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!

Right now I'm drinking coffee from my Star Wars mug, while listening to radio and posting this chapter. Yes I'm good, no I don't know what the word 'sleep' means. Though I am starting to find out what the words 'caffeine addict' mean.

My weekly obsession is... coffee! I'm joking, it's actually cooking. I found this really cool recipe online to make crumb steaks online (I didn't have eggs) and I made them with mustard. Pretty tasty actually! I'm still waiting for my next life to read Ms. LiAnne Kay's book, but right now I'm chilling because Book 5 of the Little Hope series is coming out next September and I cannot wait for some Kenneth goodness. Either the dude is sub asf or he fcks like an animal. And I'm living for it.

Dommie, thank you, I loved writing it too! And I did text him back. But I'm done. You and I have fought enough over this.

Brain Fart, thank you!

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 XIV: The Northern Tribe

X—X

"Oh, wow." Ahria gasped, looking around.

There was snow everywhere, coating the gentle curves of the architecture. Everything was white and blue, the air crispy and fresh. She felt someone take her forearm and smiled when she saw Toph. Ahria tugged her collar higher and sighed.

"Sokka, what is going to happen?" she asked.

"Well, I have the morning filled with meetings, but in the afternoon, I'm taking Suki on a tour around the city." He took her hand. "We leave in three days' time, so if you want to explore, go on ahead!"

"Oh, Suki, that is such a pretty necklace!" Ahria noticed, taking in the pretty pendant with a swirling wave and a fan, tied close to her neck with a dark green ribbon.

"Oh, my Tui!" Katara shrieked and took the warrior's hands. "Finally! When?!"

"A few months ago." She blushed. "We were keeping it a secret, but Sokka says he wants to go public."

"Wait, what is going on?"

"It's a betrothal necklace, Ahria," Aang explained, smiling down at her. "It's a… tradition in the Water Tribes."

"Yeah, the man carves the pendant himself and gifts it to his intended. That's why they're one of a kind."

"Oh." Her eyes fell on Katara's neck and gulped. "It's a beautiful tradition."

"Chief Sokka, welcome." A few tribesmen came to greet them. "Safe travels, I hope."

"Whatever Tui allows." He nodded.

"Always. Do your friends and… betrothed need a guide around town?"

"My fiancé will be joining us in the meeting. Most of my friends have already been here before, but I would not turn down a guide for them."

"I'm good." Toph declared.

"I'd love to see the town." Ahria smiled.

"I can show you around." Aang declared.

"Please, Avatar… allow me."

A young man with a wolf tail and striking electric blue eyes stepped forward. "I'm Kouga."

"I'm Rea."

"Would you like to see our town, Rea?" He reached out a hand.

She took it with a blush. "I would love to."

Sokka and Suki followed the leader, Ahria went with Kouga and Toph disappeared into the city. Katara turned to Aang, ready to ask him to go for a walk, but frowned. The young man stared at Ahria's retreating back with something akin to disappointment.

"Aang?" she called. "Are you okay?"

"Hm, yeah." He nodded.

"Do you want to go for a walk?"

"Yeah, sure."

–X–

Aang somehow found himself in the Spirit Oasis hours after everyone parted. He looked around the grassy field, the large bushes, and the lake in the middle of it and sighed. Appa curved itself at the ends of the garden, near one bridge and Aang moved forward, sitting at the edge of the lake.

He quickly fell into a meditating pose and closed his eyes. Everything felt confusing in his mind. Things were changing, and he was not sure he was a fan of it. Not that he was not thrilled that Sokka and Suki finally came public with their engagement – quite the contrary, he was ecstatic! And the strategist was also achieving the peace and comradery he had always wanted between the Water Tribes.

His walk with Katara had been short-lived. He wanted an excuse to get away, his head and heart were not in the right place, and he knew it because the conversation between them felt forced. He could tell Katara was trying hard to either get his mind off whatever was tormenting him or trying to get him to talk about it but she was unsuccessful in both.

So when a healing clinic appeared in their paths, neither cared their excuses to the part were feeble and rushed.

He took a deep breath, trying to center himself, and praying, praying for clarity of what was truly troubling him. It could not be the journey, he was having the time of his life. He had his friends, he had Katara, he had... Ahria.

Ahria.

Who had switched him with a random water tribesman when he showed her a pretty smile and a smooth voice.

He froze. There was no way that he thought like that. Ahria was free to do what she desired, meet whomever she wanted, and spend time with whomever she chose to. Perhaps that Kouga guy was the best person to show her around the grand city, given that he was a local, he knew where to take her to.

But that did not mean Aang did not feel this stingy feeling inside his chest, and the burn in his palms. He was not used to it. Sokka and her had gotten along fine, and Aang did not feel towards them the way he felt towards Ahria and Kouga. He had seen the way she had looked at the young man as they left, filled with wonder and excitement.

And he couldn't help but think that look was supposed to be reserved for him.

The young man shook his head. He could not think like that. Ahria was free to do what she wanted, be with who she wanted. She had no loyalties to a person, no romantic ties to anyone. And the look on her face told him all he needed; she was happy. But a small, selfish part of him wanted more.

"Aang."

He opened his eyes and smiled. Sitting in front of him, in a similar pose, was a beautiful young woman with snow-white hair and blue and purple robes. She hovered over the water, and when her blue eyes locked with his, she winked.

"Yue."

"It's been a while." She commented. "You've turned into a handsome young man."

"Thank you. It's good to see you." He sighed. "How is the Spirit world?"

"Colorful and easy. The Earth world?"

"Loud and confusing." The two shared a laugh. "I found them."

"I know. A secret can only be kept for so long." Yue declared. "What will you do now? Lead them?"

"No. I will not lose my freedom to help rule a people. The Elders are better fitted for that anyway."

"You'd be a good ruler, but I understand. What is it like, having them back?"

"Exhilarating." He smiled. "I've grown too used to being the only one; when I found them, it was a rush."

"They all seem to follow traditions. The Elders were faithful."

"But they hide now."

"They spend a hundred years hiding, Aang. They can't help it. Old habits die hard."

Aang mulled over her words. "I guess. But they want to leave. Right?"

"One cannot attempt to comprehend all that makes the human mind." She looked away. "We spend years trying to get to know someone, laughing with them, crying with them, to die knowing only a piece of them."

"Are you happy?"

"I am at peace." She smiled. "Are you?"

"I found my people. I'm helping the world heal." He frowned. "Of course I'm happy."

"You don't sound happy. What troubles you, Aang?"

"What makes you think something troubles me?"

"… Katara is sparring with Toph in the middle of the square, Sokka and Suki are sharing a dessert while looking at the setting sun, and Ahria and Kouga are trying to see who can win a snowball fight against waterbenders." She observed. "And you're here. In the Spirit Temple. Meditating… alone."

"I don't know. I… have no words to explain it."

"Perhaps if I phrase it differently, it might help you think." The moon spirit smiled. "Why is your heart so unstill around Ahria?"

Aang took a moment to answer. Why was his heart so unstill around Ahria? Was it her eyes, so bright and filled with wonder, that caused such agitation? Or perhaps her gentle smile, the one she secretly shared with him? Maybe it was her bending, so similar yet so unlike his own? Her sweet laughs, her caring tones, her firm personality?

Or was it perhaps that night, that fateful night in the bathhouse? Where they found themselves in each other's arms, with the moonlight shining over them? The night Aang saw heartbreak in her eyes? The only night she forced herself to walk away from him? And the first time Aang found himself wishing for something he could not have?

"I don't know." He looked away.

"You don't know… or you don't want to admit it?"

"I'm in love with Katara." He affirmed, gulping.

"That does not answer my question, Aang."

"Then I don't have an answer for you."

"…of course, you don't."

A/N: Keep calm. I will not go back to short ones. But things are changing! I promise! I think I'm getting 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 :)