"What's wrong with his hair?"

"Do you think he actually intended for it to look like that?"

"It smells like the sea. Should we throw some water on him?"

A limp and defenseless Sokka dangled from the ceiling of an unknown room. Slowly, his body became aware of the pain that shot through his wrists as the thick ropes burned his skin. He could hear female voices around him, and even feel the slight puffs of air as they breathed into his face, mesmerized by the stranger. It had been an entire day since he found his way to their land. If didn't have a concussion from the ride here, then he was sure to have one now.

"Ladies, give him some space." As his eyes blinked open, he watched as the women parted to make way for who he assumed to be their leader. Their pleated outfits were foreign to him as he tried to guess exactly who they were. The woman approached with confidence as she stood in front of the damp boy.

"Who are you? Where are the men that attacked me earlier?" Sokka snarled. He thrashed against his bindings.

The women snickered together at the absurdity of his question. Out of irritation, Sokka swung his body violently.

"That's it! Release me this instant so I can face those cowards like a man. Don't worry, I'll make sure to let them know that you girls did your job in looking after me." His words brought them all a step closer as they no longer found humor in his ignorance.

Holding up one hand, the woman with shorter hair that stood closest halted her companions.

"I'd choose my words wisely, idiot. I can assure you that there are no men to worry of here. Only us."

"What are you going to do? Talk me to death?" He scoffed. With a quick jab to his stomach, the woman showed him that despite what lied between her legs, a great strength lied within her punch.

Jerking his legs up, Sokka tried his best to catch his breath and not grimace in front of them as they all wore satisfied grins upon their white painted faces.

Drawing her katana, the leader of the group cut him down in one swift moment, allowing him the chance to crawl into a little ball on the floor properly.

"Tell me, what gives? "Panting, Sokka pulled himself into an upright position as he tilted his head back. "Is this a fire nation territory?" Studying the red paint around their eyes and green clothes adorned on their bodies, Sokka tried to gauge whether or not he had been captured by one of the fire nation's strongholds. He'd read stories through his father's letters that some citizens of other nations would desert their own homeland for favor among the tyrannical fire nation. The power that this fighter packed in a single hit told him enough to know that this was a well skilled group. His stomach churned at the idea of becoming a hostage.

"Don't be foolish! We are an independent island, and have remained as such during this war amongst the nations. Here, we serve no one but ourselves." The leader spout out venomously, insulted by the boy's insinuation. She turned around, fiercely staring him down from his spot on the floor.

"Where exactly is here?" Glaring up from between his hair, Sokka waited for an answer.

Just then, footsteps could be heard from outside as an older man dressed in light purple robes entered the room. Gray hair stood high atop his head, and decorated his chin. The women all gave a customary bow to acknowledge his presence.

"Chieftain Oyaji." They greeted him. Stepping up first, the leader relayed an update to their situation, keeping her voice no higher than a whisper, making it hard for Sokka to understand.

"Chieftain—sir—your highness—your leadership—might I ask the reason for holding me hostage like this?" Sokka shook his bound hands before the older man.

"Quiet! You are not in the position to ask any questions." There was a sense of nervousness in the man's voice as he looked on to the boy warily. His fingers moved in an anxious manner as he took a slight step towards Sokka, trying to appear intimidating but allowing his shaking knees to give him away.

"Wh—who are you?" He demanded.

"Who am I? Who are you guys? These girls won't even tell me where I am—"

"Silence!" Sokka's words were cut off by a katana as the short haired woman stood in a defensive stance before the relieved chieftain.

"Answer his question, do not ask one in return."

Gritting his teeth, he brooked no argument with the sharp blade so close he could see the fog from his own breath disappearing from its surface.

"I am from the Southern Water Tribe. I don't want any problems with you people, I just want to be untied so I can get back home to my family."

"Ha! Nonsense… last I heard of the Southern Water Tribe, they were close to near extinction." Oyaji refused to believe the boy. "They were nothing more than a nation of old women and young children who were said to have been slaughtered years ago, leaving their men with no home to return to from the war." As Oyaji spoke, Sokka's face turned in anger listening to his words.

He couldn't help but notice the pretentiousness the old man now possessed as he flippantly spoke of his home.

"Extinction? We are no animals! We are living breathing people who are very much alive!" Sokka shouted veraciously, sending the chieftain back behind the woman with the katana.

His anger sent a shiver through everyone in the room as they watched the way his watery eyes froze them in place as he gave a deadly stare. Gripping her sword tighter, the painted warrior started to wonder if she had underestimated this foreigner.

"N—no! There's no possible way. No one from that tribe has set foot on this island in years." It was true. As a fishing port, they had come accustomed to the seafaring traders that happened to pass through the south sea. It was through trade that he had heard of the eradication of the southern pole, as no one had conducted business with them in years.

"If you admit now that you are a fire nation spy, then your punishment will only be slightly uncomfortable."

Things seemed to move in slow motion as the chieftain's accusation hit Sokka. In a blind rage, he swept the man right off his feet, sending him to the ground. With the blade of the katana before him, he sliced off his binds and quickly disarmed the warrior of her weapon. Taking it into his hands, he stood above the chieftain with the weapon drawn.

With just mere inches separating the tip of the blade from his face, the Chieftain sputtered in shock.

"Do something! Please!" He called to the warriors.

"To hell with you and the Fire Nation!"

"Stop! To kill the Chieftain of Kyoshi Island will seal your fate. Are you sure you want to die here in a foreign land?" The look of pain and anguish in the boy's eyes were beyond compelling, and the lead woman knew right then and there that he spoke the truth, whatever that may be. The tears that pooled in his eyes at the mention of the fire nation was enough to convince her that he was in no way aligned with their cause.

"You say that as if I'm not already marked for dead." He realized the implications he had placed on himself as he held a blade to the face of the leader of a foreign land. If he had to die, at least it was in honor of his home.

"We are the Kyoshi Warriors, the enforcers of justice upon this island. In honor of the great Avatar Kyoshi, we never go against that rule. I promise you." Nodding to the other warriors, the woman was able to convince the others to lower their weapons. As Sokka watched them closely, he too threw aside the katana.

"My people? They are not dead. My home? It is far from desolate. My father is the chieftain of our tribe, and he is off fighting the war. We've stood against the fire nation time and time again, and I won't allow anyone to sully that." Looking over his shoulder. He looked at Oyaji as he stood to his feet. "Even you."

"I had no idea." Shaken, the chieftain bowed his head in a silent apology. Though he was the village leader and sometimes obtuse, he was not above admitting when he had done wrong against another person. "You see, Kyoshi Island remains during this war, as we have little to offer, but much to protect."

"So, you're telling me you guys have never even tried to help fight against the fire nation? Not even for the sake of the world?' Finding out they had never made a sacrifice to help put a stop to the evil in the world infuriated Sokka. How could someone just turn the other cheek so willingly?

"This war has persisted for 100 years now— "

"Is that enough reason to ignore the suffering that lies beyond your own shores?" Shaking his head in disgust, Sokka didn't want to hear another word and wanted off the island even more.

"We want to ensure our people's safety, and this has led to our isolation. And it must remain that way." Oyaji explained.

"Yeah, whatever. Say what you want, but you can't cover the stench of selfishness here." Storming past the man, Sokka headed for the exit but was stopped by the wall of warriors.

"Please understand. I have a duty to my home, just as you have to yours."

"You mean the one you figured had been buried beneath the ash of the fire nation by now? Open your eyes to the world around you—if you think that you sitting out this war saves you from any responsibility then think again. When you refuse to help during times like this, then all you can do is cause harm."

Sokka needed to return home fast. The longer he stayed here, the harder it became to be away from his people. From his family.

"Where is my boat?"

"It was destroyed in your wreck. Nothing could have been salvaged." One of the Kyoshi Warriors explained. "It had floated too far into the Unagi's territory. We couldn't have saved it even if we tried." She said almost apologetically.

"What? Unagi?" Sokka asked in confusion before waving them off. "I don't even want to know. First those giant fish dragged me off course, and then I'm being manhandled by a bunch of girls. The least you can do after my wrongful imprisonment is to help me off this crazy island."

"I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for what I said earlier— "Oyaji paused realizing he had no with which to address him.

"Sokka." He grumbled out.

"Yes. Sokka! We don't have many to spare, but I'm certain we can arrange for you to use one of our own boats to return to your home." Looking the older man in the eyes, Sokka could see an honest expression of regret staring back at him.

Though he had more biting words waiting to be released, he opted on clenching his fists and responding with a simple, "If you don't mind." In acceptance.

"Suki, please find him our best boat for his journey."

"Yes, Chieftain." Obeying the order, the short haired woman moved past the group, glancing out the side of her eyes at Sokka.

Suki…

He thought to himself. The slight breeze she caused glided over him as the other warriors followed in her footsteps. With one last nod to Oyaji, Sokka soon fell in line.

"Are you sure this is the best one you've got?" Sokka scratched the lump on the back of his head as he observed the tattered boat before him. Dusting off her hands, Suki stood beside him.

"Yes, this is actually in pretty good condition believe it or not." Bending down, Sokka ran his hands over the patchy work that had been done to the boat. Shaking his head, he couldn't understand what forces were against him in the universe.

"There's no way I'll make it in this." Standing back, he placed his hands on his hips as he turned to Suki. "Why don't you and some of your girly pals find me material so I can fix this up."

"Suki."

"Excuse me?"

"My name is Suki, in case you have forgotten you ignoramus krill." Shouldering him as she walked past, Suki sent Sokka stumbling.

"I have no idea what you just said, but I'm sure it had nothing to do with finding a way to repair this crap for real!" Dusting off his shoulder, he stalked after her as she moved away quickly.

"You can swim back to wherever you came from for all I care…" Looking over her shoulder, Suki's red tinted hair revealed blue eyes reminiscent of his own people.

"Hang on a second, are you water tribe?" Forgetting her obvious anger towards him, Sokka's mind began to wonder of her heritage. "I've only seen eyes like that back home, how did you end up in a place that could care less about those who are destroyed by this war?"

"We claim no tribe nor nation here. We are simply believers in the work of the great Avatar Kyoshi. Every village on the island dedicates its loyalty to upholding her legacy." In the distance, Sokka noted the blue garments most of the villagers wore. There was no mistaking the hues most prevalent among the water tribe. Though their skin paled in comparison, Sokka could sense that they may have had more in common than he first assumed, even if they were of the earth kingdom.

"Is that right? Help me to understand just how long do you all think you can survive by turning the other cheek to the rest of the world? I mean come on! You may be a part of the Earth Kingdom, but there's no denying that there are quite a few people running around here that share the same blood as me in some way. As the Southern Water Tribe."

"We are of Kyoshi!" Suki insisted. "You say we turn the other cheek when we are simply guarding our entire body. We reserve that right."

"Do you even hear yourself? You sound just like that coward of a chieftain! Just wait—you guys can spend all this time protecting yourselves and then one day you'll wind up just like the rest of us when the Fire Nation set its sights on you. Or do you have some kind of deal to keep up this façade of peace here?"

Drawing her fan, Suki had enough of the boy's mouth trashing.

"The only dealings we have are with fishers and traders of the world. Make another accusation and I'll keep good on my promise to end you here."

Sokka halted in place, leveling his breathing as he rolled his eyes. The sharpness of the fan at his throat convinced him to bite his tongue as he stared into the girl's eyes.

"Did your avatar, master of all elements and bridge between nations teach this island to be so selfish in its contributions?"

Stepping back, Suki took up a fighting stance. With a switch of her feet, she delivered a high kick, hitting Sokka in the face to silence him.

"This is one of many things she taught us to do. Now pick yourself up, we're going to get supplies to fix the boat and get you the hell off our island as soon as possible."

Wiping his bloodied lip, Sokka gripped the snow between his fingers as he cursed his luck.

Suki stood from the platform atop one of the buildings of Kyoshi Island. This had become one of her special places to sneak off to when she craved silence. She needed it from both her friends that grilled her on the conversation she had with their unwanted visitor, as well as the boy's disgruntled whispers and stares whenever they made eye contact.

As she directed her eyes to the sky above, she could see dark clouds roaming in the distance.

"Oh, great." Moving closer to the balcony, she gripped the railing before her. The impending storm seemed far off from their shores, but in the path of Sokka's journey home.

"There's no way he can make it back in that." She realized, not out of a sense of concern but dread. A storm meant he would have to delay his takeoff leading to him staying on Kyoshi Island longer than he or she would like.

Scratching beneath the decorative head gear that signified her rank as leader among the Kyoshi Warriors, she sent it tumbling to the ground. Quickly picking it up, and shining it off with her elbow, she slowed in placing it back atop her head.

In the reflection, she could see herself as the words of the boy played inside her head.

When you refuse to help during times like this, then all you can do is cause harm.

His words had remained with Suki as she thought of the emotional outburst he had towards Chieftain Oyaji. Hearing the way he spoke with such conviction caused her throat to tighten as a feeling of guilt had washed over her.

Kyoshi Island was not ignorant to the war, of course they made sure to stay updated on the different happenings. They had simply chosen the right to remain outside of the chaos. This had been decided generations ago when Sozin had first initiated his strikes. She could still recount the stories she had heard from her grandmother on how during the early days leading up to the war some of their best men had met with Fire Nation representatives looking to recruit a force for them to use against resistance. They carried a reputation of being concise and swift in their actions as a reflection of the confident and rooted Avatar Kyoshi.

Her grandmother spoke of the way their village leaders adamantly refused to be dragged into their war, and when it looked like they would not take no for an answer hot jets of lava burst through the ocean water, destroying the fleet of ships and its soldiers along with it.

Thinking that the residents had something to do with it, attempts of retaliation came one after the other, and each time they were protected by a blockade of lava. It didn't take long for the attacks to cease as they could never make it out alive.

While it remained a phenomenon among the Fire Nation, they knew it to be a miraculous gift from Avatar Kyoshi.

How could they not dedicate themselves to their longtime protector?

"How could we just stand by?" Suki found herself speaking out loud. Shocked by her subconscious words, she slapped at her cheeks to get herself out of her stupor.

Suki had given her life to leading the warriors and guarding their home. She had lived by the codes of Kyoshi for so long, so why should she be guilted into doing her job? Does he not wish to defend his home and people? How could that jerk make them out to be the bad guys for doing what anyone would do?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a high pitched yelp as Sokka's hand slipped while hammering a nail. Suki watched from her place above as he tried to hide the injury, looking around to make sure no one heard his scream.

Heading down the stairs, she had sight set on him.

When she approached him, Suki was able to see that the work Sokka had done on the boat made it like brand new. His ability to transform an old fishing boat into the sleek and deft piece of work before her was undeniably impressive.

Casting those thoughts aside, she cleared her throat to alert him of her presence.

"Looks like you may know a few things outside of how to run your mouth."

"Go ahead, say what you want. I'll be out of your hair in no time so you might as well get it all out now while I'm here.' He half smirked before his features fell back into his dead pan expression.

Crossing her arms, Suki walked around the boat inspecting it. "I hope you took the time to notice the storm brewing out there. Doubt you can make it back in that kind of weather." She said with subtlety.

"Oh yeah? What's it to you?"

"I'm saying—only a fool would dare to go up against that thinking he can make it out to the other side. You don't exactly have the biggest ship at your disposal here." Waving her hand at the boat, Suki told him how it was.

Without realizing it, she had walked straight into his chest. Jumping back, she tensed her muscles before seeing it had been her mistake.

"Well then a fool I'll be. With my guess, that storm won't last too long, I can coast through without hitting the worst of it." Paying no mind to the contact, Sokka raised an eyebrow as she stared right into his eyes.

"What's your problem?"

After a moment of silence, Suki coolly replied. "You are."

"Even more reason for me to get out of here." Shrugging his shoulders, Sokka began picking up the tools he had used. "I'll need all the things that were confiscated from me. I need to get a jump on returning to the real world, to my reality." Suki didn't miss his insult as she clenched her fists.

"Sure." Looking up to the sky she felt some sense of duty to keep him from leaving just yet. "You can have your things back after dinner."

"Great, just point me in the direction of—wait, what?" Scrunching his face in confusion, Sokka shook his head. "No, no, no. I need my things now."

"Right now, the only person with keys to where your things are being held is at dinner just like everyone else. Might as well eat up before you take off."

"Absolutely not! You can't hold me hostage like this…"

Walking back towards the village Suki turned to the frazzled boy. "Suit yourself. But fair warning: if you can't catch Buji in between his last bite at signature belly rub before he goes off to take a nap, you won't be seeing your things until tomorrow morning."

Leaving him no room to argue, Sokka listened to the groaning of his stomach at the mention of food.

No problem.

He'll stuff his face, find this Buji and be out of there in no time.