(A/R: So, how do you like it so far? I'm not sure how exactly I'm portraying the prince yet. I don't know if I want to make him a good or bad guy… hm… oh well. I'll figure it out. Here's the next chap! )

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The Ball

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The outburst was never mentioned of again. Not by the prince, or the maids that heard of it. Not by Lynn, who found me crying on her bed. Or by Kai, who heard and came rushing to comfort me.

I avoided the prince as much as possible and silently worked in the kitchen.

It was when I went to wash my clothes though, that I dared to try and waterbend.

At first I just softly moved the water in a circle rotation. But eventually I was practically washing my clothes without touching them. I'd pushed them under the water, then hold them down with my feet. Down in the sand below the surface.

I made sure none of the others were watching, then held my hands out, pushing the water through my clothes, through the stitches and seam, wiping out all the dirt.

When I was done with this, I laid them on a bush and stood over them protectively, pulling the water out and slowly sending it back into the water.

The woman always wondered how I washed and dried so quickly, for by the time their clothes were cleaned, I was up at the palace getting mine dirty again.

Kai suspected I was sure. She would nervously send me a warning glance every time I left them to their washing. She knew I was a bender. She'd known even before we came here.

She would never tell on me though. Never. She was my friend. The only one I could trust.

We were informed of the ball a month before it would happen. But it wasn't enough.

We scrubbed the floors every two day, until they were sparkling.

We moved on to the walls and wooden beams, where were rubbed in ointments that made them sparkle like new. The ointments though, burned your skin, making them break out in large, blotchy, red rashes, which lasted a day or two.

We washed the dished and swept the floors. Ordered the meat from the butcher and decorations from the florist.

I was also, among all the jobs I had, given the task of delivering messages.

I ran through the royal streets, giving invitations out. Eventually, with a guard by my side, (not for protection either) was forced to run down the volcano to the city below. Where I handed out invitations to wealthy store owners and generals that lived there. The rest were sent by hawk.

Finally after four weeks of cleaning, we were ready for the ball.

We were given new serving gown, which were the same colors, just a different style.

I realized, after I'd put mine on. It was different from Lynn's and Rei-Lee, the other woman I shared a room with.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because." Lynn said as she fixed her hair. "You are among the maids that belong to the prince. We belong to the queen. She chooses our attires and the prince chooses yours."

I began to feel, again, like I was an item. A doll which the prince could do anything with. Even choose what I wear.

I wanted to throw the dress away now, but couldn't. The others were taken away. I still kept my water tribe clothes though. Packed away under my bed. Safe.

I went to the kitchen, after examining myself in the reflection of a window in the hall.

The cook, whom was the water tribe woman, handed me a tray of Fire Flakes, as they were called.

I straightened my hair and took in a deep breathe, going for the ballroom.

I gasped when I went inside.

There were people everywhere. So many I couldn't count. Men and woman dressed up in expensive clothes, wearing jewels and fire nation symbols.

I stood, mouth agape. I quickly pulled myself back to get and strode forward, keeping my head bowed and holding the tray out.

And, of course, the first thing I did was bump into someone.

The man glared at me after he regained his balance.

"My dearest apologies my lord." I said as quick as lightning.

His face softened. "Lord eh? Well yes, that's just fine, carry on." he took one of the Fire Flakes and disappeared into the crowd.

I released the huge breathe of hair I held, then continued on into the crowd.

When my tray was empty, I headed back for the kitchen. Only to be stopped though, when someone grabbed my arm.

I spun around, holding the tray up defensively.

"Wow!" The prince let me go, a smile playing across his face. "Don't hurt me."

I only glared at him, bowed and began to walk away.

"Wait just a moment." he said, running to stand in my way.

"I'm needed in the kitchen… your majesty." I added bitterly.

"Wait… please." the word surprised me as much as it surprised him. He muttered it a few times, trying to get used to it. "I… when I called you to see me… I didn't mean to…"

"I apologize for my outburst, it won't happen again."

"I think I should be apologizing." he had a soft smile. He grasped the tray and took his away, which would prevent me from going to the kitchen.

"R…really?" I questioned, looking around nervously. No one seemed to notice the prince was talking to a maid. A servant, a slave…

"Yes, I shouldn't have made you-" he stopped abruptly when a couple approached us.

"Prince Roku!" the man, a large round fellow, almost bellowed. "What a surprise!"

The prince except the bows they gave him, stepping in front of me. To hide me no doubt.

"What a wonderful ball." the woman nodded, giving us a dazzling smile. "I have someone I'd like you to meet. A niece of mine, she's been wanting to meet you for so long."

The prince gave her an even more amazing smile, but he didn't look at all the happy about meeting this girl.

The man pried the tray from the prince's hands. "What this?" he questioned.

"Ah… it's nothing." Roku snatched it back, pushing it behind his back toward me.

I grabbed and turned, quickly running back to the small door that led to the kitchen.

I looked back before I went in, but the prince and the couple were gone.

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I had to admit to myself. The prince wasn't bad. Not like his father at least.

I liked him no more then I had before, but I found myself not adding him among the group of people I hated. The ones I named in my head every night.

They consisted of this:

The Fire Lord,

The men who killed my family,

The General that had thrown fire at me,

The guards here in the palace,

And last… I hated myself.

Hated myself for giving in so easily. Acting like a true, lowlife, worthless maid. I'm a water bender! Couldn't I at least act like one? Stand up for my country?

These were the thoughts that went through my mind as I served people at the ball that night. Then, when everyone danced, I snuck outside with some one maids and servants.

The older men and woman among us danced as well, but I didn't. One: no one asked me. And two: I wanted to be alone.

I left the group and went for the creak. The one with the evil turtle ducks that tried to bite you every time you got in the water.

I stood my the water, looking over his sparkling surface. The moon hung high in the sky. The moon was a water bender's friend. One that would be with you every time you were alone. Especially at night.

I'd heard tales of the woman moon spirit. She'd been betrothed but loved someone else.

It was when the first siege of the North Pole occurred. But because of her, it never fully succeeded. She gave up her own life, with her love standing right there, so the moon spirit could live again.

There were other tales about her. How when a worthy water bender died, she appeared to them, whispering words of thanks.

I didn't know if this was possible. Wouldn't it be that the people dying were the only ones who could see her?

I could always feel her with me though. Somehow, I knew. It was when I was in the ship, unable to tell night from day.

But I somehow had the feeling, when the sun set and the moon rose. I knew exactly when the moon was right above us. I could feel the strength pulsing through me. The urge to water bend.

I got this feeling as I stood before the creak, and I was unable to control it. I moved my hands in swaying motion before me, making the water pushed and pull. It turned into a small wave. Which delighted me.

Before I knew it, water was rising and falling, moving around me and going up in the air. I did things with it I never knew I could.

This was amazing, that was, of course, until I heard the yell. The running of feet behind me. Then gasps.

I turned the direction away from the guards and fled. To who knows where, across the creak onto the opposite bank. I flew into the darkness.

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