Zutara: When Chemicals React (Avatar the last air bender fan fiction)

Aang-Part 15

When we walked through the door's of King Bumi's kingdom, we found him in his throne room lounging in his chair eating some berries. He was the most relaxed king I've ever known and seen. I was glad we made time to visit him, we hadn't seen him since the war. When he opened his eyes and saw us, his eyes widened as he smiled and jumped down from his throne in front of us.

     "Aang! Sokka! Katara! and all of your friends! How is everyone?" Bumi said as he gave the three of us a hug.

     "We are all well Bumi," I smiled genuinely at the sight of my friend. I was very happy to see him, regardless of whatever was going, seeing Bumi always brightened my day.

     "That's good to hear my old friend," Bumi smiled. "Now come and make yourselves at home! Are ya hungry? Eat to your heart's content."

     "Don't have to tell me twice!" Sokka said and practically attacked the buffet that was spread out on a table. We all then walked over to the long table to take a seat. Bumi sat at the head of the table and I sat next to him.

     We all sat and talked of our recent adventure, leaving out the detail about Katara, Zuko, and I. They all knew it would still be a touchy subject for me. But I had wished that Katara at least gave me some sort of explanation so it all didn't seem so sudden. She gave me know warning at all...but then again she has tried to talk to me many time, even when we first got to Omashu. But I didn't even give her a chance, I just ignored her. So if she did try to explain things I wouldn't even give her a chance.

     As we all ate Bumi clapped his hands to get our attention and cleared his throat. We all looked over at him, Sokka, was still chow-ing down before he turned his head while a piece of meat fell from his mouth to his plate.

     "It is nice to have friends and enjoy each other's company..." Bumi said as his expression changed from a happy one to a serious one. I knew whatever he was going to say was going to be serious and surprising. "But sometimes that fun is ruined by the world's mishaps..."

     "What is it Bumi?" I asked.

     "Well first with happier news....Zuko," Bumi said as he looked at him. "We have gotten word that your mother is on her way to Ba Sing Se..."

     Zuko's eyes widened. "Really?!" Zuko smiled. "Thank you..."

     "And on another note with not so good news," Bumi cleared his throat and took a look at all of us. "I have also been informed that Azula has escaped the boiling rock..."

     "What?!" we all said.

     "How?" Sokka asked.

     "It seems that she had help escaping," Bumi said. "A guard at the boiling rock has also disappeared."

     We all knew what this meant. We knew that if Azula ever escaped the first thing she would do is come after us, and then possibly the throne of the fire nation.

     "Azula and her tricks..." Zuko said as he stood up. "Knowing her she tricked or conned the guard into helping her...I'll go and find her and take care of this...she will most likely come after you guys...but I know what she really wants is to rule the fire nation."

     "Zuko no!" Katara said. "Don't be crazy, We're in this together."

     "No, Katara. I won't have my friends get hurt because of me and my family."

     "No, zuko!" I said and stood, he and everyone else was stunned that I spoke up. "Katara's right, we're in this together..."

     "Aang..." Katara said.

     "You've done a lot to help us in the past," I took a breath. "And now its our turn to help you, you won't be left alone in this. Your sister may come after us...but only to get to you. We may have another war on our hands and all of us our affected. But we will have your back because...because that's what friends do!"

     I then looked over at Zuko and smiled. He smiled and nodded. Then Katara smiled. Even though with everything that happened with Katara. I couldn't really be upset. I know understood what Katara's father meant. Things change and sometimes you can't help that and maybe Katara didn't explain at first because she didn't know how to. I can't help the course that life takes, so I shouldn't be so angry.

     I'm at least glad to see her so happy even if it's not with me, and even if I never love again, I will always have love for Katara. And no matter where we are in life and no matter how far apart...we will always be friends, and I know that. We will always be connected and our hearts will always be tied...all of us. Our lives and memories are lived on through the people we meet and our actions is what tells our story.

     "So," Zuko said. "We at least know that Azula will come after us...and I know she'll try to get some recruits to help her with whatever plan she's come up with..."

     "But let's think..." Toph said. "Do you think there's anyone else Azula may try to hurt to get to you?"

     "Well we at least know Mai is out of the picture..." Sokka said. "Do you think she'd come after Katara?"

     "I don't think so..." Zuko said as he took a moment to think.

     I shook my head, "Katara would be too much of an obvious approach..."

     Then Zuko's eyes widened with fear as an idea struck him. "Someone who has always been there for me...through everything...my uncle....we've got to get back to the fire nation!'

     Everyone then got up to run out I turned to Bumi and bowed to him. "Thanks for everything, Bumi."

     "If you ever need me just come and find me, Aang," he smiled.

     We all then hopped on Appa after leaving Bumi's kingdom. While traveling, the moon was already up, telling me how tired I was. Everyone was asleep or so I thought, until I noticed Toph came and sat next to me on Appa's neck.

     "I'm proud of you, Aang," She smiled.

     "I can't be mad forever right?" I chuckled. "Especially about something I can't control..."

     "I'm glad you feeling better." It was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. It seemed like she had something on her mind, but I knew if she wanted to talk about it she would. "Aang..."

     "Yeah, Toph?"

     "Well I don't really know how to say it but...and I feel kinda bad due to certain events but..." Toph said as she started to blush, which was something I was surprised to see. This wasn't like Toph.

     "What it is, Toph? Are you alright?"

     "Well yeah I guess...It's just that, Aang...I've been wanting to say for a while now that..." Her rosy cheeks became brighter and fuller as her eyes softened.

     "Yeah?" I said as I kept an eye on the sky. I was starting to get a little worried about Toph. I just hoped she wasn't going through something and we all have been too caught up in our own conflicts to notice it.

     "Well Aang...I like you...I have affectionate feelings for you...and I think I may love you..." My eyes widen at her words as I turned to look at her, not quite sure of what to say next.