Earth...Fire...Water...Air... This is the age of the new Avatar, and after many years of chaos, the world is poised to enter into a time of prosperity and peace. But every light casts a shadow, and in the days to come, the very balance of the universe will be in danger, and the true purpose of the Avatar will be revealed. The Avatar's name is Usagi, a warrior of love and justice, and despite all the great deeds she has accomplished, her story is not over yet!
AVATAR
The Celestial Sailors
BOOK THREE: DEATH
14: Firefly's Serenity
There were times when the Death-Bender...when Hotaru needed to blend in with proper society. A chance viewing of The Avenging Shadow had inspired her to don an alter ego, a disguise to shield herself and her intentions. She had already integrated herself before, as what most people would consider a "normal girl", but thought nothing of the deeper significance until she recalled her name. Now, when she abandoned the Death-Bender, she could truly become Hotaru...and it would be more than just subterfuge. It would be Herself.
As she perambulated through the town, her glaive transforming into a walking stick, she chanced by a stall that sold mirrors, and studied her reflection in one of the taller models. She had no sounding-board for beauty, and supposed that, her sickly-pale skin aside, she'd pass as an attractive young lady in most circles. She was just the right height for her age, which she estimated to be between thirteen and sixteen, although she was much thinner than her contemporaries. Her straight dark hair circled just over her neck, framing a fair face with large amethyst eyes, a tiny nose, and a fairly aloof mouth. She didn't know what styles were in vogue so she selected a crimson kirtle over a white undershirt and a dress of a muted purple color. She'd still stand out, but at least people wouldn't run from her in terror.
Villages, towns, and even cities all had the same basic design in her eyes, even if cultures and climates were different. There were always markets, transportation hubs, taverns, hospitals, entertainment districts, business quarters, city halls, banks, fire departments, police departments, community centers, temples, libraries, casinos, and even areas for...well, for more carnal interests. The only real way Hotaru could tell them apart was by their people, but the biggest cities usually had a healthy mixture of races and cultures milling about, air-bending monks interacting with sand-benders, or Fire Nation soldiers passing by Earth Kingdom sports teams. There were people from the two Water Tribes, themselves distinct from one another, alongside their cousins from the swamplands, or miners from the southern Hinterlands; flying bisons swerving around small drakes, young badger-moles splashing rivers and lakes to attract large fish; all manner of animal and man. Hotaru didn't know what to think of the melange, so she kept walking, no real destination in mind.
In any case, the babble produced by the people of this city was far more agreeable than the cries of those suffering unjustly.
Hotaru found a bakery, realized she was hungry, and went inside; the fragrance was almost overpowering. She reached into the pockets of her kirtle, dipping into the shadows to pull out coins from the void, and paid for a loaf. She went outside to eat and soak in the day ("people watch" would be a better term), and was halfway finished with her loaf when she heard a commotion coming from inside the bakery. Someone was running out quickly, several loaves thrust under their arms. The baker screamed Stop Thief and gave chase; Hotaru stored her bread for later, sank into the shadows, and followed.
Whether as the Death-Bender or Hotaru Tomoe, she could dip her body into darkness and emerge back into the light at speeds many times greater than a mortal. This was how she crossed large distances, and what she used sometimes when pursuing her prey. The thief was leading the baker on a merry chase through the marketplace, over stalls and down alleyways until the latter was compelled to stop and catch his breath. Police were already joining the pursuit; Hotaru watched from a high vantage point as the thief threaded his way through the labyrinthine city, sometimes leagues away from capture, other times narrowly avoiding it. Hotaru felt disappointed: all this for a few loaves of bread? She wondered if the thief was truly dishonest or just desperate, and silenced the noise of the world to listen to his thoughts—another benefit of her abilities. She determined that the thief was merely hungry, and only stole whenever he couldn't afford a meal. Certainly not someone worthy of her time. She knew she could get involved and help either party, but decided to leave things to fate and melted once again into the darkness.
Hotaru finished her meal slowly and continued her leisurely exploration of the city. The crowd's noise had intensified, and since she wanted to be alone for a moment, she found an isolated spot and listened to the world's lamentations. She heard children wailing, widows weeping over graves, farmers groaning, stock brokers muttering, and...footsteps. Many footsteps. She shifted out of her concentration and looked around, finding herself surrounded by six men. Their smiles were anything but friendly.
"Whaddya think, Mel?" one of them said. "She looks rich. Business or pleasure?"
"Urgh, she looks sick," the one called Mel grunted. "You think she's got the plague?"
"More'n likely a bookworm or invalid," another one said. "I say business. She'd break to pieces if we had our way with her."
"Won't stop some of us from trying," another man laughed. Hotaru glared at them. Robbers, and worse. Thievery she could forgive but not the other.
"Under normal circumstances, you all would drop dead before you could count to ten, and I'd walk away without thinking anything of it," she stated icily. "But I made a promise to someone, and I mean to fulfill it." Mel chortled.
"Huh, what's that, lil' poppet? You playin' games wiff us? We's only goin' to rob ya."
"Maybe," the first man added with a leer, "if we're feelin' nice."
"Just drop your valuables on the ground like a good little girl and we'll let you pass," the fourth man hissed. The fifth man chuckled.
"O' course, dependin' on which way you's going, ya might run into nice bandits or...maybe some not-so-nice bandits." The men laughed, now brandishing knives, clubs, and chains. Hotaru sighed, more annoyed than frustrated. All of these men definitely deserved to die...but she had promised the Avatar that she would not kill.
"I have a better proposition," she said, whirling her walking stick in front of her with blinding speed: "let me go quietly and I won't be forced to shatter your kneecaps." The men laughed boisterously, and two approached her. Hotaru lashed at the man in front of her, striking him in the knee so hard that the crunching sound echoed across the alleyway. He bawled and bent over wailing in agony; before the man behind her could even process anything, she whirled around, smashing her staff against his right leg, toppling him over. She then brought it down on both his knees, causing him to howl.
The remaining four men cursed and charged her. The nearest slashed with his knife; she darted out of the way, ramming him in the gut, then snapped her staff against his protruding chin. Before he could tumble, she jumped on his shoulders, soared over the next man in line, twirled in midair, and cracked his left shoulder. She then kicked him into his agonizing companion, knocking them both down.
"I guess broken bones are relative," she quipped with cruel indifference. The remaining two men were positively stunned at what they had witnessed, not daring to make a move. One of them pushed his friend forward, wishing him good luck as he turned tail.
"What? Garmy, you back-stabbing rat carcass! If I ever get my hands on you I'll—"
"So what's stopping you?" Hotaru said. She bounced her staff on her hand, daring him to attack her. "You could run after him, or you could spend the rest of the month in a hospital bed. Your choice." The bandit clearly wanted nothing to do with Hotaru, and despite being older and larger than her, ran wailing in the other direction. Hotaru tapped the cobblestone ground with her staff in victory.
"I could get used to this no-killing policy," she smirked. Her joy faded as she heard the sharp cry of someone despairing for their life. She immediately sank into the darkness and followed the voice to another dark alley, where a different man was looming over a screaming woman. Her clothes were shredded, and there were bruises on her body and face. Hotaru had all the information she needed from that fleeting glimpse, and went into a white-hot rage of righteous fury. In a flash, she struck the man so hard that he bounced and skidded on the dirt road until he crashed into a building—alive, but only just. The woman was too amazed to realize what was going on.
"Here, take this and go." She threw off her clothes and laid them in the woman's arms. The woman was still stupefied with fear.
"Uh...wh-what about you?"
"I'll manage. Get dressed and find a safe place." Hotaru then melded into the darkness before she could be thanked.
You should have killed him, the darkness chided her. You should have killed them all. Sparing them will do you no good.
"I know. But I made a promise."
You hold the Avatar in very high esteem, don't you? Hotaru nodded.
"She...wanted to be my friend. And she helped me remember who I am. That has to count for something."
There was silence for a long time.
Very well, then. But neither of you cannot escape your destiny. You MUST not.
"I know. Hmm, but first..." She looked down at her bare arms and legs, the plain undergarments keeping the last of her modesty in check. "Any idea where I can find some spare clothes?"
What, you mean you're going to steal them?
"It's not theft if nobody owns it." The darkness laughed.
The Death-Bender cloaks herself in shadows...but I'll see what I can do. Ah, there.
Hotaru went to the place indicated and came back into the light. She found herself in the storage closet of a girl's preparatory school, the sort of place she might have attended if...well, best not to dwell on that. There were several uniforms available in her size, none of them yet claimed, so she chose one and put it on. A brief glimpse in a nearby mirror revealed her to be burgundy on top, white underneath, with a green skirt below, long black stockings and black shoes, and a star insignia stitched onto her blouse. She smiled in approval and even did a little spin.
A quick hop into the shadows and none were the wiser.
…...
Hotaru kept plodding aimlessly, ignoring the cries of suffering that slipped into the darkness, squinting as the sun beat down on her from above. Summer was almost entirely upon the world now, so the days would only be getting longer and hotter. She wished she had a hat to block out the worst of it, and started looking for a ladies' haberdashery when her eyes caught something else. In an open field of low-cut grass were around twenty or so boys and girls her own age, swinging wooden swords in unison. An older woman with long green hair barked at them in tempo, and they moved to her commands, implying that she was the teacher and the others her students. Hotaru was transfixed by their movement and stared longer than she meant to, attracting the attention of one of the boys. He appeared to recognize her, and grinned broadly before dropping his sword and running over.
"Shingo, what are—" the teacher called, but Hotaru didn't hear anything over the boy's excited shouting.
"Hey, I remember you! You're that awesome girl I met back in the palace! I mean, you look a lot different now, and your arm's healed..." Hotaru froze as the boy clenched his fists happily and beamed at her. As the Death-Bender, she had never needed to speak to people more than necessary, and nobody had ever approached her with friendly intent before—certainly not one so young, and enthusiastic, and...oh, what was the word?
Cute? Hotaru stiffened.
"U-um, y...yes," she muttered, completely baffled. "Ah...I r...remember you, too. Uh...th-thank you for the, uh...what you d-did."
"Shingo!" the teacher called again. This time she approached them. "No distractions, now. You may speak with your friends when your lesson is finished." He instantly recognized his blunder and spun around.
"Uh, yes sensei! I'm sorry, sensei!" He bowed and rejoined the group; the woman glared at him with measured sternness.
"That's an extra ten minutes of practice for you! I beg your pardon," she said to Hotaru, offering a short bow, "but could you please wait until my students finish? It will only be a few more minutes."
"Oh! Yes! Ah, o-of course! Um, I didn't mean to, ah...interrupt like that. I was just walking by, and..."
"It's perfectly all right. He shouldn't have disrespected me or his peers like that. If you'll excuse me." She bowed again, took to her position, and resumed drilling them. Hotaru resumed watching, this time with more composure. She was surprised to find herself a little breathless from the encounter.
Why did you act so foolishly? You've never behaved that way before.
"I don't know," she muttered. "I can't explain it."
Aren't you going to continue looking around?
"No, I'll stay here. I'd like to..." She stopped herself, focusing on the boy as he swung his sword. His teacher had said that his name was Shingo...
You'd like to...what? Hotaru smiled but said nothing. A young green-haired boy was next to Shingo, faster but less enthusiastic. He was careful with his strikes, precise, but lacked energy and strength. None of the kids seemed particularly skilled, but they were just kids, after all. None of them had ever been tasked with slaughtering the evils of the world, or banishing its light.
Even though Hotaru did nothing more than watch, time seemed to pass rapidly, and the class ended before she knew it (Shingo had to stay behind a little). As Shingo made his way back to her, she could overhear some of his peers jeering and taunting him.
"Hey, Shingo, is she your girlfriend? A homeless drifter like you doesn't stand a chance with a high-class girl like her! But hey, your sister's really hot!"
"Shut up, buttheads!" he snarled. Shingo turned to face Hotaru, still agitated. "Sorry about them. Some of the people in our class still haven't grown up."
"I see," she said. Hotaru's nerves had settled a little, but she still stood there awkwardly, not sure what to say or even do. She listlessly played with her fingers as Shingo scratched his head. "Um...so that green-haired woman..."
"Oh yeah, I'm taking kendo classes for summer. Sensei Keya's really cool, even if she is a little strict."
"I see," she repeated. "She said that your name was Shingo, right?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you my name! I mean, you left in such a hurry the last time that I never got the chance. I'm Shingo Tsukino." Hotaru couldn't help but smile, and she even dipped into a little curtsy, a long-forgotten gesture from another lifetime.
"Hello, Mr. Tsukino, I'm De...I mean, I'm Hotaru." Merely speaking her own name brought rapture and delight to Hotaru's heart, and she found herself breathless and blushing from it. Suddenly she caught herself as she realized her blunder. "Aaah, Hotaru Tomoe, I mean!"
"Oh, that's a really...pretty name." Shingo swallowed, eyes bulging, his own face a little pinker. "I mean, it's a cool name! H-how do you do, Miss Tomoe?" The two smiled at each other, then laughed. They both agreed that it was too hot to stay outside for long, so they found a public gazebo close to a fountain and sat there together. Immediately Shingo pelted Hotaru with questions.
"So what were you doing at Ba Sing Se? Where do you come from? Where do you go to school? What's your favorite color? Mine's green! Have you ever seen The Avenging Shadow? Have you ever met anyone famous?"
"Um..." Her mouth tightened and she withdrew a little. Shingo chuckled nervously.
"Sorry, it's just...well...you know." He looked at her, turned red, and looked away. Hotaru smiled timidly, resting her hands on her lap.
"I've never...met anyone who was...uh, interested in me before, Shingo. I don't really...know how to...um, conduct myself when I'm around...people."
"Oh. So do you go to school anywhere?"
Memories from the Before-Time were a jumbled, noisy, bewildering mess.
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"Pro...fess...sor... To...mo...e..."
"Hmm?" Shingo grunted, scooting closer. "What's that?"
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"Professor Tomoe," she whispered again, and then suddenly it came to her. "My...my father! He's a...he's a Professor at Mugen Academy!"
Is...or was.
"Oh, is that why you're wearing a school uniform? So where is Mugen Academy?"
Hotaru stared down at her outfit in mystified terror.
"I...don't...know..." Shingo only looked confused, but he seemed content to let it slide. He leaned back and rested his head on his hands.
"Hmm, well, it still sounds better than what I've got. I don't really have a home. I mean, I live somewhere, and my family has a job and all, it's just...I move around a whole lot. My dad's a reporter, and we're always following him around for the next story. I guess it's pretty exciting, but it's tough making friends that way."
"I see," Hotaru murmured. It was a lot easier to listen than to talk. She glanced at Shingo to gauge his reaction, hoping he didn't think she was too silly or weird.
Since when have you been concerned with how people perceive you?
"What were you doing at Ba Sing Se, anyway?" he said, leaning forward inquisitively. Hotaru clammed up, not sure how to explain everything, or if she even could explain it—or should. Shingo noticed her reticence and softened. "Sorry. You don't have to tell me if you're not comfortable with it. I guess I can be a bit nosy."
"It's fine," she said, "I'm not upset. If you don't mind, I'd like to talk about something else."
"Oh? What's on your mind?"
Isn't THAT a question for the ages?
"Well...tell me more about yourself. I'm not...good at...talking." He smiled patiently at her and sat a little closer.
"You're doing all right so far. So what else would you like to know? Oh—I may as well get this embarrassing tidbit out of the way: my sister's the Avatar. Ugh." Hotaru's face lit up, and she looked away, deeply contemplative at this unusual turn of events. The Avatar had a brother? But this boy seemed so ordinary! At the very least, he didn't seem proud of the relation, as he didn't bother hiding his irritation.
"Oh, really?!"
"Yeah," he grumbled, "and it really sucks. Everywhere I go, people call me the Avatar's brother; that's the only thing they know me for. I've been all over the world but the only thing that matters is my stupid famous sister." He checked to see Hotaru's reaction; she was listening intently, which was odd. Usually, whenever he told someone about Usagi, they'd lose their mind and pester him with questions—few of them pertaining to his own life. "Yeah," he continued indignantly, "it's always Usagi this and Usagi that. It gets old real fast. If any of them knew who she really was, they wouldn't be impressed at all!"
"Really? What's she like?" Shingo grunted and crossed his arms, contemplating where to begin.
"First of all, she's a total moose-pig who'll eat everything in sight! She's irresponsible, forgetful, and lazy, and a total loser when it comes to her studies. She's embarrassing to be around, completely boy-crazy, and treats me like a child. And she's a huge crybaby klutz, too! Pfft, can you imagine? She's supposed to be my older sister, but I'm clearly the more mature sibling!"
"Is that so?" Hotaru said, issuing a giggle. Shingo scratched his face.
"I still don't know how or why she got to be the Avatar. She wasn't born anywhere near the Fire Nation. She doesn't even deserve it, in my opinion."
"I doubt many of the other Avatars deserved it," Hotaru observed. Shingo grumbled and uncrossed his arms.
"I guess so, but I don't see what she's done with it. She says she fought Beryl and saved the world from an evil goddess, but I seriously doubt it. I know better than to believe that."
"Oh?"
"Yeah," he chortled. "Usagi would forget to put her shoes on if mom or dad didn't remind her!" Hotaru giggled. The Avatar didn't strike her as the inept, forgetful sort, but then again, she had only just met her. Not even the Darkness, for all its wisdom, could boast Shingo's experience.
"It sounds like the two of you don't get along very well."
"Trust me, it's impossible to get along with her," Shingo insisted. "Maybe if she had something else on her mind besides food, games, and boys... The weird thing is, her other friends are really cool! They're all smart, strong, beautiful, and a lot of fun, and they don't treat me like a child! I really don't know what they see in her."
"I see," Hotaru smiled. "I don't have any brothers or sisters, so I don't know what it's like."
"It's a complete pain," he grumbled. Hotaru beamed and sensed the topic had reached its conclusion. She decided to bring up something else.
"Shingo, why are you taking up kendo?" He glanced at her, shrugging as he leaned back.
"I dunno. I'm not interested in Pai Sho, bug collecting, or card games like everyone else. It just seems different, is all. Of course, now it's gotten popular, and a lot of the other guys have big stupid crushes on our sensei..."
"Does that include you?" she prodded. Shingo's face turned a little pink and he looked away.
"Uh...n-no, don't be silly, she's way older than me. I mean, I like her and all, but...you know, she's my teacher. It'd be weird if..." She giggled at his attempts at denial.
"I suppose, though she did strike me as very admirable and strong-willed."
She has a good soul, Hotaru thought to herself, and the Darkness agreed.
"Wh-what's that supposed to mean?" he grumbled, reddening deeper. She laughed softly.
"Nothing, nothing. Is there someone you do have a crush on, though?"
Shingo turned very red, and looked away.
"N-no, of course not!" Hotaru smiled knowingly. She didn't need the Darkness to tell her that he was obfuscating something, but she gave him the benefit of the doubt. "Why?" he blurted suddenly, going on the offensive, "is there someone you like?"
Her eyes flitted around timidly as she covered her mouth. "Maybe."
There was silence between them, different from the sort she was used to. He swallowed and changed the subject again.
"So...have you ever seen The Avenging Shadow?"
"Just once, and only for a little while. I...was walking past a theater and managed to catch part of it."
"Oh? Which part? I've seen every play so far!"
"Oh, really? I only remember a little bit. The character was talking about how he had to work in the shadows since he couldn't operate in the day."
"Aw, that's in every performance. You know, if you want to watch an entire play, I know a place where they put on reenactments." Hotaru's face flickered in interest, which was enough to prompt Shingo into explaining where the play would take place, what time it was scheduled, and what it was about. Shingo had seen this particular play before, but never with another person, and figured it would be a good way to introduce a "newbie".
"You want me to watch this play with you?" Hotaru said, blinking quizzically.
"Yeah!" Shingo exclaimed, grinning as he clutched his fists. "It's one of the best performances!"
"Oh." Hotaru withdrew a little. This was...unexpected. Alien. She didn't know how to answer. Her reticence caused Shingo to droop a little.
"You can't make it?"
Now you're thinking about watching plays with this boy? You aren't a normal girl, you know, no matter how much of your past life you may recall. You are first and foremost the Death-Bender, the Guardian of Destruction, Mistress of Silence. You shouldn't be going on...dates.
"A date," she murmured, teetering between the duties she knew she must abide to and the new desires filling a heart she once thought empty. Shingo stiffened at the mention of a date.
"Wh-wh-what?"
"Is this a date?" Hotaru murmured, more to the Darkness than to Shingo. His face turned red but he managed to grin.
"Ah...uh, s-s-sure, i-if you w-want it to b-be! U-u-u-mm...I mean...we can go on a...date if you l-like..." Hotaru snapped out of her inner turmoil, suddenly realizing her predicament. The Darkness had a point; she had her duties. The Light would soon be upon them, and if the Death-Bender didn't act soon, the whole world would...
The whole world would...would...
"I'd love to," she exclaimed merrily. Shingo, his nervous behavior only outmatched by his unexpected happiness, grinned broadly and made the arrangements. Now she was committed. It was getting late, and Shingo was expected to be home for dinner soon, so they vowed to meet at the theater the next day and parted with a pinkie-promise.
Why oh why did I agree to that, Hotaru thought to herself as she walked away from the excited boy. Guilt soon gave way to overwhelming rapture. And why am I so happy about it?
The End of "Firefly's Serenity"
Next time: "Death Goes on a Date"