I keep my head low. It's all I can do. My head is killing me. My thoughts are hazy as I wander the streets of my former home. The sun is setting, but I don't care about curfew. I finally stumble across my house. Or should I say ashes? I stare out across the small shack that my Grandma and I called home. I feel a strange numbness overcoming me, and I don't resist. I shuffle through the ashes, and they scatter with each of my steps.

It all burned.

I realize, closing my eyes tightly. I am so stupid.

I crouch down, breathing heavily as the pain comes. Oh, Grandma… I am so sorry. If only I had been home before curfew. If only.

Get a hold of yourself, Vinca.

I scold myself, forcing myself to stand. I stagger slightly, the sudden movement of my foot sending up a pile of ashes. Something white peeks out from under them, and I slowly brush it off.

It's an ivory box. It's a gray color, but as I clean it, it gleams white. I stare at it. What's inside? I wonder, running my fingers over the top of the box, feeling it's smoothness. Intricate designs cover the crack where the opening is, and as I peer closer, I realize that the design is some symbol that looks strangely familiar. I just can't put my finger on it. I suddenly feel dizzy. I stumbled backwards, clutching the box in my hands. Thoughts rush through my mind, and I somehow end up back at the clearing, with Katara staring worriedly at me, Sokka asleep, and Aang and Toph speaking in hushed tones.. I once again ignored them, and curled up, wishing sleep upon me.

" She can't stay with us. "

" Sokka, you don't understand. She has to -"

" No. I'm sorry Aang, but it doesn't feel right. "

" Guys, stop arguing. "

" She's not coming. "

" Sokka, be reasonable. "

" She's mentally scarred. "

" No she's not! "

" Toph, back me up? "

" I don't know what to say. "

" Why can't she stay with us, Sokka? "

" Because! She's dangerous! "

" Don't be ridiculous. She's really nice. "

" So? "

" Let her come, Sokka! Vinca is about as mean as Appa. Which, isn't mean. "

" Appa is mean to me. "

"Sokka. "

" She's not coming. End of conversation. "

" Sokka - "

" No. "

I pretended to be asleep while I listened to Sokka and Aang's conversation. My back was to them, and as I listened, I stared at the grass underneath of me. Sokka was right. I didn't need to come with them. I was dangerous, apparently.

" She's awake, you know. " I recognized Toph's voice. I froze, blinking, mentally cursing Toph for saying so.

" Vinca? " Aang ventured, and I easily heard the concern in his voice. I reluctantly rolled over into a sitting position, rubbing my eyes. I looked at him, the boy who saved me, and felt gratitude and respect for him. I'll miss him.

" I'll leave. " I murmured, standing up and smoothing my mottled hair down the best I could. I clutched the ivory box protectively, turning around to leave.

" Wait! " Aang yelled, rushing forward, " Please, don't leave, Vinca. " He begged, his gray eyes searching mine. I met his gaze before looking quickly away. " Vinca. " He caught my hand, " Please don't. Sokka is just a monkey-head. " Aang told me, and I forced a smile.

" Vinca, don't leave. " This time, Katara spoke. She walked calmly over, shooting a glare at Sokka, " You're part of us now. " I felt my heart swell, and this time the smile was real.

" No. She's leaving. " Sokka growled, moving his hands angrily, " And that's that. "

" Sokka. It's not your decision. You are not the leader of the group. " Katara shot back, hands perched sassily on her hips, " So, quit acting like it. We'll take a group vote. " Sokka stuck his lip out in a pout, but obliged. " Whoever is in favor of Vinca staying, raise your hand. " Katara stated, and her hand went up, along with Aang's and Toph's, who sported a bored expression. Katara looked around. " The people have decided, Sokka. Vinca is staying with us. " She smirked.

Sokka huffed, crossing his arms in defeat. He glared at me before turning around, yelling angrily, " Fine, then! Let the criminal travel with us! See if I care! Blah! And where's your stupid flying bison, Aang? Let's get out of here! "

" Appa is not stupid, Sokka! " Aang countered, sticking his tongue out. " And, he's probably eating. "

" Like he needs food! "

" Sokka, calm down. " Katara sighed, running her fingers through her hair, " Would you rather walk to Ba Seing Se? " Sokka grumbled, " That's right. I didn't think so. "

Aang chuckled, taking an object out of his pocket. He blew feverishly into it. It appeared to be a whistle, but no sound came out of it. " APPA! " He shouted, before putting the whistle into his pocket. He caught me staring at it, and he explained, " It's a bison whistle. " He smiled, adding a shrug. " Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. " Apparently, it worked this time. A loud groan echoed from the trees, and I looked up. A large, flying bison soared down, landing with a loud thud. Aang laughed, running forward and petting Appa. " Hey, boy! " He exclaimed, and Appa responded with a slobber filled lick. I giggled.

" Thank the Spirits! " Sokka cried, walking over to Appa, " Let's get out of here. " He jumped up, an obvious attempt to saddle the bison, but missed by a long shot. He fell to the ground, and after a moments hesitation, tried again. He lay on the Appa, smiling with triumph.

Toph sighed, shuffling over, " And I was just getting used to being on good ol' land again. " She muttered, and Sokka helped hoist her up.

" Wait! We can not leave yet! " Aang stated, looking around, " Where's Momo? "

A flash of white appeared, and I shrieked as it landed on my shoulders. What the hell! The thing made little noises before flying over to Aang.

Everyone was laughing. I looked at them, confused, as how are they laughing when I was just attacked by a squirrel thing? " That's Momo. " Katara told me, regaining her breath, " He's a flying lemur bat. He's harmless. " She confirmed, and I relaxed, cracking a smile. Katara returned it, motioning for me to follow. We both, with much effort, settled down on Appa's saddle.

" Um, so we're going to Ba Seing Se? " I inquired, running my fingers subconsciously over the ivory box.

" Yep. " Aang told me, nodding, before he took Appa's reins. " Yip Yip! " I vaguely heard him say, and Appa was suddenly in the air. A rush of wind tasseled with my hair, and I breathed in the fresh air. It felt amazing. I closed my eyes, letting the wind flow through me, energy surfacing.

It didn't ask anymore questions. I glanced around. Sokka was fiddling with some sort of sword. Toph was just sitting there, complaining, while Katara was glancing over the edge.

I looked down at the box, curiosity flooding through me. I wanted to open it, but was scared of what I would see. Just open it. I voice inside me nagged me to open it, and I finally obliged. I slowly cracked it open, peering inside. I opened it further, revealing a lush red velvet interior. Inside sat a letter, and more things sat underneath of it. It was clear that I was to apparently read the letter first. The letter was in a slim, rather formal envelope.

It was addressed to me.

I hesitantly peeled it open, gently taking out the letter within. I slowly opened it, the smell of ink heavy.

Dear Vinca,

Trust them who trust you.

I squinted my eyes in confusion. What? Does this mean to trust Aang, Katara, and Toph? Well, Sokka didn't count, because he obviously doesn't trust me. My fingers ran over the corners of the letter, collection dust. It was then that at the bottom of the parchment, that I saw this :

You are unique. Learn.

Grandma.

I exhaled softly, rubbing my temples. Grandma. Leave it to her to leave me confused. Okay, is saying that I'm unique mean that I'm weird? Does unique mean that I'm an air bender? Yes, air bending is unique. But learn what? Air bending? That must be it. Who would teach me? I glanced at Aang. Maybe. But he seemed worried when he saw that I was an air bender. I felt a sudden tang of helplessness.

" What's that? " Sokka's voice made me jump from my thoughts, causing me to drop the letter. He snatched it, scanning the words before laughing out loud. " How weird. " Sokka threw the letter at me, and I caught it, looking down as I tucked it back into the ivory box.

" Sokka. " Katara shot him 'the look', which was a pair of icy blue eyes pentrating him with a glare. Sokka shrunk back, turning his whole body away from us. " Sorry about that. "

I shrugged, hugging the box close, " No, it's fine. "

Becuase it was weird. And I had a feeling that this was going to be one hell of a ride.