Blueeyeddevil06, thank you for being my beta and helping me work out this story. It took many iterations for me to come up with what I wanted.

I hope you enjoy this story. This idea initially came from a prompt from t-rex989. This is the first time a prompt got me thinking of a whole new story to write. Usually, they turn into one-shots (I love getting prompts). So thank you for the idea. It's been fun to work on.

This takes place during season 3, but I'm not going to hold too closely to the episodes. I'm working on the idea that adding a new person would change some things—especially one with his own agenda. I hope you like this.

Katara was off on her own practicing by the water. She had just finished waterbending when she detected movement to her right. She spun to face it as she got into her fighting stance. What she saw was a man walking out of the mist towards her. He was dressed in gray. She was confused why he didn't wear the colors of any particular nation. That unsettled her. She didn't know how to classify him. Even now, with Zuko as an ally, she still worried about which country everyone was from. It had been ingrained in her since childhood.

He smiled at her and bowed. He then blushed and said, "Katara. I've come to help."

"How do you know my name?" She bristled at the advantage he had shown. He already knew who she was.

"You're famous. Everyone knows who your whole group is," he supplied quickly. It was the truth, after all.

"And what's your name? What nation are you from?"

"Akal," he lied. "As for my nation, that's… complicated." He knew that secret he would guard carefully.

"How is that complicated?" She crossed her arms and glared at him. She didn't think it was a tricky question.

"My parents are each from different nations." He liked when he didn't have to lie to her. That truth came quickly.

She looked at him skeptically, "You mean like the Northern Water Tribe and the Southern Water Tribe?" She knew that was the most likely case.

"No," he didn't elaborate.

"What kind of name is Akal? It doesn't tell me what nation either of your parents is from."

"It's the name my father gave me." He stayed calm as he said that half-truth.

She huffed out, "And I'm supposed to accept your help based on what?"

Here he was ready for her. "I'm trusted in the Water Tribes, and I've passed the ritual of ice dodging. I can prove it if you'd like." It was a proud day for him when he did that. It was exhilarating.

"Your father is Water Tribe?!"

He didn't answer her question. "I'm not able to talk about my parents. It's -"

"Complicated?" she mocked.

"Yes," he blushed. "But I promise I'm on your side."

She crossed her arms again, "And I'm supposed to just take your word on that?"

He shook his head, "No, test me. If I can, I'll do what you ask." He meant that completely. After all, she was his reason for doing everything.

"Are you a bender? You could bend for me." She guessed his father was Water Tribe. Ice dodging was a father-son ritual. She thought she could figure out where his mother was from if he bent another element.

"I'm not able to bend right now," he rubbed the back of his head with his hand nervously. He knew if he firebent in front of her, it would give away too much of his background. After all, he was an incredibly powerful bender.

She huffed out, "We need all the help we can get right now. I'll be keeping an eye on you."

He nodded and smiled at her, "I won't let you down. I promise, Katara."

"See that you don't," she glared at him.