Well, here is chapter 32! I am so sorry that I have been slow on updating. I have been lazy and haven't had much inspiration...plus, Legend of Korra has been attacking me with its amazingness...sigh. Hopefully this chapter makes up for my slow updating? Probably not...blah.

Chapter Thirty Two

Into the Sun

"What did the Air Temples look like?" I asked, closing my eyes against the blaring sunlight. The grass tickled my back through my cotton pale green tank top. The wind blew softly, rustling my hair and the grass under me. I was laying down, my head cocked upwards, welcoming the warmth of the sun.

I opened my eyes to see Aang, who was sitting next to me, his legs crossed under him, his eyes half-shut, deep in thought. I memorized this picture; the sun making his skin appearing to glow, his breathing deep and shallow, his facial features in tranquil. A small smile played at his lips, and his eyes trained on me. I once again felt myself begin to get flustered under his gray orbs.

"Well…" He closed his eyes, his lashes fluttering against his cheeks, "They were – are – beautiful." Aang seemed to collapse into a sort of a daydream,"Huge, spacious, set on the high mountains, or in some cases, down in valleys. The wind was everywhere…" A soft sigh escaped his lips, "You could feel the wind…you felt safe." He suddenly paused, a blush tinting his cheeks, "Sorry, Vinca. I'm not really good at describing it…"

I smiled, my head now tilted towards him. "It's fine…continue?" I murmured, closing my eyes, waiting for his words.

My heart skittered in a million directions when I felt a sudden warmth clasp around my hand, and I knew without opening my eyes that he was holding my hand.

"The temples were tall – magnificent, grand. I really can't describe them…I took them for granted." His voice cracked slightly, "They're destroyed…well, the one I was raised in is."

"Which one?" I asked, my voice quiet.

There was a bit of hesitation, "The Southern Air Temple."

My eyes fluttered open, and I once again examined Aang, "Oh. There are four…right?"

He smiled slightly, "Yes. The Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western."

"Tell me about them."

"Well, the boys – monks – lived in the Northern and Southern Temples. The ladies – nuns – lived in the Eastern and Western." He explained patiently.

I nodded thoughtfully, "Oh…wait – how did they…um, produce – get, " I stammered, blushing, "…make children? I mean, if there was separation and all."

Aang laughed lightly, then blushed a deep scarlet , "Well…I wasn't really explained, but usually a monk and a nun…well," He lowered his eyes, blushing even more, "And depending on the child's gender, he or she was sent to one of the Air Temples and raised."

I thought this over, "Oh." I then frowned, "You never knew your parents?"

He shook his head, "No. The only person I had closest to a parent was Monk Gyasto…"He suddenly let go of my hand, a solemn expression settling on his face.

"I'm sorry." I murmured, rising from my position on the ground into a position similar to his.

Aang glanced up at me, "Hmm? Sorry for what…?" He asked.

I blushed again, I picked at the grass, "I…well, um, you seemed sad about Monk Gyasto, so…"

A thoughtful smile aroused on his lips. "Yeah…"

There was a peaceful silence.

"So…we're the last airbenders?" I wondered aloud.

He shrugged, "I would say so…unless there are more out there. I originally thoughtI was the last – until you came along." He grinned.

I laughed, gazing up into the cloudless blue sky, "So…you have a whole nation to repopulate." I stated, poking him in the side.

He flinched away, laughing as well. He was very ticklish. "I suppose." He raised an eyebrow, glancing at me, "What about you? You aren't going to help?" He asked teasingly.

"Well, I don't know about children…" I said, frowning. I had never actually thought about it. I am to young to marry, anyway.

"I like them!" He exclaimed.

I giggled, "We still are children, you could say, so why are we talking about having them?"

Aang blushed, "I-I didn't mean we would…have children, together…Not that there is nothing wrong with that! But if we were –I would of course, marry you first, I-I am not like that, and, I would of course love to raise a family with you –"

"Aang," I was blushing as well, "We still have a while before we would even marry –nonetheless, have children." I murmured briskly, hiding my red face.

He bit his lower lip, nervously squirming. A hand roamed over his now hairless head, pausing momentarily as it ran over the blue arrow. I wondered if I was to ever get an arrow like that. Drawing the conversation elsewhere, I asked, "Did it hurt? Getting the tattoos?"

Aang blinked, his gray eyes flickering to me, a flash of surprise crossing his face,"It was only a faint pain…they give you alcohol, whiskey I believe."

I laughed, "They made you drunk!" I really couldn't believe this. "I thought the monks were all about enlightenment and sacrifice?"

He chuckled, "Kind of, yeah. And it didn't take much alcohol, don't worry, Vinca."He smiled, poking me with a slim index finger, "And usually, grown men get the tattoos, not boys."

I puckered my lips, "You are a different story, being the Avatar and all." I sighed, a little bit proudly.

Aang grinned half-heartedly, "Mhmm…"

I watched him. He seemed sad. "You miss it."

"Hm?"

"Your life. Before." I explained.

"Oh."Aang blinked, closing his eyes momentarily. "I do." A frown lined his lips. "I regret going into that storm."

I have heard the story of him going through a storm with Appa, and being frozen in the iceberg. "But if you haven't, you would've died." I pointed out a little defensively.

"You don't know that," He snapped, but frowned again, sighing, "I don't know. Maybe the war wouldn't have progressed so much. You could be sitting with nuns right now enjoying a cup of afternoon tea, or maybe training, learning…" He trailed off.

I sighed. "I don't know." I repeated his own words, "But then, I wouldn't have met you."

Aang smiled, glancing at me, "Vinca…You do realize I like you, right?"

I didn't say anything, except resting my head in my hands.

"Not just because you're an airbender, or because you remind me of home. Because you are Vinca." He continued, "I liked Katara…I thought, but it changed when I met you. I'm not the best at things but I will always like you," He blushed heavily, turning away, "Maybe…love you."

I blinked, a lump forming in my throat, and I felt thoroughly flustered. "Aang." Was all I could say, or rather murmur.

He didn't say anything, but I felt his eyes on me.

"You sound much older than you should, Aang." I said, turning to him.

Aang laughed lightly, "I guess I've matured."

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh? I've heard about your penguin sledding," I said.

He laughed again, "Very fun, you need to do it sometime."

"I'm looking forward to it." I admitted with a smile.

He grinned. "I'll be there."

"I've also heard about Kyoshi Island."

His eyes sparkled, "Riding the giant fish was amazing, along with the Unagi. You will do that, mark my words!"

I giggled, nodding, "Gotcha. Can't wait!"

We laughed together, a good, comforting sound. I liked it. I loved being with him; yet thinking about our future together, marrying, kids? I have never thought about life outside of the war. It made me tingly yet slightly nervous.

I sighed, perfectly content. The sun warmed my cheeks, and had the feeling that I had forgotten something.

It was today.

A gasp escaped my lips, and I jumped to my feet just as I heard frantic, excited yelling. I peered over the pasture to see Sokka sprinting towards us, his arms flailing wildly.

"They're…here!" He panted as he reached us, bending over and clasping his hands on his knees as he struggled for oxygen.

Aang looked momentarily confused, and all of a sudden, a sorrowful expression crossed his face. I knew that he was just as nervous about today as I was.

It was the Day of the Black Sun.

I glanced over to the waters, and sure enough, five or so Water Tribe ships were docked expertly at the shore. My heart swelled, and I felt a grin breaking out on my face, as I raced towards the sands.

"Olin!" I cried joyfully, throwing myself at him just as he walked off the boat. A startled noise was drawn from him, but I felt his warm, muscular, protective arms wrap around me and I felt safe.

After a while, his arms released me, and he placed his hands on my shoulders. "Hey there, sis." A smile danced on his lips.

"I'm very angry at you, you know." I said crossly, entwining my arms over my chest and puckering my lips stubbornly.

Olin looked startled. "Wha-?"

"Oh, Olin! What are you doing here? I don't need protecting - please, don't fight, go home." I blurted out before he had a chance to say anything more, my lips forming a deep frown. I hated that he was here, despite that I loved seeing him again. I couldn't loose him.

My older brother sighed quietly, engulfing me in another tight hug, "Vinca, you're too stubborn. You're danger-prone, and I need to feel useful, okay? I promised Grandma I would watch out after you. I really haven't been doing a good job, have I?" He murmured into my ear.

My frown lingered, and I gently pushed him away. "Fine." I muttered, making Olin sigh yet again.

"Hello, Olin. Nice to see you again." A new voice drew away both of our attentions, and we turned to see Aang smiling at my older brother respectively.

They both shook hands, "Aang, right? You look so different without your hair." Said my brother with a light chuckle.

Aang smiled, unconsciously rubbing his hairless head, "Yeah. " He beamed, "I didn't like the hair that much. It was really itchy." He confessed, laughing as well.

I smiled, and I noticed that the large amount of people consisting of the Invasion force were roaming over to a spot where the rest of my friends were. I nudged Olin, "I think we are supposed to go over there." I commented.

My brother nodded to himself and the three of us walked over, Aang and I taking a seat with our friends on a stand away from the crowd.

Katara motioned to Sokka, "Everyone is here. It's time."

Sokka looked absolutely terrified, and glanced at his father, Hakoda, who nodded encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, Sokka stumbled up onto the stage-like structure, smiling nervously to the large crowd. "H-Hello, everyone. Thanks for c-c-coming today." He stammered, wiping his forehead.

"Well…today we are gonna try and take out Firelord Ozai, as you all are aware…" He chuckled nervously, rocking back on his heels. "F-First, we will board the ships and sail to the Gates of Azulon, where we will…um, " Sokka paused, once again wiping his forehead, "Where we will go into the submarines in the ships and go underneath the Gates and onto the Dock. Shortly before the Dock, Aang will leave and go to the Palace." He swallowed loudly.

"Once at the Dock, we will have to fight our way through b-because the firebenders will still have their bending. We will be fighting our way through and up to the City where we will hold our ground until A-Aang comes back, with victory."

The crowd cheered, and Sokka smiled, taking a deep breath, and exited the stage. Hakoda grinned, patting his son on the back, and Sokka beamed. The Chief then stood, quieting the whooping crowd.

"Everyone onto the ships! Let's do this!" He drew more cheers, and the crowd quickly dispatched into equal groups onto the five ships. Aang motioned for Olin and I to board the ship with the rest of our friends.

"Hey, Aang!" An unfamiliar voice shouted, and I noticed a boy riding quickly over in a wheelchair. He smiled shyly at me before turning to Aang, looking important.

"Hi, Teo!" Aang greeted with a grin, "How have you been?"

Teo smiled, "Good, thanks!" Moving importantly, he pulled out a long, slender staff. I looked at it in surprise. It looked like Aang's old glider.

Aang looked shocked, and glanced at Teo again before flicking it open with a swift, sure motion. A broad grin broke out across Aang's face, one of pure happiness and glee. It was a glider, except that the wings of it were a blue fabric instead of the orange of his old one.

"Teo…thank you, so much!" Aang exclaimed, his grin not once breaking.

The boy nodded, "No problem. Well, I better get to my assigned ship. Good luck today!" He waved a farewell before rolling away.

Aang was still in a gleeful shock and I continued watching him in amusement as the ships sailed away.

"Everyone to their positions!" Chief Hakoda ordered, his deep baritone voice echoing the length of the ship. The grand Gates of Azulon were spread elegantly, but deadly, out before us.

Aang, Olin, and I followed the line to the rooms under deck. I felt anxiousness making me sick again.

"In here!" Someone yelled, and we slipped into the submarine. I glanced at Olin, who wore a determined look, and Aang, who mirrored my brother. I let out a nervous breath, clutching my brother's arm, and he seemed just as nervous as I.

I trained my eyes on the waterbenders that were bending the water outside of us and propelling us forward. They looked strange; they were wearing leaves! I chuckled awkwardly to myself, tightening my grip on Olin.

My eyes flickered to the left, were Aang was gradually migrating over, pausing occasionally to speak respectively to the others in the sub. Finally, he came over to us.

"Hey. We are rising to the surface to check out where we are and to get some fresh air." Aang said with a small smile, though worry was etched on his face. A loud noise made me flinch, but looking out a window, I saw that we had surfaced.

I exited out the top, inhaling deeply. I didn't like the feeling of being under water for so long; it made me antsy. I unconsciously rubbed my arms, gazing out across the horizon. We were almost to the Dock.

I felt someone brush against me and instinctively turned to see who it was. It was Aang.

"Hi." I said, my voice small.

Aang's fingers wrapped tightly around his staff, and he let out a small breath. "I have to go." He blurted out.

I frowned, and reached out and hugged him fiercely. "Are you scared?" I asked quietly.

He pulled away slowly. "No. I know this is what I have to do."

I looked down with a sigh. "Okay…good luck, Aang." I murmured.

Aang leaned over, his hands cupping my face. I looked at him, startled, but before I could even ask him what he was doing, he lurched forward, quickly kissing my lips.

I watched him, blushing feverishly. He smiled confidently, a look of determination on his face. With a swift flick of his glider, he was flying away into the sun.

Kind of a lame chapter, amiright? I don't want to draw the Day of the Black Sun out a lot, because it'll probably get boring. Anywho, sorry if Aang sounded way to mature at the beginning...this is what I get for watching Korra...

NOTE: I will be on vacation June 10th through the 17th. I'll try to get two more big-ish chapters in before then.