I'm on chapter 21 already. I don't know how I even got this far. Don't worry, this story is going to go on for a long time. Like 40 or 50 chapters. Maybe. Not sure right now.

Disclaimer: Avatar the last airbender doesn't belong to me, but maybe if I keep emailing Mike and Bryan they'll finally give in.

*************

Chapter 21

Thriller

*************

Katara sat, annoyed, on the long black couch. The counselor was even more irritating than she thought she would be. Katara had only been there for 15 minutes and already, she wanted to leave. She propped herself up on her elbow and blew her hair from her face.

Just 45 more minutes, Katara. You can do it without punching this lady in her face.

"Katara, I want you to tell me what you feel when you look at these images or whatever comes to mind," Counselor Ju Dee said. Her voice was all too cheerful to Katara.

"Whatever."

Ju Dee held up a dark picture. It was black paint in the shape of a heart.

"Boredom," Katara answered without hesitation. Ju Dee put the paper down and held up the second one. It was a black rose.

"Boredom," Katara repeated. Ju Dee held up the third picture of a baby bottle. Katara cocked and eyebrow at her. "Why don't you guess?"

"Boredom," Ju Dee guessed.

"No-," Katara spoke softly before raising her voice, "Annoyance!"

"Tara, please do not yell," Ju Dee begged her. At hearing that horrid nickname, Katara twitched with anger and jumped from her seat.

"I TOLD YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

"What's wrong, Tara," Ju Dee inquired. "I thought we could be more comfortable with each other. You can tell me anything. And call me Dee-Dee."

"Kill me now," Katara groaned as she fell back onto the couch. Ju Dee continued as if she hadn't heard her.

"So Tara, do you have any close friends?"

"Yeah sure," Katara huffed.

"And what type of environment do they provide. What are their personalities? Are they kind, sweet, loving, cheerful, heartless, cold-," Ju Dee would have kept going if Katara hadn't interrupted.

"They are just fine. Alright. Can we please resume this tomorrow? I have company coming over later."

"Oh, it's okay, Tara. We can just make up for the lost time tomorrow," Ju Dee assured her.

Katara groaned, but nodded. "Whatever, bye."

Ju Dee waved as Katara ran out of her office. Katara went to her locker and put in her combination quickly, grabbing her book bag and jacket. Then she noticed that Mai was nowhere to be seen.

"Mai," she called out in the empty school halls. The silence and her own echo sent chills up her spine. It was like a horror movie. She took out her cell phone and texted Mai.

Where r u?-K

Within 60 seconds Mai had replied.

The Art room-M

Katara put the cell phone in her pocket and ran to the art room. Once she came to the door she dropped her bag and went inside. Mai was standing at her art easel, finishing her painting. She added the last touches as Katara walked into the room.

"Ready," she asked.

"Yeah, I finally got away from her."

"Let's go," Mai said, grabbing the painting from the stand. She put the painting supplies back and walked out of the door with Katara.

********************

When Katara and Mai reached Katara's house it was about 4:30. They walked into the house and found Katara's family in the kitchen. Her grandmother was doing most of the cooking, but her father was helping and Sokka was just hovering close to try and sneak bites in. Katara greeted them and took Mai up to her room.

Mai put her painting down against the dresser. They sat on the bed as Mai asked, "Why didn't you help them in the kitchen?"

"The kitchen is already too crowded," Katara answered. "I'm sure they have everything handled." Katara looked up and noticed Mai's new earrings. "Where did those come from?"

"Oh, my mom decided to 'bond' with me," she answered once she realized Katara was talking about the earrings. "She thinks she can buy my happiness. It's not entirely true, but if she wants to spend her money who am I to stop her."

Suddenly a thought struck Katara. "Hey Mai, where do Aang, Zuko, Azula, and Toph go to school? Do you know?"

Mai had to think up a lie, quickly. "Well, Aang and Azula are17 so they are both seniors, like me. Uh, Toph is 15 and she's a sophomore. Zuko graduated last year like Sokka and Suki."

"Uh, okay, but you didn't answer my question."

"Uh, they go to…Bloodside Academy!" Mai face-palmed herself after realizing what she said.

"Oh, okay," Katara replied. She knew Mai was probably lying, but she didn't understand why she would lie about that. There was no Bloodside Academy, as far as knew.

Katara didn't ask about it anymore and they spent the rest of their time doing their homework and talking until 6:00 when Ty lee and Suki arrived. Hakoda sent them up to Katara's room.

"What's up, guys," Suki greeted them. Ty lee came up a few minutes after her.

"Whoa, Ty," Katara exclaimed as she shielded her eyes, mockingly. "Too bright."

"Very funny, Katara," Ty lee said.

"You guys are going to wear that," Suki questioned.

"Yeah, why?"

Katara noticed what Suki and Ty lee were wearing. Ty lee had on a tight, short, bright pink dress. She had on matching pink pumps and a pink purse. Suki's dress was tight near the chest and hung loose below that. It was a dark green and matched her heels. (Outfits on Profile)

"Because when you invited me over phone yesterday I assumed it was a formal dinner," Suki told her.

Katara and Mai then turned to Ty lee for her excuse. "Hey, I would have worn this dress either way," she complied. "I'm going to show myself to the bathroom."

Ty lee walked out of the bedroom. Suki followed behind her. "I'm going to go help Sokka set the table and keep him away from the food," she called over her shoulder.

Katara turned to Mai. "Do you think we should change?"

"Well duh. Are you really going to let Suki and Ty lee out dress us in front of our men," Mai demanded.

"Aang's not my man," Katara blushed.

"Whatever," Mai said as she got up. "Let's see what you have in this closet."

***********************

At sundown Aang, Ash, and Zuko arrived. They were all dressed up as well. Not too tux dressy, but classy. All of the teenagers were in the living room when Katara's dad and grandmother came out of the kitchen for the first time since everyone got to the house. Kanna paled at the sight of Aang, Ash, and Zuko, but Hakoda stepped forward to shake each young man's hand. He introduced himself and waited for each to reply.

"It's nice to meet you, sir," Aang said.

"This is my mother, Kanna," Hakoda mentioned since Kanna make no effort to move forward.

"Hello, Ma'am, Zuko said, politely.

"Hello," Kanna murmured. Katara noticed her grandmother's odd behavior. "I'm going to go set the food out."

Katara watched her grandmother leave the front room, excusing herself to see what was wrong with her. "I'm going to go help her."

She found her grandmother in the kitchen, mumbling words to herself. As Katara got closer she could tell that it was a prayer, but it was in Chinese. She stepped up and put her hand on her grandmother's shoulder.

"Gran Gran? What's wrong?"

Kanna turned and grabbed Katara by her wrists. "Katara, please tell me that the boy you are interested in is not in the living room," she whispered, shaking Katara.

The young water bender was surprised by her grandmother's firm grip. "Uh, yeah. The one with gray eyes."

"You have to stay away from him," Kanna warned, still whispering.

"Why," Katara fumed as she broke from Kanna's hold. How dare she tell her to stay away from Aang.

"I can't tell you right now. They can still hear us. I'll tell you later," Kanna assured her. She grabbed a platter of artic hen and strode out of the kitchen.

"Wait, what do you mean 'they' can hear us," Katara called after her. "Who are we talking about?"

Katara helped Kanna set the table with different dishes. She kept an eye on her grandma's expression. Kanna had a very worried look on her face. Katara was anxious to know what had her so worked up. After they finished everyone took a seat at the table.

The vampires forced themselves to take small bites of the food. There was a very awkward silence at the table. Sokka was whispering things in Suki's ear, making her blush and giggle. Zuko was cleverly feeding small bites to Mai, making it look like he was being romantic, but really he was getting rid of the food on his plate. Kanna was sneaking small glares at Aang. Aang was very uncomfortable because of Kanna. Ty lee was joyfully eating her meal. Hakoda was oblivious to the table as he devoured his food. Ash just sat there and made no effort to making it look like he was enjoying himself. Katara just sunk down in her seat and watched everything that happened at the table.

"So Sokka, are you going to college," Aang asked.

"Yep. Suki and I are going to be attending Ba Sing Se University in the fall," he proclaimed proudly.

"What are you studying," Zuko asked.

"I want to be a engineer," Sokka told them.

"I want to be a lawyer," Suki said. "What about you, Zuko?"

"Uh, I think I want to be a…um doctor," he said, though it sounded more like a question.

"Where are you going to school," Sokka questioned.

"I think I'm going to take classes online," he stuttered.

"What about you, Aang," Hakoda asked. "What do you want to be in the future?"

"Well, I don't really need to work. Since my guardian died I have enough money to be set for life, but if I had to get a job I would be a scientist."

The doorbell rang, preventing Hakoda from replying.

"I'll get it," Katara announced. She jumped up from her chair and walked to the door. Upon opening it she was surprised to find Toph and Azula.

"Sup, Sugar Queen," Toph greeted her. Katara looked down at Toph's outfit. She wasn't formal at all, but then again, Toph always did whatever she wanted.(Outfit on Profile) Then Katara realized something.

"Sugar Queen?!"

"Yeah, now step aside and let us in," Toph demanded.

Katara moved to allow them inside. As Azula walked past her she noticed Azula was dressed formally like the rest of them. It was really a beautiful dress. Red, of course with matching shoes and accessories. (Outfit on Profile)

Once Katara led Toph and Azula to the dining room, everyone had their our reaction to them. Ash's eyes went wide and he stopped breathing at the sight of Azula. Kanna gasped, Sokka smiled, Suki snarled, Ty lee beamed, Aang rolled him eyes at his brother's reaction and Hakoda was still oblivious. Mai and Zuko didn't pay any attention to the two new guests.

"I was hoping we'd missed dinner," Toph whispered to Azula. Unfortunately, Azula didn't hear her. She and Ash were locked in an intense gaze.

Toph went and sat on the other side of Sokka, making the only seat available next to Ash. Azula slowly sat in her seat once she broke the gaze with Ash, her anger slowly returning. She remembered all of the pain and hurt that he put her through. Toph looked up. She was across from Katara.

"Why do you two always look like you just came from a funeral," she teased as she pointed at Mai and Katara's outfits. (Outfits on Profile)

"Why do you and Suki always look like you just rolled in someone's grass for hours," Mai shot back.

"Nicely handled," Zuko commented.

"Would you two like anything to eat," Hakoda asked the two new guests.

"Uhhh, no thanks," Toph said.

"We already ate," Azula half lied. They had already ate, just not food.

Everyone went back to eating, talking, flirting, and glaring, but this time Ash had someone to stare at.

************************

After dinner the guests were allowed to stay and hang out for a while. Sokka was in the backyard, tightening the wheel on his skate board when Toph walked up to him.

"Cool. You skateboard?"

Sokka looked up at Toph from his spot in the grass. "Yeah," he answered.

"Me too. Where do you hang," Toph asked as she sat next to him.

"I like to skate at Madison park."

"I've never been to a public skate park, but we have some ramps in our backyard," she told him.

"That's awesome. You must have a big yard," Sokka said.

"Yeah, maybe you could come over sometime and we could skate. You know, as friends," Toph suggested, hopefully.

"I'd like that," Sokka proclaimed.

"Maybe you could come tomorrow. After the sun- I mean after I get out of school."

"Cool."

****************************

"Nice room," Aang complimented as he wondered around Katara's room. He noticed Mai's painting near the dresser.

"Your's is way better," Katara assured him from her seat on the bed.

"My room is just expensive and has cool things in it. Your room has things in it that you care about. They have a real value to you. Money can't buy special memories," Aang told her as he picked up a picture of Katara and Sokka when they were kids.

Katara sighed. Something had been on her mind for a while. "Aang what would you call us?"

Aang put the picture down and turned to face her. "What do you mean," he asked.

"I mean 'us'. You know, you and me. Are we friends or what," she questioned with her head down.

"I didn't know there was an 'us'," Aang stated as he moved closer to her. She didn't notice with her head still down, trying to hide her burning cheeks.

"Aang, I just really want you to know how much I really care about you. Even though it sounds cliché, I feel like I've known you all my life. I feel like I can trust you with any secret and I can go to you for comfort."

Aang listened to Katara pour her soul out to him and he felt even more guilty than he'd felt the night before. She said she could trust me with anything. I should be able to trust her to still like me regardless, he thought.

He took in a deep unnecessary breath. "Katara, you'd still trust me and like me if I wasn't...like…normal, right?"

"Of course," Katara declared.

"I..uh…um….HERE," Aang blurted. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the gift he'd bought her last night, after his hunting trip. He handed her the blue jewelry store box. Katara eyed him, confused, before taking the small box. She opened it and gasped. Aang took it from her and grabbed the object from the box. He grasped he wrist gently and carefully put the beautiful charm bracelet on her wrist.

Katara watched the charms shimmer and sparkle. It was silver with five lovely charms. She turned it on her wrist, looking at each one. A diamond heart, the word trust, a silver rose, the Water Tribe symbol and the Air Nomad symbol.

"I don't want you to ever think that I don't trust you. Never doubt our friendship, relationship, or whatever this may turn out to be. Think of this as a trust charm bracelet. I trust you Katara, but there are some things that too difficult for me to say. There is something that I'm keeping from you, but not because I don't trust you, because I have conflict with it. Give me some time. Trust me. I will tell you," Aang told her, holding her hand.

Katara looked into his eyes as she spoke. "That was so sweet. I really want to kiss you right now," she breathed.

"What's stopping y- whoa!" Aang didn't get to finish his sentence before Katara sprang on him.

*******************************

Ash, Zuko, Azula, and Mai sat in the living room. Azula was sitting the farthest away from Ash as she could. Every time he looked at her she just glared in his direction.

"So Mai, where's that painting you told me about during dinner," Ash asked.

"Oh, it's upstairs. You guys want to see it?"

Everyone replied with a 'yep' or 'of course' or 'cool'. They stood up to go upstairs, but Mai noticed the vampires didn't move and they tensed up. Slowly they turned to face the couch Azula had been sitting on.

"What's up, guys," Mai questioned. She wondered why they were all suddenly facing the couch. Zuko leaned closer to her to whisper in her ear.

"Katara's grandmother is behind that couch, spying on us. We could detect her breathing and scent. I believe she knows our secret somehow."

Mai just nodded and they continued their quest to Katara's room. Once they were outside her door, all of the vampires started snickering.

"What now," Mai asked. "I'm tired of being left out!"

"Open the door," Azula giggled.

Mai turned the knob and pushed the door open quietly to find Katara and Aang in the act of some not-so-innocent kissing. For some reason they were on the floor with Katara straddling the flustered Avatar. Thankfully, all of their clothing was intact. Mai was going to close the door and leave them to their making-out, when Ash spoke up from behind her.

"So into it that you can't hear a door open, little brother?"

Aang broke away and lifted Katara off of him as a result of the sudden audience. Mai even let out a giggle as she caught sight of Katara and Aang's red faces and swollen lips. Ash strode into the room.

"Don't worry, we didn't come for a show. We just came to see the painting," he told them.

Aang picked up the painting that he'd seen earlier and turned it for them to see. Everyone walked farther into the room to see Mai's artwork.

************************************

Ty lee and Suki were in Sokka's room. Suki had thought it would be nice to clean Sokka's room for him. She believed it would be a sweet of her. Of course Ty lee was constantly complaining.

"This room is disgusting," she groaned as she picked up a dirty sock, using the TV remote.

"Stop complaining, Ty. You're the only one who could help me. Everyone else was either nowhere to be found or busy," Suki explained. She picked up the glass cleaner and moved on to cleaning Sokka's windows.

"Well, don't think that I'm going to help you clean this tragedy without some kind of payment. Because-." Whatever Ty lee said next, Suki didn't hear her. As she pulled the curtains back that overlooked the backyard, she became so furious that all she heard was her own fast breathing and heartbeat.

Suki watched Sokka and Toph sit in the grass and talk as if they were best friends. She groaned in rage and threw the curtains back into place. "How dare she?!"

"What's wrong," Ty lee asked.

"Toph is after my boyfriend. I know it! Two can play that game and I refuse to allow her to win him over with her stupid skateboarding intelligence," Suki declared. She took another look at Sokka and Toph as they spoke over his old skateboard. She narrowed her eyes at Toph in the distance. "Enjoy your time with him now because after I'm done with him he won't even remember your name."

*************************

Hakoda was peacefully washing the dishes in the kitchen when his mother walked in. He looked back at her and cocked and eyebrow. "You've got dust bunnies all over you, mom."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go back to your dishes," she murmured.

*****************************

Soon the time came for all of the guests to go home. Everyone in Katara's house prepared for bed. Katara was in her pajamas, on her bed, gazing at her bracelet, enchanted. She was still on her Aang high, so she was walking on sunshine. More than ecstatic and she couldn't get rid of the big smile on her face. That's the way her grandmother found her after Sokka and Hakoda went to sleep.

Katara looked at her grandmother and remembered that Kanna was supposed to tell her something after her friends left. Kanna sat next to Katara on the bed. She looked nervous.

"Yes grandmother, come in. I'm not busy or anything. So don't bother knocking," Katara joked, sarcastically.

"Katara this is serious."

"Gran Gran, what are you talking about," Katara wondered.

"Those children that you hang out with and that boy that you like are not normal," her grandmother told her, slowly.

"Ok, define normal."

"They are not human Katara and I think it would be best that you not see them again," Kanna said.

"Well, if not human, what are they," Katara inquired. Her grandmother was creeping her out.

"Vampires."

************

Wow that was long. I've suddenly started making all long chapters. The next chapter in already typed so it should be up shortly behind this. Well, maybe it isn't exactly a chapter, but there are words and it goes with the storyline. REVIEW!!! Tell me what you think. I know you all are ecstatic about Katara finding out. Soon you'll find out why Kanna knows. Love You Guys!

Reviews make me happy.

I make Aang and Katara happy.

Happy Aang and Katara = More Vampire/Human Romance

Got it? LOL JK, but seriously review.