The warm amber glow peaked slowly over the horizon, casting ample rays of sunlight to be spread across the world. Her eyes slowly peeled open as the light spread up to her face, long brown locks of hair cascading down her face like a waterfall. She saw Aang, sitting on top of Appa's fluffy white head, staring out into the ocean in front of them as they flew above it. Katara sat up straight after a quick stretch of her arms above her head, tucking her hair behind her ears she scooted up, making sure not to use her injured hand. She tucked her skirt under her legs as she sat down a few inches away from him, Aang still looking into the ocean.
"Good Morning sweetie." She said yawning. Aang laid down the leash tied to the bison's horns. He turned to Katara, smiling and leaning back a bit. They could both hear the snoring coming from Sokka, still sleeping on top of some pillows on the back of the bison's saddle.
"Morning. How is your hand?" He asked looking at it. She lifted her hand, still bruised and swollen. She tightened the wraps a bit more to secure it in place. She gave a small smile.
"Still broken. It should be healed in a month." She said putting her hand back down. She looked down into the choppy blue waves below her, seeing the light from the sun reflect on it as it moved forward and backward with the tide. Aang sighed and held her other hand.
"I'm so sorry, I should have been more careful when dealing with him." He said with guilt spread across his face. She looked back at him and used her left hand to turn his head softly towards her, her face never leaving the line of his jaw.
"Aang. Things happen, and sometimes bones get broken. I am fine, I will heal and everything will be alright." She said calmly, her sapphire blue eyes not leaving his silver grey eyes. He smirked as he wrapped his arm around her waist until they were hip and hip together.
"I know. I also know that we will figure out who exactly the Silver Lotus is and how to stop them." He said sternly. Katara nodded, whoever they were, they were no good. They started to see some land in the distance, just the edge of the Fire Nation territory. Katara closed her eyes, letting the salty gentle breeze blowing through her thick brown hair. The wind moved it like muddy waves, rolling on the gentle tide. She leaned her head on his shoulder, his hand holding the side of her head as he leaned his against hers.
"How did I get so lucky to have you?" He said softly. He twisted a lock of her hair between his fingers, admiring it softness like the wool from a koala sheep. She snuggled and smiled while blushing. He loved how she smelled like jasmine with a whiff of mint undertone. She always made sure to keep up her personal hygiene, not for Aang but for herself. His fingers gripped the side of her waist, keeping his hand an inch above her hip.
"I ask myself the same question." She replied. He smiled as he gently nudged her chin to turn her face towards his. He closed the space between them as his lips pressed against hers, his hand clutching the back of her head. She turned her head, his soft lips caressing hers, every motion from his mouth sent a warm feeling inside her, flushing her cheeks a rose pink. Ever so often, their tongues met and danced a little, making Katara moan a little as she welcomed the feeling of them sinking into their kiss deeper and deeper. She trails her hand up to his neck and she holds the nape of it, Aang finding it harder and harder to stop kissing her. They were so focused on enjoying each other that they didn't notice the quiet rustling from behind them. Sokka groaned as she reluctantly sat up, his messy brown hair on the top of his head covered his face as he wiped the trail of drool that came from his mouth. He scratched his chest as he saw Aang sticking his tongue into Katara's mouth, holding her tightly and kissing each other as if they depended on each other for air. He whined as his face looked disgusted.
"Oogie!" He cried out loud. Katara separated from Aang before giving her brother a serious glare of annoyance. She sighed while rolling her eyes as Aang still clutched her waist as they faced towards him.
"Oh grow up Sokka." She shot back at him. He turned his nose up and slightly shook his head. Katara wanted to hit Sokka but with her wrist being broken and Aang not liking them fighting, she decided it wasn't the best move for the moment.
"I know you two have been dating for a few years now, but some things, like your sister making out with one of your best friends, will always be weird and gross." He said as he pulled out an apple that he saved from the village they just left from in his knapsack. He loudly bit into it as Katara swept her hair to the other side of her shoulder.
"Out of all of the brothers in the world, I have been ever so blessed to be graced with you in my life." She said sarcastically. Aang chuckled as Katara smirked with a smug look on her face. Sokka raised a brow after chewing for a bit.
"I know you're being sarcastic but… it is true." He said with his mouth still full, bits of Apple falling on to his shirt. He tied his hair back in his usual style as Aang turned back around to face the front. They soon saw the Fire Nation capital, the clay red tops of the buildings and the sounds of people walking about. Katara and Sokka smelled the delicious smoked meats from the restaurants as Aang saw the peak of the Fire Nation Palace. He started to lower Appa down buy tugging on the reigns a bit. They landed softly on a patch of empty land, Aang guiding Appa towards a meadow of soft grass. Aang grabbed his staff and helped Katara climb down as Sokka jumped off, stumbling a bit as he landed. Aang patted the furry bison.
"Here Appa, just stay here for now. Get some rest." He said to his furry friend. Appa grumbled as Momo still circled up on the bison's head. The three walked towards the front gate of the capitol. They headed towards the guards entrance booth to get access in. The guard stood straight up as he gave the three passes to enter.
"It's an honor to have you back great Avatar." He said bowing with respect. Aang bowed back as he thanked him for the passes and walked into the town. They saw as people waved the to three, them smiling as waving back. They were used to having people smile and thank them, bowing to them with respect. While Sokka basked in the glory of his heroism (humility was never a strong area for him) Aang and Katara simply accepted and tried to be normal as can be. Aang knew he was never normal due to having the overwhelming power and responsibility of being the Avatar, but Katara knew dating the Avatar had made her life adventurous as well. They soon found themselves at the front of the palace gate, guards at the front making sure the area was safe for Firelord Zuko and his wife, Mai. They had gotten married a little over a year ago, a beautiful ceremony in the spring. Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Toph and Suki had attended it but Suki was currently at Kyoshi Island and Toph at her Metal Bending school.
"The Avatar, do you need to see Fire Lord Zuko?" One guard asked approaching the three. He recognized them as close friends and trusted allies of Zuko but being a guard, had to always ask the purpose of their presence. Aang walked up to him and bowed with respect.
"We wish to talk to him about a threat arising that he may or may not have some information about." Aang said. The guard nodded and motioned his hands in a swift movement to the guards at the top of the gate. They stood by as the big dark oak gates line with Red coated brass lined across the top and bottom to make it look more refined, open slowly as they heard the gears turning as clanking together as the door was opening. As soon as the gate opened all the way, the guards ducked their heads allowing them passage through. After the final click of the door, Aang, Sokka and Katara walked through into the entrance. They walked into the palace gardens, groves of bonsai trees with lilies in bloom against the blue ponds surrounded with grey cobblestone. They walked in a stone path until they saw Fire Lord Zuko and his wife Mai sitting under a large willow tree, admiring the gardens. Zuko had longer hair and a more defined jaw, it made him look much more mature and sophisticated. Mai had long, sleek jet black hair tied into two buns and the rest falling down past her Fire Nation royal head piece. She started painting her lips a dark red, she thought it made her look more bold and feminine. The couple soon noticed the three walking towards them. Zuko and Mai stood up and walked over to greet them.
"Aang! Katara! Sokka! You guys it's been too long!" Zuko said as he pulled the three into a group hug. They hugged back, remembering for a moment that they were a team, a bond that couldn't be broken. A bond that defeated the 100 years war. Mai bowed as Zuko let them go and smiled. It had been 5 months since Zuko had seen them, busy with running a nation and the three traveling the world helping others. Aang nodded.
"I didn't think the messenger would send it to you that fast, I just sent it this morning!" Zuko said in surprise. The three looked at each other puzzled by his mention of an unknown message.
"What message?" Katara asked. Zuko looked at them wide eyed as he turned to Mai who just replied with a shrug. Zuko cleared his throat.
"The message? The message to bring you here to share with you and our families the big news?" He said as if trying to jog their memories. Aang knew of no message, he shook his head a little.
"Sorry, we didn't get any message about some big news." Aang said. Zuko rubbed his chin a little in thought. Sokka pulled out the arrow with the Silver Lotus symbol on it.
"We are here to ask you about this." Sokka said handing him the arrow. Zuko took it in his hands as he carefully examined it. He smoothed his thumb across the Lotus symbol before nodding off.
"Can this wait until tomorrow? Even if you came here for a different reason, we still have family and friends gathered at the palace tonight to share something with you all. Will you stay?" Zuko asked still holding the arrow. Aang smiled and nodded.
"Of course. We can always discuss this tomorrow morning." He said. Zuko smiled and held Mai at her waist. Zuko held the arrow to his side as he escorted them into his palace, guards standings the door to hold them open and to protect their leader. Their steps echoed through the regal hallway, reminding them how big the palace really was. Katara admired the bronze archways with carved in designs, created hundreds and hundreds years ago. They stopped in a well lit hallway, walls covered in paintings and dark oak doors running down the corridor. A royal attendant walked up to them and bowed in respect.
"Fire Lord, here are the room keys you requested for the Avatar and his friends." He said holding the golden keys with red satin tied around them flat out in his hand with his head ducked down. Zuko took the keys and gave him a nod that sent him off back into the hallway.
"Here are your rooms. We are having dinner with everyone at 6 this evening. We would to introduce you to some people if you don't mind." Zuko said handing them their keys. Each keys was so shiny, as if it had just been made that morning. Aang nodded and grabbed Katara's good hand to hold.
"We'd love to." Katara replied. Zuko smiled as he and Mai escorted them down into one of the sitting areas. They knew that the Silver Lotus could wait until tomorrow. It not like anything could happen until then, right?