Unfortunately, I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender. It belongs to Nickelodeon and its original creators.
A low rumble of thunder woke the airbender from his slumber. He slowly opened his tired eyes to find himself lying within the lap of Katara. He raised his head and found Katara's lazy eyes slowly rising and falling desperately desiring the need for sleep. Her breathing was almost like a faint snore.
"Katara?" Aang said rising to his feet. "How long have you been up?" He reached out his hand to help her to her feet but she was even too weak to grab it.
"All night I suppose…I told you, I won't rest knowing the fire nation can still…still…still find us." Katara said in a drown voice.
"But you look so tired."
"I am, I am, but…" Her eyes closed for a minute before popping open quickly. "But I won't rest. I can't rest." Katara looked up at her husband and slowly raised her unbroken arm. "I'll be fine though."
"Look at you; you have been up for 2 days straight. You are not ok." Aang grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. She rose to her feet but wobbled all over the place while holding her head. Aang rushed to her side to help steady her balance. "Come on, you should rest."
"No, no, I'm fine. Really I-I can…" Katara closed her eyes once more before opening them fast. "Last…" She finished. "Besides, that ground was getting awfully uncomfortable anyway." Aang swung her arm around his neck, offering help back to Appa who still lay on the beach. "Aang, I can walk. Really, you don't need to help me." Aang was still unsure, but respected her request. He stayed not far from her side though.
"Ok, we are almost there…" All of a sudden, Aang was interrupted by a large thud. "Huh? Katara!" Aang gasped. Katara had fallen to the ground snoring away. Aang ran to her side and laid her on his lap. He sat for a few minutes listening and laughing at what Katara was mumbling in her sleep.
"Mmm…mom your s-sooooo funny. S-Sokka issss n oaf…" Katara slurred every word. "Oh, my arm. Aang h-h-how could you let that happen…." She groaned grabbing for her arm, but grabbed Aang's instead. Aang was shocked at this statement. He was so upset of himself to have his own wife blame that on him. It was his fault after all. He saw a small tear escape from Katara's small blue eyes. His eyes glistened as well but he wasn't crying. He held her close not wanting to let her go. Next thing he knew a large flash of lightning filled the sky and Katara jumped up from her slumber.
"What!?" She yelped. "Ah!" She screamed noticing her broken arm swing back and hit the hard surface of a tree trunk. Aang scooped up the still tired and in pain woman from her soar feet and ran off into the forest in search of some shelter. He spotted a small cave suitable for Appa, Momo, himself and Katara. He reached into his pocket and summoned Appa and Momo with the bison whistle. A few seconds later, a large thud was heard from outside the cave, and Appa walked in with Momo in his sattle. Aang laid Katara down on the sandy surface of the small and dense cave. He noticed Katara's heavy breathing and tension in her spine. Her arm twitched from when she banged it on the tree. He also noticed a gush of tears falling from her face. He laid down next to her trying to comfort her.
"Yeah, I really don't like thunderstorms either." Aang said as he cuddled up into her holding her close. About 10 minutes passed and Aang watched Katara as she settled down. Her tense body became loose once more and her heavy breathing slowed. Her tears still fell but not for the fears, but for her and Aang, and the pain in her arm. Aang still held her close and felt her shiver. "You cold?"
"J-just a l-little, b-but I'll be fine." She replied. Aang smiled at her and stood to his feet. He waved his hands and created a wall of rock to shield them from the chilling wind. Katara sat up a small bit. "Thanks." Aang smiled and lit a small fire from the many twigs he found around. Appa grunted and Momo squeaked. Katara went back to sleep. Aang sat by the fire poking it and listening once again to Katara speak in her sleep.
"D-d-don't go…I-I-I love you…" Katara moaned and cried in her sleep. "Please, I'm all alone…Aang…" Her speech was pretty slurred but Aang could understand all of it. After he heard his name, he was saddened to know how her dreams tormented her. Aang watched her toss and turn uncomfortably, so he scooted over to her and held her so gently in his lap. He stroked her face trying to calm her down.
"I'm not going anywhere." He whispered. She finally snuggled up into Aang's lap and stopped speaking. Her tears stopped falling as well. Aang grabbed hold of her broken arm and stroked it ever so gently. "Katara…" Aang started, "I'm sorry." He felt a small tear escape from the corner of his eye.
-----------------------------------------FEW HOURS LATER---------------------------------------
The rain pounded on the rocky surface of the cave outside. Thunder and lighting ruled the sky but never entered the small cave because of the wall Aang had created. Katara woke from her deep slumber with her face soaked with tears. "Aang?" She questioned as she sat up. Aang was sitting still poking at the fire.
"You know what bothers me?"
"What are you talking about?" Katara questioned.
"You were talking in your sleep. You were talking about our whole adventure out here. You were talking about me." Aang placed down the stick and looked at Katara.
"I-I was?"
"You were saying how your broken arm was my fault. How you felt so alone whenever I'm not there. Is that true Katara?" She was shocked at this, knowing the whole thing was far from the truth.
"Of course not Aang. This broken arm was just a freak accident. And when your body isn't there standing beside me, I don't feel alone. You want to know why?"
"Why?" Aang asked. Katara walked over to him and sat next to him. She grabbed his hands in hers and faced him, starring so passionately. "Because I know you will always be in here." She brought his hand to her heart and smiled softly. He starred back at her and smiled before leaning in slowly for a kiss. She took note of this and leaned in as well. Their lips met as they both kissed for the longest time. Aang broke the kiss and grabbed her hand, laying hers on top of his.
"And you will always be in mine." Aang smiled and Katara latched onto his lips again wiping the tears of joy from her eyes.
After a long while of kissing, they both found themselves lying on the ground next to each another, fingers entangled with one another's.
"Even though all the bad luck we have had the past few days, I still consider this time alone with you the best time of my life. And I will never forget it." Katara spoke.
"Yeah, all the bad luck…" Aang frowned. Katara leaned over and placed her leg over his.
"That's what bothers me."
"What?"
"To know you will never let go of blaming yourself."
"But, I am to blame."
"No you're not. Your mind may say you are, but in your heart you know your not. But in both my mind and heart I know for a fact all of these past events were just part of life. Life isn't all lolly pops and gum drops Aang, life comes with challenges and tragedies we much over come. Like the past few days for example." Katara stroked Aang's face.
"I don't know." Katara heard this and frowned.
"Well just try to let it go, for me? Please?" Katara pleaded. Aang saw the sadness and concern in her eyes.
"Ok…I'll try." He let go a small smile and pecked her on the check ever so lightly. They continued to lye on the ground silently. They would glance over and smile at one another just to be thankful they were together.
TO BE CONTINUED…