Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, the Last Airbender, or any of its characters, except for the kids I made up. I own them, for sure.

GOOD NEWS! I've actually found time to draw the main characters of my fic, and when I get the chance to scan them I'll give you guys the address.

One more thing: "Mika" is pronounced "MEE-KA" not "MY-KA." I thought I should clear that up.

As for the last Chapter, READ IT TWICE! You have to know the legend beacause I make reference to it. OK, on with the chapter.

Chapter 6: Bides of Fire

Katara awoke, panting and sweating and trembling all over. Her dream...she dreamt of an ancient world...a world...Tenkay...Kya... She didn't know these people, why was she dreaming about them? Some one was breathing next to her...

She spun around to find Mika, her eyes glowing yellow in the dark, her ears up and alert, and her hands to either side of Katara's pillow.

"What did you do?" Katara whispered hoarsly. "I know you're a Fire Bender, I saw you. And I'm warning you, if you're a spy--"

"I know that you know, I saw you."

Katara paused. "Then you should know we're leaving tomarrow. You lied to--"

"Give me a chance to explain, Katara...please. I wanted to tell you before you went to sleep but I couldn't. If you give me a chance to explain you'll see why I need fire...why it's so important that I have it."

Katara crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Mika.

"You know how great it feels to bend water, bending fire is the same. It is part of who I am. No one understands that, I was hoping you would."

Katara's stare softened and her arms dropped to her sides. "Why were you hiding it then?"

"Because my people fear fire, they fear the Dragons. They fear it will destroy them like Kya destroyed Tenkay. They fear it...so I told them that I was a Water Bender and they believed me and let me stay. And my mother...my birth mother... I don't know what they did to her..." Mika's shoulders slumped inward and her temples vibrated. Her wings spread out in full span. "I am of Dragon decent, and I breathe fire. There is nothing I can do to change who I am." Her wings moved swiftly behind her back and flattened. "I'm sorry if I lied to you, I only did it to stay in Tenkay." There was a long pause. "If you wish to leave, then you may go. I cannot teach the Avatar."

Mika began to get up but Katara grabbed her arm. Mika looked at her, slight tears in the corners of her eyes. "You don't want to stay here, do you?" Katara asked.

"I have no where else to go."

Katara thought for another second. "Why?"

"People do not know of Tenkay because we do not go beyond our borders. You live here and you die here, no matter what." Her voice was hallow.

"But you can leave."

"I'm different, Katara. My wings and my ears and my breathing of fire. People notice these things, and the powerful Earth Benders of my village won't like it if I leave."

"You can come with us," Katara offered. "Away from this village...if you want. It doesn't seem like you like it very much."

Mika smiled. "I hate it. And I wish I could come with you, but I am different."

Sokka stirred restlessly in his bead and mumbled something. Mika grimaced her teeth. "I should go."

"I'm coming with you."

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Mika led Katara back to the boulder, it was the only place no one would bother them. Even when they were in the village, Katara could see Mika's reaction to the cabins and the paths. She was nervous, tense. She lived alone behind the boulder, over looking her opposite element all day and Fire Bending by night. The life she lived in Tenkay was not a happy one.

The sun was begining to come up, and Mika shot a sour look at the already orange sky. "If I come with you, we have to leave when no one is awake. They wouldn't want me to go."

"Then tomarrow at midnight, I'll tell Aang and Sokka." Katara yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"Will the Avatar except the training I can give him then?"

Katara furrowed her eyebrows. She hated it when people refered to Aang as "the Avatar." He was only 12, and the name "Avatar" refered to a master bender. "I thought you couldn't Water Bend."

Mika smiled. "I can Fire Bend, and I can try to teach him...even if I am a lousy teacher, it will be worth getting away from Tenkay."

Katara smiled.

"You should go back," Mika said quickly. "I don't want any one getting the wrong idea...you'd be surprised at how sly Skya can be."

Katara nodded, surprised that Mika had even brought up her sister...half sister...whatever she was. Obviously she didn't get along with any one in the village.

----------xXx-------------

Katara tried to run faster on the sand back to the cabin, but the ground covering was too heafty. To make matters worse, Skya was leaning on the enterance of the cabin, one foot on the wall and the the other on the ground, her tail swaying despite the cold.

Katara stopped, not really knowing what to say. Mika had warned her again Skya, but it seemed a bit too late.

Skya moved away from the wall and walked away from Katara, her eyes narrow and her lips tight. She made her way back to her own cabin, moving the red cloth that acted as the door.

Katara went inside.

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Sorry for the short chapter, ok...no, I'm not. Truth is, I'm tried and my fingers are cold...sorta bored too. Catch me on AIM: AngelsKeeper112

Once again, don't forget to review!