To Save a Warrior | A:TLA

❀ sixteen ❀

CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
FIRST-TIME-GLIDER

Nami woke from her sleep, surprised and energized that she'd managed to rest, especially after fighting with Zhao. Though she frowned lightly when she noticed she was the only one in the saddle, and upon listening in closer she heard Appa's soft snores beneath her. She felt a light tug on her tunic, looking down to find Momo impatiently waiting for her attention. Nami scratched softly behind his ear to which she received a soft mewl; as he jumped to rest on her shoulder she soon heard the voices of her friends.

"Nami, you're awake!" Aang was the first into the saddle thanks to his airbending, his smile large and hopeful. She returned his grin with one of her own, albeit small, as Katara and Sokka walked up the bison's tail to enter the saddle. Katara easily maneuvered over Nami's outstretched legs and Sokka's messy belongings to sit next to the Northern teen, legs crossed neatly as she hugged Nami's arm in delight. Sokka smiled as well, slightly relieved that the teen had finally awoken. They'd almost thought the she died in her sleep as she'd been so still, and at one point they had to tie a rope around her to the saddle as they passed through a small storm before landing to camp for the night.

"Sorry," Nami murmured softly, yawning before sending a smile to each of her friends. "Are we leaving now?"

"Yeah, to the Northern Air Temple!" Aang instantly gushed, face flushed from excitement. Nami seemed to beam as well at their next destination as Sokka settled on her other side. Aang easily gained control of Appa's reins, and after patting the bison between the eyes a few times he was ready to fly. They quickly took off, Appa's pace faster than usual due to Aang's excitement.

"Do you really think we'll find airbenders?" Katara asked quietly. Nami's brow instantly furrowed at her words before she turned to Sokka, noticing his look of stark cynicism.

"You want me to be like you," he asked, though his eyes remained focused on the stick he'd been whittling since he'd sat down, "or totally honest?" Katara scoffed loudly, pushing Nami to lean back further to gain full view of her brother.

"Are you saying I'm a liar?" She asked angrily, brow dipped heavily, lip slightly curled. Sokka didn't even spare her a glance as he continued with the damn stick, replying with a shrug,

"I'm just saying you're an optimist, which is basically the same thing."

"Oh yeah," Katara snarled, "and you're basically a moron!" Nami rolled her eyes as the siblings started to bicker back and forth. Sure she reveled in having such close friends, but to be literally stuck in the middle of two arguing teenagers was more than enough to frustrate her.

"Katara, you're just mad because I'm righ—"

"—Spirits, would you two just shut up!" Nami suddenly exploded, throwing her head back with a long groan of annoyance. The siblings' flushed slightly under her command, settling back lightly with small frowns.

"Sorry," they both muttered under their breaths, leaving Nami to bite back a small laugh at their slightly downtrodden and embarrassed expressions. Though as she thought back for a moment, her brow furrowed slightly,

"Wait, Katara, what did you say about airbenders?"

"Oh, well apparently some have been spotted at the Northern Air Temple." Nami's expression fell slightly at the idea, and Sokka easily noticed, finally moving his gaze from the whittling,

"What? What is it?" Nami bit her lip, meeting his gaze before all of their attention was drawn to the Temple now in front of them. Nami moved to kneel, the siblings mirroring her crouched state. She sighed softly,