Disclaimer: Please refer to Chapter 1.
NOTE: EACH CHAPTER IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY, AND ARE IN NOW WAY PART OF A SERIES. THEY ALL EXIST IN THEIR OWN SEPARATE UNIVERSE.
Kinesthesis: The knowledge of the exact location of your body parts without having to observe them.
Chapter 2: The Phantom Syndrome
People say that if you had asked her at age fourteen the exact location of the Avatar, she could have informed you in half a heart beat.
She still can, some say. I believe them.
The entire village acknowledges that Lady Katara is mad. In my eighteen years of existence, there's not a time I don't remember her quiet presence in our village, sitting on the edge of your perception like a fleeting, pale-haired shadow.
She walks between the tents, murmuring almost imperceptibly or she will stare off across the frozen tundra for hours on end, as if waiting for someone who is late in arriving.
No one begrudges her madness; she has led a long, hard life. The most brutal war in history, the reconstruction after, political battles, legend even holds that the Fire Lord, himself, offered to make her his queen. In fact, I think everyone believes that she deserves the oblivious contentment of insanity after everything she has experienced.
Of course, not everyone is so understanding. The poor old dear is a constant target for boys my own age who think that tormenting the old and helpless proves their manliness. They harass the lady and taunt her. One of these bouts of cruelty created the most heartbreaking moment that I have ever experienced. Even if I live to be a thousand years, I will never forget it.
It happened about nine years ago, I believe.
It was Kuja, our chief's son, and his cronies, gathered around Katara making lewd comments and taunting her about past events. I came across them when returning home, and I stood staring at the horrible display. She stood there, a kindly smile on her face, completely unaware of the mockery the boys were making of her. I desperately wished I was bigger, or a boy so I could champion the master waterbender, and beat the living daylight out of the boys.
When they touched on the subject of her deceased brother, my disgust dissolved into rage. I prepared to turn, ready to run all the way home and fetch my father to disband them.
"Where is Avatar Aang, Miss Katara? I would like a word with him."
Kuja's sneered question stopped me dead in my tracks. The other boys snickered and nudged each others, as if Kuja had done something terribly clever.
Horrified, I waited for her reaction. That name always sparked recognition within the fading consciousness. Sure enough, pale blue eyes seemed to lose the mist of age, and for a moment the beautiful, fiery young woman of legends shone through the wrinkled face and downtrodden aura.
"Oh," The great waterbender replied, "He's right here."
She turned slowly and peered directly at me, yet it seemed like her focus went beyond me. Immediately, her face fell, the bright light behind her eyes fading once again behind too many years and hardships. Tears began to run down the weather-beaten cheeks.
"He was right there, "She told me, "He was . . . "
And with that, she shuffled off toward her small tent.
Only Kuja laughed.
I ran all the way home, desperately seeking the comfort of my mother.
I dove into her arms where she sat, mending my baby sister's clothes. I sobbingly related the incident to her, clinging to the soothing warmth only a mother can possess. Finally, the tears ran and the sobs became uncontrollable hiccups.
"Why?" I managed to stutter out.
"Why what, little love?"
"Why does she tink Avatar Aang is still here? He's been dead for more than eighty years!"
"My dear girl," She said gently, "When you lose a piece of your heart, you always feel it."
It wasn't until I fell in love, years later, that I understood what my mother meant.
A/N: The chapter title is a play on the phantom limb syndrome, where amputees still feel like their limb is there. Why yes, I am a giant nerd. The next chapter is goofy and happy, to make up for this one.
Review replies:
Notloc: Thanks! I try.
Mystic Water Bender3: I like doing cute. I think I did this chapter to prove to myself I could do something besides cute, and I just ended up depressing myself. I'll update as frequently as I can, but Senior year is a pain in the arse. Thanks for your comments!
Anuague: Yeah, this place is just infested by Mss, isn't it. Glad I could provide some relief with canon characters. I love the idea of an Aang and Zuko friendship. It gives me the warm, fangirl fuzzies.
Snea: Well, I answered your question, I guess. XP Thanks so much for the review!
RaeRikkuStrong: Thank you for the encouraging comment!
andromedacblack: The management is not responsible for any bouts of deafness following the snoring battle. I'm very scent oriented, as well, which is why I started off with that. Hey, smelling chocolate everywhere is NOT a bad thing. I wish I had that affliction! Yep, ten body senses. Smell, kinesthesis, vestibular sense, sight, taste, hearing, and touch is broken down into warm, cold, pain, and pressure. Touch may be just one chapter with four drabbles, I'm still deciding on that. I hope you're as enthusiastic now about 9 or ten chapters as you were for smell! Thanks!
Neko-chan4: Katara thinks the same way as all of us females, my dear! Thanks so much for your review.
BN: Your wish is my command!