3A/N: I have read many of these stories, where Katara's upset about bloodbending…so I'm sorry if this bores you if you have read all of those other ones…I just can't get enough of it!
Walls
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At times you build walls around yourself not to keep others out…
Last night, Katara had blood-bended for the first time…She broke down and cried the whole night, shutting us out. She'd water-whip anyone who tried to help her, only wanting to be alone. Around eight hours have past since someone tried to help. But I wasn't ready to give up.
Toph didn't know how to help and Sokka had already gone in five times and was sick of getting whipped in the face, usually granting him a small bloody nose, so I offered to try. I hesitantly made my way over to the blue tent that Katara was in. My heart broke as I heard her muffled sobs.
My face full of concern, I bent down and muttered, "Katara?"
Her crying momentarily stopped, but I could hear the tears in her voice and she stuttered, "G-go away, Aang."
I pulled back, but grew determined as her crying started again. I opened up the flap of her tent, granting myself a one-way ticket to pain as a water whip came lashing across my chest. It wasn't strong enough to draw blood, or even leave a red welt, only a quick painful lash that stung for only a moment. I didn't leave though…
I looked at the sad girl's eyes with concern, seeing how they were red and puffy from crying. "Aang, go away, I don't want to talk," She crying, no longer caring that tears were streaming down her face. Seeing her cry made me want to cry, but I stayed strong.
"I'll whip you unless you leave," Katara threatened, her voice unsure, grasping at her waterskin.
"No, you won't." I told her. She wasn't the kind of person to do that, so I walked on my knees closer to her. I tried to reach up to wipe her tears away, but she slapped my hand, yelling at me.
"Seriously, Aang. Go away! I'm a monster!"
I was shocked. "Is that why you're upset? You think you're a monster!?" I yelled back her, a confused tone in my voice.
She looked at the floor, lowering her hand from her waterskin, "I am a monster."
"No, you're not Katara! You are the nicest person I know!" I exclaimed, smiling happily at her.
"I am… I controlled you and Sokka… I grabbed you and controlled you from the inside." Katara cried, as I listened.
"Yeah, but you used it to save me… Katara, if you hadn't blood-bended us and Hamma, Sokka's sword would be jammed into my heart. Monsters don't protect people, Katara, but you did," I smiled, putting my hands on her bare shoulders.
She turned away, "I still don't understand why you care so much…"
I looked down, blushing; this could be my chance! "Because… You do so much for me, Katara. You care for me when I feel sick, you comfort me when I cry, and you've saved my life so many times. I feel like I should return to favor…" I looked up into her eyes as new tears formed in them, "Katara… You are the most important person in my life… I can't stand to see you in pain like this… Seeing you cry… It makes my heart break…"
The girl in front of me had tears streaming down her face, but a smile was forming on her lips. She came up to me, her eyes glistening as she grabbed a hold of me, crying into my shoulder as I stroked her back. I smiled, thinking I had helped her.
"Thank you, A-aang…" She whispered, her voice muffed by my Fire Nation uniform. I tightened our embrace and continued smiling, buring my face in her strawberry-scented hair.
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but just to test who cares enough to tear them down…
