Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or its characters.

Chapter Four:

The Festival

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy."

– Dalai Lama

Kaori had slowly shifted to her side, holding her pillow tight. She really hated waking up at sunrise but that was the Fire Nation tradition. Today was the day of the festival and there was no way around it. The past few days had been busy, people running a muck to make sure everything was in order. She wasn't given any heavy responsibilities for they fear that she would mess things up because she was new. She barely knew the codes they used for certain projects and she was glad she got to stay out of the way.

She had slowly sat up from her bed, rubbing her eyes and blinking a few times to adjust her vision from the sleepy haze over them. A yawn escaped her, her arms stretched above her head. "Good morning." She had said to herself as she had looked towards the window, the sunlight trying to peer through the closed curtains. In a lazy manner, she had gotten herself off the bed and walks towards window, pushing the curtains to the side. The sunlight had immediately hit in her eyes, still fragile from waking up minutes ago.

Her eyes had drifted towards her bed, the scroll hanging down the bottom. She had read a good portion of the story but she was nowhere near the end. "My shift doesn't really start until tonight." She had placed her hand on her shoulder, rubbing it slightly to ease the tense muscles. "I wonder if Iroh is going to the festival… Probably, especially since it is for Prince Zuko." She wanted to keep her mind off it but she was so curious. The way that the other servants spoke about it, it made it seem like it was going to be a magical event.

She had looked towards the door. "I can always sneak out to the festival. Nobody would notice I'm gone." Kaori nodded, believe that it was a good plan. Who would notice that she was gone? The other servant girls had been avoiding her since they were busy and because of that incident at the training grounds. Bi and Qiao had quickly told them what happened, and it would seem they had thought she was even stranger because of that.

Changing into her servant attire, she had placed her hair back in its usual ponytail and adjusted her fringes before opening the door and walking out. She had heard voices, which had immediately made her hide. "Masumi, you came all the way from the colonies to come see me?" Kaori had immediately known that was Masuyo's voice.

"Why would I not visit my sister? And besides, I have decided that I wanted to join the Fire Nation army too." That had sounded like a boy. Masuyo had a little brother? Kaori had slowly peered from the side of the scroll shelf. Her eyes had immediately widened at the sight of him.

"Kaori! You traitor!"

He looked just like him. His hair had covered the right side of his face, the color as black as a crow's feather. It was loosely tied into a side ponytail by a single, pure white ribbon. His eyes… His eyes weren't blue however. That was the only distinct difference about him and that boy she had remembered. It couldn't have been him. So, it couldn't have been him. His eyes were the same shade as his sister's, a bright marigold.

She had felt relieved in all senses. She wouldn't know how she could handle if he was indeed the boy she had remembered. She had closed her eyes and let out a low, relieved sigh. "Who is that?" Her eyes immediately shot open, both Masuyo and Masumi looking at her.

"That is Kaori, she is a friend of mine." Masuyo had introduced, "She is a servant here but she is a sweet girl. Come here, Kaori." The priestess used her hand to motion for the girl to come closer.

Kaori had awkwardly stood and walked over, standing beside Masuyo and in front of Masumi. "Hello." Kaori had said.

"Nice to meet you." Masumi had replied, a small smile on his face.

'Is everyone in her family good looking?' She had wondered to herself, her grey eyes shyly looking down the floor. "I didn't want to interrupt and I wasn't sure who was here and so that's why I hid. I'm not a spy or anything, not like you two need to be spied on… or anything." She quickly explained, trying not to make herself seem like she was watching them out of curiosity.

Both siblings nodded. "That's fine." Masuyo had said, "By the way Kaori, my brother is attending the festival. You should go with him. I'll explain that I'm the one who let you go. I'm sure you wanted to go, right?"

Kaori's eyes had lit up with happiness. "Yes, yes! I really wanted to go. Seriously, I can go?" The woman nodded and gave her a warm smile.

"My brother will make sure you have fun and that nothing happens to you, right Masumi?"

Her brother looked at her and then shrugged. "It's not like I had a date or anywhere better to go."

Masuyo then stepped behind Kaori and placed her hands on the girl's shoulder. "Why don't we get going now? You can't go dressed like that." Kaori nodded her head excitedly. "We'll meet you at the entrance hall, Masumi." She had said as he had nodded.

They had left the library, Masuyo then letting Kaori's small shoulders go and walking beside her. Kaori could feel the excitement brewing in her very core. She was going to her first festival! How fun was that? She wanted to image how the Fire Nation looked outside. It was probably beautiful, simply breath-taking.

"First, you'll need a bath and then I will send them a outfit for you and I'll take care of everything else." Masuyo had explained as the girl looked at her with happy, gleaming eyes.

"Thank you, Masuyo. For everything." She smiled, "If there's a way for me to thank you I-"

The woman interrupted. "If there is ever a favor I need, I will be sure to rely on you."

Hearing that had only mad Kaori even more happy. Masuyo would rely on her? But she was already so strong and capable. However, if she needed Kaori to do something then it would have to be very important. "You can always rely on me, Lady Masuyo."

"Good." The woman's smile spread across her face. When they had reach the bathing room, she had stood at the doors. "Go in." She said as Kaori nodded.

It took Kaori a half an hour before she had came out, dressed in clothes used as a proper robe. Her and Masuyo hurriedly went to Masuyo's room. The priestess opened her room door and allowed Kaori in, who had looked in the room in amazement. Everything about the room was extravagant; down from the large mirror to the vanity, to the many shades of red and gold to the large bed canopy in the center of the room.

Everything looked like it was worth more all the lifetimes Kaori could've possibly lived. "Wow." She uttered in awe. "Fire Lord Ozai really went out in your room."

"But of course, I am his most valued priestess." The woman simply said before slightly pushing the girl in the room. "Your clothes are on its way."

Kaori had looked over her shoulder at Masuyo and nodded as the door was closed. The servant had set in a red, large chair and waited. Her hands resting on her legs as her eyes looked around the room. It was really, really big. Far bigger than the servants' quarters.

Soon Qiao, Bi, and Chiharu had entered the room and all of Kaori's excitement had took a low blow. Chiharu had held the outfit in her hands, her eyes immediately looking to Qiao and Bi who had rather sour looks on their faces. Kaori didn't know if talking would be a wise choice. Instead, she had walked over to Chiharu and kindly taken the clothes.

Bi had dropped the shoes and Qiao had dropped the accessories. Kaori had looked down at the things they had dropped, simply putting the outfit on the bed and then walking over to pick up the items they had dropped. Chiharu had looked at them and then helped picked up the hair ornaments and jewelry that Qiao had dropped.

Kaori had looked at the girl in surprise and was given a small yet sweet smile. Kaori placed the shoes near the bed and Kaori had placed the jewelry and hair ornaments on the vanity. "You can leave now." Kaori had said to them, "Thank you for your services. I'm sure Lady Masuyo will like a report on how I was treated."

Qiao and Bi's eyes had widened, and they slowly looked at one another. Chiharu had smiled and nodded before all three of them had left the room. Kaori had picked up the clothes, her hands gingerly touching the soft material. She had undressed herself from the robe attire and placed on the venetian red, sleeveless crop top that had straps inches below her shoulders. It had revealed her stomach and collar bones, only wrapped around her breasts and cleavage. The patterns that were embroidered on it were bright, golden chrysanthemums.

Next was the skirt, it had hugged at her waist and had fell down to her ankles. It too had the chrysanthemums designs. Next was her belt that hand wrapped around her waist, a gold chain with rubies embedded inside with a center ruby piece and one long chain hanging down the center.

Then there was the plain scarlet over the shoulder shawl that draped her half of her upper body and fell down to knee length.

Lastly, she had placed on her bright, white socks and red shoes that had red three-cun lily shoes. She had walked over to the vanity, and looked down at the jewelry. She wasn't sure what to really choose. Her eyes find herself particularly fancying the red and gold collar necklace. She had placed it on, feeling comfortable. She didn't want to look at herself in the mirror just yet because Masuyo would do her makeup and hair.

She had walked towards the door and opened it to see Masuyo standing beside the door patiently. "Lady Masuyo, I'm ready." She had said as the woman had nodded, following her into the room.

"The outfit certainly compliments you, Kaori. You are very petite, and your legs are long and slender and so are your warms. It is almost easy for you to find an outfit that fits to you." Masuyo had praised as she had then sat the girl down at the vanity.

She had released the ponytail that Kaori usually war and let the girl's hair fall down to the middle of her back. The priestess gently brushed the girl's hair and pulled it back into a neat, high bun using a red ribbon to hold it all in places. Next, she had stuck the golden comb ornament in the Kaori's hair.

"That's out of the way." Masuyo had then turned Kaori to face her and then picked up the red, lip paint in the compact on her vanity. She had opened it and picked up the small brush off the wooden surface and then dipped the brush into paint.

She had slowly and carefully placed it on, and Kaori had made sure not to move an inch. When Masuyo was done she had picked up an object that was shaped like a white plum and dipped it in to pink powder and gently dapped it against Kaori's cheekbones.

Never before she had placed makeup on and she had already thought it was a chore. When Masuyo proved to be finished, she had then told Kaori to stand and look at the mirror.

"That's me?" She had questioned, pointing at her own reflection.

"Yes, that's you." The woman beside her confirmed.

Kaori felt beautiful, more beautiful than she see or feel. "I..I don't know how to thank you." She had looked up at Masuyo.

"We already agreed, didn't we?" The Priestess had smiled. "Now let's go before my brother grows impatient."

Kaori nodded and left Masuyo's room with the woman beside her. When they had reached the entrance hall, they had seen Masumi standing there with his arms folded. "Masumi!" Kaori called him, "We can go now!"

"She is in a hurry." Masuyo had said as her brother had turned look at the brunette, who was running towards him. There was a slight trace of pink on his face, but he immediately tried his best to make it less visible. Kaori had grabbed his arm and headed towards the doors, the guards opening them. "Have fun!" Masuyo had waved as they had left the palace.

"Uh…" Masumi allowed himself to be dragged, "The palanquin is to our right." He said as she had then quickly turned right and then followed to where the palanquin bearers waved. The doors were open and Kaori had quickly climbed in with Masumi climbing in after as the door was shut. "So this is your first time going to a festival? He asked, trying to make small talk.

The brunette grinned from ear to ear. "Yes! Well, at least I think it is. You see, I have amnesia and I really just discovered my name a few days ago. So I might've been to one before but I just don't remember it." She explained.

"Amnesia? That must be very difficult. Aren't you afraid that there's a chance you might not ever remember who you are?" He had asked.

"No. I think I'll remember. It is going to take time and I don't want to rush it. Besides, I'm pretty happy how things are now."

She smiled as the bearers had raised the palanquin and had taken off, leaving the palace grounds and heading towards the city. Her eyes were glued to the outside the curtain, wondering what was going to happen. From the distance she could see the abundant colors of red, orange and yellow. Now they had gotten color, she could see paper lanterns lighting up the entire capital. Her eyes were wide as she had seen a few children run by with masks covering their faces and fireflakes in hand. The bearers had halted and lowered the palanquin to the ground. Once they were allowed to leave, she immediately grabbed Masumi arm. "Let's go!" She said.

The air had felt warm even though it was night and there were a bunch of smells, specifically of food. The chatter of people had easily amused her as well. There was so much going on that it simply overwhelmed her, in a good way of course. Kaori had let go of Masumi's arm and he watched as she seemed to be at awe at everything. He couldn't help but chuckle at her childish gaze. "Mmm… Smells so good!" She had said.

He had then tried to source out what food she smelled. "You mean the Takoyaki?" He asked as she had looked at him.

"Takoyaki?" She questioned as he had led her towards the stand. She had looked down at the round food on the stick. She had puffed her cheeks and shook her head. "No, that's not it." He had then nodded and then head towards the other stand. Her eyes grew big, "That one! With the meat!" She pointed.

"You really like Hippo Cow, huh?" He said as it was a shish kebab. He wasn't going to let her down and he had brought two. He had one for himself and one for her. Kaori danced happily, chewing on the foods on the stick.

"Thank you." She said with food in mouth, the boy surprised by her lack of elegance.

Masumi didn't seem to pay it much mind though because she went fleeing off. She had went to the stand where they were selling animal masks. "Can we buy one of those?" She had asked as he had nodded.

"Which one do you want?" He asked her.

She had looked them over once again, unsure of what to actually choose. "I want that one!" She pointed to the mask of a pale faced woman, with red lips and two dots of blush on her cheeks. A happy woman.

"The okame?" He had said and watched her nod. Masumi had then told the man he wanted one mask for Kaori in which he paid for and the merchant had handed her to mask with ease.

She had used her free hand to place it on, "How do I look?" She asked him.

"Scary." He replied.

"Good!" She chuckled before running again.

'This girl is going to be the death of me. She can't stay still for five seconds.' Thought Masumi.

As Kaori had ran, she had then noticed something. She had stopped her running and slid her mask up to see Prince Zuko. She had smiled and attempted to walk towards him but she stopped herself when she noticed the female beside him. She had pale skin, not pale as a sheet of snow but just a few pigments close. Her hair was strong, black and flowed down over her shoulders with a small portion pinned back with two, small buns on each side. Her eyes were slant and pale gold and were now narrowed and looking at her.

Zuko had then noticed that Mai wasn't paying attention to him trying to explain what happened during Omashu and noticed that her gaze was fixed on the familiar girl. "Kaori?" He had said her name out loud.

"You know her?" Mai had then questioned, "Is that why she's been staring at you for the past five minutes?" She continued with her questioning. Mai wasn't insecure, never was, but she was curious as to how Zuko and this girl had known each other. It wasn't like every day Zuko had associated himself with other people or had friends nonetheless.

Kaori could tell he had mouthed her name but she didn't want to disturb his date. And so, she had slipped her mask back on and quickly turned to find Masumi right behind her. She appeared startled at first but then calmed her nerves.

Zuko had watched the two speak even though he couldn't read Kaori's lips with the mask on her face. "She's a servant at the Fire Nation palace. It looks like she found her way to join the festival." He had said as Mai had glanced back at Kaori and the male she was with.

"Why should you care? You weren't going to take her to the festival." Priyala had said, adding her two cents to the situation. "You are here with the date you desired."

Mentally, Zuko frowned. 'And I'm quite content with my date too, Priyala.' He had said as he watched Kaori and her date walk towards Agni shrine. "Did we visit the shrine?" Zuko had asked Mai, who had then shaken her head. "Let's go."

With her arm wrapped around his, Mai had walked alongside Zuko towards the large shrine. Zuko had caught glimpse of Kaori who had walked forward and rung the bell with the boy beside her. She had tossed a few gold pieces into the offertory box with the boy at her side doing the same. "You seem to be watching intently." Priyala cooed, "Or am I just reading too much into things?"

'You're reading too much into things.' Zuko quickly replied. 'I have to wait until their done so Mai and I can pray at the shrine. Wouldn't you want us to pray to Agni?' And with that, Priyala had grown quiet. 'I thought so.'

Kaori had bowed deeply twice, Masumi doing the same, and simultaneously they clapped their hands two times before bowing once again. They clapped once more before joining their palms together in prayer form. 'I pray for a happy year and a way to discover my true self so that I can be a better person in the future.' Kaori had wished before leaving the shrine with Masumi.

"What did you wish for?" Masumi asked as she had looked at him and shook her head. "What?"

"You're not supposed to tell what you wish for or else it'll never come true!" She had given him a smile, "I at least still remember that!" She nodded her head.

Masumi chuckled. "You believe in superstitions like that?"

Kaori had raised her mask halfway, "Yeah, but I can't really explain why I do though." She shrugged her shoulders and looked forward. "So what are we going to do now?"

He wasn't sure why he listened but he had scooted back but kept his spear facing the enemies around him. Kaori had looked back towards the group, her eyes glaze with what Zuko thought last time as 'bloodlust'. He had looked up, seeing her eyes look as they had on the training grounds. "

One man had made the first move, the other three kept surrounding themselves around Zuko. The man, who called Masumi and Kaori a brat, had raised his sword high over his head. He charged forward and then brought it down towards Kaori's right shoulder. "Hn?!" was the noise the man made. When he the sword had reached it's destination, Kaori was simply gone. The man snapped his head around, looking for his opponent –

"Behind you." Kaori's voice was teasing, her look crazed. A silver blade flew through the night towards the man.

"Urgh!" Everyone could hear the horrible wet sound of the blade passing through the man's flesh and blood splattered to the ground.

The man had fell forward, his comrades looking in shock. Their knees had buckled and they had ran away leaving Zuko, who was once heaving and sweat now finding himself in less pain than before. Kaori had dropped the sword and ran towards the prince. "Are you alright?" She asked him.

He had looked at her in surprise. She had quickly recovered but he hadn't said anything, but kept his hand clutching his clothes. The pain felt slow, like a needle slowly inching inside his chest. "I'm…" He had shook his head, "I'm fine…"

Kaori had taken his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Where are the palanquin bearers?!" She shouted, not wanting to be slow with giving the prince some medical help.

Lucky thing the guards had come running down and had taken the prince from her grasp and immediately placed him in a carriage and made their way to the palace. Masumi had slowly approached her as she had looked at him, "You… You seemed totally different with that sword in your hands."

Kaori had laughed nervously, her hand rubbing the back of her neck. "Uhm… Well, it's a long story. I need to get back to the palace though, I have to make sure that Prince Zuko is alright. It's the least I can do since he has helped me before."

She had waved and then began to running, lifting up her skirt up to her knees so she had more movement to be able to run.

Masumi is the Japanese unisex name meaning "true lucidity."

The chapter is super short, I know.