Chapter 3

Hey everyone! I've gotten a few PM's so far and I'm glad you've all liked the story so far. Please enjoy this new chapter and leave a review if you feel like it!

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The Southern Water Tribe, part 2

"Katara!" Aang called after his friend as she stormed up the hill back to her home, fists clenched and angry determination written all over her face.

"Katara, c'mon!" Sokka tried, after she refused to turn around. The waterbender reached the entrance to her home and disappeared inside. Aang, looked back at Sokka, Suki, and Toph who all gave him variations of an 'I don't know what to do either' look. Aang ran after his friend, only slipping on the icy path once or twice in his haste and entered the Chief's house. He walked into the bedroom that the siblings shared to find Katara silently fuming on her furs, arms crossed.

"Katara please, you can't fight tomorrow" Aang tried again, attempting to keep his tone as unpatronizing and reasonable as possible.

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do Aang. You know that I'll be able to beat that jerk, easy" Katara huffed, standing to face her friend.

"That's what I'm afraid of Katara! If you embarrass one of their benders in front of the tribes it won't make them respect you it will just hurt their pride" Aang tried to reason, hearing his three friends walk into the room behind him.

"I think Aang's right Katara. As much as I'd like to watch you beat up one of those snooty jerks this isn't the way we should settle this" Sokka said, flinching when his little sister sent him a scathing glare.

"I don't care that it won't help!" Katara yelled back, throwing her hands into the air, "I'm fighting tomorrow and that's final."

The four of them kept trying for another hour to convince Katara to back down from the fight until she finally got angry enough to kick them out of the bedroom, leaving them to try to make beds in front of the fire in the main room.

"I don't get why she's being so unreasonable. Everyone with a brain knows she can beat that guy easily, why does she have to prove it?" Sokka asked, brow knitted in frustration, "she had the same meltdown when she challenged Master Pakku when we were in the North."

"It's cause this is her home Sokka" Toph answered, laying back on the thick furs that lined the floor, "they're disrespecting her on her own turf and she just can't let that slide. You know Katara, she hates it when people tell her she can't do something."

"It doesn't matter! This is going to make things between the tribes a hundred times worse" Aang groaned, burying his face in his knees.

"I'm not saying it won't but I am saying that i get it" Toph replied, staring blankly up at the ceiling, "when people treat you like you're weak, sometimes you just need to beat something up. To prove to at least one person that you're stronger than they think you are. It was the same for me back at home; it was why I started fighting in those underground matches."

"I get it too" Suki chimed in, "that's why my warriors hated Sokka so much when we first met him. It was so out of the realm of possibility in his mind that girls would be able to beat him up that he couldn't even process it."

"Listen, I'm not saying I don't get it" Sokka rolled his eyes, "I'm just saying it's a really stupid move."

"It is" Suki agreed, "but we all know Katara has a temper and anger can be an great blinder."

Slowly they all fell into restless sleeps, all thinking about how the events of tomorrow would play out. Aang lie awake next to the fire for some time before he was able to finally slow his thoughts down enough to drift into unconsciousness.

If he had only said something when Katara started yelling at the dinner this whole big mess could have been avoided. Now, everything was going to get a whole lot worse and he had no idea how he could help. The Avatar was supposed to be the world's mediator and he couldn't even fix this one problem.

For some reason everything was much harder now that the war was over.

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Katara rose early the next morning, only to find her friends sitting bleary eyed next to the still warm embers of the fire from the night before. The sun was barely rising in the sky, and the bags under her eyes signaled to them that she hadn't been able to sleep well. They all knew that even tired she would be able to take the Northern waterbender.

"Don't try to change my mind, I'm doing this" Katara growled when her brother opened his mouth to say something.

"I was just gonna wish you good luck Katara" Sokka rolled his eyes, "even if this is a stupid plan, we're all rooting for you." Aang, Suki, and Toph nodded in agreement, though the weariness was clear on all their faces. Katara felt a pang of guilt that her choice had kept her friends up with worry but she pushed it from her mind, she had a fight to win.

The group walked down the path to the main part of the village in silence. Katara's fists were clenched and the determination on her face unyielding. When the five of them finally reached the main square, they found many people already gathered there. Surprisingly Hakoda and the leader from the North were absent, most likely already preparing for the fallout that would come after the fight ended. Katara knew she was being a pain by not backing down, but her pride would not allow it. The Northern idiot had challenged her and she had never been one to back down from a fight. She noticed him standing amongst his friends and laughing, though he looked as tense as she. His tribal brothers had most likely warned him that Katara was a formidable opponent, but it seemed that her being a woman overroad stopped him from feeling threatened enough to back down from the fight.

The rage from the night before bubbled up in Katara's stomach once again when she looked at his smug face.

"Are we doing this or what?" she yelled out to him, gathering two large bubbles of water into her palms.

He gave her a cocky smile, flicking two whips of water in response. "I'm surprised you actually showed up. I promise I'll go easy on you."

Katara suppressed the wave of anger that threatened to overwhelm her. He was goating her, trying to throw her off her game, but it wasn't going to work. She managed to smirk back at him after taking a deep breath, the only reason he would be trying to egg her on like that was if he was scared. He should be scared.

Suddenly a water whip came her way. She easily avoided it, grasping the water and absorbing it into her own reserves. Twisting her wrists she shot a geyser back at him, redirecting her rage into power. The Northern bender was knocked off his feet, but he shot back up quickly, regaining a solid stance.

Just as she was about to attack again she jerked forwards, almost falling over. Looking down she noticed shards of ice encasing her boots, but she noticed her opponent hadn't attacked while she was was distracted by her immobility. He seemed to be stuck as well.

"Just what are you two doing?" an annoyed voice called from the crowd which quickly parted to reveal a familiar face.

"Master Pakku!" the Northern boy yelled in astonishment. Katara hadn't seen the old man at dinner the night before, but it seemed he was still in the Southern tribe.

"Katara your grandmother told me about this ridiculous fight. I have to say I'm extremely disappointed in the both of you." With a swift slice of his hand, both Katara and her opponent were released from the ice. The Northern boy quickly gathered some water again, ready to strike, but paused when he noticed that Master Pakku was shaking his head.

"Kaito you're a strong fighter and a good bender, but you really must be stupid if you think you can take her on and win. She got some good blows in when I fought her and she hadn't even been trained then" Pakku sighed, rubbing his temples.

"She's just a girl, I can take her" the boy, Kaito was his name, replied. Though he dropped the water he had been preparing his strike with.

"No, no you can't. I doubt even I could 'take her' now that she's been fully trained" Pakku glared at the boy, not amused by his response. "You do realize she taught the Avatar waterbending?"

"I..." Kaito faltered.

"And you" Pakku said, turning towards Katara, "I know you have a temper Katara but you can't let your feelings dictate your actions. You'll end up in ridiculous situations like this."

Katara stayed silent. She knew her former master was right but she didn't want to give him any satisfaction by admitting it.

"It's not weak to back down from a fight Katara, especially one with so much subtext behind it" Pakku continued, "you both know the smart option would have been to avoid this yet here we are, all because neither of you could put your pride aside for a few minutes."

Kaito frowned and glared at Katara, a look which she happily returned.

Pakku turned to face the crowd of young men that had gathered to support their brother, "This 'girl' as you all insist on calling her helped save our tribe. Or have you all forgotten when we were attacked by the Fire Nation last year?"

A grumble of 'no Master Pakku' sounded from the group, who all looked as if they were children who had been caught doing something naughty.

"You all know no one in our tribe respects tradition more than I, but Katara is a strong warrior and without her many good men would have died. If you idiots have your heads buried so far in the snow that you can't even acknowledge that than Chief Hakoda would be right to send you all back North. All the Southern Water Tribe is asking for, all Katara is asking for, is respect. To refuse them something to simple is insufferably stubborn."

"Master Pakku is right" Katara finally spoke, "I don't want to prove I'm better than any of you, just that I'm your equal. Don't treat me like I'm a child or just a girl who doesn't know her place. I could take any one of you in a fight and you all know it. I just want my people to be treated with respect no matter if they're a man or woman."

Pakku nodded, "you benders could actually learn a thing or two from this young lady if you put your pride aside for just a moment. She has more battle experience than any man living in the North Pole today, that's valuable information."

"I'm not sure if any of them would want any waterbending tips from me" Katara snorted at the impetulant look on Kaito's face, "but I know a few women who do. I'd be willing to teach them."

"You're saying we can't protect our own women?" Kaito scoffed, bristling at the implication.

"Bending isn't just fighting" Aang piped up, "it's a way of movement, a philosophy. It shouldn't just be used for battle."

"The young Avatar here is right" Pakku folded his arms behind his back, "just because your wives want to learn more than healing, it doesn't mean they don't trust you to protect them. It's in their nature to bend. Young Katara here to taught me that very lesson when she visited our tribe."

"You know our women are as committed to Northern Water Tribe traditions as we are Master Pakku. They would never volunteer to break them" Kaito reasoned, throwing his arms in the air in frustration.

"I'd be willing to learn from Master Katara if she'd have me" a voice spoke up from the crowd and a young woman came forward, only a few years older than Katara herself.

"Aisuka!" Kaito yelled, surprised, "you really think that's wise?"

"Yes Kaito I do. I want to learn how to bend. I've never liked healing and you know it so if she's willing to teach me, I'm willing to learn."

"You don't need to know how to fight! I can protect my own family" Kaito's face reddened.

"I know dear, but I want to learn to bend properly, I... need to know how to bend properly and I know many of the other wives and daughters feel the same way. Healing is a respected and sacred art, but many of us want more than that. I want my daughter to feel as safe around me as she does you" Aisuka held her ground, glaring down her husband.

"Of course I'd be willing to teach you!" Katara interjected, now elated. Kaito sent her a glare but managed to keep his mouth shut, "for me, so much of my bending was about defence. But it always felt so right when I could feel the push and pull of the water, even if Aang and I were just practicing forms. I remember when I got my hands on a waterbending scroll and I learned my first actual waterbending move it was like I had found a piece of myself I didn't even know was missing. Ever since I found out I was a waterbender all I wanted was to learn how to bend, which was why it was so crushing to learn no one would teach me at first."

Kaito sent the young waterbender a strange look, "bending is natural to us that's true...but healing is what the women are supposed to learn, that's just the order of things."

"I just don't understand that" Aang shook his head, "wouldn't it be beneficial to your tribe if more warriors knew how to heal properly? Obviously if women are the only ones who truly study the art to its fullest extent they would be priceless on a battlefield, yet they aren't allowed anywhere near it. And if you aren't there to protect your family if something goes wrong shouldn't your wife be able to do so in your place? Don't you all want your families to be as safe as possible?"

"Of course!" Kaito replied, "but protection is a man's job, that's our burden to take! That's a warrior's duty!"

"There's nothing wrong with sharing a burden" Aang shrugged, "at the air temples we all shouldered the responsibilities of the community. Everyone helped raise children and cook meals and take care of the temple, we all shared the responsibilities together instead of assigning duties to a single person."

"That's just...not how things are done here!" Kaito huffed, crossing his arms in frustration.

His wife laid a hand on his shoulder and shook her head, "Kaito, there's more to the world than just what exists inside of the Northern Water Tribe. I think it's time for you and the rest of the warriors to realize that."

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Four weeks later

Aang perched atop one of the many supporting structures that had been newly constructed around the perimeter of the Southern Water Tribe. Their perimeter wall was coming along faster than he thought it would, though being in the South Pole the waterbenders never ran out of construction materials. The wall itself wouldn't be as large or impenetrable as the one protecting their sister tribe, but that's just how the Southerners had wanted it. Less imposing and more welcoming.

Aang inhaled the crisp air and closed his eyes, clearing his mind of any distraction as the rhythmic crashing of the ocean waves against the ice lulled him into a meditative state. The last few weeks definitely hadn't been easy, but they were an unquestionable improvement from his first day with the tribe. He measured his breathing in a way almost second nature to him.

In and out.

The icy air bit at his ears and nose and Aang instinctively exhaled a cloud of warm air to surround him. With his eyes closed and the temperature now comfortable, Aang's mind couldn't help but drift towards memories from long ago.

In and out.

A morning meditation session with his Master, the calm of the morning not yet having been broken by the daily activities of the Southern Air Temple. He could almost smell the sweet scents of lemongrass as it drifted up towards him from the air bison grazing fields below.

In and out.

A light breeze drifted by and Aang could almost feel the warmer airs of Spring rushing over him. Soon arctic seal cubs would be barking from their colony only a mile away from the Tribe and baby wolf-foxes would sneak into camps to steal any food the men had gathered. Life had once again been breathed into the Southern Water Tribe in more ways than one.

In and out.

Aang opened his eyes, pulled out of his meditative state as the tinkle of laughter reached his ears. Turning around on his perch he saw Katara leading a group of women and children down to the outskirts of the town, ready to teach a morning class.

Aang felt a swell of pride as he watched the young waterbending master running her pupils through the many forms of waterbending. After the potentially catastrophic duel in the town center had been put to a stop, she had immediately started teaching Aisuka the basics. The same basics Katara herself had taught Aang nearly a year ago.

The two women had become fast friends and Aisuka had soon gathered more wives at their morning meetings, speaking highly of Katara's talent as both a bender and a teacher.

Soon enough, even some of the children had joined in; interested in where their mothers had been disappearing every morning. Aang had even heard rumors that a few of the younger and more open minded boys had asked their mothers to show them how to heal. It was unbelievable how much could change in just under a month, and it was all thanks to Kaito's wife for being brave enough to stand up to both her husband and her tribe. Aang had a deep respect for the courage she had shown.

Many of the men still seemed uncomfortable with Katara's morning classes, but less and less would speak out about it as the days wore on. Aang guessed that after the incident two weeks ago even they could see the benefits in their loved ones being able to protect themselves from the many dangers on the arctic tundra.

One of the younger children had wandered off, away from the tribe and on to a frozen lake. With the warming temperatures of coming spring, the ice had become brittle and even the weight of the child's small body was enough to break through it. If the child's older sister hadn't known the waterbending Katara had taught her, it would have been impossible to pull him out in time. It was pure luck that she had been observant enough to notice the child's absence, and that she was close enough to save pull him out.

After that many of the men found it hard to argue the benefits of the women learning to bend properly.

As Katara's class ended and the women began to disband Aang jumped off of his perch and floated gently to the ground below, snow crunching beneath his feet.

He walked over towards his friend, waving when she turned to look his way. She gave him such a genuine smile that Aang nearly stopped in his tracks and his heart began pounding in his chest. He hadn't seen the waterbender this happy since she had first learned to bend, being a teacher was well suited to her.

"Hi Aang!" she greeted once he was close enough, cheeks rosy from the morning chill.

"How did class go?" Aang asked, trying to quiet his heart.

"Great! Everyone's learning so quickly! I think a few of them are even ready to start moving on to the more advanced moves. Aisuka could start teaching classes of her own soon."

Aang smiled, "that's great Katara."

"I mean you were a fast learner Aang so I was a little worried that it would be different with new students, but I guess it's all working out" Katara laughed as they began walking back up towards the house for breakfast.

"Well I had some great teachers" Aang smiled at her and Katara felt her cheeks heat up slightly.

"How much longer are you staying?" she asked, trying to avoid any awkward silence.

"I...was going to leave tomorrow" Aang answered quietly, trying to ignore Katara's look of outrage.

"Tomorrow?! Why didn't you tell us you were leaving so soon? Did you...not want me to come with you?" she asked, looking down at the snow.

"No! You were just so focused on your classes I didn't want to distract you...and I wasn't completely sure when I would have to go, but it looks like things are more stable down here now. I didn't think you would be able to come with me this time now that you're teaching" Aang rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

"I...guess so" but she didn't sound happy, "where are you heading now?"

"The Fire Nation" Aang smiled, "I still have a lot of firebending to learn, and Zuko sent me a letter saying he could use some help with everything."

"Oh..." Katara replied, but Aang could see she was feeling a bit left out, "is it just you?"

"No, Toph said she was coming because my earthbending could still use some work but I think she just wants to go somewhere she doesn't need shoes."

"I see."

The two finished their walk up to the house in a heavy silence. Katara had seemed so content teaching that Aang hadn't wanted to pressure her into leaving with him, he assumed she had wanted to stay and finish her classes first. But obviously he had guessed wrong. She seemed so happy teaching, Aang didn't see why she would want to leave that.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur as Aang and Toph prepared for the long journey up to the Fire Nation. Appa seemed a bit annoyed that they were making another journey already, but Momo seemed rather excited to escape the ice. There weren't many nuts and berries in the South Pole for him to snack on.

Sokka and Suki approached Aang as he sat around the warm fire, mentally checking off provisions. Toph was still packing in the bedroom and Katara was sitting against a wall, trying to fix yet another hole Sokka had managed to rip in his pants.

"Aang! We're coming with you tomorrow!" he announced excitedly.

Aang looked at his friend in surprise, "really? Don't you have to stay here and help you dad?"

"Well I talked to him and he said that because the Southern Water Tribe still hasn't hammered out any official trade deals with the Fire Nation it could be a good idea for us to send someone in person to figure it out" Sokka said with a lopsided smile, "and we wanted to see Zuko."

Aang laughed, excited more friends would be joining them but he couldn't help but send a look over at Katara who's aura of gloom only seemed to deepen at her brother's announcement. Now she would be the only one left behind in the South Pole.

Suki seemed to sense the same thing, "Katara, you're sure you can't come with us? Team Avatar isn't the same without you."

Katara reluctantly shook her head, "it would be irresponsible of me to leave the classes wouldn't it? I mean who would take over?"

"I guess so" Aang replied, frowning. It didn't feel right to leave her behind.

The rest of the night passed quickly, everyone having to gather more last minute provisions now that the size of their group had doubled. Aang feel asleep easily, but the only thought on his mind was the fact that they were leaving Katara all alone.

Morning seemed to come too quickly, and Aang was reluctantly pulled out of slumber when he felt a hand shaking him awake.

"C'mon twinkletoes, if we don't leave soon we won't make it to Whale Tail island before sundown" Toph grunted at him, obviously still sleepy herself.

Aang sat up and glanced over at Katara's sleeping bag, which was surprisingly empty.

Toph seemed to sense his confusion, "I guess she left to get some early morning practice in."

The four of them gathered up their sleeping bags and after being forced to eat something before they left by Sokka and Katara's Gran Gran they walked out the front door, only to find someone already sitting on Appa as he pulled at the few strands of grass poking through the snow.

"What took you guys so long?" Katara grinned down at them from Appa's neck.

"Katara!" Aang shouted, a wide smile spreading over his face, "but I thought you said you couldn't come!"

"Well last night after you all went to bed, Master Pakku stopped by and asked who would be teaching my classes after I left" she shrugged, "I guess everyone assumed I was leaving with you guys anyways. So Master Pakku agreed to teach some of the more advanced benders along with his normal students and Aisuke agreed to keep teaching the newer students the basics. So it all worked itself out."

"Team Avatar together again!" Sokk cheered as he reached Appa's saddle, sliding down his neck to give his sister a dramatic hug. Katara pushed her brother off with a laugh and a roll of her eyes.

"I guess 'Avatar's companion' is a pretty good excuse" Toph joked, leaning back and resting her hands behind her head as she settled down in her normal spot on Appa's saddle.

Aang smiled, it seemed that as happy as teaching made Katara, traveling the world like old times made her even happier.

"Appa!" she yelled, a smile breaking across her face, "yip yip!"

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I hope that ending wasn't too cheesy for you guys, but I wanted all of team avatar together again. I just love Katara as a character, she's really fun to write and I know everyone else loves her two so I want to keep her in the story as much as I can. Leave a review and let me know what you think of my story so far and thank you for reading!