-CHAPTER 11-
-THE MORNING AFTER-
-SCORE: THREE DAYS GRACE: ONE-X-
I do apologize for how short the chapters have been lately. I suppose I got a little too excited over the positive response. "Okay, vanity. Sorry. Yeah, can't help it." (Points if you know where that's from). In any case, if you'll indulge me by waiting a little longer between updates, I'll try to lengthen the chapters a bit. Case in point: Voilla!
Aang awoke to an unexpected weigh on his forehead. While the though of opening his eyes was an affront to all he stood for, his curiosity got the better of him. He opened his eyes to a see a very upside down lemur staring back at him.
"Momo, what have you been up to buddy?"
The excitable primate held out two small claws clinging onto a litchi nut. His hands said, "Would you like one" but his eyes screamed "For the love of god please don't take it from me!"
"No thanks, not hungry. You go ahead." Momo chirped with delight as he stuffed his face and scampered off, in search of more food no doubt.
It was about that time that Aang also began to notice another unexpected weight, this time on his chest. Half expecting to find more litchi nuts, Aang shifted his gaze down. He froze, in shock. There was a very asleep, very naked, Katara snuggling happily into his side. Memories from the previous night rushed back to him: a confession of love, a lifelong pledge, a first kiss… a whole night of firsts. Aang smiled at the delicate form sleeping peacefully beside him. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes upon.
Did he really deserve all of this happiness? Could the avatar really indulge in a life of domestic tranquility? Ha, since when has he ever been tranquil? But still what kind of life could he give her.
Aang lay there gently stroking Katara's hair while searching for ways to erode his own happiness. Thankfully, even with 6 years of practice being an angsty avatar, he could not help but smile.
---
His gentle caresses elicited several sighs of contentment before Katara actually woke up. Her eyes fluttered open, trying their best to figure out how to focus again. She smiled as she realized that she hadn't been dreaming. Aang really had come back, and really did love her. She shifted her gaze to his and was overcome with a new wave of emotion. He was smiling at her with a look of utter fulfillment. She shifted herself to give him a kiss.
"Morning."
"You're cute when you wake up in the morning, you know that?"
Katara blushed, being ever so coy. She buried her head in his chest, speaking to it rather than him.
"I'm so glad it wasn't another dream."
He held her quietly, enjoying the smell of her hair and gently stroking her back, assuring her of his continued presence. Casually Aang reached for his robes and searched though its folds for the small necklace. He ran his fingers over it thoughtfully. He had carved it years ago on a whim. It was one of those days where he would permit himself to indulge in a fantasy, in a life with Katara and a home and children.
---
Alone and far from civilization he stood in a clearing. With a mighty thrust he opened a fissure deep into the earth. Slowly he scanned, searching for the right minerals. A bit here, a chunk there, he searched for hours before he found enough. Drawing the material to the fissure he filled it with magma, melting and recrystalizing his quarry. He surfaced his prize: a brilliant black opal and an ingot of the purest gold.
Working his fingers, he slowly bent a small volume of water from his pouch and he slowly set to work carving an intricate design. Around the edge was a boarder, the symbol of each nation side by side encircling the stone. In the center the symbols for air and water brilliantly intertwined, as if they had never been separate. The surface was perfectly smooth, as if nature had intended it to look that way. Next was the backing. His bending had become far more powerful, and metal bending was not the difficult task it was for others. He flattened the gold to fit the outline of the opal and brought 4 fine claws to hold it in place. Lastly he hardened the mount. The usually soft and pliable gold was heated and cooled in such a precise fashion that it would never be deformed again, holding its opal for all eternity.
Finishing his task he grew forlorn, knowing he would never have the chance to give this creation to its proper owner. He hid the pendant away, deep in the folds of his robes, where maybe he might forget about it. But he never did.
---
Working the necklace between his fingers, he slowly built up the courage to speak. He would not let fate separate them again, not before he did this.
"Hey, Katara. You remember what I told you last night… about never leaving you again?"
Katara looked at him with fear in her eyes.
"When my mission at the pole is done, would you consider maybe, perhaps…. Coming with me… you know… as my ……wife?"
She didn't know what to say. Was he really proposing to her?
Aang felt her silence envelop him. He moved to sit up bringing her with him. Slowly he presented her with his betrothal necklace.
"I have never loved anyone the way I love you, and I never want to. I have felt more alive in the past day then I have in the last 6 years and it's because of you. Without you, my soul is hollow. Please, Katara would you be my wife?"
Aang placed the necklace in Katara's hand, resolving himself to wait for her answer.
The tears began to flow as she saw the beautiful betrothal necklace. She looked up into his eyes and lunged forward. The kiss was soft and full of emotion and when Katara finally left him, all Aang could say was "So, that's a yes then?"
"Yes. Yes, yes, yes, a thousands times yes. I will be your wife."
Aang was filled with relief, which was soon replaced with overwhelming joy. Katara left his embrace and turned her back to him. She handed him the necklace and proceeded to hold her hair up, exposing her bare neck. Aang took the hint and clasped the necklace onto his fiancé. She let her hair drop turning to show off her newfound source of happiness.
Her smile was radiant, and the necklace suited her perfectly. It was only afterwards that he realized that the woman in front him was wearing nothing other than said necklace. His face grew flushed as his gaze drifted over the curves of her form.
Katara, seeing the change in his expression, realized her expression and quickly crossed her arms in from of her chest.
"And just what exactly were you looking at Avatar Aang," she said with mock anger.
Aang smiled, and grabbed hold pulling her close. He leaned into her ear and whispered, "My beautiful, wife to be."
Katara smiled and wrapped her arms around him. The two held each other like there was no tomorrow. Little did they know that at that moment, forces were at work ensuring just that.
-CHAPTER 12-
-SECRETED AWAY-
-SCORE: DR. WHO SERIES 2 SOUNDTRACK –
"My lady, we have word that the Avatar has come to the south pole."
The old man bowed deeply before approaching the menacing figure sitting at the altar.
The woman smiled, "So he's finally caught up with me. Very well then, this time, I'll be sure to have a surprise of my own prepared. Captain, assemble a team and scour the city. Find the Avatar, track his movements."
"Yes my lady, right away, and what of your brother? His ship arrives today, shall we have him followed as well?"
"Don't worry about Zuzu. He'll go straight to the embassy like a good little fire nation soldier. Just make sure you find the Avatar."
"Yes, my lady." The old man shuffled back to the shadows.
---
When did it become like this, hiding in the shadows, disowned by traitors to her homeland. Once she had been Azula, daughter of Ursa and Ozai, heir to the throne of the fire nation. Now she hid, leading a handful of loyalists, working to sabotage the peace, to destabilize her uncle's pacifist government. The raids on earth kingdom villages, the hijacked water nation trade vessels, every step was meticulously planned to engender mistrust. It had taken 6 years, but finally the nations were fed up. The people were starting to lose faith in the council's leadership. One decisive show of strength on her part would convince the people that their government could not protect them.
Her plan was devious. She would kidnap the leadership and their families. As the armies moved to rescue them, she would have free reign over their respective territories. She could strike with impunity, terrorizing the people. New leadership would be demanded. Distrust and prejudice towards the fire nation would return, and with a few choice words, she could rally her people behind their rightful ruler. Her armies would once again march around the world, and all would bow in submission. All she needed to do now was bide her time and, of course, eliminate the Avatar.
---
Azula shuddered as she wrapped the heavy water tribe coat around her shoulders. She hated dressing as a commoner but it was necessary to keep a low profile. She walked quickly avoiding eye contact with others as they passed.
"So the Avatar has caught up with me. No matter, even the incompetents under my command should be able to find him in this place. In the meantime, I'll just ensure my little trap will be ready for him."
Azula worked her way through the catacomb like maze of ice. She had built it when she first came to the south pole, melting the ice into vapor and clearing herself a hidden chamber. She had never been one for manual labor, but desperate times and all. Deep in that chamber stood the remnants of the ship she had used to flee, so many years ago. The wreckage had been meticulously reforged into a giant cylindrical capacitor, one that would store enough charge to obliterate half the city. She had underestimated the Avatar in their last encounter, but this time she would be his downfall. Bolt after bolt surged and was stored away, waiting to be unleashed on its unsuspecting prey.
-CHAPTER 13-
-BACK TO SCHOOL-
-SOUNDTRACK: NEVER MEANT TO FAIL: ALEX LLOYD (in all its incarantaions)-
Aang felt highly uncomfortable as he stepped into the bedroom.
"Katara, these are itchy."
"Oh don't be a baby, their wool and they'll keep you warm."
"Katara, I'm a fire bender. I keep myself warm."
"Well you can't just going about the city making a fire whenever you please, Mr. I'm supposed to be undercover. Besides they'll be a little less conspicuous than your white robes."
Aang sighed, using his staff as a glorified back scratcher.
"Oh how I miss linen."
Katara kissed her whining avatar and quickly placated him. "Come on, I'll be late for my class, and I'll be damned if I let you out of my sight again, not after you promised to help with my pupils."
"Speaking of, I meant to ask you earlier. I met a nice family before I saw you, and the daughter was a bender. I promised I would ask if you would take her on a pupil. She'd be a good student"
"Hmmm… yeah of course. Who am I to question the judgment of the Avatar?"
"Oh you won't let this Avatar stuff go will you? You never used to be like this."
"Yeah? Well you weren't that much fun to tease back then."
" grumble "
"I love you too. Now come one, let's fetch this new student and go to class before I'm late."
Mei was at home when Aang and Katara came knocking. Needless to say she was speechless as Aang told her of her good fortune. As the trio walked to the training yard, Mei couldn't help but notice that Aang was holding Katara's hand, and that she was smiling wider then she had ever seen her. They did not break contact until the three had reached the front of the formation of water benders.
"Class, I have some introductions today. First, Mei," she stood forward. 'Mei will be a new addition to our class, please make her feel welcome." Mei bowed and moved to a place in the ranks.
"Secondly, this is Aang. He is a ….. master from the north, who will be demonstrating some very high level techniques."
"What kind of techniques?" A voice popped out of the crowd but did not identify itself.
Aang looked embarrassed, "Which ones would you like to see demonstrated?"
"Show us the most useful one in battle!"
"Yeah!" The group cheered.
Aang looked at Katara for permission, and once obtaining it, proceeded to ask for a volunteer. It was the presumptuous youth behind the voice, Aang could feel it.
"Please attack me with all of your strength"
The child smiled and unleashed a fury of snow and ice balls. With a flick of the wrist each projectile stopped mid air and fell to the ground.
"Again."
This time, three water whips appeared and aimed for Aang's head and arms. A sidestep and a wave of his arm froze the whips and made them clunk to the ground.
"Again."
The youth performed a rather intimidating octopus form and attempted to break Aang's stance. But again, a swift motion dispelled the attacks and left the bender powerless. After several more bouts of this the child was quite tired and Aang decided it was time.
"This form only works if the opponent does not have the will to fight it. Tiring them is a critical first step."
Aang took his stance and focused on his weakened opponent. Slowly his wrist and fingers began to dance and surprisingly the child's body began doing the same. His motions were in time with Aang's wrist. Aang was actually bending the water in his opponent's body to his will. The class stood silent as they watched their friend being manipulated like a marionette. Even Katara was astounded at this display of skill. She knew he had improved but to have this kind of mastery was… terrifying.
Aang released his 'volunteer' who stared at him in awe. The class began clapping with an unparalleled fervor. Katara pulled him aside.
"When did you learn that?"
"Oh, I've picked up a few tricks over the years." Aang smiled as Katara just stared.
The rest of the class was far less eventful, with Aang helping Katara demonstrate forms and basic techniques. As the last student left, Mei approached Aang and Katara.
"I would be honored if both of you would have dinner tonight. It's the least I can do after you have both been so kind."
Aang turned to Katara who smiled back at him.
"Mei, we would be delighted to."
Mei smiled brightly. Aang retrieved his staff and Katara's pouch and the three set off. They had taken no more than five paces before they heard a gruff howl aimed in their general direction. They turned to find a very angry looking man pointing with his mouth agape.
Katara sighed, "Oh god not now."
The man screamed again, "What is that around your neck!"
---
So the chapters themselves didn't get much longer. I'm finding it difficult to find enough free time where I can finish a chapter in a sitting. So instead I'll release multiple chapters at a time. You can just pretend it's one chapter, I wont tell a soul.
Next chapters: Fiancé, Dinner, and Zuko
As always please review : )