Where the Heart Is

Katara had never been averse to traveling on Appa all around the world, far away from her home, because it seemed, no matter where they went, there was an ocean in sight or nearby. She could close her eyes and hear the waves crash or taste the air flavored with salt and imagine she was on the icy shore. And if they weren't near the huge bodies of water, they would then be by a river. The sound of water was reassuring and made her feel safe, through everything. It was a constant; it was everywhere they went.

But when they went to the Southern Air Temple to help rebuild it. There were no large bodies of water here. It was just Katara on top of a mountain with the wind constantly ruining her hair.

She had come for Aang, of course. She had been living at the South Pole while he kept running around the world and maintaining the delicate balance they'd established. While she had enjoyed being back where she had grown up, it had grown tiring and she had felt annoyed at the airbender for just leaving her there. He said with all the conviction in the world that he just wanted her to be relaxed and have a calm life, since he took away all that time and made her stress so much. He wanted to give back her childhood; she wanted to do the same. But Katara knew she couldn't do it right now; she was forced to simply wait in the omnipresent snow.

And while she appreciated everything he did for her, she made Aang make a deal. Once most of the political and other such things were settled down and he was allowed to be somewhat normal, like Katara, they would permanently reunite and live together. Then they could be together, and then they could feel young together.

When that day he was finally able to fly free, he had come to the South Pole and had tried living there. He really had tried and she appreciated that so much. Even though the Southern Air Temple wasn't that very far, it still wasn't covered in ice with people eating just meat almost always, since the cold temperatures didn't allow for vegetables of fruit. Katara was a little surprised how long he lasted (ten months) before he stated sadly that he couldn't continue like this. He loved the snow and the people, who were the only warmth in this harsh environment, but he needed a place where he didn't need to wear a thick jacket lined with animal fur.

The waterbender had agreed to a move; he had humored her for so long it was time for her to do the same. She mentioned Ba Sing Se, and a place like Iroh's tea shop where they'd first celebrated their victory. But Aang had shaken his head; he was a little tired of the customs and bustling city there. She next mentioned the fire palace and staying with Zuko, like they had for the first year after the war, but then they remembered the heat that had taxed them to breaking point.

"How about we go restore my home?"

He had asked it with such realization and hope, and when he looked to Katara with those wide eyes, she didn't have to think before agreeing and hugging him close.

Appa and Momo had cheered when they landed and the lemur had flown off to find what he'd been named after. Katara also watched as Aang looked up at the crumbling buildings and structures as they walked with less and less enthusiasm.

As they stood in the room of past Avatars, his head dropped as he said that maybe this wasn't the best place to live. Sure, they were engaged (waiting to be married when they got a little more older and wiser) and they valued each other's company, but there were no other people around and a select few animals. Here they were secluded and alone.

Katara was slightly taken aback that he thought of his home like this, so she slapped the back of his head, causing him to turn to her with confused eyes.

"Well then we'll just have to clean it up."

And that's exactly what they did. He earthbended the columns and sculptures back, and they waterbended from the rivers far below to fill the pools and water the earth. They planted seeds and trees and they polished the stones and mosaic murals, allowing their true colors and magnificence to shine through.

But even after everything was done and the place didn't look so abandoned anymore, Katara felt a none-distinguished pulling. Aang was at her side, happy and pleased; he wasn't pulling her anywhere. Sokka was happy traveling from place to place, alternating from the poles (to visit family) to the earth kingdom (to hug Toph) and to Kiyoshi island (to see Suki). Her father was sitting content at the bottom of the world with her Gran Gran and Master Paku. If the people close in her life weren't pulling her, then what was?

And then Katara realized it was the ocean; the water was trying to pull her away from her new home.

But she knew she couldn't answer it, she was with Aang.

Yet water is resilient and stubborn, just like herself, and she began to feel herself slipping away. She tried to hide it, to put more effort into waterbending so that she could feel connected to the water, but the physical sight and feel of it was no longer so potent.

Aang watched and seemed to understand, and said he was like that with this place. It was calling for his help, and he had to come. He dropped his head in shame then, saying he shouldn't have dragged her along with him. That just because this place is special for him doesn't mean it has to be for her. He had fundamentally shunned her own place of birth.

"Aang, it's not your fault. I love it here because you love it here."

The words she said were true, but the pulling continued. She felt horrible, she was so happy with him, but she couldn't even appreciate it because of this longing.

"I found a solution."

He seemed so eager, like he was that twelve-year-old boy again and not the lanky teenager he'd grown to be. Katara grinned kindly; she hoped this invisible string could be appeased. But she had always been a realist and she felt that familiar spike of skepticism.

He took her to the ledge where he explained they'd jump off of with their gliders, and pointed to the vast abyss below.

All Katara saw were clouds.

"I don't get it, Aang; there's no water."

"Yes there is, really look. You'll see it."

Her eyes opened at the realization. The white and grey shades mix together and spread below them, hiding from sight the far-away world below. The clouds rolled and moved like waves, and the occasional wisp was like the salty sea spray that flew up against rocky shores. Aang must have seen her face as he spoke.

"Those clouds are now your ocean, Katara."

The tugging immediately stopped and she felt like she was balanced again, no longer worried about tipping over. She grabbed onto Aang's hand, eyes still fixed to the neglected beauty. After what seemed like hours, she moved her sight to see Aang smile down at her, an expression of pure happiness cracking his face.

And as she stood there, the wing playing with her clothes and his hand warm in hers, she came to a realization.

She felt like she belonged, that she was standing here right now because it was only right. To be here with this person, to feel the rejuvenated life around her that she'd helped create and to look down and see an ocean of not only water, but air as well, working in perfect harmony. It was almost overwhelming in the emotions it stirred.

"I've never felt more at home."

AN: I really loved writing this one. Thanks for the reviews so far everyone, keep them coming please!