Aang closed his sliding door carefully, trying to maintain the peace he still had within himself: today he was leaving the fire nation, and truthfully, he didn't know when he was coming back. He'd miss so much about it; the intense heat, the summers at the beach, the constant visits of Iroh and perfecting tea with him. He was once again the avatar, because the world wouldn't let him be Aang. Aang truthfully didn't want to leave, Aang on the inside was only leaving at the thought of staying with Katara throughout the months. The avatar wanted peace though, that was his responsibility to establish peace and unity within the four elements. He laid his forehead on the door, wishing he'd denied the tour idea that he just could go back to sleep and continue training in the morning….

"It was hard for me to leave too" he felt a cool hand on his shoulder and he turned around finding those deep blue sapphire eyes "But we'll come back before you know it"

"Thank you" was all he could manage

"Everyone's waiting, we should have left hours ago Aang"

"I know" Aang couldn't pry his head away from the door just yet. He felt a cool hand enter his "What would happen if i didn't go?" He whispered more to himself "What would you do"

"I would …. I don't know Aang"

"Yeah Yeah Yeah.." He felt her arms pull around his waist and a promising hug

"Aang…." She whispered into his ear "How are we going to survive these next couple of months? With us with mutual feelings but we can't show it"

"Only because your so stubborn Katara!"

"Aang! I have to support my tribe!"

"What about Hakoda? He had your mom! And Sokka has Suki!"

"Aang you know I couldn't focus if we tried"

"No- I don't know that, I know very little of your feelings"

"Well CLEARLY she's ubsessed with you" Sokka said from across the stables, climbing up on Appa's back. Aang felt Katara's hand sneak away from his grasp as she climbed onto Appa once more, Aang made sure everything was secure and Appa was fed properly. At least he felt himself lean down to Appa's ear and whispered "Yip Yip"

It was nightfall before Aang could comprehend, they had finally crossed fire nation capital boundaries, heading for the border line between the forest of the fire nation and Ba Sing Se, their first place of visit. Aang couldn't sleep, not without knowing Appa was safe, he'd let the others fall asleep one by one, Toph, Suki on Sokka's lap, Sokka on Momo's back, Mai on Zuko's shoulder, and Zuko nestled into Mai's head. He smiled at the gang right as it should be, with new additions, and frowned as he realized one was missing, he saw Katara sitting near Appa's tail playing with water out of a canteen. Using his finger nonchalantly he created a lilly out of water and it froze into ice. He let it gently float to Katara before it landed in her lap. He looked forward too frightened to see her reaction and was startled when he felt arms around his shoulder

"Hello" She whispered into his ear, her hair tickling his chin slightly

"Hi" He tried to concentrate on his maps but found it impossible "How are you?"

"I was cold… but I find it warmer here"

"Yeah…air bison heads are warmer then air bison tails" Aang replied lamely

"Yeah"

They sat there in silence, Katara gently squeezing his shoulders until he felt her grow limp, thinking she'd finally left he turned around to see her asleep right behind him. He picked her up in his arms careful not to startle her and looked where to put her where she'd be the most comfortable. He noticed how perfectly she fit now, five years ago they seemed uneven, she was too tall, he was too short, now it was the opposite, everything matched perfectly. Her arms slid around his waist as she naturally clung to him, he sighed and let her sleep in his arms, she looked so peaceful, he tangled his fingers into her long hair that smelled like lilies, and he saw her mothers necklace on her neck. He gently repositioned her and felt something hard on her ankle he gently rose her skirt to see a familiar earth kingdom anklet ….

Aang was looking at the stars as he carved the last symbol into his newest creation, a tiny rock pendant with the symbol of beauty established on it. He smiled triumphantly to turn and see Katara's sleeping bag rolled away from him breathing slightly.

"I guess I'm too late… again" He said, getting up to get some water from a nearby stream

"Your should work on that Aang" He heard a stern feminine voice as Katara came from the trees, a canteen already filled,

"Who's sleeping in your bag tonight?"

"Toph" Katara said putting the fire out with a hiss "I've noticed she looks more and more exhausted as the days go by

"I see…where are YOU sleeping?"

"With Appa" Katara winked at Aang "He's quite the cuddle buddy and I'm sure I can help it, it's a warm night after all"

"Warmer then the water tribe anyway" Aang plugged his nose playfully

"Hey!" Katara laughed "They say woman of the water tribe are the most beautiful?"

"What happened to the men?" Aang looked at Sokka who's mouth was wide open snoring loudly

"I don't exactly know" They were both laughing rolling on the ground when Aang tied the anklet hastily around her ankle not wanting to be caught. She was still laughing when she stood up walking over to Appa

"It's a long day tomorrow Aang, you should get some shut eye"

"See you in the morning Katara" Aang made a silent triumphant signal behind her back

"Oh and Aang?"

"Yes Katara?"

"Its beautiful"

Aang fingered the anklet lightly and then put the skirt over her feet and pulled her to his chest

"Just like you"

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVEIW! seriously- that's what makes me want to upload more...That and i can't leave a story unfinished.