(a/n) This is my first story EVER on FFnet, so I hope you enjoy it. If you find in grammatical mistakes let me know! So I can be a better writer.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE THINGS METIONED THAT BELONG TO AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM. THE ONLY THING I OWN IS A STUFFED MONKEY NAMED TAILS.
CHAPTER ONE: A Pure Beauty
"Death isn't the end." A single petal taps the surface of the water. "Birth isn't even the beginning." A mocha colored hand moves slowly to catch another petal that falls from the ancient tree. "There simply is never a beginning or an ending to any one thing." Deep blue eyes stare blankly out to the pond before it. The wind gives a sudden lurch causing more of the delicate flowers to lose their place among the heavens meeting the ground with a sigh. Dark brown curly hair joins them in their dance merrily bouncing to and fro. A frown mars a beautiful face before being replaced with a tiny smile of acceptance. "Everything is tied together." Blue eyes close their windows, while ears take in everything. "So I guess we'll start at my beginning..." Ocean blue snap open and with the wave of one seemingly dainty hand the world frosts over as the moon takes over the sun, leaving the world in total darkness.
"THIEF."
I dodge the oncoming fire ball with an awkward body twist that I'm sure I'll feel in the morning. The smell of smoke lets me know another one is on the way and I let out an exasperated sigh. In the Southern Water Tribe, my father's home country, they would have given up by now or at least they would be bending something I could throw back. Fire Nation merchants, for some odd reason, are very persistent and tend to send unending balls of flame. My feet start to protest any further movement.
The melon in my hand is huge and would be enough to feed me for a least three days, so I push on. Another fireball almost catches the end of my Earth Kingdom clothes, which are better suited for this weather then my thicker Water Tribe ones. They still absorb heat like a sponge being a dark jewel green. I would prefer the lighter blues of the tribes to the rich greens of my mother's kingdom in this inferno. A quick glance around reveals people slowly gathering into a crowd which is a positive negative kind of thing. Rocks hidden in the dirt poke holes into my bare feet and I curse as the newest fireball singes my hair. Crap, I really need to lose this guy.
The sun is contributing to my upcoming doom. It shines brightly giving the merchant strength while only slowing me down further. People have started to come out of their little shops and homes to swarm around the same thing as the others before. Making it harder not to drop the melon and harder for the man chasing me to aim at me. Seeing as there isn't any kind of festival it can only be the royal family which makes this my lucky day. A smirk graces my face as the perfect idea forms. No one comes near the royal caravans which provides the perfect escape route. I shove my way thought the crowd as gently as I can, while the merchant gets stuck between angry people. When, I'm close enough to one of them, I take a moment to enjoy the rare show of opulence in the middle class. The thing shimmers as if decked out completely in jewels and dragons dot the surface of each one. I know from my brief schooling that they only carry one person at a time. The workers carrying the family eyes the crowd warily-nearly daring someone to touch their fancy rides.
I can never ignore a dare, but to avoid going to prison (again) or becoming a concubine I have to evaluate. In the current royal family there are four members: Fire Lord Katsu, Fire Lady Akemi, Crown Princess Hikari, and Prince Ryuu. The prince's caravan is the smallest, so I break out into a sprint towards it. Evil merchant guy follows, but unlike me halts as soon as he comes within five feet of the royal party. I, on the other hand, keep going before launching myself over the prince's carrier. My heart beats loudly in my chest. If I don't make it, I'm going to jail and Jun will never let me out of his sight again. For a brief second, calm blue meet golden awe. I spare their owner a mischievous wink as my feet hit the ground hard with the melon firmly in my hand. People give me a wide berth as I continue my way through the stone maze to finally reach freedom.
The small hovel that I call home, until I can actually go back home, isn't much compared to the house I lived in with my dad in the water tribe, but is better than the hole I lived in in the Earth Kingdom after he had died. I lived with my mom's parents briefly before fleeing as my mother had prior to me. Ever since then I became a...borrower of sorts.
A small futon serves its dual purpose in the furthest corner of the room, while a small table sits in front of it. The walls are bare, but painted a warm golden color. My worldly possessions sit in a plain cotton sack. It's really nothing more than the necklace my dad made for my mom, a set of clothes from both of their respective nations, my mom's favorite combs, and my dad's favorite hunting knife. A bucket of water sits in front of the open window and with great care I lower the melon into the bucket before cooling the water slightly. My reflection stares up at me with a blank expression, before I crack a small smile. Everyone always said that even though I had my dad's eyes, I was my mother's daughter. Everything from stubby nose to my round eyes. My dad gave me his water tribe coloring and dark brown hair that is always pulled back into a braided bun. Both tunic and trousers stick uncomfortably on my skin as my heart beat starts to slow down from the adrenaline of the chase. I stop my self-evolution, instead counting the coins in my hand.-courtesy the useful crowd and the angry merchant. I add up 10 gold pieces and 12 copper ones, more than enough for me to invest in some proper clothing.
I wait an hour before going back to the streets again- avoiding the main road. The sun is still beating down harshly on my poor body, but it has cooled somewhat. When I make it to the central plaza, there's barely enough space to breath. The Fire Nation Plaza is visited all over the world by every nation due to its large supply of clothing, trinkets, weapons, and other things relating to each nation. I squeeze my way through the crowd to a stand selling lighter material for clothing and fabric. They come in a variety of vibrant colors and are less likely to give me heat stroke. Most of the one's I chose vary in shades of blue and green with a shock of red or gold every once in a while. With an arm full of my purchases, I slink out onto a back road that gets me home in a breeze.
I managed to swipe a bowl noodles on my way out and I severely hope they aren't spicy. I really dislike spicy food which is a major problem when you're living in the Fire Nation. Breaking my chopsticks I look patiently to the sky as it goes through a metamorphism of colors. When I'm done I still sit there watching patiently till the moon is at it's highest point. Only when I hear the beating of wings, can my eyes close without resistance and I grin as a solid thump hits the stone panels.
The next day, I quickly force my eyes open as I prepare to work (yes I have a job, stealing is a hobby) at the Capitol's best teashop, The Four Seasons. Workers are required to be there at the break of down, firebender or not, to serve the customers that come that early. I dash towards the building standing proudly at the center of the plaza with a symbol displaying all four elements together unison. Fire Lord Katsu is a big supporter of all the nations working together to bring a brighter future to the world and all the great leaders respect him greatly. He opened up places like the Four Seasons and The Plaza to show how much it really means to him.
"You're late."
The only thing I dislike about the shop is my supervisor, Xue. Then again, he doesn't like me either.
"No I'm not."
His ember eyes narrow haughtily at me with a smirk already on his face.
"You are supposed to be here before the sun rises."
It is way too early in the morning for this. I'm never here on time and I'll probably never get here on time. The other workers have similar thoughts as they roll their eyes as Xue rants while I ignore him like a pro. When he's done yapping I tie my apron around my waist and prepare for the morning tea. It has to be done a certain way every day or I'll get another lecture. So, I signal my coworker, Kai, to light the stoves. Instantly flames burst to live and he goes back to preparing the snacks. Kai and I live near each other and have become friends. Sometimes he crashes at my place to attempt to get me to come early to work; other times he's dragging me around trying to show me the best spots of the Fire Nation 've known each other for three and half months. Oddly enough every time I see him, he's bruised in some way or form, but I don't ask and he doesn't tell-everyone is entitled to their secrets.I wave some water into the pot, letting it come to a boil as I gather the right leaves. The constant tea making goes on for three hours straight before the first customer comes. Luckily for me (sarcasm), I only work the tables during the lunch rush; so, for now I just take to go orders and listen to the town gossip.
"Did you hear about what happened to Mr. Satoshi?"
"No what happened?"
This comes from my favorite duo of old ladies. Their a very good information source and can tell you everything about anyone.
"Some kid stole his prized melon." I feel my entire body tense up.
Kai notices and quickly puts the dots together (he is very aware of my hobby). A disapproving scowl is directed my way, and give him a shrug. I pretty sure Mr. Sato-whatever wont die from this one melon gone missing. He rolls his eyes at me before heading over to the two's table.
"What can I get you two ladies?"
They stop talking about poor Satoshi and instead coo over Kai. Before I can even let out a single snicker, the dictator is standing before me.
"Misumi-" My eye starts twitching. "-your shift starts soon, stop wasting time and get prepared. You don't want me to have to contact Jun."
I really don't want him to contact Jun, so I give him a stiff nod. Jun keep tabs on me, now that I'm out of prison. He contacts me, and apparently Xue, to see how I'm doing and to remind me of what would happen if I don't keep a low profile.
I go back to making tea, while practicing smiles on the shiny reflective stone. It's harder than it looks. I want to water whip half the people in the face, and they are all just so annoying. My grin has changed from welcoming to savage.
"I think I know why Xue never calls you by your name." I nearly jump out of my skin.
"What's that suppose to me?" My eyes slant and start to loose their usual blue. "And don't sneak up on me."
"Well Mizumi means pure beauty and you definitely not pure if that smile was anything to go by."
I turn with a huff and begin to brew with much more vigor than what's required.
"You are a beauty though." A knife lodges itself in the wall behind him, but he doesn't even flinch. Instead, he laughs.
I duck my head down lower to hide my embarrassment. Sometimes, I really can't stand him.
(a/n) I hope you enjoyed :P.
1-like Zuko's when he was a kid and he had a long pony tail. The two odd short hairs. This also appears when his hair is put in a topknot for the Fire Lord Ceremony :D.
-LADFA out
UPDATE: I EDITED OUT MOST OF THE CHAPTER, DUE TO SOME ISSUES I HAD WITH IT. SOME THINGS DID CHANGE SINCE I HAD TO MAKE UP FOR THE GIANT CHUNCK THAT I TOOK OUT. THE SECOND CHAPTER IS ON IT'S WAY
