forbidden love (a kataang story)

Chapter 3: Sokka's discovery

Katara's POV

He loves me?  I thought to myself. A warm feeling flooded through me and my face flushed a bright red. "I love you too." I whispered back. It all felt surreal. I met a boy on my balcony in the middle of the night and now we're in love. Love. Something about the way he said it made me feel safe, and like I could float on his soft voice forever. He beamed at me and and crushed his lips against mine. Kissing him back, I could feel tears welling in my eyes. Aang was the best thing to ever happen to me.

~a few days later~

I was in pure bliss. In the weeks since I met Aang my mood had skyrocketed. Sokka noticed and thought it was just the new friend I lied to him about. My dad thought that it was the books I had been reading. Either way, they didn't question it. My happiness seemed to lift something off of the castle staff. Everyone seemed happier now that I was happy, and it was all because of Aang.

I danced my way to the kitchen and grabbed a pack of crackers for myself. As I was heading back to my room, I saw Sokka staring at me. "What's up?" I asked him, wondering why he was eyeing me. "Oh nothing. Where's your friend?" he replied coolly. "She's uhh, working in the kitchen right now; I just went to grab some snacks and see her!" I quickly stated before beginning to walk to my room again. He grabbed my arm. "Yeah, no she's not." I gave him a confused look and he rolled his eyes. "I just asked the kitchen maids if any of them had befriended you." He said, his tone shifting as he looked into my eyes. "They all said no." I just stared back at him, unsure what to say. "You're hiding something from me Katara," he squeezed my hand hard. "and I'm gonna find out what it is." 

He let go of my hand and walked past me. I froze. He couldn't find out about Aang, or my life would fall apart. 

That night I waited up for Aang. I couldn't risk falling asleep, and having Sokka walk in and see him. As he glided onto my balcony I ran out to meet him. He pulled me into a big hug and he kissed me gently. I smiled at him. He made me feel so calm. Then I remembered Sokka. My smile faded. Aang noticed and he seemed worried. I led him into my room, and he tried to say something, but I put a hand to his lips. "My brother is onto us," I whispered. We sat in the back corner of my room, where it was impossible to hear someone talking from outside. His eyes grew wide. "What do you mean?" He asked, growing worried.  "Well, ever since we started hanging out, people around the castle noticed my mood changed." He smiled at me, and I continued. "When Sokka asked what was making me so happy, I couldn't just tell him about you, so I lied and said I had become friends with a kitchen maid." He was grinning at me and I giggled at his goofy face. "What is it?" I asked, chuckling a little. "I don't know," he said as he stared into my eyes. "The fact that I make you happy makes me happy." he finished. I blushed and snuggled up closer to him, breathing in his familiar scent. I rested my head on his shoulder, and continued my story. 

"Anyway, Sokka believed me and didn't question me about it until today." I sighed. "Today he told me that he asked the kitchen staff if any of them had become my friend. They all said no, and he confronted me a few hours ago." Aang looked at me nervously. 

Aang's POV

Knowing that Sokka was onto me and Katara made my blood go cold. What would he do if he found out? What would happen to us? I took her hand and kissed it. "We'll just have to be more careful." I said softly. I looked into her bright blue eyes, and she placed her other hand on my face and kissed my cheek. "Okay." She said quietly. I then wrapped her in a hug and she sighed happily into my chest. We moved to her bed and sat together chatting quietly under the covers and covering our mouths to keep ourselves from laughing too loud. She was so incredibly beautiful, I would space off just watching her giggle. 

She nuzzled up to me and began to doze off. Morning seemed far enough away, so I didn't wake her up. Soon I began to feel sleep tugging at my eyes as well. I tried to fight the waves of sleep that kept pulling my eyes shut, but at one point I gave up.

~several hours later~

I awoke to a loud knocking sound. Forgetting where I was for a moment, I bolted upright and looked around frantically. Then I remembered that I had dozed off while cuddling with Katara. I rubbed my eyes and looked out to see that It was morning, and the sun was high in the sky. I began to panic, shaking Katara awake. She sat up groggily and then heard the knocking coming from her door. "Katara? Are you up yet?" The voice of a young man came from outside her room. Her eyes widened and she pushed me under her bed before replying, "Yes Sokka, I am!" I could hear her door open and the voice of her brother became clearer as he stepped into the room.

"How did you sleep?" I could hear him ask her. "I slept fine." She replied. "Why are you in here?" she questioned him. He stepped towards the bed and my blood froze. Katara frantically began to usher him out the door. "You need to leave, I have to get dressed, a-and you cant see that!" She stuttered. He pushed past her and sat on her bed. She closed the door and sat next to him. "Sokka what do you want. I really do need to get ready for the day." She said nervously. It was silent for a moment. "Where is he." Sokka said quietly. My heart skipped a beat. 

"What are you talking about?" Katara said shakily. I stayed as silent as possible. "Katara the walls are thinner than you think. I hear you two talking every night." She sighed, and jumped off her bed. "Aang, you can come out now." 

I pushed myself out from under her bed. I stood up and wiped the dust off my clothing. Sokka's mouth gaped open. "Is he.." Katara sighed and I scratched the back of my head nervously. "An Air Nomad?" She said annoyed. Sokka nodded. "Yeah he is." 

"Hi, I'm Aang." I said extending my hand. He shook it, still gawking at me. Katara took my hand. "He's an airbender from the Southern Air Temple." She stated. "And we've been meeting up every night." Sokka still couldn't seem to fathom that I was an airbender and was just sitting on the bed in shock. "Y-you know you two are breaking the law right?" He stuttered. "And I guess now I am too." He said to himself quietly. I felt a little bad for him. "Katara what about your restrictions and the elemental laws!" He grabbed her shoulders and shook them. "You're gonna ruin the Southern Water Tribe's reputation!" He practically shouted. "Sokka calm down!" Katara winced at the loudness of his voice. "You're not gonna tell anyone are you?" I asked him. He gave me an annoyed look and sighed. "I'm not going to tell anyone, ONLY because Katara is princess of the Southern Water Tribe, and if she was sent to prison there would be no heir to the kingdom."  

I looked at Katara. She had a solemn look on her face and I knew we would talk about it later.

Sokka stood up and pointed at me. "You. Leave. NOW." He stated harshly. I picked up my staff and walked toward the balcony. Katara followed me. She planted a soft kiss on my lips before I took off.

Katara's POV 

"You kissed him...." Sokka uttered as  he watched Aang fly away. "Yeah..?" I replied. "YOU'RE DATING HIM???" Sokka yelled. I covered his mouth, shushing him. "Yes I am," I whispered. "and you're not going to tell anyone." He stood there in silence, fuming internally. I shoved him out the door and shut it. I began to change my clothing and brush out my hair. I was nervous. Now that Sokka knew about me and Aang, he had blackmail. I rolled my eyes thinking of all the chores and tasks I would have to do in the future. 

I walked downstairs to the dining hall and I sat in my seat next to Sokka. He eyed me angrily. I brushed off his mad glares, and began to eat my breakfast. As I was eating I could feel my fathers eyes on me. I swallowed and turned to face him. "Katara I've got great news for you." He smiled at me. "What is it?" I replied nervously. 

"We've paired you with a young man from the Northern Water Tribe," He began.

"for an arranged marriage." 

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Ahhhhh cliff hanger!!! 

Thanks so much for reading, and I'm sorry for the late update! I was busy the last few days.  

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See ya'll in the next chapter!!