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Hidden in Plain Sight

Summary:

Neiru has lived her life hidden amongst her enemies. An airbender blending in with firebenders as a gutsy but clever way to go unnoticed. They met at seven years old, their friendship blooming over the years as she became his and Azula's sparing partner. Neiru adored the kindhearted Zuko even though he barely noticed her. That was until he was banished and she was forced to accompany him. Suddenly she was one of the few things keeping him sane. Her fondness grew alongside her turmoil as she hates being a minion on the wrong side of the war. Her heart is torn between amber eyes and following her conscience. Will she pull Zuko into the light or will he drag her into the dark? And what will happen to her heart if a smart but sassy Water Tribe man distracts her on this wild journey. Sokka helps her let loose, making her feel more alive than ever before but she doesn't know how to be honest with him. Will they claim her heart? Or maybe she is doomed to have it broken by both.

Chapter 1: Explanation & Introduction

Chapter Text

At times this fic will use actual dialogue from the show/comics. It will also follow the timeline of the show until it reaches Book 3. If you don't like fanfics that expand off of the show's transcript then this one is sadly not for you. Warning done. Now onto the explanation!

This Fanfic was inspired by my brother arguing with me that earth is the best element and has the most diversity. His whole debate was based on how the shows offer earth the most archetypes; such as metalbending and lava bending. I pointed out that the theory around bloodbending would work with air as well since there are a lot of air pockets in the body. This then reminded me that a lot of the archetypes of bending are learning to bend while using other people’s techniques. Lavabending is like if you combined earth, fire, and water all together. Then Iroh says outright that redirecting lightning was created by borrowing water bending techniques.  You could say sand bending is earth bending combined with air bending in the way we see it function. There is so much overlap with the elements and the way they function. I thought it was a fascinating concept and wanted to play around with it.

Add that idea with the fact I’ve been craving a non-monk airbender inspired this story. So here is an alternate universe where one airbender survived the raids and the journey his descendant will go on. I hope to show off that airbenders could be absolutely terrifying if they didn’t limit themselves. It’s a different take on the definition of freedom and being one with the things around you. I also plan on eventually writing a Legend of Korra story and hope on continuing this story's lore in it.

The timeline is going to be different as I wasn't interested in cramming everything that happens in a six month time range. That as well as the ending is going to be extended. The third season is my favorit but I feel like it should have been broken into two pieces or been longer. We really should have seen more time with Zuko in the gang. The start of the story won't verge too much from the actual show's plot but the farther we get along the more it will start to splinter. Plus it will continue on past the show's main story and go into the comics which I've recently been reading and am obsessed with. So welcome and I hope you enjoy the story.  

 


Reference Photos of how I picture the Main Character to look. Except her left eye is vibrant blue and she's a little more pale.