Between having Asha back unharmed, especially after the whirlpool of emotions she went through, and having Appa back in his grasp, Aang was emotionally overwhelmed. He hadn't gone ten feet away from Appa and was almost always checking in with Asha-- which she joyfully implored with a soft smile as she looked over Gumi. Having the two back was such a big relief and it was obvious in the way the two just felt...looser. Like their nerves weren't constantly on edge.

"Look, we escaped from the Dai Li, we got Appa and Gumi back, I'm telling you, we should go to the Earth King now and tell him our plans. We're on a roll." Sokka's voice breaks the silence as he attempts to convince his fellow teammates to get on board with his plan, even if in the end it was up to the two Earth benders.

"One good hour after weeks of trouble isn't much of a roll." Katara snorts, eyeing her brother.

"We can build on it! If we want to invade the Fire Nation when the eclipse happens, we need the Earth King's support." Sokka continues, ignoring his sister. He can hear Gumi roar out happily, assuming that Asha is still cuddling him. 

"What makes you think we'll get it? I don't know if you've noticed, but things don't usually go that smoothly for our little gang."  Toph stretches her legs as she speaks, the dirty bottoms raising from the ground as she stretches her arms 

"I know, but I've got a got a good feeling about this. This time will be different."

"Sokka, Long Feng is in control of the city. His conspiracy with the Dai Li is too powerful. I think we should just keep flying and leave this horrible place behind us." Katara remains stone cold, unconvinced. 

"I'm with sweetness. I've seen enough of Ba Sing Se, and I can't even see!" Toph throws her arms up, eyes wide as she faces Sokka's direction (based on where his voice is coming from).

"But now that we have Appa and Gumi back, there's nothing stopping us from telling the Earth King the truth about the conspiracy and the war." Aang interrupts, walking over to the four. He looks back to his fellow air bender, the girl slowly getting off of Gumi to join them as well. 

While at a distance it looked like the duo weren't listening, they were. Weighing the pro's and con's with each other while simultaneously putting the best interest of the group at the forefront, both deciding this was the better option of the two. It was almost amusing at the levels they were operating at now, compared to when this journey started. 

"See, Aang's with me." Sokka grins as he puts an arm around Aang's shoulder, flashing a wide grin. "It's the whole reason we came here in the first place, we have to try."

"Well, I guess if the Earth King knew the truth, things could change." Katara looks down thoughtfully, the two boys smiling at her. 

"I don't trust the new positive Sokka. Long Feng brainwashed you, didn't he?!" Toph screeches, pointing to Sokka as she stands to her feet. 

"Okay, that's great and all, but what about Asha?" Raiko stands, unimpressed and bored, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. 

"What about Asha?" Sokka looks over to the quiet air bender, who looks up as she feels his gaze. Aang remains standing next to Sokka, watching as Raiko turns his counterpart around, a large char mark on the left sleeve of her shirt. She had already healed it while washing Gumi, but she couldn't fix her clothing.

"We ran into a fire bender-" 

"Aki. We ran into Aki." Asha is quick to interrupt Raiko, watching as Aang's eyes widen, the boy stepping closer to Asha. 

"As in Aki Aki?" His eyes are focused on the mark, only for them to look back to Asha's blue eyes. 

"Yes. As in that she-demon, Aki." The girl huffs again, looking to the shore of the lake. She's quick to do a double take, three Earth Kingdom ships in the distance catching her eye.

"Am I the only one whose confused or...?" Katara glances to Asha, then to the same direction she looks in.

"Welcome to my world." Toph grunts.  

"I'll explain later. Look!" Asha points her free arm, the other still in Aang's grasp as the rest of the group (except Toph) look.

"That's probably the Dai Li searching for us. So?" Sokka says, turning to Asha before he finishes.

"Let's fly!" 

___

Both animals let out an excited roar (Zulu trying to attempt the same in Raiko's lap, only to let out a squeak causing the blonde to coo), soaring through the sky. The original pilots fly with ease, the unfortunate passengers left gripping for dear life. 

"Can we please buy a new saddle?! Riding bareback is terrifying!" Asha laughs as she hears Toph cry out.   The group easily fly over any walls, only to descend as the spot a massive complex, surrounded by yet another wall. 

"There it is. That whole thing is the palace. The Earth King's chambers should be in the center."  Sokka points to the vast plaza in front on him. 

"We have to be careful. I would bet money that Long Feng's probably warned the King that we're coming." Raiko yells from his spot behind Asha.

"Why would you assume that? If you ask me, I think we're just gonna sail right in-" Sokka is cut off by his own yell, Aang instructing Appa to avoid a large stone that streaks past them, the dragon riders watching as the bison emerges from the cloud of dust left behind, a defiant growl bellowing out. 

"What was that?!" 

"Surface to air rocks!"  Sokka cries in alarm, more rocks approaching them.  Asha grips her staff tightly, pulling it out and destroying an incoming rock with ease. Climbing to the top of Gumi's head, Raiko scooting to take the reigns, still holding onto Zulu, she watches carefully and skillfully, praying her bending doesn't fail her now.  Holstering her staff, Asha crouches, reaching to grip her dragons horn as he evades more boulders. She can hear Sokka scream, causing the girl to look over. 

Asha watches as Aang remains stone faced, staring in front of him as a boulder approaches. Without looking, Aang backhands the boulder, almost casually, shattering the incoming boulder. Asha can feel a blush heat up her cheeks as she sits back, completely in awe. 

'Wow.'  

Her thought causes Aang to look over to her, his own cheeks flaring as he smirks, watching as she looks away, a blushing stuttering mess before she can pull herself back.

He's pulled back only to split a boulder with his own staff, quick to  check back to Asha, the girl unfolding her glider.  The Onsra flies down, taking out some of the Dai Li with shock waves of Earth, lessening the amount of boulders being flung as Appa and Gumi land.  Aang helps the landing animals, using his staff to create his own shock wave to knock back more troops, flinging them back like old rag-dolls.  

Catching up to his Onsra, Aang walks in front of Appa and Gumi, the others following behind.  More Earth benders line up on either side of the path, acting in unison as they bend stones at the group.  The air benders swipe at them, knocking them from their projection paths as Toph throws stones of her own to counter them.  

Grabbing her staff once more, Asha twirls it gracefully around her body, causing the large stone blocks of the walkway to rotate, shielding the group from incoming attacks. She can hear the sharp crack of various water whips, the crumbling of other stones behind her, and the grunts of soldiers being hit; the cry of apologies from Katara, Raiko chastising her, the growl and roars of Appa and Gumi. Yet, it's almost on deaf ears. As Asha continues twirling her staff, a low hum takes over the noise, her heartbeat becoming almost deafening in her mind. No thoughts coming to her, almost a robotic control taking over her body. 

Stopping the movement of the stones as Toph jumps in front of her, flipping the stones that Asha was previously using like dominoes. She pins soldiers helplessly under them, Katara apologizing once more as they pass. The group approaches a large moat,  looking up as a pair of badger-mole statues fall to the group, Aang and Asha moving in sync as they bend a barrier of stone over the group; the statues ricocheting off with a ground-shaking crash. Katara and Raiko are quick to run from behind the barrier, dashing forward while they draw water from their own reserves. 

Their quick in creating a small ramp to get them over the moat, drawing tendrils from the water and slapping the surrounding benders into the moat. They roll into a defensive stance, Katara recovering quickly as she sends another wave of soldiers into the moat.  Raiko freezes the moat as the others pass on the bridge behind them. They regroup as even more soldiers approaching. 

More rocks rain down, Asha and Aang destroying some with air before they can hit.  The soldiers race down the stairs of the palace, desperate to join the battle. They're stopped as Toph causes the stairs to fall, leaving behind a smooth ramp for them to slide down. Aang and Asha take over as they bend an elevator platform of stone. The group boards as the air benders push it up the ramp, Raiko, Toph and Katara using bending to cover to them. 

As they reach the top, Earth guards close in as the air benders stand back to back, creating walls to drive back the approaching warriors. It's now that they finally reach the door of the palace.  

"In there!" Sokka cries, pushing Asha into the doors, the girl giving an irritated look to him.

"Which way now, genius?!" Asha shrieks, ducking as a rock flies in her direction. Toph bends a group of columns under the earth bender, pinning them with the roof. 

"Toph?!" Sokka yells next, ducking behind Asha as she uses a wave of air to destroy a particularly large rock. 

"How should I know?! I'm still voting we leave Ba Sing Se." The Earth bender yells, driving two guards back with a wave of stone as she finishes talking. 

"Your not doing anything, why don't you go look?" Raiko questions, taking his spot behind Asha, using a water whip to throw back even more soldiers. Sokka runs off as the two stand back to back, taking out soldiers left and right.  

"Dear lord, how many of these guys are there?!" Asha groans, even more soldiers appearing from god knows where. 

"Enough for one of the largest cities in the world." Raiko smirks, Asha stepping forward causing him to stumble back.  

The group eventually gets to a vast hallway, the passage chocked with rubble and wreckage. 

"Now, that's an impressive door. It's gotta go somewhere." Sokka says as he climbs on top of the debris, looking down at a massive set of double doors, clad in gold and green. 

Sokka tries to take a flying kick to the door, only to be disappointed as it doesn't budge. 

"Oh, for the love of-" Asha cuts herself off as both Aang and herself strike the door with a wave of air, throwing it off of it's hinges. Sokka flung inward and skidding to a stop as he glares back. 

"A little warning next time!" 

The rest of the group run in, passing the ornate pillars and hanging lanterns, only stopping as they are approached by even more Dai Li.  Asha holsters her staff in favor of her hands alone, Aang stopping her with a shake of his head as she looks to the king before them.  She relents, falling back for her offensive for a more favorable defense.

"We need to talk to you!" Aang yells, urgency in his voice as the Long Fend glares at him.

"They're here to overthrow you." The man turns to the King, who seems to be one to be easily manipulated. 

"No, we're on you side. We're here to help!" Sokka tries next. 

"You have to trust us!" Katara steps in, the King raising as his brows furrow in anger.

"You invade my palace, lay waste to all my guards, break down my fancy door, and you expect me to trust you?!" The King snorts, Asha snorting with a twitch in her lips. "He makes a point.

"If you're on my side, then drop your weapons and stand down."

Silence falls around the room, tensions rising as the group all look to each other, raising their brows and shoulder as they're not sure what to do. Aang and Asha look at each other, once more quickly debating their options with each other. 

Raiko acts first nonetheless, pushing Asha to the ground as she lands with an unflattering yelp, a water flask landing beside her.

"She's my only weapon. Sorry." Raiko laughs out, the rest dropping their own weapons as they stare at the defeated girl; Asha remaining on the floor with a huff.  

'I hate it here.' 

'Welcome to the club.'

The king looks unimpressed as he waves an arm, Long Feng signaling for the Dai Li to attack.  The five behind Asha feel their arms get bound behind their back, Asha jumping in surprise. Narrowly dodging the pair of stone hands that fire towards her, Asha stands in front of the group, she's stopped as a wave of hands flies from all sides, Aang and the others forced to watch as the fiery air bender is taken down, being held to the ground by multiple pairs of hands, a couple soldiers actively holding her down as well. 

"Fuck- I HATE it here-" She snarls, struggling against the soldiers that hold   her.

"Asha!" Aang calls, breaking through his bonds as Asha is pummeled into the ground. The boy held back by a pair of soldiers as well before both settle down momentarily.

"Detain the assailants." Long Feng's deep voice rung out as the soldiers pulled Asha to her feet.

"But we dropped out weapons! We're your allies." Sokka whines, confused.

"Make sure the Avatar and his friends never see daylight again." Once more, Long Feng speaks, but this time he makes a fatal error.

"The Avatar? You're the Avatar?" The Earth King points to Sokka, Asha snorting at the assumption. 

"Uh, no, him. And she's the Onsra." Sokka nods his head to Aang, then Asha. Both air benders looking up. 

"Over here!" Aang effortlessly escapes his bonds momentarily (the soldier stepped away once he calmed down), only to allow the rocks to fall back into the bonds.

"What does it matter Your Highness? They're enemies of the state." Long Feng turns to the King, who looks to the kids.

"Perhaps you're right." The King pauses, his bear walking over to Aang, sniffing then licking his face, the boy laughing at the action. The bear then leans to Asha nuzzling the girl, drawing a giggle. "Though, Bosco seems to like them. I'll hear what they have to say." 

The guards let go of Asha, the girl now only having cuffs on her wrists, allowing both Avatar and Onsra to approach the king. 

"Well, sir, there is a war going on right now. For the past 100 years, in fact. The Dai Li's kept it secret from you." Aang looks to the King, then to Asha, urging her to go on.

"It's a conspiracy to not only control the city, but to control you as well." Asha continues from what Aang was saying, the Earth King immediately looking dismayed. 

"A secret war? That's crazy!" 

"Completely!" Long Feng peeps up, derisively, meeting the Onsra's gaze as Asha sends an icy glare to him. 

"Long Feng didn't want us to tell you, so he stole not only our Sky Bison, but our dragon as well to blackmail us!" Aang shouts accusingly. 

"And blackmail is the least of his crimes. He's brainwashed innocent people, Your Highness!" The female air bender cries in frustration, still keeping up with her staring contest.

"All lies. I've never even seen either of those animals, Your Majesty. Frankly, I thought they were extinct." Long Feng turns to the king, looking aside. 

"Your claim is difficult to believe, even from an Avatar and Onsra." The Earth King sits back on his throne, skeptical of the kids. 

"Theses hooligans are part of an anarchist cell that my agents have been tracking for weeks. It you listen to them, you're playing right into your own destruction." Long Feng whispers conspiratorially. 

"If you listen to him, your playing into your Kingdoms and your own destruction!" Asha whines, her sensitive hearing picking up on the whispers. 

"I have to trust my adviser." The Earth King sounds resigned, the two looking distraught at the declaration, Dai Li approaching and leading them away; until Sokka turns around suddenly. 

"Wait! I can prove he's lying. Long Feng says he's never seen a Sky Bison, ask him to lift his robe!" Sokka looks to the air benders with a smile, both giving him a look of confusion in turn. 

"What!? I am not disrobing!" Long Feng turns appalled.  It's now Aang smiles back to Sokka, picking up on what he was thinking.  Drawing a deep breath, Aang blows a gust of wind at Long Feng, blowing the minister's robes, revealing a tooth mark bruise. 

"Right there! Appa bit him!" Asha smirks in triumph, Aang leaning on her trying to catch his breath. 

"There's a mark on his back too. Gumi hit him!" Raiko steps in, smirking as well. 

"Never met a Sky Bison or Dragon, huh?" Sokka smiles smugly, his sister and Toph behind the group. 

"That happens to be a large birthmark. Thanks for showing everyone." Long Feng feigns embarrassment, pushing his robes back into their original place. 

"Well, I suppose there's no way to prove where those marks came from." The Earth King shrugs, Sokka only smiling wider.

"Of course there is!"

___

Appa and Gumi stood behind the group, Asha holding Gumi's head in her arms as the dragon growls at Long Feng.  Appa stands with Aang, mouth open as the air bender points to a larger tooth, then to the matching bruise. 

"Yup. That pretty much proves it." The Earth King sounds convinced, the group of kids cheering in excitement. 

"But it doesn't prove this crazy conspiracy theory." The Earth King looks as the group slumps, all but Asha as she rolls her eyes. "Though I suppose this matter is worth looking into."

"We'll take it.  Let's go!" Asha grabs the King's arm, pulling him away.

___

Gumi twirls in circles around Appa as his rider laughs in joy at the wind rushing through her brown locks. Her dragon lets out a choked noise, almost like a chuckle as both Appa and his own rider preen at the hovering duo.

The air benders had chosen to fly with their animals while the others rode the train with the King, leaving the two to their own devices.  Asha seemed to have the same glint in her eyes from her childhood, Aang taking note at the happiness that surges through him. He can feel the relief and relaxation from Asha, making a small smile lay on his own face. But it also got him wondering. 

'What are we?'  Aang knows Asha can hear him, her giggles slowing down as Gumi rides straight beside Appa. Her smile never leaves though as she pants, catching her breath from the laughter and most likely head-rush. 

'What do you want us to be?' There's hesitation, Aang can tell. He can feel the confusion, uncertainty and whatever else. It brings a sense of doubt into Aang's mind, remembering how he felt before he reunited with Asha. How he felt with Katara, and how she disregarded any advances, feelings or compliments he made with her.  But, then again, Asha was different. 

Asha gives responses to the advances. She's kissed him (either on the lips, or face) on multiple occasions, she gives him the same look he used to give Katara, she was willing to bond souls with him and connect their very being. Looking to everything that Asha has given up for Aang, he smiles. He's decided this already once, in the spirit world, but maybe he needed to decide in in the real world.  

'I-I no longer want to wait till after the fire lord.'  He finally responds, a growing blush on Asha's face at the response.  

Is this what she wanted? More than friends? Like, boyfriend and girlfriend?  Asha hesitates on her response, looking to the sky above her.  To call Aang her boyfriend? Despite the war, the impending battle with not only the Fire Lord, but apparently her step-mother (who she hadn't seen since, but knew she wouldn't go down without a fight) as well. To put each other in more unnecessary danger, the stereotypical, easy, emotional target. A way to hit the other where it really hurts. She licks her teeth at the situation.

Because at the same time, to be in a relationship would mean to come back after battle to someone who would hold you, listen to the stories while they bandage you up, to be a shoulder for you to cry on. Asha wanted that more than anything; for someone to care for her as she's supposed to care for the world. In very tradition, the Avatar and Onsra are meant for each other, but did she really want to play to tradition? 

Yea, she did. In a way she always had.

'Impatient are we? Are you sure this is what you want?'  Aang perks up at the reply. It was only seconds, but the tension grew intensely with every passing millisecond. The same thoughts  going through his brain, whether he really wanted this.  He really did. Even as a kid, when the other boys worried about cooties or other... boy...things, he and Asha stuck around each other, teaching Gumi tricks or flying with the two.

' If that's what you want...'  He hears Asha hum in contentment.  Her eyes are still trained up to the bright blue sky. 

'Ash? Do you... Do you want to be my girlfriend?' Aang's question goes unanswered for a few minutes, the anxiety continuing to creep in Aang's veins, eating at his being. 

'Yea. Let's do this thing.' 

Aang smiles, looking over to Asha, who jumps to Appa without having to be asked.

"Are you sure about this?" Her voice is like a silky caramel to Aang, making him smile even brighter. It was comforting and calming all at once. 

"You asked that about our connection, and I have no regrets."  Aang wraps an arm around Asha, the girl now sitting beside him, leaning on his shoulder as Gumi once again continues his circles around Appa, who gently roars at the dragon.

"May wanna check your memory there, Avatar. Last I checked, you asked." Asha laughs, Aang rolling his eyes as he lays his head on hers.

"Sure, sure."

___

"No way."

"It's gone!" Toph cries, matching Asha's own disbelief. The group had gotten to Lake Laogai without hitch, the new couple and their animals easily landing behind them.  

"Oh, don't tell me... That's okay, still got my positive attitude."  Sokka slumps over, only to recover and flash a thumbs up. 

"The Dai Li must have known we were coming and destroyed the evidence." Katara turns to the Earth King who frowns. 

"That seems awfully convenient."  The Earth King frowns, humming. 

"Hey wait a minute! Aang, remember what we fought when we first got to Ba Sing Se?" Asha turns to Aang, their hands clutched between them. He quirks a brow before it hits him, his face immediately lighting up in recognition.

"Yeah, if you come with us to the outer wall, we can prove to you that the secret war is real!"  Aang uses air bending, jumping in front of the departing King (Letting go of Asha before he did, of course). 

"No Earth King has ever been to the outer wall. I don't have anymore time for this nonsense-" The Earth King brushes past Aang, annoyed as Asha runs to Aang. 

"If you come with us, this time you can ride on Appa." Asha tries, Aang and her latched together once again. 

___

Asha and Raiko (Zulu as well) laugh from Gumi, as they watch the Earth King scream in fright. He clings desperately to the back of Appa, the other passengers doing the same with the same reactions.

"First time flying?" Toph offers irreverently.  

"It's both thrilling and terrifying." The man says breathlessly, his knuckles turning white. 

"Yeah, I hate it too." 

"I have to be honest with you. Part of me really hopes that what you are telling me about this war...isn't true." The Earth King looks to Aang, then over to Asha. 

"I wish it wasn't." Aang mutters, feeling the sadness from Asha, despite her reassuring smile. 

___

"It's still there!" Aang points down excitedly, the broken drill still implanted in the wall, very prominent and very suspicious.

"What is that?" The Earth King leans over, in awe and wonderment. 

"It's a drill. A giant drill made by the Fire Nation, to break through your walls." Sokka explains, a lake of slurry still encasing the drill.  It's enclosed by a stone wall, but it still doesn't hide the fire insignia perched proudly on top of the drill, the symbol shocking the King. The two animals land, the dragon riders quickly jumping off  as they walk to the wall. Zulu stays perched in Raiko's arms, silent. 

"I can't believe I never knew." The Earth King sounds shaken, Appa letting his riders off.  Their forced to look over as Long Feng and two of his agents raise up on a stone elevator. 

"I can explain this, Your Majesty. This is nothing more than... A construction project." Long Feng approaches, Aang stepping next to Asha quickly. 

"Really, then perhaps you can explain why there's a Fire Nation insignia on you construction project." Katara gestures to the drill, much like Long Feng did previously. 

"Well, it's imported of course. You know you can't trust domestic machinery.  Surely you don't believe these children, instead of your most loyal attendant?!"  Long Feng says lamely, a weak smile on his face as everyone stares at him.   

"Dai Li, arrest Long Feng. I want him to stand trial for crimes against the Earth Kingdom." The Earth King stands firmly, shocking everyone around him.  

"You can't arrest me! You all need me more than you know!" Long Feng shouts outraged, currently being dragged away by the agents while his hands get bound. 

"Looks like Long Feng is long gone!" Sokka shouts out, Asha quick to groan. 

"And how long have you been waiting to use that one Sokka?" 

"Too long, Ash. Too long." 

___

After much convincing, the Earth King agreed to help the two during the invasion.  The group cheering at the declaration. From there, a general had led them to a different room, dampening the mood drastically. General How, the general, had led them into another room , claiming that they had found something that would interest them all.  

A guardsmen slides the box across the desk to the Earth King before leaving, the group watching intently as he opens the chest. 

"There are secret files on everyone in Ba Sing Se. Including you kids. " The general explains.

"Secret files?"  Aang looks to the chest, wondering what goods could be in there. 

"Toph Bei Fong."  A scroll is handed to the girl, who hands it straight to Asha. 

"It's a letter from your mom. Your mom's here in the city, and she wants to see you." Toph's face lights up in surprise. 

" Long Feng intercepted our letters from home? That's just sad." Toph's face then morphs into one of disgust.  

"Asha-Lynn." She gets weird looks from the group, but grabs the scroll offered to her none the less. 

"It's my full name. Aki decided to add Lynn when just Asha wasn't enough." Asha snorts, unrolling the peice of parchment. 

"Aang." Asha looks over as the boy gets her own scroll. 

"Those scrolls were attached to your pets when they captured." 

"It's from the Northern Temple!" Asha smiles as she reads, a return to her old temple in sight. "It says that an ancestor from the sisters had shown up and is there to help me with the Avatar state!"   Asha's eyes lighten up.

"Mine's from the Eastern Air Temple!" Aang reads further as well, determining whether or not it was important enough to separate from his girlfriend. 

"Is there a letter for me and Sokka by any chance?" Katara asks hopefully.

"I'm afraid not." 

The two siblings exchange a sorrowful look, letting out a depressed noise.

"But there is an intelligence report that might interest you." He hands yet another scroll to Katara.

"A small fleet of water tribe ships..." Katara reads, Sokka leaning over eagerly. 

"What? That could be Dad!" 

"Protecting the mouth of Chameleon Bay, led by Hakoda! It is Dad!" Katara says, rising in excitement. 

"I can't believe it. There's a man living at the Eastern Air Temple. He says he's a Guru."  Momo perches himself on his shoulder, Aang reading the scroll. 

"Seriously?" Asha looks over to Aang's scroll, her own hanging in her hand, nearly forgotten. 

"What's a Guru? Some kind of poisonous blow fish?" Sokka asks, scratching the back of his head.

"It's a spiritual expert you snow cone." Raiko groans, holding Zulu. He knew there would be nothing for him. He left any hope for that when he left his home.

"Exactly. He wants to help me  take the next step in the Avatar journey. He says he can teach me to control the Avatar state."  Aang says, just as eager as Asha had.

"And I can't believe we know where our Dad is now." Katara says happily.

"I know what you mean. My mom's in the city, and from her letter it sounds like she finally understands me."  Toph sounds reassured by the letter. 

"This is all such big news, where do we even start?" Sokka asks, looking to the group.

"I hate to say it, but.., we may have to split up." Raiko looks down, Zulu squeaking, almost knowing  the depression that ran through each kid like a wave. 

"Split up? We just found Appa, and Gumi, and got the family back together and Asha and I-I mean, now you want us to separate?!"  Aang sounds distraught, clinging onto Asha. She looks just as distraught, holding onto Aang just as tightly.

"You have to meet this Guru, Aang. Asha has to go see the sister. If we're going to invade the Fire Nation, you need to be ready." Katara looks to the two firmly. 

"Well, if I'm going to the Eastern Air Temple. Appa and I can drop you at Chameleon Bay to see your Dad."  Aang sounds defeated, smiling nonetheless. 

"Someone has to stay here with the Earth King and help him plan for the invasion. I guess that's me?" Sokka raises to his feet, looking glum.

"I can stay, it's fine." Raiko offers, giving a look to Asha. 

"No. No, no, no, no. Raiko, you'll stay with Asha." Aang cuts in quickly, no one missing the protective tone in his voice. 

"Well, if Raiko is out of the question. I'll stay. I know how badly you want to go help Dad Sokka. You go to Chameleon Bay."  Katara rises as well, her brother tearing up. 

"You are...The nicest... Sister... ever!" Sokka does a small dance before bringing his sister into a hug, kissing her cheek. 

"Easy there, big brother. Though you're right I am." She laughs as she pushes her brother back. 

___

"Ash?" 

Said girl turns from loading up Gumi (who now has a brand new saddle), Aang there with a frown on his face. 

"Yes, Aang?" She walks over to him, grabbing pulling him into a hug. She can feel the anxiety course through him, but it almost melts away as continues holding him. 

"I- Just promise me you'll come back. Please." He sounds so stressed, but Asha continues to hold him. 

"Of course, I have a boyfriend to come back to now. I can't leave him like this." Asha jokes, earning a soft chuckle from Aang.  She can feel Aang kiss the side of her head, but he's pulled away by Sokka before she can do anything.

"Alright! Who's ready to get going on our little men-only man trip?!" Sokka gives Aang a noogie, Asha rolling her eyes. 

"Then why are you going Sokka? It's men only." Asha snarks, giggling. 

"Ha. Ha. Ha." Sokka deadpans, his expression quickly deflating. 

"Aang and Sokka, I wish you a good journey. Same to you and Raiko, Asha. Ba Sing Se owes you it's thanks, and we look forward to your return." The Earth King approaches them. Raiko appearing from behind Gumi. 

The four bow in respect.

"Your Majesty. There are three female warriors here to see you, they're from the island of Kyoshi." 

A guard approaches, talking with formality as Sokka slides off of Appa's side. The water tribe boy runs over to the King, Raiko going back to load Gumi as Asha and Aang are left beside each other. 

Aang turns to board Appa, but is stopped by Asha running up to him. Their lips are connected in  a short peck, Asha hugging him tightly as they separate.  

"You promise to come back, I mean it Aang." She sounds near tears, but nonetheless, Aang hold her just as tightly, neither noticing the water bender watching from behind them, a smirk on her face. 

"Of course, I have a girlfriend to come back to. I can't leave her like this."  Aang smirks as they two pull apart, the others approaching them.  They notice the bright red on their cheeks, but none question it. 

"I'm really gonna miss you guys. Especially you Ash." Toph speaks quietly, catching them off guard.

"Me too."  Katara hums, the air benders nodding in agreement.  Asha is quick to pull away from Aang, despite his whine of protest, only to watch her hold Toph in tight hug. He and Katara both quick to join. 

Sokka stands to the side, Raiko pushing him into the group hug with a laugh. He stops as Asha pulls him into the group hug as well.

"Great! That's enough! Okay, we love each other. Seriously." Sokka groans, embarrassed.

___

Asha watches as Appa flies further and further away from sight. 

"So, you and Aang, huh?"  Raiko nudges her side, Zulu squeaking.

"Yeah, I guess." Asha laughs, leaning against Gumi's neck. "Won't Koko be mad."

"Whose Koko?" 

___

"You see Aang, a little positive thinking works wonders. We got the King on our side, we got Long Feng arrested, and when we get back, Suki's waiting for me."  Sokka smirks smugly, reclining comfortably on Appa's back. 

"Yeah, girls are waiting for us. Thanks 'positive attitude'." Aang smiles, obviously love-struck; a certain brunette on his mind. 

"Everything's gonna work out perfectly, from now on and forever."

___

An: Super long chapter, I'm so sorry. Anyway, how do you guys feel about what happened with our favourite air benders, huh? I feel it's kinda worried, but I was discussing this book with my friend Log ( eyefull1234) and we decided on some things for incoming chapters. Just...be prepared with tissues (possibly) at an arms length.  Anyway, it may be a while before the next chapter since High school is kicking my butt. But, hehe butt, I recently got a tablet, and ordered a key board case online, so once it comes in, I'll most likely update more often. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter my dudes!

~Slain insanity ~

-XoXo-