Chapter 4 The Wolves of Redwood

Katara POV

It was lunch time, and I was still tired from staying out late last night. It was a miracle that I didn't get caught. I'm still embarrassed that I had to be carried like some damsel in distress halfway home. Aang sure didn't seem to mind though. Part of me thought it was pretty hot how he was able to carry me that long without so much as breaking a sweat. However as tempting as it was to be carried by him, I rather not make it a habit.

After paying for my lunch I went over to my usual table, but first I had to pass by Aang's family table. They were all laughing at something, well everyone except the Goth who just smiled. Aang looked over his shoulders and smiled, and winked at me before returning back to the conversation. "Did Aang just wink at you?"

"Aah! Ty Lee where did you come from?" How does Ty Lee do that weird ninja thing?

"What did Ty Lee do now?" Suki asked as we both sat down with the rest of the group.

"The usual, appearing out of nowhere and trying to dig up new gossip." I replied

"Well did he?" Ty Lee asked impatiently

"He? Who's he?" Sokka asked suspiciously "Katara you know how I feel about you dating." And here we go. I thought tiredly

"You're one to talk Snoozles, you and Ninja Chick have been dating for almost two years." Said Toph, "I think Sugar Queen is mature enough to date."

"Thanks Toph." I looked over at Ty Lee, she was just seconds away from bursting.

"Just tell her." Mai drawled resignedly

"Alright fine." I sighed "Yes Aang winked at me." Great now I'm blushing.

"Who's Aang?" Sokka asked

"One of the new students at that table over there." Teo pointed

"What?" Sokka shouted, attracting weird stares from the surrounding tables. "Katara don't tell me you like one of them." he said accusingly

"Is he always like this?" Teo whispered to Toph, she nodded.

"Gee could you yell any louder? I love drawing attention from others." Mai said sarcastically, Sokka glared at her.

"Sokka calm down I'm a big girl I can take care of myself."

"And that's exactly what you said about Hahn." Sokka muttered.

Asshole. "Thanks Sokka. " I growled out. I stormed out of the cafeteria, why did he feel the need to bring up him?

Aang POV

"So she's the reason why I was deprived of Lu Ten's love last night." June said nonchalantly. By now we were all used to June's crude remarks about her active love life. Doesn't mean I enjoy hearing my Alpha's sexual escapades.

When I arrived, late, to our house I was cornered by both Alpha and Beta and lectured for an hour on how reckless it was for me to venture out in unknown territory alone. All because of some human girl.

"How did you know it was her?"

"She has the same scent that you were covered in when you came home. Wonder what you two were up to." Azula said knowingly. Everyone else was laughing; such caring siblings I have.

"Oh calm down Aang, they're only teasing." Assured Yue "I think it's sweet you find her attractive. You're the fourth one here that finds a human appealing."

"Who else here is attracted to one of them?" I asked shock. Didn't we just see these people only yesterday?

"Zuko likes the other Goth, go figure." Azula rolled her eyes "I keep telling you Zuzu that you and Lu Ten are alike. Haru is attracted to the bubbly one in the pink. And I'm attracted to Jet, though he doesn't know yet."

"As if your family blood needs more mixing." June muttered.

"What about you Yue, anyone?" I asked

"Nope, not really looking at the moment." Her eyes drifted over to Haru, who was oblivious and didn't notice the 'subtle' hint.

My last class was Advance English, the only other class I look forward to because Katara is also in it with me. I know its official, I'm pathetic. But now Katara looks pissed. She wasn't like this over lunch. I tried getting her attention to see if she was alright but she kept staring pointedly at Mr. Omashu; who by the way is one weird ass teacher who has a this interesting outlook on life.

Finally curiosity got the better of me and I wrote a note on a post it paper and passed it over to Katara like we were back in middle school. Hey you alright?

Katara looked at me weirdly before writing a quick reply. I'm fine why wouldn't I be? I guess Katara wasn't in a mood to talk about whatever was bothering. I mean it would make sense since we just gotten to know one another only last night. So why does it bother me that Katara is upset?

Normal POV

It was now the night of a quarter moon. Once more Katara could feel the moon calling her to the water, her element. She had taken a bath earlier, hoping it would calm her mind and body; especially when she still upset at her brother. But it was futile, as the call only became harder to resist.

Katara knew sneaking out the house and not getting caught was pure luck and to attempt it again would just be illogical. Yet at the same time it was tempting. She wanted the thrill of running to her lake at the quarter moon. To be in contact with the natural water with its ripples and minerals that could calm the young woman. After debating with herself for some time, Katara jumped out of her bed, grabbed a bathing suit, and snuck out her window.

The moment Katara dove into her lake her mind and body were immediately at ease. This was what Katara needed. For as long as she could remember, Katara always felt somewhat connected to the water and moon. But she knew it wasn't something normal, neither was moving water with simple hand gestures. She wish there was someone out there who could tell her what this meant. Katara didn't feel comfortable bringing this situation to her Dad. They weren't exactly close, he was always at work or patrolling Redwood for crime; which wasn't a whole lot. It didn't bother the young girl anymore, she was used to this family dynamic for some time now.

For a brief moment, Katara wished she could talk to her Mother about this abnormality. Katara had a feeling, for awhile now, that her and Sokka's power were somehow connected to her Mother. Why did she have to die? Why did she have to leave so soon and leave the family in pieces?

So preoccupied in her own thoughts Katara was, the sound and sight of a pack of wolves entering the clearing escaped her notice. That was until one of them placed their paws in the water. Katara gasped as she saw seven wolves standing at the edge of the lake. She felt her heartbeat faster, a sense of dread filled the pit of her stomach. Wolves were pretty to look at, but Katara was aware of the danger they posed. For a few minutes neither wolf nor human moved from their spots. The way the wolves were watching her, was almost like they were studying her.

Still, none of them had shown any signs of aggression, nor look interested in making Katara their next meal. That's a good sign then. Katara thought with small relief. The biggest of the pack was male with black fur, next to him was a sleek wolf with patches of gray and white. There was one with deep brown fur and was cocking her head from side to side, if Katara didn't know any better she could have sworn the wolf was smirking. A pure white wolf walked up next to the brown and was studying the girl in the water as well. The last three was another black one with a harsh scar over his left eye, a tan wolf, and a gray wolf. They had grown bored of watching the human in the lake and were now play fighting.

The Alpha had decided that Katara wasn't a threat and join the other males in wrestling. And Katara breathed a sigh of relief, the wolves were not interested in her presence. she went back to swimming on her side of the lake; being mindful of the wolves. Regardless of their presence, Katara was able to relax once more. She was floating on her back watching the stars and hearing the wolves play around on shore.

That was until she felt something stand beside her. She gasped as standing next to her was the large gray wolf. "Uh hi." Katara said awkwardly. Katara couldn't put her finger on it but there was something familiar about this wolf. She had never seen a wolf with gray eyes before, she never seen wolves the size of a horse either for that matter. The wolf's ears perked up and his tail started to wag like an eager domestic dog. "You know you're kinda cute." The wolf snorted in dislike "Alright, alright." She laughed "I mean you look handsome, better?" the wolf snorted in approval. I'm talking to an overgrown wolf. Suki would have me sent to an Insane Asylum if she knew. Katara thought exasperatedly. Katara looked toward the nighttime sky and noticed the moon was in a different position than before. "I should probably get home now." She muttered. Katara waded out of the lake, hastily drying herself off with a towel, before putting her clothes over the damp bathing suit.

Not even halfway through her trek through the dark woods, Katara heard the sound of paws thundering across the ground. The same gray wolf ran up to Katara and knelt down before her. "You want me to ride you?" Katara asked disbelievingly. What a strange wolf. The wolf snorted impatiently. "I'll take that as a yes." She mounted the giant wolf and grabbed handfuls of fur. "Can't believe I'm about to do THIIIIS!" Katara shouted s the wolf ran through the forest at an incredible speed. Katara was terrified and yet at the same time was getting a sort of thrill. Not many people can say they've ridden on a giant wolf while it was running through the woods. She held out her arms and felt the wind blowing in her hair. The wolf started to howl for the enjoyment and Katara couldn't help but join him. The wolf ran with Katara on his back until he reached the edge of the forest. Katara jumped off and faced the gray wolf. "Thanks for the ride." She looked closer into his gray eyes "You remind me of someone." She whispered, the wolf nuzzled her hair before turning and running back into the forest.

"This is by far one of the craziest nights of my life." She climbed up the side of the house and into her open window.. She hung up her sweater in the closet and left her bathing suit on the windowsill to dry.

"And where have you been?"

Katara POV

Crap. That would be the one thing to ruin my good night. "Hi Daddy." I said weakly

"Don't 'Hi Daddy' me. Do you have any idea what time it is? Where the hell do you get the idea that it's alright to sneak out of the god damn house at any hour. What the hell were you doing out there?" he shouted furiously.

"I was swimming out in the woods…" I sure as hell wasn't going to tell him about the whole giant wolf issue.

However he still had a hard time keeping a straight face, it didn't look like he was about to laugh but was afraid of something. "Why do you feel the need to swim out in the forest at night?" he asked slowly.

I looked at my Dad suspiciously. He knew something, he's been hiding something this whole time. Deciding I had nothing to lose at this point, I told him. "Dad when I was eight years old I found out I have this power to move water with my mind."

Dad's face wasn't comforting. It was sheer terror. It felt like ice fell down to the pit of my stomach, my heart felt like it was skipping beats. "Dad?" I spoke meekly after a few minutes of silence. Now he's scaring me. He thinks I'm a freak doesn't he? Ugh! I shouldn't have told him, why didn't I lie? Stupid Katara, you're so stupid!

"Katara you are no longer allowed to swim in any body of water except for the bath tub and shower." He said sternly "So no pools, no rivers, no lakes, and no oceans."

"What?' I shouted "What kind of punishment is that? What's wrong with me being in any body of water?" he didn't say anything "This all has to deal with Mom." I accused "She had the same abilities as me and Sokka-"

"Sokka?" Dad looked shocked. Oops, sorry brother. "Him too." he muttered to himself.

"Ugh this is ridiculous! Why do you insist on acting like Mom never existed? You never tell me or Sokka anything that deals with her or our family on her side! All we have is our Uncle Bato and Gran-Gran! What is so important that has to be kept a secret that you're hiding half of our family from?" I shouted "What the hell are you so afraid of?"

Dad stood up abruptly and was now towering over me. "First of all you're the child and I'm the parent. Not the other way around, I don't care how grown you get, you're are not going to talk to me this way. You're not too old to get a whoopin'. Second, I don't have to explain myself to you, you'll do as I say because I'm your Father. You're grounded until I say you're not. Now get into bed, and I better not catch you sneaking out of this house ever again." He left silently.

This is so infuriating! I finally tell Dad of my abilities and I end up being grounded! What about sneaking out of the house? Stupid subconscious. I mention Mom and he just flips out. And he wasn't even all that surprise to find out my powers, just horrified. I'm tired of not knowing, Dad has been aware of these powers, since clearly Mom had the same thing. He's been keeping this a secret from us for so long, well I'm tired of it! It's time I figure out what the hell is going on in this family.