Book I: Water

Chapter VII: Preparations for War

Part II: Recovery

The Redeemer

Somewhere near Whale Tail Island

Zuko and Azula were seething about their defeat at the hands of the Avatar and his friends.

Azula had a particular vicious scowl on her face. The fact that a snow peasant like Katara got the best of one of the best trained firebenders in the entire Fire Nation greatly angered the Fire Princess. She prided herself on her spotless record of victories against all her opponents. Of course, some of those opponents had, by sheer luck, managed to best the Royal Princess of the Fire Nation. However, most of them reneged their victory in order to not incur the wrath of the Fire Lord's daughter. Both her and Zuko had been given the best firebending teachers that royal wealth and influence could afford them.

Zuko also felt some shame on his part. The fact remained that he almost had the traitorous Avatar in his grasp. He had burned him permanently. He had given the Avatar a bit of the shame he had been feeling as a result of his banishment. That wasn't enough for the former Crown Prince of the Fire Nation however, he needed to do more. He needed to end the Avatar's existence permanently. The boy was a threat to his father and his future plans for the Fire Nation conquest. But more personally, the boy was a prize to the former prince. He was the one thing standing between Zuko and the Throne one day. Zuko had his hands on the railing. His anger was causing him to melt through the metal on the handlebars on the ship. Azula noticed this and put a hand on his shoulder. Her tone was one of concern and rare sadness. "Zuzu! Please calm down! You're going to melt the entire ship if you don't relax!"

Zuko took a deep breath and nodded. His voice was seething with anger. "Damn snow peasant! I had the Avatar right where I needed him! Then she sneak-attacked me from behind!"

Azula nodded. "I understand your frustrations brother! Don't worry! We will find that traitor again and the snow peasant along with him! I have a nice prison cell in place for her!"

A messenger then ran up to the two royal siblings. He was much older than the the royal siblings. His hair was dark grey and he had a long beard. "Princess Azula! Prince Zuko! I have a message from Admiral Zhao!"

Azula glared at the man. He was obviously fearful of her. He was shaking at the knees and sweating profusely. She snatched the message from the man and snarled. "Run along now before I get angry!"

The older man then bowed. "Y..Yes ma'am!" He then ran off as fast as he could.

Zuko eyed her warily. "What does Zhao want?"

Azula looked carefully over the message. The girl's eyes widened in surprise. "It seems he has intel on the Avatar's location. One of our spies in one of their forward bases spotted them meeting with the Southern Chief and his generals. This spy has reason to believe that the Chief and his men have aligned themselves with the Avatar's cause and seek to thwart Zhao's attempted invasion of the Northern Tribe."

Zuko eyed his sister curiously. "Admiral Zhao is planning to invade the North? Why?"

Azula shrugged. "The madman believes his destiny is to destroy the moon. He managed to gain Father's favor and is leading the First Fleet in an invasion of the Northern Tribe."

Zuko nodded. "I could care less about Zhao's intentions for the moon. He then got into a thinking position. "However, the Avatar and his allies will probably be there to try and help the Northern peasants defend against the First Fleet. I want to be there when they do. He is mine."

Azula then madly side-grinned at her brother. "You read my mind Zuzu! I will talk to the helmsman and tell him to head to the coordinates in the letter immediately!"

Zuko nodded. "Thank you Azula!"

Azula bowed respectfully. "Of course Zuzu! My pleasure!" She then walked off to find the helmsman.

Zuko turned his back to her and glanced at the morning sky. There was an intense look in his. "I will have the Avatar in chains!"

Kuzon's Bunk, Southern Fleet, somewhere in the Southern Tribe.

Kuzon laid back on his bunk and sighed. Well the good news is that I have Chief Hakoda's support. The bad news is that he suspects that there is something..between me and Katara. The firebender let out a groan of frustration. I mean I feel close to her every time we touch. The bond between us is intense…even strong in some ways. I feel like she's become a part of me I can't live without. The rogue firebender then shook his head to rid himself of that thought. He faceplamed. "Damn it Kuzon! Get serious! She's a girl from the Water Tribe! You are a boy from the Fire Nation! Both of your homelands have been warring with one another for more than a century. Chief Hakoda may agree that he needs to align with you in order to save his homeland but agreeing to let his daughter marry a firebender is another matter!" He shook his head and grunted in frustration. "Besides you know what happened to Taira! What if you get Katara hurt or worse, killed!"

Aang had been listening in to the firebender venting his frustrations. The airbender then nodded to himself. Looks like he needs some Nomad advice. He then walked in with a knowing smile on his face. "Having girl troubles are we?"

Kuzon glanced at the airbender with a surprised look on his face. "Aang? How long have you been standing there?"

Aang smirked at his best friend. "Long enough. So...Katara huh? I could see the two of you becoming an item. Despite what one may assume about her element, she does have a serious temper under that kind demeanor of hers. She is also a natural optimist and can help balance your overly pragmatic viewpoint of things."

Kuzon glared back at Aang defensively. "Hey. I am not overly pragmatic! I'm what an optimist calls a realist." He shook his head with an annoyed look in his eyes. "Besides her father has basically read to me the riot act already. He already suspects that some kind of attraction is brewing between us."

Aang glanced at him curiously. "What exactly did Chief Hakoda say?"

Kuzon chuckled bitterly. "He told me he would never allow his daughter to marry a foreigner." Kuzon shook his head. "I like Katara..part of me may even be falling in love with her but such a revelation changes nothing. I can't let my personal desires get ahead of my one goal. That goal is defeating the Fire Lord. I need Chief Hakoda's support to do that."

Aang then got into a thinking pose. "Hmm. You have a point. We just formed an alliance with the Chief and his Southern Army. You having a romantic relationship with his only daughter would…complicate things."

Aang then put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry brother. That can't be an easy realization to come to."

Kuzon shook his head. "It's fine Aang. This war should take greater priority over our individual desires. There is no room for error. If either of us let emotion or selfish desire get the better of us..people die. I've buried enough people for a lifetime."

Aang nodded. He could see how the firebender came to his conclusion.

The fact remained that the two of them were essentially leading a four-man group of rebels against the most powerful and advanced military in the world. The Fire Nation was on the constant hunt for them and anyone caught aiding them was bound to become a target. It was better for Kuzon to lock away his heart for now. Doing so would make it easier for the Avatar to lead his friends into battle against the Fire Nation and their allies.

Aang, however, wanted to challenge Kuzon to think differently. Aang sighed. "You are right but.."

Kuzon raised an eyebrow. "But..?"

Aang just smiled at him. "If you look at it from a practical point of view, Katara and Sokka got the Fire Nation's crosshairs on them the minute they decided to fight back against Zuko and Azula. Your whole plan to spare her the consequences of your Avatar burden is kind of unnecessary."

Kuzon then stood up from the bed and crossed his arms at the airbender. "What do you mean Aang?" His tone was more one of curiosity than irritation.

Aang explained. "Katara is already your ally and waterbending teacher. She is already aiding you in your destiny to beat the Fire Lord. You and I both know she wouldn't just walk away from all this even if you begged her to do so."

Kuzon sighed annoyingly. Aang had always been a big talker. The trait had its benefits but there were sometimes where the firebender wished Aang would just get to the point.

"What is your point Aang?"

Aang just leaned against the doorway. "What I am trying to say is that our days might be numbered brother. If you were to die tomorrow…would you really not be bothered by the fact that you never told Katara how you feel about her?"

For the first time in the conversation, the firebender was speechless. His cheeks reddened.

Aang nodded, seeing that the question had the Avatar in deep thought.

After a while, Kuzon spoke with a clear stutter. He was searching for any kind of answer to his and Aang's question about the uncertain nature of the war and its possible impact on both their lives. "W..What about Taira? I..abandoned her back at the Hidden Temple..I can't possibly…"

Aang then sent him a sympathetic smile. "You are wrong brother. You can. My people were never one to hold grudges against anyone. We took a more philosophical approach to our unions with others. I'm sure she eventually knew of what transpired there and what happened to you. It may have been hard for her at first but I don't think she would hate you for what happened."

Kuzon just nodded blankly. He let out a sigh. "I'll..try to do my best. I still blame myself."

Aang then put a hand on his shoulder. "I get that. I'm just asking you to try." He then hugged the boy he considered a brother.

Kuzon hugged him back. "Thanks brother. For everything."

Aang nodded. "Of course." A thought came to his mind. "At the very least, you should probably tell Katara what Hakoda told you." Kuzon gasped in shock. "Are you out of your mind? If Katara finds out about that, she will be furious with him. She'll hate him all over again. I don't want to be the reason she starts refusing to talk to him again."

Aang shook his head and eyed the boy seriously. "And if you keep this from her, she will see it as a betrayal of the trust you two have in another. A friendship depends on a high level of trust between the two. Friends lean on one another and trust in each other, to be honest with the other person."

Aang then pleaded. "You know I'm right about this hotman."

Kuzon just nodded in half-agreement. "What do I do if she gets upset at him?"

Aang nodded. "Nothing whatsoever. The issue of Katara's independence in her own life decisions, such as who she will marry, lay with her person and her only. Neither you or me nor her father have any stake in said decisions. Besides..this is really just between her and her father. You just happen to be the scapegoat in the middle. It would be different if you were born a member of the Water Tribe."

Kuzon nodded. "You..have a point."

Aang let out a sigh of relief. I'm relieved he got my point. Aang then pointed out. "I'm pretty sure she would say the same if she were in here talking to us. Each one of us may be able to influence her in a certain way but Katara will follow her own path."

Katara, meanwhile, was standing outside the door, listening patiently to the two boys. A slight smile formed on her face. Well what do you know? Underneath all that goofiness lies a sharp mind. She then turned to face the two of them. She glanced at Aang with a smirk on her face. "I underestimated you Aang. I took you for just a goofy kid but you are a lot sharper than I took you for."

Aang turned to her and nonchalantly shrugged. "A lot of people make that mistake about my people. They think just because we were a race of freedom-loving, frolicking monks that we were never focused on the big picture or were just impulsive by nature. The latter couldn't be farther from the truth. We were a race of philosophical people that thought long and hard about every decision we made in our lives." He then chuckled. "I mean come on…we were the only nation out of the four that embraced a vegetarian diet almost religiously. We were the only nation that dedicated ourselves to a peaceful and spiritual existence void of conflict. That requires a lot of reflection on our part."

Katara half-smirked at him and nodded. "I agree with you there."

The waterbender then turned her eyes to Kuzon. Her smirk widened. The rogue firebender was trying his damndest not to meet the girl's eyes. He was instead focusing his attention on the covers of his bunk. Well I mean..I like him. I know this is sudden but we're fighting in a war. There is a good chance the two of us won't make it out alive. I'd like to know I at least tried to love again. I honestly want to live a full life with no regrets. She then turned to Aang. "Aang, would you give us a moment?"

Aang nodded and bowed respectfully. "Of course Katara. I'll be outside if you two need me."

Katara nodded. "Thanks."

Kuzon grumbled to himself. Gee thanks Aang. Now she knows everything. This is why I keep things to myself.

Katara then cleared her throat and sat herself on the side of the bed. He's probably scared that I'm going to shout at him or be angry for keeping this from me. Time to prove him wrong. She then took a hand, interlooped it over his, interlocked fingers and squeezed. She then spoke as soothingly as she could. "Look..I'm not mad you kept this from me. I can understand why you'd be afraid to tell me this. Aang is right in a way. I do have a temper I'm still learning to control. I remember how frightened you got when I yelled at you." She then sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I hate yelling at you. You didn't deserve any of it. "You were just trying to help."

Kuzon then asked the next question in his mind. "What about Chief Hakoda? What are you going to do about him?" Katara tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well I thought about just barging in and letting him have it..verbally of course."

Kuzon glanced at her nervously. "I..see." The image of Katara screaming at her father again made him cringe. This is what I was worried about!

Katara then turned his face to meet hers. "But I'm not."

Kuzon blushed and stuttered. "Why..Why not?"

Katara chuckled. "Because Aang is right. Whom I choose to be with is my choice and my choice alone. I understand that Dad just wants to protect me but that fact is just something he is going to have to come to an understanding with."

Kuzon didn't know what to say in response to her words. He then took a deep breath. Okay this is getting way too awkward. I need some air. He let out a nervous chuckle. "Well I'm glad we got that cleared up. You had me worried for a second." He then turned away from her and stood himself up. "I need to go."

Katara could hear the trepidation in his voice. He was more anxious than usual. She bit her lip nervously. She didn't know how to feel about the situation. A part of her heart was relieved to hear that the firebender held the same feelings for her that she felt for him. However, now there was a problem. How was she supposed to bring up the topic of them without causing him any duress? " She sighed and took a hand in his. "Hey..wait..just sit for a minute."

Kuzon shook his head. "I don't think that would be wise."

Katara glanced at him with a pleading look in her eyes. "Kuzu please..Let's just talk things through here while we have the time. You and I both know it's only going to get more awkward between us if we just leave this situation unresolved...I don't want that. I still have to train you in waterbending, remember? I know you don't either. Come on..please.."

Kuzon sighed and shook his head. I had to open my big mouth. He muttered. "Fine."

Katara smiled in relief. "Thank you." She then sat beside him, careful to keep her distance so as to not invoke the firebender's mounting anxiety any more than usual." She then sighed, smiled to herself, and blushed. "The answer is yes. I do like you. Like more than a friend. I…can't deny that."

Kuzon, desperate to avoid his own confession, decided to inquire. "Why me? You are the daughter of the Chief. You may as well be royalty with how everyone here treats you with respect and dignity. You have your pick of any man in the world. Hell, I honestly thought you'd warm up to Aang more."

Katara glanced at him puzzled. "Why Aang?"

Kuzon shrugged nonchalantly. "He's just as handsome as I am. He's got a far more cheerful personality and is more inviting to people. He is..just a ray of hope to people. Despite everything that happened to him..the loss of his mentor…the destruction of his home…He still finds a way to light up people's hearts."

The waterbender could sense a bit of frustration and loathing in the Avatar's tone.

Kuzon then rested his face in his hands. "I'm not like that. I'm too consumed by my own past. In my own pain. I've been declared a black sheep by my own people and branded a traitor. I know I can never go back to the Fire Nation. The people that I love..die..and all because I was reincarnated as the most powerful being in the universe." He then glanced at Katara with a pleading look in his eyes. "You shouldn't be with me. It's too dangerous. The people that are after me won't stop until I'm either dead or in chains on a Fire Navy ship. I..can't give you a family or a happy home life."

Katara listened thoughtfully and nodded. "I can see your point but.." She then took her hands in his. "I don't desire to become a housewife or to have a home life at all. I want to spend my life fighting for something meaningful. I want to spend it fighting for a cause I believe in." She smiled at him with adoration in her eyes. "I want to fight by your side. I believe wholeheartedly that you are destined to bring an end to this war and I want to be there with you every step of the way." She then caressed his face with a hand. "You take on so much alone." "You almost never let anyone in." There was a bit of sadness intertwined in her tone.

Kuzon blushed a bit and averted her eyes. "That's how I prefer it. If you keep your emotions in..people don't get hurt when things go awry and you don't end up making mistakes as much."

Katara nodded. "I can understand that reasoning..more than you know...but it also seems very lonely."

Kuzon sighed in anguish and glanced the other way. "I watched as my father and grandfather were burned alive at the Temple. I watched as life drained out of my mother's eyes. I lost the only girl I ever loved to time because I was stuck in the ice for a hundred years." I'm afraid..afraid of.." His hand was trembling from anxiety. He sighed and managed to regain control of his breaths. "I'm afraid if I allow myself to be intertwined with you..that the same is going to happen. The very thought of losing you frightens me to my core." He then sat down on his bunk, rubbing at his eyes, He was sniffling a little bit.

Katara nodded in understanding. The waterbender was touched that he felt so strongly for her. It filled her with a sense of relief. She wanted to reassure him. She wanted to tell him it would be alright and that he had nothing to fear from giving into his feelings for her. The waterbender took a seat on the bed beside him and smiled. "I see where you are coming from. From what little I've read in books or from what Mom told me, relationships are complicated. They require both people to be honest and trusting of the other at all times. They..become each other's confidants. There is a danger to being so vulnerable..and trusting of someone else. It can leave you open to getting hurt." She then took his hands in hers. "But ask yourself..is the opposite even a better option? Just wallowing in your own pain and loneliness until you are an empty shell. Is that really what you want for yourself? I know you've been through so much and that you are strong-willed and determined to push on despite that..but do you really want to do it all alone?" She glanced at him with an even more desperate look in her eyes. "My fate is already intertwined with yours Kuzu. It became intertwined the moment Sokka and I found you and Aang in that iceberg. We've cultivated a strong bond over the short amount of time we've met one another and it has definitely grown into something more. All you are doing right now is just trying your best to deny this fact." She then turned his face to meet hers. "Look at me. I love you. I know you love me too. There is a high probability that the two of us may eventually die or at least face imprisonment because of what we might do to end this war. Can you honestly tell me that keeping the truth from me and yourself is going to make it any easier on your end?"

Kuzon shook his head. Hmm. She has a point. All I'm doing is hiding for the sake of my own fears. I do love her. I can't deny that..as much as part of me would like to. My days are numbered anyway. At least I can share some moments with her until my time comes. He then put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you are okay with all this? It won't be easy. I..have a lot of scars. The Fire Nation won't stop hunting us until we're dead. I can't promise to marry you. I..don't know if either of us is going to make it out of this war."

Katara felt herself blush. She then chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm well aware of that. We will get there when we can. Right now…I just need you to give me a straight answer."

The waterbender then paused to give the Avatar some time to think it over. Part of her heart seized up, ready for rejection if it came to that. Kuzon then thought to himself. Okay. Decision time. I'm in love with her. I know that for a fact. This is reckless but at the same time..I'd only be making it more painful for myself if just straight denied everything. Things would get..uncomfortable between us. Not to mention it would interfere with my waterbending training. It's hardly the craziest thing I have ever done. I'm leading a group of rebels, and an army, against an entire nation of soldiers and machines. I'd rather just be open and upfront. Live these days while I can…with the people I love and care for. At least then I can say I lived a full life if it all came crashing down one day or if I ended up in chains. Kuzon took a deep breath and sighed. He summoned all the courage he could muster in his voice. "I love you too. I can't deny that. If you are okay with the risks…then I am too."

Katara squealed with glee. "Oh Tui! You have no idea how happy I am to hear that!" She then felt a bit more giddiness overcome her. "I..um..feel an overwhelming urge to kiss you." She then played with one of her braids and blushed. "Is..Is that okay?"

Kuzon just shrugged nervously. "Um..sure."

She half-grinned at him and teasingly added. "Good. I was getting worried for a second there." She then wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him in closer to her. The sudden motion caused Kuzon's face to redden.

Katara eyed him worriedly. " Oh. Are you alright? This isn't too much is it?" She then bit her lip nervously. "I..just want to be close to you. I..thought.."

Kuzon reassured her. "No. Not at all. I'm..just out of practice."

Katara looked up at him and sighed in relief. "Oh. Good. I don't want to make you uncomfortable." She then caressed his face in her hands. She stuttered a bit but smiled brightly at him. "This..will be my first kiss. I've never trusted or cared for a guy enough to do this before."

Kuzon gulped nervously. "I have trusted someone before. That..was a long time ago."

Katara nodded. She then leaned in.

Kuzon did so as well. The two then kissed for the first time.

Katara felt herself relax for the first time in days. She felt freed from all the craziness and chaos from the world. The thought of the war escaped her mind for a moment. She felt safe and content in her boyfriend's arms. His lips were a bit rough but still soft to the touch.

They then hugged.

She laid her head on his chest. "Wow. That was amazing. So many emotions and passion all in one moment."

Kuzon cleared his throat. "Yeah..I had forgotten what this feeling was like. It feels like I can actually be open-minded for once. I don't have to worry about what may or will go wrong." He then wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Whatever the waves bring, I'll be by your side..no matter what happens."

Katara smiled and held onto him a bit tighter. "And whatever the flames of chaos bring..I'll be by yours."

The two held onto one another.

Kuzon let out an exasperated sigh. "So..what do we tell the rest of them?"

Katara broke the hug and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. I think telling Sokka and Dad isn't the best of ideas right now. Dad still distrusts you because of your heritage. Sokka may like you a little more..but he still sees me as his little sister." She then smiled at him, took him by the hand and walked him out of the bunk "Come on. Let's take this conversation outside. The view is beautiful."

Kuzon stammered out. "S..Sure.

The two then walked outside.

On the deck of the first ship

Kuzon nodded in agreement. "That kind of rift may disrupt the camaraderie in our group." He then raised an eyebrow. "And what about Aang?"

Katara crossed her arms. "I..don't see a problem with him knowing. I mean..he was the one who kind of helped us put all the pieces together."

Kuzon shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't see an issue with that either." He then let out a sigh. "I'm glad Aang is still around. I don't know what I'd do without him. He's like the Yin to my Yang. His dedication to his people's beliefs and his optimistic nature help balance me in a way. I sometimes forget that I am both a child of the air and of the eternal flame."

Katara eyed him curiously. "Eternal flame..how do you mean?"

Kuzon sat down on the deck. "When I was a kid..my mother would read me these old tales to lull me to sleep."

Katara sat beside him and motioned for him to continue. "It was believed by my family that the children of Agni, the first flame spirit, imparted the gift of firebending on the people of the Fire Nation many centuries ago. As such, each child was given the nickname 'eternal flame' to signify their Fire Nation heritage."

Katara turned to him and nodded. "That..sounds like something that happens in the Water Tribes. She looked up wistfully at the full moon in the sky and smiled. "It was believed by my people that the spirits of Tui and La were the first waterbenders. They taught the first generation of Water Tribesmen to waterbend. Since then, every boy or girl born in the Water Tribes is called a child of Tui. It is my peoples' way of honoring their gift."

Kuzon nodded. A thought came to his mind. "We really are a peculiar pair aren't we? Who knew that a traitorous, firebending Avatar and the last waterbender of the South would have so much in common?"

Katara chuckled, smiling and laid her head on his shoulder. "I know. I can't believe I used to think of firebenders as nothing but genocidal monsters." She then glanced at him with a bit of regret in her eyes and took a hand in his. "I..hope you know that I'm..really sorry about using that slur against you like that. I know I've said it before but you really mean a lot to me. I'd never equate you with that monster Zuko or his bitch of a sister."

Kuzon looked her in the eyes and softly squeezed her hand. "I know. Don't worry. That's all water under the bridge now."

Katara sighed in relief. She then cradled herself around his arm. "Good."

Aang then ran up to them. "There you two are! I've been looking all over for…" He stopped and then smiled in pure joy when he saw the waterbender and firebender cradled around one another. It took a while for the two lovers to notice his presence.

Katara turned to him and beamed at him. "Oh. Hi Aang. Did you need us for something?"

Kuzon just gave his longtime sibling a shrug. "What's up Aang?"

Aang smiled broadly at them. "So I take it you two are.."

Katara gave him a nod. "Yes. We are together now." She then wrapped herself around her newfound boyfriend, eager to take in his body heat.

Kuzon just shrugged. "You gave me good advice brother. I realized that maybe it is time to let go of parts of my past. Thank you. I'm in your debt once again." He then got up to his feet and traditionally bowed in front of the airbender.

Aang smiled with pride and bowed back. "You are my brother Kuzon. No thanks are needed. It is an honor to be by your side."

The airbender let out a sigh of relief. I'm glad to see Kuzon trying to move on from everything that happened at the Temple. In these insane, trying times..He deserves some happiness. Hell maybe I do too. The winds of change are in the air. Perhaps it is time for me to find someone.

Kuzon then cleared his throat. "Just do us a favor and don't tell Sokka or Chief Hakoda just yet." He then glanced at Katara, giving her permission to finish the thought.

The girl nodded back with a grateful look in her eyes. "Yeah. I don't think Dad is going to approve of us just yet. We're working up a plan on how exactly to bring that up."

Aang nodded. "I won't say a word to the Chief. You both have my word in honor."

Katara smiled at him. "Thank you Aang. You are a good friend."

Aang just nodded. "What about Sokka then?"

Katata replied. " I have hope that Sokka will since he knows Kuzon better but he is still protective of me. He'll probably want Kuzon to battle him in a fight for my hand in marriage for something like that." The girl said that last bit with a bit of bitterness in her voice.

Kuzon eyed her curiously. "Is that how it usually is?"

Katara nodded. "Unfortunately, yes. The culture of my people is very patriarchal and traditionalist in nature. The men are often put above the women. That means that if a Water Tribe woman wants her relationship with a foreigner to be recognized by the Tribe..her lover must fight either the girl's father or brother in melee combat." Katara said the next part with even more bitterness in her tone. "The so-called point of this..is for the man to prove that he can protect the woman he loves. In doing so, he proves to the Tribe that he is a compatible partner for the woman and is fully accepted into our society."

Kuzon nodded. "And if I were a Water Tribe man?"

Katara bitterly chuckled. "If you were Water Tribe..we wouldn't even be worrying about this at all. Dad would probably welcome you in with open arms."

Kuzon stuttered a bit. "Oh..I'm sorry. I...had no idea."

Noticing his distinct change in tone, Katara moved herself to reassure her anxiety-ridden boyfriend. She wrapped an arm around him in order to help him steady his emotions. "Hey. It's alright. I'm the one who should be sorry. I get..irritated when I have to think about things like that. I'm bringing up scenarios that haven't even occurred yet." She then kissed him on the cheek. "Don't worry about it so much. We'll cross that bridge when we get there okay?"

Kuzon nodded, thankful for the girl's reassurance, "Yeah. Thanks."

Aang then decided to bring up the actual reason he had come to Kuzon's tent. "So..about the actual reason I am here...we are coming upon the Northern Tribe. Your father says it's about a two days' trip from our current location."

Kuzon gave the airbender a nod. "Thanks brother. I appreciate the heads up. It's going to be..interesting seeing how they react to me."

Katara nodded in agreement. "My people haven't been in contact with the Northerners for a whole century. It's going to be a..tense reunion. I hope they listen to us. For all our sake."

Kuzon glanced at her concerned. He took a hand in hers and squeezed it. "They will listen to us. They have to."

Katara nodded. She then leaned on her boyfriend's shoulder for comfort.

Sorry for the long wait!

Read and review!