Hi! Thanks again for all the great reviews, and favorites! Here's chapter three!


In the Southern Water Tribe, among endless miles of white, frozen tundra, a young Waterbender sat, sighing in utter boredom, and staring out at the cold, snowy lands.

Which, when one thought about it, was completely ridiculous.

After all, how many times had she found herself dreadfully homesick while doing her part to end the century long War? How many nights had she studied the stars, wishing more than anything to be back in the snowy cold Katara was been born into? She had lost count some time after seventy-four.

Still, the South Pole she always held so very close to her own heart remained hopelessly stagnant, not to mention uneventful, especially after growing accustomed to nearly a year of traveling freely across the world.

Well, maybe not as much freely as strategically gaining leverage to put an end to Ozai's terrible reign, but the fact remained.

Not to say that the girl didn't enjoy being home, of course, but in all honesty, the exhaustion of her journey had worn off after two short weeks. That stubborn restlessness, however, kicked in only half past the second month.

Katara, now stationed on a mound of freshly packed snow, exhaled loudly every few minutes, and stared up thoughtfully at the clear, blue sky. It was no secret that she had been waiting for something, anything, exciting to happen.

Heavy footfalls soon broke the Waterbender out of her reverie.

"Hey, Sis, you have mail!" She sat up at Sokka's voice.

"From who?"

The Warrior casually shrugged his shoulders before muttering, "Not sure. It's Fire Nation, though, and by the looks of the- Hey! Wait up!"

Katara was already jogging past him, tossing her head back to shout, " Come on, slow poke!" before facing ahead again to mumble "Finally, something interesting!" under her breath.

The siblings reached their village only minutes later, panting from the now unfamiliar exertion.

"I guess-not running for our lives-on a daily basis-really did a number on us!" Sokka gasped between his heaving breaths. Katara only laughed once, and playfully bent a small pile of fluffy snow up at her brother's face with a flick of her wrist.

Ignoring his indignant yelp, Katara began looking around curiously until a sudden realization hit her. She puffed out an annoyed breath. "Sokka, why don't you have my letter?"

"Oh, nothing gets past you, huh?" He stopped to dramatically shake the remaining frost out of his hair. "That's what I wanted to tell you! Some stuffy guard demanded it only be given directly to you, so…" He gestured to her with both hands, "Here you are."

"Uh…Where's the guard, exactly?"

Sokka heaved an unnecessarily heavy sigh before stiffly pointing over his sister's shoulder.

Okay, maybe it hadn't been completely unnecessary. How the massive, hundred-foot tall (at least) ship didn't immediately catch her eye, the world would never know.

Racing towards the small crowd gathering at the base of the metal contraption, Katara approached a particularly regal-looking guard, and tentatively presented herself.

The guard instantly handed her the most ridiculously beautiful scroll she had seen in her entire life, decorated with rich reds and golds, and oddly heavy in her hands.

Katara offered a small smile, "Thank you. Is it from Zuko?"

The man slightly narrowed his eyes. She sighed, then tried again, "Firelord Zuko?"

His face loosened considerably, and even betrayed a ghost of a grin, before saying, "I haven't been told, Miss."

She had already stopped listening, intent on breaking the wax seal, and going over the presented letter hungrily. A small frown of understanding swept across her face before Katara looked back up at the man, "Give me one hour."

"Of course, you may have all the time you need."

The girl nodded once, and took off at a mad sprint in the opposite direction, leaving a flabbergasted Sokka shrieking after her.

"H-hey! What are you doing?" Without stopping, she waved the fluttering scroll over her head,

"I have to go pack!"


Dear Miss Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe,

My Nephew has been increasingly downcast as of late (surely word has reached you of the Lady Mai's departure).

I greatly apologize for calling upon you so soon after the return to your homeland, but I fear Zuko's poor mood will only get worse, and there is only so much this old man can do.

He requires more company than his pride allows him to admit, and I believe my dear Nephew needs your upbeat, compassionate nature now, more than ever.

I am requesting your presence for the sake of not only the Firelord's, but my own sanity as well. It is very difficult seeing him so…morose, if you will. Transportation will be provided, shall you accept.

Lady Katara, you know first hand how stubborn my Nephew can be. He would never ask directly for another's help, and I would not not be speaking for him if the situation did not loudly call upon it.

Please, consider.

Your friend,

Uncle Iroh

P.S.

My most special blend of Jasmine tea (among others) will be brewed specifically for you, should you accept.


Things will definitely be picking up speed in the next chapter, so bear with me till then, thanks for reading, and please review! :D