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Breaking the Promise

Chapter 7: A Moment to Ourselves

After further deliberation, it was agreed that the gang would split up. Sokka and Toph would go the Fire Nation to smooth the way with Mai in order for Aang to sit down and talk with Zuko. Meanwhile Aang and Katara would pay King Kuei a visit. Aang felt it necessary to reassure the Earth King that matters in Yu Dao were currently stable and that issues needed to be identified before they could be addressed. Somewhere, somehow, he would slip in the fact that the relocation of the colonists was on hold indefinitely.

The young couple watched from the window of the guest house as Sokka and Toph turned the corner on their way to her bending school. Toph had to make arrangements for her students to continue their training during her absence. No doubt they'd slack off without her vigilance to keep them on their toes. Therefore, school business came before the business of finding transportation to the Fire Nation Capitol Island. It went without say that Appa and Momo would remain with Aang.

"Alone." Aang whispered into Katara's hair as he embraced her from behind.

"Mmm." Her cheeks went pink. She leaned back against him. She liked the feel of him next to her, his breath on her. It made her feel special and wanted.

"We're alone, at least for now. I can't believe it. Sokka hasn't let us out of his sight if he could help it."

Katara giggled. "Guess he got caught up in things and forgot to set up booby traps or something."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," he teased. "I bet he talked Momo into keeping tabs on us."

Katara's laughter help dissolve all the tension which had built up since the whole mess began letting Aang momentarily forget about Zuko, Morishita, Kuei and the colonists. His thoughts were of Katara and only of Katara.

"We're in no hurry to see Kuei, are we?"

"Nah-uh."

He tightened his embrace and nuzzled against her hair. "Whatever shall we do with ourselves?"

"Mmm. I have an idea."

"Let's hear it."

"I'd rather show you," with that Katara turned to face her boyfriend and closed the space between them. She brought her lips to Aang's. Sweet and innocent took a turn for something else. Young and inexperienced, enthusiastic and in love, they were constantly pushing the envelope of that which they were comfortable with. So far it had amounted to holding hands, kissing, and snuggling. It would stall there because of her watchdog brother, not that either one of them was ready for anything else. Still, it felt good to be with each other not having to worry about being scared half to death by Sokka's sudden materialization, nor having to sit through lectures about propriety. Goodness knew what he and Suki had gotten up to before "touring with the Avatar," Sokka's own words, pried him away from her.

Dazed, Aang could only manage, "That was nice."

Katara laughed again. For the first time since her nightmare, she felt light and free. Being alone with her boyfriend made all the difference in the world.

At the moment, they were no longer the Avatar and the Waterbending Master who help defeat the Phoenix King and the put an end to the 100-year war. They were simply a boy and a girl experiencing their first love. It could be said that he fell in love with her the moment he opened his eyes, and she with him after she slowed down long enough to fully examine her feelings. The truth is that they were stealing looks at each other on and off during their adventures together. As he grew to know her, his crush developed into something more; and once she felt a spark it persisted despite her denial.

On occasion she would stop to think about her feelings for Aang. Sure she had a crush on Jet. He was a rogue, confident, and a natural leader. He was appealing in a very dangerous way. Then there was Zuko. Despite her hatred of all things Fire Nation, his confession about his mother soften her enough for her to really take a look at him. Underneath it all he was the complete opposite of Jet. He was unsure, hurt and lost. He too was appealing in a very dangerous way. There was also Haru. He wasn't dangerous at all. Maybe that is why she never felt an attraction to him. But above all there was Aang.

Aang didn't give her butterflies like the other boys did. He didn't make her feel nervous. He was different. She felt safe with him. Upon learning that he was the Avatar, she knew that she wanted to be with him. Not because of love, but to help him save the world. The thought of being with Aang did not enter her mind till after her session with Aunt Wu. Despite being a little kid and a monk, Aang continually proved be her ideals incarnate. Valiant, courageous, moral, intelligent and honorable. He was the hero the world was waiting for. He was the hero she was waiting for.

Their kiss deepened. A thrill so incredibly sensuous shot through Aang. His eyes flew open and he jumped back a step abruptly ending their kiss.

Startled, she asked, "Aang, what is it?"

"Uh. I. Uh." The words wouldn't come. He felt embarrassed. "I, uh, forgot to feed Appa. You know, so that he won't be hungry on the trip?"

"Aang?" It was obviously a forced lie and it began to worry her.

"Yeah, that's it." If he could convince himself, then maybe she'd buy it. Right, thought Aang, and if we asked pretty please Ozai would have said okay and given up.

"Aang!"

He looked like he wanted to get away fast.

"What is it?" The thought came unbidden and caused a landslide of doubt. Maybe he had changed his mind. Maybe he doesn't want to be with me. "Aang, is there something wrong? You know? With us?"

"No! How could you possibly think that?"

"Well, you just . . . the kiss . . . you broke it off like you were scared or something. Like you wanted to get away." The carefree feelings from moments ago seemed like ancient history. Her smile and laughter were gone. In their place was a frown, worry and the beginning of tears. It broke his heart.

"No, never! I just . . . I mean it was . . . Uh." He stuttered till he finally halted. What can I tell her? The kiss was so intense and you were driving me crazy so much so that I almost did something we both might regret? The look of sorrow and confusion on her face convinced him that he had to confess. "Katara, look. Just then, I . . . . Well, it sort of felt like Sokka was going to jump out at us again. Except he didn't because he's not here. If he was, I kind of think he would have ripped my head off, you know, for going too far. Then I thought that your father would show up with a hundred of his warriors, followed by Granpakku . . ."

"Don't call him that."

He ignored Katara's interjection and stumbled on, ". . . and I panicked."

He took a deep breath before he met Katara's eyes. To his surprise, they were sparkling, not with tears but with happiness.

"You felt it too?" she asked shyly.

"Oh yeah!" he admitted as his smile split his face.

She lowered her head in embarrassment then peered up at him. "We're too young for that."

"Oh, I know that." He looked at his feet as he pushed forward, "And when we do "do it," I kind of think we would, you know, be married." There I said it!

Katara's head snapped up, her eyes wide with wonder, her mouth a small "O." This is what airbending must be like. I'm flying!

"You want to get married?"

"Yeah. Someday. Someday soon. If you want to."

"Yes I want to!" She launched herself at him and held onto him tightly.

Laughter filled the guest house again. The two of them were absolutely giddy.

"Hungry?"

"A little."

"Come on. Let's see what Sokka left us."

A quick examination of the kitchen proved fruitless. "Empty." She called as she went through the cupboard. "Empty. Empty. Last, but not least. Oh my, what a surprise? Empty." Some things never change.

"I have an idea," said Aang as he pulled her into yet another embrace. Katara blushed. "No," he laughed. "It has to do with food."

"Oh," She blushed even harder. Their foreheads met and they shared another kiss.

"I was thinking that perhaps we should go the Jasmine Dragon for something to eat before we see King Kuei. What do you think?"

"I think that sounds wonderful!"


A/N:

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Wang Fire

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