A/N: Gah! Another rerun! Time for another fanfic. Slightly less Kataangy than my other stories, but it's still there. This is an idea I've had for a while, I hope you like it. I love reading reviews so if you need encouragement to review, please do, you'll make me happy. And no, I still don't own Avatar.

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"Roku?"

"Yes Aang, it's me."

"Am I dreaming?"

"Something like that. You are asleep right now but I had to talk to you. So, in a sense, you are in the spirit world. There are no more solstices before Sozin's comet comes so this is the best way I could speak with you."

"Oh. Well, what did you need to tell me?"

"Sozin's comet is quickly approaching. You must defeat the Fire Lord soon. To do so, you will need to enter the avatar state."

"But I can't do that! Azula locked my seventh chakra when she shot me with lightning. Even if I could unlock that chakra, I've already decided that Katara means more to me than the avatar state does."

Roku unexpectedly smiled. "Aang, do you really think you're the first avatar to fall in love? Countless avatars before you loved but were still able to use their powers. You know I had a wife, do you really think I chose power over her?"

Aang looked confused. "I don't understand. Guru Pathik said that I would have to let go of all my earthly attachments to let the cosmic energy flow into me. How did you and the past avatars keep your attachments and still enter the avatar state?"

"Guru Pathik is a very wise man, but he is not an avatar. The way he told you to access the avatar spirit was…misleading. Letting go of your attachments doesn't mean you stop loving someone. What it truly means is that you let go of your thoughts and worries, things in your mind that will block your ability to let the cosmic energy flow from the chakra in your head to the rest of your body. Real love is in your heart, not in your head. Loving someone actually strengthens the energy as it flows through your fourth chakra. It also gives you a purpose for fighting, compassion for human kind and mercy for your enemies. Love is what gives avatars, as well as everyone else, their greatest strength. It is by no means a weakness, despite what some may say."

"You mean that I can love Katara and still enter the avatar state?" Aang asked incredulously.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. I had to enter the avatar state many times after I had fallen in love with my wife. Although my thoughts of her were forgotten as I cleared my mind, my love for her never left my heart."

Aang smiled hopefully. Then he tilted his head to the side and asked, "But what about my seventh chakra? Is it still locked?"

"For now, yes. When the time comes, you will find a way to open it again. Until then, you will have to rely on your friends for help."

"I've learned to do that anyway," Aang said happily. "So, I'll be able to enter the avatar state again, and without forgetting about Katara." He looked relieved.

"Yes Aang. When you wake up, this will seem like a dream to you. You may forget some of what we discussed. But if you remember nothing else, remember that."

"Thank you Roku." Aang brought his hands together and bowed to his past life.

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Aang opened his eyes and sat up. He looked around the campfire at his friends sleeping peacefully. Was that all just a dream? Some of it was already starting to fade. But some parts stood out more than others. I can love Katara and still enter the avatar state. Aang looked over at her. As if she could feel his gaze, Katara sleepily opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"Aang? Is everything alright?"

Aang smiled softly at her, "Yes, I think it is."

She smiled back and closed her eyes. Aang lay down and looked at her once more before closing his eyes and happily drifting back into sleep.