Amaya (age seven)

I stood next to my mother, who was silent as usual. The two of us stood over a large bowl, popping the peas out of their sealed cases and tossing them in, while we then tossed the skins out the window for the birds to snack on. There were not too many of my feathered friends left, seeing they went to a warmer place. I hummed a little melody as I watched my mother swiftly do her work, and wonder how on earth she was so talented at pea popping. I tried to mimic her, but my hands got too carried away and I dropped an entire pea pod. Instead of getting angry as she normally would have, she bent down and threw it out the window.

It was my birthday, most birthdays were full of fun and music and dancing. But I was unfortunate enough to be born on the solstice of winter, a day that our people considered cursed. I remember my father speaking of his grandfather fighting the battle on this day. One that almost put our people extinct. We've recovered since, I didn't know much of the war, but I knew the families stayed inside on this short day, saying that it for the evil spirits to pass through our land. 'The day of death' is what I recall people referring to it as.

Funny that I was brought to life that day.

"Mom, last night Dad said I was going to be an entire year older at sunrise today! I don't feel much taller, though."

Mom just glanced at me and gave me a small smile, something rare from her. "Ahh, give it a few months and you'll be as tall as me!"

My mothers kindness lit excitement up in me and I began to babble on and on, hoping to keep the moment lasting. She cut me off while I was pondering if I'll grow to be a giant someday.

"Amaya! Keep working on the peas! The sun is almost down, your father will be home any time now to start on your birthday dinner!" No sooner had she said that then my father himself walked in, blasting us with a cold winter wind. Two feathered birds slung over his back, arrows lodged perfectly in their chests. I gave a sequel and ran at him full force, jumping into his arms, almost making him drop his large catches. He gave his usual hearty laugh and hugged me back harder. I looked up at him and his beard tickled my face.

"Well if it isn't my old daughter! How does it feel to be a lady!" He hollered and set me down. I giggled and twirled my hair around.

"Daddy, you said the same thing last year when I turned six!"

He bellowed another laugh, the best laugh ever. It always made everyone else laugh, even if what he said wasn't very funny. It shook the entire house in the best way possible. It was almost strange how loud it was, considering he was not a very large man, as most of the Yuyan people.

"Did I now? Well, this year is different! You'll see why after dinner when I give you your present, eh? Now let's help Mom out with dinner, get to plucking these birds! Caught them just for you!"

Hurrying as fast as I could I grabbed the smaller of the two birds and carried it to the table,the bird was still almost as big as I was, causing some stumbling. I began ripping the feathers off as fast as possible, some flew in my face, making me sneeze. The plucking seemed to go on forever as I imagined what present was in store for me.

Last year it was a beautiful necklace, a smaller version of my mothers. It was a small wooden sun.

"To remind you both that you light up my world." He had said. I placed it in my drawer, scared to wear it in fear of breaking it. I loved that necklace so much it was hard to imagine what could possibly top that. My friend, Ryuu, was given his own flute for his birthday, hand crafted all the way at the Firenation. He tried to not make it a big deal as he showed it off, but his face was alive with pride, and the way he stood showed he was extremely proud of his gift. I wouldn't mind learning to play the flute. Maybe Ryuu and I could learn to play together! He was one of the only kids I knew who actually talked to me, he had a gentle spirit. I knew that he wouldn't be training to become an archer, but all the same I enjoyed our small conversations.

I had barely noticed all the feathers were off the bird. I ran inside and practically threw it at my mother, who rolled her eyes as she put it above the flames. Father laughed at my anxiousness and swung me above his shoulders.

"What do you say to letting Amaya open her present before dinner, Yoshiko? I want her to have time to play with it before it gets much darker." He said, I cried out in joy and pulled on his hair.

Mom narrowed her eyes at us, then rolled them. "fine, but hurry up for dinner."

I bundled up as quickly as I could, wrapping a scarf around my nose and double gloving my hands.
Practically blind with excitement I ran outside and danced in place as my father held my gift behind his back.

"All right, close your eyes and hold out your hands."

A gave a little hop of joy before holding out my hands, being sure to hold still so I wouldn't drop it. I felt something heavy weigh me down slightly. Definitely not a flute. I held my breath as my father told me to open my eyes.

In my hand was a bow, beautifully carved. It shone even in the darker evening light, and it smelled like the deepest part of the forrest. The string was tight, so tight that I couldn't picture anyone pulling it back. The majestic piece of art felt perfectly balanced in my hand. It was so tall, it stood above me at least one foot, but it was light enough for me to still hold. I gaped down at the precious item, tears threatening to spill out of my round eyes. I stood it up next to me and ran my hand down its gentle surface.

"Well? What do you think?" My Dad pressed me, his face excited.

I didn't know what to say. Tears began running down my face. "Oh, father, it's absolutely beautiful! But… but I can't use it! Women aren't allowed to be part of the Yuyan Archers!" I cried in confusion.

Father just gave his loud laugh before holding out his own bow. "Well, who is in charge of the Yuyan Archers? Whatever I say goes! And I can't see anything wrong with a girl being an archer, so why not? I made you that bow while you were still in your mothers tummy, I intend for you to use it."

I hugged my father so tightly and wiped away my tears. "Thank you, Thank you!" I said in such excitement.

"Now it's going to be a lot of work, being an archer is tough, but you're my daughter, so I'm willing to bet you'll be the best shot around here."

I was so overjoyed I hardly knew what to do with myself. I paid very close attention as my father showed me how to hold the bow and notch an arrow into place. Far too soon mother called me in for dinner.

"Father, just a little longer!" He beamed, patting me hard on the back as we made our way in.

"My daughter, you will have a lifetime to practice! Just remember this; never let anyone tell you that you can't. The people here… they find it hard to accept you. Give them a reason. Prove yourself to them. They can't see the power behind your eyes like I can. But I know you'll do great things."

I clung to those words for years.

The stares of the village people, the mockery of the boys, the harsh comments on my small stature or sickly appearance, the constant bashing, degrading, name calling.

Nothing made me want to prove myself more.

Five Years Later

"Hey! Noroi"

I groaned as I stood from my crouched position. The Yuyan archers are trained for years in many things, but a key point that is strained greatly is the art of silence. I've spent days studying the gentle walk of a mouse-deer. Their ears so large they can hear their threats from miles away. I practiced the art so intensely that I managed to be only a few yards from one of the massive creatures before it spotted me, twitched its massive ears, and fled. It was breathtaking to be so close to an animal most people can only admire from a distance. Sneaking is a major part of our training.

So this blundering idiot who charged full speed at me, crashing through branches and tripping over rocks, was almost immediately giving me a migraine.

"Can you cool it with the nickname." I grouched at him, reaching above my head and gently sliding my arrow back into my quiver.

"Sorry, it get's a little hard to remember your real name, especially when that's all anyone calls you anyway."

I glared at him. "You know, for someone as sensitive as you, it wouldn't hurt to maybe consider my feelings every now and then."

"I'm sorry! If it helps the name isn't too bad! It's kind of cool!"

I began walking back to the village, Ryuu had to speed walk to keep up with my fast pace. It didn't help him that he was on the chubbier side either.

"I mean, I could understand something else, but Noroi? Really? A boy name?"

"Come on, it's just a little fun!"

I walked faster. "Giving me a nickname that means 'the cursed' isn't exactly my idea of fun."

I said the word 'fun' in a mocking voice, using my fingers as quotes over the word.

Ryuu looked down, and I almost was afraid I had offended my only friend. His voice was regretful.

"I'm sorry, if it helps, I don't think of you like that."

I softened up and stopped walking, "Thank you, I'm sorry I snapped. It's just getting harder now that my ceremony is tonight. You know how everyone feels about me becoming the first female archer."

The town would always look at me with disrespect. Growing up, I had practiced harder than anyone every practiced. I would train with the others, and still shoot my targets after sun down. I felt a lot of pressure, days on end, practicing my combat skills. I was sick growing up, and I was small in size. At first this seemed to be a disadvantage, but I worked with it. I silently could leap in the trees, barely making a noise, and I quickly learned I was fast. My trainer was proud when I outran all the boys, and even more proud when I beat my opponent in a sparring match, focusing more on quick punches and agile moves instead of brute force and raw strength.

I worked harder then a soldier. I started my shooting practice a year earlier then the others, I never skipped a day of practice, I never gave in, I never took no for an answer.

And just when I began to think I was getting accepted, just when I thought people could see the power in my eyes, I would hear the comments.

"She's only training because her father is in charge, if it was anyone else they wouldn't allow her."

"No wonder the spirits are angry! A girl training to be a Yuyan warrior! And such a sick and weak one at that!"

"Ever since she was born our village has suffered, longer winters, hardly any prey! All the herds moved south!"

"She was born as a sign from the spirits. How have we upset them?"

I rarely went with my father to gatherings or meetings. In fear of those rejected stares and horrible words.

Ryuu spoke up again, pulling me from my thoughts and trying to make me feel better. "Honestly, it's stupid for people to think you're a curse! They're just trying to put the blame on you because there's no other explanation to why the herds left, or why the land won't grow food! It's easier for them to be superstitious then use common sense."

He always knew how to lift my spirits. I smiled at him.

"Thanks. Maybe things will change after my warrior ceremony tonight. Speaking of which, I have to go! Mom told me to be home by sundown so she can braid my hair!"

I began sprinting home, knowing Ryuu couldn't keep up. I turned and waved behind me.

"See you tonight!" I called, and the wind helped carry me home.

My mother twisted my braid up into a bun on my head, finishing off my look. I wore my best robes, even though they were a little baggy. Father always said that I'd grow into them. My mother looked me up and down, sighing a little.

"I still don't see why a beautiful girl like you has to be an archer."

I rolled my eyes, not wanting to start a fight with her on this topic… yet again.

"Can you just be proud of me for once." I looked myself in the mirror again, my long hair piled on top of my head looked thick and big, the braid differencing me from the boys. I liked the volume of my black hair. I thought it was pretty, even though it was hard to keep neat.

My mother gave a weak smile and grabbed my shoulders.

"I am proud. You've come a long way." I felt my heart beat faster. Getting a praise from my mother was an extremely rare gift. I flashed her a small smile, then my father knocked on the door. Entering, his face lit up at the sight of me.

"My beautiful daughter!" He grinned. "Let's hurry! The ceremony will start any moment."

We made our way to the center of town, mothers and fathers and children danced in celebration for this day. This is the day that I've trained for years for. I went to gather with the others about to take part in the ceremony. A boy I knew, Shin, sneered at me. "Hey, Noroi. Ready to become a warrior?"

I rolled my eyes at his rude tone. "More ready then you." I snapped back, not in the mood to put up with his mockery.

"Honestly I don't get why everyones making it a big deal, you being the first girl warrior and all. You look just like us! You're as flat as a wall."

I hissed in response, trying to be patient and not punch him square in the face. Shin was always making nasty comments, probably because he was still bitter when I won at target practice. My father approached all of us, addressing our entire town, declaring the start of the ceremony. Everyone of all differences gathered around, excited to see the next generation of Yuyan archers.

The beginning of the ceremony went by in a fast blur. I stood with the other boys in my group, who buzzed with excitement at this big day. It was hard to comprehend that tomorrow I would get up and go hunting with the real Yuyan archers, not our trainers. As we stood in a line, my father called each of us up, one by one. He smiled and said a quick prayer before praising us each individually, dabbing red paint over our eyes and officially welcoming us as archers. I patiently waited my turn, finally my father called me up.

"And last, my sweet daughter, Amaya. You've filled your years with hard practice, and have shown through many ways your capability. You are an incredible shot, a strong fighter, and a silent hunter. We welcome you as the first female warrior."

I felt the cold red paint cover the upper half of my face, when I stood up and looked at my people, I could see nothing but smiles and pride.

At long last. Finally they saw me as a warrior. Finally they could see I was not useless. I felt tears brim in my eyes at such an amazing honor. Maybe now the name calling would end, maybe now I would get the respect I worked so hard to earn.

My moment was cut short as I heard a loud clap from the back of the crowd. Everyone turned to see the face of who disrespected our ceremony.

I was shocked to see the face of a Firenation leader. The man stepped forward, continuing to slowly clap. No one said anything.

"My, such a beautiful ceremony to watch."

I stood by my father, who narrowed his eyes. I could tell by his face that he knew who this man was.

"Oh, where are my manners?" He said loudly.

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you, I'm General Zhao."

Oh my gosh I'm nervous! I really really hope this was up to all of your standards! I really appreciate feedback, so please let me know if this is interesting to any of you! I'm also very open to suggestions! I will try to have the next chapter out soon! Thank you to the three nice comments!

-Teegan