Getting Warmer

Chapter 1

She could smell the smoke coming from the ships before the sun even rose. She was awoken to it and by her mother telling her to flee like always when this happened. She couldn't carry anything but the clothes on her back. Her best friend, a polarbeardog, was forced to stay and help her father in case things got physical. But her face as she would quickly say goodbye always broke her heart.

She had no friends in the tribe. She couldn't afford to make any. And if she did, they would probably be taken away to the fire nation to "experiment" and see if they were the reincarnation. It was sad, but it was the only thing to keep Korra safe.

She left her family with quick hugs and glances before she dove into the freezing cold water, and bent a bubble of air around her head to keep her breathing. If she went as fast as she had the last time, she would reach fire nation waters by daybreak. And after that, Ember Island wouldn't be too far from her.

She had to rise from time to time to grab more air in her bubble as she quickly swam along with the help of her bending. People would tell her all the time as you stayed in the cold water, your body would eventually get used to it. Those people never swam as fast paste in southern waters. It was exhausting and difficult. But if it meant getting to him, it was worth it.

About a year ago, the raids searching for her had become far more intrusive. Taking blood, searching family history. They would leave nothing unturned. And hiding a 5'3" girl under a table with all her baby pictures wouldn't exactly work anymore. So she did the first thing that came to mind. Run away. She had no idea where to go. she just went the way where the ship wouldn't see her. And that took her straight to the border of water between the South Pole and the Fire Nation.

It took nothing really to get past them. She just had to be quiet, but move slower. But that came with the cost of air loss, and a giant inhale as she came to the surface for more. The crew on board was confused at first, but she scurried out of there just as fast as she came.

She swam for it felt like hours. She just wondered if it would be better to stop and just rest on the surface for a bit. But then, she found land. A giant red house, made out of wood. It seemed like the only house for miles. Maybe it was abandoned. She could spend the night, and come back to the tribe later. The ship would only be there for the afternoon. That's how long it took them in the past.

She swam with what ever strength she had left in her self, and collapsed onto the sand. And then, she saw the shadow of a figure before her. She looked up to find a tall, pale boy. Staring at her confusingly. The black hair and hazel eyes gave away he was pure Fire Nation.

"Stop! Please! I mean no harm! Please don't arrest me!", she begged him, still kneeling on the sand.

"Arrest you? Why would I do that?", he asked.

She paused for a second and thought it over. She was wondering what else to say, considering she didn't want to reveal she was the Avatar. Because then she knew he would hand her over to the officials. Or so she thought.

"You're the Avatar, aren't you?", he asked as he came down to her level.

"N-no! No I'm not!", she protested.

"Prove it. Show me you're not the Avatar.", he retorted.

"How do you propose I do that?", she asked.

"Bend fire."

She lit a flame in her hand, as confusion spread on her face.

"Well, judging by you're a fire bender, and you wear water tribe clothes, and you water bent yourself onto the beach, I'd say you're the Avatar.", he said.