Hello Everyone!
Thanks for reading I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Lots of interaction between the characters in this one! :)
Light from the Shadows Chapter 19
Kakashi
Kakashi looked around him, the landscape an ocean of ice, in every direction there was nothing but white, shades of grey, and blue. At least the sun was out today and it did help keep the cold away, though not enough to take off any of the layers he had piled on at their last stop. The North Pole was boring. Or at least an unsuccessful search for it was. Kakashi glanced over the side of Appa's saddle and saw the same koala otter that had been swimming with them for the last three hours. The sky bison was flying so low, Kakashi could almost reach out and touch the creature.
Sokka had to be the one to break the silence, "I'm not one to complain, but can't Appa fly any higher?"
Appa's feet dipped into the water. Aang looked back at him, his eyes red and puffy from lack of sleep, one of them twitching.
"I have an idea, why don't we all get on your back and you can fly us to the North Pole?"
"I'd love to! Climb on everyone," he wiggled his rear end at everyone, "Sokka's ready for takeoff!"
Momo jumped on him, as if accepting the invitation. Kakashi wanted to laugh but he was exhausted at their flight too.
Katara slapped her cheeks in a last ditch effort to wake up.
"Look, we're all just a little tired and cranky because we've been flying for two days straight."
Sokka wiped his hands down his face, stretching his lower eyelids down in a comical manner.
"And for what? We can't even find the Northern Water Tribe. There's nothing up here."
"It has to be up here somewhere, we just have to keep looking." Kakashi mentioned.
Sakura looked up from her notebook, "Haven't you two ever come to visit?"
Katara raised an eyebrow, "We've kind of been in the middle of a war for the last 100 years? It's not like it's a quick boat ride away."
Sakura shrugged and went back to her notebook.
A flurry of ice moved frighteningly quick toward Appa. Too quick to be natural. Oh sweet lord, they better be from the Northern Tribe I am too tired to care about anything else right now. Aang pulled the reigns to the side to avoid the ice but everyone just about fell out of Appa's saddle in the process. Kakashi didn't even put down his book, just held on with the other hand. He did see Sakura protectively clutch that notebook to her chest, however, and silently wondered what she had in that thing. She was always stopping to scribble notes or pictures. Kakashi looked up and Appa had been stopped, their group was surrounded by Water Tribe warriors and he could not feel more relieved. What a weird reaction to being held at spear-point.
Katara hopped up excitedly, "They're waterbenders! We found the Water Tribe!"
...
The warriors escorted them back to their village, sailing in a formation around Appa.
"There it is!"
Kakashi finally put away his book and was taken aback at the absolute majesty of the icy fortress. There were towers and turrets everywhere and the main wall had a gigantic water tribe symbol cut into it. How the fuck did we miss this?
"The Northern Water Tribe..." Kakashi mused.
Sakura was looking on in awe next to him tears prickling her tired eyes, "We're finally here..."
They floated right up to the wall, where the warriors that had found them stopped and waterbended in unison. The giant symbol in the middle of the wall rolled to one side to reveal a tunnel into the city's waterways. One of the waterbenders motioned them to move forward, and Appa swam them inside.
Kakashi watched as the waterbenders closed the gate behind the group. That seems like something Sakura would... He glaced at the girl and she was indeed scribbling crazily in her notebook. He chuckled to himself and looked around at the icy city. Everything was white, blue and shades of grey. It was beautiful, in a dull, quiet, cold sort of way.
Katara was in awe of everything, "I can't believe how many waterbenders live up here!"
Aang was ecstatic right along with her, "We'll find a master to teach us, no problem!"
The city was set up in several rings, there was the outer wall around the entire city, and then inside that was part of the city, then another wall, with more houses and buildings on the other side at a slightly higher level. There had to have been at least four levels. At the very back was a huge ice temple with turrets and high towers everywhere.
Around them, people began to gawk. Kakashi suspected they didn't get many visitors with that sort of gate system, let alone a group riding on a flying bison. They had been traveling together for a while now, at this point Kakashi was used to the attention, no matter how much he hated it. Aang was waving at everyone. Kakashi would have rather explored the city on foot, taken the time to look at every waterfall, ice sculpture and all of the amazing architecture. But sightseeing was not the reason they were here, and Kakashi would be lucky if they even found the time to set down with a pot of tea and relax.
A boat was on the river with them just ahead. But that wasn't what Kakashi was thinking about at that moment. He was more entranced by the woman in the boat. Her hair was whiter than freshly fallen snow. It was so unusual, he had never seen anyone with hair his color or even close that wasn't due to aging.
It wasn't so much a physical attraction to her that kept his eye, but more of a feeling of kindred spirits. Kakashi looked to Sakura to see her reaction, and it wasn't what he was expecting. Instead of the excitement he felt, her face was green with envy.
Next to him, Sokka leaned over the side of the saddle, and if Kakashi hadn't seen it himself, he would have never believed it. It was as if Sokka's eyes had become literally heart shaped and were beating out of his sockets. Instant infatuation.
Back to Sakura.
Kakashi glanced back at her and she was glaring daggers at Sokka.
"What haven't you seen a girl with an unusual hair color before?"
The boy completely ignored her.
Kakashi turned away from the mysterious woman, pretending that Sakura had been talking to him instead of Sokka.
"S-sorry, she just... has naturally white hair, I was curious that there was someone else with such a color like mine naturally..." He scratched the back of his neck and looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"You're fine, Kakashi." she said with a sigh.
Fine as in you look like you might murder me in my sleep for looking at another female. Scary. We aren't even together, why do I feel weird about it?
Katara mused from the other side of Appa, "This place is beautiful."
Sokka had walked down Appa's tail to keep the girl in his sight as long as possible.
"Yeah, she is." He said dreamily.
Smitten.
Once they reached the massive temple in the center of the city, the chief came out and greeted them, saying there was going to be a great feast that night and that they were welcome to attend.
During the feast several huge kettle drums were brought out and played in unison for the groups entertainment. Kakashi found it fascinating. And strangely familiar to a practice in the Fire Nation.
"Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the Southern Tribe, and they brought with them friends and someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now. The Avatar!"
The crowd cheered for him.
"We also celebrate my daughter's 16th birthday," He backed up, and the white haired woman from before walked up to him, flanked by two attendants, "Princess Yue is now of marrying age."
"Thank you, father. May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times."
"Now, Master Pakku and his students will perform!"
The chief gestured toward three men who stood on the stage opposite from him. Kakashi watched them perform, mesmerized by the fluid movements of the water they controlled. It was strangely similar to how a fire entertainer would use their element, but more serene and controlled. It left him feeling soothed and comfortable rather than excited and slightly fearful.
Next to him, Sakura got up, breaking his fixation on the benders. He looked to see what she was up to.
"I see Sokka there with Princess Yue, I want to hear him make a fool of himself."
"Entertainment of an even higher caliber!" He smiled before following her.
The two walked up and took a glass from the banquet table each, then leaned against a nearby pillar, just close enough to hear the two's conversation nearby.
"Very nice to meet you Sokka."
"So... uh... you're a princess!" She nodded and smiled. "You know, back in my tribe, I'm kinda like a Prince myself!"
"Uh-oh they've got company." Sakura pointed to Katara walking up to the princess and Sokka.
"Ha! Prince of what?"
"A lot of things! Uh, do you mind? I'm trying to have a conversation here!"
Katara mockingly bowed to him, "My apologies, Prince Sokka."
"So it looks like I'm gonna be in town for a while. I'm thinking maybe we could... uhh... do an activity together?"
Kakashi stifled a laugh behind a cough.
Sakura whispered to him, pretending to be drinking, "Bet you she thinks he's talking about an entirely different 'activity'!"
"Sakura! You're so bad!"
They laughed.
"Do an 'activity'?"
Sokka didn't know how to answer the question, apparently, and proceeded to shove a giant shrimp into his mouth. Sakura shook her head and they walked up to the poor flailing boy. The Princess made her way to another group of people waiting to congratulate her.
"Very smooth, Sokka."
...
The next day the group was destined to split up. Aang and Katara were to go with Master Pakku, Sokka wanted to find the warriors of the village and see if they could teach him anything. When Kakashi turned to ask Sakura what she wanted to do with the day, it seemed she had thought about going with Aang and Katara to the waterbending master.
"That's okay though! I can just have Aang and Katara tell me what they learned later. What did you have in mind?"
"Hmm... well I'd love to tour the city a little. What do you think?"
"Ohhh, that sounds wonderful!"
She danced around excitedly, her fur hood bouncing around her cold face. When they had picked up winter supplies, she had chosen a dark red coat with white trim, along with gloves and thick hide boots. She wasn't going to freeze any time soon. The only part of her that was still exposed was her face, currently red with the cold, yet excited for their day's adventure. Kakashi couldn't help but smile at her actions. So cute.
He pulled on his thick coat, charcoal in color, gloves, boots and a thick yellow ochre scarf to keep him completely warm. He smiled at Sakura.
"First things first, I think we need to find you a scarf. Wouldn't want your nose freezing off!" He laughed before pinching her nose.
He thought she might have blushed, but her face was already red, so there was no telling. The two left the lodgings provided to them by the chief and started to explore. They didn't get very far before they decided they were lost. Every building looked the same!
"Kakashiii, let's ask for directions, I can't feel my nose anymore!"
Kakashi laughed and they walked around the next corner. A man, probably about twenty-five, left a building down the street in front of them and stopped as he realized who they were.
"Heyy, you two are the Avatar's guests!"
"Heh, Yeah I guess we are..."
"No need to be shy!" He walked up and put an arm around each of them, "Let me guess. You're lost."
"How could you tell." Kakashi deadpanned.
"I mean you circled this same area probably three times now. Doesn't take a genius."
Sakura laughed, "Yes we're lost! Do you happen to have the time to show us around?"
"But of course!" He let his arms fall, and walked a few paces in front of them, "Was there anywhere in particular you wanted to go?"
Kakashi watched Sakura rub her cold face before responding, "We need to find a scarf for the lady," he nodded to Sakura and she smiled.
"Perfect! Let's be on our way! My name is Tanuk by the way!"
"Nice to meet you, Tanuk!" Sakura said kindly.
Kakashi grunted, "Same." There was something about the guy he just didn't like.
Apparently they had just taken a wrong turn, the shop they needed was only a block over in the opposite direction. It was a good-sized igloo type store, and their guide led them inside. Kakashi was tall enough he had to duck to get inside the entrance, Sakura did only slightly thanks to the extra height from her coat. The inside was amazing, filled with beautifully dyed scarves and other supplies. They took their time browsing, Kakashi insisted they find the perfect color.
They finally found it, tucked behind another row of scarves in the very back of the shop, a thick jade green scarf that matched Sakura's eyes. He pulled it off the rack and went to find Sakura. She was currently bent over a display case of various hairpins and jewelry.
Always the glitter isn't it? Though Sakura wasn't the type to flaunt jewelry and finery, Kakashi decided this was one time he could spare the money to spoil her. I'd do anything to see her smile... Wait, what? Oh that's very bad. Very bad. You can't... There can only be one future with her, as a friend. But why can't I be more than a friend? Have you forgotten you are from the Fire Nation? Her, and not to mention most of the world's, sworn enemy? Can't we just forget that and move on? ... I don't think she would feel the same way if she found out. Kakashi sighed and walked up to see what she was looking at. He decided to stay in the friendzone. Their relationship would only move forward if she were the one to make the first move.
"What are we looking at?" Kakashi asked.
Sakura gasped, startled at his sudden presence.
"Sorry, you scared me!" She looked back at the display case, and pointed at a few different things.
"There's those hair loopies, which i was thinking would be really cute on Katara, or... those..."
"Sakura."
She looked up at him, "What?"
"Don't tell me what you think would be good for those kids, I want you to pick out something for yourself. My treat."
"Kakashiii, if you're buying it, you should pick it out. What do you think would look good on me?"
"Close your eyes," Kakashi whispered in Sakura's ear, "I want it to be a surprise."
She turned away from the case and closed her eyes.
He felt the heat rise in his cheeks. Damn she makes it hard. Kakashi moved a little closer to her for a better view of the case, his heart beat a little faster. There were rows and rows of hair accessories, rings, necklaces, earrings. Sakura isn't the type to wear a whole lot of these... Something simple and sturdy... A rose gold comb stood out to him, it was delicately decorated with a piece of carved whale tooth made to look like a sprig of cherry blossoms. Perfect.
"This one." He pointed to the ornate comb in the case and handed him the scarf as well.
"Excellent choice, sir."
The merchant retrieved a pair of keys and opened the display case, pulling the comb and its protective storage case from the shelf. He calculated up the total and just as he was about to tell them their total, Kakashi put a finger up to his mouth and winked at him. The man nodded and wrote the total on a slip of paper.
10 silver coins.
That's it? Kakashi looked at the merchant questioningly, and he wrote out on another slip of paper.
Special discount for the lovely young couple!
Kakashi's cheeks burned and he gave the man the amount due as well as a tip for their generosity. He knew very well that comb cost way more than that. He took the scarf off the counter and put it over his arm.
"Keep your eyes closed!" He told Sakura as he pushed her hood down. He tied the scarf around her neck and watched her smile at its warmth. Kakashi picked up the comb from the counter and tucked it into the bun on top of her head.
"Okay, you can open them."
Her beautiful emerald eyes snapped open and she looked down at the scarf, then felt the comb in her hair. She turned to the merchant and asked if he had a mirror they could borrow. He nodded and gestured to a large sheet of polished ice on one wall. She thanked him and smiled. They walked up to the glass and Sakura tilted her head to see the comb better. Her fingers traced the delicate flowers and Kakashi could see tears in her eyes.
"What's the matter? Do you hate it?"
She turned to him and her lower lip quivered slightly, oh how badly I want to kiss you right now, Sakura..., "No. Kakashi... it's perfect!"
She threw her arms around him in a tight hug before kissing his cheek. Kakashi's eyes went wide and he was sure his ears were steaming.
"Y-you're welcome."
"Mm... you sure know how to treat a girl." She pulled out the necklace he had won for her at the festival back home on Kyoshi. Kakashi thanked the man and they left the igloo.
"Do you remember that night?" She asked.
He nodded.
"It seems so long ago," she mused, dancing around in a small circle as they walked down the street.
While she held onto the necklace the chain snapped.
"Oh no!" Sakura held the tiny Kyoshi amulet in her hand, "Kakashiii.."
She really was about to cry now.
"Let me see it. We can probably just put on a new chain or strip of leather. No need to worry, Sakura." They looked around for their guide, but he was nowhere to be found. "Maybe the shop owners know of someone."
Kakashi walked back into the store and asked the shop owner if he knew somewhere he could get the amulet a new chain or leather strapping.
"You could either get a strong steel looped chain from the store two houses to the south, or we have a few that might work for you? We have a few gold and a few of the leather, made from a platypushark."
"Whoa, those exist?"
"They're not very common, but one died here recently. We don't go out to hunt them, it is Water Tribe law not to kill anything that is in danger of going extinct."
"That is very smart and kind of your people. I'd like to see a few of the platypushark."
The owner retrieved a box from behind the counter and opened it for Kakashi. Inside were a small variety of leather strips. One was dyed in a pattern of what looked like tiny words but Kakashi couldn't read them.
"What does this one say?" He held up the red leather strip.
"Ah, those are ancient blessings from the Ocean and Moon spirits, they are held in very high regard in our culture. The blessing is for one of strength and harmony. Would you like it?"
Kakashi nodded and handed the amulet to the man for him to restring it.
"An amulet of Kyoshi! It is beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as the woman who will wear it."
The man handed him back the necklace and Kakashi held it in his hands.
"How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing. May you two have a long and happy life together."
Kakashi shook his head, "We aren't-"
"Let me tell you a story, young man. When I was young, my wife and I were the best of friends, and to be honest, I thought that was all we would ever be. I asked her father for his blessing, to ask her for her hand. I explained to him that I was in love with her. he told me, "some people are meant to fall in love, but never meant to be together." I couldn't understand what he meant, and then I found out she was already betrothed to another man. To cut a long story short, she ended up leaving him at the altar for me. She followed her heart and we proved her father wrong. So don't let anyone, even yourself, tell you that you can't be together. When two people truly care about each other they find a way to be together."
"Thank you, sir. For everything."
They waved and Kakashi left the shop.
"What took you so long?" Sakura asked. She was shivering in the cold, Kakashi was slightly surprised she hadn't come inside while the man was fixing her necklace. They had spent quite a while in the shop and the sun was starting to go down.
"I'm sorry, here," Kakashi walked up to her and put the necklace around her neck under the scarf, "The old man fixed it for you."
"Aww, that was so nice of him. What are these words?"
"He said they were blessings from the Ocean and Moon spirits for strength and harmony."
"That is so cool! Thank you Kakashi." She tucked the necklace inside her shirt and took his hand.
"Let's go! There's so much more to see!"
Their exploration was cut short. Before they even got one block further, Katara stomped by.
"Katara!"
She kept walking.
"I'm sorry Kakashi!" Sakura yelled back to him as she followed Katara, "I'll catch up with you later!"
The area grew quiet without her presence and somehow darker. He pulled out the copy of Icha Icha he stashed in his hip pocket and opened it to the last page he had read. It didn't do any good to distract him. The old man's words were burning a hole in his brain. ...they find a way to be together.... Kakashi shook his head and kept walking, remember, this goes nowhere until she makes a move.
He walked around the city aimlessly for a while before someone fell into the water in front of him. Kakashi looked down and it was Sokka.
"Sorry!" someone said from down the waterway.
Kakashi glanced their way and saw it was Yue, waving at Sokka. He came up spluttering for a second, "That's okay, it was worth it. See you tonight."
"Have a hot date tonight?" Kakashi asked Sokka.
"Oh yeah."
"So hey, Sokka. Her hair is white."
"Yeah." He said, with a tone that screamed he was infatuated.
"Is that normal in the Water Tribe? Are there others?"
"Actually," Sokka seemed to come out of his trance, "It's not. I think she's the only one I've seen that's not seventy years old with white hair. Other than yourself that is."
"Huh."
"Weird."
"Yeah."
"She's so pretty."
They found their way back to their lodgings and stayed there until Sokka deemed it was time for him to go on his moonlight tryst with the young princess. Kakashi thought about tailing him, but decided that would be an invasion of privacy, and it would require him leaving the warmth of the house. Mostly the second one. Instead, Icha Icha and his daydreams of Sakura kept him company.
The rest of the group arrived before Sokka got back. Sakura instantly wanted to gush about their day, Kakashi could tell by the excitement in her eyes, but she held back, as the mood between Aang and Katara was tense.
They proceeded to peel off their outer layers, and Sakura took everything off but the scarf he had bought her. It looks so good on her... She pulled out her notebook and sat on her sleeping bag next to his, but a little closer to the fire.
"Did you learn anything interesting today?"
She was just about to reply when Sokka walked in, clearly upset.
"How's warrior training?" Katara asked.
Sokka kicked his bag in anger and sat down by the fire.
"That bad, huh?" Aang asked.
"No, it's Princess Yue. I don't get it. One minute she wants to go out with me and the next she's telling me to get lost!"
Kakashi chuckled, even though he felt a bit sorry for the boy, "Ah, young love. That's how women are Sokka." The instant the words left his mouth he knew he had made a mistake.
"What do you know old man." Sokka bit out.
"I'm not old... and.. I know enough..." Kakashi felt his cheeks burn behind his book.
Sakura tipped the book away from his face, "And what do you mean by 'That's how women are...? Hmm?" Kakashi felt a sweat break out on his forehead.
A vein was twitching in Sakura's forehead and Katara looked like she might punch him. Her wrist flicked the book out of his hands and Kakashi flinched.
"Hey hey hey! H-how's the waterbending going?"
Sakura threw the book down on the ground and shook her head at him in disappointment. Katara flopped down on her sleeping bag, her hood falling over her head.
"Master Poophead won't teach her because she's a girl."
"On the plus side the healing lesson was pretty cool." Sakura mentioned, flipping through her notebook. Katara glared at her.
"Why don't you just teach her, Aang?" Sokka asked.
Katara sat up with a smile, "Why didn't I think of that?" She got up from her bag, "At night, you can teach whatever moves you learned from Master Pakku. That way you have someone to practice with and I get to learn waterbending. Everyone's happy!"
"I'm not happy." Sokka grumbled.
"But you're never happy. Come on, Aang." Katara grabbed his hand and they left the house.
Kakashi did not think this was a good idea.
"What did you two learn at that healing lesson today?"
"There was so much! I also learned that the Norther Water Tribe has a custom to carve a betrothal necklace for your significant other when you get engaged! How cool is that?"
"How did you two find that out?"
"That's the even weirder part! It was the healing lady, Kagoya? I think her name was? She recognized it! She said to Katara, 'you're the spitting image of Kana.' Like whoa! Apparently Katara and Sokka's Gran-Gran is from the Northern Tribe!"
She traced a picture she had drawn of Katara's necklace and sighed before flipping the page. I wonder what that was all about. She showed him several diagrams of the healing lesson and it was all above him, how they could just do it. At the end of her notes for the day she shut the notebook and moved to stow it away again.
"Wait... could I, look at your notebook?"
"Um. Well..." She blushed and refused to look at him.
"What's the matter?"
"Well... it's just... really personal."
"I understand. Forget I asked." He gave her a reassuring smile and was relieved when she relaxed.
Kakashi itched to read the notebook, but he was conflicted, equally curious and wanting to respect her boundaries.
Just a few minutes later, Aang and Katara returned. They looked glum.
"What happened?" Kakashi asked.
"Master Pakku saw us."
Uh oh. I knew this was going to be a bad idea. Should have said something... idiot.
Katara sighed. "I'm sorry Aang."
"It's okay."
"What happened?" Kakashi asked again, this time a little more insistent.
Aang looked dejected. He took a deep breath before responding, "He caught us and said we had insulted him, his teachings and his entire culture. He said I was no longer welcome as his student."
"What!?" Sakura exclaimed.
...
The next day Kakashi, Sokka and Sakura went with Aang and Katara when they left to appeal to the chief. They did not go all the way up with them, but stayed a respectful distance in which they could still hear everything. During their meeting, the Chief, Princess Yue, Master Pakku and the tribe's council were all present. It felt way to official for Kakashi, like he was present during another war meeting with the Fire Lord all over again.
"What do you want me to do? Force Master Pakku to take Aang back as his student?"
"Yes!-Please!"
"I suspect he might change his mind if you swallow your pride and apologize to him."
Kakashi could tell the idea burned Katara from the inside out, "Fine."
Master Pakku smiled smugly. I want to punch him. Katara if you don't punch him, I will.
"I'm waiting, little girl."
"No! No way am I apologizing to a sour old man like you!"
The ice creaked around them, threatening to crack open and shatter. Her power was out of control, and it was slightly terrifying.
"Uh, Katara..."
"I'll be outside-if you're man enough to fight me!"
Katara stomped out of the palace, the pots filled with water around the room returned to their tranquil status and the creaking ice stopped. Princess Yue gasped at Katara's challenge and Kakashi watched as several men in the room stiffened at the challenge. They're scared of a teenage girl. How funny! Though I suppose I have no room to talk, she is one powerful waterbender.
Aang tried to placate the council, "I'm sure she didn't mean that."
"Yeah, I think she did." Sokka said bluntly.
Definitely meant it. Katara has a temper when she wants to. Katara, Sakura, women are scary when they're angry.
They followed Katara outside where Sokka tried to stop his sister, he knew this fight was not going to go well in her favor.
"Are you crazy, Katara? You're not gonna win this fight!"
Katara threw off her coat and it hit Sokka in the face, "I know! I don't care!"
Aang threw in his opinion, "You don't have to do this for me. I can find another teacher."
She was seething, "I'm not doing it for you! Someone needs to slap some sense into that guy!"
Master Pakku walked out of the building and stopped at the top stair step.
"So, you decided to show up?" He walked past Katara, didn't even acknowledge her, "Aren't you gonna fight?"
He stopped for a moment but didn't turn around, "Go back to the healing huts with the other women where you belong."
This guy knows JUST the right buttons to piss her off. Kakashi sat on the top step and watched the drama unfold.
Angered beyond anything Kakashi had ever seen from her before, Katara drew a water whip out of the ground and slapped Pakku on the back of the neck with it. He finally stopped and turned to face her.
"Fine. You want to learn to fight so bad, study closely!"
There was a pool of water on each side of Master Pakku, he grabbed most of the water in each and bent it around himself. Katara ran at him, but she was flung backwards when she hit the water. She stood again, now about ten feet from Pakku. He changed the water wall to run around both of them. It span faster and faster, creating a whirlpool between them and the audience.
He mocked her, "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you!"
The water constricted, but before Katara could be knocked down, she swung her arm and deflected the wall of water onto a different path, incidentally hitting Sokka. Katara ran up to Pakku with a water whip. He raised a ramp of ice in front of her that she slid up and back flipped off, landing on the guardrail of the stairs behind him. He liquefied the ram and threw it at her while catching her feet in ice. The wave broke around Katara, as she bent it out of the way.
"You can't knock me down!"
A small crowd had gathered and were cheering Katara on. "Go Katara!" Aang shouted.
As Katara advanced on Pakku he rose a sheet of ice between them. She liquefied it and threw several blows at Pakku, one narrowly missing his face, before he washed her away into one of the pools with another wave of water. The man smiled with satisfaction. Katara broke the surface of the water and crowd cheered. She rose a circular pedestal of ice out of the fountain pool and began to shoot slivers off the top at Pakku. He dodged and broke each of them as they arrived with swift punches and movements. The last one narrowly passed the left side of his face, too close for his comfort. Kakashi relished in the surprise and dismay on his face. After the ice had passed him he turned back to Katara with a slightly bewildered look and perhaps a tiny hint of impressed surprise on his face.
Katara bent a stream of water around her that she threw at Pakku, who caught it and began to twirl it around him. She ran at him again, but he washed her backwards and onto her back when he released the water. Katara jumped back up and released the pillars of ice behind Pakku, narrowly missing him in their collapse.
"Well, I'm impressed. You are an excellent waterbender."
"But you still won't teach me, will you?"
"No."
With a warcry of effort, Katara raised the water near her feet, froze it, and sent it in a rolling wave along the ground to Pakku, who rose himself up on a pillar of ice when the wave reached him. He liquefied the base of the pillar and began to flow forward on it, similar to an iceberg riding along a river. Katara raised her own stream of water and knocked him off of his iceberg, but he took her water and froze it in an arc around her as he slid, knocking her to the ground. Kakashi saw her necklace had fallen off.
Pakku rose a huge column of water out of one of the pools, making a whirpool out of it in the air and then freezing it into shards, before letting them fall all around Katara. The shards had landed too close for her to move, she was trapped. She struggled in vain but was unable to move her arms or legs.
Master Pakku walked towards her, "This fight is over."
"Come back here! I'm not finished yet!"
"Yes, you are."
He stopped in surprise, picking up her necklace.
"This is my necklace!"
"No it's not, it's mine! Give it back!"
"I made this sixty years ago-for the love of my life." Katara's ice prison liquefied, freeing her. "For Kana."
"My Gran-Gran was supposed to marry you?"
"I carved this necklace for your grandmother when we got engaged. It thought we would have a long, happy life together. I loved her."
Katara huffed.
"But she didn't love you, did she? It was an arranged marriage."
She approached Pakku, "Gran-Gran wouldn't let your tribe's stupid customs run her life. That's why she left. It must have taken a lot of courage."
Just a few feet away from Kakashi, Yue began to cry openly and ran away. Kakashi stood right next to Sokka.
"Go get her."
...
Later that night, the group was sleeping in their house, Kakashi the only one lying awake reading. Sokka had yet to return. He had decided to wait up just in case. About an hour later the boy walked in.
"This sucks."
"Tell me about it."
"She's engaged."
Kakashi smiled and closed his book, glancing a moment to see what page number he had stopped on. He took a deep breath and put his hands behind his head.
"Let me tell you a story..."
...
Thanks so much for reading!
Sasuke's chapter is next!
Get ready for some DRAMA!
Thanks for your continued support!
Liz
P.S.
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