Pandemonium Ch 6

                            Pandemonium! Aang and Katara’s First Date

                                                      Chapter 6

                                     Nothing’s Changed But the Title

                                                   By Avatard n_n



“ARGH! I AM SO STUPID!” Aang shouted while kicking the air with all his might, producing a healthy gust of wind. “This is the worst date ever!” He roared in frustration.

Aang stalked to the sidewalk and let gravity bring down his tired weight of a body. He rubbed his bald scalp and sighed sadness out. The Avatar felt defeated, and a tiny voice on the back of his head reprehended him with a sing-sang voice saying ‘I told you this would happen, I told you!’ But in fact deep down he had always been afraid of this very problem, even before him and Katara became a couple. He could always picture it in his head clearly: First, Katara would agree to be his girlfriend and everything would be milk and honey. The scary part came when Aang feared they would break up by some silly argument which also would be responsible for the crashing of their friendship-- just like right now. That is the true reason why he had never gotten enough courage to confess to Katara before the war was over. What if they had been in a relationship and break up? It would mean they would have split apart and Aang would’ve had to fulfill his destiny all by his own. Not to mention he’d be so heartbroken, he’d barely make it to fight the firelord.

The young and grievous air nomad shook his head off such depressing thoughts and looked upon the cloudy night sky. The clouds predicted a storm coming, and with that the arrival of Aang’s season. He heard the clouds roar announcing the arrival of autumn and felt the soothing humming of the mighty wind gusts. Aang would’ve normally looked for shelter since he is not sympathetic of storms, but he was becoming worried for Katara. The storm would begin soon and she was out there, he had to find her for her own good. He stood up decisively and ran as fast as he could, beginning his search.


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Katara had lost notion of how much time she had been running ever since she got down from Xeng-Xeng’s carriage, hopefully she had run enough so Aang wouldn’t find her. She stopped breathlessly by the beginning of the lower ring; she studied the place meticulously, it seemed like it had been a housing section before getting reached by the merciless flames of Firelord Ozai. She sat on the edge of what looked like the ruins of a fountain and sighed very tiredly. Katara felt her face wet and hot of all the tears Aang had stole away from her. She rubbed them hard, away from her face with her palm and quivered as the sky thundered; her eyes rose up and saw air and water giving birth to a storm.

“How could he?” Katara muttered, her voice too broken to let her speak properly. She just didn’t understand why Aang loved being the center of attention like that. It was like the incident at Kyoshi Island being turned into a nightmare. But something about this situation didn’t figure in her head right and she began thinking possible explanations.

‘Maybe he just doesn’t love you as badly as you love him, maybe he doesn’t care, or maybe he’s just being oblivious—classic Aang. Maybe…’

“Stop!” She reprehended herself. The thought of Aang made her chest ache in agony, but it hurt even more trying to excuse him. The sky thundered again, this time bringing a breeze.

“I can’t.” Then she said. “I love him.” Sobbed Katara.


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“Katara?! KATARA!” Aang shouted like there was no tomorrow. “COME BACK PLEASE! I’M SORRY!” He tried to fight the storm’s rumble with his shaky voice; as if he succeeded in being louder than the storm would make Katara reappear magically, but thunder spoke again.

“KATARA!” Aang cried back to it. He kept walking, reaching the beginning of the lower ring. His eyes spotted the arch that marked the end of the middle ring as lightening lit the sky. It was known that the lower parts of Ba Sing Se were no royal palace; if Katara was there she could be in danger. Aang knew for a fact that Katara is the most powerful waterbender he’s ever met, but that didn’t prevent him from fearing the worse.

“I’ve got to find her.” He said to himself and picked up the pace.

It must had been an hour or two before midnight, night ruling the unsafe Ba Sing Se, and Aang still couldn’t find Katara. He was becoming more anxious. Even being a waterbender, what if something had happened to her? He would never forgive himself for that. His mind was rapidly producing possible things that could have happened to Katara, situations that froze him in fear, yet that were unlikely to happen. Aang kept looking all around, no sight of his Katara, but he swore for his life he would not go back until having found her.

When it looked impossible to find her, and with the troubled Avatar about to get a heart attack, Aang’s eyes found relief. There she was sitting in a creepy place filled to the brim with ruins of all sorts.

“KATARA!” Aang exclaimed relieved, spotting her from afar. “It’s you!”

At the sound of that familiar voice, Katara’s stomach sank in a whirl of mixed feelings, making her feel butterflies that were on fire. She lifted her head up to meet up with Aang’s eyes. He could see the puffiness of her ocean blue jewels, she had been crying a lot.

“I was very worried.” Aang began, making sense of what was around him by finding his lover. Katara didn’t answer back; even if she wanted to, she could say nothing.

“You didn’t let me explain.” He continued with a meek voice. “And why’d you come all the way out here to the lower ring? You could’ve gotten lost, hurt, or worse! Even having the right to run away from me like you did, this is just inexcusable!” Aang reprehended her unintentionally, giving a minute’s chance for them to switch roles for once. He stopped, realizing he was being harsh on her and waited for a response....nothing.

“Won’t you answer me?” Aang pleaded sitting next to her. Yet Katara looked down still, straight to the floor. “Please Katara! Just talk to me! I’m sorry but it’s not what you think it was, believe me!” The sweet looking water tribe girl looked upon the teenager sitting next to her, former friend and current… unknown. She breathed hard and with all her might tried to contain her broken voice.

“Then what was?” She asked.

“NOTHING! I don’t even know those girls, Katara.” He explained himself.

“For the looks of it you were very well companied.” Katara said, nonetheless.

“No! Please Katara, they were just annoying me! I was trying to find you but you took too long and they began surrounding me and…”He stopped confronting the fact there was nothing to apologize about. He had no excuse, and if Katara wanted be free of him, he’d do nothing but let her go.

“You know I don’t blame you if you don’t want to forgive me, much less talk to me ever again. This was after all the worst date I could ever have come up with; I only managed to hurt you. ” Aang said sad, “but understand I didn’t mean to attract all those girls to me. They were really mean and they even tried to convince me of cheating on you!” He said. Katara looked down assuming the last statement was true which made Aang stop on his argumentation.

“You think I cheated on you.” Aang said seriously. Katara didn’t respond yet again. “How could you think that of me?” The airbender asked hurt, almost angry. “Why on earth would I change you for anybody else? Answer me!” Aang pleaded very hurt and sad.

“Because you don’t fit with me!” Katara broke apart finally.

“What was that?” Aang asked disbelievingly. “I don’t fit with you?”

“I’m not good enough for you, even those girls said it.” She explained. Aang just held a puzzled apprehensive look, jaw dropped. “I heard them talking in the restroom. They said you should be with someone as important as you, a noble girl or something like that, and not with a water tribe peasant like me. They said it would only be a matter of time for you to replace me with a more ‘outstanding’ girl. And they’re right Aang, I mean look at you, you’re sweet, kind, brave, honest—on top of that you’re the Avatar AND the last airbender, and I just can keep going on with the list… but the truth is you’re one of a kind and I’m… not.” Katara muttered lowering her head. Aang was still on shock unable to assimilate Katara; smart, beautiful, dead-drop-gorgeous, perfect Katara had said that. After another hundred years, Aang spoke.

“Katara, I love you… and I just cannot describe with words how happy you make me…” Katara immediately recognized what he said, just like what he had written on her bouquet. He really did mean it. “…and I also think you’re the most perfect, smartest, most beautiful woman in the world but what you said is just about downright stupid.” Aang admitted lifting her chin. “Is that the reason why you stormed away like that?” She nodded failing to contain her tears. Aang felt his heart shrink as he saw her crying. He felt guilty; it was only him who had caused her suffering.

“I was afraid what those girls said was true and when I saw you surrounded by all of them… well it was just…” voice betrayed the waterbender, breaking down on her will. Aang got it; she was just as full of doubt and fear as him, and understood that neither of them had a thing to worry about. They loved each other just as much the other one did. He hugged her tightly and with much eager she hugged him back.

“I don’t care what everybody else thinks or says; I want to be with you and no one else, whether they like or not. Don’t you doubt that; Katara.” Aang reassured her; then, a most comfortable silence filled in leaving them with nothing but the delightful sensation of feeling each other’s tight embrace.

“I’m sorry.” Katara muttered.

“You don’t have to apologize.” Aang said, “Though I’ve got to confess, I was very afraid too, you know.” The air nomad said still holding grip of his beloved. She fixed herself to meet his grey eyes. “I was afraid you would dump me, or change your mind about me, or simply decide you liked me better as a friend.” In that moment she could completely understand Aang’s reaction a few moments ago, how could he think that? She half chuckled at the thought that they’re so meant to be that sometimes it’s irritating for even them.

“I’ll save you the lecture, but just so you know I would never do that.” She said. “Why’d we even let this happen, Aang?” After a moment of meditation, Katara asked.

“What?” Aang said obliviously too busy enjoying Katara’s scent.

“This stupid argument getting between us.” She explained.

“Oh…” Aang sighed, “I guess we were just too nervous about our first date. It’s just that now that we’re finally together, at least for me, it seems too good to be true.”

“Me too.” Katara said, “But I’d hate if we fought again because we don’t trust each other. Maybe too good to be true is what we have earned. We just have to begin believing it, I guess.”

“Yeah.” Aang said with a dreamy voice. He was yet again mesmerized by those jewels of hers. He snapped out of it quick enough, luckily. “I knew all this ‘fancy date’ was a bad idea.” Aang sighed finally letting go off Katara.

“What?” She asked raising an eyebrow.

“You’ll get mad…” Aang warned her.

“Aang…” She said beginning to raise her voice.

“Okay, okay… but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Aang sighed resigning to confess. “I kinda asked Sokka and Zuko for advice…” Aang said scratching the back of his neck, a classic of him.

“You did what?” The water tribe girl exclaimed with her motherly high pitch.

“But I did it because I wanted to impress you!” Aang said anticipating her rant. “I didn’t know what to do for our date. This morning when I asked you, I hadn’t planned anything at all. So I asked Sokka and Zuko what I could do and if they could help me-- I wish I had never done that.” Aang said, he stopped to study Katara’s reaction, but far from angry or unpleased, she was giggling. “First they called me cheap because I all wanted was a quiet, private, simple dinner outside on the country.” He continued. Katara had to admit that sounded more appealing than all the trouble they had been through this night, they would’ve had each other all for themselves. “So Zuko had to mess it up and rented me the chariot and arranged a reservation for Kyoshi’s Hall. And they kept me giving very useless advice; I obviously followed it, and look what I got.” Aang kept on complaining. Katara was just laughing by now. “It’s not funny!” Aang pouted.

“I’m sorry…” She said forcing herself to stop laughing. “So let me get this straight, you bore Zuko and Sokka’s annoy for a whole day, plus you went through all of this mess just to impress me?”

“Well, yeah! I mean, you are my girlfriend after all…” He said pointing out the obvious. Katara pecked him on the cheek in secretive thankfulness.

“Aang, you don’t have to take me to a fancy dinner to impress me. You already do. I don’t need gifts or elaborated dates to love you. I like you for who you are and for all the things we’ve shared together, I don’t want you to change just for appearances. Boyfriend is just a title, Aang. Nothing’s changed.” Katara said smiling and Aang sighed in relief.

“Those two…” Aang muttered with a maleficent voice “I thought I was getting it all wrong, that’s what I get for listening to Sokka and Zuko’s advice.” Aang said, while Katara laughed again.

“Not that I don’t appreciate what you’ve done for me, Aang. But really, Sokka AND Zuko… wasn’t it enough with just one of them?”

“Don’t worry, I learned my lesson; never listen to Sokka’s OR Zuko’s advice when it comes to girls.” Aang said knowing better. They both laughed, like the first time they went penguin sledding; like that time they rode Omashu’s mail delivery system, like every other fun moment they’ve shared. Katara was right; nothing’s changed but the title. They heard the loud roar of the storm and stopped to admire the destructive yet enigmatic beauty of it.

“Well, it’s almost midnight. I think we either should get going before this date gets any worst.” Simultaneously, the sky cried with a mighty thunder letting millions of droplets fell to the ground. Aang smiled knowingly.

“The spirits hate me.” He said getting wet, Katara only laughed free spirited, as if the falling rain lent Katara Aang’s unceasing joy. The rain became more intense and they got wet very soon, neither of them preventing it, as they enjoyed that bending-less moment, depurated of everything but each other.

“We never got to dance another song!” Katara remembered a little disappointed.

“What a shame.” Aang smiled, throwing his girlfriend that one passionate, devious look he gets every time they dance together.

“Would you like to dance right now?” Katara followed up. Aang chuckled.

“Of course, but there’s no music.” Aang observed.

“Sure there is, you’ve just got to listen carefully.” Katara said.

“How?” Aang asked puzzled.

“Shh… close your eyes. “ Aang did as instructed and focused on whatever Katara wanted him to hear. He heard and heard but listened to nothing until he recognized the soothing humming sound of the wind and the tickling noise of falling rain.

“The storm?” Aang asked

“That’s our music, isn’t it?” Katara said.

“Our elements.” Aang observed. He took both of Katara’s hands and placed her left one on his shoulder and the other one he held; then he grabbed her waist with his right one and danced a waltz to the sound of water and air. They danced for quite a long time, enjoying the connection between them and the universe. Katara locked her eyes with Aang and she saw how beautifully they matched with the nature that surrounded them. Aang stepped closer to her bringing her towards himself by her waist. Katara snaked her arms up to Aang’s neck and caressed the back of his head, now being her who closed up the distance. They slowly leaned into each other, becoming overly aware of each of their presences as they leaned in for a kiss that began meekly to evolve into a passionate moment between the two of them. As it was becoming a habit, they broke apart only when they were about to choke due to the lack of air only to breathe once again and dive into another kiss. When they broke apart they hugged long and tight.

“I love you, Aang”. Katara said sweetly to him snuggling against his neck. On the other hand Aang was hypnotized by her touch, her kiss, her voice, by all of her in fact.

“I love you too.” Aang managed to state back as he ran his fingers through the girl’s wet locks of hair.

“You must have hated this date; I promise the next one will be all planned by me and just me.” Aang stated.

“Just be you, Aang.” She giggled looking at him then yet again leaning forward to kiss him once more, catching the young air nomad off guard. “You know, now that I look at it, it wasn’t that much of a mess.” She smiled.

“Yeah.” Aang said budging down to Katara’s mesmerizing spell. The rain was ceasing now, everything calmer. “Uh oh…” Aang suddenly said.

“What’s the matter?” Katara asked still holding Aang close.

“I think we still have got another disaster to go.” Aang said.

“What’s that?” Katara asked oblivious.

“It’s the middle of the night and we’re miles away from our house.” Aang pointed out. “Plus I couldn’t find Xeng-Xeng at Kyoshi’s Hall.”Aang knew Katara had something to do with that when he saw her throwing a guilty expression at him, searching for his excusing in advance.

“That is kind of my fault.” She confessed. “I took Xeng-Xeng with me and then I dismissed him, when I got far enough.” Aang just looked at her smiling glad she had done that; for if she had been by herself something bad could’ve happened to her.

“I’m sorry.” She said.

“It’s okay, but we need to find a way out of here. Unless you want to meet my Water Tribe reincarnation once Sokka’s done killing me.”

“I think we’ll manage.” Katara said without hesitation.

They both looked at each other a little scared but then laughed knowing that whatever was in store for them as to Sokka or anything else would be nothing compared the pandemonium they just went through. This relationship would work and last for long, they knew for a fact; they had just made it alive out of their first date, for spirits’ sake.

The End.3