The Next Day:

One Hour before Sunrise-

Mingan crouched behind a snow drift, peeking out at the strange Fire Nation camp that sprawled before her. She wasn't going to stay away just because some man had told her to. Besides, she was sure once she actually showed up Zuko wouldn't refuse her and then he would see that she could teach his people. The sky was just beginning to turn morning-grey. It was plenty light enough for her to see, she was used to being in the dark for half the year. The wind was blowing pretty hard, kicking up the light dusting of snow on the ground, creating a thick fog. It made seeing very far into the camp difficult. She would have stayed put until she saw Zuko but she couldn't stop herself when she saw a strange metal object sitting on a bench not too far off.

She looked around, making sure no one was awake yet; it seemed quiet enough. She crept along, ducking her torso to the snow using her hands for balance. Her white pelt coat made her nearly invisible from a distance. She crouched in front of the bench and looked at the strange item before her. It was similar to her tribe's war helmets but it wasn't made from an animal of any sort, it was just… metal. She pulled her glove off with her teeth and tentatively stretched her fingers out to touch it. The metal was cold. She wondered if they used it for ceremonial gatherings. Now that she looked at it, she could see a long, single red feather sprouting from the top. She furrowed her eyebrows. It still seemed a bit plain for ceremonies, but what did she know of their people?

She knocked her knuckles against it gently, but it tipped off the log and toppled onto the ice with a loud clatter. She gasped sharply and in her haste to get away from it, slipped and landed on her backside. She froze for a second, just waiting for chaos to ensue. People would be flooding from their tents any second now.

Nothing happened. Maybe it wasn't as loud as she thought it had been.

With a sigh of relief she picked herself up and made sure her bow and arrows were securely strapped across her shoulders. The leather sling that crossed over her chest and kept the quiver secure had needed replaced for months, and she was always worrying about it breaking. She looked back at the metal helmet, brushed the snow off and placed it back on the log, just in case it was ceremonial. She didn't want to make anyone angry. Mingan stood up and surveyed the camp at length now. The first thing that caught her eye through the fog of drifting snow, were five massive black… things. They were barely shadows in the snow, but were very real. They were enormous; almost enough to send her sprawling back onto her butt. She thought of turning and running, that these people were too dangerous to even interact with, but her curiosity glued her to her spot, shaking as she may be. She had never seen something so huge before. These monsters, whatever they were, were completely still and silent. She hated that the snow was making it hard for her to see them. She was terrified that maybe they were some kind of creature that would swallow her up but the longer she squinted at them, the more sure she was that they were inanimate. Mingan snuck along the edges of the camp, not daring to just barrel through the center, though that would've been faster. As she crept along silently, she studied the camp. It was big, lots of space between the tents and various items. Silly. They should have put their tents in a circle and kept the wind away from their fireplace. As she moved along, she saw now that there were multiple fire pits, some with pots hung over them by wooden supports. Now there was something the South Pole didn't have a lot of, wood. They were a few sparse gatherings of trees dotting the tundra, few and far between. Her tribe didn't use wood for anything if they didn't have to, it wouldn't do anyone any good to cut down all the trees and destroy what little supply they had. She was tempted to creep over and see if these people had used her land's snow trees or if they had brought their own. But she was sure there were more interesting things to be seen.

When she finally approached the giant black monsters, she realized they were actually cutting into the ice that floated on the ocean surface. The ice was not due to melt until summer but these beasts had cut through it somehow and had landed right up against the mainland. The girl with feathers in her hair crept up to one of the strange things. It was just as black and terrifying looking as it had been from across the encampment. She sidled up to it, ready to run if she had to. She looked up hoping to see the top of it but there was too much blowing snow to see that far. So, she kicked it. It made a tiny thump and she apologized to her toes that they had to discover that it was made out of metal. She was trying to put everything together. These creations were on the sea, could cut through ice and were made out of metal. And all these Fire Nation people had to have traveled here by boat. She knew enough about the world to know that the ice island she called home was surrounded by ocean on all sides. She craned her head back again hoping she could catch a glimpse of the top. When she couldn't she went back to examining the shell of the thing. She figured that maybe it could be a boat. She didn't think metal could float, something about it seemed too dense. Then again, she'd never thrown anything metal into the ocean before so she couldn't be sure. If this thing were in fact a ship, it was very different from anything her tribe had. Her people's boats were small, swift, and very maneuverable. They were made mostly from whale bone and wood, and whale skins made up the sails. This boat was none of those things. But, she could accept the fact that she didn't know anything about Zuko's tribe and could understand that maybe they did things differently.

She pried herself away from the boats and explored around them. There were large square boxes mostly sealed shut, but some of them open. She peeked inside a few of those, seeing spears and swords, all very different from any she had ever seen. There was a crunch behind her. Mingan whipped around, sure she had been discovered, but there was nothing there. It unsettled her and she made sure to be extra quiet. She really didn't think it would do her any good to be caught by anyone other than Zuko. And she had seen no sign of him yet.

She came to the last boat and walked around the other side of it. When she saw it, she was unsure of what it was at first, but it was enough to make her stomach turn while she figured it out. "No," she breathed, her bare hand flying to cover her mouth. There was so much blood. Dead tiger-seals lay everywhere. Some had been skinned, the meaty carcass left bruised and frozen out on the snow. Headless bodies were scattered about, some with their flippers mutilated. Some of the poor creatures were half skinned, like someone had given up halfway through. Hot tears trickled down her cheeks. How could someone be so disrespectful to an animal that provided so much to them? Hardly any of the animals had been used for meat, like they should have been. Her people didn't just slaughter unnecessarily. But these- these brutish savageshad taken the pelts and heads for trophies! Her people would never, ever do such a thing! When they killed animals, they used every part they could. The hide was used for blankets, or to hang on the walls to honor the animals, not to brag about them. Even the bones were used for tools and building materials. She had never seen so much death. There was so much blood, she had never seen the snow dyed so red and black, not even when her village killed a whale. She wished she had never come. Zuko had been right, this was a very bad idea.

She started to backup, desperate to get away from all the blood and bodies. But she couldn't pry her eyes away from the horrific sight. Her shoulders were just turning to flee when a hand clamped over her mouth, a metal-cuffed arm slamming around her ribs, she cried out in fright.

"Wake up! Savage! Savage!" The man holding her screamed. She would have bitten him, but his hand was gloved and it would do no good. So she resorted to thrashing. She rammed her heels down his shin. She jerked when searing pain shot through her foot and up her ankle. He was wearing armor on his legs. Her hands scrambled for purchase on the metal cuff, attempting to yank his arm from her mouth. He held her tighter and dragged her body around as he turned and hobbled towards to the camp.

No. No. She would not let herself within the confines of the camp. If she did she very well could end up like those seals, she realized that now. She shoved backwards with all her might, hoping the man would lose his grip on her body. Mingan flung herself forward, aiming to break through his arms and run for it. She only managed to smash her torso into metal. She whimpered in pain, but didn't stop fighting. She tried to sink to her knees and confuse him, but he jerked her upright. She heard the sound of feet running across the snow. She screamed out of fear and frustration. She elbowed him hard in the ribs, her bone meeting metal, causing her to cry out in pain.

Men came scrambling from their tents, pulling on coats and boots as they went. When she was within their sight, a look of thunderstruck intrigue crossed their faces. After all, she was the first Water Tribesman they had ever seen. She glared at them defiantly. Through all the chaos and sounds of metal clashing against metal, a man strode forward in total calm.

The sight of him instantly struck unease into her bones. He was tall, and very, very powerful. Even through his thick robes and fluttering hooded cape, she could tell he was a warrior. The other men all stood aside for him. She hated him from the instant her blue eyes locked with his golden ones. It was plain to her that something dark dwelled within him. Though his spirit frightened her, she glared at him just as darkly.

"What's the meaning of this?" He asked, his hands locked behind his back, his voice calm. Mingan jerked against the man's grip and raised her chin defiantly.

The man holding her spoke. "I found her sneaking around the ships, Admiral Zhao."

So they were ships.

"I see." He eyed the little savage girl carefully. "Free her mouth. A scout for a war party, I'm sure," he concluded, walking closer to her. Zhao didn't really believe she was a scout, there was no way such a young girl could be of any threat. He just wanted to intimidate her, make her believe he would decimate her if need be. The man moved his hand from her mouth. She thought briefly about screaming for Zuko, but decided against it. She may get him in trouble. Zhao tilted his head and his jaw tightened in thought. "Pretty… too bad she's a savage," he said wistfully, lifting her chin with one finger. She snapped at him, her teeth clacking together when they met nothing but air. He drew his hand back sharply and gave her a hard, cold look. "Animal," he said in disgust. He turned his back to her and started to walk away.

"You're the animal," she hissed. Zhao stopped and looked over his shoulder, his shoulders and body soon following.

"So, she speaks. How interesting, and here I thought they would talk in nothing but grunts," he smirked.

Mingan's fear melted in the burning anger in the pit of her stomach. She glared at him. "And I thought you would be a little more accepting of an ambassador of the Water Tribe," she snapped back. "I thought your people civilized until I saw the slaughter just outside your camp," she growled.

"How dare you. You stand there in animal skins and call us uncivilized." Zhao said sharply. Ah, so she had struck a nerve.

She smirked. "At least I don't mutilate the bodies of the creatures that provide for me, unlike your savage people."

An audible growl rumbled in the Admiral's chest. He got close to her face, almost having to bend at the waist to reach her. "You will hold your tongue, girl."

"Make me." She challenged.

He looked like he was going to strike her, but straightened up instead. "I am not ashamed of my deeds. They were just animals," he said, completely ignoring her challenge.

"You say these things because you know you are wrong," Mingan said calmly. He gave her a cold look and turned on his heel, stepping away from her as if she were unworthy of his attention. "You would turn your back in defeat, Admiral? Coward," she hissed coolly. Zhao moved so quickly she did not even know he had backhanded her until he pulled his hand back, preparing to strike her again. She spit blood onto the snow, glaring back at him, daring him to do it again.

"You will not touch her, Admiral!" Someone yelled angrily.

Mingan looked over Zhao's shoulder and saw Zuko striding towards them, anger clear in his steps. He didn't have his armor on, only a thick cloak, and he still managed to look like force to be dealt with. The angry man with the sideburns spun around to face his Prince. "And what right do you have over her? I command this mission. And as I am in full right to do, I could have her throat slit." He turned back to her and growled lowly, "And oh, am I considering it."

"You will do no such thing," Zuko said in a dangerously even voice.

Zhao's voice was slimy. "Why not Prince Zuko?"

"Because I am the Prince of the Fire Nation and I am allowed all the spoils of this expedition." He paused and gave her a long look. "And she is a very fine spoil."

"What!?" Mingan yelped, feeling she had been smacked again. So it was all a ploy -their blooming friendship- to get her to trust him so he could have her in his clutches?

Zhao was not pleased with being reprimanded by the brat of a Prince. Now he would have to apologize for striking his slave girl. "I apologize Prince Zuko. I was unaware you wanted to claim her."

"I belong to no one!" Mingan cried, throwing her body against the man's grip.

"Quiet, Savage!" Zuko snapped just before turning to face his men.

"You backstabbing coward!" She cried, struggling to get free so she could finish what she started on the snow three months ago.

Zuko shot her a glare over his shoulder before speaking to three of his men coolly. "Have her sent to my tent." He turned on his heel and left.

It took them a while, longer than it should have, but eventually Mingan found herself, bound, gagged and sitting on the floor of a lavish tent. The floors were carpeted with a strange material similar to short animal fur. It was warm inside, sending sweat dripping down her spine. And everything was red. She quickly decided she hated the color. They had left her in the tent all alone after ripping her bow from her and finally tearing the strap to her quiver. They knew nothing of the dagger made of a single walrus tusk hidden along the underside of her arm. It was the sharpest tool she owned, even sharper than the flint tips of her arrows that she meticulously sharpened. She tested the bonds around her wrists. She would get out of here. If she could just get one hand free and get to the dagger. She would cut the bonds around her ankles and make it out of this La-forsaken place in one piece. She searched the room for anything sharp she could cut the ties on her wrists with. She craned her neck, struggling to see the top of the desk along one side of the tent. She was quickly becoming furious. Well, if she couldn't find something, then she would destroy this tent until she did.

When Zhao entered the tent an hour later, he found the savage girl in one corner, panting, covered in sweat and everything else on its side. She had torn down the flags, rumpled the carpets, overturned chairs and the low tea table. The poor tea set that sat atop the table was now in pieces all over the floor. He couldn't help the low rumble of laughter that escaped him. My, this girl was tenacious. He was angry that she had destroyed Fire Nation property, even if it wasn't his, and that she had insulted him in front of his men, but he was smiling as he approached her. He reached down and snagged the collar of her coat, wrenching her up to his face. "I see you've made yourself a little nest in here, Harpy," he grinned, pulling the gag from her mouth. The girl with feathers in her hair reached up to bite him but he boxed her back with enough force to snap her head backwards. Instead of crying like he thought she would, like any other woman would, this audacious girl looked him right in the eye and spit in his face. Zhao roared furiously and wiped the saliva from his face, rearing back and striking the filthy girl he still held in one fist. Blood was dripping from her bottom lip, painting her chin red. Her hair was mussed, a line of blood trickling down her temple from her eyebrow and her teeth were bared in a feral smile.

"Is that all you've got, Zhao?" She grinned. She'd received worse from accidental rough-housing with the group of young warriors in her village.

"Care to find out, Heathen?" He threated drawing his fist back. If it weren't for that bratty prince claiming ownership over this wild girl, he would beat her to a bloody pulp. Luckily, she stayed quiet to his challenge but never moved her eyes away from his. The Admiral had never seen blue eyes before and he found them enticing, almost as much as the dark skin that surrounded them. Though, nothing was more enticing about this girl than her face and the lithe body that was sure to be under all those confounded furs. Oh, if Zuko had only arrived a few seconds later, then he would have had this girl as a spoil. "Now, you will tell me where the oil is. My men have been out in this barren wasteland for months and we haven't found a speck of it. Where is it!?" He roared.

"We don't have any. There's none here, Admiral Zhao." She responded coolly, hoping to get under his skin even more. There was something about this man that made her want to destroy him like the rogue polar-bear dog he was.

He gave her a hard shake, fury flooding his blood. He had not come all this way and suffered in this cold for nothing. "Lies! Where are you hiding it!?"

"We aren't hiding anything, you insufferable brute! We have no need for oil! We don't even know what it is!"

"Fine," Zhao growled, throwing her back down. He left without another word.

Mingan was left to her own devices for the next few hours and exhausted herself in the process. She wasn't sure how she was going to get out this place but she knew she needed to gather her thoughts and regain her strength first. She had just finished squirming one foot out of the rope around her ankles when Zuko came into the tent in a flurry of motion. "Get up," he demanded, hoisting her to her feet. He drew a blade from his waist band in one smooth motion. Mingan struggled against him but he cut the rope around her wrists instead. "We have to get you out of here. You have to run as fast as you can when we get outside of this tent, you understand?" His words were hurried and low. She studied his face, a scowl on hers. This man had betrayed her. Zuko saw the contempt on her face. "If you had just stayed away like I told you!" He hissed. Mingan refused to grace him with another word. The young man hung his head in defeat. He reached a hand up to touch her split lip. "I'm so sorry, Mingan. None of this was meant to happen." She glared at him, trying to figure out if she could forgive him. He had called her names, treated her like property but maybe he hadn't meant any of it. He started leading her out of the tent then. "You have to go, Zhao is-" he was cut off when they saw the former standing in the center of camp.

"We're leaving, boys. There's no oil here and I'm cold, just as much as the rest of you. Start breaking camp, we leave as soon as possible." He hopped off the crate he was standing on and spotted Zuko and Mingan. "Ah, Prince Zuko, glad to be going home?" He smiled, approaching his Prince.

"Yes, of course I am," he answered. "I see there's no point in trying to convince you to stay a little longer?" He would do anything in his power to delay their departure so he could get Mingan out of here.

"No, I don't think so. Your little savage said there's no oil here." Zuko shot her a look. "Care to join me for tea?" Zhao asked, motioning to a guard to remove Mingan from Zuko's grasp, helpfully. The man wrestled Mingan into his grasp, grunting when she kicked and punched at him. He eventually managed to lock his hands above her elbows, her back to his chest.

"I think we need to stay and explore some more. What if she's lying so her people can keep all the oil to themselves?" Zuko argued.

"I can't see what they would need it for. They have no machines to fuel. And they have no one to trade it to either. There's nothing here, Prince Zuko. I'm cold and homesick," he said with a slimy chuckle.

"What if I belay your orders then? I am in every right to do so," Zuko challenged.

"Good luck getting the men to agree. Perhaps dinner then, if not tea?" Zhao said, brushing the Prince off and changing subjects.

There was silence for a moment.

"Yes, that would be nice." Zuko answered, defeated.

"Have the girl taken to the prince's quarters in the ship," Zhao said to the guard flippantly. He turned to Zuko then, "Hopefully we can get off this iceberg by tomorrow morning."

Everything suddenly slammed into perspective for Mingan. If they got her on that ship she would never see her home again.

"No!" She cried, thrashing wildly. Zuko and Zhao turned, surprised at the outburst. Mingan pushed herself off the ground with her feet, throwing her meager body weight against the guard. He grunted and barley held himself upright at the surprise onslaught. She did it again and again. She rammed her feet down on the tops of his, yelping in pain when the arch of her feet met his metal boots. "No, no no!" She screamed. She threw herself against his arms, the sharp edge of the armor biting into her coat. She kicked and struggled wildly and when none of that seemed to work she threw her head back, hitting the man in the chin. It stunned him a little and his arms loosened. She took her chances and smashed her body against his arms.

She nearly shouted for joy when she went tumbling headfirst into the snow. She was free! If she could only get to her feet and hightail it out of here. She scrambled to her knees, pushing herself up with her hands. Her feet found a firm grasp on the snow. She had done it she was-! Something hard and heavy slammed into her side sending her flying, skidding across the unforgiving ice.

Her head hit hard, making her see spots of color. Her ears felt as though they had been filled with water. Everything was in slow motion, the guard that had tackled her untangled himself and reached down to snag her up. She barely noticed when he righted her on her feet. Her knees would not support her and she started to slip down but the soldier held her against his chest. There was a roaring hum in her hears and oh, she felt like she was going to be sick.

Through the haze she could make out a scarred man coming towards her, a man she had once been willing to call a friend. She forced her head up to look at him. "Traitor," she hissed. He had done nothing to help her escape. She spit in the snow at his feet. She was swiftly boxed in the ear by the solider.

"Do not disrespect your master, Savage, much less your Prince," the man scolded. She could see black creeping around the edge of her vision.

"I trusted you, you pathetic excuse for a man!" She bit out. The darkness had tunneled her vision now and she was well aware she was losing consciousness. She felt herself slip from one set of arms into another before she passed out.