Chapter Five

Stars illuminated the night sky in brilliant purples and milky blues. The full moon bathed the partially hidden Western Air Temple in silvery light. Moria sat in the shadows on an overturned column that served as a bench, a dying fire before her. Her lips hovered lightly over her precious wooden flute, fingers toying the keyholes. She released a gentle, lilting melody into the cloudless sky above.

She startled at the sound of approaching footsteps and let the delicate instrument fall to her lap. Her face reddened at being caught. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

Zuko stepped out of the shadows, a small knapsack slung on his shoulder, and stood beside the dwindling fire. With a simple flick of his wrist, the flames began to blaze once more. He turned his attention to Moria, wrapped in a geometric patterned silk shawl and her thick wavy hair pulled back with a matching scarf. He lowered himself onto the column opposite her and shook his head. "I couldn't sleep."

"I see." She eyed the knapsack curiously. "Going somewhere?"

"Not really." He sheepishly reached into the bag and produced an old, dented kettle. "My uncle says the right kind of tea is a cure of anything." He removed a tin box from the bag and opened it, holding it out for Moria to examine.

She leaned over and took a long inhale of the fragrant herbs. "It smells wonderful."

"It's a blend he made," Zuko explained, managing to sound both prideful and embarrassed. "It's supposed to help with sleep problems."

"Where is your uncle now?" Moria's gaze followed Zuko as walked to the fountain and filled the kettle.

In the silver moonlight, Zuko's grimace was accentuated and he had difficulty meeting her eye as he returned to the fire. "I don't know."

Moria looked at him levelly. "It sounds like you have a story."

"It's not a very interesting one." Zuko carefully hung the kettle over the fire and set to work filling a wire mesh ball with the herbal blend.

"Is it the reason you can't sleep?" she pressed.

Zuko glanced at her. "It's the reason I haven't had decent sleep in a very long time."

Moria looked down at her flute thoughtfully, running her fingers over the smooth wood. "I could have you sleeping in minutes."

"Why not use that ability on yourself?"

"Soundbending does not work on the one controlling it," she explained. "So I'm cursed to remain awake."

Zuko leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Do you think my story will help?"

"It's better than sitting in silence." She nodded towards him. "How did you get that scar?"

Automatically, Zuko's hand went to his eye. He cringed as his fingers brushed the rough skin. "My father-."

"The one the avatar must defeat," she interrupted, stating a simple fact rather than asking.

Zuko nodded. "I was punished for speaking out of turn and banished. I was told the only way I could restore my honor was by finding the avatar and bringing him to my father. My uncle travelled with me."

"The one who makes tea."

"Yes." Zuko lowered his gaze, watching the flames dance.

"What happened to him?"

Zuko sighed. "I abandoned him. I'm sure he hates me. I would never forgive myself if I were him."

The kettle began to whistle and Zuko removed it from the heat. He took two clay teacups out of the bag and tipped one towards Moria, who nodded. She watched as he dropped the metal mesh ball into the kettle and set it aside.

"Your story sounds complicated and sad," Moria said gently. Zuko looked away, his hardened features set in a scowl. "I don't need to know the details, but I doubt any man who cares so deeply about tea could hold such a grudge."

"I may never find out," Zuko said. He poured the rich tea into the cups and handed one to her. "I'm only doing what I can to restore honor in my own way."

Moria nodded and took the warm cup from him. "The people here have every reason to hate you for what the Fire Nation has done. Hearing about what's been happening in the world over the last hundred years…it's appalling." She noticed Zuko stiffening, pulling into himself, and she reached out and placed her free hand on his arm. "But the fact that they trust you, that you are doing everything in your power to help, it says a lot about your character. I'm sorry that I was frightened of you at first. I see now that you are worthy of trust. Perhaps many in the Fire Nation won't agree, but I believe you are honorable."

Zuko held his cup with two clutching hands, his jaw tightly clenched.

Moria frowned. "You don't think very highly of yourself, do you?"

"I've done terrible things."

Moria nodded solemnly and drew her hand back. "If only we could change our pasts." She took a sip of the tea and stared down into the amber liquid. "I can't think about it. It becomes…paralyzing. So, my sights are set on the future only." The cheeriness in her voice was only a blanket thrown over the fire of her sorrow. "I have the great honor of teaching Aang so he can be the first avatar to master soundbending."

Zuko watched her expression change and nodded. He knew he could never truly understand the horrible trauma she endured. He took a long sip of his own tea. "How is the training going?"

She broke into an amused smile. "It's interesting. I've never taught anyone before, but he is picking up fast. He's able to manipulate the pitch of a person's voice with ease. I have him working on amplifying sounds and molding them however he wants. Once he figures that out, he'll be able to make people say anything he wants." She glanced down. "I don't know if these skills will help him in defeating the Fire Lord, but I'm glad he's eager to learn."

Zuko nodded. "It could be useful."

She scratched at an imperfection on the cup with her thumb. "Katara thinks I should try honing my own abilities as well. She says she knows someone who could help me improve."

"Who?" Zuko raised a brow.

"I don't know. She won't say. But she's going to take me once Aang improves a little more."

"Katara is smart, and incredibly skilled herself." He paused, reminiscing. "I've known her for a while now, and she's grown unbelievably strong in a short time. If she says she knows someone who can help you, I believe her."

Moria watched him as he spoke, the slightest of smiles playing at her lips. "I see. I'll put my trust in her. If I can learn to create a sonic boom, I may be of some use to your group after all. It's a powerful, destructive force. Only true soundbender masters can unleash such fury."

"You seem to be pretty skilled."

Moria shook her head. "I'm no master." She set her empty cup aside. "Has the tea helped you become tired?"

Zuko sighed. "Not really."

She reached over the side of the fallen column and lifted the lute from her bag. "May I help you?"

Zuko eyed the instrument wearily. So far, he had managed to avoid being a Guinea pig for the avatar's new ability. He wasn't sure what it would be like to have his mind toyed with. But he knew if he were to lay down now, he would only be plagued once again with visions of all the terrible things he had done. He gave her a nod of approval.

Moria set her flute aside and adjusted the lute in her lap. "Make yourself comfortable."

"Will I fall asleep right here?" he asked apprehensively. Nevertheless, he moved to sit on the ground, leaning back against the column.

"Maybe," she shrugged. "My people had many wonderful songs for all kinds of occasions. This is a lullaby we used to sing to the fussy children."

Zuko scoffed. "I'm not a child."

"Hush," she said, her voice softening. "It's a beautiful song, and it's quite effective."

She began to strum, letting the notes resonate, keeping the sound low. The instrument alone was enough to make Zuko's eyelids grow heavy, but after a moment she opened her mouth and began to quietly sing.

"When the moon paints the sky, and the tides sing a lullaby

It's time to lay down and sleep.

When the soft ocean breeze whispers gently through the trees,

My dreams will be mine to keep.

Through the day, through the night, there is no need for fright,

The Guardian watches me.

By my side, in my heart, his presence does not part,

My Guardian watches me."

Zuko did not fall asleep out in the open as he feared, but he clutched onto Moria, stumbling like a drunk as she helped him to his room. Her vocal medicine was stronger than anything he had ever experienced. His head was far too heavy to lift, and his voice did not seem to be working. He didn't know if she helped him get into bed or not. Probably she had. All he knew was that he was resting on a wonderfully soft feather pillow, his blanket drawn all the way up to his chin.

Zuko fell into the deepest, most peaceful sleep he had ever experienced.

Days passed and Aang was giddily forcing Sokka to say such ridiculous things as "Son of a badger monkey!" and "Suki is stronger, better, and smarter than me in every possible way!". Sokka had taken to hiding to get away from the avatar's abuse of power, but Suki found the latter phrases highly entertaining and would drag Sokka out of hiding to hear more.

"Are you sure you're ready to take a break from training him?" Katara asked, her nose wrinkled as Aang held his stomach and laughed after forcing Sokka to say, "Girls are way better than boys!"

A coy smile was playing on Moria's lips. "He's supposed to work on producing sounds like footsteps, explosions, and falling rocks while I'm gone. He's managed a few isolated noises here and there, so I know he can do it if he puts his mind to it."

"What makes you think he'll focus?" Katara asked with a smirk.

"I've assigned Toph to keep in him line," Moria explained. She attempted to keep a straight, serious face, but ended up laughing with Katara. "Besides, we don't have a lot of time and if you really think my skills can improve, we need to go now."

Katara nodded and tossed a knapsack full of supplies onto Appa's saddle. "I hope we find the person I'm thinking of. If there's no sign of him after three days, we'll turn back. We don't have time to waste."

"You still haven't told me anything about this mysterious person," Moria reminded her.

Katara smiled. "Don't worry. He's wise and very musically inclined. I'm certain he can help. Are you ready?"

Moria glanced behind her, taking in the everyday scenery of the Western Air Temple. Aang and Sokka messing around, Suki egging them on. Toph listening from a distance and rolling her eyes. Zuko sitting beside the fountain watching passively. The others were spread out doing their own form of training, sharpening weapons, or going out to hunt for more supplies. It was a peaceful place, filled with laughter and good cheer despite the coming battle. Moria's heart sank at the thought of leaving, even for such a short time. She supposed she wasn't much of a traveler.

But she turned to Katara anyway and nodded. "Let's go. I'm very curious about this person."

They climbed onto Appa's back, helping each other up. The massive sky bison heaved a long sigh before gradually ascending into the air. Katara and Moria waved to their friends, growing smaller as they rose higher, and they waved back.

"Be safe!" Aang called up to them, and Katara assured him that they would.

With the Western Air Temple at their backs, Katara turned to Moria and gave her a sly smile. "Let's find your sifu."