Hey guys, I'm back! Sorry I skipped last weekend I was busy and tired. But I hope yall had a great weekend. and a great halloween! But I'll get onto the story! Read and review please!!!

The next morning, Ara opened her eyes to see Zuko staring at her, smiling gently. "Hey, welcome back," he said, chuckling.

She smiled weakly. "Did it work? How long was I out this time?"

"You were only out since yesterday. And you saved your father's life," he looked at her and smiled. "You look really tired. And how did you save him?"

She smiled. "Airbender's secret."

He frowned. "Okay, fine, little miss I-save-everyone's-life-and-don't-tell-how," he smiled again. "but yesterday, I bumped into someone. And you have a visitor right now. I'll leave you two alone." Zuko walked out of her line of vision, as she was too tired to mover her head.

Someone walked in, and stood at the side of her bed. "Ara?" a familiar voice asked. She managed to turn her head and open her eyes a little but her eyes widened and tears filled them as she whispered his name.

"Lee,"

The young man too had been injured, for his chest was wrapped and burns covered his body. His gold eyes were circled with fatigue and he looked worn out. But he looked the same to Ara. His eyes were filled with worry, and he grabbed her hand and put it between his, as if it comforted him. Ara closed her eyes, smiling. She then opened them and lifted her good arm towards his arm, holding his hand. "I'm so glad I got to see you again," she started. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, but I never thought I'd be a part of the battle. Remember, I was just a guard at Firelord Iroh's palace. But he recruited me because I helped you when you were there, and the rest of us were allowed to fight if we wanted to. I did, and I knew I would see you here. I'm glad I did. But you look terrible. Are you okay?"

"I'll live, if that's any help."

"Yeah, a little," he smiled, and she smiled too. "I really missed you, Lee."

"I missed you too. And I saw you on the battlefield. You are an excellent fighter. You took down so many by yourself. I was really proud of you." He smiled again and put his hand on her cheek. "But I'll come every day and visit, 'kay?"

"'Kay. And Lee, I'm glad you're okay."

"I'm glad you're okay too." He leaned forward and kissed her gently on her arrow. "Get better."

"You too."

Katara gazed tiredly at her husband's face. Since Ara had healed him, he looked peaceful and rested, but he still hadn't woken up. He did start moving his head a little and his lips moved a bit as if he was mumbling, but other than that, he still didn't move.

But Katara didn't care. All she knew was that he wasn't going to die, and that was enough for her.

She wiped his head with a wet cloth, whispering loving words to him as she continuously stared at his features. Her mind went back to when she first found him. She had held him gently, and when he opened his eyes, they captured her. Now, as she stared at his older, more handsome face, she smiled, remembering all that they had gone through and accomplished together.

She heard shuffling behind her, and she turned to see Toph leaning heavily on the end of Aang's bed, pain from both her shoulders etched across her brow. But she said nothing as she moved slowly to one side of the bed and felt for Aang's hand. Once she found it, she squeezed it gently, and for once in her life, her touch wasn't hard or firm. For once in her life, her touch was like Aang's; she softly moved her fingertips up his arm like a soft breeze ripples over still water. Her soft touch followed his arm up to his shoulder, neck, until she found his face. Her fingers softly traced the outline of his face, his closed eyes, his nose, his mouth. Tears filled her eyes, but she tried to be strong.

"Come on, Twinkletoes, stop being such a wuss and wake up. We all need you! None of us ca live without you. You were the one who showed me the world, even though I was blind. You set me free from my parents, my old life. Everything happens for a reason, but I still haven't repaid you. Come on, you have to get better! Please," she whispered, her voice stilling to near silence, "please, your one of my best friends, my family. You need to get better!"

As she said that, Katara noticed that Aang had moved his head a little more and mumbled Toph's name. She smiled. "I think he heard you," she said, and Toph smiled. The tough earthbender leaned over and gently kissed the Avatar's cheek, then smiled at him, then Katara.

She then weakly walked over to Sokka, who was still sleeping. She kissed him lightly on his burned lips, which he then quickly surprised her and returned her kiss. She smiled and leaned deeply into his, careful of his head and burned body, but he didn't care as he grabbed her with one arm and pulled her closer. They both smiled in their kiss, embracing each other with love and passion. But then she leaned into him a little too far, and he broke out of their embrace, groaning.

"Sorry," she whispered, but he leaned back onto the pillow with a smile on his face. He looked at her through his uncovered eye and laughed. "I love you."

She smiled. "I love you too. Get some rest." She kissed him once more time, and then walked to her bed.

"Wait, Toph?" he asked as he watched her go. "Can you stay with me?"

She smiled. "Scoot over."

He pushed himself over as best as he could, and Toph crawled in next to him, her head on his chest, his arm around her, stroking her hair. She listened and soon fell asleep to the deep, strong beating of his heart. And he eventually sighed, closing his eyes too, falling asleep.

Katara watched her brother and best friend, smiles on both of their faces as they had kissed and fell asleep.

She turned back to Aang and deeply, lovingly, and passionately kissed him, telling him she loved him with all her heart. And she swore she could feel the slightest movement in his lips, kissing her back in the tiniest of feelings. She smiled.

5 DAYS LATER

Katara continuously watched Aang. He had moved a little bit and had whispered her name as well as Ara's, but other than that, he had stayed perfectly still. Ara came by every day to check on her father, as did Zuko, Mai, Hakoda, and Iroh. But the one who never left his side was his wife.

Sokka had finally been able to sit up with Toph supporting him, so now, he got up and out of the bed, leaning heavily on Toph. He made his way over to Katara and Aang's side, where he put his hand on his sister's shoulder.

Katara tore her gaze away from Aang, and when she saw her brother smiling weakly at her, she turned around fully, cried out his name, and softly hugged him. He winced from the pain, but he didn't care. All he knew was that his sister was alright. He let go of Toph and wrapped his arms around his sister. He softly kissed his sister's cheek, and then rested his forehead on hers. "I'm so glad you're okay," he whispered. "I needed to hold you to know you were okay, that you were really alive." A single tear that he tried to stop from falling slid down his cheek, and she wiped it away.

"I'm glad you're okay too," she whispered, smiling.

He then straightened. "And I cant bear to see you like this anymore."

"Like what?"

He pulled away and looked into her eyes, then past her to Aang. He tilted his head toward the Avatar. "Aang'll be fine. He's my best friend. And if I've learned anything from knowing him for over 20 years, it's that he never gives up. He'll pull through. Don't worry. You'll need some sleep, and you're the best healer I know. Why don't you take the job of healing everyone? They could use your help."

"I'll stay here with Aang," Toph said. "And if he begins to wake up, I'll come find you, okay? We're just worried about you. You need to get your thoughts focused somewhere else for awhile."

"I guess you guys are right. Sokka, I'd better start with you, seeing as you're the worst I know of. Go help him lie down Toph, and then I'll do you after."

Sokka laid down gently on the bed, and Katara quickly but gently sliced through the bandages covering his head. Immediately Katara gasped; her brother's face was worse than she had realized. His deep gash went across his forehead and down one cheek all the way down to his neck. Besides that, his entire face was badly burned, and the only thing that she really recognized her own brother with were his deep ocean eyes. She shook with chills. "Oh, Sokka," she breathed, closing her eyes. She then opened them. "I'll do what I can."

He closed his eyes and relaxed as she bent water from the bowl next to him and covered her hands in it. It glowed blue, and she placed it all over Sokka's face, bit by bit.

Sokka only felt relief, peace, and comfort. And when she took her hand off his face, and he opened his eyes, she saw her brother again. She had completely healed his face. The only thing that still showed what had happened to him was a small scar across his forehead, but it was nearly invisible.

She smiled at him, and then took off his shirt. His burns completely covered him, but they all disappeared and his smooth brown skin stood out again when she finished healing him. She made him take off his pants, much to his surprise and Toph's endless stifled giggling, but she healed him on his legs too. She then flipped him over, healing the back of him, and he said up straight.

"How do you feel?" she asked, and Sokka suddenly pulled her into a tight hug. She was more than happy to return it, and she felt his tears hit her shoulder. She looked him in the eyes she had always turned to, wiped away his tears, and smiled. The waterbender then turned and faced the earthbender.

"Toph, you're next."

She laid down and Katara once more sliced open the bandages and healed her best friend. They all hugged each other, and soon Toph and Sokka were asleep again, needing some more rest, but would wake if Aang did.

Katara sighed, and bending the water back into the bowl, stood up and saw Mai standing in the doorway.

"You need something, Mai?"

"Yea. Ty Lee isn't doing well. Can you come see her?"

"Sure."

They found Ty Lee still lying unconscious in her bed. "I think she's getting worse," Mai said, a worried look in her face. "Her skin is all grey, and her breathing is very slow and shallow. Please, heal her."

Katara bent a water glove onto her hand. She started by healing all of the young woman's serious burns, and a little bit of the color rose back into her skin. Katara then started on healing all of Ty Lee's broken ribs, one by one.

As she finished on the last, Ty Lee suddenly gasped for air, making both Mai and Katara step backward. "Now I understand," Katara said. "She was suffocating. She couldn't get air. But I think she'll be okay now. Her dislocated shoulder will have to heal on it's own, but she'll be fine." She bent the water back into her pouch. "Take care of her, Mai."

The young woman nodded and tried to give Ty Lee sips of water. As Katara left, she heard Ty Lee cough and groan, and the waterbender smiled.

Zuko caught up with her and grabbed her hand. He gave her a light hug. "You seem distracted," he said. "You going to see Aang?"

She nodded. "He needs to wake up soon. The medical ward is starting to pack up and go home. And the generals are meeting today with the remaining army to declare the end of the war and we spread the word."

"Katara, his body just needs rest. That's why he hasn't woken up. He'll be fine."

Katara looked up at him. "So if he doesn't wake up, how do we get him home?"

"The way we came: on Appa."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot." She smiled.

He turned to go into Ara's room. "I'm going to stay with her, 'kay?"

"Yeah. Tell her I love her."

Katara walked back to the room, where Sokka and Toph were still sleeping. she sat down next to Aang, bent forward, and gently grabbed his hand, and, stroking it, sighed deeply. "Please, Aang, I need you."

That afternoon, as Katara stayed by Aang's side, she heard the general booming far away outside. Everyone who was awake and able to stand went out to listen to them as they announced the good news of the war. Zuko, Ara, Mai, Sokka, Toph, Hakoda, and Iroh had been able to leave, and Iroh had to speak. So Katara listened as one of the generals spoke.

"People of the world!" he boomed, "I am here to announce today that this 121 year war is finally over!" The crowd thundered and cheered. "Avatar Aang has defeated the Firelord, and even though he cannot be up here to talk to you as he is healing, Firelord Iroh is here to speak to you."

Iroh stood up and boomed. "Today is a glorious day for the world. At last we are free. At last this world can be at peace and justice. And today, we start a new world, a new era. I also have news of the next Firelord after me. In the next few months, I will be stepping down from the throne, and I give you someone I know and love and trust with my life to take the throne. He will lead this new Fire Nation into a loving and peaceful era. He will not let you down. I give you my nephew, Zuko, Crown Prince of The Fire Nation."

Katara smiled as she heard the whole crowd thunder and cheer for him. She knew he would be the greatest Firelord. She believed in him.

That night, Aang began to move a little in his unconsciousness. Katara just gently wiped his forehead and held his hand in the silence, for Sokka and Toph had gone for a walk, and most of the wounded soldiers had been loaded on the ships and taken home. So as Katara welcomed the silence, she was surprised when Aang's loud groan broke it. She turned to look at him and she noticed that his face was turned up in pain. He groaned again, and he tossed and turned his head weakly. Katara leaned forward. "Aang?" she whispered. "Aang?"

He groaned once more and mumbled her name. Her heart sped up, her breathing quickening, but she never pulled her gaze from his face. He winced, but as she put her hand to his cheek, his face lost all pain and he relaxed. Then his eyelids started moving, like he was trying to force them open. Katara gasped softly, smiling.

And suddenly, yet slowly, he half opened his eyes. His grey met her blue. He blinked a few times, and smiled weakly as he recognized his wife.

Katara breathed a deep long sigh of relief, smiling and her tears running down her cheeks. She put her hand on his heart, and nearly broke down.

"Aang," she whispered. "You're awake." She couldn't stop smiling.

He smiled and closed his eyes. In a voice barely audible that she had to lean closer to hear, he tried to say her name in the raspy breaths he took.

"Ka—ka—tara, I, I…"

"Aang, don't speak. It'll hurt you. You just need more rest. Get some sleep. I'll be right here. I love you."

He barely nodded, winced once, and closed his eyes again. And with her hand on his cheek, he relaxed onto it and soon fell asleep.

Katara gently took her hand out from underneath him and gingerly set his head on the pillow. He sighed shakily, but Katara smiled, kissed him lightly in his arrow, and walked out. She had to tell Zuko.

She found him packing up his and Ara's things, while Ara did as best she could with her arm in a sling and a cast on her leg, and her upper body wrapped up. She smiled and laughed with Zuko as they kept each other occupied. But they both quieted down as Katara stepped into the room with the biggest smile on her face. Tears ran down her cheeks.

"Mom?"

"Katara, what is it?"

"Aang—he woke up!"

Zuko and Ara both gasped, looked at each other, and smiled. They both got up and turned to Katara. "Are you sure? Is he okay?" they both asked in unison.

"Geez, you two must have a stronger bond than I thought," she laughed. "But he's fine. Very tired, and in pain, but awake and alive."

"Then we'd better get him ready," Zuko said. "'cause we need to get him home where he can fully rest. We're leaving, all of us, on Appa tonight. No questions. Pretty much everyone except the Water Tribe has left, and I believe Aang, Ty Lee, and all of us will heal faster if we rest at home. Did he say anything?"

"He tried to talk," Katara stared at the ground, "but he's still very weak and could barely manage my name. I told him not to and just rest. That's what he needs."

Zuko and Ara nodded. Then the Prince turned to the young girl. "Call Appa. We're going home."

I hope you liked it! yeah, it's 2:30 ish in the morning for me now, so I don't have much to say, but I'm needing some support right now, like the story doesn't spark for me anymore. I need some ideas, or just support!!! Please! Even Iroh can't help this time! But I hope you liked it, and thanks you guys for all your support! Got to go! Hope you liked! Also, I'VE GOT A NEW STORY POSTER THAT I DREW THAT SHOWS ARA, WARRIOR, AND AANG AND KATARA. SO GO TO www. avatarone3. deviantart. com THAT'S MY PAGE and hope you like! It's my Avatar work! the Story poster is the biggest pic right now, so go check it out if you haven't already! And much more art based off my story is coming!