Life in the South Pole was difficult and cold. Heck, cold was an understatement. It was as if ice was squeezing every single drop of warmth out of the world. The poor waterbender could barely bend water, let alone the ice that came with it.

It was when the life inside of her had been put to the ultimate test: Keeping a young boy, a son of the Northern water tribe, safe. How did she get a Northern water tribe baby, you may ask? Ships. Many ships, all sailing to the Northern water tribe, to team up to fight in the battle. Many kids had come to the south pole to stay safe, of course, but the little boy Katara kept watch over was very special to her.

The boy had been born a day before the ships set sail for the south pole. He was the youngest child by far, and Katara, who loved little kids, figured it would be the perfect chance to learn to care for a little boy.

However, Katara became connected to the little boy, who she had named Sokka. He was now four and she was now sixteen. She would someday have to let go of him. Someday. Not today, but someday.

Katara became more and more worried when the notes from the tribes began to thin. Normally the tribe would receive four or five notes each month, but now they were lucky to receive one. The water tribe girl would lie awake at night, wondering when the tribe would bang on her door, making her give up the boy who became a brother.

"Mommy?" Sokka toddled into the room.

"I am not your mommy, Sokka. I am your sister."

"But you act like a mommy."

Katara thought for a minute. "Yes, I suppose I do."

"Can you tell me the story of how I was born again?"

Katara smiled. She always loved telling Sokka about his past, how she'd taught him to walk and talk. "Once upon a time, there was a big battle going on."

"Is the battle still happening?"

"Sadly, yes." Katara paused, taking time to look at Sokka's worried face. "Don't worry, the battle is happening far away from here. We're safe."

"What about mommy and daddy?"

Katara turned from her little brother. She blinked back a few tears before quietly responding, "They're gone."

Sokka's face turned from its usual bright self. "Could you finish the story?"

Katara picked up her little brother and set him on her bed. "You were born right before daddy had to go and help fight. Then a big ship took you down here so I could take care of you."

"Are you the only person who took care of me?"

"Yes. I had a little bit of help from grandma Kanna, but sadly she's gone too."

"Oh."

"I taught you how to walk by-"

"Katara?"

"Yes, Sokka?"

"Did you have a mommy?"

"I used to."

"What happened to her?"

"The Fire Nation came and... took her." Katara didn't want to tell Sokka her mother had been killed during a Fire Nation raid, afraid he might freak out.

"Did they kill her?"

"...Yes."

"Why?"

"She was trying to protect me. They wanted to kill the last waterbender at the South pole, which was me." Katara yawned. "It's late. You should go to bed."

"Can I sleep in here tonight?"

"Of course you can."