Chapter Eleven

Katara's Suffering

Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph flew through the day and into the night. They didn't speak to one another until they landed to set up camp for the night.

"I'm going to gather fire wood. I'll be back in a few minutes," Katara said, walking off toward the trees.

"But there's plenty here," Aang said.

Katara said nothing and kept walking.

Aang sighed and sat down on the ground. His heart was breaking. He didn't want to leave Khundes behind and he didn't understand why Katara was so bent on staying behind to help Khundes rather than leave him so they could escape.

"You ok Aang?" Sokka asked, looking down at Aang.

"No I'm not. I don't understand why Katara is so upset with me at right now. I mean we knew Khundes for two whole days. I don't see why she is so upset nor do I understand why she wanted to stay behind," Aang said.

Sokka looked at Aang. "Don't worry Aang. I'm sure she'll come around."

"No... I really don't think she will," Aang said.

"Well come on. Let's get camp set up. I'm sure that by the time we are done she'll be back," Sokka said.

But she wasn't back.

Katara had been walking for what seemed like an eternity. She was angry. She couldn't believe that Aang left Khundes behind. He's probably dead by now, she thought. But the thought was gone as quick as it had come. She remembered the waterfall by which she and Khundes shared the accidental kiss. No, she though. It was on purpose... I needed something right then and he gave it to me. She could still see his eyes. The beautiful emeralds they were. She remembered how she got lost in them. They welcomed her like the setting sun welcomes the coming night.

Katara sighed and pushed those thoughts aside. Then, as if by some unknown force, she screamed at the top of her lungs, "You can't be gone!"

Katara fell to her knees crying. Such a kind person should not have died.

It was dawn now. Aang was the first to awaken. He looked over where Katara's bed was made. It hadn't been touched since he had laid it out. Now Aang was worried about her. He stood and walked over to Sokka and nudged him slightly. Sokka just mumbled and rolled over. "Come on Sokka! Katara isn't back yet!" Aang said.

Sokka sat up quickly and looked over to her bed. "We need to find her," he said.

"You wake up Toph. I'm going ahead to find her," Aang said. He opened up his glider and took off.

"If anything happens to her I'll never forgive myself," Aang said. He was a mixture of angry and concern. She shouldn't have gone off alone. He couldn't help but feel responsible if she were hurt. He'd never forgive himself if she was.

As he flew over the trees he spotted a clearing. It was grassy and had a small spring in it. He saw her. She was laying down in the grass next to the spring. Aang landed and began walking to her.

As he got closer to her a gentle breeze picked up. Katara's hair moved ever so gracefully away from her face. Aang stood there for a long moment. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He knelt down beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Katara?" Aang said softly.

Katara's eyes opened slowly. She looked up and saw Aang looking down at her. She sat up slowly and looked down into the pool of water. "I'm sorry... I just couldn't be at camp with you guys last night. I..." Katara paused.

"You needed time to think. I get that. We were just worried about you when we saw that you weren't there at the camp," Aang said.

"Sorry," Katara said. She turned her back to Aang.

Aang shot to his feet. "Katara I"m sorry ok!? I wasn't just going to leave you back there! You would have been killed!"

Katara stood up and looked at Aang. "I wasn't going to die Aang. I'm stronger than that. You had no idea what I was going to do," she said calmly.

"I wasn't going to take the chance Katara. I need you with me. I need your support," Aang paused for a short moment. "I love you Katara. I wasn't going to leave you behind and lose you," he finished.

For what seemed like forever there was silence between them. Aang was shocked at what he had just said and as glad as Katara was to hear it, she couldn't say anything.

Katara's emotions were running wild. She was feeling sadness and anger but she was also feeling happy and relieved.

She and Khundes kissed. She finally came to a decision. If she truly loved Aang then he had to know. "Aang I-"

"There you two are!" came Sokka's voice.

"What Katara? You what?" Aang asked.

"Nothing... Lets just go," Katara said walking to Sokka and Toph.

"Are you ok Katara?" Sokka asked.

"I'm fine. Lets go..." Katara said and climbed into Appa's saddle.

As Aang walked to Sokka, Sokka asked, "What happened?"

Aang didn't look at him. "Nothing," he said and climbed onto Appa and took the reins.

Quietly Sokka and Toph climbed into the saddle and they flew off.

As the day wore on Sokka crawled out to sit by Aang. "So... What did happen back there?" Sokka asked.

Aang stayed silent. After a moment Sokka started to crawl back to the saddle when he heard Aang. "Wait..."

Sokka turned around and sat back down. "Alright... what is it?"

"Should I have let Khundes stay behind? He dead and its my fault," Aang paused for a moment, looked back at Katara, then looked forward. "And Katara hates me for it," he said.

"Aang I'm sure she doesn't hate you," Sokka said.

"I told her that I loved her Sokka. She didn't even flinch when I said it," Aang said.

"Well... Right then she may not have wanted to hear it but that's because she's angry. Give it some time. I'm sure she'll come around," Sokka said.

"I hope so," Aang said.

"And as for your question. I do think you did the right thing. He bought us a way out. It's what he would've wanted," Sokka said.

Katara and Toph said in silence. Toph didn't know what to say and Katara didn't want to say anything.

"So... uh... Great weather we're having huh Katara?" Toph said in a feeble attempt to break the silence. Katara remained silent. Toph sighed. "Listen I don't know what happened back there-"

"Nothing happened. Aang told me he loved me... Thats about it," Katara said.

"Well... how did that make you feel," Toph asked.

Katara said nothing.

"You're that angry with him?" Toph asked.

Katara's eyes began to well up with tears. She didn't want to be that angry at him. She was also mad at Khundes for staying behind. She was mad at herself for allowing it to happen. All the emotions she was feeling right now just left her confused.

Katara found herself thinking back to the waterfall again. She had been so upset. Khundes was being so sweet and kind to her after having just basically calling him a kidnapper. She mentioned her mother, she felt like she needed some form of attention. They kissed.

"We kissed," Katara said, almost unknowingly.

Toph looked at Katara surprised. "What?"

"Khundes and I... We kissed," Katara said.

"Wow... Is that why you are so upset with Aang right now?" Toph asked.

Katara thought hard about that question for a moment. Was she really mad at Aang? Or... was she mad at herself for letting herself get taken away from Khundes? "I guess I honestly don't know who I'm mad at..." she said.

"Well listen... I'm not usually good with the whole advice thing but here it goes... Obviously Khundes didn't want you to stay behind with him because he cared for you and knew that Aang needed you. Aang needs as many friends and as much help as he can get right now. He's got a pretty big challenge coming up soon and he needs to be strong to face it," Toph said.

"I guess but its going to take a little bit of time decide what I need to do or say to Aang," Katara said.

"Of course you do. You wouldn't be human if you didn't need time to think about it and decide," Toph said.

After hearing Toph's words, Katara turned to the side of the saddle and looked down to her hands. She was holding the piece of Khundes' shirt he used to clean the cut on her face. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she lifted her eyes, gazing into the distance, hoping that somehow he was still alive.