Aang sat on the chair while the nurse examined all the cuts and bruises on his face. She sighed, smiling happily "Well there's no serious damage" When she finished examining Aang she walked over to a nearby cabinet and took out a small oval container. It was no bigger than her palm; she removed the cap, scooped a pea sized amount onto her fingertip. "Now Kuzon I need you to hold still this is going to sting a little " the Nurse replied as she applied the lotion to the wound on his face. Aang winced slightly in pain as she rubbed the lotion on his cuts and bruises. Aang stirred a little on the stool to his surprise the instant the nurse applied the lotion to his wounds he could no longer feel any pain. It was as if he had never been hit at all. The nurse put the cap back on the lotion cap, then re-examined his face.
"That's it you can go now." She said with a smirk. Aang raised his eyebrow in surprise. He got up and went to the nearest mirror to examine his face. What he saw next was astounding the cuts and bruises where all gone. His face looked like he had never been in a fight. He caressed his cheek half expecting to feel a scratch or a bruise, only to feel that his cheeks were smooth, with no lumps or cuts. "How did you do that?" Aang asked looking back at the nurse, who was putting the lotion back in the medicine cabinet.
She turned her head, looking at him suspiciously. "You don't think Fire Nation technology has advanced just in warfare do you? Modern medicine has also made an increase." The Nurse said with a smile. She winked at him and motioned for him to move along. Aang smiled as he bowed to the nurse then walked out of the office where Onji was waiting for him.
She sat on a bench just across the nurse's door. She got up and bowed to him "Kuzon? I'm sorry about what happened out there." Her voice was full of regret. Aang smiled " Hey it wasn't your fault. At least it happened to me rather than someone else right?"
Onji looked up at him, surprised at how well he was taking it. After everything that had happened to him he was still smiling and in good spirits, she smirked. " He was just a jerk. He always treated me like his own property. He told me what I could and couldn't have, do and couldn't do. Stuff like that."
Aang raised his eyebrow concerned. "Why didn't you just leave him?" Onji looked away shaking her head sadly. "You know my family asked me that exact same question. Maybe it's because I was always too afraid of what he might do. You saw how he acted when you stood up to him. I was always scared of what he might do… but after I saw how far he'd go to hurt someone who couldn't fight for themselves I just didn't care anymore. I had to do something"
Aang nodded his head approvingly. "You stand up for those for those who can't. I respect that. And thank you for helping me back there."
Onji smiled. "Your welcome." Aang waved goodbye and began to walk away. He was halfway down the all when he heard Onji yell.
"Kuzon?" Aang turned around to see Onji running down the hall. When she caught up to him he noticed that she was blushing. She quickly put her head down. Then she was starting to breath heavily. Finally she took a deep breath and said in a confident, yet slightly nervous tone "Would…would you and your family like to have dinner at my house tonight." Aang's eye's widened, surprise by her question. He knew that declining the invitation would be rude since she already had enough difficulty asking him. Then he thought it wouldn't hurt to accept. " Uh…Sure"
Onji's smile widened when he responded; she seemed delighted with his answer. "Great I cant wait to meet your parents. Here's my address" She gave him a piece of paper, then waved goodbye, and happily walked away in the opposite direction. Aang was momentarily crestfallen about what had happened. "Now how am I going to pull this off?"
Aang looked from left to right looking for Onji's house. The houses in this neighborhood looked so different. This housing area was located in the hilltop right above the town. It was of much more higher class and manner. Some were two or three stories high. Others were one story but had had large plantations in the back yard. Katara and Sokka followed close behind wearing their new disguises. Sokka wore a fake moustache and beard to make himself look like an older man, Katara had tied her hair up in two buns on both side's of her head other than that she really didn't need an extreme makeover. Toph didn't even need a makeover.
Sokka was hunched over scowling angrily "Does the word incognito mean anything anymore?" He stroked his beard annoyingly. "First we go to all this trouble to get into the fire nation, then you endanger our plans by enrolling in a fire nation school, then you risk exposure by getting into a fight with another student, and now you accepted an invitation to have dinner with someone that you hardly know…" Sokka pointed his finger at Aang "Your grounded young man!" Aang tried to suppress laugh but it was hard not to. He looked up at the last house on the hill then checked the address on the paper. "This is it Guy's. Come on." Aang said as he ran toward the house.
There was a loud knock on the door. "I'll get it, I'll get it, I'll get it!" Onji screamed as she ran from her room to the front door. "Just a minute young lady!" a man replied, walking between Onji and the front door. He was a tall, well-built, 35 year old male; had long brown hair, tied into a ponytail, and dark brown eyes. He had on a fancy black and red fire nation robe on. His face was well angled; with a sturdy cheeks, a strong chin, slightly chubby lips and a button nose. He eyed Onji who was still in her school clothes. He rolled his eyes, sighing, slightly miserable. "Couldn't you have at least changed for our guests?"
Onji's eyes widened into a cute glance and she smiled innocently. "Daddyyyy."
He couldn't help but smile and shake his head at how cute she looked. "All right I'll let it slide." He stepped aside to let her answer the door. She yelped happily, running over to the door. The first person she saw was Aang, who smiled and slightly waved "Hi Onji".
"Hi Kuzon come one in." She stepped aside gesturing them to come through. They entered the house and met with Onji's father, who looked at Sokka and Katara with a little shock at how short they where compared to him. He had expected a much taller maybe slightly muscular father figure. "Sheesh if they're this small in the Earth kingdom why did it take so long to defeat them?"
He quickly changed his expression to a smile and extended his hand out towards Sokka. "It's nice to meet you Mr.?" Sokka grabbed his hand, shaking it aggressively. "Fire! Wang Fire! Thank you so very much for having use over." Sokka replied, as he dragged Katara in, by her arm. He placed his hand over her shoulder. "And this is my wife Sapphire." Katara smiled as she shook his hand gently. "Sapphire Fire nice to meet you."
Onji's dad smiled. "Well Mr. and Ms. 'Fire' " it's an honor to have you dine with use this evening. My name is Finn. Please walk this way." He walked forward and the others followed. Finn turned his head towards Sokka. "So Onji tells me you're from colonies in the Earth Kingdom."
Sokka answered quickly "Uh Yes!… we moved here because we were interested in seeing what the home land is like." Finn nodded his head. "I see…" He led them through a long corridor to a small lounge area. There where two sofa's with a small table dividing the two of them. A servant was placing a small teapot and a few cups on the small table. "Would any of you like some tea?" Finn asked taking a seat on the couch to the right. Sokka accepted a cup but before anyone else could accept the door to the lounge slide open revealing a ravishing Fire Nation beauty. All talking ceased as Aang and Sokka's eye's widened and there jaws dropped in aw.
She looked like a women who was painted in a very beautiful picture. She had a round chin, slightly high cheekbones, and long eyelashes that gave her an exotic look. She had a slim waist. Her hair was light brown and was not tied back; instead it flowed freely down to her shoulders. Her eyes were light silver, and glistened like diamonds. She had on a bright red fire nation dress that was beautifully woven with yellow and white flowers. Rose red lipstick covered her lips, and her eyelids were colored black.
All attention was focused on her Sokka almost dropped his teacup, while Katara looked from her to Aang, whose eyes were glued to the women. Katara rolled her eyes scowling angrily.
Finn got up and walked over to the women. He was more amazed than anyone else in the room he extended his hand towards her. She smiled happily and took it. Finn turned around addressing everyone "Everyone…This is my lovely wife Yin." Finn escorted her to the sofa. They both took a seat with Onji sitting next to her mother. Finn introduced his visitors to her. "Honey this is Wang Fire, Sapphire Fire …and this is Kuzon Fire." Yin smiled when she was introduced to Aang. "So you're the young man Onji's been telling use all about. She say's that you stood up to Hide today at school." She put her hand on Onji's shoulder.
Aang nodded his head.
"I think that was brave of you, only a true friend would have stood up to a person like that. Besides Hide was setting a bad example for our little girl."
"Mooom you're embarrassing me." Onji whispered gritting her teeth. Aang couldn't help but laugh. Yin looked at Toph, who seemed to be staring off into space. " So Kuzon is this your sister?" Yin asked, motioning to Toph with her eyes. Aang looked at Toph and then turned back answering quickly. "Yes… this is my baby sister; Toph." Toph stomped on Aang's foot hard. He yelped in pain but quickly regained his composure.
"I just go by his sister ok." Toph said calmly.
"Mom can I show Kuzon the rest of the house?" Onji asked glancing at her mom. Yin looked at Onji " It's alright with me but you have to ask his parents honey." Onji looked at Katara and repeated her question. "Doesn't bother me." Katara replied, folding her arms looking away angrily. Onji got up took Aang by his arm and dragged him up the stairs. Finn waited until Onji and Aang where out of sight before addressing Sokka and Katara "So…Is it true that in the colonies the earthbenders aren't well educated?" Sokka and Katara looked at each other confused.
Onji showed Aang the upstairs of the house. There where only three rooms but dozens of portraits and paintings filled the walls. "Wow!" Aang said when he saw the pictures. There where many paintings of the fire nation but there where other, more diverse, ones. They're where pictures of various Earth kingdoms, the outer wall of Ba sing sa, The North Pole, dozens of exotic villages in the earth kingdom continent. Something then caught his eye. He saw pictures of the Southern air temple. Then he saw a picture of Monk Gyasto. Aang examined it a little closer. The authenticity of Gyasto's face and the temple was a spot on match. "Onji who drew…" Aang started to ask but then a family portrait caught his eye. The portrait was of Onji, her parents, and an older man. Onji was a few years younger sitting on the lap of an older man who was sittting on a chair. Her parents where standing just behind him. Finns hand was over Yins shoulder. Both were smiling happily. The older man also had a smile on his face, both his hands rested on Onji's shoulders.
"Who's this?" Aang asked pointing to the old man in the picture. Onji smiled "That's my Grandpa his name is Kuzon too. He lives with us and has been helping my parents take care of me since I was very little. Do you like the pictures? He painted them himself." Aang eyes widened. "Your grandpa painted these?" Onji nodded her head. "My grandfather paints the places he's been and the people he's met." Aang's jaw dropped. He motioned to all of the pictures. "You mean he's been to all these places. And met these people!" Onji nodded her head. "Yes he's been to these places…" Onji grabbed his arm "Come on I'll introduce you to him." She pulled him towards the last room in the hallway. The door was made of hand carved mahogany and had all the nations insignia's carved and painted into it; even the air nation symbol was on it. Onji pounded on the door "Grandpa it's me. Can we come in?" There was a short pause until a loud yet soft voice came from the door.
"Come in"
Onji opened the door and they walked into the room. When Aang walked in he saw an old man wearing a traditional fire nation robe sitting on the side of his bed. He had a white mustache and a long, white, beard that went down to his chest. His hair was dull gray, he had brown eye's that had some streak of gray in them. In his hands he held a small Fire nation necklace. It looked like Katara's but it was ruby red and had a fire nation insignia on it. The man's eyes where red, he looked like he had been crying but when he saw Onji enter his face brightened with joy. Onji ran up to him and embraced him in a warm hug. He held Onji then the old man glared at Aang while still holding Onji. He looked at him for the longest time, Aang felt uncomfortable, he felt as if the man was staring into his soul. He let go of Onji and stood up, he was the same height as Bumi but, Of course, Bumi never stood up straight but when he decided to he was a very tall person and this guy measured up to him.
Aang could see the muscles through the sleeves of his shirt and was amazed at how strong he was. For an old man he was very well built.
"This is my grandfather Kuzon." Onji said, motioning to her grandfather. Then she looked at her grandfather, motioning to Aang. "Grandpa this is Kuzon, the boy I met at school who did that crazy dance move during band class." Kuzon never took his eyes off Aang. He leaned in until his face was a short distance away from Aang's. Then Kuzon smiled and extended his hand. Aang flinched slightly before taking his hand, Kuzons grip was strong but he shook Aang's hand gently. "It's nice to meet you young man. Onji has been telling me all about you." He spoke softly, his voice heavy with age.
Aang gulped nervously. "Sh…she has?" Kuzon nodded his head, the smile still hanging on his face. "Yes she told me that you stood up to Hide for her. You have a good heart. You stand up for those who need it and inspire those to stand up for themselves. I respect that. I never liked that boy. I don't think he was the right one for my little Onji."
He grabbed Onji and tickled her. Onji giggled loudly. "Grandpa!" Onji was able to say from all the laughter. Kuzon stopped tickling her. Onji wiped a tear of joy from her eyes. "I'm sorry dear I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of your boy friend" Kuzon smiled, winking at Aang.
Onji became flustered "He's just my friend!" She replied raising her voice. She looked at Aang feeling so embarrassed. "I'm so sorry about my grandpa Kuzon." Aang smiled waving his hand. "Its alright Onji I find its even more interesting not just having a mother and father that care about you so much but also having a Grandfather too that's a real family." Aang envied Onji he had never had the experience of knowing what a real family was like. True he had Gyasto, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Momo, and Appa but he wished he could have at least known who his mother and father where. The monks always kept the identities of the parents secret from the newborns. The newborns were raised to love all the children like there where their brothers and to treat all the adults as if they where their parents. Aang never knew why they did that. Just like he never understood why only the males inhabited the northern and southern air temples and the females inhabited the eastern and western air temples. There where times he wished he could have at least met his mother if it was even for a moment.
Onji turned away blushing as Aang walked toward the window, marveling at the view it had. "Onji…" Kuzon said whispering into her ear. " Why don't you show him your room?"
Onji didn't reply. Kuzon could see that she was just staring at Aang her cheeks becoming more and more redder. "Just friends huh?" Kuzon said smiling to himself. Kuzon put his hand on Onji her shoulder and tickled her to break her out of her little trance. "Honey did you hear what I said?"
She nodded her head slowly. "Yes Grandpa I must've dosed off." Kuzon gave her a big bear hug. She then grabbed Aang's arm and pulled him out the door. "Come on Kuzon I'll show you my room." Aang looked back at Kuzon. "It was very nice meeting you sir." Aang was able to blurt out before Onji pulled out of his room. Kuzon gave a small wave but then raised an eyebrow. "Why does he look so familiar?"
"Looks like your Grandpa like's to tickle you a lot." Aang said when they got to Onji's bedroom. She sat on her bed grabbing a stuffed teddy bear and held it close to her. "Yes he like's to make me laugh and giggle." Aang noticed the bear she was holding in her hand it looked a lot like the Earth King's bear Basco. "Where'd you get that?" Aang said pointing to the stuffed bear. Onji looked at him and showed it to him "This is Guang (Gu-Wong) my stuffed bear. Grandpa won him at the fair years ago. He gave him to me so that I wouldn't have nightmares anymore." Aang took a seat next to her on her bed. "You had nightmares?" Onji nodded.
"When I was little yes. My grandpa's room was right next door to mine so whenever I had a nightmare I always walked over to his room. He never once told me to go back to my room or for me to face my fears. He was always there to help keep me safe. He always told me stories to help me go to sleep. That helped me out a lot.
Then he gave me Guang and I never felt afraid anymore." Onji held Guang close to her. "My grandfather is a man who always loved making people happy. He even saved my life once from a giant serpent one time." Aang' eye's widened as he sat next to Onji on her bed "You got attacked by a Serpent?!… How?" Onji gripped her bear tightly. "When I was five My Grandpa and I were playing out in the fields. I ran too far from Grandpa and got lost in the woods while I was walking I noticed a baby serpent crawling out of a tree trunk. It was lost and scared just like me. I sat next to it and spoke it I asked where its mother was not too soon after the mother showed up right it front of me. It hissed at me I tried to run away but it gabbed me and wrapped me up in its coils…"
Aang cringed as the image came to his mind. "You must have been scared." Onji nodded her head bringing Guang closer to her chest. "Yes I was. I tried to push it off but its skin was so moist that I couldn't even move. I could feel its rubber scaly skin wrap around my entire body from my feet, to my legs to my waist, stomach, chest, my neck, then my head. Then I saw nothing but blackness I screamed so loud I was so frightened. After I cried for help I began to feel it beginning to squeeze me. I thought I was never going to see my mom and dad or grandpa again. Still I kept fighting yet every time I wiggled the snake's grip only increased its grip on me. But before it could do anything else I heard someone yell my name, it was my Grandpa, and then the serpent hissed then it unwrapped me. I fell to the ground; I looked up to see the serpent slither towards him. He then displayed his firebending to fend off the serpent. The serpent quickly backed off grabbed its infant and slithered away, Grandpa ran over and embraced me I never saw him cry so much…" Onji closed her eyes and shivered when the memory came to her.
"Wow your Grandpa sounds like a great man." Onji nodded her head slowly. "Yes he is. The thing is it still haunts me to this day." Onji stopped shivering when Aang put his hand over her shoulder. "Don't worry its over your grandpa saved you and your alive talking to me today. Don't dwell on the past. Your surrounded by allot of people who care about you and so do I." Onji opened her eye's glancing over at Aang when he said those words. She smiled happily at him then she did something Aang did not expect she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks Kuzon that means allot from you."
Aang was caught off guard by the kiss he touched his cheek and began to feel his face blush. "Wow!"
Onji smiled at him. "Have you ever heard the stories of the airbender Monk Gyasto?" Aang looked at her bug eyed then shook his head quickly. Out of everything that had happened to him these past few days this one stood above them all. Even the kiss didn't measure up to this. Well maybe it measured up a little but still. "How does she know about my teacher? Does she know about me?" He leaned back a short distance away from Onji who looked back down at her stuffed bear. "My Grandpa always told me stories about him and the other airbender to help me fall asleep. He even told me of how he once…." she was interrupted when her mother entered her room. "Honey? Dinners ready." Onji nodded, putting Guang down on her pillow. "Okay mom…" She turned to Aang. "Come on Kuzon." She grabbed Aang and led him out before he could ask anything else.
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The dining room table was one of the most amazing pieces of furniture in the house the top part of the table was made of very sturdy wood. And the top had been polished with very fancy gloss. The legs of the table where amazingly hand carved into dragons all were colored differently. One was red another one blue one green and the final one was yellow. All of them faced the inside of the table staring at each other. A large Ying Yang symbol was painted into the center of the table, courtesy of Kuzon who painted it in hopes of one day he would hear that the war was finally over. Finn took his usual seat at the head of the table with Yin sitting to his right. "This is a very beautiful table were did you get it?" Katara asked sitting next to Yin.
Yin smiled at Katara's interest. "You like it? I bought it from a merchant in the market square. Of course it didn't look like this when we got it. In the beginning it was just an ordinary table until me and the family decided to change it into this." Yin gestured at the table.
"You mean you made this?" Katara said looking at the remarkable craftsmanship of the table. Yin nodded her head proudly "Yes me, my husband, and my father did all of this, I made the first two dragons, Finn did the other two and my father painted them and the Ying Yang symbol." Katara ran her hand over one of the crafted Dragons. It was absolutely astonishing. Katara and Yin began a fluent conversation about art and how the culture adapted to it. Onji took a seat next to Katara and Kuzon took a seat next to Onji. On the left side of the table sat Sokka, Toph, and Aang. Kuzon stared at Aang from across the table. He unfolded his napkin and placed it neatly on his lap. He tried not to stare at him, knowing that it was rude but he couldn't stop himself from glancing over at him. Why did he seem so familiar to him?
Suddenly a sensational odor filled the air as five chefs entered the dining room carrying long silver platters. The first two held the large platter containing the main entrée while the other three carried the appetizers. The appetizers where being served; as the main course was placed at the center of the table. Fresh bread was served with the first course of pea soup. Sokka dug right in grabbing three biscuits while chugging down his soup in a single gulp. He shoved one biscuit in his mouth and didn't wait to swallow it before grabbing a piece of the main course. "Hmmm…. This is delicious can I have more please?" Sokka asked presenting his already finished soup bowl to the nearest chef with crumbs flying out of his mouth. The chef glanced over at Finn, who was smiling at Sokka's gusto appetite; he nodded his head in approval. The chef refilled his bowl, taking a quick step back after he was done. Sokka glanced back at the table to see a bunch of wide eye's staring back at. He smiled embarrassingly and resumed eating at a much slower pace. Katara placed her hand on her head, looking away embarrassed she looked down at her bowl just as her soup was being served. She looked up at the chef bowing her head. "Thank you very much sir." The chef answered with a smile. Katara grabbed a roll, crushed it, and spread it lightly into her soup. She swirled her bread in the soup for a short time then sipped a spoonful. It tasted amazing she couldn't even remember the last time she had had soup this good. She quickly took another sip and another.
"Excuse me sir do you guy's have any salad dishes?" Aang asked the chef, as he was filling his soup bowl, the chef nodded quickly. He left the dinning room and came back a short while later with a huge salad bowl. He placed it front of Aang who smiled joyfully. "Thank you so much!" Aang moved his salad off to the side and began feasting on his soup. "You don't eat meat Kuzon?" Onji asked as she placed a biscuit on the side of her plate. Sokka stopped stuffing his face and looked over at Onji. He swallowed the final remnants of food in his mouth before answering. "Of course he eats meat…why would you ask such a question…" Toph slid her foot back from under the table knocking Sokka's chair backwards sending his face into his soup bowl. Katara smirked at what had happened. Finn had raised his eyebrow slightly. Katara spoke in a mockingly worried tone "Oh honey you really should be more careful when leaning in too close to your soup like that." Sokka took his face out of his soup annoyed beyond anything. He glared at Toph, who smiled innocently as she sipped her soup. He looked over at Katara licking the remnants of his soup off his lips. "I'm sorry DEAR I'll be more careful next time." Sokka took his napkin off his lap, wiping his face aggressively with it. Aang turned to answer Onji's question "No I don't eat meat." Onji nodded her head understandingly. She took another bite of her soup again then looked at Aang again. "Why?" Aang raised and lowered his right shoulder. "I don't eat meat because I don't like the fact that an animal that is trying to live it's life is hunted down and murdered, in cold blood, so that it's remains can be defiled and eaten into nothingness and whatever is not eaten it is just thrown away like it was just garbage. Knowing that I just can't bring myself to eat meat." Onji looked over at Katara, who nodded her head. "That's how he is and we accept it." "Sometimes it drives use crazy." Toph said pushing her seat back a little. Yin and Onji nodded understand it from his point of view. Kuzon continued to glance over at Aang continually pondering his Déjà vu symptom. "He doesn't eat meat either?"
Finn looked at them for a long time. For a moment Aang believed that he might have over stepped his bounds. Finally Finn smiled "I admire your tenacity. Your love for life your freedom of speech, Not being bound by rules and being out of the reach in societies grasp. I respect that. You aren't afraid of speaking your mind. From what I've seen and heard when you see injustice you try your best to stop it if you can. Like today when Hide was treating Onji like she was his property you stood up for her and helped her find the courage she needed. No boy has ever stood up to that bully before especially for my daughter I think he was setting a bad exam for Onji he wasn't giving her respect at all I hope after what you did he will leave Onji alone."
"Yes… I think he will" Aang turned to Onji. " I'm sure you will find a guy who will treat you with respect." Onji blushed "I sure hope so." She smiled at him and he smiled back. Katara looked from Aang to Onji. She frowned breathing a little heavily. She extended her index and middle finger under the table spinning them slowly. Onji's glass fell over the liquid spilled from the table into her lap. Onji pushed her chair back while the waiters quickly came over trying help clean her off. "Honey you have to be careful when placing you cup on unstable parts of the table." Yin said looking at Onji concerned. Onji stared at her blankly she was at a complete loss for words.
Finn now readdressed the group pointing to himself. "I however believe that it is the natural order of the world. Everything eats something else in this world and we, as humans, eat animals for survival. Some choose to follow it some don't. But I'll tell you what; I love meat and will probably never stop eating it." Finn seemed proud with his statement. "Thank You…" Sokka said pointing to Finn happily relieved. "Finally someone who understands me."
After they where finished with the appetizers and the main course Finn clapped his hands. The waiters removed the dinner platters and the appetizers. They then brought out the desert trays. There where four different styles of deserts. There was Baked Manju with little cinnamon sprinkles on top of it; there was Anmitsu that was made with fresh fruit, a big Kasutera sponge cake, and finally there was Chocolate Kushidango's on a stick. Sokka, Katara, Toph and Aang all dug in. Again Finn smiled joyfully giggling. "These guy's are really growing on me." He now addressed Aangs family. "Well I'm sure Lang our head cook we'll be happy to hear that our guests enjoyed his cooking."
Suddenly a question popped into his head and he was interested in hearing what they thought. But this was a delicate issue and they where from the colonies. They might take offense to it. He figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. "Now I know this is a very delicate topic but I'm interested in hearing your thoughts: What is your stand on the war?"
All went dead silent.
Sokka and Toph exchanged dark looks, Katara looked over at Aang, who was staring at Finn, eye's wide with a piece of sponge cake hanging out of his mouth. Aang, realizing, swallowed what was in his mouth. Still he did not answer. Yin could see their discomfort on the subject. "Don't worry your secrets are safe here in this house. If it helps I am not in favor of this war. I believe that it is destroying the principles of our country."
"Principles!?" Kuzon spoke loudly. Everyone turned to look at him. "In the History of my life I have never known my country to have principles." He raised his hand and extended his index finger. "If one principle exists it's this: Power get more while it's fresh." Kuzon resumed eating not looking up to see the others reaction. "Well we are not in favor of the war…" Katara said placing her hands on the table. "Everyday the fire nation destroys home's, separates families, spreading fear, and taking away the freedoms of every individual on the planet." Yin nodded her head in agreement. Finn folded his hands, resting his chin on them. "I completely understand your and Yin's…" He looked over at Kuzon. " And Dad I also understand everyone's resentment towards it. However I personally am in favor of the war. Not for the reasons you think though. I'm in favor of it because I try to look at it from a bigger picture.
This nation has advanced so much in modern warfare that even the most powerful bender has difficulty combating use. Modern medicine has increased so much that many wounds that were considered fatal are now curable as a disease."
Katara stood up, slamming her hands down on the table. "And you think that justifies the deaths of thousands of people!" Finn met Katara's furious gaze but spoke in a calm polite tone. "Of course not. I know that this country is many things that are not complementary: We are supposed to be vicious, we have been called ruthless, evil, and a tyrannical nation but if there is one thing in this world that we as a nation have shown to be amazing is our ability to invent, not just in the field of war, but in modern medicine and in our own civilization. Just imagine what our world will look like in twenty years, a hundred, or a millennium. Try to see it as a glass half full scenario. I'm not asking you to like this war I just saying try to think of how much better the world will be when it's over and we have this amazing technology to share with them."
"But the Fire Nation has exterminated all the Air Nomads and who knows if they will do the same to the rest of the Earth and Water Nations when the war is over." Aang replied before going back to his desert. Onji looked at Aang smiling. "So you have heard the stories of the Air Nomads." Aang looked up, nodding his head. "Yeah we all did in class today. Right?" Onji shook her head "No no not those ones. I'm talking about the actual stories. The ones in the classroom are full of propaganda. And as you learned today if we know the facts aren't real it's best to keep your mouth shut or you'll get into trouble…. I've heard how the airbenders could defy gravity and how they had no formal army but relied on peaceful methods." Aang was amazed on knowledge she knew of his culture. "So you don't believe what history texts say?"
Onji covered her mouth to hide her giggles. "Me and half the other students in the classroom don't believe it. But were all-afraid to speak out cause where afraid of what might happen. That's why we were all surprised at your outburst today no one has ever spoken to the teacher like that." Aang blushed. Onji motioned to her grandfather. "My grandpa has been telling me stories about the Airbenders since I was four years old. And he even told me that he was once friends with young Airbender." Aangs eye's widened "No way…
Onji turned to Kuzon excitedly. "Grandpa tell them the story about the Airbender you knew a hundred years ago." Yin shook her head, rolling her eyes, "Onji you've heard this story a thousand times." Kuzon waved his hand "I don't mind…" Kuzon breathed in taking his time before finally starting:
"You know before this war started this country was filled with people from different cultures. Weather it be from the water nation or the earth nation even some air benders came down here. Everyday you would meet someone new from a different country or from a part of different world. Before the war started my friend Aang would always come to visit me…" Aang dropped his fork however no paid it any mind. "It can't be?!"
