.

Crime In The Nations

Katara's Journal

Entry 2: Staying Afloat

Author's Note: Hey guys. Sorry that I am posting this very late. I took a very long break from almost everything. And then I got sick and I've only now begun to recover, Anyways, thank you all for reviewing! I saw someone's review about how I may have insulted some of you by deleting the Republic Boarding School story. I still have it saved so I can upload it again. It will not be continued though. I'm so sorry if I did offend some of you, however. I had no idea. Again, I will upload it again but it will be discontinued. The days I will most likely be updating this story should be Sundays and/or Thursdays. I want time to post on my other stories too, go check them out if you desire so. Hope you all enjoy this chapter!

-kataangforeverrr21

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender nor any of its characters. However, I do own the OC's that I put into the story.

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of suicide and depression!

After finding out the truth about my mother's death, everything I've worked so hard on fell down. I did my best to stay calm but with each passing second of looking into Aang's eyes… I just couldn't. I basically ditched him. I told him I wasn't feeling so good and ran out of there so quickly all he saw was probably a dash of blue and white. I ran into my car and drove home with tears threatening to escape my eyes. I went inside Sokka and I's apartment ignoring his worried speculations. I closed my bedroom door and collapsed. I finally let out all of my emotions. All I felt was pain and grief.

I cried for hours. The tears never stopped. Sokka kept knocking on the door every hour threatening to break the door down. I didn't care however. All the pain from all those years ago came rushing back. All of my childhood trauma. All of my painful memories that have been shoved into the back of my mind… all introduced themselves once again. I remembered everything. My mom's scorched body. My dad's cries. My brother's insults. My own cries. My own yells. My own screaming. The reason why I quit college. The reason why I now work at a coffee shop. The reason why I started hurting myself.

My phone kept blowing up during those hours. I finally decided to take a peek. I have a bunch of missed calls from my brother, my best friends, Aang, my dad, and my Gran-Gran. The news must have spread. Text messages with lots of love poured into them. I only opened one though. I opened Aang's:

Aang: Katara… I know things must be hard right now. I understand. But you really shouldn't be alone right now. Tell someone… please. Anyone, at least your brother. Promise me you will do that.

Katara?

Are you there?!

Please just send a one worded answer so that I know you're there.

Please.

I decided to call him. I can barely see clearly so calling seems better than texting.

"Hello? Katara?"

I take a deep shaky breath, "Aang." It comes out all broken which embarrasses me even more.

"Katara, how are you holding up?"

I decided to be at least a little honest, "Bad… Listen, can you please come over? I really need a friend. Please."

"Of course, I'll be there soon. Do you need anything?"

"Just you." I blush at that statement.

He pauses for a moment before saying, "Okay, I'm on my way."

He arrived soon after, I wasn't nervous or excited. I just needed a hug. He knocked on my door. I hesitated to open it.

"Sokka isn't here with me." I heard him say on the other side of the door.

As if it were a passcode needed to get in, I opened the door for him. I basically pounced on him and proceeded to jump in his arms. I sobbed into his shoulder. I wouldn't even do this with my brother but in Aang's warmth… I can't explain it but I just feel so safe. He kissed my forehead and murmured words of comfort into my ear. Under regular circumstances, I would have shivered in delight. Today though, it just made me sob more.

After 10 or so minutes, I stopped crying. I look up at him and he wipes the tears off my cheeks with his thumb. I look down at his shoulder to see it wet with my tears. I blush in embarrassment, "Sorry about that… heh."

He smiles, "It's ok. How are you feeling now?"

"Sad… but I'll manage."

"That's all I need to hear. I'm sorry about your mother. I know you cared for her a lot and it's never easy to lose someone as close to you as your own mom. Just know how much she loves you. She did that for you. Even though it might sadden you, your mother was amazingly brave. I can see where you got that from."

I blush again, "I'm not brave."

"I beg to differ."

We sit in a moment of silence. I ponder over what he says. I am brave. I can do this. I take a deep breath and say, "Thank you for coming here. I really needed a friend. I don't know how I could repay you."

"You don't have to." He says as he looks into my eyes, "It was my pleasure."

"Still…" I take another breath, "How about this? I'll take you out on a date."

He looks stunned. It is silent for a few seconds and I start to worry but before I can coward out and take it back, he says, "Ok but really, it should be me taking you out."

After we asked each other out, we started talking more about that. I didn't admit my feelings for him but we did plan out the date. I don't think I've ever blushed more in my entire life. We set the date for tomorrow night. Before he left, I gave him a kiss on the cheek and another thank you for comforting me. It was 1am and I finally left my room.

"He seems nice." I look for the voice who just spoke. In the living room was sitting my brother and my two best friends.

"When were you going to call us?" Asked Toph in a rather serious manner.

I look down and sigh, "I was having a hard time and I really didn't feel like explaining it to you guys who, by the way, had no idea what was going on."

"That's still no excuse! We are your best friends, he is your brother, and you instead decide to tell a stranger to come over and comfort you!" Exclaimed Suki.

"He isn't a stranger! Plus, he was the one who told me the truth about mom-" I accidentally spoke too much. Oh shit.

"What's the truth about mom?" Sokka questioned suspiciously.

"N-nothing…" I stuttered. I've never been a good liar, especially around the people closest to me.

"Katara… tell me!" He insisted.

"Fine! Mom was killed! I was right, it wasn't an accident. She was killed." Again, for the billionth time today, my eyes fill with tears as I see Sokka's demeanor sadden. I really didn't want to tell him yet. I didn't wanna see that pain in his eyes.

"What…?" He barely croaked out. Tears were beginning to stream down his face.

"Sokka… mom was murdered. The people who came that day… they came for her. They were looking for the last waterbender-"

"You..." He quietly states.

"Yes, me. But they killed her instead. I guessed the rest so I believe you can too."

Suki ran up to him to comfort her boyfriend who looked like he was going to break down.

"I'm sorry." I walked up to him. Suki steps away in order to give us space. "I'm so so sorry." I hug Sokka who is still frozen in place.

After letting Sokka's brain process this new and sad information, I stay with the girls. I apologize to them telling them how sorry I was for not confiding in either of them first. They forgive me after realizing the huge crush I have on him.

"See! That makes more sense. You really like him!" Toph teases.

"You asked him out?! Omg, he said yes?! I'm so excited! When is it?"

I should've known that they would react like this. Some things are just better kept quiet. "Well, we basically asked each other out. And it's tomorrow night."

The Next Day…

Toph and Suki helped me pick out a dress. We decided that I should wear a navy blue skater dress and my mom's pearl necklace. I feel very nervous but really excited. If this date goes well, I can try asking him to be my boyfriend. Suki and Toph think that asking him first was a smart move. He doesn't seem like a sexist creep, thank the spirits, so he wouldn't be too bent over on traditions and regulations.

Aang and I decided to meet at a restaurant down the street at 6pm. I started getting into my car since there were 10 minutes left. I usually don't have sex on the first date so I didn't need to get ready yet in those other ways. I started the car and drove down the street, finding the restaurant. It was called Kyoshi Islanders. It apparently sells culture food that originated from the actual Kyoshi Island. I've heard it's really good and luxurious. I waited there for a while until I saw his gray eyes in the crowd. Our eyes met and he walked over to me.

"Hey!" I wave over to him for some reason. 'Hey.' Really? Hey? I inwardly groan at how awkward I sounded. He didn't seem to notice, thankfully.

"Hey, you look… wow, really beautiful." He mentions while blushing. I blush as well at his compliment.

"Thanks," I smiled trying to cover my blush. "Should we go inside?"

We walk inside and ask the hostess for a table. She walks us over to a table for 2 next to the window looking out into the city. We both sit down to look at our menus.

"Hmm, there are so many options. I don't know what to get." Aang says while looking at his menu.

I agree with him, "Right. I can't even narrow down the options."

Out of the blue, Aang put down his menu and looked instantly into my eyes. I notice that and stare back at him. It wasn't a loving stare, dare I say. It was more of a concerned look.

I stay silent thinking that maybe he would say something but he doesn't. I clear my throat not once, but twice to finally capture his attention. He snaps out of his train of thought, "Oh uh, I'm sorry." He looks like he is about to continue so I stay silent. "It's just that… look, are you sure you're okay?"

I look down. I already knew this question would have to manifest itself sooner rather than later. "Yeah, I'm… dealing. Can't say that I am okay but I know that it will get better."

He seems to reflect on what I just said but eventually added, "That's good. Just know that I'm here if you ever need a shoulder or just someone to talk to."

I give him a smile of my appreciation, "Thank you. Anyways, do you know what you're going to order?"

He then remembers we're in a restaurant and continues to quickly browse his menu in search for a meal that catches his eye, or his stomach in this particular case.

An hour later...

Aang and I just finished eating. We talked about the most randomest things while we anticipated our food, while we were eating, and after we finished. It wasn't awkward at all. It was just two friends eating, not knowing about the feelings they're keeping from each other. It was comforting, fun, and platonic… for the moment at least.

"Ok well… I have to ask." He starts.

I start to panic a bit but I make sure not to show it, "What's up?" I say in my bravest voice possible.

"Why did you ask me out?" He said as his face flushed. My face started getting extremely hot that I felt like I was literally about to sweat.

"Well… do you want to know the truth?" I said while mustering up all the courage I could find within my soul. He nods. "Are you sure?" He looks confused for a second but then nods his head in agreement. "...I like you." I say as I feel my face turn into a tomato. I could quite feel the color of my face without actually looking into the mirror.

His face starts to complement the color of mine. Before he even gets the chance to say something, "Look, I know it's a bit early. We just met last week but… this makes me happy. You make me happy. I've been interested in you for a while actually. And, I just wish we could be more than just friends and companions. Again, this is a total cliché but-"

"I like you too."

I take a second to ponder what he just said. I smile so wide because that's just how happy I felt. "Ok, so we are officially a cliche."

"Pretty much."

I stare into his eyes, drawn to his aura. Damn it, I really want to kiss him. But, I decide not to until we figure out what we actually are. Yeah, I can't wait much longer, "So… what does this mean for us?"

He hides his smile behind his hand. "Do I really have to say it?"

I giggle trying not to lose control, "Yes, you actually do." I never giggle. What is going on?

"Katara…" He says in a husky voice that sends heat to my center almost immediately. Not now Katara! This is not the time. He continues, "Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

This time, I cannot hold back my wide smile as much as I wanted to. Spirits, how I must have looked ridiculous! I hate not being in control… but I also love it. "Can you guess my answer?" He looks torn between yes or a no. So, I decided to answer it for him. I grab the collar of his orange dress shirt or whatever you call that and I put my face so close to his that I can feel his breath and his heart pumping loudly and rapidly. "Yes." I whisper softly as I slowly close my eyes. I then close the space between our lips. At first, he doesn't seem to move his lips. Almost as if he is trying to savor the mere contact. Aang's lips start to move along with mine shortly after the moment of pause. I've never acted so brave with a guy I liked so the adrenaline running through my veins seemed exhausting. But I didn't care. Our kiss felt majestic and magical. I don't even believe in magic. The way our lips moved in harmony. The kiss was fervent, not chaste, but not innocent either. I obviously wanted to continue but we were in a public restaurant. Much to my dismay, I was also running out of air. I thought the same of Aang. Thankfully, we both pulled away at the same time.

"Wow." We both sighed in relief.

"Ok so now I know that I definitely want to be your girlfriend if you can kiss like that." I say in amazement.

He chucked, "Why thank you. You weren't bad yourself."

"Not only that but you are a good person Aang. You decided to help me in a time of need. I admire that."

"Of course, again, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you know that what happened wasn't your fault at all. Your mother chose to protect because she saw that her daughter was worth saving. She saw how her special and beautiful little girl should continue on her journey, even if it meant not living to see it. Grief is good. It's a humanly feeling that everybody feels. It means we loved the person we lost as much as they loved us."

I shed a small tear. Aang truly has a way with words. I was completely moved. I lean in and give him a quick peck on his lips, "Thank you, Aang. What my mother did was heroic. Lying to soldiers, saying that she was the last waterbender, must have taken all her strength. I wish one day that I could be just as courageous as her. How did you know that I felt guilty?"

He looks down sadly, "Because I've been there a long time ago."

"I'm sorry for your loss or losses too, Aang."

He smiles gently and looks like he is going to say something but someone interrupts us. A strange man comes up to us. He has shaggy dark hair, a scar on one side of his face, and these piercing gold eyes. He drops a note on the table and nods just as he leaves.

"Oh no! Not the bill!" He laughs. I pick up the note and read it. My face must have had confused features because Aang notices something is wrong. "Katara… what's wrong? What does the note say?"

I take a deep breath and look back up at him. I read aloud the note:

"Hello. I am sorry for eavesdropping but something you said caught my attention. You and your friend were talking about "the last waterbender." I think I know which event you were talking about. I think I know the details. Meet me at Avatars Park. I'll explain there if you two are up for it. Tell no one else."

Aang and I look quizzically at each other. He holds his forehead before saying, "That was… strange but awfully convenient. It's your choice, Katara. I'll support no matter what you choose."

I look back at the notes as if there were anything I must have missed, "I have a feeling that we should take a look at this lead. If we feel uncomfortable, we can simply just leave. Would you want to go with me?"

"Of course I'll go with you… right after we pay." He jokes. I laugh as we call for a waiter to bring us the bill.

After leaving the restaurant, Aang and I walked towards the park. I felt very nervous because going to meet a complete stranger can end in many different outcomes. I just pray that it's a good one.

We finally arrive at Avatars Park. It's 11pm by now so it was really dark. The only things lighting up our way were the building lights, the moonlight, the glowing stars of the night sky, and the park light posts. We look around for this mysterious stranger.

"Katara… look, I think I found our guy." Aang points out to a dark figure in the distance looking out towards the pond. Aang looks back at me as if he were looking for my reassurance. I nod at him and we quietly start to walk towards the tall silhouette of a man. We arrive next to him.

"It's about time." He says.

"Sir, it's only been half an hour… what's your name?" I ask.

"Why do you want to know?" He says pretty annoyed.

"Well it's creepy enough that we are talking to stranger in the middle of the night in a vacant park. We might as well know your name." I snap back getting annoyed. Aang seems to sense that so when puts a hand on my shoulder to calm me down.

"Zuko."

"Ok… Zuko? I'm Katara and this is Aang. Why did you want us hear again?"

"I have information that may interest you." He says while keeping his eyes on the reflection of the moon that lands beautifully on the crystal water of the pond.

"What is it?" Aang asks curiously.

"Long ago, the Fire Lord was good friends with Avatar Roku. They spent almost all their time together. One day, Fire Lord Sozin suggested that they expand their nation. Roku denied his request knowing how much chaos it would unleash into the world. Sozin went ahead and did it anyways in secret. Years later, Roku found out and was so angry that he threatened the former Fire Lord. They didn't speak for years."

Zuko sighed before continuing his story, "One day, Roku's home village was in danger. The volcano that inhabited the land was erupting and it was going to destroy the entire village. The Avatar fought so hard to save his home but he just couldn't. Out of nowhere, Sozin appeared to help his old friend. At the end, Roku needed his help but Sozin refused. He realized that with the Avatar dead, all of his plans would become reality. So he let him die." Katara gasped at that. Zuko shook his head but kept retelling the story, "After the Fire Nation, the Avatar would be reborn into the Air Nation. So all the air nomads were massacred."

Aang's face saddened and so did Zuko's. He cleared his throat and said a very important piece of the puzzle I have been trying to crack for years, "After the Air nation, the Avatar would have to be reborn into the Water Tribes. So all of the waterbenders of the South were taken away and eventually killed. Years after thinking that the South had no more waterbenders left, they heard a rumor of a new one. So, a fleet of Fire Nation troops came back and killed who they presumed was the last remaining waterbender."