Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Bryke and Nickelodeon, not me.
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"Hey, you."
Ahiru squinted. The bright morning sunlight glinted off the soldier's spear right into her eyes. "Yes?" she said.
"No sleeping on the streets here," the soldier said.
"I'm sorry," she said, sitting up. "I haven't got anywhere to go, though."
"Refugee?" She nodded. "There's a shelter a few streets away, in the southern part of town."
Ahiru struggled to her feet. "Is there a clinic?" she asked.
"There's a doctor who comes by periodically," he said. "Now get up, all right?" Ahiru nodded, picked up her small bundle, and headed in the direction he indicated.
Her shoes flapped noisily against the cobblestones. She sighed heavily. Only a few months ago these shoes were new, a gift from her husband on the birth of their new baby. Now they were ragged and worn, a testament to the many miles she had trudged after escaping the ruins of her village.
The refugee shelter was a flat-roofed building stretching the length of half a block. A few pinch-faced children played hopstones in the dirt yard while their sunburnt mothers sat on the steps and sewed pieces of delicate embroidery to sell to the rich women of Gaoling.
"Excuse me," Ahiru ventured. Most of the women ignored her, but one, younger than the rest, looked up. "Is there any room here?"
"Not much," the younger woman said. She looked around. "Where's your family?"
"I'm a widow," Ahiru said. The unfamiliar word tasted bitter and metallic.
The younger woman tsked. "I'm sorry," she said. "Recent, I guess?" Without waiting for an answer, she rattled on. "Well, it's easier to get a bed without a husband or child to take up space. There's not much left here, you know. But if you go inside, you can find the warden, and she can arrange something."
Ahiru thanked her and stepped inside, brushing past the stone-faced women with their eyes focused on their stitches. She shuddered. I hope I never come to that.
Inside the shelter was cool and dimly lit. The clay walls sloped and pitched, and the floor left reddish streaks on the soles of her shoes, but she was grateful to be in a real building for once. She caught sight of a tall, severe woman in a plain green dress and an Earth Kingdom seal at her neck. "Excuse me," Ahiru said. "Are you the warden?"
"I am," she said. "Come begging for a place, have we?" Ahiru flushed. "Proud, too. Well, come on, girl. How many family members do you expect me to find room for?"
"Just…just me," Ahiru said. "I'm alone."
The warden's face softened. "Well, that'll be easier to provide for," she said brusquely. She strode over to a large ledge on a podium. "What's your name, girl?"
"Ahiru," she said "Ahiru of Maka Village."
"Maka," the woman mused as she wrote in clear strokes. "I heard they got attacked by Fire Nation a few months ago. Didn't expect a refugee to come all the way from there. Omashu is much closer."
"My husband had family here," she said.
"Why not stay with them?"
"It was only an old aunt," Ahiru said. "She died some time ago, and we didn't know."
"Well, then," the warden said, slamming the book shut. "There's a bed in the left wing you can take. I assume you're going to look for work?"
"I'll try," Ahiru said. The woman turned to walk away. "Wait, ma'am, I have a question. Is there a doctor nearby?"
"You're in luck," she said. "Dr. Yao is here today. He sometimes does charity work." Ahiru's ears reddened at the sound of "charity." "He's down that hall. Maybe he hasn't left yet."
Ahiru walked as quickly as her tired, aching legs could carry her. A curtained-off portion of the room indicated the doctor's presence. She sank down to the floor and waited. After nearly half an hour, he pushed aside the curtain.
"Apply the poultices every night," he was saying to his exiting patient. "That cut will be fine in about a fortnight." Dr. Yao glanced down at Ahiru. "Well, young woman, you'll be my last patient of the day."
She struggled to her feet. "Thank you, doctor."
He held aside the curtain and ushered her in. Ahiru sat down on the lumpy cot. "What seems to be the problem, Miss-"
"Ahiru," she said. "I was burned badly a few months ago, and it doesn't seem to be healing properly." She untied the bodice of her dress, leaving her clad from the waist up in only her breast-binding. Whorls of reddened, peeling flesh wove around her arms and stomach; left untended, the marks were swollen and sore.
"This is extensive," Dr. Yao commented. He pulled a jar of salve from his bag and began applying it to the wounds. Ahiru winced, but the coolness overwhelmed the sting. "What caused this?"
"A Fire Nation attack on my village," she said. "We were caught completely unaware."
He spread the salve over a burn on her stomach. "These stretch marks…have you ever had a baby, Ahiru?"
"I did," she said. "Five months ago."
"Where is he?"
Ahiru closed her eyes. "Yuki died in the fire that destroyed our village," she said. "I was too injured to move, so my husband went back to try to save him, but he died as well."
"I'm very sorry," the doctor said. Ahiru tried to rub at her eyes, but they were still dry. They fell silent, until Dr. Yao stopped and looked at her. "Ahiru, are you still producing milk?"
Ahiru nodded. "I had hoped I would stop soon, but-"
"I might have a job offer for you." The doctor's face was solemn. "A wealthy patient of mine is unable to nurse her newborn baby. It's a risky chance, but I'm sure they would pay well. Would you be interested?"
Ahiru thought of the dull women on the porch, embroidering. "Yes," she said.
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Ahiru stepped cautiously up the front steps of the mansion. The estate was bigger than her entire village. Her empty stomach quaked.
"Come on, then, child," Dr. Yao urged. Ahiru gathered up her ragged, patched skirt and hurried to catch up.
Dr. Yao spoke to the maid at the door and she let them into the entryway. While the doctor continued to talk, Ahiru stared at her surroundings. The room was lavish, draped in green and gold and tastefully decorated with vases full of blooming flowers. She had never seen anything so beautiful.
"The Bei Fongs have agreed to see you," Dr. Yao said, taking her by the elbow. "We haven't got much time, so come along and make a good impression."
Ahiru followed him down the hall, her head twisting in an effort to drink in the grandeur of the house. The maid led them into a receiving room. "Dr. Yao and…and a young woman to see you," she said.
Ahiru bowed deeply. "Please, get up," the lord said. She stood. Lord Bei Fong looked like a kind man, although not what one would consider to be an excellent leader. His wife sat next to him, her pointed face pale and thin, contrasting with her rich dress and her elaborately styled hair. "Tell me about yourself."
"My name is Ahiru, from Maka Village," she said, hesitating. "I'm a refugee."
"Are you married?" Lord Bei Fong asked.
"I'm a widow," she said. "My husband and my son died two months ago."
Lady Bei Fong's eyes softened. "How old was your son?" she asked.
"He was three months old when he was killed," Ahiru whispered. It was an effort to keep her eyes on the lady's face.
Lord Bei Fong sighed heavily. "I am in an unusual situation," he said. "My wife is unable to care for our daughter. I would like to extend an offer for you to live here, to tend to her."
Ahiru stared at the wall behind his head. To tend to a baby…a baby who is not mine…It made her heart ache, but the memory of the weary refugees in the shelter drowned out the feeling. "I accept," she said.
Lady Bei Fong sighed heavily. "You will be paid handsomely, and you may live here at the estate," the lord said. "There is only one condition." He rubbed his long fingers. "My daughter is to be kept a secret from the outside world. You see, she…she was born blind, and we must do everything possible to keep her safe." Ahiru started. "it is an unusual situation, I admit, but please. You must keep my daughter a secret."
"I will," she said.
Lord Bei Fong sighed in relief and clapped his hands. "Wei, take Ahiru to the nursery," he said.
"Oh, I'll take her," Lady Bei Fong offered. "Wei should prepare a room for her."
"Very well," he conceded.
Lady Bei Fong stood cautiously, as if she were weak and tired. "Come with me." Ahiru followed her down the hallway. The noisy flapping of her shoes was even more noticeable. "I'll have a seamstress come first thing tomorrow to fit you for some new clothes and shoes."
"Thank you, my lady," Ahiru said. They walked in silence for a moment. "How old is your daughter?"
"Two months," she said.
There was another long pause. "What's her name?"
"Toph," Lady Bei Fong said quietly. She opened the door. "This is her nursery."
The baby's nursery most likely cost more than Ahiru's entire cottage had. The walls were painted in cool green and cream and embossed with gold. Cedar furniture with pretty gilded edges stood against the walls.
The crib was heaped with soft, lavishly embroidered blankets. Lady Bei Fong stood next to it. "Here she is," she said. "I'm sure she's hungry." She looked into the crib and held her hand out for a moment, as if she was about to stroke her small daughter's hair, but quickly drew back. "I'll leave you in peace." She hurried abruptly out of the room.
Ahiru peeked into the crib. A tiny baby girl snuggled under the blankets, patting her small hands against the bars. Ahiru covered her face. For a moment all she could remember was the cradle by the hearth, with her small son cooing and giggling and begging to be held. "Why did Yuki have to die?" she asked quietly. "Why did he have to die and this rich man's daughter get to live?"
The baby girl opened her eyes. Ahiru's heart stopped. They were immense in her small face; the pale sea foam color was unusual and cloudy. She reached into the crib. Her arms curved around the baby and she lifted her gently. "Hello, Toph," she whispered. The blind baby turned towards her voice, but her blank eyes stared past her. Ahiru wrapped the blanket around her. Her arms had been empty for so long; now it felt strange to hold a baby. She sat down gingerly in the rocking chair, careful not to jostle her. Toph cooed.
With a sudden twinge, Ahiru clutched the baby to her chest, tears smarting behind her eyes. Toph mewled in protest. Ahiru cried in earnest now, snuggling the baby and breathing in her sweet smell. She had lost her son, but gained a daughter.
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Author's Notes:
And now we have switched to the point of view of Toph's nanny! I hope you still think this story is interesting...
Not too much to say about this one, I don't think...
Let me know what you think of this story!