Chapter 6
Later that day, Hikaru's POV
I was in my new uniform as I trained with Master Zuko as he drilled a basic Fire bending move.
"No!" I heard General Iro say firmly. "Power in Fire bending comes from the breath. Not the muscles. The breath becomes energy in the body. The energy extends past your limbs and becomes fire. Get it right this time."
"Enough." said Master. "I've been drilling this sequence all day." I frowned. "Teach me the next set. I'm more than ready."
"No, you are impatient. You have yet to master your basics, unlike Miss Hikaru who reviews them almost daily." Said General Iro. "Drill it again!"
Zuko's POV
I sighed and gave in. Uncle was right.
'Hikaru does practice the basics a lot.' I thought as I drilled the sequence again, controlling my breath as I did so.
"Good, good." Said Uncle, clapping. "Just remember to control your breathing and your temper."
I heard Hikaru muffle a chuckle, and then she sighed.
"It will be a full moon tonight." Said Hikaru as the sun sank below the horizon. "Another long night."
"I'll see you both in the morning." Said Uncle. He stood and stretched, then went inside.
Hikaru walked to the very front of the ship's deck, gazing out into the vast, barren landscape.
"I can't help but feel hopeful." she said, turning to face me. "Yet I feel...torn. I knew the Avatar one hundred years ago. I wonder what he's like now."
'She knew the Avatar?' I thought in shock as I walked up to her.
"What was he like?" I asked, eager to know my opponent. "What type of person was he?"
Hikaru sighed wistfully.
"Aang, the Avatar, was very kind and outgoing, but was told that he was the Avatar at age 12." said Hikaru, smiling sadly. "The last time I saw him was shortly before my sister and I went to the South Pole with our bison and an escort. That was roughly 3 years before we were frozen in the iceberg."
"What was your relationship with him?" I asked. "How did you meet him?"
"Aang was like a little brother to me." Hikaru sighed. "We met when I accidentally bumped into him on my way to Water bending training one day."
She sighed again, looking up at the sky. Her eyes were glazed over, as if she was daydreaming.
"Do you want to sit out if we fight him?" I asked softly. To my surprise, Hikaru shook her head.
"I will stand by your side no matter what, Master." she said firmly. "Plus, I want to see how much he's improved.
