A/N- I posted this story once before, but I deleted it and have since revised it. I'm reposting it now because I'm older and therefore wiser – plus now I know how character development works and I really like this concept for a fic. Even so, I'm really nervous about posting this simply because I've done so much editing just to this chapter. Regardless, I hope you enjoy :)
Disclaimer for the entire series- I do not own ATLA.
"I bet you thought I wasn't going to find you!"
Hiromi turned around to see the boy who had spoken to her. His goofy smile that took up half of his face caused his brown eyes to wrinkle up and give him the appearance of an old man.
Hiromi laughed, "You haven't caught me yet! "
Her choppy hair bounced behind her as she ran to the middle of the garden where she could touch base and be safe from Lu Ten.
Her hair, as a matter of fact, was the only thing that stood out about Hiromi's appearance. Her plain face and dark eyes alone weren't anything spectacular, even at her young age. But her hair turned heads no matter where she went. The sun always seemed to reflect so beautifully off of the undulating and wavelike tresses that barely reached past her shoulders. At first glance, her hair would appear to be a dusty color, a light brown if you must put a name to the color. But the moment the light hit her hair, it was almost as if it glowed. Each strand fell around her face and shone like the rays of sun they were.
It was truly a sight to behold, a girl whose hair seemed to be made of light.
Just as her right foot touched the soft dirt around the turtle duck pond, she felt a gust of wind just barely pass the small of her back. Hiromi jumped up and down in delight, laughing with Lu Ten.
His face turned red with embarrassment, knowing he would have to be the chaser once again.
"Let's play a different game, Hiromi. " Lu Ten begged, his black-brown hair appearing almost a copper color in the light of noon.
"What do you want to play? " she asked, her eyes flickering with the sense of exuberance all children seemed to posses.
Lu Ten thought about this for a moment, remembering a game he used to play with his father when they were outside together.
"I know what we can do-" he started, only to be interrupted by a loud noise coming from across the garden.
Hiromi and Lu Ten ran to look through the bushes, where they saw Azula and Ty Lee had pushed Mai and Zuko into a water fountain. Azula and her partner in crime laughed, feeling as if they had just pulled the best prank ever.
Zuko stood up out of the fountain and stormed off, furiously marching towards the doors of the palace.
Lu Ten chased after him, leaving Hiromi by herself with the other three girls.
"Hiromi, how are your fire bending lessons going? Master Zhang has told me you are making significant progress and are one of the best benders he's ever seen at your age. "
Hiromi only shrugged her shoulders, noting how insightful Azula was for a 7 year old. Though, it was possible Azula had only been repeating something she had simply heard, not knowing its entire significance- only that it was important.
Hiromi started to follow after Lu Ten when she was stopped once more by Azula, who ran in front of her and physically kept her from entering the doors.
"Excuse me, I need to go in here. "
Hiromi tried to sidestep Azula, but was only barred away from the door by the other two girls, who ran over to join Azula.
"Why is that?" She asked, "You don't have to follow Lu Ten everywhere he goes, you know."
Hiromi furrowed her brow and crossed her arms, "Well, I want to."
Azula's eyes widened as she smirked to herself, "Why do you play with Lu Ten so much? " Azula teased, taking a step towards Hiromi. Mai and Ty Lee giggled behind the young princess as Hiromi opened her mouth to respond, but she drew a blank. She felt her face grow hot as she backed down off of the steps, running to the turtle duck pond.
She heard the girls behind her laughing but didn't care. Tears began coming out of her eyes like a waterfall- why was this making her cry?
She didn't know why she was with Lu Ten a lot, they had always been best friends. He was three years older than her, but it just meant he could show her the ropes around the palace and anywhere else. She looked up to him and admired his kindness.
She let her tears fall off of her face and into the turtle duck pond. She was so engrossed in her emotional breakdown that she almost didn't feel someone place their hand on her shoulder.
"What's wrong, little Hiromi?" the kind voice of a woman filled her ears.
Hiromi knew who it was and wrapped her arms around Ursa, knowing that she could give her the comfort she needed.
Hiromi had been motherless since the moment she was born. She spent a great deal of time at the palace because of her father's duties as a Colonel, and Ursa took Hiromi under her wing- giving her the kind of love only a mother could.
Ursa smoothed Hiromi's hair as she cried into her robe, waiting for her to gather her feelings together.
"Why is she so sad?" Ursa wondered, continuing to comfort Hiromi.
Zuko and Lu Ten watched from the window as Hiromi wiped her eyes and talked to Ursa next to the turtle duck pond.
A concerned look crossed Lu Ten's face. "Did Azula play an awful joke on Hiromi too?" he asked himself, hoping they spared Hiromi of their spite.
Zuko had been wondering the same thing, and decided to confront Azula about it.
"What did you do to her? " he demanded, interrupting Azula's demonstration of a fire bending move to her minions.
Azula laughed, "I didn't do anything to her, she merely took offense when I pressed her about the nature of her relationship with Lu Ten. "
Zuko shook his head, "Are you sure you didn't do anything else to her? " he asked, stepping forward.
She laughed once more, "Yes, Zuzu. I'm positive. Now run along and go be jealous of Lu Ten somewhere else. "
His face turned beet red as he once again marched back into the palace, hoping this time he could stay in there and avoid Azula for the rest of the day.
Lu Ten considered walking over to Hiromi so that she could tell him what had happened, but decided against it when he saw Zuko storming back into the palace.
"Why is everyone so moody today? " he thought aloud, then laughed. It was a normal day for the children: going from playing to arguing in a heartbeat.
Lu Ten laughed again at his last thought, thinking it ironic that his heart rate seemed to quicken as he watched Hiromi laugh with his aunt. She had a beautiful smile and the most infectious laugh he'd ever heard. Ursa seemed to be feeling the same way, as she soon followed Hiromi's laughter.
They appeared as if they were mother and daughter, sitting and laughing together this way. Lu Ten smiled and went into the palace, deciding instead to go play with Zuko.
Azula briefly narrowed her eyes at her mother and Hiromi, trying not to be jealous. She turned back towards her friends, hiding the hurt she felt in her heart by smiling at the two girls and continuing her fire bending demonstration.
"What does Hiromi have that I don't? " Azula wondered, using her anger to fuel her bending.
As hate began to be the source of her bending, a seed of jealousy was planted in Azula that day that would eventually consume her- causing her heart to grow cold.
"Thank you so much, Ursa. " Hiromi said, wiping a tear from her eye- this time from laughter.
Ursa smiled down at her and pushed a strand of hair back behind Hiromi's ear.
"I will be here any time you need me, sweet girl. "
Hiromi's shorter piece of hair behind her ear fell back in front of her face, causing both of them to giggle.
"Here you go, keep this. " Ursa took a comb out of her hair and gave it to Hiromi.
It was gold on top with black teeth and was decorated with several black flowers painted behind a beautiful, large red rose that stuck out above its teeth.
"Thank you, Ursa. " she said as Ursa pulled her hair to the side and pinned it back for her.
Zuko and Lu Ten watched the girls from across the garden as they made their way towards them, observing the turtle ducks swim in the crystal water- water obstructed only by the falling of petals from the cherry blossom trees.
Three Years Later
"You look absolutely stunning. " Lu Ten smiled, commenting on Hiromi's radiating beauty.
She blushed, wrapping her arm around his so that he could escort her down the staircase in the ballroom.
"Thank you, Lu Ten. You look handsome as well. "
Though he was 16, Lu Ten had the muscular build of someone many years older than him. Hiromi came to this conclusion as she saw the fabric stretched across his shoulders and around his arms.
His broad shoulders and back made his torso into the shape of an inverted A, meeting his narrow hips in a way that made Hiromi's heart skip beats.
"Aren't you going to say something nice about me? " Mai asked Zuko, overhearing Lu Ten's compliment towards Hiromi.
Zuko snapped out of his trance, studying Mai's features for the first time that night.
"Er-yes. Your hair looks, uh, very nice. " he cleared his throat and looked away, embarrassed that he hadn't said anything to her sooner.
He could practically hear Mai roll her eyes as she grabbed his arm and dragged him down the steps, causing him to stumble over his feet.
"Quit being so clumsy, brother. " Azula said, escorting herself down the stairs.
Zuko looked ahead at Hiromi, admiring the way she walked so gracefully next to his cousin. What was it about her that everyone seemed to be so drawn to? Yes, her overall appearance had improved since they were younger, but she wasn't much more beautiful than any other girl you might see walking down the street.
"I am completely smitten by you, Hiromi. " Lu Ten whispered to the young lady holding his arm.
He saw her cheeks blush and laughed, feeling like the happiest man alive. Her beautiful amber eyes looked up at him, sparkling in the light of the many flames surrounding them.
He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life the way he was now-with Hiromi by his side.
The music began as soon as Lu Ten's foot reached the last step of the staircase. He laughed and swept Hiromi out to the dance floor, all eyes on the unlikely pair.
Iroh watched from a distance as his son danced with Hiromi. He nudged the man next to him and smiled.
"Colonel Kaohsiung, it seems my son has taken a liking to your daughter."
Kaohsiung smiled, proud that his daughter had chosen such a nice and honorable young man. Aside from her hair, she was the spitting image of her mother, and he knew she would be happy for their daughter.
"It does seem that way, doesn't it?"
Iroh sighed in relief, happy that his son hadn't invited one of the many girls that pursued him to go to the dance. But he wondered why he would expect anything else from his son, he'd always loved Hiromi.
He remembered a day when Lu Ten was younger and he came into the palace complaining about Azula.
"All she does is pick on Hiromi and I wish she would stop. I don't like Hiromi being sad."
Lu Ten shook his head and removed his shoes, preparing to take a bath.
Iroh heard this from the hallway and stepped into his son's room, detouring from his original destination of the garden.
"What do you mean, Lu Ten? "
He turned around and bowed at his father, "I was talking about Azula. She's so mean to Hiromi. "
Iroh nodded his head and ran his fingers along his chin. "Why do you worry about her, son? Azula is mean to all of her friends. "
He saw Lu Ten's face turn red as he turned around. Iroh smiled knowingly, not prying any more from his son.
"Say no more, I understand completely. "
Lu Ten turned around and smiled sheepishly at his father, who walked forward to give him a hug.
"Tread carefully, women are delicate creatures. Treat her with respect, and you will have her unconditional love. " Iroh lifted his son's head towards him then smiled, ruffling his hair.
"Yes, father. "
Lu Ten remembered his father's words as he danced with Hiromi, the song nearing its end. He smiled at Hiromi, pulling her into his embrace as the last note left the instruments. He breathed in the smell of her hair, never wanting to let her go.
Kaohsiung proudly watched as his daughter danced with the future firelord, though he'd be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little worried about her. It was very apparent the two had strong feelings for each other, but he was concerned that she might be getting too ahead of herself. She was young, far too young to be considering marriage in his opinion.
He shook his head as he grabbed a drink from a passing waiter's tray, downing the burning liquid in one gulp.
"Dance with me, cousin." Azula said, pulling Lu Ten away from Hiromi.
He smiled apologetically, "Anything for you, birthday girl. "
He whisked her onto the dance floor and Hiromi smiled, stepping to the side so she wasn't in any other dancing people's way.
Zuko saw Hiromi standing alone and went to talk to her, but stopped when he saw his uncle ask her to dance with him. He instead searched for his mother, if he didn't find someone to talk to he would be confronted and asked to dance by Mai-something he wasn't anticipating.
"Can I have this dance, young lady? " Iroh bowed to Hiromi.
She laughed and smiled, "Of course you can, sir. "
He stood up, ramrod straight, and held out his hand. She grabbed it and he pulled her out in the middle of the floor to dance.
"You and my son have been spending a great deal of time together lately. " Iroh said, getting straight to the point.
A faint blush covered Hiromi's cheeks. "Yes sir, I do enjoy his company very much."
Iroh nodded his head, "Yes, and I can see he enjoys yours as well. "
"I'm very glad to hear that. " she smiled.
Iroh continued talking to Hiromi about how much he's seen her grow up since she's been born and about the wonderful young lady she'd become.
"You remind me so much of your mother. " he said, reminiscing as he seemed to look through Hiromi. She noticed a solemn look cross over his face as his eyes glazed over.
"I wish I had gotten to meet her. " Hiromi said, attempting to console him.
The song ended, "Her spirit is here with us, young Hiromi." he said as he smiled and walked away.
"Can I have the next dance? " Lu Ten asked, grabbing her hand and sequestering her once again to the magical dance floor.
Mai watched from a distance as Zuko made a buzzard-beeline for his mother. She knew he didn't like her, at least not how she liked him.
Mai searched for Hiromi, who would surely be dancing with Lu Ten somewhere. She scanned the room, full of robes in every shade of red, for the lively couple.
They were in the middle of the ballroom, it seemed as if everyone was dancing around them-mimicking them and trying to turn themselves into the young lovers.
Mai sighed, knowing that no one would ever look at her and Zuko that way.
Azula heard a loud sigh, one she immediately recognized as Mai's. She turned, expecting to also see her brother with her, but then laughed at her own naivety. Zuko would be trying his hardest to avoid Mai. She followed Mai's gaze and saw her staring at her cousin and Hiromi dancing in the middle of everyone.
Azula shuddered at the mere thought of her name. Hiromi, the girl who stole her mother away from her.
"Ursa always chooses Hiromi over me. " Azula thought, giving Mai a knowing look- something Mai acknowledged with a nod.
"I'm tired of being second to her. " Azula said to Mai, her hands growing hot as anger boiled inside her veins.
Azula watched as Hiromi and Ursa laughed together, their smiles lighting up the room.
"So. Tired." she said, stomping off, leaving a trail of smoke behind her.
"Zuko, why aren't you out dancing with Mai?" Ursa asked as her son approached her.
His face turned red. "I, uh, can't find her. "
He turned to face the dancing crowd, hiding his face from his mother.
"I see. " she said, smiling. She knew her son was avoiding Mai, subtle as he may try to act. She looked out to where Zuko was staring and saw Lu Ten and Hiromi dancing. Lu Ten had grown to be such a handsome young man, and Hiromi was well on her way to finally growing into her body. Her wavy hair almost reached her waist, and her nose and eyes that seemed too large for her face when she was younger were beginning to balance with the rest of her countenance very nicely. Ursa shook her head and smiled, knowing that Hiromi had always felt self-conscious and unproportionate.
"One day she will wake up and see that she is beautiful." Ursa thought to herself.
Zuko watched Hiromi dancing with Lu Ten amongst the sea of red robes. They looked like people inside of a music box, with the orange lights flickering above the two of them and the way they gracefully moved in each others arms.
"Hiromi, come with me. " Lu Ten said, pulling her with him out of the ballroom and into the garden.
Hiromi laughed and let her body trail behind his, going wherever he led her.
"Look how beautiful it is. " he said, gesturing towards the water surrounded by lanterns with his free hand.
Hiromi smiled and admired the sight, thinking of how much more beautiful the water was at night. She noted the darkness of the water and began second guessing herself. The surrounding lanterns combined with the reflection of the stars above it made the inky water appear luminous and deceived her eyes into thinking it pure. But still the water beckoned to her and called her to stand by its side. She released Lu Ten's hand and slowly walked to the dark, sparkling jewel that spread itself in the middle of the garden. The water lay stagnant, not being disturbed by the turtle ducks that were usually floating on its surface. Hiromi saw parts of the many slithering koi swimming in the middle of the pond, almost completely submerged by the jet black fluid.
Her foot touched the water and she jumped out of her trance.
"What are you doing? " Lu Ten laughed, putting his hand on Hiromi's shoulder and pulling her back towards him.
She smiled and turned around to look at him, admiring his sharp, defined facial features and deep brown eyes.
"I don't know. " she laughed and shrugged her shoulders, partially shuddering at the thought of stepping into the cold, tormenting water.
Lu Ten sat down and pulled Hiromi down next to him, wrapping his arm around her as she laid her head on his shoulder.
They sat like this for a while, talking to each other about anything that came to mind.
Lu Ten saw a petal fall from a tree and began to hum, gently squeezing Hiromi's hand.
Hiromi smiled and remembered the tune immediately, then began singing softly.
"Leaves from the vine, falling so slow. Like fragile, tiny shells drifting in the foam. Little soldier boy, come marching home. Brave soldier boy, comes -"
She was cut off by a rustling sound coming from the bushes.
"Who's there?" she shouted, standing up and starting towards the source of the noise.
She heard more shuffling followed by rapid footsteps in the other direction. She used her fire bending as a source of light, attempting to see beyond the hedges in front of her.
"Leave it alone. " Lu Ten said, "It was probably just some straggler from the party spying on people. "
He motioned for her to rejoin him and she did as instructed, but only after taking a final look back. She saw the shadow of a human disappear around the corner. She shivered and resumed her conversation with Lu Ten.
"Wow, that was close. " Ty Lee said, brushing off her dress. She had almost gotten caught trying to spy on Hiromi. She blushed, thinking of the way she saw Lu Ten pull Hiromi closer to him when she was searching for her.
She sighed, remembering the one time she thought she might have a chance with Lu Ten.
"Are you okay? " he asked, stepping towards Ty Lee.
She untangled herself from the knot she had previously tied herself into and stood upright, giggling at Lu Ten's silly question.
"Of course I'm okay! I'm actually better than ever!" she laughed and went into a handstand, smiling and tilting her head up at Lu Ten.
He laughed, "You're such a funny girl, Ty Lee. " he got on his stomach and laid at eye level with Ty Lee.
She eased herself down so that she was also laying on her stomach. Lu Ten smiled and then sat up on his knees, leaning back so that he was sitting on the balls of his feet. Ty Lee rolled over on her back, not once removing her glance from his. His smile got bigger and he closed his eyes. He shook his head and placed his hand in Ty Lee's hair, ruffling it around.
With that, he stood up and left, leaving Ty Lee's heart full of hope behind him.
Ty Lee sighed again at the conclusion of her thoughts and ran back into the ballroom, smoothing the top of her hair so that she still looked presentable.
Lu Ten no longer mattered to her, she was completely over him. Though she feels her feelings for him reemerge from time to time, she knows that it wasn't meant to be between the two of them- their auras just simply didn't match.
"If only Mai could see this about Zuko. " she thought to herself.
She entered the ballroom, immediately noticing her sisters all lined up next to each other. The sisters that all looked exactly like her. She started towards her family, preparing to blend in- like she was some sort of doll that was sat down on a shelf for collection. Part of a set.
Her whole life she'd been faced with suitors, suitors who didn't care which one of the dolls he got. The girls would play tricks on them, testing their loyalty.
One would ask for the oldest sister and they would send the youngest.
They never knew the difference.
They didn't care.
They just wanted to view the collection.
What was true about the suitors was also true to any friends the girls might have. The girls found out early on that the only real friends they would have is each other.
But the girls were content, they enjoyed the attention. They enjoyed the glamour.
All of them enjoyed it-except for Ty Lee.
It was torture for her, no one knowing one of them from the other. Her own parents often only referred to them as "the girls," never bothering to learn the difference between their own children.
She took a step towards them, then stopped.
"I don't have to be part of the collection. " she said to herself.
"I don't have to fit in. " she smiled, knowing what she needed to do.
She turned and casually walked out of the ballroom, kart wheeling out of the garden and climbing over the wall. She ran all the way to her house, put on commoners clothes, then left.
She didn't leave a note.
She didn't think twice.
She never looked back.
Lu Ten heard someone walk towards him and Hiromi as they sat quietly next to the turtle duck pond. He stood up and turned towards the noise, searching for any sign of movement.
"Have you seen Ty Lee? "Azula asked him, purposefully ignoring Hiromi.
Her eyebrows furrowed and she stood, sticking her chin in the air and away from the princess.
Azula rolled her eyes, "I've been looking everywhere and no one's seen her. "
Lu Ten thought back to the noise Hiromi heard in the bushes earlier and shivered, "What if someone captured her? They could be holding her for ransom. " he thought to himself. "But why wouldn't they take me or Hiromi?" he nearly laughed at this thought, remembering the way Hiromi stood, preparing to attack if anyone showed themselves.
"We'll help you look for her." Lu Ten said, stepping towards Azula.
"Oh, I don't need Hiromi's help. " she said fiendishly.
Mai appeared from behind Azula, "We don't need her help. Just yours, Lu Ten."
"That's odd. "Lu Ten thought, but immediately remembered how the air seemed to grow static when Hiromi was around Azula and her friends.
"Go back to the ballroom, I'll help them look for Ty Lee. " he said to Hiromi.
She nodded her head and started towards the party, glad to be away from Azula.
The party was still in full swing, no one remotely aware that the princess and her friends were out and about away from the celebration.
She stood in the back, scanning the room for a familiar face or a place to sit.
She saw an empty table on the other side of the room right beside a large window and made her way towards it, preparing to wait for Lu Ten to return or until someone else she knew came to talk.
She sat down, mesmerized by the sea of people before her. All were happy and excited, not one sad face in the crowd. She looked at the people and wondered how many of them she actually knew. She wondered if they were here to try and impress their friends or neighbors. She tried to pick out ones she hadn't seen before, but then realized she didn't know anyone before her and gave up. She only knew the people she grew up with, she'd never seen any of these adults or children. They were all too young to be in her class or old enough to have known the avatar.
She laughed, the avatar. No one had seen the avatar in decades, and no one probably ever would. She pitied the countless people sent to search for him, all failing in their endeavors.
"Can we join you? " Ursa asked, causing Hiromi to remove herself from her thoughts and rejoin the people around her.
"Of course." she smiled, motioning for Ursa and Zuko to take the seats beside her. Ursa purposefully left a seat between Hiromi and herself, intending for Zuko to take the open seat.
Instead, he sat in the seat on the other side of Ursa, causing a vein in Ursa's temple to throb painfully.
"Have you seen Azula?" Ursa asked, trying to start conversation, but also because she was a little worried about her daughter's extended absence.
"I believe she is with Mai and Lu Ten, they're looking for Ty Lee. "
Ursa nodded her head, accepting this answer.
"I'll go tell my husband, I will return shortly. " she got up and Zuko tried to follow her, but she stopped him. She squinted her eyes at him and nodded her head towards Hiromi, who was looking out the window at something.
Hiromi heard Zuko clear his throat and turned to look at him. She smiled at him and they began a conversation. They talked about where they think Ty Lee might be, Hiromi excluding her knowledge of the rustling bushes from the subject, about the part, and eventually about the people dancing.
"It's been hours since I've danced. " Hiromi said, remembering her last dance with Lu Ten.
"I haven't danced at all. " Zuko confessed, fidgeting his hands under the table.
Hiromi thought for a minute then stood up, walking over to Zuko and motioning for him to stand up and take her hand.
Zuko half-smiled and did what she wanted him to, leading her to the dance floor.
A new song was just beginning, the song Hiromi imagined would be the last song of the night.
Hiromi looked up at Zuko, who towered above her. His black hair was pulled back high on his head, leaving his dark gold eyes clear for observation.
Hiromi noted the light specks that surrounded his pupil and admired the way his eyes gradually shifted into a rich bronze color around the outside of his Iris.
She smiled at him as he led the two of them to the middle of the dance floor, making Hiromi the center of attention once again. The other dancers stopped and admired the two teenagers, watching the two of them share the last dance.
The song was only half way over, yet they were the only two dancing.
They both laughed as they took advantage of the open floor, practically flying on the reflections of the lanterns on the ground around them.
Ty Lee ran from her house and back towards the palace, wanting to see how the party was ending.
She saw two people dancing alone on the floor, recognizing Hiromi and her bright aura immediately.
She assumed her partner was Lu Ten, as his golden aura was shining brighter than ever, even brighter than it usually was when he was with Hiromi.
She smiled as she left, knowing their auras fit each other perfectly.
A/N- I hope this was enough to get you interested. Please tell me what you think, or if there's anything you think doesn't make sense. Peace out.
