Chapter Two: Why Hello There, Hurt.

Two Months After Sozin's Comet

"Here, try this one," said Aang, handing Katara a small round red fruit. They were sitting on one of the many balconies at the Southern Air Temple.

Katara stuck the fruit in her mouth, her expression switched to something between disgust and happiness as she pretended to like it. "Mmm… Delicious!" She was still a terrible liar.

He just looked at her for a moment, and she looked back. Then they both burst out laughing. "You're still bad at lying," he said trying to hold back his laughs.

"And… umm… you still eat fruit!" She tried to say, holding a finger up, trying to make a point.

Yep, still terrible at comebacks, but he still loved her. He loved everything about her. From the way she still acted motherly on occasion, to how she was acting right now. She seemed to be perfect, to Aang at least. She had always been there for him, and he tried his hardest to be there for her. Boy was he lucky.

They sat like that for some time, not necessarily saying anything, but just enjoying each other's company.

Present

Katara had made her way up to the door of the large house where she had seen Aang looking down at her from earlier. When Oyaji had offered the house for her to stay in as well, she almost declined. It wasn't until she saw Aang dart away from the window that she had made up her mind to settle things between them. She regretted how she left him last time, so broken and weak. Katara reached inside her bag and felt for something. When her hand rested upon its smooth surface she sighed. I'm sorry… She thought to herself. Katara reached out for the doorknob, hesitating ever so slightly.

"Hello…?" Katara said softly as she opened the door.

It was dark in foyer of the house, no one in sight. Maybe he's still upstairs… She thought to herself as she made her way to the stairway. She made it to the top of the stairs and went to the room where she had seen Aang earlier.

"Aang… are you in here?" She asked as she opened the door. Empty. Where is he? She asked herself. As she started to make her way to the window, she tripped over a yellow piece of fabric. Same old Aang, still a bit messy. She smiled to herself at the thought and got up. Katara checked the rest of the house before she came to the conclusion that Aang was not in the house. She returned upstairs to the bedroom and set her stuff on the dresser in Aang's room.

"I guess I'll go see Suki," she said with boredom heavy in her voice.

As Aang had recalled the events that had led to his and Katara's separation to Suki, she had stood there listening to him intently, not interrupting or straying off.

"And after that, she left, and I sat there for hours telling myself it was just a terrible nightmare and that'd I'd wake up and she'd still be with me," Aang said, trying not to let himself cry in front of Suki. It was apparent that the break up had taken its toll on Aang.

Suki placed her hand on Aang's shoulder and used her other to tilt his head to look at her.

"Aang… When Sokka left me, I felt the same way. It's a horrible feeling, but you have to get over it. You have to get over her, and I'm here to help," Suki said before pulling Aang into a hug.

"Thanks, Suki." He had a small smile now and was returning the hug.

Suki's stomach growled. "As much as I love the woods, I think it's time we get back. Come on, we can have dinner at your place!"

"Race you!" And with that, he was speeding off through the woods in the direction of the village.

"Hey! No fair!" Suki called as she trailed behind him.

Katara knocked on Suki's door. No Answer. She knocked again, this time harder. Still no answer. She was about to knock again until a certain bubbly Kyoshi Warrior cart wheeled her way up to Katara.

"Can I help-… Katara! I haven't seen you in years! How have you been?" The Kyoshi Warrior said as she pulled Katara into a tight over affectionate hug.

Katara made muffled sounds and shook violently.

"Oh, sorry Katara!"

Katara took in deep breaths due to the lack of oxygen from the hug. "Its okay, Ty Lee. I've been great. Um… Do you know where Suki is?"

Ty Lee was a bit disappointed to hear this, but didn't let it show. "I saw her run off into the woods earlier with the Avatar."

Katara got an annoyed look on her face when she heard this.

Ty Lee noticed and quickly said, "Well, if you're looking for something to do, you can always come by my house and talk with me and some of the other girls!"

Katara thought, what could it hurt? Then she replied, "Sure, why not."

Aang stuck his head through the open door and looked around; glad to see Katara was not in the house. He had forgotten all about her when he had so eagerly accepted Suki inviting herself into his house for dinner on the way back. Suki made her way into the kitchen and opened the cupboards.

"Wow, they stocked this place quick," she said as she pulled out different kinds of fruits and vegetables. "Salad okay with you, Aang?"

He didn't reply.

"Aang?" She turned from the cupboards but he wasn't in the kitchen. She shrugged. Suki heard some talking outside the window by the front door.

"No thanks, I'm fine really…."

"Are you sure, you can stay at my-…"

"GO HOME TY LEE!" And with that, Katara opened the door to find a ninja-mode Suki standing in front of her.

"Oh, it's just you Katara. Was that Ty Lee?" She asked pointing at the door.

"Yeah… She won't leave me alone ever since she found me knocking on your door." Katara's face quickly turned hostile. "Where the heck where you by the way? I couldn't find you or Aang today, and then Ty Lee tells me you both run off into the forest! I know he saw me arrive and I'm sure he told you! Seriously Suki, were you trying to avoid me?" Katara had a very unhappy look on her face, as if she were going to rip someone's head off.

Crap. I angered mommy water bender. Suki thought to herself as she slowly backed away.

Katara sighed. "I'm sorry Suki; I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just terrifying to be stuck with Ty Lee and her over active mouth. I answered enough of her questions tonight to where she could probably write my biography." Katara noticed the food bowls sitting in the kitchen and clutched her stomach. "Hey… are you making dinner?"

"Well you see…"

"Great! Glad you set out a bowl for be as well!"

Aang went over to his dresser and pulled out some more appropriate clothes before dinner. He was sure that it didn't look too good for him to be running around with Suki off into the woods only in his pants. As he pulled a light green shirt over his head he noticed something sitting on his dresser. A bag. He looked inside and found money, bandages, a few small biscuits and… a necklace. Aang's eyes widened with horror at the familiar smooth carving hanging on the dark blue silk lace. He bolted for the door and down the stairs.

"Suki I-…" He entered the kitchen to find a familiar and confused looking water bender looking at him, sitting across from a nervous Suki.

"Hello Aang," Katara said before returning to her salad, avoiding eye contact.

"H-hello Katara," Aang said nervously as he gulped and looked over at Suki, who was already making another bowl for Aang.

This is going to be a looooooong night. Aang thought to himself.