Aang crept to Katara's room and knocked softly. When no answer came he opened it and peeked his head in. Still no Katara. She must still be water bending…it is a full moon out, Aang thought to himself. As he made his way over to the court yard where he left her he was again surprised to she wasn't there. He looked up at the full moon and felt Yue's loving pull. She wouldn't be at a small water source, she would be near a big one. He then went to look for Appa but didn't find him in his stall. Aang trucked back to his room, picked up his glider, and took off out the window. He flew around for a few minutes before he saw her on a small beach, striped down to her garments, waist deep in water. He blushed a little hoping that his resolve to not break her promise to Sokka would be possible. He looked over as he landed and saw Appa asleep on his back. He smiled at his oldest friend and his took off his robe and pants leaving him only in his trunks. He waded out near Katara and let his hands gently caress the top of water. The sound of the rolling waves muted and the piercing power of the moon muted out any thought that was passing through his head. He took a deep breath in savoring the smell of the salty sea.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Katara asked.

He glance over at her, "Not really no," he saw a small ice rose in her hand, "Been out here long?"

"Since you left yeah." She let the water flow back into the sea as she bended more over her head.

"So," he asked slowly with a slightly nervous twitch, "You want to bend together?"

"Sure, I did ask you to didn't I?"

"You did."

Katara smiled at him and began slowly pushing and pulling the water around her. Aang followed suit with his eyes glued to Katara. He wanted to ask her tonight but was getting more nervous by the second. Watching her body as she began more intricate and complex patterns made him want to be closer to her. One step at a time he began decreasing the distance between himself and his beloved. Katara had her eyes closed as she kept bending and was surprised when Aang's hands were suddenly on top of hers. She could feel his bare chest on her back and her breathing quickened. They began to move together. Aang kept his hands on top of Katara's as she moved them through the movements. He would bend his knees when she did, breath when she did. Katara felt after a moment that they had become one person as they moved. It wasn't until they had let the last of the water fall that she fully realized the intimate position they were in. When they lowered their arms Aang had wrapped them across her chest and he just held her. They swayed as the water gently moved their bodies and Katara leaned back to rest her head on his shoulder. Aang had brought his head down and began lightly kissing her neck and exposed shoulder. She sighed reveling in the softness of his kisses and his touch. She brought his right hand up with hers and down again tracing her fingers from the back of his neck to his chin. And they held each other, not wanting to break this perfect moment. Katara began to feel his heart beating faster when he turned her around and grabbed her hand leading her out of the water and onto the beach. He motioned for her to stop as he reached into his robe's pocket and clasped something in his hand.

Aang started shaking when he let go of Katara to get his stone. It took all of his strength to keep an outward calm appearance. When he stood back up he looked at Katara and was taken aback at the sight. The moon had illuminated her features giving her an angelic appearance. It brought tears to his eyes knowing that in a few moments this beloved woman, his angel, the one who had saved him countless of times from death and himself, this beauty was going to be his wife. Holding his stone over his heart he fell to his knees in front of Katara. He looked up at her, knowing there were tears flowing down his cheeks, and asked her,

"Katara, I know you're not quite 16 and that I have no right to be asking this of you this early, but I love you with all my heart and soul. I can't imagine where I would be without you or what I would do without you. Please do me the honor and be my wife…marry me Katara?"

She couldn't believe it. Aang was proposing to her. She wondered why he was crying but it become clear the moment he began talking. He opened his hands presenting her engagement necklace, or at least the stone part. She notice right away that there was no ribbon or chain with it, but that didn't matter. She got so caught up at seeing the most beautiful and precious present that she forgot to answer. She looked back at his eyes seeing that he was getting really nervous because she had stayed quiet.

"Yes Aang! Yes!" she practically screamed with excitement. A moment later Aang had her in his arms and spun her around the beach. He quickly bended the sand to prevent himself from falling but it didn't work. The force created from their spin sent them to the ground. Katara smothered him with tear stained kisses and he couldn't help but love it. She had said yes and nothing now or ever was going to keep them apart.

Katara propped herself up on his chest, "Can I see it again?"

"Of course it's yours now anyway."

She took it from his hand and turned so she could observe it in the moonlight. Fresh tears came to her eyes as she noticed how much time and how beautiful her own necklace was. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly against the darker blue water stone. Aang wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. He watched her admire his gift and was happy knowing she was happy. They were engaged and nothing could make him happier.

Back at the temple Aang and Katara were walking back from Appa's stable. Aang couldn't keep his eyes off her and she kept going back and forth between him and the stone. They stopped in front of her room reluctant to be apart from each other.

"Please stay with me?" she asked holding him.

"I don't want to ruin this night."

She looked up at him guessing his meaning and opened her door pulling him in with her. She set the stone down on the desk then wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him passionately. She was quite determined to make this night even more perfect; more perfect in her mind. Aang responded appropriately to Katara's kissing as he grabbed a handful of hair. He felt Katara begin to walk backwards in the direction of the bed. He moaned in frustration but unfortunately Katara took it as an ok. When her legs hit the edge she fell back pulling him with her. Aang would have knocked the wind out of her had he not sensed what she was doing and prepared for it.

"Katara…no, please." Between kisses.

"Why not? You want it and I want it we're now engaged and are going to be together forever. I don't really see a problem?" During her speech she had successfully untied his sash and taken off his robe giving her full access to his chest.

He shivered at her touch know that everything she said was true but he just couldn't get himself to do it, no matter how badly he wanted to. "What about Sokka?" he asked quickly.

She stopped, "What about him?"

"Your promise…or did you forget already?"

"I didn't forget I just chose to ignore it. Sibling do that all the time…"

"What forget?" a little confused.

"No choose to ignore them." She began kissing him again hoping she could distract him but Katara could tell that the mood was gone and not coming back. Aang had won again.

"Why do you insist on doing that?" she asked rather harshly, "We just spent a beautiful night together and you can't even be more…" she was trying to get the right word.

"Katara," he sighed heavily.

"Don't you want me? After all the rejection I'm beginning to wonder."

"Katara I want you more than you know. I want to be able to be with you fully and completely but I can't dishonor you like this. What we have is special and I can't ruin it." He took her hands in his and looked directly into her eyes. "I want our wedding night to be the most special night we spend together. If won't be as special if we do this now. Please understand that."

Katara tried to be strong as Aang's smoky eyes penetrated her own. She could his love for her and the sincerity as he spoke those words. Sometimes she just wished that he would lie to her so she could be mad about it but then that wouldn't be her Aang. Her Aang. My Aang. That thought brought a smile to her face and she bowed her head in acceptance.

"Can you at least stay and sleep with me tonight?" she asked sheepishly.

He giggled lightly picking her up then laid her down. He crawled in behind her with his back to the wall and draped his arm around her. She lifted her own hand and held his arm closer to her.

"I love you Aang." She breathed.

"I love you Katara."

Katara fell asleep smiling.

Azula breathed in the salty air as the pulled into a port. They were on the outskirts of the fire nation, but General Lee had informed her that this was temporary. They had to keep moving location in order to stay out of sight from the new Fire Lord and the Avatar. Azula was lucky to get into a warm bath when she arrived on the ship. There were two lady servants, who were probably just wives of the sailors but still servants to her, that helped her get clean and dressed in formal attire. She was their Fire Lord and she was going to look it. She had just finished breakfast when the call came that they were pulling into port.

As the boat was tethered to the dock a small group of 20 men lined the perimeter. Azula stood proud and she disembarked and walked directly ahead to the gathered generals.
"Fire Lord Azula. General Lee." They said in unison bowing.

"Let's get this started." She commanded and they escorted her to another General's tent.

She took her rightful position at the head of the table and General Lee began his account.

"The rescue went smoothly and we got rid of any witnesses or bodies. The sail went without any disturbances. Let us just hope that the rescue of our Supreme Chancellor Phoenix King Ozai will go just as smoothly as Fire Lord Azula's did."

He returned to his seat as the host, General Wei Fong, began his report.

"So far our numbers are steadily increasing. We have recruiters placed in every major and minor city subtly getting more to join our cause. All of our scouts have yet to return but there are rumors that have spread that your brother Prince Zuko is engaged to be married to the Lady Mai."

He paused as every turned to stare waiting for a response.

"She already betrayed me once. I'm not surprised to know that she has again." Azula's voice was plagued with bitterness and rage.

"Even so we must wait for our scouts at the royal palace to return to confirm so we can decide the next plan of action." General Wei Fong continued.

"Where is my father being kept?" Azula asked.

"In the Palace Prison."

"How many people does this resistance have?"

"Our numbers have just passed 100 my lady." Another general, Torin, replied.

"That's it!" Blue fire shot out of her hands singeing the sides of the tent. "What is wrong with these people? My father was wrongfully stripped of his title and demoralized and imprisoned and only 100 people are smart enough to realize that." She was on her feet just daring anyone to try and protest her actions.

"Fire Lord," said General Lee his voice a little strained, "Many people including Fire Nation citizens feel that the Avatar did them a service by dethroning the Phoenix King."

"Well then we need to expand our search to not just include the fire nation." She ranted still in a rage.

"None of the other nations will support our efforts to re-establish a once great and almost complete empire." Said General Wei Fong.

"I believe that your time in prison has clouded your mind on this issue." She gave a murderous stare to a general, who had yet to speak, and now she didn't want him to again. She unleashed a current of lightening that penetrated the general's heart.

"Does anyone else dare to challenge me?" She was frozen in position with smoking fingers as she glared around the room. Each of the remaining generals had their heads bowed, none willing to speak for fear of death. The tent began to stink with burnt flesh and cloth. Azula eyed to guard standing in the back.

"Take this lump of filth out of here and throw it in the sea." Azula returned to her seat as the guards carried out her bidding. Silence engulfed the room as they waited for her anger to dwindle. Before anyone could say another word she spoke slowly and intricately,

"I want you to find anyone who, after the war, was left impoverished or imprisoned because of my despicable brother and his toy Avatar. And if we still don't have enough then we will find them and kill begin killing their families until they swear loyalty to me." Her hands were shaking with rage as she spoke her commands.

"Yes my lady." Each general bowed in respect as they filed out of the tent. Azula stood head held high with revenge burning in her heart and insanity dancing on the edge of her mind.

Aang woke up with empty arms and the sun was beginning his journey in the sky. He got up and made his way over to the kitchen that was bubbling with life. Katara caught his eye while serving Toph a bowl of oatmeal and gave him a big smile. Aang walked straight up to her and planted his good morning kiss.

"Ok seriously I didn't want to start my day out seeing my sister make out with her boyfriend." Said Sokka annoyed.

"Well…she's not technically my girlfriend…" Said Aang.

Everybody stopped eating and looked at both of them. Suki and Sokka's eyes went straight for Katara's neck.

"Aang proposed to me last night!" Katara was a lot more enthusiastic when she spoke.

"WHAT!" Sokka's eyes got huge and began to walk over to Katara when Suki stopped him.

"Wait shouldn't you have made her a necklace?" she asked.

"Well I made the stone but I don't have any ribbon for it yet. I'm going to buy one in the next town we go to."

"Well you just had to go and ruin everything for me didn't you…" Sokka began pouting when Aang asked,

"What's the matter? I thought you were ok with me marrying her."

"I am…" Still bitter.

"Wait you asked Sokka! When?" Katara voice got higher with the last question.

"After my first metal bending lesson. Don't worry I asked your father too at the ball when you were easily distracted." Aang smiled down at her and kissed her hand.

"You have been planning on asking me for almost month…" She looked at Aang in awe and disbelief.

"Well actually a lot longer but I got serious about it after the war." He answered her so nonchalantly that he didn't expect her reaction.

"Since when did you decide that you were going to marry me?" She was on her feet with her hands on her hips.

"Well it wasn't a huge decision it was kinda already decided for you…"

"So I was pre-picked for you!" She was officially screaming now.

"I'm sorry I listened in when you had your fortune told to you and I just assumed it was me." Aang said in a rush.

That stopped Katara dead in her tracks. "You eavesdropped on me?" She now had a slight smirk on her face as she folded her arms.

"So it wasn't a potty break after all was it?" Sokka interjected.

"No, when you said that they were talking about love and babies I just couldn't help myself. I had a serious crush on you and I'm sorry I shouldn't have but…" Aang kept stammering until Katara put a finger to his lips.

"I'm not mad I actually find it kinda cute." She smiled.

"Cute? I'm confused a minute ago you were yelling at me because I did eavesdrop on you?" Aang ws leaning back away from her but started straightening.

"Well yeah…you obviously cared enough to take that little piece of information and make it a reality. You juse made my fortune and my dream come true." With that Katara kissed Aang.

"Well that still doesn't make your announcement any less ruined for me." Complained Sokka.

"What? What is so important that we ruined?" Katara was now bitter towards Sokka instead of Aang.

"Well Suki and I were going to announce that we were engaged but since you said it first you took all the fun out of it." Sokka turned back towards them as Suki put on Katara's old necklace.

"Oh my goodness, congratulations you two!" Katara instantly sprung forward and wrapped her arms around Sokka's neck and then Suki's.

"You know, this has probably been the most eventful and hysterical morning we have had in a long time." Commented Toph and she punched both Suki and Sokka in the arm.

"Well you know you still hadn't congratulated us." Said Aang.

"Well technically you're not even allowed to ask for another week." Sokka was determined not to ruin his moment.

"Oh you big baby, they are getting married just stop being stubborn and give sugar queen a hug." Commanded Toph.

Katara looked expectantly at her brother and when he still didn't move she started tapping her foot.

"Oh Sokka come on we can share something special." Suki got up and gave both Aang and Katara a hug.

After one last huff Sokka slumped his shoulders and gave in.

"Ok now that we're all wide awake and super excited let's go through the giant library!" Aang was excited to get to work.

"Is there a giant owl down there that wants to kill us?" Sokka asked sarcastically.

"Nope we're clear but there are so many scrolls that I don't think we will be able to get through it all today and we have to leave tomorrow."

"Well let's just take some of them with us and you can read in your spare flying time." Suggested Katara.

"I like that idea as long as we don't lose anything. This is all I have left and I want to preserve it."

"Well if you guys are going to be busy doing seeing people things then what am I supposed to do?" Ask Toph.

"Hmmm, you could come with us and provide sarcastic remarks." Said Katara.

"Hey I thought that was supposed to be my job." Sokka felt slightly hurt that he couldn't fulfill his usual post.

"We're going to need you to read and if you feel so inclined you may also make sarcastic remarks." Katara said sarcastically.

Aang and Katara re-enetered the sanctuary followed by the gang which gasped at the amount of scrolls that had survived the fire nation raid.

"So it's one big room not like we haven't seen that before." Toph made a nice little earthen chair and settled herself into it.

"Ok we don't need to go through the philosophies, although I wouldn't mind reading some, but I mainly want to focus on histories/traditions and techniques. Maybe there are some things that I hadn't learned to do yet." Aang began pulling some scrolls and opening them.

"But you've already mastered your element, what more is there to learn?" Asked Sokka.

"Just because I'm declared a master doesn't mean that there isn't more to learn. You never stop learning." Aang got a little defensive.

"Ok I was just making an observation." Sokka raised his hands in defeat.

Aang buried his head in different scrolls on technique while Sokka, Suki, and Katara browsed through the history.

"Hey look at this!" Exclaimed Suki, "I found marriage rituals!"

"Let me see that!" Katara snatched it out of her hands.

Aang bent his head over Katara's shoulder so they could read it together.

"Wow looks like it starts all the way back at courtship. I think this is one we need to take with us." Said Katara.

"Good idea." Said Aang kissing the top of her head.

They continued until late in the afternoon.

"Ok we need to stop I think we have done enough." Said Katara.

"Finally." Sokka fell to the floor with his legs and hands out-stretched.

"Now that looks comfortable." Suki climbed on top of him and kissed his forehead.

"Ok none of that around me!" Exclaimed Toph.

"You can't even see." Complained Sokka.

Just then Toph smacked her foot on the ground pushing Sokka up and Suki slid down until her face was right between his legs. They both blushed a dark red.

"I can see everything remember. Where there is earth there are Toph's eyes." She said.

"Ok that's really creepy." Comment Sokka.

"Yeah tell me about it, you two are really annoying."

"Hey we don't do anything and why are you spying on us anyway?" Suki sat up and straightened out her clothing as Sokka continued to argue with Toph.

"I'm not spying. I just wish you guys would find some non-earth to do what ever it is you do." She got up and started walking out.

Sokka and Suki followed suit but Katara walked over to Aang who still had his nose in a scroll.

"That must be really good for you to ignore that whole encounter." She commented.

"Huh? Oh yeah this is great stuff. It teaches how to extract air from fire and water." Said Aang excitedly.

"Really, now that does sound interesting." Katara leaned over to read what he was reading.

"That looks really hard not to mention the concentration it would take to do that."

"I know but it's so worth trying. Not only could I bend the element naturally but I could take it away from someone without being seen or without them knowing I'm the Avatar!"

"Um everyone knows what you look like so it's kinda hard to not be known as the Avatar." Said Katara.

"True but still isn't this just cool. I wish the monk's had taught me this beforehand and I might not have needed to learn the other elements."

"No you still would have needed to learn them, see it only shows fire and water not earth. And besides it could probably take more time to take the air out of something than it would be to just bend it away."

"You're right but I'm going to take this with me so I can try it." Aang smiled at Katara as she bent down to kiss him.