CHAPTER 1- THE CRACK OF JEALOUSY
The heroes of the gang stayed alone at Zuko's mansion. Aang had to practice and Katara tried to convince him to rest, while he was learning how to bend water, earth and fire, at the same time. Sokka was sitting with Momo and Appa and played with the boomerang. Toph was resting on a rock and enjoyed the sun.
-want to do for a swim? Katara asked.
-with you I could go to the end of the world! Said Zuko before Aang could answer. Katara blushed. They left together and started to play games in the water. Aangs jaw dropped on the floor. He couldn't believe in his own eyes. Sokka felt upset with the way his sister treated their friend (who loved her) lately and it wasn't the best…
-get used to it, life is harsh especially if you choose the wrong
person to share it with… Toph said wisely.
-I have learned the hard way. Aang sigh.
Aang sat on the rock. There were just the two of them sitting there for a while, like the had unlimited time but in fact, they had only two months before the comet comes, face the fire nation and define not only their destiny, but the whole worlds…
-have you decided with whom you want to share yours`?
Aang asked, breaking the silence.
- I haven't yet. Toph answered, turning her beautiful eyes on the exact opposite side from where the monk was located.
Aang placed his hand on her shoulder, turning her around so that he could gaze deep in her eyes. She was blind but she could still feel his eyes burning inside her. She felt the need to respond to his look because that look made her feel so strong and so weak at the same time and for one second she thought that she could see his light, she saw Aang!
This beautiful moment was ruined by Sokkas whining. When Aang took his eyes off of her she automatically lost her sight.
-I can't believe that we've come so far and you forgot to bring me
meat! Sokka grumbled, looking at his sister.
She then bended the water into a whip and attacked her brother
Her attack was cut by a giant rock, that Toph bended right in frond of hopeless Sokka that protected him from his sister.
-why did you do that for Toph? Katara asked angrily.
-I did it, because your brother is the only one, who can't bend
And that's why you are treating him this way. Toph said calmly,
Being sure that everything that came out of her mouth was
reasonable and that she didn't show any emotions.
-and what is your problem? Why do you even care? Why do I
Even have to ask? I already know! Said Katara trying to make
Everyone think that Toph 'liked' Sokka as she thought so.
Toph was so angry with Katara that attacked her with as many rocks as she could control. Katara bended water waves in front of her, so that the rocks are smashed and defended herself.
-Katara! Stop fighting. Said Zuko
-yes Katara listen to sparkly, he knows. Toph followed
-don't call him that, his name is Zuko. Said Katara bending a
huge wave right up to Toph.
Aang was the one who saved her, running like the wind, he took Toph in his arms, bending the air, he flow away from the wave's direction which she didn't 'see' coming.
-LET GO OF ME! She screamed with all her strength.
Aang let Toph to the ground, again.
-DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN, she said before leaving.
-I' m sorry; I was trying to save you from…
-I don't care! Keep your hands for your self. Toph interrupted.
-Toph, wait…
-yes; go after her, like a little puppy.
-Katara, it's all your fault.
-but Aangy… she said with a sweet voice, she wanted to save
Sokka
Aang felt his feelings for Katara take over his logic…
-maybe you are right. Maybe it is Toph fault too.
-of course, that's more like it. Are you coming Zuko?
Zuko knobbed and they left together. Aang felt once again befitted. Sokka followed Toph.
-are you ok?
-what do you want? A good laugh? Why am I the only one who
Can see that your sister is mean?
-so do I, lately.
-I wasn't talking about you.
-you are talking about Aang, right?
-yes, he just can't get it.
-he is too in love to see.
-it's ironic how well I see; despite the fact I am blind.
-what do you mean?
-nothing, Sokka. Thanks for your interest.
-no, I thank you for saving me from the two days pain.
-ha ha, ok. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Sokka.
The night falls. Sokka is asleep and Katara with Zuko are fishing.
-have you caught anything?
-no, how about you?
-I think I caught something…
-what is it Zuko?
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
-It is … a shoe!
-ha ha. Katara laughed.
-it is not funny! What are we going to eat tomorrow?
-the sole is mine!
-ha ha, Katara, you made me laugh!
-that is a big achievement for me.
-you think?
-of course, I made the prince of the Fire Nation laugh.
-then I am proud too for fishing shoe sole for the last
waterbender left in the whole South Pole.
Their talk went on and on, until they fell asleep. They caught a shoe and three fish, total. Meanwhile, Aang, who was listening to them, couldn't sleep, so, he decided to go for a walk down the beach. There, he saw Toph sitting on her rock…
-hello Toph! The moon is beautiful tonight, don't you think so?
-how should I know twinkle-toes? I am blind, remember?
-I am so sorry Toph. You are so tough, that I forget…
-you really think so?
-sure. I am sorry for before. I know that you can protect yourself
but I thought that you didn't see the wave coming and…
-thank you!
-I know that I wasn't supposed to… eh, what?
-thank you twinkle-toes. If you weren't there I would get wet or
worse.
-I didn't see that coming…
-what didn't you expect? Me, being civilized?
-no, I don't want to insult you. You are…
-what am I? Helpless or what?
At that point; Aangs heart skipped a bit and started to beat very fast.
Toph started to worry about him.
-you are so beautiful! He answered to her.
Silence came along…
-goodnight twinkle-toes!
-goodnight Sifu!
Everyone went to sleep. The next morning and while everyone was asleep, Aang saw something he didn't expect to see… Zuko and Katara were sitting on the bench and confessed to each other their love… Aang left with tears in his eyes… Katara followed him.
-Aang, wait…
-what to you want from me?
-what do you mean?
-you used to love me or care about me before Zuko came along.
I don't recognize you.. where is my Katara? I lost her in the way.
-Aang, I will always love you but only as a friend, I am sorry…
Katara hugged him. He allowed her hug. Zuko saw them and left.
-Zuko, wait… said Katara…
-I can see you made your choice…
-yes and my choice would be you.
-you said something else to Aang, though.
-you miss understood... I am ready now…
-ready for what?
-for your question…
-really?
-yes.
-ok then… Katara…
-yes Zuko.
-would you like to be my princess, the princess of the Fire
Nation or to just role my world?
-yes…
They hugged. Aang couldn't stand it, so he left. Sokka wanted to comfort him but he didn't know how. This was his sister's specialty and she was the one that made him so sad. He couldn't confront him.
He decided to leave him alone.
-how can you do this to Aang?
-do what Sokka?
-leaving him for a firebender? Have you forgotten what they
have done to us?
-that firebender has a name, and it is Zuko; you said he is
different, remember?
-I said different, not my brother-in-law…
-how did you know that?
-I saw Aang crying; it didn't need much thought.
-look; I can't be with Aang because you want me to.
-dad would be very disappointed in you, Katara of the Fire
Nation…
-how can you say that? You said you would be with me,
whatever I choose didn't you?
-yes Katara. I am not telling you this because I don't like Zuko, I am telling you this because you are hurting a friend that helped you to learn the magic stuff with the water, will help us find dad and he is going to stop the War…
-yes Sokka but I am doing something mom taught us before dying.
-and what is that?
-always follow our heart. I will always be grateful to Aang for everything he has done and he is doing and I will always love him just…
-not the way he loves you.
-yes, do you understand now?
-yes. You are right. I am going to eat something. I will see you later. Ok?
-ok, I will see you later Sokka.