The One With Different Cultures; Part Two
Zuko slides into a seat next to his uncle. The two of them still sit on the edges of gatherings, since they were implants.
Zuko barely remembers his life before the Sun Warriors. Most of what he remembers is a haze of pain and fire, with an underlying current of warm comfort from what he believes is the mother he sees in his dreams.
He has Uncle though, so things aren't so bad.
The elder stands to speak, taking his place at the front of the underground amphitheater, and a hush falls. "Everyone, we are here to discuss a grave report brought in by scouts: an air bison, with passengers, has been sighted flying over our lands."
It's a credit to his control that fervent murmurs don't break out.
"It seems impossible, following Sozin's cruelty, but it is true."
"What are we going to do?" calls one tribe member.
"What we have always done, maintain our secrecy. We will not strike to take down the last of a peaceful race, of course. But I expect everyone to act with extra caution in the coming days."
Zuko starts, wanting to speak, but Uncle's hand on his shoulder stills him. The elder still turns his gaze towards the two, but it is Uncle who speaks.
"We must be grateful then, that even Sozin follows the rules when slaughtering innocents: one always gets away. Yet I question, will we not seek to aid this last survivor of a bygone age?"
The elder's eyes narrow, but he replies with only a slight hint of frustration. "My heart yearns to help this lost creature, however it is the other sighting that calls for caution. An air ship, bearing the marks of the Imperial Fire Nation Navy has flown over our lands, likely in pursuit of the air bison. It is small, clearly only able to carry an elite strike force, yet that in itself bears caution. Members of the Fire Nation, trained by the elite Imperial Forces, are on our lands. Until we are sure they have left, for good, we must act with supreme caution."
Most of the community is dismissed; only the scouts remain to take assignments from their commanders.
Zuko looks after them with longing as he leaves, Uncle's hand on his shoulder the guide leading him out. He knows Zuko wants to join them, but outsiders are not to be trusted.
And for whatever reason, Uncle keeps them within the elder's graces, but still outsiders.
Zuko lets Uncle guide him, padding along and changing pace only when he feels slight pressure on his shoulders. To his surprise, he and his uncle emerge from one of the tunnels.
"Wha-"
"You spoke with them. Who were they?"
"Uncle I don't-"
Uncle's sleeve snaps the air with the force of his dismissing wave. "There is no one here to eavesdrop. Speak freely."
The grave look on Uncle's face, seriousness Zuko cannot remember in all their years here, loosens Zuko's tongue and he tells the whole story; the crazy girl wandering alone, the beast her friends rode in on, an Air Nomad who has to learn firebending, and from him?
It sounds like a spirit tale, but Uncle seems to believe him, and looks strangely relieved.
"They have not yet left the island, but neither have their pursuers. Head due east, and act like hunted prey. You must escape all detection until you find that strange party, and then you must leave. I will follow in my own time."
"Uncle-"
"There is no time for objections-"
"There had better be time for questions then!" He doesn't yell. He manages not to yell, but it's a close thing. "Uncle, you're sending me off against the orders of the elder. I know we're outsiders, but this is folly. At least tell me why."
Uncle looks at him. Really looks. And then sighs wistfully, adding, "it has been a long time since I have had a recruit come to outrank me. When I ran with you, so many years ago, I had friends to help hide us, and I contact them still. The young airbender you met, he is the Avatar. He needs to learn fire, and his options are limited. No one else here will help him. Please, nephew. Go."
Zuko nods, starts to turn, but quickly adds, "Am I hiding from the airship or scouts?"
"Both."
With one more curt nod, Zuko takes off for the east.
It takes him a day to find them only because he decides to be overcautious and paranoid as he treks east.
An air bison is easy to find, after all.
When he slips out from the cover of trees, Toph is the one to announce his arrival.
"Sparks! Coming in hot!"
The group turns to face him, and both Katara and Aang visibly relax when they recognize him.
"I knew you'd come-"
"Save it. We have to get out. You'll find no help here. The elder is determined to guard our secrets, even if it means abandoning you. There's an imperial airship sighted nearby, so I'm supposed to be in hiding, but Uncle snuck me out. He thinks I should help you, so," Zuko spreads his hands, "here I am."
Toph punches the air as Sokka nods. "You heard the man," the older boy responds. "Pack up before that trio catches up."
Zuko, possession-less, trails after Toph as the others scramble to pack up. With his proximity to her, he is uniquely positioned to see her flinch so when she turns to face the jungle he does as well.
He's there to wrest a ball of fire awry and turn it back on the three girls who emerge from the brush. It dissolves into nothingness with the wave of the leader's hand, who turns cold amber eyes to him. Her eyes narrow like slits as the Avatar's group senses danger and readies to attack.
Then her eyes widen and sudden, unbelievable emotion floods her voice as she takes in Zuko.
"Brother?"
"Elder, I thank you for your hospitality, but I must depart."
"I have known far less polite guests, and far fewer noble citizens. I do not think I shall miss your meddling ways, Prince Iroh."
The greying prince bows slightly to the elder of the Sun Warriors.
"Will you take your nephew to meet his sister then? I do wonder that you leave just when things seem to have grown difficult."
"On the contrary, it is all the more difficult to leave, to force myself to work for a better future when I could easily end my days peacefully here. If the spirits are kind, the two siblings will not have met. I myself will vanish, and with luck no new strangers will knock on your door."
"Why even come here then?"
Iroh's lips twitched at a grin. "I thought I could help my nephew escape his destiny. But he will not be swayed from greatness, and, kept from it, greatness has come to him."
"I have no idea who you are, but any fool who carelessly tosses fire right at the beginning of a dry season is no ally of mine."
The resolve of the Avatar's group tightens behind Zuko, and he knows he said the right thing, even as the fearsome girl's eyes narrow, calculating.
"So the rumors of memory loss were true." She shrugs, uncaring. "Well. Then I guess we can finally put to rest the rumors that you're building some army to claim the throne for your own, and I can indulge in being an only child."
Fire lights in her palm and the battle roars to life.