🍃 How To Raise an Airbender 🍃

Guilt

Takes place the day after "The Deserter"

"Aang thinks back on the time he burned Katara's own two hands by accident, and it's a very unforgiving memory that still haunts him now. All is forgiven with Katara, but Aang still has a long way to go with Sokka accepting his apology, that it hurts him." 

Cue the freshly made campsite-

The sun was setting over the top of the forestry. The gang, back then when it was just Aang and the siblings, were sitting on the edge of a cliff enjoying watching the sunset. 

What made this more fitting was that in this part of the region, the trees in these forests have red leaves all year long. So just imagine the burst of colors mixing around in such a vibrant image~

For once, Sokka thought that fire was beautiful, as the sun was an exception with it being nothing but a big ball of fire. It would remind him of the days his father would return from the fishing trips every evening.

Katara too thought it was beautiful, it would remind her of the times when she used to watch the sunrise every morning in the South Pole with her mother. She always told her that fire is not a killer, and it is not always something deathly. It's a highly necessary element that is balanced with the freezing cold, that it gives everyone the feeling of what is called, warmth.

However, in the middle, a certain little boy was not feeling good right about now. Staring at that sun is giving him very bad thoughts.

I stand corrected when I said that the sun is made of fire, and with fire, comes heat, and with too much heat, comes great pain...

Aang could only look down with sorrow at remembering the day that he achieved fire bending. Normally one would be happy at unlocking such a powerful ability, especially when that ability is fire, which is looked upon for being dangerous. But with great power, comes great responsibility. Firebending is something that is generally used for the purpose of evil, and it can count as both unpredictable, and intentional.

While Aang kept looking down, Katara would take notice of this, and so she decided to break the ice.

Katara: *sighs* It's a beautiful sunset, isn't it guys?

Sokka: Hmm? Oh yeah. *yawns* Forgot that it makes me sleepy... Think I might turn in early, what do you think?...

Katara, like usual, did not find Sokka's laziness to be tolerable. She was going to put him to great use in trying to comfort Aang. It was time he needed a more suitable role on the team.

Katara: Actually Aang, can you wait here? Sokka and I need to talk.

Aang: *sadly nods*

Katara motions Sokka to walk next to her to the direction of the campsite. Normally Sokka would be bored of a lecture from his sister, but he can see the worried look on her face and that's quite contagious if you're an older sibling, so he puts his ego aside to ask Katara what's wrong.

Katara: Sokka, please talk to Aang. I think he's upset, and I think I might know why...

Sokka: Well, can you tell me why?

Katara: Remember yesterday?

Sokka does happen to remember yesterday. All that he does remember about Aang is when he accidentally burned the hands of... Katara. Sokka's looking back at it right now, and he remembers getting so mad at the boy he tackled him. Even though Aang is known for being fabulously stronger than the average human being, Sokka and his big brother instincts took over and won that round.

Sokka: Oh...

Katara: Well, I know that he said that he was sorry, a-and of course! I forgive him, but... Now I realize, I don't think you didn't. So just, talk to him, I think it's fair that you give it a try.

Now Sokka is starting to understand why Aang is upset, the guilt is taking over, and Sokka is one of the main factors of it, not just that strange firebender in the woods.

Sokka: Okay...

Katara: Alright, I'll go set up the rest of the camp. I think Appa needs some attention. *motions to the hungry sky bison who's licking the dirt*

Sokka awkwardly turns around and walks back to the spot where Aang was sitting. Aang may have kept viewing the sunset, but he was also wondering just what Katara and Sokka were exactly talking about. He would guess that it's about yesterday. Just what he needs. Another harsh scolding. Another moment to fear Sokka. Another moment to see... To see Katara cry just like that. Aang grasps his hands on top of his shaven little head.

Sokka: *hand behind his neck* Kid...

Aang: *turns around with tears on his face* I'M SORRY! I'm so sorry Sokka! I-I didn't mean to burn Katara!...

Sokka didn't say anything, he walks closer, and then he takes a squat down to the now crying child.

Aang: I-I just wanted a faster way to learn firebending tricks, I really didn't know I would burn your sister, I- *puts his head down* I'm so sorry...

Sokka now felt genuinely bad for Aang. The sunset. The guilt. And then the crying. The crying is the worst part. What kind of person would you be if you would let the shame eat away at someone vulnerable right now? Especially if it was a child like Aang.

Sokka puts a hand on Aang's shoulder and says...

Sokka: Aang... It was an accident. And accidents happen.

Aang stopped crying after hearing Sokka not deciding to yell, and he looked up and sadly stared at him with his big blue eyes.

Sokka: Aang, I know that I yelled. And I did that to protect my sister. But there's a reason why I did this. Remember when we found out about the damage the Fire Nation has done...?

Aang nods, and then Sokka starts to tell Aang the story of how the Fire Nation murdered their mother. It was the most horrifying experience Sokka had ever lived to see. Aang now understood everything... Why Katara acts so motherly, and why it reminds Sokka of her. This story now put Aang at ease and promised Sokka that he would be very careful when he plays with fire.

Sokka: ...Yeah you're not going to play with fire. You're just going to be careful. Understand?

Aang nods nervously. Sokka chuckled at his words. Then he thought that Aang deserves a hug after what he's witnessed, and felt at the same time. The two share an embrace, and all the way from the campsite, Katara smiles at this sight.
:)