Your last letter was a bit concerning, Katara. I know right now things seem a bit hard but you always manage to pull through. I've sent Shiori with a tiny package of Uncle's wellness tea blend. I'm skeptical but he swears by it, so I thought it was worth a try. Have the healing sessions with Ticasuk led to any answers? I remember you mentioning how rude she is, but if she is the best she should be able to figure out what's wrong. I haven't found any leads on my mother yet, but I'm hopeful. Someone has to know something, I just have to ask the right questions.
Sokka stopped by the fire nation last night. He said the Southern Tribe councilmen have decided to send him to each nation in an attempt to establish good relations with the leaders, as if he hasn't already done that. You don't just help save the world and end a hundred year war to just be on bad terms with people. He mentioned how worried he was about you and I'm inclined to agree with him. Your letters just seem so disconnected and checked-out. We are all worried for you, Katara. Please don't be afraid to reach out to any of us.
We all love you.I don't know if it will raise your spirits, but in a few dayswe have a surprise for you. Be on the lookout.
Best,
Zuko
Katara rereads the letter for the twelfth time since she received it. Shiori nuzzles herself against Katara's side while the waterbender sips on the wellness tea that Uncle prepared for her. Warmth spreads through her entire being and she can't help but smile. She wonders what surprise her friends could have possible gotten for her. There isn't much that she wants, besides answers but even they can't provide those to her.
It's hard not feeling like these last seven months have been a complete waste. They've found nothing, no leads, no clues, not a single things that explains what's happening to her. It all just seems so worthless at this point. She may as well go back to the Southern Water tribe. At least there she can be with her family. Pakku had mentioned briefly that he wanted to make the permanent move to the Southern tribe so he could be with Gran Gran. If Pakku leaves, Katara will really have no one here. She will be completely alone and just the thought of that has panic swelling inside her.
Finally, she begins her letter back to Zuko, telling him he has nothing to worry about. She is doing fine and she is sure they'll find the answers she's looking for soon. Briefly, she mentions how she recently used bloodbending to save a man with a blood clot. It was almost as if she understood the healing on a deeper level, being able to pinpoint the problem immediately because of her connection to the blood running through his veins. She asks about him, wanting to redirect the conversation to something other than herself. Before she knows it, night has fallen. She seals the letter in an envelope but decides to send Shiori in the morning, wanting the messenger hawk to have time to rest.
A week passes since the incident with the man with the blood clot. Ticasuk has refused to help Katara until she admits she was wrong for bloodbending. Katara has refused, saying she hurt no one and without her help, the man could still possibly be in pain or worse, dead.
Katara walks along the ice at the outskirts of the Northern tribe walls. The sun is at the highest point in the sky, letting her know its just about time for lunch. Her head is so filled with conflicting thoughts that she can barely even think about eating, but if she misses her daily lunch with Pakku, he will be disappointed. She walks to the gates, passing the warriors who guard them. She imagines their job to be insufferably boring. What are they even guarding the tribe from? A stray tiger shark?
A deep rumbling bellow in the sky startles her and the guards. "Incoming!" One yells, his spear at the ready. The jittering of a lemur wooshes by her head and she can't stop bloody tears from welling in her eyes, sending an annoying layer of sheer red obscuring her vision. Katara turns around to see her friends sat atop Appa, waving with big smiles.
She quickly pulls out the red handkerchief Zuko had made specially for her and wipes the blood away. Happiness and relief surge through her. It's been nearly a year since she has seen any of them, including her own brother. "Katara!" Sokka yells from the saddle. She wants to start crying at how mature and grown up he looks. He is a reflection of their father, having grown his hair out. Sokka's features are much more defined than she remembers and he looks to have shot up quite a few inches.
It takes a moment to collect herself but she waves back, yelling her brother's name and it takes everything in her not to get choked up. Her whole life she has spent caring for him and making sure he grew up feeling loved. And now he is a man before her. Appa lands and her first instinct is to surge forward to envelop Sokka in her arms as they all slide off the bison. She immediately stops herself though, not wanting to accidentally hurt him. She tightly wraps her arms around herself, discouraging anyone from trying to hug her.
She hopes her excitement to see them makes up for the lack of physical touch she is willing to partake in. She looks to Toph who is smiling brightly, probably able to feel how happy Katara actually is. She hasn't grown much in height, but she has matured a great deal. Her hair has gotten slightly longer by the looks of it and she looks stronger than ever, if even possible. Her muscles are defined and toned. Aang is next. He looks slightly older, the curves of his face slowly coming in to edges. He is still pretty young but the pressure of being the peacekeeper during this time of rebuilding has matured him.
Zuko is the last to slide off Appa. Katara has to hod in the gasp that so desperately wants to slip out at the sight of him. His hair has grown longer, now just past his shoulders. His cheekbones are more prominent than she remembers, giving his face a more angular shape. He's shot up more than a few inches, easily the tallest in the group. He is unbelievably handsome, more so than she wants to admit. She has to force herself to tear her eyes away from him.
"You're all here," Katara breathes.
"Well except for Suki," Sokka frowns. "She had Kyoshi business to handle."
Katara smiles sadly. "Still, this is an amazing surprise."
Toph crosses her arms. "Oh, Sugar Queen, this isn't the only surprise. We are about to take you on a blast to the past."
Katara furrows her eyebrows. Momo lands on Aang's shoulder. "I got word from Bumi that there are non-bending insurgents terrorizing the villages on the outskirts of Omashu. Supposedly, they are apart of the Fire Nation colonies that were there when we met Jet."
This has Katara's stomach rolling. "Are you okay to come?" Zuko speaks for the first time, the corner of his lip tugged into a half smile.
Her mouth opens but another voice speaks before she can. "The bloodbender is not permitted to leave," Ticasuk says.
Just the sound of her voice has Katara seeing red. "And who are you to decide what Katara can and can't do?" Toph questions.
Ticasuk purses her lips. "I'm the healer who is in charge of Katara's illness."
"It isn't an illness," Katara immediately retorts, ignoring the voice saying that she should shut the healer up.
"And you're sure it isn't?" Ticasuk counters. "Truth is we don't know what is wrong with you. And until we can figure out how to control it, you aren't permitted to leave."
Sokka scoffs at this. "She has been here seven months and you still haven't figured out why this is happening?"
"Would you like to try, non-bender?"
Katara whips around to glare at the healer. Not being able to bend has always been something Sokka was insecure about. It doesn't matter if he is no longer bothered by it, no one speaks to him that way. Katara lifts her hand as Ticasuk smiles, as if this is what she wanted.
Before Katara can focus, a hand is wrapping around hers, sending feelings of home and warmth up her arm. Zuko nudges her behind him, blocking Ticasuk from her view. "Last I checked, this wasn't a prison. Seeing as you've made no progress, when I distinctly remember you being the one who promised results, you no longer get to dictate what Katara does." He turns his back to the healer, hand resting on the small of Katara's back. "When we finish the mission, Katara can decide wether or not she wants to continue being treated by you."
Everyone piles on to Appa's back, Zuko helping Katara up, only after sending a daring glance Ticasuk's way. "This will lead to nothing but trouble," she warns, backing away. "You don't know how dangerous she is."
Apparently, neither do you, the voice responds in a playful tone. Katara isn't sure why it means by it, but it can't possibly be good.
It's short but it's an update *nervous laughter* Thanks to everyone that has stuck around. I really appreciate you all (:
