A/N: I have to ask your forgiveness for this chapter. Not only am I posting it while still unhappy with it, but I'm also introducing an element that is only revealed later on. I wanted to deal with it in relation to something else, and moving the interview to after that episode would have brought a whole new slew of issues that I'm not ready to talk about yet- plus, it would have thrown off the order of this series. Therefore, bear with me as I try to do this with as little pain as possible to the readers' sensibilities.

Interviews with the Gaang: Katara

Late that night I was awake, thinking of the interviews I'd done so far, when a shape rose from the general sleeping area. I focused- and could barely make out the swing of waist- length hair as the figure crossed the floor and disappeared around a corner. I followed silently as she made her way to one of the larger fountains the Temple held. There she sat, staring into the water, until I approached.

Katara: I'm surprised that you're still awake.

Myah: It's a full moon tonight- I thought I'd stay up a bit and enjoy it.

Katara: I used to do that. I used to love full moons. Now, all they remind me of is her.

Myah: Hama.

(She looks at me, surprised. But she doesn't ask anything- I suspect they've been talking about my knowledge of every aspect of their journey.)

Katara: Yeah.

Myah: Do you think she's still alive?

Katara: I don't know. I don't think I want to know.

(There's a pause here. I suspect she knows what my next question will be.)

Myah: Katara, do you think you'll ever-

Katara: No. I'll never use that technique again.

Myah: Even if you have to do so to save Sokka, or your father- or Aang?

(She's silent, staring at the moon reflected in the fountain's still waters.)

Myah: You know, a lot of people write about you. Several of them have pointed out that bloodbending can be used for healing.

Katara: No.

Myah: It can't?

Myah: Maybe- yeah- but to learn how means that I'm going to have to practice. And I'm not going to do that. I just wish I could forget that I ever learnt how to do it.

Myah: So I take it you won't be teaching it to Aang?

Katara: Exactly.

Myah: What about healing?

Katara: I'm sure he can do it- he's the Avatar, after all. But not just yet.

Myah: Katara, you won't always be there to heal his wounds, you know.

(Again, there is silence. I decide to switch to a more pleasant topic.)

Myah: Before the Invasion, had you ever suspected that he was in love with you?

(A deep blush appears at that query.)

Katara: No. But I did wonder. Back before we met Toph, we were lost in this cave-

Myah: The Cave of Two Lovers?

Katara: Yeah. (She gives me an odd look.) You sure know a lot about us- and honestly? It's kind of freaky. Anyway, when we... well, back then I thought there might be something. But I ignored it. It seems that I shouldn't have.

Myah: So how do you feel about him?

Katara: Ever since then I've been trying to figure that out- and honestly? I just don't know.

Myah: Katara, throughout the series we've heard about your mother, but one thing we don't know is what exactly happened to her. Do you mind telling me?

(After a long pause, I wonder if she will. But then she starts talking- and her story brings tears to both of our eyes, and a heaviness to my heart. When she closes with the discovery of her mother's body, the silence stretches as I try to digest this. There's one element, however, that reminds me of another point I wanted to bring up with her- and I wonder. )

Myah: How old were you at the time?

Katara: Just over five.

Myah: Losing a parent is hard on anyone- but to lose her at such a young age. It must have scarred you.

Katara: Everyone has their own scars. Mine are just less visible.

(At her mention of scars, I see her tense- she probably suspects where I'm headed already.)

Myah: Betrayal is always hard to deal with. Especially if it comes from someone we love.

(Katara looks at me as if I'm crazy.)

Katara: I don't love Zuko!

Myah: Whoever said I was talking about Zuko?

(We're silent for a while as she tries to puzzle this out.)

Katara: Now I really have no idea what you're talking about.

Myah: Your mother promised that everything was going to be alright. But they weren't, were there?

Katara: Wait- my mother? You think I'm upset because my mother betrayed me? That makes no sense!

Myah: Really? Katara, you were five years old. Your village has been attacked several times by the Fire Nation. You would have heard stories growing up- maybe even had nightmares. Then one of those comes to life: a Fire Nation raid. Your mother tells you everything's going to be alright. But she lied, didn't she.

(She glares at me.)

Myah: It's a fact that a lot of people have betrayed you, Katara; lied to you. Your father left when he was supposed to protect you. Jet used you to get his own revenge. Hama betrayed your trust to carry on her hatred. Your mother broke her promise. Zuko...

Katara: If you're about to tell me that I'm over-reacting about him, think again. He DID betray me- and I have all the right in the world to be furious about it! (I stay silent as she vents- mostly from a well-placed sense of self-preservation; the water behind her erupts as she speaks.)

Katara: Yes, yes, yes! Is that what you wanted to hear? I was angry with all of them! I was furious that they lied to me! And it just keeps happening- over and over again! Is my judgment just that bad? Are the people I trust just destined to betray me? Like all of them did?

She storms off, leaving me alone, sitting next to the fountain under the glow of the full moon.

The next morning, she avoids looking at me at breakfast- which is a good thing, since I'm still a bit rattled by the night's events. But after the others start a debate about whose turn it is to go hunting- Zuko is adamant that it's Haru's turn- she approaches me. We move out of the others' hearing.

Katara: Firstly, I'm not sorry about last night.

Myah: Good. Because you were just being honest- which is exactly what I want.

(She looks dubious.)

Katara: You wanted me to explode at you?

Myah: You can say that.

Katara: You're strange. You're very strange.

Myah: I know. But let's forget about your mother, Zuko and betrayals for a while. How does it feel having your father back?

Katara: It's great. We get along much better now. And he's a great diversion whenever Sokka gets too full of himself- the stories he tells!

Myah: You've lost one parent to this war already- don't you fear that you're going to lose him too?

Katara: Of course I'm scared. We all are. Aang may be powerful, but is he really strong enough to defeat Ozai? And we don't even know if he can enter the Avatar state anymore. Sokka's a great warrior- but he's going up in battle against people with skills he can't hope to match- with the girl he loves at his side. Even if he survives, I don't know how he'll cope if something happens to her.

Myah: Like it did to Yue.

Katara: Kind of- but Yue was destined to become the moon spirit. That was beyond his control. Realising that helped him cope with it. Suki- well, she's very different. As for Toph, she's an amazing bender- I'll freely admit that. But she's still a blind twelve year old girl.

We all go into this with something to risk.

The hunting discussion behind us almost turns into a brawl- Katara turns back to settle it. Even her father is shamed by her tirade- and I have to smile. I wonder- if even one member of her little family falls, how will she ever cope?