Disclaimer: I unfortunately still don't any part of Avatar.

Chapter 4: Awakening

Over the next twenty four hours, Zuko watched his tattooed friend slowly wither away. Although he was now spotless and clean, Aang looked even more frightening than before when his clothes were decorated in a macabre fashion. Each time Zuko woke from one of his naps, Aang hadn't moved a fraction of an inch. He just sat there staring at the water tribe girl. Finally it was too much for Zuko.

"Aang please get some rest," he pleaded. "Don't you want to be strong and rested when she wakes up?" he argued.

"Do you promise to stay awake, and wake me if she so much as bats an eyelash?" asked Aang quietly.

"Of course," replied Zuko. "Don't worry, I'll wake you if need be."

With that, Aang laid back on his sleeping bag and immediately fell asleep. Not long after, Zuko noticed his friends face twisting in pain. "Poor kid, he must be having bad dream." he thought. Zuko noticed that it was a great contrast to the peaceful look Katara's face wore. Zuko reached out and touched her hand, once again hoping for her speedy recovery. Even though the water bender didn't trust him yet, he still wanted to have the chance to prove his worth to her.

"He needs you more than you know." he whispered.

Seven hours had passed, and Katara's condition had not changed. Aang on the other hand woke up still looking tired, but somehow healthier than previous to his nap. The dark circles were at least gone from under his eyes Zuko noticed.

"She hadn't moved a muscle," said Zuko automatically. He sighed and crawled back beneath his covers to rest.

Aang sat in silence one more, starring at the girl who melted his heart. Just admiring her flawless beauty, and looking over every perfect curve, and contour of her. Then his gaze drifted to her face where he noticed her eye lids beginning to flutter.

Katara opened her eyes and saw the face of the boy that made her heart go pitter patter. Reaching over to grab his hand, she smiled and just looked at him. Tears were starting to form in his eyes, and he was smiling too. Aang leaned over and hugged her, careful to support his own weight. But when he sat back up, all the happiness was drained from his face, and Katara rapidly became confused.

"Why," he said looking more serious than ever. "Why did you jump in front of me?" he asked.

Katara gazed up at him and decided to give him the honest answer.

"He deserves it." she thought."I couldn't lose you again," she said simply. "At Ba Sing Se, when you got hit by lightening it was…" She struggled for words, "When you died," she continued, "and I saw your falling body, it was the most hopeless I'd ever been. If you hadn't come back to me I don't know what I would have done." she admitted. Katara was embarrassed by the truth, but she was glad that it was finally off her chest.

"Please don't ever do that again," said Aang. "I would rather die than see you that close to death." His tender voice was back, and Katara was shocked at his request. "It's not that I'm ungrateful," he said upon seeing her confusion. "You just scared me hairless," he said laughing at his pathetic joke and rubbing his bald head. "I'm the Avatar, and I don't want you to get hurt because of it." He leaned down and gently kissed her hand.

"I'll try to restrain myself, but I make no promises," she said as she began to cup her hand around his cheek. Katara brought Aang's face within inches of her own, and swiftly closed to distance between them.

Her lips formed around his, as Aang's body slowly relaxed and settled over her own. Their tongues entwined, and danced against each other fluidly. It was pleasure neither of them had known, and both of them wanted to continue for an eternity. Aang started to pull back, not wanting to push her too far while she was still recovering. But Katara had other plans. She leaned up with him and kept her mouth glued to his own. She pulled her arms tighter around him never wanting to let go, and deepening the kiss. Katara's hands roamed over his face and down to his chest where she let them lay against his bare skin.

Aang quickly forgot about stopping and tangled his hands into her soft brown hair as he crushed his body closer to her, but it somehow wasn't close enough. They laid back down simultaneously and continued embracing. After a few heated minutes they were hot, and sweaty, so they came up for air.

"That should have been our first kiss," said Aang sheepishly. His face was a glorious red, Katara noticed as he spoke. He pecked her nose one last time and closed his eyes beside her, still exhausted from his lack of sleep. Aang wrapped his strong arms around Katara, as she snuggled into his chest.

"Sleep tight beautiful," he said kissing her hair and inhaling her warm flowery scent.

Looking up, she planted a kiss lightly on his lips, and then they both drifted off into dreamless, peaceful sleep.