Part III

For once, Katara didn't know what to stay. She felt the temperature of her face increase and inwardly groaned, embarrassed by her physical reaction to Aang's words. Why did he have to go and say things like that? The more she asked herself that question, the more frustrated she became. Flattery turned into exasperation. Why did he make it sound like what he was doing was her fault?

To Aang, the few seconds of silence felt like an eternity. He watched Katara's gorgeous blue eyes dart back and forth, like a hunter tracking its prey. The water on the shoreline bubbled and frothed. She was not happy. He had been caught doing something wrong; there was no denying it. He was completely at her mercy.

She inhaled deeply, collecting her thoughts. The water stopped moving. "Do… you really find me beautiful?"

Aang self-consciously rubbed his bald head. "I… uh… I wasn't thinking…"

A wave slapped at the shore. "So you lied?"

"No, I just didn't think that…"

The lake water was reaching a boil. Aang could see trails of steam drifting through the air. "That what? I'd hear you?"

Aang's voice was barely audible. "No."

Two waves crashed into each other, sending a massive jet of water into the air. "So which is it? Did you lie to me, or are you telling the truth?"

Aang sat up a little straighter. She had backed him into a corner and there was nothing he could do. He sighed, stared at his feet, and accepted defeat. "I was telling the truth Katara."

His eyes met hers for a moment, before he lowered them in shame.

"I have never seen a more beautiful girl. And you're smart. Way smarter than I am. And kinder. You always defend the people you love, sacrificing your own goals for others. You put up with me, even though I am a danger to you and your brother. I don't know why you do it."

The lake was still.

Katara's anger evaporated instantly. Yes, she was still upset about what happened, mostly mortified that he had seen her naked. But she didn't expect him to actually admit feelings for her. Beneath all her embarrassment and confusion, a new feeling began to emerge. It was pride and… happiness. She couldn't believe that he felt that way about her.

Aang picked his head up and stared into her eyes… those stunning blue eyes that dazzled him every time they flashed his direction. "I truly am sorry. I should have turned back around the moment I saw you and left."

Katara was looking at Aang while he apologized. He was saying something, but she wasn't paying attention. She was looking at his eyes. They were such an odd, mysterious color. Sometimes brown, sometimes grey. Why had she never noticed them before, sparkling at her?

"Katara?"

"Huh, whuh?"

"Do you forgive me?"

Of course she forgave him. He had poured out his feelings for her seconds ago as well as apologized for his truly honest mistake. But, Katara was afraid to speak. She couldn't talk to Aang now, not after what he said. Her feelings for him would betray her, she knew it.

She decided that she needed to extract herself from the conversation and tried to adopt a confident tone once more. To her disappointment, her words sounded a lot less powerful than earlier. "I… I'm still angry with you."

Aang looked disappointed.

"But, I forgive you."

The Avatar jumped up, beaming.

Katara continued. "Now let's get back to camp before Sokka freaks out and sends a search party for us."

Sokka took another massive bite out of his piece of duck before eyeing Toph nervously. "I don't know, Toph, they've been gone for a while. Maybe we should send out a search party."

Toph sighed a little too loudly, obviously annoyed. "Sokka, for the last time, they are fine. They went down to the lake this morning. They'll be back any moment."

"You said that last time!"

"And I was right, remember?"

Sokka thought for a moment. "Oh yeah, I guess you were. Still, I'm worried."

Toph suddenly stood up. "Well, don't be. I can feel them walking towards us."

Sokka stared at her feet. "That's really creepy, you know."

Toph was about to respond with a scathing retort when Aang and Katara stepped into the clearing.

Sokka breathed a sigh of relief. "You guys shouldn't take so long! You had me worried."

Katara put her hands on her hips and gave her brother a disdainful look. "Oh, I'm sorry mother. I'll be sure to hold your hand next time."

Sokka's mouth sprang open but Aang cut him off before he could say anything foolish.

"Guys, guys! We're back, safe and sound. Stop fighting for one second, please."

The siblings squinted at each other suspiciously. Sokka took another bite of his duck.

"Fine," he said, bits of duck flying everywhere, "what were you doing down there anyway?"

Aang and Katara looked at each other.

"Uh, we were getting apples."

Katara looked relieved. "Oh yeah. Heh heh. Apples."

Sokka stared at them for a second, confused. "Then, where are they?"

Katara gulped and Aang shifted from foot to foot. "There weren't any, right Katara?"

"Yeah, no apples to be found. Not a single one. We looked everywhere."

Sokka scratched his head. "Something doesn't add up here." He shot an accusing glance towards Aang. "You! I know what you did!"

Aang's eyes widened. "You… do?"

"Yeah. You ate all of my sister's apples!"

Aang gave Sokka a quizzical look. "What? Why would I…" Katara elbowed him painfully in the side.

"Ow! Oh… um… you got me, Sokka. I ate all the apples."

Sokka shook his head back and forth. "Have you no shame?"

Aang looked at his feet and shrugged.

Katara spoke up. "Alright, I accept your apology Aang. Let's pack up! And uh… don't steal any more apples."

Aang nodded hurriedly and started to grab his things. Sokka and Katara gathered their own possessions.

The only one who wasn't moving was a young, blind earthbender. She had felt Aang and Katara's heartbeat spike dramatically during Sokka's "trial." Something was up, and she was going to find out what was really going on.

Author's Note: Thanks for all the positive feedback guys! I hope you're having as much fun reading this story as I am writing it. I'm open to any suggestions you have for the story, too. So, if you want me to take the story in a specific direction, just tell me. :)