Chapter Two:

The Truce. Emily point of view

Current Day:

Fifty years, one week and two days after the first battle of the war began.

Time: Approx. 16:34

Current Location:

The Southern Water tribe village.

My decision was taking a while, and the person, whoever it was, was already rounding the corner. I had to take action. Run deeper into the coven, or fight for it? It seemed they made the choice for me. They rounded the corner and paused, holding out one of the many tribe spears. It was definitely a guy; none of the females in the village could possibly reach his height. I was pretty tall, compared to most, and I was only a five point eight feet. He had on a coat that was similar to mine in the way of covering up your body. But his head was free, and I could see that even with all the cold he had darker skin, deeply tanned. His eyes were a deep brown I had only seen pictures of from other Nations, and he had hair just slightly lighter, in a casual shade of brown, that fell to just below his ears in a messy yet suitable style.

And he was only seventeen. I knew exactly who it was, having come across them many times, and it was always hard not to stare. Sometimes I did, once or twice, just because I thought I could get away with it. Luckily, every secret glance went unnoticed by him. I could feel myself staring right now and I nearly slapped myself. No staring. Business time. I noticed my pose had relaxed and quickly tensed it again, pole out in front, pointing straight at him. He had paused but as I showed signs of defence, he too straightened his stance. He slowly walked forwards, eyes narrowed as we circled one another.

"So, who are you? You have scared all the villagers with some tale of a Beast, yet you stand here quite comfortably. Warrior! Name yourself!" His voice had started off with the divine sound I loved, but had slowly become a cry, almost begging for battle. He was a pretty good looking dude, but he was also a bit of a big-head. Mostly due to him being the tribe's leader's son. He hadn't been sent off, like my brother. He was told to stay, in case we were invaded.

I slowly came to realise that he'd called me a warrior. Only men were warriors. So that meant that the coat must be hiding my breasts as well as my hair. I was hesitant for a moment, and quiet, and in that moment he lunged, his spear trying to be driven through the right of my collarbone. I hadn't been expecting it, and as much as I wanted to dive out of the way, there wasn't enough space or time. So I had to bend my spine back, almost like some crazy game I'd heard of from one of the vessels I had explored. My knees bent forward and my back was a horizontal line as I watched the spear impale the air where I was a second ago.

And then the spear was coming down, everything moving so slowly, and I brought the staff round, throwing the spear off course as I straightened up, preparing to fight once more. I didn't want to hurt him, but he obviously wanted to hurt me. So, as he lunged a second time, I simply turned to my side at the last second and allowed to spear to rush past, before bringing my wooden pole down to trap it on the ground. I spun round, still facing the trapped spear, digging my pole into the ground before my feet left the ice.

I turned round through the air, my foot colliding with the side of his face as my hands kept me secured to the staff, the momentum of my run still bringing me round. He fell away, releasing his weapon and hurtling towards one of the walls, but I was already turned before I could see him hit it. My body was sinking and I lowered my feet, quickly catching myself again and pulling my staff out of the ground, turning to look at him, finally. He was breathing heavy, slowly getting to his feet. I could see him eyeing the spear, probably wondering if he should lunge for it.

He did. But before he had even gotten three inches, my foot came down on the spear, breaking the sharp rock off. He was still coming, probably for the two bits, and I quickly threw the spear end off into the darkness before grabbing the pole it was on and holding two wooden staffs in either hand. He began to slow then he quickly stumbled backwards, but he slid on the ice and fell over. I slowly walked over to his moaning figure. He was lying flat on his back in defeat. It was a good look for the big-head.

He looked up at my face, into my eyes, with his own brown ones, and a flicker of shock passed through his eyes. I stared down at him still and he raised an eyebrow before slowly sitting upright. "You're... You're a girl? And you beat me!"

"Not just any girl, thank you very much." My voice sounded distorted through the coat, not like my own.

"Well then, who is it? You can't be any of the girls in the village, I've flirted with most of the pretty ones and none of them have eyes like yours," he barked. The way he said it made me feel angry and I just about knocked him out with both staffs. He flirted with every girl? Wow, I was rather blind. And then, I no longer felt like he was the hot, amazing guy everyone wanted. Now, it felt like he was a moronic, womanizing coward. I just about laughed.

"I am from the village. But I decided to leave them."

"Ayla? No way... She's shorter, and she has different eyes."

"No, I'm here daughter," I announced gently. His eyes bulged as I shook off the hood, allowing my hair to fall down and my facial features to be seen.

"And you beat me..." He said in awe and annoyance. I almost grinned but the matter was too serious.

"Get the hell over it."

He 'hmphed' and folded his arms crossly before sticking out his right hand. "Can I please have my spear back? Well, whatever it is now back?"

"It's called a staff, and it's another thing you can use for fighting if you know how." I muttered angrily as I threw it up. He caught it neatly and slowly stood.

"Ahh, I think you gave me a concussion."

"Hey, you attacked me," I shrugged.

He shrugged as well then suddenly grinned. "Aww, everyone's gonna call me a hero for finding out who was the one who haunted the cave."

I suddenly froze. "I can't let you do that."

He raised an eyebrow. "You can't? Look, who the hell's gonna stop me from leaving the cave?"

"I am," I said gently as I circled around him to block the entrance. He stared at me then laughed his rich laugh. Even though I didn't feel a thing for him anymore, it still sent pleasant shivers up my spine.

"What is this blasphemy?"

"Ooh, you learned a long word. Bravo."

He scowled. "Shut up. You beat me once, when I wasn't sure who my enemy was. But now..." He grinned and held up both sticks. I frowned and nearly shouted in anger as I noticed mine gone. The thief...

He grinned more and began to twirl them around, except in a way that made a mockery of me. He twisted and turned and was only a turtle-seal length away from me when I did the most stupid thing. I showed him what I could really do. I darted forward, easily dodging the sticks, now working on instinct. My pointy finger and my middle finger came together to form something stronger than two fingers, yet small enough to slip into small crevices in the human body.

At first, my arms were in close by my body, and then I abruptly spread them out, tapping him just above the elbow on the inside of his arm, then just after the shoulders turned into his chest. He looked puzzled, and then his arms fell to his sides, totally limp, while the two staffs fell to the ground. I grabbed mine as his eyes widen in more shock, then narrowed in frustration. He glared at me, and I could almost see the steam hissing out his ears. "Give me my arms back!" He roared and lunged blindly forward, his arms flopping around dangerously. I stepped to the side, again, he fell for it, and he kept stumbling past. I prodded three places on his back, two with my left hand, one with my right, and he was frozen. I could see his annoyed expression, even when his buttocks was sticking up into the air and his nose was only a hands breadth from the ground. His two arms were frozen up at his waist, curled upwards so I could see the palm, and it looked like he was in the middle of a really demented run.

I smirked. "Frog-chicken*." And his arms, given the position they were in, made him actually look like he was trying to impersonate one. He couldn't move his lips, but the edges of his eyes were twitching. It was a rather amusing sight. But then, I thought about what I would have to do with him. "Ugh, shiiiit..." I stretched out the last word as I fell back into the snow, my hair spread out behind and under me. *(Since, in Avatar, their world rarely has normal animals, I might make a few random ones up. Although, given the chance that there was this animal in the series on T.V, I will use that, if I remember it)

He was still frozen where he was, and the offer was too good to surpass. Still trying to figure out what to do, I lifted one lightly, snow coated boot and slammed it into his high held butt. He plunged, face first, into a snow pile just in front of him. Despite everything, I couldn't help but grin. And then I giggled. Only once, but I instantly regretted it. Ever since Elliot had said my giggle was cute and we had broken up, I never did it. I had the odd laugh, chuckle, snicker sometimes, but a giggle? It was pathetic and girlish, two things I rather disliked.

I could see him struggling to free himself and quickly remembered he'd be suffocating. I swiftly got to my feet and turned him round before unfreezing his face. He glared up at me. "So, were you trying to kill me, or was the trying to stop my breathing just part of a try at making me quiet?"

"I kinda forgot you could suffocate. Did you enjoy your kicked butt? I know I did." He scowled as I mentioned his boot marked booty. I simply grinned then quickly lost it. "I'll take that as a yes. Okay, don't tell anyone I practice here or... I really will kill you."

He laughed. "Oh really? Nah, you're too sissy."

I raised an eyebrow and held my staff high above his head. He froze then let out another laugh. I plunged it down and he let out a short lived scream. His eyes were closed and he slowly opened them, wondering why the stick hadn't destroyed his sight and brain. My staff was hovering just above his right eye. "You don't think I can? Well, what if I was too slip next time I threatened you?"

I almost laughed again as his face paled. I was far too controlled to slip. But he didn't need to know that. "Okay, okay, I'll keep it a secret..." He muttered angrily. Yes, I was victorious. My first real fight, and I had won! I put the staff down and quickly unfroze him. He slowly stood up and stretched his back. "Ack, I think you put my back out." I heard several clicks as he pushed himself further out. Oh great, a pelvic thrust.

"So? I also kicked your butt."

He glared at me then sighed. "Are you going to tell me how you kept this all a secret and how you managed to learn so much with no tutors?"

I cringed. There was no way I couldn't answer him, yet if I did and he decided to tell despite my warning, then I'd be totally found out. Crap, more damn decisions. I was never good with this kind of things. "No, I'm not. You still aren't worthy of my trust."

He raised an eyebrow. "And when will I be?"

"Probably never." It was true. If I were to come across someone who even remotely understood how I felt on most of life, then maybe, after a few months, I'd trust them. But the idiotic, yet insanely hot, tribe leader's son was never going to make it to that level.

"That sucks..." He muttered then looked up. The light bulb that hovered over his head was dusty and old, like it barely lit. "Hey... Can you teach me how to use the staff? And some of the body pressure points?"

Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "Why would you want me to teach you? I'm not anywhere near being a Master in any of the fighting styles I know."

"But you could still teach me what you know, couldn't you?"

I glared at him. "I could... But then I might have to get rid of you."

He paused for a moment then sighed. "Damn it, can't believe I'm doing this, but..." He got down on one knee as if he was about to propose.

"Eh...?" I started to question but he cut me off as he put an arm over his chest in something like a salute.

"I swear, on my honour of being a warrior, that I will not abuse the new power I may have, or tell anyone of your secret. I will even get them to not destroy the coven," he stared straight at me as he said the whole thing. Once he had finished, he stood and smiled. "Okay, so can I learn now?"

I bit my bottom lip. He had just sworn on everything that really mattered to him. Did that count for something? Anything? He seemed to notice my thoughts wavering and closed his eyes for a moment, before opening as wide as they could go. Oh gosh... They twinkled in the dim light of the cave, and showed a childish and vulnerable side I never knew he had. The kangaroo-puppy dog eyes. I furrowed my brow angrily then threw my hands up, letting out an exasperated 'uuugh'. "Fine! I'll freakin' train you in the ways of the staff, pressure points and sword. Okay? But only as much as I know, and you have to listen exactly as to what I say, got it!"

He nodded eagerly. "Thanks, Emily, really!" He looked about ready to hug me. I wasn't even sure if I'd push him off or allow it, but he seemed to change his mind making my decision for me this time. I glanced out towards the entrance and froze. "Crap, I'll teach you tomorrow. I have to go make dinner for Ayla."

He nodded then smiled a cute smile. "Can I come with you? I've got nothing to do anyway, and I don't want to wait around here while that happens."

"Fine. But I need to grab all my hidden weapons in case they blow up the place while I'm gone."

He grinned. "Ahh, no, they won't. I was sent to explore the cave, just to check it out, and if I tell them that there is no Beast, then they won't blow up the cave."

"Okay, first of all, it's a coven, second, brilliant."

I turned and began to walk towards the entrance then paused. "Oh yeah, when you entered, when you said 'what the' were you wondering about the seal and two fish?"

"Yeah, but I dropped them back in the hole in case they belonged to a penguin or something."

I nodded and continued on my way out. He followed behind me, and it almost made me feel anxious. He was a warrior, used to attacking like a merciless assassin. I tried to pass of the shivers up my spine as cold. I paused at the entrance to pick up the food, but he grabbed it from my hands and held it instead. "I owe you one. For not killing me, you know." Was all he said at the time. I just shrugged it off and paused at the entrance. He didn't know I could bend yet, so I'd have to be very careful with what I did.

I stuck my head out and checked around for anyone, but they were all over at the village. Even if they were that far off, there was a huge plain bit of white stretch that they could easily pick us out from. So I'd have to go the super long way. I turned to the right and began to walk around the huge glacier that the coven was in, away from the village. He just followed me, looking interested in everything I did. It was almost irritating, if not so; it was almost nice to have someone actually seeming to like me. Unlike all the others at the village.

We were rounding the next corner when I noticed a pathway that led up the glacier onto the top. So people had been up here before? I had no idea. I quickly followed it, making sure I didn't slip up or look like an idiot in front of the hottest guy I knew following me. I soon reached the top of the glacier, and the view was amazing! I could see even more of the village than at my igloo. The sun was almost gone in the sky and its final, subsiding rays were creating a blood red, canary yellow and fire orange in the sky. It was so beautiful, and it was still fading, allowing the red to fade to a pink I'd only seen drawn, and violet, purple and indigo colours shaded in the ice while the stars began to twinkle.

And the full moon shone down through it all, its luminous glow made the whole scene even more amazing, and just by staring at the white tide turner I could feel something even stronger than adrenaline racing through my veins. I closed my eyes for a moment, breathing slow as I enjoyed the spectacular sensation. I heard a stifled sound of surprise coming from behind me and I blinked rapidly, clearing my vision of the enlightened darkness behind my eyelids, turning to him again.

"What is it now, Aurek?" It was the first time I'd ever said his name out loud. I'd thought about it a ton, but never actually whispered it, let alone said it.

"You... Eyes... Eh?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You sound concussed, or, something similar."

He scowled. "Never mind then. How far off are we?"

I looked towards where my igloo was nestled snuggly. "About twenty to thirty five minutes, maybe forty."

He scowled more. "Hurry it up then, I'm freezing my damn feet off out here. And I have to get home, remember?"

I sighed and walked on, slowly becoming more irritated by the fact I couldn't enjoy the wonderous nightfall. We walked in silence, me moving my arms more than should be normal in my frustration at him. I was muttering to myself, only, in my head, so no one but I heard it. Aurek walked along behind me, looking thoughtful at everything, but as the time wore on, and passed what I'd estimated, he began to moan.

"Why aren't we there yet?" I had to grit my teeth to stop myself from freezing him again, only this time, using my bloodbending skill.

"Because you're really damned slow."

He pouted. "I'm not as slow as you."

"Yes, you are, otherwise I would have been there by now. So, stop acting like a stupid cry baby and hurry up. Ayla will be starting to worry." I added the last bit on in a mutter, but he still didn't shut up.

"You lied! You said forty at the most."

I could feel my right eye twitching. This annoying and irritating, yet still totally cute, guy was complaining about me inviting him into my igloo after a walk? Well, I suppose it was a long walk, but that's no reason to damn well moan on and on about the trip. Calm... I have to compose myself. I half closed my eyes and started taking in deep breaths. Inhale... Exhale... Inhale... Exhale... "What are you doing?" His voice broke through my concentration. My eyes flew open, and I could imagine they looked bloodshot with fury.

I turned suddenly, and he smacked into me. I remained firm like a rock, looking ready to explode, while he fell back into the ice. "Uh... You look angry..."

"Okay, you are going to listen to what I have to say now! You are going to shut up, and you are going to walk, or I'm going to drag you along by your ears. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" He nodded furiously, in a desperate attempt to get me to calm down. I still felt like a bomb, ready to go off at any moment.

"E-Emily... Calm down..."

"Calm down? CALM DOWN! You never tell a girl to calm down you ignorant idiot! That just makes them even more flustered! Ugh, you're impossible!" I screamed and turned, storming off, my feet sunk deeper than should be normal into the ice and snow with every step. I could feel him hurrying after me but I didn't care. He knew I was dangerous, so he better behave. At least he was silent now, and I could think. Inhale... Exhale... Inhale... Exhale...

I could already feel the anger draining slowly away. Leaving for a while, but always ready to come back. My footsteps became normal once more and I watched the night sky for a while. After about ten minutes I stopped. We were still on top of the glacier, and it seemed to hold no end. It just curved round like a fishing hook, leading far off into the distance. I turned my head to look down the cliff face and saw a few more glaciers, all collecting together, but all slightly shorter than this one. Crap, I'd probably missed my house. To get there before Ayla started worrying and went to look for me would probably be impossible. On foot.

But if I could bend us there... No, that'd reveal even more than I already have. He knows I know a fair bit about combat with weapons, but he doesn't know I can bend. But I have to... For Ayla. And I can't just leave him here. That'd be a horrid. But I do hate him... No. I dislike him. I hate the damn village people. But only because they despised me first, I only hate because I am hated. That sounds logical.

I hadn't realised I'd stopped till Aurek's hand hesitantly rested on my right shoulder. "Are we lost?" He was no longer sounding like the tribe leader's son. He was sounding almost caring. Yep, now this was getting freaky.

I sighed gently then turned to him. "Sort of. I know where to go, but I can only get there if you trust me with your life."

"Don't I already?" And despite his snarky, sarcastic tone, it actually sounded sincere. I didn't know how to respond, so I just shook his hand off and began to move my arms, feeling the water beneath our feet. I could feel a slight trembling as a flat piece of ice, square and big enough for us both to lie down on side-by-side, and brought it up into the air.

My concentration was on nothing but my bending, but I did hear his slight gasp. I moved us along, going back the way we came a little bit before I moved us to the side. I could see my igloo just below and forward a bit. We now had nothing but air beneath us for a while. I moved the ice piece along, slowly coming down while going forwards. I landed us just before the igloo then hopped off and ran into the igloo, ignoring the obviously full of questions Aurek.

I crawled into the igloo and saw Ayla first thing. She was lying still, and she didn't seem to be breathing. I paused for a moment then hurried over to her, kneeling down beside. Her head was under the covers, and I carefully pulled them away, eyes wide and full of fear. Her eyes were also wide, but they were unseeing, emotionless, devoid of humanity. Her skin was already going blue, and I had to stifle a sob as the tears welled up in my eyes.

With a shaking hand I placed two fingers lightly over her eyelids, and slid them down over those amazing, emerald green eyes.

Okay, anyone who enters an OC, they'll probably be used in the future. Even from the Southern Water Tribe which will shortly be left behind. (spoiler) Also, if anyone does enter another while I'm just writing away, I'll bring them in soon enough. And, you may have noticed that a few of the names sound kind of, normal, in this day-and-age. Yes, they do, because I'm too lazy to find fancy Chinese names like Katara, Zuko, Aang and so on.

So far, I'm enjoying writing this, and I hope the few, if anyone, of you that are reading this are enjoying it as well. I'm still writing up many, many more chapters, and I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon. So, prepare for cliff-hangers, adventure, deep insights to Emily (because it's mostly from her point of view) and much more in this story of the new world in Avatar history.