Freedom And Honor| Zuko x NB!Reader

Chapter 1: Fateful Encounter

The air was cool as the sun peeked over the horizon and weaved between the trees of the forest. The window of your hut let in the beam of sun that woke you from a restless sleep. You sat up from your cot in the room you shared with four other kids your age. You just so happened to have the spot by the rising sun.

With a stretch and some pops of the back, you were on your feet, brushing the wrinkles from your clothing. As your peers started to wake up you exited the curtain door to the sight of the tree top hideout slowly growing lively as kids started to wake with the sun.

This was the same sight for many years now. Every day waking up with the freedom fighters, some are just kids having fun and others go with Jet to help with supply runs.

You've been here to serve the role of a supervisor, looking out for the kids who play just a little too reckless and helping fetch the water for the whole family.
Taking a deep breath of the morning air mixed with the smell of the trees was always the best part of the day. The time of the morning when you didn't have to smell the burning fire of the fire nation soldiers that also occupied this forest.

Your peacefulness had to be cut short by some of the kids who called you over for help with another water run. They always wanted your help since you were the only water bender in the freedom fighters.

With a small sigh, you quickly made your way to them and did your assigned chore of usefulness.
Sure it was a tiring job especially since you didn't grow up with any proper training in water bending. But it only matters that you moved the water, not how you did it.

Days weren't ever dull when you practically babysat most of the younger kids. While most of the older and some younger kids went off with Jet every day to rob firebenders and keep this part of the forest clear, the rest were under your eye and care. You had given this role to yourself as Jet always seemed focused on getting back at firebenders. You did even talk to him that much, you were just taken in with the gang after losing your parents and this has just been life.

You care so much for the little ones. You know you would do anything to keep them safe.
As the sun moved to lean on the other side of the sky you finally sat down for a small break and basked in the warm atmosphere of the evening.

"Hey, How come you never go with Jet on missions? I think your bending would be super powerful against those nasty firebenders." One of the other older kids, Kyo, asked you.

"I just would rather stay home you know? Make sure no one gets hurt and help out when there's a water struggle" you say with a small laugh. You sat on the edge of the walkway with your feet hanging off and swinging.

"Really? You enjoy babysitting?" he asked with amusement.

"It's much more peaceful than fighting firebenders. I would rather not have anything to do with them at all," you respond as you leaned back resting on the palm of your hands. The tree tops always got the nicest breezes.

"If it was me I would love to kick those stupid firebender's butts. But I guess you help around here so it balances out." He laughed and then started to walk off abruptly.

"Don't get into trouble Kyo! I'm tired of bailing you out!" You shout after him and he just gives a thumbs up and takes a zipline to the other side of the hideout. You thought it a little strange for him to be one of the mischievous kids and just talk to you like that out of the blue. Then suspicion started to grow within you as you stood and checked your back for parchment or around you for some kind of prank. Nothing. You noticed from the corner of your eye a couple of Kyo's "apprentices" snuck off the hideout into the direction that Jet and the others had cleared earlier.

'So the conversation was a distraction. Well played.' You thought as you stood up to head after them. But as you did, one of the youngest ones tugged on your pant leg. They asked for you to paint with them.