Ladies and gentlemen, my most lovely readers. Thank you so so very much for all the lovely thoughts. They lighted up my week! Brisalad, yours especially had me all giggly. Everyone, you know who to thank for my heightened motivation to keep writing ahead for regular updates!

Before we get into this chapter, it seems the fluff in last chapter was very much loved . . . Ah, I enjoyed writing it. You can expect just a teensy bit more in this one before I start leaning into drama. MWA HAHA HAHA . . . lol. I'm kidding . . . Well, no. Anywho . . . Enjoy!

Chapter 18: Daddy, You don't know me like he does

In another life, the mala in my hands would have been carefully made by Monk Gyatso. The entire insignia would have been hand carved, each knot and every bead would have been meticulously crafted, and then gifted to me 97 years ago on my sixteenth birthday. Instead, it has been up to me and will be up to me to continue Air Nomad traditions. I clutch my mala close to my chest. Closing my eyes, I pray: please Gyatso, show me how to continue our traditions when I feel like I've already lost my way.

Smoothing out my ceremonial robes, I stand from my bed. Today is Zuko's coronation. If there is a day not to mope, it's today. Deep breaths, I can do this! I open the door and am met with the kindly face of Zuko's uncle, Iroh. I almost close the door on him. I can't do this.

"Avatar Aang." He greets warmly.

Instinctively, I bow, "General Iroh."

He motions me to join him. Closing the door behind me, I move in the only direction I know I can, forward. Iroh doesn't say anything for a while. He seems perfectly happy to just walk side by side. As we pass one of the many common rooms, he says, "I wasn't planning on returning to the palace."

His eyes glint with intense turmoil, but a smile curves his lips and the stare softens as his gaze lingers on the light entering through a window. He continues, "I am not proud of the person I was when I lived here. I fought fervently for my country then. I tirelessly gave my sweat and soul and even my son to our supposed noble cause. When my country justified the annihilation of an entire nation, it makes me wonder how I ever thought doing so had that much value."

Iroh looks me directly in the eye as he states in a tone that holds pain, remorse, and acceptance all at once, "I have my hands stained with the blood of men, women, and children. My hands are stained with my own blood, my own child. I fought a war with no cause worthy the sacrifice and it took losing my son to see it."

It's hard to reconcile these two opposing sides of Iroh. Famously, known as the Dragon of the West, the man is an accomplished war veteran for a nation so long ruled by men fixated on destroying and conquering nations. I look down at the red carpet below us. He helped Katara and I in Ba Sing Se knowing well that prison if not death awaited him. He led the white lotus to reclaim Ba Sing Se back for the Earth Kingdom. He protected the last two dragons from extinction.

"I was a foolish man with foolish ideas." Iroh shakes his head. Lightly, he adds, "I would like to believe that I've become a better person since."

I smile, "Zuko certainly thinks so."

"Between you and me," Iroh leans conspiratorially, "My nephew didn't have very good role models around, though his mother tried."

"He had you." I feel the need to add with all the sincerity I have, "Zuko turned out great. It may not be obvious to some, but he cares intensely about people and doing right by them. I couldn't ask for a better friend."

Iroh holds his arm out to stop me from walking as several servants run past us frantically with what I assume are dishes for tonight's festivities. Souta bows low as he follows behind them, "SORRYWE'REBEHINDANDWANLEEISGOINGTOKICKUSIFWEDON'TGETTHISFOODSETUPDOWNTOWNBEFORETHECORONATIONISOVER!"

"Wan Lee is still a menace, I see." Iroh blinks.

We stop before the entrance of the platform where Zuko is scheduled to become his majesty. Iroh adopts a pensive look. I ask him, "Now that you are back, are you planning on staying?"

Iroh nods, "I thought that once the war ended, I would open my tea shop in Ba Sing Se and live in peace."

"But?"

"Zuko sent me a letter asking if I would attend his coronation. He said his dear friend, the Avatar had agreed to stand by his side if I couldn't. That you had at Ozai's funeral."

"He asked me for advice on how to help his pacifist friend who was struggling with killing a person . . ."

Iroh closes his eyes as if it hurts him, "The only right way for this war to end, would have been with the Avatar defeating the Fire Lord."

Then, looking every bit his age, he asks, "However, I would like to know . . . How old are you?"

"Thirteen."

Iroh nods slowly like he needs to process the information in his head. I add, "I was in an iceberg 100 years, but I have no memories of it."

"Despite the passage of time, you are but a child that the world has forced to become a man." Iroh replies gravely. He looks at me directly with a seriousness that makes me feel a lot older than thirteen, "I am sorry, Aang. For placing this burden on you."

My eyes suddenly water. In my voice, there is strength I thought I had lost when I speak, "I didn't have to kill him, Iroh. I could have taken his bending away and maybe with time he could have changed. I could have given him the chance, but I took it away instead."

"I was not aware you were capable of that."

"I only just learned I could. I knew how to do it when I killed him."

We walk quietly for several long moments. Then, he speaks again.

"Even if you spared his life, I am not so sure change was something my brother would have ever embraced." Iroh says thoughtfully, "But what I am sure is that you will not kill another."

"How can you be so sure? You hardly know me."

"That is true. It is also true Ozai is not the first, nor will he be that last person to threaten peace. It's also abundantly clear to me that you are a gentle human." His voice turns hard as he speaks his next words, "While Ozai was my brother, had I been left with no other choice, I would have given it my best attempt to kill him myself."

I recoil into myself. Iroh does not seem shocked or hurt by my reaction. Tranquility dominates his words, "And the world would have suffered for it. Avatar Aang, you have what many of us need to see: compassion in the face of hatred. My brother continued a legacy of destruction, the very destruction that terminated the people you loved and their legacy. It's a cause my son died to and his death meant nothing to my brother . . . I understand air nomads often believed all life is sacred, from the smallest firefly to the never ending forests of the Earth Kingdom. Taking a life, for anyone with any semblance of a conscious, always takes a toll; for someone like you, it must be tearing you apart. Ripping at your very identity."

Iroh, stares at a portrait of Ozai, "My brother attempted to commit another atrocity. He was what would be considered a horrible person, an equally horrible father. His thirst for power was greater than any love he held for me. I suspect my nephew will mourn the relationship he never had with his father; but the world, Zuko and I, will all agree it's better off without him. I will be surprised to learn you disagree."

"It doesn't make it right to kill a person," I look down at the floor.

Iroh speaks with gentleness that reminds me so much of Gyatso, "Hold your head high, Avatar Aang. It is an incredible strength of character to not bend despite the worlds pressure, but if you show your remorse on your face the world will exploit it as a weakness."

I fall behind. Wordlessly, I wait for him to continue,

"Understanding where our own pain and rage can lead us, learning from it, and doing our very best to stick to our morals even if we make mistakes that deviate us from them, those are the traits of a respectable human. It's my belief that the remorse of your actions is a good example for the world and will serve you to better understand yourself."

"I feel more lost than ever." I whisper

Iroh's eyes ooze confidence, "You will find your way."

I'm not so sure, Iroh.

Steps approaching fill the silence between us.

"Is everything okay." Zuko is donned head to toe in Fire Lord robes. His eyes are gentle, "You look worried."

I shake my head, "Iroh was starting to think you had chickened out of becoming Fire Lord."

"I've never much enjoyed the bulky robes, Zuko." Iroh moans, every bit unreasonably unserious. He keeps going, "I never like the tea selection either, but I always have suspected Ozai purposely ordered horrible tea to spite me."

The tension in my body disperses away at the ridiculousness of it all. I . . . I think . . . I think I want to be him when I grow up.

Zuko rolls his eyes, "Calm down, Uncle. I'll be Fire Lord, you can keep me company and take control of the palace tea like always"

"Very well. I will stick around until you finally grow tired of me." The passing glimpse of relief on Zuko's face makes me understand instantly why Iroh won't go yet. In the time Iroh has been around, the eye bags around Zuko's eyes have gradually disappeared. The interesting thing is that Iroh never tells Zuko what to do. He answers questions he's asked (sort of), offers helpful input when prompted (ambiguous at times), but overall it's clear to anyone that decisions are ultimately made by Zuko. Anyone would assume Iroh returned to help Zuko be Fire Lord. In a way, that is true. Everyone needs someone they trust, for Zuko, that is Iroh.

"You know what's different," Zuko grins. He looks at me, "A year ago, hunting you down was my purpose."

"And now we're friends." I know my grin reflects his. With optimism rivaling my long lost one, he asserts, "We are."

"The world has changed so much in the last 100 years. It's so different now." I think of the kids from the Fire Nation school, robbed of any creativity and individuality. But, I think of their excitement at a small taste of freedom. Perhaps, there is hope.

"And it's going to be even more different," He says passionately. Certainty glitters in his eyes, "We'll rebuild it together."

"Together." A smile breaks through.

We share a laugh as a hug naturally comes to us both. I don't know what the future holds or who I will become, or who I am anymore for the matter, but at least I know I have my friends. In this moment, that's enough. For today, for Zuko, I'll forget to dread the nightmares that will surely come when I close my eyes. Giving him one last squeeze, I let go, "Alright, your highness, let's go make you your majesty."

"Ugh, you're spending too much time around Sokka."

"I rather find Sokka to be a delight." Iroh quips. Zuko rolls his eyes, "Of course you do. You're just as bad."

Iroh laughs good naturedly. I grin. Zuko smiles at the two of us, something fond and turns. Straightening his back, he walks forward and disappears behind curtains. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. It's going to be okay. I'm going to be okay. I can do this.

The first thing I see is bright light. Then, Zuko's face as his hand is extended to me and the rambunctious cheering of the crowd. Water Tribe blues, Earth Kingdom greens, and Fire Nation blues fill the crowd. Zuko's voice projects with powerful determination.

"Today, this war is finally over!"

Ozai is dead and the future for the world looks bright. Except, looking out at this crowd makes it undeniably apparent the only airbender here is me.

"I promised my uncle I would restore the honor of the Fire Nation. And I will!"

I glance at Iroh, whom has taken a stand to the side as customary to members of the royal family during the ceremony. He couldn't look prouder if he tried. How could he not be proud? Zuko has come a long way. It will take a long time, a lifetime or two even, but I have no doubt that Zuko will succeed.

I turn my attention back to the crowd full of three nations. In a lifetime or several, air benders will be but a handful. There is nothing that I can do to restore my nation, but marry and have children and hope for the best. Please, let me not run into Bumi.

"The road ahead of us is challenging. A hundred years of fighting has left the world scarred and divided."

I look at Zuko. We know that, profoundly and intimately, in more ways than one.

"But with the Avatar's help, we can get it back on the right path and begin a new era of love and peace."

I search the crowd for Katara. When our eyes lock, I make myself a promise. I don't know what Katara feels, but I know that I love her more than anyone else. I'm going to do my best to make this world a better place because that is what we fought for in the first place. This is the world where my love will be able to find peace.

"All hail Fire Lord Zuko!"

Zuko motions me to stand beside him. Gyatso, I hope I can make you proud one day.

Sokka

Katara sprints just short from running when Aang and Zuko finally make their way down from the group of people surrounding them. Dad watches her as she congratulates Zuko with warmth in her eyes, but like myself, we both take note that Katara stands next to Aang. Even as she speaks, her body leans towards him.

Aang appears to tease Zuko, a scowl darkens his face in response. His uncle comes behind him and claps him on the back with an equally mischievous grin. Katara smirks and directs her comments to Aang, but Zuko's displeasure seems to grow with their amusement. Katara eventually relents and seems to placate the newly appointed Fire Lord with a comment that softens his expression. The expression becomes even more gentle with whatever Aang adds to the conversation.

Suddenly, Zuko goes rigid. His eyes become hyper focused in the distance and a smile breaks out on his face. Amongst the chattering people and the building music from the bands Wan Lee prepared, the girl with the knives walks toward Zuko. He holds his hand out to her and with a gentle smile, she takes it.

"That's the girl that helped us."

I nod, "Her name is Mai. She's Zuko's girlfriend."

Toph perks up at that, "Doom and gloom has a girlfriend?"

"Oh, he can't like that nickname." Ty Lee's eyes are wide with disbelief. Apparently, she's with the Kyoshi warriors now.

"He didn't get a say." Zuko comments as he joins us. Ty Lee gives Mai what looks like a rib breaking hug. It's not that the smile is particularly large or incredibly fond, but I've only ever seen boredom on her face; it's strange to see an actual expression on it.

"That's right." Toph smirks. "My nicknames are a privilege, Sunshine."

Zuko snorts.

Aang grins, "In her defense, they're pretty accurate. Usually."

"Yeah, TwinkleToes." I tease.

Aang shrugs, "I can't help it."

"You're one to talk," Katara raises a brow. Her eyes glint as she gives me a passive glance, "Captain Boomerang."

"Sugar-queen."

"Snoozles."

"Madame Fuzzy-Britches."

"Guys."

"Sleuthy One."

"Sweetness."

"Guys."

"Nut-brain!"

"She's never called me that!"

"Well, maybe she should."

"It's not a terrible—"

"Enough!" Aang grits his teeth, "We are supposed to be at peace here. Toph has great nicknames. Sokka's skills with a boomerang are unmatched. Katara's a sweetie. Can we not argue about nothing for no reason?"

I puff my chest at the boomerang comment.

"You think I'm sweet." Katara replies at the same time. A blush covers her cheeks. Aang's eyes widen.

I groan. Aang clears his throat as Katara glares invisible swords into my soul. He looks down at my wrapped leg and the crutch holding me up, "I thought your leg was healed already."

"It was—"

"Wasn't." Katara frowns down at me. She's trying to look angry, but it comes out as worried, "Sokka has just been fooling around, so it started healing improperly. I thought going a more technical way would help it heal better."

I grumble "You couldn't have waited until after the celebrations . . ."

"I told you to keep your weight off that foot." Katara snaps.

Aang places a hand on her shoulder. She sighs, "I'm sorry. It's just . . . It should have healed by now. My bending . . . Is not working properly."

"You're working yourself to the bone Katara." Suki points out gently.

Zuko adds, "You've been spending time down at the infirmary healing soldiers and adding our healing sessions too . . . you need rest."

War prisoners aren't treated all too well in the capital prisons apparently. Many of the fire benders sent out on Ozai's expedition to destroy the Earth Kingdom sustained injuries as well. All in all, the infirmaries have been busy and understaffed.

Katara looks down at her feet, "I just want to help."

Aang's eyes are furrowed and lost in thought as he stares at the ground like he's planning on bending lava. My dad watches them analytically. Katara crosses her arms, "How can I just turn my back and throw my feet up when I can help?"

"You can't." Aang replies softly, "It's why you became the Painted Lady."

"I'm sorry, did I hear that right?" Mai whispers to Zuko. He shrugs, "I just don't ask questions anymore."

Katara grins unexpectedly, "That was fun."

"You mean blowing a factory up in the middle of the night and causing us to have to fake a spirit showdown to kick out fire nation soldiers from a rundown town." I deadpan.

Aang mirrors her grin, "You wouldn't understand, Sokka."

"He's not the only one." Zuko chimes in. They look at the faces of shock reflected on dad, Suki, Mai, and Ty Lee.

Toph is pouting, "I still can't believe you guys didn't ask me to join. Sokka, I get. But, breaking things is kinda my thing."

Aang rubs the back of his head. Katara rolls her eyes, "It's not like we planned it!"

Iroh laughs heartily as he approaches us, finally having managed to flee from a general hogging his attention. Deeply, he says, "Some of the best laid plans are improvised."

"In the middle of the night?" Dad asks, "Where were you while this was happening."

I resign myself to my fate and let my head hang. Toph ever so helpful responds, "In his sleeping bag, of course. Out like a log, snoring the night away."

Aang

I grin. The conversation becomes animated as Sokka and Toph recount the events. Katara interjects when Toph starts to get carried away by Sokka's embellished story telling.

Around us, the conversations are lively as well. However, in this large plaza, it becomes clear the more I look. The three nations still remain separate from each other as they mingle. Some people, across all three groups, look at each other in quick glances of curiosity.

I look at my friends: Water tribe, Fire nation, Earth kingdom, benders and non benders, men and women. Former enemies have turned friends, I think as I look at Iroh, Zuko, Ty Lee, and Mai. The sun is shining brightly on us. One step after the other, I start to make my way to the band playing.

"Play something upbeat for dancing." I say to them. Scanning the crowd, I almost reel in surprise as I catch a familiar face. Dropping back to the ground, I walk to her. The crowd parts for me. I find that the looks I'm thrown are mixed. There's fear, skepticism, and contempt. There's also joy, hope, and respect. It confusing.

Out of uniform, her hair is pulled back into a complicated braid that tucks itself around her head. Her robes are elegant, but free flowing and light.

"Onji?"

"Avatar Aang." She bows. There's a faint blush dusting her cheeks. I grin and mirror her hands as I return her formal greeting. She says softly, "I like your tattoos."

The woman besides her nudges her. I would bet a year's worth of peaches that's her mother. She bows, "Avatar Aang, it's a pleasure to meet you. You're familiar with my Onji?"

I grin, "Yes, she may have mentioned me as Kuzon."

Her eyes widen. Onji wears a self satisfied smile, "We got in trouble for weeks at school after that secret dance party. Dad was so proud of me though."

"Onji!" Her mother is horrified. Onji blushes.

"Sorry about that." I say apologetically.

Her mother shakes her head as she hurries to say, "Not to worry, a healthy dose of rebellion did no one any harm."

Onji's smile falters, but she keeps quiet. When an arm wraps around her shoulders, her smile completely disappears. Hide is dressed in robes that match his obnoxiousness. I quirk a brow. Onji glares at the pavement. He looks me up and down, "So you're the Avatar, huh?"

Onji's mother pales. Her face is nervous. Something about this kid really makes me want to laugh, so I frown to try and mask it. I nod, "Sure am."

He purses his lips like he tasted something sour, "Well, hope you don't have hard feelings about last time."

I pretend to think. I snap my fingers, "Oh, that! Why would I? I know a thing or two about a wounded pride. Don't worry, I haven't told anyone you can't dance."

I catch Onji's eye, she covers her mouth and looks away as does her mother. Hide's fists clench. His cheeks burn with what I assume is rage if his grinding teeth are anything to go by. I turn to Onji, "I approached you to ask for a dance, if you're interested?"

Onji's eyes brighten. Her mother gasps. I turn to Hide with a bubbling smirk, "Nothing crazy, just some practiced movements between friends."

Onji looks at her mother and with some hesitation, she nods. I stretch my hand out for Onji to take. Looking back at Hide, I wink, "I promise to bring her back."

A crowd starts to make room for us. Onji whispers, "You are goading him on purpose."

"It's funny." I smile. "He thinks he's scary."

She frowns, "His father is the warden of the Boiling Rock."

I let go of her and tell her, "Like the ballrooms in Ba Sing Se."

Together, we sway back and forth, our hands mirroring the other. She looks out at her mother looking at the two of us hopefully. A man has joined her, I assume Onji's father. Hide is glaring.

Around us, people start to pair up. Most stay in pairs within their nations, but a few hesitant people begin to mix in all three colors of each nation.

Softly, she tells me, "Back then, Hide kept bragging that his cousin was dating the crown prince—uh, the Fire Lord, I mean."

"His cousin?"

"Mai, you were talking to her earlier."

"He's her cousin!" I gape. "She's the Fire Lord's girlfriend now."

Onji misses a step. With a firm grip, I pull her arm to correct it. She sighs, "My father is the governors assistant back home. He has been trying to get promoted for a while, but he's always been outspoken against the war. My mother just wants to secure my future."

"So then . . ."

"When the time comes, I am to further my studies at a good university, ideally here in the capital. Then, find myself a wealthy husband and become a good Fire Nation wife."

"But you're like what? Fourteen?"

She nods, "Hide is not my boyfriend. Whatever he thinks. I just entertain him because I don't want problems and for my mom."

"Maybe you should tell him that."

Onji stops moving, "But what if-"

I shake my head, "Look over at my friends. Do you see the girl in the water tribe robes?"

"That's the girl you danced with at the party."

I nod, "I am in love with her."

Onji's eyes widen, "Aren't you a little young?"

I shrug, "I killed the former Fire Lord."

"Right."

"What I'm trying to say," I grimace. "She doesn't feel the same."

"She doesn't?"

"No." I look down at our feet, "But I like her so much it doesn't matter. We're good friends. If Hide likes you even a little bit, he'll understand if you tell him to back off. If that's what you want. Jerk as he is. If he doesn't, his cousin may be the Fire Lord's girlfriend, but I have it on good authority the Mai doesn't care much for these kind of things, and Zu- Fire Lord Zuko isn't too fond of the warden of the Boiling Rock either."

Onji frowns and then smile, "I'll think about it."

I nod. Grinning, I tell her, "Now let me show you a move that's going to impress the water bender that has been staring at you for the last 5 minutes."

Onji follows my gaze to a blue eyed water bender. She blushes, "How can you be so sure he's not just curious about the Avatar?"

The water bender is one of Pakku's star pupils. I know he's not looking at me because he's never looked at me like Sokka looks at seal jerky.

"It's an Avatar thing."

Katara

When Aang approached the band, I felt my stomach twist in nervous excitement as they began to play an upbeat tune. I never learned to dance. Mom died young and dad was gone fighting the war. Gran Gran didn't exactly prioritize it either. Any and all dancing I've done, has been with Aang, and it was fun.

It turns out that Aang is set on keeping me on edge. The nervousness stays with me, but the excitement fades into something uncomfortable as I see him walk to girl in robes fire nation red. They talk and I can't see too well from here, but he holds his hand out to her and she takes it with no hesitance.

"What is he doing?" Mai asks confused.

Toph and Sokka stop mid storytelling. Suki glances at me briefly, "He asked her to dance?"

Sure enough, the crowd clears space for them to dance. Toph's eyebrows kit together, "That's the girl from that school, at the secret dance party."

"Secret dance party?" Ty Lee exclaims bubbly. Sokka shakes his head, "It's a long story."

I narrow my eyes. That's right. Suddenly, Aang grabs her arm. My ears pound for as long as his hand stays on her. It feels like a long time but no one comments on it. Now that they're closer, I want to know what they're talking about that's making Aang smile like that.

"They look good together."

I bite my tongue, cross my arms, and look away from them all. Obnoxiously, Sokka adds to dad's tasteless comment, "That's what I said!"

They do not. She's pretty, sure. And she seems nice. He clearly enjoys her company, but that doesn't mean anything. I like hanging out with Suki, doesn't mean I'm in love with her. We have our rough spots, but I know Aang better than anyone. He knows me better than anyone. Surely, that means something.

"They seem like good friends." Iroh comments.

I turn to Iroh. I knew he was wise.

Dad looks at him, "Friends?"

Iroh laughs, "I have it on good authority the Avatar's heart is set on someone else already."

My heart pounds.

"Uncle?" Zuko raises a brow, "How could you possibly know that?"

"Listening and observing, of course." Iroh grins, "I do talk to others, you know."

"Look." Iroh nods in the direction of the pair. They've stopped dancing and Aang is leading Onji to Mithun. Pakku's favorite student. They talk for a minute and then Aang leaves them as they make their way to the dance floor.

As Aang approaches us, there's a smug grin on his face. His eyes are sparkling mischievously. I can't help it. I aim for neutral, but my voice sounds weird even to me, "What was that about?"

"I saw Onji!"

He's animated and I'm happy. I am. But as he explains how he and Onji met (and the fire nation school, I guess). I'm burning and burning. I'm not angry, but I'm upset and I don't understand.

"It doesn't stop amazing me twinkletoes." Toph says in awe.

Dad looks at the crowd, "Never imagined I'd ever see this."

It has all mixed together. People are dancing and laughing. A group of water-benders are doing tricks for fire nation kids. Some fire benders have joined a group of earthbenders in what looks like a heated bending competition.

Toph cracks her knuckles, "Excuse me everyone. I am needed over there."

Suki's eyes widen as she sees where she's headed. Sokka stands on his crutch, "Oh I gotta see this!"

We all stare at him. I glare. He clears his throat, "To make sure she doesn't go crazy, okay."

Suki shakes her head, "I'll go with them."

Aang smiles. Carefree, he says, "Zuko, Mai, you should join the dancing."

I'm expecting Zuko to reject the idea. Mai doesn't seem like she'd like dancing . . . She's always given me the impression she is not interested in anything. Except, Zuko apparently. Mai smirks. Zuko turns shy.

"Well?" Mai is undeniably amused.

Zuko coughs, "I have an image to maintain as Fire Lord and-"

Ty Lee giggles, "Zuko is a bad dancer."

"I am not a bad dancer!"

I snort. Zuko glares at me. Mai wraps her arm around his, "Come on, Zuko. Ty Lee is just teasing. Let's go show them the elegance of royalty."

Zuko groans, "Stop, I'm getting flashbacks."

As they walk away, Ty Lee tells us, "Zuko and Azula's dance instructor used to scold Zuko a lot. But Azula . . . The instructor loved her. Used to say that she was the elegance of royalty personified."

"Ty Lee!"

Ty Lee waves us a quick goodbye as she runs to join the rest of the Kyoshi warriors calling for her. Aang and I's gaze lock on each other. It's going to take some getting used to seeing Ty Lee with the Kyoshi warriors, even while in garment. I can see the exact moment he realizes the same thought is running through our heads. Our lips curl until we're giggling like 9 year olds.

"Katara," Aang sighs wistfully, "I want to not worry about anything."

In his eyes are the reflections of smiling faces and vibrant lights. The laughter around us lifts my spirit. The colors of the nations are mixing together in harmony. Aang looks every bit pleased by the sight, but the joy disappears to distance the next moment.

I know the carefree Aang that ran from his problems a year ago. I know the Aang whose grief became explosive anger. I've met the distant boy that turned off his emotions when they became too much for him. This one is different and the same. Aang has cried. He's expressed his regrets. I hold nothing against him. No one thinks less of him . . . When I hug him, he hugs me back with the same warmth, if not more. This Aang doesn't push me away. This Aang gives me space. This Aang laughs with me like he always has. But, this Aang gets a far away look sometimes. Amidst conversation, his attention will slip from our words and like a switch, any happiness present . . . Will be extinguished.

"Me too."

Grey eyes cool and clear turn their attention to me. I wonder how much he can read from my expression. Can he see that I want him to be able to not worry? Can he see that if I could take his fears, regrets, and pain; then, I wouldn't hesitate to do it?

"Come on." I hold out my hand. His pupils shake. I grin, "Take my hand."

His eyes are sparkling with life again when he replies, "Okay."

This time, I'm the one dragging him onto the dance floor. Briefly, Zuko throws us a wink as we pass him and Mai by the refreshments. When we reach the center of the crowd, I find myself pausing. I'm not a dancer. I just dragged him here without thinking. My cheeks burn, "I might need your help from here."

This draws a cheeky smile from him. For the first time, I feel like I'm actually seeing him. His eyes are looking at me gently as if I hung the very moon beginning to rise as the sun sets. He squeezes my hand, the one I've dragged him by.

"Thanks, Katara."

I can't think of anything to say, not that he gives me the time to figure it out. Next, he steps in front of me and leans close, "We can dance this one of two ways. I can simplify it or I can complicate it."

"What?"

"The simple version is not too different from the way I was dancing with Onji."

I hold back a pout, "But?"

"I've always been curious about the other one." He shrugs. Red cheeked, he says, "It's usually danced by couples, so we would need to be-"

"Let's do it."

"-close."

He squints, but his surprise melts quickly and eyes relax. The last peeks of sunlight are fading and their glow glitters in his eyes sweetly like the soft tune of the song playing around us.

"Just follow me." He says as he takes steps away from me. My body relaxes. Easy.

With a playful smile, he holds one hand out and then the other. Intertwining our fingers, we sway side to side. One, two. One, two. Without breaking apart, we draw together and he crosses our arms as I spin, both our arms end wrapped snuggly around me with my back to him. In an elegant flourish, I spin out of his arms. One of his hands drops mine, but the other one holds on tightly.

I'm acutely aware that we have gathered the attention of the crowd. Aang's focus remains on me as he uses the hand holding mine to pull me close again. Our faces come so near, for a moment my brain forgets how to think. His other hand gently presses on my waist as he guides me in a circle with him. Giggling, with my free hand, I hold tightly onto his neck and he cradles the back of mine to hold my weight as he dips me.

He leans his face down and with a smile that lights up my night, he says, "Are you ready?"

I think he could ask me to fight a badger mole without bending and I'd say yes.

I smirk. Shifting my grip, I pull myself up, my arm is fully wrapped around his neck as he drops his hand from my neck to my waist. Full of mischief, he glances down at my feet and stomps his foot to raise the earth under them. Letting go off him, I arch my body to flip as I reach for my water pouch. He mirrors the action with a flip of his own.

The crowd around us cheers at our acrobatics. Spinning the water from my pouch around me, I aim it toward Aang, who as can be expected shows off. He curls the water into a ball and out into a modified version of a water whip that curls gently around my arm to spin me in place. Taking control of the water, I freeze it into a replica of Aang's staff and use it to launch myself straight into Aang's waiting arms. Or arm, I should say. One of his hands holds the ice staff, the other is wrapped around me, my feet in the air as we spin.

There is clapping and cheering, someone whistles.

We're both radiating heat, but if we could go longer we would. Here, he's not Avatar. Here, I'm not the last water bender of the South Pole. Here, we are just two happy kids hopelessly in love with each other. As he sets me back on the ground, I can feel the heat of others closing in. This moment is ending. It makes me strangely happy even if it's mixed with some remorse. There will be moments like this again and that's enough to make my stomach flutter.

I grab the icy staff while he's still holding it. His smile is relaxed. l whisper conspiratorially, "Let's give them a present."

Hakoda

"Should we take a seat?"

General Iroh leads us to the large table set up for the Fire Lord and his guests. A guest of the Fire Lord in the Fire Nation . . . Never imagined this happening in my wildest dreams. I glance at the general. I've heard stories of the ruthless Dragon of the West, best known for his devastating siege of Ba Sing Se. It strange to think this man, sipping away happily at a cup of tea, was responsible for so much destruction. Even stranger to realize that this is also the man that defended Ba Sing Se against his own nation not so long ago.

On the edge of the crowd of dancing people, a young earth bender, has a group enthralled by her metal bending. I lean forward to make sure I'm seeing that right and squint my eyes when I catch sight of my son. Sokka appears to be collecting money from people. Suki is taking the money and returning it. I shake my head. I suppose this a reminder that despite his brilliant capabilities for war strategy, he's still a kid.

On the other side of the room, by the table of food and drinks. The Fire Lord and his date appear to tune out the world as they sway together. Unconcerned with the looks and whispers around them, they are tranquility in a pair.

As a little girl, Katara was painfully timid, yet never shied away from speaking her mind. Ask her to show you her bending and her cheeks would go pink as she hid behind her mother. Oh, but if someone dared to call her bending freaky, she'd be quick to correct them.

Months ago, when the Avatar had been injured, gone was the shy little girl. This young lady was confident in her abilities and still as outspoken, yet somehow contained. When the Avatar left after awakening, it was like her restraint left her and all the anger I could feel simmering from her came bubbling to the surface. Rightfully sad and upset, I was surprised by her compassion even if I shouldn't have been. This young lady had dutifully sat by the Avatar's bedside, day in and day out. She had diligently tended to his wounds and looked after him with all the care reserved for a loved one. Perhaps, that should have been my first sign.

I merely thought that she was stressed, that she felt responsible for the young kid forced to carry the weight of the world. I thought perhaps she using his departure to vent her pain at me, and perhaps she was but . . . As I watch her now, she and the Avatar are spinning as one. Even from this table, I can see their eyes fixated on each other with adoring smiles to match. The kid looks more relaxed than I've ever seen him and Katara looks every bit fourteen years old as she talks to him.

I along with the crowd watch as the pair languidly let go of each other. Katara takes a stance with one foot back and her hands spread, the water in her hands breaks into droplets mid air. The Avatar blows a small breeze through Katara's hair that has her pressing her lips together in clear amusement. Katara's droplets grow smaller and with push of her hands, they rise up in the air where the Avatar begins waving his hands until the shape of clouds form. I suspect that Avatar has messed with the air temperature, but I'm too amazed to pay attention and as I glance at the faces of awe around us, I'm not the only one. Together, they bend an increasingly growing cloud. Then, as if they had practiced it, they let their hands drop. Down comes the snow. It's practically water by the time it reaches my hands, but it doesn't stop the squeals of laughter from the children experiencing snow for the first time.

I startle when Iroh speaks beside me, "Love between two people is a lovely thing, isn't it?"

"Is it wrong that I want to strangle him?"

Iroh pauses mid-drink. He raises a brow, "I don't suppose many would appreciate you strangling the savior of the world."

I don't suppose so either. In fact, I would say I may just have a death wish. When I thought Katara with the Fire Lord, it was one thing. He seems sensible, calm, and responsible - traits that resemble and balance Katara. The Avatar . . . I couldn't pin his personality, I've seen so little of it. He appears to always be in some kind of anguish. Angsty, one could say. But this, here and now . . . Katara was so bold, mischievous, full of live and youth as she asked the boy to dance and he . . . His glee couldn't be contained even if it were possible. He's happy and alive and his worries seemed to have flown far away.

And spirits. The Fire Lord's words come back to me.

"When I first joined the group, Katara threatened to kill me if I tried anything on Aang."

The Fire Lord says the words nonchalantly. His eyes are serious as he tells Sokka and I, "She sounded a thousand times more menace than you could imagine and she was more serious than I've ever seen her. You think she was scary when she went after your mother's murderer, then you should have seen her threatening me on Aang's behalf. If I had any intention of killing Aang, I would have thought twice about it."

"She went after the man . . . ?" My face pales.

"That's my little girl." I whisper sorrowfully. What could she have been thinking? How deep was her pain? Sokka gave me what felt like an abridged explanation.

"She is also the girl he loves."

I clench my fists not in anger. No, what I feel is a deep sadness. It's infinitely clear, but I want to ask. Avatar Aang, do you know her better than I do?

And, that's a wrap! What did you guys think of Onji's cameo in this chapter? I loved writing Hide . . . Idk how his name is spelled, I've seen Hyde, but I'm clueless. I'm have so much I want to say, but I'm afraid I'll say too much if I say more. Hehe. I hope you all enjoyed this update. Let know your thoughts. Until next week!

Quote of the Chapter:

I don't love you because I know who you are. I love you because what I know, makes me want to know you more.

-Pyrenees