Sky's p.o.v.

We were calmly floating down river, but boy was it polluted, as I visually took in all the sludge.

Sokka was sitting on the tail of Appa trying to fish as I sat by him my head on my chin as I felt deep in thought.

It was coming close to the anniversary in a couple days. It's hard to know how to treat the day of your birth when by coincidence it was also the day your parents passed. First my mother from a cancer, then years later, my father after that hit and run driver.

Before dad died we'd spend the day and visit the spot we spread her ashes, and I'd sing for her, before we went to dinner and then dad would give me a gift for my day. It was mostly a quiet day for us. This year while I wasn't alone necessarily I wouldn't have dad. It's the first one without him.

"Hey I think somethings wrong, cause this river is pretty polluted.", Aang says jumping out bending himself clean getting sludge on me and Sokka as I pull water from the air to clean it off earning a look of gratitude.

"That must be why I can't catch any fish, cause normally my fishing skills are off the hook.", he says holding his hook up as I giggle.

"To bad there not on the hook instead." , Toph says smirking and we laugh.

"It's all this factory sludge. There are places still like this back home although a majority had to be cleaned up. All this pollution is killing the fish, and the ones that live you might get sick eating it.", I say sighing remembering this is the episode with the spirit lady.

Soon we found a place to hide appa as the fishing village appeared.

It was so depressing like those pictures of slums or whatnot in third world countries back home. I listened as Katara and Aang asked about the pollution and learned about the factory. I put my hunting instincts in full gear by the time we reached camp so I could track us some safe food since we're gonna be here a few days. As we talk and Sokka goes on about combining potty breaks and eating grossing the others out while I roll my eyes as he looks at his schedule while I pretend to look over it. That night I sat staring at the stars as I heard a flock of ducks and deducted how far they were so I could go after them early in the morning before everyone woke up. I pretended to be asleep as Katara crossed the river to help the people and again when she returned.

The next morning as expected Appa's tongue was purple, so since every one was sleeping, I left a note saying gone hunting. I went after the ducks. No way am I eating that slimy fish again Blech. I kept my cloak close around me as I wandered away from camp hoping to find some breakfast. Luckily I can use my air bending to move faster and farther through the woods. I'd already discovered the purple berries and thankfully I found some breakfast fast. It was a plump little bunny with pretty tan fur. I quickly got him and proceeded to do him up so that Aang wouldn't have to see it back at camp as I admired the fur thinking if I remembered how it was done it might insulate some gloves well someday. I get the bunny ready to travel and do what I need to tan the fur so I can sneak off and get it tomorrow. It should sell well in the next village.

On my way back I get some fruit and nuts I manage to find glad that the produce here is the same as home knowing if the others aren't looking for me they'll be pacing at camp. On arrival at camp Appa's there but the others are gone so I get the spit going and set the fruit basket next to me as I start cooking Thumper.

I begin to hum as I cook it, glad for the wild herbs to season it. "That smells ten times better than Sokka's fish he bought looks.", Comes Toph's voice as I look up at my approaching friends.

"Just goes to show again what an amazing hunter my girlfriend is.", my boyfriend says smirking as he plops down by me "I take it you knew about Appa's sickness."

"You bet babe. Oh and Lil Bro I didn't forget you.", I say sliding the fruit basket forward.

"Your the best Sky.", Aang says

"And don't you forget it.", I say teasing.

"Just don't forget to be careful Sky. Sokka will be a total mess if anything happens to you again. This is the first time you've left his sight he didn't freak out.", Katara says.

"Oh I did, but I'm so excited she brought meat I'm giddy.", he says happily rubbing his hands together.

"I'm so happy she did it I could kiss her.", Toph says "That fish smells so bad." making me chuckle.

"Well I'm glad your happy but I'll settle for a kiss from my boyfriend since your more a sister.", I say with a laugh.

"I'm sure I can handle that.", Sokka says leaning in and pressing a kiss as the others make grossed out sounds.

"Hey she brought meat."

That night as everyone sleeps and Katara pretends to sleep I watch the stars for a while in thought. The day the soldiers attack the villagers is the day. The anniversary, of my parents deaths and the day of my birth. Well for tonight I'll rest, in the morn I'll hunt and then I can think clearly when I have the space.

Sokka's p.o.v.

Appa was still ill the next day, and again my sweet girlfriend had left hunting. I hate that she's going alone, But she's doing her best to help us in her way since she can't tell us what's happening. Although I was hoping I could get her alone so we could talk. I don't know how to explain it she seems off the last couple days. I hope it's not cause something horrible is coming, but it's been hard to find time alone with her lately.

It makes me feel like a bad boyfriend.

As we get to the village the people have received another visit from there spirit the Painted Lady and she healed the sick this time.

"Isn't it wonderful how one woman can make such a big difference.", my sister says.

"Ya well I hope she comes back every night.", I say.

"Why?', she says.

"Cause these people are gonna be hurting as long as that factories there. ", I say crossing my arms as I look at the fish.

"Maybe we should wait for Sky to get something.", Toph says.

"No, we'll get some in case. That ways she has no pressure.", I say "I'm not sure how good the hunting is."

"Good idea, she's been quiet.", Toph says.

"Maybe its something to do with her future knowing stuff. Maybe something bad is coming quick.", Aang says thoughtfully.

"Or she could be preventing something we don't know of.", Katara says "Besides she always wanders off."

"You know sometimes I wish she didn't have her future knowledge for her sake. It hurts her that she can't tell us enough as it is.", I say "The one with two heads please." as I look at the fish guy.

"ewe", the others go.

"What it's got two heads?", I say as the others run as I chase them.

Soon we return to camp again and this time I smell a duck. It smells so good as I approach my girlfriend whose focused on the bird.

"Hey babe, smells good.", I say pecking her cheek earning me a light smile telling me she'd been in thought again.

"How's the village?", she asks.

"Like you care you only went in once.", Katara says angrily telling me she's peeved about my comment earlier.

"I do care I just know the only way to help them is to remove the factory.", Sky says "I think Sokka already mentioned it. I just thought it would be better use of my time to get us some food that won't make us sick, which can happen if your food supply is polluted."

"She's got a point.", Toph says.

"Toph you always take Sky's side.", Katara complains.

"That's cause I don't wanna eat Sokka's two headed fish when I can smell duck.", she says grinning.

After a bit we have another great dinner from Sky and then the others start to go to bed. After dinner I grab Sky's hand and nod away and she nods back as I hold my hand out for her and hold it as I lead her away from the others.

"Ok, spill it. You haven't been yourself.", I say eyeing her as we walk and eventually she leans on a tree "Is something bad coming?"

"Yea but not yet, and I wasn't dwelling on it yet. It's further off. I was just missing my parents. They died years apart but on the same day. Tomorrow.", she says she rubs her arms which I take over for her rubbing them as I lean my fore head on hers. " some much is going on, I don't have time to dwell on it. The worst part is I lost them both on my birthday. So I have a yearly reminder"

"Sky, you don't have to hurt alone. I'm here for you.", I say wrapping my arms around her.

"I know Sokka, and I'm so thankful for that. I just needed time to think.", she says returning my embrace. We eventually sit back and enjoy the stars as she leans on me and starts to hum.

"That's pretty what's it called.", I ask intertwining our fingers with hers.

"It's called 'Mine'", she says looking at me.

"Could you sing it?", I ask curious.

"I guess, your lucky your cute.", she says making me blush as I chuckle as she sings next to me before we head back to camp for the night.

The next morning she's still here making me feel happier that she's here.

"Hey babe.", I say coming to sit by her as she fingers through her hair which I gotto say I miss her having it down. I love to look at it.

"Morning.", she says with a little smile as she braids section of her bangs. " You should try some of Toph's berries you may get enlightened."

"Hey Sokka like Sea food?", Toph says.

"Ya why?", I ask as Sky giggles.

"Well See ", she starts opening her mouth so I can see her chewed berries "food." at which Sky laughs and I realize Toph's tongue is purple like Appa's.

"Toph your tongue's purple!", I shout jumping up in shock "Wait those are the berries Appa's been eating!" I then jump up and hurry to where my sister should be sleeping and realize her bag is full of grass before I return to my girlfriend's side frustrated and plop down and she puts a hand on my thigh to calm me down. Now her hair is braided up and there's one chunk of hanging hair with a feather braided in.

"Don't worry to much babe, we won't be late for the rendezvous.", she says kissing my cheek.

"Thanks Sky.", I say smiling back at her thinking how she'll make a good chieftain's wife some day.

Hopefully my wife, I really need to find the right stone but none have fit the bill.

Soon my sister and Aang return as Sky gets up and watches the water as I scold my sibling for what she did.

"Sokka, Sokka Sokka!", comes Sky's voice as I scold

"What!", I grit out harder then I wanted and notice her wince.

"The soldiers are heading to the village we need a plan or they'll all die.", Sky says as I look and see the boats that her eyes which are a stormy grey now.

"But.", I say.

"You know we can't leave them, there defenseless.", Sky says looking at me no emotion in her voice as she crosses her arms telling me she won't do otherwise.

"Sky's right.", Katara says "They need help and I won't turn away from people who need me."

"Your right Sky, we can't so what do we do?", I say as she smirks.

"It's time to have the painted lady scare them into wetting themselves.", she says with a twinkle in her eyes as I get an idea.

"You know, I don't tell you enough but, I love the way you think.", I say as she smirks and winks at me. "Suit up sis." Then we get to work.

Soon my sister's dressed up and between bending and noise making we've convinced the troops pretty easy that my sis is a ticked off Spirit

Aang and Sky are both hidden under the dock . Thankfully the fire benders are scared off quickly, but unfortunately they realize Katara's the spirit and a water bender and start booing her as me and Sky run in front of her our arms spread out.

"So what if she's not really the painted Lady!", Sky shouts echoing my sentiments. "She just did for your what no one else would. Thanks to her your sick are healed, you kids got to fill there bellies, and now that factory that's the source of your misery is gone!" Her multi-colored eyes raging. Is it wrong to think your angry girlfriend is hot?

"If anything you should be on your knees and thanking her!", I shout pointing at the ground.

"They're right.", says the crazy boat guy "But what do we do now." as me and Sky cross our arms and a familiar earth bender shouts in a fake voice

"Let's clean up the river!"

"Hey that's a good idea!", the boat guy says excited and soon we're pitching in to clean the river before we leave as the villagers wave us off.