With his robs loosely around his shoulders, Aang helped Katara get dressed in her normal outfit for the day which consists of her favourite colours of Blue, Navy and white. Her mother's necklace proudly placed on her neck, and her hair up in a loose bun, Katara took Aang's hand and walked with him up the path back to the house.
Katara carried Aang's staff and found her self having a hard time keeping her eyes off of the staff or Aang.
"Katara, it's just a staff." Aang asked after the 6th time he caught her staring.
"It's a staff with the Air nomad symbols on it. You don't see stuff like this much. Actually, I can't ever recall seeing this symbol."
"That's because it was a lost symbol from over 3 or 4 hundred years until the philosophers out in Ba Sign Se dug it up in their history scrolls. They tell me that it's been apart of every Avatar born in the Air cycle since close to the earliest known Avatar. The staff its self isn't historic, but the meaning behind it is." Aang explained.
As they continued up the path, Katara answered back while lacing her fingers into his a bit tighter. "When I look at it, it always reminds me of you… I want something that I can keep when you're gone away."
"What about the necklace I made you years ago out of fishing wire?" Aang asked innocently.
"That's a precious keep sake; it's different because you made it to replace my necklace in a time of need." Katara smiled at the memory.
"-Aaand you lost it anyways. I haven't seen that thing in years!... Oh, hey Aang." Sokka chirped in.
"Sokka! Good to see you-"
"What? I did not loose it!" Katara argued while cutting Aang off.
As the small reunion of the friends unofficially started, hugs and welcomes were shared in the evening sun. As the group started to settle down from the excitement and the immediate questions about his business with Zuko and the world have died down, Aang brought out small tokens of sweets from the fire nation for each of his friends.
Setting up camp like they used to, Sokka looked over an asked "Hey, Aang. got a… light?"
Dead silence was the reaction of Sokka's make-shift joke.
"Wow, even your jokes are getting worse…" Katara gestured.
"No, it was funny…" Aang half-lied, "I can handle the fire."
"Thank-you, Aang." Sokka said with a bit of pride.
"What? Sokka, the great and traveled warrior can't even light a fire?" Toph commented while lounging against a rock.
"No! I just figured that-"Sokka tried to defend him self but was bombarded with insults.
As Aang laughed at the bickering he missed so much, he used his hand to create a small flame and set alight some tender to start the fire.
"So Aang, what's with the new hair style? The rough look doesn't work for you my man..." Sokka asked gesturing at Aangs' head while rubbing his own hair covered chin.
Aang rubbed the back of his head and felt how much his hair has grown, with a sheepish smile growing across his face, he replied "Yeah I know, things haven't been running smooth-"
"…He got lost in the woods." Toph cut Aang off.
As Katara and Sokka started to give a confused look, Aang quickly tried to clear things up. "I didn't! Well ok maybe yesterday I did, but that was only because I was side tracked! Did you know there is a small village just to the west of here? What am I saying! Things with the fire nation have been too hectic that I don't get personal luxuries as often anymore." Aang explained with panic.
"Uh-huh. I think he was lost for a lot longer then a day." Sokka commented to Katara who nodded her head.
"Yep, you guys haven't changed one bit since we were kids…"
"And apparently your sense of direction hasn't changed much either" Katara giggled.
"… I'm going to feed Appa." Aang commented with defeat.
"Hurry back Aang were going to get dinner started!" Katara shouted out.
Walking down a beaten path to a large barn, it didn't take Aang long to find evidence of a bison living near. Strays of white hair in the grass and large foot prints in the ground were very obvious to Appa's new way of life, happy and free. While trying to be cleaver, Aang used his air bending to open the large double doors into the barn expecting to find his oldest friend waiting for his return. When the doors opened, nothing was inside the barn except for large amounts of hay and moon peaches. Confused at what he saw, Aang noticed a large shadow hovering over him. Turning around to investigate, he was pushed to the ground by the weight of his 10-ton friend.
"Hey Buddy!" Aang sang happily as his large friend lovingly covered him in saliva.
As Appa continued the large amounts of love on his friend the bison suddenly stopped and as if to gesture at, of course, Aang's hair. "Awa, common' not you too!..." Aang cried out.
Getting out from under Appa, Aang walked over to a wall of farming tools where he grabbed a pitch-fork and gathered a large pile of hay. Bringing the pile out to the doorway for his friend, he Air bended a few moon peaches to the pile as well. As Appa roared in approval, Aang placed the pitch-fork back into its rightful place and sat down beside Appa to watch the setting sun.
"I know the hair is different buddy, but it's just been too much at the Fire nation to keep up with everything. Being honest, I completely forgot about it till today." Aang explained. "And to make matters worse, I have to go back tomorrow morning. I haven't had the heart to tell anyone yet but I can't believe I let Zuko force me into a promise. "
Appa gave a sad growl in recognition of Aang's comment of leaving again.
"You know, I thought after the war things would have been easier. But it feels like their getting worse. The world is at peace but with the large hole the war made, things feel like their falling apart quicker then what I can do to make hem better. At least that's the vibes I'm getting while in the Fire nation. I know they need my help the most but I just hope Zuko can figure his nation out soon. "Aang prayed.
Aang stopped long enough to smooth some of Appa's fur, as if to comfort the bison.
"After all, I still have my problems to solve, I'm still the only one left of the Air nomads …" Aang commented with a heavy heart.
As Appa gave a loving nudge to Aang's side, Aang rested an arm on the bison's large head.
"Don't worry, I'm not completely lost at that battle… oh, I have some news for you! I found a small herd of flying bison close to the Northern Air temple just on the outskirts of the Earth kingdom. I have to take you there, boy!" Aang said with excitement in his voice.
Appa gave a happy howl at the news and started to dance around in approval. As Aang joined him in this playful motion, Katara was watching not far away. She smiled at the news Aang gave, but also was upset with the news he was worried to tell everyone. Katara stopped and thought to her self while she watched Aang play with Appa that, in all these years, he hasn't changed one bit when it came to delivering news. Aang always had this habit of keeping it all locked up inside, or talking it through with Appa. But how could anyone be upset with that. Appa was, after all, his animal guide and best friend.
"Aang! Time to eat!" Katara yelled out while waving her hand.
"Coming!" Aang replied while hugging Appa.
Before letting go, Aang whispering into Appa's ear. "Just between you and me Appa, I knew she was there the entire time…"
Appa grunted in agreement
"Did... did you want to come with me tomorrow? I can't promise that I'll bring you to the herd right away, but I can promise you that I take you there soon as I can." Aang asked quietly.
Appa took a moment, looking back over at Katara then back at Aang, Aang knew he was making a hard decision. But with a sigh and a nudge, Aang took that as a yes.
"I know, I'm gunna' miss her too, Buddy." Aang commented back.
"Aang!" Katara shouted.
"I'll be back soon, Appa." Aang quickly said as he took off running for Katara. "Coming, Coming!"
Finally reaching Katara, she looked at Aang with questioning eyes. "What were you two talking about?"
"Us? Oh, nothing. Just official Avatar business." Aang teased as he went ahead of her.
"Hey, that never held you back before!"
"What hasn't?" Sokka asked as he heard the two walking back.
"Nothing." Aang playfully said as he took a seat beside Toph.
"Well that's a lie," Toph commented.
"Ok, ok. I found a small herd of Bison on the outskirts of the Earth kingdom." Aang announced.
"On the out skirts, huh? Where about? I haven't come across them before and I've traveled around a lot of the Earth kingdom." Toph asked while biting into a large portion of fish.
"Shockingly, it's close to the northern air temple. I wonder it Teo and his father know about them."
"That's great news Aang, I'm sure Appa will love being with his own kind again." Katara commented.
"So, when are we going? You got nothing else planned right, Aang?" Sokka asked.
Katara took notice to Sokka's request. Looking back at Aang, she knew he did too. But Katara was also curious to what Aang would tell everyone.
As a moment went by, Aang took a breath in "I'm just taking Appa…"
"How rude, Aang-"
"No! It's not like that… I have to go… back to the Fire nation tomorrow morning and I'm going to bring Appa with me." Aang let out with a sad voice.
"Tomorrow? You just got here! No offence to your other-worldly-beings, but what does that burnt-out fire ball think he can accomplish having you at his side for every move he makes." Sokka barked.
"It's hard to explain, Sokka. If I could avoid going back I would. But the Fire nation is in such a delicate state right now that any move Zuko makes can be a cause for war within that nation. Zuko has a lot of pressure on his shoulder because he understands that his father caused the genocide of the air benders, he took over and disgraced all of the earth kingdom's largest cities and even tried to invade and cause the same genocide to the Water tribes. Lord Ozai has done a lot of damage to the nations and even his own people. It's going to take Zuko a lot of time to fix all the things his father did wrong, let alone win his people back. Most see him as a traitor now more because of his decision to move the colonies out of the Earth kingdom." Aang explained
"I can see how he needs your support Aang, but this is a Fire nation issue. Not something to pass off to the Avatar." Katara mentioned.
"It's not about passing it off to me Katara, it's about being united. That's where the Earth King Kuei is agreeing for the creation of the 'United Republic of Nations' to be built where the current largest Fire nation colony has made their home, on the shores of Yue Bay." Aang replied back in a serious tone.
"United Republic of Nations?" Sokka repeated.
"Yes, Zuko and I call it 'Republic City'. We hope that one day it will be recognized as a 5th nation where it will be ruled by not lords or kings, but by a council with a member from every nation. We want it to be a city where anyone and everyone can live in peace no matter of their Nation or if they can bend the elements." Aang explained to Sokka.
"So what if this city doesn't get built?" Sokka asked.
"War. Zuko and I are predicting that a war will break out within the Fire nation first and will spread to the Earth kingdom and eventually the Water tribes. I was late coming home this time because on the night of my departure, a small battle broke out between the government and people within the Fire nation. Once things settled I left promising Zuko I'd return." Aang replied
"I thought after the war was over, everything would fall into place and the world could live in peace for a while." Toph commented sadly.
"I thought so too, Toph." Aang replied with an equal amount of disappointment.
"Hey! It's not like any of us are endanger of being extinct or anything!" Sokka said tiring to bring a little cheer only to realize what he said as Katara hit her brother up-side of the head.
Everyone looked at Aang. They all knew that he had a different battle of his own, replenishing the Air nomads.
Later that night, after the mood lightened up, the meal was finished and stories told, everyone slowly started to head for bed. The sky wasn't full of stars but rain clouds threatening to rain. Aang sat in his small empty room and meditated close to a window in the corner of the room. With no lights but the glow of the moon through clouds, Aang tried to find peace within him self by listening to the slight bristle of wind in the new spring leaves, the faint smell of rain in the air, the feel of the cool evening on his bare chest, the quiet through the home.
Meditation usually helped Aang through many things when he needed to seek council about difficult decisions. Only this time, it wasn't an answer he needed. It was a direction of where to go and assurance that he's doing the right thing's is what he really needed. Debating if he should enter in the spirit world and talk to previous Avatars about what he should do next was cut short as he heard foot steps coming closer to his bed room door.
A faint glow came through the wood and paper doors as Katara popped her head in. "I knew you'd be awake."
Aang just turned his head and frowned. "A lot is going on. Just once I'd like to have my own problems, the ones that don't involve being the Avatar, be the focus of my attention. But even those are ridiculous and require someone else to be involved."
Katara made her way to the corner where Aang was sitting. With slivers of moonlight on his body, Katara noticed that he chose to wear only his loose pants leaving his porcelain skin to face the chill of the night.
"Aren't you cold?" Katara asked only to be received by a stern shake of Aangs head.
His tattoos were on full display with the exception of his head, and the fain scars of their past even made them selves noticed. But even with the recent growth of hair, Katara could always picture the tattoo that covered most of his head perfectly. Even if he was wearing a hood, or had long amounts of hair, the tattoo was always visible to her.
Placing the candle on the windowsill, she sat on her knees and pulled him into her chest, resting her chin on top of his head. Aang wrapped his arms around her waist and held onto her as if he would be lost forever. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath in, this was a moment he always missed and never could get enough of.
"I'm coming with you tomorrow."
"No." Aang replied opening his eyes slightly to the comment.
"I'm not requesting it." Katara answered back with a stern voice.
Aang just shook his head. "Katara, I much rather deny a request then not 'allow' you to do anything." Aang replied while pushing her away from him.
Katara sat back into a kneeling position and reached for one of his hands, holding it in-between hers. "Aang-"
"Please, Katara. Understand…" Aang cut her off while looking out the window.
A moment of silence went by. With out a word being said from either of them, Katara took it as her cue to leave. "Well, goodnight then."
"Wait…" Aang said grabbing onto her hand before she could get far. With some colour rising to his cheeks Aang let out quietly "Stay with me?"
Looking at him and his childish eyes, asking her to stay was worrying. What could be going on in his head that would cause him to flip-flop in his emotions so much? With concern filling her face, Katara sat back down beside him and rested her back against the wall. "Tell me what's on your mind."
"You know what's on my mind, Katara."
"I know about Zuko and this war and city thing. But that's not what's bugging you."
Aang let a moment pass. He started to play with his beads that were wrapped around his wrist as he spoke "why is it that the two biggest responsibilities in the world have to be on my shoulders."
"You mean being the Avatar and-"
"…Being the only Air nomad." Aang finished "As a Monk, our teachings say we have to reject love in order to achieve freedom. As the Avatar, tradition says we have to give love up in order to be attached from the world and enter the Avatar state. Everything I was taught was to freely give everything and take noting. I know I have to eventually have children to save my people, but how do you give teachings and tradition up?"
"Would you give me up?"Katara asked.
"Never." Aang replied strongly while holding onto her hand.
"Aang, nobody is asking you to give anything up." Katara said quietly while drawing the shape of his nation's symbol on the back of his hand. "I understand you were raised with strict teachings and traditions, and then you were expected to follow them. There isn't anything wrong with that, Aang. But circumstances have changed."
"…How?"Aang asked with the innocence of a child while fidgeting with the beads again.
"I never thought of you being the last of your people. You're the first. You can change things." Katara answered back while moving her attention to his beads. "If you live the way you were raised, your nation will go extinct when you take your last breath. I'm not saying ignore what you were taught but use it to mould a new future. Make it ok to love."
"So use my life as an inspiration for a new one…" Aang cleared up while watching Katara play with the beads around his wrist.
"Yes, because unless something changes, there will be no resolve. It's cruel that you have to choose between what's right and the rightful thing."
"It's easy when you say it." Aang smiled down at Katara.
"I never asked anything for you to never give me up, you chose me. Why is love so important to continue on the Air nomads?"
"I just… always wanted a family, the traditional kind. It's hard growing up within a temple with two-hundred brothers and sisters."
"But Aang, You have one, it's us and we aren't afraid to love one another. Cant you see that?" Katara asked.
"I do now… Katara, would you ever choose me?" Aang asked.
Katara laced her fingers with his, letting his beads trail in-between their hands. Looking back into his grey eyes, she gave him a soft smile and nodded her head. Slipping a hand up to his jaw, Katara pulled Aang in for a soft kiss.
Letting the kiss linger, Katara leaned over to blow the candle out then, while still holding onto Aang's hand, got up from her place at the wall and pulled him along with her to the bed on the floor not to far away.
Kneeling down on the soft blankets, Katara reached up Aang's arm and traced the blue tattoo down to his hand. As Aang brought the hand Katara held onto up to her cheek, he stared into her Ice blue eyes with such focus that Katara stared back with concern. Letting his thumb drift down the apples of her cheeks to her lips, as he knelt down he gently forced her chin up to him so he could kiss her. Cupping her face for a moment he took her hands into his and placed them above her head.
Breaking the kiss, Katara looked at Aang with confusion as his hands made their way to the hem of her light cotton tunic. Gathering it at the sides, Aang slowly started to pull it off her slender body; he stopped long enough to give her a blind kiss as he caught her eyes and arms within the fabric. Giving off a slight giggle, Katara managed to wiggle her way through the fabric and tossed the tunic to the side.
Pulling his head to rest against hers Katara whispered "Despite what you were taught, its ok to Love. And if in the end something has to change we respect what you need to do… just don't pull away from me, because I want to be with you where ever you go, Aang."
Katara smiled at what she just said, her heart raced knowing that she told him what she's been secretly longing to tell him.
Feeling nothing but her bare skin against his, the cool evening blew into the room causing a slight shiver to roll across Katara's body. Wrapping his arms around her so his large hands covered most of her shoulder blades and lower back, Aang never felt so close to Katara before.
With her words ringing through his head, he whispered back "I love you, Katara. I don't want to be anywhere with out you."
Hearing his words made a smile spread across her lips.