Book one:
Water
Chapter Four:
The warriors of Kyoshi
It was the middle of the night. The sky was as dark as ink, with splattered dots of light, the stars, scattered across it, winking on those down below. The waters were calm, still, and so was the air around and above it.
Until a sleek, dark seal grey metal ship ploughed through, disturbing the peace. The small waves it produced from its hull shushing and whispering.
Inside one of the rooms, on the main tower, sat a man. The room was simply decorated. Two Fire Nation design tapestry's hung on the left wall, with two crossed swords and a desk in between them.
On the adjoining wall to the right, was a 1 metre by a 5-metre sized window that showed the outside world. Just below it, was a decorative dragon skull hung on it. There was a table below it, where four candles sat.
The candlelight went low and then increased to bright. Sat in front of the candles, legs crossed, hands capped together in his lap, was the scarred prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, meditating.
He breathed in, and the candlelight decreased, then he breathed out, and their brightness increased.
The metal door to the teen's right creaked open and his uncle peeked in. The prince's eyes opened, though they stared intent on the flames "The only reason you should be interrupting me, is if you have news about the Avatar."
His uncle further opened the door, and came right in, and looked down at the rolled up scroll in his hands "Well there is news Prince Zuko," His uncle sighed "But you might not like it, don't get too upset."
The teen did not turn but replied with a low calm voice "Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader. Now whatever you have to say, I'm sure I can take it."
His uncle nodded, and stroked his grey beard "Ok then," he lowered his hand and faced his nephew "We have no idea where he is."
Not even a second after General Iroh had finished speaking, the candle went up fast and hot like an erupting volcano, illuminating the room as bright as day itself "What?!" Prince Zuko got to his feet.
His uncle stepped back to avoid the heat of the flames, and then as the candle returned to normal, he drew out a fan to brush away the stray embers and warmth "You should really open a window in here."
Zuko lunged forward and snatched the rolled up scroll from his uncle's hand "Give me the map." He unrolled it and gazed at it
"There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar. But he is impossible to track down." General Iroh explained
Prince gazed at the map, frustrated and exasperated. On the map were crosses where the Avatar had stopped and dotted lines showing his path. It started at the South Pole, then went to an island in the Earth Kingdom, zipped across to somewhere in the ocean, back to another Earth Kingdom island, then to old Air Nomad territory, and then it stopped in the ocean again.
It was a zigzag of confusing lines and switchbacks "How am I gonna find him, uncle?" Zuko asked, "He is clearly a master of evasive manoeuvring."
0o0
"You have no idea where you're going, do you?"
I looked up at Sokka's voice, my attention re-focusing on the Southern Water Tribe boy. I leaned forward and managed to see what he had been studying so closely for the better part of the morning.
It was a map, of the lower half of the world, showing the South Pole, to the edge of Earth Kingdom territory. We had been flying for a while now, since leaving the Air Temple, and we hadn't seen land again yet.
Naturally as an Airbender, and a part of a group of scouts back in mine and Aang's own time, the both of us had travelled around the world constantly, and were used to such long tedious flying without seeing the earth for hours, days.
It was obvious that Sokka was not comfortable, nor was as patient as we were. "Well, I know it's near water," Aang replied back, trying to get Sokka to see the bright side.
"I guess we're getting close then." Sokka sarcastic quipped.
I giggled lightly under my breath. You'd think that his sarcasm and bad joking, would get old, but I just found it funny. I noticed Sokka glance at me, and smirk, pleased with himself.
He probably thought I was laughing because of his joke. I wasn't. I was laughing because Sokka was the complete opposite of Aang, and his sarcasm went right over Aang's head.
I saw Katara was still sewing and noticed Aang watching her with a smile. "Momo, marbles please," Momo, Aang's lemur, scrambled into his shirt, and then popped back out with a bag in his hand "Hey Katara check out this airbending trick."
Aang then used his bending to make the marbles float between his hands and fly fast in a circle. My best friend was grinning, dark grey eyes wide with excitement. "That's great Aang."
"You didn't even look," Aang said
Katara looked up from her sewing, and smiled "That's great."
Aang deflated his hands with the marbles lowering. I just shook my head, smiling, Aang looked at me and I mouthed the word 'smooth'. He stuck his tongue out at me in retaliation.
I scrunched up my nose and stuck my tongue out right back, then smiling I turned back to my book, absentmindedly stroking Raiu's ears. It was one of my favourites. Monk Gyatso had given it to me on my 15th birthday. It was an origin story of how the Avatar came to be. I was reading the first chapter but was flying through it.
"Stop bugging her airhead, you need to give girls space when they do their sewing." Immediately I lowered my book and turned my gaze to Sokka.
"What does, me being a girl, have to do with sewing?" Katara asked, voice clearly speaking annoyance and that her brother was on thin ice.
It was a good question. What did being a girl have to do with sewing? "Simple," Sokka lowered his arms from where he had placed them behind his head "Girls are better at fixing pants than guys. And guys are better at hunting and fighting and stuff like that, it's just the natural order of things."
I felt my jaw drop and my eyebrows go shooting to my hairline. What?! Where did he get that from? Last I checked girls were just as good as guys were at fighting and hunting.
Katara's eyebrow went high, and her eyes gleamed with annoyance and derision "All done with your pants. And look what a great job I did." She threw back them right into Sokka's face.
Sokka caught them before they could fly off into the air, and lowered them from his face. His expression was panicked and apologetic "Wait! I was just kidding, I can't wear these Katara please!"
He put his whole arm through the hole in the fabric. I felt no sympathy. Serves him right for the sexist comment he made. "Relax Sokka, where we're going you won't need any pants."
Aang called back, and he tugged on the reins and Appa turned to the left. I shared a look with Katara and gave a roll of my eyes. She rolled her own, then turned her attention back to the front.
I glanced at Sokka and met his dark blue eyes with my own. I gave a small unamused frown and turned my head with a snap of icy dismissal with a huff. There was chirping in my ear and I reached up to scratch Raiu under the chin.
I lifted my book and continued to read.
0o0
We finally came to land. It was quite a beautiful place. We landed on the beach of an inlet, where the island surrounded the water into a crescent shape. The mountains around us were dusted white with the snow, and there were a few sparse trees scattered everywhere.
All of us hopped off. I looked over the saddle as I prepared to get down myself, and noticed that Sokka had turned back to help me down. I looked at him for a moment, giving the message, that I was displeased with his sexist comment, and let my annoyance with him go.
I slipped down and placed my hands on his shoulders, his went to my waist, halting me from falling "We just made a pit stop yesterday," Sokka commented as he lowered me down "Shouldn't we get a little more flying done before we camp out?"
His hands left my hips, and it took me a moment to realize I was on the ground, and to lower my own hands from his shoulders. I was in a complete daze. No one had ever touched me on my waist before.
I mean, Aang hugging me around the middle when he was still little didn't count. It was strange. I could still feel each of Sokka's individual fingers there. I shook myself out of it. No now was not the time to be acting all...weird.
Katara, I saw, was nodding in agreement "He's right. At this rate, we won't get to the North Pole until spring."
Aang looked to the fluffy shaggy-haired creature beside him "But Appa's tired already, aren't you boy?" the bison was silent and Aang elbowed him "I said, aren't you boy?"
Appa gave a low rumble, that wasn't fooling any of us. Sokka rolled his eyes, and sighed "Yeah that was real, convincing," then he shrugged "Still, hard to argue with a ten-ton magical monster."
I chuckled at that, and said: "H-Hard indeed." The two Water Tribe siblings smiled at my comment.
Aang had run forward, rushing toward the crystal blue water in front of him. He gasped and pointed "Look!" We all came to his side. "That's why we're here. Elephant koi, and I'm gonna ride one."
There, jumping out of the water, was a very large fish. Aang was instantly excited by the sight of it, and I gave a rare smirk. Here we go, I thought to myself. Aang pushed down his trousers and pulled off his shirt until he was just in his underwear.
Both Sokka and Katara were slacked jawed and stunned. This wasn't what they were expecting. "Katara you've gotta watch me," Aang asked
Aang took a running leap, and dived right into the water...and jumped back out into the air, yelling "Cold!"
I burst out laughing at both Aang's expression at the temperature of the water, and the expressions on the two Water Tribe sibling's faces. Sokka put his pointer finger to his temple and rotated it around. The universal sign for crazy, insane.
That made me laugh all the more, and harder. Aang dived under the water, and the next thing I knew he was hanging onto the fin of the giant koi fish, as it then dived back into the ocean.
Katara's face broke out in a grin. Sokka had his arms crossed, expression unamused and disbelieved. I just continued to laugh. Aang waved, and I could see the grin on his face from here.
I waved back, and jumped up and down, laughing and yelled: "Go Aang go!" Katara whooped from beside me, and we shared laughing smiles.
I heard Aang laughing and shouting for joy. He gave a hoot of his own before the fish dived again.
Katara turned to her brother "He looks pretty good out there."
Sokka snorted, and shook his head, "Are you kidding the fish is doing all the work."
There was then a sudden rumbling growl and the sound of chewing. Both Katara and I turned, to see Appa had moved and was now eating something he shouldn't be "No Appa!"
I raced after her, right on her heels "Don't eat that!"
We forgot Aang and went to stop Appa from eating the bad bushel.
0o0
Aang was beaming, grinning from ear to ear, and looked to the shore. He saw Mina and Katara running off, behind some bushes and vanishing behind a small hill and his shoulders slumped and his excitement decreased.
"Aww man."
The koi swerved and turned direction and Aang didn't notice that the third was left behind. Back on the shore, Sokka noticed that a great shadow had appeared behind the left behind fish.
"There's something in the water!"
0o0
I heard Sokka shout, and both Katara and I raced back to the beach. I saw one of the koi fish trying to flee, and then to only be dragged back into the water, struggling as it vanished.
"What's wrong?" Katara asked
Momo was jumping up and up, chirping and shrieking in panic. Raiu was clinging to me, wrapped around my neck and making the same panicked noises as Momo was. Sokka looked to us and then right back into the ocean
"Aang's in trouble," he raised his voice "Aang!"
Katara raised her own voice to match her brother's volume "Get out of there!"
I inhaled, drawing breath and copied the two beside me "Aang get out of the water!"
He looked towards us, as we waved and gestured for him to come back, to get out of the ocean. "Get back here Aang!", "Come here!", "Aang!" we all shouted over the top of each other trying to get his attention.
Aang only waved and grinned, thinking we were cheering him on as we had been before. The elephant koi he had been riding got sucked in as the others, and Aang was sent flying, to land with a splash into the water.
I clenched my hands and froze at what I saw next.
0o0
Aang came up for air, panting, and then noticed the sun suddenly go dark. He was in the shadow of something. He turned, looking up...and let out a loud yell at the giant fin before him.
He used his bending, to run right across the water. The fin followed him, and then thankfully he was back on land again.
0o0
I watched as Aang came sprinting to the shore, and ran right into Sokka causing both boys to go flying back, right into the ground. The fin disappeared, and I let out a sigh of relief.
Katara and I rushed over to check and make sure the boys were all right. Sokka was leaning back against a tree that he had crashed into, and Aang was on his feet, hopping into his pants, and slipping on his shirt.
"What was that thing?" Katara asked as she got there before me.
"I don't know," Aang replied, as he straightened his shirt.
Sokka got to his feet, and dusted off his hands and clothes "Well let's not stick around to find out, time to hit the road."
I ran right up to Aang and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him close "Thank g-goodness you're ok," then I pulled back, lifted my hand up and...Smacked him upside the head.
He yelped, and rubbed the sore spot "Hey, what was that for?"
I frowned, and put my hands on my hips, in a rare moment of scolding him "Don't y-you ever scare me like t-that again"
Thoroughly chastised and apologetic Aang promised with a nod of his head and said he was sorry for scaring me. I smiled, to let him know I wasn't truly angry. I was relieved he was unhurt.
I noticed Katara and Sokka had both amusement, and stunned disbelief on their faces at the little scene. Amusement, probably because I had just told Aang off like a mother/older sister. Disbelief, because I had smacked him upside the head and had scolded him, and it probably went against the image they had of me, being the shy quiet one.
Suddenly, without warning, we were taken by surprise.
Someone in green armour snuck up behind Sokka and took him out. Katara, Aang and I stood back to back. With a gasp of surprise I turned to see Katara being pulled away, her hood yanked down over her head, and then Aang.
Raiu and Momo leapt up, trying to help, and were caught and tied up in a secure brown bag with tightening cord. I had managed to dodge and duck under two of the people who had ambushed us.
I got distracted by Raiu's calling and turned at the wrong moment. Someone twisted my arms behind my back, and then I was taken as well. We were all tied up, and blindfolded.
I heard cries from Aang, and then Katara, and then I let out a surprised gasp of my own as I was thrown down and hit the ground. I heard Sokka grunting out from beside me and knew the same had happened to him.
"Or we could stay a while." Sokka commentated
I sighed, seeing nothing but the dark blindfold over my eyes, and feeling it itch my skin. Seems Sokka was right.
Looks like we would be staying a while.
0o0
"You four have some explaining to do."
The voice belonged to a man, an older man from what I could tell. After we had been ambushed, we had been dragged to our feet and led somewhere. After a while, we stopped, and then we were tied to something hard- it felt like a giant wooden pole.
"And if you don't answer all of our questions, we're throwing you back in the water with the Unagi."
That voice belonged to a girl, and from what I could tell, being practically blind and unable to see who we were facing, and the girl sounded like she might be my age, maybe a little older.
I heard low breathing to my left and knew that it was Sokka. I reached out blindly for his hand, feeling with my fingertips, and they finally touched something furry, and warm. Sokka's parka. My hand used touch to see, and I lowered it down his arm, and finally to take hold his hand.
I felt him squeeze mine in reassurance, and I squeezed back. I heard light, barely audible breaths on my right, and I knew that it was Aang. "Show yourselves, cowards!" Sokka challenged out loud.
And then finally, thankfully, the blindfold over my eyes was ripped away and I could see. I blinked in the sudden light attacking my eyes, and they adjusted after a moment. I let out a sigh of relief, glad to be able to see again, and then noticed who was standing in front of us.
It was a group of five girls all about mine and Sokka's age. They wore black boots, dark green underskirts, with a lighter green over tunic/dress that was the same length as the under skirts. Over the top of the chest was black chest armour with shoulder guards, and they had on black arm guards and black gloves.
Green sashes were around all of their waists, and each had two sets of yellow golden fans tucked inside it.
On four of girls' heads, they wore simple dark green headbands with one gold square and two golden tassels. The girl in front, who was quite clearly the leader, had on a golden headdress with the same tassels, instead of a simple headband, and her hair was chin-length, short compared to the others.
All five of them wore strange make-up. Their faces were white, with dark red lips, and outlined black eyes. In the space between their eyebrows was light red, and their eyebrows were darkened black.
"Who are you? Where are the men who ambushed us?" Sokka demanded
The leader of the five girls stepped forward, fist clenched "There were no men. We ambushed you. Now tell us. Who are you and what are you doing you here?"
I was only a little surprised. I suppose it made sense that these girls ambushed us. They all wore protective armour and looked fierce enough to take on the Fire Nation itself. I looked at Sokka, and saw the incredulous annoyance on his face, and knew he didn't see them the way as I did
"Wait a second, there's no way a bunch of girls took us down." he leaned past me to look amused at Aang, hoping the younger boy would agree with him.
The leader lunged forward, and grabbed a handful of Sokka's parka collar, drawing him as far forward as the ropes tying us to the pole would allow "A bunch of girls huh?" she glanced behind her to smirk at her comrades "The Unagi's gonna eat well tonight."
I bit my lip, and tightened my grip on Sokka's hand, telling him to keep quiet, to not say another word. Katara leaned forward, and gained the short-haired girl's attention "No don't hurt him!" all attention went to the Water Tribe girl "He didn't mean it, my brother's just an idiot sometimes."
I prayed to whoever, and whatever spirits that were listening, that these fierce warriors would believe Katara and let us go. The short-haired girl flicked her hand open and let go of Sokka's parka
"It's my fault," I turned to face Aang, confused "I'm sorry we came here. I wanted to ride the elephant Koi."
I leaned out from around Sokka and gave him an encouraging smile. He gave a small thankful smile in return. "How do we know you're not Fire Nation spies?"
I whipped my gaze around, hearing that man's voice I had heard earlier. He was about middle-aged, with tan skin, grey beard and hair. His hair was done up in a high jaggy knot of the top of his head. He wore dark blue robes, with a dark blue sash, and a white fur shawl around his shoulders.
"Kyoshi stayed out of the war so far," the man continued on "And we intend to keep it that way."
Aang's eyes brightened, alive and excited and filled with happiness "This Island is named for Kyoshi?" He grinned "I know Kyoshi."
The old man, who I figured must be in charge on this island, scoffed and waved his hand in a dismissive gesture "Ha! How could you possibly know her?" His eyes turned upwards and we all looked.
It seemed we weren't just tied to a random pole or a tree. On top of the pole, was a wooden statue. A wooden statue of a woman wearing the same dark green clothes and armour as the warriors that had ambushed us. The statue had two open golden fans in her hands. The paint was worn and faded from time, but it was still quite a pretty sight.
"Avatar Kyoshi was born here 400 hundred years ago. She's been dead for centuries."
Aang lowered his gaze, and I watched the honest sincerity come across his face "I know her because I'm the Avatar."
It was obvious the man, and the warriors didn't believe a word Aang said. The short-haired girl spoke up "That's impossible. The last Avatar was an Airbender who disappeared 100 years ago."
Aang grinned "That's me."
I wanted to laugh at my best friend's expression but the old man's next words made the urge vanish "Throw the imposter to the Unagi." then the man walked away.
The warriors took out their fans and unfolded them. I heard the swishing that only metal made, and knew that those fans were sharper than they looked. The warriors advanced towards us.
I gasped, and tried to lean back, to sink into the very pole I was tied to. "Aang," Katara spoke in warning "Do some airbending."
Aang did as he was told. He used his bending to leap into the air, snapping the ropes and coming free. He flipped into the air and started to float down to the ground straight again. There were gasps of surprise and murmurs all around.
Aang landed onto his feet, and he was stared at with slack jaws and wide eyes. "It's true," the old man choked out "You are the Avatar."
I let out a breath, a sigh of relief, and slumped back against the pole. I saw Aang reach into his pocket, and draw out some marbles. "Now, check this out." then did the same trick he had tried to impress Katara with earlier.
The villagers surprisingly were impressed by the display and cheered, and the younger children laughed and giggling. One guy hooted and then fell to the ground foaming at the mouth.
I shared relieved smiles with Katara and Sokka and squeezed Sokka's hand in mine.
0o0
Down at the docks, a sailor was bringing in the catch of the day. He had a dark grey moustache and wore dark green clothes. A little girl, wearing a light blue dress, with white fur shawl and a light blue bandanna on her head of about eleven ran up to him.
"Did you hear the news?" she asked, smiling wide "The Avatar's on Kyoshi!"
The fisherman dropped his basket full of fish in surprise
0o0
The fisherman was handing his catch over to the local butcher in the market, as he spread the news that was told to him by the little Kyoshi island girl.
The butcher took the fish and nodded his astonishment.
0o0
Later, a man in red Fire Nation drab came and bought one of the fish. As the butcher handed it over, he too shared the news he had been given with this, as he had been doing with all of his customers that day.
The Fire Nation man nodded and went on his way.
0o0
In a grey ship not far-off, that same Fire Nation man was serving dinner to a scarred Fire Nation prince, and a retired old General.
He placed the plate of steaming cooked fish onto the table and related the story of what he had been told at the dock market, by the man he had purchased the fish from.
"The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island?!" Prince Zuko was on his feet, hands clenched, dinner forgotten "Uncle ready the rhinos. He's not getting away from me this time."
The General watched him stalk around the table, and then pointed to the steaming fish and bowl of jewel white rice his nephew had left on the table "Are you going to finish that?"
The prince came right back and snatched the plate away before his uncle could touch it "I was going to save it for later!" he exclaimed and left the room.
General Iroh pouted and crossed his arms.
0o0
It was a lovely morning. I had woken just as the sun rose, a little later than usual, and got to see a most wonderful sight. The sight of the sky turning pink and golden orange as dawn came, lighting up the world in a soft shine.
After my usual meditating, I had gotten out of my light yellow nightgown with orange tie at the waist, with brown loose pants underneath, and dressed for the day.
I wore a sunset orange tunic that came to mid-thigh with a high collar, and a yellow shawl over the top. I wore a form-fighting long-sleeved fawn brown undershirt that came down to my wrists with yellow bands at the ends. I wore yellow trousers that were loose to slightly below the knees and then turned form-fitting and brown to my ankles. On my feet, I wore simple but sturdy brown flat shoes, and around my waist, I wore a fawn coloured belt with the three air spirals on it.
I brushed my hair and then did it up in its usual style; a crown braid, with the loose hair put in a braided bun, platced right behind my right ear.
My clothes were not the type that novices or young Airbender boys wore.
The boys wore yellow tunics with high collars with orange shawls; the trousers and shoes stayed the same.
My clothes were of the girl's style that the nuns and girl novices wore in the Eastern and Western Air Temples. It fitted to my slight small curves and showed my feminine figure. The tunic was more like a short dress than a shirt.
I smiled, and then I waited for the others to wake, gazing out the window at the sight of the village waking up.
Two men worked on the wooden statue of Kyoshi, repainting and smoothing and polishing the statue until it would look like new.
Two others were outside, attending to Appa. One brushed his fur, while the other polished his horns, all the while the ten-ton bison chewed on some hay he had been given, rumbling in content.
I fiddled with my loose curls. It was nice here, but something- maybe it was my instinct- was telling me that we shouldn't linger too long in one place.
"All right! Dessert for breakfast!" I turned at Aang's piqued cheer. "These people sure know how to treat an Avatar."
I looked and saw the long rectangular table had been set with several pastries and buns and the like for breakfast. I frowned. It wasn't very healthy to eat that kind of thing first thing in the morning.
I came away from the window and sat down next to Katara, who seemed to share the same sentiments as I did about desserts for breakfast. The younger girl picked up an orange bun of some sort and inspected it, as Aang ate with gusto.
I noticed that Katara had taken off her parka, and studied what she wore. She had on a blue tunic, with white bands from the collar, waist and hem, with a lighter blue undershirt that came to her elbows. over the undershirt, she had on navy armguards. she wore brown boots rimmed with white fur and navy trousers
"Mmmm Katara you've gotta try these," Aang said holding out one of the pastries to her.
Katara, I noticed, took what Aang offered her, "Well maybe just a bite." she ate some, then reached for some more, the girl seemed to like the taste.
I bit my lip, undecided. What would Monk Gyatso say to this? I felt a sudden surge of sadness. I suppose it doesn't matter what Abba would think because he's gone. I frowned. Was it really only a week and a half ago that we woke up from inside an iceberg after a hundred years?
It felt like the time had been so much shorter. That Aang and I had been gone only for a couple of days, a week at most. I shook off the melancholy thoughts and turned back to the matter at hand.
Dessert for breakfast...while, not the most conventional nor the healthiest, I couldn't complain, because at least it was vegetarian. I slowly reached out and took hold of a sugar-dusted bun and took a bite.
It was sweet and the bun pastry light and airy and seemed to melt on my tongue. I forgot about it being a sweet and not proper breakfast and tucked in, as did Katara. "Sokka what's your problem? Eat."
I turned from my food to look in the Water Tribe Boy's direction. He was slumped against the wall, one leg flat against the floor, and one upright with his knee bent and his arms crossed. There was a brooding look on his face, like a young child having his favourite toy taken away and was sent to time-out.
"Not hungry."
Aang was confused "But you're always hungry." Aang replied
Katara smirked, knowing and smug "He's just upset because a bunch of girls kicked his butt yesterday."
Sokka moved from his stiff sullen position then "They snuck up on me." Sokka snapped back, indignant
Katara continued to smirk as she faced her older brother "Right," then she grinned "And then they kicked your butt."
Sokka got to his feet "Sneak attacks don't count," he went to march away "Tie me up with ropes, I show them a thing or two," he mumbled as he left "I'm not scared of any girls." he came back and scooped up some food from the table "Who do they think they are anyway?"
Then he was gone, leaving us three and Momo and Raiu behind. I shook my head and went back to my little sugar bun. "What's he so angry about?" Aang asked, "It's great here they're giving us the royal treatment."
I looked back up at that. "Hey don't get too comfortable." Katara warned, "It's risky for us to stay in one place for very long."
I nodded my agreement and spoke, "I agree with... w-with Katara, Aang." They turned to me "We s-shouldn't linger too long."
Raiu came up and curled up on my shoulders, giving off warmth. I stroked his head and ears and fed him a little of my bun, and he purred. I smiled. "I'm sure we'll be fine," Aang reassured us. I noticed him give Momo a treat but said nothing "Besides do you see how happy I'm making this town? They're even cleaning up that statue in my honour."
Katara gave a small shrug "Well it's nice to see you being excited about being the Avatar," then she gave a sort of grimace "I just hope it doesn't all go to your head."
Aang got to his feet to look out the window "Come on you know me better than that. I'm just a simple monk."
There were screams and cries for joy and elation coming from outside. Both Katara and I shared raised eyebrows and got to our feet to see what the commotion was. Down below, was a large group of 12 young girls.
Katara folded her arms, and silently scoffed at the ridiculousness, and blew a raspberry, as I watched Aang blush and grin at the attention.
Aang was a monk, a master monk, but he was far from simple. He was still a 12-year-old kid, and I knew that this attention, despite his promise, would go to his head.
I sighed, and shook my head, and hoped that there wouldn't be too much damage created.
0o0
Aang was being chased back and forth across the village. He came to a stop on the little bridge over the river there and was trapped between two groups of screaming fangirls.
He leapt up into the air out of their reach, holding onto dear life to an airball. The airball shrunk and vanished and he fell into the waiting arms of the young girls.
0o0
Aang was standing, having been dragged to an open space, to have his likeness taken by the local village artist. A girl hung onto his arm, smiling with excitement.
Every time the artist lowered his gaze to paint another detail onto the canvas in front of him, another girl appeared into the portrait, and he had to add more and more.
The next time the painter looked up, he saw a huge group of girls surrounding the Avatar. He dead-panned, and then got and left, canvas in hand, patients at an end.
The group fell to the floor under the weight of some many piled on top of one another.
0o0
Eventually, Aang got used to and came to love, the attention. He started to show off by doing pushups on the ground back in the village, Momo on his back, tongue stuck out in concentration.
He then shifted from doing pushups two-handed to one-handed, and then put both hands behind his back and blew air from his mouth, doing push-ups with his bending.
The girls clapped and cheered at the show.
0o0
Katara and I were headed to restock our supplies for when we finally left Kyoshi Island. She had a borrowed pot in her arms, as I did.
We walked away from our guest rooms, and down into the village to the market. There I saw Aang giving a show to his group of fangirls, and showing off. I sighed and shook my head at the flagrant display.
Katara huffed and stalked on past, chin held high, exasperation on her face. I followed right behind her, equally unamused.
0o0
Nestled between the forest and trees, and a slight hill, was a brown wooden hut, with a rolled-up green tarp to cover the door. It was quite larger than any other structure in the village.
Sokka made his way towards it, hoping it led to where he thought it would. He peeked in through the door and saw the dark green armoured dressed Kyoshi Warriors going through a routine katana with their golden fans.
He grinned, and stepped inside "Sorry ladies didn't mean to interrupt your dance lesson," the girls turned to him dropping what they were doing "I was just looking for somewhere to get a little workout." Sokka said, stretching
"Well you're in the right place," the leader of the group said "Sorry about yesterday. I didn't know you were friends with the Avatar."
Sokka looked to her and shrugged "It's all right. I mean normally I'd hold a grudge but seeing as you guys are a bunch of girls I'll make an exception."
That was definitely the wrong thing to say. The girls smirked, and their leader placed a hand on her hip, faking an impressed smile "I should hope so. A big strong man like you? We wouldn't stand a chance."
Sokka was oblivious to her scorn and mocking, and raised an eyebrow, smirking in self-satisfaction "True. But don't feel bad I'm the best warrior in my village." he crossed his arms, nonchalantly.
He failed to mention or maybe failed to remember, that he was the only warrior in his village if you didn't count the boys that were barely trained by himself and were around five years old.
"Wow. Best warrior huh? In your whole village," the leader leaned in, both her hands on her hips now "Maybe you'd be kind enough to give a little demonstration?"
Sokka's eyes went wide, but he couldn't very well refuse after bragging so much. "Oh, well- I mean I-"
"Come on girls, wouldn't you like him to show us some moves?"
All of the girls there nodded and agreed, catching onto their leaders plan instantly. Sokka took it for real excitement on their part, and grinned "Well if that's what you want, I'd be happy to," he put his hands on the leader's shoulders, and said, "All right you stand over there."
He backed up, and got into a ready fighting stance "Now, this may be a little tough but try to block me."
The girl in charge stood straight, having not moved a muscle, not even to lower into a stance. Sokka stepped forward and was immediately halted by the fan outstretched in the girl's hand that hit his shoulder.
He stumbled back and rotated his arm "Good. Of course, I was going easy on you."
The short-haired, grey-eyed girl smiled thinly "Of course."
"Let's see if you can handle-" Sokka stepped forward and swung his leg up to knock her over.
She ducked under his swinging leg, swiped an arm under his other one and knocked him flying right off his feet, with a simple flick. As he landed on his back, the girl unfolded her fan and fanned herself.
"That does it." Sokka got to feet and charged.
The leader took hold of his hand that he had swung forward to hit her with, and spun him around in a circle, back and forth, making him dizzy. She pulled the white belt off his tunic and tied his left wrist to his right ankle.
Sokka hopped for a couple of steps, then crashed to the ground, thoroughly defeated.
"Anything else you wanna teach us?"
All the girls laughed, as Sokka blushed and looked dismayed.
0o0
"There she is girls. Me in a past life."
I sighed, as I heard Aang just across from us, showing his gaggle of fans the Avatar Kyoshi statue. I heard all the girls ooh and ahh at the sight and story.
"You were pretty." I heard a little girl say.
"Excuse me for a second ladies."
I then heard the light footsteps of my best friend as he came over. Katara was placing eggplant and a few other vegetables into her basket. I took some onions and tomatoes into mine.
We had been re-stocking our supplies for most of the morning. I was a little disappointed in the boys for swanning off and leaving me and Katara to do it all by ourselves, but I got on with the job none the less.
"Oh good," I looked up at Katara's words and noticed Aang had joined us "Can you help me and Mina carry some things back to the room. They're a little heavy."
Aang held out his hands, to stop Katara from speaking further "Actually I can't right now."
Both Katara and I frowned, and said at the same time "What do you mean you can't?"
"Why n-not?"
Aang looked sheepish but continued on to say "I promised the girls I'd give them a ride on Appa," he smiled "Why don't you come with us? It'll be fun."
Katara turned back to putting things inside the basket at her side "Watching you show off to a bunch of girls does not sound like fun."
I nodded, and gave a half-apologetic but still sceptical look "I a-agree."
"Well, neither does carrying your baskets."
I winced. Aang shouldn't have replied with that. Katara whipped around, frowning "There're not our baskets. These supplies are for our trip. I told you we have to leave Kyoshi soon."
I nodded "Katara's r-right Aang."
Aang gave us the polar-bear dog eyes, pleading "I don't wanna leave Kyoshi yet." He got a knowing look on his face as he pretended to think "I can't put my finger on it, but there's something I really like about this place."
His fan club of fan girls giggled and laughed behind him, waiting for him to return. I suppose I couldn't find fault in Aang for liking the attention.
He hadn't been really enthusiastic about being the Avatar. Besides I suppose, maybe, if I was in Aang's position, and a group of boys started fawning over me, it might go to my head a little bit too.
The girl at the front stomped her foot, in a childish manner for her age If I did say so, and said: "What's taking you so long Aangy?"
Katara gave him a dead-panned disgusted look, "Aangy?" she asked without really asking a question.
I couldn't blame her. Aang hated that nickname. He hated being teased with it. He'd even forbidden me from calling him by it, said it made him feel like a three-year-old, and dumb.
Aang waved over his shoulder, nonplussed "Just a second Koko."
I frowned, no longer able to stand another second of this nonsense. Any and all mercy or understanding I'd felt at Aang's situation vanished. Aang would let a perfect stranger, call him by that hated nickname, but he forbade me from using it? How did that make any sense?
"Simple monk huh?" Katara asked mockingly "I thought you promised me and Mina you wouldn't let this Avatar stuff go to your head?"
Aang smiled "It didn't," he sounded sincere, but he was lying, even to himself "You know what I think? You just don't wanna come cause you're jealous."
Katara leaned back in indignant surprise "Jealous?! Of what?" her hands were on her hips, clearly, the universal sign for Aang to stop talking.
He didn't get the message "Jealous that we're having so much fun without you." Aang quipped back.
Katara turned away from him and started putting stuff into the basket again "That's ridiculous." she scoffed
"It is a little ridiculous, but I understand."
I winced again. Aang was walking on very, very thin ice. I said nothing though, feeling that this was clearly an argument between just the two of them. Katara leaned towards him, hands back on her hips, clearly in no mood to continue this. She let a groaning huff of exasperation.
As she plucked up her basket, she called back to me over her shoulder "Come on, Mina, let's go."
I scooped up my own basket and was hard on her heels. I watched as Aang's fan girls dragged him away, him laughing with a grin, and let out my own huff of exasperation.
What is it with boys and their egos? Urg, boys are crazy.
0o0
Back at the training hut, Sokka was outside, kicking a stone about, hands behind his back. He was deep in thought, which was rare for him. He looked to the hut and came to decision.
The Kyoshi warriors were back, going through their routine, when Sokka stepped through the door for the second time that morning "Uh, hey Suki?" he said to the leader of the group.
Suki and the girls behind her straightened, each with either a hand or two on their hips or arms crossed. "Hoping for another dance lesson?" Suki asked
Sokka shook his head "No I- Well..." he rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed "Let me explain."
"Spit it out!" Suki demanded, getting impatient "What do you want?"
Sokka got to his knees and bowed his head, in respect and submission "I would be honoured if you would teach me."
Suki huffed "Even If I'm a girl?" she drawled
Sokka grimaced and looked to the side of him, and not at her "I'm sorry if I insulted you earlier. I was, wrong."
"We normally don't teach outsiders, let alone boys," Suki said, arms folded
Sokka raised his head at her words, then lowered it back into a bow again "Please make an exception. I won't let you down."
Suki smirked "All right. But you have to follow all of our traditions."
Sokka nodded, instantly looking up to meet her eyes "Of course."
He didn't seem to get the message Suki was trying to tell him. Mischievousness sparkled in her grey eyes, and smirked with her lips sealed "And I mean all of them."
0o0
A few moments later, and Sokka was dressed in the traditional dark green clothes and armour, including the tassel headband, in the dojo. "Do I really have to wear this? It feels a little..." he trailed off, shoulders slumping "Girly."
Suki was trying her best not to laugh at the sight of a boy dressed in Kyoshi warrior drab with makeup on "It's a warrior's uniform. You should be proud," she tried to make him feel better "The silk thread symbolizes the brave blood that flows through our veins. The gold insignia represents the honour of the warrior's heart."
Sokka started to take in her words and started to feel better about wearing what he was. He straightened with pride "Bravery and Honour."
None of them noticed Aang as he walked past the door, until he said "Hey Sokka, nice dress." then the Airbender was gone.
The embarrassment came up, as did his slumped shoulders. Suki could only smirk.
0o0
Katara and I had returned to our room, supplies readied and neatly put away for when we left. Katara was kneeling on the floor, a ball of water in front of her; she was bending it, creating a stream into the air, and moving and twirling it about.
I could tell because despite having my eyes closed I could hear the whooshing and swishing of the liquid.
I was stood off to the side, eyes closed practising my forms. I had my right leg lifted, my foot braced against my inner left thigh, and my hands pressed together. I then slowly lifted my right leg, to waist height, and twisted, swinging it slowly through the air.
I brought it both legs to the floor, and swapped, this time my left foot braced against my inner right thigh, and then I stretched it up, swung it slowly through the air and brought it back down again.
I inhaled, lifted both my hands up over my head and down, palms to the floor and exhaled. Then, I sat onto the floor, cross-legged, and started my meditation.
It was a habit of mine, even though I was a master and had been for nearly four years, to meditate daily. It was the routine I had been raised on. Meditate once in the morning at dawn, to greet the day, and once at night at dusk to farewell the day. Additional meditating was encouraged.
I heard light footsteps and knew who it was without opening my eyes at all. I heard Katara continue to bend the water that I knew was in front of her.
"Katara, remember how the Unagi almost got me yesterday?" Aang asked, slyly
"Yeah," Katara huffed out. I could practically feel the younger girl raising her eyes to the sky
"Wellll, I'm gonna go ride it now. It's gonna be really dangerous."
I bit my lip and kept my eyes closed. During meditation, I was taught not to lose my focus or open my eyes for anything, and to let nothing distract me from my concentration. But I couldn't help but be a little distracted.
"Good for you." Katara drawled, unimpressed
"You're not gonna stop me?" I heard Aang ask
"No. Have fun," Katara replied, still bending and reshaping her stream of water
"I will," Aang said, boasting and ostentatious
"Great," Katara said
"I know it's great."
"Well, I'm glad you know." Katara mocked
I could tell this wasn't going to end well. Not at all "I'm glad you're glad."
"Good."
"Fine!" at Aang's near shout, and stomp of his foot, I heard the water Katara had been bending splash back into the bowl.
I sighed; It seemed peaceful quiet meditation was over. I opened my eyes, in time to see Aang as he walked out, and Katara, who then hugged her elbows close to her body, unsure.
I got to my feet, slipped quietly to sit beside her, and put a hand on her arm. She jumped clearly having forgotten I was there, and then gave a small smile. I smiled back and said "C-Come on," she frowned confused "We'd b-better go make s-sure he doesn't g-get hurt."
Katara nodded, and I helped her to her feet. We shared looks, and then left our room, to follow after Aang.
I couldn't help but worry at my lip. I just hoped Aang wouldn't get himself killed by his own egotistical stupidity.
0o0
"You're not gonna master it in one day. Even I'm not that good." Suki said.
Sokka continued to go through the routine, fan in hand, and ignored her derisive comment "I think I'm starting to get it."
He really wasn't. He hopped on one leg, then switched to the other, and jerked his arms back and forth, skipped a step, and then threw out an arm, and the fan went soaring through the door to hit the tree outside.
Suki chuckled "It's not about strength," she advised "Our technique is about using our opponent's force against them," she demonstrated with her hands what she meant "Loosen up. Think of the fan as an extension of your arm. Wait for an opening and-"
She had stepped forward, to strike, and Sokka, surprising them both, managed to block it and send her tumbling to the floor onto her back. They both blinked at each other. Sokka then crossed his arms and made a noise of satisfaction.
Suki jumped to her feet, and snapped out "I fell on purpose to make you feel better." her arms thrust down at her sides, fists clenched
Sokka wasn't buying the lame excuse she gave. He grinned, pleased with himself "I got you, admit I got you."
Suki grabbed his outstretched pointer finger, and a few others, and bent them back, causing Sokka's knees to bend at the sudden pressure point of pain "Ok it was a lucky shot," she let go "Let's see if you can do it again."
They faced off and circled each other
0o0
Aang was floating in the water, watching the girls sat or sprawled out on the ground as they waited along with him, for the Unagi to come. "What's taking so long?" the little girl Koko asked
Aang raised an arm and shouted back "I'm sure it'll be here any second."
He scrambled for something to show them, to impress them with, and came up with the floating marble trick "Ummm, what about this?"
The girls rolled their eyes and sighed "Not that again. Boring." one girl quipped.
Some of them started to get to their feet, and Koko said "Where's the Unagi? It's getting late."
Aang grimaced and replied back, raising a hand "Where are you going? Don't leave!"
Despite his protests, the group of girls started to get up and walk away, back to their homes "Sorry Aang!" Koko shouted "Maybe next time!" then she left.
Aang lowered himself into the water and blew bubbles from his nose, bored and disappointed at the turn of events. He happened to glance up and saw two familiar figures walking forward, and come to a stop at the shore
"Katara! Mina! You guys showed up."
0o0
I smiled and gave a small wave. Katara her hands clasped in front of her, smiling sheepishly "We wanted to make sure you were safe," she called out to him "You really had us worried."
Aang was surprised, and yelled back "Back there you acted like you didn't care."
Katara looked guilty. I felt a little guilty, but in my own defence I was right in the middle of meditation, and had heard their earlier conversation, as if I was far-off, or in an echoing cave, and hadn't really been all that focused on it "I'm sorry."
Aang nodded, looking apologetic and guilty himself "Me too," he said "I did let that attention go to my head. I was being a jerk."
I laughed, and called out "Y-Yes, yes you were!"
Katara cupped her hands around her mouth to increase her volume and called out herself "Well get out of the water before you catch a cold you big jerk!"
Aang grinned at the teasing, and then started to swim back towards us "On my way!"
Both mine and Katara's teasing smiles and laughter vanished in a second when we saw what was following Aang, right behind him. We both gasped eyes wide with fright and shock.
Aang finally noticed the danger he was in when something lifted him out of the water. I watched as glanced up at the creature he was riding, and gasped again. The fin had been deceiving; it wasn't a back fin. It was a head fin. On the head of a very large, very angry sea serpent.
It blew water out of its mouth in a powerful streaming jet; I gasped again, hands going to my mouth. I felt Katara clutching onto my arm, and I knew it was going to cause bruises later.
The creature lunged, and I saw Aang jumped into the air, and catch onto- what could only be described as whiskers- and hold on. I could hear Aang screaming, all the way from the shore.
"Hang on Aang!" Katara yelled
I pulled my hands away from my mouth, and shouted: "Don't let go!"
The creature reared and jerked its head, and Aang lost his grip and went flying. He landed back into the water, a few metres from the shore, with a hard splash. Then he surfaced and floated completely still.
I was already running, literally trying to shove the water out of my way to get closer to Aang. I heard Katara follow right behind me and the creature shriek and start to close in
"Aang!"
I was panting, but continued to spring through the ocean "Aang! Aang, wake up!"
He didn't move or say a word. Every metre we travelled the giant sea serpent got closer and closer, still a shadow under the waves. Finally, I got to Aang and pulled him into my arms. Katara reached us just a second later.
The creature broke right out of the water shrieking and went to lunge. I felt Katara hook her arm through mine, and then suddenly we were soaring backwards through the water away from the creature.
It hit the water and caused us to fly into the air. We landed back onto the shore, hard, hidden behind a barrier of rocks. The creature roared and shrieked some more, angry it hadn't caught us.
Katara peeked over the rocks, and the jets of water that the serpent had been shooting at us stopped, and the creature left.
I heard Katara gasp, and I couldn't help but think, oh what could possibly go wrong now? "Zuko," Katara exclaimed, and I wanted to smack myself.
Wasn't the giant, angry, water sea serpent enough? Apparently not.
0o0
The ramp came down, and the large grey komodo rhinos walked out of the ship, their riders directing them towards the village.
Prince Zuko scowled under his red metal helmet "I want the Avatar alive." He ordered
0o0
Katara sneaked over me, and peeked out from behind the rocks on the side when she didn't duck back down; I reached out and grabbed her wrist, and pulled her down again. She gasped, and I put a finger over my lips, to tell her to be quiet.
She nodded. We pressed ourselves against the rock, Aang between us, and waited for the komodo-dragon rhino's and their riders to pass. I could feel my heart pounding so loud and so fast I was sure Zuko would hear it.
Finally, they passed, and both Katara and I breathed sighs of relief. I looked down at the unmoving close-eyed Airbender boy in my arms and re-adjusted him to lie on his back, flat. Katara scooted over "Wake up Aang." she begged softly.
Then, the younger girl seemed to get an idea. She trailed her hand up Aang's chest, to his mouth, and I realized she was using her bending. Water came out, and Aang started to cough and splutter and I had never heard a more beautiful sound.
I felt the sting of happy tears and tightened my grip on my best friend. He opened his dark grey eyes, and said "K-Katara, Mina."
Katara leaned in closer, a hand on his cheek, and I squeezed Aang's shoulders with my hands. We both waited for him to finish "Don't ride the Unagi. Not fun."
I let out a shaky laugh, and Katara gave a smile. I promised myself I would whollop Aang upside the head for breaking his promise not to scare me half to death again later.
For now, we had much bigger things to worry about.
0o0
"Not bad," Suki commented. Sokka had once again managed to block a strike she had tried to land on him.
Sokka smiled at the praise. Suki had been teaching him all morning, and they had practised and went over what she had taught all afternoon. She returned the smile.
"Firebenders have landed on our shores!" the moment was broken "Girls, come quickly."
Suki was already rushing out the door after the head of the village before he finished speaking. Sokka spluttered, and gestured with his hands "Hey I'm not a- ahh whatever."
He went after Suki, Momo and Raiu following behind him.
0o0
"Come out Avatar!" Zuko called into the empty village "You can't hide from me forever."
All the villagers, having hidden in their houses and homes, ducked back inside, afraid and dread-filled to see firebender soldiers on Kyoshi Island.
"Find him."
With two soldiers to one mount, the soldiers trotted into the village, intent to do as their commanding officer and prince ordered.
There was the very soft pitter-patter of feet across tiles, and if any of soldiers happened to look up they would have seen a peculiar sight. There was the almost silent sound of metal being unsheathed, and it was surprising none of the intruders heard it.
The next thing they knew, two of their comrades were jerked right out of the saddle with grunts and cries of surprise. The rest still on their mounts, turned to find the reason for two soldiers crashing to the ground.
A girl, a warrior unsheathed her fans, and lunged forward with a growl, and took down another firebender, breaking his spear in the process.
Suki ran past her comrade, and smirked and went straight for the main target; the leader of the group. She dodged a fire stream, leapt over another, and jumped into the air. Prince Zuko his mount around and its tail sent Suki crashing to the ground.
Zuko saw the downed warrior and shot fire at her. Sokka came in time to block it with his own fan. Another Kyoshi warrior took Zuko down off his mount "I guess training's over." Sokka said
All three of them circled and surrounded the firebender. Zuko glared, and spun around on his hands, shooting fire from his feet. He knocked one Kyoshi through the wooden curtain into the house, Suki crashed into the front porch's support beam, and Sokka had his legs swept out from under him and knocked his head on the front porch floor.
"Nice try Avatar, but these little girls can't save you."
"Hey! Over here!" the scarred prince turned and standing there was the one he had been searching for
"Finally." then Zuko threw fire blasts right at him
Aang dodged and ducked under one and hit the other away with his staff. He twirled in his staff in his hands, and hovered up and came closer to the scarred firebender. His staff was knocked out of his hands.
He leapt away and used his airbending to bring two fallen fans into his hands. As Zuko charged, Aang leapt forward in a flip and swung both fans forward...creating a jet stream of air that knocked Zuko flying into a house.
Aang sighed, dropped the fans, grabbed his staff and took off into the air.
0o0
"Aang!" I had flown right after him, and he wasn't anywhere to be found.
Most of the village houses were burning, burned, or damaged and in pieces. The smoke floated up into the air, and I coughed. Such destruction, all because of the Fire Nation.
I came into land, twirled my glider and the yellow wings folded back into the staff. I frowned, and covered my mouth with my hand, to stop from inhaling too much of the smoke.
That was when I heard it. A small terror-filled cry. Two soldiers with spears had cornered one of the village children. She was just a little girl no more than five years old. I frowned and rushed forward
"Hey! Leave her alone!"
I didn't stutter or stammer over my words. It seemed when in the midst of battle, I finally found my confidence and courage; at least enough not to sound like a choking victim.
The two soldiers whipped around and smirked. I could tell by their expression, that they thought I would be an easy target because I was a girl. I took a running start. I leapt over one and swung my staff.
My airblast hit the first before he had time to turn to face me properly, and he went crashing into his comrade and they both slammed into the nearby house and were still. I scooped up the little girl and took her away.
I brought us to some undamaged buildings and put her on her feet. A Kyoshi warrior came around the corner, startling me, but she lowered her weapons and smiled in relief. The little girl ran into the older girl's arms.
The warrior looked at me, and said: "Thank you, for saving my sister."
I nodded, and then we both had to duck under a stray fire stream sent our way. I shooed the two off with hands "G-Go, get out of h-here. I'll handle t-this."
The Kyoshi warrior looked conflicted. I could easily tell she wanted to stay and fight by my side, to repay me for saving her sister. But I knew she wouldn't want to leave her little sister alone out here right in the middle of all the fighting.
The warrior put down the little girl and pulled out two of those golden light metal, but sharp and strong fans out of her sash. She held them out to me "I wish I could fight with you, so I hope these will be enough in way of thanks."
I didn't dare refuse them. I smiled, and took them, and tucked them into my brown belt. Another stray fire blast came our way, and I used my bending to dissipate it. I shooed them off, and this time, the warrior picked up her sister and left.
I inhaled, and then rushed back out into the fray, hoping this time, I'd find Aang.
0o0
Prince Zuko was not pleased. He was a prince, a highly trained firebender, and he had been bested by a simple single shot from a twelve-year boy. He was undoubtedly angry and furious.
He pulled himself out of the wreckage of the house he had ploughed into and stepped back out.
"Aang! Aang where are you?!" He turned at the voice, calling for the Avatar. And that was when he finally saw her up close.
She was dressed in that same shade of clothes of orange and yellow and brown as the Avatar, though hers were slightly different, more feminine. She still had those blue arrow tattoos on the backs on her hands and one on her forehead.
"Aang!" she continued to call, terror and worry filling her voice.
The Airbender girl was a lot smaller than he first figured. She was at least half a head shorter than the Avatar, and the boy was twelve. She could have passed for a twelve-year-old herself, but something about her, maybe her voice, told him she was as old as he was.
She spun around, and Zuko took notice of her physical characteristics. She had the same shade of peach coloured skin the Avatar did, with angular but slightly soft features to go along with it. Her hair was dark brown, and held back in a braided bun, to keep her hair out of her eyes.
She spun around again, still searching, and Zuko got a flash of moon silver before her face turned around again.
"Up here!" Zuko looked up at the voice and saw the Avatar flying about on that winged contraption of his.
The Airbender girl, smiling with relief, snapped out her own staff, and yellow wings unfolded from it. Zuko came out of daze in which he had been studying the girl and charged forward.
"Look out!"
The girl turned and saw him. Her eyes narrowed, and she let go of the glider staff. She pulled out and unfolded two golden fans. Zuko was too busy throwing fire at her, to notice the resemblance to the fans that had been used on him earlier.
The Airbender girl spun around, leapt through the air, landed on her left foot, and swung her arms around while twisting her body. Then, Zuko felt himself go soaring backwards and crash into something again.
He let out a furious yell as he did so.
0o0
We were flying in the air, soaring over to the village, to find Katara. I noticed Aang's crestfallen expression. As I had noticed earlier, everything was on fire, burning down to ashes to the ground.
Even the statue of Avatar Kyoshi that had been restored was scorched and covered with flames.
We landed, and folded up our gliders, and Katara noticed our presence. She turned to us. "Look what I brought to this place," Aang said
Katara frowned "It's not your fault."
Of course, as I had known he would, Aang argued the point "Yes it is. These people got their town destroyed trying to protect me."
Katara bit her lip, "Then let's get out of here, Zuko will leave Kyoshi to follow us. I know it feels wrong to run but I think it's the only way."
I nodded "She's r-right. Zuko will l-leave them alone to c-come after us."
Aang's slumped forward, and closed his eyes, everything from his posture to his expression spoke of an agreement, but defeat "I'll call Appa."
I bit my lip. I just hoped we could out in time to save at least some of the village.
0o0
Meanwhile, the Kyoshi warrior from earlier whose little sister Mina had saved was fighting in the main square. She threw a fan, and it hit the helmet of one of the firebenders and knocked him out.
The Kyoshi warriors continued to fight and hold off the firebenders.
Suki and Sokka were knelt behind a house "There's no time to say goodbye." Suki warned him, desperate to get back to help her fellow warriors.
Sokka leaned forward a little "What about, I'm sorry?"
Suki frowned "For what?"
Sokka looked her right in the eyes, and said with complete honesty "I treated you like a girl when I should've treated you like a warrior."
"I am a warrior," Suki leaned forward and pecked a kiss on his cheek "But I'm a girl too," Sokka flushed "Now get out of here, we'll hold them off."
Sokka did as she ordered, and ran for Appa, while she ran back into the fighting.
0o0
"Go, Aang, go." this time it wasn't in laughter and cheering that I urged Aang. This time it was in desperation.
Aang, seeing that Sokka and everyone else was in the saddle. I looked behind us, fearfully hoping no firebender came around the corner "Appa, Yip Yip!"
And thankfully we took off.
Below us, I heard Prince Zuko yell "Back to the ship. Don't lose sight of them!"
Even this far away, and this high in the air, I could see the plumes of trailing smoke raising into the air, and see the flickering orange and red flames, that continued to burn down Kyoshi village.
"I know it's hard but you did the right thing," Katara soothed Aang, as I crawled to the back, to continue to look at the village "Zuko would have destroyed the whole place if we had stayed. They're gonna be ok Aang."
I instantly turned around, knowing exactly what Katara's words would mean to Aang. I reached out but was too late. Aang already had leapt from the saddle. "What're you doing?!"
I leaned as far forward as possible and watched as Aang dived into the water. Not a mere two second later, he came back up.
The Unagi reared and roared. I watched Aang find his grip, and pull back on the whiskers of the creature. Water came splattering out, and I saw that it put out all the fires on the houses.
The Unagi lifted its head, throwing Aang into the air, and Appa swooped down and caught him, before pulling back up straight again.
0o0
Back in Kyoshi village, the chief had seen what Aang had done and smiled
"Thank you Avatar."
0o0
"I know, I know, that was stupid and dangerous," Aang said as he climbed back into the saddle.
I frowned and came through on my promise. I wholloped him upside the head. Aang yelped and frowned at me. I frowned right back "You p-promised never to scare me a-again. What you did was d-dangerous..." then I smiled without helping it.
Katara nodded "Yes, it was." Then the Water Tribe girl reached forward and hugged him. Aang sighed in happiness and smiled.
I looked at Sokka, and he looked at me, then we both looked at the two hugging in front of us. We looked back at each other and exchanged smiles.
As we flew away I thought, onto our next adventure. I shook my head at the possibilities and laughed my hair loose and free in the wind.
0o0