The Master Of Airbending

A Few Days Later: Nianzu's Arrival...

Nianzu had been riding on the ferry for about 12 hours, about 4 hours longer than expected, and it was late at night by the time they had docked. Nianzu figured he should stay in an inn for the night so he wouldn't have to wake up Avatar Aang. The ferry ride was basically the same as the ride to Ba Sing Se. Passengers had to sleep on the decks and eat terrible tasting food. Nianzu searched his pockets for his remaining money, and found he only had 10 silver pieces left. He cursed at himself, it was freezing outside, and he didn't have enough money to stay at an inn. So he decided to just find a small shed to sleep in, it wasn't his first choice but he figured it was better than walking around the freezing streets of the Southern Water Tribe.

Nianzu walked around for a while, marveling the exquisite carvings of the moon and ocean all over the buildings. Nianzu walked around for a half hour before he found a large shed across the street from Avatar Aang's home. He figured the Avatar wouldn't mind so he walked towards the shed, but when he opened the doors, he met someone he hadn't intended to meet. The Avatar's Sky Bison. The large bison growled at the intruder.

Nianzu put his hands over his head, "It's okay boy. I'm Nianzu, I'm an airbender, like you." he explained to the creature.

The bison began to stop growling, understanding what the boy was saying.

"Here, I'll show you." Nianzu said, and with that he bended air underneath a bale of hay and bended it towards the large bison's mouth. The bison quickly ate the hay and tackled the boy, licking him furiously.

"Okay down boy, down." Nianzu said, pushing his hands against the bison's nose. The bison ceased to lick him and laid down. Nianzu got up and pet the bison, who was flapping his tail up and down slowly.

"Oh, you want me to get on?" he guessed. The bison groaned in agreement. With that, Nianzu walked up the large bison's tail and climbed into his saddle. Nianzu laid his bag down as a pillow as he laid his head on it, and drifted on to sleep.

The Next Morning...

Aang and Katara had woken up earlier than usual that morning. Aang was wearing his Traditional Air Nomad robes, and Katara was wearing her green Earth Kingdom robe. Katara laid her head in Aang's lap as he stroked her hair. Katara loved the soft feeling of his Air Nomad Robes, she loved the feeling on her skin when she laid on his lap. He hadn't been spending much time with her lately, considering her birthday was coming up.

"So, what are we gonna do today?" Aang asked the girl on his lap.

She shrugged, "We could go for a ride on Appa. We haven't gone in a while, especially since you've been leaving all of a sudden."

He chuckled nervously, "I have my reasons, but that sounds great." he agreed.

"Hey Aang, what about that Airbender? Aren't you gonna look for him?" Katara asked him, getting up from his lap and lying her head on his shoulder.

Aang shrugged, "Well, I've been thinking about that too. But I figured, our wedding is in a few weeks, and it will take that long just to get to the Fire Nation. That's where the boy was last seen, and I don't have any other leads to where he could be. I'll just be traveling around the world looking for a fourteen-year-old boy. It's not worth it. If that boy really wanted to talk to me, he would have to follow me here." he explained.

Katara smiled and gave him a kiss, "You always put me first, don't you?"

He smiled, "When have I not? Remember when Zuko tracked me to your village when I got out of the iceberg? I surrendered to keep you safe." he explained.

"Because it was part of your Avatar duties. To keep people safe." she said.

"Okay, you have your thoughts, I'll have mine." he joked. Katara laughed and they kissed. It was slow and peaceful, and it didn't take away their breath too fast. A few moments later a knock came to the door. They ceased kissing, and Katara asked him to answer the door. Aang nodded and walked over to the door and opened it. He opened the door to see a fourteen-year-old boy with thin black hair.

"Hello, Avatar Aang. My name is Nianzu." the boy said.

Aang shook his hand, "Nice to meet you. Is there something you need?"

"Actually there is. You may not believe this, but I'm an airbender."

Aang looked at the boy dead in the eye, "You-you're the airbender?" Aang asked, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.

The boy nodded, and twirled his fingers in the air, creating a small twisting current of air. Aang's eyes widened and produced a huge grin, and asked the boy to come inside.

He guided the boy over to Katara, "Katara, this is Nianzu. He's the airbender." Aang said. Nianzu put his hand out as Katara shook it.

"Pleasure to meet you Mrs. Katara." the boy said as he shook her hand.

Katara chuckled, "I'm not Mrs. Katara yet. But wait another month." she said. Aang laughed at her comment, she wasn't married to him yet, but she would be in a month.

"Please come sit down." Aang said, guiding the boy to the table. Aang and Katara sat beside eachother and the boy sat across from them.

"So, what's your story?" Aang asked the boy.

"Well, I was born in a small Earth Kingdom Town in the western part of the Earth Kingdom, during Autumn. I had never known I was an airbender until I was six, when I somehow shot a blast of air out of my hand. My parents, well, they weren't exactly thrilled to have an Airbender as a son." Nianzu explained.

"Whoa, wait. Your parents weren't airbenders, or atleast one of them?" Aang asked.

The boy shook his head, "No, that's why they weren't thrilled about it. They have no idea how it happened, so they sent me to find you when I turned fourteen."

"To learn airbending." Katara guessed.

The boy nodded, "Yes, I don't know much. All I know is how to shoot blasts of air and make miniature tornadoes." he explained.

Aang nodded, "Well, tell me. What do you know about your culture?" he asked.

The boy shrugged, "Well, I know they were a peaceful nation, and that they get their strength from the wind, but that's really all. Sorry."

Aang glanced a look at Katara, as if speaking to her in thoughts. What about our ride on Appa? Aang asked in his head.

Then Aang head something in the back of his head, We can still go, let's just finish with this boy first. Katara smiled at him, and he nodded.

"Nianzu, do you know of my Sky Bison?" Aang asked the boy.

He nodded, "Yes, actually I met him last night, and he seemed to like me after I told him I was an airbender."

Aang's eyebrows raised, "Whoa, he understood you when you said that? Appa never believes anyone that says that, other than me of course." he explained.

"Well, I kind of demonstrated my bending to prove it, and then he allowed me to sleep in his shed last night." He explained.

"Well, meet me at his shed today at three o' candle, okay?" Aang said.

The boy nodded, "Of course."

"Good, we have to go now. I'll meet you there later." Aang said, with that they led the boy to the door. Nianzu nodded as he left the house.

"You didn't seem too surprised to meet that boy Aang." Katara said.

Aang bit his lip, "Hey Katara, did you...hear my thoughts?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I swore I head something at the back of my head saying 'we can still go, let's just finish with this boy first.' I swear I head it." he explained.

"Are you messing me again, Aang?" she joked, putting her hands on her hips.

"No, I swear I heard it." he said, looking into her eyes.

"That's weird. Cause that is what I was thinking." she said, putting her hands down

"Maybe I just know you too well." he guessed, smiling at her.

She smiled back, "Maybe, or maybe your have more Avatar powers than you know."

Aang looked at her with a shocked expression, "Did you just...nevermind."

She looked confused, "Did I just what?"

"It's like you read my mind." he said confused, then he shook his head, "Nevermind, let's just go ride on Appa."

"Eh, lucky guess then probably."

She nodded in agreement, "Okay, let's go, before Sokka gets back."

"We don't have to worry about him. He's with Suki." Aang said

"Okay, let's go." she said, putting her arm around him. They walked down the street to the Appa's shed. The large bison was lying down on it's belly, waiting for someone to come. Once the he saw Aang and Katara, he tackled them to the ground and began licking furiously.

Katara laughed, "Okay down boy, down." she said, pressing her hands against the bison's nose.

"Appa, down boy." Aang said, laughing from the feeling of the bison's saliva. Appa ceased to lick them and moved back a little. Aang and Katara were covered in saliva from the bison's tongue. Katara tried to waterbend all the saliva off, but had barely any success. Aang pressed his fists against eachother, producing a ball of air around him that blew the saliva off. Katara was still trying to wipe the saliva off. Aang laughed and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Here, let me help." he whispered in her ear. With that he pressed his fists together, with produced another ball of air around them both.

"Thanks." she leaned her head back and kissed him. They broke away soon after, and climbed aboard the large bison. Aang climbed on top of the bison's head, and said the usual 'yip, yip'. With that the bison took off. Aang climbed over into the saddle where Katara awaited him.

He looked over the side of the saddle where she grabbed his shoulders and pulled him on top of her. Aang used his arm to hold him up, and leaned in to kiss her. It was slow at first but he knew she wanted it to go farther. Her tongue moved around his lips, asking for an entrance. He allowed her entrance and ran his tongue through her mouth. She produced moans of pleasure as the kiss deepened. They broke away to breathe, Aang used his airbending to catch his breath and began planting kisses along her neck. She moaned with pleasure and whispered in his ear.

"Aang...I love you." she whispered.

He stopped kissing her neck and looked into her eyes, "I love you more." he said.

She smiled, "I doubt that. Now come here." with that she grasped his head, pushing him down to her lips once more.

The kiss deepened quickly and their tongues began battling once more, both of them moaning. They broke away to catch their breath, Aang lay his head in her shoulder, giving her easy access to his ear. She began nibbling on it as Aang began kissing her neck. Katara continued nibbling on his ear and then darted her tongue inside his ear, causing him to press his hips against hers. She moaned from the feeling, wanting him to continue doing so. He realized she enjoyed that movement and slowly pressed his hips against hers again. With that she moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist, to prevent him from stopping. They both began pressing their hips against eachother's, moaning in pleasure. Aang ceased kissing her neck and captured her lips. Katara moved her arms to the bottom of his shirt and began pulling it off when Appa growled loudly. Katara and Aang quickly stopped and she let go of his shirt. They both tried catching their breath, and Aang rolled off of her, now laying beside her.

They both breathed heavily, trying to catch their breath. They looked at eachother and smiled. Aang was first to catch his breath and he sighed, disappointed his long-time friend interrupted their love.

Katara and Aang sat and and leaned against the side of the saddle.

"So that was...um," he began, rubbing the back of his head.

"The most amazing thing we've done so far." she finished, smiling at him.

"Yeah, it was." he said.

"You don't think we went to far, did we?" she asked, biting her lip.

Aang shook his head, "No, we didn't go that far. That's what our love led us to, and if it's what you want, I don't mind. We should embrace it."

"Good thing Appa stopped us before we went too far." Katara sighed, disappointed by the bison's timing.

"Yea, I guess so." Aang said disappointed. He knew they should wait until they were married, but if that's what their love led them to, then they should embrace it.

Aang crawled over to the bison's head and leaned over to the side of it's ear, "Nice timing buddy. Sorry if we made you uncomfortable." Aang whispered.

The bison growled in agreement as if saying: You're welcome. Please do that somewhere else.

Aang laughed and guided the bison back home. Aang crawled back into the saddle and captured a few loving kissed from his fiance. It took a few minutes for them to get back to the shed, where they found Nianzu sitting on a bale of hay, waiting for them. Appa landed quickly, and Aang picked up Katara bridal style and jumped off the bison's saddle, using airbending to land softly. They both laughed and Katara gave him a quick kiss.

"I'll see ya later at the house okay." Aang told her.

She gave him a quick peck on the lips, "Alright, don't be out too late." she smiled and walked towards their house.

Nianzu stood up and walked towards Aang, "Okay Nianzu, if you want to learn Airbending, first you need to learn the meaning and cultures. I'll be back in a little bit." Aang said, with that he ran at super speed home and grabbed some clothes out of his closet and ran back.

"Here put these on. Just remember to wash 'em before you give 'em back." Aang said, giving Nianzu some Air Nomad clothes Aang had personally made after The War.

Nianzu nodded and walked inside the shed where he changed out of his Earth Kingdom clothes.

"Now, first you need to know about Air. Air is the Element of Freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns, and found peace and freedom. They sought for spiritual enlightenment, and were the most peaceful of all the Nations and Elements. Because of the wind, some airbending techniques could be fatal due to the force of the wind, but no one has ever used these techniques in battle." Aang explained.

"So, basically they were more evasive and defensive than offensive?" Nianzu asked.

Aang nodded, and Nianzu looked to the ground. Remembering how he assaulted the Fire Nation Soldier. He wasn't being defensive, he was being offensive, then he shook the thoughts away and decided he didn't care. It was already done.

"Now, demonstrate to me your style. Show me how you fight." Aang told the boy.

Nianzu got up and began launching blasts of air out of his palms. The boy looked more like he was trying to get the upper hand, rather than trying to stay away from the opponent.

"Nianzu, you are trying too hard. You fight like your fighting to the death. Airbending is calm and slow. It comes from flexibility, not strength." Aang explained. Aang began tutoring the boy for several hours. By the time he had taught the boy everything about the Air Nomads and Airbending, it was already 9 0' candle. Nianzu yawned when Aang finished his lecture about his experience as a pupil in the airbending arts.

"Alright that's enough for today. I hope you remember everything about airbending and the Air Nomads, cause I will randomly ask questions from time to time, to ensure you know about your culture." Aang told him.

Nianzu nodded, he was tired and bored. He wanted to learn how to bend more than he wanted to learn the history of Airbending.

Aang began walking home when a thought came to mind, I doubt Nianzu has a place to stay.

"Hey Nianzu, follow me. I'm sure we have a spare room at Hakoda's house." Aang said.

"Thanks, Avatar Aang." Nianzu said, and he bowed to his new master and followed him to his home.

They walked for several minutes before they made it to the house. They talked and told jokes as they walked home, and when he entered Aang found Katara with her arms crossed sitting on the couch. Aang looked at her nervously and told Nianzu his room was up the stairs and fourth room on the left. Nianzu nodded and told him 'thank you' before heading up the stairs.

"You said you wouldn't be gone long." Katara said.

Aang rubbed his head nervously, "Sorry, I lost track of time. I had to teach him as much as possible about his culture."

Katara scoffed and stood up, putting her hands on her waist, "Lost track of time? Aang, we were both supposed to meet Gran Gran at the ballroom to help her plan for the wedding. I had to help Gran Gran with the design of the cake." Katara explained.

"I'm sorry. Like I said I lost track of time, It's not like I did it on purpose." he protested sweetly, walking over to her.

She shook her head, "I guess you're right. I mean, he is an airbender. It's like me and Hama. She was a Southern Waterbender so all I wanted to do was spend time with her. It's the same with you. And I accept your apology." she told him, with that he gave her a hug and kiss and they headed off to bed.

Once they got up to their bedroom they stripped down to their undergarments and covered up in the bed. Aang was last to get into bed and when he did he faced Katara.

"You remember what tomorrow is right?" she asked him.

He smiled, "Of course I do. It's your birthday, and tomorrow, I won't be teaching Nianzu, tomorrow is all about you." he told her.

She smiled and gave him a kiss, "Thanks, Aang. So, what did you get me?" she asked him.

"I can't tell you. It's a surprise, but don't worry. You'll get it." he told her. With that he planted a kiss on her head and they closed their eyes and drifted on to sleep.

Aang had A Whole Day of Surprises waiting for Katara,

but the best surprise was going to come last, and

he hoped that she would enjoy it the most. He

had always wondered one thing about her,

"How much does she love my culture?"

Okay, I know I didn't show too much of Aang teaching Nianzu, but you gotta understand that if I did, this chapter would have been REALLY long. Also, for those who haven't read the rest of the Saga, the ages are:

Aang: 20
Katara: 21
Sokka: 22
Suki: 22
Zuko: 23
Iroh: probably sixty something
Mai: 23
Nianzu: 14
Hakoda: 40 something
Gran Gran: Who knows, probably sixty something.
Tau: 15
Sorin: 14
Ryu: 15