Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own any part of Avatar.

Chapter 2: A Bad Feeling, and A Sunset

Aang work with a start, the images of his latest nightmares evaporating from his conscious. "Whether anyone realizes it or not, being the Avatar is a stressful job," he thought. "Oh well, having all powerful, cosmic powers was bound to have its occasional setbacks. "

It was morning, and the sun was barely peaking over the distant mountains that they camped near. Katara and Zuko were obviously still sleeping, and Aang had no desire to wake them just yet.

"So peaceful," he observed. "I'll go practice some fire bending," he decided. Aang hoped that he would be able to concentrate better without his friends to "distract him." He took one last sleeping glance at his fellow team Avatar buddies, and headed off to a more secluded area.

By the time he returned an hour later, the sun was fully risen and his companions were stirring. They were packing up in hurry. "That's strange," he thought as he walked towards his busy friends. Katara just finished putting away her tent, and Zuko was covering all evidence of their camp site so that the fire nation couldn't find them.

"Are we going somewhere?" asked Aang.

Zuko looked up, obviously surprised by Aang's arrival. "Where have you been?" he raged. Aang could hear the distress lathered thickly on his voice.

"What's wrong?" Aang said automatically. All the while, his eyes scanned the open terrain for any sign of trouble.

"We're leaving because Zuko has a bad feeling," said Katara sounding thoroughly annoyed. She looked away and continued picking up.

"It's more than a feeling!" Zuko shouted at her. "I know something bad is going to happen today, and we need to get moving." He turned back to his work seeming more agitated than normal. (Which is saying a lot*)

"What a pessimist," thought Aang. Being the Avatar, he was supposed to bring balance and peace to the world, and he didn't like arguments. So he agreed to move on, and promised Zuko he'd stay alert throughout the day. But despite his best efforts, Zuko remained tense, and Katara upset for the remainder of the morning.

By midday, they were all exhausted from walking. It was something they weren't used to thanks to the currently absent flying bison, Appa.

"Well we made it through the morning." said Aang cheerfully. "Not a sign of trouble, well except for Katara stubbing her toe!" Aang laughed, and hoped that Katara wasn't offended. She joined in the giggle fest, and all his fears were silenced. He loved it when she laughed, her shiny brown hair swinging around her perfect face, and her ocean blue eyes wide with excitement. If it was possible, she looked even more beautiful than normal today.

"We're not out of the clear yet." Said Zuko sourly, breaking Aang's gaze on Katara. He poked at his lunch miserably, and they ate the rest of their meal in silence.

As they were getting ready to press onward, Katara tripped over a rock, and started plummeting towards the ground. She closed her eyes, and waited for the earth to pumble her. But the beating never came. Opening her eyes she realized Aang's arms were securely fastened around her waist. Katara never did get used to his lightening quick Airbender reflexes.

"Thanks." She sighed with relief because she was saved from her earth thrashing.

"Anytime." replied Aang. He suddenly blushed noticing their close proximity. Releasing her he went over and helped Zuko with the luggage, which consisted of a tent, some pots and pans, and three sleeping bags. Oh and Aang's staff/ glider, but he hardly considered that luggage. He thought of it as a part of him, it was his wings, and his ticket to the skies.

When the sun started to dip, Aang and Katara convinced Zuko to finaly stop for the day. Thankfully nothing eventful had happened, and they all believed Zuko was a bit more paranoid than originally thought.

As soon as Zuko started snoring, much like his uncle does, Aang and Katara were desperate to escape the noise for a while. At least until the sun was set.

"Wanna go for a walk?" suggested Katara. "Maybe we can see the sunset."

"Anything to get away from that," said Aang looking over at Zuko, holding back a giggle. "Zuko can fend for himself for an hour or so, he is the Fire Lord's son after all. " Aang picked up his staff and leaped up, smilng at his good fortune.

They started off down a small path lined thickly with trees. The forest was so crowded at this point, it was almost impossible to see where they were headed. Aang had to ignite a small flame just so that they wouldn't trip over the tree roots. They were surrounded by a never ending green.

"I can't see a thing," said Katara sounding thoroughly disappointed. "Maybe we should go back. I guess I can endure the bellowing prince until I fall asleep." she said even more depressingly.

At that moment, Aang had an epiphany. He swung his staff gracefully into a glider, and held out his hand. Katara just stared at him.

"Come with me." He said, his eyes beaming.

"Where?" responded Katara. "I don't…"

"Trust me," said Aang reassuringly. He continued to hold out his hand, palm up, hoping with all his might that she would take it.

Katara grabbed his hand, and blushed from the sudden contact. Before she knew it, Aang had scooped her up and blasted through the veil of trees above them. The orangish pink glow momentarily blinded them, but it was soon followed by one of the prettiest sights either one of them had seen. She and Aang were gliding high above the tress, the wind whipping her hair out behind her. All her fears and worries vanished, she felt like a bird, weightless, and carefree. Katara didn't even notice Aang watching her every movement and holding her tighter than was really necessary.

"It's beautiful." she said marveling at the slowly disappearing sunset. This was a moment she would never forget.

"I know." said Aang not taking his eyes off her.

Katara looked over and realized he was staring at her. She felt her cheeks flush red, and started into Aang's deep grey eyes that were equally marvelous as the sight that lay before them. She knew that she had feelings for him, but didn't really realize they were this strong until now.

She was looking at him, waiting for him to speak, but Aang didn't want to speed up this moment. It was just too perfect; they were high above the world, and hadeyes for no one but each other.

"Thank you Aang," said Katara who was still blushing. "This is an amazing view, and I'm glad we got to share it." Her stormy eyes continued to bore into Aang's, waiting for a response.

"Just do it," thought Aang angrily. "Now is the perfect time, and you've been holding back your feelings for her long enough. You may not get another chance." He added more urgently. They had already kissed twice he reminded himself, once in the lovers cave, and again during the fire nation raid during the day of black sun. He took a deep breath. "Now or never," he thought.

Still looking at her, Aang began to close the short distance between them. It felt like a few miles, rather than a couple of inches. Katara's eyes widened, but she did not recoil, which Aang took as a good sign. He could feel her moist breath, and heat radiating off her as he got closer. An inch away fro her lips, Aang whispered "Katara," and hesitated checking to see her reaction. She didn't move, so he pushed onward and as soon as his lips brushed hers, an explosion sounded by their camp.

"Zuko!" they both shouted coming out of their trance. Flying and racing with the wind, they landed next to his tensed body within a matter of seconds.

"Hello brother, I see you're still traveling with your annoying friends. How typical of you." It came from a viper like voice, hidden in the shadows. It could only be…

"Azula." said Zuko with as much acid in his voice as he could muster.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See, I told you it got better! I'm working on the next chapter, and I'll have it up when it's perfected.

Let me know what you think.

thanks