Chp 2 Taming the Beast

"Firebending is obviously the opposite of waterbending. Fire is the most aggressive of the four elements. Therefore, the user has to master fire. The beast will always test the master when the master falters. Never let the beast bite the hand of the master. If the master loses control then the fire will dominate. Fire originates from your body heat. To control fire, you must be able to control your breath. The key to firebending is in the breath," Zuko paused. Aang was standing still. He was focused on Zuko's lecture. Zuko decided that praise was in order.

"Aang," Zuko said as he smiled," You're-"

Zuko stopped talking. Aang's face had faltered from deep concentration to shock and then fear. Zuko frowned. "What is it?"

"Y-y-you smiled!"

"What of it?" Zuko snapped

"It was scary. You looked like you murdered someone."

Zuko's golden eyes glowered. Is my smile that hideous? Mai didn't think so. Agh, dangerous thought. Not while I'm teaching the Avatar. Too late. The damage was done. He was in a sulking mood now. "Your lesson is over now. Come back here after lunch."

Aang's eyes widened with perception. Apparently, he had hit a nerve. He bowed to Zuko in apology. It was the Fire Nation bow that he had learned from school. "Sorry, sifu Hotman," he said sincerely.

Zuko inclined his head slightly to accept the apology.

Aang turned to leave. "Oh, Aang."

"Yes, sifu Zuko?"

"Never say hotman ever again. Please."

"Uh, Ok, sifu Zuko." Aang left Zuko by the cliff to practice waterbending and earthbending.

Zuko's eyes appeared to study the horizon, but his mind was elsewhere. Would Mai forgive him? Would Uncle forgive him? He tore his eyes off the sky. He wouldn't think about that know. Not until the war was over.

To get his mind elsewhere, he started to train his firebending skills. His mind drilled every stance, position, and breath. He could feel the flames tickle his knuckles before completely releasing it. His mind coached him. He paused in a mid-air kick. The flame that shot out went too far and fell on some grass. Unfortunately, firebenders were never meant to pause in mid-air like airbenders could, so he, naturally, fell on his bottom. The voice that coached him was his Uncle's voice.

Zuko's head snapped around as he heard a giggling girl. Said girl then burst out laughing. His eyes narrowed at her. That blind girl is on my nerves. Toph wiped the corner of her eye. "That was too funny."

Zuko scowled at the girl, which was pointless since she was blind, and got up. After dusting off his backside thoroughly, he turned to leave. It was close to lunch time, but he didn't really care about eating.

The old man gazed back at his ally. "You've lost some weight, old friend."

The old man sighed. "All good things must come to an end," he said with a grave tone.

"You're here to attend the meeting I presume?"

"Yes."

"May I know what you're going to bring to the table?"

"No, not here." The eldest of the two glanced around the tavern suspiciously.

"Very well, how about a game of Pi Sho?"

The old man gave a hearty laugh. "I would be delighted to play with you."

"This time, old man, I'll win."

"We'll see. We'll see."

Aang rushed through the halls of the eastern air temple. He ran toward Katara. "I'm looking for Zuko. Do you know where he is?"

Katara chuckled. "The tides have turned for Zuko. He's now being hunted down by the Avatar."

Aang rolled his eyes in good nature. "So you know where he is?"

"Yeah, he's in his room."

Aang slammed the door open. "Zuko!"

Zuko jumped awake. "Mom?"

Aang looked at Zuko oddly for a moment. Aang mentally shrugged his shoulders. He had more important things to do, such as learning firebending.

"Zuko, it's been an hour after lunch. You never showed up!"

"Sorry, Aang. I didn't get much sleep last night. Here, let's meditate."

Zuko stood and got his bag out. He set three candles out in the same place as last time.

"Get into a comfortable position. Keep your back straight," Zuko coached. He was impressed as Aang went into the position immediately.

"I've meditated before," Aang said lightly.

"Good, then this is review. Focus on your breathing. Counting the number of breaths helps. "

"They died? How hard is this procedure on the subjects?"

"Princess, modif-"

"How hard is this process on their bodies?"

"Sometimes fatal, but it is possible. We've only used this procedure to put people in a submissive state of mind."

"Get it done right this time. I don't have that many prisoners."

"Yes, princess."

"Oh, and the next time you fail me, It'll be your life. Don't disappoint me."

The Di Li agent left in a hurry. Ty Lee giggled at the flustered man. "That was funny, Azula. Did you see him? He almost peed in his pants, Mai."

Mai smiled softly at Ty Lee. "Yes, I did."

"Nay" replied three men.

"All of those in favor of my plan?"

"I" said four men.

Iroh gave a soft smile.

"You're ready for some the basic steps."

Aang looked down. Basic steps would probably include shooting fire.

"You Ok, Aang?"

Aang put on a fake happy smile.

"Yeah, everything's Ok! I'm fine."

Zuko frowned. "Aang, what's the problem? Don't lie to me. I'll know."

Aang shifted uncomfortably. "It's just that, the last time I bended fire, I burned someone."

Zuko shook his head in understanding. "Where was the master when it happened?"

"He wasn't there."

"Well, now this is different. I'll be able to handle anything you throw. Besides, we're going through the forms and stances. Then, I'll teach you how to make and control fire."

"Ok."

The two boys(A/N: Does Zuko even fit into that category anymore?) trekked down the mountain carrying nothing. Zuko carried the tent that the two would share if it rained. The sky was clear, and there was not a chance that it would rain. He remembered the storm that had caught the ship on a clear day. Better safe than sorry. Aang had insisted on taking Appa down, but Zuko said that the walk would build stamina. When the two reached level ground, Aang decided to ask the question that had been bothering him.

"Why did we leave the temple?"

"I noticed that the higher we are, the less fire I can bend."

"Yeah, ok, I see."

"Alright, let's get started."

Sokka looked at his plans. He was standing at a table looking at his ultimate plan. He knew that the team had to attack at night. He had calculated when the next full moon would last night. It was in three days. He laughed softly to himself. He remembered Hama the Bloodbender. Katara could do it too, he mused. His head snapped up. She could bloodbend on a full moon. She wouldn't do it. He remembered the last time she had done it. She had cried for quiet awhile. He sighed. Katara would only do it, if someone was in danger. He gasped out loud, only to be interrupted by laughter. His only response was to leap down and yell 'Agh!'

"Ya know what? It's funny to see you have little epiphanies. It's even more fun to scare you."

"Toph," Sokka whined," Leave me alone with my plans!"

Toph left immediately. Sokka could pull off a pout when he wanted to. Not that she could see his face, but rather, heard it in his voice.

Sokka could hear Toph giggle down the hallway randomly. If she told anyone-

"Hey, Sokka, do you know where Katara is?" Teo asked

"Probably spying on Zuko, or maybe she's training."

"Well, you do know that Zuko left with Aang down the mountain a moment ago, right?"

"What?!"

Teo backed away from the door as Sokka came out ranting about how stupid Aang was for trusting that spoiled prince along with some profane words.

Toph started to yell," And I can't come why?"

"'Cause, someone has to manage everyone else."

Haru looked insulted. "I'm the oldest."

"Oh, yeah, that you are. You know what Toph, you can come earthbend me down, since Katara took Appa."

"Now I'm a pack mule?"

"Take one for the team, Toph."

Aang was preforming the form Zuko had shown him. Zuko watched with a sad look of remembrance.

Azula had gotten that form right away, like she did everything. Their teacher praised her for her natural talent, and asked Zuko to try again. Zuko did and failed. He looked at the teacher for help, but she was busy teaching Azula another technique. His younger sister was gifted, no she was born lucky. A child prodigy by the time she was two. He looked at Aang, who was ending the seventh basic form that Zuko had shown him.

"That's good Aang," Zuko said," Let's get some fire, now. What do you remember from this morning?"

"Fire comes from the breath?"

"Not exactly from the breath. Fire comes from our body heat and is controlled with the breath. Here," Zuko said. He held out his hand as if he was going to high five Aang.

Aang touched Zuko's hand and felt the heat that radiated from his body. "I see."

"Good, now hold out your hand palm facing up. Focus your chi to your palm. Heat it internally by building up your chi. Not too much, or it'll shoot out into your face," Zuko instructed. He sighed in frustration. He could feel eyes on him, again. He would have to tolerate it for now.

Aang was able to produce a flame on his first try. It was a small flame because his confidence in firebending was slowly building up. Zuko let a small proud smile slip. It disappeared as he remember how creepy Aang thought his smile was.

"Just breathe with it, Aang," Zuko said. He heard the slight rustling of leaves.

After an hour had passed, Zuko decided that the Avatar had gotten the hang of it. He glared at the bushes, where three people were hiding. "Hey, Aang, let's do the first form with fire. I'll show you how, Ok?"

Zuko got into the middle of the clearing. He went through the basic form with firebending. He executed it perfectly, and went up to Aang. "Do it," he commanded.

Aang stepped toward the center and started to do the form. He jumped and kicked out flames, when he needed to. He punched out a few flames. Zuko moved toward the bushes where the trio of spies hid. He was a barrier that blocked their view of Aang and blocked the flames that came toward the bush.

Aang finished the form. He grinned widely at Zuko and bowed. It was his regular bow. "Thank you, sifu Zuko," Aang said with a smile on his face. Zuko nodded his head toward Aang's direction.

"He's safe. Do you want to take us up now?" he asked calmly. He was irritated at the three. They had a good reason to spy on him.

Sokka jumped out of the bush. "How'd you know where we were?"

Katara came out of the bush sheepishly. Toph jumped up and smiled at Aang before giving him a high five. Zuko started to pick up the unset tent. Sokka saw that he wasn't going to get an answer and started to head toward Appa. Katara looked at Zuko. Zuko walked toward her before stopping.

"Am I allowed to talk to Aang, your brother, and yourself now?" Zuko asked.

Katara sighed. "Yeah, sure," she said in defeat.

"Good," Zuko said,"I'll talk to you at the cliff at sunset. Bring your brother."

The five people flew back to the tip of the mountain. The ride back was quiet. Zuko lay his head on the rim of the saddle. He was tired. He cursed insomnia. Before he knew it, the bison had landed. He sighed. At sunset, he would have to explain himself. As to why he had come and answer other questions the three would throw at him.

He landed softly on the ground. The four other passengers went to the dining hall. He followed after them.

Haru, The Duke, and Teo had the table set. The table had an assortment of fruit in various bowls. Zuko sat near Aang and Teo. He bit into a peach. The others were conversing with each other comfortably. The blind girl was silent, but she was comfortable with the casual conversation. Zuko felt that the water tribe siblings were tense with him around. Haru and Teo virtually ignored him. Aang was Aang, and The Duke had left to take care of nature's call.

Zuko left the table silently. He took his time getting to the cliff. The others were finishing off their supper, so he would be early. He lay down on the hard temple grounds and slowly he lost all train of thought.

Mai lay in her bed. She missed Zuko. She was also mad at him. That's completely unfair of him to ask me that. She meditated on the letter Zuko had left her. She was capable of doing it, but did she really want to? She loved Zuko, but could she still love him after what he did?

Her mind idly wandered toward the newest prisoner. The prisoner was a waterbending girl who hadn't done anything wrong. She was Azula's pet. Azula wanted to have fun with the other prisoners, but the princess' plan would be useless without them. Azula had sighed and ordered a commander to take his fleet and search for a 'rag doll'. Mai remembered Azula's orders. "This toy has to be strong. It can break easily. I want it to be pretty." Mai shuddered with pity for the poor girl, who looked only 13 years old.

Zuko looked at the person standing over him.

"Zuko?" Aang asked. He was concerned over his new friend. Zuko was just staring off into space.

"Yeah?" He mentally berated himself for not noticing another presence.

"You were staring off into space. You had me worried there," Aang said lightly.

"Where are the others?"

"They're coming."

Zuko nodded. He could wait for awhile.