Author's note: artsyelric: sorry the chapters are coming out slower now - trombe's in charge of these next few chapters, and he writes much slower than me! not a bad thing, just true. but i'll keep him trucking by bugging him everyday, so those of you dying for us to post, i'm trying! thanks for your patience!
trombe: No comment here.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Freedom's Prodigal Son
Si Fu
"Welcome to your new home."
As the door swung open Jet found his eyes widening at the size of Huo's home. It was enormous. Practically five houses put together. Entering inside, he found himself walking into a quaint courtyard, complete with two moon peach trees that stood in the middle, their pink petals flowing freely from the wind, indicating fall's return.
The Runt beside him tugged at his sleeves. "Yeah… I know… wow…"
The older gentleman smiled as he walked in, twirling his cane in place.
"Fu Xi… Nu Wa… We have guests."
The sliding doors opened simultaneously as two figures clad in matching uniforms bowed.
"Welcome home, Si Fu Huo," they replied in unison.
A young man, whose brown hair was cut short, abruptly met Jet's gaze before returning his attention back to Huo. Jet blinked. He had stern, silver eyes. They were strong, but intriguing. Jet had never met someone with silver eyes before - he wondered if all silver eyes were that piercing.
"It is good you returned unharmed, Si Fu," he curtly replied, breaking eye contact with Jet.
That was the second time Jet heard the title Si Fu being addressed to Huo. Master of what? Jet wondered, translating to himself. The house?
"It's unfortunate that I'm the only one who is unharmed, Fu Xi. We were too late, as you had already predicted."
Fu Xi lowered his eyes for a second before bowing again. "I meant no disrespect Si Fu, I just-"
"No, my pupil. There is no need to apologize." Huo paused as he sighed. "There was wisdom in your words. A wiser man would have heeded them and listened." Huo smiled sadly. But after a moment the regretful expression faded, and he chuckled softly. "Too bad the man who stands before you is a fool."
"Are these…" The young woman's voice died out, leaving the question unfinished, as she carefully knelt beside Fu Xi and looked tenderly at both Jet and the Runt beside him.
Jet met her gaze and saw she had the same shocking eyes as the man, but hers were of molten silver. With her long, dark braid and eyes, she had the same face as Fu Xi, only hers was as gentle as his was strict. Apparently not everyone with silver eyes had the same fierce look, but her eyes had their own intrigue to them. Jet was bemused by the two look-alikes, so similar, and so different.
"Yes," Huo answered her unspoken question. "They're survivors of the village... the lasts sons of Grasshaven."
Both Fu Xi and the woman Jet assumed was Nu Wa looked at the boys with pity in their eyes.
Jet hated that. He hated being reminded of how he couldn't do anything to have made a difference. He couldn't stand how sorry they felt for him, and the distance that pity immediately created between them.
"Ahem..." Sensing the boy's annoyance Huo tapped his cane lightly on the ground.
"This young man here is Jet," Huo informed them, holding a strong hand over the boy's shoulder.
"And this is..." He hesitated, looking over at the Runt.
Jet nodded at his friend when he was sure Chizun wasn't going to answer. "He's called Runt," Jet declared, abandoning the boy's given name for the last time. "Or at least thats what I call him. He doesn't talk much."
The silver eyed woman smiled as she bowed to both of them. "Greetings young ones. My name is Nu Wa... and this-" she added, elbowing her harsher male version, "-rude young man here is my twin brother Fu Xi."
Fu Xi eyed the boys disinterestedly before nodding his head in respect.
"The children had a very long day Fu Xi," Huo stated calmly as he walked past the twins, tapping his cane once more on the ground to shake of the dirt that had gathered around its base. "Could you show them to the guest rooms? Or maybe somewhere more permanent... They are staying with us from now on."
"As you say Si Fu." Fu Xi bowed one last time before he signaled the boys to follow him.
A moment of hesitation took over Jet as he looked back at Huo. "It's alright Jet. Fu Xi only looks like he eats platypus-bears. He's quite harmless," the old man jested.
If Fu Xi was supposed to be offended by that comment it didn't show on his face.
Grudgingly, Jet followed the stern looking young man as he led them out of the courtyard. And where Jet went, the little Runt followed. For a while no one talked. Jet wasn't really sure what to say. At first he'd thought Fu Xi was just mad at Huo's words, but from what he observed, it seemed Fu Xi just liked to keep to himself. "I bet the two of you would get along swimmingly," Jet whispered to his tiny companion, but Runt only looked at him with complacent eyes, and Jet shrugged as he gave up trying to figure out the strange relationship between the two grown men.
They passed an open hall, and Jet felt his young, ever curious eyes drawn helplessly to what laid inside. What he saw was far more interesting than anything else he'd found around the house yet. Inside the hall all the walls were decorated with gleaming swords and weapons of all sizes. Racks with spears adorned with colorful feathers, blades shimmering in the afternoon light and casting reflections across the floor. Inscriptions in the old earth language were etched above the passageway.
"...whoa..." Jet gaped in typical eight-year-old fashion.
To his surprise, a small smile crept up on Fu Xi's face at Jet's comment. "Is it that surprising?" he inquired nonchalantly.
"What's surprising?"
"That." Fu Xi nodded in the direction where the open hall was. "The room your gawking at."
"It... it's just that I've never seen so many weapons before."
"Can you read, Master Jet?" Fu Xi asked with hidden meaning behind his words.
"...I can... my mom taught me." The last part still hurt a bit to say, but Jet wanted to remember everyone, and his mother teaching him to read was a proud memory for him.
"Then," Fu Xi concluded, "you should have read the sign outside near the gate. You've entered the home of Si Fu Huo Ghong Tao, the Jade Whirlwind," Fu Xi informed Jet proudly.
The very next day Jet woke to the sound of yells and grunts. At first he was alarmed at the thought that maybe the Fire Nation had decided to attack again. His mind shot back to the horrible morning what seemed ages ago, and he felt himself reach instinctively for Liu. He latched onto the warm body sharing his bed, but it was the Runt who stirred drearily beside him, and the room around him foreign. After a frightened moment, he finally remembered where he was, and calmed down when he realized no one was screaming, nor were bells ringing. There was no fire or ground shaking outside his window, just the wind, which blew coolly, like a breath gusting into the room, indicating neither threat nor alarm.
But there was definitely shouting. Controlled, measured grunts and responses drifted in, muffled by the wind.
Curious, Jet got out of bed and quickly looked for his sandals, not caring to fix his hair or wash his face.
The sound seemed to be coming from the great weapons hall he had discovered the other day. Slowly he peeked around the corner, amazed at the sight. Three neat, tight rows of young men and women moved as one, yelling out or grunting as they punched the air in front of them. They whirled around with breath taking speed ,jumped and then each executed a powerful kick. It was amazing, Jet could not believe it. The powerful bodies moved as one, with the sharpness of an attack, but such grace it was like a dance. They flowed from form to form in a mesmerizing manner Jet couldn't tear his eyes from. He was enchanted immediately.
Jet was so engrossed he failed to notice the one leading them in the martial dance. Huo stood at the very center, with cane in tow, and his arms held behind his back as he paced back and forth between the rows.
"Again!"
And they would thrust.
"Again!"
And they would swirl.
"Again!"
And they would jump.
Before Jet knew it his feet tapped to the rhythm of their kata.
"Pupils... I've told you before, but if you're sloppy forms are any example, it seems to need repeating. The martial artist does not strive for perfection without, but rather within. Every breathe, every step, every action is not wasted. It is through our fists that we search for our purpose, and through our breath that we seek control. To do this, one must find their inner peace, and project one's self upon the world. To find ourselves... and enlighten ourselves; that is what we strive for."
Jet wished he understood what Huo was saying. He knew all the words, but the meaning behind them was lost to him. Yet all people in the room looked intently at their master with fixed eyes or nodding heads.
Suddenly a growl of rage came upon the crowd. Jet's eyes turned with everyone else's as they followed the sound, tracing it to a very large brooding man. Jet gasped - his arms were as thick as tree trunks! And he was stomping his way towards the calm older man.
"Gah! I'm sick of this crap! Si Fu Huo... Ha! Don't make me laugh!" the man raged as he towered over Huo. Jet's hands anxiously gripped the wall as he watched the scene unfold. " I came to this school thinking you would be able to help me in my earthbending. But ever since I got here all we've done are these stupid drills! That, and listen to the rambles of an idiotic old man!"
No one spoke out against the giant. In fact, no one made a move, or acted at all alarmed. Jet looked at Huo, wondering if he was the only one who felt the tension, and realized the master looked like he had barely payed attention.
"Ah... Gao-long... Impatient as always." Huo shook his head slowly in disappointment. "Did none of my words reach you?"
Gao-long stomped fiercely, a move that shook the room. "How could anyone understand that garbage you old fool! It doesn't make sense!"
"Perhaps I can help clarify the way for you then," Huo offered calmly.
"What you can do is teach me to become stronger." Huo made no move to respond to this demand, and the man huffed angrily. "I see now I'm just wasting my time. The Jade whirlwind... what a joke. I bet you only used that to attract pupils to this dump."
Jet noticed a slight gleam in Huo's eyes. "So, it's strength you want, is it? Maybe you could demonstrate for me this... strength of yours."
"Is that a challenge?" Now it was Gao-long's turn to laugh. "Don't be stupid! You yourself cannot bend. What chance do you have, old as you are against an earthbender?"
"You think being a bender automatically favors you as the better fighter?" Huo asked earnestly.
"Hahaha! With the power of earth at my command... I would crush you where you stand," Gao-long sneered through his teeth.
Huo tapped his cane lightly on the ground before looking Gao-long deep in the eye. "A bet then," he stated. "If you can defeat me Gao-Long, I will teach you all I know."
The rest of the pupils murmured quietly amongst themselves. Jet leaned towards them intently, wondering what they were saying.
"But," Huo continued, "if I win... you will never earthbend again, as long as you live."
Gao-long started at Huo for a moment, carefully measuring his words. "...You've got a deal old man."
Huo smiled and walked off, indicating for the challenger to follow. Gao-Long followed close behind. The rest of Huo's class scrambled to watch the event. Jet barely had time to get out of their way.
Determined not to miss anything this exciting, Jet followed behind the students as they migrated to the rock garden. A circle of people formed around the Master and his towering pupil.
"I'm going to enjoy pummeling that smug face." Gao-long cracked his knuckles with a crisp, loud sound.
"You can go ahead and try... my poorly misguided pupil," Huo baited, his grip shifting on his cane.
Jet hadn't imagine the giant man to be very patient, and he was pleased to see he was right. In true fashion, Gao-Long took Huo's bait without hesitation. Two fists came crashing down towards their master's lighter frame, like twin pinnacles of hard earth seeking to subdue him. But the falling fists found only air. Jet blinked. He hadn't even noticed the old man move. Quickly he looked around, spotting the old man had spun to the side with minimal effort, easily keeping his cool demeanor. No strand of his now graying hair was misplaced. It was if the wind hadn't even touched him.
Angrily Gao-Long side-stepped and commanded a sizable boulder to rise in the air, kicking it with might only an earthbender could muster. The rather large slice of granite flew with blinding speed. In that frozen moment, Jet for sure knew there was no way to avoid it. As the onlooking boy braced himself for the coming blow, he noticed Huo was as relaxed as ever. Jet couldn't understand the man's lack of concern - everything in the boy wanted to yell a warning to his new found friend.
But the moment passed, and the rock slammed into Huo. Jet gasped as it exploded into tiny harmless pebbles, a dust cloud swirling to cover the spot where Huo should be. The wind rose again, gently sweeping away the debris. Jet was scared to look, but found it impossible to look away. The dust cleared. Jet's felt his mouth drop. To everyone's surprise, it revealed Huo, with a single fist raised straight before him. His left hand held his cane calmly behind him as his knees bent in a horse stance.
A slow smile crept up the elderly man's face. "A single rock," he drawled, "is a piece of the powerful earth. Strong it may be... but find that one single crack, and see how easily it breaks."
Gao-long snorted, enraged, and was quick to re-assume the offensive. He tossed rock and earth, one after the other, at a blinding pace. Yet to no avail. Huo moved too quickly, his body flowing gracefully as the rocks barreled past. Before Gao-long even knew he was losing, the old master had broken into his circle. With an open palm, Huo's right hand shot out like a cannon, smashing directly into the burly chest of the colossal man. The force of his blow was strong enough to send the man flying backwards three feet before he tumbled to the ground.
"This is over Gao-long. You have lost."
"No!"
Gao-long stumbled back up awkwardly. He raced towards the master, and with three quick strides he jumped, landing fiercely, his right foot planted firmly in the ground. Three stones flew up in response. With a closed fist, he thrusted straight out, willing the stones to hurl themselves at Huo. The first Huo merely jumped over, the second missed him completely, and the third he caught by hook of his cane. Twirling around he redirected the stone back to its wielder, where it connected painfully with Gao-long's unguarded stomach. It exploded with a sickening crunch, sending the man fumbling to his knees, where he collapsed, groaning in pain.
Huo dropped the tip of his cane back to the ground, clearly taking Gao-long's collapse as a sign of victory. Cheers rose all around as the students celebrated their master's triumph. Even Jet found himself joining it.
"No... No... no... How could I lose?" Gao-long murmured in defeat as Huo walked over the fallen bender.
"You made a bargain Gao-long," Huo reminded him. "A promise is a promise... there will be no more bending for you."
The defeated giant's face seemed to be in agony, and not from his wounds. "But... but... how would I live? H-H-How will I surive?"
Huo's looked at the man with truth in his eyes. "How blinded you are Gao-long," he sighed, then abruptly turned his back on the defeated bender. "A man who relies solely upon his strength is not a man at all," he declared, clearly done with the whole experience.
So it was with that advice that he left his students, looking as if he wished the disgraced earthbender would ponder those words. Perhaps, with time, he would come to understand them.
Jet's eyes gleamed with excitement. Never had he seen something so exciting. He had never known Huo was so skillful! He had defeated a stronger, larger man then himself. Plus, he was a bender! And Huo had even come out without a scratch. It was just unbelievable.
"I see you were watching Jet," Huo's voice spoke suddenly behind him.
Jet's turned quickly, his eyes shooting up with anticipation. "I was just...um,Yeah. I thought you were great Hu- I mean, Si Fu Huo..." Then and there Jet realized why everyone in the household addressed Huo as the Master.
Meeting the older man's calm gaze with his own, Huo surprised him with a remarkable question that would change his life forever.
"The morning is still early... Would you like to join us and learn something, young one?"