Naya and the Last Airbender

vii. The Storm

          THERE was a storm coming. I could feel it. The day was too perfect to not have something disastrous to come next. This was common Earth Kingdom weather. I've experienced it too many times to not recognize it.

Bonbi gleefully glode in the air. I laid on his back gazing up at the clear sky. I sucked in a breath, trying to calm myself over events from last night.

Ozai knew that I was alive. Well, will hear soon. Those men probably ran to the Fire Nation as fast as possible in search of a handsome reward. Now I really have to watch my back.

I closed my eyes. The wind hit my face and I tried to think of happier things.

I thought of Zuko. Although I yearned for him, I thought of all the good times we had together.

I smiled.

For what felt like hours passed. I tried to entertain myself as we sailed above the sea. There was only so much one can do. I tried not to delve into memories that I pushed back.

"Hey," I whispered to my dragon.

Bonbi huffed in response.

I leaned to the side to see his eye. "What should we do?"

He gave me a look. After all, he is my spirit animal. Bonbi acknowledged what was on my mind. Although I didn't want to admit it.

"I don't know..." I mumbled.

He growled. It wasn't aggressive but aggravated. I gulped.

Wan's image popped into my head. I imagined his urging eyes. They bore into my skin, setting it on fire. I shook my head. There were so many things that could go south.

I- a complete stranger- would need to convince the Avatar to let me come with him on his journey. If he does accept my proposal (which might not be the case), what am I going to tell him? Will I spare him the truth for now and hide my abilities? Will I tell him about my association with the Fire Lord and how he is hunting me down?

Because I know that any Avatar would be completely against any Fire Nation citizen. We have brought nothing but hatred and destruction to the world. And if the Avatar is an old Airbender, he would completely despise me if I told the truth.

He lost his people at the hands of mine.

And let's not forget that I've been alone for so long I've forgotten how to interact with people. Especially someone so important.

God this makes me sick.

I looked down at the glistening water below. My worries instantly ate as I looked down at the infinite blue. It was stunning.

I had a connection with water, thanks to my mother. At the same time, that part of me seemed so foreign, as I grew up somewhere totally different and everyone looked and acted the same.

I always wished to be born where my mother was. The Water Tribes were peaceful. Instead, I was forced to live amongst the vilest creatures to walk this earth.

My heart ached for all the people affected by Ozai.

But with the Avatar's help, maybe I can stop him once and for all.

+

          NAYA didn't know what true pain felt like until now. Not only had she lost her father, but her mother and Zuko, too. She was alone with nowhere to go. The Fire Nation was hot on her trail. She had left the palace only a week ago.