I actually hate this chapter. Don't know if it's any good but here we are. I might just stop this story...we shall see. Also, Fire bending is based on Shaolin Kung Fu and it's been fun yet hard trying to describe the moves without sounding like a robot. Okay, done with the rant. No Beta. No owner. So many problems.
Katara knew many stories of the Full Moon, how it was the light for the people of the Northern and Southern Water Tribe. The Moon gave her people the strength to carry on and protected them from harm. Katara remembered watching the moon rise in the South Pole, her Gran-Gran telling her stories of how she rose with the moon.
It wasn't until being taken from her home that Katara found herself drawn to the moonlight even more. Her bending was getting stronger, but it never felt as strong unless she was under the moon. Hama had the girls practice daily and the Full Moon only came once every twenty-nine days. Immense power surged through the benders, the Moon giving all its life force to them. Hama could see it, the waves the girls made grew bigger, their stances firmer and attacks were sharper. This power, the control that the girls gained over their bodies during the moon was all-consuming and now they were harnessing it.
"Let it flow through you like the river," Hama said, watching as Hwasa and Katara floated in the bathhouse.
Katara breathed in through her nose and out her mouth. The moonlight radiated on her skin, giving her body life. She had been so tired from the intense healing of the Crown Princess Hui Ying that some days she could barely walk. Hama would have to heal both of the girls; their life force almost being drained.
Katara could feel it, the water washing over her, cleansing and restoring her cells. Hama said this exercise wasn't to heal the outer form but the inner one. Being one with your body, feeling every breath, and commanding every pulse. It felt as if the water was seeping through the girl's skin, running through their veins and cleaning out all the toxic that every thought of invading their bodies.
"When you are at one with your element and your body, you become a stronger bender," Hama whispered, walking in the water and helping Hwasa float a little more. "To control one's body is the ultimate form of bending."
Katara took Hama's words to heart, she wanted to be a better bender. Hama was the only bending teacher that Katara had, and if Katara hoped to be half as good as Hama, she needed to take this seriously. Hwasa had already passed Katara in bending water from trees while Katara struggled a little. No matter how advanced Hwasa was, Katara was proud of it because it meant that they would eventually end at the same place.
Opening her eyes, Katara looked up at the Full Moon. She remembered her time in the South Pole, getting lost in the Moon's magnificent glow. Tui was the Maiden of the Moon, the Female Spirit that blessed her with the gift of bending.
"Tui was the first Bender," Hama stated. "Benders draw their power from the Moon, it is a give and take a push and pull. We are the children of the Moon."
The Moon hung in the night sky, shining down on the three benders. Some would mistake it for water, but Katara knew she had let a tear fall. Never did she think that her bending would be praised like this, to be this important. Her bending was always something to be kept secret, scolded for if she ever used it, it was something to be feared.
But with Hama, Katara's bending was praised above all. She was allowed to practice bending with Hwasa, heal the sick, play in the water, and connect with the moon. Katara never imagined herself floating in the water, gazing upon the moon and feeling this whole. For the first time in two years, Katara truly felt at peace with her bending.
It was then that Katara felt it, the light feeding her soul, water running through her veins that she understood. She could feel everything else in the water, seeing things that others could only imagine. Katara could feel Hama standing in the water, her hands supporting Hwasa in the water. Not only could Katara feel Hwasa's body, but she could feel her breathing, her lungs expanding and fingers floating.
"Good." Hama grinned. "My good girls."
As the moon sought refuge under the clouds, the girls stood tall. Katara and Hwasa looked at each other, not knowing what to say. There was no need, they knew everything now as if they were one. Walking towards Hwasa slowly, the girl stood face to face. Their blue eyes did not reflect themselves but each other and if anyone in the world could understand those girls, it was them. Not even Hama was aware of the bond that formed, a bond that would never be broken or drowned for centuries to come. Even when they passed in this life, it was now written that their souls would reunite in the Spirit world.
The girls clung to each other; the water mixed with their salty tears. Hama watched as the girls sobbed, pleased that the girls bonded this way. But the girls knew it was deeper than just a friendly hug or sisterly love. Neither girl knew where one ended and the other began. The Moon blessed them, but the water connected them.
"You both will be better for this." Hama interrupted and the girls slowly parted.
"I feel...whole." Katara and Hwasa said in union and then looked at each other laughing.
"Now it will be easier to sense the water within objects and even yourself," Hama said. "You will even be able to heal the wounds within you."
"Can we heal the Princess now?" Hwasa asked, her blue eyes beaming with hope.
"No, my dear," Hama said blankly. "It is not the same type of healing."
"Oh."
Katara didn't say anything, it hurt to think of the Princes. She remembered when they first started healing Princess Hui Ying. Never had Katara felt a sickness so strong within someone and no matter how many times they tried to heal it, it kept growing.
Now, Katara was acutely aware of herself. She could feel the water clinging to her hands while the water was running down her neck. Even more so, she could feel the tears forming behind Hwasa's eyes and the aching inside her chest.
"You will feel...uncomfortable for a few days," Hama stated. "You must rest, I will deal with the healing in the Palace."
"Yes, Hama." The girls replied.
"One." Lu Ten said sternly, his hands behind his back.
The four boys, dressed in their workout attire stepped forward with their right foot, bending their knees and punching out a fist of fire.
"Hah!"
"Two."
The four boys brought their right leg up, fire-spewing from their bare feet.
"Hah!"
"Three."
The boys shifted their stances, turning around to face the back, their arms coming into their chest, their hands angled, and spitting out fire.
"Hah!"
"Rest." Lu Ten said, nodding at the boys.
The boys groaned and caught their breaths, their small frames clearly tired from the intense training. Zuko took a sip of water and went through the stances once more, wanting to do better than before. Azula didn't even get these stances down no matter how many times she practiced with Lo and Li.
Usually, Zuko's bending times were private but at his party, Lu Ten had promised to teach Zuko's friends. Zuko wasn't too happy about his cousin hanging around his friends for obvious reasons but he enjoyed not bending alone. They all could suffer with Lu Ten together. Zuko looked behind him to find Seiji, Cheng, and Tadashi all on the floor panting.
"It wasn't that bad." Zuko shrugged, breaking his stance.
"Did you forget the three-mile run?" Seiji questioned.
"Or the fifty push-ups?" Cheng added.
"And the planks for three minutes," Tadashi recalled.
Zuko and Lu Ten laughed at the three Nobles on the floor. Though the boys studied at The Fire Nation Academy for Boys, Lu Ten's Military Training was different. Zuko was getting used to it, he trained with Lu Ten daily, hoping that one day his father would be impressed with his skills and teach him. The one thing he liked most about learning with Lu Ten was that he was always praised and encouraged, even if he didn't do well. His father, Prince Ozai on the other hand was extremely harsh with Zuko.
Zuko could feel himself getting stronger as he trained with Lu Ten. His core was getting stronger, remembering that Fire Bending came from the breath and not the muscles. That's what gave Zuko the edge against his friends, he wasn't as tired as much.
"Please, tell us we are done for the day." Seiji sighed, laying on his back.
"Oh come on!" Cheng nudged Seiji, "We still haven't beat Zuko in an Agni Kai."
"Well, Tadashi beat him and that's good enough." Seiji groaned.
Zuko groaned remembering how that fight went. Zuko had no problem beating Cheng and Seiji in the practice Agni Kai's but when fighting Tadashi, it was a whole new ball game. Each boy had their strengths and the young, thin, and brooding Tadashi Kao was the best fighter out of them. The boy was silent most of the time and disciplined as ever but Zuko attributed that to his Grandfather being the Fleet Admiral of the Fire Nation Navy. Tadashi's father was the Commandant of the Fire Nation Academy for Boys, so it made sense that he'd wipe the floor with Zuko.
"He still hasn't beat Lu Ten," Zuko interjected.
Lu Ten looked at the boys with a raised eyebrow. "Find me in ten years and I might take you up on that."
"Yes, Sir," Tadashi said, bowing at Lu Ten who respectfully bowed to him.
"Can you show us how you fight the Earth Benders?" Seiji asked, sitting up. "I bet you kicked their butts!"
Lu Ten laughed and motioned for the boys to stand up.
"The Earth benders are strong, they're unmoving like a rock." Lu Ten punched Zuko's shoulder and Zuko hissed in pain. "The best way to beat an Earth Bender is to break their stance."
"Ooo, show us," Cheng said, hopping up from the ground and getting into a stance.
"I don't know, it's pretty hard stance because I made it myself." Lu Ten said.
Zuko perked up at that, it was something that not even his Azula knew. If it was true that only Lu Ten knew it then he could impress his father and Grandfather with this stance. He would surely beat Azula with it and be the favorite child. The boys stood up and Lu Ten stood in front of them.
"We might need a healer for this stance." Lu Ten admitted.
"Ooo, maybe we can call Zuko's girlfriend!" Seiji teased and Zuko turned a bright shade of red.
"She's not my girlfriend!" Zuko protested.
Katara wasn't his girlfriend, she was just a friend who was a girl. Zuko wasn't even sure if he liked Katara. He knew that he likes spending time with Katara and was happy when he saw her. But that's how he felt when he was around his family and friends.
Then Zuko thought about it, the moment on the roof that he shared with Katara. The conversation wasn't deep or personal, but it did feel different. It almost felt like speaking with Lu ten and his friends, not having to watch what he said. He told Katara about his birthday and the gifts he received. Most people only entertained Zuke because he was part of the royal family but his friends and Katara were different.
The way Zuko looked at her as Katara watched the fireworks was something he couldn't forget. The way her body relaxed as she held a smile on her face. She was captivated as the fireworks burst into the sky and while Katara looked at them, Zuko looked at her. He had seen fireworks every year but nothing seemed to be more magical than looking at Katara lost in the wonder of his country.
They never had a conversation about Katara's home until that day. She mentioned her birthday and Zuko had put the date into his memory and on the calendar. It comforted Zuko to know that though they came from different places that their birthday celebrations were the same. He hoped that at some point of his birthday celebration that Katara could find happiness and celebrate it as well. Zuko had ended his birthday with Katara and he couldn't have asked for anything more special.
"I don't know." Cheng teased. "You do get red in the face when she's around."
"Whatever," Zuko grumbled.
"Now, children." Lu Ten smirked. "Leave the little lovebird alone."
The boys chuckled and Zuko wished the ground would swallow him. He wasn't in love with Katara, that was so weird. They were rights, right?
Zuko brushed off the thoughts, not wanting to show that their words got to him. Cheng and Seiji started to spar while Tadashi stood in front of Zuko and Lu Ten.
"You ready?" Lu Ten asked, Zuko as they both looked at Tadashi.
From the look of the boy, no one would suspect Tadashi to be that skilled. Even if he came from a long family line of accomplished men, Tadashi looked far from it. The boy was short in stature and his frame was thinner than Zuko, but he was muscular. While Seiji towered over most of the boys and was built very well for a child of ten, Tadashi was the opposite.
Tadashi's small frame made for quick and swift movements. He had great stamina so breathing along with his fire never faltered. Most children picked on Tadashi during school and instead of telling the teacher as most students did, Tadashi found a way that worked for him. Tadashi left the boy unconscious and though most expected Tadashi to be reprimanded he was praised and the boy who caused the fight was expelled from the academy.
Lu Ten didn't ask Zuko if he was ready to fight and win, he was asking Zuko if he was ready to lose. Lu Ten trusted his training in Zuko to know that he could hold his own but holding his own and beating a skilled fighter like Tadashi was another story. Zuko could make it to the end but he would definitely need a healer once the spar was over.
Zuko was ready to fight but not to lose. He hated it, especially when he fought against Azula in front of his father. Tadashi reminded Zuko so much of Azula. They both hold this deathly calm leaving the opponents wondering what the next move was. Agile in ways that even Lu Ten couldn't grasp at the age of sixteen but soon learned later on.
"He will try to tire you out, conserve your strength." Lu Ten reminded him and Zuko nodded.
The boys stepped into the middle of the rink, bowed, and then took their stances.
The first attack was Zuko, putting Tadashi on the defense but it didn't last long. Zuko swiveled his hand shooting fire but Tadashi blocked the attack swiftly, moving his arm to counter Zuko's. It wasn't long before the spar turned into an actual match. Zuko jumped, his hands slapping on the floor and sending waves of fire which Tadashi broke easily, his hands parting the fire. Tadashi kicked two streams of fire with his feet and then turned on his heels, his hands sending fire Zuko's way. Zuko dodged the first two but he wasn't fast enough, the other flames catching him off guard and making him stumble.
Tadashi did not let up, kicking and firing at Zuko, not letting him catch his breath. Zuko gasped, trying to block all the blast but Tadashi moved closer, his flames growing.
"You got this, Zuko." Lu Ten shouted.
That is all Zuko needed and soon he found his strength, his arms locking with Tadashi. Tadashi looked up at Zuko and both of the boys smirked. Tadashi moved his leg, swiping Zuko's legs under him. When all seemed lost, Zuko landed on his hands but he wasn't out yet. Pushing himself up, Zuko caught Tadashi's foot that was coming down and pushed him back.
Zuko attacked again, punching, swiping, spinning, and twirling in a blaze of flames. Tadashi wouldn't let Zuko get the best of him and eyes fell on the two boys. Smoke filled the field blinding the viewers as the boys advanced. Neither boy knew what was coming next until the smoke cleared and Zuko stumbled on his feet about to fall. Tadashi reached out for Zuko, grabbing him by the hand, the boys balancing together.
"I guess it's a tie." Zuko breathed.
"Don't worry, I'll win next time," Tadashi smirked.
"What does it feel like?" Azula asked, her golden eyes staring into Hwasa's soul.
Hwasa wasn't sure how to answer the questions. She had been sick for days and today she felt anything but that. Hwasa felt powerful and stronger than she had ever felt before. She could feel the water in the air, the various pounds that were built into the private gardens, and even the waves that crashed into the sand, miles away from the palace.
Even now she could feel the blood running through Azula's small frame. She wasn't sure what it meant, but as Azula stepped closer to Hwasa, the sound of Azula's calm heartbeat sent chills down Hwasa's spine.
Azula didn't stop her movements, walking closer to Hwasa until her back was pressed up against the cherry tree. Even though Hwasa was a year older than Azula, she was still intimated. Azula moved slowly but intentionally. How could this one girl make Hwasa, one of the best Water Benders nervous?
"Are you going to answer me?" Azula asked calmly, her finger touching the cherry blossom. "You said that friends tell each other everything and we are friends, right?"
"Y-yeah." Hwasa stuttered.
"Then show me." Azula insisted.
Hwasa sighed, she knew she was breaking one of Hama's rules. She wasn't supposed to use her bending unless she was healing someone. It was a mistake for Hwasa to sneak into the private gardens and bend at night, but she couldn't help it. After the night in the pool, the new bond that formed between Hwasa and the water, something in her changed. How could Hwasa ignore the water calling her? It kept her up at night and flowed within her. It was a part of her, and she couldn't just sit down and do nothing
Now, Hwasa was beginning to regret it. She was so taken by the water that she didn't sense someone watching her. Of course, that someone had to be princess Azula, someone that Hwasa avoided. Not because Hwasa didn't like her, it was the complete opposite actually.
Hwasa didn't know how to act around Azula to the point that Hwasa found a way to get out of healing Azula. Hwasa didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Azula because she knew she would never live it down. Hwasa studied how Azula interacted with Ty Lee and Mai, girls that were considered to be her friends. Azula was rude to Ty Lee while she aggravated Mai. So, it was in Hwasa's best interest to avoid Azula at all costs, even if she did think the raven-haired girl was pretty.
"I-I.. can-t." Hwasa mumbled and then stepped around Azula.
Hwasa walked towards the door quickly, wanting to leave. It was as if she could see through the air, the molecules that evaporated as the ball of heat was fired at Hwasa. Without thinking, Hwasa pulled the water out the air, extinguishing the flame.
As the steam disappeared Hwasa could see the faint smile on Azula's pink lips. This was exactly what Azula wanted and Hwasa fell into it.
"What was that about not being able to bend?" Azula asked, smirking at Hwasa.
"I can bend, I'm not supposed to unless I'm-"
"Healing, right," Azula said as she began to circle Hwasa. "Do you think Katara follows that rule?"
"What?" Hwasa questioned, not sure what Katara had to deal with any of this.
"You heard me, but I'll repeat it," Azula said, stopping in front of Hwasa. "Do you think Katara doesn't bend unless it's done for healing?"
Hwasa stayed silent, she knew what Azula was doing. This was a game for Azula, to try and turn friends against each other. It made no sense though, Katara was her family while Azula was just some spoiled Princess. Hama warned the girls to not trust anyone in the palace besides her and Katara. Hwasa was not about to let Azula get her in trouble with Hwasa. No matter how scary, rude, and annoying Azula was, Hwasa knew that Hama could be worse.
Hwasa knew Katara didn't bend in the palace, Hwasa could feel it. It was the bond that they shared, whenever Katara bent Hwasa could feel it as if her bending was being channeled through her. Even more so, Hwasa could sense Katara who was peacefully sleeping, her body drained and trying to recover.
"Why do you care?" Hwasa snapped.
"That wasn't very nice," Azula said, stepping back. "I just want you to be a strong bender. It wouldn't be fair if Hama had a favorite and let Katara bend while you grew weak."
"I'm not weak!" Hwasa hissed.
"So, you do think Katara is breaking the rules?"
"What?" Hama shouted. "No!"
Hwasa groaned and moved away from Azula. What did it matter if Katara was bending? Not that Katara was but even if she did, it didn't concern Azula. Hama was fair to both of the girls, there was clearly no favoritism, especially the king that Prince Ozai showed to Azula over Zuko. No matter what happened, Katara and Hwasa would always have each other and nothing would separate them.
Hwasa was anything but weak and yet the word bothered her. She could wipe the floor with Azula but part of being a good bender was having control. It was so important that Hama ingrained that teaching within them, controlling their temper was key. Unlike Azula, Hwasa was taught by someone who loved her and had genuine friends. This was the way Azula controlled people, letting their greatest fears come in. Yet at the age of eight, Hwasa didn't fear Azula.
"Does this make you happy?" Hwasa asked, her back turned to Azula, yet Hwasa could feel it, the rise in Azula's heartbeat.
"I never enjoy speaking with peasants."
"Hmm." Hwasa groaned and walked towards the pond. Sitting down, she let the turtle ducks climb into her hand as she touched the water. "Then why are you here?"
"You're asking me that when you're in the royal gardens." Azula chuckled. "I should have you removed."
"Then do it." Hwasa said calmly, petting the turtle-duck.
Azula snapped her head but Hwasa stayed still. If Azula could play this game then so could Hwasa. Though she could feel the blood boiling within Azula and hear her short breaths, Hwasa felt something else, a shift in the air. Looking up, Hwasa looked at the noon sun in the blue sky with a few white clouds. Perfect. Getting up from the ground, Hwasa dusted herself off and looked at Azula finally.
"You haven't said anything yet," Hwasa said calmly. "If you wanted me gone you would have said something and yet I'm here."
"Yes, you are." Azula stepped closer.
"So, what do you want?" Hwasa asked, not faltering.
The girls stood face to face, Azula only a half-inch off. Blue eyes stared into golden ones, neither giving way. Hwasa could feel Azula's shallow breathing and the hesitation in her throat. Azula went to speak but stopped once she felt something wet on her cheek. Touching her cheek, Azula looked up at the sky and another drop of rain fell. Drop after drop, Azula couldn't believe that she was outside, feeling the rain on her skin. It was something that she had never felt before. Not that it didn't rain in the Fire Nation, but she had never played in it because it was unbecoming of a Princess. Hwasa listened to the rhythm of the rain as Azula looked at her and all was clear.
Katara moaned as she turned in bed, her body carrying the weight of the world. Hama sat by her side, bending the water from her soaked sheet. Katara had never felt this before and she wondered if it would last forever. She could feel everything, and it was overwhelming.
Katara could feel the waves crashing against the shore, the water boiling in the kitchen for hot tea. Not only that but she could sense it all, every movement of the body and it wasn't just hers. She could feel Hama's heartbeat, the blood running through Lu ten's body, the water the Hwasa was bending in private. Every single thing was amplified and Katara wondered if the weight of it all would break her body.
"Do not go where I cannot find you." a voice whispered but Katara couldn't answer.
Katara shifted her eyes to Hama who was healing Katara. From the look on Hama's face, Katara could tell that the woman didn't know what was happening to her. Katara whimpered, the feeling of Hama's hand on her felt intrusive and she moved away. It wasn't to be rude but this connection that Katara had formed, it was too much.
Hama said something but Katara couldn't hear her, only the sound of crashing waves and beating hearts. It was suffocating, to feel and sense everything but her own calm. Shooting up from the bed, Katara gasped, clutching her chest and gasping out for air. It was as if water grabbed onto her, drawing her lungs with water.
Hama's hands ran up and down Katara's back while other servants rushed into the room gathering water. The sloshing of the water and heartbeats within close proximity to Katara only made it worse, but she could scream, she couldn't breathe all she could do was feel and hear things she didn't want to.
It was too much for her frame and Katara fell back onto the bed, her body going limp and drowning out the sounds. Bodies move through the room but Katara is only taken back by the form that appears. A woman with skin as brown as hers and blue eyes that held the heart of the sea stared at her. The beautiful white-haired woman held out her hand and Katara moved her fingers, wanting to reach the woman. She didn't know what, how, or why she wanted to go with the woman, but it seemed as if she promised peace.
A strength washed over Katara as the woman walked past Katara and out of the room. Katara found the strength to get up from the bed, her feet touching the cold wood. It was as if Katara was floating as her soul was drawn to something else.
Katara walked out of her bedroom and down the hall, following the spirits. She didn't notice the various voices calling her, they weren't nearly as important as the one that spoke to her.
"Do not go where I cannot find you." the woman repeated.
Katara picked up the pace, chasing after the woman who never seemed to miss a beat of the chase. The woman glided through the halls and Katara was so close and yet it seemed the distance was greater than ever. Pushing through the royal doors, Katara stumbled upon a garden, with a pond in the middle surrounded by cherry blossom trees.
Stepping onto the grass, Katara gasped, feeling the water that moved through the plants. It was the feeling of when she first bent water from plants but magnified by a thousand suns, moons, and stars.
The woman walked towards the center and Katara soon followed. Once in the center, the woman smiled and looked down at Katara, touching her cheek.
"Do not go where I cannot find you." the woman whispered.
Katara didn't understand what the woman meant. Katara opened her mouth but like a dream, the woman disappeared. Standing before her, Zuko looked at her, confusion on his face.
"Katara, I-"
"Shhh." Katara hushed Zuko.
For the first time in days, it was silent. There were no crashing waves or rapid heartbeats. She could not hear Hwasa bending nor the water running beneath her feet.
Silence.
It was so peaceful and Katara didn't know how much she missed it until it was stripped from her.
Then she felt it, the storm that was brewing around had found its way inside her. Was this the power she was meant to hold within her small frame only to be released when in desperate times? Or was it as peaceful and soothing at the light rain gently tapping against a window?
"Listen," Katara whispered.
Zuko wasn't sure what Katara meant and she wasn't going to explain. Looking up at the sky, Katara raised a hand, catching the first drop of rain that touched the earth. Zuko looked at Katara's hand then at Katara, shocked and slightly disturbed. Smiling, Katara listened as the rain began to gently fall around the, coating the garden, palace, and the Nation with fresh rain.
Looking at Zuko, Katara smiled at him and uttered the words that felt like her own.
"Do not go where I cannot find you."
This chapter was very spiritual. We will venture into this more as things go on. Sorry if this seems slow. I am still thinking about deleting this story if it doesn't progress how I think it should.