Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the last Airbender.

Ch 2: A New Start

It was breakfast time in the Western Air Temple and its occupants were sitting in a silent circle. Each one knowing what had to be said, but not one of them willing to bring it up. The silence was finally broken by Hakota.

"So, I understand that your plan so far is for Aang to master all four elements and then to face the Fire Lord. This plan is good in theory, but there are a few problems, like how are you going to reach the Fire Lord? He has many guards and he has control over a very powerful army."

Everyone looked at each other nervously. None of them had thought about how to get to the Fire Lord. They had all been to busy training Aang that they hadn't thought about what to do once he had mastered the elements.

"I may be able to help." said Zuko. "I lived in the palace and know where everything is. I can tell you the places with less security. That way we could get in easier, but I don't know if they've changed things since I left."

"It's worth a shot though," Sokka interjected

"Okay Zuko tell us everything you know about the palace." Hokota said.

The ex-prince of the fire nation opened his mouth and began.

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My body shook as more and more tears pored from my eyes. Why? Why did mom have to go? It was all my fault I thought I could control the fire, but I guess the elders were right. I am nothing but a monster. These thoughts kept running though my head. I thought that I would never stop crying. My heart felt like it had been ripped in two.

I don't know how long I stayed like that, curled up in a shaking ball, but eventually my sobs turned into whimpers as I ran out of tears to shed. Soon the light began to fade as the sun went down, and I eventually cried myself to sleep.

The next morning I was woken by a hand on my shoulder. A women with fair skin and black hair, was looking down at me.

"Oh, I see you're awake." She said in a sweet voice. "What are you doing here all alone?" I had no idea what to say. I wasn't expecting to see anyone here. I thought that the Airbender's hideout was far away from civilization. I blinked at the, clearly Fire Nation, woman. "Are you lost?" She continued to speak to me. "Where is your home?"

"M-My h-home," I stammered. The thought brought new tears to my eyes. I realized I would never be able to go back there. Not only had I lost my mom I also had lost my home. Silent tears dripped from my already red eyes.

Her pleasant smile was soon replaced by a face of concern. "Are you okay?" I shook my head and a few tears flew from my cheeks. Of course I wasn't okay. I had lost everything, but this strange woman didn't know anything about that. I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see her beautiful face anymore. I just wanted to be alone.

A hand rested on my shoulder for the second time that day. I opened my eyes and I saw the same woman standing in front of me.

"Come on, honey," she said, "come home with me, I'll get you some food. You must be hungry." I let the strange woman help me up and led me out of the forest and into a small town. I wondered if the Airbenders realized that they were living so close to civilization.

She pulled me through the town. It seemed like everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at the weird little girl being dragged through town. I could see why. They all looked somewhat similar, pail skin, dark hair. I saw no one with hair as light as mine and nether did they apparently. I hid my face not wanting to look at all those eyes.

Eventually we arrived at a house. It looked small but inviting. The woman led me into the house and then to the kitchen.

"You can stay here if you like until we find your parents. Does that sound okay?" I nodded. She made me some food and let me sleep in the guest room. I laid down on the mattress. I was too tired and depressed to enjoy my first night not sleeping on the ground.

I took a small bracelet out of my pocket. It had been a present from Mimi on my last birthday. I held it to my chest and curled into a ball. Without bothering to pull up the covers I closed my eyes. Will there ever be a day that I won't cry myself to sleep?

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The next morning, I stumbled into the kitchen. The woman I had met the day before was making breakfast with a kid who looked about two, clinging to her leg.

"Good morning. How did you sleep?" she asked. "Today we can go look for your family. How does that sound dear?" I shook my head.

"My mom is gone," I said in a whisper staring at the floor, "and nobody is looking for me." I heard her gasp and a minute later I felt her hand on my shoulder again.

"Then you'll just have to stay here, okay? We'll be your new family." I looked up at her kind face and nodded.

I lived with them from then on. The women's name was Kiseru. Her husband, Mizo, was very nice, and her daughter, Sekitsui, was 5 and a half years younger then me, and her husband Mizo was very nice. Before I knew it I had settled down in my new life. I was enrolled in a new school which taught firebendeing, among other things. Life got easier as I advanced quickly in the firebending classes. I got used to people gawking and making fun of my odd hair color and the town got used to me. I didn't have many friends, outside of my adopted family but that was okay.

Years passed and I no longer cried at night. Sekitsui started the same school as me, and although she wasn't a firebender she made friends really quickly. I worked on my bending constantly. I didn't want to lose control again and have someone else experience what my mother went through. By the time I was 10 I could create blue fire and I was placed in the most advanced firebending class.

I never told anyone where I had come from. The Air Nomads wouldn't be happy if I had blown their secret. All my family knew about me was that my mom was dead and my name was Kimi. I kept the bracelet Mimi had given me tied around my ankle and although I missed her I got used to never seeing my real sister again.

My life was going well and I was happy. However, everything went downhill when I was visited by an unexpected visitor.

I was 11 years old on that fateful day. I was in firebending class practicing some forms while the teacher talked to a kid much older than me about the proper stance. I finished my routine and tock a deep breath and wiped away some sweat that had formed on my brow when I heard the sound of a pair of hands clapping. I turned around and out of the shadows stepped the princess of the Fire Nation, Azula, and her two bodyguards.

"Impressive," she said. "We could use someone like you in the army. How would you like to serve your country?"

A/N: Oh snap! Sorry it took so long to finish this. My life has been very busy. Every time I sit down to write this I have to go do something else. Hope you like it. Please review!