The harbours were completely packed today. The salty air stung the morning breeze as life bustled effortlessly. Street hecklers howled at the crowds, dirty characters stumbled around intoxicated, and a large fight broke out on every corner: Filth, these streets are filled with them. I barely pay any attention to the criminals around me and simply starred at my feet as I walked. I could feel curious and threatening eyes glue onto me as I passed small kiosks and restaurants, since my hooded head doesn't give the best impression of my intentions. From behind me I could hear a pair of feet grumpily dragging themselves across the dirt; Tenki was not impressed with our elongated stay. I attempted to ignore his whining actions all morning, but there was only so much I could passively act upon before things became forward.

"Akuma… You said we were only going to stay here one night! It's been three!" Tenki, my travelling partner for about a year, sighed from behind me as he scurried to catch up to me, "We have all of our supplies, we've talked to the locals, we've looked through all the shops for scrolls and books! Why are we still here?"

I shot a quick glance at Tenki before returning to my feet. To be totally honest, I didn't have a reason to stay. Tenki was correct, everything that I had to do was completed, and therefore, we could leave. Yet here I stay. Maybe it was because I was getting tired of travelling, or I enjoyed the company, or maybe I found a place that I truly belong. Like everyone around me, I was an outcast, fugitive, and criminal. In this crime infested town, I guess I could say I've found my kin as much as I hate to admit it. Tenki could go on without me, if he really wanted to, but he doesn't know the way. He would be lost without me and surely die in attempt to return to the Northern Water Tribe. He doesn't want to return home just yet, but without a purpose like escorting me across the world, where would he go?

"I'm getting hungry, can we stop and eat something?"

"We had breakfast an hour ago."

"But I didn't eat it! You know I don't like fire-flakes, that's what Fire Nation people eat. I want sea food!" Tenki grabbed my shoulder to point me towards the fish stand that wasn't too far off.

I sighed out, and finally gave in. I reached into my pocket and sadly handed Tenki over a fistful of coins. Chuckling, he ran to the cooked octopus, which finally gave me a moment of peace. I turned away from him and leaned on a nearby pole to watch the scenery pass and change. Filth was definitely the right word to call this place, but also eclectic, ethical and maybe even cultural. Vendors sold curios from all over the world (places I've already seen), different nations and nationalities all gathered as one in one location, and not to mention every passing citizen had a different story and talent. I was no different, since my story was a long one. My talents are quite simple: I know how to survive in the wild, I practice bending forms from all over the world, and I'm an ex Yuyan archer. I have a way to survive, a purpose, and a defence, and that's all I need. My past and my future mean nothing to me, only that I survive.

Tenki skipped back to me with a skewered grilled octopus, his shaggy ponytail oscillated back and forth with every step. I rolled my eyes at the simplicity of my companion and looked towards the ocean. I've never really been a fan of the water, but it does have its calming effects. It had an interesting contrast with the tenseness on shore here at this bay, but then again, the world is full of opposites. As an example, Tenki comes from the Northern Water Tribe, while I come from the capital of the Fire Nation. Tenki is an esteemed warrior and is well known among his people as being fearless, while I'm a wanted fugitive with a large bounty on my head. Another one is that he has quite the thick scull, but I'm very sharp. He is a bender, and I'm not. Well, that's what I want to believe.

"All right, I'm fed and happy, so are we ready to hit the open road again?" He sounded more hopeful now, like the octopus gave him a new attitude.

I glanced over at the young warrior and flashed a smirk, "Yeah, let's get going to Ban Sing Se."

Just as I finished the last syllable, a large commotion broke out from beside us. Instinctively I reached for my bow strung on my back and glared towards the fight. A child's voice was the first thing that caught my attention as a small group of three ran from a horde of pirates. I cursed under my breath at the pure evilness of the situation: no matter what was happening, a dangerous group of pirates should never be hunting kids. Tenki caught on as well as a wave of ocean water lifted him off the ground and into action, freezing a few strangling pirates where they stood. A frozen path marked where Tenki travelled and I used it as quick transportation as I pinned any pirates Tenki missed with my bow and arrow.

"I'll follow the kids, Tenki. You clear a path for us to get out of the harbour, okay?" I barked out.

"Okay, don't be long, and be safe!"

I leaped on to a nearby kiosk and used it as a stool to get on top of the roofs. All I had to do was follow the pirates from above to find the group of kids, seems too easy. By peacefully travelling the world and quietly finishing my studies, my violent, action seeking side was completely ignore. It was almost exhilarating to be in action again, my bow was getting dusty and my life had almost become stagnant. Any pirates that crossed my elevated path were quickly pinned with a few arrows as I journeyed to the group of kids. When I found them, they were cornered in a dead end by a small group of pirates, which made the situation look grim. I leaped down from above and with two swift kicks, the threat was banished for a moment. With bow in hand, I silently motioned for them to follow. Of course, at first they seemed reluctant to trust me; a hooded, armed stranger was beckoning them to trust them. They fearfully glanced up at me, in ready positions as if I was going to attack them at any moment. Instead, I stood perfectly still and returned their intense gaze.

"Those are Fire Nation clothes! She probably works for Zuko!" The young water tribe boy pointed accusingly at me.

I looked down at my clothing and took note of the first expression I was probably giving them. I don't think I was winning any brownie points with this group. Finally, the bald monk ran to my side, although the oldest male made a few noises of protest.

"I don't think so, we would've done something by now… We should follow her," The bald one turned to me and attempted to look under my hood, "I think if she did all this effort without attacking us, we can trust her."

I just simply nodded to him and turned to the exit of the alley; Tenki should have cleared the docks for us by now. The girl from the Water Tribe joined the bald monk afterwards, and I could feel a worrisome glance on my back. I wouldn't trust me either if someone were to show up like this. With a large sigh, the older boy trailed behind. Everyone was on board, so it was time to take off. I lead them through my path of pinned pirates, who were still groaning and writhing around to escape. The group looked at my work in awe before the girl of the group finally peeped out.

"Who are you?"

"… A friend." I simply stated before finally reaching the main streets once more.

Tenki was waiting for us, arms covered in water and ready to attack. I heard a few gasps from behind me and mentions of a 'waterbender' cooed from the group. Tenki nodded in my direct and smiled to the group of kids. I quickly took note of the emptied docks with the exception of the frozen pirates. I joined Tenki and motioned towards the exit of the docks. Just as I was getting ready to lead my party through to safety, a large roar echoed from above. I loaded my bow once more and looked to the sky.

"Appa! I knew a bison whistle would come in handy!" The monk leaped out in joy.

Appa? What's an Appa? A monstrous beast seemed to float down from the sky and plopped down beside the small group of kids. Tenki's mouth dropped as my eyes widened; this was a Sky Bison. I've only ever read about them when I studied the airbenders, but I thought they were extinct. That's when it hit me. How didn't I recognize the arrow tattoos sooner? This wasn't just some simple monk, it was the last airbender: The avatar.

"What the hell is that?!" Tenki whispered harshly into my ear as the water around his arms fell off in pure shock.

The group was all loaded onto the back of this giant creature as the pirates began to unpin themselves from the brick walls. Tenki and I began to prepare for battle once more when the distinct peep of the avatar caught my attention. I looked up to see the group looking expectantly at me and my companion.

"You coming?" The avatar grinned goofly in my direction and offered an open hand.

I couldn't help but smile. With a large leap, I landed in the saddle of the giant beast right beside the Water Tribe boy, who drew his sword at me with a yelp. Tenki waterbended himself with a large wave from the ocean and the beast took off. I made sure to keep my hood in place as the winds picked up around us from our flight. It was most exhilarating and scary to be so high up, and Tenki looked over the edge with pure joy. As I watched the scenery below grow smaller and smaller, I turned my attention back to the company that had saved my skin, just as I have theirs. They were all starring at me with a look that could both be terrified and curious (Tenki was completely oblivious to them). I felt a little small in the cross-hairs of their stares, but it was to be expected; Fire Nation weren't exactly keen on helping rebellions (especially the avatar) in this day and age. The older boy finally broke the ice and waved his sward in my direction.

"All right, I'll be the first person to say it. What are you planning, Fire Nation?"

"Sokka be nice!" The girl slapped his sword away, "I'm sorry Miss, you'll have to excuse my brother. It's just that… Well…"

I raised a hand, and Sokka jumped, drawing his sword once more, "I understand. My people have been more than just brutal over the past one hundred years. But I promise you, I don't consider myself part of them any more."

"Yeah, she's the best Fire Nation girl you'll ever meet!" Tenki finally rolled himself back into the saddle and grinned flirtatiously at the Water Tribe girl, "My name is Tenki, from the Northern Water Tribe. You know, the north pole, really icy and really cold, so you have to keep close to stay warm," Tenki wrapped a slacked arm around the girl, who blushed and politely brushed him off, "And that's Akuma, me and her have been everywhere together! You could call us best friends." I raised a skeptical eye at Tenki; Was he gloating about me?

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, just stop for a second," Sokka interrupted the moment and pointed at me once more, "So you're telling me that you're from the Fire Nation, and you're from the Water Tribe… And you're friends?!"

Tenki laughed out full-heartedly and patted Sokka on the shoulder, "Of course, Nations don't define who you are! Plus, I owe Akuma as much. She did save my life after all!"

Now the attention was back on me, which was never something I found pleasure in. I sunk back down into my cloak and averted my eyes elsewhere. I could've guessed as much that the group wouldn't approve of me right away, so I should be thankful to have Tenki around to vouch for me. At this very second, Tenki was making things worse for me.

"Well, we're heading to the North Pole! Maybe you guys can come with us?" The girl exclaimed happily and looked back and forth from us.

"Yeah! Tenki could teach us waterbending," The monk exclaimed before catching himself slightly, "I'm sorry, my name is Aang, and I'm the avatar. And this is Katara and Sokka from the Southern Water Tribe. We're going to the North Pole so that me and Katara can find a master to teach us waterbending."

"Well, I'm no master, not in the slightest, but I can show you what I know. It certainly has been awhile since I've been home…" Tenki turned to me with the largest, most innocent eyes I've ever seen him muster, "Do you think we can go?"

I rolled my eyes at my apparent 'best friend', before finally caving in, "If they'd allow us to travel with them, I don't see a problem."

The group let out a joyful noise before beginning to chatter amongst themselves about all the wonders they've experienced. The three Water Tribe citizens discussed cultural matters such as food, dances, the winters, and hilarious stories relating to their means of living. Although they were all interested in these stories, the main point of discussion was waterbending and the North Pole. Katara and Aang seemed more than mesmerized by Tenki's description of the Northern Water Tribe and the benders that lived there. He raved about the glorious buildings of ice, the cultural hub of feasts, and the waterbenders that practised in front of the temple each day. Tenki answered all he could and seemed to bask in the attention he was receiving, while I faded into the background. Rarely anyone would shoot me a glance, even though Aang would smile in my direction every once and while. I was fine with him receiving all the attention, since I was in no mood to be answering any questions about myself. My past, my culture, and my life were for me to know, and no one else.

We eventually landed in a clearing to set up camp. Everyone began to split up to complete their duties, while Tenki and I stood awkwardly together. I looked over at him while he was glancing at me; we both had the same twisted feeling in our hearts. Katara looked over at Tenki and flashed a scroll in his direction: a waterbending scroll. This must've been the reason that the pirates were chasing them. My friend took the hint and was happy to show the two inexperienced waterbenders how to move through the motions, which left me alone with Sokka. I looked over at the boy, expecting to see him glaring at me, but instead, he ignored my existence. He rolled out the Water Tribe coloured sleeping bags around a make shift fire pit and began to unload the saddle, completely unaware of my curious gaze. You could say I was used to this kind of treatment, but it still stung every time. Even though I didn't consider myself a part of those tyrants any-more the guilt of their plan still clings to me with a bad omen. With a sigh, I drew my bow and headed towards the forest; the least I could do for them is collect some game.

I returned at sunset with three rabbits and a grouse hanging over my back. Along the way, I was able to find some useful herbs, mushrooms, a few legumes, and a decent amount of berries by following the wild life and reading the appropriate signs. By living in the woods and on the run for about four years now, I've been able to teach myself how to successfully live off the land without ever returning to a market. My readings helped me identify what was edible and special tricks in finding these hidden treasures, but when you're twelve years old and completely alone, you learn quickly. The shadows were long and lazy on the grass, and when I returned to camp, the emotion broke out.

Tenki was the first to shoot up onto his feet and grab me by the shoulder, "Akuma! Where have you been? What have you been up to? You can't go off running away like that and not tell anyone! Do you have any idea how-"

I brushed past him and dropped my game in front of the fire. After, I emptied out my quiver, which carried all of my other findings, to make a delectable pill in front of the burning coals. The gang looked down at the food, amazed with what I've returned with, and back up at me with a look of gratitude mixed with curiosity. Sokka was the most gleeful; his mouth was filled with saliva as he gushed over the meat I've returned with.

"Sorry that there isn't more, I thought this would be a good start." I mumbled out and returned my arrows, which were transported by hand while the food occupied the quiver, to its appropriate location.

Katara looked up at me with a slight smile, "Thank you, Akuma. This is more than enough, since you did save us today."

I quietly knelled beside the food and drew a dagger to begin skinning the game, "I can prepare supper too if you like, and it would be my honour to serve the avatar and his friends." The avatar turned away when I began to work the meat.

"I can help too, I can't ask any more more of you today." Katara seemed to be the friendliest to me, which both cautioned me and gave me a gratifying feeling.

Tenki crafted himself a comfortable sitting area out of a nearby boulder and closed his eyes, "I guess I'm not the only one who owes Akuma a life dept anyone…" He cracked open one eye towards me with a smug grin.

I glared intensely at the waterbender; I knew exactly what he was doing. Tenki was attempting to bring interest into my personal life, and I didn't approve. Sadly, it worked. Aang shot up and airbended himself beside the eldest boy with a look of wonder. Even Sokka shot Tenki a curious look to hear the tale of how an evil entity like a Fire Nation girl could save a good-natured soul like Tenki. I groaned out and pretended like nothing was happening: Just concentrate on the meat, Akuma, don't skin Tenki…

"So what happened at the North Pole, Tenki? How did you two meet?" Aang's eyes glittered with eagerness.

"Ooooh so you want to know the story? Well, it's a long one! But if you insist," Tenki smiled in his direction as I hissed at him, "All right, this took place about a year ago… It was late at night, in the middle of summer, which was the only time you could venture out into the night at the North Pole, since nights could freeze a person in seconds. I was on the outskirts of Water Tribe city, beyond the walls and completely alone. That's where I went to practice waterbending in peace, where no one could tell me otherwise. Under the moon my bending is more powerful, so of course I felt cockier than in the day time, but it was something about that night that made me feel like I was invincible. That night I decided that I could battle the ocean's currents and tides, so I waterbended myself onto the open water. I skipped from ice block to ice block, bending giant waves as I went. The ocean fought hard, but I fought harder. It seemed like I was winning before I slipped up and a rogue wave took me by surprise. Splash! It was tall than any wave I have ever seen. It took me completely underwater, and the chill frozen me immediately. I thought I was a goner. But the next thing I knew, I was in a medical hut. My skin was frost bitten and cold, but somehow I was alive. That's when I noticed a cloaked Fire Nation citizen in the corner of the hut. Apparently she had been camping out outside the Water Tribe city and was studying waterbenders from a far. She was watching me that night and saw me go under. She dove in after me, risking her own life to save mine, almost lost hers in the process and miraculously dragged me back into the city. We both got immediate medical attention, and the girl was now an honoured guest in the Water Tribe: a hero! In the medical hut, she introduced herself as Akuma, and ever since then, I've sworn my life to protect hers. Akuma told me that my services weren't needed and couldn't burden me with any tasks, but I was persistent. I owe her as much, since the way she saved me was an absolute miracle. I promised that I would follow her around the world on her personal quest, and in return, she promised that once her task was completed, she'd return me safely to the Northern Water Tribe."

The tone of the camp was one of pure awe. By now, all the three kids were gathered around the makeshift story teller (who by the way missed many important details of the day). I was left alone by the fire, cursing under my breath as I stirred and fried the vegetarian soup and seasoned rabbit. I didn't want the group to think of me as some hero, something that I wish to become but not near completely. I do good deeds for no reason, but also to restore my honour and my name. This was not heroic; I thought of it more cowardly. A true hero would exclaim to the world what a great person he was; he would have millions looking up to him as a role model, and never be scared to show his face. This was something I could never be. And the more I thought to myself, the more I realized that this notion was maybe never attainable. I'll always be hidden in the shadows.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Aang gushed, "And you've been friends ever since?"

"And they just let her into the Water Tribe? Without any questioning? Without any suspicions?" Sokka finally caught onto the flaws in Tenki's story as he suspiciously demanded answers.

"No. After I brought Tenki into the city, they put me into solitary confinement so that they could interrogate me. They asked me why I was around their city, how I was able to hide from them, and if there was any other Fire Nation spies around. I told them I was there to learn, that it wasn't too hard to hide from them, and I wasn't a spy. The elders talked amongst themselves as rumours spread around the city of my great heroic act. No non-waterbender was ever able to dive as deeply as I did to save someone before, so I was a legend. That helped convince them to allow me to stay in the Northern Water Tribe, and the other half was Tenki's convincing. He followed me around like a baby turtle duck and offered to escort me around the town as I studied waterbending. When I was finished my work, I was a welcomed guest in the Water Tribe and I could return whenever I wanted," I scooped out the charred rabbit from the frying pan and placed it on a large leaf, "And supper is done."

The group starred at me in absolute shock; I'm guessing that's the most they've ever heard me speak before since they've met me. Sokka's expression told me he was a bit more convinced by our ridiculous tale, while Tenki gave me a victorious grin. He finally got me to talk. With my mention of food, the group migrated back towards the fire to happily pick at the food I've prepared. Aang looked pleased that I left out meat from the stew, which I tool a mental note of Aang's vegetarianism. Sokka ended up devouring three servings of rabbits and soup, so his mouth was too busy to bombard me with questions. I ended up having to fry another rabbit to keep up with the demand from both Sokka and Tenki; and here I thought one Water Tribe boy was enough to keep me busy.

The rest of the evening pasted by uneventfully since the others fell into a food coma after dinner. The sounds of happy bellies and deep sleeping filled the air as I quietly watched the fire turn into coals. For some reason, my eyes didn't feel tired. The events of today ran through my head like a movie, every word, every smile, everything. I never thought when I woke up this morning I would be adventuring with the avatar by the time the sun set. For all I knew, the avatar was dead, but somehow, my destiny was intertwined with his. The reason that I was with him was still unclear, but the twisted weather of my life seemed to be clearing. I laid my head down on the grass and watched the dwindling sparks explode into the midnight air. Something told me that tomorrow was going to be a long day, now that I'm in with the avatar. I'll need all the energy I can muster to keep the avatar safe.