Comforted Tears

Oneshot

***

Aang woke up to the sound of footsteps walking away from camp. It was late, the stars had already come out, and all of the cricket's chirping had quieted down. He sat up, looking around.

There's Toph…

There's Sokka…

There's Zuko…

And there's Kata-wait…

Katara's gone.

Could it have been her that was leaving camp? Why?

She's probably just going off to waterbend

Aang laid back down, and closed his eyes. She'll be back, soon. He thought, as he quietly drifted to sleep.

A few hours later, Aang woke back up. It was still dark out and there was no Katara. He decided to investigate. He got up, stretched and yawned, and he set off to find the missing waterbender. He walked down the path Katara was headed. It was the one that led to the river.

After a few minutes, he came to the clearing where the river was. Still no sign of Katara; that's when he saw the footprints. He ran towards the muddy path made by Katara's water tribe boots.

He smiled and followed the path, looking at the water that was glistening in the moonlight. I never had thought water was so peaceful. The fish seemed peaceful. He turtle-ducks seemed peaceful. Even the 4-eyed toad looked peaceful. Just the thought of sleeping made him tired.

He followed the path until he saw a figure. It was Katara. He heard a faint sobbing coming from her direction. Surely it couldn't be Katara. Aang thought to himself. He walked over silently and tapped her shoulder. She jumped in shock and quickly turned around.

"I'm sorry," Aang said, giving a faint smile, "Are you okay? I heard crying…were you crying?"

Katara quickly wiped her tears away. "N-no. It's nothing, just go on back to sleep." She said, turning her head and waving in the direction of camp.

"I want to know what's wrong, you were crying, let me help you." Aang said, kneeling beside her.

"I said it's nothing, it's not your problem….." Her voice drifted off at the end. She sniffled.

Aang put an arm around her shoulders. He took his other hand and used it to guide her face in his direction. "Katara, I'm not leaving until you tell me,"

Katara looked into his eyes and it really seemed like he was concerned.

"Well….I…..It's….." Katara stuttered, wiping away more tears. She looked towards the water.

"Hey, shhhh, you can tell me," Aang said, smiling.

"Well…Today…..is the….anniversary of my..my mom's d…..death." Katara said between sobs.

Aang's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yeah…."

She burst into tears. "I didn't even say good-bye, Aang! To my own mother! I hardly remember what she looks like!"

"Tell me what you know about her." Aang said, wiping away her fallen tears.

"Well….she….she was gorgeous, she had straight brown hair. She usually put it in a bun…My dad and her loved each other with their whole hearts. She couldn't bend, but somehow…she just seemed so strong….She was always there for me…b-but….then she ..died and……my life seemed like a wreck." Katara said, pausing many times to cry.

Aang stayed the whole time.

"I hate Yan-Rha! He's pathetic! He ruined my life and Sokka's! Nothing was ever the same! And my dad…..he wasn't as strong. He didn't lift me into his arms for awhile. He only said it was going to be alright, BUT IT WASN'T!" Katara yelled, her tears still streaming down her face.

There was a long silence.

"I'm sorry for spilling my emotions on you like that…I just-," Katara began.

"Shh, it's okay." Aang said, brushing some hair from her face.

"When I met you," Katara started, Aang's eyes looked towards her. "I seemed….Oh I don't know, happier….My spirits were lifted up by your optimistic attitude. You seemed to always cheer me up."

"And I still do, right?" Aang asked, smiling his goofy smile.

"Yeah…..you do." Katara smiled.

"I love you, Katara,"

There was another silence.

"Oh, and Aang?"

"Yeah, Katara?"

"I love you, too,"