Sorry, everyone. I've been horrible about updates. I've been reviewing stories from my reviewers, writing chapters for my other Avatar story, doing homework, getting ready for small group music festival, helping out with FFA (Future Farmers of America), reading and researching for ideas and names, golfing, and somehow getting at least six hours of sleep each night. That's a long list. But now that everything is crossed off or put off for awhile, I can finally get back to this story. Yay!

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Avatar. Nickelodeon has the copyrights© to the show. I do own Stella and Hiroki, the wizard in this story. If I owned something from Avatar, I probably wouldn't be writing fan fiction, would I?

The Wizard, Whispers, and Waterbending

Zuko was training as his uncle watched him, calmly drinking tea. He really wasn't paying attention to what his nephew was doing. He had his mind on other things. Like what had happened to Captain Shinta's wife and daughter. He had never seen such a beautiful young girl before, nor had he seen such a powerful girl. How could someone so young have a bending skill, let alone be able to bend water and fire? It was unheard of. The only person that could control more than one element was the Avatar. Was it because she had a firebender for a father and a waterbender for a mother.

Iroh shook his head. Why was he thinking about this now? It had been almost ten years since he was ordered to capture Shinta. Maybe it was because of guilt. He knew very well that Shinta's execution was unjust. Was it such a crime to marry someone other than a firebender? Perhaps it was back then. He supposed it was treason. That poor girl, he thought as he sipped his tea. She must have had such a hard life.

"Uncle, Uncle." Iroh was snapped out of his trance by Zuko's voice. "I'm ready for the next sequence." Iroh looked at his nephew. Zuko had never seen his uncle so serious. "Uncle?"

"I think that is enough for today." His uncle got up and headed towards the forest next to the beach. "I am going to find a spring. It's been awhile since I've enjoyed myself. Maybe I can get this stern look off my face." Zuko watched as his uncle disappeared into the forest. Why was he like that? He wondered.

"Uncle is acting strange. Maybe he does need to relax. I let him be for now." Zuko continued to train. If he wanted to defeat the Avatar, he would have to be ready.

Iroh stopped at a cave. This was the place, he thought. He lit a torch and went in. The fire glistened against the awesome crystal walls. As he walked deeper into the cave, the temperature dropped more. He finally stopped at the edge of an underground lake. On the banks stood a tall, medium-built man. He wore blue robs with green trimming. His black rested against his shoulder. Iroh's flame seemed to turn to ice in his black eyes. Iroh's glance immediately went to the man's golden staff then to his expressionless face.

"Did you do it?" Iroh asked.

"Yes," the man said. "The girl is dead. She will not cause any problems."

"Good. It was for the best, you know."

"I know. Even though she looked innocent enough, if her powers were realized she could have destroyed the world." Iroh's face went to sheer sorrow.

"Did you ever see that girl before? She was known as the "Angel of Darkness." The entire village called her a half-breed. She must have had it so hard. I never realized how powerful she could be. But if she were to lose control, the world as we know it would be destroyed. I thank you, Hiroki." Iroh bowed to the wizard. "Perhaps our paths will cross again."

"Let's hope not," Hiroki said as he disappeared. Iroh smiled in agreement as he walked back to the camp.

"Perhaps you are right, my friend. Perhaps you are right.

Appa landed on the coast of the Water Nation. It was so green and luscious. Not far from the coast was a city. The gang was happy. They could rest and get some food. When they stopped last time, they couldn't get any supplies since there was no city. But now they could get as much stuff as they wanted.

"I don't get it," Sokka said. "I thought we were in the North Pole. How could there be a tropical forest?"

"This is the southern most part of the North Pole," Katara explained. "This area gets unusual water and wind currents that keep it warm and moist year round. It's almost like we are in the Earth Kingdom. Just be quiet and enjoy the nice weather." Katara glance over at Stella. She looked so helpless and confused. Katara only hoped that they could help.

"I don't trust her," Sokka said. "What if she is actually a spy from the Fire Nation? She could be pretending to have amnesia. I think we should ditch her. She's nothing but…OW!" Sokka massaged the bump on his head. "What did you do that for?"

"Oh shut up, Sokka," Katara said. "Look at her. Does she really look like she's faking? She looks so unsure. We can't just leave her here. That would be cruel."

"Fine, believe what you want. I'm not taking any chances. Come on, Aang. Let's go into the village." Katara sighed as her brother stomped away.

"Don't worry, Katara," Aang said with a smile. "We'll figure out a way to help her. For now, relax. Take her into town and show her a fun time." Katara smiled and walked towards Stella. She was feeding Momo as she thought. What if I never get my memories back? What will I do? She was brought out of thought when Katara's shadow fell on her.

"Hey, Stella. I was thinking about going into town and getting some supplies. Want to come?" Stella stared at the ground. "Come on. It will be fun. We can get a new outfit for you." It was true. Her old cloths were practically torn to pieces. Maybe this would be fun. She gave the waterbender a smile and stood up.

"Yeah, let's go." They both walked into the city. There were so many shops that they didn't know which one to go in first. They decided to go into Kana's Kimonos first. Katara spent a half-hour looking at outfits before she noticed Stella at the back of the store. She was staring at a lavender kimono with green trim around the collar and sleeve cuffs. In place of the obi was a slim green sash. She was in complete awe. "That one is beautiful." Stella turned around at Katara's voice. "Try it on."

"I couldn't. It's…" Stella tried to argue but Katara pushed her into a dressing room with the kimono.

"Just try it on. We don't have to buy it." It took Stella ten minutes to put the kimono on. If it was possible, it made her even more beautiful than before. The kimono fit her curves perfectly. The green trimming brought out her green eyes. She had also fixed her hair so a pink ribbon was tied at the nape of her braid. "It's perfect! It was made for you!"

"You think so?" Stella asked as she examined herself in the mirror. Katara was right. This dress made her feel so secure. She smiled at Katara and walked up to the clerk. "Excuse me. I would like to purchase this kimono."

"Of course. Would you like to wear it out?" the clerk asked. Stella smiled and nodded.

The girls continued to shop for supplies throughout the day. It seemed as the day played out more people stared at the two girls. They started mumbling about how pretty they looked, especially the one in the purple kimono. Stella got a strange feeling from them. It was if it had happened before. She remembered people always whispering about her. She became uneasy and quickened her pace. She stopped in an alley and put her hand against a wall to steady herself. What was going on? Why was she afraid? The people were admiring her, not scorning her.

Katara turned into the alley where Stella was. "Stella, what's…" She was cut off when Stella turned around. She looked a lot paler than she did before. She was also sweating and panting. Stella's knees gave out, but Katara caught her in time. "Stella, are you alright?" Stella nodded.

"Yeah, I just got a little light headed. That's all."

"Maybe we should get you to bed. Sokka and Aang found a hotel for us to stay in. Can you walk?" Stella picked up her basket and started walking.

"Yeah, let's go back. I'm sure the boys are worried." Just as she reached the end of the alley, Stella heard a scream. She whipped around and saw a masculine man holding Katara with a knife to her throat. "Katara! Let her go!" The man laughed as Stella fell to the ground. A skinny man had jumped from the roof and hit her over the head.

"I don't think so," the skinny thief said. "We don't want to hurt you. All we want is some money and maybe a little entertainment."

"Yeah," the strong man sneered. "Just do as we say, unless you want me to fillet your friend."

"Katara." Stella had to do something. But what could she do? She was outnumbered and outmatched. She couldn't do much to stop them. "Please, let her go. I'll do what you want." The strong man laughed as he trailed his hand down to Katara's thigh.

"She is very pretty. I wonder what she will be like in bed. Maybe we could get a room in the…" The strong man fell to the ground and started squealing about his head burning. Katara didn't see exactly what happened. All she saw was a hole in front of Stella's outstretched hand. Had she just…it couldn't be.

"You witch! You'll pay for hurting my friend!" The other man charged at Stella but bounced back after Stella created a wall of snow. Katara finally realized it. Stella could waterbend. Katara ran up to Stella and pulled her out of the alley.

"You knocked those two guys out," Katara puffed. "Why didn't you tell me you were a waterbender?"

"I didn't really know," she answered. "I guess my anger triggered it off."

"Well, this is awesome! I finally have someone that can teach me! You think you could teach me some techniques?"

"I suppose." Stella was glad that Katara didn't think she was a freak. She was glad that she had someone to share her skill with.

"Great, we can start tomorrow. Let's get back to the hotel. I can't wait to tell Sokka and Aang." They both ran back to the hotel as quick as they could, leaving the two bandits in the alley and a small flame on the thieves' shirts.

Yep, a cliffhanger. I hope this chapter was long enough. I am open to ideas because I'm not exactly sure what to do with this story yet. I hope you like it as much as Never Too Far.

And now, my review column. I've decided to do this at the end instead of making you guys wait. I'll pretty much respond to all your reviews after this. But I can't respond to you if you don't review. So please do.

Aangiscute: Wow! I'd be freaked out too if someone called me Stella. So you look a lot like her and you had amnesia before. Maybe I'm psychic. Just kidding. I wanted to do something like this because I got knocked out once and I couldn't remember what happened for a day. It really sucked. Keep reviewing. Thanks.