Katara

Goodbye

The day of Black Sun was upon them. Today they would launch a full scale attack on the Fire Lord's palace. Today they would bring the Fire Lord to justice. Today they would face him… and his family. Sokka's plan didn't say much about the Fire Lord's children. They were, like all firebenders during the eclipse, reduced to ordinary soldiers, and Sokka planned to be in and out before their horrific abilities were brought back. Today, Azula and Zuko were not important.

Katara and Toph had been furious when they had learned they wouldn't be at the front of the attack. Katara knew she had every right to be with them as they ended the journey that she had started. But battle-master Sokka was firm that she and Toph had to be with the watertanks and ground forces. Katara backed off easier than Toph. She convinced herself that she didn't care; she convinced herself that it was a good thing. She and Toph were being trusted with the defense of their whole little army. It was an honor. Sokka was a good strategist. However she could be helpful, that was what she wanted to do.

Katara knew that none of those explanations were the reason why her heart swayed with relief when Sokka first told her. Katara knew the real reason was that she was scared to face the Fire Prince again. Not scared of him. Katara was scared of herself and what she would do or not do when she saw him again. Would she be reduced to that crying mess again, incapable of acting? Or would she be so filled with rage and hurt that she would kill him? Katara knew she couldn't live with either; it was a good thing she would stay behind.

Just beyond the gates of Azulon, the party paused to relay last minute messages and make sure the battle plans were clear. Katara took a moment to climb to the top of her tank and grab some fresh air while she had the chance. The next few hours promised to be cramped, chaotic, and confused. Right now, however, the sky was a blissful, cloudless expanse. The sea that she had always loved rose and fell around her, like a mother rocking her children. The reflection of the sun refracted a thousand times over the uneven surface, combining with the motion of the waves to make the sea truly come to life. Like it was smiling at her.

A small thud on the deck announced Aang's arrival. He had shaved his head and donned traditional air monk robes. He looked like the little kid she had found in the ice all those months ago. A little taller, a little more serious, but he looked like Aang. Katara's heart swelled with love and worry.

"I just needed to say goodbye before…" Aang's voice was rough and uneven.

Katara crossed the distance between them and took Aang's hand. Despite the knots in her stomach, Katara forced a bright, confident face to the surface. It was what Aang needed. Whatever Aang needed, that's what she had to do. The world needed Aang to do the impossible today. The world needed Aang to believe that he could.

"Aang. We'll see each other again." She sounded confident, even to herself. Why shouldn't she be? Aang was the Avatar. He had always done what he needed to before. This was his destiny. And Katara had always believed that he could do it.

"Just in case," Aang said shyly.

Katara was confused - but only for a millisecond. Then the boy in the ice put a hand to her cheek and reached up to kiss her. Of all the things Katara had mentally prepared for today, this was not one of them. Though, in retrospect, that was stupid. She wasn't that blind.

When Aang kissed her, she gave it her best shot. She really did. She kissed him back and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She'd been dreaming of kissing for months now, why not enjoy it when it happened? Yet, when she closed her eyes, the world didn't go completely dark. It was lit with a dim green glow. And the face that rose in her mind was half pale, half scarred and definitely not Aang's. When she and Aang broke apart, she nearly expected the eyes looking at her to be gold.

But they were gray. And full of glee and renewed confidence. In a swift movement he opened his glider and flew off into the sky. Katara watched him go, hoping that was what he needed to get through the day and come back to see her again. There were dozens of possible outcomes of the invasion. In all likelihood, Katara would never see one pair of eyes again - gray or gold - and Katara knew which side she was on.