Tears-a short Katara story

Katara wrapped her fingers around the small stone, hoping for some small shred of memory. But the cold, little stone was unresponsive. No smell, warmth, or sound came off of it. Nothing to remind her of her mother. Had it already been a year? It felt like a lifetime. Sokka and Hakoda had cried at her mother’s funeral. It was not shameful; someone’s death was a reason to bring even men to their knees. But Katara’s eyes remained dry. She held the tears inside, somehow forming a wall to keep the pain out. But at night, when everything was quiet, the wall seemed weak. She had told herself it would be wrong to cry, her mother wouldn’t have wanted it. But now, she fought her heavy eye-lids, trying to keep the nightmares away. Her eyes won the battle, and she drifted to a place that seemed very far away.

--Flashback—
“Katara, I want you to have this.” Katara’s mom opened her hand, to reveal the necklace. Katara’s eyes widened.  

“But Mom! It’s your engagement necklace!” Katara argued. Her mother chuckled.

“I know that silly. I want you to keep it, and pass it on to your children one day.”

“But why?” Katara asked. Her mother tied the necklace around Katara’s neck.

“In honor of your waterbending. You are the first waterbender that this tribe has produced in many years.” Katara’s mother said proudly. Katara scowled. How she hated her new “gift”! It was weird, and no one was there to help her understand it.

“Sokka called it freaky magic. He said it was against nature.” Katara pouted. Her mother touched her nose.

“We both know Sokka gets jealous of what he can’t have.” Sokka popped out from behind a snow drift.

“I am not jealous of Katara’s freaky powers!” Sokka shouted. “When I grow up I’m going to be a warrior and I won’t need waterbending!” Katara smiled and her mother nodded.

“We know, Sokka. Now let’s get this stuff inside befo-What’s that?” Her mom’s voice sounded frightened. The family turned to look at a ship that was quickly approaching. Its sleek, black hull stood out frighteningly from the white landscape.

“Sokka, you and Katara get inside. Stay there. Your father or I will come to get you when it’s safe.”

“But-,” protested Katara, but her mother hushed her. “Katara, please. I love you both very much. I will always be with you, no matter what happens.” She kissed their foreheads. Sokka pulled Katara inside as the gangplank slammed down on the ice. Katara peeked out one last time. “MOM!!” She shouted. Her mother looked at her one last time, and there were already tears in her eyes. Then Katara blacked out.

--End of Flashback—
Katara jolted up. Sokka was still sleeping peacefully in the corner. Now both her parents were gone, since her father had left with the other men. Katara squeezed her eyes shut. What would her mother want her to do? Did it even matter? Her mother was gone, and she wasn’t coming back. With that thought, a icy cold tear ran down Katara’s cheek. She felt her brother’s arm around her.

“You don’t always have to be so strong, you know.” Sokka whispered. Katara didn’t answer. She simply felt the wall fall down inside of her with that single tear.