7-Aang's Departure

Katara stood on one of the balcony's of the palace, letting the cool evening air lightly brush the hair around her face. The air felt nice, especially after such a warm day. After dinner, everyone had retreated to their rooms, most likely for some time to relax. But Katara didn't feel like being confined within the windowless walls of her room. She found it was much better out here, in the open air.

It really was a beautiful country. But then having traveled all over the world, she found all the countries to be beautiful in their unique ways. The four nations; different, yes, but all part of the whole. This evening looked especially beautiful; the colors of the sky and the land below it changing with the setting sun. It was almost breathtaking. It was no wonder Aang always came to this spot to meditate. Aang…

She couldn't help feeling that something was wrong. It has been five years now that they have known each other and been together. She thought their love was so strong, that it could endure anything and would only get stronger with time. But things were changing. His duties were drifting them apart. She felt that he knew it too.

So absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't hear the man she was just thinking of approach the doorway. She didn't hear him when he walked soft footsteps towards her. Soft, quiet footsteps that only airbenders are capable of. She didn't sense his presence at all, not until a pair of arms wrapped around her body, startling her slightly.

"Sorry," Aang said giving her a small kiss on the neck with the slightest brush of his lips. Katara shuddered at his touch, still amazed after all this time, that he could still make her do that.

"It's okay," she said, leaning against his neck. "I thought you went to sleep."

"No, I'm leaving tomorrow morning."

"I know," she said, turning around to face him. She lifted her head, allowing her eyes to meet his. "That's why you should get some rest."

He said nothing. His expression made it clear that he wanted only to stay out there with her, rather than leave once again. Or, it looked that way to Katara. She hoped it was true. Why did she doubt his feelings for her so often?

A passing gust of wind blew through the two of them, making Katara shiver.

"Let's go inside," Aang suggested. Katara glanced back towards the beautiful view. The sun had completely set now, and everything had started to darken. She silently agreed, and followed Aang inside.

The palace was quiet. Though there were guards inside, they made no noise, as was their duty. The couple did not disturb them as they passed, and made their way to the guest wing. Silence greeted them there as well, save for the quiet giggling from Suki as they passed one of the rooms. No doubt Sokka was in there. Though both Aang and Katara noticed it, neither mentioned the subject.

They stopped in front of Katara's door, where she hesitated, waiting for her kiss goodnight from Aang. But he did not. Instead, he opened the door and followed her inside. She did not question him.

He sat on her bed and gazed at her, almost waiting for her object about his presence. Instead of objecting, she asked, "Are you okay?"

He patted the clear area of the bed next to him, indicting for her to sit. She complied, and turned her body so that they were now face to face.

"Can I stay here with you tonight?" he asked, rather than answer her question.

Katara sat next to him on the bed. "Of course," she said, her heart full. "You don't have to ask."

He smiled, and lay back against the pillows, gently pulling Katara with him. She lay against his chest, feeling content. Almost content. In the past, she felt complete bliss leaning against Aang, hearing the increasing beating of his heart through his robes. But now, that things were so different, the content was falling away. Like their love. She couldn't deny it.

"How was your day?" Aang asked, scooting down so he could see her face. They lay facing each other, holding hands, interlacing their fingers.

"It was okay, Suki seems so excited about the wedding."

Aang smiled. "So is Sokka. It's good to see them finally getting together."

Katara merely nodded, feeling the now familiar pang of jealousy.

Aang's face gradually fell away from the smile at the thought of what he was about to say.

"I don't think we managed to cheer up Zuko. He seemed completely out of it, like he wasn't even there."

"I know," Katara said, her eyes focused on their dancing fingers. "It will just take time." Her eyes now focused on Aang, whom appeared to be lost in thought. He was doing that often these days, and Katara never knew what he was thinking. Was he worried about the mission? Was he concerned for Zuko? Why such a serious expression on his face, the man who had always had a fun and carefree nature?

She had so many questions, yet oddly she voiced very few of them. She didn't want to risk the relationship that she felt was already breaking. She didn't want to lose him though. Just the thought…it made her want to cry, want to be sick, all at the same time. She felt like a piece of him had gone at the just the thought. But Aang was right here.

She embraced him and held tightly. Every fiber in her being told her he should stay, they should talk about things. But of course, he could not stay, and she had no control. He held her back, unaware of the things rapidly coursing through his girlfriend's mind, unaware of her insecurities.

Aang kissed her forehead gently, innocently. But Katara wanted more. Maybe if they took their relationship to the next level, it would help things. She wanted to show him how much she loved him and how much she wanted them to work. She lifted her head, reaching his lips.

Aang closed his eyes as soon as her lips touched his, embracing the softness of them, the feel of her hair as it swept around the two of them. He stroked her hair, running his fingers through it as they kissed.

Katara opened her mouth, moving it, deepening the kiss. Aang responded heartedly, moving his mouth with hers, building up a rhythm between the two of them. Their mouths were in perfect sync, they blended with one another. He felt her hands explore his body, rather than take their usual position around his neck. Soft, smooth hands that gently caressed him; he could feel it through his clothes, and every second more was making him mad. He moved his hands to her body, touching her, feeling her, every piece of her. He almost hated the fact the clothes were the only thing keeping his hands from touching her skin. Just thin pieces of fabric that could be ripped away in only an instant…

Zuko wandered down the hallway of the guest wing, wondering which spare bedroom to take this time. He felt a little guilty, switching rooms each time, wasting another pair of sheets that the cleaners would have to wash. The rooms were all similar, yet he kept moving, feeling restless returning to the same room each night. It was an odd way of coping, he knew, but at least it was something. It helped him more than that day had.

The day felt long, now that he reflected on it. From the moment he woke up until now, there seemed to be someone telling him what to do, where to go. What about what he wanted? Hell, he was the Firelord. But he had to keep telling himself that these people cared about him, and wanted to cheer him up. But it wasn't exactly what he needed.

Zuko wasn't quite sure what it was that would cheer him up. But it certainly wasn't spending hours in the blazing sun looking at clothes or weapons. He wanted to talk, he wanted to reminisce, he wanted to sleep…he wanted to see Katara. She had been here all this time. When Mai died, during the preparations, during the funeral, she had been there. And oddly, just being in her presence eased the pain in some way. As if she was capable of healing him with more than just her hands.

Thinking about her made his mind wander to earlier that afternoon, that whole thing with Aang. Zuko felt a little obligated to tell her. But then what would he tell her? That Aang ran into a fan and he treated her nicely? That wasn't much, and Katara would just hate him if he assumed more. But it looked like more. Aang looked like he already knew that girl…

But he couldn't pry. He wouldn't. Why bring Katara down with him? She is already happy, no need to spoil that. He slowed his steps as he approached her door, wanting, almost deciding to knock. But the noises halted him. He leaned into the door, listening for something clearer. Moans and sighs, answered him, soft but still audible.

He backed up from the door, and continued down the hall. He decided to pick a room that was all the way at the end, far away from Katara's. He wanted to hear nothing. Maybe it was best that he didn't see her. Maybe it was best that he stay on his own.

Katara sighed as Aang's hands moved along her body. They were teasing, almost touching her sensitive breasts, but instead moving down to her waist, and going lower, so much lower…She moved closer to him, wanting him to touch more. The clothes felt like such an inconvenience. She wanted them off; she wanted to feel his skin on hers.

She tugged at his shirt, simultaneously as she tugged on hers, trying to move things along. She wanted more contact with him. Her fingers had just rested gently on his bare chest, when Aang broke the kiss, and grabbed her hand. She opened her eyes, surprised at the abruptness, and looked at him, questioning him.

"Katara…" he trailed, his hand still holding hers, gently, yet firmly, in a way that meant "enough." She knew. She scooted away from him, already knowing what he was going to say.

"Katara, it's just…this isn't the right time. I just want it to be special, and…not on Zuko's sheets."

"I know," Katara said quietly. Why did he keep denying her? She stared at him, suddenly feeling humiliated. She initiated it and he rejected her…again. If now wasn't the right time, then when was? They stayed facing each other, blending in with the quiet, each at a loss for words.

The night went by quick. To Zuko, it seemed that he fell asleep only moments ago, and here it was already time to wake up. He sat up in bed, and stretched his tired limbs. He felt like he didn't get enough sleep, the hours went by like minutes. He went through a mental checklist, seeing if there was anything important that he needed to do that day. Nothing came to mind so far, unless his friends had some other useless activity planned. He hoped not. He wanted to relax that day. Just the thought that he had nothing to do, nothing to attend to, eased his mind. The day was his.

He scooted out of the bed, it was fairly large to say this was just a guest room, and stood up. He stayed, debating on what to wear. But deciding since it was a lazy day, he had no reason to wear anything too nice.

He threw on something and left the room, stepping out into the hallway, entering the quiet. How early was it? Was anyone up yet? He decided to find out by going outside, checking the scenery. He walked to the nearest balcony, only to find that it was already occupied.

It was indeed morning, but so early that the sun had barely risen. And still Katara stood out there, her sobs mixing in the soft sighs of the wind.