Notes: Sorry that this one is a bit late (if anyone even cares). Uni recently started again so I'll take that as my excuse. But seriously, I also thought that I could take a week off between chapters and then this one ended up becoming longer than I thought it would. I still hope to be able get another chapter out in November but it might not work. Good news is that December had 3 weeks break so I might be able to write more then if I don't have too much course work to do.
Anyway, without further ado, hope you enjoy.
Azula breathed out and opened her eyes as she heard the door to her room creak. For a moment, the candles seemed to be as bright as the sun before everything dimmed again, the only other light source being the already setting sun shining weakly through two small portholes.
"What is it Uncle" she said as she took the small candle snuffer and extinguished her sticks of incense. "I hope whatever was so important for you tell me immediately will be worth interrupting my meditation." Azula rose to her feet and turned around. "Any news on the location of the Avatar?"
"I'm sorry, Princess. We have no idea where he is." He did not sound the least bit concerned about that fact.
The candles behind her went out. "So you decided to interrupt my daily meditation routine to tell me the news that there are no news." Her eyes narrowed. "You disturbed me for nothing." Azula took a deep breath and clenched her fists. "What are these incompetent fools doing. How hard can it be to spot a giant bison in the open sky. We even know roughly where the Avatar is going. I hope for your sake that they are not withholding information from me."
"The ocean is vast, Princess Azula. Even large objects may appear small and are hard to see." Iroh fully stepped inside the room and closed the heavy metal door. "But that is not why I am here. You have been on edge since our stay at Whale Tail Island. More so than usual." Iroh looked at her with pity. Her sharpened nails dug into her palms. "You should take better care of yourself. Take some time to relax once in a while. The crew an I are about eat supper and afterwards we will play Pai Sho. Would you care to join us."
Azula looked at the ground in front of her. "I don't need your silly games, Uncle. And I would have had my time to relax right now, had you not interrupted." Her gaze turned back to Iroh. "I have heard the way they address you when they think I'm not listening. The way they speak to you is far too casual. You should take better control of your crew before they lose their respect for the royal family, which, whether you like it or not, you are still a part of."
"Once you spend this much time with a group of people on a space as small as a ship you naturally become more friendly with them. Upholding those rigid formalities becomes exhausting after a time. Especially once you get as old as me." Iroh laughed at the last part but calmed again quickly. He cleared his throat. "Do you regret not taking Zhao's offer to help you capture the Avatar."
"No." Azula's scar tingled. "That bastard would have just found a way to undermine me and steal the credit once the Avatar is in custody. Now that Zhang is married to the Yuan family he is set to inherit most of their land. Zhao being allowed to capture the Avatar in addition to that would create a political nightmare for father."
Iroh smiled and nodded. It seemed that he agreed with her answer.
"Now go and play your games." Azula turned away from him and sat back down, her legs crossed. "And don't interrupt me again unless you have news about the Avatar." With the flick of her wrist the candles started to burn again and fragrant smoke rose from her incense stick. Azula closed her eyes and evened her breathing. She heard the door open and close behind her.
"We've been in the air for so long. There is nothing but water for miles in all directions." Sokka sighed behind Aang. "How do you even know where we're going"
"Of course there's a lot of water Sokka, it's the ocean." Aang laughed. "And don't worry. According to the map we should be able to see the place any minute now."
Katara leaned over the saddle rim, causing Momo to jump from Aang's back to hers. "Where are we even going? Shouldn't we be heading straight to the north pole to find us a Master?"
Aang wagged his finger. "But Katara, where would be the fun in that?" Aang said and Momo chirped in agreement. "The place I want to show you is basically on the way so it's only a slight detour."
"And what are we going to do there?" Katara asked.
"You'll see when we get there. I can already see it. It's not going to be much longer." Aang pointed at a small, forested island that gradually came into few on the horizon.
It took another 15 minutes before they reached the island. Aang brought them down on a beach in a small bay, surrounded by a forest of pine trees. This far north snow hadn't yet covered the ground at this time of year. A fresh breezed brushed over them but it was no longer cold enough for Sokka and Katara to wear their thick Parkas. The water in the bay was clear and relatively calm.
A giant, mostly white and orange fish broke the surface, followed by several others.
"Wow, what are those?" Sokka said.
"They are called elephant koi. Beautiful, aren't they?" Aang smiled as he looked at Sokka and Katara's shocked, open-mouthed faces. "They're also why were here. I've never been to this island, only ever flew past it, but monk Gyatso told me that this is a really good spot to ride elephant koi and that's exactly what we'll do?"
"Uh-uh. No chance I'm getting on that. I've been on the back of an animal for long enough now. I want to have some solid ground under my feet for a change. No offence Appa." Appa grunted at Sokka.
Aang turned to Katara, trying to give her his most hopeful expression. "I'm sorry Aang but I'm with Sokka. Besides, it's almost winterThe Water is probably going to be freezing cold. Maybe another time."
Aang frowned and hung his head for a second but snap right back up. "Well, your loss. I guess I'll just have to do it on my own."
"Are you sure this is safe?"
"It's fine, Katara. I've done this dozens of times before" Aang stripped to his underwear and smiled to himself as Katara blushed and frantically turned away.
Aang stuck a toe in the water. It really was ice cold so he bended a thicker layer of warm air around himself. Jumping in and swimming out. His legs created a strong blast of air, propelling him forward.
"Damn it." He heard Sokka yell behind him. He looked back over his shoulder. Sokka, who had been directly behind him, was soaked from head to toe. Momo jumped on his shoulder and tried to lick some of the water from Sokka's head but started coughing because of the salt. Sokka shivered. "It's so cold"
Aang swam up to a large koi. It's scales were mostly white, with a spot of black on it's head and some red and orange streaks running along it's length. Aang jumped out of the water and onto it's back. The moment he grabbed it's dorsal fin the Koi dashed off.
It dove. Aang squeezed his eyes shut, gripping the fish tighter. Saltwater shot into his nostrils for a split second before he blew air out from his nose. The speed kept him from maintaining his layer of air so cold water soaked his body.
The fish went downward for only a few seconds before swimming back up. It broke the surface and jumped, soaring through the air before splashing back down onto the surface but not diving again. Aang used the time to dry his clothes.
"Hey Katara. You regretting staying on the shore yet? It's a lot of fun." Aang looked back towards the shore with a wide smile. Katara was turned with her back towards him, yelling at Appa as the Bison was chewing on a tree branch. Aang's expression fell.
Aang raised his gaze again. Sokka was yelling something and waving. He turned and yelled something at Katara who also started to wave at Aang. "You guys want to ride the Koi too?" Aang waved back. He couldn't hear them over sound of rushing water but Aang could make his voice carry further.
The Koi picked up speed again. Aang's hand almost slipped as it started to zigzag. Then, in an instant, it stopped. Aang was flung off. He flew through the air. He rotated, using his arms to stabilize. He landed in the water, feet first.
He surfaced again and looked back. The koi was gone. So was the rest of the school. A large shadow formed in the water ahead of him where the had been thrown of the Koi's back. The shadow grew, coming closer and closer.
The water rose, a large head breaking through. It stretched further and further into the air, rising at least 40 feet before it stopped. The serpentine creature stared down at him with yellow eyes. Whiskers hung from beside it's giant, sharp toothed maw.
Aang pushed himself up and back. The serpent lunged at him. Aang threw his arms out, whipping it in the face with a blast of air. The recoil turn him around and shot him towards the shore. He ran. Aang's feet never touched the water long enough to break the surface tension.
Aang became to fast to break on his own. When he reached the shore, Appa moved into his way and Aang crashed into his friends soft fur. Panting Aang collapsed onto his back.
"Are you alright Aang? This was really dangerous." Katara threw his clothes on top of his chest. She was no longer blushing, only looking at him like a worried mother chiding her child. Or maybe a sister to a younger brother.
Aang pushed himself to his feet with air and slipped on his shirt with a grin. "It may have been a bit dangerous but it was also really fun." He slipped into his pants.
"This place really isn't safe." Momo jumped from Sokka's back to Aang's. "I think we should leave as soon as …"
A green blur fell from the sky behind Sokka, who slumped to the ground. Aang had no chance to react before his own world went black.
When he opened his eyes again the world stayed dark. He felt a piece of cloth wrapped around his head. A dull throbbing pain radiated through the back of his head. His hands were tied with rough rope, chafing against the skin of his wrists and his back was pressed against a wooden pole.
He felt something stir next to him. A low groan.
"Is that you Sokka? Are you alright?"
Before a reaction could come the blindfold was removed. Aang squinted, the bright daylight stinging his eyes, making him tear up. As his eyes adjusted, he could see a crowd standing in front of them. A group of women, dressed in fine, green robes, intricately designed and ornamented with trim of darker green and gold, and their bodies with a lamellar tunic that ended in a sort of split skirt. On their heads they wore green bands with simple golden plates on the forehead, each shaped uniquely. Only the headband of the woman holding three blind folds was larger.
They also wore make-up that looked very familiar to him. He just couldn't quite place where he'd seen it before.
The rest of the people wore simple clothing, mostly tunics and sandals, except one older man whose clothes were of visibly finer make.
"Who are you?" Sokka struggled against the rope. "Where are the men who ambushed us?"
"There were no men." The woman with the bigger headband said. "We ambushed you. Now we will be asking the questions. Answer honestly or we will throw you back to the Unagi."
Sokka snorted. "Oh, come on. There is no way a bunch of girls took us down"
The woman with the headband glared at Sokka. She pulled out a piece of metal and made a step towards him.
"Don't listen to him." Katara said. "My brother doesn't mean anything by it. He's just an idiot. Please forgive him."
The older man in the finer clothes stepped forward. "We should be the ones to ask who you are after you come to our island uninvited."
"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to trespass," Aang said. "I just wanted to ride Elephant Koi. I did that so now we'll leave you alone."
The old man furrowed his brow and stroked his beard. "How do I know that you are not Fire Nation Spies. Kyoshi Island has stayed out of this war until now and we intend to keep it that way."
Something in Aang's mind clicked. "Kyoshi? I know Kyoshi."
"That's ridiculous." The woman said. "Kyoshi has been dead for almost two centuries and you are younger than me."
"I know her" Aang took a breath. "Because I am the Avatar."
"The last Avatar was an Airbender who died 100 years ago and there hasn't been any indication that he reincarnated." The woman turned around. "Girls, throw them to the Unagi." The other woman nodded.
"Aang." Katara said through her teeth. "Maybe it's time to show them your Airbending tricks."
Aang grinned and crouched down. The woman stopped in their tracks. Aang jumped, boosting himself 30 feet into the air and ripping the rope around his wrists. He reached up to the head of a statue that was on top of the wooden pole they had been tied up on. The statue wore the same clothes and make-up as the women. He slowed his fall and landed softly.
For a second, the crowd stunned silent before a wild cheer erupted. Some even seemed to faint. The town chief bowed his head deeply. "I am very sorry, Avatar. We didn't know."
Aang smiled and pat the man on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it."
The man smiled gratefully. "We should go inside. I will prepare a room for you and your friends at my house."
A cool sea breeze swept over them as they stepped out of the village chiefs home on top of the hill. They had slept in, so the people were already up and about, going about their day. Men were hauling fish and lumber, women carried jugs of water or cloth and children were running around playing.
They moved down toward the square with the statue where the village split off into three directions. Straight ahead was the main village with houses standing along the path leading towards the bay they had come in. To the left was a market with stalls running all the way down to a small dock for the fishing and trading boats and to the right was a long, thin path leading off towards a single house that stood at the edge of the forest that covered most of the island.
"What are your plans for the day?" Katara turned towards them.
"Suki invited me yesterday to join the Kyoshi Warriors training."
"I'm going to join in on that too. They ambushed us yesterday but I'll show them who the better warrior is." Sokka said with a huff and stomped off.
Katara sighed and shook her head. She looked at Aang and smiled. "Make sure he doesn't hurt himself too badly, ok? I'll go buy some supplies while you're training."
Aang nodded. "Hey, Avatar Aang?" A group of local girls, maybe slightly younger than Aang, huddled together a few feet away. They whispered to each other. Aang smiled and waved at them. The girls blushed and one girl was pushed forward. "So, uhm, we were wondering if you'd want to spend some time with us?" She looked down, red as a tomato and twiddled with her thumbs.
"I'm sorry girls. I have to go training with the Kyoshi Warriors now. But I'll definitely make time for you guys in the afternoon." The girls all smiled and ran off squeeing. Aang chuckled to himself.
"It's nice to finally see you happy about being the Avatar for once but make sure you don't let the attention get to your head."
"Oh, come on Katara. That wouldn't happen. You know me. I'm just a humble monk." Aang patted her on the shoulder. "Anyway, I should really go before your brother can make an ass of himself without me seeing it happen." He waved her goodbye and headed for the dojo.
The house at the edge of the forest stood alone. It was perched atop short wooden stilts and stairs led to a narrow veranda and a small doorless entrance with a piece of cloth hanging in front of it. The house was large. Twice the size of the normal houses in the village. It also looked far more intricate than the usual simple facades.
Sokka hesitated. From inside he could hear the training. There was a thud and a short groan. Somebody had fallen. Or rather, they were knocked over. He heard the voice of the leader, Suki, call out instructions and then the sounds continued. They were sparring.
They probably did this every day. Training with each other. Ironing out each others flaws and perfecting their techniques.
Sokka sighed. He knew he was strong. He'd been trained by his father after all. Chief Hakoda, the strongest warrior of the south. It had been years since he last fought a real person.
Sokka walked up the steps and looked through the door. Inside, the girls were indeed sparring. Their moves were fluid, graceful, beautiful. Especially Suki's. She deflected an attack pushing the opponents outstretch arm to the side. Her heel hooked in behind her opponents leg. She pushed and the other girl fell on to the straw mat floor.
Suki bent down and helped the other girl to her feet. She gave some feedback and then she turned to watch some of the other matches. Her eyes met his.
"Oh, Sokka. Did you need anything?"
"Oh uhm … Yeah." Sokka shook himself out of his stupor. "Flying on the back of a Bison all day gets you a bit stir crazy. Not enough space for a good workout up there, you know?" Sokka stretched his arms. "Thought I'd join Aang and have a look at what your dance moves are all about."
"Oh, is that so?" Suki said, a smirk on her face. "But is there really something that a tough, manly man like you could learn from us girls."
Sokka cleared his throat nervously. "Nah. Don't you worry about that. It's true that I'm the strongest warrior in my village but joining you guys might at least make for a decent workout routine."
"The strongest warrior in your whole village you say. I sure hope our dance moves don't disappoint then."
"Sorry to make you guys wait." Aang said as he joined them in the room. "I had to clear up some stuff with Katara."
"It's no problem, Avatar Aang." Suki said and then she bowed deeply. The other warriors bowed with her. "It is an honor to be able to teach you the way of Kyoshi. Now, let's begin."
They arranged themselves in lines facing Suki and started going through the movements. They were unlike anything he had ever done with his father. The motions mixed fluid movements with swift jabs and kicks but never any decisive strikes. The rhythm threw him off. There was no way that this would help him win against an enemy in a real fight.
Sokka glanced at Aang. He had taken to the movements almost immediately. It didn't take long for his steps to be almost as graceful as Suki's.
After half an hour Suki stopped. "Remember. Avatar Kyoshi invented these techniques to defend the weak from being overpowered by the strong. The goal isn't to push through an opponent with force but to redirect their strength and using it against them. Light jabs and kicks to throw them of balance before knocking them on the ground." Suki looked at Sokka. "Would you like to try it out?"
"What do you mean."
Suki smirked. "I want to demonstrate what it would look like in a fight. We'll hold a little match and you try to knock me down. There is no way a big tough warrior like you would not be able to do that, right?"
Sokka swallowed. "Sure. If you insist." He loosened his shoulder. "I'll show you what I've got. Shouldn't be to much of a problem." Sokka raised his fists and Suki took out a folded metal fan.
"Right. Let's see if you can handle this." Sokka threw a right straight at Suki. She stretched out her arm. His shoulder caught the fan, the metal painfully digging into him under the collarbone. Sokka grunted.
"All right then. How about this." Sokka threw a left hook. Suki ducked out of the way. She grabbed his arm and tried to pin it but Sokka slipped out. His fist flew in a right hook. Suki pushed his fist to pass her head. She put her foot behind his heel from the inside and grabbed his collar. Sokka grabbed her arms and pushed them to the side. He rammed into her with his shoulder. Suki used the momentum to jump back.
Sokka stopped. If he charged, she'd just grab him again. He had longer arms. He'd just have to keep her at a distance. Suki moved in slowly. Whenever she came to close he jabbed at her.
Suki rushed in. She ducked the first fist. The second hit her in the shoulder. She winced. Sokka threw another hook. Suki pushed his arm away before jabbing at his face with the fan. Sokka flinched. Suki hooked her foot behind his heel. She grabbed his collar, lifted slightly and pushed back. Sokka fell. Some of the girls giggled.
Sokka ground his teeth and charged at Suki with a yell. His fist flew at her face. She grabbed his arm and threw him over her shoulder. Sokka landed flat on his back. The girls who giggled before started laughing. He balled his fists, fingernails biting into his palms. Sokka sat up and sighed. He pushed himself to his feet before slumping back down at the wall.
"Stop laughing. You should know better than that." Suki turned to the group with a glare and they immediately fell silent. Suki sighed. "Okay. Now the rest of you start sparing. Mayu, would you mind taking the Avatar as you partner?" The other girl nodded.
Sokka watched Aang fight. Aang moved easily. He had no problem keeping up with Mayu. Sometimes he won, sometimes she managed to knock him over.
Sokka's gaze fell on Suki who was standing by giving instructions. She turned towards him. Sokka flinched away before looking back. He expected her to regard him with scorn. Instead her beautiful smile was laden with kindness.
Sokka rose to his feet and left the room. He only got a few feet from the house when the crunch of hurried footsteps on gravel followed after him.
"Are you leaving already?"
Sokka turned around to find Suki, a worried look on her face. "Yeah. I don't really see the use in staying and it's not like I'm particularly wanted anyway."
Suki smiled awkwardly. "I'm sorry about them laughing." She said. She looked at him with a slight smile. "The Avatar sure picked up the techniques quick. I guess it helps that he is the reincarnation of the person who invented them." Suki laughed. "You know, Mayu actually used to be a lot better than me. Whenever we would spar she would beat me without even trying. It was frustrating but it made me want to beat her. So I trained my ass off. Although even now I lose slightly more often than I win." Her laugh turned into a slight sigh.
"If she is still better than you, why are you the leader." Sokka said before realizing how rude that could sound.
But Suki simply chuckled. "There is more to being a leader than being good in a one on one fight, you know." Suki shook her head with a smile. "But that's besides the point. You did really well for a first timer."
"Thanks" Sokka smiled self deprecatingly. "Guess the training at home has helped at least a bit."
Suki scratched her arm nervously. "I actually had a talk with your sister yesterday. She told me a lot about you and your home. I can't even imagine how hard it must have been for you, being forced to look after you whole village by yourself. If you want, we could talk a bit in the afternoon."
Sokka smiled softly. "You really are amazing, you know."
Sokka could see a soft shade of pink form on Suki's cheeks, even through her face paint. "What-? Where did that come from." Suki cleared her throat. "Do you want to come back inside and spar a bit more?"
"Thank you, but I think I want some time to just think." Suki nodded and Sokka left.
The sun had not yet risen and not even the moon shone through the porthole. A single candle illuminated her room casting a soft orange glow. She could feel it's warmth spread through her, regardless of how small the flame was.
Next to her on the table was a letter she had received. The seal, already broken, was made of pink wax instead of the normal red but it still carried the standard Fire Nation Insignia. The outside of the letter was covered in hearts and flowers. The contents had been somewhat outdated. Evidently it had taken some time for it to catch up to her at Whale Tail Island.
Azula scraped of the excess ink on the inkwell and put her brush to paper. Luckily, the water in the port they had anchored in to resupply was calm so she could write without issue. She drew the characters with measured, precise strokes, quite in contrast to Ty Lee's own careless and messy handwriting.
Once she finished she set down her brush and gave the letter a onceover. It didn't read like a status report anymore. Ty Lee had complained about that in many of her early letters. Really, she should have been satisfied to receive a reply at all. At first Azula had no intention of writing her back. But life on deck was boring and aside from her daily training she really had nothing better to do than humoring her friend for a bit.
Azula rolled up the piece of parchment. She took the candle and tilted it slightly. Slowly a drop formed.
The door to her room opened, molten wax spilled from the candle onto her hand before she set the candle back down. Azula closed her eyes, took a deep breath and peeled the wax off. A red mark was left on her skin where it had burned her. "For what purpose are you interrupting me this time, uncle?" Azula took the candle again and dripped some wax onto the paper before pushing the stamp carrying her personal insignia into it.
"I have good news, Princess Azula" Iroh calmly entered her room an closed the door being him. "On of the men just returned from the market and he has heard a rather interesting rumor."
"Spit it out already, uncle. I have not use for you attempts at suspense."
"You should learn to be more patient, Princess." Azula didn't respond. Iroh sighed. "Apparently, the Avatar is currently on Kyoshi Island. According to some merchants, the market was almost completely sold out because a feast is supposed to be held in his honor. Should I tell the men to fire the engine immediately."
"No, we'll wait for noon. We are still not fully stocked up. We can't afford to lose him should he escape us again on his flying monstrosity. If they are preparing a feast he'll likely stay there for a few days."
Iroh nodded. "Good. I will inform the crew to prepare." He opened the door and stepped out. "You should also get some rest, Azula. You'll need your full strength."
"Have a Messenger Hawk be sent to my room." She said before the door closed again.
Azula sat back down and put the rolled up paper into a thin tube which she attached to the bird which landed on her porthole. Then she went to sleep.
"Hey, Sokka." Aang said in surprise. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you all afternoon." Aang sat down at one of the large tables that had been set up in the middle of the village square, right in front of the statue of Kyoshi. All manner of food was set out, filling the air with the fragrant smell of spices, mixed in with saltiness carried in by a soft see breeze.
Ahead of the tables a large bonfire was set up, casting everything with an intense orange glow and filling the late fall night with warmth. A band was playing music and around the fire children and couples both young and old were dancing and laughing.
"I explored the island a bit and then I spent some time with Appa and Momo. I had a lot to think about." Sokka said, his expression sullen as he took a sip from his earthen cup. Then he looked up at Aang with a furrowed brow. "They seemed really lonely. You didn't come by once the entire afternoon. What have you been up to?"
Aang leaned back and took a sip from his own cup of leechee juice. "Oh, you know. The girls wanted to show me around a bit. We actually got someone to draw a group picture of us. It came out really well. I have to show you tomorrow." Aang laughed.
They sat in silence for a while. Every now and then Sokka took a bite out of a pig-chickens leg. He looked lost in thought.
The music slowed down. Some of the children who'd been jumping around complained before leaving. The couples started to slowly sway.
"Do you know where Katara is?"
"A boy from the village asked her to dance earlier." Sokka said.
There was a slight squeeze in his chest. "So, so." Aang nodded slowly before rising to his feet. "Well, I guess I'll have a look around, maybe talk to some people."
As he turned to leave but spotted Suki heading towards them. She was still in full make up and wearing an even more elaborate, more ceremonial version of her usual uniform. Another Kyoshi Warrior, Mayu, stood a couple paces behind her but only in her normal uniform.
"Katara told me you wanted to speak to me, Sokka." Suki said.
Sokka stood up and faced her directly. He took a deep breath and bowed deeply. "I wanted to apologize to you for the things I said and how I behaved towards you, both today and yesterday."
Suki's eyes widened slightly before catching herself. She sighed. "I should apologize to. I shouldn't have been so hard on you during training."
Sokka came up out of his bow and shook his head. "No. I deserved it for behaving like an ass." Sokka looked down at his feet and bit his lip. His head snapped back up as if he had made up his mind about something. He looked Suki deep in the eyes. Aang could have sworn that the white face paint on her cheeks became slightly pink. "Would you please teach me?" Suki took a step back as if hit in the chest. "I know this is a lot to ask of you and I'm probably not worthy but I want to learn from you."
Suki's face soften into a smile. "Outsiders aren't usually allowed to learn the techniques of the Kyoshi Warriors." She stroked her chin with a gloved hand as if mulling it over very hard. "I think, for a companion of the Avatar it should be ok to make an exception. But, you will have to follow our traditions. And I mean all of them."
Sokka grinned ear to ear. "Yes, of course. Thank you so much."
Suki turned to Mayu who was still standing a few meters away. The girl smiled and nodded giving Suki an encouraging thumbs up. Suki took a deep breath before turning back to Sokka. "So. Since this whole thing has been settled, would you like to dance with me?"
Aang could see Sokka's cheeks turn red. "Well. I guess. Sure. I'd love to." Sokka stammered.
"You guys have fun then." Aang chuckled. Sokka and Suki nodded before she grabbed his hand and they headed for the dancing area. Aang watched them leave before going that direction himself.
It took a bit to find Katara in the crowd of dancing pairs. She was slowly swaying back and forth together with a guy with long, straight hair, a soul patch and a long thing mustache. They weren't dancing quite as close to each other as many of the other couples but Aang still felt a slight squeeze in his chest.
"Hey, Katara. Wanna dance?" Aang said during a lull in the music.
Katara turned to the other boy. "Hey, I want to dance with Aang for a while. It was fun dancing with you though. I never really got to do this at home so thank you."
The boy looked at Aang and nodded reluctantly. "Sure, no problem." He smiles awkwardly. "Maybe we can dance again later. I'll go find some of my friends."
Katara turned to Aang and smiled. "Let's dance"
Aang grinned. The music picked up again. It was another slow song. Aang put his hands on Katara's hips and pulled her towards him but he kept a hands breadth distance. Aang started to move slowly, guiding Katara along.
"So …" Aang cleared his throat. "I haven't yet had the chance to talk to you the entire evening. How's the party been so far?"
"It's been fun. This is so different from anything we've had in the South Pole," Katara said." Sure we had celebrations but never anything this big. What have you been doing"
"Well, you know." Aang shrugged. "Just been talking to people here and there. That reminds me. I promised some of the girls that I would ride the Unagi tomorrow. Do you want to come watch?"
Katara flinched back and stopped dancing. "What. No, that's really dangerous. Don't try to ride that thing" Katara sighed. "Listen Aang. I'm happy that you finally seem to be more comfortable being the Avatar but we can't stay here for to long. We really should leave soon."
"But I don't want to leave yet. I like it here" Aang said. He smirked. "I get it. Your jealous that I'm spending so much time with other girl and not you. Don't worry. I promise to make some time for you tomorrow in the afternoon."
"You think I'm jealous?" Katara took a step back from Aang. "Aang, have you forgotten that there is a War going on right now and there is people after us to capture you?" Katara turned around and started walking. "I'm going to get something to eat."
Aang watched as Katara stormed off. 'Why the hell did I say that? I'm such a moron' he thought. Off to the side he spotted Sokka and Suki. Suki had a kind smile on her face as she was guiding Sokka through some basic steps. Sokka stumbled a bit but caught himself quickly. There was a huge grin on his face.
If he hadn't insulated himself with a layer of air he would have turned into a popsicle by now. The weather had cooled down significantly over night and he had been in the water for half an hour already waiting for the Unagi. By now his teeth were clacking.
"Ugh. This is boring. Where is the Unagi." One of the girls who he had hung out with the day before said. "I don't think it's going to show up. I'm cold. I'm going home, Aang."
"Come on girls. I'm sure it's going to show up any minute now." Aang said but the girls just shrugged and left. Aang's lips tasted salt as he let his head hang. This was not worth the attention.
As the girls left Katara stepped out of the forest. Aang straightened up with a smile. "Katara! You came?"
"Yeah." Katara said. "I was worried. I had to check up on you."
Aang's smile disappeared again. "About what I said yesterday. I really did let all that attention go to my head." Aang said dejectedly. "I'm sorry I acted like such a jerk."
Katara smirked at him. "I accept your apology." She giggled. "Now come out of the water before you catch a cold you big jerk."
As he was about to swim a wave pushed him forward and a shadow formed over his head. Aang turned around. The giant head of the Unagi loomed over him, looking directly at him. The creature screamed and shot a torrent of water from it's mouth. The pressure pushed him under water. He pushed himself to the surface and then backwards. The Unagi's head slammed into the water where he had just been. The force of the wave pushed him up through the air. Aang crashed back into the water at a shallower part. His head hit the ground.
Aang awoke to his shoulders being shaken violently. He was lying on his back. There was an intense salty taste in his mouth and a stinging in his nose. When he opened his eyes he found Katara with a panicked look on her face.
"Aang. Thank the spirits your awake." She said and hugged him. "We need to get back to the village, fast."
Aang sat up. "Wait, Katara. Calm down." Aang said. "What is going on."
Katara got to her feet and then helped Aang stand as well. "It's Azula." She said. "She found us. We need to warn the village."
Aang's eyes widened and he jumped up. "What?!" He grunted as a stinging pain pieced his chest.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry." Aang ground his teeth and picked up his staff and then Katara. "We need to hurry. Hang on tight."
Aang hurried through the forest up to the village ducking through the branches as best he could. The people in the village were still going about their days, some doing various chores, some on lunch break.
Aang sat Katara down. "Hey, everyone," he yelled, amplifying his voice with Airbending. "A Fire Navy ship is in the Bay. Please hide in the chiefs house."
Aang walked up the slight incline towards the village square. People were rushing past him, trying to get to safety. The village chief ran up to him, looking panicked.
"What's going on?"
"The village is being attacked. It's only one ship but the girl who's commanding it is very strong," Aang said. "Get Sokka and the girls to come quick." The Chief nodded and ran off "Katara, please make sure that everyone else is safe."
"Ok, Aang. Be careful."
Aang headed down the villages main road which lead towards the bay. He stopped in the middle and waited. It didn't take long for the village to be empty. It felt eerie. As if it had been abandoned long ago.
Aang waited for a few minutes before a group of Komodo Rhinos appeared from the edge of the forest. Riding them were Azula and a few of her soldiers, the fire benders.
"Hey, Azula. Good to see you again." Aang said with a smirk. "You know, you've really gotten even more beautiful since the last time I saw you."
"Quit it with the flattery, Avatar" Azula said with a smirk in her tone as she climbed from her mounts back.
"Come on Princess. Don't be like that. You say these things yet you are so desperate to spend time with me to track me down. I'm getting mixed signals here."
"I hunted you down to capture you and bring you to my father. If you thought that there was any other reason you really think to highly of yourself. I'm not a woman whose only after good looks."
"What? Meeting the parents already? That feels like a pretty big step." Aang stroked his chin as if thinking. "I think we should probably spend a bit more time together, you know? Get to know each other."
"There will be ample time for that when you're on the ship."
Before Aang could respond a wave of blue flame was hurled at him. Aang flinched and jumped over it, fire licking at the edge of his pant legs. Another wave. Aang swung his stave, creating a strong gust. The fire split and Azula was shoved back.
"Surround the avatar." At her command the other soldier's rhinos moved towards him. Two of them raised their fists.
A green blur flew from the sky, knocking a soldier to the ground. Two more followed. "Hey Aang. Are you ok?" Sokka stopped next to him, breathing heavily. Or at least the person sounded like Sokka. He wore the same Uniform the Kyoshi Warriors used and his face was covered in make up.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I managed to stall them a bit. You guys take the goons. I'll take care of the princess. She's so much fun to tease." Aang smiled. "That's a really nice dress, by the way. And the make up really brings out your eyes."
"Oh, shut up." Sokka huffed. Before running off to join Suki. "Good luck, buddy."
A ball of blue fire came at him from the side. Aang managed to dodge last second. Azula charged at him and clawed at him. Her nails tore into the skin of his arm and drew blood. She covered her fist with fire. Aang tried to block with his stave. Her fist hit his wrist. He dropped the glider. Azula's fist flew at him over an over again. Aang tried his best to dodge. Some of her hits connected, burning holes into his clothes. "I like dancing with you. It's fun. Now I almost wish you'd been here for the feast yesterday."
"Well, you're getting the chance now. Savor it." Azula said. Azula kicked. A burst of flame shot from her heel. Her foot slammed into his side. She swung her fist, digging it into his stomach.
Aang jumped back. Azula shot a ball of fire after him. Aang rolled out of the way, the flame passing right over his head. Azula flipped and kicked her feet out. Fire burst from the soles of her feet before the crashed into his chest.
Aang flew backwards a few feet and slid on the ground. The dirt stung in his torn skin. Aang managed push himself to his knees, breathing heavily. Aang looked up at Azula who was calmly walking towards him. She truly was mesmerizing. The piercing golden eyes, the confident smile and especially that scar. Blue fire covered her fists again.
Sokka rushed at her yelling and with his club high. He swung it down at Azula in a wide arc. The club smashed into her shoulder. Azula grunted. She swung around. Sokka ducked her fist. He grabbed her by the collar and hooked his leg behind her heel. He lifted and pushed. Azula stumbled back and fell. She rolled off her back and kicked at Sokka. He ducked. Azula turned fully and swung her other leg out, boosting it with fire. Her heel hit Sokka in the shoulder. Sokka was slammed to the side against the wall of a building.
His body aching, Aang pushed himself to his feet with a groan. He picked up two dropped Kyoshi Warrior fans. Azula charged. Aang whipped around, a powerful blast of air shot out from the fans. Azula crashed through the wall of the building she had knocked Sokka against.
Aang looked towards the rest of the fight. The Fire Nation soldiers were groaning, some splayed out on the ground. The Kyoshi Warriors had it under control. Aang picked up his stave and ran up the hill. Katara came out of the chiefs house and ran up towards him.
"Aang, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Is everybody else save inside?"
Katara nodded. "Yes, but Aang. We need to leave. Look around. Azula is after you. If we go, she'll follow."
Aang scanned the village. Most of the houses were on fire, black qualms of smoke darkening the sky. A blue flame flew at them. Aang tackled Katara out of the way. Fire erupted from the wood base of Kyoshi's statue.
"You're right." Aang said, hanging his head. "Get Appa. I'll try to stall our dear sweet princess out a bit more." Katara nodded and ran off.
Aang turned to Azula, holding his stave out in front of him. "You seem to be coming after me quite hard today. Do you really want me to come with you that much. Almost makes me think you like me or something."
"You wish." Azula charged with a smirk.
"Sokka, come on. Hurry up." Katara shouted down from Appa's head.
They were behind one of the houses with Suki, while the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors and Aang were trying to hold back Azula and her soldiers.
"I know. Just a second." Sokka called up to her. Then he turned to Suki. "I'm really sorry for what I said to you. I treated you like as a girl when I should have treated you as a warrior."
Suki smiled. "You're right, I am a warrior." Before Sokka could react Suki leaned in and placed her lips at the corner of his mouth. Sokka felt his heart pound and the heat rise in his cheeks. "But I am a girl too, and I wouldn't mind it if you'd saw me as one."
"Will we see each other again?"
"I'm sure we will."
Sokka took a deep breath and returned the kiss to the side of her lips before swiftly climbing up into Appa's saddle, Momo curling up on his lap. He looked down at Suki, who was touching a finger to her lip with a sweet shade of pink shining through her make up, and waved. "It's a promise then. I'll hold you to it."
Katara called 'Yip Yip' and with a flick of his tail, Appa took off. "Didn't know you had it in you." Katara smirked.
Sokka rolled his eyes with a smile on his lips. "Oh, Shut up." He leaned over the saddle and shouted, "Hey Aang. Let's bounce."
On the village square he watched Aang say something he couldn't hear and bow to the princess deeply before he opened his glider and flew up to them. Aang plopped down with a thud.
"What did you say to her."
"I was just thanking her for that wonderful dance and asked if we could do it again some time." Aang chuckled.
They watched as the princess called something to her men before jumping on her rhino and rushing back toward the bay. Aang looked back at village with a frown on his face.
Katara, who had climbed back in the saddle put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Leaving was the right choice. She would have burned down the entire village if we had stayed" Aang nodded silently, stood up and walked towards the edge of the saddle. "Hey what are you doing." Aang jumped.
Azula watched from the edge of the village as the Avatar plunged down towards the bay and disappeared into the depths. Her heart started beating as the Avatar didn't resurface. A minute passed. No sign of him. Another minute. Still nothing.
After 7 minutes a fountain of water burst from the bay. A giant eel-like creature whipped it's head into the air, swinging back and forth. The Avatar was clutching it's whiskers like reigns. He was flung around be the creature. He kicked his feet back and pushed off of the air, propelling himself into the creatures head.
Azula watched as the Avatar pulled on the creatures whiskers. The creature reeled back and opened it's gigantic maw. Water spewed from it's insides into the air in their direction. Azula was drenched in water.
The Avatar whipped the creature around, and flung himself into the air, his giant flying monster swooping down to catch him with it's legs.
Azula's heart was still pounding in her chest. A strange feeling spread through her stomach. Her scar tingled but surprisingly it wasn't unpleasant. It was the excitement of a worthwhile opponent.
Aang landed in the saddle and sat down without a word. He smirked as Katara and Sokka were gapping at him. "I know, I know. I was being stupid and reckless. But hey, I promised I'd ride the Unagi and an Avatar never breaks his promises."
Without saying a word Katara leaped at him and threw her arms around his neck. Aang sighed with a smile on his face and hugged her back.
As per the usual, feedback is very much welcome since I want to learn from writing this and there is only so much that critical self-reflection can do. Regardless, thanks for reading.