Author's Note: This is a bit of a short chapter, a changer of the tides. Shit is about to get REAL.
I DID EDIT CHAPTER FIVE A BIT, TO MAKE MORE SENSE. PLEASE CHECK IT.
also to Bri: I'm up. Next chapter will be 3,000+ words, just for you ;]

Thank you, EVERYONE who reads, reviews, favorites... I absolutely adore you all! It genuinely means a fuckton to me to log on and see people reviewing and reading. Brings a smile to my ugly mug.
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More coming soon! I've just been a bit sick in the past week is all.

"Katara!" Aang sounded so thrilled.

"Aang!" I snapped. "What in the entire world are you doing here?" I was trying to keep my anger masked; I had no reason to be mad at Aang.

His face fell nonetheless. "I figured… it was time to pay Toph a visit… I didn't know you were here yet, I thought maybe I'd see you for a while, too." Always the childish insecurity behind his words. Aang had grown into a confident, handsome man but when it came to me, or to any woman, I'm sure… he'd always falter.

I sighed and sat down in the empty chair next to him… conveniently placed between Aang and Zuko. Toph always had to be diabolical. I stole a glance at her, and she was smirking.

"Aang. Look. I needed some time. We'll talk after we eat," I said softly, in the soothing mother-like tone I always used with him. Aang didn't protest, and everyone started eating… it was far too silent, and far too awkward.

I stole a few glances at Zuko, but he was pointedly ignoring me and wouldn't even glance in my general direction. Aang kept questioning him, and his replies were short and blunt. It made me far more uncomfortable than I was. But all too soon, the sweet reprieve of dinner where I could gather my thoughts was over. And Aang and I had to talk.

We sat outside in silence for a while.

"Katara…" Aang started.

"No, Aang. Look. We do need to talk. I just feel… trapped, lately. I needed to get out and spread my wings and enjoy life for a while."

"… You don't love me." He said, his voice hollow with misery. I sighed.

"I do, Aang. I just. I need some time, okay? Just give me some time. When I left, I left because I needed space, and time. Not to be cooped up in the temple, twenty-four/seven with you, Momo and Appa and rarely any other interaction. I needed to eat normal food, meat, not just vegetables. To go and live and be myself again instead of being isolated and just with you. I need to clear my head and figure things out and I can't with you hovering over my shoulder all the time! We've been together for years, Aang. A long time. I've never gotten to experience anything, because once the War ended, we got married, shacked up and stayed away from everyone. I know you care, I know you love me but it seems like you want me all to yourself, like a doll, where no one can even look at me. And damn it to the Gods, I need time!" My voice grew shriller throughout the rant, my cheeks burning with pent-up anger… but finally, I looked at Aang. I could see the mistiness in his grey eyes, and I wanted to just disappear right then. But I remained silent.

"O…okay," He said. The silence fell again, thick and heavy.

Finally, after a few minutes that seemed like an eternity, he spoke.

"Do what you need to. I'm sorry. I'll leave in the morning. Have fun…" His voice cracked, and he swallowed. "Have fun with Zuko."

The comment was like a fist hitting my face.

"Really, Aang?" I hissed. He shrunk away. "You're going to follow me to the Earth Kingdom, crowd me in and then insinuate I'm just going to fuck Zuko? Do you see anything wrong with any of this?"

"No, Katara. I love you,"

"You see nothing wrong with keeping me all to yourself?"

"No…"

"By the Gods, Aang. Just go. I'll… I'll let you know, in a few weeks, how everything is going and what's going to happen. I need time to recuperate and to heal and to figure out what I'm going to do." I ran a hand through my hair, but didn't avert my blue gaze from Aang's cloudy one.

"…what do you mean, what you're going to do?"

I hated his insecure child act. It wasn't like he could help it. He'd grown up so well but he was reduced to a child whenever it came to real issues within our relationship and our marriage.

"If I'm going to remain married to you or not," I decided not to forgo the truth, and instead blurted it out. It hung in the air heavily.

"Oh. Okay," Was all Aang could manage. He stepped forward, brushing a wayward strand of hair from my face, and kissed me gently. He then turned and walked off. I sighed and slid to the ground.

I love Aang. I do. He's not a bad man, by no means. He just never grew up in some ways… and it wasn't his fault. I am quite sure I'm partially at fault. I should have thought ahead or tried to fix this. It's not like he's some abusive creep. He's a gentle, good-intentioned Air Nomad who means no harm… and that's why I decided I needed time. Because at this point, I had no clue what I was going to do.

It would all come in time though… right?