Breath of Fire
I do NOT own Avatar (although I wish I did) it belongs to Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
On Ji remembered life in the Fire Nation before the arrival of Kuzon. The boy who changed her life beyond anything she could ever imagine.
Life before Kuzon was dull, boring and uneventful. Her parents were wealthy and so a lot was expected of her. She was supposed to grow up, get married and have lots of children with a husband they picked out for her. She didn't question them because that was life. You took what you could get and counted your blessings.
She was enrolled in the most prestigious school in the area; her parents hoped that a good education would attract wealthy suitors and boost their statuses. On Ji didn't question their judgement. She was lucky to have been accepted into the school, it only accepted the best students and a lot of children missed out on the opportunity to better themselves. She was lucky.
She made friends at school; the children there were just like her. Bao, Huang, Shoji and his sisters Lien and June. They had fun together, talked about what they'd like to do in the future and played Hide and Explode. On Ji was happy, she was a good student which pleased her parents and she had friends. Life was idyllic.
Then her parents announced she would be betrothed to Hide.
Hide's family were far wealthier than On Ji's, Hide's father was one of Ozai's most celebrated generals and Hide was expected to become a general as well. However, Hide was a bully, On Ji hated him, and he never respected her and chased away all her friends believing she should spend time with him and him only.
On Ji didn't say anything to her parents because she knew that they wanted her to marry Hide. They believed that Hide was a good match for her and he never gave them any reason to think he wasn't a well-mannered and kind boy. On Ji couldn't bring herself to speak up. She should be glad that her parents wanted her to marry someone as wealthy and influential as Hide…yet she dreaded the thought of spending the rest of her life with him.
Then, one day, her world was turned upside down by a boy who wore his belt as a headband.
He said his name was Kuzon and he was from the Earth Kingdom colonies. He seemed different to other boys On Ji knew and it intrigued her. He didn't seem to know much about Fire Nation ways. He was special and, when class was dismissed for the day, she sought him out.
She found him trying to stuff a monkey, at least she assumed it was a monkey, down the front of his shirt. He thought she would tell on him but she quickly assured him she wouldn't, she didn't want to see him expelled. Then, everything was ruined when Hide showed up, not too subtly warning Kuzon that she was considered 'off limits'. She walked away with Hide disappointed but couldn't help stealing a glance back at him and smiling when she saw him with Shoji and the others.
When she went home her parents asked her how her day had been, like they usually did. For the first time in her life, On Ji lied to them and said it had been nothing special. Yet, when she lay in bed that night her thoughts were consumed by the boy in the headband and she blushed.
He was in class the next day but On Ji didn't approach him, Hide had 'friends' in the lower year to keep an eye on her. Still she stole glances at him until Mrs Kwan arrived.
The day dragged by slowly and soon band class came around. On Ji loved the class because it was one of the few ways that she could express herself without getting into a mountain of trouble. She blushed slightly when Kuzon was directed to sit beside her with a tsungi horn. Half-way through the song Kuzon began to shift beside her and On Ji thought that he might be having a fit but he called it 'dancing'.
She tried again after school had ended for the day to talk to him. Not knowing quite where to start, she commented on his dancing during band class. Then again, Hide stepped in and ruined everything. One thing On Ji hated most about Hide was that he always believed that violence solved everything so he started swinging his fists at Kuzon and all On Ji could do was stand horrified as the boy she was supposed to marry attempted to beat up the boy she had a crush on.
In the end, it was Hide who ended up on the ground without Kuzon even laying a finger on him. The Headmaster arrived and On Ji wanted to speak out that it was Hide who had started the fight, if it could really be called that, but Shoji held her back. Kuzon was sent in disgrace to find get his parents. She and Shoji waited for him in the school yard.
When he returned he brought with him two, very young looking, people with far darker skin than she had ever seen. They didn't look like they could be Kuzon's parents and On Ji was scared that the Headmaster would see through the ruse and send Kuzon and his obviously fake parents to the coal mines or worse prison.
Before they went into see the Headmaster Kuzon took them aside.
"I'm going to be throwing a dance party."
"A what?" Shoji asked baffled
"A dance party."
"When?" she spoke up "Where? There's nowhere around here that would let you."
"In a cave near the sea shore. Tonight."
"I think I know the one you're talking about."
"Can you two tell as many people as you can?"
"Yeah." On Ji replied looking up at Kuzon "We'll tell everyone we trust."
Kuzon beamed at her and On Ji could feel her cheeks reddening again. Shoji quickly grabbed her arm and walked her away.
"Are you insane On Ji? We'll be sent to the coal mines if the Headmaster finds out about this." Shoji questioned her, he was always the sensible one "Our parents will go nuts."
"Just trust me Shoji." She replied "I've got a good feeling about this."
For the first time in her life, On Ji wasn't scared of what her parents would think. She didn't care if it was against what they wanted for her. Kuzon was different and exciting and On Ji really liked him. She had an epiphany. Her life was her's to live.
The rest of the afternoon was spent telling school friends and friends of friends about Kuzon's dance party in the large cave near the sea. Many people, like Shoji, were nervous about the whole concept but after a while agreed to come. Everything was perfect.
That night, On Ji faked sickness and retired to her room early. Her mother sent a servant up to soothe her and On Ji feigned vomiting to get her to leave. She had never done anything as bold in her life. Then came the difficult bit.
On Ji's bedroom was on the second floor of her house which was then surrounded by a high wall and beyond that was forest. On Ji bit her lip as she manoeuvred herself out of her window and onto the red-tiled roof. She slid down and bit her lip as the sound of her parents' voiced floated up from the patio below where she was crouched. She prayed they'd go inside and after what seemed like an eternity, but in reality it was only a few minutes, they went inside when the maid reported her fake vomiting.
She slid down the pillar to the ground and took off into the garden; she managed to find a part of the wall covered in ivy and pulled herself over and out of her parents' estate. Halfway down the road to the town she turned and glanced back. It would be the last time she saw her childhood home for a long time.
"There you are On Ji!" Lien's voice was the first to greet her when she arrived in the deserted town square "We thought you weren't coming."
"I had a little trouble sneaking out." She replied slightly out of breath from running into the town "I'm here now…let's go."
There were more people going to Kuzon's dance party than she ever expected, it seemed like most of the school had turned up…except for Hide and his minions thankfully.
It was a ten minute walk, and scramble over some slippery rocks, to get to the cave that Kuzon had said would host his party. When they were close they saw the lights and On Ji grinned in expectation. She had been looking forward to this nearly all day.
When they arrived inside the cave, some people produced musical instruments they had managed to grab before leaving home and quickly climbed onto the large rock formation, that On Ji wasn't sure had been there before, and began to play a fast paced tune.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, The Flamey-Os!" Kuzon declared proudly but when he turned and found them all huddled together, unsure of what they were supposed to be doing, which prompted Shoji to ask:
"Now what do we do?"
"This is when you start dancing." Kuzon replied.
"I don't think my parents want me dancing in a cave." Bao stated, his head disappearing into his collar like a spider turtle retreated into its shell.
"Yeah, what if someone finds out?" Huang asked nervously.
"Oh, boy. Listen, guys…dancing isn't something you think about. It's a form of self-expression that no one can take away from you." Kuzon said but Shoji spoke up again.
"Maybe it was different in the colonies, Kuzon. But we don't do that here." On Ji lowered her gaze at Shoji's words. He was right. Self-expression wasn't encouraged in the Fire Nation, the closest anyone got to that was band class where they played patriotic songs.
"Sure you do." Kuzon spoke again and On Ji raised her eyes to focus on him, he seemed so optimistic "You have for generations. It just so happens that I know several classic fire nation dances. A hundred years ago, this was known as 'The Phoenix flight'."
He ran in a circle, squatting and kicking out his legs with his arms stretched out behind him. On Ji watched with fascination as the people around her oohed and aahed at Kuzon's dancing.
"And this is 'The Campelephant Strut'." Kuzon continued. Kuzon began to hop, alternating feet every time whilst passing his palms in front of his face which On Ji guessed was supposed to be his 'trunk'. Then he rolled forwards, stopping in front of two girls in the year above On Ji, making them giggle. He then somersaulted backwards and landed on one foot in a bow.
On Ji couldn't help but gawk at Kuzon, she'd never seen anyone do something like that before.
Kuzon continued to show them some more traditional dances, somersaulting, leaping and kicking out whilst everyone watched in awe. One of Kuzon's somersaults had him land in front of her, she ducked her head to hide the fact that her cheeks were nearly as red as her uniform, Lien gave her a nudge. Kuzon held out his hand to her and after a few seconds she smiled and took it.
Kuzon pulled her out in front of everyone, On Ji was acutely aware of everyone's gazes as Kuzon explained that the dance he was doing was from the ballrooms of Ba Sing Se. On Ji watched him for a minute before imitating his movements.
Soon everyone around them were joining in and On Ji found herself smiling and laughing as Kuzon called out for 'freestyle' and twirled her around him. She had never had this much fun in her life. Kuzon danced with another girl, the one who pretended to be his mother, before dancing with her again. She twirled and laughed and moved with Kuzon and she felt complete for the first time.
"Wow...You're a great dancer On Ji." Kuzon said when they had stopped for a minute, out of breath and euphoric.
"Thanks…I've never tried that before. My parents would have a hippo cow if they saw me doing that."
"Dancing isn't something you should be afraid to do."
"I know...but my parents would never accept it." On Ji replied her smile slipping slightly.
"Why?" Kuzon asked.
"I don't know." She answered truthfully "It's just…they don't understand…I don't even think they see me as a person sometimes. They see me as a way to get a higher position. All my life they've been preparing me for getting married. How to sit properly, how to speak properly, how to be a good little wife…but I don't want that. I just want to be free." She found herself pouring out her biggest secrets.
"You want to be free?" he asked.
"Yeah." She nodded "Sometimes I daydream of running away and seeing the world. Ba Sing Se…Ember Island…the Northern Water Tribe…all those places I read about in my text books."
Kuzon was silent for a moment and On Ji was scared he would call her silly and stupid for dreaming of something that would never happen. She knew that she would never leave the Fire Nation in her life. She'd be lucky if she saw Ember Island.
"You could come with us."
"What?" her eyes found his; she never noticed what a beautiful shade of grey they were.
"You could come with me and my friends. We've travelled all around the world." He said earnestly "Maybe you could see all those places."
On Ji stared at him for a moment, run away with Kuzon? It sounded so romantic, like those scrolls she'd read at night when her parents slept. What would her parents think? Their disgraceful runaway daughter, she'd never be able to return. But…she'd be free, no rules, no responsibilities, no expectations. She'd be free to do what she liked. Kuzon was offering her greatest dream…could she take it?
She turned to face Kuzon properly. He was different and that's what she liked about him. He was wild and unpredictable and he had such energy. He had changed her in only a couple of days. He was completely opposite to everything she'd ever known…she was starting to fall for him.
"I…I think I'd like that." She said with a small smile.
He grinned broadly at her and she couldn't help but return his smile. She felt so light and happy. She was on the verge of a new life. With Kuzon…free to travel the world.
It didn't last long.
She should have known that Hide would find out sooner or later, she didn't think he would bring the Headmaster with him. The Headmaster arrived and he had officers with him. On Ji's chocolate eyes went wide as the Headmaster's eyes examined everyone. On Ji bit her lip and then she spotted Shoji
"We have to do something!" she whispered desperately "They're going to arrest Kuzon!"
"Don't worry." Shoji winked at her "I've got a plan."
"Thank Agni." She breathed.
"Get him and go, we'll distract them for you"
The Headmaster quickly pointed out Kuzon and he rushed into the crowd. On Ji grabbed his arm and ducked him down. The guards grabbed Shoji instead; he had tied his belt around his head and had instructed others to do the same.
"You have to go." She said, she was getting more panicked by the minute "If they catch you…they'll throw you in prison."
"What about you?" he asked.
"Don't worry about me, just get out of here." She assured him and gave him a weak smile "Thank you, Kuzon…for everything…I guess this is goodbye."
"It's not goodbye." He said "I asked you to come with me."
He grabbed her arm and pulled her along with him as he dashed out of the cave with his friends. She felt the earth tremble as the cave closed behind her, she glanced at the cave and then at Kuzon. He was an earthbender…
Before she knew what was going on she was on the back of a huge flying bison, soaring away from the cave, her friends and her home.
She stayed with Kuzon, although she quickly learned his name was actually Aang and he was the Avatar. She couldn't believe it. She was always told that the Avatar was a dangerous, evil person bent on destroying everything the Fire Nation had worked for…but Aang wasn't like that. He was kind, slightly goofy and one of the best people she'd ever met. He'd given her freedom…an evil person wouldn't do that.
His companions were wary of her, she didn't blame them, after all they didn't know her. The dark skinned girl, Katara, was easily the most welcoming to her. The dark-skinned boy, Sokka, and the tiny blind girl, Toph, weren't hostile but they were wary of her. Over time, they grew to accept her somewhat into their group.
Even though On Ji was a firebender, although she didn't know much more that how to create a fireball since firebending was considered 'undignified' for a young lady and was improper in a future wife. Her parents made sure she knew as little firebending as possible. This made Aang a little disheartened when he found out but he was quick to assure her that he didn't like her any less. On Ji, herself felt useless.
When the Day of Black Sun came, On Ji was made to stay with the Mechanist and his son Teo away from the major fighting. She wasn't happy about this; she wanted to help Aang as much as she could.
She watched with awe as Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph reunited with their friends from around the globe, Earthbenders. Water Tribe warriors, people who lived in swamps and air temples. On Ji awed at how many people were willing to risk their lives with the invasion plan.
Soon it was onto the wooden Water Tribe boats heading towards the Golden Gates of Azulon, On Ji stared up in wonder at the imposing statues feeling small and insignificant compared to them. Soon a flaming net blocked their paths and it was then time to get below deck to the waterbending powered submarines.
The submarine's design fault meant they soon had to resurface for air and On Ji climbed out of the sub with the rest of Gaang. This was it. It was time for Aang to face his destiny and defeat Fire Lord Ozai. On Ji felt a combination of excitement and worry for Aang. She tried to push away the feelings of dread and approached him.
"Aang." She said softly. Aang turned to her with a smile and she felt a blush creep onto her face "Good luck…for today…uh…I know you'll do your best." She grimaced as her words failed her.
"Thanks, On Ji." Aang said "Are you feeling ok…you look a little red."
"I'm fine." She said a little too quickly "I mean…uh…don't worry about me."
"Oh…ok." He replied and then he became sombre "On Ji, promise me you'll stay safe."
"I promise." She nodded "Don't worry about me. The world needs you more than it needs me."
Before she knew what was going on, Aang pulled her into a tight hug and she hesitantly wrapped her own arms around his shoulders. She didn't know what she'd do if something happened to Aang. He had to be safe. He had to defeat Ozai. He pulled back and soon he was gliding away towards the mainland. On Ji followed his path, her cheeks flaming, until Sokka called her under again.
In the end it didn't matter whether she fought or not. They were defeated and they had to flee on Appa to the Western Air Temple.
No one was more depressed than Aang.
"We'll get him Aang." She tried to reassure him "Fire Lord Ozai can't hide forever."
On Ji never remembered a time when her spirits were lower. She had never been much of a fighter but she resolved to learn as much firebending as possible between then and the Comet's arrival. She wasn't going to stand by and be a helpless little girl whilst the boy she'd come to love and the new friends she'd made fought for the fate of the world.
Their time in the Western Air Temple was brief but eventful. Prince Zuko joined them, although he was not readily accepted. She didn't know the Prince but when Aang explained what he had done she began to understand and fear Zuko. However, Zuko did join them eventually, much to Katara's infinite dislike, and was to be Aang's firebending teacher.
On Ji watched as Aang progressed quickly, unknown to both him and Zuko, she would often secretly watch the two as they practised and secretly learnt along with Aang. Her feelings for him grew daily. He'd given her the greatest gift she could ever receive and she wasn't going to stop loving him for that. He never seemed to return her feelings but he always stayed up during the night and talked with her of all the fantastic places they would visit when the war finally ended. He promised that he'd take her all over the world with him and she eagerly agreed.
Then Princess Azula arrived and On Ji was torn from Aang. Zuko engaged the princess whilst everyone else was forced to flee. Appa refused to go into the tunnel that Toph had created. Azula's fleets were bombing the temple and it felt as if the whole thing was about to collapse into the abyss below.
She tried to coax the six tonne animal into the tunnel with moon peaches but it wasn't working. Appa refused to go. On Ji felt as if the temple would collapse at any second. Sokka suggested the group split up and Katara was fiercely objecting to the plan. On Ji bit her lip, she was scared out of her wits.
"On Ji, you have to go." Aang told her when a particularly violent explosion rocked the temple "Go with The Duke, Haru, Teo and the others."
"No. I'm not leaving without you." She said shaking her head.
"Please On Ji." Aang's voice was pleading "You have to go…if you come then you might not live to travel with me like I promised."
"I don't care about that." She shook her head, feeling the hot tears welling in her eyes "I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you!"
The temple shook around them and she found herself hugging Aang like he was a lifeline. If something happened to him she'd never be able to live with herself. It was over in an instant. Aang pulled away from her and On Ji finally turned and ran to where the others were.
It would be years before she saw Aang again.