Book One:

Water

Chapter Nine:

The Waterbending Scroll

"Would you sit down? If we hit a bump you'll go flying off. What's bugging you anyway?"

I looked up from the sketching I was doing in my little brown covered journal at the sound of Sokka's voice speaking up, after hours of silence. I shook my head; 'hit a bump?' We were in the air, what could we possibly hit?

"It's what Avatar Roku said, I'm supposed to master all our elements before that comet arrives." I put down my journal and turned my full attention to my best friend.

"Well let's see, you've pretty much-mastered airbending and that only took you 112 years. I'm sure you can master three more elements by next summer."

"I haven't even started Waterbending and we're still weeks away from the North Pole!" Aang was freaking out now "What am I gonna do?!"

THUNK! "Ow! Hey, what was that for?" Sokka exclaimed rubbing his forehead where I had hit him with a nut I'd had in my pocket. I didn't bother answering and instead gave him a heated glare.

"Calm down. It's going to be ok." Katara said, grabbing Aang's wrist and pulling him down to kneel in front of her "If you want I can try and teach you some of the stuff I know."

"You'd do that?" Aang asked clearly surprised, and Katara nodded

"We'll need to find a good source of water first."

"Maybe we can find a puddle for you to splash in?"

0o0

"Nice puddle," Sokka said.

We were standing in front of a large rushing waterfall. There was definitely plenty of water here for the two waterbenders to practice easily.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the wide-eyed slack-jawed happy expressions on Katara and Aang's faces at the sight. Appa came crashing down into the water, soaking poor Momo and Raiu in the process.

"Yeah don't start without me boy!"

"Remember the reason we're here." Katara reminded my friend as he had stripped to his underwear to join his bison in the water.

"Oh right, time to practice waterbending."

"Great so what am I supposed to do?" Then Sokka glanced at me, and said with an annoyed "Sorry, what are we supposed to do?"

"You could clean the gunk out of Appa's toes?" Aang suggested holding out a small tree branch.

I huffed and rolled my eyes at that, and walked off to start setting up camp. I had done more than my fair share of cleaning Appa's toes through the years and while it wasn't so bad, I felt it was someone else's turn.

At least my bison Anzen kept himself reasonably clean. I had always thought it strange that my flying air bison liked water so much.

"So while you guys are playing in the water I'm supposed to be hard at work picking mud out of a giant bison's feet?"

"Mud and bugs," Aang replied

There was a slight pause then "Ok."

I simply shook my head. I was finished unpacking our supplies and setting up camp, so I alighted on a near rock in the water, sat down and began my mediation. Monk Gyatso always said extra mediation never hurt.

All sound fell away, as I entered the quiet recesses of my mind.

0o0

Training was underway on the Fire Prince's ship, and his session with one of his more able-bodied, enhanced firebending crew members were going well.

Until the ship suddenly veered completely in a different direction and caused both the man and teenage captain to go stumbling right into the bulwark. Neither was expecting the sudden change in gravity so suddenly, and Zuko was suspicious.

"Someone's changing our course." He stormed all the way up to the bridge and came face to face with his Sailing Master "What's the meaning of this mutiny, no one told you to change course?!"

"Actually someone did. I assure you it is a matter of utmost importance Prince Zuko."

"Is it something to do with the Avatar?"

"Even more urgent. It seems I-" his uncle Iroh exhaled in a sheepish manner "-I've lost my lotus tile."

"Lotus tile?" Zuko asked confused.

"For my Pai-Sho game. Most people think the lotus tile insignificant, but it is accentual for the unusual strategy I employ."

"You've changed our course for a stupid lotus tile?" His tone was incredulous.

"See, you like most people underestimate its value. Just give me ten minutes to check the merchant's at this port of call, hopefully, they'll have the lotus tile in stock and I can get on with my life."

Zuko was furious. Absolutely completely livid. He breathed fire out into the air in his anger, making the room hot and stifling with smoke and fiery sparks.

"I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew." Iroh was grinning.

0o0

I could feel the sun on my back, the hushing of the water all around me, and smell the woody scent of the trees and the earth. I was at peace, completely at peace in a way I hadn't been in a while.

I had tuned out what was going on around me; I knew Sokka was scrubbing Appa's toes, and Katara was showing Aang what waterbending moves she knew from her self-study in the South Pole.

I could hear Katara telling Aang not to get frustrated if he didn't a move she had practised for months on right away. I bit back the urge to let out an unladylike snort.

It didn't take a genius to know that Katara had obviously forgotten that Aang was the Avatar. The greatest and most powerful bender the world would ever see, the Bridge between this world and the Spirit world, etc. Etc.

Sure every Avatar had one element that they weren't as good at controlling, that they lacked in.

For Kyoshi I had read she struggled with Fire; the element of fire was passionate and explosive and sometimes sudden in its creation. Kyoshi being a grounded, calm earthbender found that firebending, the natural opposite to her personality, hard.

For Roku, he had struggled with water. Naturally, water and fire did not mix and were natural opposite elements within themselves. It took Roku years and years to master that element.

If I had to take a guess at what element Aang would struggle with, it would be earth. Aang was an Airbender, used to the ever-flowing, ever-moving motions and quick turns and spins of airbending. He was used to dodging and evading, not standing his ground and being rooted to one steady spot.

Yes, earth Aang would struggle with; it would take him years to master it properly more than likely. But water? No water should be quite easy for my friend. It was the closest in likeness to air, that Aang would have no trouble.

I barely heard Katara pointedly telling Aang that his showing off with her second move was a bit unnecessary and heard him apologise.

I had the feeling this was quickly going to get heated at some point.

When Aang and I had been much younger I used to get envious and jealous of the quick and easy way he picked up on bending, and how he had advanced to my level of training despite the fact I was nearly four years older than him.

I got angry easily at the fact, that what took me weeks- sometimes months- to learn and master, took Aang merely days at most two weeks. Sure I was at a higher training than my peers and had surpassed those who were my own age, but it still nettled me that Aang was almost if not completely my match in power and control.

I had told Aang how I felt after some weeks of deliberating and coming to terms with his skill, and he had given that goofy smile and apologised for making me upset and promised to show-off a little less.

At that, the anger melted away. It wasn't Aang's fault he was gifted, and once I got over the annoyance about it, I realised I was proud of the boy who was practically my little brother.

As I got older, I would still get that slight sting of envy, but instead of letting it consume me into anger, I used it to push myself to be better. It had taken time, and a lot of honest heart-to-heart talks with both Aang and Monk Gyatso before that feeling disappeared completely.

Now I could look at Aang with pride -and maybe a little older-sister annoyance at his showing off- and not feel a lick of envy.

But I had had years to get used to the notion that Aang was always going to be gifted, Katara had not, and I could see this ending in tears.

I heard a loud rushing sound of water and at Sokka's shout of "Aang!" I opened my eyes.

Then I was knocked off my little rock, straight into the water by the giant wave Aang had quite obviously created.

Now I wasn't a very good swimmer, in fact, the best I could do was a few strokes in shallow still water. In a rushing deep river, I had no chance. I tried to get to the surface for air, and thankfully I felt myself being lifted into strong arms, up and far out of reach of the water I had been near-drowning in.

"Looks like I got the hang of that move. What else you got?" Aang asked seemingly quite proud of himself.

"That's enough practising for today," Katara said tersely.

"I'll say," I felt the chest beneath my ear vibrate at the words my saviour spoke "You just practised our supplies down the river," I was choking and coughing up the water I had swallowed and it burned my throat "Not to mention you nearly drowned Mina in the process."

I got my breath back, pushing my sodden hair back from my face, and looked up into Sokka's eyes, I thanked him with a smile as he strode out of the water and placed me gently onto my feet.

"Uhhhh sorry. I'm sure we can find somewhere to replace all this stuff."

I sighed, gave Sokka's a hand a squeeze in thanks again along with a smile, and walked to pack up what supplies and things we had left.

"My life was hard enough when you were just an Airbender." Sokka sighed.

I held in the urge to roll my eyes.

0o0

Upon reaching the near-by market near the docks, sometime later, I split off from the others to go and collect certain supplies the others weren't knowledgeable in.

Sokka was hesitant to let me go off on my own, but when I raised my eyebrow and said: "I've s-survived all my life on m-my own, I think I can survive a few minutes w-without you."

Katara laughed at that comment and Sokka gave a glare at her for it, but too soon he turned his attention back to me. It was only Aang's confident words about how I was capable enough and could take care of myself along with my insistence I didn't need an escort that Sokka finally relented.

"Fine, but just, be careful?"

"I p-promise," I replied

He sighed "Don't take too long, and come find us as soon as you're finished."

I did as Sokka asked, and was as quick as possible in buying what we needed. I had my own little stock of money that I always carried with me out of habit when Aang and I travelled as scouts around the world.

I knew Sokka and the others would be more interested in getting food and such, and would completely forget about the other important things we'd need; such as medicinal supplies.

I had gone to the small apothecary there, and had bought all the things we would need should we get injured; herbs for fevers and chills and colds, creams and pastes for burns and cuts, and bandages of all sizes for the smallest scratch to a broken bone.

I also went to the local bookshop and bought a few books on healing and medicine. It was obvious someone in our little group would need to know about healing and I knew Aang and Sokka wouldn't be up for it and I had the feeling Katara would be a bit too emotional should someone get hurt, so it looked like it was up to me.

It seemed all those years of meditation and calming my inner energy and Chi would come in handy. It helped in keeping me calm and relaxed during stressful or straining times.

I shouldered my bags and went to go look for the others.

0o0

"We've got exactly three copper pieces left from the money that King Bumi gave us, let's spend it wisely," Sokka said exiting the hut.

"Uh make that two copper pieces Sokka. I couldn't say no to this whistle." Aang held up a cream coloured whistle that was shaped like a flying bison. He blew it hard, but when nothing happened, he felt disappointed.

"It doesn't even work," Sokka scoffed hands on his hips "See? Even Momo thinks it's a piece of junk."

"No offence Aang, but I'll hold the money from now on," Katara said, holding out her hand for the rest of their money.

Aang gave the copper pieces up.

0o0

"Earth Nation, Fire Nation, Water Nation, so long as bargains are your inclination you're welcome here. Don't be shy, come on by," The tanned man dressed in Earth Nation tones noticed the three walked by and strode forward "You there, I can see from your clothing that your world travelling types, perhaps I can interest you in some exotic curios?"

Aang spun back around to face the man "Sure! What are curious?" he asked confusedly.

There was a pause for a moment "I'm not entirely sure," the man said, "But we got em'." Then he began to drag Aang onto the ship before them, with Katara and Sokka following behind.

They spent some time perusing the shelves, and some of the things there were a bit…well the word was creepy really. What made the atmosphere even creepy was the voice that suddenly spoke from the shadows.

"I've never seen such fine specimens of lemur. Those beasts would fetch me a hefty sum if you'd be interested in bartering?"

Raiu chattered in rage, before curling up around my neck, glaring at the man.

Momo hissed and Aang held him close, eyeing the man with the parrot-lizard on his shoulder warily "Momo's not for sale." He stated, "And neither is Raiu."

It was Katara gasp from deeper in the ship that broke the tense silence "Look at this Aang. It's a waterbending scroll. Check out these crazy moves."

Aang questioned where the scroll came from and the man said, slamming his hand down on the scroll ad re-rolling it up "Let's just say I got it up North, at the most reasonable price. Free." He put the scroll back in the little shelf it had been resting in.

"Wait a minute," Sokka said gazing at everything "Sea loving traders, with suspiciously acquired merchandise, and pet reptile birds? You guys are pirates!"

The man in Earth Nation garb from earlier smirked: "We prefer to think of ourselves as high-risk traders."

"So how much for the, traded scroll?" Katara asked looking at the pitiful two copper pieces they had.

"I already got a buyer, a Nobleman in the Earth Kingdom. Unless you kids have 200 gold pieces on ya right now?" The Captain asked, clearly doubtful.

Aang leaned in, and assured Katara he knew how to handle the pirate, and at his confidence, she handed over what was left of their money "Let's say to the price of…one copper piece?" The Captain merely laughed and said he didn't haggle on such rare items "Two copper pieces?"

"It's not as amusing the second time boy." The man had had enough of this nonsense

Katara walked forward and asked Aang if they could leave the ship, stating that she felt they were all getting strange and weird looks. Aang smirked and turned to the Captain in a replicate of his sea-faring accent "Aye we be casting now."

Then they left.

0o0

It was starting to get late, and I was starting to get worried. I couldn't seem to find Aang or the others anywhere.

I had searched what seemed the entire market place from top to bottom and nothing. I had even gone back and rechecked the food stalls encase I had missed them the first time around. Still nothing.

I sighed, and decided to sit for a while, and immersed myself in the new medicinal book I had bought earlier.

"HEY! STOP!"

I looked up sometime later at shouting occurring in the market-place. I put down the book, curious. What on earth was going on? What was happening to cause such a commotion? I wondered if I should go and look see…and then decided to instead continue to look for the others.

Where on earth could they be? Surely they weren't too far?

0o0

"What was that all about Katara?"

"Yeah, I was starting to browse through their boomerang collection," Sokka added.

"I'll just feel a lot better once we get away from here," Katara said, arms wrapping around herself as if she was cold.

"HEY, YOU! GET BACK HERE!"

They all turned as one of the pirates shouted after them. Aang turned and smirked, and neither he nor Sokka noticed how Katara backed away eyes wide with fear. Suddenly a whole horde of pirates jumped from the ship, weapons drawn and they looked quite angry.

"I don't think these pirates are here to trade with us," Katara said.

Then they began to run as far away and as fast as possible.

0o0

BANG! CRASH!

Something fishy- no pun intended- was going on, I thought.

I had been searching for my friends all morning and still no sign of them. Now it seemed like the market-place was being destroyed, going from all the noise and shouts coming from around the place.

Three men rushed past me, nearly knocking me over. I scowled after them, and then I caught a glimpse of yellow and orange clothing, along with the tale-tell sign of Water Tribe blue.

Instantly suspicious I rushed off towards the noise. Surely it couldn't be Aang and the others causing all this noise and destruction? Could it?

I sincerely hoped not. Both for my sanity and for Aang's sake. If Aang did do this, if he caused all this trouble by Yang-Chen he was going to be in serious trouble when I got a hold of him.

CRASH!

"My cabbages! This place is worse than Omashu!" I turned the corner and saw a familiar person in green. It was the cabbage merchant from the City of Omashu.

I slipped by him and offered a small apologetic smile, and ran after Aang and the others. I skidded around the corner and….then ducked back around as a blast of air came down the dead-ended alley.

The three men chasing the others were knocked back a few steps. I scowled and stepped forward, hands raised. As Aang snapped open his glider and began running, telling the two Water Tribe siblings to hold on "Aang! I thought we were running away from the pirates!" Katara shouted.

I spun my hands, and shot out my own airblast and completely knocked the men right off their feet and onto their backs. I giggled at the sight, and then spun on my heel to follow my friends…

"And where do you think you're going, missy?" A man with chipped teeth and multiple piercings leered down at me.

I gulped, and thought, 'oh no'.

0o0

"I used to look up to pirates but those guys are terrible," Aang said sitting down to lean on a rock once they returned to their campsite.

"I know. That's why I took this." Katara said as she revealed the waterbending scroll. Aang shot to his feet, exclaiming in disbelief "Isn't it great?"

"No wonder they were trying to hack us up. You stole their waterbending scroll." Sokka scolded.

"I prefer to think of it as high-risk trading."

"Haha, good one Katara." Aang chuckled.

"Sokka where do you think they got it? They stole it from a waterbender."

"It doesn't matter," Sokka scowled at her "You put all of our lives in danger just so you could learn some stupid, fancy splashes."

Katara was becoming annoyed with her brother "These are real waterbending forms. You know how crucial it is for Aang to learn waterbending."

Sokka huffed and strode off muttering a "Whatever." As he did.

Ever the mediator Aang spoke up "Well what's done is done. We have it, we may as well learn from it."

Katara agreed.

0o0

"I've checked all the shops on this peer, not a lotus tile in the entire market place." Uncle Iroh said as they stood on the docks.

"It's good to know that this entire trip was a complete waste of time for everyone!" Zuko replied, arms crossed and frown of displeasure on his scarred face.

"Quite the contrary, I always say 'the only thing better than finding something you were looking for, is finding something you weren't looking for at a great bargain'."

A line of men from this traipsed past, multiple musical instruments and other paraphernalia in their hands.

"You bought a tsungi horn?" Zuko asked, perplexed.

"For music night on the ship," Iroh explained, "Now if only we had some winds?"

Zuko sighed, as his uncle wandered to look at a ship nearby, "This place looks promising," they went aboard, and came across a stone monkey bejewelled in rubies "Oh that is handsome, wouldn't it look magnificent in the galley?"

It was then Zuko heard the words that an Earth-Nation man was saying to another man who was more than likely the Captain, "We lost the Water Tribe girl, and the little bald monk she was travelling with."

"This monk," Zuko said stepping forward "Did he have an arrow on his head?"

0o0

I was in so much in trouble.

The men who had been chasing my friends had not only now captured me, but they were also pirates. I had been captured and taken prisoner by pirates. Great, just great. Truly wonderful.

"Move along missy, we ain't got all day," One of the men shoved me forward, making me trip over.

I glared at them and they jostled me forward once more. My hands were tied behind my back, and two of the pirates had a hold of my arms to stop me from running for it. They dragged me with them, and we came in sight of what was their ship.

I struggled to get loose, but they were too strong "Stop yer squirming ya lil' brat, or you'll regret it."

I stomped on the foot of one and elbowed another and the one I elbowed fell off the gangplank and into the water. I turned, and was almost free when a hand grabbed my upper-arms "Oh no you don't missy nice try."

I struggled and strained once more, determined to get free "L-Let go! Let g-go of m-me!" They didn't and marched me up the gangplank and inside the ship "G-Get your h-hands off m-me, you rotten r-rusty son of a b-bird-rat!"

The pirate holding my arms smacked me across the face, then threw me to the floor "Hey Captain, look we got here, a feisty little mouse!" I pushed myself up onto my elbows and glared at him "She helped that little monk escape, thought she'd make good bait."

"Yes, well she seems to share a similarity to the boy, even wears the same clothes by the looks of it," another gruffer voice said, belonging to the Captain "Mayhaps she travels with him."

"Oh, she does."

I looked up wide-eyed at the familiar voice and gasped at who I saw. It was Prince Zuko, and he looked like his birthday had come early, from the way he was looking at me. I scuttled backwards as fast as possible, but hands lifted me to my feet and held me still.

I struggled again, even more, desperate to get away "Let g-go, let g-go!"

"Let's make a deal, shall we?" Zuko said the Captain "You want the scroll the monk has, I want the monk. I'll help you get what you want, and you help me get what I want."

The Captain hummed in thoughts "Aye seems like a fair deal. Only, what do you want with the boy?"

Zuko crossed his arms "Let's just say we have some…unfinished business between us," The Captain shrugged at the answer and let it go "Now seeing as you're getting the best out of this deal, how about you give me the girl, as a…sign of good faith?"

The Captain nodded "Fine with me. She seems more trouble than she's worth, and I don't deal in useless trade. She's all yours, she belongs to you."

"I d-don't b-belong t-to anyone!" My chin was grabbed between harsh fingers then and it made me wince

"Shut yer trap, girl, or I'll shut it for you," A dagger was raised to my face "Understand?" The knife was pushed down and away from me before I could do more than stare at it.

"I don't think that is necessary my good sir," A gentle older man's voice said. I looked to see a grey-haired man step forward. His brown eyes were soft and warm, as he took my arm and pulled me away from the pirates "After all that is no way to treat a lady. Isn't that right nephew?"

Zuko huffed, "Can we stop wasting time and get going?"

I hung my head as I was escorted onto the deck and tied to the mast. I had stopped struggling, knowing it was useless. I refused to meet anyone's eyes and kept my lips closed.

I closed my eyes, hoping meditation would help, and blocked out the rest of the world.

0o0

"I just wanna try this one move first, and then it's all yours. Here hold it open for me."

Katara gave the now opened scroll to Aang, who held it up for her to see, so when she began to bend she could follow along to the forms pictured on the page.

She backed up, closer towards the river, and got into the starting stance.

"The single water whip. Looks doable." She pulled a stream of water from the river and began to try to manipulate it to her control. It didn't work. She ended up smacking herself in the forehead.

Sokka laughed at his little sister making a fool of herself, and she asked him what was so funny in a deadpan tone. Sokka huffed, and spoke his next words to Aang, "I'm sorry, but you deserved that. You've been duped, she's only interested in teaching herself."

Katara scowled "Aang will get his turn once I've figured out the water whip." She tried again, and failed once more, hitting poor Momo this time. "Urg! Why can't I get this stupid move?"

Aang smiled and strode forward to give the move a turn himself. He only wanted to help the Water Tribe girl, and he did so without thinking.

Many times he and Mina had shared knowledge with each other. She had secretly taught him some of the more advanced moves and forms of airbending- that he technically shouldn't have been doing- and he helped her practice and gave her another angle with which to look at something she was struggling with.

Aang knew that there was a time when his surrogate older sister had been envious of his easy ability to master a move she had spent a long time mastering herself.

He knew that sometimes he let his natural talent with bending get away from him. But once they talked about it, and told the other how they felt the air between them cleared and they became closer than ever.

After that, Aang was quick and eager to go to Mina when he needed help or advice, knowing she'd appreciate the fact that despite his gift in bending he still needed her and her guidance, and she was willing to come to him for his opinion of what she might be doing incorrectly in a form and having him give her a nudge in the right direction.

She helped him with his insecurities and his fears and he helped her with her confidence.

Yes, he was well aware that his abilities might make others jealous, but he had only ever had that problem with Mina, and so it did not occur to him, that Katara might feel the same.

"You'll get it." He gave the move a try, and smoothly and effortlessly performed it correctly on the first try "You've just gotta shift your weight through the stances. See? The key to bending is-"

Katara lost her temper "Will you please shut your air hole! Believe it or not, your infinite wisdom gets a little old sometimes! Why don't we just throw the scroll away since you're so naturally gifted!?"

Sokka gave her a downright dark glare for that.

"What?" she asked, before noticing the trembling of Aang's lower lip, and how tears filled his eyes "Oh my gosh Aang I'm so sorry. I don't even know what came over me, but you know what it won't happen again," she rolled the scroll up and handed it the younger boy "Here this is yours. I don't wanna have anything to do with it anymore."

"It's ok Katara," Aang uttered, understanding completely.

"What about Momo, he's the real victim here," Katara apologised to the lemur, petting him "And what about me? There was that time that-"

"No more apologies!"

That was the end of that.

0o0

For once meditation did not help.

Normally meditating allowed me to calm my mind, and afterwards gave me a sense of stillness and peace. Now, I couldn't concentrate on the task no matter how hard I tried. I was too worried.

I worried about Aang, Katara and Sokka. Zuko was hunting them down, and they had no idea. The trio probably thought that after escaping the pirates that they were safe, and they were far from it.

And I could do nothing, sat tied up on Zuko's little steamboat like a prisoner.

"Shouldn't we stop to search the woods?"

The voice of the pirate Captain caused my eyes to shoot open. I turned to gaze to the two stood up front, and gave my best impression of a raging furious dragon. They took no notice of me.

"We don't need to stop. They stole a waterbending scroll right?" the Captain hummed in agreement to Zuko's question "Then they'll be on the water."

I glared even more and began to struggle with the ropes that bound my wrists together. If I could just loosen them a little, I could slip a wrist free, and untie the rest of the ropes that held me.

"Hey! Stop that!" Zuko came striding over, and narrowed my eyes at him, hoping that maybe I could set him aflame with them "There's no point in struggling, you won't be escaping me, Airbender."

I huffed, and turned my head from him, telling him without so much as a word, that I was dismissing him, his words and his very existence. He didn't like my attitude, apparently, as proved when he grabbed my chin between his fingers and forced my gaze back around.

"I would watch myself if I were you. I am the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, and there are many ways I could make your life a living nightmare."

I scoffed, and then spat "Go float yourself!"

It was an old swear, but a good one. Only airbenders could fly- and only when using bison or gliders- so telling someone not of the Air Nation to 'go float' was essentially telling them to go jump off a cliff, or great fatal height.

Zuko looked confused by the wording. It had been in use a hundred years ago, but clearly, as there were no more airbenders other than myself or Aang it had fallen out of use now. Still, my tone must have convened what I meant, for Zuko's expression turned angry.

"As soon as we return to my ship, I'm having you thrown in the darkest, coldest cell there."

"Now, now Prince Zuko there is no need for such threats." It was the old man from before, the one who had stopped that pirate from slicing my throat.

I turned away, not interested in talking further or bringing more attention to myself.

I just hoped the others were alright.

0o0

Katara had snuck away first chance she got.

She had waited for the boys to fall asleep, before rummaging in a bag, and pulling out the waterbending scroll. She would learn the moves when neither Aang nor Sokka was around to see or hear.

In all the confusion and excitement of the day all three had forgotten about Mina's presence. During the fight with Aang- though it wasn't much of a fight seeing as she did all the yelling- all three had gotten so caught up in the scroll and their own thoughts they hadn't noticed that Mina hadn't returned.

During the day they assumed she was still at the market place, shopping for supplies and things. Now it was night, and Katara assumed Mina was just asleep, curled up somewhere in Appa's fur.

She snuck away, with only a small confrontation with Momo, before she made her way out of camp and towards the main river.

0o0

I had dozed off sometime in the late afternoon. And I woke up to a familiar girl's voice, mildly cursing somewhere close by.

It was Katara. I sat up straighter trying to see over the side of the railing of the metal boat. I was too short, so I rolled myself to my feet instead. I looked out over the starlight reflected river, searching for the owner of the voice.

There, I saw her. "Katar-"A hand clasped over my mouth before I could finish screaming out my warning.

Hands pulled me in, and I found my back pressed to a firm, armour plated chest behind me. Scorching hands held me tight and still, stopping my struggling body from escaping their clutches, and one hand stayed held over my lips so any noise I made was silenced.

"Shush, quiet!" the voice of the Fir Nation's bratty Prince spoke in my ear.

I shook my head and struggled all the harder.

A gag was eventually pulled over my mouth, as we came to grinding halt on the sandy bank of the river. I was then tied to a tree, gag left on, as the pirates and Zuko made their way towards my friend.

I heard Katara crying out for someone to let go of her, before Zuko's voice sounded out, telling her in a mocking tone that he would save her from the pirates.

I slumped against my tree, tears stinging my eyes, feeling helpless.

0o0

Sometime later, Katara was tied to a tree of her own.

We were surrounded by pirates and Fire Nation Soldiers alike. I was still gagged, and could not make a sound other than moan or muffled incoherent swear behind the material. Katara's eyes had gone wide at the sight of me before she turned to glaring death at our captors.

"Tell me where he is, and I won't hurt you or your brother."

I begged Katara with my eyes not to say a word about Aang to Zuko. She did not disappoint and told Zuko to go jump in the river. Zuko huffed, before his expression suddenly pleasant, friendly almost, as he approached the waterbender.

"Try to understand I need to capture him to restore something I've lost. My honour. Perhaps in exchange, I can restore something you've lost."

And there in the teen's hands was a familiar piece of jewellery.

"My mother's necklace! How did you get that?"

"I didn't steal it if that's what you were wondering. Tell me where he is."

Katara refused once again. The pirate captain stepped forward, demanding an end to the 'necklace garbage', and demanded that Zuko give over the scroll that he had promised them. The teen pulled it out, and then held a hand with a fire under the scroll, asking how much it was, threatening to burn it.

"Now you help me find what I want, you'll get this back, and everyone goes home happy. Search the woods for the boy, and meet back here."

The Pirates went to do as told.

Zuko smirked, pleased, and put out his hand, and slipped the scroll and Katara's necklace into a trouser pocket. The prince made his way over to me, and pulled the gag off "How about you, care to tell me where your little friend is hiding?"

I growled- actually growled- and retorted "Go float yourself you son of a bird-rat." I refused to say anything else than that same phrasing, he'd get the message eventually.

He did, and stalked off, but not before threatening to throw me in a deep dark cold cell on his ship as he went. I just stuck my tongue out at him in response.

I looked over to Katara and we shared dread-filled glances, hoping against hope.

0o0

Sokka woke to the sound of bird song.

He stretched, working out the kinks and knots in his back muscled before shifting his blue eyes over their camp. Then he scrambled over to his bag on his knees, knowing what he wouldn't find, and feeling annoyed about it.

"Where did she go? I don't believe it." Aang woke, yawning and asked what was wrong "She took the scroll, she's obsessed with that thing! It's just a matter of time before she gets us all in deep AHHHH!"

He was yanked onto his front by a bolo rope, his wrists bound in the tight rope. The pirates had returned.

Sokka shook the rope off and rolling over to his sleeping bag, grabbed his club and went charging into battle.

Aang faced another man, who sent a net flying out of two loaded crossbows. He tried blasting it away with his bending, but it was no use. He was quickly engulfed in the net and was dragged away.

Sokka stood from where he had been knocked to the ground, and asked sarcastically "Oh what I'm not good enough to kidnap?"

A net was thrown his way, and he too was dragged off.

0o0

I had long since given up, trying to struggle out of my ropes.

I was tired, exhausted, from little to no sleep, strung out from worry and anxiety over my friends and Aang, and my wrists were stinging where the rope had rubbed my skin completely raw.

I paid no attention to anything going on around me, too dazed to do so. I vaguely heard Katara apologising and claiming this was her fault, and Aang responding in disagreement. The old man stated that 'yeah it kind of is' Katara's fault that they were in this mess.

"Give me the boy," Zuko ordered

"You give us the scroll" the captain replied.

"You're really gonna hand over the Avatar for a stupid piece of parchment?"

At Sokka's words, my head jolted up, my eyes going mile-wide. What was that blockhead doing? Was he insane, or did he take a good to many blows to his head?

"Don't listen to him, he's trying to turn us against each other!" Zuko exclaimed.

"Your friend is the Avatar?" the captain asked Sokka

"Sure is, and I'll bet he'll fetch a lot more on the black market than that fancy scroll."

Seriously what was he doing?!

I glared at him, more fiercely than I had ever glared at him before. Then the cocky jerk winked at me. He winked. And then I understood and smirked in response. Sokka was playing them, he was working to turn the two groups against each other.

"Shut your mouth, you Water Tribe peasant!"

"Yeah, Sokka you really should shut your mouth." Aang agreed with Zuko.

"He's right," I spoke up, trying to egg it further "The Fire Lord w-would pay handsomely for the Avatar, you'd all be set for l-life."

The captain smiled "Keep the stroll, we could buy a hundred for the reward we'd get for the kid."

Zuko scowled "You'll regret breaking a deal with me."

Then a fight broke out, as Zuko as his lackeys kicked fire at the pirates.

Suddenly smoke was everywhere, as the pirates and soldiers fought one another. I struggled against my ropes and then heard a purring sound. It was Raiu. He chewed on my ropes, and they fell away from my wrists, and I was finally loose.

"Thanks, Raiu I owe you moon peaches for the next week!"

My lemur followed me as I entered the fray.

"Run!"

I looked up at Aang's voice as he leapt out of the smoke cover, Sokka pushing up from the ground and racing after him. I was stood frozen at the sight of them heading right for me before Sokka grabbed my hand and pulled me along behind him.

"Katara you're ok."

"Help me get this boat back in the water so we can get out of here," Katara asked in reply to Aang's words.

We tried to push it, but it was too heavy. Sokka said we'd need a team of Rhino's to get the thing in the water before Aang smiled and said, "A team of rhinos or two waterbenders?" Katara beamed.

As the two used their bending to pull the river under the boat and get it to float, Sokka and I climbed aboard and went to stand by the helm. Soon Aang and Katara had done it and were onboard.

We set off as the fighting behind us continued.

0o0

"Are so you so busy fighting you cannot see your own ship has set sail!"

General Iroh separated his nephew and the captain.

"We have no time for your proverbs uncle!"

The retired general pointed downstream, where the pirates' boat was sailing further away "It's no proverb."

The captain raced off after his vessel, a curse escaping his lips as he did. Zuko laughed brightly at the sight, before noticing that the rest of the pirates had stolen his own little ship.

"Hey, that's my boat!" the teen took off down the bank.

"Maybe it should be a proverb." The prince's uncle said, before following after his nephew's call.

0o0

"Sokka can't you make it go any faster!" Aang called as he saw their adversaries were catching up.

"I don't know how, this thing wasn't made by the Water Tribe."

I huffed and took a stance on the railing before the Water Tribe boy. I whipped my hands around and around my head, before pushing my palms outwards, causing a huge gust of wind to blow right into the ship's mainsail.

We picked up speed, a little. But it wasn't fast enough, for soon the pirates were coming aboard.

Aang used waterbending to send a big wave over the ship and pushing two men overboard. Katara looked unsure as one man stood before her, sword drawn before she finally used a perfect water whip to send the other the same place as his friends.

I was distracted as a hand wrenched me down to the deck. I slid on the slippery surface, before using the air around me to halt my stumbling slide, and faced my opponent. I dodged one swing of a dagger, then another, before slipping under the man's legs, a blasting him over the side and into the river.

I heard a yelp, and then Sokka landed at my feet.

I got to my knees and pulled him to his own before I held his face in my hands, searching for injuries. He seemed all right if a little dazed from when the pirate had thrown him into the sail.

"Are you a-all right?" I asked softly.

"Yeah," he stammered "Yeah, I'm ok."

Katara's yelling caught our attention then.

"Monkey feathers!" I cursed.

We were heading for a huge waterfall.

Sokka and I attacked a pirate that had gone after Aang. The Airbender boy was too busy blowing into a bison shaped whistle to defend himself. Sokka sent the pirate overboard, and scolded my friend, saying that this was no time for flute practice.

I was more worried about the impending fall of the waterfall to scold Aang.

"We can stop the boat. Aang together! Push and pull the water!"

I grabbed onto Sokka's hand and looked to him for comfort. He tried to give a smile but it was clear he was as unsure and scared as I was. I squeezed his hand in reassurance and he returned the pressure.

"It's working, it's slowing down! We're doing it!"

"But we have another problem!" Sokka pointed out

"Look out!" I shouted as we were rammed by Zuko's boat.

Our boat began to tip over sideways, causing us all to go sliding down across the deck. I screamed as Sokka wrapped an arm around my waist.

We jumped off the boat, having no choice unless we wanted to be crushed by it. I continued to scream as we fell down the waterfall. There was no airbending that could save us now, it was too far down.

Then, we all landed safe and sound in Appa's saddle as he soared below us and stopped our fall.

I breathed out a sigh of relief, more than thankful we had Appa. Raiu curled about my neck, purring, and gave a lick to my cheek. I let out a breathy laugh. We were alive. Alive and whole, and not drowned or impaled by broken boat pieces.

"Knew a bison whistle would come in handy," Aang said "Thanks Appa."

"Yeah, we owe you one." Sokka retorted.

I smiled "I b-believe someone's earned a whole b-bushel of peaches for a reward."

The bison groaned in happiness, and I laughed again.

0o0

Prince Zuko was not pleased "My boat!"

Said boat was now nothing but pieces in the river.

"Prince Zuko you're really going to get a kick out of this. The lotus tile was in my sleeve the whole time!" General Iroh grinned showing off the tile.

Zuko snatched it, and with fury threw it over the bank edge, down the waterfall, where it bounced off a half-drowned pirate's head and vanished into the river below.

Iroh pouted, as Zuko huffed in displeasure.

0o0

"Aang I still owe you an apology."

I looked up from where I was placing kisses all over Raiu's furry face, thanking my lemur for his help in chewing me out of the ropes. My lemur was still purring as I set him in my lap, and rubbed at that tell-tale spot he loved behind his right ear.

"You were just so good at waterbending without really trying. I got so competitive that I put us all in danger. I'm sorry." Aang smiled and told her it was ok "Besides who needs that stupid scroll anyway."

Sokka grinned from beside me, and took out a rolled up piece of parchment "Is that really how you feel?" Katara beamed and reached out for it before her older brother pulled it back "First what did you learn?"

"Stealing is wrong." She said, before snatching it, and smirking "Unless it's from pirates."

Aang laughed "Good one Katara."

I frowned, and shook my head "I am so c-confused."

Sokka smirked and wiggled his eyebrows at me. I could only laugh at the ridiculous sight, and resolved to get answers from my friend later.

We flew off, happy that that particular adventure was over.

0o0