Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. But, I do own Rayea and Aeko.

Summary: Aeko and Rayea are two best friends that have lived in a small earthbending town all their lives. When Aeko hears news that the fire nation is planning an attack he decided he has to leave, but Rayea won't let him go on his own. Will they make it out on time, and escape the fire nation?

A.N: This idea has been bugging me for DAYS! I finally decided to type it up and post it. Yay me! Now, a little about the characters. Rayea (ray-uh) is 14. Aeko (ay-ko) is almost 15. Both will be described later in this chapter. One of the first thoughts Aeko has in this story is about how much he loves Rayea. But as far as she knows, it's just as friends. Well, there is a lot about that in this story, hence the romance. There won't be THAT much about Aang, Katara, Sokka and Zuko because this story is about Rayea and Aeko, not the other characters. But that doesn't mean those characters won't be in the story. They might be!

Ok, I'll have you wait no longer! On with the story!

Chapter One

A dark figure crept quietly through the maze of small houses in the small earthbending town of Kiroku. It stepped over a twig so it wouldn't snap. It knew just where it was going, and didn't want to be seen, or heard, while it made it's way there.

As the figure reached one of the smaller houses towards the back of the area it walked over to one of the windows and peered in. It was dark; the only light coming from the moon and the stars, but the figure could make out everything in the room. This was the room it wanted.

The figure pulled the window open and climbed onto the frame of the window. He quietly stepped onto the bed that was positioned under the window, but was careful not to step on the girl that was occupying the bed. As he stepped from the bed his boots made a soft 'thud' on the floor. Though it was soft, it was loud enough to wake the girl, who was a very light sleeper.

She sat up, instantly alert. She sighed and relaxed when she realized who it was. "Aeko, it's the middle of the night! What do you want?" She whispered harshly, yet her voice softened when she realized he was fully clothed and was holding a bag. His face held a serious expression, and it worried her.

"I'm leaving, Rayea. I can't stay here."

A lump immediately formed in her throat and her heart ached. "Why? What happened?"

He sat on the bed next to her, leaving his bag on the floor beside the bed. He held her hand and sighed. "Today I was in the forest and I found a fire nation camp." Rayea gasped, but he continued. "It's not too far from here, but far enough to not be noticed. I overheard that they would be attacking here soon. And they will be taking all the earth benders. So, I have to leave. You'll be safe, since you can't bend."

She pulled away from him and slid off the bed. She paced around the room once before leaning on a wall and sliding down to the floor, pulling her legs to her chest. She stared straight ahead and seemed to zone out, her thoughts consuming her.

Aeko watched her, his own heart aching too. How he wished Rayea could come with him. He knew she'd ask, eventually. But it would be safer for her to stay. He stared at her. He had known her all his life, and she still looked about the same as she had when they met. Her hair was golden brown, and came to her elbows. Her eyes were pale gray, and amazed him. No one knew where her eye color came from, but wherever it had come from, he thanked. He loved her eyes.

Actually, he loved all of her. Loved her as much as he could; every ounce of him loved her. But, she didn't know that. As far as she knew, that love was as a friend.

He looked down at the floor and sighed. Rayea looked up, a few tears being blinked back. She couldn't help but smile as she looked at him. She did every time. He looked the same as he had years ago when they met. His hair was shorter than most boys their age, but she loved it. (think jet's hair!) His eyes were pure black. They held not a speck of color. And that amazed her as much as her own eye color did. Her smile grew with time, for she loved him so much. Every part of him.

Yet, for all he knew, the love was as a friend.

But he was so wrong.

Eventually, Aeko looked up, his eyes meeting with hers. She stood up and walked over to her wardrobe. Aeko raised an eyebrow, but didn't question her actions. Rayea left the room with a pile of clothes in her arms. She returned a few minutes later wearing black pants, black boots, a dark green top that fell to almost her knees. The sleeves flared around her hands, and were about an inch longer than her fingertips. A black sash held the top closed, and the necklace Aeko had given her two years ago held it's place around her neck. She never took it off.

Rayea looked at Aeko's questioning look. "I'm coming with you."

He stood up, probably a little too quickly. "You can't! It's too dangerous!"

She smiled. "Shh. You'll wake my mother! Now, where are we going?"

Aeko sighed. "You can't come."

"I am coming. Whether you like it or not. Why'd you come if you didn't want me to come with you?"

He thought for a second. Why had he come? "I wanted to say goodbye."

"Well you don't have too. I'm coming with you."

Aeko sighed and nodded reluctantly. "Fine." As they climbed out the window he smiled to himself. As they reached the edge pf the forest a burst of flames could be seen in the distance behind them. They heard a cry of "Fire!" and another cry of "Firebenders!" They looked at each other and started to run; away from the village.