Lots of followers just on the first chapter, that is ridiculously exciting! I hope you all stick with me as we get through this, because I wasn't kidding when I said it is gonna be long. I have a lofty goal of breaking 100, 000 words.

I'm gonna do it, guys.

Anyway, here we go on two, and I'm sick today so maybe I can get right into writing chapter three! Enjoy the read!

Also, any lines that sound familiar do so for a reason. I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender, and will continue not to do so. I'll probably continue to forget my disclaimer, so maybe keep this chapter in mind when someone wants to sue me. Thanks ever so!


She was fiddling with Appa's fur yet again, watching as the wind caught it up whenever her hand left the thick pelt. It was a simple distraction, but one that was surprisingly strong enough to keep unwanted images out of her head. She knew that Sokka was once again keeping an eye on her, but now Aang was too, and she found herself getting more and more on edge. Furrowing her brow, she stood in Appa's saddle with her back to the pair. Ignoring Sokka's cry of distress, she pointed ahead. "Land there, at the edge of that waterfall. If Aang's ever going to be ready for the comet, then we have to start training."

She blocked out Sokka's distress, merely crouching a bit to keep herself from flying off. As the wind whistled through her hair and in her eyes, she could almost pretend it wasn't drying silent tears off of her face.


"Now Aang, you have to focus on the water. Focus on your movements, on letting your body flow with what you-"

"Like this?" And he easily pulled water to him, big grin on his face. She couldn't help the bristle of anger, the jealous knife that cut through her. Squaring her shoulders, she tensed her jaw until Aang managed to stop playing with his newfound ability.

"Yes. Well. That's a pretty easy move, I mean, it's just a wave. Let's try a harder one, shall we?" She couldn't help but grit her teeth a bit, oddly angry with Aang's carefree nature. She fell back into position, noting that Aang fell into step with that cocky grin on his face. She slowly formed the stream, explaining the process as Aang, once again, easily copied her. That knife of jealousy twisted in her gut, and she desperately tried not to snap.

"Fine, you're a natural at this. Let's try this one. It's hard, hard enough that I haven't even mastered it. The idea is to make on big wave, just bring your-" Before she had even finished the explanation, arms raising over her head as her own pitiful attempt crashed back to the surface, Aang pulled the water easily. It crested, higher than she could dream of Bending, and she felt tears of rage prick at her eyes.

"Well, that's great, Aang! I'm so happy you're such a natural that you managed to wash all our supplies down the river! Maybe you can just use that superior skill to Bend it back, huh?! Why not go ahead, show me up again!" She had whipped her back to the boys, knowing they were staring, but she couldn't explain her anger, couldn't yet apologize even though she knew how upset Aang must be. She tried not to sniffle, but she thoughtlessly brought her arm up to wipe at her eyes anyway. There was a hesitant shuffle before a hand lightly touched her arm.

"I-Is this about... Zuko?" Aang's voice was merely a whisper, almost on the breaking point as his voice roughened with impending tears.

"No! Of course not! Why would I care about some jerk Fire Nation prince?!" She took a deep breath, burying the panic deep down. One more swipe at her eyes and she took a deep breath, guilt flooding her face. "Come on, we should get to town before the markets close. We'll need supplies for tonight."

Not turning to face them, she walked on ahead. She missed the shared, worried glance as Sokka patted Aang's back lightly. "C'mon, buddy. She didn't mean it."


She didn't mean it, she really didn't. And she had meant to apologize, but when Aang tried so hard to get that scroll for her, she couldn't even look at him as guilt ate through her. It was part of the reason that she's taken the scroll, it really was. Aang did need to learn, and if she got ahold of it as well... It was a win-win, right? But then Sokka had scolded her for stealing the scroll. It was like walking on ice and suddenly falling through a tiger seal hole, her body froze up that fast. All of the anger that had leeched out during the marketplace chase had instantly rushed back, and she couldn't even hope to hold back that burning anger when Aang continued to show her up. She couldn't help it, couldn't help how the whole situation made her feel useless and stupid. When Aang mastered the water whip in one try, she felt her composure simply shatter.

"Will you please shut your air hole? Believe it or not your infinite wisdom gets a little old sometimes! Why don't we just throw the scroll away since you're so naturally gifted!" She knew it was a mistake the moment Aang's eyes filled with tears, and she felt her own flood just the same. "A-Aang, I'm so sorry... You know what, p-please just take it. You're obviously good at it, s-so just keep practicing, okay? I'm, ah, I'm gonna go walk around for a bit, so please keep it up. You're amazing, I know you'll master it. J-just let me think alone for a bit. I really am sorry..." Her hands were trembling so much she almost dropped the scroll, and she felt Sokka's hands stabilize her wrists. He gave a light shake to draw her attention.

"Katara, you need to talk to us! You can't just take it out on Aang and then run off!"

"Sokka, please! You don't know anything, okay!"

"You're upset about Zuko, I get it! But he's a bad guy, and he's gotta face up to it!" She squeezed her eyes shut and just like that a dam broke inside her, washing an onslaught of powerful emotions.

"You didn't see what I saw!" She almost screamed at him, voice catching on the jagged edge of her emotion. Her eyes brimmed over, and she looked away as her voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back later."

Both boys moved closer together as they watched her turn tail and run.


Night fell before Katara dared go back to the camp; she'd been floating around the perimeter, not quite ready to face the consequences of her temper. She knew how upset Aang had been, and while she truly felt awful she was almost sick to her stomach with horrid thoughts. So she waited until they fell asleep, listening as Sokka whined about the lack of dinner even as Aang told him not to depend on her so much. She had smiled a bit, thankful for Aang's kindness-

eyes widened as his feet skidded off the floor-

She drew a shuddery breath, creeping near-silently into the camp. Being a younger sister, she was very adept at sneaking up on older siblings, and that was on crunchy snow. With this soft grass, they didn't stand a chance. She carefully slid the scroll out of Sokka's knapsack, determination fueling her. She knew she had the ability to do this, she just need to focus-

the snap audible as his arm jerked-

Holding the scroll to her chest, she squeezed her eyes shut. This shouldn't be affecting her this much.

It shouldn't.

Her feet carried her quickly to the water's edge, carefully propping the scroll open on a conveniently placed stone. She had to learn this, it was like a burr in her side knowing that she wasn't able to. She swallowed, hands trembling as they lifted towards the raging river. She could feel the pull and tug deep in her gut, moving out towards her fingertips and allowing her body to fall into rhythm. Pull and tug, pull and-

his teeth sinking into his fist as he bit back a scream, golden eyes squeezed until they snapped open, staring straight at her. See fear, confusion, pain, watched as he was later dragged away kicking and screaming. Watching over the saddle side as that large man yanked the chain, could almost hear his screams-

She sank to the ground, eyes closed as tears poured down her cheeks. He was just a stupid Firebender, but for some reason she couldn't get his face out of her head. His face, the one that symbolized the entire Fire Nation, rent with fear. She dug her fingers into the soft dirt below, a feeble attempt to ground her roiling emotions. She had never been able to stand seeing people in pain, and it was apparently a sentiment extended out to even cruel young men.

She was too torn by her tears and sobs to notice the slight moving of the bushes, the near-silent movement as the man hiding moved back into the darkness.


"Huh? Where did she go?" Aang furrowed his brow, trying to block out the rummaging and rifling happening behind him. He was trying to sleep, thank you! His wishes didn't do too much for him, as Sokka's incredulous voice rang out louder than before. "I don't believe it!"

"What's wrong?" He managed to prop himself up, giant yawn leaving him speechless.

"She took the scroll! She's obsessed with that thing! It's just a matter of time before she gets us all in deep trouble. C'mon, Aang, let's track down that crazy sister of mine before someone else does."

Aang stood, peering out into the dark woods contemplatively. "She said she'd come back. I'm sure she's fine, Sokka, we should just give her her space." Perhaps some of his response was based off the mild disappointment he felt at her earlier words. Besides, if she was really in trouble, he was sure she would find a way to let them know.


Her head whipped up as she heard a heavy scraping sound, one that was most definitely unwanted and unknown. Her movement was once again silent as she crept for the tree line, peering through until she spotting the glinting metal hull of a small ship. Her hand flew to her mouth when she saw a few very familiar pirates milling about. Her greatest worry wasn't them, but rather the lack of crew on the beach in front of her. Just as the thought crossed her mind, she heard the soft squelching of feet behind her. Instantly her mind whipped to Zuko, chained and petrified as he ran out of escape routes. She didn't think, just calling the water to her beck and call as hands reached for her braid.

The water responded perfectly, not just whipping the man but also grabbing hold and flinging him back into the river. She spun on her heel, eyes wild as she slammed into another body. This one grabbed her by the wrist (-snap goes the bone-) and threw her into the woods, away from the pirate landing beach. She didn't see the man, too busy getting her feet in order to run, run back to her brother and Aang. Her hands rubbed at her wrist, feeling none of the breaks she feared would hinder her. Regardless she cradled her hand close, drawing nearer and nearer to the campsite.

She burst through the foliage, more than ecstatic to see the boys already up and about. "Get on Appa, get on Appa! The pirates are coming!"

To their credit, the boys moved quickly. Aang's Airbending threw the tents, the supplies, everything into the saddle even as he whisked the three of them up and over the pommel. She clung on to any surface her fingers could sink into; unfortunately this happened to be Sokka's arm, because the boy yelped in pain.

"What do you mean, the pirates?! I told you they wouldn't just let it drop!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I j-just-" She was hysterical, and Aang lifted a hand off the reins to grab hers.

"Katara, it's okay! We're getting out of here, and we'll practice the scroll later. Please don't cry!" She felt a swell of warmth at his easy forgiveness, turning her hand into his to hold on tightly. Sokka sighed beside her, and she felt his hand lace with her other one.

"I'm sorry, Katara. Are you okay?"

She nodded weakly, but peered over the saddle at the grounds they were leaving behind. Gasping softly, she drew the attention of the two boys as they twisted around, eyes collectively widening at the rampant destruction in their wake.

The riverside was burning brightly, an unnatural fire causing trees to snap and pop loudly enough that they could hear the roar over the whistling wind. A massive wall of flame was barricading it from spreading, pushing back into the river until a chunk of burning debris drifted slowly away from shore. It rushed downriver, caught in the strong current, and the three of them watched in silence as what was left of the pirate ship, completely engulfed in a raging inferno, fell over the waterfall.

The three huddled closer, Momo watching from Aang's shoulder as he tucked in all the tighter against the boy's neck. Katara shook her head, freeing a hand to once again cover her mouth. "I d-don't... There were pirates, and then someone threw me..."

"Yeah, well whoever your new friend is, they've got a bit of a pyromania problem. Let's wait to land a bit. And Katara? You're going to have to talk sooner or later."

Swallowing heavily, she nodded before shakily wrapping her arms around both boys and holding on tight.


A massive hawk flew, bred through many generations to be the perfect biological machine, both in strength and viciousness. Its wingbeats were powerful, cutting through the sky as it raced on, message capsule tightly tied to one cruelly clawed leg. As its target came in sight, those massive claws swung forward until they could sink, ripping into the wooden banister savagely. It screeched proudly, wings flipping neatly against a broad back.

A gaudily jeweled hand reached to trace the curve of the bird's beak, admiring the razor sharp edge. The hand dropped down to untie the message capsule, silently regarding the scripted words.

"'Prince Zuko in custody'... Well done, Commander Zhao..." The bird cocked its head, the only audience in the room. As the large man scratched a pen across paper, the hawk became agitated, peeling long strips of wood from its perch. Finally the man grabbed the bird, pinning wings as he replaced the message. The moment he let go the hawk spread goliath wings and ripped free, carrying its new information back across oceans.

The man watched quietly for a moment, before turning and opening the chamber doors. "Summon Azula. She has a parcel to retrieve. Tell her that she will be meeting with... Admiral Zhao."


Chapter two now wrapped up, and we have a happy pyro on their tail!

... I promise this story will get happier-ish eventually...

Anyway, a huge thank you to Samara for yet again being my first reviewer, and please, everyone, don't be afraid to join that count! It would make me so happy!

Thank you all for reading, and enjoy your time until chapter three!