Sorry this is late, but I haven't slept in over forty eight hours and I've been drinking coffee like crazy. I don't even know how I managed to write this chapter…anyway, here it is.

Kya stared at her mother. She was laying on her deathbed, her white hair spread around her and her face a perfect image of peace. Kya couldn't understand how her mother could be so content with her looming death. Kya certainly wasn't on terms with her mother's upcoming death. Kya was sitting next to her mother's bedside holding back tears. Her mother would want her to be strong. She loved her motherly deeply and was extremely close to each other. They both were so much alike. Though, Kya was admittedly a Daddy's girl, she had always had a special relationship with her mother.

Bumi was definitely not a serious character but he was somber while sitting besides Kya. He had a good relationship with his sister. She was more like him than Tenzin. They both craved freedom and were very outgoing and determined. Kya showed her feelings well but Bumi normally hid behind jokes and goofing off. But they both had a caring streak which was showing at the moment very well. Bumi sat glancing between his mother and Kya, not knowing which one needed the most attention.

Tenzin on the other hand was nothing like his siblings. He favored his mother in many more ways personality wise than Kya and Bumi. He was a very caring person, though at many times overproctive, and strong willed. He would hide all of his feelings behind seriousness but he would wear his heart on his sleeve when it came to the people he loved most when they needed him the most. Right now was a very tough situation for Tenzin.

He was the youngest therefore the most fussed over by Katara. His mother was very protective of him when he was growing up. He had always thought it was because he was the only airbender besides his father but he learned that this was quite untrue. Katara had always felt a need to protect Tenzin. He would be the most serious but the most sensitive. He had a longer way to fall than the rest in difficult situations. Katara knew that from experience.

And now, Tenzin couldn't protect his mother the way she protected him all those years. He didn't know if he should be angry with himself, sad that she was dying or happy because she would finally see her husband again. Katara was definitely content with dying but no one else in the room was. No one else understood how much she needed her airbender husband. She had waited too long to finally see him and nothing was standing in her way now.

"Mom," Kya choked on the word. Her mother had always been the anchor of their family. Their father may have been the Avatar but Katara was always the one to keep them all together, even when that was the last things on their minds. Seeing her mother like this killed Kya. "You have to get better, we'll find a way," Kya still refused to cry in front of her mother who taught her strength.

"Kya," Katara smiled. Her daughter was so much like her it wasn't even funny. She had much of Aang in her, but she was her mother's daughter. "I have far outlived my time. I am ready," Katara moved her wrinkled hand and placed it over Kya's.

"Mother," Tenzin's strong voice interrupted the moment between the two women, "That is no way to talk, there is always hope." Katara thought back to the Serpent's Pass when Aang told her hope was only a distraction. She always thought of the pass whenever someone mentioned hope. All her thoughts led back to Aang.

"I know about hope, Tenzin, I taught you after all," Katara smiled at her son. She had the same thoughts on hope. That is where he got it from. All of her children were so much like her. It seemed their energy, looks (in Tenzin's case), and sense of humor (not in Tenzin's case) were the only things they inherited solely from Aang. "There is much more hope for me elsewhere."

Tenzin's eyebrows bunched together at her last statement. Being married to Aang for so many years really helped her wisdom. Between the two of them, they could confuse more people than Iroh. "Mother," Tenzin frowned in thought.

"Leave her alone," Kya grumbled. "You're acting like Mom is some kid who doesn't know better," Bumi rolled his eyes at the exchange. The two of them never got along with Tenzin much since they were such opposites but even he knew there had to be some lines to draw.

"Kya is right Tenzin," Katara smiled weakly, "I know what I want. I am an old lady now and I just want some sleep." Katara remembered her fortune from all those years ago. Aunt Wu had predicted she would pass away peacefully in her sleep. Katara couldn't help but to still be curious.

"Okay, Mother," Tenzin sighed after Kya gave him a stern look that would give their mother a run for her money. Her blue eyes cut into Tenzin's and he couldn't believe how quick it made him cave. "Goodnight, we'll wait for you to wake up," Tenzin walked over to his mother and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. He straightened up and gave Kya a strained look before walking away.

"Mom, if you need anything, we'll be in the next room making dinner," Kya kissed her mother's forehead to and gave her a forced smile, "I love you, Mom." Kya didn't know how many more times she would get to say that so she would definitely say it often.

"Yeah, even I love you Mom," Bumi gave her a sly smile. Leave it to Bumi to ignore the seriousness of a situation to make a joke. He leaned down and kissed his mom's cheek and too Kya by the elbow to steer her out of the room.

"I love you too," Katara smiled bringing the blanket up around her with shaking hands, "I love each and every one of you." Kya stopped and tried to breathe regularly. It sounded so formal. It sounded like the end.

"You were the best mom we could ever ask for," Kya smiled, unable to turn around and look at her mother. She was afraid that if she looked back, she could never leave. And she knew that is what her mother wanted. She wanted to die peacefully and for everyone to move on. "You and Dad both were amazing."

Katara smiled to herself as Bumi and Kya left the room together. Her children had grown to be such amazing people. Kya was the best waterbender, next to her mother. She was the strongest person Katara knew. Her daughter could handle any situation with grace. Bumi was her wild child but he became an accomplished general, much to everyone's surprise. He was the liveliest person, besides his father and could bring joy to anyone. But Tenzin was a hard case. He had so much pressure on his shoulders and much of it was unnecessary for him to burden. But Katara knew she did the same thing to herself. Tenzin was her baby and had made her proud by becoming a master airbender and great father.

Katara had many grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She couldn't ask anymore out of life. She had truly lived her life to the fullest. The only thing missing was her late husband Aang. And she knew at the rate things were going, they would be together soon. Her and her Aang would no longer be separated by the spirit world and earthly world. She soon fell asleep to that wonderful thought.

…

Kya barged into the kitchen with Bumi trailing behind her. Whenever Kya was keeping some emotion in, everything came out in anger or frustration. Even her breathing would be raged and strained. Kya was hell bent on being strong enough and everyone around her knew it. That was why they moved out of her way when she stormed by. "Kya," Bumi groaned, "Just admit you're upset and we can all calm down."

"I am completely calm," Kya said pouring her tea angrily. She leaned against the counter and rubbed her temples. She was getting too old for this. She needed some rest and she needed to be alone. She loved her family, but they were a bit much sometimes. Even Tenzin's wife and kids had to go to bed earlier to escape their arguing.

"You're a terrible liar, Kya," Tenzin sighed pouring his tea. Bumi grumbled and sat down on the counter. He may have been an old man but even little things like jumping never bothered him. Tenzin frowned at the sight of his brother. No one could be more infuriating.

"It doesn't matter," Kya said somberly after taking another sip of tea. Her blue eyes were unfocused and her thoughts were far away. Right now what mattered to her was her mother. She was the person who raised them and made them who they are. Mothers always have a special bond with their children and Kya could testify to that. Losing her mother would be the hardest thing she would ever have to endure.

"I agree," Bumi said nonchalantly. He ran a hand through his already messy hair and frowned. Even when they were facing a crisis, they could not get along with the stiff Tenzin. They often questioned how they were even related but now was not the time for Bumi to bring that up…again. "We should be worrying about Mom," Bumi continued, "It's Kya's business how she feels about it just like it's our business how we feel."

Tenzin's eye twitched and he fought the urge to airbend his brother in a wall. Patience was one of Tenzin's great virtues but Bumi had a way of getting under his skin, especially when he tried to sound like the civilized one of the group. "Yes, Bumi, I agree," Tenzin said reluctantly, "But our biggest focus should be on trying to help Mother."

"What more can we do?" Kya asked tiredly. She brushed her white hair out of her face and composed her face as best as possible, "My healing won't help her and no medicines do either. All we can do is make her as comfortable as possible…"

"No," Tenzin said abruptly, "We have to keep trying." Kya shook her hand and drank her tea. She knew, even though she didn't like it, it was her mother's time. Tenzin would be able to see this with any other person. But he was so close to his mother. "Father would want us to."

"How do you know?" Bumi challenged with a serious glare, "Dad is waiting for Mom in the spirit world. You're the spiritual airbender here; you should be the one shoving that down our throats." Bumi hopped off the counter and poured him some tea.

"I think so too, Bumi," Kya said hesitantly. She knew siding with Bumi would only upset Tenzin but it needed to be done. If Kya could start to accept that her mother was ready to leave, then Tenzin would have to also. "We can't keep Mom from being happy. She never kept us from happiness."

Tenzin shook his head, signaling he wasn't about to give in. This was their own mother they were talking about! Bumi stood in front of Tenzin with his cup in hand. "Just listen to us, Arrow Boy," Tenzin's eye's narrowed at his nickname, "None of us like it. But we can only delay what's going to happen. We can go check on her now if you want to."

Kya nodded and sat down her now empty cup to lead her younger brother's to her mother's room. She tried to clear her head as she walked the short distance to the next room but she was failing miserably.

When they entered the room, Kya knelt down next to her mother's bed and rested a hand on top of hers. Kya remembered what her mother looked like when she was much younger. She had never seen a woman who could compare to her mother's beauty. Katara had Kya and Bumi at a young age, hardly into her twenties. Kya could remember what her mother looked like when she was just a child; she thought her mother must've been from the spirit world to have such long, beautiful hair and ocean blue eyes. That was until her dad told her how ugly most spirits were.

"Mom, do you need anything?" Kya said gently. Her mother didn't stir. "Mom, are you awake?" She said a little louder this time. Her mother was not known for her hearing problems but she was desperately hoping that her old age had damaged her hearing now. "Mom, wake up," Kya shook her gently. She took in a raspy breath when she felt for a pulse. There was none. "She's gone."

Bumi dropped his cup and stood frozen. His mother was dead. It couldn't be, she was just awake ten minutes ago! Tenzin sank down to his knees in the doorway. He didn't get to say goodbye to his mother. He didn't tell her he loved her one last time. He missed his chance.

Kya stood up on shaky knees and let a tear fall. There was no one to be brave for anymore. It was over. She was only going to prove how weak she really was now. She turned around to face her brothers. Bumi was still not moving and Tenzin was on his knees tearing up. Kya ran over to her baby brother and took him in her arms. She released all her pent up tears and held her youngest brother. Her mom would want her to take care of Tenzin right now. He would be most devastated.

Bumi moved slowly over to his siblings and knelt down beside them. He put a hand on Tenzin's shoulder and leaned into Kya. It was over.

Katara was dead.

….

Katara smiled as she opened her eyes. The heavy weight on her chest had been replaced by a freeness she couldn't place. She felt more alive than she ever had before. She lifted up her hand with great ease that she hadn't known in her past life. When she saw her lifted hand, she gasped. Her skin was dark and flawless, no longer paling and wrinkled. She was young again!

She stood up and looked around. This place was nothing like Aang had explained it. It was not the strange shade he had explained. Instead it was full of colors she had never experienced; everything was bright shades that contrasted greatly with what she was used to. There was a lake and trees were plentiful. The place was breath taking.

"I guess you found my hiding spot," A familiar voice called from behind her. Katara's breath caught and she tried to turn around. She found she could only make slow controlled movements. If that voice didn't belong to its proper owner, she would die again. "But don't get too excited about finding me," He said playfully.

Katara couldn't believe it. He was just as she remembered: Blue arrows, silver eyes, bald head, pale skin and a thin beard along the edge of his jaw. He had to be about twenty and Katara assumed her age must've reflected somewhere near his. "Aang," Katara breathed.

Before she could even get anything else out, Aang's arms were around her and lifting her off the ground, spinning her around. She laughed and clung to his neck. She missed everything about him: the way his arms felt around her, his voice, his laugh, his smell.

Aang sat her down back gently but didn't let go of her. "I missed you so much," He sighed pulling her closer. Her head rested against his chest and she smiled. She missed his voice so much. It was the most soothing noise to hear.

"I missed you too," She wrapped her arms around him tighter, not intending to let go any time soon. "But you're in huge trouble," she pulled back some to look up at him. He opened his mouth to speak but she silenced him with one look, "You said the spirit world was bleak. What happened here? And what have you been doing this whole time?"

Aang grinned widely and Katara's whole body heated up. It was amazing what he could do to her after all this time, "I've been aggravating Zuko. Iroh must've taught him how to get to the spirit world so whenever I felt like it, I popped in on Zuko and called him a grouchy old man until I had to leave. It was fun. And I would watch you and our kids. Espically Kya, she my little girl," he smiled sadly until he started to answer her next question. "Being the Avatar's wife does have its perks." He pushed her brown hair off her shoulder and ran his hand over her neck and down her shoulder, "Apparently all of the Avatar's and their spouses get their own little sanctuary like this." He leaned down and brushed his lips across the exposed part of her neck.

For the first time in many lonely years, Katara found herself too busy to talk.

Thank you to everyone who read, even though I didn't update on time. So review! I take suggestions or requests for one shots. I should be updating my other story very soon. Hopefully. Go read and review my other stories. And you can go like my facebook page for sneak peeks of chapters or upcoming oneshots and for promotions of other stories I have taken a great liking to. Thanks for reading and thanks for all the reviews! God bless!