I’m new to fanfiction, but I really hope you enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoy writing it.
Thanks to everyone who’s read it, and please, leave comments! It would be great to know what you think.
-Ellie
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This wasn’t right. Damn that fisherman and his stupid, quick assumptions. It physically pained Katara to see Aang like this. His angelic face was scrunched up into a mask of pure regret as he told her the tale of his decision to run away. Every time he mentioned Monk Gyatso’s name, Aang would flinch, causing Katara to flinch too – his pain was her pain.
“I just…left,” he said, his voice finally breaking. Katara linked her fingers with his as she held his hand.
“Aang,” she told him, her voice firm. “You had nothing to do with the Fire Nation attack. Sozin was as evil as anyone can be, and you would’ve been killed yourself if you had been there.”
The young airbender looked up at her with wide silver eyes, grateful for her reassurance. But nothing could take away the guilt he felt when thinking of the only home he ever belonged to, destroyed during his time of cowardice. Katara watched as emotions flitted across his youthful features, her heart reaching out to her friend as his brows furrowed and he looked towards the flickering fire.
Aang’s breath caught when Katara suddenly flung her arms around him and pulled him in for a tight hug. Neither of them had expected it, but neither questioned it either: somehow, it felt right.
Katara reluctantly let go of the Avatar, sitting back to look at him with a remorseful expression on her lovely face. Aang cocked his head in curiosity.
“Katara, what’s wrong?” he asked.
The Water Tribe girl cleared her throat. “Aang, I never said sorry for the way I acted a few days ago. I shouldn’t have stolen that scroll. It was a stupid, selfish thing to do and I put everyone in danger. I’m so sorry.”
Aang shook his head and smiled empathetically at his friend. “It’s ok, Katara, really. I completely understand why you did it, and I’m actually really glad you did. That scroll will teach us a lot and help me master waterbending.”
Katara sighed with relief and was again reminded of Aang’s forgiving nature. She admired him for that.
“And we’ll get your necklace back,” Aang continued. “I promise.”
Katara glared into the flames as memories of the Fire Prince made her lips thin in anger. How dare he steal her most prized possession. Zuko had no idea how much that necklace meant to her. She would do anything to get it back, and Aang knew it. The airbender was almost worried for the Prince’s wellbeing – he had seen what Katara was like when she was angry at Sokka. Agni only knew what she’d be like towards someone who had actually wronged her.
Then again, Aang didn’t like the guy much either; especially the way his eyes had travelled appreciatively up and down Katara’s slender figure when he had her tied to the tree. Or the way he’d leaned in a little too closely and left his fingers on her neck for a little too long when he blackmailed her with the necklace.
In fact, Aang found the Fire Prince downright creepy.
He looked over at Katara’s eyes gleaming softly in the firelight and made up his mind. He would get her mother’s necklace back as a surprise for her. The thought of how happy she’d be once it was returned to her made Aang smile.
He ignored the real reason behind his decision. The Avatar was not supposed to be selfish.
Aang was jolted out of his thoughts by the sound of thunder echoing around the cavernous walls. Rain pelted down outside as lightning lit up the shadowed parts of the cave.
Katara’s fearful eyes found his and Aang immediately understood.
“I know,” he said. “I’m worried about them too. We’ll go out and find them once this storm calms down a bit.”
Despite Aang’s reassurances, however, Katara couldn’t help glancing fearfully into the night. Her brother was in that storm. He could be in danger.
“I don’t think we can wait that long,” she said.
Neither, apparently, did the fisherman’s wife, who suddenly appeared at the entrance of the cave. As Katara waterbended the moisture out of the woman’s soaked clothes, she told them about the terrible ocean conditions. Katara looked imploringly at her friend.
Aang gave in – how could he say no with her looking at him like that?
Once Appa was ready, they climbed on, promising the woman that they’d return her husband safe and sound. Aang smiled at his companion, boosting her confidence. Sokka was alright. He had to be.
Together, they flew into the eye of the storm, each gaining courage from the other’s presence.
