Naya and the Last Airbender

xvi. Revelations

           "ZUKO!" I shouted as I awoke. My eyes wandered for the boy, but I found none of the sorts. Instead, it was Aang who sat at my bedside with a sympathetic look on his face.

"You're in the Northern Water Tribe. Bonbi and I rescued you from the Fire Nation." He looked down at my arm. "You had 3rd degree burns but the healers helped with the pain. They couldn't stop the scarring, though."

I also looked at my arm to see the pink scarring that stained my skin. It resembled Zuko's face but on my right arm. My mind flashed back to the moment where the flames licked my skin.

"Where are Sokka and Katara?" I croaked. My throat burned when I spoke, probably from the smoke inhalation.

"They... don't want to see you right now." His eyes were on his hands. "But I came for answers. I want nothing but the truth," Aang warned.

For a boy that was always smiling and giggling, he was gravely serious. It seems everyone had a low tolerance for liars.

I appreciated his presence, even if he was mad at me. He still cared enough to show his face and unlike Katara and Sokka.

"I don't know where to start," I breathed.

"From the beginning."

I gulped. I finally faced the moment I've been dreading. They would all hate me for the truth, but it had to be said or else my friends would be lost forever. I'd rather try than not at all.

"I was born in the Royal Palace in the Fire Nation. My father grew up with Azulon and he treated him like a son."

"So that's how you know Zuko," Aang connected.

I nodded. "Yes. Ozai and Azula too. When we were young everything was good. I eventually had to leave when my father was murdered and my mother was captured. It was at the hands of the Fire Lord himself."

I closed my eyes and looked away. It hurt to recall that day, especially to someone I've been hiding it too. I've wanted nothing more than to go back in time and save my dad. I missed him so much.

Aang suddenly looked confused. "Wait how can you Earthbend if you're from the Fire Nation?"

"That's where it gets complicated. You know how the Spirits were sending you visions? They were of me. I got visions too, but they were of the past. They told me how I'm destined to be alongside you as you fight for peace." I waited for Aang to say something but he let me continue.

"I can Firebend, it's my primary element. Earthbending is the second element I discovered. The Spirits granted me the ability of dual elements- I don't know why or how " I explained.

His mouth dropped. "I've never heard of something like that before, how is that possible?"

I looked around to see that he and I were the only ones in the infirmary. I lifted up a hand and let a white flame dance on my palm. For a moment it looked beautiful, but I quickly recalled the last time I saw flames and closed my hand.

"That's insane..." He mumbled.

"I thought so too," I sighed. "I mastered Firebending at a young age and worked on Earthbending when I escaped the palace. I'm so sorry Aang, I wish I told you sooner I was just so scared that you'd hate me."

Aang grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry too, you should've known you could've talked to me from the beginning. You've done nothing but proved your loyalty to me, Fire Nation or not."

We smiled at each other. His soon faded and his eyes held a glint of worry.

"There's something you should know." He sucked in a breath. "Katara and Sokka are your half-siblings. Master Pakku pulled me aside at training after I spoke to you. He told me your Gran Gran sent him letters about her grandkids, and you were one of them."