Chapter One-Part One: This Night
It was like looking into a mirror, but the reflection had changed. Her blue eyes staring back at her for quite some time now, wondering if she would wake up at any moment. What happened to the girl who left starry eyed and eager to take on the world? When did this young woman appear, and when did these thoughts begin to ease their way into her mind?
Silently breathing in the refreshing night air she closed her sleep deprived eyes. Now all she saw was his smile, and his eyes looking back at her. A moment passed and she heard something from the trees behind her. Springing to her feet with the grace and energy of a lioness she waited. "I know you're there," she said, hoping the slight twinge of fear had not revealed itself.
He stood there for a moment, contemplating what he would tell her. Why had it always hard to say what he felt when the moment came? A small breathe escaped him at the idea of her eyes plunging into his soul and realizing that his sacrifice, his desire, was to just see her smile. Everyday, of her life, smile as if tragedy had never been to her door. He shook his head slightly, but the more he thought about it, the more it was true. She was his inspiration and without her, who knows where he would be sitting right now. Probably next to the Fire Lord, a puppet to do his bidding. No. Much worse would have befallen him by now had it not been for her kindness, support, and love.
He listened to the wind blow through the trees above and the sweet smell of that midsummer dew was falling upon the grass he had taken comfort upon. That's when he heard a small sigh, gentle and soft. Slowly creeping his way to the nearest bush he peered through it, to the figure sitting next to the lake. Her hair was down now shadowing her angelic eyes, but there was no mistake to be made.
Had he fallen asleep, was she really that close to him? She looked so sad, so bereaved. "If only…." he began to say softly, but she heard him. Crap! Why did he look, why did he linger? "Well Avatar," he said to himself, "You've come this far, might as well make sure she doesn't tear down the forest looking for you." He smirked a little at the notion of her bending, but at the same time he felt a small pang inside him. She deserved better than this life, she deserved the world. How could he ever give her that?
She stood there waiting. Had she imagined it? Maybe the noise been apart of her mind playing a clever game on her. She waited a few more seconds, but then he stood up, and his eyes met her. She was dreaming, any moment now she would wake up lying by the lake. But she noticed his face, and this was no dream. He seemed worried, but something also bothered him. Perhaps she had disturbed him in meditation again? He began to approach her and she let her guard down. It was Aang, the boy in the iceberg, the Avatar, and the person whom when all felt lost her mind took comfort in knowing he was by her side.
"Aang, I'm sorry to have disturbed you," she really wished he would wear a shirt more often. It made things a lot easier when it came to talking to him. She looked at him a little deeper; he was standing right in front of her now. Both a little stained in the midsummer droplets. "Were you meditating again?"
"Yeah…something like that," he could feel her eyes seeping into him now. She knew there was something more his tone. How should he approach her? Just grab her hand and profess that which has been held back, and pushed down into the depths of his soul. Yeah he could go that route, and then remember it later with the perfect Katara handprint she'd leave him as a souvenir. Still, at least he was trying to formulate a plan rather than standing there like a dead tree.
"Well, it's late. I'm sorry again Aang. Good luck with your meditation," now trying to avoid his gaze, Katara began to walk away. It wasn't till she had walked a little past him that she felt his hand. It felt warm, and something inside her jumped. Still holding her breathe she let her eyes wonder to her left hand and noticed it had found a friend. She did not let her eyes begin their journey to meet the owner of the hand, but rather she stood there for a moment trying to understand what was happening.
It was now or never, Aang thought to himself. You let her leave now, and there may never be another time. Tomorrow might be your final day with her. Who says you will see the sunset tomorrow, or the way her eyes glisten in the dusk of day? You let her walk away, Aang thought, and you might as well forget she ever existed.