My first LoK fanfiction! Sorry the spacing is kind of funky, I'll try to adjust the later chapters to look better! Feedback is very much appreciated! Rated T maybe for violence?

Chapter One: Pleasant Surprise

"Arco!"

Meimei huffed, roughly shoving the stack of splintery fire wood into the small storage bin beside the furnace. She brushed her thick black bangs from her forehead, sighing with frustration.
"Just because you're a bender doesn't mean you can slack off!" she yelled, poking her head around the corner of the small hallway.
"Calm down, Meimei!" Arctos was bent over, kneeling on her hands and knees on the floor, "Why does the topic of bending always have to pop in these conversations?"
"What are you doing?" Meimei rolled her eyes, putting her hands on her hips. Arctos brushed her palms on her loose, navy pants, then smiled, standing up,
"That doesn't really matter now, does it?"Meimei narrowed her eyes, opening her mouth for a split second, then closing it again. "Just... Come with me." she motioned with her hand as she strode out of the house.
Arctos followed silently as Meimei led her down the frostbitten path outside of their small estate,
"First, my idiot cousin, twice removed mind you, comes in and lives in my house..." she mumbled, shooting a glare back at Arctos, "Now her crazy friends are showing up."Arctos stopped,
"Wait... Wha- Who?""Quit your stammering and keep up." Meimei snapped, quickening her pace.
"Memei! Wait!" Arctos sprinted forward, "Are you saying someone is here to see me?" she shook her head, "Nobody is supposed to know I'm here..."
Meimei scoffed, "Ms. Calm and Collected is suddenly loosing her cool! What's that all about, running from the law are you?"
"Oh, please." Arctos rolled her eyes, "You really do want to find a reason to hate me..."
"Shut up." Meimei muttered, stopping at a set of small gates opening into the larger estate. Two lamp posts stood tall, dim light bulbs humming pleasantly.
Arctos ran a hand through her matted red hair, attempting to smooth out some of the curl and frizz. She wrapped her thick wool coat tighter around herself, burying her face in the collar, glancing sideways at her moody cousin.

Arctos was from a small village of earth benders, and she herself was one. Growing up, she had longed to go and see more of the world, and decided she wanted to spend six months with her cousin Meimei, who was less than happy with the idea. One morning, Arctos just showed up on her door step, and announced she would be a temporary guest.

"Are we going inside?" Arctos asked quickly, gazing up at the massive house.

"No you numbskull, we're cutting through the yard so keep quiet. You're friend insisted on getting you there as quick as possible."

"Why are you taking me? Why can't I go myself?"

"This, friend, insisted that I make sure you get there- it seems he knows you well. Also," she patted her bulging pocket, "He payed very well."

Arctos stifled a smile as they passed through another gate leading into the dark forest. They crept down a small, winding path until they reached a small clearing with a rickety cottage.

"There," Meimei motioned, "He's inside." she then turned on her heel, striding away and murmuring under her breath. Arctos glanced toward the cottage, taking small cautious steps.

When she approached the rickety door, she pushed it open, fists ready.

"Hello?" she said timidly, then jumped to see a tall man with styled, black hair.

"It's been so long, Arco." he smiled warmly, and all of a sudden all of Arctos' fear melted away and a wide smile plastered her lips.

"What are you doing here?" she paused, "Why are you making such a big deal about this?" she laughed, thinking it was some secret mission or something. He smiled, walking closer to her,

"Well, I guess I did kind of go overboard, coming in the middle of the night in the center of the woods," he shrugged.

"Man, you're so dumb!" she snickered.

"Alright, alright, any other negative comments you'd like to make?"

Arctos punched him in the shoulder playfully, brushing her fiery red hair behind her shoulder. "You're the same as the last time I saw you! It's been ages, Iroh!"

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Just so you know, I chose the name Arctos after the species of bear, just because I imaged this fiery, hot spirited earth bender!