Left Behind

Chapter 2: Hidden in the Tent

Ever since that hug, that magestic hug, Rynn felt like it was impossible to ever back out. She was too close now, to lost in love to ever leave, go back to playing with the young boy in the snow. When she closed her eyes at night, sometimes she wished for his body to warm her up on the cold nights, and sometimes she dreamed that it was finally that day when he presented her a betrothal necklace, that they were finally married, together.

She imagined her hand in his. A kiss. A child.

But she sometimes mentally slapped herself. What would a fourteen year old really know about the matters of the heart? Besides, she shouldn't think about him too much. It was creepy, and she shouldn't imagine the future like she did. She would regret it some day.

Yet however many times she avoided him, however many times she would pinch herself to snap back into reality, however many times she stole her mind off him, it still wandered back to the same inexcusable, unarguable, indisputable conclusion.

Rynn really loved him.

But she was scared that if she established a tie with him, she would lose it.

Instead, she began his best friend. The two were inseperable; where ever one went, the other followed soon; they laughed and hung out together almost every possible moment and Tribe members who had known them all their lives confused them for seperate pieces of the same whole.

So it was no surprise that after months and months of a terrible burden weighed down on her shoulders, it was Sokka she finally confessed to.

“Sokka,” Rynn whispered, shaking his shoulders. “Sokka, wake up.” It was early, even by her standards. But her fear had eaten away at her during the night. She had to tell someone.

“Mmh?” Sokka mummbled.

“I need to talk to you,” Rynn told him, barely raising her voice above minimum. She didn't want to wake Katara or Kanna.

“We are talking,” Sokka said, his eyes still closed, half-asleep.

“It's important,” Rynn added.

Sokka opened his eyes and looked into hers. For a moment she froze, locked in his gaze.

Rynn snapped out of it before it got too awkward. She grabbed his arm and yanked him away from his blankets. He shrieked, not wearing any pants. “Let me get dressed, woman!”

Despite the serious tone, Rynn couldn't help giggling. She grabbed his pants and jacket where they were cascaded across the floor and tossed them to him. “Then get dressed! Then come meet me outside!”

He grinned and began pulling on his pants before she had even left the door. Barely a few seconds passed on was beside her, sliding his long boots on. “What's up?”

“C'mon,” Rynn guestered, and began to stroll away from the village. Sokka's eyebrows furrowed as he followed the girl onto the snow plains.

They walked for an hour or so in complete silence. Rynn fiddled with her thumbs, trying to figure out what she would say to him. She could feel the curiosity radiating off him, but he dare not ask.

Finally, they reached the spot where their fathers had departed last year. Rynn kept expecting Daku to sail back over the horizon, shouting and waving like the lunatic he was, telling her the War had ended, that they were safe. But he never came. Not like Rynn expected him too, anyway.

“What is it?” Sokka finally asked, as Rynn walked to the waters edge and dipped her feet into the water. “Please don't tell me you've dragged me all the way out here to surprise me with my own birthday. It's freezing!”

In fact, she had forgotten, and she felt terrible. “Happy birthday, Sokka,” she whispered meekily, making sure he couldn't see her face. What she had to tell him, she couldn't yet. The morning had been a waste of time.

There was silence for a couple moments. Then, “Rynn, you can tell me. What's wrong?”

She sighed. “Do you remember the Southern Raiders?”

Sokka's face darkened. “It's not a day I like to remember.”

“I know,” Rynn apologised. “I'm sorry.”

“No,” Sokka said, sitting down beside her, dipping his feet in the water. “You can tell me.”

She turned to look at him. “Do you know what – who – they were looking for?”

“They killed my mother. That's all I know,” Sokka confessed.

“When they came, my mother was in the tent with Kya,” Rynn explained. “She was hiding when the man came in.”

“Nadi was there?” Sokka exclaimed with disbelief.

“Yes,” I said, small tears springing on my eyes. “She heard – and saw – everything.”

Sokka squeezed his eyes shut. Rynn couldn't imagine the pain he must've been feeling. Cautiously, she moved to lay a hand on his shoulder. He welcomed the guester, placing his hand on top of hers.

“What did she hear?” Sokka asked in a whispered to stop his voice from breaking. “Why did they kill my mother?”

“Kanna's told you about the raids? To capture all the Waterbenders?”

Sokka nodded.

“They gained intelligence that there was another Waterbender in the Tribe – and they had orders to exterminate her.”

“But my mother was not a Waterbender!” Sokka screamed, snatching himself away from Rynn in an instant. “Why are you telling me this?”

I stood too. “Sokka, she was protecting the last Waterbender. You know who that is, right?”

Sokka suddenly nodded, understanding. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks. “Katara. She died for Katara.” He turned away from her. Rynn saw his whole body racking with sobs. “Why didn't Nadi tell anyone?”

“She was scared,” I explained. “Just like me.”

“Why are you scared?” Sokka asked.

“Because – because I'm a Waterbender too!” I confessed. “And I'm scared they'll find me, and take me away!”

Sokka looked at her with new eyes. Before she knew it, she was squeezed in a tight hug. She was pressed against his chest. After an initial moment of shock, she felt comfortable.

“They'll never take you away from me,” Sokka vowed. “Not while I can still fight.”

I love you, Sokka, Rynn wished to say.

But for the moment, she was content to be held in his arms.

To be safe.

Hey guys, thanks for reading! Dedicated to Gaaraloverstorm3000, hope you enjoy it! ~Mel