A/N: I am SO sorry for the long wait. School kept me so busy and I couldn't find the time to get this written. Well at least this is going to be good. I've had a lot of time to think about it at least. Please review to let me know if I need to change something.
I overheard the conversation of Katara and her grandma.
"I told you they're the real thing Gran Gran! I finally found benders to teach me!" Katara said excitedly.
"Katara, try not to put your trust in that boy," Gran Gran replied, calmly. "Kanoko though..."
"But Aang's special! I can tell!" Katara replied closing her eyes and clenching her fists in hope, "I sense he's filled with much wisdom."
I tried not to laugh as Katara said that. She looked over at Aang, his tongue stuck to his staff.
"See? Now my tongue's stuck to my staff!" He said, his voice muffled. Much to Aang's discomfort, one of the village boys yanked on the staff, pulling Aang along with it's movement. I sighed.
Iroh's P.O.V.
I sat in a small chair off to the side while Zuko trained.
"Again," I said, a bit stern. Zuko spread his arms, his fists facing the two firebenders. He showered them with fire, but they blocked it easily. Zuko then shifted his weight to duck under a retaliation blast from the bender on his left. The bender to his right jumped forward to aim a blast at Zuko's feet. The prince propeled himself out of the way. He twisted around in mid-air and directed another fire blast with his hand to the firebender that retaliated first, and another with his foot to the firebender that aimed for his feet. Both soldiers jumped out of the way of Zuko's flames. Zuko landed and stretched his fists out toward his adversaries, ready to face another attack. I sighed while I got up.
"No!" Zuko lowered his arms and turned to look at me, "firebending comes from the breath," I moved both of my hands up in front of me to emphasize the breathing motion. "Not the muscles," I extended my hand, as if to shoot fire, "the breath becomes energy in the body. The energy extends past your limbs and becomes: fire!" I shot fire that stopped before it hit him, "get it right this time."
He stormed up to me. "Enough! I've been drilling this sequence all day. Teach me the next set! I'm more than ready!"
"No, you are impatient," I sat back onto my chair, "you have yet to master your basics. Drill it again!"
Zuko clenched his teeth in anger. He turned around and suddenly directed a power fire kick toward one of the soldiers. The firebender attempted to stop the fire blast, but he was unable to and was thrown on his back by its power.
"The sages tell us that the Avatar is the last airbender. He must be over a hundred years old by now. He's had a century to master the four elements! I'll need more than basic firebending to defeat him. You will teach me the advanced set!" Zuko demanded.
"Very well, but first, I must finish my roast duck," I said, a look of delight on my face as I did just that.
Kanoko's P.O.V.
I heard Sokka's voice and walked over there.
"Now men, it's important that you show no fear when you face a firebender. In the Water Tribe, we fight to the last man standing! For without courage, how can we call ourselves men?" he said that just as I turned the corner and I laughed when I saw who he was talking to. It was a group of 4-5 year olds. He ignored me.
"I gotta pee!" a boy yelled.
"Listen! Until your fathers return from the War, they're counting on you to be the men of this tribe, and that means no potty breaks!"
"But I really gotta go!"
He sighed. "Okay, who else has to go?"
Every child immediately raised their hands and I laughed harder, falling to the ground. Sokka face palmed.
"Have you seen Aang? Gran-Gran said he disappeared over an hour ago," Katara asked, worry showing on her face. I slowly got up after my laughter died and gasped in relief at being able to breath again.
"You know, Sokka" breath, "you can't expect," breath, "kids to be able to," breath, "protect the village," I said.
"You ok?" Katara asked, looking at me in concern.
"Yeah," breath, "just laughed," breath, "a bit too hard."
Just then, Aang came out of the bathroom.
"Wow! Everything freezes in there!" he said. I laughed halfheartedly, not wanting to hurt myself anymore.
Sokka looked at him, annoyed, "Uh! Katara, get him out of here! This lesson is for warriors only!"
I turned on him. "Warriors?! You call them warriors! They are barely even five!"
Aang turned to me. "Calm down, Kanoko. Please."
I whipped around to face him. "Don't tell me to CALM DOWN!"
I grabbed my glider and flew to a tall mountain to take some me time. Sighing, I turned to face the village. I took some deep breaths in order to regain control of my emotions. I had almost lost it. How could I have been so stupid! I screamed to let out the anger bubbling inside. When I stopped screaming, I saw Aang and Katara on the backs of penguins, sledding towards the village. I smiled despite my still churning feelings. No matter what, Aang could always make me smile. I opened my glider and flew down in between them.
"Hey guys!" I shouted.
"Hey Kanoko!" they shouted back.
"Feeling better?" Aang shouted up at me.
"Definitely!"
They began slowing down and I flew upwards, landing on top of the fire navy ship. Something felt... off about this place. I sat down where I was, legs crossed as I meditated. Slowly, memories of this place showed in my mind. I saw the struggle this village has had with the Fire Nation. Suddenly, my meditation was interrupted by an alarm and I glided down to the ground. A second later, I saw Aang jump out of the top with Katara in his arms. Aang and Katara began running to the village but I stayed behind a little. Jumping up a bit, I saw another fire navy ship, this one still in the water. My face paled.
"Crap..."