Sitting in the dining area, Katara cradled a steaming cup of tea between her hands.
As she sipped the soothing brew, her thoughts were consumed by Aang. She thought of how joyful he was the last night only to end the night in tears. She worried for his sake. Through his sobbing, she managed to learn of the gravestones Aang had found in the forest.
After the confrontation with Aizo and his men, it was likely that Aang was more affected by the man's words and actions than he let on. Had she not followed him in the cave, Katara wondered if Aang would have gone as far as killing the man. She was surprised that he had not gone into the avatar state which was for the best. Katara didn't want to think of what Aang would have done had he lost control of himself. Even if Aizo did deserve it for his crimes, she wouldn't let the boy she loved cross that line.
Katara comforted him to the best of her abilities until the Airbender went into a drunken slumber. Somehow, she managed to carry him to his room and tuck him into bed. Before leaving him to sleep, Katara took one last look at his peaceful expression as he slept. It wasn't that long before the roles were reversed, and he was the one who had to take care of her.
She chuckled at the thought of it then cringed as she remembered kissing him with barf breath. Katara could only hope that he would never bring it up to her.
With a sigh, the water bender took another sip of tea, its warmth spreading through her body. Suki and Toph joined her in the dining area, feeling just as groggy as they were a couple of days ago. She smirked at the sight of them battling their hangovers.
"Good morning you two", Katara greeted with an over-the-top sweet tone.
"Wanna tone down your voice for me? I can hardly stand it with how much my head is pounding", Toph replied, annoyed.
"No", Katara denied the request and turned to Suki, "Is Sokka still sleeping?"
"Why are you asking me?"
Katara raised an eyebrow, "Because I saw you two go into his room. You two aren't exactly discreet you think."
"I-I…n-no you didn't", Suki stuttered as her face flushed.
"oh honey", Toph snorted, "unfortunately, we know how you and Snoozles get down. Just answer the question."
"Ugh fine…yeah he's still sleeping."
"Was that so hard to answer?" Katara smugly grinned.
"Oh shut it", Suki waved her off, "where's Aang?"
"Still sleeping last I checked", Katara answered.
"Who would have thought he would drink that much", Suki stated, "He was a party animal last night."
"I was hoping he would have gone into the avatar state drunk", Toph said as she cradled her head in her hands.
"Spirits sake Toph we should be glad he didn't", Katara scolded, "Aang…he saw something last night."
"What did he see?" Suki asked with a worried expression. Katara answered her with a retelling of what happened when she found the air bender.
"Poor Aang", Suki muttered.
"Makes me wish I could have given that Aizo guy a beating myself", Toph remarked.
"You and me both sister", Kano said as she took her seat next to Katara. Somehow to their surprise, she was perfectly fine for someone who drank plenty the night before.
"So how's my favorite air boy doing?" she asked Katara.
"He's still sleeping."
Kano had kept her eyes on Katara. Observing her with a calculating gaze and making the water bender nervous.
"I hope you didn't keep him up all night", Kano smirked.
"Of course I didn't! I only carried him to his room and tucked him in", Katara replied defensively.
"Really? I would have figured you would have taken a chance to get closer to him. At least that's what it looked like to me last night."
"EXCUSE ME" Katara stood up and glared, "I'm not the type of person to take advantage of someone when they're drunk! Just what do you take me for?!"
Kano rested her head on the palm of her hand and grinned smugly, "Maybe not the type who takes advantage of a drunk person, but I'd say you're an opportunist. At least, that's how I see it. Somehow, when Aang is in a terrible state you come running in to take care of him. Whenever he's emotionally vulnerable, there you go to give him what he needs…and I think you know that already."
"Well, your opinion is wrong! I was only helping Aang over his grief! Why? Because I care about his wellbeing! Because I love him!" Katara retorted.
"It sounds more like emotional manipulation but to each its own I guess", Kano stood up, "not that it will matter in the long run. Aang will be mine after all."
"And what makes you so sure of that?" Suki asked.
Without breaking eye contact with Katara, Kano simply smiled.
"Because I'm not the one who broke his heart."
Katara gritted her teeth, clenching and unclenching her fists. "Maybe so but that doesn't entitle you to him."
"Maybe not", Kano replied, "but he'll be mine in the end. He won't be needing you anymore after that. Aang will finally have someone who knows what they want and won't lead him on."
Katara couldn't stand it. She couldn't stand how smugly eager Kano was to remind her of what she had done. Aang already knew how sorry Katara for what was she had done. That was enough for her, but she would not let what the other water bender said slide.
"I've realized my mistakes. I don't need someone who doesn't know me talking about what Aang needs. Just say that you're jealous that I'm the only one between us who understands him. I don't need to flirt with Aang to get him to notice me because he knows I'm always there for him. You're so quick to remind me of my shortcomings but I'm still here. I have been his friend since we met and his water bending master. Everything he's taught you, he learned from me."
Kano dropped her smile, "Then why don't you show me? Show me what the great Master Katara can do."
Suddenly, the temperature of the room dropped as the two stared each other down. Neither kept an eye off the other as they slowly opened their water flasks.
"Am I still drunk or did it just get really cold?" Toph whispered to Suki.
"It did", Suki answered as her gaze went back and forth between the two water benders. "Maybe we should put a stop to this."
"Nah let's see how this plays out."
"Toph!" Suki scolded.
"You telling me you don't wanna see Katara beat up Kano?"
"I don't think we should be encouraging it."
"There are a lot of things we shouldn't do in life", Toph scoffed, "live a little why don't ya?"
Without warning, Kano lashed out, bending water from her flask with a swift notion. Katara, responding with agility, used her own water bending to create a barrier of ice that protected her and her friends. Water and ice clashed, creating a spectacle that left the dining area in disarray.
The conflict intensified as the two water benders weaved and dodged in the small space, their movements blending with the chaos of the dining room. Water tendrils soared through the air, narrowly missing Suki and Toph who retreated to a corner to avoid the battle.
Kano slipped a water tentacle and grabbed hold of Katara's foot. Immediately she hardened the grip and pulled. The tentacle carried Katara off her feet and threw her out the window. The battle spilled onto the street as Kano followed suit.
"Had enough yet?" Kano teased.
"Hardly" Katara answered as she stood back to her feet. She drew more water from the nearby fountain and directed jets of water toward Kano. The weight and ferocity of the water crashed onto Kano faster than she could anticipate, forcing her to a nearby wall. On her hands and knees, she coughed out the water that was forced into her lungs.
Kano raged and charged towards the other water bender, water tendrils forming over her arms. She tried to grab hold of Katara once again but could not catch her. Katara weaved through the tendrils. Determination burned in her eyes as she drew upon the water around her, molding it into a pair of imposing ice gauntlets that encased her fists.
With fluid grace, she closed the distance between her and Kano. Before the other girl could react, Katara threw a punch, her ice gauntlet meeting Kano's jaw with a satisfying impact. The gauntlet cracked with cold energy as it connected, leaving behind a trail of frost on Kano's skin.
Kano hissed through clenched teeth but did not waver as she pushed Katara back with a small water whip. The sounds of their battle echoed through the streets, drawing the attention of villagers who peered out from behind windows and doorways. The dance of water continued, with Katara and Kano trading blows and countermoves, each putting their all in the impromptu street brawl.
"I think this is getting to be a bit much Toph. I think I see blood", Suki observed.
"Man I really wish I wasn't blind right now", Toph complained.
The air crackled with tension as Katara and Kano kept going at each other. Each girl charged toward the other with a torrent of water at their command.
Their movements were swift and calculated, each seeking to gain the upper hand in the clash of elements. Water tentacles soared through the air, colliding in a symphony of splashes and clashes. Fatigue began to settle in as they stood across from one another, catching their breath.
"Ya know what? This is what I was hoping for when I suggested our little contest", Kano breathed as she wiped the small trail of blood leaking from her lips.
"If you wanted a fight then you should have just said so," Katara said panting, "There was no reason for us to make this about Aang."
"where's the fun if we don't have some prize to fight for?" Kano grinned.
"Aang isn't 'some prize'. He's a person with his own feelings."
"He is for our contest Katara, and he'll be mine in the end."
"Not on my watch" Katara declared.
They each pulled at their element to their side. They charged once again, readying for their collision. Just as they were about to close the gap between them, a gust of wind swept through the street, knocking the two water benders off their feet. Their hearts dropped to their stomach as they realized who put a stop to their fight.
"So before either of you say anything, I just have one question…What's this I'm hearing about a contest?"
Next chapter will be out before New Years Eve. Happy Holidays!