Book II: Earth

Chapter I: The Arrival of the Airbenders

Part IV: Combat Training

The Hidden Air Temples

Two days later

Kuzon and Aang were training with the airbending refugees in combat tactics.

Rigsang threw a fist of air Kuzon's way.

Kuzon dodged it and threw a flame kick Rigsang's way.

Rigsang dodged it and hit the firebender hard with a jumping knee strike. The kick hit Kuzon hard in the gut.

Rigsang then followed this up with a hard punch in the face that looked as if it had broken off a few of Kuzon's teeth.

Kuzon hit the ground hard, eventually tumbling to a stop.

Rigsang then charged in with two airfists in. "I'm not done yet!"

Kuzon pulled himself up to his feet and wiped the blood from his chin. He saw that the airbender was charging at him at full speed.

Rigsang threw one punch and missed. He threw another one and missed.

Kuzon then swept the boy's legs from under him with a fire kick. Rigsang grunted in pain as he fell hard on his back.

Kuzon just crossed his arms at the boy. "Not bad Rigsang. You were a bit too eager though. Too aggressive. It made your stance sloppy." He then offered the boy a hand.

Rigsang nodded and took the boy's hand. Rigsang nodded and bowed in respect. "Thank you Avatar Kuzon. I had a good teacher."

Kuzon turned over to look at Katara and then back at Rigsang. "So did I."

Aang was engaged in combat with Lhasang. The two airbenders were busy trading blows at one another. They were pushing against one another in a test of airbending strength.

Lhasang grit her teeth in frustration. I won't lose. I have to prove to Aang that I am worthy to lead our people. The combination of the two equal forces finally resulted in a huge explosion that sent both of them flying.

Kuzon jumped in to save Aang's fall.

Katara jumped in to save Lhasang's fall.

The two airbenders then steadied the airbenders to their feet. "You okay brother?"

Aang looked back at Kuzon and grinned. "Yeah. I'm alright." "Lhasang are you alright?"

The girl turned back to look at Katara and smiled. "Yeah..this is nothing. Thanks for the catch."

Katara smiled back. "No problem." The two airbenders then faced one another and bowed.

Aang smiled. "That was good work Lhasang. You had me."

Lhasang felt herself blush. "I..thanks Aang. I appreciate the support."

Aang then called out to the others who were training. "Alright everyone. That is enough for now. Let's give it a rest for now."

All of the airbenders immediately stopped and bowed to the airbending master in respect.

Aang then cleared his throat. "Tomorrow we will have the ascendance ceremony. Be ready in the morning!" All of them bowed. "Yes Master Aang!"

Sokka then came around and put an arm around Aang's shoulder. "Not bad airhead. They aren't exactly grizzled veterans but they will do."

Aang just nodded. "Yeah."

Kuzon chuckled. "Yeah who knew you had the ability to motivate so many. I thought my speeches were good."

Aang shook his head, smiled and raised a hand. "Kuzon please. I'm just following your example."

Later on that night

Aang was beginning to fall asleep when he heard a knock on the wall. He jumped out of bed with staff in hand, ready to defend himself if need be. He gasped in shock when he saw Lhasang standing in the makeshift doorway. "Lhasang."

The girl shyly smiled at him. "Um..hi. I'm sorry for showing up in your quarters so late." The girl then nervously smiled and looked as if she were about to lose her mettle. "I just need to talk to you about something..important. It…can't wait until tomorrow."

Aang nodded understandingly. "It's no problem at all. What is it you need?"

Lhasang rubbed at her arms nervously and averted Aang's eyes. "Well..I think it would be better if I just showed you."

Aang crossed his arms and shrugged. "Go ahead."

Lhasang let out a deep breath. "Right." She then started walking up to him and wrapped her his neck. The girl could feel her heart beat like crazy. "Okay..here goes." She then pressed her lips against his own and leaned in with all she could muster.

Aang was totally taken aback and was unsure what to do.

Lhasang then pulled away. "I..love you Aang. From the moment I first met you...I felt this closeness to you. If it hadn't been for you…the refugees and I would be dead in that prison. I saw how much torture you endured for our sakes. That was the bravest thing anyone has ever done for me."

Aang was lost for words. "Lhasang..I...don't know what to say."

The airbender girl looked him in the eyes and smiled. "You don't have to say anything. I'm not expecting you to say anything back. I just needed you to know in case the fortunes of this war drive us apart. Stay alive out there." The girl then turned on her heel and began walking out of the quarters.

Aang felt this new emotion burst inside him. It was the emotion of love. He felt his face heat up and his heart seize up. He felt how the words he wanted to speak seized in his throat. He watched as the airbending girl suddenly disappeared from view. Lhasang…

Hidden Air Temples

The next morning

Kuzon and Katara were just waking up out of the bed. Katara, clad in handmade blue robes, slowly pressed her lips against his. "Good morning sweetie. Time to wake up."

Kuzon let out a loud groan. "Katara..five more minutes..please."

The waterbender giggled and smirked. "Sorry sweetie. We have to wake up now. We'll miss Aang's speech."

Kuzon eyed her annoyingly and shook his head. "You are ridiculous."

Katara smiled. "And you are ruggedly handsome."

Kuzon sighed and blushed. "Alright. Fine. I'm getting up." He then stood up straight and rubbed at his eyes. "You are so lucky I love you. You know that right?"

Katara giggled and kissed him on the cheek. "Oh trust me. I know."

The two then heard a knocking on their bunk. They looked over the bed and saw Aang standing in the doorway.

Kuzon's expression immediately turned from annoyance to shock. "Aang..are you okay? You look..scared."

Aang slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. "Something..happened last night that has affected me a bit."

Katara nodded knowingly. "What is it?"

Aang sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Lhasang paid me a visit last night. She kissed me."

Katara's eyebrow raised a little. Her mouth formed into a small half-smile. "Awww Aang! That is wonderful!"

Kuzon nodded. "Indeed. Maybe you have found the one for you airhead."

Aang just nodded with an uneasy look in his eyes. "I'm not so sure…" The airbender's tone worried his friends.

Kuzon raised an eyebrow. "What is wrong Aang? Could you not say it back?"

Aang grit his teeth in frustration. "Agh. No. It..isn't that. She didn't ask for me to say it back. I'm just confused by how I feel. When she kissed me..I felt this warmth enter my heart and my nerves suddenly skyrocket. It was like that kiss sent me..somewhere else. I've been racking my brain trying to understand it."

Katara smiled warmly and rested a hand on Aang's shoulder. "There's nothing to figure out Aang. You..are in love with her. You want my advice? Go along with it. Work at the pace you both want."

Aang looked at her and nodded. "I don't know. A relationship at this time…I mean..that is hard to manage. We are fighting a war."

Katara smiled at him sadly and rested a hand over his. " That is exactly why you need someone. Everyone needs companionship to get through this war Aang. Everyone needs someone who has their side no matter what. That includes you."

Aang glanced over at her. "How do you and Kuzon manage?"

Katara sighed and wrapped herself around Kuzon's left arm. "We take what time we have together and make the best out of every moment. It is far from ideal but Kuzon and I are able to keep one another sane that way."

Aang nodded. "I see. I..need some time to think this over. Between the decision to join the war and the combat trials…I'm unsure what to think anymore." He then walked off without another word.

Katara called out after him. "We will be here if you need anything Aang."

She then glanced at Kuzon. "You think he'll do it."

Kuzon shook his head. "Only time will tell."

Later on that day.

Aang stood in front of everyone with a rather nervous look in his eyes. He looked around and spotted Lhasang in the crowd.

The airbender girl brightened up when she saw him.

Aang nervously smiled back. He then turned to the rest of them. "Alright. Now that everyone is here. The ceremony can begin." He then called up for the ceremonial helpers to come up. They were dressed in ceremonial robes and bowed in front of the master airbender. Aang then glanced over at the crowd. "You all have performed your duties admirably. You have endured great odds and kept the name of the Air Nomads alive during these turbulent times of war. I thank you."

A round of applause and cheers filled the air.

Aang then continued. "In my time..getting one's tattoos was a traditional ceremony one would obtain after many years of training and meditation. It was not an easy feat." He then cleared his throat. "I'm sure you are well aware of the threat the Fire Nation poses to the balance of the world. I regret to say this but our people can no longer afford to sit by the sidelines. We have to fight. We have to fight for our future. We have to fight for the world's future."

Another round of applause filled the small cave.

The master airbender then mentioned for Lhasang and Rigsang to come up to the podium. Aang then went to the table and picked up the rock and salt mortar and brought it over. "I don't know the entire recipe. The Elders never taught it to me but I picked up what I could."

The Hidden Air Temples, Earth Kingdom

A moment later.

Aang let out a sigh of relief as he finished the forehead arrow tattoo on the last refugee's forehead. Finally done. He then smiled. "You may go in peace brother."

The refugee airbender then gave the master airbender a nod and returned to his seat.

Aang then turned to the crowd once more. "You mall have now received the rite of a master. Congratulations to all of you."

All of the airbenders gave Aang a bow in respect.

Aang then turned to Lhasang and Rigsang with an expentant look on his face. "Monk Gyatso entrusted the Avatar's airbending training to me so I am afraid I cannot go further with you all. I'm leaving both Rigsang and Lhasang to run things while I am gone. You are safer here where the Fire Nation is less likely to attack. When this war..is over..I promise you all that I will return and we will endeavor to make this hollowed out temple our home. The Air Nomads will return to prominence once again."

All of the Nomads all bowed in honor.

Lhasang then bowed. "We will not fail you Aang. I promise you that."

Rigsang then bowed. "Sister Lhasang speaks the truth Master Aang. We will keep the future of the Nomads alive."

Aang then put both his hands on both their shoulders. "Thank you both. I appreciate your trust in me."

Lhasang blushed and smiled. "Of course Aang!" She then averted his eyes. I wonder what he is feeling right now. I hope I didn't scare him with that kiss.