CHAPTER ONE: Tea and Servitude
I sat at the end of the pond, the water lightly brushing against my toes, as though it could feel my anger. My grandfather always told me, that water was the most understanding of the elements, and that if I needed to clear my head that water would help me. Yet, here I was, and I still felt nothing but betrayal.
I was sick of being different! I wanted to be normal so badly. I guess maybe Mother…no. I couldn't even call her that, I guess Soina thought I couldn't hear them talking.
"She needs to know Kazai, she can't keep living like she has a piece of her heart gone."
"Not now Soina. We are doing what is best for the country. If they found out about her abilities they would take her away as well as my position as General here in the Earth Kingdom."
"Is that all you think about? Yourself? That girl could help us, she could help that entire Kingdom and you're going to keep lying to her."
"It's for the best, because if the Fire Nation were to find out she exists, they'd kill her."
I splashed the water watching as it rippled angrily against my hands. I had no desire to see my reflection. My pale skin, my pale silver eyes, my raven black hair, all of it reminded me exactly of what I was. Different.
Did he think I was scared? That the fire nation struck fear into my heart just as it did too many of the people who shared my land, because I was not scared one bit. I could hold my own against the fire benders. I had already proven this at a young age, when they destroyed my real family.
I knew little about my real parents and I remember being part of Uruha family for the last thirteen years of my life. So I believe it was safe to say that they had no right to be keeping secrets that involved me quiet.
"You can come out of hiding now," I muttered feeling the wind off Soina's body. She had such a graceful tone about her, and it was one I would recognize a mile away.
"I'm sorry about what you heard."
I turned away from her as she sat down next to me.
"Anara, I figured you would come here you know that."
I scoffed.
"Of course you knew, you're apparently really good at keeping secrets," I barked out as the water made small waves against my voice.
"Your father is simply confused he-"
"That man is not my father."
I clenched my fists at my side. He, Kazai was simply there. He never did anything that would make me consider him as a father figure.
"Ever since you came to us that night, I knew your destiny would be different from ours. We are destined to be dogs of the war, and to suffer under the tyranny of the Fire Lord. But you Ana have been blessed by the spirits and I know your purpose."
I looked at her, tears flowing from her auburn eyes as she embraced me.
"Many years ago there was a prophecy, 'his teacher be one of difference, able to teach the balance and meaning of bending, through the art of both water and fire'. The Avatar is alive, word has it he is currently heading to the northern water tribe and if he follows the pattern he will likely be coming here next to learn earth bending, since it is also rumored that he doesn't possess the knowledge of all four elements."
"Ya?" I replied sarcastically. "Well than that sucks huh, guess the hope for the world is lost, considering the fact the Fire nation is probably not going to help him learn easily. Not to mention the training at the training at the Northern Water Tribe."
"You could help him Ana, you are the perfect balance. You're the one he needs to learn from. You could help him save the world. When you were brought to us after a Fire Nation raid, I felt a strong pull to you. You're my hope Ana."
"Aw mom," I replied as I embraced her. "I can't leave you! No I won't, the Avatar can figure this out on his own!"
Mom pulled away from me with a soft smile on her face. She raised some earth in the palm of her hand and looked at me.
"This," she stated holding the earth out. "This one type of bending is all the spirits blessed me with, like most people living in the nations. The Avatar is said to be the only being able to use all four, but Ana, for you to be able to use fire and water consecutively, without causing harm to yourself is a miracle only the spirits could've granted. No one will offer to be the Avatar's fire teacher with the nations in such turmoil and the Fire Nation wanting to destroy the Avatar. You must leave and help him; I will say nothing to Kazai about this."
"But where will I go? How will I find him?"
"The spirits have already given you the means to find the Avatar. Head to Ba Sing Se, live as a refugee, practice your fire bending in secret and remember to keep the forces of both fire and water at your fingertips. Here is some money to get you by and a fake passport, please Ana."
I looked down at the objects. Obviously she had been thinking about this for some time now, to be so well prepared.
"Why are you so keen on getting rid of me?"
"Because Anara, the Avatar is the only hope we have left, and you're the only hope he has."
"I'll miss you mom," I cried as she hushed me with a finger.
"We will meet again soon Anara. I have faith in you sweetie, you won't let me down. Now go!"
And that was the last time I saw my mother, that last time by the water over five months ago.
"Rei table five needs one jasmine and two green tea's!"
"Coming!" I replied.
It was hard adjusting to my new name at first and I still had the urge to correct him every time he called me by it. I had been in Ba Sing Se for a while now and still no sign of the Avatar. I wasn't sure whether or not he would ever show up by this time.
"Here you go," I stated placing the tea on the table with a smile.
"I think his tea has gotten worse," one of the earth kingdom soldiers stated as I laughed.
"Let's just humor him, besides I need this job remember?" I stated as they laughed. "And you could all use a woman's advice when you come in here."
"You do give the best advice, you pour out the proverbs like hot tea," the officer stated.
"And as delicious as hot tea is, be careful not to let it burn you."
The table ooh'ed as the chime on the door rang. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as an old man, with gray hair, and a slightly pudgy body walked towards Pao the owner of the teashop. My arms grew warm, and I stared at him wide eyed. Fire bender.
"What can I help you with sir?"
"My Nephew and I are refugee's looking for jobs, I have always had a desire to work in a teashop as magnificent as this one."
I instantly saw Pao's eyes glaze over with happiness. Anyone could bargain with the old fool if they mentioned something good about this place.
"You gonna let Pao hire them Rei?" one of the soldiers asked as I smiled.
"With all the trouble you boys give me, I could use some help around here."
I walked towards Pao, I knew this guy was fire nation, but why did he seem so sincere about working in this place? A spy? Or worse…
"Rei?" Pao's voice knocked me from my thoughts. "Meet Mushi, he will be starting work tomorrow as well as his nephew-?"
"Lee, but since he was named after his father, we call him Junior."
I snickered and caught the old man looking at me with a weird expression.
"Why my dear, where did you get such a scar on your hand?"
I wanted to growl at the observant old crony, but held my composure.
"When I was little I decided to touch one of the candles my mother was burning, turns out that fire is hot."
He laughed a hearty laugh and smiled.
"I believe I am going to enjoy working at this place, I wish I could say the same for my nephew though."
"I wouldn't worry too much, this place kind of grows on you."
"Yes struggle against the shore only make the jagged stones smooth."
"But use too much pressure and the stone will crack," I replied as he raised an eyebrow. "Well Pao, I am done for today. See you tomorrow Mushi, I look forward to it."
"As do I Rei."
The walk from Pao's Family Teahouse was not very far. I reached my apartment in only a few minutes and sat down on the floor cross legged. Why? That question wouldn't stop running through my head. Why? Why did that old man look so much like the dragon of the west? The same man who took my family away from me. Why? Why did he seem wiser than many spirits, and kind like the spirit of the moon? Why? Why was he here with his nephew in Ba Sing Se?
I shook my head clearing my thoughts placing the candle and the bowl of water on the ground. I was once told that even the Avatar had a hard time using both water and fire at the same time consecutively. Like the bending of one element caused a battle with the other and therefore he had to stop the bending of one before he could use the other.
I lit fire in my right palm and made the water circle my left.
Why was it that I was able to use both at the same time? Water and Fire were natural enemies and yet, my mother and father fell in love, and the spirits blessed me with the skill of balance. To balance good and evil, pride and humility, fire and water.
Frustrated I growled as the fire and water began to dance the dance of fate. I hated it here, I wanted my family back, and I wanted to find the Avatar so I could get this over and done with. Damn!
The fire grew and quickly I stopped it, hoping no one was watching the orange glow through the window.
Morning and night were similar to me since sleep was not something I came by easy lately. Whenever my body was tired, my mind would be going a mile a minute, making it difficult to concentrate on anything besides the Avatar, and as of late, the newest fire bender in Ba Sing Se also drew my attention.
I dressed in my simple earth uniform, khaki colored pants with a green stripe and a shirt bearing the same color. They weren't the most exciting uniforms, but they made me blend in, which was precisely what I needed.
Closing and locking the door, I left the apartment and headed towards my place of employment. It wasn't the best place to work in town, but Pao was somewhat tolerable and didn't ask me questions, and the guests were amusing. I guess in the long run the best place to work besides working here would be to not work at all.
I noticed the boy standing against the wall of the building next to the cabbage cart. I doubt he saw me watching him, but I could definitely feel his eyes on me.
Good going, he probably saw you last night!
Sometimes my mind jumped to conclusions so I just snickered to myself and kept walking. If he wanted to claim anything, he was going to have to get through my many fans.
I pushed open the door of the teahouse, the familiar chime ringing through my ears.
"Aa Rei I'm glad you're here, I was just explaining the basic idea of things to your fellow coworkers. Now let me just go and find you aprons. Feel free to help yourself to some tea."
Pao left as I walked closer to Iroh, or Mushi and his nephew. If he wasn't lying about the last part then I only needed one thing to confirm my suspicions.
"I wouldn't drink tha-" I started but was unable to finish as Mushi spit the tea out. "I tried to warn you."
"This! It's nothing but hot leaf juice!"
His distaste was humorous and I was caught off guard as the other member began to speak.
"That's what all tea is Uncle!"
He turned with his arms crossed as I tried to conceal my gasp. The scar on his left eye, could've only been caused by fire bending, and if my assumptions about the crazy old man were true, then this could only be the banished fire prince, Zuko.
"Nonsense Junior! I will fix this!"
Mushi set to work as I looked over at Lee, his eyes held more than hate, it was an emotion I couldn't place, but for some reason I found myself wanting to try.
"What the heck happened? Pao's tea actually tastes good? Rei please tell me God finally decided to bless him with some tea making ability!"
I laughed at Hoka winking.
"Nope, but the key to great tea is that man over there."
I pointed towards where Mushi was standing as his nephew barked out orders and he brewed. Iroh really had a knack for this, like if he wasn't a terrible fire soldier that murdered my family, tea making would've made a great career choice.
"I'll get another lychee tea Rei!"
"Coming right up Daiki!" I replied walking towards the two fire benders, one in his glory, the other grumpy.
"How do you put up with this! These men are terrible."
"Oh don't let the boys get to you. They just come here to poke fun anyways, if they think it's making you angry they`re just going to do it more," I replied telling Iroh my orders.
"You have a natural grace about you Miss Rei, but also the fire to put these men in their place," Iroh affirmed putting the drinks on my tray.
"I guess I'm just good at relating to people," I replied.
The tea shop was the busiest it had ever been. I guess word got out quickly that for once in Pao's life the tea was actually good. I had to admit that the tips I made that day weren't bad either.
I was clearing off the tables as Iroh and Zuko, Mushi and Lee, began whispering. I caught words like work, commoner, and prince and shook my head. I wonder what it would be like to be royalty one day, and banished the next.
I tossed my apron into the basket and thought of what to spend my tips on. The earth country festival was coming up soon, perhaps a new kimono? Ugh, I hated shopping.
"Goodnight Mushi! Goodnight Lee!"
"Goodnight Rei!" Mushi replied and I simply received a grumble from Lee.
I stepped out of the store, taking in the cool crisp air as I took the ever familiar road back to my place. That's when I noticed the mysterious boy I saw earlier only this time, he looked me in the eye.
"I'd be careful if I were you," he stated as I raised my eyebrow. "Those two men you're working with, they're fire benders."
"You know," I replied with a hard expression. "I wouldn't accuse people of such, if you have no proof to back it, especially here in Ba Sing Se."
I walked past him ignoring the words he was saying. He was stirring up trouble and the last thing I needed was my chance to find the Avatar going up in smoke.