spark || lin beifong

Chapter I - Introduction Part 1

Katara sighed but smiled at Leia's honest answer. "My, that was an interesting fact to know about you, Leia. I suppose I understand what you're saying, but I can't really say that I come from the same page you are at right now."

Katara had prepared tea and offered a cup to Leia and the girl graciously accepted it. Katara spoke with nostalgia lacing through her voice, "I was like you once, wanting to learn all about my bending, my culture, but no one was there to teach me. I eventually got to have Master Pakku train me, but even he needed some major convincing I was worthy of being trained since I was a girl."

"Yikes, talk about mysogyny."

Katara chuckled before continuing. "After meeting Aang, my motive for learning changed. No longer did I want to learn it for the sake of simply learning, I had Aang and Sokka to protect. After we had left the North Pole in search of an earthbending teacher, I was in charge of further training Aang to fully master the art of waterbending. I was no longer just a protector, but a teacher as well."

Leia's eyes twinkled upon hearing Katara talk about her adventures as part of the previous Team Avatar. Katara laughed upon the remembrance of a certain memory, "He was always quite the child, slacking off training and always distracted, but I had to make do."

Leia simply smiled at the old woman's mirth. Katara reminded her of her own grandmother.

"Soon, he had waterbending mastered down to his sleep. Although, I think you of all people should know that something is never truly mastered until no new discoveries about it can be made," Katara winks at the girl and Leia's smile grows into a cheeky grin.

"I will miss you when you leave, Leia. You've grown to be quite the waterbender in only six months," Katara says, now sounding forlorn.

Leia's eyebrows knit together before reaching out to the old woman and taking her frail hands into her own. "Don't talk like that, Miss Katara. We have another six months left. Besides, I'll make sure to visit you whenever I visit my parents. You've been like a mother to me, Katara. I'll never be able to repay you properly."

The two shared a quiet moment before Katara suggested they played a game of Pai Sho. Leia had asked her to teach her once. Their first actual game was the last game that Leia lost.

-

In six months' time, Leia was dubbed a waterbending master and healer. She was also 16 now, of marrying age, not that she ever was interested in that. A few suitors have come and passed by the compound but Leia was always preoccupied with learning the next thing. Here she was, spending her last few nights in the compound with her family (sans her eldest sister).

Senna was watching her sister put on a show for her. They were sat at the edge of a fountain that Leia was getting the water from.

"Check this out, Sen!" Leia called out in glee as she threw water up into the air and transformed it into snow that flowed down onto the both of them.

Twelve-year-old Senna giggled and smiled at her older sister. Her mirth only lasted a while before she frowned.

Leia noticed this and sighed, walking towards her sister how was sat at the edge of the fountain. "You know I'm not going to be gone forever, right? I'm gonna visit you and mama, and papa, and even Master Katara on a regular basis."

Senna pouted and looked at her older sister through teary eyes. "I know, but," she sniffed, "you're gonna be away longer now. Far far away. With you here at Master Katara's place I can visit you every week, but I have to ride a boat to see you every time in the city. You'll make friends, get a job, then forget about me. Just like what Inca did."

Leia frowned at the mention of her older sister and immediately knelt down in front of Senna, taking her small hands into hers. "I'm not gonna let that happen. No matter what happens to me in the city, you're my sister. No one will ever replace you, just like no one will ever replace Inca. Inca's just really busy with the United Forces. She'll come around, it's just that the army-navy life is new to her and she wants to enjoy it. I'll make sure that she writes to you and pays you a visit when I see her."

Leia tucks a stray piece of hair behind Senna's ear and gives her a kiss on her forehead. "I'll write to you regularly, okay? When I visit, I'll bring you gifts and talk all about the things I've seen in the city, alright? It'll be as if I'm still here with you."

Senna nods and tackles her sister to the ground with a hug, and Leia hugs back just as tight.

The next few nights were spent packing and preparing for Leia's departure.

She now stood at the bottom of a plank used to board the ship that she was to travel on going to Republic City. She was given two large bags of gold, an amount she found out her parents have been saving up ever since she started schooling as a small child. They somehow had a hunch that a child as inquisitive as her would eventually end up wanting to pursue higher education in bigger places.

"I trust you won't spend it all in one go. Though I suppose I won't need to worry. You've never been one for shopping," Her mother teased but still kept a tone of seriousness. Leia just shook her head and hugged her.

Her father was next to greet her, giving her a waterskin his father had given to him in hopes that he would be a waterbender just like him. "Your grandfather would have wanted you to have this. It's just a shame he never knew you before he passed." Leia hugged him tight, wanting to draw out every bit of hurt that sounded in his voice. "I'll take care of it," she whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek.

"Don't forget to take care of yourself. Love you, kiddo," he ruffled the top of her hair, messing it up in the process, not that Leia minded. Her hair was short and it was manageable as it is. As long as it was out of the way, she didn't mind much. She nodded and attached the waterskin at her side.

Master Katara came next, and showed Leia a necklace with vial attached to it. It was a purple cone-shaped container with a moon symbol on top of it.

"This was my necklace that held spirit water from the North Pole when I was young and if helped me save Aang. I no longer have any use for it, but I hope it will benefit you. I filled it up again with the spirit water we have here. Use it wisely."

Leia put out her hands for Katara to place it on them. Instead, Katara asked Leia to turn around and fastened the necklace around her neck. Leia turned back around, touching the vial that hung on her neck, getting used to the feeling, before hiding it further down behind her new tunic. She bowed in front of Katara out of respect and gratitude.

"Thank you for everything, Master Katara. I'll make sure everything I've learned will be put to good use. You have been nothing but encouraging and nurturing towards my abilities."

Katara bowed in response before raising back up and letting Leia hug her. "I'll miss you very much, Katara."

"I'll miss you, too, my dear. I've sent word to Aang and Tenzin of your arrival. You'll be living with them on Air Temple island until you've earned enough for your own living quarters."

Leia nodded and thanked her once more. Katara made way for Senna who just hugged Leia and gave her a small bottle.

Leia laughed, "What's this? Senna, Mama made me pack a full bottle of perfume, plus I'm sure they'll be selling some at Republic City."

Senna fiddled with her fingers, "Uh, It's my favorite scent. I wear it all the time. It's yours now! Use it when you miss home or when you're lonely, so that you'll feel like I'm with you! And I really  just don't want you to forget me."

Leia simply smiled before going down on her knees and hugging her sister with all her might. "I promise I won't. Thank you for the gift, Senna. You're so thoughtful. I love you."

Senna was crying now, "I love you, too, Tele."

Leia let a few tears slip before wiping them and in turn wiping her sister's. She gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before letting Senna go to her mother's side.

She stepped onto the deck of the ship and the wooden planks were retracted, slipping the bottle of perfume in one of her many pockets. Leia waved at her family and Master Katara until she was far enough that she couldn't see their faces anymore and went below deck to retire for the night.