Zuko had been traveling on his own and living sparingly off the bag of coins Chiara had given him. After passing through an ancient battlefield, he reached an Earth Kingdom village not far from the Si Wong Desert. His stomach was aching with hunger forcing him to stop for food.
"Could I get some water, a bag of feed, and something hot to eat?" he asked the merchant as he held out his last two coins.
"Not enough here for a hot meal," the merchant replied. "I can get you two bags of feed."
As his stomach growled, Zuko gently touched his tunic where he kept Chiara's diadem. It was after his first few days of traveling on his own that he realized she had put it in with the coins.
He nodded to the merchant who disappeared to get the feed. While he waited, he spotted two kids nearby whipping an egg at the Earth Kingdom soldiers behind him. The loud splat was followed by an even louder "Ow!"
The kids quickly took off laughing before they were seen by the angry soldiers.
An earthbender named Gow stood up and turned around. Two large hammers hanging from his waist swayed menacingly. "Hey!" he called to Zuko. "You throwing eggs at us, stranger?"
"No," answered Zuko with his back to them.
"You see who did throw it?"
Zuko turned to them. "No," he said placing his hand on his sword handle.
"That your favorite word, no?" asked another soldier.
"Egg had to come from somewhere," said Gow.
Zuko turned his back to them again. "Maybe a chicken flew over."
The second soldier laughed making Gow glare at him.
The merchant returned with the bags of feed and set them down in front of Zuko
"Thanks for your contribution," said Gow as he grabbed them up. "The army appreciates your support." He tossed the bags to one of his men. "You better leave town," he said turning to Zuko. "Penalty for staying's a lot steeper than you can afford, stranger...trust me." He patted his hammer threateningly before turning to leave with the other soldiers.
"Those soldiers are supposed to protect us from the Fire Nation," said the merchant. "But they're just a bunch of thugs."
As Zuko walked towards his ostrich horse, one of the young boys popped up from the other side.
"Thanks for not ratting me out," he said.
Zuko ignored him as he mounted the ostrich horse and began to ride away, but the boy went after him and grabbed the reins.
"I'll take you to my house and feed your ostrich horse for you. Come on. I owe you."
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That night Chiara sat alone by a river. Iroh was not far away sound asleep, but she could not sleep, and she stared at the moon as she worried about Zuko and wondered where he was. She and Iroh had been tracking him, but keeping at a far enough distance that they sometimes lost his trail for a while. As she looked at the moon, she thought about their separation when she was with the Avatar. She remembered how they had thought of each other when they looked at the moon, and she wondered if he still thought of her.
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Late that night Zuko walked into the barn on the farm where he worked that day. He set his dao down for the second time that night hoping Lee would not sneak in again. He did not mind helping the young boy, but it was late and he wanted to get some sleep before sunrise. He flopped down on the hay where the bright light of the descending moon was now streaming through a window. He stared at the glowing orb and thought about Chiara. Reaching into his tunic, he pulled out her diadem. The moonlight reflected off the gems, and the whole diadem seemed to glow as the light struck it. It reminded him of how Chiara seemed to glow whenever she stood in the full moon's rays. He imagined her standing on the deck of his ship, the sky sparkling with stars and the bright moon shining down upon her as her beautiful long dark locks floated about her in the wind as if she were under water. He felt alone without her presence, and he would give anything to be back on the deck of his ship watching her. If you ever feel alone on your journey, there is somebody somewhere that loves you and is thinking about you. He wondered if she really was thinking about him. But then he remembered how he treated her by the river and how he lost control and even burned her. He placed the diadem back in his tunic and closed his eyes.
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Iroh and Chiara had been tracking Zuko across the southern Earth Kingdom. One day, Iroh was resting next to a boulder when he found himself suddenly propelled forward.
"Oh, that really hurt my tailbone," he said as he rubbed it. He looked up to see a young earthbender standing on the boulder.
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Meanwhile, Chiara was in the woods searching for dinner, and as she was walking through the trees a large shadow traveled across the forest floor. Too large to be a bird, she looked up and her eyes grew wide when she saw Aang flying east on his glider. She was curious as to why he was alone and without Appa, and she considered trying to follow him, but she did not want to leave Iroh behind without telling him. She continued her search for their next meal.
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Iroh poured a cup of tea for Toph.
"Here is your tea," he said as he held it out to her.
She did not move.
"You seem a little too young to be traveling alone," he said still holding the cup.
"You seem a little too old," she replied dryly as she finally took it from him.
Iroh started laughing. "Perhaps I am. But I am not alone. My daughter is out hunting for dinner."
Toph had a blank expression on her face as she just held the cup in her hand. "I know what you're thinking," she said. "I look like I can't handle being by myself."
"I wasn't thinking that."
"You wouldn't even let me pour my own cup of tea." She took a sip.
"I poured your tea because I wanted to and for no other reason," said Iroh.
"People see me and think I'm weak. They want to take care of me, but I can take care of myself, by myself." She took another sip from her cup.
"You sound like my nephew—always thinking you need to do things on your own without anyone's support. There is nothing wrong with letting people who love you help you...not that I love you, I just met you."
Toph laughed and relaxed. "So, where is your nephew?"
"We've been tracking him, actually."
"Is he lost?"
"Yes, a little bit," he said sadly. "His life has recently changed, and he's going through very difficult times. He's trying to figure out who he is, and he went away." His eyes were downcast.
"So, now you're following him."
"I know he doesn't want me around right now, but if he needs me, I'll be there."
"Your nephew is very lucky, even if he doesn't know it." She set the cup on the ground and stood up. "Thank you."
"My pleasure," he smiled. "Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights."
"No. Thank you for what you've said. It helped me." She lifted her bag over her shoulder and turned to go.
"I'm glad."
She stopped and turned to him. "Oh, and about your nephew, maybe you should tell him that you need him, too."
Iroh took a sip of his tea as he considered the young girl's words.
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Chiara was on one knee, her bow in her hands with an arrow aimed at a lop-eared rabbit. She could not help thinking how adorable it looked as she watched it nibbling on some vegetation. She hesitated, tempted to search for something else to eat since she was finding the little creature too adorable...almost too adorable as she thought of Iroh waiting for dinner. Just as she was about to release the arrow the ground started shaking and the rabbit immediately hopped away at lightning speed. Wondering what was causing the commotion, she stood up and began looking for the source, but it did not take her long to discover it as she saw the mongoose lizard in the distance through the trees coming towards her. She quickly took cover out of its path, and she waited for it to run past her. From where she hid she could clearly see the rider, and as soon as it was out of sight, she started running back to where she left Iroh.
He was sitting alone drinking tea when she finally made it to him.
"General!" she said, sounding out of breath.
"Chiara, tea?"
"No. Azula's here!"
He sat up more alert. "Did she see you?"
"No. She's heading east. I think she's after the Avatar because I saw him flying earlier in that direction. We can't let her hurt Aang."
Iroh silently considered their options.
"We'll find Zuko later," he said. "We should follow Azula."
They quickly packed up and started east towards where the remains of an abandoned mining town lay. They were surprised to spot Zuko far ahead of them riding the ostrich horse in the same direction.
"He's after the Avatar," said Iroh.
"And so is Azula," she said. "We need to get to him."
They started running to catch up.
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Down in the abandoned town, Azula stood facing an exhausted-looking Aang.
"Do you really want to fight me?" she asked him in a lofty tone.
"Yes," said Zuko jumping off his ostrich horse and standing in front of her. "I really do."
"Zuko," said Aang in surprise.
"I was wondering when you'd show up, Zuzu."
Aang covered his mouth as he started snickering. "Zuzu?"
"Back off, Azula," said Zuko standing between them. "He's mine."
"I'm not going anywhere." Azula looked around. "Your little Earth tramp isn't around to save you this time?"
"No. It's just you and me."
Azula and Zuko stood ready to fight. Aang, seeing the two sibling firebenders in fighting stances, took a defensive stance. The princess made the first move sending blue flames towards Zuko who raised a shield of fire, but her powerful blast knocked him off his feet. Aang's mouth dropped open when he saw Azula take out Zuko so quickly and easily. He turned around and started flying off, but Azula fired a stream of blue flame towards him which he deflected with his glider as he fell to the ground. Running across a roof, the princess jumped down in front of him and kicked fire at him, but as he ran from her, he found himself trapped between her and Zuko who started attacking his sister. Aang weaved his way between their fire battle until he made his way behind Azula. She defended herself against Zuko while trying to attack Aang at the same time.
As Iroh and Chiara ran towards Tu Zin, they could see the fire fight, and Chiara started sprinting as fast as she could no longer keeping pace with Iroh.
Zuko jumped up and leaped at Azula bringing down fire, but she countered it with her own. She quickly turned to run after the Avatar who took off up the stairs into one of the dilapidated buildings. Running up the steps behind him, she nearly fell off a ledge as there was no upper level. She managed to steady herself to keep from falling, but Zuko came running up behind her without stopping and plummeted to the first floor. Azula attacked Aang again, but he sprinted towards her and pushed her to the first level before running out the way he entered. As soon as Azula landed below, she quickly threw a stream of fire up at Aang before sending her brother flying through a wall and into the street where he lay unconscious.
When Chiara reached the town, she flew down the street and fell to her knees by Zuko's side. After feeling his heartbeat, she jumped up and took off after Azula. She turned the corner and saw Katara running out of a building being pursued by the princess. Sokka jumped out of another doorway swinging his machete at the firebender, but she evaded him only to face Chiara drawing her swords.
"Beautiful mystery girl!" called Sokka.
"Chiara!" said Aang excitedly.
Azula sent several fire blasts at her which she parried and dodged.
"I was wondering when you'd show up, Earth tramp," Azula said to Chiara as they all approached her.
She continued hurling streams of blue fire at Chiara while defending herself from Team Avatar.
While they were battling, Iroh made it to the town and stood over Zuko who was still lying on the ground. Zuko opened his eyes and saw his uncle above him.
"Uncle...," he said.
"Get up," he ordered as he helped him to his feet. "Chiara has gone after Azula."
Any exhaustion Zuko felt immediately left him as he imagined Chiara at the receiving end of a bolt of lightning.
"You're more of a traitor than I thought," Azula said to Chiara as she threw a burst of fire at her. Chiara swung her sword expertly deflecting it. "You're always around to save Zuko," continued the princess, "but now you team up with the Avatar too?"
"I told you before you'll have to go through me first to get to Prince Zuko," said Chiara deeply, fighting the blue fire with her sword.
Azula narrowed her eyes at her. "And I told you I don't have a problem with that."
Suddenly, Azula was knocked forward falling to her hands and knees. Behind her stood Toph.
"I thought you guys could use a little help," said the little earthbender.
"Thanks," said Katara sweetly.
Azula stood up and threw a few more blasts at them before running off down an alley where she unexpectedly bounced off Iroh and fell to the ground. Now, all of them together cornered her.
"Well, look at this," she said quickly getting up, "enemies and traitors all working together. I'm done," she said holding her hands in the air. "I know when I'm beaten. You got me. A princess surrenders with honor."
Her eyes scanned them all before locking on Chiara's. She smirked at her and then quickly took aim shooting a concentrated blast of hot, blue fire.
Chiara had not expected it. "Nooo!" she screamed as she immediately ran towards Iroh but was too late to block it.
Zuko's eyes went wide when he heard his uncle's scream, and he yelled out when he saw him fall to the ground. He turned back to Azula, and he and Team Avatar all attacked her at once while Chiara was on her knees at Iroh's side. As all four elements were fired upon the princess there was an explosion. Chiara could not hear a heartbeat, and a heartbreaking memory of her journey through the Earth Kingdom years ago resurfaced. After the smoke dissipated, Azula was gone. Zuko turned and knelt down at Iroh's side opposite Chiara. He was hurt and angry seeing his uncle lying lifeless on the ground while Chiara was crying with her head on Iroh's chest. The others gathered around looking sympathetic.
"Get away from us!" Zuko yelled at them.
"Zuko, I can help," said Katara.
"Leave!!" he yelled as he threw a stream of fire in their direction.
They all ran away, and as the noise died down Chiara heard a heartbeat.
She sat up, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "Get the ostrich horse," she said.
Amid Zuko's anguished expression was confusion.
"Now!" she demanded as she was opening Iroh's tunic. "Go find it."
Zuko, a bit shocked by her demanding tone, obeyed and left to find it. When he disappeared she pulled out her small vial of water and poured it over Iroh's wound. Tears leaked out of her eyes when she sensed the damage—it went deep and very close to his heart. Holding the glowing water over his chest she tried to heal the worst of it, and she did not care if Zuko returned while she was waterbending. She refused to rush it. After she did as much as she could do, she put the water away, but Zuko still had not returned. She closed Iroh's tunic and was monitoring his heartbeat when he finally showed up with their transport.
"Is he alive?" he asked.
"Barely," she answered. "We need to find shelter for him."
They gathered their supplies together, and then they made a makeshift stretcher which they attached to the ostrich horse in order to transport Iroh. They traveled east of Tu Zin to another abandoned village, and they carefully moved him inside one of the run down houses where he could rest quietly. When they settled him in, Chiara knelt by his side holding his hand.
"Will he be okay?" Zuko asked her, kneeling across from her.
"I hope so." She looked up at him, and noticing he looked a little gaunt, she reached over and tenderly lifted his chin looking for injuries. "I have some dried meat if you're hungry," she said softly.
"Not really," he said.
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When the sun went down Zuko built a small fire. Neither of them ate that evening, but Chiara sat and mended clothes by the firelight.
"I'm sorry, Chiara," he said softly after what felt like a long awkward silence to him. "I'm sorry I left you...both of you."
"Don't apologize," she said impassively.
"I need to apologize."
"Fine. I forgive you."
She did not take her eyes from her work, and he felt frustrated by her apathy.
"You can't just forgive me that easily."
"Why not?"
"I don't deserve it. I shouldn't have..." He turned his head away. "...I shouldn't have treated you the way I did. It was...shameful."
She silently kept working.
He looked at her. "Please say something."
"You already apologized and I forgave you. What else do you want me to say?"
"I don't know. Yell at me. Hit me..."
"Will it do any good?" she asked, finally lifting her eyes from her work to meet his. "Will it change what happened?"
He looked down. "No."
"Then all you can do is promise me you'll never treat me like that again," she said.
He looked up at her; her eyes were boring into him.
"I promise," he said immediately.
She returned to her sewing tying off her last stitch.
"I left because I didn't want to risk hurting you again."
"I understand," she said softly.
She started putting her sewing needles and thread away. Zuko's eyes moved to Iroh on the other side of the room, and he watched his uncle's chest slowly rise and fall under the blanket.
"I shouldn't have gone. It wasn't worth this happening to Uncle."
"This isn't your fault," she said. "Who could've known which of us she planned on attacking first?" Her words did not alleviate her own guilt. She had expected the princess to attack her directly. But Azula knew how to inflict the most pain. Chiara could not help but feel responsible believing that Azula attacked her general knowing it would hurt her more.
She got up from her spot next to the fire and walked over to Iroh where she lay next to him and placed her head on his chest just as she did when she was younger.
"Are you going to sleep there?" asked Zuko.
"I'm monitoring his heartbeat," she said.
"How is it?"
"Steady." She was relieved to hear the steady rhythm, but she was worried that he was still unconscious.
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The next day Chiara went out hunting. She brought back a small animal, but she was disappointed to see that Iroh was still unconscious. After preparing her kill, she and Zuko ate it. Having been on his own for so many weeks, he had missed her cooking, and he ate like it was the first time he had eaten in months. It frustrated Chiara that he had refused to learn how to dress a kill in the wild when she offered to teach him, and she was worried about him because he looked so thin. As they ate, she took less than she would have because she wanted him to eat more. Zuko noticed the small amount she had, and he was just as concerned about her.
"You need to eat, Chiara," he said.
"I did eat."
"You didn't eat very much. You need to eat more."
"I'm not very hungry," she said softly.
He assumed worry over Iroh was affecting her appetite, so he could not bring himself to push her or scold her. She had not talked much to him, and he suspected she was still upset with him for how he treated her back near the cave so he avoided being too demanding with her. After eating, he pulled out her diadem.
"Why do you still have that?" she asked when her eyes focused on the silvery metal.
"I couldn't trade it," he said softly.
"But...those are real gems. You should've been..."
"I mean I wouldn't trade it," he interrupted her.
"That's why I gave it to you." She was upset that he did not even bother to take care of himself when she had given him the means to do so.
"But it belonged to your mother."
"You're more important, and you look like you haven't eaten in weeks."
Her words echoed through his mind: This is all I have left of my mother, and I would never choose it over you. She had meant what she said, and he loved her for it. He stood up, and walking to the other side of the fire, he knelt down behind her.
"I managed to survive without selling it," he said.
He wrapped it around her neck noticing that she tensed a little which stoked his guilty feelings. Once it was connected, he immediately returned to his seat across from her in order to maintain a respectful distance.
"You shouldn't have given it to me," he said.
"Then you should've learned how to dress game," she scolded him deeply.
He knew her reprimand was justified, and he cast his eyes downward conceding her point. "You're right."
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For two days they remained in the shelter watching over Iroh. They did not talk much except what was necessary to speak since Zuko still felt ashamed for his behavior towards her and did not want to push her into conversation. He also noticed that she seemed a little distant which he worried might be because she was afraid to be near him, so he was trying to give her some space. They took turns hunting, and whenever Zuko was out, Chiara would do a healing session over Iroh's wound.
On the second day after she had gone out hunting early in the morning, Iroh began stirring.
The crown prince ran up the hill looking back to see his pursuer. Young Lu Ten was running after him and threw his hands forward mimicking a firebending move.
"I got you, Dad!"
Iroh turned around groaning as he playfully clutched his chest and fell back to the ground. They both laughed as Lu Ten happily jumped on his father.
Everything darkened as Iroh walked through the crypt. It had been years since he had last set foot in the Fire Nation, but only one year since Lu Ten's death at Ba Sing Se. It was his first visit to his son's grave having spent the year traveling the Earth Kingdom and visiting the North Pole, and even unsuccessfully searching for him in the spirit world. He approached the tomb of the prince and knelt down before it.
"My beloved Lu Ten, I will see you again..."
"Uncle," said Zuko as he watched him move again.
Iroh opened his eyes to see his nephew kneeling next to him.
"You were unconscious," said Zuko.
Iroh clutched his chest and groaned in pain when he tried to sit up.
"Azula did this to you," said his nephew. "It was a surprise attack."
"Somehow, that's not so surprising." He sat up despite the sharp, deep pain in his chest, and pushed himself against the wall. "Where is Chiara? Is she okay?"
"She's out hunting. She should be back soon." He held out a cup of tea to his uncle. "I hope I made it the way you like it."
Iroh took it with a gentle smile anxious for a cup of tea. The first sip immediately wiped the smile from his face. "Mmm...good," he lied. He hurriedly downed the rest of it shuddering in disgust. "That was very...uh...bracing," he smiled.
Zuko took the empty cup and refilled it to his dismay. "So, Uncle, I've been thinking..."
Iroh quickly dumped the tea out of his cup when his nephew was not looking.
"...It's only a matter of time before I run into Azula again. I'm going to need to know more advanced firebending if I want to stand a chance against her." He quickly put up a defensive hand before his uncle could speak. "I know what you're going to say: she's my sister and I should be trying to get along with her."
"No," said Iroh placing his cup on the ground. "She's crazy, and she needs to go down." He grunted and groaned as he forced himself to his feet. "It's time to resume your training."
Chiara's kill and bow fell from her hands as she stood at the door. She ran to him wrapping her arms around him. Zuko smiled, and Iroh laughed as he returned her hug.
"Why are you up like this?" she asked releasing him from her embrace. "You need to lie down."
"I was going to help Zuko tra..."
"No, you're not," she said to their surprise.
Zuko wondered if she was so angry with him that she was going to insist Iroh not help him.
"You just suffered a serious injury," she scolded him. "You're going to rest and eat first. Then you can help him."
"I guess I can't argue with that," said Iroh.
Zuko smiled to himself. After Chiara helped him back down on his mat, she picked up the teapot and filled his empty cup. She took a sip to make sure it was hot enough, but no sooner had she tasted it, she spit it back in the cup.
"I think this went bad."
She stepped over to the window and dumped it all out.
"I just made that," said Zuko softly.
"It didn't taste right," she said while she started making a fresh pot for which Iroh was secretly thankful.
Afterwards, she went outside to skin her game before she began cooking it.
Early in the afternoon after eating their meal, Iroh made more tea and began teaching Zuko about lightning bending. Chiara sat nearby and listened while she mended Zuko's torn clothes.
"Lightning is a pure expression of firebending without aggression," said Iroh. "It is not fueled by rage or emotion the way the other firebending is. Some call lightning the cold-blooded fire. It is precise and deadly," he said as he poured the tea, "like Azula." He handed a cup to Zuko. "To perform the technique requires peace of mind."
"I see," said Zuko. "That's why we're drinking tea, to calm the mind."
"Oh, yeah, good point...I mean, yes."
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After their tea, they all went outside where Iroh began giving Zuko instructions.
"There is energy all around us," he said. "The energy is both yin and yang, positive energy and negative energy. Only a select few firebenders can separate these energies. This creates an imbalance. The energy wants to restore balance, and in the moment the positive and negative energy come crashing back together you provide release and guidance creating lightning."
He had Zuko and Chiara step back. He began moving his arms in a circular motion, the lightning he created sparked sharply around him before he sent it off into the distance.
Zuko looked on enthusiastically. "I'm ready to try it," he said.
Chiara saw Iroh rubbing his chest, and she immediately walked over to him. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he nodded. "Remember," he said to Zuko, "once you separate the energy, you do not command it; you are simply its humble guide. Breathe first."
He and Chiara stepped back. Zuko took a deep breath. He moved his arms around him, but there was no lightning created from his movements, and as he followed through the motions an enormous explosion sent him flying backwards. He was undeterred by his failed attempt and he stood up to try again.
While he continued practicing, Chiara was worried about Iroh overexerting himself.
"Why don't you sit down," she said to him.
He was rubbing his chest again. "I'm okay...."
"Let me rephrase that," she interrupted sternly. "Sit down now."
He gently laughed at her command, but he did not dare defy her order. They sat down in the shade of the house they were using as shelter.
Zuko continued practicing over and over, yet he was unable to create lightning.
"Do you think he'll ever find the peace he needs to generate lightning?" Chiara softly asked Iroh as they watched the continuing explosions.
Iroh sighed. "I do not know," he said thoughtfully. "There is so much going on inside him."
She looked at him. "Why don't you teach him how to redirect it?" His eyes widened at her suggestion. "It'd be far more beneficial to him to learn how to protect himself from it."
"Why can't I do it?!" yelled Zuko having grown frustrated with his repeated failures. "Instead of lightning, it keeps exploding in my face, like everything always does!"
"I was afraid this might happen," said Iroh as Chiara helped him to his feet. He started walking towards his nephew. "You will not be able to master lightning until you have dealt with the turmoil inside you."
"What turmoil?!" he snapped.
"Zuko, you must let go of your feelings of shame if you want your anger to go away."
"But I don't feel any shame at all. I'm as proud as ever."
"Prince Zuko, pride is not the opposite of shame but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame."
"Well," said Zuko more calmly, "my life has been nothing but humbling lately."
"There is something else we will try," he said. "I will teach you a firebending move that even Azula doesn't know because I made it up myself."
To learn something that Azula did not know put a smile on Zuko's face.
"Sit down," he said.
Zuko took a seat on the ground while Iroh picked up a stick. He began drawing in the dirt.
"Fire is the element of power," he said as he finished drawing its symbol. "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," he said as he traced its symbol. "The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. Air is the element of freedom," he continued. "The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace in freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor." He smiled at Zuko who looked impassive. "Water is the element of change," he said tracing its symbol. "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."
Chiara, sitting in the shade nearby, was listening to Iroh's teaching, and she perked up when he mentioned the Water Nation. They exchanged a glance.
"Why are you telling me these things?" asked Zuko.
"It is important to draw wisdom from many different places," he explained. "If we take it from only one place it becomes rigid and stale." He drew lines in the dirt separating the four symbols. "Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole." He drew a single circle enclosing all the symbols of the four elements.
"All this four elements talk is sounding like Avatar stuff."
"It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful, but it can make you more powerful too," he said, jabbing his stick at Zuko's chest. "You see, the technique I am about to teach you is one I learned by studying the waterbenders."
Chiara jumped up to join them when Iroh began demonstrating a new set of warm-up movements.
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The sun was getting low in the sky as they stood outside practicing.
"Waterbenders deal with the flow of energy," said Iroh as they exercised. "A waterbender lets their defense become their offense turning their opponent's energy against them. I learned a way to do this with lightning."
Zuko stopped moving and stared at his uncle. "You can teach me to redirect lightning?"
Iroh nodded. "If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it." He stretched out his right arm tracing the direction with his left hand. "You must create a pathway from your fingertips, up your arm to your shoulder, then down into your stomach. The stomach is the source of energy in your body. It is called the sea of chi. Only in my case it is more like a vast ocean," he said letting out a hearty laugh. "From the stomach you direct it up again and out the other arm." He stretched out his left hand. "The stomach detour is critical. You must not let the lightning pass through your heart..." He pointed at Zuko's chest. "...or the damage could be deadly. You may wish to try a physical motion to get a feel for the pathway's flow, like this."
Iroh demonstrated the stance and began showing him the movements of his technique while Zuko mirrored him. Chiara was standing behind Iroh going through the same motions.
"Now, are you focusing your energy?" asked Iroh. "Can you feel your own chi flowing in, down, up, and out?"
"I think so."
"Come on," said Iroh, "you've got to feel the flow."
They continued practicing until the sun dropped down to the horizon.
"Excellent," said Iroh stopping. "You've got it."
"Great," said Zuko. "I'm ready to try with real lightning."
Chiara stopped her movements and looked at him.
"What are you crazy?" said Iroh, appalled. "Lightning is very dangerous!"
"I thought that was the point," said Zuko. "You teaching me how to protect myself from it."
"Yeah, but I'm not going to shoot lightning at you! If you're lucky you will never have to use this technique at all."
"Well, if you won't help me, I'll find my own lightning," he said stubbornly.
Zuko hopped on the ostrich horse and took off riding to the top of a mountain covered by clouds of a coming storm.
Chiara sighed and turned to Iroh. "How are you feeling?" she asked him. "Any pain?"
"Not much really."
"We should go inside. I'll do a healing session."
They went into the house where she treated the injury as there was still some residual damage that she would have to continue working on. The healing water felt soothing to his throbbing pain.
"How were you able to do this without Zuko seeing it?" he asked her as she finished.
"When I realized you were still alive, I sent him for the ostrich horse," she said. "The other treatments I did when he was out hunting." She helped him sit up. "But I don't care if he saw me. I was going to do it anyways."
Tears started falling down her cheeks as the memories of Azula's attack on him flashed in her head.
"It's okay, Chiara," he said as she was helping him with his tunic. "You did good."
She shook her head. "It was so close to your heart. I wasn't sure I'd be able to help."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her. "It's not your fault if you can't save everyone."
"I was sure you were gone," she softly cried.
He gently rubbed her back. "It's okay. I'm here."