Soul of Fire

The Headband

I finish preparing lunch "Grandfather" he doesn't come in. I walk outside to the back.

"I swear those hooligins. Neo look, someone stole the clothes again from the peoples lines" I roll my eyes

"Come Grandfather. I have made you lunch. Your favorite, chicken pig on rice, and mine veggie on rice." I help him into the house and help him sit at the table.

"How did I get so lucky to have a granddaughter like you to care for me?" I shrug setting his bowl down. "I wish you would have let me enroll you in the school. You could have learned something." I scoff

"Like what? I have perfected all the bending styles.  Plus who would watch you. Mother would never send another kid, because  Loi, Ba-Ba, and Shei are to precious to give away like she did me. I like living with you Grandfather."

"You sound like your grandmother-"

"Yes, I know, the one I was named after, you tell me everyday." He smiles at me

"Did you practice your archery today?" He asks

"No, I can't seem to fix the bow from last week."

"Well...." he gets up slowly and walks out. At first I was confused, but then I realized my grandfather's actions. He walks back with a big smile. "Last week when you were at the market, I fashioned you a new one. Hand crafted, I figured it is something I could do for you."

"Grandfather, I told you to let me deal with my problems."

"Yes, well think of this as a thank you for the past seven years of caring for me." I get up and hug him. "Now there is a nice dead tree do some practicing near our cave by the beach. Have fun." I take it and grab my arrows running to the tree. I practice for hours, at sundown I start to hear voices in the cave. I just brush it off continuing, a boy with a headband walks over cheery. He notices me and walks the opposite. I chuckle and run home to start dinner, about midway I turn back forgetting to collect my arrows. I get there and that boy slides down inside. I hear yelling and talking. I rush home dropping my things. I run inside

"Grandpa there are people living in our cave." He chuckle shaking his head "I saw it."

"Are you sure you hallucinations aren't starting again? See that is why you and Azula got along so well."

"It's not a hallucination, I heard voices."

"So now you're hearing things again. Neo I really think you should rest."

"But Grandfather, you said it yourself 'If there is someone in that cave, show 'em what you can do Neo.' "

"I said that?" I nod "Well then, tomorrow if you still see them, check it out." He gets up "Why don't we just go to bed without dinner?" I nod. He side hugs me, leading me to my room. I enter and look into the mirror 

"I knew you were worth getting rid off." Mother's image says showing up behind me. 

"You know nothing about me." I sneer crying. 

"I know that you weren't worth the first seven years I raised you." I turn around but nothing was there. I fall to my knees crying. After sometime I get up not wanting to move. I look back into the mirror "Worthless." I grip my dresser edges, burning them with my blue fire

"You don't deserve to be a mother." I says shaking my head

"Maybe, but you don't deserve to even be alive." I step outside to the yard. I walk back to the cave. Everyone was asleep in there leaving the fire burning. I jump down off the ledge and shoot lightning hitting the back wall. They all spring up