Finally got a stroke of inspiration to write in this fic.

Hope you enjoy

Chapter Ten

The Journey Begins

Zula was standing there on a balcony of the Fire Nation Palace. The wind was blowing slightly causing the bangs that had fallen on either side of her head to dance in the wind. She was dressed in the same clothes that she had worn when she was at the Ball but the young Avatar's mind was farther away from her location as she thought about what her Father had told her, only a few minutes ago…

Flashback

She had just got released by the Healer since the Princess was still unconscious, she had decided to stay at the girl's side after all, she had been the one to help her fight off those Equalist guys that had come after her, almost losing her life in the process.

She sighed softly.

"Zula," a voice asked.

The young girl turned her head toward the voice. Her Father was there, standing by the door.

"Father," she said, standing up.

"I must speak with you privately," the man told her.

The girl nodded at her before standing up. She give the sleeping Princess a last glance before walking out of the room. She followed her Father through the large halls of the Palace.

"What is it Father?" she asked.

The man sighed.

"I have some news," he said.

She was still oblivious.

"What is it?"

"Your journey as the Avatar will start soon," he said.

Zula frowned.

"My…journey? You mean I'm going to be sent out there in the world?" she said.

Her Father nodded.

Zula looked at the ground. Once again, being the Avatar is changing her life once more.

"When will I leave?" she said.

Zula can feel her Father's gaze upon her but she didn't want to meet them. She can already feel some tears coming up and she didn't want to cry in front of her father.

"Sage Mao will be telling you when," the man said.

Zula nodded.

"Thank you Father," she said, "Excuse me."

She walked away from the man, and knew that her father's gaze was still upon her back.

End of flashback

The girl glanced then up toward the sky which was a clear blue with patch of clouds flying about. Zula knew that this day would have come sooner or later. That day she has to leave her family behind and achieve her destiny as the Avatar.

What should I do, Mother? She thought, letting the soft wind caress her face.

But as every time she had done this, no answer returned to her.

"Zula,"

Her Father was there.

"Come we must return home," he said.

She nodded at him.

The ride home had been silent and Zula spend most of her time in reflection as to what she was about to do. She wasn't afraid of being alone, this wasn't the case but she was afraid of what was waiting for her in the future.

She knew that those Equalists were still out there, and that man that had fought her and Natsuki. She knew that she will face them sooner or later. And they were the other elements that she have to learn, the first one being Airbending.

Just like the cycle, she thought.

Water, Earth, Fire and Air.

When Zula arrived home, she was surprised to find Lo with Lu Yin. The two were sharing a drink and laughing about something when both of her and Father entered the house.

"Zula, you're here," Lo said, quickly standing up at the sight of her.

Zula smile at her, relieved to see a familiar face.

"Hey Lo," she said, taking the girl into a hug.

"Zula," Lu Yin said, giving her a slight smile.

She gives him a pat on the arm.

"C'mon Zula, I want details in what had happened," Lo said, pulling her along the stairs.

The two girls arrived into Zula's room and Lo closed the door behind her.

"What happened girl?" she asked, "I heard of the attack on the Palace. They said the Avatar was involved."

"Lo please, I don't want to talk about it," Zula said, seating down on her bed.

The other girl looked at her before taking a seat beside her.

"What had happened Zula? You know you can tell me everything right?"

Zula nodded.

"I know," she said.

"Then what is it?" Lo asked her, the worry in her voice causing a sting in Zula's heart.

The young Avatar looked at her friend.

"I…I won't be staying in the Fire Nation too long," she said.

Lo looked confused for a moment before her gold eyes widen considerably.

"You mean…"

Zula nodded.

"Father told me this morning," she said.

Lo looked conflicted.

"But why…you haven't even mastered Fire yet?"

"I can firebend Lo," Zula told her, "The experience will come with practice I guess."

Lo stared at her.

"You…You are so calm about this," she said.

Zula stood up from the bed.

"I am anything but calm Lo," Zula said, agitation in her voice, "I want to yell, scream and even curse the world for giving me such a burden, but I know that no matter how much I tried to fight it…the Avatar Spirit isn't going to up and leave my body."

In her rant Zula's hands flashed a little spark of flames.

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down.

"I was chosen to be the Avatar for a reason Lo," she said, "I can only accept it and try to figure out the reason why I was chosen."

Lo stood up from the bed.

"I'm sure you'll make a great Avatar," she said.

Then a silly grin crossed her face.

"When I'm married I can't wait to tell my kids, 'See this Avatar that's out there doing great things, she used to be my best friend.'"

Zula laughed. She was glad Lo could lift her spirit like that.

"I'll always be your best friend Lo," she said.

The girl smiled at her.

"I'll come to see you off you know," she said, "Whenever you're going."

"It's probably going to be soon," Zula told her.

"Hey, c'mon," Lo said, "Tell me about the Ball you went to."

Glad to be off the subject of leaving, Zula tell her.

At night, Zula joined her family for dinner and took her seat. It was a quiet dinner thought Zula can feel a sort of tension between her Father and her brother which caused her to wonder if they had argued about something again.

She continued to eat her food.

"Zula, I received a messenger hawk from the Sages," her Father said, "They told you to be ready in two days. That will be when you are leaving."

Zula swallowed.

Two days, she thought, that's all the time I have left to stay here.

"Yes Father," she said.

Lu Yin looked confused for a few moments before the realization dawned upon him.

"Is it time already?" he asked.

Father nodded.

"Yes," he said.

"You're going to send her out there alone?" Lu Yin said, not able to keep the surprise out of his voice.

"The Sages will be sending someone with Zula," Father said to him, "We will have to trust them."

Lu Yin stayed in his seat, looking like he was about to argue with him but kept his mouth shut which Zula was grateful for. She didn't want to have any more fight than necessary.

For the next two days, Zula spend some time with Lo the two girls just wanted to enjoy each other's company before she leave on her long journey to become the Avatar. Lo had made her promise to write her all the time she could and had forced Zula to buy a messenger hawk.

The bird was bright red, and was seating upon the window side of Zula's bed as she simply seated there on her bed.

"You're not going to pack?" Lo asked her.

"The Avatar won't have to take anything of value," Zula said, "Said they didn't need it."

"Oh," Lo said, then her eyes lightened, "I've got it."

Zula looked at her.

"What?"

"Come on," Lo said dragging the girl from the bed and in front of the mirror.

She sat there, looking at her reflection. Her skin was fair, with light slanted eyes a trait from the Fire Nation as her dark hair fall around her reaching her breast. Her gold eyes stared back at her with a light curiosity showing upon them.

"Close your eyes Zula," Lo said, as she stepped behind her in the reflection.

Zula sighed but she did as she was told. She feels Lo's hand working upon her hair.

"Just what are you doing?" she asked the girl.

"It's a surprise," Lo said, "Almost done…there, now you can open them."

Zula did so and her eyes were instantly drawn toward the headpiece she was wearing. She felt her eyes widen slightly recognizing it instantly.

It was her mother's headpiece.

"Lo…," she gasped.

Her friend smiled, putting her head upon Zula's shoulders.

"You may not be able to take anything, but at least you should have your mother close to you," she said, giving Zula a smile in the mirror.

Before she even knew it, tears were falling out of Zula's eyes and she felt Lo's arms giving her a hug and she took great comfort within it.

"Thank you Lo," she whispered.

Now it was the day for the Avatar to start her Journey, and Zula had dressed herself in some traveling clothes with a red cloak. The messenger hawk, which she had named Maxus was seating upon her shoulder again as her Father had decided to take her to port.

A ship was already waiting for her there, a similarly based Fire Nation ship but it was a ship nonetheless, and from what she could see it looked quite nice piece of iron work. Sage Mao was waiting there and beside him stood a young man probably older than Zula. He had long hair which was tied in a top knot dressed in normal clothes. On his back, was a staff beautifully designed with the Nation's symbol upon it.

"Avatar Zula," Mao said bowing.

Zula give a salute back.

"This is Zhou," Mao said, indicating the young man, "He shall be accompanying you in your journey. He is a soldier in training, but is very skilled in the Art of Firebending. He might teach you a few tricks."

Zhou gives her a grin.

"Pleased to meet you Zula," he said with a mock salute.

Zula smiled briefly.

"Likewise, Zhou."

"Well, I'm already all set to go," Zhou told her, "We're just waiting for you."

The young man walked upon the ship and Zula turned toward her Father and brother who were standing there.

"You guys take care of each other okay," she said taking both of them in a hug, "I'll send Lo to keep an eye on you. I'll miss you so much."

"Take care of yourself out there Zula," her Father said, "Keep safe."

"You take care," Lu Yin said to her, giving a smile.

Zula nodded and stepped back.

As she was about to turn a man appeared, running toward them.

"Avatar Zula," he said, "Avatar Zula, a letter."

Zula approached him, and took the later from him giving him a smile before walking upon the ship. Then it took off from the port of the Nation, heading out toward the ocean. Zula waved to her family until she couldn't see them. Then she opened her letter, wanting to know who had written her and as she read it, a warm smile spread across her lips.

Dear Zula,

I hope this letter reaches you before you leave the Fire Nation today. I was only aware you were leaving this morning so I had to write you a letter, since we parted without saying good-bye. Before you start to feel bad, don't be. Me, on my end, I know what duty mean to our Nation more than anyone can accept it and I fully support you in your Journey wherever it may take you. But also, Zula, I wanted to thank you for that night at the Ball. When I was talking with you, it makes me forget that I was the Princess of the Fire Nation, and the responsibilities that comes with it. I felt like a normal young girl again and it was all thanks to you. I'm sure that you feel uncertain when everyone looks up to you for being the Avatar, as true as that may be, I know there is a burning courage lying just beneath that surface and I witnessed it first hand when we fought side by side with each other.

I'm glad that we were able to meet and I will be honored if you will consider me a friend. Since our duties takes us on different paths, I want you to be strong and believe in yourself and be proud of our Nation and who you are. I know it will be a long time before we see each other again and I hope when we next meet, we will be wiser and stronger than we are now. Good bye for now Zula, may Agni bless you with her grace,

Natsuki

Princess of the Fire Nation

That's it for this chapter. The Journey finally begins... and Zula is setting out toward the world to be able to learn the next elements leaving her friends and and family behind...What adventures awaits her?

Jacques0 out.

R&R