Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.
A/N: This is a one shot. Inspired by a season three episode. Dark.
Crimson by Whisper of the Past
It was a habit, as simple and vital as breathing, that determined the course of my life.
I loved to do it--to Waterbend. It was a simple joy, and still is. I have refined my abilities, honed them as sharp as the teeth of my old comb, and now, I have passed on my legacy.
That little girl looked at me like I was crazy. Did she believe me to be a senile old fool? Ha--If I was senile, I would've never recognized her. She has Kanna's face.
Just like my puppets have the old faces of those who helped me refine my talent. The ones who--didn't make it. The ones who screamed the most, and others who reminded me of the guards, back in that horrible place...
My good friend Kanna came from the Northern Watertribe. She had told me that there, women who could bend water had been restricted to healing only. Women had no real rights. Kanna herself had fled to the South to escape an arranged marriage.
I thought she was so brave to have done so. Her words had inspired me to cherish the power that grew within me--if she could escape a marriage, why couldn't I become a Water bending master? In the Southern Watertribe, we were encouraged to develop our abilities. It only made sense if I should become a master.
But just as I was getting strong, just as I became as skilled as I am now, they came. The Fire Nation…
I despise the people of that place. I have lived among them, and I still wish them gone. They whisper now, trying to decide what to do with me. I see fear in their eyes, in their movements--they call me a witch, I see their lips moving to form the word.
They call me insane.
But is it insanity to destroy such a wretched people, by using my craft against them?
Oh how I loved it. The first time I did it. It was enjoyable--it reminded me of the dreams I once held. I became a better Waterbender, and in my own mind, I was a Master. If I could go back home, I would be--
They took that from me. My dreams, my home, my family--gone!
But I got so much more in return. So should I feel indebted to them?
Gone! No, I can't…
Am I the only sensible one here? Why did that girl, Kanna's girl, Katara, look at me like that? She doesn't understand, doesn't have an open mind--one of the few Waterbenders to ever fight me and win!
She reminds me of myself. I remember, so I know I'm not senile. I'm not crazy, insane, whatever word you think of me. I had values, I lived by a moral code I set for myself--I can recall insisting to my soul that I wouldn't walk down a dark path of revenge.
But when the path was set before me, what else could I do? The path was not as dark as I imagined, but it was red, as crimson as the lilies that bloomed during the summer.
So she will do as I did--and this power, this gift I have given her will tempt her. She will look upon it and scorn it, until she realizes how wrong she was and how right I am. And I will live forever.
Don't you see--that the way a teacher can live on is through a student?
So I will be immortal. Because she will pass this on, this crimson gift, that I have presented her. She will want to show the world--I want to show the world. Firebenders, Earthbenders, Airbenders, what power do they have? To control someone--that is the ultimate power of all.
How is it they still think I'm crazy? I'm in my right mind. They stare at me with pale faces, bloodless with fear. They should be.
Because the Fire Nation's soil will be crimson with blood when the war's through. I will have my revenge--it is my destiny. It is hers--for she is what I am. A blood bender.
A/N: I had to do this fic--that Hama lady's behavior chilled me to the bone. I tried to make her ramble, trying to show her unbalanced state of mind. I hope I captured her character well enough...