For Flame and Redemption

By PurpleReignonHorses

STORY LEGEND:

BOLD AND UNDERLINES- SCENE CHANGES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dialogue: "Dialogue"

Actions

Characters thoughts: Italics

Book 0: Awakening

Chapter II: Life in the Air Nation

Sho Residence, near the Southern Air Temple

0 BG

It was a peaceful day in the Southern Temple. Airbenders and their bison were busy freely flying around the Temple. A couple of kids were playing airball in the courtyards below. There was a large growth of forest surrounding the Temple. Deep in the forest, the Sho family had a small hut nearby.

Ling Sho was busy washing clothes, wringing them and throwing them in the wicker hamper nearby. Some of the airbenders from the temple were helping her by using their bending to dry them off. I'm really thankful for the extra help around here. It was hard making a living on the land before.

Lin was busy preparing dinner for the family. He was preparing some of the tofu given to him by the Nomads. He, Kuzon and Mokabi were mixing a special blend of spices into the meal. The Sho family and the nomads of the Southern Temple quickly came to an agreement. In return for the shelter given them by the Nomads, the Sho family agreed to live by the customs and traditions of the Air Nomads. The only one the family was exempt from was the requirement for shaving.

Kuzon, however, decided to follow the tradition anyway.

The three men all finished the last batch of tofu and rinsed their hands off in the water basin.

Mokabi spoke in a gruff tone, "That should be the end of it. Ok then Kuzon! You need to head back up to attend your meditation training." Kuzon then removed his hands from the bowl he was fixing and grinned widely at his grandfather. It is as if there was a fire in his eyes. "Yes Grandfather! I'm on my way now!" He then unfurled his staff and kicked himself off the ground.

Lin and Mokabi were following him with their eyes.

Lin then spoke in an ecstatic tone. "I'm glad Kuzon has finally adapted to living with the Nomads. He had such a difficult time learning their traditions at first." There was a hint of sadness in the older man's tone.

Mokabi looked at his son-in-law and gave him a curt nod. "We have tried to teach him the ways of our people. Our family code. Our family history."

Ling then walked up to the two men with a sad smile on her face. "And why we had to leave our homes in the palace city." She stared down at the ground with a dejected look on her face. "He still asks me why we can't go back home. I know he misses the Fire Nation. I wish that I could tell him everything." A small tear ran down her cheek.

Lin then walked up to his wife and gently took her hands in his. "We will tell him everything in time."

Ling gave her husband a knowing nod.

Temple Grounds, Southern Air Temple

0 BG

Fourteen year old Aang was busy showing the other airbenders a new trick he had come up with. It was called an air scooter. The kids, especially the younger airbenders, were fascinated by it.

One of them shouted out. "Do it again! Do it again!"

Aang let out a hearty laugh and smiled warmly at the young boy. "Alright one more time then!"

As he tried to form the motions again, Kuzon appeared in his vision.

Aang eyes immediately brightened when he saw the young firebender. Kuzon was different from his airbending peers. While his head was shaved in accordance with Air Nation tradition, his irises were a distinct golden amber color. This effectively made him stand out from his peers. Aang quickly ran towards his best friend and pulled him into a bone-crushing hug. "Hothead! Glad to see your airbending is in top form. I'd hate for one of the monks to have to scold you on your form again." He had a foxy grin on his face.

Kuzon raised an eyebrow at the airbender boy. He let out a dry chuckle. Smart mouth. He then ruffled the boy's head. "Good to see you Aang. What was that trick just now?"

An explosion of glee then overcame Aang. He gave the firebender a cheesy grin. "It's a nifty trick I picked up. It's called an air scooter."

Kuzon gave him a nod. "I see. Well come on then. We are late for our meditation class." He then walked off towards Monk Aasang's classroom.

Aang eagerly followed him. "I wonder what he will teach us today."

Monk Aasang's Quarters, Southern Air Temple

0 BG

Monk Aasang was sitting in his meditation pose waiting for his students to come into his quarters. The students soon started filling in the classroom. Everyone got into their assigned seatings and got into their poses. Kuzon and Aang were sitting next to one another. Everyone's eyes drew to Kuzon. The boy shifted uncomfortably in his pose. The center of attention once again. So annoying. One girl had her gaze especially fixated on the firebender. A small blush appeared on her cheeks. I can't believe the outsider is really in front of me. He is even more handsome in person.

Monk Aasang's Quarters, Southern Air Temple

0 BG

Four hours later

The rest of the meditation class basically went off without a hitch. Monk Aasang went on about the importance of the mediations and why they had meaning to the Air Nomads. To Kuzon, it went through one ear and out the other. None of this makes sense. They were all then dismissed.

Aang went ahead of Kuzon and started walking out the room.

Kuzon moved to follow him.

The girl then finally made her move. Now is my chance. She outstretched a hand and nervously tugged at his sleeve.

This drew Kuzon's attention to her. He turned his head to look at her quizzically. "Can I help you with something?"

The girl smiled at him bashfully and spoke in a quiet tone. The blush was still present on her face. "Are you the outsider? The boy from the Fire Nation?"

Kuzon blinked at her a couple of times."Y-Yeah that's me."

Taira placed her hands on her chest and felt a small smile form on her face. Thank goodness I have the right person. "My name is Taira. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. You've become quite the talk of the temple."

Kuzon rubbed the back of his neck nervously and gave her a half-smile. "You could say that."

Taira then presented her arm to him. "Would you walk with me for a while? I'd love to learn more about you if you have a moment."

Kuzon started sweating profusely. He began darting his eyes between Taira and Aang. I don't know about this. I've never really been the social type. I usually just hang around Aang all the time. I especially don't know how to talk to girls. What do I do? Luckily for him, Aang had already taken note of the situation and mouthed, "Go with the flow." and gestured for Kuzon to take Taira's offer. He then quickly ran off.

Kuzon sent the young airbender a soft glare. Damn it! Well I have no choice now. I don't want to be rude. He then turned around to face Taira.

The young girl had a worried look on her face. "Is something the matter?"

Kuzon let out a sigh. I need to say something before this gets awkward. He spoke in a gentle tone that seemed a bit too cheery, "Not at all. I'd be honored to accompany you. I uh don't know remember much about home though."

Taira clapped her hands together and flashed him a warm smile. Her cheeks flushed red for a moment. "Wonderful." She then put her arm around his and began to walk off with him. "Let us be on our way then."

Kuzon felt himself grow beet red in the face, but quickly shook it off. "R-Right." Go with the flow! Go with the flow!

The two then ran out of the room together arm in arm.

Aang was watching the two from afar and was giggling madly to himself. Am I a good matchmaker or what?

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