Alright folks this one will be massive.

AU. All set in the Avatar world, but pretty much different completely.

Our heroes are older and have never met each other.

There was no war, and no frozen in the iceberg. Element bending is forbidden. More explained in the story.

Characters may be slightly ooc but nothing major, be kind when it comes to grammar and such I can only read my own stories so many times. -I don't own anything-

This is the beginning of our story, which in other words means it will be the worst chapter, so give it a chance. I promise there will be more kataang moments in this story than you can handle.

Broken Glass

She usually never felt the cold.

There must be something in the air today, it feels… electrified. Katara knew that something was coming her way, and if the ocean was any indicator it wasn't going to be good, the waves were beating around showing the world their power.

Looking around at what most would call a barren waste land all she saw was beauty. All the water frozen beneath her feet was so imposing. If only she could practice her bending in a big way, instead of this hiding behind glaciers miles from home.

The world had changed a lot over a short span of time. Her mother used to tell her about all the proud waterbenders that used to live at the southern water tribe. Now there are none, as far as they knew.

The unfortunate thing was that it was like this every where. If what she'd learned was accurate the people born with no bending abilities turned on those who did. And before anyone knew bending was abolished. Anyone caught practicing their element was thrown in jail to rot, what really made it sting was the guard. The world guard set to make sure all laws were enforced.

The cherry on top was that her father was head guard of the south pole. Which definitely put a damper on her practices.

She shook her head to get these morose thoughts out. She knew what she risked when she came to her practices and she hoped that she'd never have to choose between freedom and bending, because Katara was scared, not knowing which she would pick.

If the air and water currents were any indicator, something was about to make her choose.

Figuring that she wouldn't get any good practice in with all these thoughts she decided to head back, looking around for a lion seal to take home. She was careful never to outright lie at where she went all day. Sokka just thought she was a slow hunter, Katara knew better.

Her small village came into view, the scattered huts some made from snow others pelts and leathers.

She could see Sokka and his small brigade of scouts and warriors, there was no war to defend from but that didn't stop some of the larger towns and cities to try and overcome the smaller ones, everyone had to be prepared.

She could see the large iron building belonging to the world guard. Filled to the brim with weapons used to take down any bender.

Her home was farthest away from the others, her fathers position segregated them from everyone else. The ice canyon wall that surrounded two sides of our village was closest to us putting our home at the safest advantage if any attackers were to come.

Releasing the deep sigh that overcame her she picked up the pace wanting to reach home before her father did.

The lightning that lit up the sky surprised her and the thunder that followed immediately after made her jump. Picking up the pace for a new reason she headed home.

"Katara finally, I was starting to worry about you." Katara's mother , Kya, was leaning over the fire stirring a large pot.

She knew she was the spitting image of her mother, the various comments from friends and family told her that, but to Katara her mother was ten times more beautiful than her.

"I'm sorry. There wasn't much to hunt this late in the season took me longer than I hoped. Did you hear that storm out? I feel like this one is going to be bad." and almost like she called it down, the skies opened up and poured out.

"Oh ! I hope your brother and father are on their way." Kya looked around with a worried expression that all mothers perfect in time.

" I saw Sokka when I was walking in I'll go see if he needs help getting the smaller boys home." Katara flashed her mother a smile and headed out, not noticing the slight frown her mother had.

The rain was so heavy Katara had to hold her hand over her eyes to open them, she headed toward the center of the village where Sokka liked to end his lessons hoping to catch him. She never would of guessed what was going to happen next.

A loud thunderous bolt of lightning shook the heavens. It sounded so close that Katara ducked down. She stood back up to see her father and Sokka running toward her with a look of absolute fear on their faces. Picking up their fear she turned to see, the lightning had hit the top of the canyon and a large chunk of ice and snow was teetering precariously on the edge, Katara knew it wouldn't hold.

" MOM!" she screamed running back to the house.

Sokka had reached her and held her back when he saw that the chunk had fallen. Katara broke away and only had a split second to make up her mind, use her bending to save her mother, or watch her die. It was an easy decision to make.

Katara knew she was still learning and if asked about it she'll say it must have been fear and adrenaline that gave her the skill. The snow hit their home and it immediately caved in but was saved from the worst.

It was as if time froze, the snow was suspended midair for a split second. Katara couldn't hold it , so the snow slowly fell on and around what used to be her home.

The rain stopped as quickly as it had came.

She released the breath she was holding and ran toward where she knew her mother would be. Missing the shocked looks of half the village, her brother, and the one of anger from her father.

"Mother! Mom! Where are you?" she moved away anything she could. Finally settling on waterbending one more time to move some of the snow she heard her, " Katara, what… what happened." Kya's small voice barely made it to Katara's ears, "mom! Where are you?"

"Here Katara here," she rushed over to her voice and started digging around. Finally her mother came into view. Katara pulled her up and out when the cry of pain made her freeze. "Its my leg. I think its broken." having pulled her all the way out Katara hugged her mother. The fear that she might of just lost her making her breath catch with emotion.

"Katara." her mother said with a sort of deathly calm. "What did you do?" She had been looking over Katara's shoulder at the still shocked and confused faces of the people around her. Katara turned to see and caught the last glimpse of her father walking towards the bunker. Sokka came running up to them

"Mom are you alright?" he said with real concern. Throwing a worried glance at his sister.

"Yes I should be fine, just maybe a broken leg. Sokka why is everyone acting this way?"

Sokka couldn't help his gaze from going back to Katara. "Katara umm, well, she waterbended. And quite a few people saw, including dad." This brought Kya gaze too and suddenly Katara started feeling the seriousness of what she'd done sink in.

Looking at the faces filled with concern for her she stood up quickly. "What should I do? Mom? Sokka?" Her mother looked down, all the worry and pain of what was going to be the hardest thing she's ever said.

"You need to leave. If you stay your father will take you to the earth nation prison. He can't show leniency to you, it would throw the whole village into a revolt." silent tears were rolling down her face.

"You hid it so well I wasn't worried that you would ever get caught."

"Wait mom you knew?" Katara stared at her mother with surprise, she didn't think anyone knew.

"You were good at hiding it Katara but-" Sokka started,

"Wait you knew too? Sokka why didn't you tell me?" He just shrugged his shoulders with a sad smile.

Katara looked back at her mother and to Sokka, the sorry truth becoming clear. She looked around what was her home for anything salvageable. Releasing a sigh she tuned and dug around the spot where her stuff would be.

The crowd had gone leaving just an eerie feeling hanging around. Finding her bed roll she bundled it and turned back to her family. Her mother was still crying shaking her head and Sokka had a look of determination.

"Katara I'm coming with you. I cant just let my only sister go off and fend for herself." Their mother looked up at him with a sad look. Knowing now that her children had grown up.

"Sokka I can't ask you to come you're so close to teaching your warriors everything. I know its important to you. You're the best one, you can't leave our village with no protection."

"Well I can't leave you with no protection either Katara!"

"I don't need protection I can protect myself!"

"Oh please Katara look around -"

"Sokka. Katara."

Both were silenced by their mothers soft voice.

" We shall compromise. Katara you remember how to get to our neighbor tribe to the south right? It's about a two day walk from here." She nodded her head.

"You will go there and catch a merchant ship to the Earth kingdom and find somewhere you'll be safe. Sokka you will have a few days to finish training your warriors and then you will leave when the ship stops here. You'll find your sister and you will protect each other."

Both could see how this was affecting their mother. She tried to stand and stumbled, Sokka rushed to help. Katara walked over and gave her mother a hug, knowing that she wouldn't see her for some time.

"I know your destined for bigger things than this, I knew this place couldn't hold you, but please don't forget your home. Someday you will forgive your father."

Katara rolled her eyes a bit at the last point but knew one day it would catch up with her. She moved back and looked at Sokka and smiled.

"Please be careful until I can catch up with you Katara I can't handle anymore problems." He said this with a laugh knowing it wouldn't help. She would do what she wanted anyway.

Kya knew her husband would be coming soon and this goodbye was taking to long,

" You should get some distance between us before dark, I love you Katara." she hugged her mother one more time and told her she loved her, threw Sokka a glance and headed south. It was going to be a long walk.

Gyatso sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. "Aang, if you do not concentrate and breath this will be the longest day." Both were sitting side by side meditating on the balcony of the southern air temple. Both had the distinguishing tattoos and bald heads of monks. Yet one was more interested in watching the birds fly around than meditating.

"Every day is the longest day." Aang took a deep breath and tried to concentrate again.

But the chirps and noises of the breeze was to much of a temptation and his eyes peeked open once more. "What is on your mind Aang."

Gyatso knew he wouldn't get any peace until Aang talked this out.

"I feel… restless. I know all about meditating and the harmony of the world yet I know nothing of the world. I wish I could fly-"

"Now now Aang you know that we have discussed this, bending is not the way of the world anymore. You must not pursue this. Instead watch and respect the world. Live in it do not change it to your will."

Gyatso closed his eyes once again, thinking the conversation over.

Aang knew these things and even with all he knew, still didn't stop craving the freedom.

"I think, no, I know I'm going to leave. I crave adventure. I am restless and I'm sorry I deeply appreciate everything I've learned from you but I have this feeling like I need to do this monk Gyatso. Please forgive me." Aang had stood up halfway through this speech.

His head bowed and eyes closed.

"I knew this day would come Aang no need to apologize. You have my blessing. Do not forget what I have taught you. Do not worry I will see you again," and with that the monk was silent. He had never once opened his eyes.

Grabbing a small pack Aang couldn't keep the smile from his face.

Finally adventure, something new and amazing just waiting for him to find it!

He would fight evil, save damsels, learn new truths and maybe find a place where his airbending was accepted, somewhere he could practice without doing it in secret.

Appa was his sky bison, a great beast that could fly beyond all explanations.

How can the world understand that yet not let airbending be?

Oh well, "Appa come on, are you ready for excitement?" a loud roar was his answer and Aang jumped up to him defying all gravity.

"Wait Aang wait!" one of the younger students ran up to Appa, Aang couldn't quite place his name.

"Here Gyatso wanted you to have this," and with that he threw up a folded scroll and ran off.

"Thanks!" he yelled back taking a second to open it, a wide grin spread when he discovered the contents. "We're off! Yip yip!"

Katara never thought she would be so glad to see dry land.

The boat ride was so turbulent she had tossed up her accounts on more than one occasion.

Finally stepping off onto the dock she took a deep breath.

Looking around at all the buildings, she took it all in. This was obviously a trading town.

Spending what few monies she'd brought on supplies and food she decided to head out. Not wanting to stay in this busy town to long.

She decided to head north, maybe in the northern water tribe there were more waterbenders she could meet. Or at least if she had a destination she wouldn't feel like so much a wandering runaway and more of a traveler.

All she knew was that she needed to keep moving.

The fear of her father catching up and doing his duty was enough to have her camping in the wilderness over an inn.

She was still hesitant about her journey but with each step she took courage grew in her and she knew it was right.

Looking up she saw that the sun would be going down soon and started to look for a spot to camp. After awhile she came across a small pond. She looked around, a wall of rock almost made a full circle around this secluded oasis. A slow flowing waterfall was the spectacle. It made this spot beautiful. It was so large, yet seemed so private, in a way that time hadn't touched this place for centuries.

Katara saw a wonderful place to practice her art.

Setting up her small camp and starting a fire she quickly stripped to her wraps and headed in. This water was warm, so unlike what she was used to. Starting her movements she felt that she was finally alive for the first time.

Laying next to her fire to warm up Katara chewed on some fruit she had brought and stared into the sky. Thinking about what adventures lay ahead. Until she finally succumbed to sleep.

Aang had been flying for sometime, stopping here and there to see the towns and take in the people. Everyone seemed to avoid him because of his tattoos or at least, he assumed that was why.

He decided to grow out his hair a bit to see if that made them more comfortable around him.

What's the point of going out in the world to meet new friends if no one came near him.

It was almost dawn, the noisy twilight when the birds are singing and the world is waking.

A flicker of flame caught his eye, he had been camping next to the top of a waterfall. Last night the sound of water hitting the rocks below, making a sweet rumbling sound had been soothing.

Now as he stood on the edge he saw it again. The small flicker of flame, there was no light hitting the oasis below yet so the fire was distinguishable.

Deciding to try out some new friend making techniques he had been thinking up, he jumped down using his airbending to soften his landing. Being careful not to startle whoever was laying near that fire he slowing walked up.

It was a girl.

This brought him up short. He hadn't spent much time with girls considering his teachings. Females were a distraction from meditating.

But this one was pretty.

She had long brown-, no more than just brown. It deserved some substantial word like mahogany, yes mahogany colored hair. Long lashes with beautiful skin, he wished she would open her eyes so he could see if they suited her.

He leaned in a little more to get a closer look,

'gees she even smelled good. He thought with a smile, he heard Appa growl and he glanced over up where he knew he was, so he never saw it coming.

He had been standing normal, maybe leaning over a pretty girl a little to far then suddenly he was hanging upside down. Frozen water around his ankles and ice frozen around his arms. Seeing this angry beauty from his current position he couldn't help what he said, "I'm so glad they suit you."

"What are you talking about?" Katara tried to hide how scared she was.

Waking up to a growl and then finding someone standing over her practically breathing on her was terrifying.

How long had he been there and what did he want?

"Your eyes, they suit you wonderfully." He smiled at her so charmingly she couldn't help the look of utter disbelief.

Raising her eyebrow she asked him who he was. "My name is Aang I'm a monk from the Southern Air Temple. What's your name?"

"I'm Katara, Water Tribe." She was still hesitant but he seemed nice enough.

"Well Katara, is there anyway you can uh, put me down?" his face was starting to turn a delightful pink and Katara tried to hold back the laugh that threatened to escape.

"Oh of course ha sorry." She tried to release him gently but all the ice just immediately turned to water dropping him quite unceremoniously at her feet.

"Oops," Katara mumbled as he got up.

He stood up and shook the water from his clothes.

"So… You're a Waterbender huh." he grinned at her raising his eyebrows knowingly. Katara felt the blood leave her face and her eyes darted around for somewhere to run. She really needed to stop blowing her cover.

"Hey hey its alright I wont tell, in fact I'm glad I met you, I've always wanted to meet a Waterbender."

"You do realize you hold my life in your hands with that information." Katara said with dread. First journey from home and already she was risking her freedom.

"Don't worry, I'll hold it gently" he flashed her a smile that she was sure made all the girls melt and unfortunately worked on her as well.

Rolling her eyes she started packing up her stuff.

He just stood there watching her.

"Are you all alone?" he said suddenly forehead narrowing in confusion.

"Well obviously." she finished up and turned to him, "why does that bother you?"

"You're a damsel in distress!" Aang threw up his arms and started laughing, "this adventure stuff is just like the books. I didn't think it would be that easy but here you are. Ha I'll be saving towns and robbing the rich before-"

"Aang what are you talking about" she cut him off, knowing that wouldn't of been a short speech.

"I am not a damsel or in distress. I'm fine."

He gave her a knowing look which frankly unnerved her. He shouldn't be knowing anything.

"You're a pretty girl all alone in the wilderness and your telling me your not in distress?" he let out a loud sigh,

"hmm oh well, I guess your right. So if your not in distress, can you show me your waterbending?"

He missed her quick blush when he called her pretty.

The question he posed made her stop short. She always wanted to show off what she'd learned and was never given the opportunity., now she could.

"I'll show you something amazing if you do" he added for good measure, wanting her to give in.

If he'd learn one thing his short time away from home was that everyone so far had the same views on element bending. Fear and confusion.

He hoped this girl was like him and was awed and inspired by the elements.

"Alright. What would you like to see?" she asked stepping toward the water.

"Oh anything really. Surprise me." he came down to stand near her.

She started her movements and slowly the water started to move, it came up, one strong burst of water started to rise out of the lake and move straight upward. She held it there for a moment and then it all came crashing back down splashing them a little.

"Wow that was-" he started.

"Terrible! Just terrible, I can never keep control of it for very long, it's so , so , irritating!"

Katara sat down on the edge with a fit. Rolling down to her back she looked up at the now bright blue sky.

"Well I thought that was amazing."

She didn't even react to hearing him.

"Come on Katara. I'll cheer you up, want to see that amazing thing I mentioned?"

Katara sat up and looked over at him taking a moment to think, then nodding her head.

"Come over here then." he walked over to where the waterfall was. There were a few well placed ledges to stand on the way up. Aang knew he could get them there easily.

She walked over to him and looked up to see what he saw.

Not noticing anything in particular.

"Put your arms around me." Katara threw him a 'you're out of your mind' glance.

"I promise not to take advantage. Put your arms around me." he said laughingly.

This was one of those moments for Katara. Yes or no. Live, or just go on breathing.

She stepped closer and hesitantly put her arms around his neck. Missing the grin on Aang's face.

He quickly jumped to the closest edge and up and up they went.

Katara let out a small gasp and hugged onto him tighter closing her eyes.

"One day you'll trust me enough to not close your eyes right?"

Finally noticing the ground beneath her feet she let go of him.

"You're a.. you're an Airbender! Oh spirits this is exciting." Katara looked down at where they had came from, and glanced back at him.

"Your right that was amazing."

Aang had just been smiling at her, when he caught her meaning,

"Oh that? Yeah that's sort of amazing but that isn't what I was talking about." he turned to Appa giving him a quick pat

"and its not this big guy either."

"Oh wow a sky bison! I've never saw one up close before, what's his name?" Katara asked heading over to him only to receive a lick. She just laughed.

"His name is Appa, Appa Katara, Katara Appa. Now lets go." and with that Aang put an arm around her and they leapt up onto Appa.

"yip yip"

Katara couldn't keep her mouth closed.

The sights around her were breathtaking.

Large hills and mountains scattered around her, deep plains and rivers flowed south , all the amazing shades of green, her eyes were not prepared for this. All her life she'd saw the beauty that is the frozen tundra, but that was nothing compared to this magnificent view. It was all so , so , alive.

Everything was alive around her. And she couldn't take it all in, no matter how she tried.

"I could stare at this forever."

He glanced her way, "I know, we flew for days just in circles taking it all in. I told you amazing right? Don't ever say I don't deliver." They both laughed.

He steered Appa back down to his camp and when they landed he grabbed her waist again before she could protest.

Both back on the ground Katara looked over at Aang who had taken a moment to gather his things and throw them up on Appa.

"I can't figure out why I trust you so easily. I'm not usually like this." she said confusion written clearly on her face.

"Maybe its because you're a monk." she said.

"Uh okay if you think so." Aang said glancing away.

"I'd rather it be my striking good looks and sparkling personality, but if you say monk I guess it must be that."

Katara just started laughing , he had said that so lightheartedly that she couldn't help it, and soon he joined her.

After they had calmed down Aang looked over to her.

"Hey Katara where are you headed?"

She moved to sit down near the edge to look down at the water below. Aang followed her there hanging his legs over.

"Well I figured I would go towards the northern water tribe to look for other waterbenders. What about you?"

Aang looked up at the sky.

"Well I was uh going that same direction actually. Maybe we should travel together, and on Appa we'll get there in half the time."

Katara shot him a suspicious glance, but then a small smile found its way to her lips.

"You know I think that's a good idea Aang. I've lived my whole life surrounded by people, and being alone was rather, um, lonely."

"I know exactly what you mean." a short pause followed. Then Aang asked if she could waterbend from this high up.

"I don't see why not, well I'll try lets say that" she then started moving her hands. Pushing and pulling them, swaying her fingers. Down below the water started to wave back and forth lapping up at the wall of rock.

Then as she was watching the wave got bigger and bigger, more stronger each time it came back. Katara got a little frightened never before seeing the water move this powerfully, she dropped her hands.

Instead of the water settling like it usually did it kept moving closer and closer, Katara shot a frightened look at Aang to tell him she wasn't doing this anymore when she saw his hands. They were making the same motion she had been doing. His eyes concentrating on the water below.

"Aang what are you doing?"

She couldn't help saying aloud.

Startling Aang out of his trance, his hands stilled and she could hear the water fall back into place below. She simply stared at him.

He was continually shocking her. Who was this person… "Aang are you- are you the Avatar?"

He just stared into his hands.

Review! considering the length and style of this story I'm going off popular demand, Im really just writing this for my own enjoyment and using this site to get some quality feedback... So in other words, reviews greatly appreciated.

Coming up next: "Katara you are beautiful,"

Moving closer still, he slid his hand up to her elbows.

Katara was frozen, she was nervous but couldn't deny the speed of her heartbeat, part of her wanting to see what he would do, the other scared stiff.

He leaned closer so that his mouth was near her left ear,

" beautiful…" he breathed.