Chapter Fourty Five

Risks and Promises

I ducked under the salty ocean, the chilled water washing over me. I quickly came back up, rubbing my eyes as I looked around for Aang. I laughed upon seeing him laying on a frozen block of water, his limbs splayed out as quiet groans escaped from his mouth. I paddled over, resting my arms on the ice as I studied him, "What's wrong?" I questioned, kicking my legs to keep afloat.

"I'm sore," he grumbled, closing his gray eyes as a look of discomfort settled on his face.

I frowned, poking him in his ticklish spot on his stomach. He lurched, laughing lightly. "Why are you sore? From firebending training?"

Aang nodded slowly, "And sparring with Toph."

"You almost won," I commented, and then began to float on my back, the small waves moving me closer to him.

"Almost." he sighed, sticking out his tongue. His fingers curled downwards as he absently waterbended. "Maybe tomorrow we can practice airbending. I can barely move today."

I shrugged, staring at the cloudless sky, "It's alright." I told him, "I don't want you to be even more sore."

Aang chuckled, sitting up on his frozen slab of ice. Suddenly, the frozen ice disappeared into water as he bended it, causing him to plop down into the water. He swam over to me, "Anyway, how'd you sleep last night?" a genuinely concerned look crossed his face as he looked at me, his bald head glistening from the water and the sun.

"Great," I smiled slightly, dipping under water.

He was grinning, "I know I slept good," he winked playfully before vanishing under water, leaving me alone.

I only rolled my eyes before running my hands through my hair, which was crisp from salt water layered onto it. I suddenly felt a presence under me and turned, just to be pulled under the water. My supply of air dwindled as I struggled to resurface, only to be held down by I finally escaped from his grasps I came up gasping for air, my eyes narrowing as I glared at the Avatar. "Where you trying to drown me?" I exclaimed, breathing in deeply.

"I would never. Just trying to see how fast your reflexes were," he singsong cheerfully, easily dodging my splash of water. He raised an eyebrow playfully, "Oh, you want to play that way—!"

He was cut off by faint yelling which caused both of us to turn and face the shore. I let out a sigh upon seeing it was only Sokka, who was waving his arms frantically on the sand. He seemed to be yelling something to us.

"We better head back," I suggested, my shoulders slumping.

Aang wrapped his arm around my waist and used waterbending to propel us back to the shore, almost crashing into the Water Tribe warrior. "Hey—watch it!" he growled as he jumped out of our way.

I giggled, rising to my feet along with Aang. "Sorry," I smiled innocently at him.

Sokka grunted before pulling out of his back pocket a rolled up piece of parchment. He unrolled it before showing it to us. "We're going to see a play! Based on us!" His mood seemed to suddenly uplift as he grinned broadly at us.

"Based on...us?" Aang questioned curiously as he examined the poster.

On the poster was a drawing of Aang in the middle, his eyes and arrows aglow as if he was in the Avatar State. In the background were Sokka, Katara, Zuko, Toph, and I. I squinted to read the bottom of the poster, which was written in very small letters. "The Ember Island Players present 'The Boy in The Iceburg', featuring all of Team Avatar's adventures," I read aloud. I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Sokka.

"Looks good, doesn't it?" Sokka piped up, rolling the poster back up.

Aang blinked, "I guess so. Would it be safe to go?"

The older boy nodded quickly, "Of course. We'll just wear our Fire Nation disguises."

"When are we leaving?" I asked, silently hoping to get back to swimming with Aang.

"As soon as you two get ready." He replied steadily. "So, hurry up."

After changing into our Fire Nation disguises and forcing Aang to cover his arrow with a ridiculous looking hat, we heading out to the theatre. I walked by Zuko, who was sulking.

I nudged him, "What's up?" I asked, hoping to get some insight on why his mood was so solemn.

"Er—nothing." He answered.

I glared at him, "You seem sad. Is it because of the play?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "Kind of. The Ember Island players aren't the best at...describing things. They might get this whole thing all wrong. So don't be mad if they mess a lot of things up." His golden eyes raised as he surveyed the rest of the group.

"Lighten up, Zuko," Katara chortled, "It can't be that bad."

Zuko only sighed, mumbling a few unaudible things under his breath as we continued walking. Soon, we arrived at the theatre. It was large and painted red, as most of the buildings here were. The line was short to purchase tickets and I assumed that most of the spectators were already seated inside. Once Katara bought the tickets we headed inside.

"Let's sit up there," Suki motioned up to one of the balconies. It was empty, which was a surprise, as the whole theatre was packed full. We hurriedly got there before anyone else did. I took a seat in between Aang and Zuko. Katara sat on the other side of Zuko, and Toph to the right of her. Olin, Sokka, and Suki sat in the row above us.

Toph grunted loudly, resting her feet on the banster in front of us, "Why do we have to sit in the nosebleed section? My feet can't see a thing!" she grumbled in annoyance, making a face.

"Don't worry, Toph. I'll tell your feet what's happening!" Katara said, smiling softly at the younger girl before turning her cyan eyes to the stage just as music began to play.

The curtain opened, revealing a mainly blue scene. There was an icy background, which waves, and some iceburgs. I guessed it was the South Pole, because that is where Sokka and Katara found Aang. I glanced at the two siblings, who were staring at the stage in curiousity. My eyes rested back on the stage, where two people in a canoe where 'rowing' out in the 'ocean'. One actress, who played Katara, was a bit pudgy and was wearing a lot of makeup. She was breathing dramatically as she gazed out upon the scene. The actor who portrayed Sokka was a bit lanky looking, and looked silly with his hair up like the man he portrayed.

"Sokka...my only sibling!" The actress cried, placing a hand on her heart, "Oh, how I wish we found something...fulfilling out here as we roam these freezing South Pole waters...searching for nothing and finding...nothing." Her words were very dramatic as she shook her head back and forth.

The other actory snorted as he held up a spear, "All I want is my stomach to be fulfilled!" he grinned goofily, bringing is spear down into the fake water before pulling it back up. A fake fish was on the end of the spear. "That's what I'm talking about!" he crowed. The crowd laughed.

The real Sokka was pouting, "My jokes are way better than that." He insisted.

Zuko raised an eyebrow, "Um, sure they are."

The boy whimpered and sulked down into the seat, making an angry face as he continued to watch.

The actor Sokka brought his spear back again, this time the staff going too far over his head. It hit one of the 'iceburgs' behind him, causing it to crack. The canoe was pushed back as a bright light shot out of the sphere.

Aang leaned forward, his face a mixture of curiousity and excited. Suddenly, the light on stage vanished, and out popped the actor Aang. The actor was bald and was wearing clothing similar to Aang's, yet the actor himself looked a bit...feminine.

The Aang beside me let out a confused noise, "Is...is that...?"

Toph let out a loud laugh, smacking her hands against her knees, "Twinkletoes is a woman!" she cried out in laughter, falling off the bench.

The Avatar's face was miserable and angry at the same time, "I'm not a woman!"

After witnessing several more scenes — like Zuko's actor (had me laughing for minutes), the Siege of the North, and much, much more — there was a twenty minute intermission as the stage crew, actresses, and actors prepared for the next act.

However, the twenty minutes passed rather quickly once we got some fresh air and laughed and talked about the previous scenes. We crowded back into the theatre and found our seats; hurriedly sitting down as the curtains opened, staring act two.

This scene was when Team Avatar met Toph, which I had a feeling wasn't really how they actually met the earthbender. But, this scene was hilarious, even Toph thought so. The person who played her was a man, a really, really buff guy, who apparently saw things by screaming. It had us all laughing, even Zuko.

The next scene showed Katara declaring to Aang that she loved him, and ended with Aang flying away out of nervousness. I glanced at the real Aang, who was glaring at the stage with a deathly look on his face, his arms crossed and his eyebrows furrowed together.

After that, the scene on the stage changed dramatically. It looked kind of familiar, and then I realized that the scene portrayed was my village! I turned around to face my brother, whose grin matched mine. Suddenly, he nudged me, and I whirled back around to see two actors dressed in Fire Nation garb running through the 'village', yelling:

"Somebody, catch that thief!"

"Get her!"

Out of nowhere appeared a girl wearing a green shirt and ridiculously short shorts, her shirt dipping low. I blinked as she skipped across the stage, running away from the Fire Nation 'soldiers'. As the two 'soldiers' advanced, shooting fake flames, the girl flipped around, kicking her feet forward, sending the two men back.

"That's right! I'm an airbender and you can't do anything about it!" the girl bellowed, sticking her tongue out as she ran around the town. "Nobody can stop me! I am Vinca the airbender!" She continued to yell as she disappeared off the stage and behind the set.

I stared blankly at the stage, shaking my head incredulously. That was supposed to be me? None of those things happened! Well, except the airbending part, but still. "Um." I mumbled to myself, that word and that word only coming out.

"Gosh, sis. I didn't know you were so...rebellious!" Olin chuckled from his seat behind me.

I looked at him helplessly, "I didn't either."

I turned my attention back to the stage. The actress that was 'me' had airbended herself somehow into the forest, giggling hysterically.

"Those stupid Fire Nation soldiers, thought they could catch me!" She was saying, and she sat down on the ground. Just as she said that, a whole group of soldiers appeared, attacking her.

"I can't believe what I'm watching." I whimpered miserably.

Aang glanced at me, "Did it really happen that way?"

"Of course not!" I yelped. He only laughed.

The group of soldiers captured 'me', and after saying that they were going to kill me, tied me up. They then left the actress.

I wanted to die as she began to cry.

"Help, please! Anybody!" the actress yelled out dramatically, flipping her long hair.

After several more cries of help, the woman who played Aang swooped out of the sky, and untied the actress-Vinca. Actress-Vinca kissed 'Aang' on the cheek, which made the person portraying him blush furiously, before fainting. The girl playing me only giggled.

And that was the end of that scene.

Everyone stared at Aang and I, who were now both sulking down into the wooden seats.

"It didn't happen like that." I stammered, shaking my head.

"This is embarrassing," I sighed, covering my eyes as actress-Vinca hit on every single boy she saw and tried to get into bed with each and every single one. This, of course, included 'Aang', 'Sokka', 'Zuko', and many, many more random strangers. I couldn't bring myself to look at either one of them, instead spending my time glaring furiously at my actress, my cheeks warm.

Zuko only shrugged, "I told you that they butcher everything, didn't I?"

I was silent, only hugging my knees to my chest as actress-Vinca gave 'Aang' another long, agonzing kiss.

The real Aang was blushing feverishly beside me.

The scene changed to the Crystal Catacombs. I solemnly watched it.

"Oh...Zuko! It's only you and me here...Katara will stay knocked out for a little while...giving us enough time..." 'I' murmured seductively into the actor playing Zuko's ear, her body way to close to his, her lips grazing his neck.

"Spirits, please, no." I was going into depression as I watched this.

The real Zuko moved away from me, his eyes wide.

The two on the stage began to kiss passionately, causing me to burying my head into my hands. Why did I have to be a harlot? Did I act like one? Is this how people saw me?

There was a loud explosion on the stage and I looked back up. There stood 'Aang', and 'he' ran over, giving actress-Vinca a big hug, oblivious to the fact that she had just been all over Zuko.

I felt sick. "I'm going to go get some fresh air," I breathed, realizing that watching this wasn't good for my mental health, and, plus, a certain scene was coming up that I didn't want to relive. I brushed passed Aang and walked out of the theatre, sitting down on the porch which faced the ocean.

I crossed my legs underneath of me, my head resting in my hands as I stared at the ocean. Do people see me as some kind of whore? I thought about how the actress playing me dressed. I glanced down. I don't dress like that, do I? No, I didn't. I was wearing Fire Nation clothing, a tank top and capris. That wasn't revealing, was it? And I most definately don't hit on every guy I see!

My eyes flickered upwards as I heard the faint sound of footsteps behind me. I absently looked to see who it was, and was surprised to see that it was Aang.

"Hey," He greeted and took a seat next to me, his gray eyes lifting to gaze at the full moon. "Not the best play, is it?"

I quickly shook my head, "We should've listened to Zuko." I mumbled, feeling miserable.

Aang nodded in agreement, "I can't believe they made me a woman," he made a face. "I promise I'm not!"

Laughter escaped my lips, "I believe you!" My laughter soon died down, "Do...Did you think that they kind of portrayed me good?" I desperately wanted to know.

He blinked, glancing at me, "Of course not—why?"

I shrugged, "People must see me as that."

"Well, you don't go around behind our backs trying to sleep with everybody...right?" he blushed slightly, but wore an otherwise serious face.

I stared at him in horror, "No! I d-don't!" I insisted.

"I'm just teasing; I know you aren't like that," Aang assured, laughing lightly. "They kind of messed up everyone's character. Except for Sokka...he does kind of make lame jokes." He grinned.

"That's true," I agreed, smiling broadly at him. "And they made Zuko all angry—he is, but not all the time."

He added, "Toph isn't a man."

"And you're not a woman."

"Katara doesn't make hope speeches that much."

"Suki doesn't wear her Kyoshi warrior makeup all the time."

"Olin isn't fat."

"Momo doesn't—nevermind."

"And you aren't a harlot."

I leaned back on my palms, laughing. "They messed up a lot." I commented, letting out a long sigh as I looked out across the ocean. The moon pulled and pushed at the low tide from its dominance in the sky above. My hand subconsiously rested on my mother's golden heart necklace, a feeling of sadness tugging at my heart.

"I know." He took off his hat, scratching his head before placing it back on.

My eyes rested back on the theatre behind us, "Do you think we should go back in?" I sincerely did not want to, but we had payed for the tickets and I would finish watching it if I had to.

Aang quickly shook his head, "No way." His eyes suddenly took on a mischievous glint as they settled on me, "I have an idea," he grinned crazily.

I blinked, raising an eyebrow, "Okay, what is it?"

"Follow me."

"We're going back to the beach house?" I guessed for the umpteenth time as he led me through the town, which was busy, as usual.

"Maybe," Aang repeated, the same answer for every guess I had.

I sighed, shuffling as I followed him. My eyes widened slightly, "We are! This is the way there!" I crowed, happy that I finally guessed right.

He grinned, and shrugged, "You're right."

"Hm—what're we going to do here? Oh, I can make dinner for us if you'd like—" I began to make suggestions, but he gently interuppted me:

"I was just thinking we could relax—you seemed pretty upset about the play." Aang smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

I looked at him, feeling grateful, "That's really sweet of you," I told him, poking him playfully in the stomach.

He blushed slightly, tugging his collar, "T-Thanks, do you want to go sit on the beach?"

I nodded, "Sure."

Instead of entering the house, we simply walked around it and down onto the shore. The moon appeared to be glowing as it sat above us, the stars dancing gracefully around it. Both of us sat down near the ocean, the waters lapping at our toes. I stared at the moon, "It's so beautiful." I mused quietly.

"I know the moon spirit—well, knew her," he was staring at it as well.

I looked affectionately at him out of the corner of my eye, "Because you're the Avatar?"

"Partly. She was princess of the Northern Water Tribe. Her name was Princess Yue; during the Seige of the North, Commander Zhao killed the moon spirit."

"What? How?" In the play, they showed Princess Yue—but the story was more than likely completely off.

"The moon spirit—Tui, and its partner, La, are in mortal form. They're fish. He killed Tui, and to save her, Yue sacraficed herself. So, basically she's the moon spirit now." Aang leaned forward a bit, running his fingers through the sand.

I was in awe, "Wow. I heard Sokka saying before that his first girlfriend was Yue—and that she turned into the moon, but I didn't know the whole story." I admitted.

Aang laughed quietly, "Yeah, he was head-over-heels in love with her."

"Poor Sokka," I frowned, feeling sympathy for the older boy.

"Katara told me that Olin is engaged?" He subtly changed the subject, looking at me curiously.

I nodded, "Yes, her name is Siera." I replied, then added, "Apparently she's a nonbender and from the Fire Nation."

"Oh. He must miss her."

"He does. He writes to her almost every day."

Aang subconsiously nodded, breathing out deeply. Something seemed to be on his mind as a long moment of silence laid over us.

I nudged him, catching his attention as he snapped out of his trance, "Whatcha thinking about?" I wondered.

"Hm? Oh, nothing, really." The Avatar swallowed, shaking his head back and forth.

I raised an eyebrow, "Right." I stated sarcastically.

He smiled briefly, "Just thinking about the future."

"The future?"

Aang lowered his eyes, "Like if we'd ever get married, or have kids...and stuff..." he trailed off nervously.

Marry? Have kids? I've never truely thought seriously about the future—well, except for the ending of the war, and other topics. But marrying Aang? Of course I'd love to. But then again, it was so far, and would we really win this war? Is it safe to be thinking about this stuff when we're only still young, while a deathly war is going on right around us? "The future is far away," I murmured, instead of saying what I really wanted to.

"I guess so—but would you ever...marry me?" His cheeks heated up and he didn't look at me, instead ducking his head to hide his blush.

I drew my fingers across the sand absently, "I..."

"Wait, don't answer that. Not yet, anyways." Aang breathed in deeply and turned to me, his gray eyes very determinded. "I've been meaning to tell you something."

I nodded slowly, mildly confused. "Okay, what is it?"

He breathed out, "I really like you. I wanted to tell you that before—but I just figured you already knew that, because of all our...kisses," he smiled at the word, "When we were staying at the cave and I told you that I didn't like you, well, that was false, completely, but you know that. But I guess what I'm trying to say is...I-I...I love you."

I felt my body go numb as I forced myself to look at him. Thoughts raced through my mind and I couldn't think of what to say. Did I love him? Does it mean you love someone if you think about them every day, all day? Is love when you feel like you're drunk off his kisses, even the mere thought of them and him? I had so many questions, but I believed I knew the answers. "Aang...I..." but I stopped. I can't be thinking about this. If the war ends—if! I can't love him any more than I do...what if Ba Sing Se happens all over again? What if I loose him for good? It isn't safe—don't promise him things that can easily be lost by a simple strike of lightening. I swallowed, feeling dizzy and unsure, my mouth going dry.

It was then I realized that Aang was staring at me, a look of hurt and sadness on his face, his eyes glistening, "You...you don't love me, do you?" he murmured, he shoulders shaking, almost unvisible. The look on his face was heartbreaking.

"Aang—wait!" I lurched forward, but he was gone, running back towards the house. I stood up, watching him go, my heart dropping as all I could see in my mind was the heartbroken look on his face.

Don't promise him things that can easily be lost.

The thought suddenly reacurred, and I shook my head.

Sometimes you need to take risks.

AN: Hello readers! I'm not sure if I liked the way the chapter turned out—yet I certainly wanted to do the Ember Island Players, but I didn't want to literally rewrite the whole episode. So apologizes if everything seems a bit unclear. I'm kind of weary on the ending of the chapter, but it's part of my plot lol so it must be done. I was thinking about doing a chapter based on the episde "The Southern Raiders", to try and fit some Zutara, but I've decided against it. Are you fans cool with Zutara? One reviewer suggested making some OCs for Katara and Zuko, but I'm a bit unsure about that one. I sometimes hate making up so many OCs, I don't want you guys to get lost!

Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and ideas for the sequel's name! :) You guys are the best!

Until next time!