Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any shape or form.
Soaking in the bath did not help as she intended. Although it had relaxed her stiff muscles and was able to enjoy the warmth of the water, Ameya still felt a slight disconnection with the element. Her hand gently pushed the water around, only able to make small waves form.
With a sigh, she decided to stop moping in the bath and got up.
Ameya gathered the water that clung to her body, throwing it back into the tub with a small splash. Simple deeds such as that were possible, gathering water was easy but willing the motion for it to move was not. Healing had been natural to her and yet why was waterbending not?
Dinner had been eventful and thankfully not awkward. The Avatar and his companions carried the majority of the conversation and Ameya only piped in once in a while, smiling politely as always. When they asked how she escaped from Zuko, she ignored the images of their underwater kiss and gave the same response she did to Sokka.
They had refused to believe it was just that 'simple' but did not push for more.
Yue had insisted once again for her to rest but she refused. There had been too much on her mind lately and she felt the need to practice on her bending. Why had she not tried harder when she was younger? Why had she not push Pakku to train her—or even tried it herself? Ameya hadn't realized how severely lacking she was as a waterbender until today.
She inhaled deeply, held her breath, and then exhaled slowly. Her arms rose up and she pushed and pulled the falling water by the citadel base. It followed her movements slowly but the wave was not as big as she preferred.
"I knew I'd find you here."
Ice blue eyes met sapphire ones as Katara leaned over the stairs to smile at her. Ameya returned the smile sheepishly, waiting for the younger girl to make her way to the bottom.
"I wanted to get more practice in."
"Mind if I join?"
She shook her head and motioned towards a spot next to her. Katara stretched her arms and moved along with the water gracefully, twirling the liquid around and separating it however she liked.
"I never thanked you properly," Ameya stared at the younger girl in confusion, "For saving me—back at the Abbey. I was not looking forward to be paralyzed again."
She smiled, "It was nothing," and turned back to practicing her forms.
"Still, you jumped in front of me. It was thanks to you that we managed to get away. Aang, Sokka, and I had promised to rescue you if we ever saw you with Zuko again," Katara let out a small laugh, "But it looks like you can handle yourself just fine."
Ameya felt a bit touched at their consideration, smiling softly to herself. "I'm not as helpless as I appear."
Katara's eyes widen, her hands raised up in defense. "No—that's not what I mean. We are grateful to you—really. You not only allowed us to escape but managed to warn the Water Tribe of the Fire Nation attack! I wouldn't know what to do if it were me."
"And yet I cannot learn a simple waterbending move," her tone was bitter despite her smile.
Katara hesitated, "Aang mentioned something might be holding you back. Does anything come to mind?"
Ameya stopped practicing and took a seat on the ice. She hummed, looking towards the moon thoughtfully.
"I've always kept my bending a secret," she started as Katara took the seat next to her, her own training abandoned. "From where I had grown up, we had no waterbenders or any benders for that matter. Overtime I learned to hide it instead of perfecting it."
"Maybe that's it," she turned towards Katara curiously, "You could never bend out in the open right? Maybe you just need the confidence to! We're right in the Water Tribe, surrounded by benders and our people. This is where you belong!"
She felt something tug in her heart and ignored it.
"Confidence, hm?" She thought it over.
It was true. Ameya was always fearful of being found as a bender, scared of what others would do when they realized she was an enemy to the Fire Nation. Although technically the world hated the Fire Nation except for the nation itself, there was no safe place for her to hide. When she had arrived at the North and had been rejected, she did not felt like she belonged.
And even in the case that she did manage to fit in, the fear of the Fire Nation attacking the village would haunt her. So she ran, doing the one thing she was good at. And now here she is, three years later and still running with the Fire Nation Navy not far behind.
"Can you spar with me Katara?"
The girl jumped at the question, surprise on her face at the sudden request.
"I said have confidence—not be reckless."
Ameya laughed lightly, standing up with a stretch of her arms.
"I learn better being reckless."
With a shake of her head, Katara followed. "Don't say I didn't warn you. I am quite certain I can beat you in a waterbending duel."
She smiled, "I wouldn't say that just yet."
They stood face to face, taking up a battle stance against each other. Blue eyes clashed with each other, studying the other's movement with a watchful gaze. Katara moved first, throwing her hands up to bend the water behind her into a whip, flying straight towards Ameya.
She dodged to the side, running for the other girl immediately. Katara's fist aimed a punch towards her head but she blocked it effortlessly, ducking from the water sprayed in her way and kicked at her feet. The younger girl fell, rolling away as Ameya threw her hands up to create an icicle where Katara was moments ago.
She wasn't kidding, Katara realized, staring at the icicle that reverted back to water, Ameya wanted a serious spar.
Katara smirked, taking a step back and cloaked her arm with water. She sent the whip to the older woman but she swiped at the arm, cutting the water away from herself. She was running towards her again but Katara held her back. She knew Ameya was good with close combat so she must keep her at bay if she wanted to win.
The water splashed over her, pushing her away further from Katara. Ah, so she must have figured out her own weakness. Katara gave her no time to rest, sending another wave of water to Ameya. Relying on instinct only, she rushed forward; her hands cut through the middle of the wave and twisted her body, sending the water back as ice spikes.
Katara jumped to the side, not expecting that. Ameya herself was shocked, not realizing she had the potential to do those series of move fluently. Taking that chance of distraction, Katara threw her hands in her direction and froze Ameya's feet to the ground. With another big movement, she sent a huge wave towards Ameya.
Icy eyes widen at the approaching water and her hands shot up, maneuvering the first wave away but was not strong enough to deflect the second. She fell to the ground afterwards; a groan escaped her lips in defeat.
Katara ran towards her worriedly when she did not see Ameya move, her water cloaked her hands in healing energy. Laughter escaped Ameya's lips and Katara jumped when she sat up.
"That was—fun!"
Sapphire eyes widen and Katara fell to her knees in relief—Ameya was not hurt. But her laugh was infectious and soon, she found herself laughing with her.
"You really do learn better being reckless!"
"You're a great master Katara—and a better bender. I admit defeat but—I think I can catch up."
"Oh? I would love to see that day. To be honest I was scared whenever you're close to me—I'm not as fast or as strong as you!"
"I've had a lot of close calls in my life—similar to your bending, you just have to learn to react to them."
"You're definitely a harder opponent than the other students."
Their laughter softened to small giggles, talking to each other about the techniques they used and how to improve. They did not notice their master's eyes during the match and Pakku did not make himself known, only walking away afterwards proudly.
Ameya woke up bright and early the next day, not wanting to be late for her next waterbending lesson. The training with Katara had helped immensely and the younger girl had reassured her to be confident in her bending. During the spar, she had already proven to have potential. She must believe it herself.
She smiled to herself, maybe she really did belong after all.
"Ameya? Could you come here for a minute?"
She looked towards the Chief's voice, wondering why he was up so early as well. Nonetheless, she approached the open door, greeting Arnook with a bow. He was surrounded by piles of books and scrolls, shifting through them carefully and spared her a glance, his light blue eyes softening at her.
"What is it Chief?" She took a seat beside him.
"I just want to know how waterbending training has been faring you. I know it has only been a day but with each passing moment, the Fire Navy approaches closer."
She smiled. He always did have a soft spot for her; the Chief was a kind man and a great leader. He had treated her just as he had treated Yue before.
"It's difficult but rewarding. Master Pakku has been a great teacher and all of his students are capable."
His aged face smiled in relief.
"Yue was worried when you said you would be leaving us three years ago. You had come to learn waterbending but settled for the healing hut instead. You were still so young then—you still are now."
"I learned a lot in my travels," she said evenly, "My old mentors had instructed me to go north…I had hoped to find my parents as well but…"
"I know all the members of my village…I'm sorry we could not have helped you back then."
Ameya smiled sadly. She had not expected much—learned to not expect anymore. She knew the people that raised her since birth were not her real parents. They looked too different from her; they treated her too different. They saw her as a chore—not a human.
So she ran away at age nine. She ran far with only the clothes on her back and three gold coins in her pocket. If it wasn't for Xiao and Lu Jie's kindness, she may have still been on the streets now.
"You have grown up to be an exceptional woman Ameya. Yue was thrilled to receive the letter—knowing that you are alive and well." Her chest swelled with pride at the compliment. "I didn't realize it then—when you were still a child but I think…I'm slowly beginning to see it now."
She tilted her head in confusion, watching Arnook hold a piece of paper in his hand delicately.
"Did you know I have a sister?"
Ameya shook her head no.
"She ran away from the Northern Water Tribe decades ago. She hated the tradition here; she hated not knowing how to fight with her bending. She was a stubborn girl and disappeared one night—leaving only a letter for her older brother."
She tensed, her fist clutching her dress anxiously.
"I never heard from her since then. We sent out search parties for her but they came back empty handed." He offered a scroll to her, his light eyes filled with sadness despite the gentle smile on his face. He looked worn out, Ameya faintly thought, when he spoke of his lost sister. "It may not be an answer but…I hope it will lead you to it."
With that, Arnook stood up, patting her shoulder in passing. He left the room, leaving Ameya alone.
Her heart pounded against her chest as she stared at the closed scroll in her hands. There was a voice in the back of her mind whispering endless possibilities to her but her own hands shook as she slowly unraveled the aged paper.
The black ink had faded considerably against the yellow parchment. It was hard to make out the exact writing on the corner of the page and she could have read it if she tried but her mind was occupied. Her icy eyes scanned the beautiful strokes on the canvas, seeing a face of a fierce looking woman staring back at her. She looked to be around in her mid twenties—beautiful and confident.
She looked just like Ameya.
She did not go to the waterbending lesson.
Ameya stayed in her room, her head clouded and unfocused. She was confused as to why Arnook decided to give her the picture now—it was still a far-fetched chance that his sister may be her mother. There was too much uncertainty and no one could provide her the answers.
But as she stared at the parchment in front of her, her throat closed up and choked back the tears. She knew nothing of her and she realized moments earlier that the woman in the picture looked nothing like her fifteen year old self.
But at first glance it did. Maybe that was why Arnook had dug through the pile of scrolls for this particular one.
She wondered what she was like. Ameya tried to fill in the color of the picture. She imagined the woman with dark skin, black hair, icy eyes and was non-mistakenly Water Tribe.
Would she look similar when she's older?
Would her eyes hold the same fiery determination as she did?
Will she be just as beautiful—just as confident?
Who was her father then?
A knock on her door startled her and she rolled the scroll up delicately, shoving it in her travel pack. Arnook had given the picture to her—it must mean she can keep it right?
She turned to see Yue's wide blue eyes filled with worry.
"The Fire Nation—they are here."
She ran out the door, thoughts of her parents forgotten.
The sound of the drums filled the city. Warriors and benders gathered at the citadel; Chief Arnook, Master Pakku, and Princess Yue sat at the head of the podium while Ameya sat with Aang against one of the pillars. Arnook delivered a motivational speech but Ameya cannot help but frown at the possibility of death he mentioned.
This was war—it was inevitable. She had never fought in a war before and as she sat here next to the Avatar, she realized she is to participate in one soon.
"Count me in!"
Sokka rose to his feet suddenly, startling Ameya back to the situation on hand and noticed he had volunteered for something. Katara looked at her elder brother in concern but Ameya focused on Yue who had a sullen expression on her face.
Arnook drew his mark over his forehead and although they did not speak, Ameya saw the tears fall from the princess's eyes and knew something had happened between them.
Katara and Aang had left earlier with Arnook not far behind. Ameya walked over to her friend once the meeting was over, putting a hand over her shoulder in comfort.
"I-I'm okay," Yue stated softly, refusing to meet her eyes. "I just need time."
Her eyes softened and did not push the subject further. "I'm going to join them in battle. Stay safe."
"You too Ameya."
She met up with Aang, Sokka, and Katara shortly along with a few other tribe warriors at the outer wall. The stillness of the situation was unnerving as they all stared at the horizon, a black dot appearing beyond it. Her eyes widen when something glowing was flying towards them.
She shielded Katara, who had been closest to her as soon as the fireball crashed the wall, sending a pile of snow on top of them. The younger girl pushed the snow away from them with her waterbending and Sokka helped both of them out. Aang had already flown ahead on Appa, battling the single navy ship by himself.
"We have to prevent the fireballs from further damaging the city. Repair the broken part of the walls when possible!" Pakku ordered to the waterbenders, taking charge in the midst of battle.
The warriors shook off their shock and followed his instructions. A few boats of benders set sailed after Aang, taking down the navy ship in groups.
The first battle continued relentlessly. The fireballs that escaped their grasp hit the outer city, damaging the snow building and bridges. Luckily the civilians had been evacuated as soon as the drums began earlier but Ameya had a feeling it would not just end here.
"Katara, Ameya, fall back," Pakku ordered them as soon as the sun began to set, "You two need to assist Aang."
"But we can help—"
"I know," he interrupted Katara, "You two will be extraordinary waterbenders in the future, which I know for a fact since the duel last night. But right now, you must keep the Princess and the Avatar safe. Save your energy and leave us to stand watch."
The girls glanced at each other, not realizing someone had noticed their spar and bowed to their master respectfully. They turned away, heading back to where Yue had been waiting and arrived just as Aang returned with Appa.
"I can't do it… I can't do it," he fell from Appa as soon as he landed; his grey eyes wide in disbelief.
"What happened?" Katara asked tenderly, her motherly instinct arising.
"I must have taken out a dozen Fire Navy ships, but there's just too many of them. I can't fight them all," his hands clutched his head, body and mind tired from the Fire Navy fleet.
"But, you have to. You're the Avatar." Yue begged.
"I'm just one kid."
Aang buried his head in his arms as Katara moved to comfort him. Ameya stood by the side, watching silently at the realization of this war.
Aang is just a kid—a twelve year old who is expected to defend against the hundred of Fire Nation Navy ships to ensure the Water Tribe's survival. It is a lot to be thrown at him—with the weight of the world on his shoulders against the entire Fire Nation.
Her hands clenched together into a fist. She wanted to say words of encouragement—something to ease his trouble but the dire situation does not grant such mercy. She knew what it is like to feel helpless—to feel like the entire world is against her.
War is a struggle. It breaks and takes everything you cherish away. This was not something anyone should have to suffer through and yet here they are, just mere children playing soldiers defending what little they have left.
Author's Note:
I'm sorry Zuko is not in this chapter as well but it's a build up to it. I am most excited for the next two chapters so I hope you will too when you read it!
Thank you all for the reviews and kind messages on my Tumblr! Feel free to message me honestly I am so lonely—I mean I have a lot of free time.
Reviews are always loved! I read them at least twice a day for motivation ehe