She knew the moment that her son was born he was
so special. There were many who believed him to be
defective because Bumi wasn’t an airbender as his father
— but his parents never believed so. He had the intelligence
and courage that made his mother at times envious. There
were so many aspects of his father and uncle that he
inherited, including his need to prove himself. Redemption
was what her son desired and she couldn’t understand
why Bumi felt it was something that he needed. She
was weary of the gamble he had now decided to take —
knowing the wrong decision could take his life.
She wasn’t expecting the princess to become so upset
and yet her reaction was one that brought some comfort.
She wasn’t alone in her devastation — she too shared the
pain his mother felt. Katara was too willing to embrace her —
wrapping her arms as tightly as she could around Noriko.
Bring comfort to others was something she had always
done, but now it was something the waterbender needed
for herself.
Despite the unraveling of their relationship, Katara knew
how much Bumi loved Noriko, understanding his need to leave
with only a letter. Another tinge of guilt began to consume her —
knowing she was the reason for his quiet departure and the
sorrow that Noriko now felt. “Because he knew I wouldn’t
let him go—”
It was my fault my son didn’t
want to say good bye.
She wasn’t sure she would ever come to peace with her
son’s decisions, or even her brother’s involvement in them.
Despite how drained she was, the waterbender managed
to smile in spite of the tears that were threatening to stained
her cheeks once more.
“Please don’t be sorry for me — just
hope that he will come home again.”
Home again. She was certain the young man would come
home again, for his mission to please was too strong to
stifle. He’d come home again, and in her worst fears, a
different man; hardened and serious and unrecognizable.
Or… untouched. Maybe he’d return just how he’d left.
Somehow that idea hurt just a bit more, knowing he would
still be a stranger to her after what had come between
them. She released one last shuddering breath before
she stepped back, stood tall, and dried her eyes.
“ I will.
…Maybe it’s for the best.”
She recalled a time, too long ago, when their fights had
been meaningless; just ways of flirting, of showing off.
She would pull out a throwing knife, and he would look
terrified until she cracked a warm smile. She wondered
now if those nights had been practice for future
quarrels, and whether or not he felt like he won that
time he made her cry, and she hated to think of him that
way because she knew it wasn’t true, and that was
her sick mind twisting up a good person, and oh, how
jumbled one’s thoughts become when the heart doesn’t
know how to feel…
—- If only she could prove her heart wrong.
It was truly unfortunate that she would never
have the chance to move on before he had.
And he’d moved on so quickly…
“ He’s serving for a good cause, isn’t he? That’s all that matters.”
.