Loving the love! Just for that, here's chapter 2! :D
"Miyuki, Kilala! Time to eat!"
This was her life. After escaping the Fire Nation she originally wanted to head straight to the Northern Water tribe but since she had a feeling that would be the first place Ozai would think to look she headed straight for the Earth Kingdom. At first she worked in a farmer's market and helped sell cabbages in Omashu. Then later on, she got to meet King Bumi and his eccentric way of thinking. He knew she was a bi-bender, knew who she was, and still let her hide in his kingdom. After feeling like she stayed to long she began to travel again with Kilala with a canteen and small knife given to her by Bumi.
She was being hunted down by Fire Nation Special Forces. There was no word of her disappearance so there was no wanted ads on her but she had to fight off the Forces every now and again that tried to capture her so she began to avoid villages and stayed in the woods until the Forces backed off.
Sometime after this she stayed in Gaipan, a settlement by a river but she began to felt creped out because of the group of people that were in the woods. Kagome got to meet some so called freedom fighter after saving Kilala and two turtle ducks from a trap. His aura was so muddled and ferocious that she felt uncomfortable near him (even though The Duke was the cutest little kid ever!).
Finally she made it to Taku where she met the herbalist. Well, since she never told Kagome her name she just called her Midori-sama. Midori-sama taught her many things about herbs and each of its properties. She was usually forced to do the gardening but she didn't mind anymore. Now she would bend the water from the weeds instead of picking them all day in the sun. She would cook dinner and keep the dried herbs maintained.
Every day she would think about Zuko. She had heard word that the Avatar was in fact alive and well, so at least he wasn't chasing a ghost. She did wonder about his health and how uncle was going as well. She even began to think about Azula as well and hoped the Fire Lord did not treat the young princess worse than before.
She wanted to stay there since the place was deserted but somehow something told her to keep moving and not to settle. With her mind made up she was going to tell Midori-sama her plans after dinner.
As the two ladies and the two cats ate their food, Midori-sama slid a large package to the smaller girl. Eyebrows raised, she accepted.
"I knew you wouldn't be here long like my students long before you. You are a complex child and destined for many things. However, you cannot reside her much longer. You need to train your water prowess. Inside this package is a brooch that will alter your physical appearance as long as it touches you. This way, you can train without worrying about the Fire Nation coming after you. This is a treasure given to me from long ago, so I expect it back. Also, there is a coat, some boots, and some food that will keep Kilala from getting too weak from the cold. Night temperatures in the North can drop to about -9 degrees."
Kagome jumped up from the table and hugged the elderly lady tight. She would miss her and her strange ways. Now, she could freely train her water powers.
"First, we need to come up with a story and a new name for you."
When Midori-sama told her that her appearance would change she wasn't expecting to be changed into a boy, but now she understood the name change. Kagome put the brooch on the inside of her breast bindings when she was still a distance away from the Northern Water tribe. She didn't feel different, and before she could inspect herself, she was attacked and completely surrounded.
"You! Boy! What are you doing in these waters?" Wait, boy?
Kagome looked over the boat and saw just that. In the reflection was a much tanner version of herself. Her face looked much more masculine.
"Thousand pardons." Kagome flinched at the sound of her own, well his own voice. It was deeper and so foreign. She was going to have to get used to this.
"My name is Bao. I am traveling from the Earth Kingdom after I discovered my ability to use water. Please, I would like to seek an audience with your chief. I seek instruction for my newly acquired powers to avoid causing harm." 'Oh I hope they buy this story.'
"Show me." An older man in one boat commanded.
Standing up, Kagome raised her arms and created a large wave, putting the other benders on edge. Just as the wave was getting ready to crash down on them all, Kagome extended her arms in a hard thrust turning the large wave in to falling snow.
"Impressive."
Now she understood my her appearance was that of a boy. If she came as a female she wouldn't have been trained to fight. Kagome spent two month in private training with the great Master Pakku. Although she desperately wanted to learn about the healing techniques she could do with her water, she focused more on her fighting. Although Pakku got on her last damn nerves with the way he spoke to her, there was no denying the man knew what he was doing. Anytime she let her anger get the best of her she could feel her Fire rise and would always falter in her attacks.
The constant training helped her stay focused and to keep her reiki and chi in balance.
At night, with permission, she was able to visit the spirit oasis to meditate and practice under the watchful moon. She would watch Tui and La dance with each other, always reminding her of the first key to water bending. Kilala would join her during these visits and nap as this was the warmest area of the entire tribe.
She only got to meet the princess once, and tried to avoid her at all cost. It almost felt like she knew that Kagome was really a girl.
Pakku had never seen such a talented water bender since himself. The dedication, the focus, and the overall desire to master one's self was strong in his young pupil. The talented boy was truly a treasure and major pleasure to teach.
It wasn't long until Kagome felt a pull in her sprit telling her it was time to move on once again. Before her departure, Pakku gave her a small ice blue vial on a silver chain.
"This, contains water from the Oasis. Use this only when you feel the time is right. It was interesting teaching someone who didn't slack off. You will do well." The old man told her slapping her hard on the back with a smirk.
"Where will you head next?"
Kagome honestly didn't know where she would go after this. In the end she decided to head back to Taku and return the brooch to Midori-sama.
Kagome was almost back to the herbalist when she heard something groan.
"What in the world was that?"
Curious, Kagome headed towards one of the many abandoned buildings and found a large fluffy creature with two people laying on it. Approaching the two resting people, the beast turned to look at her.
"Hey there big guy. I'm not going to hurt your friends. I just want to see if they are okay." She said with her hands held up. Kilala walked over to the flying lemur and mewed. Kagome watched as the two seemed to converse before the lemur flew on its head.
"What kind of creature are you?" Kagome wondered reaching her hand out to touch he massive nose. Almost amused by her curiosity, Appa licked her, covering her in spit.
"Oh so gross!" Kagome cried. That when one of the people began to cough. Walking over to the two bundles. Kagome locked eyes with a blurry eyes female. Her skin was that of a water tribe member, and her eyes were a pretty shade of blue. "Hello there."
Kagome opened her canteen and helped the girl drink. Wary at first, Katara didn't dink but she felt she could trust the girl and began to drink.
"My name is Kagome. You two are very sick so I am going to help you. When you feel better, I hope to learn your name too." She finished with a smile and got right to work making a brew. Heading to Midori, the two exchanged greeting, Kagome returned to brooch and told her what was going on.
"Oh! A few hours ago a young boy was hear looking for a cure for his friends. I sent him to go get some frozen wood frogs."
"Why didn't you just make him a potion?"
"I was busy getting Miyuki's dinner ready. Can't do two things at once you know." Kagome looked at the elderly woman blankly before shaking her head.
She began to collect some herbs she needed for the potion and headed back.
When she finished she helped the two drink the potion which sent them right to sleep. Deciding to stay there and watch over the two she laid in between the two and fell right asleep.
The next morning, Kagome could feel someone staring at her. Opening her eyes she saw the female staring at her.
"My name is Katara. Thank you." Her voice was still raspy but Kagome could hear the sincerity in her words.
"It's not a problem Katara. By any chance are you a water bender?"
"Not really. I mean, I am but I am untrained."
"Ah. You are from the south then." Kagome rationalized. Katara nodded. She almost didn't understand the feeling she got from this girl. Normally she wouldn't be this open with anyone new they met. She wasn't even this open with Haru until she learned his story.
Something in her was telling she could trust this girl.
Before she could ask another question Aang appeared and stuck a frog in Sokkas' mouth.
"Hey Aang! Did you make any new friends?" Sokka asked sucking hard on the frozen amphibian.
"No," he said laying down. "I don't think I did." He was about to close his eyes to sleep when he realized there was an extra person in the group. Jumping back up and grabbing his staff, he got ready to confront the stranger when he froze.
Those eyes, the hair color, and skin tone. She looked like…
"Miss Kikyo?" Aang asked confused.
"No. She was my great, great aunt. My name is Kagome. It is nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too Kagome."
"I was curious, how did you know my aunt?"
"Oh, she was one of my teacher when I visited the Fire nation. I'm the Avatar." Kagome felt something in her fall but kept her composure.
"Then I am honored to be in your presence. Your cloak looks a little singed though." She pointed out
"Oh that? Yeah, almost got fried by an angry prince and another crazy guy." Kagome's eyes widened. Zuko. It had to be him.
"Would it be too much to ask if I can travel with you? I'm pretty much a wanderer right now."
"Sure! The more the merrier."
Traveling with the group was fun. Kagome made a lovely addition to group. Since she shared Aang's diet, Aang didn't have to worry about eating only berries while his friends feasted on fish and other meats. She loved sparring with Sokka in her free time and listening to Katara's tales. The group felt like Kagome was hiding something from them, but decided to let her decide when she wanted to tell them her tale and not force it.
After their adventures in the village of Makapu, Kagome seemed to be a little bit more distant. Kagome knew they were worried about her, but her fortune made her worried.
Aunt Wu was even afraid to reveal her future.
'You my dear, are an enigma to the fates. You carry a power in you that cannot be used against your current enemies but will be needed in the future. The balance between your powers need to remain strong and harmonious. Do not hide your true self from your friends for much longer or the trust between you will suffer. If you can conquer your fears than I am sure you will prosper in the future.'
She didn't want to lie to her friends any longer than she had to. So when they made camp near a water tribe boat. She told and showed them her story, leaving out her water bending training to avoid Katara and her eagerness. She didn't want to miss teach the budding bender and wanted her to seek proper training with master Pakku.
At first, Katara and Sokka were upset but quickly got over it. Aang was surprised at the color of her fire and her use of reiki and told her that they were now truly friends with no secrets between them. This made her happy.
After meeting Bato, Kagome watched in silence as Katara and Sokka unintentionally left Aang and herself out but understood. If she was able to spend some time with Iroh and Zuko she would do the same…well, from what she has heard from Katara and them, Zuko was more hot tempered than when they were younger, and might not even remember her.
When the Aang left, she followed to tell him they weren't going to leave him when she saw him hid a map the messenger gave him.
"Aang. You know, I was afraid to reveal myself to you guys in fear that you would hate me. Would hate the fact that I was raised in the fire nation, was a fire bender, and trained under your enemy. I didn't want to break that trust we had by lying to you much longer either. I am not going to tell you what to do but don't do this. Don't hide information about their father from them." And she left him.
The next morning Kagome watched from the sidelines as Aang and the others participated in "ice" dodging. She felt that she was introducing on a time that would bring the three together. When they passed, Kagome could tell Aang told the truth from the looks on Katara and Sokka's faces. The disappointment on Katara's and the anger on Sokka's was obvious. The two left with Bato. Aang and Kagome prepared to leave when Mother Superior warned them of Zuko's approach.
Aang told Kagome to go ahead of him so she could avoid detection.
Every step away from Aang she took the heavier her heart felt and the angrier she felt. She felt like a coward. She wanted to stay with Aang and fight, but the fear of being back in Zuko's presence made her hesitant. It wasn't until she caught the glimpse of Katara and Sokka being carried away by a woman on a shirshu did she make her final decision.
The fight between Zuko and Aang was neck and neck but Kagome knew she had to step in. just as Aang dove in to the well to avoid Zuko she blasted him away with her fire. Angry at being interrupted, Zuko turned and froze. This girl, he had not seen before in this group. She look familiar to him. Not dwelling on that matter, her attack. Kagome tried to avoid using her fire this time.
Attacking from behind was fine. He could not see the color, and from the looks of it, he didn't remember her. If she could keep it that way, it would be best.
"Kagome." She turned to see Iroh looking right at her. The fight paused just as Zuko grabbed her arms. "So, this is your girlfriend? Aren't you a lady killer?" June said, resuming her fight with Appa. Zuko, was in a sense surprised.
"Kagome?" saying her name after two years, he was hit by the memories he blocked of his past life. Letting her go, Kagome turned and face him. She cringed at the hideous ponytail he know wore but understood its purpose. The burn still prevalent on his face and his pale skin was the same. But the anger, the fear, and the hope in his eyes startled her. The tired bags under his eyes and the overall exhausted feel to his aura made her want to hug him.
"It's been so long. I missed you." She whispered.
He was still in shock. How could he not recognize his best friend? It has only been two years since they seen each other. She still had those same unknown shade of blue eyes, same ivory skin tone. Her hair was longer and she was starting to lose her chubby checks. Overall, it was her.
He took a step towards her but was blasted away by Aang.
Katara used that moment to bend the spilled perfume to confuse the shirshu and in its confusion paralyzed Zuko and June.
Kagome moved over to Aang and prepared to leave. She looked back at Zuko who was looking back her and smiled a little smile.
Now that she revealed herself to him, it was almost all downhill from here because no matter of her past, she could not let him capture Aang.
But it still broke her heart knowing that she was prolonging his suffering.
Alright my loves 6 pages! This is another quickly to set where this story is taking place so coming up is the Siege of North. So excited to write that. Also again, here is some clarifications to avoid angry and mean reviews/pms.
Bao in Chinese is a girl's name that means precious treasure, bundle or package. I used this name because of the character Bao from King of Fighters who was a boy.
I didn't want Kagome and Yue really interacting to much
No, Kagome wouldn't know what a flying bison is, or who exactly Aang was. She only knew, just as other people, that the Avatar was an air bender. Not his actual appearance.
I based the distance in ages by my own families. My grandmother is 78 years old. Her mother would have been 108 because she had my grandmother when she was 30. Her sister is 22 years older than her putting her at 130 years old. *there is a gap between siblings i.e. my sis is 16 years older than me etc.' so with that said. Kikyo would have been 30 when she met 12 year old Aang and taught him before being frozen for 100 years.
I love the herbalist. She was my favorite character next to the cabbage man.
I'm not going to cover every single episode if you haven't notice. I will briefly talk about the adventure before moving into the episode I want to really write about.
Kagome's fortune. Reiki is used to purify demons and malicious spirits which is not needed in that time period.
Wanted to include Jet, but I figure I'd let him be introduced more when we get to Ba Sing Se.
Hope you liked the update!