Zuko, prince of the Fire Nation, had seen too many horrors for his years. When he lost the duel with his own father and was banished from his home, he was stripped of everything save for a loving uncle and a ship and crew under his command. After that fateful duel, Zuko had matured all too quickly. He became bitter and his uncle never again saw a smile across his face…

The avatar, a single man or woman who has the four elements under their control. Zuko thought he was hunting the avatar. He had followed Aang day and night trying his best to capture him so that he might return home and regain his honor and key to the throne. But how could Zuko possibly have known then what even the young airbender did not…

Aang was the picture of spirited. He loved to play games and when those games became boring, he created more games. He was energetic, caring, and so loveable. Thayet watched over him. She was a scant four years older than Aang's twelve, but even then she could sense that Aang was…different. The blue arrows covered his body as they did on the traditional airbending monks. For that, Aang was treated older than his age. He was constantly pulled from his games to continue training with the other monks and always left these sessions with a glum face. It was obvious to Thayet that the dull, old geezers were suffocating Aang's lively personality. He needed to be out with people his age. He needed to be able to run around and make friends. Sure, he needed discipline, but he also needed freedom. They shouldn't take that away from him just because he was born a monk.

"Just because somebody is born different," Thayet mumbled to herself.

She always had an open heart for Aang, after all, they were in a similar boat. Thayet was born with a strange symbol permanently tattooed on her left ankle. Yet she didn't know then what this symbol meant. She did know that it meant extra training with the monks however. Any day now, Thayet would be proclaimed a master of her element. And it was then that the monks had decided it would be best to break the news to her. But they never got a chance…

"Aang," sighed Monk Roynale, "Your stance is off. Must I always tell you to keep your elbows up? What if you were caught in a duel? Do you think you would have any chance of surviving if you can't even remember your basic stance?"

"Sorry," Aang glumly replied. His tone was depressing enough, but it was his big grey eyes that truly won the monk over.

"Why don't we call it quits a bit earlier than usual, is that okay with you?"

Aang could barely contain his enthusiasm. He thanked the monk and ran outside before the old man could change his mind.

"Aang!" called Thayet. Aang skidded to a halt.

"Hey Thay," he used his common nickname for his friend and mentor. He slowed down as he neared her. They walked for about five minutes in silence till Aang cut in. "I think my brain just hatched an idea," he said it as if he knew it would be brilliant. "It's such a hot day today don't you think, Thay?"

"Yeah, I guess," she replied, uncertainty ringing clearly in her voice.

"Hows about we cool off in Poplars Lake?"

He knew it was against the rules, yet he had never been one to do as he was told. Thayet on the other hand…

"Aang, you know we can't do that. It's off the mountain! And Monk Gaiyo said any travels off the mountain---

"are strictly prohibited and will be punished accordingly," Aang finished the ancient speech he had heard millions of times. "So? We just won't get caught. Besides, your sixteen. Your responsible and smart and if there is any sign of trouble we can turn back right away. You have my word."

Thayet made the mistake of looking into those endless pools of grey that were Aang's eyes. She couldn't say no to such an adorable kid. So they were off…after they "borrowed" Appa, Thayet's flying bison.

It was dark when they tried to sneak back. The two kids had had a blast swimming in the lake and to Thayet's horror and dismay, they had completely lost track of time. She had to admit though, it really did beat the summer heat. They forgot about drying off. They were in a hurry to get back and simply jumped atop Appa and were off quickly drying in the speed at which they were traveling.

Finally the mountain came into view. They swooped low to where the hitching posts for the bison were. They jumped off the beast, using their airbending to lightly float to the ground and Thayet began to tether Appa.

The two kids nearly had a heart attack when a torch was light no more than five feet away, illuminating Monk Gaiyo and Roynale with the most vicious scowls on their faces not ten seconds later. Thayet had just finished tethering the bison when the monks each grabbed a wrist and quickly dragged them into the air temple to have a little talk.

The door closed with a loud creak and a slam. It was dark until the monks lit the lamps provided in the room. The kids figured on a boring speech but what they got was completely unexpected.

Gaiyo cut through the deep awkward silence. "Of all the foolish, stupid things anyone could possibly do, this one takes the cake!" he shouted. "And especially you two of all the people. Aang, you know you're a monk. We need you in the future and you cannot jeopardize yourself like that!" Aang looked at his feet in shame.

Roynale continued. "And you Thayet. ESPECIALLY YOU! You're the---

Gaiyo laid a heavy hand on the monk's shoulder. He had spoken too much. He never finished his sentence and simply said angrily through gritted teeth, "we are not taking any chances anymore. The two of you will be moving out of the children's quarters tomorrow to somewhere where we can keep an eye on you. And training will be doubled as a punishment. You WILL learn from your mistake. You are both dismissed."

Thayet was in a bad mood. Aang grew uncomfortable just walking next to her. Anger seemed to glow about her. He tried in vain to lighten the mood.

"Thay---

"Their keeping something from me!" she cut him off. "Their keeping something from me and if their not going to tell me.."

"Thay---

"Doesn't it bother you Aang?" she cut in again.

"Doesn't what bother me?" he asked curiously.

"They don't let you do anything normal. You never get to play your games. Your treated like a boring adult. You never had a real childhood." They had talked about this before.

"Well, yeah, I guess, but it doesn't really matter."

"Of course it matters, Aang! And I'm sick of it. I…I…I'm leaving!"

"Thay, listen to yourself. So what if the monks got angry with us. Your over-reacting," Aang tried desperately to talk her out of it. However he knew how stubborn his friend was. It was utterly useless even to try.

"Forget it Aang. I'm leaving. Come with me!"

"I can't. I have to finish my training and become a monk. I have a responsibility and you do too!" he would have loved to embark on an adventure, but he couldn't help but feel guilty.

"Aang, you forget, I'm basically a master now. They're gonna make me one any day now. I'll help you complete your training. Consider it a little "break" from this place. We can always come back. Please Aang. Come with me!"