Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of its characters and creatures. I do, however, own the island of Naito and all of the original characters.

Sorry this chapter is so short!! I'll try to make up for it next time.


The Legend of IceFire

Chapter 1

"ICHIGO!"

The yell echoed through my ears. I sat straight up from my bedding. My name is Ichigo and I don't have a last name. I am 12 years old and live on the island Naito. I lived here ever since I could walk. I live with the Vulture Griffins who rule the island of Naito. My caretaker is Kanshisha or Kan as I call him and he is the head of the Vulture Griffins. I am sort of short since I stand at 4'8 and sort of stick like since I refused to eat meat. I have long ice grey hair that reached by butt since I never cut it. It is straight but sticks up everywhere. My eyes are golden like a hawk's. That is what Kan tells me but I have never seen a hawk before. Kan says all TRUE hawks are extinct but they were quite majestic.

My clothing was made up of left over clothes from the last people who were on the island. It seemed to be a man and a woman. I wore the blue pants which were trimmed with white fur. They were a little bit too big so they were baggy. Then I had found a plain red shirt with sleeves that went to my elbows. It was also a bit large so it was baggy as well.

Ever since I could remember I was with the Vulture Griffins. I nested with them and slept under their wings during the harsh winters. My brother is a Vulture Griffin, my best friend is a Tigerdillo, and my enemy is a Wolfbat. I love this island of Naito and never wish to leave it. I understood all the animal inhabitants of the island and I don't find this strange at all. Don't all humans understand animals?

Kan appeared at the opening of my den. He signaled for me to go towards him. I stretched over the warm yellow straw then stood up.

"Kan-chan!" I yelled as I ran over to hug him. He stood at twice my height.

Kan purred, "Calm down, Ichigo. Let us go to the beach for I fear something evil is approaching."

I nodded. Kan is a very wise Vulture Griffin and was granted many gifts from the Gods. He had the ability to tell good fortune and bad. Kan bent lower so I could jump on his back. I eagerly hopped on and Kan spread his wings. I loved the sight of his ebony feathers and kept all the ones that fell off. I would treasure them forever. In the air, my hair flew all over becoming messier than it already was. The refreshing wind felt good on my face. Suddenly, we were joined by Shade, my brother. Shade was as big a Kan but nearing that size. Shade is very strong and can already carry me on his back. Everyone is sure that Shade will become the next head when Kan steps down.

"Nii-kun!" I said waving my hand. Shade nodded his head in recognition.

"Father," he spoke in his rough voice, "what is it that comes?"

Kan looked up gravely. The sun shone into his eyes as he gravely replied, "The Humans."

"How many come?!" I gasped.

"Many," Kan answered simply.

"Father, I shall fight them!" proclaimed Shade.

"No!" I gasped. Many Vulture Griffins have told me of the humans. They can control the elements: Earth, Fire, and Water. They are like me yet not. I can control an element as well except it is not really an element. I have named it IceFire. The flame that comes from my breath is not red but an icy blue. It burns not because of the heat but instead because of the cold.

"Chi-chan, you know there is no other way!" Shade replied.

I sighed sadly knowing it was the truth. "When shall they arrive?" I asked defeated.

"At the very least in a month so we have time," Kan replied.

I sighed that was very good. We soon landed at the beach and I stared at the vast ocean. It seemed to never end and was very majestic. This was my second most favorite spot on the whole island. I looked at the sea and saw fumes of smoke. Though they were miniscule, I knew those were fumes of the human ship.

"Oh know," I sighed. Kan and Shade began to discuss battle plans and this talk bored me. I soon found myself running all over the beach. I loved the feeling of sand between my toes it was so.. ehh.. relaxing. I then placed myself in the sand looking at all the fascinating shell around me. Their shapes and colors were all so different. I loved it.

The sun had already arrived at sky's center and yet Kan and Shade STILL were discussing battle plans. Sand castles covered every inch of the beach. I lay on the sand not caring if my I got dirty. The boredom had gotten to me. I slowly picked myself up and plunged myself into the ocean. It was cool and refreshing. I splashed through the water and played with the fish. It tickled feeling their scales rub against my skin.

I giggled like a toddler as I splashed around. I twirled myself around in circles until my head spun. I suddenly saw something floating closer to me. I rubbed my eyes and waited till my head stopped spinning. It was a ship! A human ship! Hoe could Kan have been wrong? I began screaming with fright as it drifted closer and closer. I could hear Kan and Shade fly from behind.

"What!?" huffed Kan surprised b the sudden alarm.

Wordlessly, I stretched my arm out and pointed at the figure in the distance.

"Is that-" started Shade.

Kan stretched out his neck, "No," he responded calmly, "Ichigo, go swim towards the figure and bring it back."

I hesitated but began to swim towards the figure. The closer I got the smaller it became. I slightly relaxed as I saw it was simply a plank with leaves piled upon it. I grabbed the plank of wood and began to kick. I was quickly covering the distance between the board and the beach. I silently began to laugh at myself for being so frightened by a plank of wood. But as looked at the pile of leaves, it began to move and make noises like a young Vulture Griffin.

Then, out of the pile poked out a head. Its head was small and was connected to a short thick neck. It had no front paws and no hind legs. Instead it simply had wings and sharp-clawed talons. Its beak was short and small but still quite pointed. Its crest, crown, and back were brown speckled with bits of beige and brown. Its breast and belly were white with small splotches of deep brown. Its wings were a dark black and its tail feathers were pale brown with signs of rusty red. It was small enough to hold in my arms. But the most noticeable thing was its piercing gold eyes that were like mine. And…… I screamed.

The odd bird creature gave a frightened squawk. I let go of the plank and began to panic. My head kept sinking below the water. Then the odd bird slipped and fell of the board. It fell into the water and began to sink. It flapped its wings frantically but disappeared below the surface.

Shade and Kan heard my scream and saw my splashing. Shade pulled me out of the water with my clothes in his beak.


Review please!! No flames!! Thanks!

Distant.x.Shadow