Avatar: The Last Airbender
Author Note: Hey Guys, sorry for the ridiculously long wait! Enjoy chapter 25. By the way, i'm going to need some reviews. Please? It will only take a minute. Seriously. I mean it. Review...They'll make me create new chapters faster...:D
Book 4: Air
Chapter 25
Some answers
It was another early morning. As the royal fire nation airship continued to hover over the land to its destination, the interior was rather quiet and everyone was still very much awake. Aang was on the deck practicing his avatar state. Everytime he accessed it, it felt exhilirating to say the least. One thing he did notice however, was that in that moment when his eyes flash, his awareness would blank out for a minute interval of time. Probably something he could get past one day. Aang thought it wasn't anything serious as that moment of unawareness was almost instant. While he continued to practice, Zuko could notice the flashes from inside his cabin. He smiled inwardly. The war was over, and peace was finally here. But there wasn't yet total peace in Zuko's family. Glancing over to his side, he spotted Ozai doing single arm pushups. Back in the palace, he never actually saw his father practice or exercise. Now he knew why: He practiced very early in the morning, even before the sun rises. Zuko and Azula were getting better around each other, but he couldn't gauge where he was at with his father, or even where Azula was at. One thing was for sure, they communicated best through firebending, maybe he could do the same.
"Father," Zuko said, leaving the comfort of the bed to sit indian style in front of Ozai.
"Yes?" His father responded, not stopping at all in his pushup sets. Zuko decided to just up and ask him, it would help to have some time with him, and it wouldn't hurt to learn something new.
"Will you teach me how to levitate with fire?" At that, Ozai ceased his exercise and sat up. He crossed his arms with a raised eyebrow.
0o0o0o
Azula was practicing her firebending forms at the roof of the ship, just releasing a blast of azure flame from her enclosed hand, when Zuko and Ozai had reached the roof. Zuko noticed the narrow eyed glare that Azula gave their father. Ozai noticed it, but did not return it in kind.
"Zuko," Azula said delibrately, after standing up straight. "What is he doing up here?" Zuko did a small sigh. Azula and their father would definitely need closure at some point.
"I'm going to teach him to levitate with fire," Ozai interposed, not impressed with Azula's obvious disrespect. Azula again glared at him before closing her eyes and pinching her nose.
"Fine," she finally said before walking to the hatch that would lead back to the interior of the ship. In passing, she bumped Ozai's shoulder, acting as though she hadn't realized what she did. Ozai watched, narrowing his eyes in mild annoyance. "You guys are going to have to come to some sort of compromise," Zuko finally said after a small silence. Ozai watched the rolling clouds, not showing any sign of acknowledging his statement.
"Was that an order?"
"No...it was a request, from your son." Ozai snorted, smiling to himself. He delibrately waited a few seconds before moving. "Come. We have work to do, if you want to be on par with your sister." After a few seconds, Zuko smiled genuinely. He was looking forward to it.