Chapter 12 Competition
Katara was awakened by the distinct sound of conk shell horns blowing off in the distance. They signified that someone was returning to the village. She sat up immediately, quickly threw on her blue kimono and pants and then ran to wake Sokka.
"Sokka, Sokka."
"What!" he groaned, "can't you see I'm trying to sleep."
"Sokka can't you hear the horns, someone's returning."
"Hey Katara, I'll bet they'll still be here when I wake up." Katara rolled her eyes at her brother and quickly headed to Aang's room and knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," she heard Aang's voice call from within the room. She slowly opened the door and inched her way in. He stood shirtless in front of the wash basin, bending the water to his face. She paused for a moment, gazing at him, he was no longer the scrawny teenager she had remembered, she could see every perfectly formed muscle as he reached for is shirt and pulled it over his head. She held her breath for a moment and suddenly reminded herself that this was Aang she was gawking at. She turned quickly around, her face turning a light shade of pink. Why was she acting like this, it's not like she had never seen him without a shirt before?
"What is it," he asked.
"What," she asked quickly, "Oh…no, uh I mean nothing… absolutely nothing." Aang looked at her a little confused.
"Okay, then why did you knock on my door?"
"Oh, ha, ha," Katara now felt even more awkward then before, "the conk shells…did you hear them," she asked.
"Yeah, what about them?"
"Well it means that someone has returned to the village… I can't seem to get Sokka up so I wanted to see if you wanted to come down to greet them with me."
"Sure," he smiled, "I think I kind of have to any way, you know, Avatar duty and all."
Katara chuckled nervously; "of course" she smiled.
When Katara and Aang arrived at the docks there was already a fairly large crowd gathered in front of them.
"I wonder who it could be," Katara said curiously. Aang shrugged.
"Hey last night on the way back, I noticed a canoe heading toward the village," Aang recalled.
"Really," Katara said shooting him a questioning glance. Aang nodded.
"It looked like it was from the North too," he said.
"Hmm, I wonder who would be returning from the North," Katara questioned. As they walked forward toward the dock the people seemed to clear a path. Katara looked to Aang a little confused.
"I guess they really want you to meet whoever it is Aang," she smiled. Suddenly through the crowd she saw Takashi coming towards her. Her eyes widened and she stared at him in astonishment.
"Takashi," she cried. He ran to her threw his arms around her and spun her around.
"What are you doing here," she asked excitedly, "I thought you were going to be gone for another six months at least."
"My uncle said I could come back," he smiled gazing at her, "and besides, I couldn't stay away." Aang just stood by and watched the two of them reuniting, feeling a bit annoyed by the young man's presence. Katara glanced back to Aang.
"Oh my gosh…Takashi," she cried excitedly, "come here." She pulled him over to where Aang stood. "I want you to meet my very best friend Aang, oh I mean Avatar Aang…Aang this is Takashi."
"Just Aang is fine", Aang replied reaching his hand out to the young water bender, "It's nice to finally meet you Takashi, Katara has told me so much about you…how you helped to rebuild the village." Takashi reached out and shook Aang's hand. Both of them gripped each others hands just a little tighter then normal.
"Yeah well, this is just as much my home as it is theirs," Takashi replied glancing at Katara, "there was really no other choice but to help." Katara gazed at the two as they shook hands and smiled at the sight.
"Oh I'm so excited you two have finally met, this is so great."
"I can't tell you how much she goes on and on about you Aang," Takashi grinned, "everything reminds her of some crazy thing that the two of you did together, I feel like I practically know you already."
"Is that right," Aang said.
"Hey Kat, what was that one story you told me about how you stole that scroll from the pirates."
"Oh, ha-ha that story," Katara, giggled.
"What about the one where you guys got stuck in that crazy cave."
Aang grinned at Katara, "Yeah what about that story Kat," he said sarcastically, "remind me again, how did we get out of that cave, I can't seem to recall?" Takashi looked to Katara rather intrigued.
Katara blushed immediately, "ha-ha you forgot Aang," she said nervously, "how could you possibly forget?"
"Forget what," Takashi sighed looking back and forth between the two, "what happened?"
"Well it's just the silliest thing," she laughed, "see this particular cave
"The cave of two lovers," Aang chimed in. Katara rolled her eyes at him.
"What that's what it's called," he said innocently.
"So this cave was cursed," Katara continued, "and it was said that the only way out of the cave was through true love. So we tried to cut through the caves as a short cut to Omashu but we ended up getting separated, Sokka and these musicians got stranded together and then me and Aang got stranded together. Anyway, we tried everything to get out of the cave and nothing worked, and there were absolutely no exits that we could find, the fire on our torch was running out and we were starting to lose hope. And that's when I got a crazy idea." Aang chuckled slightly. Katara rolled her eyes at him once again and continued on.
"Well I started to think about what the musicians had said about true love being the only way out of the cave so I thought maybe if me and Aang," her face blushed slightly, "well I thought that if we…kissed that it would some how get us out of the cave," she said in a rather embarrassed tone.
"Oh that must have been awkward," Takashi grinned, "I can't believe you never told me how that story ended!"
"Yeah Katara," Aang agreed, "How could you possibly leave out the best part?" Katara stared at Aang in confusion, she couldn't tell if he was being serious or if he was being sarcastic.
"So Aang," Takashi said, "what brings you back to the South Pole?" Aang glanced past him and toward Katara.
"It was time to come home," he said softly. Katara smiled at him warmly. Takashi looked at him strangely.
"Home, but aren't you originally an air bender."
"Takashi, you don't understand," Katara replied, "Aang's home…his family…he lost them all in the war…Sokka and I…the South Pole…this is Aang's home…we are his family." Takashi nodded in understanding he offered a hand to Aang.
"Welcome home then Aang," he said.
"You too Takashi," Aang replied, shaking Takashi's hand.
"Technically Aang's lived here a hundred years longer then any of us anyway," Sokka said suddenly "that makes this more his home then anybody else here.
"Hey, I never thought of it that way Sokka," Aang laughed. Sokka made his way over to the group, Momo sitting atop his shoulder.
"I thought you were sleeping in Sokka," Katara teased.
"Yeah well, how could I possibly miss the opportunity to welcome home my little sister's boyfriend."
"SOKKA," she fumed, " he's not my…" Her brother only chuckled.
"So…Takashi…what brings you back to this side of the glacier?"
"Oh uh…some very important business," he smiled gazing in Katara's direction, "um I actually need to speak with your father," he said softly.
"Of course," Katara replied, "he's still home, did you want me to take you?"
"Um, no that's okay," he answered politely, "I have to talk to him alone," he said in a serious tone.
"Oh okay," Katara smiled.
"I'll see you later though," Takashi replied he took her hand in his and lightly kissed it. Katara's face flushed immediately and her eyes switched to Aang's. His face held no emotion but his eyes told quite a different story. She wasn't quite sure but it almost looked like a hint of anger flashed within them, or was it…jealousy. She turned back to Takashi and smiled nervously.
"Right," she sighed, "see you later." Takashi turned to leave heading in the direction of Katara's and Sokka's house.
Katara sighed in relief as the young man left. She gazed back at Aang.
"So," he said dryly, "that was Takashi"
"Yup, that was Takashi," she answered.
"He seems kind of…clingy." Sokka gazed at Aang in surprise at his uncharacteristic comment
"Aang," Katara exclaimed.
"What," he said, "I'm just saying…unless…of course…that's the sort of thing you like…is it…Kat.
"Oh Aang please don't call me that," Katara sighed in annoyance.
Aang smirked, "You didn't mind Takashi calling you that."
"Well that's different."
"How?"
"I don't know it just is," she paused observing Aang's look of annoyance, "so what, you don't like him," Katara questioned.
"No I like him…he seems nice, I just…I don't know…he seems kind of phony that's all, like he's trying to impress you or something."
"So…what if he is trying to impress me, what's the big deal?" Aang shrugged.
"You know what it sounds like to me Aang," Sokka interrupted throwing his arm around his friends shoulder; "it sounds to me like you just might be just a little bit jealous."
"What, "Aang exclaimed, "Why would I be jealous, I don't have any reason to be jealous do I Katara."
"Hey, hey, its okay Aang, I understand, you have a crush on my sister and Takashi is competition, it's only natural for you to feel a little bit of jealousy toward the guy."
"Sokka," Aang yelled his face turning red with embarrassment, "I don't have a…..I'm not jealous!" He threw Sokka's arm off of him and stormed away from the siblings
"You keep telling yourself that," Sokka called after him.
"Sokka you are such a jerk sometimes," Katara yelled.
"Hey I'm just kidding with him, he knows that, he should be used to me by now."
"Oh Whatever Sokka," she sighed in annoyance, she ran after Aang.
Aang was heading over to where Appa was staying, just outside the village.
"Hey Aang, wait," Katara yelled after him, "I'm sorry Sokka was being such an insensitive jerk." she rolled her eyes.
"Sokka's just being himself," he replied.
"Yeah but Sokka can go overboard doing even that," she answered. Aang turned to her and shrugged. He kept his eyes on the ground refusing to look at her.
"Aang, you know if you were jealous, you don't have to be… I mean Takashi does like me…a lot…but we are just friends." Aang finally lifted his eyes and gazed into hers.
"Why are you telling me this he asked?"
She shrugged, "I don't know, it seemed to bother you….I just wanted to make sure that you knew that there is nothing between Takashi and I."
"Why," Aang asked.
Katara gazed into his grey eyes, "I…I just…. you're my best friend Aang, I care about how you feel," she replied, "and I just don't want you to feel like you have to compete with Takashi… because you don't."
"I see," Aang whispered, "because you and Takashi are friends." He gazed deep into her eyes, inching closer and closer to her.
"And I'm you're friend." Katara nodded silently, gazing back into his sparkling grey eyes. Aang reached up and lightly placed a finger just under her chin. He pulled her toward him, leaning slowly forward until their lips were nearly touching.
"Katara," he whispered. She shuddered at the sensation of his warm breath moving past her lips.
"Yes," she whispered softly.
"If I kiss you will you get mad," he kept his gaze locked with hers.
"Why do you want to kiss me," she asked softly.
Aang smiled slightly, "Because."
"Because why?"
"Hey Aang," Sokka said suddenly as he came upon the two. Both Aang and Katara jumped apart, trying desperately to conceal they're closeness.
"Hey Sokka," Aang said, "What's up?"
"Uh, did I just walk in on something," Sokka asked giving them both a weird look?
"Yeah right Sokka," Katara laughed nervously, "Aang and I were just about to kiss," she said sarcastically, shooting Aang a mischievous look.
Sokka began to laugh hysterically, "way to get me back guys, you two kissing that's hilarious."
Aang gazed at Katara smiling in amusement; she shrugged and smiled back at him.
"Hey Aang, look you know I was just joking with you about being jealous right."
"Yeah Sokka I know."
"See Katara, I told you he knew I was joking." Katara rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she sighed.
"Whatever," Sokka replied, "look I'm going back home to get some breakfast, are you two going to join me or are you just going to stay here and make out?" He began to laugh again. Katara and Aang glanced at each other in amusement.
"Alright Sokka," Katara sighed, "is it really that funny?" Sokka paused gazing in his sister's direction and wiped a tear from his eye.
"Hold on let me think, um, yes!"
"Come on Mr. Comedian," Katara said sarcastically as she and Aang turned to leave, "or I'll give your breakfast to Appa."
"Hey, that's not funny," Sokka said. And he ran after them.
The three reached the hut just as Soku was saying good bye to Takashi at the front door. Takashi bowed in respect to Soku and then happily shook his hand. Katara looked to her brother in bewilderment.
"Don't ask me," he said. As they approached the house Takashi spotted Katara and much to Aang's dismay he headed in her direction.
"Hey Kat," he said gazing at her lovingly.
"Hi Takashi," she smiled, "it looks like it went well with my father."
"Oh I would say it went according to plan," he said smiling profusely.
"So what did you talk about," Katara asked.
"Well I can't say," Takashi said, "I mean not right now…I will, but just… later." He began to blush slightly. He looked over to Sokka and Aang who stood nearby just staring at the two.
"Well," he sighed, "I have to go, I have things to do, I have to find a place to stay, but I'll see you later okay Kat."
"Yeah see you later Takashi." The young man quickly rushed away.
"Katara," Sokka said, "tell me it's not completely obvious that that guy is in love with you..."
"Sokka," she cried.
"And it looks to me like he is planning something."
"Like what," Katara and Aang both asked simultaneously.
"I don't know maybe I'm just being paranoid," Sokka shrugged, "it's just weird you know, he comes back, has some secret urgent business with Dad, something's weird about all of it," he sighed scratching the top of his head. Katara shot her brother a questioning glance.
"I'm sure it must have something to do with the North Pole," she insisted, "why else would he come back so soon?"
"Well then why wouldn't he just tell us that Katara, why be all secretive about it?"
"Well I don't know about you guys," Aang said strategically changing the subject, "but I am awfully hungry!"
Sokka's stomach began to rumble, he grasped it tightly and suddenly displayed a look of famish.
"Ugh me too," Sokka exclaimed, "lets go eat we can talk later."
Katara smiled, grasping Aangs hand, "come on Aang lets go eat." Aang nodded.
Sokka, Aang and Soku sat at the breakfast table talking as Katara brought out a pot of tea and a plate of flap jacks out to them.
"So, Avatar Aang," the old man sighed, "after talking with Takashi I decided that maybe it would be a good idea to have a feast to honor both yours and his return to the South Pole." Aang stared at him and surprise.
"You know that's really unnecessary," Aang smiled politely, "I don't need a feast."
"Don't be so modest Aang," Sokka exclaimed, "Dad he accepts the feast."
"Sokka," Katara whispered, elbowing him in the arm.
"What?"
"Well I insist Aang," Soku said, "after all, you have done many great things; defeating the fire lord bringing peace to the nations it's only fair that we should honor your arrival. I think that we got off to a bad start; after all you are a good friend of both my son and my daughter. I should welcome you as one of the family." he smiled. Aang smiled back, he bowed his head to Soku.
"I'm honored Soku, sir." he replied.
"Alright, who are you and what have you done with my father," Sokka questioned sarcastically. The old man smirked at his son but ignored his comment. He turned back to the Avatar.
"Besides," Soku continued, "the feast is not just for you it's also for Takashi, he has decided to stay in the South Pole for an extended period of time and I would like to welcome him back as well. He has helped our village much and has been a very good friend to Katara while I was sick. I'm sure Katara has filled you in about all of that." Aang nodded.
"So is that what you and Takashi talked about," Katara questioned, "what was the important business that he needed to discuss with you."
The old man reached to his daughter and lightly brushed his hand along her face. He smiled lovingly at her.
"Father?"
"Oh it was nothing to be concerned about Katara," he smiled.
"So Dad when is the feast," Sokka asked.
"Oh uh tomorrow night," Soku replied.
"What's there going to be to eat?"
"Sokka," the old man turned to his son and smiled, "I don't know yet, is that all you ever think about…food?"
"Well…Yeah…what else is there?" Soku chuckled at his son.
"Oh Sokka, what would I do without you?"
"Probably live in a much quieter house stocked to the ceiling with food," Katara said sarcastically.
"Hey," Sokka exclaimed. The group began laughing hysterically at Sokka's reaction.
Later on that day
Aang and Sokka walked through the village.
"You know Aang I wouldn't be surprised if Myoshi is hiding somewhere staring at me right now; there is just no way she is gonna last two days. She probably thinks about me nonstop."
"Yeah," Aang smiled, "I bet she's telling that guy over there how much she misses you right now."
"What," Sokka exclaimed, "What guy, where?" Aang pointed. Myoshi was smiling and laughing as she talked to a young water bender named Tien.
"Tien, Tien…I can't believe she's flirting with Tien"
"Uh Sokka it really looks like they're just talking," Aang said.
"Just talking… if they're just talking then why is she smiling, why is she laughing, why is she looking at him."
"Sokka calm down buddy," Aang said frantically, "you don't want her to see you loose your cool do you." Sokka took a deep breath.
"You're right, you're right….I'm going to win this bet….but right after I take out Tien!" Sokka ripped out his boomerang and aimed it at Tien. Aang quickly grabbed hold of his arm and stopped him from releasing the weapon.
"Sokka what are you doing?"
"Aang let me go," Sokka yelled.
"Sokka calm down, they're just talking." Sokka's arm relaxed in Aang's grip. He just gazed over at Myoshi. She smiled and flipped her long dark hair back over her shoulder. Her blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Sokka sighed longingly.
"Aang," he sighed.
"Yeah, Sokka."
"I gotta get out of here this is too much to take." Aang nodded in understanding. Sokka slowly sleeked away. Aang just chuckled at his friend.
"Poor Sokka," he sighed, "he's got it bad."
As Aang turned to head in the other direction he was suddenly stopped by Takashi.
"Hey Aang," he smiled.
"Oh uh hey Takashi," Aang forced a smile.
"Hey could I talk to you for a second Aang?"
"Uh…sure." The two headed off away from the village.
"You know Aang," Takashi said, "Katara really loves you; you are one of her closest friends. Ever since I have known her all she does is talk about you and the time she spent traveling with the Avatar." Aang glanced to Takashi questioningly.
"I mean you are such a huge part of her life, and I would hate for that to change. Just because…well I mean if Katara..."
"If Katara…what?" Aang asked becoming suddenly interested. Takashi suddenly became nervous.
"I just mean that people change and circumstances change, and it would be a shame if it were to come between such a close friendship," he glanced up at Aang briefly, "I just want Katara to be happy."
Aang shot him a suspicious glance, "nothing could ever come between Katara and me."
"Good I'm glad," Takashi said.
"Hey what are you two up to?" Katara approached them from behind.
"Oh Katara," Takashi smiled grasping her by the hand before Aang even had a chance to greet her, "Come with me I have something I want to show you."
"Well Takashi, I," she glanced over her shoulder to Aang as she was drug away by Takashi.
Aang just watched the two head off. He shook his head. What was it that Takashi was trying to say? What was he getting at? Why in the world would he be worried about something coming between his and Katara's friendship? Who was he, he didn't know anything about them, or how close they were. People change, circumstances change, what was that supposed to mean, did he know something Aang didn't, had Katara's feelings changed; did she confide something to Takashi?
"I have to talk to Katara."
Aang followed in the direction that they had headed. He came upon them in a remote part of the glacier, just outside the village, not far from where Aang had discovered Katara the night he arrived.
"What's this all about Takashi," Katara questioned, "you didn't even give me the chance to say hello to Aang."
"I'm sorry," Takashi apologized, "I' just wanted to spend some time with you, you know just you and me, it seems like ever since he's been back the two of you are joined at the hip." Katara smiled at Takashi's comment.
"Well I haven't seen him in two years; of course I want to spend time with him."
"But Katara," Takashi smiled grasping her hands in his, "didn't you miss me too?"
Katara smiled, "oh of course I missed you Takashi, it's just that…"
"That's all I wanted to hear," he said he leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek. Aang could feel the blood rushing to his face.
"You know I brought you here for a reason," he said.
"Really," Katara asked nervously. Takashi nodded.
"I wanted to ask you something." Aang's heart froze.
"Katara," he paused gazing into her sparkling blue eyes, "would you do me the honor of…allowing me to escort you to the celebration feast tomorrow."
"Oh," Katara said, "um, that's really sweet Takashi, but I'm sort of already going with Aang."
"You're going with Aang," he said flatly.
"Well yes," she said, "see, he already asked me and I can't just back out on him."
"Well…that's okay," he said softly, "as long as you save me a dance."
"Of course I will," she smiled. Aang suddenly approached them.
"Oh hey guys, I was just looking for Appa, have you seen him around?"
"No Aang," Katara said flatly, "we haven't."
"Oh by the way Takashi," Aang said turning to the water bender, "Soku was just looking for you a few minutes ago, something to do with the planning of the feast tomorrow night, he said he needed some of your input on something."
"Oh…uh…well I guess I better go see what he needs then, I'll talk to you later Katara." She nodded.
"Aang."
"Right, see you Takashi," Aang nodded. He turned back to Katara. She just stared at him with her arms crossed.
"Looking for Appa, huh," she said flashing him and angry gaze
"Katara, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I was intending to ask you about something and then I overheard the conversation and…"
"It was just too juicy to pass up," she interrupted.
"That's not what I was going to say…"
"What is your problem Aang?"
"I don't have a problem…"
"Yes… you do, you keep spying me every chance you get."
"That's not true Katara…you're overreacting". She glared at him. Aang frowned, maybe Takashi was right, maybe things had changed, maybe she did feel differently.
"Katara I…I just…,"he gazed at her, "I was just worried, Takashi just yanked you away without even a second word, I just wanted to make sure you were alright" Katara's gaze softened.
"Oh….well, I'm fine, Takashi just, well you know," she smiled slightly. Aang returned her smile.
"Yeah…,"he grinned, "just one thing," he questioned.
"What's that?"
"Why did you lie to him…why did you tell him that I asked you to go to the celebration feast with me?" Katara shrugged.
"I don't know I just sort did it, I kind of would rather go with you anyway; you are a little bit more fun then Takashi."
"Oh I see how it is," he smiled," so you are just going to assume that poor Aang has no date and that I was just waiting for you to decide to go with me."
"Oh well, Aang," she sighed, "you don't have to; I mean if you already have someone to go with." She batted her eyelashes in his direction. He smiled.
"You just don't like playing fair, is that what it is," he sighed. She smiled sweetly.
"You know I have lines of girls, just waiting for me to ask them." Katara gazed at him with her big blue eyes.
"Alright fine," he sighed, "but only under one condition."
"What's that," she asked.
"You pay me for it," he said slyly.
"Pay you," she questioned.
"Yeah!"
"With what?"
"A kiss," he said, "just one kiss." Katara looked at him strangely.
"A kiss," she said sarcastically. Aang smiled at her mischievously.
"Alright fine," she said trying to act like it was no big deal, "one kiss." She walked rightup to him and nonchalantly kissed him on the cheek.
"There," she said. Aang began to laugh.
"What," she questioned.
"What do you call that," he asked.
"You asked for a kiss," she replied in an annoyed tone, "I kissed you."
"That was not a kiss that was a peck on the cheek," he replied.
"No…it wasn't…it was a kiss."
"A peck," Aang said rolling his eyes.
"A kiss," Katara replied in frustration.
"Peck"
"Kiss"
"Peck"
"Ahhh, Aang what is your problem, why do you want me to kiss you any way, what's the big…" Suddenly Aang leaned forward grasping her face in his hands and pressed his lips firmly to hers. She was completely surprised and at first tried to push him away but she quickly gave in to his soft lips. She gradually wrapped her arms around his neck and he slid his down and around her waist. They held each other close for a long moment. Aang pulled away from her slowly. He gazed euphorically into her shinning blue eyes.
"See," he whispered, "that was a kiss; I don't know what you think that weak thing of yours was."
"But, Aang," she whispered, "I…I…Why would you…I mean…you kissed me but I don't understand….I thought we were…."
"Friends," Aang finished her sentence almost in disappointment, "right we're just friends." He smiled weakly and turned away from her.
"Aang why did you do that; why did you kiss me like that?" Aang didn't look at her, he didn't even turn around.
"I was just proving a point," he said, "its no big deal." Katara averted her eyes away from Aang.
"So you're saying that it didn't mean anything then," she whispered softly. Aang did not take his eyes away from the snow covered ground.
"No," he whispered, "it didn't…it was just..." She came to him and stood in front of him forcing him to look at her. He reluctantly gazed into her eyes.
"It was just a stupid thing to do," he whispered, "I'm sorry." Katara nodded.
"Well… we better get back," she sighed, "I don't want my father to worry." Aang nodded.
To be continued