Yuma was born moments before Zuko, yet they both lacked the spark in their eyes. Eventually, Zuko did manifest his firebending but Yuma didn't. After her mother died, she became fearful of her father and what he might do, so she took a small boat and used it to go to the South Pole, the most isolated place in the world. Soon she stumbles upon a village, seeking shelter. With no bending and no proof of being from the fire nation, she was welcomed with open arms. She grew accustomed to her life, befriending Katara and her brother Sokka, eventually even dating him. She loved her new life, but everything changed when that iceberg split.