Avatar: The Story Continues 18

15 weeks ASC

Katara and Aang spent the next day in Ba Sing Se resting up and enjoying some of the sights of the city.  For the first time since Aang created it, Aang and Katara went to visit the Ba Sing Se Zoo, located between the inner and outer walls of the city.  

In the evening, they cuddled on a couch that Iroh had bought for his tea shop (he was trying to make it more comfortable than just wood chairs and tables) and drank Iroh's fabulous chai tea.  

The next morning, Aang and Katara woke early and headed south on Appa.  They decided the best way to go was west of the Si Wong desert.  In one very long day, they flew over the Serpent's Pass and made it all the way to Omashu.  

They dropped in on King Bumi, who was absolutely ecstatic to see Aang and Katara….and, of course, Momo.  The travelers noted that the city now looked just as it did the first day they ever laid eyes on it.  All of the Fire Nation machinery and destruction had been removed.  

Because they had arrived so late, they decided to spend two nights in Omashu rather than just one so they had time to visit with Bumi.  Lots of sitting around and talking ensued as the friends caught up with one another.  Most of the talking was done by Aang, who told Bumi about what he and Katara had been through since the last time he dropped by a few months ago.  

Aang and Katara decided to take a chance and visit Gaoling again to see if Toph had arrived home after her tour of the smaller Earth Kingdom towns.  After leaving Omashu, the group headed southeast over the Foggy Swamp and once again landed in the backyard of the Bei Fong estate, just as they had months before.

To their surprise (because they truly expected her to still be traveling), Toph was home, having just arrived two days ago from helping the towns with their rebuilding effort.  Toph's metalbending especially came in handy during the rebuild because she could work on the metal skeletons of buildings while other earth benders put up the earthen walls.

Aang and Katara spent the evening with Toph.  A good time was had by all.  In their conversations, Toph asked the pair where they were headed and when she found out they were headed to the Southern Water Tribe, she asked to come along.  After all, most of her best friends in the whole world would all be there.

The trio started flying again the next morning.  They decided to visit Kyoshi Island and see their friends who were there.  Although Katara knew Suki was at the south pole with Sokka, she very much looked forward to seeing the other Kyoshi warriors.

Finally, after five days of traveling, they arrived at the Southern Water Tribe.  

OlOlOlOlOlO

Appa landed on the edge of the village in the early afternoon.  What Katara and Aang saw astounded them.  The village itself was almost double the size it was when they left a year ago.  The buildings which were now present were much bigger as well.  Pakku and his fellow immigrants from the Northern Water Tribe had really had an effect, even in the short few months they had been here.  

Katara looked to the left and saw Master Pakku and several other waterbenders practicing their craft right outside the city walls.  She noted that there were at least two women with the group as well.  This surprised her because of Pakku's previous stance that only the men practiced offensive and defensive waterbending while the women strictly practiced healing.  Katara was the first woman Pakku ever agreed to train.  Now it seems he may have had a change of heart.  Was it Katara's influence on him that made him reconsider?  Or perhaps it was the fact that he was now married to a strong-willed Kanna, Katara's grandmother?

Just then, Appa lept 20 feet in the air and let out a playful growl.  He landed right on the teenager who was running towards the trio and gave him a huge lick.

"It's good to see you, too, boy," Sokka said.

"Sokka!" Katara shouted and ran to her brother.  It had not been that long since the siblings had been together, but she still missed him terribly.

"I see you brought a stowaway with you," he remarked upon seeing Toph.  

"Captain Boomerang!  As I live and breathe!" she replied slyly.  

All quips aside, the group was very happy to see each other.  The four friends (and Momo) gave each other a group hug.  

"Where's Suki?" asked Katara.

"Oh, she's back at Dad's house," Sokka replied.  "I just happened to see you guys while I was walking from Dad's house to Gran-Gran's house and came right over."

"Are you staying with Dad?" asked Katara.

"Yeah.  I'd recommend you stay with Gran-Gran and Pakku though – it's a little tight where we are," replied Sokka.  "Toph can stay at either place."

"Toph, where do you want to stay?" asked Katara.

"Who is the better cook?" Toph asked.

"Gran-Gran.  Definitely Gran-Gran," Sokka replied.

"Then that's where I'm staying," she said as she licked her lips.

Sokka helped his sister and friends unpack their things and take them to Gran-Gran's house.  Gran-Gran was so happy to see Katara again.  As they hugged, Gran-Gran whispered into Katara's ear, "I told you this boy would be important part of your life."

Gran-Gran started to prepare a large feast for the family and their friends for dinner that night.  Katara was really excited when she heard the menu would be arctic hen and stewed sea prunes.  She asked Gran-Gran to also make a seaweed dish especially for Aang since he obviously would not be eating the hen - and he pretty much hated sea prunes.  

"You all take your things to your bedrooms.  Katara, you will be sharing with Toph then?" she asked.

"Uh…I, um," Katara was taken off guard by the question.

Kanna winked at her grandchild, then smiled.

"Yes, Toph and I will be sharing a room," Katara said awkwardly now knowing that Kanna was fully aware of what was really going on.  There would be no need for sneaking in this house.

Just then Hakoda entered the house.  "Katara!" he shouted as he hurried to give her a hug.  "It's good to see you!"

"Dinner's at sundown, Hakoda," Kanna told her son as she walked into another room to go about her business.

"How long are you staying?" Hakoda asked his daughter.

"About three months," she replied.  "We've got a wedding to attend in the Earth Kingdom after that."

That afternoon was spent talking with Hakoda and Gran-Gran for the most part.  Dinner was served at sundown and apart from the five friends, Hakoda, and Gran-Gran, the only other person in attendance was Pakku.

"Master Pakku, I noticed that there were a few women waterbending in your class earlier today," remarked Katara at dinner.

"Thanks to you and Kanna 'setting me straight', I am now more than willing to train women in the waterbending arts," Pakku replied.  "The only issue now is that the only waterbenders here in the Southern Water Tribe are you and those that we brought with us when we moved here.  The women you saw were healers from the Northern Water Tribe who are now interested in taking their waterbending to the next level."

"Someday there will be more waterbenders here," replied Katara.  "It will just take time."

OlOlOlOlOlO

4-6 months ASC

Aang and Katara's time at the south pole flew by as they both enjoyed their time of  rest and relaxation.  They ate a lot, played a lot, and of course, continued to train.  Since they were there with Pakku anyway, both Aang and Katara took the time to gain more even knowledge from the best waterbender on the planet.  

The village also decided to ask the waterbenders who now lived there to rid them of the awful memory that was the fire nation ship stuck in ice near the village.  This was the very same ship that Hama helped to put there – and where Aang set off the booby-trap when he was first freed from his iceberg prison.  The waterbenders gathered around the ship and liquefied the ice that held it in place.  The horrid reminder of the war quickly sank to the bottom of the ocean.

Katara and Sokka, who were born nearly one year apart, celebrated their birthdays in early winter.  Katara turned 15, while Sokka turned 16.  Because their birthdays were so close, they decided to just celebrate together with their family and close friends.

The five friends often sat around a campfire and discussed the next steps in each others lives.  It was during one of those conversations that the subject of Zuko and Mai was brought up – Zuko was the only member of the group who was missing from this informal gathering at the south pole.  But then again, Zuko was also the leader of a nation and had many responsibilities to take care of.  Katara was determined that it was time for a visit with Zuko.  She sent him a message the next day:

Zuko,

I hope all is well with you and Mai in the Fire Nation.  Aang and I completed our task and Kuei is now back in Ba Sing Se as the Earth King.  He is getting married in late spring to a friend of ours named Fei Yen.  The wedding is in a town called Qi Cun, which is northeast of Ba Sing Se.  I'm sure, as the leader of the Fire Nation, that you will be invited.  

Everyone would like to see you if your busy schedule permits.  How about we leave the Southern Water Tribe a few weeks early and stop by the Fire Nation capital on our way to Qi Cun?  Please let me know if you think that would be alright.  We definitely need to catch-up.  It has been way too long.

Katara

Also during those two months, Hakoda continued to show Sokka some of the finer points of being a man from the Southern Water Tribe.  They often spent long days fishing and hunting.

Sokka would often think of Master Piandao, his lost space sword, and continuing his training in the way of the sword.  Someday I'll return to finish, he thought to himself.  

Suki, who turned 16 in a month's time, was struggling a bit.  She was torn between two loves – Sokka and the Kyoshi warriors.  As much as she loved Sokka, she missed her friends and the regimen of training that it provided.  She had already put in nearly 8 years of training – was she now going to toss that away just to be someone's girlfriend?  

Toph – well, let's just say Toph was Toph.  She provided quips and sarcasm often and in great quantities and kept the others in great spirits during the visit.  Although she was enjoying herself, Toph was not entirely fond of the south pole.  There was simply not much earth on the surface.  She found herself mostly blind due to the fact that she now needed to wear boots and the fact that 99% of the place was covered in snow and ice.  It was a good thing that the village was not a huge city like Ba Sing Se.  It didn't take long to learn the lay-out of the village so she could easily get from place to place.

OlOlOlOlOlO

7 months ASC

Katara was really disappointed that she had not gotten a reply to her message she sent to Zuko.  She wondered if the message ever got to him, or if perhaps, he had so many messages and other pieces of paper around him that somehow he missed it.  

It was very nearly the time that the friends would need to leave the Southern Water Tribe if they were going to stop by the Fire Nation on their way to Qi Cun.  They had to decide if they still wanted to attempt a visit without Zuko's blessing first, or if they just wanted to stay at the south pole for an extra few weeks and go right to Qi Cun.  

"What do you think Aang?" asked Katara.  "Should we head to the capital city, or skip the Fire Nation altogether?"

"I think I'm caught between what I want to do and what we should do," he replied.  "I really would like to see Zuko, but the fact that he didn't reply probably means he is extremely busy with his responsibilities and we'd just be a distraction."

"He could have at least answered us then," noted Katara.

Just then, they heard a small explosion right outside their house.  Aang and Katara ran outside to see what it was.  There was a gathering of people out there looking at something.

"What was that?" yelled Katara as she pushed some of the people out of the way to get to the source of the loud sound.

"Are we being attacked?" yelled Aang, who was running next to her to get to the same place.

When they finally arrived at the center of the people, they found a bunch of firecrackers going off.  Everyone was looking at the two confused teens and smiling.  

"What is this?" asked Aang.  

"I just wanted to say 'hello' in a Fire Nation kind of way," said a voice beyond the circle of people.  Everyone parted revealing Zuko and Mai standing there.  

"Oh don't worry about them," Zuko said, "they were just in on the joke."

Aang and Katara were stunned and didn't move a muscle for about 10 seconds.  Finally Katara snapped out of her amazement and speechlessness and ran towards Zuko and gave him a huge hug.

"Zuko!" she yelled.  "You are crazy!"

Aang walked over to Mai and gave her a friendly hug hello.  

"Why didn't you tell us you were coming," asked Katara.

"I wanted to surprise you guys.  I guess I succeeded – and in more ways than one," Zuko said, smiling.

"As sad as this sounds, we needed a break," said Mai.  "It's been months and months of official state business, getting things back in order, dealing with the colonies, and putting down uprisings.  When Zuko got your message, we decided to visit you for a few weeks before the wedding.  Then we figured we'd all travel together to Qi Cun."

"So you received an invitation then?" asked Katara.

"We sure did," replied Zuko.  

"So who is watching the Fire Nation while you guys are away?" asked Aang.

"Thankfully, Piandao has agreed to step in for the next month," Zuko replied.  "He hasn't been hugely involved in Fire Nation politics since the war ended, but he has been there helping to give me ideas and make decisions as my top advisor.  The leaders of my government who report to me know him well and will listen to him."

"I'm just looking forward to spending some time together," Mai added.  "Zuko is always so busy these days."

"Well, its great to have you guys here," Katara said.  "The gang is back together again."

OlOlOlOlOlO

That evening, all the friends gathered together around a campfire as they often did.  It was now the middle of spring, so it wasn't quite as cold as it had been when Aang and Katara had first arrived.  The teens wrapped themselves in furs and huddled close to the fire.  

Many of the questions of the evening were aimed at Zuko and Mai and how things were going in the Fire Nation.  

"Have you decided what to do about your father and sister?" asked Sokka.  

"Not completely," Zuko replied.  "They are still in prison in the capital city.  I am not as concerned about my father as I am Azula – at least he can no longer firebend.  I have only seen my father once and I have purposely stayed away from Azula."

"Why are you staying away from them?" asked Katara.  

"I am still angry at my father.  The reason I went to see him that one time was to ask him about my mother," replied Zuko.  

"Oh my gosh, Zuko.  Did he tell you anything?" asked Katara knowing full well the back-story to Ursa's disappearance thanks to some personal conversations with Zuko on the way to fight Azula.  

"No.  That's the problem.  I don't know how to get him to tell me anything.  Now that I am Firelord, he would rather die than tell me anything I want to know," said Zuko.

"What about Azula?" Suki asked.  "Why haven't you seen her?"

"She's just nuts," Zuko replied bluntly.  "Ever since Katara defeated her, on the day of the agni kai, we've kept her in a cooled room under constant surveillance by doctors.  She is going to take a lot of work if she is ever going to be rehabilitated."

"Do you actually think she can be?" Aang asked.  "I mean, c'mon now.  It's Azula."

"I want to try.  I don't think its her fault she is the way she is.  I think she is a product of being raised primarily by my father," said Zuko.

"I give you a lot of credit," Katara said.  "I don't know if I could be as forgiving as you."

"I've had a lot of time to think.  And Mai has given me some things to think about, too.  After all, she spent a lot of time with her in the six months before the war ended," said Zuko.  "Don't you worry though.  I know how dangerous she is and I won't do anything stupid like letting her go scot-free."

"I have an idea as far as Ozai goes," said Sokka.  "If you are interested, that is."

"What?" asked Zuko.

"You need a snitch," Sokka replied.  "You're right.  He'll never tell you the answers you want.  But perhaps he'll tell someone else who hates you as much as he does.  I could pose as a prisoner and see if I could get the information for you.  It's not like we don't have any experience inside Fire Nation prisons or anything. "  

"I'd be glad to come to the Fire Nation to help, too," said Aang.  "But I may need to stay in Qi Cun for a bit once we arrive for the wedding."

"Why?" asked Zuko.

"They are hiding secrets that I need to find out more about," replied Aang.

"What secrets?" Zuko asked.

Aang told Zuko and Mai the story of their previous trip to the Earth Kingdom town and the things they learned.  

"So you think they may be airbenders?" asked Zuko after hearing Aang's story.

"They could be.  I'm sure they all aren't, but I've seen at least one person there who I think may be an airbender," Aang replied.  "The secrets are being kept somewhere – and they are well-guarded.  I need to know what happened in that town over the last 100 years."

"So here's what I think we should do," said Zuko.  "We'll all travel to Qi Cun together for the wedding.  We will stick together to help Aang find out the secrets he is after.  When we're done with Qi Cun, we'll all travel to the Fire Nation and plan a way to get my father to tell me what happened to my mother.  It'll be just like old times!"  

"Together again!" said Katara and they all got up and gave each other a gigantic group hug.  

OlOlOlOlOlO

Katara and Pakku joined forces to create another dwelling that would house Zuko and Mai while they stayed at the south pole (they were royalty after all).  Gran-Gran and Hakoda were out of space in their abodes to house anyone else.  The additional house would be convenient for future visitors as well.  

Over the next few weeks, the friends spent much of their time enjoying each others company.  They looked forward to their next adventure, but knew it was just a matter of time before they would be separated again.  

Katara had noted that as much as she enjoyed spending time with Zuko and Mai, they were apparently enjoying each others company a lot as well.  Often they would be the last to join the others for breakfast, or would retire to their house early leaving everyone else behind.  On one of the last days at the south pole, she caught up with Zuko as he was walking through the village.

"Zuko, are you packed yet?" asked Katara.

"Mai is doing that right now as a matter of fact," he replied.

"We really haven't had a chance to talk since you've been here – you and I, I mean," said Katara.

"What's on your mind?" asked Zuko.

"Oh, nothing in particular," replied Katara.  "I was just wondering how you were.  Not the Zuko who goes out in public, but the one who I've grown to love as a friend."

Zuko smiled to himself.  "It's been so long since someone other than Mai has taken an interest in me personally," he said.  "I've missed that."  He hugged her.  "I'm fine Katara.  I feel much better now that I've gotten away for a few weeks.  It's not easy being Firelord, and I certainly didn't have a good role model to teach me how to be Firelord when I was still a prince."

"You don't have to say that twice," she added.

"I'm very lucky that I have good people surrounding me.  Mai has been amazing.  Piandao has taught me so much about great leadership and what is truly important in life.  I even keep in regular contact with Uncle in Ba Sing Se via messenger hawks," said Zuko.  "And, of course, I have you guys."

"So…..," Katara started, "speaking of Mai….."

"Nosy, aren't we?" said Zuko with a smile.  "So…..about you and Aang…."

"No fair!" she shouted and gave him a Toph-like punch on the shoulder.  

"Tit for tat," Zuko said.

"Arrgh!" she said in frustration.  "Aang and I are doing well, thank you very much."

"I'm glad to hear it," he replied with sincerity.  "Mai and I really needed this vacation.  Back in the Fire Nation, she is the girlfriend of the Fire Lord as well as a close advisor.  But I am busy from sun up to sun down.  We hardly ever get a chance to spend time alone."

"Oh," replied Katara suddenly feeling a bit guilty that she was still in play mode while Zuko had suddenly become so serious.  "Well, you know you are always welcome to come visit me….er….wherever I end up being.  If you need a break, that is."

"Thank you, Katara.  I appreciate your hospitality and your friendship," Zuko said.  "Everything is going to be ok.  I'm just a tad bit overwhelmed.  I'm sure it will all calm down eventually as the war becomes a distant memory and all the new systems and people are put in place."  

They hugged.

"Sifu Hotman!" came a shout from a few houses away.  

Zuko simply shook his head.  He knew it would do no good to tell Aang again not to call him that – in fact, it would probably encourage him.     

Aang finally reached the pair.  "Katara, did you forget that we're leaving tomorrow?  We need to pack for the journey!"

"No, I didn't forget.  I just wanted to talk with Zuko for a few minutes," she replied.

She gave Zuko a kiss on the cheek.  Aang grabbed her hand and pulled her away playfully.  She flew into a nearby snowbank.  

"Huh!" she exclaimed.  Seeing the smirk on the airbender's face, she then waterbended some snow from a snowpile over Aang's head and let it fall on him, completely burying him up to his neck in snow.  And that's how it was…all the way back to Gran-Gran's house so they could begin packing.  I'm going to miss being here, she thought.