a/n Hey, everyone! Thank you so much for all of your reviewing, favoriting, and following! I'm really flattered (and speechless), at the response I'm getting from you all! In this chapter, we get a peek inside of Aang's head, and we see the blooming of some future Taang. To answer your burning question: No, the fight does not take place in this chapter. Sorry! I know you probably hate me for this, but I thought there needed to be one more chapter before the fight scene. Hope you like it!

Chapter 5 ~Contemplate~

-Katara-

He was so close she could feel the heat radiating off him. It would only take a small lean forward to connect her lips and his. For a moment, he seemed to

stretch even closer and his hand reached behind her. A cold tingling feeling ran up and down her back, and her eyes darted away from his to track his

wandering hand. She felt a flash of heat behind her then she heard the telltale sounds of a fire.

Katara whipped around to face the stove just in time to see Zuko withdraw his hand. Surprise was written all over her face as she turned back around to face

him, but he was already gone.

-Zuko-

A part of him really wished he could have seen the look on her face when she spun back around. Oh well he thought as he headed off to make sure Aang was

up. He had deployed all of his speed and stealth skills to slip away while her back turned, because as much as he hated to admit it, he couldn't resist her.

Before today, he didn't know she returned any of his feelings, but the way she purposefully teased him… He shook his head, still in disbelief. But if she

obviously felt the same, why did he run away? Ever since he first fought Katara, his heart had skipped at the very thought of her. Of course, he had tried to

erase the feelings he had for her, but whenever he saw her again, they would come back as sharp and vivid as her blue eyes.

Zuko stopped suddenly as a new wave of understanding hit him. Now that I'm with the Avatar, and Katara feels mutually, why do I have to hide it? His steps felt

lighter as he continued down the hallway. He looked out the window; the sun had now fully risen and shown down brightly. Agni, he thought as he picked up

his pace, he had let Aang sleep in too long.

-Katara-

After her initial shock, she busied herself with the tasks at hand. She boiled water (over the fire Zuko had made) for the tea and rice, and then started mincing

some mushrooms she had found on their journey.

Suki was the first person to arrive for breakfast.

"Good morning, Katara." She said cheerily.

"Hey, Suki," she replied before resuming her rice scooping, "good morning to you too." Sokka stumbled in, still half asleep.

"Something smells good," he said yawning as he put his arm around Suki's waist, "I'm starving." Suki turned to look up at him.

"Didn't you get enough last night?" she asked innocently. After hearing that, Katara wasn't sure if she needed to throw up or even if her jaw was still attached.

The scoop of rice in her spoon plopped back into the pot. Rigidly, she continued to fill the bowl and handed it to Suki (without meeting her gaze). She almost

yelled GROSS!, but somehow managed to keep it within her. In truth, she had done her share of gross things, but at least her previous partners didn't say

thinly veiled innuendos.

She found herself whisked away into her memories. …. Jet had been her first…he had been tall, strong…strategic… It had all happened too fast, what

with Sokka being so disapproving. In the end, it was probably best that she hadn't stayed with him too long. Jet's personal tastes were a little kinkier than she

had expected… Then there had been the short thing (or fling) with Haru… but that didn't work out… he didn't have enough fiery spirit. He was too timid. It

hadn't really hurt her feelings when Haru went with the rest of the group after Azula forced them to split up at the Western Air Temple. She was somewhat

glad she didn't have to end it with him… Now Zuko filled her daydreams and occupied her thoughts/dreams at night… After he had helped her find and face Yon

Rha, and then let her decide the fate of that lowly man, she found herself re-evaluating him. She found that he wasn't afraid of her power and had enough

spirit of his own. He was also a powerful bender and Aunt Wu said... Zuko had a strong build and… was so handsome… his eyes…his-

"Good morning, Katara!" Aang's innocent voice pierced her thoughts.

"Err… good morning, Aang." She replied dragging herself out of lovely dreams.

"I don't see why Zuko has to wake me up so early." Aang yawned, picking up a bowl filled with rice. Katara just smiled. "Later, Toph promised to show me her

sandbending. Care to watch?"

"No, no thanks, Aang, maybe later?"

"Okay," Aang reluctantly agreed, taking his bowl of rice he went and sat down. Katara felt bad. She'd known for a while that he had a crush on her, but she

never wanted to hurt his feelings and tell him she didn't feel the same. But ever since Haru she'd been wanting a more… bold companion and Aang just didn't

fit that profile. He was too young and innocent.

The day carried on. Aang continued his firebending training with Zuko, practiced sandbending with Toph, and now was practicing his waterbending in the ocean

with Katara. She tried to act enthusiastic when he did a form right, but her heart wasn't in it. Every time she even thought about Zuko her heart would skip and

she got this tingling feeling all over.

-Aang-

What was up with Katara? He thought glumly. She hadn't been paying attention this whole training session. He sighed and dropped the water arms he'd been

holding up.

"Hey, Katara, can we be done?" he asked.

"Wh-what, Aang? Sorry." Katara replied, turning back to face him.

"Eh, er…" Now that he had her attention, he didn't know what to say. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. Then Toph walked up to the beach.

"Hey Twinkle Toes!" she yelled, "if you're done splashing around down there I have some new moves to show you!" Aang's face perked up. Thank you! He

screamed silently.

"Okay," he called back and turned to Katara, "I guess I better go… Bye, Katara!" And he hopped out and dashed up the sand.

-Zuko-

He sat quietly in his room in the middle of his bed. Not quite meditating, (his heart was beating too fast for that), but breathing deep, slow breaths. After each

heartbeat, he was closer to facing her. He could already feel the day winding down and the sun sinking lower into the horizon. All throughout dinner, he

repeatedly had to remind himself not to stare at her. But something seemed wrong with her. She didn't eat very much and she kept shifting in her seat,

especially when she caught him staring…

He didn't realize he had fallen asleep until there was a light knock on his door. He bolted upright.

"Come in," he said. A few seconds later, Katara opened his bedroom door. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Were you sleeping, Zuko?" she all but laughed.

"Yes," he replied defensively.

"Good," she smiled and he could see the fire dancing in her eyes, "you'll need all your strength for tonight."

a/n So, what did you think?! I just couldn't resist leaving the chapter the way I did. xD
Any and all reviews (or any other form of showing me that you like what I'm writing and you think it doesn't stink and you want me to continue) is greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!