A/N: Hello everyone! This is going to be a multi-chapter piece about my headcannon for the way in which Su Yin came to be. If you've been following my other story, fear not, I am still writing for that one as well. I just have so many ideas and I want to share them with you guys, so I'm gonna write them simultaneously. I also wanted to get started and get my idea out there, so here we go. School has been craycray lately, but I'm from Buffalo and if you've watched any sort of news lately, you'll know I've been stranded in my house because 7 feet of snow fell in one blizzard. A little background before we see how Su Yin came to be. I've tried devoting most of this time to sleeping and doing homework, but now I'm gonna try to write some more for both fics. Plus maybe a few one shots here and there. Feel free to leave some feedback!

Chapter 1: Gaoling

"I promise, everything is going to be fine, Linny," Sokka assured, emphasizing it by squeezing her hand, "You'll get to visit your grandfather and grandmother and they'll tell you stories about your extended family. Maybe you'll get to meet other relatives too."

She pouted, "But what if I can't earthbend. Mommy said that they wouldn't let her do any cool moves when she was my age!"

Sokka was pensive for a moment before he spoke, "I'll have a word with them to make sure your earthbending instruction remains the same, as long as you keep up with your other studies."

Lin sighed, "Fine."

"Good girl," Sokka praised, smiling down at her. He and Lin were sitting in the back of a Satomobile that was taking them to the Beifong Estate in Gaoling. Sokka looked out the window. Giant fields of green and brown stretched for as far as the eye could see. They were literally in the middle of nowhere. The countryside that surrounded the estate was nothing like the grays and blacks of Republic City. Everything here was quiet and slow-paced, nothing like the hustle and bustle of the city. Sokka looked down at Lin. Her head was bent, so it was hard to see her facial expression, but she was nibbling on her fingers, a sure sign of unease. Poor thing, Sokka thought to himself, She must be going crazy with worry. She has to have some inkling as to what's going on. She's a very smart kid. Sokka opened his mouth to ask her something, but was cut off because the Satomobile jerked to a stop in front of a large gate with a picture of a flying boar emblazoned in the center amongst other imagery.

The driver shouted "We're here!"

Lin jerked her head up at this and stared at the oversized gate in front of her. She couldn't believe that something so big could exist in such a dull, quiet place. She was awestruck. Sokka smiled at her reaction. She was still so naive behind all her maturity.

"Wow," she breathed.

Sokka chuckled, "Welcome to the Beifong Estate."

A man was at the side of the vehicle now, demanding to know who was at the gates. Sokka tapped on the window to get the guard's attention. The guard stopped questioning the driver to glance at the noise. Sokka waved and smiled at him and pointed towards Lin who was now studying the floor of the Satomobile. A look of realization crossed the guard's face and then signaled for the gates to be opened. The gates slid inward via earthbending, and then another set of large metal gates behind the first swung open. The Satomobile sprang to life and made it's way up the long driveway. It came to a stop in front of large, ornate, wooden doors that were very similar to the one's at Toph's estate in Republic City.

Lin noticed the similarity. "Hey! Those are just like the doors at my house!"
"Yepp," Sokka agreed, "Your grandparents wanted your house to share some features with theirs."

"Why?" she asked.

"I'm not really sure, Linny. Maybe you can find that out while you're here. Come on, let's go inside and get you settled." Sokka opened the door and slid out of the back, holding the door open so Lin could follow suit. The driver was already out of the car, unpacking Lin's luggage. Sokka began to walk up the stone steps towards the doors. Lin ran after him, grabbing his hand for support, moral that is. Sokka smiled down at her and squeezed her hand for reassurance. They had reached the front doors, but Sokka hesitated to knock initially. Lin squeezed his hand back and Sokka took this as a sign to proceed. He grabbed the large knocker in front of him and slammed it on the door a few times. Before long, a short man with a the Beifong Family insignia emblazoned on his chest opened the door.

He bowed toward the pair standing outside and asked, "May I help you?"

Sokka and Lin bowed back and he responded, "I'm Sokka, I'm here to drop off Lin, Toph's daughter."

"This way please," the man motioned for the two to follow. He called over his shoulder, "You can leave the luggage here in the foyer. I will get someone to take those up to the young mistress' room." The driver nodded and set everything down.

He called after Sokka, "I'll wait in the car, sir." Sokka nodded in appreciation as he continued to follow the servant. Lin and Sokka were lead out of the foyer into a long hallway. They turned left a few times then made their way up a small corridor. The man stopped in front of a small, dark wood door and knocked on it lightly. It swung open and revealed a large library filled with books and scrolls of all shapes and sizes. Lin's eyes lit up at the sight. She had developed a love for reading at a young age. She read everything she could get her hands on. She prayed to the Spirits that her grandparents would let her spend a lot of time in here.

"Mister Sokka and Miss Lin are here," the servant who had brought the pair to the room announced. He motioned for them to enter the room.

"Lin!" Lao Beifong proclaimed, "I'm so happy you're here!" Her grandfather approached her with open arms.

"Hello, grandfather," she replied, letting him wrap himself around her, "How have you been" she inquired politely.

"Absolutely marvellous!" he replied, "I am so very excited you are here! I hope you will enjoy your first stay at the home your mother grew up in."

"I am very excited too," she replied honestly, now that she knew there was an entire library stacked with things she could read.

"Sir," Sokka said, stepping forward, holding out his hand.

"Ah, yes, Sokka. Good to see you," Lao greeted him, extending his arm for a handshake.

"I trust the trip went smoothly," Lao inquired after he showed everyone to a seat around one of the many tables in the large library.

"It was very nice," Sokka replied, "No problems whatsoever."

"Good, I'm glad," Lao smiled. He noticed Lin was checking out the books with a pining look on her face.

He addressed her, "I'm told you enjoy reading, Lin." She nodded to him quickly, turning her head to continue reading the spine of a book near her head. "Excellent," he continued, "You are welcome here any time you'd like. This library has over a thousand books, each one was collected for certain reasons. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have over the years."

Lin became ecstatic. "Really?" she exclaimed, "I can read anything in here?"

"Yes, of course," Lao replied, happy that she was a bookworm too. "I've read almost all of them, so I could give you a few suggestions on where to start. I'd also be happy to help you with any piece you find a bit difficult. Of course, you will also have a tutor while you're here to help you with that sort of thing too."

"A tutor? You mean I won't be going to school?" she asked.

"No, dear. We live miles away from the nearest school. Your grandmother and I would much rather pay for a tutor so we can spend time with you, instead of sending you off to a boarding school."

"Oh, okay then," she decided she would be able to live with this new situation.

Another knock sounded on the door again and a female servant called out, "Ms. Poppy Beifong" and stepped back as a tall, thin woman with gray hair ornately wrapped on the top of her head, entered the room.

"Lin!" she exclaimed, "I'm so glad you made it!" She walked over to the girl and planted a kiss on the crown of her head.

"Come now, I will show you your room and we can get you out of that and into something I had specially made for you," Poppy gently ordered.

"Can Sokka come?" Lin asked as she looked up at her grandmother.

Poppy glanced over to the Water Tribe warrior, a look of apprehension on her face as she glanced at the weapons he carried on his persons. She pursed her lips, "Yes. That is fine."

"I'll see you all at dinner," Lao called after the trio as they left the library.

Sokka paused a moment, "Actually sir," he turned around to address Lao, "I must be going very shortly. I'm needed back at Republic City as soon as possible. There's a ship that's waiting for me so I can get to the Fire Nation for an official meeting."

"Ah," Lao sounded disappointed, "Well, perhaps if you return to pick up Lin, you can stay a while longer and we can get more acquainted."

Sokka smiled, "That sounds like an excellent plan! I'll see you when I return." Sokka bowed and turned around. He gestured for Poppy and Lin to continue so he can leave Gaoling.

The trio head back the way they came, crossed the extensive foyer, and made their way towards the back of the house.

Poppy spoke as they walked, "This is the ladies' wing. My rooms are back here. You will be staying in your mother's old rooms. I had them cleaned up and brightened a bit. I hope you enjoy them," she explained to Lin.

"I'm sure I'll love it here," Lin said with a hint of despair in her voice. Her grandparents' estate was beautiful. She was excited to spend the summer here. She was sure she'd be able to learn a lot of new things and get to know her grandparents and maybe learn more about her own mother. After all, they didn't seem as bad as her mother let on.

They stopped in front of a door on the right of a hallway and opened it. She allowed Lin and Sokka to enter it before she began to explain, "This is your bed room. The door on the far left is your closet. I had the seamstresses working on an entire new, lighter wardrobe for you. You can check it out in a bit. The door on the far right is your own powder room, complete with the latest indoor plumbing features. If there is anything else you wish to have in here, please don't hesitate to ask me, your grandfather, or any of the servants. We all want you to enjoy your time here." Lin's eyes widened at the thought. Anything she wanted? The possibilities were endless.

Sokka chuckled, "Don't get greedy, Linny. Try to only ask for things you absolutely need or can't live without."

Poppy nodded in agreement, "Why, yes of course!" Lin nodded in understanding, choosing to remain quiet to take in her surroundings. Towards the right, a four poster bed with shades of green and gold draped around it sat, unused for years. On the opposite wall was a vanity with a stool and mirror. Along the far wall there were giant windows with light curtains hanging high.

"Is that a door?" Lin inquired.

"Why yes," Poppy began, "You have your own little garden out that door. You can use it as you wish. Plant whatever flowers you like in it and such."

"Wow," Lin breathed, "This is so incredible." She looked up at her grandmother and bowed, "Thank you so much, Grandmother."

"Anything for you dear," the elder woman smiled, reaching for Lin to stand up so they could embrace. The two separated and smiled at one another. Sokka stood nearby, feeling like a part of the background. He smiled. Lin seemed to be warming up to the place and he was glad for it. Some fresh air and safety was just what the girl needed.

"Now," Poppy declared, "Let's get you into a new outfit and then we can walk Sokka out and I'll give you the rest of the tour."

"Okay," Lin agreed. "Sokka, wait here," she pointed to a chaise in the one corner of the room. I want you to see my outfit before you go so you can tell Mom and Tenzin and Bumi and Kya and everyone else all about it."

Sokka smiled, "Of course Linny. I'll even try to draw it for them!" He chuckled as the girl shook her head disapprovingly as she made her way towards the giant walk in closet.

A few minutes later Lin reappeared. She had on a long beige skirt that went to her ankles. On her top was a dark green tank top with beautiful gold embroidery along the edges. Poppy had quickly plaited her hair and added a cold comb to the top of her head. She had soft looking satin slippers on her feet that were the same color of her top with the same gold embroidery.

Sokka looked up as he heard the excited padding of Lin's feet as they ran across the ornate marble floor. The clack of Poppy's heels were right behind her. He beamed. Lin looked radiant and her face was light up like a Republic City skyscraper at midnight.

"Well?" she exclaimed, "How do I look?"

"Absolutely stunning," Sokka replied, standing up and crossing the gap that separated them to embrace her.

"You look like a proper little lady," Sokka told her.

"Yes she does," Poppy agreed, coming up behind them, patting Lin's shoulder.

Sokka looked down at Lin, a sadness began to overwhelm him. Toph had told Lin that she would just be there for the summer, but Sokka knew the reality was Lin would not be allowed back into the city until the danger was over. His nephews and niece were in the South Pole with his own father right now, waiting out the danger indefinitely and Lin would be here doing the same. He knew he really wouldn't be able to visit her, which made his heart sink. Lin was like a daughter to him and he did not like the idea of not seeing her for even more than a day.

He swallowed his tears and cleared his throat, "Well, I saw you in your new outfit. I think I have it memorized. I will be able to everyone about it with great detail. I should be heading out now. I have a long drive ahead of me." Lin looked down at this, hiding the frown that consumed her face.

Poppy rested her hand on Lin's shoulder, "Come on dear," she reassured Lin, "Let's show him out and get the tour started." She grabbed Lin's hand and began to head toward the door to show Sokka the way out. Lin quickly grabbed Sokka's hand in her free one and dragged him along too.

When they reached the foyer he bent down so Lin could wrap her tiny form around him. "Be good, Linny. Try to have some fun and keep up with your studies and your training. Feel free to call or write any time. You know I'll try to be available." Lin squeezed tighter, knowing his goodbye was almost over.

"Don't go," she pleaded, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, but I'll see you before you know it."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Seal the deal?" Lin asked holding out her hand. Sokka nodded. Then they simultaneously spit on their own hand and shook, sealing the deal. Poppy grimaced in disgust in the background.

"Again, you look beautiful Lin. Enjoy your summer," Sokka said finally. He got up and bowed toward Poppy, "Goodbye Ms. Bei Fong. Send word if anything happens. Toph and I will keep in touch."

Poppy waved her dainty, noblewoman wave, "Goodbye Sokka. Have a safe journey."

Sokka took his leave. He hopped in the car and the driver took off. Before the front doors to the manor could close, Lin rushed out at full speed, waving like a madwoman, screaming her final goodbyes. Poppy called after her, afraid she would try to go back to Republic City. She shouted for servants' help as she tried to catch the little speed demon.

Lin raced the car all the way to the end of the long driveway. She skidded to a halt in the middle of the road as the Satomobile turned back the way they had just came. Out of breath from running and screaming, she doubled over, trying to catch her breath, still waving at the receding car. Sokka watch out the back window, waving back at Lin, trying to contain his composure. Lin stood in the middle of the road, tears silently falling to the ground. Poppy and a few servants eventually caught her, but refrained from trying to reprimand her or drag her back in. They noticed the little girl's distress and let her be. Lin remained in the road, the adults silently watching her. They all stayed there until the Satomobile was just a black smudge on the horizon.

A/N: So there ya go. Chapter 1. I hope to update shortly what with school winding down and being snowed in and everything. Look for an update over on my Linzin fic very shortly as well. As always feedback and comments are much appreciated!