Through His Eyes

Chapter 1

The words Hakoda uttered to himself, "Keep them safe, Avatar", echoed through his mind as he looked upon the lifeless body of The Avatar. The bitter irony was not lost on the Chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe. Hakoda had not only hoped, but had expected, a happy reunion with his children. But this...this was worse than he could imagine. Yes, he had still gotten pangs in his heart when he remembered the cry of his daughter in their village the day his wife was taken. For all of that heartbreak and pain he had endured, he never saw her again. Hakoda wasn't sure which was worse, to know without a shadow of a doubt that the love of your life is dead without proof, or to have the unmistaken, terrible evidence of their death right in front of you.

All of these thoughts ran through Hakoda's mind as he saw his daughter and his son bring the unconscious Avatar onto the ship. The Chieftain wondered how Katara had reacted to not only seeing Aang shot with lighting, but having to carry his cold body back to the sky bison. Hakoda couldn't imagine the strength needed for this. While he still felt compelled to protect his children for the rest of his life, this need was not as great as it once was. Something changed the minute he had heard about his children's part in keeping the Avatar alive.

Hakoda's eyes crinkled with happiness as he hugged Sokka, who was becoming more of a man every day. "Dad...this could be awhile. Katara hasn't left Aang's side since..well you know. She's healing him now but be prepared to basically have her fight you tooth and nail to leave him."

The smile on Hakoda's face faded. He remembered how isolated Katara had become after Kya died. Sokka took his mother's death hard, too, but he distracted himself with learning how to fight. Whereas Sokka compartmentalized his feelings, Katara's feelings were written all over her face. She hardly slept or ate, and could often be heard crying in the middle of the night. The only thing that returned Katara back to a state of normal functioning was Hakoda's mother telling his daughter stories of the Avatar. The stories gave Katara hope again when she needed it most.

Shortly after his kids seemed to be adjusting back to their normal lives, Hakoda left. The decision to leave so quickly after the death of Kya was the hardest thing he ever had to do, but he had faith that Katara and Sokka would be okay. He thought he did the right thing a month ago, when he saw Sokka and heard about how great Katara was doing. But now, his daughter was trying to fix the one person that gave her hope at her lowest point. He knew she would not give up trying to heal Aang without a fight.

Hakoda nodded to Sokka and left to find Katara. He walked below the deck and as he entered Aang's room, was unprepared for what he found. Katara, quiet and filled with exhaustion, was slumped over Aang's unconscious body. Water surrounding her hands as they hover over the scar on his back. She becomes prickly when Hakoda comes over and sits down next to her. "Did Sokka send you down here? I'm fine, Aang just needs more healing."

Katara's anger barely concealed the sadness underneath. Hakoda remained silent, allowing Katara to vent. "I know this can help. I brought him back. He was gone...and I brought him back. This has to work," she choked through tears, "Oh, Aang, please come back."

Hakoda finally spoke, "You really care about him, don't you?" The tears Katara had tried to push down with steely reserve, now surfaced, uncontrolled. She placed the water back in her moleskine pouch and without warning, collapsed her body into Hakoda's shoulder. Whether Katara intended to be vulnerable or not was unclear to him, but the reason didn't matter. He would be there for her whenever she needed him.

Hakoda didn't talk for the next half hour. He just let Katara cry. The audible gasps of breaths after periods of silent sobbing into his shoulder filled the room as Aang lay on the bed unconscious. The scene was surreal to Hakoda. He had a pain in his heart only reserved for his family. No one wishes this life on their children. Hakoda pushed the hopeless thought away from his mind. He couldn't save Aang but he could be there for his daughter. No matter the instability of the world, he could do his best to make Katara feel safe.