She was use to waiting on the docks but an hour later and the ship had still not arrived she sat in the docker's office with a cup of tea by the small cosy heater. Everyone knew who she was. Being a master healer and solely responsible for the reconstruction of her hometown was a pretty obvious give-away. The dock manager flipped through a few schedules, marking down small notes and muttering to himself while she relaxed. She had not seen her niece properly since, well since Sokka's passing really. Kanna was always away on official business and eventually had left soon after she installed the new Chief. Although she came back now and again it was rarely the same as when she had grown up here. Kanna had chosen the warrior life, she spent more time away then at home, constantly moving and training water tribe warriors and establishing security across both tribes. Although she loved Kanna dearly the death of her father had taken its toll on them both in the early days of his death. More now than ever she thought back to when she was a girl, all the times they spent squabbling as siblings do…
"Must be the weather." The dock manager grumbled. "I heard things were bad with the clouds coming off of the Western skies."
As suddenly as he mentioned this a large official water tribe ship with a blue banner tooted in the distance outside the frosty window. The Southern Lights was finally here. Katara wrapped her jacket around her and hurried down to see the ship return to port. As it drew nearer she saw a waving figure motioning behind the boat and shouting out as the water benders approached to guide the ship gently into the harbour. Behind the larger ship she could see they were towing a rather rusty looking boat behind it. Large enough for a small fishing crew but in it's current shape hardly sea worthy. In moments the waterbenders gently carried the ship in and as soon as the hull gently touched the side of the docks a tall figure came bounding off, sprinting along the gangplank towards her.
"Aunt Katara!" The cry came out a furry bundled stranger headed straight towards Katara's open arms. "Good to see you!" She lifted the old waterbender up in a huge hug so that Katara's feet left the ground and laughed openly as she peeled off her fur cap revealing her spiky warrior wolf tail, shaven hair and kiyoshi band fastening the topknot in place.
"Kanna." She smiled fondly as the younger woman set her feet back towards on the deck, "You haven't changed a bit."
"Nope!" Kanna beamed openly mirroring the image of her father so many years ago in her aunt's eyes. She quickly pulled off her ceremonial wear, a cluster of fur lined robes and tunics along with an ornate necklace. Discarding them she quickly turned to Katara.
"I can never stand it up North, no wonder great gran gran left!" Standing straight she stretched and inhaled deeply. "It's good to be back in the South Pole."
Kanna was the spitting image of her father down to the quick blue eyes and good-natured weathered features. A tall strong lanky woman of around 40 her shaved hair bristled slightly with grey. She always kept it in the same style as her father, probably because she looked so like him. Despite being heavily armed with her father's sword, boomerang and her personal kiyoshi fan tucked safely in her fur pelt Kanna was a true softie. As always the goofy smile she had inherited from her Sokka was stuck on her face. She took a swig from her hip flask and sighed looking out at the town from the docks. The sun was just starting to set and the snow was settled cleanly around the landscape. She could see the various lights gleaming warmly as the town invited her home. She knew she had been gone too long. Originally she was travelling to see her mother, then to train and practice with various water tribe warriors at their station outposts and then training united forces in hand to hand combat before finally meeting with the Northern Water tribes' new Captains to discuss future military expansion. She had stayed longer than she hoped in Republic City as well and while it was enjoyable tasting fresh seaweed noodles and kicking it back at the new Southern Water Tribe Cultural centre, she had missed the bracing air of the South pole and the glorious jagged cliffs which glowed white into her eyes as she sailed in.
"It's good to have you back." Her aunt patted her kindly on the arm.
"It's good to be back." Turning around she quickly barked out a few orders for the goods to be unloaded, clapped her sailors around the back and wished them a good leave and handed off to the first mate. Loading up the sled with the presents she had bought on her travels, her gear bag and some packages and various herbs that Katara had asked her to picked up she kicked the mobile into action with Katara sat in the sidecar.
"Sorry I'm late." She apologised yelling above the noise as they drove. "Ran into some pirates." She waved back at the direction behind them. Katara had seen her sailors guide a gang of men linked by the arms in ropes.
"Oh dear."
"It's alright though, I've convinced most of them that if they stay and do community service we'll send them home very soon."
"Well nothing like a bit of hard work won't teach them to stop poaching."
"Where are my cousins? I've brought real elephant koi jerky back!" She exclaimed grabbing a leather bundle and whipping out dried pieces of fish as they sped along the icy roads towards the town.
"They're all at home dear, dinner will be soon, let's hurry back."
"Oh great! Dinner. Are there seal steaks?"
"You really haven't changed a bit." Her aunt laughed kindly.
In the hut, four seal steaks, a generous helping of seaweed noodles and sea prunes and a helping of frozen sweet dumplings after Kanna was settled happily between her family members and friends. Kanna was wrestling with Meelo while his younger brother clambered around her playing with various gifts she'd brought back for them from her travels. There had been hugs, tears of joy, loud laughter and an insane amount of food, mostly fresh meat to her satisfaction. Now sitting by the warm stove in the hut she was letting Meelo win their arm wrestling contest and smiled as he panted and puffed trying to bring her side down on the counter. In a second it touched the varnished surface he sprang up triumphant, busting his biceps, declaring for all who could hear, " I BEAT THE SOUTHERN WARRIOR-QUEEN." Beside them his eldest sister sighed and rolled her eyes not unkindly peering above the scrolls that Kanna had gifted her from her Kiyoshi training days. Ikki was fiddling with the paper crafts she'd learnt on the island, origami turtle ducks folding themselves in quick succession as they lined the floor. Her cousins were settled easily around the table laughing as they drank tea. When Bumi finished the liquor "Uncle Sokka's Cactus juice - It's the quenchiest. Enjoy our family recipe for quenchiest times!" she had got for him she pulled out another bottle and took hearty drinks from it, spinning far fetch sea stories between them.
"You know what the last time I drank this I swore I saw sand bunnies!" Bumi said smacking his lips.
"Dad said this was the best and last drink he would ever have." She said peering into the bottle, it was a successful if silly business venture and really the "family recipe" consisted of some of traditional rice soaked single malt liquor mixed with a pretty cactus flower. She remembered Sokka passing her a small cup on her coming of age and winking. Her mother wasn't too pleased when she found out. As the cactus juice had ended up all over the family cat.
"Oh calm down Suki! At least she never had real cactus juice."
"Hey mom! What happened when Uncle Sokka drank cactus juice?" Kya called out.
Katara spun around her eyes gleaming. "He thought a giant mushrooms was friendly."
Everyone laughed including Kanna who just couldn't imagine her father as a young boy running around tackling mushrooms. Her father with his beard, calm deep voice and the fact that when he was fully dressed and seated at the council he seemed so tall and foreboding… it was as ridiculous as imagining a dancing Tenzin.
She looked over quickly and managed to pluck the ornate warrior fan Rohan had suddenly manage to spread open, the tips of the weapon dangerously close to his face.
"How your mom Kanna?" Pema asked taking Rohan off her. He struggled a bit then went limp obviously use to the attentive care and firm grip of his mother.
"She's fine thanks, still gets around. We had a nice session when I went to visit."
"She's still training the warriors?"
"Yeah and beat me over twice, called me rusty and made me run up the side of Kiyoshi's peak as punishment." She said with a grin. Suki was one tough lady at her age she still had a spring in her step from so many years of performing intricate movements that delicately disarmed her opponents as much as her beauty.
"Any nice Kiyoshi baths out there?" Kya asked cheekily.
Kanna blushed and shook her head. She had enjoyed Kiyoshi hot springs as a youngster, bathing was a communal and daily activity but now as she grew older her thoughts settled less and less on her previous relationships with certain well meaning warriors. Kiyoshi was liberal in that respect, extremely so and since it was an Island quite isolated from the rest of the earth nation so there were no real prejudices that seeped into their peaceful defensive community. It wasn't something she had understood coming from the South Pole where despite their pragmatic natures they still clung stubbornly to the traditions. Things were changing however; up North she had seen young adult water bending institute hold a folk dance for same sex couples. It was refreshing.
Kya was her favourite cousin she knew she had travelled to explore the world before her but still bringing it up in front of family was daring. She quickly changed the subject asking Kya how long she was visiting " I don't know maybe a few weeks, or until New Year." Kya turned around quickly and mentioned to her mom coming Lin for the festival well but that was a story for another time. Tenzin as always was sat with an expression of silent contemplation.
"How's the Avatar, Tenzin?"
"Oh you know doing better than ever, I think she's visiting her parents soon. She was on holiday in the Spirit World. With Asami Sato."
Jinora snickered quietly enough so her father wouldn't hear and Kanna raised an eyebrow, even gossip reached the North and South Pole but apparently not Tenzin's ears. The last time she had seen the Avatar was at her father's funeral. She had seen her in the papers and heard her on the radio but somehow it seemed the Avatar was very different to the child she had held all those years ago. While Korra knew that Chief Sokka had died when she was young. The ordeal she went through as a child and his death were not entirely connected, partly because of her age and partly because her over protective mentors, the White Lotus, who wanted to spare any thoughts of guilt. And while she did not in the slightest blame Korra sometimes she still felt that same black sadness that threatened to trap her.
Soon Tenzin, Pema and Katara gathered up the children to bring them to bed, a sleepy Jinora already wrapped herself in a Kiyoshi gown and her sister who was playing with the paints had managed to smear some around her closed eyes. Katara didn't miss the chance to tuck her grandchildren into bed and yawning said goodnight promising to cook arctic hen soup for tomorrow when Kanna was awake. A response eagerly anticipated by everyone in the room. Bumi yarned a few more sea tales to nobody in particular and after a while he turned over and slowly started snoring in the small pile of cushions by the table. Kya rolled her eyes and winked, promising to go to the healing spa soon to have a proper catch up. She had fixed Kanna's bruised shoulder in a flash of blue warm water in less than a minute. One of the pirates was a little over eager to escape and had clipped her on the narrow boat with a wok. The rest of the healing session was filled with snickers and whispers as Kya sneakily brought her up to date on the town gossip. She watched as Bumi was led by a scolding Kya to his room telling him he'll catch a cold if he kept drinking like that. Heading to her own room she yawned as she changed and peered out of the window. After Sokka's death she lived in the Chief's residence but mainly stayed with Katara and her cousins when they returned home for a while. The hut had always had a room for her. It was a guest room now but still a comfortable sense of belonging made her feel even sleepier. Her old water tribe posters were hung up and her favourite bear fur was on the bed. Outside the snow was barely falling and the scene on the town where they were perched higher up on the side of the mountains was clear and silent. I've got to visit dad's grave tomorrow, she sighed inwardly pulling her hairband out and ruffling her scalp as she settled into her bed pulling the covers up. Nearby she could hear a dog howling and turning over she remembered something her dad use to tell her when she would have nightmares at night.
He's only calling for his buddies, no matter how scary something sounds just remember they're more scared of being alone!
She awoke with a start the next morning. It was peacefully quiet. No water slapping the deck. No gulls yelling above her. No sailors swearing as they ran around their duties. Not even the sounds of smooth fans slipping through the air or the calls of attacks she had grown use to sleeping near the dojo. Sighing she rolled over and creaked out of bed only to lie back down to enjoy the silence. Her eyes roamed around the room. In the dark she hadn't really seen the room but she remembered that there were a few pictures in here that used to line her dad's office. Mostly they were pictures of the members of Team Avatar and family. The soft bed, tribal wall hangings and blue carpet gave her an incredibly luxurious break from the Spartan captain's quarters she kept. There were pictures of her father and her aunt lining the small dresser on the other side of the rom. Both of them standing proudly as they remade and rebuilt the Southern Water tribe together. Katara opening up a waterbending institute - with a huge "GIRLS WELCOME" painted on the side of an ice column. Her father grinning insanely at the camera with his boomerang in the air as he opened up the warrior/boomerang training centre. Her father dressed in his Chief warrior clothing standing besides his wife and newborn child. Finally the two of them when she and Sokka went ice dodging. Kanna had one in her cabin but this was Katara's copy. He was so proud of her that day and in the black and white snap you could clearly see the sense of accomplishment in both their faces. Closing her eyes she lost herself to the memory of that day. They had skittered over the ice, into the waves and with a careful bounce brought the ship safely back to shore. It was her rite of passage into the water tribe nation and her love of sailing. Sighing she realised she had better get out of bed. Tying her wolf tail she wrapped the kiyoshi band around it. Suki had always tried to remind her of her dual heritage but when she had exclaimed much more enthusiasm for her first boomerang than the kiyoshi headbands it was a little too much for her mother to handle. Sokka had to lay down the law when Suki's lessons seemed a little lost on their daughter. But often they both realised they could not stop her from skipping the kiyoshi lessons to go ice fishing or race her group of friends to the slopes to go ice skating. Since she was old enough to travel they had been to Kiyoshi Island to visit often since her mother missed her childhood home. However in hearts of hearts she was a water tribe girl, brought up and bred in the harshest environment around the world. Snow, ice, wind, rain and cold was the entirety of her and Sokk'a souls it bound them to this place, like the reflection that showed the same sharp face, cropped hair and rough hands on long limbs. Pulling on her tunic and furs she walked over to the dresser.
Her father's weapons never left her side, even when she was training on Kiyoshi which was a strange presentation because it clashed spectacularly with the traditional kiyoshi armour, dress and style. But she sorted it out after a few stubborn disagreements with her winning a few sparring sessions to prove her worth. She picked up her father's sword, the metallic black blade sang as it touched her side and she tied it tightly to her leather belt. The comfort of the hilt with its worn wrappings and leather touch was a calming reminder of his presence in her life. Walking into the ktichen she greeted the others warmly. The stove was bubbling with a delicious smell and beside her aunt Pema was chopping various ingredients for the vegetarian airbenders and preparing several pickle preserves. Katara smiled and poured her fresh tea and handed her a bowl of rice gruel that was freshly made with some sea kelp on top. Outside the weather was brilliant, the snow had settled early and it was a peaceful bright winter day. Most of the others were out doing errands. Tenzin was meeting with the Chief, Bumi was hungover and Kya had been called away into town taking the children with her to help with chores or errands so it was pleasant to chat to her aunt and Pema after the commotion last night. After finishing another helping of breakfast Katara asked if she wanted to accompany her to the town since she would be preserving some medicines at the local hospital. Kanna apologised and shook her head.
"I'm sorry auntie Katara I was going to go up to dad's grave. Where do we keep the incense?"
"Over by the cupboard in the living room."
"You got any more of those frozen sweet cakes?"
"There's some in the icebox. Help yourself dear."
"Thanks, I'll be back for dinner."
Katara paused looking at her niece as she rummaged through a drawer pulling out sewing kits, various fabrics and matches before finding a little bundle of incense.
"In that case I'll put his favourite in." Katara bustled back into the kitchen wrapping up some of the leftover seal steaks. "He loved his meat."
Kanna entered and seeing Katara carefully wrap up the offerings she placed her hand on her aunt's shoulder and hugged her after Katara handed the package over to her wrapped up in oilcloth. "Thanks Auntie, he always said you cooked the best." Grabbing her hood and boots she laced them up and headed out. Fresh cold air flooded her lungs.
"Don't be late Kanna, there's grilled salmon bird tonight!" A voice called out.
"I won't!" She replied and turning away from the town she began climbing up the hill towards the top of the Southern Cliffs.
"Hey dad," She whispered after she had cleaned the grave, lit the incense for the offering, bowed and knelt down to pray. Like the man, the grave itself was quite simple with a traditional large headstone and enclosure, a little incense pot and his name in calligraphy engraved in a beautiful snow-white marble piece, the sign of their tribe was carved across the top. "I'm alright, just got back in time for Winter Solstice, been really nice to see Auntie Katara and my cousins." She paused for a bit, a moment of longing biting inside her. She wished he was here now, she hadn't come as often as she could, or would have liked but when she did each time she tried to imagine what he'll say. "Mom misses you. I spent some time with her when I was heading North. She's still training all the girls in the dojo where she whipped your ass." Smiling at the story she'd heard dozens and dozens of times, every time with different occurrences but every single story ended the same as she remembered his theatrical re-enactment of Suki's furious defensive and attacking moves had disarmed him in a second. She took a little Kiyoshi medallion out of her pocket and placed it on his headstone. "I completed the Kiyoshi archery training. Mom was quite pleased. Said it was about time. Then I went North and to Republic City. They touched up that statue of you there. But nothing beats Southern Water Tribe food. Hope you like your steaks by the way. Auntie Katara made them." She chuckled inwardly remembering how at the dinner table despite Aang's patient influence upon Sokka, her dad had always openly stuffed himself with chunks of meat and placed the biggest choicest pieces of seal steak in front of her to munch on. The Kiyoshi diet was mainly made up of fish and various other foraging from the forest so being home and sinking her chops into a nice leg of antlered hare was a joy beyond compare. "I can see why you didn't stick around the North," She continued, "They're pretty stuffy up there." She mimicked the Northern Water Tribe elders she had to deal with. "Why don't you wear a dress? Where is your formal robe? Why aren't you married? That's not the proper attire for our warriors." Pulling a face she imagined Sokka guffawing loudly, retelling the time he had gotten into a fight with one of those stuck up lot during the Fire Nation invasion. Closing her eyes she sat down next to the headstone. "I miss you so much dad."
That night the Avatar was captured she had ran from her bedroom to the courtyard as soon as they men appeared shouting to their Chief for help. A chaotic scene invaded her eyes as wounded coughing ashen-faced townspeople were huddling around the safety of the palace building. An explosion had happened near the factory during the second watch that night and afterwards successive fires had appeared all over the city. There had been evacuations as the fire was spreading too quickly to manage. The waterbenders were at a loss because the gunpowder was in some form that repelled water. But quickly she realised that the real panic was due to the fact that the Avatar had been captured. Sokka was already in full command. She was pulling on her armour, her boomerang strapped to her body and her mother's katana held in her other hand to lead her unit in a furious chase. Her father had turned around when he saw her. He paused and for a moment Kanna knew it was a dangerous task because behind him Tenzin's normally calm demeanour was burning with an anxiety that she had never seen. His eyes and hands were running frantically over a map while her fellow warrior and friend Tonraq, brought in the injured men to lie by the healers who were working at incredible speeds. Tenzin was explaining quickly to the gathered men that the explosions were designed to distract the guards and soldiers away from the real objective. Sokka growled, the Red Lotus must have infiltrated their tribe. He grew more aggressive as a messenger ran in panting that part of the terrorist cell had taken hostages in the Western District. Sokka gave a few orders and then turning around placed a hand on her shoulder and took her aside. But Lord Zuko appeared out of nowhere, growling that her aunt had been hurt and her cousin Kya was attending to her. Sokka's face went white and his face was burning with pure anger. For a moment Kanna realised that although she knew her dad was a Chief she had forgotten he was once a fully combative warrior who had survived the Hundred Year War. Sokka nodded as Lord Zuko ran off to search from the skies. He turned towards her solemnly, his voice was steady but she could tell he was worried.
"Kanna, I have trained you well. You make me so proud." She opened her mouth to object, knowing already he will not let her join the rescue mission and to tell him she would be coming anyways whether he liked it or not But Sokka shook his head. "I promise you, you will understand some day but right now your place is here, being a warrior, a protector, a chief is about knowing where you're needed most. I love you. I will be back." She closed her mouth. Nodded and watched as within seconds Tenzin, Tonraq and various other water tribe warriors bounded away on sleds, snowmobiles, the polar elks while Sokka led the charge, the sound of wolf hounds barking and snarling into the storm.
Her last memory was calling out "BE CAREFUL DAD!" While Sokka glanced back and gave her a thumbs up before pulling his artic wolf helmet over his head and speeding the sled along with his whip. The Avatar. She remembered Sokka talking about it as he came home from the Council. Settling herself between her parents while Suki patiently listened as he recounted how tense the situation was because the South would not reveal the identity of the new Avatar to the North for security reasons. The child had just turned four as well and confirmation by various White Lotus leaders was creating an increasingly tense situation. Sokka also resisted the Northern water tribe advances to train the water tribe reincarnation of the Avatar because he argued that the child would need to understand the ways of their tribe before being forced away to practice without the support and love of their family and community. "They already know it's the Water cycle! Putting people in actual danger to celebrate is meaningless!" Suki had rubbed her father's hands as they clenched into fists. All her life she knew that Aang and her father were friends and later brothers in every sense of the word but now she felt an incredible regret and wished that for the first time that her dad and aunt had never found the Avatar, or that her aunt wasn't married to the Avatar so Sokka would not be heading into the snowstorm. She was scared. Despite her father being the oldest she was the youngest of her father's generation of children and unlike her cousins she had settled herself for a simple warrior lifestyle. She was barely thirty and still felt too young to be a Chieftess even though that was what Sokka had been training her for. As soon as he was gone she had rushed out to the fires, helping out as fast as she could with the blaze that could not be stopped even with bending. Chemicals stung her eyes and throat as they beat out the toxic fire with snow, water and ice until finally she got the fishermen and water benders to soak fishing nets in a soda foam to beat out the flames by taking out the air all around them. It was hard, filthy, brutal choking work and by dawn the fires were out leaving the town deadly silent. A pale waking sun approached them as they rode home in extreme exhaustion, Kanna demanded to go see her aunt between hacking coughs but the burns on her arms were too great and she needed to visit a healer. As soon as she got back, she knew. Lord Zuko was sat apart, his face pressed against his hands. Tenzin was quietly crying in a chair. Tonraq's face was hard with emotion as he got up and walked over to her. He didn't have any words instead he passed her her father's blade, boomerang and helmet which was split almost exactly in half.
"I'm so sorry Kanna." His voice rasped.
Then he knelt, "Chief."
She sighed now that she was older, wiser, and definitely an experienced warrior she now understood what Sokka had meant by stopping her from rushing after him. There was something to be said for her father's planning. He was always one step ahead and instinctively strategic whereas in that moment, caught up in the youth or security she had not quite learnt the same level of organization. So she didn't plan for this to happen at all. Her father said he was coming back. But the funeral required a huge amount of work. She wanted to hold her aunt throughout the ceremony. First the death of her husband, then the death of her brother to protect the reincarnation of Aang, it was quite the blow. The funeral was attended by hundreds including the heads of states when all she wanted was a quiet moment to herself. For days she stayed inside the Palace with council members to make sure the ceremony was conducted safely. She had been dressed up in the Southern Water Tribe Warrior wear every morning and stood as Chieftess in honour of her father in the tribe's moment of need. It was hard being the centre of attention while she addressed her people. Most of her life was spent hunting, training and sailing, accompanying Sokka around on his duties and now she was demanded to make the decisions he did. She did it automatically with some insane hope that her father would come back, laughing and joking and asking her if she enjoyed being the Chieftess for a while and maybe he could take a nice long break since she was doing so well. She didn't eat or sleep because each spare moment was spent rebuilding the town. When possible she rushed out riding her elk to the boarders to fortify and personally make sure the defences were secured. In the evenings she would return to wave off a few servants in the Palace and sit by the fire just staring without thinking. Exhaustion resided in her bones. Her aunt gave her a few potions and she eventually slept but they were fitful dreams of Sokka turning away and Kanna trying to catch up in the snowstorm that night he had left. Outwardly though nobody knew her inner grief and when Lord Zuko came to pay his respects personally she was every image of the Chieftess in front of her people while they performed the night vigil. It was as if she was living behind an icy wall that muffled everything she heard until the day of the ceremony. The banners were white in morning, black armbands were worn, the final procession led the ceremonial casket along to the harbour flanked by various sombre faced warriors that highlighted the sadness felt by the townspeople bowing in the streets with deep respect. Since Sokka's body was lost in such a fearsome manner a dozen canoes were sent off into the distanc, launched to each the end of the earth in a spiritual guide towards the sea's horizons before the archers let lose their arrows so that they burnt brightly like little candles in the setting sun, as if the points of light were returning home. Each one contained a memory of her father. His armour. His bow. His scrolls. His paintings. His boyhood fishing gear. She had chosen them herself and her aunt helped. Suki had looked after her daughter the best she could but since it was the Southern water tribe culture she knew it was Kanna's place to take the lead. They had then climbed up to the Southern cliffs were the Shaman would scatter the spirit offerings to guide her father to the afterlife and ensure a fortunate travel for the soul. She watched as tears streamed down auntie Katara's face, she seemed even more fragile then before. Afterwards they had embraced and Kanna had never felt more grateful that Katara was her aunt. She had stayed here for a long time looking out on the edge of the cliff. So long in fact that she didn't notice the lanterns lighting up around them or the small booted feet of the young girl who slowly tugged at her cloak. She gazed down and saw wide blue eyes silently looking back with tears in them.
The Avatar. Korra.
Tonraq had confided in her after Sokka's death. His daughter was the reason why Chief Sokka was dead. He apologised and wept openly before Kanna hugged him and said there was nothing to be sorry about. Senna watched silently as tears dripped down her face. Sokka had been a more than a father to him after his exile when Tonraq proved himself a worthy fighter. Sokka had convinced Tonraq that exile meant nothing to his standing in their community and ensured that any open discrimination was reported immediately to his office. Tonraq had been like a brother to her, more than her brother in arms. She was his captain when they first met and his calm balanced manner and gruff humour had made them the firmest of friends. She had been there for his wedding to Senna. Stood beside them and chanted the warrior salute while they were married. She had acted like the older sister by teasing him mercilessly when he sneaked back into the barracks late because he'd begun learning how carve the betrothal necklace for Senna. They drank the Northern water tribe soldiers under the table after besting them in a sailing contest and proudly recounted the story before throwing up over Chief Sokka's desk. She had been there for Korra's birth and held the newborn with all the pride of a aunt. Sokka had congratulated Tonraq and Senna when they found out they were expecting. Tonraq nudged Kanna to get a move on with little ones herself much to her exasperation and Sokka's roaring laughter. Kanna would visit every weekend she was free with another batch of Katara's homemade frozen snowcakes and Sokka's various carved toys. Senna started rationing them because Korra didn't need the extra energy, the boisterous child was already water bending from a young age and was starting to destroy the house accidentally bit by bit. But all the same she found herself eating junk food as they ran around the home pretending to battle as Team Avatar against the evil Firelord Ozai when Tonraq and Senna went on a well deserved couples hunting trip. However as she stood there now knowing what she knew that Korra was the Avatar and that her father had died to save her… She felt at loss for any emotion. For their own safety and probably in hindsight her father had been correct and calculated in concealing the identity and closely guarding the Avatar in relative secrecy given what had happen so recently. They later found out that several white lotus members were tortured horrendously then murdered to gain the information for the kidnapping.
"Hey sweetie, where's your mom and dad?" She said.
"They went to the tent." She said, motioning to the yurk set up for the townspeople to visit and pay respects.
"Come on then, let's get you back." She bent to pick Korra up. Boy this child was getting heavy.
Korra looked at her as they began to walk back to the crowd and then wrapped her arms around Kanna's neck. "I'm sorry you're sad. I miss Chief Sokka too." And Kanna had let herself cry into the arms of the Avatar.
When she trudged back into the hut shaking off the snow from her hair she heard familiar voices. A loud deep guffaw carried out to the entrance where she tugged off her boots and animated conversations between friends. Steam was sprouting out of the kitchen and she could smell seaturtle dumplings. Her favourite. Entering the living room she found the a couple seated around the small stove.
"Tonraq! Senna" She called out immediately reaching for them.
"Chief!" Came the excited reply from both Senna and Tonraq. Senna reached Kanna first and pulled her arms around the older woman. Tonraq came and picked them both up in a bone-crushing hug. She felt the air leave her lungs.
"Still as strong as a platypus bear!" She wheezed. Setting them down she saw in her old friends' eyes they had missed her more than she knew.
"And I'm not Chief!" She said punching him solidly on the shoulder, "You're Chief!"
He flinched ever so slightly but tried not to show it. "And your punches are still soft!" He grimaced widely.
"Why didn't you tell us you were back?" Senna said. Her kind sisterly face made Kanna feel a little guilty for having been away so long.
"I'm sorry, I went off to visit dad's grave and I got back so late last night I didn't know whether you and Chief here were busy." She joked pretending to spar with Tonraq she enjoyed teasing him mercilessly since in terms of size he was always at an advantage when they practiced on the training grounds. "Also I got caught up in the North. I got to say your niece and nephew sure were…interesting."
"No fighting in the house!" Katara called as she brought in a fresh teapot. Tonraq was holding Kanna in a headlock while she grappled his arm.
"Sorry Aunt Katara."
"Sorry Master." Both of them sat down very quickly. Glanced at each other and burst into laughter.
Senna rolled her eyes. She remember first meeting Tonraq and Kanna at the annual harvest festival. Kanna kept prodding him forward to her that evening at the harvest dances. She was funny and charming so that Senna's sister and friends were introduced to her fellow soldiers many of whom were excited for the chance to let off a bit of steam. Tonraq however was sat as stiff as an iceberg and staring straight ahead his face a glacier of no emotion. Eventually Tonraq had literally picked Kanna up and threw her into the side of Katara's stand with his over excitement and nerves when Kanna drunkenly leaned over whispering and giggling not so quietly, "TONRAQ HEERREEE thinks YOU ARE BOOTIFUL AND HE– "
Katara had chased Kanna around the town with a water whip for crashing the traditional harvest display.
Sitting down to dinner Kanna saw there was another visitor. A rather haughty looking older woman with grey hair and two long pink scars on her face who was glaring intently at her. Kya slapped Lin on the arm and raised an eyebrow. Behave said the look. Kanna quickly realised who she was and why Lin's gaze was so poisonous as she saw the badge on her metal uniform. She had spent a summer with her cousins in Republic City when they were still young and after a few drinks she thought it would be an excellent idea to climb the highest building in the city, at the time it was the Republic City Radio tower. With her boomerang and mountaineering gear she attempted this stupid bet made by a few boisterous benders who had challenged her non-bending prowess. Bumi was on leave and managed to put a foot on the building before slumping over in a drunken haze. Tenzin wasn't around otherwise she was sure he would object and clearly outline the various reasons why they shouldn't before standing back, crossing his arms and reminding them so. She had made it up halfway before Lin, a young policewoman at the time had shouldered her, tied her up and brought her to the station only for Toph to laugh manically at the sight of a sobering Kanna and a fuming Lin. Kya had carried Bumi off, she already had a record. Kanna may or may not have resisted arrest. But only because she explained later to her very angry parents in her defence Sokka had always told her if a Beifong was after you to run for it. Toph had brushed off Lin and they caught up about her dad and what she'd been up to. There wasn't technically a law against climbing buildings. The next day she wished she had been in jail since jail would probably be better than her horrific hangover. It was either community service and a small fine or Toph announced standing up as she flexed her neck and shoulder muscles she could challenged her to duel and see what her old man and taught her before being free to go. Toph bashed her head in several times with rather larger than average rocks in the pro-bending arena. While throwing up, panting and pressed in fear to the floor, Toph smirked "Should have known he wouldn't have taught you all his moves."
Kanna knew she was one of Toph's favourite. As a child she had apparently broke the clock Suki had brought home from the Island that drove Toph mad because of it's constant clicking and chirping meant to imitate the sounds of the birds in her native home. A lifetime of free rides had stemmed from that one moment when she put her training spear through the clock. Also she knew Toph wasn't a fan of her mother. Something to do with her dad before they met. She just decided to ignore the silent furious exchanges between her cousin and Lin and gulp down her sea prune soup. Although in the evening Lin later warmed up to her after a good deal of South Pole ale and she learned that underneath those hard stony green eyes was a gentle soul. But very deep down. In fact so deep down that it was only when Lin slumped sleepily against Kya, Kanna dared to raise a silent questioning smirk. Kya at least had the decency to blush obviously knowing her cousin deserved a thorough and no hold bars explanation very soon. Kanna noticed Kya's blue scarf, which she wasn't wearing yesterday wrapped tightly around her neck. She reconsidered knowing what was going on with those two and said goodbye to Tonraq and Senna who had stayed for dinner and left reminding them to come for the winter solstice party. They were expecting their daughter tomorrow and it would be a full family and society affair. Kanna went to sleep content, happy and full.
She dreamt of her first hunting trip. Sokka had convinced her mother to let her come with his men. It was a traditional father-son bonding trip, normally when water tribe boys reached ten his father would take him away for his first solo hunt. Feeding and preparing meat for the family was an important task. She would have to also skin and cut up the prey she hunted to prove she could survive in the wild. She was looking forward by having working diligently in the training grounds. Back then she already knew that Suki was rather withdrawn from the cold, the frost and the constant winter tempreture. Although she and her father lived, breathed and existed in this extreme her mother missed the warm lush island, full of green waving trees, with it's sloping mountains, it's clear waters and wild flowers that darted the landscape. The washing calm of a mountain that was not covered entirely in snow but rather gushing waterfalls where in the heights of summer she would go swimming gazing out at the illuminated sunsets on the sandy coasts. Eventually an unspoken agreement meant that Suki stayed longer and longer until she never returned to the South after her annual visit. Kanna chose to remain with her dad. She visited her mother regularly, travelling ever summer to train. Sailing in her own boat so that she could spend a few months living the life and ways of the kiyoshi warriors but she would always be a Southern Water Tribe girl. She would hunt, spear, fish and swim like one no matter how many dances she practiced, tea ceremonies she attended and kiyoshi traditions she learnt. For the hunting trip Sokka had brought her her own knife and presented it to her after dinner the night before they were to set off. It was a simple dagger made out of polar ice, the sharpest metal mineral they had around and small enough for her to carve and make her own pelt. She smiled and stashed it tightly away. She was the only girl on the trip. Being the Chief's daughter meant breaking out of tradition and although she knew she was in a man's world her father never treated her any different and pushed her just as the other fathers did. In fact, he was more supportive then she knew because he wanted her to succeed to prove to the others that women were more than worthy of the title. Katara had already challenged a few established sterotypes but as the chief's daughter she secured her place by being the first to hunt, kill and cleanly slice away at the meat before the other boys had even found a prey. She remembered Sokka's proud face as he beamed at her when they went back into the house covered in tiger seal blubber and how Suki couldn't help but smile when she gifted her mum with a leather hat later on.
The next day was spent preparing for the festival. Everywhere the townspeople had gathered noisily to put up decorations, clean up the town centre for the evening events and dances with the water tribe band. There was also a large table set for the community feast. An excited bustle kept rising from the town as rumours floated around about the Avatar being present. Shopkeepers were calling out their wares and the swarm of customers swelled the markets, as many were keen to finish their present buying before the end of the evening. Kanna again pulled on her warrior uniform and wrapped up warmly in her furs dressing up for the holidays. Winter solstice was one of the most celebrated events because winter brought them a new wave of waterbenders, most of them who were born during this time when the forces of the spirit world were working at their strongest. Kya was on call almost all the time delivering newborns leaving Lin and Kanna around for the day to play board games, drink tea and get cranky from boredom. Neither of them wanted to do any shopping after helping Katara pick up with a few packages from town or had any desire to decorate. Bumi tried and failed to make paper snowflakes so that the house resembled some kind of paper factory explosion while his nieces and nephews ran around putting up the traditional lanterns. Katara had invited several women over for the traditional baking of steamed sweets so they went climbing and returned in the late afternoon both very out of breath and covered in bruises in their attempt to out compete the other. Both of them had forgotten they were no longer quite the agile young women they were back in their day. Lin was nursing a stiff arm and Kya was limping have slipped on a rock that Lin was earth bending to stop her gaining ground. They were still arguing when Kya saw them and wordlessly motioned them over. She tutted loudly at Lin and forced her to pulled off her tunic to heal the swelling before the dinner but as soon as she touched Lin's pale shoulders Kanna coughed and ducked out mentioning something about finding her aunt because Lin had flushed to the colour of her favourite pink squid candy as Kya's fingers lingered over her muscular back. Katara had laughed when Kanna muttered something about bruises, Lin, Kya, mountain, cliffs and after a quick recovery she popped into the shower to change. Everyone was already gathered when they entered the Palace and Tonraq approached them cheerfully to guide them over to the dining room. He was dressed in his formal clothing and sported the ceremonial neck collar. She smirked at Tonraq and asked him how many rooms did a Chief need especially since he spent most of his time out of the Palace? The Palace was more expansive since she had left. He shook his head with a grin and just led them out to the balcony where the fireworks were shortly going to begin. The room was set out for the annual festival dinner and everyone was milling around enjoying a buffet of traditional spread of southern water tribe dishes. Lin and Kya were still seen bickering as the other guests warmly welcomed them, a collection of relatives, friends and water tribe community leaders in attendance.
"I wanted you to heal them not to give me another one!"
"Nobody can see it sweet" Kya's low voice said coyly.
"I can feel it on the back of my neck!" She heard Lin hiss.
"It's not that bad." Kya cooed.
Kanna caught Kya's eye and winked. She knew Kya could charm her way out of anything but now wasn't the time to mention that everyone could see the small love bite on the back of Lin's neck despite the high collar of her black and green suit.
Tonraq poured her a drink and leaned over to call someone over, "Korra come here and say hello to Chief Kanna!"
A lopsided smile and bright blue eyes greeted her as a confident young woman immediately walked over full of purpose. Tonraq put his arms around his daughter.
"Korra this is Chief Kanna, she's Chief's Sokka's daughter."
"Hello Chief Kanna." She said bowing respectfully.
"Avatar Korra, fully grown!" Kanna bowed back, seeing Tonraq's face beam with unbridled pride looking at his daughter.
Korra was no longer the chubby little toddler she had thrown into the snow all those years ago. Strong and muscular with warrior arms and a posture that just showed how powerful and solidly built frame like her father Kanna was impressed by her manners.
"Call me Kanna, I'm not the Chief, your dad is." Kanna rolled her eyes, Tonraq always did like to bring up her title whenever he could.
"How's the life after being Chief?" Korra asked.
"Not too bad I spend most of my time outdoors on the waves."
"Spirits I miss it!" Tonraq said gazing fondly outside past the balcony as the fireworks illuminated their shores in the distance they heard the cries of excitement and cheers coming from the town centre where the crowds were gathered.
"Well join me then! Otherwise you'll get a pot belly soon enough sitting in all those meetings." She prodded him at the side, despite his scary outward demeanor to those who didn't know him, Tonraq was as ticklish as a walrus hare. Korea's eyes widened as she heard a whelp escape from his lips. She had rarely seen her own father be teased like this. Tonraq picked Kanna up with one arm. "I can still throw you out of the party!" He roared half jokingly.
"No fighting indoors!" Katara and Senna called out from the other end of the room.
He put her down quickly and they laughed wildly slapping each other on the backs. Korra gave a look that clearly spoke of her youthful embarrassment she was in some awkward weird adult moment.
"Yep. Being Chief is bad for your health!"
"I can imagine."
"But you were always the better Chief." She said nodding approvingly at her friend.
"Your dad was the better Chief." Tonraq said shaking his head. "Spirits knows how we miss him."
Kanna's face fell a little, "He was as much a father to me as to you."
"I'm sorry." Korra said sudenly rather quietly. She looked at the floor. Kanna was surprised but then understood why Korra was apologizing.
"I'm going to get Asami a drink." Tonraq cleared his throat and walked away.
Kanna knew this was going to happen. She had imagined it before in many different ways but never really placed much thought into it. Seeing Korra looking so suddenly nervous reminded her of how it must have felt even more complicated for a child to go through the same experiences.
"I'm sorry Chief. I mean - Kanna. I always wanted to talk to you. About Chief Sokka. I mean when I found out later. I'm sorry about that too. They, um, didn't tell me really until later. And I'm sorry. I just I want to say. It was my -" The younger woman was fumbling around for words. It was obviously a huge part of her inner distress; her face crumpled. "Chief Sokka was because of the kidnapping…because of me. I'm sorry." Korra mumbled a little. Still not really looking into Kanna's eyes.
Kanna placed her hand on the younger girl's shoulder and waited for Korra to look up at her.
She said very clearly. "Korra. It's not your fault. I would never blame you for anything that happened. My dad did what any dad would do. Protect their people, protect their kids, any kids. He told me not to go on the rescue mission. If it was me instead of him we know you and I wouldn't be here." Korra's blue eyes gazed up.
She continued. It was important for the both of them to understand their past.
"I was rushing out after him but he said something to me that I will never forget. Being a warrior is knowing where you're needed most. You've done that your entire life as the Avatar. I know I haven't been home awhile but I'm glad to see you've grown into an outstanding young woman I'm proud of you, and proud to say we are from the Southern Water Tribe." Korra nodded and sighed a breath of relief.
"When we became independent, I knew one day you would lead us to a better world. I know for a fact Chief Sokka would be happy for all the good you've done in this world. " She smiled kindly at the girl and leaned in to give Korra a hug. A small tear dripped down both their noses as they parted.
"Thanks. Kanna." She mumbled drying her eyes. Kanna nodded and then winked wickedly.
"Now how about I meet that girlfriend of yours?" Korra immediately froze and looked around her quickly, eyes darting around in panic. Kanna rolled her eyes, "I was young once. Gossip gets down here as well for everyone except Tenzin." She added. Korra breathed a sigh of relief and waved Asami over. The young CEO was gorgeous in an evening dress and Kanna could instantly tell the feelings between the two were mutual. Korra practically glowed like a young otter whale cub feasting on artic shrimp.
Introductions aside Kanna embarrassed Korra by recounting the time as a seven year old how Korra had single handedly destroyed the Southern Water Tribe library by waterbending a boomerang Kanna had mailed to her for her birthday.
"Why she thought it was a good idea I have no clue. You know boomerangs are meant to be thrown. With your arm. And it's meant to come back. Not go through a building." She said pointedly at Korra who was now a furious shade of red.
"Still my idea worked. The boomerang ended up further than anyone else's." She said pouting a little.
"Ideas I hope you worked on with that month in the library repairing all the shelves."
Asami had chuckled charmingly with a look of pure affection for the Avatar. They talked about motorised snowmobiles but also ones that would convert themselves into an ambulance by attaching a lighter wagon/cart in the back. Kanna got a promise to test run one of the newer Sato engines when they came through. Hopefully it would be a venture the water tribe warriors would expand into. In the end Kanna couldn't think of a better person for Korra. While Asami went to get them more drinks. She nudged the young woman with her elbow.
"Good on you." Korra cracked her a signature grin.
"Oh Korra! Good I was just hoping you could explain to our Councilmen the geography of your visit with miss Sato in the spirits world." Tenzin said stepping in.
Korra blushed and Kya watched as she fumbled through her sentences every time she mentioned Asami's role in their short travels.
Another winter solstice ended with a drunken round of folk songs and Kya tipsily singing along to Bumi's flute while Lin looked mortified at the increasingly suggestive lyrics. Thank God her aunt, the children and the more conservative guests had gone to bed or left. She wasn't sure what would happen if Katara knew they were misbehaving remembering that water whipping she received a long time ago. Kanna sympathetically passed Lin some authentic cactus juice and later watched in horror as Lin proceeded to belt out an Earth nation tribute song to bagermoles while earth bending. She tried to convince everyone that the rocks were part of the melody. Before she could destroy anything else Kanna and Kya carried her off to a guest room where Kya winked at Kanna and pressing a finger to her lips shut the door behind them. Within seconds she could hear heavy clunking sounds and a lot of low demanding voices so she practically ran back to the heart of the party. The Avatar finished the night by setting off the finale fireworks from the Palace with a spot of excellent firebending and as the sparks lit up Kanna gazed at all their wondrous faces turned upwards to the stars and Southern Lights. Kanna knew she was home. The snow was barely falling as she rolled up tightly in her bed underneath the canopy where all around her all the other guests were slumbering peacefully away in their separate rooms.
That night she dreamt of Sokka standing next to her on the board of her ship The Southern Lights he was gazing out fondly towards the sea while they approached the Southern Water Tribe. She went up him silently and stood by his side. He then disappeared with a wide smile and thumbs up. Waking up the sun shone in through her room. Maybe it was time to revisit that boomerang centre…