Book I: Waves

Chapter III: Life on Taqqaq Village

Part II: Love Begins to Blossom

The Redeemer

Somewhere off the coast of Taqqaq Village

Zuko was dressed in his battle armor. The armor was made of traditional Fire Nation steel and stylized in a red color with gold furnishings. He then set the wrist guards in place and took in a deep breath. He then let it out. Smoke and steam furrowed out from his nostrils. Soon the Avatar will be mine.

Suddenly, the shipyore man ran up to him. "The village where I saw that beam of light is just ahead Prince Zuko! We are coming on it now!" He then pointed ahead of them. There was a small village in the distance alight by a large billowing of smoke.

We are here. Finally. The visions of his banishment then flashed in his mind. He put a hand to the burn around his eye and clutched it tightly.

Taqqaq Village, Southern Water Tribe

19 AG

A day later

The two outsiders had managed to find a second home in the small village.

Aang had no problem blending in as he was of Air Nomad origin. He also had a much more inviting personality compared to the firebender.

Kuzon mostly kept to himself. The initial tension between him and Sokka had evaporated, but he still kept to himself most of the time. The young Avatar enjoyed the quiet however. To him, it helped keep his true identity a secret and it gave him time to think. He had been spending his days thinking of his family and processing all he had lost in the last hundred years. Wherever you guys are...please watch over me. I miss you all so much. He tried to hold back the tears in his eyes but failed. His voice broke down into stifled sobs.

Katara's big, bright blue eyes then peeked through a hole in the tent. He has to be here somewhere. Her eyes then came up Kuzon's form. Her eyes widened in glee. There he is! I knew I'd find him somewhere! She then pushed the tarps out of the way with a gleeful smile on his face. "Kuzu! I've been looking all over for you! I wanted to bring you to the communal dinner!"

Kuzon wiped the tears from his eyes and flashed her a nervous smile. "I-I think I'll just stay here for now. I-I'm not very hungry." His stomach, however, grumbled in protest. You aren't helping.

Katara felt her eyebrow twitch in frustration. Calm yourself Katara. He's just scared. You were once in his shoes yourself. She then kneeled down to his level, gently ran a hand down his arm and grabbed his hand tightly. "Hey it will be okay. Nobody in the village knows you are a firebender."

He then looked up at her with fear in his eyes and spoke in a desperate tone. "That isn't what I'm worried about."

Katara raised an eyebrow. "Okay then. What are you worried about?"

Kuzon let out a frustrated sigh and looked her in the eyes. "I like you Katara."

Katara suddenly went red in the face. H-He likes me? Is this why he gets so cagey around me? "Y-You mean you like-like me?" Kuzon immediately noticed his mistake and stammered out, "Wait! I didn't mean it like that!" Jeez. Nice one hothead.

Katara let out a sigh of relief. "O-Oh." I'm relieved he cleared that up. I don't know how I would have taken a love confession right now.

Kuzon cleared his throat and continued. "I meant to say that I respect you and your brother. You both took Aang and I in and even gave us warm bags to sleep in. I am in your debt." He then gave her a traditional Fire Nation bow.

Katara was immediately taken aback but recollected herself. She flashed him a warm smile. "I was glad I could help."

Kuzon then sighed. "That is why I have to leave as soon as possible. My presence here puts you and your people in danger. They already succeeded in taking my family from me. I won't let them take my friends."

Katara watched him go with an awed expression on her face. So that is his destiny.

He then stood up and flashed her a small smile. Let me make my exit before I make things even more awkward. "Now I think it's about time I go eat."

He began to walk out of the tent when she grabbed him by the sleeve.

He looked back at her with a curious look in his eyes. "Katara?"

She then spoke in a quiet tone and a faraway look in her eyes. "Can I come along? I've always wanted to become a master waterbender. I can't do that here in the village since the Southern Raiders killed the last of my kind. I-I also want to avenge my mother."

Kuzon gave her a nonchalant look. "I have no issue with you coming along. I just want you to understand that we will be on the run from the Fire Nation. You might have to freeze a few firebenders every now and then."

The waterbender girl flashed him a small smirk and crossed her arms. "Don't you worry about me Kuzu! I can handle myself."

Kuzon raised an eyebrow.

Katara then stood up and motioned for him to follow her. "Alright enough chat. Let's get you something to eat."

Kuzon then followed her with a confused look on his face. "Why did you call me Kuzu?"

Katara let out a giggle and winked at him. " It is a term of endearment. I called you Kuzu because you are like the firebending brother I never thought I needed. You have a hot temper, don't say much, and get embarrassed easily. You have a big heart and yet you don't show it."

Kuzon's jaw dropped. She is good. I wonder if her knack for intuition is a Water Tribe thing. He gave her a half-shrug. "Well I-I can't disagree with you there." Katara just shook her head smiling. He is so easy to tease.

Village Center, Taqqaq Village, Southern Water Tribe

19 AG

Later that day

The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Kuzon managed to keep his anxiety in check while being close to everyone. Aang was currently keeping the little ones busy by entertaining them with the many airbending tricks he had mastered a century ago. Katara was giggling uncontrollably to herself. A light blush came across her face. He really is something.

Kanna then stood up out of her seat and spoke calmly, "So Avatar Kuzon, I just wanted to say it is an honor to have you in our village."

Kuzon immediately spit out the seaweed in his mouth and looked at her with fear and apprehension in his eyes.

Katara and Sokka glanced at each other with nervous looks. This isn't good. The whole point with the fake name was to keep his true identity a secret.

Kuzon stammered out, "H-How did you know who I was?"

The elder non-bender then let out a hearty chuckle and smiled warmly at him with closed eyes. "Oh I've known of your presence for some time, young Avatar! When my grandchildren first brought you to the village, I sensed your inner flame's presence in this village. The aura of one from the Fire Nation is much different from one of the Water Tribes."

It seemed as if the air around Kuzon suddenly became many degrees colder.

Nodoliq suddenly sent the young Avatar a death glare. He pulled out his sword and pointed it threateningly at the firebender. "It seems we have a Fire Nation spy in our midst! I say we kill him!" A number of his fellow warriors seemed to agree with this sentiment as they suddenly drew their weapons as well.

Kuzon looked at the hostile warriors with tears in his eyes. "Please don't! I don't want to hurt any of you!" He immediately began shaking all over and curled into a ball.

Nodoliq and his fellow warriors then ran at the firebender with their weapons drawn.

Aang immediately sprang into action. Spirit be damned if I'm going to let them harm my brother!

He jumped in front of Kuzon with staff drawn in defense. "I won't let any of you lay a hand on him!"

Nodoliq started the airbender down and darkly chuckled. "Oh really? You and what army? You started sobbing the minute you stood up to me. I'm not afraid of you monk."

This was when Katara and Sokka jumped to Kuzon's defense.

Katara drew a large wave and created ice spikes from it. Take these on for size you prick! She then sent the spikes hurling towards the warriors.

Nodoliq let out a strangled gasp and turned back to his fellow warriors. "Retreat!" They immediately began running to try and avoid the spikes. One of them landed directly at his feet. That almost hit me!

Sokka then gave each of them a quick glance and cleared his throat.. "Alright! Listen up! Nobody is to lay a hand on Kuzon! He is a friend of this village and is not at all aligned with the ashmakers! Am I clear?"

Nodoliq and the others merely gave the young boy a nod.

Katara then let out a sigh of relief. She laid down the rest of the spikes. They all dissipated into small water puddles. I'm glad that got resolved. She then switched her gaze to Kuzon and frowned. Look at him. He's frightened out of his mind. I have to try and help.

She then knelt down and hugged the firebender. She leaned in near his ear and whispered gently, "Kuzu can you hear me?" The young Avatar merely nodded. Katara then felt a small smile form on her face. She lifted up his chin with two fingers and looked him in the eyes. "Hey look at me. Everything will be okay now. Nobody is going to hurt you."

Kuzon managed to control his breathing and let out the deep breath he had been holding in. He was trembling all over. "Are you sure?"

Katara then brushed two fingers against his cheek and nodded. "I'm sure. Sokka and I have your back no matter what happens."

Sokka gave the firebender a nod. "She's right. We got your back brother. Don't even worry about it."

Aang, meanwhile, was staring at Katara and Kuzon with a suspicious look in his eyes. Why do I feel jealous looking at the two of them? I don't understand. He then shook his head. Now isn't the time. I need to support my brother right now.

He then put a hand on Kuzon's shoulder. "As do I! Wherever you go, I will always follow!"

Kuzon smiled at his longtime friend. "Thanks airhead!" Aang gave him a nod.

Village Center, Taqqaq Village, Southern Water Tribe

19 AG

An hour later

Kuzon eventually explained how he and Aang had washed up near the village. Everyone stared at the two outsiders with looks of shock in their eyes.

Nodoliq stammered out, "S-So the Fire Nation forced forced you from your ancestral home as a kid, killed your family and burned down your home?"

Kuzon gave the warrior a shrug. "That's about the gist of it."

Nodoliq felt his whole body shake with fear. "Wow. I never expected that the Fire Nation would attack one of their own. I'm so sorry."

Kuzon just shook his head at the boy . "There is no need for apologies. What's done is done." His right fist then began to smoke and he glanced at the full moon in the sky. "I will have my revenge. I will destroy the Fire Nation with my own bare hands if I have to. This is the will of my Avatar duty and part of the debt I owe my grandfather." Everyone merely gave him an understanding nod.

Taqqaq Village, Southern Water Tribe

Two weeks later

In the afternoon

It was a quaint day in Taqqaq Village. Kuzon and Aang were busy helping Katara and Sokka with various chores around the city.

The firebender was quite pleased with how well the rest of the villagers had taken his story. He was busy helping Sokka train the young warriors in the village how to fight.

Sokka was showing them how to block a sword strike. He ran at Kuzon with a fierce look in his eyes. "Here I come hothead!"

Their swords clashed fiercely against one another. The young warriors around them looked on in awe. Wow. Look at the outsider go! He's almost as good as Sokka!

Nodoliq felt a lump in his throat and sweatdropped. I am so glad I never picked a fight with that guy!

Sokka let out a grunt as he tried to push his sword against Kuzon's. Who knew that the kid was such a natural at swordfighting? He is both light on his feet and his reflexes are so good that I can barely keep up with him. I'm kind of jealous.

Kuzon said nothing. He had one thing on his mind at the moment. Revenge.

Sokka broke apart from the firebender and charged at him again intending to stab him in the gut.

Kuzon blocked this strike and forced his sword to point downward to the ground.

Sokka then tried to pull out his sword, but found he couldn't do so.

Kuzon then let out a chuckle. " I got you right where I want you wolf tail!"

The two warriors had bonded over the past two weeks. Their similar life stories and dispositions caused them to become fast friends.

Sokka was looking around desperately for a way out of his current predicament. A bright idea then came to him. I can use the snow as a distraction. He then picked up a bit of snow and tossed it into the firebender's face. This temporarily blinded Kuzon and he immediately dropped his sword to cover his eyes.

Sokka immediately seized the opportunity and landed a kick in his side. This caused Kuzon to fall to the ground with a hard thud.

Sokka visibly cringed and extended a hand to his fallen friend. "Hey you ok hothead? I didn't mean to kick you that hard."

Kuzon looked up at his warrior brother with a lopsided grin on his face and got himself back on his feet. "Ah don't worry about it. This is nothing compared to what my grandfather and father put me through."

Sokka crossed his arms and stared at him curiously. "That must have been some training."

Kuzon then burst out into laughter. "It was. They were truly honorable men who taught me how to firebend. I miss them."

Sokka nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm pretty sure they are pretty damn proud of you right now. You are not only choosing to avenge their loss, but you are also working to undo the Fire Nation's legacy of destruction and colonization. You are making them proud. I am sure of that."

Kuzon felt a tear come to his eye. "Thanks brother!"

Sokka grinned back at him. "Anytime!"

Meanwhile near the Village Center, Southern Water Tribe

19 AG

Aang and Katara were busy helping wash everyone's clothes. Aang's airbending had especially come in handy. His natural bending abilities provided an easy and simple way to dry off the clothes.

Katara was more than thankful for the help. Most of the time, she and the other girls were left with the more menial tasks around the village. She personally found the work demeaning as she had always wanted to travel the world in order to become a master waterbender. She knew the village needed her. She had essentially become the "mother" of the viliage. But she wanted to do more. Specifically, she wanted revenge against her mother's killer. In order to do that, however, she needed to be a master waterbender. There were some scrolls left by long dead Southern waterbenders, but she needed to find a true master in order to become a force in waterbending.

At the moment, She was desperately trying to hide the rising blush on her face with a hand over her mouth. He looks so handsome in those robes. His airbending tattoos especially grabbed her attention. I wonder how he got those. Was it all a part of his training?

Some of the other women and girls were washing clothes alongside the two of them.

Aang was dressed in his Air Nation robes and stood out like a sore thumb amongst the sea of parkas.

Katara then stuttered out, "Um Aang?"

Aang shot her a curious look. "What is it?"

Katara then fiddled with her hands. "Are you sure you don't want to wear a parka or something heavier? You must be freezing in those robes."

Aang then smirked at her and shook his head. "Don't worry Katara! My people lived in the mountains for centuries. This is nothing to me."

"I-I see."

She then cleared her throat, brushed a hair behind her ear and gave him a flirtatious smile. "Tell me about them. The other airbenders I mean."

Aang suddenly got a gleeful look on his face. "We were a peaceful people who lived in harmony with the spirits. Most of us spent our lives in the temples. As a Nomad, you are taught emotions flow like the wind and that the key to true enlightenment is to be at peace."

Katara tapped her chin thoughtfully, "That sounds fascinating. It's so much different from how we in the Water Tribe operate. We are taught to work and dedicate our lives to the safety of the tribe. The tribe is everything to us. It is where we hunt and sleep. It is our home."

Aang's eyes shone for a moment and he gave her a nod. "I sensed as much. You all seem quite attached to this place." The airbender boy then let out a sad sigh. "My people were nomads. We made wherever we rested for the night our home." He then stared dejectedly at the ground. "After some time , we began calling the Temples home. That was until the Genocide happened at least."

Katara took note of the change in tone in Aang's voice. It was a mix of anguish and rage that seemed to be barely hidden by the stoic look on the boy's face.

Katara nodded at him sadly. "I'm so sorry for the losses your people have suffered. I remember that the elders would tell me and Sokka about the horrible atrocities the Fire Nation inflicted on the Nomads when we were children. We were told the stories as children in order to help us understand that the Fire Nation was our enemy. The First War began a year later."

Aang just nodded at her. He twirled around his staff and stared at it. All the memories then flooded back into his mind. The good times hanging around with Kuzon as kids. The memories of him and Monk Gyatso dueling in pai sho. The memories immediately got darker. The sight of his beloved mentor being burned alive then flashed in his mind. His next words had a bit of menace to them "We surrendered peacefully and they still killed all of us. They slaughtered us like cattle. I watched my mentor burn alive before my own eyes."

Katara gazed at him with a sympathetic look in her eyes and took his hands in hers. "The Fire Nation killed my mother when I was a little girl. It seems their brutality knows no bounds." She then put a hand to her necklace. "They even killed Kuzu's family in front of him. They betrayed one of their own just to eliminate a race of people they saw as their enemy. I can't imagine how that made him feel at first. You and I were foreigners in the eyes of the Fire Nation. He wasn't. He was one of them and they turned on him like it was nothing."

Aang let out a sigh. His fists tightened for a moment. She called him Kuzu. Why is that making me jealous? He cleared his throat and managed to regain his composure. "Yeah Kuzon's family may have been considered outsiders by the Elders, but they respected our traditions and treated us with kindness. Kuzon was no Nomad, but he is like a brother to me. He always looked out for me and kept me on track during our lessons. He has always had my back no matter what." Aang then looked up at Katara with a determined look in his eyes. "That's why I'm never going to leave his side. I'm with him until the end. I will make the Fire Nation pay for what they took from us. I won't stop until the entire Fire Empire lays in ashes!"

Katara then gave the airbender a flirtatious half-grin. Well he is an interesting character for an airbender! Who knew behind that cheerful demeanor of his lay a wind warrior determined to fight for his people? That fierceness in his eyes is kind of attractive. She then walked up to the airbender and pressed her lips against his for a moment. The kiss was a brief and fleeting one. The gesture itself seemed to have Aang lost for words. Katara then crossed her arms and shook her head at him smiling. She then took his face in her hands and gave him a warm smile. "You want to know something?"

Aang replied nervously, "W-What?" His face was now beet red.

Katara replied flirtatiously, "For an airbender, you are quite the fascinating character. I can't wait to see what a wind warrior is capable of."

Aang was unsure how to take the sudden compliment. Ok what just happened? He forced a fake smile and rubbed the back of his head nervously "T-Thanks I guess!"

Katara then gave him a small smile. "No problem!" She then washed the last of the clothes, put them back in the basket, and handed it to him. "Will you take these to Gran-Gran for me?"

Aang gave her a nervous nod, "S-Sure!"

Katara let out a small giggle. "Alright follow me!"

Aang fumbled with the basket a bit, but managed to get ahold of it. Well this just got interesting!

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