I Promised

Chapter 1

" listen sweat heart." The mother placed her sick hollow hand on her 14 year old daughters flushed cheeks.
The women's smile was weak and her eyes were droopy from sleepiness and she knew she couldn't speak many more words. Her daughter leaned in closer to her mom. "Yes, do you need something." She started fiddling around with the materials on the small table near the bed. The nervousness of the young girl made her about spill the cup of water.
The mother shook her head slowly and distinctively. Her daughter looked into the women's eyes.

"Dad." Her daughter whispered. Her mother nodded and the young girl ran out of the room.

She could hear Her daughter scream louder, "Dad!" But her breathing started to crumble and her vision started to blur. She knew she only had a couple minutes left.

Her family soon was piled around the bed, ready eyed and close to her.
The mother lifter her hand to pull on the young girl. She leaned down instantly to hear what her mother requested.
"Promise me, sweety." Her husband twitched at her statement and sucked in a ragged breath. Their daughter didn't pay much attention to the shared glance the man and wife had. "Promise me you will take care of them. Them all."
And with her other hand, she held her husbands arm tightly.

He leaned down slowly and kissed her on the head as tears ran down his face.
In the dimness of the older women's sight she saw her daughter back up and hold her hands to her face.
"I promise." Is the last thing the women whispered to her husband.

***

The black hood that covered my face was slowly moving in the wind as I walked down the dark allies of the strange new town.
I looked at the scroll in my hands, barely able to see considering it was midnight and I had to rely on the ever so often street lamp.
"Hey." I heard a whisper behind me. I bolted around and raised my hand to place in a fighting position, careful not to pull the water near.

A man about my age stood behind me, hands up in defense. I lowered my hands and put them on my hips. "What are you doing here!" I whisper screamed. The guy smiled nervously.
"Sorry, I was just trying to make sure you were okay." He tried moving closer. I frowned.

"Aang, I'm not a baby. You don't need to protect me." I held the scroll out again to look at the offers.

"Yes I do. What do you think Sokka would do if he knew you were out here!" I rolled my eyes and tried getting closer to the lamp on the street.

"Nothing." I said simply. Aang raised a eyebrow as if to say really. "Because he won't find out." The bald boy growled and face-palmed. I smiled at my old friend.

I scanned the scroll until my eyes fell on the final option.

"Bingo." And I ran down the dark dirty streets, searching for the address that was given.

"Wait up Katara!" Aang ran right behind me, I could tell he was avoiding his bending. I don't blame him, I do it too. You never know who is watching in the FireNation.

I searched for the number 365 on a building.
362...363....364... I kept running...365.
I stopped, making Aang run right into me. His face was flushed and I shook my head pushing him off. I walked forward and opened the door to the large rundown building.

Right when I walked in I saw about 5 Royal guards playing pia sho at a table. And by the looks of it, someone just one.
The men did not pay much attention to me.

I cleared my throat and they all looked my way and frowned. Aang hid behind me, for he couldn't fit threw the door because I was to scared to move forward.

"E-excuse me." My voice broke. One man smiled with amusement.
"Are you lost little lady." One man stood with a tall glass in his hand.

"No, I know perfectly well where I am and what I am doing here." I said trying to be confident.
He crossed his arms. "And what might that be?"

I licked me slightly chapped lips and took in a deep breath. "I would like to join the guard." I siad leaning forward.

The men laughed and doubled over. I cocked an eyebrow and put my hands on my hips.
"What's so funny."
A younger boy stepped closer to me. I straitened my back.
"Are you even old enough."
"I sure am!" He raised his eyebrows.

"How old are my m'lady?" The man asked.
"Sixteen."
He looked back at the other guards and they shrugged.

"Fine. But you need training."