Chapter 2. Thrills of Embrace

Aang smiled while Katara continued her elegant, rhythmic bending. He could watch her all night. The little floating stream of water she played with moved in handsome patterns. She seperated the water into four impressive tendrils and they continued to dance around her lovely hands. He eyed her with facination as she finished her techniques. She suddenly removed her hairpin and let her gorgeous hair flow freely in the gentle breeze. She was captivating, like a fairy tale princess basking in the glowing light of the full moon as she stripped off her shirt...wait.

STRIPPED OFF HER SHIRT?!

Aang's jaw hit the dirt and his big grey eyes widened with great suprise. Katara's blue water tribe outfit fell delicately from her shoulders. Her bare back was almost completely exposed until she untied her white undershirt, letting it decend gently to her feet. She was now topless. Aang couldn't believe what he was seeing, yet here it was happening right in front of him! The young waterbender kicked off her shoes and unwound her belt, taking off her silk pants as well. She now wore nothing but her white under-shorts, her back was still facing him. "By the Spirits, is she attractive!" mumbled Aang incrediously. He couldn't help but notice her slender legs, her womanly curves, her dark mocha skin. Everything about this girl was just so flawless. Aang caught his breath in surprise as Katara jogged along the rocky shore, and dove like a swan into the glistening blue water.

"So this is what she does on a warm evening alone." Aang whispered to no one in particular. He sat there watching her dreamily. Hiding in the bushes while she swam in the sparkling lagoon. His heart pounded thrillingly. Then he began to feel guilty. She still didn't know he was there, what if she caught him sitting here like a great baffoon? Watching her like a bloody creep as she swam in the water half-naked? She certainly wouldn't approve of that, (and neither would Sokka, for that matter) but if he got up to leave now she would surely notice him!

Aang waited for a few moments, still concealed within the bushes. Katara toke a deep breath and dove straight under the water. Now was Aang's chance to get out of there. "You've had your fun, lover boy." he scolded himself. Scrambling out of the thorny bushes, he scurried away when he heard another splash behind him. He turned around and what he saw took his breath away.

Katara had emerged from beneath the lagoon's surface, throwing her soaking wet hair backward as she lifted her face skyward and gasped for air. The light of the full moon enhancing her radiant face. Aang's eyes got even wider as he stared at her in awe, rooted to the spot. Too facinated by the dazzling girl to even move an inch. To say she was beautiful, while accurate, was a severe understatement. Especially right now, with the dark skin of her soaking face glowing brilliantly in the moonlight. She looked like a goddess! The water around her churned excitedly as if it too was overjoyed by the presence of the stunningly beautiful young woman.

It was then he realized he had stood there far too long. Katara's sky blue eyes met with his misty grey ones and she gasped in horror. Her cheeks turned a bright scarlet and she immediately sank lower into the water, concealing her bare chest and feeling flustered. Only her head was visible.

"AANG?!" she cried out. "W-what are you doing here?! How long have you been standing there? I-I'm not wearing many clothes right now, you know!"

Aang felt so terrified as if he'd been caught by the Fire Lord himself. Much to his secret reluctance, he shielded his eyes to respect her privacy, even though he'd now completely tainted it.

"I-I'm so so so sorry, Katara!" he stammered, still covering his eyes. "I...I'll never do it again, I promise! I didn't see anything, really!" His words were true, he hadn't seen anything that she likely wouldn't want him to see. "I'll leave you alone right now, if you'd prefer!" He turned to leave as quickly as he could before he embarrassed himself even futher, but was stopped short when he heard her speak again.

"...Aang?" Katara said softly. Aang turned slowly to face her, determined to be mature and keep his composure steady.

Katara was staring at him, batting her lashes with her beady blue eyes. A mischevious smile peered at the corners of her lips. Aang stood frozen again, enamoured by her. She seemed to put a spell on him with those eyes of hers. He waited for her to continue.

"On second thought, do you...want to come and join me?" she asked, still smiling.

Aang couldn't believe what he had just heard. He felt his hands twitching slightly, but he snapped out of his trance and smiled back at her.

"I'd be happy to join you, Katara." he replied.