Chapter 1

Push and pull. This was all that consumed Katara's thoughts as she sat by the water's edge, in the full moons light. Tonight, was the first time in six months that all Katara's focus was on just the push and pull created by the water spirits La and Tui as they swam, in a circle, at the center of the pond. Katara was in the heart of the North Pole, the spiritual oasis. Why was she there you ask, well Katara asked herself that many times in the last few weeks. Six months prior she was traveling around the world. She had helped sort out the fire nation and earth kingdom struggle over the colonies, helped find Zuko's mother, and even had taken a small vacation, but something was wrong. Two months ago, she could feel her spirit being dragged somewhere else. It all started with a splitting headache and the occasional sleepwalking episode. Aang would often find her by the water's edge or even in the water during one of her sleepwalking episodes. The headaches began to grow steadily as time went on. The only comfort to be found was submerging herself in water. Only then would the pain dull slightly. She tried to push through the pain as her and Aang travelled from place to place. Aang would do his best to comfort her as much as he could, but his mission to find the other air benders was important. Katara soon could no longer bare the pain and frustration. She left, writing only a simple note as she headed on her way home. She made her way south. As her small boat traveled south the headaches intensified. So, she turned North. Maybe the healers of the north would know what was happening.

The headaches began to lessen the father north she went. After a week of traveling, she finally reached the North Pole capital. They greeted her with open arms as the great warrior who helped end the war. She spoke with the healers about the pain, which was now a dull ache. After examination, the head healer said, "Physically you are fit as a fiddle. We cannot determine what is causing this pain, but I do sense an imbalance in your chi. I suggest that you go to commune in the spiritual oasis."

Every day for the last month Katara spent most of the day meditating by the pool. The headaches had finally dissipated and was finally feeling better. Though her body was healed her thoughts still were going a mile a minute. Would she have to stay here permanently, never being able to leave, forever stuck in the spiritual oasis? This one thought plagued her day after day. She let out a sigh as she cracked her neck. She then cleared her mind and stared at Tui and La as they swam in a circle. Round and around they went. Katara zoned out when all of a suddenly she heard.

"Wow that took long enough for you to just let go." The light beautiful voice, the only sound in the oasis.

Katara looked up to see the beautiful figure, hovering over the pond. Yue was breathtaking as the day she gave her life to the moon spirit.

"All you had to do was clear your thoughts so I could speak to you, but NOOO you just had to keep thinking about everything, like you always do."

"Yue!" Katara exclaimed.

"I do apologize about the headaches though. I kept trying to get through to you, but you wouldn't let me in."

"That was you!" Katara exclaimed. "Why did you need to get through to me?"

"You are needed for a special mission. The water and moon spirits have asked me to give you a special mission."

"Why not just ask Aang. He is the spiritual bridge for the humans and spirits."

"The spirits have decided that this is a water tribe problem."

"What is the mission?"

"Long ago a great master water bender created a technique while communing in this very oasis. The contents of the scroll blur the lines of the spiritual world and the mortal realm. Fearing that his technique would fall into the wrong hands he dispersed pieces of the scroll throughout the world. They have been lost for centuries. Recently the spirits have begun whispering of something evil brewing across the lands. They fear that someone is trying to find those pieces. I implore you to find these pieces and destroy them before they fall into the wrong hands. I suggest that you start in the Fire Nation. The spirits are a buzz that the evil heads there. Though the spirit makes its way to the Fire Nation, it is not of the Fire Nation.

Katara turned as she heard a rustling in the bushes. Out trotted a koalaotter with a scroll in its mouth. It scampered over to Katara and dropped it into her lap before scampering away. Katara opened the scroll. There were many pieces missing from the text and the words were very foreign to her.

"But why me? There are so many others that could do this task." Katara asked.

Yue's expression softened. She floated over to Katara and sat before her (as well as a spirit could while floating over the water). She reached her hand out and placed it on her cheek.

"Katara, you are the most powerful water bender currently walking this world, you are the teacher of the Avatar, and the one the spirits believe is right for this mission."

Yue closed her eyes and moved her hand from Katara's cheek and held it face up in front of Katara.

"Place your hand in mine."

Katara hesitated for a brief moment before placing it gently in Yue's. Yue then placed her other hand above Katara's. A small blue light began to fill Yue. The light began to spread over her entire body and then gradual began to climb up Katara's hand and then her arm. Katara tried to pull away, but to no avail, as the light crept up her arm and spread throughout her body. Yue continued to sit with her eyes closed as the light completely engulfed both of them. Then as soon as the light had come, it vanished. Katara felt light as a feather. Yue released her hold. Katara stared down at her hand as colors caught her eye. She observed the markings that started at her fingers and spread up her arms, fading at the elbow. Swirls of white and various blues marked her skin. Katara looked up at Yue in confusion.

"This will help us communicate until you find what is needed. Once you leave the North my connection with you will not be as strong. This will boost your ability to communicate with me. It is the spiritual essence of the oasis, along with a bit of my spiritual essence."

Katara was bewildered. Yue got up and gave a chuckle.

"There is a great adventure ahead of you. Don't dwell on the past. You will not face this alone. Go to your future and the future of this world."

Yue Faded into the Moonlight. Katara uncrossed her legs and gazed at the markings on her hand and arm. Katara didn't know exactly where to start, but she knew there was no time to wait. She made her way to the hawk tower and quickly penned a letter. As she tucked the letter into the hawk's pouch, she glanced at the name above her personal wax seal. Fire Lord Zuko. If she was to make her way into the Fire Nation, she would first have to be given permission by the Fire Lord, her friend. She watched as the falcon took to the sky. A smile gradually spread across her face. She had an adventure that awaited her across the sea.

In the Fire Nation

Zuko sat on his throne, behind a wall of fire. He was bored out of his mind. His councilors went on and on about their favorite topic, as of late… His marriage… or lack of one. Zuko just wanted to leave this damn meeting and get onto the mounds of paperwork that awaited him. It was just before noon, and they had been in this meeting since the sun rose. The door of the throne room was suddenly thrown open and a messenger ran in and bowed before the wall of fire.

"A message for you from the Northern Water Tribe."

Zuko was happily surprised, for once, at the sudden interruption of their weekly council meeting. They might finally drop the current topic. A soldier at the bottom of the steps took the letter from the messenger and brought it to the roaring wall of fire. Zuko parted the flame to allow the soldier to pass. He excitedly took the letter and immediately recognized the handwriting. For the last two months he had worried almost daily about her whereabouts. Two months ago, Aang had almost blown the doors off his personal office as he stormed in a mass panic. Aang had looked terrible, similar to the time he had not slept before his battle with the pervious Fire Lord. He was ranting on how Katara had vanished, and they he had tried to find her in the South Pole, but her family refused to tell him anything. After a week of consoling, Aang finally came to the personal conclusion Katara just needed space. Zuko thought otherwise, but it seemed the young avatars mind was made up. Zuko and Katara had bonded since they found his mother and she had written him often before she had disappeared. Her handwriting gave him a sigh of relief.

"Give me a moment"

Zuko broke the seal and began to read.

Dear Zuko,

I am sending you this as I am about to board a boat to the fire nation, with your permission of course. I have left here on the night of the full moon and hope to arrive by the morning of the new moon. I have important things to discuss with you and wish for an audience as soon as I arrive. I will see you soon, You Highness.

With Affection – Katara

The new moon was two days away. He had to prepare. Frantically he raced down the steps of the throne room and rushed to the door. His council called for his return and to finish the matter at hand. He halted at the door and turned.

"I have listened to you for the last two months about my current position and the need of marriage. When you come up with a solution for this, only then will I listen again to your proposals.

Not thinking of the repercussions of his current statement, he turned and went to the palace estate manager to have the royal guest chambers prepared in the royal family wing. He then made his way to pry his uncle from his current Pai Sho game. They had much to discuss.

P.S. I know that I have not touched this story in ages. I have decided before I continue with the story, I would like to make a few minor changes. I have been able to improve a bit of the story and would like to continue to improve my writing.