A/N: What is this? Is it an update? *gasp* Why yes, it is! I will finish this story some day, even if I only update 3 times a year..haha! Been having some trouble trying to figure out where to go with the story that rather slows me down, but we'll get there. :)
Disclaimer: It's truly a shame but I own nothing here except my own ideas and characters I've invented. ATLA belongs to some lucky genius person who makes much more money than I do! lol
A small burst of fire from the hand of a relaxed Zuko encouraged the flames of their campfire to strengthen and brighten the darkness that was creeping about with the coming of dusk. It had been hours since he and his newfound friend, Umi, had arrived back to the place had begun to call home. The telling of how and what had taken some time and even his uncle, who always seemed to know things, had been visibly surprised when Zuko explained what part he played in rescuing Umi. As much as he tried to say as little as possible, uncle somehow managed to draw the details out of him like Umi drawing moisture from the air to create her form.
It was quiet. The silence was comfortable. For the first time since the entire situation had started the young firebender was at peace. Thoughts of what he had lost for once not clawing at his mind. Languidly he glanced over where Umi was gently floating a small ways from the fire. His eyes drifted away to glance at his uncle who sat comfortably cross-legged on a stitched pelt drinking some kind of forest tea he'd managed to find a way to, in his eyes, perfect. Zuko had yet to agree on this point. The entire scene was so homey, so, down-to-earth, it warmed his heart.
Iroh took another sip of his tea and gazed peacefully at his nephew. The young man looked so calm, so content; he felt a great welling of happiness. Prince Zuko had been through so much, more than any man, especially one so young, should ever have been forced to endure; yet here he was, relaxing calmly and looking more contented than the old general had ever seen. His mind wandered to the floating water spirit; she was toying with her water, creating small shapes and dancing them about playfully. He almost smiled; the water spirit, no, he reminded himself, 'Umi', seemed so innocent, untouched by the horrors of war and cares of life. He found it hard to believe she had lived for centuries; perhaps it was the fact that she was not, indeed, human. Of everything he had heard, what bothered him most was why she'd been bound inside a tree. The tactician in him was naturally suspicious of any being that had been sealed inside something, especially if the rescuing had taken so much. There was also the question as to why she had been unable to 'bend' the tree she'd been trapped in as she had the one she'd moved to shelter Zuko for the night. She seemed gentle and kind and her form of communication seemed like it might be difficult to hide a malevolent presence, yet, being a seasoned general and a cautious man he was wary. He resolved to keep a close eye on her. Right now, however, he was simply enjoy his masterfully prepared 'deep forest tea' as he'd lovingly named his brew; it was such a shame that his nephew had not yet learned to appreciate the finer points of tea. One day, he thought, one day. He closed his eyes in relaxation and breathed in the aroma wafting up from his cup, contented.
Calm peacefulness seemed to settle like a soft mantle around the campfire that night. Umi had felt peace many times as she was trapped in the massive tree; after all, trees were nothing, if not calm. This was different however; this was camaraderie, a calm that came from being comfortable with others, something she hardly even remembered experiencing. If she had been capable of tears she would have certainly felt like shedding them in this quiet moment; partially for what she had lost, for what she had experienced from her numerous connections to the boy firebender, learning he had lost, and for the elderly man who seemed so tranquil and kind yet wise, who, even from their brief contact she had learned he, too, had lost much. There was so much loss in this world, she knew it not. It was not her world, the one she had left behind when she had been bound to the tree. She had not felt a single spirit since she had been released; by now she should have encountered several. How long had she truly been trapped in that tree? She had long since lost track of time until she felt the boy's mind for the first time. It was almost as if her world had begun anew at that moment; she had something to live for, to look forward to. He had given that to her, at nearly very great cost to himself. He had performed a feat that she had never before seen a man achieve. Once, long ago, fire spirits would spar in a friendly fashion, and when they didn't realize she was watching, they would create such amazing sights. She had always been intrigued by fire and those who wielded it although she knew they were at complete opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of elemental ability and power.
As her thoughts drifted further back she allowed her play to cease and the water she had been manipulating she simply drew back into her own form. "What could she possibly do for the person who had given her so much?" she thought. She had no possessions, no home, and no knowledge of this new world she found herself finally a part of. Inasmuch as she was able, she sighed. She would continue to think on it, the kindness he had done would not be forgotten.
The sound of a wooden teacup hitting the ground was followed by a surprised snort as uncle jerked awake from his unexpected snooze. "It's the lotus, the lotus…" he mumbled. Zuko felt the corner of his mouth quirk up just a hair as he observed the old man who suddenly seemed so human in that moment. The 'Dragon of the West' as he had rightly been dubbed, had always seemed larger than life to the young prince, yet so gentle and passive. The man was an enigma.
"I think it is time that we retired for the evening Zuko" his uncle spoke, snapping him out of his thoughts. Nodding, Zuko made as if to use the jets of fire to help propel him into the shelter before a hand on his shoulder stopped him. When his uncle had made it from the other side of the fire to behind him, Zuko was entirely unsure and made him wonder again at the strange uniqueness that was his uncle. "I will assist you inside; I don't want you setting the shelter on fire with those jets. I worked hard on that shelter!" the last he added almost petulantly and Zuko chose not to argue. He was very tired. As uncle helped him inside he had a stray thought, wondering what Umi would do. Would she stay with them? What was going to happen from now on? "Uncle…" he started "don't worry Prince Zuko, I will ask her to stay. It is good to have friends." Once again he marveled at how his uncle had read his mind; although, he thought, after so long, nothing his uncle did should ever surprise him. Once he was comfortably settled on the cot in the shelter, he felt his body relax and he was asleep almost before the old man reached the doorway.
Umi watched the elder firebender as he stepped quietly out of the shelter. "Thank you". His words were soft and quiet. "I can never repay you for what you have done for us." He moved closer to her, gesturing with his hands "you saved me, and you saved my nephew. I am eternally grateful." He stopped moving towards her and placed his hands together, bowing low before standing straight again with a gentle expression. She was moved. She knew the power in the man, in her brief connection she had felt great pain and suffering and loss, and along with that, the immense, churning power of an incredibly potent firebender. The water spirit had also felt his kindness and wisdom, the humble nature that was not a façade, she did not know this man, but she felt a true and deep respect for him.
Creating her form as best as she could, Umi reached out to him and he moved his hand to come into contact with the watery hand she had manifested. She allowed her respect and the deep gratitude she felt towards Zuko flow through their connection. "I am also, eternally grateful." He smiled softly and nodded. "What will you do now?" he asked quietly. She let her uncertainly pour past herself, "I don't know; it has been so long. I truly do not know how to live in this world, it is alien to me." Iroh nodded again, "you could always stay with us until you are comfortable with this new world you find yourself in, or, for however long you like" he offered. "I know we would both be pleased to have your company." He smiled slightly "especially when it rains" he added jokingly; "I've heard waterbenders just bend the rain aside, most handy, don't you think?"
Umi chuckled inside and sent it along to him. "Well" she sent more amusement his way "actually, the rain does not bother me at all." The older gentleman laughed quietly; "of course" he smiled again, "that would make perfect sense!"
She had never had any thought of leaving, not truly. "I will stay." She sent finally "thank you for having me." The man nodded "you are most welcome Umi". She could almost feel him deflate a little as tiredness began to overtake him. "I will leave you to sleep" she replied hastily, "it has been a long day for everyone". "That it has" agreed Iroh, and with a "goodnight" he broke the connection and turned away to make his way back into the shelter where his own cot lay waiting for him. Umi was left with her thoughts. She did not sleep, so she would simply explore as she had done before. This time her charge was safe, even if she had failed him last time. She scowled inwardly. She needed to atone for that as well. She allowed her form to dissolve and began to float upwards. There were no clouds that night; she would simply have to make do with her mist form. She resolved to be back before they awakened, and this time, she wouldn't forget.
Time marched slowly on, as if it felt little need to hasten its passing. The three of them settled into somewhat of a routine. Iroh still did the hunting, he'd managed to get Zuko to agree to do a certain amount of cleaning and preparation for what he caught. Umi had been given the task of being official water-bringer. Whenever they needed water she would shoot off to the stream that Zuko had lain in when she first contacted him and gather up how much ever water they needed into an undulating sphere of liquid and bring it back to camp with her, dumping it wherever Iroh wanted it at the time. Occasionally on Zuko. The young man had begun to be quite wary when he heard his uncle ask Umi to retrieve some water. It was a comfortable way of living, if a bit rough, but they'd been doing it for awhile and had become accustomed to it.
Day by day Umi was remembering and reconstructing her powers. The water spirit had been imprisoned so long she had forgotten much of who, and what, she was. When she wasn't assisting Iroh she was ranging far and wide trying to connect with water in various places in hopes that she would learn something of herself. The first time she came to the ocean which was her namesake something within her awakened. The moment her form touched the briny water she felt as if a curtain had been lifted from her consciousness. The sea was old, so old. It knew her. It knew her! She collapsed into the waves and allowed the brackish water to swallow her up in itself as it imparted memories, memories of her, and her own memories to her. Time became irrelevant and all she could do was attempt to process the vast amount of information flooding into her.
When Umi didn't come back that day Zuko was only mildly curious as to why. She would often go wandering about in the skies, playing with clouds or the like. However, after the second and third days he began to be very worried.
A week had passed and still there was no sign of the water spirit; Zuko had begun to lose hope that she would return. "Uncle…" he started, and stopped, not really knowing what to say. "Zuko, perhaps she met an old friend. I do not think a being that would be trapped in a tree instead of killed for whatever reason could be destroyed so easily." The older man shrugged and smiled "maybe she found a cloud she knew and decided to make some little storms with it". Zuko frowned; somehow he didn't like the sound of that. Uncle laughed outright "ah Zuko do not fret over her, you saved her, you are friends, she will return." The boy frowned and sighed, "perhaps, uncle."
A/N: A teensy bit of plot development, I'm struggling with ideas so the next update may take a bit longer but I am determined to eventually finish this story! (Also, if you're really nice to me, you may even learn more about Umi!) ;)