Reborn As Sokka: Awakening Of the wolf's mind

Hello readers, here with a new chapter, I will make the chapters longer so you don't have to wait so long for the plot to advance like in chapter 15.

Without further ado, I hope you like it and I would really appreciate it if you would leave a review and comments, any support is good and helps us get more people to read it.

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Sokka looked at Katara and Aang with an expression of apparent anger from his chair made of ice and packed snow. He wasn't angry because Katara and Aang had gone to the ship or because they had alerted Zuko; he was angry with himself — and partly with the two of them as well. He hadn't predicted that the flare would unsettle the women of the village so much. As soon as they saw it, they panicked, thinking the Southern Raiders were coming; well, someone was coming, but not them.

Katara had never seen her brother this angry.

"Katara, you know how dangerous it is to go on that ship," Sokka explained in a strangely calm voice. "Right now, any nearby Fire Nation ship that saw it will be on alert because of that. Soon we'll have some Fire Nation soldiers paying us a visit for sure."

The young waterbender's heart froze in fear and her face tightened with dread.

She remembered the last time the Fire Nation came to the Southern Water Tribe… they had killed her mother.

"It was all my fault! Katara had nothing to do with it," Aang jumped in to defend her. "I was the one who convinced her to take me to the ship."

Sokka frowned at that. The truth was, he hadn't meant to hurt his sister so much with his words. He no longer had Sokka's memories, so any mention of their mother got almost the same emotional reaction as hearing that a woman on the other side of the world had died… indifference.

"I understand that," Sokka reasoned, "but Katara should have known better."

Gran-Gran looked at her grandson in surprise, not expecting the young man to handle the situation so calmly. She almost expected Sokka to explode at Aang and Katara.

"I'm sorry…" Katara said, looking down, ashamed.

Sokka nodded and turned his eyes to Aang. For the first time, the Airbender felt there was more to Sokka than his dry sarcasm and jokes.

"Aang, I'm sorry, but we can't have someone like you around," Sokka said, keeping eye contact with the airbender the whole time. "I hope you understand: you just put our tribe in big trouble. So I have to ask you to leave. At least for now. If the Fire Nation finds out we're sheltering an air nomad… things could get difficult. So I hope you won't take it badly."

"I understand. I'll leave," Aang said, visibly distressed as he turned to go.

"Hey! Sokka, don't act like that," Katara jumped in to defend Aang. "He didn't know that would happen."

"You should have known," Sokka shot back. "Katara, are you so naïve you forgot what happened the last time the Fire Nation attacked us?"

"If you're kicking Aang out, then I'm going with him to the North to find a waterbending master," she insisted, her eyes resolute as she stepped toward Aang. But Sokka could see right through that resolve like a hawk.

"Katara, are you going to choose him over your family?" Sokka frowned. That stopped the young waterbender immediately and made her turn around.

Sokka knew that, even though Katara was at an age where she could be a bit rebellious, she would stand with her family.

"I'm sorry," Aang apologized. "Katara, I don't want to come between you and your family."

Sokka POV

Seeing Aang walk away, I couldn't help but sigh. I didn't want to do something like that, but it was necessary.

It's clear everyone here is afraid, but Zuko isn't necessarily evil — and even if he was, Iroh would stop him.

Either way, if things got out of hand, I could wipe out his whole crew and force them to retreat. The only problem is Iroh; I'm not confident I could beat that man, even with his extra weight.

Katara seemed like she wanted to say something, but I just put a hand on her shoulder and shook my head. Leaning closer, I whispered:

"Don't worry, we'll find him later. But this had to be said in front of everyone, in case the Fire Nation decides to investigate the light that went off when Aang was freed."

She looked excited when she heard that and hugged me tight.

"Thank you, Sokka."

"Not in front of everyone!" I whispered back. Anyway, I needed to prepare my weapons and the ground.

I looked toward the direction of the Fire Nation ship, calculating that I had a couple of hours.

"Where did you say you saw the Fire Nation?" I asked Katara.

"In the distance, I could see their ship was at the old village," Katara answered, as if mentioning the old village hurt her.

I looked at the children in the village and the worried faces of the adults. I couldn't help but sigh.

"All right, I know everyone — or at least most of you — must be worried about a possible Fire Nation attack."

"When you convinced us to join the tribe again, you said this wouldn't happen!"

The one who spoke was one of the many women and elders I found during my excursions through the territory looking for supplies.

They belonged to families of deserters who, as they told me, split from the main tribe decades ago, fleeing constant Fire Nation attacks — although even then they couldn't avoid being attacked.

Just like our warriors, the men from their small villages also left to defend themselves, leaving them behind with children and elders. It took me time to earn their trust and convince them to move here, but I did it when I stopped a raid by the Southern Raiders, proving I could protect them.

When they saw how I had built up the village, they decided to join. Four villages, more than eighty families altogether. I built new homes using waterbending and materials we gathered, just as I reinforced the ones we already had.

Soon they accepted me as their tribal chief and really began to respect me when they realized that here, under my protection, food would never be lacking.

"I know what I said, but there won't be any attack here," I assured them, with the same firm voice I used that night when I stopped the Southern Raiders and earned their trust. "They're just a small ship, and I give you my word: no one will get hurt."

I looked seriously at the skeptics, leaving no room for doubt.

"If you trust me as your leader, go back to your daily activities, go into your homes knowing nothing will happen. But if you have doubts, you can go and hide in the sanctuary," I said calmly.

They looked at each other with uncertainty; their fear of the Fire Nation was stronger than anything, but I trusted all my speeches about trust and unity would pay off now.

Without waiting for an answer, I left the area in search of my spear and weapons.

I'd get things ready right at the main entrance to the tribe; hopefully, Aang would be at the edges of this place.

I organized the polar bear dogs and covered them with snow, making them look like simple snowdrifts.

I strapped my knives to my boots, belt, and different parts of my clothes; I took my iron spear and my boomerang on my back. My lion pelt, which was practically indestructible, would protect me from fire.

"Sokka, here," someone said, holding out a white bone mask.

"No, thanks, I won't use it here. Please, put it away in my house."

Zuko POV

When I saw that light in the sky, I knew my destiny would finally be fulfilled: my tireless search for the Avatar would end, and I would return in glory. I even let my uncle's relaxed attitude slide for once.

"Captain!" I ordered. "Take us to the position where that light appeared immediately!"

The man nodded at my order and accelerated the ship. But when we arrived, there was no one. A damn trap, maybe.

"Calm down, Prince Zuko. They must have been just the Southern Lights. So beautiful," said Iroh.

"Enough, Uncle! I'm not letting the Avatar slip away because of your tea and stargazing nonsense. Now tell me where he could have gone."

My uncle sighed and then carefully examined a map.

"According to the Southern Raiders' maps, a few minutes from here is the Water Tribe. We could go and take a look."

When I stepped onto the crunching snow of the tiny Water Tribe, I felt frustration burn inside me hotter than any flame I could conjure. I looked around: abandoned igloos, scattered utensils, footprints already starting to disappear in the wind. Empty. Cold. Silent. How the hell had they vanished so quickly?

"How could they leave so fast?" I roared, feeling the rage rise up to my scar. "They have him, that's why they ran! I want them here, now!"

The captain and the soldiers tensed. Beside me, I heard Iroh's calm voice, as if his serenity could smother the fire in my chest.

"Please, Prince Zuko, you must stay calm to think clearly," he said, almost a whisper swallowed by the snow.

I took a deep breath. I could feel my frosty breath mixing with the steam of my rage. I closed my eyes for a second, trying to control the storm roaring in my chest. I knew if I lost my head, I'd lose the Avatar too.

"If I may, Prince Zuko," Iroh continued as I opened my eyes and forced myself to look around, "this place seems to have been abandoned for a long time, at least a year. It's not possible he was here."

I looked at the igloos again. No smoke, no fire, no recent tracks. Damn it, he was right. My uncle was always right, even if I hated to admit it. All my anger was useless if I didn't direct it properly.

"Did the Southern Raiders do this?" I murmured, remembering the dusty maps and rumors that brought us to this corner of the world. "Since the last time we saw them, there was no news… they just vanished."

"I don't think so, Prince Zuko," Iroh replied, calm, almost bored, as if we were talking about the weather. "There are no signs of a fight or fire. It looks like they left by choice. Besides, their disappearance could have many reasons."

I clenched my fists. My uncle always saw possibilities, while I only saw one path: find the Avatar. Restore my honor. Go home.

I was about to order the retreat when a light tore through the sky like a fire arrow. A flare. My heart skipped. I raised the spyglass and focused my sight: there it was, that unmistakable silhouette, descending from the abandoned ship with the grace of someone who defies the wind. Airbending.

"There he is!" I shouted, feeling the blood boil beneath my scarred skin.

I saw him move toward some ice mountains, white as my destiny.

"He's heading for those mountains!" I roared to the crew, adrenaline making me tremble from head to toe. "Start this ship and pursue him!"

Nothing would stop me. Not the cold, not the snow, not my doubts. The Avatar was mine. My honor was right there, drifting under that damn flare. This time, I wouldn't let him escape.

Neutral POV

Zuko stared at the great ice wall. Beside him, Iroh compared it to the walls of Ba Sing Se, but in his opinion, even stronger.

"Only the Avatar could have done this. He's hiding here!" Zuko growled, striding through the massive entrance.

Surrounded by his soldiers, he crossed the barrier and stepped into an unexpected village. Ice structures, fields, smoke rising from distant campfires. A miracle in the white desert.

And in the center, a young warrior, younger than him, stood calmly. Spear in hand, lion pelt draped over his shoulders, flanked by a line of twenty armed women.

Zuko gritted his teeth. Neither the boy's calm nor Iroh's steady gaze made him hesitate.

"How can we help you gentlemen?" Sokka asked in a calm voice.

"Tell me where the Avatar is! Where are you hiding him?!" Zuko snapped, throwing a fire blast that Sokka deflected with a spin of his spear. The snow swallowed the flames like nothing.

"Avatar?" Sokka raised an eyebrow. "He left a hundred years ago. Why would he be here?"

"I know you have him! Where is he?!" Zuko roared, sending another fire burst. But Iroh stopped him, redirecting the flame with a simple motion.

"Prince Zuko, stay calm," Iroh warned. "The best fighter is never angry."

Sokka twirled the spear over his shoulder, unmoved.

"'Prince,' not from what I heard," Sokka said with amusement.

Zuko clenched his fists, furious.

"You dare mock me!"

He charged at Sokka, fire in his hands. Two blasts. Sokka lifted his white cloak like a shield… and in a blink, he spun on his heel, kicking Zuko back to the center.

A whistle cut through the air. The snow exploded around the squad: from the mounds emerged polar bear dogs and leopard caribous, fangs gleaming, surrounding the soldiers.

Iroh's eyes widened in surprise.

"So this was all… a trap," he said, amazed, biting into a piece of roast duck.

Zuko scrambled to his feet, panting, staring at Sokka flanked by a polar bear dog on either side.

"How dare you attack a prince of the Fire Nation?! You'll be punished!"

Sokka rolled his eyes.

"You and your Nation have no authority here. The Avatar isn't here."

Zuko saw a dark-skinned girl tense behind the line. Her reaction gave her away.

"You lie! That peasant gives you away!"

Another fire blast, a clash of air and fire… and an explosion that made the ice tremble. In the steam, a bald figure and a penguin appeared.

"Hi, Sokka. Hi, Katara," Aang greeted as he stood, the penguin waddling back into the snow.

"Hey, Aang," I greeted him casually.

Zuko frowned, surprised by the young bald boy's appearance.

"You're the Avatar?" he asked incredulously.

"He's the Avatar?" I echoed, pretending the same surprise as Zuko.

Iroh, a bit farther back, shrugged and turned away while chewing on his roast duck.

"Anyway, I'll let you young people handle your own business. Call me if you need anything."

That old man was something else. I watched him walk away, then glanced at Aang's stance, ready to defend himself. I knew he could handle Zuko easily, especially surrounded by all this snow. The battle would not favor the prince at all, and besides, Aang was way above him in skill.

But if he fought here, sooner or later Iroh would step in. And if that happened, Aang would only be able to stop him by entering the Avatar State… which would mean leveling the village, leaving everyone homeless, without food, without protection. The decision was clear.

I stepped beside Aang, lowered my head, and whispered just enough so Katara wouldn't hear.

"Go with them. That old man is dangerous. We'll come for you later. Trust me on this."

Zuko lost his patience and launched fire at Aang. But the boy simply made a gentle twist with his hands: Airbending, smooth, elegant. He diverted the flames as if brushing away campfire smoke.

The Avatar raised his hands with a resigned sigh.

"All right, I'm the Avatar. I surrender."

I had to hold back a laugh when I saw Zuko's face scrunch up in pure frustration.

Aang looked at me for a second, understanding the plan, and surrendered without a fight. Zuko grabbed him by the arm, shoving him toward his soldiers, breathing heavily from the rush of adrenaline.

With a gesture, I made the beasts stop surrounding the squad, sending them back to guard the village women.

"Finally!" Zuko growled under his breath. "The Avatar is mine!"

Iroh appeared behind him, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Well done, Prince Zuko. Now, let's proceed calmly."

As the soldiers dragged Aang back to the ship, I watched in silence. I saw Katara, trembling with rage and fear. I stepped closer, put a hand on her shoulder, and whispered:

"Stay calm. We'll get him out before they sail."

Katara looked at me, holding back tears, but nodded firmly. I knew she trusted me. I trusted myself too… because if it went wrong, the whole tribe would pay the price.

The soldiers vanished into the snow and wind, dragging Aang away.

I watched Zuko's and his uncle's silhouettes grow smaller in the white haze. I looked up at the sky, calculating how much time I had.

I turned to Katara.

"Go home. Get bandages, water, and food ready. We'll need it when we leave."

She opened her mouth to protest but closed it immediately, nodding silently before running toward the village.

I was left alone, spear resting on my shoulder, wind whipping my face. I closed my eyes for a second.

"Sokka…"

It was Tiga who spoke to me, her face full of concern, like the others.

"We'll go rescue the Avatar and help him in the war."

"You can't leave."

"You have nothing to worry about. They don't care about our tribe. Once they see we don't come back here, they'll follow us, and you'll all be safe."

I looked at them closely. They were relieved by my words but afraid of my departure.

"In my absence, Gran-Gran and Tiga will be in charge. You all know your roles here. If you keep up with the crops and fishing as I taught you, you won't have to worry about food."

"How long will you be gone?" asked a young woman.

"I don't know, but I promise you it won't be more than two years. I swear we'll come back — all of us — and when we do, the war will be over. That much I can promise you."

"Sokka, you're the tribal chief. Your duty is to protect us," said one of the women who had rejoined the tribe.

"My duty as your chief is to protect you and keep our tribe alive. But what better way to keep you safe from the war than to end it? Our tribe is strong and united; even those who've come back can feel like part of us. That's why I'm telling you I must go with the Avatar, with Katara, to end this war and bring your husbands and sons back."

"Tiga is strong and smart, and with Gran-Gran's support, everything will be fine. You have the warriors and the beasts I trained. Also, I promise that during the journey, I'll send people here to help."

They nodded at my words, determined to trust me.

I left to gather supplies. In the little storage spirit I packed away a quarter of the reserve food and packed all my weapons, plus clothes for Katara and me.

"How are we going to catch up to them?" Katara asked. Her mood had returned to normal, determined to get Aang back.

"On Appa," I said as we climbed onto his back.

"But I don't think he can fly yet…"

"It's fine, he was just tired. Appa, yip yip."

With a loud roar, the flying bison soared through the sky in search of his spiritual companion: Aang.

Standing on his head and looking down at the water made my head spin for a second. Like most people, I was afraid of sudden drops… and I was just standing on Appa.

It felt like standing outside an airplane while it takes off. Terrifying… but that feeling didn't last even a second. With a bit of meditation, I calmed my nerves immediately.

As long as I stayed steady and made sure I didn't slip, I figured there was nothing to fear from these heights.

Wow… being able to think clearly in situations like this was amazing. It made every fear seem irrational. After all, what good was fear?

Since it would take us some time to reach the Fire Nation ship, I decided to play a little joke on my sister.

"So, Katara, do you like bald guys?"

"What? Of course not," she shot back immediately, without hesitation.

Oof… I felt sorry for Aang. If he were here… yeah, better never tell him Katara said that.

"So… what about Aang? He seems like a good kid," I tried to keep the conversation going because, as a good big brother, there's no way I'd want my sister getting married. Especially when she's so young.

I'd have to be an idiot about Aang if he tried anything. It's my duty.