Most stories have a begining, middle and end. I came up with a middle and an end but I was struggling to come up with a begining. Eventually I gave up, so you're kinda thrown in head first. But I hope you like it.
Don't own it.
Our passions are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
She stood, rage burning inside of her. "All fire does is destroy! It twists and burns and devastates everything in its path!" Katara paused for a moment, suddenly composed, and gazed into the night sky. As quickly as it came the calmness left her "It takes away all you love!" She screamed at him, her eye filled with fiery animosity.
All Zuko could think about was the unfairness of her accusation. Abruptly anger consumed him and before he knew it he was on his feet too.
"You think that fire is all that destroys?" His words, had there been anyone to hear them, would have been heard for miles around. "What about your water? It may be needed for life, but it can take life too! Have you ever seen the effects of floods? Seen the families left without homes, without shelter? Villages have been swept away because of your precious water!"
Katara turned away, she was ashamed of her outburst, she knew there had been no need but the stress of the war was taking its toll, the constant fear for her brother's and her friend's lives troubled her every second. Her emotions felt so locked up, so trapped. She had to let them out somehow. She opened her mouth as if to say something but Zuko yet had more to say.
"And what of earth?" He continued to yell, "It may provide us with something firm to walk on and a place to grow food. But what if the land starts to slide? Mud cascading down a hill won't spare anything in its path! And air! It provides us with life, literally gives us a reason to breathe. But have you seen the aftermath of a hurricane? The devastating whirlwind of the air leaves nothing untouched! And fire." Quietly now Zuko spoke, "Fire does destroy, just like all the elements. It does twist and burn and it does cause pain. However," Zuko held out his hand to the campfire and in one swift movement extinguished the only light source there was. "when all hope is gone, and it feels as if you are walking around lost in the dark, fire is there to provide hope, and light the darkness, so you may find your way once again." With these words Zuko re- ignited the fire, illuminating their faces. The reflection of the flames could be seen dancing in the tears in both their eyes.
No further words were spoken that night, but the two slept soundly, lying on the soft earth, lulled to sleep by the rustling of leaves in the subtle breeze and the gentle sloshing of water in the nearby lake. While the soothing warmth of the fire beside them allowed their dreams to be filled with belief that hope still remained.
Rand R please. Hope you enjoyed.