Summary:
Sokka meets a new enemy-turned-friend in martial arts class, and makes him realize the true importance of being a warrior.
Katara and Aang explores Republic City High's library. The airbender seems to be terrified of the librarian.
Meanwhile, a strange darkness lurks from within the United Republic.
A/N: Apologies for the long wait! This chapter was meant to be something entirely different but I scrapped the idea at the last minute, and have to rewrite a significant portion of it. I was also having a 'writer's block' as I'm starting to think too much about the whole fic's plot lol
But HUGE thanks to the comments, reviews, and kudos! This is the very first fanfiction that I've actually dedicated time to write and it has been heartwarming to see your support. Again, thanks!
Moving on, I have this headcannon on my mind that spirits can take form as humans when they chose to do so. Those who have strong spiritual connections (like Aang) can see their true form, though. Cool stuff ensues.
The usual disclaimer: AtLA is awesome, I don't own it, rights go to the awesome people behind it, and it's really awesome.
On with the story!
Somewhere in the shadows, a new kind of darkness is rising.
The darkness asked, "How is the United Republic elections going?"
"Another one of our puppets is taking a seat."
It smiled, "Perfect."
"Our allegiance is all to you, our Fire Lord."
SOKKA
His favorite time of the day is here, martial arts class. While his sister is manipulating water using magic and his new airbender friend is...somewhere, here he is. Training to become a warrior and aspiring to protect Republic City, and maybe even the whole world.
Sokka is really inspired to be like his dad, fighting with the United Forces. He cannot imagine how cool it would be travelling the world, not to mention the awesome battles he would experience fighting all those criminals. Not to mention the food he could eat sounds amazing, too!
He stepped inside the otherwise, ordinary-looking room. It is not unlike the ones he enters for his other classes, but there are no chairs. The floor is also covered by 'tatami' mats, a type of woven mat usually found in Earth Kingdom homes. This is used to keep the students comfortable sitting down on the ground, and to lessen the impact when they do activities. Especially for something like martial arts, man this sure was a great idea.
The Water Tribe warrior was greeted by an Earth Kingdom student. "Sokka!"
That student is Amar, a friend he's known since last year. Met at the same class he's attending now, Amar is a strong fighter hailing from the Northeast Earth Kingdom and has been Sokka's close friend–and sparring partner–since entering Republic City High.
"Hey!" The two bumped their fists as the young warrior sat down.
"Have you heard? Someone's coming here today to show us some self-defense moves!"
A warrior's coming here today? "Sweet! Where could he be from? The Fire Nation? Northern Water Tribe? Somewhere in the Earth Kingdom?" Amar could only shrug at his questions.
Master Khan, a mighty warrior from the Earth Kingdom, entered the room. Fought with the United Forces as an army commander in his prime, he is now teaching martial arts to students at Republic City High, sharing his knowledge on the art to future warriors of this generation.
"Good morning, sit down." The murmuring between students have stopped.
"As you might have known, we are going to meet someone today to show us self-defense. In fact, she is actually a student, just like all of you, here at Republic City High."
A student in Republic City High? Even if he knew that only talented people have a chance to study at Republic City High, he never thought that someone still studying here would warrant an exposition from a teacher, let alone from a master like Master Khan.
The middle-aged man gestured for the 'guest' to come in.
A girl wearing a green kimono with her face painted white and red entered the room.
Wait, a girl?
Master Khan gestured to her. "Why not tell us a few things about you, young lady?"
The lady in green nodded and smiled as she looked at the class. "Hi, I'm Suki. I'm the chief member of the Kyoshi Warriors, the women's martial arts club here."
Their teacher nodded. "Aren't you from Kyoshi Island as well?"
Suki hummed. "We named the club after the group of warriors from the island I came from. We're trying to pass on the skills given to us by Avatar Kyoshi to the next generation of women here in the high."
The room is filled with 'ooh's from the class as Suki shared details about her time in Kyoshi Island.
Master Khan reminisced about the times when he was still in the army. "Ah, I still remember fighting with those ladies. Don't be fooled by their clothing and appearance, they're seriously skillful."
Seriously, a girl is showing them how to fight?
Sokka loudly uttered. "Tch, girls."
The class looked at him in surprise. Why be surprised? He might be even stronger than this girl.
'Suki' indignantly looked at him. "Excuse me?"
He shrugged. "I mean, a Southern Water Tribesman like me, can easily beat you."
She smiled. "Well then. Since you look skillful enough, why not let us show this class your own moves too?"
Sokka isn't passing up an opportunity to show off to his classmates. He stood up and walked to the front. He took on a fighting stance, Suki hasn't moved a muscle.
He tried charging at her, but she was gone in an instant. What the–
The Kyoshi Warrior is now apparently behind him. He tried to face the opposite direction as he felt the girl was about to attack him, but she was able to deflect his attack with just her bare hands. She twisted the Water Tribe warrior's arms, spins around, and pins him to the ground with a loud thud. Sokka could only gasp as he stared at the floor.
He turns to the girl, seeing a smirk plastered on her face. The laughter in the room is more than enough to make him blush in embarrassment.
Master Khan was surprised to see the sudden show. "Thanks Suki, and Sokka, for the-uh...demonstration."
Sokka slowly walked back to the side.
Amar chuckled as he sat back down. "Looks like you got kicked in the butt there, bud."
He could only give his friend a glare.
Lunch time. The young warrior is still too embarrassed at what just happened in martial arts class earlier. He couldn't even manage to talk to Yue during geometry. How can that girl beat him that fast?
He walked by all the stands staring openly at nothing. The same bewildered stare festered on his face as he sat at the table. What happened in that class has been in his mind so much, he cannot even touch his food.
He knows why, she sneaked up on him. That's unfair!
Aang was the first to notice the young warrior gawking over nothing, or something.
He raised his eyebrows. "What happened to you?"
Sokka started fiddling with his fingers. "Not hungry."
The airbender isn't convinced, and confused? "But you're always hungry."
Katara couldn't help but chuckle in amusement. "Well, this dumb brother of mine is upset because he got his butt kicked by a girl."
The young warrior looked at her in shock. How did–"How did you know?"
She smirked. "I was walking in the corridors when I saw you get pinned down by that Kyoshi Warrior...and your friend told me."
How could Amar do this to him?
He protested. "S-She snuck up on me!"
His younger sister sneered at him. "Uh-huh. Then she kicked your butt."
"I-It's unfair! Sneak attacks don't count!"
He looked away and mumbled. "Tie me up with ropes, I'll show her a thing or two."
He looked back at the two. "I'm not scared of any girls. Who does she think she is?"
Sokka finally took a bite of the food in his plate, a good helping of meat with some tofu and vegetables in it. He hummed in satisfaction. "Mmm...this is tasty."
The young airbender, who is still confused about what is happening, just shrugged and continued eating.
Their lunch seems to have finished quite quickly, as the trio still has at least more than half the hour before their classes start again.
Aang offered the siblings a way to pass the time. "Hey, since I haven't been able to go to the library yet, why not let's hang out in there while we pass the time?"
Sokka shivered at the mention of the 'library'.
Katara's eyes glimmered. "Great idea, Aang!"
The airbender ran towards the 'room'. "Let's go!"
Katara noticed Sokka wasn't following them. "You're not coming?"
His face is full of horror. "There is no way, and I mean no way, you're ever going to get me inside that cursed room again!"
"So what are you going to do then?"
"Maybe I-I'll just walk around the campus. Find something interesting. Maybe even find that Suki and prove myself."
She is definitely not happy. "You're still not letting that down, aren't you?"
"W-Well, I'm a warrior and I don't back down from a fight!"
"One, there's no fight. And second–"
He huffed. "That move of hers is already a sign that she wanted to start one."
Katara exasperatingly sighed. "Please, don't do anything stupid."
Sokka just nodded.
His younger sister let out another sigh as she noticed Aang was already far away from the two of them. "Hey Aang, wait up!"
KATARA
It has been a couple of days since they started going to Republic City High. Not only does her brother make her days crazy, but this new airbender friend of hers makes it...more interesting, to say the least.
So here they are, Republic City High's library. The doors are huge, and is its own dedicated wing of the school's building.
Aang noticed her older brother missing. "Where's Sokka?"
She shrugged. "Well, he doesn't want to go inside this 'cursed' room again so he just went separate ways."
"O...kay, then." As the airbender touched the knobs of the door, he quickly stopped. He suddenly has a shocked look in his face.
"Aang? I-Is something wrong?"
"N-Nothing. I-I just felt something, that's all."
He quickly went back to his usual, happy demeanor. "C'mon, Katara!" He pulled her arm as they opened the door and walked to the said room.
They were greeted to a large hall full of books, scrolls, and more as they entered the library. It's a massive repository of information from all four nations. There are books showcasing Earth Kingdom culture, to even water bending scrolls. Now that's what interests her the most. The two sighs in awe at the sight of the huge room. It feels endless.
They were greeted by the school's librarian; a tall and lean man wearing grand, black clothing. His eyes seems to be just a void with a yellow sun at the center, his ears pointy, and wearing an expression of seriousness.
He goes by the name Wan Shi Tong, he who knows ten-thousand things. It was said that he was a book collector, and has maintained his large collection, of which is an understatement, somewhere in the Earth Kingdom. He was brought to Republic City High by Avatar Chen as she believed that he would be a big asset to the school's mission in making knowledge more accessible to everyone.
Katara would admit that he seems a little scary, more intimidating than terrifying at best. What she couldn't understand though is Aang's look. The airbender is clearly terrified, the look of dread plastered onto his face.
She tapped the airbender's shoulder, "Aang?"
He whispered, "H-H-He's a spirit."
What?
AANG
He's seeing an owl. An intimidating, gigantic owl. Wan Shi Tong is a spirit.
Most people don't know that spirits can take form as humans outside the Spirit World. A commoner can be fooled by their appearance. But those who have strong spiritual connections, like most air nomads, can see beyond their disguise and see their true form.
He already saw spirits like Wan Shi Tong before. But it's the first time he's seeing one outside the Spirit World in such form, and something about this spirit just intimidates him. It's terrifying.
Well that's why that door felt weird.
The large owl smiled at him, "Greetings, you seem to be seeing my true form."
He nervously nodded. Katara is really confused.
"Don't fret, little one. I'm not here to cause harm."
That didn't help. Can Sokka see spirits? Is that why he's so terrified of Wan Shi Tong?
The owl then turned to its side, "I said, quiet!" It loudly emanated its voice all around the library against two girls, giggling in one of the corners. It then pointed its wings to the doors, motioning the, rather noisy, students to leave.
Or, maybe that.
The owl looked back to the two of them, "Welcome to Republic City High's library. You can sit on the spot those cacophonous students formerly sat." It pointed to the table where the two girls previously sat.
"S-Sure, t-thanks."
Aang could hear the spirit mumble as he and Katara sat, "I can't believe why children today are so noisy..."
Katara raised her eyebrows, "What's up with you?"
Aang is still uneasy, "W-Well, the librarian here is an owl."
He tried to motioned his hands to show how big it is. "Like a big, giant owl."
The waterbender is still confused, "Owl?"
"Give me a sec." Aang stood up and went to peruse around the library to find something. He is finding a book about well-known spirits from one of the Air Temples.
He was about to approach the 'Air Nomad Culture' section when Wan Shi Tong surprised the young airbender.
"You seem to be finding information about me in this library, young man."
He almost yelped. Monkey feathers, this spirit is crazy.
"U-Um, y-yeah. I-I just want to show my friend what I s-see."
Will it be angry? Is he going too far? Are they going to be kicked out as well, on their first visit? Oh spirits, please do not.
"Positively, you're in the right place. You seem to be well-versed in browsing a library, especially for your age."
Aang nervously smiled, "Uh, y-yeah. B-Back at the air temples, we have a library that me a-and my mentor used to go to."
The Southern Air Temple has a library that, while not as large as Republic City High's, Aang enjoyed going to especially with Monk Gyatso. They would read books about the three other nations, their culture, their history, sometimes just reading those stories air nomads tell to children. The place is simple, but it's where Aang got his love for travelling, and books too; well, picture books, but that's beside the point.
Wan Shi Tong hummed and smiled, "Very well. But if you need something, you will most likely know where to find me."
Aang is feeling a bit better. "W-We will. Thanks."
The airbender approached the shelf he was pursuing to before the librarian surprised him. He found the book he is looking for, 'Spirit World and Beyond: Well-known Spirits in and out of the Spirit World'.
SOKKA
He was walking through Republic City High's corridors when he heard someone in a room near him.
"Well done, ladies! Now I'm going to teach you how to use your fans to deflect attacks from behind."
He could recognize that voice. It's Suki. That Suki.
He peered at the door, seeing a group of girls 'training' with the same outfit and makeup the Kyoshi Warrior wore earlier. In addition, they held two fans in their hands. Maybe this is the club she was talking about.
Maybe it's also time he redeems his reputation as a warrior, and even impress those other girls to boot!
Sokka barged into the room. The girls, including Suki, looked at the sudden intruder.
"Sorry, ladies. I didn't mean to interrupt your dance lesson."
He was stretching. "I was just looking for a place to...maybe have a little workout?"
Suki smiled. "Well you're in the right place."
She had an apologetic look. "I-I'm sorry about earlier. I wasn't able to control myself and I have gotten rough with you."
See how weak this girl really is? "It's all right. I would usually hold a grudge, but since you're a girl, I'll make an exception."
Her regretful look is no more. "I certainly hope so, I wouldn't stand a chance to a strong man like you."
The tribesman smugly replied. "Don't feel guilty. I'm the most skilled warrior in my village, after all."
She seems amazed. "Ooh, you even have a village that you protect? You must be really strong, and brave."
Sokka closed his eyes and nodded proudly.
"Since you're the best warrior in your village, maybe it would be nice to...show us a short demonstration?"
He was surprised at the sudden suggestion.
Suki faced back at the group of girls from behind. "What do you say, girls?"
The group giggled and smiled in agreement.
"Oh. Well...I mean–I..."
"Please brave warrior, would you be kind to show us your skills?"
This is going well for him.
Seemingly too well.
He shrugged. "If that's what you want, then I'd be happy to."
He tried moving her slightly, but she didn't budge. "Okay. Stand over there."
"This may be a bit tough, but try to block me."
Sokka tried to charge at and punch her (why does this feel familiar?), but his attack was easily deflected by Suki as she lifted her left arm. Not to mention that the fan she is holding painfully came in contact with his shoulder. The Water Tribesman clumsily moved backwards.
That hurt. "O-Oh! G-Good, of course. I was just taking it easy on you."
There is a confident smile on the girl's face. "Of course."
Sokka couldn't help but clench his hands in indignation. Who does she think she is, Avatar Kyoshi?
He attempts to attack her by doing a roundhouse kick. "Let's see if you can handle this!"
Easy peasy. Not only was she able to dodge his attack, her deflection made him fly slightly above ground and land on his back. She opened the fan in her hand, waving it around to show how 'hot' this fight has become. Ow.
Her smug look, her over-confidence, her arrogance.
"That does it!"
He lunges madly at her, again. Suki grabbed him by the arm, and quickly spun him around using her other hand.
Sokka is hopeless; he cannot move, he cannot change gears, he cannot stop her from spinning him. The young warrior is becoming nauseous.
When he thought that all evil had already broken loose from the Spirit World, she spins him once more in the other direction. She quickly stopped him from spinning, but he is already too queasy to stand upright.
As he tumbles, Suki once again grabs him by the arm, pulled his belt, and swiftly tied his arm to his right foot.
He was able to maintain his balance, but it wouldn't take long before he completely tipped down.
Hippity.
Hoppity.
Thump.
Sokka fell flat on his face, with a thud, on the floor, again.
She mockingly glanced at the hopeless warrior. "Anything else you would like to teach us?"
The other girls behind are laughing. At him.
If the martial arts class was embarrassing, this is humiliating.
He knew this was going all too well.
KATARA
What is Aang talking about? The librarian is a spirit? The librarian is an owl? Is Sokka right about him being crazy? What in the spirits' name has gotten into him?
Wan Shi Tong might be terrifying when provoked, like what just happened earlier. But he shouldn't be that weird, right? The way he looks are, but isn't it just par-for-the-course for a strict librarian?
She has definitely known worse. She remembered the librarian for Republic City's public library, Ms. Aki. Her name might mean 'bright' but her days definitely aren't. She would scream at the visitors even for just brushing against a table (where space is cramped, benders and non-benders) and making a noise. Katara would have loved to borrow waterbending scrolls for her to train but Ms. Aki would just always rub onto her that the library wouldn't allow borrowing because she doesn't want to. Katara just sighed.
She noticed Aang coming back to their table with a book in his hands. "Spirit World and Beyond?" The airbender hummed.
Aang opened the book, trying to find something. "Aha!"
The airbender pointed to her an image of a large, black owl. Named 'Wan Shi Tong', it is the spirit of knowledge. It has been known to live outside the Spirit World, collecting knowledge from all four nations.
The book makes sense, but how in La's fins would a spirit like that be in Republic City High? Katara's eyes continued to furrow.
"I know you're thinking that I'm losing my mind,"
Well, he sure is.
"But I want you to try closing your eyes and make an image of that in your mind."
She continued to be skeptical. But, there's nothing to lose. The waterbender shrugged and closed her eyes.
She tried making a mind image of the owl as the school's librarian. Well, now that she thought about it, it might actually be possible. Avatar Chen can be, quite peculiar sometimes. What does that owl look like when angry? What about that time earlier, what would Wan Shi Tong as an owl would have looked like?
Still, it would be ridiculous to see a spirit on Republic City High. What are the chances?
She opened her eyes, mind still full of questions. She noticed something on Aang's side. It is Wan Shi Tong in the dista–
Oh.
Oh, spirits.
She's seeing a black owl. As the airbender put it, 'a big, giant owl'. Her eyes widened as Wan Shi Tong turned to her, probably noticing that she was looking at him.
She blinked twice and rubbed her eyes. She's seeing him 'normally' again. Is Aang playing a trick on her? She glared at the airbender, who tilted his head in confusion, as the librarian–owl–spirit approached them.
"You two seem to have taken interest in me."
Katara tried to diffuse the situation, "O-Oh! W-We were just–", she slammed the book close, "we're just looking for stuff, that's all." She nervously laughed. She is on the verge of hitting Aang in the head.
Wan Shi Tong raised its (his!) eyebrows. "Since you clearly want to see my true appearance, why don't you directly ask me?"
The librarian then covered himself using a cape he apparently has, and there revealed the same owl she saw earlier. Katara tried to do another double-take, but it didn't work.
Now she understands why Aang is terrified of him earlier. The towering gaze of Wan Shi Tong, as an owl, is already more than enough to intimidate her, but the aura this spirit possesses makes her feel more uncomfortable.
Sokka wouldn't believe this.
The spirit unconcernedly added, "I am also aware that you two are intimidated by my presence. However, you need not be concerned, I am not here to cause you harm. My sole purpose here is to answer all of your questions, whether they relate to the human realm or not."
She and Aang nodded. The spirit then covered itself with its wings and it went back to be the librarian she saw earlier. Wan Shi Tong bit his lip.
"Just...don't make too much noise."
She smiled. She whispered, "We will."
Aang and Katara formally bowed to the librarian, that she now knows as a spirit, before Wan Shi Tong walked to his seat at the front of the library. The airbender seems to have calmed down.
The air nomad spoke up, "So, what is it that you'd like to ask me?"
Oh, right. Chemistry. "Oh, yeah."
She took out her book and browsed through its pages. "So how do these 'isotopes' add up?"
"Ah, so they don't literally..."
This new airbender friend of hers just doesn't make her days more interesting.
It certainly also made her days all the more thrilling.
SOKKA
The young warrior is sitting on the seats by the door near Republic City High's field, which is kind of loud at this time of day. Students playing soccer outside, girls chit-chatting while strolling along the high's corridors, freshmen playing games on the fieldside. It's easy to drown one's mind with the bustling noise this area has during lunchtime, while everyone's waiting for the bell to ring.
Sokka still couldn't fathom how he was beaten by a girl, let alone someone almost the same age as him and a student like him nonetheless. He is the finest warrior of their town in the Southern Water Tribe, his dad even told him!
The young tribesman can still vividly remember the first time his dad left the two of them in Gran-Gran's care at Republic City. As much as he wanted to beg for him to stay, or rather, for them to come with him, it's just not possible.
Flashback - 6 Years Ago
Kanna is fixing the United Forces 'decorations' Hakoda wore on his uniform. "Be safe out there."
The Southern Water Tribe chief nodded.
A young Sokka came, holding his 'trusty' boomerang and his face painted to look like what Water Tribe warriors paint their faces in during a war.
Hakoda had a worried look on his face. "Sokka."
"We're...I-I'm coming with you."
His father kneels down and puts a hand on his shoulder. "As much as I wanted you to come, I can't. You know that."
Tears start to well up in the young boy's eyes. "B-But I'm strong, I'm brave! Katara can waterbend! Please, dad!"
His father grimly sighed, "I know."
Yet he continued to smile for him. "Let's see...since you're a man now, you can now have your first mission."
Tears are already flowing on the child's face. "W-What is it?"
"I want you to protect your sister, and Gran-Gran. Be always there for them."
"But dad–"
"I know you can do it. You're strong, you're brave. I believe in you, Sokka."
Sokka seems to have gained strength with his father's words. He wiped the tears on his face and nodded to him with a determined look on his face, while sniffling.
The boy threw everything he was holding and tightly hugged Hakoda.
His dad couldn't help but cry as well. "I'm going to miss you so much."
It was the start of him striving to be a brave warrior, just like his father is. Every time he is able to be his little sister's 'guardian spirit' is a crowning moment for him. It is a boost of confidence that he is strong and brave, that he is able to protect Katara.
But maybe...maybe he didn't strive to be one. Maybe from the beginning, he only believed that he was one.
Even as the bell loudly rang across the school's corridors, Sokka hadn't been out of his trance. Even as Professor Ila drones about the history and intricacies of the Fire Nation art style, the young warrior is drowned in his own thoughts.
Maybe it's time for him to accept that someone...is just better than him. That he could be greater than what he is right now. To be better for Gran-Gran, for Katara, for his dad.
No, it's about time for him to become better.
He's about to do something unthinkable. It's going to be so monumental, the Avatar will cry.
It's the end of the 7th period, his last class for the day. Sokka rushed through the doors and walked straight into the room where he was humiliated earlier. He hopes that Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors are there.
He could see shadows being projected by the slowly-setting sun on the club's doors. They seem to be in the middle of training. The young warrior deeply sighed. He's doing it.
Sokka knocked, and slowly opened the door.
Suki seems unfazed at his sudden re-appearance.
"Uh...Hey, Suki."
The Kyoshi Warrior smirked. "Hoping for another dance lesson?"
Sokka has no idea what to do next. He is stammering. "No-I...Let me explain."
She is getting confused and impatient by the minute. "Spit it out. What do you want?"
The tribesman gulped. It's like he's swallowing all of his pride.
He knelt down. "I would be glad...if you would teach me."
Suki clearly isn't happy. She probably thinks this is another one of Sokka's antics meant to insult her.
She bitterly faced him. "Even if I'm a girl?"
He couldn't look at her in the eye. "I...I'm sorry if I insulted you earlier. I was...I was wrong."
She crossed her arms. "We normally don't teach boys..."
A sour look decorated her face. "...especially someone like you." The young warrior suddenly felt fear and pain.
"Please," He bowed down again. "I won't let you down. I-I'll do anything."
The Kyoshi Warrior raised her eyebrows. "Anything?"
"Yes, Suki. Anything!"
She smiled. "All right, then. But you have to follow all of our traditions."
He replied, "O-Of course!"
"And I mean all of them."
He eagerly stands up. "Y-Yes!"
Suki hummed. "Would tomorrow sound good?" She yawns, "I'm kinda tired."
Sokka hummed.
"Okay, then. I'll see you tomorrow."
KATARA
It has been customary for Sokka, Katara, and Aang to go home together. Largely because the airbender has been insistently offering them a ride home...and because Sokka loved riding on Appa so much he would probably plead with Aang for him to ride on the sky bison. Although she would admit that riding home on a sky bison is cool, too.
It was almost sunset when the trio was done with all they would need to do at Republic City High today. She could see Aang waving goodbye to his other friends, one of them whom she recognizes as Shoji, a classmate of hers in chemistry.
The airbender calls Appa using his whistle, that apparently is shaped like a sky bison. She is surprised that Sokka isn't out of the high yet, he will usually be the first one outside waiting for them.
"Have you seen Sokka?" The airbender shook his head.
Sokka was then seen walking out of the high. "What took you so long?"
He simply shrugged. "Nothing, just did something very important."
It's probably just some schoolwork that he messed up. The three climbed on the sky bison when it arrived.
"Hey Sokka, what did you say about the librarian at the High?"
"That he is too scary, and too weird, and too strict?"
The young warrior shivered at just the thought. "Did he hurt you? Did he scream at you? Did he kick you? I swear if that guy messes with you I'll–"
Why did he suddenly become so protective? "N-No, it's not like that. He-He was very kind to us earlier."
Sokka became sappy all of a sudden. "Katara? What have they done to you?"
He caressed her face. "Are you still the Katara I've known?"
The young waterbender is noticeably annoyed at his antics. She swiped his hands from her face. She could hear Aang snickering from the bison's head.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop."
She sighed. "Well, Aang and I discovered that Wan Shi Tong...is from the Spirit World."
Sokka raised his eyebrows. "So you're saying, that Republic City High's librarian is a spirit?"
His younger sister just nodded.
The airbender tries to convince him. "Yeah, Sokka! He's like this really big, black owl."
The young warrior is confused. "What? I-I mean he's just terrifying because he's so strict in there about noise; also because of how he looks. But nothing beyond that."
"I thought so too, but Aang apparently sees it as a spirit. Then he asked me to think about it as a spirit, then Wan Shi Tong suddenly became an owl!"
Aang copiously nodded. "It's like a spirit in disguise!"
Sokka still isn't having it. "So, I only need to close my eyes to see a spirit in disguise?"
Katara nodded. The young warrior closed his eyes as he rubbed his head using his fingers.
"Okay, so I'm thinking of a spirit..." She sighed. It's one of his antics, again.
He opened his eyes. "...and, aah! I'm seeing a crocokitten spirit in front of me! Let go, let me go!"
"Sokka!"
Sokka and Aang chuckled. The young warrior always tells her that she is like a crocokitten, sweet but terrifying. Glad her brother is aware of that.
Katara couldn't help but giggle as well.
SOKKA
It's the first day of his 'training' with the Kyoshi Warriors. Only Suki greeted him this time. He told her that he'd do anything, but he didn't expect this.
"Do I really have to wear this? It feels a little...girly." He is wearing the same uniform this girl has on.
"It's a warrior's uniform, you should be proud."
The tribesman isn't convinced.
"The silk threads symbolize the brave blood that flows through our veins. The gold insignia represents the honor of the warrior's heart."
Well, that made him feel somewhat comfortable in this 'dress'. Although he still wouldn't shake the fact that the one Water Tribesmen wear is still better, and manlier, than this. He does suddenly feel proud wearing it, though.
"Bravery and honor."
He just hopes that no one; and no one, especially not Yue, sees him in this.
Aang suddenly pops out of nowhere, seemingly strolling along the school's halls. "Hey Sokka!"
The young warrior winced. Why?
The airbender happily added. "Nice dress!"
Sokka cannot help but sigh deeply.
An hour has passed since they started.
Suki tried to attack using the fan she is holding, for Sokka to promptly block it.
She seems impressed at how fast the tribesman learns. "Not bad."
Sokka confidently smiles back at the Kyoshi Warrior.
She wipes her forehead with her arms. "You can probably establish a male martial arts club now."
He blushed slightly at the compliment. "What? Name it...I don't know, Dawa's Warriors or something?"
"Well, it's already the soccer team's name so you'll have to think of something else."
He shrugged. Suki looks at the window. It's almost sundown.
"That should be it for now. You're pretty good for a beginner." She smirked.
He returned a playful pout. "I'm not a beginner."
Suki smiled.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, I guess."
The tribesman nodded.
The Kyoshi Warrior grabbed her bag, and was about to exit the room when he spoke up.
"H-Hey, Suki?"
The girl turned back. "What is it?"
The tribesman averted his eyes. "I-I just want to sincerely apologize."
"Why? For what?" She chuckles and hits him lightly with her elbow. "Don't be such a softie!"
"I-I'm sorry for everything that happened yesterday. For treating you like a girl, when I should have treated you like a warrior.
I tried to prove myself that I'm a warrior, when I wasn't."
Her confident smile was replaced by a caring one.
"I may be a warrior," Suki leaned in to kiss Sokka's cheek. "But I'm a girl, too."
Sokka looked back at her in surprise.
She waved and walked out of the room. "See you tomorrow!"
The young warrior is left speechless, only able to place his hand on the cheek the Kyoshi Warrior kissed.
He tries to respond, but she was already gone. "...you too."
A/N: This chapter took a couple tries but it's finally done! \./
I also haven't realized that rewriting this chapter made it closer to the (obvious) episode counterpart to this.
I'm really, very excited to write the next chapters so much I've started writing them in advance. xD
Going over to the plot. I have big plans for it, but I honestly want to take this slow for now so I could get comfy with writing future chapters. And because things might go south (heheh, South) too quickly. Apologies in advance if this story kinda glacially moves.
But for now, thank you so much for reading and have a great evening!