The Last Airbenders > Zuko

3

It had been two years since I met Aang. To be completely honest, I was nervous to meet and get to know him. But as time went on, the kid and I really hit it off.

We would train daily for a few hours, surprisingly enough he actually listened to my instructions. He picked up on skills and tricks quickly, he was an incredibly fast learner. Besides training, we spent our other hours in the day together too.

Aang was seen as an outcast to the other kids in the village. They would admire him before they figured out he was the avatar. After that, they all thought it would be unfair for Aang to join in on their activities with his title. So, we spent a lot of time together. Quickly, he became a good friend. Since Gyatso was our guardian, we thought of each other as siblings.

He also reminded me of Kei a lot.

They were both optimistic, kind, and loyal. Aang always told the truth. He was good at understanding other's emotions and knew how to keep everyone included. The kid had such a kind heart. I got insanely lucky.

One day, after Aang and I had trained for about six hours, we headed back to the tower to play some Pai-Sho. The boy looked gloomy, he was resting his head on his palm as we played.

I glanced at the boy after sliding one of my tokens during my move. "Alright. What's wrong?" I asked in a serious tone while crossing my arms over my chest.

Aang blinked. "Wha?"

I rolled my eyes. "You've been sitting here pouting ever since you got back from wherever you went, and I'm worried about you. Did something happen?" I questioned him lightly, not wanting to accidentally upset him even more.

He grumbled and lifted his head up from his palm. "The other guys wouldn't let me play their game with them again." He seemed more annoyed than somber.

This time it was my turn to scowl. "Seriously? God, those kids drive me insane. They're so judgmental."

Aang nodded his head in agreement.

"But, I'm really sorry they won't include you. It's just not fair. I mean, do you want me to talk to them or?-"

"No! It's fine." He interrupted me. "I don't want to seem like the kid that went to whine to his sister or mentor about it. There's not much we can do anyway."

I nodded in return. "It's your turn."

Just then, one of the other monks that worked with Gyatso opened the door. He glared at me disapprovingly.

"You're playing games with him?" He looked between Aang and I while shaking his head. "The avatar should be training. "

I took a deep breath to push down my anger. "Aang already trained today."

"Time is short," He spat, "I knew it was a bad idea to have another child teach the avatar. Come with me. I must test you on some high-level techniques." He gestured for Aang to follow him. Without knowing what to do, he slowly rose from his spot, showing me a 'what do I do' look.

Angered, I rose my voice. "Excuse me, with all-do respect this child was wanted more than any of you other monks. I came all the way here from the Western Temple, so I don't want to hear what Aang does and doesn't need. As his mentor, I will decide when he trains and when he relaxes. If you have a problem, you may bring it up to Monk Gyatso. I'm sure he'd love to hear about the unnecessary interruption of our pai-sho game over a temper tantrum from an adult."

The Monk furrowed his brows, knowing he could not argue further. He grumbled and made his way out of the room. Aang smiled at me thankfully.

***

The keeper of the Southern Temple had requested to see me and Gyatso, along with the asshole Monk who was trying to tell me how to do my job earlier.

"Aang needs to grow up a normal boy. He needs freedom and fun." Gyatso protested, trying to convince our leader.

The other Monk grumbled. "You cannot keep protecting him from his destiny."

"Gyatso, Nara, I know you both mean well, but you are letting your affection for the boy cloud your judgement."

Gyatso sighed. "All I want is what is best for him."

"But what we need is what's best for the world."

I spoke up, obviously irritated. "How can you say that? We know you mean well too sir, but you are enforcing such a huge responsibility on a twelve year old boy. At his age, he shouldn't even know that he is the avatar yet. He deserves to have the childhood he was supposed to have."

"You, child, should not have a voice in this matter."

I couldn't control my temper. "I have every say in this. You all chose me to be his teacher, and I have done nothing but given Aang a good learning experience and helped him grow into a person. I love that kid, and we all know he deserves the best. You're all being selfish. He's a kid!"

The boss sighed heavily. "Then you should be willing to agree that sending him to the Eastern Temple, away from you and Gyatso permanently, is what is best. He needs to finish his studies without distractions."

"You can't take him!" As I began to yell, one of the Monks in the meeting grabbed me from behind by my arms, holding me back. "You can't do this! He needs me, open your eyes!" After more yelling and kicking, trying to escape the grasp this guy had on me, he practically threw me out of the room and slammed the door shut in my face.

I landed roughly on my bottom. After a few moments I turned around and stood up to dust the sand off of me, only to see Aang standing completely frozen with his staff in his hand.

"Aang..." We made eye contact before he flicked it open and flew off.

I was about to follow him, but stopped when I heard Gyatso came out through the doors a few moments later. He put a hand on my shoulder, looking defeated.

Well, we were. There was nothing we could do.

***

I ran straight for his room, it was nearly dusk, and dark clouds were forming in the air. A storm was about to take place, and I needed to talk with Aang.

I opened the door to his room with Gyatso close behind me, it was empty. There was a scroll left on his bed. I scrambled to the other side of the room and opened the letter.

"What is it?" Gyatso asked, finally catching up and entering the room.

I looked over to his window panicked, seeing that it was open. "It's Aang. He's... running away." I tossed the parchment over to Gyatso. He caught it and began reading it. As he did that, I looked around the room frantically.

I spotted my glider and snatched it from the wall it was leaning on. I flung it open and stood on the windowsill ready to take off.

"What are you doing?" Gyatso asked in his gentle voice after he finished reading.

I gave him a sad smile. "As his mentor, it's also my job to guide him in any way he needs. I'm going to go after him."

He blinked, processing the thought, before he sighed and nodded. "Just be careful, Nara."

I nodded before I grabbed onto my glider and flew off.

***

The storm had started, it was almost impossible to fly through the rain, but I managed. It had been about an hour, I was flying over the sea (which was not helping in my favor from the storm). Finally I spotted a bison in the air up ahead. Relieved, I pushed forward, trying to pick up speed and inch closer to the blurry figure.

"AANG!" I called out, hoping to get a reply.

"I CANT GET THROUGH THE STORM!" He yelled back. I made my way to him and sat next to him. I took a reign and tried to change directions, but the wind was too strong. With him holding onto me tightly, and now both my hands taking the reigns, we braced ourselves for impact. Appa crashed straight into the ocean, and everything went black.

*****