" Again! Show me your roar."

Since this early morning, Iroh has been trying to teach me the most basic firebending move for me, a child move that early children-benders did. The roar, for a fire bender, fire escaping my lips as I roared, that's what I was told at least. My fire was barely there, small flames always came out my mouth.

I turn around, facing away from Iroh and roared loudly, from my stomach and chest, the noise came out but the flames weren't there. A few inches of fire but nothing more or less. I stared at the direction we were going, feeling my cheeks burn a bit in embarrassment. I've never officially trained my fire, I could light things up or scare off wild animals away with a simple flick but never actually used it. I always had my whip as a weapon.

You're pathetic my mind snarled, Can't even perform a simple roar. If you can't do that, how can you protect Katara and Sokka or spirits forbid, the Avatar?

I almost jumped out of my skin when I felt a hand on my shoulder, looking beside me, I see Iroh, smiling lightly. " Don't worry, with a few exercises and training, you'll be fire bending in no time." He said assuring, I almost believed him. " Maybe we should calm down and have a nice up of jasmine tea." A guard who heard him left the deck and inside, assumingly to get the tea. 

" I'm sorry for wasting your time Iroh." I said as I looked over to him, " This is..just so big to me. Being able to use fire without thinking the village might kick me out or murder me." It had to be, the fear of being kicked out and alone, stopped me. The fear of burning one of my friends. The fear of the fire turning on me. 

" You're not wasting my time." He assured me with a fatherly smile on his face. " Is it because of what it stands for or is it the reason for your peeper?" He asked, gesturing to my eye which I looked away, " I see...sit down.." I looked to him to see the guard coming back with two cups, a steaming teapot and a bowl of sugar for the teas if needed be. There was also some red pastries next two it, which made my stomach growl a bit. With the small table, I sat down across from Iroh who sits behind it, and inhales deeply as the guard set the tray down. " Take a pastry, strawberry cream cu-" I didn't listen to him as I picked one and bite into it, humming at the sweet and sugary taste making me sigh happily.

" A sweet tooth huh? So was Zuko when he was younger, always heading for the sweets. Sweet Ursa would always scold him for eating them too much..but never stopped him." Iroh recalled, though, I perked up a bit, Ursa? Who was she? an older sister or grandmother? mother perhaps? " Ursa was his mother." Iroh said and I looked to him, eyebrow raised, " I saw that curious look on your face and I had to answer. Ursa is Prince Zuko's mother, Fire Lady of the Fire Nation."

" You said was, what happened?" I asked as I take a bite from the strawberry cupcake making another blissful sigh escape my lips. 

" Nobody knows, as far we know, Ursa was..exiled..this is another matter, but for now, lets move onto another topic." He said as he poured us tea and he picked up his, inhaling the smoke with a hum. " You think fire bending is fueled by hatred, anger and rage? Most people have come to understood that's what fire is. The hundred year war tainted the element." Iroh explained, as I looked at my cup of tea, my hunger for the sweets gone. That's what I understood for years, fire bending stood for those three traits. Traits that I hated, I held myself back from becoming too aggressive or too mean to anyone, especially if they deserved it. I became more timid, docile, and shy as I grew up.

" Yes, I've always thought of fire like that, fueled by the things I'm not. I'm not harsh, I do not hate anyone nor do I have anger for anyone or anything. Well maybe for the Fire Nation  but who doesn't?" I said as I sipped the tea, before adding some sugar, it needed it. 

" Fire isn't about those traits, of course, some rage could fuel fire but it mainly came from the sun or volcanic activity. People with an iron will and determination usually conjure up the best flames. I've seen your determination to keep your tribe safe, even if it meant giving yourself up as a fake waterbender. Though, I can see you were thinking as a water bender, the water element and it's tribe symbolizes love and community." Iroh said as he takes a sip of his tea, " Especially in the face of change, the love you feel for your friends and the love of your tribe. Now, it's your turn to change. From water to fire, it doesn't mean you have to change the way you are."

I stared at him, eyebrows furrowed as I stared down into the tea, the mist felt good hitting my face, I could smell the flavor, lovely. Change the way I am? Change myself in order to adapt with fire, the element that had practically made everyone fear it. It is a age of war, so me being timid and passive, wasn't going to keep me alive. " What about the other two? Like wind and earth?"

" Hm, Air Nomads symbolizes freedom, especially with things concerning the world around them. People with a great sense of humor." I chuckled along with him, that explains Aang's flamboyant attuide. " The Earth Kingdom symbolizes endurance and diversity. Every element helps people gain wisdom by understanding one and other, if you think about one element than all, you'll become stale and unbalanced."

" So this is what the avatar is? A representative for all of the elements?" I asked, it made sense, in order to be the Avatar, one would need to learn all four. All four different cultures and bending types, in order to bring peace among everyone.

" In a sense, yes, for you, you need to slowly transition into fire bending instead of thinking as a water bender or earth bender, wind bender either. It's about a Non-bender into a bender."  He explained as he takes another sip. 

" Tea is just like the elements if you think about it." I blurted out, trying to calm my mind about the new information that I got about the four elements. He raised an eyebrow at me, and placed his cup down. " Plants come from the earth, fire warms the tea, water dilutes the plant and air makes the steam rise."

Iroh seemed to think for a couple minutes, before a wide grin appeared on his face. " You are absolutely right! That's a much easier comparison."

" Thanks, Iroh." I replied as I take a sip of my tea, humming at the taste. Learning how to finally bend without fear sounded better now when I understood the true meaning of fire. Desire and determination, I wouldn't say my will was strong. It was a start of it. " I think I want to continue my training now. Could you tell me while you're enjoying your tea?" I asked as I stood up and placed the empty tea cup down on the table.

" Of course, Now, start by taking deep and long breaths. The fire will be well controlled with these types of exercises. It opens the lungs." Iroh instructed before watching me.

I take deep breaths, inhaling, exhaling, inhaling. I repeated the cycle, and I felt something warm and fuzzy inside. It felt good and warm, eyes closed as I did the breathing exercises. Feel, don't fear, feel, don't fear..I mentally chanted and I took a deep breath, holding it there. There was something, a spark within my lungs, it was warm and welcoming. I could feel the spark draw me in, coaxing me to touch it, let It hug me, let it hold me. It's telling me to touch it, to embrace it.

I did, and sparks within me boomed.

" Do it." Iroh encouraged and I open my mouth, roaring as loud as I can, and within my eyesight, I watched as a huge rush of fire escape my mouth and into the sky. 

" That was magnificent, wonderful! So much power on your fifth roar." Iroh said, clapping his hands together as he walked towards me. " With more practice, I'll have you bending circles around Prince Zuko." Iroh said as he offered me a gentle smile, which I returned back to him.  " I'll really appricate that."

Before Iroh could say something, a solider walked behind him, leaning down and whispered something into the older man's ear. I couldn't hear any of it, but the expression on Iroh's face meant bad news. The solider walked away, and Iroh sighs. " Something bad happened, didn't it?" I asked as the older man nods.

" It seems so, come, we must alert Prince Zuko." Iroh said as he began walking, obediently, I followed behind.

Once we came upon Prince Zuko's door, Iroh opens it slowly. The room was dark and the only light was from the hallway and the candles on Zuko's meditation table. " The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar." Zuko said, strangely calm for once.

" Well, there is news, prince Zuko." Iroh said as he opens the door fully, I could peek inside to see the Prince. " But you may not like it, don't get too upset."

" Uncle.." Zuko drawls out first, " You taught me to keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader. Now, whatever you have to say, I'm sure I can take it."

" Okay then...We have no idea where he is." Flames from the candles instantly went up and I lean back. I knew he wasn't going to take the news well.

" WHAT?!" Zuko snapped as he stood up and glared at Iroh who opened his fan and waved it against himself, " You should really open a window in here." he commented, as Zuko yanked the map. " give me see the map." Zuko unrolls it and looked over it. " There are multiple sightings of the Avatar, but he's impossible to track down."

" How am I going to find him uncle? He's clearly a master at invasive maneuvering." Zuko said, and I chuckled, a 12 year old, being a master of losing Zuko? Heh.

" Oh? What do you find so funny about this situation, Peasant?" Zuko snapped as he looked over to me, I shrank a bit back. " Do YOU know where's he going?" Zuko asked as he walked closer to me and I smile, a shy one and shook my head. He groans and rubbed his hands against his face, " Whatever, both of you get out of my way." He sits back in his spot, taking deep breaths. " I need to think for a while." I watched him a bit before feeling a hand on my shoulder, I turn to see Iroh smiling and gestures to follow. I do, shutting the door softly behind us. 

" You'll get use to it." Iroh said as we walked down the corridor. " Zuko just has some..tantrums at times but he's working on it." I stared at the older man with a raised eyebrow, as far as I've seen, the Prince wasn't really working on them, he was usually holding his tongue especially around that creepy guy. " Do I expect you to leave us for the Avatar?" Iroh asked opening the door to a room, it was simple and clean for the most part, it even had some fire nation aesthetic decor in it. 

" I wish to see my friends," I said, as we walked in, my eyes glancing around at everything in awe, there was even a soft looking bed too with my now dried clothes on it. I went touching over the blue clothes and smile, finally some familiarity with this. " Though, if I were to fight..for them, My whip wouldn't be enough anymore. Plus, learning about my culture here is.. opening my mind about the Fire nation, more before the hundred year war."

" I see, well, I'll be above if you need me." Iroh said from behind me as I picked up my clothes about to head towards my 'room' but he stops me. " What are you doing? This is your room now." Iroh said as I gasp a bit, this was my room? On the Fire nation ship? Cool. " Heh, Have fun, and please do..relax on the bed, one of the best mattress on board. You're lucky we found one for you." Iroh said with a smile as he leaves, shutting the door behind him.

When he did, I turn and fall onto of the soft mattress and sigh, my muscles untensing while I laid on their, nuzzling against the nice mattress. Wow this..is better than my sleeping bag and blanket at home..so..soft.. Ithought as my eyes slowly closed, I miss home..

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THIRD POV:

" PLEASE STOP! He's just a baby!"

" I finished my work under my Fire Lord, the evidence needs to be destroyed."

" F-Fire Lord? You WERE working under him! I knew it!"

" If you knew it, then you were a fool for staying."

" W-Wait! NOT THE KNI-"

Mirza jolts up and gasped, he covered his blind eye with his hand as he gasped for air. Those voices..they..they sounded so familiar but I can't remember where..and then..something about a knife.. The firebender flinched when there was a knock at his metal door. He turns to see a shadow underneath it, " Hello?" 

" It's time for lunch, The Prince wants you to join him and General Iroh." The guard said, " You've been sleeping for a full day, you must be starved." Mirza said nothing as the guard walked away, he stood up and wiped the drool he just noticed, he used his sleeve to clean off his chin. What was that dream about? Why now? Were the spirits trying to tell me something? Mirza thought as he slowly slid off his Fire nation clothes. Mirza looked over his water tribe clothes before slowly putting them on, he looked over the clothes and smelled them. He almost sighed when they didn't smell like home anymore, they smelled like something sweet.

" I shouldn't keep them long, knowing Prince Zuko would have my head." Mirza said as he walked out, fixing his hair as he began walking towards the dinning area. He found the area and they're heads were turned towards him. " You're late." Zuko said bluntly, Mirza rolled his eyes a bit as he sat down beside Iroh. " You two have been asleep all day. Uncle, I can understand but with you, I expect you to be trainning."

" Why do you expect me to train?" Mirza asked, as he kept his gaze on the table a bit, not wanting to anger the Prince into fire bending at him. " It's not like I'm gonna fight for you. You're not my Prince."

" WHY YOU-" Zuko started up, he only stops when he noticed the look that Uncle was giving him. " Pft, Like I need you to fight for me." Zuko huffed, as he watched the server came towards them with the cooked food, the man placed their lunch down and Iroh began eating his fill as Mirza ate his own, taking small bites of the rich first. Why does he eat so little? No wonder the peasant is light. " Eat more or you'll slow me down." Zuko said as another man came out with his cooked fish.

" Prince Zuko, I've caught word of where the Avatar is." The server said, he stood up holding the tray close to him. "He is currently on Kiyoshi Island." Without another word, the server left.

"The avatar is on Kiyoshi Island?" Zuko said to himself as he turns towards his Uncle whom finished his own food. " Uncle, ready the rhinos. He's not getting away from me this time." Zuko turns to walk away to ready himself.

" Are you going to finish that?" Iroh asked, pointing at the steaming fish. Zuko turns around, snatching it off the table. " I was going to save it for later!" Zuko snapped as he walked away with his plate. Mirza watched him then to Iroh, he breaks off a piece of his warm bread and offered it to the older man, Iroh smiles in appreciation and takes it. " Thank you." He said bitting into it. Mirza smiles as he sips his water before looking at the general. " Iroh? May I come?" He asked.

" I thought you said that you were staying?" Iroh said, " Did something changed your mind?"

" Oh! No, I am, I..just want to see them and make sure they're taking care of themselves." Mirza said with a smile as he finished his rice portion, he could hear the rumble of guards walking by. Iroh only smiles, as he bites into the bread then swallowing. "You're a good brother." Iroh said, as Mirza chuckles. 

" I'm not their brother, I'm their friend." Mirza corrected with a smile. Iroh chuckles as he stood up, to go prepare the rhinos like Zuko ordered. " You don't have to be blood to be their brother, Mirza, as of now, you seem to be the only family they have out here." Iroh leaves as Mirza smiles a bit. They did have family out there, their father was out there somewhere fighting against people like himself. Though, the thought of being their brother made his face lit up a bit. 

Mirza stood up and walked out, intending to get his own things together to see them. To see his family again for a brief moment. 

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The Island was beautiful, Mirza has never seen so much green before and the trees looked nice too with snow dripping from them. The snow too, how Mirza missed it, and he wanted to touch some but Zuko didn't let him. Mirza sat behind the Prince on the rhino, there were two guards on each rhino. Sadly, Mirza had gotten the worst one out of them all as a rider. His eyes glanced around at the small village, no villager in sight either but he saw some heads peeked and hid back inside. 

" COME OUT AVATAR!" Zuko yelled, glancing around. " You can't hide forever!" No one moved a muscle to come out or made any sound in fear that they might catch on fire or worst. " Find him." Zuko orders and Mirza glanced around, trying to see if he could spot his friends but nothing. Maybe they already left, they're safer if they did Mirza thought.

" Do you see them?" Zuko asked, barely glancing at Mirza, he felt the peasant moving a bit, looking around. " Don't lie."

" No. Nope, maybe they left?" Mirza said, " We can go back to the ship and hurry after them, we can leave the Island and village at peace, no need for violence." Mirza offered the idea, not liking the idea of hurting people for answers. Zuko went to snap at Mirza but before he did, a woman warriors came out and began fighting the Fire nation guards. They were dressed as Avatar Kiyoshi, and fighting with the guards with sharp golden fans. Mirza was amazed and turns to see a woman about to hit him and Zuko off. " Wa-" His startled plead startled Zuko himself whom turns to see the woman about to hit them with her fans. Zuko blew out flames at the woman but she dodged them with ease. 

She jumped up to get to Zuko and Mirza but Zuko pulled the reigns of the rhino and the rhino flung her with his tai. " Sorry!" Mirza called after making Zuko growl under his breath, " Stop saying sorry to people who tries to attack us." Zuko said as he shot flames at her, but before he could, another woman blocked it. Mirza saw the woman and instantly knew who he was. 

" Sokka!" Mirza smiles as the boy turns to him, " Mirza!" Mirza slides off as Zuko is shoved off by two warriors from above. Mirza rushed to the boy hugging him and Sokka hugs back, only to pull back. " Come on, you need to go find Katara and Aang, we need to le-" Sokka began, as the another warrior and Suki rushed towards Zuko. " No, wait, Sokka, I'm not going with you guys." Mirza said, holding Sokka's gloved hand. The Southern tribe boy turns towards his friend with wide eyes. 

" You didn't betray us, did you!?"

" No! Of course not, it's jus-" Before Mirza could finish, Zuko knocks the warrior off and  got on his hands, spinning while shooting fire out his feet. It knocks back Suki and the other female warrior. Sokka takes his fan's out about to hit him but Zuko flings him over his shoulder with ease. 

" Nice try Avatar." Zuko said as he walked into the middle of the empty village, his eyes glaring around for any sort of movement. " But these little girls can't save you."

" HEY! OVER HERE!" Zuko turns to see the avatar standing there with his staff out front like he was going to protect everyone. " Finally." Zuko said as Mirza helped Sokka and the girl up, Zuko began attacking Aang and Mirza was just helping his friend and his new female friend up. Once Mirza had them from behind the house, he watched the fight go on as Sokka parted with his new female friend. 

" So, you're staying?" Sokka asked, shaking off the shock feeling, he turns to see Mirza leaning against the wall of the wooden house. " Mirza, did they do anything to you to make you stay?" Sokka asked, placing his hand on Mirza's shoulders. 

" Yeah, his uncle, Zuko's, he's teaching me how to firebend." Mirza answered, glancing at his friend just as Aang took off into the air with the glider. " I'm learning more things about my culture, things I would've never known if I stayed home." Mirza said as the guards fought back against the girls in warrior unifroms. 

" Then why did you come out?" Sokka asked, a bit susioiusly, " You could've stayed on that ship."

" I wanted to see my family, and see how well you two are." Mirza answered with a smile as he noticed Zuko marching towards him. " I'll see you guys soon okay? We will be reuinted." Mirza said, " Go, now!" Mirza walked towards him as Sokka watched, a smile on his own face despite the sad look he had when Mirza was taken once more. He watched as Mirza was yanked onto the rhino. Sokka leaves, getting onto Appa and into the air, flying over the burning village.

" Where were you? Where's the avatar?" Zuko asked as he shoved Mirza on the rhino. " WELL?"

" Oh, he's flying right over us." Mirza said, pointing at the flying bison passing them. Zuko snapped his head up, " TO THE SHIP! WE CAN'T HAVE FALL BEHIND!" Zuko said, getting onto the rhino, Mirza shoved behind him. The guards returns behind Zuko on their own rhinos, and they made their way towards the ship but before they can board, water fell from above. Mirza ignored it and how it made his southern water tribe clothes cling to him, he watched Aang ride the water monster. 

" Heh, way to go," Mirza whispered as he heard the sizzle of fire going out and cracking behind him. Zuko was mad, steaming a bit literally came off himself. He hurried into the ship, grasping Mirza by his wrist and yanked him inside. Mirza winced, saying, " Ow, Ow, Ow,-" All the way into the ship and was thrown into his room. The half-blind fire-bender winced as he falls to his butt. 

" OW!" Mirza winced as he lands, " Prince Zu-"

" You are to stay here!" Zuko shouted, annoyance growing on him. " If I can't get rid of you or make you tell me where the Avatar is going then you can stay in here and rot away like the little peasant you are." Mirza winced, keeping his head down a bit, grimcing. " What? Have nothing-"

" I'm sorry." Mirza said, interrupting the Prince, " I didn't mean to just leave, I wanted to check up on my friends. It's been so long since I've seen them, I just wanted to tell them I was fine, they're like family to me." Zuko stared down at the other and rubbed his eye a bit, in that submissive postion the guy was giving, he looked really apologetic but Zuko saw himself on that day, in the same way, begging his own forgiveness before the strike to his face.

" Whatever, stay in here, I don't want to see your face." Zuko growls as he yanked the door closed as Mirza winced a bit. He slowly stood up and saw another pair of Fire Nation clothes on his new bed. Mirza removed his now wet clothes now, and began changing back into the Fire Nation clothes and laid on his bed. His dark hair sprawled around him as he stared at the metal ceiling with a sigh escaping him. 

" Maybe tomorrow will be a good day." Mirza said to himself in a hopeful tone.