The next morning, Iroh, Toph, and Ursa gathered a small staff and the smaller vessel to head back to Ba Sing Se. They were set to leave at dawn, and everyone gathered to see them off- everyone except Katara. Tenzin was there, but she was not.

Aang was the last one to arrive, and he was physically dragging. He felt like he needed to sleep for a month straight, but he couldn't miss the send off of his friends. After a few hugs and quick goodbyes, they set sail.

Aang couldn't believe that Katara would miss them leaving. She had always liked Ursa… she liked any baby that was out in front of her. Since she helped raise Ursa, he wouldn't imagine her not saying goodbye, even if it wasn't for a long period of time. And then there was Toph. There's no way she would miss saying goodbye to one of her best friends.

Curiosity got the best of him, and Aang approached Sokka. "Where's Katara?"

Sokka cocked his head at him in confusion before softening his face. "She came earlier and left before you got here."

"What? Why?" Aang was saddened by the fact that she didn't want to see him or risk running into him.

"She said she was tired. Tenzin's going to hang out with Suki and me for a bit."

"She didn't want to see me, right? She's still mad," he scoffed. Aang couldn't believe how childish she was being.

Sokka sighed and placed a hand on Aang's shoulder. "Aang, she went through a lot to bring you back, and you yelled at her. She's hurting too."

Sokka's words hit Aang like a brick wall. He forgot that Katara had entered the Spirit World and killed Koh to save his life. He was too busy being selfish to realize that she was struggling too.

Aang's head fell back as he groaned. "Sokka, why can't I get anything right?"

Sokka chuckled a bit at his friend. His torture wasn't funny, but it was fun to watch him dig a deeper hole. "It'll all work out, Aang. Katara needed to blow off some steam for a bit, and then you should ask her to tell you her story- from the beginning. She's going to want to leave out a lot but tell her you need to hear it."

Aang nodded. Sokka was right once again. He would give Katara some space, like she was giving him. Then, they could talk things out. They could do this.

"Now," Sokka said in a fatherly voice. "Go get some more sleep. You have dark bags under your eyes, and its kind of freaking me out."

Aang laughed. He supposed that he looked as tired as he felt. "Thanks a lot, Sokka."

"Anytime, buddy."

Aang slept through breakfast and lunch. Once he was finally rested, he took a hot shower to erase the last lingering bits of the strange chill away. He put on new clothes that were provided for him. They were a longer replica of the clothes he used to wear when Katara and him visited the Fire Nation. Sometimes, he'd wear their clothing to disguise himself when they roamed the city. It wasn't always fun being the Avatar.

When he finally emerged from his room, it was late afternoon. The staff was on the deck preparing the table for dinner, and Sokka and Suki were playing a game he didn't recognize with Tenzin.

He glanced around for Katara, but she wasn't anywhere on the deck. He sighed. How was he supposed to make things right with her if she was avoiding him?

When Tenzin caught sight of his father, the game was quickly forgotten. "Daddy!" He squealed and ran to his father. At the last second, Tenzin used a gust of air to propel himself into the air. Aang caught him in his arms with ease. "You slept for forever!"

Aang laughed and shrugged. "I was really tired." It was true. In fact, he still felt tired, but he couldn't sleep anymore. He was restless.

Tenzin wiggled his way out of Aang's arms. "I want to learn more airbending," he demanded with his hands on his hips.

This statement made Aang laugh again. He sounded just like Katara did when she was learning waterbending. He smiled softly at his son and nodded. He was going to have a hard time telling that boy "no" one day.

Sokka approached the two of them. "He's all yours, Aang," he said with a yawn. "That kid wears me out, kinda reminds me of you as a kid. You should try to wear him out." Then, he and Suki departed through the door.

Katara felt silly. She was hiding from Aang in her room like a teenager, but she couldn't find it in herself to face him. She was embarrassed at her outburst last night. She didn't even know where it came from. One second, they were happy. The next, she felt like Aang was opposing her parenting.

Everything they both said was true.

He had one day of parenting experience while she had five years. He didn't know how to be a father. This was all sprung on him, and she should try to be more understanding of that. They really hadn't talked about their plan to parent. They really hadn't talked about anything- where they'd live, if they were even together, or what their next steps are.

She huffed on her bed and turned over. Part of her wanted to lie there all day. She had her breakfast and lunch sent to her room, and she could eat breakfast there too. But she felt bad for sticking Sokka and Suki with Tenzin. Katara sent for him to take a nap. Once he was awake again, all he wanted to do was practice his bending on the deck.

The other part of her wanted to find Aang and confess everything to him. She wanted to tell him all of her fears and hopes and wishes. She didn't want to freak him out but keeping it in was hurting them.

She was scared he'd run.

He did it before… many times, actually. When things get hard, he runs. He avoids the conflict until its unavoidable. It was his nature.

She was scared that he would choose the world over her this time. He hadn't before, but things are different now. Back then, the world was settling into peace. Peace was still there today, but the world had been without an Avatar for five years. They needed him.

But she needed him too. Tenzin needed him.

Being the good-natured guy he was, Katara knew the Aang would abandon them, but she didn't want to feel like an obligation. She didn't want to make him feel like he was living an unhappy life… a life that wasn't his choice.

She was scared. She was more scared then when he went originally went missing or when she went into the Spirit World. She knew he was there now. She couldn't live without him.

Katara rolled onto her back and cursed at the grey ceiling. Her abandonment issues weren't only because of Aang. Her mother left her when she was very young, but it wasn't her fault she was murdered. Katara had almost worked out all of those issues, but she still got teary eyed whenever Tenzin asked questions about her. Her father left her and Sokka to defend their tribe a few years later. He was warrior and sat out of the war for too long. She couldn't blame him for answering his calling, but it still hurt. They had many talks about that, but it still hurt.

Then, there was Aang. She had finally opened her heart to him when she realized he had had it all along. It wasn't his fault that his destiny was to end a horrible war at the young age of twelve. It didn't help that he was a passive monk either. Sometimes, all they could do was run.

But he left them on the boat after he was shot by lightening. Then, he sleepwalked away before the fight with the Firelord. Then, he would leave her for Avatar duties. Then, he never came back.

But he was back now, and things were difficult and different. He had left her many times, but could he leave Tenzin?

A sharp knock on her metal door snapped her out of her thoughts. She jolted out of bed and cracked open the door. Her heart froze.

It was guard. "Lady Katara, dinner is about to be served."

Katara felt her heart drop a little. She wanted it to be Aang. "Um, thank you. I'll take it in my room."

The guard gave her a bow before turning to leave.

She shut the door behind him and returned to her bed with a huff.

They were called to dinner as the sun began to set. Aang sighed at it. It was not as beautiful as the sun set in Ba Sing Se that plagued his dreams lately. But maybe it was enhanced by an even more beautiful brunette in green.

Tenzin told him exactly where to sit, and he followed the directions. Suki and Sokka joined them in a sleepy haze. Aang noted that they still looked tired. Everyone must have been as tired as he was. They were here living while he slept in the Spirit World...

In his defense, he did almost die.

"Katara?" Sokka gave him a confused look.

Aang shook his head but did not answer. A female servant placed the first course in front of them and said, "Lady Katara requested her meal be served in her room." Then, she walked away.

Sokka was fuming. "I can't believe it. She's done this all day!"

Suki shushed him. "Sokka, calm down. She's tired and upset. Let her be lonely in her room. Besides, she's not the only one missing…" Suki trailed off as she looked around their circle.

She was right. It was only then that anyone noticed they were one person short.

Zuko wasn't there.

"Where's Zuko?" Tenzin asked.

"I'm sure he's busy with Azula," Sokka answered him quickly. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen since Iroh, Ursa, and Toph left. He was sure that Zuko wasn't hiding out in his room like Katara, but he was still worried for his friend.

Sokka was concerned for Zuko's mental state. He saw how destroyed Zuko was when Mai died. He was lonely and scared. Katara built him back up, and now she was going to leave him too. It wasn't her responsibility to take care of him, but Sokka still feared that he might not be able to recover.

"Should I be helping him?" Aang asked. He was the Avatar after all.

"No, I think him and Iroh have the trial planned. If he needs you, he'll let you know."

"Can you explain the trial to me?"

Sokka and Suki gave Aang an odd look. "We talked about it a lot last night at dinner…" Sokka tried to jog his memory.

"Oh, right. I guess I wasn't paying attention."

"That's okay," Suki tried to put his mind at ease. "I guess no one really told you about it."

"It was Suki's idea," Sokka smiled proudly at her. "She suggested that we hold a trial for Azula. There will be seven people from around the world there to decide her fate. We will present the evidence against her, and she can present the evidence to defend herself."

Aang rolled his eyes. "Sokka, I know what a trial is. Remember Chin?"

"Oh, right…" Sokka did remember the time that he got to play detective. Then, his face fell when he remembered the biased mayor. "It won't be completely like that. Zuko wants to keep it fair. He won't have a say at all."

"Hmm, that's interesting," Aang pondered the idea for a moment. He knew that Zuko was trying to be a peaceful and fair leader, but he what if this didn't work out in his favor. Sure, Azula is mentally unstable, but she was very persuasive before. "Who will the seven people be?"

"I think he's already decided," Suki said. "We talked about it being people from different Nations and of different statuses."

"He's even trying to find people that have never heard of her," Sokka chimed in. "Like the swamp people… but a little more intelligent than the swamp people."

"How will he find those people?" Tenzin asked. Zuko hardly left the Palace. How would he find people that don't gossip?

"Uncle Iroh knows a lot of people," Sokka answered for him.

The conversation shifted, but Aang wasn't paying attention anymore. He had a bad feeling in his gut. Azula was unpredictable, and he could only pray to the Spirits that she be served a rightful sentence.

He couldn't concentrate. He felt useless.

Tenzin wanted his attention. He wanted to learn more airbending, but Aang was too tired. Instead, he watched as Sokka and Suki played a game with him. It looked like Pai Sho, but it was simpler. Tenzin seemed to enjoy it.

So instead of playing with them, Aang used this time to collect his thoughts and to focus on all of the new things happening. He hoped it would make his mind feel less cluttered.

Zuko had the trial under control and didn't need his help. That felt strange. Before he went missing, Zuko always needed Aang's help. He would practice speeches and ask Aang for advice. Now, he seemed to be more independent. Aang felt bad that he wasn't there for his friend. Ruling a nation with a struggling image couldn't have been easy…

Losing Mai would have only made it worse, and the idea of having to raise Ursa by himself. If Aang remembered correctly, Ursa was a momma's girl. She didn't want anything to do with Zuko. Nevertheless, Zuko tried his best.

Aang couldn't image losing Katara for forever. If she were killed, it would kill him. If Tenzin's life was in danger, he'd do exactly what Zuko did- send him away with Uncle Iroh to learn firebends, never staying in one spot for too long, and learning to become the next ruler- even if it hurt him.

Azula was on the lowest level of the ship being fed soup via waterbenders. She hadn't caused any problems yet, but that didn't surprise Aang. She seemed depressed when he talked to her. Still, he knew her better than that. She was waiting for someone to let their guard down.

Sokka and Suki looked more in love than they did five years ago. Aang couldn't believe that they had put their lives on hold to hunt Azula for all that time. Before he disappeared, Aang remembered that they wanted to have kids and raise them as warriors.

Aang felt terrible. If he was there, Azula would have been found sooner. Now, maybe Sokka and Suki would have children, cousins for Tenzin to grow up and play with. Yet, here they were as happy as ever.

Aang wished he and Katara could be as happy as they were.

Then, there was Katara. She told him that she loved him, but she had still changed. She got older and more mature. She was a mother. Meanwhile, Aang still felt like a silly teenager.

He didn't know how to feel about her. He was still as confused as ever. She rejected his proposal, he went missing, she came to the Spirit World, killed Koh, brought him back to the Physical World, and then brought him back to life… She loved him. He loved her, but he knew that it was only a matter of time before she was rejecting him again.

She saw his parenting as failure, even though he wasn't sure what he did wrong. He had not matured like she had. He still believed in destiny, and he still wanted a life with her. Sooner or later, she would remember why she didn't want to marry him in the first place.

When the sun had finally disappeared below the horizon, a guard appeared from inside. He told the small group, "Young Tenzin, your mother requests your presence." Then, he turned to Aang. "Avatar Aang, Firelord Zuko would requests your presence in his office. I will show you the way."

The guard led Aang back inside while Sokka and Suki dropped Tenzin off at Katara's room. Zuko's office was on the level before, and Aang was surprised at the stack of papers sitting on his desk.

"Thank you, Mozo," Zuko said dismissing the guard. "Aang, please sit."

Aang did as he was told, but he noticed the dark circles under Zuko's eyes. He must've been at this for a while.

Zuko tried to push his nervousness and anger aside. He still felt awkward around Aang since their last talk did not go well. He also didn't understand why Aang agreed to take Azula's being if he was only going to back out. Now, things were worse.

"Aang," Zuko started. "I thought now would be a good time to discuss some Avatar business you missed while you were gone."

Aang nodded again. The world didn't stop just because he was gone.

Zuko continued, "The White Lotus, the other world leaders, and I have handled most of it, but I think it's important to catch you up. I'll leave the major details to Katara, but I'll try to fill in the political parts. What's the last thing you remember happening?"

Katara rejecting me.

"We had just returned to the South Pole from Ursa's birthday. Katara's birthday was coming up, and I was supposed to be back from Omashu for her party… Bumi was trying to find a successor, and he wanted my help." Aang tried to remember more, but he couldn't.

"Yes, Katara and Sokka sent letters to the entire world seeking your whereabouts. We were all worried when Bumi told us you had never arrived. We sent out search parties and offered awards, but it didn't work. No one could find you. Around that time, Azula broke out of prison and began to terrorize everyone, but you already know that. Mai's funeral was huge. All of the world leaders came to pay their respects, including Bumi. After the funeral, he stayed for a couple of days. Sokka helped him review his options, and they picked a successor. After Tenzin turned one, Bumi's health took a turn. We all went to Omashu and stayed until he passed away. It was peaceful, and he was ready."

Aang tried to digest this. Sokka had already told him about Bumi's passing, but it didn't fully sink in at the time. There were too many other things going on. Now, he heard the words, he felt them in his heart. Bumi was the last person he had from his life before the war. Of course, he was like one hundred and seventeen years old, but it didn't feel real.

He thought Bumi would live forever.

"The new king is named Mano, and he's doing a great job. The city has been fully restored and has new security measures. A trade route has been established, and they are thriving economically."

Aang swallowed hard. "I'm glad to hear that," his voice was raspy, and he feared he may cry. This wasn't his life, and he wished to return to the one before.

Zuko studied his friend for a moment. Aang looked pale, and his eyes were glistening. He knew it wasn't easy, but he had to continue. "That same year was the fifth-year anniversary since the end of the war. We held a peace meeting in Ba Sing Se to discuss things like trade routes and land disputes. Honestly, it went really well. There wasn't a lot of problems. King Kuei threw an extravagant party at the end.

"The only problem we were having was the Fire Nation Colonies, but I think you were here for the beginning of that. They were Earth Kingdom towns, but the Fire Nation invaded. King Kuei wanted the Fire Nation to evacuate completely, but I didn't want to disrupt lives that consisted of both nations."

Aang perked up a bit. Finally, this was something he remembered. "I remember that! Our solution was to let them be because of factory jobs that needed both benders, and there were mixed nation families being ripped apart. It would belong to both the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom."

"Yeah, but we've run into more problems there. We created a council of Three Fire Nation representatives, three Earth Kingdom representatives, and one Water Tribe representative to make decisions. King Kuei and I make the final decisions, but its easier to avoid conflict when things get filtered through the council first."

"Wow, that sounds like a great solution, Zuko." Aang was impressed. If only the initial conflict had been that easy to resolve. Another war almost started because of both leader's stubbornness.

"Well, it wasn't my idea, so I can't take the credit for it. Sokka and Suki actually came up with the idea, but I think it was more Suki than Sokka," Zuko laughed.

"Wow, Sokka and Suki have become very political," Aang was amazed. This wasn't the Sokka and Suki he knew.

"Yeah," Zuko rubbed the back of his neck. "They had to step up since you were gone. Someone had to find ways to keep the peace. Ever since Sokka gave up wanting to be Chief, he's become very neutral."

For a moment, he felt guilt that his friends had to take over the burden of being the Avatar because he was not there. It was his duty, not someone else's. Once again, he blamed himself for Sokka and Suki not being able to live a happy life. Then, Aang's mind froze. "Wait, what?"

Zuko gave him a confused look before it hit him. "Sokka?" He asked.

Aang nodded. "He doesn't want to be Chief of the Southern Water Tribe?" Why hadn't Sokka mentioned that?

"Yeah, he said that he loved his Tribe, but he couldn't do it justice. He wanted to help the world on a larger scale. The Chief should be someone who can live there full time and understand their needs. He and Suki wanted to travel the world and settle down on Kyoshi. Don't tell him, but the White Lotus is very interested in him."

Aang's eyes were wide with surprise. "So… Katara is next in line."

Zuko looked away from Aang with a sad look. "Katara has also declined. She left the Tribe when she was pregnant with Tenzin to avoid scrutiny. They would never accept her as an unmarried woman with a child."

Aang's heart sunk. He should've been there. He should've been there for Katara and Tenzin. They needed him, but he was no where to be found. How could Katara ever forgive him? "That's ridiculous."

"I agree, but the South Pole is very traditional. She hasn't been back since."

That surprised Aang. "But she didn't want to leave there when I asked her to."

"She had no other choice, Aang. She's hidden Tenzin from most of the world. Only our close friends know about him… and the people in the market at the Capital City. They love to shop there, but a lot of people don't recognize her. Actually, they think he's my child…" Zuko trailed off when he remembered who he was talking to.

Aang just shook his head and let out a small laugh. "Yeah, I could see that. I thought the same thing when I saw him."

"I wanted to put the rumors to rest, but Katara didn't. It was safer for a few people to think that their Firelord had a secret child than for the whole world to know that the missing Avatar had a child. They would have become an easy target, especially with the idea that there may be another airbender in the world."

Aang saw the logic there, but he still felt jealous. He wanted the world to know that Tenzin was his. He and Katara had created the most beautiful, smart, and funny little boy. He was the future of the Air Nomads and the key to restoring balance in the world.

Zuko grew nervous at Aang's silence. His friend was deep in thought, and Zuko was scared of his wrath once again. He knew it was crazy to think that Aang would lash out at him, but the Avatar State didn't care about friendships.

Finally, Aang said, "I understand. What else has happened?"

Zuko was thankful for the chance to change the subject. "This year is the ninth year since the end of the war. Next year, there will be another peace meeting. The other world leaders and I have been discussing the next location because we want it to be in different nations. The next nation is the Fire Nation, and I plan to announce the location at Azula's trial. There will be a lot of important people there."

"So, the trial will be at Capital City?"

"Yes," Zuko nodded. "We have the best security and the best place for large crowds to gather."

"Where are you thinking about having the peace meeting?"

"That's what I'm not sure of. Capital City is the only place some of the world leaders have ever seen. I want them to know that the Fire Nation is so much more."

Aang looked at his friend in awe. Zuko had come a long way in five years. At the beginning of his reign, Zuko cared about his people and the image his people had of the Firelord. It seems like he has that under control now. He didn't need Aang's help. Now, he has to worry about the rest of the world.

He didn't need Aang's help. If Aang was never found, Zuko would have figured out the answers on his own. He was asking for his help.

Aang smiled. Maybe things could go back to normal between them.

"I am a big fan of Ember Island as long as you ban them from putting on a play."

Zuko chuckled. "I'll look into that, but that's a good idea. Actually, Ember Island has changed a lot too."

Aang rolled his eyes. "Let me guess. The tourism industry has exploded, and the island is a vacation hotpot."

"Well, you're not wrong. The tourism industry did explode, and the beach is a great place for vacations, but there was a horrible hurricane last year that destroyed a lot of the houses on the beach. We've been rebuilding ever since."

"A hurricane?"

"It's not uncommon, but this one was… well, it was different. It was too powerful."

Aang titled his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Uncle Iroh told me he thought the hurricane had a spiritual energy around it."

"You think a spirit created the hurricane?" Aang's eyes went wide. That was a serious accusation.

"I'm not opposed to the idea. In fact, a lot of strange things have been happening since you disappeared."

Aang swallowed hard. "The world was out of balance without me… without the Avatar…" Aang couldn't believe it. He knew something like this would happen without him. Wars were created and nations were wiped out the last time he went missing, and that was enough. Maybe people didn't have time to worry about why the weather was so drastic.

"But you're back now, and the air nation is on its way to being restored…" Zuko trailed off awkwardly. The thought of Aang and Katara having more airbending children made him feel sick.

Aang scoffed. "She'll probably never talk to me again."

"What?" Zuko asked suddenly. "What happened? The last time I saw you two, she couldn't take her eyes off of you."

Aang sighed. "I messed up last night. She was parenting Tenzin, and I didn't agree with her. Now, she's never going to talk to me again. She's been hiding in her room all day."

Zuko laughed loudly before quickly stopping once he saw Aang's facial expression. "Sorry. I was just remembering the first time I did that. She froze me to a wall."

Aang cringed. "What should I do?"

Zuko sighed. "Katara has a huge temper, so you're going to need a plan before you talk to her. Here's what you should do…"