A/N:

TayBone2305: Yeah, it really does motivate me, as you can see lol. And yes, I changed some covers as they fit the description of the story better. HA Ha, I'm glad you like it, it doesn't get as many views as I'd like but that's alright, we're building the brand. But yeh, I will keep making music, dw. Thanks again, really appreciate it! Hahahahaha, Fast 9 - i haven't seen it yet, but I want to badly just so I can spend a good night of laughter with my mates once lockdown is lifted. Lmk if you need the link to the server, I'll send it to you somehow. Though, it would be better if you made an official account cause that way I can PM you directly. Otherwise I'd have to respond in fics through these reviews. I was thinking that too when I was proof-reading it: "this is basically tales of ba sing se vol 2" lol. But yeah, I will be making more chapters like those later on, expecially when the Gaang seperates. Yep, a lotta aren't liking Katara so far, thinking she's being selfish, but this chapter will hopefully change their minds. Katara and Suki's friendship will go through both great highs and great lows, sue to Sukka, Sukaang and Kataang as you know ;) but for now, they sisters and will always remain. Well, until they won't lol. But don't worry about that for now. We all know Iroh's was best, but yes, I liked Aang's too. And I felt the need to include here, in this story, especially since he wouldn't be spending his time with Katara in that moment. Toph will go through her own side story and journey, don't worry. Hope you enjoy this Episode, and thanks for the support, I appreciate you.

Guest: Yeah, Aang is wise and it is easier said than done, but this boy's a monk - its easier for him tbh. And Katara being with Zuko will be explained through flashbacks in later episodes.

Guest: Thanks! I'm glad you like it so far. Yeah, the fic is rather calm, but drama will ensue in no time. And Katara's character right now is in a grey zone, though, i hope after this chapter, she'll be more on peoples' good side. Shit will hit the fan, but it'll be subtle and not over dramatic and in your face like my other fics.

Sporkofdoom23: i don't know how many chapters, but this will def be a loing fic. Maybe 40 episodes, i think.

TheQuietReader23: Again, just wait for the flashbacks, you confusion will not remain. They definitely see it as long term, but they haven't yet thought of the challenges that they'll have to face. When the first challenge reveals it self, then they'll truly think things through. Again, wait for the flashbacks; everything that happend in those two months will clear your suspicions and confusion. I don't know if he unknowignly manipulated her, its too harsh a word for that situation to be fair. But i see your point. Well, it was that and more. Just wait lmao. Idk how you'll feel about Katara after this chapter, I hope I've somewhat redeemed her though, but we'll see. I see you're point about her being somewhat selfish and wanting her cake and to eat it too, but that's not what's going on here. Trust me on that. Well, look at that, you ALMOST predicted what would happen, and I was going to do exactly that, but I thought I'd start the Sukka angst early, lol.

Bay45220: The drama will be slow-burn and subtle, not as in your face as my other fics, but it'll still hurt. Yep, you're right about that, and yes, you're almost right about that too. just wait and watch hahahahahahah :)

one sad kataang writer: Well, i like writing him hurting to deal with my own hurt lol, since I relate to him the most as a character, Aang is almost my go to for angst, not in this fic tho, not for long at least. Well, its third person, but yes, technically you will.

Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Leave a review and let me know in it if you have any suggestions or requests or fic ideas, I always respond to reviews! Enjoy! :)

Episode 4:

1 month and 12 days After Ozai

He sighed as he dropped the orb of water he was bending when he felt someone's light footsteps approaching the river. It had taken the Gaang almost an entire week to travel to Kyoshi Island from Ba Sing Se; they had to remain in Ba Sing Se for a while longer when issues regarding Yu Dao arose, which Zuko promised to resolve by removing his hold on it and his people. Also, when they did leave after bidding farewell to Toph, they had to make a detour at a local village between Gaoling and the Desert due to their issues with bandits. It took Aang, Katara, Suki, Sokka and Zuko around half-day to locate and infiltrate the bandits' base of operations, which was hidden underground and the only way to breach it was by using earthbending. Once it was discovered however, the Gaang made quick work of their foes; Zuko and Aang quickly utilised their bending to defeat the few earthbenders, Katara froze and whipped the non-benders into submission, while Suki and Sokka located the missing items – mostly consisting of jewellery, expensive artwork, food, robes, and 5,000 yuans. While the benders defeated the bandits, Sokka and Suki retrieved the missing items of interest and brought them back to the villagers on Appa. Once the battle was over, after Aang and Katara froze the hands of the bandits together and led them out of the cave, Aang turned back around and buried it; using his earthbending to crush the interior of the underground cave, thus confirming that the bandits wouldn't be returning, nor would they be regrouping there to plan another attack again.

Once their business had been handled, since the sun had already set, the villagers suggested that the Avatar, the Fire Lord and his friends remain there for the night – a gesture of their thanks. Aang tried to deny and reassure them for an entire half-hour until Sokka dragged him away and agreed to the villagers' request on his behalf, explaining to the boy that he was fighting a losing battle while also chastising the monk for even thinking of denying the warrior a nice 'meat-feast'. After said 'meat-feast', the Gaang, due to them already being exhausted, decided to camp there for the night and respectively fell asleep by their partners – Katara and Zuko slept at a distance though, at Sokka's insistence – and Aang slept by Appa and Momo, not wanting his animal friends to spend the night alone – though, it was more for his benefit if he was honest.

The next morning had passed by rather uneventfully: they packed up, uploaded their minimal belongings back onto Appa and headed for Kyoshi Island. Once they arrived – at around midday – Aang, Zuko and Suki spent the remainder of the day conversing with the mayor: Oyaji, discussing the state of the world, how they'd achieve and maintain peace alongside the other nations, and Kyoshi Island's position and responsibilities in said talks and negotiations. While the trio discussed international policies and newly introduced regulations with the mayor, Sokka and Katara debated on what was best for the Southern WaterTribe – Sokka mostly told her what he and their father had planned while Katara critiqued and offered better solutions that weren't influenced by the misogynistic culture that was bred and taught in the Northern WaterTribe. That, however, became an issue since most of the reparations and improvements being made to the South were being funded by the North, and written in the fine print of their negotiations were details regarding how the cultural beliefs of the Northern WaterTribe would be transferred over to their sister tribe. Some beliefs and philosophies were completely understandable and acceptable for Katara, most others however… not so much.

After a long and gruelling day, Aang had decided to take an early leave of absence as he sought to clear his mind with either meditation or bending. He attempted to mediate by a river for a few minutes, trying to filter all previous thoughts and feelings aside for at least an hour to no avail. His mind was everywhere – he discovered – if it wasn't focused on the upcoming task at hand in the Fire Nation, then it was pondering over the difficulties in the Earth Kingdom, if it wasn't thinking about the Earth Kingdom, then it was debating on how to best handle and resolve the grievances between the Water Tribes and the Fire Nation, if not that then…

The subject of his thoughts entered the area as she stepped into the river, bending the orb of water he had dropped, allowing it to hover above her hands for a while until she passed it over to him. Understanding her silent request – and being appreciative that she at least still wanted to spend time with him – Aang caught the orb and passed it back to her. The both of them now moved together, passing the orb of water between each other, Tui and La in complete synchrony with the perfect flow of chi.

Relieved that he wasn't running away at the mere sight of her and ecstatic that he didn't mind waterbending with her, Katara smiled lightly while she beamed inside, continuing to pass the orb to him gracefully before she opened her mouth.

"I guess you and I have the same idea of 'relaxing'," she observed, noticing that he seemed calmer now since he had been slightly stressed out earlier during dinner.

Aang simply shrugged as he passed the orb of water back to her, "I tried to meditate, but I had too much on my mind." Regarding her with a sympathetic smile, Aang caught the water as he asked, "Sokka still being stubborn and hard to work with?"

Katara chuckled, "You have no idea." Aang smiled with mirth when she laughed, and she smiled a little wider inside; the sight of his lips curving upwards with mirth was a rare occurrence ever since the war, and she couldn't help but feel guilty for being somewhat responsible. Though, seeing him now, smiling – and knowing it wasn't fake for once – she felt partially lighter inside. "He's tried his best to reason with the North, but it's not nearly enough – not for my comfort, and probably not for my Tribe either. But to be fair, I can be stubborn too, you know."

"Oh, trust me, I know," Aang joked, making Katara narrow her eyes at him briefly as she waterbended the orb towards him directly, thus splashing him and laughing alongside him when he waterbended himself dry.

When their laughter died, Katara stood in a defensive stance, expecting him to return the favour which would in turn kick start their unintentional spar or game – it was something they used to do every time they waterbended during the war, and Katara didn't think it would change now. However, she became confused when Aang simply stepped out of the river and dried himself off further, wrapping his master airbender tunic around his chest and abdomen while she tried to determine what she should say.

She fully expected him to delve into another spar with her, however, she realised then that the circumstances were now completely different compared to how they were before. Therefore, she had to stop setting expectations, especially ones that were held for him.

"I'm tired," he simply stated with a sad smile as he sat by the river, dipping his legs in it while he patted on the spot beside him. "We can sit and talk if you want but I'm too exhausted to bend at the moment."

Reassured that he yet again wasn't trying to run away from her, Katara nodded in agreement as she sat beside him, her legs too dipping in the cool river while they looked and observed anything and everything except the person beside them. Suddenly, the chirping of the birds, the clicking of the crickets, the flow of the river and the feel of the night breeze sweeping by them became the most interesting elements in the world. The silence was awkward, this moment was awkward; the first time they were alone together since leaving the Fire Nation about a month and two weeks ago.

Katara had much on her mind, so did Aang, but she was the first to speak. "So, we never… uhh… got a chance to – to properly talk," Katara observed, glancing shyly at Aang who seemed deep in thought as he stared into the distance and didn't reply. Growing concerned and afraid that she had now unintentionally upset him, Katara cleared her throat as she twiddled her thumbs, her eyes locked onto her lap as she spoke – her voice just above a whisper – "I know that… that you need time and space to think things through, and I totally understand and am willing to give it to you, but… I just – I want to – I need to know…" she trailed off as she glanced away, feeling her breathing had become quite shallow and sweat had begun to pool around her palm. Noticing the worry and pure anxiety laced within her quivering voice, Aang turned to face her, now completely regarding her as he stared at her expression, growing concerned that he had hurt her by remaining silent the more he analysed her.

"Am I… Am I – ", she cut herself off as she prevented a sob from breaking through, holding her tears in while she panned her head around to gaze at him again, her voice and conviction faltering for a moment when she read the clear pain in his eyes. "Am I h-hurting you, Aang?" Reaching forward, she held onto his hand, the one that was resting on the ground, as she continued brokenly, shame and guilt eating at her inside. "Is being around me, spending time with me… seeing me with – is it hurting you? Am I causing you pain?" She waited for an answer, and when he seemed to have none at his disposal at the time, she eagerly gipped both his hands and stared into his eyes pleadingly. "B-because I c-can leave, you know. I can stay here and not go to the Fire Nation, o-or I can go b-back home, o-or if you want, in the Fire Nation, I c-can – "

"Katara," he whispered softly, cutting her off as he marvelled at her capacity to care so openly, compassionately, and selflessly. Although it took him a while to admit, he was quite bitter towards Katara when he first found her and Zuko kissing on that balcony; thinking she had completely disregarded his feelings for her and had brushed him off selfishly to be with the hot-shot Fire Lord. However, as soon as he came to his senses a few moments after, right before his talk with Zuko on that rooftop, he realised that he was wrong for even accusing Katara of being selfish. She was the least selfish person he'd ever known, apart from the airbenders of his time; always sacrificing her needs for her friends and family during and even after the war. And now, she was willing to spend less time with her boyfriend just to make sure he would be comfortable and wouldn't continue hurting – which, if he was honest, he wasn't all that much anymore.

"You don't have to do any of that for me, Katara," he stated, a tear rolling down his cheek, thus matching her own as she dipped her head and tried to refute.

"But… I don't w-want to hurt you," she replied, feeling like she was in the wrong for openly subjecting him to watch her be with someone else when he was actively trying to get over her and his feelings for her.

Aang simply shook his head as he cupped her cheek, brushing the tear off her cheek while softly smiling at her as his hand retreated when it had completed its' task. "You aren't Katara; you're not hurting me." When she shyly gazed up at him, doubt swimming around in circles in her broken ocean orbs, Aang smiled sadly as he whispered, "I'm hurting myself."

"But it is because of me, isn't it? I'm the cause of it."

She was waiting for him to refute, for him to claim that it had nothing to do with her and that his own inability of getting over his crush on her was at fault – completely oblivious to just how deep his feelings for her really were. She awaited the reassurances she would shoot down, awaited the lies she would expose, awaited the statements she would claim were false. However, they never arrived at her doorstep. Instead, he simply said:

"Yes."

Her eyes widened for a second before her lip trembled, the initial shock of him actually admitting the truth fading away as she frowned and gazed at him pleadingly once again. Her eyes began watering as she begged, "Then tell me, w-what can I do to fix it?"

"Nothing," he stated, smiling at her briefly before he chuckled, "actually, just don't treat me like a broken toy, and we're good."

Baffled, Katara stared at him wide eyed as she asked, "What?"

Aang simply laughed at her confusion before he responded, "Time heals all wounds, Katara. And I'm already feeling mine beginning to fade away, so don't worry. The pain won't remain for long," when she stared at him doubtfully, but eventually sighed and nodded reluctantly when he gave her a pleading look, he added sadly as his voice returned to a whisper. "Just… do me a favour, will you?"

Determination and conviction evident in her eyes and tone, she nodded as she turned to face him completely, "Anything."

"Don't forget about me, Katara. Don't forget our friendship," Aang pleaded sadly, glancing away as he felt shameful because he thought he was now being selfish. "I know you like spending time with your boyfriend, and I don't want to separate or restrict you from him – I would never forgive myself if I did – but… I don't want to lose your friendship, Katara." When he gazed back at her, he was met with a small, sweet smile before she tacked him with a tight hug, sighing deeply into his neck when she breathed in his familiar scent and nodded.

"I promise, Aang. I don't want to lose your friendship either… I was – before we talked just now, I was actually afraid that you didn't want to be my friend anymore," she admitted, tears mixing in with the smile on her face as he held onto her tighter and she squeezed him. "I'll never forget about you Aang."

Pulling away, Aang grinned at her widely as he held up his pinkie finger playfully, "Pinkie promise?" He challenged, raising his eyebrow and grinning in a playful manner which she laughed at briefly before matching his energy, being reminded of the fact that they were still kids at heart and were allowed to act like it.

"Pinkie promise," she confirmed, locking their tiny fingers together and holding a semi-serious gaze, staring into the other's eyes in an uninformed staring contest while they attempted to not break up in laughter. Soon enough, they couldn't hold it in; as soon as Aang faltered and chuckled slightly, Katara's giggles burst open like a dam and Aang followed behind her immediately – rolling onto their backs as they held their stomachs.

"I swear," she stated through her giggles, "you'll never change."

"Yeah," he laughed alongside her, "I probably won't."

"And I don't want you to."

"I can't wait to kick your butt up and down the dojo tomorrow," Suki stated playfully, smirking at the WaterTribe Warrior laying comfortably on the bed, in their shared room, while she stripped off her upper robes.

"Normal couples go on a date, but my girlfriend wants to beat me up," Sokka stated sarcastically in a matter-of-fact way as he crossed his arms, trying to delay having to inform her of the unfortunate news for as long as he could; he didn't want their rather pleasant night to end on a sour note.

"We stopped a war as young teenagers," Suki responded, removing her leggings thus leaving her only in her red wraps while she turned around to face him, smirking when he blushed in embarrassment as she had caught him admiring her. "I would hardly say that we're a normal couple, or that we have to deal with issues ordinary couples deal with," still smirking, she swayed her hips seductively as she walked over to her boyfriend, straddling him and kissing him soundly before she laid beside him. "Though, I wouldn't mind going out with you after I whoop your ass," she stated, making him laugh nervously as he looked away from her bright eyes. "I can't wait to spend these next few days with you, alone…" she sighed longingly, cuddling with him; digging her face into his chest while he remained stationary, his body not moving an inch while he rested against the headboard.

"Yeah, about that…" Sokka trailed off nervously, wondering if he should drag it out or simply spit it out – when it came to the straightforward Kyoshi Warrior, he realised long ago that the latter was a better option than the former, on most occasions. "I'll… I'll have to leave for the North tomorrow," he stated sadly, frowning when he felt his girlfriend shift to sit up and stare into his eyes, confused.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her hands holding her up as she wondered why he would say something like that when he had already told her he'd spend at least a week with her before returning to the Tribes. "I thought you said –"

"I got a letter this evening," Sokka cut her off, glancing away from her seeking eyes as he elaborated, "the talks with the Northern WaterTribe have gone sideways; some councilmembers are making things more difficult than they have to be." Finally finding the courage, Sokka panned his head to meet his girlfriend's blue irises, a pang shooting up in his heart when he noticed that their brightness and mirth had diminished. "My dad asked me if I could bring Aang with me, or at least show up myself to help mediate these disputes."

"What are they fighting about?"

Sokka shook his head, "The letter didn't clarify; all it said was that they were arguing, and that the Avatar's and my own assistance was needed."

"So…" Suki frowned, realising that there was no way her boyfriend could stay with her now; with the world in such a vulnerable position, having just survived a hundred-year long war, the people needed its heroes and leaders to help rebuild their homes, villages, cities, and nations – romance and relationships couldn't come between that, not yet at least. "So, you're not gonna be able to say till the end of the week?"

Sokka frowned himself when he heard the disappointment in her voice, unwavering yet still somehow understanding. "I wish I could stay longer. Spirits know that I want to, but – "

"Its fine, Sokka," Suki smiled somewhat sadly, cupping her boyfriend's cheek and kissing his forehead as she reassured him. "I understand; we both knew that the world would need us now – we need to help them heal, everything else can wait."

"I'm sorry for disappointing you," Sokka apologised despite her reassurances, feeling guilty for being the one who had to diminish even the smallest amount of sparkle in her matching, loving blue eyes.

"You didn't disappoint me, love," Suki cooed, leaning her forehead against his while her hand remained cupping his cheek and her other drew small circles on his firm chest. "We both knew this wouldn't be easy, and we both agreed to try to make it work regardless. Besides, we spent a couple days in Ba Sing Se together, goofing around with Aang and Toph, messing with and teasing Zuko and Katara… so, I'd say our time spent so far wasn't wasted at all."

Sokka chuckled as he continued to stare into her light blue orbs, "You're right, but…" he sighed as he wrapped his arms around her naked mid-section, the both of them relishing the electricity shooting through their bodies when their bare skin met, so warm and inviting. "I still wish we could spend some more time together, alone."

She sighed in response, "Me too." She was about to leave it at that and call it night, fall asleep in his arms, but a thought entered her mind and she grinned seductively at him. Growing bold, she moved to straddle him once more, both her hands framing his face as she spoke seductively, biting her lips when his expression too changed from dejected to lustful. "Though, the way I see it is, if you are leaving tomorrow, then how about we enjoy ourselves tonight?"

Realising her intent, Sokka reciprocated her grin as he eagerly leaned forward and kissed his girlfriend. She gasped in slight surprise, thus allowing his tongue to protrude and enter her mouth, tracing her gums and teeth before dancing with her own. They moaned into the kiss as Suki pressed him against the headboard roughly, holding his face with both her hands as she kissed him hard and passionately. His hands were suddenly everywhere, caressing her taut stomach, gripping her firm breasts, and slapping and kneading her plump ass before he flipped them over and shifted to trail kisses down her neck – sucking on her milky skin as she moaned lowly. Growing impatient, he trailed his hands downstairs and began rubbing her through her wraps, making her gasp loudly as she gripped onto his hair, her fingers entangling themselves in his dark locks as he pleasured her.

Both of them rode out their needs and desires for each other for the remainder of the night, falling asleep blissfully, ignorant to the fact that this was merely the first of many instances that would threaten to split them apart.