The entirety of Avatar: The Last Airbender is creation of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and product of Nicktoons Network (Nickelodeon). This story is a unique fictional derivative of the original work written by an Avatar enthusiast.
Avatar Journeys
Chapter 2: A Painful Blessing
Aang stood back, suddenly feeling 116 years in his chest. He did it. He blessed the union between the love of his life and his friend. Even though I've been wrestling with it for months, he thought, it was still painful. He looked at Zuko and Katara as they walked to the center of the aria before the Fire Nation. I never accepted it 'til today. They stood in center, staring at each other as the national anthem began. They looked so happy. They had eyes for no one but each other. They are so happy, Aang felt his age again. He wanted nothing more than to leave this and its memory behind.
"Aang!"
Aang looked at a frowning Sokka. "Yes, Sokka?"
"We get to eat first but you're holding up the line," he said indicating the aria.
"Oh, my bad," he said stepping out of the temple.
"That's why I'm here," Sokka said nodding.
Sokka dissapeared, leaving Aang and High Priest following a little distance behind Zuko and Katara. Aang watched them. They walked, arms around each other, laughing or lost in contentment of staring into each other eyes. Aang's stomach tightened. I just want to leave already.
Zuko and Katara reached the platform waiting for the palanquin riders to finish getting ready. They were all over each other and Aang wasn't sure he could keep face, so he hung back a distance and put his back to a red column facing away from them. He closed his eyes and breathed. He must learn to detach himself from earthly things. He must transcend. NO, Aang thought as felt a buzz begin in his bones, that'll just put me in the Avatar State. He would love to lose himself in the State (they laughed audibly) but there was no telling what he would be like. While it hurt to be where he was, he didn't want to endanger the life of his friends for his own comfort. He would have to bear it until he could excuse himself.
"I always wanted children."
Aang emerged from himself, "What?"
"I always wanted children," said Priest Kai smiling.
Aang just stared.
"I always wanted children, but as you know, the lifestyle of a priest forbids such vice, though the result far outweighed its means in my eyes," Kai said taking his arms from his sleeve grabbing his chin with a laugh. Aang smiled.
"But, it was never meant to be. It was painful sometimes, too: following my faith. To reach higher levels of conscientious and power required the sacrifice of many things, including a family. It was bitter work. Days without food, cold nights, endless training, no one to share myself with but the universe," he said as his face went dark, "It is a most aloof ally; only the exceptional and the bold merit its attention, and then, only in doses. Yes, my life was a lonely one indeed…But when I let go of my desires, it got easier to accept my choices. And one day, the Universe rewarded me for my suffering and faith. From the ashes of this war, my role in guiding others had been reborn. I have created a place for the displaced children of the war. I give them a home and someone to protect them" he laughed happily, "I now have more children than I ever hoped for!"
Aang smiled, glad for his happiness.
"Oh, how things have changed! With time I got what I wanted most in the world: I'm a father at last," he said smiling humbly but his eyes were brilliant with tears, "and there's no reason the same would not be true for you," Kai said putting a hand on Aang's shoulder.
"What if what I want…." Aang said, head unconscientiously leaning in Katara's direction, "can't be had?"
"You must let it go. Time changes people and things. You receive wonderful things in unexpected ways. I never thought or desired that a war would bring me children. While it is a mar on my peoples' credit, I cannot say that I am not grateful for what came out of it. So give it time, dear Avatar. Give it time, Aang, and you will get that which you seek. I'm sure the Universe has its eye on you." Kai smiled at him.
Aang managed a small smile.
"Whoooo-hooooo!"
Aang and Kai looked down the hall. Sokka ran toward them with Suki in hand.
"I AM READY TO EAT!" said Sokka posing before them.
"Never ready to learn," said Suki regarding her husband flatly.
"Real men, don't do dishes Suki," said Sokka holding the pose.
Suki shook her head. "Aang!" she said going in for a hug, "It's been so long since I last seen you!"
"I know," he said hugging her tightly, glad to throw himself into something else, "how ya been?"
"We've been great, totally fine, no issues here," responded Sokka quickly, fingering his budding beard.
"Other than Sokka wanting me to stay inside all the time, cook and clean his clothes," said Suki with an irritated frown, "And his refusal to cut his facial hair, yeah, everything's perfect."
"I only want those things cuz that is what a woman is supposed to," said Sokka, crossing his arms, " And you all know how much I've wanted a beard."
Aang and Kai laughed.
"Uh! Are you serious?" she said leaning into her right hip.
"Absolutely, Suki," Sokka said.
Aang shook his head and chuckled, Well that explains his scruffiness. The ground shifted and Aang was suddenly in the middle of the hall.
"TWINKLE TOES!"
"Toph!" said Aang surprised as she ran up to him, "Wow you've grown," he said patting the top of her head. Toph hit him in the shoulder, "So has your voice. Not sounding much like a bell these days, haha. How have you been?"
"Never been better," Aang said, confident his answer wouldn't check out with Toph.
"Riiiiiiiiiiiight," she said smirking, "never better."
"TOPH!"
"KATARA!" said Toph sliding Aang out of the way, arms open in which Katara flung herself. They shared a giggly hug.
"It's been so long," said Katara smiling, "and you're taller!"
"Not that much taller," said Sokka, "At least now her and Aang don't look like twins."
Katara leaned to Toph's ear, "You look really pretty too," fixing Toph's hair.
"Thanks, Katara, I know you're vision today," she said blushing.
Suki tapped Katara's shoulder.
"Suki," said Katara hugging her sister-in-law, "thank you for all your help the past couple of weeks."
"Oh, it's nothing," said Suki.
"Please, Suki," began Toph, "I've heard a lot reviews of the ceremony. The people loved it. I can't wait for this reception."
"HELLO EVERYONE!" boomed a familiar voice.
Iroh's and Uncle Iroh's went up from the group.
"It warms my heart, to see you all," said Iroh hugging the guys and kissing the girls' cheeks, "And now you my dear," Iroh said hugging Katara particularly long, "take good care of him. You know how easy it is to ruffle his feathers."
"Yes, sir," she said smiling brightly.
"If you all are quite done with this display of mushiness, the food is getting cold," said Zuko harshly, a frown on his face.
Silence.
Zuko smirked.
"ZUKO!" they shouted laughing, delivering assorted comments on his temper.
"ZUKE THE DUKE!" said Sokka throwing his arm around Zuko's neck, "That's what I'm talking about let's eat! I call dibs on the fire flakes."
They started for the palanquin bearers.
"Let's go, meathead," said Suki grabbing Sokka's collar.
"What can I say I'm a slave to my appetite," said Sokka shrugging, "and to you."
Suki blushed. Iroh winked at her with June smirking on his arm.
"I call the center of the palanquin!" said Toph running toward the bearers.
Zuko waited and offered Katara his arm with smile. Katara looked back.
"Come on, Aang," she said brightly.
"Coming," he said, hanging back.
"Don't take too long, buddy," said Zuko.
Aang inhaled. The day was not over just yet but it would be soon.
Next: Chapter 3: The Reception
Thank you to the creaters of Avatar: The Last Airbender
for creating a world I never dreamed of.
Thank you for reading,
Uitori.