A week passed after the meeting with Zhao, and in the last seven days Zuko hardly spoke to me. Ever since I told him my small recollection of turtle ducks, I think I caused him more pain than I intended to. The Amber girl and him had probably fed turtle ducks together, and I touched on a difficult subject. Since Zuko wasn't talking to me Iroh was my only companion as the ship we were on sped across the water. Whenever Iroh would come in my room, he'd bring in random objects with him saying he was trying to see if any sparked my memory. In the South Pole we didn't have any of the objects he showed me, so they were all foreign to me. However, after looking them over a few more times, they were soon familiar to me.

Three days ago Iroh brought in a bag of seashells and poured the beautiful shaped objects across the floor. I'd never in my days seen such earthly creations, and I couldn't help but pick a few up and hold them in my hands. They were cool and smooth to the touch. After a while they felt familiar to my skin. Then he sat across from me telling me a story about how when Amber was three she ran off toward the beach of a Fire Nation resort the royal family would stay in every summer. He said the resort was on Ember Island, as if he expected me to know what that was. When he saw I'd never heard of the place, he smiled weakly and continued. He told me that when the girl had gotten to the beach she'd gathered seashells so she could give them to her older brother Zuko.

While she was gathering the shells a big wave came out of no where and knocked the little girl off her feet pulling her toward the ocean. Amber couldn't swim at the time, only being three, and she began to drown.

When he said this something flashed across my mind. Fear… Pain… A salty taste… My lungs burning. Clutching my head, I heard Iroh continue.

"We were lucky Fire Lady Ursa had seen her leave the house, because if she hadn't the young princess would've drowned and died that night. She pulled her out just in enough time, and carried her back to the resort. When Amber woke up the next day, she found she was in her mothers arms."

Another image flashed through my head then.

I felt warmth as someone held me close to them. Their arms were so comfortable around me, and they held me as if they were afraid to let me go. Opening my eyes, I saw a woman in her mid twenties was the one embracing me. Her beautiful gold orbs opened and met my own. She brushed a hand through my moist salty tangled hair, and her hand felt so soft against my skin.

She moved her head toward me so our foreheads were touching. "Silly girl... I can't let you out of my sight for two minutes, can I?"

She kissed me on the forehead then, her touch so loving.

My hand suddenly flew up to my forehead, where the spot tingled from the memory of the kiss. What was that...? Was I really seeing Amber's memories as my own? No... I can't be Amber... My heads just playing tricks on me!

Iroh asked if I was alright, but I didn't answer him. My body was shaking from everything I had just seen and felt. It hurt. It hurt seeing all of this. It couldn't be... I can't be Amber... I just can't. Iroh had left me to my thoughts, leaving the seashells with me.

After that day I didn't see Iroh for a good twenty-four hours. Eventually Iroh came back, only this time he had an apple in his hand. Holding it out to me, I took it with a soft thanks. He sat down in front of me again watching as I traced my hand over the food I'd never eaten before. The South Pole didn't have apples. I thought it was a snack he'd brought me. I didn't realize it was another method he wanted to use to bring 'Amber's' memories back.

He spoke after a moment, saying, "Apple's were Amber's favorite thing to eat. She was never a fan of the hot spicy foods that were usually served at home. One time when she was five Amber begged Zuko to help her climb the apple tree in the palace garden so she could pick some. Zuko helped her up to the first branch about five feet from the ground, and then Amber tried to pick one. She had just snatched one when she lost her balance and fell backward landing on Zuko."

An image flashed through my head once more.

I beamed with delight as I yanked the apple from the tree. My feet balanced on the limb pretty well. However as I went to lower myself from the limb, my foot slipped on the bark and I fell. I screamed as I dropped toward the ground, and a body caught me only for us both to fall to the ground. The body below me hissed in pain. Quickly I apologized, and asked if he was okay.

Zuko shoved me off of him, sitting up and wincing a bit. He stood up rubbing the back of his head. "You're crazier than Azula!"

I giggled and held up the apple. "But you love me more."

The boy looked down at me, but when he saw my shining eyes he couldn't help but smile. "Yeah… You're right." Then he snatched the apple from my hand and took off running. I gasped and jumped up shouting, "Zu! Bring it back!" Taking off running after him, we both laughed through the palace garden.

Iroh was suddenly shaking my shoulder , and I came back to present as the images faded from my mind.

Iroh sounded concerned, but curious when he asked, "Kaya... Everything alright?"

At once I felt tears come to my eyes, and I broke into sobs. This Amber girl and her memories kept creeping into my mind, and I was terrified that Amber truly was me. If she was, then that meant my father was a monster. If I truly was Amber and the Fire Lord's daughter, then my brother Sokka and sister Katara would hate my guts. The South Pole would never allow me back home if I turned out to be the enemies daughter.

"No!" I cried, clutching my hair. "It can't be! It just can't!"

Sokka… Katara… What would they think if I really was Zuko's long lost sister?

Iroh didn't show me anything else after my breakdown, and for that I was thankful. I was tired of being forced to see painful images. I was so tired of Iroh believing I was this Amber, when I really didn't want to be. I wanted to be Kaya and stay Kaya. I didn't want to be Amber!

Now it was some time in the evening, a day after Iroh had given me the apple. Instead of Iroh coming to bring me my food it was another. Zuko walked into the room after I had opened the steel door to let him in. Iroh and Zuko had started knocking recently, deciding it was rude to barge into the room and scare the living daylights out of me. We both stayed silent as he placed a tray of tea and some steamed fish on the cot in the room.

He stared at me then, and I sat back in the corner of the room where I'd been sitting previously trying to stay away from his gaze. After a while of staring at me, he walked over making me push back against the wall. He stopped a foot in front of me, and I saw pain shoot across his face.

"You're her… Aren't you?"

Confusion swept through me at Zuko's sudden question, and I looked at him not sure how to respond. He continued with almost uncertainty, but there was also the sound of hope in his tone. "Uncle said you're remembering things, little by little. At first I didn't want to believe, but when you told me about turtle ducks I had no doubt in my mind." He paused. Standing from my corner so I could slightly match his height, I crossed my arms suddenly feeling cold.

"You are Amber, aren't you?" Zuko asked again, and his voice pierced my heart. He was wanting me to be this Amber girl so terribly, but I didn't know who I was anymore.

For the last week I'd been so lost and confused. I kept seeing flashes of a past unfamiliar to me. I arrived at the South Pole when I was six, but before that I knew nothing. They say you don't remember much from being a little kid anyway, so I wasn't worried about it before. However, since the flashes started coming through my mind recently I was starting to get worried. If I did happen to be Zuko's dead sister, would I be stuck with Zuko and Iroh forever? They were strangers to me.

Looking down at the floor, I really didn't want to respond. Why should I tell him I'm not his sister, when I'm not even sure myself?

"You are her... I know you are. Don't worry, Amber," he said softly, and I was surprised when he placed a warm brotherly hand on my shoulder. "We'll help you get your memory back. I know you're in there somewhere. I'll help you get your memories back."

My memories...? Zuko was confident I was his sister. He was confident.

"I'm not..." I said softly. "I can't be..."

"You are her. The resemblance between you and my mom can't be ignored. You have her beauty. And your eyes... Your eyes are hers. A brother never forgets his sister's eyes."

My eyes dropped from him wishing it wasn't true. It can't be... If I am this Amber girl, then how am I supposed to be her? My whole nine years of life I've thought myself to be Kaya of the Southern Water Tribe. All I've ever known is my family and friends at the village. I didn't know anything about the Fire Nation. I didn't know anything about Zuko and Iroh. I was scared to be Amber, because that meant I wasn't Kaya anymore.

Zuko suddenly placed a hand on my trembling shoulder, saying softly, "Trust me Amber… I won't rest until your memories return."

Wincing from his touch, I whispered, "What if the memories I get back aren't good ones?"

He seemed to take this in for a moment. After thinking it over, he answered softly pulling away from my shoulder, "We'll take it one memory at a time." Then turning he left me, and I watched him go with pain and fear. He so desperately wanted me to be this Amber. I so desperately didn't want to be her. Sitting back in my corner I held my knees close to me, pressing my face into the fabric of my dress. The steamed fish slowly started to go cold.

Another week passed, and flashes of memories were rushing through me like a flowing stream. One memory I was seated by the pond I'd pictured before, and the lady I assumed to be Fire Lady Ursa was brushing my- I mean Amber's- hair. She'd then sang to me a song that I couldn't make out the words to, but felt I'd heard before. The song sent chills through my spine as I realized it was a lullaby. For a second I wished I could recall the words, but I quickly pushed that hope aside. The words weren't important. The tune should go away. I hated these memories!

Another memory came to me later on, and this time it was when Zuko and I... I mean Amber... had locked Azula in her room to keep her away from us. The little girl had been picking on us and we wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine. We'd followed behind her shutting her door on her. The two of us pushed against the door while she pushed back. After a while we got bored and stepped away from the door. She opened it stumbling out into the hall. When she was free she went crying to daddy, and Zuko and I burst into laughter. We were four and five I believe. Azula had been three. We were terrible siblings.

Immediately I started to realize I was starting to believe the memories were my own. The familiarity only made me sick to my stomach. Maybe Zuko and Iroh were right? Maybe I was Amber? I mean how could I remember such vivid images if they weren't my own memories?

The facts and evidence were becoming more visual. I didn't want it to be true, but it was hard to deny when I saw so many things in my memories that I couldn't explain.

These memories started to make me feel more and more like this Amber chick. How was I seeing these images so clearly? All I'd ever known was the South Pole, so how was I seeing a beautiful green garden in my memories? There was only one explanation, and that was that I really was Amber. There was no way I was telling Zuko though. I didn't want to give his hopes up if I was some how wrong.

The day suddenly came when Zuko rushed into the room with great excitement. He exclaimed that the Avatar was on Kyoshi Island and we were headed there as we spoke. He exclaimed that soon the Avatar would be in his possession and we'd finally be headed home. "Isn't it great!"

My response to him was a deep frown. "You want to hand over a twelve year old kid to the Fire Lord... Forgive me for not jumping for joy."

Zuko looked down at me from where I sat against the wall. He was shocked by my words. His lips pulled down and he grimaced. "I know how it may look to you," Zuko began. "However, the Avatar is my ticket home. I wouldn't care if he's an infant. I'm taking him to my father and regaining my honor."

His words made me shake my head. "You don't know what you're doing... If you hand this boy over to your father, his blood will be on your hands. I hope you're ready to watch the Avatar die, because that's what will happen."

Zuko scowled. "You're wrong! The Avatar won't be killed. If he dies he'll be reborn into the Water Tribe. The last thing we need is another hunt."

"So you'll imprison him for the rest of his life? He'll just kill himself from boredom."

Zuko tightened his fists. "Well what do you want me to do?!"

I sighed heavily, running my fingers through my hair. "Let him go. Go live out the rest of your days in a nice Earth village. Meet a girl. Have kids. Stop chasing a kid around and just be happy."

Zuko yelled, "I'll be happy when I'm back home and have my honor."

I decided not to argue. I'd angered him enough. He turned on his heel and slammed the door behind him. I rolled my eyes and stared at the floor, wishing Zuko would take my advice.

Iroh came in an hour after I angered Zuko. He must've saw his angered nephew, because he asked, "What did you say to upset him so much?"

I shrugged, answering, "To be happy and find a girl."

Iroh smiled weakly. "I wish he'd heed that advice. Chasing the Avatar will get him nowhere."

Iroh told me we'd be arriving at Kyoshi Island in a little over a day. That's when I knew I had to decide what to do. Either I sneak away from Zuko and return to the siblings I knew were in fact my adoptive family; or I stay with Zuko and try to discover if I truly am this Amber girl. Either way I'd be letting someone down, whether it be Sokka and Katara, or Zuko- the boy who could possibly be my brother by blood.

Time for my decision came faster than I wanted. Zuko came in the room having calmed from his anger toward me, and claimed we'd arrived at Kyoshi Island. He told me I was confined to my room so I wouldn't interfere with the capture of the Avatar. I told him I had no desire to get in his way. He turned on his heel and left. When he was gone I knew I had to go or stay, and the decision had to be made as soon as Zuko was off the ship.

Fingering the water tribe bracelet around my wrist, I remembered something Katara had told me right after I'd arrived in the South Pole. She'd given me a hug while I was crying in the corner of our igloo, saying, "Don't cry… You're my big sis now… Even if you don't remember your old family, you have a new one."

Sighing, I plopped down on the cot in the room and fell back. My heart hurt. My head hurt. I felt so worn. However, I knew Katara was right… She and Sokka were my family. Obviously my old family didn't care about me if they gave up looking for me, so why should I want to be this Amber girl? Zuko and Iroh so wanted me to be her, but deep down I was scared to be. I just wanted to stay Kaya. I just wanted to be me.

I'm not Amber... There's no way I'm Amber!

Finally making my decision, I stood from the cot and walked over to the corner of the room. Iroh had one of the crew wash my water tribe shirt and pants, so they were clean and folded. I immediately stripped off the fire nation dress I had been wearing and pulled back on my water tribe linen shirt and blue trousers. It was time to see my family again, whether Zuko and Iroh liked it or not.

Walking over to Zuko's small wooden chest, I opened it and shoved through some clothes of his. Finally, I found the paper and ink pen I was looking for. Sitting at the long table where Zuko lit the candles to meditate, I opened the metal ink container and dipped the pen in the black liquid. The I lowered it to the paper and started to write. My mother had taught me how to write growing up. We didn't have ink because it froze, so instead I'd just write letters in the snow. I'd held a pen before, but I'd never really written with it. When I first started the ink smudged a bit, but finally I got the hang of it. The letter I was writing to Zuko wouldn't be perfect, but it would be enough.

Dear Zuko,

By the time you get this letter I'll be back with my Water Tribe family. I know it's cruel of me leaving you like this, however, I feel I have to. You'll stop me, and I can't allow that. I need some time to think. All these memories of this girl I may or may not be are tearing me apart, and I really need to get away from it all. I'm not saying I don't think I'm this Amber girl, but I feel maybe if I go out on my own for a while and think about it I'll find answers. I'm sorry. Tell Iroh I said thank you for everything. You're a good person Zuko. I didn't think it at first, but I see it now. I hope you one day find happiness.

Be safe,

Kaya

Sighing, I placed the pen back and then put the note flat on the table. Standing, I made my way over to the door to take my leave. The crew and guards were probably on deck or with Zuko, so I hoped I could leave the ship without being spotted. However as soon as I turned to head to the door, I spotted a figure already there making me freeze in my step.

"Iroh," I whispered, then immediately felt guilt wash over me. Iroh had seen me writing, and I was pretty sure he knew what I was about to do. Instead of looking angry or disappointed, he held nothing but shame and understanding on his expression. Walking over to me, he placed a kind almost fatherly hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

His apology completely took me off guard, and I looked at him puzzled.

He continued, "We've been wanting you to be Amber so much that we've forgotten you have another name and family. We shouldn't have forced our hopes onto you like this. We both just see so much of Amber in you, and I guess we want you to be her. Even if you don't see her in you right now, I know Amber's inside you somewhere. I hope you find the truth and come back to us soon."

His words baffled me. Finally I found the words to speak. "You're not going to stop me?"

Iroh sighed, "That would be the proper thing to do, but you're old enough to know what you need. Go to your Water Tribe family and find answers. If you do ever remember who you are, then Zuko and I will welcome you back with open arms."

Smiling weakly, I said a soft, "Thanks," and then started to leave. He placed a hand on my shoulder though to stop me.

"There's something you should have before you go." He pulled something out of his sleeve and I looked at the object with question. It was a beautiful golden bracelet, and symbols of flames were etched into the material. It was utterly beautiful, and looked old and expensive.

Slowly I took it from him, holding the object in my hand. It was such a treasure, and I felt warmth fill inside me even though the metal was cool.

"It was Amber's before she disappeared," Iroh began. He took the bracelet from me and placed it onto my wrist beside the blue bracelet I already wore. "It was found in her bedroom on the floor the night she was kidnapped. Zuko's mother gave it to me telling me to give it to you if one day you returned. You are Amber my dear... I know you don't want to believe it, but the facts and your resemblance to Lady Ursa are undeniable. The bracelet rightfully belongs to you, and I hope it will help you remember."

Looking down at the bracelet I fingered the band with a small smile. Looking back up at Iroh, I promised, "I'll take good care of it."

He suddenly threw his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. At first I was tense, but there was something familiar about his embrace that made me hug him back. "Be safe," he whispered in my ear, and then he turned and left me to watch him go.

"You too," I said softly, meaning it.

Standing in the room for a minute, I waited until Iroh was gone. When I no longer heard his footsteps, I made my way through the halls to sneak off the ship. The ship was pretty empty, although I had to creep around a few crewmen and guards. Eventually I made it to the ship ramp and made my way down onto the sand of the beach. From what I could see smoke was already trailing up toward the sky past some trees. The trees were green and full, even though some snow was scattered on the limbs and ground. I wasn't used to seeing so much green, only knowing ice my whole life. Quickly I pushed away my astonishment at the beauty and focused.

Making my way across the melting snow toward the area of woods, I wasn't sure what my next plan was but I knew I had to do something. If I stood on the beach all day Zuko would find me and drag me back to the ship. It was as I raced through the wooded area that I heard a familiar groan from somewhere near by. Though I hardly knew the creature, his call was music to my ears. Running past the wild trees and jumping over roots, I saw the giant furry flying sky-bison standing in between some trees looking a bit worried.

"Appa…" I made my way over. The giant flying sky bison looked at me for a moment as if to see who I was. I prayed he recognized me and was relieved when he walked over to me. The creature was huge, that's for sure. I felt so small next to this giant beast. "Hey Appa... I'm so glad to see a familiar face," I said. I reached my hand out and patted him above his nose. He groaned again, and pressed into my hand letting me know he was glad to see me too. When I had Appa's trust, I climbed his fur and rolled into the saddle.

"Okay Appa… We need to get into the town and pick everyone up. So let's fly like Aang said you could."

Appa only groaned and shook his head as if to tell me that wasn't possible. Crawling over to his neck, I said, "Come on boy… They need us." To prove I was right I heard an explosion in the distance. Appa only remained where he was standing. This obviously wasn't working. I needed a new method.

"Okay… How does Aang do it? Does he have a special saying, word, pat? Come on boy. Were running out of ti-"

Appa suddenly took off, and I screamed flying back onto the saddle. Then we were flying above the trees. Actually flying! I stared over the saddle as we took off above the greenery into the air. It was so amazing and thrilling at the same time. When I saw the fire though my excitement died to horror. Flames surrounded the village of Kyoshi Island, people screamed as they ran away from Fire Nation soldiers and burning houses. At once tears filled my eyes. How could Zuko do something like this? I didn't want to be Amber if that made me like Zuko.

Appa suddenly began to descend and I saw where he was headed. Aang and Katara stood fighting off two fire benders. A soon as Appa landed beside the two kids, I slid off of him and landed on the ground. When I was on my feet I breathed in and shot my hand forward at the two armored men. My fire hit them both sending them flying back with yelps. They landed on the ground hard, a bit disoriented.

"Kaya?!"

Turning to my sister and Aang who stared at me with bewilderment, I yelled, "Get on Appa!" They both snapped out of their shock, and the three of us climbed back on Appa. A second later Sokka joined us, climbing up Appa's fur too. He landed in the saddle out of breath. He was wearing a green dress with white makeup, and I was confused by his appearance. Why was my brother wearing a dress?

"Um... I don't even want to know," I said.

He was surprised to hear me, and he shot up staring at me with shock. Before he could question my sudden appearance, Appa lifted off from the ground and we took off into the air.

Fire shot up at us from the men below, and I heard Zuko shout, "Stop them!" Glancing over the saddle, I saw Zuko pointing up at us from where he sat on a Rough Rhino. I quickly ducked so he wouldn't see me earning another look of question from Sokka.

As we began to fly above the lapping water, Aang said something over the wind in our ears. Katara shouted after him, but by that point he'd decided. I watched with amazement as Aang jumped off of Appa and dived into the water below. He seemed to stay under for a good minute, and we all watched with worry. He finally resurfaced though, only he wasn't alone. He was on the head of a giant black sea serpent. From the books I'd read I knew it was called a Unagi. The three of us watched in horror as he steered the beast, and then were amazed when the creature spit water on the village dousing the flames. The creature went back into the water when it was done, and Aang jumped back through the air onto Appa.

When Aang returned to Appa, the three of us sighed with utter relief. My eyes couldn't help but look back at the village. Smoke trailed up toward the sky, but over all the fire was gone. How could Zuko do such a thing? The thought pained me.

"I know, I know," Aang suddenly said. I turned back to see him sitting in the saddle with his clothes wet from his swim. "That was stupid and dangerous."

Katara nodded. "Yes, it was." Then she moved forward and hugged him. His face filled with relief that he had't angered Katara. When Katara pulled away from him, I saw her eyes shoot to me. "Now on to other things..."

She practically jumped on me knocking me over in the saddle. Her arms hugged me tightly as if letting me go I'd disappear. Tears fell from her cheeks. They were tears of both relief and joy. "Kaya! We were so worried about you! Did Zuko hurt you? How'd you escape? You're not brainwashed are you?" She said the last part grabbing my shoulders and shaking them a bit.

"Whoa! One question at a time," I said, pushing her back slightly before she suffocated me.

Sokka however took her place when I was free, hugging me even tighter. I smiled at his brotherly warmth and hugged him back. My eyes tightened so glad to be back with my Water Tribe family. It felt good to be back among familiarity. "You're the most stubborn girl in the world! I tell you to stay with Gran-Gran and instead you get imprisoned by a nutcase! Do you like giving me heart attacks?!"

Rolling my eyes, I pushed him back with a smirk. "The only one who's getting a heart attack is me, and that's because my sixteen year old brother is wearing a dress."

Sokka pulled away then, looked down at himself, and then immediately began to struggle out of the green dress. The three of us laughed as we watched him, and it felt good to laugh. This was the happiest I'd been in almost two weeks. When he was out of the dress, I noticed he'd worn his linen shirt and blue trousers underneath.

The excitement died down then, and Katara had to ask. "So what happened?"

Sighing, I crossed my legs and hung my head. "Where do I even start..."

I told them about my journey with Zuko and Iroh. I told them about staying with a hot headed prince, and told them about kindhearted Iroh. I told them about the food, about the clothing, and about staying in a dim room for so long. My eyes were still burning slightly from the bright light around me. Then I told them about the whole Amber thing. How I may or may not be her, and how Iroh and Zuko believed I was her. I told them about Zhao too, and how he too called me Amber.

When I finished they were all staring at me speechless, and I looked down at my crossed legs with fear. So this was it... The moment when they decided if they wanted me around or gone. If I truly was Amber, then I was the leader of the Fire Nation's daughter. I was definitely not company they would want around. Tears burned in my eyes but did not fall. They probably hated my guts...

"So…" Katara began, breaking the silence. "Let me get this straight... Prince Zuko and his uncle think you might be some lost princess named Amber. Also this lost princess happens to be Zuko's sister and the Fire Lords daughter?"

Nodding, I looked into Katara's piercing blue eyes as she took all of it in. She seemed like she didn't know what to believe. Aang was amazed, looking me over with curiosity.

Sokka was amused. He suddenly burst into laughter which broke the long silence. As he laughed, I glared at him and felt betrayal. This wasn't supposed to be funny. At least I didn't think it was...

"I'm sorry," Sokka finally said after laughing for a while. "It's just-" he wiped his eyes which had a few tears "-the thought of you being a princess is too funny… There's no way my little macho sister is a princess." At once i punched him hard in the shoulder and he winced clutching it as it throbbed. He wasn't smiling anymore. Instead he glared at me and muttered, "See… My point exactly."

Aang added in, "Just because she hits you doesn't make her any less of a princes." He looked back at me in thought. "It could be true. Katara and Sokka told me they never found out where you came from. If Amber was kidnapped when she was six, and you were saved when you were six, then the ages add up. Plus you're both Fire Nation.

Letting out a hard sigh, I said, "It doesn't really matter right now. It's just a theory... My memories still aren't clear, and there's still not enough proof that I really am this Amber chick. For now I just want to be Kaya."

Sokka, Katara, and Aang all looked at one another, and I looked back at my hands which shook with both fear and anxiety. What would they do? Would they decide I'm too dangerous to have around? Would they return me to Zuko not wanting the enemies princess traveling with them? Or would they except me with open arms and treat me no less than their sister?

"Okay…" Sokka began. I shut my eyes tightly, hanging my head. "Well until you find out if your this Amber girl, we'll pretend nothing's changed and your still our one of a kind fire bending sister. Deal?"

Relief flowed through me, and I felt like I could finally breathe. Opening my eyes, I felt tears fall down my cheeks with joy. My family still accepted me. They still wanted me. Beaming with delight, I exclaimed, "Deal!"

He suddenly grabbed my arm and yanked me forward. I gasped as his arm circled around my neck and he rubbed his knuckles hard against my scalp. Struggling, I heard him say, "That's for hitting me." Then he pulled away and grinned at my scowl.

Rubbing my aching head, I muttered, "I hate it when you do that."

He grinned and fixed my misplaced hair by brushing it out of my face. "I know. That's why I did it."

Katara and Aang broke into laughter, and after a second Sokka broke into laughter too. I smiled glad to be back. It was good to be with my family again. It was good to just be Kaya.