The Sea of Ice (Sun and Moon Book 2)

Chapter 8 - Don't Tell Mommy

            “Aang... are you sure?” Beside me, the young Avatar sighs.

            “No. But... this is an entire race that we've never known about. A whole new people. I'm the Avatar. I have to go, Katara.” I drum my fingers on the railing in front of me, watching the sun rise over the oceanic horizon.

            “Fine. But I'm coming with you.”

            “Katara- you can't just leave. What about Lia?”

            “She'll be fine. My dad will look after her.” I turn to him, needing him to understand. “I can't just sit here while you're off somewhere, maybe in danger. You're my best friend, Aang.” And besides that, I don't know how much longer I can avoid Zuko. Leaving is my only option at this point.

            Aang sighs again, his gray eyes conflicted. “But if it is dangerous, you'll be safer here.”

            “Come on, Aang. I'm the greatest waterbender in the world. And we'd be heading right into my element.” I plead with my eyes, silently begging him to agree.

            “Well... okay, but you have-”

            “I'm afraid that won't be possible.” I turn to see Twila, her eyes calm and assessing.

            “What?”

            “You cannot come with us. The Elders will see only the Avatar.”

            “That's ridiculous. I'm just as much a representative of the world as Aang, you can't-”

            “I can. And even were that not the case, the Avatar is the only one of your world capable of surviving the journey. It is not easy.”

            “Okay, that's just-”

            “Really, Twila, I'm sure Katara can-”

            “NO. And that is the end of it.” Her voice sounds not only in the air but in my mind, final and slightly threatening. I'm confident in my power- but not so confident that I would challenge a spirit, and that's what this woman claims to be. Or at least, the descendant of one.

            I glare at her, but not. It'd be dangerous to leave Lia here, anyway. She might run into Zuko and that wouldn't be good.

            We'll just leave then. But I don't want Aang asking questions...

            “How soon will you be leaving?” Aang glances at me, frowning, obviously not happy with the nature of my question. I ignore him, as does Twila.

            “As soon as possible.” I nod.

            “I'll have the servants prepare for your departure. By noon?” She nods, seeming relieved that I'm cooperating. Aang frowns.

            “I don't think-”

            “No, Aang. She's right. This is for the best.”

            “Well... if you think so...” I nod.

            “I do. Now, how much food do you think you'll need, Twila? How long do you think this will take, anyway? And will you be taking your... whatever that was... beast... thing? There's much to be done...”

**__**

            Zuko walked through the halls. It was just after sunrise and far too early to be up, but he was used to rising with the sun.

            Few were up and about, so he had the palace virtually to himself. This was good- it gave him time to think. And plan. He would win Katara back. Even the spirits sanctioned this match, for Agni's sake! He was destined to succeed. As Katara had once said- 'your destiny is what you make for yourself'. Well, he chose this destiny. With Katara in it.

            He smiled to himself. Now he just needed to think of a plan...

            He stepped through an archway into a small inner courtyard, lost in thought. He almost missed her; he would have if not for the sound of rushing water.

            A little girl stood in the center of the courtyard, bending water that came from seemingly nowhere. She leapt, pulling a stream of water in an arc around her body. She landed running and sent the stream towards a wall. Before it hit, she spread her fingers wide and the stream dissipated into the air, as if it had never been.

            With a circular motion, she pulled water from the air and formed it into a ball. Then she stared hard at the floating ball of water, her brow furrowed in concentration.

            Slowly, she lowered her hands, coming out of her stance. And Zuko stared in shock- because the ball kept floating. And more than that, it started spinning. Slowly at first, then faster, as the little girl stared at it with bright blue eyes. A jubilant grin lit up her face, and all Zuko could do was gape.

            This wasn't possible. You couldn't bend with your mind.

            It just... wasn't possible. And yet... and yet, this little girl, who could be no more than four years old, was doing it. Bending... with her mind.

            Slowly, the spinning ball elongated, becoming a twisting pillar rising from the air. As it reached its apex, it collapsed, the water falling to the ground with a splash. She sighed. Zuko walked towards her, smiling.

            “Hey there.”

            She jumped and turned towards him, a guilty look on her face. But when she saw that it was a stranger, she relaxed.

            “Hi.” She smiled brightly, and Zuko couldn't help but return it. There was something about her... he couldn't explain it. She just made him want to smile.

            “I'm Lia, who're you?”

            “Zuko.” Her bright blue eyes widened.

            “The Fire Lord? Cool!” He laughed.

            “Yeah, I guess. But that's a secret, so shh.” He grinned at her, and she returned it with one of her own. She brushed strands of coal-black hair out of her eyes, looking at him curiously. “Can you really bend fire?”

            “Of course. Not with my mind...” Her eyes widened.

            “You saw that? Oh, please please don't tell mommy. She doesn't like when I do that.” Zuko frowned, unable to comprehend why someone wouldn't appreciate such amazing skill, especially in someone so young. But it wasn't his business.

            “Don't worry. I won't. Hey, you wanna see some firebending moves?” She nodded eagerly, her bright smile back.

            Zuko grinned and dropped into a stance. “Watch this, Lia.”

______

Sooo this little scene was requested, and I liked the idea so, here it is! Enjoy. And tell me what you think! Do you think Zuko will figure out she's his daughter? Where will Katara go? And what is WITH Twila's creep-factor?!

Y'all know the drill- five comments and ten votes, and I'll update! xD