Aang

Just After Zuko Left The Inn -

Aang grumbled as Zuko made his teasing remark and left the tavern, Promising himself that he'll get back at him for it, But deep down, he knew Zuko was probably right, He probably likes that girl, that water tribe beauty, that he still doesn't know how to approach.

Should i do a trick to get her to talk to me ? He asked inwardly, but then refused the idea, it'd probably just set her off again, So Aang thought the best idea is to approach her, right then and there, so at that moment he was just gathering enough courage to take the risk.

Finally the avatar was filled with enough courage to do the job, he stood up from his chair leaving his drink at his table, he looked at the girl where she was sitting just a few meters away, and he finally took the first step in her direction, and then the second, followed by the third and so on, till he finally reached the girl.

she seemed to not notice his presence as she was looking the other side, so he had to clear his throat to grab her attention, she looked back at him abruptly and finally her eyes settled on him, Aang saw the slightly confused look on her face, she was probably trying to remember where she had seen him before, so Aang finally decided to speak.

"Hi, I'm Aang, we met at The Northern Water tribe, by accident anyway.." he said scratching the back of his head, trying to collect the right words, he continued. "We kinda.." before he got to finish his sentence, he was cut off..

"Bumped into each other." The Water Tribe beauty finished his line, Aang looked down at her, he found that she was pouting slightly, he didn't think of it as offensive, or dismissing, No, Oddly enough, he thought it was Cute, so he decided to continue.

"Yeah, Well, i didn't get a chance to apologize for what happened, So... I thought this could be a perfect time.." Aang said again still scratching the back of his head, looking at anything but the girl's eyes, he continued.. "I'm sorry." he finished, finally looking the girl in the eyes, her facial features eased down a bit, she was no longer pouting, No, she was actually looking at him with a soft expression.

"It's alright, it was kinda my fault too, you didn't have to apologize.." The girl said finally accepting Aang's apology, But Aang's focus was lost on something else entirely..

Damn, i thought that girl was cute pouting, but seeing her with a soft expression, that's something else entirely. Aang mused, Finally he heard something the girl asked that caught his attention.

"Are you an air bender ?" The girl asked, Aang broke out of his daze, and finally focused on the girl.

"Yeah, Kinda, I'm Aang from The Southern Air Temple, You ?" Aang asked extending his hand, The Girl shook it and introduced herself.

"I'm Katara, from the southern water tribe." She finished flashing him one of her cute smiles, to which he smiled back.

"Katara, that's a nice name." He said in all honesty, he didn't say it to flirt with the girl, he was planning on doing that later, but he actually liked the girl's name, she blushed slightly and thanked him.

"When i asked you if you're an Airbender, what did you mean 'Kinda' ?" Katara inquired with a confused look on her face, which made Aang feel nervous all of a sudden.

"It's a long story.." he said brushing it off, he tried to change the subject.. "I've been standing for too long, those poor old legs need relaxing, may i sit ?" Aang said with a puppy face, making Katara giggle slightly.

"Of Course, take a seat, but you're not that old." Katara said still chuckling a bit, Aang took a seat in front of her, they kept talking and talking for what seemed like hours, they felt like a bond was being created between them, Aang felt like he was having a good moment for the first time in three years, but of course Aang made sure to hide his true identity though the whole conversation, he never liked people considering him their friend because of his title, that's why he found friendship in Zuko, Toph and Azula, they weren't interested in his title, and he hoped Katara would be the same, they kept talking until they reached an interesting point..

"Well, i like disguising myself as old men, I once wanted to enter Omashu, but they had strict rules and i was 13 years old, so it was unlikely for me to enter the city, so i diguised myself as an old man called Bonzu Pippinpaddleopsicopolis The Third, it worked wonders, i think i even scared one of the city guards." Aang finished his story, making Katara laugh loudly this time.

"Bonzu what ? What kind of name is that ?" Katara asked clearly amused by the story, which warmed Aang's heart, he was finally in the right direction with the girl.

"I don't know, i just made it up, if you thought the name was weird, you should have seen the mustache, it was made of pure bison fur from my flying bison Appa, it was so itchy, i often wonder how he lives in this stuff ?" Aang wondered comically making Katara laugh even more, but she stopped laughing as she realized something.

"You have a flying bison ?" She asked clearly shocked by the revelation.

"Yeah, all air benders have flying bisons, Wanna see mine ?" Aang asked her with a smile on his face, Katara looked around one more time and then focused on Aang

"Well, since it looks like my brother won't show up at all, i guess i've nothing better to do, besides i've always wanted to see a flying bison." Katara stood up and walked with Aang to where Appa was in the barn beside his house talking all the way, they found him eating his hay.

"Hello, Boy, i'm back." Aang stated as he entered the barn, Appa welcomed him with a lick and got back to his hay, Aang laughed and cleared the saliva with Airbending, careful not to use Waterbending in front of Katara, as he was still hiding the fact that he's the avatar from her.

"Appa, i brought a friend with me, her name is Katara." Aang introduced her, she stepped forward with a smile on her face, Appa look at her, clearly examining her first, Katara looked nervous, but then she eased down again, as Appa gave her a lick, Aang heard Katara's musical laugh again and smiled.

"Looks like he likes you." Aang said the smile still on his face, Katara looked back and had the same bright smile, clearing the saliva from her face with Waterbending, Aang looked back at her and then pointed at the bison.

"You wanna take a ride on Appa ?" Aang asked the smile still plastered on his face, Katara was taken aback, seeing a bison is one thing but riding a bison, too dangerous.

"I don't know, it might be dangerous." Katara said hesitantly, her hesitation made Aang even more determined to give her a ride on Appa.

"Come on, you must've learned by now that to be a bender you have to let go of fear, even if you fell, Appa and i will catch you, don't worry." Aang said with a smirk on his face, Katara's worried face returned again.

"Thank you, that really made me feel better." She said sarcastically, but after a couple of seconds, she grew determined, she continued.. "Alright, I know i'll regret it so much if i don't take this chance, So let's go." Katara finished, making Aang smile a bit, in a bold move, he put his arms around her and in a swift move he jumped to the saddle with air bending putting her there, Aang looked at Katara and saw the faint blush on her cheeks and the quizzical look on her face, he decided to speak..

"Sorry, but you gotta admit that way is faster." Aang made his remark, making Katara giggle a bit, and she agreed with him, he jumped to the front, resting his legs on the bison's head.

"Alright, First Time Flyers, Hold On Tight." He said in a formal voice, making Katara giggle again, he continued. "Appa, Yip Yip." Appa gave a loud grunt, making Katara nervous, but all of a sudden he ran to the outside of the barn, and took off to the midday skies, Katara closed her eyes, but after a while she felt the stillness in the air, she decided to open her eyes, and she thanked the spirits that she did so.

The Sight was magical to say the least, Aang saw the look on her face as she was staring at the sight ahead, and smiled inwardly, and decided to make some small talk while he's at it, so they can get to know each other.

"So, you like flying so far ?" Aang asked clearly knowing the answer, but he just wanted to start a conversation with her, but he never got an answer, he looked back and Katara was still staring at the sight ahead, Astonishment and Wonder written all over her face, so he decided to call her name again..

"Katara.." At the mention of her name Katara broke out of her daze and looked at Aang asking "Huh, What ?" So Aang repeated his question.

"Oh, Yes, i gotta admit i was a bit scared at first, but this.." She said pointing at the sight ahead of them, "This makes up for everything." She finished her statement.

"I'm glad i was able to help, You know me and Appa do this all the time, even Zuko and Toph used to join us, Toph wasn't fond of flying much, but Zuko loved it." Aang said, clearly not noticing the confused look on Katara's face.

"Um, Toph ? Zuko ?" She asked, Aang looked back at her and fought the urge to smack his forehead, Of course, how could she know of them ?

"Oh, they're my friends, we used to do everything together." Aang said leaving some important details, like Zuko being the Fire Nation prince and Toph being his earth bending instructor, because that would give away his true identity, and he still wanted to remain unknown for her to see her true intentions.

"I imagine doing things together while being on a flying bison seeing sights like this everyday is more fun." Katara stated, Aang had to turn his face looking ahead so she couldn't see the bitter smile on his face..

Yeah, More Fun, fighting rebels and killing them does sound more fun Aang mused bitterly, but he kept the smile on his face for Katara's sake, and decided to speak..

"Yeah, it was fun, we might be flying for a while by the way might as well use the time well, you know getting to know each other." Aang said looking back at her with a smile on his face, Katara smiled back.

"Okay, As i've already told you I'm from the southern water tribe, but what i haven't told you is, I'm the daughter of Chief Hakoda, head of the southern water tribe.." Aang looked back shocked by what she said, but Katara continued anyway..

"I'm a master Waterbender, just finished mastering it actually a couple of weeks ago, when we met in the northern water tribe, i was on my way back home from losing a fight with some young man called Petu, and that made me lash out at you the way i did, Sorry for that again by the way." Katara said with a small smile on her face indicating how sorry she really is.

"It's okay, Katara, had the roles been reversed i'd have probably done the same things." Aang said, again leaving out a little piece of information that he knew Petu, because that might lead to a couple of question that could end up giving away his identity.

"Had the roles been reversed and you did what i did, i'd have probably punched you in the jaw, I'm glad you didn't have the temperament for it." Katara said sarcastically, which made Aang laugh and Katara immediately joined him, Of course she is quick-tempered at times, but right now, she's like an angel in his eyes.

They spent the next few hours like this, making small talks, talking about their past and present, Aang of course left out some details, the details that would give away his status, he realized that with each words they utter he gets closer to her somehow, and he noticed the same thing for Katara, she seemed to warm up for him, she even told him one of her dark secrets, and shown him a gift from master Pakku that he gave her when they left the north pole and on their way to the southern water tribe.

"Master Pakku gave me this." She removed one of the necklaces that was wrapped around her neck, or what Aang thought was a necklace anyway, it was some kind of a flask, Aang had a confused look on his face, so Katara continued..

"This is Water of the spirit oasis at the north pole, Master Pakku said it has special properties so i've been saving it for something important." she clarified, Aang had a look of, of course he knew which spirit water she was talking about.

"It's Amazing, i hope you don't have to use it though, it'll only mean catastrophe" Aang quipped, which made Katara giggle a bit, but she agreed with him, she hoped she'd never have to use it.

They finally finished their flight when Aang saw that the tired look on Appa's face and on Katara's face as well, it was night fall already, he didn't even notice the time, his full focus was on her that he forgot where he was or what time is it, so they decided that it was time to turn in for the night, they said their good-byes promising to see each other again, but next time Aang promised inwardly to tell her his true identity.

he left her at her house, and took off with Appa to go his room in the Fire Nation palace, as he arrived there he found Iroh and Zuko waiting for him with an irritated look on Zuko's face.

"Where have you been ? We've been waiting for you the whole time." Zuko said angrily, at first Aang didn't know why so angry about him being late, but then he remembered he had an appointment with the Fire Lord, he smacked his forehead.

"Oh No, Sorry, Guys, i know we had an appointment with Ozai, but i was just having a good time for the first time in a while and that made me lose track of time." Aang stated, and that statement brought a smirk on Zuko's face.

"Yeah, Having a very good time." Zuko said sarcastically, making Aang faintly blush in return.

"Is there something you're not telling me ?" Iroh said clearly confused by their antics, Aang looked at Zuko he still had a smirk on his face, Aang grumbled inwardly.

"Nothing, Iroh, i was just roaming the capital on Appa, but we still can see the Firelord now, right ?" Aang asked clearly wanting to avoid the subject but Iroh brushed it off all the same..

"Yeah, Ozai told Zuko that the meeting would be at nightfall, so it'll start in five minutes, we better get moving." Iroh said, Aang noticed the slightly angry face Zuko made when Iroh mentioned his encounter with his father, Aang took a note that he'd ask him about it later.

All three of them made their way to the Firelord's war room, they asked for permission to enter, and they entered, they found Azula sitting beside her father, Aang fought the urge to gasp, when he saw Azula, he never thought he would find her there, and clearly she was avoiding to look in his eyes as well.
"Hello, Avatar Aang, Iroh, We've been waiting for you." The Firelord stated as they entered the room.

"Hello, Brother, it's been a long time." Iroh said, and Aang noticed that he choked the words out of his mouth.

"Yeah, it's been. i suppose you had a good time in Ba Sing Se, how's your tea shop ?" Ozai asked, as Aang and his companions sat on the mats on the floor in front of the Firelord's place, but Aang knew the question wasn't good-naturedly.

"Work has been great, My shop is now the most famous tea shop in the city, even the earth king comes by to have tea sometimes." Iroh responded clearly enjoying the talk about his tea shop, which made Ozai grimace a bit, looks like that wasn't the answer he was expecting, but Aang decided to cut the talk.

"Yeah, Work's been great, Your majesty, but we're not here to discuss tea, are we ?" Aang asked with a smile, had he looked at the person on the Firelord's side, he'd have noticed a small smile playing on her lips.

"I suppose not, Avatar. so what have you come to discuss with me ?" The Firelord asked, focusing on the avatar, so Aang decided to tell them what happened in the north pole and the problem of the spirits, and what caused that problem, he told them the whole tale, which resulted in shocked faces from all the people in the room, except for the Firelord who decided to speak.

"A war between humans and spirits? why do i find that hard to believe?" The Firelord inquired, clearly not convinced by Aang's words, so Aang decided to reply.

"I'd have said the same thing had i not gotten the information from Avatar Roku himself, Firelord, i went to the old forest, met the avatar there, and he told me himself." Finally he got a reaction from the Firelord but he replied with a question he didn't have an answer for..

"Even if what you're saying is correct, what can we do ? There hasn't been a war between Humans and Spirits in ages, we don't know how to fight them." The Firelord said still keeping a straight face, not a shred of concern on his face, Aang wondered sometimes if that man was made of stone.

"This is exactly what i'm here for, to contemplate our choices, and find a way to fight them, i can't do it alone." Aang said with all honesty, he spared a look in Azula's direction, he found that she was sitting there clearly still shocked by the news, but she looked as solid as ever, without a look of fear on her face, just a shocked look, he looked back at the Firelord who finally looked convinced by Aang's words.

"Alright, we'll talk about it after the ceremonies, Surely the spirits still have a long way to go to raise an army, am i correct ?" The Firelord inquired again, and Aang nodded, so the Firelord spoke again.

"It's settled then, This meeting is adjourned until the ceremonies are finished." The Firelord finished the meeting, clearly not as concerned as everyone else about the news, but Aang knew that he hit his mark, and he finally got the Firelord's attention and that was more than enough, he left the room with Iroh and Zuko.

"So, earlier today you told me Toph was in the harbor because she was waiting on her parents, but 'you knew better'" Zuko made hand gestures to emphasize his point, he continued.. "What are you hiding from me ?" Zuko asked, and even though tired Aang had a sly smile on his face.

"Alright, but don't tell her i told you anything, or i'll end up with tokens of her esteem all over my body." Aang said, making Zuko chuckle a bit but he nodded all the same, so Aang continued.. "Haru came today as well." Aang said with a smirk on his face.

A look of understanding passed on Zuko's face and suddenly he laughed loudly, Aang joined him immediately.

"I can't believe Toph would do that !" Zuko said still chuckling a bit.

"Well, you know, it's for everybody, even Toph." Aang said, knowing for sure that Zuko understood his point.

"Yeah, you're probably right, well, Me and Uncle are going to stay awake for awhile, you're welcome to join us if you like." Zuko offered, but Aang thought otherwise.

"If i did, i might end up sleeping on one of your laps, it's not gonna be a pretty sight." Aang quipped tiredly, which made Zuko chuckle a bit.

"Actually it might be a pretty sight, i've always wanted to slap that bald head of yours." Zuko teased, which made Aang pout in return.

"Do it, and you'll have your pretty face cut in half." Aang threatened good-naturedly, which made Zuko laugh even more, Aang said good night to him, and made his way to his room, finally he arrived at his door, he opened it and got in, but as soon as he did that, he wished he hadn't.

"I've been waiting for you." he heard a female voice from the inside, although he knew who the voice belonged to, he lit a candle to get a good look at the person sitting on his bed.

This is not going be good. he thought, still looking in shock at the person's face.

"Azula ?"