Sound Bender (Avatar: The Last Airbender) #Wattys2017

||Chapter 1 - Adopted||

Himoko's POV (A week later, 5 years old)

I awoke in a infirmary on a hospital bed wearing the same clothes only they were singed, tattered, and ripped. Black spots covering the fabric. I sat up, groaning before looking around to see others who were either sick or injured laying down in their hospital beds, healers helping them as much as they could. My eyes felt down to my palms that were now resting in my lap, images of a nightmare that became to real flashing through my tiny mind. My grey eyes became dull and emotionless, a lump catching in my throat. Mommy and Daddy were dead, no longer here with me. Our house was gone, our lifestyle that we were happy with was gone. Everything was gone!

One of the healers walked over to me once they saw that I was awake, sitting on the foot of the bed with a king smile on her face

"Hi sweetie, how are you feeling?" She asked me receiving no reply. She sighed loudly, glancing over at the doorway on the other side of the room to her right, nodding to herself before getting up

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." She held out her hand to me which I didn't take. Instead I got out of the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor and walked pass her. She followed after me, her hands on both of my shoulders to guide me to the washroom. I still didn't speak to her even when she got me into he bath, cleaning every inch of my skin and washing my hair

"Your hair is so beautiful, take good care of it alright?" She complimented my hair, trying to make a conversation with me. I gave her no reply, just stared mindlessly at the bubbles floating on the water in front of me. She helped dry me off and put on some clothes, Traditional Earth Kingdom Clothing for Little Girls my size. She led me to the throne room to meet the King of Omashu to tell him of what happened, the guards who saved me from the fire were also going to be present there. The healer, who told me her name was Miyuki, knocked on the door a guard slightly opening it I see who it was. The guard nodded before opening the door fully, letting us into the Throne Room. Miyuki held me hand, leading me to the King of Omashu who looked to be a frail old man sitting on top of his throne, only my eyes could see that when he was in his youth he was a strong young man, probably still is now if he tried. Hunched over and with curious looking eyes, he studied me, watching my every move, his eyes stopping when they met mine, a sense of recognition sparking in his. He stood up, walking towards me an Miyuki before bending down to my height, dismissing Miyuki out of the room. Once she was out, he began to speak to me

"Why hello there child, you look down an all but I would like to know what had happened to you a week ago?" He asked me gently, resting his hand on my left shoulder. I stared up at him, unresponsive. He quirked and eyebrow at me, wrinkling his nose like a rabbit

"Hmm? Not talking eh? Well, we will work on it. You do not have to speak of what happened that night when it is clearly shown in your eyes, just tell me your name and I will help and guide you from now on." Minutes passed after he said that phrase to me, my mind thinking if I should tell this stranger the name my parents have given me. With a deep breath, I told him my name

"Himoko..." I said quietly for only he could hear

"What a beautiful name for a beautiful Air Nomad Little Girl." I froze up, eyes widening in terror. How did he know what my nationality was? As if he could hear my question resounding through my head, he answered me

"How do I know you may ask? Why, because I used to be the Avatar's Best Friend after all! You have the same eyes as him, that's how I can tell. The same set of eyes radiating with courage and determination, qualities everyone strives for in life. Himoko, I shall guide and help you in anyway I can until the day I pass to the Spirit World, just as your parents have." Without any warning, tears brimmed my eyes and I began to sob, practically throwing myself into the King's arms, crying against his chest, my parent's faces entering my mind before disappearing only to be replaced by the King's face.