Chapter 53: Iroh's Wisdom
After some cranky dawn training with his uncle in the main room of the new apartment, Zuko met up with Travahar at the dojo for early morning practice. Travahar was not used to being up that early. Zuko was rather more alert as he rises with the sun normally. The slightly pounding mallets in Zuko's head, though, did not lend to very good morning conversation. He wished that the tea his uncle gave him to make the pain go away would hurry up and do its work. It wasn't till the end of the morning meditation that Zuko finally felt more human. They nibbled some fruit and drank tea together with Ling and Mu-Tan and then continued the morning exercises.
As Mu-Tan promised, Travahar and Zuko had to take some time to study each other and write down their observations and insights. Then Mu-Tan asked them to share aloud what they noticed about the other. Both men were at first humiliated by this. Yet, they listed to the notes each had written carefully, their faces red with embarrassment.
Mu-Tan looked at each very seriously, "You must know each other as well if not better than you know yourselves. In a fight, a real fight, that could mean life or death. You are a team where each has its strengths and weaknesses. Travahar is solid and hard to move. When he gets hold of an opponent, he doesn't let go and can keep that opponent well pinned. However, he is slow and can thus eventually be worn down by a quicker more agile opponent. Zuko is lithe and fast, like fire, is always on the move. He is hard to catch and strikes sharp deadly blows. However, he tends to back out before the opponent is declared out of the fight. He also can't keep a bigger or stronger opponent down for long enough. He must rely on serious harm or exhausting his opponent first. Work with your strengths; fill in for your partners weaknesses. As a team, you could be invincible. This is a good alliance. Build on it. Now, let's see the moves we discussed last night. You will spar against me and Ling."
And so the morning progressed through new techniques and learning to fight together as opposed to against each other. The days to the competition were drawing near. They were given new uniforms, off-white in color. They were sleeveless, so that sleeves could not be caught and used against them. This made them unusual to other uniforms already. The dojo's banner logo was embroidered neatly on the back of each shirt. An actual silver ring hung from the mouth of the embroidered dragon, stitch flat so it was not loose and risky in a fight. Both Travahar and Zuko were surprised by this gift. The other students in the junior competition were using fresh regular dojo uniforms. Mu-Tan only insisted that they practice and perform with honor. They bowed deeply to him as they left for lunch.
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Meanwhile, Iroh sent a message to Avatar Aang. He hoped to meet with them, especially after the news he received from Mu-Tan recently. When they walked into the Jasmine Dragon with caution, except Toph who openly and warmly greeted Iroh, he led them to a more private room and settled in to have tea with them. Iroh bowed to them honorably. As they sat, Sokka scanned his surroundings warily in case Zuko came barreling out at them. "My nephew is out training for the Martial Arts competition. You need not be concerned," Iroh reassured them.
Katara tilted her head as she spoke, "Is he any closer to behaving human or friendly?"
Iroh answered her as honestly and sincerely as he could, "My nephew is going through a lot of changes and coming to terms with many things in his life. The training he is receiving is helping. He has always been human. Friendly? Depends on who you are." He grinned playfully at them before becomes serious again. "He needs to learn to be friendly with himself first. But he's getting there. He has really turned over a new leaf. Many things still hurt inside him, and wounded people and animals tend to be less trusting and less friendly. Once they realize you are there to help, they come around."
Aang piped up hopefully, "So, he's given up hunting me?"
Sokka snorted, "Ya right, like a tiger-lion ever loses its stripes."
Iroh explained, "He is realizing that his father is… wrong about a great many things. But the hardest realization is that his father has completely rejected him. That is both painful and difficult to accept, especially after losing his mother."
Sokka looked down sheepishly. He could not understand how a father could reject a son. His father loved him and Katara so much. What cruelty to be just rejected. No wonder Zuko was so mean. Katara, too, understood. Both of them had lost their mother as well.
Toph broke in with her coarse realism and brought them all back to the reason they sat for tea together. "So, why were we dragged from bed for tea? Life goes on guys… get over it. We have a war to deal with. I hope this early morning has a reason." Aang chuckled. Toph was always blunt and to the point despite the graces he knew she had as she grew up as a noble.
Iroh brought out the letter from Mu-Tan regarding the comet's coming and that the Fire Nation intends to use its power to defeat the Earth Kingdom. "It has come to my attention that Sozen's comet is returning at the end of this coming summer. I am sure you already know this. You seem to have been rushing about trying to unite the people against the Fire Nation and at the same time try to learn the various forms of bending. I wish I had known long ago… But the past is the past. I am here now to do what I can. But… I do not want to leave my nephew."
Toph smiled, remembering the day she had had tea with this kind and gentle tea loving man months and months ago. "As I said before, he is very lucky to have someone like you there for him. However, we do need to start taking action."
Sokka practically spat with annoyance, "And the dumb Earth King is wasting so much time!"
Iroh raised his hand, "Easy. I am sure he has a reliable war counsel. Are you, Avatar, ready yet?"
Katara interjected as Aaang suddenly felt unsure of himself. "He knew airbending when we found him. And he has masters water," she announced proudly.
Aang piped up then, "And Earth."
Toph shot him down, "Hardly! You still have a lot to learn, Twinkletoes." Aang's shoulders sagged.
Katara spoke softly to Aang, "And you have yet to learn firebending."
"NO!" snapped Aang sharply. "I will never bend fire again. I told you! NEVER!"
There was an uncomfortable silence while Iroh sipped his tea absorbing everything he could observe from this team of young people before him. Young. They were so young with no guidance or adult to help them along. Children… thrust out in the middle of a war… forced to grow up far too soon and still not yet comfortable with who they were as people, yet expected to be heroes of the world already. What a heavy burden the avatar had to carry at the tender age of thirteen. Gently, Iroh advised, "You are the avatar. You need all four elements for balance…"
Sokka cut in, "And you need to get control of that scary avatar state, too."
Aang wanted to sink beneath the table and run away. Katara put an arm around Aang's shoulders comfortingly. He had so much to learn. Katara spoke reassuringly, "He's almost mastered earthbending. He just needs more practice."
"We are running out of time, especially with the eclipse." Sokka was wildly gesturing out the window to the sky.
Iroh looked up from his tea. "Eclipse?"
Sokka explained, "YA! The sun will be blotted out by the moon near midsummer. The Fire Nation will be helpless. But we are RUNNING OUT OF TIME! We need to be ready to strike THEN!" The idea guy was showing his eagerness as well as his concern. As eldest, he wanted to be sure everyone was doing what they should, and that they were at the same time safe. He almost choked down his tea when he realized he blurted out about the eclipse to a Fire Nation general and Dragon of the West. He was surprised by Iroh's concern and support. Had Iroh truly defected? Had anyone informed Zuko? That thought gave Sokka a quiet twisted and contented feeling of vindication.
This eclipse was new information for Iroh. They sipped tea and discussed the details. Aang remained somber. He knew he had yet to master firebending and the avatar state. Yet, he also adamantly refused to do any more firebending.
Iroh smiled broadly at them. "If you need anything, I can be found here. And when you are ready, Avatar Aang, I would be honored to teach you firebending. All things in time. Relax today and enjoy the tea. I am sure things will come together soon."
Toph inquired curiously, "And what of your nephew?"
Iroh sat back with his tea thinking on Zuko with love and pride. "Give him time."
Sokka muttered under his breath, "like eternity…"
Iroh laughed. "All men change as they grow and learn. Even you, young wolf. Pups are all playful when they are young. But, as they grow and learn, they take on more responsibility and become great warriors and protectors of their tribes and families. They remember to play, but they still changed. In the Fire Nation there is a very old legend that it was the wolf that first taught man how to protect and care for a family. Pups grow and change to wolves, boys to men."
Katara smiled to herself at how well Iroh boosted Sokka's pride and reminded him of their heritage as Southern Water Tribe, Tribe of the Wolf. With luck, Zuko will grow to be fine warrior and learn some of Iroh's wisdom, gentleness, and love. Fire need not always burn hot and out of control. Sometimes, it can burn low, giving warmth. Light, and comfort, too.
They left with much to think about. They also hoped to meet with the Earth King again to push for action before the eclipse.
Iroh pondered the other note from Mu-Tan. These youths did not look or sound like they had guidance, but there was mention from Mu-Tan that someone was found to help the avatar train and achieve control over the avatar state. Maybe it was just a rumor or Mu-Tan managed to spy news that has yet to reach the avatar.
