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Book I: Water

Chapter VI: The Northern Water Tribe

Somewhere near the Northern Water Tribe

Aleutian dictionary

Ja'une kan- "I greet you in honor."

ohuna- family

nakka- brother

kaina- traitor

The trip to the Southern Air Temple wasn't that long. It only took a few hours.

Kuzon looked out and over the land.

The others seemed to be waking up.

Kuzon then looked through his telescope.

Out in the distance, he saw a city made of ice and brick with what looked like a set of fortified ice walls around it. There seemed to be a Water Tribe insignia in the middle of the walls. "I think we found the Northern Water Tribe guys."

Katara blinked as she began to wake up. "We're here?"

Kuzon gave her a nod and handed her the telescope. "See for yourself."

Katara graciously took it from him and looked out. Noticing the Water Tribe insignia, she exclaimed in shock. 'We're here!"

Sokka just nodded. "We'll have to go down. How do we get Ranna to go down?"

Kuzon turned to him. "Simple." He then reached out with a right hand patting Ranna on the forehead. "Kiyo'shi!"

The dragon, understanding his meaning, flew around in a circle for a bit before gently laying down in the snow covered ground. The dragon curled up into a circle letting out an exhausted snarl.

The three then got off the dragon's back.

Katara then asked the question on her mind. "Kuzon. What does 'Kiyo'shi mean?"

The firebender then turned to her with a nod. "It's ancient Farese. It means to go down. Farese is my people's ancient tongue. I learned it growing up."

Katara nodded, offering a small smile. "Fascinating. I have to say I wasn't expecting that. I never knew that Fire Nationals had their own language. I wonder what else I'll learn in time about your people."

Kuzon turned to her with widened eyes but nodded. He felt himself blush. "Only time will tell." He then turned to Ranna.

The dragon uncoiled itself and flew towards him nuzzling his face. Kuzon laughed. "I'd like for you to come with me too Ranna but if the guards see a dragon approaching…they are probably going to freak."

The dragon whimpered.

Kuzon half-grinned, "No. That doesn't mean I'm leaving you out here." He then looked around and searched into one of the rucksack pockets, pulling out an unlit torch.

Sokka stared at him. "What are you planning?"

Kuzon turned to him. "We can't very well leave Ranna out here. We need to find a cave or something to hide her in" He then searched around until he saw an open cave in the distance. "There! Follow me!"

The others then followed him to the cave. As Sokka took a look in. He saw that the cave was wide..wide enough to hold a dragon. "You plan to fit Ranna in here? I don't think she's going to fit. She's huge."

Katara nodded. "I have to agree with my brother here Kuzon. How are you going to do this?"

Kuzon just shook his head. "Simple." He then turned to Ranna.

The female dragon met his eyes with a curious look.

Kuzon then pointed to the empty cave. "Ranna! Coil formation!" The dragon sprang to her feet rushed into the large cave, making sure to duck her head in. She then coiled herself into a dragon coil. Her slighted emerald eyes peered up at Kuzon, looking for his approval.

The firebender smiled and patted her head. "Good girl. I knew you could do it. I'm so proud."

The red dragon merely closed her eyes as he put a hand on her snout and let out an affectionate purr.

Katara smiled. She felt her heart go a flutter seeing the dragon so happy.

The other part of her heart enjoyed seeing her best friend so happy.

It seemed that he had quickly bonded with the dragon in their short time together.

Sokka crossed his arms studying the two. "He is really fond of he. I'm not sure why."

Katara nodded with a smile. "Me neither but I find it adorable."

Kuzon blinked and turned around. "My entire life…the Fire Nation has endeavored to take everything I ever cared about. My family. My innocence. Even my life." He then crossed his arms at them. "The way I see it…she is the last hope my people have of ever returning to our original purpose as firebenders. Sozin…used my people to start a war…a war that has left a trail of wanton destruction and carnage all over the Four Nations. Together…Ranna and I are going to take our homeland back. We are going to disband the Royal Family and lead the Fire Nation on a path of peace and reconciliation."

Katara smiled. "You sound…hopeful. I'm not used to that."

Kuzon just shrugged. "I mean I am the world's only hope of defeating Ozai. If I don't have hope things will change…who will."

Sokka toothily chuckled. "Fair point kid."

Kuzon then turned to Katara. "Katara pass me my rucksack for a moment."

Katara grabbed his rucksack and tossed it over to him. "What are you doing?"

Kuzon then pulled what looked like a long fur blanket out of the bag. It was made out of a fleece and fur and had the Fire Nation insignia on it. "I'm going to cover her so she doesn't get sick or cold. Granted…dragons are very warm blooded but even they can suffer from frosbite."

Sokka took note of the blanket. "I don't remember you having that on you before."

Kuzon gave him a nod as he tucked the dragon in the blanket. "I stole it from Zuko's ship. He had many of them in the room I was in. I folded this one and put it in my rucksack. I don't think he's going to care if a few go missing."

Sokka smirked. "Very crafty."

Kuzon nodded. He then pulled out a large slab of meat and tossed it at the dragon. She caught it in her mouth and began chomping on it.

Kuzon then laid out two more. "There's some extra if you get hungry girl. Be a good girl and stay hidden. We'll come back for you. Okay?"

The dragon nodded, nuzzling her snout against his cheek. He laughed. "I'll be back soon." He then turned to Katara and Sokka. "Well let's head on towards the city. With my luck…maybe I won't be ganged up on by a bunch of armed soldiers."

Moments later

The three of them then walked up into the entrance into the city.

Five guards then walked up to the group clad in Water Tribe armor.

The lead soldier then marched in front of the others with his spear drawn. "Halt! Who goes there?"

Kuzon studied the soldier for a minute. I should probably let them handle this. If I try to approach this guy...he'll probably try to spear my head off. He then turned to Katara and Sokka. "I'm going to let you two do the talking. I'd rather not meet my end by a spear."

Katara turned to him smirking and crossing her arms,"Smart plan. Get behind us."

The two siblings then walked ahead of him.

The lead guard glared at them. "I will say it again! Who…goes there?"

Katara and Sokka both smiled at one another. "I'm Katara of the Southern Tribe. Ja'une kan! " She then gestured to Sokka. "This is my brother."

Sokka grinned. "Sokka of the Southern Tribe! Ja'une kan!"

The guard gave both of them a nod. His eyes then fixated on Kuzon. "You! You don't look familiar! Who are you?"

Kuzon crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "You know what? I'm not doing this." He then began walking away from the man. He was then stopped by Katara when she placed a hand on his chest. "Kuzon..wait. We can't leave. You need the waterbending training. You can't defeat Ozai without it."

Kuzon then stared her in the eyes. "I know but…I don't trust him. How do I know he won't just throw me in a closed cell once I tell him everything. I'm not an ashmaker. I'm not like Zuko. I will not allow my name to be soiled with the treacherous actions of that prince or his father."

The waterbender smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Easy there. I know you won't." She then took in a long sigh and bit her lip nervously. What can I say to convince him to stay? She then looked him in the eyes and caressed his face with a hand, smiling "Look. I'm not asking you to trust my people. I'm asking you to trust me. I'm your best friend. I'm not going to let any of them hurt you. That is my solemn promise to you. Please...don't go. The world…my people…we need you to help us put an end to this stupid war. Trust in me to get us through this."

Kuzon crossed his arms and let in a long sigh. He then turned his head trying to hide the growing blush in his face, and grunted. "Fine but I'm just giving you a warning. If any of your people get violent with me…I will not hesitate to defend myself."

Katara smiled with a nod of her head. She then patted his cheek smirking. "Well hopefully…It won't come to that." She then walked over to Sokka. "Come on nakka. Let's go make the introductions. Stay behind us Kuzon."

Kuzon just followed the two of them, choosing to stay quiet.

The lead guard then stared at Katara nervously before lowering his spear. "You…are of the Tribe." Katara smirked. "Glad you noticed. Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."

Sokka then stepped forward. "Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe. We greet you in honor brother."

The two siblings then performed the hand over heart salute.

The soldier returned the gesture. He then met eyes with Kuzon and his face instantly soured. "Colonizer! Invader!" He then glared at the two Water Tribe siblings. "What is this? Treachery? Have you two forsaken your Oath? Have you become kaina?"

Katara felt herself started to get angry. She was a Tribe loyalist to the core. kaina was a noun in Aleutian that meant one was a dishonorable traitor. She loved her people and their way of life. Betraying the Tribe was inconceivable to her. "Watch your tone. I do not take well to being called a kaina."

Sokka equally glared at the guard. "Neither do I."

Kuzon just stood there confused. Katara then calmed down, breathing in and out her nose before speaking. "This is our friend Kuzon. He's the Avatar. He's been called by the spirits of his ancestors to come to the North in order to learn waterbending. We would greatly appreciate you letting us in."

The guard scowled. "Your friend is an ashmaker?"

Katara felt her mood again sour and her scowl deepened. Blessed be Tui! Is this the type of discrimination he has to face all the time? No wonder he has severe trust issues with my people. We're just as bigoted as his people are to us. Granted I understand the reasons why…but that doesn't justify anything. She then spoke again, her voice getting more and more serious. "I would strongly advise you to not use that slur in my presence. Kuzon is my friend. He is part of my ohuna. I don't take well to others slandering his name or his character."

The man gasped in shock. "But he's an outsider! A foreigner! This is not natural! He is our enemy!"

Sokka crossed his arms with a glare. "Hey did you not hear my sister? That...outsider…you are insulting is part of our ohuna. He put his life on the line for us…for our village. He may share lineage and eye color with the damned colonizers but he sure as hell isn't one of them! Either let us in or you aren't going to like what's going to happen next!"

The guard stiffened then blew a whistle.

Five other guards rushed to his side carrying spears.

The lead guard spoke again, this time menacingly, "If you will not let us arrest the colonizer…then you give us no choice."

Kuzon blinked with widened eyes. "Uh..Katara…Sokka? What are we going to do now? It doesn't look like they are planning on rolling out the red carpet."

Katara then turned to him, putting a hand gently on his shoulder. "Tell me Kuzon…do you know how to firebend?"

Kuzon blinked, scoffing almost as if he were insulted by her question. "What kind of question is that? Of course I know how to firebend. I had to defend myself against bandits and pirates as a boy."

Katara smirked. "Good. Because I'm going to need your fire to fight alongside my ice."

Kuzon sighed and facepalmed. "Whatever happened to talking things out?"

Katara smirked and spoke in a teasing tone of voice. "Change of plans. Now are you going to help me or hide behind me? I promise won't judge either way. I don't mind playing protector."

The waterbender meant her words in more of a sarcastic yet friendly tone of voice.

Kuzon then blinked at her and then glared. "You dare insult my honor by insinuating I'm a coward?"

Katara laughed. "If that is not so…then prove it. Fight with us."

Kuzon growled. "Oh! I'll fight alright!" He then joined the side of his friends getting himself into a firebending stance.

Katara smirked to herself." Facing the guard, she smirked. "What do you say now? A firebender, waterbender and a warrior against you and your men. You still want this fight?"

The lead guard growled. "We lay our lives on the line in defense of the Tribe! Something you and your kinsman have forgotten!" He then raised his spear. "Men! Charge at them!"

That was when Princess Yue intervened along with ten guards behind her intervened. The royal heiress of the Northern royal family made her presence known. "Now hold on a minute there! Stand down! The four of you…stand down this instant!"

The lead guard then turned to her and saw her blood went ice cold. "Y-Your highness?"

Princess Yue then glared at him. "What is the meaning of this? Why are you accosting the Avatar as if he is some criminal?"

The lead guard immediately started to stutter. "Y-Your Highness…he's a firebender."

Princess Yue didn't stop glaring. "I'm aware of that. He is a firebender but…he is our honored guest. He is here to learn waterbending in order to achieve his destiny. One more peep out of you and I will have you dishonorably discharged from the Northern Army! Are we clear?"

The older man then saluted her. "Y-Yes ma'am!"

Princess Yue just nodded with a stern look. "Now go! Secure the third Quadrant! I'll handle this! Be grateful you still have a job!"

The lead guard then nodded, a look of shock over his eyes, He then rushed off to the barracks. The others followed him.

Yue then turned to Kuzon with a warm smile. "Hello Kuzon. It's an honor to meet you finally."

Kuzon then crossed his arms, glaring at her, "My name. How do you know it?"

Yue then smiled slyly. "Ah. So it is true. Your people are truly as paranoid as Avatar Kyikoh explained to me. Quite refreshing."

Kuzon narrowed his eyes at her. "When you've been hunted all your life and your family is dead…you get that way. You still haven't answered my question." She then smiled and put her hand on his chest. "My name is Yue. Princess Yue. Crown Princess of the Northern Water Tribe."

Katara then sent the girl a fierce glare. She wasn't sure why but seeing her best friend so close to another girl…especially one from her own Tribe filled her with a sense of jealousy she didn't fully understand just yet.

Kuzon continued just crossing his arms, taking in a sigh. "I'm not the biggest fan of royalty. Why are you helping me?"

Yue just smiled. "I can understand your distrust. I know that you don't have much in the way of allies in this world but you can trust me Kuzon. I..was born with a connection to the Spirit World as a little girl. I was told to help you convince my father to let you stay in this city in order to learn waterbending. I intend to do so."

Kuzon gave her a nod. "Okay then." He then walked towards the entrance.

Yue then turned over to both Katara and Sokka with a smirk on her face. "Well…he's quite direct. Is he always like that?"

Sokka just shrugged. "Ah. You get used to it after a while."

Katara then eyed the girl with a wary look in her eyes. "Kuzon's been through a lot. He has a good heart but he has a wall around it. It's…difficult for him to let other people in."

Yue just nodded solemnly. "Given all Kyikoh told me…I'm not surprised." She then led the two of them into the city. "Come on. Let me give you the grand tour."

The two of them followed her.

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