Disclaimer: If I didn't make it, I can't take it.

Chapter 10: The South Pole

Kirana looked over Bree's saddle to see if she could see the South Pole yet. Nope. She sighed. Aira looked over at her. Aurora said, "Don't worry you'll see it soon." Kirana flashed her a glare without meaning.

The sun was starting to sink, Jo and Kirana where absorbing the last of the rays, when Aurora shouted, "There it is! The South Pole!" Kirana whipped her head around and looked out over the ocean. There rising not to far ahead rose the ice blue spires of a castle. White walls surrounded the perimeter of the city, and another wall the perimeter of the castle. Watch towers rose from the four points of the outside wall, and banners of blue with a symbol on it that Kirana could not quite make out, rose from the top of them.

"It's beautiful," said Kirana, not able to take her eyes off the Pole.

Aurora smiled, widely. "Yes, it is isn't it."

They landed in front of the nearest gate, dismounted, then Aira flew off again before anything could be said. "What's up with her," asked Kirana giving Aurora a suspicious look.

Aurora shrugged. "I can't really answer that. Aira just doesn't like it here." Kirana frowned, but before she could say anything a voice called. "Is that you Aurora?"

The three looked up to see battlements surrounding the top of the wall. Several men stood up there, masks over the lower half of their faces and warm looking parkas. Kirana shivered, then raised her body temperature a few degrees. "Yes. And this is the Avatar and her bodyguard Jo."

The men turned their heads to look at each other and then the gate opened. The three moved through it and cheers erupted from a crowd that had gathered to greet them. Kirana had no idea how word had spread so fast about her arrival, when she realized what the people were calling Aurora. "You're the princess?" Aurora smiled guiltily.

A tall mans approach stooped her from continuing. His hair was brown and slicked back so it hug over his shoulders, a straight nose, and icy blue eyes from under a bushy brow. "Welcome back my daughter." His voice was like the rumbling of a glacier.

Aurora smiled. "It's been to long." Jo and Kirana bowed as they were introduced.

"Avatar it is an honor to meet you. And you, her bodyguard. This is a pleasant surprise indeed. Please follow me." The King led them through the inner wall. Kirana saw that what she thought was the castle was actually a one-story building with a high ceiling and an open courtyard. The smell of food made Kirana's mouth water.

Kirana sat next to Aurora and Jo on her left. She had had to learn to use her right hand to do things in public, but now that she was the Avatar she would not hide it anymore. Though it did bring some unwelcome looks. Aurora was talking excitedly to her dad about her adventures, every now and then Kirana would hear something interesting, like the fact that Aurora had found a village of only Metalbneders by the Village of the Sea Wall. Though Kirana was mostly remembering how much she hated parties and politics. Jo rested a hand on her shoulder as if he could guess what she was thinking. "Just remember my birthday," he whispered so only she could hear.

Kirana smiled. Jo's birthday had been the same day she had defeated Zu Ling for the first time. On that night the citizens of the island had thrown a party, in honor of their victory, the Avatar, and Jo's birthday for he was her bodyguard. Kirana had gotten furious at Jo that night because he told the band and everyone else that he and Kirana would dance the Fire Waltz. In the Fire Nation the Fire Waltz was only danced by the married or betrothed. The dance called for extreme concentration and skill. The two dancers where at the mercy of the band/composer because they could set the tempo at any speed they chose. The dancers had to follow each others moves perfectly, Firebend and pay attention to the band. She and Jo had danced it beautifully, and had shared their first kiss in the woods while no one would miss them. She was pulled back to the present by Aurora yelling "Mom!"

The woman Aurora was hugging had her brown hair pulled back into a simple braid with beads woven into it. "Aurora, my daughter. I thank the Spirits for your safe journey home." Kirana and Jo rose and bowed to the Queen. "And don't think I forgot about you Avatar Kirana the second and Unzarin Warrior Jo. It is an honor to meet you." She bowed back.

Kirana and Jo looked at each other with surprised and confused looks. "How did you know we where coming and how do you know our name," Kirana asked suspiciously as the Queen sat between the King and Aurora.

The King laughed. "The Water Sages told us," he said. Kirana narrowed her eyes at the word Sages.

"That plus Aurora sent me a letter explaining her extended absence," the Queen said, taking a bite of soup. Kirana nodded; she could understand that. "I was late because I was speaking to the Waterbending Masters on your behalf. They will be pleased to see and teach you. They will teach you when ready."

Kirana bowed her head and said, "Thank you your majesty. I think I shall be ready by the day after tomorrow. I would like to see more of the city so I don't loose my way."

"I would love to guide you," Aurora said happily. The King and Queen smiled as Kirana said she would be pleased.

"If you don't mind I would like to rest." Kirana glanced at Jo as she said that. He could eat like a starving komodo rhino.

"But you've hardly eaten," said the King in surprise.

It was Kirana's turned to laugh. "Trust me, I ate more than you think." She had too. The soup and meat was sooo good she had eaten two servings of each.

Jo asked to be excused and they where lead away to rooms that where next together. They kissed good night and went to their separate rooms. Kirana knew that tomorrow she would have to tell her story.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The next day Kirana woke up well rested. She stretched, arching her back and reaching up with her arms. She looked around the room to see a parka, split skirt dress and pants laying on the chair by her bead. Someone must of brought it in while I was asleep, thought Kirana getting up. She quickly changed into the parka and brushed and braided her long hair.

She moved the flap that kept the cold out and stepped onto the porch. The sun shone brightly, nearly blinding her as it glittered of the snow and water. She stood there blinking when someone rested a hand on her shoulder. She grabbed that hand, immediately going into combat mode, spun around and brought her foot in around in a kick.

"Jo," she yelled in surprise. The warrior gave her a wicked grin. She knew now why she hadn't recognized him. He too was dressed as one of the Water Tribe. For a moment they stood together enjoying the rising sun. Kirana looked up at Jo and saw something in his eyes, something he was trying and not trying to hide.

"Is there something you want to tell me," she asked quietly, resting a gloved hand on his face.

He turned his head so he was facing her. The hand on her shoulder tightened and Jo's body stiffened. The conflict in his eyes showed that he was fighting his emotions. "No."

Kirana narrowed her eyes but did not harden them. "I will not push you Jo," she said, "but I want you to realize that I will not judge you." She turned away from him to greet Aurora who had just arrived. "I see that being home does you good, Princess Aurora," Kirana said bowing.

Aurora smiled. "Yes it does. But you don't need to be so formal, it makes me itch." Kirana laughed. "Is Jo going to come with us or stand there confused," she asked in a semi-loud voice.

Kirana shrugged. "He can do as he wants. I don't think I need a bodyguard in the South Pole, seeing as I know the princess." It was Aurora's turn to laugh as she lead Kirana away form the steps to the river.

"Lets see," said Aurora. "We could either go to the shrine, wonder around, or go to the training arena."

Kirana thought for a moment. "Lets wonder around then go to the arena for lunch." Aurora smiled and stated a tutorial about her village. How long it took to make it; how the palace was constructed; defending protocol; and the names of the citizens. By noon they had almost covered the whole city. Aurora stopped by one of the many apartments and came out with a basket.

"Come on," she said. "The masters can't wait to see you."

The training arena was near the palace wall. It also had a wall but with an ever open gate. Sounds of moving water reached them as they started up the ice-blue steeps that lead to the arena. Five rows, each four people deep, where spread out on the snow. A stream ran through the entire arena and fell in a waterfall where it started and where it fell of the steeps (actually right next to them). Four Waterbending Masters stood at different points instructing their students. "Hi everyone," Aurora called as they came walking towards them.

A great cheer rose from the students and the masters smiled. Aurora handed Kirana the basket just as she was surrounded by most of the students. A few of them, mostly guys, stood off to the side. Kirana smiled, she was sure that Aurora had beaten them a lot and they weren't to exited about the princess being home. "Hey, you guys! Don't just stand there like you don't care the Princess is home. Just because she beats you is no reason to sulk. I beat my bodyguard all the time when it comes to bending." Several people, including the masters and Aurora, chuckled. The four boys had shocked expressions.

"Come on Kirana," Aurora said, pulling on her sleeve. "Lets eat."

They where halfway finished with their meal and the class was starting again when Jo joined them. He wordlessly picked up a bowl of soup and sat next to Kirana. He gave her a small smile and she knew he was getting back to normal.

Kirana kept her eyes on the class as ate, trying to learn all she could. As she watched she realized that the Waterbender's had become slack, their stances were weak. She shook her head, and stood up. One of the masters turned to her. "You have a question?"

"No. I have come to notice that your stances are weak."

The masters eye's narrowed. "Oh? Would you like to prove that?"

Kirana smiled, and pushed a student lightly in the back. He stumbled. "What's that supposed to prove?" asked a student. Kirana took her stance and said, "Push me." The student she had pushed pushed her. Kirana barley moved.

"I see your point. But if your stances is strong and unmovable, how do you block or dodge?" the master asked. Kirana smiled.

"A strong stance is a stance in which you can't be nocked over by one blow but you can move easily to block or dodge."

Jo stood up. "It's true."

"I didn't ask you.." the master was cut off as Kirana leapt at him. She stopped and inch from his face.

"Don't insult my Unzarin bodyguard," she growled. The man gulped and backed down. "Now," she said stepping back, "if you like I could demonstrate how a good stance can save your life."

The masters said, all at once, "By all means."

Izu looked through his telescope. The Avatar was a magnificent fighter. Her stance was perfect and… he raised his eyebrow in surprise. She was also extremely flexible. She had just dodged a waterwhip by bending over backwards and going into a back flip. He shook his head. No wonder Jo liked her so much. He continued to watch, but not just the Avatar, his brother too. For a moment Jo looked directly at him and Izu was sure that Jo knew he was there. But then he looked away, as if noting had happened. Izu smiled. If only Jo knew that soon Izu would soon be taking his place.