The Stone Cold Bender *ATLA Fanfic*

*Chapter 15*Tree People*

We are sat under some 'big ass trees', there red leave causing the soft setting sun to bath us in a scarlet glow. A soft wind rustling leaves and blowing my hair. Sitting against Appa, I bury myself in his fur. The peaceful moment ruined by Chip, who was playing with Momo a moment before, nipping at my ear. 

"What do you want?" I glare at the small bird, annoyed that the peaceful moment was ruined. 

"Where's Momo?" Aang asks, looking around for the flying lemur. Chip then chirps and flies in a random direction, a screech soon following, in that same direction. "I think that is our answer." I say sarcastically, pointing in the direction of the noise. 

We all stand up and walk after Chip, turns out that Momo got trapped in a... trap. Point is that he is trapped. 

"Hang on, Momo!" Aang shouts, airbending himself up to the animal traps. Carefully Aang lowers the cage to where Sokka and Katara can open it, releasing Momo. The other animals start shaking their cages, catching Aangs attention. And him being the absolute angel he is, frees them as well. 'I will die for this boy.'

As they run away, Sokka investigates the traps. "These are Fire Nation traps.  You can tell from the metalwork." He explains. "We'd better pack up camp and get moving." I nod in agreement, clutching my satchel and looking around cautiously. 

We rush back to Appa and pack up our, mainly their, stuff and start putting them onto Appa's saddle, only for Sokka to stop us. "Uh-uh! No flying this time." He says, talking one of the rolled up sleeping bags from Aang.

"Why not?" I question. 

"Yeah, why wouldn't we fly?" Aang asks.

"Think about it." Sokka says, putting the bag on the ground. "Somehow Prince Zuko and the Fire Nation keep finding us. So, it's either because they spot Appa, he's just too noticeable. Or because Kim here is telling her boyfriend our location."

"I'm sorry." I interrupt. "My what?" 

Sokka does some exaugurated hand gestures as he response. "Look, I don't know what you have going on with Zuko, but as long as you don't rat us out, I don't really care." He shrugs. "My point is, that we should walk."

"But Appa's not noticeable." Katara tries to argue. 

"He is a flying fluff ball with an arrow." I deadpan. Appa groans in offence.

"Kim's just jealous because she doesn't have an arrow." Aang comforts the giant teddy bear, patting his head. 

"I know you all want to fly, but my instincts tell me we should play it safe this time and walk." He explains. 

"Who made you the boss?" Katara questions, hands on her hips.

"I'm not the boss, I'm the leader." He argues back.

"And why are you the leader?" I ask, my eyebrow raised. 

"Because I'm a warrior, and the oldest!" He exclaims. "So, I'm the leader."

"If anyone's the leader, it's Aang." Katara states. "I mean he is the Avatar."

"Also, if you don't mind me asking." I say with my hand raised, as if I were asking a question in class. "But how old are you?" I question the watertribe boy. 

"Fifteen." He says confidently with his hands on his hips, a large grin on his voice. A sly smirk creeps onto my face. "Fifteen you say?" His confident grin turns confused as he nods. "Looks like I'm the oldest here, other then Aang." I mutter the last part. 

"Wait, how old are you?" Aang questions. 

"Sixteen." I shrug nonchalantly. "Let's just walk, we're wasting time just sitting here."