Hey and welcome back to part 2. Thanks for the reviews I'm glad you guys are interested. So up to chapter 5 are labeled as Book 0 because this is the groundwork for Katara's character in the semi rewriters of books 1 through 3. I'm not sure how I want this pacing to go but I will figure it out. I just don't want to rehash episodes but for the story, I have to. Hopefully, it's not too boring and we like the spin that comes with it. Enjoy
Sorry for the errors. Currently looking for a Beta
One would think that having a massive and soft bed to yourself at the age of five would be every child's dream. That sleep and the calm that comes with it would wash over the child's body, putting them into a deep trance. There was no crashing of waves, nor were her hands bound behind her back in metal cuffs and rubbing against her skin, bruising with every turn. However, sleep and the peace that it promised to bring was gone for the child.
Clutching the blanket close and tucking it under her chin, Katara watched the wooden door, her eyes glaring at it. No matter how many times Hama promised that she was safe, Katara feared that someone would come into her room again and take her from the bed. Not that this place was her home, it felt nothing like it no matter the Southern Water Tribe materials that decorated every hallway and room.
Slipping from under the sheets, the cold floor welcomes Katara's bare feet. It was the first thing that truly felt like she was back at the South Pole. However, the comfort vanished as her feet adjusted and warmed like usual. Sighing, Katara opened the door to her room and closed the door silently. Walking through the hall, Katara passed Hama's room, and then a few doors down she passed Hwasa. Not bothering to check if they were awake, Katara walked towards the back of the house.
Opening the back door, Katara walked out, the warm air brushing against her skin. Her feet clutched the grass between her toes and though most would smile at this newfound sensation, it wasn't what she wanted. Sure, she wouldn't get frostbite, but she missed what came with it, her mother telling her to put on a jacket. The cold didn't bother Katara, it welcomed her and while others got sick, Katara thrived in the tundra. As long as the moon glowed on her, Katara would always be protected.
Looking up, Katara looked at the full face of the moon. The sky was clear and the rustling stress and steady stream of the river that flowed in the backyard set the scene.
This was the only place that Katara felt some comfort, where she could grasp pieces of herself. In the morning, she and Hwasa would train with Hama. Hwasa was more advanced but Katara quickly picked up on the moves. She could feel it, her bending getting stronger and with every new form and stance accomplished, Hama praised Katara even more.
Katara wasn't sure why Hama was teaching them water bending but she didn't ask questions. Never before could Katara practice her own bending and in all places in front of people. There were men who came to the house and Hama allowed Katara to use her healing abilities. She was never allowed to bend in front of those men, but she didn't ask Hama. Katara was excited to show off her powers no matter how simple and small they were. Katara would catch moments of herself laughing with Hama and Hwasa feeling some piece that would come over her. But then she would think about her family, how they told her to hide her bending and that ruined Katara's mood. Sure, she could blame it on the bending but that wasn't the real problem. Katara missed her family and the comfort that the South Pole offered. Yet, every time she opened her eyes she wasn't in the white blanket of snow with her brother throwing snowballs.
Shaking away the depressing thoughts, Katara walked over to the flowing river. Lifted her hands, she wielded the water around her body, moving fluidly and becoming one. The water link over her arms and shoulders until he became an extension of herself, tentacle. It was a move that Hwasa didn't quite get but Katara mastered with one fluid movement.
Twisting her legs and bedding down, Katara wiped her arms, the grass separating and bits flowing into the air. Katara smirked, her bending getting stronger and more powerful every time she practiced at night. She wasn't sure what she was practicing for, but she knew that she needed to be stronger. If those men came back, the ones that took her away from her tribe, she would be ready. Katara couldn't be that weak girl that was so easily taken, she would go down with a fight.
"I guess I don't need the gardener to cut the grass." A voice said.
Katara jumped and quickly turned around, the ice tentacles quickly freezing and ready to defend herself.
"Now child, no need to worry," Hama said, not raising her voice. "You've gotten stronger, the transition of water to ice is smooth for you. It took Hwasa months and you've done it in a matter of weeks."
Katara bent the water back into the river and looked at Hama. "Sorry, I couldn't sleep."
"No need to apologize, my dear," Hama said. "It was rough when I first arrived and even now I barely find sleep."
Katara nodded and played with her hands, her fingers pulling at each other. Hama never yelled at her for bending but there was a part of Katara that knew it was wrong to sneak out and bend. She did it back home and was met with opposition. In all honesty, Katara didn't know what to expect from Hama.
"No matter where we are, the moon connects all people of the Water Tribe," Hama said, bending down in front of Katara.
Katara nodded but didn't look at Hama. The woman sometimes reminded her of her mother and then others of her Gran-Gran. Katara didn't know what to think of Hama. She had spent two months with the woman, and she was nothing but nice to her. Katara didn't know how to take this kindness, if she could trust Hama if she got too comfortable would it be ripped from under her bronze feet.
"I miss my family," Katara admitted, a tear threatening to fall down her cheeks. "I miss them so much and I-I-"
"You want to see them again," Hama said softly.
Katara turned to the woman and nodded, spirits she wanted to see her family. No matter how terrible Sokka's jokes were, she missed him. She thought of her father, tucking her into bed, her mother teaching her how to cook and her Gran-Gran teaching her how to sew. However insignificant it seemed at the time; it was now the memories that she clung to.
"I'm so sorry, Katara," Hama said, wiping the tears from her plump cheeks. "I am so sorry for this pain the Fire Nation has caused. But I promise you, you will return home and be with your family again."
Katara didn't reply, she couldn't. The tears that she held back now ripped through her body like the enraged ocean. Throwing her arms around Hama's neck, Katara clung to the woman. Sobs fell from her copper lips and the reality no matter how dark had settled in. Katara was ripped from her home and thrust into a world she didn't know.
The Fire Nation.
Her Grandmother told her of the four nations that live in harmony. So, it was hard for Katara to understand that the Fire Nation was the cause of all her pain. The world was big, Katara knew that much but on those white hills covered in snow, the only place that seemed to matter was her tribe.
Hama rubbed Katara's back, trying her best to calm the girl down. Gathering her composer, Katara pulled away from Hama, but the tears still ran down her heated cheeks.
"You know, there is a legend that says tears from a blue-eyed maiden have healing powers," Hama said, wiping Katara's tears away.
Katara couldn't hold back the giggle that came from her. She had never heard the legend before, and she wanted to know more.
"Tell me more!" Katara pleaded.
"Well," Hama said smiling at Katara. "There was a woman of the Southern Water Tribe who fell in love with an outsider. She loved him deeply, but the cold Tundra wasn't kind to foreigners. One day he went out to hunt and he hadn't returned for three days. The villagers went to look for him; they returned of course but he was badly wounded."
Katara's heart sank, too invested in the story to cry anymore.
"The woman stayed with him day and night, but the Spirits were calling for her love. When the time came for her love to go beyond with his ancestors, the woman cried one last time and the man was healed."
Katara smiled, the story was beautiful, it reminded her of the stories the elders of her tribe told them. However, she didn't understand how it related to their current situation. "I don't understand," Katara whispered.
"The Women of the Southern Water Tribe are strong and do not give up," Hama said, holding Katara's hand softly. "If our tears can save our friends, family, and the people that we love then our bedding, the thing that the Moon and Ocean Spirits have blessed us with can save the world. But we must do it together and trust each other."
Katara panned, her shallows breaths being carried by the wind. Her body ached and her hands were tense from all the bending. Strands of her brown hair fell in front of her face, sometimes blocking her bending. With an arched back, Katara groaned and shifted, shedding the thin red cloak that she'd worn.
The sun had risen, and the coolness of the morning was gone quickly. She stood in the backyard, the river flowing, and her eyes fixated on the girl across from her. Hwasa looked just as tried and spent as Katara but they didn't complain, it wouldn't help them. Katara could see the sweat pouring from Hwasa's body, the heat of the Fire Nation making the sweat of their bodies stick to them.
"Again," Hama said calmly.
Katara nodded and stepped out with her left foot, her elbows and knees bent and her swift and hands straight. Katara watched as Hwasa called the water towards her and in seconds, a ball shooting at her. Dodging the blast, Katara turned around and then called the same water to her, throwing it back at Hwasa. Hwasa separated the water into two disks and threw them at Katara. Bending her back, her body flat as a plank, Katara dodged the water.
"You hesitated," Hama said, glaring at Katara.
"I'm sorry," Katara replied.
"Don't be sorry, be better."
"Yes, Hama."
With that, Hama got up from her spot on the ground and walked into the house. As soon as the door closed, both girls sighed and fell onto the ground. Katara fell backward, landing on her back while Hama fell forward, her face meeting the mud.
"Are you dead?" Hwasa groaned.
"Not yet." Katara sighed.
The girls laughed and then got up from their spots on the ground, walking closer to each other.
"We're getting better," Katara noted.
"I would hope that training for two years would make us better." Hwasa sighed. "Yet she wants more."
"One day we'll prove it to her and we'll go back home."
Katara nodded and a silence fell between the two. Two years had passed since Katara had been taken from her home. The first months were rough and as they dragged on, Hama got colder. It was shocking for Katara, she had never known to upset Hama that much. However, Hwasa became a very good friend to Katara, almost the sister she never had.
It was strange to think that if she had stayed in the South Pole, she would have never met Hwasa. These two years had bonded the girls in a way that no one could imagine. They fought against each other because Hama ordered it but once the training was over, Hwasa and Katara laughed and joked as if they were back home.
"I can't wait to go Penguin Sledding," Katara said breaking the silence.
"What?" Hwasa asked.
"Penguin Sledding," Katara repeated. "You know, sliding on the Penguins."
"I've never done that before, is it fun?"
"It's wonderful!" Katara beamed. "Sokka and I used to do it all the time."
"Oh," Hwasa said, her smile faltering.
The girls fell silent again and Katara looked at Hwasa. It always happened when Katara would speak about her family back home. She would go on tangents about having fun in the South Pole, singing stories around the campfire, cooking with her mother, and so forth. Of course, Hwasa liked hearing about the stories but Katara could always sense the pain in Hwasa's eyes. Katara did what kids do best and asked many questions which made Hwasa uncomfortable. Soon, Katara figured out that even at the age of seven, some people didn't have the nice childhood that she once had.
"We can do it together," Katara said, smiling at Hwasa.
"Go Penguin Sledding?"
"Yeah!" Katara smiled. "We can find some and I'll teach you. It'll be fun!"
"Does the Fire Nation have Penguins?"
"Uhhh." Katara scratched her head. "I'm sure we can find some or you can come home with me."
Hwasa perked up at Katara's last words and hoped filled her eyes.
"Yo-you want me to come home with you?" Hwasa asked.
"Of course!" Katara smiled. "We're friends and it's good to bring your friends home with you. I'm sure Hama would come as well."
Hwasa smiled and quickly wiped the tear that fell from her eyes. Katara was going to speak but Hwasa threw her arms around Katara's neck, holding her close.
Neither girl knew what to do as they stood on the wooden platform with their arms stretched out. Women who surrounded them kept poking each girl with a needle, drawing blood. With every flinch or cry, the girls were told to stop moving. However, Katara could barely move let alone breathe which would only irritate the women more.
"OUCH!" Hwasa shouted.
"Are you that useless that you cannot help but hurt a child?" Hama hissed, one of the maids recoiling inside herself and hanging her head low.
Katara and Hwasa wanted to speak but they said nothing. Hama was usually in a good mood but there were times when she was as cold as the Arctic Tundra and the girls knew to say nothing. The woman apologized and continued to fit the girls for a dress. Katara understood this tradition, as the daughter of a chief, a lot of the village women made dresses for her and the women of her family. Of course, they would give the women gifts in return but Katara hadn't seen Hama with anything in her hands.
A few more minutes passed, and the women stepped away from the girls. Katara looked at Hwasa scrunched her face, informing Katara that the dress was tight.
"Can you move?" Hama asked, snapping the two girls out of their mental conversation.
Katara tried to move her legs and with a few shakes and wobbles, she was finally starting to feel her feet.
"Yes, Hama," Katara replied.
"Can you bend?"
Hwasa shrugged and then moved her wrist slightly, the water from the cup shaking slowly.
"Loosen the grips on the arms," Hama commanded and the women once again did as they were told.
Katara let out a breath as the ties around her stomach and chest were loosened. Blood flowed through her body once more and Katara bent the water in the cup. Hama smiled and dismissed the women from the room.
Hwasa ran to the mirror that was mounted on the red wall of the room near the door. She twirled in her dress and Hama scolded her, warning her to not wrinkle the dress. Katara looked at herself in the mirror and couldn't believe it, she did not recognize herself.
The red dress was lined with black and it crossed over her chest. The sleeves were long and back, almost engulfing her hands while her hair was pulled back into a high bun. She didn't look like herself at all. In all truth, she looked like she was Fire Nation that was until you looked at her aquamarine eyes and the navy-blue choker. Sure, there was Fire Nation clothing at the house they lived in, but Hama had provided them with Water Tribe attire. It was her clothing that made Katara feel at home as if her family and people were with her. But at this moment, Katara didn't like she was from the Southern Water Tribe. If anything, she felt like someone's doll, if her body was not her own and that frightened her.
"Why are we here, Hama?" Hwasa asked, snapping Katara out of her thoughts.
Turning around, Katara walked towards Hama and Hwasa. The girls sat down on the red cushions on the floor and crossed their legs. It was strange for either girl to sit this way, Hama had servants come in to show them. Katara's foot was falling asleep while Hwasa's back hurt.
"We are meeting someone very important today," Hama said smiling at the girls.
Hwasa turned her head to the side, questioning Hama while Katara said nothing.
"We are meeting the Fire Lord."
"WHAT!?" Hwasa shouted, jumping up from her spot. "NO! He's evil! He is the-"
The sound of skin colliding with bone broke through the air and Katara watched as Hwasa's head snapped, turning to the side. Hama's hand stayed in the air threatening that Katara would meet the same fate. Hwasa's head fell, her hands clutching to the fabric that clung to her small frame. Tendrils of her raven hair slipped through the beautiful bun that the servants had done, trying to cover the red print on Hwasa's porcelain skin.
"After all these years you still have the mouth of a woman with no manners or care for life." Hama hissed. "Speak when spoken to or I will teach you that lesson the way savage girls like."
Both of the girls nodded, not daring to speak. Hama bent the water out of the cup and wrapped it around her hands. The water glowed and Hama bent down, moving towards Hwasa and healing her cheek. Katara could see the hesitation within Hwasa, not wanting to be healed after Hama had so rudely hit her. Katara had never been hit in her life and she didn't think Hama would ever raise her hand to either of them, especially children that were not her own.
"We are in the house of the Fire Lord," Hama said, her hands still healing Hwasa's cheek. "We are to be his healers therefore we are living here. In life, we must do things that we do not like, things we are not proud of. But as long as our goal is at the center of our actions, we will achieve it."
Katara didn't understand what Hama was talking about nor did she care. She didn't understand how Hama could be so harsh one second and kind the next as if nothing happened. Hama opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a servant. Quickly, Hama left the room and the door closed, leaving the children in the servants dressing rooms.
Without thinking, Katara rushed over to Hwasa and threw her arms around her neck. Hwasa held onto Katara tightly, her tears turning Katara's bright red dress into a deep red with her salty tears. Breathing heavily, Hwasa tried to speak but only whimpers of pain were communicated and Katara felt her own cheeks wet with her tears.
"It's okay," Katara whispered. "We are going to be okay, as long as we have each other."
"It's okay, you'll get it next time." The man said, his hands behind his back as he watched the young man try once more.
The boy hissed, slouching, he broke his stance once more. They'd been working on his stance for months and he couldn't get it. Wiping his sweaty brow, the servants quickly rushed to give him a towel. Taking it without so much as a 'thank you', he wiped his face and threw it on the ground.
"I need to get it now." The boy hissed. "I can't be behind her."
The older man sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Nonetheless, he nodded and watched as the young boy punched the air again, only pushing out a small flame, nothing they actually needed.
The boy groaned once more as the flame vanished in the air. He could feel that his bending was off, not as powerful as it should be. He practiced breathing and those stances various times that it didn't make sense. His sister got them on the first try while he had to repeat the steps over and over again.
"Zuko, it's oka-"
"If you say it's okay one more time I'm going to blast you," Zuko shouted.
"Well then maybe you could finally get the move." Lu Ten teased, punching Zuko lightly on the arm.
"Whatever." Zuko groaned, picking up the towel and wrapping it around his neck, the sweat running down his lanky body. Throwing his head back, Zuko took in the rays of the noon sun, slowly feeling his body come to life. The more he pushed himself, the longer it took for him to heal but it didn't matter. Zuko needed to impress not only his father but his grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon. While his sister, Azula mastered the new stances given to both of them, Zuko struggled.
"You're doing the best you can, Zuko." Lu Ten said, pulling Zuko out of his thoughts. "It took me a while to learn them as well and you will get it, just be patient."
Zuko wanted to protect but he stayed silent. Lu Ten took his time learning the stances because Uncle Iroh, Lu Ten's father, was patient with him. He knew it wasn't Lu Ten's fault, but it was easier to find fault within them than himself. Zuko had the support of his father while Zuko's own father barely bothered with him. Not only was Zuko learning this stance to be a better bender, but he also wanted to be a better son. If he could master this stance, catch up with Azula then his father would be proud of him.
Lu Ten and also didn't have a sister who seemed to be good at everything while Zuko seemed to be the worst. If Zuko learned a new stance, Azula learned three new ones and perfected all of them. Lu Ten didn't have to compete for anything and neither did Azula, it was handed to them with little to no effort. Zuko was the exception to the rule and had to struggle to be half as good as either of them and it annoyed him. But no matter what, Zuko would try until he got it right, and then he would be better, he would be the son his father wanted.
"You're eight, Zuko." Lu Ten added. "These stances are above the regular level anyway be proud that you've made it this far."
"Is this what you tell your soldiers?" Zuko asked, raising his eyebrow at his cousin.
"No, I usually shoot fire at them." Lu ten jokes. "Very resourceful, that's why you need to master it, to command your own soldiers."
Zuko smiled and called one of the servants over to give him a cup of water. No matter how upset Zuko was with himself, his older cousin was always there to make him smile.
"When can I visit Aunt Hui Ying?" Zuko asked, looking at Lu Ten's amber eyes. "The healers have moved in from what I've heard. Do you think they can heal her? I think that-"
"So many questions for such a tiny person." Lu Ten said, trying to change the topping from his sick mother. "I promise you can see her as soon as she feels better."
"When will that be?" Zuko asked, walking with Lu Ten from the training grounds and into the palace.
"Soon, Zuko." Lu Ten replied. "As I said, patience, nothing can be fixed within a matter of seconds. I'm sure when she feels better, you will be the first one she asks for."
Zuko nodded and continued to walk through the halls. The young Princes walked through the halls and carried on conversations. It was nothing important, but Zuko wanted to know about the rest of the world. He knew that the Fire Nation was at war, they were close to one-hundred years and though Zuko didn't quite grasp it, he was proud of his name. His Grandfather, Uncle, and cousin were making the world better and the Fire Nation would remain great.
Lu Ten promised to take him to the city of Ba Sing Se when they finally broke through the walls. Sure, it was called the Impenetrable City but that wouldn't remain as the Fire Nation continued their efforts. He heard stories of the city, divided with three rings and there was a King that ruled. Zuko wanted to meet the King one day, once the Fire Nation won so he could laugh in his face and rename the city Na Sing Se, just for fun.
Zuko groaned, his body falling backward as a force pushed him down. He heard a high-pitched scream and his clothes were soaked. Looking up from his position on the ground, he saw a bowl on the ground liquid spilling out and he prayed to Agni that it was water. With further investigation, Zuko noticed a young girl had fallen as well, landing on her side. She wasn't clothed in regular servants' clothing; they weren't allowed in this part of the Palace.
"Zuko, are you alright?" Lu Ten asked, reaching out a hand to help him up.
Nodding, Zuko got up without the help of his cousin. The water rushed through his clothes. "Watch where you're go-go..." Zuko trailed off on his eyes and made eye contact with the blue-eyed girl.
The girl dusted herself off as she got up from the ground. Her hair was not tied up like a Fire Nation Nobel and yet her clothes seemed the match that of his sisters. Her brown skin shimmered as the rays of the sun bounced off of her maple brown skin. Zuko was going to shout at the girl but he had lost himself in her eyes.
"Sorry." The girl whispers, playing with her hands and looking down at the bowl on the ground. Zuko had forgotten that he was soaked, it didn't matter. Lu ten flicked Zuko's ear and he winced looking up at his cousin who smirked at him.
"It's okay, Katara, we were not paying attention." Lu Ten said smiling at the young girl. "Though I think Prince Zuko is upset about being wet."
The girl, Katara, nodded and raised her hands. Pulling her hands towards herself, Zuko felt the water lift from his body until he saw the liquid in the air and soon put it into the bowl.
"You're a Waterbender!" Zuko exclaimed, sounding a little more animated than a Prince should be.
"Yes." Lu Ten said, picking up the bowl and hanging it to Katara. "She is one of the healers and she's pretty good."
Zuko had never seen one in person before and he was shocked that his first meeting with one was him almost being a jerk. Zuko watched as the girl's cheeks reddened, Lu ten's complement surely made the girl swoon. Zuko rolled his eyes, of course, Lu ten had that effect on girls, he was the Crown Prince after all.
"I-"
"Katara, I need that water!" a woman shouted and Katara quickly picked up the bowl and bowed towards the boys and then ran off.
"Maybe Aunt Hui Ying needs more time to heal," Zuko said.
"Uh-huh." Lu ten chuckled and continued to walk, Zuko trailing after him.
These chapters may seem pointless but I promise you they're not. This story will be long, we've got 5 books to go through!