A/N: Have some Cloudbaby bonding!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. ^^'

XXV. Heroes

"Mother?"

Katara looked up from her book and smiled at the three figures standing in the doorway of her bedroom in her small house in the Southern Water Tribe. After the recent events, everyone had mutually decided a vacation of sorts was very much in order and consequently, Katara's rather empty house was suddenly very full.

"Bit past your bedtime, isn't it?" She wondered.

"We could ask the same of you," Kya said taking a seat beside her mother on her bed.

"You could, but I don't have much of answer," Katara admitted. "What are you three doing up?"

"Rohan was crying," Tenzin said.

"Kept us all up," Bumi said. "You look like you're having fun."

"I am," Katara said, gesturing to the stack of items splayed out across her bed. Tenzin and Bumi took a seat and examined all the items. There was an assortment of book, albums, paper clippings and even a few records. Kya, Bumi, and Tenzin were all aware of their mother's random bouts of insomnia and they'd seen her often in the early hours of the morning trying to busy herself, but they'd never once seen her like this. Katara often liked to reminiscence, but never to this extent. She seemed to have pulled every last book off the nearest bookshelf and emptied out every last keepsake she'd saved.

"What is all this stuff?" Tenzin wondered.

Katara was about to explain when she was suddenly cut off by a cry of excitement from Kya.

"The Little Turtleduck!" The waterbender cried, holding up a small, hand-bound book made from paper. A cute little turtleduck was drawn on the cover and the title was written in elegant calligraphy. "I can't believe you kept this."

"What on earth is that?" Tenzin demanded.

"My favorite bedtime story," Kya explained. "Dad and I used to make up all these great bedtime stories, but my favorite was the one of Kai, the little turtleduck. We made it into a little book one day. Spent all day just drawing and coloring it."

"I remember that. You stole my calligraphy set," Bumi said.

"Technically, Dad did. And you weren't using it anyway," Kya replied.

"I'd have found a way to use it," Bumi protested.

"Probably by painting targets on me and using me for practice," Tenzin said, dryly.

"Now there's an idea!"

"Boys…"

"Sorry, Mother."

Bumi pulled out an old faded book. "What's this?"

Kya glanced over and smiled. "It's Mom and Dad's going away present for you, remember? The day you left to join the United Forces, they gave you that so you'd always have a piece of home with you, but being the scatterbrained goofball you are, you forgot it. It's probably been sitting here ever since."

"What is it?" Bumi asked, flipping through the pages.

"A scrapbook, I guess." Kya replied. "Mom and Dad got a whole bunch of people to sign it and they put in little pictures and stuff to remind you of home.

Katara gave a soft smile. "Your father was sentimental that way. When you left the book behind, he had half a mind to go bring it to you. But he figured it wouldn't matter because you'd know you always had people waiting for you back home."

Bumi flipped through the pages, skimming the contents.

"Hey, Uncle Zuko signed this! How much do you think his signature is worth?" Bumi asked.

"Bumi!"

"I'm just kidding, Mom. I'm sorry I never even bothered to look at this. You could've sent it anyway."

"I could've, but honestly, your dad didn't have the heart to send it to you, even if it was meant for you."

"Why not?"

"We liked just looking at all your pictures," Katara admitted. "It helped take our mind off of your leaving for the forces."

She flipped the book open to reveal a series of pages with a number of pictures with Bumi in them. There were pictures dating as far back as his first birthday and Bumi couldn't help the smile that worked its way across his face.

"Those were the good days," he said, flipping through the book. "We had so much fun."

"Speak for yourself," Tenzin grumbled. "I always got picked on."

"Aww, come on, Tenny. You know it wasn't that bad."

"Don't call me that!"

"Honestly," Katara laughed. "You three haven't changed a bit."

"Ugh, Bumi, what is that?" Kya demanded, pointing to picture of Bumi with something tied around him. "You look ridiculous."

Bumi glanced at the picture and chuckled. "It was such a long time ago. You were probably too young to remember, but Dad made me these awesome wooden swords and we had a sword fight…until Dad accidently broke Mom's vase and then she got super mad. But that day was great. Dad said I had a lot of talent with the swords."

"More than him, anyway," Katara chuckled.

"Yeah, I beat him pretty good, didn't I?" Bumi chuckled. He traced the photograph. "Mom made this little scabbard for it afterwards and I took it with me everywhere until I joined the United Forces. I wonder what happened to it."

Katara pointed to the small trunk at the foot of her bed and Bumi gaped.

"You kept it?" He wondered, opening the trunk and rummaging around for it. When he finally found it, he nearly cried tears of joy.

"Your father kept it," Katara said, smiling softly. "I thought we should get rid of it because I didn't think you'd need it anymore, but he persuaded me to keep it. After you and Kya left and Tenzin went to the Air Temples to continue his airbending studies, your father and I would just get lost in memories some nights. It made us feel more like parents and less like empty nesters."

"So you've kept all of our stuff?" Tenzin wondered, surveying the piles of items spread out around them.

"All of them," Katara affirmed, handing a stack of papers to Kya. The younger waterbender looked completely lost for a moment before she nearly squealed in excitement.

"Oh, my goodness! I remember these! I was crazy into art when I was younger."

"She was just plain crazy," Bumi whispered to Tenzin. The airbender made no attempt to stifle his laugh and Kya stuck her tongue out at them.

"Where were these?" She asked, glancing at all her sketches and paintings. "I thought you must've thrown them out sometime after I started littering our house with drawings."

"They used to hang on the wall in your father's office in City Hall." Katara replied. She picked up a sketch and smoothed out the old, wrinkled parchment. "Your father always claimed he had the best décor in his office and I'm inclined to agree."

Kya seemed surprised. She hadn't recalled ever giving Aang her drawings, but it might've been possible that she had. Still, she couldn't imagine why Aang would hang them up in his office. It seemed an odd sort of thing to do.

"He really hung them up in his office?"

"Every one," Katara said. "Your Uncle Sokka always said he was so sure you'd become a famous artist after seeing your sketches."

Kya laughed. "I was alright at it. Tenzin was better, but he never liked any of his pieces well enough to save them."

"I don't draw well," Tenzin said, simply. "I was never good at it."

"That's your opinion, dear. Your father and I enjoyed your work very much." Katara stated. "We all did."

"All?" The siblings wondered, glancing at Katara with puzzled looks on their faces.

Katara nodded. "Your father and I, Uncle Sokka and Aunt Suki, Aunt, Toph, Uncle Zuko and aunt Mai, your grandfather and…"

"What? You showed them my horrible drawings?" Tenzin asked, looking appalled.

Katara's eyes twinkled as she handed Tenzin a small hand-bound book.

"When you were much younger, you wrote this wonderful little story about our family and Kya and Bumi helped with the pictures and it's been with me ever since you made it."

"I remember it," Kya said, fondly. "You and Dad were the heroes and we were you sidekicks and we'd defeat the evil Overlord."

"It was supposed to be about you and Dad and your adventures," Tenzin admitted. "But, I don't think I did it justice."

"You did fine, little brother," Bumi said, clapping him on the back. Tenzin smiled and began leafing through the pages as Kya and Bumi glanced at the drawings.

"This was some story," Katara recalled.

"Of course it was," Kya said. "You guys were our heroes."

An odd sort of look came across Katara's face.

"It's funny you should mention that," she mused, getting up and rummaging for something in her closet. With a little difficulty, she pulled out an old phonograph and set it on the nightstand beside the bed. Her children watched her as she pulled an old record out from the small collection she kept and set it on the device.

"Your father once did an interview with a reporter on the radio. You guys probably never knew…"

"Nope."

"Not at all."

"I don't think so."

Katara chuckled. "It was well after you three had left home and we were empty nesters. Your father was completely against doing this interview but the only reason he agreed to it was because Zuko consented, so they sat down and did it. Only two copies of it were ever recorded. Zuko has one and we have the other. I don't know if your father ever intended for you to listen to it, but I think it's something worth hearing."

She set the needle down on and the recording played.

The first segment consisted of the interviewer's exchange with Zuko. It wasn't too long and the trio found it wasn't as bad as they expected. They'd been prepared to listen to some drab interview that was all politics, but it was surprisingly interesting. When Aang was finally introduced, the siblings scooted closer and listened intently.

The interview began as most did with a series of pleasantries exchanged between Aang and the reporter. The two then went on to discuss various things from Republic City to airbending. The segment the siblings were most keen on hearing arrived at last and Bumi shut the door to Katara's room so as not to wake up Pema and the children and turned the volume up.

"Would you mind answering a few, more personal questions?" The reporter asked.

"Not at all," Aang replied. "I'd be happy to."

"Earlier in the program, we spoke with Firelord Zuko who credited his uncle as being the most influential person in his life. Who was the most influential person in your life?"

Aang didn't even pause for a moment before he gave his answer. "Katara."

Three pairs of eyes fixed themselves on her and Kya threw an arm around her mother.

"I knew he was going to say you," she said, smiling.

"What's your biggest regret?" The reporter wondered.

Aang must've been deliberating for a moment because there was a pause before he finally answered.

"Not spending enough time with my family," he answered. "I've tried to spend time with all my kids but I feel like I haven't done a good job of that and that I might've spent too much time doing certain things instead of spending time with them."

Kya and Bumi discreetly exchanged glances.

"What do you think you'd have been if you hadn't been the Avatar?" The reporter asked.

"Oh, that's easy," Aang laughed. "A father."

"No profession?"

"Well, I'm not sure if there's anything I really excel at."

"Always the modest one," the report chuckled. "You don't think you'd be a merchant or anything?"

"Probably not," Aang admitted. "Maybe a farmer. My people were farmers in way."

The reporter murmured something in agreement.

"Now, this next question might be a little odd considering someone of your status, but who is or who are your heroes?"

"This might be a rather unconventional answer," Aang said. "I've always thought of my children as heroes."

"That is rather unconventional," the reporter admitted, chuckling. "It's usually the other way about, isn't it?"

"I suppose so," Aang responded.

"I understand your eldest son joined the United Forces."

"Yes, he did," the airbender said, proudly. Bumi hadn't been there when the interview had taken place, but he liked to think his father was smiling proudly and his eyes were sparkling. "I've always admired that about him. People used to look so shocked when Katara and I mentioned Bumi wasn't a bender and, no one ever told me this outright, but I'm sure some must've been a trifle disappointed that he wasn't an airbender or anything. But, in spite of whatever expectations people may have had, he never let that bother him or stop him from doing what he wanted to do. I'm sure he's a wonderful addition to the forces and I hope I don't sound too arrogant, but I'm sure he's a valuable asset to them. He's a brilliant tactician."

"It must've been hard to lose your son to the army." The reporter stated.

Aang must've shrugged because there was the faintest sound of rustling fabric.

"I don't see it as a loss, really," the Avatar explained. "It's a risky business; that much is true. But I think it's one of the most courageous things a person can do. And the sacrifice one makes in joining the United Forces is truly remarkable. I don't think I'd have had the strength to do what my son did at his age. I'd miss my family and friends too much and I'm probably too selfish to give them up."

"Nonsense! You've lost enough, so it's understandable. Now, I understand your youngest is off studying at the Air Temples."

"Yes. He's undertaken a rather difficult task."

"Oh, yes. I can see why. You must be so thankful that he's an airbender."

"I'm thankful that he's happy," the airbender said. "His bending abilities have nothing to do with it. That he's an airbender is just an added bonus."

"And your daughter?"

"She's currently travelling the world and she's become a master healer, which I really admire. I've always wanted to learn the art of healing, but I never had the affinity for it."

"It must've been difficult to let her go."

"A little," Aang admitted. "But she was destined for greater things than just being an ordinary waterbender. Katara and I both come from different backgrounds, but Kya's found a unique way to blend them together, something neither of us has been able to really do."

"I see. The audience and I would love to have you elaborate, Avatar Aang, but I'm afraid our program is coming to a close, so I'll ask one last question. What do you think your legacy will be, say, a hundred years from now? What do you want to be remembered for?"

"Just as being the father of my children."

"You don't think your legacy will be something greater?"

"I think that's the greatest legacy a father could ask for. To be honest, I haven't given it much thought, but if I had to choose a legacy, that's what I would choose. Years from now, that's probably what people will remember me as: being the father of my three wonderful children."

A round of applause ensued from some unknown source and the program finished with some concluding remarks from the reporter. For a few minutes after the recording had ended, neither one of the siblings said a word. At last, however, Kya broke the silence.

"Did Dad really feel that way?" She asked, gazing at Katara.

The old waterbender smiled. "Of course he did. Your father loved you very much. All of you. I know sometimes it may not have seemed like that, but he didn't do that intentionally. We were both very proud of all of you."

"I miss Dad," Kya said, gazing at an old photo of a much younger Aang and Katara, surrounded by Sokka, Toph, and Zuko.

"We all do," Bumi said. "I'd have never thought that Dad really felt that way. We're just…us."

"Doesn't make you any less wonderful," Katara said.

"But no one considers us heroes, except Dad."

Katara's cerulean eyes twinkled with mirth as she pulled out a piece of parchment which she placed in front of the three siblings. It was a crude drawing of several stick figures but upon further inspection, it was apparent that each stick figure represented someone. There were a cluster of three, representing Tenzin and his siblings and then one very badly drawn Lin. A horribly misshapen Korra stood off to the right and some other indistinguishable figures were drawn behind her.

Tenzin gave a small smile. "Did Meelo draw this?"

Katara nodded. "The children were playing a game earlier and Meelo insisted he draw a sketch to commemorate "the best game ever."'

"What kind of game?" Bumi demanded.

"By the looks of it, they were us," Kya said, pointing to a crude drawing of Oogi in a uniform and Jinora dressed in Water Tribe garb and Meelo himself in airbender garb. Ikki was dressed in an odd sort of uniform that was practically indistinguishable.

"Hey, I'm way better looking than that!" Bumi cried. "I demand a new sketch."

"The point is, to those that matter, you'll always be heroes. Look at the children. They adore you." Katara pointed out. "And you shouldn't doubt yourselves. If there's one thing I've taught you…"

"We know," Kya laughed. "We can do anything if we put out mind to it and all that."

Katara just sighed. "I'll miss all of you when you leave again."

"You could come back with us to Republic City, Mother," Tenzin offered. "The kids would love that."

"No, I wouldn't be of much help," Katara said. "When you're my age, all you want to do is sleep. Or stay awake and contemplate."

"Pema and I would still love to have you."

"That's sweet of you, dear, but I don't think that'll work. You'll all just have to move down here."

"I wouldn't mind that," Bumi said.

Kya made a face. "Speak for yourself. I am not living off of stewed sea prunes. They're disgusting."

Katara just shook her head, but she was smiling. "You are your father's daughter."

The small clock in the room suddenly chimed the hour, breaking the festive mood.

"It's late. You three should get to bed."

"In a bit," Bumi promised. "I want to look at this stuff a bit more."

Kya settled beside him and Tenzin was already leafing through a set of papers, so Katara just let them be and wandered to the sitting room with her book. She managed a full seven chapters and a cup of tea before she felt sleepy enough to venture back to bed. But when she entered her room, her bed was occupied by her three children who'd fallen asleep amid all their old mementos. Silently, so as not to wake them up, she withdrew some blankets from the closet and spread it over them, before tiptoeing out of the room and back to the sitting room. With a smile on her face, she settled into a comfy armchair and gazed out the window, waiting for sleep to take hold. The curtains were partially ajar and Katara thought she caught sight of a familiar figure ascend into the skies, but she made no move to get up and check. Once, she'd have watched the skies frantically to determine whether or not her eyes were playing tricks on her or whether she was really seeing a certain airbender but now, she made no move to do so. Instead, she just smiled and glanced up at the stars, as if somehow knowing Aang might be there somewhere, watching her. With a whispered goodnight followed by her standard declaration of Ilove you, the waterbender closed her eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.

And outside, the stars seemed to glow brighter.