I'll Be There

By Danielle Franklin

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The leaves drifted listlessly from the tree. A flutter of reds, oranges, and purples surrounded her. She stood at the the base of the tree, looking up into the branches. As she watched the sunlight filter through what remained of the leaves, a gentle breeze brought her out of her daydream. Katara brought her hand to her face, brushing her hair behind her right ear. "It took you long enough." She said with a smile as she turned to face a tall, lanky boy of about 15 or 16.

Aang looked Katara over, a small smile finding it's way to his features. She had grown at least three inches in height. Her cheek bones had become more pronounced, they had once been hidden by the rounder, childish face she had when she was younger. Her breasts where larger, and some what visible beneath her blue tunic. But what struck again the most was her hair.

"Your hair, it's so short -" He mused as he steadily walked up to her, taking a lock of her hair in between his fingers.

"What, you don't like me new hair cut? Azula gave it to me." She said with a rather pained smile. During their final battle with the Firelord and his daughter dearest, Azula had shot a bolt of electricity at Katara. It burned the skin of her cheek a little, but left her hair charred and frizzed, causing Katara to lose her most identifiable asset. The hairstyle she had worn since she was a young child.

She looked down to the ground sadly, the hair she had pushed behind her ear fell over her eyes. "I think you look more beautiful than ever." Aang said with a giant blush splayed over his pale cheeks. Katara looked up at him and smiled.

"You think so?" She asked as she took took his hands, leading him under the tree. "Remember when Azula had me cornered, when she lit this who place into one giant bonfire? I thought I was going to die. Then I saw you, standing above me..." She trailed as she once again looked up into the branches of the tree. "I was scared." She said quietly, closing her eyes, letting the breeze lift the hair from the back of her neck.

"Scared? Why?" He asked suddenly, taking a step backward. Katara heaved a deep breath, slowly opening her eyes too look at him, her lips contorted into a half smile.

"I thought I had lost you." She confessed as she brought the back of his hand to her right cheek. Aang began to speak, but was silenced by Katara's fingers on his lips. "Let me finish." She whispered as she let go of his hand, turning to face the trunk of the tree. "I thought I had lost you to the Avatar State." She admitted to him.

"Katara-" He gasped openly. Aang watched as she captured one of the falling leaves in her hands, then let it flutter away with the Autumn breeze. "Katara, you know I have control over it know. I can activate it when ever I want, and I can tell it when to stop as well. Why on earth where you scared?" He asked her.

She turned to face him, "I was scared by the look on your face. It was a look of utter desperation. You looked like you where in so much pain. It hurts to see you look like that." Katara told him as she leaned against him. "Is this the reason you wanted me to come out here and visit you? So you could tell me you are scared of me?" He demanded.

"No. Not at all." She said with a panicked voice. "I just wanted to tell you I would always be there for you. And that -" The breeze muffled her words, once he heard those words, his world went silent. He saw her eyes look at him with happiness, he watched her mouth move. But he heard no words.

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TBC...

X o x o x

I know, pretty crappy start to a story. But so what. I wrote it at an attempt to get back in the game. Well, let me know what you think. And, as always, reviews make me happy. )