A:TLA isn't mine. I'm just borrowing it

Chapter 2: Arrivals and Departures

Katara sat across from Sokka as he stared at floor, his hand on his chin in thought. She pretended to shift her parka a bit as he rubbed his temple; The sound of children sledding outside controlled the air in the communal igloo. Feeling increasingly awkward, she let her eyes rest on the ceremonial robes of the tribal chief, hanging on the wall; the fire pit illuminating its cobalt and white adornments. Above the robe, hung a large whale-bone halberd, its smooth ivory shinning a ghostly white in the firelight. Standing up, Sokka walked over to the robe, rubbing the fabric between his fingers and sighing.

"You don't have to…" She started, staring at his back.

"…But I'm going to..." He finished, still facing the robe. She looked surprised.

"You've been a great protector during the war… This seems natural." She said, as she stood, putting a supportive hand on his shoulder.

Turing to catch her gaze, he smiled and ruffled her hair playfully.

"Master Pakku did say you were the best candidate for the job." She said, making for the door.

"Why didn't he show me this confidence when we defended the Northern Tribe?" He asked, at her exiting form.

"He thought you would get a big head."


Several days later, someone spotted a group of whales while checking some fish traps in the eastern part of the Southern ocean. Not being one to waste this opportunity, Sokka was still in bed.

"Chief Sokka!...Chief Sokka!..." A young, hurried voice called as it drew closer and finally parted the doorway flap and scanned the interior of the igloo.

"…Don't call me Chief…" came the grumpy reply as he turned over and drew the cover tighter over his head.

Walking over to the bed, the twelve-year old tribesman looked apprehensive for a moment; then began to vigorously shake the shoulders of the now wide-awake Chief, earning a startled yelp from the mass of quilts and blankets.

"Alright, already! What's up?" He cried, poking his head out of the blankets and eyeing the boy sleepily.

"Well… we've seen a small herd of whale, by the Eastern traps." He reported, a little timidly. Hearing this caused Sokka to sit up and grope for his boots in the semi-darkness of his shelter.

"We should take advantage of this, as it is pretty late in the season to be whaling." He said, more to himself than his young messenger. While looking for his penguin-hide hunting jacket, he paused and looked thoughtful.

"Why did you shake me, like that?"

"Master Katara said if you were sleeping to do that…" He said looking down. Smirking, he grabbed two spears from the far corner of the igloo and handed him one.

"You've been whaling before, right?" The boy looked enthusiastic, but shook his head.

Tightening his outfit, grabbed some rope and a whale-tooth knife from his arsenal.

"You have to remember that the whale will be stronger than it looks…" He started, leading the boy out.


Paddling out in a large kayak, Sokka and his newfound charge met the other Tribesmen already approaching the group, as their spouts of air can be seen as they breached. Taking in account the number and the size of this group, Sokka quickly chose their target.

"Half of you flank them on the other side; we'll paddle along side them and divide the herd. We're going after that big one, there…" He gestured towards a whale breaching a couple of meters away.

Paddling carefully, three kayaks pulled around so that they were facing Sokka and two others. Turning to his student, he gave him a serious look.

You've had two-man kayak races before, right, just for fun?" He asked in an even tone. The young man nodded gravely. "Well, the same principles apply… I need you keep this righted, even if we're underwater. You understand?"

He nodded again, with a terrified look. Motioning to the others, Sokka's portion of hunting party began to paddle ever closer as they inched silently in the increasing glare on the sun, to their prey.

As the whale began to surface again to breech, Sokka Stood up and readied his spear, checking the knots to see that it remained sturdily tied to the watercraft. Inhaling deeply as the whale exhaled, Sokka pounced on it, spear-first.

Initially, nothing happened.

As the young Chief stood on top of the whale, slightly ankle deep in the water, he further drove his spear in to the flesh of the large animal and unsheathed his knife. Time seemed to slow as the whale suddenly started to dive and swim swiftly.

As the whale disappeared under the waves, the young boy remembered Sokka's instructions, and braced for the shock. The kayak lurched forwards and followed the path of the startled whale as it began to shake its unwanted passenger off. Using the paddle to keep the kayak righted was begins to get tough, as it was steadily submerging. Fighting to keep it above the waves proved futile the boy fearfully realized, as it broke the water's surface. As he fully submerged, he inhaled sharply, screwing his eyes closed as the roar of the ocean filled his ears.

Willing himself to open his eyes, he was present the awe-inspiring scene of The young, Southern Chief clinging to the side of the fleeing whale, knife and spear anchoring him. It was striking; as all that could be heard was the atmospheric warbling of the bubbles, despite the juxtaposition of Sokka stalwart, unyielding attempts with his knife. Wonder gave way to dreadful realization, as a burning sensation in his lungs grew ever increasingly. At that moment, the whale kicked and speedily surfaced, dragging to kayak and it's overwhelmed passenger careening out of the water.

Now, realizing where he was, the young water tribesman took grateful, gulps of air, as he waited for the whale to start to dive again; his grip, white-knuckled on the oar. All of a sudden, three more tribesmen leapt from their boats, driving their spears into the progressively sluggish, whale. Thrashing valiantly and being wounded repeatedly, the whale succumbed due to its injuries and the exhausting fight it put up. Out-breath, and battered from his eventful ride, Sokka grinned at his assistant as they huffed and puffed, their breath rising into vapor in the sun of the mid-morning. As the others secured the catch with ropes, and began to tow it back, the young Chief griped the boy's shoulder in a fatherly fashion, before taking his place and starting to row.


Sitting in an igloo, made by his sister and the other Waterbenders, The newly designated Chief of the Southern Water Tribe stared out of a ventilation hole in the roof. He watched as the smoke coiled and curled into the clear sky, becoming indistinguishable between the deep blue-black. Excusing himself from the harvesting of the whale, citing fatigue; He thought about the last eight years, as he sipped the last of his wine from his leather pouch. He recounted the disbelief of the masses when news spread that the Fire Nation's ruler was defeated and the subsequent battles against those who still clung to Ozai's ideals. He thought of the last time he'd seen his friends and comrades from the other nations. He knew they were busy, as he was with the aftermath of the war, but he only heard from the Earthbender, Haru; meeting him by chance at a small village, several miles outside of Omashu, during his travels with the Kyoshi Warriors. After the death of King Bumi, the soldiers of Omashu elected his father as ruler. He remembered the somber funeral, as Aang gave an emotional tribute while the city went into mourning. It was a stark difference from the almost overall celebratory sentiment that swept the world after the war.

As he looked around for a stick to stoke the fire, he again pondered the fates of his comrades. Nearly everyone knew of Prince Zuko's advancement to Fire Lord and the end of the naval blockades and occupation of various areas. So Zuko has his hands full. He also heard of the reform within Ba Sing Se, to facilitate more equality for its citizens. It seemed that the world was finally progressing to harmony. With poise suitable for the finest alcoholics, he flung his now-empty wineskin at the far wall, succumbing to a blissfully uneventful sleep.


The next morning greeted him like a like a slap in the face, as he bleary sat up from his mat, only to flop back down with a hangover. He dimly felt the urge to throw up, but the wave of nausea passed as his entrance flap opened

"You shouldn't drink so much, you know."

A pair of bemused, unfocused eyes peeked out from his bedding.

Turning on his back and holding his head he sighed deeply, again feeling a bit nauseous.

"You sound like someone I know…" He drawls. Belching tactlessly, he whips the quilt away as he sits up.

"Well, I do believe we've met before."

"Well, Master Avatar Aang the Airbender, what can I do ya for?" He stumbles as he scowls drowsily at his friend.


Awake and sober, Sokka and Aang sat around his cooking fire, as he prepared whale steaks for breakfast.

"You still a vegetarian?" He asks, eyeing the frying meat as he flips it.

"Yep."

"How are things?" The sizzling increases.

"Good… and getting better…" He produces some dried fruit from his rucksack and offers some to Momo.

"I hear that Zuko's doing a bang up job over there." He says, smiling at the finished meat.

"He is. But this concerns you." He says, capturing his attention, His ash-grey eyes flashing good-humoredly.

"… What's… up…?" He asked in-between bites.

Aang stood and leant on his staff; his original Airbending garb long replaced by Traditional robes of the Air Temple monks. His head remained shaved, and his demeanor seemed to command respect, but his face still held the look of a boy who would rather be sliding on the back of penguin-otters.

"A gathering… at Omashu." He replies, mentally stoking the slowly dying fire. "All of the current leaders of the major cities will be there…"

"…And you want me to go?" He finished, picking his teeth.

"You are Chief…"


With the Chieftain's robes on his shoulders and carrying the ceremonial halberd, Sokka addressed the villagers in the morning as he prepared to depart for the summit with the Avatar.

"All right, everyone. Listen to Katara while I'm gone. It's technically still whaling season for another month or so, so be prepared. I wanna stuff myself when I come back. Okay?"

This was met with a chorus of agreements and well-wishes. A young boy even rushed over to stuff a couple of portions of seal jerky in Sokka's hand. Smiling gratefully, he ruffled the small boy's hair and turned to Katara.

"Stay safe, you two." She said, hugging them. He nodded and climbed up as a gust of wind propelled Aang gracefully on Appa's back.

"We'll be back soon." The Airbender called from the bison's reigns. "Yip, Yip!"


The bison roared thickly as it bounded into the air, quickly ascending until it left the villagers squinting at the clouds.

As they passed thought the wispy, low-lying clouds, Sokka stretched and yawned, feeling his erratic sleeping habits take effect.

"Why is it that every time we meet, I get drawn into another mess?" He lazily mused.

Laughing lightly, Aang traced the horizon with his gaze. "I guess you're just lucky."

"Lucky, huh… Are you going to take me all the way to Omashu?"

"Nope. Just to about halfway. There's a problem with the Swamp Water Tribe that requires my assistance. So I'll drop you off and meet you there." He explained.

Seeing his less-than-tickled expression, he chuckled.

"No big deal, It's not that far, and you have plenty of time…"

"My only issue…" He started. "…is: Why are we having this 'meeting' in the first place?"

"To instill and support feelings of goodwill and harmony between the four nations." He said, matter-of-factly.

Momo looked up from his curled-up position on Sokka's chest and chirped his agreement.

"Wonderful…" He murmured, being lulled to sleep by the quiet forms of the clouds drifting past.

Remembering something, Sokka suddenly sat up, sending Momo scurrying.

"Hey, can we make a pit stop first?"


Training went on as usual for General Suki, of Kyoshi Island. In the morning she had the all recruits and officers perform basic physical conditioning. For midday, the girls were divided into their respective squads to polish their practical skills, like riding, marksmanship, and academics. The evening always ended in combat training, sometimes progressing into friendly competition, which would encourage the recruits and entertain the villagers. These activities done for the day, the girls were given a couple of hours to themselves to wander the village, or anything else until curfew; when those fully decorated units would begin their sentry duty.

It was during that downtime, that her reading was interrupted by the alertness signal. Descending the stairs from her office, she was greeted by the trademark animal guide of the Avatar.

"Greetings, Avatar Aang." She addressed, bowing deeply.

"Good afternoon, General." He said; himself and Sokka returning the bow. "I hope you are doing well…"

"Join me in my chambers, won't you?" She offered, courteously.


As the door closed, everyone let out a collective sigh or relief.

"Wow. It's tough to be so polite, sometimes!" Aang declares, plopping unceremoniously in an armchair.

"Yeah." Suki agreed, visibly loosened up. "But it sets a good example for the girls…"

"I like what you've done to the place." The young Airbender complimented.

"Thanks. I think our popularity has soared, now that the navel blockade has been lifted…" She mused, scratching Momo behind the ears. "…were getting new recruits all the time."

"Well, let me level with you." He started. "There's a big gathering happening at Omashu, it's in about a week, and I need an escort for the Southern Water Chief."

"Wow! Royalty!" She cooed, uncharacteristically excited. "We usually handle various merchants, small trade caravans, and the like. I'll give you my best squad! Uhm…where?..."

She looked around at Aang, then Sokka.

"…Where is the Southern Chief?" She asked quizzically.

"…Right here." Sokka replied, raising his hand submissively.

Momo's purring overtook the silence in the room. Suki rose slowly from her seat.

"Well…congratulations…. You take a couple of weeks off, and become a head of state…" She said, bowing slightly, and then giving him an incredulous grin.

"Well, these things happen sometimes…" He trailed off, amicably.

"You're going to be hard to replace around here…"She asserted austerely, facing away from the young men.

"So I guess I'll have to come with as a proper sent-off."


Skimming the surface of the water, Appa towed a boatful of young warriors as Suki joined Sokka and the Avatar on his back, the sun steadily rising in the manner of mid-morning. The girl-warriors were hard-pressed to hold in their excitement. Some were thrilled by the idea of such an intrepid assignment, while others were ecstatic at the amount of time they were spending with the legendary Avatar. Nonetheless, the warriors hastily disembarked when they where brought to shore on the main continent.

Noticing their enthusiasm, Suki quickly secured a number of ostrich-horses, as Appa languished in the attention he was getting from the girl-warriors; meanwhile Aang and Sokka conversed off to the side.

"So, I guess next time I see you, it'll be at Omashu, huh…" The young Chief stated, securing the saddlebags on his mount.

"Yep, I gotta go where I'm needed." He agreed, smirking at his flying companion, who was now on his back, enjoying a five-person belly scratch.

"Okay. Take care. Say hello to the Swamp Tribe for me." He said, brotherly clasping a hand on his shoulder.

Sounding his bison whistle, he bounded onto the massive creature's back, waving as he took off.

Suki and the warriors bowed respectfully as he, ascending into the sky, headed northwest.

Watching him depart, Sokka took a deep breath, tightening his grip on his ivory halberd. Mounting his ostrich-horse, he smiled as many of his former students gathered up in a defensive formation around him.

"Ready to go?…Sir?" Suki inquired form behind, barely concealing the laugh in her voice.

Sigh.

"Sure."


AN: Okay! I'm really happy with this chapter. I must say, a whale-hunt scene took a little thought. I mean, I've only read Moby Dick once, and I don't think I was even awake for most of it. But I'm rambling. For absolute certain, my favorite Earthbender will finally make her entrance. (I'm secretly worried about writing her dialogue!) And some other folks will appear as well. So sit tight. Thanks to all who read and reviewed! If anyone would like to beta for me, I'd be beyond honored for the opportunity!