Growing Pains (Avatar The Last Airbender Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

The days all seemed to bend together for me. All the same, chasing down Zuko's obsession. I've got to see the world though. Something I never thought I'd truly get to do. "You gotta calm down," I informed my friend.

"I agree with Lusa," Iroh agreed.

Zuko only glared at the two of us, in his pause of training. "Do I tell you how to make tea, or how to listen to nature," he snapped at us.

I climbed up from the cushion I was sitting on. "We're just trying to help you," I reminded him, setting my hand on his shoulder. "Feed a flame too much and you'll get burned."

"Lusa," he snapped at me, "You don't even know how to properly firebend."

I huffed, "I'm sorry I wasn't allowed to. I'd love to learn, but I'm too far behind by now. We've covered this. We've also covered the fact in more I tune with nature and spirit, so I'm not ignorant."

Iroh cme up from behinde, setting a had on the back of my armor. "You're not helping him right now," the man assured me. "And I don't need the two of you to start arguing."

"We don't argue," Zuko snapped at his uncle. "She just dosent understand."

I took a deep breath. We've had such a conversation so many time, yet he still dosent see the validility in what I say. "How about, I go check on the crew, while you two finish practice," I told the two, backing away, "Find me when ya wanna practice with blades." With a wave I wondered off.

Over the three years on this ship, I've settled into a nice role. While I wasn't of cand, like Zuko and Iroh. I still wasn't one of crew. Dispite the fact I wore such armor, I wasn't a soldier either. I did tend to help out the crew from time to time they were glad for the help, and thrilled to teach me. I was known as Zuko's friend, and sorta right hand, after Iroh.

"Need some help?" I asked the chef, peaking in through the door.

Theam looked ip from the pot he was suturing and smiled at me. "No thanks Rezu," he assured me. I was passing off as a man to the crew, so I used my favorite brother's name, which would help explain famoly resemblance if I just claimed to be him.

My father is a high noble in the Fire Nation. He's probably got an military rank by now, but he was once the royal fire bending instructor. That's how I first met Zuko. I came from a big family, five brothers, seven sisters, and I was stuck right in the middle. It wasn't until I met Zuko, was I considered special. I unlocked my strong spiritual side. I was seen as a preistes of the spirits. I was sent to battle fronts to see how the battle faired, and quickly became a member of royal court.

My friendship with Zuko onky grew from there. I'd sit in on his training with my father, secretly trying to learn from observation. The prince knew that. Together we also practice swordmanship, knowing we couldn't rely on bending alone. Thanks to our relationship, father tried to groom me to be acceptable for marriage into the royal family. He was harsh, seeing jo other place for me but as the Queen of the Fire Nation. I couldn't take it. So when Zuko got banished, I figured if I banished myself, all would be well.

That was until we figured they'd probably come looking for their Spiratualist. So I dawned armor, and cut my hair. To those we couldn't completely trust, I was Rezu, youngest son of my own father.

Before I left the kitchen I grabbed a handful of lechi nuts to munch on before dinner. I popped one in my mouth and continued on through the hull corodors. All was normal

A wave of energy washed over me. Something was not normal. I felt the waves get harsher beyond the medal walls of the ship. I knew no one else in the boat would feel such a thing, but I could. Nature spoke to me so easily.

I rushed back up to the main deck, hopping to see what was causing it all. I took one step out into the chill air of the south to see what I felt. A beam of light shot up through the sky, pure energy by the looks of it.

"What is that!?" Zuko asked, storming up to me. "Is that what I think it is."

I quickly shook of the slight daze I was in. Things were going to change. Change so much. "That be a good guess," I told him. "Lechi?" I offered him, offering out what of the crushed fruit I had.

Zuko ignored my offer. "The Avatar is alive," he declared, determination clear in his voice. "I can restore my honor."

"Is it worth it?" I asked him. I had asked him such a question before. This time it wasn't out of curiosity, but concern. Not for him but for the world. For hope. I'd seen what the fire nation dose, and it needs to be stopped. Sadly the Avatar is the one to do it.

Zuko turned to glare at me. I was sure he had expected a smirk upon my face, as I do when I find myself teasing him. He saw my face stoci and expressionless. He flinched in surprise. "Is this what your destiny is?" I asked him, hoping he'd look in on himself, and find his father isn't worth pleasing.

"I need to restore my honor Lusa," he reminded me, "Not all of us can abingdon it as you did."

I took a deep breath and stepped closer to place my hand on Zuko's shoulder. "My honor is something for me to choose, not anyone else. I just hope one day you will be able to see it the way I do."

Zuko scoffed. "Lusa, you say this as you claim to be a man," he pointed out.

I let out a sigh, knowing such a conversation would lead to an argument between us.