Chapter 5

Sokka paced around his private room. Suki was outside, training some of the soldiers in the Kyoshi way of fighting. Sokka stopped at the window as the sun started to set. He didn't remember the last time he had watched the sun trade its place in the sky for the moon. He wondered if any of his friends were watching the sunset. He missed them. But he knew he could never go back to them. Not after what they did. Not after they left him.

He stared at the sky for a little longer with a blank look on his face. He used to be able to be happy about the smallest things, but now, everything made him angry and jealous. Why should other people get to enjoy life when he couldn't?! Whenever he thought about the good old days, the only thing he could think about was that every single one of those people left him. They had hurt him, so he would hurt them.

"Hello Aang. Nice to see you again." Sokka didn't move from the window, but he could feel the old Avatar's presence beside him. Sure enough, when he turned around his old friend was standing next to him.

Aang didn't turn to face him but he spoke. "You know, when you first started building up the army, I forgave you. You were grieving and the others hurt you. That's why I chose to look after you. But soon, your motivation to build the army became corrupt. You didn't do it because of your love for me and justice anymore, you did it for power. And THAT is what I can't forgive."

Sokka frowned. He had gotten used to Aang's advice over the years, and most of the time, appreciated it. But Aang had been visiting him more and more, and had been treating him like he was the villain, but I was helping the world by defeating the Fire Nation. I was taking in Aang's responsibility, Aang's destiny. He should be thankful. He admitted that he did make mistakes and he was lonely.

'But,' a little voice in my head reminded me, 'you wouldn't be doing it alone if it wasn't for your so called friends.'

"NOO!" A blood curdling scream ripped the cold night air. Sokka was looking at the boy next to him. Everyone was shocked into silence, until the body hit the floor. That's when Katara screamed. Azula laughed as the Dai Li that were loyal to her took her and disappeared. Everything was silent again except for Katara's quiet sobs.

"...Twinkletoes?" Toph said in a quiet voice.

Sokka hugged her, as she started crying softly. Zuko looked horrified and guilty.

"No, no. This can't be happening!" He slammed his fists on a nearby piller and looked down at Aang, his eyes turning misty as he took in the sight of the young boy laying still on the ground.

Sokka slowly let go of Toph and ran towards Zuko. Zuko fell back, his nose bleeding and his vision blurring, as Sokka punched him in the face.

"Sokka!" Katara screamed his name, and rushed to Zuko's side. "What was that for?"

"He killed him. He killed him, and you're helping him!!"

"He didn't kill him Sokka, Azula did!"

"If you hadn't used the spirit water on him, Aang would still be alive."

"You're blaming me now?" Katara yelled at him, hurt, and with tears making her eyes and heart seem fractured.

"No! I'm blaming HIM!"

"SHUT UP!" Toph yelled from across the room, and we all flinched. " This isn't about you guys. Aang's dead, and you all are arguing like a bunch of babies. He wouldn't want this. Sokka, this wasn't Katara's or Zuko's fault, he would've wanted Zuko to be alive."

"But-"

"No Sokka. This isn't what he wanted. We have to be the ones to carry his legacy. We have to defeat the Fire Lord. We have to fulfil his destiny." Toph finished talking, and we considered her words. She was right, of course. Aang wouldn't have wanted us to fight. Toph was being the voice of reason, and we had to listen to her.

"You may be right, but you can't seriously believe that we'd ever let Zuko," He said his name with a snarl, "join the team. I don't care what you think, he's the reason Aang's not here with us right now."

That was what made Katara lose it.

"If anything, It's you that caused his death! You are useless! All of us were fighting and you just stood there. You can't do ANYTHING! You aren't a bender, you aren't even funny. You add NOTHING to this team except stupidity!" Katara hit him everywhere it hurt mentally. Everywhere he had insecurities. And she regretted it the moment she said them out loud. But it was too late.

Sokka looked at her, heartbroken and sad. He couldn't believe that she said that.

"Wait-" Katara began softly, trying to apologize.

"Don't ." This one word was cold and detached. Katara had never seen him like this. It scared her. SHE had done this to him.

"No, I didn't mean it! I was just angry!" Katara tried again desperately. They couldn't afford to lose each other.

"I said DON'T!" Sokka yelled at her.

Toph just looked at the ground, hearing everything that was happening and not knowing what to do about it. Both of them had done things wrong, but if she chose one person, she would lose the other forever.

Zuko, however, didn't have that problem. He stepped in front of Katara, scared that Sokka would get so angry, he would try to hurt her.

Sokka took one look at them, scoffed and turned around to Toph, who still hadn't said anything.

"Well, Toph? Where's your peacemaking abilities now?" Sokka demanded.

She stared at the ground.

Laughing a dry laugh, he shook his head and walked away. He didn't turn around.