Chapter 1: What's Next?

I don't know what to do anymore. I am in a different place in my life now and the only person I can talk to is Dad. He'll know what to say. I can talk to him without getting the oogies or a lecture, which I would definitely get from Aang and Katara. With a shiver at the thought of those two love birds, I got up from my cot and looked around my igloo. It is a wreck but I know where all my things are nonetheless. I keep my seal jerky in bundles and stash them in different parts of the igloo. Reaching beneath my stack of maps, I break off a piece of seal jerky. Meat is the only way to keep me calm at a time like this.

I stick the piece of jerky between my teeth and quickly throw on my coat and gloves. Then I resume to gnawing away at my jerky, throw on my boots, and step outside of my home. Everything is completely covered in snow and the sky is an overcast shade of white above me. There are a few kids playing in the snow while their moms prepare food to sell outside for the day. The village is calm and well fed thanks to the goods my team and I brought back. After observing the normalness of today, I shrug and let my feet carry me over to my dad's office. My mind on the other hand is in overdrive. I am way too focused on the talk I'll have with dad and I am asking a thousand questions like what will he say? Will he agree with me? What if this is all in my head?

These thoughts follow me until I reach the steps leading to the village tribunal. It's one of the biggest buildings in the Southern Water Tribe and it's decorated with depictions of our people's history. I pull open one of the main doors with most of my strength and enter the main corridor. I brush past a few members of the tribe that I travel with for importing with the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation. They attempt to wave at me but I pass them too quickly. I can't get distracted from having this conversation. If I don't have it now, who knows what will happen.

After what seems like forever, I finally maneuver my way to Hakoda's office. I see him sitting at his desk with a serious look on his face and a map in his hand. He doesn't notice me as I glance at him and then his desk plaque that bears his name and title as Chieftain. I approach him and gulp as he looks at me for the first time.

"Sokka! What are you up to? I thought you would be resting. It's only been two days since your last voyage." Hakoda says with a grin.

I place my hand on the back of my neck and smile "I am definitely still tired, but I came here to talk to you…about something that I think you will understand."

Hakoda places his hand on his chin and leans back in his chair to get a better look at me. "This sounds serious. What is it that you need? Take a seat. Here." He gestures towards one of the chairs in front of his desk.

I sit in one of the chairs and let out a sigh. Here's my chance. "So you know Suki and I have been together for years and we see each other a couple times a year. We write each other letters but sometimes they get lost on the way. It's just- I mean, how did you and mom get through the distance? I don't know why, but lately I am constantly thinking about how I want to be with her more, but I want her here, in our tribe."

Hakoda nods with his eyes closed. "I understand. You're ready to settle down, and start a family. You're ready to no longer have the feeling of missing your girlfriend. Maybe someday soon she'll be your wife?" he looks at me and I feel a nervous smile form on my face.

"Yeah, Dad. I don't know what to do. Suki's like me, she cares about her people on Kyoshi Island. She already spends her time in the Fire Nation too." I say with some relief.

"Suki is definitely strong willed like you. I don't know how much advice I can give but I'll try. Your mother and I were different too. She had the strength to stay and take care of the village while I had what she called the bravery to leave and protect our tribe. I think that we made it work because I made sure I came home to her and she never left. She was always there waiting for me. She kept me together, and we got even stronger once we decided to grow our family. I think you're feeling the need for Suki to be in one place, so that you can always return to her." He looks at me as I being to nod in agreement.

"You're right Dad. That's exactly what I want, and I don't want to write her a letter to tell her that."

"Go to her. Talk to her, and work together to decide what you both will do from here on out. You two have stuck together for all of these years. I think it's time that you live with each other. You're adults now. The world doesn't need saving right anymore. Enjoy that while it lasts. It's time to be with Suki." Hakoda says, his eyes gazing directly at me.

I let out another sigh. This talk has gone exactly the way I wanted it to. I had already packed my bag for the journey the night before. "Thanks. This is exactly what I needed. I wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy before I decided to hop on a boat and sail out to her." I say with a small smile. My hand subconsciously going to the back of my neck again.

"You've done crazier things than this before. Don't worry about the others. I'll let them know that you won't be joining them on their next trade with Ba Sing Se. I want you to be happy Sokka. Now go on, go." Hakoda says, rising from his chair to put his hand on my shoulder.

I put my hand on his shoulder and nod "I'll be back soon. Don't raid my meat stash while I'm gone."

Hakoda laughs and shakes his head at me "I've got work to do and so do you Sokka. Good luck." He begins to sit down again at his desk and reaches for the map he laid down. It was covered in new routes that help make trade voyages and political trips faster or more bearable depending on the distance.

I nod at him with a grin and quickly leave his office with the best sense of relief. I am ready. I can do this. If I leave today, I won't have time to change my mind. I somehow find myself almost back to my igloo in no time. I climb inside and grab my pack from beside my cot. I open it and reveal that the only things I packed were a map, food, and my weapons. Perfect. This should last me until I hit land somewhere. I gather some money and wrap it into a bag that is thrown into my pack. I sling my bag over my shoulder and walk to the entrance of my igloo.

I turn to face my home and take it all in. The pots, the meat stashes, piles of maps, clothes and bed in one corner of the room that will be waiting for me when I come back. Hopefully Suki will come with me and see this place for herself. With one last glance, I turn and leave my igloo. It's time.