Summary: This is an alternate version of Return to Omashu. It will be in two parts so enjoy. I will try to upload part 2 as fast as I can. I have been very busy lately. I know I upload faster than most fanfic writers and I pride myself on that, athough, after this story and Mixed Emotions my uploads will become less frequent. Anywho on to the story.

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN ATLA

Chapter 4: Return to Omashu Part I

It was a chilly afternoon in the earth kingdom as Sokka guided Appa to the door of the grand palace of Omashu. As he landed Appa, guards ran up to greet the group of young travelers. Sokka jumped off Appa as Toph and Katara followed slowly. After a quick conversation with the guards, the group was escorted into the palace and to the throne room. The guards, along with Sokka, Katara, and Toph, bowed at the sight of King Bumi.

The room was filled with a loud snort as the king rose from his chair, "What have we here? Friends of the Avatar." The King, with his odd sense of style, was wearing a bright yellow gown with orange trim and a blue crown for some reason.

"It's good to see you too, Bumi." Sokka said replied rolling his eyes.

Toph leaned towards Katara and whispered, "Who is this guy?" Although she gained no response from the waterbender.

Sokka continued, oblivious to Toph's whispering, "We need to talk."

At this time, Bumi turned his attention to Katara who looked...off. He noticed how she no longer wore a long braid the used to follow behind her. Instead, her hair flowed free with smaller hair loops; she had recently stopped caring about taking time to form the braid. Bumi also noticed that it appeared that she has lost weight off of her already slender frame. There was a certain emptiness to her deep blue eyes; It was as though she was lost and hopeless. Bumi spoke up after his moment of observation, "Is it bout your sister?"

Sokka turned his gaze to Katara who finally began to pay attention. He turned back to the king, "In a way, yes." He took a deep breath and looked at Katara again with concern; he turned back to the bewildered king, "Aang is gone."

At this, tears began to fill Katara's empty eyes that she could have sworn couldn't cry anymore. The overwhelming feeling of sorrow, dread and regret consumed her. She began to walk out of the throne room as Bumi signaled a guard to escort her to a room, "Ma'am, please follow me to your room."

Katara glared at him then followed the guard out of the room. Once the two left the room, Bumi walked down the steps of the throne and up to Sokka, "What do you mean Aang is gone?"

"About a week ago he was kidnapped during the night."

"Don't you mean 'Avatar-napped'?"

Toph tried to suppress a small chuckle. Then she felt Sokka snap around to look at her so she stopped.

Sokka sighed, "Yes...that's one way of putting it."

"Is this why your sister is..." Bumi was cut short.

"Dirty, tired, hopeless, depressed, sad, skinnier. Yes."

"Why is that?

"She feels fully responsible for what happened."

Toph got fed up with this slow and cryptic back and forth conversation, "Sugar Queen and Twinkletoes got in an argument and Katara yelled at Twinkletoes, hurting his feelings. This caused Aang to sleep at the edge of our camp where he could be taken easily."

Bumi quirked an eyebrow and looked at Sokka, "Is this true?"

Sokka turned the young earthbender with a surprised look on his face. Still looking at her, Sokka responded, "Yes."

"So then why is it that you have come here? Do you want rock candy?"

"No we don't want rock candy and we came here because we figured if he escaped this would be the first place for him to come."

Bumi rubbed his chin and started to pace, "Well, if there is anything Aang is good at, it's escaping."

"WILL YOU STOP PACING!? YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY!" Toph yelled at the King

Bumi stopped and looked into the eyes of the fellow earthbender, who didn't look back, "You're blind aren't you, young one?"

"How'd you figure that out, gramps? Look into my eyes and I didn't look back." Toph replied sarcastically.

"That, and my pacing was driving you crazy. You listen to the earth through your feet, don't you?" Bumi stated.

Toph was puzzled at how this one hundred year old man could figure that out.

Bumi continued, "You are a very special bender, little girl. Your friends are lucky to have you."

"Don't mention it." Toph replied with a cocky grin

"I would love to spar with you."

"YES! The Blind Bandit is back in action."

"After dinner?"

"You're on!" Toph yelled pumping her fists.

Sokka, completely bewildered by what happened between the two earthbenders, suddenly became very excited, "Yes! Rock vs Rock."

"Way to kill the mood Snoozles." Toph replied dryly.

"Anyway, let my gaurds show you to your rooms."

Toph and Sokka followed the guards to their rooms where Sokka fell asleep immediately and Toph decided to be someone else today. She stepped out of her room and walked a short distance to the one next to her and knocked on the door, "Katara?"

Meanwhile,

Aang, Zuko and Iroh were walking down a wide trail through a forest of oak trees. Zuko and Iroh were leading while Aang fell back a few paces and just looked at the ground ahead of him as he walked. Something was off about him that day; he hadn't said a word since they left their camp, which was five hours ago. Iroh and Zuko both noticed this odd behavior; Zuko, still a little uncomfortable with helping the Avatar, thought nothing of it, while Iroh was a little concerned. When his current conversation with Zuko ended, Iroh slowed his pace so Aang would catch up to him. He saw the Avatar's gray eyes filled with sorrow and lonliness. When Aang caught up to him, Iroh asked him a simple question in a cheery tone, "What might be troubling you today, young Aang?"

Without taking his gaze off the ground, Aang replied with a slight crack in his voice from lack of use that day, "Noting is troubling me."

Iroh was still concerned for the young monk's state of being, "Aang, you can tell me anything."

That was when Aang mind shut down as he stopped walking and just stared at the ground slightly ahead of him. Iroh stopped as well. Zuko, noticing the lack of footsteps behind him, stopped and turned his gaze to his uncle and the young airbender, noticing tears filling Aang's eyes. Zuko still thought Aang was a little weak, but who can blame him with what he has been through lately. Iroh, a little shocked by Aang's actions, spoke up again with concern, "My apologies. Did I say something wrong."

"That's what she always says." Aang replied with his voice cracking from the sorrow.

At this point, Iroh was bewildered, "What is said and who says it?"

Aang finally looked up into Iroh's eyes after hours of staring at the ground with a tear rolling down his right cheek, "Katara always says I can tell her everything. And now I have no one to confide in."

"Well, you can always confide in me." Iroh replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Now, what is troubling you?"

"Can we start walking first? It's a little awkward just standing in the middle of the road like this." Aang said with a little hesitation.

Iroh nodded and gestured to his nephew to start walking again. They resumed walking with Zuko leading, followed by Aang and Iroh a few paces behind. After about a minute of walking, Iroh turned his attention to the previous subject, "So, what is it that is troubling you?"

"It's Katara." Aang replied sorrowfully.

"Suprise, Suprise." Chirped Zuko sarcastically from the front.

Aang ignored him, "She turns fifteen today and I just wish I could be with her on her special day."

"Well, you are with her."

Aang turned his head to look at Iroh puzzled.

Iroh continued, "You are with her in many ways. She is a waterbender and so are you; therefore, you are connected through Yin and Yang, the push and the pull. You are also with her in her heart; although she may feel sad on this day, she still has you."

Aang looked down and thought for a moment. Then a small smile and a spark in his eyes appeared. He looked at Iroh again, "Thank you."

"It is my honor."

Zuko rolled his eyes, but not in disgust. He was simply amazed at how his uncle could seem to help just about anyone.

Iroh then found himself deep in thought as he looked at Aang with a smile. Who was a little nervous about it all, "Why are you smiling at me like that?"

"Oh...I was smiling." (A/N: Haha, reference to episode 1) Iroh continued his train of thought, this time out loud, "Katara is your waterbending master, correct?"

"Yes. Why?"

"That makes her the youngest waterbending master in history; let alone the quickest to master it." Iroh replied.

"Wow!" Aang said, astonished, as he looked at the sky for some reason.

"And a girl at that." Iroh finished

"What does being a girl have to do with that?!" Aang snapped.

Zuko smirked at the sudden bout of rage coming from the Avatar.

"She is more than just a 'girl!' She is the smartest, bravest, kindest, and strongest person I have ever met!"

Iroh was a little shocked at the outburst and immediately regretted what he had said, "I am sorry. I meant no disrespect."

"You better be." Aang muttered under his breath as he quickened his pace to now lead the group of three.

Iroh looked at Zuko with a pleading look. Zuko just shook his head and chuckled as he continued to walk.

Meanwhile,

"Katara?" Toph said with a knock on the door. No response. "Katara, can I come in?"

There was a long pause where tough just waited, then a voice came frome inside, "Sure."

Toph pushed the door open and stepped inside. She could feel Katara sitting on the ground shaking and staring at the wall opposite the door. She sighed. She felt so bad for the waterbender, for she had lost her best friend and potentially her true love. She knew it was Katara's birthday, but she knew bringing it up would only make matters worse. "Katara, you're shaking. Are you cold?" Asked Toph.

"A little." Replied Katara without turning her gaze from the wall.

Toph walked towards what she thought was the bed and felt around for a blanket. When she found one, she walked to where Katara was sitting and wrapped it around her, "Here."

"Thank you." Katara replied.

"We need to talk."

"I don't want to talk."

"I know you don't want to, but you need to."

"I don't need to do anything."

"Yes you do. You need to wash up, for one; you smell horrible. Second, you need to eat. And third, you need to talk."

"And why would I need to do any of that?"

"Because you're killing yourself, Katara. You haven't eaten in days and you've lost too much weight. We need to talk."

Katara snapped, 'Fine! Then what should I talk about?!"

"Aang."

Katara fell silent. Although she knew Toph would eventually bring it up, Katara was still a bit surprised, "Why would I want to talk about him?"

"Because he is the reason why you are doing this." Toph sighed, "Listen, I know you love him. And I know that he loves you too."

Katara finally turned to look at Toph, a bit of doubt and surprise in her eyes; although Toph couldn't see it, "And how would you know that?"

"Well, in your case, you're acting like this." Katara looked down at the ground as Toph continued, "And in his, he told me."

"He really loves me." The first smile since her hallucination grew on Katara's face.

"Yep...and I'm sure with the love he has for you, he has found a way to escape his kidnappers and is looking for us...you right now. That's why you have to stay strong for him, so when he sees you, he will see the same Katara he was taken from."

Katara lunged forward and gave Toph a bone-crushing hug as tears rolled down her cheeks. She whispered, "Thank you, Toph. I needed that."

Toph hesitantly patted her on the back, "I know. Now let's head to dinner. You have lot of eating to catch up on."

Katara gave her a disgusted but knowing smiles, then agreed, "Fine."

Toph gave an outstretched arm and helped Katara up. Katara gave her a warm smile, which she couldn't see, and followed her out of the room. They walked down the long corridor towards the dining hall. Many thoughts and emotions were running through the mind of the waterbender. But the highlight of all things that ran through her mind was hope; one of many things that Aang had brought back into her life when she found him. He brought her hope for fun, a better tomorrow, a world without war and...love. That last thought sent shivers down her spine. Toph was right; she was in love with the Avatar, but she couldn't believe he loved her too especially after what she said to him. Before she could continue her thoughts they had reached the dining hall. Long emerald green tapestries hung on the walls. A long table made of earth stretched nearly the entire length of the room. Her brother was already sitting at the table with King Bumi, impatient to start eating. Katara sat down next to her brother and across from Toph.

After they had all settled in, dinner began. Katara, for one, actually did listen to Toph; she was catching up on her eating. Bumi quirked an eyebrow, along with Sokka, at the ferocity of her eating. Both knew, however, that this meant she was feeling better. After she finished, Katara let out a large bech, something she almost never does, though she thought she deserved it. After dinner was finished for all of them, and Toph and Bumi went to spar, Katar made her way to the balcony of the palace. She gazed at the sunset in front of her and smiled. She heard footsteps approach her from behind, and she knew who it was, "Hey Sokka." She greeted without turning around.

"Hey Katara, how are you doing?"

"Good, thank you."

Sokka then walked up next to his sister and looked out at the sunset with her, "You feeling better?"

"Yes."

"I could tell by the way you were eating. It was almost like watching me."

Katara chuckled, "I don't think I feel that good anymore."

"Why?"

"I don't want to look like you when I eat."

Sokka chuckled and looked at her, "I didn't mean it in a bad way. It's good to see that you're feeling better."

"Thank you."

"You wanna go watch Toph and Bumi duel. I have twenty silver pieces on Toph."

"In a little. I just want to...Oh no." Katara gasped.

"What's wrong?" Sokka turned his head back to the horizon where he saw black smoke filling the air, obscuring the once beautiful sunset. "Oh no, I'll get Toph and Bumi." Sokka said while running back inside.

Katara couldn't believe it. Everything was going so well and now everything was going down the drain again. She began to cry. Why? Why does everything go so wrong? I just want to see him again. Now the Fire Nation is going to tear him away from me for the second time. She dropped to her knees and sobbed into her hands.

Sokka and Toph both ran back outside to see Katara on her knees crying. They couldn't believe that she had gone back down the deep end. Sokka decided to pull her out of her bout of crying, "Katara, we have to leave." What happened next, Sokka did not expect.

"NO! I WILL NOT LEAVE AS LONG AS AANG IS STILL OUT THERE." Katara snapped as she stood up and turned to glare at Sokka.

"Katara." Sokka pleaded.

"DON'T 'Katara' ME! I. AM. NOT. LEAVING." Katara scolded.

Toph knew she had to knock some sense into her friend, "Katara, if you don't leave they could capture you, or worse."

Katara didn't know how retort that as she opened her mouth and nothing came out. At that moment, the king had arrived, "Katara, I know Aang. He will come here and I will send him after you. Right now I need to let you leave for Ba Sing Se, there I will send Aang."

"But..."

"No 'buts.' Just go."

Sokka placed a reassuring hand on his sister's shoulder. As she looked at him, he gave her a warm smile and nodded. Katara looked back at Bumi as tears filled her eyes, "Promise me that you will send him there." She choked. Bumi nodded.

At that the group turned and ran towards Appa. Once on board, Sokka let out a 'Yip! Yip!' and they were off. Katara broke down again as she looked off the back of Appa's saddle at the massive Fire Nation army approaching Omashu. She closed her eyes and went to sleep.

To be continued.

(A/N: Sorry for the rushed finish, but I liked the way it turned out. I have been very busy lately and I felt the need to update. Please review because, I don't know how it turned out for you guys.)