The group sat around a small fire with the older woman and her masked brother, who had introduced themselves as Misu and Rafa. Each member nursed a small herbal bowl of stew.
"I apologize for attacking you earlier," Misu said. "My brother and I aren't used to seeing other humans around here. When we heard the commotion, we assumed it was a forest animal disturbing the pool. It must remain undisturbed."
At the mention of the pool, Logan shifted uncomfortably and glanced at his hand. Sitting between Rafa and Azula, he didn't notice her watching him—until she nudged him in the arm.
"Relax, Jedi," Azula muttered. "You didn't touch it. We were literally right next to each other."
"Makes me feel so much better," Logan replied under his breath.
With a mouthful of stew, Aang looked to Misu. "That's what I told them! This place feels... really spiritual."
"You're right, Avatar," Misu said. "There are actually three other pools just like it in the Forgetful Valley. All of them must remain undisturbed."
"Misu," Sokka interjected, "this stew is delicious! It reminds me of..."
"...the seaweed stew of the Northern Water Tribe?" Misu said, smiling warmly.
She laughed. "Rafa and I make do with what we can find here."
"So," Katara said, "how did two people from the Northern Water Tribe end up in a Fire Nation forest?"
A shadow passed over Misu's face. Her voice grew soft as she began her story.
"Growing up, my brother and I were complete opposites. I was quiet and studious. He was loud and brash. I followed the rules—he loved breaking them."
She stirred her stew absently.
"He'd bring home things he'd stolen from the most powerful people in our tribe: a waterbender's pouch, a warrior's club, even the chief's battle helmet," she continued. "Each time, I'd yell at him to return the items. And he always did. He just wanted to prove he could. The people he stole from were always too embarrassed to press charges."
Misu's gaze drifted into the flames.
"But one day... his luck ran out. I found him alone, out on the ice. His face was... horribly disfigured. It changed his life—and mine—forever."
"I brought him to our best healers. But none of them could help."
She took a breath.
"So I did what I could. I went to the library and studied. In an ancient Fire Nation scroll, I read about a powerful spirit said to visit a particular forest. A spirit with the ability to grant new faces—maybe even heal my brother."
"I made it my mission to bring him here. I knew how dangerous it would be for two Water Tribe siblings to enter Fire Nation lands, so I spent years training in secret. I learned how to waterbend for combat."
"I had to do it all in secret since—"
"—in the Northern Water Tribe, women were only allowed to heal," Katara finished softly. "Things are different now."
Misu offered a faint smile and placed a hand on her brother's arm.
"After many failed attempts, we finally made it to the Forgetful Valley. We've lived here ever since... hoping the spirit would appear."
"How come Rafa hasn't eaten anything?" Sokka asked.
Misu's hand slowly slid back to her lap.
"Since the injury... Rafa's been caught somewhere between life and death. He doesn't eat anymore. He can't do much of anything."

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A Search within the Force and Flame
FanfictionLogan Silas Shan was raised a Jedi-trained in both war and wisdom, shaped by both darkness and light. But no lightsaber form can prepare him for grief. Not truly. Not when the ghost of his fallen master haunts his every step. Sent to a world of elem...