Chapter 10: Red, Black, and White Warpaint

One month and three weeks later, I was getting a little worried. My moon cycle was three weeks late this time. Normally, that would mean that I was pregnant. But that was physically impossible. There had been plenty of times that I had prayed against having the blood, but I'd always wanted children and not having it meant problems with my girly bits.

Thankfully, we were nearing Kyoshi. Iroh had promised me some shore leave and I could definitely find a doctor to keep my secret and tell me what was wrong with me. Besides the sore muscles and the bruises and the burns, anyway. (And give me hints on how to get rid of the nausea, bloating, cramping, and how to hide the rags afterwards.)

"Here's your shore pay," Genji said, a salty tone in his voice. He gave me a small envelope and the weight of it made my eyes widen. I peeked and saw three hundred yuans. Three hundred! That's like thirty golden dragons! "Don't spend it all in one sitting."

I looked up to him and blinked. "How do I spend three hundred yuans in one sitting?!" It was more money than I'd ever seen! And this was just my shore pay. Which meant that it was half of my regular pay. Multiplying that by fifty-two had my brain doing backflips. I could start a new life for myself with all of that money. I could help so many people...

Genji was giving me that pitying/guilty look again. "Just...remember to have fun too, okay? Don't save it all, but don't spend it all either." I wanted to kiss him on the cheek but that was the girl side of me talking. So instead I punched his arm and gave him a knowing glance. He rolled his eyes. "Alright, enough loitering, Huo! Get going!"

I pocketed my money, just like all the other men on shore leave, and raced off of the boat. I hadn't really gotten the chance to look at another town besides Jang-Hui and Shu Jing, so Kyoshi was practically another planet. Even the fauna and flora were different—was that an elephant koi fish?! Dozens of men passed me as I stared at the ocean with a kind of glee that I hadn't felt in years.

I felt like a kid again. I had no worries, no problems, and everything was looking up for me. I turned away from the ocean and finally was ready to enter Kyoshi and spend a little of my hard-earned money on something special for me—something I'd never had before. Something that was mine.

The town was beautiful. It was clean, streamlined, and I didn't see a single poor person on the main road. What I did see, though, was a Satomobile! I'd only ever heard of one, so seeing one blew my mind. There were street lights and the sidewalks were paved. Everything was so beautiful!

I was so engrossed in the small island that I ran into something that didn't budge. Looking up from my position on the ground, I saw that I was looking into a pair of surprised brown eyes. The lady was wearing all green, her face covered in white, red, and black makeup that hid her age really well. Her eyes held at least three generations of knowledge. Her short, almost white hair was cut to a bob around her ears.

A small, knowing smile filled her face and I was filled with dread. "Well, well, well, what have we here, girls?"

While I had been busy staring at the old woman, a dozen of younger women had surrounded me, all in the same garb. Their golden headdresses and fans glinted from the sun as they circled closer in on me. I scrambled up, fearing that I'd broken some kind of don't-run-into-a-town-elder law. "I-I'm so sorry, my lady! Please forgive me!"

"Who're you calling a lady?" she asked with a laugh. I dared a peek up to see that her eyes were dancing with mischievousness, much like Kojo when he got into one of his moods. "My girls and I were just admiring the men of your ship when we noticed something a little off. About you."

I felt faint. The first time I'd seen women in almost three months and they figure me out in the first few seconds? I was screwed when the men joined the women in six months for land training! "I-I'm not sure what you're talking about. I-I'm just a ship's boy trying to spend some hard-earned money, is all."

The old woman gave me a pitying/knowing look and pulled out a fan. Then she pushed on my abdomen in a few places and put it back. "We both know that that is a lie. Now, come with us. We'll get you straightened up."

HHH

The old woman's name had been Suki, I figured out later. They'd taken me back to a secret training ground and let me change into clothes "befitting a woman." My breasts practically screamed in relief. I was going to cry when I had to tape myself down again later.

Some of the other girls put some of their makeup on me. Not full Kyoshi Warrior makeup, but enough to not make me look like Huo the ship's boy, but Huo the woman. A simple kimono and some sandals completed the look. I'd never felt better in my entire life.

Suki smiled at me from across the low bamboo table we shared with the other Kyoshi Warriors. They were all relatively young—thirteen to my age, from the looks of it. I found their culture fascinating and refreshing. "You look beautiful, child. May I ask your name?"

"Huo," I said simply, not even bothering to lie. I figured that she would have seen through me in an instant anyway. "Thank you for helping me. It is very difficult to live as a man."

She raised a thin, old eyebrow. "Oh? And why do you do that?"

I started nibbling on a piece of bread. I'd never thought through my answer to that question. "Well, my great-grandfather was a traitor to Fire Lord Zuko and was banished, as were his kin. I couldn't tell them my real identity so I became a man and now serve his grandson." That was the truth but I couldn't just out and say that. Rather, I said, "My family was killed by Equalists." The girls around the table gasped. "I was worried that they would find me, too. I was the one that got away. I wanted to learn how to protect myself so that I could..."

"Nevermind that, girl," Suki sighed, "I'm sorry I asked. You shouldn't have to explain yourself to me. I do want to know how you've fooled an entire boat of men into thinking that you're an adolescent boy, though."

I looked up to see that she seemed apologetic and curious at the same time. She was fanning herself with the same fan that she'd used to poke me earlier. "It wasn't easy! Men are weird."

The barking laugh she gave out surprised me. The other girls around the table were laughing, too. "You're telling us!" one said, wiping her eye free from the tears of laughter. Her makeup didn't smudge, I noticed. "If I hear one more seafaring man tell me, 'You're a woman! You can't fight!' I swear I'll hit them in the family jewels."

The atmosphere lightened much more after that. I learned all about their order of warriors as dinner went on and I ate my fill of delicious foods a la Kyoshi Island. I was simply amazed that women were allowed to have such freedoms, such as fighting and leading, in a land not too far from my own home. I told them this and they nodded in sentiments.

"We wish that we could fix this outdated thinking," Suki said solemnly. "I personally have worked all over the world, trying to give women more rights. The Northern Water Tribe was especially difficult. I assume you were from the outskirts of the Fire Nation, then?"

I nodded. "Yes. My great-grandfather was very set in his ways. I was to clean the house and care for the animals. He tried to marry me off before he was..." I couldn't say the world. Murdered.

One of the girls next to me held my hand and gave me a smile. I melted. It'd been so long since I'd had female companionship. It made tears come to my eyes and I couldn't help it when they fell. A few girls got up and wrapped their arms around me in a comforting embrace.

I realized that I'd never really grieved for my family. Even when my mother had died, I had had to move on, grow up, and leave weaknesses behind. I cried for losing my mother at twelve years old. I cried for having watched my father and great-grandfather killed right before my very eyes. And I just cried for the predicament I'd gotten myself into.

Suki finally pulled me to my feet and into a room off of that one. She sat me down and caressed a bruise that had formed along my jawline. "Huo, will you be okay? If you were to get caught..."

"I-I'll be fine." I took a deep breath and couldn't meet her eyes for a moment. "I just...it's been a while since I've had the company of other women. And I never really grieved for my family." I wiped my tears, careful not to smudge my eye makeup, and took a deep breath. "I'm okay, now."

Suki smiled in a motherly way, but I also sensed that she had never actually had children. If she had, then they were all grown up. Because her warriors were her children. "You're strong. I can see you completing your training and starting a new life elsewhere."

I looked around the beautiful room, out the window and to the sea, and could picture myself living in Kyoshi. I wouldn't even need to go back to the ship. I could stay a woman and Lu Huo would never be missed. But that was the coward's way out and I was not a coward. I would finish what I started. "Do you think I would be welcomed in Kyoshi one day?"

Suki nodded and smiled. "Of course. We welcome women from every background into the Warriors. As long as you are strong and willing to learn." I could tell that, even though she was old, she could kick me through a wall without breaking a sweat. But that she also wouldn't lie to me. "I may not be here when you decide it's your time, but the girls will welcome you all the same!"

A small smile adorned my lips. This old woman has plenty more years left in her, I bet. "Thank you, Suki." Then I remembered my problem from earlier. "Oh, Suki! I'm a little worried about something. Can I ask you a question?"

She nodded. "Anything, Huo. What's wrong?" I explained to her the situation with my moon's blood. She listened and then a small smirk appeared on her face. "Your body has lost a lot of fat and gained a lot of muscle in the past few months, no? This is just your body adjusting to a vigorous training lifestyle. Many of my girls go through the same problem. It will regulate eventually. For now, take it as a blessing from the Spirits. We don't want you to be found out just yet!" She flicked the tip of my nose.

I wished that I had met my grandmother. Even so, I figured that she would have been something like Suki. The old woman stiffened when I threw myself into her arms. "Thank you."

Soon she relaxed and gently pet my hair, returning my embrace. "Of course. Do not hesitate to contact me for anything. While I'm worried for you, I know that you will do well. In fact...would you like to learn a few moves before you leave?"

III

Iroh and a contingent of men walked up to the Kyoshi Warriors' main encampment and announced themselves so as not to be attacked. He'd heard stories from his grandfather about how strategic and ruthless the women fighters could be and he wasn't ready for one of them to take him out...especially in front of his men.

"General Iroh," an old woman said at the front door. "A pleasure. Please, come in. My granddaughter is currently training a new recruit. You'll have to wait a few moments. I'm sure it won't be a problem."

In all the stories that he'd ever heard from his grandfather, Toph, and the avatar—well, not Toph, as she was an awful story-teller—he'd never heard of a Kyoshi Warrior older than twenty-five or thirty. This woman was at least ninety years old, if not more! Still, Iroh bowed his head and said, "Of course not. May we watch?"

There was a sinister kind of look in her eyes. Not malicious, but certainly mischievous. "Of course. Please, follow me."

The sounds of fighting could be heard even from where he was standing. He and his few men were led to the back where a few training mats had been set up. Pairs of women were fighting one another with fans and hand-to-hand that rivaled even his own. All of them were wearing strange green armored dresses and full warrior paint on their faces.

All but one. She was in the middle with another woman, obviously learning for the first or second time. She was wearing a simple kimono and her hair was down around her shoulders, thick, straight, and black. He couldn't see her face well, but it was obvious that she was a fighter. Her body was toned and lean and she held herself much like a Firebender would.

"Keep your hands up," the Kyoshi Warrior barked sharply. While she looked much like the other warriors, she commanded a presence that none of the others did. Her hair, while brown, had a strange reddish hue to it that glinted in the sunlight. Her eyes shone a bright blue under her intense makeup. "Our fighting style is not about strength, but rather using our opponents' forces against them."

The outsider woman sent up a barefooted kick to the other woman's torso. The warrior simply grabbed the woman's foot and, using the woman's momentum, threw the woman halfway across the training yard.

Iroh was impressed. Not only did he get to watch a beautiful woman train, but he also got to hire this woman on as one of his non-bending Master trainers. She wouldn't be on his ship, as it was all male, but he'd get a chance to practice with her later on when they went for land formation practices.

The woman who'd been thrown sat up and laughed a little. The voice sounded familiar but he was a little distracted by the Kyoshi Warrior to pinpoint it. "That was awesome! Care if I try one more time?"

The Kyoshi Warrior nodded and got back down into a fighting stance. "If you feel like you want some more, then come and get it!" She pulled out a pair of golden fans and threw them to kimono girl. "Here, take these. Use them as an extension of your arm."

Kimono girl jumped up from her spot and slowly approached the warrior with fans outstretched. "One more chance is all I need." Her movements were slow and calculated, her light eyes dancing with amusement as her hair fell around her face. That I'll-show-you-what-I-can-do grin looked incredibly familiar.

The warrior charged at kimono girl, fans spread, but kimono girl flowed around the warrior like water. She used the fans against her opponent and, using the warrior's speed, kimono girl threw the other woman to the floor. The Kyoshi Warrior looked surprised before she let out a guttural laugh. "Well done, kid! Help me up."

The old woman who'd greeted him stood up and said, "General Iroh, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter, Sakari." She presented the Kyoshi Warrior who was supposed to be helped up by the kimono girl, but, instead, the girl was gone. When he hadn't been paying attention, the girl had run.

He ignored it and went to help the woman up. Her hand was strong in his and when she stood next to him, she was exactly his height. "Hello, General." Her voice was proud and strong, like the rest of her. He was sure that she would be extremely beautiful, even without the makeup. "It's a pleasure."

HHH

I actually cried when I had to put my bindings back on. It physically hurt to re-wrap myself. I was still sniffing away the tears when Kojo popped up next to me. "Hey, Huo, what'd you do on your time off? I couldn't find you anywhere!"

A smile found its way onto my lips. I'd ended up staying with the warriors for most of my leave. They taught me a few moves with their fans and had even given me a pair. They were gingerly wrapped up and placed in my pack. "Oh, y'know, just made some friends."

Kojo's eyes narrowed. Before I could stop him, he had my pack in his hands and was pulling out the fans from my bag. "No way! How'd you get these?!"

Li had been walking up with us and he snatched the fan out of Kojo's hand. "No way! Huo, did you get yourself a girl on this leave? No f'in way. Genji, looky here—" He pulled Genji out of his officer's line and over into ours. "Little Huo had some fun on his shore leave!"

Blushing from head to toe at the insinuation, I snatched the fan out of Li's hand. "Shuddap, you loudmouth! Just because you didn't get any on this trip doesn't mean you have to shout out my exploits for all to hear!" It was crude, but having the crew think that I'd had some fun with a girl on leave wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. It would make them think I was a boy. A growing boy with manly urges, apparently, but a boy nonetheless. And not a girl.

"Huo!" a familiar voice called. I turned to see that Sakari, Suki's granddaughter, was running towards me. She was wearing a non-bender officer's uniform and her makeup was gone. Her skin was a lot darker than I'd originally thought—kind of like Kojo's dad, who was Water Tribe. She was incredibly beautiful without it (and with it, in all honesty.) I hadn't realized that we'd be picking up a Kyoshi Warrior for our Master trainer! What if she spills my secret?

She stopped jogging near me and bent down to my height. Her eyes were like her grandmother's except blue, but the mischievousness was definitely there. "Had a great time, Huo." She grasped my face in her hands and pulled me close into a kiss that I had not been expecting. Her lips were rough but she made them soft in the almost too-passionate way she kissed me. I played along partly because it was a great ruse but mostly because I was just so confused.

When she pulled away I was sure I had this dazed look on my face. The boys next to me all looked partially horrified and partially turned on and mostly impressed. "Hey, Sakari...um...yeah, I had fun, too. Thanks for the fans."

She kissed me again and gave me a shit-eating grin. "Of course! Something to remember me by." She only gave me a wink before she stood up and stretched, giving the boys a nice little show. "Oh, and, by the way...your secret's safe with me."

Li, Genji, and Kojo couldn't even say a word as Sakari left and I turned on my heel and went to the boat. Before long, word would get out that I'd had an affair with a female officer (before she'd been an officer) and I would have another little bit of padding to keep some suspicious men off of my back. If there were any. So far, I'd been doing pretty well. I just had to keep the ruse up and then, maybe, one day I would be able to return to Kyoshi and live a normal life as a woman...a woman who could be respected and never tamed.

Like a Kyoshi Warrior.