Disclaimer: i do not own Avatar the Last Airbender

CHAPTER 9

In the late afternoon, they had finally made it to Ba Sing Se. Though it may have not been everyone's favorite city, they hoped to create some new happier memories here. Aang couldn't help but think of the last time he had been here though. This was the city that Appa was held in when he was stolen from them, the city where the Dai Li agents controlled everything, and of course the place where Azula had shot him with lightening and conquered Ba Sing Se in the process. Aang shuddered at the memories. As he landed Appa in front of Iroh's tea shop, the Jasmine Dragon, he turned around and faced his friends. Most of them were awake and talking. He shifted his eyes to Katara. Her face was expressionless, like she too was remembering the bad memories.

"Katara? You alright?" Aang asked.

She jumped at the sound of her name.

"What? Yeah, I'm fine. I just couldn't help but think of the last time we were here."

"Yeah, me too. But this time is different. We're all here together, no fighting. Just us coming to celebrate with everyone else."

"You're right." She smiled.

Just then Iroh walked out of his teashop.

"Welcome everyone! It's so great to see you all!" he said smiling fondly, "Come in! I have tea made and ready for you all!"

Everyone hopped off Appa and greeted their wise friend.

"I'm so proud of all of you," he continued.

"You were sure right, Iroh. Destiny was our friend that day," said Sokka.

Iroh laughed, "Well I'm sure glad I was right then. I don't know what would have had happened if we all failed."

"Yeah, let's just not think about it," said Toph.

Everyone laughed in agreement.

"Well, while I go get the tea why don't you all get refreshed and changed for the celebration tonight. Then we can relax and talk."

A few hours later, everyone sitting in the teashop with their new Earth Kingdom attire, minus Aang who had stuck with his air nomad clothing. The sunset was radiating from outside. As they all enjoyed one another's company.

Iroh was playing the sungi horn, Appa watching him through the doorway. He paused as Zuko placed a teacup next to him and gave him a warm smile. Zuko then moved to Toph whose feet were on the table enjoying Iroh's music, he handed her a cup as well. Aang sat on the floor in front of her manipulating a ball of air up and down as Momo tried aimlessly to try and grab it. As Zuko walked on to the rest of the group to give them tea as well, he watched as Mai and Suki played pai sho, Katara watching them. Then Sokka who had paper and a brush in hand, shot his head up as Zuko moved toward them.

"Zuko, stop moving!" he said, Katara, Mai, Suki, and Zuko looking up at him in surprise, "I'm trying to capture the moment. I wanted to do a painting, so we always remember the good times together."

Katara moved closer to her brother to examine the picture.

"That's very thoughtful of you Sokka," she said, her expression quickly changing as she looked down at the picture, "Wait! Why did you give me Momo's ears?"

"Those are you hair loopies," he replied matter of factly.

Zuko, Suki, and Mai had made their way over too, to see Sokka's handiwork.

"At least you don't look like a boarcupine. My hair's not that spiky!" said Zuko.

"I look like a man," added Mai.

"And why did you paint me firebending?" asked Suki.

"I thought it looked more exciting that way," answered Sokka, as Momo jumped onto the table and made some noises. "Oh, you think you can do a better job Momo?"

Meanwhile, Aang had stood up and smiled fondly at his friends and started making his way to the doors.

"Hey, my belly's not that big anymore, I've really trimmed down," said Iroh, as Aang patted Appa's nose and continued outside.

"Well, I think you all look perfect!" Aang heard Toph say, followed by everyone's laughter.

Aang made his way the front railing outside the teashop. Watching the beautiful sunset. The colors were unbelievable. The orange and yellow colors mixing together, there was even a pink to it. The clouds circles around creating a purple and blue as well. The scene was breathtaking. The comet may had been beautiful but this was possibly even more. As Aang watched the sunset, Katara had followed him out. She stood right next to him. He turned to look at her, a smile upon his lips that gave a sense of peace and gratitude that she had found him out there. She blushed and returned the smile. She had decided that what came next, no words were needed. That everything she had been wanting to say, was going to be shown through her next move. She placed her hand on his shoulder, turning him towards her. They reached out for one another and embraced in a warm comforting hug. His eyes open with a look of deep affection and love for the girl that he had come to fall in love with. While a loving smile came upon her own lips. They let go and stared back at the sunset for a moment. Then Katara turned to face the boy she in return fell in love with, the look in her eyes showing that she had made her decision. He turned to face her again, a small smile that at that moment realized what was going to happen. She leaned in, her eyes closing as she got closer and his own eyes closing in response. They kissed. Katara bringing her hands to his face to keep him there and show how much she wanted and needed this, to feel finally complete. His arms wrapped around her waist in response pulling her closer, her arms then moved to around his neck, deepening the long awaited kiss. This was the moment they had been waiting for. There was no more confusion, no more distractions. At this moment, their lives changed again. A change of love and a hopeful bright future that would follow.

A/N: Okay so sorry everyone this is the final chapter! i really hoped you all enjoyed it! i wanted to leave it off where the show ended and for those who read The Promise, we all know what happens after this haha. if you thought i had distractions before, figures Sokka causes another interruption. By the way all the distractions had gong on was me trying to keep it best to the show. i wanted them to have their first kiss during the sunset scene. So yeah! let me know what you thought. I'm probably going to write other stuff Avatar related. So if you enjoyed this please be sure to look out for my other stuff that i will try to get up sooner or later! please review this! let me know what you thought! Thank you all for who read this and reviewed it. i really appreciate it! Thanks my fellow Avatar fans! :)