A New Era

A New Life

Katara opened her eyes slowly as she heard the songbirds tweeting as sunlight poured in through the window. She blinked her eyes as she felt the soft sheets on her bed, yawning as she slowly pushed herself to sit up. She stretched her slim, tan arms as she brushed her messy hair aside. She patted the bed before she managed to get up.

She made her bed before heading to her washroom. Bending water into a heating pot as she set it to heat. She brushed her brown hair to get all of the tangles out, styling it to let down behind her as she parted some of her hair to form two ponytails that laid over her shoulders. She brushed some hair from the back and twisted the top part into a small bun resting on her head. She smoothed her satin robe as she blended the water from the pot into a washbasin. She grabbed a wash cloth and dabbed it into the water as she cleansed her face and neck, next to her arms and legs.

After she dried off with a towel, she placed her fingers across her cheek, she started to remind herself so much of her mother. She shook her head and went to her closet to pick out her outfit. A blue kimono with white fur at the ends, a dark blue line at the neck and the end. It was sleeveless and short for it was summer, it was too hot to wear to much. She put on her necklace, twirling in her mirror before nodding in approval.

She exited her room and headed downstairs, the stairs spiraling until she hit the main hallway, turning left into the kitchen. She smelled something tasty, and she followed that smell into the front porch where Aang sat at a low ebony table. In front of him laid a pot of tea with two cups and two bowls or sweet rice with honey and berries on top. Katara smiled as she sat down in front of the bowl.

"Good morning." Aang said as he bent over to give her a kiss on the cheek. She gave him a quick kiss before he went back to his spot and poured her some tea.

"You look beautiful today." He said as he poured himself some tea. Katara picked up her chopsticks as she blushed.

"Aang, you say that every morning." She said as she began to eat. Aang picked up his chopsticks as he shrugged.

"Well I mean it everyday." He said starting to eat. Katara smiled as she sipped her tea, a herbal jasmine blend. He probably found the leaves at the edge of the mountain.

"What do you want to do today?" Katara asked as she finished her breakfast. Aang finished his tea before staring at the vast hills.

"Wanna go for a walk?" He suggested. Katara nodded as she got up along with him, him holding her hand as they began on the dirt trail. They walked for a bit, admiring the green grass, the willow trees, and the lovely wildflowers that bloomed. Aang plucked a blue one and tucked it in Katara's hair. She squeezed his hand as he sighed.

"Sokka, Suki, Toph, and Zuko are coming later and staying the weekend. You're gonna turn 18 tomorrow, practically grown." He said. Katara looked into the valley. She admired being here, ever since she and Aang wanted to relax for a bit, restoring the air temples, it just felt right.

"Yeah... but then again, you are 117, I think you beat me." She chuckled. Aang rubbed his neck, he didn't like to think about his actual age a lot. He was 117 but he felt like 17 year old. Others saw him that was as well, but it still somewhat bothered him. They soon sat down in a cool bed of grass. He seemed so nervous as he rubbed his thumb on the palm of her hand.

"Hey Katara..." he said as he looked down at her hand. Katara turned to look at him.

"Yeah Aang?" She said as he looked into her eyes. He lightly squeezed her hand. He gulped as he shook a little.

"I've known you for so long, we've been through so much together and we ave also been dating for quite awhile now..." he said as he helped Katara stand up with him.