Lustful Bending

Disclaimer: I still do not own Avatar the Last Airbender. Nope not me.

Chapter Four

They landed Appa in a clearing and then turned taking in the view of the city that laid out before them. The city of Omashu was truly a city to behold, when the sun hit it just right, it shined like an cluster of sparkling emeralds reaching to the sky. Patting the gentle beast on the head Aang said he would come to check on him when King Bumi let him. He waited a while for his friend and sister to catch up with him. Sokka spoke up. "Well, two down, two more to go." Just when they thought they could continue on in peace, Sokka spoke up again, or so they thought, it was his stomach. The were quickly surrounded on all sides by guards. "Gees, Sokka, they must think there is some sort of monster in you belly." The guards parted on one side to let someone enter. This man walked right up to Aang and glared at him. Aang was trying as hard as he could to figure out is he had just done something wrong, but all he could think of maybe he didn't like stomach monsters. He just glanced over to his two companions and they all let out a much needed chuckle.

"Where is your wig, Avatar?" The man asked. "Or do you no longer feel it necessary to don costumes?" The three of them just looked at this man in disbelief. Who was this man? Did he remember them? Just then Katara slaps herself on the forehead she remembered this was the guard that wanted them to be punished for running a muck in the city the last time they were here. And run a muck they did, she felt so ashamed. She wanted to hide but they were still surrounded. ."The King wants to see you anyway" He said, turned on his heal and lead them through the city.

On the way Aang couldn't help but gawk at the wares the merchants were selling in the plaza. Quite often one of the siblings had to redirect him to keep them on their way. They made it to the castle with out event. There waiting for their arrival was the King himself. He looked up to see his best friend from years past holding out his arms to welcome him and Aang .Aang was drawn to him, he ran to his embrace. "Aang, I have missed you, my little friend." By this time the rest of the party had joined them. King Bumi looked down at his friend raising a hand to the air. "Let's have a feast" He shouted.

Sokka was giddy with anticipation, nearly foaming at the mouth. Katara felt relief, she could rest and prepare for her next encounter with the banished prince. But she decided for tonight she wouldn't let him enter her mind. She was determined to enjoy the feast if it killed her. They were escorted to a room that they would all share,she looked around , it was very much like last time they were here. She heard a knock and a young women entered. Bowing to Katara she asked if she would like to bathe before dinner. Katara felt alighted, a real bath! She wasn't sure if she knew what that was anymore. She agreed and the young women asked her to follow her. Katara was much to happy to agree.

Her breath was taken away as she entered the bath. It was majestic to say the least, she had never seen anything like it. For crying out loud it was just a bathroom. The young girl excused herself saying that she would gather a fresh change of clothing for her and be right back in case Katara needed help. Quickly disposing of her clothing she slowly entered the water, it was so warm, caressing her skin. She quickly berated herself for thinking of him, and of all times, when she was naked as a newborn. Soon the young girl returned but Katara didn't seem to notice her until she grabbed her by the wrist. Katara gasped. "My Lady, You are scrubbing your skin raw!" Katara looked down to her arms, suddenly feeling her cheeks flush. "Are you alright" She asked, but Katara only berated herself even more for letting herself get carried away like that. That was one more reason to teach him a lesson when she saw him next.

Having finished and dressed with Frida's help. Frida said she would be glad to escort Katara to the dinning hall where everyone was waiting. When Katara entered the dinning hall all heads turned to look at her. She suddenly felt out of place, but she fought the urge to shy away. King Bumi stood as did all the other men in the hall, but Sokka and Aang just sat there their mouths ajar looking at her. Sokka was trying to think if that was really his little sister.Aang just wanted to run to her and tell her how pretty she was. But he remembered Sokka once said you have to act like you aren't interested. So he just sat there as King Bumi approached her and took her hand and led her to a seat right next to his. After she was seated, King Bumi took his seat. Then all the other men took their seats. Conversation continued, someone always commenting on how beautiful Katara was tonight. She didn't think her cheeks were ever going to cool down. But soon the evening was coming to an end and King Bumi urged Aang to get a good nights rest as they would be starting on his training in the morning.

They made there way back to their room, only having to ask for help twice. Lying down as if on a bed of clouds Katara was quickly asleep. But her sleep was not all that peaceful, and they hadn't been since she made the vow. Every night she had dreams about that certain someone who she wanted more than anything just to ring his neck. They fought often in these dreams but sometimes he just stood there looking at her. She would always try to decipher the facial expression on his face, but foundit all to hard, so she just gave up and would just look back at him. Other times she was scared to admit the dreams she had of him.Itwould wake her in the middle of the night gasping for breath. If Sokka knew about this he would kill her. But she told herself it is just her minds way of telling her to keep her friends close and her enemies closer. Yeah that's what it is, she reassured herself. Then just as she was drifting back into sleep she would long for the dream to come again.

They all woke early and were ushered to the dinning hall where they had breakfast with King Bumi. Then Katara and Sokka were left to there own devices when Aang went to train with his old friend. Sometimes they would go too. But this soon got to be very boring. And other times they would wander the castle. Trying to see what they could find, usually a guard sending them back the way they came. And other times they would go to train themselves, Sokka with the warriors of Omashu. While Katara would opt for solitary.

Weeks passed and it seemed they would never get to leave the surrounding walls of the city, just then King Bumi told Aang that he wanted him to go find his friends and meet him on the front steps of the palace. So Aang curious as ever, did as he was told, searching high and low for his friends. He came a crossed Sokka in the kitchen of all places. Katara was a bit harder to find. Sokka and Aang almost gave up on finding her. She had taken to training in the morning and then taking pleasure in a long relaxing bath. They soon found her resting in their room. So the three of them quickly went to met King Bumi at the designated spot. He looked over at them with a bemused smile on his face. "I was just about to count you three out." He paused before speaking again. "Well, lets get going,"making his way down the stairs, leaving the palace behind.

Aang ran up to his old friend the King and asked, "Where are we going?" King Bumi looked around and but said nothing. Sokka and Katara did nothing but follow. They were silently wondering where the old king was taking them. They walked through the market place and Katara was surprised to see no one seemed shocked to find the crazy old man out of the safety of his home. Soon they reached the entrance of the great city and King Bumi turned to look upon them. He spoke simply uttering one word, "Picnic!" The three looked at each other disbelievingly. Did they really hear 'Picnic!' He spoke once more, "You all have been working so hard to improve yourselves that I decided we would all take the day off." He let his words soak in. "So we are going to visit with Appa and have a picnic." And with that the great wall of the city parted and they were on there way to see Appa.