Chapter 13 Jealousy

The next morning the village was abuzz with activity, everyone was busy preparing for the feast, women were cooking men were setting up and children were decorating. Katara and Myoshi had been supervising the children in their decorations. Although Katara seemed somewhat distracted. Myoshi noticed immediately.

"Hey Katara," she said. Katara didn't answer her she merely stared off into nothing.

"Hey earth to Katara," Myoshi repeated this time waving a hand in front of her face.

"Hmmm, what," Katara said suddenly coming to her senses.

"Geeze Katara what is with you today you are like totally zoned out?"

"Oh, uh nothing," she sighed, turning her attention back to the ribbons and bows that they were putting up for the celebration. Myoshi just gazed at her friend.

"Hey are you sure you're alright," she asked softly, "you know if you want to talk about it I'm all ears." Katara looked to Myoshi and sighed.

"If I tell you something will you promise not to tell anybody," Katara whispered.

"I swear," Myoshi whispered back.

"Even Sokka?"

"Especially Sokka," Myoshi swore. Katara glanced around her.

"Okay, come here," she lead Myoshi away from the crowd, and they duckedbehind a nearby hut. Katara began pacing in front of her.

"So what's the scoop Katara," Myoshi asked in intrigue.

"Okay so yesterday Aang and I were outside the village talking and…."

"And…..frogs fell from the sky...uh lighting struck an iceberg….um a unagi ate Appa…Katara what happened?"

"Aang kissed me," Katara said. She gazed at Myoshi with a flustered expression upon her face and wringing her hands in nervousness.

"Wait…what?"

"Aang kissed me," Katara repeated.

"No I heard you the first time, so Katara details," Myoshi smiled, "what was it like to kiss the Avatar?"

"Well," Katara frowned.

"Oh do not tell me the Avatar is a bad kisser."

"Well…not exactly," Katara said, "see the thing is he said that it didn't mean anything."

"Okay….What," Myoshi questioned. Katara shrugged.

"I don't know; we were just joking around and then all of a sudden he kissed me, and it was…a real kiss, I mean…it was…"

"One for the books," Myoshi smiled. Katara smiled weakly and turned her eyes to the frozen ground beneath her feet.

"I thought that it was real," she paused,"I mean it felt like he meant it, but then when I tried to ask him why he kissed me he just said that he was just trying to prove a point, the kiss meant nothing, and it wouldn't happen again," Katara shrugged.

"I'm confused…proving a point…what is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh," Katara sighed, "I think it's something to do with the difference between a peck and a kiss."

"What?"

"Nothing, never mind," she sighed heavily she turned back to Myoshi, "the thing is I'm just so confused now, I mean Aang is my best friend, we have always been close and I can't imagine my life without him. But now…now I don't know how I feel, all of a sudden things are…different and it's just…Oh I don't know how to explain it," Katara huffed and crossed her arms.

"It sounds like you have been feeling like this long before Aang kissed you," Myoshi interrupted. Katara just sighed and gazed up at Myoshi.

"Well Katara, why don't you talk to Aang about how you feel?"

"I couldn't," she exclaimed, "not after yesterday, I mean, he made it clear that he made a mistake by kissing me, and besides I really have nothing to say, I don't even know how I feel, not really."

"But Katara," Myoshi replied, "maybe he didn't mean it… I mean, maybe he is just as confused as you are…maybe kissing you like that made him realize that he cares about you and that scared him." Katara shook her head disbelievingly.

"Do you know how long it took Sokka to admit that he had feelings for me," Myoshi smiled, "I mean seriously admit it?"

"But Myoshi it's not the same, Aang's always been open with his feelings," Katara replied. Myoshi smiled sympathetically and shook her head.

"The hardest thing for anyone to do is admit that they care about someone," Myoshi replied," because there is always a risk that the person you love will not feel the same as you do. Some people take the risk, sometimes they win and sometimes they lose, but they at least took a chance. For most of us the risk feels too high. We are afraid of getting hurt, so we would rather live our lives dreaming about the ones we love then to live with the harsh reality that the one's we love don't love us back. The flipside of course is that by keeping your feelings hidden you never truly find out if the person you love truly has feelings for you or not, you just assume the worst and live without." Katara nodded.

"Do you think that I should ask Aang again about the kiss?"

"Maybe you should just be honest with him," Myoshi replied, "take a risk, you might just be surprised." She smiled at her and winked her eye. Katara smiled back at her. The two headed back to center of town.

"Oh you know what Katara," Myoshi said suddenly,"I almost forgot about those…other bows…uh you go start without me and I'll be right back." Myoshi quickly ran in search of Sokka, she hated to break her confidence with Katara but as far as she was concerned this was an emergency. She arrived at Sokka and Katara's hut and impatiently knocked on the door. It immediately opened and Aang greeted Myoshi.

"Oh hey Myoshi," me and Sokka were just heading out to help with the preparations and…"

"Is that Myoshi," Sokka quickly pushed Aang out of the way and leaned casually on the door frame.

"Oh hey Myoshi, couldn't stay away I see."

"Ugh, not now Sokka," she replied rolling her eyes, "I need to talk to you it's important."

"You hear that Aang, she needs to talk to me."

"Yeah Sokka," she replied impatiently, less emphasis on need more emphasis on talk. Aang began to laugh.

"Come on," she sighed yanking him by the arm. She led him to the outskirts of the village.

"Alright Myoshi, what's this all about?"

"First promise me you will not say any thing to anybody."

"Alright I swear, what's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that I already promised somebody that I was not going to tell you this and if you go opening your big mouth then I'm the one that's going to look like a jerk."

"Fine Myoshi, I promise I won't tell anybody, warrior's honor."

"Okay," she sighed, "Aang kissed Katara yesterday." She held her breath and awaited Sokka's wrath.

Sokka just stared at her. Myoshi glanced at him questioningly.

"And I think that Katara is in love with Aang but she's afraid to admit it." Sokka didn't say anything to Myoshi.

"Sokka did you hear what I said?"

"Oh I heard you Myoshi," Sokka said, "but it's just not exactly news to me."

"I'm sorry?"

"Look those two have been in love forever," he said, "I'd be more surprised if that was their first kiss."

"But what about Takashi," Myoshi questioned, "I thought that Katara and him were like an item."

"Not as much as he'd like to be," Sokka scoffed

Aang headed out to the celebration sight without Sokka, since he figured that Myoshi had most likely diverted his attention for the rest of the day. He walked slowly, he was nervous about running into Katara after the day before. He could not believe the fool he had made of himself. He had kissed her like he had wanted to for so long, given himself the opportunity to tell her how he really felt, to tell her that he loved her and what did he do? He just took it back like it meant nothing to him and lied right to her face. He hated himself more then anything at this moment.

As he made his way to the center of town lost in his own thoughts he was suddenly distracted by the sound of a most familiar laughter. He gazed up ward and there he saw her. He was standing on a pedestal of ice and reaching up to tie a bow around a post. Takashi was holding her around the legs so that she would not fall. When she had finished Takashi lowered the ice pedestal.

"Thanks Takashi," she sighed, "I couldn't have done it without you." Aang rolled his eyes. Of course she could have done it without him she was a master water bender after all, why did she feel the need to boost his ego? Why was she always leading him on? Or was she, maybe she really liked Takashi, maybe she even loved him? Aang sneered at the idea. What did she see in Takashi anyway, what could he possibly offer her other then a lifetime of snow and ice; she couldn't possibly be happy with him. He wanted to go and interrupt their pleasant time but wasn't quite sure that he would be welcomed after yesterday's incident so he just hung back and watched them. Katara smiled the entire time that her and Takashi were together, it all seemed rather forced to Aang. Didn'tTakasi know that she liked to argue every once in awhile, didn't he ever disagree with her to see the cute little way her nose wrinkled up when she got mad, didn't he ever challenge her to a bending dual just to get close to her and then let her win to see her smile, did he ever do something that he knew annoyed her just so she'd pay attention to him? No everything with Takashi was agreeable; everything was just so…boring. How could she possibly want to be with Takashi and not with him? Once again, Katara laughed probably at one of the water benders mediocre jokes. Aang sighed heavily he could take it no longer. He marched right over to the two.

"Hi Takashi," he said happily, "Good morning Katara, isn't it just such a beautiful day?"

Katara smiled weakly at him, "Hi Aang."

"My you are in a very good mood this morning," Takashi said.

"Of course," Aang said, "everyone is up and happy, we are all alive and safe, not to mention I have the prettiest date for the celebration tonight," Aang smirked at Takashi.

"You can say that again," Takashi replied glancing over at Katara. Katara blushed, and then glared at Aang for a moment. Aang only smiled in return.

"So Katara," Aang said, "the decorations are looking really nice…me and Sokka were coming to help but then he ran into Myoshi and well…that was then end of Sokka."

"Hey Takashi," someone yelled from far away, "Takashi come here."

"Oh Katara…Aang, excuse me I gotta go." He leaned in and kissed Katara on the cheek.

"See you Takashi," she smiled. Aang rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

"So Katara,"Aang sighed, "you really like that guy huh"

"I don't know," she shrugged.

"What do you mean you don't know," Aang questioned her, "either you do or you don't."

"I mean I don't know Aang," Katara replied in aggravation, "what do you care anyway?"

"Look Katara," Aang said softly, "I don't want to fight with you, but it seems like that's all we've been doing lately, I know I messed up yesterday, but can't we just forget about it." Katara turned to him and smiled weakly.

"Sure Aang…..no problem."

Later that night

Katara stood in front of her mirror getting ready for the feast, she had a special water tribe kimono all picked out but the last second she had decided instead to wear the silk lavender kimono from Bok Choy. Of course it was not made for such cold climates and most likely she would have to cover herself with a warm shawl but she wanted to look different then any one else there, and if anything else she wanted to get to Aang just a little bit. She decided to leave all her hair down for warmth's sake. She just gazed at herself in the mirror when she was suddenly interrupted by a knock at her bedroom door.

"Yeah," she called.

"It's me," Myoshi called from the outside.

"Come in," Katara called.

"Hey," Myoshi said, "whoa look at you all dressed up, so who are you trying to impress Aang or Takashi? Katara smiled.

"What am I doing,"Katara sighed, "I'm making a fool out of myself that's what I'm doing I mean did he not clearly say that he wanted to forget all about what happened yesterday."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Katara slow down, one thing at a time okay, Myoshireplied,"look your just going to a party, okay." Katara flopped down on her bed and sighed.

"You're right this is stupid," Katara sighed, "Aang is my friend there is no reason why I should feel so nervous about going to a stupid party with my friend."

"Right," Myoshi said, "if anything you should be making him nervous just by wearing a dress like that," she smiled, "come on lets get out of here." Katara smiled back.

Aang and Sokka waited patiently for the two girls out in the sitting room. Aang was pacing nervously as Sokka looked on in mild interest.

"Hey Aang you're gonna wear a hole in the floor if you keep that up," Sokka joked. Aang paused and glanced up at his friend.

"Oh…uh…sorry, I was just…"

"You're not nervous are you," Sokka questioned. Aang looked quickly away from him.

"Me…nervous…no, why would I be nervous…I mean be for real Sokka." Sokka rolled his eyes.

"Hey Sokka," Aang turned to him suddenly, "does Myoshi usually take a long time to get ready for stuff like this…I mean like when you two are going together?"

"Oh my God," Sokka smiled, "she takes forever, I swear she does it on purpose just because she knows how impatient I am, she likes to torture me; hey why do you ask?"

Aang shrugged, "I don't know, something someone told me before…"

"What about Myoshi," Sokka glanced at him strangely.

"No...no," Aang laughed, "something about girls, taking forever to get ready…because they want to look perfect so that they can get a guys attention."

"Ohhhh…I don't get it Aang, I already know Myoshi is trying to get my attention, what are you trying to say?"

"I wasn't talking about Myoshi, Sokka I was talking about Ka….I mean I was just curious if it was true…and since Myoshi does care about you I figured I'd ask." Sokka shot him a look of suspicion.

"I was just being hypothetical," Aang said quickly. Suddenly they were both distracted by Katara and Myoshi emerging from Katara's room. As they entered both men were speechless.

"Hey Myoshi," Sokka stuttered turning a light shade of pink, "you look uh beautiful."

"Thanks Sokka," she smiled as she took his arm, "you're not so bad yourself."

Katara slowly made her way over to Aang. Aang awkwardly approached her, blushing slightly, his eyes gleaming as he gazed upon her, wrapped in the familiar silk kimono. The light lavender color was the perfect shade and brought out subtle highlights in her hair and her rich skin tones. She absolutely glowed in the shimmery dress. There was no way that any one was going to be able to take their eyes off of her tonight.

"You look lovely Katara," he said softly.

"Thanks," Aang she whispered back, "and look at you in water tribe colors, Sokka leant you some of his things?"

"Uh yeah," he said glancing down, "I didn't think my casual monk stuff was appropriate for a feast in my honor," he smiled. She smiled back.

"Well you look very handsome," she replied, "it brings out the color in your arrow," she giggled.

"Thanks," he laughed running his hand along his head.

"Alright you two that's enough," Sokka said, "we've established that you both look great can we please go to the party while there is still food left." Aang and Katara looked to Sokka in amusement.

"Yeah sure Sokka no problem," Aang said.

"Geeze your always in such a rush Sokka," Katara smiled. The two headed out the door.

Myoshi gazed at Sokka in question of his sudden out burst.

"You see Myoshi," he sighed pointing in Aang and Katara's direction, "they are totally in love…they just don't know it yet." Myoshi shot him a strange look.

"Oh come on Myoshi, it brings out the color in your arrow, who says that? The girl must be in love if she notices that, I mean really." Myoshi smiled.

"No, I agree with you ," Myoshi agreed, "I do think that they have feelings for each other, but why won't they admit it why won't they just tell each other the truth?" Sokka shrugged.

"You make a good point Myoshi, you know I have been watching those two for years wondering that very same thing and up until now Aang's had the excuse of being away from home, but now there is really nothing stopping them from finally admitting how they feel, maybe they just need someone to push them into doing it."

"You mean someone like a nosey older brother," Myoshi grinned.

"Who else could be better," he replied, "of course I'm going to need a gorgeous assistant," Sokka said slyly. Myoshi smiled.

"Really," she replied sarcastically.

"Oh yes," he replied, "it would never work without the gorgeous assistant."

"Come on Sokka," she smiled, blushing slightly, "let's get to this party already so we can get started on getting those twotogether."

"Hey wait a second," he said.

"What?"

"Not before we take care of the first order of business."

"First order of business, Sokka what are you talking about?"

"Come here," he said he pulled her toward him and kissed her on the lips.

"Sokka………you are……..such a……..jerk…….."She wrapped her arms around his neck and they deepened the kiss. He pulled her closer to him. Then she suddenly pulled away from him for a second.

"You know what this means don't you Sokka?" He shrugged as he gazed at her. She smiled.

"I Win," she laughed.

"What you don't win the bet is over," he exclaimed.

"Nope not until midnight tonight," she beamed, "besides I had you crawling on day one!"

"What are you talking about, Idid not crawl."

"Please, don't act like you didn't see me talking to Tien, I totally saw you nearly throw your boomerang."

"You flirted with Tien on purpose!"

"I did not flirt with Tien, we were just talking, I did however over exaggerate my laughing when I noticed you watching us, and maybe I did flip my hair an extra few times too, but I swear I was not flirting, we were mostly talking about you, he was asking me about the time you fell in the fishing hole."

"And of course you helped relive my tale of glory."

"Oh Sokka," Myoshi sighed.

Takashi fumbled nervously with the bracelet that he was planning to give Katara at the feast tonight. He hoped against all hope that she felt the same way as he did, that she would say yes when he asked her to marry him. He quickly tucked the piece of jewelry in his pocket and headed for the gathering of villagers. As he stood amongst the crowd, he suddenly caught a glimpse of Katara walking toward the bonfire, but she was not alone. Takashi frowned it seemed that she was never alone anymore.

She was hand in hand with Aang they were laughing and joking, and talking about things that Takashi was not a part of nor could he ever be. He watched as the two of them sat next to each other by the fire. He couldn't help but feel that the Avatar was coming between him and Katara, slowly stealing her away from him. No, he wouldn't let that happen. The Avatar wasn't there for her all this time, where was he when her father was sick, where was he when her gran gran passed away, where was he when she was rebuilding her village, where was he when she needed a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen to her, Aang certainly wasn't he here, but Takashi was.

"Katara must see that," he thought to himself, "Katara must realize that I am the one that's always been there for her."

"My boy," Soku approached Takashi, "how are you feeling?"

"A bit nervous sir," he replied.

"Oh that's normal," Soku replied, "You know the night that I proposed to Katara's mother was the scariest night of my life, I think I felt more brave shipping off for war then I did proposing to that beautiful woman." He smiled up at Takashi.

"You are a good man son, you have always been there for Katara, and I just want to say before the celebration gets started and everything starts rolling along here, that I am honored to welcome you into my family." Takashi smiled at Soku.

"Sir I am honored that you consider me the right match for your daughter."

"Alright it looks like the village has arrived I am going to get started with the announcements," Soku replied, "and don't be nervous." Takashi smiled again. Soku wheeled himself to the front of the crowd.

"Can I please have everyone's attention; thank you." All eyes turned to Soku.

"Okay I just want to thank every one for coming to this very special feast. I want to thank everyone for contributing, all the lovely dishes provided by all the very lovely women of our tribe. And I would like to thank my daughter Katara and hopefully my future daughter in law Myoshi as well as all the children for making the town square look spectacular. And of course as all of you know we are holding this feast to honor two very brave and honorable young men who are very dear to the heart of this village. The Avatar Aang who was saved our village form destruction on more than one occasion, and has brought peace to the world very recently, has returned to us. And also Takashi from the North who has helped us to rebuild our ravaged village has returned as well. We welcome them back with open arms and open hearts. Would you both come up here please?" The two men approached Soku. He smiled at both of them eagerly.

"The village thanks both of you and welcomes you home; alright let the feast begin," he cried.

The music began and people began to dance. Aang immediately sought out Katara but he was too late she was already dancing with Takashi. Aang sighed and fell back into the crowd. Suddenly Myoshi grabbed him by the hand and lead him to the dance floor. He just gazed at her.

"What are you doing Myoshi, where is Sokka?"

"Don't worry about Sokka," Myoshi smiled, "he's around here somewhere; I want to dance with you for a minute."

"Alright," Aang smiled. Katara and Takashi passed them and Aang's eyes followed the two. Myoshi grabbed his face and forced him to look back at her, "except you want to dance with Katara, don't you," she said.

"Well I…I"

"It's alright Aang," Myoshi whispered, "I can help you out." Aang looked to her questioningly

"Dance us over to them," she whispered. Aang shot her a suspicious grin.

"Come on," she insisted, "just do it ….trust me. Aang did as she said. Just as they were right next to Katara and Takashi Myoshi leaned in close to Aang.

"Now spin me out," she whispered. Aang was rather amused now. But he followed her orders. He spun her out and she was just in front of the other couple.

"Oh Takashi," Myoshi said innocently, "excuse me Katara, may I cut in?" Takashi looked to Katara imploringly. Katara smiled at Myoshi.

"Sure," she said, she shrugged at Takashi. Myoshi then waltzed away with him leaving Aang and Katara alone on the dance floor. Aang smiled at Katara

"Would you like to dance," he asked.

"I thought you would never ask," she smiled.

"Geeze I can't believe that actually worked," he sighed.

"What worked," she asked.

"Nothing," he replied shaking his head, "all I can say is Myoshi is a Saint. Katara glanced in Myoshi's direction and then turned back to Aang.

"So," he said, "how's his dancing, is he better then me at that too." Katara just rolled her eyes.

"Do we really have to talk about how jealous you are of Takashi right now, can't we just have fun."

Aang grinned, "Touché No more Takashi I promise."

"Thank you," she sighed.

Takashi and Myoshi waltzed around the dance floor but Myoshi's attention was strictly on Aang and Katara.

"Hey Myoshi, why did you have to interrupt me and Katara's dance," Takashi questioned.

"I'm sorry…what Takashi," she asked.

"I said why did you interrupt my dance with Katara?"

"Because I wanted to dance with you, why do you think," she snapped.

"You sure don't seem like you want to dance with me."

"Alright I'm trying to make Sokka jealous and he hates you with a passion is that believable."

"Uh I guess."

"Good lets go with that one then."

"Well it's just that I was trying to ask her something really important and I was just getting the courage to do it and then…"

"Excuse me Takashi…" Takashi looked over to see Sokka standing next to him and Myoshi.

"Do you mind if I cut in here," Sokka grinned.

"Hey I don't mind at all," Takashi said backing away quickly.

"So how's it look,"Sokka whispered.

"Sokka are you crazy," Myoshi replied,"now Takashi is free to cut in on Aang and Katara, as long as I had him with me he couldn't cause any problems for them."

"Yeah but then I couldn't get a dance with you."

"Ugh, all you think about is your self."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is!"

"No it's not!"

"Yes it is!"

"How can I only think about myself if I think about you all the time!"

"Really?"

"Okay um everyone I have an announcement to make." Sokka and Myoshi turned abruptly to see Takashi in the front of the crowd.

"If I could please have um Katara come up here to the front," he said nervously.

"Great," Myoshi exclaimed.

"Oh this is not good," Sokka said, "I knew he was planning something!"

Katara glanced over at Aang. He gripped her hand tightly.

"Come on Katara, "Takashi called, "don't be nervous, it's only the entire village." Aang cringed, another of his lame jokes. Katara reluctantly released Aang's hand and walked to meet Takashi in the front of the crowd. Aang followed her stopping at the very edge of the crowd and waiting for what ever ace Takashi held in his sleeve. Takashi turned to her and gazed at her lovingly.

"Okay here goes, Katara you are so beautiful and passionate, you are a fighter and you never give up hope no matter what the circumstance. You have a heart the has no boundaries and you love all people no matter what their nation station or ability. Since the moment that I met you I knew that you were perfect in every way that no other could every fill my heart." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the bracelet. He knelt down on one knee before her. He held it out to her wrist.

"Katara it is tradition in my tribe for a man to carve the emblem of his family crest onto a necklace charm to signify the marriage engagement. I know how important your mother's necklace is to you, so would you please accept this bracelet as a symbol of our engagement," he gazed up at her this time with tears in his eyes, "Katara…will you be my wife?" He clasped the bracelet around her wrist. Katara just stared at him in disbelief.

"Takashi I...I…I don't know what to say," she sighed, "I…I mean it's beautiful, she glanced over at her father he was smiling, she looked to Sokka and Myoshi they just stared in shock and then she saw Aang. His eyes transfixed on her. And his face displayed such a look of agony and longing. He just shook his head as if in shock. She wanted to run to him but Takashi was holding her hand and wouldn't let it go. Suddenly Aang turned away and disappeared in the crowd. At the sight of him leaving tears began forming in Katara's eyes. She didn't want this she didn't want any of this. Takashi was her friend why was he asking her to marry him. Everything was happening to fast and all she wanted to do was run away.

Takashi of course mistook her tears for those of happiness.

"It's okay," he smiled wiping them away, "it's alright" Katara shook her head.

"No Takashi, no it's not alright, I can't do this…it's to fast …I need time to think about this…I just need some time….Please."

Takashi frowned, "okay," he whispered, "take all the time you need." Katara backed away from him and ran from the party.

To be continued