Four years had passed since Katara had first arrived on Alkia, and Katara had learned much through friends like Saka, Tao, Natsume, Soseki, her mother, and books. She was very advanced in her air, water, earth, and fire bending powers, as well as the powers she got from the Hudingo flower. She had also learned how to play the guitar on Alkia. Saka had a form of an Earthly guitar in his hut and so, Katara taught herself how to play. She would occasionally make up a new song and sang it with her nice, smooth voice.

But, she had many things she regretted and secretly she hated Alkia for the hatred most Alkians have shown her. It turns out that most Alkians would still not very accepting of her. If it wasn't for her friends, Alkia would be a nightmare, but still, she missed Earth more than anything.

She missed the glistening snow that fell on those nice winter days. She missed the feeling of brightly decorated wool sweaters, and the feeling of jeans. She missed the sounds that a city makes with its cars honking and people laughing and talking. She even missed the smell of popcorns at the movie theatres. But most of all, she missed two things: sunsets and Richard. Of course, she missed Bruce, but he had been more of a father type person and he had just been an instructor. Richard came into Katara's mind everyday. Not a day has passed that she didn't think of him. Unfortunately, she feared the worst when she started to forget the sound of his voice, or the wonderful features of his face. The gentle tone of his voice and the way he walked. Or the way his hair looked when it rained or the way he laughed. All she had was a four-year-old picture of him. She doubted that was how he looked today.

As she was thinking this, she heard screams coming from the nearby village and a boy came into her room and said, "Avatar Katara! Come, hurry!" Katara got up and started to run with the little to the village and soon saw women crying. She saw none of the usual children playing.

"What is it? What's happened here?" the boy did not answer, he just led her to the center of the town, where there was a man talking.

"I am sorry to say that there has been a kidnapping last night. Forty of our village people are gone. All of the air benders have been taken. I shall read the list once more: Kotuku Koromiko…" he read the list of names that Katara didn't know until he read, "Harisha Komentsu…"

"No!" Katara yelled as she heard the name of her mother. The only family she had left was now gone. She felt short of breath and soon, everything turned dark.

"Wake up, Katara," she heard the familiar voice.

"Hello Tao," Katara mumbled.

"Here, have some soup. You'll feel better soon," Tao said as he handed her the bowl. Katara ate all of the soup within minutes and put the bowl down quietly. She looked up as Tao as she said, "You know, I have to go find her."

"I know. I know you won't stay here until they just show up. You were always the type of person that took action first. Well, how long will you away for?"

"I don't know."

"Saka send his regards. He said you should take the path that goes down to the Ashuka Valley. He will meet you there and talk to you or something."

"I can switch flying and walking. I can get many different views."

"I really do hope you find her. She is not alone… they say---" Tao stopped.

"They say what?"

"Nothing."

"No, tell me, Tao, before I read your mind."

"Fine. I have heard that there has been kidnappings in other villages as well lately. They say that they are gathering everyone they had kidnapped together to make a new village. Their going to be their slaves," Tao said quietly. Katara said nothing. She got up and took her red bag that she had brought with her from Earth. She began her packing. She took a few robes and Alkian clothing as well as some food and other materials.

Tao turned to her. He got close to her and put his arm on her shoulder.

"I'm going to miss you. Hope it's not too long before I see you again?" he asked.

"No. Not too long, hopefully, but it will take as long as it needs to. Strangely, I have a feeling that I won't be back here again," she said truthfully.

"I guess it's for the better then," Tao said as he gave her a hug. She returned his hug.

"I promise I'll see you again," she whispered. They let go of each other and she walked out of the hut. She stopped in front of the hut and summoned the memory of when she had first learned to tie her shoes. She soon felt the feeling of flight and was soaring, higher and higher.

"Be safe, Miss Katara!" Tao yelled, smiling. Katara looked down at the miniature Tao and felt tears spring in her eyes. Good-bye, Tao. She felt as she was leaving someone important behind. Tao was her friend, and only her friend.

Tao turned back into the hut and grew angry and sad at the same time. Why had I just let her go? She will never know my feelings toward her now. Not now, not ever.

Katara was on a quest to find her mother. This quest would be cut short though.