Being a part of a greater cause made her see life from a different angle. Suddenly everything they did had meaning – they were more than just four friends having a good time. They were fighters, working side by side to make the world a better place.
Their superb bending skills, flawless teamwork and Zaheer's brilliant strategies made them soar through the ranks in a matter of months. There were no official ranks, that would contradict the whole concept of the Order, but Zaheer's daily conferences with Xai Bau and the gradually important missions that were assigned to them, indicated they were more than simple pawns.
Most of their missions so far haven't been very challenging; assassinate vicious governors or commanders, or secure some important item. It usually required a preliminary boring meeting with some old guy. Today, however, Zaheer promised them it's going to be special, that they were on the verge of the mission of a lifetime.
The meeting was held at a small room at their inn, and they were joined by a much younger man than average.
He was wearing blue travel cloths, a traditional Water Tribe hairdo and an overly satisfied expression.
"It's good to finally meet you in the physical world, Unalaq," Zaheer smiled as the two of them shook hands.
"A mission that important should be discussed with all four of you, in person," he turned to the others. "You must be Ghazan, P'li and Ming Hua. I must say, I've heard much of your powerful bending, but Zaheer failed to mention your beauty," he smiled at Ming Hua.
"How strange, I've heard nothing of your appearance or your bending," she commented dryly.
Ming Hua only had eyes for Ghazan; every other man seemed like a pathetic waste of her time. Unfortunately for her, she was so caught up in her feelings for him that there was no escaping it. It was a love doomed for failure – she's known him well enough by now to know he doesn't feel the same, but every time their eyes met or they shared a private late-night conversation made her stupidly happy.
"I'm about to become Chief of the Northern Water Tribe," he said in wonder, as if not knowing who he is was impossible.
"How does that work with aspiring for anarchy?" Ghazan commented.
She loved how he always knew exactly what to say.
"That is going to come in handy on what you're about to do," he scowled.
"Let's get right to it," Zaheer said. "Avatar Aang is dead, and somewhere in the Water Tribes his successor was born. It might take a few years, but eventually we'll figure his or her identity and location. Then we'll take the new Avatar to be raised by us, as one of our own."
"That's ridiculous," Ming Hua rolled her eyes. "We're not fit to be parents, especially Ghazan."
"Hey – okay, that's actually true. You're not really counting on us to raise a child, right? It's just stupid."
"Save the parenting to me. All you have to do is teach your respective element."
"With the Avatar raised by the Red Lotus, we could mold him in our hands like clay. I will use my knowledge and authority of the Water Tribes to assist you, and serve as a spiritual mentor," Unalaq persisted.
"Kidnapping the Avatar can't be that easy," P'li said in concern. She rarely disagreed with Zaheer, especially on everything Red-Lotus-related. This plan must truly be moronic and dangerous for her to object to it.
Their meeting didn't end as Unalaq and Zaheer had hoped. All three of them were still reluctant on the crazy idea of kidnapping the Avatar. When they eventually gave up on convincing them for the day, Unalaq tried his luck once more and asked Ming Hua for a drink.
She had every reason in the world to say no. He wasn't as handsome as Ghazan, and not nearly as funny or witty. They didn't have the same rare connection, where she can just look into his eyes and tell exactly what he's thinking. She hardly even knew anything about Unalaq except for him being crazy, overly-spiritual and boring.
In all these years, she's never even kissed a man before. They weren't exactly chasing her back at the Pole, and then she spent most of her time with her friends and eventually fell for Ghazan, losing interest in anyone else. Her love interest didn't share her lack of experience. She knew what he was doing in those nights where he disappeared into some town and came back the next morning. He'll never reciprocate her feelings, never kiss her, so why should she remain untouched?
Unalaq was nothing like Ghazan, but maybe it was a good thing. He had a dull personality, yet he knew how to touch her in a way that made her quiver with excitement, his body was broad-shouldered and muscular, and the night they spent together made her feel things she didn't even knew were possible. For a few sweet hours, the burden of her feelings has been lifted.