Run.
That single word broke through the white light.
Run.
It thundered and cracked in the air. That single command.
Run!
The urgency, the fear, the despair. It is getting darker where he stands.
You are lost…
And much like rain and lightening pound against the mountains during their violent storms so did the words envelope him. Devouring his being, ripping at his heart, poisoning his mind. An intoxicating blackness swallows its victim whole.
WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF! THEY ARE ONLY WORDS!
"UNCLE!"
But he is not there. The water-tribe boy snores loudly in his sleep and mumbles something about the moon. Everyone sleeps as dawn approaches.
"How did I not wake them…" Zuko wonders. The fire is barely alive now. At least his fire-bending can help it to grow and thrive once more. One of the many things he is at least good at. He doesn't belong there and yet…he did at the same time…
"Even when surrounded by people, I'm just…alone…"
Maybe his destiny is not what he thought…
Without making a sound he rises and walks to the edge of the platform of the air temple. With a loud sigh Zuko sits, one leg dangling over the edge, the other propped on the edge so he can rest his head on his knee. The sun is barely rising and dew and fog are covering the few plants and the temple in secrecy. A perfect hideout.
"Mind if I join you?" a quiet voice asks. It startles Zuko and he stands quickly. The water-tribe boy awoke from his dreams and was standing next to Zuko.
"Sure, I mean I guess."
Zuko sits again and this time Sokka joins him.
"So couldn't sleep?" Sokka asks.
"No." replies Zuko shortly, looking away from the water-tribe boy down into the ravine.
"Yea…me either," Sokka says. The two sit in silence for a long while. Two opposites side-by-side looking down in the same ravine.
"Sooo…" begins Sokka searching for some conversation.
"Your sister hates me doesn't she…" says Zuko. His eyes widen as he realizes what he just said.
"Pretty much," says Sokka nonchalantly. "But I mean, you did chase us around the world and attempt to kill us several times."
"Yeah…"
"No hard feelings though," says Sokka flashing one of his big cheesy grins. "No but really, lots of hard feelings actually…"
"I guess I should just give up on saying 'Sorry about that,' all the time."
"Well, it doesn't hurt to say it…"
"But it doesn't do much either," broke in Zuko. "I'm trying to help now. Actions speak louder than words, and I know that this is my destiny. To be here. To help the Avatar defeat my fath…I mean, the Fire Lord."
The two sit in silence once again. Sokka shrugged in response to Zuko's defense but it was the only movement either of the two made. Sokka yawned and punched Zuko playfully in the arm.
"Who knows?" he said. "Maybe things will work out."
"That's your best advice?"
"I never said I was a man of many words. Sometimes simple advice is enough."
I certainly hope so.