Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

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Knock You Down

Chapter 8

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"Where's Zuko?" Katara repeated the question she had asked a second earlier, waiting patiently for Aang's reply.

Aang rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. He was nervous to tell her the truth. Mainly because he felt like she would disagree with his decision. "I'll tell you when Sokka and Toph wake up."

"Welcome back Twinkle Toes." Toph said, as she got up to her feet and gave Aang a slap on the back.

Sokka groaned, turning over on his side and opened his eyes halfway to see the Avatar with a big grin on his face.

"Thanks Toph."

Sokka stood up on his feet, looking the Avatar up and down. Aang stuck out his hand to shake Sokka's.

"Nice to see you too Sokka." he said, trying to keep the smile on his face. Sokka denied the handshake and pointed for him to sit down on a nearby log.

Aang sat on top of the rough log as he listened to Sokka ramble on about him leaving. Katara showed Sokka her mother's necklace and stopped him right in his tracks. She told him about how Aang went all the way to the South Pole to find it.` He was quiet for several minutes as he stared between Katara, her necklace, and Aang.

Sokka pointed an accusing finger at Aang as Katara rolled her eyes. "And I have just one more thing to say to you Aang" Aang looked up from his hands, giving Sokka his undivided attention. Sokka's facial expression softened and his shoulders slumped over a little bit. "...I'm sorry." Katara gasped in surprise but immediately smiled warmly at her older brother.

Aang's eyes grew wide imitating the exact look of shock written on Toph's face.

Sokka nervously shifted on one foot to the other. Apologizing was not always the easiest thing for him to do.

"I know that you are trying to help us," he continued. "I really appreciate that too. I've realized recently that you are putting your life, and your honor, on the line for us, and the entire world. The least I can do is not be an added burden. Please forgive me Aang."

Aang jumped up from his seat and gave Sokka a tight handshake. "I forgive you Sokka."

Sokka cleared his throat trying to sound professional, but failing miserably. "So... where's Zuko?" he asked, glancing around the campsite to notice the scarred prince was not there. Aang's smile faded as he took a standing spot next to Katara.

"Zuko is in the Fire Nation." Everybody immediately turned their attention to him. Aang continued trying not to be phased by the looks he was receiving. "We came up with a plan while we were away."

XXX

FLASHBACK...

Ozai smirked at the young men in front of him. He folded his hands placing them gently on the dark mahogany desk.

"I'm very proud of you boys," he said glancing between the Avatar and his son."Before long this war should be over with the Fire Nation victorious. Especially with your smart tactics." a slight chuckle exited his mouth as he closed his golden eyes for a quick second. "Making those peasants believe that you were on their side."

Aang took a deep breath. It was very difficult for him to sit here and tolerate this. They were his friends. Zuko noticed the look on Aang's face and quickly intervened not wanting his father to see it.

"It wasn't easy," he said, trying his best to hold back his anger as well. "We don't want to betray you father."

Ozai nodded his head, soon turning his attention the Avatar. "So the plan is all set?"

Aang nodded his head, trying to stay calm. "Yes, sir. I bring them here and they become our prisoners. Easy."

Ozai smiled at Aang, his golden eyes burning through him. "Good."

XXX

Katara frowned at her boyfriend. She didn't like the sound of this idea very much at all. "So you bring us there, and were suppose to free all those prisoners?"

Aang simply smiled at her. "Yeah. You guys can do it. I have some friends there in the prison that should be of assistance to you anyway."

Sokka glanced from his sister, to Toph, finally setting his eyes on Aang. "And you? What are you going to do while we bust those prisoners out of there?"

Aang's smiled disappeared slightly. This was the part he had not looked forward to telling. "Me and Zuko are going to take care of Ozai and Azula."

Katara's eyes grew wide for a quick second. "You mean... kill them?"

Aang solemnly nodded his head. "I don't want to kill anybody though. I really don't. I know I haven't been doing right by being a contributor to this war, but one thing I refuse to do as a monk is kill anybody."

"I don't think you have much of a choice Aang." Sokka tried reasoning with him. "What are you going to do? Just stand there while Ozai and Azula beats the crap out of you?"

A deep frown covered Aang's face. "I'm sure there's another way to solve this problem Sokka."

"Well, until you find one, I suggest you began preparing for battle. It's no fair for the rest of the world to suffer all because you don't want to kill two troublesome people."

Aang closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This is exactly why he didn't want to tell anybody, he knew they wouldn't understand. Being the Avatar came with its downfalls, and having the whole world on your shoulders was one of them. Especially when your beliefs went against the world's teachings. "I will do what I have to do Sokka. I'm just saying that if there is a way for me to beat him without killing him, I will do it."

Sokka emitted a small chuckle. "Good luck with that." he said, as he put a hand onto his stomach and frowned. "I'm hungry. Are you hungry Toph?" Toph nodded eagerly in his direction. "Okay come on Toph, lets go find something to eat." Sokka went over to Toph and helped her up as they went away to find some food.

All was quiet between Aang and Katara. Her blue eyes stared him up and down. He felt like knives were slowly digging into his skin.

"Katara?" he asked quietly, taking her hand in his. "Are you okay?"

Katara looked into his eyes. "I can't lose you Aang."

Aang glanced down at the ground, feeling like her blue eyes were piercing his soul. "You won't lose me Katara. I promise." he said this mainly for her benefit because part of him felt uncertain himself.

Katara took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair. She had heard those lines a million times before, and each time she believed them, they failed her. Her dad said the same thing before he was forcefully taken away. Avatar or no Avatar she couldn't lose him too.

"You can't be certain Aang! You don't know that for sure! Why don't you just drop out of it or something?"

"I don't have a choice-"

Katara interrupted him in mid sentence. "Yes you do!" her voice got softer as she looked into his grey stormy eyes. "You don't have to do this Aang. You really don't."

"Katara," he ran his hand lightly along her cheek trying to comfort her. "I'm the Avatar. I have to do something!"

Katara closed her eyes trying to hold back the tears that begged to come out. She knew he had become very good at all elements, but still, she knew for a fact that Ozai and Azula would not hesitate on killing him. Aang's belief's might cost him his life. She couldn't stand the thought of

losing him. It made her whole body feel numb.

"Why don't you just go jump off a mountain or something? You might as well! Your just going to let them kill you!" Katara had not realized how loud her voice had become, only the expression on Aang's face gave it away.

"Katara... please. Your being difficult." Aang did his best to keep his voice at a calm level. He gently reached for her shoulder but she shook his hand away.

"No, Aang. If your going to at least fight and try to win this thing I don't need to be a distraction." The words pained her deeply as they came out. But it felt like the truth to her. Here he was willing to risk his life because he did not believe in killing anybody, and wanted her to believe that there were other options that he could use and still win against two master firebenders. The whole idea sounded crazy to her.

"A distraction? What are you talking about?" This was the first real time Katara had ever seen him look mad. It scared her.

"Maybe me being your girlfriend right now isn't helping your cause. Your goal. All I would be is a distraction."

Aang's frown deepened as he slowly walked toward her. His voice falling several octaves as he spoke. "You're not a distraction. You help me. Knowing that you are by my side through this long war makes me feel... invincible."

Katara glanced down at her feet unsure of how to respond. She didn't get much of a chance to think up one before somebody's arms were wrapped around her waist, and somebody's forehead was leaning down against her own.

She looked up to see the stormy grey eyes that made her heart beat faster every time she looked into them.

The words came out of her mouth before she had a chance to stuff them back into her mind. "I love you Aang."

Part of her wanted to pull away from his hold, and run. But she didn't this time. She made a decision. No more running.

He smiled softly at her his eyes glistening in the sunlight, his black hair looking brown as it reflected the sun's rays. "I love you too Katara."