Chapter 1
Chapter 1
After Aang had defeated Fire-lord Ozai, We all returned to Ba Sing Se to recount how each of our missions went and to get some well needed relaxation. Zuko was serving each of us tea at his uncle's tea shop, I saw Aang walk out onto the patio seeming distracted. I followed him outside,"Aang?" I softly asked, "Is everything alright? you seem kinda out of it." I smiled softly, encouragingly.
"Yeah, Im fine Katara. I just realized everything is gonna be different. I have spent a whole year, after being frozen in ice working to end a war that had been going on for over a hundred years. I just wish I knew what to expect now that it's all over." Aang replied with a sigh. He walked closer and out of nowhere, kissed me.
"Aang?!" I said shocked by his sudden boldness. I mean, it's not like I don't like Aang; I'm just torn between my feelings for him and for...Zuko. But how to tell them is a new problem because both have become friends. I wouldn't want to start another war or even break their new found friendship. As I was lost in thought Aang sighed again,
"sorry that was stupid of me to kiss you so soon after everything happened." he responded, heading back inside leaving me alone with my thoughts; I wouldn't be alone outside for long. It seems Zuko needed some air from all of Sokka's jokes and insessive pigheadedness.
He ran a hand through his shaggy hair, his eyes showing he was nervous. I smiled softly at him. "Sokka still at it?" I asked him playfully.
He chuckled; jokingly responding, "How did you and the gang put up with him for so long? I would have left him in the fire nation mental ward."
I gave him a stern look of disapproval "Hey! If it wasn't for him, we would still be lost in the south pole looking for Aang. Don't forget he was the one who helped you escape from the Boiling Rock Prision. Show some respect." My former good mood had become irritated and I turned my back to him.
"Katara you know I didn't mean it that way, I know Sokka has been nothing but helpful. And I'll always be grateful for that." he walked up behind me, caught me off guard as he wrapped his arms around my waist and whispered, "I'll also never forget when you saved me from Azula. If it wasn't for your healing abilities I wouldn't be here." Zuko kissed my cheek respectively, then let me go knowing I needed to work out my feelings.
See, not only have I kissed Aang, but the night that Zuko had brought up he saved me from Azula's lightning attack. After I healed him, we looked into eachothers eyes and shared a passionate kiss. I have got to figure this out. I nodded to Zuko and after I went to ask Aang if I could borrow Appa. After asking Iroh if he would take a flight around Ba Sing Se.
Iroh looked at me and nodded seeming to know I needed some counciling. We climbed onto Appa and soon after we were up in the air alone. My mind racing as I tried to phrase my questions when Iroh interupted me.
"I sense you have a troubled mind, share your thoughts child." he said huskily, yet his voice full of kindness. He looked at me waiting patiently. "Do you too wonder what the future holds?" he asked.
"Oh Iroh," I gave a sigh. "I don't know what to do. I am torn between two amazing people, Aang and Zuko. I know I must choose one of them, but how can I when doing so could cause hurt feelings or worse?" I hugged my knees to my chest. My hair blowing in the breeze as we continued to soar around the great Earth Kingdom.
Iroh nodded seeming to understand. "Ahh so you are in love with the legendary Avatar, yet you have subcumbed to the charm of my nephew, Fire lord Zuko. Both are powerful people; great friends. I am sure they will understand and respect your decision. But you must trust your heart to guide you to the right path, and person you are destined to be with." he stated with sincere, wisdom.
I looked over at Iroh, my deep ocean blue eyes seeming lost in a storm. "But what if they don't. I can't risk loosing either of them and I don't want to cause a fight." I said softly. Closing my eyes as I thought back to the first day I met Aang. He was so Innocent and sweet; He was just a child compared to me, and I have always had a sibling attatchment to him. Perhaps this is why when he kissed me not only at the Invasion of the Fire Nation, but also a few hours ago. It was awkward, and didn't hold any passion.
As we continued to fly in silence as I pondered over Iroh's wisdom. I thought back to when I met Zuko. Yes, back then he was very confused and angry at the world; bent on capturing Aang to restore his so called 'honor'. But I will never forget when I first started to develop feelings for him. I had just stolen a Water bending scroll from a group of pirates on one of our many stops.
When the pirates had caught on that I had stolen it, Zuko had hired them to help him capture Aang using me as bait. But I bended my way away from them and ran smack dab into Zuko. He had caught me by my wrist and very seriously yet heroically said.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you from the Pirates." My eyes looked into his and I had a rush of different emotions run through me. As I looked back on these memories it became quite clear who I would choose. I looked to Iroh and he nodded. I guided Appa back to Iroh's tea shop.
"Aang, Zuko.." I paused, looking at each one of them. I took a deep breath as I quickly looked over at Iroh and he smiled reasuringly. "I need to talk to you both, but I will do it one at a time, just promise me one thing." I looked them both in the eyes.
Both Aang and Zuko looked at eachother before answering together. "and what is that?"
"I want you both to promise, no matter what happenes after I talk to both of you that it won't change anything." I saw them both nod and motioned for Aang to follow me outside to talk with him. Once we were out of earshot of the others I turned back and hugged Aang.
"Aang, I know that since we met you have, had feelings for me. I don't want to give you the wrong impression. I have done a lot of soul searching and thinking on the matter. I don't feel the same. I have always thought of you as a little brother and I have never been more proud of anyone in my life. I have seen you grow so much since we me, but I just don't love you in a romantic way."
Aang backed away, his eyes full of heartbreak. "If you don't love me then..." he started to say. "Zuko..." he looked up at me. his face now blank of emotions as I nodded slowly. He bowed. "I respect your decision Katara. I promise there will be no hard feelings between us or Zuko." He walked back into the building.
Zuko took the return of Aang as his turn to talk to me. He slowly walked out as not to startle me. I turned to face him. "Zuko.. I love you" I said full of truth and emotion. He smiled and stepped closer. " How did Aang take the news?" he asked me. " He seemed to take it well. Just plesae don't do anything to provoke him." I cupped Zuko's face my fingers lingering on his scar; Smiling as I softly brought my lips to his, letting our kiss linger.
Zuko and I smiled at each other before agreeing to fill everyone else in on the good news. I held his hand as we walked back into the building. From this moment on everyone's life would be different. As soon as we got through the doorway I could see Aang playing with Momo; his flying lemur bat.. Sokka and Suki were cuddled up on a futon in the corner while Iroh was busy making tea and snacks.
I took a deep breath and looked at everyone. "C..can I get all of your attentions? " I waited until everyone of my friends and brother were looking at me, before I continued. "As I am no doubt aware that some of you have some speculations about my relationships . And I just want to put rumors to rest."
Sokka blurted out " Katara we already know you love Aang. so why would anyone think differently woman. Aunt wu the fortune teller lady already said your destined to be with a powerful bender, Who's more powerful than the Avatar." Toph laughed. Zuko was obviously annoyed.
" SOKKA!? " I was furious with him for announcing the wrong information. I used my bending to make a snowball and threw it right in his face. Then took a deep breath. "As I was saying, before my brother rudely interrupted me. I have made my choice, Zuko is the one I love. "
" I so totally saw that coming" Toph said as she took a cup of tea. " I mean ;who wouldn't have see that coming, And i'm the one whose blind. " she giggled as Sokka got up and walked over to us.
"Look I know Zuko is a powerful Firebender, but don't forget what happened to Mom, and we have almost nearly lost Dad and Gran-Gran to the fire nation." he looked at us flailing his arms wildly, before Aang stepped in. and said he supported my decision.
"Thank you Aang, and everyone else who supports me. I know this will take some time to get use to but I love Zuko and nothing's gonna change that." I smiled and hugged Zuko and then we all had a big group hug, This was going to be the start of a rocky road but as long as I have Zuko by my side, I know I can make it through anything.