Okies, as I promised this chapter would be better. My prologues suck so hope this will hook ya.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of Avatar and never will. GAH! Gimme Avatar!
Chapter One: Tears
"Why?" Sokka sat with his eyes closed, feeling the charred remains of his village with slide through his gentle hands as he picked up the ground over and over. He couldn't force himself to look up. On the other side of him Katara was crying loudly into Aang's shoulder. He could feel her wet tears stain the ground next to him.
He knew the Fire Nation had done this, the Fire Nation had killed his people. He could see a few tents that had survived, yet still battered and beat. Sokka opened his eyes lightly for a second and a wet tear slid down his cheek. He took his hand and caught it before it hit. The warriors face was blank with sadness. His people, his home. Gone. He looked up. Nothing but smoke, smoke and fire. All there was left. Everything, gone. Nothing, a blank emptiness settled into his heart. He seemed to be seeing this through some one else's eyes, not his own. Everything seemed so unreal, so unbearable, so impossible. But he knew it was true. He couldn't stop this. It was done, he wasn't there in time. And to believe just a minute ago he was laughing with his friends about how great it would be to see his family.
Gone.
Alone.
Afraid.
Helpless.
Sokka closed his eyes again and a few more tears escaped, brushing down his face.
Gone.
No more.
Empty.
Blank.
Without.
Sokka's dread spread like a wave, going deeper into his body. Everyone he loved, gone. His sister and him were alone in this world. For once, he knew how Aang felt as he discovered all of the Air Nation gone. But nothing could describe this.
Gone.
Sokka stood up with a shaky attempt. He could barely feel his dull finger tips. So far, but so close to him. So empty, but so full. His body trembled with each painful step he took. He didn't notice the others watching him. Sokka realized with some faith his tent had survived. He crouched inside it. It smelt of flames. He kneeled down before the burnt carving of his mother he had made so many years ago. A chant escaped his mouth and traveled with the wind through camp.
"A silent wave,
Crashes upon shore,
Unheard and unseen,
The sea tremors in fear,
Fire has vanquished,
The flame has lit."
Sokka raised his head to his mother. He took some soft snow and lightly sprinkled it to let the flames die off.
From the other side of camp Katara and Aang stood stunned. They had never seen Sokka like this. He never had cried before. He never had mourned before. He never had sung before. They let his voice sail into their ears. Katara was comforted.
The wind rustled in the cold Artic. Nothing was heard. Nothing was to be heard. Everything was gone.
"Mother, why have you left me?" Sokka questioned the carving. He had always been close to her, but she had never abandoned him. "Why did you let this happen?"
A soft voice whisper echoed through the tent.
"Be brave Sokka, you alone can save the tribe."
Sokka looked around in disbelievingly. The voice continued slowly, and Sokka bowed to his mothers spirit.
"The tribe lives on. You must be brave. Be brave for your tribe. Be brave for our tribe."
The voice's echo left the room. Sokka glanced up. A glimmer of faith shined in his heart. He knew what he had to do. A little easier he stood up and left his room. Katara was still crying. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently.
"Katara, we can still save them."
Katara glanced away, not believing her brother.
"But their dead…" She murmured.
"No, their alive." Sokka reassured her.
Katara was sure her brother had gone crazy from this stress. The tribe was obviously dead.
"Katara, why would I lie?"
Aang stood in silence, knowing it was not his time to butt in.
Sokka squeezed her hand again gently.
"There is still a chance Katara."
(THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS)
(gah, stupid thing wont post lines.)
Heh, gotta leave ya hangin. Please review, I really appreciate it. And chapter 2 should be up in a couple of days, at tops a week.
Your Author,
Kristin