AN: Have you noticed that, besides Katara, Zula (who we haven't really seen), & some water healers, there are no female benders? Makes you wonder… Anyways, if you couldn't tell, here's the next chapter. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Ummm, it's late and I'm too tired to think of anything witty so, no, I don't own Avatar. I also don't own the song (poem) that Iroh sings. It's an ancient Chinese lyric poem written between 1000 BCE & 600 BCE called Boat of Cypress. Thank you classical lit class.
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Zuko met up with his men at the assigned area. "Report. Anybody hurt?"
Lt. Jee stepped forward. "Two men unconscious, sir. That is all."
Zuko nodded. "Good. How did the Avatar fair?"
Jee gestured to one of the men behind him and he came forward. "Very well sir, though he never really took on more than two of us at a time. He kept us separated by using air and water. His airbending is superior but his water is still a little weak."
Zuko thought back to Katara. "He has a master for that so he will get stronger. What about the boy?"
"He did well, my lord. Not exactly up to Fire Nation standards but much improved since we first met him." Zuko noticed the pride in Jee's voice and looked at him questioningly. "The boy is around my son's age, sire."
Zuko nodded, finally understanding some of Jee's protectiveness and his confidence in him. I must remind him of his son.
"If we double up, can those two men travel?" He indicated the unconscious men and received confirmation from Jee. "Then do it. We'll let their mounts trail behind. We need to meet up with the ship as soon as possible. Let's move out." There was a flurry of activity and the firebenders were gone as quickly as they came.
It wasn't long before they reached the ship. Iroh was there to greet them. He took one look at the men and ordered them all to sickbay for their minor bumps and scrapes then for food and rest. "So, nephew, how did it go?"
"It went fine, uncle." They both stood at the bow of the ship, looking out onto the ocean.
Iroh turned to look at his nephew. "You know that they will realize what you are doing, don't you? Why don't you just join up with them?"
Zuko let out a sigh but kept his eyes on the water. "I know. They're not stupid, at least, not all of them. They'll realize what we're doing soon enough but I don't think they'll accept it right away. Their minds won't let them. Besides, I'm not ready for things to change too much. There's been too much change already."
"Very well, nephew. I understand. So… how did the girl do?" Zuko's hands gripped the rail tightly and he fought down a blush but he remained silent. Iroh chuckled. "So she won, huh?"
"She did not!" Zuko whirled on his smiling relative.
"Come nephew, she's a very capable fighter so there's nothing to be ashamed of. In my youth, I would have liked to have a beautiful young woman best me."
Zuko looked horrified. "That wasn't something I needed or wanted to know, uncle. Besides, I won the rematch, not her."
"Not before she got in a few hits herself, I see." He indicated the slice across Zuko's arm.
"It's nothing, only a scratch."
"Well, scratch or no, you should get that checked. And, afterwards, we will celebrate a job well done. Music night!" Iroh started below deck followed by Zuko's heartfelt groan. "And I suggest you attend, Prince Zuko."
Later that night, the men gathered around the fire. Zuko leaned against the hull as far away from the group as he could and still be considered there. The sounds of instruments warming up created a discordant jangle of notes and then they fell silent. The silence was so think that Zuko could hear the beat of his heart. Then, Iroh's voice filled the void.
The boat of cypress drifts along,
it drifts upon the stream.
Restless am I, I cannot sleep,
as though in torment and troubled.
Nor am I lacking wine
to ease my mind and let me roam.
This heart of mine is no mirror,
it cannot take in all.
Yes, I do have brothers,
but brothers will not be my stay.
I went and told them of my grief
and met only with their rage.
This heart of mine is no stone;
you cannot turn it where you will.
This heart of mine is no mat;
I cannot roll it up within.
I have behaved with dignity,
in this no man can fault me.
My heart is uneasy and restless,
I am reproached by little men.
Many are the woes I've met,
and taken slights more then a few.
I think on it in the quiet,
and waking pound my breast.
Oh Sun! and you Moon!
Why do you each grow dim in turn?
These troubles of the heart
are like unwashed clothes.
I think on it in the quiet,
I cannot spread wings to fly away.
Zuko sighed. A sad song, a song about a woman who loses control of her life. Who is forced to do things against her will, against her own heart. I was like that once. Never again. Never again will I allow myself to be used. I refuse to. The music continued on for the rest of the night.
O.o.o.o.o.O
"Sokka, I swear, if you say that one more time…" It was early morning and the group had just finished breakfast.
Aang glanced to Sokka and whispered, "I really think you should drop it."
"Why? I just think it's funny that she could beat him in two seconds at the North Pole, but she lost here." He turned to Katara. "So, what happened? How could you lose to that guy? Aren't you supposed to be a Waterbending Master? You know, Katara, if you need my protection – Mmph!" He fell back, grasping at his mouth.
She had frozen his mouth shut with a handful of water. She stormed angrily out of camp, shouting back over her shoulder. "I'll unfreeze it when you can learn to shut up. And don't help him Aang."
Aang followed her with his eyes until she disappeared from sight. He sighed and walked over to Sokka. "I told you to drop it." Sokka gestured to his mouth but Aang shook his head. "Sorry, but there's no way I'm gonna do something to make her mad at me. Especially with the mood she's in. I wonder what's wrong."
A short while later, Katara returned. Without a word, she waved her hand and the ice fell from Sokka's face. Both boys threw a glance her way and saw the waves of anger flowing off of her. They gulped and Sokka shoved Aang forward. He had the least chance of getting killed. "What's wrong, Katara?"
"Nothing. Let's just get going." She grabbed their packs and threw them on Appa. The boys worked quickly, keeping as much distance from her as possible. Soon they were on Appa's back and flying over the land.
Katara sank against the saddle with a sigh. Sokka's right. How could I let him beat me? I thought I'd gotten better then that. She looked over the side of the saddle to see the ocean underneath and a thought occurred to her. Since Aang will be busy, I can train non-stop. Maybe Sokka will be my sparing dummy?
A giggle reached the ears of the two boys. Sokka just shook his head. "She's nuts."
O.o.o.o.o.O
The three leaned over Appa to look at the island below. "So that's Midori, huh?" Sokka looked less then impressed. The island was rather small, tiny in fact. A few homes dotted the area near the shore with a few fields further inland. "Where are we supposed to find the Earthbending Master?"
"How about there?" They followed her pointed finger to a larger house set in the center of the island, removed from the rest of the village. Next to the building was a glade with a pond and a large bare area, cleared of grass and trees. "Land there."
Appa circled lower and came down before the doorway and the lone figure standing there. A young woman approached them, her long red hair up in a braid. The trio jumped off Appa and went up to her. Aang bowed respectfully. She returned the gesture and smiled broadly. "Welcome, Avatar and companions, to Midori Island."
Katara and Sokka stepped back and let Aang handle the meeting. He was the one who needed to make a good impression. "Thank you. But how did you know who I was?"
"Well, there are not too many young men running around with a tattoo on his head and a ten ton bison for a companion. That, plus King Bumi sent word of your coming by a messenger bird as soon as you'd agreed. But come; let us go inside to talk." They followed her into a large room where various snacks were laid out. "Please, be seated."
Sokka began picking at the food, Katara wandered around the room and Aang just looked puzzled. "When are we meeting Master Ishi?"
"You just met her. I'm Ishi." Three pairs of eyes locked on the twenty year old woman in front of them.
"But, you're too young to be a master." Aang stammered.
She arched an eyebrow. "You're the Avatar and yet you're much younger than I am. It doesn't matter your age. What matters is how much you dedicate yourself to learning. Your friend there is a Water Master, I understand. Do you think less of her because of her age?" He shook his head. "I didn't think so. Trust me, I can teach you as well as any. King Bumi taught my father and my father taught me, so you're in good hands."
Aang gave her a lopsided grin. "So, when do we start?"
"I think tomorrow's soon enough. That will give you three time to settle down and familiarize yourselves with the island. You and I will practice in the field right outside the house. Sokka, there are young men in the village you can train and talk with. Katara, there are plenty of women your age there as well. Though, if you'd rather train, there is the water on the property and it's only a few minutes walk to the ocean."
"I'd rather train, thank you." Simple words, but they were spoken with such fierce determination that Ishi looked surprised.
"You're welcome to so what you like as long as you don't cause trouble. Let me show you to your rooms." She led them to three rooms in close proximity of each other and left them to their own devices.
Katara flopped down on her bed, playing the confrontation with Zuko over in her mind for the thousandth time that day. His words sounded in her ears, "Your bending still needs work… I'll be back when you're better." How dare he? That arrogant, annoying jerk. His eyes flashed in her mind and her heart beat increased. There was something in them, something that was never there before. What was it?
She let out a frustrated sound and rolled over on her stomach. "What is wrong with me?" Slowly she drifted off, a pair of golden eyes haunting her dreams.
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AN: When I was writing the scene between Zuko and Iroh I wanted to write, "It's just a flesh wound." But I thought it was too Monty Python so I stopped myself. Well, I hoped you liked it. Review please. I'll love you if you do. Till next time, TTFN.