Disclaimer: damn I hate this…I don't own avatar the last airbender :((

Chapter Three: Sunset's Memory

Several days had passed and the group had finally made it to the western air temple. It was about mid-day when Appa landed in a large empty court. Aang's guests looked around in awe at the circular beauty that was the air nomads' empty abandoned home. Aang felt bliss wash over him as he remembered his childhood, friends, and loved ones which was quickly replaced by the feeling of sorrow when he remembered that they were all gone.

The gang was accepting as it could get in the situation it was in. Katara trusted Zuko enough to allow him in her presence but still wasn't ready to accept him as part of the group. Sokka was…Sokka. He was the least happy about these fire benders in his presence. These are the people that were not only part of the attack that took his father away for three years and the life of his mother, but the leaders of the men who did. He needed proof because with Sokka, if you were fire nation, you were guilty before proven innocent, which was maybe possible, and would take a lot of time. Sokka was cautious and always followed his instincts which are always right he thought to himself. I mean his instincts only almost got them caught by an entire troop of fire nation soldiers, but those same instincts had also saved an entire village. That proves it. I'm always right rang his finishing thought causing him to smirk to himself at this final conclusion.

Now Toph and Aang were different stories. Although Aang had been greatly affected by the war, he wasn't quite as bitter towards the two knew members of their group. True, he had lost his entire race to the fire nation's hands, but he was a generally accepting person. Hearing Zuko's story and the sincerity in his voice was enough to convince his instincts to trust Zuko. Not entirely. He was trusting him just enough to be in his presence without having to take on a defensive guard. And he had his instincts too: his avatar instincts, which were telling him that this was his one ticket to fire bending.

Toph on the other hand was the least bitter of the crowd. She saw Iroh has an old friend and Zuko through Katara, Sokka, and Aang's stories. The fire nation hadn't killed any of her family, nor had it taken anything from her specifically. Besides, she'd had the upper hand when it came to trust; she could always tell when someone was lying and Zuko definitely wasn't.

Everyone was still standing in the court, some wandering farther than others, all of them awe struck while taking in their surroundings. "Where are we gonna sleep?" The Duke asked from the far side of the court. Everyone turned around to look at Aang. They were quite curious to know the answer as well.

"There're plenty of bedrooms here for each of us. Follow me," Aang said while walking towards the huge arc leading into the giant circular building. He took the guests to the same place he used to sleep where there were doors lined along the long twisting hallway. "We'll be using these rooms," he said while everyone began to pick rooms in which they'd be saying. Aang, naturally, stayed in his old bedroom which happened to be next door to the room Katara had picked.

Everyone began settling in to their new rooms, ready to sleep a good night's sleep in an actual bed rather than the hard ground that they'd been sleeping on during the past nights of travel. Aang sat on his bed in his old room, remembering all the years he'd lived here, never guessing this would be his fate. It was all so much in so little time. He was beginning to feel overwhelmed until a lovely sound made its way to Aang's ears.

"I remember the first time you brought us here," Katara said in a soft voice. "This place is so amazing but last time we didn't get to see much," she finished, leaving Aang with two choices: to agree or to show her around and the latter was what she was pushing for.

"You want me to show you around? This place is even more beautiful at sunset," he said watching a smile grow on Katara's beautiful face causing his stomach to flip and a smile to form on his face as well.

"I'd love to see this place at sunset," she answered while Aang rose from his bed to meet Katara at his doorway. This could be the perfect opportunity he thought to himself.

They wandered around here and there, Aang showing her every corner of the temple, saving his favorite place for when the sun would set. They talked here and there, small talk mostly, because their presence to each other was speaking louder than their words could.

The sun was preparing to set while Aang whispered in Katara's ear saying he had one last place to show her. He grabbed her hand, causing her to blush slightly while her stomach fluttered at the touch of his hand in hers. He took her to the highest balcony in the temple. The same balcony that Monk Giatso and himself baked sweets on which they used for the mere hobby of throwing on the other stuffy monks. Aang had always felt so peaceful when on the balcony. He felt as if he were starring down upon the world rather than living in it which was a huge relief for his overly filled mind at times. Saving the world was a lot to think about, but for now, during this sunset, the girl sitting on the edge of the balcony next to him was all he could think about.

"This is beautiful, Aang," Katara said struck by awe as she watched the sun set working wonders before her eyes. The entire temple seemed to sparkle with beauty. She starred at the magnificent sight, only letting her eyes stray towards Aang when he spoke her name.

"Katara, about that thing I was trying to tell you in the forest the other day…um…I wanted to finish what I was saying," he said beginning to feel more nervous than ever.

"Go on," she urged allowing a soft smile to play across her delicate features, causing Aang to blush furiously.

"Katara…I…"

Buahahaha cliff hangerr…don't worry though…you all know I update quickly

Will he say it? Or is he gonna be interrupted agaiinnnn??

Oh and special thanks to AnimegirlKiki who pointed out how I sort of left out everyones reactions…I was gonna get to it but she beat me to it:))

And another thanks to jliljj who mentioned about how Katara already knew a lot of stuff about Zuko…I didn't forget about it…I just didn't add it in since no one else had heard about it so he talked about it anyway so the rest of the group could know.

Thank you guys so much for you input! And I hope that answered ur questions…and…have a great day:))