Thanks for all the reviews :D
Disclaimer – I was the one who gave the idea of the episode 'Zuko Alone' to the producers. I also happen to be a member of every secret association in the world. I have two pets, a magic dragon and a flying pig. And the word Naïve has been taken out the dictionary.
A stranger came to our village, the day before we heard the news of Shen-Shu's death. I was rare for an outsider to visit. Tung Tsuen was insignificantly small and well hidden in the desert; so obviously, he attracted a lot of attention, some of it not so good. He looked to be around his twenties and wore coolie that hid his face from view giving him a mysterious air. He had golden eyes like a courageous tiger-wolf that radiated confidence and pride. A sword hung on his hip and even though it was swelteringly hot, he wore long sleeves. He was tall and wiry but his cheeks looked sunken, as if he hadn't eaten for a long time. His ostrich-horse didn't look very healthy either. Its footsteps were heavy and its head drooped in fatigue.
I didn't think much of him. I had better things to do. My friend, Hong and I were going to prank Gal and the village guards again. Those guards were meant to protect Tung Tsuen but all they did was abuse there power. No one liked them but they were the only earthbenders in the village left. Everyone else had gone to war like my brother.
Hong had developed the best recipe for rotten eggs. First he used a small, sharp but soft rock to drill a tiny hole into the egg without cracking it. Then he put them out in the open for a days and voila! One bully omelet coming up!
The stranger was in front of the food stall that we were hiding behind. He gave us a quick glance as we sniggered about our plan. The rotten egg in my hand really stunk and I doubted the smell would come out for a week but it was going to be worth it. Hong and I crouched behind the stand waiting for the moment to strike. The guards were too busy gambling to notice us. I lobbed the egg as hard as I could and it landed smack on one of the guard's head. The guard spluttered and whipped around blinking stupidly rubbing stinking egg out of his eyes. It looked like a mooselion had sneezed on him. With a hoot of laughter, we ducked out of sight.
Hidden from view we listened to Gal threatening the stranger. I held my breath. The man was sure to tell him it was us and when he did Gal wouldn't take to it kindly. Gal was known for his legendary arrogance and short temper. Last time we had been caught, I couldn't sit for a month and the bruise still hadn't faded. Hong swore his right buttock would never be the same. I rubbed my backside tentatively reliving the painful experience. Mum had deliberately told me to stay out of trouble. What was she going to say when I dragged my sorry carcass home?
To our amazement, the stranger unfazed by the soldiers, spoke nothing of our prank even though I was certain he had seen us. He spoke back to Gal as if he was a piece of cow-hog dung. No-one spoke back to Gal and got away with it. Dad had learnt that the hard way. The war hammers that armed the village guard leader were more than for decoration.
Gal knocked past the stranger snatching the feed that he had just bought for his ostrich-horse from the counter.
"The army appreciates your donations," he hissed before strutting away like and oversized cockerel, the rest of his gang following like mindless chickens.
I high-fived with Hong, laughing about our narrow escape with the guards. He ran off home promising the rot some more eggs for us to use the next day.
The Stranger (as I'd gotten used to thinking of him now) reminded me of Shen-Shu. The way he had acted with such confidence whilst protecting Hong and I made me feel like my brother was back.
The Stranger turned to mount his ostrich-horse but I quickly popped out before he could climb on. I wasn't about to let the coolest person on Earth besides Shen-Shu ride by without meeting him properly. And Mum was always telling me that I should invite someone that has been good to me home for a meal. After all, I was following her orders so she couldn't argue.
"Thanks for not ratting me out to those soldiers," I said to him.
He didn't reply but glared at me and mounted his steed, ready to continue his journey. Unfazed I ran in front of the animal blocking its path and grabbed the reins.
"I'll take you to my house and feed your ostrich-horse for you. Come on, I owe you," I offered, whilst dragging the steed off already. I didn't want a reply. I could take his silence for a yes.
I struggled to find something to talk about. For once, I seemed lost for conversation topics so I stated the obvious. I just wanted to break the tension.
"You look really hungry," I commented. I was never fond of the quiet and the unnatural silence in the air was really daunting.
Close up, he looked completely starved. He swayed slightly in his saddle and I could see him fighting the urge to drop off and fall asleep even though it was still midday. A huge scar marred his left eye covering almost a quarter of his face disappearing into his hairline. He was obviously a victim of those vicious firebenders that everyone despised. How I hated those vile things. Didn't they have anything better to do than to wage wars? He also was a lot younger than I originally thought. He couldn't have been older than seventeen. Sweat beaded on his forehead but I wasn't surprised, he was wearing long sleeves and it was high noon and in the savanna was well. I was hot too. My shirt clung to my back and my arms and legs felt uncomfortably sticky but I was used to it.
"Not really," he replied. His stomach begged to differ as it gave an extremely audible grumble. He clutched one had to it, his cheeks reddened with embarrassment. I tried to stifle a giggle but failed miserably. It was a comical sight though, the young man who had the guts the stand up to Gal and his gang, abashed because his stomach rumbled. Unexpectedly, he chuckled with me. It was a quiet and lasted less than a second but the tension snapped and I found that I could talk to him like I had known him all my life.
He didn't speak much. I didn't really give him a chance to get a word in but I don't think he minded. It was nice to have someone to listen to me. Mum and Dad were so busy at the farm without Shen-Shu helping out that they rarely had time it sit and listen to me properly. I can't remember what I talked to the Stranger about. I mostly rambled on about the times I had with my brother and the pranks that I had pulled on the soldiers with Hong. He smirked, raised his eyebrows and added his own few comments (which were generally grunts) in the right places but mostly just listened to me contentedly. He stopped looking so tired and hungry as we talked and in no time at all, we were home.
An assortment of squeaking, squawking and squelching greeted us as we arrived. My companion seemed slighting surprised by the sight and sound of all our farm animals.
"No-one can ever sneak up on us," I said sheepishly, suddenly worried about what he would think about our farm. Our house still need to be finished building and there was a stench of cow-hog pat that no-one could ever get used to.
"No kidding." He smirked and ruffled my hair, making it look even more like a birds nest. The gesture reminded me again of Shen-Shu and I'm filled with a sudden sense of longing for him to come back home.
He stayed waiting by the stable whilst I put his ostrich-horse away. When I came back Dad had already come out and greeted the Stranger. Dad looked a bit hostile though. I guess I could understand why. His hat drawn low over his eyes concealing his face in shadows and the sword on his belt along with his battered clothing made him look like a rather shadowy warrior. I jogged up by Dad's side eager to put in a good word for my new friend.
"This guy stood up to the soldiers and then he practically had them running away," I blurted out enthusiastically.
Dad's hostility evapourated instantly. "Anyone who can stand up to those bully soldiers is welcome here," he said warmly.
Mum came out too. It looked like she was in the middle of cleaning something. Her dishrag was still in her hands.
"Does this guy have a name," she asked, good humour playing on her voice. I realized that I had completely forgotten to introduce myself and ask his name. I guess he'd picked up my name though since he had heard my dad say it whilst I was tying up his ostrich-horse
The man however seemed uncomfortable with the simple question. He stuttered and stammered and opened and shut his mouth like a goldfish.
"He doesn't have to say if he doesn't want," interrupted Dad, quickly coming to his rescue.
Mum asked the man whether he wanted to stay for dinner but he declined replying that he had to be on his way. My face fell in disappointment. I had really hoped that he would have stayed for a while. Mum didn't want him to leave so quickly either.
"Gansu could use a little help on the farm. Why don't you two work for a while and then we'll eat," she suggested.
The Stranger's eyes narrowed as if he was going to argue but then he nodded his head. I couldn't help my face crack into to a huge grin as I punch the air in triumph. I whooped in delight and dragged him off for a grand tour of the farm.
About half an hour later, Dad ordered me to make myself useful and muck out the fields whilst he and the Stranger worked on our house roof. I moaned a bit but Dad soon shut me up with a sharp look, telling me the longer I spent complaining, the less time I'd have to loll about with my new friend.
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