ZW: Blood

I saw the way everything unfolded before me like it was in slow motion-designed for me to view every small second. Her hands moved in such a delicate innocent way that by all standards, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. The power and precision displayed intrigued me right away. How could this simple movement be so harmful? How could this person, so seemingly week and frail, create such a force capable of destroying a person in the blink of an eye? What was behind this dark rage and hunger she sought? How could she want what was right and good and just while she had no problem taking a life in such a gruesome manner?

I felt a small hint of fear crawling in my skin the longer I looked at her. Fear not only for what I saw, but what I didn't see. Her threat to me came haunting back to me, ringing in my head. I could see her becoming so angry with me that she would perform this new form of bending to me. One flick of the wrist-the same a person would do as though they would throw away rice-would now be the one that would make my heart stop. Yet, despite the fact I saw my death before be, I had hope, reassurance even. Because even though she hated me, even though she made it clear she would end my destiny, what I saw before me was far worse than anything I could have ever done. She hated this man. A pure hatred I could never grasp, a hatred far greater than my betraying her or Aang's life. She hated him for what he did, hated him for what he could still do, hated him for taking the life of her mother. In a strange way, I understood some of her pain. I could see why she had to do what she did. Why she would go to any extreme to find justice in her heart. It was something no one else would understand.

Later, as we flew on Appa, I waited, curious to what she would say, if she would say anything. Would she threaten me again? Say that that is what she could do to me if I stepped out of line? How would she react? Silence filled the air between us, making it seem like an eternity passing before a word was spoken. In a quiet whisper, she mentioned bloodbending, a practice she never wished she learned, a secret that only her friends knew about. Her voice was calm, never wavering as she told how much she hated it, how she wished she never heard of it. I wanted her to trust me and I promised I would never say a word unless she wanted me to. This night and what she did was not for me to tell, but a way to get closer to her and to let her know I could be trusted. Maybe someday, she would trust me enough to let me close enough.

~~

I knew there would be questions. I hadn't thought of that, however, when I acted. I could feel the glare, the curiosity. No doubt he was remembering the threat I made. Was this what I had in mind when I mentioned that I could end his life? Did I really intend to kill Zuko like I was this man? No, I couldn't. I came to see he did care, he did want to be with us, with me and I couldn't do what I would do to the monster who killed my mother.

I was simple with my explanation, he was kind enough to listen and offer secrecy. I often wondered what others would think about my ability, my curse. But the way he seemed to care about me... Not as though it was something horrible, but as a talent, a gift I was given. Though it was strange, I was helped to see the better side of things. I wondered how that could be-my once enemy could be so caring while my friends discouraged bloodbending. He made me realize that I couldn't hate him, but that I could let him closer to me. It wasn't till then I realized how much I wanted that, how much I missed the one day we weren't killing each other.

~~

That night our bond became stronger. We came to understand each other through our gifts and curses. One thing we will always remember: we were joined together by blood.