His Eyes Chapter 11

This is my new epilogue!!

I don't own: anything in this chapter... in other words I was too lazy to go through it and mark the things I don't own, like the characters of Avatar for exaple.

"… and here," Aunt Wu said as Katara finished signing the papers to become Aang's legal guardian. It was a week after her 18th birthday. She was finally able to do everything a normal adult was allowed to do, including adopting a child. She smiled as Aunt Wu handed her all of Aang's medical documents and other papers she needed for him. They were all placed in a folder that she stuffed into her purse. She got up and thanked Aunt Wu by giving her a hug. Then she ran out to join Aang in the hall outside Aunt Wu's office. That six year old boy that had followed her home from school had turned into a fine ten year old.

Katara contained her excitement by stalling before the door. She took deep calming breaths to slow her heart beat. It didn't work.

Aang watched the office door open and Katara come out. He jumped up. "Well, what did she say?" he asked his boyish, gray eyes gleaming with excitement. Katara couldn't hold her excitement any longer.

"I got the papers," she squealed. "I am now officially your legal guardian."

Aang was overcome with joy. He buried his face into Katara's sweater and began to cry. Katara held him gently.

"I promise, Aang," she whispered, "I will be the best mom you've ever had."

Aang sat in the front seat of Katara's car looking out the window at the falling snow.

"I can't believe it's only November!" Katara exclaimed. "Look at all this stuff; it's everywhere," she said referring to the snow. Aang nodded but didn't say anything.

"Do you want to see him, Aang?" Katara asked glancing at him for a moment before turning her eyes back to the road.

Aang's hand gripped the car door handle. He would not cry; he had been doing it so often lately. Is it a bad thing to morn? Is it a bad thing to miss a friend? Aang made up his mind. Maybe he owed him this much.

"Ya," he squeaked quietly.

Katara pulled up into the graveyard. She stopped in front of a very familiar looking stone. She got out and waited for Aang. He didn't come right away, but they were in no hurry. Finally she heard the passenger door open and close. Aang came around from the other end of the car. He looked at her before she took his hand and led him to the grave stone. Aang looked down at the name printed neatly on the top.

In loving memory of

Gyotso

rođena od vjetra
born of the wind

Placed on top of the grave were fresh flowers Aang and Katara had put there a few days ago. Katara squeezed his hand tight as Aang stared at the carving on the stone. Three swirls encircled eacother symbolizing peace, love and freedom. The three things Gyotso stood for. Sometimes Aang would lay awake in bed thinking of his old friend. Sometimes those thoughts turn into tears.

Aang closed his gloved hand around Katara's. "Let's go," he said quietly. "I'm getting cold."

The rest of the ride home was unbearably silent. This was supposed to be a joyful time. Instead it just brought back painful memories. Ever since Gyotso died Katara had waited for her 18th birthday so that, maybe, she could fill the void Gyotso left behind. However, Aang wasn't warming up to the idea.

When she told him of her idea where she could adopt him and he could live with her and Sokka instead of returning to that old orphanage, he was overcome with joy, but when the time finally came memories of Gyotso filled his head.

They were supposed to have a party. This was supposed to be a beautiful day, but clouds burned their way into Aang's mind and blocked the sun from shining.

Hakoda was supposed to take them out for ice cream to that very same place almost four years ago. He was supposed to laugh and have fun. That was what was expected of him or was it what he expected from himself.

Katara drove her car back home. She knew from the look on Aang's face that he wouldn't want to celebrate just yet. I must be hard for him. Having everything work out fine until that day Katara brought him home from school. The memory was fuzzy in Katara's mind. The only clear picture was swaying back and forth holding Aang as he cried and crying herself, whispering the melody to the lullaby she had never forgotten.

They reached the house. Sokka opened the front door, flying out to meet them. Suki followed almost just as fast. Katara got out of the car to greet them leaving Aang behind.

"Where is he?" Sokka asked bouncing like a four year old ready to open his birthday present.

Katara sighed, "He's in the car, but Sokka, he's just really confused right now. It hasn't even been that long and now suddenly this big change. Maybe, we should hold off celebrating until he feels a little more comfortable."

Sokka nodded understanding what his sister was talking about. It really, hadn't been that long ago.

"Do you want me to talk to him about it?" he offered with a sympathetic smile.

Katara shook her head, "Just go inside. I'll bring him in, in a minute." Sokka took Suki's hand and led her back into the house and closed the door behind them.

Katara looked back toward the car and caught Aang staring at her before he turned away. Katara knew how hard this must be for him. Gyotso was the only connection he had to his parents. Katara put on a brave smile and made her way toward the car, stopping at the passenger side door. She gripped the handle and tugged it open. Aang looked at her for a second before returning his gaze to his hands. Katara placed a hand on his shoulder before leaning over and undoing his seatbelt. Her hand slid from his shoulder down his arm, finding one of his hands. She held it tight.

"I know this is hard Aang," she whispered, "but it's going to be all right. You'll see." She smiled. He didn't move. "Sokka decorated the house and baked a cake… I don't know how edible that will be," a hint of a smile played on Aang's face and he tried not to laugh. Everyone knew what a bad cook Sokka was. Katara noticed the smile. "But the most important part is that he tried for you. Look at me," Katara placed her hand on Aang's cheek turning his eyes to her. "You still have me, and Sokka and Suki and a whole bunch of other people who love and care about you." Then she added, "and you have that big ball of energy who loves to get fur everywhere." Aang smiled as she mentioned Appa. She removed her hand from his cheek and took his other hand. "Let's go get some cake and ice cream," she said.

Aang smiled and jumped out of the car. "No cake, please. I don't want food poisoning." Katara laughed as she led him by the hand into the house.

...and that is officially the end of the story. I said all my thank-you's in chapter 10.

HAHA!! Second finished story!