In the garden of the Fire Nation palace, an 11 year old boy was playing with his younger sister. She was 3 years old and gave out a happy squeal as her brother carried her around the fountain. The boy's name was Lu Ten and the little girl's name was Keiko.
Soon they were joined by a 5 year old boy and 3 girls, all 4 years old. Zuko had brought his sister, Azula, and her friends Mai and Ty Lee to play. They had spotted Lu Ten running in the garden with little Keiko chasing. A game of tag began with all the girls plus Zuko chasing Lu Ten. The happy sounds of laughter floated on the breeze.
Keiko loved her brother a lot. Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee were really friendly and she liked them. But Azula. Although they were not the same age, she was always trying to get her into trouble or beat her in everything. She couldn't think of any reason that someone would hate her that much.
'Keiko! Lu Ten!' Keiko turned to see her father, Iroh, waving at her. She waved back. As she waved, she didn't notice Azula run into her. She fell onto her knees, dirtying her clothes. 'Ow', she said softly.
Lu Ten ran up to her and asked if she was alright. 'I'm fine. It just hurts a little bit.' Lu Ten pulled the cloth up to her knees, checking them. The skin was slightly scraped and had a red tinge to it but there was no blood. 'You're going to be okay, a couple of bruises that will heal soon.'
He helped her up and they began to walk slowly towards their father. 'Are you okay, Keiko?' She only smiled at her father and he smiled back. 'What's going on, Father?', Lu Ten asked. Iroh straightened up and replied, 'The Fire Lord wishes to see us. Quickly change into your best clothes.' Lu Ten lifted his little sister onto his back and soon they had changed into their clean clothes. Soon they were walking towards the Fire Lord.
Keiko and Lu Ten sat beside their father in front of Fire Lord Azulon. Keiko had always feared the Fire Lord. He always seemed to favour her brother and cousins. She was normally ignored or was mistreated by her grandfather. But she knew that Lu Ten would keep her safe.
They discussed about the upcoming war plans. Iroh would become a General and lead the capture of Ba Sing Se. Lu Ten would join him when he turned 12, while Keiko would remain in the Fire Nation Palace and join Azula at the Royal Fire Academy. Azulon praised Lu Ten highly for his Firebending skills and said that he was one of the strongest Firebender children. He would assist his father in the capture of Ba Sing Se.
Keiko had listened to the conversation quietly and sensed that it was coming to an end. She let out a small sigh as she had survived another encounter with her grandfather.
'Iroh, may I talk to your daughter alone?' Keiko's eyes widened when she heard this. But she knew her father had no right to disobey and watched frightened as Lu Ten and Iroh left the room. The great wooden doors shut with a click.
'Keiko.' Her head turned back to face Azulon. 'Did you know that the entire Royal Family is right-handed?' Keiko slowly shook her head. 'To be left-handed in the Royal Family symbolises bad luck to the Fire Nation. All previous left-handed children were killed.' Keiko stared in shock and fear. She was the only left-handed child within the family.
Azulon tried to take advantage of her being in shock and he began throwing fireballs at Keiko. She saw the fireball and quickly dodged it. The Fire Lord continued to throw fireballs at her and she kept dodging. Keiko often helped Lu Ten with his aim and he would chuck small, fireballs at her. She was used to dodging but she was getting tired. She was only three and the fireballs that her grandfather threw were large. Her knees were hurting from the bruises.
She saw another fireball come closer towards her and she tried to dodge it once more. But she tripped and the fire singed her right sleeve. Keiko landed heavily on her side, her left arm feeling numb.
Keiko quickly picked herself up and began running towards the door. But she didn't hear Azulon unsheathe his sword over her running footsteps. Keiko had finally reached the door and looked back once more. Her eyes showed fear as her grandfather threw a flaming sword heading towards her. She tried to dodge but it sliced over her left eye and part of her cheek.
The wound began to bleed heavily and was stinging from the contact with the hot metal. Keiko grabbed the handle of the heavy door and pulled, before running out.
Azulon stood by his throne, angered for not killing his granddaughter. But he smiled. By the door was a small puddle if blood. There was no way that she could survive with a huge loss of blood.