Bato

History
One of the members of the Southern Water Tribe who left two years earlier with Katara and Sokka's father. While the other members of the tribe have headed to the Earth Kingdom's capital, Ba Sing Se, Bato was left behind in an abbey because of injuries. He is somewhat of a paternal figure to Katara and Sokka in their own father's stead, and obviously cares about their well-being.

During their travels, Aang, Katara, and Sokka find Bato's ship on a beach in "Bato of the Water Tribe." Once they meet him, Katara and Sokka are elated to be around him, feeling almost at home again in his presence (and his tent, which is decorated in furnishings from the South Pole). Bato agrees to take Sokka ice dodging in his boat, since Sokka never had the chance to with his own father. He also bears news of their father, stating that he awaits instructions on how to relocate him and the other Water Tribe men, and offers to at least send word to them of his location as they accompany Aang. However, in the comfort of their reunion Katara and Sokka begin to lose sight of where they are truly needed, as Aang begins to feel betrayed and alone.

Bato makes another appearance in "The Guru" when Sokka walks into his father's tent: Bato is the one who gets Hakoda to look at his son. Also, Bato is seen filling the Tangle Mines, as well as making mention of Hakoda's dry sense of humor, and Sokka's similarity to his father.