Chapter 3: Daybreak

Daybreak broke. The sun caste down its rays to the earth below. As the sun stretched its arms across the sky the most unusual event in history unfolded…..Sokka was the first to wake. Yawning and stretching Sokka burst through his sleeping bag. Glancing around the camp sight he noticed that something was out of place. Looking up in Appa's saddle he noticed that Aang was not there. Must have gone for a walk or something, he thought. Noticing that Katara was still not awake he walked towards her with the intention of scaring her out of her peaceful slumber. Getting closer he noticed that Katara wasn't the only one in her sleeping bag. What the…."Katara what the hell is going on!"

Both Katara's and Aang's eyes shot open simultaneously. In synchronization both of them darted up out of the sleeping bags. Almost forgetting that she asked Aang to sleep next to her she started to panic before she realized that it the situation was completely innocent.

"Calm down Sokka. I was upset last night and I asked Aang to sleep next to me for comfort. Nothing happened."

Sokka shot Aang a glare and did the same to Katara. With much doubt clouding his mind he shook his head in disbelief. Fortunately for Katara and Aang arguing was not Sokka's forte, at least not that early in the morning. Backing off Sokka turned and started heading towards the forest. Before getting completely out of sight Sokka turned and glared at Aang. "I trust you Aang but I better not catch you two in the same sleeping bag again." With those words Sokka headed into the woods in search of breakfast.

Leaving Katara and Aang to themselves they stood there staring at each other. After a life time of silence Katara started to laugh. Totally confused Aang stared at her. "What's so funny?"

"Your face! You should have seen your face! I'm sorry but when Sokka caught us in the sleeping bag I was so scared. I never expected to be caught off guard like that. And the funniest part is it was completely innocent…..we got scared over nothing!" Katara's laughter echoed through the air. However, Aang was far from being amused.

"Yea……nothing….nothing at all happened. It was completely innocent". The sarcastic tone that spewed from his mouth was unmistakable.

Laughing so hard that tears began to form, Katara didn't detect his sarcastic tone. Wiping her eyes and looked up at Aang. "By the way, thank you."

"For what?"

"For comforting me last night. You are the best friend that I have ever had. I do not know what I would do without you." And she meant it. Katara has had friends in the past, oh lots of friends. However none could compare to Aang, how could they? Aang was on a pedestal on his own.

Reaching out to grab his hand Katara squeezed it tight, pulling him into a hug. Not resisting Aang held her back, never wanting to let go.

"Oh it was nothing Katara. I care so much about you. So much you'll never know…..well you will know someday... His thoughts were interpreted when Katara shot him a glare.

"What do you mean so much that I'll never know?" Katara stared at him with a confused look on her face.

Sweat started to form on Aang's face. His face started to develop a pinkish tone and his heart rate jumped. "Oh nothing, I meant…I just meant that, um well…. Katara continued to stare at him with a confused look on his face. Choking on every word that came out, fortunately for Aang the awkward moment was interrupted when Sokka strolled back into camp.

"Hey guys, we're in luck I founds some berries."

Jumping at the opportunity to break the awkward situation between him and Katara Aang ran towards Sokka. "Hey Sokka welcome back!" Sokka stared at Aang in suspicion. "Um, thanks I think." Man that kid just couldn't get any stranger…

Dumbfounded by what just happened between them Katara placed the situation in the back of her mind. Must have been my mind playing tricks on me she thought "We better eat fast. We need to be going. It's too dangerous for us to stay in one place for very long."

All agreed. It was still at least a day and a half journey until they reached Ba Sing Se. Breakfast soon ended and the trio once again found themselves on Appa heading towards their destination.

Thank you to all who have submitted a review…it is much appreciated. Your comments have inspired me to continue with my story…many thanks.

Many have asked me whether or not Toph is going to be in the story. She is indeed but not quit yet. Her part will be revealed all in good time. Keep reading to find out….lol