Author's Note: Yay! A review, already. It made my day. To answer your question, Raven, I made it up myself, yes. I'm so proud, knowing it was realistic and that you thought it was intended for the series. I hope you keep reading. By the way, this chapter mixes a little japanese here and there as well. If anyone doesn't know what some words mean, please message me or comment and I'll fill you in. Okay, here goes...I truely hope the chapter was as good as the last...
Both children stared out into the distance after their father until he was a speck, then nothing. The harsh winds blew into the alcove, causing Sokka to shiver, and huddle closer toward his sister. Katara buried her head into her knees, which her arms were already wrapped around. As her shoulders began to quiver, Sokka looked away from the snow and bit his lip sadly in concern. Taking a deep breath, he murmered as bravely as he could "Aw..don't worry about her, Katara. Mom's the bravest girl in the whole entire village! I bet she's beating up the fire nation right now!" Katara buried her head deeper, hiding her entire face, and shuttered. "The village is tiny..." she murmered. "You said...you said...girls can't fight." Sokka forced a smile, secretly fighting tears. "I was wrong, though. You know mom can't die...she's mom!" He tightened his fists a little, trying bravely to keep the salty liquid at bay. "I bet you anything that Dad's gonna run down here in no time, with Okaa-san, just like he said, and then..." He stopped, and realized. Then what? What would happen then? They would all stay in this alcove/cave and wait? Hope that the fire nation didn't come and take them away? They couldn't risk leaving the shelter...
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The solder ran into the small hut, his sword in hand. Seeing the terrified woman in the corner, panting heavily, holding a hand to her chest, he approached her. Her tan face was pale, her forehead beaded with cold nervous sweat, as her head turned this way and that, searching for her beloved children. In his gruff, stale form, he stomped closer and closer to her. She let out a yelp, and shuttered in fright. "P-please sir...please...don't...I..have...my children...I need to return to...my children..." His face remained emotionless, as if he didn't give a damn about what she was saying. He moved his sword toward her neck, not stabbing her, but just skinning the side. "Tell me when your huspand is." he said in a monotone, voice. "He goes by the name of Koada...his first name, I believe." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I..I can't tell you...m-my son and daughter are with him..so..." He put the sword just under her chin, and repeated with a shout. "TELL ME!" he yelled. "TELL ME OR I'LL END YOUR USELESS PEASENT LIFE AND FIND YOUR FAMILY MYSELF! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!" She quivered, and let out a cry, closing her eyes, picturing the most important thing to her- her family. Allowing a single tear to slip from her cheek, she murmered softly "I..don't know...really, I..don't know.." He pressed his eyes into a glare, and muttered "Lies...your whole village is useless." With a swift movement, as if he was simply cutting a apple, he sliced her throat, then burned her with bending to leave his mark. Leaving the beautiful, loving woman to her fate, he let go of her, leaving her to slump to the ground. She was dead. Just like that, her life was over, and she didn't even get to kiss her children goodbye, what she always wanted to do before she left this world.
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Koada ran into the village, still panting before he looked back one last time. He smiled "Sokka didn't follow me this time." he murmered softly. "Kana's right...he really is getting stronger." Then he looked into the village. Everything was pretty quiet now...the walk must have taken longer then he thought. He wiped a bit of sweat off of his forehead, near his hairline, and allowed himself to catch his breath. "Just run in the house, grab Kana, bring her back to the kids, wait there, come back home." He told himself. Then he stood up and looked at the ground sadly. "Poor Sokka...he looked like he was going to cry." Then he trudged to his home cautiously. "I hope Kana hid herself well." he muttered in worry.
Walking into the house, he looked around. "Kana! Quick, we need to get back! Katara and Sokka are so worried about you..." Walking a little farther, he looked this way and that in a bit of a paranoid manner, making sure no one else was in the house but his wife. "Ka..." then he felt something under him. It smelled foul, and it was warm..and sticky...BLOOD. Looking down with a gasp..he saw the poor, now late Kana. She had a hand to her throat, and tears were still stained on her face. "Kana..." he croaked. "Kana!" he kneeled down and took her hand, squeezing it. Her beautiful hand with the leather bracelet he gave her when they were younger. The one he crafted himself... "Kana...please...say something. Please, Kana!" But he knew deep down in his broken heart he would never hear her beautiful, calm voice again. He would never hear her sing...laugh...ever again. Because her hand was as cold as the ice outside.
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Sokka was kneeling by the entrance now, he wiped away his tears before they fell. Katara was right behind him, trying to keep warm. "W-where's dad?" she asked. "You said he'd be back in no time...and...it's been forever." Sokka gulped, and put an arm around his sister. "He will be. He's probally helping mom beat up the solders." Katara smiled weakly. "Maybe." She remembered her mother's detirmination and stood up, flashing a weak smile. "Bet you'd like to be there to help, huh Nii-san?" Sokka nodded, and sniffled. Then he saw the watery expression in her eyes as she fingered the necklace Kana had given her. He forced a grin and cleared the lump in his throat. "I'd punch them, and kick them, and smack then with my boomerang until they begged for mercy! Like dad said, show no fear!" Katara chuckled softly. He continued. "You could help, too Katara. You could do that thing mom does...um...the water whip! Yeah!"
But before Katara could anwser, she saw a dark, sad figure in the distance. Thinking it was a fire nation solder, she let out a little yelp and clung to her brother. Sokka took in a sharp breath, then exhaled to realize it was their father. He smiled in relief. "Dad...we were so...w-where's mom?"