Book Three: Fire
Chapter Three: The Headband
Zuko gave up on trying to sleep and stood up. Kina looked up and watched as he grabbed his cloak and left the room. He snuck out of the palace, heading to the prison where his uncle was being kept. He looked up at the many darkened windows trying to locate the one to his uncle's room.
"Who's there?" A guard shouted, leaning over one of the balconies.
Zuko turned and walked away without a word.
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Katara and Aang stood in the center of the saddle, bending a cloud around Appa as they flew. Xena would have helped if it wasn't for Katara's insistence that ahe rested. she was sulking according to Era.
"I think I see a cave below," Aang called out to Sokka.
"Shh," Sokka hissed. "Keep quiet."
Appa landed and Aang dispersed the cloud with a burst of airbending. Sokka jumped to the ground and sneakily moved over to a rock. He surveyed the area carefully before crossing his arms as the others jumped down as well.
"Great job with the cloud camo, but next time, let's disguise ourselves as the kind of cloud that knows how to keep its mouth shut," He complained.
"Yeah," Toph said sarcastically. "We wouldn't want a bird to hear us chatting up there and turn us in."
"Hey, we're in enemy territory." Sokka pointed up at the toucan-puffins perched on the rock above his head. "Those are enemy birds."
One of the birds jumped onto his head and squawked loudly. Xena smiled faintly as everyone else laughed at him. Turning to the cave, she started forward. Sokka tries to stealthy run past her to approach the cave. She sticks her arm out, clotheslining him, and causing another bout of laughter.
"You can stop with the secret agent man. There's no one here except us and the birds."
"Enemy birds," He protested, climbing back to his feet.
Sighing, she quickened her steps to reach the cave before him.
"Well this is is," He declared. "This is how we'll be living until the invasion begins. Hiding in cave after cave after cave after cave …"
He became more depressed for every time he said cave.
"Sokka, we don't need to become cave people," Katara stated in exasperation. "What we need is some new clothes."
"Yeah, blending in is better than hiding out," Aang agreed with a large grin. "If we get Fire Nation disguises, we would be just as safe as we would be hiding in a cave."
"Plus, they have real food out there," Toph added, sitting down. "Does anyone want to sit in the dirt and eat cave hoppers."
Xena turned away from her demonstration, knowing how this was already gonna end.
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"I don't know about this," Aang whispered. "These clothes belong to someone."
"I call the silk robe," Katara shouted, leaping from behind the rocks.
"But if it's essential to our survival … then I call the suit," He called leaping down as well.
Era, Toph, and Sokka followed him and snatched clothes off the clothes line. She didn't need to grab anything since she still had the clothes from when she was on Zuko's ship as well as the shirt Pakku had given her. She was there as a lookout and nothing more.
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Xena sat against a rock, painting a blue and silver dragon on her left arm. The design matched the dragons on the shirt Pakku gave her. It's strangely comforting to be back in Fire Nation clothes. Using her firebending to make the paint dry faster, she pushes herself up and steps out into the open. Everyone is staring at Katara except for Toph. Aang has a goofy smile on his face. She looks good, but Xena notices one problem right away.
"Your mother's necklace."
"Oh." She touched it gently. "Oh, yeah I guess it's pretty obviously Water Tribe isn't it."
She took it off and and held it in her hand for a moment before tucking it away.
"You really do look like you belong in the Fire Nation," Sokka says, looking at Xena.
She shrugs her shoulders slightly in response. She knew that she looked Fire Nation when she was dressed like this. She'd pulled her black hair back into a braid with a red ribbon instead of her usual ponytail and her cresecent moon tattoo was covered with carefully applied pant. Her outfit consisted of the shirt Pakku had given her as well as the loose black pants that she'd gotten when she was Zuko's prisoner. She was wearing her normal boots, seeing no reason to change them. Her unbroken sword hung in its usual place, looking lonely -in her opinion- by itself.
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They headed into town and stopped in the marketplace so they could pick out pieces to compliment their outfits. Katara got a new necklace, Toph a new hairpiece to replace her headband, and the two oldest boys both get topknot hair pieces.
"Xena and I used to visit our friends here a hundred years ago. So just follow our lead and stay cool." Aang grinned. "Or, as they say in the Fire Nation, stay flamin'."
"No." Xena grabbed his shoulder before he could walk off. "You and Kuzon were the only ones that used those stupid phrases and it made you both look like idiots. Just act normal and we'll be fine."
The others nodded and started walking again. Xena followed behind Aang and almost ran into him when he came to a sudden stop.
"Oh we're going to a meat place?" Aang questioned in disappointment.
"Come on Aang, everyone here eats meat, even the meat," Sokka pointed at a hippo-cow that was eating a large chunk of meat.
"You guys go ahead," Xena says as Aang grimaced.
They nodded, agreeing to meet back up at the cave when they were done.
"Come on. I'll buy you some fruit at a vendor."
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"I'm going to build a cage and lock Aang in it," Xena declared as the others step into the cave.
"What are you talking about?" Katara asks in confusion. "And where's Aang?"
"The outfit he stole was a school uniform." She scowls. "He got picked up by the school's guard."
"What?" Sokka squeaked.
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Aang slid down the slope, landing on the ground in front of the cave. Xena sat crosslegged in front of the fire, arms crossed in irritation.
"How do you manage to attract so much trouble?" She looks over at him and frowns. "Why are you covered in soot?"
"I got invited to play with some kids after school." He removed his headband.
Xena groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. It was impossible for her to get anymore frustrated.
"I'm going back tomorrow."
Apparently not. She fell backwards and covered her eyes with her arm. Why did he have to attract so much trouble?
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Zuko walked slowly through the prison, face hidden by the hood of his cloak. The guard from last night whirled around to face him, spear leveled at his chest.
"You again? Stop, where you are."
Zuko lifted his head causing the guard to falter, spear dipping down slightly.
"Prince Zuko?"
Zuko suddenly slammed the guard against the wall. The spear clattered to the ground.
"I'm going for a visit. You're going to stand guard here and no one is going to know about this." Zuko growled and released the guard.
He stepped into the cell and stopped short. His uncle sat on the other side of the bars that cut the room in half, his gray hair in tangles.
"Uncle, it's me," He said while pushing back his hood.
Iroh turned his back on Zuko with a faint scowl.
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"Aang, I'm trying to be mature and not immediately shoot down your idea," Sokka started. "But it sounds . . . really terrible."
"Yeah we got our outfits," Toph agreed. "What do you need to go to school for?"
"Every minute I'm in the classroom, I'm learning new things about the Fire Nation and the Fire Lord. I already have his picture."
Xena sat up to look at the picture. It depicted a man in his late thirties wearing the traditional Fire Lord hair piece. There was no resemblance to Zuko at all.
"And here's one that I made out of noodles," Aang continued, holding up his noodle Fire Lord.
Sokka rubbed his chin. "Impressive, I admit, but I still think its to dangerous."
"He right," Xena agreed. "We can't protect you when you're in school. In fact, we wouldn't even know if you were in trouble."
Aang sighed and slumped dejectedly. "I guess we'll never find out about the secret river then." He glanced slyly at Sokka. "It goes right to the Fire Nation palace. We were supposed to learn about it in class tomorrow.
"How is it a secret river if they're telling a bunch of kids about it?" Era mumbled quietly.
"Hmm." Sokka rubbed his chin again. "I am a fan of secret rivers. Fine, lets stay a few more days."
Xena sighed quietly as Aang jumps up happily. "Flame-o, hotman!"
"Flame-o?" Sokka repeats in confusion.
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"You brought this on yourself you know," Zuko stated angrily when Iroh turned his back on him. "We could have returned together, you could have been a hero."
Iroh shifted slightly, but didn't turn around.
"You have no right to judge me, Uncle. I did what I had to do in Ba Sing Se, and you're a fool for not joining me."
Iroh still did not respond.
"You're not going to say anything?" Zuko demanded and then whirled and kicked a stool before destroying it with firebending.
"You're a crazy old man. You're crazy and if you weren't in jail, you'd be sleeping in the gutter."
He stormed out of the cell, door slamming shut behind him. His uncle refused to talk to him, the Avatar was still alive, and Xena was dead. This was not what he imagined his return home to be like. He regained his honor, but he felt worse than ever.
"Mewr!" Kina met him in front of the tower and rubbed against his leg.
Staring at the snow lion, he remembered everything that Drake had shown him. Was it possible that he was the fool?
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The headmaster clasped his hands on his desk and stared at the three of us. "Thank you for coming, Mr. …"
"Fire. Wang Fire," Sokka supplied in a deep voice, stroking his fake beard before gesturing to Xena. "This is my daughter, Sapphire."
"It's nice to meet you, sir." Xena says politely.
"Mr. Fire," The headmaster continued. "Your son has been enrolled here for two days and he's already causing problems. He's argued with his history teacher, disrupted music class, and roughed up my star pupil. If he acts up one more time, I'll have him sent to reform school. By which I mean the coal mines."
Xena clenched her hands in my lap. The coal mines are not a reform school they're a cruel way to get free labor.
"Don't worry Mr. Headmaster. I'll straighten this boy out somethin' fierce." Sokka turned on Aang. "Young man, as soon as we get home you're gonna get get the punishment of a life time!"
"That's what I like to hear." The headmaster smirked and then turned to look at me. "If you don't mind me asking, sir. Shouldn't your daughter been in school as well."
Sokka looked briefly startled, but Xena spoke before he could fumble for a response. "Actually, sir. I graduated early in order to join the Navy. I'm home on leave right now."
"Ah." The headmaster nodded. "My apologies miss. However, I must admit I'm a little surprised that a little girl like you is in the Navy.'
Xena's hands clenched into fists, but she didn't respond. Stupid old man.
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Zuko lounged on the picnic blanket next to Mai, staring out at the sunset.
"Orange is such an awful color," She mused idly.
"You're so beautiful when you hate the world." The words felt like a lie
"I don't hate you," She tilted her head to look up at him.
"I don't hate you too," He murmured back quietly, leaning forward to kiss her. He didn't hate Mai, but he was starting to hate himself.
"Ahem."
Zuko pulled away from Mai to glare at his sister.
"Zuko, could I have a word with you?" Azula asked with false politeness.
"Can't you see that we're busy?" He demanded and leaned down to kiss Mai again.
"Oh Mai, Ty Lee needs help untangling her braid."
Mai pulled away reluctantly and climbed to her feet. "Sounds pretty serious."
Azula glanced over her shoulder as the other girl passed before turning back to Zuko. "So I've heard you've been to see your uncle fatso in the prison tower."
Zuko jumped up furiously. "That guard told you!"
"No." Azula smirked. "You did. Just now."
Zuko sighed and sat back down. "Okay, you caught me. What is it you want?"
"Actually, nothing. Believe it or not, I'm looking out for you. If people find out you've been to see Uncle, they'll think you're plotting with him. Just be more careful Dum-Dum."
The strange thing was, she actually sounded sincere. He watched as she started to walk away only to pause.
"And Zuko, do try not to hurt Mai."
Zuko turned back to the sunset. It wouldn't surprise him if she knew he was having trouble committing to Mai. He sighed and rested his chin on his knees.
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"That settles it! no more school for you, young man!" Sokka declared, before leaning back and stroking his fake beard.
"I'm not ready to leave. I'm having fun for once just being a normal kid," Aang protests and walked over to Appa. "You don't know what it's like, Sokka. You get to be normal all the time."
Xena frowned and clasped her hands in front of her. She knew what Aang meant. i\It wasn't until she met Aang that she was finally able to be "normal". She had seen how Aang went from normal to being Avatar and wouldn't deny him the ability to be normal again.
"Listen guys, those kids at school are the future of the Fire Nation. If we want to change this place for the better, we need to show them a little taste of freedom."
That was actually a pretty smart idea.
"What could you possibly do for a country of depraved little fire monsters?"
"i'm going to throw them …" Aang started to dance. "A secret dance party."
There was a moment of silence before Sokka went back to his role as Wang Fire, "Go to your room!"
"Let's do it." Xena stands up.
"Aang has a really good point about teaching the younger generation that there is more than what they're being taught."
Sokka groaned, shoulders slumping in defeat.
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"I can't believe we're throwing a secret dance party," Sokka commented setting up the last candles. Iit seems so silly."
Xena rolled her eyes as Aang came up with an alternative name for the party. Inhaling quietly, she focused on every single candle in the room and light them all consecutively. The unique flames flared up before turning the color of an ordinary flame.
"You missed one." Era pointed to the unlit candle at the very far end of the cave.
"They're coming," Toph suddenly called, everyone stop bending."
Xena glared at the unlit candle murderously and stomped over to light it with the lit candle next to it. Aang pushed Appa back to the secret escape tunnel that Toph had made before going to help the band set up. Xena sent a silent prayer to the spirits to let this go smoothly.
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Mist watched as Zuko left the prison tower dejectedly. She rested her chin on her knees with a soft sigh. Her conversation with Shun continued to haunt her. Zai stirred on the branch above her and chirped. She glanced up at the fire hawk and then down at the scroll in her hand. She couldn't stall anymore. Standing up, she balanced easily on her branch and slid the scroll into the carrier on the bird's back.
"Chirrup," The bird chirped again, regarding her with its amber eyes.
"Go to my father," She ordered.
The bird chirped once more before taking flight. Mist watched until she disappeared before dropping from the tree to the ground and pulling out the other scroll from her sleeve and heading to the messengery. No more hiding.
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"Way to go, dancy pants. I think you really did help those kids, you taught them to be free," Toph complimented Aang.
"I don't know," Aang said humbly. "It was just a dance party."
"Well, it was some dance party," Katara said before pressing a kiss to Aang's cheek.
He blushed and smiled shyly.
"Flame-o,sir, flame-o," Sokka said, clapping his hands slowly.
Xena smiled and leaned back against the edge of the saddle. Era was smiling as well and glancing down at Toph, who sat next to him. She caught his eyes and raised an eyebrow. He flushed slightly and looked away. Interesting.
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"You sure you weren't followed?" Zuko asked, watching the man with the metal arm and leg.
The man nodded silently.
"I've heard of you. they say you're good at what you do, and even better at keeping secrets. The Avatar is alive. I want you to find him and end him."
2-24-15: I realized as I edited this that it seemed to be missing some sections. I may go back and add more later, but I make no promises.