Ok so after a long wait…here's chapter 5! Sorry bout the long wait guys, it was really hard trying to get back into this one cuz I felt somewhat discouraged and I didn't know what way I wanted to go with the story. So anywayyy…I got back on my feet and I'll try not to keep you guys waiting so long again.
Chapter Five: Word Bending
Katara and Aang were "water bending" in the farthest place the could find. The new happy couple couldn't get enough of each other and before they knew it, the sun had set and they were still having the same water fight they'd been at for several hours. Their laughter rose through the slowly darkening and quieting night. Aang, still laughing, laid down flat on his back in the soft grass that surrounded the edge of the river they'd been "bending" in. Katara followed suit. They laid there together, half knowing Sokka was probably storming through the temple, ranting about how they were late, and the other half not caring about the consequences they'd have to deal with when they got back. Eventually, people were going to catch on that something between them was different. The real question was,
"When should we tell everyone?"
Aang took a moment before smiling and saying, "Tell everyone what?"
Katara laughed and sat up splashing Aang with more water before pouncing him, causing the two to roll once or twice down the soft slope leading to the water. Katara ended up on top of Aang, her face inches from his. Their breaths were quick and their hearts raced with excitement and affection. They were smiling to each other, neither daring to break his or her gaze into the others' eyes. Their smiles faded into each other as Aang closed the small distance between their lips. The night's stars sang the symphony of the blessed heavens and nothing in the world could have ruined this moment. Well, ok, something could have. And he did.
"Get off of my sister!" Sokka screamed, jumping off Appa, whom he'd taken to find the two missing team members.
"Crap," Katara uttered under her breath as she slowly rolled off of Aang. She knew Sokka was going to be like this. And she didn't want to break the news to him this way.
"Actually, Sokka, Katara was on top of me," Aang said lowly enough so only Katara could hear, sending her and himself into fits of giggles which they were both trying hard to stop. The situation didn't seem to be in their favor, and they would have rathered it didn't happen but the two of them were so happy that neither really cared how much they'd be yelled at or made fun of.
"Do you guys even realize how worried we've all been? You've been gone for hours and - why are you laughing?!"
It was too much. They understood the seriousness of disappearing without a word but…it was Sokka, and the way his voice still squeaked when he was yelling would make anyone laugh.
Sokka gave up for now: "Whatever, can we just go back now so I can go to sleep and pretend I didn't have to see this and we can discuss how to deal with this little situation another time."
"There's really nothing to discuss Sokka," Katara said quickly regaining her serious tone. Her brother thinking he could role her life and tell her what she could and couldn't do was an extremely touchy subject for her.
"Sure there is. We can talk about how you can't do that," he spat with distaste written all over his face as he threw his arms in the direction of the area that he'd caught them, "with him."
"You can't and won't tell me what I can and cannot do!" Katara began raising her voice but Sokka cut her off here before she could continue.
"Don't you realize your position?! They'll use you to get to him," he yelled matching Katara's level and pointing at Aang who flinched then hung his head. He wanted to say so much: tell Katara he'd never let anyone hurt her, but he saw where this was going. It was a fear issue between brother and sister and had to be solved by just that: brother and sister. "The fire nation is ruthless and cruel. They won't care that you're just a kid Katara! They could kill you." Sokka paused before almost whispering, "I can't lose you like we lost mom."
Katara's demeanor quickly switched from rage to understanding compassion. Her brother had obviously never voiced this concern but it had been something on his mind for a while now. He might have been thick headed at times, but even he could see it (Katara and Aang's "together-ness") coming. Well, he might have had a few hints from Toph, but that's beside the point.
"Sokka, they've tried that before and they'll try it again, if not me, then they'll use you, or Toph, or Appa," Aang's mood had quickly plummeted throughout the yelling match and his regular thoughts of how often he put his beloved friends in danger were beginning to resurface themselves again, "but that's why we have to stick with Aang. He can't face the fire nation alone and I won't let him. We make such a strong team and I know we need Aang as much as he needs us. The fire nation knows his weakness, so we can't leave and let them use it. They'll find us where ever we go. The earth kingdom isn't exactly safe anymore."
Sokka took a moment before quietly responding, "I know. I just don't know how to protect you anymore."
"I'm not a little girl, Sokka. I can protect myself."
Sokka knew she was right. He was defeated. He knew it was best to stay with Aang and he wouldn't even think about leaving him now. He might not have voiced it, but he cared for Aang like a little brother.
After a few moments of silence that seemed to drag on for ever, Katara lightened the serious mood with a, "Come on, let's go back," and a soft smile of understanding. The three rode back the short trip in silence, all thinking about the inevitable truth of the words that had just been said. Although, Aang couldn't help but feel light and content: his one true loved, truly loved him back. And that was enough for him.
Ok! Im sooo sorry for such a long wait. Kiiiinda heavy chapter but it was necessary. It's not like Sokka's just gonna have cake over Katara dating Aang. I promise though, next chapter won't be such a drag.
Review!