Chemicals React

Prologue - Dakota

Dakota
*10 Years Old*

"Dakota this is your home now," father said.

I looked around and The Southern Water Tribe was smaller than what I was used to. The Northern Tribe, where Im from, was a bit larger. At least in population.

From what my dad, Kentu, told me, a few of our soldiers were needed to help after a huge attack on their tribe. So this was our new home. My mother was not with us. She passed giving birth to me. I never knew who she was but my father made sure to tell me stories of her all the time.

So I still feel connected to her in a way.

Elders of the village greeted us and an old lady kneeled down to my height.

"How are you darling?" She smiled grabbing my hands.

I smiled at her and replied, "I'm doing well, thank you."

"Very well mannered look at her," the lady smiled. My father laughed at me as the lady continued, "You can settle into that tent right there. I'll send my grandchildren right over."

I nodded at her bowing slightly in respect and ran over to the tent. I entered the tent and put my bag down. I took out my blanket that was my mother's and covered myself trying to warm myself up.

After several moments a boy and a girl entered the tent. I sat up defensively clenching my fists and the boy lifted his hands.

"Hey! My gran gran told us to come here," he smiled while the girl hid behind him.

I looked at them for a moment and relaxed smiling, "Hi."

"I'm Sokka. This is my little sister, Katara," he introduced.

"Hi nice to meet you guys," I smiled. "I'm Dakota."

*14 Years Old*

"Sweety I have to go. But I promise I'll be back. Just continue training with Sokka and practicing with Katara. We'll be together before you know it," father said.

I had tears threatening to fall but I tried to blink them back. I had to show him I was strong, that none of this time training went to waste. I'm a warrior and I was going to prove that to him.

I nodded at him standing tall and he sighed. He pulled me into a hug and squeezed me tightly.

"Don't be afraid to tell me what you're really feeling. Strong doesn't mean cold," he mumbled.

"I can't lose you too," I mumbled as my voice cracked.

I held onto him tightly burying my face into his chest. I've always feared he would be taken away from me. I never had a mother around and the last thing I needed was to not have my father around.

But it was his duty.

"You're not going to lose me Dakota. I promise you, I will return to you," he said releasing me. His hands cupped my face and a tear slipped down my cheek. I nodded at him as he said, "Please stay with Kanna. You know she loves you as one of her grandchildren. Respect her."

"I will daddy I promise," I said and he kissed my forehead.

He stood up straight grabbing his bag and walked off with the rest of the men from the tribe. He climbed up the ramp of the ship and looked back at me. He put a fist to his heart and smiled at me. I put my fist on top of mine as well and nodded at him now letting tears pour down my face endlessly. He was now out of my view and I turned around crying into my hands.

I felt arms wrap around me and I continued to cry. The person's hand rubbed up and down my back in a calming manner as I finally gathered myself. I released the person catching my breath and saw a teary eyed Sokka.

"Sokka I'm sorry I-"

"You don't have to apologize. I know you like to be the strong one out of us 3 but it's ok to let us help you too," he smiled.

Katara joined us with tear stained cheeks and we did a group hug. There were sniffles heard between us three which was a rare thing. We usually kept things together, well at least Sokka and I did. Katara often did get emotional.

"We're going to be fine guys. We're going to continue training and making our dads proud and honoring our mothers. We have to continue pushing, understood?" I said.

"You're right," Sokka said wiping his face and stood up straight.

Katara nodded not meeting eye contact and walked off. Sokka and I both made looked at each other and he sighed.

"She'll be fine. It's just a lot," Sokka said.

"I understand. But shes strong. She'll rise up. We all will as long as we stick together," I reassured. "Let's go talk to her."

Sokka and I began walking in the direction Katara walked off in. We got to her tent and looked in finding her staring at her necklace. She looked at us and looked back down at the necklace.

"I'm fine-"

"You're not. So we're going to sit here together. We got you Katara," I said.

"Dakota?" She said looking at me now.

"Yea?"

"What happened to your mother? It's been years and you never told us," Katara replied.

The question caught me off guard and I bit down on my jaw. This was a topic I've never spoken about to anyone. Only my dad and Gran Gran knew about it here.

"I-Uh... she died. She had complications giving birth to me and she died right after I was born," I explained and both Sokka and Katara's mouths dropped.

"I'm so sorry Dakota," Sokka immediately said as they both each grabbed one of my hands.

"It's ok. I just wish I knew her. She didn't even touch me. And it hurts knowing that she never knew me. But my dad tells me amazing stories of her and I feel like I at least know her you know?" I explained as my eyes began to water up.

"Yea.. Yea of course. I'm absolutely sure she would be so proud of who you've become," Katara smiled as tears streamed down her cheeks.

This was slightly weird. Usually Katara and I didn't see eye to eye. We argued all of the time but we did have moments once in a blue moon where the love we truly did have for each other was shown. It was just rare. I was too sarcastic and blunt and she was very sensitive in her emotions and insensitive on how she spoke when she was upset.

But this version of Katara I appreciated. When she was a genuinely caring and humble person. I've always wanted a little sister and I guess this was what it would have felt like.

A pain in my ass.