In Your Eyes (Prince Zuko LS)

Chapter 5: Northern Water Tribe

After about a week of sailing, the ship was drawing closer to the North Pole. The air had turned cold, so they had to wear coats. Over the week, Luna and Nathaniel had grown close. He always knew how to make her laugh and take her mind of things and she was truly grateful for it. She currently rested her arms on the ship's railing, looking out onto the water, watching as the ship pushed away the floating pieces of ice as they passed by. It was a peaceful atmosphere but an unnerving feeling seemed to settle in Luna's gut. She couldn't place the feeling but she couldn't shake it either. Something was going to happen. She didn't know when or what it's going to be but it was coming. "Northern gates ahead!" a gaurd yelled from his post. Luna's interest was instantly peaked at the thought of seeing those marvelous gates. She ran to the front of the ship and stood at the very tip, her eyes widening in amazement at the sight in front of her. A gigantic gate made entirely out of ice and snow, a giant water tribe symbol carved into it. As they drew closer, waterbenders began to sail beside them on wooden skiffs, leading them to the giant wall. The waterbenders opened up a giant tunnel so the ship could easily pass through. Luna, who still stood by the railing, waved at a nearby skiff and all the men waved back with small smiles on their faces. The ship sailed through the tunnel and came to a halt inside a square ice lock. Waterbenders lined the three walls of the lock that was in front of the ship and to its sides. In unison, the waterbenders melted slits in the walls with one swift movement. The water level started to rise as water poured in. The wall in front of the ship lowered and the ship continued to sail forward. Luna looked at the marvelous ice city that stood in front of her in amazement. Another wooden skiff appeared in front of the ship and it started to guide them in the right direction. "Magnificent, isn't it?" Nathaniel asked as he came up from behind Luna. "It simply takes my breath away," Luna confirmed in awe. "As soon as we arrive at the place and we are sure that you are safe, the ship will have to depart. We have to join the others at the post," Nathaniel stated. Luna turned around to face the man, a look of utter confusion and sadness plastered onto her face. "You're leaving? But we just got here." Nathaniel let out a sigh, then stepped closer to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Our objective was to get you to the North Pole safely. And since that was accomplished, we have to join the rest of the troops," he explained with a sad smile on his lips. Luna wrapped her arms around his torso, burying her face in his shirt. "First Osamu now you," she said, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. "It'll be alright Luna. We'll make it back to you. I know Osamu wouldn't dream of leaving you alone," he reassured with a slight chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. The ship came to halt, ending their conversation. A platform lowered to the ground and dug into the snow, allowing Luna and Nathaniel to climb down from the ship. Halfway down the platform, Luna stopped and looked up at the building that towered above her, gulping. "Something wrong?" Nathaniel asked. Luna took a deep breath then shook her head and continued to walk. Soon her shoes met with the soft white snow. A girl stepped up to them, a smile placed on her pink lips. "Luna Suzaki?" she asked. Luna gave a small nod of her head. "My name is Chia. Chief Arnook informed me of your arrival and instructed me to be your escort," she informed. The girl looked quite young, seeming only about 18 years of age. The top half of her midnight brown hair was tied up into a messy bun while the rest of her curls cascaded down her back, a messy fishtail braid in between and her gray eyes held a spark in them that would make even the saddest of people feel happier. Luna nodded her head at her then turned her attention to Nathaniel. "You have to go, don't you?" Luna asked disappointed. He only gave a sad nod of his head. Without another word, she threw her arms around him once more. "Please be safe because if you die, I'll kill you." Nathaniel gave a light heartened laugh at her statement. "Well, I'm convinced then," he joked as she let go of him. "Good luck Luna." With one final smile, he boarded the ship once more. Luna watched as the platform was raised and the ship started to depart. She watched it until in disappeared from her sight. "You ready to go?" Chia asked from behind Luna. She turned around to face her and nodded. With that, they began their walk.

Luna walked up the to the chief who sat on a risen platform, with a girl to his left and an old looking man to his right. The girl had silver hair and wore the clothes of royal stature, indicating that she was the princes. The man that sat on the right had long gray hair and a long gray beard to match. He looked strict and Luna was instantly intimidated by him. She walked up to the three and knelled in front of the chief as a sign of respect. "Chief Arnook. My name is Luna Suzaki and I come to you from the Eastern Earth Kingdom, seeking your help," Luna introduced herself. "You may rise," Chief Arnook instructed. Luna stood up strait and looked up at the chief. "I require a master to teach me waterbending," Luna said. Chief Arnook's expression hardened. "Then you've wasted your time coming here. Women are forbidden to learn waterbending in the Northern Water Tribe." Luna's heart sank as she registered his words. "Please, you don't understand. I need to learn waterbending," she pleaded. "If you're so eager to learn waterbending, then I suggest you meet up with Yugoda for healing lessons," the old man said sternly. "But-" Luna tried to protest. "Are you going to leave or should I call the guards to escort you out," the man threatened but Luna stood her ground. "Fine, you leave me no choice. Guards!" Two men dressed in the Water Tribe warrior clothes walked into the room. Luna's blood started to boil as the anger rose. Her eyes turned a brilliant silver. "Please escort our 'guest' outside," the man instructed. One of the men reached for her but before he could touch her, she sent a huge blast of wind in his direction, making him fly backwards. The other man stepped back in surprise but quickly regained his focus and bend the snow under her feet so it would freeze her whole body in place. She glared at the man as her eyes turned bright red. She heated up her palms, causing the ice to melt around her. "Firebender!" the man yelled in surprise. The chief and the old man raised from their sitting positions in defense. "Father, wait! Please, let me speak to her," the princess spoke up. "Yue, she's dangerous," Arnook said. "Please." The chief looked between his daughter then to the girl who fought against the guard. He gave a small nod of approval. Princess Yue stood up and slowly began to walk towards Luna who sent a final blast of fire to knock out the guard. Luna turned her attention to the princess once she felt her presence behind her. Yue gulped nervously but continued to slowly walked towards her. Luna eyed the girl suspiciously. "I'm not going to hurt you," Yue reassured. Luna snapped out of her trance as her eyes went back to normal. She looked at the to unconscious guards behind her and let out a small sob. She hated hurting people like this. She looked at Yue, looking like a deer in headlights. "I can't control it," she said under her breath. Yue examined the strange girl until realization hit her. "You're the Elemental." Luna's eyes widened. Yue turned to face her father. "Father, we have to teach her waterbending," Yue said. "Yue, you know that the traditions of this tribe have always been the same and we can't just-" the chief started to protest. "She's the Elemental," Yue interrupted. A silence fell over the room until the old man broke it. "That's impossible. The last known Elemental died centuries ago." Yue stepped closer to them. "It is quite possible. I've research Elemental for almost a year now because the subject always fascinated me. An Elemental is not like the Avatar who is reincarnated soon after the previous Avatar dies. Elementals are only born every 300 years and they are born with incredible powers," she explained. She looked over her shoulder to Luna and gave her a small smile. "So why is it so important that she needs to learn waterbending?" the chief asked. This time, Luna stepped forward to answer. "Because if I don't master all four elements in the order of the Avatar chicle, I will die by my 16th birthday." Arnook raised a questioning brow. "Which is?" he asked. "At summer's end." Another silence fell over the room as everyone processed what Luna had just told them. "That's why I beg of you. Please, teach me waterbending," Luna pleaded once more, breaking the silence. "Very well. You will train with Master Pakku," the chief said and gestured to the old man who sat on his right. "He is the best waterbender in the Northern Water Tribe." Master Pakku rose and walked towards Luna. "Meet me at the citadel at sunrise. Don't be late," he instructed and with that, he walked out of the building. "Thank you so much Chief Arnook, Princess Yue," Luna thanked with a bow and walked out of the building.