A Kataang Fanfiction-Chapter15

A KATAANG FANFICTION: CHAPTER 15-
BY SURPRISE

"So, do you guys remember how Azula got you?" Aang asked.
Sokka twiddled his thumbs, chewing on his bottom lip. Toph stared straight ahead blindly, not seeming to care about anything pertaining to this particular situation.
"Not really," Sokka muttered. "All I remember was stepping outside."
"Ditto," Toph butted in. "She kinda came out of nowhere, if you know what I mean." She picked at her nose.
"Yeah . . ." Aang muttered. "She tends to do that."
"Next thing we knew," Sokka added, "We were waking up in the infirmary the day after she attacked us."
Aang nodded, rubbing his head. At that moment, Katara came hopping in.
"I'm ready, Aang," she said.
Aang jumped up. "All righty," he straightened his fresh shirt. "We need to meet Mai and Zuko in about a half hour. What do you propose we do until then?"
Katara tapped her chin, bottom lip poking out as she tried to think. "Want to go to Lake Laogi?" she suggested.
"Not enough time," Aang pointed out.
"Yeah . . ."
"I have an idea," Toph said. "Why don't you two stare into each other's eyes and give off mushy vibrations? You seem to enjoy that."
Aang threw her a dirty look.
"I felt that, Twinkletoes," she warned.
"Good," he countered.
"Oh!" Katara suddenly cried, snapping her fingers. "I've got it! We can go see Shen."
"That's where we're going to meet Mai and Zuko," Aang said.
"I know," Katara took his hand, "but we can just go and talk. I really like him. He's like the jolly grandpa I never had."
Aang grinned at her. "Always the optimist," he tapped her nose. "All right, we'll go see Shen. See you guys later!" he called to Toph and Sokka. "You can still come if you want. Everybody would think that you're a couple, but it would be lots of fun."
Toph just laughed. "Right . . . like Sokka wants to go with the blind girl. It'll ruin his reputation."
Sokka also gave her a dirty look.
"I felt that one, too," she warned again.
Sokka shook his head. "I don't have a reputation here, Toph. Why don't you just play with your rocks?"
In response, Toph threw a small pebble at his head. "Whatever, Boomerang Boy." She stretched back and yawned, ignoring the annoyed Sokka next to her. "You and Sugar Queen have a good time," she droned. "I have to go teach my class in an hour anyways."
Aang shrugged. "If you say so. Come on, Katara, let's head out."
"Okay," she sighed. Aang caught her glancing at Toph and Sokka in frustration. Chuckling, he dragged her out. As soon as the door shut, she rounded on him.
"Why don't they just get together?" she said in exasperation. "They're both single, they both love sarcasm, and the both NEED someone!" She stomped her foot in a childish manner.
"You know, it took us a year to get together," Aang said cautiously. "It's not going to be that easy."
Katara sized him up. Gradually, her expression softened. "Let's just go," she muttered. "I feel like hitting something."
"Not with those bones," Aang said firmly. "You need to heal, not break yourself all over again."
"My crutch is still lethal," she said. "I could kick some serious shins with it."
"I'm sure you could," Aang said. "But we really need to go. C'mon," he pulled her toward the barn. "Appa!" he called. "Come on, buddy, time to go!"
Appa poked his large head from the barn, bellowing excitedly.
Katara laughed. "I don't think we get him out enough. When we were on the run, he flew all day, every day."
"I know," Aang said, "He gets antsy."
They both crooned and patted Appa. He lowed and closed his eyes appreciatively, enjoying the attention. They laughed when he rolled onto his side, requesting a belly rub. They obligingly scratched his expansive tummy.
"Come on, boy," Aang eventually said, "we need to go."
Appa grunted, rolling back onto his six legs. His pink tongue lolled out in pleasure.
Aang scooped Katara up, jumping onto Appa's big head. Smiling, he kissed her forehead before he set her down.
"I like the idea of being carried everywhere," Katara said.
"If you want me to, I will," Aang told her.
"I know you would," she muttered. Plopping down, she took the reins. "I'm driving."
"As you wish," Aang huffed as he sat next to her.
"Yip, yip," Katara called, flicking the leather straps. Appa's huge tail slammed to the ground, and they rose into the fading sky. Pulling the reins, Katara tugged Appa in the direction of Shen's restaurant. Flicking them once more, she goaded Appa to soar in that direction.
"You're a great driver," Aang murmured, slipping an arm around her shoulders.
"I know," she said lightly, leaning into his arm. "You were my teacher."
"It appears I taught you well," he said.
They fell into silence, listening to the air whistle past them in an eerie lullaby. When Katara shivered, Aang instantly whipped off the outermost layer of his robes and draped it over her.
"Thanks," she muttered, snuggling into the warm fabric. She leaned on him again when he placed his arm back around her, inhaling the scent of the shawl-like robe. It had a unique smell, filled with different flavors. It smelled of freshly turned earth, a beach breeze, and fresh water. It was an odd combination, but it was also strangely appealing. It was so . . . Aang.
"You smell good," she mumbled.
"Thanks," he beamed. "You do, too." He swept her hair from her shoulder.
After a minute, Katara added, "Aang, we need to be on our guard tonight."
"Why?"
"Because . . . I have the same feeling that was nagging me at the wedding."
Aang frowned. "Great."
"I know," she stated. "Let's just be ready, okay?"
"All right . . . and, Katara?"
"Yeah?"
"You just flew right over our stop, hon."
Katara leaned over sharply, straining to see where she was. Sure enough, the Food Palace was growing smaller and smaller behind them.
"Shoot . . ." she muttered. Yanking sharply on the reins, she pulled Appa around in midair. Aang chuckled, watching her go red.
"Ha, ha," she droned mirthlessly, pushing his smirking face away. "You dint that amusing, don't you? Would you find it so funny if I pushed you off?"
Aang stared at her. Slowly, a devilish grin spread onto his face, and a flash of trouble sparked into his mischievous eyes.
"Hey, now," Katara said nervously, "I don't like that look . . . Aang, you're freaking me out."
His grin only spread wider. Katara got a feeling in the pit of her stomach that he was about to do something drastic. She was opening her mouth to tell him off when he did it.
He picked her up and jumped off of Appa.
Her instant reaction was, of course, to scream. They were far above the streets of Ba Sing Se, and now they were falling with increasing speed toward those stony roads. Freaking out, she threw her arms around his neck and held on for dear life.
Aang laughed, making sure he had her in his tight grip. Using his foot, he summoned an air current to speed them up even more.
Katara clamped her fingers around her forearms in vice grips, squeezing her eyes shut. "Aang," she screamed, "I think I'm going to be sick!"
Aang grinned, rolling his eyes. Using his foot again, he summoned another wave of air to slow them down significantly. Within two seconds, they weren't falling, but merely floating downward.
It still took Katara a minute to settle down. Even when she had gotten her breathing back to normal, she kept her arms secured around Aang's neck. Going limp, she muttered, "You are so going to pay for that."
Aang chuckled. "I know I will . . . But it was worth it." He kissed the top of her head. "You should open your eyes," he whispered. "It's really beautiful up here."
"No," she said firmly, "Too high."
"Nah . . ." he murmured. "We're actually pretty close."
Katara sighed. "My arm hurts."
"Well, stop holding me so tightly," he laughed.
"Forget it . . ."
"Katara, I'm not going to let you fall," he said softly. "I would never let you fall."
She hesitated, eyes still shut. Forcing out a long raspberry between her lips, she loosened her death grip on his neck. Wanting to get it over with, she let her forehead relax. Involuntarily, her eyes snapped open very quickly.
Thankfully, she was pleasantly surprised. Due to the setting sun, gorgeous rays of purple and orange gleamed over the entire city.
"Wow," she breathed, letting her head drop onto his shoulder.
"I know," he rested his head against hers. "It looks familiar, doesn't it?"
"Yeah," she mumbled, "it actually does." Thinking, she tried to remember why this scene sparked her memory. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "It looks just like it did when we . . ."
"Kissed for the first time," Aang confirmed gently.
"It wasn't the first time," Katara contradicted.
"I like to think of it as our fist time," he told her. "That was when you kissed me because you wanted to."
"That's true," she said. Dropping the subject, she glanced down. They were pretty close to the multiple buildings now, and Katara could pick out the top of the Food Palace. It was about twenty yards below them.
Aang let them fall a bit faster, landing on the roof with a gentle swish. Carefully setting Katara down, he grinned and said, "See? Not so bad, was it?"
She shrugged. "Only when you slowed us down."
"Yeah, right . . . you loved it. I can see it in your eyes."
Katara gauged his teasing facial expression. "You're right, of course. I loved it."
"Will you forgive me for scaring you like that?" he asked, giving her a look that melted her to the bone.
She grinned, slightly light-headed. "Just to let you know, I can never stay mad at you . . . So, if I never say I'm sorry, it's because I know that you know me." Standing on her toes, she pressed her mouth against his. "But yes, I forgive you."
"Thanks . . ." he murmured against her lips. "We should probably go inside now. We've used fifteen of our minutes already."
Katara calmed her racing pulse. "All right."
Aang kissed her again. "Too bad we can't just stay out here . . . Oh, well. Let's go." Picking her up again, he leapt off of the high roof. When they landed, Appa swept down and thudded next to them.
"Thanks buddy," Aang said, rubbing the bison's vast head. His body vibrated with pleased rumbles.
Taking Katara's uninjured arm, he strode through the oaken doors.
Of course, the place was packed. Instantly, all of the heads turned at the sound of their entrance, and people began to stand.
Katara braced herself, expecting the crowd to engulf them. However, she was surprised when the all stood reverently and began to bow, sinking to the ground to salute their heroes. The chatter died down, soon becoming crystal silence. In a short time, every person was on their hands and knees, bowing in honor of the young couple.
Aang glimpsed at his wife, throwing her a surprised look. She returned it, just s curious he. They stood in the doorway together, wondering when they could step in without being rude.
"Thank you all . . ." Aang murmured, loud enough for the entire room to hear. "I really don't deserve this."
Suddenly, a booming voice issued from the nearby hallway. "Nonsense!"
Katara smiled when Shen came bounding in. "If you don't deserve his, then I'll be a hogmonkey's uncle." Grinning, he slapped Aang's shoulder with a large, beefy hand. "Glad to see you with the living."
"You too, Shen," Aang said, grasping the big man's forearm in a firm handshake.
"Lady Katara," Shen said, taking her hand and kissing the top of it.
"Hey, Shen," she laughed, bowing.
"So, what brings you tow ten minutes early?" he asked jollily.
Aang shrugged. "We needed something to do. You don't mind, do you?"
Shen laughed. "Goodness, no! I'm just excited to have Mr. and Mrs. Avatar and the Fire Lord and Lady in my little restaurant. Speaking of which, congratulations on your wedding, you two. I was there, but I wasn't able to talk to you."
"Yeah . . ." Aang muttered. "Nobody really got to do anything."
Shen motioned to the back of the restaurant, saying, "Come and sit. That way these people can get back to eating."
Katara looked around the big man and saw the many people still on the floor. She blushed. "Ok . . . Let's go, Aang."
Aang nodded. "The usual place?" he asked Shen.
"Yes," the manager nodded. "That table pretty much belongs to you now. I don't let anyone else sit back there." He winked.
Katara smiled. "You're great, Shen."
"Nah, just doin' my job." Beckoning, he led them back to their table. Grunting, he sat down, motioning for them to do the same. "So, what's new with Mr. and Mrs. Avatar?"
Aang pulled Katara's chair out, helping her with her crutch. "Nothing, really," he muttered. "I just woke up two days ago, so I don't really know what's new."
"I see," Shen said. "How long were you out, Aang?"
"A week," Katara said.
Shen placed his forearms on the table. "Good grief . . . Are you all right now? I about had a heart attack when that knife hit you."
"You were there that long?" Aang asked, surprised.
Shen nodded. "Yep. Wasn't about to let a fight like that pass me up, was I?" he chuckled grimly. "Took out quite a few of those bloody thugs, at least. Wasn't gonna let them take out old Shen, that's for sure."
"Are you a bender?" Aang asked, curious.
Shen nodded, resting back on the tall chair. "I'm a Firebender."
"Wow. That means our group of Fire Nation supporters is growing, Aang," she nudged her husband's shoulder.
Shen laughed a big belly laugh. "Don't worry," he chuckled, "the majority of the Fire Nation are devoted to you, Avatar."
"Thanks," Aang smiled.
Suddenly, the low chatter in the other room burst into loud applause and cheers.
"That must be the girls swooning over Zuko," Aang laughed.
"I don't doubt it," Katara said, slipping a hand into his.
Shen hopped up. "I'll bring them back here," he told them, bustling back through the doors.
Aang and Katara stayed quiet, staring at the table. Sighing, Katara leaned on Aang's shoulder.
"We should get away today . . . or tomorrow . . ." she murmured, closing her eyes.
"I know," Aang told her, squeezing her hand. "We will, but it will probably be a few weeks until we can." Tipping her head back, he looked into her eyes and smiled. "I promise we will. It's just going to be some time before things settle down around here." Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers.
"Get a room," came a teasing voice from the doorway.
Katara pulled away and saw Zuko in the entrance with Mai. Rolling her eyes, she said, "Come on, Fire Lord; don't pretend like you've never shown emotion in public."
"Oh, yeah, he's quite the marshmallow," Mai muttered, lumbering in. "I have to suppress his compassion when we go out lately."
"Why?" Aang butted in, pulling farther back form Katara as Mai and Zuko sat down.
Mai shrugged. "Ask him."
Aang and Katara turned to Zuko, who seemed to be dying to tell them something. He cast a glance at Mai, who gave him a nonchalant shrug.
"She's being modest," he said, placing a hand on her arm. "We just found out that she is pregnant."
Katara's jaw dropped. "Really?" she asked in delight, turning to Mai.
"Yup," she muttered, fingering her dark hair. "Found out three days ago."
"Have you been sick?" Katara asked.
Mai nodded again. "Every day. I'm surprised I'm not throwing up right now."
"She curses me every day for doing this to her," Zuko laughed, rubbing her arm. "But she's happy, even if she doesn't want to show it."
Aang grinned. "I'm pretty sure Katara will hate me half of the time, too," he nudged her gently with his shoulder.
"Yeah . . . we'll see . . ." she said.
Zuko frowned. "Wait . . . You're not . . ?"
"No, no," Katara stammered, blushing. "It'll be a while before we start out." Grinning in embarrassment, she slipped her hand discretely into Aang's again.
"Why?" asked Mai.
"Azula," Aang bluntly answered.
"Ah . . ." murmured Zuko.
"But, congratulations!" Aang added cheerfully. "That's really exciting for you guys!"
They all turned when Aang was abruptly interrupted by Shen, who strolled in. "Now," he boomed, "what'll it be for my young guests?"
They spent the next few minutes ordering, trying to properly pay Shen. He squarely refused Aang's money, pushing it back again and again. Aang finally gave up in exasperation, throwing his hands up. Shen laughed and left with their orders.
"So," said Katara, leaning on Aang, "how far along did they say you are, Mai?"
The Fire Lady shrugged. "Maybe a month or so," she mumbled.
"I'm excited for you guys," Katara said softly.
"Yeah, me too," Zuko said, grinning.
They fell silent, toying with the utensils that decorated the nice table. Time passed slowly, dragging by with leaden arms. Getting antsy, Katara cleared her throat.
"I'm running to the bathroom," she announced. Turning to Aang, she told him, "Be back in a minute," and kissed his cheek.
"Be careful, please," he murmured, glancing at her arm and leg.
She gave him a reassuring smile, edging out from her chair. Grunting, she grabbed her crutch and hopped out of the room. She limped to one of the formal workers, asking where the bathroom was. He pointed it out. She thanked him, hopping away. Since she was making slow progress, it gave many people the opportunity to bombard her with questions. She smiled and answered politely, shaking hands and giving hugs. To her dismay, some people had the same questions that the terrible interviewers had bothered her and Aang with the other day. Those she answered with disdain, trying not to seem angry.
Finally, she reached the long-awaited bathroom. Apologizing to her admirers, she walked in and slid the door shut.
She stood facing the polished wood, sighing in relief. Running her fingers through her hair, she muttered, "This is going to be the death of me some day . . ."
Suddenly, a cold chill erupted up her spine, and before she could react an icy hand clamped over her mouth.
"If you and your husband want to live, you'll do exactly as I say."
Tears sprung to Katara's eyes.
It was Azula.