A/N: I've found some interesting songs for this chapter, I hope they match well with the scenes.

Of course one song is for my side story of Agni; you can listen to it while you read if you like. It's in Japanese though; the lyrics in the foreign language do flow nicer with the tune than the English lyrics. Either way, I'll be posting the English version as a composition for the tale.

I hope you enjoy it along with this chapter. Thank you all for reading.

Music Playing: Sakura no Uta…

Book 5 Water

Chapter 16 Prayer

The morning sun rose high over the open sky as the sight of the metal ship was seen cruising along the ocean's surface at full speed. The scene closed in along the top deck where a woman in was seen standing by the rail. Her hands gripped the railing bar as she lowered her head. "My daughter, you should rest. You've been up all night." Hakoda said with concern to the exhausted waterbender.

"I'm doing fine…I just need some fresh air for a while. I'll be returning to his side shortly." Katara said as she hid her wearily voice with a determined tone.

The chief leader of the Southern tribe closed his eyes and slightly turned his head away. He knew there was no sense in trying to change his daughter's mind. She held too much pride and in nature was compassionate. Just like her mother.

"I see you wish to be alone. I'll be in the captain's office if you need me." Hakoda said as he then left Katara and entered back into the ship.

Katara lifted her head as she saw the drifting waves below her and then the island up ahead full of lush green of tropical forests. The woman closed her eyes as she took a deep exhale of the salty air before turning and heading back into the ship.

Kuzon walked back into the palace, as the sight of frost was seen collected along his boots. The boy shuffled across the red carpet as he found his way to the main hall where he noticed the doorway leading to an office. Kuzon stepped in, as he saw the familiar man of his grand uncle.

Iroh turned and saw the boy. The general's welcoming smile soon dimmed when he saw the boy's unreadable expression.

"Iroh…Is there someone else here in the palace?" Kuzon asked unexpectedly as Iroh's right eyebrow arched up.

"Hmm, there was mention of a new staff of trainees coming in. But other than that, no I don't think there's anyone else. Did you see someone?" Iroh asked as he rubbed his beard for a moment before looking back at the boy.

Kuzon lowered his head before speaking, "She looked like a foreigner. She was wearing strange fur clothing and had a funny hair style." Kuzon said causing Iroh to give a serious look as he then asked Kuzon to come in and sit down.

The boy sat down on a cushioned chair while he remained indifferent in his tone of speech.

"Can you tell more about this girl?" Iroh asked as Kuzon narrowed his eyes trying to recall anything important.

"Well, her skin was dark and her eyes were the darkest shade of blue I've ever seen. Oh! She also had white paint on her face." Kuzon said remembering more about the strange girl as the boy continued his description.

"Her outfit reminded me of the stories mother used to tell me. How the people wore leather necklaces and feathers." Kuzon said as it caught Iroh's attention.

"Was there any design or icon on the girl's necklace?" Iroh asked as Kuzon blinked.

"Do you know her?" the boy asked slightly surprised that the old man knew something about the tiger outline. Iroh closed his eyes as he then inhaled deeply before standing up and walking over to a shelf where scrolls and papers were neatly stacked.

"The example of what you have told me so far, has given me a hunch about who she truly is." Iroh said as he pulled out a scroll from the small pile before continuing, "I have only heard a few accounts of this girl being seen." Iroh said as turned to the boy, "But not here in the Fire Nation." Iroh added as Kuzon's eyes slightly widened.

"W-What do you mean?" Kuzon asked as Iroh opened the scroll and spoke.

"She is not a human girl, but a spirit." Iroh said as he gazed down at the paper.

"She is the guardian of the first winter. Legend says she is a white tiger spirit that will often take the form of a native girl. It is said that only a few people can see her." Iroh said as he read the short scripture.

Kuzon blinked, "Why can't other people see her?" Kuzon asked as Iroh hummed out as he thought for a moment.

"I am not sure…Though, I am certain your mother knows the tale." Iroh said as he placed the paper down.

"Why would my mother know something like that?" Kuzon asked as Iroh glanced down at the boy.

He wondered if he should tell the child the truth. Of course the decree strictly stated that the children were to inform when they were older. Closing his eyes, Iroh thought it was best for Katara, herself to be the one to tell them. Even though he slipped a few words about the snow and where it might have came from. Iroh knew they couldn't actually understand the magnitude of another nation.

"Well, it is nothing to be concerned over." Iroh said as he rolled the scroll back up.

"Now go and join your sister and father for lunch. I am sure they must be waiting for you." Iroh said as Kuzon nodded his head and jumped off the chair.

As the boy headed to the door, Iroh spoke out in a stern tone. "Prince Kuzon." The old man said as the boy turned.

"Do not repeat this to your sister or anyone else. Do you understand?" Iroh said as Kuzon slowly nodded his head.

"Yes uncle." Kuzon said as he then left the room.

Iroh then sighed lightly as he looked over at the falling snow seen through the window.

The sight of a three forms came into view as the scene then focused on a sage bundle slowly catching flame as the guru lit the healing aromatic plant. The air seemed to be covered in a light fog as the thick scent of the smoldering herb surrounded the area.

The scene of the guru was seen as he sat in the outer circle of the lotus title near the left while Toph was seen sitting in the inner circle of the titled flower. Aang came into view in the center of the opening lotus. He sat in his normal position as he kept his eyes closed. Toph inhaled as she became nervous; they were preparing to take the first step in contacting the spirits.

Toph recalled what the old man told them, how difficult it will be in order to help save the lost souls.

Closing her eyes, the young woman regains her composure as she tried to keep still. The sound of the howling wind blew around the group as the distance ring of chimes echoed in the air.

In Toph's lap was the broken sepia glass she found the previous day when the spirits came to her. Pathik said it is an object that the spirits are drawn to. The old broken lamp is like a small torch in a dark tunnel for the lost souls. The guru said earlier, "It can help them reconnect to the world of the living."

Toph's small hand reached out and rubbed the polished glass in her lap as she tried to call forth the spirits.

Just as Toph started to think it wasn't going to work, then she felt quick vibrations scatter along the ground. The invisible foot steps entered around the mount where the group of the three living beings sat waiting for them.

Aang concentrated his energy towards the wind as his worried thoughts slowly altered into a peaceful state of serenity. Exhaling lightly, the young man took a deep inhaled as Toph then felt a warm wave wash over her. The experience was unexpectedly wonderful as the young woman closed her eyes again and sighed.

Suddenly a bright flashed caught the girl's sight as she gasped. Looking towards Aang she saw his tattooed arrows glowing a bright blue as she started too moved towards him.

"Stay where you are, you mustn't move from your position." Pathik said sternly as Toph then mumbled out.

"But…"

"He had entered into the spirit realm. We must not move nor move his body or he will not be able to return to this world." The guru said with a serious tone as Toph nodded her and comfortable returned to her sitting position.

As the young woman blinked for a moment, she spoke out asking how long it will take.

Pathik closed his eyes as he spoke in a calmer voice, "It will take as long as he is able to withstand the cosmos energies that hold him together. He must maintain total control unless something happens. Aang will be forced to return in as a last resort to save his own soul from being corrupted." The old man said as Toph thought about his statement.

"But what if it doesn't work? What if Aang can't come back…" Toph said with dread for the young man's safety.

"Then I will call forth the spirits to send him back." Pathik said as he kept his flute close by while he remained in a pensive state.

Toph then sighed as she narrowed her eyes, 'Aang…Please come back.' Toph thought as secretly prayed for him to be safe in the unknown world.

The scene then zoomed on the young man as his tattoos remained bright as the sight focused on Aang's closed eyes.

Opening his eyes, Aang found himself in a different area than the old ruins of the temple. Looking around, the young man realized he made it to the other realm. Taking a step forward, Aang noticed something unusually yet strangely familiar about this new world. It almost looked parallel to the large unearthly forest he encountered on the lion turtle's back during Sozin's Comet.

Continuing down an open path through the branches and lush mossy ground, Aang came across a clearing where the scenery drastically changed from a forest landscape to a colorful garden of sakura trees surrounded the area with lush green grass and peaking blue mountains covered on the top with visible white snow in the distance.

An unfelt breeze caused petals from the sakura blossoms to fall slowly to the ground as a bright unseen sun shone across the valley with rays of light. Aang took a moment to examine the beautiful realm. It appeared extraordinarily similar to the colorful garden from his previous trip in an unidentified spirit realm.

Walking further on into the wondrous garden, Aang then heard a voice singing.

Play: Sakura no Uta…

"When will the sakura flowers bloom? They bloom when they are in their mountain homes…When will the sakura flowers smell fragrant? When the four laughing children play…When will the sakura flowers dance? When the four singing children sleep…When will the sakura flowers wilt? When the four dead children ascend to heaven." A harmonious sweet voice sang as Aang found the person.

It was a woman dressed in a lavish kimono of different patterns and designs in layers of many kinds of robes; they were clothing for a royal princess. Her hair was ink black as it fell down her back and lay out over the pool of silk behind her. Her face turned to face the young man.

Aang then recognized the spirit beauty instantly as he gasped. "It's you…" Aang said as the woman slowly rose from her spot on the grassy mound underneath the sakura tree.

The woman's ethereal features and expression appeared almost enigmatic to Aang as he felt an uneasy silence from her.

Aang then blinked, wasn't this woman the hime he met during his journey trying to find Roku?

The scene then drifted back to the woman's face as she continued to stare at the young man.

Taking a step forth, the woman gave a weak smile as she tilted her head to the side. "You have returned…Why did you come back?" the woman asked as Aang lowered his head for a moment.

"I'm here…I'm here to save the lost souls." Aang said hesitant at first before affirming his reason as he lifted his head back up with a more confident stance.

The woman closed her eyes momentary before speaking in a low tone.

"You risk your life for lost souls?" the woman questioned as Aang was taken back by the woman's coldness.

"If it's possible to save them then of course I'll risk my life!" Aang said in a determined tone.

The woman gave a light smirk as she turned away from the Avatar. "Foolish boy…" the spirit said as Aang narrowed his eyes.

"well, I'm going to find them, help them pass over and save them." Aang said as he turned back from the woman.

"Why save someone who no longer has existence?" the woman said in a cold tone.

Aang's eyes widen slightly as he turned back to the woman. "What do you mean? They're souls! They were once people, people who had names, personalities! They were individuals who lived life and it was all taken away. Now they wander in a realm unable to reach paradise, unable to see their loved ones." Aang cried out before calming down in a low sad tone.

The woman laughed a wicked chuckle as she faced the boy. Aang's eyes then widen as his pupils contacted.

The once beautiful woman now had thick horns on top of her forehead and a sunken face with a rigid nose. Her once pale white skin turned into a ghostly gray and shiny black hair dulled in color. Almost demonic in appearance, the woman then smiled widely revealing sharp fangs.

"what-What happened to you?" Aang asked in shock as the woman took a step toward the young man.

The woman ignored the airbender's question as she then laughed out a wicked cry as Aang took a step back before running away from her.

The beautiful garden then slowly turned into a murky marshland with skulls seen replacing the limestone rocks that once dotted around area. The formerly elegant sakura trees then turned into thick pointy dead trees that arched like long finger nails. The inviting rays of bright sunlight dimmed into a green hue and darken the blue clear skies in a gray fog.

Grim voices were heard calling out horrid screams as Aang panted trying to escape the frightening realm.

Racing back to the forest, Aang hid behind the moss covered trees. Looking back Aang gasped to see the once beautiful garden come into sight again. Resting his head against the bark as he tried to catch his breath, Aang closed his eyes.

Turning back into the forest, Aang decided to venture else where; perhaps there was another trail.

Pushing through the branches Aang came across another clearing. Aang gasped as his eyes widen.

In front of him was an unbelievable sight as he felt to his knees in shock of what he saw.

Thank you for reading and please review! I also understand most of you probably want some Zutara and stuff. But I promise within the next few chapters Katara will return back to her family. As for Azula, Aang, and the Zutara kids…You'll just have to wait and see. Please review to find out!