Oh come on it was just a bracelet!

Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine even though I wish they were but they are most definitely not mine.

Author's note: Thank you for reading. Special thanks to PermanentlyFrozen for the review. Reviews are great- I'll be able to know whether you hate this story or like it. Thanks to all that have added me to their story alert/ author alert/ fav story list. Hope you like this chapter. - Aisha

The engine of Sokka's motorbike stopped roaring as he came to a stand still in front of a small bungalow. He motioned to park the car in the driveway, I complied even though I had no clue where he was taking me; all I knew that I was not alone. We were in this together and that was all that mattered. I walked to the door where Sokka was fiddling in his pocket, searching for what I'm guessing is the key to the blue wooden front door. A small smile caressed his features as his eyes twinkled with delight. He'd found it. Sokka twisted the key and voila it opened.

"Ta da," said Sokka happily.

I stepped inside and gasped as I took in the surroundings. I was so shocked I stood in the doorway marvelling anything I could feast my eyes upon. I shook my head then let myself to take a tour of the bungalow. On the left was a bedroom with a low bed covered in a dark blue duvet. The windows on both west and east walls were huge. The wardrobe was milky white in colour. The moonlight danced off its shiny surface. The en-suite bathroom was covered in shades of blue marble creating an illusion of water. It was perfect. Straight ahead of the front doorway was the lounge fitted with a flat screen TV and matching black leather sofas. The lounge was lit by bright spotlights. It was cute and cosy. There was a door leading to a bedroom I was sure Sokka would love. It was bright, almost white. The light furniture gave me shivers. The white bath tub in his en-suite bathroom was another story. It created an impression of snow and ice. Towards the right of the front doorway, was a short corridor leading to a colourful kitchen. Sokka looked at me with wide eyes. Searching for something. Reassurance? Maybe.

"It's not much but it's all we have," Sokka said nervously.

"Shut up! This place is awesome!" I said enthusiastically.

"Really?"

"Yeah," I said as I gave him a hug. "Wait. Where did you get this house? I mean…how? I mean…when?"

Sokka's distinct laughter filled the lounge. "Remember the money I won last year? I saw this place last Christmas and bought it straight away."

"That's nice," I replied.

"Came in handy didn't it?" he said with a radiant smile.

I tried to smile back but I just couldn't. The sting I felt immobilized my body. I could still see Mother's eyes full of undeniable rage. I could remember the disgust on my family's face. The shame, the distress, the anguish I felt came alive instantly. I was fighting an intense battle against tears. My knees betrayed me. I staggered down to the wooden floor.

"Why me? Why did she do this to me? Why? I have always tried to be the best I can. Never did the things she told me not to do. Never did things she hated. I constantly tried to make her proud. How could she do this to me? Why?" I cried. I hugged my knees as the tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Hey, it's okay," said Sokka as he patted my hair.

"No, Sokka, it's not," I contradicted. "It was just a bracelet, come on! She didn't need to kick me out of the house for that!"

"Katara, that's where you are wrong! You think that piece of metal with some gems was just a bracelet? It was not! You do not know how much that bracelet meant to Mother. She…she loved it. It was a tradition throughout her family to hand this bracelet down to the next daughter. You...unintentionally shattered her dream. She wanted you to give it to you daughter…eventually when you have one. She wanted you to be a part of her dream. You became her dream, though it did not last long. She yearned for you to continue the tradition. Mother was so reluctant to pass on her bracelet to you. She adored it but when she saw you wearing it, it made her the happiest person in the world. She wanted you to have the privilege to wear the ancestral bracelet as well." He paused. "You shattered her dream, her trust, her faith by losing the bracelet. I doubt she will forgive you."

A few moments later, I said, "I guess you are right. It makes sense. But…you didn't have to come as well."

"I couldn't leave you alone plus it may soften Mother up when we go back to her after a while," Sokka said thoughtfully. I was absurdly touched by this. "Come on Katara, give your big brother a smile."

"You're only two years older than me," I said as a small smile etched my features.

"Key word is older," said Sokka with a raised eyebrow. I just had to giggle.