AN: I am so sorry that it has been such a long time since I last updated but many personal things have happened to me with the past nine months (and no I did not get pregnant). But I am hoping that I will be updating more now that I think I have everything under control. Thanks for your patience.
Ch 3. Fleeting Trust
By the time Zuko entered the camp site, Iroh had everyone seated with a cup of his famous tea. The only spot left open was between Sokka and his uncle. It looked like Sokka's statement wasn't just meaningless words. Zuko knew that it would be hard to earn their trust, so he would suffer the ever present eye of the water tribe boy.
"So where is it you were heading?" Iroh asked.
"We are heading into…" Aang started.
"Don't answer that!" Sokka interrupted.
Aang looked confused. "Why not? They're on our side Sokka."
"I'm still not convinced of that," Sokka stated.
Katara sighed. "Look Sokka, I know how you feel about this but if Zuko and Iroh are going to be with us they'll have to know our plans."
Sokka stared at his sister The two water tribe siblings seemed to be in a silent stare down, intense blue eyes glaring back and forth. Finally Sokka looked away with Katara sporting a smirk of victory.
"Fine, but we won't tell them the whole plan yet." Sokka turned to Zuko. "We are moving into the Fire Nation to gather intel and to hide in plain sight of the Fire Nation army."
Zuko and Iroh shared a look. "Is that wise?"
"Why isn't? The army will not be looking for us at all."
Zuko's brow furrowed in confusion. "But Aang's the Avatar. Why won't they be looking for him?" Sokka laughed at Zuko's lack of knowledge. "Because everyone thinks Aang is dead!"
Zuko and Iroh both shared similar looks of surprise. "When did this happen?"
"You say you rescued Appa? How long after that did you leave Ba Sing Se?" Katara asked.
"Maybe a week. Why?"
"Well about the time you left, your sister and her friends infiltrated the city, stole command of the Dai Li and took over the city. Azula fought Aang and critically wounded Aang making it appear as if he was dead," Katara explained.
Zuko stared solemnly into the fire. He had no clue that happened. The two fire bender's never met anyone while they were traveling. This revelation came as a surprise to them.
Iroh placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Why don't we get some sleep. It has been a very long day."
The next morning rose with heavy cloud cover. The despondent sky did not stop Zuko and Iroh from practicing their katas. It was one thing Iroh was adamant about. As Zuko's teacher, Iroh wanted his nephew to be the best but he didn't know how to teach him all of the things that he knew. Iroh had a secret knowledge taught to him by a tribe of long forgotten fire benders.
That morning Iroh noticed something different about Zuko. He didn't look as angry as he normally did. A sure sign that Zuko was changing.
Katara and Aang watched the two fire benders move gracefully through each kata. They never really had the chance to study fire benders before. They were usually too busy running away or fighting them.
"You know, their moves are actually quite beautiful," Katara observed.
Aang nodded his agreement. "Yeah, they're powerful but at the same time very fluid."
The two fire benders finished their last kata. They breathed deeply of the cold morning air. Through out the years of Zuko's exile, this was the only time his anger seemed to subside.
"Young Avatar, I think it is time to begin your training," Iroh called out to the duo.
Aang nervously got up and walked over to the ex-general. He was grateful to have a teacher as skilled as Iroh but Aang was still terrified of fire bending. After his failed attempt, Aang had vowed to never learn fire bending even though he knew he had to since meeting the Guru. Not learning fire bending was like allowing a part of himself to die. Fire bending was as much a part of him as breathing.
Iroh sensed the tension within the young air bender and he wished to alleviate it. Zuko was nervous the first time he began his training. Iroh hoped that by allowing the prince to help out would cement the bond between the two.
"Now the first thing you got to understand about fire bending is that the power comes from your emotions: the negative and the positive. Most teachers within the Fire Nation will only preach about the negative but that is not all there is to it," Iroh explained.
Zuko did not voice his shock. All the teachers at the Fire Nation capitol had taught that anger, fury, and hate fueled his fire. Iroh had never discussed anything else that could help his fire bending. So why was he telling the Avatar this?
Iroh had anticipated Zuko's unasked questions. "The reason I never told you Zuko was because you were already deeply ingrained in their teachings. You already had a lot of hate, anger and resentment within that I wouldn't be able to change your perspective, but now maybe with the help of Aang we can begin to learn anew."
Zuko was still unsure about this new approach to fire bending that Iroh was presenting. He sighed. This was his uncle who he had recently realized was more like a father to him than Ozai ever was. Iroh was the only person after his mother's disappearance that he could trust.
"The first step towards fire bending is your breathing. The proper control is crucial to bring forth the fire deep within you." Iroh started. "Look deep within, at the base of your core, to find where your fire resides."
Both Zuko and Aang followed Iroh's instructions. Zuko already knew all of this but he knew having someone to train with made things easier. Aang knew some of what Iroh would be teaching after his brief stint as Master Jeong Jeong's pupil.
To encourage Aang along, Iroh proposed that Zuko demonstrate one of the easier moves. Zuko performed the move flawlessly but the fire that he called forth was just a puff not the blazing glory that it should be. Zuko stood there in perfect shock.
"Is that how it is suppose to be?" Aang asked.
Zuko growled and tried once more. And again he performed beautifully but the fire was a small candle flame compared to the inferno Zuko was used to.
"I was afraid this would happen," Iroh stated with a sad shake of his head.
"What does this mean uncle?" Zuko asked with a hint of desperation.
"You have released your anger and resentment towards your situation, towards the world, and towards the Avatar." Iroh paused. "Your fire bending has always been fueled by those feelings but now that you don't have them, you're going to have to find something new to fuel your flame."
Zuko was at a loss. His fire bending was always something he could rely on. He wasn't as good as Azula but he was better than most. Without his fire bending, Zuko didn't know what he would do.
"How about studying the original source of fire bending?" Toph suggested. "I learned from the blind badger moles. I was able to learn earth bending not just as a martial art, but as an extension of my senses. For them, the original earth benders, it wasn't just about fighting; it was their way of interacting with the world."
"That's amazing, Toph. I learned from the monks but the original air benders were sky bison's." Aang patted Appa on the nose. "Maybe you give me a lesson sometime buddy." Appa growls in acknowledgement.
Zuko and Iroh share a glance. "Well that doesn't help me. The original fire benders were dragons and they're extinct."
Aang looks confused. "What do you mean? Roku had a dragon and there were plenty of dragons when I was kid."
"Well, they're aren't around anymore, okay," Zuko stated defensively.
"Ok, ok." Aang moves his arms in an appeasing manner. "I'm sorry."
Iroh bows his head and sighs. "Prince Zuko, I think you and the Avatar need to take a journey. I can teach you but I think you need to see it for yourselves."
"Where are we going?" Aang inquired.
"To the Valley of the Sun Warriors."
By this point Sokka had finally awoken and had been listening in on the conversation. Sokka was worried for Aang to be alone with the fire prince.
"I don't think that is a good idea. I believe that we need to stick together," Sokka spoke up.
Aang turned to his best friend. He knew Sokka was only looking out for him but this time his concern and worry was not needed.
"I appreciate your concern Sokka but I need to do this. And so does Zuko. I'm sorry but we are going."
Sokka went off in a huff but Aang knew he would get over it. For now Zuko and Aang were off to find the Sun Warriors.
"Stay safe Aang. I don't like you going off on your own." Katara hugged to boy.
Don't worry, Katara. I'll have Zuko with me.
"That's what I am worried about. Just because he says he has changed doesn't mean he has."
"Katara, I trust him and I trust Toph's ability. She would have sensed if they were lying. Everything will be fine," Aang explained.
Katara sighed. "If you say so."
Zuko had already said his goodbyes and was for the Avatar by Appa. He had witnessed how close the air bender and water tribe girl were. It was a closeness that he had never experienced with anyone near his age. It was always someone older.
"If you do anything to hurt Aang, I will come find you," Sokka threatened, coming up behind the prince.
Zuko turned around. The animosity coming from the other boy was palatable. Zuko let Sokka threaten him without comment. He knew he had a lot to make up for. Maybe by doing this would lessen the hatred and anger towards him.
"You have nothing to worry about. I want Aang to succeed as much or even more than you do."
Sokka got a weird look in his eye. "Lets hope so."
Zuko, you ready?" Aang asked.
The prince turned back towards the Avatar. "Yeah lets get going."
The two climbed on top of Appa, each hoping for an outcome that would bring them closer to not only defeating the fire lord but also to each other.