Chapter 1

Misunderstood

A/n: this is my first Avatar fic I've posted. Umm. No flames, but if it's that bad, sure, structural criticism helps the story and the author. ENJOY! R/R!

"I just don't understand you! Me and Aang was just trying to have fun, but then you were" Sokka mimicked his sister Katara's voice "You guys are so immature, when will you ever grow up! You guys act like kids!"

Katara got mad; she stood up and moved towards Aang, who was sitting down on a log next to the fire. Aang looked at Katara noticing that she was mad about Sokka imitating her. He felt angered, he felt for some reason to stand up for Sokka, instead of letting them bicker at each as they usually do until someone gets tired of arguing and gives up.

"We act like kids because we are kids!"

Sokka saw that his little complaint started a fight between Katara and Aang. Sokka slowly crept into his tent.

Katara had felt guilty, she understood how much pressure Aang has been going through and he should be allowed to have time to relax and just have fun, after all, he is just a kid. She sat beside him. "I'm sorry Aang."

"You should be sorry." He replied.

Katara retorted, "Hey! I already apologized; you don't need to rub it in my face!"

Aang raised his voice. "You don't understand what its like!"

Aang began to whisper. "What it's like…" he took a breath "…to be me…"

You know how people keep all of their anger inside and at the least expected moment, they blow up and break down? Well, yea, this is that moment…Katara felt guilty for yelling at him again. She understood that she should be sensitive to him during this phase right now.

Katara cupped part of Aang's face and turned his face so he could look at her. Aang bit his lower lip, trying to hold back the tears. He turned to the other side having his back facing her. "You don't know what it's like to have the weight of the world upon my shoulders…"

"Aang…" Katara didn't know what she should say. It's a huge burden to have the weight of the world on your back. "Aang…" She pleaded.

"You don't understand…" he replied.

She put her hand on his shoulder. "No one ever understands—" he moved his shoulder so she would remove her hand. He tried to shake her hand off but she persisted. Her grip on his arm tightened. She got up and moved to the other side of the log so Aang could face her; her hand still on his shoulder.

"I would if you'd just tell me…" she told him.

Aang didn't respond.

"Aang, you don't have to worry about being able to do this. You're the Avatar."

"I never asked to be the Avatar!"

"Well, it doesn't make much of a difference if you don't want to be or do because whether or not, you ARE!" Yelled Katara.

Aang exhaled, "Why me? Why couldn't it be someone smarter then—" Katara interrupted. "—smarter than—"

"Yea, someone smarter than me? Katara, I'm a hundred years behind. I haven't even mastered all of the elements! The world needs me NOW and I'm not even READY!"

"But you're here…It doesn't matter if you're ready or not, you are here."

Aang scratched his head. "I don't unders—" Katara interrupted again, "Knowing that the Avatar IS here, means that there is STILL HOPE…hope is what everyone needs, and that's exactly what you're doing, being alive and here means you're keeping their hope strong. YOU ARE OUR HOPE…whether or not you mastered all of the elements, there's still time and hope…" Katara smiled at Aang.

a/n: Review!