The desolation astounded us. Singed skeletons and burning homes swallowed my vision, overwhelming me. I suddenly felt powerless, unable to continue. But there was hope. Katara held my hand, smiling. I watched her running out intrepidly against the Firebenders. She drew water from her waterskin, deftly blocking a fireball that I hadn't noticed.

I grabbed her hand again, and looked her in the eyes. "Katara, I love you." I said. She drew back, horrified. I was astonished. All of these signs, and now..She let go of my hand. "Katara, wait!" I screamed over the din. The yells of dying men and women drew my ears back to reality.An Earthbending General fell beside me, her face convulsing in pain and surprise. I whirled around, only to witness Katara falling back, back, arching gracefully as a fireball engulfed her. "NO!" I screamed. I ran towards her,dodging fire and hurtling over wreckage, but she was so far away. Had to get water, had to get water, save Katara. She screamed, the sound causing me physical pain. I reached for her, but she wasn't there. No, it was Ozai, flashing fire at my face..but I hadn't mastered Firebending, and-

I woke up, screaming with an imagined but ever searing dream. I felt my face in the dark, fearing that only half of it was left. No, no..It was a dream, another aftereffect of..that..

Katara sat up. She spoke the first words she had said to me in two weeks. "Aang..are you..okay?" I smiled half-heartedly, forgetting that she couldn't see me in the dark of the early morning. "No, Katara, I'm not." She didn't pester me further, as I chose roll over, taciturn.

flashback

The moon was bright overhead as Katara and I practiced Waterbending. "So you see, if you can learn to concentrate hard enough, the move will become second nature in need." She said brightly. She enjoyed anything having to do with her natural element. "Great." I said austerly. She sensed it though. No one could fool Katara. "Aang..something wrong?"

"No, Katara..nothing's wrong. It's just well.." he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I have to tell you something.."

"Sure, Aang." she said.


He drew her over to a forgotten tree stump, sitting down on the ground opposite her. "I can't keep this from you any longer.."Aang began, "and before I start, I just need to ask you..do you consider us..friends?"

Katara smiled. "Well of course, silly!"

Aang returned the smile weakly. "Well, did you ever think..that ..you know.."He wiped his brow, hesistating.

"Yes, Aang?"

"Well, what I meant to say is..is..I like you Katara..but more than usual. I-I think you're beautiful and funny, and.." he balked, looking at her sheepishly.

She had her hands over her mouth. "Aang, I-I..I don't know how to say this." She said gently. "But..I don't feel the same way. I'm sorry."

Aang stood up, scared and embarrased. Grabbing his staff, he turned around, taking to the night sky.

"No, Aang! Come back!" Katara yelled. "Aang!"

I was such a fool.. I can't believe..

I lost all thought as I fell into another few hours of restless sleep.

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R+R if you liked it! I know it's a little generic right now, but it'll get better.