Katara
I don't know why I did it. Just seeing Haru, it shook something in me. I wasn't thinking when I kissed him. My heart still throbbed after we locked lips. When I let go, I sprinted towards my tent without looking back. Once I got in, I closed the curtains and closed my eyes. I put my hand over my mouth and a tear ran down my cheek.
Why did it hurt to see Aang kiss her? And he did it with such a passion, like he was longing for affection. I let out a long breath and bit my bottom lip. I don't know what's wrong with me. I rejected him. I told him I needed time. I moved on and we were friends now. So why do I feel so betrayed?
I ran my hands through my hair. The world seemed to spin around me. I sat down on my bed and tried to contain my rapid breathing. After some time, I managed to calm down a little and took off my coat. I didn't even realize how hot it was in the tent and that I was sweating. I laid down and tried to sleep but to no avail. My eyes were shut but my mind was racing.
I didn't have any reason to react like this. I thought about the last couple of days and how he had changed. He really grew up and took on his role as the Avatar. At first I thought he was rather serious but when we got closer, I still saw the old him. His personality has not changed and I am glad of that. His appearance shocked me most. When we were waterbending in the ocean, that's when I really noticed it. His height and physique. His training served him well. He looked so handsome.
I blushed at the thought if it. I shook the thoughts out of my mind. He was a good friend, nothing more. There could've been something but I stopped it. I can't regret that now. I do but I know I shouldn't . I just wish things could've turned out better. I wish he hadn't left that night.
I barely slept that night. It was like my mind possessed me. When dawn finally came, I got up and put my hair up in some style. I didn't really care for my appearance this morning. I wanted to get through the day unseen.
I walked out and saw only very few people out. The usual fishers and some tribe women. I was looking at Sokka's newest snowman when I suddenly bumped into someone. I rubbed my head as I stepped back.
„Oh sorry-„ I looked up to see Haru standing in front of me. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
„Uhm, did you get any sleep last night?" He asked looking at me. I put my hand down and glanced back.
„Kind of. Why?" He chuckled and pointed to a puddle of water next to us. I walked over and looked at my reflection. I didn't realize how tired I looked. My undereyes were as dark as my hair. I rubbed my eyes and looked back at him.
„You don't need to lose sleep because of it." He said as we walked together.
„What?" I asked rather fast as I looked at him.
„You know, last night. It doesn't have to mean anything." I looked at him with a blank expression, trying to figure out how he knew. He saw my expression and spoke .
„Our kiss, Katara." Oh, that. I let out a small sigh of relief and gave him a weak smile.
„Yeah, sorry about that. I was just really tired. I don't know why I did that." He smiled back and looked ahead of us.
„It's fine. I know it's been rough, especially for you." I looked down and then at him.
„Thank you, Haru." He kept his gaze focused ahead of us but chuckled at my words.
We walked around for a while before Haru went back to his tent. I walked around alone for a while. Even though everyone was here, I felt lonely. I wanted to do something to lift my spirits. I wanted an adventure. I was about to take a turn when I almost bumped into yet another person. I have gotten so clumsy. I looked up and was about to apologize when I saw a pair of familiar grey eyes.
„Katara, I was just looking for you." He held my shoulders as we almost ran into each other and I just looked at him.
„You were?" Was the only thing that I could say in that moment. He smiled and nodded.
„I wanted to talk to you about something." He began to lead us into a more quiet setting. I followed him and my nerves were getting the better of me as we walked. I was interested and also somewhat scared of what he wanted to talk about. He lead us a little further out from the village, right in front of the ocean.
„Soo, what's up?" I tried to sound casual and not as nervous as I really was. He cleared his throat and straighten his shoulders.
„Well, Kyiosana and I will be going away in two days time. We will bring the chief adviser, Poltuq to the Northern water
tribe." He said as we looked eyes.
„So Kyiosana will stay there?" He put a hand behind his neck, which he does when he is nervous.
„Uh-Well, Kyiosana and I are sort of together now. She wants to come with me to the fire nation afterwards." He looked up to me, waiting for my reaction. His eyes looked full of worry and anticipation. I have thought of the possibility last night but hearing him really say it hurt much more. I pushed back tears and smiled at him.
„That's great, Aang. I'm so happy for you." I tried my best to sound happy. He suddenly pulled me in for a hug and held me close. I hugged him back and closed my eyes
„Thank you, Katara." As we pulled back, I looked into his eyes. Seeing him happy made my thoughts disappear for a moment. I wanted him to be happy. If he found that happiness with Kyiosana, then I would accept it. I smiled at him and he smiled back.
He still held my hands and I his. We both turned around when we heard someone behind us. Kyiosana came running and hugged Aang from the side, breaking our embrace of hands.
„I see, you told her." She smiled, pressing her cheek against Aangs and smiling. He chuckled and pulled back.
„I did, and that we're leaving." Her smile grew as mine faded.
„Oh, that's great. I'm so happy you approve." She said and I looked at Aang after that. Approve? He cleared his throat and smiled at her.
„We should probably get back." He said and Kyiosana agreed by pulling his hand towards the tribe.
„Aren't you coming?" He asked stopping himself and Kyiosana. I gave them a smile.
„I want to practice my waterbending. I'm kind of rusty." I said with a chuckle. He nodded sadly and Kyiosana returned
to dragging him towards the village. I quickly turned around after they left and lifted up my head. I looked at the sky and then closed my eyes. I don't know why I was feeling this. I wanted to be happy more than ever but I just couldn't. It didn't feel right. Them together didn't feel right.
The next two days were a blur. I didn't really talk to anyone and when I did, I kept the conversation short. I have thought about a lot of things since Aang announced his departure. Too many things.
The morning of their departure finally came and they wanted to leave soon. They were getting their things onto Appa when I went out to say my goodbyes. Aang was helping Poltuq with a heavy bag when I came closer. Kyiosana was already on the saddle and sorting her stuff. Aang turned to after he was done with the bag.
He smiled and I melted at the sight of it. The sun was coming up and it him his face. He looked so handsome in this light. His eyes shimmered and his smile was addicting. He looked like he was about so say something when I stopped him.
„I want to come with you." I blurted out. I shocked myself and by the looks of it, him too. His expression changed to a confused one. Before he could say anything, I wanted to explain myself.
„I know its sudden but I want to go to the North Pole. I wanted to go there for some time now. I didn't know wether to tell you or how you would feel, knowing that you want to go there too, with Kyiosana." He chuckled at my nervousness. I stopped and looked at him and his reaction
„Katara, I'm more than happy to have you with us. Why would you doubt that?" He asked sounding more playful than serious. I let out a breath of relief and smiled.
„I don't know. I guess I didn't want to be a bother." He put a hand on my shoulder and kept up his smile.
„You'll never bother me with you presence. Besides, Appa is happy to have an old friend back, like the good old times." For a moment my smile faded before reappearing again.
„Like the old times." I said putting my hand over his. It felt somewhat sad to say it. I really did miss our adventures together.
„You guys coming?" We both looked up to see Kyiosana staring at us. He quickly pulled back his hand and cleared his throat. I too put my hand down and Aang offered to help me with my bag. I only took a small bag and not too many things with me. After I handed him my bag, I looked behind me to see Sokka, Haru and my dad approaching us.
„Mind giving me a ride too?" Haru asked holding a bag. Aang glanced over and smiled.
„Sure." He replied and helped Haru with his bag as I went over to Sokka.
„When did you plan to tell us that you're leaving?" I felt a bit embarrassed because my departure was rather sudden and uncalculated.
„I didn't really know if I would actually leave ." I replied and put a hand on my arm, as a way to ease my embarrassment. Dad stepped forward and smiled at me.
„If you think you need to leave, then that's up to you." He said and I gave him a half smile.
„Thanks, dad" He pulled me in for a hug and I hugged him back even harder. It did pain me to leave but I know I'll be back. After we pulled apart, I looked over at Sokka. His arms were crossed and he was looking away jokingly.
„Sokka." Dad said in a playful tone. Sokka then looked at me and let his arms fall.
„Fine." He then said jokingly and hugged me too. I gave him a tight hug and we stayed like that for some time.
„I'll miss you." He said admits our hug. I pulled away from our embrace.
„Don't worry, I'll be back." I said as he stepped back.
„Oh I'm not worried. You got Aang with you." As he said that last sentence, I looked behind me. There I saw Aang talking and laughing with Kyiosana. I looked at the ground first before looking back up at Sokka.
„I can handle myself." I replied with my tone sounding harsher then intended. His expressions changed too.
„I know you can." He said after which Haru walked up to us.
„You ready?" Haru asked and I nodded. I gave Sokka one last small hug before I began walking towards Appa. Sokka followed and gave Aang a tight hug too. He helped me get onto Appa and I found a place to sit.
„Don't be gone for too long!" Sokka yelled out as Appa left off.
„I won't!" I yelled back and watched as their figures became smaller and smaller. I settled in and looked at the sky.
The sun looked particularly pretty this morning. As my eyes trailed around the horizon, they led me to Aang. He was the farthest away, where he always sits. His tunic flattered in the wind. He looked most peaceful in his element. My gaze followed the ground and I thought about how I would get through the next couple of days.