Summary: Ok, this part one of Katara alone. With Katara being my favorite character, this chapter was getting out of hand in length. I have so many Ideas I want to use that if I would put it into one chapter, it would come out longer than the last one. There also may be a chance that this may end up being 3 parts. But, I don't know. I have an interesting idea for next chapter that I hope you like. You'll know what idea when it appears, or you'll guess it. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and follows. Please continue the reviews.
I don't own ATLA.
Chapter 10: Katara Alone
There was this incessant chirping ringing through camp that pierced through the tranquility of the morning. Then, large, rumbling groans shook the earth, never ceasing. Now though, there was constant yanking on any part of the young man's face.
"Momo...I'm trying to sleep." Sokka groaned, but was only met by more chirping. He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Blinking wearily, Sokka looked around to try to regain his bearings. Once he figured out up from down, he turned to Momo, "What's wrong, buddy?" Momo tugged on Sokka's shirt sleeve and scurried over to the spot where Katara was supposed to be sleeping. Sokka blinked wildly and looked around. Katara was nowhere to be seen. He stood up abruptly, letting his untied hair fall down, to get a better vantage point. Nothing. "TOPH!" He looked around again. "Toph, get up!"
Toph burst out of her earth tent in a fit of rage. "What is so important that you have to wake me up and this stupid hour?!" She yelled.
"KATARA IS GONE!" Sokka yelled, trying to get out of this stupid fight so they can find her.
Toph relaxed at what he said. "What?" She gasped.
Sokka started to panic, "She's gone. I...I don't know if she was sleep walking. Or...or captured. AHHH!"
"Whoa, whoa. Why do you think she slept walked."
"Because she used to when she was little. One time she-"
"Save the stories for another time." Toph cut in. "She wasn't sleep walking. And, she wasn't captured."
Sokka was panicking. "How do you know that?"
"Because, Mr. Idea guy, we aren't captured too. And, I can't feel any of her stuff on the ground." She replied flatly.
"What are you getting at?" Sokka asked, quirking an eyebrow in the process.
"I think she just left." Toph replied, crossing her arms.
"She wouldn't leave." He replied confidently, then paused. "Would she?"
"I would think you would know you sister better." Toph paused. "She's been off lately, we all have been pushing her buttons. She is worried about Aang. And, she's strong willed." Toph was expecting Sokka to finish her rant, but he didn't. "All that spells out to me is a renegade journey to find her friend."
Sokka looked thoughtful for a moment. "But, she didn't say anything."
"Hence her being all closed off. She was planning this. She didn't want you to stop her." Toph replied softly. She could feel how hurt he felt, and knew he was worried. "You know, she probably left a note. Have you checked your bag?"
Sokka looked up at her, "No, I haven't." He then scurried over to his bag and dumped all of its contents out. On the top of a pile was a folded up piece of paper that had Sokka written on it. He opened it up and read it.
Hey, Sokka. I'm sorry I left, but I had too. I've been a complete mess lately, and I don't want you to see me like this anymore. I also need time to figure myself out, without your scrutiny. And I'm sorry to say this, especially because I know how close you two are, but I don't think you care as much about finding Aang as you think. I can't stand to say that, but I had to let you know. I am going to try and find him on my own, but please don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. I will meet back up with you in Ba Sing se...whether I find him or not. I know he's close. Please travel safely, and don't let Toph get in any trouble.
Love,
Katara
Sokka finished reading the letter and set it down. Now he understood her constant mood swings from sadness to anger, and her blanking out. She was mad at him for not caring, and she was planning on leaving for a while now. Sokka sighed.
"What did the letter say?"
"What you said. She's going to try and find Aang on her own." He paused and sat down, Toph followed. "She also said she needed to figure herself out and that she would meet us in Ba Sing Se."
"Man, she really did plan this out." Toph breathed in amazement.
"I want to try and stop her, but even if we can find her, she will probably freeze us to a tree and keep on going."
"Yeah, probably." Toph shrugged. "Well, I think since she's on foot, we probably have time to stay here a bit longer."
"I...just hope she's ok."
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Katara was exhausted. There was a huge storm raging, and she was having a hard time keeping the water at bay with her bending. She had been walking through the thin expanse of trees some would call a forest all night. The trail she was following was long, winding, and uneven. Though she was you, her knees couldn't take much more of this torture. So, she found a small clearing off to the side of the road and took a break. She found a decent tree to sit under and did so. When she was settled, Katara put her bag on her lap and went through it. She figured she should take inventory before she reached a village. There wasn't much gold in her bag, but luckily, she figured she had enough food to make it to Ba Sing Se. Katara also pulled out a necklace someone had given her. One made of fishing line and a flower. One made by Aang. She smiled at the thought of when he gave it to her. She looked up to the sky when she thought of his nervous grin when she put it on. What did he say? All of you, or just your neck. She chuckled to herself at his goofiness. But then a revelation occurred to her. He gave her the necklace, blushed profusely when she "modeled" it for him. Wait. She remembered how he acted in Aunt Wu's village. He was acting like Sokka would towards girls he liked. Was Aang trying to... Then she remembered all of the other small acts of kindness he gave towards her, but no one else. When he would give up food for her. When he got jealous of Jet. She cringed at the name Jet, the monster. Then she looked fondly at the necklace, but noticed a small amount of writing on the back of the flower: If you feel the same. She read it again and realized the meaning behind those. She smiled wistfully. Aang loves me!
"Aang loves me!" She exclaimed in excitement, not realizing an approaching woman.
"Dear, you shouldn't be out here in this weather." The woman lightly scorned when she approached. Katara jumped, startled by the woman she didn't realize was there, and blushed profusely. She looked the woman over. She was about the same height her mother was, and probably in her mid-thirties. She had long black hair that was tied at the back in a bun. She was also wearing a three quarter length cream dress. Her eyes brown, and sincere.
"It's fine, really. I'm a waterbender." Katara replied trying to sound fine, but she didn't.
"You're shivering, my dear. Come with me. My home is just down the road, and we can get you dried off and something to eat."
"Ok." Katara relented, getting up, but not before tying Aang's necklace to her ankle. She smiled. now that she knew how he felt, and what the necklace meant, Katara would always wear it. She joined the woman on the road and began to walk, holding her hand above her head to bend the rain away.
"That's quite a gift you have there." The woman commented, holding her umbrella and a basket of apples.
Katara smiled. "Thanks. I feel blessed to have this, it's...who I am." Katara sighed.
"May I ask, who are you?" The woman asked, looking Katara over. She noticed Katara's state of dress. Her robes were dirty, and her slightly-above-the-knee length leggings had some singe marks. She also noticed Katara's braid was starting to come unravelled. And...she looked tired, weak, and...desperate.
Katara looked at her. "I'm Katara. And...well I guess you already know I'm a waterender."
The woman chuckled and smiled. "Well, I guess I do. I'm Lin, it's nice to meet you." She paused, pondering something. "We can have a more formal greeting at lunch."
Katara shook her head. "Thank you for the offer, but it's not necessary."
"Nonsense. I can tell you're worn out. And, I want to hear your story." Lin looked at her with a pleading look in her eyes, much like Aang's.
"Ok, I will take up your offer." Katara smiled. "I'm pretty hungry, now that I think about it." She placed a hand on her stomach.
Lin chuckled. "That sounds great. We're almost there."
They continued down the road for a few more paces before coming to a clearing and a small path that led to a quaint home that was roughly the size of Haru's, if Katara's memory served her. As they walked up the path and onto the balcony, Lin folded her umbrella as Katara retreated her hand from its waterbending. Lin opened the door and placed her umbrella in a tall vase to the left. Katara followed her in, noticing the small living room that was connected to the kitchen.
"Momma, you're home!" Katara saw a small boy, about five years old, coming flying around a corner and crash into Lin's legs, hugging them tightly. His green eyes sparkling as they met his mother's.
"I missed you too, honey." Lin laughed and patted the boy's back. "But, don't be rude to our guest." She chided softly. "Introduce yourself."
The boy backed away from his mother and gazed at Katara briefly before speaking. "Hi, I'm Kan." He waved, smiling.
Katara kneeled down to get to his level. "It's nice to meet you, Kan" She smiled and held out her right hand. "My name is Katara." He shook it nervously, but smiled.
"That's a pretty name." The boy burst out. His mother merely chuckled at his naive sincerity.
"Um...thanks." Katara replied nervously, standing up. Kan ran out the back door at the end of the hall in a scurry of excitement. Katara looked at Lin.
"It is a very pretty name." Lin chuckled. "You should get cleaned up. There is a spare bedroom down the hall, last door on the right. And, there's a washroom across the hall from it. I am going to prepare us some lunch, and make sure Kan doesn't come back in covered in mud."
Katara smiled and bowed to her. "I can't thank you enough for your kindness."
Lin waved her hand dismissively. "I do anything to help someone in need.
"Thank you." And with that, Katara slid her boots off, setting them down and making her way down the hall to the spare room. When she walked in, Katara noticed the bed at the opposite wall, a window just above it and a closet to the right. She set her bag and her bedroll in the closet and made her way to the washroom. After she locked the door behind her, she got ready for a quick bath. After her bath, Katara decided not to re-braid her hair and let it fall free behind her. But, she still kept her hair loops, they were just raised higher and followed her hairline from her forehead to just above her ears. (A/N: Just how she had it at the end of Book 3, during Zuko's coronation, I just have a hard time explaining it in writing.) Katara got dressed and mad her way back out into the kitchen, where Lin had the dinner table set and Kan sat patiently at the table.
"Ah, just in time. I just finished making lunch. Please, take a seat." Katara did as she was told and took a seat across from Kan at the table. Though, Katara was a little uncomfortable, as Kan was staring at her.
"You're very pretty." Kan stated simply. Katara blushed, though, thankful for the comment.
"Um...thanks, again." Katara stuttered.
"Please excuse my son. I know he's being nice, but he shouldn't stare." Lin shouted from the kitchen. But, by watching Kan's expression change, Lin was giving him the death stare. Katara smiled to herself. Kan was a nice young boy, smart, honest, compassionate, and a little compulsory. A lot like Sokka, Katara thought.
"It's ok. I don't really get compliments like that." Katara replied to Lin's comment to Kan.
"Oh, that can't be true." Lin joked. "We'll talk more when Kan goes to do his chores." Lin smirked at her son as she placed a bowl in front of Katara. Kan merely groaned.
Katara looked down at the bowl in front of her and recognized the familiar smell. Katara was elated and looked to Lin, who sat down at the end of the square table, on Katara's left. "How did you know I loved stewed sea prunes."
"Let's just say, I know my guests." Lin smiled fondly. "Now, let's dig in." With that, they began to eat a healthy lunch. Katara especially enjoyed her stewed sea prunes. Kan and Lin had their own respective dishes that they enjoyed very much. As they finished, they all pushed their dishes away. "Honey," Lin regarded her son. "It's time for you to do your chores."
"But it's raaaaaining." Kan complained.
Lin glared at him, "That didn't stop you from playing out there before." She paused and pointed her finger at him. "Also, little one, it's not raining anymore. So, go on and do your chores. Katara and I have some things to discuss." Kan groaned as he got up and pushed his chair in. Before he left, however, he looked at Katara with a smile.
"Can I show you my earthbending, Katara?" He jumped up and down on his toes.
Katara smiled, "Sure, but only when you are done with your chores." Katara teased and pointed a finger at him tauntingly. Kan smiled and ran out the door to do his chores. Katara watched him leave, and turned to look at Lin. "I'm assuming you're going to ask why a girl my age is out here all alone."
"Yes." Lin shifted in her seat and placed her hands on the table, leaning against it slightly. "No offense, but when I found you, you looked like a mess." Lin finished, looking softly into Katara's eyes.
Katara chuckled with a tinge of self-mocking in her voice. "That's an understatement." Katara sighed and looked down at her lap. "I've been...struggling...with a lot of things."
"What exactly?" Lin pressed.
"I don't really wanna talk about it." Katara stated, turning her head to look away from Lin, being as stubborn as ever.
"Katara..." Lin sighed and leaned back into her chair. "I can tell that there is a lot of turmoil in you. I just want to help, and you struggles are more than likely stemming from you holding everything in." Lin leaned forward again, as Katara looked back at her. Katara's face was no longer written with normalcy, it was written with sadness. "Please, tell me everything."
"Everything?" Katara sniffed.
Lin nodded, "Everything."
Katara sighed. She started from the beginning, from when her and Sokka found Aang, to when they went to the Southern Air Temple, and the first time she ever felt jealous; when Aang spent more time with his fan girls on Kyoshi island than her. Katara told of Aunt Wu's village, of how she was so interested in her fortunes that she didn't realize there was danger. Lin also got to hear of Katara's revelation of Aang being a powerful bender, and that she was supposed to marry one. And then there was when Aang hid the map, even after her and Sokka treated him like garbage, he still fought to save their lives. Katara continued on for another hour, from meeting Jeong Jeong to North Pole. Lin nodded and listened intently, soaking in every bit of her amazing story.
And then, she got to the part she didn't want to get to; getting separated from Aang. How Katara had been so upset about losing him, that she went into a mental breakdown. Sokka and Toph said her hallucination was bad, but she couldn't remember it. From then to getting to Omashu, and then her visions in the swamp. She also explained their encounter with Azula and how hurt she got fighting her, resulting in her singed and shortened blue leggings. Finally, she told of the incident at the library, as well as the events leading up to it, and her mood swings. Katara also told Lin of her frustrations with Sokka not wanting to find Aang as fast as she wanted to, which led to her leaving him and Toph, bringing her right where she was now. Telling her entire story.
When Katara finished, she let out a huge sigh of relief, and felt a huge weight being lifted off her chest. Lin gave her a few minutes to compose herself before she spoke. "You and your friends are amazing people." Lin spoke softly. "But, please don't give into your despair. You're a strong, young woman, Katara. You've been through a lot." She sighed, "I don't want to let you go out there alone, but I believe you're strong enough, and that you need to do what you believe is right."
Katara looked to Lin and smiled, "Thank you for making me talk. I feel much better."
Lin smiled, "Can I ask you something?" Katara nodded. "When I found you, what did you say?"
Katara blushed and looked away, "I thought you heard that, already." Katara muttered.
"I did, but you need to say it again." Lin replied.
Katara looked back to her, confused. "Why?"
"To use it as a way to give yourself drive. You must let love guide you, and I'm sure, he is doing the same thing."
Katara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Aang loves me." She whispered. "Aang loves me." Again, "Aang loves me!" She smiled and looked down at his necklace in her hands. She had taken it off of her ankle to show Lin, and never put it back on. "I love you, Aang. I will find you." Katara smiled and looked to Lin, who was smiling back.
"Let that carry you, and never give up hope. Stay strong, Katara. You are an amazing young woman, and you're a fighter." Lin paused and chuckled, "But...I do believe you promised to watch my son earthbend." Lin smiled, ending on a lighter note.
As if on cue, Kan came running into the kitchen, latching onto Katara's arm, tugging it for her to follow. "Come on, Katara." He tugged again.
"Go on outside. I'll be out there in a minute." She smiled, and looked to Lin. "I have one more thing to talk to your mother about." Lin gave Katara and odd look, wondering what she was going at.
"Ok, but hurry up. I've been practicing." He let go and ran back outside.
Once he was gone, Katara turned back to Lin, "You have a very good son."
Lin smiled fondly at the door Kan just ran out of. "He is." She sighed sadly. "He's just like his father."
"Not to be rude, but that's what I wanted to talk to you about...where is his father?" Katara asked softly.
"Lin looked down into her lap. "He's off fighting in the war. It's been tough, but I've been staying strong, for his sake." She looked up to Katara again. "He's going to miss you, you know."
"I'll miss him too. Both of you." Katara paused and reached out to softly grasp Lin's hands. "I understand the situation about his father." Katara leaned back into her chair, letting go of Lin's hands, and looked down at her hands. "My dad is off fighting too, so I know how you two feel."
Lin smiled sadly. "Will you come back and visit when this is all over?"
Katara smiled, "I will. I promise."
"Thank you." Lin choked slightly.
After a few moments of silence, Katara spoke. "I think Kan has been waiting long enough." Katara stated softly before getting up to go outside with Kan.
"You will stay the night, won't you?" Lin asked softly.
Katara turned around and smiled, "Of course." And continued to walk towards the door.
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"Katara, watch this!" Kan yelled as Katara came out the door. He stomped the ground, causing a small pillar of earth, about half his height, to shoot out of the earth. Kan then punched the side, sending a disk, about three inches thick, across the backyard, passed a small fountain in front of her, over a stream, and into a tree where it shattered. He turned and looked at Katara expectantly.
Katara smiled, walking down the stone steps and onto the soft grass. "Very impressive, Kan. But, you need a sturdier stance." Katara informed.
"But, you're not an earthbender." He regarded her with a cocked head.
"No, I'm not. I'm a waterbender, and a close friend of mine is a master earthbender." Katara kneeled down to his eye-level, placing a soft hand on his left shoulder. "I'll let you in on a little secret: all bending requires a strong stance to begin. Try widening it a little, and squatting down lower." She smiled.
Kan nodded, "Ok, I'll try." He backed away from her and turned away from her, taking the same stance as before, but applying her suggestions. He did the same move and was stunned to see the disk fly twice as fast. "WOW!" He turned around, jumping up and down. "I did it! I did it!" He ran towards her, wrapping her in a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" He said rapidly.
Katara chuckled, returning the embrace. "You're welcome."
"Can you show me some waterbending?" Kan asked, jumping up and down in a fit of excitement after pulling away from Katara.
Katara smiled and stood up. "I'd love too." She motioned for some water to come out of the fountain and to her hand. She held a small ball of water above her right hand as Kan watched in amazement. Spurred on by his happiness, she continued by taking more water under her control. She now held two long streams in her hands, twirling them around herself as she spun. In that moment, it was just her and her element; lost in inner bliss. She brought more water around her, spinning it into a whirlpool around her, and above her. Kan awed in amazement at her demonstration of power and grace. Katara guided the water back into the fountain. Taking a deep breath, Katara opened her eyes to see an awestruck Kan.
"That...WAS SO COOL!" Kan yelled. "What else can you do?"
"Hmm..." Katara hummed. Her face lit up at an idea, "Have you ever seen snow or ice?"
Kan's eyes widened in realization. "No...you can do that?" He gasped. Katara smiled, and without saying a word, gathered water from the fountain and the nearby stream into an enormous ball of water above her. She pushed it into the air, all the while freezing the water particles into little flakes of snow that softly fell to the ground. Katara watched through the snowflakes at the gleam of amazement in Kan's eyes. He watched up in amazement as snow fell around him. He watched until it stopped falling, at which point, the whole yard was covered in three inches of snow. Kan looked at Katara with an expression of amazed excitement before he fell back into the snow, taking in the new sensation.
Katara smiled, knowing what she had just done for him. She had changed his life in one of the most simple, but also not so simple, way. She closed her eyes and fell back into the snow, feeling the sensation she hasn't felt in months. Thinking of fond memories, of friends, of loved ones. That is until a ball of snow slammed into her face. She sat up and saw Kan standing there, a smirk on his face and a snowball in his hand.
"You did not just start a snowball fight with a waterbender." His smirk fell as he began to run, but a wall of snow rose up and blocked his path. He turned around to meet four snowballs at once. Kan wiped the snow off his face, and spat out what got in his mouth.
"No fair!"
"You started it." Katara smirked, crossing her arms across her chest.
"I-we-bu-no bending." Kan stuttered, having no response. He did start it.
"Ok, but remember, you're facing someone more experienced than you." With that, the fight continued. Both of them tossing snowballs at each other, but it soon turned to one of them trying to hit the other while they ran away. They continued until they heard the back door being fiddled with; Lin was coming outside. Kan put his index finger over his lips as a command to quiet Katara. She nodded as Kan prepared a snowball.
Lin stepped through the door, and was met by a snowball and a fit of laughter from the two people in front of her. She was surprised, to say the least, but took it in stride. After spitting and sputtering, Lin spoke, "I see you two are enjoying yourselves, and where did the snow come from?"
"Katara made it." Kan ran up to Lin. "She's amazing, Mama!"
Lin looked over to Katara, who was smiling fondly at her new friends. "It truly is amazing." She hugged Kan. "But, I'm afraid it's time for dinner."
"Awwww..." Kan moaned.
"Don't worry, you two can play later." Lin motioned for the two to come inside. Katara and Kan followed.
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After dinner and another snowball fight, Katara decided to call it a night. She washed up, and got ready for bed. She got into her night clothes, which was just her bindings now that it was starting to warm up outside. Katara walked over to her bed and sat on the edge. She sat in silent thought before hearing a soft knock on her door.
"Who is it?" Katara shouted.
"It's me." Lin's voice pierced the thin door into the room.
Katara smiled. "Come in." The door slowly opened, revealing Lin in her own night gown.
"I wanted to say goodnight." She paused. "I wanted to thank you for doing that for Kan. He...he really needed it."
"It was a lot of fun for me to finally let out like that. And, you're welcome."
"I also came to tell you the best way to get to Ba Sing Se. There is a secret ferry a little over a day's walk from here. It will take you directly to Ba Sing Se, but I recommend you camp tomorrow night before you go there." Lin smiled sadly.
"Thank you." Katara smiled.
"I should probably let you rest. You have a long journey ahead of you." LIn finished before leaving Katara alone in her room. Katara sat for a moment before laying on her side, and pulling the blanket up to her shoulders. She fell asleep with a smile that night; a true genuine smile of hope, and happiness.
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Morning came, and so did the day Katara had to leave. Kan was upset, as he just found out this morning that she was leaving. Breakfast was quiet, because no one wanted Katara to leave, including herself. But, she had a mission to complete. Katara packed up slowly after breakfast, but it still didn't take that long; she didn't bring much. She tied Aang's necklace around her wrist this time, because it was easier for her to see. She walked out of her room and down the hall, meeting Lin and Kan by the door. Lin opened the door for Kan and Katara, and followed after. Katara turned around to bid farewell, but was met by two pairs of sad eyes.
"Katara, I wish you the best of luck in finding Aang. I also want you to have this." Lin handed Katara a coin purse. "There's fifty gold pieces in there, and before you protest, consider this a gift from a friend. Also, the ferry ticket is fairly expensive, so you need this more than me."
"Thank you." Katara gasped.
"Katara..." Kan whispered sadly. "Wi-Will you come back?" He asked, choking back sobs.
Katara knelt down and smiled, "Of course I will." She opened her arms for a hug.
Kan embraced Katara, holding on tight like she was something he could never lose. "I-I-I'll miss you." A muffled whisper came out as his face was buried into her neck.
"I-I'll miss you too." Katara fought to hold back tears of her own as she rubbed his back. After a few moments, she pulled away and stood up. Katara regarded Lin. "I guess this is goodbye." Katara whispered.
"I guess it is." Lin replied softly.
Katara pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, for everything." She spoke in a soft tone.
"You're welcome, Katara."
Katara smiled sadly, turning around and walking down the steps to the road. "Bye, Katara!" Kan yelled from the porch.
Katara peeked over her shoulder, not breaking stride. "Goodbye." She continued to the road, where she turned right to head to her destination: The ferry, and hopefully, Aang.
A/N: I hope you guys liked part 1. Part 2 will be up soon, I don't know when specifically. Also, I hoped you liked Kan and Lin, it was my first attempt at original characters. Again, thanks to my readers and followers for being awesome. Please review.