Set My Heart On Fire (UPDATED AND CONTINUING!)

5. Blood is Thicker than Water

The morning sun’s illuminating beams seeped through the thin, cream white blinds of Katara’s bedroom window. The light brushed over Katara’s small face under the warm covers, causing the young girl to stir in her sleep. She opened one eye, squinting into the light.

“Morning already?” Katara asked drowsily. She gave one big yawn as she slipped out of bed.  

Katara pulled the blinds open, letting the sunlight flood her entire room. She lingered for a bit in the sun, taking in the beautiful morning. The girl made her bed before stretching her arms towards the ceiling. After a quick shower, Katara came downstairs to find her older brother Sokka stuffing bacon into his mouth. Just another Saturday for Katara.

“Sokka, save some for the rest of us!” Katara scolded Sokka. He looked up at her with cheeks full of bacon and a strip hanging from his mouth. He took a minute to swallow before smiling sheepishly.

“Sorry Katara, but I’m a growing man,” he quipped.

Katara rolled her eyes. Strolling over to the fridge, she grabbed some milk and put together a bowl of cereal. The girl sat down at the table when her father walked in.

She smirked when her father shook his head at Sokka.

“You’re big enough as it is, son. Katara’s the tiny mouse of this family; she has to eat too,” Hakoda said before winking at Katara. “And no offense, but no amount of bacon can make you a man.”

“Hey!” Sokka said, bacon falling out of his mouth.

The three of them laughed loudly.

“But dad, your bacon sucks. Mom’s was the best,” Sokka frowned. Hakoda smiled softly, his eyes crinkling.

“Yeah, it was. She’d probably be laughing at me right now. I could never cook for my life,” he chuckled.

Katara’s mother had passed away a few years ago. It had been a devastating blow to their family...they were never the same again. Her mother, Kya, had struggled with cancer for many years before falling into a coma and passing away not long after.

However, the girl admired her father for being so strong. He helped both her and Sokka through the difficult time, even though he was mourning himself.

One of Katara’s most precious mementos of her mother was a small blue necklace. Kya had given it to her only a week before falling into a coma. Kya had meant to give her daughter the necklace at her wedding, but the worsening of her condition interfered with her plans. It was beautiful - meticulous carvings covered the pendant, and different shades of blue evoked the image of a powerful ocean.

Like her mother, Katara had always been fascinated by the ocean. Katara remembered how she used to play at the beach when she was young, her mother holding her from the waves to keep her from being pulled in. However, the memories of her mother seemed to fade away each day, as if waves were pulling Kya further and further into the distance.

But despite their hardships, their family recovered pretty well. Though Katara and Sokka were young when Kya passed away, Katara was always very mature for her age. She was able to stay strong and pull through those long nights when her mother wasn’t there to kiss her goodnight.