Confliction, deceit, betrayal those were the feelings Akane felt. Akane was conflicted in her loyalties. On the one hand, her father expected complete loyalty to the Fire Nation. Soun was among the few Earth Kingdom nobles that switched their loyalties to the Fire Nation. Because he was intent on keeping his position of power within Omashu society Soun eagerly sold out his king and his city. Now, his youngest daughter was forced to become the personal protector of the Governor's only daughter.
On the other hand, Akane missed Ranma the best friend she had made when her family spent time in Gaoling. Ranma was the first real friend Akane had in her life. Her father had paid servants and those who worked under him to have their daughters play with Akane. Akane did not know if the girls she played with as a young child were truly her friends or not. When she found out the truth from Nabiki it broke her heart, until she met Ranma. At first she did not trust him believing his father was being paid to have him play with her but then she learned he truly and deeply wanted to be her friend.
Akane felt as though she betrayed her friendship to Ranma by aligning herself with the princess of the Fire Nation and her closest friends. It was the only thing she felt great shame in doing. Yet, Akane pushed those feelings of shame and betrayal to the background and took on the role of the perfect loyal Fire Nation soldier. And, the longer she played the role of the obedient soldier the more it became second nature to her. Ranma would just have to wait. Azula came first in Akane's life now.
"Perfect simply perfect," Azula commented as she watched Akane spar with Mai and Ty Lee.
The more time the Earth Kingdom girl spent around Mai and Ty Lee the less she acted like someone from the Earth Kingdom. Akane's sword deflected Mai's darts sending them flying into a nearby tree. A moment later her foot connected with Ty Lee's midsection sending her to the ground to land on her backside.
"Hey! That wasn't very nice," the perky circus performer complained in a singsong tone.
Akane stuck her sword into the ground and gave Ty Lee a hard look as she responded to the complaint, "Being nice won't win the war for the Fire Nation. Only being cold, calculating, and ruthless will."
"That's enough. Akane stand down. Mai and Ty Lee it's time for lunch," Azula commanded.
Instantly, Akane stood at attention and bowed before her princess, "Whatever you command my princess."
"Ugh do we have to," Mai questioned in a monotone tone.
Ever chipper Ty Lee responded to her friend's questioning, "Oh come on Mai it'll be fun."
Akane moved to the side of her princess standing at attention. Since joining with the fire princess and her acrobatic friend, the young Earthbender had absorbed all she could from them. Azula had made the greatest impact on the once carefree girl. Akane had become a cold calculating assassin with a razor sharp blade and a great skill in Earthbending. When the girls traveled from town to town trying to find Zuko or the Avatar it was Akane that helped to strike the real fear into the hearts of the Earth Kingdom villagers. Once they saw that an Earthbender was a loyal follower of the fire princess they cowered in fear.
The first few nights with Azula were hard for Akane. The fear that she was betraying her country had the young bender crying herself to sleep. But, a few sessions alone with Azula soon put the idea that she was a traitor to the Earth Kingdom out of her head. The pleasantries Akane had shown to Azula in Omashu when they first met had now become unquestioned obedience and unflinching loyalty. Akane would instantly do the bidding of her princess without question. Azula was confident that Akane would even kill for her if commanded. Azula had what she wanted, the perfect assassin at her disposal.
See other episodes by Chibihalo
(Posted Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:28)
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