56 The Avatar and the Healer : To the South Pole

Aang and Katara had been traveling for months. He kept saying he had work to get done. At every stop he had private meetings with rulers, mayors, magistrates and the heads of the White Lotus. When he was satisfied with everything, he and Katara took Hariti and headed back to Air Temple Island.

A couple of days later as they went to bed he said "Katara, I want to go to the South Pole."

"But we just got home Sweetie. Don't you want to rest?"

"No. I want to go there, and I want to take Appa. I want everyone to come. Tenzin and Pema, Bumi, Sokka, Toph and Zuko."

"Aang, why did you want to do this all of a sudden?" she asked as she slid close and laid her hand across his chest.

He put his hand on hers "It's just what I want. It's what I need to do."

She leaned up "You know I don't like when you start talking about what you need to do. It sounds so… final."

"I'm sorry Sweetie, but you know as well as I do that my time is short."

"Stop saying that Aang." she said laying her head on his chest.

"I try not to." he said as he ran his hand through the length of her hair "I don't want to upset you. I just, I need this last trip for me and Appa."

A tear fell down her cheek "Stop saying things like that."

"Katara-"

"Aang, let's not talk about it anymore. Please." she looked up at him "Let's just act like this isn't happening."

"Okay. I'll do that for you." he said as he pressed a kiss on the top of her head.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

When they arrived, Hakoda, Kya and Heng were outside waiting, Kya came to help her grandfather with his tribal chief duties six months earlier, bringing her husband and younger daughters with her. She greeted her parents and Appa as soon as they landed. Next they went to Sokka and Toph who'd come on Hariti. Last to arrive was Tenzin and Pema who'd brought Ama and Adama with them from Zei University and stopped off in the Fire Nation to pick Zuko up from the palace and Keahi from Ember Island. Bumi would be getting off in Republic City and he and Pong would come in another day.

Aang was happy. He was surrounded by most of the people he loved in the world. As soon as Bumi got there he'd be totally happy. Only Katara knew the real reason for this gathering. Aang's health was declining rapidly. He wanted everyone together for his last trip. He wanted to be with Hakoda one last time. What she didn't know was that Aang knew he and Appa wouldn't be leaving the South Pole.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

They'd been in the Southern Water Tribe nearly a week. Aang and Katara were walking through the old village. Bumi, Pema and Tenzin were not very far away playing with Emiko and Itsuko.

"It's a nice day, isn't it Aang?" Katara said as they passed her Gran Gran's old hut.

Aang only answered with a "Um hum."

She looked at him. He looked a little pale "Aang, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he said "I think I want to go lay down for a little bit though." she looked at him with sad eyes "Katara, don't do that. I stayed up late with the kids last night and I'm just tired. That's all."

The water bender smiled "Okay, let's go back to the house."

They turned and started back towards Kya's house. After a couple of minutes she noticed her husband wasn't by her side "Aang?" she turned back just in time to see him swoon "Aang!" she slid in under him to keep him from hitting the frozen ground "Aang!" she called to him again, but he only answered in an incoherent mumble. She started to turn to call her sons, but they were already there lifting him off of her.

"Dad, Dad. What's wrong?" Bumi asked as he put one of Aang's arms around his neck.

"I'm okay Bumi." he said softly "I just blacked out for a second."

Tenzin was on the other side of their father "No you're not okay. No one just passes out."

"I'm fine Tenzin. I just need a little rest."

Both of the men instinctively looked to their mother for an answer. She had a look in her eyes they had never seen before. "Mom, what is it?"

She didn't say anything "Mother," Tenzin said "What aren't you telling us?"

The woman bit her lip and fought back tears. Aang spoke up "I didn't want to tell you, to make you worry. But I suppose I have to tell you now…Boys, I'm dying."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

When Tenzin and Bumi ran off at the sound of their mother's voice, Pema ushered the girls away. The walk back to Kya's house was a silent one. Katara led the way while Tenzin and Bumi steadied Aang in a stunned silence.

Sokka, Toph, Zuko and Kya waited in the living room. After sending the little girls off to play, Pema told them about Aang collapsing. They sat nervously and waited.

When Katara opened the door the five of them stood up. Aang groaned at the attention "I'm fine everyone. Don't worry."

"He's lying." Toph said quietly to Sokka.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

The Avatar's sons walked him to the room where he and Katara slept and helped him lay down in bed. They backed away and their mother sat down on the bed beside him. Katara placed her hand on Aang's cheek and brushed her thumb across it. He smiled at her "Do you need me to do a session?"

He put his hand on hers and pressed his face into it "No. Ky can do it." he said looking up at his oldest standing in the doorway "You go talk to the others."

Katara looked back at her daughter. She didn't have the devastated look her sons did "Okay Sweetie." she said and she kissed him on the forehead. As she walked by her daughter she laid a hand on her child's shoulder.

Kya patted Katara's hand and gave a weak smile "I'll take care of him Mom."

"I know you will." the mother answered and left.

Kya moved over and sat on the bed beside her father "How are you makin' it Dad?"

"Eh, well you know." he said nonchalantly.

She smiled at him, they turned away so he wouldn't see the tear working its way out of her eye. As she brushed it away she said "Dad, why didn't you tell me it had gotten so bad?" He didn't answer "Dad?" she said slowly as she turned around.

Aang laid there, eyes closed, breathing evenly, tattoos glowing. Once more Kya said "Dad." as she reached out and touched his cheek. As soon as she did everything went blue.