With Love, Snoozles

Serious As Serious Can Be

AT THE NORTHERN WATER TRIBE

"Katara, it'll be ok, your Gran-Gran is in a better place now." Bato said, comforting Katara as they sat on the edge of her bed. Katara wiped her tears and stood up, straightening her rawhide belt that wrapped around her water tribe coat. "Thanks Bato, but I've really gotta get back to my students." He pulled her into a hug, looking her in the face when they pulled apart. "You've grown up so much, just enough to know that your mother and Gran-Gran are probably just non-stop talking about the latest fashion in the Spirit World." This made Katara laugh, knowing it was probably true.

She closed the door behind her as the cold air stung her face. Katara's Grandmother, whom she called Gran-Gran, had reached the end of her life just a few days ago. Pakku, who used to be Aang's waterbending mentor, had reunited with Gran-Gran a few years ago, so he was devastated to see her go so quickly. But Katara couldn't focus on him right now, she had to make her way to the fenced in practice area in the middle of a snowy field.

She opened the gate and stepped on the freshly fallen snow, making her way to the kids waiting for her. "Good morning Master Katara!" they all called out. Katara smiled and said, "Hey! Are you all ready to get started?" 

LATER~

"Keep your heel on the ground. If it's up, then you'll be able to be knocked down. Here, give me a little push while my heel is up!" Katara said. Reli, the little girl who Katara was next to, gave her a push. Katara swayed. "See? As long as you're grounded when you need to be, you won't be knocked down. And remember to keep your hands-"

"Excuse me, are you Master Katara?" She looked up to find her boyfriend Aang standing outside of the gate. Her face lit up as she ran over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Aang! You're here! Is this some special occasion?" she asked. The little girls and boys gathered around the fence to see what was going on. "It's Avatar Aang!!!" they all screamed. They pushed open the gate and jumped on him, screaming and laughing. Aang toppled over laughing, covered in snow. Katara chuckled from the other side of the fence. "Ok you all, get off of him and get back to training."

Aang stood up and brushed the snow off of his pants. "So, I was going to say that I came to talk to you about something important, but someone else came to say hi." He stepped to the side so Katara could see a girl with a petite figure standing behind him. She waved and smiled. "How's it goin' Sugar Queen?" Katara gasped and hugged her. "Toph! I missed you! Long time no see, huh?" The blind girl nodded and hugged her back. "Is...is Sokka here?" she asked. Katara raised an eyebrow. "No, he's with Suki in Republic City, why?" Toph lowered her head. "Oh...Suki..." Aang and Katara met each other's eyes and shared the same look of confusion. "By the way..." said Aang. "I heard about...Gran-Gran. I'm really sorry. Is there anything you need?"

Katara smiled. "Thanks Aang, but I'll be ok, I promise." Toph cleared her throat, making the other two people turn their heads. "Oh! Sorry Toph, I guess I never told you about Gran-Gran, did I?" Toph sighed, shaking her head. "It's ok, nobody tells me anything anyways." She said walking away. Katara was confused. "What's wrong with Toph?" She asked. Aang shrugged. " I have no idea, but I think I know what might help."

"And what's that?" Katara asked. Aang sighed. "What if...Team Avatar got back together? You know, it's been a few years since we talked to each other at all. I know you miss Zuko even a little bit. And Sokka seems so caught up in council business all day every day. I've tried to contact them both, telling them that there was trouble at the Northern Air Temple, but that doesn't seem to get them there." Katara raised an eyebrow again, this time for Aang. "Is that the truth Aang?" He scratched the back of his neck, unsure of how to answer. "Well, no." He laughed nervously.

Katara giggled. "Are you serious, sweetie?" He nodded. "Serious as serious can be." She shook her head laughing. "Why don't you just ask to meet up with them?" Aang shrugged. "I'm kinda scared they'll say no. 'Cause if they do, then I'll know that they think I need to grow up and move on, find new friends or something like that." Katara kissed his cheek, making him blush. The children in the back laughed and made kissy faces. "It'll be ok. In the meantime, let's go find Toph."