This is my first avatar fanfic. I decided to write how i thought book 3 was going to start. Hope you enjoy it!

The Grieving

It was only a few hours since they had left Ba sing sae. The sky was dark and cloudy showing no stars shining nor was there any light from the moon. Everything had gone bad so quickly. Ba Sing Sae the last remaining earth city that stood between the Fire nation and victory in the war was now taken. Now the world's only hope was Aang. But his injury was so severe it was unknown at the time if he would still be able to fight. Sokka thought that the best place to hide was back at the Serpents pass. It was vast and narrow it wouldn't be easy for the fire nation to find them. No one objected they were too distraught to object. Sokka landed in in the exact spot were they camped the first time they were there. Either Coincidently or purposefully no one knew why and didn't bother to ask him.

No one talked that evening; they were too concerned about Aang. It was so dark that night that anyone who wanted to have decent nights sleep would have no trouble doing so. But Sokka, Toph, the Earth King and Katara were too depressed to sleep. None of them, however, could shake the fact that at any origins minute the fire nation would surprise attack them. Just in case an attack did come they wanted to be ready this time. However Sokka doubted that Princes Azula would bother sending anyone after them anytime soon. "She's taken the city, Aang is seriously injured, and the fire nation is now, more or less, victorious. Why would she come after us?" he grinned sadly as he began gathering firewood. He couldn't believe how quick the tide had changed. One minute they saved the city from Long Feng only to turn around and lose it again to princess Azula. His mind quickly flashed back to Mai and Ty Li who were dressed in the Kyoshi suits. He knew that there was only one way they could have gotten them. Sokka looked up in the sky whispering, "Suki… are you still alive?"

Toph had volunteered to take the first watch that evening. She stood at the base of a cliff were the camp was, she listened for any mysterious vibrations. Though she was tired from the long day of fighting she had to do her part to help. She didn't want anyone else to get hurt tonight. Though there were thousands of suspicious vibrations none of them posed any threat. If the fire nation did attempt an attack she would know about it. Occasionally she would listen to Aangs pulse just to reassure herself he was still alive. " Come on twinkle toes don't give up!" Though she knew that nobody was going to come after them she continued her watch to keep herself entertained.

Appa had fallen asleep as soon as they had landed. The Earth King sat next to the bison with Basco, his pet bear, snuggled next to him. He began to contemplate everything that had happened to him. "I can't believe Long Feng my most trustworthy adviser would betray me. He always watched out for me and protected ever since I had taken the thrown I thought he was my friend. Then I find out he's been manipulating me into thinking that everything is fine when in fact we are at war with the fire nation, Then The fire nation princess manages to take command of the dai lee overthrow my government and take control of my city. How could this happen…How could this happen!" Basco moaned silently. The earth King looked down at basco. He patted his head shamefully " Don't Worry Basco we'll be alright." He glanced over at Katara who sat on the far side of the cliff with Aang. "And what about Aang is he going to make it?

Another tear rolled down Katara's cheek "Please wakeup Aang". Though she was able to heal the wound that was done by Azula. The lighting blast had left a terrible scare on Aangs back. The only time he opened his eyes was when they left the city. Since then he remained in some kind of comatose state. Katara remained by his side, she Refused to leave him for a second, not even after Appa had landed, and when the camp was made. Aang lay in Katara's sleeping bag. Occasionally he would let out a low grumble whenever his back began to pain him. Whenever it happened Katara always clenched his hand, letting him know that she was right there with him. For some reason he would relax whenever she did that. Still his eye's remained closed.

Two day's later.

When the sun set on the second day Aang had still not shown any signs of recovery and Katara had still not left his side. She had remained by his side both night and day not eating and not sleeping. She just sat there they're glaring at him like a mother bird guarding a hatchling. The others had begun to worry about her. Her face was becoming pale, her eyelids had begun to swell up, and her eye's were red from the lack of sleep. Though Toph, Sokka and the Earth king had offered to watch him so she could rest she would always reply, "No thank you I'm fine." No matter what they said or did Katara would not leave Aangs side. Sokka had seen her like this before right after their village was attacked. After their mother was killed in the raid they had buried her and the other victims a short distance from their village. Katara would frequently go and sit by their mother's grave and remain there all day. He was too distraught then to talk to her about it but Sokka didn't want katara to feel that pain again. Grabbing an apple from the food bag he walked over to Katara and sat next to her. For a while neither of them spoke. Sokka offered the apple to her. Katara turned her head slowly looking from Sokka to the apple then back to Aang. "No Thank you" she said in a weak voice.

Sokka looked at her firmly. "Katara it's been almost two days you have to eat something." He offered the apple again. Only this time he put it in her hand. Katara just shook her head "I'm not hungry" she tried to hand it back to him. Sokka didn't even make a grab for it. " Eat it!" he said in a commanding, slightly pleading, voice. Katara was too tired to argue with him. She took a small bite. In an instant her whole body was full of energy and she realized just how hungry she was. She took bite again this one was bigger than the first. It didn't take long for her to finish it. " Thank you" She replied satisfyingly wiping the remnants of the apple off her mouth.

Sokka remained by her side for a few minutes until he spoke this time he was calmer. "You need to sleep Katara." She didn't answer him. "Katara I know how painful this is for you but I just want you to know that if you want to talk I'm here." She remained silent. With a heavy sigh he got up " Have it your way" He slowly walked away. "Sokka" Katara cried in a sorrowful tone finally turning her head away from Aang. Sokka turned around to see tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were blood red from crying and her face was partially sagged from the lack of sleep. Sokka walked over to her and gave her a hug. She began weeping uncontrollably. Sokka held her tightly as she buried her face in his chest. "It's okay Katara. Everything is going to be alright." Her voice was weak when she spoke " I already lost mom to the fire nation I don't want to lose him too." Sokka hated seeing her in pain. He wished that there was something he could do.

He realized that there was only thing he could do to ease her suffering was by giving her a positive outlook. "Katara he's going to be fine. When has he ever let us down? Aang is pretty tough for a kid his age. I mean if we learned anything from all this it's that Aang never gives up. He's got more determination than any of us. He'll pull through I know he will." Katara was still crying but her voice sounded a little more relieved. " I know he will Sokka but the thing that scares me the most is what if you're wrong? What if he doesn't wake up? What if he…"

"You can't think like that!" Sokka said bringing his face to hers making eye contact. " Aang is going to be fine." Sokka said sounding more confident. Katara nodded her head slowly. "I know," she took a deep breath. She closed her eyes, speaking in her normal tone "But still I can't stand the thought of ever losing him. He's made a difference in my life, I can't imagine my life without him." Sokka smiled "To be honest I can't either."

When Katara had calmed down Sokka said she needed to sleep. This time she didn't argue with him. Sokka brought out his sleeping bag and laid it out right next to were Aang was sleeping then he left telling Katara to sleep well. When Katara laid down she suddenly realized how tired she was. It was difficult to keep her eyes open. She turned over and looked at his face one more time. She listened to his slow but steady breathing. He looked so peaceful she couldn't help but smile. Kissing him on his cheek she whispered " Good night Aang… I'll see you in the morning." Katara reached out and clasped his hand. Finally she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

"Good night Katara."