Korra had invited me to go see Asami and Mako with her, the two of them having arranged for us all to meet up at a restaurant to eat and catch up, but I declined, reminding her that President Raiko had banned me from returning to the city and if I was caught, I'd be arrested. Korra's shoulders slumped. "Oh, right. That's too bad. Maybe I could talk to him about that, I'm sure he'll change is mind if I can just explain to him."

"You think Raiko has gotten any easier to deal with in the past three years? No, he won't risk having someone like me in his precious city. Besides if I'm recognised, I might inadvertently start a mob riot. You go have fun, tell Asami hi and that I missed her from me and that I hope we can see each other soon." I said to Korra as I saw her off at the docks.

"And Mako?" A sour and bitter taste rose to my mouth at the mention of his name and even when I pushed that aside and tried to think of something I wanted to say to Mako, I couldn't think of anything.

"I have nothing to say to Mako. Go have fun Korra, you deserve it. Bring me back a snack of something tasty. Preferably with meat in it. I forgot what it's like to live off a vegetarian diet." Joking weakly, I gave Korra a hug then sent her on a way with Naga and Fang behind me. "Well guys, guess it's just the three of us." Pabu chirped indignantly as he scuttled up my leg, around my body then curled around my neck, squeaking at me in protest. "Four of us, sorry Pabu. Come on, I've missed this place. Let's walk around the island for a while." And I was true, I had missed being here.

The peaceful walks and the tress whilst you could hear the lulling sound of the ocean no matter where you went. The temple hadn't changed all that much, except for having become livelier with the air benders that continually passed through on their journeys to help the world. I ended up in the meditation pavilion where I sat down for a while in order to rest and meditate. "You guys can go play if you want, I'm going to stay here for a while. Naga, would you take care of Fang for me? Show him around for a bit. Good girl." I rubbed Naga's head then did the same for Fang who licked my cheek lightly before the two of them dashed off in order to play and run.

Pabu stayed with me, chirping curiously as he climbed up onto my head then scampered down into my lap as I took up the lotus position to meditate, the fire ferret rather cutely curling up in my lap in order to take a nap as I breathed deeply. It was easy for me to fall into a trance now, and sometimes I even visited the Spirit World in order to explore. On several occasions I'd met Iroh, the original Iroh, where he'd share tea with me and I'd ask him all about his life. Now that had been a guy who had received true enlightenment, and he told me the secret to attaining the same was good tea. I think he meant it as a joke, since he'd laughed afterwards. I liked Iroh and I told him about his family, Zuko, Izumi and his great-great nephew, who had been named after him. Iroh had been glad to hear about his family and was thankfully when I told him about my operation to heal Zuko after he'd been impaled repeatedly.

All in all, I found a great deal of peace in the Spirit World, I could understand why Iroh chose to live there in the end. Some time passed with me meditating whilst Pabu slept in my lap until I began to sense people approaching, and it didn't take me long to recognise President Raiko's voice. "So the rumours were true, the blood bender is back. Chief Beifong! Arrest that girl immediately." He ordered as I began to rise from my meditation, hand moving to brush against Pabu to wake him up so I could move.

"What is the meaning of this?" Hearing my uncle's voice as I started to get up and turn around, Tenzin breezed onto the scene as President Raiko, Lin and several other police officers walked towards the meditation pavilion. "President Raiko, why are you here with Lin? What's going on?"

"Stay out of this Tenzin. We're here to arrest a criminal." Raiko pointed at me, making me start as Pabu hissed at the guy before racing up my arm and standing across my shoulders with a squeak. "She is a blood bender, and you know our laws. I warned you that if this girl was ever to show her face in my city again, she would be arrested."

"That's preposterous!" My uncle defended me, making me stare at him in surprise. What was he doing? Three years ago he shared the same opinion as Lin, now he was trying to protect me? What's with this guy? "My niece is not a criminal and you have no right to arrest her for a crime she has not even committed. Kanna has every right to be here on this island, here is her home, and you do not have authority here, Raiko." Raiko's eyes narrowed dangerously, clearly unhappy at being refused. Did Tenzin really mean what he said? That the temple was my home?

"Don't make this hard for yourself Tenzin, we're taking the blood bender no matter what. Don't make me have Beifong arrest you for obstruction of justice." Tenzin seemed to stiffen then, turning his head slightly as if to listen for me before he then dropped into an air bending stance.

"I will not attack first, but if you move to take my niece then I will view it as an attack on my family and I will protect her at any cost. You cannot take her from here. Lin, you must know that this is nonsense!"

"I know Tenzin, I agree this is a waste of time but I'm just following orders." Lin said before she looked at me. "I'm sorry kid, but don't worry. I'll have you out as soon as we've cleaned up the misunderstandings. It'll only be for a few days at most, I promise." Lin said to me, clearly stating that she was on my side this time. What is wrong with these people?! Three years ago they looked at me like I was some kind of freak, now they were trying to defend me? Make up your damn minds!

"I'm not going." I announced firmly, sensing Fang and Naga coming towards us from behind me and when two of the police officers moved forwards to take me, both of them appeared with a snarl, baring their teeth which made President Raiko yelp fearfully and back off. "President Raiko, it's true I'm a blood bender, so by your logic, even if I haven't blood bended anyone in Republic City, I should be arrested?" I asked him, thinking things through calmly and logically.

"Yes! Exactly, now we're starting to hear some sense. Beifong, take her!" Holding up my hand, Lin stopped moving and ordered her men to stand down as well, wanting to hear what else I had to say.

"So with your logic, then you should go to the South Pole and arrest my grandmother, who is also a blood bender." This made Raiko gawk, staring at me in confusion before he recovered, Naga and Fang still growling beside me. "Fang, Naga. Calm down." I told them both so they stopped, looking at me before they both sat down either side of me, eyeing Raiko warily.

"That's ridiculous, why would I arrest the esteemed Katara? She is not a blood bender!"

"But she is. My grandmother was taught how to blood bend by a water bender in the Fire Nation when she was travelling with my grandfather at the time. She used it then to save my grandfather and great uncle from hurting each other. So, according to your logic, a blood bender who does not blood bend still deserves to be arrested? When will you be sending Chief Beifong to arrest my grandmother? I'm sure the press will have a field day with all this, I can already see the headlines." Lifting up my hands, I stretched them out to signify a title. "Raiko arrests Master Water Bender Katara, for the crime of being a blood bender." Raiko grit his teeth, glowering at me darkly. "So, are you sure you want to dance this tune with me, Mr President? Because three years is a long time to train and hone my skills. I bet I could take you all on without even needing to water bend at you all."

For a while there was a stony silence, Raiko weighing his options until Tenzin moved towards me, once more standing in the way so that Lin and the other cops would have to go through him in order to get to me. "That is the deal, Raiko. If you take Kanna, you'll be facing me as well as the entire Southern Water Tribe, and most likely the Fire Nation as well since my niece bravely saved both the Fire Lord and Lord Zuko's life. Do you really want to compete with us all over this when we have other pressing matters at hand?" Finally deciding that it wasn't worth the fight for now, Raiko started to pull away but stopped to point at me in warning.

"If you put one foot on Republic City soil, you'll be arrested on sight and I'll make sure scum like you never sees the light of day again. Stay here on your little island, but if you ever leave and I find you in my city, you'll face the full force of the law!" He vowed, making Naga and Fang growl at him threateningly once more. Seeing their teeth bared at him, Raiko quickly left with his protection detail, leaving only Lin behind.

"I'm sorry about all this Tenzin. I tried to tell him he was being a fool but the guy never listens." Lin said to my uncle before looking up at me. "Glad you're alright kid. You really grew up in the last three years. You're what, twenty one now?"

"Twenty two." I corrected naturally, though I'd now lost my confidence and had withdrawn back into myself, holding Pabu as a means of comfort as he squeaked at me worriedly. "Good to see you Lin. Thanks for sticking up for me, I know…you don't exactly approve."

"Hey, I realised soon after that fiasco that I was a little too harsh on you. Can't exactly help it, subtly isn't my strong suit, but I apologise for that." Lin said to me and I couldn't help but smile at her as she gave me a somewhat understanding look. "But unfortunately, I'll have to follow the president's order if you come back to the city, so just watch yourself. We'll find a way to smooth things over with him." She started to turn away but stopped, looking like she just remembered something. "Oh and, good job with the earth kingdom and Red Lotus. You should have seen your uncle's face when he received the news. He was very proud of you." She told me, making me look at Tenzin with surprise as he sighed.

"Thank you Lin." Giving a flick of her hand like a dismissal, Lin followed after Raiko, leaving me with Tenzin. At first I didn't know what to say, but when he turned around to face me, he came towards the meditation pavilion with the intent to talk, so this time I didn't make excuses and run away. I stayed put, setting Pabu down on Naga as Fang began to growl.

"It's fine Fang. I'm alright." I promised him so he huffed but nuzzled at my hair before getting up and moving away, Naga doing the same after she licked my shoulder. Pulling myself upright, I stood in front of Tenzin and gradually lifted my eyes to meet his, worrying deeply over what his expression would be like, but when I found him looking at me with a mixture of regret, relief, happiness and several other emotions which caused tears to gather at the corner of his eyes, I blinked at him.

"Lin's right, you really have grown up." Tenzin began so I looked down over myself. Although before I had been wearing earth kingdom clothing in order to blend in, I'd switched back to my traditional water tribe style clothing since I was now back. It was a completely new outfit since I'd actually grown out of my old clothes. I wore navy blue pants with knee high boots that where a closer fit than my old ones, as they weren't thick and lined with fur. These ones laced up and they were more modern rather than traditional, as I had blended the different styles of my tribe with that of the modern age.

The rest of my outfit now consisted of a halter neck dress with an open keyhole in the middle of my chest, showing part of the dark blue chest band underneath as the material shaped to my body but then separated at my hips under the tribal belt, where the material separated into two parts with big open slits to reveal my legs and boots, the main bulk of it flowing behind me until about a few inches above my ankles, the other piece hanging directly in front of me. This was a light blue with white accents, the hems and neckline also rimmed with a darker blue. My shoulders were completely exposed, showing the feminine shape of slender yet toned arms which I wore dark blue wraps around my forearms like a Water Tribe warrior.

My hair hadn't changed much, I still wore it down and one side was adorned with several braids, each one decorated with beads and clasps, though it was now even longer than before, reaching the base of my spine having grown the past three years. The only difference was that I now had two hair loops just like my grandmother, a kind of way of showing my reverence towards her and the loops curled just below my ear before joining at the back of my head into the twist I wore to keep my hair from blowing across my face. I guess I did look different than before, I just hadn't really taken any notice.

"That tends to happen after three years away." I didn't mean for it to sound like a jab, but I guess Tenzin thought I was blaming him since he flinched slightly.

"I know that things were difficult the last time we were together, but you shouldn't have run away from your family, and leaving without saying goodbye…" Finding myself growing annoyed, I folded my arms at Tenzin with a glare.

"Really? Tenzin? You're going to berate me for that right now? If you didn't want me to run away, then maybe you shouldn't have made it seem like you didn't want me around anymore. Maybe you shouldn't have looked at me like I was some kind of monster, because honestly, that's what you guys all made me feel like." Tenzin clamped his mouth shut as I angrily cut across him, lowering his head slightly as if with shame.

"You're right, I'm sorry. It's just…I was so worried about you, Kanna. I didn't know where you'd gone or if you were safe, when I heard what happened with those gang members who attacked you, I almost went out of my mind, then Lin tried to bring you in but you ran away again…"

"She tried to arrest me."

"Yes, but it was just a misunderstanding…"

"She didn't even ask. She just assumed I'd blood bended those guys, like I'd suddenly become addicted to it and now that's all I'll ever do. Admit it, Tenzin, back then, you were afraid of me. Me. Kanna, your niece, the one who helped tuck your kids in at night and read them stories, who helped deliver your son Rohan into the world, who looked after Pema when you were away and protected our family when we were all in danger." I was getting increasingly frustrated and upset, starting to cry as the build up of my emotions started to cause me to waver and crumble. "Admit you were afraid of me!"

"I was." Tenzin finally said, making me stop and just look at him incredulously. "I was afraid of you Kanna, even though I knew I shouldn't have been. I allowed my prejudice against blood bending taint my view of you, and I cannot apologise enough. I should have trusted you more, should have reminded myself that you weren't just anyone with an ability, you were my niece. My family. Kanna, I am so very sorry. For everything." Biting down on my teeth, I closed my eyes and cried a little more, still feeling rotten and empty inside. It was kind of even worse hearing the truth that my uncle had feared me three years ago. It really sucked. "But your home now, and that's all that matters. I promise I won't let Raiko or anyone else take you away, I'll make up for everything."

"You think it's going to be that easy?" I demanded, shaking my head and stepping back when Tenzin reached out for me. "That you can just say you're sorry and everything's suddenly going to be okay? You hurt me, Tenzin. How could you ever think that I'd suddenly become dangerous just because I can blood bend? I've done nothing but prove that blood bending is a life saving skill, hundreds of people have seen me use it to heal over the last three years, but you just naturally assumed I would use it against people. I can't believe you would think that about me, not when I…" I choked then, my words starting to get away from me but I continued all the same, knowing that I had to get all of this off my chest. "Not when I thought of you as a father, and I viewed myself as one of your kids with the way you brought me into your home and treated me like one of your own. Do you know how much that cripples me? You and Bumi were all I had left after dad died, but then you turned your back on me."

"Kanna…"

"No, save it! You've made it clear how you feel. I guess all I was to you was just some brat who barged in on your life and just made things difficult with Korra. You know I heard you talking to Pema a long time ago after Korra and I first arrived, I heard you say to her that you wished both of us would go back to the South Pole because you didn't want your family being disturbed? I heard that. I never told Korra, but I heard it." Tenzin looked more ashamed than ever as I flung myself around and started to walk away. "I'll help deal with the Kuvira situation, then I'll leave you alone like you want. You won't ever have to see me again."

"That's not what I want at all Kanna, please don't walk away! Kanna!" But I did, and Tenzin didn't chase after me. I'm kinda glad he didn't, otherwise I might have lashed out at him more and I didn't want that. Instead I went to where Naga, Pabu and Fang were waiting for me as I gripped my face in my hands.

"Why is my family so damn complicated?" I exhaled as all three of them started to nuzzle and lick me, desperately trying to make me feel better and with them being so affectionate and loving, I couldn't help but gradually feel my smile returning. "Thanks guys, what would I do without you?" The all wagged their tails at me in response.