Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.

"Jealousy is the dragon in paradise; the hell of heaven; and the most bitter of the emotions because associated with the sweetest." -A.R. Orage

He could remember the first time he had ever seen her. She and Sokka had found him and it had been her holding him in her arms when he had opened his eyes. He had not known at the time that a hundred years had passed and that there was a war going on. For him, he was still a kid who had run away from home because he was afraid of being the Avatar. He had only been twelve years old. Yet when he had laid eyes on her something in his heart had been struck. Naturally it had begun to manifest itself as a childish crush, but over the months when they would go through much together, it had grown and emerged into love. It had become known to him in its complete entity when he had been told to let go of those he loved. He had thought of those he had lost and those who he had now. When his thoughts had come to her he had discovered that he could not. He would not do it, even if had meant not mastering the Avatar state. When they had been in danger, in a battle with too many foes, he had had to let go of her. Even if it could have meant her life. He had died seconds after that choice while in the Avatar state and it had been because of her choice to save him, to keep him from going, that he was here now.

After that day he had sworn that he would never abandon her like he had done before. Yes, as the Avatar he had to save the world, but he would not leave her willingly unless there was no choice. No alternative. She did not know this. He was only twelve years old. Some things are impossible to say at that age, especially to a girl.

Now he had to say something. The end was coming near and before, when he had thought that he had might not come back, he had kissed her. A simple kiss, nothing more, nothing less, but it had meant the world to him. They did not discuss it when he had returned and their invasion had failed. He had been too afraid, still filled with that childish fear of rejection and shyness. Now he would proclaim it to her. There was little time for the next invasion would soon begin.

They were on a war balloon with the Fire Nation symbol contrasting against the stark red color of the balloon. They were in a metal compartment that was attached to it underneath. He was inside one of the rooms, but walked out onto the walkway that surrounded it. She was out there, but she was not alone. Another stood with her as they leaned against the railing. They spoke in low voices and he felt as if he were intruding onto something he shouldn't be. There was a look in her companion's golden eyes that he did not like at all. Her blue eyes were kind as ever, but there was a gleam, barely noticeable that was…He coughed gently to catch their attention.

Her companion stood up abruptly and with a quick apology proceeded to leave them alone. His golden eyes were apologetic as he connected eyes with Aang. Aang's expression had been an open book when he had looked at him. Right now, Aang felt a serpent rise in him that wanted to strike his friend. He pushed it away.

When he came up to her, the look in her eyes was nervous. He spoke first before she could say anything. "Katara, I need to talk to you about something."

She smiled at him warmly as she always did. "Alright."

This was the hard part, but he would do it this time! "Katara…I…you know I care for you, right?"

Her smile grew bigger. "And I care for you Aang."

His heart pounded loudly and he wondered if she could hear it. She did…? This meant... He leaned towards her and kissed her as he had before. When he looked at her as he pulled away he saw the surprise on her face. She raised a hand to her lips, but when he looked for the gleam, an expression of feelings on her face as he surely did, there was none. What did this mean? She spoke next, her voice filled to the brim with apologetic sincerity, "Aang…I don't care for you like that. I love you, but only as my friend."

Something in his chest strained uncomfortably. This was not possible…why? Why? "Why not?" he demanded, unable to keep the pain from dripping into his words.

Her eyes flickered towards the doorway, into the room where everyone else was, where… "I never felt that way," she said back with regret in her voice, as if she had not wished to tell him, to break him apart.

He knew as her eyes had left his face why she did not. She probably did not know it herself, yet anyways, though he had by the expression in his eyes when he had been talking to her earlier. The serpent in his chest transformed into a monster, letting out a roar filled with agony. He could not believe it for he hoped...had automatically assumed that it would be him, not another.

The monster in him howled for revenge, to make him pay for stealing her, even if unintentionally. Even if nothing had occurred between them. He tamed the monster as he walked away from her without speaking another word.

When he at last confronted the Fire Lord, he would be imbued with nothing. The world needed him, but he had needed her. A future without her in the way he wanted was not one he could possibly bear. The only thing he could feel was jealousy he had not known could be so bitter and desolate. He could not hate her or his friend, even if he wanted too. During that final battle, the Fire Lord would burn out like the dying flame just as he would that day. This way, his final thought had been, his jealousy would not be the only thing he could feel. He would be free not to feel anything anymore.

He was only twelve years old.

A/N: I know Zutara will probably never happen in the show, but imagina Aang guessing that they liked each other or finding out they did?