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Representative Katara and Avatar Aang were both skilled diplomats and master negotiators with years experience managing border disputes and mediating treaties. Yet now both were faced with opponents that cared not for diplomacy and were perhaps their most difficult adversaries yet. They stood over a large map, faces tight and focused as fingers pointed to various corners of the world. If they didn’t charter a path through this argument the consequences would be dire.
“Its the only place in the whole world where you can see the Unagi!” Bumi shouted, his hand splayed over the map.
Kya, standing on her tip toes, pulled the map to her. “So?”
Bumi scowled at his sister. “So! We have to go to Kyoshi island!”
“You chose last year! Why didn’t you go then?”
“I didn’t want to go then!”
Aang and Katara, stood silent as their children ‘negotiated’, they had hoped to encourage compromise and cooperation between the two as they chose their yearly vacation. Yet now they appeared to be at an impasse.
“Mom said it’s my turn!” Kya proclaimed. “And I want to go to an Air Temple!”
Bumi scoffed, finally reclaiming the map. “The Air Temples are boring!” Katara heard Aang laugh through his nose, he was clearly enjoying the show more than her.
Katara knelt down to her son. The swell of her belly strained her slightly as all too familiar aches crept up her legs. “You did choose last year.” Katara reminded him, her hand resting on his shoulder.
Bumi’s face contorted and hummed deeply, relinquishing control of the map. His eyes widened and he rushed to Kya’s side. “What if we went to Ember Island? Uncle Sokka says the Ember Island Players are fun! Right Kya?”
“No!” Aang and Katara were in sync. Their eyes met from across the table and the couple laughed together.
“What if,” Aang stopped between his children. “What if we did both?” Kya looked up at him, confused. “The Southern Air Temple isn’t too far from Kyoshi island. We could visit the temple and then stay on the island,” Katara drew a sharp breath, too quiet for anyone but Aang to notice, he gave her a reassuring nod before continuing. “What do you think Bumi?”
His son considered the offer for a moment and caught Kya’s pleading eyes. “Compromise.” He pouted.
Aang nodded. “Kya, your brother agrees. What do you think?”
“Temple then island!” She offered Bumi and outstretched and which, with the encouragement of his mother, the boy took it.
Preparations were made and bags were packed. Republic City would survive without them for a week and Sokka had offered to pick up Katara’s work while they were gone, though on the condition she give Suki a kiss from him to which Katara jokingly agreed.
As Bumi and Kya packed the last of their things and lugged their cases to Appa, Katara found Aang leaning against a tree in the courtyard of their home. Her hand found the small of his back and Aang relaxed in her touch as he always did.
“Sweetie, are you sure about the Southern Air temple?”
Aang didn’t look away from his children. “I’m sure.” She could hear his smile.
“You know they’ll ask… about the airbenders.”
Aang pulled his wife close to him, his hand around her side and his head resting atop hers. “I know,” he sighed. “It is their history as much as it is mine. I was actually thinking of telling them soon anyway.”
“Really?”
“Not the full story,” Aang shook his head. “But Bumi is almost old enough and Kya, well she asks me everyday for stories about them nomads.”
Katara tightened her grip on Aang, letting his warmth move through her. “What about you? Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah,” Aang took a heavy breath, his chest swelling. “With you,” He kissed the crown of her head. “I can do anything.”
The flight south was largely uneventful. During her first pregnancy, Katara couldn’t fly at all and struggled to even get close to Appa owing to the smell, however, now she was once again free to enjoy the wind against her face. Aang had helped her into the saddle and made sure she was comfortable before taking off, Kya had pleaded to sit with Aang as they flew, and Bumi was content to let her, choosing instead to gaze at the clouds. The first leg of the journey took them relatively far. They followed the coast of the Earth Kingdom south until they stopped for lunch along one of its beaches. Aang stayed with the kids while Katara spent the break wading in the sea, the coolness of water soothing her muscles and bringing her peace, if the look on her face was anything to go by.
In all, it took two days of near non-stop flying for the spires of the Southern Air temple to come into view. When they finally did, poking through a thick layer of fog, Kya almost burst with excitement. Katara had to hold her in place while Appa banked to the side as Aang searched for a place to land. He chose an open clearing at the base of one of the mighty towers and brought Appa down in a cloud of dust that shook the nearby trees.
Aang jumped down first and stood for a moment in hauntingly perfect silence, even the heavy breaths of Appa seemed dulled to Aang’s ears. Around him trees stood tall but barren, stripped of leaves and life while rubble littered every floor and surface. The wind itself seemed to die down the moment Aang set foot home, leaving him in a silence that somehow itched his skin. The quiet had an unnatural presence to it that bore heavy on Aang’s shoulders and filled each breath with a venomous dread. His chest grew tight and his head light as he reached for Appa to steady himself. Whatever it was even swallowed the sound of his own breathing.
“We made it!” Kya squeaked as she escaped her mother’s grasp and slid down Appa’s tail. “We finally made it!”
Her brother was quick to follow, stretching his arms high over his head. “Thanks Appa,” He ruffled the bison’s fur, he helped Katara to her feet before jumping after his sister. “You forgot your stuff!”
“Don’t go far!” Katara called out as Aang lifted an earthen platform and took her hand in his.
“Flight wasn’t too hard?”
Katara shook her head and let Aang carry her down. “We’re fine,” She rested a hand atop her swollen belly. “Are you fine?”
“So far so good.” Aang shrugged.
“Come on, come on!” Kya appeared at his side and began pulling on his robes.
Katara laced her hand in Aang’s, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb as they walked. Kya led the group with the energy only a small child had. She asked questions, ran, jumped and argued with her brother in all the same breath. They first visited the air-ball field where Bumi and Kya raced between the lean pillars while Aang attempted to explain the rules over the sound of Kya screeching as Bumi chased her. He had no idea if either of them were listening but he continued his explanation with a wide, beaming smile while they played.
“I played air-ball every day when I was Bumi’s age.” Aang sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly.
Kya appeared from behind a nearby pillar and charged at her father. “Who did you play with?”
Picking his daughter up, Aang’s smile returned as he leapt up onto one of the pillars, high over Bumi. “All my friends, Tseng was the best striker but Mashi, oh man, he was the fastest with the ball.”
“They’re not here. Are they?” Kya’s tiny hand balled in Aang’s robes.
Aang’s hand covered hers as he balanced on a single foot. “Afraid not, Little Cloud,” Aang sighed as he moved from one pillar to another. “They’ve been gone a long time now.” He stepped into the air and the two dropped back to the ground, surprising both Katara and Bumi.
“But you’re still here!” Kya laughed as Aang set her down.
“And he’s always going to be.” Katara smiled, holding her close.
Bumi stepped forward and puffed out his chest. “So does that mean dad owns all the temples?”
The laugh that escaped from Aang took with it much of the weight he carried. “Sort of,” He ruffled Bumi’s hair. “It means that I’ve got to look after them, until the airbenders come back.” Aang walked with his arm draped over his son.
“They’re coming back?” Kya squeaked.
Aang looked back to her and nodded. “I think so.”
“How?” Bumi asked.
“I don’t know,” Aang shrugged. “But the world isn’t balanced without airbenders, and the world will always find a way back to balance.”
“We have to get ready then!” Kya squirmed out of Katara’s hand and ran ahead. “What do we do dad?”
Aang held his chin and hummed. “Where do you think we should start?”
“Well we’re gonna need help,” Bumi scoffed. “Four temples and four of us?”
Katara chimed in. “Soon to be five.”
Aang laughed again, reaching for his wife’s hand. “You might be on to something though. Each temple needs a lot of work.”
“I bet there are loads of people out there who would help,” Katara took Aang’s hand and let him help up the temple steps. “Everyone in the world knows what your dad has done for them, maybe some of them will want to help rebuild the temples.”
“I want to help now though!” Kya shouted as she bolted ahead, into the one the temple structures.
Katara let Aang go as she chased after their daughter. Bumi stuck with her, helping up the ever steepening steps. Aang chased after her, moving with speed as Kya’s laughs echoed in the ancient building. Aang quickly recognised it as one of the dormitories, typically reserved for nomads who had just arrived rather than those who lived at the temple. It was an open top structure that reached far into the sky, embedded into its curved walls were various rooms for individuals or small groups. At the center of the building was a large fountain structure. It was chipped, cracked and covered in a thick blanket of moss and lichen but still retained many of its carvings despite seemingly running dry a long time ago.
Kya stood in front of it, her hands on her hips as she studied it intently. “I’m gonna start with this!”
“With what?” Aang huffed as he finally caught up with her.
Without answering, Kya widened her stance and closed her eyes. Her arms moved in wide, somewhat clumsy, arcs as she reached low to the ground and back up again. Aang was content to watch his daughter as she repeated the form over and over again, though it wasn’t long before a tremble developed in her wrists. Aang was about to step forward and help when a small jet of water burst from the tip of the fountain, followed soon by another and then another. By the time Katara and Bumi caught up the pool at the base of the fixture was slowly filling with water, though leaking somewhat.
“Kya’s already getting to work.” Aang beamed proudly, as he shored up the earthen base with his own bending.
Katara laughed. “That’s amazing, baby!” She beamed. “Now if only your were this good at cleaning your room.” Kya was quick to run away again, though Bumi pouted as he looked at the now clean flowing fountain. He watched, hands in his pockets as Aang sealed up the last of the cracks and Katara corrected the flow of the water, strengthening it.
“Sorry.” His voice was so quiet only Aang heard him.
Aang knelt beside his son. “For what?”
“I can’t help like Kya can.”
“Oh buddy,” Aang sighed softly. “What do we say?” He prodded him gently with his elbow.
Bumi huffed and puffed. “Everyone is born with a gift,” The boy sighed. “When am I going to find my gift?”
Aang looked over his shoulder and winked at Katara. “Don’t tell your mom,” He pulled Bumi close and whispered. “But your jokes are way funnier than hers. Shhh! Don’t tell her!” Bumi laughed as Aang hugged him. “Uncle Sokka isn’t a bender but he is the smartest man I’ve ever met.”
“Am I smarter than him?”
Katara stood tall over her two boys. “You’d give him a run for his money,” She tugged at his ear. “But you’re already funnier than he is… You can tell him I said that.” She giggled.
Kya reemerged from behind the fountain, justly proud of her work. “I wanna see the statues! The avatar statues!”
Even Bumi perked up at the idea and soon both parents were being pulled by their children. The walk to the statue chamber was a challenge for Katara but she was determined not to disappoint her kids, she held Aang’s arm for the last few chambers and corridors until they saw the great gate, still unlocked and open from the first visit all those years ago.
“Be careful,” Aang warned. “Bumi, go with your sister, it’s dark in there.”
As the kids headed into the chamber, Katara tugged at Aang’s sleeve. “You remember?” The love in her voice made Aang’s eyes well. “This is where we found Momo.”
“Spirits,” Aang huffed. “Feels like only a year ago.”
“How many has it been?”
Aang shook his head. “I can’t even remember… A lot.”
“You must have only been a little older than Bumi.”
Aang laughed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as close as her belly would allow. “Way to make me feel old.”
Katara’s fingers crept up his chest and across his jaw. “You are old. Like…” She trailed off, counting in her head. “Hundred and thirty?”
Aang rolled his eyes and spun her around gently, lifting her feet from the ground. She laughed in the moments before he cut her off with the deep, fiery kiss. The speed robbed her thoughts while the touch of his tongue against her lips stole her breath. By the time Aang let her go she was woozy on her feet and positively kissed drunk.
Together they walked into the chamber and watched proudly as Bumi listed off each Avatar at Kya’s request.
“That’s easy!” Bumi boasted. “Kyoshi, the tallest avatar there was! She made the whole island by herself. Give me a tough one.”
Kya wandered in the dim strip of light, stopping in front of an elegant woman in robes. “This one!”
“Easy again,” Bumi scoffed. “That’s Yangchen, she was a nomad, like dad. They say she fell in love with someone from the water tribes.”
“Just like dad then!” Katara called out.
Kya quickly moved on, pointing to a tall willowy man with thin whiskers. “This one!”
Bumi followed her and hummed to himself. “Szeto. Right dad?” He looked over shoulder.
“Very good!” Aang shouted.
Brimming with pride, Bumi puffed out his chest. “He saved the Fire Nation when it was all messed up and stuff.”
As Kya continued to quiz Bumi, Aang looked at his wife and noticed the furrow of her brow and the slightest tension as she held his hand. He was quick to catch on.
“Are your feet hurting?”
Katara cleared her throat and shook her head. “I’m fine and besides, they’re having fun, we can stay a little longer.”
“Sweeite,” Aang sighed. “The temple isn’t going anywhere,” he squeezed her hand. “We can come back and visit again,” his hand moved to her swollen abdomen. “Maybe next time with the baby.”
“If you insist,” Katara smiled. “But I’ll want a foot rub when we land.”
Aang heartily agreed and called out to the kids. “Come on you two! We should get moving before dark.”
Both Bumi and Kya grumbled and complained but followed their parents back out into the clearing where they landed. Katara had done a good job hiding it up until this point but it was becoming clear that the pain in her feet was growing. In the final stretch he carried all three down the slope on a block of stone, much to Bumi’s enjoyment. Appa heard them coming and rose to his many feet and came to meet them. He nuzzled the children and licked Bumi’s hair into a spiky mess while Katara laughed. Kya had grown unusually quiet since leaving the statues and by the time Aang helped her into the saddle she was fast asleep. Bumi too was beginning to feel tired, despite his protests and yawned loudly as he climbed atop Appa.
Aang was ready to help Katara up when she stopped him. She threw her arms over his shoulders and pulled him close into a tight hug. The surprise quickly passed and Aang’s arms coiled around her waist as she stood on her tip toes.
“You did well today.” She whispered in his ear.
“Thanks?”
Katara pulled away but kept her hold on him. “Today, here with them. I know it was hard.”
“It was fun!” Aang joked. “And did you see Kya today? Oh we’ll make a little nomad out of her soon.”
Katara laughed softly through her nose while her fingers danced across the back of Aang’s neck and head. “You did amazing today. Not just with Kya, but with Bumi and me.”
“I-I wasn’t going to let anyone down.” His eyes were wide and there was a slight tremble in his voice as his chest grew tighter with each word.
“You’d never let us down Aang,” Katara shook her head. “And you try so hard for us, even when it means coming back here.” Tears began to well in Aang’s eyes. He leant down and nuzzled against Katara’s cheek as she soothed him.
“Am I bad?” Aang’s voice was a ghost. “I… I don’t think of this place as home anymore. I don’t think I have for a while but coming back… it proves it.”
Katara’s hand moved circles over Aang’s back as she fought her own tears.
“Sweetie, wherever we go is home,” She felt Aang’s hand move over her bump. “A place holds the memories but its people that make it home.”
Aang stood back up and Katara wiped a tear away with her thumb. “Do you really think people will help rebuild the temples?”
Katara nodded. “Bumi will make a great foreman,” Aang laughed and Katara kissed his cheek. “The stories you tell them, the lessons you teach them, Aang. They’ll carry them forever and one day,” She held his cheek firm. “When the airbenders come back and I know they will, it’ll be your stories and lessons that teach and guide a whole new air nation.”
Aang helped Katara into the saddle, his hand holding hers tight. She cuddled up to the sleeping Kya and the soon to be sleeping Bumi under her arms. Aang kissed Katara on the bridge of her nose and took Appa’s reins. The bison stepped into the air silently with a gentle beat of his tail and soon the Southern Air Temple grew faint as the clouds began to consume its edges. Aang looked back to the great spires and structures of what had been his home, a familiar weight in his chest pulling his eyes down.
Katara’s eyes met his, gentle and wide with love. The sight of her, their children in her arms was enough to lift that weight and Aang breathed easy as the Southern Air Temple faded from view.