Love in Danger chapter 4 : THE AVATAR’S BIRTHDAY

They were at Aang's birthday celebration that Zuko had ordered the servants to drum up immediately after they had learned that it was that day. Being unprepared, his friends had no gifts to offer him other than their companionship but Zuko's servants had laid out cakes, cookies, fire flakes, and wine.

"Of course…a….a…Aang can join you" Sokka drunkenly stuttered. It had been too late when he discovered that Fire Nation wine was stronger than what was normally served at Water Tribe celebrations. "…he…he's your boyfriend…your boyfriend…friend who is a boy…friend who you…"

"Anything to get away from him right now" Aang added.

"Hey…you got a problem with me…you can spray…say it to my fist" Sokka said as he flopped his arm forward and collapsed unconscious on the ground. 

"It's all right people" Toph announced as may looked at him. "He's lying on his stomach. He'll live through the night if we leave him like that."

Aang and Katara left the party room and walked out onto a balcony over-looking the ocean. "Why didn't you tell us it was your birthday Aang?" Katara asked.

"Because it isn't really a big deal" he answered densely. "It's the day you were born, that's a big deal to all of us."

"When I was growing up in the Southern Air Temple birthdays weren't a big deal. An Air Nomad is supposed to detach himself from worldly concerns and material possessions. There aren't any presents or parties; all you do is eat a cake with your guardian."

"That's kind of awful Aang."

"Not really, an Air Nomad's life is supposed to be humble and simple."

"I think we both know that as long as you're the Avatar your life will never be like that." "You're probably right" Aang laughed.

"I'm serious Aang" Katara said. "You may have been born an Air Nomad but you have to remember that as the Avatar you'll always be someone of all four of the nations."

"You're right. I never thought of it like that. But then…" "But what?"

"Then the Air Nation is truly gone. The fact that the Avatar is an Airbender doesn't mean anything, he…or she of course…always is. There are no true Air Nomads left."

"How could you say that Aang?" "Because it's true."

"Aang it matters more than anything in the world that you're here and you're an Airbender" Katara comforted moving closer to Aang. "If it wasn't for you then Ozai would have destroyed the Earth Kingdom."

"That didn't bring me any closer to saving my people" Aang scoffed. "The monks, the lemurs, the bison, they're all gone."

"They won't be gone forever Aang."

"Even if we bring back the monks, the lemurs and bison will still be gone."

"We don't know that for sure. Momo survived in the Southern Air Temple; maybe there are more lemurs and maybe even bison."

"Probably not."

"There's still hope Aang. There's always hope."

Aang smiled. "And you're always there to remind me of that." They hugged warmly. "I love you Katara."

"I love you too Aang. We'll always be together." "Always."

"From now to the day we get married till the day we die." "Married…thinking that far ahead huh?"

"Of course."

"Of course, there's no one I'd want to make new Airbenders with more." "Of course…they don't all have to be Airbenders."

Aang gulped. Oh no, this is what I was afraid of.

"Uh…yeah."

"I mean I know it's important for the Airbenders to come back but there's no telling how many kids we'll have and…I've always wanted a little Waterbending girl, named Kya, just like my mother."

"Yeah…a little Waterbending girl for you." "And a little Airbending boy for you." "Yeah…or more than one you know…"

"Yes. As many Airbenders as you want and one Waterbender…."

"Damn it I can't lie to you I don't know how Sokka does it all the time!" Aang shouted pulpoli himself away.

"What are you…what did Sokka lie to me about?" Katara asked.

"He used your comb to pick pieces of jerky out of his teeth" Aang told her.

"Ew!" Katara yelled, looking at her long hair. "I use this comb every…wait, what are lying about?" "I'm sorry Katara, but I can't promise you something…I can't give to you."

"What do you mean?"

"I…can't give you your little Waterbender." "W…why?"

"It's impossible."

  "W…why…d…did Ozai hit you below the belt when you were fighting or something?"

"What! No!…no I can have kids…but only Airbenders…only Airbenders…I can only give you a little Airbender."

"…But you and I are both Waterbenders so when you think about it…"

"It doesn't work like that. The Spirit who controls this made it so I can only have Airbender children."

"Why?"

"Because I'm the Last Airbender…I have to rebuild the Air Nation…and That Keno wanted it and he said i can only sire Air nomads…they have to grow up thinking that's why they were…"

"Aang" Katara stopped him. "As long as we love each other that will never be the only reason they were brought into this world."

She hugged him tightly. "How can you be ok with this?" Aang asked. "If you're with me you'll never get your little Water Tribe girl."

"I am a little disappointed," she admitted. "And I feel like I'm being selfish because of that, but I know that any children I have with you would be the most special in the world whether they're Airbenders, Waterbenders , Firebenders, or no benders at all."

"I love you Katara." "I love you too."

A little over three years later.

SOUTH POLE [freezing right?]

"As Chief of the Southern Water Tribe I now pronounce you husband and wife" Chief Hakoda proclaimed.

Aang pulled Katara in closely and they engaged in a long, loving, kiss.

The surrounding crowd began cheering. Hundreds of people had gathered at the Southern Water Tribe for the Avatar's wedding; their old travepoli companions, people from towns they had liberated, noblemen, the Earth King and his procession, the Chief of the Northern Water Tribe, and anyone else who had managed to come.

As the ceremony ended people were allowed to approach Aang and Katara. Katara's father Hakoda was the first to speak to them. He was a respected warrior and resembled Sokka greatly. He said, "Katara I always knew you would choose an amazing husband. I know your mother would be the second happiest woman in the world today if she was here."

Katara hugged her father and kissed him on the cheek.

"Aang" Hakoda said. Aang looked to him. "If you break her heart I'm going to gut you like a fish" Katara's father warned light-heartedly.

Aang laughed. "You won't have to worry about that, Chief Hakoda" he assured.

The Chief pulled Aang into a fake headlock. "We're family now" he said. "Call me dad."

"Uh…ok" Aang said uncertainty. Then he saw the warm expression on the man's face. "Dad." He hugged his new father-in-law.

"Aang, Katara!" Sokka's voice said. He was crying, unable to contain his emotions. They both hugged him at the same time. "My little sister and my best friend!"

"Aw don't cry Sokka" Katara said.

"I'm just so excited!" he said.

Suki approached, holding an infant child. "Maybe you could put some of that energy to changing little Hakoda's diaper every now and then" she said. Suki and Sokka had been married for about two years. Their son Hakoda, named after Katara and Sokka's father was about a year old.

"Welcome to the family Aang" Suki said, placing one hand on Aang's shoulder then kissing his cheek.

"Thanks sis" Aang joked. Then it hit him. "Wow, I have a brother and sister now." He looked at the baby Suki was holding. "And a nephew."

"I wish your mother was here to see this" said Hakoda, tears escaping his eyes. "I miss her so much."

"Aw don't be sad dad" Katara consoled hugging him again. "Yeah dad" Sokka added, hugging his father as well.

"It's okay dad" Suki said, using her free arm to join in, holding her baby with the other one. "Yeah dad" Aang agreed, joining the family-hug.

"Hope we aren't interrupting," Toph's voice said. She was standing with Zuko, his uncle and wife Mai, and some of their other friends, such as Teo, the Duke, Pipsqueak, and Haru. Standing at Zuko's legs was his infant son Lu Ten and in Mai's arms was their newborn daughter Ursa. Zuko and Mai had married shortly after the Fire Lord's 17th birthday.

And all that day they partied and feasted and told stories of their shared adventures.

Late that night, Katara and Aang entered their tent and Aang immediately sat down while Katara stood at the doorway.

"That was the best day of my life" he said simply. "How happy are you?" his wife asked.

"For the first time since my birthday, I feel like a real man."

"How prepared are you to prove that?" she asked seductively, closing the entrance and untying her robe.

The Night was spent in full passion.

In the Spirit World.

Aang once again stood before Keno, the Spirit of Balance. Avatar Avatar Roku had joined him like the previous visit but this time the other three Avatars who had preceded him had joined him; Avatar Kyoshi of the Earth Nation and founder of Kyoshi Island, Avatar Kuruk of the Water Nation who had lost his fiancé to Koh the Face Stealer, and Avatar Yangchen of the Air Nation.

"Greetings Avatars of both current and past," said Keno. The five Avatars bowed to the mighty Spirit. "Why have we been brought here?" Aang asked.

"There is something very important to discuss" Keno answered calmly. Aang turned to his past lives. "Why did all four of you come?"

"I felt that wisdom from many generations could be helpful in this situation" Avatar Roku enlightened. "In what situation?"

Keno who answered, "Your wife has become pregnant."  [ Slick han? bet you didn't expected ]

"What?" Aang asked. "But we just got…that was the first time we…is…is it always that easy?"

[ I couldn't hold on to it as a serious matter and that I filled it to be a little comedic or more like a fully scenario ]

"You just happened to pick a good day" Kuruk said.

"Time is short Aang" Kyoshi said. "There is much you must do in preparation for your children's arrival."

"Did you say 'children'? There's more than one?" Aang asked surprised. "Katara is carrying quadruplets Aang" Yangchen said. 

[ Kamidi king xD btw if you think i don't know how to pronounce comedy your wrong ]

"Quad…quadruplets?!"

"Calm down Aang" Avatar Roku advised.

"Calm down?!" Aang screamed. "Katara and I just get married and already we have to get ready to raise four babies at the same time and I'm supposed to calm down?!"

Aang turned and faced the Tiger Spirit. "Why did you do this?! Why couldn't you let us have one kid at a time when we were ready?!"

as expected to Aang but he still yelled at him and then a slap of ROAR! at Aang's disposal xD

Aang jumped back. "Never speak to a Spirit with such disrespect young Avatar" Keno warned. "Many Spirits are not as forgiving and understanding as I am."

"I'm sorry…"

"As for your questions, I did not decide this or make it happen. My powers are of influence, not total control. The type of bender that people are born as is the only thing I have complete control over. This rare occurrence happened on its own, as many things do."

"Well, what do I do now?"

"What Avatar Kyoshi said you should." "Well…like what?"

"There is much you need to do Aang before your children are born" Avatar Roku said. "Believe me, it is not easy."

"And believe me" Kyoshi interjected. "It's even less easy being the woman in the scenario." "Well what do I have to do?" asked Aang.

"For one thing" Kyoshi answered. "You must take Katara to wherever you two want the babies to be born as soon as possible."

"Why?"

Yangchen answered, "Once Katara is far along enough in her pregnancy, flying or travel of any

kind will become too hazardous to your babies' health."

"There are also many kinds of foods that are unsafe for her to eat" Kyoshi added. "One thing at a time" Aang requested. "Where should they be born?"

"Where do you and Katara want them to be born?" Kuruk asked. "Doesn't it matter more where the best place for them to grow up is?"

"You're thinking like a father already Aang" Avatar Roku said proudly. "He is right. Naturally the Air Temples are an option to be considered."

"But which one is the best one for them to be taken to?" asked Kuruk.

"Hmm" Avatar Roku pondered. "Jeong Jeong, the guardian of the Southern Air Temple would be the most able to protect Katara if Aang was not there, performing his Avatar duties somewhere else."

Kuruk argued, "But Piandao of the Western Air Temple may be more inclined to guard Katara with his life if she were in danger, being her brother's sifu. Not to mention his temple is close enough to the Fire Nation for Fire Lord Zuko to send her help."

"Her safety is not all that needs to be considered" Kyoshi pointed out. "Guru Pathik of the Eastern Air Temple seems to be the most able to nurture and help guide Katara spiritually and mentally through this."

"Kyoshi is right" Yangchen said. "But we must also consider that the Northern Air Temple is at this point more stable than the others and that the people there could offer Katara better company and more modern conveniences."

"Balance must be kept!" Keno demanded. "Avatar Aang, is there no place where your wife can be protected and nurtured?"

Who do I know who can help protect and nurture Katara? Aang wondered. Wait a minute…Zuko's uncle!

"What about Ba Sing Se?" Aang posed. "General Iroh has a tea shop and a big apartment there. Not to mention the Earth King is a close ally of mine. Katara would sure be safe and nurtured there!"

"Wasn't the Earth King nearly assassinated by the Dai Li not too long ago?" Kyoshi asked.

"That was over three years ago" Aang replied. "Long Feng ran away and he has no agents to help him, he won't try anything."

"Very well, then Katara should be taken to Ba Sing Se as soon as possible."

"Wait a minute" Kuruk objected. "What if Katara wants the babies to be born in the Southern Water Tribe like her?"

"How stable is the Southern Water Tribe at this point Aang?" Yangchen asked.

"Well, it's still being rebuilt by the Waterbenders" Aang informed. "It's been raided by bandits a few times but they were driven off."

"Whether or not she is actually harmed, too much stress during pregnancy can lead to

complications at birth."

"You must convince Katara to go to Ba Sing Se Aang" said Avatar Roku. "Then I will" Aang promised. "Wow, there's so much work to be done."

"Yes. You must protect Katara with everything that you are Aang, for growing in her womb is the fate of your people."

Aang gulped nervously. Avatar Yangchen put her hands on his shoulders. "It is okay Aang. Everything will be okay, for you are no longer the Last Airbender."

Aang smiled. "I'm no longer the Last Airbender. Things are really starting to work out."

REVENGE OF LONG FANG 

Meanwhile in the Fire Nation prison located near the Imperial Palace City, three strange, cloaked figures walked through the corridors. They reached a cell door and approached it. Two guards stood at the entrance.

"No one is authorized to be up here besides us guards or the Fire Lord" one of the sentries said.

With a nod from their leader, two of the cloaked men grabbed the Fire Soldiers by their necks and placed their other hand over their mouths and noses. Their hands were covered by gloves of rock, forged through Earthbending. They bended the rock on their hands to compress and shrink as they tightened their holds. With a twisted snap the guards' necks broke and they died.

"Open the door" the leader whispered.

With two synchronized kicks, the servants smashed the door down. Like their hands, their feet were covered with a thick layer of stone.

The leader entered the cell. In it stood a cage and in the cage laid the former Crowned Princess of the Fire Nation Azula, or what was left of her at this point. After her defeat in the war she had suffered a mental breakdown and had been sent to an asylum. Unfortunately she could not be cured and was too much of a danger so was sent to the high security prison.

"Princess Azula" the leader said scornfully.

"Who's there!" the insane Firebender yelled angrily.

"You know who I am" the man said, removing his hood. He was nearly bald and had a moustache and goatee.

"Long Feng is that you?" Azula asked flamboyantly. "I heard your little plan to kill the Earth King didn't do too good. Poor Long Feng! Without me in control the Dai Li doesn't really have a leg to stand on."

"Open her cell" Long Feng ordered. One of his Dai Li agents stepped forward and slammed his rocky fist into the lock. The other agent opened the door and Long Feng stepped through.

Azula stood up limply. "Oh the big scary Dai Li head that can't kill one itty bitty king is inside of my cell" Azula mocked. "I'm so frightened."

Long Feng stepped forward and socked Azula in her stomach. She dropped to the ground writhing in pain, wrapping both arms around her belly and coughing.

"You betrayed and humiliated me!" Long Feng snapped.

Azula rose and began laughing. "Is that your best shot?" she asked. "That didn't hurt one bit. Try again and see if you can even make it tickle" she added rubbing her belly with her hand.

Long Feng punched her square in the gut again, even harder. This time she spat out blood that dripped onto Long Feng's cloak. She collapsed on the ground, coughing violently.

She rose up again decrepitly, both of her arms wrapped around her stomach and blood leaking from her mouth. "My grandmother can hit harder than that!" she shouted. Long Feng kicked her in the face. She dropped to floor, broken and unable to rise.

"Sir" one of the agents said. "Someone will hear soon."

"You are right" Long Feng said. He held up his hand and ordered, "Earth."

One of the agents held up the gloves on his hands in offering. The stone from them flew to Long Feng's right hand and formed a giant glove.

He knelt down and grabbed Azula by the neck. As he stood he lifted her above his head.

As his grip tightened, Long Feng coldly menaced, "I've waited a long time for this you dreadful, lying, deceitful, evil, backstabbing bitch!" He broke her neck and dropped her lifeless corpse.

"What should we do with the bodies sir?" one of the agents asked. "Leave them. There's no evidence to indicate we did it" said Long Feng. "Who is our next target sir?" another agent asked, "the Avatar?"

"No. He is too powerful for us to kill, for now anyway. But don't worry the plans for our revenge will soon be acted out."