Chapter 21: The Original Source
Zuko POV
This was the second day in a row where I brought Aang over to a secluded spot and tried to teach him fire bending. Yesterday, I tried to bend but only produced a small spark, and today was the same result.
Grumbling under my breath, I stomped back to the fire and saw Katara leaning over the cooking pot. Not wanting her to see me throwing my temper tantrum, I walked out quickly. Meditating seemed like the only way to calm myself down, however this had become impossible with the number of members of team avatar constantly wondering around. Finally giving up, I returned to the courtyard and saw Katara standing with her arms crossed glaring at Jet.
"Jet, my pregnancy is none of your business" She hissed.
"It is my business when the father is a fire bender that used to hunt Aang. Beside while your playing house with Zuko the rest of us are preparing to end a war. Remember that Katara the war you used to be fighting to end for your mother." He said pointing to her necklace, that I had returned to her soon after my arrival.
"Don't you drag my mother's name into this, you never knew her" She snapped back.
"But what would she think of you know, pregnant with the fire prince's kid before you're even married" He said pointing a finger at her, accusingly.
"It wouldn't matter what he was or where he was from because my mother would support any decision I made. In fact she would be happy to know even after all I have been through, that I was able to open my heart and fall in love with someone, especially Zuko." She snapped back, and I felt my heart flutter
"Well what about Aang? Ever consider maybe Zuko is waiting for you to go into labor, so you will be out of the way when he goes to kill Aang?"
"Zuko would never...you know what I am tired of repeating myself. I have a dozen mouths to feed, now please go." She said pointing towards the hall he had come from.
"Kata..." He wasn't able to speak again
"You heard her, Jet" I said stepping out of the shadows and putting as much aggression into my expression as possible. "Go… NOW!"
Jet did not say anything just sent a glare at me and walked away.
"Are you okay" I asked softening my expression and pulling her into a hug.
"Yeah I'm fine, that was just Jet being Jet" She said shaking her head, "So how did bending practice go with Aang today?"
"Umm...Well...I sort of...lost my stuff," I said looking away in embarrassment.
"Did Toph go through your bags again?" She asked pulling away to go yell at Toph
"No I... wait she went through my stuff?" my expression must have been comical because the only response I received was chuckle from Katara, "…anyway…ilostmyfirebending"
"What?"
"I lost my fire bending" I grumbled again a little louder, and I heard her laughing this time
"I'm sorry I am laughing at the irony, you know how nice it would have been if you lost your bending when you were tracking us."
"Its not gone it's just weaker for some reason." I said ignoring her comment.
"Well the food is almost finished, so when everyone is back here we can talk about what we are going to do" She said stirring the pot again.
Soon enough everyone was gathered around the fire eating their portion of the stew and Aang was telling some jokes. Before long Katara gave me a look that said 'you tell them or I will.' So I stood up and addressed everyone.
"Everyone… I lost my stuff…" I announced with my head hung low
"I DID NOT TOUCH IT… I SWEAR" Toph said jumping up like some one accused her
"No not my stuff, I mean my fire bending" I said and Jet started laughing earning him pointed stares from all of us.
"…Some fire prince, he can't even bend his own element" Jet snorted and he received a punch in the arm from Toph.
Smirking at the look on his face, I said what my hunch was, "Maybe its because I switched sides."
"Or maybe your firebending comes from your rage and you don't have enough anger to fuel it the way you used to." Aang said pondering the problem
"So we just have to make Zuko angry, I can handle that" Sokka said standing up and poking me in the head with his sword.
I felt my blood starting to boil, "ALRIGHT CUT IT OUT!" I pinched the bridge of my nose to stop my headache, "I don't want to be full of hate and anger anymore, there has to be another way for me to get my bending back."
"You need to find the source of fire bending. I recommend the original source." Toph explained from where she sat eating her stew.
"What would be the original source?" Katara asked
"Well for earth bending the original source was badger-moles." Toph said trying to think
"The original fire benders were the dragons, but everyone knows they were killed off a hundred years ago. And the people who learned from them were the sun warriors."
"Sun Warriors?" Aang asked looking at me funny, "I know they weren't around when I was a kid."
"No, they died off hundreds of years ago, but their civilization isn't too far from here." I said thinking out loud
"So you think you could get your fire bending back just by standing where the Sun Warriors stood a thousand years ago?" Sokka said butting in from where he sat beside Katara.
"More or less, either we find out the original source of fire bending or Aang has to find a new teacher" I said quietly, and everyone gasped as if I was they're only hope.
"When should we leave?" Katara asked excitement brightening her blue eyes.
"Honestly, I think just Zuko and Aang should go. There is no sense in up rooting everyone to go visit some ruins. Besides my nephew needs the least amount of stress while he is in there." Sokka told her rubbing Katara's stomach earning him a punch in the arm from her.
"I have to agree, Katara" I said without thinking, earning a pointed glare from Katara.
"It would be easier for us to move faster" Aang said rubbing his bald head, trying to keep the conversation peaceful.
"Alright then, Aang and I will leave tomorrow morning" I said sitting back beside Katara. Who gave me the cold shoulder for agreeing with Sokka. With a grumble of disgust, Jet rose from his spot by the fire and exited the courtyard, all of us perfectly aware of what he was thinking.
That night, Katara seemed to hand onto me just a bit tighter.
"Don't worry, I will bring Aang back safe and sound" I told her rubbing her belly
"I know, but I am just worried you wont be able to find the original source of fire bending" She said quietly.
"We will, now go to sleep" I told her softly and kissed her on her forehead.
"Goodnight"
"'night"
"Zuko?" Katara whispered a moment later
"Yeah" I said not opening my eyes,
"I love you" She said causing me to open one eye and look at her.
"I love you too" I whispered kissing her gently again.