**92 years after the genocide of the Air Nomads**
**Northern Water Tribe, Katara**
For the umpteenth time, I adjusted my hairstyle, unable to calm down. Today, we'll demonstrate our mastery of waterbending, and based on the results, we'll either become full-fledged waterbenders or remain apprentices. I can't let Yuki down—we're his students, and his reputation as a mentor depends on our progress.
"You know you'll pass this test easily, so why worry?" Sokka lazily asked, picking his nose.
"I need to be better than the others! Better than that know-it-all Yui! All eyes will be on us. If we pass all the stages, we'll be the youngest waterbenders of the century—after Yuki, of course," I explained, my voice rising as Sokka raised his hands in surrender.
"Feel better now?" Sokka asked after my rant. Taking a deep breath, I realized I wasn't as nervous, especially since Yuki had trained us beyond what was required.
"Yes, thanks," I thanked my brother. "Let's go find Yui. She's a wreck too. We should calm her down," I said, stepping out of the room.
"I thought you'd want to gloat over her instead," Sokka mused. "Sometimes, I don't get you," he added, shaking his head.
"She's my best and only friend. No matter how sharp our words are, our friendship is stronger," I explained. "Mom's been disappearing a lot lately. Any idea why?" I asked curiously.
"Yeah," Sokka replied, trying to sound serious. "Not because of something, but because of someone. I read about it in a book. When a girl gets a boyfriend—" He grimaced at the word, "—she starts acting differently. If I catch this guy, he's in trouble," he declared.
"I think it's great. Mom deserves happiness too. I wonder what he's like," I said, pressing my palms to my cheeks. Looking at my fierce brother, I wanted to bring him down to earth. "What will you do when you find out who he is? He's an adult man. No matter how strong you are, you can't compete with him."
"I don't know," Sokka deflated after an awkward pause. "Wait, I've got it! Arnuk taught me how to beat such enemies. If you can't defeat your rival, call your friends and take him down together!" Yuki's father seemed so serious, yet he teaches my brother such things. "I'll just call Yuki! He can handle anyone," he boasted, as if he were the powerful bender.
"Good point," I admitted. I don't want Mom with some random guy either. If he survives a talk with Yuki, we'll know he's serious.
* * *
**Same time, Yuki and Yui**
"Let me tell you a secret: you and Katara have long surpassed the other candidates in skill. Organizing a separate test for you would be too obvious, even for me, so you'll take it with everyone else," I explained to my little sister, who, nervous, had allowed herself to sit on my lap and hug me. "You used to sit like this with me all the time. Now you're all 'grown up,'" I teased Yui.
"I missed this," Yui whispered, hiding her face.
"What? Sorry, I didn't hear you," I pretended, not wanting her to get the wrong idea and deprive me of these hugs.
"Never mind," she quickly replied, changing the subject. "Since the people from the Southern Pole arrived, you've had less time for me. You used to always take me with you. I'm glad they're here—they're all nice—but sometimes I miss how it was before."
"My fault. I've been too focused on training," I admitted. "I'll make it up to you," I said, stroking her soft hair.
As we talked, I felt familiar chi signatures approaching. Here they come.
"Yuki, you're here too!" Katara and Sokka entered, cheerful. But when Katara saw where Yui was sitting, she shot her jealous glances.
"Hi, hi! Katara, join us," I invited, moving a grumbling Yui to one knee and freeing the other. Slightly flushed, Katara joined us, while Sokka watched with a smirk.
"Sokka, you want to sit like this too? Don't be shy!" I teased, knowing his reaction.
"Bad joke. I'm not a little girl," he retorted. "Both these girls are powerful benders. I think you know what they'd do to you…"
Though Arnuk handles June just fine, even without being a bender. So many secrets in this world.
"Yuki, have you noticed anything strange about Mom?" Sokka asked suspiciously, making my heart skip. Did he find out about us?! "I think she has a suitor. I don't know who he is, but I already don't like him," he continued, his voice normal. I hoped no one noticed my relieved sigh.
"Huh? Really? I haven't noticed anything," I lied, shaking my head. "But what if this suitor—if he exists—is good, strong, kind, handsome, and caring?" I backpedaled. "Uh, I mean, there are plenty of great guys up north," I added, making it worse. Better to just stay quiet…
"Maybe," Sokka conceded. "But it's a matter of honor. I'm the only man in the family, and I must protect us. What if he's some con artist? When I find out who he is—and I will—I'll expose him! Trust me!" he declared passionately, making me sweat. Where's this aggression coming from, Sokka?! I love your mom! I've decided! You'll be the last to know, when you get a sibling. Then you can't say anything. *Evil inner laugh.* Poor Sokka, you just told your enemy everything. Now I'll ask for your insights often, keep my finger on the pulse. Hmm, there are a couple of clueless guys who don't get that Kya's not interested. Maybe I'll sic Sokka on them…
"Yuki, will you help me investigate him? With your authority and strength, he'll be too scared to lie," Sokka asked seriously. What could I do but nod seriously too? Thanks for the mood boost, Sokka. Now I see why Dad takes you everywhere—you're a walking comedy.
"Time for the square. Everything's ready," I said, standing up. Reluctantly, the girls slid off my knees.
The certification has two stages. The first tests your speed, technique variety, and power. Ice mannequins are set up, and for a minute, the candidate must attack, showcasing all their skills. Most benders pass this stage.
The second stage eliminates most candidates. It's a sparring match against a waterbending master. You must last at least three minutes. The masters lower their abilities to a basic bender level, but their experience, technique arsenal, and other factors heavily favor them. If that were all, no one would pass, but even those who don't last three minutes can pass if they demonstrate qualities beyond those of an apprentice.
Arriving at the square, Yui and Katara joined the other students, while Sokka and I went to our parents. Looking at the candidates, I estimated that a third were girls—their numbers will only grow.
The ceremony began with the chief's speech and demonstrations by the masters. This year, Yuki's archers joined them—a joke title that quickly became official because the council elders enjoyed seeing my annoyed face. Honestly, grown adults holding a grudge over my pranks. Though those jabs did make council meetings slightly more interesting.
Surprisingly, everyone passed the first stage, which rarely happens. Listening to nearby whispers, I understood why. No one wants to work in the newly created greenhouses, where those who fail even the first stage are sent. People have grown too fond of eating seaweed whenever they want. Without my input, they've started experimenting with growing other foods.
These greenhouses will feed our people, but currently, they're more about creating new crops. Most plants crave sunlight, a need even waterbending can't fully offset. A third of the area is a lab, while the rest grows edible mushrooms, which have begun multiplying rapidly without our help.
The first batch of benders was the unluckiest. They searched under the ice for suitable conditions, creating six passages, none of which met requirements. At the time, I was in the Earth Kingdom. When I returned, I showed them my long-abandoned training ground, which fit perfectly. No one even asked why I'd dug it. My friends know better than to ask questions I don't want to answer.
The second stage eliminated half the candidates, an improving result each year. The rest will retake it next semester. Boys want to prove their strength, girls their resilience. Everyone's training harder.
Yui and Katara stood out in the final stage, their fights the most destructive and intense. While other students barely defended, the girls countered fiercely, forcing the masters to raise their power level to that of a mid-level bender.
With all eyes on the participants, I allowed myself some indulgence. Kya, sitting beside me, was too tempting, and we hadn't had a moment alone that morning. Sliding my hand under her long fur coat, I found her opening.
It was pure pleasure watching Kya suppress her moans. The crowded place only fueled our passion. Her hand slipped into my pants, bringing me pleasure. Memories flashed—the back row of a movie theater, a boring film, a girl with no inhibitions, you young and restless, then a pandemic hits. Shaking my head, I focused on the present. As the crowd roared at a fight's end, Kya finished too, holding back until they cheered.
After the event, parents of young benders approached me, asking to take their children as apprentices. I've made myself too popular. Standing with an erection isn't fun, but thankfully, my spacious coat hides it. After finishing, with hormones no longer clouding my judgment, Kya realized our actions could be noticed and stopped. Tonight, she'll get no mercy.
"Katara, Yui, come here!" I called the girls, mentally asking Yui to tell these pushy parents what a monster I am—how I torture students—anything to deter them. "Here are my former students. Consult with them. Trust their words fully. They'll tell you everything," I sang, already stepping among the other masters, who'd created a no-go zone around them. Their combined presence is too strong when they gather, which they use to avoid overly persistent citizens.