Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Zuko or the rest of the characters for that matter, so kiss butt to the creators because we wouldn't have such a lovely show if it weren't for them.

The Oracle

by Anne52

A Late-Night Visit

Crunching sounds emanated from behind a wall of rocks. Aang poked his head out of the tent and looked around suspiciously, sneaking across the grass and peeking into the tent opposite his.

"Sokka. Psst." He hit Sokka with a blast of air. "Sokka," he whispered again.

"Hmm?"

Aang gestured toward Appa with his head.

The elder boy glared but followed anyway.

Aang scowled as he turned the corner.

Katara and Zuko, both clad in black, were loading Appa.

--

Aang crawled back into his tent, trying to ignore his concern for Katara, knowing--hoping she would do the right thing. He tried as many ways to fall asleep as he could (counting koala sheep, drinking warm water, and various other methods).

An elderly and familiar voice whispered his name as he was on the brink of sleep. "Aang."

"Yes Roku," he mumbled drowsily, curling into a ball and pulling the blanket further over his bald head.

"There is something of great importance I must tell y--"

"Will the Firelord take ove if I don't hear this now," he called from under the blanket, attempting to shut out the blue glow that always accompanied Roku.

"Well, no," he answered, eyes widening at Aang's unusually grouchy state.

"Can it wait, then?"

"No," Roku said curtly. Aang sat up, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"There is one who is of all four nations. Seek her out; she will help you fulfill your destiny, but do not be mistaken, young avatar, it is not your destiny to free her."

Aang's eyebrows pulled together. "Then whose is? And how do I find her?"

"There is a cave not far from your camp. From there you must follow the signs." Without a sound, Roku vanished.

--

As the sun stretched its arms over the horizon, a group of people sat around a fire, having a morning meal.

Aang silently approached his friends, all chatting quietly.

"Morning Twinkletoes," Toph greeted, her dark bangs blowing lightly in the wind.

Everyone avoided looking at Aang, silence overwhelming them.

Suki put down her bowl noisely. "Sokka told us about last night."

He slurped at his onion soup, thinking of ways to best bring up his visit from Roku. He stared at it as he said: "So I was thinking..maybe we could go for a walk today.."

He glanced up, reading the faces of his friends.

"Stop lying and get to the point, Twinkletoes," Toph said tersely.

"Sokka needs exercise. I mean, look at him! I'm just concerned for my friend here." Aang pointed in his direction.

Sokka sucked in his stomach self-consciously.

"What is it you really want," she asked.

He sighed. "I spoke with Roku last night."

"What did he say?" Sokka waited patiently for an answer.

Aang swallowed. "Apparently, someone will join our group, and she's trapped in a cave not far from here. I'm supposed to find her," he explained, "but I can't free her. Someone else has to."

"Who," Suki asked.

"That's the problem," he answered. "I don't know."