Chapter Two

It was a few days later as Appa, the Avatar's flying bison, flew over the ocean, icebergs dotting the big blue. Aang and Katara were headed to the great Southern Water Tribe to see how the rebuilding had gone. Other than Sokka's letters they have always received, telling of the tribe's growth, they had only imagined what it could look like. It had been Aang's idea to go and Katara was more than willing as long as he was there. It had been over four years since they had been there and Katara couldn't help but think of the day they had freed Aang from the iceberg.

When he came into their lives, bringing fun and danger, it had changed everyone's lives, brought hope and love where some places had forgotten about them. Most people didn't believe that a child could bring those two important things back into life after a century of war; but Aang did manage it, bringing peace as well. The world evolved from hatred and fear, making room for more important things. Families were reunited and homes were rebuilt. The Southern Water Tribe was part of that regrowth. Everything had changed for the better, but sometimes her heart would ache from staying away from home.

Suddenly and without warning, cold fury washed her heart with ice. Why didn't she come over more often? Why didn't Aang bring her there more? It was unfair and Katara had the urge to encase him in ice. It wasn't like they had anything important to do besides going to meetings from time to time. This emotion, this coldness, frightened the Waterbender because it had come up so suddenly without provocation. It made no sense for the anger to have come up; there was no reason for it. As suddenly as the cold anger came, though, it was gone, leaving Katara shivering in its aftermath. What just happened? Aang must have heard her shiver because the next instant he was there, hugging her close to his body heat, trying to warm her.

Katara couldn't get why the anger came. One moment she was excited about going home with Aang and the next she was coldly furious. It almost made her heart stop; that was how terrified she was. As Aang gently rocked them back and forth, the Master Waterbender felt herself relax, but she knew Aang was going to ask what the problem was. Sure enough he asked, "What's the matter?"

She kept her head down, listening to his beating heart as the sound soothed her nerves, calmed her own racing heart. She couldn't bring herself to tell him; he was worried enough and she didn't want to put her problem on his shoulders. He may be the Avatar, but Aang was still a human being and they could only handle so much. No; she had to keep her fears quiet. Who knows what Aang will do if he found out?

Katara closed her eyes, willing herself to calm further. The Waterbender wanted nothing more than to tell him how she felt, but she couldn't. Instead she said, "I'm tired, Aang, that's all. I told you I haven't been sleeping right." It was a pitiful lie and they both knew it; she could tell from the knowing look in his gray eyes.

He frowned as he examined her face in the fading light, looking older and wiser than usual. Aang knew she was lying. "I know it's more than that, Katara. I don't like it when you're hiding something from me." He held her closer. "You once told me back at the Serpent's Pass that hiding what you're feeling isn't good for anyone. I don't care what it is, but I know that whatever you're feeling is eating you." He brushed her hair out of her face, grabbing Katara's chin as he did so. She was forced to look into his eyes, gentle yet strong, old and young. He really has grown up. "Please don't hide your feelings. I can't help you unless I know what's bothering you. Tell me what's wrong."

Katara took a deep breath, examining her Airbender with her heart in turmoil. The Waterbender wanted to pour her feelings out, to talk about her fears and the icy shadow that didn't seem to be too far away from her being. She wanted Aang to know about her nightmare and figure out what it could mean. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to tell anything. Her protective instincts wouldn't allow Katara to place her weighty problems on her boyfriend's shoulders.

Instead she touched his cheek, eyes connected with his. They had a strong bond and from it, the Waterbending Master knew he could tell she was going to lie again, but she didn't have a choice. "I'm okay, Aang. I just have a lot on my mind. It's nothing to be concerned about."

Aang looked he wanted to argue but there must have been something, a plea perhaps, that made him back off. He kissed her forehead softly. "Okay; but if you ever need to talk, know that I'm here. You can talk to any of us if you need to. We're all there for you." Katara nodded and kissed his cheek, making him blush slightly. It caused her to giggle a little; Aang was cute with red coloring his cheeks. Some things never change.

She smiled at him. "Thanks, Aang. You always know what to say."

The Airbender grinned a little. "Any time." Looking up at the sky he added, "We should arrive in about an hour or so." He looked back at her. "I bet you're excited about going home."

Now that everything was okay for the moment, Katara could feel her anticipation for home. She smiled for real. "You know I am." Aang chuckled at her excitement, hugging her once more then going back to Appa's head. Although he still looked worried for her, Aang was willing to let it go for now; but Katara knew, one way or another, that he was going to do whatever it took to learn the truth.

Sokka sighed as he finished writing his letter to Suki. It's been over a month since they had seen each other and the Water Tribe warrior missed his girlfriend with an ache. Judging from the letters, Suki missed him just as much. Putting the brush down and allowing the ink to dry, he put his hand inside his pants pocket, pulling the necklace out. His father, chief Hakoda, had helped him make it, carving the stone under Sokka's instruction. The silver pendant had a fan on top with two swords crisscrossing under it.

When they met up again, go out for dinner, he was going to propose to her after dessert. Sokka wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and have Suki be the mother of his children. He took a deep breath at the thought; it was too soon to be thinking of that, but he couldn't help it. A future with her would be the best present he would ask for. Sokka could only hope that she would accept it.

The Water Tribe warrior was about to roll the letter when he heard the familiar growl of a very special creature, the last of his kind. Going to the window of the building, Sokka was delighted to see Appa land just outside of the village. The wall surrounded the city like village though Sokka thought it unnecessary since the war ended three years ago. The Southern Water Tribe had grown, looking more like the Northern Tribe. Buildings so tall they seemed to touch the sky graced the land, made of white stone and ice. The stone had been brought in from the Earth Kingdom, cut and ready for building.

Running into the cold landscape, Sokka watched as his best friend, Aang, and his little sister, Katara, jumped off the great beast. He hugged them both as the villagers came out with cheers and kids yelling in excitement at seeing the two war heroes. Katara laughed, hugging her big brother back. "Nice to know we were missed. It's good to see you again, Sokka."

He was grinning as he backed away from them. "It's about time you guys showed; I thought you had forgotten me!" Ah, the usual sarcasm, thanks to the ever humorous Sokka. Katara shook her head in amusement; it was good to be home.

Aang chuckled with a smile, placing an arm around his best friend. "How could we forget our plan guy? That seems criminal."

Sokka laughed before a figure came to them, an elderly woman who looked after them when they were younger. Kanna, their grandmother, engulfed Katara in a warm embrace. "My little Waterbender," she said quietly. Tears glistened in the old woman's eyes as she examined the young woman before her. "My, how you've grown. I hardly recognized you." Kanna's eyes moved over to Aang and he bowed in respect; then looked shocked as she hugged him as well before examining his face. There was some sadness in her face. "So young," she murmured. "Yet so wise for your age. I hope you are fairing well, Aang."

He nodded. "I'm doing okay, Kanna. It's been a little stressful with the meetings, but we've managed."

She smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. Come, you must be hungry. I will prepare the tea." When the couple was about to remove their belongings from the saddle, Kanna stopped them. "The other villagers will take care of your packs. Come along; you too, Sokka."

The three friends looked at each other before following the old woman. Sokka looked at his friends. "So what's been going on with you two? What's new in the world?" Aang started explaining what they have been doing during their time away. It was strange for him to be the one to talk; usually Katara would. Sokka looked at his little sister and noticed how her eyes were dull; she had seemed happy when he came out, but now there was distance in her demeanor. Something was wrong and he didn't like the look on her face. There was something she wasn't telling either of them. What made her as silent as a grave?

Aang sipped from the warm cup, feeling the tea fill his body with warmth. They were inside Hakoda's home, furs covering almost everywhere. He wasn't comfortable with the idea of animal skins being used for warmth but he tolerated it. The chief was sitting opposite him on the rug, drinking the warm liquid as well as they conversed. Sokka and Katara were sitting on the other end of the room, catching up on news and such. That was just as well since the Airbender wanted to talk with their father alone.

Clearing his throat Aang said, "Hakoda, I need to discuss something with you."

The man looked at him curiously, putting his cup down. "What would that be, son?"

Son. The word made his heart constrict with longing. Aang wanted nothing more than to be a part of this family. His mind flashed back to the moment when Katara had said they were his family now, and the Airbender wanted to make that official. He took a breath and began, eyes serious. "Sir, I want to ask a very important question. You know I love your daughter more than anything else, and I would do anything to protect her, even if it meant risking my own life. Katara has been through so much with me that it made me realize how I can't live without her." Aang's heart was pounding, nervous about what he was going to say next, but it was too late to back out now. "Chief Hakoda, may I have your blessing to marry Katara?"

The was silence as the older man examined the younger one, face thoughtful and eyes attentive. Aang was aware of his girlfriend and best friend talking about the time they had crossed the Great Divide, when they had seen and fought those Canyon Crawlers. To be honest, he preferred to think about something else, like being married to Katara.

After so long, Hakoda finally smiled and put out his arm, which Aang grabbed at the elbow, feeling at ease. "It would be an honor to call you my son, Aang," he said letting go. Hakoda rubbed his short goatee. "Though to tell you the truth, I've already thought of you as one." He looked at his children before lowering his voice. "Do you have a necklace made?"

Making sure the siblings were busy, Aang brought out a necklace from his robes. The pendent was unique, the top yellow and blending into the blue bottom. Lines representing air carved into the yellow while water carved the blue; air and water in harmony. The band was deep orange, almost gold that shimmers in the firelight. The clasp holding the pendent in place was silver.

Hakoda took it and examined the piece of jewellery, impressed. "You must have worked a long time on this," he stated, handing it back.

Aang put it back in his pocket. "For almost a year." He smiled at his hopefully soon-to-be father in law. Then the Airbender looked over at the girl of his dreams. "I just hope she will accept." That was the one drawback; he didn't know if she would marry him. She could have been married by now if it weren't for him; Aang was two years younger than her yet it didn't seem to bother Katara at all. If anything, she seemed happy for it. They had known each other for four years from the time he was twelve; they knew each other better than anyone else. Would that be enough reason for her to marry him?

The older man placed a hand on the teenager's shoulder. He spoke with confidence. "She will. I can tell that she loves you, son, and will do whatever it takes to be with you. That's how devoted Katara is. You make her happy. She'll accept."

Aang grinned at the man. "Thank you; I'll remember that." Hakoda nodded and stood to leave; he had some work to finish. Aang watched him go, feeling lighter of heart. Yet, there was something wrong, he could feel it. Looking over at his friends again, Aang silently asked himself what the problem could be. He thought about the nights where she had woken up without warning, her face pale and glistening with sweat. Katara was having nightmares about something, but she didn't want to tell anyone about them for fear of causing problems. She never told him that, but Aang had known her long enough to understand her reasons for silence. It was her way of protecting others from her worries.

Aang felt he needed to show Katara that hiding emotions wasn't a good idea, but how? The Airbender thought for a few moments; the sole purpose of coming here was to get Hakoda's blessing for the marriage and to pick Sokka up for the Fire Nation. The festival would be taking place at the palace. It would take about three days for them to get there, leaving one day to prepare for the festivities. That was where he planned on proposing to her.

Looking back at Katara, Aang felt determination course through his body. No matter how long it took, he was going to find out what has been going on with her. He needed her to trust him with her problems. The Airbender had to show her that her problems can be solved if they both worked on them. He would never let her be alone ever again.

As they left the South Pole behind a few hours later, Katara pondered her emotions. Other than the strange anger that had come over her earlier in the day, she felt fine now. Why had it come on like that? She had never felt that kind of anger since she faced Yon Rha, the man who had killed her mother. Actually this had been worse than that; it was like an icy fist had covered her heart, freezing it. The Waterbender shivered in the air, remembering it. Glancing over, she gazed at her brother who was in turn studying her with a peculiar expression, as if he too wondered about it. But he didn't know; Katara didn't tell him or Aang about what might be happening to her.

Katara looked over at the Airbender and noticed how he was watching her too, but he averted his eyes from hers as if fearful of what she would do when spied on. Sighing, the Master Waterbender looked back at the darkening water. It was nearing sun set and growing darker still. They'll make camp when they reach land in a few hours. For once, the water didn't soothe her like it normally would. Instead, watching it turn dark, made that foreign coldness creep in again. It made her remember the war, of losing her mother, then father, and stealing her childhood. It was so unfair! Why did have to happen? Why couldn't there be more light in the world?

She became so angry that her hands curled on the edge of the saddle; the next instant ice formed where her hands were and Katara released the saddle with a gasp of shock. Even as she watched, the ice grew until it was three times bigger than her hands. She looked at them, gasping in fear and some amazement. Where was this anger coming from? What was it doing to her powers? What was happening with her?

Taking a deep breath, she melted the ice and sent the water into the ocean before curling into a ball as if to prevent any more mishap. Unknown to her, though, Sokka had seen what had happened though he kept quiet as he thought about what this could mean. He had an idea on what was happening to Katara; Sokka only prayed that he was wrong.