Friendship in a time of war (Avatar fan fiction)

Chapter 10

The next day went as mornings usually did for Karra. She would get up early and get ready for the day, next practice training on her deck for a while, then go down and help make breakfast. After that she had healing with Yagoda. It was a routine Karra knew all too well.

This day was hardly different. After breakfast, Karra found herself walking to the healing hut as usual. The sun was sparkling off the ice and snow, hurting her eyes but also mesmerizing her. Karra had never really taken the time to realize the beauty the Northern Water Tribe had to offer.

Karra found herself thinking about all that had happened in the last few days. She had become a master healer, found out the avatar was alive and, in her tribe, met one of his friends, and now was doing her first job as a master. It was a lot.

When Karra got to the healing hut, a few girls were already there sitting with Yagoda around her healing pool. They all smiled up at her as she walked in. Clearly, Yagoda had already told them about her accomplishment.

"Welcome, master Karra!" The elderly healer said to her as Karra entered. She would need to get used to being called "master". Karra started to sit down on the floor, but Yagoda motioned for her to sit up on the platform with her. Ok then.

The other girls started arriving. The youngest seemed to be eight and the oldest looked to be about twelve. Many of them smiled and even waved to Karra, recognizing her from around the tribe and from other lessons. She smiled and waved back at them.

When everyone had arrived, Yagoda started speaking. "Welcome girls. Today we are very lucky. Many of you already know Karra from around the tribe. She is here today because she has worked hard and studied for years to become a master healer." Some of the girls gasped. There was only a new master healer in the tribe every few years. Many of the girls here would never become one.

"Yes," Yagoda continued. "It is tradition that the new master healer helps teach a lesson, before their ceremony." Karra's eye's widened. She had never talked about a ceremony, but thinking about it. . .She had been so distracted lately with day dreams and the avatar. There was a ceremony. Much like the one she had been to the night before.

Yagoda smiled. "I see you realize you have much to do in the next few weeks." Karra nodded. Yes she did. "Shall we begin?" This time they all nodded.

Yagoda began by talking about the importance of healing and all the things you could do with it. Then she had Karra demonstrate how to guide water from one part of the body to another. Karra was in the middle showing how you could bring water up someone's throat when Katara appeared in the door way.

Katara's blue eyes didn't seem to sparkle the way they had the night before. She looked more sad than anything else. Karra knew she had found out girls couldn't be fighters in the north. The hard way. Yagoda still smiled at her though. The old woman had a smile for anyone.

"Hello. Are you here for the healing lesson?" Yagoda asked. Katara's blue eyes didn't seem to sparkle the way they had the night before.

"Yeah. I guess I am." It was like recognition settled into her. Like she just realized the life she would have to live. All the girls smiled at Katara, following Yagoda's lead. The old woman motioned for Katara to join the other girls on the floor. Katara did, and Yagoda continued with the lesson.

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When Yagoda dismissed them, the younger girls thanked Yagoda and hurried out smiling. Only Katara remained.

 Karra stayed where she was packing up her things and the healing lesson tools. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, but she could see how they were both motioning at Katara's necklace. Odd. After a minute Katara walked over to where Karra was packing up. She looked disturbed but still smiled as she walked over.

"Thank you for teaching," Katara said. "You're a great healer."

Karra smiled. "Thank you."

There was a short silence. Yagoda had left the hut, leaving the girls to talk alone.

"What are you going to do now that you are a master healer?" Katara asked. She was quiet today, nothing like she had been at the party.

"Well, I'm suppose to stay here and have a ceremony. Then just keep teaching healing, I guess," Karra said sadly.

"Oh," Katara said just as glumly. "That doesn't sound like much fun."

Karra went to keep packing up, but found herself talking again. "I wanted to help fight in the war-healing people, I mean. Having a master healer could be a huge asset to beating the Fire Nation." 

Karra stopped right after saying this. What was she saying? Telling all her hopes and dreams to a girl she just met? Her parents would never allow her to go anyway. Karra stayed silent waiting for Katara's response. The other girl seemed to be deep in thought.

"I think you would be great at that," Katara told her. "I've seen the war close up. They could really use someone like you to help."

Karra's eyes widened. "You really think it's a good idea?"

Katara nodded. "I do. But you're going to need to learn how to fight. I would teach you, but thanks to master poop-head up there, I can't."

Karra's heart sank. Katara was right. She couldn't go into a war zone knowing next to nothing about fighting. She could fight. Well, kind of. But she had only ever practiced by herself. Knowing how to waterbend in combat would be much more reliable.

"I still want to go." She said quietly. "I can still help those people."

Katara looked over her carefully. When she spoke, her voice was quiet too. "You could get killed."

"I could still help people!" Karra exclaimed stubbornly.

"You can't help people if your dead!" Katara yelled, before getting quiet again. There was a long silence before either of them said anything.

"I know I can't do much. I'm just trying to do the only thing I know how to do. I can help." Karra looked into the other girl's eyes. She knew what she had said had hit somewhere deep.

"Alright." Katara said simply. Karra looked at her in disbelief. Alright? Alright what? She waited for Katara to elaborate. "If you're that set on going you might be able to come with us. No promises, but I can talk to Aang and Sokka."

Karra smiled at her. "Thank you!"

Katara nodded before walking out. They both knew she had her own problems to deal with.