Hama breathed out a deep breath. And it was almost in wonder that she saw her own breath turn into a misty fog as it escaped her mouth.

Oddly Hama tilted her head as she breathed again, just to observe this wonder of breath becoming fog.

Temperatures had fallen to such a comfortable cold. Hama almost felt tempted to loose the thick blanket that Katara had provided her with to make sure that the cold was real.

It was so unlike the fire nation where every day was hot and the air filled with humidity, even at night Hama would be sweating when being on those shores where fire seemed to run beneath her feet in the form of lava feeding the volcano's which created those cursed islands.

Then Hama sighed again as she sat back on her bed… She had to admit that even though she had mostly been confined to below deck doing this trip. This was indeed the nicest prison cell the fire nation had ever offered her.

There was an actual bed. Free access to water and three daily meals. There was even books to occupy Hamas time and Katara assured as long as Hama didn't make any trouble. None of it would be taken away from her.

It had been tempting… Hama had to admit. To use this water to create an icicle and spear those hated guards.

But it was never the guards who came to Hama with new food. It was Katara. Hama didn't really see anyone else and thus trying to escape now seemed rather pointless.

Beside… Sometimes Hama wasn't even sure this was real. If it was just an odd dream taking place in her old fogged up mind.

Just then the heavy metal door opened up signaling that Katara had arrived with todays lunch. As always the heavy door would be squeaking as it scraped against the wooden and Hama looked up to see the young water bender.

How-ever this time it wasn't food Katara had in her arms. Rather it was clothes made in fur, all in familiar whites and blues making Hamas eyes widen.

"We are nearing the pole. It's getting cold." Katara said. "You're going to need these." she stepped forward and put the clothes down beside Hama.

Hama was quiet as her eyes were on the blue furs which looked so soft and warm and she swallowed.

"I hope they fit." Katara then said. "I think the two of us are the same seize."

Hama was quiet, she didn't even dare speak. Then slowly she reached forward a shaking hand as if she was afraid that the clothes would vanish and finally her hand landed on the soft furs makings Hamas eyes widen and then they softened.

"Hama?" Katara asked.

"I have not worn anything like this…. Since I was your age." Hama whispered. "For the longest time it was prison rags and then fire nation silks in red… Never." she halted.

Katara swallowed her eyes getting misty. "I'll let you change." she said. "I'll be back in thirty minutes… I think you would like to see this."

Hama nodded, her mind completely absent as Katara quietly walked outside and closed the door.

It was like Hama was in some sort of dream like state. She didn't really know what she was thinking or feeling as she shed the brown prison garbs and then… She pulled on the blues in familiar heavier materials. Sturdier but also softer and Hama gasped as she looked down at herself, tears in her eyes.

It was like being given her own skin back! Hama didn't even know, first now did she realize it felt like they had taken her very skin away from her. And finally she was allowed to wear it. Allowed to show it.

She was not fire nation! Those flowing dress's in red wasn't her and never had been. She was water tribe! Southern water tribe! And this dress and mammock to go over it. Hama wrapped her arms around herself as tears flowed from her eyes… She couldn't even control it. And she didn't know if she would want to.

Hama didn't even notice it when Katara came back. Only as the young waterbender put a hand on her shoulder. "Come on." she whispered. "I just want you to see."

Hama nodded without saying a word and allowed Katara to lead her out the door. Slowly they moved up the stairs, as they had to mindful of the potential ice layer and finally they were on the deck and Hama gasped as above them was a glittering carpet of stairs right above them. And the moon herself shining from above, half formed.

"Over there." Katara pointed towards the railing and Hama halted.

She looked towards the railing, the way the ship was headed. She could hear the waters beneath her and how the ship itself was cutting through the waves and then slowly… Slowly Hama walked forward and then she gasped.

Glaciers in the purest of white, rising from the ocean itself. Snow… Covering the landscape in front of them. Glittering and sparkling in the moon light and Hama gasped as she covered her mouth. Tears forming in her eyes yet again.

Katara smiled a little sadly as she stepped forward and looked with Hama.

Then Hama closed her eyes and she heard. The massive mountains of ice, groaning with the wind. Like they were alive. Singing their own song that echoed through the ocean and then… Hama felt something cold on her face.

She opened her eyes and saw… Soft flakes of snow. Gently falling from the sky. Hama gasped as she held out a hand, catching the sparkling snowflake and watched in pure fascination as it melted in her hand. Then she squinted her eyes and she sniffed.

"Are you…. Okay?" Katara asked concerned.

"Am I dead?" Hama asked.

"No." Katara said. "You're home."

Hama sniffed. "Home…" she breathed and her voice broke. "As close as I can be at least." she said. "Everyone I knew so long ago. Nearly everyone is dead and the south pole wont be the same. But… My soul is where it belongs." she gasped. "I never thought… I could even be allowed to die in peace. And know that my soul could return to where it belonged." she swallowed.

"I'm sorry there's not anymore we could do." Katara said sincerely.

"At this age…" Hama breathed. "Being allowed to die in peace is indeed all anyone could age." she said then looked up. "I didn't think I would ever see this again." she swallowed. "And I had forgotten… I had actually forgotten the sounds. How it glitters." she looked down. "How could I have forgotten? Even my dreams didn't make it any justice."

Katara hesitated. "Do you… Want to stay here for a while?"

Hama nodded. "Please." she asked.

"Okay." Katara replied. "Tell me when you need to go back."

"Never if I have anything to say about it." Hama breathed. "I could stay out here forever."

"Don't worry." Katara said. "In one or two days. We'll be there. At my tribe." she said. "And you'll never have to stay in any metal cell ever again. I promise."

And Hama swallowed as she nodded. "Thank you." she whispered.

"It's the least we could do." Katara replied in a sad tone and then with Hama. Looked towards the approaching snow glaciers.

It could not be denied that they both shared these roots. At the south pole you considered your entire tribe your family and yes indeed. For the both of them.

This was home.