News Categories ~ News Archives ~ Full Archive
Choose your style: Ice | Water | Avatar |
Purple Team's Event Week Fanfiction
CRACK!
Lightning split the sky, illuminating the earth for a hovering moment in ghastly white light before vanishing back into the night. Aang shivered, but not from the cold or the rain. He hated being afraid like this, but ever since that day, thunderstorms had always sent chills up his back. and his scar. Squinting for a moment, he diverted his attention from the storm and reached behind him, feeling the warped skin of his back with one hand. It was an impressive scar (and could probably give Zuko's a run for its money), and despite Katara's regular administrations, it showed no signs of healing. Aang had accepted the scar for the most part, but during storms like these, all he could think of was the hot wave of light, blossoming from Azula's fingertips, striking him through his leg and out his back, like a thousand knives stabbing from the inside out.
The young Avatar shook his head quickly to clear the memories. He always got carried away like this. It was terrible. Oh, how he would love to be inside right now, warm and dry, and not plagued by waking nightmares. But unfortunately, situations wouldn't allow anyone to enjoy their usual comforts, especially not the Avatar. Instead of being safely indoors with the ones he loved, Aang was stuck out in the pouring rain, sitting under a poorly constructed awning, waiting.
Another bolt of lightning struck somewhere in the distance, branching out in brilliant white, jagged lines across the sky, causing Aang to jump involuntarily. It was then that he heard the scuff of a footstep behind him, and spun around. He didn't want anyone to see him in his moment of weakness.
Instantly, the color drained out of his face. Standing not three feet away was Katara, slightly bent over to get under the awning's low roof. Her eyes betrayed her worry, and Aang instantly knew she had seen him flinch. He quickly turned away and stared back out into the darkness, berating himself.
"Room for one more?" Katara's voice was quiet; barely audible over the rain. Aang didn't reply. Hesitantly, she kneeled down beside him and looked out into the rain as well. "Toph and the other scouts should be back soon. I thought you might be lonely, keeping watch all by yourself." She waited for a moment, but Aang said nothing. "I. brought you some food, from the camp. It's not hot, but it'd be difficult to have a fire in this weather. Not to mention the risk."
Aang sighed; fire was just another comfort they had to do without. The glow or the smoke might betray their position. After a minute, he turned. Katara was holding out a parcel, a sad smile on her face. Aang couldn't muster the strength to smile back. "Thanks," he managed, and took the food. Underneath the wrapping was a small loaf of bread that was partially hard, and some berries. Meager, but it was thoughtful of her. "Really."
Katara smiled again and turned back to the rain. "So," she ventured, cautiously. "You're still bothered by the storms?"
Aang closed his eyes. Well, there was no point hiding it from her. "Yeah. I can't believe I'm scared by something so. so childish."
"What was it you used to tell me? We are kids. It's all right." Katara nodded, reassuringly.
"No, it's not." Aang muttered. "And I'm not a kid. I'm the Avatar. I shouldn't be weak. I shouldn't be scared by such stupid things."
It took a moment for him to realize that Katara had moved, and put one of her hands on his. He must have been numb, from the cold. He looked down at her hand, dark against his own, as she spoke. "Just because you're the Avatar, it doesn't mean you're not human. It doesn't mean you have to pretend to be something you're not. You have feelings, like all of us."
"But," he faltered, still looking at her hand. "I have to be strong, for everyone. The Resistance needs someone to believe in so we can keep going. keep fighting this war. If I'm not strong, they won't be able to fight, and we'll never get to the Fire Lord in time."
Katara's hand was warm. It was bringing the feeling back into his fingers. "You can't be strong all of the time. Eventually, you'll get yourself hurt, and then the Resistance won't have anything to believe in. Aang. We care about you. I care about you. And you should care about yourself, too."
Aang sighed, and the effort caused his shoulders to shake. "I'm sorry, Katara."
Katara smiled, and held his hand in her own. The two of them sat together, shielded against the rain, waiting. And as they sat there, Aang knew that, even if he was afraid of the storms in his future, it would be all right, as long as he had someone beside him who cared.
Page Last Updated: May 1, 2008 5:04 PM
