Author's Notes: Hey guys, well here's the updated version of chapter 2. Nothing more to say about it except enjoy...
Chapter 2: Shopping
"All I remember is General Howe reading off the names of villages that took the most damage from the war, and the next thing I knew, my head dropped on the table." Aang said explaining the peace meeting to Katara as they were walking into the city holding hands.
Katara throws her free hand over her mouth trying to hold in her laughter. "Then what happened?" she asked.
"Well, as soon as my head hit table, I sat right back up and saw Zuko, the Earth King, and all the generals looking at me. It was really embarrassing. I quickly apologized and Zuko decided to end the meeting for the day. He came up to me after everyone else left and tells me, "Yeah, I know these meeting are boring Aang, but let's try and take them seriously, ok?" I nodded and he left to go meet up with Iroh, and I went back to the house to find Sokka and Suki outside. Ok, that's my story, now on to you. How long have you been singing?"
"Well, it started when I was a kid. My mom would always sing to Sokka and me when we were sick, and she had a very beautiful voice. I even had her sing to me whenever I was sad or angry. Every time I heard her sing, I would forget whatever it was that was bothering me. I became obsessed with wanting to learn how to sing like her, so I had her teach me. Every morning, it would be me and her, practicing without anyone else knowing. It was our little secret. And after…" she then stopped and took a deep breath of the memory of the day of the raid passing through here mind. "…what happened, I would still find some time to myself and sing. And I've been doing it ever since."
He starts rubbing his thumb against her hand and smiles, "And I bet she'd be very proud of how beautifully you sing."
A tear begins to slide down her cheek and she wipes it away.
"So wait, you went off to practice even after you guys found me?" He asked.
"Yep, throughout all our times together actually." She responded slightly blushing.
"When? How were you able to find time without me, Sokka, or even Toph knowing?"
"I would get up early and find private spots for me to go and be alone and sing. And by the time you all were waking up, I was back making breakfast. Seriously Aang, you have no idea how hard I tried to keep it a secret."
"Oh…well, you did very good job at it." Aang said turning his head away trying to prevent Katara from noticing the look of disappointment on his face, but it didn't work.
She reaches for his free arm stopping them both from walking and gives him an encouraging hug. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Aang." She said.
"Don't be." He replied.
"I still am." She said pulling away from their hug looking sincerely into his eyes. "After everything we've been through together, you were always there for me. No matter what the situation was, you were with me no questions asked. You're the most trustworthy person I've ever met, and I was too stupid to realize it."
"Katara, you're not stupid, you're being too hard on yourself."
"Even if I am, I should have told you, especially now. I promise you, no more secrets. I don't want to hide anything else from you."
"And I don't want to hide anything from you either." Aang said.
She smiles and gives him a kiss on the cheek making him blush. "And you really shouldn't beat yourself up for not realizing what I was doing all this time."
"What? How'd you know what I was thinking?"
"Because I know you so well." Katara replied making Aang blush rubbing the back of his head. This made Katara giggle and kiss him. "You know, you're so cute when you blush." She pointed out. Aang smiles and grew redder making Katara laugh. She then grabs his hand and wraps it around her waist and rests her head on his shoulders as they continue walking.
"Aang, can you promise me not to tell anyone about my singing?" Katara asked.
"Don't worry Katara, I won't, I promise. But I think you should. It really isn't something you should be embarrassed about." She doesn't respond. "Think about it, ok?" He asked. "Ok" She replied.
"So, where are we supposed to meet Sokka and Suki?" Aang asked as he and Katara enter the marketplace.
"Well, Sokka said he wanted to get a new boomerang, but I don't know where to start." Katara replied looking around trying to point Sokka through the crowd.
"I got it!" Aang said as he opens his glider. "Grab hold of me, Katara." She walks behind him and wraps her arms around his neck. "Hold on tight." And with one quick gust of wind, they launch into the air. Katara shrieked as they took off which quickly turned into laughter as they glide above the marketplace. "There they are!" Katara says pointing out Sokka and Suki looking at a collection of boomerangs. Aang then lands them near the shop and closes the glider.
"Well, you two finally decided to show up. What took you two so long?" Sokka demanded.
"What are you talking about Sokka?" Katara replied, "As soon as Aang came and got me, we left to meet with you."
"Yeah, well if you guys left as quickly as you said you did, then why did it take so long to fly here, hmm?" Sokka asked sarcastically.
"Well genius, we walked to the marketplace, and then we flew over to find you." Katara sarcastically answered back and Aang cut in between them.
"It's true Sokka, we did walk here."
"And you guys are here now, and that's all that matters." Suki said pulling Sokka to her. "Right?"
"Yeah, I guess" Sokka sighed.
And with that, Sokka went back to the boomerang collection and bought a brand new boomerang for himself.
Several hours went by, and the two couples continued exploring the marketplace seeing what each shop had to offer. As ladies went to try on some dresses, Sokka and Aang continued looking around trying to find gifts to buy them.
"So Aang, what do you think Suki will think of this?" Aang turns to see Sokka wearing a ridiculous set of armor, similar to the one he tried on for Katara a while back.
"I don't know, Sokka. Suki would think you're crazy if you think wearing that is slick."
"Aang, trust me. Wearing big shiny armor…the ladies will go gaga for you." Sokka said trying to act suave. He then begins to lose balance and falls face first to the floor.
"Oh yeah, I can see the ladies starting to line up now." Aang said with a big smirk on his face.
"Ha-ha. Laugh it up airhead." Sokka said getting out of the armor. He and Aang then put it back on the shelf. "But trust me on this; you learn new things about women everyday." Sokka said continuing to shop.
"Yeah, tell me about it." Aang replied smiling.
"So Aang, what was taking Katara so long to get ready?" Sokka asked.
"Sokka, I thought that was taking care of." Aang replied.
"No, the discussion was only dropped, and now I'm bringing it back up. Usually, Katara's the first one to be ready for anything. She always rushes us to do something or go somewhere. I know when she's got something to hide, and I'm gonna find out what it is. What did you two do?"
"I didn't do anything, I swear!" Aang explained as his face grew bright red. "When I went to her room, she was ready to go."
"Ok, then why didn't she come outside to wait with us then?" Sokka asked wrapping his arm around Aang's shoulders. "I promise you, I won't say a peep to her, just tell me, what was she up to?"
"Well…all she was doing was just taking care of some personal business, and when I came in she just finished and we left. That's all you're getting out of me, Sokka." Aang replied.
"How do we look?" Suki asked.
Sokka and Aang's mouths both drop to the floor at the sight of Katara and Suki in nice dresses.
"Wow! You look amazing!" Aang said.
Katara giggled. "Thanks."
"Very nice…"Sokka said looking at the price tag on Suki's dress. Sokka's smile suddenly disappeared. "Wow, suddenly they're not so nice anymore."
"Well, I'm sure we can work something out." Aang replied. He then calls to the worker. "Excuse me sir, do you mind…"
"You're the Avatar!" The Worker yelled.
"Uh…yeah…" Aang replied.
"Oh, it is an honor to have you here. I own this store, and if there is anything you need…" The owner explained.
Aang suddenly dragged the owner aside. "Well, I wanted to buy the dresses for my girlfriend and my friend's girlfriend. Maybe we can work something out?"
"Oh my dear Avatar, for all that you have done, you can have those dresses, no charge." The owner replied.
"What? No, I don't want there to be…"
"It's ok my dear boy, I insist."
"Well, thank you. Thank you very much." Aang said bowing to the owner.
"No thank you, Avatar." The owner replied.
The two then parted and Aang walked back to the others.
"What was that all about, Aang?" Katara asked.
"I just made a deal with the owner of the store and I just got you that dress." Aang replied.
Katara's face lit up. "You what? Really? You're getting this for me? Oh Aang, thank you. This is so nice. Thank you." She threw her arms around him and began kissing him.
"And I made a deal for Suki's dress too, Sokka."
"Really? Thanks Aang. That's very sweet of you." Suki replied.
"Oh yeah, definitely, thanks Aang." Sokka said. "Ok it's getting late, you two get changed and let's head back."
The girls then left for the dressing room, and Sokka wraps his arm around Aang. "Seriously, thanks for that."
"No problem, Sokka." Aang replied.
"But remember, I'm still not dropping what we talked about. I will find out what she's hiding." Sokka told the young airbender.
"Don't worry Sokka, I'm sure you'll find out sooner or later." Aang replied. "Come on, let's go wait for the girls." Then the guys walk to the dressing room.
Author's Note: I hoped you guys are liking these updates. I love this story and I wanna try to make it the best I can. Leave a review to let me know how I'm doing. Updated Chapter 3 and the long waited Chapter 6 will come soon.