A New Era

Betrothed

It had been a month and a week since Katara had gone to be with her grandmother, so Aang decided it would be a nice opportunity to stop by the southern Water Tribe to see Hakoda and Sokka while visiting. Katara hadn't written to him in a couple weeks, but maybe Hakodate would know what was going on. The Cold crisp air surrounded Aang as he saw the tribe from above, seeing the people walking around and enjoying every day life.

"Come on Appa, lets land over there." He patted Appa pointing to the empty snow field in the middle of the village. As Appa landed, Aang hopped off as the little children ran up to Appa and started petting and playing with him. Momo was accompanying Appa as well. Aang saw Hakoda and Sokka were waiting for him, Hakoda pulling him in for a quick man hug and patting his back.

"Finally time my future son-in-law show up! How you been?" Hakoda said as Sokka patted Aang's back.

"Good. Came down for a quick visit, with Katara with her Grandmother, I have too much free time besides the peace meetings and all." He said as he stretched. Hakoda and Sokka looked to each other for a second and back at Aang. Sokka awkwardly coughed.

"Gram Gram passed 2 weeks ago. There was a funeral and everything. She didn't tell you about the thing?" Sokka asked. Aang raised his brow.

"What thing?" Aang asked. Hakoda rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"The Chief's son, Joha, from the Northern Water Tribe is visiting. We are negotiating and he won't let go of this one thing, but we are doing our best to fix it." Sokka said. Aang clenched his fist.

"Where is Katara?" Aang asked. Hakoda sighed. He nudged his head to the left.

"In the snow Cottage over there. She has been staying there for the past 2 weeks." He said. Aang marched over there, his feet crunching in the snow every step he took. He pushed open the thick fur curtains to see Katara sitting on her bed. She looked up in shock.

"Aang? What are you doing here?" She asked. Aang kept his stern face and tense pose.

"Me? What about you?! Why didn't you tell me that your Grandmother died... 2 weeks ago!" He said. Katara looked down in shame.

"I'm so sorry Aang. I really am." She began to cry. Aang sighed as he sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her.

"Why Katara?" He asked more calmly. Katara sighed.

"After Gram Gram died, Joha came down and started negotiating territory rights with my father. He is willing to call off his men that have been threatening to attack us if I will agree to something." She said fiddling with a lock of her hair.

"What is it?" He asked nudging her head slightly to face him. She let a few more tears fall.

"He wants my hand in marriage." She said. Aang stood up in shock.

"What?! No way!!" He exclaimed. Katara got up as well.

"Calm down Aang, it's not like I said yes." She said. Aang smoothed his hand over his head.

"Well, did you say no?" He asked holding her hands. Katara gulped.

"It was all so sudden, before I could say anything his father reminded us of his threat so I left." She said pacing around the room. Before Aang could reply, a tall young man walked in. He was tan, had baby blue eyes, and a half shaved head with slick black hair rising just above his shoulder.