Chapter Two: Mosaics and Memories

That afternoon, Aang pulled Katara aside to tell her about Avatar Roku's message. Katara had been relaxing after a delicious lunch (and an equally good breakfast) by watching the temple children gliding about when Aang had pulled her into an empty hall. The two now leaned against the sill of a huge, arched window that let in a gentle breeze. There Aang told Katara about his new challenge of returning airbending to the world.

"So Roku said I have to find and teach airbending to people with the ability and spirit and keep my culture alive," Aang finished and sighed. "For once I have no idea how I'm supposed to go about this or even begin."

"You could begin here," Katara began, her voice enthusiastic. Remembering what Teo had told Katara during breakfast and lunch, he had been eager to answer Katara's many questions, an idea had come to her. "Earlier today Teo told me that the town he came from, Yun Zhen, had connections to Air Nomads. When the Fire Nation killed the airbenders a century ago they only killed the airbenders who were living in the temples, not the ones outside the temple."

Confused, all Aang could say was, "Outside the temple?"

Katara seemed excited and spoke quickly. "Yes, like the Fire Nation didn't find you because you in an iceberg there were other airbenders they didn't find at first. Some were in trading parties and others had moved to the mainland. The original benders were taken long ago but some had kids who were rumored to have the ability. Or other people had children who were said to be able to do these things."

She paused for air. "Teo said that even in Yun Zhen there were rumors of people who could airbend. They were hidden away for their own safety and for the safety of everyone else, as untaught airbenders were dangerous."

Aang remembered what the monks had said about uncontrolled airbending. They had said that in the hands of someone undisciplined airbending, with its powerful slashes and toppling winds, had the potential for great destruction (even though the same could be said for all bending). It was why the monks only taught it for use in daily work and self-defense.

He also remembered the bison traveling parties from one hundred years ago. The four temples sent out a small group every month to the other nations (the Southern Air Temple convoy had gone to the South Pole.) Each temple had been self-sufficient, but the event was a way to encourage peace and bring in information of the outside world. Benders would also leave the temples if they married a foreigner or wanted a change of scenery. Aang figured it was possible for traveling nomads to have missed the attack. He was also surprised he had not remembered that.

"So there are people out there who can airbend?" he asked.

"Yes," Katara replied, "it's just like when I was the only waterbender at the South Pole. All I needed was a master to teach me, and that's all these people need. I have a feeling that some of the Earth Kingdom kids here can airbend. They just need an Airbending Master like you."

Aang was excited at the possibly of people who could airbend, but he did not like the idea of trying to teach the people at the Northern Air Temple.

"You really think I should try teaching the people here?"

"Oh no." Katara's voice was playfully sarcastic. "They only have airbending ancestors, live in an air temple already, and glide around. No aptitude for airbending at all." She smiled. "Of course I do. We're going to be stuck here for a while so the least you can do is try to teach them."

Aang's face fell, and he frowned. He was serious despite Katara's tone. "Yeah they have all those things, but the first thing the monks taught was respect for all things," Aang said, "and with what they've done to the temple I would never teach them."

Katara was taken aback. Aang had been sad about the damage done by the Earth Kingdom people before, but he had seemed fine with his talk of homes and hermit crabs. Katara was also offended as she thought it had been a great idea. She stood silent and pushed some strands of blown hair out of her face.

"I'm sure," she began tentatively, "that if you taught about Air Nomad culture to the kids here everyone could learn to respect the temple."

"They're good people and I really like them, but I would never teach them."

"Oh come on," Katara said, "you're always quoting the monks about understanding and good in everyone--"

"Don't you dare quote the monks, Katara!" Aang shouted. "You don't know what you're talking about!" In an uncharacteristic bout of anger, Aang stormed off. He was split between being angry and feeling like he was going to cry. Aang left Katara standing speechless at the window.

Aang had accepted what had been done to the temple, but he did not like it. He never had. Aang had shown maturity last time by not going into a glowing rage and with the Fire Nation attacking there had been other things to worry about. Aang knew he should be more confrontational on the issue, he could imagine Toph's disapproval, but he did not want to. Not with the temple being such a sore subject for him.

After having stomped away from Katara, Aang now found himself in a big steam filled room. Pipes wound around the high stone walls and hissed black smoke. A few rays of afternoon sun glinted off the elevator and the other mechanical devices near the ceiling. Aang had never been in this room before, but it looked the same as the others. The floor was carpeted in soot yet Aang saw an untouched patch of wall to his left. He walked over to it.

In its untouched state the south wall, the one Aang stood at, showed a colorful mosaic of airbenders on gliders. Now the bright colors were muddy. One had to look extremely close to even make out the original design. Aang rubbed his hand over the pale pink stone of a glider and sighed.

He then moved back and took up an airbending stance. Aang went through the motions and summoned a gust of air that knocked the soot off the wall. The blast rattled the pipes and caused dirt to fall around him. Aang smiled at his work. He suddenly heard voices behind him.

The children of the temple had spent their afternoon out flying but were now coming in. Their talk and laughter sounded through the room. Yet when they saw the Avatar the talking quieted and everyone stopped.

"Look!" one boy exclaimed, "look at the wall!" He pointed.

There was a murmur among the group as they looked. The sky scene was now striking with brightly dressed nomads on colorful gliders. There was even a young woman on a bison. Her waist-length hair blew behind her.

"It's beautiful," one girl said.

"Look at that purple glider."

"And the yellow one, too!"

The response from those assembled was amazing. Aang was suddenly barraged with questions. Everyone was curious about the mosaic. Aang was surprised, but began to answer questions.

Katara looked out the window, but she cared little about the spectacular view of the other turrets and the mountains blooming flora. She was still surprised at what had happened with Aang. He had stormed off at her suggestion to teach the youth here airbending. Katara was unsettled at having seen him angry. She was also insulted as she was sure her idea had been good.

Katara sighed. Aang had never shown outright anger about the temple before, even though he had every right to be angry, and Katara wondered if she could have comforted him about it. Had there been any signs? Did it matter? Katara knew Aang was the Avatar and could handle himself, but a small part of her wanted to mother him. Yet he was also her boyfriend now.

Katara brushed a blowing hair loop out of her face. She smiled at the word. They did kiss, occasionally as she wanted to take it slow, and each interaction meant a little more. Before she probably would have run after him to seek an explanation and give comfort, but she would wait. There was no point in confronting him when angry, and Aang was a smart boy. If her idea had any merit Aang would see it.

"Kata Ra!"

Katara turned around to see a little girl running towards her. The girl's face was smeared with tart filling, and she wore a big smile. She clung to Katara's skirt. "Hello, Lin," Katara said.

"Hello, Kata Ra!," Lin exclaimed. Lin knew Katara as she older girl had recently healed her wrist.

Katara smiled. "I see apricot all over your face, Lin. Have you been stealing pastries again?"

"No."

"You know you're not allowed to steal from the kitchens," Katara said as Lin hung her head. "But if you promise not to do it again I--"

"Please, don't tell my older sister Hana, please," Lin interrupted.

"I won't," Katara replied with a smile, "not if you'll come to the kitchen and help me make more apricot tarts." Katara was surprised that Hana was Lin's big sister. Even though Katara had been introduced to Hana at breakfast she had seemed nice.

Without a word, Lin grabbed Katara's hand and pulled her off to the temple kitchens. There Katara, with Lin as her assistant, rolled more pastries and even helped with the noodles for tonight's dinner. The others in the kitchen were glad Katara had found a way to entertain the rambunctious girl. Katara did not mind. At the South Pole she had often taken care of the children and made dinner. The work kept her mind busy.

Aang had not expected the temple's current inhabitants to be interested in its past ones, but they were. Everyone listened intently as Aang talked and answered questions. Aang had met few people interested in the Air Nomads, and he had assumed it was because no one really cared. Aang now learned it because no one really remembered much from a century ago. Airbenders and their culture were mostly legends in the Earth Kingdom now, even in towns like Yun Zhen.

It was now evening, and everyone sat cross-legged around the Avatar. Aang had already used firebending to light a few lanterns. The information Aang was telling them was basic like airball, lemurs, and some of what the monks had taught. The kind of information Sokka and Katara knew. Yet the talking had made Aang enthusiastic and very animated. He was in the middle of a question when Katara walked in.

Katara was walking hand in hand with a small round-faced girl. The girl was sucking her fingers. Everyone turned to look at them when the little girl screamed, 'Hana!' and ran over to Hana who was sitting by Teo.

"I came from the kitchens to tell you it's dinnertime," Katara said, "so you'd better get over there or it'll get cold."

There was talking as the group filed out to the eating hall. Only Aang and Katara remained. The two were silent, avoiding each other's eyes, until they apologized at the same time.

"Ishouldn'tsorryhaveifImadeyelledyouangry."

"I--" Katara began.

"I, oh sorry," Aang said, "you can go first."

Katara replied, "I'm sorry if I made you angry and if you don't like my idea--"

"No, it was good and really smart," Aang said, "I was the one who was stupid about it, as even though it made me angry I didn't have to yell at you." He paused. "I was against it earlier but after talking to everyone here, I think I should try and teach them. Even if no one has the ability, I could still teach them something. I mean Roku said I should keep the culture and philosophy alive."

Now that Aang was warming up to Katara's idea he was beginning to love it. If some of the people here could learn airbending it would help complete his task and teach them respect for the temple. It was a creative way to fell two pieces with a single move (as Monk Gyatso always said), and Aang was surprised he had not thought of it.

"So are you going to stand there or get some noodles?" Katara put her arm around Aang's shoulder.

"Noodles? Sounds good."

"It should. I helped make them." The two headed toward the eating hall. Katara continued, "And as the world's only airbending master you're going to need your strength for tomorrow."

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