The Teachings of Ty Lee

(Note- this story takes place 13 years after the events of Avatar The Last Airbender, both the comics and Korra aren't cannon for this story)

I awake with a jolt, I immediately jump out of bed into a fighting stance, I'm covered in sweat and nearly hyperventilating. I panic for a moment as I reach for my left hand, It always takes a second for me to realize it's no longer there. I do my best to calm my breathing and sit down on the edge of my cot. I groan as I rub the nub left behind, why does it always hurt in the morning? After the throbbing starts to subside a little I move to rubbing the scar that covers the right side of my face. Was it worth the cost? I suppose not, the primary mission was a failure and so am I.

I stand and give a nice long stretch before wincing in pain. Even though I'm only 20 I've taken many lives worth of . My bones crack and pop as I start loosening up, it's feels both painful and blissful. There's alot of shitty things about being in jail, but nothing is worse than these damn beds. I lick my cracked lips, actually scratch that, the lack of water is officially the worst. Being a waterbender means my hands (or in my case just hand) have to be bound before I can even have a sip, not to metion I'm only allowed a little at a time.

As I do every morning I pull my bed away from the wall and scratch another tally. I'm at 486 days in solitary confinement, how many more dashes will be added before I have a permanent mental break down?... Or die? I literally and openly laugh at the thought. I always figured I would die on the streets with honor, not trapped in a cage waiting for my next sip of water. I give a long exhausted sigh, this is what I deserve I suppose.

My plan to overthrow the prisons top dog was a tad and got out of hand. When the riots finally ended I took most of the blame (rightfully so) and I've been here ever since. At first the solitude was a welcome companion, I've honestly always preferred being alone, but there has been days I don't remember, days where I was... Wrong. I rub the scar on my wrist and try to avoid the thoughts of the day it happened. Damnit Sato you are better than this, stronger than this.

I take a deep breath, thankfully I've had one ray of light recently, a kind guard that sneaks me books or extra food every now and again. She started a few months ago and I'm truly thankful for her company. She is far too kind to work in a place like this, with people like me. I've never seen her face but she is the only human contact I get these days. We discuss all kinds of things, though she usually does most of the talking. I avoid speaking about my past on the rare occasions that I do speak, no need to burden someone else with such things.

Sometimes she talks of her childhood working on the farm. The harsh hours, The hard winters, the fantastic food. I envy such a life, your only enemy is nature, the fruits of your labor sustain you. It feels so simple, so honest. At times she would tell me of people she dated, I never did such things so it's interesting to hear her perspective.

Speaking of which the strangest thing she spoke of was dances, she spoke of those with such glee. On the streets I ran protection for underground clubs now and again, yet the whole dancing thing always seemed bizarre to me. I guess music as a whole is that way, it's illogical, I don't get it. She insisted that I just hadn't really tried it yet and that I would love it, I have my doubts.

I've told her countless times through the slot in my door to find a different calling, maybe be a librarian or whatever it is nice people do. She just laughs me off saying she already has found a calling. I wish she would listen, she is one bad riot away from being dragged down to our level. I'd hate to see someone who is so kind face the cruelty of the world.

I wrap up my nub in cloth and begin doing my morning push ups, after a 100 or so I'll move to crunches, then hand stand push ups ect. Most benders let themselves get weak, they depend too heavily on bending to save them. I know better than anybody just bending will never be enough. You can never stop moving forward, and to do that you must be strong enough to move anyone in your way.

Before I can even get to 50 I hear the familiar sound of screeching metal as somebody opens the slot in my door. I ready myself, is this a normal guard? I prepare in a fighting stance out of reflex.

"Oh calm down Sato it's just me, I have a very special surprise for you today!"

I squint my eyes at the little slot, I don't care for surprises "that's never good news... What's the deal girl?"

She giggles "You have a visitor!... Come over here so we can get going"

My blood runs cold, this has to be a trap. I have no living family... No one in my gang would be foolish enough to come here... Could it be an assassin hired by a rival gang? Doubtful, the cost of such an would be steep, and there is nothing to gain by taking me out now. There are plenty of people with vendettas against me, but still, I think a trap set by the guards is the most likely culprit. I didn't exactly make friends with them during that riot, though I could have done worse if I wished too. I start breathing heavily as the thoughts of what they may do to me start to process.

"Are you asking or is this an order" I keep my voice stern and emotionless.

"Oh stop it Sato you know you don't need to use that mean tough guy voice with me... I already know your a big ol softly."

I wince a little, this girl really thinks she knows me? I'm anything but soft, she is far to naive if she thinks she knows what I'm capable of.

"I asked a question girl."

"Sheesh ok Mr. Scary prisoner, yes this is an order from your equally scary prison guard."

"Girl, you need too..."

She interrupts me doing a mock imitation of my voice "You need to leave this bad place now and frolic in a flower patch blah blah blah!... I know I know... Now will you quit being a drama queen and come over her so I can put the shackles on already?"

It's very possible this girls positive disposition and general snarky attitude will drive me insane before the solitude does. I bow my head as I walk to the door, I can't stand the feeling of chains, it brings to many bad memories back. I lay on the ground and lift my feet to the slot, she quickly and efficiently chains them up. I stand while holding a chain attached to my feet, she then attaches that on to a shackle on my right wrist.

"There that's not so bad huh?"

I shudder, whatever you say girl. I hear the large metal bolts on the door slowly unwind and open, it slides heavily to the side as blinding light invades my little home. Damn the sun is blazing today, I'd say it's been atleast a month or two since I saw it fully like this. I squint as I try to see the girl, I'm disappointed though. She is wearing the full fire nation prison guard uniform, full helmet and mask included. She is the first to speak as always.

"Wow this is the first time I've gotten a good look at you! Much more handsome than I was expecting that's for sure" she giggles as she leads the way.

Handsome? What a joke, half my face looks like a nicely seared cow/pig steak. She must think that's a real funny joke, I'm not amused. As I look her up and down I'm a little shocked at how tall she is, I'm 6'1 and she is only and inch or two shorter than me. Judging by the considerable muscle I can see on her biceps she is probably quite strong as well. For some reason I pictured her being shorter and daintier. Just because I'm stubborn I keep up the mono tone voice as I shuffle behind her.

"So tell me girl, who is here to see me?"

"Umm I said it was a surprise didn't I?!?"

I roll my eyes as we continue walking down the long metal hallway. As we arrive at a large metal door she turns and approaches me, I shuffle away a little, for some reason I fear her touch. It doesn't deter her though, my back meets the wall as she reaches out and grabs my right hand

"Sato... You know that I care about you right?"

I'm taken aback by this whole thing, the feeling of her soft hands on mine is jarring. Her words are even more so, for the first time in a long time I feel genuine fear.

"Um... Yeah... Sure.... " I don't understand what she is doing right now. I definitely don't believe she actually cares for me, that's absurd, but I'm not sure what to say, what to feel.

She stares in my eyes like she is looking for something in them. I can barely see her eyes through the helmet, though from what I can see they are a beautiful bright blue. I try to lightly shake her hand off mine but she has an iron grip.

"I know you Sato, I know how you view yourself and I'm not asking anything of you... But if you care about me just please keep an open mind when she speaks... Please... For me..."

"Umm... Ok.. I guess..." I am at a loss for words at this point, I feel a sick feeling as her words digest.

She pulls me in for a hug, nothing in the world could make me feel more uncomfortable. After a minute she lets me go without a word and turns, knocks on the door four times, gives my butt a pat toward the door, and starts walking away.

She yells from down the hall "Good luck Sato, and don't use your grumpy voice it won't help you with her!"

I'm honestly dumfounded by that whole exchange. Who the hell is behind this door? What is that girls deal? Why does she care? What is her motive? I shake my head, well damn I guess there is only one way to get answers. The second I hear the door unlock I push it open. To my utter shock a very tall busty girl comes flying at me, I close my eyes waiting for a punch. Instead I feel a warm hug envelope me, my face is pushed against the softest things I've ever felt...

"My name is Ty Lee, I've heard so much about you Sato!"