Save Your Tears No Longer - Alternate Ending:

Before Sokka and Suki found me, before my eyes closed for what felt like the last time, from the corner of my eye, I saw what appeared to be an air nomad gazing down at me. Distraught, tear-filled, silver eyes bore into mine – I smiled.

I could've been insane – the loss of the blood that was pouring out of my head as a result of my attempted and half-successful suicide may have been the catalyst for this phantom, but I smiled nonetheless, because he looked like my Aang. A bit younger, maybe a year or two, but he was Aang, nonetheless.

There also seemed to be a tall man with white hair and a white beard dressed in crimson, red Fire Nation robes behind him – akin to the ones I wore during my time in the Fire Nation, although partially ancient – his hand rested on Aang's shoulder while Aang cried his eyes out. The tears almost left my eyes too – I could never bear the sight of Aang' crying, until I heard him whisper my name:

"Katara?"

I smiled again – I always loved the way he said my name. Albeit this time his voice was laced with fear and pain, it still soothed me; even in death, Aang – whether it be him in spirit form or simply a figment of my imagination – was always there for me.

"Roku! We have to help her!"

Sokka and Suki had arrived by now, I heard them screaming my name, though, they didn't seem to notice Aang or the man who I now recall being Avatar Roku standing beside them at all.

'Huh. Maybe only the dead can see the spirits of past Avatars' – I thought.

But that couldn't be right; despite my momentary visit to the spirit world, Aang had informed me that I still hadn't died; my spirit was still fight, the life in it unyielding even to my own desire to be with the man I loved. So, exactly what was going on here? This wasn't my Aang, for he was older and in the spirit world at the current moment, so who was he? And what is he doing here with Avatar Roku of all people?

"Why is she – what is the meaning of this Roku?! Why are we here?! Why can't I save her?!"

"All will be explained in time, Aang."

That was the last thing I heard before I slipped into unconsciousness – the yells of Sokka, cries of Suki, and protests of Aang echoed down the well as I felt my life slipping away once again.

XOXOXOXOXOX

"What do mean it'll be expl- wait, where are we now? What's going on?"

The voice jostled me out of my sleep. Normally, I would've been irritated, but it didn't matter this time… it wouldn't last. And soon, very soon, I'd be asleep forever, and while I sleep here, there… I'd finally be in his arms once again.

I glanced up from the hospital bed, determined to find the origin of that voice, forgetting that there was a man seated beside me, holding onto my hand.

It had been years since I last heard that voice again… too many.

After my recovery all those years ago, I spent months upon months tracking down the men who had murdered my beloved – I wasn't alone. Although I really wanted to kill them, I knew deep down that it was wrong to seek revenge – plus, in my heart, I knew Aang was observing us, and I didn't want him to be disappointed in me. Not after everything we've been through. Plus, since he was gone, someone who knew him had to keep his beliefs alive. I knew he had formed the Air Acolytes for that exact reason, but they didn't know him as I did – they didn't know how deeply he cared for his beliefs, ideology and his people… I did. And, if I was honest, following in his footsteps along with the Air Acolytes made me feel somewhat closer to him; as if his own spirit was now linked with my own – a red thread connecting us through distant realms, worlds and realities – tangling and stretching, but never breaking. I understood that he wouldn't want me to sacrifice my own culture and heritage for his own, he probably wouldn't allow it if he was alive, but I didn't care. I wanted to. And no one was going to stop me. I was still a Southern Water Tribe girl at heart, but I was an Air Nomad even more so in spirit. Either way, after months of tracking, searching and fighting, I – along with a friend of mine – brought justice to the assassins who took the Avatar's life, and the world rejoiced as they'd rot in prison for the remainder of their miserable lives.

The world rejoiced, I didn't. The day I died, went to the spirit world to reconnect with my love but was sent back, I had felt something tear within me. Almost as if a hole had punctured my heart and my life force was slowly bleeding out. Every intake of breath reminded me that the next intake was a gift; a second chance Aang had given me, to live my life to the fullest and to accomplish all I could before my time was up. Even though I wanted to return to him as soon as possible, I also wanted the world to remember him, to never forget the great Avatar Aang: saviour of the world and hero of the 100-year war. I helped build Air Temple Island in Republic City and resided there along with many other Air Acolytes. Together, we salvaged what we could of the Air Nation and after the day of Harmonic Convergence, we did all we could to help the new airbenders master airbending and its spirit.

Since I had lived almost half my life with him, I did my best to transfer my knowledge of Aang's airbending techniques onto scrolls that Avatar Korra and the new airbenders utilised. No one had become a master by the time I was laying on my death bed, but some of them were well on their way to. Many of the Air Acolytes in fact had been gifted with airbending, so, using their years of practiced and perfected meditation, they were able to elevate their own spirituality and help train Avatar Korra while also becoming great airbenders and soon masters while doing so.

By the time Avatar Korra was ready to be trained in airbending, I was already a brittle old woman. I was her waterbending master, and despite the amount of love I held for her – that same crooked smile and playful nature that reminded me of him – I still couldn't help but feel a tinge of pain and resentment during her birthday. The day she was born, was the same day I had lost the most important person in my life. I never held it against her, or him, and I never allowed my feelings to ruin our lovely relationship – but now was not the time to think of such things; I was returning home, into the arms of my beloved.

After Korra had opened the spirit portals, I desperately wanted to make the journey through so I could visit Aang, but every healer had told me that my body, now in its weakened state, wouldn't be able to handle the transition – and despite telling them they were wrong, I knew it too.

So, I waited patiently, and now here I was.

"Avatar Roku, is that – is that Katara?"

There it was again… that voice.

As I turned my head, I saw the same Aang I had seen that night; staring at me worriedly while I laid in the bottom of that well – broken and bleeding out. I realised that night, that although he was Aang, he was not my Aang. My Aang was in the spirit world, waiting for me, so either I only see this version of Aang when I'm playing tug of war with my life, or some other spiritual mumbo jumbo is going on that I'm unaware of. If Korra was here, she could probably deliver some answers. But she got called away – something about a bald rogue airbender and the red lotus trying to capture or terminate the Earth Queen and herself.

"Indeed. young Avatar," I heard Roku answer, "That is Master Katara."

"She's umm, she looks a bit… different."

I rolled my eyes – he didn't want to call me old, but he could've worded that differently. Wait – did he know I could hear and see him?

"How do you mean Aang?" Roku asked teasingly, while Aang gulped as he glanced at me cautiously, hoping I was still asleep.

"Ummm…" He rubbed his neck, even at the age of what appeared to be seventeen, he still looked dashingly adorable while doing it. "I think she… uhhh… did she get… uhhh… a new… haircut?"

Really Aang?

I heard Roku chuckle before Aang once again piped up – though I blocked them both out. As my breathing became much shallower, and the remaining life force within me was drained, I tried to glance around to see whether my friends were around, momentarily forgetting that they had already passed on. It was until I felt Zuko grip my hand tighter beside me that I realised I still had one friend here.

"Its okay, Katara," he spoke softly. "Just a while longer, and you can finally rest," he said, "you're going home now. To Sokka, Toph, Suki, your father and mother, your Gran Gran…" Although his words were reassuring, I wasn't in the least bit worried. Despite our history, not Zuko nor I ever held a grudge, and as we grew older, we both made a promise that we'd be there for one another when it was our time; our friends had all passed on, so it was the least we could do. Zuko had told me that when he travelled to the spirit world after his uncle Iroh's passing, that he had met with Aang. And after a tearful reunion, Aang had made him promise to stay by my side whenever I needed someone and to never forget that he still had his friends to count on. After that, whenever I or Sokka or Toph or Suki needed anything at all, Zuko would be there to provide.

So, needless to say, there was no bitterness between us. In fact, our friendship was only strengthened when we toured together to avenge Aang. Yes, his death had affected Zuko more than we originally thought, and it was actually Zuko who came to us with a proposition to search the world for Aang's killers. I had already made plans on doing so, so I was all in, needless to say.

Either way, we were friends again, and he was by my side now, as I took my final breath. "You're going home Katara," he repeated, "you're going back to him."

As the darkness cascaded me, I unknowingly smiled – the reassurance of returning to my beloved once again heightened my spirit.

"Roku! She's dying! I can feel her spirit leaving! We have to help her!"

"No Aang, its her time now." I heard Roku state, though, their voices were somewhat muffled as was Zuko's – probably due to my fleeting heartbeat. "She's been waiting for this moment for years. Let her have her peace."

Darkness was all I could sense now – I didn't mind it; I knew who was waiting for me on the other side.

Once again, as I opened my eyes, I woke to the sight of pure white until my eyes adjusted to the brightness to reveal an open hillside area. Layers upon layers of green were spread across the hill and as I began walking up, I caught a glimpse of a large bonsai tree, painted with purple, pink and red flowers, hovering over a pond. Beneath the tree, was a bald man with blue tattoos wearing the same orange and red robes my beloved donned with pride.

With my pace now quickening as I ran up the hill, I glanced down to realise that instead of entering the spirit world as the old woman I was, I was now my young 25-year-old self – when I had hit my peak. And as I neared the pond, I realised that the Air Nomad awaiting me was also my Aang, except, he too seemed older, maybe 24 – either way, he was just as handsome and dashing as ever, if not more.

Tears poured down my face as I ran towards him – the corners of his lips twirled upwards when I yelled his name.

"Aang!"

I saw him open his eyes, those silver orbs gazing into mine with unshed tears as he stood up and held his arms out. Laughing gleefully, I leapt into his arms, knocking us both backwards as we fell, laughing onto the grassy floor beneath us.

"I missed you Katara," Aang cooed, sighing deeply while his head was dug into my neck.

"Aang…" I whispered, digging my head deeper into the crook of his neck while I laid atop him, embracing him tightly – fearing that if my grip faltered even slightly then he'd slip away and leave me again. "I missed you too sweetie… so much."

I thought he'd choke up and pull away to kiss me, tears streaming down his face at my admission of love through the pet name I used, but instead, all I heard was him chuckling as he pulled away.

"Sweetie?" He asked teasingly, raising his eyebrow while I blushed in embarrassment.

That is, before I groaned and slapped his shoulder playfully, "Thanks for ruining the mood, airhead," I retorted, crossing my arms in defiance as I sat up and glanced away.

I knew he was grinning when he sat up and embraced me again – he was trying to coax me back into out previous state, but I wasn't going to give in that easily. "C'mon, Katara," he whispered huskily by my ear, his hot breath causing pleasant shivers to reverberate down my back. "I'm sorry," he apologised, though, I still didn't relent. "I was just surprised, and slightly amused."

When I caught the sight of his smirk from the corner of my eye, I huffed again and glanced away further, thus unknowingly opening up my neck for him to use as a weapon against me.

Sighing deeply, I felt him lean in as he nuzzled my neck, his warmth enveloping me as I too sighed and unknowingly unfolded my arms to instead have them wrapped around him. "I'm glad that you're here," he cooed, kissing my neck softly and trailing upwards towards my jaw while I gasped and trailed my nails down his neck, tracing his arrow while doing so. "I've waited so long…"

"Me too," I stated, breathing heavily as I rolled my head to allow him further access to my neck, "I've been waiting half my – Ohhh – half my life to – Oh Aang – be with you again." I was trying to convey my yearning for him, but when he found a soft spot on my neck and sucked on it, it became increasingly difficult to do so. "I love you so much Aang."

"I love you too…" He pulled away and grinned at me, "…sweetie."

I instantly attacked his lips, smiling into the kiss as we both laughed when we fell back onto the grassy land underneath us. When my tongue met his, we both moaned in delight, rolling around as we passionately touched, kissed and pulled each other closer – years of pent-up frustration and passion spilling out in this one long awaited moment. Sometimes I was on top, other times he was pressing down into me deliciously – either way, our reunion was exactly how I envisioned it would be.

He was on top of me now, propping himself up on one elbow, his hand tangled in my hair while his other hand cupped my thigh and hooked it around his mid-section.

"Someone's eager," I teased, giggling before he attacked my lips enthusiastically.

"Well, I have waited for over half my life to share this moment with you," he stated as he pulled away, that devious smirk tugging at his lips all while he spoke, communicating to me that he was now playing games. "But…" he pulled away further, keeping me at arm's length when I tried to kiss him again, which I was thus unable to do, "If you reckon I should be more patient then – "

"Don't you dare." I warned him as I fisted the front of his monk robes and pulled him back towards me roughly, "You know I was just teasing!" I replied, getting annoyed when his grin didn't disappear, "I have waited just as long for this as you have, Aang."

"Then let's not keep you waiting," he suggested as he leaned back down completely and attacked my neck, sucking and biting on all the right spots as I moaned in delight, my arms immediately wrapping around him and my hips rocking against his, which then caused the both of us to groan and repeat the action.

"Uhhh… Roku, do we really need to be here? Cause I think we should give them some privacy."

"No, you're right. I – we should – I'll take you back to your reality and explain everything there."

I ignored the voices in the distance as Aang's lips found my collarbone, sucking gently when a sudden thought occurred to me. "Where's everyone else?" I asked.

Almost as if realising something, Aang found his way back to my eyes as he stared at me cautiously. "I forgot to tell you; they moved on."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "What do you mean they 'moved on'?"

"They moved on to the next life, just like we will shortly after."

I sat up immediately, sitting on my knees as I gazed into his eyes, worried and still confused. "What 'next life'? I thought we'd all just remain here after death. Isn't that how its supposed to be?"

He shook his head and took both of my hands into his, "Originally, I thought so too. But that's not how it works."

"Then… how does it work?"

"Well, I still don't know the full details as it's a complex system, so bear with me?" He asked pleadingly, rubbing the back of his neck nervously while I simply smiled and leaned up to peck him on the lips, thus causing him to blush. As I nodded, he cleared his throat and shook his blush away before he elaborated. "So, from what I know, when we pass away, we enter the spirit world for a while before we eventually move on to another life. In another world. Another realm. Another reality."

"Another… world? As in, there's more than one?"

He nodded, stroking my hand soothingly with the pad of his thumb while his gaze remained locked with mine, "There are other worlds… we move on and are born once again into those worlds. Normally, human spirits are only allowed to wait a for a brief moment in the spirit world before they're sent off – the Avatar spirit can choose to prolong they're stay for a while… and I didn't want to leave you behind, so I remained." He brought on of my hands up to his lips and kissed each of my knuckles as he spoke, "I wanted us to go together."

I stared at him, eyes watering and smiling sadly yet lovingly while he wiped my tears away, "You – you w-waited for me? For so long?"

He sighed as he leaned in, resting his forehead against mine intimately while we both closed our eyes, "I'd wait an eternity for you Katara…"

"Why?" I asked stupidly, "I don't deserve it… I don't deserve you."

I knew he loved me more than anything else in the world, but I still felt unworthy of it, especially after all the drama and unnecessary heartbreak I caused – which really only was a waste of our time as if I hadn't allowed my fear to overpower my life, we would've spent our life together instead of apart, loving each other.

"Because I love you, Katara," he answered, kissing my forehead softly while he once again wiped the endless streams of tears away from my face. "I'd forgive you for anything, and you've suffered just as much as I have, yet… you remained strong. You lived the rest of your life, founded Republic City, built Air Temple Island, trained Avatar Korra and helped train the new airbenders. You brought my culture back, my people –"

"You give me too much credit," I interrupted him, chuckling as I felt him shake his head in defiance against my forehead.

"No, Katara, if anything… I don't give you enough." Not long after, Aang's own face was soaked with his own tears, and I tried to wipe them away with trembling hands when he gazed into my sapphire orbs. "You have done so much Katara, for the world… for me. You deserve everything, and don't ever think otherwise."

I chuckled in happiness before I kissed him again, our tears were mixed into the kiss but we didn't care; we kissed passionately before I pulled away ever so slightly to whisper against his lips, "I love you Aang."

"I know; you told me so a few minutes ago," he grinned – I slapped his shoulder playfully and he laughed before silencing me with another kiss which I sighed into, relishing in the taste I had yearned for, for half my life. "I love you too, Katara," he murmured against my lips before I roughly pulled him back again.

For a third time, we fell onto our backs and ended up rolling around the ground again, squirming and entangling our limbs together while making out. This time, I was on top, tracing his sharp jawline, and kissing him passionately while he caressed my hips.

"You said that we would have to leave?" I asked when I pulled away, breathing heavily while my hand trailed down his neck and onto his chest, caressing the strong muscles there while he nodded in confirmation. "How long do we have?" I asked again pleadingly, hoping he would say we had enough time to finish what we started.

He must've noticed the look in my eye and the hope in my tone because he chuckled for a brief moment before he dragged my lips back to his, kissing me senseless for a while.

"Don't worry," he whispered as he once again trailed kisses down my neck, sucking softly while I moaned in delight when his hands travelled south and cupped my ass cheeks, kneading and squeezing them roughly which cause an insatiable heat to pool between my legs as I grinded against him harder. "We have all the time in the world."

"I don't want to leave though Aang," I whispered hoarsely, dragging his face back to mine so I could gaze into his cloudy eyes again. "I don't want to leave… what if we're not together – what if we don't – "

He cut me off by kissing me again, albeit rather briefly – I felt my worries melt away when our tongues met. "We'll always find our way back to each other, Katara," he whispered against my lips, "no matter what world, no matter what reality, no matter what life… I'll always find my way back to you."

"You better," I warned teasingly, "now… where were we?" My smirk was lost in another kiss we shared as we began tearing our clothes away, finally relishing in the pleasure and love we had yearned for ever since we were teenagers.

XOXOXOXOXOX

I groaned as I made my way over to the restaurant – I had just finished studying for my exam, though, I had to rush since Mai had practically thrown me out of my room; claiming I would miss the 'future hubby' I was looking for if I didn't get there in time. Even though I was reluctant at first, when Mai described him, I couldn't help but be hopeful and wonder if this truly was the boy I had been searching for all my life.

From Mai's description, he was kind, compassionate, confident, sweet, a bit of a flirt, handsome, tall, a gentleman and quite conversational – yeah, after that description, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. So, I called Ty Lee and asked if she would cancel on the dates my brother had set up so I could meet this 'Aang' boy and see for myself if he was the 'future hubby' I had been sear-

Wait a minute – I sighed as I realised that Mai had been teasing me all along; I never referred to my future soulmate as my 'future hubby', that was just her way to tease me instead of straight out calling me stupid and delirious. So, while I was fussing over this boy, she was practically mocking me shamelessly, right to my face, and I had no clue at all. Though, if what she was saying was true, she'd have to eat her words as this boy sounded perfect.

Though, even if he wasn't the one, then at least I could tease Sokka and his friends or 20 minutes. Sokka always kept me away from his friend group, something about me being too embarrassing or something – I didn't mind because I kept him away from mine for the same reason. Now however, I was giddy like a school girl; relishing in the idea that I had the opportunity to crash one of his YouTube videos, interrupt the speed dates, and tease him and his mates while also possibly meeting a boy who Mai claimed to be the perfect match for me.

Checking my make-up real quick as I neared the restaurant/café, I went to push open the door only to find that a tall, handsome, cute guy had already held it open for me. I smiled as I entered – he was generous and a gentleman. Could this be the 'Aang' Mai was talking about? He did have blue tattoos…. 'Maybe this is him!'

"Hi there, gorgeous," he cooed, waving his hand while I smiled at him.

I couldn't help myself as I gave him a one over – I was certainly impressed by what I saw. He was well built; lean and muscular, but not too muscular, which I liked. His skin was cream-fair, his chestnut hair was fluffy, and he had light-blue tattooed arrows snaking around his limbs – they looked so sexy. He wore a white polo shirt, a beaded Air Nomad necklace around his neck, light blue ripped jeans, and a pair of white Nike air forces, similar to mine. I blushed slightly as I thought he had caught me checking him out when he continued smiling at me. So, to hide my embarrassment, I leaned in to hug him….

That's a lie; I just really wanted to hug him, though, I guess I am an affectionate person.

Nope, now I'm just making excuses for myself.

"Hi," I greeted back as I wrapped my arms around him, sighing softly when his arms encircled mine too – he was warm, comfortingly warm. I felt as if I could melt into him. But we both knew we couldn't keep it up as we pulled away rather reluctantly – though, the both of us were still smiling.

"Sorry," he suddenly stated while pulling back.

I stared at him, confused, "For what?"

When he smiled goofily, I couldn't help but giggle; it was similar to the smile Mai had described I would fall in love with – now that I've seen it, I don't think there's a way I can't fall in love with it.

"I was supposed to wait my turn for my date," he stated, his goofy smile now transforming into a smirk as he spoke huskily, thus causing me to shiver with anticipation – even his voice was sexy. "But when I saw an angel approaching the restaurant, I just knew I had to receive her in person."

'Damn, he's good… and doesn't like to waste time at all' – I thought as I dipped my head slightly to hide my blush and smile. Mai had informed me that this 'Aang' character was sweet and an amazing flirt, almost as good as me, and I couldn't help but wonder if this truly was him.

'Aang' – I didn't know yet if it even was him, but as we made our way to the table to begin out speed date, shamelessly flirting while doing so, I couldn't help but feel my spirit yearning for his touch, to be as close to him as possible. Almost as if our spirits had been separated star-crossed lovers from another world and were now here, searching for the other hopelessly, looking to find solace in a love we once shared and yearned to lose ourselves in once again.

'Aang' – it was his name, and despite only learning of it a few minutes ago… despite only knowing him for merely two minutes now… as we continued flirting and he sang a Chris Brown song for me, I felt like I had known him for a millennium already. As if a 1000 years ago, he had been stuck in an iceberg, patiently waiting for me to find him. The feeling was odd, scary even, but when I felt a comfort in his arms, a comfort that seemed to be as old and powerful as the world itself, I couldn't help but lose myself in it… in him.

For some reason, I had a sudden urge to cry – his arms wrapped around me as we embraced once more when the date ended – the action was new, but somehow still oddly familiar. The tears threatened to leave my eyes, but I didn't allow them. Either way, they weren't of sadness; they were of a soul that had been separated from its partner after already going through hell and was now relishing being in the arms of their lover once again – it didn't want to let go, so neither did I.

I wanted to save these tears for another day, but in his arms, I felt like I had to save them no longer… because they told me I had found him, my Aang.

And this time, everything would be alright… though even if it wouldn't, then I knew; we'd always find our way back to each other anyways.

XOXOXOXOXOX

Author's Note: (THIS IS IMPORTANT) Okay, so, unless if you've read my other stories – specifically Until I Bleed You Out, then this chapter will likely confuse you. Simply put, everything will be explained in the next chapter of Until I Bleed You Out, and if you still haven't figured it out by then, then I'll explain it in your reviews. Now, if you have read the Speed Dating series in my Kataang short stories book then you've probably figured out what's going on – so congrats. But either way, just know that this isn't the official ending for SYTFAD, but this is the alternate ending; where Katara returns to Aang in the spirit world, and they move on.

If you guys are still confused, leave a review and I'll get back to you all, but If you've seen movies like Inception or know of the Multiple Earths Theory, then you likely know what's up. Still, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

Hopefully this makes up for the depressing ending I sprung on you guys in this book. I'm still not sorry for that btw :)