The heart of the village was approaching quickly. Blood completely covered the ground. Some was still wet, and it covered Aang's shoes the most. The boy let out a yelp of fright. The smell was disgusting…heart wrenching. Sokka put a supportive hand on Aang's shoulder. He understood the pain, the fright. This was as hard on him as it was on Aang. But Aang felt something Katara and Sokka did not- guilt.

Katara put an arm around Aang, and squeezed his hand. His heart was pounding. His eyes were dry, so tears didn't fall…but they would have. He leaned his head on her shoulder and shivered. He was so frightened. He felt this was all his fault. It took all young Aang's strength just to bare it.

They saw more dead bodies then ever before. Katara wiped her eyes, willing herself not to cry. With Aang and Sokka so miserable, she felt like all would be lost if she did. Ashes were blowing around, sometimes particles getting in their already red eyes.

The bodies were men, woman, children, some even animals. Aang covered his eyes, his legs went limp, the rest of him numb. He was nearly frozen with fear. It all overwhelmed him.

Sometimes Sokka stopped, regretting moving farther and farther from his loved one's grave. But Katara pushed both of them on. Her determination willed her to move forward. She wouldn't let ANYTHING stop her now.

Finally, a few houses that weren't ripped up, just covered with ashes, came into view. Katara smiled weakly. Her courage, her hope, had lead her forward.

Sokka stood in front of the house, staring into the window. It looked abandoned, but Katara wasn't so sure. She wasn't willing to give up just yet. Having to leave the horrified Aang with Sokka, she knocked on the door. It didn't open. Sokka hung his head. "Katara…no one's here. Come on…we should go." But Katara refused. "No..there is. I'm sure of it."

She continued to knock, until a frightened voice shrilled, breaking the dead silence. "W-who's there? Go away! I have nothing." Very carefully, Katara spoke. "We're not here to hurt you. I'm here with my brother and a friend. Please open the door."

But the voice wasn't so sure. "H-how… do I …know I can trust you?" Katara was silent a moment, then quietly breathed "Because we're friends...we're here to help."

The door opened, revealing a what may have once been a beautiful girl. Her cloths were a dark brown, and her face was covered with dirt and blood. But her eyes were gentle, a brilliant green. Her hair was a light brown. She was a little smaller then Sokka, most likely around 15 or 16 years old. There was no one else there. The girl stared at the three kids for a moment, then her eyes became teary. "I'm not alone…" she almost whispered. She bowed slowly, then said "Thank goodness you've come. I can't tell you how long I've waited."

Katara looked back at her brother and Aang, as all three of them walked carefully into the house. The house was two rooms. There was ashes even inside, and everything was black. Everything was covered with the now hated ashes. The bed, the table, the pantry, the floor, the one book on the bed. Everything.

Katara smiled slowly, she was so happy to see someone else. Aang sat on the bed, staring at the book, but saying nothing. Sokka sat on the chair next to the table. "I thought no one was alive… who did this?"

But the girl sat at the table, and sort of ignored the question. She odviously was afraid to speak about the ordeal. "Forgive me…I haven't introduced myself. I'm Kyoto."

But Katara was persistant, and repeated her brother's question. "He asked what happened…please tell us. I'm afraid we're all anxious to know."

Kyoto stared at the ground, and a few tears slid from her eyes, falling to the floor. "I..don't know if I can."

Author's Note: Hope you liked this chapter. There is so much about to happen, and I know I'm making it very slow, but I like to torture you all. I've always enjoyed things that left me wondering, hanging. It will most likely stop after awhile, but you'll have to bare it for now. ;; More characters are being introduced, as you can see. So, please be patient, I'm trying to write a chapter everyday. Reviews please!