Chapter 9

Acceptance

Katara strolled up the hallway towards her room. Today had been a strange but eventful day. She got a taste of the opinions rolling around in the palace and tomorrow she'd be ready for combat. She knew what she was up against, and while helping Zuko she had learned more about how much authority she had. It actually came as a surprise to her that Zuko had said she could pretty much do whatever she wanted, he had no desire to turn her into something she wasn't and he'd promised he'd never ask more of her than she could perform. So tomorrow there would definitely be some changes. He'd laughed when she asked if she had to wear the ridiculous shoes and he assured her that her footwear had nothing to do with her ability to keep the peace it didn't matter to him or his people what shoes she wore. Smiling to herself, she vowed to bring more of water nation flair to this place. She wouldn't trod upon the fire nation's traditions but this was about unity between nations so she didn't see the harm in requesting clothes more comfortable to her but still made in red and embroidered with fire nation designs. She'd wear her own shoes and do her own hair. She'd give Akira and the girls a little longer to work on her hair and skin. It had been a long time since she'd been able to focus on things like her appearance since she'd been traveling with the boys and Toph and despite how much day one had hurt she felt so smooth and her hair was so luscious and bouncy she could somewhat forgive them. 'No pain, no gain,' Gran-Gran always said. So a little more scrubbing, could hopefully get rid of all the grit and the grime from all her adventures then she'd show them she could be every bit as classy as the pale high bred girls of the fire nation.

"What are you doing?" Sokka's voice suddenly came to her.

"What do you mean what am I doing? I'm not doing anything…except walking." Katara turned to her brother confused. What was he doing up so late anyway?

"I meant you were smiling and now just really doesn't seem to be the time to be smiling."

"No, I wasn't…or at least I wasn't intentionally smiling. I was just thinking."

"You were definitely smiling, Katara. So what were you thinking about? An escape."

"Well, so what if I was. It wasn't like I was glowing with unexplainable joy, it just kind of happened. And no, I wasn't thinking about an escape."

"Well what else would you be thinking and smiling about. I really don't think this is an appropriate time to be walking around smiling. Unless of course you're looking forward to all this nonsense." Sokka explained, eyeing her suspiciously.

"No, you know I'm not." Katara's shoulders drooped.

"Good, because Aang's really upset. And this is all just so terrible, to be happening to my little sister. It's just so…argh, you being forced to marry. It's unbelievable. Dad and I had such a huge fight over it earlier that I still don't really know if I'm speaking to him. I can't believe he agreed to this, even after everything I told him about Yue. He says they won't budge but I think he's just not trying hard enough. Don't worry though Katara. Aang and I will figure something out. I promise you."

"Look Sokka, I know you and Aang are really upset. You have every right to be. I have every right to be, but the more I think about it, maybe it's the right thing to do. All anyone is doing is fighting, if no one every makes a move towards peace we won't ever get anywhere. I hate that it has to be us again but if no one else will take the first steps towards peace, I will. We have to prove to the world that it's not completely impossible for two such different people, different nations, to work together and live together in peace and harmony."

"Katara I realize the suppose importance of this and I guess I somewhat understand their reasons but that doesn't matter tome. What matters to me is you. You're my sister. So unless you can tell me this is really what you want then I've got to find another way. So what is it Katara?"

"Sokka, I…I, really don't know. Much as I hate it, there's a part of me that thinks it's the right thing to do and so long as it's there… I have to try to do what's best for everyone."

"That includes yourself you know. You have to consider what's best for you. Do you think you could be happy here? We'd be separated again." Sokka, said quietly.

"I know and that's the thought that hurts the most but maybe from all this I was supposed to learn to put my happiness aside and help others. I want to be happy and free as the next person but I won't be happy until things are right in the world again."

"So then, you're not happy?"

"No, but running away from this is only going to leave me feeling guilty and confused which won't make me happy either. Maybe doing the right thing could make me happy. I've always like helping others, that's why I've worked so hard on my healing abilities, besides helping Aang. I think I could possibly be happy here, rebuilding."

"But that's just a maybe."

"Sokka! I can't see the future so all I can give you is a maybe. I'll be happy if it all works out and for now I'll just try to focus on the positives."

"How can you still be so positive and full of hope?"

"Haven't you heard, I'm full of hope." Katara tried to joke. Her brother's sad face didn't smile. "I guess I'm just sick of everyone fighting and complaining. Maybe we have to try new and crazy things to forge peace between nations that can't exist together so long as they're stuck in their old ways. Zuko's a good guy and all I really need is a little positivity to keep me going. It'll be difficult at first and if I lose hope then I might break. So I'm going to be strong and fight the prejudices and prove that we can balance each other out. And you know, Sokka, it'd be a lot easier if I had a little support from my brother."

Sokka sighed and turned away from her to ponder what she had just said. She was his baby sister and yet she seemed so grown up and wise. If he continued to fight this and tell her what to do, wouldn't he be just like everyone else? Or was he being weak and heartless, condemning his sister to such a life? What kind of life would she lead here? How could he be sure she'd be happy? If he agreed to stand down would he be abandoning her? But she had asked him to show her some support so it couldn't be abandonment. In fact, it might even make her happy which is the only small comfort he could really think to offer her right now. Perhaps rather than cause her more stress he should try to see how things panned out and if it looked like they were going bad then he could exert his elder brother duties and step in. Clenching a fist, he nodded to himself. He had a plan, even if he thought it was a bad one. He'd watch out for his little sister and do what he could to keep her happy.

"Alright, Katara. Since you seem to have thought this through and have shown true selflessness in your decision, I will try to support you. I'm still concerned but you're a smart girl. I'll trust your judgment."

"Thank you Sokka." She cried, hugging him. "It's good to have my big brother back. Though while you're respecting me and my decisions you might want to work on worrying about me less too, I'm not a child, you know."

"I know you're not…but it's part of the unwritten big brother code. Taking care of you is what I do." Sokka grinned.

"Thank you for caring, Sokka." Katara smiled, hugging him again. He returned her hug with a warmth and affection that brought back the fondest childhood memories. With a huge content smile plastered on her face Katara turned and began her trek back to her room but stopped before she'd completely disappeared from the hallway.

Turning she called back down the hall. "Good night, Sokka."

"Good night Katara. Get some rest. I'm sure you're going to need it."

"You have no idea." She laughed before turning to go. It was really good to have her brother as an ally. Now she'd really show them. She'd create peace within this household if it were the last thing she did.

-

'I suppose, I should go apologize to Toph and Suki. They were right. This is Katara's decision.' Sokka sighed watching his sister go. 'Hmm, maybe I can show my support by helping Toph turn our beach party into an engagement party. Everyone loves a party.' Ginning foolishly and back in his element as fun coordinator Sokka meandered down the hall to find Suki.

A/N: Sorry, I know this one was short too. I've been kind of busy lately and have been having trouble with my computer so it's a matter of sharing it with the guy who's trying to fix it for me. Hopefully, he'll figure out what the deal is soon. So I apologize in advance if I can't post as much in the next couple of days.