She wondered if it would be easier to miss him if he wasn't training with her every day.
.
The first time she'd met Korra, she didn't believe she was the Avatar. She was arrogant, and prideful, and far, far too young. She had a basic grasp on earth, water, and especially fire, but had no ability whatsoever to bend the air.
She had narrow eyes.
Maybe this was what distinguished her from Aang in Katara's mind: her eyes. Eyes were the windows to the soul. And Korra's was narrow-minded, slightly vicious, and cold.
Aang's eyes had always been so open and gentle. Wide, kind. Korra's were discriminating and hard.
There was no way that they could be the same person.
But the first time she found Korra crying, she changed her mind.
The muscles around her eyes contracted at the bottom, tears leaving symmetrical wet trails out of the corners of her eyes. Her forehead turned hard, like she was angry and sad at the same time. Her eyebrows drooped until she looked hopeless, and her mouth tightened.
Katara dropped to her knees, gathering the girl in her arms. "Korra, what's wrong?"
Korra pressed her face to Katara's sleeve, tears soaking into the parka. "Sifu, the other kids don't like me! They want to get special tutoring instead of the big class like I do." She sniffed.
Katara could feel her heart melting. "Shh. Shh. It's all right. You have to understand that the others are just jealous, you're the Avatar. Once they get older they'll understand." She smiled at the child and wiped a frozen tear away. "Forgiveness is the first step to begin healing."
She held Korra out by her shoulders, gently pulling her up. "Now, would you like to show me some of your Firebending? I've heard it's quite effective at releasing anger." At Korra's reluctant face, Katara wheedled, "It will make you feel better afterward. Besides, I know fire is your favorite element."
The toddler took a heavier stance and blasted away from Katara, scorching the snow in a four foot line. She turned, panting a little. Sweat – from crying, from Firebending – dotted her forehead.
Katara clapped, the sound muffled by her mittens.
As she watched the little girl grin up at her – wide, trusting eyes – Katara couldn't help but believe that the two weren't that different, after all.