"Y'know, some people used to think that an Avatar's spirit animal reincarnated with them. So that the Avatar would never have to go through life alone." Aang is combing Appa's fur with a stiff bristle brush. The others have gone out of camp, busy with their chores. It is a quiet moment.
Katara looks up from her own work, smiling. "Is that what you believe?"
Aang puts the brush down, running his hands up and down the skybison's side. "I dunno. The monks used to teach that every animal, more so than humans, knew exactly what and where their purpose in life was. They said animals never had any trouble finding that same place when they passed on." He moves to Appa's forehead, stares directly into one great brown eye, and grins.
"All I know is that when I first saw him, he was mine. And I was his."