Disclaimer; I do not own Avatar. Also I do not know EVERYTHING about Avatar, so if I mess up, many apologies! –kowtows- Please read and review. Kazuki hearts reviews.

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CHAPTER ONE: Another Encounter

"I…I love you."

It was that silly phrase that had started everything. Katara had never felt so much meaning behind so few words before. But when those words came from him, she had to believe it. After all, she highly doubted that he would say those particular words with no reason…

There would have been a time that she would have laughed angrily and probably hit him a few times if he said something so absurd. Yet, during the months post-war, she had begun to see the former banished prince, and new Fire Lord in a new light—much to the dislike of Aang. To be honest she didn't expect too much more of him; he was only twelve. Well, not really if you counted the hundred that he was stuck in an iceberg. But, you know… still twelve, regardless. She sighed in irritation, remembering the last time that Aang and Zuko had been in the same room with her—she would have to take measures to avoid that in the future. Bending her arm at the elbow she idly played with a few strands of her hair as it rested against her shoulder, blue eyes thoughtful. So much had changed since it all began. Some of it she could definitely go without—but truthfully she wouldn't change anything about how they were now. Except maybe Aang's reaction to it.

"Katara," a familiar voice called, making her cringe out of her reverie like a child who was adventuring somewhere they were forbidden to be, being caught in the act by her parents. She didn't bother turning, and in fact went somewhat rigid. Silence flowed poisonously into the openness of the air. "Katara, we need to talk." Katara bit her lip her hand tense over her dark hair a moment before falling limply to her side. She was hoping to avoid another one of these 'talks' for some time. As that hope passed, she felt a hand land on her shoulder. The touch was firm but timid, as was much about Aang when it came to her. He had a lot of determination, she would give him that but it was sad. It was like watching a dying animal keep trying to get up, every time it was kicked down. She was honestly beginning to wonder if she had the heart to let it continue. Silently, she was trying to wish herself away from here.

She was nervous for him to start in on it again. She had to do something. Exhaling the breath she had been holding unknowingly, she pushed herself to speak.

"I can't talk to you, Aang." Katara's eyes were closed now, trying not to picture his face and the hurt that must have been obviously scrawled all over it. She felt his hand twitch away from her in response and she closed her eyes tighter, the cold silence ringing in her ears—still it would have been better than him speaking.

"So what, you can't even talk to me now?" It was the typical 'I'm throwing a tantrum' voice.

"No. I guess the right way to say it would be I don't want to talk to you."

Aang was shocked. Right now, Katara seemed nothing like the girl he had met and come to befriend, nothing like her at all. "Well, you aren't the only one who has feelings you know!" And here he was, throwing a fit. Even if he was smarter than a typical twelve-year-old, and more patient and peaceful than most would expect of one, he still found himself wrapped up in emotions and reactions more appropriate to his age.

"I'm not saying that, Aang." Katara's back was still turned to him and she couldn't quite bring herself to yell at him. Perhaps it was the fact that she was used to having to deal with Aang and Sokka's careless behavior, and playing the voice of reason. Or maybe it was the fact that, after all, it wasn't that she didn't care for him… it was just that, well… she cared for a certain firebender a lot more. Aang just wasn't right for her.

"You're right, you aren't. You aren't saying much of anything."

Katara deflated, feeling heavy already. When these conversations had first surfaced, she had done her best to remain positive, to be the optimist, to try and make him smile. Now all of that was drained out of her, and she was starting to feel lucky she hadn't exploded. Katara could be quite hot-headed when she needed to be, but Aang was not someone she wanted to get that way with. It took a lot of self-control to keep herself reined in like this. "What do you want me to say, Aang?" The tone in her voice was as empty as she felt. There was barely any desperation in it anymore. She longed so much to find something that would make Aang stop, make him happy…but keep her happy as well.

Aang was frustrated now, glaring at Katara's back. There were tears forming in the corners of his eyes and his mouth was curved slightly down at the corners as he fought to keep it from a full-on frown. "I can't make you or tell you to say anything! What you say, you have to say because you want to! Because you mean it!"

Katara stood silent in the empty Fire Nation courtyard as night began to sink across the horizon. She knew what she wanted to say but she couldn't say it; she didn't want to cause Aang any further pain. Yet, silence would only make it worse, wouldn't it? Biting her lip again, she finally turned to face him, wishing instantly that she had not. Where she had at first worn a determined and demanding expression, now was something else. It had dissolved into sadness and empathy to see him in such an obvious state of hurt. "Aang…I can't lie to you. I've only ever told you the truth, but you won't accept it." She frowned at him, trying desperately to convey the unspoken apology, though it wouldn't alter her feelings.

"Oh, but you can! What about when we kissed, Katara! Was that a lie, then?" Aang's fists were balled at his sides, his arms tense with anger and his face was hardened with deep emotion that was a mixture of things Katara couldn't quite discern. She turned her eyes down and to the side, solemnly looking at the ground.

"No, Aang."

He was desperate now, convincing himself that he had made some kind of breakthrough. "Then you do care about me? You do want us to be together?" His chest was tight now, adrenaline beginning to pulse within him as he waited for her answer, hoping for a 'yes.' It seemed so easy… he couldn't help himself. He had a dire need to hear her say that word, so he could escape from this torture.

"No, Aang."

He sank to depths deeper than ones he had previously explored. It felt so cold… The words, the will to speak had been sucked right out of him. Katara could see it, even if she wasn't looking. She could feel the emotions imploding in him, sucking everything out of him.

But none of that was going to change her mind.