Takes place in an AU. It's Katara's sixteenth and the gang has something planned for her...

Katara took a quick glance at her watch as she ran back home, her braid whipping through the air behind her. Oh no... I'm late! she thought as she pounded down the sidewalk. It was her sixteenth birthday today and Sokka had said he was going to take her out for dinner. Sokka rarely did anything so thoughtful. Usually he would just buy a cheap card from the convenient store down the road and toss it into her lap when he got home. She wasn't going to be late on the day where he actually planned to do something special.

Stupid English teacher. Katara thought fiercely. Of all the days he had to keep me back and give me a lecture.

She gave a sigh of relief as her house came into view and with a final burst of speed, she ran to the front door. Panting heavily, she fumbled around for her keys and finally got the door open. She quickly walked in and called out, 'I'm home!' only to be greeted by a eerie silence.

Katara dropped her bag by the door and wandered into the house. 'Sokka? You there?' No answer.

There was rustling behind her. She whipped around. A shadow moved before it melted into the darkness that surrounded her. 'Who's there.' she asked. There was a peculiar prickling sensation on her neck, like there was someone watching her. She felt cold even though the sun was still shining in through the windows, its warm fingers brushing across her mocha cheeks. The air seemed to gain a sticky, congealed quality as her eyes darted apprehensively around, trying to find that someone. Gentle footfalls behind her. Katara spun around but there was no one there. 'Who's there?' she repeated loudly, her hands raised defensively.

Suddenly, the lights came on and voices cried out in unison, 'Surprise!' Her friends and brother sprang out from their various hiding places, behind couches, curtains and doors. 'Happy Birthday!'

Btw, the next story will be C for Content. Thanks for the idea Nerf-or-Nothing! It's gonna be a Tokka story, just for you!

Have a great day ya'll!

Dawnnoondusk