Chapter 9: Birthday Wishes

Katara watched with a gentle awe as Aang went through his morning training exercises, She was torn between his movements and his body to which was more stunning. His chest was exposed flashing a wonderful view of his elegant yet well built form, pale as he was he had such enchanting features that made him all the more handsome in the early sun's rays as she fought the desire to let her eyes linger where the indention was of his hips just before they disappeared beneath his pants. A light sweat reflected the light while he went through his own version of forms, a series of cross maneuvers between each element. The way he moved was like a dance, each movement fluid from years of practice and understanding of his own body, yet light from his air bending heritage. She had finally decided to join him for a bit, feeling as if this would be her best distraction from his enticing body. Her own water bending style matching his, as he slowly transformed his movements to follow hers. Together they flowed, moving around one another in the Royal gardens lake, they passed water between themselves before Aang began adding bits and pieces of his other abilities, all the while masterfully keeping pace with the water and his beautiful girlfriend.

A giddy light filled them both as the moment took them down hundreds of memories, moments much like this that they had shared through the years. They were lost in one another's movements, not realizing how close they slowly became, it was as if they were two ends of a magnet drawn to one another, though completely unaware of such pull. Aang drifted his moves back to focusing on water as they finally became close enough he could brush against her, stormy eye's remained locked on ocean blue throughout each of their movements. He used his more powerful energy as his form's came to a close, allowing his arrows to glow as the avatar state pulsed through him, he kept perfect control as he pulled the lake around them, a funnel of water and air formed with them in its center. Katara lost her concentration as she watched this and he took the distraction as a chance to wrap his arms around her waist and yank her into a strong kiss. He had been so focused on the kiss as she welcomed his gestures, pulling her arms around his neck, one hand on the back of his head while she teased his he didn't realize the funnel he had created for fun had turned into a ball, encircling them as it slowly lost its water and became nothing but air that lifted them up with each pulse of his avatar spirit they floated higher.

Katara opened her eyes as she pulled back just enough to press her forehead against Aang's. A smile tugged at his lips as he opened his stormy orbs, the glow of his avatar spirit fading while he let out a small chuckle. She lifted an eyebrow as her blue eye's questioned him. "Look around you." He whispered huskily, pressing a kiss to her nose. Blinking the water bender realized that they were still suspended in the air, Her eyes widened in fright as she instinctively tightened her hold on her Air bending boyfriend. "Aang! Why are we above the trees?" He laughed again, though welcomed the tighter embrace as he slowly drifted them back to the ground. Without the avatar state he wasn't strong enough to hold them up like that for long. "I'm not sure really… I kinda kissed you when I was using the Avatar State… so… I guess it followed my heart and flew…" Grateful once her feet were again safely on the ground she smiled up at him. "Well at least warn me next time… I'm a water bender, not an air bender…" He rolled his eyes playfully. "Katara, I'd never let you fall. And if you did, You know I'd catch you!" She couldn't hold back the grin as her lips touched his gently. "I know… it just scares me… I wasn't born laughing at gravity…" He nodded in understanding though amusement never left his eyes.

"Come on… we should probably see if everyone else is waking up, It is Azuna's birthday…" She nodded, letting him lead her as his arm remained around her waist.

Suki woke up to such an odd sight, Her green eye's fluttered open to see and feel her husband pressing gently against her stomach, his cheek resting against it while one hand rubbed soft circles. His eyes were closed though he was whispering something. "Sokka?" blue eye's popped open a surprised smile on his face. "Huh? Sorry… I didn't wake you did I?" "no… but what were you doing?" "I was talking to our baby… It's kicking again!" She shook her head with a smile. "Yeah, I know." "Oh… yeah…" He gave a sheepish smile but resumed his place on her stomach. "Oh you will be such a strong little baby! Daddy can't wait to meet you!" "Mommy can't wait either." She added with a soft smile, her hand covering her husband's as a tiny nudge pressed against them. "You are such a strong little guy aren't you!" Suki's brow's drew together. "Sokka… what makes you think it will be a boy?"

"Oh, I don't know… I just don't like calling our baby it all the time… I wish we could find out if it was a he or she already!" She nodded. "Me too, but we will just have to wait and see… its not like theres anyway to really find out before it's born… uh oh! I need to get up…" "Why?" "Well… I have to pee." She blushed as her husband nodded and helped her to her feet.

Zuko smiled warmly as his golden eye's danced across the room, his small family was surrounded by all of their friends, Uncle Iroh, Teo and his father, Mai's family including her four year old brother TomTom, Aang and Katara, Sokka and Suki, Ti Lee and Haru, were a few to name. But no matter how much he felt loved and cared for by these people, a part of him wished that his sister, father, and most importantly his mother could be here. It was the same for every big event in the young Fire Lords life. His father would sooner kill his granddaughter then celebrate her second birthday. And his sister was pretty much the same way as far as Zuko could see. Ursa was still missing, he wanted her to be alive, prayed to the spirits every night that she was. But knew that by now it might be possibly to late.

Mai felt her husband's discomfort from across the room, she could never understand how they always just understood one another but she did. Excusing herself from her mother and aunt's conversation she walked over to where he was leaning up against the wall, watching all of the children play. "Zuko?" At his name, the young man's eyes met his wife's who's were filled with unspoken concern. "It's nothing Mai…" "Don't give me that. I've not been married to you for three years to fall so easily for that lie." She gave a small smirk as he wrapped an arm around her waist comfortingly. "I was just thinking…" "Are you going to make me ask?" "I was thinking about my messed up family, Not our family… just mine." "I see… well, we could invite Azula if you really want to… but I'd rather not get into a fight on my daughter's birthday…" "No no, I'm just wishing they would be happy for once… that they could see… I mean… look at her Mai, look at our beautiful daughter. Her grandfather refuses to even see her." "I understand…" The fire lady was a strong woman, but even she wished that her father in-law and sister/ex-friend would have wanted to at least know her daughter. But these were things Mai never spoke up about, no one needed to know such personal things.

"Well look at her daddy, Your daughter is two. Playing with her friends, and all the people that love her, while you sit over in the corner like this and sulk." "Hey. I'm not in the corner… I'm by a door." She rolled her eyes. "Well Fire Lord, when you're ready to rejoin us. Azuna will be opening her gifts." With that Zuko was left alone as his wife strode elegantly across the room, sweeping her happy daughter into her arms and headed to where a massive arrangements of gifts were set up.

The presents had been opened, cake had been eaten, and most of the party had dispersed to head back home. The ones who had traveled a great distance were all that was left, all of which were enjoying one another's company and catching up on recent events. "I can't believe you found another Lemur!" Aang was still mulling over this latest bit of overly amazing information, his eyes locked on the female whom had been called "ShiShi" by the toddler seconds after having been presented to her. Momo was also engaged in the game the three were playing, something along the lines of tag. Though both bats had a very unfair advantage.

"Yes, We were surprised as well Avatar Aang… but their she is, living proof." The mechanist said with a smile. Aang's brows furrowed from his thoughts. "What about her real owner though? I mean, there aren't enough of them left for her to Not belong to someone… Especially sense I met Tinly… it wouldn't surprise me if ShiShi belonged to her…" "Well you have my word that if the Lemur belongs to someone we will give her back, I will agree with Teo and his dad though… she's safest here." Zuko spoke up, a drink in his hand as he watched his beautiful daughter, he couldn't believe even after two years that she had come from him. "I know… it just worries me, she was obviously looking for someone. I just hope who ever that was is ok." Katara tugged her boyfriends hand in comfort. "I'm sure they are Aang. If Tinly can survive there have got to be others." He nodded as his eye's went back to the little girl.

Azuna had given up on the lemur's, it was unfair that they could fly right over her head. With a pout she wondered back to her new toys, immediately taking the soft Bison toy into her arms and cuddling it, her small golden eye's turned to lock on the stormy gray that were watching her. She smiled and ran over to the man, tugging on his pant's once her little feet had carried her to him. "Undle Annnnng! Up pease! Up up!" The avatar grinned then scooped the child into his arms. "You want to go up Azuna?" He laughed when her little head bobbed excitedly, arms still clutching the stuffed Bison. "Allright! Hold on to your Bison, he will protect you!" With that he grabbed his staff and created just enough breeze to float up near the very high top ceilings. "YAYE! Eeeehahaha!" Aang laughed as he did a few tricks with her safe in his arms, everyone below watched with varying degrees of smiles.

Katara got lost for a moment, her eye's unfocused as Azuna seemed to change into a different child, her mind took her far away from the fire palace. The elegant lands of an air temple seemed to form around her out of nowhere, her heart told her it was the Southern lands, it looked nothing like it had when they had last visited the ruined place. Instead it was very much alive, there were bison and lemur darting across beautiful trees and landscape, a few other families seemed to be enjoying the day as well, but the one that held her concentration, her heart, was Aang and her daughter.

The water bender blinked, not realizing tears had formed in her eye's until she quickly caught them with her hand, grateful that no one had noticed, all eye's still on the monk and princess as he twirled them around pillars. She smiled sadly as her heart gave a painful tug. 'Will we ever get to have something like that Aang? Would you ever want that with someone like me?' She had not realized what she was doing as she slowly left the others, wondering out to the palace's gardens where star's reflected across the water she and Aang had trained by earlier. Her eyes were lost on the moon as her mind wondered down different paths. She finally planted herself under a tree directly next to the pond. "I'm nothing but a peasant… he could do so much better than me." She rested her head on her knees, as her eye's stared up into the silent sky.

Finally Aang dropped back to the ground, landing lightly with Azuna bursting with laughter. "Again Again!" she squealed. "No more flying for tonight. It's time for you to go to bed." Mai said before Aang could oblige the child, he reluctantly handed her back to her mother then waved goodnight with everyone else as they disappeared down the hall. "Where's Katara?" He asked with brows drawn as he looked around the banquet room. "I don't know… come to think of it, I haven't seen Toph or Teo for a while eather…" Sokka spoke up helpfully. Suki had her head leaned against his shoulder as she shrugged. "I saw her head out towards the gardens a bit ago…" He nodded a worried glint in his eye as both Lemur's jumped onto his shoulders, still chatting it up as they had been doing sense Azuna left them alone.

Zuko spoke up then, having been discussing politics with the Mechanist. "Toph and Teo went out to the theater not long ago… Something tells me that they wanted to spend some time alone…" Everyone turned shocked gazes to the Fire lord and Scientist. "Toph and Teo… went to the theater...but Toph's blind..." Sokka said with a confused look as he played with a strand of Suki's hair, she had let it grow out over the past two years now and it had grown out half way down her back. Everyone shook their heads as it took him a few more minutes to figure it out. "I can't believe Toph… that's so cute!" Suki said cheerfully as she watched with quiet amusement as her husband finally connected the dots. "OH! Holy crap! Toph and Teo... huh... I can't believe I didn't see that!" He said in amazement. Zuko nodded though he gave his friend a Your-so-slow-sometimes look, "They do seem to make a nice couple." Aang just nodded in agreement as he finally won his own mental argument and headed out to find Katara.

"You know… They might figure out we didn't go to the play Toph…" "I wouldn't be surprised if they did, but it was the only excuse I could come up with…" The boy laughed and shook his head as they reclined on the roof top they had chosen as a place to relax. "Yeah… but your blind… I can't believe they didn't call you out on it the second you said it!" She grinned at him, a blush still staining her cheeks from when he had placed his hand over hers a while ago. "I don't really care at this point… I mean, this is just… I don't know, nice." Teo admired the young earth benders beautiful face again, something he had been unable to stop doing sense they had taken off.

"So why haven't you gone back to your family in so long? You said it's been over a year sense you've seen them… don't you miss home?" The girl's smile became sad as she nodded. "Yeah, I do miss them… but my parents are to controlling, they always try to cage me in and keep me away from the outside world… I can't handle that, and for now home seems to feel more like Ba Sing Se then Gaoling. What about you? Why haven't you decided to travel or anything… I mean you can pretty much glide where ever you want to go can't you?" His brows drew together as she spoke of her family, but the lines of worry changed to a soft smile as he responded. "I could… but I like being at the Temple, there's still so much to discover there… I actually want to make a trip to the other temples when I get a chance… I think that's about the most I want to travel though, I mean… maybe going to Ba Sing Se wouldn't be such a bad place to stop some time too…" Though the girl he was with couldn't see it, his face turned a bright pink.

She grinned as he squeezed her hand lightly, having picked up on his increased heart beat threw the vibrations though she didn't know if she had read it wrong or not. "Maybe I can come visit the Northern Air Temple some time too… you know… help you with some of those discoveries…" She blushed, flirting was so far out of her own norm that she was very self-conscious, unsure if he'd take her wrong or become uninterested by her slight hint. "I'd like that." Both's heart rates picked up as a blush stained their cheeks.

Something shook the branches above her head that snapped her from her thoughts and made Katara jump quickly taking a bending stance. It took her a moment to relax when she noticed that it wasn't so much someone as it was a something. Hanging on the last branch from the ground was a small bag, a note attached to it. When she lifted it she noticed that something was inside, being curious she opened it only to see a very beautifully made kimono for she assumed Azuna, and two letters. One was addressed to Zuko, but the other was to Aang. Her brows drew together as she flipped the bags lid back over to see the note attached. "Happy birthday Azuna, Love Grandma." Eyes wide she turned quickly to head back towards the Palace, only to slam face first into a hard chest.

"Katara?" Aang grunted from impact as he wrapped his arms around his girlfriends panicked form. "What's wrong?" "Oh Aang!" She said in surprise, She managed to weasel out of his grasp just enough to flash him the bag. He blinked his silver eyes in shock as he took in the design. "That's an air-nomads bag…" He mumbled. She had been in such a rush to get back inside that she hadn't thought to look at the bags design. "It is?" his brows drew together. "Yes, where did you get that?""It almost fell on my head… someone had dropped it into the tree." She pointed up. "It must have been Tinly… huh? Why didn't she try to stay…" As if to answer his question something darted from the corner of his eye. "HEY! LEAVE HER ALONE!" Aang shouted as he took off after the black clad figures shooting out a blast of wind, but they had vanished as quickly as he had seen them.
Katra ran over to his side by the entrance of the palace. "ASSU?" "Yeah…" Worried silver eyes gazed out at the black sky, but he didn't see anything that would resemble a glider, only the twinkling stars.

"Come on… there's a letter in here for you, and a gift for Azuna…" Aang snapped out of it as he looked back at his girlfriend, remembering why he had come out in the first place as they slowly began walking up the palace steps. "Why were you out here anyway?" She froze for a minute his question reminding her of her earlier torment, but quickly tried to play it off as she picked up her pace. "I… just wanted some fresh air…" "Katara…don't lie to me… please." His voice was pained and her shoes suddenly became very interesting as they headed for the entrance. "It's really nothing Aang… ok. I promise." His eyes only grew more worried as she spared him a weak glance, her blue gaze filled with so many emotions that his stomach went into knots. "I love you Katara…You know you can tell me anything right?" She smiled, giving him a quick kiss. "I love you too Aang, and yes I know. I'll tell you when I have everything sorted out ok? It's nothing though… " He nodded trying not to let it get to him as he wraped an arm around her waist and they walked inside.

"It's from… my mother…" Zuko said in an awed voice when Aang had passed him the letter, his mind flashing every good memory he had of his mother, her hugs, smiles, love. Slowly, tenderly he opened the note immediately recognizing his mother's elegant scrawl.

Zuko,

Hello my son… I'm so sorry I haven't come to you before now, Believe me when I say that I've tried.
Your father has made it near impossible for me to even get near the palace grounds, let alone reach you.
Know that I miss you terribly, not a day goes by that my heart doesn't ache for you and your sister.
I want you to know that I'm so proud of you; you've done something so amazing for this nation by
just being the kind sweet young man you are. I'm also proud of your choice in wife, Mai was always
my favorite, and even if she was always so negative she was such a sweet child to you. She's grown
into a beautiful mother, I wish I could hold my sweet granddaughter in my arms and admire her beauty.
But for now I'm unable to come near any of you without putting you in more danger then your family needs.

Zuko, I know that you probably have a lot of confusion when it comes to my leaving you and
your sister, questions like those I will hopefully be able to explain when things get better.
All I can tell you is that I've been helping to undo what our family had wrongly done, Sense I was
banished I've been secretly playing safe house for any Airbenders I've come across. Through the
years that has been quite a few believe it or not. But there is a force that I cannot beat, the very
ones that keep me from seeing you now, they are known as the, Air Secret Silencing
Unite. These are not people to trifle with son, they are your fathers most trusted and strongest
Allies, and have been secretly killing off the nomads sense Grandfather Sozin formed them.
They are made up of Firebenders and Earthbenders. But extremely powerful ones, able to use
the highest levels of their bending, and they are all monsters.

I know you are good friends with the Avatar, and I'm so proud of you for helping him, now he
is the only one who can help his people, only he is strong enough to stop these crazed murders.
I will send another letter when I reach our next location. I'm sorry to be so short son, but Tinly
and myself have to be constantly moving or else they will find us. I promise we will find a way to
you soon. Know not to underestimate your father, even in prison Ozai is still able to do many
things that could harm you, as can your sister. When you see her tell her I love her, I intend to
write her a letter when time permits as well. Give Azuna a kiss for me please, and enjoy the
Kimono I hope it fits her.
Love, Ursa

Zuko was in shock, he didn't know what to think of the letter but apparently his emotions did as tears spilled down his cheeks, He didn't care who saw them as his heart beat hard and fast. 'She's alive! Mothers Alive!' His mind continued to repeat it as everyone allowed him to have a moment to himself, Mai had returned to see her husband's tears and rushed to his side. "What's wrong Zuko?" A hint of worry colored her tone as she cupped his cheek with her hand. "My mother… she sent this, and a present for Azuna!" Mai's eye's grew wide as she noticed the Kimono that rested on his lap. It was beautiful, made in stunning spring colors that depicted a butterfly's dance across the fabric. "Your mother?" He nodded a goofy grin spreading across his face. "My mother."

So... lots of stuff happened... XD it was quite a random chapter, but its where my mind decided to go so you know...

Birthday wishes became the official title when I finished... I promise one day I'll have a good bit of a chapter dedicated to little Azuna, but for right now my mind just like Kataang a bit to much to explore much on other topics. I do try though =D

I feel like I should explain to you guys something,
Don't expect updates on the weekends, I can update weekdays when I have time between my classes, I AM a fulltime collage student, and a part time worker... I work Fri-Sun then have Classes Mon-Thurs currently... soooo yeah. weekends kill me, weekdays also try too but I have more time to relax during them. =)

Anyway, I do hope you all enjoy this chapter. Thank you for so many awesome reviews and hits, I've had over 1000 hits! XD now if I could just get that many reviews... haha!

Ryuken First off... You freaking rock. dude seriously, you've totally boosted my confidence like epicly and I really do appreciate it. I actually intend to write a book one day, it's going to be a fiction obviously, but I've had the idea for years... just never the confidence to post it. =D It's so kind of you to say that I'm a good writer though, I mean. thank you so much! =) I'm glad that my story has been something you can get into, and I do hope you continue to read! Again thank you! =D

Kimjuni2 =D I'm glad you liked it, Thank you! and I hope you enjoy this one too. though it's not quite as long as the last one... XD

Loopy Kid Here you go dear, another one! haha I'm glad that you've enjoyed my writing. Yeah I'm trying hard to keep characters as close to the original as I can... ofcourse they will have some changes thanks to age and time. but the Core of who they are I want to keep intact. =) Let me know If I ever drift to far from that!
I'm also glad you caught that, I've actually had a few people who didn't understand why Aang didn't do more... XD that lets me know it wasn't entirly my bad skills at depicting something... haha.

Until next chapter! =D thanks again everyone!

Surf-