DISC: I DO NOT own any of the characters from LOK. They belong to Brike. I Do however own the storyline and anyone you don't recognize.

Enjoy!

"Senna's New Start"

Chapter 3

"Mom?" Senna's soft voice broke the silence much later that night.

"Shh, Senna, it's okay. I'm here. Are you okay?" her mother was at her side in seconds.

"I can't sleep," Senna admitted, "I still hurt!"

"Katara said it would hurt for a few days," her mother gently reminded her. "Do you want me to read to you?"

"No thanks," Senna winced as more pain shot through her stomach. "Do we have to go home?"

Kamaria fought back tears at the desperation in her little girl's voice. She wished with all her heart that she could say no.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart, but we do."

"Why?" Senna challenged. "Can't we just leave and start a new life? Get a place of our own?"

"He'd find us," her mother sighed.

"Then why can't we just live somewhere else in the world. Like the earth kingdom or even the fire nation? It's a lot better since the war ended."

"Senna, we can't," her mother insisted.

Senna sighed. She closed her eyes as tears welled. She couldn't understand why her mother didn't just leave Kaito. There were a lot of ways to do it.

"Are you thirsty?" her mother asked.

"No," Senna softly replied.

"Senna, please try to understand. We would leave if we could, but we can't," Kamaria rested a hand on Senna's shoulder. She was surprised when her daughter pulled away.

"Can't or won't?" Senna shot back.

"Senna, please, don't do this," her mother begged.

Senna didn't answer. She just closed her eyes and waited for sleep to claim her. She would apologize to her mother later. She wasn't really angry with her. She was angry at the whole situation.

"How is she?"

Kamaria turned to see Katara standing there. She shook her head as tears flowed.

"Senna's gonna be fine," Katara was at her friend's side in seconds. Embracing her, she ran a hand through her hair.

"I know. She's' mad at me," Kamaria explained.

"What makes you say that?" Katara wondered aloud.

"She wants to leave, but we can't. At least not yet."

Katara sighed.

"I agree with her," she revealed. "You need to get out of there. It's not good for either of you to live that way. Come live with us. We have a house on Ember Island you guys can use."

"He would find us," Kamaria argued.

"Not if we do it right," Katara assured her. "Let me talk to Aang and Zuko. Give me a week after Senna is released."

"Are you sure?" Kamaria asked. She didn't dare let herself believe that this might actually happen. She had been disappointed in the past.

"I'm sure," Katara told her.

Kamaria frowned.

"I couldn't ask you to do this," she glanced away.

"Hey, look at me," Katara gently lifted her chin so they were locking eyes. "You're not asking, I'm offering."

"Okay," Kamaria said. She let a tiny smile graze her lips. She just prayed they would be able to pull it off.

"I'll check on Senna in a little bit," Katara left to check on another patient.

Kamaria sat down next to her daughter. Taking her hand, she whispered, "Senna, things might be changing for us for the better. I love you, sweet girl," with that, she waited for her daughter to wake up.

*****

"Mom? Mom!" Senna called to her early the next morning. She knew she didn't deserve her mother's help after the way she had treated her, but she needed her now.

Kamaria's eyes opened a minute later. Seeing her daughter trying to sit up, she was at her side in a flash.

"Senna, no, you cant' do that. What's wrong?"

"I'm…I feel like I have to throw-" she swallowed hard before heaving. Feeling her mother gently, but quickly push her back down, she soon felt the bucket being placed underneath her chin. Heaving again, she threw up a minute later. Catching her breath, she heard her mother's assurances in her ear.

"Thatta girl, just get it up. You'll feel better afterwards."

Senna repeated the action a second time before catching her breath.

"I'm sorry," she gasped.

"Sweet girl, you don't have to be. You're still not feeling good. You can't help it," her mother pointed out.

"Not for throwing up. I'm sorry for getting mad at you. I know it's not your fault," Senna softly confessed.

"I forgive you. I know you're frustrated, so am I. But I have some good news," her mother informed her.

"What?" Senna asked.

Kamaria explained the plan Katara had in mind.

"You need to keep this a secret," Kamaria stressed.

"I will," Senna assured her mother. "I promise."

Kamaria started stroking Senna's hair, hoping it would help her get some more rest. She just prayed Katara's plan would work.

******

Before Senna knew it, she had been discharged from the hospital. Katara advised her to rest at home for another week, explaining she had to be careful of infection.

Kamaria promised she would keep Senna home.

"If you need me to take her for the week, I'll be happy too. Kaia would love the company," Katara ruffled Senna's hair.

"I'll let you know," Kamaria told her. "It should be okay. Kaito's going on a trip tomorrow for the next week."

"Okay," Katara looked uneasy, but allowed the two to leave.

Arriving home, Kamaria tucked Senna in bed. She got her something to drink and instructed her to rest. She offered to stay with her, but Senna told her she would be fine.

"Call me if you need anything," Kamaria kissed Senna's cheek.

"I will," Her daughter assured her. "I love you."

"I love you too," her mother kissed the top of her head.

Getting as comfortable as she could, Senna tried to take a little nap. The last few days had been really stressful. As she drifted off, she thought of Lena. She missed her best friend. She couldn't wait to see her again. With that comforting thought in her head, the eleven-year-old drifted off to sleep.

*****

The sound of the front door closing woke Senna up. It hadn't slammed, so she knew her mother had done it. Figuring she had gone to pick up some milk, Senna sat up. When no pain came, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Standing, she sighed with relief when she didn't feel dizzy. Hearing her stomach growl, she decided to get herself a snack. She had eaten a little in the hospital without throwing up after all. Making her way to the kitchen, Senna went for the cabinet where her mother kept the snacks. Pulling down some peanut butter, Senna grabbed a package of apple slices from the fridge. Getting a plate, she sat down to enjoy her snack. Letting her mind wander, she finished eating in ten minutes. Throwing away the apple container, she put away the peanut butter and washed off the knife. She was just about to go get the plate when the front door opened. Figuring her mother was back, she went to meet her. Halfway to the door, Senna gasped when she realized her mistake. The person who had just set down a pair of keys was definitely not her mother. Backing away, Senna turned in the direction of her bedroom. Praying she would make it, she continued down the hallway. Just as her room came into view, a rough hand clamped down on her right shoulder. Twisting around, Senna tried to wriggle free.

"You thought you could hide from me," Kayto hissed in her ear.

Senna could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"I-I wasn't trying to…" she protested, but was interrupted by his hand slapping her across the face. She tried not to start crying, but it was hard.

"I'll show you what happens to children who don't clean up their messes! I think you need to be taught a lesson," Kayto growled.

Senna squirmed in his grasp as she felt him pick her up. These were the times she hated being small for her age. As it was, the only two people she allowed to hold her anymore were her mother and Katara. They were the only ones she felt safe with.

"Put me down!" She ordered as strongly as she could. "Let go! Let me go! Let-" her demands were silenced as he slapped her again. Tasting blood this time, Senna bit her lower lip in an attempt to keep the tears from falling. She was in trouble now and she knew it. She just prayed her mother would get back soon…