Chapter Thirty Six

Our New Home

After hurriedly exiting the tunnel and jumping on Appa, we were sailing down to the city where our allies were fighting against the now redeemed firebenders. The Eclipse was over. We had…lost.

Aang was at Appa's reins, his shoulders slumped dramatically. Sokka was observing the scene laid out before us with narrowed eyes, and Toph was just sitting there picking at her toes.

I absentmindedly rubbed my scars on my wrists, exhaling a shaky breath. We had lost because of me; if I wasn't so caught up on Azula, we could've found the Firelord and Aang could've done whatever he was planning on doing. It was my fault that our friends might be getting hurt down below us, some even killed.

I cringed.

Suddenly, Appa began to descend quickly, a roar sprouting from his throat as he landed with a thump. Sokka leapt off, helping Toph, and I followed.

Katara was crouched behind one of the large, metal caterpillars, her brows scrunched together as she hurriedly healed a man.

"D-Dad?" Sokka gasped, rushing over to her side. "What happened?"

"Just a little burn," Chief Hakoda said with a swift smile, patting his son on the back. "It's alright."

Katara looked at us in confusion, "Did you guys do it? Did we win?"

Aang shook his head, "The Firelord wasn't where he was supposed to be. Azula was there with the Dai Li."

The waterbender frowned, "What do we do? The firebenders are becoming stronger!"

Chief Hakoda motioned towards Appa, "You guys have to leave, quickly."

Aang looked surprised, "You will be arrested…"

Hakoda just nodded, "We all came here today to help you. Everybody knew the consequences. Leave. Take Teo, Haru, The Duke, Olin. Go somewhere safe."

"But…"

"Go."

Along with Katara, I helped the unconscious Olin up onto Appa, setting him down near the back under a thin blanket. I settled down next to him, watching him worriedly.

"Good luck, everyone. Sokka, Katara. I love you. Be safe." Hakoda yelled, waving. Aang wore a small frown, and with a shuddering sigh, we were off into the sky.

The afternoon sun wavered in the sky above as it began to make it's descend. I ran a pair of fingers through my hair, letting out a sigh. Olin let out a tiny groan beside me and I immediately turned my attention to him.

"Olin?" I murmured, watching him. His brows came together and a cry of pain escaped his lips as his eyes fluttered open, revealing dark orbs.

He looked frightened and confused, "W-Where am I?" He tried to sit up.

I pushed him gently back down. "Shh. It's okay. We're on Appa." I glanced at Katara who was scooting over, a concerned look on her face.

"What happened? Are you okay? Did we win?" A bunch of questions suddenly rose from him, a sheen of sweat lining his forehead. A shudder crashed into him and another groan sounded. "Ugh…what…" His hands found his wound and he let out a startled yelp. "Shit! What happened?"

Katara had made her way over. "Hey, Olin. How are you feeling?"

Another gasp of pain, "F-Fine, but…what happened?" He pressed, a flash of pain crossing his facial features.

I patted his head, "You got hurt, and we're all fine. We didn't win." I sighed at the last part, sulking.

Olin seemed to relax slightly, "Oh." He looked uncomfortable, his body tense. "Where are we going?"

My waterbending friend answered this, "To the Western Air Temple. Its safest."

My eyebrows rose in surprise. I didn't know we were going there. "Really? Wow! I've always wanted to see one of the Air Temples." I confessed, my mood suddenly uplifted.

Olin smiled gingerly, "Yeah." He winced, "M-Me too."

Katara frowned, kneeling down beside me. Blood stained his gray shirt, which was cut and marred. "Um…Here, let's take your shirt off." She seemed vaguely uncomfortable telling this to a grown man.

My brother nodded, and I helped him take it off. A small sigh escaped him, "That feels better. It was so hot before."

Katara looked worried, "Okay…" She bit her lip, "I hope its not infected…"

"My cut wasn't so bad when it was infected…" I wondered aloud, even though the stab wound did hurt probably more than it should've.

"Your's wasn't as deep as his…" She trailed off, before water bending a stream of liquid from her pouch strapped to her side. She then expertly moved it over the six inch long cut, which was lined by dried blood. The water encased her hand and glowed a spectacular blue. Katara set her hand gently down on the wound.

A loud sigh came from my brother again, and his eyes closed. "That feels great." He murmured.

Katara smiled to herself, "That's good." She then moved the healing hand around, drawing more sighs from Olin.

I watched this healing session, and after making sure my brother was comfortable, I migrated up to where Aang was sitting at Appa's reins.

"Hey," I greeted, sitting down next to him.

He glanced up quickly, a small smiling gracing his lips, "Hey."

Something seemed to be bothering him, and I pressed lightly, "What's wrong? You seem sad."

Aang shrugged nonchalantly, "Nothing."

I frowned, "I know you better than that."

He laughed quietly, "It's nothing, really."

"Aang."

"Well…." His smile turned upside-down, "I failed…" he sighed, "again."

I nudged him, "You didn't fail." My shoulders slumped and my eyes shut momentarily, "it was my fault." I felt a wave of guilt wash over me heavily.

Aang immediately nudged me back, "No, it wasn't." He argued, "I'm the Avatar."

"If I wasn't so caught up with Azula we could've found the Firelord." I protested stubbornly, crossing my arms, "It is my fault."

He was quiet for a few seconds, "What you did with Azula was kind of…different. I've never seen that side of you."

A shudder passed through me, "I-I don't know what happened. I just got…so angry. Olin could die and she was talking about him like it was…nothing."

Aang glanced at me, "He means a lot to you."

I subconsciously nodded, "He left when I was nine, and he was only eighteen. He was like my father that I never really met. I…" I looked away, "I love him with all my heart. I don't know what I'd do without him. It was difficult when he went away to war. I suddenly had to start taking care of myself, he was always the one to provide. Grandma got sick a lot after that. It was...hard," I ran my fingers through Appa's thick fur.

He nodded, but he seemed to be caught up in his own thoughts, as his eyes were narrowed and his lips set in a firm line. Finally, he turned to me, "I understand. I felt that way when I realized that all my people were wiped out. But then I realized that even with them gone, I still had my friends. Even if Olin would've…died, you still would've been surrounded by people who love you." Aang smiled, pointing to himself.

A blush came to my cheeks.

Suddenly, I was engulfed in a warm hug, and I let out a quiet laugh, giving it back. I felt like this is where I was supposed to be.

My feet ached as they continued to walk across the hard ground. It was almost dusk, and we had been walking for part of the afternoon, as Sokka said that the Fire Nation would be looking for us in the air.

I yawned, exhaustion settling over me like a cloud. Aang was walking beside me, a tired look on his face as well. Suddenly, Toph let out a startled yelp, her hands flying up. Everyone stopped in their tracks, the same look of confusion on every face.

"The Temple. It's underneath of us." She said.

Aang's face lit up, "Okay! We're here! Everyone on Appa!" He called in excitement, sending me his signature goofy smile before airbending himself up on Appa's reins. I smiled, following suit. After everyone had climbed aboard, Aang gave the reins a quick flick, murmuring, "Yip Yip!"

With a grunt, Appa was in the air, flying swiftly and close to the ground. Suddenly, he took a steep dive, hurdling down the canyon that had suddenly appeared.

I gasped, struggling to hold on and see through the thick fog.

Aang was laughing.

The flying bison swerved left, the fog not clearing. I glanced at Aang, who wore a mischievous look. With a wink, his arms reached forward towards me and he pushed.

With a startled yell, I stumbled off Appa's head, falling.

I screamed as Appa's hovering figure disappeared.

Oh Spirits. Why did he do that, he's crazy, murdering me for making the invasion plan fail, spirits, spirits, spirits…!

I closed my eyes, waiting for the end.

All of a sudden, a pair of hands wrapped around me and I felt myself being lifted up. In surprise, I opened my eyes to see Aang's familiar arms, and glancing up, I saw his grinning face. He was on his glider, his legs holding on to the staff and his arms supporting me.

With a burst of strength he moved me on top of the glider for that he could steer.

"Aang…" I growled, "That was terrifying. I am never forgiving you."

He chuckled merrily, swiftly moving right, "It was fun though, right?"

"It gave me a heart attack!"

He only laughed.

I let out a shaky breath, trying to regain my composure. It was actually fun when you weren't falling through the air; but I wouldn't tell him that.

After landing from our flight, I helped Katara set Olin into a much more comfortable place. We decided to place him on a sleeping bag near a fountain which still held water, that way Katara could easily heal him.

Once I finished setting up the new camp, I took this opportunity to tour the Temple with Aang and Toph.

"This place is awesome," Toph was saying, her face awestruck, "You should feel it! It's amazing!"

Aang beamed, his fingers wrapping around his staff as we walked around the Temple.

It was magnificent. It was basically set upside down. The homes were hanging from the ceiling; this had me in awe. Now, we were walking past some of the huge, larger-than-life statues of nuns, their eyes closed and their arrows curved dramatically to make an impression. I walked up to one, running my fingers over the arrows carved onto her hands, marveling at the detail and wondering if I would ever get my arrows.

I sighed, backing away, letting my eyes wander to the large, detailed columns. Everyone was so…spectacular.

"Well," Yawned Toph, stretching her arms over her head, "I'm hungry and tired. I'm heading back. See ya." She waved slightly before turning and making her way back towards the camp.

Aang drew his eyes away from the canyon below us where he was previously staring, "Do you want to head back…?"

I shrugged, my eyes flickering to him. His Air Nomad clothes fluttered loosely in the wind, which was strong around here. I, personally, loved the way the wind felt. "I'm okay." It was getting dark, though.

His face suddenly look intrigued , "I wonder…" His lips puckered slightly, "Follow me!" He took off in a run, gracefully avoiding the rubble and obstacles. I followed, smiling. After a long run, he finally slowed, his face lighting up, "I knew they would, stupid of me to think not." Before us was a pair of huge doors, intricately detailed. Strange looking horn things were knotted in the middle.

I cocked my head, "What is it?"

"It's a door that can only be opened using airbending." He replied, "Want to try?"

I looked up at it, and nodded, "Sure, why not?" I then took a stance, breathing out quietly. With a single movement, I shot my palm forward, bending the air through the tube and through the twisted tunnels. Suddenly, the door creaked open. I beamed.

"Good job!" He grinned, nudging me playfully. I nudged him back, giggling quietly before following him in.

I drew my breath in at the sigh before me.

Rows and rows of statues circled upwards in the cylinder like building, and as my eyes trailed up, it seemed to never stop. I looked around at the unfamiliar statues, awestruck.

Aang's gray eyes flickered from each one before resting on the newest-looking one, which was closest to us. He moved forward, his eyes on the statue of the elderly looking man, who looked Fire Nation by the way he dressed.

He bowed, "Avatar Roku."

I stared at the statue, "What is this place?" I asked.

"The Air Sanctuary. These are statues of all the past Avatars." Aang answered, pointing to another statue, "That's Avatar Kyoshi. And that's Avatar Yangchen. And that is Avatar Kuruk." he pointed to each statue. Avatar Kyoshi wore Earth Kingdom-type clothing, Avatar Yangchen wore clothing similar to Aang's but more feminine fashioned, and Avatar Kuruk was clearly Water Tribe. I gazed at them all.

"All of your past lives." I murmured to myself, "All of these people…are you?"

Aang shrugged nonchalantly, "Pretty much."

"You'll be a statue in here one day." I commented with a smile.

"Maybe. If this war is stopped and the Air Nomads are repopulated." A tired look dawned on him.

I nodded, "They will be. One day." I glanced outside. It was getting dark. "Ready to head back?"

Aang bit his lip, "I think I'm going to stay here and meditate. I'll be back later."

I waved slightly, "Okay. See you later." And with that I turned, leaving the young Avatar with his past lives.

AN: I might get chapter 37 up. I'm leaving on Sunday, and I have a pretty packed day tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday (hopefully I won't miss Legend of Korra...I have become obessed with that show!) I'm trying to make chapter 37 long (well, longer than what I usually write...). Anywho, if I don't get the next chapter up, have a nice week while I'm on vacation! And, thank you all so much for the positive reviews. I love getting them, and plus, you all are so nice. I love you all! :)

until next time...