Katara smiled, looking at the two of them. She certainly hadn't expected any of this when she woke up that morning, but that day had, without a doubt, been one of the happiest in years.
*********
Night had fallen over the village, the sky now a dark blanket speckled with shining stars. The central bonfire crackled loudly, casting dancing shadows across the faces of the villagers gathered around it. The entire village sat in a circle, their eyes fixed on Ikari, who gestured animatedly as he told one of his adventures—something about escaping a Fire Nation blockade. He had cut out the heavier parts for the children's sake and embellished a few moments to make it more entertaining for everyone.
Meanwhile, Katara, along with two other women, moved through the crowd, serving steaming bowls of seaweed and fish soup. The salty, comforting aroma of the food mingled with the smoky scent of the fire, creating a sense of warmth amidst the cold.
Katara carried the tray carefully, handing out the bowls while trying to catch pieces of Ikari's story. Each word he spoke seemed to ignite something inside her — curiosity, fascination, the sense that there was a much bigger world out there, full of possibilities and adventures waiting to be discovered.
When it came time for Ikari, Katara stepped closer, holding out a bowl with both hands. "Here," she said, offering the soup with a shy smile. "Don't worry, I took the fish out. I hope it's good."
Ikari took the bowl but raised an eyebrow, his expression puzzled. "Why?"
Katara blinked, surprised by the question. "Well... I thought... Air Nomads didn't eat meat? At least, that's what Gran-Gran said."
Ikari laughed. "Oh, I see. And Gran-Gran isn't wrong. The Air Nomads were vegetarians. But I'm not an Air Nomad."
Katara furrowed her brow, confused. Everyone around them seemed just as puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Ikari took a sip of the soup, seeming to consider his answer. "You see, I spent a long time alone at the Southern Air Temple. Learning all about airbending and the customs of the Air Nomads through tomes and scrolls."
He paused, his gaze drifting toward the campfire, as if he were seeing something beyond the flames. "They were peaceful, believed that all life was sacred. Violence, to them, was a last resort — and even then, never to kill, only to defend. They didn't eat meat because they saw animals as part of the same cycle as themselves. In everything, the Air Nomads sought balance with the world and with life."
"But me?" Ikari continued. "I could never live with that worldview. Pacifism, dialogue, always trying to see the best in people… those are beautiful ideas, but not in a world torn by nearly a century of war. Besides, it was exactly that way of seeing the world that led the Air Nomads to ruin—"
!!!
Ikari stopped talking, and at the same time, everyone's gaze dropped to his neck, where two large, white, furry, pointed ears had emerged from beneath the collar of his tunic. Then, a small head appeared, its big, bright eyes scanning the crowd with curiosity.
Sokka, his mouth full of soup, pointed and shouted, nearly choking, "What is that thing?!"
Ikari laughed as he gently stroked the animal's head. "So you finally decided to wake up, huh?" he said in an affectionate tone. The creature, feeling the touch, closed its eyes, purring softly. "Come on out and say hello to our new friends."
With a quick motion, the animal fully emerged from Ikari's tunic, revealing itself as a flying lemur — small and beautiful, with a slender body covered in white and brown fur. Its large, rounded ears moved constantly, catching every sound, while its big green eyes gleamed with an almost human intelligence. A long, fluffy tail swayed behind it, and it let out a small chirp, as if greeting the village.
"Everyone, this is my friend Momo," Ikari announced, gesturing with his free hand toward the lemur. "Momo, these are our new friends." The lemur tilted his head, inspecting the crowd with curiosity before locking eyes on the bowl of soup in Ikari's other hand, then made a quick leap to try and steal a sip.
"Hey, hold on there, you little thief! That's mine." Ikari pulled the bowl away as Momo squeaked in protest, drawing laughter from the children around the fire. Ikari looked at Katara, who was staring at the lemur with a mix of fascination and surprise. "Katara, could you bring a bit of soup for my little buddy here? No fish, please."
"Y-yeah, sure," Katara replied, still a bit stunned by the lemur's presence. She turned and walked quickly toward the soup pot.
As Katara stepped away, Gran-Gran approached Ikari, her wrinkled eyes shining. "May I?" she asked, slowly raising her hand toward Momo, who watched her with curiosity.
"Of course," Ikari replied gently. "Just go slowly."
Gran-Gran carefully reached out to Momo, stroking his large, furry ears. The lemur closed his eyes and purred softly, and a smile lit up the old woman's face. "A flying lemur…" she murmured, her voice filled with emotion. "I never thought I'd see one in my lifetime. My mother used to tell stories about the Air Nomads' loyal companions, always flying by their side."
The scene seemed to inspire the children to come closer. Even the mothers, who had hesitated at first, joined in, reaching out to touch the lemur's soft fur. Momo clearly loved the attention, leaping from shoulder to shoulder.
Sokka, still catching his breath after nearly choking on his soup, pointed at Momo with a look of disbelief. "You've been walking around with that… thing inside your clothes this whole time?!"
"Hehehe," Ikari chuckled, scratching the back of his neck with a slightly embarrassed look. "Yeah. I got lost at sea for a while, and Momo here had to fly a lot searching for solid land. He really needed a good rest."
Sokka's eyes widened. "And what if I had hit him when we were fighting?!"
Ikari tilted his head with a mischievous smile. "That was never a possibility, Sokka."
"Argh! You didn't have to say that in front of everyone!"
Katara returned at that moment, carrying a small bowl of soup without fish, and stopped when she saw the group gathered around Momo. The lemur, now on one of the children's shoulders, seemed to be the center of attention, squeaking happily as he was petted. She smiled and approached Ikari. "Here," she said, handing him the bowl. "Fish-free soup, just like you asked."
"Thanks, Katara," Ikari replied, taking the bowl and placing it on the ground for Momo, who immediately jumped off the child's shoulder and began lapping up the soup eagerly. "He never misses a chance to eat," Ikari joked, winking at Katara.
Katara laughed, but her eyes didn't leave the lemur. "Can I… touch him too?" she asked, hesitant, already reaching out her hand.
"Of course, of course. Go ahead," Ikari replied, his tone encouraging.
Katara slowly brought her hand closer, gently stroking Momo's soft fur. The lemur turned his head, his green eyes meeting hers, and let out a low purr before going back to eating. "He's so… cute," Katara murmured, enchanted.
Gran-Gran, who had been watching the scene with a smile, returned to her place by the fire. "Did you find him at the Southern Air Temple?"
Ikari nodded, taking a sip of his soup. "Yes. He was the only living thing I found there," he said, his tone softening with a hint of melancholy. "The ruins were empty, except for Momo. He kind of… decided we were a duo." Momo squeaked, as if in agreement, drawing quiet laughter from those still nearby.
The group settled down again, turning their attention back to their bowls of soup, the crackling of the fire filling the silence.
*********
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, images or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.