Chapter One: The Bounty Hunter

"PLEASE! YOU CAN'T TAKE ME TO THEM!" A man shouted as he struggled in the chains that kept him from escaping. The rattling of his futile attempt to escape echoed across the port. His shouts drowned out any and all other sounds as vendors and travelers turned to glance at the raucous and watched the commotion. It's not like they could save the poor man, after all, he was currently being dragged across the ground by one of the most fierce bounty hunters in the whole world.

The one who dragged this man across the ground with little to no effort wears all black clothing, hiding every and any distinctive feature that they have. The slightly baggy tunic and pants hid anything to identify them. All that people could see was that this person was decently tall and appeared to be extremely agile from the small number of muscles that were actually visible as they pulled on the chains. No one could see their hair color due to the hood they wore that reached over the top of their head and nearly covered the top part of their face. A black cloth covered their mouth and nose, and every once in a while those who paid close attention may be able to catch a glimpse of their dull gray eyes. They were chilling, cold, and terrifying. The eyes of a killer.

Even though this person was dragging along a fully grown man who had to be twice their size, it seemed as though she were doing it with little to no effort. The soldier, for he was a soldier based on his fire nation uniform, struggled in his binds like a fish wishing to escape its net. Though he couldn't do it despite his captor being so small.

"I beg of you, they'll have me killed please!"

The stoic bounty hunter did not say anything to him. Silent and strong, the person continued to drag the struggling man through the crowds that parted in their wake. Even though he cried and begged for his life, the bounty hunter made no indication that she was listening. Not that she cared all too much about what happened to the man. She had a job to do, and she just wanted to get paid. It just so happened that when she tracked down fire nation soldier deserters she got paid more.

While working with the Fire nation tended to get her dirty looks and horrible names thrown in her direction, she couldn't care about that. What mattered was getting money to feed and have shelter for another few nights. It didn't matter who paid, just as long as it was enough. In that pursuit to find a means of surviving she made a name for herself: Mogwai. 

Ignoring the stares, the cries of her prisoner, the whispers, Mogwai approached the docks where tall fire nation ships were bobbing slightly in the water. 

"Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years, and I -" A voice said.

Then another shouted out, "And you failed!" Mogwai recognised the infuriated voice of Commander Zhao. "Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now."

The Avatar? Mogwai thought to themselves. That couldn't be true, considering the wielder of all elements had been gone for one hundred years. There was no way, in their mind, that the Avatar could be around now. Mogwai knew that all of the air benders had been wiped out in the attack against them one hundred years ago. If there was any chance that the avatar was still around, she would know.

Once she entered the tent, still dragging the captive, the bounty hunter found that Zhao was having a meeting. Not that she really cared. She would gladly interrupt the meeting, get paid, and leave as quickly as she could. Soldiers were posted all around the room, which was to be expected, as an old man and scared boy sat at the table in the middle. Of course, Mogwai knew who that scared boy was. It was difficult not to know the stories of the banished prince and the dishonor he brought against his father. 

Now noticing their new guests, the commander composed himself. Though he continued to glare at the prince as he turned to face the entrance. "Keep them here," Zhao ordered the other soldiers.

General Iroh looked around at the soldiers as Zhao led the bounty hunter out of the room, "More tea, please."

Mogwai was more than happy to pawn off their crying captive to the fire nation soldiers who dragged him away. Less deadweight for them to deal with, since it was more than annoying to hear his begging as she had come all the way back here. So Mogwai turned their lethargic stare to the man that had contracted them a day prior.

The commander smiled at the bounty hunter, "Mogwai."

The bounty hunter nodded their head, not saying a word. 

"Your reputation precedes you," Commander Zhao complimented, pleased with the success that Mogwai had achieved. After all, it wasn't like he could send his own men after a deserter, one skilled at hiding. He needed an outsider's help, and who better than one of the highest regarded bounty hunters. "A job done efficiently, your payment."

He handed them a pouch, full of the coins that they had agreed upon before she had set out on her. She opened it up slowly, keeping an eye on the commander who did the same to her. Mogwai slowly counted the coins to make sure that it was what they agreed to. Most of the time people were quite forthcoming with the payment, perhaps scared what the Mogwai would do to them if they skimpped on payment. Though from experience, she knows to always check anyway.

With the money all counted, at the correct amount that Mogwai was looking for, she raised an eyebrow at him. Silently asking him the question, 'anything else?'

Zhao tutted, "I'm afraid I have no more work for you, however, I'll know how to find you if… anything else comes up." 

She just nodded her head, with nothing else to say and walked out of the tent. She was greeted by the hesitant gazes of those around the ships and once again paid them no mind. The fire nation was hated by mostly everyone else in the world. Including her. However, she wouldn't turn down a job that paid well.

She's not one for politics. She gave up trying to understand it a long time ago and would much rather stay uninvolved. Most people aligned themselves with their nation's decisions, backing whatever it was their leaders convinced them was right. Yumo has no alliances with any nations. She owed them nothing. She paid attention at times, but didn't let politics rule her mind by any means. Mogwai had other things to worry about like finding food, shelter and work. No need to worry about which nation had power over the world. All that mattered was who had jobs for her and willing to pay handsomely. 

So Mogwai started stocking up on some food from the market nearby. Paying for the necessities that she would need before heading off on another trek to the next village. She'd already been staying at an inn in this village for about three days, too long in her opinion. So it was time to move on and look for work elsewhere. The usual routine for a bounty hunter like her.

After collecting her new purchases she headed back to the inn and collected her bag. It was old and ragged but sturdy enough to withstand the abuse she put it through on a daily basis. The bag was large enough to hold a good amount of food and a few of her knives and extra clothes. 

"Did you hear?" A hush voice said, "There's an Agni Kai!"

Another gasped, "An Agni Kai?! Between who?"

"The banished prince and commander Zhao!"

Mogwai tutted while walking past the gossiping people. An Agni Kai, a silly duel between two prideful firebenders. Though considering it would be between the banished fire prince, there was surely going to be the talk of the village. Fire benders, or benders in general always seem far too arrogant for her liking. Besides, she found it more impressive when someone demonstrates skill with a weapon such as a sword or knife than something like bending. If they were to have an agni kai with just swords, then she'd be impressed.

What needed to be decided now was which way Mogwai headed next. She had been heading South and had finally hit the ocean again. So the only logical thing to do was get on a boat to head to the next piece of land. Besides, she knows just the place to head next. She's lucky that it was close by. The perfect place for her to rest and lay low for a while. Since that fire nation soldier had been a bit more difficult to find than other bounties she had dealt with. A nice reset after a taxing job was just what she needed.

She walked over to a boat, one manned by an older man and bartered her way on. Even if the man was wary of her to begin with. After all, who would want to be stuck on a small boat with someone with such a cold stare. Only one could imagine what someone with a stare like hers would do to them. So whether it was out of fright or kindness, the man allowed her to buy passage on his boat to Kyoshi Island. It was lucky that he was headed there anyway, since he had some trading to do there.

So as they set off, the waves almost comforted Mogwai as she settled down in the furthest seat away from the man, she took off her mask to munch on some bread she just bought. Her features were completely contrary to what type of person she was. A ruthless killer didn't have a button-like nose, or small lips. If it wasn't for the harsh look in her stormy eyes, she would look like any other innocent fifteen year old. 

Staring out to sea as they started their journey across the ocean to the earth kingdom island, Mogwai knew that she had some time before they made it to the Island. She sighed heavily through her nose, now finished with her bread and resting against the side of the boat. Kyoshi Island had to be one of the only constant things in her life at this point. That was right next to bounty hunting. While most would describe her as a nomad, not sticking to one village for very long before moving on to the next, Kyoshi Island was one place that she had a tendency to return to every once in a while. Perhaps that was because it was quite secluded from the rest of the world and she made decent relationships with the village people. 

On that island she wasn't Mogwai, since she never had jobs on the island or the clientele out there. Kyoshi was the place where she could just be herself. Just be Yumo. There weren't many places or times where she could just be the normal fifteen-year-old she was. An island full of female warriors and quiet evenings was just the place to let her do that.

---

"Come here," a soothing voice said, "look at this." A warm hand patted down the unruly brunette hair on her head, "you see that."

Her gray eyes looked to see that it was two fish, swimming in a circle with each other. Trapped in the small pond that they were sitting beside and having nothing else to do but swim together. She watched as they danced with each other and giggled, "they look happy."

"As happy as a fish can be I would assume," the man beside her pondered. The two of them shared the same bright gray eyes, shining in the light like a brand new silver chain. As well as that spark of mischievousness and curiosity as they watched the fish dance around in the water.

Yumo tilted her head, her long brown hair falling out of the bun her mother had put it in earlier that morning. She looked up at him, "So you think they get bored? Swimming nowhere?"

"Well, maybe. Though it's not like they know anything else."

Yumo hummed, "I'd get bored. And dizzy."

"Dizzy?" He questioned as a mischievous smile crawled onto his lips, "Like this?!" 

Suddenly, Yumo was lifted off of the ground as the man started to spin around in a circle with her in his arms. She broke out into a fit of giggles as he spun her around. "Dad!" The nine-year-old giggled, "Stop! I'm dizzy!"

Her father chuckled, "Well, I guess that makes you a fish then, huh?" He paused the spinning and allowed her to crawl up onto his shoulders. He made sure that she was secure while sitting on his shoulders and started to head back to their camp. "Now let's go, your mother needs help packing up the clothes."

"Awww, but I thought we were done already!" She whined while pulling at her father's brown hair.

He cringed lightly, "if we were done, we would be on the road already."

Yumo pouted, "why are we leaving? I like this place," she glanced around the small cave that they had found in the forest. She enthusiastically started ranting, "The trees are really tall, and the berries taste nice and I found this lizard thing in the cave a few days ago."

There was a chuckle, "yes, your mom was very happy with the new friend you found." He did sigh though, "I know it's a hassle to keep moving like this, but think of all the adventures we can have in the next village we find!" He said happily, "There can be tons of new food to try and people to meet!"

Yumo hummed, considering the offer he pointed out to her, "I guess you're right!"

"I'm always right!" He smiled brightly up at her.

She just pouted, "Nuh uh!"

"Yea huh!"

"No way!"

"Yes way!" 

---

Yumo knew that the fire licking at her arms was going to leave a scar. As she cried out in pain and panic, she still ran as fast as she could. Her mother and father's desperate demands called for her to run, and run far. So she wasn't going to disregard their commands, not now. 

The newest home that they had found, a small earth nation village deep in the mountains, had turned out to be the worst place to settle. They had been tired, wanting to just settle down in the nearest village when a group of people on rhinos attacked them. It was a blur to Yumo, since she had no idea what the people that had wanted from them. What she did know was that they were fire benders. They lit her family's camp ablaze for no reason, in her mind, and terrorized her parents. Whether it was luck or some miracle, Yuma was able to slip away from the fire bending soldiers. Though that wasn't without some reminders of her escape. She needed to get somewhere safe, though being in the middle of the woods, she didn't know where to go. 

Her parents had made sure to teach her how to survive, live off of the nature around them. However, her mind was panicked and running in circles from the pain radiating upon her arm. She didn't know what to do, where to go. Yumo was lost and fearful.

---

Yumo jumped out of her thoughts, her mind having drifted while watching the waves as they headed further out to sea. It was like this most times. She itched at the bandages around her arms. They were nearly completely covering her arms up towards her biceps and were causing quite a bit of a phantom pain at the moment. Whenever she had a moment to herself her mind wandered to the good things and the bad things of her life. It was almost like her mind was taunting her every chance it could to remind her of what she lost and how. There was no denying that it was painful, but she has to move on. She has to be indifferent to the past and keep moving forward. 

Speaking of moving forward, the boat ride took about a day to get to Kyoshi island. She had zoned out for most of the ride, letting her mind drift to subjects less than pleasant. 

"Hey, we're here."

Yumo grunted in acknowledgement, nodded to the man one final time before hoping off of his boat and into the village. It was familiar yet different. It had been a while since she had been on the island and it was quite refreshing. 

Yumo took off the hood on her head, letting the short, unruly brunette hair breath. It had been quite a while since she had taken it off. It felt freeing for a moment to finally allow herself to 

"Yumo!" A voice called out. "It's so good to see you!"

She turned to see two girls in Kyoshi warrior garb running over to her. Yumo didn't have much of a choice but to allow the two to attack her in a bone crushing hug. Even if she prepared as quickly as possible for it, it still knocked the wind out of her, and the three landed on the ground in a heap.

The two girls giggled as they bombarded Yumo with questions about her whereabouts and any new stories she had to share with them. Yumo, while not a very physical person, was more than okay with letting them crush her ribs. It brought her quite a bit of joy in her life. Perhaps that was a huge reason why she kept coming back to this island. Though she wouldn't admit it.

"It's been so long since you've been here!" One of the girls on top of Yumo, the shorter of the two, exclaimed.

She gave the girls a small, relieved smile, "it's good to be back."