NOTE: Instances of violence and smoking in this one.

Chapter III: Meet Ruon

Tennis Court - Ba Sing Se University

A couple of days later

Aang then took his usual seat on the bleachers. He then reached inside his left jean pocket and pulled out his small bead necklace. It was made of small wooden beads held together by a bit of brown string. What looked like the molding of a small praying monk was at the center of it holding everything together. Aang then wrapped the beads around his left hand with the monk molding hanging from his left hand. He then closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "Amanae chia maki sho." The words were in Panto, the ancient language of the Nomads and meant 'May the spirits grant me peace' The people of the Air Temples were a very spiritual people. Despite the modernized state of the world they lived in, they still held true to the spiritual beliefs of the first generation of Air Nomads long ago. Aang's people believed that such dedication to the spirits that gave all humanity life was the key to true enlightenment and happiness. Despite his rather negative feelings towards his adopted uncle, the young airbender still held onto the beliefs of his own people. He was a spiritual man through and through. Such a belief in said spirits had kept Aang going through his breakup with On Ji. That had been a trying time for him. She had broken his heart into pieces yet through his faith, he had managed to get through the worst of it. Memories of the last altercation the two had flashed through his mind. The cut on his cheek. Her temper. Her anger. The man's hands began to shake uncontrollably from anxiety. In and out. Come on. I need to just breathe. He then took a deep breath in and out. His heartbeat soon calmed itself and he smiled. "There we go. Finally at peace." The man then opened his eyes smiling. "There we go." He then began to rewrite his poem.

The airbender then heard someone call out his name in a rather arrogant tone of voice. "Hey you! Are you Aang Tsung?"

Aang looked up from his poem and eyed the rather tomboyish looking girl in front of him. She was rather short and her eyes were translucent. She was dressed in what seemed to be a forest green hoodie complete with a pair of blue jeans and a pair of finely leather cowboy boots. She was leaning against the wall with a rather smug expression on her face and a cigarette precariously from her mouth.

Aang narrowed his eyes at her and spoke in a rather annoyed tone. "Uh..yeah. That's me. Can I help you with something?"

Toph Beifong just smirked at him and said nothing. She trotted over to him in a rather arrogant manner and snatched the poem off his desk.

Aang glared at her. "Hey! Who do you think you are?"

The blind earthbender just thrust a hand in his face as her eyes seemed to scan over the poem. She then let out a snort. "Hah! You actually write poems! That is so fucking lame! It's a good thing I'm blind and can't read for shit!"

Aang then managed to snatch it back from her with an irritated tone. "For your information…I find writing to be quite relaxing."

Toph then busted out into a fit of laughter. "Whatever you say Twinkletoes!"

Aang then facepalmed and gently sat his poem on the ground as if it were his own child. "Who are you anyway?" I figure I should respond back in kind if this girl is going to be a bother!"

Toph, not at all bothered by the clear annoyance in the bald man's tone, just grinned toothily at him. "The name's Toph! Toph Beifong!" She then punched Aang hard in the shoulder. "You may have heard of my family name."

Aang raised an eyebrow curiously. "I..can't say I have. I spent most of my freshman year here studying online. I didn't meet that many people."

Toph just blinked at him in surprise. "You mean you have never heard of the Beifong family? They are only one of the richest and wealthiest families in all the Earth Kingdom! Though I will admit..meeting someone who doesn't know of my family's reputation is kind of refreshing."

Aang just gave her a shrug. "I was raised in a very pious culture. Wealth and power mean very little to me."

Toph just chuckled and gave him a wry half-grin. "Heh. Is that so? I must admit that surprises me. I think I'm going to like hanging around you…Aang." She then took in a deep breath and sighed. "Listen…in all seriousness. I'm sorry for snatching your poem like that. I have a tendency despite my royal lineage to be rather…obtuse and brash. What d'you say we start over? I'm really not all bad once you get to really know me." She then offered Aang a hand.

Aang studied both her hand and her for a moment. This woman is rather…strange and obtuse. Belligerent and boisterous but she means well. He then shook Toph's hand and nodded. "Sure. I always believe in second chances."

Toph again punched him hard in the shoulder with a wide grin on her face. "Ah. I knew you'd come around Twinketoes. I'm just that charming." She then offered Aang her arm while speaking in a rather teasing tone. "Care to help a poor blind girl to her seat then?"

Aang just shrugged. "Sure." He then took Toph's arm and helped the woman into the seat next to him.

Toph then turned to him with a smile. "Much appreciated. Drinks are on me if I ever have some free time."

Aang offered her a nervous smile. "Ah I appreciate the offer but I don't consume alcohol."

Toph scoffed with a wry half-smirk and punched him hard in the arm again. "Hah. Of course you don't."

The two then momentarily smiled at one another for a moment. She…is really something. Not what I'd expect out of a blind girl. Then again…appearances can be deceiving.

Toph smiled to herself. Okay. So this guy ain't half bad. He's kind of a dork but I mean…his personality is kind of endearing in its own way. A new friend would be a good thing.

Three hours later

The Atrium

Aang was writing a poem when he felt a hand on his right shoulder.

He turned to his right and saw Katara smiling down at him. "Hey what are you up to?"

He gave her a chuckle. "I'm just writing a new poem to pass the time."

Katara's expression soon turned into one of endearment and awe. "You…write poems?"

Aang nervously smiled. "Uh..yeah. I do. I've always thought that words are the key to the soul. They allow us to express our feelings and emotions far better than even we can state them."

The young Nomad then realized he had just gone on another lecture and visibly cringed. Like this girl is really the type to enjoy poetry! Way to make yourself look like a total dork! "Ah! S-sorry! I didn't mean to say that out loud!"

Katara just stared at him with a confused expression. "Why are you apologizing? I wasn't taking offense at anything you said."

The bearded man just chuckled bitterly. "Ah yeah. Sorry. Old reflex. When On Ji and I were dating…she always told me to never share things about myself unless she specifically asked to hear it."

The man then faintly smiled but Katara could see the pain in his eyes. That pain was pain she knew all too well. She the reached out and caressed his face with a hand. "She really hurt you didn't she?"

Aang went silent for a moment. He tried to hide the pain with a forced smile but only managed to start sobbing. "No..I promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore. I.."

He then felt Katara's arms wrap him in a tight hug. "It's alright. You don't need to worry about me judging you." The woman's natural reaction was to crack a joke embedded in dark humor. However it became clear to her that now wasn't really the time to do so. Aang was in a vulnerable state and could take it the wrong way. Katara then reasoned to choose the second option. She then caressed the man's face in her hands.

Aang was now fumbling over his words. "I..Damn it! I'm a man! I..shouldn't be crying like this. My uncle..my uncle would…"

He was then momentarily stopped in his moping when the dark skinned woman met his eyes. "Aang." Somehow the woman's silvery soft tone managed to calm him down enough for him to meet hers.

Katara then tried to find the words and took in a deep breath. "Listen. I know I'm a woman but I've lived with Sokka long enough to be attuned to a man's emotions. You are human. You hear me? I may not know you too well but I do know that you are in pain. All that sexist bullshit about men not being able to cry is just that…bullshit. Allowing yourself to cry is what makes you human. It is what makes me human." She then sighed and brushed a hair behind her ear.

"Look I know we haven't been friends for that long but as your friend…I care about you. I care about your well-being. That means I want to be here for you." She then pulled him into another hug. "I know it seems lonely but you aren't alone in your pain. I'm right here with you. Okay?"

Aang just nodded. "O-Okay." The two then just stayed there for a moment in each other's arms.

Katara felt herself blush and quickly separated from him. The dark-skinned woman felt herself blush and faintly smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are..you going to be okay now?"

Aang then grinned at her. "Yeah! I'm better! Um…thanks for that."

Katara then caressed his face with a hand. "I'm glad to hear it. Anytime."

There was now a strange new level of comfort the two had found in one another.

They then heard Sokka's voice. "Hey! There you are sis!"

The two then spotted Sokka walking over to them.

Katara shot him a faint smile. "Hey Sokka! What's up?"

Sokka then blinked at her and then glanced over at Aang with a knowing smirk. "What were the two of you up to?"

Katara immediately switched back to her usual ice cold demeanor. "I'm not saying a word Sokka."

Sokka grinned. "Of course you aren't." Sokka then turned to Aang. "What say you? C'mon we are friends right?"

Aang then glanced at both of them before shaking his head smiling. He then spoke in a calm yet stern tone. It seems some things about sibling relationships never change. "Answer something for me Sokka. If I were to constantly inquire about your relationship with Suki…would you answer my questions?"

Sokka blinked. "I..would say that it was none of your business."

Aang then got up to his feet and placed a hand on Sokka's chest. "Then my friend…you have my answer to your question. If you must pry into his matter further…your sister is my friend. Nothing more. Nothing less."

Sokka was taken off guard by the rather calm yet direct tone in the man's voice. "I..see."

Aang smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "Now I do hope we can put this matter to rest now. I'd rather not discuss this any further."

Sokka again blinked. "Alright…then."

Aang grinned. "Thank you my friend. I bid you a good day." He then gave the Water Tribesman a bow. He then turned to Katara and gave her a bow as well. "I'll be seeing you two."

Katara, rather impressed by the way Aang had handled himself, just crossed her arms and offered him a faint smile. "Of course. Be well Aang."

As soon as the Nomad disappeared from view, Sokka blinked as if he was in shock. "Well damn that was…unexpected. He just shut me down but he did it without getting angry or upset. Not what I expected out of a Nomad."

Katara smirked at her brother's flabbergasted expression. "I have to admit…Aang is rather different from any other guy I've met. He is remarkably skilled at keeping his temper under control and holds a rather positive view of the world. It is rather refreshing. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I read that Air Nomads often are very hard to anger and are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet." She then felt herself blushing. You are something special Aang. Hmm. I wonder.

Hallway A

Ba Sing Se University

Aang and Teo were busy walking down the hallway to their class. They were jamming away to the music in their headphones.

Ruon Jian walked up with his little posse behind him. The tall, intimidating firebender had On Ji wrapped around his arm. "Well well if it isn't the monk!"

Aang and Teo glanced at one another and pulled down their headphones from their ears.

Aang then crossed his arms at the towering firebender with a rather annoyed tone to his usually calm demeanor. "Is there something I can help you with Ruon?"

Ruon then snarled and turned to On Ji. "Oh. Would you look at that? The monk asked me a question. Imagine that."

On Ji sighed and leaned against his shoulder. She glanced at Aang with a bit of sadness in her eyes. A part of her realized how abusive and demeaning she had been to someone who used to care for her. Someone who used to care for her. She then forced a smile to hide her guilt. "Aangie…it is good to see you. How have you been?"

Aang took in a long sigh to calm himself and fell back on his religious training. He then met her eyes and spoke in a rather bored tone. "I've been fine. Been taking time to reflect on things. Focusing on graduating."

On Ji faintly smiled. "I'm..relieved to hear that." She then glared at him and her temper overtook her. "So I hear you and this Katara girl are close. Is..it serious?"

Aang then allowed a bit of his anger to his voice. "Where did you hear this?"

On Ji just glared. "Word travels faster around here than you realize." She then shook her head. "I'll ask again. Is it serious?"

Aang's face then darkened. "I'd tell you but I don't believe that my relationship with Katara is any of your business."

On Ji grit her teeth. "The hell it isn't!" She rushed up to him and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "What's your game Aangie? Trying to make me jealous? Trying to make me regret switching up for someone better?"

Aang just looked her dead in the eyes with the coldest look he could muster and darkly chuckled. "Sure. That's what I'm trying to do. Make you jealous. You really are paranoid."

On Ji then socked him hard with her other hand. "Say that again! I fucking dare you to say that again!"

Aang then spat at her. "Or what? You'll hit me again? Please! I'm used to you and your temperamental nature! Do your worst!" She then pulled back and hit him again, knocking him to the ground. "Oh! I'll do my worst! Don't you worry!"

Teo then gasped. Why isn't he fighting back? This isn't like Aang. I have to intervene somehow.

Ruon then turned his attention to Teo and fired his right fist. "You are next on the list!"

On Ji then started to aim a kick for Aang's face.

\Luckily, Katara, Toph, Sokka and Suki managed to intervene in time. Toph then raised her arms and caused a large earthquake to rumble under On Ji, Ruon Jian and his posse. All of them fell down hard onto the floor.

"Alright you assholes! You two have about two seconds to explain why you are beating up Aang and Teo!"

On Ji brushed her hair to the side and got back on her feet. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

Toph's expression did not change. "I'm a friend."

Katara then looked over at the blind earthbender in wonder and nodded. "Thanks for that. I'll take it from here." She then rushed over to Aang and helped him up to his feet. She then grabbed his face in order to analyze it for bruises or cuts. The man's left eye was starting to swell up and turn black. There was number of bruises across his left cheek. Her anger rose up to the surface. There was a bit of blood pouring from his nose. "Come on. Let's go into the restroom to clean you up."

Aang just looked away from her with a bitter tone in his voice. "Just..leave it. It builds character."

Katara shook her head with an absolutely horrified look on her face. "Aang. You can't be serious. I'm not just going to leave you like this. I absolutely refuse to." She then spoke in a more pleading tone and took his hands into hers. "I'll be gentle with your injuries. I promise. Just let me help."

Aang then rested his hands into his face and muttered to himself. "Fine."

Katara Kesuk smiled faintly to herself. "Thank you. Come on." She then started to lead him into the restroom.

On Ji started to chase Aang. "Hey! Where the hell do you think you are going with him! I'm not done talking with him yet!"

Katara then turned to the young firebender with a glare so cold that the crowd around them all reeled in fear. "I think you are!" She then grabbed the girl by her royal collar and pinned her against the wall. "Allow me to make something very clear to you On Ji! If you ever lay a hand on him again…I will personally beat you to a pulp. Do we understand each other?"

On Ji hissed. "Fair enough!"

Katara then let go of her collar and then turned to Ruon. "The same goes for you Ruon! I'm not your girl anymore! You lay a finger on my friend again and I will bring it up with one of the Councilors! I still know where your father works!"

Ruon just crossed her arms glaring intently at her. She then helped Aang to his feet, speaking in a soothing tone. "Come on. Let's head to my dorm. I'll patch you up there."

Aang just let her lead him with a despondent look on his face.

Teo then put his hands on both Sokka and Suki's shoulders. "Thanks! you guys. I've never seen him like that. He just seemed to have given up there."

Sokka grinned and put a hand on the man's shoulder. "No problem Teo. You guys are cool in our book"

Suki nodded in agreement and bowed her head. "We were glad to help."

Sokka then turned to Ruon. "As for you douchebag. Lay a hand on our friends again and you will not like the consequences."

Ruon just grunted in response.

Sokka and the others just followed Katara and Aang to the dorm he shared with his sister.

On Ji just stood there stunned in her tracks.

Sokka and Katara's Dorm

An hour later.

Katara silently cheered when she managed to get the door open. Yes. She then led Aang into the bathroom.

It was rather spacious and had four chairs, a sink, a toilet, and a shower to boot. She then led him to one of the chairs. "Here have a seat. I'll get my medkit."

Aang just nodded.

Katara then opened the cupboard and found what she needed. A sports bag full of medical equipment. She then grabbed it by the handle and placed it gently on the floor. She then turned up her head to smile at him. "How are you holding up?"

Aang then rested a hand over his right eye grunting in frustration. "I'm fine. I'll live."

Katara felt her heart falter a bit when she heard the downbeat nature of his tone. She then took in a sigh and bended some of the healing ointment into her hands and pressed them to his cheeks. "You are beat up pretty bad. Why didn't you call me to say you needed help?"

Aang shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe I wanted closure of some kind. I..just wanted to hurt her just as she hurt me. It felt cathartic for a moment." He then let out a bitter chuckle. "Not very Nomad of me I know. I'm supposed to be the one in harmony with his emotions and at peace with his faults."

Katara then allowed herself to playfully smirk at him. "I suppose we all have our faults. I'm from the Water Tribes.. I'm supposed to be sweet, warm, and compassionate." She then grinned at him. "As I'm sure you can attest…that is far from the truth." She then put her arms around his neck and leaned in as if she were going to kiss him but stopped only inches apart.

Aang felt his face redden. "What are you…"

Katara then sighed with a slight smile on her face. "I admire your bravery Aang but I need you to promise me that you will at least call me the next time this happens. That was very reckless of you to face off with Ruon and his goons on your own. You could have gotten seriously hurt."

She then sighed and looked him in the eyes. Her lip quivered a bit and there was a bit of sweet urgency to her tone. "I..don't like seeing you so badly hurt. Promise me."

Aang sighed, shaking his head. "Fine. I'll be more careful next time."

Katara nodded. "Thank you." She then pulled away from him and started to analyze his bruises. "Let's see what we can do here." She then worked her magic on his face bandaging and cleaning his face of bruises.

Aang just sat there in silence, unsure of what to do or say. Soon she had finished stitching up his face. She then stitched up the final cut and pulled away from him, happy at her handiwork. "There. We are all done now."

Aang then rested a hand against his bandaged up left check sighing. "Thanks for this. I don't exactly have the money to see a doctor."

Katara just nodded with a smile. "I was happy to help." She then offered her arm. "Come on. I'll help you into the living room."

Aang reluctantly took the arm and allowed her to walk him in the living room.

Living Room

Sokka and Katara's Dorm

Sokka and the others were waiting for the waterbender and airbender to return. He grinned at the airbender when he saw him come out of the bathroom. "Well look who stood up to Ruon and won. I have to say I'm impressed airhead. There aren't many who have the stones to try to stick it to that royal asshole. His family practically paid for half of the university's buildings. That was ballsy of you."

Aang just gave the man a shrug. "I guess I was feeling brave."

Toph, who was leaning against the wall, was grinning with pride. "Well not bad Twinkletoes! You held your ground! Not what I expected of a Nomad!"

Aang then took his seat.

Katara took the seat beside him.

Zuko then sighed. "We'll need to be careful. Ruon won't take the disrespect well. If I know anything about my countrymen…it is that they don't take being disrespected by foreigners very well at all."

Azula, who had come in the room later, just put a hand on her brother's shoulder and nodded. "My dear Zuzu speaks the truth."

Aang shook his head and glared at both Zuko and Azula. "Yeah well the fucker shouldn't have slept with my ex-girlfriend and tried to rub it in. As peaceful as I am…there are limitations to my charity."

Zuko and Azula both just gave their old friend a nod. Zuko spoke in a rather calm tone. "I understand Aang. I'm just letting you know the stakes." He and Azula then took their seats. "As far as reprisals are concerned…none of you need to worry. My sister and I are members of the Royal Family. We'll be able to keep this incident under the rug for now. The Agni family has about as much pull as the Jian family since we're one of the founding families of the school."

Sokka then playfully grinned at the royal. "Well how about that? Katara and I appreciate it. We kinda don't need more trouble on our record."

Katara just turned to both Zuko and Azula nodding. "Agreed. Thank you."

Zuko then let out a sigh. "I heard On Ji was there with him." He then put a hand on Aang's shoulder. "I assume that didn't go well?"

Aang then let out a bitter chuckle. "That is…putting it mildly. She started questioning me about the nature of my relationship with Katara."

This drew Katara's interest into the conversation. "What did she say about me?"

Aang then met her eyes and hesitated for a moment. He figured that she deserved to know the truth. "She was under the impression that there was something between us."

Katara's eyes widened in shock and she felt her face redden. She then turned away from his gaze and focused her eyes on the rug on the floor. "Oh..I see." I mean…I like Aang! He's sweet, kind, brave when he needs to be. He's even handsome. I…just need time to think things through. So does he. Maybe one day…hopefully.

Aang then rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I probably would have explained it to her better that you and I were just friends but just the sight of her sent me into an emotional fit of rage. I told her to go fuck herself and that she didn't deserve that information." He then chuckled bitterly again and pointed to his bandaged right eye. "That was how I got this pretty little guy." He then shook his head. "She started laying in on me with punches and well…you guys know the rest."

Everyone gave him a nod as if they understood his meaning.

Sokka then looked Aang in the eyes. "Perhaps we need to be your escort for some time eh? I mean you probably made a lot of enemies doing what you did."

Aang shook his head vehemently. "No. You both have done enough. I appreciate it but I don't wish to involve you any further into my problems. I can handle this alone."

Katara and Sokka both gave each other a nod in agreement. Katara then rested her left hand over Aang's left hand with a nervous smile on her face. "Here's the thing sweetie. We weren't really asking for your permission." She then heavily sighed. "Aang…if it hadn't been for Sokka and I…you would've gotten a broken leg or something even worse than that."

Toph then loudly cleared her throat. "Uh hey! Aren't we forgetting someone? I did the earthquake thing y'know!"

Katara then turned to the blind earthbender with an annoyed look. "And we thank you for your contribution!" She then turned back to Aang and cupped his face in hers.

Aang could feel the warmth emanating from her azure blue eyes. He found himself blushing again.

"Aang…you can't possibly just ask me to let this go. You got hurt because you have associated with me. I can't just sit there and watch my ex-boyfriend pound into my best friend and do nothing about it. That doesn't sit right with me."

She then took in a deep breath. "You've got two options here okay?" She smiled. "You can either walk away from me and never speak to me again. You could try that but that option would probably not work anyway since Ruon already knows we are friends. I know him well enough to know he will never stop coming after you."

Aang sighed shaking his head. "And my second option?"

Katara then smirked at him. "Let my brother and I watch your back for a little while. I know you are…quite adverse to violence. She then let out a laugh and half-grinned at him. "Lucky for you, Sokka and I don't have that issue. We will watch your back and if anyone dares to fuck with you…we'll handle them."

Sokka then punched his left hand into his right grinning. "Damn straight. We'll handle them Water Tribe style!"

Aang then felt Toph punch him hard in the shoulder. He then saw the grin on her face. "Count me in! You two aren't bad for airheads!" "

Zuko and Azula quickly glanced at one another nodding. "Us too!" The two royals had known Aang all their lives. The airbender and his younger brother, despite his differences in ideals, had become like adoptive younger brothers to them of sorts.

Suki then smirked at Aang. "Don't forget about me! I like you Aang! You and Teo seem like nice guys! If Sokka's protecting you…then I am all in on the plan as well!"

Katara and Sokka just turned to one another nodding.

Katara then pulled Aang into a deep hug smiling. "Welcome to the ohuna!"

Sokka pulled Teo into a deep hug smiling. "Welcome to the ohuna!"

Toph just smirked. For airheads…those two aren't too bad.

Zuko and Azula smiled at the airbenders. We'll keep them safe. We swear that on our family honor.

The two Water Tribe siblings then broke the hugs.

Katara warmly smiled at Aang. "Now you must be starving. You okay with seaweed stew? It is vegetarian."

Aang nervously chuckled as his stomach rumbled. "Ah..now that you mention it…I am hungry."

Katara patted his right cheek with a hand. "Good. I'll go get it started. Just stay right here."

Aang just nodding, his cheeks flushing red for a bit. "R-Right."

Sokka just sat there grinning like a madman to himself. Someone's got a crush! Hell both of them have a crush on each other! This will be entertaining to see!