I only own the stuff I came up with. The stuff that I originally didn't have in my story is not mine.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Book 2: Earth

THE COMPANION

Chapter 13: Meeting in the Market

Ananda and Ajay were in the marketplace talking and laughing and just having a great time! "I dare you to buy it!"

"No way! Do you know how girly that looks?" He said to her.

She laughed and replied, "Um... I should think so. I am a girl after all! And that's kind of the point!"

"I'm not buying it!"

"You can't back out of a dare!"

"Sure I can! I can if it's a life or death situation!"

Ananda laughed at her friend. "And what makes this a life or death situation?"

Ajay looked at her seriously, but she could see the humor hidden in his eyes. "Right now I'm alive. If I buy that purse I'll end up dead. Do you know how many people would beat me up?"

The both started laughing. "Alright, I'll let you out of this one, as long as I can beat you up later!" Ananda told him.

"Oh ho ho! And what makes you think you can take me old lady?" He said with a smirk.

She just stopped and looked at him with a wicked smile and said, "That's it! Now you're gonna get it!"

Ajay darted away as quick as he could with Ananda following closely behind, both laughing hysterically until they had to stop to catch their breath. Once Ajay stopped Ananda tackled him down to the ground and they began wrestling. Anyone watching the duo would think they were fighting if it wasn't for their insane and unending laughter.

Eventually Ananda pinned him and began tickling him until he surrendered. "Alright, alright! You win! I surrender!" He said between breaths.

Ananda laughed as she got up then gave him a hand up. "You never change do you?" She said with a smile.

"Neither do you." Ajay said, his words clearly showing a double meaning.

With that, things grew silent between them. "You know that's not true. I've changed a lot in the past five years."

Ajay's eyes showed humor again and he just said, "Nah! Your still the same, fun-loving, trouble-making, exciting Ana that I've always known!"

Ananda was surprised at her new nickname, but thought it fit her nicely. "Where'd you come up with Ana? I like it," she told him with a smile.

"Your name is just really long!" He told her with a laugh, causing her to laugh too. Then he completely changed the subject. "So, you never told me how you escaped the fire nation!"

His interest made her smile and she told him, "Oh you know, the usual. I made a plan, took Zuko's memories, then jumped off the side of the ship."

Ajay just laughed, he knew just about everything there was to know about her, including her ability to take memories. "You, always kissing the boys aren't you," he laughed.

"I am not! I'm taking their memories!"

"But you still kiss them," he argued.

"That's how I take their memories you dweeb," she told him defensively.

"Okay, whatever you say," he told her, his tone hinting that he didn't really believe her.

"You know, how about I just take your memories too," she threatened.

"Does that mean I get a kiss too?" He asked playfully, closing his eyes and puckering his lips teasingly.

She responded teasingly with a smirk, "why not?"

Then she leaned in and gave him a kiss. It wasn't a meaningful kiss. It was just a playful and joking peck on the lips. She didn't take away his memories either because, let's face it, she couldn't survive without her Ajay and he couldn't survive without his Ananda. They both had a special bond, not like the bond she shared with Aang, but a special bond that was unbreakable They both pulled away laughing, but at that moment, Ananda heard a familiar voice yell, "Ananda!"

Aang, Katara, and Sokka were walking through the marketplace when Sokka found a purse he wanted. He couldn't decide if he wanted to buy it or not and Katara and Aang were just waiting there, bored and uninterested in Sokka's inner conflict about buying the purse. Eventually Katara and Aang walked away. Sokka began to follow, but then he decided to buy it.

Meanwhile, a man approached Aang and Katara, telling them to go to Master Yu for training. Katara said, "who knows, this could be the earthbending teacher you've been looking for." Aang was doubtful, but they went to the class anyway. He went to the class, but when he got out he said to his friends, "eh, he's not the one."

Then Aang overheard two boys talking about a man called The Boulder fighting his way through the best earthbenders in the world. He asked very politely where the fight was taking place, but they replied with a rude retort that Sokka found quite amusing.

"I'll take care of this," Katara told him. Then ran off after the boys.

"What was I thinking? I don't need a new bag! Why'd you let me buy this?" Sokka said.

Katara came running back and said "You ready to find an earth bending teacher? Because we're going to Earth Rumble 6!"

"How'd you get them to tell you?" Aang asked.

She replied, "Oh, a girl has her ways," and smiled.

"She certainly does!" Sokka said looking in the opposite direction.

Aang and Katara looked over and saw Ananda kissing some boy! Suddenly Aang felt very possessive of his Erity, and was about to say something when they pulled apart and started laughing.

Aang and Katara may have been too dumbstruck to say anything, but Sokka was obviously unfazed. "Ananda!" he called.

She turned and saw them. Immediately that heartwarming smile she always has appeared on her face. "Sokka," she called and waved, "Aang, Katara! I've been looking for you guys!"

"Yeah, sure looks like it." Sokka remarked sarcastically.

"How did you get here?" Katara asked her when she had finally gotten over the shock of finding her.

"It's a long story," she told them with a smile.

Katara just smiled and gave her a big hug. "It's so good to see you again! We were so worried!"

"Who's this?" Aang asked, immediately wanting to know who the strange boy he caught kissing his Ananda was.

Ananda turned and smiled, "Oh! Everyone, this is Ajay! He's a good friend of mine!" She told them excited.

"Yeah looks like it." Sokka said. Ananda turned and flicked him in the head. "Ow! Was that necessary?"

Then Ajay leaned in and whispered in Ananda's ear, "hey, is that the bag you tried to get me to buy?" She looked at the bag then nodded and they both began laughing.

The three friends gave the duo strange looks but then Katara said, "Hey, are you guys going to Earth Rumble 6?"

"Nah. They ban me from that place." Ananda told them. "Why? Are you guys?"

"Yeah. We're headed there now actually. We're trying to find Aang an Earthbending teacher." Katara explained.

"How did you get banned?" Sokka asked.

Ajay laughed, and Ananda punched his arm in response. "Ow!"

"It's a long story. It happened ages ago-"

"Five years," Ajay interrupted.

Ananda elbowed his side leaving him doubled over trying to catch his breath. "Look, it's nothing important. I just got into a little trouble the last time I was here that's all."

"Or a lot." He grunted. "And she dragged me into too!"

"Yeeeaahh. Sorry about that." Ananda told him looking guilty. "Anyway, we're both banned from the arena. But we'll hang around here and wait for you guys." She told them with a smile.

"I don't like that idea." Aang said quickly, glaring at Ajay.

Ananda sighed. "Aang, can I talk to you for a second?" She didn't give him a chance to reply. She just pulled him to the side for a "little" chat.

"Ok what the heck is wrong with you? Why are you being so hostile toward Ajay? He's a great guy!"

Aang simply said, "I don't like him."

"No, you don't like how close I am to him. Seriously Aang, I can have other friends."

"Of course you can have other friends. He just can't be your friend."

"Honestly Aang, do I act like this about you and Katara? I mean it's clear you like her and I'm not hostile toward her!" Then Ananda calmed down and in her normal tone added, "in fact, I rather like her. Great job!" She raised her hand for a hi-five but Aang didn't return it. She just sighed and looked down. "Look, Aang, Ajay is my best friend. There is nothing romantic going on between us and there never will be okay? But Aang, you act like this every time I make a new friend, whether it's a boy or a girl! We may be bound, but I am not a possession you can keep to yourself okay?" She looked at him with gentle and understanding eyes.

"How do you do it?" He asked her softly.

"Do what?"

"How do you not get jelous or possessive? The bond works both ways."

She smiled at him. "I do Aang. When I see you with others I get very jealous and possessive. However, unlike you I don't make it so obvious. I actually let you have other friends." They both gave a small laugh then hugged.

While they were hugging Aang told her, "I'm sorry."

She replied, "Me too." Then they let go and she looked at him with excited eyes. "Now, let's go find you an Earthbending teacher!"

"I thought you were banned?"

"And since when has that stopped me?" She laughed. He just shrugged and laughed at how true that was. Then they ran back over to their friends and the entire group began walking toward the arena.

Sorry the chapter was slow and boring. Definately not my best. This chapter was really just for the characters to meet each other. The next chapter will be better!

Next Chapter we get to meet Toph! Also, I have NO IDEA when I will be posting again because I have HORRIBLE writers block. I'll try my best though! Thank you everyone for your reviews and I'll try and make the next chapter better! I know this one was a bit slow. Sorry!