Hitoshi has brown hair that goes down to his neck, with bangs hanging down in front of his eyes. His hair is rarely seen, however, as the young man often keeps it covered by a green cap. The aforementioned eyes are green in color, marking the teenager as an Earth Kingdom native. His mouth is more often than not set in a firm, serious line, and he rarely smiles. His skin is tanned from time spent out in the sun. The young man is clothed in a green shirt, a dark green vest with gold trim, and brown pants, with black shoes that slip onto his feet. Hitoshi keeps his clothes spotless, as cleanliness is necessary for his way of life. The young carries a large pack on his back, which holds traveling necessities as well as separate compartments for the many herbs he gathers.

Hitoshi was born to a middle-class couple in Omashu. The boy’s father was in the city’s library, and his mother was a healer. Hitoshi took after his mother, and thus spent much of his childhood watching her work. The idea of using plants to make people better fascinated the child, and he begged his mother to teach him how it was done. At first the woman was reluctant to pass on her knowledge to her child. She didn’t want the boy to grow up knowing that at times other people’s lives would be in his hands. However, when she saw just how excited Hitoshi was at the prospect of learning to heal, the woman relented and began slowly bringing her son into her world.

Hitoshi took to healing like a moth to a flame. He absorbed his mother’s instructions with incredible speed. It was as if the young man already had the knowledge in his head, and only needed to be reminded of its existence. He had been disappointed that he was not, and could never become, an Earthbender, but his knack for healing completely made up for the lack of talent in that area. In just a few years the boy had completely memorized his mother’s extensive catalogue of herbs. He knew which plants were best for curing specific ailments, which would take away pain, everything his mother could teach him.

Around the time Hitoshi turned sixteen, word of the return of the Avatar reached him. While those around the teenager were reacting with joy, he was focused on a darker consequence of the news. With the Avatar back, Hitoshi was sure that the Fire Nation would want to destroy the boy at all costs, seeing as he was probably the only one who could stand in its way. That meant more soldiers being sent out, more towns seized, more people hurt. Healers would be in high demand but low demand. Every pair of hands would be needed to keep people alive. So Hitoshi figured, why shouldn’t he contribute his skills to that great occupation? After all, why had he learned healing techniques if not to use them to help others?

At first the teenager’s parents were completely against their son’s idea of becoming a traveling healer. He was too young, it was far too dangerous for him to travel alone, he wouldn’t be able to survive in the wilderness…these and other concerns were leveled at the young healer. But he was adamant about his position, and eventually his parents gave in. Hitoshi packed his belongings, reviewed the various herbs one more time with his mother, and then went out into the world. He is still traveling around the Earth Kingdom. He stops in any town he finds, heals whoever needs his services, and moves on. The young man is getting a bit lonely, and is seeking a companion who wouldn’t mind the constant travel Hitoshi’s job requires.

First and foremost, Hitoshi is a caring person. He can’t stand to see others upset or in pain, and tries his best to make everything better for everyone. He realizes that this is impossible, and that this view is naïve, but doesn’t care. As long as he can fix some people’s injuries, he’s happy. There are, however, some limits to this. Hitoshi will treat anyone, but is hesitant to treat children. The idea that he might cut short a life not yet really lived terrifies the teenager. He understands that in that case the death would not be his fault, but he would still feel responsible. And to have to look a child’s parents in the eyes and say that he couldn’t save their child, after they’d trusted him to do so…he’d probably just break down and start sobbing. Hopefully that scenario never occurs.

Hitoshi trusts too easily. Because he usually only sees people when they are hurt or upset, dependent upon his help, the green-eyed young man never sees the evil of which others are capable. In other words, he believes that no one he comes across has any malicious intentions. Of course, it’s obvious that some do—the war is proof of that—but Hitoshi never runs into those people. All in all, the teenager is rather naïve. He knows this, but until something forces him to change his view of the world, he’ll stay the way he is.