Coming Together

Dark News

*A/n:- action back (it's kinda dark)*

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Katara had been awake for some time but she hadn't opened her eyes yet, the morning light coming through her eyelids already unkind. Her muscles felt stiff and there was a mild shooting pain just behind her forehead. She was laying on her back, the covers skewed and kicked off the bed in the night. Her braids were still in her hair, her makeup smudged and in just her bindings. She slowly opened up her eyes and found herself alone in her bed. She wondered if she was supposed to be alone or not. Snippets of the previous night swam through the fog of her mind. She remembered the ceremony, lots of wine, dancing. She remembered images of walking home with Aang, and something about strawberries.

Her mouth fell slack and she smacked her lips together, her mouth drier than she Si Wong desert. She sighed and spread her arms to help her sit up, one hand falling upon a piece of paper as she pushed herself up slowly. She looked over and grabbed the paper, seeing it was a note from Aang.

Katara,

I have a meeting with your father at Air Temple Island today at noon. I will come back over when I am done. Also, I'm sorry I allowed things to get so out of hand and I hope you can forgive me. I love you,

Aang

She reread the letter at least half a dozen times, trying hard to remember the details of last night. Eventually the picture came together. Make out sessions against buildings and in dark alleys. The strawberry incident. Taking off her clothes and begging him to make love to her, despite their agreement. Him fighting with himself to say no. She grabbed her head and groaned, completely embarrassed. She had made such a fool of herself, and yet he was apologizing. But something else about the note was nagging her. What could her father and Aang possibly be meeting about?
She got off the bed slowly and made her way to the bathroom, checking the clock in the hallway. It was half passed eleven. She wondered how long he had been gone, being the early riser he was. She decided to herself that she was going to find out what this meeting was about and why she was being left out. Katara had enough time to take a quick bath and she needed one, covered in dried sweat and her face and hair a mess. She stripped down in the bathroom and ran the water, filling the tub and quickly getting in. She let loose the braids and washed her face and hair, leaving her body for last. This was a purely functional affair, no time to relax in the water. Her head pounded still and she used some of the water to heal herself, feeling her headache disappear after a few moments.

When she was deemed clean, she got out and drained the tub, bending most of the water out of her hair, of which was being unruly today. She sighed and braided it down her back, leaving her signature twin hair loops out. She dried her body off with a towel and threw it and her bindings in a the hamper. She dressed quickly in her shorter tunic, knowing it was hot outside. She was slipping her shoes on and running out the door by ten minutes till noon, giving her just enough time to get to Air Temple Island.

She reached the edge of the bay, standing on the dock, and realized the ferry was already gone. She huffed and jumped off the dock, propelling herself forward and landing on a thick blade of ice, riding out waves she made towards the island. She laughed a bit as she passed the ferry, going much faster than the boat. It didn't take her long to reach the other dock, wasting no time as she jumped up onto the platform and ran towards the temple.

Aang and Hakoda were inside Aang's office, seated comfortably with some tea.

"It must be serious if you are coming to me and not Chief Arnook." Aang spoke softly, looking across his cup to Hakoda. Hakoda sighed and put his cup down.