Book I: Water

Chapter X: The Day Before the Battle

Pakku's Waterbending Academy, Northern Water Tribe

Kuzon and Katara were practicing with different partners. Once he was able to get over his trauma, the firebender was finding it easy to waterbend. He wasn't a master just yet but he would get there in time.

Katara, meanwhile, was excelling faster than anyone in the trainee group. She then got into the 'icefall' formation and sent a flurry of spikes her opponent's way.

The other boy, a waterbender by the name of Kirruk, tried his best to defend against her and only barely managed to avoid her attack by forming an ice wall in front of him. Damn. She is good. Too good that it is scary. His legs finally gave in from fear and he fell backwards and on his rear.

Katara quickly ran over to him. "Hey. Are you alright?" She then offered a hand.

The boy looked up at her in awe and just nodded.

Katara then pulled him to his feet with an apologetic smile on her face. "Sorry about that. I got a bit ahead of myself."

The boy just shook his head and blushed. "No apologies needed. We totally underestimated you. That was some powerful bending. I owe you an apology. We all do."

Katara just chuckled and shook her head smiling. "No apologies needed. I know things are different up here in the North. I'm just glad I could change your mind."

Kirruk nodded. He felt himself blush. "So..are you seeing anyone? My family owns an estate in the city. I could.."

Kuzon managed to overhear their conversation and sent the boy a glare. You finish that sentence and you are dead! You hear me?

Katara raised a hand. "Woah hold on. While I'm flattered by that offer…I'm not interested. I..already have someone."

Kirruk glanced at her curiously. "Really? Who?"

Katara chuckled awkwardly. She didn't want to reveal her secret relationship with the Avatar. Especially not with some random guy she met during her training. "I..really don't want to say. It's a private matter."

Kirruk nodded and bowed his head. "Right. I..apologize. My curiosity got the best of me."

Katara chuckled. "It's alright. No harm done."

Kuzon felt himself relax.. It's a good thing that Katara was able to mitigate his curiosity. I was about to get in that kid's face.

Master Pakku gave Katara a knowing smile. "Good work Katara. You are fast becoming one of my best students."

The waterbender turned to the old master, smiled and bowed. "Thank you Master. I'm..truly honored to be a student. Thank you for taking a chance on me."

Pakku just nodded and bowed. He then turned to the Avatar. "The same goes for you Avatar Kuzon. You struggled at first but you have proved quite tenacious in your journey to master waterbending. It will take some time but you will master the element in time. I have faith in you."

Kuzon turned to him and gave him a traditional Fire Nation bow. "Thank you Master. I am honored."

Pakku glanced at the firebender and smirked. Spirits be! Me training a firebending Avatar…I hardly believe it myself. Iroh would get a kick of seeing this.

The First Fleet, somewhere near the Northern Water Tribe

The days had been long and tedious for Zuko and Azula. They longed to get their revenge on the renegade firebender and his gang of rebels. The two siblings had been using to the time the trip gave them to train until the two of them were utterly exhausted.

Azula sent over a fire kick Zuko and sent the boy flat on his back.

Admiral Zhao then walked in with a knowing look on his face. "I see you two are preparing."

Azula then pulled her brother up to his feet. She then sent a stoic glance the Admiral's way. "Of course we are. We plan to exact our revenge on that traitor and all his friends. We will not be caught off guard again."

Admiral Zhao half-smirked at her. "I would hope not. That wouldn't make your family look good at all. I overheard how the Avatar bested you and your brother. It was quite amusing."

Zuko got in the older man's face and snarled. "Say that to my face again! I just dare you to say that again!"

Zhao just smirked at him. The man himself was no fan of the royals so he enjoyed doing whatever he could to annoy them. He then grinned at Zuko. "Or what? You are going to burn me? Don't make me laugh. You are a disgrace to yourself and a disgrace to the Fire Nation." The older man then walked off with an annoyed huff.

Zuko went to confront him but was stopped by Azula. "Zuzu don't!"

Zuko growled. "Let me go Azula! I'll burn him just like I did the Avatar!"

Azula shook her head. "Don't be a fool brother. You don't need more scrutiny over your head. Let him go. We will deal with him in time."

Zuko just scowled and walked off. "Fine."

Chief's Court, Northern Water Tribe

Everyone had gathered in the court to discuss the war plans.

Chief Hakoda and Chief Arnook glanced at the large crowd of warriors. Chief Arnook then spoke in a booming voice. "Warriors and benders of the Tribes. Tomorrow is the day of the battle. It will be a day we shall long remember."

Chief Hakoda then added. "The Fire Nation is coming to destroy everything we hold dear. We must stop them. We must either stop them or die trying." It will be a tough battle but a necessary one. He then added. "I don't blame you all for being scared. There is a high chance some of you won't make it out of this battle alive but we must do all we can to defeat the Fire Nation armada. Is that understood?"

The soldiers and benders all saluted the two Chiefs and shouted. "Yes sir!"

Sokka, dressed in war paint, gave his father a determined nod.

Katara did as well. She stared down at her hands. The Fire Nation killed my mother and there was nothing I could do to stop them. That is not happening again.

Chief Hakoda then flashed a knowing smile. "Our enemy may have a more advanced fleet but we have an ace up our sleeve." He then eyed Kuzon with a smile and motioned for him to come up to the podium. Kuzon did so and turned to face the crowd. He was wearing tajjiki style warpaint that was similar to Sokka's. Chief Hakoda then put a hand on his shoulder. "We have the Avatar." A chorus of cheers then filled the room.

The faith that the Southern Chief put in the firebender filled him with pride.

Sokka looked on with pride and began clapping. "Proud of you flamehead. I'm really proud of you."

Kuzon gave him a nod of felt her face redden. She was wearing tajjiki style warpaint as well. She felt both pride and giddiness rise within her. Look at you. Standing so strong and brave. I'm so proud of you my flameheart.

Hakoda then turned to Kuzon and chuckled. "Perhaps the Avatar has words of encouragement for us."

Kuzon turned to the Southern Chief and nodded. He then cleared his throat. "First of all..I want to thank all of you here for putting your faith in me. It truly means the world. At one time, I was just a hapless kid who had no idea who he was or where he belonged. You have all given me a home and I will be forever grateful."

Another round of cheers of whoops was heard.

Kuzon then had a determined look in his eyes. "A hundred years ago...Fire Lord Sozin tried to kill me. He failed and I survived. My home now is the world around me. It is in the people I consider to be the closest to me. The people I love and cherish. I will fight to the death to defend that. I know you all will too. I can't promise that this war will be easy but I can promise you one thing." He then put emphasis on his last words. "We will win tomorrow! No matter what happens! Together, we shall drive the Fire Navy from your homeland and then we will strike into the very heart of their Empire. The sacrifices made tomorrow will ensure victory on the next day. That is the truth now and forever! For freedom! For the Water Tribes!" He then raised a wolf sign to add a poignant message to his last words.

The whole crowd burst into cheers and whoops.

Aang looked on with pride. He really has grown into a leader. I have got to admire that. He's really changed from that scared kid that woke up out of the iceberg. I'm proud of you brother. Some of the warriors even raised their weapons in solidarity.

Kuzon, satisfied with his little speech, then walked off the podium.

Chief Arnook then spoke up. "Now let us celebrate like there is no tomorrow!"

Tables were then broken out with lots of food and drink on them. People began dancing and singing merrily. The whole hall was made to look if the Chief had prepared one of his annual balls. It was just a good time for everyone.

Moments later...

Kuzon preferred to be alone so he found a table for himself. He was twiddling around with his father's knife. Unfortunately, the rest of Team Avatar managed to somehow find him in the giant hall.

Katara let out a chuckle. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you. How are you able to disappear so easily?"

Kuzon turned to her, flipped down his hood, and shrugged. "Nobody sees my face under the hood. It's not hard. I slipped away as soon as my speech was up."

Katara just grinned at him and shook her head. "Well I got you some food." She then set the plate in front of him along with a blue drink of some kind.

Kuzon immediately got a bit quiet. He felt himself blush. "Ah. Thank you. You..uh didn't have to."

The waterbender just smiled warmly and caressed his face with a hand. "Nonsense. You already know how important you are to me. It was my treat."

Kuzon had to focus within in order to keep his heartbeat from skyrocketing. He managed to keep his calm and beamed at her. "

The waterbender then took her seat next to him and intermingled her hand with his. She was determined to make the best of whatever time the two of them had left. A part of her feared that she would lose him.

Sokka eyed the two of them suspiciously. "Is there something I should know?"

Kuzon turned to him and replied as calmly as he could. "No nothing at all."

Katara just nodded approvingly. "Yeah we're just friends."

Sokka, pleased with the answers, just nodded. "Good to know."

Aang, Kuzon, and Katara all let out sighs of relief.

Sokka then changed the subject and half-grinned at the man.. "So. That was one hell of a speech, Kuzon. You really know how to fire up the men. They are all talking about how honored they are to be led by the Avatar."

Kuzon took a sip of the seaweed stew Katara had brought him and nodded. "Glad to hear." Katara then turned to him and added. "You really have grown. I still remember meeting you for the first time. You were so scared of me. So scared of anyone."

Kuzon just nodded. "I had lost so much in so little time."

Aang then cheerfully added. "And yet you bounced back. We both bounced back. We're bringing the fight to the Fire Nation and you are leading the defense. Your family would be proud brother."

Kuzon smiled at his old friend. "Thanks Aang. I'm sure Monk Gyatso would say the same thing if he were here."

Aang chuckled awkwardly. "Eh. Let's not go there. I'm not sure the Elders would approve of me fighting a war."

Kuzon shrugged. "Maybe not but you are still alive. You are still here. That means the Air Nomads are still around. That has to count for something. That gives people hope. You give people hope." Aang felt himself blush from embarrassment. "Well I guess…"

Katara just nodded and took Aang's hand in hers. "No. He's right Aang. You represent a people many of us thought was wiped out a century ago. The Nomads were an inspiration to all of us. We Water Tribesmen didn't agree with everything your people believed in but we had a great deal of respect for your people. My mother used to tell me stories about your people as a child." Aang glanced at her, shocked. "Really?"

Sokka then added. "It is the truth kid. We all looked to the Nomads for some sort of inspiration. When word passed about the destruction you and your people suffered, a lot of us were enraged."

Aang just nodded flabbergasted. "I'm..touched. Thank you both for telling me this. It..means a lot to me."

Sokka put an arm around the airbender. "Not a problem kid. You and ol flamehead are alright." He then felt his stomach grumble. "Now. Let us eat!" Team Avatar then began their feast.

Living Room, Apartment 40, Agna Qel'a, Northern Water Tribe

After a long night of celebrating and eating, Team Avatar finally got back to the apartment.

Sokka and Princess Yue snuck off to Sokka's room.

Aang ran to feed Appa.

Kuzon and Katara, meanwhile, were hanging around the living room. Seeing as they were alone, Kuzon had his arm wrapped around Katara's shoulder. The waterbender, eager to spend time with her boyfriend, was curled around his arm. She noticed that he was rather tense. She had supposed it was because of the fight ahead but a part of her remained a bit curious. She approached the question cautiously. "Is everything alright sweetie? You seem a bit tense."

Kuzon sighed in irritation. Of course she senses it. I can never hide things from her. Might as well come clean. He then glanced at Katara with a worried look in his eyes. "I..don't know how much longer we can do this."

Katara eyed him worriedly. "What do you mean?"

Kuzon groaned in frustration. "I…I don't know how much longer we can keep our relationship a secret Katara. He then started shaking with anxiety. "Everytime you are near me..I want nothing more than to hold you close and kiss you. Every moment we have feels amazing and yet so fleeting. I've tried to just be patient. I..I know we decided to keep this a secret since your father wouldn't approve but I..just don't know sometimes."

Katara cuddled him and sighed unhappily. "Yeah. I know. When you got off that podium...I wanted to do nothing more than to hug and kiss you like there was no tomorrow. I love you so much it hurts." She then let out a sigh. "Perhaps it is time we went public with this. It..is risky. Sokka will probably be upset but he will eventually come to understand. The same goes for Dad. They will bark and complain about it but they will understand." She then looked her boyfriend in the eyes. "I'm tired of hiding it. I love you. I love you with everything that I am. I realize now that I hate hiding it and lying to my own blood. My own family. I don't want to do that anymore. I won't."

Kuzon nodded. "I don't either. Your father and brother have treated me like family. They deserve the truth."

Katara turned to him and nodded. "Yes. They do." She then took his in hers and kissed him on the cheek. "Come on. It will be alright. Whatever happens now…we are in this together."

Kuzon just nodded. "Always."

Chief Hakoda's Apartment, Agna Qel'a, Northern Water Tribe

Chief Hakoda was looking at an old painting of his late wife Kya. Some candles lit up the room well enough to make the man's face. The somber look in the older man's eyes showed his grief. He ran a hand against the fabric. "Kya. I miss you more than ever now." The man kneeled in respect to his late wife. "I hope you are proud of me. Katara and Sokka are safe. They miss you of course but they love you just as much as I do." Tears were streaming down the man's eyes. "I..love you. I always will. I will protect our children with my life. That is my word in honor. I ask that you watch over us and bring us home safely. I will see you..again. I swear it." The man then sniffled and wiped a tear from his eye. He then steeled himself. The older man then heard a knocking at the door. He turned around and saw Katara and Kuzon. "Avatar Kuzon? Katara? Did you need something?"

Katara covered her mouth. "Oh Dad. Were we interrupting something?"

Hakoda, eager to reassure his only daughter and hide his grief, shook his head smiling. "No..no Come in. I was just paying my final respects to your mother as always." There was a nervousness in the man's tone.

Katara nodded sadly. I have to talk with him when I can. I know Mom's death must be having an effect on him too. "I see." She then cleared her throat. "Kuzon and I have something to tell you."

The Chief then laid back in a lounge fur chair with an eyebrow raised. "Oh? Do tell."

Katara then added nervously. "You have to promise me you won't hate us." Hakoda eyed her worriedly. What is she going to tell me? I have a feeling I won't like it. "How can I make a promise like that if I don't know what I'm making a promise to?"

Katara sighed irritatingly. "Dad..please..just promise me."

Hakoda sighed in frustration. "I..alright. What is it?"

Katara let out a sigh of relief. She felt a little more at ease and beamed at him. Her cheeks reddened. "Kuzon and I are dating. We...are in love each other." The waterbender felt herself shaking with anxiety.

Kuzon held her hand in order to help steady her. She smiled at him and then eyed her father. "We are in love with one another."

Chief Hakoda's look changed from frustration to anger. He then eyed his daughter with a look of anger in his eyes. "I see." He then eyed the Avatar with a look of betrayal in his eyes. "I thought I was clear. You are a foreigner. You were forbidden from falling for my daughter. You are Fire Nation. She is of the Water Tribes. This is unacceptable."

Kuzon was rendered speechless for a moment. He felt shame overcome him. "Sir..I."

Katara then stepped in front of her boyfriend "No. It's okay my flameheart. Let me handle this. This is a family matter."

Kuzon nodded and took a step back. Katara then stared down her father with a warm yet irritated look in her eyes. "I..understand why this makes you upset. Really I do. I'm your daughter. It is only natural for you to feel protective of me."

Hakoda nodded. "So you understand why…" Katara then interrupted him with a serious glare. "I wasn't finished Dad."

Hakoda then grumbled and crossed his arms. "Okay then."

The waterbender then sighed and shook her head. "I am my own person, Dad. I had to basically be the village's mother for years while you went off to fight the Fire Navy. Sokka had to lead the tribe. I understand your reasons but you forced your own children to run an entire village by themselves."

Hakoda, for the first time, was stunned.

Katara then continued. "We had to grow up without you to guide us. We had to be the leaders. We were the ones who defended our home when Zuko and his sister attacked it. We had to grow up and become adults in order to keep things running while you were gone." Hakoda sighed with regret. "I know. I wish I could go back in time. I wanted.." Katara shouted at him. "It doesn't matter what you wanted! That is what happened! You abandoned me and my brother!"

Hakoda just nodded, humbled by his daughter's words, Katara then calmed herself down and looked at him with clear regret in her eyes." Look. I'm sorry. I'm not here to bring up the past. I just want you to respect me and allow me to make my own choices. Please. I understand this is a lot to ask but this is all I want. I want the freedom to make my own choices. I'm a warrior just like you. Can't you respect that?"

Hakoda then felt the emotion overcome him. He put his hands on Katara's shoulders. His tone was shaky. "Katara..you and Sokka are all I have left of your mother. I can't lose you. You are my daughter. I love you. I love you so much that I am scared of losing you."

Katara felt a sigh of relief and caressed her father's face with a hand. "I know. I feel the same way. You are my father. You will always have a place within my heart. I couldn't lose you either." She then hugged him tightly. "That is why I came here to talk to you about this. Too much has been taken from me because of this war. I don't want to lose you too." She then looked her father in the eyes and smiled warmly at him. "You won't lose me. That is a promise." She then glanced at him with a pleading look in her eyes. "Please Dad. If you truly love me…then let me make my own decisions as to who I choose to be with. Don't get in the way. I swear to you I will be careful. Please."

Hakoda grasped her hands and sighed. "Katara…he is a foreigner." Katara shot back with a bit of a temper in her voice. "Yes. He is a foreigner. A foreigner you inducted in our tribe. A foreigner you are entrusting to lead our people against his own. A foreigner who saved the lives of your children. A foreigner who saved the life of your mother-in-law. Kuzon has sacrificed everything in order to help our people stop the Fire Nation's tyranny. He has been branded an enemy by his own people. Can you even imagine what that is like? To have your own kind not only banish you from your home but also try to have you killed."

Chief Hakoda turned his head over to Kuzon and saw the sorrowful look in the Avatar's eyes. That boy has probably been through so much. I can't imagine what he's had to sacrifice in order to help us fight this war.

Katara then turned her father's face towards hers. "Dad listen to me. What else does my boyfriend have to do to prove himself to you? He already has my approval. What does he have to do to prove he is worthy to you?"

Hakoda was deep in thought and in conflict.

Kya's spirit then appeared before them. "Our daughter speaks the truth, Hakoda."

Hakoda then turned around and felt his jaw drop. "Kya.." The man gasped in shock. His late wife was right in front of him.

Hakoda then fell to his knees.

Kya then floated down to her husband. "Hakoda. My dear husband. Do you remember when my late grandfather disapproved of you?"

Hakoda then gasped. "This..is a completely different situation. I was from a poor family. You were from a wealthy family."

Kya shook her head. "The situation is the same. We both had parents who disapproved of the other. Do you remember what you told me?"

Hakoda sniffled a bit a nodded. "I..told you that I'd follow you to the ends of the earth regardless of what they said.."

Kya picked up her husband's head with a hand and smiled. "And did you?"

Hakoda nodded. "I..did."

Kya smiled knowingly at him. "Then do you believe it is fair for you to deny our daughter a chance to find her one true love?"

Hakoda grumbled bitterly. He glanced at Katara and then back at Kya. "I..suppose it isn't."

Kya smirked at him knowingly. "I know that my death scared you my dear husband. I don't blame you for that but it is time for you to move on from the pain. We did what had to protect Katara. I don't regret that. Neither should you. Let her choose."

Hakoda just nodded. "I..Right."

Katara gasped. It's Mom. It really is Mom.

Kya then turned to Kuzon. "You must be the Avatar. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I'm Kya. Katara's mother."

Kuzon blinked at her. Kya looked just like Katara. The only difference was that her features were more aged.

Katara covered her mouth and gasped. "Mom..how are you here?"

Kuzon answered the question for her. "Your mother's spirit came down from the Spirit World. It was probably connected to that old painting."

Kya smiled at her daughter. "He speaks the truth. I overheard your discussion and came to the three of you. It is good to see you child. It has been so long."

Katara walked up to her and hugged her. "I..have so many questions."

Kya just hugged her back and smiled. "All will be answered. Come find me in the Swamp. There is more spirit energy in there. We can talk longer there."

Katara nodded with tears down her face. "Okay I will."

Kya then kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Goodbye for now." The woman's spirit form then dissipated into the air.

Katara then broke out into sobs.

Kuzon got on his knees and hugged her. "I got you."

She hugged him back. "Thank you."

Kuzon just nodded. He then pulled her to his feet.

Hakoda then kneeled in front of his daughter. "Katara..I owe you an apology."

The girl wiped her tears and then smiled. "It's okay."

She broke away from Kuzon and hugged her father. "I forgive you."

The man then silently cried as he held his daughter in his arms. He then sighed. "Thank you. You are right. Kuzon has given up everything to protect and defend our people. It is not right of me to just dismiss him because of his origins."

The older man then gave the Avatar a serious glance "I will accept your relationship with my daughter on one condition.

Kuzon just nodded. "Name it sir."

Chief Hakoda then cleared his throat. "When this war ends...I want to see my daughter again. You bring her home safely no matter what. Do I make myself clear?"

Kuzon nodded. "Crystal clear sir!"

Hakoda then smiled at the man. "Good man." He then walked up to the boy, hugged him and picked him up off the ground. "Come on then. Give your future father-in-law a hug."

Kuzon stammered. "Y..Yes sir." He then awkwardly hugged the man back.

Katara giggled. Aww. This is adorable.

Chief Hakoda then set the boy on the ground and broke the hug. He then patted him on the back. "Now then. You will need your rest. We have a battle to fight tomorrow."

Kuzon nodded. "Yes sir!"

Kuzon and Katara's Tent

Kuzon and Katara were cuddled underneath the covers.

Katara was beyond giddy. "I can't believe Mom came in to save our butts like that! That was amazing!"

Kuzon sighed happily. "That..was definitely something."

He sighed awkwardly. "Now I just wonder how Sokka is going to react to this.

Katara giggled. "You are such a worrywart. Lighten up and enjoy the moment. We'll deal with all that later."

Kuzon nodded. "You are right."

He then relaxed in her arms. "I love you."

She relaxed in his arms. "I love you too.

Sokka and Yue's Tent.

Yue and Sokka were busy cuddling in each other's arms.

Yue then kissed Sokka on the cheek. "In case I don't get to say it again…thank you for everything."

Sokka chuckled darkly. "You are welcome your highness." He sighed. "Tomorrow really is the day huh? We might not survive."

Yue chuckled. "Well, aren't you a pessimist?" She then turned his face towards hers and kissed him. Sokka felt himself blush and he returned the favor.

Yue smiled at him. "Don't worry so much. We have the Avatar on our side remember?"

Sokka turned to her and shook his head at her smiling. "I guess that makes a difference. He then smirked at her and kissed her back. "No matter what happens…I'm glad we found each other. I love you Yue."

Yue smiled. "I love you too Sokka."

The two lovers then kissed.

The moonlight shone out of Sokka's window.