Rage Of The Black Dragon

by Nazaki-Sama

Ozai and Azula won, and what was left of the world was burned to ashes... But when Zuko woke up ten years in the past with the ability to change his fate; he promised to win this war and end Ozai's reign once and for all. But first, he was going to hunt down everyone who robbed him of his mate and child. Time travel, Dark, Omegaverse, Aged up Aang, Dark Zuko! Cover art by me enjoy!

10. Chapter 10

…Rage Of The Black Dragon…

Warnings: This chapter contains:- cursing, sadness, darkness, a little bit of violence, mental health issues, possessiveness, political nightmares, fluff, flirting, and Aang declaring war! All reviews are appreciated.

P.P.S.: This is an Omegaverse story as in Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamic, with Alpha Aang and Omega Zuko, so you have been warned! And it is also a time travel one! The titles that would be used for the Omegaverse dynamic in this story, are from the Chinese fandom (As the story would have many customs and cultures from southern and eastern Asia; China specifically):-

Alpha - Qianyuan

Omega - Kunze

Beta – Zhongyong

P.P.P.S: This is a dark (and I mean really dark!) story that takes place in the ALTA's timeline (the original show, not the live adaptation, but who knows, maybe I will add a pointer or two from the NATLA after I watch it?) to some extent but with many major changes, such as Aang being aged up to sixteen and Zuko being OOC; this story is also the first part of the series that would follow the first chapter but diverge after a certain point.

"You want forgiveness? Then get a religion and hope that whatever God you believe in would be enough to save you from my hands." Aang

"Revenge was the answer; it was always the answer. Don't worry Aang, this time I will teach you better." Zuko

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Chapter 10

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…(Aang was not here… Zuko's heart dropped as he searched the ship looking for his beloved, his heart hammering in his throat as a possibility after a possibility entered his head and he wondered where his beloved was when they had finally breached the borders of the Northern Water Tribes territory, and any day (Hour, or maybe a minute) they would face the Water Tribes' warriors who would no doubt intercept them and maybe attack (But knowing his uncle, Zuko was reassured that Iroh had already sent a message to the Order of the White Lotus and that Pakku would be waiting for them near the borders).

Aang was not here… Zuko could already feel his throat closing at the thought of Aang somehow managing to vanish in the few hours between yesterday's sunset and today's sunrise, wondering what the hell happened to his beloved in the few short hours they weren't together… something that later was followed by fury as a possibility after a possibility slammed into him, and by then, he could only expel smoke from his mouth as he felt his fire blazing and crackling as his anger almost got the better of him.

Aang was not here… Zuko could only seethe as he walked through the corridors of his ship, focusing his attention on the slightest movement that took place around him; not allowing anything to go unnoticed as he once more, went searching for his beloved, promising to rip Aang a new one if his beloved had dared to be stupid and allow his jitters to get the best of him and he ran (Something that Zuko knew his beloved wouldn't do, but still, being abandoned and left by Aang once too many had created a deep-rooted fear inside of him that Aang would vanish every time Zuko as much as glanced away and removed his eyes from the Qianyuan).

Aang was not here… By Agni, when Zuko got his hand on his stupid husband, he was going to pull at Aang's ears until the other teen was left squeaking and apologizing as pain raced through his body. Zuko would make sure that Aang could do nothing but kneel and beg for forgiveness for his stupidity, which more than once caused Zuko to almost rip his hair from how much he pulled at it. But first, Zuko needed to find Aang; later, he could give him the earful he, was planning to unleash on his beloved.

Aang was not here… Zuko knew that, he searched the ship from top to bottom, leaving no room spared and no boxes unopened. Everyone on the ship was questioned thoroughly, and even Sokka and Katara looked confused when he asked them about Aang (And that by itself told Zuko how stressed he was, because he was talking to Katara! Something he promised himself not to do, even after the heartful apology the girl gave and the way Sokka told him how sorry she was and how she wanted to start over and be his friend); the two of them had thought like everyone else that Aang was resting in his room or mediating (Zuko checked Aang's room, and he doubled and tripled and Agni knows how many times Zuko checked Aang's room to search for the other teen).

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Aang was not here… and Zuko was losing it.

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"Uncle!" Zuko called out as he entered the cockpit, unconsciously gazing around hoping to see Aang in the cockpit with his uncle; no Aang was in sight, but his uncle (Momo, and the helmsman, a man by the name Fang) raised his head from the map in his hands gave Zuko an inquiring look. "Did you see Aang?" Zuko couldn't help but question, wondering where his beloved was when he was needed at this moment more than ever (Zuko was totally not panicking about Aang disappearing and preparing to take Appa -Who was still on the ship- and searching for Aang until he found his idiotic beloved… he was definitely not).

Iroh blinked, and blinked, and blinked some more before saying. "I have." To which Zuko all but zoomed in on his uncle and demanded the older man tell him where Aang was; something that was met with an amused smile and a head pat. "Do not worry, nephew, the young Avatar has gone on an important mission and will be back soon." Iroh tried to calm Zuko down with his gentle words, but he only got a confused and a harsh frown from the Kunze.

"On a mission? What could possibly be more important than Aang being here? We are a few paces away from the Northern Water Tribes, what kind of mission will be so important when he should be here learning Water Bending?" Zuko complained, his words only summoned a mysterious smile from his uncle, something that made Zuko bristle and almost start ranting before.

"Your lover boy is back…" Iroh pointed at the distance, making Zuko's breath hitch and finally, the tight knot surrounding his heart loosened as he saw Aang getting closer and closer to the ship; before leaving and running toward Aang (Planning on giving him the scolding of a lifetime) Iroh put his hand on Zuko's shoulder, stopping him in his place. "Zuko… tell your lover boy that I expect him to start our negotiation tonight." To which Zuko could only furrow his brows in confusion, wondering what his uncle meant by his words, but at the same time he nodded, planning on questioning Aang thoroughly and getting the information he needed…

Unfortunately… Aang didn't fess anything when Zuko asked, only giving him that sunny smile Zuko adored after the Kunze told him what Uncle Iroh had said, and promised to tell him later. On one hand, it gritted on his nerves that he was kept in the dark about something that his uncle and Aang seemed to plan… on the other hand… seeing Aang looking so happy like this and over the moon made whatever annoyance and anger he felt vanish, and when Aang left Iroh's room that night looking shy and elated…

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Zuko knew something good had happened…

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…When his uncle pulled him away after Aang left and asked if he was sure about his future beloved and husband…

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Zuko could only smile…)…

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"I'm bored!" Sokka's loud whine was heard as he slumped on the table in front of him making Aang, Katara, and Zuko look at him with exasperated looks on their faces. Sokka kept on complaining as if unaware of their looks; puffing his cheeks like an angry Momo before picking another treat to munch on it. "When are we going to reach the Northern Tribe?" Sokka huffed, taking Zuko's offered tea, pouting and gazing at his cup like it offended his ancestors. "It had been a week, and there is nothing, but water and ice, and more water and ice! Shouldn't we be there already?" Sokka pointed to the horizon, revealing the vast ocean of only water and ice.

"…Well, that's debatable." Zuko answered Sokka, offering Katara her cup, which surprisingly got him a shy 'Thank you' (Zuko was still not used to this, and part of him was on high alert, wondering if Katara was bedding her time by acting this sweet before stabbing them in the back once again. Looking at Katara after all that happened and after the little girl betrayed them, Zuko found it hard to believe that Katara would turn out to be any different than she was back then in the future when she joined the Fire Nation) before he gave Aang his cup with a charming smile (All but teasing the other teen shamelessly when he saw that shy flush on his face, which made Zuko feel delighted when looking at his beloved). "Usually, a journey to Agna Qel'a would have taken two to three weeks by ship to complete, and considering Water Benders have the advantage here, I will recon it will take even longer to reach their fort." Zuko let out a hum, remembering the siege on the north, his face twisting at the unpleasant memories before turning to Aang. "How long would it have been if we flew with Appa?" Asking the question on his mind, because even Zuko was getting a little tired and cranky from being on the sea and he had half a mind just to take Appa and fly to Agna Qel'a and be over with it.

"I… well…" Aang seemed to ponder a bit, his brows were scrunched and he looked in deep thought. "I only went there twice, and both times took two and a half days' of nonstop flight from the Northern Air Temple to Agna Qel'a," Aang said slowly, making Zuko wonder why his beloved had mentioned the Northern Air Temple and not the Southern Temple… it was only at the realization that the Northern Air Temple held the major population of Qianyuan men opposed to the Southern Temple dominated by Zhongyongs and Kunzes, Zuko realized what his beloved meant.

"Really? Then how was your trip to the Northern Tribes?" Katara questioned, looking so excited and over the moon hearing about the Water Tribes located in the north, asking question after question and looking close to jumping over the table and shaking Aang so he would tell her more. Zuko on the other hand, could only watch his beloved's face scrunch up before he forced a smile on his face, and just from that look, Zuko knew that Aang's journey to the north was not something the Qianyuan would ever love to remember.

"It was… educational…" Aang settled on, picking up his cup and taking a long sip while glancing away; the discomfort in his voice was clear to everyone on some level, making even Katara who was excited to ask more questions quiet down. Zuko, who knew about some of his beloved's thoughts about the Water Tribes' culture could only wonder what happened there or if this was a story that Aang refused to share because it wasn't the pretty kind he loved to remember or even think about.

Zuko furrowed his brows and suddenly started to look around when he managed to hear a slushing sound; the sound was loud enough for even Katara and Sokka to hear (And those two started getting louder and louder and fought for the last piece of fruit pie), and not before long, the ship started rocking dangerously to the point everyone jumped from their seats. Shouts could be heard and orders were snapped left and right, and not even a few seconds after standing up, Zuko felt Aang pulling him behind; Aang's grip was tight, and a look of confusion and fright on the Qianyuan's face, almost making Zuko pull his beloved to reassure him it was going to be alright.

Even from Zuko's position (Being pulled behind Aang who shouted at Katara and Sokka to follow him to the tower and down below the deck to Appa), he could see clearly how the water around the ship suddenly rose and solidified into ice spikes that would have pierced the ship's metal exterior if it wasn't for the Fire Benders around them, trying to break the ice with fire. The ship rocked dangerously, once, twice, and Katara and Sokka yelled in fright as they held to one another and gripped the rail to not sail off the ship when Sokka all but tumbled off and needed to be pulled back by Katara.

All of sudden, a flare was sent from behind, and Zuko could only glance back for a few seconds to see his uncle looking a bit concerned and annoyed, but no less calm as he sent the flare above. The flare exploded, and with its explosion, the shape of a lotus could be seen in the sky; Zuko could only grip Aang's shoulder tightly as the ship shook harshly one more time before finally the shaking stopped and everything seemed to have calmed somewhat.

"Zuko… stay behind me." Aang breathed out, his face hardening as he stood straight, making the Kunze frown, wanting to reassure his beloved that he would be alright and he didn't need any babysitting; it was the undertone of trepidation and anxiety that Zuko managed to detect in Aang's voice that made him hold his tongue, and he gave the Qianyuan a sharp nod before standing behind Aang, hoping this act would placate his beloved enough he wouldn't allow his nervousness and jitters to get the better of him and do something stupid.

Zuko could only watch with weariness as a column of water shot up high in the sky, feeling unease at what they were going to face; it was only the presence of Master Pakku, Water Bending his way to the ship (With an unsurprising severe scowl on his face that lessened when he saw Iroh walking toward the rail with a placid smile, but no less harsh and reprimanding eyes) that allowed Zuko to relax a bit, and shift from behind Aang when his uncle started chatting with Pakku.

Aang still didn't look relaxed, even when Pakku and Iroh greeted one another, chatted with one another, and looked like the picture of old friends reuniting. Instead, Aang shifted once more, hiding Zuko behind him and looking around nervously; looking like he was preparing to go to war with the way he clutched his staff and tried to hide Zuko. "Aang…?" Zuko let out an exasperated sigh, putting his hand on Aang's bicep and hoping the Qianyuan would stop this display of protectiveness. As much as it was sweet and made Zuko's heart flutter, Aang's way of stressing and trying to hide him in the presence of the Water Benders made Zuko a little annoyed, because he knew if it came to it, Zuko would be able to beat the Water Benders eleven times out of ten having spent years training and gained all the experience he needed.

"They're Water Benders!" Katara's excited gasp made Zuko turn his head toward her, watching how she was leaning on the rail and gazing down below at the Water Tribe's boats that were undoubtedly surrounding their ship. "We found the Water Tribe!" Katara exclaimed happily, gazing at her Sokka who looked alarmed as he leaned his head to watch the boats down below, his hand inching toward his boomerang.

Zuko on the other hand, could only watch how Aang tensed when Uncle Iroh led Master Pakku toward them (And Agni above, the way that old man's face scrunched when he noticed Zuko, almost made the Kunze snort and throw the man overboard because Zuko could clearly read his mind from miles away, and the way Master Pakku desperately avoiding looking at Zuko and pretending he wasn't there, made Aang bristle and glare harshly at the man), nevertheless, Zuko watched how his beloved forced a placid smile on his face, even when the Qianyuan looked like he was forced to swallow something bitter when he conversed with the old man who looked relieved that Aang was, in fact, a Qianyuan and not Kunze like Zuko…

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Well… this was going to be an interesting trip…

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…(Inside a guarded tent, Lady Huazo tilted her head as she gazed long and hard at the map in front of her, an amused smile painted her red lips as her eye darted around, tracing the invisible pattern that no one other than her realized it existed. Huazo could only tilt her head and click her tongue, the amused look in her eye intensified as she saw what others couldn't; feeling mischievous, Huazo turned her head to the side to gaze at her most trusted companion sitting in her chair, playing with a Ring-Tailed Winged Lemur with a smile on his face.

"Prince Zuko arrived at Agni Qel'a… right about… now," Huazo told her companion, picking up a golden pin and sticking it in Agna Qel'a location; once more gazing at the map, calculating everything in her head, not leaving anything without checking and rechecking before giving a sharp nod when everything matched.

Her companion paused, raising his head from the animal in his lap to turn and look at the map, a harsh frown taking over his face that darkened when his eyes fell on the Northern Water Tribe's fort. "Will the Prince be, ok? The Northern Tribes are savages, they could end up hurting him or worse… and by our estimation, it could take us over three weeks to reach the north to be of any help to Prince Zuko." 'Ling', her partner and darling, offered after a while of silence, a look of worry flashed in his eyes before it was wiped away and he once more started playing with the Lemur on his lap, looking the picture of nonchalant.

"If Prince Zuko was alone… hmmm, then your worry is probably warranted." Huazo's lips quirked up in an amused smile as she took a quill, dipped it in ink, and started writing notes on the map. "But as it is, General Iroh, The Dragon of The West, is with the Prince, and you know how General Iroh is when his nephew is threatened." Here an amused grin played on Ling's lips no doubt the man remembered what Iroh was like and how relentless he was when he felt anything, even the slightest threat approaching his nephew (But secretly, the two of them knew that Prince Zuko was more of a dear son to General Iroh than a nephew; having raised the boy from infancy to childhood before being forced to leave to Ba Sing Se and abandoned the poor boy in Ozai's disgusting care). "Besides, there is the Avatar to think of, and from what the people say and what they saw. I am sure Avatar Aang would never allow a slight against his future spouse to be unpunished." Huazo patted the feathery end of her quill on her lower lip, part of her was a bit excited to see how the Avatar would react if his beloved was endangered or humiliated. Would he be a Qianyuan enough to raise against the pacifist nature forced down his throat since he was young, or would the man swallow it down and lower his head even when those savages harm his beloved? Huazo was not going to lie, she was kind of excited to know what the Avatar would choose.

A snort from her companion made Huazo turn and tilt her head in question, watching how amusement and something akin to resignation crossed over the man's face. "They are heading to The Northern Water Tribe. Meaning that the Avatar needs to Master Water Bending. Knowing the Avatar… actually knowing the ways of the Air Monks, and how they no doubt shoved their pacifist ways down his throat, I believe that boy would just swallow everything down and lower his head. He needed to be on his Water Bending Master's good side, no?" Ling hummed, looking at the animal in his arms with anger mixed with worry.

"Maybe... or maybe not." Huazo put her quill down, gazing at the map and Agna Qel'a with a narrow look in her eye, but even if her attention was on the map her mind was far away as she tried to think things through. "This is a teenager who lost everyone and everything he knows, from what my spies managed to gather, he woke up a hundred years in the future and was slapped with the fact that all of his people were dead. Do you think someone like that would allow the only person who was like an anchor in this cold and war-torn world to be harmed?" Huazo questioned, knowing that no doubt the young Qianyuan was suffering a lot of mental turmoil and doubts before getting close to Prince Zuko to the point of falling for him and later proposing. To this day, Huazo was confused and a bit baffled how Prince Zuko (Who her spies told her was nothing but a cold-hearted Kunze who didn't flinch at the sight of death, pain, or despair and was never swayed by adoring words and shy confessions) managed to soften up to someone and fast at that! (Someone who from the way raised, Huazo could see that Avatar Aang was as opposite to her Prince as night and day and that the young Air Monk when push came to shove, would always, always choose the wellbeing of the majority instead of the one who should matter the most, all because he was the Avatar) to the point of kissing him and demanding marriage of him… an Air Monk… Prince Zuko had chosen an Air Monk who no doubt wouldn't stand beside Prince Zuko when it mattered just so he could achieve peace and harmony… or maybe, that was just what everyone was fooled by because they didn't see what Avatar Aang was capable off…

"You think… no… you believe the Avatar will abandon his teachings and way of life for the Prince, why?" Ling questioned, putting the Lemur on the chair he just stood up from before walking toward Huazo who had an amused and savage look on her face. "…You know something I don't…" Ling narrowed his eyes as he stood before Huazo, glaring at the tall woman with a look that ordered her to fess up or end up being punished by sleeping in the stables for the next couple of weeks.

"Zhao was Air Bent and was drowned to death, followed by eighty-six soldiers killed after the Avatar, Water Bend a large tsunami and sank a Fire Nation ship… An Air Monk had dared to kill… an Air Monk broke his vows, all because Zhao dared to raise his hand against Prince Zuko… do you think that this boy is still following the Air Monks' teachings?" Huazo questioned, watching Ling's eyes widen and his jaw drop a little as he whispered 'Eighty-Six?' with wonder shining in his voice. "Eighty-seven, darling, don't forget that trash, Zhao." Lady Huazo reminded her companion; feeling elated when she saw the small smile making its way on Ling's face.

"Why don't you look at that…" Ling laughed, happiness and pride dripping off him in waves as he gazed at the pin stuck on the map with an amused look. "It seems that this generation's Avatar is not a pushover, and maybe will manage to do something right, unlike his useless predecessor." Ling sneered, glancing at Huazo with a happy albeit sharp smile. "I guess I will leave this to you, wife… tell Avatar Aang I said 'Hi' and that I am waiting for his visit… impatiently." Ling leaned to kiss Huazo on the right cheek, giving her a wink as he walked away; whistling for his Lemur to follow, which the animal did eagerly.

Lady Huazo could only grin, watching her partner walk away with a swish of his hips, looking the happiest Huazo had seen him in a while. Looking at the map once more, Huazo could only narrow her eye, raising her quill once more to write… feeling excitement taking hold of her to the point she almost shook in her place…

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Just a few more weeks…

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And Huazo was going to meet Avatar Aang and Prince Zuko…)…

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Aang was becoming agitated… Zuko watched from the corner of his eye, how Aang all but broke the fork made of whale's bones from how tight he clutched it, looking a step away from sticking it in someone's eye (A strange and… concerning… look on Aang's face, as Zuko had never seen his beloved look like this, even when dealing with unpleasant people in the past… but… Zuko would admit that such a look on his beloved brought excitement to Zuko and made him wonder how much Aang needed to be pushed before he finally lost it and started a brawl)… Correction his crew, his uncle, and Aang were all becoming agitated and a step away from starting an arson… Zuko glanced around, watching how his crew, was bristling to the point of madness, looking close to jumping from their seats and starting a fight. How his uncle had this dark look on his face every time a servant passed them and overlooked Zuko once more, pretending that he didn't exist even as he sat between Iroh and Aang, content to think him a ghost or someone of inconsequence. How Aang ignored the anxious stares of the servants as they brought him dish after dish, searching for something to tempt him, but all the Qianyuan did was push the plates away, in a silent protest (A sentiment shared by his crew and uncle as they touched nothing placed in front of them, glaring at the Water Tribe with fury); sending harsh looks toward the Water Tribe who didn't seem to notice how the Avatar was a step away from entering the Avatar State when the Water Tribe continued with this farce.

Truly… Water Tribe's prejudice is amusing… Zuko's lips couldn't help but quirk into a wry smile, part of him wanting to laugh out loud at the disrespect shown toward him to the point that not even a plate or a cup was put in front of him, and that the only reason he was sitting on the main table was Aang and Iroh pulled him with them, not wanting to leave Zuko to wander alone in the Water Tribe's territory (And really, Zuko wouldn't even touch anything put in front of him by anyone, let alone Water Tribes who would no doubt poison his food. But even if not eating or touching the food, not putting a plate in front of Zuko was an insult and a slap to the face that would never go unpunished).

Zuko could only watch with amusement how the Water Tribe placed themselves according to their own rules of etiquette, with Kunzes at the outer edge, far away from the tables of honor, while Qianyuans sat at the front, their heads held high like peacocks. The servants (Kunzes, and wasn't that an insult?!) served the Qianyuans first, waiting until the men started eating before serving the Zhongyongs, who laughed and ate and enjoyed their drinks; only later were the Kunzes served, and even then, the Kunzes (All women, no men in sight) only got small portions that barely amounted to a quarter of what the Qianyuans were served…. Really, what an insult…

If this was in the Fire Nation, a disrespect like this would have ended with the person in charge being punished so severely it would be a miracle if they could ever show their face to people after losing their honor for offending Agni's beloveds, that if they didn't lose their life first. For Agni's beloved in question to be the Fire Nation's Prince and the Avatar's betrothal and future spouse, the insult was tripled to the point the Water Tribes were begging for war to come and bite them in the nose; if one of them even stopped for a second to think about their actions, they would have realized that this was a slap to the Fire Nation's face, their offer for peace, and the Avatar's honor, all in one. If this was a time of peace, Zuko knew damn well, that this action would have led to a war against the Water Tribes, just like the first war that happened hundreds of years ago, in Avatar Szeto's era, when Notok the Mad had dared and killed those Kunze ambassadors and started the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes' first war (Something that the Water Tribes were still sour about, and because of that they painted Avatar Szeto who sided with his nation as someone who was biased and a failure because Szeto sought justice for the murdered Kunzes; one of them being his betrothal and future spouse).

I wonder how many of those assholes would end up having heart failures if they were ever invited to a feast in the Fire Nation… not that anyone from the Fire Nation would allow them to walk away after such an insult… Zuko thought to himself as he once more studied his surroundings, getting more and more annoyed and was a step away from standing and leaving this farce of a feast (Knowing well enough that if Zuko did so, then his crew, uncle, and Aang would follow him and spit at the Water Tribes while doing so), but Zuko persisted and stayed, knowing that it would be counterproductive to make enemies of the Water Tribes even with such glaring insult that slapped every Fire Nation persona in this feast, and the Avatar himself who looked pissed as another servant ignored Zuko and continued to place dishes in front of him (Agni above, even the Southern Water Tribes and Bato had shown him more respect than anyone combined from the north… show you the kind of disrespect Zuko was being subjected to at the moment).

In the traditional arts of the Fire Nation's society; fashion, honor, respect, and filial piety. An insult like this would have brought the Fire Lord himself knocking on people's doors and challenging them to Agni Kai for such dishonorable action against Agni's beloveds. No person in the Fire Nation would have even dared to show such disrespect to Kunzes and ordered them to lower themselves and do anything they didn't like, least of all, serve everyone around like servants, especially when the Kunzes' place was at the table of honor, sitting on the Fire Lord's right and being served by the said Lord himself.

If the world wasn't as messed up as it was, and Ozai was not an unrepenting scum (Or if Spirit forbid Zuko was still blind to the point of having returned home as soon as he presented as a Kunze and accepted Ozai's deal in his past life), Zuko would have been setting on Ozai's right. Watching as the Fire Lord ordered the servants to bring forward the drinks and food; serving all the Kunzes first, as was traditional in the Fire Nation society.

No matter who sat at the table of honor, a King, a Chieftain, a Minister, a General, or the Fire Lord himself; the Fire Nation would look at them with fierce scowls, daring them to comment on the lack of respect they were shown by being the last to be served after the Kunzes and children.

There was a time when his own parents were happy (Or so he liked to imagine when he was young, if not happy, then at least they followed the traditions and rules enough to show respect to one another, even if they hated the other), and Zuko had seen in birthday's feasts, celebrations, and festivals, how his own father used to feed his mother by hand if she was in a good enough mood (Or they needed to show a united front to all people presented); watched how the Qianyuans and Zhongyongs fed their spouses (Putting anything the Kunze as much as glanced at in their plates), or made sure unmated Kunzes had everything they could wish for.

Zuko back then when he was young, saw his grandfather sending dishes from his table to each Kunze attending the gatherings they held in the palace, being careful not to show too much favor to any single Kunze and showing respect to all. Zuko even remembered how towards the tail end of the savory courses; his grandfather would invite some of the Kunzes to sit by him and share a dish or two while asking them about their desires, and wants, or if they felt any discomfort or were bothered by anyone, being attentive to every word spoken and going as far as to honor any request asked of him (The only redeeming quality of the old man if Zuko had to say because let's face it even if his grandfather followed the old ways of Agni and respected Kunzes; his grand-grandfather was a piece of shit who wiped out a whole culture, Qianyuans, Zhongyongs, and children, not to forget, Kunzes, without caring about the old ways in the slightest). By the end of each feast, Zuko remembered how his grandfather, uncle, his own father, and later Lu Ten would stand up and bow to the Kunzes while saying. "To Agni's beloveds, all honor is due."

Yeah… those assholes will end up having a heart failure if they ever attended Fire Nation's feast… Zuko settled on, putting his left hand on Aang's right thigh to stop him from causing a scene when he saw how the Qianyuan had had enough of the repeated disrespect. "Calm down, Aang, you cannot let their backward ways make you angry." Zuko leaned over and whispered in Aang's ear, watching how Aang's face twisted and how his beloved looked like a kicked puppy.

"But this is not right!" Aang replied, his voice a low growl of anger, and it was only Zuko's tight hold that stopped him from doing anything. "Zuko…" At that moment, Aang really did look like a kicked pup and Zuko could only give his beloved an amused smile, even as he shook his head and shushed him.

"Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the Southern Tribe. And they have brought with them, someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now ... the Avatar!" Chief Arnook called out in a loud and cheerful voice, so ignorant of the fact that Aang sent the older man a sharp look filled with anger. "We also celebrate my daughter's sixteenth birthday. Princess Yue is now of marrying age!" The man looked proud, pointing to the Princess in question as she arrived with her attendance, a soft smile on her face.

"Thank you, Father." Princess Yue bowed to her father before turning to her people with a gentle smile. "May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times!" From the look, posture, and scent alone, Zuko could see Princess Yue was a Kunze, and part of him couldn't help the amusement he felt seeing Sokka's 'My first girlfriend turned into the moon' beloved, feeling amused as he saw the teenager in question finally showed herself.

"Now, Master Pakku and his students will perform!" Chief Arnook shouted before he took his seat and Master Pakku began Water Bending with his students; as for Zuko, any form of amusement he felt had vanished, when he saw Princess Yue, instead of sitting by her father's right, went to the edge of the table and sat there instead of at the center (And while Zuko was a bit amused to see Sokka stutter and embarrass himself in front of his first love, part of Zuko couldn't help but feel insulted on Princess Yue's behalf, wondering if this farce would ever stop).

Princess Yue, despite her stand in her tribe, despite her intellect and skills, and no doubt her prowess (That if the Water Tribes allowed her to shine instead of oppressing and forcing her to follow their twisted and backward ways), was sitting at the outer edge of the table; her robes and jewels even if pretty and elegant (And representing her culture) were plain and spares, they didn't even hold a candle to what Fire Nation Kunzes would wear on a day they decided to spend in bed to indulge. But that wasn't what made Zuko feel insulted, oh no (Because really, Princess Yue may be a conservative person who loved to dress like this, after all, it was her choice to wear whatever she liked… unless she was forced to wear this both as a Princess and an engaged woman…), it was the way that Princess Yue had sat at the farthest seat from her father, highlighting how little Chief Arnook respected her position that made Zuko seethe (Even if the man truly loved her, even if he was proud of her, even if…! If this happened to Zuko after he presented, an uproar would be heard among everyone in the Fire Nation; no matter how much Ozai hated him to death, by the end, Zuko would have always sat on the man's right, no matter what their personal grudge against one another, and at the end of every feast want it or not, Ozai would stand and bow to Zuko as was the Fire Nation's traditions).

In contrast, Zuko, also a Prince and an unmated Kunze, sat in the center of the table to Aang's right and his uncle's left; showing his high stand and position as the Prince of the Fire Nation and Aang's future spouse (That more than ever was done by his uncle and Aang as a loud statement when the Water Tribes didn't prepare a seat for him, which almost made the servants and other Water Tribe's people choke on their saliva but didn't dare to say anything because it was Aang who made such a decision, and they didn't want to anger the Avatar, not after the boy had just arrived). Also, even if Zuko's robes were simple and were for combat, not pleasure; they were made from the softest and strongest material there was, and embroidered with threads of gold into a pretty pattern. Even Zuko's makeup and jewels (Something he rarely wore because now was not the time to enjoy such things and let loose in times of war, but as this was an honorary feast for Aang and his crew, so Zuko decided to let loose and enjoy himself for once) were more elaborate and bolder than Princess Yue's (Which Zuko didn't know if it was a personal choice or pressure and suppression from those around her who no doubt even if held some respect for her for being a Princess they would suppress her from reaching her full potential because she was a woman and a Kunze); something that made many double-take, probably not used to men wearing golden jewelry like women or put makeup like one, unlike Fire Nation where Kunzes no matter what gender would often adorn themselves with makeup and jewels of all kinds, and anything they found pretty at that time.

"Avatar Aang, you haven't touched anything, was the food not to your liking?" Chief Arnook questioned, finally seeming to pay attention to the guests, unaware of how Zuko had to tighten his hold on Aang's thigh to stop him from starting something that would no doubt reflect badly on his reputation.

"…It had been a long journey…" Aang finally settled on saying, looking like he was forced to swallow something bitter as he said these words; Aang's hand sneaked down to push Zuko's hand away (No doubt getting ready to dress the Chief down), but instead, Zuko took hold of Aang's hand and gave a warning squeeze, telling the Qianyuan not to rush and ruin everything. Zuko was even forced to give his uncle a harsh look to stop him from doing the same stupid thing Aang was probably planning on doing, showing you the kind of tight spot, they were all in. "…And from the look of it, the Northern Water Tribe, seemed unprepared for guests, seeing the ways they continued to make me lose face tonight." And here, Zuko had to all but crush Aang's hand to stop him from saying anything more and start a fight with the Chief, feeling stupid for not realizing sooner that if Aang had put something in his mind, he would do it regardless of others' feelings. During all of this, Aang did nothing but power through the pain, the twitch of his eye was the only indication of the pain he was suffering from Zuko's death grip on his hand.

"I… wha…?" Chief Arnook looked confused, and a snort from Zuko's right made him turn to Iroh who looked pleased and had a smile on his face, even a look of pride flashed in his uncle's eyes, and when Zuko gave his uncle a sharp look that told him to damage control the situation, his uncle only looked away, his smile widening a bit when Aang stood up.

"Please do excuse me, the journey was long and everyone, especially, my fiancé is tired." Here, Chief Arnook's eyes lit up with realization before his face twisted when his sight fell on Zuko, looking at the Kunze with trepidation, confusion, and the loath the Water Tribes always directed toward Kunze men and Qianyuan women. "Ahm!" Chief Arnook finally seemed to snap from his staring and turn his gaze toward Aang who had a dark look on his face, daring the Chief to push it one more time. "My Water Bending teacher?" Aang questioned, looking so fed up as his face twisted the longer Chief Arnook continued to stare at him without saying something.

"A-ah, yes, of course, Avatar Aang." Chief Arnook looked troubled, but nevertheless, the man stood up, no doubt planning on taking Aang to talk to Master Pakku about being his Water Bending teacher. "This way, young Avatar." Chief Arnook pointed to the way and Aang hummed as he took a step forward before pausing for a bit.

Zuko knew his beloved was going to do something stupid, but not knowing what, Zuko could only worry about the backlash they would suffer. When Zuko saw Aang turn toward Zuko and bow to him in front of every person in the Northern Water Tribe, old and young; Zuko's eyes could only widen a bit in shock, and his jaw dropped a little, a flush coloring his cheeks when Aang said in his loudest voice that overshadowed the festivity around them. "To Agni's Beloved, all honor is due." Before turning to Princess Yue and the rest of the Kunzes and bowed to them. "To the Water Tribe's Kunzes, all honor is due." Before finally straightening up and walking breezily past Chief Arnook who was frozen stiff by Aang's display when the Avatar didn't even give respect to the Qianyuans and Zhongyongs who froze in their place not knowing what to do by such display; it was only when Aang threw the older man a sharp look that ordered him to move did Chief Arnook seemed to snap out of it and followed Aang.

His uncle and foolish crew, seeing what the Avatar did, took that as their cue to stand up and bow to Zuko and the Water Tribes Kunzes, before one after the other they left their tables and headed toward the ship, following Aang's example of leaving this feast, and not caring about staying a bit longer as a goodwill.

Zuko could only groan internally, almost face-palming when he saw Sokka, and Katara, not knowing what was going on (Having gotten used to some of the Fire Nation's traditions and customs, they thought it was normal to act like Fire Nation people sometimes), stood up and bowed to Zuko and the rest of the Water Tribes' Kunzes, not knowing the slapping insult they just delivered to their sister tribe when they openly disregarded and spat at their own culture by following the same customs as the Fire Nation.

Zuko feeling the approach of a killer headache by this point, motioned sharply to Sokka to take Katara and follow the rest of the crew, not wanting his stupid friend to get in the crossfire that was going to take place if they stayed any second longer in this stupid feast that was shit through and through. With that, Zuko stood up and marched away from the feast, already planning on scolding his beloved for making an enemy out of himself to the point this generation of the Water Tribe would also accuse him of being a biased Avatar who would side with the Fire Nation, bringing with it nothing but accusations and questioning, and even unwanted judgment, just like what happened with Avatar Szeto.

"You know, nephew… your betrothal is not what I expected, he has fire!" Iroh hummed, his hand running over his beard while his smile was wide; showing how content and proud the man was, definitely ignoring the political nightmare that had just taken place before his very own eyes when the Avatar showed favoritism toward the Fire Nation Prince and insulted the Water Tribes in the same breath.

Against his will, and against the scolding that Zuko wanted to unleash because clearly his beloved was stupid to the point of angering the Water Tribes and making an enemy out of himself; Zuko couldn't help the small happy smile widening on his lips, and pleasure curled around his heart when his beloved had stood up and defended him against the Water Tribe. "Yeah, he has a fire, alright…" Zuko huffed, even when an amused look played on his face; finally reaching the ship, Zuko went to his room, planning to sleep this nightmare away, because surely his stay here would be nothing but a nightmare… but first, Zuko needed to talk to Sokka and Katara about this political nightmare they chose to be part of because they decided to follow the crew in their actions without stopping to think about the consequences…

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Zuko was definitely not looking up for this…

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"I've waited for this day my whole life. I finally get to learn from a real Water Bending Master!" Katara exclaimed excitedly, a pounce in her steps, as he rushed toward where Master Pakku was waiting for them. "Are you excited Aang?!" Aang could only seethe as he silently walked behind Katara, giving his chipper friend an encouraging smile and a nod when he heard that, even when deep down, he felt like he was burning to the point he wondered how smoke didn't emit from his ears and mouth from how truly angry he was.

Anger, hate, rage, loath, fury, rage, humiliation, rage, rage, rage, Rage! So strong, Aang wondered how he was still standing and breathing let alone walking and heading to meet Master Pakku and learn Water Bending from that, that… Ugh! … just thinking about what happened yesterday during that damned feast, made something inside Aang burn, it was a wonder how he didn't start Fire Bending then and there.

Hate, fear, anger, and humiliation… Aang was used to those, he was used to them and when someone directed them at him, most of the time, they would slide over his back like water over a turtle duck's back. Aang never cared about the anger directed toward him, about the hateful looks sent at him, and the humiliation he was forced to suffer ever since he was born until the moment he was adopted by Monk Gyatso (Who did everything in his hands to shelter and protect Aang from the wagging tongues and cruel hands, but even then, Gyatso could have never been there with him twenty-four/seven and stop every harsh look from being sent his way), and then those looks and words turned into subtle glances and jabs that only Aang managed to detect.

All of Aang's life, he was taught to ignore his anger, to push it deep down into the darkest part of his soul and just ignore it; never think about it again, forget and forgive even if the offense was great to the point, it brought him to tears. All of Aang's life, he was taught to push his rage and hate down; it was prohibited for Aang to allow them to take control of him, because if he did, then only bad things would happen, and with him being a creature of misfortune, then these bad things would get bigger and bigger until they couldn't be controlled. All of Aang's life, he learned how to detach himself from all the pain, hurt, and suffering that was thrown at him, never making a fuss or talking back, accepting what would happen to him whenever it happened, and just pasting that placid smile of acceptance that made all those around him smile in pride.

Aang was taught, he learned, and he accepted anything life threw his way because that was how fate decided how his destiny would unfold. Aang learned to let bygones be bygones, to forget and forgive, even when there was a small part of Aang (That small part that was like a hurt child, always complaining and crying about why it was always him) refused to forget about every slight thrown his way, even when he promised himself, he would do that. Aang accepted what happened, is happening, and would happen to him in the future, even if part of Aang was reluctant to do such a thing because if he accepted what everyone always forced him to accept, it would mean he would condemn himself to a lifetime of pain and abuse that would never go away, even if he tried to force himself to be happy… But Zuko…

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Zuko was where Aang drew the line…

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Zuko was the only thing that made him draw the line and stand up to anyone who dared to mouth off or give his beloved a look from the corner of their eyes. Zuko was his light in the dark and was his anchor in this scary and new world he found himself in… Zuko was his one and only and if anyone dared to hurt or insult him, then they had to face Aang… and yes, many people around would laugh this off saying it was just a crush so Aang shouldn't get to attached to the Kunze and rushed through everything. Or they would say that Aang didn't know what he was saying that he was too young to know what true love was, and that wanting to marry someone after just weeks of knowing them, was just a childish fantasy and crush.

But Aang knew himself; he knew even in the deepest and darkest part of himself that no one in the world was privy to (Even Monk Gyatso and Gyatso was his everything). Aang knew himself, and when he declared Zuko as his one and only, then he knew Zuko was his one and only. It was the connection Aang had felt since their first meeting, it was the admiration and love that had all but taken hold of Aang as he spent days and weeks learning about Zuko and living beside him. It was Zuko as a whole that made him surer and surer of his decision every day that passed. Zuko was a fresh breeze of air that finally allowed Aang to breathe after feeling like years and years had been spent suffocating; Zuko was the reason he was here, because he still remembered Zuko's words and wishes when they talked that night weeks ago, and Aang promised himself that he would do anything in his power to make Zuko's wishes come true.

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Zuko was… Zuko was his hope…

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…And damn it all if Aang allowed anyone to disrespect him like that.

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Aang could allow many slights against him to go unpunished, he could smile and push everything away while he was subjected to humiliation, anger, and loath; Aang had spent all of his life learning how to push all of his anger and hate down below, so as to not allow it to ruin people's lives and his life in the process…. Aang accepted his lots of life and he had made peace with himself decades and decades ago, ever since that day when his brother had… Aang knew what he was and what he would always be, and that he no doubt deserved what happened to him for being the reason of the chaos and imbalance that had reign over for one hundred years. He knew and he accepted it and he wouldn't make a fuss or be angry when someone subjected him to pain because of that.

But when it came to Zuko? All bets were off and Aang wouldn't even hesitate to rip people a new one, be it verbally or in a fight (And it was scary in a way, it was terrifying because never before did Aang feel his rage bubbling and all but consume him to the point of letting loose like this, even when he was subjected to unimaginable humiliations. To the point that all of the Air Monks' teaching went out of the window and he turned into the creature that everyone accused him of being and would always be. All of Aang's life was spent with him measuring every word and action, said or done, following the Air Monks' lifestyle to the letter and refusing to forget even one rule; always fearing that if he dared to forget even one letter then Aang would end up turning into the creature everyone always feared him to be… that creature that brought misfortune and destruction wherever he went… but for Zuko… for Zuko… if it was to protect him… Aang didn't think he would mind being what everyone always feared him to be).

Be it a leftover from his past life as Avatar Roku from the Fire Nation, or be it because Aang was always this twisted crazy creature that when something or someone caught his attention (No matter what or who it was). Aang would always hyper-fixate and obsessed about it to the point of tuning everything and anyone who wasn't what caught his attention in a way that couldn't be shaken, out (Gyatso, Bumi, Kuzon, his mother, and many people before if they just knew the depth of what he felt or what he thought of, Aang knew for sure they would be terrified and would even feel appalled and angry when they realized how little Aang thought about the lives of those around him in compare to his precious people. Monk Gyatso and his mother precisely would be the ones disappointed the most because ever since he was young, they were the two people who always continued to repeat that 'All lives are precious' over and over again, to the point that Aang had to repeat these meaningless words and follow them like a universal law, in fear of making them disappointed in him, even when they had long since left this world. Aang never once believed in these words because if all lives were as precious as they claimed, then Aang wouldn't have suffered what he suffered in childhood and his teenage years; if those words were true, then Aang even if he was a misfortune, his own brother wouldn't have tried to kill-!).

Zuko was not an obsession, he was not a fixation; Zuko was not someone Aang would look up to and then discard later when all of this was over…. Zuko was his everything, he was his home… he was the person that Aang knew when he was beside Aang could finally shed the mask he forced on his face and allow his true self to shine, and Zuko wouldn't even shy of feel fear because of it and wouldn't condemn Aang for it…. Zuko was the only person Aang could be his true self when he stood beside him, and if someone dared to harm or hurt the only home Aang managed to find in all of his long years of wandering, then damn it all Aang was going to retaliate to the point he wouldn't hesitate to make himself the enemy or turn into a biased Avatar like Avatar Szeto; damn everyone who dared to complain and told him he was favoring the Fire Nation and dooming them all just like Roku.

As much as Aang would have loved to say to those blabbering fools that they were wrong… Aang couldn't say they weren't completely right either. But against what everyone believed and loved to repeat, Aang's favoritism was not because he found the Fire Nation culture and customs beautiful and he wanted the Fire Nation's people to continue to thrive even after the war. Aang's favoritism was because he adored someone from the Fire Nation, and adoring that person meant to love and respect him and protect everything they loved and adored, and that was that.

Zuko could have been from the slums of the Earth Kingdom, where everyone was raised as a thug, and nine times out of ten everyone there no matter how old or young was drenched in sin and blood; Zuko could have been from one of the Water Tribes' forgotten villages deep in the icy tundra where Kunze men and Qianyuan women escaped to live what was left of their lives in peace. Zuko could been one of the Air Nomads who went around the world with no fixed point or lived in the Holy City Of Lung-ta as one of the fairies up there; he could have been a Non-Bender from nowhere, or a manic murderer, and Aang wouldn't have cared. Zuko could have been anything and nothing, and Aang would have loved and adored Zuko and given him priority before the Avatar's duty, even if Aang by doing this had deviated from the Avatar's true role, and had become a biased man who needed to step down before ruining things more than he already did during these one hundred years.

So, yesterday's damned feast? That was where Aang drew the line and he wouldn't hold back from making his displeasure known, even if in the end Aang was making himself an enemy of the Water Tribes, and would be just another repeat of Avatar Szeto, who everyone from the Water Tribes (Especially the north) despised after what happened with Notok the Mad, and how Avatar Szeto killed him and scattered his remains to prevent him from being reincarnated once more.

…Aang really hated the Water Tribes' culture… he really does… and the insult they continued to repeat over and over yesterday as they disregarded Zuko and acted like he didn't exist to the point of not even arranging a seat for him at the table of honor, was enough to inform Aang of the way their stay in the Northern Water Tribe would be like… a nightmare and a half… Aang could only curse, and curse and curse some more, that no Water Bender was in Omashu or any of the villages they were in because at least dealing with the Water Benders that decided to leave the north and south (Mostly were Kunze men and Qianyuan women, or those who thought the Water Tribes had deviated from Tui and La's teachings) was more pleasant than dealing with people who would kill beloved children or strangers just because they were taught to hate since young and had followed these blind ways of life for centuries and centuries because they thought that anyone who wasn't a Qianyuan man or a Kunze woman was unnatural.

Just that thought alone, made Aang almost turn away and start his trick back to the Fire Nation ship, having half a mind to convince Zuko and Iroh that they could find other benders in the Earth Kingdom without involving himself with the Northern Water Tribe. It was only the fact that Zuko had pulled his cheeks and told him he wasn't allowed on the ship until he learned something today that made him follow Katara to where he knew Master Pakku was waiting… Aang needed to finish his Water Bending training fast; the sooner he was done, the sooner Zuko would be out of here, and if Zuko was out of the Northern Pole…

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Only then would Aang manage to relax…

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…("Remind me again, uncle, why am I not allowed to leave the ship?" Zuko seethed, glaring at his uncle with a look that told the older man he wouldn't hesitate to do the unspeakable if his uncle didn't provide any satisfactory answer that would actually explain why he had to remain on the ship without leaving for the duration of their stay in the Northern Water Tribe and if he was an idiot enough to leave, he should take what amounted to fifteen bodyguards with him.

"Because the people out there are mean, and they have been whispering shitty things about you and Aang." The one who answered was Sokka, who was sulking as he gazed at the Pai Sho table that was situated between him and Iroh who had a pleasant look while gazing at the table, which from the look of it, Iroh's win was reassured in the next move. "Besides, why do you even need to leave this place? It's not like people out there are nice or anything." Sokka grumbled, puffing his cheeks like an angry Momo at the reminder of how narrowminded the Northern Water Tribe was.

Zuko's eye twitched, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to smack the back of Sokka's head, ignoring the Zhongyong's squeak of pain, as he glared at the other teen harshly. "And whose fault was it other than the idiot who decided to be an airhead and insult his sister tribe by following a Fire Nation's custom without thinking about it twice, huh?!" Zuko snapped, glaring at Sokka, ignoring the way his friend puffed his cheeks even more as an embarrassed flush took over his face.

On the other hand, Iroh raised his head after putting the last piece in its place and securing his win with a happy smile. "Now, now, nephew; Sokka here is an honorable member of the Fire Nation, and Lieutenant Jee's second-in-command! Punishing him for following the Fire Nation's costumes is shameful! Don't worry Sokka, ignore what Zuko said, I am proud of you." His uncle patted Sokka on the shoulder, receiving a beaming smile from the other teen who glared at Zuko before sticking his tongue in retaliation.

"Ah-huh? A member of the Fire Nation you say? Is that so, Prince Sokka of the Southern Water Tribes?" Zuko couldn't help mocking his friend a bit, all but snickering as Sokka's face flushed red at the realization that Zuko managed to hear his blunder last night and how awkward he was in front of Princess Yue.

"Oh? We have another Prince among us?" His uncle, Agni blessed his heart, tilted his head, and teased Sokka, causing the other teen to start stuttering and sputtering as he tried to explain, all the while his face was getting redder and redder the longer Iroh and Zuko continued to look at him with amused looks.

Sokka, seeming to realize this, could only jump from his seat and run away from the room, all the while cursing, his cursing got louder when Zuko's shout of 'Tell Princess Yue I said Hi!' resonated in the ship. "Now, tell me why am I not allowed to leave the ship?" Zuko returned his attention to his uncle, taking a seat in the chair that Sokka just left.

His uncle paused, the smile on his face vanished before he let out a sigh. "It's for your own protection." Iroh finally said ignoring the harsh scowl sent his way by Zuko who looked like he was a step away from arguing. "Now, nephew, I more than ever know how capable you are of protecting yourself; believe me I do, but just this once, please. Stay here and don't leave the ship, if not to protect you, then to give your lover boy some peace of mind and make him focus on learning Water Bending." Iroh offered with a small smile, even when worry and apprehension shone in his eyes.

"…It was Aang's idea, wasn't it?" Zuko questioned after a while of silence passed between the two of them, gazing at Iroh who paused in rearranging the Pai Sho table momentarily before he continued with his task. "He is afraid something is going to happen, doesn't he?" Zuko inquired, more persistent this time, and while Zuko couldn't help but feel fondness and warmth at how protective Aang was of him, annoyance couldn't help but sneak in at the thought of his beloved thinking him a damsel in distress.

"Maybe, maybe not." Iroh settled on, finally finishing his job or arranging the Pai Sho pieces and giving Zuko a soft smile. "A few weeks before we are out of here; Avatar Aang is less than thrilled to prolong our stay more than that. Young Katara is a talented Water Bender, and with a few pointers from Pakku, she would be a Master soon enough and would take over the position of Avatar Aang's Water Bending Master." Iroh offered, looking so hopeful that this plan would work and that in a few weeks or less, they would be on their way and out of this hellhole.

Zuko who knew what really happened in the future/past and the whole situation surrounding Katara and Pakku, could only scrunch his face and glance around the Pai Sho table, not being so sure that the events of the past would take place; especially, after what Aang had done during the feast last night. But Zuko didn't want to burst his uncle's happy bubble, not when the man looked so hopeful that all of this would work and that they would be out of the North Pole sooner or later. "As you say, uncle…" Zuko huffed, slumping on his chair while sending the older man a glare. "But I am not limiting nor trapping myself on the ship because of the baboons out there. I will take my swords with me, and if needed I will take guards, but locking myself on the ship just to appease those asshats is an insult I refuse, no matter what you and Aang had to say." Zuko stood up, and walked away, hearing his uncle's groan of pain as the man muttered something under his breath about teenagers' Spirit and strong will, and Zuko didn't know what else.

Reaching the upper deck, Zuko could only walk to the edge and put his hands on the rails, his face scrunching in disgust as he watched the Water Tribe people go on with their days, all the while sending harsh scowls toward Zuko's ship as if it was a sight that soured their beautiful day. Really, what a sour sight for Zuko's eyes to be trapped with narrowminded people, who take pride in a culture that deviated from their Gods' will and laws. If Tui and La could interact with their children now, what would they do when they saw how much their children had fallen to the point of killing the innocent, oppressing the women, and discriminating against those, they thought unnatural by their 'Perfect Standards'?

Zuko remained there until he saw Sokka skipping toward the ship with a huge grin on his face as he boarded the ship; when Sokka saw Zuko, his idiotic friend zoomed toward him, only to start asking him about what Kunzes liked and wanted and what kind of courting gifts Kunzes love… Ah… It seems that Sokka had met Princess Yue… Zuko could only think as he was all but shaken by an overexcited Sokka who asked and asked and asked some more. Secretly, Zuko didn't know what to feel about this, especially when all his mind could think about was that Sokka and Suki used to be together, and this was some type of cheating (?)… Zuko didn't really know, but in the end, he decided he would wait and see how things would unravel before his very own eyes. If Sokka and Suki were destined to be together just as Zuko always thought they would be, then by the end they would get together, even if this time Princess Yue survived in this timeline…

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Zuko guessed that the only thing he could do was wait…)…

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Aang should have realized… he should have realized how his day was going to end, and he should have realized how truly narrowminded the Water Tribe was as they followed their stupid rules and customs that destroyed people's lives, and bred nothing but hate and prejudice in every young heart. Aang should have realized how everything was going to end as soon as he met Master Pakku who even while being friends with General Iroh, had refused to show respect to Zuko and acted like the Kunze didn't exist even when Zuko sat on Aang's right all night yesterday.

Aang should have realized how their trip to the north was going to end, ever since he realized he would end up needing a Water Bending Master to teach him and Katara. He should have realized how everything would end, because wasn't he the person who begged Monk Gyatso not to send him to the Agna Qel'a after the first two disastrous trips (The first one, Aang had the misfortune of seeing a young woman who presented as a Qianyuan being kicked out of the tribe, while the second, Aang saw with his own eyes a father killing his own son for being presented as a Qianyuan, all the while hearing these comments about how poor the father was to have his beloved son and only heir to turn into this abomination, ignoring how the poor son kneeled and begged and cried at his father's feet to forgive him) where Aang threatened to do just like he did in Ba Sing Se and flee… thankfully, as always, Monk Gyatso had heard his plea, and stopped allowing the monks to take him to Agna Qel'a who even after years and years, still brought him nightmares when he remembered the horrors he witnessed within its icy walls.

Aang should have realized that even when Master Pakku was General Iroh's friend; it wouldn't have magically opened the old goat's eyes, and that Pakku would forever follow his culture and its customs even when twenty times out of ten, it was wrong and disgusting and brought with it many heartache and pain. Aang should have realized that no matter how talented someone was, or how they could elevate their tribes' name, and bring highs unmatched; if they deviated from the Water Tribes' 'Perfect Standards' then they were nothing but a threat to the Water Tribes culture and needed to be put down or taught their place, even if forcefully.

It all started when they went to learn Water Bending that morning a few days ago, Katara looked so happy and excited, and even while Aang was fuming and angrily dragging himself; he still didn't have the heart to break the news to her and tell her about the possibility of Master Pakku not teaching her Water Bending based on the fact she was a girl… lo and behold, in the end, Aang was right; as soon as they had reached Master Pakku, the man's face twisted when he saw Katara, before he looked at the two of them harshly and told them that…

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"…In our tribe, it is forbidden for women to learn Water Bending…"

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"No. I will not teach you."

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"Here, the women learn from Yagoda to use their Water Bending to heal. I'm sure she would be happy to take you as her student, despite your bad attitude."

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"Our tribe has customs and rules. Unlike you and your brother, we take pride in being from the Water Tribe."

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And Spirits above! Just hearing these condescending words almost made Aang lose it on the stupid man and start a fight. His Water Bending Master or not, Aang swore he would wipe the floor with his face! Katara looked so furious and sad hearing Master Pakku's refusal, looking a step away from crying, even when her eyes blazed with rage at being dismissed just like this; dismissed for being a girl even when Aang (And everyone else for that matter) knew that Katara if trained right, would be the best Water Bender in her generation without an equal. But still, Katara persisted, turning to Aang and telling him not to do something stupid (Like he was planning on doing by walking away) and to train well under Pakku, before she stomped away, leaving Aang with Pakku who was watching Aang from the corner of his eye with a scrunched nose before ordering him to train and blasting him with water.

So here Aang was, days later; fuming as he moved the water around and getting angrier and angrier as he heard Master Pakku's scathing remarks every now and then, as he made fun of how Aang still didn't get that move a five-year-old would manage to understand. Feeling like he was a step away from doing something stupid, such as blasting that old geezer with the water he was bending and walking away like he wanted to do since arriving at this cursed place.

"You are moving the water around, but you are not feeling the push and pull." Master Pakku sighed, looking so annoyed when he glanced at Aang who was moving a stream of water, trying to concentrate enough on the water and not allow his anger to get the best of him.

"I. Am. Trying." Aang almost spat every word that left his throat, getting angrier when his concentration on the stream slipped for a split second before he finally managed to suppress his anger back and concentrate on the stream he was bending.

Master Pakku didn't seem to care about Aang's answer, instead, he raised his bowl and slurped some of the soup found inside before snorting. "Maybe that move is too advanced for you. Why don't you try an easier one?" In that annoying and condescending tone that made Aang growled harshly and slammed down the water in frustration, letting out an annoyed hiss before he returned back to Water Bending, trying to push his anger down and concentrate enough on the task so it would be over soon and he would leave this damned place…

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Sweet Merciful Lung-ta! Aang was so done!

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(Katara was angry… correction… Katara was furious!

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Katara could only growl to herself, feeling her eyes stinging as she stomped in humiliation toward the Healing Hut; feeling so wronged and humiliated to the point of almost attacking anyone stupid enough to try and talk to her on her journey. Never before had Katara felt such humiliation and anger before, never before had Katara felt her eyes stinging with unshed tears as her only dream got farther and farther from her, even when she was in the middle of it. Never before had…

Katara was angry… she was so, so angry and humiliated, and she really wanted to punch that old asshole in the face and get it over with, she wanted to beat him up black and blue for refusing her the only chance to learn, even after she had crossed half of the world just to get on this damn side of the planet so she could learn Water Bending from an actual Water Bending Master.

Katara was angry… she was angry and even horrified to have that annoying old man look at her with his nose held high in the sky as he told her about their stupid 'Rules' and 'Costumes', even daring to imply that Katara and Sokka didn't respect their own culture before he turned his back to Katara and glaring at Aang, ignoring how her friend was fuming and glaring at him hard, looking the angriest Katara had ever seen him in like… a while.

Katara was angry… she was angry, and she was furious, and she even felt a seed of hatred lodging itself deep in her heart with every step she took away from Aang and that hack of Master. Katara wanted to return to Zuko's ship and hide in her room to cry, but at the same time, she held everything back like she was taught how, and walked toward the Healing Hut even when she didn't want to learn anything about healing and wanted to learn how to fight instead.

Spirits above…. Spirits above! The Northern Water Tribes are nothing but assholes and mean people in disguise! No wonder Aang was agitated throughout their journey to the north. Now Katara realized what the Fire Nation crew meant by their words when they always grumbled about the Water Tribes' discrimination and prejudice.

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Katara finally realized what her stupid culture was about…

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And she wasn't happy about it, not one a bit…

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Katara could only stand in the middle of the road, taking deep breaths, gritting her teeth, and locking her jaws, trying to control the tears that wanted to leave her and the sobs that trapped themselves in her chest. Anger, hurt, and humiliation made themselves home in her chest, and she allowed herself to sniffle softly before she cleared her throat and continued on her way, narrowing her eyes as she marched toward the Healing Hut like a criminal marching to their executioner.

To think that Katara crossed half of the world, excited to meet a Water Bending Master and learn from them. Learn and become strong enough to protect her precious people from those who want to harm them. To think that Katara humiliated herself by asking these Northern Water Tribe assholes to teach her how to Water Bend when these assholes were the ones who isolated themselves away in this protected fort while allowing the Southern Water Tribes to suffer from the Fire Nation's attacks and raids until only Katara's tribe remain standing while everyone else was either killed or captured (Killed and captured; captured and killed, until there was only a handful of tribes left that banded together to form her village, and even then, what was left was only a few from what used to be known as the Great Southern Water Tribes, a few who could barely protect or support themselves).

Katara was angry, and she was furious, and she really wanted to make a scene big enough and punch that Northie in the face for refusing to teach her, even when she no doubt could take him on if she wanted to and was more capable than any of his sniffling students. But she held herself back, she swallowed her anger and she stopped Aang from doing something as stupid as walking away. Katara held herself back, because now was not the time to make things about her and make a scene, now it was about Aang and his need to learn Water Bending so he could finally defeat Fire Lord Ozai and save everyone from his mad reign and end this war.

Never before had Katara hated her culture as much as she did today… never before did she feel anger and hate at how narrowminded and backward the Water Tribes were until today… never before did Katara look at any of the other nations and wish her people would be more like them with their costumes and rules, instead of being those narrowminded people who would suppress the women and hate those different… never before did Katara feel envy as she looked at the Fire Nation and wished her people would be more like them in a way (Never before did Katara look at Zuko with jealousy, as she did today when she finally realized that Zuko… a Kunze man… someone the Water Tribes considered lower than even Qianyuan women… by the Fire Nation's culture and costumes was given respect and allowed to learn how to bend his element; never suppressed, never made fun of, and never questioned and found lacking no matter who looked at him. Instead, Zuko was a Fire Bending Master of his own right and was given all the respect someone would ever want and need, and Katara… Katara who spent all of her life fighting for every scrap and shred of respect and knowledge, could only feel jealous of how the Fire Nation's culture allowed this while her culture refused her even a shred of the courtesy Zuko was offered… if only…. If only…).

Now… it was now that Katara finally understood what Aang meant all these weeks ago when he lost it at her for having this Water Tribe's mentality… she finally understood, and she could only feel hatred and anger as she walked through the Agna Qel'a (That thriving place filled with people unaware of the horror outside of their small bubble full of safety, while Katara and her people had to live in fear and terror all of their lives). Now Katara finally understood, and as she saw the Healing Hut coming closer and closer to her, Katara swore then and there…

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She would be the one who would knock some sense into these Northie assholes…

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One way or another…)…

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"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Fuck!" Aang all but snarled as he slammed down the water this time, on the ship's deck, glaring at the liquid like it had offended him deeply and insulted all of his ancestors. Taking deep breaths and trying to calm himself down, Aang centered himself once more, trying once more to Water Bend and get this move right, trying not to allow his irritation to get the better of him once more and fail in his task like he had been doing for the past few days.

"Now, now, what did my poor ship ever do to you for you to treat it like this?" Zuko's teasing voice came from behind making Aang still before finally stopping in this stupid quest he had been on for hours now with no success. Embarrassment, couldn't help but color Aang's face at the realization that he had lost himself like that in front of Zuko.

"Uh… couldn't sleep?" Aang couldn't help but inquire, turning to the Kunze and hoping the other teen wouldn't point at his less-than-stellar performance just now when he failed to Water Bend that stupid stream for what felt like the thousandth time in the past few days.

"Well, it's kinda hard to sleep when someone above the deck kept making all these noises. Part of me even thought a thug had dared to come down, but look who I found in the end." Zuko teased, walking toward Aang and leaning on him, snickering at how red Aang's face became when Zuko leaned and whispered. "Didn't know you had it in you to curse like that, pretty boy, it makes me all the more curious to know what is going on." Making Aang let out a sigh while gazing at the water splashed over the deck.

"I… nothing… it's nothing… it's just…" Aang tried to come up with something to make Zuko distract or forget about the less-than-pleasant situation, not wanting Zuko to get tangled with Aang's mixed emotions about Water Bending and the Northern Water Tribe when Aang needed to get his head in the game and learn something already.

"Hmmm, nothing you say?" Zuko questioned as he stood in front of Aang and tilted his head from side to side before an amused smile took over his head; Zuko raised his hand to flick Aang's forehead, ignoring the squeak of pain Aang let out as he whined and started to rub his poor forehead. "You know, I don't think it's nothing… I think…" Here, Zuko leaned up until Aang's heart started hammering in his chest when they became so close that any sudden move could result in their lips touching. "…You are angry…" Here Zuko leaned back, and something akin to surprise (And something that not even Aang knew how to decipher) shone in his eyes. "No, you are furious… and it's affecting your ability to bend." Zuko's lips quirked up, having fallen on the problem, not even a few seconds of seeing Aang; part of Aang couldn't help but wonder if he was that easy to read, or if Zuko had this keen ability to read Aang like an open book. "So, are you going to tell me why?" Zuko questioned tilting his head in wonder and looking like he was too curious for his own good.

"…Are you going to tell me not to get angry and push it down if I do?" Aang couldn't help but question after a while, knowing that this was the answer that was always imparted to him every time he dared to get angry to the point that Aang stopped caring about telling anyone what he felt and just pasted a placid smile on his face. Control, suppress, and let go; that was what everyone told and continued to tell Aang ever since he was young. Always repeated in different ways, different instances, and different use of words, but it was always the same to the point that Aang stopped caring and started acting like he wasn't angry at all.

"Eh? Me telling you to… not get angry?" Zuko questioned, looking baffled to the point the Kunze let out a bark of amused laughter and leaned on Aang, his eyes sparkling with joy (Joy, that just seeing, made all the anger and loath Aang was stewing in slide away, and he could finally breath and relax after what felt like days of nonstop fighting). "Aang…" Zuko snickered looking so amused. "As the world's leading authority on how to be angry; I more than ever don't have the right to tell you to stop being angry…" Then Zuko leaned down and whispered mischievously. "…Besides, seeing a pretty boy like you get angry to the point of committing arson or two is kinda exciting, so who is our target? The Chieftain? The Northern Water Tribes as a whole? Or is it that Master of yours who always smelled like fish?" Something to which Aang seemed to have lost it, and let out a shrieking laughter before finally controlling himself and slapping his hands on his mouth to muffle his loud laugh, feeling amused and light in a way he hadn't felt ever since he stepped foot in the Northern Water Tribes. "Feeling better?" Zuko questioned, his words all but melting Aang from the inside out as he sent Zuko a soft smile.

"Yeah, I do, now." Aang sighed, leaning on the rail behind him and gazing at the stars above with a thoughtful look; relaxing fully when he felt Zuko taking the right and leaning on his side. "I really, really, really hate being here…" Aang finally admitted after a while feeling every knot of tension leaving him when Zuko let out a hum seeming to be content to snuggle into Aang's right side. "…It always brought out the worst in me… and now this…" Aang pointed with his left hand at the puddle of water with a dejected look. "Seems like it will be years before I even manage to get anything right," Aang grumbled, his words making Zuko click his tongue and look at the puddle in deep thought.

"You know…" Zuko started after a while of silence where he seemed to have collected his thoughts. "Uncle used to say that the biggest lie we allowed ourselves to believe; was that things are separate and different but in reality, they are actually the same." Oh… Aang could only let out, a sort of enlightenment finally descended upon him to the point he understood what his next move was going to be. Zuko pulled back, gazing at Aang with an amused smile before raising his hand, running his index finger over the bridge of Aang's nose before he flicked Aang's forehead, causing the Qianyuan to whine a bit.

"What's with you and flicking my forehead?" Aang couldn't help but complain, finally snapping out of his reverence and a huge pout dominated his face when the snickering minx on his right looked too delighted at the prospect that Aang was suffering via those forehead flicks.

"Hmmm, you are cute when you pout afterward." Aang could only flush red hearing this, to which Zuko snickered some more, before leaning on Aang to the point he almost pushed him a few inches to the left before pulling him back. "Push and pull, Aang." Zuko laughed, gazing at Aang with a mischievous grin. "Tui and La… an eternal game of chase, just like how you always make me chase after you." Aang blushed once more after hearing this, but this time, he understood what Zuko meant by his words and where Aang should go next. "Now, pretty boy, the Water Tribes seemed to have pulled you around in their farce without allowing you the chance to breathe, what are you going to do next?" Aang couldn't help the mischievous smile from taking over his face before…

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"I will push back until they break…"

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---

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…("Hey, Katara," Aang called out, making Katara who was dragging her feet to the Healing Hut stop in her way, turning to look at Aang with a pout on her face that softened when she saw Aang walking toward her; for once ever since they have arrived to the North, Aang finally looked relaxed, the anger that had clouded his face for days seemed to have dissipated, and there was even a small smile on Aang's face.

Katara, unable to help the small smile from crossing her lips at the thought that one of them was finally happy and things were looking up waved to Aang, and couldn't help but ask. "You look happy, did the mean old guy finally teach you something useful?" Katara couldn't help but ask, wanting to know if Aang had finally started getting the hang of Water Bending (Hoping that Aang did so they could finally leave this cursed place once and for all).

"Nope!" Aang replied, looking too chippered even while saying this and ignoring Katara's confused look and choked noise. "As that Gumflapper is useless in this regard, I decided to change the roles a bit and go with you to the Healing Hut, who knows? Maybe I will learn something of use this time, instead of watching that old geezer drink his soup and complain about his back." Aang snorted, putting his arm around Katara and giving her a one-armed hug and a grin. "Come on, Katara, we don't want to offend our new Water Bending Master by being late for my first lesson." Aang teased.

Katara felt her eyes stinging a bit at the support Aang showed her with this action, and she could only give a shaky smile and let out a choked laugh. "D-don't worry… Master Yagoda is nice… and she definitely doesn't drink soup and complains about back pain during lessons…. Also, she smells nice…" Katara grumbled, receiving a boisterous laugh from Aang who looked amused; Katara feeling lighter than she had in days, could only smile and directed Aang toward the Healing Hut with a skip in her steps…

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Today looked like it was going to be a good day…)…

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For the first time in what felt like days, Aang felt like he could finally breathe and let loose; walking toward the Healing Hut and hearing Katara's excited chatter (Katara finally looked happy after days spent looking so tired and angry as she dragged herself to the Healing Hut, day after day), telling him about what she had learned so far and how Master Yagoda was 'Teaching us the same move you did that day when you healed Zuko's leg!', and that alone made Aang's interest peak and ask Katara to clarify, which the girl happily did… with it, a new resolution had formed inside Aang's mind, and another reason for learning the art of Water Bending to heal had manifested.

Aang knew what he had dared to do was probably stupid, and would have caused a lot of complications in the future… he knew the action he dared to commit by coming here with Katara and sending Master Pakku a letter informing him he was not going to attend today's lesson was like playing with fire. Aang knew that his action could be taken as an insult, unforgiven by many in the Water Tribes, But Aang had had enough of the Water Tribes and their stupidity to last him several lifetimes, and it had just been a few days.

So, Aang ignored the looks and confusion coloring people's faces when he entered the Healing Hut, smiling at Master Yagoda who looked confused and a little unbalanced but all the same, welcomed him with a warm smile and offered him a seat when he told her he was here to learn. Aang could only allow a smile to cross his lips as he watched the small girls (No older than nine) look at Aang with wonder, probably questioning why a boy, and a Qianyuan at that, was in the Healing Hut when he was supposed to be with the warriors.

Aang just smiled, and sat beside Katara and watched Master Yagoda, a Kunze, start her lesson with a smile. Chakra's paths, Chi, and water. Aang soaked in every word the woman said and watched with rapid attention how Master Yagoda pulled some of the water from the pond near her and Water Bend the stream into the paths she mentioned, showing them what to do and how to act in the faces of every possible injury they could ever encounter. "The secret to healing is simple. Push and pull. Whenever you find the resistance that pushed you away, you surround it and pull." Master Yagoda said, pulling out dummies and putting them in front of them to try and heal.

Push and pull. Tui and La. The ocean and the moon. A game of chase that started centuries ago, by the two Spirits who kept balance and were the first to teach the Water Tribes how to Water Bend their element. Tui, the moon Spirit, the Yang, the one that represented everything masculine, everything positive; the one that pushed and pulled and started the game of chase centuries ago. La, the ocean Spirit, the Ying, the one that represented everything feminine, everything negative; La, who instead of pushing Tui away, participated and continued this chase of push and pull, pull and push that continued for centuries, for decades, years, months, days.

A game that would never wean or stop as the two Spirits complement one another and continued to stay by the other, bringing balance and prosperity to their children… the children who ended up deviating from the laws put by the two Spirits that brought balance and love between their children.

Aang watched, and he could only glance at Katara watching how she was trying to concentrate on healing, her tongue sticking out, and her brows furrowed as she tried to feel the push and pull. Aang knew his friend, and he knew that more than ever Katara was more suited to the Yang aspect of Water Bending, to fight, to dominate, to raise above all; a warrior in her right. To force Katara to follow the Ying aspect just for being a woman, was a sign that Tui and La would have punished their children for, especially when it would end up snuffing a talent like Katara's in the end.

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"Push and pull…Aang…"

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"…The biggest lie we allowed ourselves to believe; was that things are separate and different but in reality, they are actually the same…"

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So, Aang watched, and in the end, he bent some of the water from the pond in the middle of the hut to heal, trying to feel the push and pull that Master Yagoda told him about. Trying to keep Zuko's words in his mind, keeping them closer and closer, because with them Aang knew what this was all about and how he was supposed to react and to feel… just like a game of chase, like how to Air Bend, push and pull your opponent without any harm, toy with them and evade them until they finally give up and were pushed away.

Push and pull when putting in the frame of healing was easy to decipher and feel; easy for Aang to understand and make sense of. Feel the resistance and the push Master Yagoda talked about and pull until everything was finally smooth and proper as how it should be. It was easy, and it probably took him fifteen minutes top to understand and apply, unlike how he spent days with Master Pakku trying to learn this damn push and pull and only succeeding in getting angry instead.

"Wow… that's amazing, Aang!" Katara cheered up, snapping Aang out of his concentration and he turned to his friend who was looking at him with amazement (And some envy in her eyes, but Aang wouldn't point that, not when he knew how much Katara had sacrificed to be here, only to be pushed away and found lacking).

"Yeah? But it wouldn't have been as amazing as you beating Master Pakku's butt in a fight, that, I am sure of." Aang whispered softly teasing his friend while swirling the water around in a sinking and floating motion, watching how Katara's face lit at the praise and how she puffed her chest in pride.

The water Aang was bending suddenly shot away from him, and Aang didn't even need to turn his head to the hut's door to notice Master Pakku standing there, glaring at Aang with a look that promised pain and death, before freezing the water and sticking the ice crystals where he was standing… Aang's lips couldn't help quirking up against his will when he saw how incensed Master Pakku seemed to have become.

"You…" Master Pakku hissed, pointing at Aang with a finger that shook with how much rage the older man was trying to suppress. "To the palace, now!" The old Qianyuan snarled before stomping toward the mentioned palace, leaving behind terrified kids and a scared old woman who Aang immediately reassured.

"Aang…?" Katara's worried voice snapped Aang out of his thoughts and he could only give the young girl a small smile and a pat on the head as he reassured her that everything was alright before bowing to Master Yagoda and apologized once more for what happened before he followed Master Pakku, an amused smile on his lips that refused to go…

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This was going to be interesting…

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…("Like, what does she want from me?!" Sokka complained to Zuko, feeling so angry and hurt at Princess Yue's actions, wanting to know what was wrong with that woman for wanting to meet him, only to tell him then to get lost like it was nothing. "Like! Like! If she doesn't like me, why did she tell me to come and meet her?!" Sokka squeaked, turning to Zuko who was sipping his tea and nodding his head. "You! Even when you teased Aang and such, you never did anything like that, and look where the two of you are, betrothed and will end up married!" Zuko paused a bit looking at Sokka with an exasperated look.

"And you brought me and Aang as a reference for your failed romance, because?" Zuko couldn't help but inquire, receiving a huge pout from Sokka who then started trying to explain himself to Zuko and make him see what Sokka saw. "She is engaged, Sokka." Zuko sighed, his words freezing Sokka momentarily. "Probably why she acted like this. She likes you enough to invite you to see her even when it's against their costumes, but her culture's pressure and the guilt made her push you away." Zuko explained, his every word made Sokka feel hurt and bad.

"…You never allowed your culture and costumes to dedicate your relationship with Aang…" Sokka sulked as he said this, pushing Momo away when the lemur, sensing how Sokka was angry and sad, gave Sokka a half-eaten tart the animal was munching on.

"That's because it takes a lot of courage to discard the rules and costumes enforced upon anyone born into a royal family… a courage that seemed your Princess needed a push in the right direction to manage to summon." Zuko rolled his eyes, taking another sip before pausing. "Besides… it takes a crazier person like yours truly..." Here Zuko pointed at himself. "...To stand up for a crazy and genocidal family. And for that, marrying Aang will be the sweet reward I will thoroughly enjoy after killing my father." Sokka couldn't help but let out a groan of embarrassment at the smirk Zuko sent his way with that damned wiggle of eyebrow that informed Sokka what kind of enjoyment his friend was thinking of.

"Sokka!" Katara's shout of his name, made Sokka raise his head and look at his sister, wondering why she was shouting and making such noises when she should be at the Healing Hut learning there or something. "Sokka, did you see General Iroh?!" Katara stopped near their table, panting and looking part hysteric, causing any annoyance Sokka felt before to vanish and concern to take over his face.

"No, he left an hour ago, why?" Katara hearing this, her face fell, and worry clouded her features to the point Sokka stood from his chair and went to his sister, putting his hands on her shoulders. "What happened?" Sokka questioned, to which Katara sniffled and started explaining what happened this morning and how Master Pakku had ordered Aang to go to the palace.

Hearing this Sokka could only turn to gaze at Zuko with worry in his eyes watching how Zuko furrowed his eyebrows before he stood up from his seat and went to pick his Dao swords and strapped them on before turning to Sokka and Katara. "Are you coming?" Zuko questioned, getting twin nods from Sokka and Katara who hurried up and followed Zuko to the palace, planning on dressing Master Pakku down for daring to do what he did to their friend…

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Oh, Sokka was itching to punch that annoying man in the face…

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Especially, after what he did to his sister...)…

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Aang only stood in his place with a placid smile, watching from the corner of his eye how Master Pakku was glaring at him, and giving him a harsh look that promised retribution. On Aang's right stood General Iroh, who was also smiling and nodding to what Chief Arnook was saying as the older man tried to play a peacemaker between Aang and Master Pakku who was bristling at every word the Chief said.

Aang knowing that what he had done, didn't break any rules or insult any of the Water Tribes' culture, relaxed, and allowed his smile to get bigger when Master Pakku sent him a warning look. "Now, now, Master Pakku. Aang here didn't break any of the rules you mentioned, and he even sent a notice of absence and the reason for it, did he not?" General Iroh inquired with a smile, his words making the older man frown harshly.

"As the Avatar, it's my duty to learn all forms of bending and utilize them to my advantage, isn't it? What did I possibly do, to have you this angry when I made sure to send my notice and the reason, twelve hours before my lesson today, Master Pakku?" Aang questioned, tilting his head and widening his eyes a bit, looking the picture of innocence, even when he sent a jab at Master Pakku's pride by saying. "I even got the hang of the push and pull you taught me!" Making pleasure curl around his heart when Master Pakku's face turned red at the obvious jab to his teaching methods.

"A woman's job is to heal and stay home; a man's job is to fight and protect!" Someone from Chief Arnook's family huffed, and Aang only turned his head slightly to see the speaker; recognizing him as one of the warriors with Sokka (And the one, if the rumors were to be trusted, was Princess Yue's betrothal). "Deviating from these rules, you have dared to insult our culture. Show you the type of backward culture you have come from. An Avatar or not, your actions and words are unforgivable and have shown which kind of crowd you lean toward the most." The teenager huffed, raising his nose so high in the air, and ignoring the horrified looks sent his way by everyone and the glares that ordered him to shut up; even Master Pakku sent that brat a furious look that ordered him to stay silent, something that the brat didn't seem to notice.

Aang's smile vanished, and he could only narrow his eyes as he spat. "You have disrespected me, my deceased people, and my entire culture." Before glaring at Chief Arnook, who tried to de-escalate the situation. "This is strike two, Chief Arnook. First, you insulted my fiancé and the Prince of the Fire Nation during the feast; now your future son-in-law dared to insult my culture which is built on the equality between all genders and second natures, and to make things even more damning, he dared to imply that I, the Avatar, am biased toward one culture and disregard the rest." Here, Aang couldn't help but send that brat another glare, watching as the boy squirmed in his place when he noticed how silent the place was and that no one was speaking up and backing him. "Chief Arnook I know this is not my place to say, but I think you really should reconsider your daughter's betrothal. If not… then I foresee a new war on the horizon with the Water Tribes in the middle of it, and believe me when that happens, I will show you what kind of biased Avatar I could be." Aang spat, turning toward Chief Arnook who pressed his lips into a thin line before letting out a harsh sigh through his nose.

"Hahn. Leave." Chief Arnook finally ordered, his words making the brat, Hahn, freeze in his place before he tried to give a stuttered explanation. "Now!" The Chieftain's shout made the boy recoil, before finally after what felt like decades of silent staring, the boy stood up and started walking away with his head held high, sending Aang a glare from the corner of his eyes that promised him that this was not over. "Avatar Aang… I…" Chief Arnook started but stopped when Aang raised his hand to silence the man.

"Let bygones be bygones. I want to avoid this political nightmare as much as you do, so let's not linger on it, we have a bigger war to end, and starting smaller ones with other cultures will get us nowhere." Aang let out a tired sigh, raising his hand to massage his forehead, his words seemed to have calmed the Chieftain somewhat as the man let out a sigh and nodded; seeing this, Aang turned to Pakku and continued. "Push and pull; Tui and La; Ying and Yang. If something doesn't work out no matter how much you try, you just find a new approach for it and go with the flow. Your culture from the start of time was all about acceptance, changes, and flexibility, and believe me when I say I did only as your culture dedicated from start to finish." More than any of you ever did, I reassure you… Aang didn't say the last part out loud, but he knew Master Pakku probably heard it loud and clear if the way his face twisted was any indication.

"Master Pakku… I brought Avatar Aang to the north and specifically asked you to be his teacher because I knew how much of a competent Master you are. I trusted you with my future son-in-law and one of my charges knowing well enough that the two of them would flourish under your tutelage… the repeated slap in the face as everyone around disregarded our cultures and good intentions is getting bothersome by this point…" General Iroh let his words hang in the air before he let out a tired sigh; the older man's words made Master Pakku's face twist and he could only look away, seeming to have an inner debate with himself.

"For Tui's sake… why am I shackled with these disrespectful brats…" Master Pakku grumbled to himself before letting out a growl. "Fine! Fine!" Master Pakku huffed crossing his arms over his chest and sending Aang a look that promised him a very bad time. "You can have it your way, but I expect results by the end of the week. Pray your friend has the talent you always like to boast about because if not, both of you will be out of here by tomorrow's sunset!" Pakku huffed, glaring at Aang with anger.

Aang, on the other hand, could only smile and bow toward Master Pakku, feeling triumph coursing through him, because then and there, Aang managed to push and push until everyone relented; he managed to defeat the first hurdle in his way and give Katara a fighting chance to show how amazing and talented she was. "Thank you, Master Pakku, I promised I-!" Whatever Aang was planning on saying next was cut by something slamming into his face followed by Momo's familiar screeches as the animal started pulling at his clothes and directed him toward the doors; an action that made most of the women squeak in fear. "Momo?! What the…? Wah!" Aang stumbled when the Flying Lemur continued to drag him toward the door, making Aang almost trip as he tried to pull the lemur away from him.

"La's above! What's wrong with that animal?!" Master Pakku shouted not that far away, but by then, Aang was already following Momo in the hope of not falling face-first into the ground because of the animal's insistent pulling.

"I do not know, but we should probably follow. Animals have a sixth sense when it comes to danger, and Momo here is trained enough to…" General Iroh's voice grew fainter and fainter, with every step Aang took as he followed Momo outside, wondering what could have sat his little friend off to the point the animal would come searching for Aang instead of going to Zuko, Sokka, or anyone closer to him for that matter.

"…Zuko watch out!" Was what Aang managed to hear when he finally took a step out of the meeting hall, which made him tense and caused his breath to pick up; he finally managed to push Momo away and run toward the source, his heart pounding in his throat when he heard Zuko's name… Why are they here?! …Aang's brain screeched when he finally ran out of the palace's doors and saw his friends; his heart all but dropped to the pit of his stomach when he saw Katara pushing Zuko out of the way of rock, squeaking in pain when the rock hit her in the face. "Katara! Why you…!" Sokka snarled and turned toward the boy who was standing in the middle of the stairs, and was holding another rock in his hand ready to throw it at his friends.

"Piss off, you fucking traitor! I told you once, I will tell you again; an abnormality like that isn't allowed in the Water Tribes." The boy from back before, Hahn, sneered, glaring at Zuko who kneeled beside Katara who let out a moan of pain clutching her head; raising the rock in his hand ready to throw it at Zuko.

"Why you!" Aang snarled, crossing the distance separating them so fast, that he could have flown toward that idiot, who turned around with confused eyes that were filled with terror when Aang descended on him like a bad omen and delivered a punch that knocked him out cold. With the idiot out and sprawling on the steps in a graceless manner, Aang left him there as he ran down the rest of the stairs toward his friends, his heart pounding in his throat as he reached Zuko who was helping Katara sit and apply pressure on the wound. "Are you alright? What the hell are you doing here?! Didn't I tell you to-!" Aang couldn't even continue his questions, his face becoming darker when he noticed the blood making its way down Katara's face.

"Zuko!" Iroh's voice snapped Aang from his dark thoughts, and he could only turn to watch the Chieftain, Master Pakku, and Iroh descending the stairs, the Chieftain's face looked pale, while Pakku looked furious as he snapped orders to the guards and told them to pull Hahn and lock him in his rooms.

When Aang saw Iroh taking his place, he finally stood up; his face emotionless as he spat. "Strike three." In a voice so cold that even Aang didn't recognize it as his; but it was enough to startle those around him and make the men shake in their boots when they finally noticed Aang's eyes having a faint glow to them. "Congratulations, Chief Arnook… your people have just started a war…" Aang hissed, looking so incensed, watching how the man who froze in his place heard these words, and how he paled as the realization made its way to his face.

"Wait! Avatar Aang! Wait please!" Chief Arnook called out, but by then, Aang ignored the man as he went to pick Katara up, pointing to Sokka (Who looked so furious) to walk in the front, and being assured that General Iroh (Whose face had hardened into a picture of pure fury as he stood protectively by Zuko's side) would guide his beloved to the ship while Aang took Katara Healer Li, to make sure she was ok so they could leave this godforsaken place before Aang did something he would regret.

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Spirits above… Aang really hated this place…

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So, what do you think?

Finally! An update, and a long one at that! Over 18k!

And my gift to all of you is an art done by me! Yay! This is what I imagined Zuko as from the start of the story, and finally, I had the courage to draw him. He kind of looks like Ursa in this, doesn't he?

For anyone who wants to see the art but is unable to do so, you can go and visit my Tumblr account also by the name Nazaki-Sama, and see the art there. I post all of my art on my Tumblr way earlier so that is also a bonus.

Well, now you understand why Aang was a stuttering blushing mess every time Zuko flirted with him.

Man, this chapter was a pain and a half to write, had to cut it short at 18k when I noticed I reached the 30k mark…

The next chapter would be the second part and final… that, if it didn't decide to be a bitch and get even longer, which I suspected it will…

Different cultures, prejudice, and stubborn ignorant teenagers, are a recipe for a disaster. This chapter proves it!

Read and Review

And tell me what you think

Nazaki-Sama