Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Airbender.

Author's Note: So, I am having writer's block with my other story, Avatar High. But I just got this great new idea for this story. This takes place a little bit after The Rift and the new series, Smoke And Shadow. Ages are as follows.

Aang: 15

Katara: 17

Sokka: 18

Please review and let me know what you think!

"Look! The Southern Lights! We are almost there!" Sokka shouted back from Appa's saddle. Katara and Aang, who were sitting on Appa's head, looked up to see an array of colors dancing in the night sky.

"Wow," Aang said breathlessly.

"I know," Katara murmured, "I've been gone from home for so long that I'd forgotten just how beautiful the Southern Lights are."

"Well, they are beautiful, but they've got nothing on you," Aang said smiling. Katara blushed and Aang put an arm around her, pulling her closer to his side.

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Aang asked her as she enjoyed the close proximity to him.

"Only every day," Katara said, chuckling softly.

"Well, I'm gonna say it again anyways," Aang told her smiling, "Katara, I love you. So much."

Katara kissed him in response, pulling away only long enough to respond.

"I love you too Aang, and I always will."

Their kisses were soft and gentle. Aang pulled Katara into his lap so that he could be even closer to her. He kept one hand on the small of her back, the other resting behind her head as he deepened the kiss. Katara had her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his waist.

"Whoa whoa whoa! What do you two think you doing?"

Aang and Katara reluctantly parted to see Sokka scowling at them from where he was looking at them over the edge of Appa's saddle.

"Oh, come on Sokka. Leave them be. They're sharing a moment together, just the two of them. Besides, it's not like we haven't been doing the same," Suki said from behind Sokka, coming to the defense of Aang and Katara. Sokka's face turned red at Suki's last statement.

"B-but this is different!" Sokka stammered, flustered.
"Is it really?" Suki said.

"Yes!"

"How?"

"They…he…she…erm, it just is!" Sokka said, knowing he was losing this battle.

"Come on back here Sokka, and we can continue with our own little moment," Suki told him. Sokka took one last look at Aang and Katara, who had both sat silently this whole time, and gave a gruff "Fine." He climbed back in the saddle with Suki leaving Aang and Katara free to go back in their own little world together.

"Sorry about my brother," Katara said.

"It's okay. He just cares about you and wants to protect you," Aang reassured her, brushing a loose strand of hair out of her face.

"I know, but I don't get why he thinks he has to protect me from you. You would never hurt me."

"I don't think Sokka thinks that. I think he mainly is just having a hard time dealing with the fact that his little sister is growing up."

Katara looked at him and gave him a small smile.

"How did you get to be so wise?" she murmured.

"I don't know. Must be an avatar thing," Aang said grinning before capturing her lips with his once more.

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Little shouts of "They're here!" came from all around as Appa landed in the Southern Water Tribe. Sokka helped Suki down from Appa, and Aang did the same with Katara. They were suddenly enveloped in a swarm of people in fur coats all talking at once.

"Katara and Sokka are back!"

"Wow, I can't believe two of our own helped end the war!"

"Look! The avatar!"

"Do you think they've missed us?"

"I cannot believe it! The avatar, in our village!"

One voice rose above the rest.

"Katara. Sokka."

"DAD!" both siblings shouted simultaneously. They ran into their father's open arms happily.

"Dad, I've missed you," Katara murmured into her father's fur coat.

"I've missed you too. Both of you," Hakoda said, tearing up a little.

When the three finally ended their embrace, Hakoda walked over to Aang and Suki with a smile.

"Suki. Aang. It's good to see you too again." He grasped Aang's hand in a firm handshake, then hugged Suki.

"Good to see you too Chief Hakoda sir," Aang said brightly. Hakoda chuckled.

"You can just call me Hakoda. I assume you've been treating my daughter well?"

"Yes sir, Chief- erm, I mean Hakoda." Aang said

"Good. And I believe you based on the fact she's never looked more happy then when she's with you."

Both looked over at Katara to see her smiling as the members of her tribe surrounded her, all welcoming her back.

"Well," Hakoda said grinning, "Go on over there and join her." Aang grinned and ran over did just that. Hakoda watched them with a smile. "Oh, Kya. Our daughter has grown up so much. Not only did she help end a century old war, but she also managed to find love doing so. I wish you could see her now. She reminds me so much of you," the Water Tribe Chief thought.

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Katara smiled and laughed as all the village boys, now much bigger than they'd been when she left, tackled Sokka to the ground. Aang stood beside her, holding her hand and sporting that goofy grin she loved so much. She couldn't help but lean over and plant a kiss on his cheek. Aang looked at her, the goofy grin growing even wider.
"What was that for?" he asked.

"Why, did you not like it?" Katara asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms. Aang laughed.

"Katara, when have I not liked one of your kisses?" He then took her by surprise, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him, and pressing his lips up against hers all in one smooth motion. Everyone went silent in shock as they watched the avatar and Katara kiss. Then, someone started to clap. Soon enough, the whole tribe was clapping and cheering. As the kiss slowly came to an end, a familiar voice reached Katara's ears.

"So, my little waterbender not only helped end a war, but found love as well."

Katara turned, a huge smile covering her face.

"Gran Gran!" she shouted, rushing over to the old woman and hugging her tightly.

"You've grown so much," Kanna said to her granddaughter. At this point Sokka had escaped the village boys and was now heading over with Suki.

"Hey Gran," Sokka said grinning. Kanna pulled him into the hug too. The three hugged for a long time before separating. Kanna then caught sight of Suki.
"And who might this be?" she asked smiling.

"Gran Gran, this is my girlfriend, Suki," Sokka said smiling.

"So, not only has my little waterbender found love, but my brave little warrior has found someone as well."

"C'mon Gran, I'm not that little anymore," Sokka protested.

"You'll always be little to me," Kanna said. She then turned to Suki.

"It's nice to meet you Suki. I am Sokka and Katara's grandmother. You can call me Gran Gran."

"It's nice to meet you," Suki said, "Sokka's told me a lot about you."

Kanna then turned to Aang.

"It's good to see you again Avatar. I must apologize for how things ended last time you were here."

"Don't worry about it. I was a stranger and a war was going on. I'd probably think I was a spy too if I was in your position," Aang told her.

"Well, I'm glad you understand. And I see you are now dating my granddaughter."

Aang blushed.

"Yes mam, I am."

"I'm sure you'll take good care of her," Kanna said smiling, "Now why don't we all head over to my igloo for dinner. I'm making stewed sea prunes."

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After a dinner of stewed sea prunes (and soup for Aang who did not like stewed sea prunes), Pakku came in through the door. He walked over to Kanna and kissed her cheek delicately.

"Hello dear," he said.

"Welcome back. Would you like some stewed sea prunes dear?" Kanna replied. Pakku nodded and Kanna gave him a bowl, ladling some of the meal into it.

"Katara, Sokka, Aang, Suki, it's good to see you all again," he said smiling.

Katara got up and hugged him.

"Good to see you too Master Pakku," Aang said, standing up and bowing.

"Do you like the changes we've made to the village?" Pakku asked once everyone has sat back down.

"Yes, they look great!" Katara said happily.

"I'm glad," Pakku said, "I've also brought some young waterbenders from the Northern Tribe. They are going to live here and help bring waterbending back to the Southern Water Tribe."

"That's wonderful! How many are there?"

"Around twenty four of them. And at least half of them are girls."

"So, you've decided girls deserve just as much of a chance to learn waterbending as boys?" Katara asked him.

"Yes. You showed me that girls can be just as talented and strong and deserve just as much of a chance to learn waterbending as boys do."

"I'm glad you've realized that. I really am."

"If you want to come help out with the class sometime while you're here, let me know. I'm sure the kids would love to learn from the famous waterbending master who trained the avatar and defeated Princess Azula," Pakku told her.

"I'm not that big of a deal," Katara said meekly.

"Yes, you are. Not only did you master waterbending quicker than anyone I've ever known, but also helped end a war at age fourteen. And even after the war, you've continued to go around and help people."

"He's right you know," Aang said, giving her hand a squeeze, "You are amazing."

Katara smiled at Aang, then turned back to Pakku.

"Okay. I'll come visit you class sometime while we are here."

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As the Katara and Sokka enjoyed being reunited with their family, a dark figure stood outside the village boundaries, the moon shining above them.