The Avatar's Guardian: The Lost Story (Avatar the Last Airbender fanfic)

Chapter Two

Satomi's P.O.V.

I fly Appa over the ocean in the direction of Kyoshi Island. The air is cold, but it doesn't bother me. I close my eyes and smell the ocean. It's been so long since I've swam or even seen the ocean. I've missed it. It's a bit chilly to be swimming, and besides... My scar prickles as if reminding me. Yeah, that. 

The others would ask too many questions, and if Aang found out--  I don't want to imagine what he would do once he found out. Appa puffs out a breathe, and I open my eyes. I pat his head. " I know." Appa huffs again, but he leaves it at that. He's always been perceptive when it comes to what I'm thinking. 

I never could have a flying bison. The monks prohibited it. They branded me as an outcast. Hell, I even have a scar on the back of my neck where I was pushed off a balcony and didn't have time to stop my fall. It was a pretty nasty fall. If Aang hadn't found me, I may have bleed out. 

I didn't have stay at the Air Temple for my entire childhood through. I was nine when I was sent to start training with bending masters. I completed the training when I was twelve, but I was called back to the temple for multiple reasons. I trained with Aang for the next three years. We grew closer. Gyatso was our teacher and like the father I never had. Aang and I are both orphans. 

The nostalgia soon passes though. Focus, Kyoshi Island. Be the Guardian. A gift and a curse. A girl that was never supposed to exist.  

After a few hours of flying to sun begins to peak over the horizon. Appa groans, and I ruffle his fur. He's getting tired too. "Just hold out until we get to the island, buddy. You'll be able to rest soon," I encourage, patting his head. He huffs, but he starts to fly faster. Even my legs are stiff from sitting cross-legged for so long, but I don't mind. 

The golden rays of dawn make the ocean sparkle below us. It makes the urge to jump into it all the more tempting, but I won't I risk others seeing my scar. The sun soon climbs into the sky, and Aang wakes. He eats breakfast before walking to Appa's head. I gladly hand him the reins and walk to my bag tied against the saddle. I pull out a can of fruit for breakfast along with a little of my water. I stuff the empty can into the pack along with the water bottle and refasten the bag. Sokka wakes next and begins making breakfast for Katara and himself. Katara wakes last. She gives me a small smile, and I return the friendly gesture.

"Did you sleep well?" she asks with a yawn. I nod.

"And you?" She shrugs her shoulders.

"Better than last night," she says with a smile. I nod understanding. Sleeping on a flying bison is not the most comfortable, especially if you're is not used to it.

"Hey Katara?" Sokka asks. She hums in response. "Can you fix my pants?" he asks holding up a pair of pants with a giant hole in them. She giggles and takes them. I pull my cloak back on and the hood up. I close my eyes to sleep for a minute, but Katara begins arguing with Sokka about something. I open my eyes as Katara throws Sokka's half sown pants back at him. The conversation ceases after this, and my chance to sleep is missed. Everyone remains silent until Appa lands on the island, whether from the tension between the siblings or admiring the sparkling waters and white sand below. 

"We've been taking too many detours, and we need to be going straight to the North Pole. Why are we even here?" Sokka huffs, glancing over a map he has sprawled over a tree stump. A giant fish jumps out of the water. The bright yellows and oranges stick out in contrast to the blue water. Giant elephant koi fish. Figures. He always loved telling stories of when he got to ride them.

"That's why we're here," Aang replies completely brushing off Sokka's comment. He strips down to his underwear and swims off far out in the lake. He dives under the water, and my muscles go rigid from my spot against the tree. I am leaning back against it in the shade with my hood pulled over my hair. No one will see me here as long as I don't speak.