Chapter 30

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Before Vaatu was even able to offer his deal, I felt the pull back to the real world, and I was glad I did, whatever diabolical idea he had I wanted no part in it.

"Young man, are you lost?" The question startled me back to reality. It was the Master Piandao, who had walked out of his castle waking me up from the spirit world. He was dressed in an expensive red and black kimono with gold lines on the edges, with a sheathed sword thrust through his obi, his eyes deep and kind.

Note to self… don't meditate, ever again.

"I was actually looking for you," I answered.

"Interested in the way of the sword, then?" Piandao said, with an amused tone.

I nodded in answer.

The old master stood silent for a second, giving me a long scrutinizing look, before he motioned for me to follow him. "Come here, young man."

As I followed him, a man approached the master, eying me with curiosity and surprise. "Master Piandao, are you finally getting a new student?"

Master Piandao barely showed any emotion as he looked at me. "Well, that depends on him."

"Hey Kid," The man extended his hand giving a handshake, "The name is Fat, and just a heads up, Master Piandao turns down almost every aspirant, so don't expect much,"

After that little interaction, the old master took me to a room, and asked, "Why are you looking to train?"

This was a test, one that Sokka had passed thanks to his humility, was I humble? Not really, I knew I was strong, but if I said that he would outright reject me. So I had to be humble.

"I need to get stronger…" I answered, realizing if I had to be humble, I would have to be truthful about my weaknesses, "I have no idea how to properly use a sword," that wasn't a lie, I was good at bending, but not at the normal aspect of fighting, "If you have me… I would like to learn how to be a proper swordsman under your teachings,"

Piandao looked at me, showing not emotion for a long minute as if trying to see any sense of falsehood behind my words, "Very well, I will teach you how to be a proper warrior in the ways of the sword,"

"I will be honored to learn with you," I smiled.

"You will do more than learning how to use a sword… a real swordsman needs more than a blade to be one with his blade," Piandao stated, "You will learn to take care of the garden, you will practice calligraphy… and you will use a dull blade until you're ready to wield a real blade," he paused, "do you still want to learn,"

Well, that was sure a lot of work, but for now… it was better than doing nothing, "Yes, I will do what I must,"

"Very well," Piandao nodded, "go with Fat, he will instruct you want to do in the garden,"

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[Iroh POV]

Zuko was angry with our situation, from royalty to beggars, it really affected him, a lot.

"Some coin for this old man," I asked with a wide smile, as people passed by dropping coins in my hat.

"This is humiliating… we are royalty, people should be giving us what we want!" Zuko hissed in anger, showing his ignorance to the outside world.

"They will, if we ask nicely," I smiled, I knew Zuko would soon learn the harsh realities of this war… and it would forever change him for the better, after all, he was now a victim of his father's regime… like everyone else.

"We don't need any kindness," Zuko said, practically growling, "We won't once we have the Avatar,"

"Sir… can I have a coin," A little girl asked, approaching us.

"Sure," I smiled, giving her part of what I had collected.

"Thanks!" The girl smiled, beaming with newfound happiness, that already made this beggar thing worth it.

"We don't have anything… why are you wasting what little we have," Zuko asked after the girl left skipping with a happy smile, shocked I had given part of the money we had collected.

"Love and kindness are never wasted dear nephew. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver," I smiled at him, "Besides, No one has ever become poor by giving, that only makes you richer where it really matters,"

Zuko sighed, "Well… she did look hungry, I hope no one takes that money from her," and there it was, the kind young man I believed in.

"I'm sure she will be fine," I smiled.

"Does that actually make a difference?" Zuko suddenly asked, "Tomorrow she will be hungry once again… are you actually helping?"

I looked at him for a second, before replying, "Dear nephew, there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every kind act we do creates a ripple of goodness with no logical end, we don't have to be kind because it will change something… we have to be kind because it who we are,"

"I suppose," Zuko sighed.

"And sometimes… You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force…" I winked at him.

"I'm sure the Avatar will go with me to the fire nation if I ask nicely," Zuko replied with a low chuckle.

"Maybe not now," I laughed.

Little by little I was leaving a mark on my dear nephew, and soon he would learn that the purpose of life is not to be happy, not completely. The real purpose of life was to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to be kind, to be fair, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. We are all here to serve, one way or another.

"Uncle… do you think… we will capture the Avatar any time soon?" Zuko asked, his head low.

"Only time will tell," No… I knew for a fact you would never capture the Avatar for your destiny was another, but unfortunately you aren't ready to hear it. Yet.