Disclaimer: dooooont own it...damn :))

ok soooo this is set after the failed invasion...its my own version of whats gonna happen after the group leaves. so read and reviewwww cuz its nice to do that :))

Chapter One: Sunset Tears

The sun was shining brightly, preparing to set and emitting golden specks to glimmer across the surface of the calm ocean. The day was smiling: the sun was triumphant. Aang sat alone on Appa's giant head as he began the long journey back to the Western Air Temple where the group would be safe for a short while. He felt so ashamed; he failed the world again. Silent tears fell down his soft young face tainted ever so slightly by war; silent tears which he let freely flow. He didn't want his friends to know and try to make him feel better. His failure caused the loss of all their families. He couldn't face them yet.

Katara sat on the full saddle starring at Aang's back. She knew he was crying, even if he refused to wipe his tears away. She knew she needed to talk to him but knew it'd be inappropriate now due to all their guests. She'd find alone time when they landed next. He needed to know it wasn't his fault.

They flew through night fall, everyone in silence, until Appa began to slowly descend. Aang landed him in a small clearing surrounded by plenty of forest, making a good cover.

"We're gonna rest here for the night. Try and get some sleep everyone. I'll stay awake and make sure we haven't been followed," Aang said in a quiet, tired voice filled with disappointment in himself.

"Aang, you shouldn't over do it. You need sleep too," Katara said only loud enough for Aang to hear.

"Someone's gotta make sure everyone's ok. The fire nation probably followed us and it's my fault were in this situation so I'm staying up."

"Let's go for a walk," she replied softly. Aang started to say something but Katara interrupted knowing what his concern was. "Sokka, can you make sure everything's ok here for a while?"

"I- wait, what? But I wanted to sl-"

"Sokka," she said with a dangerous tone and an obvious uprising in volume.

"Yes ma'am," he replied quickly and quietly causing a look of satisfaction to roll over Katara's face when she saw the results.

Katara took Aang far enough away from the campsite so Aang wouldn't be worried about anyone over hearing their conversation. She wanted him to be able to open up. She didn't want him to hold everything in anymore.

"Aang," she began but Aang interrupted.

"Just stop. You don't have to say anything. I know you're going to try and tell me that I shouldn't blame myself but I can't help it. Every time I try, I fail. The world keeps counting on me and I keep letting everyone down. Because of me, your family's trapped in the firenation, and so is everyone else's. Because of me-"

"Because of you the world has hope again," she said, cutting him off before he could make himself feel any worse. "Because of you people haven't given up to the fire nation. Because of you we have a chance. We still have time, Aang. You can still defeat the fire lord."

Aang didn't have anything to say. He was using everything he had to fight back the tears threatening to spill out at a moments notice. Katara always knew how to make things better. She always knew how to calm him down no matter how bad the situation: it was one of his favorite traits about her. And then he remembered what had happened just today. Was that today? It felt so long ago.

"Katara, about um," he stumbled to say the right thing, "um…thanks," he said instead unable to gather up the courage to say those three small words.

"What were you really gonna say Aang?" Katara pushed. She half knew what he was going to talk to her about. Just earlier today Aang answered any question she had on the matter, and she knew she felt the same way. She really wanted to talk about it.

"Well, Katara, I um…I l-"

"Katara! Aang! Come quick! We were followed!" Sokka yelled bursting in on their private conversation.

They exchanged looks of exhaustion and disbelief. They'd expected to be followed but why do they always get inturrupted at the most important times? Why couldn't the fire nation just give it a rest? They both hurried back to the campsite following Sokka. Aang refused to allow anything else to happen to anyone.

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ooooo i bet we all wonder who it iiiis :)

ok…comment :) cuz its really nice to get those

and encouraging too!!

i know its short but im gonna post the next chapter up pretty quick (tomorrow most likely...tonight maybe if i get enough reviews wanting it)

ok...byeeee for now