A/N: Okay, this is my first post on this site...and my first fanfic! Wooooo Marching Band~! This is mostly for my best friend, Cypherphoenix. :) I'll try to update as much as possible.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender...although I really wish I did. Because that would be awesome.

If one just watched the children, they'd think the Fire Nation was completely harmless. The kids would laugh and play, just like in any other tribe. They weren't evil; they were human. But, as in every kingdom and nation, there are exceptions. Azula was ours.

Azula controlled others using fear. Even her "friends" were scared of her. She was so demanding of everyone around her, including her brother, Zuko. But, that can be expected of the crowned princess of the fire nation. There was only one person who was never afraid of Azula, and her name was Auna.

Auna was a mystery. No one knew much about her life outside of the Palace. Everyone thought she was just some girl from the colonies and that her uncle, Hairo (who was the Fire Lord's business advisor at the time), brought to the fire nation for the experience.

She was quiet, yet defiant. She pushed the limits as far as they would go, without crossing the line. Although she wasn't a people person, she was well-liked by the majority. Little did they know she was keeping several secrets that could change the world as they know it.

Every day was the same; there was an overall schedule that was keeping time together. Things were normal, and yet somehow different. Auna smiled to herself. Life was just getting better and better. Today, the firebenders in training would have practice Ag-Ni-Kais. It would be her chance to prove to herself she could control fire as well as earth.

Almost the entire class had had their match, and Zuko, Azula and I were the only ones left; Lee had won the previous match, and the one before that. He turned around, a triumphant smile on his face.

"I challenge Zuko," he said.

With that Zuko jumped up to face Lee in a crouching ready position. The two of them battled it out for a while, and then Zuko pinned Lee down, a ball of fire in his hand. Zuko stood, and then helped Lee get to his feet. Zuko then looked at me, a hidden smile haunting his face.

"I challenge Auna. Maybe I'll be able to win this time."

I stood, ready to claim victory. As I got grounded in my stance, I smirked at Zuko, knowing how easy it would be to win. I decided that I was going to have some fun, though. Our Ag-Ni-Kai consisted of Zuko throwing a bunch of fireballs, and me jumping and flipping over his shoulders. I was having a blast (no pun intended), because I knew every move he was about to make. Sometimes, being an earthbender and a firebender came in handy.

I finally found it in myself to put an end to this glorious game of Chase the Undercover Half-Breed. I leaped out at Zuko, kicking my leg at his face, and he stumbled back when the side of my foot hit his jaw line. When he fell to the ground, I pinned his legs with my knees, and his arms with my hands. I looked down to search his face for any sign of anger, but all I saw was him smiling up at me, eyes twinkling with amusement. I smiled back, but only barely. When I glanced up, I noticed that our practice duel had attracted an audience, which included my father, Hairo, and Fire Lord Ozai. No one in the Fire Nation knew Hairo was my father.

I bounced to my feet, and faced my next opponent. Azula stood as well, smirking.

"Although it's completely obvious, I challenge Azula."

As the two of us readied ourselves, fire burned in Azula's eyes. She wanted to win. I admit now that I was nervous about fighting her. I might have been better at hand to hand combat, but she was a better bender. Even so, we both knew I wasn't going down without a fight.

We circled each other for a minute, and I realized Azula was waiting for me to strike. She was challenging not only my abilities, but my intellect as well. I closed my eyes after irritatingly rolling them and took a deep breath through my nose. I tried to put all of my concentration into the fire I had inside me. With every last drop of focus I could muster, I let the fire flow from my heart to my hand, hoping it wouldn't go out of control.

But it did.

I grimaced inwardly as the flames I had released grew to a dangerous size, causing the rest of the class to either cry out in bewilderment or crawl back to a safe distance. I grunted in frustration. This is all fire was…wild…destructive…angry…

While I was distracted with my shame and hatred of fire, Azula jumped far to the right and threw fire at me simultaneously, a small, but noticeably smug smile on her lips. I ducked, then leapt toward her to sweep my foot out so I could knock her down.

She did exactly as I had planned; hooking the back of her foot around my ankle and pulling her leg in, she made me lose my balance. She was about to take the win, but I grabbed her wrist while pulling my leg back. In effect, Azula lost her footing and landed on the ground with a grunt and a startled expression that quickly gave way to rage. I extended my right fist out, stopping just short of Azula's nose.

No one dared say a thing. Azula had lost, and to a bender from the colonies, no less. I dropped her wrist and stepped away to sit with the rest of the class while she fumed. I found myself looking at my shoes. I felt as though I was being watched, and my eyes wandered up to find Fire Lord Ozai staring at me. He looked shocked and amazed at the same time. I could see Azula glaring at me out of the corner of my eye, and it actually made me feel uncomfortable. As the mask I had been perfecting my entire life solidified on my face, I stood and tugged at my father's sleeve, asking him if we could go.

As we walked away, I peeked back over my shoulder. All but Princess Azula was watching us leave, respect plastered on their faces. Even though Azula hated me, Prince Zuko was a good friend of mine. He was the exception in my socially challenged life. My eyes rested on his face. He was grinning at me and waving goodbye. That was the last time I ever saw him.

When I opened my eyes, the color of the sky was a light periwinkle. I shifted to my side to make sure there weren't any more burning embers in the fire pit. I sighed as I propped myself up on my elbows. I could feel the dirt that caked my cheeks, and the clothes I had on were a mess.

I have been on my own now for seven years, I thought.

Seven years.

Seven years ago, my parents were killed.

I felt the anger rise up inside me, and I sat up to hug my knees to my chest before I could do anything stupid. I clenched my eyes shut, and balled my hands into tight fists. The anger subsided, only to be replaced by guilt and sadness. I could almost feel the warm liquid spill down my face, but I was not about to let myself cry. I attempted to control my breathing and choked back the silent sobs, and after a few moments, I regained my composure. I looked towards the sky, searching for answers, signs, hints…anything.

Seven years ago, I found out my destiny, and all from a burn on the back of my neck I thought. That was so lovely, thanks for that, by the way, I sneered at the heavens, hoping the Spirit World would hear my message.

I dropped my gaze and laid one hand on the medallion I wore around my neck.

I am the protector of the only hope for the world. Now all I've got to do is find him.

Spirits, I hate my life.

The young woman let out a heavy sigh before standing, one hand still on the ornament upon her neck. With her free hand she pulled her long, thick, wavy black hair over her shoulder so she could rub her neck.

At the base of her neck, there is a scar. The mark is small, but visible. If one were close enough, he could see that the marking looked incredibly similar to the symbol of the Air Nomads.

This mark was the one thing that outwardly determined the Protector of the Avatar-a protector who wasn't ever needed until now.

A/N: Eh? Ehhhhh~? Maybe? Kinda sorta?