Katara was in her room again, packing for their trip. They would spend a few weeks heading south, accompanied by Pakku and handfuls of other waterbenders who'd decided to go to the South Pole and rebuild. Once they reached the Earth Kingdom, they would head for Omashu. Aang wanted to show them the world's largest mail transportation system (and also, according to him, the best and biggest slide). He also wanted to see if his friend Bumi was still around, hoping to learn earthbending from him.
Katara was skeptical. What were the chances of Bumi surviving for a hundred years? And even if he was still alive, could they find him? Could he, or would he, be able to teach Aang? Still, it was a shot and Aang had to learn the other elements.
She sat down on the fur bed. It was so soft and comfortable; she'd miss it. It wouldn't be the same, having to go back to the sleeping bag on hard ground. The Northern Water Tribe had been extremely grateful to Aang for saving them and were piling them with provisions-dried foods, medicines, supplies. Pakku had promised to give them some extra scrolls for them to study waterbending.
Katara had been practicing her reading on her waterbending scroll, so she could learn more. And speaking of reading…
She reached into her bag and pulled out the copy of Love Amongst the Dragons. She'd gotten a full two pages into it. It was difficult going. The book had been written a while ago and was done in a way different than how she was used to people speaking. She'd spent a while just trying to figure out those two pages. All she'd gotten out of it was that there was some Fire Nation noblewoman unhappy with her life. At this rate, it'd take her years to finish it.
Then again, she wasn't even sure she wanted to finish it. It was Fire Nation literature and she had decided to hate any and all things Fire Nation: food, customs, literature, people. Especially the people.
Evil monsters.
"You ready?" Sokka came into her room.
"Almost" Katara replied without turning around. She stuffed the book at the bottom of her pack.
It felt slightly strange to leave the place they'd spent the last several weeks staying at. It had its similarities to home: food, the blue-dyed clothing and furs, the people who looked like her, the same cuisine. If not for their ridiculous rules and 'customs', it wouldn't be a bad place to live.
The three of them headed out on Appa. Beneath them was a small fleet of waterbenders, led by Pakku, heading for the South Pole. They'd accompany the Avatar and his friends until they reached the shore of the Northern Earth Kingdom. Then, the three would be on their own on their way to Omashu.
It took several weeks of traveling south. Sometimes, they rode on Appa, others times on the ships. The events of the siege were spoken about little if at all. Finally, the shore of the Earth Kingdom came into sight. Before they left, Pakku provided them with extra provisions, as well as gifts. For Aang, a box of waterbending scrolls, to help improve hi technique. For Katara, a vile of water from the Spirit Oasis. For Sokka…a "Good luck".
With their goodbyes made, the trio mounted Appa and made their way south.
Yes extremely short, but hey, I updated! You guys have all been such wonderful readers! I realized I have over 50 people following and reading this story. I was shocked, but pleased nevertheless. I'm very sorry about the huge length of time between updates, but so much has been going on lately (school, moving, family stuff (including my new baby niece!)) so I've not had much time to write.