Chapter Thirty-Four; Chameleon Bay

Appa soared in for a landing on a seaside cliff overlooking Chameleon Bay. In the distance four large, blue-sailed Northern Water Tribe ships could be seen. Near the docked vessels sat an encampment of blue tents, dark-skinned, blue clothed people walking amongst them. Aang turned around to face his two passengers with a huge grin on his face.

"You haven't seen your Dad in ages. You must be so excited!"

"I know I should be, but I just feel sick to my stomach." Sokka gulped, trying to hold his nausea in. Katara was quiet, looking pensively out over the sea and the busy encampment below.

"Don't be nervous! He's going to be so happy to see you!" He flung his arms around Katara and Sokka, pulling them in for a hug.

"So, what about you? Are you nervous about going back to this Guru?"

"Not at all. I'm ready to master the Avatar State! I'll do whatever it takes!" Sokka and Katara dropped off of Appa's back, looking up at the over-excited airbender.

"See you in a week! Yip Yip!"

After Appa had launched off into the air, Katara turned to look nervously at Sokka.

"What if they don't accept me? I mean, look at what I'm wearing. I should have bought something blue." She gestured expansively at her dark red pants and tunic; a hard colour to find in the Earth Kingdom, let alone the Water Tribe. "Or I should have worn my uniform. I've got it in my pack, give me a second and I'll go-"

She began to struggle out of the straps of her pack, but Sokka caught her shoulder. He gave her a small smile when she looked up to him.

"Don't worry. It'll be fine." His grin widened. "As your big brother, I proclaim it so. And you have to listen to me 'cause I'm older! Ha!"

Katara gave him a tremulous smile back before turning and looking out over the camp once more. Sokka strode off towards it and Katara let out a resigned sigh before following him down the hill. They walked nervously into the encampment, slowing their pace as Water Tribe warriors who were engaged in various activities turned to regard Sokka with surprised faces. Then they saw Katara and her red clothing, their expressions changing; some of them even going so far as to pick up weapons. She hid behind her brother, her hands tugging nervously on his shoulders.

"Sokka, I don't think this was such a good idea. Let's go…"

A tall warrior stepped up in front of them, his fingers resting on the hilt of a short sword at his side. Sokka and he regarded each other for a moment, before clasping forearms in greeting and grinning at each other.

"Sokka, good to see you. Who's your friend?"

Sokka reached behind him and pulled Katara out into the open, ignoring her protests.

"This is Katara. My sister."

The warrior recoiled at his statement, the other men surrounding them muttering uneasily. Further explanations were halted as the crowd parted to reveal Hakoda. He was frowning, but upon seeing Sokka his expression changed; shocked, then elated to see his son.

"Sokka!"

"Hi Dad."

Hakoda pulled his son into an embrace. Sokka rested his head on his father's shoulder with a blissful look of happiness before remembering the other member of his party. He pulled back, moving aside so that his dad could see Katara.

"Uh, Dad, this is Katara."

Katara swallowed nervously. She raised a hand, waving it shakily. A few of the men drew back sharply, as if expecting fire to burst from her hand.

"Hi." She dropped her hand to her side again, fiddling with the hem of her tunic.

"It's, uh, good to see you again… Dad."

Hakoda looked shocked, and when he next spoke, his voice trembled.

"Not my little girl? Not my Katara?"

Katara nodded, unsure if she could even speak. Hakoda swept her up in a bear hug, her feet leaving the ground. She clung to him desperately, screwing up her eyes as tears began to fall.

"I missed you so much…"

OoOoo

"So, I can understand you wanting to see your old Dad, but that can't be the only reason you're here?"

Katara and Sokka shared a look, before smiling ruefully.

"Actually, it is. See, we figured to hide out at the old air temple near here, but there was this Guru guy who said he could teach Aang- something to do with him being the Avatar and understanding his true power. I didn't get it." Sokka made an airy gesture with his hand to show his general non-comprehension of all things Avatar. When Katara saw he was more interested in his next spoonful of stew than talking, Katara picked up the tale.

"The Guru said he needed a calm atmosphere to teach Aang, which meant we couldn't stay. We heard news of Water Tribesmen here, so we came to see if the rumours were true."

"And that's it?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Is there any more of that stew? I'm starving!"

Hakoda gestured to the hearth visible through the tent opening and the gently steaming stewpot alongside it. Sokka was out the tent so fast Katara almost thought he'd gained airbending in secret.

"I know now that you were taken to the Fire Nation, but what happened while you were there? How did you escape? How is it that you're alive now?"

There was a pained expression on her father's face as he questioned her, making Katara to feel a pang of sympathy for what he must of gone through after she had disappeared. She took a deep breath and began telling her story.

"The day of the attack, I got hit on the shoulder with a blast of fire and fainted. The next thing I knew was waking up on a fire nation ship that was on its way to the capitol, Kotzut. The man who saved me was called Zhao. I thought I could trust him - well, I soon learnt otherwise." Katara paused, suddenly horribly aware that the man at her side was her father. How could she tell him what she had been through?

"Sweetheart?"

Katara jerked, startled, and blushed as she realised she had been lost in thought.

"Sorry. Well, he – uh – wasn't too nice." She blushed again, her cheeks turning bright red with shame. She continued hurriedly

"But not everyone was like that. I was mainly a serving girl, but when they found out I could bend they started training me to fight. The Fire Lord found out and I got ordered to be a sparring partner for his daughter. Because of that I met her brother and her uncle, who are really nice. It's kind of funny; the famed 'Dragon of the West' is just a peaceful old man who likes tea. And Zuko, um, the prince, doesn't agree with his father or Azula at all. He wants this war over as much as you or I do."

Hakoda sat in silence for a while, the slightly stunned expression on his face giving away his internal conflict. Katara stopped her narrative, nervous fingers fiddling with the hem of her tunic. Her father shifted in his seat, then laid a hand on her shoulder. Katara managed to keep from flinching, but just barely. Hakoda waited until she had turned to face him before speaking.

"I am very proud of you, Katara. Many of my men here today would not have survived what you did."

He looked as if he was about to say something else, bringing his other arm up unsteadily. He hesitated, and Katara suddenly realised he must have felt her imperceptible flinch and was in a dilemma. She made his decision for him by overcoming her reluctance, leaning forwards and wrapping her arms around him in a hug.

It was a few seconds before Hakoda overcame his surprise enough to hug her back.