Sorry for the long wait!

I've been busy with life as of late!

More coming soon!

All feedback is welcome!

Book I: Water

Chapter VIII: Pakku

Apartment II, Agna Qel'a

Kuzon tossed and turned in his sleep. He kept hearing voices in his head. "Ngh. Leave me alone!" The voices however wouldn't stop and only started to get louder. "I said leave me alone!"

The Avatar's battle with his inner voices managed to wake up Sokka and Katara who were sleeping in sleeping bags next to him.

Yue was also woken up.

Katara turned to her left and saw what happening. She immediately rushed to him and started to shake him. "Kuzon! Wake up! Kuzon!" He seemed to not be responding to her words.

Sokka then came over. "Hey what's going on?"

Katara turned to him. "It's Kuzon! He's having a nightmare!"

Sokka blinked. "Oh! A nightmare eh?" He then grabbed the pail that Katara often used to wash their clothes and practically dunked it on Kuzon and Katara. His rather unorthodox way of waking up the firebender had worked as Kuzon began to stir.

The voices suddenly stopped.

Katara then turned to her older brother glaring. "You think you could have warned me before dumping that bucket of water on me?"

The mass of water had actually washed out her braids leaving her long hair for all to see.

Sokka just turned to grin at her. "Now where would the fun in that be? Besides, you have your magic bending. You can just dry yourself off."

She then glared at him and rose up a heavy wave practically knocking her brother down hard. soaking him in water.

Katara then growled. "Take a bit of your own advice."

Kuzon then stirred himself awake and began to get back up. "What happened?"

Sokka grumbled in irritation as he pulled himself to his feet. "You mean other than Katara not having a sense of humor? Not much kid."

Katara then pointed a finger in his direction, narrowing her eyes. "Shut it Sokka! You are lucky I didn't freeze you alive!"

She then turned to Kuzon, smiling sweetly and caressing his face with a hand. "You were having a nightmare Kuzon. You woke the both of us up."

Kuzon blinked at her. "Oh..sorry. My nightmares are common. I meant nothing by it."

Katara chuckled. "It's quite alright. I'm just…glad you are okay." She then smiled.

He's so...respectable. Kind. Quiet. Brave. Honorable. My feelings for him are growing. She smiled, leaning in, "Anything you want to talk about? I'm a good listener."

Kuzon blinked for moment, blushing lightly. I don't want to talk about anything just yet. He smiled nervously. "Ah...no. I'll be fine."

Katara frowned. She had wanted him to open up again. It seemed he wasn't ready just yet. She took it in good spirits though. "Okay. I understand."

City Square, Agna Qel'a

Kuzon looked around in silent awe. "Look at this city. It's huge."

Yue then walked up beside him. "Pretty cool huh? This is the city square."

Kuzon blinked. "It reminds me of home. The only difference is that the flags and colors are different." He then turned to her smiling. "Our peoples aren't so different after all."

Yue smiled. "I'm glad you think so Kuzon. I was worried we wouldn't get along."

Kuzon nodded. "So long as you don't try to put a knife in my neck…I think we'll be just fine."

Yue then smirked and put a hand on his shoulder. "Is that so? Hah. Luckily for you...I have none on me."

Katara felt a bit of jealousy come over her as she glared at them. Does she really have to be so close to him? I was here first. If any girl is going to win his affections…it is me. No one else.

Yue then turned to Katara smiling. I'm going to give them a moment."

She then turned to Sokka, pushed a hair behind her ear and smiled flirtatiously. "Sokka…would you be a gentleman and accompany me to meet my father. Seeing as you are the only other warrior in the group..he wants to discuss the battle plans with you. We'll need your expertise to formulate a battle plan."

Sokka blinked and half-smirked. "Alright then. Sounds fun." He then put a hand on Kuzon's shoulder. "You kids have fun." He and Yue then walked off.

Yue then put a hand on Katara's shoulder and smiled. "Trust your heart Katara. It will lead you where you need to go. Trust to lead you where it may."

Katara blinked and felt her face redden. How does she know? I haven't told anyone. "Umm...W-What do you mean by that Yue?"

Yue then just walked off with a smirk walking backwards. "I don't know."

Sokka, however caught on to her meaning. He then wrapped an arm around Kuzon. This startled the young firebender, who stared at him in shock. Sokka…what are you…"

Sokka just grinned. "There's a beautiful oasis ahead. Beautiful in the moonlight. Could be a great place to speak with a certain someone…if you catch my drift."

Kuzon blushed. Is it possible he knows about how I feel about Katara? How is that possible? I have tried my best not to show it!

Sokka then walked off without a word.

Katara could only just stare after their friends as they left the two of them alone.

Katara blinked, face still blushing. She then looked around. It was drawing nightfall and the moon looked beautiful in the moonlight.

Katara and Kuzon then stared at one another. The air was thick with tension.

Kuzon made sure to look away from her, his face reddening. "Um…so…what should we do?"

Katara played nervously with her hands while staring at them, a bit nervous to answer him. Part of her wanted to suggest a romantic date or a quiet place to talk in private but she didn't feel ready for that just yet. Just asking for the permission to sing him a lullaby at night took all the courage she had at that moment. She was too afraid to go further than that. Then, suddenly an idea popped in her mind. Waterbending training! We can train in waterbending! She brightened up and smiled at him. "Oh! I know! We can try to train in waterbending! I'm no master yet but I can show you a few things before we head back to the apartment!" She then grabbed his hands smiling. "What do you think?"

Kuzon thought for a moment. Training in waterbending? Hmm. Seems practical! Very practical! Plus it will give me something to focus on besides these troublesome feelings! He then nodded at her. "Sounds about reasonable! Let's do it!" Katara sighed with relief. He took the option! What a relief! I was getting nervous just staring at his eyes! As mesmerizing and beautiful as they are…I don't want to be weird about how I feel or scare him away!" She took him by the hand, speaking excitedly, "Yes! Come on then! This will be fun!" Kuzon just blinked at her as she led him away.

Somewhere near an unnamed pond

Katara had the two of them to the outskirts of the city near an unnamed pond. She then smiled. "Okay. So..tell me the first thing you know about firebending."

Kuzon blinked at her. "Oh…well….It is centered around power and strength. We firebenders use our inner flame to project our power."

Katara crossed her arms with a nod. "Ah. Makes sense." She smirked. "Well waterbending is different. Waterbending is centered around control and using the water as both an offensive and defensive tool." She then walked over to the wall. "Allow me to demonstrate. Watch and learn." She then put her hands out in front of her palms down. Once she felt the water under her fingertips, she smiled with closed eyes. "There we go." She then raised her hands up in the air. The water then rushed up in the air before dropping to the ground quickly.

Kuzon just stood there in awe. How did she do that? She just brought over a whole wave in a flash…with one motion.

She then turned to Kuzon with a smirk, crossing her arms, "Your turn."

Kuzon blinked at her. "What do you want me to do?"

Katara just smiled. "Give me your hands." Nodding quietly, he gave her his hands. "Close your eyes." He did as she asked. "Clear your mind of all thoughts. Try to find some sense of peace."

Kuzon just nodded. He then sighed. "Okay. That's…always the hard part. I'm never at peace."

Katara chuckled. "Doesn't mean it is not worth the first try." She then grabbed his right hand and hovered over his left.

Kuzon felt his face redden and his arms begin to tense up. He wasn't used to her touch.

Katara sighed and gave him an apolo

getic smile "You okay? I know I'm getting close to you. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable." Kuzon took in a deep breath in order to calm his beating heart. Calm yourself! This is just training! There's nothing going between the two of you! You aren't in love! You hear me? He then closed his eyes, choosing to calm himself. "I'm…fine. I'm..okay. Just...nervous."

Katara smiled. "Alright. Good. I admit…I was worried I had crossed a line." She then drew the water from her pouch and drew it over to his hands. "Hold this tendril of water by focusing on it and using your hands to hold it into place."

Kuzon gave her a nod. "You got it." He then focused his attention on the tendril.

It held into place for a while but started to break.

Kuzon grunted. He strained all his muscles in his hand to keep it together. He started to sweat. "I..can't keep it together."

The tendril then broke apart.

Kuzon was breathing heavily.

Katara put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey. Easy. That was a good first try."

Kuzon turned to her with widened eyes. "You..uh..really think so?"

Katara nodded. "I know so." She then nodded, grabbing him by the arm. "Come on. Let's get back to the apartment."

He just nodded letting her follow along. She grabbed my hand.

Apartment 40, Agna Qel'a

The next day

As the group got up the next day, they all awoke to see a strange man at the entrance of the apartment.

Kuzon quickly got into a firebending stance. "Who are you?"

Pakku then grinned at the young firebender. "Well well…someone's paranoid!" He then bowed. "I'm Master Pakku. His Majesty King Arnook informed me that the Avatar was in the city and needed a waterbending master."

Katara blinked in awe. "A waterbending master! Amazing! Now I can finally master my bending!"

Pakku then turned to her and sighed. "I'm sorry young lady. Northern tradition mandates that only males are to learn combat bending. I can get Nama to teach you how to heal though. I have no doubts that it will be useful."

Katara felt her jaw drop. She then scoffed with a laugh. "You're joking. You have to be."

Pakku sighed, shaking his head. "I'm afraid not my dear. It is dictated by Northern tradition that all female benders are to be forbidden from learning combat bending in any form."

Sokka blinked. "Hey…tall, old and hairy?. Don't you think that is a bit hypocritical? My sister is one of the toughest people I've met. She's gone toe to toe with the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation." He then chuckled. "She's more than meets the eye."

Katara then turned to her brother smiling. She then gave him a light punch in the arm. He gave her a nod, smiling Thanks for that one blockhead. I owe you.

Master Pakku then sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm sure that's how things are done in the Southern Tribe but you two are far from home. This is the North. We have traditions." He then turned to Kuzon with a pleading look. "Avatar Kuzon…surely you understand? As a born Fire National…you surely believe I'm in the right?"

Kuzon then just sighed inwardly. He then closed his eyes. It was true he strictly adhered to tradition and believed women had their own separate place in society. However…he felt the same as Sokka. For one, Katara had saved his life and had stood by him through everything. Second, he believed women had just about as many rights to fight a war as the men. Fire Nation women often joined the military and served honorably and with distinction. Three, He knew he needed to learn waterbending but it felt wrong of him to just allow this man to insult his friend..his waterbending master. He then stared down Master Pakku with a serious look. "Master Pakku…if you think just because I'm Fire Nation that I'm just going to stand by and let you disrespect my best friend…my waterbending master..like that. I'm afraid you know nothing about my people…or our culture for that matter."

Pakku blinked, shocked at the sudden rise in the volume of the boy's tone.

The two siblings also turned to Kuzon with a surprised look.

Sokka just grinned and slapped him on the back. "Glad to see we're on the same page kid. Thank you."

Katara smiled warmly and hugged him from behind. She then slyly chuckled. "You know Kuzon. Somehow…I knew you were going to say that. Thank you. Thank you for having my back."

Kuzon felt his heartbeat quicken. He steeled himself using his breathing techniques. She's hugging me. Got to calm down my heart. He then took a deep breath. "You and your brother took a chance standing by me. It would be dishonorable of me to not do the same."

Katara then nodded. "Indeed it would." She kept her arms around his neck and glared up at Pakku, daring him to say anything.

Master Pakku blinked. "But is it not true that Fire Nation women are taught to be healers and homemakers?"

Kuzon shook his head at the man's ignorance. "Yes…but that is only half the story Master Pakku." He then took in a long sigh. "The women of my homeland have two choices. Marry and raise children…or…become warriors dedicated to the protection of the Motherland. That choice was forced upon them. But I was taught differently. I was taught by my parents to believe we all were allowed to make our own choices. Men and women included." He then glared at the old master. "Katara…was gracious enough…has been gracious enough to give me a home here. She and her brother Sokka took me in."

Pakku glared again, staring the firebender down. "What are you saying Avatar?"

Kuzon stared him down. "I'm saying that we are a package deal. You refuse to train her and I'll walk straight out of here without another word!"

Pakku glared and stared at him in shock. "You..you can't do that! You are Fire Nation! You are bound by honor to perform your Avatar duties!"

Kuzon chuckled. "Is that so? Again. You misinterpret who I am sir. I'm not like the rest of my kin. The way I see it…my family is dead. Katara and Sokka are pretty much the only family I have now. They stand by me and I stand by them. That doesn't mean I want to let the Fire Nation lay ruin to this place but I won't let you slander my friends just because of their gender."

His eyes then suddenly glowed white and Kuruk then spoke out from him. "Master Pakku."

Pakku's eyes widened as he quickly recognized the voice. "Avatar Kuruk." He then bowed.

Kuruk then spoke. "Listen here you old geezer. Stop giving my descendant here more trouble. In case you haven't reaized it yet…Hellfire is about to break loose in the North. The Fire Nation is coming…with an armada. The kid needs the training and so does the girl. She plays an important role in his development as a waterbender. I've seen it myself. Do what the kid says. Trust me. You really don't want to test my temper."

Katara smiled and bowed. "Thank you Avatar Kuruk. I'm humbled to be noticed."

Kuruk then turned to her, nodding. "Not a problem Katara. You and that blockhead brother of yours just do everything you can to keep this one safe. He's a hothead. If he dies…I go with him. I don't intend to fade out of existence."

Katara laughed. "Of course. Sokka and I will make sure Kuzon stays alive. Life would be boring without my best friend." Kuruk, though Kuzon's body, just nodded. "Good."

Kuzon's spirit then returned to his body. His eyes returned to normal. He then began to fall backward. Luckily, Sokka and Katara caught him. He then blinked. "What happened?"

Sokka chuckled, "Kuruk backed you up. I think we have convinced the old man over there to train Katara."

Kuzon scoffed. "Glad he finally saw reason." He then grunted, trying to stand himself up, but was only able to stumble, almost falling over.

The two caught him again.

Katara chuckled. "It's okay. Lean on us. We've got you."

Kuzon sighed and shook his head "Thanks. Every time Kuruk does his spirit takeover…it drains me. I really wish he'd give me a warning when he does that."

Katara then nodded, putting his arm around her shoulder. "I understand." She then turned to Pakku, glaring. "So what's it going to be Master Pakku? Are we going to keep going back and forth or are you going to train me?"

Pakku then glared at her before huffing and turning his head away. "Bright and early in the morning. My academy. Don't be late." He then walked off.

Sokka chuckled. "Well someone is cranky."

Katara smirked. "That old man is only cranky because he didn't get his way. She then wrapped both of them in a hug. "Thank you..both of you for backing me up there. I probably could have handled that but it would have gotten a lot more violent."

Sokka grinned. "No problem sis. Family sticks together." Kuzon took in a deep breath. "What he said." Katara just felt her heart warm and smiled, glad that the two boys had her back. My boys.

As the three of them got dressed the next morning, Sokka chuckled. "So I take it you two are headed towards Master Pakku's training academy."

Katara smirked at him. "That's the plan."

Sokka grinned at her. "You two are going to be quite the pair! A female waterbender and an outcasted firebender! That's going to be fun!"

Kuzon turned towards him and began to shake. "I..don't know. I saw how most of the people here look at me. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about this. I did make an enemy out of Master Pakku. Telling him off wasn't the smartest idea. I've already got enough enemies."

Katara then wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Don't worry. I've got your back. I guarntee that anyone who feels brave enough to try to land a fast one on you will answer to me…and you know what I'm capable of."

Kuzon blushed a bit and nodded at her. "Best if you do the talking then." Sokka just grinned. "I'm helping King Arnook draft battle plans for the upcoming invasion. He's asked for my help." Katara turned to her brother and smiled. "I'm sure you'll be of great help Sokka."

Read and review!