The snow crunched beneath heavy footfalls, the sound echoing throughout the icy landscape. Akaya could see her breath before her, pushing her legs faster than before. Loose strands of brown hair whipped against her chilled face, the motion of her running loosening them from her braid. She prayed to every spirit she could think of she was not late. The boats were to leave at the first rays of dawn, which was closely approaching. She could feel the rays of the sun, even through the chill of the cold weather as she pushed her legs further.

Rounding one of the cliffs that would lead to the harbor, she came to a halt. All around were members of her tribe. The boats still laid dormant, already packed and readied for the journey before them. Wives cried, clinging to husbands and sons, fathers consoling children who were too young to truly understand why they had to leave. Akaya moved through the crowd, desperately seeking out the one person she needed. Her head whipped around in either direction, feeling a dread of panic creep into her chest before she caught sight near the docks.

"Dad!" Quickly breaking from the crowd, she hurried towards the docks. The man turned, quickly enveloping the young girl in his embrace. "I was afraid I would be too late."

Bato smiled softly, his hand moving to stroke through his daughter's hair as he held her closer, not wanting to let go. He was unsure of how long he and the others would be gone, he did not know whether he would ever return from the war. He wanted to hold onto the last bit of home he had, the last bit he had of his beautiful Cho.

"You always did have your mothers punctuality." Akaya felt herself smile, the first real one in quite some time. It had been some time when it was announced that those able to fight would head off to aide in the war with the fire nation. Akaya had known instantly her father would be among them. He was one of the best warriors in the Southern Water Tribe, but a small shred of hope burned that he would not be one of them to venture from their home.

"Dad I want to go with you, I want to help fight please. I'm 15, I'm of age. My waterbending it's getting better and I'm training everyday I can help I want to help. I want to stay with you." She shut her eyes as her head stayed buried in her fathers fur, trying to fight back the tears she had been holding.

Bato let out a heavy sigh, moving back to look at his daughter, gently taking her shoulders. "Akaya, look at me." When she finally raised her eyes to look at her father he gave her a soft smile. "I know how much you are improving. Which is why you need to stay here. We need someone to protect our tribe while where gone and you need to be here to help Katara. When we return you both will be powerful waterbenders." He moved his hand lovingly against her cheek, wiping away the tear that had escaped before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Promise me you'll come back. I need you to come back dad." She whispered, her voice trembling. Bato had to shut his own eyes, willing his own tears not to fall. He needed to remain strong, for his men and for his daughter.

"I promise you I will do everything in my power to come home to you." The harbor fell silent as the sounds of horns cut through the air, signalling to the men it was time to leave. Bato pulled his daughter into another hug, as she did the same, her arms tightening around her father. "I love you, my little waterbender."

More tears slid down her cheeks as he pulled from her embrace as she stared up at him. "I love you dad and I will see you when you return." She said it sternly, almost as if she was trying to convince herself it was true. Bato reluctantly pulled from her embrace before grabbing his pack. Taking one last look at Akaya, he turned and made his way to one of the many ships, stepping on board to join Hakoda.

Akaya's eyes wandered over the crowd of families as they crowded the harbor to watch the men depart, everyone with solm expressions. Her blue eyes fell onto Katara, the twelve year old trying not to cry, her brother beside her with a comforting arm around her. She could see it on his face. Sokka was stoic, trying to remain strong. But she knew, deep down, it was as hard for him as well. She moved over to the siblings, her arm moving around Katara on the other side, her hand finding purchase on Sokka's shoulder as she gave it a comforting squeeze.

"They'll be ok. They'll come back home." She said softly, her eyes never leaving the fading ships. She did not take her eyes away, even when the boats had finally sailed over the horizon out of sight.

"Good Katara, keep your footing firm. Keep your movements smooth...perfect." Akaya smiled, watching Katara from her spot. The two were near the harbor, a common place for the two waterbenders to find themselves.

Katara smiled, her hands falling from position as the small bit of water she had been bending splattered against the ground. "Really! Thanks Akaya. I've been practicing the movements as much as I can."

"And it shows." Akaya stood to her feet smiling as she bowed, Katara doing the same. "You are improving my young pupil?"

Katara laughed a bit as she straightened up. "Well I have a good master it would seem." Akaya smiled a bit, blushing at the compliment. At 17, Akaya had grown in her waterbending. It had been a struggle, her only guidance coming from the aged waterbending scroll she had received when she had turned nine. The scroll, containing beginner forms and poses, had helped both girls but they knew it was not enough. They needed a true master if they truly wanted to grow in their bending and with no other benders at the south pole, it seemed more and more far fetched as the years past.

"Are you guys done with your magic water and all?" Both girls turned to the voice, Sokka making his way over with his fishing supplies. "I'm going out fishing if you want to come help?"

"Sure. Akaya do you want to come?" Katara asked as the other girl shook her head.

"I'm fine. I might just stay back and do a bit more practicing. Be careful out there both of you. And Katara practice if you can." She said as the two siblings made their way to one of the docked canoes. She smiled, waving as they sailed away before turning back to the water before her. "Alright let's try this again."