12th of July

Fire Lord Taishi 25

Year of the Sun

Noon

I've never actually fought against another element before. For me it's always been fire with fire and I have to say I found the duel quite difficult as I kept having to remember not fight like I was fighting another airbender.

Their fighting style is very different. They most avoid your attacks and turn them against you.

Well at first I think Lee was trying to go easy on me.

I did my basic stances using mostly my arms to punch out flames but I found he dodged these easily. He was so fast I could barely see him.

We started getting serious when I used more lethal attacks. Instead of remaining still and punching out flames I jumped and kicked using my legs. Eventually he started re-directing them at me meaning I had to duck swiftly.

In the end I won. I traced his movements with fire whips and I burned the back of his feet as he prepared to jump. Luckily it was not serious.

Still I feel quite proud. I know Lee is not a master...and that it's a small accomplishment but It still gives me a sense of pride.

Anyway today so far has been very boring. Mielia is in her room for most of the time vomiting. The smell is unpleasent so I remind her to take baths or she'll scare away her maids.

For most of the time I mainly walk with Lee.

Of course it is unwise for us to be seen socialising too much. When we do talk Lee speaks mostly of his family and especially his mother.

From what I have learnt his mother names is Yuma and she was raised like most airbenders in the Eastern Air Temple by the nuns. When she left she travelled to Ba Sing Sei and met a Fire Nation merchant there. They fell in love and Yuma left the Air Temple and she and Lee's father went to live with her brothers family. There Lee was taught Airbending by his Uncle until his Uncle died and they had to move to Agni Ra.

He also tells me about the Air temples. He's been to all four! He says he has a special fondness for the Southern Air Temple but he says his heart will always lay in the Eastern Temple with the Nuns and bisions.

It sounds exciting. I almost envy Nomads for they may wonder where they will. Not bound to this world with no rank or place. Air is the element of freedom though...and however much I may envy it I will always be with fire. I will always remained bound to the flames of blue and white.

I joked with Lee about his defeat. He laughed and said that he didn't feel ashamed because he wasn't a master and I was. I had to correct him and tell him I hadn't officially mastered it.

He seemed surprised and told me he'd seen masters duel. He said my style was much like theirs.

I said he should master Airbending but he shook his head and confessed he bore no love for needles. After you master Air you must get Tattoos and he admited he was afraid to do so.

I must go now. Shinji is wishing for me to duel him.

This fight will be over quickly.

Four hours after noon

As I anticipated I defeated Shinji...however there is no denying he has improved vastly. His master is obviously a good one. I expect Shinji will be a master by the time he is seventeen.

I however had the unfortunate luck of bumping (and I mean literally) into Prince Sozin.

As I was leaving the training quaters he was entering. I crashed right into him...he...he...uh appereared to have misplaced his tunic.

He had no tunic or armour on. His chest was exposed.

I couldn't help but stare. Obviously I've seen my brothers exposed before but...another man is quite different...and the Prince is quite toned.

Anyway I bowed my head in apology and hurried on although I could feel his eyes burning me.

I'm surprised to see he isn't with Mayleen. She has been keeping quite quiet lately...I suspect either sickness or emotional problems.

I don't care though. Why should I care for some spoilt Princess?

Mielia was well enough to eat luncheon. A small salad but it was something. I usually eat a lot at meal times...I'm not like Kari who worries about her figure. I am not fat and nor am I skinny so I do not worry.

I must go now. I am going to have a nice long bath before Dinner with Mielia and Shinji.

For reference I imagine Maeko to share a few of Azula's characteristics. For instance if you noticed in the previous chapters when she got mad at Kari she used I extremely cold and composed voice like Azula.

She also looks a little like Azula. I imagine her to be the same height and build but with longer hair and not quite so sharp features.

She also has Zuko's temper though. Shinji is a little like Zuko.

Oh and Lee is quite tall but lightly built and his hair is messy black but his eyes are gold but they gleam grey.

Finally I'd like to thank all my reviewers and in particular Zapendits. I don't care if people flame me because I've had 28 out of 29 positive reviews so I'm not going to cry over one!