Secret Meetings

"Ugh…that's the last time I ever go out with Sokka." Aang coughed as his body shook for the second time in his bed.

"Well, what did you expect after drinking all that cactus juice?" Katara smirked as she draped a blanket over Aang's cold body.

"I had no idea that the stuff was cactus juice. He must have spiked our drinks or something."

"Well, it least it wasn't alcohol." Katara smiled as Aang continued to pout.

"Think of it this way, now you guys have an even better incentive not to drink cactus juice ever again."

Aang looked away as his mind drifted elsewhere to the night before…

"Hey guys, check this out."

Sokka was eagerly jumping up and down as Aang and Zuko followed reluctantly. Sokka held up a silver bottle in his hand proudly.

"So, you guys want to have a taste?"

Aang jumped back two feet. Zuko smirked. "I don't think your wife would appreciate you consuming liquor, Sokka."

"It's not liquor, it's a new drink I invented."

Aang stared at the bottle with curiosity. "You made that?"

"Sure did. It's a special fruit drink that I combined with cactus juice."

Aang's eyes widened. "CACTUS JUICE?"

Zuko looked at the bottle with suspicion. "Isn't this the stuff that got you all messed up in the desert?"

"Relax, guys. Only about one fourth of it is cactus juice. Come on try it. It's pretty popular around here if I do say so myself."

Sokka handed Zuko and Aang bottles as he started chugging down his own. Aang stared at the bottle with a worried expression. He was very surprised when he saw Zuko take a sip.

"How..is..it?" Aang asked.

Zuko swallowed slowly then his eyes stared at the bottle incredulously. "This..is actually really good."

Aang's eyes were now nearly bulging out of his head. "Seriously?"

Aang watched as Zuko continued drinking. Aang looked away from Zuko to see Sokka who was looking at him expectantly, his eyes sparkling.

"Alright, I guess one taste won't hurt." Aang quickly started guzzling down the silver bottle.

It was very sweet and smooth going down his throat. The drink was warm and it caused his body to shiver with delight as the contents went down into his stomach. Zuko was right, it DID taste good.

Aang couldn't help smiling as his body sang with content. Aang could also see a similar uncharacteristic smile forming on Zuko's face.

"I told you guys! This stuffs the best!"

Aang suddenly burst into giggles. It just seemed the right thing to do at the moment.

"Man, Sokka. What are you going to invent next, a time machine?"

Zuko started laughing as Sokka shook his head up and down. "Yeah, then I can see that moon girl! But, I can't really do anything with her right now, cause I'm MARRIED!"

"Ha, I'm single!" Aang started pointing at Zuko. "And he's single to, cause I haven't seen MAI around!"

Zuko was still laughing hysterically on the ground so he didn't hear Aang's comment. As all this was happening more people were starting to come towards the group. Most of them looked amused while others looked annoyed.

Sokka started laughing now. "Man, I'm out of the single club! HEY, does anyone want to join the single club?"

"HEY, SOKKA! Why are we shouting?"

Sokka looked around at the people who gathered around them. "I HAVE NO IDEA!"

Sokka and Aang continued laughing as people around them began to cover their ears.

...

Everything else after that was a little too hazy for Aang to recall. He frowned as he tried to remember.

"Well, I'm sure Sokka will think of better things to make. Don't tell him I said this, but he really is a genius when it comes to stuff like that," Katara said taking Aang out of his deep concentration.

"Oh, yeah…" Aang rubbed his forehead as he felt a headache coming on. "Did we do anything bad last night?"

Katara shook her head. "Not really. I'd say it was more embarrassing than bad. You were acting kind of strange though."

Aang quickly sat up. "How so?"

Katara shrugged. "You just ate a lot, almost as much as Sokka. You guys kept having eating contests between each other." Katara looked at Aang softly. "You didn't tell me that you eat meat now."

Aang stared at Katara. He was too shocked to reply. It was just so weird. In all his life, Aang had never forsaken the principles the monks had taught him. Respecting life was a major aspect of the monk's philosophy. And Aang had broken that principle by eating meat.

Aang shook his head. "Maybe I should have taken the medicine that crazy doctor made for me."

"Huh?"

Aang gave Katara a small smile. "A few weeks ago I passed out on the fire nation palace roof."

"What! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just been weird ever since then. My firebending has gotten stronger, I tend to get more tired and hungry, and…" Aang frowned for a second. "I seem to be losing parts of my memory."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's kind of hard to explain but sometimes Zuko and I fight and I get so angry…..I….I don't know. I just can't remember what happens for a couple of seconds."

Katara shrugged. "Maybe you should ask Zuko about it. I'm sure he remembers."

Aang nodded. "Right."

Aang shifted his position towards the window as Katara brought a wet towel to his forehead. Aang suddenly realized that this was the first time Katara had been alone with him since their little family reunion. Aang brought his attention back to Katara, staring into her deep ocean blue eyes.

"How have you been?"

"Oh, me? Well I've been pretty busy. You should have seen how many hours it took me to make the decorations." Katara said this quite coldly, contrasting with the cheerfulness she had maintained earlier.

Aang smiled as he noted the sarcasm hidden in her words. "I'm sorry. I haven't spent that much time with you, have I?"

"It's been months Aang! You could have it least sent a letter!"

Aang sighed as Katara looked away. "I thought that it least you would keep in touch," She said softly.

"I'm sorry Katara. But you know if you had sent me a letter I would have replied in a heartbeat."

Katara huffed angrily as she turned to walk away. Before she could go Aang grabbed her hand.

"Wait…"

Katara glared at Aang. "What?"

"Let me make this up to you. Let's go for a walk."

"A walk? That's all you could come up with?"

"It's what you want, right? To spend more time?" Aang looked into Katara's eyes with determination. "Well, I'm here now. And I would be happy to take you out if you're okay with that."

Katara wouldn't look into Aang's eyes, but she nodded slowly placing her hand inside the Airbender's. "This better be a good walk."

Aang smiled as he led Katara away.

~~~back in the fire nation~~~~~

"Excuse me? I would like to pick up the dress I've ordered."

"Certainly," The clerk said smiling as he went into the back of the store looking through the marked packages. Finding what he was looking for, he quickly went back and approached the lady in the front.

"Oh, thank you. I've been waiting so long for this."

"No problem. Anything else I can do for you?"

"No, though you can tell me what happened to Lee. He was so kind and one of the best shopkeepers around. I do hope he is alright."

Humph, pathetic wiesel. What fine shopkeeper leaves his store to be robbed? The clerk smiled generously at the women. "Oh, I'm sure he's alright. He left the store all on its own so I thought I might take over until he gets back."

The women smiled. "Well, I hear you're doing an incredible job. Keep up the good work."

"Thank you, and good day to you."

The clerk continued waving until the women left his sight, then he spat on the ground. "Seriously, where's the Fire lord when you need one? These citizens have no idea how to act. Humph, the sooner we get the Phoenix King back in charge the better."

The clerk jumped back a few feet as another man almost tumbled into him. "What the…"

"SHEN! You're alive." The man started hugging Shen nearly causing the LL Phoenix leader to pass out. Shen quickly punched the man in the jaw.

"Imbecile! Of course it's me!"

The man rubbed his nose ruefully. "Come on, you don't remember me?"

Shen stared at the man closely. Then he punched him in the gut. The man stumbled painfully.

"What..was….that for?"

"For being an idiot. Took you long enough, Jack."

"It's not easy finding a base for operations. The last one was destroyed. We had to build a new one. Unfortunately, the area isn't as nice as we would like. It will do for now since we have to stay off the radar. The guards have been more relentless as of late."

Shen smirked. "I know."

"I seriously almost got killed trying to find you. So, what are you doing?"

Shen had to try really hard to not punch Jack in the gut again. Is this fool blind? Seriously, I need to find more recruits.

"It's my cover. Stupid store keeper could barely keep himself from getting robbed. I put him out of his misery."

Jack started rubbing his stomach. "Of course you did. Don't expect anything less from you."

Shen found his coat and put it on. It was black and hid his figure. It also made him look a little taller.

"Alright take me to the base and alert the others."

"Huh, for what?"

Shen stared at Jack for a long moment. Jack tensed under his gaze as Shen stepped closer to him. Shen then gave him an evil grin.

"For a meeting…"

ooooOoOOoOOoooo

Zuko snarled as his headache started acting up again. He felt like a hammer was banging inside his eardrums. Man, it hurts! What was in that stuff? Zuko glared at Sokka who was about three feet away and appeared to have not had any ill effects due to the cactus juice he consumed last night.

Zuko shook his head slowly as he tried to sit back and relax for a couple of minutes.

"Zuko!"

"I guess my cat nap will have to wait," Zuko murmured as Sokka walked over to him with a huge smile on his face.

"Man, last night was awesome! Who knew Aang could eat so much!"

"Yeah, about that. You do realize what you guys were eating, right?"

Sokka stopped for a moment frowning. "What, I don't really remember that much. All I can recall was how good that food was…and how I lost to Aang three times in a row!"

Sokka's eyes sparkled in fury as he remembered how he had lost so easily. Zuko just turned away, knowing Sokka didn't really understand his question.

Sokka shook his head. "Our little guy is growing up. Soon he will be just as bad as you, Zuko."

Zuko snorted. "And that's coming from the guy who's married."

"I still know how to have fun, unlike you moody firebenders."

Zuko glared as Sokka smiled back in return. Then Zuko sighed. "I'm not really in the mood for this right now, Sokka. I have a lot on my plate."

Sokka shrugged. "Suit yourself. This just makes my point more clear though."

"Whatever."

Sokka stared at the sky seeing a small outline of the moon in the distance. He always thought it was beautiful how the moon could show up even in the daytime.

"You know, Zuko. Aang isn't a goofy kid anymore. He's the Avatar. The fun he has right now will probably be one of the very few moments that will occur in his lifetime."

Zuko looked at the sky, bleakly. "Yeah, I get that. That's why I don't invite him to all the war meetings. I want him to have it least a decent childhood despite the position he's in."

Sokka nodded. "Well, I guess that's all you can really do. Aang's responsibilities get him caught up sometimes…"

Sokka looked up at the sky sadly. Just like it did for you, Yue. I hope you're happy right now…

The two friends stared at the sky longingly.

oooOoOOoOoo

Katara smiled as Aang held her while they gazed at the moon from the bridge.

"This almost makes up for all the time we missed."

Aang chuckled. "Almost? I guess I got my work cut out for me."

Katara smiled though her eyes began to dim. She knew she had to tell Aang about her situation tonight. She just didn't know if Aang would handle it well.

"Aang…I have to tell you something."

Aang looked into Katara, sensing the matter was serious. "Yes?"

Katara sighed as she gazed longingly at the moon. "I..I'm turning fifteen in a month."

Aang nodded. "Okay."

Katara looked into Aang's grey eyes sadly. "If I don't find someone suitable to marry by then I will have an arranged marriage."

Aang's eyes filled with shock. "What! I thought the Southern Water Tribe was more patient on these sorts of things."

Katara lowered her head. "Actually, I don't live in the Southern Water Tribe anymore. I moved here about two months ago."

"Oh…"

Katara swiftly lifted up her head. "It's not like I'm getting married when I turn fifteen. I'll just be engaged. I won't actually marry until I turn sixteen. But I have to decide before my birthday comes up."

Katara looked down again at the floor, embarrassed. She was surprised when Aang lifted her face up slowly and pressed something into the palm of her hand.

Katara stared at the necklace in awe. The pattern was something she had never seen before on a betrothal necklace.

"Aang…"

Aang pulled Katara closer to him. "Its Yin and Yang. It represents the balance that exists in all things. It shows us that no matter what happens we can have hope because our challenges won't last forever."

Katara eyes widened. "It's the same as the black and white koi in the spiritual pond. Remember, Aang?"

Aang nodded. "They are the same. Just as the ocean and moon keep balance the rest of the world does in all its forms. The four elements, the four nations, and…" Aang stared into Katara's eyes. "Me and you."

Katara looked at Aang as he lowered himself into a kneeling position.

"Katara…I know this may seem sudden. But, I can't imagine my life without you being by my side." Aang smiled softly at the love of his life. "Katara, would you like to be engaged to me?"

Katara's eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Katara slowly took off her water tribe necklace and wrapped it around her arm. She then took the betrothal necklace and placed it on her neck.

"Yes…" was all the emotional waterbender could say as Aang hugged her full body into his own.

"I love you, Katara," Aang whispered into her ears.

"I love you too," Katara said softly.

oooOooOOoOooo

Shen was really annoyed. About only half of the members were present for the meeting.

Shen growled impatiently. We change location and everyone goes haywire. I definitely need some new recruits.

Shen stood up and the other members stood up as well. Their space was small and underground. In the middle of the room was a large oval table with a map of the four nations.

Jack blew the horn which signaled the start of the meeting.

"As you all know, we've hit a road block in our plans. Despite the fact that we, or should I say I, defeated the blue dragon we are still far away from our goal."

The men listened silently giving Shen their full attention as he continued.

"In order to truly return the Fire nation to its true state, we must slay the Avatar."

Some of the men gasped while others nodded their heads in agreement. Others just stared at Shen incredulously.

"I know, I know. It may sound impossible and don't think this will be easy. The Avatar will be a formidable opponent, the toughest we've ever faced. Remember we are not simply talking about a thirteen-year old boy. We are talking about a boy that took Fire Lord Ozai's bending away."

Everyone was now nodding in agreement.

"So we stay in hiding. Assume our covers and wait for the right moment to strike. Once the Avatar is out of our way, the rest will follow."

The men started cheering while Jack bowed in respect from behind Shen. Shen raised his hand to stop the applause.

"And don't worry gentlemen. We will catch the red dragon and finish what we started. After all, a little fear does help one's reputation."

Shen smiled as he planned gruesome deaths for the Avatar and the red dragon. He couldn't wait to get started.

Alright! Another chapter completed. Whew, nearly spent all day on this one! Oh, and by the way Katara and Aang are just engaged. If they do get married, it would be one year later when Katara turns 16. Hoped you enjoyed this, and check out my other stories too. I'll be posting another Avatar fic for those interested! :)

Last Edit: June 29 2012