Chapter 3: Meat and Love

Half of the gaang had fallen under the sandman's spell already after Aang had made it clear he didn't feel like talking. Katara and Aang, however, were still awake. Between Aang's large charcoal eyes brimming with tears and Katara's deep azure ones filling with worry for Aang, the least they could hope for was at least an hour of dreamless sleep.

Finally, Aang couldn't stand the tension. He stood up and left Katara behind to think straighter, increasing Katara's worries.

Momo hadn't fallen asleep either. He was sitting on Katara's head, chattering quietly. Probably wondering where Aang had gone. Katara wanted to follow after him, but after he'd emotionlessly snapped those cold words of irritation at her, she had felt pusillanimous. She didn't want Aang to snap at her again. And yet, she admitted she deserved it all.

"Should I find him?" Katara asked Momo, putting her hands behind her head. Momo chattered on. "I thought that might be the answer." Silently, Katara slid out of her sleeping bag and entered the surrounding forest. The tall pines and elder yews held their breaths as she passed.

Finally, Katara walked into a clearing. Stars were scattered through the blue black sky like a bag of diamonds had been dropped and left behind by some insane jewel thief. Katara spotted Aang immediately, perched on a large boulder. He was hugging his knees like they were the only thing he had left. A small valley lay before him, not a tree in sight but rolling hills of green.

"Aang?" Katara whispered cautiously. Aang showed no sign of comprehending. "Aang, please listen. Zuko used me- I was so blond to think that he- and I-" a sob escaped Katara's throat as much as she tried to fight it. Aang turned took at her, his eyes softening. He couldn't stand her pain.

"Zuko said horrible things. He told me how you started- going out-, how he used you, how you didn't protect me and I almost lost my life. He blamed you, but while he was saying all those things, I honestly couldn't believe that was the whole story..." Another sobbed squeezed through Katara's tightly pressed lips. Finally, the poor girl surrender and fell into Aang's arms. Aang tensed at the affection, but ajusted quickly at her warmth. He hugged back, wanting to stop the pain.

"B-but it is the whole story, Aang! He messed with m-my mind, stole you away, and I stupid-d-dly let him...bec-cause I was blinder than T-toph...I'm sorry..." Katara melted like a warm chocolate bar in Aang's arms.

"Why do you care so much? I don't deserve this," she whispered, closing her eyes and ceasing sobs.

"Your right." Aang pulled away and looked into her surprised eyes.

"You deserve much better."

OoOo

Sokka couldn't sleep.

It was amazing how a few exaggerated snores could fool his sister and Avatar-friend. Toph had fallen asleep ages ago, so he didn't need to worry.

Just as Katara disappeared through the bushes, Sokka raced after her with bare feet. Momo tailed after him. He might have been being nosy, he might have been interfering with her life, and there was a slight chance that he was being lily-livered, but who honestly cared? Not him. That is, unless Katara caught him.

His sister breathed Aang's name with emotion ringing behind it all. She seemed to be holding back tears. Classic Katara; show no weakness. He listened with baited breath as she fell into Aang's limp arms. They talked on and on...

"You deserve better," Aang remarked. Katara hung her head, no longer in his arms.

"No, I don't! I deserve lemur pebbles," Katara spat. Aang stood up, placing a hand on her cheek.

"You deserve the world, and more. But I'm the Avatar, and I can't give you something that I have to protect. You deserve someone that can give you that, like that Haru guy or- or-" Katara shook her head and cupped his bald head.

"I use to think I needed Zuko, but after all that happened tonight-" Katara and Aang got closer. "I think I need y-" Sokka yawned and walked forward stupidly. He was so tired, that he couldn't seem to remember why he followed Katara in the first place.

"Mmmm, you guys got any meat-?" Aang and Katara shook their heads.

"Hmm, let's go back so I can dream of meat!" Sokka fell forward, meaning Katara and Aang had to catch him.

"Let's go," Aang muttered.

OoOo

The next morning the sky was clear and blue. Aang woke up first with an irritated feeling in his stomach. So close...to that kiss...just a few more inches for Gyatso's sake! Katara, however, was still asleep, currently not in the position to kiss Aang.

"Stupid Sokka, talking about meat," Aang glared at Sokka, who was sleeping off closer to Toph. She slept with her face hidden with bluish, unkept locks. He'd always wondered if Toph and Sokka liked each other, knowing fairly well that Suki was still waiting back on Kyoshi island.

"Love stinks," he declared. Sitting up, Aang strolled over to Sokka. He was asleep, snoring loudly. Oh, he'd pay for walking in on Aang and Katara's almost kiss.

Grinning grandly, Aang took a deep breath-

"SOKKA! HEAVY WINDS!" and blew Sokka back against a large, (and very hard) tree. Sokka's back hit the wood with a CRACK! Sagging down, his head slammed into the ground.

"AHH! WIND- BACK WIND!" Sokka yelled as Aang blew more winds at him. A long water in a whip form crept out from behind him, splashing Sokka.

"And rain! It's rainy!" Katara called. Three small pebbles sailed past Aang's left ear and hit Sokka's forehead.

"And an avalanche is coming!" The three benders burst out laughing as Sokka crawled forward like some type of worm, arms trapped in his sleeping bag.

"Aww! I was dreaming of MEAT!" he complained. "Aren't we mad at Katara?" Katara glared at him. Toph sighed.

"Every girl likes at least one bad boy. Why not Scarhead?" Toph pointed out.

"And Jet," Sokka added, squeezing his body out of the sleeping bag.

"Guys, shut it!" Aang and Katara grumbled in unison. Toph laughed and looked at Aang.

"And now the Avatar. Maybe she doesn't like bad boys after all!"

Good thing Sokka didn't catch that.

"Let's just go," Aang muttered, walking over to Appa. Even his arrow, which was normally light blue, was the color of a roaring campfire.

A/N

So? How was it? Sokka forgetting about his sister's Love Life to meat is actually another on of my great ideas. Don't worry, it'll hit him later on.

-Poison