Chapter 22

North Star

Sokka

I leaned over Appa's saddle, bored out of my mind. It was two days after leaving the Northern Air temple. Pala was dozing a little ways from me, curled into a ball. She always seemed to try to sleep her problems away, as if the darkness could give her peace. I was different, I couldn't sleep away my problems, but I could distract myself.

"Can Appa fly any higher?" I questioned, looking down. We were barely feet above the water.

"Appa's tired. He's been flying two days without food! I'd love to see you carry us like that." Aang retorted angrily, sitting up from his place on Appa's head. We were all frustrated and stressed. It was nearly midwinter and we hadn't found the Northern Water Tribe yet. That, and none of us could forget what had happened at the Northern Air temple.

"I'd be glad to," I replied sarcastically, "climb on everybody the Sokka express is ready for take off." I blinked as I felt a sudden weight land on my back. Turning, I saw Momo sitting innocently there, blinking up at me with big green eyes.

Annoyed I shooed him off. Pala rolled over and muttered under her breath. I couldn't tell if she was talking in her sleep or slightly awake. Despite her denials, she did talk in her sleep… and snore. Although she was hardly the loudest I had heard. A memory of my dad snoring caused me to smile briefly. Then Appa dipped. I yelled as the giant dragged his paws in the water. Pala shot up, suddenly wide awake from the rough jostling.

"I'm awake!" She yelped brown eyes wide. Katara smiled.

Appa jolted suddenly, as if he had tripped, causing us to cry out in shock. Pala shrieked in shock, as Appa tried to regain balance. A spear of ice shot from the ocean below, forcing Appa to dodge, sending us spinning. The flying bison hit the water hard, only to be frozen there. Katara was the first to speak as several large canoes and a barge appeared from behind some of the larger icebergs.

"Waterbenders! We found the water tribe!" I grinned, happy that two days of boredom were over. Katara and Aang looked just as excited… Pala didn't. Her face was pulled into a stubborn frown, her forehead creased into wrinkles and her eyebrows thrust down over her eyes. I wondered how well she was taking the advice I had given her back at the temple. While one of the Warriors began to talk with Aang I kept a close eye on Pala. She was defiantly unhappy.

"Welcome Avatar, and who are you three?" The same man asked, distracting me.

"I'm Sokka, son of Hakota, chieftain of the southern water tribe. These are my sisters, Katara daughter of Kya wife of Hakota and Palartok daughter of..." I trailed off, turning to Pala to ask for her mother's name. To my surprise she was gripping her bow tightly, knuckles white as she stared at me. I shrugged it off and turned back to the man. My father had taught me what was expected if I ever came across other water benders not from our tribe. Katara leaned over and whispered into her ear. Pala stopped and gave Katara a strange look before replying.

"Coral, my mom's name is Coral." I looked at her in surprise. While not a strictly water tribe name Coral was fairly popular for those who wanted something different. Of course it appeared among the earth kingdom as well, especially near the ocean.

"Welcome brother and sisters," the man stated warmly, "my name is captain Anik and this is my fleet. If you would like we will escort you to our tribe."

"That would be appreciated," Katara added grinning at me, "We'd probably get lost otherwise." I huffed, indignant at the suggestion. I wasn't that bad with directions.

We followed Anik with Appa swimming so as to not outpace the canoes. Katara was looking around, beaming in excitement and chatting with Aang. Pala on the other hand walked over to me and sat down.

"You didn't have to do that." She stated as she began to polish her bow, checking to make sure it was supple and not going to become hard and crack from the cold.

"Do what?" I asked in confusion. What was she talking about?

"Introduce me like I was your sister." She explained with a roll of her eyes.

"Technically, you are. You're water tribe, that makes you my sister."

"I was adopted into the water tribe Sokka, not born into it." She protested. I was about to retort that it didn't matter when her eyes widened. The awe on her face caused me to turn as well. In front of us was the Northern Water Tribe.

Jutting straight up from the water was a huge wall of ice, polished with the smooth perfection that only master waterbenders could create. Towers and large buildings rose up, taller then the walls, shining. Everything was made of ice or snow. I watched in fascination as several waterbenders broke off a section of the wall, lowering it below the waters surface so we might pass through. It was amazing, little rainbows glinted off the perfect surface as we headed under the bridge.

I could tell that Aang, Pala and Katara were just as awestruck as I was. It was impossible not to be. This place was the size of Omashu but made completely of ice. It occurred to me that the Southern water tribe might have looked like this at one time, before the war, before we lost our benders. For the first time in my life I mourned the loss that our home had suffered.

As Appa swam along we passed a canoe. My eyes were instantly caught by the girl sitting in them. Her hair was a silvery white, a colour associated with the elderly but she couldn't have been older then me. Her skin was pretty and coloured a pale brown. She turned and smiled at me with the brightest blue eyes I had ever seen. She was beautiful. My heart began beating an unnatural rhythm as I ran to Appa's tail so as to keep looking at her.

"...beautiful." I heard Katara state.

"Yeah," I replied dreamily, "She is."


Maddi

The Northern Water Tribe made me think of Venice. While I had never been to that particular city it had been one of the places I had wanted to visit. It was ironic, I finally got my chance to explore the world and it wasn't even my own. Sokka suddenly stood and rushed past me to Appa's tail. I turned, curious to see his eyes fixated on Yue's back. I chuckled and turned back to look at the architecture.

We were guided through to a place here the buildings were smaller, I realized in shock it was a residential area. Families and couples strolled along while kids ran everywhere causing trouble and getting underfoot. Anik gestured at one house. Just like the others it had a pair of heavy animal skins as a door.

"This will be your house for your stay here," Anik told us, "We would be honoured if you would come to the feast tonight. I will send a man to bring you to the feast. Let him know your decision." Katara began unloading and I joined her as Sokka and Aang talked to Anik. The house was small, two rooms, the main living area and a 'bathroom' which was really just a toilet as the bathtub was hidden behind a curtain made from a large animal pelt. In fact the entire inside of the house was made of pelts and leather. It was strange and yet familiar as it reminded me of the Southern watertribe, just a more fancy version.

After we finished unpacking we set up our new home to our liking. Aang had taken off to make sure Appa would be comfortable in the Yak stables which left the three of us to finish the final touches. I was about to sit down and do some more reading of my scroll when Katara spoke up.

"So what's going to happen?"

"Pardon?" I asked, not sure I had heard her correctly.

"What's going to happen here?" She asked, "Who's going to be my waterbending teacher? Am I going to have two because I want to learn healing as well, it sounded fascinating." Katara looked so excited, I felt awful for what was about to happen.

"And what about that girl? Do you know who she is?" Sokka asked me, completely ignoring his sister. I smiled, Sokka was obviously love-stuck.

"That girl was Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe." I replied smoothly, watching Sokka's reaction. Despite how the series had portrayed it, Sokka was piratically a prince, therefore he was practically of equal station to Yue. I turned to Katara, unsure if I should tell her or not.

"Katara... the northern tribe is very different then the southern. Especially in values concerning women." I shifted uncomfortably. Katara frowned, unsure of what I was suggesting, but I could tell that Sokka knew what I meant.

I was saved from having to explain further by Aang returning with Momo perched on his shoulder/

"You should see the stables Katara!" he cried, "they're amazing , come on I want to show you." Sokka was quick to interfere.

"That may not be the best idea Aang, it's probably only an hour before the feast. If we want to go we'll have to stay here." Aang deflated but nodded and began chatting at Katara. I shook my head and went back to my scroll.

Day 60,

I have been one of the few members to be transferred out of the small town and into the navy. I hate water, no matter where I go it surrounds me, threatening to extinguish my life as easily as my fire. I spend most of my time seasick. But I thank every spirit watching over me that I am not going to one of the poles. There you can have months of darkness. Months without a sun... I would commit the ultimate dishonour to avoid such a fate. What did I do to deserve this? I was born on the land, raised on the land and I wish to die on the land. I do not understand how so many other firebenders can not only survive but enjoy being seafarers. How I long for home.

Day 63,

The last two days have been insane as a man of royal standing has come to inspect our boat. Prince Iroh...

I jolted out of my reading in surprise. The author of this diary scroll had met Iroh? Back before he was a prince and not a general. The realization shocked me. Here was an incredible opportunity to get to know what Iroh was like before Zuko, before he had even had Lu-Ten. The thought both thrilled and terrified me, like I was sneaking around behind his back. Still I couldn't exactly stop myself.

Prince Iroh is a strange young man. He's a few years older then me and strides about with the utmost confidence. Despite his bearings he smiles and jokes with the men as easily as if they were old school friends. Even stranger is if you have a cup of tea he seems to expect that you would have made him a cup too. Afterwards he will comment on how well the tea was made and spend a good fifteen minutes giving you tips. Eccentric is the term I've heard whispered around the ship but doesn't one have to be old to be eccentric? He is such a confusing man, I honestly don't know what to make of him.

"Honourable guests have you decided?" I shot up in surprise and quickly tucked the scroll away. It was time for the feast.


I woke the next morning to Aang, Katara and Sokka all getting ready to go their various ways. The feast last night had passed by with little interest to me, although I had corrected Katara when she had laughed at Sokka saying he was a prince. After all, he was the son of the chieftain. After that Yue and Sokka talked and Katara and Aang scoped out Pakku as their future teacher, although Katara kept sending me confused glances. She was probably trying to figure out what I had told her earlier about the tribe's outlook on women being different. Sokka had been invited to join the other young warriors which meant I was going to be alone all day as I knew the second Sokka was free he would run straight for Yue. I was having conflicting feelings about the young watertribe princess as she was facing her death approaching quickly. I didn't know what to do, yes I was going to do everything in my power to save her but that didn't mean it would be enough. I couldn't forget how I had left Suki back at Kyoshi Island, concussed with a broken leg because I had changed things. Still, I couldn't live my life in fear.

"Sorry for waking you," Katara apologized when she noticed I was awake. I shrugged and propped myself up on one elbow.

"So when are you planning on learning how to heal?" I asked her, I wasn't sure how she was going to take being told no. From my experience, Katara didn't deal well with that.

"I don't know. I want to know how to fight but from what you've said I'm going to need to know healing right?" I nodded, Katara learning healing was vitally important, even if it was basic. It would save Aang's life. I yawned, still tired and motioned for them to go. As they left I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I woke up a few hours later with a sigh and sat up. I was going to need to work on something during my time here as, unlike my friends I had nothing to do. After a moment I decided to work on my archery. I had been practising with it for a while but so far had no reason to use it in battle. Here though, a long range weapon was going to be needed very soon.

I spent the rest of the day working on my aim and technique. It was weak from lack of use but I wasn't going to just give up. I needed the practice. After I hit a bulls eye three times in a row I retrieved my arrows and stepped back further. I kept working at it, intensely focused on nothing else but the steady twang of the bow.

"You're not bad," I jumped in surprise, my arrow whizzing to the far left of my target. Turning I looked to see a girl, a good few years younger then me sitting on a pile of snow.

"Thanks," I replied lightly retrieving and notching the arrow again.

"It must be interesting to travel the world, especially one that is so different from your own." My arrow missed again as I spun to stare at the girl who stood behind me, an innocent expression on her face.

"Who are you, how do you know?" I snapped, knocking my bow and pointing it in her direction. To my surprise she rolled her eyes.

"Please, you couldn't hit me with that. Even if you did it would pass right through, see?" She walked forward and stuck her hand straight through my arrow. I blinked then lowered the weapon.

"You're another spirit." She laughed at my statement as if I was the funniest person in the world.

"Of course I am, do I look water tribe to you?" I paused and this time took a better look. While she was wearing the water tribe's usual outfit and her hair was dark that was the end of their similarities. Her skin was nearly translucent and glowing in a silvery light and her eyes were pure silver with no whites or irises. Despite the fact she looked Aang's age I could somehow feel that her age spanned millennium.

"My name is Nuuttuittuq, I am the Northern Star." I sighed and sat down on a pile of snow.

"So what do you want from me?" I asked with a glare, not bothering to say her name. I was tired of spirits interfering with me. Besides her name was impossible to pronounce.

"I wished to check up on you and let you know that you are changing this world." I grunted. I already was aware the world was was changing. I had seen small changes quite often.

"Wait, what do you mean check up on me? We've never met."

"That you remember. Remember you were unconscious in the spirit world for quite some time" The spirit smiled warmly, "And you have me to thank for the fact you speak the common tongue at all." I froze and turned to her in shock.

"You gave me the ability to speak the common tongue? Why? Do you know why I'm here?" I demanded, my heart beating erratically.

"I saved your life, I changed your direction in the spirit world, I changed your native tongue so you could understand what was said to you and I was the one who made sure you were found by Sokka before you died from exposure. But I did not take you from your world. I did not create the disaster that brought you here and I do not know who did or even if it was on purpose at all." I sighed.

"I'll be seeing you soon Maddison, and good luck." She paused a second before she had to leave.

"If you cannot pronounce my name, then call me something else. A nickname perhaps." She smiled and then vanished into thin air.

I turned back to my bow and arrows, left abandoned on the snow. I retrieved them and for a moment or two just stared off into space. Finally giving up practice as a lost cause I put my weapon away and walked home.


I'm sorry that this update is so late everyone. Life has been busy. My goal though is to have the next three chapters up for you to read before the end of December. Once again sorry and let me know what you think of this chapter.

Princess Kassie Out.