When the Heart is Vulnerable

Aang was meditating to the sounds of one of the Kyoshi Warriors playing a hand-harp for Iroh's Musical program, at peace with the universe, and feeling the Energies of Life flow through him with every breath, when an angry Fire Lord stomped into the room, looked around, and testily exhaled a cloud of dark gray smoke.

Aang did his best to ignore Zuko.

The Firebender made a show of tromping out of the room, then clanging his way up and down the hallway. Whatever it was that he wanted, he obviously wasn't finding it.

Sometimes, Aang really considered hanging a sign around his neck that read, "Meditating. That means I'll talk to you later. Quiet please."

Zuko stomped back into Aang's room. A two-minute standoff ensued, which Aang ended by giving a truly epic sigh and opening his eyes. "What can I help you with, Zuko?"

The Fire Lord didn't even make an effort to look embarrassed. "Have you seen Mai?"

"Not all day. Toph said she saw her dragging a bathing tub to her room this morning."

Zuko actually blushed at that, for some reason. "Yeah, I saw her since then. I mean recently."

"Uh, nope."

"Like, maybe with some of the Yu Yan archers?"

"They were practicing in the bomb bay, on the opposite angle from Appa's pen, right?"

"Yes." Zuko's scowl intensified. "Mai dropped by to watch."

"O- kay."

"So they invited her to give it a try."

"O- kay."

"They were giving her lessons."

"Zuko, I really need a clue as to how I'm supposed to be reacting here,"

Zuko threw his hands into the air. "They were hitting on her! They were looking at her and touching her to make sure she was in a proper stance, and complimenting her aim, and all of them were paying attention to her! And she was all pleased, and said she could get to like archery. She was a bad as Ty Lee!"

Aang blinked. "What's wrong with Ty Lee?"

"She... oh, never mind. The point is, Mai was being flirtatious. With a bunch of war criminals who were working for my father a week ago. A week ago, those guys didn't even recognize my authority as Fire Lord; now I'm supposed to expect them to respect my engagement to Mai?"

Sometimes, the problems Aang faced called for the Wisdom and the Power of the Avatar. Rather than decreasing, as he had hoped when he took Ozai's bending away, those problems seemed to only be multiplying. Before, it had just been one nation trying to kill him and his friends (with scattered other enemies chipping in), but now, at least two nations were actively working to destroy him, and his friends were in more danger than ever. It was a trying time for the Avatar.

Sometimes, though, Aang found a problem that just required a little common sense from a thirteen-year-old monk. "Zuko, I really doubt that, even if the Yu Yan were excited to have a girl showing real interest in their work, Mai was actively flirting back. She was probably just enjoying trying something new, and being appreciated for her skills."

Zuko looked like he was having trouble swallowing a particularly chewy piece of jerky. "Yeah, maybe. I suppose. But I'd still like to know where they are."

Aang crossed his arms, and looked right into Zuko's eyes. "You really don't trust her?"

Zuko couldn't help but wilt under that gaze. "How could you say that? Of course I trust her! I just... don't trust the Yu Yan. What if they're just pretending to help us now?"

Aang didn't let up the glare one bit. "So you truly think the Yu Yan are going to... what, exactly? Hurt Mai in order to get you mad? Hold her hostage? If you think that, are any of us safe?" Finally, the Avatar relaxed and smiled at his friend. "Zuko, if you're feeling a little jealous, admitting it is the first step towards not letting it consume you."

"...you're right." The Fire Lord took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "Yes, I am a little jealous. It's... you and Katara are both Waterbenders. What Mai can do... is something I can't share."

Aang nodded. "I understand. But, you know, she isn't a Firebender, either." Aang leaned back, and his gaze unfocused. "All the Air Nomads were Airbenders, and we lived the same lifestyle, but because of that, we also celebrated our differences. I was afraid when I found out I was the Avatar, but that's because I saw divisions coming up between me and the people I loved. But only you and Mai together can make divisions like that happen. I chose to run away, in response to the way I was treated. You may think you're doing the opposite by acting possessive, but how do you think Mai will take that? It's not just our similarities that brought Katara and I together, it's that we decided to focus on them with each other, and I stopped trying to force it all."

Zuko could only stare at Aang agog. "And Katara is your first girlfriend? How did you get so wise? ...oh, Avatar."

"Don't worry, Sifu Hotman," Aang grinned. "You're catching on."

At this point, the sounds of the performing Kyoshi Warrior's harp faded. A new voice, a man, spoke through the announcement pipes. "Good evening. I am Zavung, of the Yu Yan Archers. I will be singing a piece called 'Woman of my Dreams" for your enjoyment. I would like to dedicate it to the generous Lady Katara, the graceful master Waterbender, who healed so many of us with her holy touch. Thank you, beautiful lady."

Zuko stared at Aang.

Aang stared at Zuko.

The Fire Lord and the Avatar, two teenaged friends, stared at each other in horror.

"I'm going to go find Katara," Aang said, standing up to leave.

"Let me know if you see Mai."

"Right."

To Be Continued...