A/N. And here comes Toph!
I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender
Standing in front of the entrance to Earth Rumble VI, Aang couldn't help but think this had been a really stupid idea. It seemed half of the lower classes of Gaoling knew where the tournament was and had gone to watch people smash each other with rocks.
Standing next to Katara, who didn't seem to be convinced either, he couldn't help but think about how she grinned when he had asked how she had extracted this information.
"Oh don't worry… Those guys had a cold shower to calm themselves…" had been her mysterious answer. When they had walked away from the earthbending academy, Aang had shot a quick glance in the alley where the guys had gone. The airbender had laughed aloud, seeing both boys stuck to the walls with ice. Yeah… Typical for Katara!
Sokka, who stood just in front of them, looked at them, with a big grin on his face.
"Aah, finally! Something good to do tonight! No offence guys but listening to your splashing around in a river each evening is not my definition of fun!" The water tribe boy nearly jumped up and down in excitement.
Well, for Aang, it was the definition of fun. Not only was he learning, but also, he could spend time with Katara, without it being weird. When she touched him, he could think it was only for the lesson. What if the touch seemed to linger a bit longer than absolutely necessary?
They bought their tickets from a man who mostly resembled the mountain in which the tournament was being held. Big, impossible to move and looking ageless. Yeah, if they were searching for earthbenders, they would be in the right place. Hopefully.
The arena was built in a sort of ancient crater, with rows of seats going up. In the middle a rectangular space was erected, decorated with the earthbending symbol. The first rows were deserted, while the upper ones were packed.
"Front row seats! Why is nobody sitting here?" He asked himself, letting Sokka go past him, in a move Aang hoped wasn't too obvious. He wanted to sit next to Katara.
Just then, a big rock flew past them, burying itself in the rows next to them.
"I guess that's why!" Sokka looked at the rock, like he was trying to puzzle out how quickly he would have been smashed to a pulp if that rock had hit just a few feet closer.
Aang looked at the arena, where other rocks were flying. Sitting down, the water tribe sibling did the same. Sokka on his right and Katara on his left. He did notice that she sat closer than her brother. Much closer. Their knees were nearly touching…
Shaking his head, the airbender looked at the arena. When the dust cleared, he saw the man who had sold them the tickets, shouting a welcome to the spectators. He introduced himself as Xin Fu, the earthbender referee of the tournament.
A sigh from his left side made Aang look up.
"This is just going to be a bunch of guys chucking rocks at each other, isn't it?" Katara lamented, looking bored out of her mind. The airbender could understand that. It wasn't his cup of tea either, but if by any chance, his earthbender teacher could be found here, he had to sit it out.
"That's what I paid for!" Sokka exclaimed excitedly, turning his attention to the guy explaining the rules of the tournament. Aang didn't care. He wasn't here for the tournament, but to see earthbending.
"I know it is not really something that you like Katara… But who knows? Maybe it will be fun?" He said quietly, gently pushing her with his arm.
"Yeah… maybe…" the waterbender didn't seem convinced.
A man entered the arena, and Aang could immediately tell he was a favourite to the crowd. He was built like a professional earthbender, wearing green shorts and his hair in a traditional Earth Kingdom topknot. He actually seemed… capable? Not like the other guy, who looked frightening, but not quite there in the head. Seriously? The Big Bad Hippo? What was that for a name?
"Listen Hippo! You may be big, but you ain't bad! The Boulder is going o win this, in a landslide!"
Alright. He had seemed capable. But now, Aang didn't really like the tone, or even the whole persona of the Boulder. They watched as the wrestler threw THe Big Bad Hippo out of the arena in less than a minute.
"How about the Boulder? He's got some good moves!" Katara actually sounded… impressed? No, more like hoping to get out of here as soon as possible. Aang could only share the feeling, but no…
"I don't know… Bumi said I need a teacher who listens to the earth… This guy seems to only listen to his big muscles." He laughed quietly, and his heart skipped a beat when Katara also smiled, not at the joke… But at him, no?
"What do you think Sokka?"
Turning towards the water tribe boy, Aang couldn't help but laugh. Sokka was being himself, shouting and cheering with the crowd, clearly a fan.
They watched, as the Boulder threw each of his opponents out of the ring. He was unbeatable, and Aang got actually a bit impressed. Even if the guy wasn't exactly what he wanted, he would be a good alternative, if they couldn't find the perfect fit.
After several matches, Xin Fu announced that the Boulder was going to fight the defending champion. That guy needed to be a monster if he was even better than the Boulder! Like… One of the best earthbenders! Maybe even on Bumi's level! Aang stood up, watching around the arena for the biggest, meanest guy he could find.
He heard Katara gasp beside him, and when he turned towards her, she pointed to one of the corners of the arena, cast into the shadows. There, a small figure was standing.
That person stepped into the light, holding a belt above their head.
"Now! The moment you've all been waiting for! The boulder versus… THE BLIND BANDIT!"
The crowds went mad, but Aang could only stare… That was the champion?
The champion was a small girl! Maybe around his own age, but at least a head smaller than Aang.
"She can't really be blind? That's just part of her character!" Katara sounded concerned, looking from the Boulder to the small girl.
But Aang could see the milky eyes, even from this distance. He had seen those kind of eyes several times, mostly with the very old Sky Bisons at the Temple.
"I think she is…" He said, amazed. What was this?
"I think she is going down! Whoooo! Boulder!" Sokka shouted in the airbender's ear.
"The Boulder feels conflicted, fighting a young blind girl!" The man actually sounded confused, like he wasn't totally sure what was happening. No kidding. Aang would also have his reservations about fighting her. Not only would she not see him coming, but she could never defend herself against attacks from behind…
A high-pitched voice sounded from the arena, quieting the while crowd.
"Sounds to me like you're scared, Boulder!"
Spirits… Was she crazy?
"The boulder is over his confliction, and now he is ready to bury you in a rock-alanche!"
"Whenever you're ready… the Pebble!" The girl laughed, and Aang felt his mouth fall wide open…
That laugh… he had heard it before… In the swamp! The girl in the swamp! The only in fancy clothes! With the flying boar!
"Katara! That is her! That is the girl from the swamp!" He nearly shouted in her ear, jumping up and down.
"Wait! What? How? She can't be! You told me that what she looked like! That isn't remotely close!" The waterbender sounded dubious.
"I know! But still! It is her!"
They watched as the Boulder attacked... and failed. The Blind Bandit just moved a foot, and the attack was deflected. And turned against the man in front of her. He got turned around, prodded with rocks at places Aang could only cringe looking at. That had to hurt… With one small move, the girl bent three rocks out of the ground, and threw the Boulder out of the arena…
While Xin Fu announced the winner, Katara pulled at his arm.
"How did she do that?"
"She waited… and listened…" The revelation made him think of all the possibilities! He would have a teacher! A good one! And with time to spare! With such a good earthbending teacher, he would learn it in no time!
"To make it a little more interesting! I'm offering this bag of gold, to anyone who can defeat the Blind Bandit!" Xin Fu revealed to the crowd, but no one moved. They were just too stunned.
Aang got up, and before Sokka or Katara could stop him, jumped down. He didn't care, he just wanted to introduce himself! Xin Fu quickly got out of the way.
"Do people really want to see two little girls fighting out here?" the small earthbender shouted. Aang had to smile. That was actually a good joke!
"I don't really want to fight you! I want to talk to you!" He quickly glanced back to his friends, only to see Katara slap her brother for some reason. Back to the matter at hand.
The ground flew up just beneath his feet, clearly being bent by the young girl. He used some subtle airbending to shift himself away from the flying rocks.
"Somebody's a little light on his feet! What is your fighting name? The Fancy Dancer?" She sounded angry… Why? Another attack followed, but he managed to jump overhead, landing gently behind her. He couldn't hear what she said next, but he tried to be heard above the shouts of the crowd.
"Wait, please!" But a rock flew straight towards his head. Reacting on instinct, he blew the great stone away. Only then did he see that the wind also blew the Blind Bandit from the arena…
A shocked silence followed. A cheer could be heard, then another. Soon the whole stadium was shouting the name Fancy Dancer. Yay… He would be known as that now. He could already hear Sokka teasing him that evening at the campfire…
Quickly running towards where the girl was marching off, he shouted,
'Please! Wait! I need an earthbending teacher! And I think it was supposed to be you!"
"Whoever you are. Leave. Me. Alone!" She answered, sounding… Disappointed? Angry? Sad? All three if he should guess…
They got the bag filled with gold coins. Xin Fu seemed a bit irritated, but in front of a whole crowd, he couldn't withhold the price. He gave it to Sokka, and also the champion's belt. Aang wasn't feeling victorious or happy. His only shot at a good teacher… wasted.
While they walked towards their camp, Aang listened to Sokka, telling stories about how he had also won a tournament back home.
"Yeah, against the toddlers." Katara muttered, shutting her brother up. When they arrived at their camp site, Aang sat down next to Appa. He was still feeling dejected. Would someone know who she was? Would anyone want to help him find her?
"Aang?" The waterbender's voice sounded. He turned towards her, seeing that Sokka was too preoccupied with trying on the champion's belt. Katara stood in front of him, with a small bowl of rice.
Taking it gratefully, he began to eat. Katara sat down next to him.
"Don't worry, tomorrow we are going back to Goaling. And we will find her!" She said, smiling shyly at him.
"Yeah, we will! And she will teach me! This is the one Bumi meant. The one who understands 'neutral Jing', whatever that is." The airbender munched on his food, thinking the whole thing over. He had stolen her champion belt. He had taken away the one thing she was probably most proud of. Of course, the girl would hate him.
"Aang? Could I ask you a question?" The words sounded hesitant, and kind of out of the blue. He nodded, while putting some of his food in his mouth. That would make sure he didn't blurt out the first thing that passed his mind, like I would rather kiss you than die, that is a compliment.
"How did the Air Nomads… see love?" Her voice sounded small, and she looked just past him.
His mind went blank. Pardon? Air Nomads… love… how did they see it… What? Where did this come from? Oh Spirits, don't screw this up. Don't! Swallowing his food, he looked at the big blue eyes. In those he saw hesitation, shyness and… something else. He couldn't really place it.
"Ehm… W-what do y-you mean?" Calm Aang. Just go with it. This is the moment he had been waiting for! No?
"Well… While you were at that lesson… We found a book at one of the shops… About Air Nomads… It sounded like… They only thought about the physical part of a relationship…" The last words made her blush he saw.
"Air people's ideas of lovemaking?" Aang couldn't help but laugh. This was not the conversation he had hoped for, but it was still great.
"Yeah! How do you know it?" Katara asked, with a frown on her face.
"It has been around before I was even born! Every temple had at least one!" He continued to laugh.
"You mean… Monks and nuns had books about… that?" The waterbender sounded puzzled.
"Of course! It's not like they were celibate. Far from it!" He said, barely containing his amusement, but the look on Katara's face made him stop.
She looked… Sad? Disappointed? Why?
"So it's true…" Her voice sounded so small…
"What is true?"
"That Air Nomads were a bit… loose? That is what every legend or history book says…" Oh. Oh! No! She thought he had kissed her only out of lust! No, no, no!
"Of course not! That is not true at all! Yes, Air Nomads were different from other nations! But no, we didn't go around and sleep with every man or woman we laid our eyes on!" He had to explain. Meaning, that he had to open up some more about his people. Thank the Spirits Sokka was not here.
"Most nations considered us… Strange. Air Nomads didn't… judge someone. If a man loved another man, it was alright. Two women loving each other was also no problem. There was only one rule : That no one could tell you how to love someone. You could live with someone, without being married. If you wanted to be married, that was alright. There were just… no rules. Only those a couple gave themselves." He took her hand, and the airbender could feel the familiar tug in his heart, that was present each time he touched or talked to the waterbender.
Katara looked up, and a small smile was on her lips.
"And what were your rules?" She asked quietly. Aang could feel the heat rush to his face. Now, this was the conversation he had wanted to have.
"Simple. I would never be with someone just to be with them physically." Spirits thank you, finally a good answer! He had to keep the ball rolling now!
"And how do the Water Tribes see it?" He asked, while gently touching the palm of her hand with his thumb. She hadn't removed her hand. Katara was even looking at it with a small smile.
"Well… You know how it is. Women and men are not equal. The South is a bit different, but not that much. Woman's work is cooking, cleaning, having children. Some of the couples were different, and the roles were much more equal. My parents were like that, for example. Dad never stopped Mum when she wanted to come with the hunt. I recall even an instance when she went with my grandfather, while Dad stayed to look after Sokka and me."
"As long as the two had an understanding and respected each other. That is the most important." Aang said, barely above a whisper.
Katara nodded, smiling. The airbender removed his hand slowly and continued to eat. Sitting in silence, he couldn't help but think about this day… They had found someone who was a good candidate for being his teacher. And Katara and him were talking about… relationships. Maybe… Just maybe… Things were looking up. Finally.
Answers :
Gabriela N. Gonzalez : Yeah, I want to show that it isn't onesided or something. And that the other also knows there is something there, but still doesn't know what exactly!
Bay45220 : Well, here is Toph! Still not very different from the show, but I also look forward to add her to the dynamic!
CoyoteLemon : Yeah, I hope this also adds to it! It made it clearer how they see relationships, and how this will move forward!
Ashley Barbosa : I wanted to add a bit a more scumbag moves, like the two gus asking something inappropriate of her. These kind of things will have a bigger role further down the story…