Story: Through Blind Spirits

Chapter: A Friend Among Enemies

Summary: An 18 year old girl named Hana's viewpoint of the new war is changing. Were benders really monsters like her father had said?

Author's Note: Introducing Hana, a young girl that is working alongside her father with the non-bender revolutionists. She's a very confused girl, and she is often under peer pressure to control her actions. In this chapter, we are going to see how that is no longer the case. Enjoy!

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We have been planning this for three years. Three very long years. And now that it has happened, it doesn't seem as glorious as I thought.

I was told that if we helped in the aid of this rebellion, we'd get fame, fortune, and a life long promise of peace. So far, I haven't received any of those.

And the benders that our leaders made out to be so vicious and evil, are crying and holding their loved ones. Even the woman that they say is the most powerful earthbender in the world is huddled in a corner of her cage, softly sobbing. It's like we're torturing them.

My name is Hana, and I'm a female soldier of the non-bender rebellion.

My duty is simple. Patrol the jail and make sure that the prisoners aren't trying anything suspicious.

This job has given me a chance to observe the different benders carefully. My leaders divided them up into different rooms and cells. The Water Tribe, all dressed in blue garments, stand up and pace. They also lean against the wall and stare out into space. They hug one another for relief, and sing songs softly to each other. I could tell that even though they were from different tribes, a bond was shared with everyone.

The Earth Kingdom civilians were different. They sat cross-legged on the floor, and instead of comforting one another, they all seemed distant. Even the couples would just give each other worried glances. But I knew none of them didn't know that they couldn't bend, because there wasn't any earth around them anyways. Unless they were like that powerful earthbender, which could bend metal.

And lastly, the Firebenders. They just got really mad. Especially the Fire Lord. Wow, we managed to capture the Fire Lord. Anyways, he would shout at us, demanding to know what's going on. I felt bad, really, watching him scream and attempt to firebend. I guess his wife was in there too, and she stopped trying to calm him down after about an hour.

I was all for keeping them in their cells like the animals they were, but after the other day, I have a totally different outlook on things.

I was doing my normal patrol, and I got to the last room with the last cell, the Blind Earthbender, who they call Blindy. Which is a horrible nickname, if I might add.

Upon entering the dark and freezing cold room, I noticed that there were more guards in the room than there needed to be. They were laughing and howling and throwing things. When I looked to see what they were throwing, I was mortified to see that they were rocks.

"Whatcha going to do now, all mighty Earthbender?" they jeered, throwing rocks the size of my fist at her. She tried to dodge them, but since she was blind, and she couldn't feel anything in the air anyways, they'd often hit her. She retreated to the far back corner of her cell, sat down, and brought her legs to her face for protection.

Playing heroine wasn't the best thing I could have done, but I did it anyways.

"What are you guys doing to her?! Stop that!" I jumped in front of the line of fire and my fellow soldiers. They held their fire, and I lowered my hands from my face, knowing it was now safe to lower my 'defenses'.

But the soldiers did not look pleased, "Hey kid, you are in no position to tell us what to do! We are your seniors!"

"You are, of course sir, but remember that my father is one of the commanding officers of this mission. And I'm sure if I tell him how bad you are treating her, as well as I, you'd become a housekeeper, and I'd be the one telling you what to do."

And with that, most of the soldier's eyes widened and they left the room quickly. The one soldier who spoke up stayed behind to tell me off, "Listen little girl, I don't care who your father is. You are just a puny little female, and no one tells me what to do."

The large man stormed out of the room and slammed the metal door hard. "How mature," I said aloud.

My attention turned to the victim, who had many cuts and scraps on her arms and legs. She was bleeding everywhere and shaking vigorously. I looked around for a med pack that I knew was suppose to be in every room in case of emergency.

I opened the cell door slowly, med pack in hand, and shut it quickly, making sure I wasn't going to lock myself in there with her. I walked up to her slowly but with noise, so I didn't scare her.

When she found out that I was coming towards her, she sat up and looked like a young cathawk pinned in a corner. "It's me, see? The one who helped you. I don't want to hurt you, just to heal your wounds. Please."

She relaxed a little hearing my voice, and nodded. I sat down next to her and started patching her up. Even though she was very nervous, I could tell by her relaxed expression that she was grateful.

"There, all set," I said to her, smiling.

She managed a weak smile and look towards my direction, "Thank you. Your kindness is...much appreciated."

"No problem. Listen...I'm sorry about those guards. I will make sure to patrol this area more often so that won't happen again."

"That would be wonderful," she replied. As I started to get up, she caught my uniform by the sleeve. "Could you do me one more favor though?"

How could I say no? "Of course."

Sadness filled her voice as she said softly, "Do you know what happened to my husband? His name is Sokka...he's Water Tribe, and I just...I want to know if he's alive...I don't remember..."

I put my hand on her shoulder, "There are lots of Water Tribe pris- people, in a couple of rooms down. I will go and see if there's a man named Sokka." her pale eyes lit up as she looked at me. "And if I see him, what do you want me to tell him?"

"Tell him," she said, with a single tear falling down her bruised face, "that I love him."

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I waited until the next day to talk to Sokka, seeing that my plan wouldn't have worked if it was that afternoon.

I strolled in the water tribe room, whistling a cheerful song, and sat down in a dingy fold up chair next to my comrades. They just looked at me, then looked at each other and shrugged. I turned my head around to look at them and said cooly, "You guys can go to lunch. I'll watch these critters."

They thanked me and scurried out of the room quickly. I smiled, feeling victorious, and daring at the same time.

"Listen up folks," I directed to the Water Tribe, "Which one of you's Sokka?"

"Who wants to know?" a man said, standing up and approaching me slowly.

I grabbed the iron bars of the cell to make myself more approachable, "Listen, I have a message from your wife..."

"My wife?" Sokka asked, "What have you done with her? Where is she? Is she okay? Because I swear, if you have done anything to hurt her..."

"Calm down brother. I think she's trying to help," a woman said, standing next to her brother with her arms on her hips, "Well, are you?"

"Er, sort of. I just have a message from her saying that she loves you."

Sokka's deep blue eyes started watering, and he collapsed on the floor, putting his hands face down on the concrete floor. He stared at the floor, muttering 'Toph' to himself over and over. His sister sat down next to him and rubbed his back.

"My brother has been very worried lately. We all are...about our family and friends from other nations." the woman said, looking up at me. She just looked so sad. I wish there was more I could do for them.

I too sank to the floor to meet Sokka and his sister at eye level, "Listen. My father raised me to hate your kind, er, benders. He told me stories how a firebender killed his mother and father, and later, an earthbender killed his sister. I don't know the full story, anyways." I put my hand through the bars, laying my palm upwards, "I want to help you. I know now that you are not the animals my father made you out to be. You are humans, like us. You have my word that I will help you all out as much as I can."

Sokka looked up at me, and then my hand. "How do we know if we can trust you?"

I sighed, "I can't make you trust me. But sometimes, it's good to have a friend among all of these enemies."

The Water Tribe siblings thought for a bit, then the woman took my hand in hers, "I trust you, friend."

I smiled warmly and she smiled back. Sokka seemed to still be pondering about the issue. I had to give him more proof that I was on his side. "Sokka, Toph isn't being treated well. She's in her own cell, and yesterday, I sorta saved her life."

"Wait, what happened?"

"I came in for my usual patrol, and some guards were throwing rocks at her. She was pretty banged up, so I stopped them and patched her up. I'm telling you this because I'm serious about changing. I want to help you, just like I helped her."

"You...aren't joking are you?"

"No, I'm not."

He nodded, "I trust you. And thank you for doing that." he managed a small smile, "You are pretty brave, you know that?"

"No, but that you," I smiled back. This time, Sokka put his hand out, and I shook it. "I know you are all probably very confused," I addressed to everyone this time, "but I will tell you all you need to know."

I could hear clanking footsteps from down the hall, and men talking to each other, "But not now. Everyday I will come in, the same time, alone with you to give you all the information you need. So I'll see you tomorrow."

I stood up just as the men opened the door. They were the same guards as before, but they seemed slightly more cheerful now that they had their lunch. "Thanks Hana for covering for us. I hope they didn't give you too much trouble." the fat man said, as the other equally fat man laughed loudly. Sokka and his sister sent a glare at them.

"No trouble at all. Hey listen, I don't mind if I do this everyday, I have nothing else to do. As long as you guys bring me back food..." I said, putting my best puppy eyes to work.

"Aw, sure kid! That would be great! Thanks a bunch!" one guard slapped my back hard, and I faked a smile.

On my way out the door, I walked slowly and glanced at Sokka one last time. I could tell he lipped, "Tell Toph I love her."

I nodded and smiled. Getting his trust was the first obstacle. Now if I could only figure out how to get them out of this mess...

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Ending Author's Note: You know, I actually wasn't going to create another OC and do this...at all. But I figured, I need a good back story for the prisoners. Because, I mean, if I just focused on the Gaang, this story would go by so quick. Maybe.

Also, I wasn't sure what I was going to do to Toph (haha so evil). I actually considered rape, but that's way too dark, not only for this story but for me as a writer, haha. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter! Please Read and Review...it would really make my day :)