Hello! Thank everyone for the reviews! They mean a lot. So, here is another chapter! There is some Aang&Vinca fluff in here, so enjoy. ;)

Chapter Six.

That night, we landed in a meadow in the outskirts of another small, poor village. Sokka had complained that this was 'throwing this off our schedule!', but Aang ignored him and landed anyways. We then settled around Appa, with Sokka barely managing to make a small fire. After everyone had fallen asleep, Aang turned to me, his stormy grey eyes reflected off the inferno, the light illuminating them in a slightly ominous way. "Vinca, why were you with those fire benders?" This question took me completely off guard.

Well, it's not like you didn't know this question was coming! I sighed, looking down at my wrists. The darkness of the scars had faded, but about an inch wide of pink scarred my wrists. After a moments hesitation, I answered, "Well…umm…" I stammered, searching desperately for an answer. Tell him the truth. I inhaled softly, looking into his eyes. My heart fluttered, "I was out hunting," I felt myself wince, and whether he saw it I did not know, " And I broke our town's curfew. I got caught, and something happened, and then the next day I was arrested." Aang nodded slowly, "They…They burned down my…house…" I broke our gaze, my voice shaking, "And burned my grandma…alive."

I couldn't stop the tears now. They spilled like a flood down my face, and my sobs came out softly as I buried my head in my knees, my whole body shaking. I have tried to stay strong. I didn't cry when I saw my only close family member die before my eyes. I couldn't afford to. The sobs came out louder. Suddenly, I felt a warm hand enclose around my shoulders, pulling me over. I looked up, seeing Aang, his face solemn.

"I-I'm sorry, I s-shouldn't cry, just…leave me alone. " I tried to tell him, pushing away. I didn't want him to see me like this. I couldn't him know I was a weak, helpless, lost girl with no known meaning in life. But Aang just pulled me closer, and I finally gave in, resting my head against his chest as I cried.

After a few minutes, the sobbing suddenly stopped. Even though I felt like shit, I also felt happy. I didn't want to pull away. The familiar thud of Aang's heartbeat soothed me as it had before, when he rescued me. However, he pushed me gently away, hands on my shoulders as he looked at me in the eyes again. "I know how you feel. And it's alright. I lost all my people to them…" He trailed off, his hands dropping off my shoulders as he turned away, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, about your grandma."

I looked at his face, so young, and suddenly realized how I looked like to him. Did I look stupid? Foolish? A messy, mottled girl? Why do you care? I asked myself, and couldn't find the answer. I didn't know what to say, so instead, I thanked him, "Thank you. For holding me, and…yeah." I shifted my weight awkwardly, adverting my gaze to the embers.

Aang glanced up at me, smiling softly, "It's fine." He opened his mouth, as if to say more, but suddenly turned away, a blush creeping onto his face as he appeared to find something interesting in the dirt. "So, um, what was in that box that you had earlier?" He asked, nodding towards the ivory box.

The box was in front of me, practically glowing in the light of the fire. I looked at it, picking it up and handing it to him, "I found this in the remains of my house." I said, carefully choosing my words. I wouldn't dare break down again in front of him.

He opened it, squinting to peer inside. He reached in, pulling out the letter, and read it quickly. "What does it mean?" Aang turned to me, searching my face. I shrugged, and he then felt inside for anything else. I hadn't thought to do that, thinking that nothing else would be in it. Apparently, I was dead wrong. Aang pulled out something. It was gold. He examined it, and as I looked over, I realized it was a gold chain with a heart-shaped locket.

"Let me see that," I said, and he held it over. I carefully looked at it, and in the firelight, I saw a name engraved in the front. I ran my finger over it, wondering whose name it was. Definitely not my grandmothers. Or mine. It seemed so familiar... My heart hitched in my throat. The name was barely heard. Barely spoke. Barely thought. Barely known.

It was my mother's.

Nya.

The name was hardly ever spoke or heard in my former home. Grandma didn't like to talk about my mother, who died when I was two. Even though I was young, I have fond memories. Especially of her voice. Her voice was something I used to always remember when I was alone, or out hunting, or just scared. How could I forget it? My mother's voice was beautiful, pristine and clear, a soprano bell. When I would occasionally sing around the house (occasionally, because grandma somehow hated it), I would wonder if I got her voice. I liked to think so.

I exhaled slowly, closing my eyes, my palm tightening around the heart. My mother wore this. It belonged to her. Before she died. "Here, I'll put it on you." Aang's gentle voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I felt his fingers carefully untangle the golden necklace from mine. I let him fasten the necklace around my neck, his fingers warming the spots where they touched.

"Thank you." I said.

He nodded, smiling, "It looks nice on you. Like it belongs. You look beautiful, as always."

I looked up, surprised, and I could feel heat rising to my cheeks. " W-What? " I stammered, " I d-do?"

Aang was blushing heavily, and even in the dim light, anyone could see it. He rubbed his neck, stepping backwards, nearly stepping into the fire. He stumbled, " Um, y-y-eah. Actually, I'm going to go to bed, kind of tired. It's been a long day, right? Well, I'll see you in the morning. Wonder what we'll have for breakfast? " He chuckled nervously, his words coming out rushed, " G-Goodnight! " And then he disappeared in a heap of Appa, who grunted drowsily.

I smiled, my heart pounding against my chest. I was confused but felt a warm, fuzzy feeling gather in me. "Goodnight, Aang."