Sorry this is so late. Been really busy, and school isn't making it easy either. Also a couple trageties happened in the family...not fun. But here is chapter 9, hope you like it.

The air was filled with silence as the Gaang trudged on. No one had spoken since Aang had spoken his commands to the group. Plus each was in fear of an ambushed. So to attract the least amount of attention they traveled silently and quickly. The quicker they got out of uncharted and enemy territory the safer they were.

After about an hour of walking they were shrouded in a cloak of darkness. It was the perfect cover for them, but it also posed as a problem. Yet, that ended once they had reached the campsite Aang had specified. The river was a good 30 feet from the site and the area was enveloped with bushes and shrubs. This made it the group hard to see, the perfect camouflage.

Aang again gave the commands, "We can't set up a fire, for it might give away our position. The moonlight should be enough. Katara, I want you to go down to the river and bring back some water."

Katara nodded.

Aang turned to Sokka and Toph, "Toph I need you to make two Earth tents. After that I want you and Sokka to go out and find some food. You being able to sense vibrations and Sokka's hunting skills should work perfectly. But if you can't find anything or you have to travel too far away from the camp turn back. We can go a night without food; however, we can't risk having one or both of you kidnapped. Every time we leave the campsite we go in pairs. Two people are harder to ambush than one and it is safer."

After they had received their commands they set off to work. Aang set up the site. He used some of his Airbending abilities to blow some leaves over the area, covering their supplies and equipment. He also made sure Appa and Momo were safe and hidden before heading out to get some water with Katara.

Gathering water was the only time the two had alone all day. It was actually somewhat relaxing. The steady river flowing and the rhythmic breathing of Katara and Aang had relaxed the tension. All the troubles of being attacked by rebels seemed to fade away.

Yet, one thing was bothering Aang. Katara had been unusually quiet, like she was in deep thought. Aang shrugged it off; she was probably tired from the ride up here.

The Airbender watched as Katara stripped to her under wrappings. It seems they were going to have a Waterbending break too while they were collecting water. Aang didn't mind, Waterbending always calmed him down anyway. And right now he was a bundle of nerves. He quickly took his shirt off and began so go through a few basic Waterbending techniques.

After a few moments of silent Waterbending Katara spoke, "Why'd you do it?"

This caught Aang off guard. What was she talking about?

Voicing his confusion he stopped Waterbending, "What do you mean?"

The Waterbender also stopped, "You know…why'd you leave?"

Aang sighed, "Katara, we've already spoke about this. The world needed me and you needed your family. It was easier that way."

Katara's anger started to boil, "Well, why didn't you write to me? Why didn't you visit me?"

Aang started to feel guilty, "I'm sorry, I wasn't able to."

Katara raised her voice, "Wasn't able to? Sending a letter takes but a few minutes. I can understand not being able to visit, but not being able to even send a note saying hi? You've could have tried something…anything!"

Aang let his anger out, "You don't understand!"

"What don't I understand!?!"

Aang shook his head.

"Of course I won't understand Aang, if you never tell me."

"It doesn't matter even if I told you; you wouldn't have been able to change it. You can't change who I am. This part of me," He was speaking about the Avatar, "the job I have to do, you can't change it. I cannot abandon everyone in the world that needs me."

Katara shook in anger, "But that still doesn't answer why you couldn't even talk to me!"

Aang shouted back, "It doesn't have to! This is my business, not yours!"

Katara facial expression went from anger to nothing. There wasn't any emotion present when she looked at Aang. He voice was devoid of feeling as she spoke, "Fine, I don't need to know. But my best friend would have given me an answer. The Aang I knew is gone I guess." She started to walk off.

Aang went into shock. Not the same Aang what was she talking about, "Katara, wait!"

Katara reached for her clothes and then just headed off to the campsite, not looking back.

Aang realizing that there was no use fell back into the water. He floated there just contemplating about what Katara said.

It was true he hadn't given her a straight answer. If he would have given her a straight answer it would have given away his secret. His secret about how he loved her. Aang had not been able to pick up a pen and gather up the courage to write to her. It would have broken his already tattered heart if he would talk to her knowing they probably never really get to meet again. He had thought forgetting about her would be better than straining his heart trying to keep in contact with her.

Guess that wasn't the best choice, seeing it left him all the more heartbroken. Yet, he wasn't just doing it for himself. Aang knew Katara would never live a normal life if she was with him. And with all that she had been through, she deserved a normal life. She deserved a normal life, with a normal husband that would love her and be there for her, and with a normal family that the two could raise without the cruel world that he lived in sneaking up on them.

He looked up at the moon. Aang wanted to be like Yue, I guess. Yue was always watching over Sokka and letting him live a normal life at the same time. She still loved him without physically being there for him. Sokka wasn't meant for royalty if the two were to marry later on in life if she had not given her life for the moon spirit. It was just like how Katara wasn't suited for the life with the Avatar.

The Avatar shook his head having enough time to think about his life and Katara's. He Waterbended the liquid out of clothes before slipping his shirt on.

Why'd she just bring this up out of nowhere? That was Aang's main question. The last few days had been almost perfect and now…now everything had tension and awkwardness written all over it.

The Avatar sighed and trekked back to camp. Everyone was soundless as he walked in. Sokka could tell by Aang's miserable face and Katara rage that something had gone wrong. Toph just felt the vibes they were giving off. She could tell once she felt Katara stomping into the site that someone did something stupid.

Aang didn't stop for dinner. In fact he really didn't say anything. He didn't even make a notion of even stopping. Aang trudged into the Earth tent Toph created and went to sleep.

No one said anything. No one made a noise. Everything was silent. After dinner everyone went to their respective tents. Sokka and Aang sharing one tent and Katara and Toph sharing the other.

Tonight Aang had another nightmare. He woke up and was scared out of his wits again. However, there was no one to calm him down or make him feel better.

Aang could talk to Sokka about it. But that would be awkward and weird. Toph would kick his butt for waking her up, and Katara…she was still mad at him.

The Airbending Avatar sat thinking for a few moments wondering what to do. Not having his friend help him out this time he decided to stay awake. Staying awake was better than the nightmares he would be plagued with.

Plus I doubt Aang could stand seeing Katara die one more time. He's seen it three times already, he would rather never see it again and that's what he set off to do.

Aang would do anything not to see that dream. He had already done this before, the few days they spent on the island before the Invasion. If he could do it then, he could do it now.

Only it was much harder than he thought it was.