Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender
In this bright, serene morning I stroll around the flamboyant garden of the Fire Nation Palace. It has been nine months since I have resided here as one of Princess Izumi's bodyguards. As a bodyguard, it is my purpose to commit my life to protect the Fire Nation Princess, but this isn't my true intention from the start. My true intention is hidden deeply as well as the promise I kept to my mother. A promise to take back what was rightfully hers. I will not disappoint Mother even when my feelings interferes with my determination for this mission.
A Fire Nation General and two of his sons attract my attention. The general is currently training the young sons in fire bending. The way the father encourages and advices his sons to improve their fire bending reminds me of my fire bending training as a child. My thoughts lead me to think of Mother.
"Your attacks lack so much! Do it again!" Mother yelled from across the backyard.
I continued to kick high in the air under the blazing, hot sun. Sweat poured down from my scalp to my face and lastly to my neck. Fire exerted out of the sole of my right foot with each flame growing bigger with each high kick. On my 10th kick, I lost balance and fell onto the hard ground.
The instant my bottom dropped onto the ground I immediately wept with tears all over my crimson, sweaty face.
Mother walked up to me from the entrance and with her arms crossed. Her gold eyes reflected irritation, disgusted.
"When I say to do it again, I meant to do it correctly!" she roared. "If you're not excellent at fire bending then you're simply nothing."
Tears proceeded to stream from my eyes at Mother's brutal words.
"Stop crying! Don't ever show weakness," she snarled.
"Lady Aya," a maid brakes away my thoughts, "Princess Izumi is looking for you. She wants to talk about tonight's celebration."
I nod as a reply. Every little thing I do here in the palace leads me to accomplish my mission. To accomplish my promise.
I stare at myself in the mirror. Instead of armor, I am dressed in a fitting dance attire with my long hair down, than the usual pony tail, for tonight's celebration of Fire Lord Zuko's Birthday. Princess Izumi and the Fire Nation Queen insist that I would be a performer than a bodyguard for just one night. The Fire Nation Queen even remarked how "it would create a very optimistic aura" if I obey.
I pick up the hand fan on the dresser and examine the elegant chrysanthemums. I remember how I would always carry a hand fan as an accessory when dancing. It has been too long since I held a hand fan like this one and dressed as a dancer. I miss being a dancer although being a fire bender gives me a different path. My last dance performance was nine months ago when I agreed to this promise. Nine months have passed from the last time my parents have seen me. Nine months since I vowed to myself that I will not disappoint Mother. If Mother could see me right now, she would probably say this is an advantage by deceiving the people in the palace in order to reach our goal. Her goal.
I turn back to the mirror to stare at my own reflection. I look nothing like my mother, Azula. I carry more of my father's genes. I have his tan skin, pointy nose and high cheek bones. My gold eyes and plump lips are the only resemblances I receive from Mother. I remember her words the day before I arrived at the palace.
"It's a good thing that you look like your father. The palace would have no idea you are my daughter."
"Aya, it's almost time to begin the dance performance," Princess Izumi announces when she barges into my room.
"Oh, yes. I better get going then," I answer.
Yes, being a dancer today will further deceive the people in the Fire Nation Palace. Being a dancer as well being a bodyguard will trick the royal family, the family I never knew before. The family that does not know I share the same blood. The family I unexpectedly grown attach to. Hopefully, I will not deceive my determination for this promise. I will not disappoint Mother.
Blue flames strike out of my two fingers as I practice my fire bending one night in the garden.
"Your fire bending is noteworthy," a voice alerts me to stand in a defence position.
The figure walks out from the shadows. It is Fire Lord Zuko. I immediately bow.
"Thank you, my lord," I say. "I am sorry if I cause any ruckus."
"No, you didn't Aya," he answers, "Your fire bending skills looks very familiar. It reminds me of somebody I use to know."
"Who is it?" I ask even though I already know the answer. My mother was the one who taught me to fire bend. She taught me how destructive fire can be. She ingrained my mind that almost isn't good enough.
"It was someone I once knew long ago. She was considered a prodigy," Fire Lord Zuko says. "Who taught you to fire bend, Aya?"
"My mother."
"Then she must be skilled. She trained and raised you well. You're very loyal to Izumi and my family. Thank you."
I look down at my hands. I am not loyal at all. I am the exact opposite. These hands are intended to deeply strike down blue flames into the heart of the Fire Lord. Those blue flames plan to terminate the one who took away Mother's desired position. My determination is loyal to my promise, but my feelings are slowly betraying me. I hope my feelings won't betray Mother.