Distraction, an avatar: last airbender fanfic

" DISTRACTION "

She probably should've passed the time thinking about the battle ahead of her, of how she was going to best use her bending skills against those who wielded fire, or what to do should she encounter Azula again, but she wasn't. Instead, her thoughts were focused around that unexpected kiss Aang had placed on her lips before he'd taken to the air to go fight the Fire Lord.

Aang would survive, she knew he would. But, once the task of defeating the Fire Lord was completed and he returned, what was she going to say to him?

She didn't...care for him the manner which he did, the way he assumed she did. It broke Katara's heart to think that she was going to break his after such a bold move on his part, but she couldn't pretend to return feelings she didn't have. And if it hadn't been for the fact that he was about to fight the Fire Lord, she would've pushed him away and informed him of as much right there and then. But, she couldn't bring herself to do it. If she had told him that she didn't love him in the way he thought, he would've been distracted during the battle and Katara didn't want to be the cause of any unnecessary injury. Or even worse...death.

So, she'd allowed him to kiss her, holding her tongue as he drew back and flew off, feeling ashamed and conflicted.

Katara let out a shaky sigh, putting a hand to her head as she slumped down a bit behind the golden shield-like piece of Appa's armor that served as the steering area in which Aang usually sat. Almost immediately she straightened her back and sat upright, throwing her hands out to bend the air bubble back to its smooth, round form. Appa groaned in protest of her momentary distraction that had caused her to temporarily forget to concentrate on her bending, making the bubble fluctuate.

"I'm sorry, Appa," she said, smiling apologetically, even though the flying bison couldn't see her expression. "I'm just a bit...distracted, is all."

She frowned, feeling guilty for allowing herself to even be distracted on a day like this. They were moments away from coming upon the shores that lead to the palace at the top of the mountain, and here she was, a Master Waterbender, distracted by a little kiss a confused boy had given her.

Katara was better than this. She had to focus. This matter...she'd talk to Aang about this later, at some point after this battle and the chaos that surrounded it was over. He'd understand, right?

"He's very dear to me, just not in that way...like the little brother I never had," she told Appa, receiving a soft rumble from the beast in response. "I just hope he doesn't hate me for it."

END.

12/01/2007