A/N: This would take place sometime after they reach the Western Air Temple. I'm getting tired of waiting for a new episode so I tried to come up with something that could (but let's be honest, probably won't) happen.
Reviews are always appreciated. Thanks to those of you who do.
Disclaimer Haiku
Avatar, the show,
I do not own thee, but I
Often wish I did.
xxxxxxx
Katara and Aang were training together in a stream near the Western Air Temple.
"Katara? Can I talk to you about something?" Katara stopped waterbending and turned to face Aang.
"Of course, Aang. What is it?" They both sat on the grassy bank.
"Well, I kind of noticed that you're not very nice to Zuko. I know we used to be enemies but he really has changed a lot. I mean, he left everything behind to help us. Do you think that maybe he deserves a chance to show you that he really has changed?" Aang looked at her anxiously.
"Aang, I know that you have to learn firebending and I know that Zuko is probably the only one who can teach you. But that's the only reason that I can tolerate having him around. I gave him a chance once, and we paid for it." Katara looked down and grimaced at the memory.
"I understand that Katara, but,"
Katara cut him off, "No, you don't understand! None of you understands…" Katara stopped mid-sentence and turned her face away from him.
Aang looked at her intently. "What don't we understand, Katara?"
Katara looked at Aang, tears welling up in her eyes, "I was the one, Aang. It was me. I was the one who was actually there when you almost…," she couldn't bring herself to finish that thought. "Azula struck and you fell. If Zuko hadn't sided with her, that never would have happened and you would still be able to enter the avatar state."
"Actually, no, I wouldn't." This time it was Aang who looked down.
"What do you mean?"
"When I met with the guru, he told me I had to give up something. I had to forget about something very important to me to get into the avatar state. I couldn't do it. I couldn't give up the thing that matters most to me in this world."
"Aang, you're the avatar. What could possibly be so important that you aren't willing to forget about it to get into the avatar state?"
Aang asked quietly, "Do you really want to know?"
Katara nodded.
Aang looked up at her. "You."
Katara's jaw dropped slightly. "Me? What do you mean, me?"
"In order to enter the avatar state, I had to give up all my earthly attachments. The thing that attaches me to this world the most, the thing that matters most to me is you. I couldn't give that up. I can't give you up. I'll never choose to let you go."
The tears in Katara's eyes started spilling down her cheeks. "Aang…I - I could never give you up either. That's why I was so scared when I thought I might really lose you. I've already my mother, I can't lose you too… I should have protected you Aang. I'm mean to Zuko, but really, I'm mad at myself for letting you get hurt. It's my fault."
"Katara…" Aang pulled her into a hug. Both Aang and Katara buried their faces into each other's neck. "I'm so sorry I put you through that." Aang backed up so he could look at Katara's face. Tears were slowly rolling down her cheeks. He brought his hand up and gently wiped them away. "It's not your fault. I'm alive because of you. You didn't let me go, just like I couldn't let go of you and I'm alive because of that. I think that as long as we both hold onto each other we'll be fine."
Katara took Aang's hand in hers and smiled gently at him. "I think we can do that." Katara looked up into the darkening sky. "I really matter more to you than anything else in this world?"
Aang blushed and smiled. "Of course."
