Author's note: Haha, Toph isn't the only one that's miserable right about now. Just read it :)

Special Long Chapter!

Disclaimer: I will never own Avatar the Last Airbender!

Chapter Three: Grim Tidings

Perhaps the worst place to be in this time of peace was the Fire Lord's palace. For Zuko it was, anyways. The seventeen year old Fire Lord had been so swamped by nobles and messengers loading their problems onto his shoulders, that he hadn't stepped foot outside in three days, much less slept.

With the end of any Great War comes restoration, and it was up to the Fire Nation to do all of that restoring. Even though it was grueling work, Zuko felt he was slowly restoring the honor of his country, like he had done for himself only months before.

Zuko sped down a long corridor within his palace, followed closely by a pleading man that had to run just to keep up with the Fire Lord.

"But, Milord, the raids are getting worse! Something needs to be done in the colonies!"

Zuko stopped suddenly and turned. "I KNOW THAT! DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT! I GET FIFTY COMPLAINTS AND WARNINGS ABOUT THE RESISTANCE EVERY DAY!" Fire burst from his fists. "I am doing my best. Tell your master that it will take time. The colonies are my biggest problem. A hundred years of settling and growing culture is hard to simply take back."

The pleading man was dismissed and Zuko entered a large hall lined with pillars. The throne room.

From a dark corner approached Mai, his Fire Lady. She wrapped an arm around him and kissed his cheek, directly below the scar. "Zuko… I've barely seen you in the last three days."

Zuko turned and wrapped her in a tight embrace. "It's the resistance, Mai—they're getting worse. I risk open war every day they survive. I'm not sure what to do… where to turn."

Mai sighed. "Aang."

Zuko shook his head. "I need to do this on my own while it's still controllable. Aang has already done more than enough. If I called on him, I'd probably be dragging Katara into all of this too. They've all seen enough war."

Mai sighed again. "I meant, today is Aang's birthday."

Zuko broke away from her suddenly. "Oh! I meant to write him!"

"Then do it! Aang's your best friend and you want him to know everything's alright back here."

Footsteps echoed down the hall, approaching them. It was the royal courier. "FIRE LORD ZUKO! IT IS URGENT!" He handed a scroll to Zuko and struggled to catch his breath.

Zuko's eyes widened as he poured over the scroll. He looked up at the courier.

The courier simply shook his head in disbelief. "The resistance just appeared with an army of ten thousand men! The reports say that over five colonies have been occupied!"

Zuko inhaled after realizing that he wasn't breathing. "They're ready for an open war—and they want one."

Zuko regained himself and realized that there was only one thing he could do. "Send word to the Southern Water Tribe immediately! I want the message to arrive in person tonight! Relay it through the navy!"

The courier bowed and sprinted out of the hall. Zuko turned to Mai. "Aang's about to find out that things aren't alright back here."


Aang had to traditionally wear his Avatar robes, indicating his nationality as an Air Nomad. They were thin and light—perfect for airbending, but not perfect for the freezing air of the South Pole. He wore three layers of fur linens under his robes, making him look a lot bigger than usual. Overall, however, it made him look tall and in place—very suiting for an Avatar.

Sokka stood next to him wearing his dark blue, fine, and extravagant Water Tribe suit. They stood outside the bedrooms of Katara and Suki, waiting for their dates to premier their own outfits of extravagance. Aang began to pace back and forth through the hallway. Sokka watched him for a few moments.

"Settle down, Aang. What's the big deal anyways?"

Aang looked at Sokka briefly and continued his pacing. "This birthday party is going to be really… um—big."

Sokka crossed his arms. "So?"

"I only expected something simple, you know? Friends and family—but the whole tribe?"

Sokka casually walked over to Aang and put his arm over his back as if he was passing on advice to a younger sibling. "Aang, the whole tribe is really proud to have you here. We wanted you to have a great birthday—you deserve it. Katara and I personally planned most of the party. So, just for tonight, forget your natural modesty; eat, dance, brag, make an important speech regarding your time a hundred years after you got frozen in an iceberg, all leading to my proposal." He ended with a whisper.

Aang's eyes widened. "SPEECH? I hate talking in front of crowds!"

Sokka lifted his hand in a negotiating manner. "Aang, no matter what you say, they'll be eating out of the palm of your hand—you're the Avatar!"

"That doesn't mean I'm born naturally with good public speaking skills!"

Sokka patted Aang on the back encouragingly. "It doesn't matter. To the spirits, and the elements, and all that other important stuff, you're the most powerful mortal warrior in existence; but to the people of the world, you're an icon! So go get 'em!"

Just as he said this, Suki came out of her room wearing an elegant, green dress. Sokka stretched his arms out. "There she is! You look great Suki!" He kissed her on the cheek theatrically.

As Sokka and Suki were fawning over each other, Katara emerged from her room as well. Aang gasped as he realized that she seemed more beautiful to him then ever. Her hair was down and two pieces of it fell over her shoulders. The back of her hair had a small Water Tribe brooch that seemed to shine bright sapphire. Her dress was long and blue with lines of decorative white fur. The dress of a traditional Southern Water Tribe princess.

Aang approached her slowly. The two teenagers were beaming at each other brightly. He took both her hands in his looked up, into her eyes. "You look beautiful Katara." He kissed her on the cheek (as he learned was customary when retrieving a girl for courtship in the Southern Water Tribe).

She blushed. "Thanks… you look nice too."

He nodded to show his thanks. Katara then wrapped her arm around Aang's. She looked over to her brother, who seemed to be giving Suki Eskimo kisses. "C'mon Sokka, we don't want to be late."

Sokka nodded and he and Suki wrapped their arms as Aang and Katara had. With that, the four friends went on their way into the foyer and through the great wooden doors to the feast hall.

As they had noticed in the foyer, there were already groups of people flowing into the building for the long anticipated party.

In the feast hall was a sight; crowds of people watching a large wind, strings, and tribal drum band. There was a juggler and a display of waterbenders as well. At the head of the room was a throne constructed out of ice, along with two other smaller thrones. Aang new for a fact that these were the ceremonial thrones for the Water Chief and his son and daughter. The thrones overlooked a large table set through the center of the room for the most important guests. Other, smaller, tables were set around the big one for everybody else.

Aang and Katara approached the table, as Sokka and Suki went to watch the juggler. There was a large, well carved, chair in the center of the table.

"That one's for you." Katara pointed out to him.

Aang smiled and took in the sights of his birthday celebration. "I suppose you have to go sit with your dad up on the throne."

Katara laughed a bit at this statement. "Not tonight, I'm being escorted by you, remember?" She pulled out the chair to the right of Aang's. "I'll be sitting right here."

Once it seemed the room couldn't get any louder, Chief Hakoda entered and approached his throne. He saw Katara and Aang sitting at their seats with a great number of others who had decided to sit.

"May I have all of your attention, please?" The room steadily quieted down. The juggler stopped and the band halted their tunes. "I would like to welcome you all to Avatar Aang's fourteenth birthday celebration." There was a scattered applause. "Now to present to you the guests of honor; the teenagers who brought about the end of Sozin's war alone."

Katara set down her drink quickly and looked up to Aang. "Ugh… he always has to do this!"

Aang laughed excitedly. "He's just proud, Katara."

Hakoda addressed the place where Sokka and Suki sat. "Suki of Kyoshi, and my son, your prince, Sokka! They were responsible for the destruction of the enemy air fleet!" The room erupted with clapping and cheers of excitement.

"My daughter, your princess, Katara! She was responsible for the defeat of the fire lord, Azula!" The room exploded with even louder cheering and 'whoos'. "And our most honored guest of the evening, AVATAR AANG!" Many people stood and bowed in honor as an ear splitting screaming of applause sounded for Aang.

"He rose above his own needs as a child and defeated the once all-powerful Phoenix King, Ozai. He restored balance to our world and he is the reason we are able to live in peace, now!"

There was still applause going on after Hakoda finished. Sokka nodded to Aang in praise and Katara held his hand to show her own pride in him.

Over the loud cheers for the Avatar, Hakoda spoke. "Now, enjoy yourselves tonight; feel free to dance. The food will be out in a little while."

With this final statement, the music continued and the party officially began.

When the music began at full pace, Katara took Aang's hand again. "Let's dance!" Aang didn't have to answer as he quickly followed her out towards the floor.

Suki eyed Sokka playfully. "We should dance too, Sokka!"

Sokka laughed. "Don't get me wrong Suki, I can dance, but if we take a step onto the floor when those two are dancing, it's our own funeral."

Katara and Aang bowed to each other respectively and stared into each other's eyes with a burning and intense passion. They joined hands in the air and suddenly parted, performing beautiful bending techniques in syncopation with the music.

Aang lifted his foot over Katara's head as she performed a wide spin backwards gracefully. The two joined hands again and spun in every direction with bending precision.

They continued in amazing patterns like this for another three minutes when the song finally ended. The crowd cheered wildly as the two finished, beaming at each other.

Suki was among those cheering as Sokka sighed. "See! I told you! There's no way we could top that—well I couldn't."

When dinner was brought to the tables, Katara and Aang took their seats again, along with all of the other guests. Hakoda came down from his throne and sat across from them.

"You two dance very well. I'm glad to see that the Avatar and my daughter are enjoying each other's company so."

Both Katara and Hakoda looked to Aang as if expecting him to say something. Aang was slurping his soup when he noticed this. He swallowed quickly and straitened his posture. "Um—yes—I am enjoying the company of your daughter a great deal, Hakoda, sir." There was an awkward silence after Aang's unnecessary addressing of Hakoda as "sir".

Hakoda eventually laughed, deep and heartily. "Oh, Aang, you don't have to talk to me like that! You're as good as family! You and Katara's courtship is a great honor to my house—you see, the family that an Avatar marries into is held in extremely high standard."

Katara laughed at this statement. "But were not married." She placed her hand on Aang's knee under the table. "Not yet, anyways." She whispered more for just Aang to hear.

Aang smiled confidently and went back to his soup.

"Oh, Aang!"

Aang looked up to see Sokka and Suki standing beside his seat. "Hey guys…"

Suki laughed anxiously. "We have presents for you!" She revealed from behind her back, a rather large and ornate box. Aang unlatched it and lifted the top.

His eyes grew with excitement. "Fans, from Kyoshi!"

"Not just any fans—those were Avatar Kyoshi's combat fans. I figured they technically belong to you. I restored them so that they wouldn't fall apart when you use them…"

Aang stood and gave her a thankful hug. Sokka began to bounce with feeling. "My turn! My turn! Here you go Aang." He handed him a three-foot long metallic sword with a well-crafted hilt. "It's an air sword!"

Aang's face lit up in amazement. "I can use it like my staff—except it's sharp and more aerodynamic!"

Sokka nodded knowingly. "I forged it myself."

Aang hugged him as well. "These are great, guys. Thanks so much."

After Sokka and Suki wished him a happy birthday again, they returned to their seats. Hakoda cleared his throat and looked to Aang. "Well, I guess I should give you a gift now too." From under the table, Hakoda took a small white neckband, one that seemed to be the same as the neckband Sokka wore. "This is what symbolizes full acceptance into a family—a father passes a Water Tribe neckband down to his son. I gave one to Sokka when he was very young and now I'm giving you another that I made for you as my son."

Aang's face expressed all gratefulness and disbelief. "This is such a—such an honor, Hakoda. I truly am grateful to be an official part of this family—this tribe." Aang took the band and put it around his neck. It was mostly covered by his Avatar robes, but was still visible from the front.

Hakoda smiled at the joy he had brought to Aang and Katara. Currently Aang was posing for her and she was adjusting his new neckband. Once she was finished, she looked at Aang closely. "There… Aang of the Southern Water Tribe…" She stared at him shortly and Aang's face turned to a questioning glance. "Is something wrong?"

"No, everything's fine." She smiled reassuringly. Katara stood up and started for a side door. She looked back at Aang to make him follow.

He looked around to see that Hakoda had started a conversation with another tribesman. Aang took this opportunity to sneak into the dark hallway with the beckoning Katara.

As Aang walked through the door, Katara pounced on him and wrapped her arms around his torso. She proceeded to kiss him deeply. Aang got the message and kissed back. This was the most passionate, the wildest, and most rough they had ever gotten. Back and forth, they fought, wrestling their tongues with unyielding pressure.

Aang pushed hard against her and backed her into the wall. He felt her every curve and feature; every movement and breath that escaped Katara's lungs.

After five minutes of this, Katara pulled her head away for air. Aang dug his face in-between her head and shoulder and began to kiss the soft skin on her neck.

Katara sighed in pleasure. "I am completely in love with you Avatar Aang."

Aang was preoccupied and only answered in mumbles.

Katara shrugged him off and cupped her hands on his cheek.

Aang stared knowingly at her, but had never felt more anxious in his life. "Do you want to… um—I don't know, go back to a room…"

Katara's lip curved into a smile. She nodded. She and Aang began to walk down the hallway, hand in hand.

"Wait, wait, no!" Katara turned back.

Aang's heart collapsed. "What's wrong Katara?"

She placed a hand on Aang's shoulder. "We're still too young Aang. I don't want us to do this now. I mean, we have a long time before we can even get married—yet, the first time we decide to treat each other sensually, we want to go and ruin one of the greatest surprises in our relationship. I just don't want that to happen."

Aang sighed. "Yeah, you're right. I just got a little out of control. I'm only fourteen so the monks would have killed me if they found out. I don't know what I was thinking."

Katara shook her head. "It was my fault too. I led you on…" She looked up suddenly with an embarrassed grin. "It was… pretty exciting though—the thought, I mean. Maybe we'll be ready in a year or two when we're both of age."

They were both blushing, and how they had gotten into this awkward situation was beyond either of them. Katara started rubbing the back of her head and Aang began digging his foot into the ground in silence when Sokka came trudging in behind them.

"Katara, Aang? What are you doing out here all al—oh, never mind. Aang did you forget that you have to make a speech?"

Aang jumped suddenly. "Oh right—the speech." Sokka pointed at the door and Aang exited. Meanwhile, Sokka approached Katara who was crossing her arms and still visibly blushing.

He simply gave her an 'I'm watching you' look and walked back into the party.

Katara remained alone for a moment and sighed. She then decided that she wanted to see Aang's birthday speech, so turned and followed the steps of her brother and Aang.

The party guests (now tipsy on wine and dancing) surrounded the throne that Aang stood on as he prepared to speak. They had shouted 'speech!' and were intent on listening.

Aang began to sweat nervously under the eyes of all these people. "Um—hello… I just want to say… I am completely flattered that you would all have a party this grand for me. It is an honor to be a part of this tribe and to be among its most gracious and hospitable inhabitants. I want to thank Chief Hakoda, who's been like a father to me; Katara, who I love very much and who's always given me support; and I want to thank Sokka, who has a very important announcement to make…"

Sokka boldly approached the throne as Aang got down. However, just as Sokka was going to address Suki, the doors flew open. A messenger from the navy ran in with parchment in his hand. He was breathing heavily and seemed to be in despair.

"THE RESISTANCE… HAS STARTED… AN OPEN WAR IN… THE EARTH KINGDOM… THE FIRE NATION GOES TO WAR… AND… FIRE LORD ZUKO PLEADS SUPPORT FROM AVATAR AANG AND THE WATER TRIBE!"