Finally some more Katara POV. In this chapter you will find out how she feels about Aangs sudden departure.
Katara
I couldn't sleep all night. I kept thinking about Aang. About our argument. I didn't want to hurt him. I did though. Why did it have to be this hard? Couldn't we just be friends. It had worked so well before that. Everything was pure and happy. How can it be so easy in the middle of a war and so hard in a time of peace? It didn't make sense to me. I tried to make it work. I thought about it all day yesterday. After what Toph said. We never said we were together. Everyone just assumed so. I guess it makes sense though. I don't know what it is to be an Avatars girlfriend. Maybe I don't want to know. I need time to think. I'm so confused and I'm mad Aang has to suffer because of it.
I turned around and saw the streaks of sunlight hitting the bed. It was morning. I had stayed up all night. I didn't even realize. Time seemed to pass so fast.
I yawned and got up. I looked in the mirror and cringed. My hair was a mess and my face was puffy. I tamed my hair as best I could and splashed some cold water on my face. I looked in the mirror again.
There, I look more presentable now. I threw some clothes on and made the bed.
Hesitantly, I stepped towards the door and quietly opened it. I looked at Aangs door. I wonder how he was feeling, what he was thinking. I'm probably the last person he wants to see now.
I'll let him sleep in and then I'll talk to him. I had to apologized. I can't leave things like this between us. He's too important to me.
I looked down before making my way towards the kitchen. To my surprise Toph and Sokka were already there. Sokka was making some eggs and Toph leaned over the counter and they were laughing at something she said. Sokka saw me and looked over at Toph with a worried expression? Toph turned in my direction.
„Good morning guys." I said sitting down on a stool.
„Morning" said Sokka turning back to the eggs he was cooking. The mood changed so quickly. I cleared my throat.
„So where are the others?" I asked hoping to lighten the mood from whatever was going on.
„Suki and Mai went to buy some food and Zuko and Ihro went to the tea shop for some breakfast tea." Toph answered turning her head away from my direction.
„Oh so Aang and I are the lazy ones." I tried to laugh but after looking at their reaction, I stopped.
Sokka kept cooking his eggs and Toph was medal bending her braclet. Everything was so quite for the longest time. Something was going on and they wouldn't tell me. I couldn't stand the silence anymore.
„Alright, what is going on?" I asked standing up and placing my hands on the counter. Sokka stopped what he was doing and turned around. He finally looked me right in the eyes. He looked stunned almost. He looked like he was going to say something.
„Katara, did you get any sleep? You look really tired." His worry was the last thing I wanted.
„I'm fine Sokka." I turned away from him. I closed my eyes for a moment. I was really tired.
„Maybe you should sleep in a little longer." He urged me towards me room and I couldn't do anything to protest. The sound of my bed sounded too good right now.
After I made contact with my bed, I fell asleep almost immediately. I needed this.
I woke up to sun rays shining on my eyes. I squinted and got up. I scratched and got up. It was so bright. How long have I been asleep for? I headed for the mirror and fixed my hair. My eyes weren't so puffy anymore. Sokka was right, I did need more sleep. I didn't think I'd ever say that.
I opened the door and memories from the night before flooded my brain as I looked over to Aangs door. For some time I had forgotten what happed. My head hurt as I remembered. He was probably with the others and I had to see him now. I had to talk to him.
I made my way towards the kitchen once again. Zuko was in the open kitchen talking to Suki while the others were on the couch and Ihro was drinking some tea. I smiled at the tranquility before noticing something. Someone was missing. Aang wasn't there. He couldn't still be asleep. He was an early riser.
As I got closer their conversations stopped and they looked at me.
„Look who's finally awake." said Suki smiling at me. I smiled back.
„You must've had a good dream." said Toph. Everyone laughed and I giggled too.
„Should I make you some breakfast or lunch, I guess." Zuko asked me. I rubbed my eyes. Had I really slept that long?
„Wow, I was out a long time, huh?" I smiled and got closer to the kitchen. He nodded.
„I'll take some dumplings. Thanks Zuko." I walked toward the couch were everyone else was. They were setting up a game of Pai Sho on the coffe table. I hadn't played in a while. The last time I played was with Aang.
Aang
I had to talk to him.
„Hey, has anyone seen Aang?" The question was directed towards everyone in the room. They all looked at each other in union. What is it, they wouldn't tell me?
„Guys what is it?" No one spoke. Ugh what was with them today. I stomped my feet.
„Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll find out myself." I walked off angerly. I made my way towards his room and knocked lightly.
„Aang, it's me. I wanted t-„
as I entered the room, I quickly found it empty. Everything was neatly packed and most of his stuff were gone. Even though it was clear no one was in the room, I still searched it and called his name. Maybe he just went on an afternoon ride on Appa. He does that sometimes.
I walked out of the room and headed straight to the stables out back. I was right. Appa was gone too. Momo was probably gone too. I ran to the kitchen.
„Guys, Aang is gone and so is Appa and his stuff were all gone t-„ I stopped talking and controlled my breathing. I looked around the room and studied their faces. None of them looked surprised. Then realization dawned on me.
„You knew." I took a step back looking at them.
„Katara, wait. Listen." Sokka got up from the sofa and sighed. He started walking towards me.
„Where is he?" I wanted a real answer. I had to know. He hesitated.
„Just tell me already." I hated how they were all hiding it from me. They all knew except me.
„He left in the night. He is headed towards the air temples. He is going to rebuild them." I looked at him. It couldn't be . He wouldn't just leave like that.
„What? When did he tell you this?" I waited for an answer from him.
„He didn't." Toph stood up from the couch and walked towards me.
„He left a letter. We found it this morning." I needed a moment to take it all in. I looked back up at them.
„No, he couldn't just leave. He wouldn't do that. What if that letter is a trap and he was ambushed in the night. He could be in danger-„ I talked so fast and Sokka interrupted me.
„He isnt ,Katara. Appa is gone too and he took his personal things with him. It was his decision. We have to respect it." He put a hand on my shoulder and looked at me with pity.
„Repect it? He leaves in the middle of the night without saying goodbye and we have to respect that? No! It's not right. He doesn't just get to do that. He doesn't just get to decide that all on his own!" My voice hastend as well as my breathing.
„Katara calm down." Sokka now put both his hands on my shoulders and held me steady.
„You can't judge him. The kid did the hardest thing anyone can imagine. Everyone around him told him the only way to put an end to his greatest enemy was to kill him and he fought against it and sculpted his own path to find a solution. His wounds are still fresh. He needs this time alone. He needs to find himself. He needs to heal." Zuko said standing up. I looked at him as I calmed down. Tears welled on my eyes.
„We could've helped him heal. We are his family. I don't understand how he can leave us like that." My voice was calm.
„He decided that that's what he needed to do. He knows we are his family. He will find us when he is ready." Sokka said as he let go of me and stepped back. I sighed. No, I just couldn't accept it.
I ran off wiping the tears from my eyes. I ran outside. I didn't know where I was going but it had to be far away from here. I walked around the city still wiping my eyes dry.
After walking for hours, I was exhausted. Both mentally and physically. I saw and old tea shop. I knew it wouldn't come close to Ihros tea but it was the closest shop and I really needed some warmth.
I sat down at a table for two and ordered a jasmine tea. I kept fidgeting with my fingers when the tea finally arrived. It was still really hot, so I waited a while before drinking it. It was getting dark. I saw the sun setting.I looked back at me tea.
„Mind if I join you?" A voice asked in front of me. I picked up my head and looked up to see who was talking to me. I gasped.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
Jet.
He was alive. I got up and hugged him tight. He laughed and hugged me back.
„Jet, I can't believe it's you. You- You're alive." I managed to say to him. I released from our hug and we sat down.
„You don't really think Id let those agents take me out, just like that." He smiled smugly.
„Don't say that. We really thought that was the end for you." I frowned remembering it.
„Give yourself more credit. Your healing was probably what gave me the strength to walk out of there." He said looking at me.
„Well, how did you get out? It didn't look too good back there for your group." I was genuinely curious.
„Let's just say the Dai Li got their butt kicked by Smellerbee and Longshot. They helped get out of there and the rest is history. We've been traveling the earth kingdom ever since. What about you? What are doing here all alone?" I looked down and
sighed. I didn't know what to tell him. I didn't really know myself.
„I just needed some time alone. To think." I couldn't tell him the truth.
„Right, Well I hope I'm not disturbing you." He said standing up. I stood up too.
„No No. I was done anyways. I was just about to leave." I said looking at him.
„Well then, I could walk you home." Home was a long way from here but I knew what he meant.
„Sure." I said as we began walking out.
„So, tell me how exactly you defeated the Fire Lord. I thought of some crazy stories but it would be nice to know the actual events." I slightly laughed and began telling the story. I talked until we got home. I was exhausted.
After we arrived, I said goodbye and plunged into bed without talkig to the others. I was too tired and still sad. I fell asleep quickly, as aspose to the night before.
The next chapters will be with Katara and Aang apart obviously. Their reunion will be worth the wait though. I hope you enyjoed.