"Even the separation of the four elements is an illusion. If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one. Four parts of the same whole." —Guru Pathik

/

"So!" Aang waltzes in at the crack of dawn the next morning. "What are we learning today?"

I groan, pulling the blanket over my head to block out the light. "Five more minutes!"

"Come on !"

A breath of wind lifts the blanket clean off me.

I glare at him as I sit up. "Not cool." I half-heartedly blow a breath of fire at him in annoyance.

Ow! Maybe that wasn't such a good idea.

Aang waves the fire away, laughing. But then his face falls. "I couldn't sleep."

"Oh?" I stretch as I stand up. Spirits I hurt after the tuffle yesterday with Zhāng. I almost welcome the pain. It helps block out all the other emotions I don't really feel like feeling right now.

Aang looks down at his feet. "It doesn't feel right, locking you in here. You've saved my life twice now. You deserve better."

"Aang." I place my hands on his shoulders, titling his head up until I can look him in the eye. "I have a lot to answer for. This is where I'm meant to be."

Aang opens his mouth to argue but I breeze past him. "Come on now. You've woken me up. Let's get started."

I don't have the energy to argue against Aang's good heart.

/

"Sit," I instruct once we go through some basic firebending forms. Aang looks good, his fire powerful. He's ready to learn some of Uncle's teachings I've just now begun to appreciate.

This morning, I notice, we're alone. Everyone else is probably sleeping still. Jealous!

He eyes me skeptically but perches atop a slab of fallen pillar.

I pick up a stick and start drawing in the dust of the stones. "Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will and the energy and drive to achieve what they want. Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything."

As I talk, I draw the symbols of the elements in the dust.

Aang is leaning forward in interest. "Why are you telling me these things?"

I give him a sly smile. "It's important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale." I draw lines between the symbols, separating them.

"Understanding others—the other elements and the other nations—will help you become whole." I finish the drawing with a large circle encompassing the symbols.

I can't help but adding, "But you should already know this as the Avatar."

Aang blanches. "Yeah, yeah sure."

I nudge him with a shoulder until he shoves me away playfully, that wide grin back on his face. I like being able to make that happen, that joy. It feels good in a way that I've been missing my entire life.

I gesture back at the elements. "We grow up learning that the elements and their bending techniques are separate."

Aang's eyes light up as he begins to realize where I'm going with this.

"We can learn more about firebending or earthbending or waterbending by observing and learning about one another. We may be separate people but we don't have to be divided."

"So," Aang says slowly. "You're saying I can blend techniques from all four elements?"

"Precisely."

"How?" Aang's all eagerness now. He's hardly able to contain his excitement. He's practically floating off the ground.

I can't stop the smile that takes over my entire face. "Like this." I blast fire into Aang's face.

His eyes widen in shock as he dodges out of the way. "What are you—"

"You're thinking like an Airbender." I kick a wall of flames at his feet. "Now use that technique to defend yourself using firebending."

Aang leaps above the flames on a breath of wind.

"Come on! This should be easy for you. Now only firebending!"

"Hey!" Aang complains as he dodges more fire. "That was close!"

"Start using firebending then!"

I perform the báihè lìangchì into the zuoyou lōuxī àobù, quickly followed by zuo lăn què wĕi, sending columns of flame directly at Aang as well as coming from his left and right. Aang's eyes widen, but this time he takes all three streams of fire and combines them into one. He seamlessly goes into the shăn tōng bì into zhuănshēn bānlánchuí, sending the flames back at me. I dissipate the flames off to either side of me with yúnshŏu. Aang and I perform the shōushì together.

I can't help the wide smile that creeps across my face. Aang is beaming at me like a crazy person.

"That was awesome—" Aang starts to exclaim when water is suddenly everywhere.

I find myself pinned against a pillar, frozen in place by a sheet of ice before I can fully comprehend what's happening, my ribs screaming at me the only indication that something has indeed happened.

Aang is still standing where I'd left him, rooted to the spot and his wide grin slowly melting away.

"See!" Katara's screeching, marching into view. "Didn't I tell you Zuko would betray us! Again!"

"What?" Aang just stares at her flabbergasted. "He wasn't—we were just—"

"Why didn't you wake one of us up!" Katara demands.

Aang's just gaping at her.

"We were training," I answer for him.

"You!" Katara spins on me. "Shut up!"

The ice creeps over my mouth. I fight the urge to shudder. It's cold!

"Katara." Aang's holding his hands up placatingly. "We really were just training."

Katara raises a disbelieving eyebrow. "By attacking you?"

I could kick myself. I didn't even think before I started bending. It's what Uncle always griped at me about. I never think. I'm such a fucking idiot!

Aang smiles hesitantly. "Zuko was teaching me how to firebend like an airbender!"

"What?" Katara looks completely confused now.

"Airbending is all about defence and firebending is about attacking. We were combining the two."

A burst of pride races through me at Aang's words. He's come such a long way from the nervous wreck I had to work with at the beginning of the week.

Katara looks suitably impressed. I judge this as probably the best time to use the Breath of Fire to melt my way out of the ice.

"Okay…that actually sounds cool. But," here she gives me a dark glare that turns into a scowl once she realizes I'm standing in a puddle of water instead of ice, "I'm still not comfortable with you alone with Zuko. And I especially don't like you two sparring. I can't trust Zuko not to hurt you."

I cringe inwardly. Yeah, I'm not sure I would either.

"Katara—"

I cut Aang off with a shake of my head. "I respect your wishes Katara. I won't spar with Aang and we'll make sure you or one of the others also joins our training sessions."

Katara eyes me like she can't believe I just agreed to something.

I know! It's weird! But it's nice not being angry all the time. Life and relationships can't work without compromise. Spirits! I'm even beginning to think like Uncle!

"Listen," I plunge on ahead since it seems like Katara won't be freezing me alive today, "Maybe you could spar with Aang? Since I can't?"

"Yeah!" Aang's eyes light up. "I can figure out how to combine water and firebending!"

Katara looks utterly nonplussed but she sighs in defeat. "Fine, but only because you asked and you seem convinced this will somehow help you."

"Yes!" Aang punches a hand into the air.

I roll my eyes, perching on the broken pillar to watch. Really, this'll be a good break for me. Sparing with Aang wasn't doing any wonders for my broken ribs.

Aang shoots me an apologetic look. I wave him on. He has nothing to apologize for. Katara's only protecting him. I have only myself to blame for the untrustworthy bastard that I am.

Katara rolls her shoulders before squaring off against Aang.

"So," he says slowly, hesitantly. "Who should start?"

Katara answers by drawing water from the somehow still dripping fountain and thrusts it at Aang. He bends the water in a circle around him before sending it rushing back at Katara who merely flicks the water away, thoroughly soaking me.

I want to stand up and rage at her. But that's the old me. I shake the water out of my eyes and meet Katara's goating gaze with a cool one of my own.

Aang's looking between us like he's afraid someone might explode.

"Firebending only, Aang," I finally break the tense silence.

Aang goans but returns to the ready stance.

This time, Katara sends icy shards at Aang who melts them with a wall of fire.

"Come on!" Katara's panting slightly now. "You need to let your defense become your offense. Turn my own forces against me. Flow Aang."

Huh. Maybe having Katara spar with Aang isn't such a bad idea. I'll have to go find Toph (and maybe Haru too) next. I'm pretty sure Toph will be thrilled at a challenge like this.

Aang shoots me a desperate look.

I smile, giving him a thumbs up. "You've got this!" I mouth at him. "Confidence. Believe in yourself."

Aang closes his eyes for a moment, centering himself using the qǐshì. He nods to Katara, settling into the ready position. "I'm ready."

"Are you sure Aang?" We can always take a break—"

Katara's cut off by Aang using zuoyou yémă fēngzōng to send a stream of flames at Katara. A determined grin has taken over her face. She puts out the fire with a blast of water. Aang breathes deeply, causing smoke to swirl from the decimated flames.

Katara chuckles, "Good one Aang!" as she squints through the swirling smoke.

"Really?" comes Aang's cheery reply.

"Concentrate!" I snap, unable to keep the smile out of my voice. The smoke screen is ingenious!

"Right, sorry!"

Katara scowls at me.

I ignore her.

Katara shreds the smoke screen with shards of ice. Aang knocks the shards away from him with fists full of fire. He performs a yòu dēng jiăo, but close to the ground. Fire shoots towards Katara, sizzling as it makes contact with the water all over the ground. It's as Katara's distracted dealing with Aang's last attack that he springs forward, using the newly created smoke for cover. He finishes the match with a shuāng fēng guàn ĕr. If Aang had been using firebending, Katara would be done for.

A huge grin spreads across Aang's face as Katara throws her arms around him. They're both painting and flushed from the exertion. I feel like I'm intruding on a private moment, like I should turn away.

"That was awesome!" Katara's gushing.

"I can't believe I just did that with firebending!"

I'm grinning like a fool too. I'm so proud of Aang it hurts, I had no idea teaching could feel this way. It makes me feel whole in a way I never would have before. It feels right. I only wish I had figured this out sooner. Maybe I wouldn't have betrayed Uncle or taken so long to realize Father wasn't going to accept me for who I am. I'm an idiot.

Suddenly Aang's there, hugging me and jumping us both up and down. "I did it!" he's shouting.

"Congratulations!" I carefully extricate myself.

Katara's looking at me through narrowed eyes but she isn't reprimanding me or reminding Aang I can't be trusted. I'll take it.

"But we're not done yet. You still need to incorporate earthbending into your firebending."

Aang's eyes alight with excitement. "Toph!" he exclaims and bounds off before I can say that maybe we should wait until she's awake.

That leaves Katara and I alone together for the first time since Ba Sing Se.

"Listen Katara, I'm—"

She holds up a hand to halt me. "Save it. I don't want to hear it."

I clamp my mouth shut. Right, I deserve that.

We're saved from any more awkward conversation by Aang's return. He's dragging along a very grumpy looking Toph.

"There'd better be a very good reason for waking me up," she's grumbling.

"I'm learning to combine bending techniques!" Aang says eagerly

That gets Toph's attention. "Come again?"

"It was Zuko's idea actually."

My cheeks heat up as Toph gives me a dubious look.

"I know it sounds crazy." Katara joins Aang. "But the idea seems to be really helping him to learn firebending."

Toph just shrugs. "Sounds good. What am I supposed to do?" She aims the question at me.

I shift uneasily as they all turn to me. "Spar with Aang. He has to figure out how to combine earth and firebending."

"Cool!" Toph grins wickedly, making me very glad it's not me who's sparing with her. She cracks her knuckles together and rolls her shoulders before stomping her foot, sending Aang flying as a column of stone ejects him into the sky.

"Hey!" comes Aang's shout as he airbends himself back to the ground. "I wasn't ready yet!"

"Firebending, Aang!" I shout at him at the same time Toph scoffs, "So?"

Katara quickly retreats, joining me on the broken pillar. I try not to think too hard about it. It is the best spot to view the sparring.

"Come on Twinkle Toes!" Toph taunts as she kicks boulders at Aang. "Show me what you've got!"

Aang dodges and blasts the boulders apart with firebending, barely able to keep his feet.

"Remember!" Toph calls out, obviously thoroughly enjoying herself. "Utilize neutral jing."

Uncle tried teaching me neutral jing, which involves waiting and listening for the right moment to strike and to act decisively. I never had the patience for those teachings. I regret not being more patient, I ache for the chance to do it all over again. But I can't. So now I must pay the consequences of my actions.

"Ah!" Ang yells as the boulders keep coming.

"Come on Aang! You've got this!" Katara shouts.

"You're thinking like an airbender!" I reprimand gently. "Think like an earthbender!"

Toph kicks two boulders in quick succession at Aang. He performs both a zuo and a you xià shì dúlì, sending two blasts of fire at Toph one right after the other. Toph blocks the fire blast with a wall of earth which is quickly shattered by the second blast, sending Toph stumbling backwards.

Katara's on her feet, worry in her tense shoulders. Aang hurries over to Toph, shouting, "Sorry! So sorry! Are you hurt?!"

But Toph is laughing so hard she has to bend over to catch her breath. She punches Aang hard enough in the shoulder to send him stumbling.

"Ow!" he complains, which gets a snort out of Katara. "What was that for?!"

"You got me good Twinkle Toes!" Toph snorts, taken over by laughter again. "That was awesome!"

Aang slowly starts to grin. "I did it?"

"Uh, duh!"

Aang starts to dance, pulling Katara in for an impromptu jig.

I watch the merriment from a distance. I don't deserve to join in.

But then Aang is spinning over to me, suddenly turning serious. He bows formally. "Thank you Shīfù Zuko, for teaching me."

I can't help but snort. "Come here." I draw a surprised Aang into a hug. "I'm proud of you," I whisper in his ear, so incredibly honored to be his teacher. I can't even begin to describe the feeling inside me when I heard Aang call me Shīfù.

When I let him go, he's grinning from ear to ear.

"Now," I frown, pretending sternness. "Let's see if you can combine them all seamlessly."

Aang's eyes light up at the challenge.

"Hey!" Everyone jumps, spinning towards Sokka who looks like he just woke up. "Are you all having fun without me?"

"Perfect!" Aang bounces over to Sokka and pulls him towards the rest of us. "You can join us!"

"Join you doing what exactly?"

/

Aang spends the rest of the day sparring against Katara, Toph, and Sokka. By mid morning Haru, Teo, and the Duke have joined the fray. Sometimes Aang is sparing against one of his friends and sometimes it's two against one or three against one or even all of them against Aang. At first, I call out which technique (air, water, earth, or fire) I want Aang to focus on. But, soon enough, Aang is able to effortlessly combine all four discipline techniques into his firebending. It's completely awesome to witness!

I stay out of the sparring, respectful of Katara's wishes that I not spar with Aang. I itch to try it out myself though, but I practice restraint just like Uncle tried to teach me all those years. I can wait. It's more important that I earn their trust than improving my own firebending.

/

Aang finally flops down next to me, completely exhausted. "I'm starving!"

"Me too!" Sokka collapses on the other side of me. "I'm too tired to cook."

Katra slumps down next to Aang. "Well, I'm not cooking."

"Don't look at me!" Toph raises her hands. "I can't cook."

The Duke says nothing, just shakes his head as he slips down next to me on the side not occupied by Aang. I've never been surrounded by friends like this before. It's a new and very overwhelming feeling. I have the sudden urge to cry.

Haru's panting hard, hands on hips. "All I can cook is braised turtleduck." At Aang's and my horrified looks, he quickly adds, "But I know Aang's a vegetarian." He shoots me a curious look, but I'm not about to launch into how much turtleducks make me think of my mother.

Teo looks embarrassed. "I actually…never learned to cook. My father never allowed me near the kitchen because of…" he trails off, staring forlornly at his bound legs.

Haru places a gentle hand on Teo's shoulder and squeezes. "When this war is over, we can change that."

"Really?" Teo asks, so much raw hope in his voice guilt pierces me once again at the destruction my family and Nation have caused our world.

"Of course."

Teo smiles thankfully up at Haru.

"I'll make dinner."

They all whip around to stare at me.

"What?" I stammer, uncomfortable. "I know how to cook!"

Katara snorts. "Uh-huh."

Haru and Teo just stare at me in surprise while the Duke's expression never changes.

"Have at it!" Sokka gives me a fist bump before lying down on his back.

"As long as it's edible." Toph shrugs. "I don't care."

"I'll help!" Aang says cheerily.

I thought Katara might argue but she just shrugs. "Whatever."

I'm pretty much beaming inside. Small steps. Small steps. All the pain to prove myself is worth it for this one small moment of trust.

Author's Note

For those who would like to see the actual Taichi forms that I mention in this chapter, here is the link I've been using: /tai-chi-24-form-moves-chinese-pinyin-english/

Aang uses Sifu Katara every once in a while in the TV series. I decided to use the Mandarin spelling: Shīfù, which translates to "master." (For those of you you know Kung Fu Panda, Master Shifu's name is literally "Master Master.")