Chapter Six: Opposing Energies

Aang and I stood opposite from each other. His stance was open, his palms facing me, and I was tight with clenched fists. He seemed hesitant, unwilling to make the first move, and I held him at a stale-mate as I tried to detect a weak point. Given his height, I would have to keep my attacks low, and while his feet seemed ready to spring from the ground at any moment, I could tell he favored his left.

"Ready on three. One, two–" Sokka swung his hand down. "Three."

Keeping my feet rooted, I punched a blast of air at Aang, but he dodged it. I punched again, and he dodged it again. Punch. Dodge. Punch. Dodge. Punch. Dodge. Gritting my teeth, I ran at him, and he jumped over me. I turned, my left fist swinging to strike him with another gust of air, but he used his staff to air-bend me into the water.

I groaned as I hit the waves with a splash, and I shivered at the water's chill temperature. Jumping to my feet, I ran toward Aang again. I kept punching and kicking air at him, but he continued to avoid and evade me until he was able to knock me down again.

"That does it." I pulled out my whips and took a new stance.

I sashayed to the right, my footsteps slow and calculated, and my whips cracked against the sand, ready to strike like serpents. Aang held a defensive stance, once again waiting for me to make the first move.

I scowled and broke my stance, my hands dropping to my sides. "What's the deal? Why won't you attack me?"

Aang dropped his stance as well. "Air-bending is about being defensive and following the path of least resistance. There's no sense in attacking you if I can figure out a way to avoid you until you wear yourself out."

"What?" I said.

He walked over to me. "Your stance is too rigid, and your attacks are full of quick bursts and aggression."

"That's because I base my techniques off of fire-bending." I put my whips away and used my air-bending to dry myself off. "And I'm still Earth Kingdom, don't forget."

Sokka folded his arms. "And why would you wanna learn from fire-bending? It's destructive, and dangerous, and meant for jerks."

"Because it's the most similar. Fire-bending builds its energy from the breath and extends outward from the body like air-bending." I grinned. "Besides, knowing your enemy makes it easier to defeat them."

"For your first lesson, I guess we'll have to start with philosophy. You need to understand what it means to be a true Air Nomad; otherwise, you'll only be in conflict with yourself," Aang said.

I raised an eyebrow. "In conflict with myself?"

"I could see it in your expressions. You fight with the intent to harm, and you're too focused on achieving the most powerful attacks." He frowned. "Air Nomads are deeply spiritual, and we strive to achieve lives of peace and freedom. Our strategy is being evasive and only using aggression when absolutely necessary."

"Yeah, well, last I checked, we're still in the middle of a war. Striking quickly and efficiently could be the difference between you, or someone you love, living or dying." I punched my right fist into my left palm. "How do you expect to defeat anyone, let alone the Fire Lord, if you runaway from everything?"

Aang's eyes widened a little, and he furrowed his brow. "We're done for today."

Hanging his head, he returned to Appa and hopped into his saddle.

I blinked and looked at Katara and Sokka. "Was it something I said?"

"It's getting late. We should turn in." Katara rolled up her water-bending scroll and went to go talk to Aang.

Sokka yawned. "Sounds like a good idea to me."

We settled down just as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, and I rolled over on my side, enjoying the soft feel of the sand. So far, air-bending seemed too… passive, and while I wasn't a terrible person, no one who truly knew me would describe me as a pacifist.

I sighed and closed my eyes. Maybe Aang's right.

I was raised in a family and village of bold, stubborn earth-benders. I knew I inherited some of those traits, but earth-bending didn't translate to air very well. However, after fighting countless Fire Nation soldiers, I started picking up their movements, and to be honest, I felt like it suited me.

My thoughts drifted to my village, my family, Jet, and that fire-bender who attacked me. Everyday, the rage and pain from those memories swelled in my stomach like a ball of hot air needing release. The fire-bending moves I learned helped me unleash those frustrations. It was therapeutic, passionate, freeing, and I realized that my training with Aang was going to be a very bumpy ride.

….

The next day we traveled to a small fishing village. The skies were clear, but I could smell a lot moisture in the air. Maybe it was because we were so close to the ocean? Either way, I focused on searching the market for necessary supplies.

"Let's see…." I went over my mental shopping list. "Food, cooking supplies, and traveling supplies. Simple enough."

I started with traveling supplies, which were a little pricey, but I knew it would be worth it in the long run. Next, I bought a medium cooking pot for stews, a stirring spoon, and chopsticks. I then started browsing the food carts. I knew we needed something that would keep for a while, so I bought several bags of rice, herbs, and a few eggplants and mushrooms.

Looking at my giant pile of purchases, I sighed. "Now I just need to carry all this stuff."

The young man sweeping the floor smiled at me. "I'd be glad to help you with that, Miss."

"Well, if it isn't too much trouble?" I said.

"Not at all." He retrieved a wooden cart and started loading my things. "Anything for such a lovely, well-paying customer."

I bowed. "Thank you very much, sir."

"You're welcome, and it's Cheng." He started pushing the cart. "Where to?"

"I'm Tashi." I blushed. "J… just follow me."

I don't know why I felt so flustered. He was some random guy I'd never see again, but I couldn't help but replay Jet's last words to me in my head.

"Don't kid yourself, Tashi. No one would ever love you like I do. You can cover yourself in as many layers as you want, but we both know that underneath, you're a disfigured freak!"

I knew I was attractive on some level. My face was symmetrical and delicate, and according to my grandfather, I had inherited my great grandmother's eyes and my mother's silky, long hair. However, that was all I'd let anyone see. The rest of my body remained covered, even my hands. Jet had been the exception, and all he did was use my insecurities against me.

No, I'd never make that mistake again. He was right. Any guy who saw the rest of me would no longer praise me with compliments. After all, in the Earth Kingdom, a simple village girl's only duty was to be pretty and demure, so she could attract a husband. I would just be laughed at and left for someone better.

Do Air Nomads get married? I glanced toward the ocean. Oh, who am I kidding? A traditional life isn't my destiny.

"There you are, Tashi." Sokka ran over to me. "We wanna buy some fruit, but you just wandered off with all the money."

"Sorry. I got a little carried away." I nodded to the cart behind me before pointing at Appa. "Just set it beside the bison, Cheng. And thanks again."

Cheng did so and walked over to me. "Just return the cart once you're done. So, uh, how long do plan on staying in the village?"

My blush returned, and I glanced away. "My friends and I should be gone by tonight. We're on a long journey, and we really only stopped for supplies."

"Oh." He furrowed his brow before giving me a bright smile. "Well, if you're ever in town again, I'd love to go out with you."

"Uh… I…." I forced a smile. "I'll think about it. Thanks."

He nodded and returned to his shop, not caring that I had no interest in him or intention to return. I shook my head. Guys could be so overconfident sometimes.

Sokka tapped my shoulder. "Not to interrupt your love life, but can you hand over the money before that grouchy lady kicks us out?"

I retrieved the remaining small bag and handed it to Sokka. "Here."

I followed him to the fruit cart where Aang and Katara were trying to pick out a melon.

"I don't like that swishing." Katara shook the melon near her ear.

"It's ripe. I'm telling you." The grouchy lady frowned. "Do you want it or not?"

"Here." Sokka opened the bag and poured its contents into his hand. "We'll take the melon and everything in the basket."

"Five copper pieces!" The grouchy lady swatted his hand, knocking the coins on the ground. "Do you take me for a fool! Get out!"

"Five copper pieces?" Sokka looked at me. "That's it?"

"I needed supplies." I shrugged and gave him a sheepish smile. "And don't worry. I bought plenty of rice and a few garnishes."

"We can't survive off of rice," he said.

Katara rolled her eyes. "Well, if you want to buy more, you could get a job, smart guy."

An old couple passed by and were bickering about a storm coming. I looked up. Is that why there was so much moisture in the air?

"I'll take the job." Sokka walked over to the old couple.

"You're hired," the old man said.

Aang furrowed his brow. "Are you this is a good idea, Sokka? If there's a storm coming–"

"Hey, Katara said to get a job, so I did." Sokka smiled. "Besides, this fisherman's paying double."

The fisherman raised an eyebrow. "Who told you that?"

"Well, before you set sail Captain Boomerang–" I walked over to Appa and grinned when I heard Katara and Aang laugh. "Can you guys help me load these supplies?"

We secured everything I bought in Appa's saddle, and by the time we were done, thick, dark gray storm clouds had begun to fill the sky.

Aang looked up. "Sokka, look at the clouds. You shouldn't go."

"I already promised the fisherman. I can't back out just because of a few clouds." Sokka walked over to the fisherman's boat and started helping him.

The old lady, whom I assumed was the fisherman's wife nodded toward Aang. "The boy with the tattoos makes sense. You should listen to him."

"Tattoos." The Fisherman looked at us and walked over to Aang. "You're the Avatar, aren't you?"

Katara smiled. "He sure is."

"Don't act so proud." He narrowed his eyes and pointed at Aang. "You turned your back on the world."

"How dare you." Katara frowned. "Aang would never turn his back on anyone."

She tried to diffuse the fisherman's accusations, but he didn't seem convinced. I glanced at Aang, who watched the exchange with sullen eyes, and he retreated back.

"Aang, are you okay?" I said.

He opened his staff into a glider, and he flew away.

"Aang?" I ran forward and stopped at the spot he took off. "Aang!"

Katara grabbed my hand. "Come on, we have to go after him."

The two of us climbed onto Appa, and Katara took the reins. We set off in the direction Aang flew, but there was no sign of him. Soon the storm unleashed its full furry, and we struggled to search the area in the crushing downpour. Katara pointed out a small cave in the cliffside, and Appa let out a roar, confirming Aang's location. We landed and headed inside.

Aang was huddled in the dark, and he turned when he heard us. "I'm sorry."

Katara walked over to him. "It's okay. That fisherman was way out of line."

"No, he wasn't." He returned his attention to the dark abyss of the cave.

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? Getting trapped in that iceberg was an accident, wasn't it?"

He sighed. "Not exactly."

"Let's get a fire going." Katara guided Appa into the cave. "Then we can talk this out."

We gathered as much dry wood as we could find, and I used the spark rocks to start the fire. When the flames became stronger, I set up the cooking perch and took my pot outside to collect the rainwater. Once there was enough in the pot, I returned to the campfire and starting add rice and a few mushrooms and herbs.

I sat beside Katara. "There. I nice warm meal always hits the spot during a storm."

However, she was too focused on Aang, who was staring into the fire while petting Momo. "Come on, Aang, say something. It's not a good idea to keep these kinds of things bottled up."

He lifted his head to look at us. "I'll never forget the day the monks told me I was the Avatar."

I listened while Aang told us the story of his past, and while Katara grew more and more sympathetic, I became more and more angry. When he had told me about the iceberg incident, I had thought he ended up that way after fleeing from the Fire Nation or getting trapped during a fight. Anything but the truth he was revealing now.

"How could you be so selfish?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Tashi, it's not his fault." Katara looked at me.

"How can it not be? He went missing for a hundred years because he acted like a childish brat and wouldn't accept his responsibility. And why?" I stood and looked at Aang. "Because you just wanted to be a kid? Because you didn't want to be separated from the people you loved? Well, guess what happened? The rest of us lost our childhoods and loved ones because you only thought about yourself!"

Aang stared at me with wide, watery eyes, and he remained silent. A pang of guilt shot through my heart, but I refused to take back my words. It was the truth and how I felt.

"That's not fair, Tashi!" Katara stood and put her hands on her hips. "Aang didn't choose to be the Avatar."

"And I didn't choose to be a scarred–" Tears ran down my cheeks, and my body started shaking. "I was attacked and almost killed because that Fire Nation soldier thought I was Aang. If he had been around to do his job, that never would've happened."

"Tashi?" She furrowed her brow when I started crying.

"You know what? You're absolutely right, Katara." I wiped my eyes. "I'm sorry, Aang. You can't be blamed for what happened back then. You're a true Air Nomad, after all. Avoiding and evading your problems is just a part of your nature."

"Tashi, stop it. For all we know, this was Aang's destiny. He's here now, and that's what matters," Katara said.

"Whatever." I waved her off and kneeled in front of my pot. "Why don't you two go find Sokka while I finish cooking, or did you forget we left him behind?"

The fisherman's wife ran into the cave and informed us that her husband and Sokka were lost at sea. Aang and Katara set off into the storm on Appa while I stayed with the old lady. I thanked the spirits that she remained quiet and focused on stirring the food. A part of me knew I shouldn't have been so harsh on Aang, but I couldn't help it. This war was never ending, and now the fate of the world rested on the shoulders of a goofy, irresponsible child. No offense, but it wasn't comforting in the slightest.

I sighed. Training under Aang is gonna be a nightmare.

Next Episode: Hope