It's been awhile since I've written anything for FF. I'm hoping you'll enjoy this version of many other post-war avatar fics. Let me just say, I'm incredibly depressed that such an amazing show…has ended! (and of course, in my desperation, I've tried to continue it on the wonderful world of fanfic)

Note: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, and this goes for all future chapters. (:

Katara carefully eased herself into the tub of hot water, eyeing the expensive-looking faucet handles and beautifully dyed towel that awaited her. She sighed, sinking half way into the water. Despite the comfort of the hot bath and the distracting beauty of the large bath room, Katara felt stressed and anxious. The image of a certain smiling air bender constantly flitted across her mind, which would then remind her of it. The kiss.

Their first real kiss.

Her cheeks burned a bright pink, and the water in the tub instantly began to bubble. She tried to shake the embarrassing thought from her head and instead began to think about the fire benders slaving away, floors below her, heating the palace's water just so she could relax. She thought it unfair and slightly unreal that it was she, the water tribe peasant girl, who was enjoying all that the fire nation palace had to offer, even if she and the others had overall saved the nations. After several hectic weeks of ceremonies, public announcements, and much nation-to-nation traveling, Zuko, the fire nation's newly hailed fire lord, had declared a day of relaxation for Katara, Sokka, Toph and the Avatar. The fire lord himself had postponed most important meetings so that all activity within the palace was halted for the day.

Sokka, who no longer had Suki to hang around since she returned to her people to rebuild, was spending the day with Toph. She proved to be the only one who could snap him out of his gloomy state with her inability to tolerate it. Katara hadn't seen Aang since the day before, him being the busiest of the four of them. She knew he could handle the responsibilities but secretly felt quite selfish. She wondered when her time with him would come. She decided, as she stepped out of the tub and drying off, she would definitely seek the location of his room in the vast, labyrinth of a palace. A silk, red robe was laid out on her bed, and as she fastened it around her waist, she admired the carefully decorated room. The symbol of the fire nation was everywhere she turned, but resisted the urge to frown at the once threatening sign. Instead, Katara made her way outside, onto her own personal balcony.

She was startled when she realized Aang was right across from her, leaning on the rail of his own balcony staring right at her. He had a lazy smile on, as if he had expected her to come out. Katara self-consciously tightened the scarce robe and smiled back; glad that she knew where she could find him now yet, slightly shy of her appearance. Aang waved at her, feeling a confidence he hadn't felt since they'd kissed. There she was, so close, yet so far away. His fingers ached to cup her heavy, dark curls in his hands. His mouth twitched at the thought of brushing his cheek against her soft one. He simply couldn't wait.

Katara watched as a gust of air delicately picked Aang off his feet, carrying him across the way towards her. Her heart leaped once his feet softly landed on the railing of her balcony. However, she rolled her eyes, muttering something that sounded like "show-off" and approached him. He swung his legs beneath him, smiling in earnest at Katara's playful expression.

"Enjoying your day off, Mr. Avatar?" Katara teased. Aang smacked his forehead, briefly concealing the point of his arrow tattoo.

"Do you know how many times I've been called that?" It was his turn to roll his eyes, but not at the chuckling water tribe girl before him.

"Twenty one." She answered and Aang's grey eyes widened in surprise.

"You're right, how'd you know?" He asked incredulously. She waved her hand, dismissing the matter. Below them, Katara spotted out of the corner of her eye, a watchful Sokka playing a board game of sorts with Toph although Katara couldn't see what. His eyes instantly snapped back to the girl in front of him once he saw his sister had caught him. He yelped once he realized Toph had thrown his game pieces into the duck pond they had been sitting next to.

She turned back towards Aang who was thoughtfully staring her down. He reached a hand towards her cheek but a chilly wind caused Katara to shiver. Half of her robe was soaked from her still-wet head of hair.

"You're cold, let's go inside." Aang said, beginning to lead her towards her room but she hesitated. Her eyes drifted towards her brother below them who was frantically trying to fish around in the pond for his pieces. Toph was seated a few feet away, laughing.

"He won't notice." Aang whispered reassuringly in her ear, causing her to shiver again. The two of them disappeared into her room, but not before Sokka caught a glance of the triumphant smile the avatar wore as he guided a shivering Katara into her room.

How'd you like the introduction? Suggestions and critique is most definitely welcome.

Next Chapter: More on Katara's feelings and the focus turns to Sokka…

-Sarah