Author's Note: Considering how much effort it takes me to write these things, it's likely I'll be updating pretty recently.

That's good news for whoever's actually reading this, I suppose. For the rest of you...well, it wouldn't matter, seeing as you're not reading, wouldn't it? XP

Book I: Water—Chapter One: The Boy in the Iceburg—Part 2

Katara

When Aang told us that he was an airbender, I was too surprised to really think about what it might mean. But when we were riding on Appa—that's the name of his flying bison—back to the village, I realized that, as an airbender, he might have some idea where the Avatar is!

He told me that he didn't know the Avatar, but I can't help but feel he isn't telling me something. There has to be—he's the only connection I have to the legend, and I'm not giving up hope.

When we arrived back at the tribe, he was asleep. I decided not to wake him, and got Sokka to help me carry him to his tent. I had to promise him I wouldn't do any waterbending around him for a week, but I know he wouldn't have just left Aang out in the cold. Even if he is pig-headed, self-centered and a sexist, he's got a soft heart. He just doesn't get to show it all the time.

When I put Aang under the blankets, I got a good look at those weird arrow tattoos he has all over him and it made me think of something Gran Gran told me once, but I couldn't remember what it was. I'll ask her later.

Zuko

I'm not going to ask again.

Uncle has had me drilling his basic sequences for the past few days. It started out fine—I advanced through four sets in the same number of days—but at the fifth set, just when I thought I had it, Uncle insisted that I try again.

It took me two and a half days to master that set—or so my Uncle claimed. I had it! Ever muscle, every limb, every stance was perfect! But he kept telling me that my body didn't use the movement correctly.

How does he know anything about my body? I was the one feeling the burn of the muscles I used; as well as the discomfort of disuse that I didn't. He just sat there and played his games, drank his tea, ate whatever the cook gave him!

He doesn't understand. He doesn't seem to realize what I'm up against—the Avatar will have a century of training over me, as well as all four elements at his command. If I intend to capture him, I will need every skill I can aquire before we reach him, and my Uncle is the only one who can teach me.

That old man doesn't see his place in my plans—doesn't know how important it is that I capture the Avatar, or he would stop holding me back.

Sometimes I wonder if he is just here because Chef Goji is the ship's cook.

Sokka

The smell of fish stew cooking was almost more than I could stand.

Katara asked me to watch her boyfriend for her while she went and got everyone together so they could meet him. So, of course I was going to keep my post no matter what—that's what a warrior does. Even if my stomach felt like caving in.

I was sharpening my boomerang to take my mind off of food, but there is very little you can do to block out the smell of hot fish meat and yellow seaweed. Especially when it's been stewing for three days….

I wonder if Katara knows that stewing makes meat taste better? I mean, I know Gran Gran has told her before, but did she remember? She doesn't pay attention to stuff like that. I know she could remember if she just paid attention—she remembers all those stories and old legends that Gran Gran used to tell us when we were kids. There was a time when she could name off the name of every Avatar incarnation spanning back seven generations. Dad was really proud of her. She was just trying to show me up because I had finally learned how to throw a boomerang right, and Dad was paying more attention to me.

I wonder when Katara is ever going to grow out of this Avatar thing. I mean, she'd be great at cooking and sewing and other useful things if she only put her mind to it. Instead, she's off with that iceburg kid, probably playing with the penguins. She thinks I didn't see her sneak off with that fish.

Sometimes I wish Mom were still here. She'd know what to do about Katara. I mean, I know what's best for her, but she won't listen to me. She'd listen if Mom told her. Told her that she needs to work more on her woman's skills, stop coming on fishing trips with me, stop playing with magic, stop bringing in stray kids who come out of icebergs….

Aang

I've been in an iceberg for a hundred years?

I couldn't believe her at first, but she made a good point—I don't think a war with the Fire Nation could have been going on without me noticing. I've got friends in the Fire Nation!

Then again, maybe this is all some big misunderstanding. Like the monks telling me that I was the Avatar. Aren't they supposed to tell you that when you're 16? I'm only 12! They couldn't be right.

But then, how did I survive in the ice? Katara said she and her brother found me in that ball of ice. If I wasn't the Avatar, could I have done that?

The world is a really confusing place right now. Probably better to stick with just the South Pole—at least I know I've got a friend here.

AN: Does the time spacing in this thing bother anyone? I've just decided to choose different moments in time to take these snippets from. It's chronological, at least--right? But does anyone think I should make them so that they each reflect the thoughts of the characters after the episode is finished?