I've been gone for a while but I'm back. I had to sit down and figure out some plots because I did redo the story. Hopefully, you guys like it. I've never written for this fandom and I want to put my best foot out there with this story. Hopefully, we don't hate me or the story!
Random thing, I finished reading The Rise of Kyoshi and I enjoyed it so much! She isn't my favorite avatar (Avatar Roku is) but Kyoshi is in the top 3. I do hope we get an Avatar Kuruk and Roku book. Tangent over.
Thanks for dropping in and I hope you enjoy it.
Trigger Warning: Animal abuse. Child Abuse.
SORRY FOR ERRORS!
Zuko clutches her hand, not caring if he left a bruise. Biting his lip and holding back the tears that wanted to run like the river, he stood there. His head hung low with the rest of his family and the viewers that attended.
He didn't dare look into the crowd, knowing that no face would comfort him, not like hers. The bell tolls and the sea of red parts as four Pallbearers carry a coffin of red, a golden dragon carved into the wood. The sound of their light footsteps echo but not carried by the wind and failing to fill the empty voice in the palace. The men clothed in red robes walked in sync, their backs straight and hands strong as they carried the sorrow of their country on their shoulders.
It is now that he looked up only for his gaze to not be received. It made sense, there was no time to worry about him or his feelings. Two men walked behind the coffin, dressing in the mourning color of white, their robes having no decorations. Their crowns placed around their topknots buns while their ember eyes held no flames.
Step after step, the coffin rose until the reflection of the dragon's eye hits Zuko, only making it harder for him to breathe. As men lay the coffin in the gilded pyre, the Corn Prince and his son stand on the other side of the pyre next to the Fire Lord.
"Princess Hui Ying, Wife of Crown Prince Iroh." The Head Fire Sage said. "Mother of Prince Lu Ten, The Daughter of Dragon, Now Passed. You dedicated your life to the success of the Fire Nation. Your blood will continue to live within our Nation and people. We now lay you to rest, Burn bright."
The Head Sage holds his fingers up while the other Sage's Fire bent into the pit. Zuko squeezes his mother's hand harder, a tear finally breaking through his defenses. The funeral ended soon after, yet the Palace stayed silent. Zuko had seen Prince Iroh or Lu Ten for the rest of the day which was customary after a death in the family.
The mourning sessions would last for a week and Zuko knew that at one point he would have to digest the truth. Zuko didn't understand it no matter how hard he tried. He knew that Hui Ying was sick but ever since Hama and the healers had come, she'd been doing much better. Hui Ying had even given Zuko the scroll of her stance to learn and practice with Lu Ten. Now, Zuko couldn't fathom the thought of opening the scroll, he seemed unworthy of it.
While Prince Iroh and Prince Lu Ten mourned, Prince Ozai had taken over Iroh's station for the week, attending War meetings with Fire Lord Azulon. This left Princess Ursa with her children in her bedroom separate from Ozai. It was customary for the Royal Family not to be seen during a period of mourning, signifying the absence of Princess Hui Ying.
Zuko hated being cooped in the palace, he felt as if he was hiding. He didn't need to hide, he needed answers. What was the point of having the healers if they couldn't save his Aunt? Zuko also began to doubt Katara wondering if she knew all along. He didn't want to doubt his friend but Katara never mentioned his aunt's health to him. Not that Zuko ever asked but he assumed that if Hui Ying wasn't getting better that Katara would tell him, better to prepare him.
"So will Uncle remarry?" Azula asked, looking in the mirror and playing with her hair.
"Azula!" Ursa hissed. "Why would you ask something like that?"
"Uncle will be Fire Lord unless he dies first." Azula shrugged. "He needs a strong wife and Hui Ying was weak."
"Shut up!" Zuko shouted. "Aunt Hui Ying was not weak; she was the Daughter of the Dragon."
Zuko knew Azula to be cruel but this was something new. Azula was close to no one but their father and yet Aunt Hui Ying was kind to Azula. Before Lo and Li became Azula's Fire Bending teachers, it was Aunt Hui Ying. They both were gifted with bending and the lessons were easy between them.
Azula may have not gotten along with their mother but Hui Ying seemed to be a nice supplement for Ursa. It may have bothered Ursa but Azula didn't care and Hui Ying had wished for a daughter, so the best option was Azula. It was the one thing Prince Iroh and Prince Ozai agreed on and it benefited them both.
Zuko couldn't believe how Azula was taking the news, as if nothing happened. No one could ever replace Hui Ying and Uncle Iroh would never think of remarrying.
"Well, neither the Dragon nor Hui Ying is here," Azula smirked. "The Fire Nation needs a strong Fire Lady to lead and even if Uncle gave the duty to you, you would be just as weak and unfit as the Fire Lady."
Zuko paused as Azula spoke those words to their mother. Before he could react, Ursa grabbed Azula by the arm, yanking Azula towards her.
"Why you little monster!" Ursa snapped.
The room fell silent as the words resonated with all their hearts.
"Azul-"
Azula yanked out of her mother's grasp and stepped back, her mouth falling open but no words coming out. Zuko shouldn't have felt bad for Azula, she was in fact being a monster and yet even those words had hurt him a little. Ursa reached for Azula but she left the room and ran through the halls.
Ursa then looked at Zuko who stood there not knowing what to say. Azula was not the kind of girl you'd comfort so he wasn't going to chase after her. Before any other harsh words could be exchanged, Zuko excused himself making up an excuse of wanting to practice his bending. Ursa nodded and she was alone with her own thoughts.
The week after the passing of Princess Hui Ying was quiet. The palace was in mourning though it didn't look like it. While the city outside slept, the citizens moving slowly in their grief, the Palace held their sorrows. Yes, there were meetings and the war was still going on but if one just looked beyond the facade of the amber eyes that roamed the Palace, you could see it.
No one dared as the Prince's of their feelings, it was out of place and wouldn't garner the truth. Katara hadn't seen Zuko since the passing of Hui Ying and though it made sense for the young Prince to want to be alone, Katara wanted to comfort her friend. She knew how close Zuko was to Hui Ying and that her passing was hurting him.
However, it seemed that Hama had other plans for the girls. Since Hui Ying passed, the time for excessive healing had stopped. Katara thought that she would have more free time, but Hama had kept a watchful eye on her. Katara knew that Hama was always watching her, but this week felt off-putting to say the least.
When practicing her bend with Hwasa, Hama gave less commentary than most. Their bending which was very quick, precise, and spider-like still remained a crucial part of their bending. Katara wondered if there was another way to bend if this was the bending that the benders before her used. She'd never seen Waterbenders besides Hama and Hwasa but yet she still wondered if her bending could be loose and flow like the rivers and the calm tides.
Katara was snapped out of her thoughts as Hama tapped her shoulder. Getting up from the red cushion she was seated on, the Waterbenders stoop up. Facing the golden doors, they watched as the doors opened and Prince Iroh along with Prince Lu Ten entered the room. The girls bowed and it was received by the Prince's allowing them all to be seated. Katara's stomach dropped a little once it was clear that Zuko wasn't joining them. It didn't make sense that Zuko would come, Iroh was not his father and he was not a part of the direct line of Succession and yet Katara still hoped that she would see him today.
"Thank you for joining us today." Prince Iroh said as the servants poured tea into everyone's cup. "I thought Jasmine would be fighting for today."
"Of course, My Lord," Hama said softly while Katara and Hwasa bowed their heads. "I am sorry for your grief. I know what it feels like to lose a loved one."
Hwasa avoided eye contact with Lu Ten, a blush forming on her pale cheeks. Katara would mention the blush to Hwasa who would just blame it on the hot environment. Even in the saddest of times, Hwasa could still find some joy in it and that made Katara smile, affirming that they could go through anything together and there would still be hope, even if it was a crush.
"You did the best that you could, and I believe in the end Hui Ying knew that." Prince Iroh nodded and then sipped his tea. "Though now the question remains of what to do with you."
Katara put the teacup down as she struggled to swallow the liquid in her mouth. She wasn't sure of Prince Iroh's intentions but the tone in his voice had changed. It was the one thing Katara hadn't thought about. With Hui Ying gone, there was no point for Katara or any of the benders to be in the Fire Nation.
It crossed Katara's mind, the first year that she dwelled in the Fire Nation of wanting to go home. But as the years went on the Fire Nation soon became her home and the thought of returning slipped away. However, Katara now entertained the thought. Their healing was done, and she could go home to the South Pole. She could show her bending to her parents, introduce Hama and Hwasa to her tribe and Katara would no longer be only Waterbender.
Then Katara paused, thinking about Zuko. They had finally become friends and she didn't want to leave him. Maybe she could visit him once she returned. The Nation seemed far but the distance wouldn't stop their friendship. Katara hoped that Zuko would understand if Katara chose to go home.
"If I go home." Katara thought to herself.
Years ago, Katara would have fought tooth and nail to go home and now she paused. Katara questioned if she wanted to go home. She missed her family of course but she had gotten to know the Fire Nation and its people. She had made this connection to the Fire Nation that she didn't know she formed. If she went home, Katara was sure that she would miss the Fire Nation, but she also wondered if the freedom she had gasped onto her would be taken away from once she returned.
Would she be able to waterbend?
Would her parents accept outsiders?
So many questions for a child who had been affected by war and she had no answers or clear thoughts except for her friends and family. Katara thought about them, their wants and needs, what would please them. While her family would be happy for her return, she knew that Zuko would be hurt and the same in reverse.
"Will you cleanse the Fire Nation of us?" Hama asked, the girls lost in their teachers' phrases. "Now that we are no longer of your service."
"No.," Prince Iroh said. "While others see no need for you three I do."
"So the girls and I will not be returning home," Hama stated.
"No.," Prince Lu Ten said.
Katara didn't understand much but she understood now that she wouldn't go home. Part of her knew that she didn't have a choice, that this decision was made before this meeting had ever happened. Katara didn't know how to feel or what to say but she took in the information easily. It was easy to shape children into dolls.
It wasn't long before the sun had set on the Fire Nation and the moon had risen. Katara and Hwasa were in their rooms eating dinner. The conversation with Prince Iroh seemed to be getting on a weird track which promoted Prince Iroh to escort the girls out of the room.
Neither girl knew how to feel about staying in the Fire Nation. They enjoyed their time here, but it seemed that while Katara was conflicted, Hwasa didn't have the same reaction. Katara didn't know much about Hwasa but she knew that Hwasa had never seen snow nor been to the North or South Pole. Katara didn't think that Waterbenders lived anywhere else but meeting Hama proved that theory wrong.
"Are you sad?" Hwasa asked, laying on the bed, her knees to her chest looking through the window.
"Kinda." Katara murmured. "I want to see my family but I like it here."
"Oh," Hwasa said, her blue eyes dimming at Katara's answer.
"You're my family too," Katara said, reaching out to grasp Hwasa's hand.
The pale girl smiled faintly but she knew that her words weren't giving her much comfort. Katara spoke of her family when prompted or just in the mood to remember but Hwasa never did that. She remembered how Gran-Gran warned her of being selfish and only talking about herself. Katara was the daughter of a Chief and though she was important, so were her people. Even if she wasn't back at the South Pole, Gran-Gran's teaching seemed to benefit Katara at this moment.
"Did you want to go home?" Katara asked, looking at Hwasa.
"This is my home," Hwasa said softly.
Katara was confused, there were no Waterbenders in the Fire Nation besides them of course. Katara wasn't sure how long Hwasa had been in the Fire Nation but this place couldn't be home. It was Katara's current home but her heart was back in the North Pole. Right?
"I've always been with Hama," Hwasa reveals. "Hama taught me to speak, to read and she is all I have. I wouldn't leave even if I could."
Katara stayed silent, not sure how to respond. This exposure to a different life, a situation in which Hama and Hwasa had each other before Katara was even a factor. Katara knew that Hwasa and Hama were not mother and daughter but maybe Hama was Hwasa's Gran-Gran.
"What if we could go to the South Pole?" Katara asked. "Hama could come with us and we could go Penguin Sledding."
Hwasa smiled at that and Katara felt a little at ease. She never meant to make Hwasa upset about the idea of leaving, she thought it was harmless. But some part of Katara knew that even if she returned home she would still miss the Fire Nation.
"I think you want to stay for Lu Ten." Katara teased and Hwasa blushed.
"I do not!" Hwasa protested, gently pushing Katara.
"I don't know, you turn red when you see him!" Katara added.
"Whatever!" Hwasa rolled her eyes only prompting Katara to laugh.
"I think you-"
The door to the bedroom door opened and Hama slipped into the room. The girls looked at Hama's calm composure unsure of what was to come.
"Get dressed girl," Hama ordered. "I'm going to teach you some new bending."
Katara and Hwasa smiled, jumping up from the bed and getting dressed. The thought of ever returning home left Katara's mind. In the Fire Nation, she could bend and right now that was the most important thing.
Within an hour, the girls had reached a field filled with boars. Neither girl was sure why Hama had bought them here, but it didn't matter. The animals looked harmless as they grazed among the grass but Katara knew that running towards animals was not the best idea no matter how cute and furry they looked.
"Stay beside me," Hama said.
The girls agreed, staying close to Hama's side as she walked towards the boars. As the benders reached the animals, they lifted their heads. Katara had encountered wolves in the South Pole and she was warned to never go near them. She was nervous as she walked towards them but Katara trusted Hama to not let anything happen to her.
The group of seven boars turned to the benders and grunted, their feet scraping against the grass. In an instant, the boards charged towards the girls. Hwasa and Katara stepped back but Hama stepped forward. Lifting her arms, Hama curled her fingers and stretched out her arms. The sound of charging boars stopped as Hama pressed forward.
Shocked, Katara and Hwasa watched as the boars stood still while they grunted. They then looked to Hama as she moved her hands, downwards, the boars whimpering and bowing to the ground. Katara couldn't believe what she was seeing. Hama somehow controlled the animals before, and it was with the same bending stances Hama had taught her.
"Girls," Hama said. "I'm going to let them go but I need you to bend one of them to you."
Katara looked at her copper hands, wondering if she had that same power within her and if she wanted it. She never thought of using her bending on an animal, a living them. Yes, she used her bending on humans, but it was to heal Hui Ying and people at the Palace when they were sick.
"Hama, I don't want to." Hwasa protested.
"If you don't these boars will run you over," Hama said coldly. "I won't heal you either."
Katara's head snapped up as she looked at Hwasa whose face drained of color. Hama could be mean at times but to threaten to not heal Hwasa after the harm was wrong. Katara wasn't sure what she would accomplish from stopping these boars if she could. The same outcome would be for Katara, if she didn't try or if she tried and failed, no doubt those boars would do damage to her small frame.
The girls looked at each other and then stood forward. Katara's feet trembled as Hama left down her hands, the boars now turning and running away from them. Hwasa sprinted towards the boars, not wanting to deal with Hama's wrath. Lifting her hands and pulling back, Hwasa caught a boar and it screeched.
"Good, Hwasa," Hama said, a grin sliding onto her face. "Katara!"
Katara looked at the animal that Hwasa still controlled. She could feel the uneasiness of Hwasa, the vile that filled her stomach as controlled the poor thing. Hama nodded allowing Hwasa to let the boar run away with the rest of the herd which left none for Katara.
"Hama, I-"
"Gahhh!" Katara screamed as her body lunged forward, her limbs twisting and her knees now touching the ground.
"Hama!" Hwasa shouted, running towards Katara but Hama held her hand up, warning Hwasa to stop before the same was down to her.
Katara screamed as her veins tightened and confirmed to the will of Hama. Her own body was betraying her and though her heart wanted to fight, she couldn't. Katara's arm twisted behind her, pulling another tormented scream from Katara's mouth.
"This is the weak child I raised?" Hama hissed, looking down at Katara in disapproval.
Katara wanted to say something, to scream and plead for her life but she couldn't. She was too terrified to beg for life and she wasn't sure if Hama would kill her. Katara had no clue of this power that Hama held, and she didn't know that Hama wanted to teach this to her. If this was the power of her bending, her curse for being blessed with bending, she didn't want it. All her life she was taught to fear her bending and for the first time when she thought it was freeing and fun, it had come to this.
A blue-eyed girl with limbs twisted behind her shed tears under the pale moonlight, begging to be set free.
"I will break every weak and rebellious bone in your body" Hama taunted.
Walking towards Katara, Hama lifted her chin to stare into Katara's blue eyes.
"You will never leave this place so long as I am alive," Hama said. "You will learn this technique and then we will be the strongest benders the world has ever seen."
Hama flung her hand, Katara's body flung backward, landing on her back. Katara looked up at the moon and the tears didn't stop flowing. Hwasa hadn't come to her side, terrified that if she moved Hama would do the same to her.
Thanks for reading. I told you the Blood bending would be coming soon! Now it will be in almost every chapter! So it's just a warning that this book will be getting darker.