Here Without You

By YoungGrasshopper7

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A hundred days will make me older

Since the last time that I saw your pretty face

A thousand lights will make me colder

And I don't think I can look at this the same

But all the miles separate

They disappeared now when I'm dreaming of your face

Aang's eyelids opened suddenly, almost hyperventilating from his fast-paced nightmare. He looked around. Nothing had changed from when he'd drifted off to sleep.

Katara had gone missing over a week ago. Ever since then, Aang had not been able to get any rest at all. He had been more concerned of her safety than Sokka was, and believe me, that was not easy to accomplish. Aang's dreams were filled of hate and suffering, the same dream every night had returned to him like a boomerang…Katara would be standing by the river, her dark hair blowing in the wind, a soft smile upon her face. Aang would come over to her and wrap his arms around her waist, and suddenly she would disappear, and Aang would be holding nothing but air. He would run and run as if he knew where she was; his surroundings were engulfed by trees, making it impossible to see anything. Aang would drop to the ground, unable to find her himself. That's when he would wake up.

I'm here without you baby

But you're still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby

And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby

But you're still with me in my dreams

And tonight girl, there's only you and me

Aang looked towards Sokka, who was snoring away like he usually did. Aang guessed it was around 4:00 in the morning, might as well get packed up for the next day. With hardly any light out, it was a bit tricky to decide which was the sack of food and which was the lantern. When all was done, Aang yawned and curled up in Appa's fur, drifting off into near-dreamless sleep, only to be visited by that same nightmare again.

The miles just keep rolling

As the people either way come say hello

I hear this life is overrated

But I hope it gets better as we go

The next four days dragged on horribly. Gossip in the nearby village said that a teenage girl with long braided hair was running from some Fire Nation soldiers nearby. At hearing this news, Aang's heart sunk like a paper boat in a crashing ocean wave. But his mind remained invincible. You're Aang. You're an Airbender. You're the AVATAR, for God's sake! You can't let a measly girl tear you apart!, his subconscious would hiss. That girl could easily be someone else. When are you going to pick yourself up and get over it? Aang closed his eyes, destined to shut out his mind and just be alone.

I'm here without you baby

But you're still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby

And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby

But you're still with me in my dreams

And tonight girl, there's only you and me

Aang was confused when he saw Sokka clearing up camp that evening. "What are you doing?" "Packing." Sokka plainly answered, stuffing a bag in Appa's saddle. "We're leaving?" Aang's voice cracked, but that was the least of his worries. "What about Katara? We're just going to leave her? She's your own sister! What if she comes back?" Aang almost shouted, surprised at his own outburst.

Sokka paused and wearily stared at the young Airbender. "Aang, she's not coming back. Katara's gone now. We have to get to the Earth Kingdom." "I don't care if I Earthbend or not! We can't leave! We just can't!" Aang felt himself turn and run off into the forest as if the devil was at his heels, hearing Sokka sigh tiredly. Sure, Aang was as stubborn as a mule and argued until he got his way. But hearing those words from the warrior felt like poison, slowly seeping into his own body, draining him from within...

Everything I know, and everywhere I go

It gets hard but it won't take away my love

And when the last one falls

When it's all said and done

It gets hard but it won't take away my love

Breathless and exhausted from running on anger, Aang slid to the ground with his back against a weathered tree in the near-darkness. He pulled his arms to his chest and buried his face in his hands. Why are you doing this?, his mind pondered endlessly. Because I am afraid, he answered.

I'm here without you baby

But you're still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby

And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby

But you're still with me in my dreams

And tonight girl, there's only you and me

Aang couldn't tell how long he sat by that tree, but when he finally uncovered his eyes, everything was quiet. The moon had draped over itself a veil of blackened sky and the stars themselves had found refuge in the heavens against the night. The young Airbender slowly stood and steadied himself against the tree.

Crunch.

Aang's ears pricked at this unfamiliar sound and he called out into the darkness. "Who's there?"

Crunch. Snap. Crunch. Crunch.

His heart beat faster as the sound came closer and closer. "Who are you? Answer me!" But only silence answered. After a few sickening seconds, a shadow emerged in the midnight hour, stopped, and then collapsed in a faint on the ground. Instinctively, Aang ran over to the figure.

"Katara?"

I'm here without you baby

But you're still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby

And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby

But you're still with me in my dreams

And tonight girl, there's only you and me

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