Greetings, avid readers!

I'd like to start with thanking all the reads, favs and follows in this story. Even if silent, your support means a lot. As for the ones that took their time to write a review, thank you as well!

Something in me today told me "Go check ya damn schedule", and I did and it was posting day! Thank you brain! I'd like to take a moment to thank all the people that have favorited and followed the story, your support and enjoyment means the world to me. I'm fucking pissed off but luckily for this story I had already written the chapter, so no one is getting killed off to satisfy my bloodlust.

My weekly obsession is... My new boots. Yes, I'm a girly girl. They are cute, amazing, and were cheap af. Baby is growing strong and gorgeous, and I just love her to death. I have not given up on Ms. LiAnne Kay, and I am now patiently waiting for the 3rd book to come out. I don't have much to say other than someone needs to hide my knives or there won't be another chapter.

Brain Fart, love you too!

Dommie, baby, you know that, at the end of the day, you won't burn like my books will, and there's not enough space in the urn for you and me. And also because I'm pretty sure that, if I ever get murdered it's between you and my mother.

This is my first try at a Avatar fanfiction. Go easy on me. Reviews and flames are always welcomed, for they keep my cat and I warm at night.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar nor any of the characters. Such credit should go to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. I do own a... certain amount of characters that will be recognized further into the story.

Thank you, and enjoy the chapter!

Chapter XIX: The Hidden Story

X—X

It was late in the morning when Toph finally got up from bed and got dressed, leaving to join her friends. They were all in the dining area from what she could feel. Well, not all, Ahria was not there, and Katara was arriving as well. She followed their heartbeats and soon found herself being greeted by a number of voices.

"Good morning Toph!" Suki exclaimed.

"Nice of you to grace us with your presence," Zuko smirked.

"Yeah, yeah, Sparkles." Toph sat down at the table. "Don't you have meetings to attend to today?"

"Well, today is a rather free day, so I have some time to spend with you." he frowned. "Let's not jinx that."

"Yeah, let's." Sokka raised a glass. "To another day in the Fire Nation Capital!"

They all cheered and ate, but Toph was somewhat worried. She could tell the little skipper was not at the table with them, nor was she anywhere near their vicinities. She pressed a toe to the floor and frowned, looking to the side. There was something faint, something in the back of her mind, almost as if someone was trying to mask it.

"Toph, you okay there?" Katara asked.

"Have you seen Skipper?"

"I haven't seen her all morning. Maybe she's still sleeping?" Aang suggested. "Katara told me the two of them were sparring until late hours last night."

"No, she's not. She's nowhere near her room." she licked her lips. "I didn't feel her when I woke up."

"Can you feel her now?" Suki frowned.

"...yeah." she nodded slowly. "But it's not possible."

"Why not?"

"Because she's supposed to be in a lower part of the palace. Like... underground."

Zuko stood up and everyone followed suit. Toph guided them through the halls, down a hidden staircase, and through an area of the palace they had never before. The firebender was quick to explain to them that the area was built during the war, as a safe place to run to if the palace was ever stormed. Both Toph and Zuko led them, and when they finally stopped in front of a heavy metal door, Toph nodded.

Zuko pulled the door open and gasped. The room they were trying to enter was blocked. A grey barrier of sorts was blocking the door, and they heard loud winds blowing, but could not feel the air current. He stepped forward and tried to walk through it, but hissed in pain and immediately pulled back. Katara was at his side in a heartbeat and grabbed his hand.

She gasped. His hand had cold burns and gashes as if he had dipped it inside a hurricane. Katara was quick to pull some water and coat his skin in it, focusing on healing his wounds. He groaned but soon relaxed, the pain fading away into nothingness with every stroke of her healing water. Once she was done, everyone turned to the wind barrier once more.

"What the hell is this place?" Suki frowned.

"...it's where my father kept his most dangerous prisoners."

There were gasps all around. Suki let herself be wrapped by Sokka's arms, Toph shuffled on her feet, and Katara tugged Zuko's hand closer to her. No one knew what to do, but they knew they needed to get through. Toph confirmed that Ahria was on the other side of the barrier, but since they could not simply cross it, they were unsure of how to proceed.

But only one of them moved.

Aang stepped forward and took a deep breath. He ignored the cries of his friends, telling him not to touch it. But he simply ignored them and raised his hand. He pressed his palm against the wind barrier. The second he touched it, the barrier opened up a hole just big enough for Aang to walk through. Everyone exclaimed, but he raised a hand and shook his head.

"...go." Toph let out.

Aang pushed through the wind barrier and stepped out on the other side. He looked around, finding a dirty, dark dungeon with four holding cells and a disgusting smell of old copper and humidity. His shoulders dropped when he saw Ahria, standing in the room, down to her corset and pants, barefoot. He stepped closer to her.

Her eyes were fixated on the small holding cell in the corner. Aang noticed one of the bars on the door was bent, the little corner next to the far wall was darker and stained with something Aang was sure he did not want to know what, and the chain holder on the wall had been ripped off, leaving a gaping hole in the rock.

"All I knew for a year was the inside of that tiny cell," she whispered. "All the pain. In the darkness, and that disgusting humidity scent... and that man's voice."

"I'm so sorry, Ahria."

"The interesting thing..." she let out, cocking her head to the side. "There were times I thought I was going to die. But he... he always let me heal."

"Heal?"

"Yeah. When he knew I was almost gone, he stopped, and he let me heal... just enough to be out of death's doors. And it would start all over again."

"You weren't a prisoner, Ahria..." Aang gulped. "You were tortured."

"I remember most of it. But... I don't, at the same time. I was really good at meditation, so I found a way to just... escape while being trapped. I remember what he did, but I don't remember most of the hunger, most of the pain."

"That's okay... You were lucky to have survived." Aang frowned. "Did he hurt you because he knew you were an airbender?"

"No. I kept my bending a secret. It's a trick they teach all scouts at the school, how to... mask and isolate your chi." she nodded. "No, he... he wanted to know how I got past his guards. I just did, they let me through because I said I wanted to see the festival."

"How did you escape?"

"One night, that wall exploded." she pointed to the wall next to her cell. "I heard fighting, a guy and a girl, and I saw lightning. I didn't question it, I just ran."

"You're okay now."

He gently took her wrist and pulled her closer. He wrapped one arm around her shoulder and held her tight. At first, her breath hitched, but it was not long before she collapsed against him, heartbreaking sobs echoing through the stone walls. She fisted the back of his robe and Aang leaned down, encasing her in his arms.

Katara looked up to see the wind barrier collapse, but the image broke her heart. Aang stood there, arms tightly wrapped around a sobbing Ahria. Her hold on him was similar, strong, and unwavering. Suki sighed in relief, Sokka bit his lip and Toph relaxed, but Katara realized they had reached the end. She recognized the hold Aang had on her.

It was the hold of someone who was not ready to let go.

–X–

"Hey."

Aang looked back to see Katara step out to the balcony. He nodded and turned back to the dark horizon. She moved to stand next to him, leaning on the stone railing, and took a deep breath. After Ahria had collapsed the wind barrier, Aang had taken some time to realize they were free. But when he did, he picked the sobbing girl up and walked past them, the two disappearing for the entire afternoon.

"Hey, Katara."

"I gather you were with her?" Aang nodded. "How is she?"

"Shaken up." he declared. "She's been through a lot."

"... was she just a prisoner?"

"...no." he gulped.

"I'm sorry, Aang."

"She's healing." he shook his head. "That's all that matters now."

"...I think we need to talk." she declared.

"...yeah. We do." He took a deep breath.

"Aang."

"No, it's fine. We've been delaying it enough." he shook his head.

"I would never betray you. But... I don't feel like myself anymore around you." Katara declared. "I know that is not your intention, but..."

"You were never mine to begin with, Katara." he smiled sadly. "And I'm sorry it got to this point."

"It's not your fault. We just... the heart wants what the heart wants." she placed a hand on his arm.

"...it's him, isn't it?"

"...yes." she gulped.

"Does he make you happy?"

"Yes." she gulped. "I mean, we did get into a fight, but that's normal for us."

"...yeah." he chuckled. "Promise me you'll be happy."

"Promise me you'll do the same."

"I will try to find someone."

"Aang..." Katara smiled. "You already found her. And it's okay. I know she makes you happy."

"She doesn't..."

"She does. Trust me." she smiled.

"Still friends?" he tried.

"Oh, you're not getting away that easily, Avatar," she smirked. "I'm still your Waterbender Master."

He chuckled and beamed. "You'll always be my favorite Master."

"What do you want to do?"

"Other than being an Ambassador, Zuko wants to open a healing clinic in the city to help his people. He asked me to lead it."

"...you've always wanted to heal." he nodded. "You'll come back here once we're through with the Air Dome?"

"That's the plan." she grinned. "You?"

"Reestablish the Air Nomads. The Temples... and see where life takes me."

"I'm glad. You deserve it."

"Thank you, Katara... you too."

A/N: There will be Zutara soon. I can promise you that. I got to the point of no return where I can't drop the story... but still. Keep in mind, I'll keep this story up or drop it depending on your feedback.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to review if you want, or if you don't, I hope you liked it!

First to review gets a cookie!

Lots of love from this weirdo,

LoneeWolf :)