Here's the second chapter of my AU fan fiction "From Clouds to Ashes" - It's after Aang defeated Ozai and Katara defeated Azula.
Please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. It is owned by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
After Katara healed Zuko and walked over to the mentally ailing Azula. The Princess seemed to be humiliated from the outcome of her defeat, but in a rather sad way – not in an angry way. However, Zuko and Katara did not dare to come to close to her.
Katara began to think about the outcome of the battle at the Earth Kingdom, she held out hope that Aang would win and that he would defeat the Firelord. But a small part of her being began to realize that Aang was very adamant about not killing him, and that very hope began to plunge its way into tears and her shoulders began to tremble. The images of her past mistakes, remembering the last few conversations she had with Aang were not heartwarming conversations – it caused Katara to shudder in pure fear. "Will he come back?" Katara thought. The watertribe girl could not feel anything but fear, and so she wanted to put something positive in her mind. "How is your wound coming along?" Katara said.
Zuko noticed how forced Katara said it, and he knew confusion when he saw it. "I'm a little stiff, but I'm coming along. But my question is… how are you coming along?" Katara wanted to avoid this, and she couldn't be angrier that her own emotional façade betrayed her. But Katara was willing to reveal her true face, she needed a friend in a tough time like this and Zuko was that guy. "I'm scared, Zuko. I'm afraid for Aang, what if he doesn't get the job done… what if he doesn't win?" Katara said, fighting back tears, Zuko could hear in the tone of her voice of how truly upset she was.
"Trust me, he will. One thing about Aang, he always finds a way to win. Besides, Aang has saved the world before… a thousand times and he will do it again." Zuko said.
"What do you mean a thousand times?"
Zuko couldn't help but smile "In a dream, I had a strange vision of Avatar Roku. He told me as his spiritual Great Grandson and Aang's Firebending teacher , that I share a special connection to Aang. The Avatar Spirit has conquered evil many times before, and this is no different. Roku said that he was best friends with Firelord Sozin and he allowed his friendship with him to cloud his judgment as the Avatar. Roku told me that he should have seen the war coming and prevented it, but now he believes that Aang is destined to redeem him and save the world. I believe him."
"Wow, I didn't know you were Avatar Roku's great grandson? Why didn't you tell us sooner, I wouldn't have….well, you know!" Katara said.
Zuko laughed which was a rare case in itself "More forgiving? Eh, it's fun to keep secrets. To tell you the truth, it was my Uncle who told me that I was the Great Grandson of Avatar Roku, and Firelord Sozin… crazy world, eh?" Zuko said, but then he noticed something the sky "Katara look! That's a Fire Nation airship!"
Katara tried to reach out to Zuko "Wait! How can you be so sure that it's not the Firelord or more firebenders?"
"Try to have more faith, will ya? Let's go see if it's Aang." Zuko said.
Katara and Zuko jettisoned towards where the Airship just landed, a limping Sokka with the help of Suki walked out of the platform. "Hey guys!" A limping Sokka said.
"Sokka! Are you okay?" Katara said, concerned for her brother. "A broken leg while taking out Firebenders. But I would love for you to give me some of that that magic healing water right about now!" Katara raised an eyebrow.
Then Toph walked out with a fairly weak Phoenix King Ozai. "Did I mention how dazzling you look in those Royal cuffs? Only fit for the Phoenix King of failure!" Toph said, while pushing Ozai down the platform.
"I can see Toph is having fun with Ozai, typical Toph." Katara said.
After a few moments, Katara began to look at Sokka, Suki and Toph – her breathing began slow and heavy, her heart beat became rapid out of nervousness. "Um guys, what happened to Aang?"
"Ozai never stood a chance during the battle, but Aang fell unconscious on the battleground. He's on the ship, right now. He'll be just fine, but my leg on the other hand… " Sokka said, trying to pry to get his sister to heal his leg. But Katara carelessly ignored about her brother, and ran to the airship.
"I stopped a bunch of airships from destroying the Earth Kingdom, all with a broken leg. But who cares? I'm just a guy without a boomerang and space sword." Sokka said, and then cried into Suki's shoulder.
Katara ran into the airship, the first place she wanted to look was at the Airship cockpit. Katara found him sitting next to the piloting navigation system in a chair, with his head to the side. Katara could see Aang in a deep sleep, he was even drooling. She noticed all the cuts, burns, bruises and his shredded clothing from battle. Aang didn't win his battle without the battle scars from his victory. Katara herself had a few bruises herself, but nothing to the extent of Aang, Zuko and Sokka. The young Waterbender picked up Aang carefully as to not wake him up, and carried him out of the ship, then across the platform.
"Katara, your brother could use your healing assistance. We'll take care of Aang." Zuko said.
Katara's mouth was agape in astonishment "What do you mean by 'we'? You still need of healing, yourself."
A Fire sage appeared from in back of Zuko, "Let me help you Lady Katara, it is one of my duties as Fire Sage to serve you as our National heroine, as well as the Avatar. We will make sure the Avatar is in the best of care as possible." The Fire sage bowed before Katara, she blushed as a result. Katara gently passed Aang to the Fire sage, and then walked over to Sokka.
"Don't worry big brother, we'll get you fixed up in no time at all!" Katara said, putting Sokka's arm around her shoulder.
*One day later*
Aang was in the infirmary, resting his wounds. Aang had heard of the spa center in the Royal Palace, and it would be the best way to revitalize his Chi. Aang was knocked out of his thoughts when he heard footsteps. Aang heard both Katara's and Sokka's voice from across the hall.
Sokka limped his way towards Aang's bed "Hey! How is it going buddy?"
"A little tired, but how is your leg coming along Sokka?" Aang said.
"It's coming along fine, Katara healed some of the inflammation away and it's much more flexible than it was before. But there is no need to run with the leg right now, because it's still healing."
Aang titled his head a little "That's good to hear."
All a while, Katara was silent. The watertribe girl smiled and she placed her hair loopy behind her ear. Her eyes became averted "Um, Sokka… can I talk to Aang for a little while? There is a food area outside the infirmary." Katara looked at Sokka hopefully and clasped her hands together.
"Sure… whatever, Katara." Sokka said, taking his leave.
"So, um… we haven't really talked to each other." It couldn't be any more awkward to Katara, than this moment.
"Yeah, I guess…" Aang said as he rubbed his head.
"Aang, would you like a healing session soon? You look like you could use one." Katara sat on a chair next to Aang's bed.
"Sounds good!" Aang said.
"Great then…." Katara said.
Katara was nervous during the entire time; she didn't know how to approach Aang, but she tried to find a way to reach out to him "That's not what I totally came here to tell you. But don't get me wrong – I really do want to heal you, and make you better! It's just that I have a lot on my mind…"
Aang sat up and scratched his head "Like what, Katara?"
"How things were left between us just before you disappeared on Ember Island, I didn't like that."
Aang knew what was coming, but he wanted to find a way to dodge the confrontation between the both of them "Stop worrying! I defeated Ozai and you defeated Azula, what more is there to worry about?" Aang said, Katara thought about asking him about how he defeated Ozai – but she wanted to save it for another time when the tension wasn't as thick between them. For now, Katara needed to see what was happening between the both of them and how it can be mended.
"I'm not concerned about that, Zuko will take care of his father and sister. But I'm concerned what's happening between us and to be open with each other, I feel like your avoiding the issue about Ember Island."
"Why wouldn't I be? During the play I was acting like an immature jerk. I pushed you and I got what I deserved. But that's not what I've ultimately learned." Aang's sincerity couldn't be more real than this moment.
"Aang don't talk like that, you were going through a rough time and—"
"That I only looked to see what I wanted in life, and not other people. Or rather, what really matters. I wanted to be with you for so long, but that's not what's for the best." Aang said.
"But don't I get a say in the matter? I know you love me, I can see it and I saw it during the Invasion. I don't care what the world thinks." Katara said.
"Katara listen to me, asking you to me with me would be asking a whole bunch of commitments and I can't do that to you. Being the Avatar's lover is not what it's cracked up to be. I love you, but now I understand what Guru Pathik meant. I don't want to end up breaking your heart, and that's why it's best we're just good friends. I have to let you go." Aang's eyes began to water as he said this.
Katara quietly sobbed, and in a desperate action… she kissed Aang with passion. However, Aang gathered enough courage and strength within himself to recoil from Katara's kiss. "I.. I can't do this."
At this moment, Aang's rejection of her sent emotional spirals throughout her. Shockwaves of sadness made her shake all over, and she began to whimper quietly. "L-let me… g-go?" Katara shuddered.
Aang was about to say the same words that nearly killed him in the Catacombs of Ba Sing Se. "I'm sorry, Katara."
Katara was in complete disbelieve, this was the same boy that almost a week ago seemed quite adamant of being in a relationship with her, and now he has done a complete about face. Was it a façade or was Aang realizing how he simply could get any girl to love him that he set his eyes on, just because he was the Avatar? Despite this, it had broken Katara's heart and he had given up on her completely. Katara had hoped that Aang would wait for her and understand her confusion. Katara wondered if a simple Monk like Aang allowed himself to be consumed with broken pride and his messianic status. Was Aang that self absorbed?
Katara ignored that thought, because she knew Aang was a humble and pure hearted boy that wouldn't allow selfish desires to get the best of him. Perhaps what he was saying was true, that he was trying to protect her, or perhaps a combination of a broken heart and the need to protect her from such? It was all ambiguous to her. However, she got some idea where he was coming from – Aang seemed crushed when she rejected his love on Ember Island. Katara had an idea that Aang was probably angry with her, because he felt was going to die and he didn't have her love and support during the moment of truth. But Aang wouldn't tell her that, because Airbenders were rarely too open with their feelings, and of course they avoided confrontations. Katara did understand this.
Katara wiped the tears from her eyes "Okay, I understand. Aang."
Aang smiled lovingly in a reassuring way "Thanks you for understanding, Katara." Katara slowly nodded in approval.
"So, is that healing session still on later?" Aang asked.
"Of course! I will never abandon you Aang, never. Were best friends, we always stay behind and support each other." Katara said, masking her emotional façade but still being sincere.
Aang smiled at Katara "I'm glad."
To be continued...