A/N: First of all, thank you to all who reviewed and followed my story. Your feedback has been awesome, and it really encourages me when I know you guys are interested, so thanks.

Secondly, I apologize for the wait. Just so you know, I haven't been wasting the months dilly-dallying. I've spent a good amount of time thinking plot and characters, and where I wanted this story to go. Hopefully my efforts will not be in vain. :)

One quick note regarding Arraye PL and her review: Sorry to frighten you. Mature meaning from a more mature perspective, but then again, this story is definitely not sunshine and rainbows. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender.

Chapter 3: Broken People

-Ten years later-

I'm young again, with a swirl of liquid hovering in my palms. I see my mother talking quietly with a man at the door. I want to show her what I've learned.

"Mommy, Mommy look what I can do!"

She shushes me with her hand, never once moving her attention from the person at the door. I can't see who it is, but it annoys me that he gets my mother's attention and not me. I walk closer to her, careful not to disrupt the magic in my hands.

"Mommy...Mommy, look!"

"Katara, hush, sweetie. Mommy's talking."

I wrinkle my nose and step forward again, the liquid snake wobbling slightly.

"Mommy, see? Look at me! Look what I can do! Mommy!"

"Katara-"

She whirls around, and I'm met with two pairs of widened eyes. My mother gasps and turns to shut the door. She runs around the room, closing curtains and shutting doors. Then she drags me by my arm into the bedroom. I struggle to keep the water in my hands.

She slams the bedroom door shut behind us and slaps my hands down. I wince, pulling my arms to my chest as the water splashes at my feet.

"Don't you ever, ever do that again. Do you hear me?"

My eyes water at her tone, tears slipping over my eyes one after the other. She grabs my shoulders and shakes me roughly.

"Don't ever do that again, do you understand?"

I didn't understand. I never did. I let out a snotty sob, my eyes trained on the spilled water.

"Katara, are you listening?" She shakes me again. And again. And again. "Katara!"

"Katara!"

My eyes snapped open suddenly, my vision filled with red. He released my shoulders and stepped back.

"Give a guy a heart attack, why don't ya? I've been knocking for hours."

I blinked my eyes into focus, my gaze zeroing on his face.

"Well maybe not hours hours. More like minutes hours...minutes."

My brain finally caught up, and I found myself glaring at him with as much anger as I could muster.

"What are you doing here?"

He stopped mid-rant and shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets as a light blush covered his cheeks. I already knew what he wanted, but I was addicted to the devilish satisfaction of hearing him beg.

"If you don't need anything, then there's the door." I said shortly, slipping out of bed and leaving my bedroom.

"Katara..." he whined, following after me like a lost puppy.

I headed straight to the kitchen, taking out one bowl and one cup. He whined again.

"I'll make it worth your while, I promise."

I ignored him, dishing out a small amount of sea prunes and pouring water in the glass. He hovered around outside the door, shifting awkwardly from side to side. When I finished, I stood back from the table and stared at him, hands on my hips.

A moment of silence.

"Well?" I huffed impatiently, gesturing to the food on the table.

He jumped, startled, before flashing me a thankful grin. He sat down hurriedly, and started shoveling the bread in his mouth at an alarming speed. I sat down opposite of him, watching and waiting. After about thirty seconds, when he finished, he let out a satisfied sigh and slumped in his chair. His stomach growled. A sheepish blush smothered his cheeks.

Another moment of silence.

"Well?" I prompted again. He had the gall to look confused.

"Well what?"

I rolled my eyes and the lightbulb clicked.

"Oh!" He said, sitting up higher. I rolled my eyes again. "Well, um...what do you want me to say?"

"Just tell me what you learned." I said with a wave of my hand.

"There's not really much to tell…"

I stood up fast, knocking my chair over as I did. He jumped, staring up at me in shock.

"Get out." I ordered through clenched teeth, because this was the third time he'd tricked me and it wasn't going to happen again. He pouted, looking almost like a kicked polar bear dog puppy.

Like that's going to work.

"Katara…"

"Get. Out." I said, coming around to his side so fast, he stumbled over his chair to recreate the distance between us. "If you don't have anything for me, I don't have anything for you."

He frowned as I ushered him out, stopping at the threshold. I glared at the red between his shoulder blades. His posture was stiff and tense, and I knew he was thinking hard about something. I always knew. Finally, he turned around to face me. We were too close. He looked into my eyes and stepped back wordlessly, into the snow.

"Um...there...there was an attack, on a Rebel camp a few days ago…" he mumbled, staring at my stomach.

Had it been any other time, I would have demanded the reason why he'd lied in the first place. But my breath caught in my throat at the word 'Rebel.' "Is...is he alright?"

He shrugged carelessly, and I couldn't have hated him more at that moment. He knew how important this was to me. He knew. I reached over to shut the door, but he raised an arm to stop it from swinging shut. I cocked an eyebrow.

"Wait." he said, looking up at me nervously. "Can't we...can we...you know...hang out sometime?"

The door slammed shut.

He couldn't be serious. He was Fire Nation. I was Water Tribe. He was a firebender. A murderer. His kind took over my village, took over the whole world. We were enemies. Enemies don't hang out. I took a calming breath and turned to go back to the kitchen, knowing he was probably still standing outside my house like the fool he was.

Hang out. I scoffed. Friends hang out. We were not friends.

I didn't have any friends.

About an hour passed, and I was still alone. The house was still and quiet, no sound the disturbing silence but the rough swish-swish of my wooden broom ridding the floor of invisible specs of dust. I cleaned quickly, a soft melody on my lips, eyes trained on the old floor. There was a smudge near the table. I'd have to scrub that later. I moved with purpose, one room to the next, reveling in the comfortable silence of my empty home. I always tried to clean quickly. I had too much things to do in the day not be in a hurry. As usual though, there was only one room where I hesitated. I stopped at the threshold and stared into it, the quiet tune fading immediately. One bed, one dresser, one painting, one lamp. Two people. Two ghosts. Two memories.

They're not here.

My throat closed up despite my reassurances.

I shook my head, pulling myself out of a dangerous daze. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the room, humming the song and finishing quickly with carefully lowered eyes. I straightened the painting, and suddenly, there she was, hunched over a table, colours splattered over her wrists and fingers. I put extra pillows on his side, hearing him retell his adventures outside the village, all the while idly rubbing his sore back. I pulled back the curtains, remembering the smiles on their faces when the sun would come up to greet them for the day. I left the room quickly, tears burning behind my eyes, knuckles whitening around the broom. I'd been tempted for years to lock this room up forever, if only to prevent the pain I felt each time I saw it. But again as usual, I hesitated, hand trembling over the rotting doorknob. And again, as always, I left it open. It would be used again soon.

I was sure of it.

After putting the broom away, I grabbed the small pail filled with ice and the fish I'd caught the day before. I slipped on my parka and covered the fish with a cloth, leaving the house as quietly as I could. Taking a deep breath, I shut the door and risked a glance behind me, looking for any signs of red armor or light brown hair. I sighed in relief at the vacant field between my house and the village. Looks like I scared him off. I straightened and turned to leave.

Two steps later I heard my name.

I clenched my teeth and turned slowly, my earlier anger returning at an alarming speed. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy. He ran towards me breathlessly, his weird hair flopping over his forehead. He stopped in front of me with smiling brown eyes that crinkled at the corners. I didn't make eye contact, my eyes solely trained on the red glaring back at me. He knew we weren't supposed to be seen in public. Why couldn't he ever just stay away?

There was a long silence. He was probably expecting me to say hello.

I wasn't.

Another beat of silence, so I turned on my heel and to walk away. He made a small noise of surprised protest and grabbed my wrist.

Don't touch me.

He backed away quickly, palms raised in a submissive sign a peace. How ironic.

"Look, I just wanted to apologize for this morning." he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't think…"

Do you ever?

"...about, you know, your, um...and I...I don't know. I thought we were…"

He stopped suddenly, looking closely at my face. His arm fell at his side limply.

"...I guess not."

He looked hurt. But he couldn't be as hurt as me. Never as much as me. I wanted to say something rude, something that would haunt him and make him feel so guilty he wouldn't look at me for a week. But I didn't, and I didn't know why. There was another beat of tense silence, then two, three. A tired sigh escaped his mouth - my cue to continue on my way. I slid past him quickly, avoiding contact as if he were the plague itself, trying to get those wounded brown eyes out of my head.

...

When I got to the village, I pulled my hood up over my head and walked slower. I've learned over the years that it's better to blend in than stand out. Being noticed has never done anyone any good. The village was quiet and calm, like most things in the South Pole. A group of small children were playing tag on the outskirts of the houses. In the darkest of times, it was a small comfort that children would always find a way to be children. Their squeals of laughter brought a reminiscent smile to my face.

And then I saw the red.

All pale, gaunt faces and angry sneers. The children went inside. They jeered and spat as I passed, but nothing more. A few years ago, it would have been accompanied by harsh words, maybe a shove or a threat. But now, no one seemed to care. Fire Lord Azulon had stopped funding the Guards years ago, deciding to invest in the Soldiers, who were in charge of containing the Rebel forces. Now the Guards relied on us more than ever for food and water and supplies. They were worn out and underfed and sick of living in our "frozen wasteland."

My gaze drifted to the docks, which have not been used since I was around twelve, and then to the fancy red houses that were probably cold and empty. It almost made me feel sorry for them.

Almost.

I adjusted the bucket in my hands and wandered into the sparse collection of houses settled around the docks. I made my way to the smallest one near the middle of the village, where a woman named Hanna lived. Her husband was killed by firebenders several months ago, so I always tried to help out however I could. Spirits knew the rest of the village didn't. Two knocks and the door was flying open, a tiny face beaming up at me from below.

"Katara!"

He launched himself at me and hugged me tight. I fumbled to steady the pail in my hand, ruffling his hair with the other.

"Hi, sweetie. Is your mom home?"

His dimples deepened as he pulled away and led me by hand into the house.

"Katara!" the chorus of children sprinted and toddled towards me, toys and blocks tossed aside in a mad rush to get to me first. There were four of them in all, the most of one family in the whole village - all non-benders as of yet. Even so, the villagers wanted nothing to do with them. Partly out of fear of being associated with people so 'dangerous,' and partly out contempt towards Hanna fr being so foolish.

I smiled and hugged them all, holding the basket well out of sight. They wore identical grins with identical dimples and identical rosy cheeks. I straightened slowly and nodded along with the hundred different tales being thrown at me at once. I set the pail down on the kitchen table, the kids' feet clipping my heels.

"Is that for us?" asked the seven year old loudly, pointing to the fish. His name was Zaq, and he was always the first to greet me at the door, the first to ask questions, and the first to give answers. When I nodded, they cheered and jumped on my legs so roughly I almost fell over again. I tried to return their smiles, but to me, there was something wrong about kids getting excited for a simple meal, let alone a few small fish.

"Hello, Katara."

I smiled at the woman in the doorway. She sagged slightly against the wall, and I immediately sobered. I gently pushed the children away and strode over to the woman, setting the bucket down on the way. Taking her elbow in my hand and wrapping an arm around her waist, I helped her across the room and sat her down in a chair by the fireplace.

She smiled weakly in thanks.

"How are you?" I asked quietly. "Any problems? Any pain? Anything strange?"

She laughed off my questions with a feeble wave of the hand.

"No, no, I'm fine. Just...tired is all."

I frowned.

"Are you sure?" I asked, adjusting the pillows behind her back. "If you need me to come over more often, I can-"

She waved it off again. "No, no. You help out enough as it is. I don't want to burden you."

"It's not a burden, really. I'm more than happy to help."

Her smile was forced. "Of course you are. And I appreciate it. But really, Katara, I'm okay."

I sighed.

"Well, alright." I said, stepping back. "Is there anything you need? Food? Water?"

"Nothing, thanks." she stared at the flames, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was thinking about her husband. I hesitated again. I couldn't just leave her like this. I had to help her. I had to cheer her up. I had to-

"Katara, can we have some now?"

I turned with a cheery smile. "Of course. But only one. The other three are for the rest of the week, okay?"

I shot an apologetic smile to Hanna, although I'm not sure she saw me. I'd normally have more than enough fish for them to eat, but Sokka hasn't been helping me as much lately and I wasn't much of a fisherman.

The youngest of the kids, who had just recently learned to count, poked at the fish and turned to me. "Where's da one fah us?"

I knelt down to clean up some of the toys on the floor. "In the basket, hon."

There was a silence, and then a chorus of 'nooooo's.

"There's only three of them. You said three was for the other days."

I looked up from the floor, eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

The oldest, a girl of a whopping nine years, rolled her eyes and cocked her hip with a dramatic sigh. "There's supposed to be one for us. Because the other three are for the rest of the week."

I stood up slowly and went to look in the basket. Sure enough, there was only three fish inside.

"What? I could've sworn…"

"I bet Mina ate it!" Zaq yelled suddenly, pointing to the four year old.

The little girl huffed and stomped her foot. "No!"

"I bet you did! You always steal cuz you're always hungry!"

Of course.

Taking a deep breath through my nose to calm my nerves, I turned back to the children and rested a gentle hand on Mina's shoulder, who looked about a second away from bursting into tears.

"Mina didn't eat it, kids."

Mina stuck out her tongue at her siblings. "See? I told you!"

"I guess I miscounted, is all." I said easily, ignoring the stare from over by the fireplace.

"So what do we do?" the boy asked. I smiled assuredly and told them they could eat one today, and I'd bring extra next time I was over. I busied myself for the next half hour or so cutting up the fish and cooking it for the children. There wasn't that many to go around, but in times like these, you have to make do with what you have. After I got the kids settled in their seats and eating, I wandered back over to the fireplace one last time.

"Are you sure you don't need anything before I go?" I asked, idly fluffing pillows and straightened rugs.

"No, it's okay." she mumbled, still staring at the fire solemnly.

"Are you sure?" I asked again.

She didn't answer, and I knew I'd lost her again. The fire flickered and cracked, and she flinched slightly, still mesmerized by the golden flames burning harmlessly on the wooden logs below it. She rubbed the swell of her stomach, a lone tear slipping from her eye. I sighed and left her alone, shutting the door quietly as I left the house. I wasn't going to try and pretend I knew what it was like for her. I did know what it was like to lose someone you loved, but not romantically. Were they the same thing? I wasn't sure yet. It broke my heart to see her distancing herself from everything, from her own children, who were probably hurting too. I knew they were young, but so was I.

A glob of spit splattered across my boot as I walked. My head jerked up to meet the eyes of a Guard. He stood in front of me, with his hollow cheeks and arrogant tilt of his nose. I almost snorted, because really, firebenders. Even at their lowest point, they had more pride than the king of Ba Sing Se.

"Move out of the way, peasant." he snapped.

I didn't tell him to move out of the way instead. I didn't tell him that he looked more like a peasant than me. I didn't say anything. I ducked my head and stepped aside to let him pass. He regarded me for a moment, as if to say, 'yeah, you better move.' I grit my teeth to the sound of his boots crunching away in the icy snow.

I took a deep breath through my nose. In. Out.

He was there when I got back.

Unfortunately, he didn't seem to notice my mood had soured even more since I'd been gone, so of course, he came over. He never did learn to take a hint.

"Hey, you're back." he said, all hurt feelings apparently long forgotten.

I turned my head away and walked faster.

"Oh come on, don't be like that." he said.

I pulled away before he could grab my wrist again.

"Fine, fine. Be like that. Just wanted some friendly conversation is all."

I almost laughed out loud. That shouldn't even be in their vocabulary.

"...always in a mood and I never do any-"

I whirled on him. "Why did you take the fish this morning?"

His eyes widened, mouth opening and closing like the stolen food itself.

"You know those are for Hanna's kids. What is wrong with you?"

Open, close.

"What kind of a selfish, low-life…" I stuttered for a word. "…would steal from a bunch of kids? Don't you have a conscience?"

He clenched his jaw, looking off to the side. His stomach grumbled.

"Of course you don't."

I brushed past him then, purposely nudging him as I stormed into my house, cursing him as I went. I had no idea why I was so angry. It was just one fish. I could catch three more before the end of the night.

But food was so rare in the South Pole now, and every little bit that I made for those kids was crucial. Even the Guards are starving. Spirits know they can't fish or hunt for themselves, despite all the years they've been here. There have been rumors that the Guards steal food from the villagers, as a way of 'collecting taxes.' I had no trouble believing that. They took our freedom. Why not take our food?

I just never thought he would do it too. I thought bitterly. Especially to me. I thought we were-

I shook my head violently, ridding my mind of all things Fire Nation.

In. Out.

He wasn't there when I left the house again. I snorted quietly to myself at the empty field.

Coward. Of course he isn't there.

I didn't wait around to see if he would appear, deciding I'd had enough of him for today. I quickly ventured into the village again to a small house at the centre. Taking a deep breath, I knocked quietly on the door, leaning closer to here a response.

"Yugoda?" I said, leaning closer still. I heard her reply and stepped through the door, shutting it softly behind me.

I found her in the usual place, next to the fire. She was sitting comfortably on a cushioned chair, knitting something I couldn't see properly.

"Good afternoon, Yugoda." I said quietly, hovering around in the doorway. The elderly woman looked up, squinting at me through old, tired eyes. "It's me."

She smiled at me and beckoned me closer. "Come in, child."

I returned her smile, and approached her slowly, falling into her awaiting arms. I squeezed her gently, breathing in that unique smell that always seemed to come with elderly women.

She smiled at me again as we pulled away and gestured to the project in her lap. "Look. I'm almost finished."

I smiled and nodded.

"It's a gift for your darling daughter. What was her name again?"

I swallowed thickly over the lump in my throat. "K-katara."

"Katara." she echoed with a smile. "I once had daughter named Katara. Did I ever tell you about her?"

Yes.

"No, ma'am. You didn't."

"Ah. She was a beautiful child. Beautiful. Hair like a flowing river and eyes bluer than the ocean. In fact, she looked a lot like you." she said with a chuckle. I humored her with one of my own. Her smile died gradually, and her face became serene. "But... she's gone now. Taken right out of my hands and shipped off to the Prisons. I never saw her again."

I watched a lone tear slip out of her eye, the lump in my throat growing fast. I'd heard that story countless times before, so I'd always known I'd been named after Yugoda's daughter. She had been my mother's best friend. Yugoda drew in a shaky sigh and smiled at me suddenly.

"I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to babble."

"It's alright." I said, smiling in reassurance.

She smiled in response and continued fiddling with the needlework in her hands. I got up and cleaned a bit, busying myself with menial housework to try and control my emotions. Yugoda's house was spotless, as usual, but I needed a moment. Seeing her like this was never easy for me. But I was one of the few people in the village who took care of her. Everyone else had their own problems to worry about. When I came back, she was still sitting by the fire, but she wasn't doing her needlework. Her stillness unnerved me.

"Yugoda? Are you alright?"

She turned me in surprise, smiling as she met my eyes. "Oh hello, dear. How nice of you to come visit."

"Of course I came." I said, relief rushing through me in a loud sigh.

She held up the little shawl she was knitting. "Look. I'm almost finished. It's for your daughter. But shh, it's a surprise."

My eyes burned. "Come on, ma'am. Let's get you to bed."

I helped her up and led her back into the little hall where her room and bathroom was. After I made sure she relieved herself, I settled her comfortably into the warm furs on her bed. She smiled at me as I pulled her sheets up, just the way she liked it.

"You are too kind, child." she said, touching my mother's necklace lightly. "You remind me so much of my daughter. Have I told ever told you about her?"

I felt the wetness trail down my cheeks at her words. I wiped them away hurriedly and covered her hand with my own.

"Yes, ma'am." I whispered through the thickness in my throat.

"Oh." she said, sounding surprised. "I could've sworn..." she paused, then shook her head softly. "Ah. Oh well. I guess my memory's not what it used to be."

A tiny sob escaped, but I quickly covered it with a little laugh. She laughed with me, her tired eyes shutting slowly.

"Will you come visit tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"Alright then." she patted my hand lightly. "It's a date."

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "I'm leaving now, okay?"

"Say hello to Hakoda for me, and little Sokka too."

"I will." I agreed softly, watching as her breath evened out and a calm peace settled over her. I leaned down and kissed her withered cheek before standing up.

"Sweet dreams, Yugoda."

I was on my hands and knees, scrubbing that stain on the floor when Sokka came home. He shut the door quietly and gave me a small smile over his shoulder.

"Oh. I thought you'd be in bed by now."

I rolled my eyes at him. "I think I'm old enough to go to bed a little late."

He grinned and ruffled my hair as he left the room. I ducked and smacked his hand away. "Whatever you say, kiddo."

I scoffed at the childhood nickname and scrubbed at the stain halfheartedly. I'd been scrubbing it for some time now. It just wouldn't go away. Unlike Sokka. I thought bitterly. He was always gone for one reason or another. Here I was, at home alone all the time, working hard and taking care of things, and he was out in the mountains all day doing who knows what.

I scrubbed a bit harder.

You'd think after everything that happened he would be more wary of leaving me alone all the time. You'd think he'd at least have the decency to try and get to know his little sister a little bit, you know, me being his only family left and all. You'd think he'd act a little bit more his age. He was five years older than me, and I did all the work around here.

Harder still.

Not for the first time, and definitely not the last, my thoughts turned bitter. Does he think he's the only one hurting? Does he think I was too young to remember how things used to be? Does he think-?

"Uh, Katara? I know you're obsessed with cleaning and all, but scrub any harder and you'll rub a hole in the floor."

I froze, and took a deep breath through my nose. In. Out.

"I made dinner. Are you hungry?" I said, dusting myself off with false cheerfulness.

The wary look on my brother's face vanished at the mention of food. "Always."

We ate in silence, as always, the only sounds coming from that brainless pig sitting across from me. I barely touched my food, though. There was too much on my mind. I fiddled with my spoon and set it back down in bowl for the fourth time. I stared into the broth, not blinking, until my eyes began to water.

"Hey, Katara, you okay?"

I looked up, snorting softly at the green noodle hanging from his chin. I tapped mine to let him know. He wiped it off mechanically, eyes never leaving my face. He waited patiently for me to speak.

"I...I went to see Yugoda today."

His expression softened immediately. "How is she?"

Tears pooled in my eyes despite my strong will to keep them at bay. "It...it's getting worse."

Sokka was up and around the table in seconds. I leaned my face into his shoulder, tears seeping into his shirt. Sokka rubbed my back soothingly and kissed my hair in comfort.

"She...she..." I couldn't even get the words out. Sokka hushed me and hugged me tighter.

I guess I didn't need to say anything after all. Sokka knew how much I cared about Yugoda. Our own grandmother passed away a few years ago. Yugoda and I only started talking at her funeral. She knew my grandmother well, so afterwards she took me to her house, gave me something to drink, and the rest was history. We grew closer every time we met up. I could tell Yugoda anything, and she'd always have a story ready for me. She always told me how much I reminded her of my mother. She'd tell me stories about her too. Yugoda was the person I'd go to for advice or company when I felt lonely. She was the only friend I had.

But then last winter, Yugoda got sick. We didn't have any medicine, but I did the best I could. I'd stay with her every second of the day, making sure she had everything she needed. She was so sick, that she couldn't walk or talk or do anything without help. I thought I had almost lost her. But then, suddenly, as if a miracle from the spirits, Yugoda recovered. I was so happy that I hadn't lost anybody else.

And then she started to forget.

Sokka drew back, holding my shoulders gently.

"You okay, now?" he asked tentatively.

I nodded, wiping my eyes and nose with my sleeve. Sokka gave me a sad smile. I nodded again, more sure of myself now. Sokka started to stand up, but I still had something to say. I was taking a big risk bringing this up. This was a touchy subject for both of us.

"A Rebel camp was attacked a few days ago." I murmured, playing with the hem of my shirt. Sokka stiffened immediately, the hold on my shoulders tightening significantly.

"Where...how do you know that?" he asked cautiously. I tried to look away.

He caught my eyes though, and then he knew.

"Damn it, Katara, we've been through this." he said sharply.

I winced, but held my ground. "Sokka, I had too."

"I've told you a thousand times to stay away from him-"

"He's not a problem! He tells what happens on the outside-"

"What happens outside the South Pole is none of your concern."

I looked at him incredulously, shrugging out of his grip. "None of my concern? Those men are out there fighting for our freedom! It concerns all of us!"

Sokka cast a wary glance towards the walls of the house and gave me a pointed glare, signalling me to shut the hell up before we both got in trouble.

"What concerns me is your safety." he said lowly. "And I can't keep you safe while you're deliberately associating yourself with a Fire Nation Guard just for a few updates on the battlefront."

"What would you have me do then, huh?" I asked, standing up and throwing my arms out carelessly. "Hide away in the mountains all day and wallow in self pity like some helpless little child?"

Sokka's gaze darkened at my words.

"Oh, that's right. Then I'd be just like you, right? Is that how you want me to be? That same little girl who's just gonna sit around here and wait for help?"

"Getting involved in the War isn't going to lead to anything good, Katara. You'll only get hurt."

"I have to know! Don't you care about the Rebels? Some of those are men from our Tribe! What about Dad? Don't you care about him?!"

Sokka stood up suddenly, fists clenched, eyes blazing.

"Dad abandoned us! Why should I?"

I shifted back before I could stop myself, and Sokka noticed. He turned away and took a deep breath.

In. Out.

I watched him gather himself together, slowly loosening his fists and taking deep breaths. I blinked back tears as I stared at his back. I hated when we fought. It made me wish for the good old days, when Sokka would give me piggy back rides and go penguin sledding with me, even though he was always too old for it. Even in childhood, my brother was old. He'd always done everything he could to protect me, to be the leader. Always looked out for me. Still did. But when Dad left to join the Rebels, something happened to my big, strong older brother. Something that took the life right out of him. Something that caused him to hide his feelings, even from me. I had no idea what, but I was determined to find out.

He turned back around, and I immediately spotted the bags under his eyes. How his cheekbones jutted out just the tiniest bit. The thin, barely visible wrinkles and haggard appearance. He looked so tired.

"Dad hasn't abandoned us Sokka." I said softly, desperately.

Sokka stared hard at the floor. I watched his expression carefully. Our family has never been able to keep our emotions hidden. So I studied my brother, seeing the resentment and grief and anger and sadness. Then he looked me in the eye, and for the first time, I saw vulnerability.

"Yes." he said, just as quietly. "He has."

A/N: So. Any thoughts on the chapter? Positive thoughts? Negative thoughts? Tell me.

Seriously. Anything you guys have questions on, feel free to ask. I will do my best to answer all your questions. I'm not a mean person. :) Any mistakes, concerns or things you're unclear on, will be helpful. I'm a major perfectionist, so I will love you forever even if you tell me I need to add a period somewhere.

ALSO I'm looking for a name for the Fire Nation Guard. Any ideas? Suggestions? You know which one I'm talking about right? He's about 20 or so, with "weirdly cut brown hair"(feel free to decide what that is to you) and brown eyes and dimples and crinkles in his eyes when he smiles. (excuse me for the detail). So let me know. I'm thinking Gavin. But I don't think that fits into the Avatar world….hmmm.

Once again, sorry for the long update. Just so you know, I write when I am inspired. If I don't, my writing feels false and I get grumpy and just ugh…

But anyway, thank you for reading. See you next chapter!

-SilverLining33