A/N: Please believe me when I say that I'm not stretching this story out deliberately. It seems like the battle is taking forever to get to. But I don't want to skimp on all the character development and little moments before the battle happens. They are just as important, in my eyes. Anyway, thanks to all of you for reading and supporting this story.
Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 37: Meetings and Confrontations
Aang, Sokka and Katara slept later than they usually did. The celebration had continued well into the early morning hours and as guests of honour they felt obligated to stay until the end. The sun was almost up by the time they finally fell asleep in the cozy ice house next door to Arnook's much larger residence.
Katara awoke in a panic a few hours later, suddenly remembering Aang's lessons with Pakku. The crotchety old man was not one to tolerate lateness, of that she was certain. Shaking the Avatar awake with one hand, she gave her brother a shove with the other.
"Wake up, Aang; you have a lesson, remember. Come on!"
Grumbling and wiping at his tired eyes, Aang wriggled out of his sleeping bag, grabbed some of the breakfast that was waiting for them and ran out of the house toward Pakku's training ground. Sighing, Katara rolled the sleeping bags up neatly and then ate some breakfast herself.
"What are you doing today, Sokka?" she asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
"Well, it just so happens that Princess Yue and I are going for a little trip on Appa. I promised her."
"Wow, that's great, Sokka. Shouldn't you be helping to prepare for the invasion or something? I'm sure that Chief Arnook can find something better for you to do. Don't you need to sharpen your boomerang?"
"Ha, ha, Katara; I'll help…..later. The ride won't take very long. Don't worry about me; you just get to your healing class. I know that you can't wait." Sokka gave his sister an exaggerated wink then inhaled a bowlful of sea prunes before heading out to find Yue.
"Leave all the clean up to me, why don't you; jerk." Angry now, the waterbender stacked the dishes on the tray, washed her hands and face and headed out into the sunny morning.
It didn't take her long to find Yugoda's healing hut. She entered with trepidation, taking note of the young girls, most around eight or nine, and the model of the human body that they all sat around.
"Hi, I'm Katara; Pakku sent me here for lessons."
"Of course; welcome, Katara. Please, sit down with the other girls."
Yagoda was a kindly old woman, her face and manner both sweet and pleasant. She made the lesson as interesting as she could, but it was far below Katara's level and bored her almost to tears. It wasn't fair; she should be learning new bending moves, improving the ones she already had, sparring with other benders and learning from them. It just wasn't fair.
"Katara dear, the lesson is over now."
She looked around the healing hut, finding it empty but for her and Yugoda. "I'm sorry; I guess my mind drifted off."
"Well, there's a lot to worry about, isn't there? An invasion; I still can't believe it. I pray that those little girls don't have to use their healing skills."
"Zhao is a vicious, evil man who will kill anyone who stands in his way. Zuko and Mai know that all too well." Katara's voice was hard now, and her fists were clenched.
"What are the Fire Nation people like? You know the prince…my goodness. Is he a good man?" The old woman's eyes were wide with child like curiosity and wonder. She waited breathlessly for Katara's answer.
"Well, yes, he is a good man. I didn't trust any them at first, but I do now. They've proven themselves time and again. Zuko will make a good Fire Lord and Mai will make a good Fire Lady. Of course, it would be hard not to be better than Ozai. But I believe when we win the war, Zuko will help the world to be a better place."
"I'm glad that someone from that nation sees sense; one hundred years is a terrible amount of time for the world to be at war. We've been lucky here. It hasn't affected us very much at all."
"I can't say the same about my tribe." Her tone darkened considerably and her eyes were narrowed with both hurt and anger. "The Fire Nation raided us time and again. They took all the waterbenders away. They killed my mother."
"Oh, dear, that's terrible. I'm so sorry. You poor thing, growing up without a mother; I suppose there are many girls like you thanks to the war." Katara's hand went to the betrothal necklace at her throat as it always did when she thought of her mother. "But I see you're betrothed. Who's the lucky man?"
"Oh, no, I'm not betrothed. I'm not ready for that yet. It was my mother's necklace and my grandmother's before that."
"Would you mind if I take a look at it?" Yugoda was curious now and peered closely at the beautifully carved pendant. "Hmmm, that carving looks familiar." She slapped her hand against her forehead and then grinned. "You look exactly like Kana did at your age."
"How do you know my grandma's name?" Katara looked at Yugoda incredulously and she clutched at the woman's hand.
"She was born in the Northern Water Tribe and grew up here. I was very good friends with her when we were both about your age." The old woman got lost in thought for a moment, recalling her younger, more carefree days with friends, days when boys were the only worry. "She had an arranged marriage to a young waterbender. He carved that necklace for her."
"Then why did she leave? I mean she traveled from one end of the world to the other. Didn't she love him?"
"I don't know, Katara. She left without saying goodbye. I missed her for a long time."
"Wow, Grandma never told me any of that."
Suddenly, Katara felt as though she knew nothing about her family anymore. She would ask Gran-Gran when she saw her again, no matter how long from now that was.
Mai sat above deck, the frigid wind threatening to blow back the hood of her oversized blue parka. She was bored. And when Mai was bored, especially if Zuko wasn't around to provide fun of a different kind, she pulled out a knife and sharpened it. Considering the actual number of blades she wore on her body, Mai could spend an entire day with a whetstone. She worked on her dagger first, a gift from Iroh on her thirteenth birthday. That seemed like eons ago. Mai turned it around, letting the sunlight glint off the blade's surface and then she began to sharpen; she dragged the blade back and forth, back and forth across the whetsone, until the blade gleamed even more and she knew that it could slide easily through just about anything.
"Do you actually use that knife or is it just for show?"
The deep voice startled Mai. Disguising her surprise quickly, she glanced at the feet that stood beside her then lifted her eyes to take in the whole figure. Without saying anything, Mai pushed back her sleeves to reveal the wrist holsters filled with darts and then lifted her pants leg to show the black leather straps filled with many tiny, shiny blades. "I have more, but it wouldn't be appropriate for me to show you those."
The man, it was Kahn, actually blushed and Mai felt the tiniest glimmer of shame. But she got over it.
"So, you're good with them then?" he finally blurted out.
"I like to think so; I'll give you a demonstration. Stand over there, if you trust me, that is." Mai pointed to the prow of the ship, wide enough for Kahn to stand against. "Spread your arms out."
Despite his apprehension, Kahn found himself obeying Mai. He stood, feet apart and arms stretched out wide and then gulped as he watched the young woman reach for the blades in her ankle holsters. It was all over in a matter of seconds. Kahn was pinned to the prow, unable to move without shredding his parka. Every blade had landed exactly where Mai intended it to. Smirking, she retrieved her knives, returning them one at a time to their proper place. Once he was free, Kahn gave Mai an admiring and approving sort of look. "I'd like to show you my spear.* Will you come below deck with me?"
Mai shrugged. At least it would kill some time. "Sure, I'm bored anyway."
By the end of the long day, she was something of an expert on Water Tribe weapons, getting a feel for each of them. They were all finely crafted and very good at what they were intended for. And, despite their initial reactions to each other, the fragile beginnings of a friendship emerged between Mai and Kahn, or at least an understanding.
*Why, oh why, does my mind automatically sink down into the gutter? I couldn't believe I wrote that, but then I just had to leave it in.*
"He won't bite, honest. Here, give him one of these." Sokka handed Yue an old apple from his satchel and encouraged her to move closer to Appa.
The princess held out her bare hand, the apple resting on the palm, and closed her eyes. The air bison snorted happily and sucked the treat up, the air from his nostrils tickling the young woman. She laughed delightedly, all fear gone now, and rubbed the animal's nose. "He's amazing. I still can't believe that he flies."
"Climb aboard. We'll fly over the city but not out to sea. I don't want the Fire Nation to know that Aang is here. The less they know the better." Sokka held out a helping hand and boosted Yue up onto Appa's saddle. He hopped on next and took the reins, giving the beast a rousing "Yip, yip."
The white haired princess held on tight to the edge of the saddle but eventually relaxed. Her city, the one her father ruled, looked like sparkling crystal from up above, framed by the blue of the sea and the blue of the sky. The view took Yue's breath away and filled her with delight. She was truly fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. As Appa dipped and soared, she began to laugh with unrestrained joy, free from the constraints of her position as princess and the duties that bound her forever to her tribe.
"I said that you'd like it." Sokka was thrilled to hear Yue's laugh and laughed right along with her with, the sheer pleasure of being up in the sky, seen through her eyes, was new to him once more.
He brought Appa down for a landing and reached out his hand for her again. She dismounted gracefully and then looked around as if hoping that no one had seen her. "That was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. Thank you, Sokka." She kissed the warrior on the cheek and they both turned pink.
"So, tell me, Yue, why is your hair white? I've been wondering ever since I first saw you. I mean, it's pretty and all, I've just never seen hair like yours."
"My hair's white because I've been touched by the moon spirit."
A chill went through Sokka as he thought of Admiral Zhao's plans to kill said spirit. Would Yue somehow be in danger too? "What do you mean?"
"I was very sick after I was born. I didn't cry like other babies. The healers couldn't do anything and my parents thought that I would die. My father took me to the Spirit Oasis and prayed to the moon spirit for help. I don't know why, but the moon spirit gave me part of its life force. It saved me. My hair turned white as my father held me in the water."
"Wow, so you're a princess and part moon spirit too?"
"I guess so. I don't really think about it. But, I'm grateful to the moon spirit for saving my life so that I can serve my people. Sokka, I really should go. And you need to get to the armory. Remember the invasion." The young woman looked wistfully back at Appa and then gave her new friend a smile.
"Oh, yeah, of course; I need to work on my warrior skills; and I've got lots of information about the Fire Nation. And,and…."
"Goodbye, Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe. Thanks again, for everything."
He watched as she walked away, heading down one of the many roadways that followed along the canals. A sense of foreboding filled his heart and though he would deny it should anyone ever ask, Sokka cried.
Aang was pushing the water between his hands, keeping it from falling to the ground. His attention wavered and Pakku, though busy eating his lunch, knew full well that the Avatar was not giving the lesson his all.
"Is this elementary move too much for the great Avatar? Should we start with something even simpler?" The old master slurped at his soup and then glared at the flighty boy.
"No, no, I'm sorry, Master Pakku. I'll try harder." And he did for all of a minute.
Frustrated and angry, Pakku ordered the boy to sit on the sidelines and watch the other students go through their paces. "Watch, young Avatar. These next two moves are essential for any good waterbender and will come in handy when fighting."
Aang watched, watched some more and then played with Momo, who had accompanied him that morning. He began to airbend then, making swift little currents move in swirls above his hand. Pakku's shadow startled him back to attention.
"If you are bored with the lessons, perhaps you would be better off teaching yourself. Or get your outspoken little friend to help you. I deserve your complete attention. If you can't give it to me, LEAVE."
Aang's face turned red as the other students laughed. "Yes, sir, I'll do better, sir." Looking around, the Avatar saw Katara watching him. She gave him an encouraging smile, though the slump of her shoulders and her leaden walk told him just how disappointed she was. "It's not fair," he whispered.
"What's not fair, Avatar? Are you still worrying about Katara? She'll do fine as a healer. That's a female waterbender's role. It's not as though healing isn't important."
"Yes, and she can heal, but she wants to fight too. You really should see her." Aang was pleading now, his emotional grey eyes open wide and his hands together as if in prayer.
"No! Now back to work, all of you."
Aang spent the rest of the day trying his best not to hate Pakku. It was one of the hardest things he'd ever done.
Zuko had to admit that the cold air felt invigorating. After breakfast and clean up, he had headed above deck and pulled out his swords, anxious to make his body work. He didn't think the Water Tribesmen would appreciate any firebending. The blades felt good in his hands, the perfect weight, the perfect length and shape; he swung them slowly at first, making smooth arcs and then widened his movements. Zuko jabbed and chopped, twisted and jumped, every move a study in grace and efficiency.
Jee watched the young man and enjoyed the brisk air too. Their Water Tribe shipmates worked the sails and talked with each other, throwing the occasional glance Zuko's way. Eventually, drawn by the lure of an unfamiliar weapon, and looking to relieve their own boredom, the men gathered around and watched Zuko, asking Jee questions about the swords; where Zuko got them, how long he had been training with them and so on. Happy to finally have a decent conversation with the Water Tribesmen, the lieutenant answered all their questions and offered additional information and anecdotes about Zuko. By the time the prince was finished his workout, the men were all chatting happily. Zuko looked at Jee, shrugged, and joined him and the group of warriors.
Within another hour, they were firebending for the men, showing them moves the invasion soldiers would likely use. A day that began inauspiciously, turned out to be quite productive. Everyone ate dinner together that night, gathered around the warm fire.
Sokka entered the armory which was already abuzz with activity. Arnook was there, organizing the men and issuing orders.
"We'll want to infiltrate one of the Fire Nation ships. It's a dangerous mission; one that I'm certain you can lead quite capably, Hahn. Bring out that Fire Nation uniform. Actually, put it on."
Hahn, a surly, arrogant looking young man of about seventeen walked back into the storage area and came out wearing a genuine Fire Nation naval uniform, genuine, but hopelessly out of date. Sokka laughed and then covered his mouth.
"What's your problem? You think you know everything." Hahn glared at Sokka, his blue eyes narrow and hard.
"No, but I know that uniform is not what they're wearing now. How old is it?"
Hahn spat out his reply. "Eighty five years."
"That explains it; for one thing, those shoulder spikes are gone now. The uniforms are much more streamlined."
"Sokka, why don't you explain all you know about the Fire Nation and this Admiral Zhao to Hahn. And Hahn, give the boy your full attention and respect. I would expect nothing less from my future son-in-law." Arnook looked at Sokka kindly while he placed a firm hand on Hahn's shoulder.
As soon as the chief left, Sokka spoke up. "You're the guy marrying Yue?"
"Yeah, what of it?" Hahn sneered.
"Nothing, congratulations: I hope you make her happy."
"I've dated lots of girls and Yue's definitely the best; I mean, marrying the chief's daughter comes with all kinds of advantages."
"Advantages," Sokka almost shouted. "That's all you can think about! Yue's a great girl."
"And how would you know that, Sokka?"
The warrior spluttered then, unsure how to reply. "I, I just know, that's all."
"Yeah well, I wouldn't expect a simpleton from the Southern Water Tribe to understand the political complexities of our lives here in the north….no offense."
Acting out of instinct, Sokka tackled the older boy to the ground, sat on his chest and punched him in the face, hard.
"Well, you don't deserve Yue. You're a soulless, heartless jerk….no offense. And you're ignorant too."
Arnook reentered the armory upon hearing the commotion. With one large hand, he pulled Sokka off Hahn. "Enough; Sokka you're not part of the defense force any longer. Out!" He gave the boy a gentle shove out the door.
Sokka pouted. "What am I supposed to do now? Hahn gets to lead a mission and I get to do what, sharpen my boomerang?"
"Now, now, Sokka; I know that Hahn can be a bit of a, well, a difficult person. I think you'll be better suited to another job, a very important one."
"Really, what job is that?" Sokka's eyes shone with excitement.
"I want you to protect my precious daughter, Yue, when the invasion begins. Guard her with your life, Sokka. Can you do that?" He looked at the young man searchingly.
"Yes, sir. I would be honoured to."
"You're a fine young man. Thank you."
Arnook left Sokka standing outside the armory, a dumb grin on his face.
Katara couldn't sleep. She turned from one side to the next and then back again, heaving huge sigh after huge sigh. Finally, when she could take no more, the waterbender crawled out of her sleeping bag and paced the small house where she and her brother and Aang were staying. Her long brown hair was loose from its braid and hung down her back in soft waves. She wore nothing but her bindings; the ice house was surprisingly warm.
"Can't you do that somewhere else? Some of us have important jobs to do tomorrow morning." Sokka sat up and stared at his sister, his eyes narrowed with irritation.
"Sorry; I just can't sleep."
"Well, no kidding. What's the problem?" Awake anyway, Sokka stood up and walked into the small kitchen area where he grabbed a handful of seal jerky. "Is it the whole waterbending lessons thing?"
"You say it like it's stupid for me to be upset. How would you like it if everyone told you that you couldn't use your boomerang because only girls are allowed to?" She walked over to Sokka, put her hands on her hips and looked him right in the eyes.
"Well, I'd be angry, I guess, unless the thing I was supposed to be doing was cooler than boomerang throwing."
"Ugh, I give up. You're impossible sometimes, Sokka."
"Well, Mr. Impossible just had an idea." The young warrior walked over to where Aang was sleeping and gave the boy a poke with his foot.
"Don't bother Aang. He's got a lot on his mind and needs proper sleep." Katara's voice was peevish now.
Sokka just poked the boy again, harder this time, and Aang jerked awake. Momo emerged from his sleeping bag looking a little worse for wear himself.
"What's wrong? Has the invasion started?" Aang reached automatically for his glider.
"No, Aang, Sokka's just being a jerk."
"No, I'm not; I told you that I have an idea and I do. Why doesn't Aang just teach you what he learns from Pakku?"
"Sokka, you're brilliant. Thank you!" It was Katara's turn to poke Aang, encouraging him to get up so they could practice their bending before the sun rose.
They stumbled out into the cold, walking as quietly as they could, and headed toward the training grounds. Aang, despite his inattention during class, recalled the basic premise of different moves and showed them to Katara. He watched contentedly as the girl he loved tried them out, practiced and improved all within minutes. That's when she looked the most at ease, the most comfortable and the most blissful; when she was bending her element.
"That's not bad, Katara. But it's really too bad that Aang decided to teach you what he learned today."
The young people looked up and saw Pakku, watching from a nearby bridge. His face looked as though it were carved from stone.
"I was just practicing what I already know, Master Pakku." Katara said the words without much hope the old man would believe them.
"That's not true. I saw everything. Aang, I don't care if you're the Avatar. You've disrespected me and my culture and my beliefs. You are no longer welcome in my class."
Katara pleaded with the man. "But, please, Master Pakku, he won't do it again. Please, teach him."
Pakku didn't waste breath on an answer. He walked off into the night, waving his hand dismissively at them.
"Oh, Aang, I really messed things up for you." Putting her arms around the boy, she hugged him gently. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Katara. It's Pakku's." He said the old man's name almost viciously.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to see Arnook and beg him to let you back in the class. You have to learn waterbending, Aang. The entire world is depending on you."
"Yeah, I hear that a lot." With a sigh, he left the training area and walked back to their temporary house. Katara caught up to him and linked her hand with his.
Both Mai and Zuko, on their separate ships, gazed in awe as the northern city of ice finally came into view. It was midmorning of the following day, overcast and a bit milder than it had been. The Fire Nation flotilla was still behind them and slightly east, cruising slowly and easily toward its destiny, Zhao taking his time, savoring the approach almost as much as he would the actual decimation of a people.
Patrol ships from the Northern Water Tribe greeted them with shouts and waves, leading them through a system of locks, into the city proper and finally to a docking area. Mai craned her neck, seeking out Bato's boat and Zuko. She couldn't pick it out from amongst the many that were being tied off. The patrol boats headed back out to sea as soon as everyone was settled.
"You'll see him shortly," Iroh winked. "Patience."
When had her feelings become so transparent or was it just that Zuko's uncle knew her so well? "I know. I'm just anxious to feel land again, or ice anyway."
A huge group of people swarmed around the visitors as they disembarked. Arnook was informed of their arrival and the Southern Water Tribesmen along with their Fire Nation allies would see the chief immediately. They walked en masse, following a middle aged man who spoke excitedly and constantly glanced through their group as if seeking out the Fire Nation natives. Thinking alike, Mai and Zuko worked their way toward the middle of the group, hoping to run into each other as they were being carried forward like driftwood on the tide.
They could hear shouting in the distance. The voice sounded like Katara's and Hakoda began to push his way through the men; it had been far too long since he had heard that voice. He broke through the front of the crowd and spotted a lovely young woman speaking her piece to who could only be Chief Arnook along with a much older man.
"It's not right, Chief. Please, make him take Aang back. He has to master waterbending."
"Perhaps if you apologize to Master Pakku, he'll forgive you and take the boy back into his class."
"NO! I won't apologize to a nasty, bitter old man like him." Pakku gaped at the girl. His hands twitched; eager to bend, eager to show this upstart her place. "In fact, I challenge him. I'll prove what a good waterbender I am."
Tears streaked her cheeks now and she shook with anger. All Hakoda could think to do was run and pull his little girl into his arms. And he did.
"Katara," he shouted.
She turned at the sound of the voice, once a part of her everyday life, now something of memory and dreams. "Dad!"
She ran to him then and he wrapped strong arms around her, running his hands down her back and through her hair, soothing and protective.
"You better have a damn good reason for making my daughter cry." Cold blue eyes faced Pakku then. "I'm waiting."
Back in the crowd, Zuko and Mai finally found each other. She tucked herself into his side and he held onto her almost painfully tight. Pushing back her hood, he kissed the top of her head and breathed in her scent, uncaring who saw.
"Missed you so much." He whispered the words softly, his breath caressing her ear.
"Mmmm, missed you too." Mai practically purred.
"Maybe you can find a parka that fits you while we're here." Laughing now, Zuko lifted Mai's head and kissed her soundly.
Their new friends, happy for both of them and always glad to see a reunion, clapped them heartily on the back.