A/N: This whole adding another chapter every day will normally not happen. I've just been overly inspired and trying to write things as fast as I can think it. I personally don't like this chapter too much. Meh...tell me what you think! I would love to know your thoughts on it!

Song- Say This Sooner- The Almost

Disclaimer- I do not own Avatar or the other awesomely epic components of the show. If I did, I would be my own hero.

Chapter Two- Brooding

"Katara, are you even listening to me?"

"Huh?"

Pakku's hand collided with his forehead. 'We were going over the reverse water whip form. Remember?'

Honestly, no. I hadn't. "Oh, of course."

My mind was no where near here today. Not that it ever really was, but it seemed farther than usual. Maybe it was just the day. It was overcast and gloomy; a perfect day for sitting around listening to brooding thoughts. I seemed to be chock full of them lately.

"Why don't we call it a day? You don't seem to into this at all today."

I nodded in agreement with the last statement. It was so true. Every motion, no matter how miniscule, felt terribly difficult to do. We bowed and our session was dismissed. We walked into the house to find my dad, Gran- Gran and the boys huddled around a fire in the seating area. Pakku resumed his usual place by Gran-Gran and pecked her on the cheek. A unanimous "ew" was chorused from Ming, Li, and Ryoma, my cousins. I sighed heavily and slumped in a chair in the corner.

Ryoma was at my side in a flash. "So, did you do any super cool new water magic moves, Katara?" he questioned, wide eyes intent on my face.

"Not really."

"Did you have fun?'

"Sort of."

"Are you going to practice tomorrow?"

"Maybe."

Ming snorted and looked up from his book.

"What?" I retorted.

"Yeah, what's funny Ming?" Ryoma asked, eager to be in on the joke.

He placed a bookmark on the page was reading, and placed the book in his empty lap.

"I find it funny that you actually believe her."

I threw my hands up in the air, exasperated. "Oh my spirits. Are you kidding me? How many times have we gone over this?"

"Apparently not enough," Li commented as he continued sharpening a knife Pakku gave him.

"Yeah, like you feel any different than him," I replied angrily pointing in Ming's direction.

"I do. I know you can waterbend. I'm not as ignorant as my brother."

"That's a cute joke," Ming snorted.

"No, really. You're so obsessed with your books that you don't realize what an idiot you are. Katara is water bending master. Even Pakku says so. He would never lie."

"It's impossible," Ming started. "All waterbenders were taken away by the firebenders years ago. And we don't have any in our family!"

"It's not inherited!" I shouted furiously. "It's part of me. Just me. Not this family, or anyone else. I don't see what your problem is. You've even seen me do it! If that doesn't prove me right, then you must be the biggest idiot in the whole South Pole."

"None of that is proven tru-" Ming was quickly interrupted by Ryoma.

"You're just jealous you can't waterbend, Ming! Leave her alone. I've seen her practice and she's amazing!" I looked at the boy graciously. It took a lot to side with people other than your siblings.

"Eh, not that amazing," Li said. "A guy could do so much better."

This was the exact reason why I hated these kids so much. Ming was a thirteen year old know-it all. Frankly, I thought he was angry at the fact that I was older and could do things he couldn't. He was one of those people who thought just because he read about everything that he would be naturally amazing at everything. His "I'm twenty times better than anyone on the face of the earth because I read one hundred books in an hour" attitude got on my nerves almost every time he opened his mouth. Li was sexist. Extremely sexist. He was ten and openly expressed how boys rule and girls drool. Sadly, I could almost excuse his ignorant thoughts; being around a jerk like Ming had to have an affect on one eventually. Ryoma, on the other hand, was a misunderstood soul. Always trying to fit in somewhere with Ming and Li while attempting to befriend everyone around him. He was six and hated having people mad. He tried to ease the tension between me and the boys constantly. Sure, he could come off as a suck up, but all he really wanted was everyone to be happy. I admired the kid for his effort.

"You kids are all horrible!" I shrieked. "You have no respect and just want to drive me crazy! No wonder your parents sent you here; they must go insane trying to deal with you guys!"

"Katara, stop," my dad interceded.

"No! I've had it with them and can't stand it anymore!"

He pointed his finger toward the stairs. "Go,"

I stared at him incredulously. "I'm not five, Dad."

"Well, you're sure acting like it. Just go away for now. This yelling isn't solving anything."

"Fine," I huffed and retreated to my room. I sat in silence at the edge of my bed. I knew I wasn't the one at fault. The boys had done me wrong and all I did was defend myself. Anger surged through me. I resisted the urge punch the wall.

Awhile later, I heard someone knock lightly on my door.

"Yeah?" I said apathetically.

My dad's face appeared through the door. "Hawky came."

I shot up in surprise. "Anything for me?" I whispered excitedly.

"Actually, it was only for you. Here," he said and handed me a scroll.

"Thanks," I said as I closed the door fervently on him.

I broke the messy wax seal (a trademark of Sokka) and was greeted by illegible scrawl all over the page. I almost felt sorry for the piece of paper. I mean, what had the paper ever done wrong? I could've sworn I saw grease stains from meat of some sort on it. I shook my head, already feeling slightly uplifted by the Sokka-ness of the letter. Since I couldn't much due to his hideous penmanship, I concentrated on the key words.

"Suki, I, home, two, lamps?" I stared at the word, trying to decipher the meaning of it. "Why can't you write clearly, Sokka?"

I walked over to my dresser and pulled a huge magnifying glass out of one the drawers. I inspected the word closely and realized he meant to write "days". I shook my head. How typical of him.

I ran downstairs and announced that Sokka and Suki would be here tomorrow. Dad smiled tightly and look away from my face quickly. Gran-Gran just nodded her head. Pakku acted like he couldn't even hear me. "Please guys, calm down. I'll try to find a container for your joy," I said caustically.

They exchanged a series of worried looks.

"What?" I asked curiously.

After a few silent moments, Pakku said, "Its great Sokka's coming home, but is it really a good idea for him to see you like…this?" He waved his hand tiredly towards me.

"Nothing is wrong with me, guys. Everything will be okay."

"No, you're really not, Katara," Gran-Gran chimed in. "You look empty, tired and sad. Who do you think Sokka is going to point the blame at?"

"Me? It's my fault for what state I'm in."

Dad shook his head. "No, he'll yell at us for not trying hard enough to make you happier. You're his baby sister and will never want to see you in anything less than perfect condition."

"That's a lie. He knows nothing's ever perfect. Spirits, he's a true example of it! I haven't seen my brother in two months and you're suggesting I stay away from him? You're all ridiculous! Of course I'll see him!"

"No," Pakku started, "we're just saying its best if he didn't come at this time."

"Shut up! All of you! Stop trying to make decisions for me. I'm so done with all of you constantly breathing down my neck and controlling me like a puppet."

"We only want what's best for you," Dad countered.

"Correction: you want what's best for all of YOU. You don't want to face Sokka's rage and are sacrificing my happiness for it. I'm done with all of you."

With that, I exited out the side door, stopping only to pick up traveling pack, without a glance backwards.