Book 5 Water
Chapter 3 Flowing Breeze
Soaring into a misty haze pass the clouds the flying bison roared out at the sight of the mountain range coming into view. Aang smiled as Toph gasped in awe of the high, steep peaks with angular edges reaching out into the skies. As Appa zigzagged passed the peaks and entered into a clearing, Toph gasped again at the scene below. A high tower was seen deep in the mountain crevasse surrounded by smaller buildings and a large arena along the cliff side.
It was breath-taking to the earthbender as Appa flew closer to the entrance landing strip laid out along the stone wall. As Aang leaped off the bison then helped Toph out, the airbender turned and smiled proudly as he spoke to himself. "The Southern Air Jongmu Temple…" Aang said as he turned and slowly walked up to a statue of a high ranked monk.
Bowing respectfully Aang spoke a low pray to his mentor. Toph watched courteously at the statue as she stood behind Aang admiring and regarding deeply to Aang's devotion to his mentor and people.
'It must be hard to come back after all these years…' Toph thought as she took a step forward and gently placed her hand softly on the boy's shoulder. Aang opened his eyes and turned to the earthbender.
Toph was reasonably shorter than Aang ever since he hit his growth sprout three years back. But the strong female always stood tall even if the moment felt slightly depressing. Aang smiled with an expression of sadness in his masculine features. The once pre teen airbender was older now with a more defined image of becoming a man. Still he shaves his head and wears his traditional robes; he was after all an airbender much more the Avatar.
But even after all these years of training and had fought in the war, Aang still carried a sense of child-like innocence in his deep gray eyes. One of which Toph envied and admired as she looked up at him deeply.
Aang narrowed his eyes briefly before leaning in and kissing her on the top of her forehead. Toph closed her eyes and blushed as he pulled away.
"Thank you…" Aang said lightly as he pulled away further. His chest still stung with hurt from the loss of his people. Turning back Aang looked up at the tower, the young man sighed as memories of his youth flooded into his mind.
Toph lowered her head, unsure what the airbender meant of his words as she noticed his shoulders slouching and disheartened appearance. Thinning her lips, Toph thought of something that might cheer up the down young man. Then she turned her head and smiled.
"Hey Twinkle-Toes, why not showin' me some cool places you know. This is after all a mini vacation! Where's all the fun?!" Toph exclaimed as she hit the airbender hard on the back in an affectionate and bold matter.
Aang staggered forward as he caught his footing before calling out in surprise. Turning his head and looking at the smiling girl. Aang's lips curved slightly, "Oh right…Well then, let me think…" the airbender said as he paused for a moment before speaking again.
"There's the Pai Sho room, oh and the Air Temple Sanctuary!" Aang said as his face lit up.
Toph smiled warmly as she laughed out grabbing the airbender's hand. "Come on! Let's check it out!" Toph cheered as the two teens ran into the temple as the sight of small deciduous trees were seen swaying in the wind.
The sun beamed down on the open beach as a woman carefully plucked ripe gray yam-like fruits off an ashen bark tree buried deep in the roots. Taking the last batch out, the woman bent down and placed the produce neatly in a pile. As she straighten up and wiped the sweat from her brow, a voice called out.
"Aeron!" a masculine yet soft voice spoke out as the woman turned to see Cole.
"What is it?" Aeron asked as she walked over to her boyfriend.
"I just received news that the Fire Lord has approved of our deed!" Cole said as he waved his arms holding a scroll in his right hand shaking it wildly.
Aeron gasped out before smiling brightly, "So then…That means…" Aeron said in shock as Cole spoke out.
"Our village will be rebuilt in the name of the Fire Lord! We'll have our home back!" Cole said finishing Aeron's words as she cried out happily as she jumped up hugging Cole.
The young man laughed as he spun the girl around.
The two villagers of the Shin-Ko Clan lost their home in a raid during a civil war against the Fire Nation, their own people. They were the only survivors who would able to escape.
After the war along with the their life-long journey of self-awareness, redemption and making new friends six years ago, Aeron and Cole finally settled down on their homeland. Hing Wa Island, in an old small shed on the beach coast that managed to survive the brutal attack years before.
Of course the run down shack was still in poor condition; the couple was able to live there for five whole years. Until at last, they've received the news when someone could help them rebuild their village back to her former glory and they came restart their lives once again.
The sight of sea gulls flying over head the couple and shoreline was seen as a strong breeze caught in the drift.
Walking through the bamboo forest, the warrior carefully made his way into the clearing where he met in front of the tall statue of Avatar Kyoshi.
As Sokka stepped out further from the bamboo bush he was greeted by the villagers along with his sweetheart Suki who was heavily pregnant.
The couple hugged and kissed deeply as a group of the village children cheered for the return of the Water tribesman. Sokka smiled tenderly as the Kyoshian leader welcomed him with warm arms.
"Welcome back, Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe." Oyaji said as Sokka bowed deeply. "It is good to be back, Chief Oyaji." Sokka said with respect as the man patted Sokka on the back.
"Come now, let us feast!" Oyaji said as the three entered into the village with the children tagging and racing along happily.
The scene of the Fire Nation Palace came into view as the sight of the royal garden was seen with a small child sitting under a withered willow tree. A tall man stepped forth to the child's side as he sat down slowly.
The son and father remained quiet as a cool breeze flowed pass them. Zuko then broke the silence as he closed his eyes.
"I understand how it must feel for you, my son." Zuko said as he spoke with wisdom and understanding.
Kuzon hugged his legs up as he rested his chin on his knees. "How can you? You're a firebender…" Kuzon said as Zuko smiled lightly.
"Yes, I am…But when I was your age. I too, had trouble mastering my element. Your aunt Azula was always better than me. She even was gifted with the power to produce blue fire and lightening." Zuko said as his son's eyes lit up in awe as he looked at his father with disbelief.
"No way…" Kuzon said as his father chuckled lightly.
"Yes, it's true." Zuko said as the six year old boy thought to himself.
'Auntie Azula could make the cold-blooded fire?!' Kuzon thought as he remembered Uncle Iroh tell him in one of his famous stories of the blue dragon hence Azula.
"I was always behind on everything I did. I used to think I had to be better, that I had to prove myself in order to gain everyone's love." Zuko said as his son lowered his head.
"But, it doesn't have to be that way, Kuzon…" Zuko said as he looked down at his child.
"Never forget who you are…Take pride in what you are Kuzon. You are unique and special in so many ways and I love you for that." Zuko said as he wrapped his arm over his son's shoulder and held his close.
Kuzon closed his eyes and sighed, "But what if they make fun of me?" Kuzon asked as Zuko smiled.
"Well, you'll just have to teach them a lesson. Try soaking them and we'll see who gets that last laugh." Zuko said as he wiggled his fingers tickling the boy in his hold. Kuzon laughed out as he tried to pull away.
"Haha! Dad! Haha!" Kuzon laughed out as he squirmed. "Stop it!" the young boy cried out as
Zuko finally stopped as he chuckled smiling down at his son.
Kuzon then looked at him and smiled before suddenly standing up with a new found confidence. "You're right!" Kuzon cheered as he held his small fist into the air. "I'll show them all! I'll be the best bender in the whole world!" Kuzon shouted with deternation as Zuko smiled as he eased back.
"I'm sure you will, my son…" Zuko said as he then stood up and placed his hand on the boy's head.
"Come…Lunch should be ready." Zuko said as Kuzon jumped with joy. "Yea! I hope they made fire sushi!" Kuzon said as he raced out to the vestibule. Zuko smiled warmly as he slowly followed. A small breeze flowed by swaying his long black hair with his golden flame crown glistening in the sunlight.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review and comment!!!