Disclaimer: i do not own Avatar the Last Airbender

CHAPTER 8

Everyone was gathered in this beautiful hall in the palace. Tables were set up around for all, music playing, and a variety of food from every nation. People were eating and laughing. Enjoying the peace that had finally come. Katara and Suki spotted their friends in the far corner and made their way to them. Everyone smiled at them as they passed, thanking them for everything they had done. They finally made their way to Toph, Sokka, Mai, and Ty-Lee.

"There you guys are!" yelled Toph, "Where have you two been?"

"Just talking," replied Suki, winking at Katara as she made her way to Sokka's side.

"Where are Aang and Zuko?" asked Katara, not even bothering to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"They had to talk to some people, but don't worry I'm sure they will be back soon," answered Sokka.

And right on cue, Aang and Zuko approached. Relief sketched upon their faces.

"Don't you guys look relieved?" laughed Katara.

"Well you would be too, if you just escaped from all these politicians. The worse part is I know it's only going to get worse," said Zuko walking over to Mai and kissing her cheek.

"Well it's better than fighting in a war," said Aang.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Oh and congratulations Zuko. We didn't get a chance to say it to you yet," added Toph, punching his arm (her normal way of affection).

"Yeah, congrats Zuko! Glad to know the Fire Nation is being lead by a friend that doesn't want to destroy us all," said Sokka.

"Nice choice of words Sokka," sighed Suki as everyone laughed.

"What we're all trying to say is we're proud of you. Both of you," said Katara, turning her eyes to Aang.

"Thanks guys. I appreciate it," said Zuko, "Now let's eat before more people try to talk to us."

They sat down around the table and dug in. Reminiscing about the good days of their journey and filling in one another on the funny ones that not everyone was there for. Hakoda, Bato, Haru, and many other friends of theirs stopped by once in a while to give their congrats. Katara looked around the room, people had gotten up and were dancing around the hall. Everyone looked so graceful and carefree. No threats, no differences just everyone enjoying the celebration. She watched her brother and Suki dancing. Sokka becoming nervous with his steps and stumbling as he tried to lead. But Suki was patient and helped him with the steps. Smiling and kissing his cheek for every misstep. Katara laughed at the scene. She was happy for them, happy for her brother to find someone to love after losing Yue. She knew that Suki felt the same way about him, it was all over her face every time she looked at Sokka. The music suddenly changed to a familiar tune. Something Katara couldn't quite put her finger on. At that moment Aang had gotten up and held is hand out for her. That small gesture made her realize that it was the same song they danced to in the Fire Nation cave that Aang had thrown a secret dance party in. And here Aang was repeating the moment.

"Mhmm, now isn't this familiar?" laughed Katara.

"Do I have to convince you again or do you want to skip the excuses and take my hand?" said Aang giving her a flirty smile.

She smiled and blushed but decided to take his hand. He led her onto the dance floor.

"So remember the steps?" teased Katara.

"I think the real question is do you?" Aang teased back.

"Guess we'll find out."

They made their way to the center. Everyone's eyes flashing to them as they walked by. If Katara's face was red before, she could really feel her cheeks burning now. They took the familiar stance in front of one another. Their arms crossing between them.

"Everyone's staring…again," Katara whispered.

"Don't worry about them. It's just you and me right now," replied Aang, recalling the soothing words he had told her the first time they had danced together.

His words gave her the confidence back then and it was doing the same thing now. Including the heart-warming feeling. They began the dance. Their bodies swaying gracefully with the music. They followed the beat of the music, the steps coming to them with each movement. It was easy. As is if they were a perfect match, knowing exactly what the other one was going to do right before they did it. They kept eye contact the entire time minus the aerial flips. Finally their dance was coming to the end. Katara back flipped, her hand reaching out for Aang. He took it swinging her to the left then swinging her to right, dipping her, ending their dance. Everyone around are clapping and cheering for them. They stare at each other, smiling as they try to regain their breath. He lifts her back up, their faces only inches away from one another.

"Way to go guys! Doesn't that look familiar!" said Sokka, clapping his hand at Aang's back.

"You guys looked great out there," agreed Suki smiling.

"Thanks guys," said Aang.

Suki grabbed Sokka's hand and they went back to dancing. Aang turned his attention back to Katara, "You want go outside? Take a walk?"

"Sure," she replied.

He took her hands and led the way. Walking fast before anyone could stop them. They slipped past the guards and into the courtyard, sitting in front of the turtleduck pond. Catching their breaths in the process. They were quiet for a few minutes. Taking in the cool air.

"I'm sorry for not having a lot of time to talk lately," said Aang.

She turned to face him. His eyes sincere, matching his words.

"It's not your fault. I can't imagine how much you and Zuko have to do. You both have really difficult jobs. But I want you to know that I'm here for you. I want to help in anyway I can. We started this together and I'm not going to just pick up and leave."

He smiled at her. Her heart melting in the process. "Thank you Katara. I really appreciate it."

She turned away, looking at the pond. Remembering that it was only a few days ago that she was sitting here wondering if the boy beside her now was going to come back. She felt a tear fall down her face.

"Katara?" Aang's concerned voice brought her out of the painful memory. "What were you thinking about?"

"Sorry. I just realized that this is where I was sitting when Zuko and I were waiting for you to comeback. I was worried that you wouldn't. I mean I knew you would but I was still scared."

He took her hands and placed them in his own. "I should be the one saying I'm sorry Katara. I didn't mean to worry you guys. It just sort of happened unconsciously. As for fighting Ozai, I couldn't fail the world again. I have to protect it. Along with the ones I love."

"We love you too Aang. I'm glad we found you in the iceberg. I can't imagine what my life would have been life if we didn't."

"I'm glad you found me too."

They were quiet for a while. Enjoying each other's company. Her hands still in his.

Maybe I should try telling him how I truly feel. Maybe this is the moment Suki was mentioning.

Just as she was gathering the courage to say all this, Aang spoke first.

"So what have you been wanting to tell me? I know it's been crazy and we haven't had a lot of time but seems like we do now."

"I…uhm… yeah there has been something I've been wanting to say."

She turned to face him. His beautiful grey eyes stared right back into her blue ones. She struggled to focus on the words that she had been trying to say. She felt her cheeks get warm and her heart beating faster.

How can I possibly tell him if just being next to him is making me flustered?

He looked at her, waiting patiently for the words that were escaping her.

CRUNCH! They jumped at the sound and looked up. Voices followed the noise. Figures stepped into the moonlight and they could see it was Zuko and Mai. Zuko looked up suddenly realizing that him and Mai weren't alone.

"Oh! I'm sorry guys! I didn't realize anyone was out here," said Zuko blushing, Mai grasping his arm blushing as well.

Katara sighed. Another distraction. And by the looks of it we ruined their moment as well.

"It's fine. We were just talking. We can leave if you guys want," said Aang politely.

"WHERE IS EVERYONE!?" someone yelled from a distance.

The four of them turned towards the voice. Three figures popped out of the shadows. Sokka, Suki, and Toph.

Sokka, of course.

"Sokka! Stop yelling! I told you my feet could feel where all of them were," said Toph.

He ignored her. "There you guys are! We've been looking all over for you! You got to hear the plan we came up with!" said Sokka, "So we just spoke to the Earth King and he wanted us to come back to Ba Sing Se with him. The Order of the White Lotus is all there still. They were taking back Ba Sing Se during the battle. Plus he is going to announce the end of the war there and have a huge celebration as well. Also we thought it would be good to visit your Uncle, Zuko. What do you guys think?"

"Sounds like a great idea Sokka," said Katara.

"Yeah, It'll be nice to see my Uncle again," said Zuko.

"Plus we'll probably have to be in Ba Sing Se anyway to figure out our next step. We have a lot to discuss with the Earth King," said Aang.

"Yes! So Ba Sing Se it is!" said an enthusiastic Sokka.

I guess this will have to wait a little bit longer. Maybe I can get Suki to distract everyone so there are no interruptions this time.

A/N: Ok so hope you all enjoyed this chapter. i hope it sounded okay. you ever get the feeling where you can picture everything and how it goes but then when you write it down it doesn't come out the way you wanted it to? well keeps happening to me. and i hope that my writing will progress and i wont have that problem so much. Also for my story i feel like i can picture this in between story a bunch of ways but im choosing to write this way. Also i think that the next chapter will be my last. i didnt want to push this too far. i just wanted to get the in between stuff leading up to the finale of the season. also cuz the promise books come after the kiss. so i was prob going to stop around there. im thinking about working on other side stories for the series. so look out for those! thanks for reading everything so far. oh and please review this chapter! let me know what you think! i truly love the feedback! thanks! :)