Onee-Chan Is Gone (Sokka x OC)

Season Finale: Goodbye and Farewell

My world seems to have tossed itself upside-down ever since I killed those three people. My mother is running the store now since Isao is recovering and I have been trying to assist my father. He isn't helpless, I just feel guilty because I watched him when they hurt him.

Bao has been the only one acting semi-normal around me lately. My parents always look so sad when they look at me. But Bao, they always stay strong for me and look out for me.

Bao and I laid in the grass on a blanket. We had just finished sparring and we were both exhausted. Even though it was a little chilly we both didn't mind because we kept our body moving. I hadn't earthbended after I used it against the soldiers. I'm not sure if I ever want to again knowing what I could do.

After a while, I realized that people are going to come looking for those soldiers. And then they'll come looking for me.

I know the best thing for me and my family is to leave this town before anyone comes looking, but I know that this goodbye is going to hurt more than the others. That's why it was so hard for me to do this.

"Bao-Bao...," I called out quietly. "Remember all those times we dreamt about leaving here and living out in the world?"

I could hear Bao take a deep breath and I could almost feel the memories flooding back into their head. "Of course." I could hear the smile in their voice. "We had so many different fantasies of what we would do once we were finally free of this place."

My eyes shut and I scrunched my face, trying to hold back my tears. "Bao-Bao I have to leave here." I rushed out, struggling to keep my voice steady. "And you can't come with me."

Bao sat up quickly and looked at me with so many different painful emotions. I sat up slowly and crossed my arms in a protective manner. I couldn't bring myself to look into their eyes. "How could you even suggest that?"

"I-I know!" A tear fell from my eye and I looked right at Bao. "I know that I promised... that we promised." I sucked in a shaky breath. "But if you came with me I would just be bringing you into danger."

Bao's shoulders rose and I could tell their anger was too. They pushed me backwards into the grass and started crying. "You want to leave me here? I told you I would follow you anywhere! You told me that you would follow me! I don't care if I follow you into danger I just need to be with you!"

We were both sobbing now and it took me so much strength to continue to say no to Bao. All I wanted to do was say yes but....

"Don't you love me?!" Bao screamed at me before covering their face with their hands.

I let out a choked sob. "That's why I'm doing this. I'm sorry Bao-Bao, but you can't come with me." I stumbled while trying to stand up. I hastily walked away, leaving Bao sitting there.

I could only hope that they wouldn't remember me as the person who abandoned them.

:::

"Oh, Oma, sweetie." Isao and Toshiko wrapped me in a warm hug. We stood near the edge of town and I was wearing three layers of my clothes so I could take as many as possible. I wrapped a blanket full of my stuff (a little money, some knives, and some more essentials) and tied it across my chest. "We're going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too." I gave them a weak smile.

I could tell that Toshiko was holding in her tears which I appreciated because if she started crying I'm not sure how I would ever be able to leave. "You should head south until you reach the river, then head downstream until you reach a town. There's an Inn called So Lu. Tell them who you are and that you need to stay in secret. You just have to give them some money and you can stay there."

I nodded and took my parents hands. "I love you both so much, and I have a favor that I need you to promise to tell the Fire Nation everything you know. I promise I will be safe, I just need to know that you will take care of yourselves first from now on. Please." I knew that this was a big ask, so I didn't wait for an answer.

Pulling them in for the last time, I squeezed them tight and gave them one last smile. "I love you, and I'll see you again." I took a few steps backwards. "Goodbye."

I turned around and started to walk away, finally letting myself cry.

Isao and Toshiko watched as I left, now crying their hearts out not realizing that I could hear every single sniff and sob.

I hadn't realized how much I loved them until now. Because now I've lost them.