Early the next day, Sokka, Katara, and Aang sit down for breakfast.

"All right! Dessert for breakfast!" Aang declares excitedly as he sits down beside Katara, who is eyeing the orange cream puffs curiously. "These people sure know how to treat an Avatar!" He continues as he stuffs his face. "Mmm. . . Katara you've got to try these!

"Well, maybe just a bit," Katara relents, taking the treat from Aang's outstretched hand as Momo does the same with the treat in his other hand. Aang grins at his pet before grabbing a new food from the table.

"Hey, where's Shannon?" Aang asks as he glances around the table.

"She and I gathered some supplies together this morning, but I haven't seen her since. She probably went to practice meditating or something," Katara offers as she continues to taste her snack, her eyes marveling at the foreign taste.

"She did say that she was having a hard time focusing," Aang says, nodding in understanding as he takes another bite of his breakfast and glances at Sokka, who is sitting in a corner with his arms crossed, staring at the wall in front of him. "Sokka, what's your problem? Eat!" Aang encourages him.

"Not hungry," Sokka spits gruffly, his brow furrowed in irritation.

Aang's eyes widen in shock as he leans around Katara to gape at him. "But you're always hungry!"

"He's just upset because a bunch of girls kicked his butt yesterday in front of Shannon," Katara smirks knowingly.

"They snuck up on me! And Shannon wasn't even there!" Sokka protests, his cheeks turning pink.

"Oh, that's right! Shan kicked their butts and then those girls kicked your butt," Katara grins. "You better hope she doesn't mind being with guys weaker than her."

Sokka turns red and jumps to his feet. "Sneak attacks don't count! And who cares what Shannon thinks anyway?! Why do you keep bringing her up?!"

Katara smirks at her older brother. "Oh, I wonder."

Furious, Sokka begins to storm out of the room, muttering under his breath, but not before turning back to grab some of the desserts. "Tie me up with ropes! I'll show them a thing or two. I'm not scared of any girls. Who do they think they are anyway? Shannon just got lucky. . . Mmm. . . this is tasty."

"What's he so angry about?" Aang comments, staring after Sokka as he exits the room in a huff.

"Puberty," Katara states definitively.

Shannon's POV

"Can you feel that?" Suki murmurs behind me, her breath tickling the sweat trickling down my back.

I gulp as I struggle to hold my position, my muscles straining "A–are you sure I'm doing this right?" I pant, breathing heavily. "I've never done anything like this before."

"Just focus on the movement in your hips," Suki urges me. "It's all about leverage and momentum. Keep a solid pace and do what feels right for your body. Watch and follow my movements."

As soon as her words leave her lips, Suki lunges forward, flinging herself from the tree where we hung to the next, agilely throwing herself between trees.

I frown as I watch her swing, my arms aching and my core burning as I cling to my own tree. Steeling myself, I try to follow after her. Using my weight as leverage, I swing back and forth to build up momentum. Heart in my throat, I release my hold on the branch and send myself flying forward towards the next tree. I just barely manage to grasp the bark with the tips of my fingers before using that momentum to move towards the next tree and the next, until I meet Suki, who is grinning at me proudly.

Fingers bleeding and my body screaming at me, I frown at the tall girl. "What. . . What is the – the point of this, again?" I struggle to speak as I wipe the sweat from my face.

Suki smiles at me playfully. "Every good warrior has to have some semblance of endurance and agility when starting out. This was a test of yours."

My mouth gapes open at her. "Wha – what?! A test?!"I ask in outrage. We have been at this for three hours and skipped breakfast. I hadn't even seen Sokka and Aang since the afternoon before! I am not in the mood for games.

"You said you were a beginner. I needed a proper gauge to make sure you didn't just get lucky like you said you did," Suki explains with a grin.

I frown at her words and knead my fingers. Her words kinda make sense, but if so, why didn't she have Sokka do this in the series? He went straight to work with the fans. Why do I have to be tested? Is this some sort of revenge for –

"Don't think about it too hard," Suki interrupts my thoughts, reading my darkening expression. "For all intents and purposes, you passed with flying colors. Your body is a bit underdeveloped for your skill, but it's still very good. I was right when I said you're an outstanding talent. When the girls and I started our training, none of us were able to manage the tree exercises for more than twenty minutes, let alone complete the field course, and you've managed it after a few hours. I think you've been underestimating yourself."

Too many different emotions ran through me as I stare at the girl in disbelief.

". . . Really?" I ask her, unsure what to feel.

"Definitely," Suki says, grinning broadly. "Now, let's clean up and get some lunch, and then we'll see how you do with weapons."

A little while later, I'm clean, full, and dressed in a traditional Kyoshi Warrior uniform and face paint. Part of me feels like I'm cosplaying and I can't help but fangirl a little when Suki explains the symbolism of the uniform. For this part of the training, Suki brings in the other girls to work with me with the golden fans they are known for and I quickly feel comfortable with them all. After a little bit, I begin to pick up on the movements, very much due to the fact that all the girls are so attentive to me, helping me with my technique. Suki told me it's because there hasn't been anyone new in the dojo in years, but I think it has more to do with the fact that they're all sweethearts.

Anyways.

After almost a full day of training together, I grow used to the weapons. The fans themselves are a bit awkward and larger than I had always believed, but once I got used to the balance they began to feel more natural. From there we continued to do a few rounds of sparring with the girls and learning how to use the fans to defend and attack, after which Suki begins to lead us in a set of movements called routing. It's then that an arrogant-looking Sokka peeks through the doorway. I have to resist the urge to cringe in sympathy and embarrassment when I see him strutting inside, knowing what is about to go down. Why is it that he's so bad at dealing with girls?

"Sorry ladies," Sokka announces as he enters the dojo, his voice dripping with arrogance. Frowning, the girls and I stop our exercise and close our fans to observe him as he continues, stretching. "Didn't mean to interrupt your dance lesson. I was just looking for somewhere to get a little workout?"

I groan softly. This is hard to listen to, but I can't stop him. This is important for his character development and one of the reasons he became my favorite. Even so, it is probably best if he doesn't know I'm here. It's better to have such an important event play out without me.

Trying to be discreet, I take a step back and hide partially behind one of the other girls out of his sight. Aware of my odd reaction to Sokka's presence, Suki glances at me curiously but says nothing before stepping forward to address the water tribe boy.

"Well, you're in the right place. Sorry about yesterday. I didn't know that you were friends with the Avatar," Suki states genially, putting her best foot forward after the confrontation from the day before. Sokka eyes her briefly before glancing around aloofly, a haughty look on his face.

"It's all right. I mean, normally I'd hold a grudge, but seeing as you guys are a bunch of girls, I'll make an exception," Sokka declares.

Suki's eyes flash dangerously. "I should hope so," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "A big strong man like you? We wouldn't stand a chance." Unfortunately, Sokka doesn't seem to pick up on it and responds with an overly smug grin on his face.

"True. But don't feel bad. After all, I'm the best warrior in my village," he tries to assuage her, and it takes everything in me not to snort laughing at how ridiculous he sounds. As a formerly twenty-five-year-old woman, the arrogant words of this boy are embarrassingly cringeworthy.

Once more, Suki notices my reaction and a mischievous glimmer flashes through her eyes as she continues her conversation with Sokka. "Wow! Best warrior, huh? In your whole village?" She states overenthusiastically as she glances back at the girls and me before returning her gaze to the water tribe boy. "Maybe you'd be kind enough to give us a little demonstration."

At her words, Sokka stiffens and pales slightly, taken off guard by the request. "Oh. . . Well. . . I mean. . . I. . ." He stutters as he tries to come up with an excuse to decline, but Suki is too quick for him.

"Come on, girls! Wouldn't you like him to show us some moves?" Suki encourages the warriors behind her, a playful smirk on her face. Around me, the girls break out in giggles and I can't help but join them.

"Well, if that's what you want, I'd be happy to," Sokka relents nervously as he approaches Suki. "You stand –"

"Wait a moment," Suki cuts him off and I blink. Frowning, I peek my head out a bit more to watch, confused by the small change. It's then that I realize that Suki is staring at me with a playful gleam in her eye that makes my stomach fall.

What is this girl up to?

Before I can consider anything, Suki steps towards the girls and me and grabs my wrist to pull me forward. I stumble slightly as she drags me to the center of the mat in front of Sokka and places her hands on my shoulders.

"Here, she can be your partner," Suki smiles sweetly and I can't help but gape at her.

What in the actual hell is this girl thinking?!

"This is not – I'm not supposed to – " I stammer, trying to step back, but Suki's firm hands hold me in place.

"She's our newest recruit, so a demonstration from a warrior such as yourself is sure to be helpful to her training," Suki declares sarcastically, making the girls behind us chitter in amusement.

"I'm sure it will be," Sokka declares, his eyes passing over me briefly before returning to Suki. "I'll try to go easy on her."

Bewildered, I tilt my head towards the water tribe boy, who seems unperturbed by my sudden appearance in front of him. I had expected him to get mad at me for cozying up to the girls that had ambushed us, but he seems rather disinterested, as though I were a stranger. His reaction makes me frown, but after a moment a thought crosses my mind.

. . . Does Sokka not recognize me?

I consider him a moment before glancing at Suki, who seems to have already realized this fact.

"I'll leave you to it then," Suki states as she steps back to join the rest of the warriors, leaving me alone in the center of the mat with Sokka.

I turn back to Sokka, who now has attention on me. "All right, you stand over there," he states as he places his hands on my shoulders and pushes me back. Slightly amused, I let him. I can't help but wonder how I'll stack up against the boy. There is just something about him that makes me want to tease him.

"Now, this may be a little tough, but try to block me," Sokka states as he takes a fighting stance across from me. Nodding, I lower myself as well, expectation welling in me. I know how this is supposed to go, but what will happen now that his sparring partner is me?

The next moment, Sokka lunges to try to punch me in the face, but I easily dodge his fist without moving, instead using my fan to thrust his fist upward. While he is surprised, I thrust an open palm into his sternum, causing him to falter backward as he struggles to regain his breath.

Immediately I feel the urge to check on him, worry flashing through me. He was really bad. No wonder this scene had been such a wake-up call for him in the series. It was one thing with Zuko and Suki who have been training their whole lives, but I only started last month. Forget my own training, I should've been focusing on the GAang's ability to survive.

Inwardly I frown. If this is the case, do I need to embarrass him like Suki did? I just got the boy to trust me, but I'd rather him be peeved at me than dead in the first half of the first season.

"Ow! Heh heh. . .Good," Sokka states, eyeing me with intrigue. "Of course, I said was going easy on you," he adds indignantly, making me frown.

Suddenly I'm not so concerned about his feelings anymore.

Suki is the one who responds to his arrogant remark.

"Of course," she states confidently, sharing a look with me that says to make him pay for doubting what women are capable of. Smirking, I nod and turn back to Sokka, who is clearly annoyed and angered by Suki's decorum.

Taking his stance again, Sokka tries for a surprise attack. "Let's see if you can handle this!" He cries as he attempts to catch me off guard with a roundhouse kick, but his movements are loud and bulky and it takes almost no effort for me to grab his foot and push him backward onto the mat, where he lands on his back with a loud thud.

Completely confounded by his second failure, Sokka stares up at me in bewilderment. Catching his gaze, I unfurl one of my fans and leisurely fan myself with it the way Suki had done in the series, causing the girls behind me to giggle and Suki to nod her approval with a cocky grin.

Seeing our reactions, Sokka's face flushes in anger.

"That does it!" He cries as he throws himself to his feet and madly charges me. Working quickly, I dodge again and shift behind him, grabbing his wrist and sweeping his legs out from under him with my fan, causing him to fall to his face. Before he can right himself, I snake the sash from his waist and tie his hands behind his back. Sokka tries to roll over, and I let him so that I am now straddling him as he stares up at me, teary-eyed and red-faced in humiliation.

"Anything else you want to teach us?" Suki calls out from behind us, causing the girls to erupt in laughter, but her words make me frown. This all felt a little it too much now that I was the one sparring with him.

"Sokka, are you alright?" I ask, my heart wavering at the hurt look on his face.

Shock registers across Sokka's face. ". . . Shannon?"

I smile sheepishly. "Hey."

Sokka continues to stare at me silently, his furrow between his brow deepening until he is scowling up at me. ". . . Get off me."

Frowning at his reaction, I comply, moving back so that he can sit up. We stare at each other in silence, the girls behind us holding their breath as they watch our exchange, although a few chitter quietly in expectation.

After a moment Sokka speaks. "I suppose you think this is funny, don't you? Tricking me like this!" he spits.

I blink in surprise. "What? No, I wasn't – "

"Don't lie!" Sokka shouts as he rises to his feet, his hands still tied behind his back. "I knew we shouldn't have brought you along with us! You're not our family and we don't need you! Just leave!"

Silence follows Sokka's outburst as everyone stares at him in shock – except for me. Tears begin to flow silently from my eyes as I gaze up at him, processing his words. Unbeknownst to him, his words have cut me a little too deep, bringing up too many bad memories.

Seeing my reaction, Sokka freezes and the blood drains from his face. "Wait – no, Shan –"

"I – I see. . ." I stutter, cutting off Sokka and rising to my feet, my hands and knees shaking. "I'm – I'm going to get some air," I reply, avoiding everyone's gaze as I walk out the open doorway into the woods, away from prying eyes.

3rd Person POV

Sokka stares after Shannon, filled with regret for his harsh words. He hadn't meant what he said, he was just embarrassed and angry and he ended up taking it out on her. Feeling ashamed, Sokka moves to follow after her, but Suki stops him, glaring venomously. \

"Where do you think you're going?" She spits, outrage in her voice. "What gives you the right to chase after her after what you just said? Was it that big of a hit to your ego that a girl might actually be stronger than you? That a girl who is your friend might have what it takes to be a warrior?!"

Sokka hangs his head, unable to reply as guilt wrenches through him. He had been out of line and he knew it. They all had every right to be angry with him.

Suki's eyes narrow. "Get out, and don't you dare go after her. Someone who doesn't know her worth doesn't deserve to have her as a friend. . ." Suki turns to follow Shannon, but pauses a moment to add, "Shannon may be a girl, but she's a warrior too. She deserves to be treated as such, especially by her so-called friends, let alone someone she considers family," she reminds him as she continues out the door after Shannon, leaving Sokka to reflect.

Shannon's POV

I sit beside the river, having a Mulan moment as I stare at myself in the water. My tears have dried and luckily for me, the face paint that the Kyoshi Warriors use is waterproof. A weight of melancholy envelopes me as I gaze down at my reflection. I don't recognize myself in more ways than one.

Sokka was right: they don't need me. This story can play out without me. Have I just been fooling myself this whole time? That I can be some sort of hero? That I was needed here? That I could be part of the GAang?

Maybe La made a mistake. . . Maybe she brought the wrong girl here. It would make more sense considering everything. Even in my own world, I could never do anything right. What made me think I could do any better here?

'I don't need you. . . you're not family anymore, just a stranger who used to share my bed. . . Just leave. . .'

Peter's words flash through my mind, slicing across my chest and causing tears to prick at my eyes. I know that Sokka had just been lashing out, but his words hit a little too close to home. Back in my world, I wasn't a warrior, I wasn't someone who jumped off flying bison or fought in hand-to-hand combat. Back home, I was just. . . me: uninteresting, average, mediocre me – something I had been reminded about often.

Fighting back tears, I bury my face in my knees, pushing down the pain. At the end of the day, I'm glad Peter and I aren't together anymore, but that doesn't make the hurt any less. I had loved him and he had thrown me away like trash, abused me verbally and eventually, physically. The divorce had been a relief even if it had ruined my reputation. The greatest solace of all that is that at the end of the day, I didn't love him anymore. I stopped loving him the moment he handed me the divorce papers and I realized I was more relieved than heartbroken. Looking back, it should have been the moment he first raised a hand against me.

Maybe that's why I've been so enamored with learning self-defense, besides preparing for the future here. I hadn't seen it as necessary when I was in the relationship, but now I do. I don't want to ever be in a situation like that again – I won't allow myself to be.

As I steel my thoughts, a tall figure takes a seat beside me, settling in by the water.

". . . Are you okay?" Suki asks softly, her hand laying gently on my shoulder.

At her touch, I glance up at her with a grim smile. "Yeah. I'll be fine. I'm just being sensitive."

Suki frowns, her eyes flashing. "No, it's not fine! Why aren't you mad? Your so-called friend is acting like trash. You shouldn't let him get away with treating you like that."

I nod and turn to face the water. "I know that. . . But I also know he didn't mean it. He was just flustered and embarrassed – which isn't an excuse, but it's better than him actually meaning it. I know the kind of person he is – or the person he will become. He's still young and learning, so a little mercy right now isn't the worst thing in the world."

"But what if he starts to think it's okay to do that? To treat girls and loved ones like punching bags when he can't control his emotions? It doesn't set a good precedent," Suki points out, her voice seething. She seems to be more upset about the scene than I am, which makes my heart grow warm. I've only known her for a short time but she already cares for me like this. She reminds me so much of Angela.

"Then we'll just have to make him," I grin mischievously, earning a similar expression from Suki. "There's a difference between mercy and letting someone walk all over you."

As those words leave my lips, a wave of regret washes through me. Not too long ago, I wouldn't have said such a thing, but I'm. . . I'm not that girl anymore.

I smile softly. I'm not the same girl I was in my world and I need to stop comparing the person I am now to who I was in the past. I've been given an opportunity like no other to better myself but I won't get anywhere if I let myself wallow in past mistakes and my past identity. What matters is who I am right now and who I choose to be in the future. I need to accept myself – to love myself.

At these thoughts, a heavyweight seems to lift off my shoulders, a weight I hadn't known I had been carrying. Suki notices a change in my and smiles, making me once again wish that my best friend could see me now. I wish she could see that I've grown a bit, that I'm stronger than I used to be. Not perfect – there is still a long way to go – but getting better.

Maybe someday she would.