Mari looked excitedly out the window as Mako pulled The Rampage up to a lake.

"Are we going to go swimming Papa?" She was practically bouncing in her seat. She loved swimming and the feel of the water over her scales was always refreshing.

From the recent shift in weather, this was likely one of the last warm days they would have before the Earth Republic's fall season set-in. The lake seemed like a good way to give the teens a break from routine training.

"Yes Mari," Mako replied through the rearview mirror. "We can go swimming, and Ryu can try Waterbending if he wants." He wasn't going to be able to teach the teen, but Ryu had proven before that he could bend the other elements without training. It would be up to him if he wanted to take another attempt at Waterbending.

In response, Ryu sneered at the lake through his window. He wasn't a fan of large bodies of water.

Ryu stayed steadfastly far from the beach, Juji on his shoulder, while Mako lead the others to the lake. It was relatively shallow and surprisingly warm given the weather, perfect for a swim. Although for Mako, even if it was cold, he could easily heat it with his Firebending.

He floated on his back while he relaxed and let his long tail hang in the water below him. Like Mari, he enjoyed a good swim. The main reason was, while he was in the water, his Fetchling parts weren't such a pain. He could lay on his back and not worry about crushing his tail or accidentally bumping his horns. Only Mari understood how bothersome they could be. His relaxation was interrupted when something nibbled at the furry end of his tail.

"Hey Kid. Catch."

Ryu looked up from where he was brooding on the beach to see a fish flying towards him. It flopped wildly as he caught it in his arms.

"Nice catch man," Koji said from where he was wading.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in the water Ryu?" Mari asked with a sweet smile. "If you don't know how to swim, I can help you."

In response, Ryu simply carried his catch off to the far side of The Rampage without a word. His subtle rejection caused a frown to sour Mari's face.

Mako watched the scene. He was pretty sure he knew why Ryu wasn't coming in the water, and it wasn't because he couldn't swim. It was more likely the young Avatar was afraid, probably due to the unfortunate end of his predecessor. He'd address the issue later as he didn't want to reveal the boy's secret in front of the others.

Although the lake was a good place for Ryu to try Waterbending, it was also an opportunity for Mako to show the teenagers he wasn't just some hard-ass adult. While Koji was wading in the shallows, he slowly weaved along the surface like a serpent. Koji let out a terrified scream when he burst out of the water, and he was surprised when mud suddenly hit him in the face. Koji must have bent it from the lake-bed, which was pretty impressive considering he had to pull it through all the water.

"Don't worry Koji. I'll save you!" Mari yelled when she recognized what was happening. She quickly swam over and leapt at her grandfather. He tipped over into the water, "defeated" by her. When Koji realized it was all a game, he joined the fray and soon they were all splashing around and laughing.

Ryu heard the laughter from where he was sulking behind the truck with Juji.

"Who needs to Waterbend anyway…" he grumped to his pet.

It was some time later when they finished. Koji came around the truck first, with several more fish in his arms, while Mako and Mari followed several steps behind him.

"That's pretty neat that you can fish with your tail like that, sir," Koji said as he tossed their catch in a bucket with the one Ryu had placed earlier.

"Having a tail comes in handy sometimes," Mako replied. He had a towel around his neck but it wasn't necessary. Steam rolled off his body as he used his Firebending to thoroughly dry himself.

"I'm going to change," Mari said as she climbed into the back of The Rampage.

"Make sure you get all the water out from under your scales," he shouted after her.

"Yes Papa," she replied before closing the door.

Then he turned to Koji.

"Koji, why don't you find some sticks to cook the fish. Sturdy ones," he said.

"Okay sir." Koji quickly threw a shirt on before dashing barefoot into the nearby trees. Mako trusted he wouldn't go far. With the other teens occupied, he went to Ryu. Juji glared at him as he addressed the boy.

"I get that you don't want to go in the water Kid, but as the Avatar you should learn how to Waterbend," he said.

"Why? I can use any of the other elements. I don't need to Waterbend," Ryu snarked. To prove his point, he did a quick demonstration of fire, earth, and air. "See!"

Mako sighed and crouched by where the teen was sitting.

"Listen Kid, when I got this tail, I really didn't think much of it and I certainly didn't want it." He curled the blue appendage over his shoulder letting the white tassel dangled upside down between them. "It was my brother Bolin that came up with the idea that I should try to Firebend with it." As his own demonstration, he flicked the limb to the side and sent a small fireball into a nearby tree. The blue flames charred the bark as they shattered against it. "It made me realize how useful it could be."

Ryu stood and waved his rear at him. "No tail Chief!" The teen sassed.

Mako was forced to stand and ignored the boy's mocking as he continued.

"My point is…as much as I didn't want my tail or horns, I learned to utilize everything I have to help people. You should try to do the same," he finished.

Ryu returned to sulking. Clearly, he understood, but it was just as obvious he wasn't interested in trying.

It was late when Ryu crept out of his tent with Juji. As he slunk across the campsite, he did his best to be quiet so he wouldn't wake the Chief. It seemed like the Fetchling always knew when he was moving around. Once he was safely past the Chief's tent, he crept to the lake.

The light of the crescent moon reflected off the surface of the still water. Despite the serenity of the area, he could only glare at the lake as he stood a safe distance off shore. It would take a massive wave for the water to even lick his toes. Images suddenly flashed through his mind. Bubbles and darkness. Screaming. He grimaced as he clutched his head against the visions.

"Are you afraid of water?"

Juji flapped to keep balance as he spun around to see Mari standing behind him in her nightgown and jacket. The concern on her face was obvious.

"We're you listening to us!" he snapped with an accusatory scowl across his brow. She must have been eavesdropping when he was talking with the Chief.

"I didn't hear anything…I just noticed how unhappy you looked when we were swimming," Mari said as she walked past him and squatted near the water. Ripples extended towards the center of the lake as she ran her finger along the surface. "It's okay if you're afraid. Nana Zu says everyone is afraid of something."

"And what are you afraid of?" Ryu scoffed, his arms folded stubbornly across his chest.

Mari's tail curled around her ankles as she gazed into the water.

"I'm afraid that people will only ever see me as a monster…" she replied.

The statement made Ryu pause. It was slight, but he could hear the sadness in her voice.

"I was always taught to be proud of who I am. Of what I am," Mari continued, her eyes still glued to her reflection. It shook when she placed her flat hand on the water's surface. "I love my horns and my tail and my scales, but sometimes…" She pulled the hood of her jacket tight over her horns to hide them from her reflection. "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I were a normal girl…"

Ryu stretched his legs out in front of him as he sat near her on the shore. Not too close however as he maintained a healthy distance from the water's edge.

"Bah…Who cares if people think you're a monster. They're just dumb," he scoffed. "It's the people that know who you are that matter."

Mari sniffled over a gentle smile as she turned to him.

"I know…but thank you for saying that Ryu." She scooted next to him and tilted her head to the starry sky. "If you want help, you can ask me." A cloud of sand popped in the air when she slapped her tail on the ground. "One thing about having a tail is that it helps me be a really good swimmer." She gave him a bright smile. It made him happy to see she wasn't upset anymore. They sat a moment in the quiet and looked to the sky.

While they stared at the stars, he reached into his pocket and felt the pierced scale he kept hidden there. Maybe one day he'd take her up on that offer but he didn't feel ready yet.

"Thanks Mari," was all he could say.

The next morning, Mako decided it was time to move on to their next destination. If Ryu wasn't ready to Waterbend, he wasn't going to force it. He just hoped the kid would get over his fear.

The teens were in the middle of tearing down their tents when he went to address Ryu.

"I heard what you said to Mari last night," he began. "That was nice. She needs to hear that from people who aren't her family."

"Ugh…You were eavesdropping?" Ryu huffed. Juji concurred with a hiss.

"Not intentionally, but I'm a light sleeper," he answered. Sometimes a no sleeper but the kid didn't need to know that.

"It wasn't anything. I just told her the truth," the boy replied.

"Well, it was nice all the same. I'm glad she found friends like you and Koji."

"Whatever."

"Whatever."

Mako had expected the standard response from Ryu and said it in tandem to rib him.

The teen gave him an annoyed scowl.

"Jerk…" Ryu scooped up his collapsed tent and deliberately shoved him on his way to The Rampage. Juji gave him another angry hiss as they stormed past.

It was actually an improvement from the boy's previous attitude. Mako didn't mind. After all, he wouldn't dish it if he couldn't eat it.