Forward In Time

Chapter One

"I know... I just wish people would live in peace. I wasn't expecting it to be easy once I defeated Ozai, but it's been three years now." Aang replied

"Well, maybe with Republic City, peace will be easier. But that's still going to be a while."

"I know..." Aang repeated.

Katara smiled at her boyfriend. He had a good heart. He always strived for peace, violence was always his last option. It's one of the many things she loved about him.

Katara leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips, earning a noise from Sokka along with a mumble of the word "Oogies". Aang smiled for the first time since they got news of the Fire Nation outlaws.

"We're coming up on a village, maybe someone's seen something." Zuko said

Appa landed just outside the village. Aang slid off and helped Katara down as Zuko and Sokka jumped off. Sokka stayed behind to help Toph down as the three began to walk into the village.

Zuko walked up to a middle-aged woman, "Excuse me ma'am, we're looking for some Fire Nation outlaws. Have you seen anyone that looks suspicious or looks like they came from the Fire Nation?"

"I'm afraid not deary, but I would try the Inn and the tavern. A lot of weird and sketchy people go through there." The woman replied

"Thank you miss." Zuko said before she wandered off. Zuko turned to his four friends. He looked at Aang, waiting for his instructions.

"Why don't you girls check out the Inn. Sokka, Zuko and I will check out the tavern." Aang said

"Aw... I wanted to check out the tavern." Toph said with a pout. She was clinging to Sokka as she couldn't see with the sand.

"I don't doubt you can take care of yourself, but I'd feel a lot better if you two checked out the Inn." Aang replied

"Aang's right. There's a lot of sketchy and pervy guys in taverns." Sokka added. Zuko nodded in agreement.

"Fine. If it'll make you boys feel better." Toph said as she let go of Sokka. She moved over to Katara and took her arm as they headed to the Inn.

The boys made their way to the tavern. When they entered, everyone looked up at them and began whispering.

Aang tensed up. He still didn't like the attention being the Avatar brought him. Sokka knew this and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

He relaxed before they walked up to the bar. They began asking the bartender questions. After a minute of asking, they got nowhere and began hoping the girls were having as much luck as they were.

Toph and Katara entered the Inn and was greeted by a kind lady behind the desk. They explained their situation and why they were there. Unfortunately, no one had been by that raised any alarms. The lady explained that since Aang defeated Ozai, less Fire Nation citizens had been by.

"Are you sure there wasn't anyone who just felt off?" Katara asked.

"I'm sorry sweetie, there hasn't been anyone." The lady replied.

Katara nodded and looked out the window and noted that it was getting later in the day, "Can we rent some rooms please?" She asked turning to the lady again.

"Of course. How many would you like?"

Zuko would get his own of course. Her and Aang would most likely share. But Toph... Katara glanced at her best friend. She didn't like being alone in places she had a hard time seeing. If they were in Ba Sing Sei or the Fire Nation Capital, she would be fine. But the ground here was mainly sand.