"Appa, she's simply amazing!" The young Avatar had been ranting for an hour about Katara.
"She's just like I remembered, only better." Aang, who was sitting on top of Appa, began playing mindlessly with Appa's fur.
Appa only growled in response.
"Yeah, I know I've been saying that for the last hour, but it's true!" Aang threw up his arms in exasperation.
Appa gave another growl.
"Tell her?" Aang questioned.
Appa only nodded.
"I could never tell her. I don't want to make things awkward; we just got back together with the whole group."
Appa shook his head and a rumble emanated from his throat.
"I know. She might like me, but I'm not taking that chance…not yet."
Appa stomped his foot.
"Okay I'll tell her…I'll tell her at the end of this mission."
Appa flopped down on his belly. Aang quickly jumped off the flying bison's head and began to speak, "I'm sorry boy. I won't tell her at the end…I'll tell her once we reach the village. How about that? It's like the half way point."
Appa gave Aang a big old sloppy lick.
Aang erupted into a roar of laughter, "Aw Appa stop it! That tickles!" Appa stopped giving his friend continuous licks. "I'm glad you are not mad anymore."
A yell came from the house, "AANG! Dinnertime!"
"Coming!" Aang yelled over his shoulder. He then looked back at his oldest friend, "Thanks for listening Appa and as a treat," Aang pulled out two cabbages and a bushel of moon peaches, "you can have these."
As Aang offered the treats up Appa ate them all in one lick. The Avatar gave his bison a loving hug before racing inside for dinner.
Dinner was loud and full of energy. It was the first real together in a long time. For yesterday they had been all so tired they went to bed on empty stomachs. Each asking questions about the others' day and life. It felt like they were a real family.
At that thought Aang smiled, 'A real family.'
Toph the younger tomboy sister, Sokka the older protective and funny brother, and Katara…actually Aang had yet to define his relationship with Katara. So intern that space was left empty until he confessed to her.
After dinner and arguing who was to wash the dishes-Sokka-everyone went to bed. Off to sleep for they had a big adventure tomorrow.
Aang again, for the second night in a row, had the same nightmare. He woke up kicking and screaming. Drenched in sweat he shook. One night was enough, but a second night was terrifying. His shaky breathes and nervous hands calmed down after a few minutes.
He jumped up when he heard a knock on his door. Positioning himself for a fight he hid to the right of the door. The figure outside did not leave and instead opened the door. Since the darkness obscured Aang's few he was not able to tell who it was. Concealed in the darkness he watched the figure took a few steps inside his room. Once they were in far enough, Aang tackled them to the ground.
"Aang!" Aang, sitting on the intruder, lit his finger with a small fire, to shed some light on the figure. It was Katara.
"Katara? What are you doing here?"
"I heard you scream. I came to check on you."
"Oh."
Katara spoke again, "Hey Aang."
"Yep."
"Can you get off me?" Aang blushed and immediately stood up. After he stood he offered Katara a hand.
Katara brushed herself off and began to speak, "So…what was all the yelling about?"
Aang sighed and sat down on his bed, "Oh that? That was nothing."
Katara hesitated for a moment before sitting down next to Aang, "It couldn't be nothing, you had to be screaming about something."
"It's no big deal, just a nightmare."
Katara placed a comforting hand on Aang's shoulder, "What was it about?"
"I don't want to talk about it." He looked down not wanting to meet Katara's gaze. He was afraid that if he met her eyes he would spill everything.
Katara was hurt that her best friend wouldn't tell her, but accepted it, "Do you need anything?"
Aang thought for a moment before pulling Katara into a hug, "This is all I need."
Katara understood. Sometimes after nightmares all a person needs to feel safe is a hug.
When Katara was younger she was easily scared by nightmares. Her mother would always come and ask if she was okay. Katara would try to speak through her tears and sobs, but it was never understandable. It was all sobs and words blurred together making gibberish. But her mother always understood perfectly. The Water Tribe woman would scoop her daughter up in her arms and start to rock her back and forth. Then she would hum Katara a lullaby while gently stroking her hair. Eventually, the lullaby would calm Katara down. They would sit like this until Katara finally fell asleep. Then her mom would tuck her in and plant a kiss on her forehead. The woman, after she was absolutely certain that her daughter was okay, would head back to her own bed. However, that was only after one more look back her youngest daughter.
Katara felt her eyes water with tears at the thought of her mother, but she held then in for Aang. He didn't need her crying, when he was scared.
Imitating her mother, Katara gently stroked Aang's hair while humming a soft tune to him. His face was in the crook of her neck. They were so close she felt his heart beat. It was finally slowing down, along with his breath. In the end Aang fell asleep on Katara's shoulder, holding on to her.
Katara smiled, it had been a long time since she held Aang like this. She maneuvered Aang so he was now lying in his bed. The Waterbender carefully tucked him and gave him a light kiss on his forehead. She started back to her room, but not before giving one last look. She was surprised when she saw that a smile had made it up onto Aang's features. This intern, made Katara smile.
Before she left to catch up on her own sleep she left whispering these words, "Sweet dream Aang."
Katara went back to her own room, with a busy mind. At first it was thinking about the mission and how would they rid the villagers of the rebels, but it quickly shifted. Soon it was filled with thought of Aang. About their past, their present, and their future. Katara did drift off and her dreams were about a certain Airbender.
Tomorrow was going to be a big day and an even bigger adventure.
So, hey how'd you like it? Comments and criticism are accepted. Just tell me what you think about the story.
Well next chapter is when they ship out and make their way to the village. Yet, the only question is will they make it there safe? See you next time.