Chapter 16

Five years passed almost in a blur. Aang saw his daughter age up into a beautiful young woman, his oldest son into a fine warrior; his youngest was a bright and studious child who absorbed all of his teachings like a sponge. It was enough to make any father burst with pride.

Sitting down at the table for dinner was always a happy affair for the young family. There was so much to talk about and so much to hear. Aang always welcomed the opinions of his wife and children on the affairs of republic city and today was no different. Aang rushed in to dinner quite at the last minute and kissed Katara before sitting down. With a wave of his hand he was able to push Bumi, who was about to put something questionable in his younger brothers soup, back over to his seat; simultaneously catching the attention of his other two children.

Tenzin scowled deeply when he noticed the antics of his brother, causing Kya to laugh heartily,

"oh don't be so serious, little Tenzin," she said with a wink, "I'm sure we can come up with a much more worthwhile prank when he least expects it."

This caused Tenzin to smile slightly, and Katara to shake her head.

"Sometimes I'm just not sure how you three are related to me at all," she said with a weak smile.

Aang chuckled at this and added, "well it certainly wasn't from me…as the avatar I can hardly condone such silly behavior."

All three of his children stopped and looked at him quizzically and he added, "by the way, I have heard a few complaints of fruit pies landing on the heads of acolytes at the most inopportune moments…I assured everyone that I had no idea how this was happening, of course. Still I thought I should bring it to your attention," then more seriously he added, "You know, just because I've had to be away a bit more than usual lately doesn't mean you should act any differently…"

Tenzin squirmed guiltily in his seat.

"Tenzin? Is there something you want to say?" Katara queried knowingly.

He shook his head at first, then seeming to squirm even more under the pressure burst forth with plenty of information, "Bumi made me do it, Kya made the pies, the ones father showed us that he and Monk Gyatso would make…you know the ones. And well…I'm very sorry," he said standing to emphasize his contrition, "I know I've disappointed you both."

Katara could just barely hear Bumi whisper to Kya, something about being the brother to the most over holy five year old on the planet.

She and Aang both smiled at each other, and Aang said, "I would only ask you to be ashamed if the pies weren't up to par, as it is, I heard they were wonderful. I only ask that you keep the antics to a minimum."

"Father," said Kya slowly, "where have you been lately? It seems like it's been ages since we last saw you."

"I know Kya, and I'm sorry. It's never my intention to leave for such long days," he said with a sideways glance at Katara, "there has been a disturbance in the city, something your mother has worked very hard to eradicate. A criminal named Yakone has been blood bending his victims to get what he wants. Toph has been unable to pin anything on him in the courts…very difficult to prove…I've been trying to help bring him to justice but every time we think we have him he slips through our fingers."

"Well why can't Uncle Sokka just force them to convict him," Bumi added thoughfully.

"We don't operate on a system in Republic City that allows one man on the council to have more power than another. Although Sokka is the speaker, he cannot impose his will on other members who disagree…this is part of the balances that I've been trying to teach you about Bumi…we cannot have peace if we have to rely on just one man's way of thinking. That's not what this city was built for."

"Other places operate with a king and do just fine, look at the fire lord, look at the earth king!" Bumi replied emphatically.

Aang sighed, he had gone around and around with his son about this ever since he had learned what a kingdom was it seemed.

Kya looked disapprovingly at her younger brother, "Yes, but did you not listen to a word he just said, Bumi? Father created Republic City as a refuge from that protocol. A place of freedom- of speech and freedom to elect council members to represent us. You cannot have true peace when one man makes decisions for many- especially when different nations are involved."

"Exactly," added Aang, "my sole purpose as Avatar is to create balance in this world. Luckily for the people in their distinct nations, balance has been more or less achieved, however, in places like Republic City, where many people are unable or unwilling to classify themselves as just one nation we have to implement different rules. It would not do for only a water tribe man or woman to lead mixed nation, for example, because there are different things that we all hold dear."

"You just don't understand, father. All of your problems would just go away if you would just allow someone more power!" said Bumi slamming his fist on the table and storming out of the room.

Aang sighed and rubbed his temple, and Katara put a hand on his back.

"Kya, Tenzin, would you mind cleaning this bit up for me?" asked Katara.

They both nodded their assent, Tenzin looking a little confused at what had just happened.

"And then Kya, go talk with Bumi, tell him it's okay to have a different opinion, but that he needs to deliver it calmly, he listens to you," she added with a smile, she then kissed her daughters beautiful dark hair and swooped in to tickle her young son, causing him to go into fits of laughter, and as only the youth can do, completely forget his anxiety over the past conversation.

The children set to work after giving their father a hug.

Katara lifted Aangs chin and smiled at him, "come here, sweetie. I think you need a minute to relax, maybe a healing session to work out the frustrations?"

He nodded, amazed yet again at how well she knew him, and allowed her to lead him from the room.

When they reached their room he disrobed and sat on his knees in front of the bed, hands in fists on his thighs. Katara kneeled behind him and began to work out the tensions in his shoulders and back, especially in the large pink scar that marred his skin.

"Hmm, Aang, there's quite a bit of tension here, more than usual I mean, are you sure everything's alright?" she asked him, stopping to turn his chin up towards her.

He relaxed and laid his head into her chest.

"I haven't had to face anyone like this in quite a while Katara, and for some reason, although I know I can handle it I just feel- well, older."

Katara tried to laugh at this, but only managed a small sad smile.

"Aang you're 36 years old…I'm two years older and I certainly don't feel old…"

"Well technically 136 years old, sweetie, and I'm starting to feel it," he said examining his biceps.

She turned him swiftly to face her and looked into his eyes.

"Aang you are as strong as ever, you're just frustrated with this situation. Don't be silly," she said, but she could barely contain the worry in her eyes. What if there is some truth to this, she thought, it could very well be that he ages faster…but no, she hadn't noticed anything other than natural deterioration, sure he was not 21 years old anymore, but that didn't make him weaker- or out of shape. She examined more closely the deep grey eyes of the avatar, his face had gained some well earned wrinkles around the eyes, from smiling so much no doubt, and in the forehead, from worry, his beard covered the lower half of his face so that was harder to examine- but there was no grey in it, not a fleck, and he was every bit the handsome man she fell in love with. Her arms slid around his shoulders and down his arms to grasp his hands.

"You need to let this worry go, you'll never fulfill your potential if you hold on," she said.

He smiled to himself, looking down. She was right of course. It does not do to dwell on such things.

"You're right, sweetie," he started and then sighed excessively, "but Bumi-"

"Ah- Aang I'm afraid you'll need to let that go too…your son, crazy as he might be…is more suited to follow a kings rule, he needs quick decisions not the long drawn out procedures of the council. Luckily for you, you have two other children who think almost exactly like their father. They're all so dear…we've been so blessed by them Aang," she said, trying to impress upon him just how lucky they were to have 3 intelligent and autonomous children.

"No…Katara, I'm lucky to have you," he said, squeezing her hand, "to remind me just how important it is to have different opinions, maybe Bumi and I aren't so far apart on our thinking."

"Well, if this is the only issue we face with our teenagers Aang, I think we'll be very fortunate indeed," she said laughing.

"I agree…and to think we've only just begun with them," he said with a fake scowl.

She chuckled and kissed his head, "get some rest Aang. I'll go check on them- send Bumi to talk to you- oh, and Toph stopped by earlier today, said to stay out of her investigation with Yakone."

"Yeah, right," mumbled Aang.

"What, dear?"

"Uh…nothing. Okay, I think I will get some rest," he said hurriedly and laid himself down in their bed, trying to think of a way to get around the all-seeing Toph.