Sokka groaned. Today’s goals; reach the Swamp, keep an eye on Azula, and keep Aang away from Katara.

“You know Suki, I think Azula needs a nickname.” Sokka announced to the still sleeping Suki. Suki opened an eye and glared at Sokka. 

“You are the smartest husband in the world.”

“Why thank you.” Sokka puffed up his chest. 

“I was being sarcastic.”

Sokka’s smile faded. 

“Why is that.”

“You woke me up just to tell me Azula needs a nick-name!”

“Oh, sorry.”

Suki turned away, hoping she could catch a few Z’s before having to officially wake up.

Sokka crawled out of his blue tent. The morning dew just subsided leaving everything moist and fresh. Sokka gingerly picked a few daisies and placed them outside his tent, hoping to tame the beastly side of his wife. 

“Katara, Aang time to wake up!” he called.

Silence.

“THEY DID NOT!”

“Not what?” 

Sokka twisted to see Katara strolling towards him with a bucket of water.

“Where is Aang!” he growled.

“He is in the woods, picking up food for breakfast. I am making oatmeal.”

“Yum.” mumbled Sokka.

He hated oatmeal.

“KATARA!”

Aang came running out of the woods. He was dirty and his shawl was ripped. Aang was clasping a basket to his chest as if he was trying to keep the contents from falling out.

Katara stifled a giggle.

“Aang, you know better then coming at a girl dirty and wearing ripped clothing.

“Oh, I will change,” Aang said excitedly. “But Katara, check what I found!”

Katara peaked into the basket and nearly dropped the bucket. She took in the sight

 in awe.

“Oh Aang, you knew!”

Sokka closed his eyes, expecting Aang and Katara to engage in a passionate kiss. 

“Why, what a surprise.”

Suki trotted out of her tent. 

“Dirty Aang making out with my sister in-law. Now this is a sight to see.” 

They finally broke away and Katara scooped the hazelnuts and dumped them into 

the bucket. 

“Nuts and oatmeal is for breakfast.” she announced.

Azula squirmed her way out of the tent just as Katara kissed Aang. Jealousy made room in her already cold heart. Why was she so alone?

Azula scanned the outline of the woods, hoping to spot a long enough branch to use as a crutch. Spotting one, Azula rolled down hill and lifted the stick out of the wet leaves. 

She then climbed back uphill to join the rest of her companions. 

“Now Aang, go change your clothing and wash up.”

“Alright sweetie.”

“OOGIES!”

“Sokka stop, this is getting old.” Katara shouted at him.

“At the matter of fact, it got old years ago!” corrected Aang from his tent.

“Change!”

“Ok, calm down, I am changing.”

Azula smirked, she won’t tell the avatar of her discovery, not now at least. 

“What are you smirking about Azula?” questioned Suki.

“Your bickering amuses me.” lied Azula.

Suki didn’t give Azula’s claim a second thought. It made sense. The quarrels between the siblings was always entertaining to watch.

“Breakfast is served!” 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The flight to the Swamp was uneventful. Unless of course you count the occasional fights between Katara and Sokka or the constant chattering of Momo or the random kisses. Azula was silent throughout the ride, her mind contemplating the facts of the night before’s meeting with a couple of Air Nomads. She couldn’t understand why the man and the women helped her. She was some random stranger stuck in a hole, nothing more. Unless, they wanted something from her but how could they possibly know who she was? She wasn’t wearing her title head piece nor royal garments.

The Nomads have been hiding under the noses of the Fire Nation and the rest of the world for more then a century, so it is a possibility that they knew who she was. Azula chewed on her necklace, a habit she hasn’t had since age six. She moved on to the memory she relived in her dream. The engraving? The engraving! The engraving was the key. What did it mean by “It shall expose to its other.” Expose meant reveal and or open. But what about the part of “its other.” Azula’s mind could not make heads or tails to this. It will have to wait till later. Maybe it meant nothing. She remembered just for the sake of remembering. She might never know.

“The Swamp!” yelped Sokka.

Everyone peaked over the edge of the flying bison’s saddle. The Swamp. It still retained its extremely mystical atmosphere.

“Let’s make sure that tornado doesn't pop out at us again.” Sokka said as he recalled their previous trip.

“Look, the Banyan-Grove Tree, we’re here!” Aang exclaimed.

Appa flew directly to the Banyan-Grove Tree. It was as big as ever. The roots still connected into the Swamp reminding Aang of how the Swamp was just one big organism-like the entire world. Suddenly, Aang was overwhelmed by emotions. He desperately tried to keep from crying. Katara placed an understanding hand on Aang’s shoulder, it made it even harder to keep his composition.

“It’s okay,” She whispered, “Cry if you need too.”

“Is he alright?” asked a concerned Suki.

“He will be fine.” Katara answered “he just needs some time.”

Aang sniffed and swallowed his emotions. Today was a good day. Today he will finally find home. 

Appa gently landed in the murky waters of the Swamp. 

“Ewww.” complained Azula as she waved her hand in front of her nose.

“Yeah, you will get used to it.” Sokka said nonchalantly.

Aang jumped out of the saddle and gracefully landed on a mound of earth. He removed his boot and stomped his foot onto the mound, his eyes tightly shut, taking in the 

entire landscape.

“There is a tunnel, just a few meters from here, come along Appa.”

Appa swam through the fog as Aang leaped back onto the bison.

“Here!” he announced. 

“Aang I think you need to get your feet checked, I don’t see anything.” Katara said.

Aang grinned. Taking a stance, Aang waterbended the vines to reveal a dark cave. 

“As you were saying?” he teased.

Appa let out a soft growl.

“Oh, I forgot, Appa hates tunnels.”

Aang whispered something into the bison’s ear and the bison shook his head. The Avatar tapped his chin and brightened. He again murmured something into the bison’s ear. Appa seemed to consider. 

“Alright Appa, yip yip.”

Appa flew in to the tunnel without looking back. Momo didn’t like the bison’s decision but went with his master anyway. They flew what felt like hours until Appa landed onto the dry earth exhausted. 

Everyone grabbed their bags and jumped off. Azula worked on the camp fire while Katara and Suki went out looking for water, Sokka and Aang remained to make camp. It was dark in the tunnels but the Gaang eventually got accustomed to the dark. 

“We found water!” cheerfully announced the girls when they returned from 

their mini-adventure. 

“That’s great!” 

The fire and tents were done and Aang and Azula were going through the food baggage while Sokka warmed himself. Katara stared dinner while everyone pitched in.

“This feels just like old times.” Sokka said, smiling to himself.

“Ya, except we aren’t having a crazy princess and an honor-deprived prince running after us!” 

Everyone laughed. 

Aang was too busy to pay any heed to the conversation going between his friends. 

He was trying to figure out how has his life taken such a turn. He was in the Southern Air Temple with Monk Gyasto, living a quiet and happy life. Then he found out he was the Avatar and everything changed. But it was for the better. He met the love of his life, he made new friends and he stopped a war at age 12. Gyasto would be proud… 

“Aang?”

Aang shifted a bit and saw Katara. The yellow glow of the fire reflected in Katara’s blue eyes, her mocha skin shiny from perspiration.  

“Yes?”

“May I join you?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.” 

Katara sat down next to Aang. Her chocolate hair softly tickling Aang’s arm. He desperately wanted to ask Katara to marry him but something was telling him to wait. 

A voice whispered to him that the right moment was almost upon them. Just wait.