DISC: I DO NOT own any of the characters from LOK. They belong to Brike. I only own the ones you don't recognize.
Enjoy!

"Senna's New Start"

Chapter 7

It wasn't long before Senna cried herself to sleep. Katara tucked her in, though she couldn't bring herself to leave her. She sat there, running a hand through the pre-teen's hair as she slept. She was determined to help Senna through this. Katara knew the next week would be the toughest part. She also knew she had to straighten out the misunderstanding between them. However, as she sat there, that was the last thing on her mind. Glancing out the window, Katara lifted her eyes to the sky.

"Mom, please help me. Help me to reach Senna, please…" as she spoke, the ex-war heroine felt a breeze play across her face. She took it as a yes. Taking a deep breath, Katara tried to focus on the future.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered to the sleeping pre-teen. Resting a hand on her shoulder, she promised, "I'm gonna take care of you. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Senna started to stir at that moment.

"Shh, Senna, it's okay. You're safe," Katara assured her.

"Wha-what?" Senna mumbled.

"It's okay. Try to rest some more," Katara gently advised.

Senna settled down a few minutes later.

"Katara," she softly said.

"I'm right here. How did you sleep?"

Senna shrugged.

"Okay," she answered. Blinking back tears, she let her gaze wander.

Just then, Aang entered the room.

"Katara, Toph's on the phone," he informed her.

Katara sighed. She turned to Senna.

"I'll be right back, sweetheart," with that, she left the room. Heading into the hallway, she picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey sugar queen," Toph greeted.

Katara didn't let the old nickname bother her.

"What's up?" the waterbending master asked. She sat down on a chair.

"I'm gonna make this short. I need to take Senna into care."

"Why? She feels safe here. She just lost her mother. She needs time. She'll be fine with us. If anyone knows what she's going through, it's me. I can help her. You're not taking her anywhere."

Toph sighed.

"Look, I don't wanna do it, but they're the rules."

"Since when did you care about rules?" Katara raised her eyebrows, even though she knew Toph couldn't see her.

Toph laughed.

"I usually don't. But I also don't wanna lose my job. Besides, I need to do a check to make sure your home is suitable for her."

"You know it is," Katara pointed out. "You were just here a month ago."

"You got me there. Listen, I'm gonna call to check on her."

"That's fine," Katara concented.

"Well, I need to go. I have to track down some kids who thought stealing from a shop was a good idea. Oh, and Tara?"

"Yes?" Katara smiled. She didn't mind that nickname so much.

"I'm sorry. I Know you and Senna's mother were good friends."

"Thanks," Katara softly replied. "I need to go too. I gotta get dinner started and see if I can get Senna to eat."

"Good luck," Toph said before hanging up.

Katara hung up on her end. She had just taken a few steps towards the kitchen when the phone rang again. Sighing, she went to answer it. "Hello?"

"Hey Tara! How's my favorite sister?" came a familiar male voice.

"Okay," Katara hedged. She sighed, 'Kamaria died last night."

"Oh…I'm sorry. How's Senna?"

"Not good. She reminds me a lot of myself after Mom…I'm not sure I'll be able to reach her."

"If anyone can, it's you," Sokka encouraged. "Listen, is it okay if I come visit?"

"You know you're always welcome. May I ask why?" Katara wasn't sure she really wanted to know the answer.

"Suki and I are going on vacation to Ember Island. Zuko's lending us his place."

"Why are you going there? You could have used our place. We're not there right now."

"I know. Zuko's was more mysterious."

"Suit yourself. You can come," she answered.

"Great! I'll see you in a few days. I Love you," with that, he hung up.

"I love you too," Katara said as she hung up on her end. Sighing, she finally made it to the kitchen. Pulling out ingridients to make one of Senna's favorite meals, she got to work. As she cooked, she hummed to fill the silence.

"I love it when you do that," a male voice stated from behind her.

Whirling around, spatula in hand, Katara found Aang standing there. She managed a tiny smile for him.

"Thanks. I've always liked to sing."

"I know the kids liked it when you sung to them when they were younger," her husband informed her.

"Kya still does," Katara smiled.

Aang nodded. He walked over to the counter.

"Do you want help?" he offered.

"Thanks, but I'm good," Katara set the pasta in the pot and turned on the stove. Once everything was cooking, she turned to leave. "Would you mind watching dnner? I wanna check on Senna."

"No problem," Aang replied.

Entering Senna's bedroom, Katara sighed. She just prayed things got better.

"Is Toph taking me away?" Senna asked the minute she saw Katara.

"No she's not," Katara assured her. "You're staying right here with us," sitting down next to the pre-teen, she ran a hand through her hair. Relieved when Senna didn't pull away, Katara continued the soothing technique. "I need to apologize to you."

Senna locked identical eyes with Katara. It was hard since her mother had had the same ones.

"Why did you lie to me?" Senna softly asked.

"I didn't mean to. I Honestly thought your Mom would be okay. I should have told you I would do my best, but there was a small chance I wouldn't be able to help her. That was my fault. I'm so sorry. I'll be as honest with you as I can from now on," Katara vowled.

"Okay," Senna moved closer to Katara. She glanced down at the comforter as sudden tears welled. As they streamed down her face, a knot of guilt twisted in her stomach. Swallowing hard, she managed to express her thoughts in words. Anxiously, she asked, "Are you sure I can stay? I know you already have kids and...I don't wanna cause any trouble."

"Senna, look at me," Katara gently, but firmly commanded.

Senna did so, despite how hard it was.

"You are anything but trouble. You're here to stay. We love you. I made a promise to you and your mother last night. I intend to keep it," Katara told her.

Senna nodded as the tears continued to flow.

Katara reached out and pulled the distraught girl into her arms. Hugging her close, she ran a hand through Senna's hair.

"It's okay to be upset, even angry," she assured her. "I felt the same way when my mother died."

Senna just continued to cry, feeling safe for the first time since it happened.

"It's my fault," she softly said. She kept repeating the words over and over again through her heart wrenching sobs.

"No it isn't," Katara insisted, "you didn't do anything wrong."

"YES I DID! I didn't listen! If I Hadn't burned dinner then…" her words gave way to more sobs.

"Sweetheart, no, you're not to blame. You're not responsible for other people's actions. You didn't' make "him" do that to your Mom."

"Are you sure?" Senna asked through her tears.

"I'm sure," Katara continued to soothe the eleven-year-old until she was fast asleep once again. Holding her close, she just kept whispering soothing words in her ear, hoping it was enough for now. A voice in the doorway made Katara look up. She shook her head in her husband's direction.

"You're not alone," Aang reminded her.

"I know," Katara sighed.

"We'll get through this and we'll get Senna through it," he comforted. "It means a lot. I just wonder where we go from here."

Aang shrugged. He didn't have an answer for her.

"The kids will help too. You know Kya loves Senna. They've always been close despite the five year age gap."

"I know," Katara glanced out of the window, her expression full of worry. "Please, help me do this right," with that, she tucked Senna back in. Standing, she followed her husband out of the room. Senna needed her rest…