o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

The new day dawned bright and cold, one of those days that you knew would be sweltering by the time it was high noon. By the looks of resignation on everyone's face, you could tell that no one was looking forward to making this flight. We loaded into Appa quickly and set off to Ember Island early to avoid the afternoon heat, but by the time we were nearly a quarter of the way there, everyone was already covered in a thin sheen of sweat.

I sat next to Zuko, our knees touching. I longed to hold his hand, or to rest my head on his shoulder, but it was too damn hot for more than the barest contact. Also, any more than a touching knee would easily draw more questions than I cared to answer. It wasn't exactly that we were keeping our relationship a secret, we were simply not going to draw attention to it. I wasn't under any delusions that our relationship would remain unnoticed for long, Toph probably already knew, and if Toph knew, then Iroh was sure to know. Everyone was bound to find out eventually. Toph didn't have the best track record with keeping secrets, especially if the reveal of one was bound to provide entertainment.

I found that I simply didn't care if anyone knew. If they knew what to look for, it would be as clear as day.

In my mind, the only one who would have a problem with it would be Aang, and probably Sokka. Scratch that, Sokka would definitely have a problem with it. He would just have to get over it though, I only had a limited time here and I would spend that time however I wanted and with whomever I wanted. If that meant I would spend all of my free time lip locked with Zuko, then that's what it will be. I did dread Aang finding out. It was hard to guess what his reaction would be. I just hoped that his little crush was still only in the beginning stage and it would be like ripping a band aid.

After a few hours of flying, and a unanimous vote, we all agreed that our first stop once we arrived at Ember Island, would be to visit a market and stock up on provisions. I even convinced Sokka to make a list of supplies we would need to give him something to look forward to throughout the slow and tedious flight. Surprisingly, he took to writing a list like a fish in water and before we knew it his list was easily a foot long.

Toph was the first of us to break the silence that seemed to have stretched for hours. "I'm going to go crazy if I don't get some earth to sink my toes into soon."

"Me too!" Sokka complained loudly from his spot next to Aang. He seemed to think that if he sat at the front, he would be cooler, but the breeze was just as warm as the sweltering sun. "How much longer Aang?"

"I don't know!" He snapped in annoyance. "I'm not an expert navigator. Ask Zuko, he's the one from the Fire Nation."

I raised my eyebrow at Aang's tone. "Calm down Aang, it was just a question."

He frowned at me and then turned away.

"He's not the only one who is hot and annoyed." I mumbled to the man sitting next to me, glad that at least Zuko could keep his annoyance to himself.

"You're telling me. At least you guys will be able to go into town. Uncle and I will have to stay here and keep Appa Company. Sokka's acting like were flying back to the Southern Water Tribe. Ember Island isn't even that far from the Western Air Temple. Its about a full days flight, I've spent longer tracking them down place to place."

"Not everyone has limitless patience like you."

Zuko smirked at me. "I suppose not."

I placed my hand on his knee. "I'm sorry you have to stay behind. Is there anything I can get you?"

"No I'm fine." He smiled at his uncle, who was deep in conversation with Toph on the other side of the saddle. "I'm sure Iroh would appreciate some tea though."

I laughed and swatted his knee before arching my back in a stretch. "That goes without saying."

My gaze wandered over to where Toph and Iroh sat. They were giggling about something as Iroh talked in low tones.

My shoulder bumped Zuko's. "What do you think they find so amusing?"

"If toph is looking that entertained, then I'm not sure I want to know."

Toph, indeed, looked like Christmas came early. I had to know.

"Wish me luck." I mumbled before crawling across the saddle to sit with them.

When I got there, both faces were schooled into masks of indifference.

"Hello Miss. Katara."

I glanced at Iroh. "Just Katara, please."

"Ok 'just Katara'." Toph smiled widely at her joke.

I rolled my eyes, but didn't take the bait. "I'm going to be picking up some tea for you, was there a specific kind you liked?"

Iroh's face lit up. "Some Jasmine tea would be lovely."

Toph didn't seem to like being ignored. "You and Zuko are looking comfortable over there…"

I glanced uncomfortably at Iroh, but his face seemed encouraging enough. "We're about as comfortable as we can get in this heat."

Her smirk grew. "Indeed."

"My nephew is a fine young man, is he not?"

"Yes, he is a good man." I replied with as much neutrality as I could muster.

Toph and Iroh shared a look and then they were back to smiling at me.

"Uh…whats Ember Island like?" I asked awkwardly.

"It's absolutely lovely this time of year. There are bound to be lots of people and the markets are amazing! They sell these kebobs during the summertime that you cant get anywhere else."

"You should tell Sokka. I'm pretty sure his goal is to eat his way across the world, so he wouldn't want to miss out on this one."

Iroh chuckled and then promised to tell him.

As I made my way back to Zuko, I heard the unmistakable sound of Toph sniggering. I turned around, but both her and Iroh were looking off into the distance innocently.

"Those two scare me. I got out as soon as I could."

"Told you."

Encased in a conjured cloud, we approached the island.

The island was a large mass of green with waters that sparkled gold as the sun finished its decent. On one end of the island, there were beautiful houses that dotted along the shore. There were palm trees everywhere and large volcanic rocks that jutted out of the earth. The land varied in its height, with both low valleys that emptied its rivers into the vast ocean, and large mountains that held even larger trees. If I squinted hard enough, I could just make out tiny specks of people lazing along the shore. Far into the distance, almost out of my line of sight, and obscured by the cloud Aang was providing, was a clearing in the trees, I could just make out a sparkle of blue and the spray of mist that accompanied a small waterfall.

"Zuko! Look at that beautiful waterfall!"

He leaned over my side of the saddle and stared off to where I was gesticulating wildly. "If you look a little further up, that's where we'll be staying. My mom used to take us to that waterfall when we were children."

I followed his gaze and smiled. Somehow, my mind had drawn up an image of a grand, castle like mansion with huge grounds equipped with stables and a separate house for the servants, but what I found instead pleased me. A zig zagged path led to a beautiful white house with a red clay roof. Gold trimmed the roof and reflected the sunshine onto a large jagged rock that gave the house some shade in the summer months.

"Its beautiful!" I yelled over the roaring of the wind. "I know this is the farthest thing from a vacation that we can get, but I'm actually very excited! The Fire Nation is beautiful! Is it all like this?""

He smiled back at me and the gazed back down at his old summer home. "Yes, it is."

Iroh was already instructing Aang on the best way to descend, so I sat back and relaxed as we neared the house. To my surprise, there actually were stables that were large enough to fit 4 kimono rhinos, or one Appa. The house had looked pristine from afar, but upon closer inspection, the beach house was a little rundown, but I could see that with a little TLC, it would be up to its former glory.

It wasn't long after we landed, but before any of us could even enter the house, that Sokka began to herd us towards the large open market. So it was with the promise that the trip wouldn't take long, and the assurances that Iroh and Zuko would begin airing out the house, that we set off for the large outdoor market.

With Sokka already having made a list of supplies, I was able to wander around to my heart's content with Toph. One of the three things on my list were Fire Nation clothes for Toph and I. Luckily, the 'world traveler' look was popular on the island, so our Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe clothing only drew curious and admiring glances. With the rest of our money, Toph and I browsed a clothing stall and were able to find both an outfit and swimsuit each. I was surprised that the current style for swimming suits all closely resembled the bikinis and two pieces that were popular back home. I only hoped that when we got back to the summer house, Sokka wouldn't give us too hard of a time about our, what he would probably consider, extra purchases.

Iroh and Zuko had been hard at work while we were gone. All of the windows were now open, and they had even gone as far as dusting the entire entrance hall. Iroh and Zuko had even put clean sheets on all of the beds for us as well as fresh towels and hand towels in the bathrooms (which were as numerous as were rooms).The entrance hall was beautiful. There were tables lining the walls with ornate vases that would have normally held large bouquets of flowers. A detailed rug ran along the long and narrow room, and a chandelier of candles hung from the ceiling. I only gave the tapestries a cursory glance, they were of family members, I presume. Two large decorative doors stood at the end of the room and opened into a large sitting room. There were stairs leading up to a row of columns that bisected the room, and past those was a grand fireplace, almost as tall as the room itself, with several large couches and chairs.

Through several more hallways and passed the kitchens, was a door that lead out to a large courtyard. A small river ran along the courtyards border, and upon seeing a flash of movement, I realized that it was teaming with coi fish.

A direct path led to the waterfall that I had been so excited about earlier. I considered trying to get the group together to do a night swimming session, but immediately dismissed the idea. Toph and Iroh wouldn't be interested, and Sokka would probably get into an ill-fated splash fight with Aang which would be very annoying. Best to wait until morning.

Sokka had come back laden with food and we ate a quick dinner before retiring to the sitting room. How I got put in charge of storytime, I don't remember, but as the night wore on we sat on the comfortable couches and I told stories by the candle light.

"-and then the spell broke and the beast turned into a handsome prince. Everyone in the castle was turned back into their human forms and they all lived happily ever after."

Sokka was fighting back tears as he clapped loudly. "I'm so glad they got their happy ending!"

"Come on, she would have never gotten with Gaston." Toph rolled her eyes at Sokka and sighed. "And katara's too much of a romantic to tell us a story where they didn't 'live happily ever after'."

Iroh yawned loudly. "Thank you for the wonderful story Katara, I think I will be retiring now. These old bones need their rest."

I glanced around, but no one else seemed ready for bed. "Want another one?"

Even Zuko, who had sat next to my on the large couch and had tried to appear as uninterested as possible, nodded his head for another one. "Ok, this one is called The Little Mermaid. Once upon a time, there was a king named Triton. He had seven daughters and one of them was named Ariel-"

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

I startled awake and groaned at the pain in my back. With a glance around to clear my disorientation, I found all of us, minus Iroh, all still in the sitting room. Last night I had finished the tale of Ariel, and then had continued on to tell them the story of Cinderella and Snow White. If I wasn't careful, I'd end up becoming the official story teller.

SOkka was sprawled uncomfortably on a loveseat with his hand resting on the top of Aangs head. Aang was on the floor, leaning up against Sokkas chair. His neck was bent at an angle that I didn't envy and his legs were propped up on the beautiful dark wood coffee table. I had half a mind to tell him to get his feet off of it, but I held my tongue. Toph was sleeping in a rumpled ball in the middle of the room, I briefly wondered when she got way over there. Zuko was fast asleep next to me and I smiled at him. I could count on one hand how many times I had woken up before him, so seeing him so open and serene was not something I saw all of the time. I'd call him beautiful, but I'm sure he would hate that word being used to describe him, but man…he was good looking. I tried to close my eyes and picture what he would look like without the scar, but for some reason I couldn't. I'm sure he would look great, but to me, that scar made him Zuko.

With a stretch, I headed to my room and changed out of my clothes and into my new swimsuit. It was a dark maroon two piece with a halter style top. The bottoms reminded me a little too much of a really short cheerleaders skirt, but I guess they hadn't advanced far enough for bikini bottoms. What a shame.

I grabbed a towel from the bathroom and ran out through the kitchen. Grabbing a fruit along the way. The sun was just beginning to peak over the mountains and the air was full of salt, and I loved every minute of it. The first dive off the top of the waterfall was going to belong to me, so I grabbed the volcanic rocks and began to climb. The view was amazing, the glow from the sun made the horizon a dark burnt orange as the light chased away the dark. Postponing my dive, I sat down for a few minutes and watched the sun peak over the mountains and cast light on the sparkling water.

I was suddenly scooped up and thrown over a pair of broad shoulders. With a jump, we were falling into the water. I shrieked in laughter and held my breath as the water approached. With a splash, we were both engulfed by my element. I grabbed Zuko around his muscled waist and clung tightly as he swam us both to the surface.

I filled my lungs with a gasp and dove for him in an attempt to dunk him, but he was too quick and grasped my wrists in a tight hold and dragged me to him so I could do no more than an undignified wiggle against him.

I glanced around and saw that we were alone. "Where is everyone?"

"Sleeping, you woke me up on your way out." His chin came to rest on my shoulder and I felt his huff of breath on my cheek.

"Good." Was it just me, or did my voice sound kind of breathy? I decided not to linger on that and instead, I twisted my head back and pecked him on the lips. He smiled briefly and released me. I was now able to fully take in the delicious sight of Zuko. Had I ever noticed his shoulders before? They were wide and muscular. I was tempted to ask him to turn around and flex his back muscles, but I'm sure he would never let me live that down.

"I know I've said this before, but I'm so glad we came here."

Zuko sighed. "I am too…in a way. It brings back a lot of good memories, but it also reminds me of all that I've lost."

I grabbed his hand and pulled him to shore. "Lay on the shore with me." My towel was spread flat and I laid down on my back.

Zuko did the same and when we were both situated on our towels, he continued. "This was my dad's beach house, but it was my mom who was in love with it. We spent entire summers with her while my dad was off in the capitol. Uncle would bring Lu Ten down and we'd play together. I really miss them."

I smiled. "Sounds like a lot of fun."

"It was, we would see these bad plays, truly horrible, and then I'd laugh at the afterwards while my mom would try to defend them." I reached over and began running my fingers through his long hair as he smiled at the memories. "She loved the theatre, no matter how bad it was. When she was banished, it felt like I lost my only parent."

"She sounds amazing."

He glanced over at me and then buried his head in his arms. "She was."

"Tell me about Lu Ten."

"Azula has always been horrible. I think Lu Ten was more like a sibling to me then Azula was. He was a lot older than me, but he always took the time to play with me when Azula wouldn't." He grabbed my hand and brought it to his cheek. "He died in the war. I was ten or eleven. Iroh was heartbroken, he returned home immediately and retired."

I didn't know what to say, so I stayed silent.

"That wasn't a good time for him. He actually lived here for a few months. They say that this island has a way of healing people, and I guess it's true. When he came back he was better. He smiled and laughed again."

Zuko seemed to be done talking, so I rolled towards and draped my arm around his shoulder. I drew circles on his back and relaxed. I couldn't imagine what it was like being back here. To have so much history, good and bad, must be uncomfortable to say the least.

My hand traveled to his neck, and I used my nails to massage his scalp. He sighed in contentment.

"I wish I could have met Lu Ten."

"You would have liked him."

"I'm sure." I brushed the hair out of his face and watched him for a moment. "I'm sorry."

He glanced at me for a moment, and then away again. "It was a long time ago."

"That doesn't make it any less hard..." I leaned over and placed a light peck on his cheek. "Especially having not been here in so long."

He shifted and caught my hand in his own. We lay side by side and relished in the feel of the hot sun warming us.

We were probably there for twenty minutes more when we heard Sokka's voice getting closer. Zuko released my hand but didn't move away. I draped my forearms over my eyes and waited for everyone to come. If anyone paid attention they'd notice that Zuko and I were laying very close together, but I didn't think anyone who didn't already know would even see that our hips were touching.

"This is your last chance to relax before the comet!" Sokka was yelling.

"I know!" Aang yelled back, his voice much closer.

It was only seconds before he broke into the clearing and began stripping down into his underwear. He stopped short at the sight of us. I glanced up and my heart pounded loudly in my chest. This was it, this was when he would find out.

"Wow katara, you look great…"

"Uh…thanks." I answered back awkwardly, a frown on my face. Ok, so he hadn't figured it out, he was just ogling me in my new swimsuit. Somehow, that was worse. I had the sudden urge to cover up.

I turned to Zuko, who was watching Aang climb into the water with a look of anger. "I'm going to tell him…and then I'm going to kill him."

"No!" I jumped up. "The world still needs him. At least wait until after the comet."

He frowned at my attempt at humor.

"Let's go back in the water, ok?"

"Katara…"

"I know, I'll tell him, I promise. Just not right now."

He stared at me long enough that I started to squirm. "I don't like him looking at you like that."

"I don't either." I mumbled. "Only you can look at me like that."

He stared at me for a moment before he burst into laughter.

"Ok, ok. You can stop now. Lets go back in the water, ok?" I grabbed his arm and pulled him close so I could whisper into his ear. "That way no one can see you grab my butt."

Zuko froze for only a second before he ran for the water.

I laughed to myself and made my way to the water before I froze. Sokka was staring at my wide eyed and slack jawed. "Katara, can you come here please?"

I smiled apologetically at Zuko and rushed to Sokka's side, hoping my death would be swift and painless.

"What was that?"

"What was what?" I asked back, playing stupid.

"You've been awfully chummy with Zuko lately."

"Yeah, well…Zuko is nice."

"Nice?" His voice came out as a squeak.

"Yes."

"You couldn't stand…how…" Sokka was now pulling at his hair. "I thought…and Zuko asked…I told him…"

I glanced at Zuko, who was watching us with amusement. He caught my eyes and shook his head. I was alone in this. Great.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. I'm not going to be here for long, I just didn't want to waste my time, I'd rather enjoy myself."

"Waste your time?" He was pulling so hard I was afraid his hair would come out in chunks. "There are better ways of-"

"I know, I know, but I like him."

"I cant believe I gave him permission, I though you would kill him."

I frowned. "Permission?"

"Yeah, he asked if he could court you."

I almost laughed. "He did?"

"Yeah, while you were…unconscious."

"That's actually kind of cute." I spared a look at Zuko, sho had given up all pretenses of swimming and now looked like he was trying to read our lips. "And you said yes?"

"I didn't think you'd actually let him. I thought if anything it would be entertaining. This is definitely not entertaining!" his voice had risen to a shout.

I glanced over to Zuko again, but he still seemed confused. "Well, I said yes to this courting thing, so too bad."

"I'm going to die, this is the worst-" Sokka suddenly bolted upright like he had been struck by lightening.

"Sokka?"

"Oh gods above, he bought a blue stone today. I didn't think anything of it…" Sokka was shifting back and forth. "How could I have not realized…I had been so busy, I barely paid attention…he said he was making a necklace…I didn't think…"

I froze, all too aware of the context. Was Zuko making me a betrothal necklace? Oh sweet spirits…what would I say? I began panicking. I hadn't known him for long, should I say yes? I mean, he's a prince…wasn't that every girls dream? Wait, no…I couldn't. I was leaving soon and it wouldn't make sense for him to propose to me…

Oh Gods.

Zuko hadn't been to the market. Aang had.

"Oh no…" I whispered and broke out in a cold sweat. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"Could it have been for Toph?" I knew I was grasping for straws.

He just grunted loudly in reply.

"I have to tell him." I whispered resolutely. "Tonight."

"I'm going to have a heart attack. It's barely ten o'clock, and I'm already feeling like I'm going to die. I'm going to the house. Some of Iroh's tea sounds pretty good right now."

'Sokka!" I hissed at his retreating figure. "Don't you dare leave me alone right now!"

He ignored me and disappeared into the trees. I wanted to yell in frustration. How could Aang think…?

I sighed, I needed a hug right now.

"Is everything ok?" Zuko asked as I waded into the water.

"Something came up, but everything is ok." I hated lying, but what choice did I have. Zuko would want to get involved and I could see things going from bad to hellish.

"I'm here for you."

Not caring if Aang saw, I pulled Zuko into a comforting hug.

"Is Katara ok?" I could hear Aang ask from behind me.

"Yes. She's fine." Zuko's voice was harsh, even to my own ears. Zuko probably thought I was still upset over Aang's comment on my swimsuit, but he had no idea...

I heard a splash and suddenly Aang jumped and landed on top of the waterfall. "Katara! Watch!"

With a sigh, I pulled away from Zuko. I kept my eyes trained on Aang as he ran and jumped off of the cliff, soaring impossibly high before he arched his back and started falling. His arms raised, he entered the water in almost a perfect dive and I clapped my hands, suitably impressed despite the turmoil in my mind. Before he surfaced, I began the long climb to the top.

"Did you see?" Aang called.

I looked over my shoulder as I grabbed a handhold and nodded. "That was very nice Aang."

His smile was ecstatic.

At the top I paused and looked out at Aang. I had to act like nothing was wrong if I wanted Zuko to remain ignorant of the storm brewing inside of me. "Beat this!" I yelled loudly, hoping they could hear me over the roar of the falls. I turned around and jumped off backwards, easily clearing the many jutting rocks. A flip and a twist later, I curled into a ball and landed in the water with a huge splash and grinned to myself before surfacing. Perfect waterbending bomb.

An applause met me when I popped up again.

"Great job Katara!"

I turned to Zuko and raised my eyebrow in a clear challenge.

He rolled his eyes, but got up anyway and began the climb to the top of the cliff.

A hand touched my shoulder and I turned around to find Aang smiling up at me, his face flushed with emotion. "You're really good."

A crease formed between my eyebrows. "Thanks Aang, although it was just a cannonball."

He rubbed at the back of his neck. "Yeah, but…it was still really nice."

I waited, but Aang said nothing. He continued to blush and rub at the back of his neck and I began to feel extremely uncomfortable. "Listen, Katara…I was thinking-"

"I'm only doing this once!" Zuko yelled from atop the cliff and I turned quickly so Aang couldn't see the clear look of relief that had appeared on my face.

Zuko jumped up and came down in a perfect backflip. I clapped enthusiastically for him and hoped that Aang would get the point and leave me alone.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

Thankfully he did.

All the way up till I finished the story of Finding Nemo around the fireplace.

"Ok, that's the last one. We should go to bed. We have a big day of planning tomorrow for the big day. Obviously, Aang is going to take on the Fire Lord before he gets to Ba Sing Se, but there are still a lot of other details we need to work on."

I nodded my head in agreement, and accepted Zuko's hand as he pulled me to my feet.

Suddenly, Aang was next to me. "Hey Katara, I need to talk to you."

I glanced around for Sokka, but he was already gone. "You sure this can't wait until morning?"

"I'd rather not wait."

Zuko squeezed my arm in encouragement. "I'll just leave you two."

I wanted to scream in frustration, he had no idea what was about to happen or else he would be standing by me. I felt like Elizabeth Bennet being cornered by Mr. Collins. "You don't need to go!" I called over to him, but he was already gone.

My smile was awkward, and I hoped it was extremely un-encouraging.

"I made you something last night, I stayed up almost all night after everyone fell asleep…" He began fishing around his clothes.

"You didn't need to do that."

"I did." He smiled sweetly. A week ago, that smile would have filled me with joy, but now I was filled with dread.

"No, you-"

"Found it!" He pulled out a blue stone attached to a ribbon and my heart sank, all hope that it would be a useless trinket was gone. "I made this for you, it is similar to your moms, but I changed it a bit, there are some Air Temple runes on it."

He held it up for me to see, but I couldn't bring myself to look at it. "You didn't need to get me a necklace…"

Aang frowned. "I don't know if you know this, but that necklace you're wearing is a betrothal necklace, and in the Water Tribe men give the women they want to marry these betrothal necklaces." He rubbed at his bald head awkwardly. "So I made this for you."

"Oh Aang, you shouldn't have." How was I going to turn him down softly?

"Do you like it?" Aang smiled widely and made to attach it around my neck, but I backed up.

"Wait." I put my hand up to stop him, studiously avoiding touching the necklace. I felt like if I touched it, I would have to accept. "We need to talk about this."

"Talk about what?"

"Don't you think this is kind of soon?"

He frowned. "Not really, we're soulmates."

"Soulmates?" I nearly squeaked in fright.

"Yeah, the sprits sent you to me."

"I don't think that's what I'm here for."

"What else would you be here for?" Aang began to look uncomfortable.

"They said I was to teach you guys."

"Yes, I know. You're teaching me love."

"I don't think that's-"

"It is, he insisted."

"It can't be."

"Why not?!" He was getting angry now.

I began to tell him I didn't love him, but something held me back. "I'm with someone."

"Who?" his eyes searched mine and then landed on the green bracelet that I never took off. "It cant be Hanako…"

I flinched at the sound of his name. "Its Zuko."

"You're with Zuko?!" His face contorted in disgust. "You're with the man who's spent three years of his life chasing me down?"

"You were all about forgiveness when we joined you."

"How long?!"

"Just a couple of days…"

Aangs face turned red in anger. "I missed the chance by two days?!"

I frowned. "Of course not. I wouldn't have said yes then either!"

I immediately knew it was the wrong thing to say. "I've liked you since the moment I saw you, he barely knows you!"

Now I was yelling. "He's known my longer than you have! Have you forgotten that I was traveling with him and Toph for two weeks before I met you?"

"He couldn't marry you, he couldn't make you happy!"

"Who are you to saw what would make me happy!" He were now standing toe to toe, our breaths mingling as we yelled at each other. "And just in case it escaped your notice, I can't marry anyone here because I'm not staying!"

"Yes you are, the spirits wouldn't take you away from me!"

"Here you go again. I'm not yours! The spirits can do whatever they want with me and there's nothing you can do to stop them!"

Suddenly, his lips were pressed against mine and I saw red. With a snarl, I pushed him away and stumbled back. "How dare you!"

"Listen, I'm just going to go and enter the spirit world and have a talk with the spirits, they'll listen to me. I'm the-"

I continued to back away. "Just stay away from me, ok?"

He reached out for me and I bolted. I was down the hall in seconds, passing my room and searching for Iroh's. I turned the corner and there I saw it, a light under the doorway. By this point, tears were running down my cheek, and as I knocked on the door, I knew I was a mess.

Iroh opened the door slowly and saw me. "Oh, Katara."

As soon as he opened his door all of the way, I ran in and threw myself into his arms.

"He asked me to marry him!"

Iroh looked surprised. "Who, Zuko?"

I would have laughed if I didn't feel like my heart had been put through the ringer. "No, Aang."

"Oh." Iroh detached himself from me and led me to his bed. I sat down and he began preparing some tea. "You are very strong for what you did tonight Katara."

"I don't feel very strong." I mumbled.

"But you are, and you are on your way to fulfilling your destiny."

I scoffed. "Destiny…right."

He smiled and offered me a cup of tea. "You are finding your purpose Katara, it may not be what you want, but it is what you need."

"Right now I just want to sleep and forget all about this." I mumbled into the cup as I inhaled the fragrant steam.

"I am here for you Katara, and so is Zuko." He smiled knowingly at me. "I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help you feel better."

I let out a small laugh and sipped from the cup. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for the tea, I'm going to go to my room and pretend to sleep."

Iroh let me go with a refilled cup, and as I walked to my room I peeked into the sitting room to find it empty. Aang was already gone then.

Let him commune with the spirits all he wanted, there was no chance in hell I would stay for him.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

I just love breaking Aangs heart.