Warning: It is this ficwriter's intention to tickle your funny bone and give your sweet tooth cavities.
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Chapter Two
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It will be difficult to explain why you had to leave, Aang.
Just tell them you had no choice.
Does he even have to explain? He's the Avatar.
... His friends had been so worried about him. They deserve to know.
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In the chief's hut, an uneasy Aang waited as the chief who was Katara and Sokka's father, Master Pakku and Bato discussed amongst themselves the explanation Aang had just given to them concerning his disappearance four years ago as well as considering his request to reside in their village. Of the three older men, Pakku was the only one who didn't bother to keep his voice low.
"If we are to believe his explanation, it will be dangerous for him to stay here," said Pakku darkly for he was for refusing Aang's request while Bato was sympathetic; the chief was ambivalent.
"Master Pakku, we are in debt to the Avatar," said Bato in his characteristic deferential tone, which usually dissuaded others from picking an argument with him.
Pakku was an exception. "If he felt it necessary to keep away from others for years because... of this unstable condition of his-"
"He says he is fine now."
"So he says."
The chief suddenly spoke aloud to Aang, "Avatar, we will need time to consider your request. For now, please consider yourself welcome in the Southern Water Tribe."
"Thank you, Sir," said Aang gratefully and left as soon as the chief nodded permission for him to leave. As he exited the hut, he heard Pakku complain, "It will be difficult to kick him out."
Pakku hasn't changed, thought Aang with amusement, not at all disliking the elder waterbending master for his suspicion for truthfully Aang shared similar doubts despite that he felt in control of himself and that Roku, Kyoshi and the others were more or less certain he was safe now.
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Avatar Roku, I don't understand. What do you mean by my other personality? ... Another incarnation like you, Kyoshi-
No, Aang, he isn't one of our past lives. He is -you-, Aang, but a different you.
... I don't understand.
It is understandable that you would find this confusing. I do not understand it completely as well; however, this has happened before to other past lives of ours long before; each of whom underwent considerable hardships as you did. Like you, they were all very young when they fully realized their powers as the Avatar.
... I still don't get it.
Like them, you were under so much strain and pressure; the weight of the troubles of the world already on your shoulders while still a child. Like them, you also endured encounters which called upon the Avatar State, triggering it so many times in too short a time. Like them, you also inadvertently created a alternate identity to take over when the situation was too dire.
... I did?
You were unaware of it, and I and the others were also hard put to recognize it when it had occurred.
... Is he- the other me- dangerous?
... He is ruthless, Aang. He is the very personification of the Avatar State... ... He dislikes intensely your friends, whom he considers as your- and his- weaknesses. ... He intends to eliminate them the next time the Avatar State is triggered.
What? I won't let him!
You may not have a choice, Aang. He is you.
... But what can I do then? I won't let him hurt my friends! I won't!
... You have to leave.
... What?
Leave your friends, Aang. You have to keep away from those you care about.
... Leave Katara... Sokka-
I know it is difficult, but the war is over, and now that you have mastered all four bending arts - you do not require your friends' help in making your own way in life... And you won't be alone, Aang. I and the other incarnations will assist you in dealing with your other self. However, for your friends' safety, you must leave and soon for we cannot control your other self. Like you, he too has fully realized the powers of the Avatar.
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"... What do you mean that you want me to help you dye your clothes, Aang?"
"I mean exactly that, Katara. Now, I do like the color of my robes, but they do stand out too much around here, and I want to fit right in."
"... Aang, we don't care about the color of your clothes."
"Please, Katara."
"... I hate it when you look at me that way. ... Just borrow some of Sokka's clothes or visit the tanner's hut. Dyeing is very messy work."
"I can't wear furs or leather because they're made from the skins of dead animals."
"Don't be so picky, Aang. Besides, if I can wear the skins of -dead- animals, you can wear the skins of dead animals too."
"Now, don't be upset, Katara."
"I'm not upset!"
"Then you'll help me?"
"... Just wait for the next trading vessel. Maybe the merchants will have some blue-colored clothes not made from animal skins for you."
"That will take weeks, and there's no guarantee they'll have blue-colored clothes not made from dead animals."
"They should at least have clothes not made from animal skins; we can dye those. And quit it about dead animals, besides do you have any idea how we make dye around here?"
"... Uh... no."
"I'll give you a clue. Dead animals are also involved. So either just wear what we wear or wear what you have now."
"... I guess I don't have much choice then..."
"... I hate it when you look at me that way too."
"What way?"
"The make me feel guilty way look of yours."
"Is it working?"
"... You still want me to help you dye your clothes?"
"No, this time, I want you to help me pick out new clothes."
"... Even if they're all made from dead animals?"
"Yes."
More stunned than really impressed that Aang would be willing to wear her people's clothing, Katara accompanied him to the tanner's hut, wherein Aang took his sweet time in making his choices, annoying Katara and amusing the tanner's wife.
"Don't you have anything made of wool?"
"Aang-"
"How about cotton or linen?"
"... We're at the South Pole-"
"Silk?"
Katara crossed her arms and in a very dry voice said, "Isn't silk made by boiling silkworm cocoons with the worms still inside them?"
"... Oh yeah. Good point... but silk feels so nice-"
"Furs feel nice too, Aang. Just pick something or I'm leaving," said Katara warningly.
"Okay. Okay. ... I'll take these. These are in my size, right?" he asked the smiling tanner's wife, who wasn't making any effort to hide her amusement.
"Yes, Avatar."
"How much do I owe you?"
"For the Avatar, no payment is requirement."
"Really? Thanks!"
Katara shifted on the balls of her feet impatiently when Aang began chatting with the tanner's wife.
"Have you and your husband ever considered importing other clothing material from the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation?"
"... Avatar, the majority of Earth Kingdom clothing materials isn't suitable for our climate and we won't trade with the Fire Nation."
"Because of the war, huh?"
"Yes."
"Well, just so that you know. Over in the Fire Nation, they've come up with a new type of cloth which they call satin- Katara, where are you going?"
"Leaving. I have other things to do."
"Okay. Okay, I'm going with you. Thanks a lot for the clothes," he said cheerfully to the tanner's wife, grabbing his selections and running after his friend.
"Katara, wait up!"
She sighed and turned around to the ludicrous sight of Aang whose arms were piled high with furs and leather clothing.
"... Put them in your hut."
"I don't have a hut yet, remember?"
"... Just put them in Sokka's hut. You can stay with him in the meantime."
"I don't know where Sokka's hut is."
"His hut is right besides mine. The one on the left."
"Oh, okay. ... Where was your hut again? And is it my left or the hut's left?"
"... Aang, you're deliberately trying to annoy me, aren't you?"
"Of course not, Katara. I would never want to annoy you."
"Well, you've been doing a very good job of it."
"Sorry, sorry. I don't mean to. ... So... are you going to tell me where your hut is or not?"
"... Oh you... just follow me."
A short while later.
"... Aang, I said to put them in Sokka's hut, not in my hut!"
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To be continued.
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Yes. Aang really -really- likes Katara. Up to you to decide whether he's pretending to be dense, or not. Either way... the outcome should be the same... Let's see how long Katara will last. XD
Sokka's in the next chapter. Plus, I'm keeping the chapters nameless since it would just be too silly of me to label them the way I did while I was writing them. Chapter 1 - Hair Chapter 2 - Clothes Yes, ladies and gentlemen - this story is also about Aang's make-over, and kudos if you can guess what of Aang's is getting a make-over in the next chapter.
Also, you can review this story even if you don't have a ffnet account or aren't logged in. If you're going to review, let me know if you understand why Aang wants Katara to help him dye his clothes.
(coughs) Just wondering if the readers are on the same wavelength as me. And just a little heads up, this chapter was up a little early but the next chapter might not be uploaded tomorrow or the day after. I want to make it -extra- special. 8) Note that this story is T-rated.
