* Avani's POV *

I was with my younger sister when I was informed of the upcoming Fire Nation attack. I was with her when they told me I would have to leave her behind.

"I don't think you understand. I am not leaving her."

They just did not understand.

"Avani, we are extremely sorry, but you just don't understand," King Kuei sighed. "The circumstances are too severe. You must leave, and on your own."

"It's in everyone's best interests," the king's adviser added.

I rolled my eyes, and then looked over my shoulder at my younger sister. Yuki was all I had left, and I just could not let her go.

But then I thought of the dangers... Her safety...

If I were to stay in our hometown of Ba Sing Se, the whole city would be in danger. If she were to come with me, Yuki's life would be endangered every second.

I sighed. I tried to give Yuki a smile, but it was weak. I turned back to the king. "I will leave."

King Kuei nodded. "We will find a safe route for you to escape, and then you will be on your own."

I nodded, "I understand."

"Go home and pack a bag. I'lll send a guard over in an hour."

I nodded again and turned to the door. Yuki met me at the door, tears in her eyes; I did my best not to look into her sorrowful green eyes, knowing I would break down if I did. We walked in silence to our house, staying in the shadows.

When we arrived at home, I went straight to my room. I grabbed a small bag from under my bed and began tossing clothes into it. Yuki stood in the corner bawling.

"Please don't go," Yuki sniffed, breaking the silence. "We can hide here! You don't have to go!"

"You know that's not a possibility," I told her as calmly as I could, holding back the tears. "The city is scared of me. They want me gone so they won't be in danger. And I don't want to put them in danger either.

"I have to go."

I could not hold it in anymore. I began to sob. Yuki embraced me in a hug, and I cried into her shoulder. We stood there were for what felt like forever, or maybe it was just me wishing I could stay there forever.

I finally broke away and wiped my eyes. "I will make it through this. You will make it through this. We will make it through this, even if it's not together."

"Are you sure?"

Yuki was fourteen, one year younger than me, but she was taller than, so I had to look up a bit to look into her green eyes. Her eyes... She had that puppy dog look that made it impossible to have any negative thoughts towards her. I took a deep breath. "I am," I told her with as much confidence and determination I could muster. "I am positive that we will make it through this. And, when the war is over," I touched her cheek, "I will come back here and find you."

"You will?" She smiled.

I nodded and forced a smile. "I will.

"But, right now, I have to get ready to go, okay?"

Her smile faded, but she nodded.

I turned back to my bed and grabbed my bag. I clipped my pouch of lucky rocks onto my belt. I looked at Yuki and nodded, determined. I was ready.

I heard a knock on the door and took a deep breath. Yuki opened the door and stood to the side timidly. The guard at the door walked in. "Avani?" I nodded. "Are you ready?" I nodded again, not wanting to speak and have to choke down tears. He nodded and gestured for me to follow him outside.

I took one last look at my sister. All I could think of was how strong she was standing there as she watched her last family member leave her. Then I walked into the dark of the night.

I followed the guard through a maze of back alleys and worn-down roads. We stopped at every corner so the guard could look around to the other side. I looked around tentatively, for I was extremely paranoid; I kept expecting a Fire Nation soldier to come from behind a corner and kill me. I did my best to be calm, hoping that the king really had found the safest route out of Ba Sing Se. I had faith, even if it was forced and fake.

We made it to the gigantic wall. I had never set foot on the other side, nor had I ever expected to. It dawned on me that I was leaving the comfort of my home, possibly forever.

"Miss?"

"Huh?" I had just realized that I was just standing there, frozen. "I'm sorry."

He pointed at the hidden door leading outside. "Your exit." He opened it.

I took a deep breath. I walked towards the door but stopped right in front of it and turned around, taking one last look. I turned back around and ran through the door and into the cover of the woods that lay near the city.

I was a few yards into the woods when I broke down. I fell to the ground and cried. I cried for my city, for sister. I cried for what lay ahead.

Suddenly, the ground shook. I wiped my eyes and slowly walked to the edge of the woods. I saw a giant drill penetrating the great wall. I heard screams.

My mind was racing.

I had to do something.

I turned my back to the city. Then I groaned.

I sprinted towards my home, determined.