It was early the next morning that Itika was woken by the excited Katara who went to retrieve Aang, the two airbenders were brought from their tents to the center of the village where they were met by a surprisingly low number of women and children, Itika felt awkward as she noticed her and Aang were being stared at.

"Why are they looking at us like that?" Aang wondered aloud.

"Maybe Appa sneezed on you." Itika said with a smile, Aang checked himself before realizing it was a joke.

"Well, no one has seen an airbender in a hundred years, much less two." Said an elderly woman who stepped forward from the crowd, she wore a purple fur coat that made her stand out from the rest of the villagers. "We all thought they were extinct until my grandson and daughter found you two."

Both Itika and Aang were worried at that phrasing, sharing a brief look of concern as they wondered what they meant.

"Aang, Itika, this my grandma." Katara introduced the elder.

"Call me gran gran." She said in a deadpan way, that caused a chuckle to come from Itika.

She noticed Sokka walking over to them with a questioning look, he went to snatch her staff but Itika was faster and moved the staff out of his grasp at the last second, causing him to stumble. Itika shot him a cheeky grin and leaned on her staff.

"Yes, can I help you, fishboy?" She asked the watertribe boy who growled and pointed at her staff.

"What is that, is it a weapon, you can't even stab with it." Sokka questioned rudely, while Itika raised an eyebrow at his tone, Aang took the chance to answer the question.

"It's not a weapon, it's for airbending." He explained as he opened up his own staff showing off the glider form, the kids in the tribe all looked at it in awe and called it a magic trick, Itika watched the whole thing with a warm smile, she could see the joy in Aang's face as he explained how the glider worked to the children, it was nice seeing him get excited. So naturally she rolled her eyes when Sokka came back up and challenged Aang's claims of then flying, prompting him to prove him wrong as Aang soared into the air much to the amazement of everyone watching.

Itika slid over to Sokka and gently used her staff to close his open mouth as he stared at Aang, he growled at her and slapped the staff away, but Itika simply grinned and returned to focus on Aang who was looking down at them. Not focused on the incoming snow tower he was flying towards, Itika acted quickly and shot forward, inhaling deeply before letting out a gust of air that pushed Aang out of the path of the tower and he managed to safely recover and land.

Itika ran over to her friend, she had not noticed that she blew a bit too hard as Sokka ran to his tower that teetered a bit before it collapsed on the young man, Itika had to fight the urge to laugh at his misfortune.

"Aang, that was amazing!" Katara said as she ran up to Aang who grinned at the comment.

"Great, you're an airbender, Katara's a water bender, you guys can just waste time together." Sokka said sarcastically as he climbed out of the remains of his tower.

Itika and Aang were surprised at this, Aang spoke with amazement to Katara while she tried to shyly play it off, however, Gran Gran showed up and stated that there were chores to be done. Itika watched as they walked off before turning back to talk to Aang, only to find him entertaining the children of the water tribe.

"Lookth, now my tongue the sthuck to my staff!" He said much to the kids amusement who pulled on his staff, Itika decided she'll let Aang have some fun before she would speak to him, deciding to walk around the village and see what she can learn about this village.

--

While this was happening, on the Prince's Fire Nation ship, said Prince was in his fighting stance as he stood before two of his soldiers, he had spent most of the day training against these two under the watchful eye of his uncle. Despite his training being so basic, it was almost perfect conditions to improve himself.

"Iroh, I'm telling you, it was a spirit, I swear!" Naosong loudly claimed to the dragon of the west who seemed to ignore him as he kept his gaze on the training infront of him.

"Again!" Iroh stated, commencing the training again as Zuko fought.

"It was a beautiful spirit, she was there for a moment, then it all went black!" Naosong recounted aloud, unfettered by the lack of response.

"No, power for firebending comes from the breath, not the muscle." Iroh explained, leaving Naosong to his ramblings as he kept drinking from his bottle.

"The breath becomes energy in the body, the energy that extends past your limbs and becomes fire." He finished with an example, launching a blast of fire that stopped inches from the Prince's face.

"Get it right this time." He told the prince who grew tired of this.

"Enough, I've been drilling this sequence all day, teach me the next set, I'm more than ready." Zuko told his uncle who did not agree as he felt that the prince was being impatient and told him to run the sequence again.

Zuko growled at this and unleashed a fierce blast of fire at one of the soldiers who was knocked down from the blow.

"The Sages' tellth that the Avatar is the last airbender, he must be over a hundred years old by now, he's had over a century to master the four elements, I'll need more than basic fire bending to defeat him. You will teach me the advanced set!!"

There was a pause after Zuko rant as it was clear Iroh was, as he held a powerful gaze with Zuko before he relented.

"Very well, but first I must finish my roast duck." Iroh said before enjoying his meal, irritating Zuko further.

"I bet, the spirit likes roast duck." Naosong mumbled.

This was the last straw as he glared at Naosong who took another swig from his bottle.

"Enough with this spirit nonsense, I've had to listen to it through all of my training, you probably just imagined it from all your drinking!!" He snapped at Naosong who seemed to just be aware of the prince in front of him.

"Nah, I'm telling you, Zuko, she was there, I saw her face and now I can't get it out of my mind, she put a spell on me." Naosong said worryingly as he shook Zuko's shoulders who growled and slapped his hands away, before he could reply, Iroh let out a polite cough to get their attention.

"While I'm unsure of a spirit appearing to you, Naosong, it's possible, perhaps some training will help take your mind off it?" Iroh offered the drunken bodyguard, he was quiet for a moment before a drunken smile spread across his face and he gave a thumbs up to the old general.

"Sure, let's do it, here I come boys!" Naosong cheered as he charged at the guards who quickly got into their stance, prepared as this had not been the first time the drunk charged at them.

Both launched fire blasts at Naosong who dodged past the blasts, with a swift kick he launched a blazing kick that one blocked, but he swung his hand back and caught the second by surprise with a fireball to the face, blowing him away. With a spin, Naosong was back off the ground and faced his opponent, focusing on his breathing as he and the guard waited.

Naosong leapt forward with a flame-covered front kick that the guard evaded easily before firing another blast, but let his legs slide across the deck allowing him to duck beneath the attack before cupping his hands around his mouth. A torrent of fierce flame shot from his mouth and overpowered the guard, knocking him to the ground. Naosong rose back up and grinned at his victory, choosing to retrieve his bottle from his hip and taking a large swig. However, the first guard had recovered by the surprise attack and launched a double handed fire stream at Naosong's back, just as it neared, Naosong lost his balance and spun around, spitting out his drink which shot through the larger attack like an arrow, the guard had no chance to defend as the flaming spit struck him in the chest and blasted him away.

Naosong turned to face Iroh and Zuko, the former looked impressed while the other seemed irritated, though he had no idea why.

"A little unorthodox, but the results are clear." Iroh said with a smile, before he returned to roast duck.

"That's right, I'm awesome, I'm-" Naosong suddenly stopped his celebration and seemed to turn a shade of green, before anyone said a word, he ran to the side of the ship. In his wake he left an ashamed prince and an amused uncle who witnessed their best and oddest fighter going about his daily routine

--

Itika was definitely shocked, no she was shocked before when she had pieced it together, now she felt a heavy weight on her soul as she wandered the small village in a daze. She had spent a good portion of the day talking to the various villagers after Gran Gran's comment, Aang may have not dwelled on it, but it sat with her and she decided she should see what happened.

The chill she felt that had nothing to do with the ice she stood on was enough to make her regret asking, a war had been started by the Fire Nation a hundred years ago and they say the Air Benders had been wiped out. Itika hoped it was some sort of sick joke, but there were too many coincidences, waking up in the ice, the way these people were wary of them, how Katara was the only waterbender around. The final nail was the fact that Itika had heard nothing of a war brewing before she snuck away with Aang, even if the monks were being secretive, Itika would have heard something about the Fire Nation launching attacks.

It was a lot, it could all be true or misinformation, it did not matter to her, Itika knew that the best way to be sure was to get on Appa and head to the Southern Air Temple, if something had happened then they'd find proof there.

"I'll get Aang and we can talk about this." Itika resolved as she started making her way to where she last spotted Aang, she could see him talking to Sokka and Katara when he noticed something.

"Penguin!!"

Itika blinked before she watched her young friend runoff in the blink of an eye into the icy plains, chasing the aforementioned creature; had she not been dealing with certain revelations, she would have laughed at Aang's antics. She watched as Katara followed the direction Aang went and let out a sigh as she decided it would be best to wait, she did not want to burden Aang with this just let, maybe he can enjoy one more day before reality comes knocking.

"You seem troubled, maybe you would like someone to listen." A familiar elderly voice.

Itika turned around to see Gran Gran had been standing behind her with the same deadpan expression she had worn earlier, Itika let out a sigh and gave the elder a weak smile.

"I think that would be nice." Itika said as she turned to speak.

"From that look I think I can tell what's troubling you, you weren't aware of the war were you?" She asked gently, Itika was silent as she gave Gran Gran another sad smile and shook her head.

"I understand, then you're worried about your people, after what was said."

Itika was quiet and nodded, despite doing her best to appear okay, she was beginning to lean heavily on her staff and her breath was off.

"I...I don't want to believe it, but hearing what happened to your people, I can't deny that maybe my own, my friends." Itika cut herself off as he focused her breathing and tried to stop the tears from escaping her, she did not notice the gentle gloved hand of Gran Gran reaching for her until it kindly rested on her shoulder.

"I understand your pain, dear, I have watched as many friends and family have been taken from me, I have suffered more than anyone should, but if there was one thing I learned, it was to try and have hope."

Gran Gran said as her eyes fell onto Sokka who herded the kids back to their lesson, Itika followed her gaze and she felt a bit of understanding as she saw fish boy.

"Monk Gyatso did say that the youth were the future, he always wanted us to enjoy that youth." Itika paused as she felt her walls fail and the tears leaked from her eyes.

"It's strange, it still feels like yesterday, seeing them all was yesterday to me and then I wake up to realize it's been a hundred years." Itika wept, Gran Gran kept her hand in place and did her best to comfort the saddened air bender, Itika cried for a bit longer before she finally dried her eyes.

She felt better, it was like she was free of a weight on her shoulders, she could still feel the initial worries and the fear of having to tell Aang, but they weren't as large as before. She turned to face Gran Gran and offered her a grateful smile which the elder returned, this woman owed her nothing but she still chose to help Itika, she hoped karma would give her the kindness she gave back.

"This, Monk Gyatso sounds wise, and he was right, you and that young boy are the future of your people, you are the hope that one day, the air benders will return." Gran Gran said before she wandered off, heading to do some more chores before the day was through and leaving Itika with these words that left her feeling hopeful.

If she and Aang were truly the last airbenders then they were the last hope for their people, while it seemed bleak, she knew the pair of them could see it through, together they stood strong and so they would have to. After this thought, Itika decided to explore more of the village again and offered help to any who needed it, maybe she can cheer up some of the youngsters like Aang and Itika decided to do just that.

--‐--‐--‐--

The air was cold as it always was, you would think that being able to bend fire would help deal with this but no, or maybe it did, Naosong had little idea, to be honest, firebending was never his strong suit. Oh sure he was capable enough to deal with the common soldier, how else was he able to act as a bodyguard, but it was not where his strength lied, no that lied with what was in his hand.

"Ah, another perfect batch!" He said with a grin, as he sampled his freshly brewed wine, preparing to jar the rest of the batch, everything he needed within reach in his private quarters.

Naosong always had a knack for brewery, while he knew his wine would never compete with the good stuff, it was good for the limited supplies they normally had, besides making his own booze tasted a lot more rewarding.

Suddenly, there was knocking on his door, actually it was more like pounding and Naosong did not have to guess who it was. With a chuckle, he rose from his desk and opened the door to find the robed form of Prince Zuko.

"Prince Zuko, to whom do I owe the pleasure." He said with a grin, ignoring Zuko's look of shock.

"Why are you in your underwear!?" He shouted, posting at his half naked bodyguard, Naosong looked at himself and chuckled, resting a hand on his belly.

"My bad, I was in the middle of tasting my latest batch of homebrewed wine, don't want to risk any dust getting on my batch." Naosong replied nonchalantly as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Whatever, I'm going to keep an eye on the lookout, meet me up there and do your job." Zuko said sternly before walking away, instantly he heard the gentle thuds behind him and he growled.

"Put clothes on before you do!!" He barked as the thud quickly receded back into Naosong's room.

After a few moments, Naosong was on the lookout in full armor, he quickly joined Zuko's side as he stared into the telescope, however Naosong did not come empty handed.

"Here you go, my Prince, a jug of Naosong's special brew." The Drunk said proudly as he held it to Zuko who tried to ignore it, until Naosong practically shoved it in his face.

"Why do you keep trying to give me your wines, you know I don't drink and I would not trust anything you make." Zuko stated to Naosong who was again unfazed by the hostility.

"One, if I'm making something it would be rude not to give my boss the first batch, second, you gotta let that go." He said.

"You nearly sunk the ship, you somehow managed to melt a hole through the hull." Zuko snapped, causing a shrug from Naosong.

"Which is why I stopped experimenting with my stuff, besides that was once." Naosong said, waving it off like he had not almost drowned them all, he laughed but on the inside he knew he was lucky Zuko did not throw his brewing station overboard.

"I don't understand why you make it anyway, you can always buy some when we make port." Zuko commented as he returned focus on the telescope, leaving Naosong with his thoughts yet again as he stared into the icy plains.

"It's more cost effective." He said bluntly, not taking his eyes off the tundra, not noticing the strange look he got from Zuko because of his reply.

He knew what he said was true, but it was not the complete truth, no the truth remained where it had always been, in that small shack, with the old man and the young boy who would learn under him. Naosong looked down at his bottle and promptly uncorked it, with a smile he raised it up and toasted silently before taking another swig, letting the sweet yet bitter taste of the wine remind him of those times.

"You're thinking about that place aren't you." Zuko said bluntly, his tone was not hostile, rather knowing.

Naosong kept smiling as he nodded to his Prince.

"I'm always thinking about it, after all, home lives in your heart as much as your memories." Naosong said softly before taking another swig, letting the conversation fall into a peaceful quiet.

Until a bright red light shot into the air, it curved before blowing up, it was a signal flare. Zuko did not hesitate and looked through the telescope while Naosong felt his heat quicken at the sight.

"Awake my uncle, tell him I found the Avatar!" Zuko ordered a guard who stood behind them who ran off at the order.

"And his hiding place." Zuko said with a growl as he looked again through the telescope.

"It seems home will become more than a memory for you, Zuko." Naosong said with a wide grin as he slapped a hand against his back before he held out his fist.

"The time has come to make it a reality." Naosong said with certainty as Zuko actually gave him a small smile and completed the fist bump before leaving to prepare.

Naosong followed behind, but paused and stared in the new direction they would be heading, he got a strange feeling in his gut, something was telling him that this was the start of something beyond his understanding. He shrugged off the feeling and took another drink to focus on the task at hand, his friend was about to have his wishes come true and he was not going to let anything mess this up, with that he walked off to prepare as well.