Disclaimer: AtLA is property of VIACOM and Nickelodeon *at least, not until my plans at world dominiation succeed* No profit is made from this story.

Dear Katara,

Toph and I arrived back at the palace today. Uncle was pleased to hear that there's another waterbender at the South Pole. He thinks that Akako's going to become the next great waterbender, he's already started bragging – at this rate, the news will have reached Ember Island before the sun goes down.

You will be pleased to know that Toph flew Appa exceptionally well, and our journey was surprisingly uneventful. How is Akako's training going?

Zuko

Dear Zuko,

Thank-you for the letter. It was good to hear that everyone arrived in the Fire Nation safely. Give Appa a pat and say hi to Iroh and Toph for me.

Akako is an excellent pupil. She's really eager to train, we now practice waterbending three times a day and do stretching sessions before and after each 'block'. She has potential, but it often takes her a while to get a move. Today she did the water-whip perfectly.

Katara

Dear Katara,

Appa liked his pat. Uncle says 'hello' and Toph says 'just teach the kid to float water already!'

As you suggested, everything that isn't completely necessary or ancient and rare has been melted down. Toph helps with her metalbending. We still don't have enough money.

I don't know why I talk so openly in my letters to you. Maybe it's easier this way because I can't see your reaction.

Zuko

Dear Zuko,

I'd forgotten what it was like to be truly cold – I blame the Fire Nation, it's always hot there. Three days ago there was a huge storm that came out of nowhere. Gran Gran says she felt it coming. Akako and I were training by the shores together when it struck. It was literally as if the heavens opened up. I was soaked through to the skin in the time it took me to blink. I think Akako has caught a cold, she's gone all pink and

Sorry. Pakku walked in on me while I was writing this, and then Dad and Sokka wanted me to go spear-fishing with them. It was a tight fit in the canoe and then things got a bit tense and I sort of pushed Sokka overboard. After that I went to see Akako. She was a bit feverish so I tried healing her, she's improved since.


I'd make this longer, but Gran Gran wants me to waterbend the stew we're having for dinner so it doesn't go clumpy. I think I almost miss non-clumpy Fire Nation food.

Katara

PS. Don't worry about how you write your letters. I like them that way.

Dear Katara,

Uncle and Toph have engaged in a full-fledged, day-long Pai Sho war. I don't know if Toph ever told you how she's able to play, so I will. Uncle came up with the idea of carving the emblems into the tiles so that Toph can feel them with her hands. They now play fiercely, the sun is sinking. I have no idea who is winning.

How is Sokka faring on the ship of fatherhood? You haven't really mentioned him apart from the unfortunate overboard episode.

Zuko

Dear Zuko,

Why does it take you so long to reply to my letters?

Sokka is fine. And don't call the overboard incident unfortunate. He deserved every bit of it.

Everyone's well and Saika's as cute as ever. Tell me who won the Pai Sho battle when you find out.

Katara

Dear Katara,

Sorry. Life's just hectic right now. All of the colony families who lived in the Earth Kingdom want money. And did you know that my father sent fourteen year-old boys to war? They were from rural towns, but they were still children nevertheless.

Winter must be coming, if you need anything – food, material – all you have to do is ask. Or write.

How is Akako's training going? Uncle and Toph want to know when you'll be coming back. So do I.

Zuko

PS. I have no clue who won the Pai Sho tournament. Uncle and Toph aren't speaking to each other.

Dear Zuko,

Apology accepted.

The other day I was thinking about what you said, oops – wrote, about the families in the Earth Kingdom. It must have been really hard for them, I mean, the Earth Kingdom people would have hated them because they were Fire Nation, and Aang once told me that the students at the Fire Nation school he went to didn't think much of them. It would sort of be like coming home and realizing that it's not the one you left behind – sort of like me finding out about Akako.

Speaking of which, Akako's training has sort of taken a downturn. It's got nothing to do with her fever or her ability, because she's healthy and learning well, respectively, but it's getting colder here and it's hard to waterbend when your arms are numb. We're slowly but steadily progressing. I don't know when I'll be back.

Right now the South Pole feels like one big long continuous winter. You don't have to send anything.

Katara

Sweetness,

It's Toph here. Well it's actually Zuko writing for me, I'm telling him what to say. Or write. Whatever. Sparky don't put that stuff do

Katara, tell Toph that if I'm going to write for her she isn't allowed to earthbe

Anyway. Pops and I had a Pai Sho tournament and he won – so that's who it was – but it was only by one point and

TELL TOPH TO STOP EARTHBEN

When are you coming home?

Toph and Sparky

Dear Toph and Zuko,

Toph: stop earthbending Zuko into the walls, ripping earth up through the expensive Fire Nation floors isn't nice. I don't know when I'll be coming home. I'm thinking maybe around next autumn. Now take the earth cuffs off of Zuko wrists.

Zuko: Maybe next time get Iroh to write for Toph.

Today was the anniversary of my mother's death. Dad went all quiet, Sokka barely said a word, Gran Gran spent her time with Saika, Pakku made stewed sea prunes, and I went as far away from our tribe as possible and smashed some glaciers.

I forgave you a long time ago, but I still hate Yon Rah. If what Aang said about forgiveness being the first step towards healing was true, then I'm never going to heal. I'm going to have this scar forever, just like you, only mine's on the inside.

My waterbending was unusually powerful today.

Katara

Dear Katara,

From experience, never rely on anger to fuel your bending. Ever. It sustains you for a while, but then you're left empty and hollow.

Zuko

Dear Zuko,

I thought you'd have a little more trust in me. My bending wasn't 'rage-fuelled'. All I did was go break some glaciers and bend huge waves and smash a couple of icebergs to see what I would find in them.

Katara

Dear Katara,

Of course I trust you. Two years ago I jumped in front of a bolt of lightning. I had to believe that the waterbender who I was with would make it back in time to heal me.

We still have no leads on who was behind the poisoning attempt. Toph was there during the interrogations, she could tell when whether they were lying or not. And nobody knows.

Zuko

Dear Zuko,

Sometimes I think about what must have gone through your head while you were on the ground.

I was so worried when I finally reached you. Your injuries were different from Aang's: the lightning complexly passed through him, but had tried to redirect it and there was still some of it in your system. I thought you were going to die. All I could keep thinking was 'You were so mean to him. You were horrible. And now he's going to die.' That's all I remember from the battle, fighting Azula was one big blur.

Katara

Dear Katara,

Regarding what went through my head, I was angry at myself for being so weak, not being able to stand up. You had to fight Azula alone, and it was all my fault.

The turtleducks have started laying their eggs.

Next autumn seems very far away.

Zuko

***

It was cold. Katara's nose was tingling, her feet were numb, and even though she was wearing mittens she had terrible pins and needs in her hands.

'So … like this?'

There was a swishing sound as Akako bent a thick ribbon of water out of the ocean, pulling it around herself. Then, lifting her arms, eight tentacles simultaneously sprung out of the water. Everything stayed that way for about three seconds, before Akako suddenly gasped and the whole thing collapsed around her.

'How was it?' she asked eagerly, bending the water out of her clothes.

'Good, good,' said Katara, 'you got the 'octopus' part of it perfect. Now all you have to do is keep if from collapsing. When using the octopus from, it's really easy to lose your grip – which is what happened with you. So to keep the tentacles under your control lift your arms up again.'

She demonstrated the octopus form, showing Akako how to keep the water under control.

'Okay. I think I've got it.' Akako pursed her lips together, trying the move again – this time with more success.

She held the octopus for about a minute, and when Katara was sure her pupil was going to be able to hold the pose, sent an ice-dagger straight for her. Elegantly pulling her arms to the side, Akako used one of the water-tentacles to catch it, and sent it right back. Ducking low, the ice-dagger sailed harmlessly over Katara's head and –

'HEY!'

Both master and pupil instantly spun around. Sokka was glaring at them.

'You almost hit me!'

Akako smirked.

'Stay out of our way,' said Katara, 'and it won't happen.'

Sokka sighed. 'It was bad enough when there was only one of you around,' he narrowly ducked a water-whip, courtesy of Akako, 'but now you have someone to throw ice spears with!'

'It's an ice-dagger!' corrected Akako quickly. 'Ice spears are much longer and sharper, plus you have to –'

Sokka groaned loudly. 'Look, I didn't come all this way,' Katara rolled her eyes, 'to listen to you two talk about your magic water. Gran Gran wants to know if Akako's having dinner with us tonight.'

'Akako?'

She shrugged. 'Sure, I mean, if you want me to then –'

Katara smiled. 'I'd love it if you could come.' She glanced up at Sokka. 'Should we ask Koji?' Akako groaned.

'Oh, and by the way, there's another letter for you from your boyfriend.'

'Zuko is not my-'

'Whatever.' Sokka turned his back on Katara and Akako, and made his way back to the tent.

Akako glanced at Katara skeptically. 'Why does Sokka think that Zuko's your boyfriend?'

She sighed – he was too far away for her to water-whip her brother. 'We write letters to each other. That's all.'

There was silence. Katara looked at Akako. She was smiling.

'What?' she snapped.

'Oh, nothing.'

*

Dear Katara,

I feel like I'm in a cage. I can't go anywhere without being followed, I can't say anything without it being over-analyzed and twisted into something else entirely.

There's a Fire Festival coming up mid-spring. Toph wants to know if you'd like to come to the Fire Nation for a brief vacation. She's happy to come with Appa and pick you up whenever is best for you. Everyone else – Sokka, Suki, Pakku, Kanna, Akako, Koji – is invited too.

Zuko

*

Katara wasn't sure exactly how she should break the news. In the end, she decided that bluntness was probably the best way to go.

'There's a Fire Festival coming up in the Fire Nation,' she announced, 'and Zuko and Toph have sort of invited us,' she said, gesturing at her family, as well as Akako and Koji. 'Zuko said that Toph can pick us up whenever we want.'

'Will there be food?' asked Sokka.

'Uh, I guess so.'

'Sook?' he asked, turning to look at Suki, who was sitting on the ground with Saika in her arms.

Suki shrugged. 'It sounds like fun,' she admitted. 'And it would be nice to see Zuko and Toph again.'

'And there'd be delicious Fire Nation cuisine!' Sokka was literally drooling.

Katara glared at her brother. Suki, Pakku and Akako promptly followed her good example.

'So…' Sokka rubbed the back of his neck, having the decency to look slightly guilty, 'what should we do with Saika?'

Katara felt a stab of concern for her sister-in-law when Suki bit down on her lip, looking visibly worried.

'I'm not sure,' she admitted. Sokka's face – sheepish – instantly changed into one of seriousness and concern. 'It's just so cold up there and Saika's still little. And I'm still,' her cheeks flushed red, 'nursing her and…'

Zuko could keep her warm. The thought rose to the surface of Katara's mind, yet she knew that voicing it would be a waste of time – Zuko had made it clear in his letters that escaping palace life was impossible.

She glanced at Sokka. His mouth was pressed into a thin line, and his eyes were narrowed. He already knew what Suki was about to say.

'No.' His voice was firm.

'Sokka…'

This argument was one that was clearly meant for the two of them, but nobody in the tent had made any effort to move. That's how it had always been in the South Pole: everyone knew everyone else's problems. There were no secrets here.

'I'm not leaving you again.'

Then Katara understood. Of course. The Boiling Rock. Azula's favourite prisoner.

'Sokka, just because I can't go it doesn't mean that you shouldn't.' Suki smiled encouragingly. 'I'll be fine. And I'll bet you'll have fun.'

Sokka's eyes were hollow and empty – and Katara felt her own well up. The last time she had seen eyes like that they had been gold, she had been in Ba Sing Se, and Aang was dead.

'I'm not going.'

'Just think of all the Fire Nation food-'

'It burns my mouth.'

'And there'll be fireworks-'

'Give me a headache.' Sokka pouted and Saika gurgled.

Suki growled. 'Sokka, you are going to go to that Fire Festival and spirits help you if you don't.' She paused, realization crossing her features. 'Well, I might not be able to beat you up right now,' she glanced down at Saika, 'but,' her face brightened, 'I'm sure Katara would be happy to do the honors.'

What did they get up to when I was away?

'Pfff.' Sokka smirked. 'Katara's too busy writing letters to lover-boy.'

On another day she might have accidentally-on-purpose dumped her stew over his head, but Katara was feeling generous and decided to let it slide.

Sokka's voice became high and shrill. 'Next autumn seems very far away,' he mimicked.

'You were reading my mail?'

A stew-whip hit Sokka in the face. A second one followed – Akako was nothing if not a loyal friend. She seemed to have lost all respect for Sokka since meeting his younger sister, much to his annoyance.

'Hey!' spluttered Sokka. 'I didn't mean to, it slipped and I–'

'You. Read. My. Letters.'

Hakoda decided to intervene. 'Look, Katara, I'm sure that Sokka-'

She took a deep breath, and forced herself to unclench her fists. 'Sokka?' She tried to keep herself steady.

'Mmm?'

'Don't get into any canoes with me. I can do worse than push you overboard.'

*

Dear Zuko,

Thank-you for the invitation to the Fire Festival. Dad, Sokka, Akako, Koji and I will all be coming. Suki can't go because she's busy with Saika, and Gran Gran's feeling a bit off and doesn't want to travel. After I've finished this I'll be having a healing lesson with her.

Since so many people are coming, why don't you suggest to Toph that she takes two trips on Appa to pick us up? That way he won't have to carry so many people all at once.

Today I found out that Sokka read some of the letter you sent to me. I stew-whipped him. Apparently, according to Sokka, we're now a couple just because we write letters to each other. I want to push him out of a canoe.

Sorry. I'm sort of angry right now. I hope things get better at the Fire Nation for you.

Katara

*

It couldn't be Toph. But it had to be. But it couldn't be. So much had changed yet her core features – slightly oval face, mint-green eyes – were still the same. But they were different, too. She was taller.

'Wow! Look at how much my favourite earthbender's grown up!' Katara ran across the snow to go and hug her friend.

Toph blushed, and hugged Katara back tightly. 'I missed you,' she muttered, so that nobody else could hear.

'Hello! Are you Master Toph?'

Toph stepped back. 'Is that…?'

'Yes. That's Akako. The one beside her is Koji, her brother.'

'How long does it take to get her to float water?' she grumbled. Somewhere in the distance, Saika started squawling and Suki, who had been standing with Katara, quickly rushed off to see what the problem was. It was never wise to leave Pakku alone with young children.

'Sparky says hi,' said Toph quickly, 'and he's sorry he couldn't come with me.'

'That's okay. We'll be seeing him soon anyway, right?'

'Yeah, I suppose.' Toph paused. 'He misses you, you know.'

'Oh. Okay.' Katara was at a loss for words. 'I mean, sure, I miss him too, but –'

'Katara? Where do I put my sleeping bag?' bellowed Akako from the top of Appa's saddle.

'You don't need one!' she cried out. 'There'll be beds for us to sleep in once we get here.'

'But Sokka said –'

'Since when do you listen to Sokka? He's an idiot!'

'Hey! I'm not deaf you know!'

'So,' said Toph abruptly, completely ignoring Sokka, 'who am I taking with me this time?'

'Dad, Sokka, and Akako. Then me and Koji once that trip's done.'

'Okay, so I've got Little Pops, Antsy Pants, and Red.'

'Red? How do you even know what red-'

'She's Red,' said Toph firmly.

Katara decided to accept Akako's nickname as it was. After all, like a lot of things that were going on in her life right now, it could be worse.

*

Dear Zuko,

Toph arrived yesterday, spent the night here, and has now left with Dad, Sokka, and Akako. The latter was really excited about flying on Appa, so ask her for me if she had fun.

I've looking forward to seeing everyone again. Do you think Iroh will teach me Pai Sho? It sounds like fun.

Love Katara

I hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas.

Please review.