"IROH!!"
The old firebender
approached the campsite, cup in hand, and inspected the situation
before him.
Sokka, the Water Tribe strategist, was having an
unsuccessful stand-off with our campfire, which was being suddenly
reduced to a small flame then blasting off into a wildfire that
licked at the boy's garments.
"Yes, Sokka?"
He
glowered, "The fire's broken! Fix it!"
The former general
chose to ignore the concept of "fixing a broken fire" and focused
his breath on the fire, which had diminished in size again. The fire
would rise and fall in sync with his inhalation and exhalation, but
that did not prevent it from blasting off out of control from time to
time.
"I'm sorry, son,"
the man said, "There appears to be a stronger force influencing the
flames."
"But you're the only powerful firebender around
for miles!" Sokka exclaimed, not even bothering to count Zuko or
Aang, who were both considerably far from becoming masters.
"Actually," Iroh continued, "There is someone else whose
emotions might fuel this fire, young one."
Sokka's face
scrunched up, "Well, what kind of emotions fuel a fire?"
Iroh
stroked his beard, "Anger, traditionally, frustration, passion--"
"Hey, Sokka," Aang called, "have you seen Katara and Zuko? They were supposed to be back hours ago."
Sokka's features darkened.
"ZUKO!!"
Somewhere in the forest…
Katara lifted her head
from the prince's chest and poked him awake.
"Zuko, did you
hear something?"
He stroked her hair softly and coaxed her head
back down, "No, why?"
"ZUKO!!!"
"Hey, wasn't that
your--"
"I think we should go back now."