A/N - Picks up right where the first chapter ended, same flashback. So I know I said I'd add another chapter within a week, but I just decided to post another tonight.

Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko; I own nothing. Cover art ("Welcome Home") belongs to lady-voldything on deviantart.


Chapter 2: An Unexpected (but Welcome) Guest


Thankfully, after that second knock upon his door, no more young men from the Northern tribe had approached him that day. However, over the next eight weeks, more boys did show up to his door – all during the day, when Katara was busy teaching her Waterbending classes. Among them, Arnahn had returned many times, presenting a more elaborate case – and a more elaborate betrothal necklace (Hakoda believed that Arnahn had stolen the first few from other potential suitors before blatantly presenting the Chief with fancy store-bought necklaces still inscribed with their Earth Kingdom city of origin) – each time, in an effort to win Hakoda's blessing. Upon his sixth encounter with the young man, which occurred after a particularly long and aggravating day of meetings, Hakoda merely slammed the door in his face, hoping the arrogant Waterbender would take the hint. However, it wasn't until the evening of Sangok and Ummi's wedding that caused the Chief to finally decide to take action.

Shortly after he had overseen the simple, yet joyful, ceremony, Katara had congratulated the happy new couple and then excused herself to prepare her lesson plans for the following day. As for Hakoda, he had joined the other tribe leaders at the wedding's reception when he was approached by none other than Arnahn. Pleading his case openly before Hakoda and the other elders, which included several men from the North – who irritatingly supported Arnahn – Hakoda, with backing from Pakku, Kanna, and Bato, among others, had stood, a growl contained at the back of his throat. Nodding towards his son to silence the crowd, Sokka was able to stop the music echoing throughout the open courtyard.

"Your attention, everyone!" Hakoda paused momentarily so everyone could quiet down. "I would like to again express my congratulations to the bride and groom, as well as wish them many happy years together." Cheers ran out throughout the tribe – nearly everyone had gathered for the wedding. "However, I would like to take this time to inform you all that we will be holding a very important meeting tomorrow in the town hall – I expect everyone to be in attendance – with the exception of the happy new couple. At Arnahn's insistence, I have decided to discuss a matter of 'critical importance' to our tribe." Hakoda smirked, noting he had used some of Arnahn's own wording to describe his plans. "Many young men have approached me over the past few weeks, and I think many can assume why, but it is time to settle the matter once and for all. You will have all of your questions answered tomorrow. The meeting will be held once the afternoon Waterbending practice has ended. I look forward to seeing you all there." With that, Hakoda turned to the other elders, stating that he was going to turn in for the night.

Returning to his home, and finding a note from Katara stating that she had gone for a walk, Hakoda knew that yet another young suitor would no doubt come to his door before he actually went to bed. Expecting this, he stoked the fire in the living room and prepared a pot of Iroh's signature ginseng tea – presented as a small gift a few months prior when Hakoda had met with other world leaders in the Fire Nation's Capital City. In addition to himself, the meeting was attended by Earth King Kuei, Chief Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe, Fire Lord Zuko, and –

*Knock, knock, knock*

Grumbling to himself for having his train of thought interrupted, although having expected this, Hakoda stood from the fur pelt he had been resting on, placed his cup – waiting to be filled with tea – on the side table and trudged towards the door. Upon opening the door, his irritation was almost instantaneously replaced by what could only be described as that of pure bliss when he realized who his guest was. "Hello, Chief Hakoda, it's good to see you," said the young man, bowing in respect to the Water Tribe native. After reciprocating the gesture, Hakoda grabbed his guest by the shoulders, clad in shades of red and yellow, and pulled him into his house, out of the evening winds, and upon closing the door, into a fierce hug.

Pulling away from the younger man, Hakoda noted that his guest had grown since he had last seen him only a few months ago during the Chief's diplomatic visit to the Fire Nation. "It's good to see you too, son. Now, drop the 'Chief,' because we both know this isn't some diplomatic meeting and soon you'll be calling me 'Dad' anyways." The young man gave a bark of nervous laughter at that statement, but before he could voice his anxiety, the Chief had yet again pulled him into another bear hug, saying "You know you had my approval when you first asked me two years ago, shortly after Katara turned sixteen. You had my blessing then, and you have it now, and I could never find any man more deserving of my daughter than you – you've made her happier than she has been in years, and we both know she'll say 'yes,' so stop worrying."


- The Present-

"Arnahn, of all the men in the Southern Water Tribe, you have been most persistent in pursuing a particular young woman. Perhaps you are simply unaware – all of you who have pined after this certain girl – that she is in a happy relationship. Arnahn, maybe you would be so kind as to tell us if it is normal for men to ask a father for his daughter's hand in marriage if said daughter is already in a committed relationship – in the Northern Water Tribe?" Hakoda stared the Waterbender down, challenging him to answer his question. Maintaining the Chief's glare, Arnahn answered, acting as if he had been prepared to answer such a question.

"Of course it is common, Chief Hakoda. If fathers let their daughters choose who they'd like to marry, the tribe would descend into chaos – we'd be letting their hormones rule our society. By having strong, able-bodied men approach fathers who have daughters of marrying age, we stop such destruction from reigning down upon us. It is the men of the tribe who have always determined its future, and now that the war is over, there is no need to continue to teach women combat Waterbending or travel the world; women should stay at home and cook and clean and heal the sick and let their husbands and fathers and brothers provide for them. So, yes, Chief Hakoda, I know of your daughter's relationship, but I know I can give her what she needs now, and if I'm correct, I have done everything to earn your daughter's hand." Arnahn ended his tirade with a wide smirk upon his face – he knew he had won the argument – although he began to worry when an ever larger smirk graced Chief Hakoda's lips.

"You know, Arnahn, there is something that never seemed to click in your mind or the minds of any of the other boys from up North – to ask my daughter for her hand in marriage, regardless of whether or not you had my approval." Hakoda smiled broadly now as he informed the tribe of what he knew to be shocking news to some. "Unfortunately for you, this information is quite useless, now that my daughter is indeed betrothed." As the expected gasps resounded throughout the building, Hakoda felt his mind wander to the events taking place late last night.


-Flashback (the night before)-

"Say 'yes' to what?"

Hakoda released the young man from his grasp and wheeled around to face his daughter standing beside the front door. 'How did neither of us notice her come in?' Before Hakoda could provide Katara with an answer to her question, she noticed the young man behind her father.

"Aaannnnnnngggggg!" Katara squealed in delight while launching herself into her boyfriend's arms. "I missed you so much."

The young Avatar felt warm tears of joy fall on his neck from his girlfriend's cheeks. Shedding a few joyful tears of his own, he hugged her closer – they hadn't seen each other in several weeks, courtesy of Aang's Avatar duties and Pakku's request that Katara help him train some of the new Waterbending students. "I missed you too, sweetie. More than you know."

Katara giggled, pulling her face away from the crook of Aang's neck, wiping away both her tears and Aang's. "Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea." Her eyelids slid down slightly as she stared into Aang's gray eyes. "Why don't I show you just how much I've missed you," she purred.

Aang's mouth suddenly went dry as he muttered, "Please do." And with that, Katara brought her face up towards Aang's, cupping his cheeks with her own hands, and brought him into a deep, passionate kiss. The two would have continued until they needed air, but Hakoda cleared his throat loudly, reminding the two young love-birds he was still present in the room.

Chuckling as the pair jumped apart, Hakoda spoke towards the Airbender, "Aang, why don't you and Katara go for a little stroll. Maybe ask her that question you've been dying to ask since you got here." The Chief didn't need Toph's Earthbending sense to know Aang's heartbeat had just increased tenfold, the nervous beads of sweat that trickled down his shaved head were all the indication Hakoda needed.

Wiping his forehead with his sleeve, Aang smiled nervously towards the older man. "S-sounds like a g-good idea, Chief Hakoda. We'll try not to stay out too long." Katara was curious as to why her boyfriend was acting so strangely, but she did not press the matter as Aang took her gloved hand in his own and led her to the door.

As they were leaving the house, Hakoda called out, "Oh, and I'm making a pot of ginseng tea! It'll be ready before you two get back – feel free to help yourselves if I fall asleep!" With that, the two teenagers were out the door. Hakoda knew he'd fall asleep sometime tonight – but it wouldn't be until long after Aang and Katara returned home. He'd either be up for a few hours feeling very sorry for a very disappointed Airbender and an upset Waterbender or he'd be up even longer because his daughter would be moving on in her life with her – hopefully, he reminded himself – fiancé. Hakoda, despite his parental worries sincerely hoped it was the latter – although it saddened him to think about, in a sense, giving his daughter away to another man, he trusted Aang. So despite anticipating that sadness, he hoped it would come, because the last thing he needed, or the entire village needed for that matter, was an aggravated Katara.

"Well, I hope Aang's figured out what he wants to say. He's known he's had my blessing for the past two years – I hope he came up with one good proposal. . ." Reaching for the tea kettle, Hakoda poured himself some of the now-steaming ginseng tea. He sipped the tea slowly, savoring the taste and allowing it to help calm his nerves. He sat himself on the furs in front of the fire, nursing his cup of tea, and let his mind wander. A smile graced his features as he remembered the conversation he had shared with Aang two years ago. . .


A/N - So, there's another chapter! I could probably go ahead and add the third one as well, but I feel it needs to be edited slightly more, but it should be up within a week. It's also a flashback-within-a-flashback. . .
Again, after that next one goes up, I have no idea when this story will be finished. I'll try not to make it a hiatus, but I want to make sure any future chapters I post are at least moderately well-written and eventually provide a satisfying conclusion.

Reviews are appreciated, especially if you see any major typos, grammatical errors, or glaring plot inconsistencies - please let me know, they drive me insane and I might not catch them since I'm writing this story. Thanks for reading!