Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Author's Note: This follows Chapter 6, and it takes place in between Lake Laogai and The Earth King. Named for the person who wanted to see the "alone time" referenced in that story. Sorry it took so long!

Tale of Kumori Doragon

After riding triumphantly out of Ba Sing Se, once again seated comfortably on Appa's head, Aang landed their group on a tiny island a short distance away. There was the slight problem that the bison had lost his saddle somewhere along his journey, but the only one who really seemed to take issue with this was Toph.

"So, what do we do now?" Katara asked the group at large, though she seemed to be mostly directing the question to Aang. He looked around at his little family, all together again at last, and rested his eyes finally on Sokka.

"Before we do anything else, I have something to follow through on," he said firmly. "Katara, I sort of promised myself that I would spend some time alone with you once we got out of the city, but it's really up to you. Do you want to?"

Before Katara could even respond, Sokka jumped in.

"What?" he yelled. "I'd decided you were joking! I won't let you go off with my sister!" Aang shifted his gaze to Katara, who was looking a little irritated that her brother was answering for her. Her eyes narrowed, and Aang grinned, gaining confidence.

"How will you stop us?" he challenged impudently. "We can fly away either on Appa or my glider."

"I'd love to spend some time with you," Katara said, pointedly ignoring her brother, who was trying to protest again.

"Oh, let them go," Toph advised Sokka. "You'll just upset yourself, and they'll leave anyway."

"Okay, fine," Sokka gave in, dropping to the ground in defeat.

"I don't really want to leave Appa again so soon," mused Aang. "Do you mind if we take him, Katara?"

"Not at all."

"You're just going to leave us stranded here?" Sokka's tone was disbelieving.

"We won't be gone long," Aang assured him. "You okay with that, Toph."

"Hey, as long as it's made of rock, I'm fine," she waved them off, so Aang and Katara climbed onto Appa's head and flew off. They didn't go far, only to a cliff on another island nearby.

"So, what's this all about?" Katara wanted to know once they had landed and dismounted.

"It's kind of a long story, but I basically wanted to get back at Sokka for suggesting that you kiss Jet," Aang admitted. Saying it out loud made the whole thing seem a little petty, especially after what had happened to Jet, but he couldn't honestly say he was sorry about being here with her now.

"Not that I don't really want to spend time with you," he added hurriedly. "Thanks for going along."

"No problem," Katara shrugged as they sat down together. She breathed in deeply, taking in the fresh ocean air. "The view is beautiful."

"Yeah, it is," he replied, except that he was looking at her.

"What are we supposed to do?"

"We don't actually have to do anything," Aang answered, blushing slightly. "I just want to make Sokka sweat a little."

"Oh." Katara paused. "You know he was just kidding, right? I don't think he would like to see me kissing Jet any more than you would."

"Yeah, that's what he said," admitted Aang, staring straight ahead. "Still, it felt like Sokka was…I don't know, almost selling you off or something. I didn't like it."

Plus I don't want you kissing anyone but me, he added silently. Katara was quiet for so long that Aang began to worry that he had offended her. Then, he felt her hand on his shoulder.

"That's so sweet," she said softly. He turned his head toward her, and she began leaning in. Aang was expecting another kiss on the cheek, like she'd given him before. Much to his surprise, however, she pressed her lips gently on his mouth instead. He was completely stunned. Katara drew back, observing his reaction with a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"Do you want to go back now?" he asked. It was the only thing he could think of to say.

"Oh, I think we could stay a little longer," decided Katara, snuggling against his side and resting her head on his shoulder. Aang took the hint and put his arm around her. Yes, they could definitely spare a few more minutes.

--

Author's note: Yeah, I couldn't resist adding in a little fluff after the last few chapters were kind of bereft.

I have also decided to start a new collection of songfics, all using songs from The Music Man. There are just so many great lyrics there! I'm going to start with "Good Night, My Someone," and I know what I'm going to do for it, but if anyone else is familiar with the show, be thinking about any ideas I could use. Once I publish the first one, I will offer the opportunity for readers to contribute possibilities.

Member of the Boomeraang Squad: charleegirl, Jesus.Lives, Liselle129, and honorary member SnakeEyes16

Thank you to libowiekitty, Tech-Man, White Fuzzy Ears, 7sins7lies (I wrote you privately about Zuko), and IGAF-kun for reviewing Chapter 12.

Sleepydragon001: Well, here's a Kataang, but I'm coming up dry on Tokka at the moment. If you have any ideas, I'll entertain them.

MormonMaiden: Thanks. I thought Mai deserved to have her side told, and I liked leaving it a little open as to whether Zuko was seeing her in a new way or not. The next installment may answer that.

Dakyu: I kind of thought I did Mai's view watching Iroh and Zuko? She couldn't hear everything because she was trying to give them some privacy. I do have another idea, but I think it will be Zuko's POV again.

pinguinolatino: I'm also looking forward to seeing how Mai responds to and interacts with Zuko in the next season.

SnakeEyes16: Yeah, Mai and Zuko are a little difficult to deal with, but I'm not generally one to back down from a challenge. Besides, you can imagine so much going on underneath the surface for both of them, and introspection is one of my favorite things to write.