deano912345: thanks. I certainly will.
skyhigh18: That's a boy for you or at least Zuko. He doesn't want it til someone else is playing with it. Wait until he finds out where and whom, Mai has been co-habitating with. You keep me on my toes so thanks for the observations.
PsycodelicPlum: We all go a little mad sometimes. I just tuck mine back in.
NightStar: I can't have all aangst. Mostly but not all. Fluffy moments are coming.
my trancey inspiration: I was floored by how many people were freaking out about the whole Zuku & Katara...you know. I was not aware I had implied it. Sorry for the distress.
Shinobi Bender: Thanks. I was thinking I might have made Aang a little mean but I'm happy to learn it was okay. Zuko hasn't even begun to get upset. Mai will have her revenge, Hahaha.
Maikofan13: I'm sorry, I will add some Maiko fluffiness so you don't have to run off. I happen to adore Mai.
Sironblood1: Yes back on track sorta. (insert devious smile here) I actually am working on a one shot Maang. I did like your idea but I'm not sure how comfortable Aang would be with so much female attention. Lol!
doctor anthony: I'm so happy you gave my story a try even without liking Kataang. That totally made my day. I always like to see the reactions from different shippers. I will have some Maang because Zuko and Katara should have a piece of their own pie.
My internet is back on, I was uploading the last few chapters at work and got yelled at. It was worth it. I couldn't leave you guys hanging.
Onto the show!!
The next morning dawned cold and miserable. "I don't think we'll be able to get much flying done today." Aang said from his tent. A sense of normalcy descended on the duo. His talk with her had lifted a huge weight of him. He tried to believe it was because things were finally in the open but he knew that he'd been smarting from what he though might have happened between her and Zuko. Her revelation had made his blood stop boiling at the mere mention of the firebender.
Katara agreed silently. She knew Aang and Appa hated storms of any kind. It was only a drizzle now but she was aware of how quickly it could get worse. "A few more days here wouldn't hurt." she said shyly.
Aang bounced out his tent enjoying the smell of the rain. He rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Yeah, I guess not. We should get a fire going, it's already cold."
"We won't have much of a fire without more shelter." she said pointing at the sodden spot that had been their fire pit.
"I'll take care of that, you go find what you can for food. Appa requires more when he's grouchy." Aang replied rubbing the bison's giant nose fondly. "Don't you buddy."
Katara pondered what had gotten Aang in such a benevolent mood. Yesterday he'd practically called her Zuko's woman but not in that friendly term, and today it was if they were on leisure trip.
Katara made her way through the dense foliage, her mind flipping through the information she had learned more than a year ago. She luckily spotted several edible plants and even discovered some wild berries for desert. Aang would be please with her efforts and maybe she could get to stay on his good side, she did want him to talk to her some more.
Humming happily she strolled back to camp. The sight that met her eyes made her jaw drop open. Aang was earthbending and although that in itself was fascinating that wasn't what kept her gawking.
To better perform he was barefoot and shirtless. He had stripped to his pants and left only the Air symbol medallion hanging around his neck.
Feet braced apart he extended his arms straight out. Slightly curving his hands downward before shoving them straight to the ground. A plateau rose and he continue with a series of complex steps that kept his feet slamming into the pliant earth. He made a fist and aggressively thrust upwards. A large slab popped from the ground. Several more followed and cleaved together forming a large triangular shape.
Astounded at the level of power and precision, Katara was stunned to see that he was not done. Whipping up his trademark air ball he jumped up and rode it to the top of the structure. Once at the top, he hopped off and stood at the juncture like some sort of primitive god.
He snapped his body completely straight and lifted both arms directly to the sky or so it seemed from her poor angle. Aang took a deep breath and brought them down with his hands in the palms flat position. His tips pushed the sharp ridges into a uniform dome. He surveyed his work and rode the air ball until he stopped in front of her.
The light drizzle was now a heavy sprinkle. She had never seen anything as beautiful as what he had just done. She was pulled from the sight by him. The rain had morphed into rivulets that glided down his skin following the corded muscles on his arms. One particularly lucky drop slid ridiculously slow down his chest and abdomen. She followed its path as it grew bold and disappeared beneath the waistline of his pants. Teasing her with what she could not see.
"Katara--Katara-- KATARA!" she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"What? You don't have to shout. I'm right here." She was desperately trying to hid her embarrassment at being caught ogling him so blatantly. He didn't appear to be aware of her wandering eyes as he pivoted to look at the shelter he had created. He did have a knowing smirk barely visible on his mouth making her wonder if he was just sparing her.
Mortified she resolved to not look at him further until he put his clothes back on. She stood a better chance if she got out of the rain and the very wet airbender. Katara put down her finds trying to focus on what she was doing and not him.
"You found fruit too. That's great. I'm almost done. I just need to make a place for Appa and we can start cooking." he artlessly replied leaving her staring at him open mouthed.
Katara blushed to the roots of her hair. "I'm pretty sure he has no idea, he's killing me." She heard more thumping but she was not going to watch further. It was just torture to allow those images of him romp through her mind. Besides a physical relationship was in no way possible under the current circumstances.
Aang was adamant about sex and he firmly believed it should only be with whom you loved. She didn't think he liked her much less loved her. Her earlier enthusiasm at her food gathering deflated with that very depressing truth. He was only putting up with her because he had to.
'He did have his precious Mai to go home to.'
"May I ask what the poor vegetable did to deserve such treatment?" he inquired stepping back in from what was now a downpour. She released the mangled root and glared at him.
"Can you please put some clothes on…before you catch your death." She stuttered exasperated by his complete lack of modesty. 'Fate is really cruel.'
She took a quick peek, he was doing what she asked but she couldn't in good conscience let him put them back on. "Wait, Aang. Take them off," she sighed.
"Katara, this isn't funny make up your mind." he said brusquely. He was tired and cold. It had been gratifying to see her so flustered by the sight of his naked torso but he was done playing around.
"You're robes are soaked. You'll get sick. Give them to me." he complied by slipping them back over his head and handing them to her. It was nice to be able to look after him almost like the old days. After bending as much water as possible out of them, she realized they were still damp.
Aang had started a fire while she'd been occupied. The light flickered on his back and she saw his scar for the first time in two years. It was pink but his ivory skin made it resemble its original angry red. Remorse filled her. She reflected on how many times the fire element had inflicted wounds on him. Hers had definitely set back water at least a few decades. She was sure the ocean spirit would not have approved.
"Does it hurt still?" she asked curiously.
Aang looked at her askance but answered anyway. "Sometimes it does but only if I do too much at once."
"Does it hurt now?" Katara tentatively touched the puckered edges. He hissed in pain and pulled her hand back, "I could do a healing session. If you want." This having to walk on tender footing around him was beginning to take its toll on the waterbender.
After an eternity he answered, "I'll be fine. Thank you." He held out his hand and she gave up his robes.
He slipped his damp tunic over his head and she was again fascinated by his movements. It had been a ritual of theirs to help each other dress. It taught them about the other's culture and made them feel closer as they went about their day.
Now all she could do was observe. 'Did he remember those days or had they all been replaced by her disloyalty.' She'd been so blinding dumb, 'Why did I give you up?'
Their meal was silent since both were wrapped up in their own turmoil. 'Were getting too comfortable, too close to each other again. We have to leave soon or all my work will be undone.' He wasn't ready for that. He didn't think he'd ever be.
The rain lessened but he was in no mood to talk. She lay down to sleep. Her bedroll faced him and she watched over him in the dying firelight. Tossing and turning, Katara gave up on sleep and stared out at the rain washed moon. Aang was quiet except for an occasional sniffle.
By the next day he was coughing and shivering. She didn't dare leave him too long in his condition. She ventured outside only to get essentials and feed Appa. The weather had gotten nastier forcing her to watch as he began shaking and hear his coughing get louder.
That night, terrified she had put their mats together and climbed in beside him. He fought her at first but he was so weak he soon ceased. She wrapped her body around his giving him all her warmth. His breathing was labored and she was practically coated in his sweat.
She woke exhausted and rose to get him some breakfast. He managed several spoonfuls but his stomach protested to more nearly making all he'd eaten spill back out. Katara wiped his forehead with a damp cloth but his teeth chattered while he was burning up.
For three days the weather kept her prisoner. At the fourth day the skies cleared enough for her to load him onto Appa. Settling him with her heavy coat and tucking it around him until he was as secure as possible. Her own home was still too far away and he had fallen ill almost five days ago. She didn't have a moment to loose. She was a nervous wreck and in no shape to navigate. "Appa, he's sick. Help me take him home." she begged the bison.
Appa headed to the Western Air Temple and Katara climbed into the saddle and nestled Aang onto her lap. Katara knew where they were going. She didn't care that she had to finally face her adversary. She cradled the young avatar to her whispering softly, "I'm taking you home, Aang. Hold on. Please hold on."
She allowed herself a whimper when in his delirium he called out for Mai.