I know, I know, I don't own Avatar!
A/N: I had this up before, but I took it off and changed some of it. The basic concept of the story is still the same, but I worked on the writing. I think it's better now.
Chapter One: My Name is Coru
"Why are we walking again?" complained Aang while looking longingly up at the blue sky through the intricate branches.
"Because this place is crawling with fire nation," said Sokka. "And a flying bison would be way too obvious."
Aang sighed, knowing Sokka was right, but bored of walking.
"Look at it this way, we get to examine the beauty of this forest up close," remarked Katara.
"Yeah, tree…tree…tree…oh look, leaves!" said Sokka sarcastically. He started to pull a leaf off when suddenly a rock the size of Momo zoomed past his hand, demolishing the leaf. "What was that?"
"What was what?" asked Katara.
"Did you not see that rock?"
"No—AH!" Katara screamed while ducking out of the way of another Momo-sized rock.
The three travelers looked at each other; Sokka hastily pulled out his sword, scanning his surroundings. Momo jumped down from a branch and landed nimbly on the ground, cocking his head to the side staring into the woods.
A barrage of smaller rocks sent Katara and Sokka to the ground, covering their heads. Aang waved his hands bending the air, redirecting the rocks. Momo cautiously moved in the direction from where the rocks came. All three humans were silent, Aang prepared to block another volley.
"Well hello there," said a female's voice.
"Hey! It's an earth bender!" said Aang.
Katara, Sokka, and Aang crested a small hillock and paused when they saw the owner of the voice, a teenage girl with short brown hair, green eyes and green attire, feeding Momo, who was comfortably nestled on her shoulder, a piece of fruit.
"Hey Katara, I think I finally found beauty in this forest," remarked Sokka while sheathing his sword. Katara glared at him.
"You're an earth bender, aren't you?" asked an over anxious Aang.
She crossed her arms and pondered the question, finally saying, "Yes. And you must be the Avatar, and Katara, and Sokka."
"Wait a minute, how do you know our names?" asked Sokka reaching back for his sword.
"There's a village that way," she said while pointing to her left. "Outside of it there is a board of criminals, banishments and missing persons." She paused. "Your posters take up most of the room." Momo pulled at her hair, wanting more fruit. "Ow! He isn't on the posters though."
"That's Momo," said Aang. "He's a flying lemur. And I think he likes you."
"The banging on my head with a rock is how he treats people he likes? I don't think I'd want to be his enemy." She handed Momo another piece of fruit and the banging stopped.
"So, there's a village nearby?" asked Katara.
"Yes, but I'd hesitate to go there if I were you…crawling with fire nation."
"Will you teach me?" asked Aang to Coru.
"What can I possibly teach the Avatar?"
"Earth bending. I don't know it yet." He grinned.
"Find someone else. You really don't want me." Momo jumped off her shoulder and started chasing a butterfly.
"Will you please, please, please teach me?" Aang looked at her pleadingly.
"I think fate may have brought us together," added Katara.
"Yeah…fate," she mumbled under her breath and then she went silent, contemplating. Sokka stared at her, and then watched Momo. "Earth bending isn't something that you can learn in a day. It takes hard work and self-discipline." She turned and started to walk away from them. After a minute she paused and turned. "Are you coming?" They looked at each other and followed. "By the way…my name is Coru."
