Woke up and realized I had wanted to write some more. Here we go with chapter 2 of Broken Heart. I'm new to writing fan fiction so please bear with me. Hope you guys like it.

Two weeks since Aang made his decision, he had recovered from his injuries. He never looked forward to his healing sessions with Katara. Despite knowing about her secret relationship with Zuko, he still loved her and because of that love, it filled him with anguish being around her. Even though he was in pain, he didn't let it show. It was a time of celebration and he did not want to bring anyone down because of his personal problem.

Katara was happy to see him and help him heal. She would always talk to him during those healing sessions. The two of them talked about their battles, reminisced over memories they shared, and what they would do from now on. She and Zuko had still yet to tell their friends about their secret relationship. She was glad Zuko gave her more time to be ready, but she dreaded it. Katara was conflicted because she knew the news would hurt Aang. There had already been distance between them for awhile before the war ended. She feared that she would make things worse between them. At the beginning of the healing sessions, Katara had felt something was off with Aang but had figured that he was still mentally drained after saving the world.

The air bender, once fully recovered, went back to work on his Avatar duties. With Ozai and Azula finally taken down and locked up, the fire nation needed a new leader and Zuko would take on the reins. Aang knew he that his presence would be needed for the coronation. The world needed to see the new fire lord and the avatar together to show a new beginning for a world without war. To his friends and the world, the avatar was nothing but smiles and laughter, but he wasn't on the inside. He just wanted to take Appa and Momo and fly away from there.

As much as Aang loved Katara, he still wanted her to be happy even if it meant being with Zuko instead of him. When he thought of leaving at first, he felt that maybe he could have been being selfish.

'Maybe I'm being too rash about this. Who am I to say who Katara should love? It isn't like she and I still can't be friends. For all I know maybe he'll be better for her than I could ever be', he thought to himself.

He had figured he should at least take time to meditate and think about whether he could still stay. But over the days, he just couldn't find it in himself to stop the hurt he was feeling. He had seen the way Katara and Zuko were looking at each other and still felt the splitting pain in his chest. He had wanted to run away and cry somewhere, and he hated himself for it. Aang had thought that he was being childish, but he didn't know what to do. He already knew that just by leaving he was running away again. Just like he did after he overheard the monks talking about separating him and Gyatso. Just like he did when he found out the world thought he was dead after being stuck by Azula. If he left then he would just be running away again but it will be because he could not handle seeing the girl of his dreams with someone else. Zuko was still his friend and he didn't want to hurt him or Katara by even trying to break them up. Aang did not have it in him to do that to his friends. He had to go…it was for the best. For him and Katara.

A day after Zuko's coronation, Aang decided to leave that night. It just so happens that Katara finally decided to tell her friends the truth about her and Zuko. They had been meeting in secret still until then, but she knew that they could not keep it up forever.

'Despite how he feels, I will still need to make it clear to Aang that I will always care for him no matter what.' The water bender thought to herself.

The gang were together in the living room, talking and laughing. Momo laid on Aang's lap, he stayed by his side a lot since their last night on Ember Island and was the only one that saw how Aang really was when he wasn't with his friends. Momo may have never understood everything but he did know that his friend was hurt and was hurt because of the water bending girl and the fire bending boy. So he stayed by his side to comfort him when he looked like he needed it.

Although he could not communicate with Aang well, he could with Appa. In his and Appa's own way of communicating with each other. They always were able to understand each other despite being different creatures, the two of them just had a friendship that was that strong. The flying lemur told Appa about their air bending friend. Appa had known there was something off about Aang but did not know what it was until Momo told him. They were sad for Aang, the three of them are the last of their kind and so they felt a special bond with him. They had both agreed that no matter what, they would always be there for Aang.

The gang had just finished laughing over funny memories when Zuko raised his hand up and spoke, "Guys, there is something you need to know.".

Everyone including Momo turned to him. Katara was already sitting with him on the couch. Aang had a feeling he knew where this was going so he mentally prepared himself.

"Katara and I have been together in secret for some time.", Zuko continued and then Katara grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

"WHAT?!", Sokka exclaimed, as the group looked in surprise. Aang was just acting along with them. Only Momo knew how tensed Aang's legs were for a second.

"Since when?", Suki asked after she looked at Aang for any reaction from him and looked back at Katara and Zuko. She already had a feeling that the air bender had feelings for Katara and knew that he would be hurt.

"Since we went after the man that killed mom. After we confronted Yon Rha and I forgave Zuko, we realized that we had a lot in common and we got close.", Katara answered. She took one quick look at Aang specifically to see his reaction and he did look surprised.

She steeled herself so she could be ready to see Aang's hurt look, but it never came. He was surprised but he didn't look sad or hurt by the news. Katara was in disbelief but didn't show it.

"Because we were still dealing with the war, we thought it was best to keep it a secret so that we wouldn't cause a distraction." Zuko said but realized he should have said it in a different way. Everyone already had a feeling how he meant those words.

"How would it have been distracting? I mean I sure am feeling some type of way about my baby sister being with anyone but that's because I'm overprotective.", Sokka said. Toph and Suki mentally cringed because they knew what Zuko meant even if he did not mean for it to come off that way.

'Geez Zuko. You might as well tell them the truth if that's how you're going to be subtle about it.', Aang thought to himself. He knew Zuko meant that Aang would be distracted by their relationship, even he could not deny that it would distract him from preparing to face off again Ozai.

Toph and Suki already had an idea of who would be distracted. Even if Sokka did not.

"But now we feel that it is a good time to tell you guys. We had already planned to tell you guys after the war was over, but we all had been very busy even then", Katara said. It was not really a lie since they all had to do some work during the peace talks between the nations, but she knew it was mostly to prolong hurting Aang when he needed to recover. She also feared doing it because of how much it could affect her friendship with Aang. The water bender did not want to lose him again.

Aang however, was smiling as if he was happy. He didn't look hurt at all.

"I'm sorry you guys felt that way, but you know you don't need to keep secrets from us. We're your friends and we love you.", said Aang. Neither Katara nor Zuko could believe it. Sure, they didn't expect him to start crying in the living room, but he was handling the news way better they thought he would. Katara tried to get a good look into Aang's eyes to see if there was any truth behind it but was too far to see them. He was sitting on a soft chair that was too far for her to see anything in his eyes.

Suki and Toph both looked towards Aang's direction. Suki was surprised to see how well he took the news but Toph knew better. She immediately started listening to his heart rate when Zuko made his confession. There was no spike in his pulse, it was just pumping it normally did. At least when Katara was around him that is. It slowed down for a few seconds until it was pulsing like it was normally.

'I figured that of all people that you would at least be surprised, twinkle toes. Unless…", Toph thought back to when she had heard him weeping in the captain's quarters the day he defeated Ozai. 'Did you already know by then?'. She wanted to ask him right then and there but knew better not to. She would confront him later.

Sokka still had a lot of questions for Katara and Zuko. Being the overprotective big brother that he was, he had a duty to lay some ground rules for the newly revealed couple. Whether they wanted to hear it or not.

Eventually everyone got tired after eating dinner and had gone to their bedrooms to sleep. Except for Aang who had already packed all his belongings in his bag.

'What are the odds that they finally decide to reveal their relationship to us before I was leaving?', Aang asked himself. Either way he was finally leaving tonight. Before leaving his room he took out a scroll from the drawer in his desk and put it on his bed for the others to find when he was gone.

After closing his bedroom door, the air bender went straight to the stables where Appa was. When he reached the stable, he had noticed Momo resting on top of Appa's head. He didn't like having to wake up the flying bison from his slumber, but it was now or never. He woke the beast up and lured him out of the stable. Aang had jumped onto the saddle to put his bag securely on.

"If there was an award for acting, you would have won it Twinkle toes.".

He turned to see it was Toph behind him. "How could you have known-…oh yeah, my heart rate.", he replied.

He should have known better that Toph could tell when a person wasn't being honest. It had slipped his mind.

"Where are you going?", she asked.

"I'm just going away for awhile Toph. I need to be alone.", the air bender replied.

"It's because of Sugar Queen and Sparky, isn't it?".

Aang didn't give her an answer. He just looked down to his feet.

"You don't have to hide it from me Aang. I already knew you loved her since I've met you guys.", Toph said. The air bender jumped down from the saddle and landed in front of Toph.

"It was that obvious huh?", he asked with a smile.

"Your heart isn't exactly subtle about it at least", the earth bender replied smirking.

Toph had known that Aang loved Katara. She never said anything about it because she didn't want to embarrass him by teasing him for it. She already teased him enough as it was.

"Yeah I guess not".

"Where are you going Aang?", Toph asked one more time.

"I honestly don't know yet to be honest. I already planned to leave two weeks ago. If anything, I'm going to continue with my Avatar duties. That much I know for sure.", he answered.

"How long did you know about them?", Toph asked referring to Katara and Zuko.

"The night I disappeared from Ember Island. I came back to the house and overheard them talking. When I saw them kiss, I felt like I was about to fall apart right there so I ran out again until I was too tired to run.", He answered.

Toph was surprised. Aang knew about them for a while now and they had no clue about it. Toph knew how much he loved Katara, 'This must have been killing him on the inside for some time now. And he put on a brave face so that we wouldn't suspect anything was wrong with him.', she thought to herself. She already knew that Aang was the type of person to keep his problems to himself, except maybe his avatar problems but not his personal problems. It saddened Toph knowing that her friend was dealing with a broken heart and she didn't know about it. She personally didn't know what it was like to feel heart broken, so she couldn't really offer any advice for him. She had one more question.

"Were you really going to just leave us without saying goodbye?".

"Toph…. Well, I did leave a letter..".

"A LETTER?! Are you kidding me Aang? We've spent so much time together and you were just going to leave us a letter?", yelled Toph. Aang started to see tears forming in her eyes.

"Toph..".

"We're suppose to be friends aren't we? I can understand you wanting to get away.", Toph was shaking, "but you could have still said something to us! You're the first real friend I've ever had. How could you think of leaving without saying anything to Sokka and I?".

Aang wrapped his arms around his blind friend. He was being so selfish; it didn't occur to him how much his friends would be hurt by his leaving. 'I should have known better than to think that no one would be hurt if I just left without saying anything.', he thought to himself.

"I'm sorry Toph. I didn't mean to hurt you. You are my friend.", said Aang.

'She's not the only one that you should be apologizing to.", said a male voice.

Aang looked up to see Sokka and Suki walking up to them. Toph had known they were listening behind the wall but didn't care. She wrapped her arms around Aang's waist and rested her head on her chest, trying her best not to cry.

"Sokka…"

"Save it Aang.", Sokka said with his hand up. "I always knew that you loved my sister, so I understand that you're hurt.".

"You knew?", Aang asked. Suki responded before Sokka could.

"It's pretty obvious, Aang. Even I could tell how much you love her just by seeing the way you look at her.".

The air bender gaped at Suki. She couldn't help but giggle at his reaction. He really thought he did a good job of hiding his feelings for the water bender.

"Buddy, you went out of your way to use the line for my fishing rod to make a flower necklace for her after she had lost mom's necklace. Who do you think does stuff like that for their 'friend'?", Sokka pointed out. Aang's face had flushed with embarrassment. His friends, including Toph, saw his face and just laughed at him. He really thought that no one had noticed. Somehow everyone figured it out before Katara ever did.

"But in all seriousness Aaang, are you sure that leaving is really the best option for you", Sokka asked. Toph had let go of him and stepped back waiting for the Avatar's answer. He took a deep breath and looked up to his three friends.

"I'm sorry guys but it just hurts too much for me to be around her. Ever since I discovered their secret, I have felt this split in my chest. And it hurts a lot. I love Katara but she doesn't feel the same for me. I feel like I'm being selfish, but I can't help it. I don't know what else to do but to get away from her. I think this will at least be the best for me and Katara.".

"Are we at least going to see you again?", Toph asked quietly.

"Of course. This won't be the last time you see me Toph. You guys are still my family after all.", Aang replied. "We'll still see each other. I promise you that.".

Sokka stepped up to Aang and put his hand on his shoulder, "If you feel like you need to do this then we'll support you. As long as you don't become a stranger. You're the closest I've had to a little brother and I would hate to lose you.".

Aang was touched by what Sokka had said. He already looked up to him as an older brother. He hugged Sokka and the older teen hugged him back. They let go and Suki went up to Aang and hugged him too. Although they have never really talked with each other much before, there was still love and respect shared between the two. Maybe they can become closer when Aang decides to visit. Finally got in one more hug.

"You better keep that promise or I'll hunt you down.", Toph said with a smile.

"Don't worry, I won't break my promise.", the air bender assured.

Aang knew for a fact that he would see them again.

"Is there anything you want us to tell Katara or Zuko?", Suki asked.

Aang just shook his head. He didn't really have anything to say to them that wasn't in the letter that he left for them.

"The scroll I left should be enough. Plus, I want them to know about what we just talked about. Sokka I know you wouldn't want to lie to your own sister but-".

"Don't worry about it. We'll just act like we don't know anything.", said Sokka. The four of them had one group hug before Aang jumped to get on top of Appa's head.

"I'll see you guys real soon. Appa! Yip Yip!", the bison made a small grunting noise and took off into the air. The Avatar took one last look at his friends and waved his hand goodbye and they waved back to him. Toph of course didn't see his wave but she still knew to wave back.

The Avatar, along with Appa and Momo, was finally leaving. He hoped that Katara wouldn't be too hurt by his absence. Maybe one day his love for her will be gone and he could go back to being her best friend. He didn't know for sure what was going to happen from here on, but he looked forward to it.

The following morning, Katara came down the stairs and found the gang minus Aang eating breakfast. It was odd not seeing him there eating with them especially since he is usually the first one to wake up.

"Has anyone seen Aang?", the water bender asked.

"I haven't seen him all morning.", replied Zuko and then he turned to the others at the table, "Have any of you guys at least seen him?". Sokka, Suki and Toph just shook their heads as they kept eating their food.

"I'm going to see if he's in his room.", Katara says as she walks up the stairs. Maybe the young air bender was still sleeping and needed to be woken up. She was still surprised with how well Aang took the news of her relationship with Zuko. It was almost as if he wasn't really surprised at all but that couldn't be right. Zuko and her made sure that no one had caught them during their secret meetings. She eventually reached Aang's bedroom and knocked on the door a couple of times.

"Aang. Wake up.", she didn't hear a sound. Aang was never a deep sleeper but things could change. Katara opened the door and stepped inside the bedroom to find no one in there. The room was totally empty. 'Where could he be?', she thought to herself. She noticed that his bag was missing. Could Aang have gone somewhere without telling anyone? She walked up to his bed and saw a scroll on it. She picked up the scroll and opened it.

To whomever finds this scroll,

I have decided that I will be flying across the world and work to fulfill my Avatar duties. There are towns and villages that could use my help so I am leaving to do what I can to help. To my friends, I'm sorry for not telling you but I need to go on this journey on my own. Please do not look for me. The Fire nation still has Ozai sympathizers out there and I plan to stop whatever plans they have. While the world is finally without war, it doesn't mean that there will be no more conflicts. I had planned this for a while, so I know what I am doing.

Sincerely,

Avatar Aang.

Aang was gone. He had left her again. 'Why Aang why?! This is just way too sudden. Why would you leave us like this? Why would you leave me?'. Katara let out a sob. Her best friend had left her again. Was this because of her relationship with Zuko? It couldn't be. He said that he planned for this so he couldn't have just come up with a rash decision to after her and Zuko's secret was out. She ran out the room and down the stairs with the scroll crumbled up in her hand. Once she had reached the group she screamed.

"AANG IS GONE!".

This is where I'm ending this chapter. Hope you liked it. If you do then please leave a review. I will be continuing this story.