Chapter Four:

Kyoshi Island

It had been a few days since Zuko's victory over Zhao. The very next day, I asked Iroh if there was a library on the ship. And there was, but it seemed like Iroh knew what it was that I really wanted to read. The next night he brought me a water bending scroll and a book of water tribe legends. Why Iroh water tribe literature, I had no idea. But I appreciated it none the less.

Over the next few days, I would spend more and more time out on the deck. Most of the time I was chatting with Iroh while he taught me pai sho, or, I was practicing my bending. The whole ordeal with Zhao had terrified me beyond belief. I had honestly never felt that much fear before, and I never wanted to feel it again. My bending was weak from disuse, so the scroll helped.

So did my evening meditation sessions under the moon. I could feel the connection to my element growing. And as strong as I had been feeling, there was still this pit inside of me. I missed my little sister and my idiot twin.

It was over a meal of grilled fish that we got the news. The Avatar was on Kyoshi Island. My family was just beyond the shore.

"Uncle, ready the rhinos. He's not going to get away from me this time" Zuko told Iroh as he started to walk out of the room.

"Are you going to finish that?" Iroh asked after a moment, motioning to Zuko's fish.

"I was going to save it for later" Zuko snapped, grabbing the plate and taking it with him.

Iroh and I sat for a little while longer. We finished the rest of our tea in a shared calm, yet awkward silence.

"So," Iroh cleared his throat. "the Avatar is on Kyoshi Island."

"It appears that way" I nodded, keeping my head down.

"I will miss our games," Iroh said warmly, causing me to look up in shock. Was he... was he letting me go?

"W-what?" I stammered.

"You have always had the freedom to leave, my dear" the old man smiled. "Just never the opportunity."

He was right of course. The last time I had been even close to allowed off of the ship, we had run into Zhao. After that, I had always stayed on the ship either in my room or on deck practicing my waterbending.

"I'll miss you" was all I could say. And I meant it too. Iroh had been nothing but warm-hearted and nurturing. The old man had been a good friend to me these past few days.

Iroh and I delegated shortly as to how I would go about leaving. He knew as well as I did that Zuko wouldn't willingly let me go just so I could help the Avatar. The only plan that really made sense was sneak out while Zuko went into the village to find Aang.

So while Iroh went and readied the komodo rhinos for his nephew, I went back to my room. Along with my normal water tribe clothing, I put the water bending scroll and book of water tribe legends Iroh had given me in the small bag I had been given. I didn't have many belongings and I was able to hide the bag underneath the thick red Fire Nation cloak. For some reason, I couldn't part with the clothes Iroh had gotten for me.

Then I waited for Zuko and the others to leave. Iroh said he would come and get me the moment the coast was clear. So I stayed in my room until I heard the familiar knock on the steel door. When it finally came, I fastened my small bag to my back and covered it with my cloak.

"Do you have everything?" Iroh asked as soon as I opened the door.

"Yes," I nodded.

"Here, some bread and tea for your travels. And a new sleeping bag as well. "

"Iroh..." I trailed off.

"Are you sure you will be warm enough? the old man asked.

"Iroh..."

"Maybe I should find you a thicker blanket..."

"Iroh!" That finally got his attention. "I'll be okay," I told him, giving the old firebender a warm look. He was the only thing I would truly miss about being on this ship.

"I'm going to miss you, Princess Keira of the Southern Water Tribe."

"How..." I asked. Technically, my brother, sister and I were royalty. Our father was chief of the whole tribe. But how did Iroh know?

"I have my ways" Iroh amber-gold eyes glinted knowingly.

"I'm going to miss you too, Uncle Iroh."

Soon enough I was running as fast as I could towards the village. I couldn't risk getting captured again, so I kept to the trees as much as possible. Hopefully, I could find out where my family and friend were staying and hide out there.

Zuko and his soldiers weren't too far ahead. I did my best to steer clear of them as Zuko called out, trying to coax Aang out of where ever he was hiding.

I watched from the tree line as the Fire Nation soldiers stalked forward. From where I was crouched, I couldn't see any villagers. But there was some movement. The next thing I knew, the soldiers were ambushed by a small group of figures dressed in green robes.

The islands fighters easily overpowered the fire benders, except for the prince. I watched as the person, who seemed to be the leader, charged forward. Only for them to be taken out by the tail of the Komodo rhino. Thankfully, just as soon as Zuko was about to shoot a blast of fire at the warrior, another one came out of nowhere and put out the flames with ... a fan?

"I guess trainings over" I heard the warrior say as Zuko was thrown off of the rhino. The warriors' voice reminded me a lot of my brother. But this fighter had more talent than Sokka. Plus they were wearing a dress, there's no way it was him.

A part of me wanted to edge forward in order to get a better view. But I wasn't a fighter, yet, and it was probably safer for me and everyone else to stay back and observe. Not that I could see much.

"Nice try, Avatar!" Zuko called out the second all of the green-clad warriors were on their backs. "But these little girls can't save you."

"Hey!" I heard Aang's voice call out. "Over here!" But I couldn't see him from where I was.

What I could see, however, was fire. The thatched rooves were aflame and I could hear the slight crackle from where I was. Maybe I could just...

Quietly I dropped my bags on the ground and removed my cloak. There was snow literally everywhere, part of the water benders domain of power. I didn't have much practice but I was hoping I could bend the snow and snuff out as much of the fire as I could without getting caught.

But before I could act, I saw Aang start to fly away with his glider. Biting my lip, I picked my bags and cloak back up and ran as fast as I could. Following Aang as he flew. When he finally stopped and landed next to my sister. Just a little closer and I was home free.

"Wait!" I called out as I saw my family climb onto Appa. Running up the bisons tail I collapsed onto the saddled, gasping for air. "I haven't...run that.. fast... since Sokka pegged that tiger seal with a snowball" I gasped for air.

"Keira!" Katara smiled, jumping on top of me with a hug. "I'm sooo sorry... we didn't mean.. we didn't know...and then it was too late and..." my little sister stumbled over her words.

"It's okay," I told her as we lifted off into the air. "So I'm guessing Sokka did something idiotic?" I asked, motioning to my twin's attire.

"Aww, man!"