A/N: I really shouldn't be posting this. I'm not that far ahead, and I've got finals next week. But you guys have already been waiting three weeks and I felt guilty for disappearing (even though it's finals and I have a totally legitimate reason). Plus, I love this chapter and the one after it, and I wanted to share it with you.
Disclaimer: I don't own A:TLA. Just Mira and some OC's.
Chapter Fourteen
A Tale of Mira: Old Friends
"Are you sure you don't want to join us, Mira?" Katara asked for the fourth time that morning.
"I told you five minutes ago, no," she replied crossly. "You really think I've changed my mind?"
"Just checking," Katara mumbled, turning away.
Mira lifted her head off the floor. "And I thank you for thinking of me. But I've got some things to take care of."
Katara nodded, her eyes softening.
"Good luck with Toph, though," Mira snorted. "I want a full report tonight, y'hear?"
Katara was, for some reason that Mira could not grasp, attempting to drag Toph to a ladies' spa on the other side of the Upper Ring. She'd claimed that they needed a girl's day, and strangely, Toph had relented. Mira was steadfast in her refusal, though. The ball they'd crashed a couple weeks ago had been more than enough to last her a few years.
Mira was of the opinion that Katara was trying to keep their minds off that night. Everyone had returned to the house in foul moods, Mira worst of all. She'd only managed a short "good night" before she'd slammed the door to her room behind her and punched the wall in anger (Katara had given her a good lecture for that one after she'd gotten splinters in her knuckles). She'd washed off her makeup, taken down her hair, and slipped out of her dress, but the activity had done nothing to calm her boiling mind.
So she'd spent the rest of the night meditating. She'd carefully grabbed hold of her anger and had worked it around and around, until it was a small, tightly packed bundle. She'd shoved it inside a box, locked it shut, and when she'd opened her eyes again, the morning sun was streaming through the window.
She'd burst into action after that. Every day was spent in the Lower Ring, stealing and serving. She wouldn't allow herself to rest until she'd stumbled through the door each night. Katara had watched her with increasing worry on her face, and Mira knew she'd been hoping that the trip to the spa would include a third member. But Mira had been adamant. She'd struck a bargain with Katara. She would take the day off tomorrow if Katara would let her out of the spa trip. After a minute or two of hemming and hawing, Katara had relented and Mira was free.
Mira allowed herself an extra minute of soaking up the sun that spilled through the large back window before springing up and billowing out the door. She had a specific section of the Lower Ring she wanted to visit.
She weaved her way through alleys and vendors, using her sharp elbows when her thin frame wouldn't allow her access. She hesitated at the mouth of one alley, but she knew she couldn't put this off any longer. This had to be done.
So she plowed forward, her stomach coiling itself tighter and tighter as she did so. Half of her was screaming for her to stop, and half was screaming for her to go on.
She wasn't sure which side was winning.
She ducked through a back lane and paused halfway down it. There was every possibility she wouldn't find who she was looking for. What then? Did she revisit this section every day until she did? She honestly hadn't thought that far ahead.
As it turned out, she hadn't needed to. Soft footsteps padded on the cobblestones behind her, and a familiar voice echoed in the small space. "Mira? That you?" It was her. And there was no turning back now.
Even if she wanted to run, she knew she couldn't. That voice behind her knew these alleys better than even her. So she turned around, and said, "Colie. Wasn't expecting to see you." A complete lie, of course.
A gangling slip of a girl stood in the middle of the alley, hands on her hips. Her short brown hair was cut choppily, as if done by a knife (which, in fact, it was). Large, round hazel eyes dominated her face, giving her an innocent, naïve look (though she was anything but). Thin lips were pursed into a calculating gaze, and her raggedy clothing clashed with her haughty air. "Wasn't 'specting ta see you, neither," she said, her slang seemingly overdone. "Last I heard it, you was long gone from here. Good reason too, if I recall right."
"Things change," Mira replied shortly. "How's Temal? And Ryo?"
She snorted. "How do ya think? Barely gettin' on by. But," she said slowly, a wicked gleam creeping into her eye, "now that you're back in town…there's somethin' you can help with."
Of course. Wasn't Colie unless she was asking for a favor. "What makes you think I'll help you?" Mira asked tiredly.
"Temal gets real tired of scrubbin' all day. Might be nice for Ryo to see his momma durin' the day," she said, picking at her nails and peeking up at Mira as she did so. Mira was unaffected. "Look," Colie said, sighing and dropping her hand as she gave up the act, "I wan' out."
A small smile crept across Mira's face. "About damn time," she breathed. "You're finally doing it? Good for you."
"But I need you ta help," Colie added.
After a small pause, Mira shook her head. "Sorry, Col." She was torn, but still convinced she couldn't help. "I'm not here to start up where I left off." She ignored the wicked little voice in the back of her head that asked why exactly she was there and turned to leave.
"Fine. You won' do it fer Temal or Ryo. You won' do it fer me. But you'll do it fer you."
Mira stopped in her tracks as her blood ran cold. "What do you mean?" she asked quietly, though she already knew the answer.
"I know why you left. I seen what you did," Colie said, her words piercing the air.
"You wouldn't," Mira said dangerously, turning around. "You wouldn't dare."
"City lives 'n' breathes on information," Colie said, an arrogant smirk climbing across her face. "Betcha I could find someone who'd wanna hear 'bout you. The Dai Li? Or maybe Ret?"
"You're not a narc, Colie." That much, at least, was true. For all her bluster, Colie was terribly loyal. Mira knew she wouldn't snitch, but the fact still stood: Colie knew. And Mira owed her for keeping quiet.
"Maybe I am, an' maybe I ain't. Do this fer me, and I won' be."
Mira squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed her temples. She was beat, and she knew it. "What is it?"
"A fight."
Mira's reaction was instantaneous. "No, Colie! I'm not getting back in the ring! I'll get roped in again, and I told you, I'm not here forever. It's temporary."
"So's this," Colie said defensively. "One fight. I'll bet on you, clean up, pay my way outta the gang."
"You really want to leave?" Mira asked, skeptical.
Colie looked down at her feet and kicked at the uneven cobblestones. "I thought it'd be diff'rent," she muttered. "I'mma get 'em hurt. Or killed. I can't do that to 'em."
"I'm glad you finally saw that," Mira said. Then something Colie had said finally caught up with her. "Hold on," she said, dread pooling in her stomach. "You only clean up if I'm the underdog. Who do you want me to fight?"
Colie's pause did nothing to alleviate Mira's growing anxiety. "Nakaru," she said finally.
"Are ya outta your blinkin' mind?!" Mira yelped, her voice slipping into the slang that was common in the Lower Ring. "The Wolf of the North? I'm good, Colie, but I'm not that good."
"You gotta do it," Colie pleaded, her eyes widening and her face falling. "I thought 'bout what you said. When you left. That I was gonna drag Temal and Ryo down with me." She looked directly into Mira's eyes, her gaze unswerving and eager. "I wanna leave that life. But Ret wants a hundred gold pieces 'fore he'll cut me loose. I don' have to tell you I don' have the money. We on'y got twelve; I been saving up. We all have. You're gonna be ten-ta-one odds. If I bet that money on you, and you win, I got enough to pay Ret with some left fer Temal. C'mon. It's a good plan," she coaxed.
"Except it all hinges on me," Mira said finally. "What if I don't win? What if you lose all that money?"
"Aw, c'mon. You're better than ya think," Colie said. "No one could beat the Jade Hood."
"Nakaru almost did," Mira pointed out. "Remember?"
"You still won," she mumbled.
"Barely!" Mira snapped, growing frustrated. "And he's been fighting ever since! Spirits know he's only gotten better. I haven't been training every day."
"You were the best," Colie said simply. "That just don' go 'way." And with that, she turned to leave the alley.
"Col!" Mira called after her. Colie turned around slowly, looking apprehensive. "I'll do it," she said tiredly.
Colie's face broke into a grin. "Knew I could getcha."
"Yeah, don't flatter yourself," Mira snorted. "Still in the gym?"
Colie nodded, and turned to leave. Mira sighed. She'd been anxious about returning to Ba Sing Se, given what had happened last time, but she'd never imagined she'd be roped back into her old life.
It had all started one day in the market, years ago. Mira was new in Be Sing Se, but not new to the gutterflower lifestyle. She was already jaded and cynical, and her time with the gypsies had honed her thievery to a pinpoint precision. She blended in the Lower Ring perfectly.
She was walking through the market, hood up despite the sweltering heat of summer. She slipped easily between vendors and customers, weaving her way to the alley corner she'd claimed as hers. As she turned down a narrow side street, she felt a tug at her belt that she already knew well: someone was trying to nick her coin purse. Instinct kicked in, and her arm was flying through the air by the time she realized the thief was a girl no older than herself. But it was already too late. She'd already given the girl a black eye.
The thief had fled immediately. After a slight pause, Mira followed her. She felt guilty about hitting the girl, even though she'd been justified in doing so. Maybe it was the girl's age, or the desperation in her eyes, or the ribs jutting out beneath her skin. Or perhaps it was a combination of the three. Whatever the reason, Mira found herself perched on a roof next to the little apartment where the girl had disappeared into. This was a slightly nicer part of town, though since it was still the Lower Ring, that wasn't saying much. Squat buildings squashed together to line the cobbled streets. Windows overlooked skinny alleys, and occasionally houses were pressed so close together that if one stretched their arm out far enough, they could hold hands with their neighbor. Clotheslines crisscrossed the alleys, creating a bright, festive spider-fly's web. Roofs came so close to touching that the entire Lower Ring could be traversed without even setting foot on the ground. The whole city had a cramped, compacted feeling. But it was perfect for hiding, and that satisfied Mira just fine.
She crouched low on her roof, trying to peer into the windows. She saw a confined series of rooms that still somehow managed to look cozy despite its size. Something twisted at her insides. This was someone's home. She had no right to be there, even with her guilt. But just as she was about to leave, a girl several years older leaned out the window. She had the same brown hair as the girl Mira had punched, though she wore hers longer. She also had the same round face and snub nose. If Mira had to guess, she would say the two were related. The girl narrowed her deep green eyes and scanned the surrounding buildings, causing Mira to push herself flat against the roof. But no matter how low she forced herself, there was no hiding from the girl's piercing gaze. She caught sight of Mira and called out to her. "You're the one who gave Colie the black eye?"
Mira looked up, panic in her eyes. The girl saw this (for they were not too terribly far apart), and she added, "Oh, I'm not angry. Daichi knows it was going to happen sometime." She rolled her eyes. "What I want to know is why you followed her."
Mira considered lying, but couldn't find anything that would make sense. So she said, "Guilt."
The girl nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting." She backed away and turned her body, gesturing inside. "Would you like to patch her up?"
Mira was astonished. From what she'd seen of the city so far, everyone minded their own business. You didn't make eye contact, you didn't speak to others if you didn't have to, and you kept to yourself. To receive an invitation inside was nigh unheard of. She could feel the "no" rising up in her throat, but it caught on her tongue before she could answer. She liked this girl. She couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was, but Mira trusted her. She'd only said six sentences, and already Mira knew she was a reliable person. So without even thinking twice, she pushed herself up, took a couple steps back, and ran forward, catapulting herself off the roof. She landed lightly on the windowsill, and delicately hopped inside. "I'm rubbish at healing," she said lamely.
The girl shrugged. "Alright. I'll patch her up. You can say what you want." She led the way into a cramped washing room, and Mira followed her, bewildered. As they reached the door, the girl turned slightly to look at Mira. "Why're you wearing the hood?" she asked. "It's boiling outside."
Mira fiddled with the fabric of her cloak and didn't answer.
"C'mon," the girl coaxed. "It doesn't matter who you are here." She gently reached up and tugged at the cowl. And for some strange reason that Mira still to this day couldn't pinpoint, she allowed it. The hood slipped off her head in front of a stranger for the first time since she'd run away. The girl smiled. "That's better." She turned and disappeared through the washroom door.
Now Mira really wasn't sure that this was a good idea, but it wasn't like she could change her mind now.
The girl she'd punched (the older girl had called her Colie?) looked up as she entered the room. Her eyes widened, then narrowed, as Mira stepped through the door. "What're you doin' here?" she spat out. "Come ta finish me off?"
"Yes, I let her in here to 'finish you off'," the older girl said sarcastically as she picked up a damp cloth.
"You're too nice, Temal," Colie muttered, still eyeing Mira suspiciously.
At this point, there was nothing Mira wanted more than to say her piece and put as much distance between them as possible. "I came because I felt guilty."
"You came ta say sorry?" Colie asked in disbelief.
"No," Mira said firmly. "You tried to steal from me. But I didn't mean to punch you. I wanted to make sure you were okay, and that's it."
Colie titled her head and appraised Mira with narrowed eyes. "This'll sound a bit off, but, you ever heard a the Three Rings?" she asked suddenly, and Mira was thrown off by the abrupt change in topic.
"No!" Temal said vehemently. "You are not dragging her into that."
"That's her choice, ain't it?" Colie said heatedly. "An' all I was gonna say was that Ret's lookin' for an underdog. It ain't gonna be me. But you gotta mean right hook," she said, turning her attention back to Mira. "You any good at fightin'?"
"Yes," Mira said levelly. No use trying to deny it.
"How'd ya like ta make some extra gold?" she asked.
Temal interrupted. "I told you, you are not pulling her into that gang. She came to make sure you're okay, and now she's leaving."
"Fine!" Colie said, throwing her hands up. "But 'fore you go, I wanna talk ta her alone," she said, giving Temal a fierce glare.
Temal watched at Colie suspiciously, but soon gave up and left, leaving the rag behind.
"She your sister?" Mira asked, jerking her head to the door Temal had just left.
Colie nodded. "Parents're dead. She's got a kid, but no man, so it's her supporting me 'n' him."
"Why're you telling me this?"
"Need help," Colie said simply. "Temal can't do it all. I wanna help, but the only way to do that is bet in the fights. 'N' I promised her I wouldn' fight myself."
"You need someone to fight for you," Mira said, comprehension dawning on her.
"If you won' do it for me or Temal, do it cos you owe me."
"'Scuse me?" Mira said, startled.
"Ya punched me in the eye," she said levelly. "I know lotsa dangerous people. Do the math."
Mira gaped at her. "You're blackmailing me into helping you?"
"If ya wanna call it that."
Mira sighed. "I'll do it for Temal," she said finally. Before she left the washroom, she turned to add, "You didn't have to threaten me. I'd have done it if you had just asked."
Temal was waiting for her when she emerged. "You're not going to do it, are you?" she asked anxiously.
Mira only nodded.
Temal closed her eyes and sighed in irritation. "I told her not to do it," she said tiredly. "I can handle this."
"Raising a child and a sister by yourself?" Mira couldn't help but ask.
"She had no right to tell you that," Temal said sharply.
"I'm sorry," Mira said quickly. "I didn't mean—"
"I don't care that she told you," Temal corrected. "She shouldn't have used it as leverage against you. She did, didn't she?"
Mira nodded again.
"And you gave in," she continued.
"I would have helped even if she hadn't," Mira said simply. "Might as well use what I can do to help others."
Temal examined Mira closely, her expression inscrutable. At last she said, "I can't get a read on you."
"Excuse me?"
"Normally I can figure people out. But you…" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You're trained to keep others at a distance. That's how you work."
Mira stiffened. They were approaching dangerous territory.
Temal noted her tension and said, "I don't want your life story. It's just something I noticed. Which is why I'm confused as to why you would help us."
Mira shrugged. "Sometimes people need help from others. Why can't it be me?"
Temal blinked twice, than broke into a grin. "I like you," she announced. "I don't like that you agreed to Colie's scheme, but I like you." She turned serious. "Maybe you can keep an eye on her?" she asked. "Make sure she doesn't get herself killed?"
Mira nodded.
"Momma?" a small voice floated into the room. Temal turned, a smile growing on her face. A small child around four or five years old tottered into the room. His hair was a deep brown, and his emerald green eyes marked him clearly as Temal's child.
"Hello, my little Ryo," Temal crooned, sweeping him up into her arms. "How are you today?"
"'M'kay," he mumbled. He spotted Mira, and buried his face in Temal's hair. "Who's she?"
"This is Colie's new friend," she said. "Be polite, Ryo."
"Hello," he said, pulling his face from his mother's neck. "Nice to meet you," he mumbled formally, a faint pink blush touching his round cheeks.
"And you," Mira said. A question had popped into her mind, but she was unsure whether to ask it.
But Temal really was as perceptive as she claimed. "His father was a solider," she explained, answering Mira's unasked question. "He died a few years ago."
"I'm sorry," Mira said quietly.
Temal squinted at her and shifted Ryo to her other hip. "Most people don't mean that when they say it," she said. "You do. Thank you for that."
Mira shifted uncomfortably and was saved from answering by Colie, who exited the washroom. "C'mon," she said, slinging an arm around Mira's shoulders. "We gotta get you ta trainin'. And there's some people you gotta meet."
And with that, the most unlikeliest of friendships was formed.
When Colie asked her name, Mira gave her the one she always used. It was close enough to her real name that she would react when called for, but distant enough that she felt comfortable.
Colie and Mira spent hours in the gang's gym, preparing for Mira's first match. Mira, who was already quite adept in fighting, honed her skills with a grizzled man named Udan. He'd been an underground fight club champion in his prime, and had retired to instruct the next generation. He'd been reluctant to tutor Mira, but after she'd left three of his best students wheezing on the mat, he'd reconsidered. There wasn't much he could teach her, but he'd put her on a strict training regimen that transformed her lanky, angular body into one of a lithe jungle cat. She was completely confident in her ability in the ring, but there was one issue she was unsure of: her face.
Mira may have let Temal and Colie see her face, but she'd be damned if she was going to let the Ba Sing Se underworld be privy to it. So she came up with a plan. She acquired a new cloak and carefully removed the hood. She'd intentionally pilfered one that was slightly large, so she could gather up the extra folds and sew them to the shoulders of her fighting jersey. She showed Udan her uniform, and after several days of griping, he agreed to teach her how to fight while wearing the hood. There was some uproar regarding the legality of wearing a hood in the ring, but once Mira pointed out that it limited her peripheral vision, the gangs didn't seem to have a problem. Why rule against something that was a disadvantage? What Mira neglected to mention was that she'd trained with the hood. She knew how to overcome the hood's shortcomings, and she was as capable a fighter as anyone in the ring. Once the fights began, the gangs knew it as well.
The odds against her in her first round were 30:1. Suffice to say, Colie was a very happy girl that night. Mira left her opponent drooling on the mat before the clock hit two minutes. After that, she became a legend. She earned the nickname the Jade Hood, and suddenly there was wild speculation about who she could be. Wild rumors circulated, and that satisfied Mira just fine. The less certain they were of her, the better.
Months passed, and Mira began to spend more and more time in Temal and Colie's house. Temal always made space for her, and sometimes Mira would help her with her work (Temal was a laundress for several Middle Ring families) while they talked. Temal became the older sister Mira never had. She filled a role that Mira didn't even know was missing. For once in a long time, she felt content. She had friends (of sorts), she earned money, she was powerful in her own way…she was satisfied.
She should have known it wouldn't last.
She was too good in the ring. She should have known someone would notice. And unfortunately, the worst person who could…did.
Retsam, or Ret for short, was the leader of the Three Rings, the gang Colie was a member of. One night, after another win (this time against the infamous Wolf of the North—Mira was hard-pressed to knock him out before the final bell, but she managed to do it…though not without earning plenty of lumps and bruises herself), Colie and Mira were called into his office. He was sitting at his desk, fingers splayed and fingertips touching, squinting at them over his hands. Mira immediately tensed up. Something wasn't right.
"You are quite the force to be reckoned with," he said lightly. He was a man in his late twenties, tall and lean, black hair slicked back severely, and with the look of a hungry jackal-panther. He smiled at them, but it was not reassuring. It was more an expression of bared teeth than a gesture of warmth.
"Thank you, sir," she said quietly, ignoring the throbbing in her split lip. She hoped that playing meek would keep him convinced that she wasn't a threat. But her performance in the ring pointed out that she was.
"You made a lot of money, in the beginning," he said. At their expressions (or rather, Colie's expression. Ret couldn't see Mira's face underneath her hood), he laughed and waved a hand. "I don't disapprove," he said. "I believe in making money." He sobered, his face turning serious. "I called you here because I have a business proposal for you."
Mira's stomach sank. She had a feeling that she knew what this proposal was. And she already knew her answer.
"The deal is this: you lose your next fight. I'll bet against you, share a part of the profits. Everyone's happy," he said, a dangerous smile creeping onto his face as he leaned back.
"No," Mira said simply.
"I'm sorry?" Ret asked softly, his words echoing in the dead silence of his office.
"Are you outta yer head?" Colie hissed in her ear. "You don' say no ta him."
"I just did," she whispered back before straightening up. "I thank you for your offer, Ret, but I have to respectfully decline." She refused to use the gutterflower slang that was prevalent in the Lower Ring. Ret would know that she was someone to respect. Not someone to be trifled with.
Ret eyed her critically, his lips pursed unhappily. "You speak very unusually for a Lower Ring fighter," he said suddenly. "It's evident you're not from Ba Sing Se. I wonder what I would find if I bothered to dig into your past, hm?" he said, raising his eyebrows.
"I'm afraid it wouldn't be much," Mira replied calmly. "You're free to try, however."
Ret looked disgruntled at her answer. Obviously he'd been hoping to rattle her cage with the threat of her past. But Mira knew he wouldn't find anything. He couldn't, not with the name Mira. Over half the people she'd encountered the last two years didn't even know her name. So Ret tried a different tactic. "You're a young fighter all alone in the largest city in the world," he said, leaning back in his chair. "It would be quite a shame if you were surprised in a back alley one night."
"With all due respect, sir," Mira said in a tone that contained no such thing, "I am an undefeated underground fighter. I have beaten your best men with my bare hands. How much damage do you think I can do with a blade?"
Ret's dark eyes flashed, and he leaned back toward her. "You may be able to protect yourself…" he switched his gaze to Colie, "but I doubt your associates are as well equipped. And I am not talking about your…manager," he sneered disdainfully. "Everyone has someone they care about," he said, his gaze once again turning to Mira. "Everyone has something to lose. And when I find yours…" he trailed off suggestively. "Just think about my offer," he said, and they were dismissed.
"Are you blinkin' insane?!" Colie whisper-yelled as they exited the arena via the back alley. "You know what he's capable of!"
"I'm not afraid of him," Mira scoffed.
"But I am! And so's Temal! Didja even stop ta think about her?" Colie demanded.
"I can protect her and Ryo," Mira said, but Colie's words hit home. She hadn't meant to put her family in danger.
"Every second a every day?" Colie asked. "No. Ya can't. Somethin'll happen. An' it'll be yer fault." She jabbed a finger into Mira's chest for emphasis.
"I know," Mira whispered. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, well, think about somethin' other'n yer damn pride next time," Colie grumbled. "What're we gonna do now?"
"I'll take care of it," Mira said quietly.
"How?"
"Doesn't matter."
Colie eyed Mira warily, but gave up. "Fine. Jus' don' get Temal an' Ryo involved," she growled, poking a finger at Mira's chest.
"I'll figure something out," Mira insisted once more. Colie snorted and turned on her heel, leaving Mira alone in the alley. "I always do," she added in a murmur.
Her only reply was the whisper of the winds through the buildings.
"Colie!" she cried out as she shook off the memories from years ago. The scruffy slip of a girl turned back and gave Mira an impatient, questioning look.
"Are Temal and Ryo—are they alright?" she asked hesitantly.
"They're fine," Colie answered, lips quirked in amusement. She turned back again and headed down the alley. She reached the end and turned back to look at Mira. "Well?" she asked. "Ya comin'?" Mira didn't need a second invitation. Her long strides had her catching up with Colie instantly, and the two girls wound their way through side streets and alleys, dodging pickpockets and thugs as they did. Mira felt her chest constrict painfully as they passed through alleys full of starving gutterflowers. She couldn't stop the desperate desire to help that clawed at her chest. She wanted to stop, bend down, offer them her assistance. But Colie passed right on by, not even sparing a glance. Mira knew that was the best approach. Ignore them, realize that you can only help yourself…but Mira didn't work like that. As hard as she tried, she couldn't forget those in need. Some believed it to be a character flaw, but most of the time, Mira liked to view it as a strength.
Today, though, was not one of those days.
Mira's eyes alighted on the familiar house, squashed between two other buildings, a skinny alley running along the left side. Her eyes flicked up to the rooftop where she'd hid years ago, where her friendship with this family had truly begun. Sometimes she wondered whether it had been truly worth it, befriending Temal and Colie. It sure as hell had brought trouble down on her.
Any doubt was dispelled when the strains of childlike laughter drifted through the wooden door. Mira's heart swelled, and a lump caught in her throat. She cleared it hastily, and Colie looked back to see what was the matter. When she saw the expression on Mira's face, her lip curled in distaste. "Yer gettin' soft," she said disdainfully.
"It's been a long time," Mira reminded her. "I'm a different person."
"'S'long as you can still fight, I don' really care," Colie shrugged. Her eyes roved over Mira, assessing her. Colie may have acted indifferent and apathetic, but Mira knew better. She was wicked clever and cunning as a devil-fox. She was watching Mira carefully, noting strengths and weaknesses for use later. This was something that had drawn them together, initially. Both cynical, both thieves, both quick to seize an opportunity. Now that she was back, however, Mira could see that perhaps there were more differences than she had first realized.
"Done analyzing me?" she asked Colie, an eyebrow lifted. Colie looked marginally offended before she sniffed and turned back to the door. She fiddled with the latch, swung the door open, and stepped into the house.
After a minor hesitation, Mira followed her. She padded silently across the cramped entranceway as Colie called out, "Temal! You wouldn' believe what I jus' found lyin' 'round a back alley!"
"I've told you a million times, Colie," came Temal's exasperated voice. "We are not eating some old carcass you've found in the street. I don't care if it's just been killed!"
"Nah," Colie dismissed, a smirk growing on her face. "This one's still kickin'!"
"What?" Temal appeared in the kitchen doorway, wiping her hands on a raggedy towel, a smudge of flour on her forehead. Her eyes skated past her sister and landed on Mira, who squirmed under Temal's intense emerald gaze.
Abruptly, Temal's mouth broke into a wide grin, and she carelessly tossed the towel aside as she left the kitchen and rushed across the miniscule living room. She threw her arms around Mira and squeezed her tight. "By the Great Earth Mother," she breathed. "I can't believe it." She pulled back and held Mira's face in her palms, squinting as she examined her. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
"Didn't think I'd ever be back," Mira answered honestly.
"Why are you?" Temal asked bluntly, concern clouding her face.
Mira bit her lip. "I really can't say. Just…trust me on this."
"Is it safe? For you to be here, I mean?" Temal asked quietly, and the fear and uncertainty in her eyes told Mira exactly to what she was referring.
Mira pushed Temal to the side and instantly was in Colie's face. "You told her?" she demanded, copper eyes burning in anger.
"'Course I did," she said calmly, meeting Mira's stare with calm hazel eyes. "She asked, an' I told her."
Mira's eyes flicked over to Temal, who was standing off to the side of the room, arms crossed, watching the scene play out with an unreadable expression on her face. Her spirits sank as the full weight of this information sank in. Temal knew. She knew what Mira had done. What had forced her to leave Ba Sing Se.
So why aren't you throwing me out?
"You had no right," Mira continued, her voice shaking with barely repressed anger.
"Was I s'posed ta lie ta my sister?" Colie demanded, shoving her face right back into Mira's.
"Hasn't stopped you before," Mira hissed, eyes narrowed and teeth bared.
Colie's eyes clouded over, and her clenched hands shook. "Don't you dare," she warned.
"I won't. I'm better than that," Mira sniffed, looking down her nose at Colie.
"Momma?" A young, soft voice cut through the argument and sent the girls scrambling back. For all her faults, Colie really did care about her little nephew. Neither girl wanted him to see them fight. "What's goin' on?" he asked. Ryo wandered into the room, dark green eyes bright with curiosity, his brown hair tousled.
"Look who we found, Ryo," Temal intervened, bending down to give him a hug. She squatted next to him and pointed at Mira. "Remember her?"
Ryo squinted up at Mira, his gaze slightly suspicious. Mira's chest tightened. Here he was, only seven years old, and already so cautious, so unwilling to trust. But that was how life worked in the Lower Ring. It wasn't fair; it just was. Suddenly, Ryo's eyes widened and he smiled. "Jade?"
That had been his nickname for Mira back when she'd stayed with them. She'd worn the deep green hood all the time (and it was part of her fighting name, which Colie dropped a lot), so Ryo had taken to calling her that. "Hello, little Ryo," she said gently, bending down. "I'm surprised you remember me. You were just a little squirt when I left."
He ran to her and hugged her tight. " Course I remember! You taught me to be a shadow," he said eagerly. "I still can, you know!" Like his mother, Ryo had taken to speaking a little more formally, and with less slang.
Mira smiled. "That's very good. I wonder, do you still like rock candy?"
His face lit up. "Yes! Did you bring me some?"
Mira's brow furrowed in mock thought. "You know, I could have sworn I had a bit here somewhere…" She pulled her arm from behind her back and opened her hand to reveal a small chunk of green hard candy. Ryo's hand flashed out and snatched the sweet. He stuck it in his mouth and began sucking away happily. "Thought you might like that," she said with a smile. "Nicked it off a sour old man in the market. Now why would a mean old man like that be selling candy, hm?" she asked him with a mock seriousness.
Ryo's nose screwed up as he thought. "Maybe he needs the sweetness to balance the sour," he said solemnly.
"That makes sense," Mira mused, unable to keep the laughter from her voice.
Something struck Ryo at that moment, and he titled his head as he regarded Mira. "Why did you leave?" he asked.
Mira but her lip. How did you explain to a seven-year-old that you'd done what she'd done? Mira saw Temal watching her with a apprehensive look on her face, and she knew she had to choose her next words carefully. "There were some bad men after me," she finally said. "I didn't want them to hurt you, too."
"They didn't get you, did they?" Ryo asked anxiously, green eyes wide.
"No," she sighed. "No, I was faster than they were."
"You're faster than everybody!" Ryo cried, throwing his arms out. "Even faster than a cougar-cheetah!"
Mira laughed against her own will and ruffled his hair. "I don't know about that. But thank you."
"Ryo," Temal called out. "Mommy needs to talk to Jade. How about you go play with Colie in your room for a bit?"
Ryo's hand latched onto Colie's, and he dragged her out of the room. Colie complained good-naturedly, and their conversation was soon cut off as the door closed.
Mira stood up and faced Temal a bit warily, unsure of what was coming. But Temal merely smiled and reached out to hug her again. "You're different," she said as she pulled back. "You've changed. You're…happier."
"I s'pose that's true," Mira shrugged. "I know I'm not the same person I was before."
"You're better," Temal grinned. "What happened?"
"The people I'm traveling with. I dunno how it happened, but they pushed and pried and finally got me to open up."
"What gypsy magic is this?" Temal gasped mockingly. "You? Talked to others?"
Mira shoved her gently. "Oh ha ha, very funny." Her eyes drifted out of focus and she sighed. "I don't know what it was…" she wondered out loud. "I just don't know…" she trailed off.
"Well, I'd very much like to meet the people who did this," Temal pushed gently.
Mira was torn. It was so, so tempting to have Temal meet Aang and her (dare she say it) friends. But Temal was part of her past. Not the part she desperately needed to keep hidden, but a part of it regardless. There were things they still didn't know about her. The risk of Temal slipping up and saying something unintentionally harmful was too great. So she shook her head and said, "I don't think that's a good idea."
Temal regarded her shrewdly. "They still don't know about you, do they?"
"Temal, you don't even know about me," Mira reminded gently.
"Mira," Temal sighed, taking a step forward. She placed one hand on Mira's cheek. "You're not a bad person. You need to stop treating yourself like you are."
"Easy for you to say," Mira mumbled, avoiding her gaze. "You don't know who I am. What I've done."
"I think I know more than you give me credit for," Temal rebuked. "As someone once told me, 'people are people'. You're a good person, Mira. It's about time you believed it."
Mira felt a hot prickle behind her eyes at the gentleness and sincerity in her voice. She quickly cleared her throat, and the sensation passed. "You only see the good in people, Temal. Not the best trait in the Lower Ring."
"So you keep telling me," Temal replied dryly. "Masochism isn't either, and yet…" she trailed off as she waved her arm vaguely in Mira's direction, an eyebrow raised playfully.
"I'm just trying to help," Mira defended, raising her hands.
"Ya can help by gettin' yer ass in gear," Colie said briskly as she reentered the living room.
"Colie!" Temal scolded. "How many times do I have to tell you? No crass language in the house! Honestly," she grumbled, "I'm going to glue your mouth shut one of these days."
"Wouldn't help," Mira teased cheekily. "She'd still be talking out her—" She was prevented from finishing when Temal slapped a hand across Mira's mouth.
"You're not helping," she said darkly.
Mira's only reply was to lick Temal's palm. Her shriek of disgust echoed through the tiny apartment, and she quickly removed her hand. "Why do I even bother?" she growled, and she stalked from the kitchen as Colie dissolved into howling laughter.
"Daichi, Mira, I like this new you," Colie chuckled, slapping a hand across Mira's back. She sobered quickly and added, "But really, we need ta get ta the gym. Gotta getcha whipped inta shape." They left the little apartment behind and crossed the Lower Ring to the gym where Mira spent so many of her afternoons before.
It wasn't until they stepped into the side street that led to the back door that Mira realized this was a terrible, terrible idea. But by then, she was already drowning in memories.
She hadn't meant to kill him. Not really. She'd just wanted to scare him, to have him go back to Ret and convince the others to leave her alone.
She didn't want him dead.
It'd been a week since Ret's threat against her. She'd stopped walking the streets at night and carried an extra knife or two wherever she went. But nothing had happened. She was fine. Temal and Ryo and Colie were fine. Mira was beginning to think that maybe she was safe.
She hadn't yet learned that it was best to never believe that.
Practice had run late that night. Mira left Colie to flirt with one of the newer fighters and exited through the back alley door. It was quiet that evening, and the moon hung brightly in the sky. The alley was well-lit, and that was what saved her life. Mira was turning to enter a side street when she noticed a shadow that shouldn't have been there. She froze, every instinct on high alert. She nearly trembled from the tension.
There was the smallest crunch of trash underfoot, and Mira moved. She dropped her bag and sank into a deep crouch, a throwing knife in her right hand and a dagger in her left.
"Now then, little girl." A hissing whisper floated on the midnight breeze, ruffling the ends of Mira's cloak. "It seems ya need some…persuading." A heavyset man emerged from the other end of the alley, a wicked looking blade in his hand. "This doesn't have ta end badly," he added, an eyebrow raised.
"It does for one of us," she replied, her mouth dry. "I'll be damned if it'll be me."
He shrugged. "You said it." He lunged forward, knife clutched in one meaty hand.
Mira dove to the right before popping back up. She darted forward, her knives flashing in the moonlight as she swiped at him. But her attacker merely jumped back and easily avoided them. He waggled the knife at her. "Gonna have ta be better'n that," he taunted. "This is the famous Jade Hood?" He laughed. "My gram can fight better'n you."
"I'd hate to meet your gram," Mira tossed back, and she flicked her wrist. The throwing knife spun through the air, narrowly missing her opponent's cheek and nicking his ear. He roared in pain and clapped a hand to the cut.
"You bitch!" he growled, hate filling his dark eyes. He swung the knife wildly, and Mira's eyes widened as she bolted to avoid it. He was no longer thinking rationally and planning his strikes. This was both a good thing and a bad thing for Mira. Good, because, she had the chance to outwit him. Bad, because he was at least twice her size and furious (and dangerous) as hell.
Mira felt a stab of fear as she realized how tired she was growing. She'd just left an intense training session, and was now pushing her body to its limit. She needed to escape, and fast.
She yelled out in surprise as the man lunged forward and caught her off-guard. Her dagger clattered to the ground as she grabbed his hand. His knife was mere inches away from her belly, and he was pushing forward with all his might.
Sweat poured from Mira's face. She gasped in air as adrenaline rushed through her system. The silver knifepoint flashed in the moonlight as it trembled between them. As she watched her death draw closer, an idea hit her. But if it didn't work…well.
Mira's foot flashed out and locked behind his. She swept her foot back, and her attacker lost his balance. With a yelp, he fell backwards. But Mira hadn't anticipated her hands being tangled up in his. She began to fall with him, and the knifepoint was still pointed right at her midsection.
Mira wasn't sure what happened in those next few seconds. Even looking back months, years later, she wouldn't be able to recount the following moments. It all passed in a blur of movement and panic. Next thing she knew, she was lying on top of her attacker on the ground, and she felt hot blood spreading across her shirt.
Her brain shorted out. She scrambled away, hands pressing frantically against her stomach. But instead of finding a thick silver dagger, they only touched upon blood and unbroken skin. Her eyes flicked over to the man on the ground, knowing what she would find and yet hoping that she wouldn't.
He lay sprawled across the cobbled alley, legs splayed out and hands grasping feebly at the thick knife hilt buried in his gut. Rusty red blood oozed down the sides of his stomach and stained the ground below him.
Mira whimpered in horror. She'd just wanted to knock him down, steal the knife, and leg it out of there. She hadn't wanted him dead. But there he was, lying alone in a back alley, slowly but surely bleeding out. And it was her fault.
He gave one last, shuddering breath, and the street was silent. Mira's panting gasps were the only sound to be heard.
She lifted her trembling hands up to eye level. They were coated in a sticky layer of drying blood. She looked down and saw that her clothes were similarly stained. Tears began to well up in her eyes against her will. She'd killed a man. Taken his life and dashed it against the rocks.
"M-Mira?" A small, shaky voice echoed from the gym's back door. Mira whipped around to see Colie's head poking out into the alley. The brunette opened her mouth to say something, but her eyes flicked back to the dead man and she hastily closed it. She swallowed once, twice, and started to say something—
But Mira was already gone. She bolted off the ground and dashed out of the alley. The Dai Li would be there soon to investigate, and as guilty as she felt for killing the thug, she really didn't want to go to jail for it (though she had a sneaking suspicion that the punishment would be something entirely different). And she couldn't hide in Ba Sing Se. She'd be permanently watching her back, and she'd never be entirely safe. Temal and Ryo might also be dragged into the investigation, and Daichi knew they didn't need that. No, it'd be best if she just vanished. The Dai Li would sniff around for a few weeks, but the trail would grow cold and she would be forgotten.
She felt a pang in her chest as she realized that she wouldn't get a chance to say goodbye. What would Temal think? Or Ryo? He was so attached to her, and she was about to disappear, with every possibility of never seeing him again. He might grow to hate her for it.
But she couldn't dwell on that. This was the best option. She needed to run. Run away, and never look back.
She'd been running ever since.
A/N: And now we learn a little about what Mira was doing before joining Team Avatar. Unfortunately, it isn't all good...
The song "Liars and Cheats" by Hit the Lights was a huge influence in this episode. I'd recommend checking it out.
I'd wanted to post the entire episode at once, but since it clocked in at a whopping 18,000 words, I decided to split it up. Part two will (hopefully) be posted next week.
Please, let me know what you think. I love hearing from old reviewers and new. It only takes a few moments, and it really makes my day. Also, feel free to favorite/subscribe if you wish. Any support is welcomed.