A blast of icy cold water splashed Katara in the face. She stood still for a moment, water dripping from her hair and face as she realized what had just happened. Somewhere, she heard a cheer.
"Hah! I got you."
"Nice job, Humara," Katara said with a genuine laugh as she bent away the water on her. "That was really good!" The young water bender bowed; a huge smile spread over her face.
"Thank you, Master Katara."
Katara bowed back. "Perhaps next time you'll be able to knock me over."
Humara chuckled, "Oh, I doubt that."
"See you tomorrow." Katara watched the young girl nod and walk away, a slight pep in her step.
After bending the snowy training area back to how it'd been, she started the path back home. As she walked, she looked around, admiring the large buildings of her village. The growth the Southern Water Tribe had had since the war still astounded her sometimes. Most of the time she had grown up here, there had been maybe twenty people. They'd grown to nearly three times that now. Even more when groups from the Northern Tribe visited. And there were actual streets, and buildings that served as something other than a house. They had a healing tent, a larger building used for meetings and a large area used for training warriors and water benders. And, remembered Katara as she walked past it, a very nice watch tower. Nothing here was yet to the level of the Northern Tribe, but the growth still amazed her.
She reached the entrance to her family's house. It was the only two-story home in the tribe. Katara entered and saw her dad and Pakku kneeling at the large dining table eating dinner. Her grandmother was standing at the stove, stirring a pot of delicious smelling soup. Katara tugged her furs off and hung them on a hook, slipping her boots off at the same time.
"Hey, sis! You're back." Katara turned to see Sokka coming in from the living room. Since the war, he had grown at least four inches and was considerably more filled out than he had been. The chiseling of cheekbones was noticeable now on his face. "Look who made it!"
Another person entered the room, holding Sokka's arm. Though she was still small standing next to Sokka, she was taller since the last time Katara had seen her, and her face had thinned out, giving her a more mature look. The blue furs she was wrapped in looked strange, but her usual green clothes peeked out from around her collar. And, unlike usual, she was wearing shoes.
"Toph," Katara said smiling. She walked towards her friend and wrapped her in a tight hug. "It is so good to see you!"
"Oof, hey Katara," she said, returning Katara's hug for a moment before letting go. "Let me tell you, I am not a fan of this place. How can anyone live in this cold? And don't get me started on the snow and ice! I can't see a single thing."
Katara laughed. "I'm sorry. Hopefully, you won't have to stay too long. Aang is supposed to be here tomorrow, I think."
Neither Sokka or Toph said anything, and Katara knew what they must be thinking. "It's okay to talk about Aang guys. Everything that happened between us was a long time ago. We are good friends now."
"Really? I thought you hadn't seen him since you…ya know…" Sokka started.
"Ended things with him?" Katara said. Neither Toph nor Sokka said anything again. Katara's smile fell slightly as she remembered the conversation she'd had with Aang. It'd been two years, but she remembered every word as if it'd been yesterday.
"What are you saying Katara?" She had tried to spare his feelings, but despite the kind way she'd phrased it, there were tears in his eyes.
"I just don't think it's working, Aang. I mean, do you think it is?" The only sound for a moment was the campfire flickering and crackling between them. Aang looked down, a defeated look on his face. Though the war had matured him, Katara felt like she'd only just now fully realized how young he really was. This wasn't the time of his life where he should have a full-blown relationship.
Aang spoke softly. "I mean, things haven't been how I thought they would be. I guess I thought you'd be …I don't know…happier." Katara looked down at that. Because it was true. She wasn't happy. And she'd been trying so hard to be for a year and a half. Aang spoke again, his voice suddenly hopeful. "Are you homesick? We can go to the South Pole if you want!"
Katara didn't look up. Her voice broke when she spoke. "I'm not doing this because I'm homesick, Aang. And I'm not mad that we haven't been there. I know there hasn't been time." For a year and a half, they'd been flying around the world non-stop. Aang always had celebrations thrown in his honor that they had to attend, or councils with town leaders about spirit world issues, or any number of other things. And when they weren't doing things like that, they were flying between air temples trying to rebuild the air nomad culture among the small groups of people now living at some of the temples. This included training a young toddler that had shown promising signs of being an airbender. It was exhausting.
"Is it because you don't love me?"
"No!" Katara said quickly, tears threatening behind her own eyes now. "If anything, it's because I love you too much."
Katara saw Aang was now utterly confused. His words were angry. "Then why aren't you happy? Why are you doing this?"
"Because I think I just need to do something on my own for a while. Be my own person." She paused, knowing she wasn't explaining herself well. She took a deep breath before starting again. "I hate seeing you hurt, Aang. And when we were there, at Ember Island, after the play, you were hurting. And it was my fault. So I kissed you. Because I knew it would make you happy." Tears were streaming down her face now. She was finally saying everything she'd realized in the last few days. "I loved you. I knew it wasn't the same love you felt for me, but I never admitted that to myself. Because I loved seeing you so happy. And after you defeated Ozai, I convinced myself that I could love you the same way. And I've been trying. Ever since then I've been trying. But…" Katara was breathless now, her tears flowing freely as she tried to get enough air. Her face fell to her hands and her shoulders shook with quiet, almost silent, sobs.
Aang had been staring at her with wide eyes while she'd explained herself, a look of shock and hurt on his face. But when she'd run out of breath, his expression shifted to worry and concern. She heard him stand up, walk around the fire, and sit down on the ground next to her. His arm wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her close. She kept her face down while she wiped her eyes, taking a shaky, but calming, breath. After a moment, she let her head fall against his shoulder.
"I should've known," he said sadly.
"No," Katara replied softly. "You couldn't have." They sat like that for a while, quietly watching the fire. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was making the right choice.
Katara brought her mind back to the present. Sokka was staring at her. And even though Toph couldn't see, Katara felt like she was too.
She spoke again. "Well, you'd be right. I haven't seen him since then. But we ended everything on good terms. For the most part. It was hard, but good. And besides, it's like I said. It's been two years since then."
"If you say so, Sugar Queen," said Toph. Katara smiled at her old nickname. "All I know is he's basically been in love with you since before I even met you guys. And it was hard for you after you ended it. It must have been hell for him."
Katara had almost forgot Toph was the first person she'd seen after it all. She'd insisted Aang fly her to Ba Sing Se instead of making the long trip to the South Pole. Helping Toph with her school had taken Katara's mind off things, but she'd still been sad. Not because she regretted anything, but because she'd been traveling with Aang for so long that it was hard to not be anymore.
Spending the last two years training water benders from the Northern Water Tribe had been extremely fulfilling though. She was completely happy. Living at home with her dad, grandmother, Sokka, and even Suki now was amazing. But maybe Toph was right. Maybe Aang was still sad about it? Katara had had no contact with him for so long. What would he even be like now? Ugh. She was suddenly nervous about seeing him again.
Not to mention the other person they'd received word was arriving tomorrow also. It'd been nearly three and a half years since she'd seen Zuko. She almost couldn't believe it. She hadn't allowed herself to think about him after the war. She'd been so determined to be the person Aang wanted. To keep him happy. Sometimes, her conversation with Zuko on the balcony would flit into her mind. But she'd always pushed it away, not allowing herself to feel sad at how they'd parted.
Eventually, desperation for some version of her own kind of freedom had become all she thought about. After she'd realized she should leave Aang, that was all that filled her head. Nothing else stole her focus for a long time.
Once she'd come home though, she had, admittedly, thought about Zuko once or twice. How he was doing. What his life was like. She'd even considered writing him. But it'd been years since then. And she knew that if he ever thought about her, it was probably only ever in anger.
So, she put all her energy into the waterbending school. Focusing on building something like that took a lot of her time and attention.
Sokka's voice broke her out of her reverie. "Hey, did Aang, by any chance, tell you what this meeting was all about?" he asked Toph. They had gone to kneel down at the table next to Katara's dad. "His letter to us was extremely vague."
"Nope," replied Toph. "All he asked was if I'd be willing to come down here for it. And now I'm wondering why I ever said yes."
Everyone laughed at this. Katara went to sit down too, watching her grandmother serve everyone a big bowl of sea prune soup.
. . .
Katara woke up with a groan, rubbing her stiff neck as she sat up. Sprits. She'd fallen asleep on the ground next to the fireplace again. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and stared at the orange, glowing coals of the fire they'd had last night. She stood, reaching her arms up in a stretch.
Out the window she could see the first light of morning. It must be early. By the looks of it, everyone was still upstairs asleep. She hoped Toph had slept okay.
Katara walked out the door and smiled at the crunch of snow under her boots. That sound would never not be comforting. She breathed in the crisp, cold morning air and let it wake her up more as she started the familiar path towards town.
Before she got too far, a deep and familiar roar made Katara gasp and whip back around. Appa! She couldn't help but laugh. How had she not seen him? The giant flying bison was curled up against their house, and the house was barely taller than him. They must have gotten here during the night. She walked towards him and stroked the fur on his face. He closed his eyes at her familiar touch.
Katara walked to the back of Appa and smiled when she saw Aang. He was lying stretched out and fast asleep on Appa's tail, his arms behind his head and his feet crossed. He looked taller.
Feeling weird for staring, she walked back around to Appa's front and then through the front entrance of her house. Gran-Gran and Pakku had come down and started breakfast. They looked up when she came in.
"Katara," said Pakku happily. "Where were you off this morning?"
"I just went for a walk," she replied. "It looks like Aang got here last night."
"I saw that," laughed Gran-Gran, before they all turned towards the stairs. Sokka's footsteps and yawns could be heard coming down to the kitchen.
"Good morning, everybody!" he said loudly, kneeling at the table. "What is for breakfast?" Katara laughed at her brother's predictable question. He was never going to change. Gran-Gran laughed too, before walking over and placing a plate of food in front of Sokka. His mouth opened and his eyes widened.
"Gran-Gran, this looks delicious! Why are you so amaz—Aang!"
Katara whipped around. Aang's head was peeking through the entrance to their home. He must've woken up. He smiled when Sokka noticed him and walked in. He stood holding his staff behind his back. He really was taller. Tall and lean. Katara had to look up at him now.
"Hey, guys," he said, waving awkwardly. His voice was deeper too. "Sorry, I didn't mean to barge in."
"Aang," said Katara, walking to give him a hug. She heard Sokka, Gran-Gran and Pakku coming to greet him too.
"Hey, Katara." They hugged in a friendly way, and he pulled away after a quick moment.
"How are you buddy?!" Sokka said, hugging him tightly and thunking him hard on the back. "It's so good to see you!"
"Avatar Aang," said Gran-Gran bowing. "It's an honor to have you here in the South Pole. You are always welcome to stay in our home."
"Thank you," Aang said returning the bow. "That means so much. It is so good to see you again."
The group of them stood and talked for a moment, catching up. Aang greeted Master Pakku respectfully. Eventually Toph, Suki and Katara's dad came down too. They greeted him with equal enthusiasm, hugging him and asking how his journey had been. Aang seemed very happy at the welcome he was receiving and responded kindly to all their questions.
Slowly, they all made their way to the table and sat to eat breakfast. Luckily, Gran-Gran always made extra food. Their mingled conversations continued easily. Katara didn't add much to any of the conversations happening around her but enjoyed listening to the others catch up with each other and talk of what'd they'd been doing since the war. She sighed and smiled. It was so nice to have everyone together again.
Katara was also relieved that Aang seemed completely friendly with her. She must've been worried for nothing. Of course he would've moved on too. Now they could interact as perfect friends.
. . .
That afternoon, Katara walked through the entrance of their tribes large meeting house. It was one of the largest buildings in their village, with a single room and one large table. Usually her dad used it to meet with other leaders in the tribe. When she entered, she saw everyone had mostly already gathered. Aang was sitting cross-legged at the head of the table, laughing with everyone else at a joke Sokka must've just told.
"His ship just pulled in," Katara announced loudly. She'd seen the large black ship anchor not far from the shore of their tribe as she'd been walking to the meeting house. It was a small ship, but extremely noticeable. A lot of people in town had looked up at it in wonder. Some who had never left the South Pole seemed frightened, even now, at the large, red Fire Nation insignia emblazoned on the hull. As she'd walked through the streets, she noticed people whispering and murmuring to each other, pointing to the ship.
"Right on time," said Sokka smiling and standing up. "I can't wait to see that old jerkbender again." Everyone else stood at Katara's words too and they all made their way to greet Zuko.
When they got to the ship, two fire nation guards were already making their way off the ship. Katara saw her dad and Bato had already come to greet Zuko as well. Once the two guards had stepped onto the ground, they stopped and stood at attention.
And then Katara saw him. Zuko was slowly making his way down the gangway. Her first thought was that he looked so much…older. He was wearing royal Fire Nation clothes, but they weren't long robes. They were simple. Not flashy. Almost the kind of clothes Katara remembered him wearing while they'd all camped together, just nicer. That time seemed so long ago now. The Fire Lord crown rested comfortably in his hair.
He was also broader than Katara remembered him. His face was very much the same, but his shoulders and arms were a little fuller. She took a closer look at him. Tiredness was etched on every feature of his face. Spirits. What was he doing that was exhausting him so much? The look didn't suit him well.
Katara looked around, a lot of people in the tribe had come to see what was going on now too. Some who hadn't known Aang had come were pointing at him and whispering. Others were still straining their necks to see if the Fire Lord really had come. Suddenly, Katara felt bad for Zuko. And even Aang. Poor guys couldn't go anywhere without a big hassle or commotion. It must be a hard way to live. Of course, people around the world knew her name too. Katara had learned that from her time traveling with Aang. People knew all their names. Toph, Sokka, and even Suki. But it wasn't on the same level as it was for Zuko or Aang.
She turned back to Zuko's ship. He was in the middle of greeting Katara's dad.
Zuko bowed low to him and Katara heard her dad speak. "Welcome to the Southern Water Tribe, Fire Lord Zuko."
Zuko lifted himself out of his bow and replied. "It is an honor to be here, Chief Hakoda." Katara smiled, suddenly remembering Zuko's last visit to the Southern Water Tribe over four years ago. Zuko had had a ponytail. How different the world had been. She looked over to Sokka and saw that he was struggling to hold back a laugh. Clearly, he was reliving the same memory. He looked up and met Katara's eye. Spirits, he looked like he was about to completely lose it. His shoulders had started shaking with quiet laughter. He pointed to the boomerang on his back and raised his eyebrows as if asking Katara a question. His smile was mischievous.
She knew what he was asking and responded by smiling and shaking her head, hardly believing her brother was almost twenty. Katara turned to face Zuko again. Most of their tribe had gone back to their business in town, but the gang had approached Zuko now. Zuko and Aang shook hands and Sokka thumped him hard on the back, just like he did with everyone.
Katara walked up slowly to join the group. Zuko was in a conversation with Toph, whose back was to Katara, when he saw her. His shoulders relaxed and half his mouth lifted into a small smile as he looked at her. Really looked at her. Katara's heart fluttered under his gaze and she felt her breath quicken.
Spirits. Three and a half years since she'd seen him, and she suddenly felt fourteen again. How did he manage to do this to her?
Katara collected herself as she reached the group. He nodded at her, still smiling. "Katara, how are you?"
"I'm good," she said, returning his smile. "It's really nice to see you again." His smile grew at that, but their conversation was quickly broken by Sokka.
"Alright, Aang. What's going on in that hairless head of yours that you called us all here? You'd better explain yourself."
"I'll say," add Toph. "This meeting better be good, Twinkle-Toes." They all laughed and started for the meeting house.
When they made it to the large room, Aang went to stand at the head of the table and the others filed in and knelt around the other sides of the table. Katara's heart fluttered again when she realized Zuko was sitting across from her. Stop it, she told herself, shaking her head. Get a grip. Spirits, what was wrong with her?
The conversation dwindled down and they all turned to look at Aang expectantly. Aang had his back to them but turned around at the sudden silence.
Katara thought he looked nervous. "I'm so glad you were all able to come. I didn't want this meeting to be a big deal, but I realize it probably interrupted everyone's busy lives, so I'm grateful you all came. Especially if it was a long journey." Here he looked at Toph and Zuko. "And…uh…well…" he stammered. Then, he took a deep breath, seemingly collecting his thoughts.
He sat down crossed legged and sighed. The tension leaving his body as he spoke calmly. "Over the last few years, I've noticed there are still lingering problems from the war. Problems I can't fix alone. When I remember life before the war, I remember a peaceful world. It was happy. People respected each other. But it was also very much separate. The nations didn't interact much except for political reasons. Whenever I would visit somewhere, it was only because the monks needed to visit the nation's leaders. Since the war, we've basically returned to that. There's peace, but we're divided still. Maybe even more so than we were before."
"Isn't that how it's supposed to be though?" remarked Suki. "Four separate nations, but all working together and living in harmony?"
"But that's just it," replied Aang. "I don't think we are living in harmony. Maybe there's harmony between the leaders of the nations, but there isn't any among the people." He paused. "In most villages I visit, people still hold deep anger and hatred for the Fire Nation," he said, trying to help everyone understand.
He stood again and began pacing, speaking more urgently. "As the avatar, it's been my duty to learn and study not only the different bending styles, but also the cultures and traditions and beliefs of all of the different nations. I know better than anyone, just how separate the nations really are. Most waterbenders still find earth benders strange and different. And, like I said, most people from the earth kingdom think all people from the Fire Nation are evil and power hungry. People should have a better understanding of cultures other than their own, but they don't. Not to mention the animosity that still lingers."
Everyone looked at him curiously. Katara watched him intently, trying to understand what he was saying.
He continued. "I want to create a world where people don't just respect customs and traditions different from their own, but welcome them and encourage them. I don't just want harmony. Harmony implies separation, even if the end result is peace. I think there can be true friendship and…oneness, between the people of this world."
Aang stopped pacing and turned to them, looking to see their reactions. Everyone was silent for moment, letting his words soak in. Toph was the first to speak.
"I think that makes sense, Aang. But… how do you want to do that exactly?"
Here Katara saw him get shy again. He sat back down, not looking at them. "I'm not really sure. I have a big idea. But it's crazy. And it would take years of work and effort on my part as well as from the leaders of the four nations." He glanced at Zuko. Katara looked at Zuko too. His eyebrows were knit, and Katara could tell his mind was working to understand what Aang was saying.
"What's your idea?" Katara asked simply, turning back to Aang.
Aang hesitated a moment before speaking but gradually lit up as he explained it. "I think there should be place for people to come and live together, no matter where they are from. A city maybe. That doesn't belong to any one nation. It wouldn't matter what kind of bender you are, or if you're a nonbender even. Just a place that could serve as the capital of the world almost. People could live around people from opposite sides of the world then them, with totally different backgorunds. Cultures and traditions would mix, and people would learn to love people who are different from them. And at this city, they'd all be equal, because it's not a part of any one nation."
People's eyes had widened while he spoke. That sounded crazy.
"I know it sounds crazy. And I know that would take years of hard work. And it's not like people would jump on the idea. They all feel safe in their own countries surrounded by people like them. Which is why I think we need to start smaller. Figure out an easier way, maybe, to help unify people." A beat passed. "But I haven't been able to come up with any ideas."
"Which is why you asked us here," said Zuko, speaking for the first time. "And you haven't brought this up to the Earth King and the Water Tribe Chiefs yet…" Aang nodded. "Because you're worried it sounds crazy." Aang's face fell.
"Don't worry, Aang. I actually don't think it's crazy." Aang looked up again. "I think it's brilliant."
At these words, everyone turned to look at Zuko, surprised at his words.
"Hold on," said Sokka loudly, his voice serious. He didn't seem to like where this was headed. "Isn't there something to be said for maintaining the unique cultures of the four nations? Wouldn't something special be lost if we mixed everybody together?"
"That's just it Sokka," said Aang. "I don't think we could ever or would ever lose that. A lot of people are proud of where they come from and would never want to lose that. All I'm saying is we should try to generate more respect and understanding for each other, and we can't do that if people never see people from a different nation. Or if people never even learn about other cultures. I've met young children from Earth Kingdom villages who don't even know that air benders ever existed. Or even know that there are waterbenders!"
"Seriously?" asked Suki, surprised at this information. Aang nodded. "Wow," she mouthed quietly.
"Okay," said Sokka. "So, some tiny Earth Kingdom villages need to update their school curriculum. Easy enough."
"I want to do more than that though, Sokka!" said Aang earnestly.
Sokka scoffed. "I just don't think we'd be able to get the Earth King and the Water Tribe chiefs on board with building a whole new city separate from them! They're too proud of their own cultures."
Katara spoke sharply. "We know that, Sokka. Which is why Aang called us together. We need to come up with ideas of ways to start smaller than that. To start the process without them." She turned to Aang. "I think you're right Aang. This could be exactly what the world needs after fighting for a hundred years."
Silence followed Katara's words. Sokka looked annoyed and Aang still slightly defeated. But she could tell Zuko, Toph and Suki were working hard to think of something. After a few more moments of awkward quiet, Toph spoke.
"I think you need to start with the benders."
A beat passed and everyone turned to look at her in confusion. Except Zuko.
"Of course," Katara heard him say under his breath. Then he spoke louder. "That's genius, Toph." He stood up, pacing in the same way Aang had. "My uncle always said that to become a good firebender, you need to look beyond just firebending. He discovered how to redirect lightning by studying waterbenders. And he taught me how to use my breath to stay warm, a trick he learned from airbenders." Everyone was looking at him now, understanding dawning on their faces. Katara was smiling. "My uncle is the best firebender I know, and I'm sure it's because he picked up on things like this."
"Exactly," said Toph. "Bending is the central part of each nation's culture. If people learn some bending from different sources than just their own, all that harmony, understanding and respect hoohah you were talking about is bound to happen."
Aang's smile had grown and spread across his face. "Of course! How did I not think of that?"
"Yeah, honestly," said Toph. "I mean, you are the avatar." Everyone laughed.
Aang stood too, excitement evident on his face and in his hurried movements. "So how should we do this then? Should I start going around and teaching people different bending forms?"
"Of course not," said Katara simply. "You'd be flying all over the place. I think we should start at the schools. Aang you could visit Toph's earthbending school in Ba Sing Se and start showing the student's there some airbending forms. Or even water and firebending forms. It's the biggest bending school in the Earth Kingdom." Toph blushed at the last comment.
"That's perfect Katara!" said Aang, practically jumping now, his mind racing with the possibilities. "Would that work, Toph?"
"Definitely!" she said enthusiastically.
"And Zuko or someone could stay here and teach at the waterbending school!" Suki added. Katara's heart skipped a beat.
Zuko shook his head. "I wish I could, but I'm too busy. I could never spare the time." He sounded genuinely disappointed.
Sokka was the surprisingly the one to come up with the solution. "Well that's an easy fix. Katara could leave with you and go back to the Fire Nation. Though she won't admit it, she's the best water bender from either of the tribes. Is there a jerkbending school in the Fire Nation she could teach at?" Everyone chuckled.
"Yes of course. The biggest one is right in the capital. She could stay at the palace," Zuko offered. "If you wanted to, I mean," he added, looking to Katara.
"Perfect!" said Sokka.
Katara smiled kindly at Sokka. "You sound like you want to get rid of me."
"Not get rid of you, Katara. I can just tell you've gotten bored being here." Katara felt everyone looking at her. She was not ready to think about whether or not Sokka was right. She smiled and met Zuko's eyes when she spoke.
"Of course, I'll come."
Katara chuckled when Aang jumped up and pumped a fist, landing softer than a regular person would. "Yes! I can't tell you how much this means guys. This is going to be so great. I can feel it."
"If you say so," said Sokka.
Katara turned and stole a glance at Zuko. He was smiling and looking at Aang also. She thought he looked less exhausted than when he'd stepped off the ship and she wondered how that could be. For what felt like the hundredth time, she felt her heart speed up while she watched him. She was going to go back to the Fire Nation with him. Spirits. How had this all happened so quickly?
On the upside, he didn't seem to hate her. Which Katara thought he'd be justified if he did because of how she'd handled everything three and a half years ago in Ba Sing Se. But maybe that was it. It'd been three and a half years. He had moved on. Zuko couldn't still maybe have feelings for her? Right? Did she maybe…want him to?
And then she answered her own question. As far as she knew, he was still with Mai. So that would mean he definitely didn't have any feelings for her. Not to mention the fact that neither of them had reached out to each other once since the war. There was nothing between them that was out of the ordinary. So Katara would have to control herself while she was there. She would never survive if her stupid stomach kept dropping down to her feet every time he looked at her.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. What was wrong with her?
A/N Sorry for the slight delay in posting. And I'm also sorry that not much juicy stuff happens in this chapter. But I promise that this story is coming to a close quicker than it seems :) Thanks for all of the reviews! I love reading your thoughts about about how you think it's going. I had no idea how much I loved writing until I started this, so thanks for reading guys!