SOOOOO a couple things. lol. It's been YEARS since I've written a story and I'm still not the best but I just thought I would write something cause I had an idea for one. I also opened an Archive of Our Own account and will be posting and updating this story on there as well. Hope people find this enjoyable. Please feel free to leave constructive criticism in the comments. Like I said I'm not be any means a writer I'm a science major lol. Ok that's it that's my little authors note. Going to try to update frequently ~
"Sssshit,"
Katara hissed under her breath, frantically grabbing an assortment of scrolls and documents spread around her desk. The bag over her shoulder was stuffed with more items as she raced for the door. The tiny frozen hut lined with furs and wicker served as a quaint little home for her for the time being. It's were she spent most of her time writing up proposals for the council, staying warm on stormy winter nights, and brewing the best sea prune stew the south had ever tasted. It was just cozy enough for a comfortable midday nap and occasionally, oversleep.
The waterbender was late. Again.
As she raced towards the center of the village, the cool air and bright sun felt good on her dark skin. Days like this were always great for practicing with the neighborhood children or snowball fights with her brother. No matter what age they were, Sokka still found a way to act foolish. Growing up might've tied her down to politics but she always made time for her family.
"Hi Master Katara!" Katara whipped her heard around to see one of her students with a cheeky grin and flashed her a quick smile.
"Morning Kei! I'll see you later!" She gave the girl a wave goodbye and hastily made her way up the stairs of the grand ice palace. The Southern Water Tribes recovery after the 100 year war was nothing short of a miracle. Civilian numbers rose as the north and south grew stronger and closer together, which in turn meant more homes, more jobs and a stronger council.
As she approached the doors she slowed down and looked around for any guards that might bust her to her father. Slowly opening the doors, an loud echoing creak travelled through the corridor.
"So much for being discreet," She said making a face. Quickly making her way to the main room she slipped in and sat next to her father.
"I just don't think we're ready to make that kind of commitment Hakoda." The Chief narrowed his eyes. "Uh, excuse me - Chief. We need to worry about feeding our own people before we can give away our resources to another nation!"
"Taku we are a strong people who are more than capable of providing enough for everyone and then some. Do you really think that little of us?"
Taku grimaced at the chiefs comment, "We aren't running a charity here Hak- Chief. We need to protect our people! What do fire nation colonies have to do with us?" Hakoda frowned.
"That's that same mindset that kept that 100 year war going. If we aren't working together in this world then we might as well be divided. A little charity and kindness couldn't hurt anyone."
Katara cleared her throat to speak up, "Excuse me, General Taku if I might add, what's the problem with dropping off some extra supplies for people that need it? It's on our route and costs us nothing really, our boats can dock, our men and women can rest, you know how long the journey to the north is. Plus theres a wide variety of different people living there, I think it's a great way to mingle and restore a little peace." The general huffed and looked away.
"That's the last thing we need, little fire bastard children running around our hom-"
"That's enough." The chief said sternly. Suddenly everyone was straight up in their seats watching with bated breathe. "I won't hear any more of this. Our fleets will be docking on their way to the North." All men stood and bowed to their chief before making their exit.
"And General Taku will be hand delivering a basket of fish to the villagers" A small smile crept onto Hakoda's face. Taku rolled his eyes as the other men chuckled. Katara patted her fathers back.
"Good job dad." Hakoda kissed his daughters forehead and crossed the room to pour a cup of hot tea. "What do you mean good job, you're the one speaking up to the generals." He walked back over and handed her a cup. "I'm so proud of you Katara." She gave him a smile and took a sip of her tea.
"Oh here," Rustling through her bag she handed him a few scrolls. "I wrote up some more proposals for the classes I want to start teaching and some stuff about trade and what not." She said casually.
"Oh just trade and 'what not'." Hakoda chuckled and opened the scrolls to skim them. "You know you make it sound so nonchalant but you're doing so much for your nation Katara." She smiled.
"Your mother would be so proud." He didn't even need to look at her to know she was clutching her necklace. "These look good sweetie. I'll address them to the advisors in our next meeting."
"Thanks dad," She took their teacups back to the tea set and grabbed her bag. "I've got to run I promised Kiyoko I'd cover her class today."
"Ok sweetheart tell the kiddies I say hello!" Hakado said as she ran back out the doors. Katara loved being by her fathers side and make decisions to help better the lives of her people but nothing made her feel more alive than teaching water bending. When Kiyoko felt under the weather Katara was more than happy to accept her request to cover for her.
As she approached the courtyard the students were already warming up.
"Katara!" Kei waved at her frantically as Katara chuckled.
"Hey there little girl have you been practicing? I hope you're ready for your lesson today."
"Im not little I'm big!" The 6 year old exclaimed. "And I did practice see!" Suddenly the red beat, concentrated little girl pulled a skinny stream of water from out of the nearby fountain and it crashed to the icy floor. "See?" Katara clapped.
"Great job Kei you're getting the hang of it! Alright now stand by me and let me show you." Katara widened her stance next to the wide eyed child and demonstrated how to keep the little water snake up, placing it gracefully back into the fountain. Each one of the students copied their substitute Master and class was in session. Katara knew how important it was to educate all of the young new water benders of their tribe regardless of age or gender. Memories of being the only water bender in the south kept her motivated in teaching the newest generation.
As sun started to set and the little waterbenders walked home with their parents Katara made her way back to her small cozy hut. Approaching her door she noticed a several little scrolls on the foot of her doorstep. "Geez Sokka I sent you letters months ago and now you reply." She picked them up and walked inside. Throwing a few logs on the fire, she changed into a comfortable fur lined robe that she found in a market in the Earth Kingdom. Keeping the little treasures from her past adventures reminded her of her friends. After the war they all slowly went their separate ways. As Katara got more and more involved with her fathers job and rebuilding the south, she became his right hand woman and a possible chief in the future. It got harder for her to leave home again.
Shaking her hair out of its ponytail the water bender sighed and lay back onto her bed, her long flowing hair sprawled all over the pillows. She carefully took off her necklace and kissed the smooth stone before placing it on her beside table. As she turned back over her stomach reminded her it needed attention.
"I should eat something." Katara walked over to her pot of stew and poured a bowl before sitting at her small wooden desk and reaching for the tiny scrolls left at her door.
"Alright Sokka what's up with you." She unraveled the letter and skimmed over his humorous banter and talk about warm weather and beach days with his bride to be. The day he proposed to Suki was her favorite day. Seeing her brother and best friend so happy made her heart swell. She missed them a lot and wished they would visit more often or just live here in the south but she understood - Suki had a home to rebuild as well. Katara laughed at her brothers sweet short letter and moved onto the next. Removing the string she smiled and read the letter from her oldest friend.
Dear Katara, I'm sorry I haven't been able to write back. I've been very busy lately and no not riding giant fish or visiting zoos (although I miss that a lot), actual grown up duties. This is admittedly harder than I thought it would be. I miss our friends and I miss you. A lot. I still want to talk about the situation in person. More formal that way. I'll write again soon.
Aang.
She rolled her eyes. She was done talking about their 'situation' but she couldn't deny that she missed the bald headed monk and his crazy antics. Flying on Appas back and just talking to her friends again was enough to make her happy. She took a sip of her stew and moved onto the last letter. Her breathe hitched and she choked on her stew when she finally noticed the fire nation seal. She coughed and caught her breathe before opening the letter.
"Kat, its been awhile…"
