Author's note: This chapter is a bit shorter than the others. I am trying to space the story out in the right places, but this one just seems rushed to me. If you think that too, sorry. But, hey, the chapters will get longer, probably a lot longer.
Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is a show that's not mine. I do, however, own- other stuff. Yeah.
Chapter 4: The Council
After the startling news from Fire Lord Zuko, Hakoda and Aang took no time in calling the party to an immediate halt, and gathering the council to make a very important decision.
Three main groups divided the council: The Tribesmen, the Clansmen, and the Warriors. Each had a significant role and each was proud—very proud.
Aang sat beside Hakoda with the council before them. The feasting hall seemed to be in ruins from the recently evacuated party.
Katara looked back as she left with Sokka and Suki. She saw Aang staring down with a very sad expression on his face. "Sokka… I think I'm going to stay back here—with the council."
Sokka shrugged, also feeling very sad at his delayed wedding proposal. At least Suki hadn't yet asked what Sokka was going to announce—it would have ruined the surprise question completely. "Whatever, Katara. Just don't get in their way. We're not even old enough to be a part of the council yet."
Katara rolled her eyes at that statement—as if she would get in their way. She slowly made her way to the seat beside Aang. He didn't look up until she placed a comforting hand on his back and gave him a warm and loving smile.
Up until now, the three groups of men were bickering relentlessly. "Quiet!" Hakoda ordered, and they slowly descended to silence. "Now, we have a vital decision to make—will the Southern Water Tribe go to war?"
The council broke out into arguments again. As they did this, Katara felt Aang's breathing intensify, and she noticed that he began to shutter mildly.
A man stood from the Tribesmen and spoke above the others. "We MUST NOT fight a war that is not ours! The Fire Nation brought this upon themselves and they must fix it ON THEIR OWN!"
Hakoda shook his head slightly. "Look at it this way, the Fire Nation that we all fought were the soldiers that were in the Earth Kingdom. They are now the resistance, and by helping Fire Lord Zuko, we are helping a regime that was on our side when the war came to an end."
Bato, the spokesman from the Warriors stood. "The war is not over! This is the war that we've been fighting all along! Why don't we send our fleet over and finish it!"
Scattered 'boos' and 'no's' came from the Clansmen. "Our economy is still too fragile! To send a fleet to the Earth Kingdom would be a reprise of the four years before the century war's end!"
Hakoda stood. "A campaign to the Fire nation colonies would bring us wealth and diplomacy—trade! If we want the world to be rebuilt, then we have to help in every way that we can!"
After another half hour of debates, it was time to vote. Hakoda looked to the Tribesmen. "Your decision?"
"No."
"Clansmen?"
"No"
"Warriors?"
Bato stood and looked hard at the others. "We say yes! You bunch of cowards!"
Hakoda nodded thankfully at his dear friend. "I do not have the power to cast a vote in this council, however, Avatar Aang does."
Aang looked up, and then he looked to Katara who nodded encouragingly. Aang stood and studied the faces of the men before him. He closed his eyes sorrowfully. "It's not my place to decide whether your people go to war, since I'll be going either way."
Hakoda's face fell, but he nodded in understanding. "It is settled then, we remain neutral, and the Avatar will depart for the colonies tomorrow morning.
Aang and Katara silently departed the feasting hall and made their way back to their rooms. Aang was unusually quiet and Katara had an idea what was bothering him. She took his hand and guided him into her room, where she sat him on the bed and proceeded to sit beside him.
"Aang, I know how you feel right now… I guess we all just assumed too much that everything would be fine after you defeated Ozai. But, what we need to realize, now, more than anything, is that defeating him was only the first step in saving the world. This war with the resistance isn't our fault…"
Aang nodded. "I know... I just wanted it to be over so badly… it's going to take a lot of work to do on my own now."
Katara laughed. "On your own? I am coming with you. You're not leaving my sight, Aang."
Aang smiled as if expecting this. "Will your dad let you come since the tribe is neutral?"
"It doesn't matter." She sighed, falling into his arms. "I'm coming and it doesn't matter what anyone says. Besides… you want me to come, don't you?"
"Of course."
"Then it's settled!" She sat up excitedly. "We're going off on another adventure." She hugged him tightly and kissed him. "I hope all this hasn't ruined your birthday…"
Aang yawned. "No, it was a great birthday! I got more things than I've ever owned in my life!"
"I'm glad you liked it. Now it's time for bed."
Aang stood. "Goodnight Katara. I—um—lov—right, goodnight!"
Katara smiled admiringly. "Goodnight Aang. I love you."
Aang blushed furiously. "I—I love you too." He stepped out of the room and realized that this was the second time Katara had said that she loved him tonight. He remembered: "I am completely in love with you Avatar Aang…"
His heart felt considerably lighter, but the shadow of war still loomed over his thoughts. In comparison, his mirthful romance seemed insignificant, yet strangely just as important.
The next morning came early for Aang. He awoke while it was still dark and began to pack his supplies relentlessly. He gathered them in a bag and set them near the door along with his staff, his wind sword, and his fans.
After making his bed, he picked up all of these things and headed towards the door. He glanced, for a moment, at the portrait of him and Katara at Ba Sing Se. A smile graced his lips before he stepped through the door.
To his surprise, Sokka was standing, fully awake, in the hallway. "Hey, Aang. I take it you're leaving."
"Yeah; I guess that things aren't in as good a shape as I had hoped…"
Sokka nodded. "And Katara's going with you?"
"Yes."
"I would go but... my tribe needs me. I want to stay with Suki, and…"
Aang lifted the hand that wasn't carrying his bag. "Sokka, you don't need to explain yourself."
Sokka nodded once more, a bit reluctantly. He jumped forward and held Aang in a tight embrace. "Good luck, buddy. Come home safe with my sister."
Aang trudged through the snow to the stables where Appa was just waking up and eating his dosage of hay. He patted his head. "Hey bud. I haven't come to see you in a while."
Aang fit the large leather saddle onto his bison's back and tied the reins. By the time he had loaded his bag on, the sun was rising, and he saw Katara making her way towards him with her own supplies.
Appa was led out of the barn, and Aang and Katara climbed onto his head. Aang inhaled deeply and sighed. "Are you ready Katara?"
She pulled herself close to him to say 'yes'. Aang smiled at her and shouted his simple command to Appa. "Yip, yip!" The bison soared off into the clear southern sky.
