So this chappy is quite a bit shorter than the first one, but don't worry tomorrow there will be more. i'm trying to keep posting daily, but it's getting difficult. So it's up to you guys who have to keep me motivated!

Chapter 2: Bad news

Sitting outside the palace, Kyra was waiting in agony for her best friend Mako. Earlier today he came to her house and dragged her towards the palace, while informing her on the way what he was planning on doing. She was ecstatic to hear that he wanted to stop their betrothal so she would be able to marry her true love Kanako.

Upon hearing that her father had already made arrangements with Mako's father, she pleaded him to change his mind but he wouldn't listen. All the girls are jealous of her because she gets to marry one of the best waterbenders in the north pole, but she could care less if her new betrothed could bend or not… he wasn't Kanako.

While busy fretting over the recent events, she didn't hear Mako coming up behind her. When he came outside, he forgot about Kyra waiting for him. Seeing her now made him nervous again, he had to tell her after all that he had failed to change the council's mind about their betrothal.

"Uh, Kyra?"

Knowing who's voice it was that was speaking to her, she turned around with an expectant look on her face. She didn't need to ask the question that was already formed in her eyes.

Knowing she will be disappointed by his news, he couldn't help looking at his feet when he informed her of their situation.

"I'm sorry Kyra…"

Seeing tears collecting at the corners of her eyes, and that brilliant smile falling off her face, he felt a huge wave of emotions crashing down on him. He couldn't stand seeing her so sad and still try and be strong, so he wrapped his arms around her so she could have a shoulder to cry out on.

Feeling Mako wrap his arms around her, she couldn't help but let her defenses crumble. She started to sob harder and harder in his chest. Mako himself started to feel his eyes water, hearing her cry the way she did. But he had to be strong for Kyra, make sure she would be alright.

After Kyra was cried out, she was exhausted. She told Mako that she should head home or her father would be angry at her. So he offered to walk her home but she told him that she needed to be alone for awhile. So with a sad expression, he let her go home by herself.

Looking at the position of the sun in the sky, he sprinted of to the training grounds for his waterbending lessons with master Pakku.

Arriving at the arena which was surrounded by rows of barrels filled with water, he saw that Pakku's lessons had already begun. He swore silently. Last time he was late, Pakku ordered him to clean up after class… alone. This meant he had to collect all the water that was scattered all over the arena, which could take hours because he wasn't allowed to do it with waterbending. When Pakku saw him he had a scowl on his face and called him forth.

"Late again, Mako. I'm beginning to think you're making a habit out of working on my nerves." Pakku said with as much authority as he was able to… which was a lot.

"I'm sorry sifu Pakku. I was being held up after my meeting with Chief Arnook." Mako said while going into a bowing position for his waterbending teacher.

"Hmmm, yes. Make sure it doesn't happen again. Don't expect any special treatment just because you're my best student." and with that unexpected compliment he walked past a shocked Mako and began where he left off yesterday.

"Today we're going to learn how…" Pakku noticed that Mako was still standing in the same position as before, so he turned around and addressed him with a smirk on his face "Mako, do you not feel like training today?"

Mako, who was still wrapping his mind around the compliment Pakku gave him about his waterbending, heard his sifu talking to him and after a moment processed the information. He quickly bowed and answered: "N…no sifu Pakku, I'm very eager to learn from u today."

"Well then get in line with your fellow students, sunlight is scarce you know" and with that he turned back around and waited for Mako to get in line.

Mako, not wasting any time, quickly took his place among the students and concentrated on Pakku's explanations about a couple of forms they would be learning today. Near the end of the lesson he heard Pakku say something about needing 2 of his students to do a demonstration in front of the most important families in the north pole, in honor of Princess Yue's 16th birthday. For Mako, this would be a great opportunity to change his sifu's opinion about him.

While everyone was hesitating to volunteer because there was a chance they would embarrass themselves and their master, should they screw up, Mako was quick to step forward.

"Master Pakku, it would be an honor if you would choose me to assist you during this presentation." he said while going into a bow.

Pakku, already expecting this from Mako, stepped forward until he was right in front of his student. He signaled for Mako to stand up so he could look the student in the eye (not so simple seeing that he was about 20 centimeters taller than his teacher), and he took his forearm in the customary water tribe way. "Are you willing to work hard on this with me for the following 3 days?"

"I will sifu."

"Then I will see you tomorrow at dawn, Mako"

"Of course, master Pakku."

After hearing Mako's confirmation, Pakku chose one other student and headed for the palace. Mako, feeling content, went back home to mentally prepare for the upcoming task.

AN: I also wanted to ask you guys what ships i should write for the remaining characters. You can send me a message but reviewing would make me much happier xd