NOTE: 1) I don't own Avatar :(
2) I came up with this idea from the strike of Hurricane Hanna in North Carolina, so believe it or not, this is dedicated to the 2008 hurricane season and everyone affected by it. Let us hope for the best for all of them.
Chapter 1
It was a cool, windy evening at the scene of the palace. The light was long gone, along with the warmth: leaving a sharp tang whenever the cool air found something to blow upon. The wind blew across the land; crossing the earth kingdom, the large ocean that spanned across the entire center square between all four nations, and crossed the Fire Nation, eventually reaching the palace in the heart of the Fire Nation. It became strong, and it blew harder.
Zuko sat in the living room of the palace. He rested his feet on the large red sofa. He heard the rustling of the trees outside. There's some wind brewing out there, Zuko thought to himself. A larger gust came through, and it blew through the openings in the windows, sending the curtains flying up. The cold wind flew through the room. As Katara was walking in, Zuko felt the briskness of the wind, and he shivered. Katara noticed it immediately.
Katara: Are you ok?
Zuko: (Looking up at the ceiling) I'm fine… it's… just the breeze from outside.
Katara: Do you want me to close the windows?
Zuko: Yeah, that would probably help…
Katara closed the windows and walked away.
The Gang had been preparing for a vacation to Ember Island. They decided they needed to get away from the main city, and to enjoy themselves out on a faraway island where their problems couldn't follow: a nice relaxing way to just have fun for a month and a half.
Zuko was enjoying himself already, resting on the couch, and waiting for the others to finally be ready to leave. They had decided that they should go the next morning, so they needed to have all of their belongings ready tonight. Zuko had already finished with his, and was waiting for the others to finish so that they could all have a relaxing dinner, go to sleep, and wake up fresh in the morning to be ready for the new day.
But the others were still frantically trying to decide what to bring. As Zuko sat on the couch, he constantly heard voices coming from many different rooms.
… Katara, where are my pants?
… Ty Lee, where are my hair loopies?
… Sokka, where are my daggers?
… Katara, where is my boomerang?
… Could SOMEBODY come and pack my stuff for me?
… Whoever that was, you have two hands, so pack your own stuff!
… I'M BLIND, YOU DUMBBELL!
At this last remark, Zuko had to chuckle.
Zuko: (Loudly) I'm coming, Toph!
… Thanks!
Zuko walked down the hallway to go to Toph's room. As he passed others' rooms, he saw exactly how disorganized they still were. I guess we're not going to get to enjoy ourselves tonight… he said to himself. He eventually reached Toph's room. He saw that all of her stuff was still on the floor and on her bed: nothing in her bags.
Toph: Zuko, you're here. Good. Could you PLEASE pack my entire bag for me? (Sarcastically) Thanks!
Zuko: But… wait up, Toph!
But Toph had already walked out of the room, chuckling to herself at her successful plot. Ha, she thought to herself. Zuko was packing her stuff for her. Now she could relax on the sofa, where Zuko had been only seconds ago. She jumped onto it, and closed her eyes…
Meanwhile, Zuko looked at all of the clothes and other stuff Toph had laid out for him. He started by putting all of her clothes into the bottom, neatly folding them and placing them in. When that was done, he put the rest of her stuff: her rock bracelet, and some other random items, into the top of her bag. He sealed the top up, and put it on her bed. It had only been about ten minutes.
Zuko walked pleasurably back into the living room. He unhappily saw Toph lying down on the couch where he had been. Oh well, he said to himself, I'll go back to my room. Zuko walked back to his room and closed the door.
Katara walked into the living room once again, and was surprised to see Toph lying down on the couch.
Katara: Toph, do you have everything ready?
Toph: Zuko's packing it for me right now.
Katara: Why's he packing your own stuff?
Toph: (Sarcastically) Hmm, let's see: Oh wait, I CAN'T SEE! Maybe that's why…
Katara: Oh, why didn't you call me? I would've helped you…
Toph: I called out to anybody. But some idiot told me to pack my own stuff, and I shouted back "I'm BLIND!", and Zuko heard it, so he came to help me. And anyway, I'm sure you were still busy packing your own stuff. Anyway, have you finished yet?
Katara: I just need one more thing: my extra beads for my hair. Do you know who could have them?
Toph: No clue. Katara, you should relax. If that's the ONLY thing you need now, you should just relax and talk. You can always just find them later…
Katara: I guess you're right… Ok, I'll sit here with you.
Toph: Good, good! Now, what do you want to talk about?
Katara: (Looking at her) Anything, I guess… I thought you would have something you wanted to talk about.
Toph: Katara, I'm exhausted. But I need someone to accompany me.
Katara: Ok… um… should we see if the others are done yet?
Toph: You can go… I think I'll stay here and rest for a while.
Katara: You sure?
Toph: Yup.
Katara: Ok…
Katara walked out of the room. Toph remained silent on the couch.
Katara decided to go to see Sokka first. She walked into his room, and saw how he was doing. It was still a mess.
Katara: Sokka! Your room is a mess! Are you not even close to being finished backing?
Sokka: Hey, I've been busy!
Katara: (Sarcastically) Uh huh, I'm sure of that. (Rolling her eyes) Hurry up! And have you seen my beads for my hair?
Sokka: You mean your hair loopies?
Katara: Whatever you want to call them…
Sokka: No, I haven't seen them. Goodbye now!
Katara: Ok. But hurry up!
Sokka: Believe me, I am! I'm starving right now!
Katara: (Shaking her head) Oh Sokka…
Katara turned and left his room. She decided to check on Ty Lee. Her door was closed, so Katara knocked.
Ty Lee: (Cheerfully) Come in!
Katara opened the door.
Ty Lee: (Perky) Hi Katara! How are you?
Katara: Good. You done packing?
Ty Lee: I just finished. It's so nice to be going away!
Katara: I know. I'm really looking forward to just relaxing all day for about 50 days…
Ty Lee: So, do you need me?
Katara: Yes… do you have the beads for my hair?
Ty Lee: Yeah, let me get them for you.
She jumped off her bed and flipped over to a drawer. She got the beads out and gave them to Katara.
Katara: Thanks. And Ty Lee, could you come and help me fix dinner?
Ty Lee: Sure!
The two of them walked out and into the kitchen.
Ty Lee: (Joyfully) What should we have for dinner?
Katara: I guess something random…
They decided to get some meat out of the pantry and started to cook it. They also made a salad for Aang, who they knew wouldn't eat the meat.
After a half hour, the others, smelling dinner, emerged from their rooms, and came into the kitchen. Katara was just bringing the meat off of the fire. The rest sat at the table, which had been set for eight people. Katara eventually got the meat over to the table, and joined the others by sitting down.
Katara: Ok everybody, start eating!
Sokka: Finally! I thought dinner would never be ready!
Katara: Come on, Sokka, just eat!
Ty Lee: Aang, are you Ok?
Aang: I'm fine. Thanks for the salad, guys.
Katara: No prob. Anyway, how are all of you doing on packing?
Ty Lee: I'm finished.
Suki: I just need to pack one last thing, and then I'm done.
Sokka: Sorry, I'm not that far on packing…
Katara: Oh Sokka…
Zuko: I'm done.
Aang: Same.
Mai: I just need about five more things, which I've been trying to find for the past hour…
Toph: I assume I'm done… right Zuko?
Zuko: Yup.
Katara: And I just need to put one last thing in. So after I'm done, I'll help Mai find her other things. Suki, maybe once you're done, you should help Sokka?
Suki: That sounds good.
Katara: And the rest of you, could you put all of the fully packed bags by the front door? We don't want to have to get them all together in the morning.
Aang: We'll do that.
Katara: Ok.
The rest of the meal was eaten in silence. They ate quickly. Eventually, they finished. Katara was the first one to get up.
Katara: I'm going to finish packing. Could you others finish and start bringing the bags?
Aang: Yes, Katara. We'll do that.
Katara: Good.
She went into her room. She picked up her hair beads, and she put them into the side pocket of her bag. She then closed it up, and she brought it out to the front door. She then walked back into the kitchen.
Katara: Mai, I'm done. Will you come with me so I can help you find those last things you need?
Mai: I'm coming right now, Katara. Let me just put my plates into the sink.
She did what she said, and she walked over to Katara. The two of them walked out of the kitchen. Suki looked over at Sokka.
Suki: Ok, Sokka, now come with me. I'll help you finish packing.
Sokka: Aww, do we have to leave dinner this moment?
Suki got up and dragged him out of his chair and pulled him out of the room. On the way out, he had a look of disappointment and desire of the leftover food on his face.
Aang then got up.
Aang: We should start getting the bags.
Ty Lee: Good idea.
The four of them left the kitchen. It was now empty, and as the others left, a sudden gust of wind blew ferociously through. It sent curtains flying up, and napkins blowing everywhere.
Suki dragged Sokka into his room.
Suki: Wow, Sokka, you've done pretty much nothing!
Sokka: Hey, I've been getting the stuff together!
Suki: (Sarcastically) Right, right, and you're also the best warrior in the world!
Sokka: (Proudly) I am… (realizing sarcasm) why must you do that?
Suki: Come on, lazy bones! Let's get going!
Sokka: But I have everything ready!
Suki: Then put it in your bag, stupid!
Sokka: I will!
Suki: Good! Cause I'm not going to help you!
Sokka: Fine then!
Sokka began to throw stuff into his bag. After a couple minutes, he had finished. Suki had been watching him the entire time, in awe of what a pure mess he was…
Sokka: See? I'm done!
Suki: (Shaking her head) You're such a slob…
Sokka: Fine! But I'm going to go put this by the front door.
Suki: You do that.
Sokka: I will!
Sokka stormed out of his room, carrying his bag, and muttering under his breath. Suki watched him, and chuckled at the sight of him. She walked out into the living room, and saw Aang, Ty Lee, Zuko, and Toph sitting there relaxing.
Suki: Did you finish putting the bags out in the front?
Zuko: Yep. Want to join us?
Suki: Of course!
A moment later, Sokka came in.
Sokka: Finally done packing!
Ty Lee: (Sarcastically) Good job!
The six of them waited another minute before Katara and Mai came in. Katara walked through to the front door, carrying Mai's bag, and Mai went over to a chair and sat down. Katara came back a moment later.
Katara: So what should we do now?
Zuko: We should decide when we're leaving in the morning…
Katara: We should probably go early…
Aang: I agree. Let's wake up really early and get over to a ship that can take us and Appa there. Appa can't carry us all…
Katara: I agree.
Zuko: Me too. So for right now, we should probably get some sleep.
Sokka: Hooray for that! I'm pooped!
Suki laughed.
Sokka: What?
Suki: Nothing, Sokka.
Katara: We should go to bed now.
Sokka: Goodnight everyone!
Ty Lee: I agree. Good night!
Mai: Wake me up early, Katara. Good night.
Katara: I will Mai.
The rest of them walked out of the living room and into their own rooms.
Zuko went into his room and closed the door. He lay down on his bed and looked up at the ceiling. And as he did, the breeze came through his windows and cooled the room.
Zuko looked out the window, and saw a clear sky. It's going to be a beautiful day tomorrow, he said to himself. And with that thought in his mind, he closed his eyes, and went to sleep.
But far away, in the center of the ocean, some clouds began to develop. They gained strength, and they began to produce strong winds and heavy rain. Zuko had gone to sleep that night picturing a beautiful day. But Zuko, along with the others, had no idea what was brewing in the ocean off the coast of the Fire Nation…
That's it. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter, although it wasn't as exciting as the rest of the story will be. This chapter was necessary to set the scene and where they were going, etc., so please, bear with me while I continue it. And PLEASE R&R!
-Calypso-