Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or the song "Who Can I Turn To?" from Roar of the Greasepaint (Smell of the Crowd), by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. This is probably another musical most people aren't familiar with. I haven't seen it, but I like the music. I only know it has something to do with a stage-performing duo.

Author's Note: I heard this song again recently and thought it would be just perfect to describe how Aang must have felt after Sokka and Katara went off with Bato in "Bato, of the Water Tribe."

Who Can I Turn To?

Who can I turn to
When nobody needs me?
My heart wants to know,
And so I must go
Where Destiny leads me.

Aang stared off in the direction Katara, Sokka, and Bato had gone long after they had disappeared. Sitting on Appa's head, he wrapped his arms tightly around his knees as he considered his situation. He could tell that Katara hadn't really wanted to go, but that was small comfort. At least she had wished him luck; Sokka hadn't even said goodbye.

Aang felt more lonely and empty than he'd ever felt. He wanted to cry, but even that release seemed to be denied him now. Of course, Aang knew what he had to do. He needed to continue on to the North Pole and find a bending master, following the original plan. The bare fact, though, was that he just didn't want to do all this alone. He wasn't even sure if he could.

With no star to guide me,
No one beside me.

Momo chirped and nuzzled at Aang. Sighing, Aang stroked Momo's ears, knowing the lemur was probably trying to cheer him up. He still had Appa and Momo, but as much as he appreciated that, it just wasn't the same.

So Aang was on his own now, with two animal companions. He supposed he should get up and get going, but he couldn't raise enough interest. He was too depressed to move. Besides, there might be the slightest chance that they would change their minds. Maybe Sokka would forgive him after all and come back. If Aang left, how would they ever find him? He had to be sure they were really gone, despite the persistent voice in his head that assured him they were.

I'll go on my way,
And after today,
The darkness will hide me.

It was all his fault, too. Aang knew enough now to understand the bitter irony of his situation. He had lost his friends through giving into the fear of losing them. He should have known better; he should have been honest. He should have known that they would make the right decision, if he had just presented them with all of the information they needed. He should have trusted them. More importantly, he should have been worthy of their trust.

Now that Aang had learned his lesson, it was too late. How could he have been so stupid? Perhaps the worst part was that this one mistake had cost him the girl he loved before he ever got a real chance to win her. He might never see her again. At this thought, the tears began to flow at last. Aang threw himself face-down on Appa's neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

And maybe, tomorrow,
I'll find what I'm after.
I'll throw off my sorrow,
Beg, steal, or borrow
My share of laughter.

When the tears subsided, Aang actually felt a little better. Always an optimist at heart, it was hard for him to stay depressed for long. He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath.

Maybe his life wasn't dependent upon Katara and Sokka. He loved them, but surely there were others out there he could make friends with. He'd survive, and he'd go on. He'd save the world for them, even if they forgot about him. He owed it to them and to everyone.

He still hadn't quite made up his mind to leave, though, when one of the holy sisters told him that Zuko was tracking him using Katara's necklace. Everything else was forgotten when Aang realized that Katara was in danger because of him – another thing to feel guilty about.

With you, I could learn to,
With you, on a new day,
But who can I turn to if you turn away?

Determinedly, Aang went in search of Katara, Sokka, and Bato. He didn't know how much chance he had of finding them before Zuko did, but he had to try. Aang tried not to think selfishly that this would allow him to see Katara at least one more time. However, he did resolve to get her necklace back. It had caused enough trouble in Zuko's hands, and it belonged with Katara.

Aang didn't even allow himself to think that any of this might earn him a second chance. He still didn't deserve that, and it didn't matter. They needed him, and it was the right thing to do. He could only hope that he would make up for his gross error in judgment, perhaps to the point where he could forgive himself. He was starting on a new path, and that would have to be enough.

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Member of the Boomeraang Squad: charleegirl, Jesus.Lives, Liselle129, Strix Moonwing, Avatarwolf, MormonMaiden, libowiekitty, Snows of Yester-Year, La Vixen de Amor, chocolatecoveredbananacheese, Aangy, and honorary member SnakeEyes16

Author's Note: Again, I had trouble with the ending, partly because the song ends so uncertainly.

Review responses:

TTAvatarfan: Yes, I do tend to spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about the little details. I enjoy fleshing these things out.

libowiekitty: That is odd that you had a dream I updated, especially since I didn't update until 10:00am my time. Of course, I was planning to, but still.

maiko forever: Thank you, I'm really glad you liked it!

Aangs fangirl1214: Katara said it must have taken a lot of courage. I'm not the first person to write about Kana leaving, but I wanted to put my spin on it. It would be really interesting to find out more about her journey. It could literally have taken her years to get to the South Pole, depending how she traveled.

Let's Just Say I Loath It All: I Do, I Do is hardly ever performed because it only has a cast of two: a man and a woman. Obviously, that's unique for a musical. It follows a couple through 50 years of married life and takes place in their bedroom, except for the very beginning, during the wedding.