I've been watching the reruns lately, and a few little ideas have popped into my head. Please enjoy.
Katara: Cleansing Water
The full moon rose over Ember Island and Katara went down to the beach to greet it. It was the first full moon after they had fled the western air temple and settled in Zuko's family's vacation home. It still itched under Katara's skin, feeling so exposed, but she trusted Zuko. Dear Spirits, she actually trusted Zuko.
The sky was dark and clear, the moon a vibrant, white light that shimmered in the water's reflection and bathed Katara in glowing power. She hadn't felt this strong in awhile.
She also hadn't practiced water bending for sheer pleasure in awhile either. Lately, it had been training and honing her skills, ever mindful of the eclipse, or now the comet. Up to her waist in the surf, Katara almost purred, feeling the gentle lapping waves against her body, and the ever-present push and pull of the moon on the tides. On her.
She moved and the water moved with her, as fluid as life and constant as breath. The sea salt filled her nostrils, the crashing surf on the beach filled her ears, and though her eyes were closed, the vision of the moon filled her mind. It was all so perfect.
And then Katara felt more of a pull in her body and her memory, of how her power could be used with the power of the moon behind her. She could stop the war, just by bending the Firelord, maybe killing him herself to spare Aang the stain of blood.
Katara cried out and collapsed into the waves, sinking under the surface without thought and bending around her face to breathe instinctively. Her tears mingled into the seawater as she sobbed her distress, appalled at the lure bloodbending still offered her.
"Katara."
She straightened, breaking the surface of the water and stared in shock at the sight in front of her. From the moon came a more glorious light that fell in beams across the sheltered bay. Out of the light, came Yue.
"Oh, Katara."
Katara stared as girl-turned-spirit joined her in the water, her flowing white hair and clothes shifting under the influence of invisible currents. Katara froze as Yue drew closer; she had never been as close to the girl in life as her brother had been. With Yue now representing the Moon Spirit and Katara having tainted herself with Hama's teaching, she felt shame and dread. Had Yue come to pass judgment on her?
Strong, yet ethereal arms encircled her, pulling her close into light and warmth.
"I don't understand," Katara admitted softly, leaning into the embrace. "I've done such horrible things lately. And just now, I was still thinking about bloodbending and even killing—"
"Hush, now," Yue crooned, beginning to rock Katara to the rhythm of the tides. "You have always followed your heart. You know better than most there are two sides to water. The waves cradle you one day and dash you upon the rocks the next. That is its nature, its balance."
"But the bloodbending," Katara protested. "And I almost killed that man."
"Death comes to us all," Yue pointed out gently. "At times, we are the instruments of death to keep life's cycle turning. Don't seek to murder, Katara, that is not the path. But don't punish yourself for your faults." Yue drew back slightly and waited for Katara to meet her eyes. "That's Zuko's job."
Katara giggled as Yue had intended.
"Bend with me."
Katara fell back into the water, drawing it around her and Yue in rivers and streams floating in the air. Eventually, Yue left, leaving Katara to stand alone in the moon's shining beams. She bended the water around her until the moon gave way for the sun. She came to rest on the beach, watching the sky lighten.
"Katara!"
In the dawning light, Sokka, Aang, and Zuko came pelting down the sand to where she was seated. Sokka skidded to a halt, planting his hands on his knees and panting with exertion while Aang fell into a lotus seat beside her. Zuko stopped several feet away, crossed his arms over his chest, and waited.
"Are you okay?" Aang asked. "We woke up and you weren't there."
Katara smiled as Sokka still seemed half- asleep. "I'm all right," she assured them. "In fact, I'm better than I have been in awhile."
She stood up and hugged Aang who had stood with her. She walked over to Sokka and kissed his cheek, feeling in her heart that Yue would have wanted to pass that along even if the girl spirit hadn't asked. As she made her way back to the house, Katara passed Zuko who watched her carefully. She squeezed his shoulder in passing and continued on her way, leaving behind three very confused boys.
Katara smiled, feeling the moon's light remain with her throughout the day like a promise.