Chap. 9
Trust
The bison shot out over the ocean, passing the town within seconds. As both it and Zuko's ship faded into the distance, Fuego looked over his shoulder carefully, as if he expected Zuko to appear over the horizon at any second. But finally, he decided that they had gotten far enough, and pulling on the reins, slowed Appa. "Everybody ok?" he asked as he turned to look into the saddle.
"I think I left my lunch back there." Sokka moaned as he hung over the side of the saddle. "Sorry, but it could've been worse." Fuego replied.
"I have to admit, that was a pretty clever plan." Katara said, as she tried to comfort Sokka. "I thought you were crazy when you jumped overboard though. But I'm guessing you were going for that effect."
"Well, more or less." Fuego replied. "I kinda just hoped the bison would be by that side of the deck when I jumped." Katara raised both eyebrows at that, but Aang jumped into the conversation before Fuego had to defend himself
"But how did you know how to make Appa fly? And how did your friends get him here?" the young Avatar asked, as Sokka let out a loud hack and a splattering sound.
Fuego grimaced, then replied, "Well, I've done some study on flying bison and how they were tamed. But as for my friends, you'll have to wait to ask about them. Now, on to more pressing matters. Where are you guys headed anyway?"
"The North Pole. Katara and I are looking for a Master Waterbender there." Aang replied.
"Good thinking. After tomorrow, we'll get back on track for that." Fuego said, as he steered Appa to the east.
"Why do we have to wait until tomorrow?" Sokka asked, the strength and suspicion coming back into his voice.
"My friends and I organized a meeting place for after I freed you." Fuego replied. "It's on an island that's about a day's journey from the town. But on your bison, we should make it in only a few hours. Once we get there, we'll meet up with them and head to the North Pole. Sound ok?"
"Uh sure." Aang replied, though he looked at both Katara and Sokka with a suspicious expression on his face. Katara didn't echo that look, but Sokka simply motioned for them to gather around him, which they promptly did.
"I told you!" Sokka whispered fiercely once the others were close enough. "He's leading us into a trap."
"We don't know that." Katara whispered back. "He might very well be telling the truth. And besides you heard his story. Why would he take us to the Fire Nation if he wants to keep Aang away from them?"
"Because he made that whole thing up!" Sokka snapped back. "He probably works for some other guy who wants Aang and paid him to get him away from Zuko."
"But Sokka, even if that was true, how'd he get Appa here?" Aang asked. "Appa wouldn't let anyone evil ride him, it's in his nature. If he trusts Fuego, maybe we should too. Besides, we could use him. I'm gonna need to learn Firebending eventually, and if we travel with a Firebender, that could make things a lot easier."
"You want what?" Sokka asked incredulously. "I'm not even sure we should let this guy be with us for a day, and you're talking about letting him be with us from now on? Gimme one good reason we should even consider it."
"I would've hoped I'd earned one by now." Came a voice from nowhere. They quickly turned to see Fuego hop into the saddle.
Sitting down, he took a look at Sokka and asked, "You don't trust me because I'm a Firebender or because of what I did to your sister?"
"Pick one." Sokka replied, crossing his arms across his chest.
Nodding, Fuego said, "I can't blame you. All those months of being tracked by the Fire Nation, the attacks on the other Nations, it's no wonder you hate them. But I'm not like them."
"Right. That's why you worked with them, and why you burned my sister to find out who the Avatar is." Sokka answered back.
"I healed her. And believe me, I hate what the Fire Nation's become as much as you do. They used to have honor. They used to understand the balance. Now all they are is a pack of rabid dogs, snapping and growling at their own people and everyone else to get what they want."
"And what makes you different?" Sokka asked.
"He did save us from Zuko just now." Katara replied.
"Thank you." Fuego answered. "But if that's not enough kid, I'm not one of them because I don't come from the Fire Nation."
At that, everyone's eyes focused on the red man. "But if you're not from the Fire Nation, how did you learn firebending?" Aang asked.
"My father taught me. He used to love the Fire Nation, called it his home. But when he saw what was happening there, he became disgusted and left for the Earth Kingdom. When I was ready, he taught me firebending and made me promise to redeem his homeland."
"What do you mean he saw what was happening?" Katara asked. "The war's been going on for a hundred years."
"True, but things are worse now. The last Firelord, Azulon had some semblance of honor. He actually regretted the destruction of the Airbenders, because he knew that the world needed all four Nations to keep it balanced. He wanted to imprison the Avatar, or convince him that the Fire Nation was right and gain his aid. Azulon only wanted to rule the other Nations, not destroy them. But Ozai doesn't care. He'd burn down Ba Sing Se so he could rule over the husk. But I'll die before I ever let that happen."
As he ended, Fuego's eyes took on a look of such fierce determination that even Sokka was taken aback. But a second later, that determination vanished, as his eyes became humble. "Look I know that these are all just words, and that it looks like I could very well be leading you into a trap. But I would like for you to trust me, as much as you feel you can. And I know we got off badly, but maybe we should start over? I would like to know your names after all."
The others were silent a moment, then Katara said, "I think you've earned a chance."
"Then allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Fuego, firebender and most excellent actor, cook, and pathetically inverted bookworm." Said the red man, as he bent down and doffed his hat.
Katara giggled and said, "My name's Katara. This is Sokka and Aang.", pointing at each one to identify them. Fuego bent to each of them as well, then turned back to the girl. "If you know how to keep your brother in line, you must've earned that name."
At that, Katara raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean?"
"You don't know?" Fuego asked in surprise. "In the language of the Water-Tribe, Katara means 'the wise one.'"
"Really?" Katara asked, with a sly look over at Sokka.
"Yeah. But since everybody speaks the common tongue now, most people have forgotten their culture's languages."
"So how do you know them?" Sokka asked, with no malice in his voice now, merely curiosity.
"The Fire Sages had books on everything. When I heard the Avatar was around, I lied my way into the Temple and read most of them for info. Of course, I couldn't help learning a few other things, including a language or two. I even know the old Air Nomad language."
"So, do you know what my name means?" Sokka asked, cutting off Aang who was emphatically waving his hand. Fuego placed his hand on his chin and began to ponder. "Hmm.. Sokka…Sokka…"
"I'm sure it means 'mighty warrior or something." Said Sokka, as he began to strike heroic poses, to the exasperation of Katara. After a moment, Fuego suddenly chuckled and said, "Sorry to disappoint. But Sokka means 'headstrong.'" Sokka's pose immediately deflated as Katara and Aang both began to laugh.
"I'm guessing it fits you." Fuego said, as Sokka began to sit down and mutter. "And do you want to know too, young Avatar?" Fuego asked. Aang swiftly nodded and Fuego quickly began to think. But in less then a second, the red man's eyes widened. "They must've suspected you early on boy. Aang means 'savior.'"
"Are you serious?" Katara asked in amazement, as Aang's eyes widened. "Well, it doesn't actually mean savior." Fuego answered. "The official definition is 'bringer of peace,' but I think savior is good enough, especially nowadays."
Katara nodded, then turned to see Aang take on a rather melancholy expression. "What's wrong, Aang?" she asked, though she had an inkling of what it was.
"Even my name….. I'm always the Avatar, aren't I? I'll never be anything else." Aang replied sadly. Katara started to say something, but before she could, Fuego did.
"It's a heavy burden isn't it?" he asked Aang. "Everyone looking to you to save them, to bring them out of the darkness. You hate it a little bit, don't you?" Aang looked up at that, but Fuego continued. "There's nothing wrong with that hate, Aang. A grown man would have a hard time accepting a destiny like this. But you're only twelve years old, in mind if not body. The only thing to remember is to not let that hate poison you. Hate and envy poisoned the Fire Nation. Hate split the Water Tribes. But what makes a man a man is knowing when to keep his hate inside and when to release it. Remember that, and you will exceed the name of Avatar."
After Fuego finished, there was silence in the saddle. Everyone stared at the red man in amazement for his words. Finally, Aang managed to speak. "You sound like you know about it."
"You have no idea young one." Fuego replied, his voice quiet and thoughtful. Once again, silence filled the saddle, until Katara, who hated uncomfortable silences, thought of a way to break it.
"Fuego….. what does your name mean?" she asked suddenly, looking over at the man in red.
"Me?" he answered in surprise. "Well, it isn't very original."
"Tell us anyway." Katara said, as both Sokka and Aang turned their attention to him. Clearing his throat, Fuego said, "Well, my father took Fuego from an old language he learned about in the Earth Kingdom. It means…. Well, fire."
"Your name means fire?" Sokka asked in surprise.
"Yeah. Dad loved learning languages. It's probably where I got it from." Fuego replied. "Of course, I got him in trouble a couple of times. Once when he was in the market, he asked for a shovel and hoe and said something in an old Earth Kingdom language."
"What did he say?" Aang asked. "I don't know. But when he got home that day, he'd been tarred, feathered, and stripped of all his clothes." Fuego replied. Later, he thought he'd asked if the man had any chickenfeed for sale."
"Chickenfeed?" asked Katara. "Either that, or if the man's wife was open for business." Fuego added. For a second, that hung in the air, and then the joke broke. Sokka quickly started laughing, to be joined by Katara and Aang. Finally Fuego joined in, laughing at the old story as the group sped on towards their destination.