Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any way, shape or form!
Summary: Set in the modern version of the Avatar world; in other words, their worlds and bending, but with our technology/lifestyle. Yes, this means no Appa. In this story, the war never happened, so I had to change a few things. I changed the history of Katara and Sokka's mom; she was murdered (stabbed once in the side and once in the heart) by a Fire Nation psychopath, and Katara witnessed her murder. Hakoda is in the military. Oh, and Aang has no romantic feelings for Katara, and he isn't the Avatar, but he is a powerful Airbender. I chose to make him just a best friend to Katara who is like a little brother to her. Toph is pretty much the same personality-wise, but she still lives with her parents, and I moved her family's estate to Ba Sing Se for convenience purposes, since they will all be visiting each other quite a bit. This is a Zutara story (mostly), with a subplot of Taang and maybe Ty Lee/Sokka. I'm not sure where this is going yet but hopefully this first chapter sets things up well enough. I like to build things slowly so that you get a feel for the characters, so I'm pretty sure that I won't have any huge Zutara action just yet. But be patient! :) The story will be told from almost everyone's point of view, and it starts with Katara's.
This is my first fanfic. Comments/suggestions are very much appreciated :)
Katara's POV
Dear Miss Mizu,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the Academy of the Arts at Ba Sing Se on a full scholarship. This school is tailored for only the most talented and gifted of benders and warriors, and we are confident that you will not disappoint. The term starts this September 1. We look forward to meeting you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email, letter, or phone.
Sincerely,
Master Lao Shi,
Ba Sing Se Academy of the Arts
Director of Admissions
"Gran-gran!" I jumped up and down excitedly. "I got in, I got in!"
"So did I, little sister!" Sokka chimed in. Sokka always needed to say something.
I couldn't believe it; this was a dream come true. It was every bender or warrior's dream to attend the Ba Sing Se Academy of the Arts. Those who went there would be taught by only the best instructors in the nation. With its prestige came great expenses, and both my brother and I got accepted on full scholarships.
"I am very proud of both of you," Gran-Gran smiled, teary-eyed, at both of us, putting her hands on our shoulders. "I could not ask for more talented, loving, wonderful grandchildren." She kissed each of us individually on the cheek. "Your mother and father would be very proud of you."
My mother died at the hands of a Fire Nation assassin when I was eight, and my father was away training for the military. Sokka and I were forced to grow up quickly, always relying on and protecting one another. Gran-Gran was getting old too, so we had to take care of her as well as ourselves. It was because of this that I didn't have very many friends.
My only friends were Aang and Toph, and I wasn't sure if they got in either. The school was for ages 11-18, and although they were twelve, it was rare that anyone younger than fourteen got in, and if they did, they took care to separate the eleven to thirteen year olds from the older ones. Aang was the most talented airbender I have ever met; he is very dear to me, like the little brother I never had, and Toph – despite her blindness – is the most powerful Earthbender of my generation. She does this thing where she can feel vibrations all around her as long as her feet are on the ground, so nobody can sneak up on her. She's also a living lie detector, so I can't ever lie to her.
Sokka placed a hand on my shoulder. "Look, I know you haven't really had a lot of friends besides us, but I am sure there are some good people there," he assured me. "And lots of food," he added. Food, food, food. That's all he thinks about! "This should be great!"
"Sokka, can you talk about something else other than food?" I said, slightly frustrated. "What if they don't like us? I mean, we're from the Southern Water Tribe." The only people that outright hate us are the Fire Nation because they think we're poor and helpless and can't do anything for ourselves. It doesn't help that we've been tight on money for practically my entire life, until recently when we were able to sell our hut in the South Pole and make enough to move to our two-story condo here in Ba Sing Se. The cost of living was also higher than it was in the South Pole, so naturally, Sokka and I needed jobs to help Gran-Gran. Sokka already managed to find one at a diner a couple blocks down (of course he would choose something that involved food). I have yet to find one myself.
"Who cares?" he shrugged. "They accepted us for a reason. Give it a chance. Meanwhile, you should look for a job. Aang and Toph will go with you if you like."
"Thanks, Sokka," I smiled. "Maybe I'll see them while I'm looking around."
First, I tried The Fiery Dragon, which was a fast food restaurant that was almost always full. All the waiters were constantly busy, helping up to four different customers at once. The hostess greeted me with a smile. "How many in your party, miss?"
"Oh, I'm not looking to eat right now," I said politely. "I was wondering if I could speak to the manager."
"He is not in," she replied. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Well yes, actually there is," I nodded. "Is your restaurant hiring, by any chance?"
"I am sorry, we do not hire children," she shook her head. "You must be eighteen to work here."
"Thank you, anyway," I nodded, walking out.
Next, I tried a fashion store, fruit stand, the amusement park, and another diner. They all said I was too young. I guess they have no use for a fourteen-year-old. There was one place I hadn't ever been to: Iroh's Tea & Coffee. I walked in and peered at the ambience. There were paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, evenly spaced apart. The walls were various shades of green, with a bit of gold glittering here and there. Dark brown high tables and chairs lined the customer queue, with some square dark brown tables and chairs along the walls for people who wanted to use their laptops. The menu was right under the cash register for customers' convenience. There was a decent amount of people, and they all seemed to be really happy with their drinks. There were only two people working (or that I saw working): a short man in his fifties and a boy with a huge scar over nearly half the left side of his face that got darker as it got closer to his eye. The short man had an effervescent, jovial air about him, while the boy was very sullen and kept to himself a lot. He didn't seem like a people person. I must admit though, those golden eyes were to die for.
The short man came to greet me. "How may I help you today?"
"Hi, my name is Katara," I held out my hand for him to shake. "I was wondering if your restaurant is hiring."
The man smiled. "Why don't you have a little something to drink first?"
"No thank you, I don't have money with me right now," I said apologetically.
"It's on the house," he assured me. "Have anything you like."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course!" He had a huge smile on his face.
"Um, okay, what do you recommend?"
"Well, I'm an old soul and have a more…classic taste, but for you," he paused to think, "I would recommend the caramel-hazelnut blended iced coffee. Most people your age tend to like it. Would you like it with soy milk or regular milk?"
"Soy, please," I requested.
"Sensitive stomach, eh?"
I nodded. "Unfortunately."
"Well at least you're being nice to your stomach," he laughed good-naturedly. "My nephew will bring you your drink in just a moment."
"Your nephew?" I lit up, eager to meet a new friend.
"Yes," the man's eyes twinkled. He turned towards the counter. "Zuko! The lady is waiting on her drink!" He winked. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes, Uncle, I heard you!" I heard him yell back impatiently, as he put the lid on my drink. He had a pretty harsh tone to his voice.
"Oh, Zuko," he smiled, shaking his head. "You're not making a good first impression."
"I don't-" I assumed he was about to say "care" before he stopped mid-sentence to look at me. The way he looked at me was as if he had never looked at a girl before; it was as if he were in a trance. His one eyebrow (or the one that I could see, anyway) raised slightly in curiosity like he was studying me. Finally, he snapped out of it and hastily placed the drink in front of me.
"Thank you, Zuko," I smiled brightly. He merely nodded before walking away. I saw his uncle push him back towards me until he was at my table.
"That is not how we treat our guests, Zuko," he waved an index finger in his face, half-joking, half-berating, before he left to attend to the customers that were getting impatient at the cash register.
I tried to hide my laughter.
"Go ahead, laugh at me," he said in that same harsh tone. "I think that was Uncle's intention."
"You know," I said, "if you don't want to talk to me, that's okay. I have to get home, anyway. My grandma doesn't like it when I come home too late." I stood up to go. "The drink's really good, by the way. Tell your uncle I said thank you."
As I about to leave, Zuko grabbed my shoulder. "Wait." I turned. "What did you say your name was?"
"I didn't," I answered him. "Why do you ask?"
"It's for my uncle," he said. "He'd want to know that you were pleased with your drink."
I smiled. "Well in that case, it's Katara."
He nodded, and walked off without saying good-bye. My verdict was correct: definitely not a people person.
I felt my cell phone vibrating in my pocket. Gran-Gran. "Hi, Gran-Gran."
"How is the job hunting coming along?" I could hear the smile in her voice. She was always so cheerful and positive, and didn't let our financial situation get her down. I wish I could be more like that.
"I'm not sure," I said. "I'll tell you more when I get home."
"Hurry up, Dear," she said. "Your friends are waiting for you, and the dinner's getting cold."
I decided to make Katara's last name a Japanese word that means "water", and Aang's last name will be Jinsei.