Sea and Sky

Chapter 30: Bloodlines

Sea and Sky
Chapter 30: Bloodlines

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"Katara?" The voice washed over her. Not fully able to locate the source of her name, she turned over in her sleep, dreams interrupted.

As strong arms encircled her form, the waterbender lurched upright on the bed, a loud gasp leaving her lungs. Searching for the bone dagger she kept hidden with her, she brandished the knife.

"Who are you?" She demanded, reeling back.

"Katara, wake up. It's me."

Aang. He was back. Relief flooded her as she tossed the knife to the floor, it clattered to the marble tiles below the bed. "When did you return?"

"Sokka and I just got here, it's not even dawn yet. The stars are still bright." Aang's voice was low as he curled into the bed next to her, unbothered to remove his travel clothing.

Pulling her tightly to him, the Avatar held his love tight, unwilling to let her go. Her back to his chest, she melted into the embrace, letting out a contented sigh. The two weeks he had been gone felt like a lifetime.

Drawing her closer, he moved his hands to rest over the slowly growing swell of her stomach. She was safe, they were safe. He'd always known that no harm would have fallen onto her within the walls of Zuko's palace, but without the visual confirmation of her safety, he had been left constantly worrying about her. About the new life that grew within her.

For a moment, Katara pulled away from Aang and moved to light the oil lamp next to the bed. The quick flicker of the light blinded her for a moment, as her vision adjusted from the darkness. "So, what happened? Did you find Kuyu?"

"We did. He's hiding out in a hovel with Rana and Merzif. His men surrendered and have joined Kuei's garrison. Instead of trying the soldiers for treason, Kuei offered them another option. It's a lot to go into, but we'll speak with Zuko today about it. There's something else..."

His voice was faint as he moved from the bed, unsure of how to proceed. Before returning from their scouting mission, Aang had traveled into the spirit world. He'd initially made the trip in search of wisdom from the past Avatars, but instead had found something else. It was hard for him to explain to her what exactly he'd seen, or what had unfolded around him. Aang figured the best way for her to know would be to see if for herself.

"That's all very good news. But what else? You just stopped talking."

Taking her hands in his, Aang pulled Katara from the bed, drawing her into his arms. He had never taken anyone else with him to the spirit world before, save for Sokka who'd been pushed into the realm with him during the solstice many years prior. Accidental exposure to the spirit world didn't count, he thought to himself, moving to light a small cone of incense. Next to the small altar in the room, he placed the smoldering cone onto the offering plate before giving a silent prayer. He asked whatever spirits around him for aid.

"I want you to come to the spirit world with me. I can't describe what I've learned... it's... strange. Compelling. Terrifying. Several things."

Katara's lips parted to form an 'oh' in confusion as she cocked her head to the side. He'd never before asked her to join him during his trips to the spirit world. To have him invite her to the realm was both exciting and alarming. She's seen what the spirits were capable of in the human world, and only imagined what they could do within their plane of existence.

"Okay. When do we go? Or how?"

"Now." He said without hesitation, moving to sit on the floor, Aang pulled her down with him as he moved. "Close your eyes. Focus your thoughts."