Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Katara stopped practicing at the shore the moment she heard her brother's shout. Quickly moving towards its source she saw Sokka come out with a very un-Sokka-like expression on his face. She had never seen her brother so downtrodden, at least in front of her. Usually he'd act overconfident or make a wise-crack or unwittingly act like a fool in serious situations. She knew he did it was just an act to make her forget about their problems momentarily or to cover his own feelings. Usually. The incident with the two fish hooks in his thumb was just Sokka's clumsiness and... unique way of problem-solving. But it was one of the qualities Katara loved about her brother. But now, all she could see was a sadness that showed in his features body language as he walked down the shoreline.

Clamping down on her first instinct to run after him, she decided to get some answers from Jeong Jeong first. Katara didn't have to wait long as the old Firebender came out of his hut. He too seemed rather subdued as he stared at her brother's retreating form. But while Katara was considerate to the feelings of others, family came first. And she wanted answers

"What did you say to him?" the young Waterbender asked, her features accusing.

"I merely enlightened the boy to a few truths," Jeong Jeong said simply, "You would do well to leave him be for the moment, and allow him time to think on our discussion."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"It wasn't meant to," the Firebender stated. At Katara's continued looks of frustration, he sighed and continued, "I informed your brother that he possesses a rare gift not seen in many, many years. He, however, does not see it as a blessing, and I do not blame him... The Inner Fire is a difficult burden to bear. I cannot imagine what it must be like for someone who has already been burned by it."

Inner Fire...?

Before Katara could ask what he meant by that, the Deserter had already re-entered his hut

Confusion now added to her worry, Katara debated whether or not to take Jeong Jeong's advice and let her brother be. She decided - grudgingly - that she would wait half an hour before confronting Sokka.

Nodding assuredly to herself, she went back to her Waterbending exercises.

She later decided ten minutes was more than enough time, and headed off to find her brother.

It wasn't a difficult search. His slouching form was sitting on a rock just outside of view from the camp, tossing pebbles every now and again into the stream.

Katara sat down beside him, and a silence followed.

It was a few minutes before she decided to try and talk to her brother, "Hey..."

"...Hey," was Sokka's quiet reply.

Choosing to bite the bullet sooner rather than later, the Waterbender took a breathe and continued, "So... what did Jeong Jeong say that has you so down?"

"He told me I'm a traitor," said Sokka, tossing another rock into the stream.

Of all the responses that could have come from her brother, that was the one she least expected.

"Excuse me?" was Katara's understandably flabbergasted reply.

"I'm a traitor. To everything our village and our Dad fights for," the morose teen dropped his head into his hands, "Spirits, when Dad finds out..."

"When he finds what out, Sokka? You're not making any sense!" she said worriedly.

This wasn't right. Her brother brooded before, but he was never like... this.

The concerned sibling placed a comforting hand on her brother's shoulder, "Sokka, you can tell me. You're my brother, nothing Jeong Jeong told you will change that."

Despite her assurances, Sokka's next words stopped her dead, "I'm a Firebender."

Katara's mind went a mile a minute, her thoughts a jumble. The most prominent of these was, How?

She must have said it out loud, since he answered, "Something about extinct diplomats. You'd have to ask the Fire - ... You'd have to ask Jeong Jeong."

After the initial shock wore off, the next question that slipped from her mouth was, "Are you sure?"

Not the most tactful question in the world, but it was enough to draw a semi-amused snort from her brother. Katara took it as a good sign.

"Positive. I made the old guy's candles go fwoosh and everything," Sokka returned, a little snark, a little life in his voice.

Cheered on slightly by her brother's words, she worked to bring him further out of his funk, "So you're moping over making some candles go 'fwoosh'?"

Apparently it was the wrong thing to say, as Sokka replied, "No, I'm moping because I just found out that I'm the thing I hate the most."

As much as she wanted to help Sokka, Katara was a little lost as for what to do next. He was already slipping back into self-loathing, something she really did not want for her brother. So, taking a page from his book, she decided to wing it.

"Well, try and look at the positives. You have a new way to fight against the Fire Nation... and... uh... You'll be able to warm yourself up when it gets really cold...?"

Okay, different approach.

"Look, Sokka, just because you're a Firebender doesn't mean we'll love you less. It doesn't bother me. And you know Aang will be excited to have someone to train with," her brother smirked a little at that, "And Dad and Gran Gran would never hate you. Ever."

The Water Tribesman had a small smile on his face, but something seemed to occur to him, as it fell slightly, "But what about everyone else? The other warriors, the rest of the tribe? Would they accept me, knowing what I am? We aren't very friendly to anything associated with fire."

It was true. Fire was a tool, a necessity that wasn't to be taken lightly or enjoyed, lest it consume you. The only time fire was celebrated was during the ceremonies before warriors set sail.

The whole tribe would be gathered around the bonfire, and their father would tell of the first Fire Nation attacks. He would begin with the raids that destroyed the Southern Water Temple, and of how our ancestors survived, even scattered in the harsh winter. He would then go on to tell of how they banded together again to drive off their fire-wielding enemies, despite being outnumbered and out-armed. As the story was being told, others would burn various Fire Nation materials: old weapons and armor (too old to be of use; the Water Tribe never wasted) and ended with the flag of their enemy.

The ceremony was meant to stir up the warriors. Remind them why they fought, and why the Fire Nation had to be stopped. It worked well.

"They know the kind of person you are, Sokka, they wouldn't hate you," Katara comforted, then smirked, "And if they did, they'd have to deal with me, Dad, and Aang."

This time Sokka really did smile, "Thanks, Katara. Really."

She returned it easily, "It's what I do."

Tossing one last rock into the stream, Sokka stood up and grinned, "Well, all that brooding makes me hungry! When's dinner?"

Taking his cue, Katara swatted his shoulder and mock scolded, "You only ate a few hours ago!"

"I'm a growing warrior! I need to keep up my energy!"

Katara knew Sokka wasn't as carefree as he was acting, not even her brother could bounce back that quickly. But he was strong. He'd get through this, and master his newfound element.

It was then that she was struck with a horrifying conclusion. Sokka was going to be able to toss around fire.

Sokka. The guy who tried to get a fish hook out of his finger by using another fish hook.

There is no way this can end well, the now morose Waterbender reflected as she walked back to camp, her brother babbling on about all the delicious foods he wanted to eat.

Authors Note: I know I kinda glossed over the angst, and it was intentional choice. While I do like inner conflict (which there will be, don't worry), I draw the line at wrist-cutting, MCR-listening, and general waste of space mopiness. Also, reviews are the fuel that keeps me alive, so please write them.