Chapter 11 Welcome Home
Myoshi leaned against a large chunk of ice with her arms crossed, her bright blue eyes following Sokka as he nervously paced the glacier keeping a careful watch on the darkening horizon.
"What could possibly be taking them so long," Sokka muttered in frustration.
Aang and Katara had been gone almost two days now and he was beginning to worry. Not only were they late in their return, which could signify any number of things going wrong in their journey, but now their father's anger and worry had escalated to a whole new level. Sokka sighed heavily, although the whole thing was rather amusing, he was still worried about his little sister.
"Sokka, I'm sure they're fine," Myoshi reassured him sensing his apprehension. Sokka turned to her and smiled slightly.
"I'm not worried," he said trying his best to sound convincing. Myoshi smiled in amusement.
"Sure your not," she sighed. She sauntered over to him and rested her mittened hand soothingly upon the back of his neck.
"Okay maybe I'm just a little worried," he admitted.
"Sokka you have been pacing like this all day, it's not going to make them arrive any sooner…why don't you just sit down for a little while." She grasped his hand and led him to a nearby rock. He sighed heavily releasing all his pent up frustration as Myoshi gently massaged the back of his neck.
He gazed up at the setting sun. "They better be here by tonight," he sighed.
Aang struggled to keep his eyes open as Appa flew through the sky in the direction of the South Pole. Katara sat beside him wrapped in a blanket leaning her head upon his shoulder, sleeping peacefully. Aang shivered suddenly.
"We must be getting closer Appa; I recognize that familiar chill in the air." Aang peered ahead the sun was just beginning to set but it was still just light enough that he could see the glacier far ahead in the distance. He frowned at the sight.
"Well," he sighed, "we're here." As they continued forward toward the village Aang glanced down upon the dark water below.
"We got back pretty quick didn't we Appa," he sighed, "I guess it kind of helps that you've had two days of rest." The great creature groaned. As Aang gazed upon the rolling ocean waves his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of a tiny canoe heading in the same direction.
"Why are they out fishing so late," he questioned. He peered down to get a better view of it. He reached for a looking glass that was on Appa's saddle. Placing the glass to his eye, he gazed curiously in the direction of the canoe.
"Hmm," he muttered under his breath, "those markings…it seems to be a North Pole canoe." He turned his attention to the occupant. A single man bundled up tightly in layers of clothing; he couldn't make out his face. Aang removed the looking glass and turned his attention back to his destination. Katara suddenly stirred beside him. She yawned and stretched her arms over her head.
"Are we home yet," she whispered lying her head back down upon his shoulder.
"Practically," he replied, "I can see it from here."
Katara opened her eyes and peered ahead, she smiled weakly, "good she sighed I want to get this over with."
Aang grinned at her.
Sokka sat leaned up against the rock gazing up at the darkening sky. He turned to Myoshi. She was quite unsuccessfully attempting to keep her eyes open. He smiled slightly; she was so adorable when she was tired. Slowly her head dropped down and rested upon his shoulder.
"Oh yeah, she wants me," he sighed. She yawned suddenly and promptly sat up, she smirked at him.
"What was that Sokka?"
"Come on Myoshi," he snickered, "you know you can't resist me."
"Really," she replied crossing her arms and raising and eyebrow in his direction.
"Hey who could blame you," he said smugly, "when you're forced to look at this every day." Sokka promptly made a muscle with his arm.
"Oh how do I stay away," Myoshi said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.
"It certainly is a wonder," Sokka smirked.
"I beg to differ Sokka, I think it's you that can't resist me," she said self-assuredly.
"Is that right," he said raising an eyebrow in intrigue, "well I say that you can't go two days without coming on to me," Sokka replied confidently. Myoshi scoffed at him in amusement.
"Two days," she said. Sokka nodded.
"Alright," she said slyly, "you're on, for two whole days there will be no flirting whatsoever, we'll see who breaks first." She reached her hand out to Sokka. He smiled in eagerness and shook it, accepting the bet.
"But you do know what this means don't you Sokka," she said suddenly pulling him close to her, "a whole forty eight hours with no kissing, no back rubs, no massages, or any thing else that you love so much, are you absolutely sure you can handle that." Sokka grinned at her blushing ever so slightly.
"I think I'm up to the challenge," he whispered, he leaned in slowly preparing to kiss her. "Good," she said placing a finger to his lips and stopping him, "cause it starts right now." Sokka sighed dejectedly, "no problem."
Suddenly Sokka caught sight of the great white bison coming in their direction.
"Finally," he muttered. He quickly stood up as the Bison slowly made it's decent to the glacier. Sokka hastily walked over to meet them with Myoshi following close behind.
"It's about time you two decided to show up what the heck took you so long." Aang leapt down from Appa to greet Sokka.
"Slight change in plans," Aang sighed, "sorry for the delay."
"Oh fine, fine, don't worry about me I just had to stay here and listen to my father rant and rave about how the Avatar ran away with his only daughter, you know, no big deal." Aang grinned at him slightly.
"Sorry Sokka," Aang turned his eyes to Myoshi and flashed her a bright smile. Myoshi smiled back promptly elbowing Sokka.
"Huh, oh, uh Aang this is Myoshi, Myoshi this is Aang…the Avatar if you haven't guessed by now."
"Nice to meet you Myoshi," Aang said bowing his head, "Katara told me a little bit about you."
"All good I hope," she smiled.
"Definitely," Aang replied. He turned back to Appa and reached to help Katara down. Katara slid down the side of the beast and into Aang's waiting arms. He held her close for a moment and gazed at her. Sokka noticed this immediately. He shot them an awkward look.
"Alright you two, what exactly is going on here?" The two quickly stepped away from each other.
"Nothing," Katara replied. Sokka gazed at her with a disbelieving expression. "Nothing Sokka," she insisted. Aang just shook his head and turned his attention back to Appa.
"What's this," Sokka asked grabbing hold of the pendent that hung around her neck.
Katara took it back from him.
"It's a gift," she snapped, "Aang gave it to me; it's no big deal." She stared at her brother intently trying to decipher his thoughts, "what is this all about Sokka I thought you were on our side?"
"I am on your side Katara, but it seems like the two of you are not being completely honest." Sokka turned and glanced at Aang. Myoshi was helping him to unload Appa, Sokka turned back to Katara.
"Will you please just tell me what is going on; what are you hiding?"
"I'm not hiding anything Sokka," Katara yelled, "I just wanted to get out of the village just for a day, and when we were there I didn't want to leave, so we stayed an extra day. It was all my idea, okay."
"And… nothing… happened."
"SOKKA!"
"Alright FINE, I believe you," he paused "look all I'm trying to say is that you guys have been apart for a long time and I know that you missed him Katara," he sighed in awkwardness, "what I mean to say is that things can happen when you're caught up in the moment and….I just want you to be sure that you know what you're doing."
"Sokka, you should know me better, and Aang too, I mean we are friends, Aang is my best friend, I can't believe that you would think that we would…,"Katara's face reddened slightly as she thought back to the rather awkward incident that had happened between her and Aang earlier that morning. Luckily her blush was concealed by the darkness.
"I mean… that's just crazy," she said softly.
"Well," Sokka sighed, "I'm not the one you have to convince."
"He's completely lost it, hasn't he," Katara sighed.
"Oh yeah,Dad is convinced thatyour honor is at stake, he thinks Aang is trying to steal you away, he's apparently going to have a long talk with him about honor and respect the whole bit, and he is going to have a talk with you as well. I keep telling him he is overreacting but he just won't listen."
"Great," Katara sighed.
"I have to say Katara, this has got to be one of the stupidest things you have ever done." Katara rolled her eyes.
"So what now, I don't want to wait till morning to go home," she sighed.
"We can head back now; just don't plan on getting any sleep!" Myoshi and Aang made their way over to the siblings.
"So what's the verdict Sokka?" Aang asked. Sokka smiled at Aang sympathetically and shook his head.
"Oh boy Aang, you have no idea what you're about to face."
Soku sat by the window of his hut gazing out at the falling snow. He wondered where his daughter was, if she was alright and if Aang was, for lack of a better phrase, 'being a gentlemen.' As his thoughts turned to the young man that had taken her from him; he could feel his blood begin to boil. His fist clenched tightly around the note that Katara had left him. Avatar or no Avatar this brazen young man was going to have a lot of questions to answer when he returned with his little girl. As Soku sat in his contemplation he suddenly heard the door open. He turned his gaze to the entrance of the hut. He sighed in disappointment as Sokka cautiously entered.
"You're home late," Soku said.
"Yeah," Sokka replied scratching the back of his head nervously, "well I wanted to make sure Myoshi got home alright…"
"You two have been seeing a lot of each other lately," his father smiled slightly, is it getting serious at all?" Sokka shrugged, a small smile inching it's way across his face.
"I don't know," he said, his face becoming flushed. Soku just smiled at his son.
"It would be nice to have a wedding around here," Soku sighed, I just wish Katara would come to her senses and settle down already, this running off is going to get her into trouble."
"Hey Dad," Sokka said softly, "I actually… uh …I know that you are angry about Katara, but before you get all upset and start yelling, I just want to remind you that Katara is responsible and smart and she's not a little girl anymore."
"They are back aren't they," Soku muttered.
"Yes," Sokka sighed, "They are back…and perfectly safe too… not a scratch on them."
"Well are they coming in," the old man questioned impatiently.
"Well, as soon as I give them the all clear."
Soku chuckled at his son, "all clear, huh." Sokka shrugged smiling nervously.
"They do realize that they are not entering this house without dealing with me first, don't they Sokka?"
"Yeah," Sokka sighed crossing his arms, "I really don't think they had any intention of avoiding you," he paused, "You know dad, maybe you should go a little easy on them, since they so obviously just made a stupid decision."
"I'll take it into consideration," Soku smirked.
"Well I did my best," Sokka sighed, "they can't say I didn't try." He got up and headed to the door. He opened it and gazed sympathetically at the two friends.
"I can't tell you how much you guys owe me," he sighed, "come in, Dad's waiting for you."
Katara held her breath as she entered the room. Her father was sitting in his wheel chair in the middle of the room his arms folded over his chest. He glared at them sternly. Aang walked in after her immediately bowing his head in respect.
"I'm glad the two of you finally decided to return," he sighed.
"Father," Katara began, "I…" The old man raised his hand to silence her.
"Do you even realize the gravity of what you have done; flying off to God knows where with a man in the middle of the night. You have put the honor of this family on the line." Katara flashed him a look of anger.
"Dad it's not as serious as you are making it out to be."
"And you," he turned his attention to Aang, "What kind of a man steals away in the night with a young lady without the consent of her father, what honor is in that?"
"Father, it wasn't Aang's fault, it was my idea."
"I admit it," Aang said suddenly. Katara turned to him in surprise.
"I acted dishonorably, I apologize, at the time I was only thinking of Katara, she wanted to go so badly, my only thoughts were to make her happy, I should have thought about the repercussions of our actions. Please accept my apology sir I had no intention of disrespecting you or your family." Aang bowed to him once again. Soku just stared at the young man in front of him. Sokka silently cheered on his old friend.
"Your apology is accepted young man," Soku sighed. Aang raised his head and gazed at the old man.
"Thank you sir," he said reaching to shake his hand. Soku reached to shake Aang's hand. Katara smiled at the two.
"This doesn't mean that you are off the hook young lady," he said flashing her a stern look. Katara's smile quickly faded
"Yes, sir," she replied in annoyance,
"But for now it's late we should all get some much needed sleep; Sokka show Aang here to the spare room."
"Katara," he called.
"Yes father," she said coming over to him, He placed his arm around her shoulder and kissed her lovingly upon the forehead.
"You know I love you right," he said.
"Yes," she smiled weakly.
"But I worry about you sometimes…especially lately, you seem so lost, so distant….What I'm trying to say is that I just want you to be happy and I only have your best interest at heart."
Katara smiled, "I know Dad." Soku gazed at his daughter for a moment gently caressing her face, "you look more like your mother every day," he smiled.
"I miss her," Katara said softly.
"Me too," the old man replied, "now go get some sleep, we'll talk in the morning."
"Goodnight Dad," she turned and headed to her room.
As she headed to her room she passed by Aang and Sokka in the spare room talking. She stopped and ducked into the room.
"What are you two up to," she whispered.
"Nothing," Sokka said, "just commending Aang here on his stunning performance."
"It was not a performance Sokka," Aang sighed, "I meant every word."
"Yeah, as if Katara didn't practically beat you into taking her to Bok Choy," Sokka scoffed
"Sokka," Katara exclaimed hitting him in the head.
"You see what I'm talking about, the violence, always with the violence."
"You know maybe I wouldn't be so violent if you didn't drive me to it Sokka," she smirked, "Aang on the other hand has quite a claming affect on me."
"Is that right," Sokka smirked. He looked to Aang sarcastically. Aang lay back on his pillow crossing his arms behind his head and smirked at Sokka.
"What can I say," Aang sighed.
"Alright, alright, I've had enough, I almost forgot what it was like to have the both of you gang up on me," Sokka smiled, "I'm going to bed, goodnight you guys."
"Goodnight Sokka," Aang called after him he turned his eyes back to Katara. She sat down upon Aang's bed and gazed at him for a moment.
"Well, I have to admit your apology was quite impressive, even my father was stunned, I don't think he quite expected you to respond the way that you did."
"Well," Aang sighed, "I didn't expect him to accuse me of being dishonorable," he frowned slightly.
"Aang," she sighed, "I think he only said that because he was angry, I don't think that he really meant it."
"Of course he meant it,"Aang said softly, "I ran off with his only daughter, there is nothing more dishonorable then that."
"But Aang, it wasn't your fault."
"Listen Katara," he sighed, "I'm glad that we went to Bok Choy, I wouldn't take it back even if I could, but it doesn't change the fact that it was a bad choice. Your father made me realize that. I mean we just should have thought it through a little better that's all."
"You're right Aang," she sighed rolling her eyes, "I just hate being stuck here, you know, and when we were up flying on Appa, I saw the opportunity to get away and…"
"I know," Aang sighed, "and how could I talk you out of it, you were so happy just thinking about it."
"So," Katara sighed, "our great adventure is over…I guess I better get back to my room before my father discovers me in here, there is no telling what he would think."
"But there is nothing going on," Aang sighed almost sadly, "we are just friends, friends talking, why would he assume that anything is going on?" Katara looked away from his eyes.
"Aang," she said softly. He softly grasped her hand in his.
"What is it," he whispered, slowly placing his other hand upon her face. She slowly gazed up into his gray eyes.
Um…I just want to say…" Aang leaned slowly closer to her.
"Good night Aang," she whispered. Aang sighed, dropping his hand from her face. He dropped his head slightly and leaned back from her.
"Goodnight Katara," he whispered back. She stood from the bed and made her way to the door. Aang just gazed at her as she walked away from him. She exited the room and Aang flopped back upon his pillow and gazed up at the ceiling.
"Katara," he sighed in frustration, "what are you doing to me?"
To be continued