Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Duty Versus Love ❯ Preparations ( Chapter 4 )

LES: Next chapter also includes my own personal interpretations about Guru Pathik's words about Earthly attachments.

 

Chapter IV: Preparations

 

The next morning was quite interesting to say the least, especially when Katara made her way past Toph on the way to breakfast after finally emerging from her room.

“Whoa, is that you, Sugar Queen?” Toph asked. “You feel so light on your feet, I thought you were Twinkletoes, and no one can step lighter than him.”

“I'm just really happy!” Katara said, grinning broadly.

“I know. Your heart's beating a mile-a-minute. And it usually only beats that fast when Twinkletoes is around. So spill.”

“Spill what?” Sokka asked, walking up to them while rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Suki was walking unusually close to him. Judging by the state of their clothes and hair, they had engaged in the same activity that she and Aang had not engaged in last night.

Katara felt a slight hint of jealously, but it was quickly snuffed out. First of all, Sokka was her brother, and just thinking about his sex life made her sick. Secondly, he and Suki had been married for some time now, so there were no propriety issues with them like there were between herself and Aang. And third, Aang was worth waiting for, just like all the best things in life are.

“I have some great news!” Katara said happily. “Aang and I are going to get married!”

Katara expected at least some hearty congratulations, but all she got were eye-rolls and three people saying “It's about time.”

Suki noticed the confused look on Katara's face. “Oh, I'm sorry, Katara, but we've known about it for days.”

Toph raised her hand. “I've actually known about it for months.”

“Really?” Katara questioned. She couldn't help but thing that if they hadn't all ready promised to wait until their wedding night to have sex, she would have put Aang in the doghouse for telling everyone about his imminent proposal.

“Yeah, he needed help trying to Metalbend those betrothal amulet things.” Toph said.

“And we actually knew about it since the Earth Kingdom…” Suki trailed off, embarrassed. “Oh…”

Sokka stepped forward. “Katara, can I speak with you in private, brother-to-sister?”

Suki and Toph got the message and left the two siblings alone to head for breakfast, which was always made by Aang when they were at the Air Temple. Given the right tools, Aang had proved himself an amazing cook, but he brushed it off, saying that all Airbenders were great at baking. No one could make a pastry fluffier than an Airbender. Even Sokka admitted that he enjoyed Aang's fruitcakes, but only when Aang didn't use his head as fruitcake target practice.

Sokka stared at Katara seriously, and no one spoke for several seconds when Katara broke the silence. “Are you going to tell me I can't marry Aang?”

“No.” Sokka said. “You were very supportive of my decision when I married Suki. As long as you love Aang, I'll give you my full support.”

Katara smiled. “Thanks, Sokka.”

“But there is something I need to talk to you about.” Sokka said. “Did Aang talk to you about what the Earth Kingdom messengers said?”

Katara frowned and nodded. “That they want him to impregnate as many women as possible to rebuild the Air Nomad Nation.”

“Oh, good. I was worried that he wouldn't talk with you about that.” Sokka paused. “So, what has Aang decided?”

“He's leaving the decision to me completely.” Katara said hesitantly.

“Then what have you decided?” Sokka pressed.

“I don't know.” Katara said. “In an ideal world, I would refuse the plan, and then Aang and I could rebuild the Air Nomads on our own. But, even if I spent the rest of my child-bearing years pregnant, we still might not have enough children to save a nation since only a fraction of our children would be Airbenders. Aang didn't know his parents, so we have no way of knowing whether or not both of his parents were Airbenders. But I do know that I've got a non-Bending recessive gene from my father.”

“Uh…” Sokka began; she might as well have been speaking in tongues.

“So, the only chance our children have of being Airbenders is if I give them a non-Bending gene. And if Aang has a non-Bending parent, that lowers our chances even more. If that were true, out of four hypothetical children, one would be an Airbender, one would be a Waterbender, and two would be non-Benders.”

“Uh, sis?” Sokka asked, confused.

“Ba Sing Se University library.” Katara explained. “The Earthbenders have been studying how Bending is passed on from one generation to the next for years. I just… don't know if I could do it all myself. And I don't know if I could tell Aang that I'm more important than his entire culture.”

“Sis…”

“But, if both of Aang's parents gave him his Airbending abilities, and he has children with a non-Bender, every single child born will be an Airbender.” Katara said. “Aang's culture will be saved, and Aang's all ready promised me that he'll love only me.”

“Katara, I just want you to be happy.” Sokka said. “If you think you can be happy going through with this plan, I'll always be there to support you.”

Katara sighed. “I've decided.”

“What have you decided?”

“I can't be the mother of a Nation alone.” She said. Nothing else needed to be said.

Sokka pulled his little sister into a tight embrace. “I'll always be around to help you.”

Katara embraced her older brother hard, crying softly on his shoulder. “Thank you, Sokka.” She said after a few moments, wiping at her tears.

Katara pulled out of her brother's embraced, and Sokka noticed that Aang was standing at the edge of the pavilion. He was hanging back, obviously not wanting to interrupt the brother-sister moment.

Sokka moved over to the young Avatar. They stared at each other for a second, Aang a little apprehensively. Then Sokka extended his hand. Aang smiled at his gripped Sokka's arm at the elbow in a Water Tribe warrior's greeting.

“Take care of my sister, Aang, or you're gonna have me to answer to.” Sokka said, a bit more seriously. The Water Tribe warrior released Aang and walked away.

Aang hesitated slightly before moving over to Katara, who was wiping the last of her tears away. “I'll do my best to please your brother.” He promised.

“You're marrying me, not my brother.” Katara counted.

“Sometimes, I feel like I'm marrying both of you.” Aang confessed.

“Aang, I've made my decision, about what the messengers said.” Katara said. “I've decided… you need to do whatever it takes to save your people.”

Aang's smile faded. “Then… I suppose we should get married right away. We can go to the South Pole and be married in the tradition of your people. Then we can head for the Earth Kingdom to…”

“I know.” Katara said. “Kiss me, Aang. And tell me you'll always love me.”

Aang pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. “I'll love you forever, Katara.”

Katara pulled away from him. “I guess this is it.” She said.

We can be at the South Pole by the end of the week if we leave on Appa tonight.” Aang said.

“All right.” Katara said. “I'll go pack my things.”

“And I'll go tell the others.” Aang didn't have a lot to pack, having been raised as a humble monk.

He pulled her into one final kiss, and then they went their separate ways.

~~~~~~~~~

The trip to the South Pole was much quieter than normal, especially considering that they were going to witness a wedding, and the entire gang decided to come and witness the event. Even Toph, who normally avoided ice and snow at all costs, came to support her friends.

She started complaining as soon as they reached Water Tribe territory, but Aang was glad to have her there. Toph was level-headed and straight-forward in a way they were not. She would keep everyone from losing their minds as she had at Sokka and Suki's wedding.

Upon their arrival at the South Pole, Katara and Sokka stared with wonder at their old home. What was once a tiny village now closely resembled the Northern Water Tribe in its grandeur.

Aang, however, wasn't surprised. He had built many of the larger buildings himself last year, including the Palace, under Master Pakku's guidance.

Just like the year before, Aang landed Appa in the Palace's courtyard, and they were greeted by Master Pakku and Batto.

When Aang left last year, all the high-ranking positions had been filled, except for the Chief. He had purposefully chosen not to get involved with the politics of the Water Tribe choosing their leader. After all, it was something the Water Tribe had to do for themselves.

He bowed respectfully to Master Pakku and the newly-instated General Batto, who returned the gesture.

“Welcome back to the South Pole, Avatar Aang.” Master Pakku said. “And welcome back Sokka and Katara. And to you, Toph Bei Fong of the Earth Kingdom and Suki of the Kyoshi Warriors. We were just about to send a message to the Southern Air Temple requesting your presence. Did you have a vision that led you here?” Master Pakku was well-aware that as the Avatar, Aang sometimes had visions about where he was needed the most.

“Not this time.” Aang said. “I'm here on personal business. What do you need me for?”

“We have chosen a Chief to lead the Southern Water Tribe.” Batto said. “We would have you impart the Avatar's Blessing on him before he assumes leadership.”

Aang nodded. That sounded simple enough. And it wouldn't take very long. “Very well, lead the way.” He turned around to make sure that someone had taken Toph's arm to guide her in her current state of blindness. Katara had done just that, so Aang followed Master Pakku and General Batto up to the Palace.

On the way, Aang wondered who they had chosen. The Water Tribe people were a good people. A hundred years ago, the Nation that the Air Nomads had been on the best terms with was the Water Tribe. Both elements were free and unable to be contained. And, although the Air Nomads typically eschewed involvement with the political agendas of other Nations, they maintained diplomatic contact with the Water Tribes. Aang knew that they'd pick a good Chief. But the only question was, who would it be?

Aang was now following the corridors of the Palace from memory, having built most of these hallways himself. He came upon the central Throne room. It was empty except for the Water Tribe man sitting in the place of honor at the head of the hall.

Sokka and Katara's jaws dropped. “Dad!?!”

Aang had also recognized him immediately as Hakoda of the Water Tribe, Sokka and Katara's father, and his own future father-in-law.

Hakoda stood up. “Sokka? Katara?” he moved down to them as his children rushed up to him, and embraced him. “I'm so happy to see you both. It's been so long.”

“You choose Hakoda?” Aang asked Master Pakku. Usually, the leaders of each nation was a Bender. Hakoda was not.

“Yes, he is not a Bender.” Master Pakku said, reading Aang's face. “But it was unanimous. Will you bless him?”

“It is not up to me alone.” Aang said, moving closer to the reunited family. “Hello again.” He said.

Hakoda looked over at Aang. “Hello again to you, also, Avatar Aang. I suppose you are here to give the Avatar's Blessing?”

“That wasn't my original reason for coming, but I am willing to put you through the trial.”

“Then what was your original purpose?” Hakoda asked. Katara, in response, lowered the neckline of her parka to reveal Aang's engagement necklace.

Hakoda nodded in respect. “So, the Avatar himself wishes to become my son-in-law?”

“With all my heart.” Aang said as if he hadn't said all this a year ago when he asked for her hand in marriage.

He patted Aang's shoulder. “I know you'll make me proud to call you my son.”

“Are you ready for the trial?” Aang asked. Hakoda nodded, and lead Aang back to the Throne.

Even Katara was interested. This was the only Avatar duty that she had never seen Aang perform. He had done it several times before, and always described it as a trial. She knew the basics, though. If her father wanted to receive the Avatar's Blessing, he had to do more than convince Aang. He had to convince the Avatar Spirit within Aang that he'd be a good leader. Katara just wasn't sure how that was done.

Hakoda sat down and Aang knelt in front of him. “This is what I'm going to do.” Aang explained frankly. “I'm going to use Soulbending to gaze into your soul.”

Everyone in the room gasped. The one time they knew of Aang Soulbending was against the former Firelord. Of course, Hakoda didn't have any Bending powers for Aang to take away, but Aang could easily drive him into madness if he twisted his soul enough.

Aang noticed the reaction from the room. “Don't worry. I won't use any Bending. He'll come out of this trial just the same as going in. What I'm going to do is read your soul.”

“So, you're going to read his mind, Avatar Aang?” Batto asked.

“No, I can't read minds. The soul and the mind are two different things. I won't see any of your thoughts or memories, so you will retain your privacy. Your soul will allow me to see the real you, your complete essence. Then I will judge you.”

“And if I fail?” Hakoda asked.

“Then you won't receive my blessing.” Aang said simply. “As long as you don't lash out at me with your soul, you'll be unharmed.

Aang reached out towards Hakoda, pressing his hands against the older man's forehead and heart. Almost immediately, he entered the Avatar State, his eyes and tattoos glowing with the intense power of all his past lives combined.

Several tense moments passed, and then Aang spoke in the layered voice that he used in the Avatar State. His own voice was dominate, but it was backed up by the voices of every Avatar that came before him.

“The Water Tribe has chosen well.” Aang said, his voice echoing powerfully off the walls. “I see the strong soul of a Warrior, and the compassionate soul of a father. Your rule will be long and peaceful. You have my blessing.” The glow of the Avatar State faded, and Aang backed away.

Back when he was twelve, going into the Avatar State was a terrible drain on him. He would always come out of it weak-kneed and faint. But since he had mastered the power, it didn't drain his energy nearly as much.

He was up on his feet instantly, with a smile on his face. “Congratulations, Hakoda.”

The rest came up to congratulate the new Southern Water Tribe Chief, but Katara headed straight for Aang. “I didn't know you could use Soulbending like that.”

Aang shrugged. “Soulbending is just like any other type of Bending. It can be used for good or evil. Sure, it gives me the power to take away someone's Bending abilities and even destroy someone's mind. But I can also use it to read souls and unbend a twisted soul. But I've only done that once.”

“Who?”

“Azula.” Aang said. “Zuko, I suppose, hated to see his sister raving. So he asked me to help her. It took me hours to undo the damage to her soul. And even I couldn't fix it all.”

Katara nodded in understanding. She had not seen Zuko's sadist sister since Sozin's Comet, but she had heard rumors that the Firelord's sister was much better behaved in her prison cell in the last few years.

“There was so much wrong with her soul.” Aang commented. “Even Firelord Ozai's soul wasn't twisted up as badly as hers.”

“Aang.” Chief Hakoda called. “Thank you for giving me your Avatar's Blessing.”

“You are the one who earned it.” Aang said.

“Well, I suppose tonight will be a feast! To celebrate both my becoming Chief and my only daughter's engagement to Avatar Aang.” Hakoda said loudly, and Batto instantly jumped into action, going to tell the chefs to prepare a feast.

“Hey! How come I didn't get a feast when Suki and I became engaged?” Sokka demanded.

“Because Dad wasn't the chief then.” Katara answered. “And because I'm marrying a man who happens to be the all-powerful Avatar.”

“Yeah, Sokka. Don't you know Avatar out-ranks `boomerang guy' by about a mile?” Toph asked with a giggle. Sokka pouted.

“Aang? Katara? Can I speak with you in privacy for a moment?” Hakoda asked. The pair nodded and followed Hakoda down one of the side halls leading off the Throne Room. Then he turned to face the two. “I've heard about the Earth King's plan.” It was all he needed to say.

Katara stepped forward. “Aang told me about the Earth King's plan before he proposed. And he gave me an even greater gift, he gave me the power to accept, or reject, the plan as his wife.”

“And what have you chosen?” Hakoda asked.

“It's Aang's duty as the Avatar to restore balance to the world. If the Air Nomads aren't saved, the Avatar will cease to exist, and the world could plummet into chaos.”

Hakoda sighed. “I won't pretend that I know a lot about the Avatar. How could going through with this plan be nothing more than a duty?”

Aang took the initiative this time. “An Avatar, like me, is more than just a master of the four elements. What I really am is the mortal frame that carries the Spirit and will of the planet. It is my duty to maintain balance and order in nature and between the four nations. In order for there to be balance in the world, the four nations must be in balance. But, for a century, the Air Nomads have been nearly extinct. I am the last Airbender. It is my duty to restore the balance of the four nations by rebuilding the Air Nomads.” Aang sighed. “Many times before I have been at war within myself, torn between an Avatar's duty and my own… Earthly attachments.” Aang thought about Guru Pathik, who once told him that in order to master the Avatar State, he would need to let go of Earthly attachments. Aang hadn't understood his meaning at the time and rejected it, but a long conversation with Roku and the other past Avatars revealed the truth to him.

Earthly attachments, like the ones that connected him to Katara, were not necessarily a bad thing. But those connections could be poisonous and block his seventh chakra, which it had.

Looking back, he had used his love for Katara as an excuse to not fulfill his duties as the Avatar. Most notably when he swore to never Firebend again. As the Avatar, it was his duty to master the four elements, but his relationship with Katara had poisoned him.

Then there was the time he ran away from Guru Pathik to save Katara, leaving his training incomplete. His duty had been to master the Avatar State, but once again, his love became an excuse that poisoned his training.

It wasn't a bad thing that he loved Katara. But it had become a bad thing when he let his feelings interfere with his duty.

Now he was facing that fundamental choice again. Duty or Katara. In the end, he knew that to remain in control of the Avatar State, he must choose duty. Or let Katara choose duty for him.

Hakoda and Katara noticed that Aang's mind seemed to have gone off on a tangent. So Katara resumed speaking. “Aang will fulfill his duty. He will sleep with other women. But, in the end, I'll be his wife.”

“And… are you okay with this?” Hakoda asked his daughter. “Of course it is a personal choice between the two of you, but you can understand that I just want you to be happy.”

“Dad, I am happy.” Katara said. “I've been in love with him since I was fourteen. It's going to take a lot more than his duty to break us apart.”

Hakoda nodded. “Very well. I trust your judgment.” The Water Tribe Chief embraced his daughter warmly. “So, Aang…” Hakoda began, pulling the young Avatar out of his thoughts. “Tonight's feast is just as much for you and Katara as it is for me. Are there any special Water Tribe dishes you'd want?”

Aang shook his head. “Anything without meat will be fine.”

“And Sea Prunes.” Katara jumped in. “He doesn't like Sea Prunes.”

“Hmm… that doesn't leave much choice. At the Poles, game is the only readily available rood, and a staple of the Water Tribe diet. I guess things were very different at the Air Temples. I'm sure we'll dig something up.”

“Anything will be fine.” Aang said, bowing.

Chief Hakoda bowed back. “So, Aang, why don't you show Katara around and show her the improvements you and the other Waterbenders made?”

Aang nodded. “Very well.” He took Katara's hand and led her away.

“Remember, don't take too long.” Hakoda called after them. “The feast tonight!”

Aang and Katara called back their acknowledgements of his words. And then ran off without a second look.

Hakoda sighed. The joys of being young and in love.

~~~~~~~~~~

The tour of the Southern Water Tribe was much more leisurely than the one would expect a tour to be. Firstly, they were much more interested in each other than the scenery. Secondly, they were almost constantly surrounded by a crowd of admirers who either wanted to look at the Avatar, talk to him, or simply just touch him.

At first, Katara had been jealous of all the attention he received from complete strangers, but she got over it. As the Avatar, he needed to be there for the people. Aang always said that he valued the opinion of the lowliest peasant as much as the wealthiest King. Sure, during the hundreds of political and diplomatic meetings he attended, the debate was among the elite. But Aang felt that his job as the Avatar was to represent the interests of the common people.

Therefore, he listened to them all.

The calls ranged from the juvenile (to show off his Bending powers) to calls for a blessing on a birth, wedding, or a prosperous year.

But what really touched Katara's heart was Aang's interaction with the children. Aang had been forced to grow up much quicker than other children, which left the spirit of childhood in his heart. He played with them without reservation and gave them small, safe demonstrations of his Bending.

Katara was reminded once again that Aang deserved his own children. Not all those children would be hers, according to the Earth King's plan, but he deserved more children than she alone could give him. She smiled to herself. She would have to make Aang a father as soon as possible.

After a few blessings and some small Airbending tricks, the crowd dispersed. Katara moved closer to him and Aang smiled apologetically. “I'm sorry. This happens every time we go out.”

“I came to terms with you being the Avatar a long time ago.” Katara said, kissing him. “These people need you as much as I do.”

“Are you sure about that?” Aang asked rhetorically as he kissed her again.

Some people stopped and stared at the couple's open displays of affection. They had not seen the Avatar or Katara act quite so smitten before. This was really the first time they had come to the South Pole together. So it was a shock for people to see that the Avatar didn't come off as an all-powerful spiritual being among mortals, but that he was actually quite normal, Avatar powers aside.

They walked the streets together, with Aang occasionally pointing out the work he had seen to personally.

They came to some sort of plaza, and Katara gasped in wonder. The center of the plaza was dominated by an enormous crystal-like ice fountain. It had an intricate design of hollow basins, waterfalls, and slides moving over ice that had been permanently frozen like crystal.

“Oh wow! It's beautiful!” Katara gasped. “Who made that? Master Pakku?”

“Actually… I am the one who made it.” Aang confessed.

Katara was deeply impressed, as both his fiancé and his Waterbending Master.

“It's absolutely beautiful, Aang.” Katara said.

“It was just an experiment.” Aang said. “But Master Pakku liked it so much that he permanently froze it. They say I blessed the water flowing off it, and that it is the purest in the world.”

“Well, did you?” Katara asked.

Aang shrugged. “You know how these legends pop up around the Avatar. As far as they are concerned, anything I touch is blessed.”

“Well, then, how blessed am I?” Katara asked, smirking.

“Very.” Aang whispered, kissing her gently.

“I think I like this kind of blessing.” Katara whispered and Aang laughed, deepening the kiss.