A/N: BEWARE! THIS WILL BE RATED "M" FOR MATURE!
*Character death is in this chapter.
Zuko woke with the cool sea breeze rolling over him. The light mist in the air left his hair and clothes slightly damp, and the smell of salt water filled his nose. He figured that he couldn't possibly be on the deck of a boat, but the sound of a wave crashing against something startling him, and the only thought he could render was that he was in fact on a boat, a pirates boat to be exact, held prisoner once again. He sat up abruptly and saw nothing but the open ocean in front of him, a sharp pain striking in his side.
"Katara!" He called, looking around frantically, ignoring the ache, worrying about her far more than himself. Katara was on his left and she immediately took his hands in hers, lacing their fingers together. Zuko froze, continuing to look forwards as he tried to figure out exactly where it was and how he had gotten there.
"Zuko," Katara called softly, leaning out in front of him. She watched as his wide-eyes slowly but surely focused on her, realizing that he wasn't on anyone's ship and he was on the Avatar's sky bison, flying over an ocean.
His voice caught in his throat and he leaned back, "I thought - I thought we were - I -" Placing his arms over his face, Zuko fought the demons in his head the best he could.
"No, Zuko," She murmured as she slipped a hand over his arms, tugging a bit. "No more pirates." She managed pull his arms away from his face and ran her fingers through his hair, noticing just how dull and his foggy his eyes were. He must be so exhausted. "How are you feeling?"
"My side is killing me." He croaked out, realizing just how bard it hurt to speak. Katara raised her brow and peeled his shirt up his torso and yelped at the sight of a terrible bruise blotching his side. "What?" Zuko asked, attempting to sit up to be able to see for himself.
"Nope!" Katara placed a hand on his shoulder and pressed him back down. "Stay down." The waterbender seeped water from the humid air and brought her attention to his side, healing it the best she knew how, knowing there was more damage on the inside.
"Wait a second," He brother's voice pipped up. "You... you can heal!" Sokka strangled the air in frustration. "How long have you been able to do that!" He asked, pointing towards Zuko's side.
"Calm down, Sokka. I didn't know I was able to heal until Zuko and I were in th-...until I tried it on Zuko one time on the cargo boat."
"Do you know how much pain you could have gotten me out of? Like, when I fell into the fire pit, or when that mink snake bit me, or when-"
"You had two fish hooks in your thumb?" Zuko added.
Sokka gasped and cringed. "You told him about that?" He asked, motioning over to the young fire bender. Katara ignored her brother and remained focused on the firebender.
"I feel terrible, what happened? When did I get on this thing?" Zuko asked, sitting up as far as Katara would allow him as he rubbed his temple.
"We've been flying for about half a day now, that pirate knocked you out cold, you were out for quite some time, nephew." Iroh informed as he smiled a small smile, happy to see his nephew was finally waking up and moving about, even it was just barely.
Iroh had been so relieved to see that his nephew and the young waterbender had not only survived the pirates boat together, but managed to escape together, and it appeared as though that had taken quite the liking to each other. They both seemed to care a great deal about the other, with the way Katara was literally sobbing in fear that Zuko had been killed, and the way she had been the first thing on his mind when he woke up. Iroh knew they must have gone through hell on the cargo boat and it was obvious that they now needed the other in or order to function properly.
This worried the retired General. Wasn't Zuko still in a relationship with that nobleman's daughter? Iroh looked to the side, wondering what that girl's name was. Memories of messenger hawk's flying to and from their old ship came to him, that must have been who his nephew had been writing, but in the last year they faded down to nothing. Perhaps they had broken it off? Or had Zuko just left that girl without her knowing? Iroh shrugged to himself, he had never taken a liking to that girl for his nephew, and figured Zuko was far better off with this waterbender.
In fact, Iroh was sure that Zuko would be better off and happier with Katara, with the way she made sure he was comfortable and took attention to his wounds, never leaving his side. Iroh could tell that Katara, though troubled by the recent traumatizing situations, was a lot more cheerful and energetic than the darker girl from the Fire Nation. Katara had spunk but was also very patient and loving. The exact mix that Iroh was sure Zuko needed to remedy his troubles and balance him out.
He and the others watched as she lulled the young Fire Prince, urging him to rest and sleep, that he needed it.
Sokka furrowed his brow and snarled. What on earth did Katara think she was doing? That was Zuko, the Prince of the Fire Nation, the one who chased them for weeks, causing them all kinds of trouble. His only goal had been to capture Aang and take him to the Fire Lord so the little hope that had came into the world could be snuffed out. Even if he did aid in his sister's escape and their reunion, Sokka still didn't like him and Zuko was still on his shit-list.
Aang sighed and drew invisible circles into Appa's saddle as he tried to push all of his deep feelings for Katara away. He huffed and squeezed his eyes shut, hearing the monks tell him that he was the avatar, and that he should be caring about the balance of the world, not weather some silly girl was interested in him or not.
!
Another day passed by slowly and Sokka had just began to complain about how long it was taking to get to the North Pole when water benders emerged from behind the tops of ice bergs on small boats.
Aang and Katara both smiled ear to ear and looked at each other with joy. They made it! They had finally reached their destination and they would finally begin their waterbending training, Zuko would finally be healed properly, and so would Katara's damaged shoulder.
!
Chief Arnook raised his brow and turned his head slightly towards Aang. "You brought two firebenders into my territory, and not just any firebenders, two possible heirs to the Fire Lord's throne?"
"Uh," Aang fidgeted and looked away as he shrunk down. Perhaps he should have taken Iroh's advice and came up with a fake story for him and his nephew. Aang huffed and figured, why lie? What they were doing was noble, and would help him bring peace back to the world. "They're my firebending teachers," He began, regaining his posture. "But, Iroh won't teach me actual fire bending until I learn water and earth first." He pouted, looking over his shoulder to the seasoned fire bender.
"I see," Arnook drug his words out, still thinking about how he should handle what the Avatar had smacked down onto his plate. The water chief knew his people wouldn't be too pleased to hear that two heirs to the Fire Nation throne were walking freely inside their icy walls. "I have no reason not to believe you, but keep in mind, if they cause any trouble, or begin to pose any threat to me or my people, I will not hesitate to have them snuffed out." He warned, leaning down, towards the Avatar.
"Of course," Aang bowed. "But there's no need to worry. I've only been traveling with Iroh for about a week now, but he's proven to me that he is a man of his word and is trustworthy. I'm sure he and his nephew won't be causing you any kind of trouble. My friend and I are here to learn waterbending from a master, they're just along for the ride until I'm ready to begin training in firebending."
"I'm sure master Pakku would be honored to teach you and your friend, but tonight, I'll be holding a feast in your honor, and for my daughters sixteenth birthday." Arnook smiled and leaned back.
"Sounds great!" Aang smiled and lifted himself with his airbending, spinning in the air as he did so. "Tell your daughter I said 'happy birthday!'" He waved the chief a goodbye and ran over to Iroh and Sokka, telling them that he and Zuko were welcome as long as they didn't cause any trouble, that there was master that would teach him and Katara waterbending tomorrow morning, and that a feast would be held tonight for them.
Sokka smiled as his mouth began to water. "Mmm, it's been too long since I had a nice, big plate of water tribe food."
"I'm going to go check up on Zuko and Katara," Iroh informed as he turned and began making his way to the healing hut.
!
Katara turned and looked over her shoulder at the sound of footsteps sloshing behind her. Every time Iroh or Zuko took a step, the snow would melt beneath their feet. Iroh stood in the arch way of the healing hut, silently asking the young water bender if everything was okay.
"Yugoda is teaching me all about the inside of the body. I get to use Zuko as a practice dummy." She informed, bringing her attention back to the firebenders body.
"Where his ribs okay?" Iroh asked, walking over to Katara's side.
"Only a very small fracture in one of them. The pirates knee must of got him when he fell on top of him."
Iroh nodded and asked his nephew how he was feeling. "Cold," He answered softly. "I can't heat up too much or I'll melt the ice more than I already am." Iroh snickered and wished Katara luck on learning healing and informed them both about the feast that was going to be held later on that night. Katara nodded and promised they'd both try to attend.
Iroh turned and noticed the older women sitting in front of Katara, instructing the young waterbender on how to guide the water through the body properly. "Why hello, there." Iroh greeted, smiling as he waved. Yugoda looked up from Katara's work and smiled back, returning his greeting. "Would it be alright if I asked you to accompany me to the Chiefs feast tonight?"
"Uncle," Zuko scolded lowly through clinched teeth.
"What?" Iroh whined, turning towards his nephew as he shrugged. "You've got yourself a pretty little waterbending girlfriend now why can't I?" Yugoda laughed and blushed and she smiled.
"It's quite alright, and I'm sure you and I would have a lovely time."
"I'm sure we will." Iroh smiled and waved again before turning to leave.
Yugoda took her attention back to Katara's work and smiled as she stood. "You're a very good student and a very fast learner. I'd love to continue teaching you healing techniques."
"Thank you," Katara stood and bowed. I'd love to continue learning from you." She turned and held a hand out to help Zuko up.
"Of course," Yugoda paused and noticed the Katara's necklace. "That's a beautiful engagement necklace, so this the lucky boy?" She asked sweetly, smiling towards the firebender at her student's side.
"What?" Katara gasped, placing her fingers over the stone on her necklace. "Oh, no, no." She laughed nervously as her cheeks began to turn to a pinkish color. "This was my grandmother's necklace and she gave to my mother, who gave it me." Yugoda hummed and leaned towards Katara to be able to get a closer look at the necklace.
"I recognize this carving," She breathed out, "I don't know why I didn't realize sooner, you're the spitting image of Kanna!" Katara gasped and took a step back, asking how this woman could possible know her gran-gran's name. Yugoda explained to Katara about how she had been friends with her grandmother, that she had been born in the Northern Water Tribe, that she had been in an arranged marriage, and that the young waterbender she was to marry had carved that necklace for her, but she then suddenly left without a reason, or a goodbye.
"Oh," Katara turned slowly and began making her way back to their igloo, Zuko trailing not far behind.
"Your grandmother never told you all of that?" He asked, quickening his pace to walk beside her.
"No, I would have never of known. I wonder why she didn't tell me, and why she left."
The couple made their way to their igloo and enjoyed a nice tea time with Iroh until Aang and Sokka came to collect them for the feast Chief Arnook was holding. Sokka literally began to drool at the thought of tasting the food he had been raised on for the first time in a long while. Iroh and Aang were ready to give it a try, both eager to try new things, Iroh more eager to see the healer, though. Katara worried about just how much food Zuko would actually eat, while he worried about just how much food she was going to make him eat.
At the feast, Sokka carefully chose his seat, next to Princess Yue.
"... I'm thinkin' maybe we could ... do an activity together?" He asked, giving her a big, cheesy smile.
"Do an activity?" The Princess asked, holding back a snicker, as to not be rude to her guest.
"Very smooth, Sokka." Zuko smirked before taking a small bite of fish meat. Sokka groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Like you could do any better," He challenged through the side of his mouth, leaning over a bit to hide the conversation from Yue.
"Actually, I bet I could." Sokka leaned away from the Fire Prince and raised his brow, waiting to see just what he would do. Zuko smiled and turned to his right to face towards Katara. "Hey, Katara, on our way in here, I saw a nice cliff that would give us a great view of the ocean, perhaps later on you could I could go up there and watch the water together."
Katara blushed and looked up to him. "That sounds like a great idea, Zuko." She smiled sweetly before picking up a piece of seaweed bread. "Eat this," She ordered, holding it out to him. He plucked the bread from her hand and took a nice bite out of it, knowing it would please her to see him eat so willingly.
He then turned the Southern Water Tribe warrior and smirked, still chewing on the bread, knowing he had outdone him in the art of getting a girls positive attention. Sokka huffed and stuffed his face with food and tried to think of a better way to get Princess Yue's attention.
After the feast, the group headed back to their igloo. Zuko and Katara wiggled into a large sleeping bag that had plenty of room for them both. Sokka paused and raised his brow, watching carefully as the firebender wrapped his arm around the waterbender's waist, pulling her close to him and nuzzling her cheek with his.
"What are you doing?" Sokka growled, furrowing his brow as Zuko rested his cheek onto Katara's neck.
Katara looked up at her brother as she tucked a hand under a chin and laced her and Zuko's fingers together with the other. "About to go to sleep, what are you doing?"
"Like that?" Aang could literally feel the tension and awkwardness, pressing his lips together before plopping down onto his own sleeping bag, watching in silence along side Iroh as Sokka tried to register just what was going on between his little sister and the Fire Prince.
"Yeah? How else are you supposed to go to sleep? You don't sleep standing up, Sokka." She scrunched her nose at him, voice filled with irritation and annoyance.
"No, I mean-" Sokka's hand lingered in the air as he paused, eye twitching at the sight of Zuko placing his head behind Katara's, covering his face with her hair as he snickered. "Is something funny?" He asked, placing his fists onto his hips, glaring down at the boy snuggling with his sister.
Katara huffed and waved Sokka off as she turned onto her left side, pressing Zuko down onto his back as she rested her head and hand on his chest. "Just go to sleep, Sokka!" She ordered, smiling as Zuko wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
Sokka growled in frustration, strangling the air as he tried to put together an actual sentence with actual words. Failing, he huffed and muttered as he kicked into his sleeping bag, snatching up and pillow and pulling it under his cheek, still muttering to himself as he tried to fall asleep.
Aang, though his heart still hurt from losing all chances he had with Katara, covered his mouth with his hand in attempt to hide his giggle from Sokka. The warriors eyes snapped open and the Avatar immediately pointed to Iroh. Iroh raised his brow and shook his head as he pointed back at Aang. Sokka let out a growl and turned over, facing his back towards everyone else.
The firebending teacher and student settled down into their own sleeping bags and allowed sleep to come over them.
!
Katara woke and ran her hand over the empty space beside her. Wait, what? Empty? Her blue eyes snapped open and she realized that the space beside her was not only empty, but cold. Meaning that the one who had been sleeping there had been gone long enough for the cold to seep into his spot. Even though she was in the Northern Water Tribe, one of the most untouchable places to the Fire Nation, far out of reach of any pirates, panicked when she realized Zuko was gone. She sat and looked around, only to see Sokka as the only one still curled up into his sleeping bag. What the pirates had managed to get in here and took Zuko? And Iroh and Aang went to go help, but they got them, too?
"Sokka!" Katara leaped from her sleeping bag, over to his. She shook him and called his name again. He groaned and waved her off, turning down onto his stomach. "Sokka, get up! Where's Zuko!" His words were muffled by the fabrics, but she figured he had said something along the lines of 'I don't know'. She huffed, continuing to panic as she shook her brother harder. "Aang and Iroh are gone, too! Where are they? Where is Zuko!"
Sokka turned to face her, barely opening his eyes. He sat up and pulled his hair back, grumbling as he patted the area around him search for his hair-tie. He found and looked back up, huffing at the sight of Zuko standing in the doorway. "He's right there, Katara. Goodness." He rolled his eyes at her, annoyed.
Katara turned and jumped up, wrapping her arms around Zuko. "Don't leave me like that, Zuko!" She scolded, tightening her grip on him.
"I'm sorry, I should have told you. I didn't want to wake you, though."
"Oh my gosh," Sokka grumbled at them as he began to search for his hoodie. Katara pulled away from Zuko and began to turn around to face her brother, but noticed Aang and the expression on his face, obviously trying to contain his excitement for something. She tilted her head at him, silently asking him what is was.
"Master Pakku says he's ready to see us. He wants to begin training right away!" He exclaimed, leaning towards the door.
"Okay," She said, turning to make her way out of the igloo. "Come on, Zuko, maybe he'll let you watch." She took his hand into hers and pulled, wanting him to go with her.
"Do you need him with you at all times?" Sokka asked, pulling his hoodie over his head and turning, looking around for his socks and boots. The three stopped in their tracks, turning around to face back to Sokka.
Iroh had managed to slip back into the igloo along side Aang, and raised his brow at the warrior as he sat down onto his sleeping bag, carefully to not spill any tea from the small cup he had in his hand. "They went through a terrible time together, they're dependent on each other. Nothing is wrong, it's natural." He assured, taking a small sip of tea.
"What?" Sokka scoffed, pulling a sock over his foot. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Shut up, Sokka!" Katara spat out, taking a step towards the open door way. "You don't know what we went through!"
"What could you have gone through? You were on there for hardly a week!" Katara tensed and clinched her fists, small cracks in the ice around her forming. Zuko grabbed her forearm and held her as she attempted to take another step towards her ignorant brother.
"Are you kidding me!" She screeched, throwing her free arm into the air.
"So Zuko got beat a couple of times, so they didn't feed you. Zuko is healed and you're fed now, it couldn't have been too bad." Katara's jaw dropped and she snatched her arm from Zuko's grasp, taking a deadly step towards Sokka.
"Don't!" Zuko called, grabbing her arm again.
"You know what's bad, Sokka?" She growled, glaring at him. "What's bad is having to force ra-"
"Katara!" Zuko took a big step towards her, smacking his hand over her mouth as he wrapped the other over her collarbone, pulling her close to him to hold her back and keep her mouth shut. She let out a small scream into his mouth as she slammed her eyes shut and began to cry, fighting the flashbacks and demons that plagued her mind. She leaned over and put her weight down, pulling Zuko down with her. She curled her fingers, melting the snow. Zuko gently smacked the water from her hands and loosened his grip on her. "Come here." He picked her up as he stood, slowly taking his hand from her mouth to wipe her cheeks with the back of his glove.
She huffed and regained her footing. She didn't even take glance at Sokka as she turned away from him. Aang bit his lip and looked down, waiting for the couple to get far enough to where they wouldn't hear him. Once they were, he immediately began scolding Sokka.
"Why would you say that, Sokka! What did I tell you about making assumptions about someone's past? Remember what we learned about Iroh!" He asked, motioning towards the retired General as he calmly sipped his tea. Sokka huffed and pulled a boot on. "You owe them both an apology!"
!
"I hate being like this, Zuko." Katara cried as he wrapped an arm around her. He had taken her all the way to the cliff he had spoken about the night before. "I feel like I'm going crazy. I feel like no one understands. I feel so alone." Zuko pulled her into his lap and took her cheeks into his palms, holding her gently.
"Katara, I feel the same way, you're not alone in this, I'm here, too." He assured softly, leaning down to kiss her. The snuggled to keep warm, and waited for her to calm down some before they went to find Aang so they could begin their training, a great opportunity for her to take out some frustration and anger.
!
"Here we are!" He exclaimed, stopping a few feet away from his new teacher. Master Pakku crossed his arms over his chest and raised his brow, examining Zuko.
"I thought he was a firebender?" He asked, motioning towards him. Aang looked towards Zuko, then back at Pakku.
"Oh, no." Aang laughed. "She's the one I'm going to be learning waterbending with." He said, pointing towards Katara. Pakku sighed and bent up a block of ice as a seat for himself.
"Looks like there was a misunderstanding. See, you didn't tell me that your friend was girl. You won't be learning waterbending with her."
"What?" Katara stomped, clinching her fist together.
"Don't take your anger out on him." Zuko mumbled to her as he placed his hands behind his back, rocking back on his heels.
She glanced at him before glaring back over to the old man. "What do you mean I won't be learning waterbending with Aang?"
"Here in the Northern Water Tribe, it is forbidden for females to learn waterbending."
"What? There are female waterbenders here!"
"The women use their waterbending for healing only. I'm sure Yugoda would be more than happy to have you as her student, despite your bad attitude." He hissed, but remained calm and collected.
"I've already learned healing from her! I need to learn waterbending to help Aang fight! I didn't travel across the world so you could tell me 'no'!"
"No," He boldly stated. "Our tribe has customs, rules."
Katara strangled the air in frustration and growled. "I need to know waterbending to help Aang save the world! Are you seriously about to put one tribe in front of the whole world?" She asked, throwing her arms up into the air. "Zuko and Iroh left the Fire Nation to help! They're directly related to the Fire Lord himself!" She informed, hoping it would help sway him into teaching her. Pakku raised his brow and leaned, looking at Zuko over Katara's shoulder.
"I'm sorry I'm not a traitor to my people." He said calmly and sarcastically, leaning back over to face in front of her. Aang saw Zuko tense and hoped he wouldn't lash out, but before he could, Katara did it for him.
"How dare you!" She yelled, pointing at Master Pakku. "How dare you speak to him like that! One word from him and a whole armada of ships could be here to arrest you just for looking at him the wrong way!"
"Katara!" Zuko scolded from behind her, running his fingers through his hair in frustration as he turned towards Aang. "She's going to get us in so much trouble!"
"He's the crown Prince of the Fire Nation! While you, you are just some sour, old man who needs to get his priorities in order!"
"Was that a threat?" Pakku asked, standing up.
"No!" Zuko called, running up and pushing Katara out of the way. "No! No, sir, I would never! And, I don't exactly belong to the Fire Nation anymore, I couldn't send anyone if I wanted to! I apologize on her behalf, she's just running her mouth. Please, forgive her, and take the Avatar as your student."
"I never said I wouldn't take him as my student, I was still going to, until of course, this little one over here ruined it for him." Pakku stated, motioning over towards Katara. Before anyone could reply, he turned on his heel and walked away, deeming the conversation as over.
"Where are you going!" Aang called.
"I'm going to go handle a few things I've been putting off for a while," He said, looking at him over his shoulder. "I'm... what was she said I needed to do? Oh that's right, I'm getting my priorities in order." He hissed, brushing a few snowflakes off his hoodie as he turned and continued walking away from them.
Aang and Zuko both sighed as they looked over to Katara at the same time.
"I can't believe you did that." Zuko informed. Katara scrunched her face up and smacked him on the arm.
"I can't believe you said that!" She yelled as she pointed at him. "Running my mouth!" She turned and began to stomp away from him. He grabbed her by the forearm and called out her name.
"You were running your mouth! Do you know how much trouble you could have gotten uncle and I in? You can't threaten him like that, even if it is empty! You need to learn you place!" Katara gasped and turned around to face him.
"My place!" She growled, leaning towards him.
"Yes, Katara, your place! You can't just speak to him like that!" Zuko yelled, holding his arm out in the direction Pakku walked away in. "He's the master waterbender, we're in his nation, he as more authority here than you do! It doesn't matter if you're the Avatar's friend or not. He disappeared for a hundred years and allowed Sozin to begin the war!" He continued, motioning both hands towards the young Avatar standing beside him. "He's one of the reasons the world is the way it is right now!" He paused for a split second and turned his hands in towards himself. "You can't use uncle or me because we're directly related to the other reason!" He yelled, holding hand out in the direction he was sure the Fire Nation was in and dropping the other to his side.
"Don't yell at me!" She threw her fists down and stood on her toes before sinking down into her hoodie and biting her lip. Zuko huffed and covered his face with his hands in frustration.
"You guys," Aang called softly. Zuko huffed again and rubbed the back of his neck as he turned towards the young Avatar. "We could go speak to Chief Arnook, maybe he'll make Master Pakku teach me. He should have a better understanding of what it'll mean to the world."
"Pakku understands, he just doesn't care." Katara hissed under her breath.
"It's worth a try, Katara." Zuko agreed, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
They made their way to the throne room and immediately saw the Princess, the Chief, and Pakku all sitting next to each other, a row of what were sure to be nobles sitting behind them. Zuko shrunk down and hoped Pakku hadn't told Arnook about Katara's threat with the armada.
Katara stood tall and informed Chief Arnook about what had happened, skipping over a few things, of course, but telling him that Aang needed to learn waterbending for the sake of the world.
"What do you want me to do? Force Master Pakku to take Aang back as his student?"
"Yes! ... Please."
"I suspect he might change his mind, if you swallow your pride and apologize to him." Katara huffed and looked at Aang over her shoulder. Zuko crossed his arms and shifted his weight onto one leg as he raised his brow, waiting for her to do what she knew was the right thing.
She took in a deep breath and turned to face back towards the Chief. "Fine," She bit her lip and tried to think of just the way to do it.
"I'm waiting, little girl." Pakku sneered. Zuko groaned and face palmed, knowing that he had just set the whole thing off again and that Katara would lash out at him again.
"No!" He heard Katara shout out. "There's no way I'm apologizing to a sour old man like you!" Zuko slowly ran his hand down his face and watched in disbelief as Katara continued to run her mouth and end up challenging the old, seasoned, master waterbender.
"Oh my Agni, Katara, are you kidding me!" Zuko asked, throwing his arms up into the air as he followed her out of the throne room.
"No!" She exclaimed, ripping off her hoodie and shoving it into his arms as she stormed down the stairs.
"Hey, what's going on?" Sokka asked, he had been making his way up the stairs, in search of Princess Yue when he spotted them.
"Katara just challenged Master Pakku to a water duel!" Zuko whined, holding his hand out to the area in front of the palace stairs.
"Katara, you don't have to do this for me, I'll find a new teacher. He can't be the only master here!" Aang said, trying to calm her down and assure her that he didn't need to specifically learn from Pakku.
"I'm not doing it for you!" She yelled, noticing Pakku calmly strolling past them. "Aren't you going to fight!"
"Go back to the healing huts, I'm sure there's something Yugoda could teach you. Like, oh, I don't know, how to be respectful?" He barely even glanced to her over his shoulder as he continued walking away. Katara growled and pulled up a string of water and whipping the Master in the back of the head. Just the sound of it made Zuko's skin crawl, and he sat down, pulling his knee's up to his chest and burying his face into his arms to focus on fighting the demons Katara had woken with the sound of the whip.
Pakku stopped in his tracks and had trouble controlling his temper. He turned and snarled, "You want to learn so badly?" He asked, raising his brow at her. "Fine! Study closely!"
Zuko lifted his head and watched as Master Pakku began to send water towards Katara. He sighed, having pressed the demons from his mind, he figured now would be a good time for an attempt at some comic relief. "If he hurts her, I'll send for that armada." He mumbled towards Aang. He laughed as he sat down next to him.
"Wait," He paused, looking around nervously. "You aren't serious, are you?" He asked, looking over to the firebender.
Zuko chuckled and shook his head. "No." Aang smiled and nodded.
"Why is she doing this?" Sokka asked, sitting down next to Zuko.
"Pakku wouldn't teach her waterbending because she's a girl, then she got mad and told him he needed to, and then he got mad and wouldn't teach me, then Katara got mad and challenged him, then he got even more mad and now they're fighting." Aang said, leaning back to able to look at Sokka passed Zuko's back.
Sokka frowned and shrugged, sounded like something that would happen.
Iroh had to tread carefully to not get hit with any water that was flying around, but he made it the group of people that were now standing around the duel and spotted the kids. He walked over to them stood next to Aang.
"What's going on?" He asked to no one in particular.
"Katara challenged Master Pakku to a water duel." Zuko informed, carefully watching as the two threw water back and forth at the other.
"Oh," Iroh stroked his goatee before figuring out what to say. He looked up towards the fight in front of him and called out to Katara. "Break his root!" He yelled out advice to the young waterbender as he held his fist up. Zuko laughed, remembering his uncle telling him the same thing when he had challenged Zhao, a master firebender, to a fire duel.
Katara must have heard him, she sent up a wave of ice towards his feet. Even in his old age, he was still very agile and nimble. Pakku managed to jump up, eluding the wave as he lifted himself up on a pillar of ice.
"I don't think that advice necessarily works in waterbending." Zuko informed, shrugging towards his uncle as he looked back towards the fight. "Hey!" He yelled out as he stood, noticing that Pakku had trapped Katara between a bunch of ice. He waited, and saw her begin to struggle. Zuko immediately calmed and continued watching.
"This is my necklace," Pakku breathed out, holding the necklace out in front of himself.
"No, it's not!" Katara yelled out from behind him.
"I made this... sixty years ago... for the love of my life... for Kanna..."
The ice around Katara melted, and she asked Pakku if her grandmother was supposed to marry him. He informed her that he had carved it for Kanna when they gotten engaged, that he thought that they were going to have a long, happy life together, and that he had loved her. Katara then realized that her grandmother hadn't loved him back, that it had been arranged marriage, and that had been the reason she had left the Northern Water Tribe. She wasn't about to let their customs run her life.
"That must have taken a lot of courage." Katara breathed out as she looked down to the snow covered ground.
Behind her, Princess Yue had ran off crying. Aang sent Sokka after her, telling him to go get her.
"Looks like courage is something that runs in the family." Iroh pointed out, noticing the acts of courage from this 'Kanna' and from her grandchildren.
After finding out just who Katara was, Master Pakku to not only teach the Avatar in the skill of waterbending, but her as well. He told them that their formal training would begin at sunrise the next morning.
Finally, after that long, hard day, the group began making their way back to their igloo. Before entering, Zuko caught Katara by the hand, stopping her in her tracks.
"I'm sorry for the way I yelled at you earlier." He admitted, taking her into his arms.
She rested her cheek onto his shoulder and apologized for the way she acted. Zuko leaned down and covered her lips with his. Sokka, who had just been passing by, let out an odd cry in disgust. The young firebender turned and glared as Katara snickered. Knowing it would bug her brother, Zuko leaned over Katara and kissed her repeatedly. "Eeewwaah!" Sokka looked away snatched back the sheets of fabric that served as a door to the igloo and threw himself inside. The couple laughed as they stood straight.
"I told you he'd figure it out on his own." He laughed, and made his way into the igloo with her trailing not far behind.
A few paces behind, Iroh smiled and chuckled. "I'm so happy my nephew found comfort in a girl as nice as Katara." He informed, looking over to the young Avatar beside him. His smile quickly faded, though, at sight of the boy sighing and looking down.
"Yeah," He mumbled, kicking at the snow in front of him. "It's great." Iroh took in a breath to speak, but decided now wasn't the time.
!
Once morning came, Sokka decided to go see Princess Yue, warrior training wasn't until later, and even though he had learned that she was engaged, he still wanted to hang out with her as friends. He managed to convince her to take a walk with him, telling her about what it was like to live in the Southern Water Tribe, telling her about how there were no palaces and that he had grown up in a 'block of ice' and that it wasn't exactly a 'cultural hub'. She laughed, but told him she felt wrong by being with him. He insisted that it was fine, that they were just taking a walk, and decided to show her Appa.
"Oh, no," He breathed out, noticing the black snow falling from the sky.
"What's happening?" Yue asked, having never seen such a thing before.
"It's soot mixed with snow... it's the Fire Nation..."
!
"What is this?" Aang asked, holding his hand out, catching a few specs of dark snow in the palm of his hand.
"It's the Fire Nation." Katara informed, turning to be able to see the ocean.
"What!" Pakku growled out, turning to glare at Iroh and Zuko, who had been watching the training session.
Aang clinched his fist, scrunching the snow up in his hand as he looked up to his Master. "You didn't look at Zuko the wrong way, did you?" He asked jokingly.
Pakku raised his brow and glanced at him but brushed it off, returning his gaze to the Fire Nation men.
"It's not us," Iroh growled out as he stood. "But I do know who." He took a few paces forwards, looking out towards the ocean, noticing the dark clouds that were inching towards them.
"Who, uncle?" Zuko asked, standing to join him.
"Before the explosion, Admiral Zhao had asked me to join him on a mission as his military adviser, I declined, assuring him that I was needed with you." He informed, shifting his weight towards his nephew. "I thought he was kidding, I thought he was too caught up on his search for the Avatar, but I've noticed a couple of other things that you're not going to be too happy about, Zuko."
"What's that?"
"You were his biggest competitor in the search for the Avatar, nephew, and he was angry with me for not joining him. With our ship being blown to bits, and us both to be thought dead, he doesn't have to worry about you getting the Avatar before him, so he has time to go on with his mission."
Zuko gasped, realizing what Zhao had done. "He tried to have us killed!"
Iroh nodded and continued, "He's going to have a whole fleet of ships, he knows the people of the Northern Water Tribe are strong, he knows where you get your power from, and he seeks to have it removed."
"What?" Pakku gasped, still having trouble deciding if he was going to believe Iroh or not.
"Not to worry, I was once a General in the Army, and Zuko and I were in the Navy for years. We will aid you against him during this attack, but we'll have to remain hidden, we don't want the Fire Lord knowing we're alive."
"How can I possibly trust you?" Master Pakku asked, taking a deadly step towards Iroh. "First you two show up and now a whole fleet of Fire Nation Navy ships are on their way here? You've probably just joined the Avatar to have an easy way to capture him."
Iroh laughed. "If you don't want my nephew and I to help you when Zhao attacks, then all I can do is wish you luck against him. You won't win, though, and your people will fall. I know exactly what he's going to do, and I can't give you that information if I'm locked up somewhere for false accusations due to your paranoia, now can I?" Iroh smirked and turned, knowing Pakku would try to stop him before he walked too far away. Zuko also smirked, knowing his uncle had just successfully swayed Pakku into trusting him whether he wanted to not.
"Wait," The water master called. Iroh paused and looked at him over his shoulder. "What do you mean we won't win? We're one of the only places that hasn't fallen to the Fire Nation, we haven't fallen yet, and we won't. How dare you underestimate us." Zuko rolled his eyes, knowing Pakku was trying turn the blame back onto them.
"I don't know, as a member of the Fire Nation and enemy to the Water Tribes, I'm afraid it would be traitorous of me to give you that information." Iroh stated smoothly and slyly.
Pakku scrunched his face in frustration and tried to think of something witty to say. "Maybe he'll tell you if you swallow your pride and apologize to him." Katara joked as she crossed her arms and shifted her weight onto one leg, repeating what Chief Arnook had said to her about Master Pakku.
"Why don't you go inform Chief Arnook about how there is a whole armada of Fire Navy ship on it's way here and see what he has to say about it!" Pakku growled out, angry that he had lost.
Iroh nodded and began making his way towards the Palace with the group of kids trailing not far behind.
"What is this?" The chief growled out as he stood, angered at the sight of the Fire Nation members before him. "What have you done? I've warned you," He he said lowly, pointing towards the firebenders.
"It's not them!" Aang cried out, worried at the sight of the groups of guards beside the throne.
"My nephew and I can easily help you during this attack. I know who is commanding it and I know his intentions." Iroh said as he bowed before the Water Chief, Zuko mimicking his actions.
"How can I be sure this isn't a trap?"
"Admiral Zhao plans to eliminate the moon spirit, knowing that is where you and your people get your power from. You must keep both Tui and La safe during this invasion."
"I was in the Navy for nearly three years, I can easily infiltrate them and have the ships taken down from the inside." Zuko informed, trying to assure the Chief that he and his uncle were on his side.
"What?" Katara screeched out. "No way, Zuko! No way are you going out there. I'm not letting you out of my sight while a whole bunch of jerks are out there!" She held her out towards the ocean.
"Like you let him out of your sight anyways," Sokka grumbled, entering the throne room just as she had been speaking. She turned and glared at her brother over her shoulder.
Chief Arnook sighed, knowing Iroh would not have given that information if he was still loyal to the Fire Nation and their plans. "Very well, I will trust you and your nephew."
Arnook called his people and informed that the Fire Nation was at their door step and sadly asked them to come forth, and help aid to defend their people and their nation.
"Sokka!" Katara scolded after seeing him stand. "Zuko!" She tugged on his hoodie, trying to pull him back down after he stood along side her brother.
"I'm going to help, Katara." He told her through clinched teeth.
She pouted and crossed her arms over her chest in defeat.
"I'm sure they'll be fine." Aang said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder.
!
Before Joining Aang and Yue, Katara took Zuko aside before he followed Sokka to the warrior's training center.
"What's wrong?" He asked, allowing her to wrap her arms around his torso.
"I need you, Zuko. You have to stay safe."
"I need you, too, Katara. I will." He assured, wrapping his arms around her.
"Promise me."
"I promise." He smiled and placed a small kiss on her forehead before turning to follow Sokka. Before he got too far, Katara called out to him.
"Zuko," He paused and turned towards her. "I..." She hesitated and fidgeted as she looked around nervously.
"What?"
"I- uh... Be nice to Sokka." He nodded and turned to continue following him.
Katara sighed and had to run to catch up with Princess Yue and Aang.
!
"Station a group of water benders at the front gate, prepare for battle." Arnook ordered to one of his servants.
"Dont," Iroh called from behind him. Arnook turned and raised his brow.
"Zhao will send one ship out first to try to as much damage as he can from afar, and to try and intimidate you and your people. Don't wear your best benders out, they'll need their strength. Have a small, elite team take out the first ship and have them report back as soon as possible. Have civilians in the upper ring, out of range of the catapults. Station small groups of water benders near the main gate, have them try to put as many fire balls as they can once the main fleet begins attacking."
"How can you be so sure?" Before Iroh could answer, a large crash brought their attention towards the ocean. On the horizon, a single Navy ship could be seen. The fire ball had made contact with the front wall and Aang had set off towards the ship on Appa.
"That's how."
"I see, I won't be underestimating your judgment again, General Iroh. I can see why this 'Admiral Zhao' wanted you as his adviser." The Chief assured, resting a hand on Iroh's shoulder.
"Thank you, but please, just call me Iroh. I no longer belong to the Fire Nation, and that title lost it's worth long ago."
"I'm going to see how the group your nephew and Sokka are doing."
!
"...you'll all need one of these uniforms." Arnook informed, holding his arm out towards a young warrior dressed in an old Fire Navy armor suit. At the sight of it, both Zuko and Sokka laughed.
"What's your problem?" The young man that was wearing the suit asked, annoyed by their rude interruption.
"Fire Navy uniforms don't look like that." Sokka started.
"Not at all," Zuko added on.
"Of course they do, these are real uniforms from real Fire Navy Soldiers."
"When? Like, a hundred years ago?" Sokka asked.
"Eighty five..." Arnook admitted, knowing it was outdated.
"We don't wear those ridiculous shoulder spikes anymore. They're far more streamline, and far more protective." Zuko pointed out, noticing the suit didn't even have metal chest plate as Sokka held down the spike before releasing it, having it bounce back and forth.
"How do we know we can trust these guys? I hear you're the Fire Prince, and you," The boy looked over Zuko's shoulder to Sokka. "Are just some new recruit from the Southern Water Tribe."
"Zuko has abandoned the Fire Nation to join the Avatar, he and his uncle are aiding us against them during this attack. Sokka is from our sister tribe, Hahn, a capable warrior, both are trustworthy and I value their input." Chief Arnook turned to face the rest of the men in the group. "We already know their commanding officer is a man named Zhao, we'll need to figure out which ship is his, and take it down from the inside."
"He'll be on the flagship, the biggest ship in the fleet, it won't be hard to spot." Zuko informed, shifting his weight onto one leg.
"I want you two to tell Hahn everything you know. Hahn, show them both your respect, I expect nothing less from my future son-in-law." Zuko covered his mouth to better hold back his laughter at the sight of Sokka's jaw dropping once hearing this information. He couldn't believe that he was one who had been engaged to Princess Yue, but congratulated them anyways.
Zuko searched the weapon wall for a dao sword, once finding some he deemed worthy, he plucked them from the wall and joined Sokka and Hahn at the sharpening wheels. Over hearing their conversation, it was pretty obvious that Sokka had not taken a liking to Hahn, telling him that Princess Yue was being wasted on a self absorbed weasel like him, at hearing Hahn's reply, Sokka jumped on him.
"Hey!" Zuko cried out, watching as they rolled over the floor.
"You're just a jerk without a soul!" Sokka yelled, throwing a punch down at the warrior below him. "No offense!" Hahn twisted them over a couple times and Zuko took the opportunity to pull them apart while they were close to him.
"Get off him, Sokka." Hahn had extended his arm out to hit Sokka, but when Zuko had leaned down to take Sokka off him, his fist made contact with the firebenders cheek. "Hey!" Zuko growled, throwing Sokka off him and taking his place. "Don't you dare hit me!" He yelled, punching Hahn in the jaw. "I was helping you!" He growled, taking another swing at the young man's face.
"Don't take me off him just so you can fight him!" Sokka yelled, pulling at Zuko's hoodie. "Move it!"
"That's enough!" Arnook yelled out, pulling Zuko off the warrior and tossing him over to stand next to Sokka. "You two are both off this mission!" He declared, turning and leaving quickly, making sure his word was final.
After Hahn and his group of men left, Sokka took his boomerang and sharpening took, pouting as he sat down. Zuko sat next him and cleaned the blades on the dao swords he had picked out. At the sight of the Chief walking in the room, he held his arms up and assured him that he had only hit Hahn because he had hit him first. Arnook waved him off and turned to face Sokka.
"I was going to take you two off the mission anyways, you just gave me an opportunity to do it sooner."
"What? Why did you want us off this mission?" Zuko asked as he stood.
"I want you two to guard my daughter, Princess Yue."
The two boys were guided to the spirit oasis, where Princess Yue stood beside Katara as Aang sat, meditating in front of a pond.
At the sound of their foots steps, Aang opened an eye, breaking his concentration. Zuko came up and stood beside him, noticing the two koi fish swimming the pond before him.
"So these are the moon and ocean spirits. They're Tui and La, push and pull, yin and yang." At this, Aang's breath caught in his throat as the words 'yin and yang' echoed throughout his brain. The two fish seemed as though they were meshing together, forming the symbol. At this, he began to cross over into the spirit world. Zuko stood back, the sudden glow startling him. The last time he had seen it, Aang damaged his ship greatly.
"Wow, Zuko," Katara breathed. "How'd you know that?" The firebender turned and stood next to her.
"My uncle did some studying on waterbending, and when I was bored on the ship he'd give me scrolls to read. Some of them had information about the spirits on them, but I guess those scrolls had either been copies or were copies, that's how Zhao knows about them, too... why is the Avatar going into the spirit world?"
"He wants to see if anyone can tell him how to better protect the fish."
Zuko hummed and nodded as he turned and noticed the moon, he walked away from Aang for a spit second to look at it before the sun began to rise with the group following not far behind, and in that spit second, a group of fire benders, along with Zhao, had managed to slip in and round the avatar up and catch Tui in a small bag. At the sight of the moon turning red, they turned, noticing Zhao standing in front of the pond, holding up the bag for all to see.
"Ugh," Yue groaned out, placing a hand on her head and slacking back. Sokka put an arm around her to help support her up. "I feel faint."
The group of men Zhao had brought with him immediately advanced towards the kids and one of the men clawed at Princess Yue.
"Don't touch her!" Sokka yelled, punching the man in the nose as he snatched Yue away from him. Katara joined her brother against the group as Zuko cautiously approached Zhao.
"Prince Zuko!" He yelled, noticing just who was making his way towards him. "You're alive!" He gasped, lowering his arm down.
"You tried to have me killed!" The young firebender shifted into a stance and Zhao lifted his hand towards the bag that held the struggling fish, the moon spirit.
Aang's glow vanished and he immediately airbended himself from who ever had a grasp on him and landed into his own stance beside the Fire Prince, noticing Zhao's raised fish.
"Zhao!" Aang cried, easing out of his stance. "Don't!" Zhao scrunched his face tightened his fist, his stare on the Avatar suddenly shifting towards Zuko, who had been knocked down by a soldier the water tribe boy had managed to kick down. Sokka aimed his boomerang towards Zhao, now having a clear shot.
Zuko lifted his head and noticed his uncle silently crossing over one of the bridges. "Uncle!" He cried out, happy to see him during this chaos.
Zhao turned and looked, still holding the bag and his fist up. "General Iroh! You're both alive?" He gasped out, glancing back and forth at the two traitorous firebenders.
"The spirits are not to be trifled with, Zhao. Let it go, now!" Iroh warned, taking a stance. Zhao scrunched his face, but lowered the bag to the water, releasing the fish back into the pond. Then, suddenly, he stood and sent a fire blast towards the water, lashing the back of the fish, killing it. Iroh attacked him and another small group of soldiers, easily out-doing them. As Zhao tried to slip away, Zuko stood and grabbed him by the wrists, pulling his hands behind his back.
"Where do you think you're going?" He hissed, taking Zhao to the ground.
"Let go of me, you traitor!" The admiral growled, wiggling underneath the young firebender.
"You're the traitor here, Zhao. You tired to have the Fire Prince killed, you've just killed the moon spirit, sending everything out of balance. Me joining the avatar and ending this war will help the world, including the Fire Nation. I am not a traitor!"
Zhao growled and twisted, glaring at Zuko from the corners of his eye. "You should have accepted your fate!" The two stopped their struggle and gasped, noticing a giant, glowing, blue hand inching towards them. Zuko pushed himself up and stepped back.
"You have upset the spirits, Zhao," Zuko growled, realizing this was an enraged La, spiritually latched with the Avatar. "Accept your fate!" Zhao turned and snarled at Zuko over his shoulder. He twisted and faced back towards the water and glared up at it before taking a step forwards, into it's hand.
La took him and seeped back into the pond before spreading out into the canals that ran throughout the Northern Water Tribes layout, wiping out all who posed as a threat towards him or his people.
Yue, Iroh, Sokka, and Katara had sat in front of the fish in the pond. Zuko came and stood next them just as Yue opened her eyes, realizing something. "I owe the moon spirit my life," She breathed out as she stood. Sokka immediately took her hand in his, stopping her in her tracks.
"What are you doing?" He cried, tightening his grip around her fingers.
"She gave me life. Maybe I can give it back."
"No!" Sokka stood and held her tighter. "You can't! Your father told me to protect you! I won't let you do it! I have to protect you!"
"I have to do this," She breathed.
"No! I have to protect you!" Sokka reached for her with his other hand, but Zuko stopped him, taking the warriors shoulder into his hand. Sokka paused and looked at him over his shoulder, startled, not realizing he had been there. This hesitation gave Yue the opportunity to step away from him, placing both hands on the koi fish Iroh held up to her.
Sokka turned and faced back towards her just as she fell limp. He caught her before she hit the ground and sat, wrapping his arms around her. He gasped as she literally faded away. He watched as Iroh placed the fish back into the pond, and Yue's spirit rose, assuring him that she would always be with him before placing a kiss onto his lips. She faded, and he turned away from the pond.
"No!" He cried, slamming his fists into the ground. "No! I couldn't do it! I didn't protect her! I failed! Again!" He leaned over and covered his face with his hands.
"Are you kidding me?" Zuko asked softly, gently placing at hand on the tormented warriors shoulder. "Sokka, this was something she had to do. You took out multiple firebending men that are least twice your age without hesitation to keep them away from her. Had you allowed them to get her," Zuko paused, watching as Sokka scrunched up even more, covering his face with his forearms. "She wouldn't have been able to bring Tui back, the moon would be gone and everything would have been taken out of balance. You did protect her, Sokka," Zuko assured as he leaned, allowing the restored moon shine it's light down onto him. Sokka sniffed and looked up as he wiped his face with the back of his hand, looking up to the sky. He huffed and tried to regain his composure as Katara reached over and wiped away the tear trails from his other cheek. "Now she will protect you."
A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews and for adding this to your alerts and favorites. I've made a tumblr to have a place to upload manips/graphics - whatever you want to call them - I make for this story. Links will be on my profile.