Disclaimer: I own nothing.


Okay, so why does the crazy man want to talk to me, and why does he have to be such a jerk about it?

These were the questions Sokka asked to himself as he made his way to the hut of the "enlightened" Firebending master, Jeong Jeong. He had just been minding his own business, fishing in the river nearby and content to let Katara practice her waterbending, and let Aang learn Firebending from the hermit. His content was subsequently destroyed when said hermit snuck up behind him and barked about discussing something in Jeong Jeong's hut.

Now, normally, he would just ignore the man and go back to what he was doing, but Katara was just a little ways down the shore and managed to overhear old coot. So now he pretty much had to do what the old man ordered or he'd get The Stare, since his dear, deluded sister bought in to the whole "reformed fire nation soldier" bit. Sokka of course knew there was no such thing, and awaited the inevitable betrayal so they could make their way to the North Pole (like they should already be doing), and also so he could gloat that he was right about it being a bad idea to let Aang train with this guy.

Wait a sec, where is Aang anyway?

Now Sokka's big brother instincts kicked in. Granted, he hadn't known the Avatar for long, but the kid had managed to endear Sokka to consider the boy something of a little brother. An annoyingly naive and overly-trusting little brother. Flashes of Jeong Jeong pushing the trusting Aang off of the cliff he had taken him to train on half an hour earlier flashed through Sokka's mind, and he had to force himself to calm down. Aang was pretty tough, especially with his Airbending. Sokka trusted that the kid would have made a lot of ruckus if he were in trouble. But just to be sure, the Water Tribe warrior took a moment to make sure he had his boomerang on him.

Better to be safe than sorry, after all.

Certain that he could defend himself if necessary, he took a moment to ready himself for the inevitably annoying conversation that would soon follow and entered the candle-lit bamboo hut that served as Jeong Jeong's home. Within sat the hermit, his back turned to Sokka, surrounded only by the glow of candles. Probably to make himself seem more mysterious and wise, the young man thought with an internal snort.

Sokka stood for a few moments, waiting for the old man to start whatever discussion he wanted to have. After roughly half a minute of uncomfortable silence, the teen crossed his arms impatiently and decided to address the Deserter, "So, are you just gonna sit there trying to seem impressive? Or are you gonna get on with whatever you wanted to talk about before you die of old age?"

Sure it was rude, but he was talking to a member of Fire Nation, there was only so much goodwill he could give them, given past experiences.

Jeong Jeong didn't respond immediately, instead taking taking a few deep breaths and slowly releasing them. His back still to Sokka, he spoke, "It is a little known fact that the power to command one of the elements, bending, is not necessarily bound to its respective land. It is rarely seen, so much so that it believed to be a simple myth, but I know it to be true. Citizens of Fire Nation capable of bending earth, Water Tribesmen commanding the winds, they all possessed ancestry of their bending element somewhere in their line. In old times, they represented the bonds between their respective homelands, often acting as diplomats and working to keep the peace between their two peoples. Such men and women have not been seen in many years, at least publicly, the xenophobia between countries likely making them hide their gifts."

At this point, Sokka knew for certain he wasn't going to like this conversation, even if he wasn't entirely sure where it was going. "Okay, back in the good old days, bending wasn't restricted to a certain nation, and everything was sunshine and koallaotters. Why are you telling this to me, and not Aang, who might care about this information?"

"Because, boy, it relates to you," Jeong Jeong said sharply, having little patience for the boy's cheek.

Sokka could easily guess what the old man was implying, as he crossed his arms and replied, "I'm fairly certain it doesn't. I'm not now, nor have ever been, a bender of any kind. I'm pretty sure I'd know if I was."

Jeong Jeong turned to face Sokka, his face conveying his seriousness, "My senses have never failed me before, boy. They told me of Aang's lack of discipline and training in the other bending arts, just as they tell me now that you yourself are a bender. Even now, I can see your inner fire. It is suppressed, but it burns strong. You, Sokka, are a Firebender."

There wasn't much Sokka could do at this point than simply gape at Jeong Jeong, trying to process what he just heard. As he thought on it more and more, he came to a logical conclusion.

Jeong Jeong is crazy.

Snickering to himself, then falling into outright laughter, Sokka didn't immediately see the tightening of the old masters face in displeasure. After his fit of hysterics settled down, he finally noticed the sober expression on Jeong Jeong's face.

"You have the Inner Fire, boy, and to tame it you will need training--"

"I don't have any 'Inner Fire', so save your breath and go back to training Aang," Sokka interupted, have enough of the man's insanity and got ready to leave. Unfortunately, Jeong Jeong was persistent.

"You would so easily endanger your friends by denying what you are? If you do not gain discipline that is what will happen. You should be honored for a chance to learn Firebending from a master."

"I'm not a Firebender!" Sokka remarked loudly. The man's persistence on the delusional thought that the Water Tribesman was a firebender of all things was starting to get on his nerves.

"Who are you trying to convince, boy?" Jeong Jeong asked, his own anger rearing, "You may claim otherwise, but deep down you know what you are. There is no other way for you to suppress your Inner Fire for so long without knowledge of it!

"All potential benders use their powers subconsciously in times of great emotion, it is often how they are discovered, and training is what suppresses the habit. Your fire is being held back, barely, I might add. If you do not accept your heritage and take my training, you will only bring your friends pain when you finally lose control!" By this time, The Deserter's voice was raising near the point of yelling.

Sokka wanted to yell, he wanted to scream that the old fool was wrong, but he restrained himself. Fisting his hands, he fell back on the method he had always known of calming himself down to tackle the man's accusations with logic. Within his head, he began to sing a lullaby from his childhood.

"Now you try to hold it back, boy? Scared that I'm right?" Jeong Jeong's cutting voice, tinged with smugness, did not help in restraining Sokka's anger. The old Firebender smirked to himself, knowing that with a little more prodding, the boy wouldn't be able to deny what he was any longer.

Jeong Jeong bellowed at the irate Water Tribesman, "You are one of us! You are a Firebender! Admit it!"

"SHUT UP!" Sokka yelled, the cheery orange glow of the room's many candles became a white hot fury that matched the mood of its instigator.

The candles raging flames stopped as quickly as they began, and silence reigned for a time. Sokka couldn't form words in his wide-eyed shock.

I gotta get out of here

His movements jerky and rigid, he made his way out of the hut, only to be stopped by the subdued, almost apologetic voice of Jeong Jeong.

"Boy... Sokka," the old master began, "I know this is hard for you, but you must learn control, or your Inner Fire will consume you. If you are willing, I will help you as best I can. You may take time to think about it."

Sokka said nothing, but the tension easing out of his form spoke for him. He continued out of the hut and, ignoring the look of concern on Katara's face as she asked what was wrong, made his way from the camp further up the shore.

He had a lot to think about.


Author's Notes: Since this is my first foray into fanfiction land, I would appreciate any constructive criticism you have to offer. Also, many thanks to the Sokka-centered one-shot "Juiced" for inspiring me, and to Isumo 1849 for acting as beta and offering excellent creative advice.