600 Days – The Tale of Lu Ten

Original Story Written

by Zorroami

Based on the Nickelodeon TV series

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Produced by

Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko


Chapter 6

Reality & Perception Part 2

Lu Ten stared into the furnace, He opened the door to stoke the fire as Hikari had asked and left it open to watch the flames. They were comforting; warm against his skin and mesmerizing to the eye. Fire was more than a tool to heat things; it was a part of him. Deep inside the same fire burned within him. He bent it to his will, he thrived on the heat – it made him feel whole. Taking fire away from him was like taking away a part of his soul. Staring into the flames made Lu Ten feel most like himself. He had even snuck in a moment of bending in instead of stoking it was a stick. He was in his element, meditating with unblinking eyes.

He felt a cool wind behind him as the door opened. He whirled around to see Hikari slip into the room huffing out frozen puffs of breath from the cold. Lu Ten went to her and nudged her closer to the fire. Her jaw chatted while she nodded pulling her arms up around herself. Lu Ten pulled a crate over for her to sit, but she shook her head pulling her arms closer. Lu Ten nodded and reached for something on top of the metal basin. Hikari peered at him curiously. He had found a blanket in the shed and laid it there near the fire to warm up for her. He offered it, in the same way he had the chair; waiting for her response eagerly with concern written all over his face.

Hikari bit down on her lip to steady it. "Give me a second to change first."

His eyes widened. "Do you want me to . . . um . . ." He made a gesture with his head to the door.

She shook her head taking the blanket from him. "No, stay. Just turn around."

He gladly did forcing his nerves to settle. The tranquility of the fire he had felt a moment earlier was extinguished. He could hear her shifting behind him and closed his eyes. They shot open again when the vision of her naked form met him in his mind's eye. That was exactly what he was trying to avoid and he cursed his shameful thoughts. Lu Ten took a deep breath and watched it steam; no one could have told whether it was the cold or his smoky breath.

"You can turn around now."

He did. She had wrapped the blanket around her in much the same way she had day he had met her. Lu Ten swallowed hard. He hoped that she had something on underneath this time. He did not want to be caught in such a compromising position with her. He glanced at the furnace and noticed she'd hung her wet clothes to dry. He was never one to have the best of luck.

Hikari moved comfortably in the room and soon settled down on the crate Lu Ten had moved for her; knees pulled up to her chin, still shaking a bit and looked into the fire. He smiled lightly. The glow complemented her natural tan and coppery hair. Lu Ten wanted to share the fire with her, sit beside her and raise the temperature to warm the room. She would stop shaking if he did that. His father had told him of cool nights he'd spent with his mother, just holding her and sharing his warm. But Lu Ten couldn't do that. He did not feel comfortable enough to go near her, but even if he had, he'd be an Earth Soldier in her eyes. She could never know who he really was or what element he bent or how he was deceiving her and the entire village, swindling them out of their supplies. Lu Ten could feel the bile in his throat rise up painfully. He did not enjoy the deception at all. Especially when it involved this particular woman.

Pushing away the thoughts he opened his mouth to speak. "So . . . you do laundry?"

Hikari giggled at his tone. "Among other things." She looked him over. "And you're a captain."

"I guess so." His pale skin pinked, he hadn't wanted to answer like that.

She flushed as well. "It's funny, but I don't think green is your color."

Alarm bells sounded in his head. "Why would you say that?"

Hikari smiled warmly. "It makes your eyes look yellow."

Lu Ten relaxed a hair. "My eyes are yellow."

"Only next to the green you're wearing." She stood up and crossed to him. Lu Ten went rigid while she made his hands into an oval spyglass like he would have down as a child, repeating the motion herself. She edged closer to him until there was only her eyes in his vision. "Your eyes are gold, I can see the sparkles. And there are little bits of brown mixed in too."

Lu Ten had only half heard her. He was busy looking at her smiling eyes. He could not settle on calling them just one color, nor could he think of anything to compare them to. A dark blue circle outlined the iris, keeping the other colors from spilling out into the white. Then there was emerald green, richer than any jewel he had ever seen. That was met with a small ring of brown, cutting into the edge of the green like flames. Finally a band of gold lined her pupils At first glance he might have called them green – or maybe brown – but now he had no idea.

Hikari nodded at some private realization and backed away looking a bit disappointed. "Anyway, they're not yellow."

Lu Ten ground his teeth during the awkward silence that followed. He should say something. "Are you still cold?"

"Not really."

"Good." They both nodded, Lu Ten grinding his teeth and Hikari chewing her lip. "So what else do you do here?"

"I work where ever I can. Madam sees that I have a job and sometime sends me to neighboring villages."

"So, you work?" Lu Ten was hearing Lao's words too clearly in his head.

"A lot." She paused. "But not in the tavern."

A wave of relief washed over him. "I'm glad for that."

She nodded playfully with a smile. "Yep, your friend will have to find another playmate."

"I came to apologize for before –"

"You didn't do anything wrong."

"I should've paid more attention to my men."

Her smile fell a bit. "You are truly a wonder Lu Ten."

He stepped closer to her. "What do you mean?"

"You're just . . .different."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize so much, you have no reason to be sorry."

"But –"

"I won't hear it!" She held up her hand teasingly to silence him.

Lu Ten smiled. "Okay." After that they were as free to talk as they had been all those nights ago. Lu Ten even dared to sit on a crate across from her. It wasn't long before he noticed Hikari started kneading her side again. Whatever pain she was feeling, she masked it from her face, never glancing down, speaking directly to him at all times. But that worried him more than when she was cringing outside. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"You keep –" He made a feeble gesture to her hand. "Doing that."

"Oh!" Suddenly embarrassed she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "It's nothing."

"Because if Lao hurt you –"

"I'm fine."

"– you should tell me."

She was blushing brightly. "I'm really fine."

"Did he bruise you?"

"No, just forget it."

"You don't need to protect him."

"But he didn't hurt me!"

"Then what's wrong?"

Hikari stared at him, her smiling mouth agape, eyes in utter disbelief. Finally she shook her head laughing hard. "You are unbelievable!"

Lu Ten took offence to this and furrowed his brow indignantly. "I'm just worried about you!"

He stood up to defend himself more but Hikari was quick to follow and placed her hands on either side of his face. His first reaction was to pull them off, but confusion froze him when he caught hold of her wrists. "Thank you for worrying." She was sincere and Lu Ten softened cautiously. She bit her lip blushing. "It's a girl thing. Now let's leave it at that okay?"

Lu Ten nodded uneasily, It didn't make much sense. He started running over scenarios in his head of what 'girl thing' could possibly cause her discomfort in her abdomen . . . then her meaning hit him. "OH – I'm sorry, I didn't mean to – I'm sorry!"

Hikari giggled. "It's okay." She let her hands fall from his face, taking his hands with her. For a good while they stood there hand in hand smiling. It was simple, just as every other time they touched. But there was something deep behind each small moment of flesh on flesh. It was pure. "I have to go before Madam comes looking for me."

"Are you in trouble? She was a little . . . irritable."

"She's really not at bad as she seems." Lu Ten could still feel her boney finger in his chest and didn't quite believe her. "But it could be pretty bad for you."

"I understand." Lu Ten reluctantly broke their contact. Hikari turned away and reached for her warmed clothes. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was remarkable; her gentle spirit had understood his fears, her mind that had challenged him to think, and her body was carved perfectly beneath the blanket covering her. In that moment Lu Ten knew true beauty. "Your eyes are indescribable."

Hikari eyed him carefully looking for a sign of sarcasm. She looked for anything that could give her a reason to be skeptical so she could guard herself against him. But there was nothing to be found. And it frightened her. "I don't . . . I mean, thank you." She smiled tenderly, resolved not to falter. "Thank you for the complement, Lu Ten."

He nodded once very lightly. "I meant it."

"I know." She balled the wade of clothing in her arms and made for the door.

Lu Ten's heart fell, this was goodbye again. And probably for good. They wouldn't come back to this village, not if it put Hikari's life in danger. He already felt broken inside. Hurt. He was hurting. What from he didn't know, but it was painful. He wanted to be there to protect her. He wanted to hold her just once more, and this time not let go. He wanted to show her his home, his culture, and demonstrate his bending. He wanted her to meet his father and all laugh together over a pot of ginseng tea. All those things were slipping away with her through the door.

Then with her hand in the latch, Hikari turned back to him. "I want to see you again."

"Why are you doing this again?"

Dad was moving like the dragon he was; he was dusting my armor – then inspecting my boots – then spraying me with something – then licking his finger to put a hair back in place – then tugging my pants up – then he was smelling my arm pits – And somehow he was doing it all at the same time! I was powerless to stop him and only Agni knew what he had concocted in that scheming brain of his. I was sixteen years old and could dress myself.

Dad only smiled with a devious glint in his eye. "This is a very important day for our Nation, Lu Ten."

"The Fire Days Festival is an important day?" It was another cultural festival . . . it didn't have the greatest importance to me. I was VERY wary of him.

"Oh yes! This is a day where we celebrate our country's heritage and our royal family is very much a part of that."

"Yeah Dad, it's just –" He pried my jaw open and shot peppermint water into it. "– why are you doing all of this?"

Dad spun me around and we looked at my reflection in a full length mirror. Well, Dad more so than me. "Can't a father want his son to look his best?" Dad gave me the most pathetic face. "Or have you grown too big and too tall for your old frail dad?"

"Dad."

But the drama continued as he flung his hand across his forehead. "My life is worth nothing! A worthless man with nothing to live for! My son has no use for me!"

Now he was getting to my sympathy nerve. "That's not what I meant, Dad. Come on –"

He wasn't done. "No, no Prince Lu Ten, I understand you perfectly. I'll just go."

He wasn't really going to leave but I stopped him anyway. "Dad, please, we all know you're anything BUT frail." He tried to hide his grin, but I saw it. I crossed my arms knowingly. "And you're not old or worthless, and I do need you and I do want you to be here."

"Hurray! My life has meaning again!" Dad grinned brightly. "Now that that's settled –" He grabbed my arm but I wasn't moving.

"But I want to know what you are planning."

Dad was caught and he knew it. "Maybe I told a few of the young ladies –"

"Dad." I warned

" – that my son would make an appearance in the square today."

"Outside the palace!"

"Just for a few hours."

"A few hours!"

"Lu Ten, stop shouting like that, you'll put wrinkles on your face."

"I'm not doing it."

"Oh yes you are. It's too late to cancel on the girls"

I knew what that meant. "How many is a 'few'?"

Dad put his hand to the bread on his chin and thought. "Well, it would have to be around fifty."

"FIFTY!"

"Well some of them had younger sisters and I couldn't refuse them, now could I?"

"DAD!"

I was furious, but Dad was completely unfazed. He put a loving arm across my tight shoulders and smiled. I was trapped I couldn't get out of it. It would be dishonorable to back out now. And Dad smiled. "Lu Ten, you are a handsome young man. But as your father I must teach you the art of charm."

"I don't want to charm anyone."

"One day you will; if the spirits are good to me. I want to you to be prepared."

Lu Ten was a wreck. For the first time in weeks, he had a real room with a real bed and kitchen with real food waiting down stairs. But he couldn't enjoy any of it. His nerves were shot, his stomach was in knots, he cut himself shaving, and his hair was not obeying his commands. Every word he spoke was a curse because he just couldn't think of any other words at the moment. Lu Ten didn't have a single person to help him; now he was disheveled, anxious, and very, very late.

He slashed water from a bucket on his face and slicked the excess over his hair. He would just have to leave it. He cupped a hand and spooned a mouth full of the water into his mouth. He swished it around while wildly searching for his left boot which had decided it would disappear. He finally found the cursed boot under the bed when he tripped over a stool and spit the water in his mouth out over the floor. By then Lu Ten couldn't waste anymore time getting ready, he had to go. Fast.

He was out of the room and down stairs in a flash. His man were having a lively time around the bar area, but he didn't pay much attention. As long as there wasn't a riot he was alright with whatever they were doing. For the moment anyway.

He brushed past the bar tender to check the tab Lao set up, when a friendly slap on the back jolted him. "Where you off to Lu Ten?"

Lu Ten studied the tab like it was an ancient piece of parchment. He would not look Lao in the eyes. If he did, he might give something away. "I was invited to dine with a local family."

Lao watched Lu Ten scribble a signature onto the tab and waited for him to finish telling the barman to cut them off by midnight before he spoke. "The town elder invited you to meet his family?" His tone accused him of lying.

"I need to pay him for his hospitality."

"We're paying the bill here. It would not be very flattering to refuse his hospitality."

Lu Ten heard the warning in his words and nodded. It wouldn't be normal for a troop not to accept the generous aid. "The least I can do is share a meal with him."

Lao seemed to accept this answer. "I suppose you're right." He looked Lu Ten over and pointed at his feet. "Your boots are on the wrong feet." Lu Ten gasped and pulled them off as quickly as he could only to realize that they had been on the correct feet. Lao chuckled. "So where you really going?"

Lu Ten's expression turned sour and he looked directly at Lao for the first time. "I was invited to dine with a local family."

"Uh-huh. And will you be staying the night with this nice family?"

"No." Lu Ten glared at him.

Lao's smile grew. "Whatever you say, Captain."

"It's not what you think –"

"Don't get so defensive Lu Ten. I haven't accused you of anything."

"Lao." The lieutenant waited for an argument to ensue. When Lu Ten stood up to meet Lao's eyes, he couldn't think of any more excuses, so he laid his vulnerability out for him to see with a single word. "Please."

Lao's smile twitched, but his thoughts remained unreadable. "Are you coming back?"

"Yes."

Lao nodded. "What should I tell the others if they ask?"

A chill ran up his spine and he lowered his voice. "Exactly what I told you. I won't be black mailed Lao."

His face hardened. "Don't insult me, Prince."

"What do you want?"

Lao paused. "I'll let you know." He nodded and walked back into the center of the carousers like nothing had happened. Lao was an inspired actor and he could read people like a book which made him an excellent spy; but it only gave Lu Ten more cause to worry. There were hints of treachery before, only now Lu Ten had cause to distrust him. For a second he rethought his rendezvous with Hikari. But he couldn't just leave her there waiting either. Quietly he left the tavern feeling Lao's eyes all the while.

He made his way through the town. It was early but already dark, lanterns lighting the way. And it was cold. He blew on his hands a couple of time before he reached his destination. A long building with dozens of doors lay against the perimeter of the town. It was a dark building with all the windows closed tight against the cold. Only about five lanterns hung outside at all. As he neared it, the bustling life within became clearer; babies cried, the sick hacked in their sleep, children laughed, mother's hummed their lullabies, couples fought bitterly, and dogs barked as he passed. It was a far cry from the palace of the Fire Nation. The smell of food was the most welcoming thing about the place.

He stepped up to the first door and took a deep breath before knocking. He heard squeals of laughter coming from inside the room then he heard Hikari's voice coming nearer, shushing the noise. Lu Ten thought to run – this was a terrible idea in the first place – but then the door was open and Hikari was smiling up at him, welcoming him inside.

She had a baby on her hip.

Lu Ten didn't really know what was happening after the initial shock, but he found himself inside the small apartment with another dozen or so small children.

One little girl strode directly to him and looked up like he was a giant. "Are you Lu Ten?"

"A . . ."

Another boy bounded up. "Where's your armor?"

And another. "I bet he's strong!"

Then a another girl. "Can you show me some bending?"

Then a another boy. "Did you ever see a firebender?!"

Than another. "Did you kill him?!"

Then a girl. "Are you and Hikari going to get married?"

Then a boy. "Can you teach me to sword fight?"

Girl – "No! He's teaching me to bend stupid!"

Boy – "I'm hungry!"

Girl – "He's so handsome!"

Boy – "I'm not stupid!"

Boy – "Yes you are!

Girl – "I want to marry him."

Girl – "No me!"

Boy – "I'm still hungry!"

Girl – "ME!"

"HEY!!!" Hikari silenced them all and saved Lu Ten from the stroke he was about to have. "All of you get your bowls and line up." She put an apologetic hand on his shoulder and smiled. Lu Ten weakly nodded.

The first little girl tugged on Hikari's skirt. "Can Lu Ten sit by me?"

"Maybe, now go get your bowl. Lu Ten," She started to maneuver the baby toward him. "Can you hold her?" Lu Ten put up his arms to politely refuse, but Hikari already handed him the baby. The baby didn't like that and began fussing. "I'll be right back."

Lu Ten wasn't sure if the last part was for him or the baby. Luckily he knew enough about young children to at least try to stop the baby before she started crying. He pulled her close and hushed her softly, with his hand protectively behind her head. "It's okay, please don't cry." She didn't. And when Lu Ten started humming, the rumble of his male voice lulled the little one right to sleep.

Hikari had her hands full with the other children. Once they each had a bowl and a spoon she started ladling a thick stew for each child. She pointed them over to a stool in the corner where a loaf of bread was sliced and steaming. Lu Ten watched her from where he stood rocking the sleeping child. She'd loosed her hair and as he had expected it was quiet long, running down the length of her back. It waved gently so it may have been slightly longer. She was smiling brighter than the sun. Lu Ten's body was reacting to her in much the same way as if she were the sun; the warmth he emitted made the baby coo softly and snuggle comfortably against him.

Each child was very well behaved, regardless of what had happened at the door. They were gracious to Hikari and did not push or shove each other as they waited. They sat scattered about the main room where he was, cross legged and chatting with their friends as they ate. When the last one was seated, Hikari tip-toes over them back to Lu Ten at the door. "I'm sorry they attacked you."

"It's fine." He was still a bit shaken from the surprise, but it was alright in the end.

"Can you bring her over here?"

"Who? Oh – yeah, sure." He followed her path through the children to a door in the back of the room. Inside were four three-tiered bunk beds along back wall and three cribs along the same wall at the door. It was cramped, but the vibrate colors of children's toys and blankets brightened the room and gave it a homey appearance. A bump against the thin wall followed by a woman's moan caught his attention momentarily, but he tried not to focus on it. Another bump sounded followed by the escalating groans of lovers in the heat of passion. It was impossible to ignore.

Hikari took the baby from him blushing madly. "Nosy neighbors." The child whimpered when Hikari pried her from the warm pillow-man and laid her in a cold crib, but she settled down quickly with the sweetness of Hikari's voice as she tucked the blankets securely about the babe. "I can't believe she slept for you. She impossible to get to sleep, but once she is out she'll sleep the night."

Lu Ten shrugged with a grin. "I have younger cousins."

"Thank you." She took his hand and guided him out of the sleeping quarters and back into the main room. Hikari gave his hand a light squeeze before letting it go. "Try and find a place to sit, I'll get your dinner."

"Thank you." She smiled over her shoulder at him and went to the hearth.

"Lu Ten over here!" He was a bit preoccupied watching Hikari and it startled him hearing the child's voice. She waved him over eagerly. He smiled and made his way over to the forward little girl with twenty-six eyes watching his every move. He wedged in between her and another girl who giggled fiercely. "I'm Kimi." She was not shy in the least and nestled herself right up against him. "You're nice."

Hikari was coming toward him so he looked for a place for her, but the girls had him sandwiched between them. He offered his seat and moved to get up, but Hikari handed him a bowl and made a motion telling him to stay where he was. To his disappointment, she went to the other side of the room and settled herself among another group of children; her legs tucked elegantly underneath her. She raised her eyes to his discreetly, holding his gaze briefly before smiling at a child's chatter and joining their conversation.

That look was for him. No one else. Just him. Like the smile she gave him over her shoulder, it was his. No one else would get to experience that look and frankly he didn't plan on sharing. He was becoming quite fond of this woman whom he had only spoken to on three occasions. Idly he scooped some stew into his mouth and his eyes rolled back into his scull. He was REALLY fond of this woman.

"Dad! Dad! Dad!" I ran into the house and started tugging on my Dad's leg.

"What? What? What?" He put his tea on the table and looked at me. Of course I didn't even think that I may have made him spill hot tea everywhere.

"Come here!" I tugged him up and took off toward the garden. Dad was following right behind me not sure whether he should be worried or excited. I pointed at the turtle duck pond. "See?" One of the baby turtle-ducks was floating face down in the pond. Dad sighed sorrowfully and knelt by the water to fish him out. "What's wrong with him?"

"He's gone to the spirit world Lu Ten."

"What?!" I was mortified.

"He died Lu Ten." My dad's voice was even, but not reassuring.

"But he was swimming a minute ago."

Dad was cradling the duck in his palm. "Did something happen to him in the last few minutes?"

I look at the little turtle-duck. "He couldn't of got hurt." I was going to cry.

"Lu Ten." Dad always knew. Always.

I dropped to my knees and tentatively touched the hatchling. "Uncle was showing me how to evaporate water. But I didn't hit anything!"

Dad sighed. "Lu Ten, you knew that there were turtle-ducks in the pond."

"But Dad –"

"Let me finish." I bowed my head. Dad was the smartest person I knew, and he only seemed to get wiser the older I got. Carefully, he pulled my hand up and gave me the dead turtle-duck. It was light, the feathers didn't feel right and were all bend out of shape. The lack of movement was what really got me though. The creatures were always wiggling when you held them and now this one didn't even twitch. Dad made me hold the dead thing while he spoke. "You knew they lived here, this is their home. Your Uncle Ozai knew that too. Now, I know this must have been an accident, Lu Ten, but you are eight now and must think about these things for yourself. I must admit, that my brother often forgets to weigh the consequence of his actions, but that doesn't mean you should forget too."

"But I didn't mean to . . ." It was a weak attempt at arguing.

"Lu Ten, one day you will be a soldier and it will be people who's homes you burn, not turtle-ducks." I looked at him with wide eyes. It was a terrible thought. "Are you going to burn houses without asking yourself if there may be people inside? Mothers, fathers and children?"

"I wouldn't burn their homes!"

"Like you didn't burn the turtle-duck's home?"

"It's different."

"Is it?"

"Yes – people are people!" I said that like it made all the sense in the world.

"All life is sacred, Prince Lu Ten. No one should have to die needlessly or pay the price for our recklessness."

I looked back down at the duck. I knew what he was saying. It didn't matter if I meant to kill the duck or not; it was dead because I didn't think. It would never grow up; its life was gone. I could apologize or fight Dad all I wanted, but it would not bring the turtle-duck back. I looked up hearing a quack and saw the mother with his brothers and sisters swimming toward us. The mother saw her baby in my hand and darted over to me. I held him away. I couldn't let her see what I did.

But then Dad pushed my hands down gently. "Let her see her baby, Lu Ten."

I wasn't crying but tears were running down my checks. I watched her peck at the baby and tug it off my hand back into the water. She was frantic and tried to get him to follow her like the others. But it didn't move. It just floated. I looked up at my Dad. "Can we bury him under the cherry tree?"

Dad nodded and put loving hand on my shoulder. "That would be the honorable thing to do."

" . . . It wasn't always like this but it got all burned so I made her again and put straw in the middle and tided it off with sting – that made the neck, see? – and Onabi sewed the head back on but I drew the face and then I put the hair on with bending – I braided mud! – her name is Kimi Two because I am Kimi One so she is Kimi Two and –"

"Kimi, it's time for bed." Hikari saved Lu Ten a second time. Kimi had latched onto him possessively the entire evening. Even now as she lay in her bottom bunk with other children dozing off around her, she had forced Lu Ten to sit on her bed while she showed him a simple hand made doll. It was her most precious treasure.

"Yes Onabi." She shifted a bit and Lu Ten helped her get settled with a gentle smile. "Will you come here tomorrow Lu Ten?"

He ground his teeth. "I don't think so, Kimi."

"Why?"

He took a deep breath. "I have to go back to my camp."

"Will you come back after that?"

"Kimi." Hikari's voice was soft, but meaningful. She didn't want to know the answer any more than Lu Ten wanted to give it.

Kimi sighed and sat up, putting her slight arms around his neck. "I'll miss you."

The prince hugged her close and held onto her for a moment. "I'll miss you too." He laid her back down and joined Hikari at the door.

"Goodnight." Hikari closed the door with a heavy sigh and walked to where the dishes soaked in a tub of water. She was rolling up her sleeves when she turned back to him with tired eyes. "Thank you for helping me tonight. I wasn't sure what you would do when you saw them."

Lu Ten chuckled. "I don't think I knew either."

"You're good with kids."

He paused debating whether or not to ask the question that was buzzing in his head. "Are any of them . . . yours?"

Hikari smiled coyly. "Why do you ask?"

He tried to play of the question cool. "No reason."

"Would you think less of me?"

"No."

"Then yes, all of them are mine." Lu Ten paled even though he sensed her jest. "I started have kids at fourteen and still managed to keep my figure."

Lu Ten shook his head good-naturedly. "What is that – two a year?"

Hikari giggled. "They're all orphan's I take care of for Madam." She had just reached to rinse the first dish when Lu Ten jolted up. Maybe it was the heaviness in her eyes or slowing step or the knowledge of her menstruation ache, but something made the prince stop her. "Let me do those."

"You're the guest here, you don't need to –"

"It's really the least I can do." He'd never done dishes before, but figured it would be a good time to learn. He took her place and started scrubbing. "Thank you for dinner; it was amaz –" He coughed into his shoulder violently, but tried to look unaffected.

"Would you like some tea?"

"I would love some tea." Hikari smiled and busied herself putting a humble clay kettle on the fire. Lu Ten cleared his throat. "So how did Kimi's doll get messed up?"

Her eyes saddened. "It happened when her parents died last year in a Fire Nation raid."

Lu Ten stopped scrubbing and stared into the murky water. "Did she get hurt?"

"Not physically."

"What do you mean?"

"She cries at night sometimes."

Lu Ten took a deep breath and started to wash again. "She's a bender."

"Yeah, her parents died hiding her." Lu Ten closed his eyes and forced himself to listen to what he knew was coming. "They came to take the earthbenders away so her parents hid her. They took her doll to try to persuade the men that Kimi had died so she wouldn't be taken. The soldiers fired right through the doll; they didn't have a chance."

They were quiet for a long time until the whistle of the kettle made them both jump. "I hope you like ginseng."

He smiled sadly. "It's my favorite."

"It's good to drink during the winter. It'll help keep you well."

Lu Ten nodded, still lost in thought. He knew that all the other nations were subject to raids and bender round-ups were not uncommon. The waterbenders in the south pole had been exterminated already. The bender round ups were for self defense; to crush uprisings before they could occur. At least that's what he had been told; but since meeting Hikari, he had been questioning everything just a bit more.

Kimi could not have been four years old – no threat to anyone – but if she hadn't been hidden she would have died with the rest. The real reason he chose to disguise his men rather than take control of the town directly was to not disturb the people's lives in anyway. They weren't field soldiers or security guards so there was no reason in his mind that gave him a right to attack the town. Lao had said it wouldn't make a difference once the war was won, but still. It would be needless bloodshed. And he knew he didn't want that.

Hikari noted his expression with a frown. "Don't dwell too much on Kimi's parent's, Lu Ten."

He had to guard his tongue but tried to speak him mind. "I don't understand why the soldiers would just slaughter the people when their orders are only to detain the benders."

She carefully poured two mugs of tea. "It's the power trip."

"It's wrong."

"And it's right that they would drag a child to a detention camp somewhere?"

"I didn't say that, but they weren't supposed to kill anyone."

"But that's not what happens. Power corrupts even the best of men."

"Power is nothing without honor behind it."

"I agree." She handed him his mug and sipped hers while leaning against the wall. "One of the Fire Nation soldiers was wounded so his friends left him behind. The man was cut into twenty-two pieces." Lu Ten gulped. "One for each person lost." Lu Ten couldn't say anything but thought a quick prayer for all of their spirits. "He didn't deserve to die like that."

"The families wanted revenge."

Hikari nodded. "He begged for mercy, and they tortured him Lu Ten."

That was all she needed to say. The nameless Fire Nation soldier was gone and would never go home. Some lieutenant like Chen would record him as lost and that would be the end of it. He would be honored for bravely defending his nation, but what good would that do? His family would never know what had really happened. But how could anyone look a mother in the eye and say that her son had died killing children, left to be torn apart by the grief stricken families?

Lu Ten looked at Hikari. "You mourned him?"

"I mourned them all." She looked down into her mug, rubbing the brim with her thumb. "I just couldn't let him rot in the street."

"You buried him?"

She nodded.

"That was the honorable thing to do." Lu Ten whispered his thanks so she wouldn't hear and quickly finished his task. He took up his mug and Hikari nodded him into the main room. They were really alone now – not distractions – a fact that made his stomach torn over. Unlike so many times in the past, it wasn't dread that he felt. He didn't know what he felt, but he was pretty sure it was a good thing. Hikari sat against a wall with her knees pulled up and smiled at him. Lu Ten swallowed hard and followed her, sitting beside her, just far enough not to touch her in anyway.

Hikari yawned. "I shouldn't have sat down."

"You've had a long day."

"Today was nothing." She yawned again waving her hand. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Lu Ten gulped the last of his tea. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "So where do you sleep?"

Hikari flushed with shock. "Why would you ask that?"

Lu Ten shrugged not understanding her sudden alarm. "I don't see anymore rooms. Do you sleep in the kids' room?"

Hikari sighed her relief. "No, I thought – never mind what I thought. I sleep out here."

"Oh." Lu Ten looked around, there wasn't any sign that someone slept in the room. But that left him with no where else to go with the conversation.

So for a third time Hikari saved him. "I didn't tell the kids that much about you. All I told them was that my friend Lu Ten was coming for dinner and they immediately jumped to a thousand different conclusions about you."

"They knew I was a soldier."

"Kimi guessed it. She's very observant and put together 'soldiers at the tavern' with 'my friend Lu Ten'." She paused. "She doesn't usually take to people very quickly. She's sort of . . . skeptical. But she's a very good judge of character."

They shared a smile. "Then I'm glad she approves."

"Me too." Hikari hid her blush behind her mug, taking a last sip.

Lu Ten nerves were failing again. In an attempt to keep himself calm, he gathered their mugs to wash them. He had to cool himself down, he was much too hot to sit beside her. She made him feel weak in the most powerful way. He could hear her follow him up, but didn't turn while he rinsed the mugs. When he turned around her eyes were sad. "What's wrong.?"

She shock her head. "I wish we hadn't met."

Lu Ten gawked, unable to comprehend what she had just said. "What?! Why? Did I say something wrong?"

She held her hands up, immediately sorry she had spoken. "No it's not that at all! Lu Ten –" She stopped mid sentence and looked at him. Lu Ten recognized the emotion in her eyes perfectly. It was hurt – the same deep hurt that he felt earlier in the day. He softened at that, realizing that she was scared to loose him. She didn't go on and looked away scratching her arm. She didn't know how to express what she was feeling. Lu Ten saw the tears fogging over her eyes and took a step forward. He raised her chin and gave her a reassuring smile which she returned. She took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking. "If I hadn't met you it wouldn't be so hard to say goodbye." She paused with a blush. "I like you Lu Ten, I like talking to you."

It took every ounce of his being not to leap into the air and scream for joy. "I like you too. And spending time with you."

Hikari nodded biting her lip. "Yeah . . ."

"Maybe I could get away sometime. To see you. I could meet you somewhere, or here, or . . . somewhere."

"But wouldn't you get in trouble?"

"Hopefully not." Hikari giggle. "Will you?"

"Not unless Madam finds out."

"We could meet at night?"

"Like before?"

"Yeah . . . Maybe every few weeks?"

"Yeah."

"We could meet every moon cycle."

"It's too bright on the full moon –"

"The new moon then. I'll bring a light."

Hikari bowed her head. "But if you don't come –"

"I'll come." Lu Ten took her hand carefully and gave it a squeeze. "I promise."

In all honestly, I loved Hikari the first moment I saw her. That was a promise I truly meant to keep . . . Agni, I wasted so much time! I'm such a fool.