A/N. Yet again, a shorter chapter! Don't worry, I have two rather big chapters planned after this one!

I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender

The sun was already high in the sky as they started their journey once more. This was the second day after their failed invasion… They had first gone back to the Black Cliffs, to get the supplies Sokka had apparently hid away during the time Aang and she had spent away from their friends.

Since then, they had travelled northwards. Spending yesterday hiding, sleeping as two kept watch… they had travelled during the night, over the water, and after a quick break when the sun had come up… They were now crossing a plain, towards a small forest. They would have flown if Appa wasn't so tired. The bison had carried them, his armour, and their supplies, for most of the journey… So, they couldn't ask more of him.

"I hate this." She muttered.

"Walking or getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation." Her brother groaned next to her. He hadn't taken off his armour and was sweating under the beating sun.

"Both." Katara sighed. She knew what Aang had said this morning. The Western Air Temple was close, but she didn't see any mountains. All the other temples they had visited had been in mountain ranges… So where was this one? They were usually one in places accessible to airbenders… So where was this one, on this freaking plain?

They had left their father in the hands of the Fire Nation… All their friends… Only leaving them The Duke, a child… Teo, who couldn't fight… And Haru, who was a capable earthbender… But not the smartest of the bunch.

Stop being so mean.

Katara sighed once again. These last two days, she had observed her thoughts going far more often towards the meaner side of things. She knew it was just the stress of the situation… But still. It bothered her.

Small bushes with red berries began to appear on the plain, and from further away, Katara saw mist or smoke rise. Probably a spring or a small lake of some sort, creating that mist in this heat… Spirits, at least they could put their feet in cool water for a moment, before continuing… She could hear the others talk softly, but Katara didn't listen…

As she walked, she felt the pouch hit her leg inside the pocket of her leggings… That pouch, with the source of some of her stress. Aang had given her that necklace… But hadn't mentioned it since then. Actually, he had not even really talked to her. She had given him some space, knowing he was probably in a dark place… And knowing him, Katara knew he would prefer to deal with it alone. He would come to her when he was ready to talk about what had happened.

But still… She had kept the necklace in the pouch. The waterbender had wanted to accept it… really! But it was just too dangerous. What if the Fire Nation learned about it, and use it to make Aang give himself up? No… She couldn't allow that. That was her reason for refusing. If… If they had won the Day of Black Sun, she would have put it on. Really.

They approached the mist, and Katara realized it wasn't a lake… No, it was a canyon, spanning hundreds of yards, or maybe even a mile.

"Seriously? We'll have to fly over it… Sorry Appa." Sokka groaned, but as Katara watched, she saw a small smile appear on Toph's face.

"No need Meathead. We've arrived." The blind girl spoke up, so that the whole group heard her. Katara looked into the canyon. Was the Air Temple at the bottom? People would be able to find that easily, no?

"Yeah… We've arrived. Get on Appa, he knows the way." Aang spoke behind her, and she heard the sound of his glider opening up. A flash of orange and saffron walked past her, and just… Fell down into the canyon.

Katara shook her head, and climbed onto Appa's head. Aang was separating himself more and more from the group, she had noticed… Sleeping away from the others, not talking, walking behind the others. Staying on Appa's head the whole time, they had been flying… It was not good.

And staying at an Air Temple only would make his mood darker. He had talked about this with her. He had considered any Air Temple his home… And to see them defiled like this, it broke his heart. He would never be able to live inside one. He had said it himself. And now… circumstances forced him to do exactly that.

As Appa began to take off, she turned to the others in the saddle.

"Hey guys… Could we all be careful in the Temple? Aang… He doesn't like visiting them. There are going to be bones, and traces of the genocide… That is rough for him. He knew most of the people living in the temples. These are not bones for him. These were his friends… Perhaps even his family." Katara spoke to the others, and she saw how they all nodded. Teo looked a bit green. He probably knew what to expect. Sokka and Toph looked at her with sad expressions.

And… would he have had family here? Katara had actually never really thought about that. He did have Gyatso at the Southern Air Temple… But would he have known someone related to him by blood? A mother? A father? When they had come to Ba Sing Se, he had told her he had been born at the Eastern Air Temple, so he did know the circumstances of his birth… And now, they were visiting a place that would make him incredibly sad…

"Oh… And something else! If he says you can't go somewhere, you listen. I believe this place was reserved to the nuns… So… You know, I think there are probably places only women can go." This, she said more to the guys in their group… Meaning, nearly everybody except Toph and her.

Appa groaned, and Katara thought it sounded… sad. As if he knew that the place they were going wouldn't be like he remembered. The bison took them into the canyon… And from the mist, an enormous statue, carved into the side of the canyon appeared.

They had built their temple into the side of the cliff…

Oh Spirits…

As more of the building came into her sight, Katara felt her eyes fill with tears. It looked… So beautiful. There were countless buildings hanging from the outcrop, some small, some gigantic. All buildings were built from a white sandstone, with green and blue roofs… Gardens were built into the roofs, and several terrasses connected some of the buildings. Statues of nuns were carved into the rock, and there were no doubts how those had been carved. Airbenders, hovering around the rocks… Carving those statues. With a little imagination, she could see it happening… But the buildings were too silent… Too dark. This placed breathed life and happiness… They seemed to be made for happy people. A hundred years ago, Katara imagined, these buildings had been filled with laughter of hundreds of people…

And now, silence.

She saw something in orange robes move on one of the terrasses. That particular one had a great fountain, where water was still flowing. It seemed to be the biggest open space of the temple… At least, of what she could see of it.

Appa, without directions, landed there, and Momo nearly immediately took off from the saddle, flying in circles around the terrasse. Here, the shadows hid them from the heat above them, and a cool breeze seemed to fly between the buildings. Katara saw Aang, standing with his back towards them, looking at one of the walls.

A great mosaic, of small tiles, spanned over the whole wall, which was nearly fifty feet wide. The waterbender saw how a whole herd of bison was depicted on the wall, flying over a canyon that seemed to be the one in which de Temple was built. Smaller figures also accompanied the bisons, and, looking closer, Katara knew those were nuns.

They looked different from the monks she had seen depicted in the Southern and Northern Air Temples. For one, the nuns had hair, only with their forehead shaven to show off the tattoos. And their dresses seemed to be made of a thicker material than what Aang was wearing at this moment, showing less skin. But then again, the airbender had explained that the Air Nomads who were not monks or nuns had more liberty at choosing their garments.

"This Temple," Aang voice sounded, echoing from the ruined wall, still not turning around, "is the second-biggest building on all the nations. At least, a hundred years ago. It is easy to get lost if you don't know the way. I'll give you all a tour. But for now, I would ask you not to enter that part." The airbender pointed his staff towards one of the corridors on his right.

Katara had to bite her lip. The tone in his voice was too serious, too… Well, not like him.

"Those were the quarters of the nuns. No men were permitted there. At least, not unaccompanied. Katara, Toph, you may go inside, to look if there is something that can be of use in there. Sokka, you and Haru can take that corridor." Again, without facing them, the staff pointed to the corridor on the left.

"And you?" The Duke asked. Katara closed her eyes, knowing why Aang had asked other people to take a look.

"I… I need look somewhere else. But not yet." Aang sighed, and she saw how his shoulders sagged.

There is something personal he wants to check out…

Looking at the airbender's back, Katara saw how he squared his shoulders, as if to say he was going to push the feelings away. And indeed, as he turned around, she saw him smile, but not his real one. This one seemed… Too fake. Of course, the others in their group wouldn't recognize it, but Sokka frowned.

"The Duke, can you help me get all that armour off Appa?" Aang crouched a bit in front of the child, who grinned, turning to the bison.

"Yeah… I'll help too!" Teo rolled his wheelchair towards Appa, and Katara felt a tug on her sleeve. IT was Toph.

"Come on Sugar Queen… let's check out the nun's quarters." The blind girl sighed, and Katara kne perfectly well that it was no good. Aang was acting as if nothing was wrong, but the cracks in that mask were already appearing. And if he cracked… Well, she hoped the Avatar State would look around the corner.

She let herself be led towards the hallway on the left. As they entered the corridor, Katara realized that on one side were windows, offering a splendid view over the canyon, and on the left side of the hallway, doors led to rooms.

"So… This is an air temple…" Toph spoke softly, as she moved some of the stones that had fallen from the ceiling.

"Yeah… I'm actually surprised there are no skeletons yet… Can… Can you feel those?" Katara whispered, as she pushed one of the doors open, only to have it fall into dust, rotten away… The small room that was now visible had only a small niche, probably what had served as a bed… and a rotten wooden desk.

"Normally yes, but I can't feel every building here. At least, in this one, it seems… clear." Toph answered.

That was weird. The terrasse and this building in general had seemed to her to be the central place of the temple… and not to have any skeletons here… It was weird.

"At least, that is good… We don't need Aang finding a loved one… once again." The waterbender averted her eyes from the room. She had told Toph, after the desert, about Gyatso.

"Yeah… Twinkletoes is already messed up enough. He had a couple of very rough days." The blind girl's voice seemed to change a bit, and Katara realized she was being sincere, and kind.

She didn't answer, because there was no answer needed. Yes, Aang had suffered these last few days… But it was clear to her that it was not only the failed invasion that was weighing on his mind, for that would have been something he could talk about with them… But no, this was something else.

Maybe… Maybe because they had not talked about that necklace?

"Toph… Could I ask you something?" Katara felt vulnerable, asking this. She was not used to ask advice, and certainly not of the earthbender! But… But there was no one else. Sokka was nice, and would have taken it seriously… But for some reason, Katara felt uncomfortable talking about this particular problem with her brother. Toph knew that Aang and she had been sleeping together… And had probably known about the necklace, for the pendant was out of stone.

"Sure, is it about that pouch in your pocket?" Toph smiled a real smile at her.

"How…"

"That thing has been with Aang ever since he came back from the other Temple. He has been dodging questions about it for two months. But I knew what it was… I've even encouraged him to give it to you." The blind girl put a hand on the floor, before shaking her head. "Come on, there is nothing here."

"No, no, wait a minute… What did you say? You know what it is? And you… You have been encouraging it?" Spirits, this was messed up. So Toph knew about the whole thing…

"Sure, isn't this what you wanted? The perfect relationship, marriage, popping out children… Seems like something you would enjoy." The blind girl grinned mischievously.

Well… Katara couldn't deny that some of those things seemed… good. Who wouldn't want to have a good relationship, based on trust, equality and honesty? And sure… Marriage sounded nice, with Aang… And some children… Katara wouldn't say no to that.

But there were so many problems…

"I… I would have said yes, if we had won…" Katara whispered, glad that there was no one else in the corridor to see her blush and shameful expression.

"Wait! What doe you mean, I would have said yes. Did you… say no?" Toph sounded shocked.

"I… I've not said anything. Kind of… You know, ignored it…" The waterbender answered, knowing it was no use to lie to Toph.

"Spirits Sweetness! Why on earth would you say nothing! You said it yourself, you wanted to say yes. What is stopping you?" The blind girl rolled her eyes, moving her hands in an exasperated gesture.

"What is stopping me? Perhaps that the Fire Nation would do anything to get their hands on Aang! I don't want to be the reason he gives himself up! Azula knows about me and him! She would try and capture me, to make Aang surrender! If they knew we were betrothed, or even married, they would double their efforts! I… I just can't do that to him. I can't put him in more danger than he is already." Katara explained.

She couldn't just do that… Not now. Certainly not now that there was no deadline, or clear moment the war could end. And as the waterbender looked at Toph… She saw understanding.

"Yeah, I see your point… But he would do anything for you, no matter what. Even if you said no… He would not change his feelings about you."

Yeah… That was the Air Nomad in him… He loved her… and would never, ever love another.

"That the point! I… I need to make him understand… I need… I need to stop him for doing that for me. I can't stand the thought that he would be endangered by his feelings for me." Katara tried to stay calm, but only the idea of him in the Fire Nation grasp made her sick.

"Katara… I think that you are too late for that. Even if you broke his heart into a million pieces, he would still do anything for you. He is just not going to change that… Certainly not after what Azula said." Toph blind eyes fixed her own, and Katara knew that when those misty green orbs looked at you like that, the earthbender was death serious.

"What did Azula say?" Oh spirits… This was probably worse than she had thought.

"Hey, what is taking you so long?" Her brother's voice sounded through the corridor, and, turning around, she could see a form stand at the entrance of the hallway.

"Come on. He will tell you when he is ready, it is not for me to explain that." Toph muttered, and walked away.

Spirits no! Came back her you hog monkey! I need to know!

Katara grumbled and followed the earthbender. What had that bitch of a princess said to Aang? Was that the reason he was being so… distant? Trying not to show any emotions… being so… So like when Appa had been stolen?

That worried her. It was only the birth of a child and the following emotions that had broken through his hard exterior… What was going to be needed now?

As she walked back to the terrasse, Katara realized this time, would probably be more difficult. It was not like last time actually… No, this time he was way more talkative, and had shown emotions… No, now, it was an entirely different situation. He was probably a bit more than depressed. They had lost the battle, he had failed in his role as Avatar… And the future they had talked about in that cave on the Black Cliffs… Was a lifetime away.

Knowing him, he had probably focused entirely on that. Not the what if? Only on the possible future. Only that.

"Anything on your end?" Sokka spoke as they emerged from the corridor. Toph just shook her head, and Katara didn't even answer, looking at Aang. He had managed to get most of the armour off the bison, who was now softly touching his great head against the airbender's shoulder and arm, probably to show support for their own grief.

"Yeah, us neither. This temple has been stripped clean." Haru spoke next to them, but Sokka glared at him.

"Don't you dare say that to Aang. He doesn't need to know. Don't say a word about the things that probably happened here. That goes for all of us." Her brother spoke, and the anger in his voice was unmistakable.

Haru nodded, and they moved towards the airbender. Katara saw how the saddle had been put down next to the fountain, and their supplies were just next of it. Spirits… How were they going to manage supplies? The Fire Nation was going to search everywhere for them… And these lands were now Fire Nation…

Maybe they could try and find things in the gardens here? Perhaps there were orchards somewhere around! They could also try and hunt in the canyon… That would not solve problems for Aang, but there would be more choices for the others.

"Nothing?" The airbender asked as they approached.

"No, nothing." Sokka answered for them, sitting down next to Appa on the ledge of the fountain, in which, Katara saw, Momo was playing around.

"Oh… And you? Nothing, not even in the first room?" Aang turned to her, and the waterbender saw the silent pleading in his grey eyes.

Please say yes, please say you found something.

"No… sorry." She answered. Why had he been so specific? He had mentioned the first room… There had been nothing inside of it.

Aang nodded, sighing.

"Alright. We probably need to speak about sleeping arrangements. There are some guest rooms over in the other building, over there." He pointed his chin to a smaller temple, connected to the terrasse by a rope bridge that looked… ancient.

"Ehm… Aang…" Teo spoke up, gesturing at his wheelchair. Katara saw how the airbender looked rather embarrassed.

"Sorry. Didn't think about that… there aren't enough air currents between these two buildings to let you use your glider. We… we could stay here." Aang gestured at the corridor Sokka and Haru had explored.

"Maybe it would be better… Staying close to our water source. I wouldn't want to walk that bridge in the dark every time I'm thirsty." Sokka smiled weakly, "And maybe it would be better if people stayed together… in case someone comes looking for us."

Well… That made sense. It was easy to infiltrate a group that was spread out. And to kill them, one by one, silently in their sleep. If people shared rooms… That would be more difficult.

"Yes, let's do that." Aang sighed.

"Alright, then! Haru and I can share, The Duke, Toph and Teo can find a place big enough for the three of them… And Katara and Aang." Her brother looked at her with a small smile. The waterbender was actually surprised. She would never have suspected Sokka would be so okay with her sharing a room with Aang.

"Toph and Katara can share, I won't sleep there." Aang stopped her thinking, by that announcement.

"Wait, why not?" Sokka raised his eyebrows.

"I'll fly over to the guest rooms. I'm not permitted to sleep in this part of the temple. A man who is not a monk, or a companion of one of the nuns, can't sleep here." The airbender explained, as if that made everything alright.

"I still think it would be better if someone stayed with you Aang." Sokka spoke through gritted teeth. For some reason, Katara saw Haru frowning. Actually, he had been since her brother had put them into groups for the sleeping arrangements. Maybe the earthbender wasn't so keen on listening to Sokka snore.

"We can share in the guest rooms Aang. No worry about that. I don't mind." Katara spoke up. Maybe… Maybe some privacy would be good in fact. Maybe he would drop the mask of trying to appear strong and sure of himself when they were alone… And they could talk about this. And… And about the pouch.

"Yeah. Alright." Aang turned around, clearly not wanting to talk further about it.

That bothered her. Katara put her hands together, knowing it was a gesture she used every time she was thinking, or stressed, but she couldn't help it. Why was he so reluctant to share a room with her? Was he angry with her, for not having said a word about the necklace? How could she have? They had fled the Fire Nation capital, and after that, had not had one moment alone! Did he think she would discuss this with everyone present?

Maybe her brother had given them privacy for exactly that reason! He was Aang's best friend, he was probably aware of what the airbender had been making! And maybe had even helped or something! Maybe he was even aware she had it now!

Her rambling thoughts were interrupted by a voice. A raspy one, sounding so unsure and shy.

"H-hey!... Z-Zuko here!"

Answers :

Alyssa : Yeah, I really love to fill in the unknown things, like were does this come from, what happened between that and that, and so on! And yeah, Ozai is really horrible, even towards Azula, who is supposed to be the best of his children.

Rak : Thanks! Yeah, Azula always knows were to apply pressure to make someone break. And that is exactly what happened! In some fics, it is always Katara or Aang who fears for something, while the other is not afraid. I thought it interesting to give them both fears, and see what happens!