Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar in any way, shape or form.

Author's Notes: I was thinking about the society in Avatar and wondered how they always managed to give birth to the right type of benders. Thus, this story came to light.

As I walk past, they whisper. They always whisper, even when I'm not around. I don't know what makes me so interesting. Besides, if I'm so fascinating, how come no one talks to me?

"There he is," I strain my ears to hear the girls. "I can't believe they let someone like that live here!"

The other girl tsks. "I can't believe he thinks he belongs here. Doesn't he know?"

"Of course not!" The first girl shakes her head. "Now shut up before he hears you!"

I smile grimly. Of course I can't already hear them. I'm just an outsider, who's deaf as well as stupid. "Actually, keep on going!" I call over to them. "I'm interested in what you have to say, Ling. Please, continue!" I grin widely at the two, who glare back at me.

"Who do you think you are, Keahi?" Ling demands. "You can't just barge into private conversations!"

"Of course not," I scowl. "Conversations that are all about me are absolutely none of my business. Please excuse my interruption." I spin on my heel and break into a run, wishing they'd just leave me alone.

Sometimes, I think things would be easier for me if I could Earthbend. At least then people would know for sure that I belong here in Earth Kingdom. But everywhere I go, someone's always whispering or pointing at me. Once, a little girl tripped and fell right in front of me. When I went to help her up, her parents started yelling at me to leave their precious girl alone. Then they picked her up themselves, quietly telling her to stay away from that Keahi, because he's bad news, dear, bad news.

I don't see what I've done that's so bad. I've never hurt anyone in my life, and certainly never done anything against the law. Yet people just treat me like some kind of criminal. It's been that way the entire fourteen years of my life.

I realize where I am and stop running. I'm standing on the outskirts of town, in the foothills. I can see the mountains rise up in spikes, dark against the orange sky. I suppose I should get back home now. But…I've never really been this far out. It wouldn't hurt to look around for a bit, would it?

I never knew there was a forest by our town. That's strange, considering that we are in Earth Kingdom, and it's to be expected. Forests, that is. The thought never crossed my mind, I guess.

I wonder what's in the forest? I still have a little time. I start towards it, not quite sure what I was hoping for, but eager to find something. That's when I heard it:

"What do you think you're doing?"

I look up. "Exploring the forest. What does it look like?"

"Ha! A likely story!" A boy about my age steps out of the shadows and glares at me. He's tall, and has brown hair that's cropped close to his head. His eyes are cold and green. He keeps glaring at me like I've killed his sister or something. "It's bad enough that they let you live in the village, but now you're allowed to wander around in the forest? You could destroy the whole place!"

"What are you talking about?" I demand. "I've never done anything bad in my life! Why do you people keep assuming I'm going to kill you all?" I glare back at him. This stupid little prick has no right to make these assumptions!

The boy laughed. "Stop acting innocent, Keahi!"

"God! Does everyone know my name around here?" I throw my hands up in the air. "Could you at least give me enough respect to tell me yours?"

"Of course," he sniffs. "I'm Zarek. If you haven't already heard of me, you must be deaf."

I remember him now. "You're that 'Earthbending prodigy', right?" I make quotation marks with my hands.

"You bet I am!" Zarek grins. "And I thought it was about time I got a little practice in for my upcoming test. Wouldn't you agree?"

"What are you implying…?" I ask uneasily.

"I need a target for my bending, don't I?" Zarek chuckles. "Something for the rocks to hit, you know."

I catch on. "No way! I'm not going to be a target!" I protest.

"Ah, but you are," Zarek shakes his head. "You don't really have a choice on the subject."

"Of course I do!" I'm getting nervous, now. "I always have a choice!"

"Then why don't you fight me?" Zarek taunts.

I see now. He's trying to provoke me into hurting him, so he can get me in trouble. "No."

"Onto to target practice, I guess," Zarek shrugs, and bends a rock in my direction.

I try to jump out of the way, but suddenly another rock is formed behind me and hardens around my legs. I can barely move. I wince, as the first rock smacks my shoulder.

"Sorry, a good target doesn't run away," Zarek smirks. More rocks come flying through the air, pelting me in every possible area of my body.

"What about moving targets?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Hmm…" Zarek taps his chin. "I guess you're right." He thrusts both his hands forward and flings them up.

The rock that's trapping me flies up, too. As I fall, Zarek bends more rocks my way. After the all hit me, I land on the ground with a crunch. It hurts so badly. Stupid stuck-up kid. Why can't he just leave me alone?

"This is good practice!" Zarek claps his hands, causing the rock around my legs to tighten. "I really appreciate all this help, Keahi."

"Please stop," I growl, glaring at him.

"Awww, are you gonna cry?" Zarek mocks. Ouch. He just hit me with a rock where I certainly don't want to be hit.

"Who knows?" I manage through the pain. "If you keep doing this, I might very well start."

"Poor baby," Zarek shakes his head. "You'd think that with a background like yours, you'd be tougher."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I burst out, fuming. "I wasn't brought up any differently than you were!"

"I meant your heritage, stupid."

"I was born and raised in Earth Kingdom!" I yell. "My parents are from Earth Kingdom, their parents are from Earth Kingdom and their parents are from Earth Kingdom! My father is a renowned Earthbender and my mother a well known poet. How in the world can you expect me to be some person who chooses muscle over mind????"

Zarek is seriously laughing right now. "I can't believe you expect me to believe your little innocent act! I know exactly what you are, so there's no use in trying to hide it!"

"Oh?" I ask. "What am I, then?" Maybe I can see what's going on in his demented little head.

Zarek gives me a strange look like I'm the stupidest person he's ever met. "You're a Firebender!"

Dun dun dunnnnn SUSPENSE! Review!!!