Hiko was chatting with Jinora on the steps leading to the temple. Korra was out with Mako and Bolin but Hiko came to the temple ready for training. Jinora was outside the temple at that time waiting for Hiko to come. She was amazed by his duel with Korra yesterday. He seamlessly dodged multiple lightning bolts coming from the Avatar without breaking a sweat. Even when he was caught by Korra's Lightning he redirected it in midair effortlessly.

"How did you move like that yesterday? You were so agile!" Jinora exclaimed still remembering how Hiko moved.

"My father taught me everything I know. Without his teaching, I could never be able to do all that stuff."

"He must be amazing, why don't you invite him over some time?" Jinora asked.

"I can't, he's gone." Hiko dropped his head, his hair falling on his face.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Jinora put a hand on Hiko's shoulder to which Hiko flinched. Jinora retracted her hand immediately.

"I'm sorry, I just don't get that a lot," Hiko said with a sniffle.

"Can I ask how?" Jinora knew she was prying a little bit but she felt that Hiko needed to vent.

"Maybe another time." Hiko stood up and walked away without another word or look at Jinora.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Jinora stood up and was reaching for Hiko's arm.

"Tell Korra I'll come back tomorrow. I'm going home." Hiko continued walking back to the boat. Jinora knew she can't stop him so she let him go.

It was sunset, a little bit of sunlight was pouring into the room highlighting the thin layers of dust that have gathered in the room. Hiko entered the room with a bag of food and a sour mood. The whole journey from Air Temple Island he had been thinking about his father. He hated thinking about it, but Jinora inconveniently brought it up. It had been 3 years since his father died but the wounds were still fresh. He ate his roast duck and started preparing some tea. After drinking his evening tea he sat on the floor of his tiny apartment to meditate, his distance from his bed and the door equal. He had done this every day since he was seven but today he found it rather difficult. Every time he closed his eyes he would see it. Blood seeping into the carpet, a lifeless body its source, and his mother sobbing uncontrollably. Once one tear broke free the rest were inevitable. He let himself fall on the dusty, cold floor sobbing just as his mother did.

Sounds of the bustling city street soon began filling the small apartment. Hiko hated waking up, it reminded him where he lived and how much he hated being there. His body ached as he got up from his awkward sleeping position. He lifted his upper body slowly before realizing he had fallen asleep on the floor. Groaning, he got up and walked to his small kitchen to brew some tea.

It was early in the morning but the sounds outside made it feel like it was already noon. He sat down on his rickety couch while sipping on his tea, his eyes drifting to his coffee table. On it was a small book he had been reading the other night. He stared at it for a little while before picking it up and leaving the room.


Korra was performing a sequence that Hiko had taught her for 30 minutes now. She was exhausted but Hiko wouldn't let her stop. Whenever she complained the kid would just brush her off with a flick of his hand. Hiko was sitting on the temple stairs barely paying any attention to Korra. He was reading the book he had brought to the temple that day. Jinora was sitting beside him observing Korra while looking to her side to Hiko from time to time. Hiko was deeply engulfed by what he was reading, recognizing his father's handwriting. Another loud roar came from the training grounds as Korra had finished the sequence for the nth time. Panting, she approached Hiko with a sour look on her face.

"You weren't even looking!" Korra raised up her arms in exclamation while looking down at her 'teacher'.

"What! I was watching you!" He took his eyes off the book and immediately went back. "Do it again." He brushed off Korra.

"What are you even reading anyway?" Korra asked now looking at the small book Hiko was clutching.

"It's a book, Korra," Hiko said sarcastically, Jinora giggling.

"What's in it?" Korra asked pointing at the book.

"Words."

"Just tell me!" Korra crossed her arms angrily. Hiko knew she was getting angry.

"It's a book from my Father," Hiko said while still looking at the book, not reading anymore.

Korra and Jinora had the same look on their faces, curious but hesitant.

Hiko continued.

"He wrote it himself, you see he taught me everything I know. This book contains everything he taught me and everything he never got to teach me. He started writing it when he was young and discovered he had a talent in Lightningbending."

"Woah... so why are you reading it?" Jinora asked.

"I wanted to... refresh myself," Hiko said in a matter-of-a-fact tone.

"Can I see? If you don't mind." Korra added quickly.

"Yeah sure."

Hiko handed the book to Korra which she skimmed through. It contained many advanced techniques, some she even thought impossible.

"A lightning ball? That's possible?" Korra asked surprised.

"With enough training, yes."

"Can you do it?" Jinora asked with wide eyes.

"I haven't really mastered it yet," Hiko said with a slight embarrassment.

"We should try it together," Korra said offering a hand to Hiko.

"Another time, you still haven't mastered your stances." Hiko took Korra's hand and stood up.

"I can't master it if my teacher can't even watch me do it and help me improve," Korra said.

Hiko blushed and cleared his throat.

"You're right. I'll teach you the next thing on the book." Hiko said, opening the book.