Away In A Raincloud: The True Story of the Blue Spirit

"Because their love was like poetry, their story is also."

Katara's First Verse

Stanza One

I miss him, my Blue Spirit. I miss his haunting mask, smiling eerily through the night. I miss the way his hands move, as if he was once part of a fine family. I miss his bravery, his nobility, his mystery.

But most of all, I miss his silence.

No one knew about him; no one knew where I would go in the afternoons, why I would get up in the middle of the night. No one understood why I cried when Azula struck him down just before Aang returned the compliment. No one saw me searching through the desperate, writhing mass of soldiers: searching for his body, hoping he was alive.

No one heard me break down and sob when I could not find him.

I don't know who he is, and I think that is the hardest part. Never will I see his face, nor will I hear his voice. I've seen the wanted posters; his stony mask peers out from the yellow parchment, the words accusing him of the crime of setting Aang free. When I questioned Aang about this, he only stated blankly, "I do not know who he is…and I don't think I ever really will."

His cryptic answer makes me believe otherwise.

But the world and I are young, with the future ahead of us. I can't say I am afraid, but I am unsure. With Ozai overthrown, and Zuko on the throne, there is no telling what will happen next. Will he continue the war, or will he find again the person I saw in the crystal catacombs of Old Ba Sing Se? Will he become the beautiful Prince I met that day.

A screeching cry, all too familiar, echoes through the icy canyon. I stand from where I am, in a canoe, and spread out my right arm. A hawk dives and lands on my (thankfully) gloved hand, gripping its talons into the thick blue material. I untie the little roll of paper from its leg and it takes off again, departing into the clear grey sky.

"What is it?" queries Sokka, my brother, from where he sits, enjoying the peaceful quiet. The war has been hard on him, but the calm setting of the southern sea has done wonders.

"It's from the Fire Lord," I say in the wonder.

"Well, what does it say?"

I unroll the note and briefly scan the elegant calligraphy. "He wants us to return to the Fire Nation. To discuss the next move in the war."

"I'm not going," Sokka declares.

"Aang will be there, and Toph. Representatives from each nation."

"Well…"

"And he's coming by ship to escort us over." I know Sokka won't be able to resist this. He would love to learn more about other nations' machinery. It's important that we accept Zuko's invitation, because I know I can convince him to end the war. We are the chief's children; the best representatives possible for our tribe.

"Fine. What else does it say?"

"…that's all." In reality, the note tells me that it might be best not to bring Sokka. For what reason, I don't k now; but I will not leave without my older brother.