Thanks again for the review, Znpk!
~Bitter Work~
Ryuu POV
"Lightning is a pure form of firebending, without aggression. It is not fueled by rage or emotion the way other firebending is. Some call lightning the cold-blooded fire. It is precise and deadly, like Azula. To perform the technique requires peace of mind."
Thunder flies swarmed around us as Iroh tutored Zuko in lightning generation - it was humid, perfect weather for the blighters, and they signalled a storm on its way. Iroh and Zuko sat across from each other, sipping tea and calmly half-meditating. Zuko gestured with his cup.
"I see. That's why we're drinking tea, to calm the mind."
Iroh cocked his head, "Oh yeah, good point! I mean, yes."
The house wall I leant against was rough and slightly unstable, so I crouched down and hugged my knees after removing tunic - wearing only a sleeveless top and baggy trousers - watching the two Firebenders intently. Iroh put his cup down and got up. He chose a stick and started swishing it about - like a proper teacher.
"There is energy all around us. The energy is both yin and yang. Positive energy and negative energy. Only a select few firebenders can separate these energies. This creates an imbalance. The energy wants to restore balance, and in a moment the positive and negative energy come crashing back together, you provide release and guidance, creating lightning."
Zuko scratched his head but grunted in agreement, "I'm ready to try it!"
Placing his tea next to Iroh's, he stumbled to his feet and copied his Uncle's movements. They shifted their wieght from one foot to the other - slowly swinging thier arms and pointed hands. In circles and arcs; in horizontal and vertical directions. Iroh then produced arcs of lightning and zapped the air above him.
Zuko tried the same but it backfired. He cradled his hand but tried again. This time sparks danced around his head - making his hair stand on end. Iroh pressed his lips together and re-did the actions. Zuko tried again. It backfired, again.
"Remember, once you separate the energy, you do not command it. You are simply its humble guide. Breathe first."
He tried once again. A more extreme reaction happened. He was knocked off of his feet and tumbled back. He groaned as he got off, brushing himself off. Iroh sighed and shook his head. Zuko slouched his shoulders.
"Don't get down hearted. Try again. "
Again, it didn't work. Zuko kicked the floor to relieve his anger. Iroh folded his hands together.
"Why can't I do it? Instead of lightning it keeps exploding in my face ... like everything always does."
Iroh frowned deeply, "I was afraid this might happen. You will not be able to master lightning until you have dealt with the turmoil inside you."
Zuko looked to meet his Uncle's eyes, "What turmoil? "
I bit my knuckle. He had no clue did he. To everyone else, it was obvious he was at war with himself. Yet, somehow he didn't know. Iroh glanced at me, but then licked his lips and opened his mouth to speak:
"Zuko, you must let go of your feelings of shame if you want your anger to go away."
"But I don't feel any shame at all. I'm as proud as ever!" He defended himself. I snikered loudly. He shot me a look of disdain as Iroh twiddled his thumbs.
"Prince Zuko, pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame."
Once again, Zuko defended himself, "Well, my life has been nothing but humbling lately."
I couldn't handle it anymore. I burst out laughing and Zuko growled at me. He was about to march over and give me a lecture; Iroh stopped him.
"I have another idea. I will teach you a firebending move that even Azula doesn't know, because I made it up myself."
"Really? You- you think I'm capable? "
Iroh nodded and pointed for Zuko to sit infront of him. He did so and I sighed, relieved that I wasn't going to get a 'I am proud. And humble ' lecture. Iroh took his stick up again and started drawing in the dust. He explained each of the elements - starting with fire.
"Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy to drive and achieve what they want."
Zuko nodded. Iroh drew my homelands insignia.
"Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring."
"That explains Ryuu's stubborn behaviour, " Zuko glared at me. I shrugged, playing innocent, "Persistant - Stubborn. Call it what you will. It just adds to my charm."
Zuko's expression changed to a slight smile at my joke. Iroh carried on.
"Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor!"
I got up and Zuko looked back at his uncle's doodles.
"Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything."
Zuko blinked up at his Uncle and frowned, "Why are you telling me this?"
"It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole."
Something rippled across Zuko's face, he sat back on his feet, "All this four elements talk is sounding like Avatar stuff."
Iroh nodded, "It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful. But it can make you more powerful, too. You see the technique I'm about to teach you is one I learned by studying the waterbenders."
...
"Waterbenders deal with the flow of energy. A waterbender lets their defense become their offense, turning their opponents' energy against them. I learned a way to do this with lightning."
I watched in fascination. To be truthful, I never thought of anyone except non-benders to combine multiple different fighting styles. Thunder rolled ominously on the horizon under heavy black clouds - the thunder flies were right.
"You can teach me to redirect lightning?"
Iroh pointed one hand up and traced a line between his hand, stomach and up to his other hand, "If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it. You must create a pathway from your fingertips, up your arm to your shoulder, then down into your stomach. The stomach is the source of energy in your body. It is called the sea of chi. Only in my case it is more like a vast ocean."
Iroh laughed and retraced it in the other direction, "From the stomach, you direct it up again, and out the other arm. The stomach detour is critical. You must not let the lightning pass through your heart, or the damage could be deadly. You may wish to try a physical motion, to get a feel for the pathways' flow, like this."
Zuko started copying him. Together they did the actions, " Now, are you focusing your energy? Can you feel your own chi flowing in, down, up, and out?"
"I think so."
I started joining in. We did the moves for a couple of minutes before Iroh interrupted the comfortable silence, "Excellent! You've got it!"
Zuko grinned, holding up one arm, "Great, I'm ready to try it with real lightning!"
Iroh was startled. He clasped his hands together and shook his head, "What, are you crazy? Lightning is very dangerous!"
I sighed and went to agree with Iroh, but Zuko interrupted me, "I thought that was the point! You teaching me to protect myself from it!"
"Yeah! But I'm not going to shoot lightning at you! If you're lucky, you will never have to use this technique at all!"
Zuko spread his arms out and scoffed. He screwed his nose up in anger. I put my arm out to try and comfort him, but Zuko moved before I got the chance. He ran off, towards the storm, and called back:
"Well, if you won't help me, I'll find my own lightning."
Iroh pointed at him with his head. I got the message. Go after him before he gets himself hurt.
...
It was kinda had to miss Zuko. He stood on a ledge, in the middle of the storm, yelling and crying at the sky. It laughed at his misfortune - rolling with chuckling thunder. Zuko clasped his hands to his eyes and was sobbing his heart out. Lightning cracked around us. I flinched at it but Zuko was unaffected as he drew his hands from his eyes and yelled again.
"Come on! Or are you too coward!"
"Zuko."
Wiping away the rain from my forehead, I took several small steps towards the distressed Zuko. He turned to me - his eyes puffy from crying. His lips wobbled where he tried to control his emotions; they gave in to his overwhelming confusion.
I opened my arms and he fell into them. He drew my tightly against him, sobbing into my shoulder, letting his guard down. I ran one hand soothingly through his hair. With the other, I gripped onto his soaked shirt. He nestled his face firmly into the crook between my neck and shoulder. His breath tickled my skin. In return, I put my head on his shoulder.
We stood there - for a few minutes - ignoring the rain that had long since soaked us both to the bone. Zuko drew a breath and pulled away from me. He massaged the small of his neck awkwardly and wiped away the remainder of his tears.
"Sorry. Uh- I'm- I'm sorry. I just want to prove... myself..."
"You don't need to be. There's nothing to be ashamed of."
Zuko blushed as I pulled him into another hug, "Let's get you back to shelter. "
He turned his face so his forehead brushed against my ear. Gently, he placed a small kiss on the top of my neck, just under my jaw. I was surprised at the action; I blushed and squeaked, but didn't push Zuko away. He held tightly onto my waist - as if afraid that I would run away at any moment.
"Can we stay here? Just for another minute. Please," he whispered into my neck.
"Alright. We can't get more drenched than we already are..."
Tentatively, Zuko drew his head back and put his chin on the top of my head. I rolled my forehead onto his chest. He ran a hand through my hair and tenderly kissed the crown of my head.
"Better?" I murmured into his chest.
"You're warm. It's lovely. "
I smiled up at him, "Says the Firebender."
Zuko chuckled gently and started to walk towards the direction of the half-destroyed house. He offered me his arm like a gentleman. I took it. He closed his eyes and let the rain wash his face. Lightning crackled behind us, but we ignored it. It was no longer a problem. It no longer bothered Zuko himself to anyone. Well, at least for the moment.
