Book One:

Water

Prologue:

Asami's Story

My job as the Protector started when my little brother, Aang, was born. Now nobody knew he was the Avatar at that time! But the day I held my baby brother for the first time, I promised to him and myself, that I would protect him from all the dangers in the world.

The whole Southern Air Temple nicknamed me, "the Protector", when Aang started walking. When Aang started to walk, I was always behind him, catching him when he tripped or stopping him from stepping on thorns. But when he started to airbend at a younger age than usual, he had my hands full! Because he went from almost running into trees to almost sneezing himself of the temple!

But I was 6 when I found out I was the Avatar's Protector...

Flashback...

"Asami, come here please. We need to talk to you." One of the Monks said to me before walking into the room where all the other monks sat. I blinked a few times confuse, before I started following the monk, worried. Oh man! What did Aang or I do this time? I thought to myself as I stepped into the room and sat down on the pillow, in front of the monks.

Noticing my worried face, Monk Gyatso, the Monk who's both my and Aang's guardian, calmly told me I wasn't in trouble. "Don't worry Asami, you are not in trouble. And neither is Aang." I sighed softly in relief, but I quickly sat up straight when I remembered I was sitting in front of the monks. Monk Gyatso laughed silently at me, but he soon looked at me with a serious and sad expression.

"Asami, do you know about the Avatar?" The Senior Monk asked me, as he and the other monks, except Gyatso, stared at me expressionless. I frowned slightly at the question before slowly nodding and answering, "Yeah... The Avatar is a person who can bend all four elements." The monks nodded, silently telling me I was right, before the Senior Monk spoke again.

"We have recently found out who is the next Avatar... your brother, Aang." I gasped in shock at the new found information. Aang's the Avatar?!? I thought to myself, not able to believe that my baby brother is the Avatar. I shook my head slightly before laying my hand against my forehead. I thought for a long moment before looking back up at the Monks.

"Are you sure?" I asked the monks, who all just nodded instead voicing the answer. I sighed softly through my nose as I looked down with wide, shocked eyes. "I can't believe it, my brother's the Avatar..." I said to myself in disbelieve. "That's not all Asami." I looked up as the Senior Monk started talking again.

"The Avatar's safety is the at most importance. Avatar Aang will need a protector until he's grown up and mastered all elements. That protector is you, Asami." I gasped again, not able to believe the even bigger news. I looked down to my lap, trying to figure out what to say, but before I could continue, the Dour Monk sitting at the right hand side of the Senior Monk started talking.

"Asami, we need you to be the Avatar's Protector. It is a very important job, and we need to know now if you are up to it. If you accept, your training begins immediately and you will be able to protect Avatar Aang from everything by the time he turns 16. Asami... Do you accept to be the Avatar's Protector?"

I was speechless and stared at the monks with wide eyes, while they stared with expressionless faces. I looked for a moment in thought before slowly looking up with a small smile. "I'll be honored to be both my brother's and Avatar's Protector." I answered proudly, sitting up straight.

Monk Gyatso smiled at me, but for some reason, I saw sadness in his eyes. I frowned to myself when I saw his sad eyes, and started wondering what he knew what I didn't. Before I could get in even deeper in thought, the Senior Monk caught my attention as he started to talk.

"Beware, to be the Protector means that the Avatar always comes first, always. If you accept, you must leave all distractions in your life. No matter what, the Avatar comes first, for everything." He said with a strong, serious expression, before he continued again. "Do you accept?"

"I accept."

End of Flashback...

Of coarse, I was just 6 years old at that time. I didn't understand that when they said the Avatar always comes first, it actually meant everything. As I started my training, the monks made sure everything that could distract me was gone, well... Almost everything because they couldn't take away Aang.

Monk Gyatso argued strongly to the Monks when the started to forbid me from playing with the other kids. They claimed that playing was a distraction from my training, but Monk Gyatso kept reminding them that I was still just a kid, that I needed freedom and fun. He also liked to remind them that the rules of being the Protector was unfair. But was always the same answer...

Flashback...

"The Avatar comes first." I sighed annoyed as I heard the Dour Monk say to Monk Gyatso in the same room they told me I was the Protector. "Asami is only 8 years old, she is still a child. She needs to have freedom and fun. She needs to grow up as a normal girl." Monk Gyatso said, without raising his voice, but if you listen very carefully, you could hear the annoyances.

"She needs to continue her training as much as possible. When Avatar Aang turns 16, she needs to be a master of all fighting forms and a master at airbending. If Asami is to busy playing games, she won't be a master when the Avatar starts his training!" The Dour Monk exclaimed, not even trying to hide his annoyances for Monk Gyatso.

"Life is beautiful and a gift. You only live once, and you need to enjoy it while you can. If this continues, Asami will not enjoy her life. When Aang has mastered all elements and doesn't need the Protector anymore, Asami will not be able to go back and relive her childhood, her way." Monk Gyatso said, without looking at the Dour Monk, just keeping eye contact with the Senior Monk.

"I understand the importance of her completing her training before Aang turns 16, but Asami is a fast learner and she has many years to become a master. Asami needs to live her way, not the Protector's way." He finished, which only made the Dour Monk angry at him, and he was about to express his anger, but Monk Gyatso spoke again.

"And might I just add, the Protector's way is stupid."

The other monks gasped at his forwardness to the Dour Monk and Senior Monk, while I silently gasped from where I was hiding, thinking to myself how brave he was to speak his mind. "The life of a Protector unfair, to anyone. Even the Avatar who's job is to protect the world has more freedom than the Protector's. It is simple not right."

"It is not up to you Monk Gyatso." The Senior Monk finally spoke for the first time. He stared at Monk Gyatso expressionless before he continued talking. "But I do agree with you," He started slowly, without showing any expression. "Asami will be allowed the freedom of a normal child until she's 13. She will continue her training as Protector, but she will be given more free time."

Monk Gyatso smiled thankfully at the Senior Monk, before bowing and voicing his gratefulness. I silently cheered from where I was hiding, but my excitement soon stopped when the Senior Monk continued again. "When Asami turns 13, she will live the Protector's way. With or without your approval."

End of Flashback...

True to his word, Senior Monk gave me the freedom I needed, and I still continued with Protector's training. Although the Monks gave me freedom until I was 13, every year as I slowly got older, I realized what Monk Gyatso meant how the Protector's way is stupid. Apparently, all distractions in life was friends and everything fun.

Luckily, Monk Gyatso was able to defend my side every time I complained to the Monks about how they where ruining my life and that it wasn't fair. He always agreed with me, and most of the time he was able to help me win my argument with the monks. The Monks made it very clear how they felt about my arguments, but Monk Gyatso and I didn't care. He wanted what was best for me, and I wanted a life.

When I turned 13, my training started full on and my freedom was taken away. Aang always questioned why I wasn't playing anymore with him and the other kids, but because he wasn't ready yet to know that he was the Avatar, I wasn't allowed to tell him the truth about my training and me being the Protector. I didn't want to lie to him, but unfortunately I had to every time he questioned my absence.

Although being the Protector sucked so far for me, it did have its perks when Aang visited his friends around the world. Being the Avatar's Protector meant, where ever he goes, I go. But the days Aang visited his friends was usually when my job as Protector worked at its most. Especially when he visited his mad genius friend, Bumi, in Omashu.

Flashback...

"Aang! Aang!" I called out as I run around in Omashu, looking for my little troublemaker brother. After 10 years looking after Aang, I knew when it itches behind my left ear, Aang was either in trouble, or causing trouble. And right now, my ear's driving me crazy.

"Aang! Where are you?" I called again, getting both annoyed and worried for my little brother. Not long after I called, I quickly turned around when I heard Aang and Bumi laughing full heartedly in excitement. Good news is, Aang and Bumi are okay. Bad news is, they're both sliding down the mail system!

I screamed in both surprise and fear before I started running after them as they continued to slide down the mail system! "Aang! Bumi!" I called in worry as I run after them, but when they looked over their shoulders and saw me, they just smiled at me with huge grins while waving at me. "Hi Asami!" They both yelled to me before looking forward again and laughing again.

I growled to myself in anger as I glared at the boys, but my eyes soon turned wide when I saw them getting closer to a uphill slide. "Aang! Bumi! Get out of there!" I called out, but either they didn't hear me or they ignored me, which I hope they didn't, because if they did I'll kill them myself if the crash doesn't.

Both Aang and Bumi cheered as they rode down the mail system, going faster and faster. Confused at how they're going so fast, my eyes widen again in shock when I realized they're both using airbending and earthbending to go faster. You know want? I am gonna kill them when I get my hands on them! I thought to myself as I mentally groaned annoyed.

But my annoyance soon turned into fear when they flew up in the air. Not a minute later, both of them started screaming in fear. My sister and Protector instincts kicking in, I quickly airbended an air bubble around them and safely brought them back to the ground. I sighed in relief and removed the air bubble before I run over to them.

"Are you guys okay?" I asked as I stopped next to them, looking at them both with worried eyes. Both Aang and Bumi were sitting down with wide eyes, breathing deeply before each one of them got a huge grin on their faces. "That was great!" Bumi exclaimed as he jumped up with his fist in the air. "Let's do that again!" Aang exclaimed as he jumped out of the cart.

I blinked a few times in surprise, soon snapping myself out of it as I shook head. "Are you guys crazy?" I asked them both as I stared at them with a frown. Both Aang and Bumi laughed at my question before they replayed to me at the same time. "Nope! Just mad geniuses!"

I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath through my nose, before slowly releasing it with a sigh. I opened my eyes and looked at Aang and Bumi with a smile before laughing softly at them. "What am I going to do with you two?" I asked as I walked over to them and laid my arms over their shoulders as we started walking away from the mail chart.

"Love us?" Aang asked innocently as he looked up at me with a smile. I just laughed at his silliness before giving them both a side hug as we continued to walk. They returned it and continued walking along side me with my arms still over their shoulders. As we walked, I started thinking to myself about how these 2, no matter where they were, no matter what situation, they always find a way to have fun.

"Hey," I stared as I looked down at with a smile. Still walking, both Aang and Bumi looked up at me, smiling softly. "Promise me something?" I asked them without breaking my smile. Aang and Bumi looked at each other for a moment before looking back at me, both nodding as we continued walking.

"Never stop being mad geniuses."

End of Flashback...

They promised me that they won't stop being mad geniuses, and it made me both glad and mad. Glad, because they always had fun like kids should. Mad, because I had to keep them out of trouble all of the time. But I never stop loving them.

Unfortunately, Bumi wasn't the only friendly who liked to get into trouble. Unlike the others, this kid was Aang's best friend. Kuzon from the Fire Nation. Kuzon was like Bumi, minus the mad genius of coarse, Bumi is one of a kind! Anyway, Kuzon and Aang was always able to have fun, no matter where or when. I liked Kuzon, just as much as I like all Aang's friends, because even though I was older than them, they all saw me as their friend, and they where mine.

But it was that one day Aang visited Kuzon in the Fire Nation when I met my first best friend.

Flashback...

Aang and Kuzon where laughing as they run away from me, while I chased them. We were playing tag and I was it. I laughed as I chased after the fun, loving kids before using my airbending to help me run faster, and tagged Aang. "Hey!" He exclaimed laughing as Kuzon and I started running away from him. "You cheated!" He exclaimed again laughing before he started running after us.

"Nobody said no bending!" I called over my shoulder with a cheeky smile. "So its not cheating!" I added with a laugh before looking back in front of me. We all continued playing tag that day, and for once, I finally felt like a kid again. So focused on the game and trying not to get tagged, I didn't see the sleeping komodo rhino in front of me until I accidently tripped over its tail, waking it.

I fell down to the ground and groaned in pain as my head hit the ground. I rubbed my head as I slowly got up, but I soon froze when I saw an angry komodo rhino standing in front of me as it took strong breaths in and out its nose. Both Kuzon and Aang yelled at me to get away, but before I could, the rhino charged at me. I screamed when I saw it coming straight at me as I froze in fear.

Before he could hit me, a teenage boy jumped in front of me and shot a fireball out of his fist. The komodo rhino soon stopped charging as he saw the fireball. Jumping back in fright, the rhino quickly turned around and run away. Breathing deeply in shock and relief, I slowly looked at the boy who was looking down at me with worry.

The boy was about to say something, but was interrupted when Aang tackled me into a hug. "Are you okay Asami?" Aang asked after pulling away from the hug, with Kuzon standing behind him, looking at me worried. "I'm fine." I said to them reassuringly before looking back at the boy, smiling at him gratefully. "Thank you."

He smiled down at me before nodding for his thanks. Aang laugh softly in relief before he too looked at the boy, gratefully. "Yeah, thank you for saving my sister! I don't know what I would do without her!" The boy chuckled softly before he offered his hand to Aang to help him up. "Don't mention it." Aang smiled again at the boy before taking the boy's hand and got back up on his feet.

I expected Aang to help me up, but before Aang could offer his hand, the boy offered his to me. I smiled at the boy and took his hand as he smiled back. Gripping my hand, the boy pulled me back up to my feet before letting my hand go. I nodded my thanks to him, which he returned as Aang came over with Kuzon and stood next to me.

Kuzon looked at me with a relief expression, happy that I didn't get hurt, but his expression soon turned confused as he scratched his head. "I thought komodo rhinos weren't afraid of fire." He said as he looked down at the direction where the rhino run. "Only the wild rhinos are afraid of fire. The ones that are tamed aren't afraid of fire and are usually more calmed." The boy answered Kuzon.

"That makes sense." Aang said calmly before looking back at the boy with a big grin. "I'm Aang!" He said with a small wave. "And I'm Kuzon!" My brother's best exclaimed as he run over and stood next to Aang. The boy laugh at them before give hand to them to shake. "I'm Zian!" He said as he shook each boy's hand before turning to me. I smiled brightly before taking his hand and shaking it. "I'm Asami!"

Zian smiled brightly, slowly stopped shaking me hand, but never taking it out of mine. "Nice meeting Asami."

End of Flashback...

It was the start of a beautiful friendship that day. Every time Aang went to visit Kuzon at the Fire Nation, I went to meet Zian. And as time went by, I soon started to develop feelings for him. At first I thought it was just a crush, but the more time I spent with him, the more I realized I was in love with Zian.

When Aang and Monk Gyatso found out about my feelings for Zian, they both encouraged me to tell him. I was to scared to tell Zian at the time, but luckily, I soon realized my feelings was real and I needed to tell him. Much to my surprise and luck, Zian felt the same way, and even admitted he was about to tell me but I beaten him to it.

Our friendship turned into a relationship soon after, and that was the happiest time of my life. Unfortunately, the Monks found out about my feelings for Zian and forbid me from seeing him. But Monk Gyatso luckily gave me his blessing to continue seeing Zian. The Monks made sure to remind me every time that I wasn't allowed to see him, but I just ignored them and kept on seeing Zian.

On our one year anniversary, was when we both got a surprise of a life time.

Flashback...

Today was our one year anniversary, and Zian thought it would be a great idea to take us riding on komodo rhinos. Of coarse I was scared at first, because of last years incident with a komodo rhino, but I trusted Zian and I knew he wouldn't take us riding if he didn't think it was safe. When I got on the rhino, I had a bit of trouble leading at first, but Zian quickly told me that I should also use my legs and body and not just my arms. Luckily I soon got the hand of it, and was riding along side Zian.

"I can't believe you took us riding on komodo rhinos for our one year anniversary!" I said with a laugh while we rode back to the stables after a day of riding. "Hey, if it wasn't for a komodo rhino, you and I would've never met!" Zian said with a chuckle as he stopped in front of the stables and got off his rhino. Still being new at riding, I stayed on my rhino and waited for Zian to finish unsaddling his rhino.

"True..." I started off with a playful shrug before looking back at my boyfriend. "But that rhino was about to kill me!" I quickly added, making Zian laugh as he put away the saddle and leaded the rhino into the stable. "Well she seems to like you now." Zian said over his shoulder as he closed the rhino's stable door.

"Wait, what?" I asked as my expression turned from happy to confuse. Zian just laughed again as he walked over to me and patted my rhino on the neck. "This is the komodo rhino that I saved you from." He said to me as he looked the rhino in the eyes with a smile as he petted her head. I looked down at him, shock, before looking back at the rhino, that I was still sitting on.

"Are you serious?" I asked after Zian finished petting the komodo rhino, walking over to me and helped me get off the rhino. "Yeah, her names Emiko. My dad and I found her about a month after we met." Zian said as he started unsaddling the rhino, Emiko, while I walked over to stand next to her and slowly started petting her. "Her tail was broken. That's why she was so aggressive that day. She was in pain."

"Poor girl." I said as I continued petting her. Emiko snorted softly through her nose, bumping her nose against my hand, begging for more attention. I laughed softly at the little, uh... big, attention seeker, and started petting her with both hands. Zian laughed softly at us, before taking her saddle of and putting it away. "Yeah, she loves the attention. When we found her, my dad said she won't be able to survive with her tail broken."

I frowned slightly at Zian as he walked past me to put the saddle away. "Wait, Emiko would've have died if you haven't found her?" I asked as he walked over to us and took Emiko's halter lead from me. I step back, not wanting to be in the way and followed after them as Zian leaded her back into her stable. "Unfortunately yes, she would have." He answered over his shoulder.

"Komodo rhinos need their tails to support them when they're running. They also need it to defend themselves." Zian continued as he lead Emiko into her stable. "It must have been hard for you to get her to trust you." I said as he walked out and closed the stable's door. "You know, after the whole fireball thing."

"Yeah, it was hard in the beginning," Zian started as he took my hand in his and started walking out of the barn. "But she slowly started to trust me when she realized I was helping her, not hurting her." He finished as he looked down at me with a smile, which I returned. After we got out of the barn, I stopped Zian by letting his hand go, and brought him into a hug.

"You're a good man Zian." I said to him as I listened to his heartbeat with my arms wrapped around him. Zian chuckled softly, wrapping his arms me and tightening the hug a bit. "I love you Asami." "I love you too Zian." I said, slowly looking up at him without breaking the hug. Zian and I both smiled lovingly before slowly leaning in and kissed.

We kissed for a moment before Zian broke it with a sigh. I frowned softly when I heard his sigh and asked him what was wrong. He just softly shook his, but I knew something was bothering him. "Zian, you can tell." I said as I touched his cheek and lifted his face up to look him in the eye. Zian slowly opened his eyes and looked at me sadly before sighing again. "I know they forbid you from seeing me, Asami." Caught off guard for a second, I mentally shook my head before looking at Zian with a confuse expression.

"What are you talking about?" I asked him, playing dumb. Zian gave me a pointed look as he crossed his arms. "I know Asami. The monks told me themselves." He said before looking down to the ground with a glare, annoyed. Caught off guard from his confession, I stared at him, speechless, before I started thinking how I was going to explain without telling the whole truth.

"When did you see the Monks?" I asked him after a while, still thinking how to explain. "A few days ago." Zian answered as he scratched his neck and tapped his foot. His reaction just made me suspicious. When Zian was hiding something, he would scratch his neck and tap his foot. It always gave him away, and when he realized what he was doing, it was to late.

"Why did you go see the Monks?" I asked Zian, crossing my arms with a glare. Zian raised his arm to scratch his neck again, but stopped himself when I gave him a knowing glare. Knowing that he's caught, Zian sighed softly. "I went to see the Monks to get their blessing." I frowned in confusion and was about to question him, but was interrupted as he started talking again.

"They said no." Zian said with a sarcastic chuckle, still glaring at the ground annoyed. "And no matter what I said, they just kept saying no!" He exclaimed as he started pacing. "They said that they didn't care that I love you! I'm apparently in the way of your duty! Whatever that means!" Seeing his frustration, I realized I needed to tell him the truth.

"I'm the Avatar's Protector."

After telling the truth I looked up and saw Zian staring at me in shock. His expression slowly turned from shock to realization. "That's why the monks said no..." Zian said, more to himself, as he realized the Monks reason. I sadly nodded, closing my eyes to stop the tears that formed from escaping. "It's Aang isn't it? He's the Avatar." Knowing I will cry if I spoke, I just sadly nodded to Zian again.

"Then he's blessing is enough."

Caught by surprise, I looked up and saw Zian smiling lovingly at me. Before I could question him, I gasped in surprise when I saw him getting down on one knee. Still smiling, Zian put his hand in his pocket and brought out a simple, small, gold ring. Knowing what was happening, I started smiling as tears of joy started forming in my eyes. Seeing my smile, Zian's smile brightened as he took my left and held it in his.

"Before I asked the monks blessing, I asked Aang first for his blessing, you know, being your brother and all." Zian started with a chuckled, which I returned with a giggle. "If I have known that he's the Avatar, I wouldn't even have asked the monks!" He added jokingly.

I giggled softly, mentally thanking my brother for his blessing, before taking a deep breath as I wiped away my tears. "Asami..." Zian slowly started after taking a deep breath, "I know that this is soon. I know we're still young, and we're both still training. But I love you with all my heart! I want to spent the rest of my life with you! And I'm willing to wait until we're both ready!" Zian said as tears of joy started to form in his eyes.

"Will you marry me?"

Completely speechless, I slowly started nodding as the tears rolled down my cheeks. "Yes," I said as I silently started to cry in happiness. "A thousand times yes." I continued as Zian put the ring on my finger. Sighing deeply in relief, Zian stood up and brought me into a bone crushing hug, before kissing me passionately. Giggling through the kiss, I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned the kiss with the same passion.

End of Flashback...

Both Aang and Monk Gyatso were overly excited when they heard of the engagement. They were happy for Zian and I, wished us all the best of luck. The monks luckily didn't know about the engagement, but was out raged when they found out that I was still seeing Zian. And they didn't even try to hide their anger. They started making me train more and harder, as well as taking away my breaks before and after training. And on my free days, they will call me in for more airbending training.

Airbending is very important to us, but being the Protector, I needed to be a master at fighting before I could become a master airbender. If I wasn't the Protector, I would have gotten my airbending tattoos at the same time Aang got his. Luckily for me, I was able to master fighting at 14. I still needed to train, but because I was a master at fight, they started training me more on airbending.

Of coarse, I wanted to be airbending master more than ever! Especially my airbending tattoos! I wanted my arrows, and I wanted to where them proudly! But when the monks were training me, it felt like they wanted to break me more than make me a master. Aang questioned the monks after he saw how hard they pushing me in training, but they just said I needed to master airbending as soon as possible.

He didn't understand their reasons, at that time, but he knew I was close to breaking from all their pushing. Being the good little brother he is, Aang decided to make a quick visit during my training before returning with a surprise.

Flashback...

"Zian!" I called out in excitement as I jumped into his arms, after he got off Appa, Aang's sky bison. Zian laughed happily as he caught me, spinning me with a hug. I laughed as he spin me, before kissing him after he put me down. He returned the kiss with a smile, and tightened his arms around me. We pulled away soon after and gave both each other a bone crushing hug. I pulled away slightly after the hug, and looked up at Zian lovingly.

"Not that I'm complaining or anything, but are you doing here?" I asked, smiling so much my cheeks started to hurt, but I was so happy, I couldn't stop smiling. Zian, also smiling so brightly and happy, pulled out of the hug as he turned to face Aang, who was standing behind him, smiling at us. "Aang noticed that you were feeling a little down." He started as he put his arm over my shoulders, pulling me next to him. "So he thought he should cheer you up with a surprise!"

I giggled at my fiancé's comment as I wrapped my arms around his body, looking up to him lovingly. "Well like my surprise very much!" I said to Zian before I laid my head on his shoulder, hugging him slightly before looking at Aang with a grateful smile. "Thank you!" "Oh, that's not the surprise!" Aang said as he got one of his biggest smiles ever on his face. I frowned softly and was about to question him, but stopped when I heard a soft chirp.

Hearing the chirp as well, both Aang and Zian smiled knowingly as they walked over to Appa and picked up a basket that's tied up with a ribbon. My frowned deepened as I saw the basket, and just realized that it was standing there this whole time and I didn't even realized it. Aang and Zian smiled again knowingly before walking over to me and handed over the basket to me.

"What's in this?" I asked them, smiling but confused as I took the basket. They just continued smiling at me before telling me to open it. Not knowing what else to do, I got down at my knees before putting the basket down in front of me. My hands moved to the tied ribbon, but before I untied it, I looked up at Aang and Zian with a look that said if I should open it.

Seeing my look, they both nodded with bright smile as they watched. Sighing softly, I slowly pulled the ribbon lose and pulled it of the basket. I looked back at the boys first, who nodded to me to continue, before looking back at the now ribbonless basket. I took a deep breath and slowly started lifting up the lid and looked into to the slightly open basket. Not seeing anything suspicious, I continued opening the basket, before I started smiling brightly when I saw what was inside.

"Oh my cuteness! He's adorable!" I exclaimed as I saw the most cutest thing in the world, a baby fire ferret. The fire ferret chirped as he stood up on his hind legs, after he noticed the basket was open. He looked around at first before noticed me, sitting in front of him. Seeing that he saw me, I slowly moved my hand towards him, and started scratching softly under his chin. Loving it, he stood higher up and grabbed my hand with his front paws, pulling it to his belly. Taking the hint, I softly started scratching his belly, making him groan in pleasure.

Laughing at his reaction, I moved my free hand over and picked him up while I continued scratching his belly and put him down on my lap. To busy enjoying his belly scratches, the baby fire ferret didn't even realized he's being moved. Wanting to see what he would do next, I stopped scratching his belly and moved my hand away. The baby fire ferret snapped his head up, staring at me with a glare, but I just laughed and looked down at him with a smile.

Wanting belly scratches, the little thing grabbed my hand again with his front paws and pulled it back to his fluffy belly. I laughed with Aang and Zian as we watched him pull my hand, and before I could move my hand, the fire ferret wrapped his arms around mine, holding my hand down. "Somebody likes their belly scratches!" Aang said as he walked over and sat down next to me. Zian followed, after laughing at the little ferret's demand, and sat down at my other side.

"Look's like I have competition!" Zian joked as he scratched the ferret behind the ear. Both Aang and I laughed at Zian's joke, and soon after, Aang also started scratching his belly, making him moan more in pleasure and causing us all to laugh. After a good laugh, I looked up from the baby fire ferret, and looked at my little brother and my fiancé with a smile. "Thank you guys! This is the best gift ever!" "You're welcome Asami!" Aang said as he gave me a side hug.

"Anytime." Zian said as he put his arm on my shoulders. I smiled lovingly at him, before looking back at the little belly scratcher demander. "What you gonna call him?" Aang asked curiously, as he looked back at the baby fire ferret with a smile. I sat for a moment in thought, thinking of a good name for a fire ferret. My face soon brighten with a smile as the perfect name popped in my head.

"Kai."

End of Flashback...

From that day on, everything started going well. I was doing well in training, so the monks slowly stopped pushing me, and also started giving my free days back. There were still days where they were hard on me, especially on the days when Zian visited me. I just ignored them on those days and went on with my life.

And as time went by, lucked seemed to be on both mine and Zian's side. We both became masters at bending before we turned 16. When an airbender becomes a master, they get their airbending arrow tattoos. I became a master two days before I got 16, and knowing that the tattooing is a proud, yet painful thing, I decided to get my tattoos after my birthday.

Zian became a master four days before his 16th birthday. When a firebender becomes a master, they first get tested to see if they can bend lightning. There are only a few people who can bend lightning, because of lightning being both positive and negative energy, it is hard for others to separate the two energies. The ones who can bend lightning, will continue training for three days. Zian decided to do the test before his birthday, and he past.

After his three day training, Zian got his Firebender Master's belt. Every bender has his own way of showing a master. In airbending, it is our blue arrow tattoos, and in firebending they get a belt with a fire nation symbol belt buckle. In waterbending, the men get a bone necklace with a water tribe symbol charm, while the woman gets a bracelet instead of a necklace. In earthbending, the masters get either a wrist armor, shin armor or both.

But our luck soon started to run out after the monks told Aang that he was the Avatar.

Flashback...

"After waiting and training for 16 years, I finally get to wear this bad boy!" Zian said as he proudly showed his Master's Belt. I giggled at his comment as I sat on my bed and petted Kai, before I looked up at Zian and smiled to him in pride. "I'm proud of you." I said to him in pride, getting a proudly smile from him, before I smirked to him. "Master Zian!"

Zian laughed at my response as he walked over to me. "And I'm proud of you." He said with a loving smile as he sat down next to me, before he started smirking. "Master Asami!" I started laughing, which made him laugh. We soon calmed down from the laughter and leaned in to kiss. But before our lips could meet, Aang suddenly burst through my door.

"Aang!" I exclaimed at my brother, annoyed for almost breaking my door and for interrupting our kiss. Both Zian and I glared at Aang, but our stares soon soften when we saw the conflict in Aang's face. "Whoa, buddy! Are you okay?" Zian asked his future brother-in-law, as he stared at Aang worried, along with me. But Aang was just breathing repeatedly as he stared at me in mix emotions. "Aang?" I asked slowly, getting more worried at my little brother.

"You knew didn't you?"

Zian and I looked at each other with a confused frown before looking back at Aang. "Knew what Aang?" I asked in confusion. "That I'm the Avatar." My eyes widen in surprise as my expressions went from confused and worried to shock and disbelief. Zian's eyes was also wide from surprise as he looked back and forth from Aang and I. Not knowing what else to do, I slowly took a deep breath before asking the first thing that popped in the my head.

"Who told you?"

"So you did know!" Aang exclaimed as he started pacing in my room. "Aang, you weren't suppose to know until you turn 16!" I said ashamed, as I looked down to my lap. Zian softly laid his hand on my shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I put my hand over his and smiled sadly at him, which he returned as he gave me a soft nod, silently telling me that it would alright.

Aang continued pacing but stopped when Monk Gyatso walked into my room with a smile. "Zian, your father is here with his dragon." Zian sighed softly before standing up from my bed, along with me. We hugged each other tightly before giving a quick, yet soft kiss. "I'll see you later." Zian said as he cupped my cheek with his hand and smiled at me lovingly. I returned the smile, giving him one last kiss before he left with his father.

Knowing Aang and I were in a bad mood, Monk Gyatso suggested we go and make fruit cakes. I immediately agreed with a smile, while Aang agreed as well, but I could see his mind was somewhere else. I looked at Monk Gyatso, who was already smiling at me reassuringly, and slowly nodded his head yes. I took a deep breath, turning to Aang and finally told the truth.

"Aang... I'm the Avatar's Protector."

End of Flashback...

Aang was confused at first, but I explained everything to him, with a little help from Monk Gyatso as we walked over to the kitchen. I was finally relieved that I could tell Aang the truth, but I was furious at the monks for telling Aang so early. He wasn't ready yet, and as selfish as it sound, I'm not ready yet to be the Protector.

Luckily, they didn't announce to the world yet that Aang was the Avatar, and they also decided that he needed more training in airbending before he started waterbending. Unfortunately, they did announce to the air nomads of the Southern Air Temple. Everyone started treating us differently. It didn't bother me, as long has I had Aang, Gyatso and Zian in my life, I didn't need anybody else.

But for Aang, it was a different story. The kids stopped playing with him, because they believed him being the Avatar, it will be unfair for the team he played against. And if that wasn't bad enough, the monks started training him the same way they trained me. Like he did for me, Monk Gyatso stepped in and told the monks as Aang's guardian, he'll say when Aang trains and when not.

But the monks had enough with Monk Gyatso.

Flashback...

"Aang needs to have freedom and fun. He needs to grow up as a normal boy." Monk Gyatso said as both he and the Dour Monk stood in front of the Senior Monk. I knew what was going on the second I saw the three monks in the room, and interred. None of them noticed me entering, so they continued with the meeting. The Dour Monk turned to Monk Gyatso and glared at him with a glare I knew all to well.

"You can't keep protecting him from his destiny! And that goes for Asami as well!" The Dour Monk to Gyatso with an annoyed death glare, but Monk Gyatso just continued looking at the Senior Monk, expressionless. Standing in the corner of the room, I rolled my eyes, irritated over the monk who wanted to control my life more than ever. "Gyatso..." The Senior started off gently.

"I know you mean well. But you are letting your affection for both the boy and the girl, affect your judgement." The Senior Monk said knowingly. "All I want, is what's best for him, and for her." Monk Gyatso said, sad for knowing what was coming next. He already walked through this, only this time it's Aang and not me. "What we need is what's best for the world." I sighed softly as I heard the Senior Monk, and silently started to beg for the worst not to come.

"You must be separated from Aang and Asami."

Knowing that this was going to far, I moved out from my corner and marched towards the monks. "The Avatar and the Protector will be send away to the Eastern Air Temple to complete their training." The Senior Monk finished, making Monk Gyatso look down sadly and making me more angry. Having enough with the monks controlling my life, I finally snapped as I put my foot down.

"No way!"

"Asami!" They all said, surprised to see me, but I continued to glare the Senior and Dour Monk. "You have no right! You can't send us away!" I exclaimed, not hiding my anger. Before Monk Gyatso or the Senior Monk could say anything, the Dour stepped forward, glaring at me. "I have had it up to enough with you young lady!" He exclaimed at me in frustration, but I just continued glaring him.

"Well I've had enough of you controlling my life!" I yelled at him in anger, before turning to the Senior Monk. "Controlling our lives is not best for the world!" The Senior Monk, slowly glaring as I yelled at him, but I simply didn't care, I was going to speak my mind. "Air represents freedom! And you guys who are airbenders, are suppose to give me freedom! Not take it away!"

"The only person ever cared about my freedom is Monk Gyatso! And now that he's trying to save Aang's freedom, your sending us away!" I continued, letting out all the anger and frustration I was holding in for years. "If we have done it in the first place, you would have already been a master!" The Dour Monk shouted at me, glaring at me with the mother of all glares. "But no! Instead of training like you should off, you went around playing games and fooling around with that Fire Nation boy!"

"I am a Master! And as the Avatar's Protector, I'm not letting you take Aang anywhere!" I yelled, out raged. "This is not up to discussion!" The Senior Monks exclaimed, raising his voice for the first time ever. We all got surprised at his shown anger, but unlike the others, I continued glaring. Glaring as well, the Senior Monk continued, his voice no longer raised, but still full of anger.

"You and Aang will go to the Eastern Air Temple! He will complete his training! And you will live the Protector's way!"

I laughed sarcastically, as I crossed my arms. "Sorry Senior Monk! But the only place I'm going, is to my wedding! And I'll be living my life, my way!" I exclaimed, putting my foot down. Monk Gyatso stared proudly at me, but I could still see the worry in his eyes. Senior Monk and the Dour Monk on the other hand, they were close to blowing up.

"Absolutely not!" They both yelled in anger, making Gyatso look down sadly, and making me more frustrated. "Under no circumstances! You will not marry that boy!" The Senior Monk said very clearly, but I didn't care. "Yes, I will! I love Zian more than anything! And he loves me! And we're going to get married at Whale Tail Island!" I exclaimed, getting more frustrated with the two monks.

"Young lady, you may be 16, but you still need our blessing to get married!" The Dour Monk exclaimed in anger. "Yeah, well we have both Monk Gyatso's and Aang's blessing! I'm sure the blessing of my Guardian and the blessing of the Avatar is more than enough!" I exclaimed as I smiled sarcastically at them. "I'm going to Whale Tail Island, and I am going to marry Zian! And there is nothing you can do to stop me!"

Having said enough, I gave the Senior and Dour Monk one last glare before turning around and heading towards the exit. "Don't you dare leave this room Asami! If you go, you will regret it!" The Dour Monk yelled, but I just rolled my eyes in annoyances, before turning to face him, while walking backwards. "What are you gonna do? Dishonor me?" I asked, still walking backwards.

The two monks just stared at me with glares, while Monk Gyatso just looked at me sadly. After a moment of silence, I huffed in annoyances when I knew they weren't going to say anything. "Yeah, that's what I thought!" I said to them, annoyed, before turning around and leaving the door.

End of Flashback...

After my burst to the monks, I went to my room and started packing my things. My wedding was in a few days, and I needed to be at Whale Tail Island to prepare everything for the wedding. But while I was packing, my back was turned to the door, and I didn't see the monk closing and locking my door before it was too late. I screamed and told him to let me out, but he just said that I brought this to myself, before walking away.

I continued screaming and begging for anyone to let me out, but nobody heard me. I soon started crying when I realized that my last bit of freedom left, was taken away by locking me up in my room, and that I was going to miss my own wedding. Not long after, I started cursing at the monks, telling them how cruel they are for taking away my freedom and my happiness.

After say everything I had to say to them, I started crying again when I thought about Zian. Heartbroken, I started him telling how sorry I was. How I sorry I was that I was going to miss our wedding. Sorry that I was the Avatar's Protector. But I soon stopped crying when I heard my door unlock.

Flashback...

I was laying on my bed and crying in my pillow, heartbroken. The monks took my last bit of freedom when they locked me into my room. Not only did they take away my freedom, they're keeping me away from Zian. Every time I thought that the monks couldn't make my life any worse, they proof me wrong. Even though I'm an air nomad, I always had hope that I would have the life I want. But I lost all that hope after they locked me up.

I cried my heart out onto my pillow, asking myself and the universe, why won't somebody come and save me from this, and make it end. My question seemed to have gotten answered, because soon after, I stopped crying and looked up from the pillow when I heard my door unlock. The universe must have known that I needed more than just a savior, because when I looked up from my pillow, I saw Aang.

"Aang!" I cried out happily as I jumped off my bed and tackled my little brother into a hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" I repeatedly said as I cried into Aang's shoulder. Not needing to say anything, Aang just returned the hug, tightly, before pulling away and looking me deep in the eye. "Get your things. We're leaving."

Caught by surprised for a moment, I frown at my little brother before questioning him. "Wait, what?" Aang seemed to be on a mission, because instead of answering me, he went over to my half packed stuff and started packing the rest. "I'm giving back your freedom." Aang said before handing over one of the bags to me, and continued packing. Still confused at my brother, I walked over to him and put my hand on his shoulder, catching his attention for a moment.

"Aang, what's going on?" I questioned him, but Aang just shrugged off my hand and continued packing. "I overheard the meeting. I know everything." I sighed sadly at my brother, knowing that he was having mixed feelings that the moment. But before I could say anything, Aang started talking again. "I'm running away. And I'm taking you to Whale Tail Island to marry Zian."

Aang finished packing the bags and put one bag on his back. Before taking the other one, Aang took my staff and handed it over to me. "I'm not letting the monks take away our freedom. Especially yours." He said, picking the other bag up after I took my staff. I stood there, speechless from everything Aang's telling me. Noticing my mixed thoughts, Aang softly put his hand on my shoulder.

"Asami, the monks took away your freedom. They locked you up in your room to keep you from marrying Zian. If we stay here, they're going to send us away from Monk Gyatso and make sure to keep you away from Zian at any cost. If we ever want our freedom back, and live a life with love, we need to run away."

Slowly thinking what Aang said, knowing that he was right, I slowly started smiling before nodding at him. "Let's get out of here!" I said, before taking Kai and putting him on my shoulder, and left my room with Aang soon following behind me.

End of Flashback...

I was so happy that moment, I thought I was finally getting my freedom. That I get to live my life my way with Zian. But unfortunately, the universe had a change of plans. On our way to Whale Tail Island, a storm started out of the blue. The wind was strong, the rain was cold, and the ocean's waves were very high. Aang tried to steer Appa in the strong winds, and tried to avoid the waves, but the storm was to big and strong. In the matter of seconds, we lost control and crashed into the ocean.

I blacked out when we crashed, but before I did, I thought of all my moments with Zian. I at first thought that this was it, this was going to be my final day on earth. I thought of how I at least get to have freedom in the spirit world. But that soon changed when I woke up in the South Pole.