Getting back to you.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

There was a time to be with the crew. There was a time to be with her Sisters and her ship mother. There was a time to explore and make new friends. Now, because of the efforts of her friends, there was time to spend with Aang too. Every once in awhile, however, there were times where Katara went off by herself to figure things out.

Ironically, it was BECAUSE of her time with Aang, especially recently, that Katara had to have time alone right now. The thing was, to be honest, she hated having to be the responsible one, the one that pulled back now. That had been HER call, and it was a call that made it seem liker Katara was the one with experience or at least the one who would admonish Aang in this new territory of a relationship called "going too far." It wasn't that far a stretch, really: from the crew's interactions, it was clear that issue surfaced every once and awhile, and it wasn't unusual to here from women how men were all after one thing. In fact, she'd heard that echoed in her own world from grown up conversations where no one thought she was listening too: she didn't completely disagree on it with some men. Certainly some could be driven by their impulses, something she knew Sheeana might see as a weakness unless properly contained.

But amidst all these conversations, LOVE never was a part of it, at least, not when it came to the kind of sex that wasn't about flirting and double talk. For love, she'd always view Will and Matt as one example, then Fate and Nanoha as another. Katara had to ask Nanoha at first about having fate as a girlfriend since Nanoha was a new friend, but once she saw them together there was no mistaking it: they loved each other very much, you could see it all around them. With Will she;d known her longer and Will gushed about her boyfriend, but once she met Matt she knew exactly what Will saw in him. He was a man that gave himself to be kind, who cared about his friends and would be there to help you. By that alone, she could see the love that he had for Will, the person he cared for most of all.

But what she hadn't expected was that love and sex could be NOT mutually exclusive: one could bring the other up and come so suddenly and passionately that you weren't prepared to turn away in the first place. She'd had a lot of time to pine away for Aang, to hope that he would see her as he had then, with all the time that had passed. Even though she knew she wanted to be with him, there was the possibility that, older, he was perfectly able to seek any other girl on the ship.

But god, that had been stupid, so stupid. Had she forgotten that look he gave when he saw her, the ways his eyes would slowly meet hers and she knew he couldn't hide his feelings from her because it was Aang, and it was typical that the airbending monk who had turned away from learning the Avatar state to find her would ever want that. Her fears revealed themselves in the Spice dream and died there: she realized Aang was a part of her world, and she couldn't be without him: he had become her heart, her bond.

And with that love came a whole new sort of feeling, feelings she was the GIRL and had to ignore because the girl did not let this happen. The stupid ship had to remind them that they were still subject to someone else's whims, and she pulled herself back even though everything in her was screaming NO I WANT HIM ITS NOT FAIR!!!!

But she had waited months, and when they went there, it would be special, it would be right. It would be something only they shared and a thing that just they understood. Katara hated being the one that enforced that because he was Aang, and she loved him so deeply she wasn't even ashamed that they'd gotten that far. No one had ever made her feel this complete, this happy, warm feeling that made her love everything and everyone and made her forget that she had to look at everything harshly. She wasn't naive, not by a long shot, but for a very long time, she'd had to be wary about everything: the Bene Gesserit, the people she met, the things Sokka said. She had to worry about losing her culture and being tricked and trusting the wrong person and people getting hurt, all the while that aching cutting into her because he was missing.

And he was here, and now her world had changed and she could...smile and be happy.

The Sensorium became the Cave of Two Lovers, the place she had first kissed Aang. She knew Toph would have liked this place as you needed badger moles to get out of it otherwise. She was here, and yet she wasn't. She should train soon and she knew that, but right now she just wanted to get lost in her thoughts.

Aang, she thought, its hard for me too.

Comments

[worm-dancer.livejournal.com]

With both students temporarily indisposed, Sheeana had managed to take a big chunk out of her sleep debt, though the dark circles under her eyes hadn't entirely disappeared yet. She still kept up her rounds through the sensoriums, since so far noone had yet figured out how to lock the doors on them.

This time she found herself in a cave. This was not exactly scary to her but it made her breath catch, remembering Sietch Tabr. Her ancestors had lived in places like this, sietches carved out of the rock. Inside one, even an ilussory one, she felt very much a Fremen. But who did it belong to? She opened her senses, alert to the tiniest hint, and put her palm to the ground to listen for vibrations.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara was very surprised to feel Sheeana not soon after she had the Sensorium set this up. What her teacher would find her doing is sitting quietly in contemplation of what was happening with her and Aang...on the very spot where the two of them shared a kiss.

She smiled, sensing her now. "I should have known you would maneuver through the labyrinth so easily. I'm sorry to have missed my share of training, Sister. I'll make up my training when I can."

Still, she was quiet, unfettered, smiling?

[worm-dancer.livejournal.com]

"I don't doubt that. Do what you must to assure your lover is healthy and comfortable." There was no admonishment in her voice. She had decided, after a consultation with Other Memory earlier to cut Katara this much slack (but no more).
She threaded her way through the crystals and forced her eyes to dilate to let in what little light there was. "What is this place?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara gave her teacher a small bow. "Thank you. I know you'd rather have me training, and you don't really get Aang and I, so I'm grateful for your patience." An implication that she wouldn't try to tax it anymore than she should.

Here, she smiled, then gestured around her.

"But since you asked, this is the cave of two lovers. The lovers were divided by family obligations, but would meet here to be with each other in secret. The cave itself is a labyrinth so the two could meet without being followed. I came here because...I suppose I'm a little confused right now."

[worm-dancer.livejournal.com]

Sheeana was no stranger to feeling suddenly superfluous around couples as they went to that place she couldn't follow. She thought briefly of Duncan...and one of the crystals glowed briefly green, harsh but pretty to her dilated eyes. She went over to examine it but could find nothing special about it.

"What about?"

[starlightace]

Nanoha was never one to put work off for too long, so she was right back to working; right back to training. She arrived in the Sensoriums intending to get back to her typical routine, but halted when she found it occupied, by a person she knew - but not in a place she knew.

"...Katara?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara laughed quietly to herself: she really should know better than to think she'd get privacy in the Sensoriums. She wasn't too angry thought it was Nanoha, after all.

She smiled. Nanoha she already respected, but that the girl had been so dedicated to preserving the crew and fighting off the King, she was definitely welcomes.

that and, well, she had a few questions.

"Nanoha, good to see you! How are you and Fate and Vivio?"

[starlightace]

"We're doing well," Nanoha returned the smile. "It's been nice to catch up on sleep, you know? I'm just relieved we all made it through in one piece." Fate had been a bit worse for wear, but she was doing fine right now.

"It felt like we slept for a week."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara laughed. "Oh sleep! I remember that. It was what I used to do before we found Aang. Now that he's up though, I'm sure that I'm going to get plenty of sleep for the next few days! I'm just glad that you guys are all doing okay."

Here she paused, looking sheepishly at Nanoha. "Can I ask you a few things in confidence, Nanoha?"

[starlightace]

"I'm glad you're okay too, Katara." She moved to sit on a nearby outcropping, folding her hands in her lap. "And sure! Go right ahead," Nanoha pantomimed zipping her mouth shut.

"I promise I won't tell a soul."

[grayaura.livejournal.com]

Mai slipped into one of the Sensoriums. Maybe she'd just visit home again or throw some knives or-

Or end up in a cave. Yeah, that worked. Mai sighed and folded her arms. She was still getting used to the weird clothing that these other people wore. Better then the plantsuits, although she still wished for her usual robes (which she promptly found herself in - thanks, Stacy). Of course, she wasn't alone here, either.

"Katara."

Her voice was monotone, as usual.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara looked up and gave Mai a friendly wave. "Oh, hey Mai. Do you recognize this place at all? I figured you might since your parents owned Omashu as a colony for the Fire Nation. It's the cave if Two Lovers."

Katara blushed a little as s he said this. It seemed stupid to say it to Mai somehow: she didn't want to give the older girl the notion that she was just mooning stupidly like some lovesick teenager. In reality, her feelings felt complicated, and she needed to find a way to change that.

"Um, may I ask you some questions about relationships? This is my first one and I know you'd have more experience, being with Zuko and all. It's all very new to me."

[grayaura.livejournal.com]

Mai shook her head. She'd heard about it. Vaguely. It was supposed to be famous or something, but she hadn't been paying attention at the time. She glanced around the cave one more time - and then her attention snapped back to Katara. For a moment she was visibly surprised. She certainly hadn't expected Katara to ask her for relationship advice, of all things. After a moment she shrugged.

"Go ahead."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Katara said. "I wasn't sure if you'd understand at first, but then I remembered that you defied Azula to save Zuko's life before, and even when you came here, you helped him to find Aang because it was Zuko. You must love him a lot."

She smiled, then sighed to herself. "See, having as boyfriend is pretty new for me. As far as girl's go though, before now I've been pretty bad with the boy selection, and Aang just...well, yeah. I care a lot about him."

She looked up at Mai. "What do you guys...do when you want be alone together?"

[grayaura.livejournal.com]

"I do care about him."

Mai shrugged. It was easy for her to admit now. At least to Katara, anyway. As for the going off lone bit, tt really wasn't that complicated. At least not to her. Still, if Katara and Aang really cared about each other, more power to them. And if Katara wanted advice on something that simple, Mai would give it.

"...usually we just brush off everyone else and find somewhere private to sit down."

[isee-snorkacks.livejournal.com]

The faint, bluish light of a wand curves with the walls of the cave, and soft footsteps are audible for a few moments before the blonde comes distinctly into view. Sighting Katara, she stops, tilts her head, and smiles her warm, Luna smile.

"You look pleased," she says, watching the brunette for a moment before starting to wander again, pacing around her friend as she examines the cave. "This is a fascinating cave. Much drier than most caves." Closed in. Walls are good. Keep the Inferi out. She shudders, steps back, hisses. She gives a rather convulsive shake of her head before doing her best to pull a mild expression back onto her face, not wanting to look unnerved as she so often is these days.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara giggled to herself. She should have known if anyone was going to find her in here, it would be Luna. She hadn't seen her during the whole nightmare king thing, so she'd definitely been worried, but was glad to see that her friend looked relatively unharmed in that way.

"Well, I am,l" she admitted, grinning. "My boyfriend was finally freed from the ship,. and now he ad I are together. It's a lot to get used to, but I think the two of us are doing a rather good job at it.

Katara did look startled when she saw Luna's shudder and then hiss. She brought an arm over and put it on the blonde's shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

[isee-snorkacks.livejournal.com]

Luna's eyes widen, as does her smile.

"That's wonderful, Katara! I'm so happy for you." A pause, and she settles herself beside Katara, head tilted. "May I meet him sometime? He sounds like a very interesting person."

The smile on her face does little to mask the constricting pupils in her wide, blue eyes. A sign of fear no matter how you look at it.

She shakes her head, glances away.

"I'm quite fine, thank you. I feel bad - we haven't talked in a while. How is everything else?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," Katara said, grinning. "I've been waiting a long time for him to come back, and I was pretty scared that the King might try to make it so Aang would be killed if we beat him. Actually, Aang lost it a little when he was freed though: brought down a lot of the city before I calmed him down. Part of me was really scared I wouldn't be able to do it, and the security team would kill him."

Not that this part of Katara came even close to defeating the part of her that was going to free Aang and jump in the way of the bullets if it came to that. He meant everything to her, and if saving him meant taking some pain, she'd been ready.

But now she was starting to really be concerned for Luna. She had no idea what the girl had been through during the Nightmare King attack, but she HAD remembered her reaction to a certain being called the Inferti.

"You'll like him," she said. "He's a really nice guy, and you won't meet anyone like him that cares for all living things. He's an air nomad and a monk...the last airbender of our world, and the incarnation of the master of all four elements, the Avatar. There's a lot of things he's seen...and has yet to see."

She could see though, that Luna wasn't going to be talking about her ordeal anytime soon. "Everything else is going to be a lot of work. I have Bene Gesserit training I need to catch up on, I have to hang with the guys from the Outsiders, and then there's work in the city I'm going to help with. Though I think the first thing I need to do is have a talk with my brother...we've been having fights a lot recently."

And here, she did look a little down.

[isee-snorkacks.livejournal.com]

She nods. "I think I heard something about that. One of the crew shot him? I've never liked guns. They're so loud..." She frowns as she inhales, half-focused on the conversation, half-focused on the omnipresent paranoia occupying her brain. The faintest shift of her hair over her neck has her jumping, eyes spinning away from Katara.

I do wish Professor Dumbledore was here. He would do something. Convince me I was overreacting or teach me how to repel them. This is ridiculous. Like a boggart - Riddikulus. Only it's not going away. Some strange, poetic side of her is aware of the irony of the Nightmare King's nightmares outliving him, but she pushes it away in favor of nice conversation about... well, nicer things than bad dreams.

"I'm sure he is. Someone with that much power has to have a certain placidity about them, or it's hard to fulfill their duties. I'm sure Aang has a lot to give us on this mission of Stacy's."

A force of habit, Luna's head tilts at the strange phrase. "Bene... Gesserit.... I do think I've heard that before. What is it?" And still, she offers her friend a smile and as much of her concern as she can spare. "That does sound like a lot. What's Sokka gotten up to to make him more hot-headed than usual?"

[theregularguy.livejournal.com]

"You actually like this stupid cave?" Sokka's voice came through the dimly lit cavern. He glanced upwards at the glowing ceiling for a moment, than looked back at Katara, arching one eyebrow.

"I mean, we got trapped by a cave-in. Why would you want to be reminded of this place?" He leaned against the wall, his disdain for the place utterly obvious on his face. As if prompted by his rather bitter thoughts, faint music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9FGPRgZxdE) begins drifting through the tunnels and he twitches, glancing behind him.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara looked up and smiled a little. Even with their fight recently, Katara couldn't manage to be wary of Sokka. She felt like she was at least a little more at ease lately, and even started to sway a little to the music: after all, Katara had actually liked the wandering minstrels they'd met on their way back to Omashu.

"Well, it wasn't so much the cave itself as what it was used for," Katara said. "It was also the cave of two lovers...you didn't actually get to hear about the legend at all, did you?"

Well, maybe that was for the better. Getting a lecture on her and Aang's relationship from her brother right now would demand lots of facial control...and probably lies if he started asking certain questions.

"So...how're you doin'?"

[theregularguy.livejournal.com]

"There was a legend? I was too busy trying not to go crazy with those weirdos singing all the time." Sokka remarked sardonically. He poked at the wall. This place...important to Katara, obviously. For some reason. Wait. His mind clicked. She'd been with Aang. Something must have happened while they were separated. He hadn't thought of it in the past, but now it seemed fairly obvious. It was in the past, though, and saying something now wouldn't do anything except annoy his sister.

"Okay." There was that word again. What did it really mean? Was he actually 'okay' or did he just say it to keep his sister from worrying? But it felt like he was the one doing all the worrying lately. Whatever.

"Better now that I can sleep."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara laughed. "Oh yeah, I forgot that you had to be alone with them all the time that Aang and I were trying to find out how to get out of it. It turns out the save and the labyrinth if tunnels were actually built by the first two earthbenders Oma and Shu, two people that loved each other that were separated by enemy villages. They couldn't be along together normally, so they built the save so they could meet in secret. I guess you could say I'm reliving a good memory with Aang: we both learned about the legend at the same time when we reached the center of it. We even saw where they were buried."

Here, Katara took his hand. "Look, I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, so...here I am. If you want to ask me about anything, you can. I'll try to react negatively at the question, or say you don't understand, as long as YOU remember that I'm still learning a lot of things and give me the benefit of the doubt that I know what I'm doing, okay?"

But she was glad to hear he'd been sleeping. She'd ask him about his healing injuries later.

[theregularguy.livejournal.com]

"Oh. I guess that's a neat story." He shrugged and leaned against the wall, staring into the dim light for a moment before he looked up at Katara as she took his hand.

"It's not you I don't trust, Katara. I trust you. I trust you a lot. You're my sister. My family. I couldn't stop trusting you anymore than I could, I dunno, stop eating meat." He glanced away, then back at Katara.

"It's the other people I don't trust. They haven't done anything to prove to me that they have your best interests in mind instead of theirs. Or the crew's best interests. For all you know, they could be planning on training you and slowly turning you into someone more like them. A manipulator and a liar. Someone who's willing to kill and assassinate and control others if it's convenient. That's why I worry. Not because I don't trust you, but maybe because you're a bit too trusting and there are people out there who might take advantage of that."