The Mahaha Tribe Arc: 1
They sat silent as the wind caressed them harshly, the temperature dropping lower as they neared the Southern Water Tribe. Since it was an emergency, no one had enough time to pack their heavier, warmer clothes. In fact, they were preparing to visit Ba Sing Se for the graduation of Toph's metalbender students' from her Metalbender Academy. However, a quite rushed and eye-catching letter from Chief Hakoda had them urgently redirecting themselves to the South. Suki wasn't as enthusiastic about visiting the South as Haru was, for a particular reason, but she'd always wanted to help others in need. So, if they needed the Avatar and his friends, then she'd travel with him regardless of her reservations.
"How long till we arrive?" The earthbender killed the silence, looking over Appa's saddle while Suki reinforced his question with a nod.
From Appa's head came the Avatar's reply, "Just a few more minutes."
"Are there usually many blizzards here?" Haru asked.
"It's not uncommon," was all Aang stated, narrowing his eyes as flashes of lanterns in the distance allowed him to pinpoint a location he could land Appa upon. Soon, both the earthbender and Kyoshi Warrior migrated towards Appa's head in search of the warmth Aang's subtle firebending was emitting. Because they were close friends and knew he wouldn't mind, Suki, unlike Haru who was sitting behind the airbender, scooted over beside the Avatar and rested her head on his shoulder. Feeling her shiver and chatter beside him, the airbender wrapped his arm around her shoulder and increased the level of heat encompassing them. Haru raised an eyebrow at the scene before him, questioning when the two had gotten so close and comfortable with each other, but shrugged it off, realising it was of no real importance to him.
As the blizzard's intensity increased, the view of the South Pole was revealed through heavy, howling winds. Unlike the Northern Watertribe: a literal city of ice, the capital of the South was built upon an island. The outlines of the shores seemed rough, and the port was located in what appeared to be a rather interesting landmark; almost as if a giant creature had taken a bite out of the landscape, thus leaving a giant semi-circle, before splitting up into smaller sections on each side. The various lanterns highlighting the docks and the ones scattered around the city were still barely visible amidst the blizzard, however, the friends aboard the sky bison could still trace the outlines of the various streets, igloos, houses, huts, government buildings, markets and barely recognisable mountain ranges in the distance; behind the city.
As they neared the ports, a landing zone a few miles away became visible, and Aang directed Appa towards it. The roars of the bison could be heard from a distance, and if not that, then the sky bison's growing shadow definitely alerted the folk on ground. Among them, the man who sent the letter Aang had received on Kyoshi Island: Chief Hakoda, stood by the landing strips, accompanied by his son and a few Southern and Northern delegates. They waved them over as they descended, a few smiling in relief while others, namely Sokka, smiled because he'd be with his friends again, after almost an entire year apart. Sokka frowned slightly at the way Suki and Aang were seated so closely together, but shook away the thought or idea of anything between the two as they both smiled at the Southern Warrior, Suki more hesitant though. Haru jumped off the saddle and immediately embraced the Southern Watertribe warrior, meanwhile Suki held onto Aang as he airbended them both off Appa. The Avatar landed in front of the Chief, who was now only three or four inches taller than the seventeen year old, and they embraced in watertribe fashion, grasping forearms.
"It's been a while," the chief commented, gazing at both Aang and Suki while he turned to shake her hand as well. "How are you two?"
"Better once we stop freezing our butts off," joked the Avatar, earning a chuckle from Hakoda and an elbow to the rib from the Kyoshi Warrior.
"We've been just fine, Chief Hakoda," Suki replied, to which Hakoda smiled, somewhat sadly. "Thanks for receiving us."
"It's just Hakoda, Suki. No need for titles or formalities between us."
As the two teenagers conversed with the Chief of the South, Sokka forced himself to focus on the chattering earthbender beside him, though he managed to steal a few glances at Suki while doing so.
"So, how have you been, man?" Asked Haru, "Haven't seen you in… like, two years."
"Oh, you know, same as usual: training, rebuilding and all that," the Southern Warrior shrugged, not having anything particularly interesting to present. "How have you been?" A grin reanimated the frown on his face, "Still simping for Toph?"
Blushing beet red, the earthbender vehemently shook his head in denial, "I'm not - I've never… Oh shut up!" He groaned when he heard Suki and Aang snickering in the background; they'd probably heard Sokka's 'joke'.
Turning back to face the chief, Aang finally switched into Avatar mode as he set his body and expression straight, all evidence of amusement leaving his eyes. "So, what's the emergency you spoke of in your letter?" Hakoda frowned as he too turned to face the Avatar. "From what I could gather, the letter didn't relay much information, which tells me you must've written it with great urgency."
Nodding, the chief, his son, and his advisors proposed they talk in a more comfortable environment. Thus, they began leading the Avatar and his companions towards the Chief's office, which was only a few short metres away, within the Council of Elders of the Southern Watertribe building. Wanting to talk before they lost the chance, Sokka tried approaching Suki, however, she slipped past him and walked alongside the Avatar. She felt like a coward for avoiding him, but she wasn't intending on meeting up with Sokka when she and Haru left with Aang for Ba Sing Se. So, needless to say, she was unprepared and slightly annoyed at the situation. Noticing the frown on his friend's face, Haru looked towards where his gaze was set and frowned himself. Knowing the Kyoshi Warrior was a touchy subject for the Southern Warrior, Haru simply patted Sokka's back as he started walking alongside him.
"You okay, bro?"
A stiff nod, and an "I'm good," was the response.
His unspoken feelings being carried away between the snow and the wind.
Author Note: So, this story used to be in a separate fic called Elseworld Stories, but because it was set in the same Universe as this Book, I've decided to add it here. So, pretty much, I'll be updating the story arc regularly here, and I'll also be changing the book name from 'A Whim of Fate' to 'Elseworld Stories'. After I finish this arc, I have another one planned which is basically all Kataang related, so stick around for that. Either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I'll be adding the remaining chapters as well, so stay tuned for that.
If you're unsure about the ages of our main characters, here they are at the start of the fic:
Aang (17) / Sokka (20) / Suki (20) / Haru (19) / Kaisa (OC) (16)