The Seasons of Kyoshi

Chapter 1: A Kyoshi Spring

The snow had melted, most of it anyway, and there was a hint of warmth on the breeze, a promise of beautiful things to come. The village of Kyoshi was quiet, most of its citizens still fast asleep. The fishermen had left hours ago, in the pre-dawn, and wouldn't return until the sun reached its highest point in the sky.

Suki stood on the rocky beach and gazed out across the startling blue of the bay, her eyes flickering up to the sky every so often, as if looking for something specific. In one hand she clutched a letter from Sokka. It was crumpled and worse for wear.

Hey Suki,

Will be arriving on Appa in the next few days. Katara and Aang are heading to the Earth Kingdom anyway, so I decided to hitch a ride. I need to see you. I miss you. And besides that, the food on Kyoshi is incredible.

With a great big, meaty hug,

Sokka

"Come on," she urged quietly. "I can't wait for much longer."

As leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, a skilled group of female fighters, formed as a tribute to the great Avatar Kyoshi, responsibility weighed heavily on Suki's shoulders. She didn't complain. She loved being leader and loved her girls more than almost anything or anyone. But free time could be difficult to come by. Sometimes she needed to use her creativity or simply sneak away for a few hours, leaving one of the other girls in charge.

That's why she rose early. That hour or so before everyone else stumbled out of their beds and stretched and yawned and finally got breakfast going, was hers. She cherished each sunrise that she witnessed, each school of flying fish that frolicked about the bay when everything was still.

Dressed in a simple yellow shirt loose over green pants, her reddish hair down, tucked behind her ears, Suki was lovely. The wind played with her tresses, twisting them about her face. Irritated, she picked a lock of hair out from between her lips and shoved it behind her ears once more. The breeze grew stronger and Suki shivered a bit before rubbing her arms.

She was about to turn around and head back toward the village for her own breakfast, when the sound of Appa's melodious bellow filled the sky. Standing on her toes as if that would make Sokka appear closer, she waved her arm and shouted a 'hello' that got lost on the breeze.

As Appa swooped in close, Sokka caught her eye and grinned, waving back and calling out her name. The great beast landed with a nimbleness that contradicted its size and all three passengers slid off. Sokka was not restrained when it came to showing his affection. He ran to his girl and yanked her into a close embrace, peppering her face with little kisses.

"I'm so glad to see you, Suki," he began. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "And I'm so sick of listening to them." He pointed back over his shoulder to the Avatar and Katara. "All the way here it was 'sweetie' this and 'sweetie' that. I almost hurled over the side of poor Appa. I think that he's sick of listening to it too."

"He's exaggerating, Suki. Don't listen to my brother." Katara squeezed Aang's hand. "Isn't that right, sweetie?"

Aang laughed and good humour sparkled in his grey eyes. He sidled up close to Katara and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"I'm not getting in the middle of that," Suki replied. "Why don't you stop for breakfast? We've got plenty."

"Thanks, Suki, but we need to get going. We have food right here." The Avatar grabbed a satchel and gave it a shake.

"All right then." She slipped her arm through Sokka's. "Thanks for bringing Sokka by. You've made me a very happy woman."

"She's happy with me," Sokka boasted, thrusting his chest out. "See, I told you so. Well, really, who wouldn't be happy with this awesome, studly hunk of man?"

"Hunger has gotten to his head," the Kyoshi Warrior quipped. "I'd better get him to my place quickly before he starts to act even more stupid than he usually does."

"Hey," Sokka protested. "Are you calling me stupid?"

"Nope, just hungry; come on."

They gave Aang and Katara one final wave before walking up the beach and back into the village.

~~~~0000~~~~

"So, you're really happy to see me?" Sokka's insecurities decided to come out and play, mischievous and cruel. He kept them well hidden much of the time, underneath a very male swagger and bravado.

But Suki's insight was keen and she'd seen beyond that brash, loud outer shell to the kind, brave and earnest young man beneath, soon after they had met.

"Yes, Sokka, I'm really happy to see you." To emphasize her point, Suki stopped along the muddy road that led through the village's centre and gave her lover a kiss. "Convinced now?"

"Well, I don't know, Suki. I think the kiss could have been a bit longer, maybe a bit deeper too and more passionate. A man wants to feel desired." He put his hands on his hips and flashed the young woman a silly look.

She rolled her eyes and turned about, continuing her trudge through the mud, all while planning the breakfast she would make for her and Sokka. "After we eat, I have to run a training session. You can watch, or join in if you want."

Both their thoughts went immediately to their first meeting, Sokka dressed as a Kyoshi Warrior, kimono and make-up and everything. He had accepted the rules for participation with reluctant good grace. The girls still laughed about the day, that part anyway. The remainder of the day had not been quite so good.

"I'll watch; maybe engage in a little sword practice." With great drama, he unsheathed his new sword, forged at Piandao's of ordinary metal.

Suki placed her hands on her hips and stared at Sokka full on. "The rules haven't changed just because you're my boyfriend. If you participate in any way, you dress as one of us."

"Okay, okay, I understand." A sly grin flashed across the warrior's handsome tan face. "Would they change if I were your husband?"

"No!" Her answer was immediate and firm. She paused as the potential enormity of his words hit her with the force of a Kyoshi Island winter storm. "Wait, are you planning on becoming my husband?" Her cheeks felt warm all of a sudden and she stared down at the mud that squished around and up over her boots.

Sokka spluttered. What began as a cheeky question had bloomed into something bigger. The idea had lived in the back of his mind for a long time now and he had fantasized about marrying Suki, having a large, chaotic, happy family and growing old together. Sokka's needs were simple ones. He did not lust for power or glory or fame. He simply wanted good friends, good food, and to contribute.

"What's taking so long? Either you want to marry me or you don't?" Suddenly the red head felt angry and defensive and worried. Were Sokka's words just a joke? Was there no meaning behind them at all?

"I, well, I, um I kind of blurted that out without thinking." Suki's large, lovely eyes, bluish green, blazed. 'But that doesn't mean that, well, that I don't want to marry you." He gave her a soft smile then, shy and awkward and full of love. "I guess that, what I mean is…." The more he spoke, the more he said, the more Sokka's conviction grew. He did want to marry his girl. Why not use the opportunity he had clumsily afforded himself? Why wait for some mysterious 'right time'? "Suki?"

"Yes, Sokka?" She tapped the toe of one boot in the mud and crossed her arms over her breasts.

"I think we should get married. Will you marry me?" Sokka beamed now, the light of his smile warming Suki's heart.

Sincerity, affection and desire all radiated from the man. Suki had to smile back and she had to answer 'yes'.

"I will marry you, Sokka." Wrapping her arms about his neck, she kissed him, full and firm on the mouth.

He beamed once more, unable to contain his joy. "I love you, Suki; seems I've loved you forever."

"It's only the beginning," Suki replied. "We've got years and years of love ahead, season after season."

~~~~0000~~~~

A/N: I've been picking away at this bit for months; wanted to try some Sukka. Three chapters left (duh). I'm in no rush to get them done, but I'll work slowly and surely on the next one.