Authors note: This is the fountain referenced later in the chap! Oc's favorite place back home ♡ As always please enjoy this chap and lmk what you think!!

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There are three of them. Two clear water tribe members, and a boy with a blue arrow running down the center of his head. They're all huddled up together right across from me, blinking at me with wide and hesitant eyes.

If I didn't know any better, I'd stay there's a blush on the tanned boy's face.

A small winged lemur is sitting on the bald boy's shoulder, leading me to look around and face my surroundings. There, I find that I'm not on land at all. There's water surrounding us, giant shards of ice spearing through the cold ocean, and-

And we're flying?!

Now on high alert, I immediately stand up and back away from the group; my guard fully up as I send them all an icy glare. I ignore the massive headache and clear my throat, feeling both weary and absolutely exhausted.

"Who the hell are you?!"

If hell could freeze over, it'd feel like this. The tense atmosphere mixed with the cool air from being in the literal North Pole was enough to make me feel like I'm going to break out in a cold sweat at any second.

Admittedly, my nerves have gone haywire as I look at these random strangers. It didn't matter to me if they looked trustworthy or if they nursed me back to health. How could someone give without wanting something in return?!

I'm immediately on edge, and the fact that I just noticed I'm on a flying Bison (An animal I thought had gone instinct) Only added to the hysteria I was seconds away from breaking out in.

"W-wait!! We aren't going to hurt you! My name's Katara, this is Aang and this is my brother Sokka. We found you on the coast of some stranded island near the southern air temple!" She's pretty, with tanned skin, and light blue eyes that almost resemble mine.

She raises her hands as a form of telling me they mean no harm, and the boys on either side of them follow along. When I quirk my brow, not uttering a single word, it seems to make them all just a bit nervous.

Good. We should all be fucking nervous right now! Just what the hell is this?!

"Listen, It looked like a place the fire nation tore through. You were on the ground and badly injured so we brought you with us to try and heal you! We're heading to the northern water tribe anyway and they'd for sure be able to help" The boy on her left, her brother, Sokka explained.

I shake my head slowly, ignoring the strands of inky black hair that sway with my every move. "I-I don't remember any of that," I admit, nearly smacking my own arm for revealing a piece of myself to these total strangers, no matter how small the detail may be, I trust no one.

If I couldn't trust my family, how could I trust anyone else?

"You were knocked out when Katara and Sokka found you, maybe your memories will start coming back soon!" The bald boy, Aang, was awfully enthusiastic. He seems nice. Too nice.

In fact, they all do. The three of them look so kind, so willing to help me-

It's making me sick!

No really, physical illness. I think I'm growing a bit lightheaded-

I remain silent, unwilling to make the same mistake from earlier.

"...So...What's your name?" Sokka asked, a bright smile on his face as he addressed me. This time the red tint on his tanned cheeks is a bit more obvious. Katara nudges him with her elbow to which he yelps in surprise, the two sending each other annoyed glares that only siblings would understand.

Siblings.

Involuntarily, a memory resurfaces.

•Flashback•

We were all smaller then, I was maybe about six or seven years old. Castaway in the old palace gardens in isolation, it didn't matter to me if the fabric of my maroon dress was soiled by the grass beneath me.

I laid down regardless, leaning my head against the white marble of a grandiose fountain. It spewed white blue water that'd elegantly trickle down to the pool below, where my head was rested. The tips of my dark hair skimmed across the blades of green grass below, and I couldn't help but let my hand trail over the surface of the water.

If my mother saw me now, she'd be screaming her head off.

I was her perfect doll, as she's stated many times before throughout my life. My family was of the noble class, my father Ukano being a high scale politician in the fire nation granted me many luxuries others my age couldn't even dream of. Still, life was dreary.

Unlike my sister, my mother would always dress me up In elegant dresses, delicate hairstyles, and the finest jewelry she could find. A single strand of my long hair was never out of place on her watch, and I've lived that way for as long as I could remember.

Like a damned porcelain doll.

She always insisted that because of my quote on quote 'perfect face' I should never be allowed to lift a finger. Whether it be trying out fire bending or in any sort of physical work, my mother always believed that I wasn't born for such 'masculine activities and that I should be more of a proper young girl who'd strive to find myself a perfect husband.

Sigh

Surely, her words weren't without grounds.

I was a pretty little thing in the eyes of many in the fire nation, sure. Many saw beauty in my 'exotic' eyes, other found beauty in my exquisitely long hair. Some liked the natural pout to my lips, others liked the curve of my nose.

It was all ridiculous, so horrifically superficial! But alas, that's what my life was.

I was a pretty face, nothing more, maybe something less.

My eyes were trained on an image far away. In the nearby courtyard stood Princess Azula with her two best friends. Ty Lee and Mai.

Mai, my twin sister.

The sister who both my parents most definitely appreciated more than they did me. And the same sister who's barely ever sent a second glance my way.

Mai and I have never gotten along, and I'm sure that if we weren't sister's, she'd never be caught dead in the same room as me! It's not that she was ever mean to me. No, it's more like she's always been so dismissive. So quick to give me one-worded answers and turn her back to me!

Mai has never given us a chance at having a normal sibling relationship.

In some ways, I never blamed her.

I blamed our parents, they treated the two of us so differently that it was hard for us to find common ground many times. And the endless comparisons that not only our parents, but many high-ranking officials would make between the two of us only drove the wedge deeper!

Our mother truly loved Mai no matter how strict she was on her. The two of them, although not perfect, had a far more dare I say 'normal' relationship than I did with our mother.

She always praised and encouraged Mai to continue being an obedient, well-behaved, poised child. Mai was her perfect daughter, no matter how strained their relationship already was, it was still better than whatever I had going on.

Mother always praised my beauty... That was all.

Because again, that was the only thing that mattered about me. My face. Nobody really cared about much else, and to my own disappointment throughout the years, my sister was one of those same people.

So I resorted to simply watching from afar. Princess Azula and Ty Lee were both classmates of mine at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, but we never got along much either. They were Mai's friends, and I was the sister Mai never cared much for.

People choose their friends, but they can't choose family.

There was a prickling sensation in my heart that day at the fountain when I realized that Mai would've never wanted me as a friend if we weren't already siblings.

I shook my head, ridding myself of such a sad realization at the sound of Azula's joint laughter with Ty Lee's.

Princess Azula, the girl absolutely loathed me. Maybe it was because people would always give me extra attention growing up, maybe it was for some other reason. I never quite figured it out, but ever since we met she's had it out for me.

And well, Mai never really did much to combat that. She never did anything at all.

I gulped down the uneasy feeling in my throat once more, tearing my blue eyes away from the girls to pick at the intricate lace lining the edges of today's dress.

The longing look on my face must've been pitiful, pitiful enough for my father to approach me.

"Child, why don't you go play with your sister and princess Azula? Look, even Ty Lee is there" His voice rung behind me as I laid by that damned marble fountain, the same place I was at every day.

"They don't like it when I play with them. Mai never talks to me." I mumble out the response, dejection clearly written all over my face as my blue eyes peer over at the group of giggling girls once more.

Mai was sitting underneath the shade as Azula and Ty Lee ran around in what seemed to be a race.

I couldn't help the pout that formed on my face, shrugging lowly as I bowed my head. Why would I want to join them in a stupid race? I'd just lose anyway, I'm not trained and strong like they are.

My father watched me for a second longer, a blank silence settling between us. And suddenly he sighed, eyeing me with a glint of what seemed to be annoyance. "Child, quit the moping and get out of here then. Your behavior is disgraceful, be more like Mai. She knows better."

And with that he was off, not bothering to spare me another glance.

Once again, I was left alone.

He never even said my name.

•Flashback Ends•

"My name is Rei" The words fall from my lips before I could catch them, and I smack my hand over my mouth at the realization of what I had just done. The trio all blink at me once more, comically in unison before letting small smiles overtake their features.

What the hell am I doing?

"Rei? That's a really pretty name-"

"For a really pretty girl!" Sokka smoothly interrupted his sister with a cheesy smirk on his face, to which Katara glared at him once more.

"So Rei! Where are you from?" The bald boy, Aang asked with a kind smile, genuinely curious. I shift uncomfortably, looking away from their innocent eyes.

Innocent huh? How could I be so sure?

Luckily for me, I never had to answer Aang's question since suddenly a giant spike emerged upwards from the deep dark polar ocean, effectively jostling around the flying Bison whose name I remember to be Appa.

Water benders?!

I immediately feel my muscles tense up when Aang loses control of Appa, and automatically extend my arm backward to grab Katara's wrist. Her blue eyes widen, clearly in shock at my sudden showing of heart, but she grabs onto me tightly as well and braces for the bumpy ride.

Sokka clings onto the edge of Appa's saddle for dear life, and although the visual is comedic gold at best, I quickly regain focus and lift my free hand upwards; channeling a power rooted deep within me.

With my movements, the water emerges from the ocean in a sort of gentle hill, helping Appa brace the impact successfully.

My heart pounds erratically, the incident still fresh in my mind as I replay it over and over again.

Could I have reacted differently? Did I use my water bending correctly? Did I think quick enough?

Should I have held the flying lemur as well? He seemed a little stressed-

"You're a water bender?!" Katara gasped, breaking me out of my mental hole with a dropped jaw. Aang and Sokka both turned to me in pure confusion, enlightenment, and everything in between.

"I am," I admit quietly, ripping my hand away from Katara's as if she had burned me. I can't help but sneer at the irony of it all. If anything, I'm supposed to be the one doing the burning. I'm from the fire nation damn it-

"Wha-I mean you don't look like a water bender- Hey wait, we found them!!" Sokka suddenly announces, pointing towards the plethora of silver-blue plated boats headed our way.

Everyone's attention is drawn to the appearance of northern water tribe members, rightfully so, but I can't help but step back and let my mind linger on his words.

You don't look like a water bender.

Huh, my parents would've been pleased to hear it.

╭━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━╮

Hello my lovely readers! What'd you think of this chap?

So, what are your opinions so far?

Omg so our main girl Rei has been revealed! Character sheet will be coming up soon!

Thoughts on her interactions with Aang's team?

O.m.g, So Rei is Mai's sister?! What do you guys think about that??

She's from the fire nation, but has blue eyes and waterbends?? Thoughts?

What do you think about her relationships with Mai, Azula and Ty Lee?

Why'd you think Azula actually really doesn't like oc? Is it truly just because she takes up some of the attention?

Why'd you think her relationship with Mai is so strained?

And how did Rei end up on some raided island?! What happened back home??

Zuko will be introduced and here next chap!! What do you guys think his relationship with Rei will be like?

Do they have history? Were they friends? Or was she just a pretty face to him as kids? Predictions?

And finally, what are your opinions on her character so far? Do you like her? Or are you still not hooked?

Note, Next chap will be long and far more detailed like my Senju series chapters, so pls stay tuned for that!

If you have any extra thoughts, opinions, or predictions make sure to lmk in the comments! You know I love reading them!

Tysm for reading, and as always I'll see you all next chap! ♡