A/N: Hope my American readers enjoyed their weekend holiday; I certainly had fun! And to all of my readers, I hope that you find this chapter as exciting as I found it while writing.

As always, special thanks to my beta, Sarah!

Chapter 3

The feast was going to be huge.

The vast tent spreading out across a normally barren snowfield looked like it could seat a thousand people. The creamy yak-hide canvas rumpled in the breeze, but the structure stood firm. Water Tribe symbols decorated the panels, alternating with the Fire Nation emblem. Katara felt a glow of pride. Her people here respected her marriage and honored her new life.

"How did you get the supplies for all of this?" Katara asked as they passed by the festival tent. They were to first stop at Sokka and Suki's home so she could freshen up and meet Tikaani.

Sokka adopted his arrogant professor demeanor and held up a finger. "It was no big deal, but we first needed the Northern Water Tribe's cooperation." His narrowed eyes suggested they had got anything but their sister tribe's cooperation.

Katara blinked and then turned to Suki. "They sent help right away, didn't they?"

Suki laughed and Katara could practically hear Sokka deflate behind her. "They sent supplies ages ago. Since you visit twice a year, they wanted to make sure this meeting would be even grander than the spring one. The next few days are going to be so fun, Katara."

Sokka sidled up beside his wife. "Always stealing my thunder." He kissed her head.

Katara grinned. "I'm sorry, Sokka. Please, tell me how you negotiated terms with our stubborn sister tribe."

The exaggerated version of Sokka's battle of the words with Chief Arnook and Master Pakku ended outside his door.

"Master Pakku is here?" Katara asked eagerly.

Sokka's arms lowered from their flailing above his head. "Yeah. He wouldn't want to miss the arrival of his best student, would he?"

Katara's heart warmed even more. While the war between the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes had been in its final stages six years ago, Hakoda had agreed to send Katara northward to study with Master Pakku. The pretense had been that Katara, at eighteen, was more than ready to hone her skills, yet she knew her upcoming marriage had Hakoda wanting her to be able to defend herself at all times. He hadn't needed to worry so much; Gisō had been perfect. Katara frowned a little.

"The Northern Water Tribe travelled all the way here to see me?"

Sokka fiddled with the elaborate locking system on the door. "Yep! And for the next few days traders and performers from all over the world are going to be setting up shop." He straightened and pushed the door open. "Now, don't go putting on airs or anything. We've been having market days like this for months now. This one just happens to coincide with your visit."

Katara gave him a look and he dropped his antagonizing smirk. "The only one who won't be here is Aang."

Katara walked by him into the home, followed by Suki and Lana. Cale remained on guard outside the door. "I know. He is seeking audience with Gisō this week."

Sokka shut the door and Suki whisked into a room to relieve the babysitter. "I was wondering why the old man didn't come with you."

"Sokka, just because Gisō is ten years older than me doesn't make him old."

"Right, right. Hey, are you okay? Are you still having trouble with…stuff?"

Before she could answer, Suki returned carrying a noisy bundle. Sokka puffed out his chest and went to stand beside her. "Katara, meet your nephew."

Katara stepped forward, hands wrapped tightly within the long sleeves of her yak furs. Tikaani stared up with large blue eyes, equally as curled in furs. Katara felt her heart expand and she loosened her arms. Suki passed him over. He settled into her hold easily and cooed up at her. Tears filled her eyes. "He's perfect."

"I thank his mother for that." Sokka was staring intently at Suki while she watched Katara sway Tikaani. Katara's throat tightened as she looked at the pair. She focused back on her baby nephew. His skin was lighter than hers and Sokka's, but not quite like Suki's. His hair was dark and looked like it might be curly when he got older. He had a high forehead like his father and pretty little lips like Suki did.

"You're going to break so many hearts," she said in a baby voice.

Sokka beamed. "My little warrior is going to get the best of both worlds. Do you know when he might start bending, if he can?"

Katara examined the gurgling baby in her arms. "He's how old now? Four months?" The parents nodded. "It's hard to say at this young age. I've known benders to exhibit their gifts as early as two years. It's rare, though. The average age is something like five years."

Sokka looked trifle put out. "That long?"

Suki laughed. "Don't tell me you'll favor our benders."

Sokka scowled. "Never in a million years would I favor one child over another. Unless one became a gourmet chef."

Katara quit listening to their banter. She walked around the room, staring down at Tikaani. He yawned. "I am so in love with you," she whispered. She bent away her tears.

Lana was standing shyly on the edge of the room. Katara tilted her head, coaxing the girl closer. Lana's nervousness vanished as she looked at Tikaani. "He's wonderful, Lady!"

"He's my favorite nephew."

"He's your only nephew, Lady."

"I don't care; he'll always be my favorite."

"Hey, we said we weren't going to show favoritism!"

A knock at the door signaled Hakoda's arrival. "So you've met the Water Tribe's newest warrior?"

"And Kyoshi's!"

Hakoda nodded. "Of course. What would the Earth Kingdom do without him?" He took Tikaani when Katara offered him. "He'll have so many fantastic teachers."

He looked at Katara. "Your captain wished me to tell you that he sent the second hawk. The Fire Lord should have it within two days or so."

Katara nodded and said nothing. She could tell her father wanted to ask about Gisō, but that he didn't want to make her upset. Instead he went on. "The festival is going to begin in an hour."

A little shriek went up and everyone spun to look at Lana. She ducked her head, face glowing. "I apologize, everyone. Lady, I must make sure you are ready for the party."

Everyone laughed.


In forty-five minutes Lana had once again tamed Katara's thick mane into an intricate display of braids and…

"Hair loopies!"

"Sokka, I'm not done yet, get out of here!" She threw a shoe at him and he retreated, snickering. Katara sighed and settled back on her chair. Lana was smiling. "Your brother is very glad you're here, Lady."

"I'm very glad to be here. I've missed all of them so much."

Lana gently tilted Katara's head and began applying her makeup. "I do not have any siblings. Sometimes I get very lonely because of it."

"I'm sorry, Lana."

Lana looked at her in the mirror. "It's okay, Lady. I have many friends I see at the palace."

Katara held the young girl's gaze. She had and odd combination of features that were not unpleasing. Her red hair was pulled back in a simple bun known to the maids of the palace. She had green eyes and freckles, and her pale skin had become a bit wind burnt from the journey. Katara wondered who the girl's parents were, but thought it rude to ask. Instead she said, "Friends are just as important as family. I'm sure you think of your friends as your sisters." She couldn't help but think of Aang. She missed him.

Lana was nodding and putting away the cosmetics. "I love them very much. Have you decided what you want to wear?"

Katara stood and approached her trunks. She still found it hard to believe she had this many articles of clothing. "I want to wear something native to the Water Tribe," she determined. "But I also want people to know I love the Fire Nation."

Lana analyzed the wardrobe. She held up a finger. "I think I've got it."

Katara smacked her palm to her forehead. "You're starting to do the Sokka thing."

Lana waved her accusation away. "I think this dress would do, as well as this cloak. It isn't too heavy, and I imagine that despite the cold, that tent will get pretty warm with all the people." She set different garments aside and handed the dress to Katara. A few minutes later, the Chief's daughter was dressed in her finest. A dress of the best Fire Nation silk clung to her, the red bodice darkening into the cobalt embroidered flames. Carefully placed sequences created the illusion of flickering. Over top of this, she wore a comfortable cloak of pure white fur.

Lana next handed over several pieces of Fire Nation jewelry. The pieces she selected were of rubies set in metals of dark gray and complemented the marriage necklace Gisō had given her very well. Her mirror showed a brand of fire calmed in snow. Katara inhaled. "Let's go."


The music was near constant.

Not that this was a bad thing. Katara's people were enthralled. Before and during the war, the Southern Water Tribe had had an underdeveloped taste for music. The main reason for this was very simply their location and lack of supplies for anything but the drums and horns used in ritual. "The Hunter's Heartbeat", a rhythmic cacophony of drumming, was pretty much the anthem of the South Pole.

With the end of the war, however, things changed. Katara's marriage and the good tidings it brought had made everyone take things a little less seriously. People lightened up and there was a sudden craving for art and music. Trade erupted.

The whole process was in evidence tonight. A band of mixed race was performing everything from the Earth Kingdom's national anthem to obscure love songs about ancient Avatars. Tsungi horns, pipas, djembes, simple drums, and flutes were in use. The combination was harmonious. People danced and sang along. Katara grinned and felt it down to her toes when the Water Tribe began singing the Fire Nation's anthem. She almost choked on her water as Secret Tunnel began to play next. Sokka almost threw his plate.

The food consisted of Fire Nation and Water Tribe dishes. It was clear to Katara that this was a special case for her benefit; many of her tribesmen were red in the face and panting dramatically after trying fire flakes and dragon-spiced chicken. Sokka was in tears. It didn't stop him from tasting everything at least twice.

Her crew was equally as pleased with the variety. Speckled throughout the tent, she saw her soldiers and servants conversing with the tribesmen. Only their formal uniforms marked a difference. She spotted Cale talking to Bato. Cale kept shooting glances over the man's shoulder. Sure enough, Lana was sitting at the next bench, giggling with Tikaani's babysitter. Suki held the baby now, on Sokka's right.

Once everyone was fully involved in their own conversations, Katara looked to her dinner partners. At the long table where she sat as the guest of high honor, her father had graciously placed her next to Master Pakku and Captain Long. Master Pakku was asking her about her bending. Sokka, who sat on Captain Long's left, was hounding the man with questions about the ship.

"Sokka, you helped design it," she heard Suki chide.

"I know, but that doesn't mean anything new hasn't been done to it!"

Master Pakku chuckled. "Your brother has not changed an ounce in six years."

"Trust me, it's congenital." Katara shook her head in exasperation.

"You would know better than I." Master Pakku stared at her, and Katara felt herself shrink. She couldn't help but think he was about to demand a complete list of every waterbending form known to man. He turned back to his dragon-spiced chicken. "You have changed quite a bit."

"Have I?" Katara scooted her kelp salad around on her plate.

"Oh my, yes. But you mustn't blame yourself. Crowns have a habit of making women compliant."

In the sound, logical portion of Katara's being she recognized the goad. Master Pakku's moon peach wine slopped over the brim just as he went to take a drink. It was a very small part of her being.

A thin eyebrow arched. He put the goblet down and dabbed at his robes with a napkin. "I'm becoming clumsy. Or maybe you meant for something more drastic to happen."

Katara lurched to her feet. The resulting silence rang in her ears more than the chorus of Secret Tunnel ever had.

She glared down at Master Pakku. He looked back, unfazed. Her fists clenched and everyone's drinks started sloshing around. "You're lucky the soup course is over," she growled.

"Well, if a temper tantrum is all you can muster, I daresay I would have done alright."

She could hear Sokka moan into his hands and her father clearing his throat. But these were bubbles in a sea of Master Pakku's soundless laughter. She could see it in his eyes and hear it in his challenges.

Katara turned to the hushed crowd. Full moon eyes contemplated her. People in the back were inching away, but most people craned forward eagerly. "Ladies and gentlemen," her voice was steady. "As a surprise for your entertainment, and thanks for your honorable welcome tonight, Master Pakku and I will be putting on a waterbending demonstration."

Without waiting for the onslaught, Katara whisked out of the back flap behind her. She heard Hakoda directing the crowds to the bending field.

"Katara, why? Just why?" The word was drawn out on a moan.

"Because he insulted me, Sokka." She strode through the snow, removing her furs as she went. Lana had appeared at her side. She took the robe.

"He insulted you all the time back then!"

Katara didn't stop. She took off her bracelets and necklace and handed those to Lana as well. "And what did I do then?"

Sokka continued stomping after her. "You fought him," he grumbled through gritted teeth.

"Exactly." They had reached the bending field. Two large vats of water stood at either end, awaiting the combatants. "I fought him. I proved every insult wrong. You know why? Because I can't let it go. I can't be told I can't do something just because I'm a girl or just because I'm young. I was told I couldn't help fight in the war because of those reasons. And you know what? Aang needed my help. You and I were some of the only ones who could see the finish to that war. It lay in peace talks, and that's what we helped Aang do. I was told I couldn't marry someone just because it might make people hate each other a little less. I proved that wrong, too. And guess what? For a time, I was happy."

Sokka's vexed expression loosened. "Katara, I didn't…"

She waved him away. "And yes, this latest insult is a trick. He wants me angry and he wants me to bend. He wants to know I haven't let Gisō take control of my life. I'm not some acquiescent little Fire Lady, but I'll humor him this."

Sokka's lips thinned but he walked off the field. Katara shifted her gaze outward. The entire tent was emptying and the ice benches around the arena were being filled quickly. Master Pakku emerged between the two vats at the opposite end of the playing field.

Her father came forward. "Katara, you just arrived."

"I'm fine."

He bowed and began to retreat. "Yes, Fire Lady."

Katara winced and turned her head…

A stinging water whip licked her cheek. The crowd gasped. She turned back, slowly.

"It's not so much a lesson as it is common sense." Master Pakku was already pelting toward her on a ramp of ice, tentacle arms extending.

Katara rooted herself and threw her hands up. Later, Master Pakku would commend her timing. A section of his ramp shot upward, throwing him far over her head and into one of her water vats. The crowd whooped.

Katara slid into pose and waited. A gigantic, swirling ball of water rose from the tub. Master Pakku floated in the middle. He dropped to the ground and created a wicked loop. "Someone has been studying the earthbenders; I applaud your prudence." He split the loop in half and brought his palms together in a mighty clap.

The water moved only a second slower. Katara ducked and summoned the water from her remaining tub. Discs of ice parchment-thin reft the twin whips apart. The end of one of the shorter tentacles slammed into the ground where it was promptly frozen, encasing Master Pakku's arm with it.

Cries from the crowd signified the second, careening at her face. Katara crossed her forearms and leaned into the attack, bringing up a wall of snow and ice in front of her. She was pushed back a few feet before she melted her wall, letting the offensive maneuver carry her counter. Crouching low, she spun, pulling her water and his until it was flying through the air. It crashed into Master Pakku, shattered the tentacle freezing him to the ground, and sent him rolling to the edges of the arena.

"I told you a long time ago," Katara shouted, skating manically along an ice slide. "You can't knock me down!" She leapt, bringing her water whip with her.

A tentacle laced around her ankle and shook her. Her water fell, and Katara dangled high above the ground. Master Pakku watched her flail like a fish on a line. "Bend child, and stop embarrassing yourself."

"AARGH!" Katara screwed her face up in vitriolic derision. Her arms went out, but Master Pakku avoided the ice easily.

"Don't tell me a life of fire has completely burned away your skills." The water snare gripped her tighter and began flinging her back and forth. She heard Sokka protesting loudly. "Nobody touch him," she screamed.

Master Pakku continued playing with her. Humiliation enflamed her face—a much more obvious pain than the physical discomfort of being waved around like a flag. Rage was quick to follow. She waited until he brought her close to the snow. Plunging her hand into the powder, Katara came flying back up with an ice boomerang forming in her grip. She threw the weapon and it severed her from Master Pakku's trap. She landed on her feet and caught the boomerang on its return.

Cheers rocked the stage, and Katara grinned at the vociferous people. To Master Pakku she spat, "I've been studying the firebenders, Master, and they fight with their fury."

Her last word was almost drowned by a roar of water surging over her head and toward her old Master. A whip in his hand was not enough defense against the wave as it smashed over him. Katara stood panting, triumph stirring in her gut.

But the master waterbender of the Northern Water Tribe was not finished. He sprang to his feet with agility rare in so old a man. And it was clear that he had been playing with Katara earlier. Volley after volley of ice spikes rained down upon her. Each snow shield she created was blown apart by spikes, and each became weaker the faster she was forced to move. He had her on the retreat across the field.

Katara couldn't hear the people anymore. They had gone quiet as they watch the vicious assault in the snow. She was sweating now; growing weary with each unerring spike.

What if Gisō saw you now?

Her eyes flew open as she strained to keep the latest shield up. He'd be so disappointed. He thought you were a great waterbender.

"Enough!"

A chunk of ice blasted through the ground at Master Pakku's feet, upending him into the snow. Spikes shot up, crisscrossing over his ankles, wrists, and at his neck, completely pinning him to the ground. He could not move.

Katara waded across the debris-strewn battleground and stopped only when she stood above him.

"Do you yield?" A water whip snaked from her fist.

Master Pakku wrinkled his nose, defiant for one second more. And then he smiled. "Yes, Master Katara. I yield."

She released him and he stood; only to drop into a bow of reverence, on his knees with arms extended and face against the snow. Warmth flushed Katara's cheeks as howls rose up and people began storming the field.

Her brother and a few other men hoisted her up while Lana and Cale babbled up at her, faces pale and eyes bright. Her father appeared shaken, but smiled at her, pride evident on his face. "You astonish me every time I see you bend, Katara. You are strong beyond my belief, and you prove it to me every day."

Katara slid from Sokka's shoulders and hugged Hakoda. "Thanks, Dad."

"Katara, you've just bested the best waterbender in the world, what are you going to do now?"

She looked at her overjoyed brother, at her impressed captain, at Suki with a sleeping Tikaani in her arms, and lastly, at the rising moon.

"I'm going to bed."