still in Qi Cun when Youfeng earned his tattoos, thus they wanted to be a part of this experience. They wanted to see what it was like for a new master airbender to be named.

Deshi looked out over the mountains from the temple grounds and saw what appeared to be a blip on the horizon. "I think they are returning," he said aloud.

"Why do I only see two gliders?" asked Haruko.

"It looks like two people are on one glider," noted Suwan.

As the three airbenders closed in on the Eastern Air Temple, it became more and more apparent that something was wrong. Youfeng was clearly flying his own glider, but Aang was flying his glider while somehow holding a limp Meifeng in his right arm.

"Oh spirits, what happened?" yelled Min, Meifeng's mother as she ran towards their landing spot.

The crowd immediately took somewhat of a somber tone. There was a quiet mumbling that could be heard as the crowd gathered around the three airbenders.

"Katara!" shouted Aang with urgency in his voice.

"Aang! I'm here. What's wrong?" Katara said as she ran up to her husband's side.

"I'm not sure. She passed her test. Right when the final sparring ended and I had told her that she was done, she simply collapsed onto the ground right there and we haven't been able to wake her up since," said Aang.

"How long has she been this way?" asked Katara.

"Probably a little over an hour now," remarked Youfeng, worried for his daughter's health.

"Youfeng, if you don't mind – will you carry her to her bed?" asked Katara.

"Of course," Youfeng replied. He scooped his daughter up in his arms and carried her into the temple itself and up to their home. Behind him walked his entire family, Aang, and Katara. Aang noted that Kochi looked like he was about to step forward, but Aang gave him a look that immediately denoted 'stay here'. As much as he wanted to go with his fiancée, Kochi heeded Aang's warning and didn't push his desire to go with the family.

When Meifeng was placed on her bed, Katara took her water out of her pouch and examined the unconscious teenager. Katara concentrated on Meifeng and tried to figure out what was wrong with her as quickly as possible.

"Min? Youfeng?" Katara tried to get Meifeng's parents's attention.

"Yes?" Min stuck her head inside Meifeng's bedroom door.

"Min, she is very dehydrated. I also do not think she ate anything the day before her test. Can you and the rest of the family go down to the dining area and retrieve some food for Meifeng? Water is good, but the more nutrition we can get into her the better. Juice, fruits and the like."

Min bowed to Katara. Katara turned back to Meifeng and the glowing on her abdomen continued.

"Aang?" Katara said.

"Mmm?" he replied.

"We have a problem here," said Katara.

"What's wrong with her? Is that why you got her family to leave?" Aang asked.

"I wanted to talk to you first," Katara replied.

"You said she passed earlier today, is that right?" asked Katara.

"Yes, she earned her arrows. The test probably wasn't as good as Youfeng's test, but she still showed me everything I would expect a master airbender to know."

"Well, that's something," said Katara. "She is exhausted and dehydrated and needs food."

"Is that it?" asked Aang. "Does she just need to recover?"

"I'm afraid not," said Katara. "She's pregnant."

"WHAT?" shouted Aang.

"She did that all earlier today while she was in the early stages of her pregnancy," said Katara.

"Oh spirits," Aang slapped his forehead. "Youfeng said she was throwing up the morning of the test. I never thought – "

"She'll be fine. She just needs rest and recovery now. I didn't want to tell her family yet," said Katara.

"I'll leave her to you then, Katara," said Aang. "There's a certain someone I need to go talk to."

Aang left Meifeng's home and made his way down to where the other residents were still wondering if the party was going to happen or not. Aang found Haruko and informed her that the party would not be happening nor would the ceremony or the tattooing. At least it wasn't going to happen yet. Haruko didn't ask any questions – she had seen the state Meifeng was in when they arrived back – she merely assumed Meifeng was not going to be up to it.

Aang's next stop was to find Suwan. He asked her to personally inform Shen that his services would not be needed and that Appa would happily take him back to the Fire Nation whenever he desired. Suwan bowed to her master and ran off to find the tattoo artist.

Finally, Aang sat down and waited for the crowed to disperse. As Aang expected, Kochi made his way to Aang to check on his fiancée before he left the dining area.

"Master, is she going to be alright? I didn't press for answers when you took her to her bed, but I'd like to know just the same," said Kochi.

"She's going to be fine, Kochi," replied Aang. "She was exhausted after her test. She had little food in her system and was also dehydrated."

"Wow, I didn't know the test was that hard," noted Kochi.

"It is a very difficult test, but I would never recommend that you take the test without knowing beforehand that you could successfully pass it," said Aang. "In this case, you and Meifeng really threw us for a loop."

"How did I throw you for a loop? Her test had nothing to do with me," said Kochi.

"But it did," said Aang. "You see, she's pregnant."

Aang watched the teenager's face turn ghostly white. "P-Pregnant?" he said.

"Yes, she just did all that today while carrying your child," said Aang. "Pregnancy takes an enormous strain on the body and if I had known, I would have postponed the test until after the baby was born."

"So – you're not mad at us?" asked Kochi.

"I'm not one to judge," said Aang. "Do you think Katara and I waited until we were officially married to make love?"

"You didn't?" asked Kochi.

"Things with airbenders are a little different than with other cultures," explained Aang. "I married a waterbender from the Southern Water Tribe and both you and Meifeng may be airbenders, but you are highly influenced by an Earth Kindom childhood. There really weren't marriage ceremonies in the Air Nomad culture that I grew up in. There was a winter festival held each year and the Air Nomads who were of age would just sort of pair up and bond with each other. This bond was the closest thing we had to marriage. If you go by those rules, you guys are sort of already married."

Kochi was obviously thinking hard about what Aang was saying to him. He had a very alert look to his face as he drank in all the information the Avatar was feeding him.

"Katara and I got married in the Southern Water Tribe, but we had already agreed that in my culture, we were already married," said Aang. He then smiled at Kochi. "You will need to take care of her from now on, Kochi."

"I will," Kochi replied. "I'd like to have our wedding ceremony sooner than later and make it official for everyone." Aang definitely understood what the teen was getting at by that last statement. It was the same reason why he knew he needed to have a formal ceremony with Katara.

"You can make those arrangements with your parents. They love to throw parties and it is just one more opportunity for them to plan a big one," said Aang. "But you do need to do one thing before you plan your wedding."

"What's that?" asked Kochi.

"You need to tell both of your parents that Meifeng's pregnant," said Aang.