Chapter 4: Set and Ready

Disclaimer: Again, for what won't be the last time, I don't own Avatar. Teenagers just don't own that stuff.

Katara glided through the opened door of the Gaang's house with Aang at her side, smiling like Yue had just blessed her soul. She moved quickly and gracefully to the kitchen, where Sokka and Toph were sitting. This seemed oddly familiar... fortunately they weren't playing cards.

"You're back late." Sokka looked up from the oak table and glared at Katara and Aang suspiciously. "What were you two doing?" He had predicted Katara would blow up and tell him to keep his nose out of her life, however, she merely smiled warmly at him.

"While you were dreaming about the fearsome monkeybear, Aang and I were out having tea. He bought me this," with those hurried words, Katara pulled a brown paper bag from next to her feet up onto the kitchen table. She slid the silky dress out of the bag, watching Aang's expression closely.

Sokka blinked a few times and watched Katara watch Aang. What the hell, why was Aang buying Katara an expensive dress?

"What is it?" Toph asked quietly, feeling very useless for comments. Katara moved the silk dress into Toph reach. Toph stroked it slightly, a grin blossoming on her pale face.

"What, is it a wedding dress?" Aang and Katara colored.

"No, it's blue, and not that formal. It's perfect for dancing," Katara watched Toph's expression change from a grin to skeptical look Katara had never seen on Toph's face.

"So Aang and you are going on a date?"

"No, Katara is too young to date," Sokka said, would-be authority in his fake-macho voice.

"Sokka, I'm how old?" Katara glared at him. "And if we'd been raised like normal kids, I would be married by now." Aang seemed to have gotten into a coughing fit after the words left Katara's lips. He coughed and hacked for another couple seconds before taking in a deep breath.

"Swallowed a fly," he croaked. Toph cackled, looking very amused.

"Oh sure, a fly..." she grinned. "Katara, when you say dancing..."

"I mean, there's a dance, I want to go, and I would love for you three to come." Katara glared around at the uncomfortable faces.

"Katara... I'm blind."

"I have two left feet!"

"I...I..." Aang stuttered. "I'll come." Sokka and Toph both looked at Aang angrily. Katara smiled at him, beaming as she did so.

"Thank you Aang!" She quickly pulled him into a hug. When she pulled away, they were both blushing like mad. Sokka could only sigh helplessly.

"I'm not going, but you two have the time of your lives." Sokka eyed Toph. Katara and Aang would be out dancing, leaving them alone in an empty house... again. He couldn't stand how she never seemed to open up, and all she could do was make sarcastic comments and abuse him. What did that leave him? A painful evening with new bruises and a grumpy mood.

Then again, the pain was different. Like a starving man eating a rotten apple, he felt good while he ate it, even though later on the apple would leave his stomach in knots.

"I'm staying here," Toph muttered, breaking Sokka out of his trance. Katara and Aang looked at each other wearily.

"Soo it's a date?" Aang asked, freezing as soon as he said the words. I didn't mean them like that! I didn't mean them like that!

Katara felt butterflies soar high inside her as she opened her mouth to respond. She half expected a swarm of butterflies to come out.

"Yeah... It's a date!"

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Katara stroked the silky dress absently as she watched the sun set from her bedroom. The sky was on fire, bursting with pinks, yellows, and reds. Despite the breath taking scene, Katara's mind was a across the hall, where Aang slept.

I wish I could just... kiss him, a kiss that would explain it all, without even having to say a word.

A light chortling sound came from her door. Katara spun around quickly, almost dropping her dress. She frowned in disappointment. It was only Momo.

"Hey Momo," Katara said softly, stowing her dress in the paper bag by her cot. Momo scurried forward so Katara could stroke him behind his abnormally large ears. "What do you think?" She pulled the dress out for the lemur to see and dropped back in. Momo chortled with enthusiasm.

Katara giggled and stroked his head. "I like it too," she whispered. Momo quickly scurried to Katara's bag and pulled out a mango. He bit in and chewed quickly. "Do you think Aang will like me in the dress?" Katara whispered, lying back on her cot. Again, only a chortling response.

Aang smiled to himself in the hallway before sliding back to his own room.

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Not that long, but I got the job done!

Next chapter might be the dance, Idk yet. Ideas and complaints, congrads or flames, just review please and make my day!

-Lady Wolfy