"Passion of Aiori"-Chapter 1
Captured
In the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, just above the South Pole, there was a small island made entirely off ice and snow. It was inhabited by a small group of people who worked together as a village. The name of this island was Irashimu, also known as the Island of Ice. On this island of no more than 110 people, there was the practice of water bending. They used it to stay alive when in need of food or protection. These people were natural warriors whose job was to protect their only land, even the mighty royal family of Irashimu was a family of warriors. However, the people were peacekeepers and wished no harm on anyone.
The days were all the same, hunters hunted for food with their trusted dogs by their side. The fishermen fished, the mothers nurtured the children of the village, which there were only few of. It was quiet without any disturbances, as the royals wanted. But it changed when amend of the wind sent a new course right for their island.
That day was very quiet, the same as usual. People went on with their happy businesses. The royal family watched on from their hut on top of the ice mountain. All was well, until there was the sound of a horn out from the water. It meant intruders! Everyone grabbed their spears and went into action! They stood in their positions and readied for battle! Things grew darker when a boat of the fire nation shored. The doors opened and out walked the army. A few brave souls charged for the leader, but were killed instantly! To the misfortune of Irashimu, Prince Zuko was on board! "Find the Avatar! Take down all that stand in your way, trust no one!" he commanded and his people ran off the ship and into battle! He watched with a grin on his face as the people were slaughtered!
He was taken from his thoughts when someone hit him with a boomerang! He turned and growled and the small group of children who stood bravely in front of him! "How dare a bunch of kids attack me, do you know who I am?" he roared as he approached the children. They were all no older than 12 years old! "I don't care how old you are, you will suffer the same fate as your people!" he lifted a sword above their heads! Wickedness ran through his veins, he didn't care about the loss of lives! He would teach them a lesson! But he was struck in the back of his head by and then kicked in his chest, and sent tumbling back into the cold snow! He stood up to see what had hit him!
There in front of the children stood a girl, she was in her teen years from the look of it. Her tanned body was covered with a white dress. It went just above her knees and had no sleeves to shelter her arms from the cold. There was a chain with white crystals and gold around her head that held her dark brown, wavy hair back out of her face. But one single wisp of curled hair dangled in front of her right eye. Her eyes were a clear blue that could catch anyone off guard. Her dress hugged her curves and on her feet were moccasins. She spun her spear around and stood up straight, letting the breeze blow through her hair. There was a full view of her painted face. It was white with blue around the eyes and black dots under the brows. "What kind of a sick person would attack a bunch of mere children?" she pointed her spear at Prince Zuko! "Leave now and I will spare you." Zuko stood up and cracked his neck.
"Who are you to challenge me?" he asked in a grim tone.
"I am the protector of these innocent little ones, and I am your adversary. Leave Irashimu at once!" she said, she had a graceful voice.
"I am not afraid of a woman, nor will a female get in my way!" Zuko challenged her with a fist of flames!
"Woman or not, you have terrorized my people for the last time!" she charged at him! He charged at her and they began to fight! The girl hit him with her spear and kicked him back! He broke her spear and she tossed it aside! She threw up her hands and caused a huge wave to crash onto him from the shore! She was a water bender!
"No water bender will beat me!"
"Then let's continue!" she taunted him and lifted up a block of ice and threw it at him! Prince Zuko broke through it with his fiery fist and threw fire at her! She did a flip out of the way and threw more ice at him! Zuko broke through it and threw more fire at her, and this time it struck her and sent her down into the snow! Her face went into the cold snow and her body stayed still. Zuko walked over and glared down at her. The kids began to scream as they were dragged away by army men! The girl sat up, hiding her face under her hair and reached out a fragile hand. "Wait!" she cried out. "Let my people go. Spare them, spare the children…I'll do anything!" Zuko called to him men to stop and looked back down at the girl.
"You'll do anything?"
"Yes, I'll do anything you want. Just leave my people alone. They mean no harm." She said in almost a whisper. "Do not take our land. Do not take the parents away from their children, please. Take me instead."
"Take you instead?" Zuko repeated with ignorance. The girl nodded. "They know of the Avatar!"
"No, they do not! They know nothing of the Avatar, I swear to you!" she claimed. "The royal family has kept them safe from the war and all aspects of it…they know nothing. If you spare them, I will go with you and do as you say. Just, please, do not harm my people any further. There are only so few of us left." Zuko was quiet for some time, but then raised his voice to the men.
"Leave the people here!" and the army let go of the adults and walked over to Zuko. "I accept your offer. You will come with me on my ship, and do exactly as I say. You will help me catch the Avatar! If you fail…I will see to it that your entire village is destroyed." He bent down to her, "Do I still have your word?"
"You do." She said and she stood up. Her dress was now torn and some of her hair was messy and free. Zuko looked at her face and saw that she was crying and her war paint had smudged.
"NO!" cried a small voice! A small girl ran forward and up to the girl who had been defeated. She was very young, and her feet left tiny footprints in the snow as she ran, "You cannot leave us!" and she hugged the girl's legs.
"Chumani," spoke the girl and she knelt down to eye level of the younger one, "I have no choice. They will destroy our village. Stay with Mother and Father, help protect the people, take my place."
"I can't! I'm too young! I can't water bend or speak to the wolves like you, big sister."
"You will learn fast. Make me proud, little sister." And with that she got on the ship, being dragged by two soldiers. The girl turned and watched as the people got smaller, and the whole island seemed to shrink in the distance. Smoke clouds danced up into the air, and the sound of people crying and sobbing could be heard. She let a single tear drop from her eye. "Goodbye, Irashimu."