A/N: You guys reviewed so incredibly fast; I was shocked and so happy. Also, I broke 800 visitors and 1,000 hits, so I'm happy that it's getting some people for a newer story. It seems like I'm frustrating a few people with Aang and Katara, though. :) Either way, here's the next chapter, because my philosophy is that the faster/more you review, the faster/more I write. Thanks again, and without further ado…
"Here, Avatar, you can see that Firebenders are hard at work melding metal scraps from old warships into framework for building, an idea proposed by Teo of the Northern Air Temple," General Jee introduced, leading Aang to the second to last spot in the day.
Katara nodded approvingly. In only a few weeks, they had managed to begin rebuilding the city, an impressive feat to be proud of.
The heat in the area was sweltering, but she could see the progress nonetheless.
"Kaishoo, bend the corner, won't ya?" a firebender shouted to another, and he grumbled back a reply.
"Now if you continue…" Jee trailed off, leading Katara and Aang over the crest of the hill, "you can see Earthbenders that are helping to build a public area here, since they finished roads yesterday."
It was a beautiful area, she had to admit, full of natural greenery that was being shifted with the earth under it, manipulated for pathways and bridges. Mounds of earth laid unused to the side, and she had to imagine that it would be breathtaking in its completion.
"Wow, it looks amazing," Aang said on a dramatic exhale. "Don't you think so?"
"It looks wonderful so far. Are those… are those water benders?"
A long, winding trench was being filled with water as a small river.
"Ah, yes. The Northern Water Tribe Embassy was received here in Republic City early this morning."
Two waterbenders, an older man, and a teenage boy, were struggling to control the tide of the water, and Katara sprinted down the hill, braid flying behind her.
"Can I help?" she called, voice carrying in the breeze.
They looked up in surprise, and she assumed a bending stance, allowing the water to flow gradually into the trench.
"Thank you, Master Katara," the man said, bowing respectfully. "Your skills with waterbending are even more impressive in person."
"Yes, you are," the other man said, eyeing her up. She raised an eyebrow at the dark-haired person. He looked to be a few years older than her, tall in stature, but standing in a way that ticked her off. He's too sure of himself. And by the way he was bending, he has no reason to be.
Katara amused herself with the thought as the older man smacked his head.
"I'm Pondu. This is my grandson, Karkof. Ignore his impudent behavior," the older man said.
Katara smiled in response as Aang caught up to her.
"Hey! I'm Aang," he said, waving politely.
"Of course, Avatar. It is an honor to meet you," Pondu replied, bowing even more dramatically.
"Please call me Aang," he insisted. "Is there anything else that you need help with here?"
"No, thank you, though. We have been graciously accepted into this pleasant town, and hope to make a home of it," Pondu said suavely.
Arnook made a good choice here. He's smooth, I'll give him that.
"As a matter of fact, there is something you may be able to help with, Katara and Av… Aang. The former Kaipho bathhouse needs to have water returned to it again. Karkof, could you aid the Avatar and the young lady?"
"Yeah, sure," he replied, eyes still on Katara. It unnerved her, but she ignored it. Maybe it was her mother's betrothal necklace.
"So who's your fiancee?" Karkof asked as the three of them traipsed toward the main cluster of Old Kaipho. Aha. So he had noticed it.
"No one," she replied. "It was my mother's."
"It must be this one," Aang cut in suddenly, floating to a nearby building with a picture of a faucet on the sign.
"Looks like it," Katara agreed, opening the door.
It swung open with an omniscient creek, floorboards creaking as she entered, Aang and Karkof behind her.
"Wow, this place isn't in too bad of shape," Aang said optimistically, and Katara had to agree.
There was a large mineral bath in the middle, probably ten paces across, filled a quarter of the way with greenish water, clear and beautiful. A crusty coating of minerals clung to the edges, a thin layer that had persevered the few years of disuse. The water no longer had any current, and the water was at a standstill.
"It looks like it recently was plugged up somewhere along the way," Karkof asserted, "or else this would be a disgusting little place to be."
"I can earthbend and try to get out whatever is in the way, and you two can pull down the mineral water as I do it," Aang contributed, sliding into a low squat and concentrating on the earth below him. There was a subtle shaking of the ground, then a rush of water through some underground tunnel.
Katara focused on the sound of the water, pinpointing it. With a twist of her arms, she slowed it down, and it poured into the pool
Placing on hand over the other, Aang exhaled and pushed them down, and the coating of minerals crumbled into a thousand pieces, then rose into a neat pile off to the side.
"Done!" Aang called, grinning at Katara. "Nice job."
"You're welcome," Karkof cut in dryly, and Aang turned to him, nervously rubbing his tattoos.
"Oh, thanks."
There was a rumble of earth outside the building, and Aang sighed. "I probably pulled out a support for the ground somewhere. I'll be right back. Stay here, okay?"
She nodded, hiking up her parka to sit on the edge of the mineral pool, feet dangling in the naturally warm water.
Karkoff slid down next to her, grinning.
"So if you're not engaged, you're single, right?"
Her mind inexorably wandered to the last few times she had been alone with Aang, and she glanced at Karkof's knowing smirk with distaste.
"I don't know."
"Well you're not dating someone. So you're single."
She shrugged, kicking the water around.
"See? You are single."
"Are you trying to get me to say something?" she snapped, irritated with his tone.
"Yeah. You're not taken, so maybe you should give me a shot. I'm a waterbender. Like you. I'm pretty powerful, you know," Karkof bragged, nudging her side.
Katara stopped herself from snorting. Him? Powerful? She could take him with her hands tied behind her back.
"Leave me alone," she quipped, scooting away from him. He followed her along the edge of the mineral pool.
"C'mon. You're not called for, so why not give me a chance?"
"Didn't I-"
"She is called for," Aang's voice rang out. She turned to see him, staff in hand, drift toward them and between Katara and Karkof, putting his arm around her waist. "Do you have an issue with that?"
"N-Not at all," he stuttered, and Katara couldn't help but to feel self-satisfied. That's right. Mess with the Avatar, I dare you.
Her mind caught up with her just a moment later. Did Aang just…
"I'm going to leave," Karkof said abruptly, standing up, clearly intimidated by Aang.
She waved, internally laughing at his discomfort. He deserved it. Creep.
"Peace and quiet," Aang sighed, arm still around her waist. She blushed as he pulled her closer to his side, and she was nestled up against him. Tucking her legs under her, she enjoyed the warmth of his body.
It felt right. It was an odd feeling, Katara knew it. It was foreign to feel so at peace, just by being near him. She was halfway across the world from the Southern Tribe, yet she could swear she was at home with Aang.
"Thank you for putting him in his place," she murmured. "A moment later and I would've had a water whip at the ready."
He laughed, pushing her away slightly to look at her face. "Yeah, I figured you would."
Silence reigned, and he just looked at her, eyes flicking to hers.
Ever so lightly, his other hand rose to her chin, tilting it up toward him. With the slightest smile, he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers.
Her arms encircled his neck, fingers working into his hair, and she felt like flying.
It had been so long, and she never wanted to let him go. He was heartbreakingly gentle, yet insistent as he kissed her, fingers softly trailing over her cheek. It drove her crazy, and she leaned into him, pulling him closer.
Her mouth parted with a sigh, and he deepened the kiss, the hand around her waist moving to the small of her back.
Aang finally pulled away with a grin. "I'm half expecting someone to burst in," he admitted with a laugh.
Katara threw her arms around him, smiling like a fool.
"Thank you, Aang."
A/N: See? I told you I love you! Anyway, that was for y'all reviewing so fast. I really hope you read A/Ns, because I usually put some interesting stuff in there. Also, feel free to ask questions in your reviews, I'll answer them here, maybe even spoilers if I feel obliging.
First things first, the next few chapters are going to be majorly fluff-filled, so watch out for that. I write angst a lot better than fluff, but I'll try my hand at it nonetheless.
Also, I read a lot of A:tLA fics (guilty of reading Zutara ones, don't shoot me) where the tension builds up for half the story. I feel like that's unnecessary for this story, since, hell, it's been two years, and they already know they like each other, they're not "fighting" anything.
Now it's just a matter of time and personality conflicts for mah babies to officially get together, which, I promise you, they will. Still, I must have angst in my stories, so be prepared.
Also, the rating might change to an M, I don't know how you guys all feel about any possibly changes in the rating, so let me know, please. :)
So please, review and ask me questions; I'll answer them. My goal is 4 REVIEWS before next chapter. I know you guys can do it (even you readers who don't favorite/review/anything, I love you too!)
Also, this is my longest one yet, at almost 2,000 words. Although a lot of that is probably this A/N, but anyway...
