"Mayumi-" small hands shook my shoulders "-wake up. Mayumi."

Instead of replying to the quiet whispers I grabbed Aang's body and pulled him down into me. He giggled in response and tried to get away as I cuddled the young boy into my body.

"It's too early to wake up," my voice was groggy with sleep as I tried to fall back to sleep. "There isn't even light."

He collapsed in my arms, backing slowly out of them before perching next to my head. Using his staff he poked at my body as I tried to swat him away.

"We have to go to the fire nation, I have to find Avatar Roku."

I sat up, pushing the wood away one last time. "Why right now? The moon is still out and the fire nation will still be there when we wake."

"Well-" he scratched the back of his neck sheepishly "-Sokka and Katara can't come."

Those words suddenly woke me up. I looked at Aang with worry and moved to sit in front of him, a wordless request for him to braid my hair. When we were younger I noticed the way having something to do with his hands always helped Aang think.

He smiled brightly, instantly beginning to work. 

"Aang," I sighed, "why don't you want to take them?"

"I can't let them risk themselves. They have sacrificed so much to help us, I can't just take them into enemy territory."

"It's their choice," my words were solemn as I tried to get my point across.

"No I can't-"

"What happened the last time we ventured off on our own to the fire nation?"

With my words Aang instantly shut his mouth and stopped his movements. My hands came up to hold his and I gave them a gentle squeeze. His eyes held a pain I wish that I could just take away.

"Please-" his words cut off with a voice crack "-I can't be the reason anyone else dies."

My face fell at his words and I leaned back so we were eye to eye. "It's not fair to them. We can't just disappear, they might do something even more extreme." When he bowed his head down in anxiety I relented. "But I'm weak. And if I say no you're going to do it without me and with out protection. But only if we train beforehand, I worry what we might run into."

Once we finished our stances with more complaints of no actual bending I packed up and was ready to leave.

"Let's go, Appa! Come on, boy!" Aang's attempts to get the sky bison to agree seemed almost futile. "Look I'm sorry, but Katara and Sokka aren't coming to the Fire Nation with us. If they got hurt, I'd never forgive myself. So get your big butt off the ground and let's go!"

"I think his big butt is trying to tell ya something," I looked to my left and smiled at Sokka's intrusion.

"Well look at that Aang," I said with a look. "They want to come."

"Please don't go Aang," Katara begged. "The world can't afford to lose you to the Fire Nation. Neither can I."

"But I have to talk to Avatar Roku to find out what my vision means! I need to get to the Fire Temple before the sun sets on the solstice. That's today!" Aang exclaimed.

"We're not letting you go into the Fire Nation, Aang," Katara said.

I sat up in protectiveness. It doesn't matter how much I like them, if these siblings try and get in the way it won't end well.

"At least, not without your friends. We got your back," Sokka said and I relaxed.

I jumped onto Appa holding out a hand for him as well while Katara and Aang went to tell the village leader we were leaving. As I hauled him up I pulled a bit too hard, making close eye contact, our bodies flush against one another.

I looked down with a blush, swiftly moving away. "Thank you for helping Aang. You do so much for him when you don't have to and it means the world to me. He's all I have left."

I was shocked to see his usual grumpy demeanor replaced with a soft smile. "Anything for you."

Before I had time to dwell on that Aang jumped into the saddle with Katara, allowing us to take off. The two of us instantly looked away and Appa took off.

"Aang. We've got trouble!" Katara pointed to Zuko's ship, with a flaming ball pointed to us.

"Yeah," Sokka yelped. "And it's gaining, fast!"

The ball was fired to us and Katara yelled, Aang hitting it out of the air.

"We have to get out of Zuko's range, before he shoots another hot stinker at us," Katara exclaimed.

"Can't you make Appa go any faster?" Sokka complained.

"Yeah," Aang's sigh made my eyes fill with worry. "But there's just one little problem."

There was a blockade in the water, all with catapults aimed to us. I could feel my fists heating in anger before closing my eyes. From breath comes peace. From peace comes energy. From energy comes fire.

"If we fly north, we can go around the Fire Nation ships and avoid the blockade! It's the only way," Aang said with conviction.

"There's no time!" Katara retorted.

"Storm the blockade, they have limited aim and I'll make sure we don't get hit," despite my confident words I felt fear fill my chest. If I had to reveal my bending...

"This is exactly why I didn't want you to come," Aang huffed. "It's too dangerous!"

"And that's exactly why we're here," Katara's hand rested on his shoulder and I smiled at her.

"Let's run this blockade," Sokka yelled.

Then dozens of fireballs came hurling in our direction, Appa evading them masterfully. If I noticed one on too clear of a path to us I would subtly bend it to explode before it reached it's target.

Soot covered all of us as I looked around, checking for injuries.

"Appa, are you okay?" Aang questioned.

As we dodged Sokka was thrown off. 

"Sokka," Aang exclaimed.

Appa dived in to catch Sokka right in time and I grabbed his arm, half hanging off of the bison. With a loud grunt I hauled him onto the saddle, a random fish helping to knock him in.

"I've got you," I whispered more to myself than anything and carefully checked for injuries. As I pulled his hair out of his face Sokka took a deep breath, staring at mine.

"Umi-" he said being cut off by Aang doing a powerful airbending kick and having to catch him.

"We made it!" Aang said with a bright smile adn i laughed down to him.

"You did a wonderful job otouto," I said, causing him to beam even brighter.

" We got into the Fire Nation." I glared at Sokka's sarcasm. "Great."

Despite the situation I couldn't help but be relaxed at being home. The humidity in the air and sun beating down even more than usual instantly calmed me. Aang came up next to me and grabbed my arm with a smile.

The two of us ventured to Appa's neck while the siblings occupied the back of the saddle.

"I know with everything that's going on it should be different." I flopped down into the sky bison's fur in exhaustion. "But its honestly just good to be home."

"Have you ever been there?" Aang responds.

"Only once," I smiled at the memory. "It was made by the Avatar, for the Avatar. Like the room in the Southern Air Temple. We should be safe there. It is the only place here not under the command of the fire nation, but you."

"Really?" he said in confusion. "So I'm in charge?"

"Well, don't let it get to your head," I grabbed onto his head and pulled him to lay down with me.

He then gave me a happy look before gasping loudly, pointing over the side of Appa.

"There it is! The island where Roku's dragon took me."

The island was just how I remembered it. The temple was elegant and pristine, well kept over the years.

"You did it buddy," Aang said while rubbing Appa's head. "Nice flying."

"Aww, you must be tired," Katara rubs his belly in playful sympathy.

"No! I'm good," Sokka stretches. "Refreshed and ready to fight some firebenders!"

"I was talking to Appa," she responded dryly.

"Well ..." he looks around before making eye contact with me. "I was talking to Mayumi."

I mockingly rub his belly in response and coo at him. He gently smacks my hand away but his face softens from the harsh glare when I laugh.

"I don't see any guards," he says in confusion.

Katara stared in confusion before speaking. "The Fire Nation must have abandoned the temple when Avatar Roku died."

"It's almost sundown," Aang says. "We better hurry!"

I leap over the wall first, the others following suit. I helped Aang down last and looked around in concern. If no one was here, why did it look so well kept?

"Wait," Sokka stops us. "I think I heard something."

There were five men standing in tall hats and I relaxed instantly, recognizing the sages. I was just about to bow in respect when they spoke.

"We are the Fire Sages. Guardians of the temple of the Avatar."

"Great!" Aang brightened. "I am the Avatar!"

"We know," one responded before getting into a banding stance.

I just barley pulled Aang out of the way in time before a fireball flew past us.

"I'll hold them off. Run!" Sokka and Katara ran and I followed behind.

"Formation 7," I yelled, and Aang leapt forward, spinning his leg across the ground, sending a low air blade that sweeps the Fire Sages' legs out from beneath them, and they all fall to the ground. Aang he began to run with us and my chest puffed up with pride. "Nice one."

"If the Avatar contacts Roku, there's no telling how powerful the boy will become!" The sage yelled. "Split up and find him."

"Follow me!" I said, heading for the main chamber. I had to get him to Roku.

"Do you know where you're going?" Sokka yelled and I choose to ignore. It wouldn't be an easy answer anyway.

We made a turn, instantly turning around when a Sage appeared in our path. Aang was now leading us and I had no clue where to go anymore.

"Come back!" he yelled.

We run down a hallway but only found a dead end. I pulled out two knives, one for each hand, and got into a fighting stance.

"I don't want to fight you!" he yelled. "I am a friend."

"Firebenders aren't our friends!" Sokka tried to press forward but I maintained my position in the front.

He moved in the direction Aang was standing and kneeled on the floor, gaze down. "I know why you're here, Avatar."

"You do?" Aang responded in surprise.

"Dow do we know we can trust you?" I asked defensively.

"You wish to speak to Avatar Roku. I can take you to him."

"How?" Aang questioned.

He slided back a lamplight on the wall placing his palm on wall and focused firebending into this location to open a secret passage. "This way."

"Find him," another sage demanded.

"Time is running out!" the sage yelled. "Quickly!"

"Are we seriously going to do this?" Sokka asked me.

"What choice do we have?" I responded. We all then followed him into the tunnel.

"Avatar Roku once called this temple his home," the sage said with a smile. "He formed these secret passages out of the magma."

"Did you know Avatar Roku?" Aang sounded hopeful.

"No," the sage responded. "But my grandfather knew him. Many generations of Fire Sages guarded this temple long before me. We all have a strong spiritual connection to this place."

"Then why did you abandon him?" I fought the pain back form my face. I had hoped that this would be one of the few fire nation territories that had been preserved.

"We have lost our way," he sighed and looked to the distance. "The avatar was gone, and we needed protection."

"But what about your purpose," Aang set a hand on my arm in comfort and stepped forward.

"Is that how you knew I was coming?"

"A few weeks ago, an amazing thing occurred. The statue of Avatar Roku; its eyes began to glow!"

Katara gasped in surprise. "That's when we were at the Air Temple. Avatar Roku's eyes were glowing there, too!"

"At that moment, we knew you had returned to the world," Shyu said.

"If this is the Avatar's temple, why did the sages attack me?" Aang's voice took a tone of desperation as he stared.

Shyu looked forward in contemplation. "Things have changed. In the past, the sages were loyal only to the Avatar. When Roku died, the sages eagerly awaited for the next Avatar to return. But he never came."

Aang looked down, guiltily. "They were waiting for me."

"Hey don't feel bad," Sokka mocked. "You're only a hundred years late!"

I elbowed him in the gut. "You're here now, that's what matters.

"They lost hope the Avatar would ever return. When Fire Lord Sozin began the War, my grandfather and the other sages were forced to follow him. I never wanted to serve the Fire Lord. When I learned you were coming, I knew I would have to betray the other sages."

"Thank you for helping me," Aang smiled.

Shyu led us down a winding path before approaching a closed door. "No!"

"Shyu, what's wrong?" Aang asked.

"Only a fully realized Avatar is powerful enough to open this door alone. Otherwise, the sages must open this door together, with five simultaneous fire blasts."

Aang stared at me but I sighed. I can do two, the sage could probably do two, but we would probably be missing one blast. And that's only if the door will accept half power. I shook my head at his silent question and he looked away.

"Five fire blasts, huh?" Sokka stared into space, making me smirk. He had a plan. "I think I can help you out."

Sokka guided me into making oil soaked bags that would be placed into the holes of the door. It would mimic the firebending blasts.

"The sages will hear the explosion, so as soon as they go off, you rush in!" 

The the siblings hid as Katara spoke. "It's almost sunset. Are you ready?"

"Definitely."

I fussed over Aang, adjusting his yellow and orange clothing. "Remember to keep your head. Think of the monk's knowledge of the spirits and past avatars."

"I'll be ok Mayumi," he responded with a smile. "I'll be back before you know it."

Shyu thrusts his finger forward, sending a small flare racing across the door to light all five bags at once. Shyu hurries to take cover. There is an intense explosion, producing a lot of smoke. Aang bursts forward and runs for the door. He strains to open the door, which has not budged.

"They're still locked!" Aang's surprise mirrored my own.

"It didn't work." Shyu fell to his knees in distress.

Aang looked down glumly. "I'm sorry I put you through all of this for nothing."

"Oh Aang," I put my hand on his shoulder in care. "We can only do our best, and to expect more is a pain onto yourself."

"I don't get it," Sokka huffed. "That firebending looked as strong as any firebending I've seen."

Katara seemed to think for a moment before exploding in happiness, startling all of us. "Sokka, you're a genius!"

"Wait. How is Sokka a genius? His plan didn't even work," Aang said in confusion.

"Come on Aang," Sokka said with a smile. "Let her dream."

"You're right. Sokka's plan didn't work. But it looks like it did," Katara smirked.

"Did the definition of genius change over the last hundred years?" Aang looked around in confusion. I glanced at Katara and raised an eyebrow.

"I hope you have a good plan," I said.

"Not a good one, but its all we have." 

All of us other than Shyu hid and he called out: "Come quickly! The Avatar has entered the sanctuary!"

"How did he get in?" The head sage yelled.

"I don't know," Shyu responded. "But look at the scorch marks! And down there!"

"He's inside! Open the doors, immediately! Before he contacts Avatar Roku!"

The moment the sages opened the door Sokka, Katara and I sprung into action. We incapacitated the sages, giving Aang the time to run into the room. Then, out of nowhere, Zuko came out and grabbed onto Aang. Then Katara grabbed onto him. Aang ran in in the last moment.

"He made it!" Katara exclaimed.

"Why isn't it working?" Zuko yelled. "It's sealed shut!"

The great fire sage looked around in confusion. "It must have been the light. Avatar Roku doesn't want us inside."

In a moment we were all tied to a column, including Zuko. My head hit the marble hard as I contemplated how we got here. How could I have led us here, straight into danger?

"Hey, we're going to get out of here," Sokka tries to soothe me. "I promise I will make sure we get out of here." 

I let out a sigh, shifting so that my eyes could meet his. "You can't promise that."

He looked at me in distress and I just wanted it to be over. I looked away from him once again and let out a long sigh. 

The door glows bright white once again. Guards set up in front of the door, prepared to burn Aang to a crisp. Smoke streams come through into the room. The door unlocks itself, beginning to open. As it opens, a blinding white light forces everyone present to look away.

"Ready ..." Zhao cautioned.

"No!" Katara struggled. "Aang!"

I closed my eyes, beginning to head up the chains in hope they would melt away. I winced at the blistering heat but didn't relent. 

"Fire!" At his command Zhao and the guards began to shoot fire at the light, heating up the room.

In that moment I realized who it was. Avatar Roku drew the circling fire together in one motion. He sent it forward in one powerful wave that sears the room, blasting the offenders off their feet and melting our chains with precision. 

He sent fire blasts everywhere, causing the temple to crumble and shake around us. I stumbled, smiling up at Sokka when he caught me.

"Avatar Roku is going to destroy the temple!" Shyu shouted. "We have to get out of here!"

"Not without Aang!" Katara responded.

Roku continued his destruction, subduing the firebenders. Once he deemed himself done he disappeared, leaving Aang in his wake. I ran forward, catching the small boy in my arms and curling him into my chest. 

"I have you," I whispered to him. "Just hold on to me."

Sokka ran forward, putting his hand on Aang's shoulder. "We got your back."

"Thanks," Aang weakly looked up. "Where's Shyu?"

"I don't know," Katara sighed.

The temple began to lean and I watched in fear as I saw lava fill the area. We run out of a hole Roku created, smiling when we see Appa flying to us. The four of us take a leap of faith into Appa's saddle, and l pet him when Momo jumps onto my shoulder.

I watch, my smile shifting into pain as the temple fell. Aang rested his head on my other shoulder in comfort before noticing the burn marks from when I tried to break out of the chain.

"Mayumi, are you ok?" He closely inspected them.

"Yeah, it must have been all of the fire," I responded as Katara began to heal them.

"That's perfectly around both of your wrists, how could Roku have done that?" Sokka questioned, obviously suspicious.

I looked away from him, feeling the guilt of not telling them about my bending settle in. "I'm not sure."

He continued to look suspicious but I just kept my eyes trained on the temple.