Disclaimer. I do not own anything beside my own characters.
Please enjoy this chapter!
Akaya slowly opened her eyes, feeling something gently nudge her shoulder. She groaned, pulling her furs over her head as her father chuckled. "Wake up my little waterbender. It is a big day. Not everyday you turn 5 years old." Bato said, pulling back the furs to look at the small face of his daughter.
"But daddy its too early." She grumbled, rolling onto her side as her eyes closed again. She started to laugh as her father tickled her sides, pulling her body up off the bed of furs. "Ok daddy I'm up." She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, snuggling into his warmth.
Bato sat on the furs, holding Akya in his arms. He starred down at her, still in awe at how much she was starting to resemble her mother. It made his heart ache in these moments, that he couldn't share them with his Cho.
"Would you like to open your present?" He chuckled as she eagerly nodded, her dark brown curls whipping around her face. He moved, pulling a cloth out, placing it in her small hands. She opened it, looking at the blue pendant in awe.
"Its so pretty daddy." She smiled, her fingers brushing over the etchings.
"This belonged to your mother. I believe she would want you to wear it." He moved his hand, brushing away a few tears that slipped down her cheeks.
"I wish I could have met her." Bato shushed her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as he stroked her hair.
"So do I, more than anything in this world. But you must always know she is always with you. When you wear this necklace, you wear apart of her, just like your waterbending." Akaya's eyes widened.
"Mommy was a waterbender?" Bato smiled, shaking his head.
"One of the best I ever saw. That is why I know you will be one as well." He took the necklace, securing the necklace around her. "Beautiful, just like her."
"Akaya, wake up." She startled, sitting up slightly as she looked around. She was no longer in the igloo she had called home. She was high in the sky on Appa's saddle. She looked over to where Katara sat crouched beside her. "Sorry your were mumbling in your sleep.. I think I heard Bato's name."
"It was just a dream. I'm ok." She forced a tiny smile, sitting up as she stretched.
"If you want to talk about it, you can. I still have dreams about my dad and mom." Katara said, giving her a comforting smile.
"Really I'm fine, I promise." The two looked over, noticing Aang pacing nervously back and forth before them.
"Would you sit down?" Sokka called from his perch on Appa's head. "If we hit a bump, you'll go flying off! Whats bugging you anyway?"
"Its what Avatar Roku said." Aang admitted as he paused his pacing. "I'm supposed to master all four elements before that comet arrives."
"Well, let's see. You pretty much mastered airbending, and that only took you 112 years. I'm sure you can master three more elements by next summer." Akaya could see the panic suddenly cross over Aang's face at the realization.
"I haven't even started waterbending and we're still weeks away from the North Pole! What am I going to do?" He called out.
Katara instantly grabbed his hand, pulling him down beside her and Akaya. "Calm down. It's going to be ok. Ig you want, we can try and teach you before we get to the North Pole?"
"Really?" He looked between the two hopefully.
Akaya smiled shaking her head. "Of course. I'm basically self-taught and I've been helping Katara. I mean were not masters by a long shot, but we can start you out. So, when we get there, you'll have a leg up on the training." She said.
"You guys are the best. Thank you, both of you," Katara smiled before moving over to the edge of the saddle.
"We just need to find a good source of water first." Akaya joined the two, scanning over the valley below them.
"Maybe we can find a puddle for you to splash in." Akya smirked, unscrewing her water skin before shooting water out to Sokka, watching it splash on his head as the others laughed.
They finally spotted an area, Sokka steering Appa down. As they landed, Akya smiled. The are was perfect. There was a good size pond with a waterfall leading into it. It was also surrounded on all ides by the forest and cliffs, giving them privacy. They had already spotted a small port nearby, which they could check out if they needed to replenish their supplies.
They unloaded their supplies, Akaya helping Aang remove Appa's saddle. Once it was gone, he let out a large groan, before flying up and plopping in the water before them.
"Seems like you need the break too huh buddy." Akaya laughed, as Appa let out another contended snort.
Once they had everything settled, the two waterbenders and Aang moved to the edge of the water. Akaya pulled out the small water scroll, setting it down on a rock that they could see. "Ok I believe its time for your first lesson pupil Aang." Akaya joked as Aang gave her a bright smile.
"Alright let's start easy." Akaya said, nodding over to Katara.
"Ok this one is pretty simple, but it still took us months to perfect. So, don't be frustrated. If you don't get it right away." Katara finished as they both got into their stances.
"All you need to do is push and pull the water like this." Akaya said. Her and Katara moved forward, raising their arms as they pulled them back and forth. The water began to respond, pulling towards them and then pushing out.
"The key is getting the wrist movement right." Katara instructed, nodding to the way her wrist bent and moved in time with the water.
"Alright Aang you give it a try." Akaya said as the airbender eagerly stood up, mimicking their stance.
"Like this?" Both girls watched amazed as he moved, the water instantly pushing and pulling just like theirs. They both shared a look, surprised at how fast he had mastered it. It had taken Akaya nearly a year and a half to even get this perfect. "Look! I'm bending it already!"
"Wow. I can't believe you got that so quickly. It took me two months to learn that move." Katara noted as Akaya nodded her head.
"Yeah, uh, it nearly took me a year and a half." Akaya said as Aang dropped his arms, the water stilling once again.
"Well Akaya you didn't have anyone to teach you. I just got lucky I mean I have two awesome waterbending teachers." Akaya couldn't help at smile at the compliment. She shook off the tiny bit of jealousy, chalking it up to what Aang said.
"So, whats next?" Akaya went over to the scroll, looking it over before deciding on the next one.
"Ok this one is a bit more difficult. Its called streaming the water." She said as she moved to stand by Katara.
They both moved, two streams of water moving up from the pond. Akaya and Katara brought the two streams of water closer, moving it around themselves. "This one can be tricky but-" Katara stopped as she watched Aang manipulate the water around him, watching as he expertly bent it over his head and back to his hands.
"Ok um good but the over the head flip was a bit unnecessary." Akaya muttered as Katara turned her head, her own jealousy crossing her face.
"Sorry." Aang apologized. "So, what else can you show me?" Katara and Akaya both gave each other a look before Katara nodded, stepping back.
"Well I know this one other move but even I haven't fully perfected it yet. " Akaya moved into her stance, starring at the water before her. "The idea is to create a big powerful wave. "She moved her arms, the water slowly rising as she concentrated. It grew a bit harder before she couldn't hold it any longer, the water splashing back down.
"So, like this?" Katara and Akaya watched in awe as Aang bent the water, a giant wave forming. It moved, knocking over Sokka as he continued to clean out Appa's feet. Akaya crossed her arms, not believing what she saw.
"Ok I think were done for today." She quickly walked away, Katara following her as Aang watched them confused.
"Did I do something wrong?"
Akaya tossed and turned that night, rolling on to her back as she starred up at the sky. She heard Sokka a few feet from her, his snoring the only sound in their camp. She couldn't understand how Katara and Aang slept through it so well.
She tried to relax and rest her eyes but she would find herself starring at the WaterTribe scroll. Katara had taken the scroll from pirates earlier that day when they had gone to port to replenish the supplies Aang had wiped away. Akaya had been the first one drawn to it, seeing the watertribe seal instantly. When Katara had unrolled it, they had looked at etchings on the parchment. The movements were graceful, more advanced then anything she or Katara had learned. While not on board with stealing the scroll, she wasn't mad when Katara revealed it. However, she did get a little upset when she kept hogging it, not only from Aang but her as well. Sokka and Aang had finally gotten through, Katara finally putting it down.
Akaya sighed as she sat up, knowing she wasn't going to get much sleep. Looking around and making sure the others were still sleeping. She quietly stood, moving over to where they kept they supplies. Chancing one last look at her three companions she grabbed the scroll. She nearly screamed as she came face to face with Momo who stood starring at her.
"Go back to sleep Momo just going to go do some practicing." She said, quietly, patting the lemurs head as he chittered, moving back to Appa to curl back on his head. Akaya headed away, going into the direction of the river that they had passed coming back from the port. It was far enough away that she wouldn't have to worry about waking up the others. Akaya set the scroll up, looking over the stances before picking the wave.
"Seriously! Why can't I get this?" She hugged, the water falling back into the water. It had grown larger but she just couldn't hold it enough. She stopped when she heard metal screeching nearby. Moving quietly over to the bushes, she peeked through, gasping when she saw two small ships docked onto the shore. One resembled fire nation, which meant they needed to leave.
Akaya turned to run, running straight into a solid chest. She looked up, instantly recognizing one of the pirates they had seen earlier that day as he smirked down at her. "We meet again little water rat." Before he could grab her, she moved her hand, water shooting from her skin and straight at him. As he stumbled back, she turned to run towards her camp, only stopping when two hands grasped her by the wrist. She starred up at the scarred face of Prince Zuko.
"Don't worry, I'll save you from the pirates." He sneered, his lips curling into a cruel smile. He pushed her back, two sets of hands grabbing her arms on either side as she struggled. "Tie her up. Make sure she can't move her hands." Her back met the rough bark one of the nearby trees as they hauled her back.
"Get your hands off of me!" She struggled, feeling her hands as they were secured behind her, another rope moving around her waist, keeping her back against the tree. Once she was secured, Zuko stepped forward.
"Tell me where he is and I won't hurt you or your friends." Akaya glared at Zuko as he starred back at her.
"Go jump in the river. I'm not saying anything." She turned to look away, trying and failing to get her hands loose.
"Try to understand, I need to capture him to restore something I've lost, my honor." Akaya watched as he moved closer, moving around the tree as he spoke. She flinched away when she felt him lean in close from behind. "Perhaps I can restore something you've lost." She caught a glint of something as he held something up. When she saw the carvings, she immediately knew what it was.
"My mother's necklace! How did you get that?" She asked, her eyes not leaving it as he moved away, holding it in his hands.
"I didn't steal it if that's what your wondering." He turned back to her before stuffing it back in his pocket. "Tell me where he is?"
"No!" She said, defiance seeping through her words even as her heart screamed for her mothers' necklace. No matter how much she wanted the necklace back, she couldn't give up her friends.
One of the pirates stepped forward, Akaya recognizing him as the leader. "Enough of this necklace garbage. You promised the scroll."
They all watched as Zuko pulled the scroll out, his hand forming a flame as he held it over it. "I wonder how much money this is worth. "As the pirates gasped and called out, Zuko seemed to have gotten his answer. "A lot, apparently. Now you help me find what I want, you'll get this back, and everyone goes home happy." Zuko turned, addressing not only the pirates but his men as well. "Search the woods for the boy and meet back here." They all dispersed, heading in other directions until Akaya and Zuko were the only ones left.
They stayed there, in a thickening silence, the only sound coming from the river beside them. Akaya looked over at Zuko, his own gaze directed out towards the water. She was able to get a good look at him now. He looked about her age, possibly older but not by much. His hair was still in that stupid ponytail, the rest of it shaved. She had to admit he had a handsome face, of course it would be if the permanent scowl ever left. What drew her closer was the large angry scar across his left eye. It looked old, like he had received it years before. Probably from some accident or other. She couldn't imagine how much that had hurt.
"Why are you starring at me?" She blinked, looking up as her eyes locked with gold as he starred at her. She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment at being caught.
"I wasn't starring. I was just concentrating as hard as I could for the water to swallow you up." She smirked as she saw smoke rise off his clenched fists. He dug through his pockets, pulling the necklace out once again. That had her smirk disappearing. "Be careful with that please."
He smirked, he fingers holding the satin band that held the pendant. "I wonder how much heat it would take to melt it. Maybe we should find out." Akaya could only stare in horror as a flame burst in his other hand as he moved it closer.
"NO! Zuko please don't." She didn't care how desperate she sounded, all she cared about was keeping the necklace in one piece.
"Nephew, I do not believe that is necessary." Zuko instantly extinguished the flame, placing the necklace back into his pocket. Akaya watched as an older man walked over, dressed in fire nation robes. She had recalled seeing him with Zuko before, He was shorter than the prince but not by much, his hair grey, showing his age. What surprised Akaya the most was the gentle, almost kind look on his face. It wasn't something she normally associated with the fire nation.
The man turned to Akaya, giving a small smile as he bowed gently. "Forgive my nephew, he can take things a bit far. My name is General Iroh. May I have your name?" Akaya looked at him, unsure if this was some kind of trick or not.
"Uncle, she's our prisoner, you don't need to speak to someone like her, a water rat." Akaya threw a glare at him.
"Waterbending is not an element you should easily dismiss nephew. The waterbenders are quite adapt with their element. Why do you think the Fire Nation has not breached the North yet?" Iroh stated. Akaya was surprised at his admission, not expecting someone from the Fire Nation to speak so highly of waterbending.
Zuko ignored him, sulking off, walking down the river where he took a seat on a rock. "My names Akaya." She said quietly looking over at Iroh as he gave her a gentle smile.
Iroh nodded his head. "It is nice to meet you, although the circumstances are not ideal. Congratulations by the way."
Akaya looked at him confused, not sure what he was talking about. "Um I'm sorry, what?"
"The necklace. It's a betrothal necklace if I'm not mistaken." She paused, her cheeks burning red.
"Oh no, no. I'm not engaged. I didn't even know that the necklace was symbolic for that. It belonged to my mother. It's the only thing I have left from her." A look of sadness passed over his face as he nodded solemnly.
"I am sorry for your loss." Akaya nodded slightly, turning her head away, to blink back the tears.
Zuko starred out over the river, listening to his uncle speak with the prisoner. His hand dug into his pocket, pulling the necklace out as he examined it once more. He looked closely at the intricate carvings, his thumb running over the smooth stone. He paused when she mentioned her mother, something nawing at the back of his mind that he quickly shut away.
"Be careful with that nephew. I do not believe our guest would be too happy with that getting ruined." Zuko's hand clenched around the pendant as he turned to his uncle.
"She is our prisoner, not a guest. She's lucky I haven't turned it to ashes." He stuffed the pendant away once more.
Time seemed to go by slowly, the moon shifting positions in the sky as they waited. Iroh had returned to the small ship that they had, not before giving Akaya a small cup of tea. She had been unsure at first but seeing no trace of trickery on his face had accepted, accepting his help as he carefully dipped it into her mouth.
Zuko turned when he heard a rustle near the trees, seeing a few of the pirates come forth. "Have you found the boy?"
"No. The others are still looking. Captain sent us back, make sure you stick to your side of the deal and all." One of them replied, a small sneer on his face directed at the prince. Zuko glared turning back away.
Akaya watched the group uneasily. She could see the some of them threw her looks that were less honorable. That was the only thing she did not fear with being alone with Prince Zuko. He had once never given her the impression she was getting from the men now.
"You and your friends gave us quite the chase today little girl." One of the men taunted, starring at Akaya. She turned her head, keeping her mouth shut.
"You hear me speaking girl." She winced as her chin was wrenched, the same man who spoke holding her face in a bruising grip. She bit her lip when his hand wandered down from her chin, towards the top of her tunic. "Maybe we can see a small peek."
She felt the flames before she really registered them, the mans grip gone as he fell back, gripping his arm. All she could see was the back of the Prince, both hands lit as two of his soldiers stood beside him. "You will keep your hands and distance from the girl! She is my prisoner and I decide what is done with her!" The man stood to retaliate but was stopped by his buddies. They moved back, staying closer to the tree line now.
Zuko stayed were he was, his shoulders rising and falling with his breaths, the flames slowly disappearing. When he moved to step away, Akaya found her voice. "Thank you…Prince Zuko." Her voice was soft, still shaken from the altercation. Zuko turned his head slightly, she could only see the scarring of his eye as he gave her a curt nod before moving back to where he had been sitting. Akaya took note how one guard remained near her.
Zuko resumed his spot near the river, his body still vibrating as he tried to hold in his anger. It wouldnt do him any good unleashing it on the pirates, even through he wanted to in that very moment. Zuko had no friendship with the girl, he hated her and her friends. They were nuisances, always getting in the way of him capturing the Avatar. But the moment he saw the pirate put his hand on her, as he saw what his intentions were, he snapped. Zuko may have hated her, but he would not let the pirates dishonor her in that way. What little honor he had wouldn't allow it.
Morning came quickly as Akaya laid her head back against the post. She tried to hide the yawn, but it was hard, her body exhausted from being tied all night. Zuko had remained sitting on the rock the rest of the night, his gaze moving now and again to the pirates that had remained, keeping an eye on them.
He was standing the instant people broke through the tree line. Akaya sighed when she saw her friends be dragged forward by the pirates. "Nice work." Pulling the scroll out he stepped towards them.
"Guy's I'm so sorry this is all my fault. I shouldn't have come out last night," Akaya said, ashamed as what she had gotten her friends, especially Aang into. She would never forgive herself if she was the reason he was captured.
"Aang, ever the pacifist, shrugged his shoulders. "No Akaya it isn't."
"Yeah, it kind of is." Akaya turned her head to Iroh who stood near her, giving her a small shrug.
"Give me the boy." Zuko demanded, starring at the Captain.
He stepped forward, his hand out held. "You give us the scroll."
"You're really gonna hand over the Avatar for a stupid piece of parchment?" Every eye went to Sokka as he piped up.
"Sokka shut up." Akaya called, not understanding what the idiot was doing.
"Don't listen to him. He trying to turn us against each other." At Zukos words something clicked in Akaya's head, a small smile growing on her face.
"No my friends right. I mean do you know much the Avatar will get you. A whole lot more than the water scroll that's for sure." Akaya added, Aang turning disbelieving eyes on her.
"Shut up you water peasant, now!" Zuko yelled, glaring daggers at her.
"Your friend is the Avatar?" The captain questioned, looking at Aang closely now.
"He sure is." Sokka said smiling.
"Keep the scroll." The captain said turning to Zuko. "We can buy a 100 with the reward we'll get for the kid." They turned, getting ready to lead Aang away.
"You'll regret breaking a deal with me." Zuko called before he and the fire bender soldiers attacked. Everything broke into chaos after that, just like Sokka hoped for. Smoke filled the air, Akaya unable to see the attacks going on.
Hearing something above her head, she smiled as Momo scampered down the tree. He got to the ropes, quickly chewing through them until she was freed. He climbed on her shoulder, licking her cheek as she ruffled his ears. "Good job Momo. I'll make sure to find you a whole bunch of apples." He chattered on, quickly jumping off her to get to safety. She grabbed her discarded water skin, looking around. She looked beyond the fighting, seeing a flash of blue. She ran towards the pirate's ship where Katara stood trying to push it into the water. "Need some help?"
Katara smiled, hugging Akaya before pulling away. "I'm so glad your ok. Can you help me get this in?" She moved to stand beside her friend, both of them trying to push the large boat into the river.
"Katara! Your ok." The girls turned, seeing both Aang and Sokka running towards them.
"Help us get the boat back into the water so we can get out of here." Katara said. Aang and Sokka joined them, all four of them trying but failing to make it budge.
Sokka pulled back, panting. "We need a team of rhinos to budge this ship."
"A team of rhinos…" Aang paused, looking over at Katara and Akaya. "..or three waterbenders." Akaya and Katara looked at each other and then Aang, slowly smiling. The three of them moved into their stances, moving their arms fluidly out in front of them. They watched as the water rose, moving up the sandy shore after each movement. After a few moments, the water had risen hi enough, the boat rising and floating.
"We did it!" Akaya cheered as they scrambled up the ladder to climb up the ship. They moved around the ship, making sure the sails were ready as they moved down the river, Sokka taking up the steering wheel.
"Uh Aang, we got company." Akaya called, catching sight of the pirates on the small fire nation boat.
"Sokka can you make it go any faster?" Aang called as he too saw them.
"I don't know how. This thing wasn't made by the water tribe." Sokka called out as he tried turning the wheel in another direction.
Akaya watched as the boat gained speed, pulling up beside them. She moved when she saw a few jump across landing on their ship. Aang moved, raising his arms as he brought a large wave up, sweeping most overboard. One still remained as he steadily moved to his feet. Akaya looked over, seeing Katara look from him to the water at her feet.
"Katara concentrate! You can do this!" Akaya called, nodding her head as Katara looked to her. With a steely determination crossing her features, she moved her hands, the water moving up and whipping across, catching the man in the chest, and sending him overboard.
"Hey! You did the water whip." Aang called down excitedly.
She smiled up at Aang, just as excited. "I couldn't have don't it without your help." She turned her gaze next to Akaya. "Without both of your help." Akaya made her way towards her, immediately pulling the younger girl into her arms for a hug that she eagerly returned.
"Will you all quit congratulating each other and help me out!" Sokka screamed, two pirates attacking him. Aang jumped down, quickly airbending the two off of the ship with ease as Sokka staggered back to his feet.
"Aang look!" Katara yelled, pointing a head. Akaya looked in the direction, her eyes widening at the where they were headed, the waterfall. Aang pulled out the whistle he had purchased the day before, blowing as hard as he could into it.
"Have you lost your mind? This is no time for flute practice." Sokka exclaimed as Katara and Akaya made their way down towards the deck joining them.
"Maybe we can try and stop the boat." Akaya said, Katara and Aang both nodding. They moved their arms, concentrating as hard as they could to push the water back against the ship to keep from going over the falls.
"Its working! Its slowing down." Katara called as they felt the ship slow down. It came to a full stop at the edge of the falls, the three waterbenders continuing to bend the water.
"Uh guys we have another problem." Sokka called, pointing behind them. They looked back, seeing the fire nation ship once again, heading straight towards them. In an instant, it crashed straight into the boat, sending the four of them off their feet as the ship tipped over the falls.
Akaya screamed as they started to free fall, the water and rocks below them growing closer as they continued to fall. She closed her eyes, reading herself for the impact when she made contact with something hard. She opened her eyes, staring down at the brown saddle of Appa as he flew away. She looked to each of her sides, seeing her friends safely beside her. She rolled to her back, taking a deep breath, starring up at the clouds before her.
"Good job Appa." He whispered, patting the saddle beside her as the animal whisked them away.
"What will you do with the necklace now nephew?" Zuko stalked up the plank of their ship, brushing past the crew and soldiers with a quiet determination that had them all moving out of the way. He ignored his uncle, heading below deck to his room, slamming the door promptly behind him. He sat on his cot, digging the necklace out before holding it up to examine. As he held it by the black ribbon, his other hand moved under it, flames licking at the palm.
He could easily burn it, he should. She had been one of the reasons why he had lost the Avatar. This didn't mean anything to him. He wanted to move his hand closer, let the flames incinerate the silk, the etchings, everything. As his hand drew closer, something flashed through his images.
A kind smile. A warm laughter he never heard enough of. A soothing hand running over his head.
He slammed the necklace down on the table beside his cot, tearing his outer armor off before rolling on his side, facing the wall were he fell into a fitful sleep.