Chapter 19
Aang and Tenzin walked towards the practice court on the island. The council had voted in favor of the avatar's leave of absence, agreeing that his time would be better spent training Tenzin. It had been four years of constant practice, but Aang could sense the tension in his young son's chi paths as they got closer and closer.
"What's wrong Tenzin?" he said, "my chakra is blocking just being near you."
Tenzin looked up at his father, who still towered over him.
"To be honest, I'm just worried that I won't be able to master these advanced concepts."
Aang laughed, "That's absurd. You've excelled at everything you've done so far. Your only disadvantage has been having only one teacher, and that teacher happens to be the avatar and busy all of the time."
He put a hand on Tenzin's shoulder, "you'll be fine, son. Clear your mind of your worries…and listen."
When they arrived Aang plopped down in the nearby grass and motioned for Tenzin to do the same.
"Now," he began once they were seated, "tell me what you know about airbending."
"Well," said Tenzin hesitantly, "airbending is mobility. It is about evasion and elusion."
Aang nodded and motioned for him to continue.
"It requires circular motions and agility, you need to be on your toes at all times," he said, and then as if a light bulb went on in his head he added, "Oh! That's how you got your nickname from Toph I suppose."
Aang laughed at this and affirmed it.
Tenzin continued, "And- well…you taught all of us that bending, any bending really- is to be used in self defense only, one should not seek out a fight, and you should always find a way to avoid lasting injury to your opponent."
Aang smiled at his son, "I'm impressed. You absolutely understand the core of airbending, you've related it to all forms of bending- which is wise because they are all connected. Until now you have learned only the defensive forms of airbending, and of course a few choice impractical uses."
"The air scooter," said Tenzin seriously.
Aang's eyes lit up at the mere mention of his favorite move, "yes that, although I think your modification to an air wheel was very practical for mobility's sake," he responded, "you've accomplished nearly enough to earn your tattoos. Now, however you need to learn the more advanced moves."
Aang stood and began to demonstrate the motions needed to create a vortex.
He continued to explain, "if you understand the purpose of airbending you will have a greater power behind your movements, creating greater air manipulation. This movement for example will create a vortex of air- you can use it for shooting objects at your target."
Satisfied with the vortex that Tenzin was able to create, Aang began to run around in a circle, propelling himself faster and faster with a current behind him creating a circle of dust and air. Tenzin shielded his eyes from the mess and watched as his father launched a highly compressed gust of air into sky.
"Wow," he said.
"The air wake," smiled Aang, "any time you concentrate air to that magnitude it can be lethal. It is important that you learn to control your tactics while letting your power continue. Control is key. Of course you can create a small tornado, but you have to also control what it damages. Does this make sense?"
Tenzin nodded in understanding and proceeded to copy his father's moves, managing to create a respectable air wake and even a small tornado of his own by the end of their session.
Their weeks passed much in this way for some time. Aang added in new more complicated forms and Tenzin matched them each time with finesse.
It was on a very beautiful sunny day not a few months after their first advanced session that Katara joined them out on the field as well. She sat by Aang who was calling out moves for Tenzin to demonstrate. She applauded and cheered on her son, impressed by his improvements. Tenzin continued while Katara turned to Aang and said, "well, when will you tell him?"
"Tell me what?" Tenzin called from across the field.
"How did he hear that?" Katara said, full of surprise.
"Heightened awareness of the senses. You of all people know that Katara," Aang said laughing, "come here, son."
Tenzin came and stood before his parents breathing heavily with the exertion.
"Well?" he asked.
Aang smiled widely, "well I believe that you've mastered all the required moves to earn your tattoos, what about it? Are you ready?"
Even the normally calm and collected Tenzin could not contain his excitement, and his face burst into a wide smile, "seriously? Yes! …but wait…won't it hurt?"
Katara grimaced slightly as the thought of having her whole body tattooed. Aang simply shrugged, "well yes."
"…well yes?" Tenzin repeated, "fantastic."
"It's a spiritual thing really; in fact most masters look back on their tattooing with fondness. Painful, yes, but honestly very rewarding, and done over a full week in sessions during which a deeply meditative state will help you," Aang said with a smirk.
"I suppose it's good that meditation comes so easily to me then," Tenzin said seriously.
Katara pulled him into a hug, "congratulations sweetie, you'll be fine." But her eyes were apprehensive.
"He will, I promise!" Aang said, "I had them done at age 10. Tenzin is 16- he can handle it," he added exasperatedly, "Let's go!"
Tenzin turned to follow his father with a backwards glance at his mother, who smiled and waved with a reassuring nod.