Ok. This was like my favorite thing to write. I just really like the dialogue towards the end... :) Enjoy peoples. Also I added a new chapter to the gates so yea... I am basically on top of things. ;)

Well actually, I wrote this a while ago, but I told myself I couldn't post it until I had posted for the gates. That is why I updated them both around the same time.

Ok READ ON IF YOU ARE STILL THERE!

And don't forget to Review!

Trust is a funny thing.

You can't truly live without it. But you can easily die with it.

Yet people willingly put it in the hands of others. And they expect the person to hold that trust without ever flickering. Without ever letting them down.

And the those who give away their trust are dumb enough to hope that their trust will never be dropped.

I used to hand out my trust like these dumb people.

Maybe that is why it became so broken.

Because they just kept dropping it.

The only safe place for trust is in your own hands. Because you will never drop your own trust.

Rights?

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My eyes flickered open. I was instantly met with blinding sunlight that streamed through my frozen windowpane.

Sometimes I like to just stare into the sun, letting it burn glowing pictures into my pupils. Letting it wash over me and cleanse my soul...

This was not one of those times.

I quickly turned my eyes away from the scorching ball of fire, hoping that I could fall back into the blissful sleep I had just been experiencing.

But the sun was not that kind.

Despite my efforts, I could not fall back into my dream.

I cursed the sun as I got up from my bed and stumbled towards the door.

But when I went to grab the door handle, my hand just grappled on a cold block of ice.

Oh yea. That.

I had completely forgotten the incident from last night. No wonder I was so happy when I woke up… The memories of my conversation instantly killed my morning happiness and filled my head with the normal gloom.

They also reminded me of my failed mission for food.

This time I would not be so stupid as to just walk into the trap my family had undoubtedly placed beyond my door. I learned from my mistake. So joke's on them.

I drifted back to my bed and picked up the clothes that I had splayed across the room after my upsetting encounter. I then proceeded to grab my parka and a pair of warm boots. Beside my parka was a measly pile of coins. Hopefully they could buy me something decent for breakfast.

If not, I could always find a way to persuade them…

After grabbing my essentials and putting them in my little bag, I made a beeline for my window. When I opened it, a breeze gusted in. I happily inhaled the fresh air and let it fill my heart with hope for the new day.

Anything would be better than yesterday.

Or so I hoped.

So with that inspiring thought I leapt from my window and made my way towards the center of town where a collection of open markets and trading buildings were located.. That was my best bet for food, plus it was a relatively short walk.

And so I was off on my own.

As I crunched through the snow, I acknowledged all the little things that fluttered around me.. Like the two little boys playing with stones on the ice, kicking them around furiously in an attempt to win some sort of game. And the smiles on the people's faces as they walked with their families. And the little girl who clutched her doll with all her might.

The little girl reminded me of Miki. He was always so attached to that little polar dog.

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him holding onto that scruffy little stuffed animal as he walked through the streets.

It felt good to smile. It felt like it had been too long since I had smiled. Maybe I would smirk every now and then but the smile playing on my lips held all of my happiness in it. And somehow that smile raised my mood to an even higher level of happiness.

Nothing could bring me down.

It was all these little things that convinced me that my life is perfect as it is. These little things give me hope. Hope that tomorrow will always be better. Hope that everything will be fine. Hope in the goodness of the world. Maybe life wasn't all that bad. Maybe there was hope after all.

Maybe.

Eventually I found myself staring up at an open market that hummed with all the life moving around inside. As much as I loved enjoying these little things, I wasn't about to waste my whole day just admiring them. I was too hungry for that.

Before I stepped into the stuffy market area, I took a deep breath of the stinging air. I didn't enjoy markets a lot. They were always so crowded and close. And the air was always tainted with everyone's hasty breath. I'm not claustrophobic, but the market still gives me a sick feeling.

The air quality just had nothing on the clean air outside.

So after taking what felt like my last breath, I stepped into the market.

This better be worth it.

The air immediately pummeled me in a strong wave, the moment I stepped through the door. It was too warm and stuffy... But despite my inner disgust, I pushed on.

My eyes were instantly caught on a fresh fruit stand.

Fresh fruit sounded like a tasty option, and it would also be in my tiny budget of six coins. So with this knowledge, I pushed my way towards the kiosk.

It took a little shoving, and I got knocked in the ribs by an aggressive elbow, but eventually I made it to the promise land. And the bruise in my side was worth it when I saw the rainbow of fruits before me.

I perused the multiple fruits with my hungry eyes. Everything looked so… juicy. This fruit stand appeared to be international because it had a lot of fruits I had never heard of. Everything there looked amazing and it was hard to just choose one…

But finally I decided on the always pleasing Mango.

"Um. How much is the Mango?" I asked the woman behind the stand, trying not to look desperate.

"Everything is 7 coins. Except Papaya, which is 6 coins." she said with a voice of indifference, not even looking up from the magazine she was flipping through.

"Awww I hate papaya..." I mumbled to myself.

"How about 6 coins for a mango?" I'm kind of short on money…" I admitted while rubbing the back of my head in a nervous gesture. Usually women were more sympathetic for the poor.

"Nope." She said with a bored yawn.

"Its just one coin lady, do you really need it that bad?" I hissed at her.

"Listen sweetie, if I gave you that mango for 6 coins, then everyone would start asking for cheaper fruit." she droned on in monotone.

"But-"

"No."

"I won't-"

"No."

"Please-"

"No."

Every one of her 'no's sounded the same and it was obvious that I was getting no where with the dumb merchant.

I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to fight for my food, but this lady was giving me no choice.

"Listen up missy. You are going to take 6 coins. If you know what's good for you…" I demanded, not letting her interupt me this time.

"You peasants are so annoying. I said no." she said while rolling her eyes.

Anyone watching could have visibly seen my face blow up into an angry red. I was so angry that my eye actually started to twitch. Not going to lie, I contemplated strangling her right then and there.

"Well…" I snarled through my clenched teeth. I was done with this lady.

Slyly, I moved my hand, that was hidden from her view, towards one of the plump mangos. My fingers drifted around the smooth skin of the mango and I was about to casually move it back towards my bag when another hand suddenly landed on top of mine.

Busted.

I looked up desperately to the owner of the hand, about to explain why my hand had gone so precariously close to the fruit, when the person started talking to the lady behind the fruit.

"Hello there miss, could I buy this mango?" The voice was deep and almost familiar. I couldn't see the man's face due to his hood, but I could see its effects. The woman that had been so bored with me, suddenly looked up in awe. Her mouth gaped in a hopeless way that gave me a spurt of smugness.

"Uh- sure- of cours-yea!" the woman stuttered in panic. It was quite a pathetic sight to see. Her deep blush forming on her cheeks also did nothing to improve her awkwardness.

Karma is a real badgermole, lady.

"Wonderful!" the voice answered happily, as if oblivious to the woman's dumbfounded state. Then, with the hand the was not pinning mine, he pulled out a couple of coins and he handed them to her.

I didn't need to look close to know that he had overpaid the rude vendor. And I was just beginning to like him, too.

Oh well.

I studied the woman's face trying memorize her mortified features. It gave me a giddy feeling to know that she got what she deserved. Well not the money… the embarrassment.

As he was handing her the coins, I tried to discreetly remove my hand and make a getaway. But the moment I shifted, the hand over mine just pushed down harder, pinning my weak grasp into an impenetrable hold against the soft mango.

I was about to reprimand man when suddenly the hand pulled both me and the mango away from the fruit stand.

"Um, excuse me!?" I yelled through the crowds of people that now engulfed us.

No response.

He just kept maneuvering through the crowd, as if he were parting water.

"Thanks, but I can just take my Mango and be gone!" I shouted, still trying to overcome the loudness of the market.

"I have places to be so-" I stopped short.

The sounds of the crowds around us had been randomly cut off.

Well not randomly. It was probably due to the fact that I was now standing in the snow right outside of the open market. Still attached to the man's surprisingly strong hand.

"Ok. Thanks and all. But really. If I could just take that mango and be gone…"

Then the man suddenly turned around, and I could finally see his face. And those gleeful stormy gray eyes. Upon looking into my eyes and seeing my half enraged, half dumbfounded face, he finally released my hand.

"Oh… the mango… right." He said before handing over my breakfast. But I was too distracted to grab the fruit that he held in his outstretched hand.

"What are you doing here?" I said with an accusing tone. How did I not recognize him before..? Sure he had a hood over his signature arrow, but still. He was very distinguishable in the water tribe.

I knew I had recognized that happy voice. No one was always that happy. Except him.

"Well I was shopping and I saw you needed some extra-" His eyes were shifting around as if he was hiding something.

But I cut off his lie by just walking away. I had said thanks and now I was done. I had other places to be… I just hadn't decided what places.

"Hey!" He yelled behind me, when he finally noticed that I was leaving.

"What?" I threw over my shoulder. The word had an edge to it, and I didn't really know where the edge had come from. But it was there. I realized that sometime during this encounter, all of my happiness had melted away and it was replaced by something I couldn't exactly name.

"Aren't you going to say thanks? I just saved you."

On his last word, I spun around violently.

"I already said thanks. And you didn't save me. I had the whole thing under control!" I retorted furiously.

"Oh yea…" He rolled his eyes while a sarcastic smile played on his lips.

"What do you mean 'Oh yea'?" I glared at him. My respect for him had melted like the snow in the sun. I was already tired of his peppiness. I just wanted to smack that smile off his face.

"Well when I got there, you were about to steal that mango." He replied smoothly as if he knew me perfectly. Like I was an open book. The whole time he was grinning his pearly white teeth. And I couldn't believe it. He had quite a lot of nerve.

"Then why did you help me? You are supposed to be the Avatar. Why didn't you arrest me or something?" I interrogated. I knew I had him.

But his smile only faltered for a fraction of a second.

"You looked hungry. And Avatars help the poor and hungry."

I was not ready for that response. My cheeks exploded with color and I could not find any words to respond, for once in my life. All I could do was flee while my dignity was still intact. I had the urge to throw the mango at his feet, but I wasn't about to go looking for more food.

"Well thanks, Mr. Avatar." I muttered before turning around and speed walking away. Although I did want to run, I felt that it might appear drastic. Plus any sane person would have realized that I was done talking.

Did I mention that the avatar was not sane?

Because he wasn't.

As I rounded a corner, I turned my head to make sure he wasn't stupid enough to follow. But I really should have kept my eyes in front of me. Because that was where he stood.

I crashed into his waiting figure and the whiplash forced my head to smack into his. Turns out he wasn't hard-headed in just the figurative way.

"Ow…" I mumbled as a rubbed the knot on my forehead.

"Sorry! But I told you, my name is just Aang." He said with a small tint of blush forming in his cheeks. But maybe the coloration was just from the cold weather.

"Ok 'Just Aang'. Now please leave me alone."

Instead of following my orders, he just laughed. That's right.

He laughed.

His laugh was deep like his voice, and it gave me a happy feeling. I almost wanted to laugh with him. But then I came to my senses.

He was mocking me. Like I was a joke.

And I did not find it funny. I just found it infuriating.

"You think I'm a joke?" I whipped at him with my eyebrows scrunched up above my eyes.

"No, no..." He stuttered between chuckles.

"I just thought your joke was funny!" He said. The weird thing was that he looked like he was being serious. There was no trace of mockery in his blithful eyes. Just pure giddiness.

"Why must you always act so happy?" I unconsciously blurted my thoughts.

"I'm not acting happy. I am happy." He said simply. As if it was a fact.

"Why must you act so angry?" He continued, still grinning like a fool.

"I'm not angry! I was perfectly happy until you came and ruined my day!" My words were harsh, but he still seemed unfazed.

"Well I didn't realize you hated eating breakfast so much." With a quick twitch of his hand, he air bended the mango out of my unprepared grasp.

Oh so it was going to be one of those games.

In response, I rose the snow around him into an icy prison that restricted his arms and legs. He looked surprised, yet he didn't lose his happy glow. His smile did not dampen for even a second. And surprisingly, he did not attempt to free himself from my icy clutches.

Pft.

I pranced over and pulled the fruit from his restrained hand. Then I gave him the biggest smile I could make.

"See! Now I'm happy!" I said through my grin. Then I turned around the corner, out of his view. The last thing I saw on his face was pure astonishment… and happiness of course.

And then I heard him start laughing behind me. That deep angelic laugh.

I could still hear his distant voice when I turned down an alley that was a shortcut to my house.

Yea.

He was definitely too happy.

Hope you enjoyed it! Revieweth!