Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Chapter completely rewritten as of 1/16/18
Lu Ten
The early afternoon sun was still high in the sky, though it provided no warmth. Snow-white hills, mountains, and valleys all sped past his eyes as they moved over the ice. The massive polar-bear dogs pulling the elongated sled moved with a speed that Lu Ten wasn't sure any animal possessed besides a mongoose-lizard. The two dogs howled as their driver urged them on faster, leaving the sea behind them at a rapid pace. Lu Ten pulled his hood over his head and gripped it tightly even as his face reddened from the cold. The air stung him relentlessly as they went, freezing his nose and hands.
Use your chi to warm you Lu Ten…concentrate. He thought of his father's old lesson. He shivered. "Yeah right." He muttered bitterly.
Turning his head to escape the wind, Lu Ten chanced looks at the rest of his family, Ozai sat apart from his wife and son, staring out over the landscape in silence, and aside from the flush of color on his cheeks from the biting wind, Ozai didn't look visibly affected by the biting cold. Next to him, his wife and son didn't fare so well. Ursa shut her eyes against the wind, tears threatened to escape them as she clung to her son, her long black hair blowing in the gusts. Zuko's gloved fingers gripped the railing in front of him, trying to give them both purchase but he looked so uncomfortable doing so, Lu Ten doubted if his cousin still had feeling in his fingers.
"The ice is weakest near the shore during the summer!" Yue all but shouted from next to him, the pinned veil blowing behind her, threatening to escape her tresses. "If we stay in one place for too long, we'll crush it with our weight!"
"Oh!" He yelled back, turning towards her. Anything to escape the biting wind. "That's not good!"
"No, it's not!" She yelled, though there was laughter in her eyes. At his panicked expression, she reached out and touched his wrist, unshielded from the elements. Lu Ten tried to pretend that the tingle that raced up his spine was from the chill of the air, not her skin on his. "But it's thickest by the village! We'll be fine!" Her pink lips pulled back to reveal a brilliant smile.
"If you're sure…" He mumbled, knowing she couldn't hear him.
After several minutes of painful silence, they slowed as a village came into view, rising out of the ice as a pale white light, glowing in the sun's rays. The wind wasn't so harsh now, now that they slowed, and within the high walls of the settlement, the air barely moved.
"Welcome to the Southern Water Tribe," Yue hummed as the dogs pulled them through the large wall and surrounding the village, Lu Ten looked around in awe at his surroundings.
It was a small village, but no less loud than the Fire Nation markets. A wide path carved its way through the center of the town, igloos of varying sizes surrounding them on either side, and narrow entrances and chimneys kept out the cold. Buildings were closely packed together, either sharing walls or separated by narrow alleyways wide enough for someone to pass through. Few residents stopped to look at them, and most were ignoring the Fire Nation Royal family as they passed, going about their daily business, drying out fish, tanning hides, or stripping furs off animals. Children ran about chasing each other with carved toys in their hands, squealing with laughter as their parents shouted after them. Young men and women strolled with along the edges, far away from prying eyes.
"Southern?" Zuko murmured, loud enough for Lu Ten to hear. "I thought it was just one Tribe?"
"They are. The term is only based on location." He could hear Aunt Ursa whisper back. "The North is used mostly for criminals as I recall."
"Interesting." Zuko replied back but said no more.
"Did no one know we were coming?" Lu Ten asked Yue, staring at all of the people, who didn't look back.
"Were you expecting more of a celebration?" She asked teasingly, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Lips that he suddenly wanted to kiss.
"Well yeah, kind of." He gestured to their party. "I mean—,"
"We're a simple people, my prince." Yue said matter-of-factly, turning from him to stare at the people. When she turned her gaze upon them, only then did people react, a hand lying flat on their chest in deference. A few even bowed. Lu Ten sat back in the seat, basking in the adoration. He sighed in contentment. People were finally recognizing them. Showing them the respect that they deserved.
"I um, hate to break it to break it to you," Zuko's voice reached his ear. Lu Ten turned to see his cousin leaning forward over the seat, a smirk on his face. "But that's not for us."
Lu Ten arched an eyebrow, giving Zuko an incredulous look. "If not us, who is it for then?"
Zuko pointed to Yue. "Mom says it's for her."
And in truth, the more Yue waved out the side of the sled, the more people stopped and bowed to her. She said some things in a language that he didn't understand, and that only increased the adoration she received. A bitter pill settled in Lu Ten's stomach at Yue upstaging them, but he was much too curious to actually become angry about it.
"Yue," He leaned closer, breath tickling her ear. She jumped and turned to him, finding him closer than he intended. Zuko's snicker echoed in Lu Ten's ears. Clearing his throat as redness flooded the girl's cheeks, "What's going on?"
"I don't mean to upstage you, Your Highness." The girl laughed in response. It sounded like bells, and suddenly, he wanted to hear more, breathe in her beauty for as long as he could. Her dark blue eyes grew solemn as she spoke next. "Priestesses are rarely seen outside of the Temple, so when we do appear, it lightens everyone's hearts."
"You're a priestess as well, Princess Yue?"
"A priestess, yes, not a princess." She said through her teeth, but the grin was still there. "Katara's the only princess of the Water Tribe. The blood is through her mother and I'm the blood of Hakoda, Katara's father."
A strange look came into Yue's eyes as she spoke then, it was sad, empty, and cold. He didn't know what to say.
The Crown Prince of the Fire Nation shook his head. If something was wrong with her, it shouldn't matter to him. He couldn't help her no matter the case. According to Lu Ten's mother, being the niece of a chief wasn't good enough. Especially if the father didn't have any royal biological connection. Though she did fit every other category is mother was looking for. Beautiful, humble, quiet, and an unblemished reputation.
Pity.
But, as he gazed at the young woman, with her ample chest and flowing white hair, he wondered if maybe the girl would be interested in "blessing him" a time or two while they were here.
"Yue..." Aunt Ursa said from behind them, leaning over the railing close to Lu Ten. "What's Princess Katara like? I imagine that due to her young age, Zuko will be the only one to pursue her."
Again, Lu Ten's eyes found Yue's and he wondered if she could see how much he wanted her in that moment.
Yue nodded and turned to face Zuko's mother, giving her a sympathetic smile. "When we were children, we were like sisters. She was my closest confidant and I hers. But as we grew older, things changed."
"How so?"
"She became more of a brat, truthfully." Yue's eyes were kind as she touched Prince Zuko's hand. "She liked getting her way and became very angry when she didn't."
"Is she arrogant, then? Or simply stubborn?" Ursa asked her, and Yue shrugged in response. Ursa continued. "Being able to command influence and authority is a trait she will need in the Capital, wouldn't you agree?"
Yue blinked. "I suppose so…W-Well, she does have her kind moments, but she's spoiled rotten." Now even Azula was listening to the words Yue spoke. Only Ozai didn't seem concerned, his attention on the people of the Water Tribe. "When we were kids, she would steal jewelry and clothes from other girls in our classes, pull their hair and be mean and cruel. Just because she could. I mean, it's not like she didn't have the best clothes or toys herself. She knew she wouldn't get in trouble."
"Is that true?" Lu Ten asked.
To his chagrin, the woman nodded. "Yes, it is. She seems innocent, but it's what she does to make people like her."
Zuko grimaced. Aunt Ursa's mouth curled down, a pensive look on her face. "I will wait until I meet Princess Katara for myself, before rendering judgement."
Zuko's eyes met Lu Ten's own, apprehension and mild irritation in his eyes. "What am I going to do?" Ursa's hand fell on Zuko's shoulder. He turned to look at her. "Mother…"
"You will do as I do." She said, no question in her voice. This was an order, not a suggestion. "You will at least converse with the girl before you jump to conclusions, Zuko."
"It would be wise…" Ozai said quietly, so low that Lu Ten's ears strained to hear him over the din of the surrounding people. "To listen to your mother."
These were the first words his Uncle had spoken, the older man usually sitting back and observing, rather than engaging in direct conversation.
"Fine." Zuko huffed, sitting back in the seat, arms crossed over his chest.
"You might find that conversation will be difficult, Prince Zuko" Yue added, concerned eyes focused on his cousin's surly gaze. "Katara got the lowest grades in school. I doubt she could hold a conversation, much less impress you with any sort of insight."
When Ursa leaned forward again, mild irritation twitched at the corner of her lips. "The minds of children often exaggerate. The girl is only 15, I'm sure she's grown up and matured a bit."
Yue shrugged, seemingly unaffected by Ursa's growing crossness "I wouldn't know, truthfully. I've barely spoken to her since I was 12 years old, Your Highness. But when such things are so apparent in childhood, could they really change in so little time? And that's what she is…a child."
"How old are you now?" Lu Ten asked her, and she turned her bright eyes on him again. Again, that tingle raced along his spine. Now he was certain Yue was the cause.
"19, my prince." she purred with a small upturn of the corners of her mouth. She looked at him through her lashes, leaning towards him flirtatiously. Lu Ten's eyes roved her frame as he decided that yes—those stories about the curves of Water Tribe women were completely true.
"Put your eyes back in your head, cousin." Zuko hissed at him, breaking him out of his shameless appreciation for Yue's body. "We're almost at the chief's home."
Lu Ten resisted the urge to bark out a laugh. If you could call it that.
Katara
"Oof!" Katara grunted as her back hit the floor. She glared up at her sparring partner. "Mehmet!"
With a bright smile, he reached out a hand to help her up. Mehmet, skinny and stiff in his movements, had light eyes and was a head taller than her, but 3 years older. He was engaged to marry a village girl named Jana in only a few weeks. He flashed an apologetic smile at her. "Sorry Katara, but you wanted me to help you practice."
Rising, she brushed snow off of her clothes, mock glaring at him. "Yeah, I said help me, not beat me up." She faced him again. "It's fine. Whatever. Let's go again."
"Again?" He raised a quizzical brow. "You know there's such a thing as practicing too much, right? You've been here since dawn, Katara. Are you waiting for Hahn? He's on hunting duty."
"No." She blushed, before frowning at him. "How do you know about Hahn and me?"
He laughed quietly. "I think the entire village knows about it, with the way Hahn was talking. I think he's more excited than you're."
She turned from him, suddenly shy. "Everyone knows he proposed?"
"Oh absolutely." He chuckled, "And everyone also knows about the Hana Matsuri."
She inhaled sharply at the reminder, looking around the training room at the others in the outdoor arena. Most of them had arrived at dawn to begin running, (her grandfather implemented their punishment from weeks ago into the actual training regimen), but even in the early afternoon, they'd all head home at least once for lunch.
But not Katara.
She'd been here all day, from sunrise, as she had been for the past week and a half, barely taking breaks. As a result, she'd gone hungry for a while, losing enough weight to become almost unhealthily skinny, barely eating breakfast, and picking at her dinner, but training for most of the day. Her nerves made her more jittery and snappish towards others, using harsh words when she didn't really mean to.
"You can't be serious. That's supposed to be a secret."
He chuckled. "I think we would have noticed the gigantic Fire Nation ship docked at the Northern Port eventually. We're all family Katara. And part of being family means-,"
"—nosing into each other's business. I know." She replied, sticking her tongue out at him. Her expression sobered. "They haven't said anything about it."
"That's because everyone knows that you and Hahn are perfect for each other."
"Not according to some people." She grumbled, watching the door. "My mother thinks I should give the Fire Nation princes a chance, but she doesn't get it! I don't know them."
He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, kind eyes meeting hers. "Is that what's really bothering you?" Mehmet gestured around them. "We're all worried about you. Sokka especially."
She looked across the area at her brother in the midst of practice, as he struck the head of a training dummy clumsily with the butt of his spear before circling around and trying again on the other side.
She shook her head, watching as her brother tried again unsuccessfully and landed on his rear. "He hasn't said..."
Mehmet let out a quiet laugh. "Well duh, he's your brother. He's not going to tell you how much he cares."
She sighed, wringing her hands. A nervous habit. "Okay, fine you caught me. I'm not really practicing…I'm hiding."
"Hiding?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Well…," She folded her arms over her chest. "My mom said the Fire Nation was coming sometime between last week and this week, so I thought-,"
"You'd just hide out here and never ever have to meet them." He gave her a knowing look. "Katara-,"
She threw her hands up. "I know, I know. I'm going to have to see them eventually. Mom says that Prince Zuko is the only one near my age, so I should focus on getting him to like me. But this is so demeaning!"
"What do you mean?" He reached for the pitcher of water now frozen, quickly un-freezing it and pouring them both a drink. "I think it would be exciting. We've never met people from the Fire Nation before."
Her expression turned stony. "I mean, I'm supposed to just sit there acting all demure and quiet and flirtatiously giggle at everything he says while I wait for him to select me, like a cow that's for sale." She sniffed, taking a long drink.
Her hands balled into fists. "It's ridiculous! Mom says that if I'm selected, I must submit to their laws and customs. As if my choices, mind and culture don't matter. It's like...the only thing I'm going to be there for is how many royal babies I can give them."
Mehmet shook his head. "Katara I'm sure you don't have to stay if you're that unhappy."
"But their laws, and customs...what if they have a law that says 'No waterbending allowed' what do I do then, huh?"
"I'm sure the royal family is understanding, Katara."
"Besides..." She added sadly, "I just wanted time to figure Hahn out."
"Figure him out?"
Her eyes lowered to the ground, and she began wringing her hands again. "I haven't seen him in a week. He's always on guard duty, and when he isn't, he's barely spoken to me. Most times he won't even look at me. I mean I know we're not supposed to be speaking anyway, but still, you'd think he'd have at least tried to get a message to me or something."
"Maybe your parents have forbidden it?"
"They wouldn't – would they?" She shook her head. "But if he truly loved me then he'd–,"
"Hey, you two lazybones over there! Slacking off, are you?" The sharp voice of her grandfather broke off whatever Katara was going to say next. The old man marched over to them, displeasure and irritation written all over his face. "The time you spend chitchatting is time you could be improving! Get back to work!"
"Sorry Master Pakku." The two said in unison, bowing, looking thoroughly chastised.
They started off back to join the others in their training, but Pakku stopped Katara with a heavy hand on her shoulder. Mehmet turned. "Is something wrong Master Pakku?" The young man asked.
"No." the old man said simply, before turning Katara to face him. "I will be Katara's sparring partner for today. "
Katara blinked, aghast. "You?" Her mouth dropped open in shock.
Her grandfather nodded simply. "If our Cheiftess thinks that I'm going to send my youngest grandchild to the Fire Nation without making sure that she can take care of herself against all those hot-heads over there, then she's got another thing coming."
Katara shuddered as anxiety pulsed through her veins when she saw Pakku drop into a preparation stance. She hesitated – this was her grandfather – the most powerful waterbender in the tribe. How could she even have a hope of –
No, Katara.
If Pakku offered the challenge, he must think you're ready. He must think you can do this. She told herself.
She brought her arms up, widening her feet. Ready for him to strike. Pakku's lips curled into a smirk.
And I can.
Zuko
Outside of the chief's home stood two people waiting for them as they alighted off the sled. A man and woman, both in dark blue parkas with silver moons embroidered along the shoulders, hem and sleeves stood waiting for them at the chief's home as they alighted off the sled. Looking around, Zuko was thoroughly unimpressed with his surroundings. The village was quaint enough, quite simple and very domestic. But shouldn't the leader of a people be a bit more opulent? More ostentatious?
Turning back to the couple after helping his mother off the sled, he took them in as well, noticing how their parkas seemed so much more well-made, with cloth much thicker than theirs to keep out the cold. They both had on thick pants and wide, flat boots though the woman, Cheiftess Kya he supposed, wore a parka that was long enough to come mid-calf. In her hands she held a thick black bundle of cloth, perhaps a hand warmer of sorts.
"Kya!" Zuko's mother let go of his hand and rushed forward to embrace the Cheiftess, causing her to nearly drop the bundle she had in her hand. Pulling back out of the hug, she added. "It has been too long since I've seen you, my friend."
"Indeed." The Cheiftess nodded. "It has been much too long."
She had kind eyes and a bright smile as she looked at his mother. On the journey to the southern water tribe, his mother had explained the extent of her relationship with the younger woman, about how they'd grown close during the wedding of Uncle Iroh and then remained in contact for several years afterward. They sounded very close. Zuko narrowed his eyes at his mother's back. So that's why she was so dead set on getting Katara in the Hana Matsuri.
"Do you see the Cheiftess?" Lu Ten murmured in his ear, leaning over to him. "Hakoda's a lucky man. Hope the daughter looks like that."
"I thought you said she was too young for you." Zuko whispered back.
"She is." He insisted quietly, patting Zuko on the back heartily. Zuko tried not to cough. "For you, cousin, for you."
Zuko raised an eyebrow at his cousin, but Lu Ten didn't notice, because he was already stepping forward to introduce himself.
Lu Ten wasn't wrong. Cheiftess Kya was an incredibly attractive woman, her skin was a dusky brown complexion that spoke of warmth and comfort, and her eyes were the most crystal blue he'd ever seen. They were as bright as they sky on a clear summer's day and shone with the same intensity. Chief Hakoda was much sterner, his mouth was set in a hard line as he appraised them, eyes analyzing the exchange between the two women before finding Zuko's gaze. His eyes were darker than his wife's but no less intense. It seemed like the chief was trying to stare into his very soul and determine who he really was. Zuko shifted under his gaze and looked away first, uncomfortable.
Zuko didn't look up again as the rest of his family were introduced until he heard his name called.
"—And this is my cousin Zuko,"
Lu Ten was gesturing towards him and Zuko jolted, clumsily making his way forward, bowing before the tribe leaders. Lu Ten continued with mirth in his voice. "I'm afraid that he will be the one to woo your daughter. Women of the Water Tribe are far much more than I can handle." The Crown Prince added, subtly showing that he wouldn't try and pursue the young girl.
"I'm aware, Prince Lu Ten." Kya answered. Her voice surrounded him in velvet warmth, reminding him of his own mother. He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. His mother was beaming, one hand still tightly clasping the Cheiftess' hand. Zuko couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her so happy. He vowed to see more of his mother's smiling face in the days to come. Suddenly, Cheiftess Kya's gaze turned sharply to Yue, standing apart from the rest of them, but watching the exchange nonetheless. "Thank you, Senior Priestess. Your duties have been fulfilled."
For a moment it looked like Yue was about to say something, a look of irritation crossing her features, but she only bowed, probably thinking better of it, and turned around with a huff, walking off towards a big stone building in the distance.
Only Lu Ten watched her go.
Turning back to him again, he felt the Cheiftess appraise him with motherly eyes. "What do you think of our village, Prince Zuko?"
"I—well —From the little I've seen of it," He started, trying to figure out what to say so he didn't upset anyone. What could he say? It's small. It's cold. I have no idea why anyone would live on this frozen crap? "I believe it's quite…different from our home—Not different in a bad way—I mean…," He trailed off, unsure how to continue. The Cheiftess only watched him expectantly. Zuko heard Azula snicker behind him.
"I…what I'm trying to say is…that I look forward to seeing how our peoples are both similar and different."
She nodded, seemingly satisfied with his fumbled answer. "As do I, Prince Zuko. As do I." Then, holding her arms out, she thrust the bundle into his hands. "This is for you, Prince Zuko. My daughter made it as a welcoming gift."
Unfolding it, Zuko realized that it wasn't a handwarmer at all, it was a fur-lined cloak, a black wolf pelt at the collar, with a thick black cloth trailing down towards his feet and a silver ribbon to tie it closed. It smelled like leather, smoke, and surprisingly sweet honey. But it also smelled of winter, of the cold that came with ice and snow.
"Well?" His mother asked, smiling brightly. Lu Ten also wore a smirk on his face, teasing in his eyes. Ozai's face was impassive. Azula had this bitter look about her, glaring at him as if she wasn't sure whether she wanted to snatch the cloak and wear it herself or burn the thing.
Well? Zuko looked at them dumbly, still holding the cloak in his hands.
"Don't just stand there, Zuko." His mother added impatiently, but happily still. "Try it on!"
Willing himself not to blush for being so obtuse, Zuko threw the cloak around his shoulders. All the scents enveloped him at once, ash, leather and honey. But no winter. Cheiftess Kya must have had it resting on hot coals before they'd come because it was warm, very warm and it chased the cold away from his bones. Someone actually made this for him. Someone actually took the time out of their day to do something on his behalf. That hadn't happened in a very, very long time. Not since he was a child. And that certainly conflicted with Yue's portrayals of Katara as a selfish person. He didn't realize that he was smiling or that his cheeks were red until his mother's laugh peeled over him.
"I think he likes it, Kya."
He looked up at the Chief and Cheiftess, who were waiting expectantly for his reply. Clearing his throat, he tried to convey his appreciation without sounding like a total sap. "Um…Cheiftess Kya, Chief Hakoda…thank you. I don't know what to say." He smoothed the soft cloth down with his hands, feeling uncomfortable. "This is very high quality, your daughter's craftmanship is…extraordinary."
Kya laughed. Even the stone-faced Chief's began to crack a smile.
"Well," The girl's mother was saying. "She did have some help. Some of the finer stiches requires a more experienced hand than a girl of 15 could possess."
Well that explains it then.
"Very true," Ursa nodded in agreement before looking past the Water Tribe couple. "But where is Katara?"
Hakoda and Kya turned towards each other, a troubled look on their faces.
Katara
His hands push forward aggressively, the water he controls responds in kind and rushes violently at her, flooding her senses with roar and spray. Her breaths quicken, heart pounding, her fingers twitching, itching to move, trying to stop block the wave of water, but the wall of ice Katara put up shattered, throwing her back and it knocked the wind out of her, shaking her and forcing Katara to her knees. She could hear her opponent chuckle with mirth.
They'd been at it for nearly an hour and a half, the other students had already stopped training and had begun to watch them spar, crowding around the edges of the mats like a circus performance at the marketplace. Master Pakku wouldn't go down without a fight, and Katara had to give him one.
The others around cheered—for her or against her, she couldn't tell—but the sounds died against the volume of her heart's own drumming beat in her chest. Warm breath escaped her lips, turning to ice as the fierce wind blew through the holes in the roof. She wasn't cold—no, her blood was fire, burning with the passion to succeed. She looked up at the Master.
"Ready to give up?" He asked, breaking form and smirking at her with knowingly dark eyes.
She inhaled deeply, the cold air flew into her lungs, chilling her veins. Rising to her feet, only a bit unsteady now, she could feel the coolness flowing through her body, from her fingers to her feet, as she stared her opponent down. She shifted to the balls of her feet, balancing her weight on her toes, anticipating, dreading, waiting for this test to resume.
"Not yet." She breathed out, though her body ached.
Pakku smiled—he approved of her desire to continue, and resumed his stance, a cobra poised to strike. She blinked rapidly, searching her mind. winding river—blocked by water dragon. The stance and its counter flashed through her mind. She moved when he did, his arms forming the motions as she quickly prepared her counter, blocking the water whip he sent her way, twisting it around to attack him instead.
But he was ready, and her arms were getting sore. The whip didn't have enough strength to knock him off balance. He moved around her, and she followed in turn, focusing on each other's arms and legs, looking for signs of movement or preparation.
"You're going to have to strike eventually, Katara." Pakku said snidely, arms behind his back as they continued to circle around. "Not just react."
Taunts…still more taunts? Hadn't she proven herself yet?
Her muscles ached, pulsing with anguish and she shook them a little to relieve the tension. He laughed again. Was he mocking her? Frustration coiled in her chest and blood pounded in her ears as she tried to remember Pakku's lessons, now half-forgotten in the heat of the fight.
"Waterbenders adjust how we behave depending on the environment we're in. We…adapt. I've tried to teach this to the best of my students, but none have grasped it."
"The best waterbenders are not those who know the most forms, or who have been fighting the longest. The best waterbenders are the ones who have adaptation down to an instinct."
And suddenly, it clicked. She'd been on the defensive for most of the fight; he'd attacked, she'd parried and retaliated, but she never initiated an attack herself.
She couldn't outmaneuver him; he'd only anticipate or counter. She'd have to surprise him. She looked around as they paced, their choreographed dance traced in the lines drawn in the of snow that'd settled in. It crunched softly beneath her feet, packing together under her weight, but was soft enough that she slid when she took a step too quickly.
Adaptation…
This dance had to end. She breathed again, shifted, and the snow on the ground behind Pakku rose in the air. Hands trembling, with a shout of exertion she pulled it towards her, the snow crashing into him like a heavy snowball, sending him face first onto the snow-covered ground. And then, all was quiet. No one spoke. No one moved, barely even breathed. Even the onlookers had an unnatural silence about them. Uneasiness washed over Katara as her heart sped up, beating faster as anxiety coursed through her veins. Had she over stepped? Done something wrong?
And then…laughter. She looked towards the throng of other students, but they were still eerily silent, their collective eyes staring, shocked at the old man lying on the ground.
Pakku was…laughing?
If she really thought about it, the rise and fall of his chest accompanied by what sounded like gasps and wheezing could be considered laughter…but the sound was closer to a cough, as if the skill was dry and cracked from underuse. And still…this was Pakku! The man who never laughed or smiled. His students all glanced about uneasily as the instructor raised himself up on his elbows, glaring at his students.
"Will one of you idiots stop staring at me like I've got 3 heads and help me up?"
Katara joined by Sokka hurried over and pulled the old man onto his feet, steadying him. He brushed the snow off his legs and coat, and she worried that she'd be yelled at, but his eyes were bright with excitement.
"Master Pakku," She started to say, "Are you all right?"
"All right?" He asked. He gave another short, breathy laugh that sounded more like a wheeze. "I'm more than all right, I'm fine! I haven't been toppled like that in nearly 23 years!" The students, Katara included, looked positively shocked at what he was telling them. He faced her, dark eyes meeting her bright blue ones. "You've done well, Katara. I'm proud of you."
Everyone gasped before erupting into cheers, the boys that she had class with everyday looking at her with eyes filled with happiness and a twinge of jealousy. Katara shrugged at them before turning to her brother.
"Never thought I'd see the day." Sokka laughed, picking her up in a hug. "You actually got the old man to be nice! How did you do it? Bribery? Did you threaten to cancel his grump of the month club membership?"
"Hey!" Pakku said, whacking Sokka on the shoulder. "I'm always nice. And I'm not that old you little cretin." But he smiled at them and wheezed out a laugh again. Suddenly, the laughter died down as Pakku's head lifted over theirs, towards the door.
Katara turned and felt her stomach plummet into her shoes. Standing there were her mother, father and what looked to be the entire Royal family of the Fire Nation.
Pakku's expression grew dark as he stared the intruders down.
"Well, it appears we have visitors."
Notes from 1/19/18: Okay so Sokka is on the periphery, mainly because I couldn't figure out how to write him and still keep him in character. He ended up as either too serious or used too many puns (which is okay with me because I think puns are hysterical, but I have friends who despise puns with a burning passion. So, I took them out). But I don't really write characters like he and Toph well, their personalities are so difficult for me. I don't think I have a very good sense of humor So, I usually have them stay silent…let me know if you think that's useful or not.