Author Note: Hey, I said I would get one chapter out a week, so here I am, finishing this on a Sunday night!
A lot of you were thrown off by Katara using the word "bitch", and to be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to have her say it. But Katara also strikes me as the type of person who doesn't really cuss… but when she does, it's usually when someone harms/plays a part in harming someone she loves. We all know protective Katara is a beast! (Just think about her warm welcome for Zuko when he joined the team in season 3)
*We are going to jump *slightly* ahead with the next chapter. As much as I love day-to-day stories, I feel it will get a little stagnant, because my imagination is pretty much that the same events happened over and over again until they had to put their capture of the Fire Nation ship into action. Also, I read the comic again and it's not totally clear on the timeline, so I'm taking some creative liberties here.
Disclaimer: Is this needed? I obviously have not acquired the rights to the characters in the last week.
Chapter 5: Making Plans
It had been one week since the fall of Ba Sing Se. One week since Katara had seen Aang's deep gray eyes and heard his contagious laugh. She always prided herself in her ability to have hope, even in the darkest of times. But she had to admit, it was fading. She had barely slept in the last week, staying cooped up in Aang's room, healing him every moment that she could. All of his small burns throughout his body had completely healed. But, the entry wound on his back, and the exit wound on his foot were still very present. In fact, Katara had lost hope that she would be able to heal them completely. Aang would have to just live with the scars.
But that didn't worry her as much as the other problem. One week had passed, and Aang had shown no signs of waking up. Katara, Sokka and Toph all spent hours trying to talk to him, briefly speaking on their favorite memories since meeting him. They even brought Momo down, but that turned into a whole mess, with Momo being very confused and worried about why Aang wasn't waking up when he poked at his head. Ever since that, he was curled up with Appa, clearly upset, which broke Katara's heart. Poor Appa and Momo, they knew something was wrong, but they both loved Aang a lot, and probably missed him like crazy.
Yesterday, they had begun to set up camp at Chameleon Bay. They had been sailing slowly towards the bay, and arrived two days ago.
The Fire Nation was also closing in. Some scouts had spotted a fleet that was probably only a few days away. So, they had held a meeting yesterday that Katara attended (even though Sokka practically had to drag her out of Aang's room). The plan was dangerous, but necessary. They would destroy their ships with water bending, and camp out at the bay until the Fire Nation ship arrived. Then, Sokka had some brilliant plan to take one ship, and make it their disguise, rather than trying to take on the whole fleet. It was a great plan, and probably their best shot. The only problem, was that it meant Katara would have to leave Aang in a tent at the bay. She felt that someone needed to stay with Aang – he was completely defenseless, and God forbid the plan doesn't work, he would be captured easily in his current state.
But, she knew they would need her help to take over the ship. She was needed, and if the plan somehow succeeded, then they might just have a fighting chance. They would be able to stay under cover and no one would attack them, which meant keeping Aang safe. It would mean they would finally have a safe place for him to heal and recover.
"If he recovers," Katara thought sadly. As she thought over the last few days, she stared at the sleeping boy in front of her. His hair was growing thicker, and just as Katara thought, she quite liked it. They had talked over if they should shave it for him, since it was important to his culture and his bending. However, the decision to keep the hair came from Sokka, yet again.
"If we have to hide in the Fire Nation," Sokka said, his hand on his chin, "him having hair will make it a lot easier. He is too recognizable – everyone knows the kid with the arrow on his head is the avatar. If he has hair, he could wear a headband of some kind and we would fit right in!"
It was a good idea.
The truth was, they probably would need to hide inside the Fire Nation as they got ready for the invasion. Aang would need a very good disguise. This was the perfect opportunity.
Katara had been sitting and staring for quite some time now, not realizing that she was feeling some sort of trance. She was exhausted, but she couldn't sleep. Each time, she would dream about Aang, or see Azula's face, or just all together relive the night again.
Trying to snap out of it, she placed her head on Aang's chest. She felt the rise and fall of his steady breathing, and listened to the soothing beat of his heart. She knew if someone walked in on her doing this, she wouldn't hear the end of it. But, she didn't care. This was the only way she could remind herself that Aang was still alive – and he could make it. Somewhere, she thought, inside his head, he was fighting. Because that is what Aang has always done. He has always fought to save people. He always fought to save her.
She sat up again. "Aang," she whispered. "I… really miss you. I want to see your eyes and your goofy smile. I want to hear you laugh. Please," she felt the tears well up in her eyes, "please, Aang. Whatever you're fighting, keep doing it. I know you can come back to us, to me. That's who you are, you never give up. So please, Aang, wake up soon."
She quickly kissed his cheek before she sat back up, not ever taking her eyes off of him. She held his hand, hoping that this would be the time he woke up. "Please," she whispered again, squeezing his hand tightly, "please Aang, can you hear me? I believe in you. I know you're fighting."
She felt a brief moment of hope rise in her. Even though he didn't change – no fluttering eyes, not twitching fingers, no shifting – for some reason, she felt more hopeful. Maybe it was because she was reminded of his fight. His complete determination to set things right. Whatever his spirit was doing, she felt that maybe – just maybe, he truly would come back soon.
Another quick healing session, this time on his chest, just to make sure she was keeping his heart beating. These sessions were getting less common, after Sokka talked some sense into her. She knew that constantly healing him wasn't truly helping, but she still felt better if she did it multiple times a day. After a few minutes, she finished, picked up her journal, and once again made an entry.
It has been one week since Aang's injury. His condition hasn't changed, and there have been no signs that point to him waking up any time soon. I miss him so much. I can touch him, hold his hand, and kiss his cheek, but I can't talk to him, laugh with him, or just, be with him. It's almost too cruel. But, today I was reminded of his spirit. He always fights for what he believes in, he never gives up, and he always comes through for me. This gives me hope. More hope than I've had in a week. I long to hang onto this feeling. I think I can, but it's going to take some work.
Tomorrow, we are destroying our ships and we will camp out at Chameleon Bay until one of the Fire Nation ships finds the wreckage. Hopefully we will be able to take down that ship, and then, Aang will be safe, at least for now. I want to stay with Aang while we take over the ship, but I also know that the rest of the group will need me.
I really like his hair. It's dark brown and very thick. I wonder if he even knows the color of it. I've been reading up on as much Air Nomad history as I can since we met him. Of course, I've asked Aang questions about it too, but sometime I want to surprise him with something from his culture. I read that Air Nomad children are given up at birth to be raised by the head monks. I also read that since it was a very spiritual group of people, every child born into the Air Nomads became an Airbender, and they would start shaving their heads as soon as they showed their skills for the first time.
The culture is very different from the Water Tribe, but I know how important it is to him, especially now that he is the last one. Apparently shaving their heads help them sense the air current, and helps their bending, but it is also done out of respect for the spirits. Amazing how different things are for each nation.
I've tried to read one of the books I took from the Library, but reading all about the culture made me want to ask him questions. Sometimes, when I read, I can get lost in the moment and forget the current situation. But, as soon as I think of a question, it hits me like a ton of bricks. So, I guess for now, I won't read it.
Tomorrow is a big day. After we destroy this ships, we will just wait out until a Fire Nation ship finds the wreckage. It could be the same day, of a week later, depending on if that fleet is actually headed this way. I know I'm supposed to sleep, but it's hard to sleep right now. I keep having nightmares. Some of them are just reliving Aang getting shot, over and over again. Some are of Azula. Some are of Aang in some other way. I can only hope that when Aang wakes up, they will end.
Because he has to. Aang will wake up. I believe that in my heart. And when he does, I'll need to decide if I will tell him how I feel. I might need to wait until he fully recovers, but I also just want to tell him the minute I see his eyes.
I guess I'll decide on that later.
"Katara?"
"Hi Sokka," Katara smiled at her brother in the doorway and moved the journal off of her lap to dry.
Sokka stared at her for a moment. "Did I interrupt anything?"
"No, I was just finishing."
"Okay," he said as he walked over to sit next to Aang. "I was wondering if I could talk to him for a little while? Man to man?"
"And you want me to leave?"
"Yes."
Katara rolled her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she left the room, other than the meeting yesterday. She paused, looking from her brother to Aang, wondering if maybe getting some fresh air would be an actual good idea.
"Okay," she whispered, causing Sokka's eyes to grow wide. "I'll go to the deck for a little while."
"Oh, okay, yeah," Sokka said in surprise, "I didn't think it would be that easy. But you seem, happier."
She smiled. "I feel hopeful again. I don't know how long it will last, but I guess I should enjoy it for as long as have it."
"Did he move or something?"
"No, I just reminded myself of his fighting spirit. I think that wherever his spirit is right now, he's gonna fight. And he is going to come back to us. Somehow."
Sokka couldn't suppress the surprise on his face. It was good to see Katara not so depressed. "Okay, well, can I have some time with him, alone?"
Katara looked to Aang one last time, and quietly nodded. "Call me if you need anything," she said before closing the door behind her.
Sokka still stared at the door, mouth agape, at what just happened. He had fully planned a big, detailed monologue about how Katara needed fresh air and sleep the next few days, but the last thing he expected was for her to agree so quickly. He assumed it might not last long, unless Aang woke up sooner rather than later. Better to enjoy it while it lasted.
He shook his head before walking over to Aang's side, placing a hand on his chest. He sat there and stared for a little while. Being serious wasn't his thing – he was the meat and sarcasm guy, after all. But this was a serious situation, and he really missed his best friend.
"Hey Aang," he said, "It's time we had a talk. Man to man, you know? Well, I mean, you're still a kid, and don't forget that. But, we need to talk about my sister," he paused for a moment, slightly laughing that he was doing this. He wasn't sure Aang could actually hear him, and he more than likely couldn't, but Sokka still felt the need to say this.
"My little sister," he continued, "is so in love with you it makes me sick. Even before this all happened, she never stopped talking about you. She protects you, and is always…touching you, and kissing you on the cheek, and blushing, and just, oogie."
Sokka stuck his tongue out, feeling grossed out just thinking about it, but continued. "But there is one thing for sure, I know my sister well. And I can tell when it's more than friendship love. And what she has for you, well, it's definitely more. She probably doesn't know how to process it, but I do think she will tell you. But, you have to pull through here so you can hear it from her."
He paused one more time, still laughing at himself laying it all out on someone who was in a coma, but this was his little sister he was talking about. "Aang, I know you're in love with her, too. I may not know you as well, but you wear your heart on your sleeve. You have at least had a crush on her since day one. But now, somehow, even though you're twelve, you've fallen in love. And you both are too young and stupid to do anything about it. I guess, what I'm trying to say is, well, you have my blessing. Just don't hurt her. And not waking up would count as hurting her, so you better wake up soon, bud."
Sokka sighed, feeling quite proud of himself for getting it all out. He would probably have to have this actual conversation with Aang in a year or so, when he could actually hear it for sure, but it still made him feel a bit better.
He sat back and placed his arms behind his neck, deciding to let his sister enjoy the outside air. A smile spread across his lips as he thought about how happy she would be when Aang woke up. He briefly thought for a moment of what would happen if Katara couldn't hold her feelings in any longer. How would Aang react? He would probably be ecstatic. In fact, he would probably kiss her, right then and there.
And that is when Sokka decided to move on from that thought. He closed his eyes, going over the plan for the next few days in his head. If somehow, the plan worked, they might just get through this after all. They might still be able to plan out the invasion, and they could still win the war.
But almost everything was riding on whether or not the twelve year old sleeping avatar would wake up or not.
Author Note: So I packed in a lot with the previous chapter, and this chapter was only one scene! Weird how that sometimes works out. Please review!
