A/N: This was written for Day 2 of KF's Kataang Week. Hope it's alright. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


II. Vertigo

It shouldn't have ended like this.

Flying over the darkened Earth kingdom, with an unconscious and badly injured Aang leaning on her, it was all Katara could think about. No matter how hard she tried to block the memory from replaying, it was imprinted in her mind, like ink stains on parchment. Even now, miles away from the catacombs beneath Ba Sing Se, she could smell the smoke from all the firebending and hear the sound of Azula's lightning as it crackled through the air. She shuddered thinking about it. In her mind, she could see the way, the lightning struck, the way the airbender's body had arched from the shock and the way his limp form had plummeted to the ground. Since then, it seemed as if she hadn't been able to get a hold of herself. Vigorously scrubbing at the tears that fell, she turned her attention to her brother and friends seated behind her. Sokka had a map open, but clearly he was watching Katara and Toph was staring blankly ahead, clutching on to Appa's fur and grimacing ever now and then.

"Appa's getting tired. We should probably find somewhere to land," Sokka said, glancing at Katara. "We'll be with Dad and the fleet soon."

She merely nodded, wondering how their father would react when they showed up at Chameleon Bay with the injured Avatar.

"I don't think I'll join you," The Earth King said, suddenly. "I think I'd like to take Bosco and see the world, as a traveler."

Katara didn't say anything. Instead, she maneuvered Appa to land on a rocky outcropping by the sea. By tomorrow, they'd reach the Water Tribe fleet stationed at Chameleon Bay, but for now, they needed to catch up on rest. She was exhausted and desperate to check up on Aang. The instant their makeshift camp was set up, the waterbender scooped up the unconscious Avatar and gently placed him on the soft grass in the earthen tent Toph had resurrected for him. Ignoring the Earth King's comments about food, she hurried down the steep path to the shore to collect water and set to healing Aang's injuries.

Outside, the sky dimmed and the vibrant sunset faded into a soft twilight. A gentle breeze whistled through the air and in the center of the camp, Sokka's small campfire crackled invitingly. Toph leaned back in the soft grass and sighed.

"It's good to be out of that stuffy city," she said. "I wish it was under different circumstances though."

Sokka nodded, pacing up and down. "Me too. I'm really worried."

"I can tell," Toph remarked, dryly. "You're wearing a whole in the ground."

Sokka ignored her. "What if Azula sends out troops to follow us? We can't lose Aang. What if…?"

Katara lost him after he uttered those two words. Lose Aang. Turning away, she drew up her knees and wrapped her arms around them. Leaning against the cool stone at the mouth of Aang's tent, she fixed her gaze on the campfire. She wished Appa's saddle hadn't been ransacked; she was worried the airbender was uncomfortable, but she had no way of knowing for sure. She desperately wished he'd open his eyes once more, but he remained still. A few feet away, the campfire crackled, as if it was taunting her, and Katara glared at it. Hearing the hiss of the flames and seeing the orange tendrils dance in the dark reminded her of Zuko and Azula. Azula's smirk was imprinted in her mind and Katara frowned to herself. If she ever came across either of them again, there would be hell to pay.

It scared her how much she actually wanted to get back at them. Especially Azula. Katara wanted nothing more than to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off her face. She'd never felt this sort of hatred towards anyone, save for the man who took her mother away. But the realization that she was contemplating some ruthless ideas scared her. She'd long ago known that she'd die for Aang, but what else was she capable of doing for him? Glancing at the airbender, she sighed and swiped at a few tears that leaked out of her eyes. She was tired and upset and the only thing she wanted was for Aang to wake up, but he lay on his back, pale and unmoving and Katara couldn't stop worrying. The uncertainty was gnawing at her; she didn't know if the spirit water had been enough to heal him. Since then, the only sounds emanating from him had been his shallow breathing. It was reassurance that he was still alive, but it did little to quell her fears so she simply sat at his feet and let her mind wander.

It seemed hard to believe the same boy that had asked her to go penguin sledding, the same one that kept her hopes up and made her remember she was a kid every now and then, was the same boy who had nearly lost his life almost a day ago. She'd always known there was a possibility Aang could die, but she had never expected it to become a reality. The tiniest of smiles worked its way across her face as she remembered their adventures through the Earth Kingdom. It seemed hard to believe just a few days ago, they had been living comfortably in Ba Sing Se's Upper Ring and now they were on the run again. She didn't care much for the apparent segregation in the nation's capital, but it had possessed some charm nonetheless and she had enjoyed spending time in a house for once instead of camping out. In spite of everything that had happened in the Impenetrable City, it would always hold some fond memories. She still remembered the look on Aang's face when she and Toph had dressed up as nobles to get into the palace. She almost giggled recalling Aang's smile and blush. It was the first time Aang had called her beautiful too and just thinking about made her feel warm and glad. She didn't know why such a compliment from Aang of all people made her heart race and made her feel giddy, but it did, especially when he had mentioned it for the second time. She had been in the process of removing the makeup Toph had helped her apply for the party when Aang had come to say goodnight. She had smiled and replied and the airbender had turned to leave, but paused in the doorway, watching as she had removed the last of her makeup. When she had glanced at him, he flushed and offered her a smile.

"You look even more beautiful now," he had said, before giving her a quick "good night" and disappearing to his room.

Katara sighed, burying her face in her hands. She missed Aang's smile and his laugh. She hated seeing him like this, but other than tending to his wounds, there was little she could do. So, she spent some time just watching the rise and fall of his chest before she dozed off herself.

It was rather late when she woke up again. Sokka and Toph were curled up on opposite sides of the dying campfire and Momo was fast asleep between them. Appa seemed to be asleep, but he opened one eye and gazed at her as if he was worried. Ignoring the growling of her stomach, Katara glanced at Aang and grimaced when she saw his wounds had reopened. Hurriedly gathering more water, she set to cleaning them. He badly needed fresh bandages and new clothes but with Appa's saddle gone, they had nothing but what they carried on them. It was some comfort knowing they'd be reunited with their father and the fleet in a few hours; the ships had enough supplies for her to properly tend to Aang.

When she was done healing him, she curled up beside him and closed her eyes, too tired to move. Her stomach was clamoring for food, but she had no intention of leaving Aang's side, even if it was for just a moment. Perhaps it was irrational to think something could happen when he was in plain sight, but she felt the need to be close to him. The sound of his shallow breathing lulled her to sleep once again, but it was fitful at best. She kept having nightmares of watching him enter the Avatar state only to be struck by Azula's lightning, so she spent much of the night wide awake, curled up beside the airbender and letting her mind wander again.

What if we kissed?

Katara gave a bitter laugh as the words unexpectedly echoed in her mind. She didn't know what had prompted her to think about their journey through the Oma and Shu's cave, but it gave her an idea and before she could stop herself, her body seemed to move of its own accord and act upon the idea. Propping herself up on her elbows, she turned her gaze to the unconscious airbender and, pushing back a strand of her hair, placed a swift kiss on his cheek. He remained still and Katara sighed, curling back up beside him and lacing her fingers with his. She wasn't sure, but she thought she felt his fingers twitch imperceptibly against hers and fought back tears, but they came anyway and she did nothing to stop them. So, when Sokka found her a few minutes later, he knew just by looking at her how she was doing and didn't bother to ask. Instead, he wordlessly took her hand and led her out of Aang's tent and handed her the remaining portion of their dinner.

"You didn't sleep much, did you?" He asked. Katara shook her head and stared at the food in her hand. Sokka sighed. "Eat your food. You'll need it."

"I don't want to," she mumbled, turning away.

"Katara…"

The waterbender handed the food back to Sokka and hurriedly stood up. For a moment, the world seemed to tilt dangerously around her and she swayed, but steadied herself and hurried back to Aang's side. She was suddenly all too aware of this strange feeling being close to the airbender elicited and she found herself wanting to be close to him for some inexplicable reason. She didn't bother to question it but merely took her place beside the airbender again and closed her eyes. She wasn't sure what exactly it was and, at the moment, her thoughts were too jumbled for her to figure out, but as she drifted off beside him, she was certain she'd have time yet to figure it out.


Thank you to everyone who read and/or reviewed! :)

~Cassidy Alice