Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Duty Versus Love ❯ Travel to Ba Sing Se ( Chapter 8 )

LES: Well, the big Lemon is over, though I can't promise that it will be the last. LOL! I'm so bad! What can I say? It's so easy being evil!

 

Chapter IIX: Travel to Ba Sing Se

 

The next morning, Katara woke up rather leisurely. The first thing she noticed was that she was naked, which was unusual for someone who grew up at the South Pole. Sleeping naked at the North or South Poles could literally be deadly.

The second thing she noticed was that she wasn't bothered by the cold air at all, due to the warm body pressed against her back.

Katara gasped as her memories of the previous day came back to her in a flood. Yesterday had been her wedding day. She and Aang were married now! And last night… she had made love with Aang for the first time.

Her movements proved it to her. She started to turn to face Aang, but she could feel the lingering soreness between her legs.

Katara winched. It seemed that now that she wasn't intoxicated by passion, her aches had returned. She gritted her teeth slightly and turned to face her new husband.

He was still asleep, which surprised her. The night before, he had fallen asleep almost immediately after their lovemaking, only staying awake long enough to predict that they had conceived an Airbending child last night.

Katara's hands drifted down to her lower abdomen. Of course, there was no way to be sure at the moment since she wouldn't show signs for several weeks. But Aang's Avatar State prophecies had never been wrong before.

Instead, she focused on the man before her. Despite the pain and aches she had endured to make love with him, she seemed to love him all the more.

She reached up and gently traced the line of his jaw, drawing a soft sigh from him. She gently scooted closer and kissed his chin.

Aang stirred, slowly at first, stretching the fatigue out of his muscles. “I could get used to waking up like this.” He whispered, smiling.

“You'd better, because we have the whole rest of our lives ahead of us.” Katara kissed him again, this time on the lips.

Aang rolled to face her, gently returning the pressure of her kiss. “Katara, last night was… great… amazing!”

“So, you don't regret giving up your life as a monk?” Katara asked.

“Not being a monk has its perks.” He replied, kissing her again, but with more passion.

She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her body fully against his. “Aang…” She whispered against his mouth. “Don't we need to leave for Ba Sing Se today?”

Aang groaned with disappointment and pulled away from her with a sigh. “You're right. Sometimes I wonder what they did the hundred years that I was gone, because they can't seem to do anything without me.”

He got up off the furs, fully displayed for his wife. He turned his back and began to gather his fallen clothes from the ground.

Katara noticed that the tattoo that went down his back did not form a continuous line with the tattoos on his legs. His back tattoo ended just below the small of his back, and his leg tattoos began just below his buttocks.

“I've always wondered if your tattoo went all the way down your body.” Katara mused.

Aang looked back at her. “No, they don't. If they did, I wouldn't have been able to sit for weeks after getting them. So the monks just make it look like it could be continuous when they tattoo a new master.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense.” Katara said as she began to get out of bed. But she paused and winched in pain.

Aang was at her side instantly. “Katara? What's wrong?” He asked, concerned.

“It's nothing, Aang. I'm just a little sore.” Katara said, smiling up at him. Her smile told him exactly why she was sore.

“At least let me help you.” Aang said, pulling up his pants and swiftly tying his sash around his waist.

Once he was sure his pants weren't going to fall off, he began a second search, this time for Katara's clothes. And he helped her get dressed, albeit a little clumsily. Turns out her chest bindings were harder to get on than off. But he eventually managed it.

“Aang… do you remember last night… after we made love?” Katara asked.

“A little. I was so tired. I think I fell asleep on you.” Aang said nervously.

“Do you remember predicting that we conceived a child last night?”

“An Airbender.” Aang said. “I remember.” He paused, gazing at Katara. “Maybe neither of us was expecting this to happen so soon, but I'm ready to be a father if you're ready to be a mother.”

“I'm ready.” Katara assured him. He picked out her travelling clothes from her wardrobe and helped her into her clothes. He also gathered her Earth Kingdom things and packed them.

Once she was dressed and packed, he finished his own dressing. Once he once again looked like a proper Air Nomad Avatar, he offered Katara his arm.

“Like a proper gentleman.” Katara commented, accepted his proffered arm. “Where's my Aang who couldn't even pass off as a busboy?”

Aang laughed. “I would have pulled it off if a certain someone hadn't forced me to spill a whole pot of tea on a noblewoman.”

Katara laughed as she leaned into him, making her slight limp less noticeable.

They exited the room together, exchanging knowing glances and kisses. Once they got out of their wing of the Palace, they began running into maids and servants. They all bowed respectfully, murmuring their congratulations to the Avatar and his lady.

They passed through the banquet hall, which was still full of very late party-goers. They all cheered upon Aang and Katara's entrance. They blushed slightly, but greeted the applause with smiles.

Aang spotted Sokka, in a most peculiar position. Instead of sitting on a chair like a normal person. He was sitting in it with his legs over the seat and his head nearly touching the ground, upside down.

“Hey, Aang-man. Karama…” Sokka slurred and butchered his sister's name. “What're you doin' on the ceiling?”

Katara wondered for a moment how Sokka had managed to get his hands on some cactus juice here in the South Pole. It was impossible, but he was making about as much sense as the last time he drank cactus juice.

Aang sighed and quickly Airbended Sokka so that he was sitting the right way up in the chair.

“Wait a second… why am I on the ceiling now?” Sokka asked, sounding even more amazed.

“Because it's upside down day.” Katara said. She could never resist messing with Sokka when he was drunk.

“Oh… so that's what it is.” Sokka said thoughtfully. “How come we never celebrated this holiday before?”

Suki walked up to Aang and Katara, looking embarrassed. “I'm sorry about this. I tried to get him to stop, but he kept sneaking back. I've all ready got our stuff packed, though. And Toph is all ready to go and waiting next to Appa.”

“Thanks, Suki.” Aang said. “That's really helpful.”

Suki noticed how much closer they looked physically. Before yesterday, they always maintained a respectful distance between themselves. Now Katara was practically attached to his arm, and judging by their stances, Aang was the one supporting her weight.

Wow! He must've really made her sore! Suki thought with a little mental giggle.

“I'll get Sokka to Appa. You two go ahead.” Suki said, smiling a little too brightly.

“Thanks.” Aang said, leading Katara away toward the door.

However, standing in the doorway was Hakoda. He, too, noticed the difference between the two newlyweds, their new closeness.

“Katara…” Hakoda said invitingly, opening his arms. Katara smiled and embraced her father. “I am so proud of you, and I wish you all the luck in your new life.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Katara replied as he kissed her forehead.

“And, Aang, take care of my daughter.” Hakoda smiled at his new son-in-law.

“I will.” Aang promised.

“And I don't want to wait too long for grandchildren. I'm not getting any younger, you know.”

Both Aang and Katara blushed. “I don't think you'll have to wait too long.” Aang said softly. Like about nine months from now.

“Oh. Very well.” Hakoda said, a little confused. “Don't forget to visit me.” He said to Katara.

“I won't. Thank you for everything.” Katara said as Aang led her away.

~~~~~~~~~~

Outside, Appa waited, looking well-fed and groomed as always. Toph was all ready in the saddle when she heard them approach the normal way. “Is that you, Twinkletoes?”

“Yes.”

“Oh good! Are we leaving?” Toph asked. “All this ice and snow really bugs me.”

“Yes, we're leaving.” Katara said, bending the ice beneath her to get into Appa's saddle. “As soon as Suki gets Sokka away from the party.”

“He ignored your warning and got drunk anyway?” Toph asked. “Great… and he gets airsick when he's drunk. What a fun trip this is going to be.” She said sarcastically. “Oh! And speaking of parties, how did your `private' party go with Twinkletoes last night?”

Aang and Katara turned bright red and didn't answer.

Toph laughed. “Your silence and your heartbeats speak for themselves. And, Katara, I noticed you're limping when you got in the saddle. It was obviously quite good.”

“Oh look! There's Sokka!” Aang said much too loudly. Sokka was nearly being dragged towards Appa, supported by Suki.

“Aang? A little help?” Suki asked.

“Sure.” Aang repeated Katara's movement and bent the ice beneath Suki and Sokka, depositing them in the saddle.

Once they were settled, Aang walked around to Appa's face. “Hey, Appa, we need to go to Ba Sing Se.”

Appa grunted once to show Aang that he understood. So Aang leapt into his place on Appa's head, took the reins, and called “Yip-yip!”

The massive Flying Bison took to the air naturally and began to fly to the Earth Kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se.

~~~~~~~~~~

Suki was really dying to question Katara all day. But even she knew better than to question Katara about her love life with Aang around Sokka, even when he was currently leaning over the side of Appa's saddle, groaning with drunken-air-sickness.

“You only have yourself to blame.” Katara pointed out to her brother. “Aang did warn you.”

Sokka glared angrily at Katara. “Hey, just because you're `Mrs. Avatar' now doesn't mean you can tell me…” He trailed off, turning green and retching slightly.

Toph quickly kicked him so that he was hanging over the side of the saddle again as he emptied his stomach.

“Do us all a favor and don't blow chunks in the saddle.” Toph said. “Flying is bad enough without you getting sick where we all have to sleep for the next week, right Aang?”

“Right, sleep.” Aang responded like a zombie, like he was half asleep himself.

Suki noticed for the first time how tired he seemed. But she supposed staying up half the night, waking up early, and other things would make Aang very tired.

“Hey, Aang, why don't I take over?” Suki offered. “You seem tired, and politics are like a big battle. You need sleep going in.”

“Thanks, Suki.” Aang said, passing over the reins. He trusted Suki with Appa. If she could fly a half-destroyed Fire Nation Airship, then she was more than capable of flying a living Sky Bison who practically flew himself.

He jumped easily into the saddle and settled down next to his wife. Katara smiled and leaned into his chest as he dozed against her.

Suki smiled to herself. The Avatar and his Waterbending teacher… what a great couple!

~~~~~~~~~~

In due time, they arrived in Ba Sing Se, just in time for the Spring Equinox meeting, which was the next day.

Appa set down in the courtyard of the Earth King's Palace.

“Well, here we are in Ba Sing Se.” Toph commented. “This place is almost worse than the South Pole.”

“It's not so bad anymore.” Aang said, leaping down Appa's side and petting the massive Sky Bison. “At least since the Earth King regained control of city and the Dai Li were disbanded.”

“Ba Sing Se still sucks.” Toph said. “There are far too many rules.” She Bended herself a platform off Appa's back.

Aang turned around in time to see their welcoming party come out of the Palace.

“Welcome back to Ba Sing Se, Avatar Aang.” The man in front, probably one of the Earth King's ministers, bowed. “Your group is the last delegation to arrive. Did you have a safe trip from the Southern Air Temple?”

“Actually, we came from the South Pole. But, yes, we had a safe journey.” Aang replied.

“I'm glad. Do you need servants to show you to your villa?”

“That won't be necessary, but thank you.” Aang said.

The minister bowed once again. “Very well, Avatar. I will personally see that your Sky Bison is taken to the stables.” He and the servants gave Appa an honor guard as they took the massive creature to the stables.

Katara took Aang's arm. “If we are the last to arrive, then Zuko must be here all ready. We should tell him about our announcement before the announcement.”

“You're right.” Aang agreed. “He's our friend, and deserves to hear about it from us.”

“Don't worry about us. We'll find a way to… entertain ourselves.” Toph said, grinning.

For Toph, that probably meant tormenting, scamming, or annoying the citizenry of Ba Sing Se; but for Sokka and Suki, that probably meant sex.

Aang sighed. “Don't get in trouble, Toph.”

“Yes, Dad.” Toph said sarcastically. “Don't forget, Twinkletoes, I'm just as old as you!”

“As you always remind me.” Aang commented, beginning to walk down the street with Katara.

Zuko's villa wasn't that far from Aang's, and was just about as hard to miss. Whereas Aang's private villa looked more like a shrine than a house, Zuko's looked like a piece of the Fire Nation in the Earth Kingdom.

The Fire Nation guards standing outside the villa recognized Aang instantly and bowed him inside.

They didn't have to look very had before finding Zuko and Mai sitting together in the shade of a tree, talking quietly.

“Hello, Firelord Zuko.” Aang called. He really only called him the Firelord to annoy him.

Zuko looked around. “Ah. So you've arrived, Avatar Aang.” He said, standing up. “It certainly took you long enough. Did you get lost on the way here?”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that before we make the announcement tomorrow.” Aang began.

“We? Announcement?” Zuko repeated.

“Yes.” Katara said. “Aang and I were at the South Pole. We got married!”

“Married? Well, congratulations.” Mai said.

“And the reason we never received an invitation is…?” Zuko began leadingly.

“Because no one received invitations.” Aang said. “With… well… with everything that's going on, Katara and I decided it would be better to have a quick and quiet marriage. Now the Earth Kingdom can't say anything to prevent our marriage.”

“Oh.” Zuko said knowingly. “Yes, that certainly makes sense.” He paused. “Aang, for what it's worth, I'm sorry.”

“Sorry? For what?”
“For the crimes of the Fire Nation against the Air Nomads.” Zuko said. “If it weren't for my great-grandfather Sozin, the Air Nomads would still be alive and you wouldn't be in this difficult position.”

“Zuko, don't blame yourself for the crimes of your forefathers. I don't.” Aang said.

“Well, then you should.” Zuko said. “Sozin started a terrible war and nearly destroyed your entire race. I assure you, if I could take this burden from you, I would.”

“It's all right.” Aang said. “I'm not the first, nor will I be the last, Avatar that has to do something distasteful for the good of the world.”

“So… you are going to do it?” Mai asked.

“With Katara's blessing.” Aang said. “Yes, I will do it.” He paused. “Zuko, do you know anything about the women who were chosen for this?”

“I know about the women I've chosen for this task, but not the other nations. I did not approve a woman until she was a non-Bender with two parents who were non-Benders. They are all women of standing. They are also volunteers who are all ready married with children of their own.”

“They're married?” Aang asked, shocked.

“Married women are less likely to develop an unwanted emotional connection to you, like a virgin would be prone to doing.” Zuko said. “I thought you would appreciate that.”

“Oh, yes, I suppose.” Aang said. Women who were all ready married wouldn't allow themselves to confuse duty with love. “But what about their husbands?”

“All the women have their family's approval.” Zuko said. “I suppose things would be different if you weren't the Avatar. But, as it is, all the women and their families consider being chosen an honor.”

“Well, at least one side of this ordeal is happy.” Aang muttered.

“I'm sure they'll go into greater detail about this plan at the meetings.” Zuko said. “But, for now, would you like to accompany myself and Mai to my Uncle's Tea Shop? I haven't seen him in a year.”

Aang had a great deal of respect for Iroh, both for his tea and his advice. It was a shame that he didn't get involved with politics anymore. “Sure, let's go.”

Aang and Katara followed Zuko and Mai out of the villa and heading towards Iroh's Tea Shop in the Upper Ring.

~~~~~~~~~~

Iroh's Jasmine Dragon tea shop looked exactly the same as it did six years ago after the end of the War, except there were a lot more customers at the tables.

Zuko instantly stepped forward, ignoring all the strange looks the customers sent him at having the Firelord himself in their presence. And then they noticed Aang and began whispering among themselves as to why the Firelord and the Avatar themselves were stepping into a tea shop.

“Uncle Iroh!” Zuko called.

Iroh looked up from his tea. “Oh, Zuko. It's good to see you after so long.” Iroh stepped around the counter and embraced his nephew. “And the Avatar himself. I am honored.”

Aang bowed respectfully to Iroh. “I am the one who is honored, Iroh, Dragon of the West.”

“Well, I suppose you are here for some of my tea?”

“The best tea in the world.” Aang said with a smile.

Iroh nodded and lead them to the private tables now set on the shop's balcony.

Aang leaned closer to Katara. “Do you remember this balcony?” He asked quietly.

Katara laughed. “Of course I remember. This is where we confessed our love for each other after the end of the War.”

They were about to kiss when Zuko rather obnoxiously interrupted them. “Uncle Iroh, Avatar Aang and his Lady have some rather interesting news.”

Aang glared at Zuko for a moment for ruining the moment. He `may' have also waved his hand in such a way that sent a blast of wind at Zuko, knocking him into a potted plant; completely on accident, of course. While Zuko tried to untangle himself from the clawing bush, Aang turned his attention on Iroh. “Katara and I have gotten married.”

“Congratulations!” Iroh said cheerfully, handing Aang and Katara their tea. “And I suppose I haven't heard a word about your engagement or marriage because you kept it quiet to avoid the Earth King interfering?”

“Well… exactly. How did you know?” Katara asked.

“Most of the advisors in the Earth King's court are also members of the White Lotus.” Iroh said. “They keep me well informed about the goings-on in the Earth Kingdom court.”

Aang had forgotten that Iroh was a high-ranking member of a secret society that wasn't so secret anymore.

While Aang had been fighting Firelord Ozai, the White Lotus had invaded Ba Sing Se, then controlled by the Fire Nation, to take back the City for the Earth Kingdom. They sort of lost their secret society status after that, but they still operated in the government all over the world.

Aang fully supported the efforts of the White Lotus since they embodied much of what he represented as the Avatar: unity between the four nations.

“I'm sure they do keep you informed.” Aang said softly, taking a sip of his tea.

“You are troubled.” Iroh pointed out. “I can assure you that the Earth Kingdom's council will respect both your marriage and your decision regarding the future of the Air Nomads, whatever it may be.”

“The messengers I spoke to didn't seem so understanding of the love I feel.” Aang said.

“The Earth King's messengers?” Iroh scoffed. “The Earth King understands little about love. His marriage was arranged when he was an infant, so he has little love for his wife. Between you and me, I believe he's in love with that bear of his.” The assembly laughed. “The Council is different. They will understand.”

“Thank you, Iroh.” Aang said gratefully. There were two things Iroh did better than anyone else in the world: make tea, and give good advice. And he was thankful for both.

 

LES: Yes, I know I'm not the first person to make a joke about the Earth King being in love with his bear, and I doubt I'll be the last. But, geez, even if he really isn't, he sure acts like he loves that thing. How many people actually throw a party for their pets?!?