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Chapter VIII: Pakku

Part II: Training

Pakku's Waterbending Academy

Moments later

Katara and Kuzon looked around as they walked up to the entrance to the academy.

As they walked in, everyone glanced at both of them in awe.

One of the waterbenders stared at them.

A series of audible gasps went off. "It's a girl! It's a girl!"

Katara just smirked and turned to meet Kuzon's eyes. "What do you know Kuzon? I'm popular already!"

Kuzon turned to her with a wary look in his eyes. "I'm not sure that's a good thing Katara. You've seen how people look at me."

Katara smiled and rested a hand on his back, scoffing. "I have. You and I are competent benders. Granted you need work on your waterbending but you are a master firebender. Stop worrying so much."

Kuzon muttered while rolling his eyes at her. "Fine. Lead the way."

Katara smiled. "Happy to do so."

One of the students then approached the two of them. His eyes were fixated on Katara. "You...you are a girl!"

Katara just laughed and smirked at him. "It really took you that long to notice?"

The boy countered back. "Girls aren't allowed here! Combat bending is for boys!" Another one then pointed at Kuzon. ``Neither are firebenders!" Soon the crowd of boys grew raucous and got in their waterbending forms.

Kuzon just closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. They want a fight."

Katara just smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder, "You up for it?"

He turned to her, giving her a nod. "Don't think I have a choice."

Katara then got into her waterbending form and Kuzon got into his firebending form.

Before the situation got out of hand, Pakku then raised his voice. "Enough!" His voice was loud enough to quiet everyone down. "Everyone calm down! Nobody is attacking anyone!" He then turned to Kuzon and Katara. "This is Avatar Kuzon and his friend Katara. They are honored guests! They are here to learn waterbending!" Another one of the boys spoke up. He was rather tall and had a wolf tail along with a bit of stubble. "Katara? That name isn't of Northern lineage."

Katara smiled at him. "Correct. I'm from the Southern Tribe."

The boy then turned to Kuzon. "And judging from those golden eyes of yours. You are from the Fire Nation."

Kuzon crossed his arms at him, speaking in his usual sarcastic tone. "Wow. How profound. Was it not obvious?"

Katara couldn't help but giggle. Her face reddened a bit. There was something about Kuzon's sarcastic demeanor that appealed to her. She then gave him a punch in the shoulder. "Nice one. "

He then turned to her, blinking. "I...appreciate it."

The boy then smiled at both of them. "My apologies Avatar. I'm not used to addressing foreigners."

Saaku nodded and extended a hand. "Saaku Halios of the Northern Tribe. Son of Raal Halios, the famous Northern general.

Kuzon raised an eyebrow at him. He seems kind enough. He then took the boy's hand shaking it. "Kuzon Lin Sho of the Fire Nation. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Saaku smiled. "Indeed."

Pakku then cleared his throat. "Alright. Everyone forms in pairs. We're going to be teaching you all the beginner forms."

Everyone then got in pairs.

Kuzon and Katara then glanced at each other.

She shyly smirked. "It's time. Are you ready for this?"

Kuzon nodded, a steely-eyed look in his eyes, "I was born ready."

Meanwhile, at the King's Palace

Sokka was waiting patiently for his audience with the King. He was never one for patience and was impatiently tapping his foot. "It's been about fifteen minutes already. How long is this going to take?" He then heard a slight chuckle from the other side of the room.

He turned and saw Yue smirking at him with crossed arms. "Quite long actually. My father is a very busy man."

Sokka just rolled his eyes. "I suppose so,"

Yue smirked at him, blushing a bit. "Are you always this impatient?"

Sokka shook his head. "We have a Fire Navy fleet on the way to burn this city to the ground! There's no time to waste!"

Yue smiled. "You really are so serious all the time! It's kind of cute!"

Sokka's cheeks reddened from embarrassment and he just scoffed. "Whatever."

The door then opened and out stepped King Arnook with his guard.

He smiled at Sokka. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Royal duties can take a while."

Sokka just nodded with a shrug. "No worries." He and Yue then followed the king into the room.

Pakku's Waterbending School

Katara and Kuzon, as well as the other trainees, were training at their best. Katara smirked as she was easily able to master the first forms of waterbending.

Kuzon, however, was having a lot more difficulty doing so. He wasn't used to either the mentality or the different bending style. Everytime he tried to use a water whip, water wave, or even the octopus form, the water came up and went back down. His teeth grit in frustration as he threw his hands down in frustration. "No! This can't be happening! I don't have time for this! I have to stop the invasion!"

Some of the other boys began staring him down. One of then seemed intent on getting to him. "Oh? What's that? The colonizer doesn't have the ability to waterbend. Probably just the karma of the world at work. Serves you right."

The outcasted firebender then glared at him. "For your information...I had nothing to do with the war! I was a child then! I've suffered loss in my life too! My family is dead! My nation betrayed me! At least you still have your culture…your people! He then pressed a finger to the taller and older boy's chest. "I..have nothing!"

Katara let out a long sigh, resting a hand against her face. She then began walking up to them.

The older boy, Sikko just grunted, "Well if that's the case…maybe I'll send you to your colonizer family in a box!" Some other boys gathered around him, intending to back him up.

Kuzon still didn't back down.

Finally, Katara managed to break them apart. "That's enough! Fighting like this is only going to cause more problems!" She then turned her attention to Kuzon, using a far softer tone, "Kuzon…don't let these idiots get to you. They aren't worth it. Let me handle this."

Kuzon let out a small sigh and crossed his arms. "You know I can handle myself Katara. I don't need a protector."

Katara smirked and felt herself blush. She had to admit her friend's fiery sense of self-determination was one of his most admirable qualities. She then reached out and grabbed his left arm, squeezing it. The sudden motion caused him to blush and shiver at her touch. Katara then looked him in the eyes. "I know you can Kuzon but there's no need to start fights every time someone insults you. You are better than that and you know it." She reached to carress his cheek smirking, "Also…need I remind you that you aren't alone anymore? You promised to let Sokka and I handle things while we came here. You gave me your word."

Kuzon closed his eyes, and took a deep breath in and out. "Fine."

Katara let out a sigh of relief and held his face in her hand. "Thank you. I've got this. Go."

Kuzon gave her a rather silent nod. He then turned on his heel and began walking away.

Sikko then growled, "Hey! Where d'you think you're going colonizer trash? I'm not done with you yet! You really going to let a girl of all people fight your battles for you? Pathetic!" He tried to storm after Kuzon but was stopped when Katara got in his way.

The female waterbender was now in battle mode. Her eyes were ice cold yet focused on him. "I'm giving you one chance to run. I'd advise you to take it." He chortled with laughter. "Hah. Right. Like I'm going to get beat by a girl." He then sent a water whip her way.

She took control of it and, adding to it with the water in her pouch, created an even bigger wave. She then proceeded to turn the water into several ice spikes.

The boy froze in fear. He had not learned the Spike technique. How is she able to do that? She's a girl! That technique should be way beyond her level of ability! He felt his knees wobbling. His face began to sweat profusely. "Now hold on a second...I think we got off on the wrong foot. I give up. Please don't hurt me."

Katara nodded with that same coldness. "I'm glad you could see reason." She then glared at all of them. "All of you! Listen here and listen well! I understand that our people have bad blood with the Fire Nation! I know! I've lived with that hatred all my life! The Southern Raiders took my mother! I share your animosity for our shared enemy!"

Sikko then growled. "Then why stand to defend one of them?" She then stared him down. "Because Kuzon is on the same side as us! Just as they have taken from us…they took from him. They fear him. They fear his destiny as the Avatar. They cast him out and tried to have him killed because he was gifted the power to bring an end to the war they started! They killed his own family for trying to keep him safe! His roots may be different but his story is the same as us! We all just want to protect and defend the ones we love the most! He wishes to help us bring an end to the Fire Nation's empire…no matter the cost!" She then got back in her bending form. "When my village was attacked by Prince Zuko…Fire Lord Ozai's son. Kuzon surrendered himself to save my people from further harm. He sacrificed himself for the sake of my village even though he knew the risks meant death.." She then sighed. "My grandmother is alive...because of him. So…if you want to get to him…you will have to go through me!"

The boys were astounded at the young girl's courage. Most girls in the Northern Tribe complained quietly or accepted their place in Northern society.

Master Pakku smirked at Katara with a newfound sense of pride. Well well! She's got more guts than I realized! Maybe I need to rethink the gender prohibition! He then stood up from his seat and clapped his hands. "I think that's enough for now! Class dismissed!"

Everyone turned to him confused.

He then spoke in a louder tone. "What? Class is dismissed! Go home already!"

All of them bowed to him. "Yes Master!" Soon everyone began to scatter.

Katara then walked over to where Kuzon was, wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and smiled.

He turned to her, blushing red, "I can't believe you got them to stand down like that. That was…amazing. Where did you learn how to do that?"

Katara giggled, turning red a bit. "I was the leading Den Mother of the village Kuzon. Someone had to keep my idiot brother in line.." She then led him along by the hand. "Come on. We need to get back home. Sokka is probably worried about us."

Kuzon just blankly nodded, face still red, "Um…yeah. Lead the way."

Apartment 40

Later that night

Sokka grinned at the two when they walked in. "Hey, you two. How were the first two weeks of waterbending training?"

Katara snickered and elbowed her brother in the side. "Interesting. The boys underestimated me because of my gender. I've got a good grasp of the basics."

Kuzon sighed in irritation, "I…still can't bend the water... I've practiced the forms back and forth. I pretty much have them down but there's something blocking my ability. It's very frustrating."

Katara turned to him with a sympathetic look in her eyes, placing a hand on his right shoulder. "You just need time Kuzon. I didn't get it on my first time either. Give yourself some grace."

Kuzon then ran a hand against his face. "The fate of the world is on my shoulders here. How am I supposed to defend the North without my waterbending?"

Sokka chuckled, grinning at the firebender. "I mean..I've seen how the Northern Army fights. I went with Princess Yue today to look over battle preparations. Trust me flamehead. Those guys are ready for a fight."

Katara smiled at her brother, nodding, "Indeed. The North is our home turf as well. We will die to defend it." She then turned to face Kuzon, "So don't you worry. You won't have to fight alone. We've got your back."

Yue, leaning against one of the pillars, smiled at the three of them. "I'll help too. I'm the crown princess. If anyone can help galvanize public support for your cause Kuzon…it's me." She then smirked as she walked towards them. "You'll also be happy to know that I've taken care of those knucklehead boys who stirred up with you and Katara earlier today. They…won't be bothering you anymore."

Kuzon turned to her and blinked as if he were in shock,

Katara blinked as well, her face visibly going from shock to an awed smile. "What exactly did you do Yue?"

Yue smiled, "Told them I'd talk to their fathers and have them disbarred from their positions in the Army. That got through to them real quick."

The waterbender then felt a newfound sense of respect for the princess. She then crossed her arms smirking, "Nice going. I have to say I'm impressed. I didn't expect that from you."

Yue smirked right back. "Just because I don't waterbend doesn't mean I don't have my own methods sister. I know how to throw my weight around."

Katara crossed her arms, smirking with pride, "So you do."

Kuzon mulled over his thoughts for a moment. When he had first met Yue, he had thought that her kind demeanor was just an act to hide a more snobbish interior. His early experiences with Zuko along with the trauma from what the Royal Family did to his own had colored his interpretation of royalty. He realized he had been wrong to judge her on such notions. He then turned to Yue and bowed honorably. "I believe I owe you an apology, your highness. I thought your kindness was but an act. Forgive me."

Yue blinked, smiling nervously, "Um…I appreciate the apology but what's with the bow?"

Katara and Sokka both laughed. Katara smiled and put an arm around Kuzon. "In the Fire Nation…people bow to one another in order to show respect. This is Kuzon's way of atonement for misjudging your character."

Yue's eyes blinked and widened in surprise, "Oh! I see!" She smiled and pulled the firebender into a tight hug, giggling, "Thank you Kuzon. Thank you for opening up to me. I appreciate the opportunity to be a good friend." Katara felt her heart warm, smiling. Heh. I suppose she's okay. It would be good for him to have friends after all.

Kuzon blinked as his hands began to shiver, "Um…I..don't."

Katara spoke calmly in order to soothe him, "Just hug her back. It's a Southern Water Tribe custom. Same as bowing."

Kuzon gave her a nod and hugged Yue back.

Sokka felt a bit of jealousy cross his heart as he narrowed his eyes. He's getting close. Too close to her.

Kuzon broke the hug, turned to the others, and cleared his throat. "Well okay then. I'm glad we could all clear the air. What's our war plan for the invasion?"

Sokka let out a sigh of relief, grateful for the icebreaker, and smiled at the firebender. "Glad you asked kid." He then turned to smirk at Yue. "You have the map?"

She smiled back at him sweetly. "Sure do." She then pulled out the large map and rolled it across the ground. Taking out a marker, she began outlining the plan to the others. "Sokka and I met with my father and his top general, General Rarouk. We have five main armies here in the North. There are five sections of the city that need to be protected. Each army has a warrior division. The Army of the North will defend the Northern Sector. The Army of the South will defend the Southern Section. The East will protect the East. The West…The West."

Katara looked over the map with crossed arms. "Sounds solid but what about the Fifth Army?"

Yue turned to her and smiled. "The Fifth Army defends the Ice Wall. It is composed of mainly waterbenders. It is our first line of defense."

Katara smirked. "That's a solid plan. Nice job you two."

Kuzon nodded, "Indeed. Where do you need us?"

Yue turned to him with a wide smirk, "I would prefer Katara to lead the Fifth Army. She is an exceptional waterbender at heart so it would be essential for her to defend the walls.."

The crown princess chuckled, "Of course…I got some pushback from the men there."

Katara just nodded seriously, crossing her arms. She then rolled her eyes. "Of course, they pushed back."

Yue turned to her and giggled. "No worries. I'm the crown princess remember? I have my ways."

Katara nodded with a smile. "That you do."

Yue smiled.

Kuzon just nodded. "And me?"

Yue turned to him, "As for you Kuzon…you will also lead the Fifth Army with Katara. Your firebending and waterbending will provide us the edge over the Fire Fleet.."

Kuzon rolled his eyes. "I'll do my best. Hopefully my waterbending will be in top form."

Katara then turned to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It will."

Yue then smiled at Kuzon. "Oh and one last question for you Kuzon."

Kuzon turned to him, shrugging, "Shoot. What's on your mind?"

She frowned. "Do you think there's any way we can get your people to surrender peacefully? We Northerners haven't fought a war in 100 years. This battle is going to be rough. Civilians will be injured in the fighting. I'd like to avoid a battle if possible."

Kuzon let out a long inward sigh and shook his head. "I'm sorry Your Highness but I know my people. They will give every last breath to eliminating both the North and South Tribes. They will follow the Fire Lord's will without question." He then shook his head. "If they don't…they will either be banished or killed.

Yue sadly nodded. "I see. War it is then."

Kuzon sighed and began to feel his whole body shake. "I can't let them succeed. They've already taken my family from me. I can't let them hurt anyone else." He then felt Katara hug him from behind. Her voice calmed him. She then turned his face to meet hers and smiled. "They aren't going to. We'll beat them. Together."

He just gave her a nod.

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