literature

The Ripple Part One

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They walked aimlessly through the plaza as their stroll drew closer to an end. The sky streaked oranges and reds as if a million airbenders flew over the town.


Katara snuggled closer to Aang and he drew her under his arm, breathing in the cleanliness of her presence, feeling reconnected to his inner peace much more than he had since they arrived at this ill-gotten Earthen Refinery.


Seeing Aang pulled so thoroughly by Toph and Satoru and Satoru’s uncle struck a new nerve in Katara. Though she hated seeing Aang put under stress, it felt a bit different watching it through the eyes of a girlfriend over a best friend. If possible the urge to relieve him of the stress was stronger, and she practiced that strength tonight by calling on Aang to take a walk and breathe instead of hauling himself toward another failed meditation session.


‘A good stroll will clear your head.’ She stressed when she’d finally gotten him to leave the Air Acolytes to relish in their impromptu air nomad band session.


Glancing up at the content smile he wore, Katara counted this as a personal win for her ‘nagging’. Things would continue to be hectic as long as Satoru’s Uncle was here, but she would rather Aang face each dilemma with his clarity intact.


A clear solution wouldn’t be seen if he became just as desecrated as the land.


 “You were right. This was a really good idea Sweetie.” Aang stopped their walk to simply hold her, wanting her to be focused completely on his sincerity.


“I’m glad you saw it my way.” Katara whispered.


The paths were empty; workers tucked into the pub for a round after their hard day or calling it quits early, snuggling into bed to sleep off all the spiritual spookiness they’d been told to work around.


“It is a good way to see things, no matter what Sokka says.” Aang joked and leaned his forehead against hers when she giggled.


This is what they both wanted, and were allotted little time for. Quick kisses in public and ‘oogie’ nicknames were nice, but that was public relations. When it was just them, it was slower and more cherishable and ‘Sweetie’ was spoken with enough passion to make the very word feel sweet, and this was their relationship. Katara loved it. Katara loved him.


Moreover it was as good a time as any to actually be able to say it with words instead of conveying it with a kiss as usual. Actions spoke volumes but Katara would rather use the volume in her voice.


Katara lowered any defenses she had left, and Aang felt her sink against him; her hands rested daintily on the covered and bare part of his chest, her eyelids lowered, her lips parted and she could probably felt his heartbeat quicken.


“Katara.”


They both hunched imperceptibly in irritation before backing off slightly, Aang’s hands slid underneath her forearms when Katara looked over her left shoulder.


“Nutha?” Katara smiled and turned around to resume her previous position under her boyfriend’s arm, “You’re out right now? Niyok must still be a great hider.”  


She was genuinely happy despite the interruption. Nutha was one of the only other girls in the Southern Water Tribe that Katara had felt comfortable around. They’d taken care of the chores together, complained about their siblings together, and hemmed up the kids’ pants when they got ruined. Nutha was a year older than her, but Sokka always said they acted like the same 80 year old woman to him.


Katara noted her childhood friend was walking with purpose, a stern expression and clenched fists, and when Nutha stopped in front of them so strictly it was like a flashback to her life back home.


Something had made Nutha upset, and she wouldn’t be happy until whatever point she had was made.


Katara raised her eyebrow. It was the same expression as before and now she couldn’t just brush it off as Nutha not remembering her. Nutha was completely for whatever had been stewing in her mind, and placation was not a friend right now.


“I need to speak to Katara alone.” Nutha glanced to Aang respectfully but her gaze remained connected to the girl in front of her.


Katara frowned, “Well hello to you too.” Katara crossed her arms loosely. They were both far away from home, but at least Katara’s manners hadn’t gone anywhere.


“Katara we really should-“


“Aang its okay,” Katara turned her head to him and softened her features, “This is Nutha, a childhood friend. You can go on ahead.”


Aang frowned. He didn’t want to go ahead without her, but he didn’t want such a peaceful afternoon to turn dark and muddled, which it probably would if the vibrations these two were making in the earth had anything to say about it. He wanted to be by her side if something was said that couldn’t be taken back.


He shook his head, “I’ll be right over there when you’re ready.” He pointed a little ways up the path to a wooden patio, void of people and housing two round tables and some scattered chairs. Out of ear shot of conversation but it had a clear view of both ends of the dirt road they occupied.


Katara nodded and kissed his cheek before he walked off and her attention was placed directly on Nutha.


The girl wasted no time, “Katara I know what I saw, but I want you to say it clearly so there’s no misunderstandings.”


Katara felt her brow crease involuntarily, “What?”


“Are you dating the Avatar?”


Was that what this was about? Katara was now completely confused. What did that have to do with the way Nutha was acting?


“Yes I am; I’m dating Aang.” She spoke clearly, no misunderstandings.


“Katara!” Nutha’s posture shifted forward and Katara looked at her in surprise.


“Why are you acting like this?” Nutha yelled Katara’s thoughts back at her.


“Nutha wh-“


“I know you.” Nutha cut her off, “Someone like you has already contemplated marriage and kids and all that other stuff.”


Katara blushed and folded her arms tighter; her gaze wavered to the ground, “So what if I have? Aang and I are-“


“With all due respect to Avatar Aang’s abilities, and while I’m sure he’s a great waterbender, he’s not a Water Tribe man.”


Katara froze her fidgeting. If the wind had been blowing she was sure in that moment it wouldn’t have swayed her in the slightest. A little voice from her past suddenly giggled in the back of her mind, ‘When I grow up, I’ll marry a tall guy, handsome! A master water bender who’ll bend hearts in the ocean for me… or a cool, strong, non bending water tribe man, the complete opposite of Sokka and have the cutest kids you can think of! Just you wait to hear them call you Auntie Nutha!’


“What would your Grandmother think of you bringing him back with a betrothal necklace? She sent you and your brother to help Avatar Aang become our savior, not fall for him.”


“Nutha…” She whispered, still not meeting her gaze. How could she have never noticed she was like this? Yeah, Nutha had always been this stubborn, incredibly head strong girl, but a long time ago she could remember admiring that the most… to think that people could destroy Katara’s image of them so quickly...


“You can’t be serious right now.” She began to recollect her thoughts but Nutha wasn’t done reprimanding her.


“Katara this is… it’s not right. You see that don’t you? Mixing like that-that Yu Dao place… The Southern Water Tribe is spread thin as is; you really couldn’t find a younger guy back home?”


“Nutha-“


“When was the last time you were home? You visited after the war right?” Nutha’s voice was soft, as if she was speaking to Katara the ten-year old, “Niyok and I are going to visit again soon, the three of us should all go together. That’d be great, right?”


She sensed Nutha reaching her hand out to touch her shoulder and finally drew in enough sense to slap it away.


Nutha took in the angry look on Katara’s face with shock before regaining her composure and her stubborn look.


On the side of the path, two water tribe girls stood tall. They had been raised in the same south, the same village, practically the same tent and never thought when they grew up and looked at one another this stranger would be what they saw.


“Katara, I’m saying this because it’s the truth. Sooner or later you will have to choose what you love more. Your culture,” Nutha spread her hands out in front of her, as if to proudly display everything that was their home in just her water tribe clothes and the darkness of her skin, “Or a boyfriend.”


She then pointed off to where Aang was sitting, with a rigid posture and a worried expression on his face.

Summary: A clear solution won't be seen if you become just as desecrated as the land.

Based on a scene from 'The Rift part one' (from the comics published by Dark Horse following the events after the war ended, you know the ones)


PSA: KATAANG-WEEK & (ALL NEW) KATAANG-MONTH ARE TAKING PROMPTS RIGHT NOW ON tUMBLR


  • Kataang-Month is taking prompt submissions until April 30th
  • Kataang-Week is taking prompt submissions until Thur. April 17th


But that doesn't mean you should wait 'til the last day OR forget. Get the prompts out of the way now.

(Also when it comes to this story, its only updated on tumblr so search the "kataang/kataangtag" tags to read it La la la la La la la la  )

© 2014 - 2024 ObsidianSkye
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jack4716's avatar
Great story! Hope you update soon if you can