Avatar : Echoes of the Heart

Chapter 3: Reckoning With Emotions Part 1

Katara was seated in her father's quarters in the chieftain hall, awaiting the start of the festival. She couldn't wait to see her friends again, and although it wasn't likely he'd show up because of her, she had a slimer of hope that Aang would show up. Just as she thought that, Sokka walked through the door and sat next to his sister. He was still privately investigating the large polar bear dog he saw, but he still hasn't found any clues as to who they could be. during his investigation, however, he remembers vaguely seeing a long shadow dart underneath the ice he was walking on. Letting go of the thought, Sokka walked over to his dad and looked out at the view of the festival, the bright lights as they illuminated the festival and almost looked like stars had fallen from the night sky. Sokka always thought the festival was the prettiest thing he had ever saw, besides Suki. Suddenly, the door to his father's quarters opened.

"Chief Hakoda, a dragon and a bison has been spotted approaching the village entrance." The guard explained.

"A bison? Maybe the Fire Lord brought a guest. Prepare for their entrance with Sokka. Katara... is gone." Hakoda said, face palming as Sokka laughed to himself.

At the mention of a bison, Katara had darted out of the room and was running towards the entrance. Tears beginning to form in her eyes, she was starting to believe the spirits had answered her prayers. Not only would she see her friend again, she would finally be able to talk to Aang about their last interaction. However, as she got closer to the entrance, she started to calm down and still had a little doubt. It has been ten years after all, so she was still a little doubtful. Wiping her tears, Katara slowed down and walked to the entrance the rest of the way.

As for Aang, he was ready to talk. He was ready to make things right and repair he and Katara's broken relationship. He missed her dearly, seeing her ocean blue eyes and the feeling of being warm and secured whenever they would share a hug. Aang, as the land of the icy terrain grew closer, felt his heart begin to beat harder than normal.

Because Katara was walking to the entrance, Sokka and the guards were able to ready the gate entrance for Zuko and Aang to land safely. When they finally landed, Sokka stepped forward as the wind from the large animals landing almost made the men fall on their backs. Sokka stepped up as Zuko and Aang climbed off their respective beasts, Zuko helping down Mai while Aang stared at the ground in thought. Zuko and Sokka shared a quick bro hug, Sokka giving Mai a quick wave before looking towards Aang.

"What's got him all gloomy?" Sokka asked, confused as to why the normally jolly avatar was all gloomy.

"Your sister." Zuko replied, his usual raspy voice disgusting Sokka to his core.

But as Sokka turned around, he was suddenly shoved out of the way and face planted into the ground. When he looked up, the sight of Katara running up to Aang and wrapping herself around him as Aang returned her embraced, surprised him to say the least. He thought they hated each other. But within that hug, Katara and Aang silently let out emotions that were built up over the span of ten years, and they couldn't stand the distance between each other anymore and although Aang was unsure, deep down, the warmth of Katara and how close they were made him sure that he didn't want to lose this feeling again. Aang took in her sweet scent, smelling the same cherry blossom perfume she used to wear all that time ago. Katara softly cried in his chest, still having not seen his face, just a bald head with an arrow on top. Even so, their unspoken emotions let themselves out as they embraced one another.

"Um, can a blind girl get some help up here?!" Toph yelled from Appa's saddle.

"Let them have their moment. We're coming, Toph!" Zuko said, he and Sokka walking up Appa's tail and to the saddle.

As Aang and Katara separated and got a good look at one another, small tints of red covered their cheeks as Katara stared into Aang's now dark, stormy gray eyes and Aang staring into Katara's ocean blue eyes. As they soaked in their moment together, Katara noticed how much taller he was compared to her, and started pouting to which Aang softly smiled.