A/N:

Happy New Year, my lovely readers!

Honestly, I was hoping to get this chapter finished and posted before the New Year, but I actually became quite busy. Quick update on my dog: her eye is healing and will be for at least 4 months, but she will never be able to see out of it again. I am having to give her 5 different medications throughout the day, and she is having vet appointments every two weeks. So, that is taking up a lot of my time.

I'm also working hard on my digital art, and creating ATLA and LOK fanart, which is fun.

Another quick announcement:

Spring semester for my college begins on January 19th, and I go back to work on the 11th. So, that means that until the semester gets further along and I can manage my time with these new classes, updates may slow down a lot. BUT, I will try to have another update before classes start up.. I can't promise anything, but I will try. :)

Thank you all for being so patient with me, and also thank you all for reviewing! Y'all are seriously so sweet.

Now, onto this chapter.

Quick note:

Most of this chapter seems as though it hops around a lot, but that is because it is happening simultaneously. You'll see what I mean once you read it. When it says, "the next morning," everything after that is on it's own time, separate from the rest.

Now, let's go!

Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA

Made

Chapter 9: "This is the Start, Where We Belong"

He sat at a booth in the Fire Nation market, 10 minutes early, holding a cup of tea in his hands that had gone cold.

His forearms sat on the table, eyes staring blankly at the tea in front of him.

After sending the text during his run, Aang felt both nervous and somewhat relieved at what he was about to do. As much as he hated seeing people upset, he knew it was for the best, and believed that On Ji would thank him eventually. After all, she should be with someone who loves her, and Aang was planning to give her that opportunity.

He had been thinking all afternoon about how he would do it: over a meal, at the park, over the phone. He silently scolded himself for the last idea and pushed it out of his mind.

On Ji was his first girlfriend, and he didn't know the first thing about breaking up with a girl. So, he decided to meet with his best friend, someone whom Aang knew had experience with such a task.

The airbender was pulled from his thoughts as he saw his friend approaching. He looked up from his tea and gave a small smile.

"Hey, Zuko," he said as the other man sat across from him. "Thanks for meeting me."

Katara stood in her kitchen making herself dinner when she heard a knock on the door. Her brows furrowed, and she put down the knife and carrot to see who was at her apartment.

She wasn't expecting anyone, and Sokka was supposedly going to be out with Suki until late. Even if it were her brother, though, he wouldn't have knocked. After all, he did live there with her.

Making her way to the door, she looked through the peep hole and rolled her eyes gently. Katara sighed and smiled softly as she opened the door.

"Hey, Toph," she said as the blind woman abruptly pushed through the doorway into the apartment. "Come in, I guess."

The waterbender closed the door and walked back to the bar, resuming her position cutting carrots for her dinner.

"Did you need something?"

Toph walked to the opposite side of the bar and sat in a stool, placing her chin in her hand as her elbow sat atop the bar.

She shrugged, "not necessarily. Just wanted to stop by and ask how you're doing. Twinkle Toes told me that you turned down his invitation."

Katara sighed and closed her eyes for a moment before moving to the stove.

"I'm fine, Toph. Just have a lot on my mind, that's all."

The earthbender scoffed at her friend, "if by 'a lot' you mean a certain airbender, then I'm willing to bet you're not fine. I can feel your heartbeat from here."

The two benders had become fast friends since their initial meeting and got along surprisingly well. At first glance, some would say their friendship was a bit odd; Toph was very headstrong and sporadic, while Katara was selfless and caring. But, they balanced each other out, and the waterbender was grateful for finding such a great friend in the big city. Not to mention the fact that she was the most successful music producer in Republic City.

Toph cleared her throat, grabbing Katara's attention.

"Yes, Toph?"

The waterbender began chopping broccoli as her friend turned in the stool, placing her feet across from her onto the other stool.

"When are you going to admit to me that you have feelings for him?"

Katara sighed and looked up at the blind woman.

"What does it matter?" She shrugged her shoulders and looked back down, "it's not like it will change anything. He is with someone else, and I don't even know if he feels the same way."

Toph pulled a few rocks from her pocket and started spinning them in the air with her bending.

"You know, Sugar Queen," she said with a smirk. "There's a lot about him that you don't know."

"You need my help with what?"

Aang sighed and placed a hand on his forehead.

"I need your help to breakup with On Ji. Well, more like advice on how to do it."

Zuko raised his eyebrow and sat back in his chair, stunned.

"Wow," he said with disbelief in his voice. "So, you're finally going to do it, after all this time?"

Aang nodded.

"What made you decide to do it?"

The airbender shifted his weight in his chair and leaned his elbows on the table.

"Well," he started, slight remorse in his voice. "I've been thinking about it, and it isn't fair to her to keep this relationship going."

Zuko smirked knowingly and crossed his arms over his chest, "this wouldn't have anything to do with a particular waterbender, now, would it?"

Aang tried to hide a blush, but it escaped him, taking over his face.

He smiled gently, "is it that obvious?"

The firebender chuckled and sat forward in his seat, "Aang, you two were as red as apples the entire time you were singing. I'd say it's pretty obvious."

The airbender leaned back in his chair and put his hands on his face, sighing.

"Ugh," he started, sliding his hands down his face. "I've never felt this way for anyone else, Zuko. When I'm with Katara, it feels… magical. Like that's where I'm meant to be."

The older man smiled and gave a look of sympathy to his friend.

"We've known each other for a long time, right?"

Aang looked across the table and nodded slowly, brows furrowed.

"I have never seen you look at anyone the way you look at her, which says a lot."

The airbender sat up in his chair, listening intently to his friend.

Zuko continued, "you know, as well as I, that certain people are meant for each other. There are spirits connecting us all, some more than others."

Aang chuckled lightly, raising a brow, "you're starting to sound like your uncle."

The firebender rolled his eyes, smiling slightly.

"If you feel this strongly for her, after having known her for only two weeks, maybe there is something pulling you two together."

The younger man sighed and looked towards the sky.

"That's exactly what Toph said," he started. "Which is what helped lead me to my decision to break up with On Ji."

Zuko nodded, motioning for Aang to continue.

"I shouldn't have stayed with her this long, knowing I didn't have feelings for her."

He sighed once again, looking back to his friend, "I hate myself for leading her on this way, but I can't do it anymore. I thought that if I stayed with her, maybe I would develop feelings, but I haven't. And I don't think I will."

Zuko nodded, "I completely understand where you're coming from, Aang."

The airbender smiled and turned his gaze to his cup of tea.

"I know what happened between you and Jin a few years back, so I was wondering if you could give me some advice on what to do."

Zuko had met a woman, Jin, freshman year of college. He didn't have strong feelings for her, but he couldn't deny that there was something there. She had asked him to dinner, and he accepted, hoping that he would feel more of a pull towards her. During their date, he had found that she was more extroverted than himself, but he wanted to give her a chance. They had ended up dating for a few months before he met his current girlfriend, and he had decided to end his relationship with Jin before things got more complicated.

The older man took a sip of his own tea before responding.

"What happened with Jin was honestly very similar to your current situation, so I would love to help you out."

Aang smiled at his friend, eager to hear his advice for how to break up with On Ji.

Katara threw a package of noodles into boiling water, then made her way to the fridge to grab a drink.

She sighed, "what don't I know about him?"

Toph chuckled lightly at the waterbender, ready to explain Aang's situation, but Katara continued.

"He's a successful singer with his own band, the sweetest man I've ever met, and not to mention gorgeous."

She moved from the fridge to check on the noodles, turning her back to Toph in the process.

"Well," the earthbender started. "You are correct about the first statement, though I can't speak for the other two."

Katara looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"I've known Twinkle Toes since junior high, and believe it or not, he's never talked about anyone the way he does about you."

The waterbender turned around fully, raising a brow at the blind woman.

"Really?" Toph nodded, so Katara continued, "but what about his girlfriend? They seemed really happy after the performance."

The younger woman rolled her eyes and continued spinning her rocks.

"On Ji has had a crush on him since high school, and he eventually gave in to her constant requests for a date."

The waterbender raised a brow, "so, he doesn't care about her?"

Toph placed her hand on her chin in a thinking position, then responded after a few moments.

"He cares about her as a friend, but nothing more." She stopped spinning her rocks and looked in Katara's general direction, "it's a bit of a complicated situation, and not at all what you're thinking."

The older woman didn't respond, so Toph continued, "the three of us were best friends throughout school, but On Ji always tried to make a move on Aang. He declined every date she asked him on, and she eventually gave up."

Katara nodded her head slowly, taking in the new information.

"Okay, so, if he never felt the same way, why are they together now?"

The blind woman began spinning her rocks again, relaxing in the stool.

"They bumped into each other at the park about seven months ago, and he finally gave in."

Katara was shocked by this information. She had such strong feelings for Aang, but kept pushing them down because of his current relationship. Learning that he didn't have romantic feelings for On Ji gave her a glimmer of hope, but also saddened her.

They had apparently known each other since high school, but something kept him from accepting her date invites until recently. What could have changed his mind? So many things had been going through Katara's head, but she lingered on one simple question:

Why had he stayed with On Ji this long if he didn't have feelings for her?

Her mind was reeling, going in places she didn't wish to be. The possibilities for Aang's choices made her heart ache, and she hoped that they weren't anywhere close to what she was thinking.

Not knowing why he had chosen this should have sent Katara the other direction, made her run away. But instead, it intrigued her. The waterbender was generally good at figuring people out, and from what she could tell, Aang didn't seem like the type of man to be leading on a woman without good reason.

Perhaps he didn't want to hurt her; or maybe, he had growing feelings for On Ji after all.

Whatever the reason was, Katara had decided, in that moment, that she wasn't going to hide behind her feelings anymore. If he truly didn't have feelings for On Ji, maybe that meant that he would break up with her soon, and then…

The waterbender shook her head at these thoughts. Even if Aang wasn't romantically interested in On Ji, she wouldn't wish a breakup on anyone. The other woman, from what Katara could see, seemed sweet, and like she really did care for the airbender.

"No," Katara thought. "I can't come between them."

She looked to Toph, sadness filling her eyes.

"Well," she began, turning to check on the noodles she had put on the stove. "I hope everything turns out alright with them. She seems like a sweet person, and he needs someone like that."

The earthbender's cloudy eyes softened and she stopped spinning her rocks once again.

She mumbled under her breath, barely audible, "he needs someone like you."

After meeting with his friend, Aang felt more confident in ending things with On Ji, but he still hated himself for waiting so long.

Zuko had advised him to wait until the next morning, and to do it over lunch to give her something to occupy her mind as he told her the news. Aang agreed, hoping that it would also make it easier for him.

Even though he didn't have romantic feelings for On Ji, she was his friend, and was nervous about losing her as one. But he couldn't be in a relationship any longer that wasn't going anywhere, and his feelings for Katara were growing by the day.

The airbender sighed as he walked into his apartment, hanging his car keys on the hook by the door.

He had decided to meditate- something he would normally only do in the mornings or when his mind needed a break, which it did.

Aang took off his shirt, sat in the lotus position in front of the floor to ceiling window in his bedroom, and began to meditate.

After what felt like an hour, he was pulled out of his trance by the ringing of his phone. He groaned, using light airbending to get up from the floor.

After seeing who was calling him, his spirits fell, and his face faltered slightly before plastering on a fake smile.

"Hey, On Ji," he said with strained enthusiasm. "What are you up to?"

His girlfriend giggled softly into the phone before responding.

"Nothing much," she said with a light voice. "I'm just out with Sokka and Suki. How is your evening?"

Aang cringed slightly at the mention of Katara's brother. She had introduced them after the duet session, and he seemed like a fun person to be around. The Airbender silently wondered what Sokka would say if he knew how much he cared for his sister.

On Ji's voice pulled him from his thoughts, "Aang? Are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here." He lightly shook his head, "I'm doing well. I actually had a question for you."

He could assume his girlfriend was a bit confused at this, but still she replied.

"Sure, what is it?"

Aang took a deep breath and let it out quietly, "can you meet me for lunch tomorrow? 'Lee's Place' at 12:30?"

A moment of silence passed, and he became nervous, his mind sent into a whirlwind before she finally responded.

"That sounds great, Aang. I'll see you then."

He let out yet another sigh and sat on his couch softly.

"Okay, see you tomorrow. Goodnight, On Ji."

As he hung up the call, Aang felt his nerves begin to bubble up inside of him and he chuckled lightly at himself. Laying back, he sunk into the couch and rubbed his hands down his face.

"If you make the bed, you have to lie in it," he said aloud to himself.

The airbender stood from the couch and made his way to the bedroom, mentally preparing himself for what the next day would bring.

The next morning, Aang awoke at his usual time and started the day like he always did, meditation and a morning run in the park.

As he completed his run, though, he felt different- lighter almost. Aang knew what he was going to do at lunch and was silently dreading it. But he couldn't help the feeling of content creeping into his mind. He wasn't by any means excited to break up with On Ji, but he couldn't deny that he was proud of himself for finally working up the courage to do it.

Aang knew that by doing this, he was giving On Ji, as well as himself, the chance to be with someone whom they each belonged with.

The airbender finished his run and made his way back to his apartment, deciding to stop at the Jasmine Dragon along the way.

As he rounded the corner of the sidewalk, he didn't notice a certain blue-eyed man walking in his direction. They collided, and hot tea spilled all over Aang's chest, making him gasp in pain.

The other man's eyes grew large and he immediately apologized, trying to help in any way he could.

"I'm so sorry, Aang!"

The airbender looked up from his chest and finally noticed who he had bumped into, becoming slightly embarrassed.

"Ah," he said with a nervous smile. "Hey, Sokka. It's alright; I clean up easy."

Sokka watched as Aang put his fists together and surrounded himself with air. As the wind died down, he noticed that the man's shirt was completely dry, and he let out a breath.

The younger man smiled and stuck out his hand gingerly, "I wasn't expecting to see anyone other than Iroh this morning. How are you?"

"It's way too early for any of this," Sokka said, chuckling, as he shook Aang's hand. "I was out late last night and woke up with a bad headache. Katara suggested a special brew from the Jasmine Dragon, but I guess I ruined that."

The airbender laughed and gestured to his shirt, "I guess you did. Hey, speaking of your sister…"

He stopped himself, struggling to find the words.

"How is she doing? We haven't talked since she declined my invitation to attend a band practice."

Sokka's smile faltered for a moment before he put on a false one, "she's doing well. She's been playing at the shop, but not as often as she was."

Aang tilted his gaze down slightly and furrowed his brows. He wondered why she had brought back her hours and felt as though it was because of him.

"I must have scared her away when I invited her to a practice," he thought to himself.

"Oh, okay."

Sokka noticed his slight pause and wondered what he was thinking. He knew how down his sister had been recently, and silently blamed the airbender. Pushing the blame from his mind, he saw how hurt Aang seemed at his response to his question. He took note of his downcast expression and pondered if he missed Katara the way she missed him.

"You know," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "She really loved singing with you; she never shuts up about it."

Aang looked at him with a lopsided grin and blushed, "really? She did?"

Sokka nodded, "yeah, it's kind of annoying how much she brings it up."

The airbender's grin never wavered as he responded softly, "well, I really enjoyed singing with her as well."

The older man felt his phone buzz, signaling a text, and decided that he should get back to the apartment.

"Well," he started. "I should get going. See you around, Aang."

Aang nodded, "it was good to see you again; bye, Sokka."

The two men walked their separate ways, each wondering what was to come.

As her brother opened the door to the apartment, Katara was busy rummaging through her closet for an outfit.

Sokka heard a strange sound from her direction and raised a brow, confused.

"Sis? You alright over there?"

Katara huffed loudly, "yeah, I'm fine. Just trying to find an outfit for today."

Her brother made his way to her closet, leaning on the door jam, arms crossed on his chest.

"Oh yeah?" He chuckled, watching her make a mess with her clothes, "and what's so special about today?"

The waterbender stopped in her tracks and looked at her brother, annoyed.

"If you must know, I have a date-thing in a couple of hours."

He raised his brows, "a 'date-thing?'"

She placed a hand on her hip and nodded.

Sokka smirked, "with an airbender, I presume?"

Katara blushed slightly, then turned sadly to the side, looking down.

"No, it's not. It's with Haru."

Her brother's eyes softened, and he scolded himself for bringing up Aang.

He couldn't believe that he had forgotten the main reason why the two of them weren't together: the airbender had a girlfriend.

"Oh," he said, walking towards her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry, sis."

Katara put on a fake smile and perked up faintly, "it's okay. I'm actually looking forward to today; maybe it'll take Aang out of my head."

Deciding to drop the subject, Sokka grabbed a shirt from the rack and held it up to her.

"What about this one?"

His sister giggled, silently appreciating how gown up he had become, and thanked him for his help.

She took the shirt from his hands, "let's keep looking."

When he arrived at the restaurant, On Ji was already seated, scrolling through her phone. Aang took a deep breath, preparing himself, and made his way towards the table.

She noticed him walking over and stood, kissing his cheek as he approached. They sat down after greeting each other and smiled.

A waiter brought menus to the table and they ordered food, as well as drinks, and talked about their days.

Once their food arrived, Aang finally decided that it wouldn't do either of them any good to keep delaying, and cleared his throat, catching her attention.

"So, On ji," he started, hesitantly. "The reason I asked you to lunch today, is- "

"Aang, stop," she cut him off. "I know why you asked me here."

He raised his brows, "you do?"

She nodded, and he continued, "but… how?"

On Ji took a sip of her water, a sad smile on her face.

"I've been anticipating this day for a few months now, honestly." She noticed the look on his face and placed a hand over his, "I know you don't have feelings for me the way I do for you. I've known since high school."

Aang furrowed his brows, "and you're not angry with me?"

"I'm not going to lie to you," she lowered her gaze and pulled her hand from his. "I'm upset, but not angry. I should have stopped pursuing you a long time ago, but I didn't. So, really, I blame myself."

He stared at her, eyes filled with regret and sadness, "I'm so sorry, On Ji. I shouldn't have led you on like I did; it was very childish of me."

She giggled softly, "well, you always were a kid at heart."

Aang chuckled nervously, taking a sip of his water.

"But seriously," she said, eyes meeting his, sadness filling her face. "It's okay. I hope we can still be friends, though."

He returned her smile, "of course we can, On Ji. We've always been great friends."

After a few minutes of silence, she spoke again, catching him off guard.

"She's beautiful, you know."

Aang looked at her, a blush taking over his face.

"Uh, wha- what? Who?"

On Ji giggled, "the woman you sang with last week- Katara."

He rubbed the back of his neck, his blush intensifying.

"Yeah," he said wistfully. "She is."

She gave him another sad smile and stood from the table.

Aang returned her smile before quickly backtracking, "wait! That's not- she isn't the reason- "

On Ji waved her hand, silencing him.

"It's okay, Aang, I know."

He smiled once again, not wanting to drag this out any longer, then kissed her hand, "I'll see you around, On Ji."

She bowed her head respectfully, "goodbye, Aang."

The airbender watched apologetically as she left the restaurant, noting the tears that had gathered in her eyes before she walked away.

He continued to stare at the door long after she had gone, asking himself if what he had just done was a good idea after all.

On the one hand, he was giving On Ji, as well as himself, a way out of a relationship that was leading nowhere. But on the other, he didn't know what was awaiting him on the other side of this breakup.

Aang kept reminding himself that what he had done was solely for his and On Ji's benefit; but the thought of Katara kept creeping into his mind.

Maybe now, he could test the waters with the blue-eyed woman.

Maybe now, he could see if they were truly made for each other.

A/N:

Okay, raise your hand if you're happy to see On Ji gone.

In all seriousness, I decided to make the breakup quick, just because I feel like she would have been able to tell that there was something off about him. And, I didn't want to make her suffer anymore...

But anyway, was anyone expecting Katara to take Haru up on the date? I promise, there will be Kataang coming soon... but not too soon. ;)

I just love angst stories, can you tell?

Please, review. :)