As a child, Tara lived a fairly normal life for someone who lived in the fire nation. She lived in a small town of Chihiro with her older brother and parents. She was an unusual girl, she didn't look like a typical Fire Nation female. She appeared more as someone from the Earth kingdom. Rumor had it her and her brother had some earth kingdom in them. There was no way to tell if that was true or not. Her brother Lee, yeah unique name, was only three years older. Tara and her brother were enrolled in school a town over because it was better. It just worked. Not to mention it wasn't that far. Her parents were both welders, though it seemed like a weird profession for women, it worked. She was a natural at it. They worked for a company that made stuff for the war. Her father worked during the week while her mother worked weekends. She had special arrangements with the head guy and whatnot. It worked out well for them, though it was unusual. They made good money to support themselves and their family. Even providing fire bending lessons for Tara. She just happened to be the only bender between herself and her brother.

One day when Tara was about seven, her village was visited by fire nation solders. They were just passing through and were looking for a place to stay just for the night. Tara's parents played host to general Iroh. That night, Iroh showed Tara a special fire bending move that no one else knew about. Though she was young, Iroh saw potential in her. He saw so much of his own kid in Tara and Lee. Almost two and a half years pass and her family had received a message. This one was different from others they had received. It was from the royal palace. The letter scared them, all they could wonder was what the fire lord wanted from them. When they finally opened it, it was this summon to the royal palace. This wasn't good, though it could mean just about anything. It did not say why they were being summoned. The meeting was set for about three months from now.

Three months passed and they found themselves at the royal palace. When they arrived, Tara and her family were imminently brought back to the throne room. It was quiet for several minutes before the fire lord spoke. Tara and her family were being convicted of treason. Apparently they were conspiring against the government. They never said anything like that. Though they may not have always agreed with the government's actions. Never did they speak about it, especially in public or when people were around. It was a onetime thing and both agreed to never speak about it. Neither of her parents knew if anyone was listening at that time and it was just better not to speak about it. Firelord Ozai then came down from his throne and made a gesture to one of the guards. Her father was brought forward first. He was killed moments later. After that her mother and brother were brought up and killed in the same manner. It wasn't by any means a fast death. It was a slow painful death. By the point her brother finally passed, Tara was potentially scarred for life. When it came finally to Tara, Ozai was going to spare her, only on one condition. She had to leave the fire nation and never return.

Seven years passed sense Tara was banished. She was living in Ba Sing Se with her aunt. Her aunt found her not too long after she had wondered into the village. Rei, her aunt was only Twenty five at the time and unmarried. That was the main reason she left her village to go with Tara. For six and a half of the seven years, Rei continued Tara's fire bending lessons to the best of her ability. Not to mention it also was done in secret. They both wanted to at least remember something of their heritage. After making their way to Ba Sing Se, both Tara and Rai developed a distaste for the fire nation. Who knew if either of them would ever be able to forgive the fire nation for what they did. After six and a half years, Rei took her hatred to the grave. She died due to an unfortunate accident at work. The next six months, Tara was able to decently survive on her own. Though she realized she would have to get a more stable job. It didn't take very long for her to find one, there was a new tea shop opening up not too far from her home. The owner, Mushi hired her on almost instantly. Mushi absolutely loved her, though he had just met her. She was to help Junior, his nephew. He wanted her to start immediately, if at all possible.

She had no idea how long she would be working at the tea shop. She was looking for the Avatar. One thing was clear to her already, he and his friends were in the city already, but didn't know where. Not to mention there was something bothering her about Mushi and Junior. Both seemed really familiar to her. Two days pass, and at that point Tara was tipped off on where the Avatar was. Near the end of her shift, she finally made the connection on who Mushi was. That night, he invited her over. For the longest time that night it was quiet. Though it was only her and Mushi there.

"Ca-Can I speak freely?"

"Yes."

"I know who you really are." He stopped what he was doing. "It's okay. Your secret is safe with me."

"How did you know?"

"What do you remember of the town Chihiro?"

"I passed through there one a long time ago. I-I stayed with a nice family."

"Do you remember the family" She bit her lip "that was brought to the palace years later and killed. But the daughter was spared and banished"

"Yes wh-" She looked at him "Oh my god. You are her?"

She nodded, he then moved closer to her and hugged her. Hell, he still felt guilty about what had happened to her. There was something not quite right about the death of Tara's family in his point of view. He had wondered what had happened to her sense that day. Now he's just glad she is okay. It didn't seem like she deserved any of this suffering. To him, she was a good kid who had a bright future, but that was until the death of her parents. Now, he's not so sure.

"I'm sorry for your loss. It is in the nature of my brother to do that. You have every right to be unable to forgive my family. I know deep down that your family was innocent."

"Thank you. I do forgive you. I still remember the move you showed me."

"You do?"

"Yes. Only ever had to use it once, but I realized that I am one of the select people that can use lightning."

"Be careful. It can be dangerous." He paused and looked at her. "You are looking for someone?"

"Yes, I am."

"The Avatar?"

"I feel like I am supposed to join him." She looked at him with a slightly sad face

"Go, go find him. I know you are right. I feel it also."

"Thank you." She stood up and bowed. "Thank you for everything General Iroh."

Tara bolted towards the door, knowing exactly where she needed to go. Though it probably wasn't the best time. Right as she reached the door, it opened and she accidently ran into his nephew. It was a complete accident though, she didn't mean to do that.

"Sorry Zuko."

Now that was even more of an accident. After she was completely gone, Iroh explained the situation to him. Zuko seemed to understand, in a weird sense. Tara continued on to the place she was told where the Avatar was staying. She became hesitant when she arrived but found her courage and knocked. Moments later the door opened. It was Aang who answered.

"Can I help you?"

"Aang, it would be an honor if I could join you."

"You do?"

"I feel like it is my destiny to join you."

Several eyes went to this one girl. It became quiet for several moments. During that time Tara recognized the girl to be the blind bandit. The stories she remembers about her. But she knew her real name to be Toph. In the end she ended up nodding in agreement.

"She's telling the truth."

"What do you think?"

"What do you do?" The other guy asked.

"Know how to fight with swords. Some hand to hand."

"Bender" He asked

"No."

Boy was she lying her ass of there. Not to mention regret lying about that later. It seemed like everyone believed it. Not everything she said was a complete lie, she knew that. It was the whole bending thing that she was lying about. It was a long several minutes before anyone spoke directly to her.

"We agree." Aang said.

"Thank you. My name is Tara. I'm sorry for not saying it sooner."

Everyone else introduced themselves. Now that, she could get used to actually having friends. At that point no one was really going to ask her about her past, not yet at least. No one wanted to accidently say something and end up causing problems. For the first time in a long time, Tara felt welcomed and loved somewhere.