This takes place after The Puppetmaster. Thanks again to Summer Sweetheart for beta-reading my stories.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender


After Hama was taken away by the captured townspeople, the group had set up camp—far away from the forest. All but one of the members of "Team Avatar" were sitting around the campfire, set in an awkward silence. Though there was a lot that wanted to be said, no one spoke. Just a few feet away sat a small tent where, inside, a young waterbender refused to leave, wanting, but unable to forget her new power.

We should do something, Aang thought to himself before getting up, making his way towards the tent.

"What are you doing?" Sokka asked, finally breaking the silence.

"I'm going to see if Katara is okay." Aang replied

"I don't think she wants anyone to see her right now." Sokka hesitated. He knew how his sister could be when she was under emotional stress.

"She needs someone to help her through this." Aang reasoned. "Or else, she'll never get through this."

"Maybe you're right."

He's beginning to act like a boyfriend Sokka added to himself.

"Katara, can I come in?" Aang asked, entering her tent.

The young Avatar was welcomed by pillow thrown at his face, "Aang? I-I'm sorry. I thought it was Sokka. To be honest, he's the last person I want to see right now."

"It's okay… Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, walking toward her, taking a seat next to her.

"Not really. I don't want to even think about it."

"Katara, I know how hard it is to share pain with someone, but… after Appa was taken by the sandbenders, I talked about my pain with you, and that help me through it. I can help you through it the same way you helped me."

"Aang, I'm… I'm a monster!" Without any warning, Katara threw herself into his arms, sobbing.

In an attempt to calm her down, Aang gently rubbed her back. "You're not a monster, Katara. You know that"

"But… but, I can bloodbend!" she cried harder.

"Yes, you can bloodbend, but that doesn't make you a monster." Aang said as he started stroking her hair. "Just like Iroh, he's a firebender, right? He should be our enemy, but, in reality, he's a very nice old man, more than happy to give out advice… and great tea!" he added, trying to bring a little bit of humor into the situation. "It doesn't matter what you can bend. What really matters is what you do with your powers."

Katara started to calm down, sobs becoming mere sniffles. "You're right, Aang." She finally said.

Everything was quiet for the next few minutes as Katara enjoyed having Aang's arms around her. "Stay with me tonight, please." She asked before drifting off to sleep.

"Okay." Aang said as he gently lay her down in her sleeping bag. Lying down beside her, he whispered, "I'll always be with you." just before he too drifted off to sleep.


Please R&R. My next story will be up in maximum 2 weeks. P.S. For those who already read my story, I will not do a chapter but make a one shot with it.