A bit late but I wanted to post this still. A very short ATLA au but I kinda like it. I tried mixing them both. Enjoy
Noroke (Japanese)
“Speaking with fondness about your loved one.”
Nunchi (Korean)
“The subtle and often unnoticed art of listening and gauging another person’s mood.”
Sasuke watched Hinata speak to the high-class officials around her. Compared to the opulent dress of others around her, she was dressed modestly in a sleeveless wrap dress with an attached cape that moved like water on her. Her simple jewellery stood out amongst the overly detailed of others.
“But bloodbending, you can’t honestly think it’s at all a good thing. that woman used it to keep control of everyone around her.”
“Out of revenge yes. You seem to forget that Koharu was taken from her home just for the simple fact she was a waterbender. While her intentions for making the style were inherently bad, that doesn’t mean we should throw it away and forget it exists. We’d be doing exactly what she wants, creating a villain out of her and justifying her actions. Instead, we should be trying to find a positive in it, such as healing. Internal bleeding has been the cause of death as it’s hard to detect. Just the ability to sense the blood in the wrong place and even move it could be lifesaving. That’s not to say every waterbender should learn how to use it. I only learned in the moment and it’s not a moment I ever hope to relive. We mentally look at each bender to see if they can handle it and if they decide halfway they can’t, that’s fine. It’ll have to be taught that this can’t be used against a person and monitored but with time, I have faith that it could become an integral part of healing. I also believe that other facets of bending can be used in different way in our ever-changing world.”
“I can practically see the hearts above your head.” Sasuke turned to his brother, who sat on the throne, the lights glinting off the flame crown in his hair. The glassy eyes and the fact that he stared straight ahead gave away his blindness. That didn’t mean his brother was an easy target, there was a reason he was the Fire Lord.
“She hated it before. I thought after Koharu forced the knowledge on her to save us, she’d never be the same. I mean, it wasn’t pleasant, feeling your own body betray you and if you focused hard enough, feeling the blood pull you in different directions. But she was determined to not give Koharu the satisfaction, so she worked on what to do. And now she can actually do it. She’ll be remembered as one of the greatest healers ever.”
“And not just the Avatar. Or married to the Prince of the Fire Nation when you get around to proposing. Or the student of Firebending Master Sasuke Uchiha.”
Those were all hats Hinata wore. The next avatar in the line of water benders, lover to Sasuke and his first and so far, only student. Teaching her should have given him his mastery if he didn’t already have it before. she was so scared of a single flame, understandable given her life in the Northern Water Tribe, but he’d been ready to tear his hair out. Finding her to specifically teach her had been near impossible as she’d been so convinced, he was dragging her back to the Fire Nation to give to the usurper who was on the throne at the time. In all honesty, Sasuke was there on behalf of the White Lily, the rebel group his brother had been head of. It took a lot of talking and a rescue mission or two for her to finally believe him and it had been paid back in the toughest part of learning.
The falling in love wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. She was just, the brightest person, who didn’t give up no matter what. She held so much on her shoulders but she didn’t break, at least not in front of others. He’d found her once and didn’t want to see it again. So, he’d sit with her, even if she didn’t talk. Sometimes she did and their bond grew. When Naruto teased him about being a jealous boyfriend when Kiba had his hands on her during their earthbending lessons, it became very clear. Before the final battle, he wanted to say something, but she beat him to it by kissing him.
“I plan on coming back when I take down Daizo. I just…I couldn’t leave without letting you know.”
He kissed her back, hard and told her if she didn’t come back, he was going to the spirit world and killing her. He’d never seen anyone smile so hard at a death threat.
Months had passed and the Fire Nation was repairing itself from the time under Diazo’s rule. Hinata had been traveling with her group helping other villages and towns, while Sasuke had to stay with his brother. To be honest, this was the first time he was getting the chance to see her in months, but he didn’t mind not whisking her away. Watching her be the confident person when he remembered how shy she was before was amazing to watch.
“I still remember when you sent me letters, questioning if she really was the Avatar. Now look at you.”
Sasuke sent a small glare to his brother’s teasing. “Leave me alone. I don’t tease you nearly as much when it comes to you and Kisame.”
“because it’s not as fun. Besides, you didn’t have to hear remark after remark about how amazing the young Avatar is and how beautiful. Never once have you been attrached to a woman’s looks. Now I wish I could see to know what drew you to her.”
“What didn’t? Her eyes are like the moon and her hair like the river when the moon is gone. But it was more than looks. Her kindness and determination, it’s what made me never give up on her.”
And so, he bragged about her. How could he not? He was just upset he didn’t have her there when he did, she always got so red. Speaking of turning red, he noticed she was playing with her fingers. The bottom of her dress moved as she shifted and he knew he had to go in.
“Stay with him.” He ordered the nearest guard and quickly made his way to Hinata who’s cheeks were starting to flush. “Excuse me gentlemen, my apologies for the interruption but I’m afraid the Fire Lord wanted to speak to the Avatar. If you’ll excuse us.” With a gentle hand on her back, he took the long way back to the throne. “You’re ok?”
“F-fine.” She’d reverted back to stuttering in her nervousness. “their questions s-started coming f-fast and I coul-couldn’t think.”
He let his fingers run up and down her spine, like he used to do when it happened before. he was sure he was getting looks, but he didn’t care.
“I’m sure we can leave if you want.”
Hinata shook her head, leaning against him. “No. I haven’t s-seen you in so long. I-I don’t care if we have to spend time around everyone else.”
“Really? Even if I get to finally show you the turtleduck pond?”
Hinata’s eyes lit up. Ever since he told her about the pond in the palace, she’d been dreaming of seeing it. “I guess we can disappear for 5 minutes.”
They stayed outside for the rest of the party. With how giddy she was and how her smile never left her face, how could he?
