Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender

CHAPTER 5

"Aang?" Katara said again.

Aang felt something on his arm and a voice that had followed. He wasn't sure if he was dreaming or not, but when the voice came again it sounded a lot more familiar and comforting.

"Aang, wake up. It's me."

Katara!

Aang's eye flew open and turned his head toward the voice.

"Katara!" he said sitting up.

"Aang! You're okay!" she yelled throwing her body onto his for a hug. Tears were flowing down her face. "I was so worried about you. You disappeared and we couldn't find you! I – I didn't know if I was going to see you again." Her voice shaking and the tears flowing down her face more uncontrollably.

Aang's arms tightened around her body. Relieved that she was here and safe in her arms.

"I'm so sorry Katara. I didn't mean to worry you. I know I have a lot to explaining to do and I promise I will explain."

"It doesn't matter right now," she said "All that matters now is that you're here and alive."

He pulled away from the hug and cupped her face in his hands, wanting to take a good look at her. She stared back with tears still flowing down her face. He made a daring move and wiped her tears away.

"I'm okay Katara, really. Just a few burns. But it was worth it. It's over. I'm here alive with the people I love."

He wanted to kiss her so bad, but was still unsure of her feelings. He didn't want to push her. Not after what happened at Ember Island. She needed to be the one to make the first move. If it was meant to be, it would come together on it's own.

Suddenly, she began to lean in.

Could this really be happening?

"TWINKLE-TOES! SUGAR QUEEN!" they jumped apart at the sound of Toph's voice.

Toph suddenly appeared at the doorway.

"Come on you two! Everyone is waiting. What are you two…?" she paused.

"Nothing Toph!" yelled Katara her cheeks burning red as she stood up. "We're coming."

"Yeah," Aang said, slightly blushing as well. "We're coming now."

He went to stand up and his legs began to wobble a bit.

"Easy Twinkle-toes. I can feel your legs shake from across the room," said Toph.

Katara spun to face Aang.

"Aang? Are you alright? Here let me help you," said Katara. She grabbed his arm and put it above her shoulder to support him.

"I'm alright guys, like I said before just a little weak. I used up a lot of power. I just need more rest that's all." said Aang.

"Well you can tell Zuko and I all about it while I give you a healing session. And another one for Zuko as well now that I think about." said Katara.

"Wait, what happened to Zuko? He is alright?!" he asked, scared for his friend.

"He's okay, I was able to heal him in time. Looks like we need to tell you our story too."

"Yeah, that would be a good idea," said Aang.

"Come one, everyone will start to worry about us for being gone so long," said Toph leading the way out of the airship.

Katara helped Aang walk out. When they got to the platform Aang insisted that he was alright and could handle it.

"It's okay Katara. I'm fine," he said with a smile.

"Everyone is inside. They figured to give you guys space but then Sokka got all paranoid and asked me to come check on you guys. He would of come out himself but he can't exactly walk and Suki refused to help him," said Toph smirking.

Aang hoped Katara wouldn't notice his blush and he looked away. At the same moment she seemed to have looked away as well.

They walked back into the palace and Toph led them into a big room with couches laid out. Sokka was sitting on a couch with his leg elevated up and Suki snuggled up against him. Zuko was laying down on another couch trying not to move.

"Bout time you guys got back!" said Sokka. Suki elbowed him in the ribs. "Ow!" he complained.

Aang ignored him and faced his firebending teacher and friend.

"Zuko? Are you alright? What happened?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Aang. I'm glad to see you're okay too. I'll let Katara explain and don't worry about Azula and my father. They are both locked up and away from one another. And I would like to hear your story of what happened," he said.

"Of course," said Aang sitting down on the nearest couch "Why don't you guys go first then I'll tell you my side."

"And while we're explaining I'll heal everyone" said Katara bringing out her pouch of water.

"Deal" said Aang.

Katara started with Sokka and started their story. She skipped to the part where Zuko and her took Appa and went to the Fire Nation to face Azula. She explained that Zuko accepted Azula's Agni Kai because he could tell there was something off about her. The battle was going well, Zuko was holding his own and finally hit an opportunity that threw Azula on the ground. She had gotten up with a crazy look in her eye and Zuko had taunted her into using lightening. He knew that he would be able to redirect and end their battle. Katara then explained that she was stupid enough to walk into Azula's view. Azula had then changed her mind at the last moment and shot the lightening at Katara.

Aang and everyone in the room flinched at this moment.

"But… how are you..?" Aang asked, his voice faltering at the thought of being so close to losing Katara for good.

She gestured to Zuko. Then walked over to him, now done with Sokka and began to heal Zuko again.

She continued her story and explained how Zuko jumped into the lightening bringing it into himself. He laid on the ground in pain. She had tried to run to heal him but then Azula started firebending at her and laughing madly. They fought and Katara finally outwitted her. She froze herself and Azula and then waterbended her away in the ice, to chain Azula to the drain. Then unfroze them and ran to heal Zuko.

Everyone was silent for a few moments. Katara finished healing Zuko and made her way to Aang.

He grabbed her hand as she approached him. Reassuring himself that she was alright. Her face turned slightly pink at his gesture.

"You are amazing," he said, "I'm so proud of you."

She smiled and squeezed his hand back before she began to heal him.

"I'm proud of you too. Both of you," said Sokka.

"Yeah. You guys did amazing and I'm glad you're both safe. For the most part," added Suki.

"Your turn Aang," said Zuko.

Aang jumped into his story as Katara healed him. He tried hard to focus on his words but couldn't help but think of Katara being so close to him. He could feel the tension and pain of his burns being washed away. He was feeling better and more refreshed by the minute. When he had mentioned taking Ozai's bending away Katara gasped.

"You… you can do that?" asked Zuko. "But how?"

"I'm not sure. The lion-turtle had just given me the knowledge and thanks to the Avatar state I was able to access the power. It was hard and I wasn't sure if I was strong enough to do it, but in the end it worked," explained Aang.

"Wow" said Zuko.

Katara leaned in to whisper in Aang's ear. "I'm really proud of you too."

Aang smiled.

"So now what do we do?" asked Toph, "What comes next?"

"Well the sages told me they need to have my coronation as soon as possible. The Fire Nation needs a Firelord. Then we can declare the war officially over. Also we'll have to free everyone from the prison," said Zuko.

"Sounds like a good plan for now," said Sokka.

"I think everyone just needs to rest and we'll figure out everything else in the morning," added Katara.

"Agreed," they all said in unison.

They all yawned and made their way to the rooms Zuko had the servants set up for them. Toph helped Zuko get to his room before venturing out to her own. Suki helped support Sokka and they closed the door to their room. That left Katara and Aang alone. Katara helped Aang again into his room.

"Do…do you mind if I stay here with you?" asked Katara blushing, "I just don't want to wake up alone and forget where I am."

Aang stared at her for a moment then collected himself. "Of course. It's fine Katara. I don't really want to be alone either."

"Okay. Thanks Aang," she said smiling.

He smiled back. They crawled into bed and he could hear Katara quickly slip into a slumber.

She must be exhausted. As am I. Tomorrow will be a good day. A good day to wake up and not be in a war. Maybe even a good day to talk about their future. Everything was about to change.

His thoughts drifting, he fell into a deep peaceful sleep, with a smile on his face.

A/N: Please review! i'm really curious to what you the readers think! i'm hoping i'm doing Avatar justice! i know it may not be the best! but im in love with this show and always will be. It's my favorite and it inspires me to one day be able to write my own story. So please review! I would love to hear what you think :)