The Eternal Flame (ATLA) (FIRST PERSON POV)

Chapter 29: Recovery

I opened my eyes again, lying in a bed, and covered with a soft downy blanket. The smell of jasmine filled my nose.

"You've been out for a week. I've never seen such deep and infected wounds until now," Said a voice. They were shuffling beside my bed. There was a clink of a glass, as I heard something being poured into a cup. "I thought you wouldn't make it, but then again, it's you we're talking about." I tried to lift up my head as Master Piandao came into my line of sight. "How are you feeling?" He asked, bringing a cup to my lips. I took a sip. Tea never tasted so good.

"I'm breathing," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. We both shared a small chuckle before he placed a tray in front of me.

"Well, please do eat, so we can keep that breathing up." I took a stab at a dumpling and savored it's flavor.

"I heard about the execution," I looked to see my old master looking very worriedly at me. "I thought you had died."

"I escaped," I said, "But I almost died twice, doing it,"

"It's a miracle you're even alive right now. You're very malnourished, and those marks on your back aren't helping." Piandao said.

"I thought they healed" I said, suddenly aware of the dull sting my back had.

"Perhaps through the adrenaline, you didn't feel it." Master Piandao said, "You were bleeding through your shirt." He glanced at my stomach. "And that one was healing, but it wasn't looking good either."

"I really wasn't thinking right, was I?" I mused, taking another sip.

"Your dragon may be able to heal," Master Piandao said, "But when its host is weak, there is only so much it can do." He poured me another cup of tea, "We applied ointment practically everywhere. I still think you're not fit to be moving. Please rest more." He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I wish there was more we could do."

"I have a friend, that might be able to heal me more." I said, Piandao arched an eyebrow.

"A friend? Other than Zuko?" I laughed again, suddenly feeling a little lighter in my heart.

"Yes, new friends." I took a sip of tea, "Take for example, the Avatar." I studied Piandao's expression. A slight quip to his eyebrow was the only sign of surprise. He reached his hand out for his own cup of tea, bringing it to his lips.

"Well, I have a bit more time to spare."

I told him everything up until then. Meeting the Avatar, betraying Azula, entering the Earth Kingdom, and making an alliance with the king, only to be stopped by Azula and Zuko.

"Then I was captured, tortured, and sentenced to death." I recounted, "And now I'm here."

"It surprises me that you came here." Master Piandao said, "What possessed you to do so?" I recalled the sword and pi-sho tile in the boat.

"You were the only master that was kind to me," I said, pushing the thought away, "That's really all there is to it."

Master Piandao smiled. He reached out and ruffled my head. "I have some training to get to, but please, stay here as long as you'd like. You need to recover."

I nodded and bowed my head, "Thank you again." The old man offered me a small smile,

"Anything, for an old student."

Recovery, was the first step. Recovery, was the hardest step. The chafing marks that marked my wrists and ankles faded quickly. The wound that Azula had made before, was sealed entirely. The wounds on my back, even if they healed properly, the scars would stay. My whole body ached, as if my limbs were desperately trying to keep my whole body together. Indeed, recovery was hard.

I meditated daily, entering the Spirit world, and training there. Ryuki taught me to control the white flame even more effectively. When I was in the natural world, Master Piandao allowed me to spar with me, once he deemed me well enough to move around. In the evenings, we would have dinner together, along with his butler.

"Your sword skills have improved rather well," Master Piandao remarked one night.

"Have they?" I asked, "I'm honored that you think so."

We exchanged a smile as Master Piandao asked, "What do you plan to do once you've fully recovered?"

"I'm not sure." I admitted, recounting the last foiled plans we had to attack the firebenders during the eclipse. It was still possible, but I had no idea where the plan was, and if it had been abandoned. Aang and the others had no idea if I was alive. And according to the news in the Fire Nation, the Avatar was still declared dead. "I have no way of finding my friends," I explained, "I don't know where I'd start."

"Well, just know that you are welcome here." Master Piandao said, "For a long while."

Master Piandao treated me as if I were his own child. I felt comforted to know that, and bowed my thanks again.

My body began to grow stronger. The food that was provided to me had brought life back into my sunken cheeks, and I had gained back some of the muscle I lost. Even my hair seemed to shine more. Master Piandao gave me new clothes to wear; a long tunic of red, with slits at the sides, a white-flared sleeve undershirt, along with black pants and boots. I cut my long hair, around my shoulders and tied up the top half in a bun, securing it with a red clamp.

The days began to pass much easier. I was stronger, and I trained myself to push boundaries. I tried to bend fire the natural way, focusing on breathing exercises I found in Piandao's library and copying basic forms. As I trained, I reflected on the night that I escaped the Fire Nation prison. Naturally, everything had been very lucid and hazy, but I couldn't shake the image out of my head: a red robed person. Their hood was up, and I didn't see their face. But, I did recall the way they lifted me up, and perhaps the scent that was on their clothes. It was wave after wave of nostalgia and the name was threatening to breach past my lips. But I couldn't say it.

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About a month had passed. I grew comfortable with what I was convinced was my new home. I was often left to my own devices, laying low if Master Piandao ever had any guests or pleading students. If I wanted to go out to buy things, I wore a hood and covered half my face with a cloth. I looked like a passing traveler; a type of person no one wanted to talk to.

However, after one particular day of returning from a small shopping trip, I heard voices coming from Master Piandao's study. Naturally I would've ignored them and passed by, but the young man's voice sounded familiar, and I stopped in my tracks, heart quickening. Silently, I pressed myself to the side of the door, peeking through. I stifled a gasp, recognizing the little wolf-tail hairstyle.

"...the truth is... I don't know if I am worthy." Sokka said, wearing Fire Nation colors, and bowing down to Master Piandao.  

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A/N: 

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