Book I: Waves

Chapter III: Life in Taqqaq Village

19 AG

Two weeks later

It had been about two weeks since the Avatar and his airbending companion had washed up on the shores of Taqqaq Village. They had been helping around the village wherever they could. Aang had been mingling well with the villagers. Kuzon was more or less keeping to himself. He was wary of many of the villagers. Katara and Sokka were the only ones he really talked to. Even then, there was a distance between the Water Tribe siblings and the firebending Avatar. Most of the villagers were none the wiser to Kuzon's true identity. Katara and Sokka had made sure to keep the Avatar's identity a secret as much as possible. Kuzon was given the false name of Roanok. He was also told by the Water Tribe siblings to keep his firebending to minimum. Aang was allowed to keep his name and identity as it turned out the Air Nomads hadn't been seen in the world for years. This, unfortunately, had the aftereffect of an unprecedented level of popularity on Aang's end.

So many of the villagers, young and old, were bombarding the young airbender with questions that he was feeling quite overwhelmed. He raised up his hands in mock surrender. "Please stay back everyone. I will answer all your questions in time."

One of the villagers was a boy. He looked to be about seventeen years old and about six feet. He had a curious look in his eyes. He practically pushed through the large crowd of people and got in the airbender's face.

Aang raised an eyebrow at him and let out a gulp. Ok! I'm intimidated!

Nodoliq then picked the airbender by the scruff of his robes.

Aang glared down at him. "What is your problem? Let me go!"

Then, two other Water Tribesmen popped out of the group.

Katara and Sokka let out loud groans of frustration.

Katara then felt her brow scrunch up. Of course Nodoliq and his goons show up! I have to stop them before they hurt Aang! She then made her way towards the two of them.

Nodoliq then let out a soft chuckle and gave Aang a half-smirk "You airbenders really are weak pacifists! No wonder your people were exterminated by the Fire Nation!"

Something then stirred inside Aang. Visions of the massacre of his people flashed in his mind. Anger flowed through him. He then furrowed air into one of his legs and kneed the warrior in the face.

The resulting attack sent the Water Tribe warrior crashing into the snow.

Karru and Zoarna immediately rushed to his defense. "Boss! Are you alright?"

Aang naturally landed on his feet and summoned air into his fists and rested them at his sides. "How's that for peaceful?"

Sokka had two fingers under his chin and a grin on his face. Well well. That airbender kid has some fight in him.

Kuzon was watching from afar with crossed arms. Nice job Aang. My grandfather would approve.

Katara then had her arm around Aang's shoulder. There was a slight tremor in her voice. "Aang are you alright?"

He, however, was paying her no attention. He then brushed her off and lifted Nodoliq in the air. The once boastful boy was looking at Aang with a look of absolute fear on his face. "Please let me down! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Monk Gyatso's words then appeared in Aang's mind. Remember Aang we are a peaceful people! We are only permitted to engage in violence for purposes of self-defense. We never kill.

Tears suddenly came out of his eyes. What am I doing? He immediately lowered his arms. Nodoliq was then caught by his cohorts. Aang fell to his knees and started sobbing loudly. "I-I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me!"

Katara shook her head sadly. Oh Aang! She then wrapped her arms around Aang's neck and held him close. "It's all right. I'm right here. Lean into me."

Aang could only answer in wails.

Nodoliq just stared at the airbender with fear in his eyes. "Y-You actually hit me. W-What-"

Kuzon then picked him up by scruff of his parka and stared him dead in the eyes. " He lost his people to the Fire Nation. What did you expect him to do?" He then growled menacingly," I'd suggest you and your jackals leave while you can!" He then roughly pushed the warrior.

Nodoliq fell on his back and began immediately backing away from the firebender. "R-Right." He then turned to his two lackeys "Let's get out of here!"

Kuzon let out a relieved sigh. I'm partly relieved he took the hint. I really didn't want to risk exposing myself just yet. He then turned his head towards Aang and knelt down to his level. "You alright Aang? I hope that asshole didn't rough you up too bad."

The airbender was shaking all over. He was mumbling to himself and rocking back and forth. Gyatso. The bodies. All that death around me.

Kuzon let out a sad sigh. He's remembering everything. Aang. I am sorry. I wish there was something I could do.

Katara felt entirely helpless at the moment. What do I do? She was gently shaking him by the shoulder. "Aang talk to me."

Sokka then turned to Kuzon. "What happened. He suddenly went off on Nodoliq and now he's sobbing like a baby. I don't understand."

Kuzon turned to the warrior with a serious look in his eyes. "The Fire Nation burned down his home and killed his mentor. The idiot must've triggered his memories."

Sokka gave the firebender a nod. "I see." Poor kid.

Kuzon and Aang's Tent, Taqqaq Village

19 AG

A few hours later.

As a result of the earlier fiasco, Kuzon and Aang had decided to retreat to the tent they shared.

Kuzon wasn't feeling too fond of the people of the village due to the way they treated Aang earlier.

Aang, meanwhile, was trying to understand why he got so angry in the first place. He had his face in his hands.

Katara and Sokka then walked through the tapestry.

Katara's face somewhat brightened when she saw Aang. She immediately took the seat beside him and flashed him a small smile. "Hey are you feeling any better?"

Aang recognized her voice and sighed. "A little bit."

Katara felt her heart warm at his words. She put a hand to her heart and lightly blushed. "I-I'm so glad. I was really worried about you. You and Kuzon both just walked off after the fight with Nodolik." She stopped to ponder her next words. "I-I'm really sorry about what he said to you. He is nothing but a racist who likes to pick on the newcomers."

Aang sighed and looked her in the eyes. There was frustration inherent in his tone. "It's not him I'm angry at."

Katara and Sokka's eyes both widened in surprise.

Kuzon merely nodded.

Katara stammered out, "W-What do you mean?"

Sokka crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah that guy insulted your people. How are you not mad at him?"

Aang then stood up and glanced at both of them.. "I am a Nomad. We are supposed to let our emotional attachments go. That means not letting hate or anger burrow itself in our hearts. I'm not supposed to use my bending to hurt others. I'm supposed to use it to help them.." He then let out a breath. "This whole situation is all fucked up. I find out that I've been asleep in an iceberg for a hundred years. I've spent a century away from my people. I don't know where they are." His face darkened for a bit. "Kuzon and I saw those ashmakers burn both Gyatso and his parents alive as we escaped the temple. We wake up a hundred years after only to find a world engulfed in war and we have no place in it. We are two people out of time."

Kuzon then chuckled darkly. He sent each one of them a quick glance. "It doesn't matter to me. I will finish this fight and kill the Fire Lord with both my hands. That I swear on the grave of my father and grandfather!"

Everyone looked up at him and dutifully nodded.

Aang put a hand on his shoulder.

Kuzon turned to look back at him.

"I'm with you Kuzon."

"Thank you airhead. I don't think I could do this without you."

Katara looked at both of them with teary eyes and a determined look on her face. I can't imagine what those two have been through. I swear on my mother's name I will do what I can from them.

Sokka merely nodded to himself. I understand. Both of them have suffered at the hands of the Fire Nation. Kuzon may be Fire Nation, but he isn't an ashmaker. We all have a common goal. Maybe Katara and I can help.

Katara then spread out her arms and wrapped Kuzon and Aang in a big hug. "Sokka and I may be from the Southern Water Tribe, but we understand your pain. We're here for you!"

Kuzon just stammered out and slowly hugged both of them back. "T-Thank you!" He then fell silent.

Aang gave the waterbender a warm smile. "Thank you Katara! It means a lot to not be alone."

She then tightened the hug and smiled to herself. "Of course." Katara then turned her gaze to Sokka and pouted at him. "Come on Sokka."

Sokka shook off the blush and muttered, "Fine!" He warily wrapped his arms around the three of them.

Katara giggled to herself. I got him. I love embarrassing my big brother.

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