Not owned by me, duh. (I WISH! *sobs*) (Zutara WILL show up soon….just not in the very beginning.

Katara woke with an impressive yawn, her sapphire eyes blurred by morning. It was six years after the war had ended, and five days before her twentieth birthday. The thought was both scary and exciting. And somewhere deep in the pit of her stomach, she had the feeling that something big was going to happen. Something….big.

As she descended the marble stairway of the southern ice palace, she heard the disgruntled cries of her brother carrying from the kitchen. Rolling her eyes, she followed the noise.

"Sokka, what the hell is going on?" She asked, irritated, as she entered the room. Sokka immediately shut up and glanced at her, eyes wide. Katara raised an eyebrow. "What? What is it…?" Before Sokka could make up a reply, Suki jumped in from across the counter.

"It's nothing, Katara, really." She said, calmly raising her tea to her lips, "Your brother is just being ridiculous and overprotective. As always." Sokka turned back to his wife, looking both embarrassed and angry. Suki paid him no mind and adjusted her silken morning kimono; but her words had peaked Katara's interest.

"About what, exactly?" She inquired cautiously. Sokka gestured for Suki to be quiet, but she answered her anyway.

"You'll see. It's just a simple birthday present….that your brother considers you unsuitable for." Sokka slumped against the table, exasperated. "Either that or he's jealous." She finished quickly. Sokka cried out defensively and jerked his head up, causing his elbow to slip and smash his face against the counter. Ignoring her brother's predictable mishap, Katara looked to Suki excitedly.

"Really? That's…awesome! Who is it from?" Suki looked back down at her tea and replied nonchalantly.

"Oh, your grandfather should be here soon to talk to you about it." She slipped her a small, knowing smile. Katara's face lit up with a grin. She knew that that morning's gut feeling would hold true! Pakku was coming!

Four hours had passed before the horns were blown to signal Pakku's arrival. Katara scurried fervently into the throne room; she had been anxiously awaiting his visit ever since Suki had informed her that morning.

She had even dressed up especially for the occasion! Her hair was done up an elaborate plait, and she had dressed in one her favorite ceremonial robes. It was of a deep purple fabric, with large, intricate silver koi fish stitched along the seams and all down the sleeves. The under layer of the dress was made of cerulean chiffon ruffles. The Northern water-tribe's king was definitely getting an extremely warm welcome.

As the main doors were opened, Katara restrained herself from leaping off her seat and running forward for a hug. The King entered surrounded by guards, obviously in high spirits. Katara returned his beaming grin.

"Grandfather Pak-! I mean, great leader of the North!" Sokka called, rising from his throne. "It's great to see you again."

"Same goes to you, Sokka." Pakku replied, skipping the formalities. Sokka smiled toothily and gestured to his right.

"I would like to introduce you to my wife, Suki of Kyoshi Island. Or rather, the most beautiful Queen of the southern water tribe EVER!" He declared proudly. Suki gave a sheepish smile and bowed to her relatively new 'grandfather'.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't make it to you wedding last year…." Pakku said, "We were still very busy repairing our city. As I'm sure you can relate to…" Suki nodded again and waved an emerald green-and-gold clad arm, as if to say no problem.

At this point, Katara found herself growing impatient; the prospect of receiving a life changing twentieth birthday present was decidedly important to her. But her good manners held her back from any kind of emotional outburst.

Luckily, however, she didn't have to wait too long for a chance to speak with her grandfather. Within the next half hour, they were both within the living room, chattering happily about what had happened in their lives since the last time they had seen each other, which had been four years before.

But the high spirited blabbering slowed down a bit when Pakku brought up the subject of Kanna.

"You know, Katara, when your grandmother died…" He started, putting a hand to his brow, "I began to take another look at my life." Katara nodded, face drawn. She remembered the day she had gotten the letter informing her of her grandmother's death. It had been only a few months before her brother's wedding…and only a few weeks after his coronation. It had almost crushed him.

"Well, my dear…it has made me realize that I'm not getting any younger." Katara quickly looked up at him, ready to protest. But she could see in his haggard expression that he wasn't up for any kind of fight anymore. She began to see how much he had aged since Kanna had passed.

"Oh, Pakku…." She whispered, concerned. She laid her hand on his shoulder and gave him a long look. She knew what he said was true. "Is…is that why you're here?" She asked. "To ask dad to take the throne in the north?" Pakku looked at her searchingly, and smiled a bit.

"You catch on quick." Katara raised her eyebrows.

"But, no, not your father." He went on. "He has done enough already. I wouldn't ask him to take over a nation again." Katara was quiet for a moment, her eyes wide.

"But, if it's not dad, then you mean…..ME?" She cried out, shocked. "This is what Suki and Sokka were arguing about this morning?" Pakku grinned and nodded.

"Yes. However, I don't remember ever telling Suki to let Sokka hear about it!" He said with a laugh. Katara felt like she had been struck by lightning….in a slightly good way. SHE was going to become a queen!

"When do I start?" She said, trying not to sound too excited about Pakku's late-life crisis.

"On your birthday."

Katara's mouth gaped wide. "Oh yes. You only have five days left in the south."

I know it's a weird place to end the chapter, and it's actually kind of early, but I'll explain why she becomes the queen in the next chapter. And sorry about the lack of 'ACTION!' That'll come soon, too. This IS only the introduction chappy. PLEASE REVIEW! :DDD