I apologize for taking forever on uploading this chapter! I know I told some of you I'd have it up the 26th of February, but, as you can see . . . that didn't happen. :P I was partly lazy, partly busy the past few weeks. If I said that I tried my hardest getting this up here, I'd be pitifully lying.

But, without further ado! Behold; the third chapter to my first story, What Hurts The Most, in which things will get more interesting! Or more Kataangy, which I define as the same thing. This chapter's not as long or as depressing as the other two, though I doubt you'd notice if I didn't just tell you. In fact, it's so fluffy, it made me laugh when I reread it. XD

And, yes, it is the last chapter to this story. No worries, though; I plan on getting more stories up soon. (Feh, we'll see how long that takes . . .) It kind of switches point of views every once in a while, so I hope that doesn't confuse any of you.

P.S. To refresh your memory on what's going on, I advise that you read the last few paragraphs of the previous chapter. If there's no need for that, then that's good for you!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender, obviously. Oh, joy, we have something in common.

Enjoy! ^^

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Chapter Three: Something New

Aang had no clue where this was going. All he knew right now was that he wanted to talk to Katara more than anyone else in the world right now, so he'd be willing to do anything for her sake.

"I'll listen to anything you have to say, Katara. Anything at all."

This was one hundred percent true. Aang did love Katara more than anyone in the world, and she was the most significant person in his life right now. If she had something to say, it was automatically important no matter what it was.

She was very animated for some reason Aang could not see; after all, he was sure the previous night hadn't left either of them what you'd call chipper. As he looked deeper into her eyes, though, he noticed that sadness was still bubbling under the surface, but it was a different kind than what he would've expected. She didn't seem to be sad for the same reason she seemed to be last night . . . no, it was completely different, although it was quickly diminishing as she stared back into Aang's light gray eyes.

"I-well, I . . . sort of had a nightmare last night, Aang." He noticed she began to nibble her bottom lip nervously as she waited for his response.

Aang was surprised at this. He wouldn't have thought that he would be the first person she'd go to at this moment with something like that. He sincerely replied in a quiet voice, "I'm so sorry to hear that." When she continued biting her lip and looked down at her knees, he tried again. "Um . . . is it something you wanna talk about, or . . .?" He instantly hit a nerve with that sentence, for she looked up slowly into his eyes again and opened her mouth to speak. It took a few seconds for words to come out of it.

"Well, yeah, actually. Kind of. I mean—" Katara seemed to be struggling to find some kind of explanation. "I don't really want to go into details . . ." At this, she blushed a deep color of crimson; Aang couldn't imagine why. "It just made me realize something really important, something that involves you. Something that I should have realized a long time ago but was too oblivious and selfish to see."

Aang continued to stare at her, more confused than ever. "Where . . . exactly are you . . . going with this, Katara?" he spoke slowly.

Katara blinked, and her mouth instantly curled up into a smile. A soft, passionate smile. She turned her body so that she was completely facing Aang, and put her hands on the ground beside her. They seemed to itch with some kind of wanting, as though she'd rather have her hands somewhere else.

"About last night . . ." she began. Bringing up last night made Aang unintentionally look away towards the sea. "I need you to understand that I wasn't honest about what I said—about being confused, I mean."

What? Aang tried not to look desperate as he allowed his gaze to slowly turn back to Katara. He was still as perplexed as before, if not more. What in the world does she mean by that? He hardly dared to think in the direction he wanted to, because she couldn't possibly be talking about that—could she?

Katara sucked in a tremendous breath of air, and significantly cleared her throat before continuing. "Aang, I am so, so sorry I said what I did. I'm so sorry I didn't see before that you—y'know, felt that way. About me." It was now impossible for Aang to avoid Katara's gaze, because he was beginning to catch on where this might be headed.

Nevertheless, he forced himself to interrupt just as she was about to speak again. "It's okay, Katara . . . really, it is." He smiled a comforting smile as tears began to form in the corner of her eyes. "I shouldn't have avoided telling you for so long. I shouldn't have just k-kissed you . . . at the invasion . . . and then flown away as though nothing happened. I should've discussed this with you sooner." Aang couldn't help but frown as he realized just how stupid he'd been. "So don't think it's your fault, Katara, because it's not. It's mine. Anything you're attempting to apologize for, though, I forgive you completely of. It's okay, Katara." He was surprised as she looked hard into his eyes, tears now streaming freely down her face. She gripped the edge of her thighs as she leaned in closer, eyes narrowed.

"No, Aang, it's not okay. Do you hear me? I won't ever be able to forgive myself for what I did to you unless I tell you what I've been meaning to tell you." Katara's face suddenly turned desperate, and she scooted a whole two feet closer to Aang, who blushed as he noticed the position they were both in. They were facing each other fully—Aang cross-legged and Katara kneeling—and their faces were less than a foot away. Aang didn't dare move; he wanted to know what Katara had to say, and to encourage her in any way he could. She seemed to want to be close to him, and this made Aang's heart do an excited flip in his chest.

"Tell me what it is you have to say, Katara. You can tell me anything you want, and I'll listen to every single word, just like I said." His voice came out hardly more than a whisper.

Katara's cheeks were suddenly a lovely color of pink, her eyes and facial expression softening. She wiped away the stale tears that marked her beautiful face, and her lips formed a lovely half-smile. "You must understand that everything I've ever done for you or done to you was all out of protection and love. Protection and love for you. I've never wanted any harm to come to you . . . I've always wanted the best for you, and I still do, Aang. And I always will."

Aang's breath caught in his throat as she reached across her lap to hold his hands in hers. They were so cold, missing some kind of vital warmth that Katara seemed to be aware of as she kept her hands in the same position for a few seconds. Aang didn't risk moving at all, other than wrapping his hands around hers in consolation. She closed her eyes slowly as though savoring his touch, and prolonged her little speech.

"It took me a while to come to this realization, Aang, and I should have known it a long time ago. The bad dream I had last night kind of helped me . . . actualize what has been true all along." It was probably the worst time to be impatient, but that's what Aang was at the moment. He did listen to every single word that came out of her mouth, but he couldn't help but wish she'd get on with it. The reason for that was because he was now sure of where Katara meant to go with this, and he was so overjoyed he could hardly breathe. He continued to stare into her eyes that didn't stray from his face as though they were glued in place.

"The truth is, Aang—you're more important to me than anyone in the world right now. The most important to me ever. The reason for that is because, well . . ." The soft look on her face instantly turned to determination and amour as four quiet, yet earnest words left her mouth.

"I love you, Aang."

Aang's eyes widened as he took in what Katara had just said. Katara, the love of his life. Katara, the girl who loved him. Loved him. Loved him!

He continued to stare stupidly at her beautiful face as all of this information came crashing down on him like raining fire balls; but this information was nothing near to harsh burning. No, this left him feeling light and free and warm inside, as though he could take off to the skies at that second and not live in fear of ever falling. Aang would never have to worry about falling ever again, because Katara loved him! More than that—she felt the same way that he felt about her. He'd never have to worry about keeping his emotions inside himself anymore; he wouldn't even have to worry about thinking of clever excuses of why he always blushed when she came close to him, when she kissed his cheek, when she hugged him. Nothing would ever bother him ever again when it came to his love for Katara. Because now, she loved him the same way back. And now, it seemed as though everything in the world were possible, and that nothing like concealing feelings and love for her would ever get in the way.

Aang was only vaguely aware of the fact that his mouth stood agape, and that the expression on Katara's face instantly turned to worry and confusion after he didn't answer for quite a few seconds. What in the world was he doing? Say something now, you idiot! was what he hissed at himself in his mind.

"I . . . u-umm." He stared at her frantically as though it were only a matter of time before she slapped his face and walked away. Even so, he couldn't help but smile an enormously goofy smile that probably continued to make him look like a fool. "Katara . . . y-you do?" She didn't say anything, but nodded quickly a few times, obviously pleased by his response as her smile grew as well. "You have absolutely no idea how long I've wanted you to say that," Aang continued quietly.

His heart nearly stopped in his chest as he felt Katara's hands grow warmer in his own, and he held them tightly but not too tight; he'd never wanted to let go of her now that he knew the truth. But he did allow her to let go of one hand as she slowly reached up to lay her fingers on the back of his neck with the most intimate of touches. "I think I have a pretty good idea," she murmured insistently.

Aang shivered from delight as he felt her breath getting warmer and warmer on his face as she leaned in closer, prolonging the moment. He could tell her love for him was so strong, that he nearly felt it in all parts of his body like a static charge as she continued to incline her head forward, her lips getting ever so closer to his own. Aang tried to act languid as he eased his way forth also—though he wanted more than anything to put his mouth on hers as quickly as possible. He could feel her breath mingled in his own, so sweet and precious that he willingly breathed it in.

Just centimeters away now, Katara whispered, "And I know you won't mind this."

Her lips then softly pressed against Aang's with impossibly endless intimacy. He thought kissing her was exhilarating before, but with her actually kissing him back . . . it was simply indescribable; especially when her lips slowly parted, making Aang sigh in bliss.

After a few seconds, she broke away—leaving Aang disappointed—but the smile on her face instantly caused him to be thankful for everything that happened today, good or bad; because it left a brilliant result.

"Wow," Aang breathed when he could speak again.

Katara giggled quietly. "Wow, indeed," she replied a tad louder than either of them had been speaking the whole conversation. And what a conversation it was, Aang thought happily.

They smiled blissfully at each other for what seemed like several heavenly moments, when Aang couldn't resist but lean in less than two inches and peck Katara on the cheek with all the love in the world. He was surprised when he got a good look at her face again that she was frowning slightly.

"Katara, I just . . . I'm sorry, I—"

"You missed," Katara interrupted, her smile beginning to grow again.

"Um. Excuse me?" Aang replied, not being able to resist smiling back to a face like hers.

"You missed," she repeated. Before Aang had enough time to say or could do anything about it—not that he wanted to—Katara caught his mouth with hers for the second time that evening, flinging her arms around his neck as though her very life depended on it—which caused Aang to fall backwards onto the warm sand. They both chuckled pleasantly against each other's lips, enjoying the closeness of their bodies.

Katara blushed immensely, though, when she realized she was lying on top of Aang's bare chest, her hands cradling his shoulders. She hastily scrambled off, and replanted herself onto the ground directly to the right of him, holding his hand tightly in hers. They looked sideways at each other, grins never leaving their face as the sun rose higher in the sky above them.

That was when Aang realized something very important. He felt the urge to smack himself for not saying it before, in a moment such as this which called for it the very most. He sat up slowly—bringing Katara with him—and gently positioned his forehead to lean against hers, closing his eyes.

Katara was confused by this happening, of course; though did not resist. She could see the desire to do something vibrantly emanating from his pink cheeks. "Aang . . . wha—" Suddenly she tasted Aang's lips against her own for the third time, cutting her off. Only when the two wouldn't have survived one more second without a breath of fresh air, did they finally break apart. Noses and foreheads touching, they panted heavily, eyes closed and mouths slightly open—less than centimeters away. Aang opened his eyes slowly, looking directly into her clear, blue pools that were open as well. When he had enough oxygen in his lungs to speak again, he said this:

"Katara, I just want you to know that I love you, too—more than anyone else in the world. You are the most important person to me. The most important person to me ever, and I love you," he murmured, nearly quoting Katara's exact words said just moments ago. He then chuckled softly. "Or did I already say that I love you? Oh, I guess that's three times now . . ." Aang's goofy smile slowly began to form; the smile Katara loved, and could more fully appreciate now.

An involuntary, yet joyful tear escaped her eye as she realized the impact Aang would have on her life from here on out. This day might have been the best one in her young life—and might stay that way for the rest of her years with Aang. With Aang, she found herself repeating over and over in her head. With Aang . . . for the rest of my life . . .

Her cheeks turned a lovely color of pink, from Aang's point of view, at least. Her mouth curled up into a large smile, and she embraced him tighter than necessary, her chin resting on his shoulder comfortably. He hugged back just as firmly, though maybe not as tight—never, ever wanting to let her go.

"Oh, Aang . . ." she sighed weakly into his skin. It was quite unlike Katara to do anything weakly, but this case was one outstanding exception. "You can tell me that you love me as many times as you want . . . I think I'll be able to live with it."

"Of course . . ." he replied, his voice distracted and gruff as his lips found hers again.