The night was quiet and the moon was full tonight. The guards still roamed the palace grounds, as they always do. No lights were on which meant all were asleep in the palace, all but one. He would always sneak out at this time of night, careful to evade the guards. He had a route which was always taken in same precise manner. His climbing skills were greatly appreciated, they helped him out of one or two sticky situations before.
Rounding the corner he saw a guard, then quickly ducked before he saw him. He was just about to move when he felt a presence, he quickly looked at his surroundings but saw no one. Rounding two more corners he made his way over the bridge into the oasis. He took his spot at the back of the pond and started meditating. It might have been minutes or even hours but eventually the sun rose and he went back to the palace, careful not to alert the guards as he did.
"What are you doing up so early?"It was his annoying brother Kelan, standing there with his arms crossed like he owned the place, and he didn't.
"I can get up wherever I want." He hoped that answer would be enough but it wasn't, his brother pressed on.
"Ok yes you can but you can't go wherever you want, remember the spirit oasis is off limits, even to you, father's rules."
"Those are dumb rules! and they shouldn't apply to me, I have a connection with that place and I always feel like I need to be there."
"You would say that, but rules are rules, little brother, now go and get ready for breakfast, father has a special guest coming and he wants the whole family to be there to meet him."
An hour later he made his way to the dining hall, he went past his usual spot next to Kelan and straight for the seat next to his favorite brother Kiran, a Commander in the United Forces. The servants started bringing in their meals when his father, the chief, came in and took his usual spot at the head. His father started talking but he was too entranced to hear.
"Kanan, are you listening?"
"What...yes I am, I'm just tired from practicing yesterday."
His brother Kelan cut in, "Are you sure it wasn't from going to the spirit oasis last night!", Kanan shot him a dirty look, one which was clearly received.
"Kanan what did I say about going there, it's not a playground, it's a relic of the old times and we need to preserve it for our cultures sake."
"I know dad but I have this connection to it ever since what happened when I was born, I feel drawn to go there."
"Well don't, in fact I'm putting more guards at your door to make sure you don't go there."
"Go ahead I just sneak around them." Kanan felt like it was an accomplishment
"You do what…nevermind, I can't stop you so why try." He started to rub his temples when a man came in and whispered in his ear. "Ah yes I almost forgot about my guest, I want you kids to be on your best behavior and Kiren, I have a feeling you already know this guest."
The guest walked in and only Kiren was surprised, which didn't surprise his father. The guest was none other than his former General, now retired, Kazuki.
Kazuki shook hands with the chief and went to sit at the table, he sat across from Kanan. A servant brought him breakfast and he started to eat away happily, almost like he never ate before. All the while Kiren was looking at him like he had a third arm growing out of his back.
"Kiren it's not nice to stare at other while they eat." His father said to him while trying to hold back a laugh.
"I don't get it!" Kanan said while looking at everyone else.
"Kanan, the general is one of the greatest firebenders in the world, his grandfather was Avatar Ryu, he was also Kirens mentor and friend."
Kiren started talking, "Yeah and then he disappeared 3 years ago, and told me nothing."
"Well putting all that aside lads, I'm here for one reason and that's to teach Kanan to Firebend." The general had finished his food and was looking right at Kanan.
"You think you can teach me, good luck." He crossed his arms in defiance.
"Oh I know I can, and I would be honored to, Avatar Kanan."