Hello Readers!
Sorry for such a long wait for this chapter but life happens!
Any who, here is chapter two!
Enjoy!
Blue eyes frantically glanced out into the snowy horizon where the sun began to set, it was getting dark and the tribe was running out of time, she was running out of time. Quickly Katara ushered a child into her family's hut, her waiting mother holding the young girl in her arms.
"Remember, keep candles unlit, and make as little noise as possible. I will try to make the thickest ice wall as I can." Katara instructs to the family, her eyes skimming through each member.
"Thank you Princess." The woman says sincerely.
A small smile graced her face before determination replaced it. Being the only waterbender meant she had to go to all the huts of the tribe and seal them before the full moon rises, before they awaken.
With a nod she steps out of the home and with a deep breath she gathers water from the tub of water placed just outside giving her easy access to water. Quickly she encases the home in ice, making it thick enough as an extra precaution, she never knew what kind of a mood the beasts would be in this full moon.
As much as she and her family despise it, it was the safest thing the council and her father, Chief Hakota could think of. It was only for the full moon. They could live with it, as long as it meant they could see another day.
With the final home encased Katara took a step back and examined the hut in front of her then to the the rest of the homes around her. She was met with silence, the entire tribe seemed abandoned, a place full of frozen hills. Chills ran down her body and it wasn't from the cold.
All too soon the sun grew lower and lower and the moon began to make it's appearance. She didn't have much time.
Turning she ran towards her home in the center of the tribe, the Chief's home. A grand hut large enough for several families to fit in, if they were allowed that is. Councilmen and family were the only ones able to go in as they please. It was forbidden for any of the other villagers to enter. The reasons for that, were still unknown to her.
Soon she was met with the front flap of the entrance of her home. Gathering water into her hands she entered in and sealed the door with ice.
Turning to the family room she sees her grandmother at the center of the hut, warm furs surrounding her keeping the older woman warm.
"Katara" She warmly greets, a soft smile on her face as her eyes met her granddaughters. The twinkle in her eye was gone though, it was always like this during the full moon, instead nervousness swirled in her soft blue eyes.
Katara sat next to her grandmother and held her wrinkled hand in her own. "Is Dad gone?" She asks the older woman.
"Yes, he left as the sun began to set." Kanna replies with a sigh. Katara couldn't help but let out one of her own. The night of the full moon was the longest nights for the women of the Southern Water Tribe.
The glow of the full moon filled the hut and not long after the sounds of howls filled the air. One distinct howl seemed louder than the rest. "Dad" Katara breathes out as she squeezed her grandmother's hand.
Her head began to pound and a soft growl escaped her mouth. Kanna held her granddaughter's hand and watched as her eyes swirled from gold to blue. A side effect from being born as the Chief's daughter, slight detection of the wolf but never shifting. It was truly worse than becoming the beast itself.
Katara laid her head on her grandmother's lap as she gazed out the open window of the hut, the moon's glow meeting her ever changing eyes, Kanna smoothed her thick hair away from her face, singing a gentle lullaby.
The sounds of growls and sniffing echoed around the tribe, they were here. Katara never really knows what goes on throughout the night, her father has told her of fights occuring or a simple pack runs around the outskirts of the tribe. She tries not to think about it.
As the night continues on she tries to not think of her brother and father changing into beasts and listens to the soft voice of her grandmother, her eyes slowly closing and she lets her dreams consume her.
That night for the first time, she dreamed of fire.
Zuko grumbled as he stepped over his sister's lounging form to secure the ropes of one of the sails. She had done nothing the entire trip except given him a headache. How she was able to convince him to let her come with him was beyond him. If he could even say she convinced him, more like told him.
"Why big brother, did you think I wouldn't join you on your little journey?" Azula says smirking at him, a bag on her back and black clothing on her body.
"No absolutely not, you're not coming Azula." Zuko says quietly as he walks past her. He did not need his baby sister coming along with him. They haven't done anything together since they were kids. Why would she want to come now?
She tsk'd and continued to follow him "As if you have a choice."
"Why do you want to come anyways?" He questions turning around to face her.
Her hard eyes soften slightly before crossing her arms with a glare "Look, I know you believe you're going to find this place, but you can't go alone. It's suicidal. And I'm not a complete monster, I can't let my brother die. Now lets go before the guards make their way back." She doesn't meet his eyes and walks past him silently.
Pinching the bridge of his nose Zuko sighs quietly and follows his sister out into the darkness of the night
Snapping out of his daze, Zuko glares at his sister who was currently basking on the deck of the ship. "Did you just come here to sunbathe or to actually help?" Zuko snaps out.
Azula's eyes never open "From what I can see Brother, you are doing very well on your own. I am merely here as company. To keep you from going crazy out here."
Zuko rolls his eyes "Sure it is."
The Fire Princess huffs and sits up "So where are we going anyways. It's not like we have a map of this place."
Zuko tosses the map to her "We're going to the Southern Air Temple first, the Avatar is currently settling some disputes there. We're going to talk to him."
"What for? Isn't like 100 years old?" She questions with a risen eyebrow.
"He's our best chance at finding out the truth about what happened that night, who better to tell us what angered the spirits than the bridge between our world and the spirit world."
"Sir, we have our ships ready to depart." Commander Zhao says with a bow approaching the Fire Nation General.
Flames from the fireplace danced as the light it emitted shined brightly onto the older man's face. A sinister smile stretches on his face.
Ozai waves a hand "Go, follow my children. If you find what I am looking for, bring it to me. Leave no survivors. Let's make sure the Southern Water Tribe stays hidden."
OOO what's Ozai planning?
And I'm sorry for such a short scene with Zuko and Azula but don't worry there will be more of them to come :)
This was one of my favorite chapters to write, I enjoyed the scene in the water tribe. There are a few things to explain but don't worry they will be revealed as the story goes on :D
Until next time dear readers!
