Hello, hello! How is everyone? I'm doing a collab with my good friend "The Golden Warrior". Check out their profile. Anyways, this is called Expedition Africa. I got the idea from the television show on the history channel. I don't own anything besides my dignity, and I'm not even sure about that. Anywho, this is the prologue, so not a lot of action, more background information and all. But the next chapters will be chock full of adventure! So please review. Just drop us a line. Enjoy!

Expedition Africa

"Sokka, hurry up!"

The young man growled and glared at his sister.

"Well, Katara, maybe if you would help me carry your medical equipment I could move faster."

"Just move your lazy butt," she continued. "I don't want to be late to meet up with the other two."

Sokka continued trekking up the stone staircase leading up to a café. Currently, they were on Zanzibar Island, just off the coast of Tanzania. And it was hot. His dark brown hair was plastered to the tan skin of his face. His ice blues eyes narrowed and his head turned to look at the clear waters of the African ocean. It reminded him of his home in Australia.

"Ahem."

He blinked and spun towards Katara, almost falling over in the process. She was in a similar state, he could see. Her wavy, chocolate hair stuck to her forehead and cheeks before continuing down to her back. He flinched when he noticed her cold stare boring daggers through his head.

"Move," she ordered.

He rolled his eyes. "It's not like there going anywhere without us," he said dryly and continued moving up the stairs.

Her nostrils flared outward and she turned around and gracefully began the final ascent to the café. She dropped her luggage and opened the door, allowing her brother to step inside.

"So, he told us to meet him on the top floor. He rented out the room for this afternoon so we can plan," Sokka stated and led Katara to even more stairs. "I can't believe I'm about to meet Aang Ferrier!"

She groaned. "Why? He's probably some dork."

"What are you talking about? He's like, the best explorer in the world!"

"I'm just saying," she held up her hands in defense, "If the guy is twenty years old and knows all there is to know about animals and plants, he must be a bookworm. And he knows what, a million languages? That just screams 'I'm a dork!' to me."

"You're insane," Sokka mused. "And you're twenty too, Katara."

"Point?"

"I'm just saying. You're the same age and you know everything about healing people with the resources you find in your surroundings. But you would never admit you're a 'dork'."

She huffed. "Yeah, whatever. I'll try to keep an open mind."

The stairs ended in front of them. Sokka seemed to be hyperventilating.

"Um, you okay?" She asked.

His head bobbed up and down shakily.

"Right…" she rolled her eyes and turned the knob. The door opened in front of them. Two people sat on large chairs casually sipping from a mug.

The man looked up at Katara and Sokka. He instantly smiled and stood up. "You must be the siblings from Australia," he said.

He walked over and shook hands with Sokka. The Australian boy looked like he was about to faint.

"Aang, at your service," the man greeted.

"S-Sokka Aguar," he mumbled and looked at down at their hands, amazed that he was shaking hands with him. Despite being two year younger than Sokka, Aang Ferrier was his idol.

"How's it going?" Aang asked rhetorically and clapped a hand on his shoulder. Sokka froze, but Aang moved and side stepped towards Katara.

They were both looking at Sokka before, making sure he didn't pass out; but now they were only looking at each other. They felt their breath catch in their throats.

Katara glanced up and down his body. He was barefoot, his feet light on the ground. Khaki shorts covered his knees, but his calves looked strong. His shirt was loose over his chest and torso, but tightly hugged his arms, showing off lean and wiry muscles. The skin on his face was pale, like his limbs. He had impossibly dark auburn hair that covered half his forehead and was beginning to grow past his ears, framing his sharp jaw perfectly.

"Hi, I'm Aang," he presented his hand to shake.

"I'm Katara," she took his hand in hers. "Nice to meet you."

They both smiled, never breaking eye contact. Sparkling gray- like the purest silver. Cerulean blue- like the deepest ocean. There was something in his eyes.

"I- um," Aang pulled his hand back and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Glad you two could make it." He turned around and motioned for them to follow. The three sat down, close to the fourth person in the room. "This is Toph Bei Fong, a good friend of mine," he told them.

The girl he introduced stared carelessly into space. Her black hair was tied in a bun, bangs hanging over her pale green eyes. She was skinny and short, but not scrawny. Under her paper white skin were visible muscles. She wore a green skintight tank top and black trousers that were rolled up to her mid calf. Her feet were bare and covered in a thick layer of dirt.

"I met her in a small village in South Africa when I was on one of my first explorations four years ago," Aang continued. "Her parents had moved from Britain when she was a baby. They wanted to erm, keep her safe from big cities." He looked like he was about to start laughing.

"I'll take it from here Twinkle Toes," the girl interrupted. The roughness of her voice surprised the siblings. "Yeah, what's up? Pleasure is all mine," she said quickly and insincerely. "So, like he said, my name's Toph. I was born blind. But if you start babying me, you'll end up with a mouthful of dirt. A man in my village, Guru Pathik, taught me how to sense the vibration in the earth. I envision my surroundings through my mind so I can in a way see where I am and what's around me."

Katara and Sokka stared at her in awe.

"Isn't that, I don't know, impossible?" Sokka questioned incredulously.

"I don't know. Are you sitting in the chair farthest from the window with your legs flat on the floor and your head resting on your left palm?" she smirked.

He was floored. "Buh-"

Katara rolled her eyes and looked at the blind girl. "It's an honors to meet you."

"I know," she deadpanned.

"Anyways," Aang said pointedly, "Now that we've all met, we should probably start planning."

They all nodded and leaned into the table. There laid three maps; one of southern Africa, one of Tanzania, and one of Zambia.

"Let's get started."

0.o

After about an hour of discussing possible routes, the team had finally reached a way to reach Koama.

"So, we want to sail from here to the mainland, trek along the river, over the Uluguru mountains, through the grass plains, which is where we'll cross over to Zambia, and then we'll reach Koama after we go through the forest," Aang finished, tracing their route with his finger on the map.

"It's about a thousand mile journey. If weather permits, we should travel at eight to twelve miles a day, depending on the terrain. I'm guessing it will take three months or so. We'll need to arrive there as soon as we can to begin the wildlife conservation program. I heard Ozai and Company are planning on sending some men out," he added, leaning back into his chair. "Toph and I already got our shots and immunizations. Have you?" he asked, looking at Katara and Sokka. They nodded in confirmation and Aang continued. "I sent you all a letter with the supplies you should have brought. The most important thing is that you bring enough water. If you need anything more, there's a general store down the street." There was a silence. "We leave tomorrow," he declared.

The four stood up and shook hands with each other.

"See you tomorrow Mr. Ferrier," Sokka grinned at Aang.

Aang twitched. "Please, don't call me that. Just Aang."

Sokka nodded, confused. The Australians began to walk out of the room as Katara offered Aang a shy wave and disappeared into the stairwell.

0.o

"I can't believe it!"

"Sokka, you've been saying that for the last five minutes! Will you please shut up?"

"I'm sorry. I just can't help it! I've wanted to go on an expedition with Aang Ferrier my whole life!" he exclaimed. "Why do you think he didn't want me to say his last name?"

Katara shrugged. "I don't know. Why don't you ask him?"

"Maybe," he collapsed backwards into his bed. He looked over at his sister's bed. "So, he's a real dork, huh?" He smirked.

She blushed and looked away from his gaze.

"I know you like him Katara."

She glared at him. "No, I don't," she stated firmly. "I don't even know him. Maybe he's just another glory seeking jerk."

Sokka sighed. "Whatever."

Katara flicked the light switches off and pulled the covers over her body. She knew that Aang was… attractive. And he seemed nice. But after previous encounters with men, she new it was better to really get to know the guy before deciding to "make a move". Sokka used to criticize her about how she trusted people too quickly. But she had learned her lesson. After meeting hunters who came to their village in northern Australia, she knew not to put faith and trust into people she had just met. People lie- whether for honor, lust, greed… glory.

Maybe he's just another glory seeking jerk.

Katara groaned quietly. That wasn't true, and she was sure of it. Aang Ferrier was like a new day Steve Irwin. He was known around the world. Aang was only twenty but had already graduated college and lead expeditions through the Amazon and various regions in Africa.

All to save the wildlife that was being destroyed. To protect the animals and the environment.

Apparently he had pledged to do all he could to prevent the destruction of living things when he was twelve years old and growing up in Colorado. Something about a tragic life story.

"Hey Sokka?"

Yawn. "Yeah?"

"You said you know everything there is to know about Aang?"

"Everything known to the public."

Well, that's a little stalkerish… Katara began to say. She bit her tongue. "Well, you know in those news articles, how they always talk about some terrible thing that happened when he was a kid? What happened anyways?"

Sokka was silent for a moment. "No one knows. He's only told his most trusted friends. And they've all died on expeditions."

Katara swallowed thickly. "Sokka? Are you scared?"

"Of what?"

"This expedition. Aang said it himself that this would be his most dangerous journey yet."

He shrugged. "I was trained in navigation at Adelaide University. I'm not that worried. Besides, both of us are experienced explorers. We wouldn't be chosen for this if we weren't qualified."

"True."

"And what about you?"

"Am I scared? A little bit, I guess," she admitted. "I mean, I'm not good with weapons or anything. Stupid men in our tribe didn't think a girl would be good with a spear," she muttered darkly.

"It's tradition Katara," her brother responded dryly. "Besides, you were trained with healing. That's a woman's work. I'm a guy, see, and I could never heal anyone. And you could never learn to use a spear," he stated nonchalantly.

She scowled at her brother. "Do you need me to kick your butt again?"

"Nah, I'm good."

Silence.

"So, what do you think about that Toph girl?"

Katara titled her head towards the ceiling. "I don't know. It's amazing what she can do with her feet. She seems a little strange thought. But I guess we should really get to know both of them before we judge them. And Sokka, please don't go all idol worshippy over Aang."

"Yeah, yeah, I won't."

"So, uh, I'm gonna get some sleep. I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow."

On the trip of a lifetime.

0.o

So, that was the prologue. Once again, please drop a line. Tell us if you like it and want us to continue. Lots of romance and adventure to come. Kataang for sure, but tell us if you would prefer Sukka or Tokka. Whichever gets the most votes wins! Thanks! Over and out.