Talk About Love

-Maya's Point of View-

I wandered around the village for a bit until I stumbled upon a training room where I saw two Kiyoshi warriors sparring.

I looked at them from far away and thought to myself, 'Wow, even in training they still wear those outfits. It looks really heavy.'

I went a little bit closer hoping that they'd notice me. I wanted to befriend them. They seem to be nice anyway and I want to watch them do their training. Maybe I'd learn a few things from watching.

"Take that! And that!" I heard one of them say.

Wait... That voice seems familiar.

"Nice try Sokka but you've got to work on your agility. And stop making those noises when you attack," the other warrior said.

"Sokka?" I asked myself.

That's Sokka?! Is this what he's been doing all this time? Haha! Is he planning to become a female warrior?

I walked closer to the room quietly so that they would not notice. I stood in front of the entrance and observed them.

They did a few more jabs, kicks, blocks, and attacks until finally, they stopped.

"Not bad. You're actually improving," the warrior praised.

"Thanks. You taught me well," Sokka replied.

I can't believe it. He is actually wearing makeup on his face! I can't believe Sokka looks more beautiful than me!

I noticed as well from the way they both look in each other's eyes that something is going on.

Ooh... I think Sokka found himself a girlfriend.

"So, this is what you've been up to these past few days," I suddenly said with my arms crossed. The two were shocked and they looked away from each other.

I knew something was going on haha! Oh, sweet love.

"What are you doing here?!" Sokka shouted at me; his voice even cracked haha!

"What? I was roaming around the village and then I stumbled upon this place. Am I not allowed in here?" I teasingly asked as I walked into the room.

Sokka just looked away from me and crossed his arms.

"Nice dress by the way. Fits you perfectly," I teased once more.

"This is not a dress! It's a warrior's suit!" he shouted.

"Alright, geez! You don't have to be so grumpy!" I replied and then I looked at the warrior he was sparring with.

I just realized she looks exactly the same age as Sokka. She's a certified warrior at that age. She must be really skillful.

"Hi, my name is Suki. I'm the leader of the Kiyoshi Warriors," she greeted me while reaching her hand out.

She's even the leader? That makes things even more awesome!

"Nice to meet you, Suki! I'm Maya, Sokka's cousin," I greeted and then I shook her hand.

"I was just teaching Sokka some hand-to-hand combat skills. Want to join us?" she asked.

"Oh, it's fine. I'd rather watch," I answered.

"Come on Maya, everyone knows that that's what you're good at. Aunt Anika taught you a lot of hand-to-hand combat moves back in the day," Sokka argued.

"Oh yeah! I remember you! You were the girl that threw one of our warriors down to the ground when we were ambushing you," Suki exclaimed.

"Oh, right... I did do that..." I said as I scratch my head.

"You should join us. This would really help you improve your combat skills more," she invited.

Before I could even answer, Chief Oyaji stopped by at the entrance of the training room while panting and out of breath.

"Firebenders have landed on our shores! Girls! Come quickly!" he shouted and then he ran away. Suki quickly followed after him.

Oh no... They've found us!

"Hey, I'm not a— Oh, whatever. Come on Maya!" Sokka shouted and then we ran to follow behind them as well.

Could it be Zuko again? How did he know we were here?

Ugh! That person is really persistent! I hate him to bits!

------------

When we arrived at the center of the village, I saw fire benders riding on top of some crazy-looking rhinos.

I was right, it is Zuko again. How did he find us?!

Sokka and I are now hiding behind one of the houses. The village has become quiet and the Kiyoshi Warriors are hiding as well preparing for an ambush.

All the village people stayed inside their homes and they closed their doors.

From behind me, I heard Sokka whisper, "Where's Aang and Katara?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. The last time I saw them, Aang said he was gonna ride the Unagi, and Katara followed him," I answered.

"COME OUT AVATAR! YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM ME FOREVER." Zuko shouted.

"We need to find Aang and Katara," Sokka suggested.

"I'll go. You stay here and help Suki and the other warriors," I replied.

"Got it," he said and then I stood up to walk behind the houses.

As I passed from one house to another, I saw from the gaps that the rhinos of Zuko's men started searching deeper into the village.

I saw the Kiyoshi Warriors getting into position as well. I stopped walking for a moment and hid in the gaps between houses.

Aang, Katara... Where are you guys?

When the soldiers reached the middle of the village, the Kiyoshi warriors suddenly attacked and took down some of them.

I couldn't see well with all the fighting so I decided to climb up the roof of one of the houses.

When I got up, I saw that Zuko's rhino was just in front of me. I kept myself hidden so he wouldn't notice.

Just then, Suki ran toward where Zuko was. She charged towards him but Zuko used his rhino's tail to whip her.

"Suki!" I shouted.

Once Suki fell to the ground Zuko blasted fire directly at her. Luckily, Sokka was there to block it.

I then saw that Zuko was about blast fire again, but I don't have plans on letting him.

I quickly jumped off the roof right on top of Zuko. I kicked him out of his rhino down to the patio of the house.

I landed on top of him as he grunted in pain. I looked at his face as I said, "We meet again."

He looked back at me and said, "You..."

He pushed me off of him and then he quickly stood up.

"Maya!" Sokka shouted as he and Suki ran closer to me.

I stood up as well and the three of us surrounded Zuko.

"It's three against one Zuko. You're outnumbered," Sokka said.

Zuko didn't say anything but instead, he blasted fire from his feet as he twirled on the ground. Suki and Sokka were thrown far away from us, but I luckily dodged the fire.

Just then, Zuko went closer to me and said, "I'm gonna need that necklace back."

Then he raised his hands with fire on them. He was about to swing it against me, but I blocked him using my elbow.

I pushed him away from me using my feet but he got a hold of my shirt's collar. I was able to get far from him but my collar got torn a little.

My necklace that was hidden under my shirt is now exposed. Zuko saw the necklace again and then he smirked right at me.

"So you can fight back now?" he said mischievously.

I quickly hid the necklace using my hands. I tried to run away from him, but heck was he fast as lightning. He wrapped his arms around my waist and then he carried me on his shoulder.

"LET ME GO YOU JERK!" I shouted but his grip was very tight.

"Maybe I'd think twice and let you go if the Avatar would appear," he said.

As soon as he said that, out of nowhere, we heard a shout.

"HEY! OVER HERE!"

Zuko and I looked at where the voice came from and we saw Aang standing in front of Avatar Kiyoshi's statue.

"Aang!" I shouted.

"Finally..." Zuko said and then he dropped me to the ground just like that. He walked closer to where Aang was.

I swear I'm gonna beat his ass up someday. My whole body hurts from falling to the ground because of him.

Just then I heard Katara running towards me. "Maya! Are you alright?" she asked. She came from between the gaps in the houses.

"Where have you been?" I asked back. She helped me stand up and we both went to one of the houses' patios.

"Aang and I were at the shore, the Unagi almost got him but I was able to save him right on time. After that, I suddenly saw Zuko's ship. So I hurriedly ran back here but it took a while because Aang was unconscious for a short moment," she explained as we walked.

We arrived at the house and some of the village kids were there. I looked back at where Aang was and he's now fighting against Zuko and his fire blasts.

Zuko was able to knock off Aang's glider from him but Aang saw the Kiyoshi warrior's weapon fans and he picked them up. Just when Zuko was about to charge at him, he fanned a strong wind towards him and Zuko went crashing into another house.

Aang then picked up his glider and flew into the air. He examined the whole village before finally landing right where Katara and I were.

"Alright kids you must get inside the house before you get hurt," Katara said to the kids who were watching with us the whole time.

"Look what I brought to this place," Aang sadly said as he walked closer to us.

"It's not your fault Aang," I said trying to console him.

"Yes, it is! These people got their town destroyed trying to protect me!" he argued.

"Then let's get out of here! Zuko will leave Kiyoshi to follow us," Katara insisted.

Aang and I looked at her with sad faces.

"Guys, I know it feels wrong to run, but I think it's the only way," she continued.

I gave her a nod and then I looked at him. "Aang?" I asked.

He looked at me with sad eyes and then he said, "I'll call Appa."

"I'm sorry Aang. It's the only way," Katara said as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Aang didn't say anything and he just flew away. Both of us just looked at him with a worried look.

"We need to get moving as well Maya," Katara told me.

"Come here now Momo, we're leaving!" she shouted, and then Momo flew over to her shoulders.

I looked at her and then I said, "I'll go get Sokka."

I ran towards where Sokka was and I saw him fighting alongside some other Kiyoshi warriors.

"Sokka! Let's go! We're leaving Kiyoshi!" I shouted at him.

"What?! Wait! Hold on!" he said and then he looked around. When he saw Suki, he ran towards her and grabbed her arms.

"Sokka where are you going?!" I shouted.

"I'll meet you guys at the shore!" he yelled.

Whatever it is he plans to do, he better do it quickly.

I went to the shore and met up with Katara and Aang.

"Where's Sokka?" Katara asked.

"He had something to do," I answered.

"We have no time for this!" Katara shouted but I wasn't able to pay attention to her when I realized that my mother's chest was not on the saddle.

I hurriedly jumped off and ran back to the place we stayed at.

"Maya where are you going?!" Katara shouted once more.

"My mother's chest! It's still back in the place where we stayed!" and then I rushed towards the nipa hut.

When I got there I hurriedly went upstairs and picked up the chest. Good thing the house hasn't caught on fire yet.

I ran outside and went to the shore to meet up with the gang but my path was blocked by Zuko.

"Going somewhere?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

I tightly hugged the chest in my arms and took a step back. "What do you want from me you creep?!" I shouted.

He stared right at me for a while before saying, "That necklace," And then he ran towards me.

Luckily Suki was there, she stopped Zuko and she told me to run away.

I quickly ran towards the shore and before I could even reach the place Aang shouted my name.

"Maya! Grab my hand!" he said as he reached out his hands while he was on top of the flying bison.

I reached out for his hand and when he grabbed a hold of me Sokka helped him to get me on top of Appa's saddle.

I was panting very hard when I sat down. Geez, that running almost made my heart burst. I have never run that fast in my entire life.

We flew away from the area and now we're back again in traveling.

"Aang, I know it's hard, but you did the right thing. Zuko would've destroyed the whole place if we stayed. They're going to be okay Aang," Katara said, trying to comfort him.

I looked back at the village and I saw that most of the houses are already burning.

Oh gosh... They are definitely not going to be okay.

But Katara was right, Zuko did really leave the place, I saw them riding their rhinos back to the ship. Well, at the very least, we were able to help the Kiyoshi village in some kind of way.

"Aang what are you doing?!" I suddenly heard Katara shout. I looked at Aang and I saw him jump off of Appa and into the sea.

What is he thinking?!

"AANG!" I shouted as he splashed onto the water. We all stared at where he landed.

"Why isn't he going up?!" Katara frantically asked

"Come on Aang... Come up... Come up..." I whispered to myself.

All of a sudden the Unagi appeared and Aang was holding on to its barbels. He stood on top of the Unagi's head and then he used the Unagi's ability to spray water out of its mouth to extinguish the fire that was burning the village down.

The fire went out thanks to Aang. I even saw from up here, Zuko and his men get drenched in water.

Yeah, take that scar face!

Just then Aang was thrown into the air by the Unagi. I hurriedly ran on top of Appa's head to take the rope.

"Okay Appa, we're saving your owner. Yip-yip!" I shouted and then I led Appa to the falling Aang. Just right on time, Appa caught Aang with his bison feet.

Sokka and Katara helped Aang get up on the saddle and I went over there too. All three of us looked at Aang and even before Katara could speak up, Aang spoke in her place.

"I know, I know. That was stupid and dangerous," Aang said to Katara.

"Yes, it was," Katara agreed. She was looking serious at first but then she smiled at Aang afterwards.

She then hugged Aang while saying, "I'm just glad you're safe."

From where I was seated, I can see the reaction on Aang's face and he was overjoyed by it.

"Uh... Hate to break your moment you two lovebirds but, Aang, where are we heading now?" Sokka asked while still in the Armor suit.

"Love birds? You think we're in love?" Aang suddenly asked in a bashful manner.

"I told you Sokka, Aang is like a brother to me. He's not my boyfriend," Katara argued.

Aang's face suddenly became so gloomy.

Yep. I smell rejection.

"But Aang, Sokka's right. Where are we heading to this time?" Katara asked as well.

Aang's face suddenly lit up.

"You'll see it when we get there! That place is amazing!" Aang said.

"Well okay, is it far from here?" Sokka asked. "Nope! I guess a one-night trip will do. We'll probably get there in the morning if we won't camp out," Aang replied.

"Alright then, we are sleeping here. We are not camping out," Sokka said and then he lay down.

"Aren't you going to change first before you sleep?" Katara asked.

"I'll change when we land on the ground," Sokka said, but there was something in his tone that seems odd.

"It's alright Sokka, I know you miss Suki already," I teased.

"I don't miss her," he replied with a serious tone.

"Who's Suki?" Aang asked.

"Oh, it's just the Kiyoshi Warrior that kicked his butt. Apparently, they had a thing going on," I teased once more.

Usually, things like these will easily piss off Sokka but I'm surprised he's not even responding to me.

"Hey... Are you really serious? Hey, don't worry! We'll go back to Kiyoshi once we're done with the North Pole," I said trying to comfort him.

"When will that happen? Years from now? And even if we're done at the North Pole, what makes you certain that our journey with the Avatar is over by then?" Sokka suddenly asked angrily.

"Sokka why are you angry all of a sudden?" Katara asked.

Sokka looked away from us and then he said, "Nevermind, I'm sorry. I guess you are right Maya. Romance during times of war is impossible," and then he laid down.

The whole trip went silent after that conversation and hours later the sun has begun to set.

Sokka went to sleep ahead and a few hours later when Katara felt tired she told us that she would go ahead and sleep too.

I decided to stay up a bit because I couldn't sleep. I couldn't help but feel responsible for what Sokka is feeling right now. I think I became a discouragement for him because of what I said.

I looked at Aang who was quietly sitting on Appa's head. He seems to be lost in his thoughts.

I crawled to where he was and sat beside him.

"Hey... What are you thinking about?" I asked.

He chuckled a little before he replied, "Isn't that the same question I asked you back then in the south pole?"

I chuckled too and I answered, "Yeah, you have a great memory there. I almost forgot about it," He chuckled a little more before his smile faded away.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"This Avatar thing. There are times that I enjoy it, but there are also times when I hate it," he answered.

"What do you hate about it?" I asked him once more.

"The pressure of the responsibility I had to do. I never knew the fire nation would start a war. How am I supposed to stop this? How am I supposed to master being the Avatar when I don't have Monk Gyatso to help me?" he explained.

"Aang, don't worry about what might happen or what had happened. What you should be thinking about is what is happening right now. I know that the pressure is burdensome, but you don't have to carry everything on your own," I said to him as I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"You have me, Katara, Sokka, Momo, and Appa. We are here to help. We will take things one step at a time," I continued while smiling at him.

He smiled back at me.

"That's funny... that is what Monk Gyatso told me as well back then," he said and then he looked away. "If only I was able to save them." Aang sadly said.

"Not everything is your fault. Don't be too hard on yourself," I told him.

Aang looked at me and then he smiled.

"Wow Maya you seemed to always know what to say," he suddenly said.

"Well, I did learn a thing or two from my mom. She's always been my source of wisdom..." I answered.

"Your mother sounds like a nice person..." Aang said.

I smiled and then I answered, "The nicest there is..."

"About what Sokka said a while ago... About romance during the war being impossible, did you tell him that?" Aang suddenly asked.

"Oh... Uh... Well, I... Yes, I did..." I answered.

Silence filled the air before Aang said another word.

"Do you really mean it? Is it really impossible?" he asked once more.

"Well you know, during these times, people will tell you that responsibilities come first before any personal matters..." I answered.

He suddenly looked sad and discouraged.

"But you see, my mother told me back then, that when you feel like what the world is telling you is wrong, then it's not bad to go against it!" I cheerfully said.

"What does that mean?" Aang asked.

"Well, if you put it this way... If the world is telling you that love is not possible in the middle of the war and you feel like it's wrong, then, it's not bad to go against it and fall in love," I explained. "You can't stop a heart that has already fallen in love. My mother told me that as well," I added.

"So, it's not really impossible?" Aang asked once more.

"Well, we'll never really know if something is possible or not if we don't try and figure it out," I answered.

Aang looked at me and I looked back at him.

"You do always know what to say..." Aang said and then he smiled at me. I smiled at him too.

"I think this is the first time we actually talked," he suddenly said.

"What are you saying Aang? We've been talking for a lot of times now." I asked.

"Well, I guess this conversation is a little bit different than the ones before. I felt a little closer to you right now," he replied.

I suddenly felt my heart beat fast. What is this? Ah! Am I having a heart attack?!

"It was a nice talk Aang, I am going to sleep now. Good night," I hurriedly said.

"Yeah, good talk. Good night Maya," he replied.

I lay down beside Katara and then I closed my eyes... but I can't sleep.

What is this?! Am I catching feelings for the Avatar?!

No, I think I'm sick. Yeah, that's right!

There's no way I would catch feelings for the Avatar. I don't want to get in between her and Katara.