The Firebender

Chapter 5: Day Three

Water, Earth, Fire, Air

Long ago the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the avatar master of all four elements could stop them but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed and my cousin and I discovered the new avatar. An airbender named, Steven. And although his airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Steven can save the world.

August 7, 1245

Three days have passed as we travel through the air in the direction of the Northern Air Temple. Pearl thought it would be too dangerous for Ruby to teach Steven in the Fire Nation and we were all fond of the air temple anyway. There were plenty of rooms, a lot of training space and it held an important significance to the two air benders; they were also getting a little home sick.

And as for our new 'member'; I have decided to keep my distance, I don't trust her. She already admitted to being the daughter of the Fire Lord and sister to Jasper; it's crazy. I want so bad to tell Steven how I feel but he has so much faith in this villain; I just don't want him to get his hopes up.

Ruby has tried talking to everyone in the group, trying to make friends I guess (although she purposely avoids Pearl). Amethyst and her seem to get along well, same with Steven; he keeps asking her questions about what it's like to be the Fire Lords daughter, Ruby always manages to avoid them though. I wonder what she's hiding. And Sapphire also enjoys the firebenders company, she has to, they are always together; laughing, talking to themselves and they even hunt fish for the team whenever we run low on food.

I don't understand my cousin; she of all people should be just as upset as I am with Rubys' staying here. It's almost like she's forgotten what they did to our family. But I haven't forgotten and if Ruby tries to wrong us in any way, then she will have to deal with me.

Connie slammed her journal with brute force; Amethyst glanced at her but said nothing and continued to look down at the white fluffy clouds below them. It was day three of their travel to the Northern Air Temple; the journey was calm and peaceful. Well not exactly peaceful. Unless you call Pearl and Connie glaring at the firebender and making snarky remarks peaceful, then yes, it was very peaceful.

"What does she write in that thing?" Ruby mumbled, watching the swordsmen snuggle her journal inside her sleeping bag.

Sapphire, who sat beside her, shrugged. "She just writes about our journey's and stuff but hates when anyone tries to read it. One time Steven, his poor soul, opened it by accident and she wouldn't speak to him for a week."

Ruby flinched, abruptly facing her back to Connie so that she was starring down at the clouds. "Harsh…"

"It was, but everyone needs their privacy," Sapphire said; turning so that she was in the same position as the firebender.

"I guess that's true," Ruby smiled softly. "So, you came from the Water Tribe; which one? I've always wanted to travel there," She added wistfully.

"Well, I was born in the Northern Water Tribe but when my parents passed I was sent to live with my aunt and cousin. Connie is my cousin and her mother, Mrs. Maheswaran, is my aunt so I just stayed with them," Sapphire muttered. "I was there with them when I was ten and stayed until I turned seventeen; that's when we found Steven and started our journey,"

Ruby lowered her voice. "My—my nation weren't the ones responsible for their deaths, were they?"

"…they were," Sapphire looked away; not wanting to see the look of hurt on Ruby's face.

The firebender huffed. "Then why don't you hate me like everyone else does? Why are you so nice to me—why did you help me, twice, when we were in the Fire Nation? You should hate me—"

"Did you, personally, kill my parents?" Sapphire said; finally turning to face her.

Ruby stuttered, cheeks hot with embarrassment. "N-no of course not bu—"

"Then I have no reason to hate you," Sapphire smiled. "It wasn't your fault and as soon as you realize it, and they realize it, everything will be much better. This will all pass," She smiled softly. "Trust me,"

Ruby found herself nodding her head unconsciously; she looked away from the deep blue eyes boring into her. "…my friend Lapis was actually born into the Water Tribe but was raised with me and my family in the Fire Nation."

Sapphire sat up, eyes widening only slightly. "Lapis Lazuli; she's a descendant from my tribe?"

Ruby scratched the back of her neck. "I don't know if it's your tribe but I know she's from there; she kept it a secret from everyone except me. I found out when I was six," She sighed; she has wanted to tell this story for such a long time but could never trust anyone.

But just by looking into Sapphire's eyes made her feel safe, she felt like she could trust her; no one has made her feel like that in such a long time. Sapphire was the only one who had not judged her from what others had said and actually took the time to understand her. She reminded Ruby so much of Lapis, they each had kind hearts. Ruby was sure that if they met they'd be the closest of friends.

Maybe one day.

Ruby faced the waterbender fully; sitting Indian style. "It all started eleven years ago when Jasper, Lapis and I were running around in the palace; at the time we were all bestfriends," She smiled at the memory. "We were being kids, messing around in my mothers royal hallway where Yellow Diamond kept her war souvenirs. Lapis dared Jasper to grab a flag and she accidentally caught it on fire, it all happened so fast; one minute it was burning and the next minute Lapis had put it out with water she bended from a pot."

"We promised to keep her secret, we knew what Yellow Diamond would do if she ever found out," Ruby huffed. "Jasper and Lapis got pretty close after that, it kind of sucked because Lapis was the only one who sort of respected me I guess,"

"Everyone else treated me like a stupid kid, but not Lapis—"

"That was so good," A ten year old girl with soft blue hair said with her arms crossed behind her back. "You're getting stronger." She said with a wide grin.

Seven year old Ruby blushed furiously; folding her arms and looking away from the oldest. "I thought I was too, but when I showed mom my ability to blow flames from my mouth she said that I should have learned it years ago. She said that if I'm going to catch up to Jasper that I'll have to practice harder,"

The small girl dropped to the ground in defeat. "Jasper has already learned how to make blue fire and shoot them from her feet; mom says she's a prodigy." Ruby leaned her chubby cheek on the palm of her right hand. "She said she might be the one to take over the kingdom,"

Lapis sat beside her and rested a comforting arm around her shoulder. "I think you should be the one to rule the kingdom; you're kind, courageous and Jasper is a jerk,"

Ruby snickered. "Weren't you the one who thought she was cute a year ago?"

"Shut up, it was a phase," Lapis shoved her; watching the firebender laugh uncontrollably as she stood up. "Come on; let's play a game or something." She said, feeling her blush begin to fade away.

"Okay!" Ruby jumped to her feet with a grin; wiping the tears from crying so hard out of her eyes. "Should we find Jasper and Peridot so we can play tag?" She asked innocently.

"Jasper is in a meeting with your mom and some elders and Peridot is on a trip with her mom; they're on business in the Earth Kingdom," Lapis said, sitting on the edge of the pond. "…what else is there," She kicked her feet in the air nonchalantly.

Ruby hummed. "You can teach me how to do those spiritual eyes you're always talking about! I bet Jasper doesn't know how to do that; and then I can show my mom and she'll be so proud!" She grinned, literally bouncing on her toes at the possibilities.

Lapis couldn't help but grin back, her smile was contagious. "Fine," She took a deep breath. "Close your eyes; let your mind be at peace and let yourself become one with your element, the heat from the sun, the birds chirping in the sky...everything. Feel the energy flow through your chi and try to channel that power; guide it to your eyes,"

"If the aura is green, earthbender, if it's white, airbender, if it's red, firebender and if—"

Ruby suddenly cheered, grinning. "I got it, I can see the blue..." She slapped her hands over her mouth, looking around the yard to see if anyone had heard her. "...sorry,"

"It's okay," Lapis whispered so low that the firebender barely heard her. "Just try to be more careful next time, you know what would happen if your mother found out." She shuddered at the thought of getting figured out.

"I'll be more careful," Ruby gulped. "…I promise,"

"Wow," Was all Sapphire could manage.

Ruby nodded, sighing heavily. "I've been waiting to tell someone that for years," She smiled softly. "I really miss her, but it was the right decision for me to leave."

Sapphire bit her back jealously and tried to gain more insight on the situation. "…wait, the wanted posters say that you were banished from the kingdom and if anyone saw you that they were supposed to bring you to the palace. But you told me you left on your own,"

Ruby scoffed. "I left on my own free will because I didn't agree with her methods, I didn't lie about that." Her face softened. "But she did lie about the nature of my...I guess she would call it a betrayal. She didn't want the whole situation to make her look bad so she lied about my disappearance, she probably sees me as a disappointment." She mumbled.

"Well…I can't say I'm sorry to hear that, because I can't relate to this but—" Sapphire hesitantly placed a cool hand on the firebenders warm shoulder. "If you ever need someone to listen, you have me."

Ruby shifted nervously, avoiding the hidden eyes that surely watched her from behind heavy bangs. "We-well…if you ever need someone, to talk to, then I guess I'll be there for you too. If you want," She added quickly.

Sapphire bit her lip. "I'd like that,"

Ruby laughed softly.

"We're here!" Steven shouted; causing the duo to look away from each other. "Ruby, welcome to the Northern Air Temple!"

After reading the reviews I realized that Lapis should be a waterbender and I had this idea for a while but I was trying to ease into it but whatever. There are going to be a lot more flashbacks from Ruby's childhood so look out. Anyway, I probably won't update anything until Wednesday; I'm busy this week, so please review to tell me what you think.

See you guys next time.