Naya and the Last Airbender

viii. The Blue Spirit

          "THIS should bring your fever down," Katara said, dabbing Sokka's head with a cloth. He snuggled up in his sleeping bag that was against Appa.

It was a few days since I found Aang and his friends. We were starting to get to know each other. Traveling was a bore and Aang loved to talk. I wasn't bothered by it though because it was nice having people around.

Sokka was a bit reluctant, but Aang and Katara opened up right away. It seems they sensed the same connection I had to them. It made sense why Aang and I had one, but I didn't know why I did to Katara. I even felt comfortable around Sokka. He just needed a bit longer to trust me.

As we rode on Appa they told me about their lives, reminiscing their childhoods and explaining how the Fire Nation destroyed their lives. Some parts made me want to cry and throw up simultaneously.

My first instinct, when they asked about me, was to lie. I had to since I introduced myself as an Earth Kingdom citizen on the run. I cracked under pressure. They despised any Fire Nation kin and I was desperate to join them.

To them, I was Naya the Earthbender. I told them I've been alone for most of my life and the Fire Nation took my parents from me. Most of it was true. I had to exclude or twist some parts.

I've never felt so guilty. It's been a while since I've lied to someone. It made the feeling worse when Katara and Aang poured their hearts out to me. Katara told me how her and Sokka's mother was killed by the Fire Nation and their father was sent off to war. Aang told me about how he had to grieve over his people since he just learned that the Air Nomads went extinct.

Their intentions were clear: take down the Fire Nation because they are awful people who hurt many innocent lives. And for the most part, I agreed.

I couldn't imagine what they would think of me if I said I grew up in the Royal Palace alongside the Fire Lord. And, the best part, I was a Firebender. I would be rejected, shunned.

"You know what I love most about Appa? His sense of humor, " Sokka said, breaking me from my thoughts.

"That's nice. I'll tell him, " Katara soothed.

Appa made a noise in response, causing Sokka to laugh hysterically and Bonbi to stir in his sleep.

"Classic Appa," Sokka said, completely delusional.

He had a fever, probably from being out in that storm. His sickness made him spurt out the most random, yet funniest, things. my Katara reminded me that he was normally like this despite the fever.

"How's Sokka doing?" Aang asked, walking up to them with his staff in hand. I sat across from Appa on Bonbi, eyeing their exchange.

"Not so good. Being out in that storm really did a number on him," Katara told.

Sokka shivered and sucked up a booger that came from his nose. I cringed.

"We need to help him before this happens to anyone else, " I piped in.

Aang turned to me and nodded. "I couldn't find any ginger root for the tea, but I found a map. There's an herbalist institute on the top of that mountain." Aang rolled out the map and motioned into the distance. "We could probably find a cure for Sokka there."

"Aang, he's in no condition to travel. Sokka just needs more rest. I'm sure he'll be better tomorrow, " Katara said, coughing immediately after.

Aang and I both glanced at each other worriedly.

"Not you too," Aang whined.

"I think you need some rest, " I added.

"Relax guys, it was just a little cough. I'm fi-" Katara cut herself off by coughing more. Aang shunned away from her and I covered my face.