Kyra's Tale (Book 1~Water)

The Boy In The Iceberg (Part 1)

The cold South Pole wind rushed through my hair, as I canoed with my older siblings— Sokka and Katara— across the ocean that was glazed with breaking ice. We were hoping to catch tonight's dinner, and if that didn't work out... well, then we had to wait until next season— whenever that would be. It was difficult to find fish because of the freezing temperatures. They usually came around when the sun's rays were able to touch the rippling water.

I spread my arms and legs against the little corner of my canoe that I shared. Being the youngest of twelve years old in a family like mine, helped me gain the advantage of not doing much. Yes, as a girl I did help around, but I yearned the adventure that hunting brought. Most of the time I was in charge of the younger children until my brother trained them to be "warriors". Sokka was officially the oldest male in our village ever since the raid, so that left even more pressure on his hands.

"It's not getting away from me this time," He said in a boastful voice. "Watch and learn, girls. This is how you catch a fish."

I smirked. The last time he went fishing was with Dad; Dad caught the fish for him and pretended that it was Sokka who caught the fish. To prove that girls can be good just as good at hunting as boys, Katara dragged me along with him to prove him wrong. If only she knew hunting wasn't the same as fishing.

"How about you actually catch a fish this time, Fish Catching Master," I remarked, my voice dull and dry.

Sokka covered my mouth with his hand. "Don't say anything Kyra, or else you'll scare it away and it'll be your fault we won't have dinner."

"Mmhmm. I can already smell it cookin," he continued. I rolled my eyes as he stared dreamily at the fish. I made a fist; he annoyed me so much whenever he tried acting all confident. I wanted to get back at him for taunting me, but I didn't know what to do. By the looks of it, Katara seemed to find the perfect distraction.

She took off her gloves and moved her hand in the motion of a small circle. A little bubble started to form. From its wobbling, it took me a few seconds to notice that there was a fish floating inside. Hey, she caught dinner! Now we could all go home if Sokka cooperates! I thought. She also had the ability to control water, but I wasn't as eager to practice as she was. All I wanted to do with my abilities was mess around.

"I caught one!" she announced, not turning her eyes away from the target.

"Bet that would show Sokka," I muttered.

"Be quiet Katara!" Sokka scolded our sister.

"But look! Katara caught one!" I repeated, pointing at her floating water bubble. I pursed my lips to prevent any other retort from coming out of my mouth.

"Kyra!" Katara called out. "Bending practice!"

I slipped off the glove from my hand, letting the cold air numb it slightly. Concentrating on my hand motions, I carefully tried to feel the water's movements. In no time I joined Katara in trying to keep the bubble alive, but it didn't last long. My movements started getting out of control as Katara's went in a different direction.

It only took a few seconds for Sokka's spear to pop the bubble. The fish plopped itself back in the water; it was also safe to say that my brother was mad. He turned at us with furred eyebrows, glaring.

"Oops..." I said, guilty.

"Hey!" Katara protested.

"Ugh! Why is it every time you two play with magic water, I get soaked?" Sokka complained.

"It's not magic, it's Waterbending!" Katara explained (for the millionth time), "And it's-"

"Yeah, yeah!" he interrupted. "An ancient art unique to are culture, blah, blah, blah. Look, I'm I'm just saying that if I had weird powers, I'd keep my weirdness to myself."