AUTHOR'S NOTES—it's me again. This is just a random story that takes place about 15 years or so after the war. As with all my stories, there will be some OCs, but as the title indicated, the main character of this series is Katara, but all of our favorite heroes are still alive. Most (keyword: most) of the events that took place in the cartoon are what happened in this story as well, including deaths, pairings, etc. There is at least one exception to this rule, as we will soon find out.
BACKGROUND
The peace that came from Avatar Aang's defeat of Fire Lord Ozai was only short-lived. Even without his bending powers, he was an influential man, and he had many connections. His daughter Azula was no different. Her bout of insanity that had cost her the throne to her brother was only a guise. After all, with him on the throne, he became all that bigger of a target for assassination. Azula's own confidence and lack of blatant insanity was what helped her be released from the asylum—they could not legally keep her locked up there when she was perfectly sane. However, she fled long before they could bring her to justice for her war crimes, and her current location is unknown—though her followers are everywhere.
The Fire Nation under the rule of Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Mai was doing its best to rebuild itself and provide aid to the Earth kingdom and Water Tribes for the damages it had caused. This did well for their stance on the world, though there was still some bitterness regarding their permanent destruction of the Air Nomads. There were also several rebellions against Fire Lord Zuko, many of which were quelled. After all, not everyone was immediately satisfied with the change of monarchs that had happened only a few years prior.
The Water Tribes began advancing in the world, trading and expanding to increase its status. They began tapping into the resources of the forsaken Northern and Southern Air nomad lands, as they were otherwise uninhabited, and it gave them a chance at producing and providing goods that could not be grown in the icy tundra. These acts were questionable, but there was a mutual agreement between Chief Arnook in the North and Chief Hakoda in the South. Between the two tribes was Katara—mediator and diplomat; and so she was kept busy travelling between the two tribes and to the other nations for negotiations and the likes. Katara, with the help of some friends and peers, helped turn the Water Tribes into a very resourceful people.
The Air Nomads were all but wiped out of course, though a few were found staying true to their name—wandering the world as nomads. Also of note were a couple of Aang's children, who were born as airbenders from their father.
The Earth Kingdom also began again to increase and advance in power, rebuilding its once crumbling empire. However, it is believed that the Earth Kingdom is home to many rebels and traitors as well, though these things generally did not go down very well with Iroh and Toph. Toph roamed the greater portion of the Earth Kingdom during this time, keeping people in line.
Aang roams the world as an Air Nomad, though recently has settled down because of his children. Even then, however, his many connections have helped find people to care for them as he travelled, which many times was a necessity as well.
Sokka and Suki roam the southern portions of the Earth Kingdom, and give their reports to Chief Hakoda in the Southern Water Tribe, as well as the ancient King Bumi of Omashu. They are well-known for their classes on weapons training, and their lessons have produced many a fine warrior from all three nations.
Toph roams the Earth Kingdom, serving no particular party, but generally favoring those of her friends. She seems to linger a lot around the Jasmine Dragon, and appears utterly loyal to Iroh. She gives little concern to politics or diplomacy, but her skills remain unrivaled. Apart from winning earthbending tournaments on a regular basis, Toph spends her time helping Iroh at his tea shop.
Zuko continues to rule the Fire Nation, taking advice from his Uncle Iroh when he visits. He is currently kept very busy with the rebellions in the Fire Nation, the traitors in the Earth Kingdom, the threat of Azula; the neutrality of Iroh and Toph, and also prominently, the cunning of the Water Tribes, both from Arnook and several others in the North to Hakoda and Katara in the South.
Iroh states that he has had his share of fighting, and so stays out of most of the skirmishes. Nevertheless, he does not hold to this very well when a friend or loved one is in danger. He is almost always seen in Ba Sing Se running the tea shop, The Jasmine Dragon, and is helped by Toph.
Katara has been named as a possible candidate for the next Water Tribe Chief. Many people believe that this just means for the Southern Water Tribe, but some also believe that this includes candidacy for the North instead. She is notoriously skilled, clever, and always determined to get the things she wants. This was not viewed as bad by very many people, as most of the time, her desires were to help others. However, no one is perfect…
AFTER THE WAR
PROLOGUE
Kyoshi Island
It is surprising what a few small events can do to a person; it is even more surprising to see how drastically people can change over the course of time. With passing times comes changes to society, and thus changes to people, family, friends and foes alike. Whatever the case, it is good to know that the world is not actively at war—though tensions still are high…
"I feel inclined to ask if I should be surprised to see you, Fire Lord."
"Hardly. Don't think that I've turned into my father in the 15 short years since that war ended."
"So what brings you to Kyoshi Island? Are the rebellions in the Fire Nation that bad?"
"They are aggravating, but nothing too severe, Sokka. What I wish to speak to you about is your sister. When was the last time you heard from her?"
"It's been a couple of weeks," Sokka admitted, "what do you want from her?"
"I want to know what she and your father are doing." Zuko stated, "They have been setting up Water Tribe operations in the Southern Air Temple grounds. I hardly think that the world needs to see another nation start building colonies."
"You should know us by now, Fire Lord," Suki chipped in, chuckling, "someone tells us to fight; we fight. Leave us out of the politics of the matter—what is the problem itself?"
"The Water Tribes are building an army." Zuko warned, "It is not a threat to the world, and I hope sincerely that they are not planning something similar to that. They continue to receive Fire Nation aid in return for the damages that we caused them, but they turn around and use the money to purchase more goods from us and the Earth Kingdom, and any goods we send them they take and hoard."
"Come now," Suki raised an eyebrow, "Surely the Water Tribes are not trying to monopolize anything here, are they? Surely they are putting these things to some sort of use."
"I just wish to know why they are so secretive about the matter." Zuko explained, "Katara doesn't talk to me the way she probably speaks to you two."
"Incidentally," Sokka raised an eyebrow, "she does not do much in the ways of speaking to us either. Were you trying to enlist her for something?"
"I mainly wish to know what she is doing. She is a powerful warrior, and my sister is still on the loose. Add that to the threat that Ozai presents ever since Azula broke him out, and we have trouble. Now there are rumors that Zhao has been discovered."
"Old Sideburns?" Sokka gawked, "how in spirits did he survive?"
"Who?" Suki raised an eyebrow,
"Admiral Zhao," Sokka explained, "before the Seige of the North supposedly took his life, Zhao was hunting us just as much as Zuko was."
"Thanks for bringing that up." Zuko frowned.
"Tell us what you know of him," Sokka recommended, "especially since he was last seen in the Water Tribes. If he is still there, it is certain that he and my sister have crossed paths."
"That's where he was found." Zuko replied, "He is at the Northern Water Tribe. Chief Arnook sent me word of it since Zhao is a firebender, but he gave me little other information."
"Are you saying that the Fire Lord is not allowed to travel where he wishes?" Suki asked,
"I am not," Zuko replied, "but I do not feel a need to meddle in the affairs of another nation during times of peace—especially when there are problems on my own doorstep."
"So what does Katara have to do with all of this?"
"I want to know if she knows about Zhao. This could have an impact on the operations of the tribes, and perhaps give insight on a few things."
"So does this mean the old gang's getting back together?" Sokka grinned,
"Unfortunately, I don't think so." Zuko replied, "I could not find Aang, and Toph and my uncle remained in Ba Sing Se."
"I've never known Toph to turn down a fight." Sokka noted,
"Neither have I. Though there was no fight in this situation, so it explained itself."
"Oh. Well, you never know with Toph—or women, for that matter."
This earned him a punch in the shoulder from Suki.
"So if this is the situation, then what are you coming to us for?"
"I want you to let me know of anything involving Katara or the Water Tribes. Again, I doubt that it is anything severe, but the last thing I want is international conflict again. In return, you will be compensated fairly for your troubles, of course."
"This sounds an awful lot like spying to me."
"She is not my enemy, nor is she yours.
"Good enough of a point. You have yourself a deal. I hope you pay well."
"I have the entire Fire Nation at my disposal. Do not worry about being under-compensated."