Hey! I've always loved this show so I thought it was time for me to write my first fanfiction. What better way then to write a Zuko/OC fanfiction? I absolutely LOVE Zuko, who doesn't? Anyway, I open you all enjoy it. Titles of each chapter are named after something Disney related (Because I LOVE Disney) so I'd love to hear everyone guess what movie they're from. The titles in parenthesis are of course the episode in which the chapter occurs. Happy reading!

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned Avatar: the Last Airbender... I don't actually own it. I also don't own Disney and any references I make. The song in this chapter is also not mine. So don't think it is. It's actually really perfect for my story so I just had to include it.

How Far I'll Go

(After The Warriors of Kyoshi- The King of Omashu)

Over a hundred years ago the four nations, air, water, earth, and fire, lived together in peace and harmony. That is until the Fire Nation attacked. To stop the next Avatar from reincarnating, Fire Lord Sozin sent his troops to kill all the air nomads. The Avatar, the only one strong enough to stop this war, was lost. Some people believe the Avatar will return, even if no one has seen him in a hundred years.

The tragedies didn't stop there. Ten years after the downfall of the air nomads, Sozin ordered the capture and slaughter of dual-benders. Dual-benders are people who, like the name suggests, can bend not one but two elements. He feared that dual-benders would try to act as Avatar and overthrow him. He even believed that the Avatar might have escaped and continued to practice as us.

The population of dual-benders was dwindling to double digits. They took action and one group of dual-benders and their families hid away where no one could find them. These people discovered a hidden island, impossible to find except for those who lived there. While it's true isolation keeps us out of contact with the world, we're safe from the war.

Every so often will a small boat sail to the nearby island of Kyoshi. They also somehow managed to stay out of the war. Even they didn't know our secret or where we lived. No one could know where we were.

Even the travelers to Kyoshi Island didn't travel far. No one knew how big the world was. It always captivated me. The ocean was just so beautiful. My feet may be firmly planted on this island, but my heart belonged to the rest of the world. This island was home to my people, but to me it was a prison. From its mountains to jungle to village to beach it was the perfect paradise; it just lacked what my heart craved, adventure.

I dreamed of one day sailing away and exploring the unknown world. People thought I was crazy, especially my father. He's sort of the leader of the island. He was in charge of making sure everyone did their roles and making sure I didn't try to escape.

The closest thing to being free was my grandmother. She was born a year before the war started. She was too young to remember those times, but she wasn't too young to remember life off this island. I loved to hear stories of how she lived in one of the Earth Kingdoms. Every morning for as long as I could remember we went to the shore and practiced my bending. It made me feel connected to the rest of the world.

My grandmother's stories weren't enough though. I wanted to see the world. She was the only one that supported me. Our longtime joke was I didn't leave because I couldn't leave my grandmother behind. I didn't want to leave my family or friends behind, but I couldn't stay here either. Someday though. Someday I was going to see the world, I was going to be free.

I had just got dressed into my normal, everyday clothes. It consisted of a one-strap, forest green midriff, a short brown skirt, and blue almost grey pants that reached just past my knees. I put half my hair up into a bun while the rest flowed freely. I looked into the mirror to check my hair and noticed my eyes had a particular sparkle to them today. They were a mix of blue and green, just another perk of being a water and earth bender. My skin was a little tan but it looked beautiful.

Happy with how I looked, I hummed as I went downstairs for breakfast. My mother was busy in the kitchen fixing something up. I sat down patiently waiting as my father came into the room.

"Good morning, Mikaila," my father greeted.

"Morning father. I hope you slept well," I returned.

"Wonderfully. You look beautiful today," My father replied sitting down.

"Thank you."

"Any particular reason?"

"No. I just feel happy today."

"Breakfast is ready," my mother said putting some food in front of us.

I quickly started to eat. My father and mother quirked an eyebrow as they watched me.

"Are you in a hurry for something?" my mother asked.

"You never seem this excited to get to your chores," my father stated.

"It's not my chores. I woke up late and don't want to miss out with training with grandmother," I stated.

"I don't understand why you bother. What purpose to you need for bending? We don't need it here," my father said.

"I like bending. It'll be useful for when I travel," I said.

"You know I won't allow that," my father stated.

"Father, you know how badly I want to. It's my dream! You can't stop me from doing this," I said trying to stay calm.

"I will not allow my daughter to leave this island, EVER!" my father's voice rose.

It was silent. Instead of losing it this time, I remained quiet trying not to cry. I was finished eating.

"All the same, I'd like to go to grandmother," I said standing up.

"Don't be late for your chores," my father said a little more calmly.

"Yes father," I said.

I put the dishes in the sink before leaving our complex hut. Our village was on a bit of hill with the perfect view of the ocean. Looking around, people were getting ready to start the day and do their jobs. I still had the sick feeling in my stomach. To rid of my discomfort, I sang a song I probably song almost every day.

"I've been staring at the edge of the water 'long as I can remember, never really knowing why. I wish I could be the perfect daughter but I come back to the water, no matter how hard I try," I sang before walking down to the shore.

"Every turn I take, every trail I track. Every path I make, every road leads back to the place I know, where I cannot go, where I long to be," I sang before running to the beach.

The sand was beneath my feet, warming my toes. The sun was barely in the sky, eliminating the sky and shining on the surface of the sea. A breeze softly passed my skin and moved my hair.

"See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me and no one knows, how far it goes.
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me, one day I'll know. If I go there's just no telling how far I'll go."

I walked down the beach. I could hear or sometimes see some people who were busy with work and laughing along.

"I know everybody on this island, seems so happy on this island everything is by design.
I know everybody on this island has a role on this island so maybe I can roll with mine. I can lead with pride, I can make us strong. I'll be satisfied if I play along but the voice inside sings a different song. What is wrong with me?"

I sang running along the beach again. I felt as if I was racing against the waves.

"See the light as it shines on the sea? It's blinding but no one knows, how deep it goes. And it seems like it's calling out to me, so come find me and let me know, what's beyond that line, will I cross that line?"

I stopped at stared at the sea again. I closed my eyes and took in the salty air.

"See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me and no one knows, how far it goes. If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me one day I'll know, how far I'll go."

My song came to an end and I felt better. My dreams were still real and true. I wouldn't give up. Despite what my father told me nearly every chance he took, I was going to leave. I smiled and noticed my grandmother standing on the shore, swaying back and forth. I silently joined her and closed my eyes as she was. I focused on what I could hear and feel.

Today was one of those days were words weren't exchanged between us but it was a comforting silence. An hour or so later I opened my eyes. As I predicted, the sun was much higher and it was time for me to get some work done.

"Beautiful today, is it not?" my grandmother spoke.

"It's beautiful every day," I replied.

"That is true. Today it feels different. Don't you feel it?"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"It almost feels more… alive, almost excited. Is that possible?"

"I believe it is. It most know somehow."

"Know what?"

"Know that you will join it. The water is a part of you as much as you are a part of it."

"Grandmother, you know my father won't let me leave."

"People can't change destiny, no matter how hard they try. Life has a funny way of making sure certain things happen, even if people but obstacles in the way. You are destined to travel and see the world; you will see it."

I took in all her words. Things were suddenly becoming deep.

"Do you really believe that? Nothing can change destiny?"

"Sometimes people help destiny, not always the other way around. But ultimately it's up to that person whether they do something or not. A person can never feel complete if they don't follow what they're meant to do."

"How do you know what your destiny is? What if my destiny is to stay here my whole life? What if I'm choosing to ignore destiny to pursue something impossible?"

My grandmother laughed.

"Don't you see? You make your own destiny, no one else. Not your father, mother, the world, or even the universe. It's only you. Destiny is something your heart desires beyond anything else. You crave it with every fiber of your being. It's something you can't ignore."

"So what if I travel and see the whole world. What's next? Am I stuck wandering my whole life? Can destiny change?"

"When you fulfil your destiny, it's not the end, nor is it the beginning. You may not travel your whole life. You might come back here. Maybe you'll settle down somewhere. I can't tell you where you'll end up. Don't focus too much on the destination or you'll lose sight on how you got there."

I smiled. I truly had the best grandmother in the world.

"Do you ever regret not leaving? I know much you love the world."

My grandmother nodded.

"Sometimes I wish I could have gone back, but I can't seem to regret it. If I had left I wouldn't have married and had a son. I wouldn't have watched him grow up and fall in love. I wouldn't have seen him raise a family and build this wonderful island. Even from here I can feel as far as I need to."

"I see. Your wisdom is deeply appreciated. I'll miss you when I go."

"You can't go yet. I'm still healthy and breathing."

We laughed till I had to depart. Hiking back to the village, I grabbed a basket and started picking food. Later, I sat down in the shade of a palm tree and fixed some fishing nets. I watched my father make his rounds to all the different stations. Finishing another set I closed my eyes and laid back against the tree. With one hand on the ground I could feel everything. I felt every pair of feet walking, every animal that crawled on the jungle floor, and even beneath where it seemed to pump like a heart.

"Are you slacking off again?"

I wasn't startled by the voice. I knew someone had walked up to me. I slowly opened my eyes to the face of my father. He looked upset.

"I finished the nets. I was just taking a break."

"A break to practicing bending?"

"It's more than just bending to me. It makes me feel connected."

"Connected to what exactly?"

I sighed. I knew my answer would only make things worse. I hoped he would take my silence as not wanted to talk. He continued to stand there waiting though.

"Connected to what exactly?"

"The rest of the world."

I was surprised he hadn't slashed at me again. I looked back up at him. His expression hadn't changed.

"Get up," he ordered.

I stood immediately.

"Go back to the hut and remain there."

"Father–"

"I will have a talk with your grandmother. I think it's time this dual-bending training ends. And for her to stop filling your head with ideas."

"Father please! She's the only one who understands me! I have to travel the world. You can't stop me."

"Watch me."

My father angrily walked away going who knows where. He probably went looking for grandmother. I ran back to the house and went straight to my bed. I cried for what seemed like hours. A long time later, I laid in bed staring at the ceiling. It was late in the night with only a few hours before daybreak. I was too upset to sleep properly.

All of a sudden I sat up. Something strong was coming. I looked at the window at the dark, ominous clouds forming. Rain started pouring down and waves crashed down dangerously. The window threatened to rip out even the strongest trees. People everywhere were waking up. I ran downstairs to help keep things in order.

Thunder rolled in the distance but there was no sign of lightning. I spent hours tying and securing things. I was soaked to the bone. Back at the house, mother was starting a fire. I stripped of my clothes and hung them to dry. I changed into warmer clothes.

The day after was still dark and just as bad. Everyone stayed indoors trying to stay warm. Late afternoon, the storm calmed down to the point it was safe outside. There was light drizzling but otherwise normal. Father asked me by his side as he did a head count and checked on various things. I didn't complain, there wasn't much to do anyway.

I walked behind father. The water and earth still felt… angry. For what I didn't know. Somehow I couldn't help but feel this wasn't the end. My gut told me it was going to get worse. I hated when I was right.

"Shi."

My father turned to the male adult that called him. He looked saddened.

"What is it? Something wrong?" my father answered.

"I'm afraid so. It's your mother," the man said.

My eyes widened and I swear I stopped breathing. We raced to the infirmary where my grandmother laid. She looked so weak and frail. She coughed horribly as we entered.

"Mother," my father said kneeling down next to her.

I kneeled beside my dad. He was holding one of her hands.

"You're going to be okay. I promise," my father said.

"I'm an old woman. We all go at some point," my grandmother said.

My father didn't reply. What was there to say? A man came in a few minutes later.

"Shi, we need your help. It's an emergency."

"I won't leave my mother's side," my father said stubbornly.

"Go ahead son, where am going to go? I won't leave without you here," my grandmother said.

"I'll be right back," my father said excusing himself.

My grandmother and I were left alone. I held her hand in my mine. They were so cold. I didn't realize I was crying until I felt them streaming down my cheek.

"Don't cry my dear. I won't ever leave you. I'll always be part of the sea, same as you," my grandmother said.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without you," I cried.

"Live your dream. Fulfil your destiny. See the world," my grandmother spoke.

"How can I? I can't leave you. I'm not strong enough," I cried.

"My dear, you're stronger than you know," my grandmother said wiping my tears. "Far stronger. I know you can do this. Just believe in yourself. Follow your heart and you can't go wrong."

I cried harder. My father and mother came back a short time later. The three of this sat there until my grandmother drew her last breath. The next day it seemed to rain harder at the funeral. I hadn't said much since she passed.

I was lost. Could I really travel the world on my own? Was I ready? Could I live my island? My family? Would my father and mother hate me if I disobeyed them and left? I could always come back. Maybe I should just stay here where's it's peaceful and safe… No. I couldn't just stay here. I had to follow my dreams. I had to complete my grandmother's dying wish. I had to fulfil my destiny. I had to leave my home.

After the ceremony I went back to the house and up to my room. I packed a bag with clothes and another bag full of food. I dressed in my normal clothes, now that they were dry. My grandmother's bracelet was the finishing touch. I snuck downstairs and stole some money I knew they used to buy things if they could not trade with Kyoshi Island. I tied the pouch to my skirt. Knowing everyone in the village was asleep I made my way to the dock where our boats were tied. The rain was picking up but I couldn't let that stop me.

I took a small boat and sailed away without being noticed. Things were going smoothly when the storm really started to pick up. The waves were building hundreds of feet. I tried to use my bending to help but it did little. The strong wind was causing my sail to tear.

"Ocean spirits can you hear me? Why are you acting this way?" I called out.

Of course no one replied.

"Grandmother? I'm trying here but I don't know if I can do this. Please help me!" I called out again.

Again no reply. One of my bags flew off the ship and into the water.

"Come back here!"

I tried to bend it back but when my hands left the ship chaos followed. All I remember was some sort of wood hitting me in the back of the head before I was knocked out.

Consciousness started to come to me. I heard the ocean but I didn't feel my boat beneath me. Instead it sort of felt like a bed. I blinked my eyes open, still feeling groggy. The first thing I noticed was that I was stripped to my underclothing. The second thing I noticed was the fire insignia on the wall. Panicking, I tripped out of bed. Standing to my feet took some effort due to the pain in my head and legs.

Forgetting I lacked clothing, I made it to the door and opened it. No one stood in the halls. I made my way to the stairs leading to the deck. Voices behind me were getting closer making me go faster. I struggled up the steps to the deck. All heads turned to me.

"She's up," one man said.

"Someone tell Prince Zuko," another said.

A man ran off towards the tower looking thing. All the people surrounding me were from the Fire Nation. I had been captured. How could I let this happen? What if they found out who I was? They'd force me to tell where the rest of my people were. I had to get out of here. I made my way to the railing. There was no land in sight. How was I going to get out of here? I was still dazed and confused. My head was pounding.

"You girl!" an angry voice called.

Considering I looked to be the only girl on deck, I assumed the voice was talking to me. I turned to see a tall boy around my age standing there. He had a large scar over his left eye. His hair was in a high ponytail. His clothes seemed to be Fire Nation armor. Next to him stood a much older man. He was shorter and clothed similarly. But this man had a small, pleasant smile on his face.

I took in their appearance before passing out. I noticed that no one bothered to catch me.

So what did you think? Please Review and let me know. I probably won't have any more songs in my fanfiction, but once more. Hope you all loved it and agreed it was perfect. The idea of this story did not originate from that movie, but I did use the idea of having the grandmother die from it. Still don't own it though. Tell me where you think the title came from... if it's not obvious enough. Haha. Please Review! I'll add another chapter tomorrow!