A/N: Okay. I was expecting this to be shorter like a one-shot or something but...my fingers had something else in mind. If this gets enough reviews and stuff, many I'll continue this...(okay actually I already started the next chapter soyeahi'mgonnafinishthisanywaysbutit wouldbenicetogetreviews...). So um, I know there's gonna be a lot of confusion and shit going on round, and I'm really scared to post this because:

1) This is my first Avatar fic

2) I'm worried you guys would react badly to this. If you are, I'm sorry.

So um, yeah. So ahead.

Disclaimer: don't own D: I WANT TO PLEASE.

A Date With Disaster

Chapter One: Meeting Disaster

There was one memory Katara was especially fond of reminiscing during her time travelling the Fire Nation.

It was a few days after Aang hosted that secret dance party for the Fire Nation kids. Katara's blood was still singing from the dance she had with Aang—who knew he could dance like that? In fact, who knew he could be so bold in front of all those Fire Nation kids? Where did the shy, goofy kid from the iceberg go? If there was one thing Katara prided herself in, was knowing the Avatar inside and out—but ever since waking up from Ba Sing Se, it's like he was a whole new different person and Katara wasn't sure if she hated or liked it.

Anyways, after that nice boost of fun, the team, after ganging up on Sokka and berating him endlessly, forced him to re-schedule his schedule. Even Toph had to admit the vibrations from the 'secret dance party' had given her a good mood. Who knew? Maybe one day when war was over, these Fire Nation kids would remember that one night of freedom and help the Avatar with peace.

As Appa sailed at a small distance from the ground, Katara started feeling lighter. Maybe this stop will be good for the team. Right now, the invasion still hasn't really sunk in her mind and having just another night of fun where there was no war and just friends—maybe she'll start thinking clearly. Then figure out why Aang was so different from who she remembered.

Maybe it was the hair.

The day was beautiful, spring-like. The sun warmed their faces deliciously and all Toph felt like doing was kicking back on some dirt and relaxing. Heck, maybe she'll even get a tan...

Katara's mood was bursting through the seams; she was excited at the thought that they weren't d going to be travelling all day. But a strong sense of knowing was running through her veins. She couldn't exactly pin-point why she was feeling that way or what the feeling truly was but it seemed as if a good sense of foreboding was about to come to her. It was like her gut knew that something was going to go horrifically wrong. Usually, Katara never ignored these feelings but the day was so beautiful and bright that the fact that something dark was going to happen seemed so...silly. She was just imagining it; nothing was going to go wrong.

Sure they were in the Fire Nation but their disguises were well-kept and everyone thought Aang was dead...no one would suspect anything. They were only there for one day of relaxation and fun—nothing could go wrong.

They landed in a cluster of large rocks and caves well away from a town that was near a glorious beach and covered in enormous mountains. Fresh, large trees peppered the valley to the town's left and a smooth waterfall was to the right, it looked like paradise. After properly cleaning the sweat and dirt off of their faces (with the exception of Toph: "Hello. Healthy coating of dirt, remember?") in excitement, they poured into the town and were surprised to find that it was bustling with more people than they expected.

The day started with Aang complaining—which was a first.

"Argh."

Katara found Aang trailing behind the group, "What's wrong?" she asked him.

"It's my hair." He scratched his head furiously.

"What about it?"

"It's annoying."

"Annoying?" she echoed.

"Yeah—it's so itchy and it gets all sweaty and greasy and it gets everywhere, how do guys deal with it? Why can't I just be like Appa and shed hair?" he asked heatedly. He looked like he wanted to say more, but decided against it. Clearly, his hair was annoying him more than he let on.

Katara laughed a little, "You get used to it after a while. And besides, I like your hair."

"But it's so…annoying. I hate scratching my head. It feels weird." He admitted, blushing a little at the compliment.

"Well I just think that's something you'll have to get used to. Maybe if you brushed your head it'll feel better, I know my head does."

"I'll try anything. Do you have one with you?"

"No, it got lost in Ba Sing Se. Along with my other things." she confessed, "Now; I usually drown my hair in a river and comb it with my fingers. But I don't know if that'll work with short hair like yours. Hmm—I'll buy you a brush. I'm pretty sure they have some cheap ones around here. Stay here, I'll be right back."

"Okay." He grumbled, scratching his head with all his fingers.

Katara left Aang next to the fruit stand and hurried to find Toph. Despite the fact that she was blind and had a nasty affection for scamming and 'bending the truth', Toph was the best option for carrying the money, she'd sense anyone trying to steal from her from about a mile away.

"Toph! I need some money."

"Why?"

"Aang needs a brush."

"Twinkle Toes needs a brush? What?" Toph laughed.

"He needs it for his head, it's driving him crazy." Katara explained.

Toph handed over ten pieces, "Pfft, so he can't handle some itching. What kind of Avatar is he?"

"An annoyed one."

"Whatever. If I come back late, just know that there are some big-head Fire Nation butts fighting." Toph grinned, smacking her fists together.

"Toph, we're in the Fire Nation." Katara hissed.

"Oh relax Sugar Queen, I wasn't talking about bending." Her smirk widened.

"Sometimes, I really wonder if your parents adopted you...or if you even know my name." Katara mused.

"I know they did and I don't. See ya." She ran off.

Finding the main market-place was far easier than Katara imagined it would be. It was packed, full with all kinds of towns-folk that were enthusiastic and cheerful. It took Katara a lot of willpower to keep herself from examining every single stall that she passed by. They were all so wonderful. Lanterns and streamers hung from stall to stall, little paper dragons and lanterns with small pots of fire were littered decoratively all across the market-place. Confetti shot from small children running around screaming with laughter, while firebending street performers stood expressing techniques of bending that was so magical that even Katara couldn't believe her eyes.

It was amazing. Katara never felt so festive in her entire life. Why couldn't the entire Fire Nation be as happy and joyful as this? Her interpretation of the Fire Nation was so completely off mark. She expected them to be cold, indifferent little soldiers that did what they were told, and finding herself in a festive town where colours and moods ruled the day bought a bright smile to her face.

So Aang was right, the Fire Nation wasn't all that bad. They just needed a little push, she thought, thinking once again about the dance party.

Remembering Aang, (and severely intimate dancing) Katara snapped herself from the intoxicating atmosphere and searched around for some cheaper, less fancy stalls. Surely someone has to be selling brushes. It was practically the most common object to be sold anywhere in the world.

CRASH.

"Argh."

"Hey!"

Mortified, Katara felt countless apologies run through her head like lightning. The stranger had bumped into her, prompting Katara and them to fly over each other, destroyed a wild flower pot that was knocked over by Katara's hand. In a second she wanted to crawl into a hole and die, this wasn't how she wanted her day to start out.

Hastily, she turned around to shower them with apologies, hoping her accident didn't get her into a world of trouble. But in the end, it didn't matter how much she constructed her apology—the words died at her throat when the stranger turned around with a slightly terrified and apologetic look on his face.

"Oh my god I am so sorry that I didn't see you, I was rushing and wasn't looking where I was going. Are you hurt? Did any of the glass cut you? Ohmygod I can't believe this I am so, so sorry. My friends have—they've been waiting for an hour for me to show up and oh spirits they're going to kill me…" he rambled completely unaware of Katara in front of him at a loss for words.

Katara's mind took a while to process everything.

He.

Was.

Gorgeous.

Not pretty or handsome, but drop-dead gorgeous.

Katara had lived in the Southern Water Tribe her entire life. With the war upon them and all the men off to fight the war, boys were never really around for her to be distracted by. Along with her mother's death, boys weren't really something Katara thought of, she was far too occupied trying to keep her family from falling apart and taking care of Sokka when her father left. During her travels, she's met some pretty good-looking boys, but they always seemed to be more like friends than…interests. She never really thought about meeting a young boy and being…interested in him. The war, to anyone, was much more important. She never really thought about settling down and being in a relationship with someone. The thought never really occurred to her. There wasn't time for it.

However…none of the boys were as beautiful as him.

"Are you okay?" he jolted her out of her stupor.

"Oh—I'm fine." She stuttered, trying to collect herself in a cool manner.

Play it cool. Play it cool. Play it cool. Katara chanted to herself in her mind, trying to push down the ear-splitting grin that threatening to cover her entire face.

"Are you from the Fire Colonies? You don't really look like you're from around here." He grinned at her and Katara's eyes were blinded by his startling smile. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Zen." He held out a hand to her.

"I'm K-Katara." She breathed airily. She shook his hand, a thousand sparks ignited her palm and she was hesitant to let go.

If any shred of her mind was thinking properly, she would've been killing herself for giving away her real name. She would've been devising the best way to run and avoid him for the rest of her life—but sadly, Katara was not thinking properly. Thoughts of Zen and Katara, Katara and Zen were ringing and swirling through her head like bees. Her mind was muddled with his forest-green eyes, the way his smile made her stomach lurch and the tingling feeling her hand was expressing faintly.

"Katara?"

"It's a nickname."

"Really? That's a very unusual nick-name. Very…Water Tribe." his grin grew wider and Katara melted at the spot.

"My grandfather was a fan of Water Tribe stories and the nick-name stuck."

"What's your real name?"

Suddenly, Katara felt bold, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

He caught on and smirked: "Maybe we could get together sometime and then I'll find out?"

The small rational part of Katara's brain was screaming with horror, she was flirting. With a Fire Nation boy who'd fry her to crisp and hand her over to Ozai, if he found out whom she was, in ten seconds flat! Yet, another larger part of Katara was sinking in his features: dark, short-cropped hair and serene hazel-golden eyes that stood out unnaturally bright against his pale skin. He was lean, and a head taller than her, compared to him—Katara felt like a mouse. But as fixated as she was with him, the small real part of her was still going ballistic, screaming and trying to force the school-girl muddle out of her head. It was failing drastically, but even Katara's subconscious was annoyingly stubborn—that small part of her knew what would happen if she got involved with his 'Zen'guy even longer.

Although before she could say anything, they were interrupted.

"Hey Katara, did you find one yet? My head is driving me crazy—"

Suddenly, Katara's mind started panicking. Aang, upon entering their little 'bubble' dropped his smile, rather coldly in fact. He noticed Zen and the blush on Katara's face. He eyed the boy suspiciously. A dark and untrusting feeling brewed in him.

"Who's this?" he (almost) demanded.

"Hi, my name's Zen." He smiled and held out his hand.

"Kuzon." He shook his hand but didn't return the smile. "Katara? We've got to go. Everyone else is waiting." He put emphasize on the 'waiting' hoping the words 'invasion' or 'day of black sun' would get through her head. Right then, Aang would've rather faced the Unagi without airbending than watch Katara talk this...guy.

"Oh, we're leaving?" she felt disappointment creep through her tone.

"You're leaving town?" Zen asked sadly.

"No—!"

"Yes—!"

Katara and Aang answered at the same time. Glancing at one another, Katara glared slightly and Aang felt his untrusting feeling grow.

"No, we're not leaving the town." Katara gave another look at Aang.

Immediately, Zen brightened, "Great! Do you still want to do something together? Like tomorrow, at noon? I know some great places to eat…" he trailed off.

"Wait—what?" Aang burst out. His heart dropped.

Both seemed to ignore his outburst.

"I'd love to." Katara blushed again. "I'll see you tomorrow? Right here?"

"Yeah—see you tomorrow!" Zen internally cheered and ran off.

"You're WHAT?"

Sokka's screamed echoed through the entire forest.

"Shut it, Snoozles! Do you want us to get caught?" Toph hissed, shifting the earth underneath him so he fell flat on his face.

"Whatever."

Brushing himself off, his mind retreated to the dilemma at hand, "Katara, you're doing what?" he hissed dangerously, wary of Toph.

"She's going on a date!" Aang burst out.

Katara gave Aang a look that radiated with anger.

"A DATE? With a crazy firebender that'll kidnap you in the middle of the night and torture you for our secrets? Are you nuts?" Sokka screamed.

Katara frowned, "Stop overreacting Sokka. It's not a date. He just wants to hang out."

"Hang out? Hang out? Katara! He's Fire Nation! The last thing he wants to do is just 'hang out'. He'll force himself onto you or something!"

"Sokka!" she cried scandalized. That image was clearly not something anyone wanted to see. "What kind of person do you take me for? I have a good sense of judgment in people. Zen is harmless."

"Oh, its Zen now isn't it? How do you know that he's not some undercover spy for Princess Psycho or Scar-face? He's the enemy!" Sokka cried.

"The enemy? He's just a harmless Fire Nation boy! We're friends!"

"Is that why you're going on a date with him?"

The accusation in his tone infuriated her, "It's not a date! And why are you so touchy about it anyway?"

"Because Katara, this was one-time request that I oh-so-generously obliged for you guys to relax. We're already way behind schedule and I'm not going to stay one more day just because you want be all kissy-kissy goo-gaa with the enemy!"

"Kissy kissy goo-gaa? The enemy? Sokka, you're being ridiculous! You weren't so crazy about the Fire Nation kids when they came to cave for the dance party!" Katara threw her hands in frustration.

"The Fire Nation kids weren't going a date with my sister. Can't you see it Katara? He's using you! He's using you to get to Aang! He suspects us! There's no other explanation! Tell her Aang!"

"Oh no. I'm not getting dragged into this." Aang ran back to Toph.

Katara's eyes suddenly grew frighteningly cold with anger. Sokka knew instantly that he was going to regret ever speaking.

"Smart." Toph sneered. Sokka shot her a glare.

"So the only way a boy would ever like me was because he's out to get Aang? The only way a boy would even consider wanting to go out with me is because he's evil and the enemy?" Katara's voice was chilly and leaking with venom.

Sokka, who knew more than anybody how painful Katara's wrath was, decided against his better judgment and kept antagonizing her, "We're in the middle of a war Katara, if you haven't noticed…we don't have time to watch you making out with every single guy that comes along the way."

"Excuse me?"

Sokka counted his fingers, "There was Jet and Haru and all the weird earthbenders from the Earthbending School in Ba Sing Se; and that one waterbender at the North Pole that kept making ice statues of you. There was also that guy from the Northern Air Temple and his friends trailing after you…need I go on? You attract boys like…air."

"Air?" her brow raised.

"Whatever, the point is that you're always making boys trail after you or it's you trailing them! I don't think having lots of boyfriends is a going to win the war Katara. But getting involved with a Fire Nation kid? That's crazy! We're leaving!" Sokka stamped his foot on the floor and turned to Toph and Aang, "All in favour?"

Toph burped, "Me."

"Toph!"

"It's boring, no one's man enough to challenge me."

Hesitantly, Aang knew he was going to regret it long before his arm warily came up, "...I" he said meekly.

"I." Sokka pronounced, "We're leaving."

Aang expected her to be angry at him, but all he saw was hurt and a hint of betrayal in her eyes, "Fine then, if you all feel like I'm some...floozy. Then I'm not going."

Sokka stopped and stared, "Don't be ridiculous Katara. C'mon, we're leaving."

"Correction: you're leaving. I'm not."

"You're seriously going to stay here? The invasion's a few days away Katara and Dad needsus! Are you seriously going to choose some Fire Nation kid over us and the world?" Sokka cried with disbelief.

Bone-crushing silence.

"...Yes." Katara stalked away towards the town, her anger fuelling the reckless streak inside of her, her mind too filled with anger to realize the reality of her decision.

Aang realized with a sinking and heart-broken feeling—that the situation they were in was painfully familiar.

A/N: Did you like it? Should I continue this? Was this shit? Is this worth continuing? I don't know and it'd be nice if you guys really wanted to read this. I promise that this won't be a full-length story. Just imagine this as a...extra episode or something. Please review :)

PhantomPotterGirl.