(A/N: WHY HELLO READERS?! its only been forever. Like I said in the previous authors note, I have decided to continue on in this story. Now for those curious, the history before legend of Korra will not really apply and will be my own thing :)

Man Anara has gone a little crazy, don't know if I blame her but sure hopes she smartens up soon before she loses Zuko...

Enjoy the read :))

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Running Only Leads to Being Lost

All I could do was look back and fourth between the two adults currently sitting in front of me. The shock seemed to only last a few simple minutes before the anger and confusion set in. Grandfather had known where the Fire Lady had been this whole time and did not feel the need to tell me of this? Hell he didn't think it would be wise to tell Zuko this?

I shook my head as my nails dug into my palms, my knuckles white. If I had never decided to come and visit him would either of them told Zuko? So we are able to handle the weight of helping the Avatar win the war, but not to know this very pertinent information? Was Iroh in on this as well?

"Anara…" Grandfather began caution noted in his tone. I guess he realized just how new emotions were to me. "We were going to bring this information up sooner rather than later but-"

"But everyone had a task to complete and to tell my Son would've drawn his focus away from what was important."

"So you don't think it's important that Zuko needed you! That he needed to know you were alive? No…not just alive, but living right here in the Fire Nation?" I growled. "For years he's thought you were banished and unreachable, perhaps even dead, but no you've been right here the whole time."

"It was dangerous to reveal my location. If anyone would've recognized me I would no longer be here."

But that's what Zuko has thought anyways.

"Dangerous…" I chuckled slightly before heading towards the door of the hut.

"Anara stop this nonsense, let us help you and Zuko. There is still much you need to understand about the world."

I hardened my look towards my Grandfather as I opened the door. "I left because I needed to figure things out. Please let me do it alone."

v-v

I just walked. I didn't care how I got there, but knew I needed to head for a Fire Nation port and catch the next boat to the Earth Kingdom. The trails were rough through my shoes. I had nothing no food, no water, nothing to protect myself with. I just needed to get away.

The sun was hot and beating down on me. I stopped for only a few short seconds to catch my breath before I could hear the rumbling of movement coming from behind me. I could see a carriage in the distance being pulled along by rhinos. I stepped to the middle of the trail as it got closer prepared to plead a case.

"Hey there little missy! What do you think you're doing standing in the middle of the trail! You could've been hurt!"

"I apologize sir, but I am in need of a ride to the nearest port, I was hoping to catch the next boat off this island."

He looked me over and let out a sigh.

"Well I'm shipping off some supplies at the south port, there's not to much room in the carriage but if you can fit in I'll give you a lift. I can't leave a young girl stranded, but a question…" I looked up at him as he peered at me. "You ain't a bender are ya? Cause I cant have any hot head accident with the shipment in the back."

I shook my head and solemnly replied "No sir."

"Well hop in then. I'm already behind."

And soon I found myself climbing into the back of the soft-sided carriage. In the back looked to be a lot of explosives, which would explain his weariness of fire benders who can sometimes be out of control with their bending. I found a spare cloth in the back that appeared clean enough and used it to hide my hair under. I wasn't extremely well known amongst the Fire Nation but I didn't want to take any chances.

The carriage travelled along the trail for quite awhile before the noise of the port came to my ears. I could hear the hustle and bustle of packages being moved and not long after the carriage came to a halt.

"Thank you," I told the man. "Your kindness is appreciated."

"No problem…" He looked at me and I gave a small smirk.

"Rei."

"Well no problem miss Rei. Just get to your destination smoothly."

I began my search and soon found a boat that seemed to be boarded by both Earth Nation and Fire Nation members and speeded my walk to board. I was met by the eyes of a Earth Kingdom soldier who asked me for my passport.

"I am sorry but I do not have a passport with me, however if there is a problem I am sure that General Kazai Uruha would be able to vouch for me," I stated as the Soldiers eyes widened, and he proceeded to let me board. There was one good thing about being the adopted daughter of someone high in military ranking.

"I'm sure its no problem miss, however can I ask your name to tell the members if they question me?"

"He knows who I am."

I could see hundreds of people on the boat. Some families, some elders and some were simply travelling alone, looking to escape. How was it that even though the war was won, this turmoil continued? People fleeing a nation that had for so long caused fear and pain among its members, how was Zuko supposed to change all of that?

"Um excuse me…"

I looked down to see a young Fire Nation girl, her dark blue eyes against her dark hair made my eyes widen. "Yes little one?"

"Do you happen to know how long it takes to get to the Earth Kingdom? See me and my mommy are going there to meet my daddy! He was fighting in the war and now that it's over I really wanna see him! I just hope this boat doesn't take too long."

She talked quickly, not stopping in between her words as she added a giggle to the end. I was about to answer when a Lady approached looking upset and relieved at the same time. "Liana what have I told you about running off!"

"I'm sorry mommy," She stated slowly.

"We can't have anything happen to you, you need to be careful."

"But mommy…"

"She was no bother," Anara stated bending to the floor to have eye contact with the little girl. "You are just excited."

"I really do apologize."

"It's fine I'm Rei by the way," I told her giving her my hand that she took tentatively.

"Lora," She replied before slowly picking up her child.

"I'm sure you'll make a great water bender," I whispered so only they could hear. Both their eyes widened before I headed the other way down the ship. She had reminded me of someone.

-v-

ZukoPOV

We had landed, and the whole group of the Avatars friends had decided to tag along for the ride. Once the sky bison had returned to the palace we had set out almost instantly. I wanted to know why she was running. What was Anara so afraid of that she couldn't even continue to be with me? We had accomplished so much together and overcome more than most, so why?

"Hey Princey Pants, brighten up will ya," The short Earth Bender stated. "I'm sure Fire Eyes is simply hanging out with her old Grandfather drinking tea and playing Pai Sho."

"You're probably right Toph, Ana isn't one for drastic decisions like this."

Katara's words were less than reassuring as we climbed the hill towards the house of Piandao.

"Maybe I can get Master Piandao to teach me some new moves," Sokka stated as everyone frowned at him. "What? I'd like to get something out of this trip…"

"How about we all work on getting our friend back, then we can get some new moves, hey isn't that it?" Aang pointed towards the large housing structure and everyone picked up pace.

"Um what do we do, just knock?" I asked staring at the dark gates in front of us.

"Master Piandao it's me Sokka."

But no leave it to the so-called water tribe warrior to scream at the top of his lungs.

"How about a little quieter next time," Suki stated as Sokka let out a nervous chuckle,

As quickly as Sokka's echo had finally stopped the gates began to open slowly, unveiling a rather beautiful portion of land. In fact in all my years living in the Fire Nation I did not realize a place this new and fresh existed outside the palace. The stream was comforting, the trees brought fresh air, Hell I wasn't one for meditating but being here almost made me want to try it.

"Well if it isn't some more brats to interrupt the Masters day," Fat stated lazily running a hand under his chin.

"I'm looking for Anara," I stated my tone firm, however this did not seem to phase the fat man currently blocking our way onto the property.

"I'm afraid you missed her," he replied his tone unchanging. "Masters brat of a Grandchild left without so much of thank you, that ungrateful-"

"What do you mean she's not here?" I growled feeling the heat run to my fingertips but managing not to let it escape.

"I mean what I said, she it not here."

"Well it's not like she would've left, she probably needed to clear her head," Aang stated, that goofy smile covering his face. Even though the Avatar had come so far, he was still just a child.

"And where would Fire Eyes go to do that?" Toph asked as I turned my head towards the trail.

"She'd find water," I replied. "Even without her bending, she told me she could somehow still be calmed by water."

"Then let's go," Katara shouted as the group began to walk along the trail, the man at the house simply slamming the door on us.

"Does he not realize who I am!"

"Easy there Zuko, we have more important things to do than start fights with grumpy old men."

"I can feel it, there's a stream coming up."

"Well what are we waiting for, let's go find Ana, and then find something to eat," Sokka stated as Katara and Suki sent him glares. "What? I'm hungry…"

"When are you not hungry," Katara muttered.

We didn't have to walk too much further before we were greeted not only by the stream, but also by a man I had only had the opportunity to meet once before, Anara's Grandfather.

"I had a feeling you all would come," He stated slowly as if not to show his true emotion. I tried to read him further to get an idea of where Anara was and how come they were not at the house but he simply put on a small smile before bowing.

"Ah, Fire Lord Zuko. It is truly an honour to meet you yet again, last time we did not get the chance at a proper meeting due to the circumstances," He stated. "Aang wonderful to see you as well. What you did for the world, for the Fire Nation does not go unnoticed by anyone, you are our saviour."

Aang bowed towards the man as he continued to address the rest of the group.

"Ah Katara you have certainly made a name for yourself amongst the nations as a great Waterbender, I know both Pakku and your Gran Gran are extremely proud. And Sokka, my most trusted pupil you have certainly come along way, I am so proud of you."

"Thanks Master," Sokka stated.

"And Toph and Suki I thank you for sticking by your friends in suck trying times, it can be difficult."

"Not a problem," Toph said proudly.

"I couldn't picture myself anywhere else," Suki exclaimed.

"Now why don't you follow me, I feel we have much to discuss," Piandao stated leading us further down the trail.

"Um Master Piandao, I know you're getting old, but your house is back the other way."

"But I did not say we were going to my house," He replied obviously not affected by Sokka's 'old' comment.

A small cottage building came into view. It seemed odd that such a place would be way out here in the middle of nowhere. We closed in on the door as the sun began to set. I was not getting a straight answer about where Anara was and hoped that I would not have to wait yet another day to see her, and hold her in my arms. A part of me felt empty. Something that I never noticed till I was separated from her.

"Have a seat, I have something very important to tell you all."

I rolled my eyes. Great they were finally going to tell us where Anara was.

"I would like to introduce someone."

-v-

AnaraPOV

The boats rocking was soothing as I curled up in the corner proceeding to sleep as the sun set. I didn't realize how exhausted I truly was, but knew it did not take long to fall asleep and let the dream world overcome me…

"Anara…."

My eyes snapped open as I looked around. I was in some sort of swamp. The ground was soft and my feet sank with every step as I tried to near the voices, voices that I couldn't quite place.

"Anara…we're here…"

I pushed harder through the weeds trying to move faster but the weight of the weeds kept pulling me down. "I can't…I'm stuck…"

"Giving up so easily Ana?" My eyes snapped to the left as my former friend giggled. "That doesn't seem like you at all."

"What would you know about me Yue, I've changed…" I growled out the voices still there but faint.

"You've grown bitter…"

It was a statement and I rolled my eyes feeling myself fall further into the weeds. "What did you expect? For me to lose my bending and be all sunshine and rainbows after a few days? Well let me tell you it's not that simple…"

"We never expected it to be a simple solution Anara, but instead of letting those who love you help, you're running. Your grandfather was correct when he said you still had much to learn about the world, but you will never learn it if you do not let people show you."

"It's not their burden," I returned turning away from the moon spirit.

"You see it is their burden. They are all looking for you, seeking for you to come back. Zuko is in turmoil wondering what he did to make you leave, what he could've done to stop you. Even Aang is confused and hurt, he looks up to you."

"Running away instead of facing your problems is causing more hurt than good Ana."

"They will get over it." I muttered as Yue slowly began to walk away.

"If you will not listen to me, perhaps you will listen to them…"

"Who's them Yue?!" I called when the voices that were originally soft sounded as though they were behind me.

"Ana," I turned quickly to come face to face with people I only really remembered from photographs. "You have grown up so much my dear."

"Mom?" I asked, "What are you doing here?"

"We have always been here darling, watching over you," My father stated placing an arm around mom. "You have done so much Anara, you have come so far."

"But that's not enough," I stated.

"You are strong Ana! Bending was a part of who you are and will always live within your heart."

"But it's gone," I cried. "Poof."

"Is it really?"

"I can longer move water or create fire, what more is there?"

"You say yourself you still feel a connection to the water, one that is calming."

I nodded as my mother smiled down at me.

"And when you're angry you feel the heat of that anger rush to your fingertips, almost as though it is uncontrollable?"

Once again I nodded not sure where she was going with this.

"The elements still remain attached to you Ana," My father stated, "Simply put, it is a different attachment than before. You no longer command them, but are connected as one. You fully understand them."

"If that's the case how come I can't bend? The Spirits took that away…"

"Again I'm not so sure it is…"

"What do you mean! I've tried to bend and it doesn't work! I'm left with a gaping hole in my heart."

"Is that caused by lack of bending? Or heartache?" My mother stated slowly. "Anara we can not give you the answers but we can say that to overcome this you must trust yourself and those around you that love and support you. Running only leads to further problems."

"I can try," I muttered as they both smiled down at me.

"That is all we ask as we watch over you," they stated.

"I do have one question though-" I started as they motioned for me to continue. "How am I still in touch with the spirit world…"

"One of life's great mysteries…"

-v-

UnknownPOV

I had been beaten? No that was not possible. I was the most powerful person in the whole nation and somehow that weasel had managed to best me. Well guess what that would not happen again. I smirked knowing for sure there was an evil glint in my eye. I would be out of here soon and when I was, there would be hell to pay.

(Well there you have it, a little dry I know but its gonna get all sorts of interesting... mwuahahaha)