A/N - Hakoda-centric story; Kataang; rated T for occasional, minor suggestive themes in later chapters (mentions of past & future Sukka sex, suggestions of future Kataang sex).

The first chapter is rather lengthy, but future chapters should be shorter. And I know I'm bad at run-on paragraphs, I'm trying to work on that, but I tend to either include a lot of dialogue or a lot of detail in one paragraph and feel awkward splitting it up. This story will probably be between 3-5 chapters in length, depending on how much more I write and how I edit it. I will probably update another chapter or two pretty quickly (within a week, hopefully), but after that, it might be a while before I post anymore. I don't like to post chapters, or full stories even, until I'm mostly satisfied with what I've written.

Horizontal line breaks will mark the transition from the present setting to a flashback and vice versa.

Also! Apologies for not adding to my other story, Kataang Week (Summer 2013) since it was first posted (I know it's been over two months)! Inspiration had only struck me for the first prompt, but I will finish it when I get ideas for the remaining six and have time to write them.

Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko; I own nothing. I also do not own the fantastic cover art for this story, it belongs to lady-voldything on deviantart. She very kindly allowed me to use a cropped version of her piece "Welcome Home." There is a full link to that piece's page on deviantart in my profile, please do go check it out! It's a fantastic, and humorous, piece of art! Thank you again, lady-voldything!

Chapter 1: A Growing Headache

-The Present (The Southern Water Tribe, 103 ASC)-

'Enough,' Hakoda thought glumly to himself, 'this has gone on long enough. And I'm going to put a stop to it.' The chief of the Southern Water Tribe wasn't just agitated, he was furious, but despite his inner turmoil, his outward appearance was calm and collected – the face of a leader, for the sake of his people. In his years, Hakoda had given many speeches to his tribe, including ones that arose out of irritation or squabbles amongst tribesmen, but he had never expected he would have to give the presentation he was about to. 'It's all because of those Northern boys – they can't seem to understand, no matter how many times Bato, myself, and the other Southern men tell them – spirits, even when Pakku tells them, they don't seem to comprehend!'

Wandering along the path from his home towards the city center, Hakoda managed a small smile as he thought about how he was going to finally bring this headache to an end. The smile was quickly lost though as his anger returned to him anew. 'Worst of all, the men that have approached me seem to harbor no respect in regards to Southern traditions. The colonists from our sister tribe have helped us rebuild and repopulate, turning our struggling village into a strong, proud, and defendable city, but that doesn't mean we are going to abandon our traditions! My children and the Avatar asked for nothing in return when they helped to defend, and save, the Northern tribe from the Fire Nation – my children helped not out of obligation to our sister tribe, but because it was the right thing to do. The same goes for Aang – it was his duty to protect the innocent people of the North Pole, but Aang wanted to help because it was right. These Northern boys seem to think that aiding in our reconstruction efforts was an obligation and they deserve a reward. . . I'll give them the reward they deserve if they keep this up – a swift punch to the jaw!'

Approaching the town hall, Hakoda reflected on the building and its construction. It had been one of the last major buildings to be constructed, only finished about three months ago, as Hakoda had insisted on homes, a hospital, a school, and other structures that were more crucial to the community be built first. His smile returned to him, wider than before, as he realized the irony of the building's construction – yet another piece of information to help settle the matter at hand. Entering the building, Hakoda was happy to see that nearly the entire tribe was in attendance – all but four individuals were there. Making his way to the podium at the front of the room, he chuckled as his son, Sokka, spoke out to the crowd in an attempt to silence them.

"Attention everyone, the chief is going to speak now. . .," Sokka began, before stopping in realization that only those closest to the stage had shifted their gaze towards him. Trying again, he called out, "Excuse me!" This caused all but the loudest of the conversations in the room to die out and turn their focus towards the chief's eldest child. Hakoda noted wryly that the conversations still continuing were largely made up of the young men from the Northern tribe whom had all approached him, individually of course, over the last several weeks.

"QUIET!" The remaining chatter immediately stopped, and all eyes, including Hakoda's, widened at Sokka's outburst. Sokka continued, "I'm sorry for that everyone, but it seemed to be the only way to remind you why we're all here." Hakoda chuckled softly to himself as he nodded to his son, silently thanking him for his assistance in the matter, as well as signaling for him to step aside from the podium. Taking his son's former position at the center of the stage, Hakoda turned to face the tribe. While only numbering around a few hundred individuals, the tribe was the biggest it had been in years, but only as a result of the assistance from the colonists from the North and the return of the Southern men who had fought in the war allowed this many people to be present, rather than the few dozen elderly women, mothers, and children that Hakoda had charged his son and daughter to care for over four years ago.

Clearing his throat, Hakoda began his speech, "I know that many of you are probably wondering why this meeting was called today. I feel that the majority of you will feel irritated to hear information that you have known all your lives, but as a result of recent events, I felt it necessary that the whole tribe take what I am about to say to heart. The elders and I care deeply for our sister tribe at the North Pole and we are very thankful for the assistance of the colonists who have helped to restore our fledgling tribe to its former glory." Hakoda paused and gave an appreciative nod towards a few of the Northern elders, including his step-father. "However, we are not the Northern Water Tribe. This is the South Pole, home to the Southern Water Tribe; while both tribes are very traditional, those traditions are not identical. That is what I have come to speak to you all about today – tradition." Seeing the quizzical looks that arose from several of the Southern natives, Hakoda couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Specifically, I would like to address the tradition of marriage in our tribe." Lifting his gaze towards the groups of Northern boys, he forced himself to refrain from grimacing as the expressions on their teenage faces changed from irritation and boredom for being forced to attend the meeting to something akin to hunger. Shuddering to himself, he continued, "First of all, like at the North Pole, the tradition of carving a betrothal necklace for a man's intended bride is always encouraged, but not required."

Butting in from beside his father, Sokka exclaimed, "And if you're not artistically inclined, it might be in your best interests not to carve one at all!" While such an interruption would have normally earned his nineteen year old son a stern glare, Hakoda, along with several townsfolk smirked and giggled at Sokka's comment.

A familiar face spoke from the front of the gathered crowd, "I can assume you speak from personal experience, my oh-so-talented step-grandson?"

"Grand-Pakku, I'll have you know I am a very talented artist! Isn't that right, Suki?" From beside his grandparents, Sokka's wife hung her head in mock-shame, mainly to avoid her husband seeing the smirk playing on her lips. Glancing towards his father for support, Sokka pleaded, "Dad? I'm a good artist aren't I?" Hakoda could barely contain the laughter he felt rumbling from his gut – he knew well of Sokka's artistic abilities, and sadly, despite his son's insistence that they had, his drawing talents had not improved much over the past decade. Defeated, with no assistance from his wife or father, Sokka exclaimed to the elderly Waterbending master, "Fine! If you don't believe me, just ask Master Piandao next time you see him! He'll tell you all about how great an artist I am! In fact –"

"Anyways," Hakoda interrupted his son to resume his speech, raising his voice slightly to capture the attention of the tribe before him, "when an individual reaches the age of sixteen, he or she is of marrying age. I understand that this is the same age that men and women are allowed to marry in the Northern tribe; however, there are two differences here in the South Pole. First, only suitors who are very close to said young woman or her family may ask for her hand at age sixteen. If no such suitors exist, then any suitor may ask for her hand once that girl turns eighteen. Second, while it is traditional for a man to ask a woman's father for her hand in marriage, even if he approves, this does not mean the couple are betrothed." At this, Hakoda returned his gaze towards the groups of teenage boys he was holding this meeting for. A smirk graced his features when he saw that the Northern natives were in complete confusion. One of these teenagers, whom Hakoda had dealt with repeatedly over the past few weeks, stood up. 'Great, Arnahn, just the hammer I needed to pound my headache. . .' Pakku had warned Hakoda of Arnahn shortly after the young man's arrival to the South Pole. Something about being related to a Northern warrior named Hahn, who Pakku described as a 'sexist, self-centered child in a man's body;' Hakoda had also learned of Hahn from Sokka when his son described the loss of his first love, Yue, the Princess of the Northern tribe, whom was betrothed to Hahn, merely because she had the 'most perks.' Arnahn, Pakku had explained, was just as bad as Hahn, but also a Master Waterbender, which further inflated the arrogant Northerner's ego.

"With all due respect, Chief Hakoda, surely once a man gains the approval of a woman's father for her hand in marriage, the couple is betrothed? What else must be done? Has a husband-to-be not been proven worthy by carving a betrothal necklace and asking permission from her father for her hand in marriage?" Arnahn looked Hakoda in the eyes, "You describe almost all the same traditions as that of the Northern tribe, so I see no reason for why a couple would not be betrothed after completing such tasks." Hakoda grimaced, knowing Arnahn would make this personal – the boy lacked respect towards his elders, evident from the first time he had approached Hakoda. The Southern Chief's mind flashed back to that fateful day, almost eight weeks ago.

-Flashback (8 weeks prior)-

It was midday, the weather was calm and peaceful, and Hakoda was returning to the home he shared with his daughter, mother, and step-father for lunch after the morning's meetings had ended earlier than expected. Upon exiting the town hall, Hakoda smiled upon seeing his mother, Kanna, who was waiting for Pakku to exit so they could take their daily walk through the city. Returning her son's smile, she walked towards him, speaking softly, "I think it's begun." Chief Hakoda was a veteran of many gruesome battles and had suffered deep personal loss, and except privately, he rarely showed negative emotions, but the thoughts that now entered his head made him visibly blanch. Willing the blood to return to his face, he spoke in an equally quiet whisper.

"What makes you so sure, mother?"

"A rude young man has been pacing outside our house for at least an hour now, insisting on speaking with you about a 'matter crucial to the future well-being of our tribe.'"

Hakoda sighed deeply, having feared this day, but secretly hoped it would never come. Leaning down, he embraced his mother in a gentle, yet firm hug, "I'll take care of this mother, but you know more than anyone just how persistent men from the North are." He tilted his head towards the doors he had just exited through moments ago – referencing his Step-Father. "This likely won't end until his birthday and when he can visit next." As he relaxed his grip and stepped away from his mother, intent on returning home to face the unnamed young man, Kanna called out.

"Just do what you've always done, my son. Be strong for her, and when the day comes, you can put it all behind you." Heeding his mother's wise words, Hakoda trudged through the snow towards his home. The Chief thought to himself, 'I'll never stop being strong for her, or for anyone in my family, but especially for her and the one who makes her happy.' A loud voice broke him from his silent promise, and as he cast his gaze upwards, he identified the young man pacing outside his house as none other than Arnahn.

"Chief Hakoda," the young man exclaimed, "I've been meaning to talk to you about something very important." Arnahn chuckled to himself, "I almost thought I had come to the wrong house when that old hag answered the door."

Hakoda immediately knew the kind of man he was dealing with, and after containing the anger building inside himself, he decided he was going to have fun tormenting the snobby Northern teen. "Well, I hope my mother gave you no trouble, Arnahn."

The boy visibly shuddered, but quickly regained composure. "I meant no disrespect, Chief Ha-"

"Yes, you did. Now, I'm willing to be an adult and forgive you for insulting a member of my family, but before I hear what you have to say, I want you to promise me that you'll speak to and about your elders with respect." Before the boy could open his mouth, Hakoda continued, "And I mean all of your elders, men and women alike."

Noticing the firm clench of Arnahn's jaw, a small smirk graced Hakoda's lips as he noted the hesitance in the boy's tone. "I promise, Chief Hakoda, I will never again speak of, or to, any elder, even a woman, with disrespect." Satisfied with the answer, Hakoda voiced his interest about this 'crucial matter' the Northern boy was so intent on speaking to him about. "Sir, I would like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage." Hakoda inhaled sharply, despite already expecting the words to come from the young man's mouth. Although he knew that a simple 'no' would be enough to deter the boy, Hakoda's protective nature, as well as simple curiosity, forced the Chief to question Arnahn.

"And why do you deserve my daughter's hand? What can you offer her?"

Arnahn smiled, believing he would now easily earn both the Chief's favor and his daughter. "Because, Chief Hakoda, I can offer her everything a woman could ever want."

Unfazed, Hakoda raised an eyebrow, "Such as . . .?"

"A permanent home here in the South Pole, certainly she must be tired of flying around the world playing diplomat with the Avatar and the Fire Lord every few months by now. I can give her a strong and capable husband – and in addition to my capabilities as a hunter, I'm also the best Waterbender in the Southern Water Tribe. With me as her husband, I can give Katara everything that she'll ever need."

Hakoda continued his questioning, "A home?" Arnahn nodded. "Providing her with the bare essentials – food, supplies, protection?" Arnahn nodded yet again, more vigorously than before. "Children, if she wishes?" Arnahn's vigorous nodding stopped, before he slowly dipped his head up and down ever so slightly. "Freedom? Allowing her to do as she pleases? Treating her as your equal in all things? Giving her your eternal love, support, and respect, caring for her, expecting nothing out of such a marriage but love and happiness? Above all else, doing everything within your power to make sure she is happy?"

Hesitantly, Arnahn nodded with a sly smile on his face before he ecstatically answered, "Of course, Chief Hakoda! I will do anything and everything to make her happy! A husband's duty is to his wife, and as long as she knows her place, I can promise you she will be happy and cared for!"

Narrowing his eyes at the words 'knows her place,' the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe stared at the suitor, knowing that had this been at the North Pole, any father in Hakoda's place would have happily accepted the young man's offer. "Last question – have you carved a betrothal necklace for her?"

Arnahn pulled the aforementioned item out from one of his pockets, presenting it towards Hakoda for the Chief's scrutiny. Pretending to examine the mediocre piece of jewelry, Hakoda caught a glimpse of the boy's eyes – frighteningly similar to those of a Polar Bear-Dog about to deliver a killing blow upon its prey. Standing back from Arnahn and his necklace, Hakoda spoke, with a smile upon his face "Arnahn, you have done everything required of you to earn my blessing for my daughter's hand in marriage" the boy's face lit up as Hakoda returned the necklace to Arnahn's hands, "however, I do not give you my blessing to marry my daughter." The boy's face fell, a mixture of disappointment, aggravation, and small hope gracing his features.

Without giving him a reply, Arnahn turned on his heel, and stormed away from the Chief, cursing under his breath. Hakoda walked into his home, and upon closing the door, erupted in laughter at the sight of the teen's face. No sooner had his mirthful attitude calmed enough to stop shaking his large figure than a knock came from the door. Composing himself, he opened the door, expecting Arnahn to have returned and plead with him. However, he had not expected the new, troubled face appearing before him, "Sangok?"

The shy, awkward teenager stood before him, fumbling with an object in his gloves and avoiding direct eye contact with the Chief. "Erm, I . . . uh, sir, Chief Hakoda, sir . . . I'm here to ask you for K-Ka – Master-Katara's-hand-in-marriage." Sangok spat out the last words in rapid-succession before lowering his head slightly and taking sudden interest in Hakoda's door mat, appearing ashamed of his declaration towards the Chief. Pitying him, for Hakoda knew Sangok to be a kind and gentle soul, albeit somewhat lazy and timid - much like Sokka, he thought - , the Chief avoided the unnecessary questioning and let him down much easier than he had Arnahn.

"Sangok, while I believe that your intentions in this matter are honorable, I think that you, unlike the other Northern boys seem to understand that my daughter is currently in a happy relationship. She is comfortable around you, yes, but you two rarely see each other, and despite the friendship that has formed between you since you moved here, I don't think you're the husband my daughter needs. You are a good man, Sangok, and I know you will find a great woman for yourself someday, but I think we both know any relationship between you and Katara wouldn't progress beyond friendship." Hakoda had expected the boy to be crestfallen, even more so than Arnahn, however, the reaction from Sangok was the polar opposite of anything he could have suspected.

Forgoing all formalities, Sangok had thrown his arms around Hakoda, hugging the Chief fiercely, crying out his sincere thanks. Upon releasing Hakoda from his grip, and taking note of the flabbergast expression upon the older man's face, Sangok chuckled and quickly explained himself.

"Sir, I have been in a relationship with a fellow Waterbending student, a beautiful girl named Ummi, for the past two years, ever since I moved here. My father has openly disapproved of our relationship, believing I should try for your daughter's hand once she turned eighteen, hoping you would accept and I would be forced to end my relationship with Ummi. I recently learned from my mother that the only reason my father didn't want me in a relationship with Ummi was he hoped for me to marry Katara so that he would have more political influence among the tribe. Once I learned this, I confronted him and made a deal – if you gave me your support to marry Katara, I would end my relationship with Ummi; if you denied me Katara's hand, my father would not interfere with my relationships anymore. You're right, Chief Hakoda, I do care for Katara – but only as a friend – I'm in love with Ummi, and now that I've asked you for Katara's hand and been rejected, I can finally ask Ummi to marry me and my father will be forced to stop badgering me about my love life."

Still slightly dumbfounded by Sangok's admission, Hakoda looked at the boy's hands, noting the betrothal necklace that lay in his palms. "I'm assuming you made that for Ummi, then – and not Katara?" Sangok's smile broadened as he nodded his head. "May I see it, out of curiosity?"

"Certainly, Chief Hakoda."

Although the necklace was never intended for his daughter, Hakoda marveled at the craftsmanship – clearly above anything Arnahn had constructed. The amount of time and effort invested in carving the small and intricate facets into the stone was quite evident and equaled the beauty of only three other betrothal necklaces in Hakoda's mind. Two of those three said necklaces were both carved by his step-father, Master Pakku, and hung around the necks of Hakoda's daughter and mother, respectively. The third necklace, if Hakoda's memory served, was safely hidden away amongst billowing robes of red and yellow. That necklace had rarely graced living eyes and Hakoda was the only human being – aside from the young man who had carved it – who had seen it. The necklace had been presented to Hakoda almost two years ago, and although Hakoda had already given the young man his answer – which he had no intention of changing, he expected he would see the necklace again within the coming weeks. Those memories and thoughts were for another time, however, and the Chief regained his focus, once again honing in on Sangok's exquisite craftsmanship. Returning Sangok's smile, Hakoda returned the jewelry to the boy's hands. "I'm sure she'll love it, Sangok. You are very talented." Clasping the young man's right forearm with his own, Hakoda spoke confidently to the boy, "I look forward to overseeing yours and Ummi's wedding."

Both men were overjoyed, and relieved, albeit for different reasons. Bowing respectfully to his elder, Sangok spoke before departing, "Thank you for your wisdom, blessing as Chief, and encouraging words, Chief Hakoda; I hope that your confidence in my relationship with Ummi is true, and most of all," adding a silly grin upon his face, "thank you again for denying me your daughter's hand."

Hakoda yet again returned Sangok's smile, and with a pat on the young man's back, replied, "It was my pleasure. Now go and propose to your girl." At his Chief's behest, Sangok darted off towards the Waterbending rotunda, smiling broadly. Returning inside his home, Hakoda chuckled to himself, 'Well, that's a first – a suitor happy to be disappointed. I only wish more men from the North were like Sangok and Pakku – outgrowing the sexist attitude that they were raised in and treating women as their equals. Sadly, that's probably not going to be the case.'

As if to affirm his concerns, another knock came to the Chief's door. Groaning, Hakoda buried his head in his hands before moving away from yet again trying to prepare his lunch. 'The universe hates me. There's no other explanation.' Unbeknownst to Hakoda, elsewhere in the village, Sokka was in the middle of his own philosophical musings.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Passing by the docks and noting the fishermen returning from their morning runs, Sokka thought to himself, 'Maybe the universe doesn't hate me – I mean, come on, it's been months since anything remotely painful or embarrassing happe-,' before slipping on a fish that had fallen out of Bato's net and promptly falling into the water. Struggling to pull himself out of the sea, Bato aided his best friend's son, and after a few moments of spitting out water, Sokka stared the older man straight in the eyes and said, "Bato, remind me, every chance you get, that the Universe has it out for me. Don't ask why; just remind me – as often as possible." And with that, he trudged off, leaving a bewildered – and slightly amused – Bato in his wake.

Like father, like son.

A/N - Arnahn is an OC, his name derived from Chief Arnook's and Hahn's (let's just say Arnahn and Hahn are cousins). When Hakoda thinks 'I'll never stop being strong for her, or for anyone in my family, but especially for her and the one who makes her happy' it is not to imply that Hakoda favors his daughter over his other family members. Merely, with both his mother and son being married, and after losing his wife, I think Hakoda would feel extra protective/supportive around his daughter before she was married. Sangok and Ummi; Sangok was the Waterbending student seen briefly in "The Siege of the North, Part 1" sparring against Katara and suffering an embarrassing loss when she froze quickly him in ice, followed by Pakku chastising him. Ummi is named for Avatar Kuruk's bride/wife (I needed a name for a Water Tribe woman and Ummi just seemed right).

Thanks again for reading! Reviews, comments, questions, and constructive criticism are much appreciated!