DISCLAIMER: All recognizable characters, themes, and dialogue are the property of Nickelodeon, or whoever owns this epic awesomeness.
Previously on Running:
"Listen to yourself Katara! You're so . . . empty! You have to move on with your life!"
"You don't understand Sokka," Katara yelled back, "You have Suki!"
"I know I do," Sokka said quietly, "and I am very happy."
"That's supposed to help me how?"
"Just stop focusing on yourself. You're only causing everyone more pain."
"Like who?" Katara challenged. Sokka narrowed his eyes.
"Aang."
"Never. He left me, remember?"
"Katara . . ."
"Just go, Sokka. I'll try and be better."
"Good," was all Sokka said before exiting the room.
Before the door closed, Katara swore she saw a swift shape running to the West.
Chapter Four
Katara was sick of her name. It seemed to be all she heard these days.
Katara! Katara! Katara!
Why couldn't everyone just leave her alone? Why can't they just do their own thing, and not have to ask her to do it?
She knew she was being a jerk. And she hated hurting her friends. Sokka refused to talk to her now, and Zuko was just . . . Zuko. Mai was no help at all, either.
Katara found herself wondering why she had hung around so long.
She was going to the Earth Kingdom.
Elated at the chance to escape her worries and angry brother, she put on her Water Tribe dress and her beloved necklace. She opened her door and practically ran to Zuko's throne.
"Greetings, Katara!" Zuko called. Katara smiled politely and bowed.
"Hello, Fire Lord Zuko." She heard Zuko heave a heavy sigh before he replied.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. I'm here to tell you that I am leaving for the Earth Kingdom." Zuko frowned.
"Is this is because of A-"
"There better be a better end to that sentence, Zuko."
"Aaa-"
"Aren't you supposed to be royalty?"
"Aa . . ." he coughed, and then finished, "-all of the crowds?" Katara narrowed her eyes at the young ruler and nodded curtly.
"Sure."
Zuko frowned before rising up his hand.
"Have a safe journey, and be sure to return."
"Of course."
Katara bowed and walked out of the grand room. She walked into the streets, wearing her favorite blue cloak.
As she wove through the crowds, her mind drifted again.
She suddenly felt very reluctant leaving the city, and Aang.
But I have to!
It was better this way, she convinced herself. She had to protect her heart. She had to.
"Katara!" Toph yelled, pulling the young waterbender into a big hug. Katara laughed and hugged Toph back.
After the War ended, Toph had bought her own home far away from her parents' and had been teaching Metalbending to some of the more prominent Earthbenders.
"Hey Toph!" Katara laughed, breaking the embrace, "What's up?"
"Not much. I miss you guys. How's Aa- everyone?"
Katara smiled wryly at Toph almost forgetting Aang's abandoning of her.
"Sokka is great, and so are Zuko and Mai."
"Awesome."
"Yup."
The two stood in silence for a bit.
"Are you going to stand there forever, or will you come in?" Toph finally said.
"Oh!" Katara said, breaking from her thoughts. She walked in. Toph sat down on a small couch, and patted a seat beside her. Katara sat down quietly.
"You seem different, Katara," Toph commented slowly, "Is this about Aang?"
Katara winced at the sound of his name, and nodded.
"He was there," she whispered, "I almost saw him twice!"
"Almost?" Toph yelled, "WHY DIDN'T YOU SEE HIM?"
"I . . . sorta . . . ran away," Katara admitted sheepishly, "I was afraid of seeing him."
"Afraid? Katara, master waterbender, healing prodigy, bloodbender," Toph started.
"I am not a bloodbender," Katara hissed. Toph nodded, and went on.
"Katara, do you realize how dumb you're acting?" Katara crossed her arms.
Dumb would be allowing myself to see Aang.
"Oh, COME ON!"
Katara, with a start, realized she had thought aloud.
"I-I-I . . ." Katara couldn't explain. Toph sighed.
"You know, during our journeies together, I was always a Kataang fan."
"A . . . what?" Katara hissed.
"Kataang. You know, like Katara and Aang?"
"I get it now," Katara grumbled. Toph laughed cheerfully.
"Let's take a walk," the small Earthbender offered. Katara nodded.
"So, what've you been up to?" Toph asked, "Besides running away from Aang?"
Katara winced at Toph's free use of the name. She had gotten used to people using it sparingly for her sake.
"Not much," Katara admitted, "I was just visiting Zuko. I have nothing to do-"
"To keep your mind off of Aang?" Toph finished. Katara sighed in defeat and nodded.
"You know, Katara, running away from your problems isn't going to make them go away. I think you're just being a weenie."
"Did you just call me a weenie?" Katara gasped.
Toph's still Toph.
"With good reason," Toph replied, "I mean, who runs away from Twinkletoes? He's nowhere near scary unless he's in the Avatar State." Katara let out a frustrated sigh.
"That's exactly it!"
"You are running from him because he's the Avatar?" Toph shrieked.
"Of course not!" Katara replied hotly.
"Katara, you can't run away forever. You have to face it. It makes us stronger."
"Oh yeah? Then why don't you go home to your parents?"
Toph flinched.
"I'm sorry Toph, I-"
"It's OK. You have I point I guess."
"No, my situation is totally different."
"Let's go back and talk?" Toph asked.
"Yeah."
As the two ventured back, Katara's long-blocked memory of the evening after she and Aang had kissed resurfaced.
Katara went back to her room, in an aura of happiness. Her cheeks were glowing, a huge grin plastered to her face. She wanted to be in Aang's arms again. She opened the door to her room.
"Oh!"
Aang was sitting on her bed, a huge grin matching hers on his face.
"Hi Katara."
"Hi Aang."
"I was wondering if we could hang out for a bit."
"Will you hold me if I say yes?" Katara asked, smirking playfully. Aang blushed deeply. Katara ran over to her bed and laid down. Aang laid beside her, wrapping his slender arms around her. For an eternal moment they stayed like that, sapphire staring into silver. His hands slowly caressed her back as she leaned into his chest. Her chest seemed to be close to combustion, it was so full of love and happiness.
"I love you Katara," Aang whispered, pure devotion laced in his words. Pretty smooth, for someone his age.
"I love you too Aang."
"Katara? KATARA!"
"Ah! What?" Katara whirled around.
"Why did you just tell me you loved me?" Toph asked.
Dammit! I have got to stop thinking aloud!
"Sorry! I was daydreaming."
"Ha! I was right! You do still love him!"
"No! I . . ."
"Admit it."
"No."
"Katara, admit it."
"Toph, stop it!" But the young earthbender was relentless in her attempt for a heartfelt confession of love.
"Katara, Katara!" she sang, dancing around her, until the Waterbender finally screamed out.
"FINE I LOVE AANG! DID YOU HEAR THAT TOPH? I STILL LOVE AANG, THE AVATAR, THE LAST AIRBENDER!"
"I knew it."
The next day was spent packing up to head back to the Fire Nation.