Not Alone (ATLA)

Chapter Two

"I'm one of the remaining airbenders in the entire world, besides Aang of course." I sighed. "There used to be another, my mother, but she and my father are no longer with the living."

Their gazes softened. "We're sorry for your loss. We know how hard that is. Sokka and I lost our mother in a Fire nation raid when we were kids." Katara laid her hand on my shoulder. "Continue if you want."

"Thank you." My breath shook as I inhaled. "My father met my mother on a boat; she was a stowaway. She was injured by some Fire Nation soldiers that had seen her airbending. He saw the desperate need for help and took her off to sea. They talked for hours. He was an earthbender who took in different jobs and he offered her safety by explaining that she could go with him as he traveled to all kinds of places because he never stayed for too long. She agreed to remain with him. They never got married, but fifteen years later they had me. We were happy with just us three. I didn't mind moving from one place to another; I liked it. Everything was wonderful the way it was, but it didn't last." I began to sob.

"What happened?" Aang hesitantly asked.

"We...we...uhm," I rubbed my eyes. "We st-stopped at a...a small town to buy more supplies and food. I was practicing my airbending out by a field when I was eight. I chose to train behind some trees and didn't think anyone was around. I thought I was alone. I was wrong..." I untied the strap to my light green kimono. Aang and Sokka were about to look away. "No, don't turn your heads. I have other clothes underneath." I took the kimono off. I always wore shorts and a sleeveless top that came down to my belly button.

::

Ayame turned her back to them. They gawked in horror. Katara covered her mouth; she felt like vomiting. Sokka gripped his coat in anger; he felt disgusted. Aang had to pry his eyes away.

Ayame's entire back, portions of her thighs, and her shoulders are marred with giant scars. "I didn't see him behind me. All I remember was feeling pain all over. I saw him stand over me before he disappeared. I guess he assumed I would die..." She covered herself with the kimono. "I remember lying on my stomach and seeing my parents cry beside me. When I was able to finally talk I asked what happened. They said a soldier from the Fire Nation saw me airbending. They guessed he took the chance to attack."

"That's awful,"  Katara mumbled.

"The Fire Nation is truly ruthless," Sokka murmured.

Aang pulled Ayame into his arms. He gently stroked her hair to calm her. "It's alright, Ayame. You're with us now. We'll make sure nothing like that happens to you ever again."

Ayame tightly clung to him. "Thank you so much..."

::

Three days passed since we fled Kiyoshi Island. Our next stop is Omashu.

I rested my chin on my palm. "So, what exactly are we doing?"

"We're going to have fun!" Aang beamed.

We landed on a hill far from the city.

Aang held his staff in his left hand and spread his arms out. "The Earth Kingdom City of Omashu!" We stared in awe at the ginormous city. "I used to always come here to visit my friend Bumi."

"Wow," Katara sounded surprised, "we don't have cities like this in the South Pole!"

Sokka's eyes widened a little. "They have buildings here that don't melt."

Aang veered around, eagerness clear on his face. "Let's go, slowpokes! The real fun is inside the city!" Aang jumped in the air and landed halfway down the snowy hill.