Nightfall

Thirty Nine

Dark clouds had gathered across the otherwise blue sky. They were just in time for the string of funerals that were happening today. A few of the other White Lotus members passed away during the battle, just like Lu Ten did. His would be first, though. It was the most important one, and that was why it would be first. Everyone knew how important this funeral was, so they all made sure to make it the best that they could with what they had available. 

It still wouldn't have been enough, though. They shouldn't have been having a funeral for Lu Ten. He should have been alive and well, helping to create a better world for their people. He should have been there with them, but he wasn't. He wouldn't ever be with them again because he was dead. 

And it was all Katara's fault.

She trudged up the stairs to the cathedral where they were having the funerals. The air around her was so very humid; it washed over her like a wave of an ocean. It was going to rain soon. She would welcome it with open arms. 

At the top of the stairs stood a few people waiting for Katara. She noticed Aang and Sokka chatting together while Toph and Suki stood silently next to the two boys. Her father stood a few feet away from everyone else, a contemplative look on his face.

Having her father in town wasn't as good as she would have liked. Just like he said the other day, he was there for Sokka. And he was. He barely spoke to Katara about anything. Maybe it was because of her closed off demeanor. Whenever he was around, she would remain silent and rarely look at him. Maybe it was because their relationship had been ruined years ago. She wasn't sure.

"Hey," Aang said, taking a step toward her. "I'm glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss it," Katara said softly. He nodded gently and pulled her into a hug. "He should be alive."

"I know."

Aang held her for a second longer before letting go. She took a step away from him when she saw her dad looking at them. He shouldn't have cared about what she was doing with Aang; it seemed like he didn't even care about her.

"How are you guys doing?" she asked them. She hadn't seen much of their group lately because they all were doing different things. Suki was out searching for Ozai, Zuko, and Azula with Toph's help. Toph finally decided it was time for her to get out of the infirmary and help where she could. Sokka and Aang were rebuilding the government, and she was in the infirmary all day long. By the time night fell, she had to just go to bed and not see anyone else.

"I think I'm speaking for everyone when I say that I could be better," Sokka said. He offered Katara a watery smile. "You know how it is."

"Yeah, I know."

"But we're getting there," Aang said, his voice soft but hopeful. "The government has never been better, and we're only in the beginning stages." He shifted his gaze to Suki and Toph. "How's the search going?"

"Meh," Toph said, shaking her head. "I don't think they're around here anymore. Maybe it would be better just to let them go. Zuko wasn't a bad guy, so maybe he would calm Azula and Ozai down."

"I'm starting to think the same thing," Suki said, sighing. "It's time to call it quits."

"You do whatever you need to do," Sokka said to her. "If you need to quit, then do it. Don't let this bring you down more than it already has."

She gave him a smile and said, "I know, Sokka."

"We should probably get inside," her father said, stepping into their group. "The first funeral is about to start."

Katara watched as her father walked inside the cathedral, leaving the five kids outside. Sokka placed a hand on Suki's back, guiding her into the building. Toph went by herself, leaving Aang and Katara outside in the rainy air. "I'm sorry for ignoring you these past couple of days," Aang said, taking a step closer to Katara. "I've been really busy --"

"I know," she said quickly. "I understand, Aang. You don't need to apologize."

He smiled at her before slipping his arm around her shoulders. The two of them walked into the cathedral together. Katara was amazed at how high the ceilings stood. It also amazed her that this building was still standing after everything that had happened. Rubble surrounded the cathedral, but it still remained standing for another day. It would remain a beacon of hope for the new world they were creating.

Aang and Katara slid into one of the many pews together in the back, and she settled down. She spotted Iroh at the front of the room, bowed down in front of the casket. Her heart shattered in her chest at the sight. No parent should ever lose their child, no matter what. Even though her relationship with her father was terrible, she wouldn't want to see him mourning for her or Sokka. She knew that her father still loved her even if they weren't on good terms right now.

Over the next couple of minutes, the people quieted down until no one else was speaking. There was a man near Lu Ten's casket, one that Katara had never seen before. He had a solemn look on his face when he said, "Today is a hard day for everyone who participated in this organization."

She glanced down at her lap just as Aang slid his hand into hers. He gave her hand a squeeze. This shouldn't have been happening. She wished it wasn't happening. But it was, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Lu Ten was one of the greatest men I have ever known," the man continued. "He cared about this world more than anything else. He wanted to create a better world for himself and others, and if he were here, he would be so proud of what has come to pass." The man fell silent for a second. She guessed that he was having a hard time getting through this eulogy. Everyone would because Lu Ten was such a great guy. He didn't deserve to die. "He gave his life to help this world turn into what he wanted. He died fighting for us and for everyone. Even with his last breath, he was fighting for our cause. He was fighting for our freedom. And that's what we got because of him."

She couldn't handle it any longer. Katara had to get out of the cathedral before she broke down in front of everyone. She stood up and pushed her way down the pew. At least it was just Aang sitting on the outside; she didn't have to climb over anyone else besides him. It was a good thing that they sat in the back, too. That way, no one could see her running outside. She hoped Aang wouldn't follow her; she just wanted to be alone right now.

When she pushed the door open, the first thing she saw was the rain falling down to the earth in torrents. She didn't mind. She stepped outside and was immediately drenched. Her hair clung to her face as she collapsed down to the ground. She held her head in her hands, finally letting the tears fall. 

Thunder clapped in the sky, echoing around her. Her tears mixed with the rain, and soon enough, she wasn't sure if she was still crying. Her heart thundered against her chest painfully and there was a loud buzz in her ears, one that would only go away in the presence of the beautiful waves from back home. 

This was her time to run away. No one had come after her. No one had noticed how devastated she was. It was time for her to go back home. She knew it was bad to go back to District Four, but she had to go back and say goodbye to the place she grew up in. There was nothing there for her besides memories, but she needed to say goodbye to those memories. She needed closure.

And that was what she was going to get. 

Katara stood up against the heavy wind and began to make her way to the train. She knew it was still in town and that it would soon take off on its journey around the country. It would take her home, she knew it would. And it would hopefully bring her closure to her pain from the past. Hopefully.