End of the Beginning

Chapter 38

A couple days had passed since that night. Enough time for Dad, the Earth King and Zuko to plan further arrangements for the reconstruction project and to calm down from all the anxiety we faced the past weeks.

As I approached the lone stone, surrounded by small rocks and a small withered but frozen bouquet of flowers I hesitated. I had underestimated just how much willpower it would take to come here, taking a deep breath and crossing the rock boundary to wiped the snow away from the tombstone. It was Rui's grave. There was no way for me to conjure a singular cohesive thought as I bent to my knees and sat in front of him again for the first time in a few years. Without a face to greet, and promises unfulfilled, we met again.

"It's been a while," I softly began to say," I'm sorry - I should've been here sooner, there was just so much going on. So much has happened," I breathed out a small laugh," When I think about the war, how it ended, and what's to come I feel like the entire world flipped upside down. And now I'm home only to realize even more has changed. Nothing is the same anymore. It makes me wonder how you'd react, would you be happy? I know a lot of people aren't. That includes your Dad ... You should've been here to see it in person. Instead — " I paused, clutching onto the necklace in my hand. The one thing I held onto that held any sentiment of his life. I couldn't help but choke on the tears that began to overflow from my eyes," Instead, I have to come here to visit you at your grave, praying to the spirits that you're resting in peace on the other side! I miss you so much, Rui! I'm so grateful to you ... and I can't even repay your kindness. I had told myself to come here to tell you how great my life has become yet I can't help but constantly feel sorry that you aren't able to enjoy yours. It hurts so much to continue life normally after knowing how much I lost. And I know what you'd say, 'what can be done right? It already happened. No need to dwell on misfortune''. So thank you, I've finally been able to come to terms with all the heartache," I cried, placing his necklace on the stone and slowly got back onto my feet," It's time for me to give this back to you, I've held onto it for too long. Oh and .. if you ever run into your Dad please don't be too mad at him - he missed you that's all. Give him some solace when you both reunite. And — just wait, okay? I'll join you eventually, once I've collected enough stories to keep you entertained for a lifetime. You're gonna love it,"

Before I turned around, a strong breeze passed by. Instinctively, I pulled up my fur shawl and looked into the direction the wind was heading. I could hear small echoes of the caribous yowling. My heart clenched before a wave of relief washed over me for some unknown reason. Unable to contain my smile I walked back towards the entrance of the cemetery, my mother was.

It felt as if the turmoil I had been pushing down for so long had finally rested.

I could see Sokka and Katara standing next to moms grave, waiting for me to come and join them. Causing me to pick up my pace and sprint over.

"Sorry, I took a while didn't I?" I apologized.

Katara silently shook her head while Sokka wrapped his arm over my shoulders.

"Don't worry about it," He said before turning to my sister," Go on, sis, say what you need to say,"

"... You know, when we finally came back, I was hoping to find a home where everything's how it's supposed to be. But I realize now that that just isn't possible. Because a home where everything's how it's supposed to be is a home with you still in it, mom. Yesterday, I had to save this woman named Malina. You've never met her. She's different from you — really different — but I have a feeling you would've liked her. When I saved her, I felt a courage deep inside, a familiar sort of courage. I'd felt it before when Kya and I fought Azula, and when I saved Aang as we left the crystal catacombs, and when Admiral Zhao killed the moon spirit and we had to bring it back. That was your courage, mom. The courage you passed onto me. Things are still changing here. I haven't yet convinced Dad and Malina to not build that oil refinery. And the protesters haven't gone away. But through it all, I don't have to keep hoping for what's 'supposed to be' because you've been with me all along," Katara said, tears welling in her eyes but she managed to blink them away, unlike me who's eyes were still a soft pink hue from before.