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Katara and Aang's little secret practice lasted only for a few nights before they were caught red handed by Master Pakku. Without any hesitation, the waterbending master frigidly ousted Aang from his teaching. Currently, the Avatar and his companion have gathered around the plaza to appeal Master Pakku's decision. Both Aang and Katara were fidgeting anxiously, while Sokka was clearly trembling from those adults' chilling gaze. Zuko masked his discomfort and nervousness behind his impassive expression.

They stood before the an upset Arnook, a troubled Yue, an inscrutable Pakku, and several councilmen with disapproving looks. "This is absolutely unacceptable. What would have me do? Force Master Pakku to take Aang back as his student?" Both Katara and Aang winced in guilt as Chief Arnook severely rebuked them for disrespecting Master Pakku, as well as their customs, rules, and cultures.

While the councilmen nodded approvingly with their leader, Yue spoke up with a calm and collected tone. "…Father. Please be considerate of their position." Arnook, Pakku and the council members flicked their attention onto Yue. "Y-Yue?" Arnook and the rest of the elders were clearly in a state of bewilderment by the change in the princess' character. "We are at war, father. Katara is trying to learn waterbending so that she could fight and protect herself as well as others." She defended the waterbender's act.

Arnook stared at his daughter in disbelief. Ever since the night she came back from the Avatar's place, he knew Yue has somehow changed. He remembered still remembered that evening, after she's back. Yue abruptly told him that she's not ready to marry just yet and would never marry someone due to political reason. While the chief tried to explain to her that the marriage was for her own good and someone must look after her when he wasn't around, Yue showed him her secret. Her prowess as a waterbender. Her ability of liquifying the furniture around their room shocked Arnook to the point he dropped and crashed his teacup. In a single night, she became bold, more outspoken. Instead of seeing her as his frail baby girl, who stayed mostly quiet during the meeting, she's behaving like a spiritual leader he has always hoped to have.

The gears within Chief Arnook's head were turning. He hasn't disclosed the news about Yue's waterbending ability to his people. This could be his chance to discuss it Pakku and his remaining advisors. He raised a hand to stop and asked the kids and his daughter to leave while he and the councilmen discuss about the matter.

"There is something I wished to announce to you all." He spoke in a solemn tone.

"What is it, Chief Arnook?" One of the councilmen wearing a headband asked.

"Yue is a waterbender." The men's eyes bulged at that revelation.

"What?"

"But that's impossible. She never showed any signs of capable to waterbend."

"Why now?"

Apart from Pakku, the remaining councilmen have lost their composure. "When the Moon Spirit touched Yue, not only a portion of his life was transferred to her. Yue was blessed by his power as well. But she hid it from me. From us. Because she knows what the tribe would do to women waterbend."

"And what's wrong healing?"

"Councilman Taka, don't you see? Yue wanted to dedicate her life to the tribe. Like the girl, Katara, she wants to master her gift. She wants to waterbend."

"But there's no need for her to learn that. She's marrying off to Hahn–"

Arnook shook his head and never allowed the bald-headed councilman to finish, "No, Councilman Akmaal. Yue won't be marrying Hahn anytime soon." That declaration sparked the councilmen's opposing reaction. But single noise of Pakku clearing his throat silenced them. Arnook gave his dear friend a thankful nod. "…I am not cancelling the marriage. Not yet. I am merely putting it on hold."

"But why, Chief Arnook? Hahn is the best candidate for Princess Yue." One of them finally asked.

"I've heard things about Hahn from Yue. He doesn't care for her well-beings. He's using her for his own personal benefits."

"But–" Arnook waved a hand and dismissed the councilman.

"After my wife's passing, my daughter is all I have left. Her future and happiness come first. If what she said is true, then the boy is unfit to be the successor. Answer me this, councilmen. Would you allow your beloved daughter to marry someone who sees her as nothing but a mere tool for his own greedy political gain?" All the men showed their strenuous expressions and firmly shook their heads. Arnook then faced Pakku who's been staying quiet this entire time. "Pakku, I'm asking you this as a friend and a father who wants what's best for his daughter. Will you please train my daughter?"

While the adults were in the middle of discussing, Aang, his friends and Princess Yue stood outside the plaza and waited for the council's decision. "Do you think they'll forgive us?" The young monk paced around as he's anxious about their fate. "Yue!" No one got the chance reassure Aang when a fuming shout of the princess' name. The group turned and saw a young man flouncing towards them while his group of friends were following from behind. Zuko's appearance hardened after recognising the teenager who was walking up to them. He's the one that tried to humiliate him on the day he and Katara arrived in the North. "What is this absurdity that I heard? Our marriage is cancelled? Explain!" He viciously demanded. Uneased by his approach, the princess took a few steps back to keep their distance. "It's not cancelled, Hahn. It's on hold." She corrected him.

That amendment didn't help her at all as he grew even more hostile, "How does that make anything bett–" Hahn was interrupted by Zuko when he stepped forward and stood between the princess and him. "Back off." Hahn may be taller than Yue, but Zuko's taller him. The exiled prince bore his eyes into the rude boy. "W-who are you to tell me what to do? Step aside, you hideous freak!" To Hahn's insult, a gasp of horrid escaped from Yue's mouths while Aang and Sokka braced themselves for Zuko's wrath.

But before Hahn could say another word, the sound a piercing smack rang through everyone's ears. "W-wha–" The young man stumbled, lost his balance, and fell onto the snowy floor. Hahn and his friends were befuddled by what has occurred. He blinked several times before feeling a stinging, burning, yet numbing pain spreading across his left cheek. Confusion. Humiliation. Anger. "Don't you dare call him that!" He raised his head and stared at the person who just slapped and yelled at him…Katara. Hahn scowled at the young lady as she challengingly glared at him.

"You little bi–ghh!?" Still on the ground, the young man was about to shower all those animosities onto the young water maiden, when a single hand came down and clamped onto his cheeks. Forcefully silencing Hahn and preventing him from cursing the waterbender. The young man stared at the hand and trailed it to its owner, Zuko. He tried to pry the man's hand off his face, but his effort was little to no avail. At this point, even his friends were too afraid to approach the prince. The firebender growled menacingly at the Hahn as his golden eyes dangerously sharpened into slits. The boy's breathing and heartrate accelerated as a new emotion grew within him. Fear.

'I could crush this filth. Right here, right now.' He was truly tempted. "Z–Lee! Stop!" It was only Katara's voice and her tug on his right hand snapped him out of his dark thoughts. His sharp eyes softened a little when he saw her pleading looks. With his iron grip, Zuko strenuously pulled Hahn in and balefully warned something to him, "I don't care what you said about me. But if you disrespect her, I'll break your jaw and the rest of your bones." The young man grievously shook his head up and down to show that he heard and understood everything clearly. "Now get out of my sight." Only then did Zuko release and drop him back onto the floor. The rude boy abruptly got up and scurried away with his friends.

"After our lengthy discussion, Master Pakku is willing to the Avatar back as his student to continue his training. However, if Avatar Aang dare to disrespect Master Pakku again, he will forever and permanently be expelled." Chief Arnook stated sternly. The young monk exceedingly gave his apologies and thanks for the council's clemency. Once the meeting dissolved the waterbending master walked up to Yue. "Princess Yue, you're coming with me as well." Puzzled by his instruction, Yue looked Master Pakku, then to her father who smiled and gave her a nod of approval. "From today onwards, you will also be my new additional student." By the time Pakku finished saying that, Yue was already embracing Chief Arnook.

"W-wait, Master Pakku. Does this mean I get to learn waterbending too?" Katara asked excitedly. But her hope was crumpled by the waterbending master's deadpan rejection. The young waterbender's frowned as she felt the unfair treatment between Yue and her. "Wha– But Princess Yue is learning waterbending! How is it that she can learn and not me?" She argued. "I only accepted Princess Yue as my new student because Chief Arnook personally requested it. I am also doing this to pay my respect to the Great Spirits, Tui and La. I don't need you, little girl."

"No!" a small crack formed beneath her feet. "I am not a little girl!" She swung her fists to her sides and the ice floor fractured even more. "Come outside and fight me if you're man enough! I will prove you wrong!" She roared and walked out the plaza.

Fully knowing that it was impossible for Katara to win the fight against Master Pakku, both Sokka and Aang tried their best to persuade her to reconsider. She only shut them up and tossed her parka to her brother. The young lady waited as the waterbending master finally exited the citadel and ambled down the stairs. Once he reached the bottom, he merely strolled past her. "Aren't you gonna fight?" She yelled, garnering others attention. "No. Go back to the healing hut, little girl." He said it without even looking at her.

Infuriated by his constant belittlements, Katara drew a water whip out from the snow. She was about to swung it at Pakku when someone grasped her wrist. Zuko was frowningly staring at her. "Striking the enemy when he isn't looking is a dishonourable–" The young man didn't even get the chance to finish it, because in the fit of her rage, Katara used her other hand, pulled out a new whip and lashed Pakku's back head. She did it. She actually did it. The waterbending master stopped, turned, and eyed the young lady with his narrowed eyes. "Very well. You want to learn waterbending so badly, study closely!"

Zuko sighed and immediately let Katara go as she made a beeline towards the waterbending master. With a single motion of his hands, Pakku drew a large sum of water from the two pools beside him and threw it to her. The young lady flew back but managed to keep her footings. While thinking about her next move, Pakku sent the water and enclosed both him and her in the swirling wall of water. Slowly and steadily, the whirlpool constricted. "Don't worry, little girl. I'm not going to hurt you." He mocked as Katara was forced to inch closer towards the elder.

"Break his root!" Pakku grimly glance at the exiled prince who gave the girl his advice. With Zuko's idea, she raised some water near her feet, froze it, and sent a rolling wave to Pakku. To avoid her attack, Pakku flicked his wrists upwards and raised the ice beneath him. Sensing Pakku's control on the whirlpool has momentarily weakened, Katara took this opportunity, grabbed the air and seized the water. "Raargh!" With all her might, she hurled the surge water to Pakku. But the waterbending master easily caught it and amplified his attack by adding it into the base of his liquified ice pillar. He surfed on the curling water as it arched over Katara. Pakku swiftly hopped off the wave when crashed and washed her out of her balance, knocking away her necklace in the process.

The attack has completely drenched and dishevelled her hair. Katara coughed as some of the water got in her throat. "…This fight is over, little girl." Pakku tucked his hands into his sleeves and stared at her in great disinterest. "No…" She grunted as she got back on her feet. "It's not!" She thrusted her hands forward, sending a mass of snow in the direction of the master. Hearing the cheers from the audience, the elderly man simply sighed and erected a glacial wall to intercept the attack. Through the ice, he saw the girl was charging straight at him again. "Stop rushing ahead!" The call smothered Katara's blazing fury. She skidded to stop just in time to see Pakku changing the ice into another wave. To solidify her stance, Katara twisted and grinded her feet into the snow. While she froze her shins, the young water maiden successfully bended the water out of her way.

"I am impressed. You are an excellent waterbender." Pakku smirked and gave her a rare complement. Just for a split second, Katara's expression softened but remained staring at the old man dubiously. "But you still won't teach me, will you?" She asked.

"No."

In her cry of frustration, the ground beneath Katara cracked. A rift was formed, and it fractured all the way to the old master's direction. Pakku frowned and dignifiedly jumped aside to step away from the ice fissure. The master studied the crevasse and the young waterbender. Her long black hair was wet, messy and loosed around her. She was panting heavily. Her arms and legs were shaking. Pakku knew she was overdoing it, but the girl was clearly too stubborn to admit defeat.

The old master then understood. The only way to stop the girl from overexerting herself was to incarcerate her. Without a word, Pakku summoned a huge volume of water from one of the pools and raised it above his head. With a whisk of his fingers swirling water in the air froze and burst into ice shards. To tired to move or dodge, Katara could only stand there and watched as the shards were about to hit her.

However…those ice shards never reached her as the young firebender decided to intervene by leaping in front her. In a single breath, the young prince released his chi from his entire body as he revolved rapidly, creating a blaze of spiralling dome that encased him and Katara within it. The second those two opposite elements collided, the ice was evaporated in a sizzle, while the fire was smothered in a hiss.

"That's enough." Zuko glowered at Pakku as he dispersed the cloud of steam with a swipe of his hand. The waterbending master narrowed his eyes at the boy as he tucked his hands behind his back. "What do you think you're doing, boy?" The young man didn't answer. He doesn't know what he's doing. He wasn't thinking. He didn't know why he would jump in front of her. Protective instinct. "I will not stand by and watch you rain those spikes on her."

"May I remind you, boy. That she was the one that started this senseless fight."

"I admit, it was ignoble to hit you in the back. But she was only trying to prove her point."

"And what would that be?"

"That she is a capable fighter and your beliefs are primitive!" The crowd behind them gasped in shock when they heard what the young firebender roared. He was alright when Arnook discussed with him regarding changing the North's rules and customs. But this coming from a firebender? The prince of the Fire Nation? Pakku's pride would not allow this outsider to disrespect his tribe. "…You dare insult my culture? You? A brat from the barbaric Fire Nation?" Master Pakku took a step forward as he glared down at the firebender. Though Katara tried to stop Zuko by tugging his sleeve, the young man ignored her. "Yes. While I have come from a nation that is being run by a power-hunger ruler, my nation does not belittle women. We instead see them as an equal. My s…The Fire Nation's Princess is known to be a firebender prodigy. Her being a girl, did not prevent the princess from receiving education and trainings equal to or better than the men. Her being a girl, did not stop the Fire Lord from favouring her over his incompetent son. Her bring a girl, did not stop people from respecting and fearing her." His anger and frustration subside almost immediately when he felt Katara's hand rested on his shoulder. But Zuko remained standing his ground firmly.

"My time here is short, but I've seen and heard enough to learn few things about your tribe's intolerant thinking. You, as a man, making every decision for the women without even considering their thoughts and feelings. You, as a man, denying someone who has the potential to become a wanterbending master simply because she's a woman!" Zuko sternly shouted it as he pointed at Katara. Failing to notice her faint blush, he went on and criticized Pakku's belief, "What is wrong with you and the rest of this Water Tribe men? Why can't she learn to fight and protect herself and those she cares for? Why must women heal while men fight? She's determined and gifted enough. So why can't she learn both? It shouldn't matter whether you're men or women. Because in the end, you're all the same!"

"That's because women are frag–" Before Pakku could finish, Zuko decided to cut him off, "If your excuse is that women are weak, I think she just proved you wrong. She did all this without having a proper master." He pointed at the cleft and that shut Pakku up. "With all due respect, Master Pakku. You've tasked me to fight and train your younger disciples. I've been fighting them for a time, and I am willing to bet you 50 gold pieces that at her current level, as a self-taught waterbender, Katara will best them all." Zuko boldly declared it as he ignored the disapproval scowling coming from Pakku's student.

Master Pakku maintained his quietude for some time before he noticed the necklace that lied on the snow field. It was as though he had seen a ghost, "How can this be…this is my necklace…" Pakku picked the pendant up and gaze upon it mesmerizingly. "No. T-that's my necklace." Katara tiredly corrected him. "I made this 60 years ago...For the love of my life...For Kanna..." He looked into distance as his expression was mixed with pain and yearning. "...Gran Gran was supposed to marry you?" Katara was astounded by what she just learned. "I carved this necklace for your grandmother when we got engaged..." His eyes still rested on the pendant, "I thought we would have a long, happy life together...I loved her." But she took a step forward and gave him the painful truth. "But Gran Gran hated it here. She wouldn't let your tribe's stupid rules and customs run her life." Her gaze shifted from the necklace to Pakku. "That's why she gave up everything and left..."

After a fleeting pause went by, "…Accept." Katara perked her up when she thought she heard Pakku mumbled something. "I…I accept you as my pupil." Six words. Those short, simple, six words were enough to send her over the moon. She was starting to lose her strength. "Thank…you…" She strained a joyful smile as her eyes grew heavy. "so much…" Her world turned dark and she collapsed. "Katara!" The prince managed to catch her before she hit the ground. While Aang and Sokka ran to their side, Pakku kneeled beside the young benders and placed his fingers on the side of the water maiden's neck. "Take her to the healing hut. Yudoga will know what to do." Without waiting for Aang or Sokka, Zuko carried the girl in his arms and hurriedly rushed off to seek the healer's help.

Zuko sat beside Katara as she was sleeping on a polar bear pelt, with a snow leopard fur as a blanket. After reaching the healing hut, Yugoda ordered the young man to place the girl in one of the vacant rooms. She checked Katara's condition and assured to him that she would be fine. All the young lady needed was some good rest. Since Aang needed to continue his waterbending lesson, while Sokka has his warrior training, the young man was tasked to look after her. Just as Zuko took away the cloth on her forehead, Katara's eyes fluttered weakly. Woken up by the unfamiliar coolness on her forehead, she caught the sight of the firebender next to her. "Hey…" She greeted him with a small smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." She shook her head a little to tell him she didn't mind.

Katara peered around her surroundings and deduced that she was in the healing hut. She had a feeling that it was Zuko that carried her here during her blacked-out moment. She secretly hoped she wasn't too heavy for him. "Congratulation." She stared at him in puzzlement for a second. "You're finally learning waterbending from Master Pakku." His clarification earned him another gleaming yet feebly smile from her. "So it wasn't a dream…" He watched as her eyes were becoming watery. "Of course not. You did it all by yourself. You've convinced him to take you as his latest pupil." Carefully and gently, he used his hand to wipe away the tears at the bottom of her eyes. Her smile returned at the familiar sensation of cosiness on her face. Not wanting this comfort to fade away, Katara weakly raised her hand and took his by surprised. Although the exiled prince was shocked by her action, he didn't retract his hand. "Did you mean it?" He stared at her question. "Did you mean it, when you said that I'm a capable fighter and has the potential to be a waterbending master." She clarified. "Of course." Just by hearing that improved her mood greatly. She hummed in comfort as the warm spread from her hand and throughout her body. Washing away her aches and strains. "Is…Is it alright if I ask you to stay here?" she asked drowsily. "I'm not going anywhere, Katara." An edge of his lips stretched as he reassured her. "Thank you, Zuko…You're really warm." The innocent smile remained on her face even when she dozed back into her slumber.

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