Chapter 21 – Parting Ways
Nomu and Kuzo stood at attention before Sokka's desk where the Sword Master and Ty Lee reiterated the plans of the two's travels.
"So Nomu will be traveling under the pretense of selling his wine to customers in Omashu and other villages. Kuzo will pose as his assistant and bodyguard. When you get to Omashu, you will meet with your Earth Bending teacher. That should about sum it all up for this part of our plans."(Sokka)
"On our end, Sokka and I will work with the White Lotus to gather more supporters. We'll handle the logistics and send you relevant information when we can. Kuzo. Leave all the ground work to us. You just concentrate on mastering the elements and completing your training."(Ty Lee)
"Yes, Master. I will not fail."(Kuzo)
The four seemed to take simultaneous breaths as they prepared themselves for the next phase of each of their respective lives.
"Any questions?"(Sokka)
He had half expected Nomu to bring up an issue, but the boy was strangely compliant with everything.
"Nope," Nomu answered casually.
All eyes turned to Kuzo who remained silent.
"Kuzo?"(Ty Lee)
His eyes flashed momentarily to Ty Lee, but then looked forward again.
"None."(Kuzo)
The small gesture did not go unnoticed, but the masters decided not to press the matter.
"Very well then. Both of you pack your things. You leave at first light tomorrow."(Sokka)
The two boys both bowed and left the work study.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Sokka turned a wry smile to Ty Lee.
"Who would've thought he'd grow so attached to you."(Sokka)
"Not surprising. I was with him at his lowest point when he lost Azula and Iroh. He left everyone else he knew behind when we fled the capital. I was his only source of support."(Ty Lee)
"… I'm pretty sure it's more than that."(Sokka)
Ty Lee ignored the last sentence and left the office as well. The door shut loudly behind her.
Ty Lee knocked on the door to Kuzo's room. The boy's voice answered and gave permission to enter.
"I brought a gift for your travels," Ty Lee said cheerfully.
In her arms was a fashionable thin black hoodie with red demon art sown into the sleeves, chest, and hood.
"Although the material is lean, it's deceptively durable. Perfect for traveling, you can wear it under your armor, and the hood should be able to hide your face. You can also pull the collar cloth to cover your mouth as well."(Ty Lee)
Kuzo took the clothing and looked at it with an unimpressed expression. Although that was the case, his eyes shined as if to nonverbally say, "cool…". He turned his attention back to Ty Lee and bowed.
"Thank you for this gift, Sifu. I will use it well."(Kuzo)
"Hahaha. 'Use it well'. Though, I suppose that's fine… I was going to go for a more… nonthreatening design with no demons but…"(Ty Lee)
The Avatar looked at the art more closely.
"No. The appearance is completely to my liking."(Kuzo)
"That is true… It fits you almost too well, but…"(Ty Lee)
The Avatar continues to look more and more like a bad guy.
She banished the thought and went on to the next topic of interest. She walked over to a dresser, leaned on it, and folded her arms across.
"Back at the office, you seemed like you still had a question."(Ty Lee)
Kuzo quickly took off his clothes and put on the hoodie. He began throwing shadow punches into the air to get a feel for his new attire.
"I have none."(Kuzo)
"Kuzo… Just speak freely. You can't lie to me."(Ty Lee)
The Avatar stopped his shadow boxing and looked down. There was an indecisiveness in his body language. It looked strangely uncomfortable since the boy rarely displayed such a thing.
"It's just you and me, kid. No need to stand on ceremony, just… talk."(Ty Lee)
The words seemed to melt into the open space, and for a while, the only the sound that could be heard were the birds chirping outside. Though some time passed, Ty Lee only waited with a patient smile.
"Are you really not coming with us?"(Kuzo)
The question sounded in a childish tone. His expression was especially sincere as he wore a somber face. Kuzo's speech had none of its usual archaic ambiances. It was a testament to the two's closeness that he was able to speak that way to her and only her.
Even Ty Lee was taken back for a good second. But slowly a sad smile appeared on the woman's features. She moved towards Kuzo and hugged him tightly.
There were no need for words. The Avatar himself knew it was a selfish request. Even if his Sifu had changed her mind and decided to join them on their trip, he would have immediately objected to it. Her skills were required elsewhere. Kuzo only wanted to speak the words he had been harboring for a long time.
With the Avatar in her arms, Ty Lee planted a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"I'm sorry, Kuzo. We'll have to part but only for a little while."
The next morning, Nomu, Sokka, Ty Lee, and Kuzo were gathered at the entranceway. The two boys had finished attaching their luggage to Lan's body and were saying their final good byes.
"Have fun, Kuzo. Don't die, Nomu. I like you."(Sokka)
"I really wish you'd stop saying stuff like that."(Nomu)
"Take care of yourselves. Don't forget to write!"(Ty Lee)
The boys bowed before heading down the exit path. Once they had moved a certain distance away with the two masters out of earshot, Nomu turned to Kuzo.
"Hey. You okay with just leaving it at that?"(Nomu)
"Your meaning?"(Kuzo)
"Well… I don't know. Did you and… have a thing…?"(Nomu)
Kuzo stared at his companion with piercing eyes.
"No."(Kuzo)
The Tribesman was not convinced as he gingerly opened one of his bottles.
"Whatever you say. She was totally like your wife. Note that I say wife and not girlfriend. Even gave me a list of rules concerning you…"(Nomu)
"Rules?"(Kuzo)
"Yeah! It's pretty strict too."(Nomu)
"Hmph. In whatever case, we do not share a special relationship. We are only student and teacher, and if you insult her honor again, I will obliterate you."(Kuzo)
"Already missing the missus, I see – Okay, okay! Stop with the Fire Bending!"(Nomu)
"…."(Kuzo)
"See… you are depressed…"(Nomu)
Kuzo didn't respond immediately. He eyed Nomu's drink.
"May I take a sip?"(Kuzo)
"Nope! You're not allowed to drink alcohol unless you're Water Bending. It's in your wife's rules."(Nomu)
Kuzo groaned frustratingly.
Back at the complex.
"You sure it's okay like that?"(Sokka)
"I really hope you're not asking something stupid."(Ty Lee)
"…"(Sokka)
Ty Lee heavily sighed.
"It's like a student crush on a teacher. Whatever feelings may be, there are more important matters at stake. We both have things we must do. A world we need to save, if you can remember."(Ty Lee)
"Hm… And if you didn't have the things to do or a world to save?"(Sokka)
"There's no point in thinking about it."(Ty Lee)
"But-"(Sokka)
"Master. Piandao. This is becoming a waste of time. We should pour our efforts into more productive tasks."(Ty Lee)
Before hearing his response, Ty Lee stomped into the complex.
Sokka sighed and scratched his head.
He looked towards the path where Nomu and Kuzo had walked through. The Sword Master sunk into deep thought.
"Honestly… That boy couldn't be any more different from Aang."(Sokka)
His thoughts touched on the painful memories of the young bald boy who seemed to be crushed under the weight of the world.
"I hate to say it, but unlike Aang, it feels like Kuzo could take on anything the world throws at him and then some. And he'd do it alone too…"(Sokka)
An ambitious Avatar with a cut throat attitude. One who's willing to walk in the moral gray if it means achieving his ends.
Powerful…
Maybe too powerful…
To be honest, it wouldn't be a surprise if his own strength corrupted him…
Sokka felt a tinge of worry seep into his heart.
I can only trust in the boy I taught. Whatever his fate may be.
Maybe because he's so strong and willful he really can do what the other Avatars could not…
What Aang could not…