"What do you mean?" asked Jaz, looking at Itashi, scared. "I'm worthy? Worthy of what? I sure think I'm worthy of making fun of you!"

Jaz pointed and laughed. "Fatso!"

"That was not nice." Said Itashi, who wasn't fat, but had a huge frame. "Didn't your mom teach you your manners, baby?"

Itashi grabbed Jaz by the collar, spitting into his face as he insulted him.

"Um… I… sure bet your's didn't." making a hurt and disgusted face when he noticed it was a pathetic comeback.

"Now, say you're sorry. Or else I'll withdraw my offer."

"What offer?"

"I wanted you to join my team." Stated Itashi proudly.

"Your what? You have a team!" Jaz started laughing. "What for, ballet?"

"No, but I sure think you would join if it were!"

Jaz looked at Itashi. Itashi looked at Jaz, but with a mean glare in his eyes.

"So, are you gonna tell me what your "team" is for?" asked Jaz, trying to act unaffected by Itashi's statement.

"I guess I should." Said Itashi, putting Jaz down. "I am on a quest for power. A quest for the legendary Silver Shard!"

Itashi had said this dramatically, proud of his goal. He smiled at Jaz, waiting for him to accept the invitation into his "team".

"Um… what's the Silver Shard?" asked Jaz, looking confused.

Itashi suddenly frowned and looked menacingly at Jaz. "What do you mean you don't know what the Silver Shard is? It's only the most sought after legendary object there ever was!"

"And… why do you want it?"

"Why do I want it?" repeated Itashi, laughing. "It gives the owner power without boundaries. Even an amateur bender would become stronger than an Avatar who has mastered all elements. They would gain utmost mastery over their native element."

"That sounds cool." Said Jaz, not too enthusiastic because of the word "legendary". "So why do you need me?"

"Because, legend has it, that to get to the Shard, you need to pass many obstacles and complete many challenges. I've heard that the only way to pass is if you have mastery over all the elements. In other words, it can be either the Avatar, or one expert bender from every nation."

"So, you want me to join your treasure hunt and risk my life to help you get that Shard?"

"Well, I would like you to join me on my quest."

Jaz made a thoughtful face before answering, "Um… forget it."

"What! But I really need you!"

"You really need me? You almost killed me!"

"But you proved yourself worthy by beating me."

"I didn't beat you! You would've won anyway." Jaz was not the type to admit a defeat but he really didn't want to go along with Itashi.

Itashi sighed and fell to his knees, "Please… I've been looking for a worthy Earthbender for the past year with no luck. Please join."

Jaz looked at Itashi, who's head was bowed down to the ground.

"Do I have to?" though Jaz, "I mean, this guy has to be crazy if he thinks that Shard thing actually exists. But then again, if it does, it sure sounds awesome."

"I'll think about it, OK?" said Jaz, as Itashi got up.

"Thank you!" said Itashi, his eyes filling with tears.

"Don't mention it."

Itashi walked around Jaz, talking to himself, "Now, if I could only find an Airbender and a Firebender."

"You haven't found anyone yet?"

"No."

"Oh, and you suppose I'll help you look for someone?"

"Well, I wasn't thinking that, but because you're so nice to volunteer… I accept!" said Itashi laughing.

"What! I never said anything like that!"

"Well, do you have anything better to do?" said Itashi looking at Jaz's empty backpack by the stream. "You don't have any necessary supplies… just some booze."

"Sake. It's hard to get drunk from it. I need to drink at least a bottle. That's why I carry a lot."

Itashi looked at Jaz, thinking how the hell someone like that would survive out in the forest. "How about we go to the nearest village and get some supplies?"

"Oh, no! You wouldn't want to be going to the nearest village!"

"Why not?"

"You'd probably lose your Earthbender."

"What happened?"

"Long story. Tell you later. Now I must drink." Said Jaz walking over to his pack.

"No you don't!" said Itashi running over to Jaz. "I won't be having someone drinking on my team."

"Then bye! I can't stay sober for long you know!" said Jaz reaching for a bottle.

"You'll learn to." Said Itashi, using his water whip technique to lash the bottle out of Jaz's hands.

"Hey!" shouted Jaz, as the bottle hit the ground and broke, spilling its contents all over the forest floor. "My sake!"

"Let's go to another town then."

"But! My sake!"

"Leave it. I'll let you drink after we get to eat." Said Itashi, making a triangle with his hands, as the water from the stream parted, leaving a dry pathway across. "Follow me."

Jaz walked behind Itashi, cursing all the way to the other village.