I had a nasty case of writers block and I just decided, writer's block or not this chapter was getting updated!

Sadly, this is the last installment to Katara's birthday and let me tell you this is my favorite chapter yet, and it's the longest. So buckle up for some intense Kataang because it's coming.

Oh, and I'd also like to discuss an important matter about timing here. I understand the lines "I can't believe a year ago…." that Zuko and Aang made in the finale confused some people into thinking that a year had already passed up till that moment but I would just like to shed my view on that. Just because they say a year ago doesn't mean that this was a year's worth of time after the finale battle. Everyone knows that the show only covers from winter to summer (leaving out the season of fall) so if you want to get technical a year ago (or in the previous winter or fall or summer or spring) Zuko was still searching for Aang and Aang was in the iceberg. I just feel that for that particular line they were referring to an off show start time which was in fact in the range of a year ago. So just to make things less wordy I just think that the span of the show (including this story so far) has not reached a full year yet……that's just my thoughts though, I'll let you conclude you own opinions.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar

Chapter Eleven: Starlit Desires—Katara's Birthday, Part Three

Aang cried a good long time before finally ceasing his tears and looked around to check to see if they were still in the museum, as they were. But he wouldn't make eye contact with Katara. He felt slightly ashamed of keeping her there for all this time just because some old feelings were brought to the forefront. But he was forced to look into her eyes when she lifted his head to wipe the dried tears off his face.

"I'm sorry," Aang repeated, for the millionth time it seemed but she just smiled fondly at his and kissed his cheek in which a last tear fell.

"Aang, I told you not to be sorry." She reminded stood them both up gently. "I think we've over stayed our welcome here, plus I'm starting to get a little hungry." Aang's mind officially snapped and he began walking down the hall, Katara quickly following.

"So, um, are we leaving now?" Katara asked when they were right back to where they began when first entering the museum.

"Yep, we have two more things to do before the days over."

"Have you enjoyed the museum?" The doorman asked before they went to the stables to find Appa. They agreed, bowed, and smiled then went to find their mode of transportation.

"Thank you, that was wonderful." Katara thanked respectfully to her boyfriend and kissed his cheek. She decided not to put herself through what she went through last time they were flying so she just joined him on Appa's head this time, not that Aang minded; he actually enjoyed putting his arm around her for a while.

"It's no big deal Katara, really. I mean I am your boyfriend I'd be surprised if I didn't do something like this." Katara just leaned closer to him; nuzzling lightly.

"Uh, Katara," Aang said what seemed like hours later but in reality was just a few timeless moments.

"Mm?"

"Uh, do you think it's going to be weird between us now?" Katara shot up at his words, for some reason they cut like a knife to her heart.

"What do you mean?" She said quietly; still trying to be calm about the matter.

"Well, we both can't avoid the fact that we're three years apart now, isn't that uncomfortable for you? You know, dating a twelve year old?" He looked away even loosening his grip on her. Silently, he was punishing himself for bringing this up today of all days but it just slipped out unconsciously. Katara's face turned serious; a tight frown on her lips and immediately Aang regretted the thought ever entering his little head.

"Is that what you think?" She asked dryly. She didn't seem very amused or even worried, but yet not mad either.

"Well, no," Aang hurried up and responded, he knew that saying "no" was what she wanted to hear but it wasn't what he originally wanted to say. "Uh, yes," he corrected. Katara still didn't look at him, her face unfazed.

"Aang I love you," she started simply and reached over to grab his hand. "More than you'll ever know, but if you think that I wouldn't want to date you just because we're three years apart than-" Aang silenced her, pulling her into a tight hug. He would've kissed her but his brain told him it would've been pushing it. Katara didn't hug back, though, she just rested her head on his shoulder heavily; her hands drumming on his knees idly, as if she were waiting for something.

"Katara?" he whispered into her ear, the warm contact making her shiver slightly.

"Why would you think that Aang? Why would you think for one second that I would do something that stupid for such a stupid reason?" Her tone was still dry but a hint of sorrow cracked lightly from her voice as well. This only made Aang hug her closer.

"I-I don't know, I wasn't thinking, I just guess that was what most girls would-"

"If you haven't noticed, Aang, I'm not most girls. I'll take our relationship just as seriously as I would if you were the one who was older. But personally I love you just the way you are." Her voice was eliciting happiness now and she pulled back enough just to look at him. He looked happy enough but there was still some doubt in his eyes but Katara decided to push this topic any further. After a quick make-up peck they were back into silence; just enjoying each other's company after their recent spat.

Though, during this silence it gave Katara some time to think what Aang had just commented on. Katara had never really taken a second thought to the fact that she and Aang would be three years apart until Mai, Suki, and Toph mentioned it; it didn't really seem like a big deal to her but maybe it was because her naïve love for him was blinding the obvious. Now that she thought of it a fifteen year old girl dating a twelve year old was a little odd from plains sight. She looked over at him, the sun was beginning to set and the first hues were coming from the clouds which somehow glowed over Aang in a light perfect for her observation. He had certainly grown from the childish person he was when he came back into this world, but enough so that his personality still gleamed with a child-like exterior. But that itself was the reason she was so in love with him. It was something about his balance of maturity with playfulness that was refreshing and made her feel the closure that they could have fun and be serious when the occasion called for it. He understood deep love enough to give it back to her in such a strong surge and had the ability to cheer her up in a giddy yet understanding way. There was no doubt he wasn't like other twelve year olds but still the fact that he was twelve rubbed everyone who see told the wrong way and for the moment it made her twitch a little. To think of what it looked like that a fifteen year old was kissing and lusting over a small boy…….

"Is something wrong?" Aang asked and tightened his grip around her waist. Katara just gasped, though, at her first realization of how much his voice had changed. It had gotten so much deeper than when they had first met in the South Pole. It still had its younger undertone but the main octave was a slightly deeper and more soothing tone that made her shiver even more at the thought of him whispering something into her ear now that she realized the change. Maybe this was why she had such a strange feeling when she greeted her in her bed?

"Ah, no not really," she responded. It wasn't a total lie.

"Oh, it just looked like you were really deep in thought about something."

"I was just thinking about you, what you said and all."

"I'm really sorry Katara" he apologized softly and she felt his hands scrunch her dress a little in nervousness. "I know I must've worried you."

"Forget it Aang, it was something that most, or really, any person would worry about. I just want you to know nothing like that will ever come between us." She had just released all she had been thinking with the end of the conversation, all of her uneven thoughts were smoothed. She loved Aang too much to let a three year difference of the thoughts of others cloud her judgment.

They were in love and that was enough. And as for her new found realization in Aang's growth she would just have to let that take its own natural course. But for some reason she felt that was going to be harder than she thought.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Their next stop was a small restaurant, it was out in the middle of a newly established all nations village—these villages were fairly experimental—so Katara was especially excited.

"Wait here," Aang noted and jumped off Appa after they landed which Katara found a little odd since they were eating there. When he returned, though, he had fives wooden boxes, probably filled with food, and sat back down on Appa's head.

"Uh, am I missing something?" Katara asked when Aang grabbed the reins to continue flying.

"I don't know are you?"

"It's just aren't we supposed to be eating inside the restaurant?"

"Oh, well you see I kind of had something else planned for dinner, but we just needed the food. I hope that's okay."

"No, no it's fine. What do you have planned?"

"Oh," Aang placed a careful finger over her lips. "That's a secret until we get there." Katara felt a blush creeping up but controlled her body temperature enough to let it cease before commencing, even with Aang's warm finger over her mouth.

It was only after another long period of flying that Katara wondered where exactly they were going again.

"I hate to sound pushy," she started. "But are we almost there?" It was twilight outside and the moon was beginning to rise. Also not to mention Katara was getting very hungry.

"Why don't you tell me?" He pointed to the sky above and Katara gasped at the autumn lights gleaming in the sky. It was always the same for the beginning of every season, an aurora appeared in the sky.

"Oh," Katara placed her hands firmly over her mouth and leaned unconsciously against Aang. "It's amazing I almost forgot about the autumn lights this year."

"I thought you'd like them." Aang placed an arm around her shoulders and his head over hers; placing a small kiss there. The perfect moment was interrupted, though, from Katara's growling stomach.

"I guess I'm hungrier than I thought. Sorry." She blushed in embarrassment and patted her stomach.

"It's okay, I shouldn't have made you wait this long to eat. I guess I just wanted the scenery." He pulled out the boxes again and feed Appa some lettuce so he could have energy to stay upright for all that time. Aang made a mental note to thank Appa later for all the work he was doing that day.

The dinner Aang had brought consisted of more of Katara's favorites. Some soup noodles and a boiled egg, a lotus seed bun, and peach buns for dessert. Most of the food in the dinner was more of Katara's newly favorite foods that she had come to like over the course of their traveling.

"Are you full?" Aang asked when he was done and Katara was still chomping down on her seventh peach bun.

"Hmm?" Katara raised her head and Aang chuckled lightly at the icing all around her mouth. "What?"

"You have a little-" he twirled his finger around to accent the icing but Katara just gave him a blank stare so he leaned in closer to her and kissed her peach flavored mouth then wiped the remaining icing off with his thumbs. Down below was a calm ocean, the waves making a lovely harmony perfect for the occasion. Katara suddenly smiled at an idea that entered her mind.

"You know, we never did get to go dancing." She finally looked over at him and he was smiling devilishly at her idea.

"Thought you'd never ask." He stood on the bison's head and climbed into the saddle, extending his hand towards Katara's. "Take my hand," he gently commanded, remembering how he had used the same line the first time they danced together. Katara didn't oppose this time, though, confidently taking his hand and letting herself become swept away in calm of his warm hands firmly on her waist, his breath whispering lightly in her ear, and the waves creating their twilight song.

"Isn't this perfect?" Katara sighed sometime later, feeling a little weird asking something as obvious as that.

"Well, it really doesn't matter what I think. I mean it is your birthday." Aang looked up at her slightly to see her face still awaiting an answer. "But, yes, it is perfect." They both relaxed into each other; coming out of the traditional dancing position. "Just like I planned."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Okay, how many things can you possibly have planned for one day?" Katara asked in a mock-annoyance. Despite the extreme lateness she was just as awake as she would be during the day, probably because of all the dancing they did.

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "This is the last stop I promise."

"Well, where? Or is this a secret as well?" She touched her cheek to his; coaxing him to just tell her.

"No, we're going to mosque."

"A mosque? Why a mosque?"

"Well, I thought we could go star gazing in the tower." He saw Katara glow at the mention of star gazing, even so far as when he had first met her she loved to watch the stars so he concluded she had been doing that even in the Southern Water Tribe.

"Oh look," He called when he saw the tower of the mosque peak over the land curve. "We're here, I made sure that we flew close enough to this place when we were watching the autumn aurora." He landed Appa once more and the bison collapsed after Aang and Katara jumped off.

"Thanks buddy, you've done good today." Aang told his friends and patted his nose.

"I feel so bad Appa still has to make the trip back home tonight."

"Well, actually I was thinking we could just, uh, spend the night here." He blushed at what he said probably sounded like and Katara's blank face didn't help.

"Oh," she said simply and curled her hand over his mouth to hide her approaching smile.

"U-unless that makes you feel uncomfortable than we can totally go back home, I understand." He was waving his hands back and forth in a gesture that made Katara giggle; she grabbed his hand.

"Has anyone ever told you you worry way too much about things?"

"Well, when someone has a girlfriend as beautiful and amazing as you they're naturally nervous." He spit out the words without even thinking about what he was saying, and looked downwards to hide his shameful face.

"Let's go then," she smiled as she pulled him inside behind her. "If we're going to stay here together all night we're going to have to make ourselves comfortable. Right?" Aang gulped and nodded as some certain thoughts entered his mind.

The two got some blankets and a pillow Aang had stashed in Appa's saddle to make a semi bed roll, lighting a few candles to illuminate the room slightly and curled up in each other's arms under the covers. Aang was starting to feel very tired, or relaxed he couldn't tell which one it was, but Katara seemed to be wide awake due to her unfocused eyes on the star gazing tower around them.

"Are you okay?" Aang asked when her eyes became more of a distraction. "If you're just trying to stay awake you can go to sleep you know."

"No, it's not that, it's just….I love you." She looked up at him with a hint of uncertainty in her eyes as if it was her first time saying those words again. She suddenly felt that funny feeling she felt earlier that morning, and in the hot springs all over again. An odd churning circulating not just through her stomach but throughout her entire body.

"I love you too," he beamed at her with that smile of his and kissed her tenderly enough to set Katara off the edge. Katara wasn't going to let him pull away when he did and leaned in to further deepen the kiss. Aang was a bit surprised at first—seeing as how he didn't plan this—but readily welcomed it when Katara seemed to want to take the lead for the moment as her tongue ran along his teeth and the inside of his cheeks. He made little noises against Katara's mouth which just made her smile into their next kiss.

Aang had been thinking about doing this all day, thought he didn't want to push his limits with her so easily by just flatly asking to have a moment, but this was much better. He had gotten what he wanted and he didn't even have to go through the awkward part of asking. His alarms went off when he registered just how much Katara was in control, she was practically mauling him down into the sheets they had laid out (which were now going in every which direction).

"Uh," Aang managed to get out when she broke away from his mouth and trailed kisses down his jaw and neckline, making him utter a sound somewhere between a moan and a gasp. This only made Katara react more and pick up her pace. Aang began to get more drenched in the feeling of her lips and hands working on him and started closing his eyes, but quickly forced them back open. It was like a point of no return, he knew he'd lose it just as much as she was if he gave in this quickly.

"Katara!" He gasped out and Katara lifted her head from her work on his neck.

"Hmm?"

"Are you sure you want to take things this fast?" It was only around midnight and at the rate they were going they'd be up all night doing……whatever.

"If I didn't want to then why would I?" She'd always throw those phrases that made him think every once in a while and it wasn't long until they were back at it, their legs tangled in the sheets and Aang's necklace being thrown across the room.

Katara's hands worked down the sides of his slender frame, resting on the small of his back, that feeling swirling through her like it was a chakra of its own. She knew it had something to do with Aang. Just being around him, breathing in his scent, touching him and kissing him, it all channeled that circulating feeling of a lust of some sort. But Aang seemed to be enjoying himself now too, sucking on her bottom lip between his own gently enough to have her give her share of noises.

"You….are," Katara tried to say but her lips only wanted to give out whimpers, not words. Her breathing picked up and Aang could feel a strange heat from her coming off in waves. Aang had heard Sokka talk about those heat waves during their little talk so he concluded Katara must've been having one. This actually made what little part of him was still thinking satisfied for having such an effect on her. An effect that was obviously stronger than he thought when she pulled off both his poncho and shirt nonchalantly and nuzzled into the bare skin.

Aang's eyes were wide when he felt her warmth a greater deal now that his torso was bare, but unfortunately that wasn't part of the plan.

"Katara I think we-" He was silenced by her lips on his.

"No talking, there's no need for words Aang," she leaned down again, her lips opened enough to accept his but he placed his hands firmly on her shoulders; holding her up to keep her at bay.

"I think we need to stop." He whispered darkly. He wasn't meeting her eyes. "I've been feeling this energy from you all day, like something was building up inside you, and I think I finally know what it was." He finally looked up at her, her face flushed and hair disheveled cascading over his hands that were on her shoulders. It was making him lose his train of thought.

She sighed. "I'm sorry, Aang. This is exactly why I was starting to worry about our age difference too." She could see his face automatically drop at the mentioning of their age again. "I mean I still want to be with you it's just what would someone say if they found me, a fifteen year old, doing everything I was doing to a twelve year old?"

"Well, first of all what we do is our business and second of all I'm old enough to be in love, so obviously I'm old enough to know what and what not to let my girlfriend do." He didn't really seem offended, but his tone was a little more sour than usual.

"I'm sorry," Katara apologized again and rolled off from atop him to catch her breath. "Maybe we should actually get some sleep now?" She was afraid that if they stayed awake she would get that urge again, better she be sleeping instead.

"Good idea," he agreed and straitened the sheets that had carelessly moved around with the active motions. They went back to their previous position: Aang holding Katara, Katara against Aang. Both of them took one last look at the stars before closing their eyes.

"Aang?" Katara acknowledged before sleeping.

"Yes?"

"Thank you, for doing all this for me, it was the best present," her words made Aang realize something and he shot up, breaking apart the moment.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" He pulled out a red envelope from his nearby bag and handed it to her.

"An envelope?" She questioned playfully and Aang scowled at her.

"Just open it," he moaned. And she did, revealing a small, primary colored ring with some kind of inscription which she found it to say "eternity."

"Aang, it's beautiful," she choked out, immediately putting it on.

"Happy Birthday." He wished her.

"I don't understand I thought this day was my present?"

"Well I thought giving you both was more formal," he lifted her hand in his and kissed the ring on it. "I hope it's not too much, but I thought if I gave you a necklace it would be pushing a little too far."

"I don't know, I've always been looking forward to what necklace you're going to give me, but I still love the ring, thank you." She kissed his lips softly and laid back down, leaving a wide eyed Aang trying to register what she had just said.

See, I promised you a long chapter! Well, people Katara's birthday is over and I have to say I liked the way it turned out. Next chapter will wrap up the Toph/Zuko conflict and bring in some big news for any Maiko shippers out there. As for the ring I felt that a ring serves no marriage purposes in the Avatar world (since these people seem to like necklaces) so don't get all high horse, it's just a simple ring.

And more from the research station: If anyone noticed the foods I picked for Katara's dinner were on purpose due to their meanings in Chinese birthdays. The noodles representing a longer life and the boiled egg simply meaning "birthday." Also the lotus seed, and peach bus are popular Chinese birthday foods. Finally, the ring Aang got Katara was in a red envelope which is in resemblance to and Ang Pao present, which is money given to the birthday person in a red envelope, I didn't use the money but the red envelope is still there.

Review Responses:

lightspeedc—Thank you and no I'm not going to abandon It I just had a nasty case of writers block on this story and no matter how hard I tried everything I wrote was crap, sorry about the long wait.

ihearkataang—Sorry about the wait, I'll try and update sooner. (please don't hate meeeeee!)

SilvrImage—My second favorite show is Danny Phantom but I love SpongeBob too. Yeah and Appa does help, like, a lot but Appa's so tired…poor baby.

general shadow wolfsbane—Thank you we all love cuteness right?

XxFaithXxHopeXxLoveXx77—I'm glad my story makes you feel better, and by "my guy" do you mean your boyfriend or something?

Ranger of the Valley—That idea was actually in my head a long time and I tried to put it in a lot of the oneshots I've been doing but it just seemed to work in that setting instead.

Neon Starz—Everyone seemed to love the Hsi tattoos, and yes, it will be revealed where Katara wants to put hers later on.

nutshak—I learned some things too

1.You're awesome

2. I live for reviews like yours

3. I only do research when it has to do with Avatar….JK XD

hsm2fangurl—I noticed that some other authors do put random stuff in their stories so I wanted to stay away from that aspect of writing and just go the extra mile, it was surprisingly easy (go Google!)

The Abriter—Thank you.

Argorok34—I actually have Aang's birthday all planned out, plus it comes with an interesting story, I suppose.

melissita—Thank you, everyone seemed to love the tattoo idea so I'm glad you did too.

CptData—Wow, thank you for the long review. As for Katara I don't know why I put her birthday in the fall—since it does seem more logical for it to be in the winter—but it was just one of those idea's that would eat me alive if I didn't use it. And Azula, she's going to have her own arc soon enough that I'm sure everyone will love (I even had fun planning it). Lastly, This story will definitely cover Aang's birthday and about three years after that….this is going to be a pretty long story. I'm guessing from 50-100 chapters (maybe more)

ibroughthomeababybumblebee—Yay!

Jeni27—thank you and it's weird that I can write date scenes so vividly because I've never actually been on a date. And I totally agree with you on the whole seeing Katara's thoughts typed out, her feelings are always so ambiguous on the show that you have to think really hard to write in her train of thought.

TallyInTheGreen—I actually considered one of them falling in the water and waking up but it ended up on the editing room floor, and sorry I didn't describe how they were sleeping in the last chapter but I didn't want it to be overdone.

avatar209—yeah, Katara can be pretty stubborn sometimes (she kind of reminds me of the character Suzuka In the anime "Suzuka") as for Breaking Dawn I started reading it but I had to stop because I had to read another book for English.

Satoshi Uchiyuki—I think we all know what Katara was trying to do….JK

Xeaphon—That's what I thought about the air nomads too, so I had to improvise.

Arizony--Thank you, my fingers are still workin hard

Nasecoeur42—Thank you

Wow guys, I got 21 reviews for one chapter (it's a new record) keep it up!