As the ship approached the dock for the Southern Water Tribe, Katara was finally feeling the reality of her situation. Sure, she knew this day was coming for months, but now that it was actually upon her, she couldn't help but let all of her doubts and insecurities creep in.

"You're going to be fine sweetheart," her father said placing a gentle hand on her shoulder sensing the nerves radiating from her.

"I know." She sighed breaking free from his grip. "Are we sure this is right? There are plenty of other people I am sure would make good councilmen. I mean I am only 24 for spirits sake! What do I know about being a councilwoman. What if this doesn't work out? What if I screw up and make the Southern Water Tribe a laughing stock? What if –"

"Katara," Hakoda interrupted, "I won't lie to you and say this transition will be easy for you. This is a very important job and a lot of people will be counting on you. But there is no doubt in my mind that you are the right person for this and if there is anyone who can handle it, it is you. It's gonna hurt seeing my little girl sail away from me, but I know this is what is best for you. I am so proud of the young woman you have become, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you."

Unable to hold back her tears any longer, she embraced her father in a fierce hug.

"Thanks dad." She sniffled. "I am going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too sweetheart."

As if on cue, the ship docked and eager passengers began to say their final goodbyes to their families and friends and board the huge vessel, ready to begin their journey to Republic City. After breaking her hug from her father, Katara took one last deep breath, grabbed her bags, and boarded the ship.

As the ship started to sail away, she could see her father waving at her from the dock with an expression filled with equal parts pride and sadness.

"Remind Sokka to bring me back a memento when you see him!" he yelled from the dock.

"I will dad," Katara laughed.

"And if you meet a young man who catches your eye, make sure he is worthy of your time. There are a lot of creeps out there who only want one thing from women."

"Dad!" she exclaimed with her face as red as a tomato as she saw other passengers giggling at her embarrassment. "I can take care of myself."

"I know, just be careful ok. I love you!"

"I love you too!" she yelled as she watched her father and the Southern Water Tribe became smaller and smaller until they drifted completely out of view.

While the war has been over for over nine years, it was hard for Katara to believe she would be aboard a Fire Nation vessel as merely a passenger and not a prisoner. While her hatred for the Fire Nation had waned over the years, she still wasn't exactly used to being chummy with them. She had to admit though when it came to engineering, the Fire Nation was second to none.

The ship that was taking her and the rest of the passengers was far more extravagant and sturdy compared to the rickety wooden ships she was accustomed to. This fine vessel could easily hold over a few hundred passengers and sailed through the water as easy as a polar bear dog ran in the thick snow of the South Pole. From the cozy room she was given to sleep, to the on-board chefs, to the intense Pai Sho matches, the weeklong journey was quite pleasant.

When the day was upon them for their arrival, Katara went to the deck of the ship with a fresh cup of Jasmine Tea to take a moment and take everything in before they docked. The breeze felt good against her face and the morning sun radiated her bronze skin.

All nerves that she dealt with right before her journey were now replaced with pure excitement. Sure, she would miss her family and friends back home, but the lure of a new beginning was super tantalizing for her and is ultimately what led her to make the decision of moving to Republic City to become the Southern Water Tribe's representative for the council.

"It's amazing isn't?" An older woman walking towards her said looking out towards the approaching Republic City.

"What do you mean by that?" Katara asked.

"I've spent my entire life in the South Pole," the woman explained now looking at her. "Sometimes, it's easy to forget there is more to this world other than the Southern Water Tribe. Don't get me wrong, I love the South Pole and always will. But this feels nice."

Katara hummed in agreement. She remembered when she was 14 and went to Ba Sing Se with Master Pakku to aid the White Lotus in liberating Ba Sing Se. As nervous as she was for the battle that was upon her, she couldn't help but drink in the scenery as much as she could. Seeing something as simple as trees and grass for the first time was a lot more amazing than Katara ever would have imagined and she was ready to experience it again.

"So why are you heading to Republic City?" Katara asked.

"Well, as you can see, I'm not exactly getting younger," the woman jokingly said while gesturing her physical features to Katara. "My husband and I want to travel and see as much as we can before either of us are too old. Now that peace has firmly been established across the nations, it seemed like the right time do something like this. Heck, we are even going to the Fire Nation eventually!" she exclaimed.

"That sounds amazing."

"It is," she said dreamily. "So what about you? I know being our representative for the council is a big opportunity for you, but I am sure it must be exciting to be working so closely with the Avatar."

"It is a great opportunity," Katara responded and took a sip of her tea. "And I am very much looking forward to working alongside the Avatar."

The Avatar. Avatar Aang.

When Katara found out from Pakku that the goofy airbending kid she found in the iceberg turned out to be the Avatar, she nearly fainted. The savior of the world was in their tiny village and her idiot brother had to assume the worst of him and banish him. Even though Katara was unaware that he was the Avatar, she knew there was something special about him.

The brief time she spent with Aang will always hold a special place in her heart. She felt this immediate connection with him and to this day has never had as much fun as she did while Penguin Sledding with him. After he left their village, Katara was extremely depressed. It felt like when he left, she was missing out on something special. When Pakku and a bunch of people from the Northern Water Tribe came to the South to help rebuild a few months later, Pakku had filled her in on everything she had missed.

Apparently, Zuko, the banished Fire Nation Prince, and his uncle, General Iroh, were able to meet with Aang after he visited the Southern Air Temple. They helped him along his journey to master the three remaining elements and recruit the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors Suki, his earthbending sifu Toph, and his waterbending sifu Kyra to help him defeat Firelord Ozai and end the 100 Year War.

After saving the Northern Water Tribe from General Zhou, Aang asked one thing in return: when they went to the South Pole to help rebuild their sister tribe, Pakku would personally ensure that Katara, the last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe, would become a master. Little did Pakku know that Katara was a prodigy and became a master faster than anyone he has ever taught. He was so impressed with her skills that he recruited her to become an honorary member of the White Lotus.

Unfortunately, Katara was never able to thank Aang in person. Since the end of the war, Aang was unable to visit the Southern Water Tribe even though his silly banishment was lifted. Katara and Aang were able to communicate here and there via letters, but more business related than personal.

She wondered how much he has changed since that fateful day 10 years ago. He is obviously a grown man and a fully realized Avatar now but would he still have the playful spirit he had when they met? Would she feel the same connection she felt all those years ago? One thing was certain, she was eager to find out.