Chapter 8
The Northern Water tribe had rebuilt itself to look just as it did before the attack from the fire nation. Giant ice buildings took up the North Pole, which was basically a floating ice block in the middle of the ocean.
"Damn, why is it so cold...?" Toph muttered to herself. She had never been to any of the poles before. Her decision to leave had been so rash and uncalled for; she never stopped to think how she would see where she was going. She had never walked on snow before.
She was currently sitting inside one of the Fire Nation war balloons. She had stolen it just before she left. It had just been another one of her rash decisions; she had never stopped to think about how the water benders may react seeing a balloon with the Fire Nation's emblem coming towards them. Then again, she hadn't heard about what had happened last time the Fire Nation had paid them a visit.
Besides, the war was over, and Zuko was doing a good job at reforming the Nation. They wouldn't do anything too crazy, would they?
Almost there, she thought with a shiver.
She pulled out her bag and slipped on a jacket. She lowered the air pressure of the balloon so it would gradually come down to land, and waited.
Hopefully someone will be waiting for me, she thought, because if I can't see with this snow it's going to be difficult to not die of frost bite.
Katara smiled and glanced down at the buildings below her.
"I'm so excited to be back," she said in practically a whisper. "When Sokka told me of his plan to unite the two tribes I was completely blown away. He really has gotten smarter."
Aang smiled from his position on top of Appa's head. "Sokka's always been smart; we just can't let that go to his head."
"Hey, look over there!"
Aang turned around and saw the red and black balloon drifting slowly towards the North Pole. "Whoa – what do you think they're doing here?"
"Zuko better have good reason for sending fire nation soldiers here at a time like this," Katara said. "I don't think they're going to be very welcoming."
A middle aged woman with dark hair stood at the tower's window. Even though she was dressed in traditional water bender attire, her eyes gave away her story immediately.
She saw the balloon drift towards her newfound home.
She quickly picked up the bottom of her long robe and ran out of the room. She had to find the rest of the council members fast, and she could only hope that they hadn't already launched their attack. There had been no announcement, but if anyone saw that balloon coming towards them it would be all over for whoever was inside.
She skidded to a halt and she ran into one the meeting room.
"Fire Nation heading for us," she said quickly. The council members stood up in a hurry, ready to launch a counter attack, but the woman was persistant. "Please do not attack them."
"What is it, Lady Ahsaru?" One member asked. "Do you want them to again destroy our home? I'm afraid we just cannot allow them the oppertunity."
"They don't want to fight, I'm sure of it," she replied. "The war has been over for months now, and I'm positive the Fire Lord would not start another one after working so hard to stop the last."
There were a lot of snickers to that remark, but Ahsaru stood her ground. She knew her son.
But they council didn't seem willing to budge.
"Please," the woman begged. "I am expecting them."
"You are a very respected council member, but I'm afraid your ties to your home land may lead you to the path of a traitor," another member remarked. Her face froze to stone at his words, but before she could respond the head of the council stood up.
"Let them come," a man said. "The avatar has been spotted coming our way. They fire nation would not be so stupid to attack with him around."
Everyone agreed to this. Ahsaru let out a sight of releif.
The council member who spoke walked up to her and touched her shoulder, "I understand, Lady Ursa, that you are hoping for your son. I just hope you understand that if he threatens my people, he will die."
"I know my son, he would never."
The council member kept quiet, not mentioning that her son had been one of the leaders of their last attack.
