Chapter Five

When Aang saw her, shock filled him. Katara's skin was pale with a hint of mocha while white sprinkled in her hair. She looked tired but slightly hopeful, as if she had discovered something during her time away from everyone. Maybe she had, but right now, the only thing that mattered was that she came back, more or less herself.

Unable to hold back, the Airbender ran over to her to give a hug, refusing to let go again. She was slightly cold, so he used his Firebending chi to warm her. He didn't like feeling her this way. It was not natural to be this cold during the end of summer, especially in the Fire Nation. It was then he noticed the slight tremor in her body and realized she must be colder than he thought. What had happened to his precious woman? Katara stayed close to him, arms wrapped around his waist as her head lay on his shoulder. At least now she didn't have to bend her neck so far to get into this position.

Aang kissed her hair, feeling her warm up. "I was so worried about you," he murmured, tightening his hold around her shoulders that seemed fragile somehow. The Airbender hated having his love like this; she was the strongest person he knew and the idea of her weakening with the curse coming over her made him feel helpless. Another thing that bothered him was the fact that he would have to strike her heart to get rid of this thing. He just hoped he could do it.

Katara nuzzled his neck and he felt her cool lips against his heated skin. "I'm sorry for running off. I was scared, worried about hurting someone else." She looked up at him. "I'm okay now, though, and I think I might have figured out how to stop this curse or whatever it is. At least, partially I think."

Aang felt hope spark again. Did she think it was the same as he thought? If it was, how did she learn of it? Before he could ask anything, Toph interrupted their little reunion. "Hey Aang, can I talk to you for a minute?" There was unusual concern in her voice and that worried him. What was wrong now? Reluctantly, he let his girlfriend go to follow the blind Earthbender down the hall, away from the others. Turning in his direction, she started. "There's something wrong with Katara's heartbeat."

He blinked in confusion. "What do you mean, Toph?"

She signed in both impatience and worry. "I mean her heartbeat is weaker. It's been getting weaker since I've been here." She lowered her voice again even though they were far from the group. "This curse thing is trying to kill her, Aang. At this rate, it won't be long before she's gone."

The Airbender looked over at the group as Katara told of where she had been since the festival, of how her bending had stopped working until recently. Aang could hear her thanks to Toph's training methods. Katara's Waterbending had stopped working? That wasn't a good sign. Turning back to Toph he asked the dreaded question. "How long do you it will take until the curse completely takes over?"

Toph seemed to be concentrating until she finally said, "Four days. If not sooner."

He felt like his chest was going to explode. "Four days?!" he nearly yelled, catching the others attentions. He lowered his voice. "That's not enough time, Toph! I know the cure, but I don't know if I can go through with it." The anguish in his voice seemed to soften Toph a little more, though she still seemed anxious about it all.

The Blind Bandit sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Why do I get the feeling that this cure goes against what you believe?" she muttered before taking a breath. "Look, Twinkle Toes, whatever you have to do, do it quick. Katara can't hold out much longer. Hopefully what she learned on this island can help." She shrugged.

Sighing himself, the Airbender walked back to the group, the Earthbender following behind. Aang grabbed his beloved's hand, pulling her close. Katara looked up at him and he gently rubbed her cheek, feeling the soft skin. Kissing her forehead he said, "Maybe you should go lie down for a while. You look exhausted."

A yawn escaped her as she tried to keep her eyes open. "But I want to tell you what happened," she murmured.

Aang gently scooped her into his arms. "You can once you've rested. It's been a long day." She nodded, whether in agreement to sleep or it being a long day he wasn't sure. By the time he carried her back to her room, Katara was almost asleep. Making sure she was tucked in, the Air Nomad was about to leave when she reached out and grabbed his wrist. He looked down to see her watching him.

"I love you," she whispered endearingly.

Aang knelt on the bed and kissed her slowly, cupping her cheek. "I love you too," he murmured against her lips before looking at her. It could have been his imagination, but more of her regular coloring came back in both her hair and skin. The small hope he had grew as he left her sleeping. Maybe there was a chance to save Katara as well.

After explaining his visit with Kuruk to the rest of the group, Quin included, everyone sat in stunned silence as Aang's words sank into everyone's minds. Sokka had filled Quin in about Katara's condition. He had been kind of skeptical about the whole curse thing, but he knew that this group wouldn't lie, especially about their own member. Plus, Aang's look of worry sold the truth; no one could fake that depth of emotion in the kid's eyes.

Finally, Sokka exploded, standing up. "Are you kidding me?! That's the only way?" When no one responded to his question, he slammed a fist into the table. "No, we have to think of something else. I can't lose my sister; she's a part of our family."

Toph grabbed his arm and forced him down. "Be quiet, Snoozles!" she hissed. "You're gonna wake Sweetness. Listen, I'm sure there's another way, but you need to stay calm. Yelling isn't going to do anything."

"She's right," Aang said quietly. He ran a hand over his head. "I think there is another way, a missing element."

Zuko's frown deepened. "What element? I thought there were only four."

Aang shook his head. "Those are the physical elements, Zuko. I'm talking about the emotional elements." The Airbender took a deep breath. "Earlier with Katara, she had grabbed my wrist and said that she loved me. When I said it back, some of her natural coloring came back. Hatred and fear doesn't get rid of the curse, not forever anyway." He paused, taking a low breath as he looked at his hands on the table. "I-I think it's love."

After a few moments, Zuko nodded. "I guess that makes sense," he muttered.

Sokka snorted. "You don't actually believe that, do you?" he asked sarcastically.

The Firebender raised a brow. "There's a curse, one that you apparently believe. Why doubt that anything is possible?"

Sokka opened his mouth but found no words, so he slumped in his chair and sulked. Toph and Quin laughed. She said, "Nice one, Sparky, very clever." He rolled his eyes.

Aang sighed. "Look, the point is; I think it's the only way. I'm just not sure how to go about it. I love Katara with everything I have, but if I'm wrong about this and do what Kuruk told me, she won't live." The seriousness of the situation hung over the group as they remember about the girl in her room.

It was Quin who broke the silence. "Is this the only way? Didn't Kuruk mention anything else?"

The Airbender shook his head sadly. "I wish there was. And the thing is, I asked Toph how long we have before this thing takes control, and she said we have four days before the process is complete."

Toph nodded. "The feeling in her heartbeat has slowed. I don't know what will happen, but I can tell you that unless Aang does what needs to be done, we're going to lose Katara."

Sokka banged his head against the table. "Perfect," he muttered angrily. "Just perfect! Either way, we're going to lose her unless this theory works." He looked up at Aang. "Okay, Aang. Let's say this doesn't work, your theory, and you somehow manage to do this, what would happen to the curse? Do you think it would disappear for good?"

Aang twirled his thumbs. "I'm not sure," he admitted. Looking up he added, "But if it will release her, I'd rather have that than to let this curse kill her. Katara's in danger either way, but hopefully by doing this instead of the curse, she won't suffer anymore." His heart felt heavy, but Aang was determined to do this. If anyone was going to release Katara from this evil, it was going to be him, no matter how much it hurt to think of. Besides, if his theory is right, then she would live after this ordeal and the curse would be no more.

Zuko stood up. "I hope it works out, Aang. If you need anything, let me know. Right now, I have to go get ready for a meeting. We're interrogating the rebels from the festival. I'll see you later." He left the room, shoulders tense from what he had learned.

Sokka sighed. "I have to take care of a few things." Standing as well, he walked to Aang and placed a hand on the boy's tense shoulder. "I hope you know what you're doing. You're not the only one who loves her. Take care." And he too left the room, Quin following behind, leaving Toph and Aang alone.

The Airbender looked at her in slight confusion. "Don't you have anything to do?" he asked curiously.

The Blind Bandit snorted. "Nope. There's nothing to do in the Fire Nation. Well, unless you count the beach. Besides, I'm not really in the mood to go anywhere." Her face softened. "You need to calm down, Twinkle Toes; your heart rate is blasting through the roof. You'll make the right decision."

Aang frowned as he thought about that before muttering darkly, "Will I?" That reminded him of his choice to leave the Southern Air Temple over a hundred years ago. If he had stayed he could have protected his friends, his family from being burned alive. Yet the fear had been too great for him to handle.

Toph scoffed and stomped her foot into the metal ground, tilting Aang's chair which caused him to yelp in surprise. After the tremor had passed she said, "Don't even think about it!" Aang stared at her as she continued. "What's past and past and you shouldn't dread over the outcome. We can't change what happened, but we can make a better tomorrow or something like that. Katara's the main priority, so focus! She needs you, Aang, and you better use that to do what is best."

Aang took a deep breath. "You're right. Sorry." He looked at her again, puzzled. "Hey, Toph? What did you tell the students at the school the day you left?" He didn't know why he wanted to know, but he was curious. Maybe because she would make him laugh.

The Earthbender shrugged. "I told them I was on a maternity leave," she said simply.

That was not what he expected. "What? You're joking." He examined her closely. "Are you really...?"

His friend busted out laughing. "I can't believe you fell for that! No, I'm not pregnant, Twinkle Toes. Only a moron would believe that!" As she continued to laugh, Aang felt his heart race. Despite the circumstances, he thought of his love, asleep upstairs, curious about how she would look with a belly rounded with their first child. Aang could easily picture Katara like that and it made his breath catch at the thought. Toph suddenly stopped laughing and she gaped at him. "What's gotten into you?" Then it came to her and laughter rang out again. "That got you thinking about Sweetness having your baby!"

Aang winced, cursing Toph's perception. Was he that obvious? Looking around with a red face he hissed loudly, "Be quiet!"

She snorted. "You do realize what would happen if Sokka caught you thinking that, right? He'd have your-"

The Airbender nearly yelled, "Cut that out! I don't want to think about it. Blame the hormones, okay? It's not like I asked for them." This was so embarrassing. If Sokka found out that Aang was having lustful thoughts about his sister, he would have the Airbender's head...and possibly more.

"I think it's funny," Toph chuckled.

Aang groaned, "Toph!"

She waved a hand with a smirk. "Okay, okay. Don't get your arrow in a twist, baldy. I was only joking; it's too serious right now." Standing she added, "Maybe I will go out, find a Firebender to fight. I'm outta here. Later!"

Then it struck him how she didn't really answer his question. "Wait, what did you tell the students?" She just smiled and left, leaving Aang annoyed and curious.

Quin was outside, breathing in the air. It was getting cooler the longer the night went on. Today had been tedious. While the group had talked over what happened, he had been in town, helping to repair the damage the rebels had caused. When he had returned, Sokka told him of Katara, about this curse that was destroying her. Quin only met the group a handful of times over the years, but he gathered that everyone was pretty close, sharing the good times and the bad.

When he had seen what Katara had done, he had been amazed...until she ran away. That was when he knew something had been wrong and seeing the Waterbender how she was now made his chest tighten in worry. If it had been Toph in that position, he would have done whatever it took to save her.

Thinking about her made Quin catch his breath. She was amazing, beautiful and kind but also tough and strong. She was different that any other woman he knew. The Blind Bandit never threw herself on him like some other women did, nor was she cold about having him around. Toph treated him like a person, like a real Earthbender. Made him feel needed and wanted. The best part was that she cared. They were friends...though he wanted more.

Unknown to her, in the beginning, Quin had developed a crush on Toph. Later, as the academy grew, he begun to feel the effects of falling in love. Now, after only knowing her for a few years, he wanted to marry her. The Earthbender sighed, feeling slightly depressed. She would never go for it; he doubted the great Blind Bandit would ever feel the same way. They were just friends and that was all.

That said girl walked out of the palace into the moonlight and he took a second to examine her. The pale light gave her skin a luminous glow and her pale eyes, though sightless, seemed to hold so much knowledge for someone so young. He felt his heart skip a beat as she approached him by feel. It always struck how amazing it could be to feel everything around you.

She smiled at him. "Hey, Quin. What's up?" she asked, her voice casual. He swallowed, noticing how close they were. Quin could feel her body heat and felt his response to her. The Earthbender wanted nothing more than to kiss her right there, forgetting about the world and their problems.

Hoping to return her casualness, he replied, "Not much; had to get out of the palace. It was way too serious."

Toph laughed. "I hear ya. I played a little joke on Twinkle Toes. He had asked me what I'd said to the lily livers about my leaving, and you want to know what I told him?" He remained quiet, knowing she would tell no matter the response. The Blind Bandit snorted. "I told him I was on maternity leave!" Laughter rang out in the grounds, echoing in the night.

Secretly though, Quin felt sad. That only firmed his belief that Toph didn't want to get married and have kids; at least not with him. He finally found someone who understood him, and here she was laughing. Good thing he's not telling her his true feelings; she'd be on the ground with tears in her eyes.

After the laughter ceased, Toph rubbed her eye, still chuckling. "Woo, I would have loved to see his face. That would've been priceless."

He chuckled, still feeling longing for the unattainable. His friend stood up. "I was just heading to find a Firebender to fight, but since you're here, why not come spar with me? It'll get your mind off of things."

If Quin was honest with himself, he would rather nurse his bruised heart, but the thought of sparring with the Greatest Earthbender was too tempting. Maybe she was right; it could help take his mind off of other things. He stood up. "I'm game. Are you ready to lose, Bei Fong?"

She punched his arm. "Not even, Ling! You're going to be dirt by the time I'm done with you." And Toph started running, leaving her friend in the dust.

Katara was tossing and turning again, sweat on her pale forehead. The dream was happening again, but much worse. The world was engulfed in ice and snow, looking as if the poles decided to spread their frosty hands everywhere. The curse, it was worsening, becoming something alive.

And Katara couldn't stop it.

Bolting upright, she scrambled out of bed, landing on the floor with a painful grunt. Ignoring it, the Waterbender ran to the bathroom and looked at herself. What she saw made her scream and back up, hitting the wall. Her hair, which had started to turn back to normal, was now almost completely white. Her skin was pale as if the sun had never touched it. And worst of all was the ice coating her arms up to her shoulders.

Sliding down the wall, Katara covered her face as sobs wracked her body, the ice freezing against her face. From where she sat, the torrent of negative emotions formed, creating a thin layer of ice under her, spreading through the bathroom, encasing everything in the frigid crystal. The sound of someone running to her door dimly registered in her mind, but she was too numb to acknowledge the presence.

A gasp came from the doorway. "Katara!" a familiar voice called in worry. The arms belonging to her loving boyfriend wrapped around her and she clutched at him, crying hard into his Air Nomad robes, trying to get warm. Aang's hand went through her white hair, and she could feel him using his Firebending chi to warm her shivering body. The longer they sat there, the calmer she became, feeling the warmth slowly seep into freezing blood. It took a long time, but the cries quieted, and she was breathing normally with a few hiccups here and there. Aang continued to hold her, still warming, and the shivers slowly left her body.

He kissed her forehead. "It's, okay; I'm here. I've got you."

After letting out a shaky breath, Katara looked up at him with red eyes. "What's happening to me?" she whispered.

The Airbender pushed some hair from her face. "It's called the Frozen Heart curse," he said quietly and told her of what it was. The more she heard, the colder she became from the fear. That would explain everything; the anger, the freezing, mind blanks. It made sense.

He remained quiet after that, but his eyes told that he was hiding something, something she wouldn't really like. She touched his cheek. "There's more; I know there is. What are you hiding Aang?"

He sighed not seeming to mind the little bit of remaining ice in her hand. "There's a way to get rid of it," he answered slowly, waiting for her reaction.

She stared at him, feeling hope. "What is it?"

Aang took a deep breath, but before he could reply, both of them felt a freezing force hit their minds, making them clutch their heads. Katara shouted, "What's...happening?!"

Gritting his teeth he said, "It's the curse! It knows I have the cure! It's trying to get rid of it." Aang looked at her. "Katara, you have to stop it!"

She gazed at him in panic. "I don't know how!" But she could feel what he meant. It was like being inside of his head, searching, seeking. The memory was close and time was running out. Think through the pain. This curse is about cold anger. The opposite would be...

It was a long shot, but she had to try. Removing her hands from her head, Katara grabbed his and forced them down. Her Airbender's eyes were tightly closed. Forcing the pain away, she kissed him, tears down her cheeks. Almost instantly, warmth rushed through her body, chasing away the cold to make room for the heat of love.

Aang relaxed and kissed back, and she could feel the foreign force leave his mind, saving the memory. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he pulled her tightly against his body. The ice in the room and on them melted then vaporized, leaving steam. Some of her hair color returned, but her face remained the same. Shuddering, they pulled apart, hugging close. They did not speak, but both knew what the other was thinking. How much longer would it be until they were too late?