Book I: Water

Chapter IX: All is Calm

Pakku's School. Agna Qel'a, Northern Water Tribe

Kuzon and Katara walked into the training center.

The firebender and waterbender glanced at one another. The place was teeming with waterbenders.

Master Pakku was standing there on his seat overlooking all of them. He then glanced at Kuzon and Katara. "Ah you both made it. Wonderful."

Kuzon and Katara both gave him a bow. The other waterbenders then glanced at the firebender. One of them, a waterbender named Takku, glared at the firebending Avatar. "What is an ashmaker doing here?" He then got in the Avatar's face. "Who do you think you are just stepping in here huh?"

Kuzon rubbed the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "You know I'm getting real tired of people throwing that word around. You do realize I'm the Avatar right? That I'm here to save your home? You people need to start trusting me. The Fire Nation is on their way here. You are going to need all the help you can get."

Takku just shook his head. "Just more lies. There is no.."

Master Pakku then sternly rebuked the boy. "Takku! That is enough! The Avatar is an honored guest! You will treat him as such! Are we clear?"

Takku then turned to the other man embarrassed. "Yes Master!" He then just glared at Kuzon and walked off.

Kuzon gritted his teeth and glared back. He was trying to regain control of his breathing. His hand was twitching from the anxiety and rage he was holding in.

Then he felt the waterbender grab his hand to steady his emotional state. "Hey. It'll be alright. Don't let him get to you. He's just trying to get a rise out of you."

Kuzon squeezed her hand and let out a deep breath. "Yeah. Thanks."

The waterbender nodded at him smiling. Her face reddened. "Of course."

Master Pakku then approached the two of them with a curious look in his eyes.. A firebender and waterbender in love. These are indeed some crazy times. "So let us see what you know so far Avatar Kuzon."

Kuzon turned to him and bowed. "Of course Master Pakku." He then glanced at the water and drew it to him using his bending. He then sent a water whip the elder Master's way.

Pakku smiled at him pridefully and redirected it. "It seems you have the basics down."

Kuzon nodded. "Indeed. Katara has taught me everything she knows but I'm no master yet."

Master Pakku then gave him a nod. "Well then let us see what we can do to help you become a master. Get in your waterbending stance."

Kuzon nodded and smiled at his new master. "Of course."

Katara did the same. We've got this. Together.

War Planning Room, Chief's Room

Chief Hakoda and Chief Arnook glanced at their men.

Hakoda then cleared his throat. "So we are going to be defending the city at five key points. The First Army, led by both myself and Golak, will defend the center of the city. The Second Army led by Chief Arnook and General Rinoq will defend the western side of the city. The Third Army will defend the eastern part of the city. The Fourth Army, led by Generals Lakku and Rikku, will be defending the ports and the western part of the city."

All of the generals gave them a nod. "Understood Chiefs Hakoda and Arnook. We will set the battle plans in motion right away."

Somewhere in the city.

Sokka was busy just walking around the city. He happened to come across Princess Yue.

The royal princess then met his eyes. "Oh. You must be Sokka. Katara's brother."

Sokka felt himself blush a bit and smiled awkwardly. "Ah. Yeah. That's me. The one and only." He then smiled at her. "You must be the Princess. It's an honor to meet you." He then offered a hand.

Yue felt herself blush. I mean the Avatar is off-limits. That is pretty obvious to me now. Sokka seems handsome enough. He seems like the brave and strong type. He's no bender but he is easy on the eyes. She then shook the warrior's hand. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Sokka."

Sokka grinned at her. "The feeling is mutual." He nervously cleared his throat. "So what are you doing out here?"

Yue giggled. "I was just going out for a little walk."She then eyed the warrior curiously. "Would you like to walk with me? I would love the company."

Sokka then just shrugged. "Sure. Some air would do me some good."

A moment later

Sokka and Yue were busy walking around the city.

Yue then glanced at him and smiled. "So tell me about yourself Sokka. What is your story?"

Sokka let out a chuckle. "Well I'm obviously from the Southern Tribe. Katara and I grew up in a small village called Taqqaq Village. After our mother died during the raid on our home and our father left to fight the Fire Nation..We were basically the leaders of our small tribe."

Yue just nodded sadly. "I heard about the raids. I wish we hadn't peaced out with the Fire Nation as early as we did. We could've helped."

Sokka then put a hand on the princess's shoulder. "Now isn't the time to dwell on the past. What's done is done. All that matters now is that our peoples are in this fight together."

Yue nodded. "You are right. It is no use dwelling on the past." She then glanced at him curiously. "So how did you meet the Avatar?"

Sokka turned to her and smiled. "Katara and I found the flamehead and his friend in an iceberg. We nursed them back to health. Not too long after that...Prince Zuko and his sister showed up looking for the Avatar and my sister and I kinda got dragged into the crossfire. We've been riding with Kuzon ever since."

Yue nodded. "Any regrets there?"

Sokka shook his head grinning like a madman. "I get to tag along with the most powerful bender in the world and go on cool adventures. That beats sitting around in some village." He then sighed sadly. "I do miss my people though. Especially my grandmother."

Yue nodded. "I..understand. I lost my mother early in my life to an unidentifiable disease. It was hard. I had to learn how to cope with her loss."

Sokka nodded. He glanced at the girl's hand. I want to hold her hand. I feel close to her. Should I do it? He then cautiously approached her hand. "You..aren't seeing anyone are you?"

Yue looked up at him with a brightened smile on her face. Her face was beet red. "No. I am not. I mean..I've had a few suitors approach me but I've turned them all away." She then smirked knowingly at the warrior. "Why do you ask? Are you trying to court me?"

Sokka tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Let's say that I am. Is it working?"

Yue then giggled. "Does this answer your question?" She then leaned in and kissed the warrior.

Sokka was taken aback for a bit but went with it. Sokka then grinned at her. "Yup. I'd say it does."

The two then held one another closely.