Life of Air

Chapter 17

More than Trust

While the news of the Fire Lord's plans to destroy the world had come as a shock to everyone, it also seemed to, ironically, light a fire underneath everyone. My brother used the time we had to continue his training with Toph. Though he was a proud man, he admitted that the young girl was much more skilled than him and he was grateful to take any teaching she was willing to offer him. Sokka had taken Aang, Katara, and Suki off somewhere to discuss strategy, saying since the plan was changing they need to come up with something to better our training and prepare for the battle.

This left Zuko and I to ourselves. Although we would usually try to enjoy the time we shared with talks and contentment, we were unable to fully relax with one another as our thoughts were stuck on the coming battle. Zuko agreed to spar with me and prepare me for what I would soon be facing. He came at me with a ferocity that I wasn't entirely prepared for, but I soon picked up on the seriousness of this spar. No matter our feelings, Zuko wasn't going to go easy on me. While some may consider this strange, I knew it was an act of care. He knew that living in a hole my entire life hadn't prepared me for the intense battles ahead of us and I needed to see what it was really like to fight.

Without hesitation I gave him my all. I was going to show him that I could do this, that I was ready to put my life on the line for what we all believed in and I would be a valuable ally. Every time I felt as though I was tiring, he would notice, and he would remind me that there wasn't going to be the chance to tire out in battle and if I wasn't fulling aware of my surroundings then I was going to end up killed. His blunt nature didn't bother me, instead it fed the beast inside of me the demanded a fight. I knew that he wasn't warning me of the cost of battle for my sake, but for his own, that behind the harsh words he was worried of what might happen to me. Determined to wipe away any doubt and fear in him, I let the beast inside of me out. I even got to the point that I wasn't considering his safety in my attacks, simply giving him the fight that he was continued to ask of me.

By the time we ended our sparring, we were both drenched in sweat and breathing hard. We sat next to one another on the sand, watching as the ocean came and left the shore over and over again, a soft breeze cooling our heated skin. I glanced at the firebender next to me, admiring the stern expression on his face. Something made me feel safe with him and even the fear of battle creeping up on me would fade when all I did was focus on him and his strength and resolve. I knew, above all else, he would fight beside me and constantly fight for what was right. I laid my hand on top of his, catching his attention, and when his gaze shifted to mine I felt the mutual sense of security between us.

"I trust you, Zuko."

"I trust you too, Iyashi."

No other words were needed as we leaned towards one another, lips meeting in haste. Before long we were encouraging one another with the meeting of tongues and the exploration of fingers. Never before meeting Zuko would I have asked this of anyone or even believed it to be something worth my interest, but he brought an entirely different world to me in more ways than I could imagine. Nothing was better than this, nothing could be, and I dared the universe to prove me wrong. When we pulled apart we were eagerly seeking breath, even harder than when we had sparred, and I wondered if I had ever felt so warm.

"Please tell me, Zuko, have you felt this... intensity... before?" I asked, gazing up into his warm golden eyes.

He surprised me by wrapping his arms tight around my middle and burring his face in my neck, still breathing hard and making my body ache with each breath to my skin. "Never. And you... Iyashi you made it so difficult to ignore."

I ran my fingers through his dark hair. "You never should ignore how you feel, Zuko. Consider that a lesson then." I giggled a little and wrapped my arms around his head and neck, holding him to me.

After a long moment of silence, Zuko spoke softly. "After the fighting... after this is all over... Iyashi will you... will you stay with me and... be mine?"

My heart thumped and a breath caught in my throat. Smiling, I rubbed my cheek again the top of his head and gently stroked the back of his neck with my fingers. "After everything? Oh Zuko... I am yours now." I laughed a little and then noticed that tears had started falling down my face slowly. "I think I was... the moment you shared your new found destiny with me. I saw something in you, desire, perseverance, and strength all fighting to come to the surface through a painful past. I wanted to see you succeed. I wanted to be beside you as you did."

He lifted his head then, smiling at me, and leaned his forehead against mine. "I think I was yours when I first met your beautiful gaze. No one has ever looked at me like you did, no one has made me feel like I was on the right path like you have, and though I tried so hard to fight it... I never stopped wanting to be everything you wanted."

The fire prince wiped the tears from my face gently then kissed my cheek. I took his face in my hands and kissed his lips with a gentleness we had ignored in our eagerness and desire. Once we pulled apart again we were both grinning at one another, looking into each other's eyes. It felt as though we had melted away from the world, away from fear and away from hate, away from all the darkness this world had to offer. Instead, we bathed in the light of our own feelings for one another, able to feel free and safe in it.

When we returned to the temple we found Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Suki all discussion the upcoming battle, nerves obviously on high alert as they all turned to us in battle ready forms once we close enough for them to hear us approaching. They relaxed of course when they realized it was just Zuko and I.

"Umm, is everything alright?" I asked, eyeing them nervously.

Sokka waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, just trying to figure out how to take the Fire Lord out. Things are getting a bit... heated is all."

I looked to Aang who had rolled his eyes at Sokka's statement. So it seemed the tension wasn't just due to the battle we were all getting ready for, it regarded the outcome we had to fight for.

"Well if you guys want to take a break, Zuko wanted to teach Aang something important." I said smiling, trying to ease some of the tension in the air.

The fire prince glanced at me then walked further into the courtyard where much of their training had been held, gesturing to Aang to follow him. "Come on."

Everyone present decided to put the former discussion aside to watch as Zuko and Aang trained. Using a blast of air under my feet, I jumped to the roof of the house and watched from that vantage point.

"There is one technique you need to know before you face my father, how to redirect lightning." Zuko said then started to demonstrate the movements of this technique. "If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it. You're turning your opponent's own energy against them."

"That's like waterbending!" Aang exclaimed. I'm sure he was excited to learn about something so familiar.

"Exactly." Zuko confirmed, still doing the technique's movements. "My uncle invented this technique himself by studying waterbenders."

Aang started to move with Zuko, practicing the technique while they spoke. "So.. have you ever redirected lightning before?"

"Once," Zuko answered, "against my father."

"What did it feel like?"

Zuko released his form with a breath. "Exhilarating. But terrifying. You feel so powerful holding that much energy in your body, but you know if you make the wrong move... it's all over."

The young Avatar laughed nervously, shrugging. "Well not over over, right? I mean there's always Katara and some spirit water action." He then looked to the aforementioned waterbender.

"Actually, I used it all up after Azula shot you." Katara said, sounding sullen.

Zuko's expression hardened as he looked down at Aang. "You'll have to take the Fire Lord's life, before he's able to take yours."

Aang looked away, obviously distressed by the idea. "Yeah, I'll just do that..."

"My father will not hesitate to kill you, remember that." With those last words, Zuko walked away and observed Aang's training from a safer distance.

This was what had Aang so distressed, actually taking the Fire Lord's life. I couldn't help but feel for him and how difficult this was, especially considering there probably wasn't anyone else here who understood what he was going through. As the Avatar I'm sure everyone expected him to just take on this part of his duty without hesitation, but as an airbender there was no doubt in my mind it went against what he learned growing up. As for myself I was taught the value of life of course, my mother and grandmother made sure I understood that every life was precious and we had no right to take it, but my father also instilled in me survival instincts. Behind the back of my mother he would remind me that my life was valuable as well which meant I had the right to protect it.

Protecting my own life wasn't that difficult though, I could get away from an enemy with my life, but protecting the lives and balance of the world was another story. That was the battle raging inside of Aang and I was ashamed of anyone who took that lightly.

Sokka came up with a training exercise for the group in preparation to the battle with the Fire Lord. From what he explained it was mainly meant to distract the tyrant while Aang snuck up on him to take the final blow. As the plan was explained I could feel Aang tense next to me, obviously still uncomfortable with the idea of taking the man's life. I felt bad for him but chose not to speak out as he was remaining silent as well.

"What about me?" Toph asked, pointing out how Sokka had left her out of the plan.

"For right now, you're the Melon Lord's defenses." Sokka said, gesturing to the roughly carved melon on a stick we were suppose to be pretending was the Fire Lord.

"So I get to chuck flaming rocks at everyone?" The blind earthbender asked, joy seeping into her words.

Sokka shrugged and grin at her. "Whatever makes the training more realistic."

She nodded, a wide grin on her face. "Sweetness."

We all took our positions on a hill, the Melon Lord sitting at the top with Toph and a bunch of rocks covered in a disgusting black goo meant to make them catch on fire. Sokka was paired up with Suki and they took the charge first, dodging and cutting down soldiers made of earth and flaming boulders. After that it was Katara and Zuko, they were paired to balance out their clashing elements and I was amazed to see how well they battled together. They easily took down the earth soldiers that Toph sent to attack them. Almost last, it was Tanro and I. We were meant to keep the Fire Lord's attention as he would be rather shocked to see another airbender aside from the Avatar, maybe even mistaking me as Aang if he wasn't looking close enough.

When it was mentioned, this plan wasn't approved of by Tanro. He pointed out how I was obviously being used as bait to keep the Fire Lord's attention from Aang which he didn't think was right. It didn't bother me and I made him go with it, reminding him that he was paired with me to protect me. At our time we rushed into the fake battle field, my powerful blasts of air holding back the earth soldiers Toph had coming towards us. My brother used his bending to knock he soldiers aside, remembering to only bend the earth under them rather than the "soldiers" themselves since this was for practice. I made it a point to show off with my airbending, making it more of a show as I flipped and flew through the air, sending out blasts of wind, making sure that it the real Fire Lord was sitting at the top of that hill he wouldn't be able to keep his eyes off of me.

"Aang, now!" Sokka shouted, and I watched as the young Avatar lept out at the signal.

Just before landing a blow on the Melon Lord's head, he hesitated and stopped, lowing his staff. His body was drooping and his head hung, clearly upset with himself as much as the situation he was in.

"What are you waiting for? Take him out!" Zuko shouted from behind me, and I flinched involuntarily at his bluntness.

Aang turned to look at the group of us watching and waiting, then looked back to the ground again. "I can't." He said, shaking his head.

Sokka grumbled and angrily marched to where his young friend stood. He pointed his finger at him and got into his face, his expression angry. "What's wrong with you? If this was the real deal, you'd be shot full of lightning right about now!" He then made a gesture with his and swiping across his neck, implying our Avatar would be killed.

The young boy still drooped and couldn't even look up at Sokka. "I'm sorry, it just didn't feel right. I didn't feel like myself."

With a grunt and a huff, Sokka pulled his sword from his hip and slashed it through the Melon Lord's head, cutting the melon open which resulted in the little lemur Momo using it as a snack. "There, that's how it's done."

I watched as Aang visibly recoiled at Sokka's harsh lesson. The Fire Lord battle training ended with that and I wondered if it had made any difference for anyone, knowing that it only solidified for Aang what he wasn't willing to do. It did give me a chance to see how this group actually fought together, having only seen their abilities separately. Other than that this entire thing felt like a waste of time.

Everyone returned to their own personal training regimen. That is except for Aang and myself. I had convinced Zuko to let him out of his firebending lessons for the day so I could take him away and talk with him. The firebender agreed reluctantly once I gave him a peck to the cheek.

"Come on Aang, you'll love this spot." I said, running away from the boy while he followed slowly behind.

I had chose a location far from the house on the top of a ridge overlooking the ocean. Once we both reached the top we sat down next to each other facing the ocean. A gentle sea breeze brew around us and I inhaled deeply to appreciate the calming scent. Aang also took in a deep breath and released it as a sign, the weight of the training and the coming events still sitting upon him heavily.

"You can talk to me, you know, about all of this." I said, gently prying.

Aang glanced at me for a moment then looked down at his hands laying over his crossed legs. "You understand why I can't, don't you?"

I shrugged and chose to look out at the view instead of the young Avatar seated next to me. "From a personal stance, yes. The idea of having to take someone's life makes me sick inside."

"Exactly!" Aang said excitedly, practically jumping from his seated position.

With a wave of my hand I gestured for him to sit again, gathering my words for the next statement. "But from a sense of duty... I don't fully understand. If I had to take someone's life to protect someone I care about... I would do it."

Aang shook his head. From my peripheral vision I could tell he was leaning closer to me and eyeing me harshly but I refused to meet his gaze. "How could you?"

After a long moment I finally let the words fall from my lips. "I would rather live with the pain of taking a life... than live with the pain of not being able to protect one."

Aang leaned back away from me then. "I already have to live with the pain of failing to protect people. Killing the Fire Lord will not make that go away."

I nodded. "You're right, it won't. But letting any one else suffer for this war... will make it worse. So you have to find a way to end this, whatever that may be."

"That means taking his life." Aang said, voice stern. "And I can't do that."

"Then something else." I said, finally turning my head to look at him. "Anything else to stop him from continuing his family line of destruction."

He sighed. "Easier said than done."

"Think of this, Aang," I started, "we aren't fighting the Fire Lord because he has single handedly caused the destruction of our people and the world... we're fighting him because of what he represents, what he learned from those before him, because of how he directs his people to think and behave now."

The young Avatar stayed silent, thinking for a while, until he seemed to come to a conclusion. "It's not about killing the man, but killing what he represents."

I nodded. "Even if Fire Lord Ozai is no more, if we aren't able to rid the world of the hatred and inhuman ideas that were started with Sozin, then there will be another Ozai. This battle against the Fire Lord will be hard for you, for us all, but without ridding the world of him, we won't be able to face the real enemy that exists around him... the reason he is as he is today."

"You're asking me to defeat... an idea? Iyashi you don't seem to understand how difficult that is." Aang said, seeming defeated.

I chuckled a little and patted his leg. "I know it's difficult, but that's why you're not doing it alone. I'm here to help you heal this world's wounds. But to do that we have to start with those who would create even more wounds to heal."

That was the last of our serious discussion and we chose to use the rest of the time we had to meditate as the environment was perfect for it. Since I used to meditate with my brother rather often, it was very comforting to have another person beside me, made me feel less alone in a sense. We stayed there for hours, content, until I felt a tug at my senses that couldn't be ignored... I was hungry. When I opened my eyes I noticed the sun had gone down and knew that the others would be eating if they hadn't already. Looking towards Aang I could tell he was still deep in his meditation and chose not to disturb him. Using a small current of wind to lift myself to a standing position, I left the young Avatar to himself as quietly as I could.

Once I returned to the beach house I saw the others were indeed eating. Tanro greeted me with a wave and I chose to take a seat next to him as he passed me a bowl of food.

"Been off with the Avatar for a while, huh little one? Anything we need to worry about? The boy's nerve perhaps?" My brother asked, giving me the side eye as he sipped at some tea.

I rolled my eyes at his accusatory comment. "You only need to worry about your duty during the battle. Keep away from Aang."

He let out a groan as he stretched and then threw his bulky arm around my shoulder. "Oh come on sis, no need to bite my head off with that tone. I'm only concerned."

"You're concerned? Then how about you show some consideration for his position." I said, glaring at Tanro. I then shifted my gaze to everyone in the group as they had been watching our interaction. It was clear to me that they had set Tanro up to pick my mind about Aang since I had spent so much time with him after he made the show of not being able to kill even a dummy of the Fire Lord. "That goes for all of you."

Katara stood, obviously irritated by my words. "You think you're the only one who cares about Aang? I've known him much longer than you have, you know."

"Then you should know how difficult this is for him." I said, my tone sharp as I stood as well and glared hard at the waterbender. "But do you? Do you really understand what kind of position he's in?"

Katara crossed her arms over her chest. "We just want to help him, ok? We know it's not going to be easy but he still has to do it."

"Easy?" I said, sarcasm slipping into my tone as I gave a false chuckle. "Right, it's just a tough thing he has to do. Not like it goes against his entire being or anything, not like he's wrestling with his soul right now while all of you give him nothing but criticism."

Zuko came to stand next to me and took my hand in his, pulling my attention to him and calming my nerves in an instant. "We're not going to be able to understand like you do, Iyashi, I know that." He then turned his gaze to Katara. "Iyashi is right, we need to let Aang work this out for himself. Us telling him what to do will only make him feel worse."

Katara's irritated expression dropped into one of sadness, her entire body seeming to lose it's edge as she uncrossed her arms and let them hang at her side. Looking at the group of teenagers here I could see them all release the tension they held, clearly revealing the worry that was plaguing their hearts. So much pressure was being placed on Aang, but there was plenty of it to go around as well I noticed. I took a deep breath, calming myself, and then did my best to removed the sharpness from my features and tone.

"You're concerned, I understand. Just everyone, please, give Aang some space and trust him." I laid the hand Zuko wasn't holding over my heart. "I believed in him and I trust him. No matter how this battle ends, no matter how he ends it, I trust him to bring the world to a better place."

Sokka stood and placed his hand on his sister's shoulder. The siblings shared a look before they both eyed me, determination on their features. "We trust him too."

A/N - This was a really long chapter and I'm glad I'm finally able to share it with everyone. These moments before the battle, the connection between Aang and Iyashi as well as the relationship of Iyashi and Zuko are my most favorite to write about. Let me know what you think! It really means a lot. :)