(Along with my OC characters, Katara, Tenzin, Naruto, Kakashi etc. are included. Set in the southern watertribe after Aang passes away)

Chapter 1

Ever since I could remember I knew I was different. At first I was singled out because of my white hair. Before our apprenticeships started my sister and I had free time to play with the neighborhood kids. However, whenever I tried to join in I was snubbed by the other girls. My existence would usually be blatantly ignored, and if they recognized me I would be called clever names such as "freak" or "ugly" as they walked away. My older sister, Aika, took pity on me and let me hang out with her and her close friends, Bo and Kenji.

Aika and Kenji were both babysat by Kenji's grandmother and have been inseparable since they could talk. Most people questioned the authenticity of the friendship between the unlikely pairing, but I thought they complimented each other well. My sister was the type of girl that liked to show up at least ten minutes early while Kenji was the type of guy that thought rules were only a suggestion. More often than not, Aika seemed to always to come his rescue in some way. For instance, it was a miracle if Kenji ever brought his lunch to school but Aika was always more than willing to share. Although their relationship seemed one sided on the surface, I thought Aika needed Kenji just as much as he needed her.

We found out later that while my mom was pregnant with me, our dad had left our family. Her family had passed away by the time I was born and our mom was left to take care of Aika and I by herself. To start a whole new life, she decided to pack up and start over down south in the southern watertribe. We didn't notice it at the time but mom struggled to find the time to raise us and make ends meet.

Kenji's grandmother noticed her struggling and offered to babysit Aika and I in order for our mom to find time to go to work. When Aika was old enough she took it upon herself to start helping out. So while mom was at work, Aika was in charge of the house. At eight years old Aika cooked almost every one of our meals and made sure I had enough layers on to go outside. I'm thankful for my sister but I've always been concerned that I took up too much of her time. I saw the other girls her age play with each other after school but she insisted she stay with me.

If he didn't have detention, Kenji would come to our house every day to keep Aika company while she was looking after me. He'd come in lazily and follow Aika around the house telling her of his latest pranks or corny jokes. She would pretend to be annoyed by him, but her whole body perked up whenever he came in through the door. Kenji never left Aika's side, and continued to accompany her through her mundane duties.

Aika inherited the traditional water tribe features. Unlike me, she received our mother's dark chestnut colored hair. Her long glossy locks seemed to perfectly frame her heart shaped face, high cheekbones, and dark eyelashes. But I had always thought that Aika's eyes were her best feature. They were a dark blue, wide, warm and friendly.

Kenji's inherited his light skin from his earthbending grandmother. His eyes are a lighter shade of blue than Aika's, but not as light as mine. Like the other men in our tribe, his dark hair was always worn in a half up ponytail. Kenji was shorter than Aika by a couple inches and she teased him about this whenever he became too obnoxious.

Bo became friends with Aika and Kenji one day while they were at the market. Aika was buying fish for dinner from Bo's uncle and Bo strutted up to them. From then on wherever we were, Bo was there too. She was a couple years older than them, but hung out with us anyways because she said we were the only ones worth hanging out with. She liked to keep her hair at shoulder length to cut back on maintenance. She had a longer face than Aika, darker skin, and thinner lips. Her recent growth spurt had given her a gangly appearance and she towered over all of us. However, it didn't hinder her confidence and stop her from holding herself tall.

After Bo was introduced we would meet at our secret spot that Bo discovered outside the water tribe after school. Our spot was a cave that was only accessible by trekking a forgotten path down the face of a cliff. At the bottom of the path was a beach that bends around the corner. Within a five minute walk past the bend we would reach our cave tucked within the side of the cliff. The cave didn't extend far back, but had enough space for all of us to lay out. Because the mouth of the cave faced east, we were able to avoid the snow and stay cozy. It became our personal mission to make it the perfect rendezvous spot. Each of us contributed to furnishing the cave. Aika knitted blankets, Bo drew chalk murals, I brought discarded lanterns, and Kenji was even able to score a lockable chest to house all of our things in case there was a storm. After we finalized our finishing touches, the cave became our second home.

Time flew by every evening spent at the cave. We would role play adventure scenarios and take turns being either the hero, villain, sidekick or prince/princess. If we were chosen to be the hero we were expected to pick our hero's speciality or superpower. Everyone else came up with something easily, but I had trouble picking my ability. One day it was my turn to be the hero. Once again, I was indecisive and I took a long time choosing an ability. After deliberating for a couple minutes, Kenji suggested that I choose water bending.

"You know, you got pretty cool white hair," Kenji explained. "My grandfather told me the story of the northern water tribe princess that became the moon spirit. He said she had the same hair color as you. Maybe this time you could be part water spirit and be a super powerful water bender. I know you are six, but maybe you're just a late bloomer. Who knows, in real life you could actually be a water bender too." As he spoke my jaw began to tense up.

I have always been overly sensitive when people said anything about my hair. I hated how my hair made me stick out and the extra attention I received. I was tired of being ostracized and I felt betrayed by Kenji because I had trusted him to not reference my hair like everyone else.

I yelled back, "So because my hair is white I obviously have to be from the moon. If I wanted to be compared to an alien I would have hung out with the other girls." Kenji's face flushed and his eyes widened as he raised his hands in defence.

"Wait, I didn't mean that Nani," he stammered, "It was supposed to be a compliment."

In an effort to mediate the situation Aika chimed in. "Kenji didn't mean it to be hurtful. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we think your hair is beautiful. And sometimes you are pretty wierd, but you are definitely human." Aika smiled at me, but I resisted smiling back. The extra attention was beginning to make me self conscious. In an effort to hide my hair, I pulled the hood of my parka over my head. I was still upset with Kenji and I wanted more of an apology than that. Bo immediately seemed to sense my lack of confidence and yanked off my hood.

"Your hair makes you interesting," Bo interjected, "and anyone who says otherwise is just boring, jealous and insecure and needs to belittle someone to make herself feel better." She paused and leaned in to gently twist a section of my hair before continuing to say, "Since the dawn of time there has always been those types of girls. Those girls will never leave home or do anything worthwhile in their lives. Own your gorgeous head of hair and show all the other girls that they won't be able to hold you down from your own adventure, " she grinned and seemed to be satisfied with her answer. As I contemplated what she said, my jaw relaxed and my face started to soften.

"Took the words out of my mouth, thanks Bo," Kenji said as he turned to look at me, "Sorry about offending you. Please take pity on me!" he said as he theatrically dropped to his knees to bow down. I couldn't help but laugh. It was hard to stay mad at Kenji for long.

"I hereby forgive you," I said as I curtsied. He looked up at me from the ground and hopped back on his feet. He grinned and leaned in to mess up my hair.

Aika added, "If you want, I can be the hero today if you need more time to pick an ability."

Before I answered, I momentarily peered out into the ocean and glanced up at the rising moon. I brought my attention back to them and reached out for a group hug. My mom and sister had always told me that my hair was beautiful, but it wasn't until then that I actually felt like it was.

I remember thinking that the thing that had set me a part had actually given me some great friends. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all, and maybe I could even call it a blessing.

As I returned my attention back to my friends, I announced to everyone, "Its okay Aika. I know what I want to be today."

"What?" Aika asked.

"The Avatar," I confidently replied with my hands on my hips.

Bo, Kenji, and Aika exchanged approving nods with one another.

Bo winked at me, "I think that could work."