Spirits Like White Lightning

By Iain R. Lewis

Disclaimer: Avatar belongs to Nickelodeon. Kuzon, Ananya, and any other new characters belong to me.

Chapter 9: The Road to Wushon

It's late.

It's terribly, terribly late and I feel like I'm about to keel over. Sie already passed out, before anyone else actually, and this party was her idea. I don't know what's more bizarre, the sleeping, innocent looking 'Mighty Pirate' over across the room, or her tiny mother carrying her to her room with one arm.

Duo nods to us, indicating he's also going to retire apparently, and his grandfather nods in return. A simple, wordless exchange, but Duo doesn't seem to need words.

"Wow, it's late," Ananya yawns, "Way past my bed time."

"Then go to bed," I say, more tired than irritated with her right now. She shrugs, and rests her head against my shoulder suddenly. I can feel my body freeze, very literally, and she looks up.

"What's the matter?"

"Why are you doing that?"

"Tired, duh," she yawns. "But I don't want to miss the party."

"I think the party's over, Ananya," I look over at Aunt Azula, who's sitting staring straight ahead, "Auntie, I think we should be getting some sleep if we're going to Wushon tomorrow." I don't get a response.

Peculiar.

"Aunt Azula?" I proffer, more concerned this time. She's always so sharp, so I doubt she didn't just not-hear me. It'd be terribly out of character for her if she wasn't perfectly attentive at all times. Was she feeling all right?

I walk over, and put my hand on her shoulder. Her shoulders slump down, and my heart stops. Is she all right! "Aunt Azula!"

Then I hear her breathe, quiet yet steady.

She's asleep -- with her eyes open --why doesn't that surprise me, actually?

I shake her and she wakes with a start, "Oh, Kuzon, is something the matter?" she asks as if she simply entered a deep trance.

"Don't scare me like that!" I rasp through a suddenly dry throat. "You should get to bed. Ananya, would you please help my aunt to her room?"

"Sure, Kuzon!" Ananya, despite being tired, seems to leap at the chance to help. "Come on, Auntie Azula, let's get to bed."

"Thank you, dearie," she responds, taking Ananya's hand and rising to her feet. "Kuzon, don't dally yourself."

"I won't, Aunt Azula." I just want to thank our host first. I mean, after all the poor man's been through I can't imagine he's too happy to have this party on top of it. Not that I remember much of it. Just that there was a lot of food, and my stomach was already beginning to quarrel with me.

He waits until they're gone to speak, as if he's been expecting this all night. "You're a surprise, Prince Kuzon."

What does he mean? "Thank you?"

"I'm not sure if it's a compliment or not, honestly, but you're not what I expected. Takes a lot to fight with your chakra clogged so heavily." So he noticed that too? "And to fight for a bunch of pirates? Even more surprises."

I don't see why that's a problem. What's right is what's right, after all.

"Is it that simple?" he asks me, and shakes his head, "What's best isn't always what's right, Prince Kuzon. Sometimes what's right isn't what's needed. Life finds a way of compromising you no matter what happens. Think I planned on growing old in this place?"

I guess not, but I don't understand why he's saying this. "I know that as prince my personal whims sometimes come second to those of the Fire Nation," I say, "I've been prepared for that all my life."

"You haven't prepared for anything," he snaps, and shakes his head, "But you got the fire in you, all right. I've seen it on the enemy so long I forget that it isn't like that anymore."

I frown, "I'm sorry for what my great-grandfather did to your people."

"Don't. Just, don't," he says, "There's no apologizing for it anymore. It's done with and it's only old fools who cling to it. I became a pirate to be free. You know why?"

I shake my head, how would I know?

"I saw the Avatar once in my life. Right at the end of the war. Some sort of morale booster, once the Fire Nation surrendered he came around and thanked all of us personally. He was a kid, not much younger than you or your friend; she has the same look in her eyes now that I think about it. You only get that by being free from everything.

"Funny thing. Wanted that look, thought it would be nice to be truly free, so I spoke to my men and we agreed. Life has a funny way of working out, things happen before you know it, and you find yourself with a teenage son who's not so sure he wants all that freedom, and you find youself wondering what it's like to be tied down."

Adults have a tendency to make things overcomplicated, and this was a perfect example. If you ask me, he always thought the grass was greener on the other side, or whatever that Earth Kingdom expression was.

"I bet even the Avatar couldn't run from that," he continues, "When you're free, no one can tie you down. Th worst part is the loneliness, kid."

I don't get it at all. I think he sees that, and shakes his head, "Just a little too much of the rice wine, sorry. I guess you don't have to worry about freedom too much, but there's a lot it can do for you, too, don't get me wrong."

He hesitates for a minute, before speaking, his voice low, "I don't suppose an old man can ask the Prince of the Fire Nation a favor."

"We brought you a lot of trouble," I say, apprehensively, "I'm not about to refuse our host his request without at least hearing it first."

"Mm," he says, catching his words on his lips and jumbling them on his tongue before saying, "A princely answer. You've got a gift with words, boy."

I nod cordially.

"It's Sie. She wants to be free from this place, Tomorrow, take her with you."

I pause.

I really don't know how to respond to that. On one hand, I know Ananya would kill me if I said no outright, but on the other hand, I know Aunt Azula would kill me if I didn't at least consult her first. "Tomorrow, I'll give you my answer in the morning."

"'course," he says, looking a little dimmer. "She's never had friends her own age before. Not many kids in this town." Don't try and guilt me into this, old man! "She and her brother need people their own age."

Think that's sad? My only friends growing up were Daisuke and his sister, and I used to think she was a pest. I know what it's like, I just don't think it's such a good idea to go and bring her along. "This mission I'm on is not a safe one."

"She can take care of herself," he responds. "I can't protect her forever."

"She'll probably want her brother to come along, too," I say, "What about him?"

"Duo? Duo needs to get out of this hole in the ground more than Sie does," he says, which takes me off guard. "He may not act it, or think it, but the boy's sharp. He should be in Ba Sing Se, finding his own path." He shakes his head, "Both of them need to find it. You're the first chance they've got."

It wouldn't be the last, though. "I need to talk to my aunt."

He pauses, and nods. I think he finally understands. "Do that."

"For what it's worth," I add as I stand, "If it were up to me, I'd take them with me in an instant." And the scariest part is I think I really mean that.


When I fell into my room, things grew very hazy and I find myself wrapped up in the futon, basking in the heat of an early morning sun as it filters through the window, along with the chip of the birds. I don't think I want to move, actually. In fact, I could sleep here all day if no one came in.

So, I decide, I'll just stay here and let the day pass me by.

"Kuzon."

Oh, no, no, please don't wake me. Please, please don't shake me, leave me where I am. I'm sleeping!

"Ku! Zon!"

Ow! What's the big idea? My ears are still ringing. How am I going to get any sleep if she keeps yelling in my ear?

"Sie, he's not budging. Time for the waterbending."

That's a joke, right? I'll peek, just a little, and if I don't see Sie, then I'm going right back to sleep. Okay, everything looks clear. There's Ananya throwing a fit and yelling out the door, and there, just outside the door frame -- I can see a slipper that looks like it just could possibly be Sie.

I need to move to confirm, so I shift to my side, and tilt my head up. There, I have a clear view of the hallway. Unfortuantely, I also gave Sie a clear shot, as just as I see her, I feel the water collide against my head.

Ice cold, and with a few floating ice cubes in it, no less. Fantastic, like I'm going to get anymore sleep like this. Why me?

"Oh, he's definitely awake now!" Ananya cheered. I don't know what gave her that hint, my shouts about just how cold the water is, or the fact that I'd leapt out of that futon like it were sinking. Either way, she looks much happier, "Come on. We can't stay here all day. Wushon's a longer trip than Ming Xi, and they're waiting for us!"

"I know, I know." Kuzon, what have you got yourself into. I gather my things, and look for a change of clothes. I'm just hoping Sie managed to avoid splashing my bag. I'm surprised how accurate Grandfather's advice has been so far!

Well, time to get dressed and -- wait, why is my door still open? More importantly, why is Ananya just staring at me. "Can I help you with something?" I ask, bitingly.

She shakes her head, her eyes not moving from me, and a mischievous smile on her face, "It just looked like you were going to give a show."

"Get out of my room!"

"Yes, my liege!" Ananya says with a flourishing bow. "Come on, Sie, let's let Mr. Modesty get dressed."

Ananya is just confusing sometimes. I don't know what possessed those girls to come in and torment me at this early an hour. It couldn't be too late, could it? Aunt Azula would definitely not let me oversleep.

I groan. Unless, of course, she slept in. It's unusual for her, but she claims that it's her perogative as an old lady to sleep when and wherever she wants. I rub my temples to soothe the headache I can feel forming in the back of my brain and throw on some new, dry clothes.

I stretch out my arms and legs, doing my best to ease the stiffness of my neck. I must have slept funny, which happens with surprising frequency. Aside from the creak in my neck and the chill still running down my back from the freezing water, I feel awake and alert.

But I was going to get Sie back for that if it's the last thing I do.

I open the door and nearly collide with Aunt Azula. She moves with surprising deftness for someone who claims that she's too old for fighting. Old habits die hard, huh, Auntie? Oh well, I had something important to tell her, I think.

"Good morning, Nephew," she says before I can think of it. "In a hurry?"

"Of course I am," I answer. Like the girls would let me get away with staying in my room all day. I don't want round two of Sie's target practice to take place while I'm in my only spare set of clothes. "What about you, Aunt Azula?"

"Oh, this old biddy slept in, that's what happened," she says dismissively, "Oh dearie, what a mess, what a mess."

"Aunt Azula, why are you doing that?"

"Doing what?" she asks, as if she's not doing anything at all. "I haven't the foggiest what you mean, dearie." Please stop. "What's the matter, Kuzon? You can tell your auntie."

I slept harder than I thought. Last night seems to be a blur. All that food, it was revisiting me even now. It was something Kuhahn wanted me to do. Slowly, it's coming back to me, I'm sure of it. Something he wanted me to -- Sie!

"Aunt Azula, can we talk privately?"

She pauses, and nods. "We're alone now. You may speak freely."

"Kuhahn wants me to take Sie along," I say, "Duo, too, but I don't know if that's such a good idea. That Hiroshi guy is still out there, and we don't even know what he's after."

"And you think by inviting them along, you will put them at risk?" Aunt Azula thinks this over before nodding, "As I've come to expect of you, Kuzon, you see one half of the situation but not the other. Yes, danger comes as a matter of course when one travels," she shakes her head, "But nothing worth doing comes without risk."

"So you think we should take them with us?"

"No," she says, "I think we shouldn't decide for anyone. The only people who can decide wheter they should come or not are Sie and Duo."

"But if they want to come, you'd allow it?"

She laughs, "Kuzon, do not worry yourself over what I think. But for the record, I think it is good that you are finally making friends your own age."

I sigh. So that's that. I leave it up to Sie and Duo themselves. It seems simple in retrospect.

"Oh, one more thing," she says, resuming her senile smile, "Why is your hair all wet?"


I don't know where my focus is, but my mind wanders endlessly as we eat breakfast. Miss Ling brings us out a nice brunch, actually, and it seems like we'll probably have to camp overnight to make Wushon.

I don't mind, actually, and Sie in fact seems quite knowledgeable about where to get the equipment. "Not that the general store has any sleeping bags, but I know for a fact that you can get them from the supplier store. That's near the stables, actually."

I didn't pay much attention to them. Bringing this topic up was going to be difficult.

"Kuzon," Aunt Azula says, jolting me back to the conversation at hand.

"Yes, Aunt Azula?"

"Didn't you have something to speak to Sie about?"

She speaks up immediately when she's brought up, leaning forward, "What's up, Kuzon?"

You don't have to look so interested in what I have to say, Sie. "Well, yeah, I guess, but --"

"What?" Okay, personal space, Sie.

Duo pulls her back and bows his head apologetically. Poor guy, I can't imagine what it must be like having to grow up with a big sister like that. "Thanks," I say weakly, and then clear my throat. Okay, Kuzon, keep it simple and easy. Actually, trying to think of anything seems to be impossible right now. "Sie, uh --"

"Your style of waterbending is quite remarkable, Miss Lei Fang," Aunt Azula says from behind a cup of tea, "And I hear Mr. Lei Fang is also quite skilled as an Earthbender. Prince Kuzon has decided that you both meet the requirements to assist him in his quest to find the Avatar."

That sounds a lot better than what I was going to say, honestly.

:You want us?" Sie's void trails off as she processes what Aunt Azula says. She just keeps staring at me, as if it's up to me to confirm it.

I nod, slowly. It's almost like igniting blasting jelly, actually, you don't want to be too close when you set Sie off. "You hear that, Duo?" he doesn't look so enthused. "You're really sure? I mean, really?"

"Yes, I said," I can't believe she doesn't believe me.

Ananya's as excited as Sie is. She really makes friends easily, doesn't she? "This is going to be great!" she chirps, "Thank you so much, Kuzon!" You're welcome, Ananya? How do I react to that, anyway?

"Duo, come on!" Sie hops to her feet and heroically attempts to move her brother. "You're coming too, aren't you?"

He looks at her plaintively, and doesn't budge. Poor guy. "Duo doesn't have to come if he doesn't want to, Sie," I try and approach this diplomatically.

"Then I'm not going!" she says, sitting and crossing her arms.

How does that make it fair to anyone? I look at Duo, and just sigh. So it's both or nothing, and from the way Duo's frowning, it looks like something was about to give. It was just a matter of who would break first.

Sie looks crushed, and Duo looks conflicted, which leaves me feeling just plain awkward.

"Duo Lei Fang," Ling Lei Fang's voice, usually so syrupy and sweet, sounds surprisingly firm, "The Prince is offering you an opportunity and I for one won't let you simply throw it away without even considering it."

He speaks in his low, quiet voice, "But, mother --"

"Your grandfather and I can keep the inn running," she says, "And there'll always be a home here for you when you come back."

"Come on, Duo!" Ananya adds, pleading, "Please? Pretty please!"

He bows his head, "All right."

"Wonderful," Aunt Azula finally speaks, putting down her cup of tea, "I think you two should gather your things and meet us at the edge of town." She gives me a look and I nod. I guess it's best they say their goodbyes in private.

"We'll get our ostrich horses!" Ananya says, hopping to her feet. "Come on, Kuzon!" Oh, right, I almost entirely forgot about the waking nightmare of Shih-na.

This has the makings of a long day.


Yeung Village stood behind us as an ostrich-horse angrily shouted in my ear and the sun rose closer and closer to its apex. According to Ananya and my aunt, who left me with the three birds, all of whom were in a rare form, they needed to acquire us some camping supplies.

And since they left me with the birds, it left me trying to piece together my sanity.

"Shih-na, stop biting Ichiro!" I say, angrily, "And Chihiro, stop pecking at my clothes." Why couldn't we have left them at the stable until we'd bought the supplies, that's what I wanted to know.

I'm sure to the onlookers this was a riot. Prince of the Fire Nation and convenient valet for his aunt and whatever Ananya was. It's times like this when great-grandfather's strategy of burning this entire country-side to the ground seems to have been dismissed entirely too quickly.

"You need some help?" And I've attracted hecklers now. Fantastic!

"I'm fine," I grumble.

"That's too bad, I was going to help if you asked us nicely enough," I turn to see my tormentor. Of course it'd be Sie, looking smug about it no less. "Why do you look so surprised, Kuzon? You told us to meet you here."

"That was fast," I observe.

"Come on, let us help. I think they need to be separated." She takes Shih-na's reins before I can protest, and leads her aside. At least, that's obviously her intent. "Come on, what's the matter with you?"

"Sie, that's Shih-na -- you remember her right?"

"Huh? What are you talking about -- hey, watch it, you dumb bird-thing!" Shih-na takes no time to begin introducing herself painfully to Sie. I can't help but roll my eyes. "Hey! Hey! No nibbling!"

"I tried to warn you," I say, shaking my head. "Duo, I think your sister needs you."

He smiles weakly and nods. At least she got some comeuppance, even if she was trying to help in the end. Actually, karmically, I think everything's back in balance. Shih-na just earned herself a special treat.

It took about five minutes to calm Shih-na down and I took her reins to prevent any further incident. That left us standing around, each holding the reins of one of the ostrich-horses with plenty of time to watch the clouds.

"I think that one looks like a pirate ship."

Sie, everything looks like a pirate ship to you.

"What about you, bro?"

He shrugs. I can't blame him.

"Where are they, anyway?" Sie moans, "Hey, that one looks like a man walking the plank." Thankfully she's easily distracted, but I can't help but feel they're intentionally taking their time coming back. I hope Aunt Azula and Ananya didn't try and haggle.

"I can't wait to leave this place behind me and start my career as the most fearsome pirate to ever roam the seas!"

"There won't be any pirating on a royal Fire Nation vessel," I say. Did I think this was a good idea? You know, this is actually a very bad idea. Her pirate fantasies are getting out of hand and we haven't even left yet!

"Not even a little? I promise, it'll be more like privateering. You can take the booty fifty-fifty, half for me as a finder's fee, the rest to your treasury." Or, put another way, 'Hey Kuzon, wanna start another hundred-year war?'

"No stealing."

"You're no fun, Duo." She sighs, "So what's a prince doing searching for the Avatar, anyway? Is it some sort of special secret mission?"

"Not particularly. We're here to warn the Avatar about someone who threatened both the Fire Lord and the Great Chief."

"That's bad."

"Yeah, that's bad," I concur, lamely. "He thinks he's the Yata-Garasu."

"What's a Yata-Garasu?"

"A three-legged bird," Duo answers, "And messenger of the Heavens. It delivers the messages of the spirits to us. It's something of a guide."

"No kidding," Sie answers, stretching her hands behind her head, "So why'd someone think they're that thing?"

"No idea," I say, "But ever since he did something to me, my bending's been shot."

"Really?" Sie looks me over, "What'd he do?"

"I don't really remember that well," I answer, "Aunt Azula was there, maybe she has a better idea, but she hasn't said anything about it so I don't think it's important."

"So you're going to see the Avatar about that too, huh?" I guess, but it wasn't a priority. Especially after the Great Chief just vanished, but I don't think they need to know about that part of things yet. I barely managed to keep it under wraps after telling Ananya and Aunt Azula.

"We're going to Omashu, since Ananya thinks he's headed there."

"Good idea," Sie says, "The Mountain King will know for certain."

"If the Mountain King will even let us meet him," Duo says, quietly, "No one's been allowed into the palace, at all."

"Not even servants?"

"That's only what everyone's told me," Duo answers after a second. "I don't know for certain."

I agree with Sie, it's a bit weird if even servants are being turned away. There must be a reason. Could Hiroshi be targetting leaders of the four nations for some reason? What does he think we're guilty of if that's the case?

This is too strange.

"This is too cool!" Sie says, "A quest to save the world, along with a prince and an airbender. I feel like, like, Katara or something! Or Toph Bei Fong! Yeah, that's it!"

And Sie's off in fantasy land.

"So where does that leave you, Duo?"

I think Duo would look lovely with hair-loopies, actually. Not that I know what hair-loopies look like, but I'm sure he could pull it off.

"Where are they anyway?" I've been asking that question for the past hour, Sie, and I've got nothing to tell you. I look at Shih-na, who tilts her head and stares at me dead in the eye. Something tells me we understand each other a lot better now.

I look to the road and see them approaching, finally. Ananya is carrying a large bag across the ground while Aunt Azula walks leisurely besides. Ananya gives me a bright smile and a wave, which nearly causes her to drop the bag completely.

Duo, the helpful guy that he is, hurries over to help, carrying Chihiro behind him. He lifts up the bag with one hand and Ananya takes the reins from him. "Hey, what took you guys? We've been waiting forever!"

"We had to make sure that we got the right kind of sleeping bag," Ananya says, looking over at me mischievously, "His Highness needs the best." I do not need to be pampered!"

"No kidding. So, how's traveling with a prince? He order you around like servants all the time?"

"Not really," Ananya answers, "If anything, I do the ordering and he does the serving." That's blatantly untrue, too! Stop trying to impress your newest best friend, Ananya! It's making me look bad.

"Come along, children, we should get going. We have a lot of ground to cover and only a day or two to do it in." Aunt Azula, ever the voice of calm reasoning, takes the lead. Actually, considering who she is, that's kind of frightening.

"I can't wait to get to Wushon!" Ananya says, "The Shining Gateway of the Earth Kingdom itself!"

"It's kinda nice," Sie says, "I guess. If you're into that kind of thing. Lots of ships, not as much as Ming Xi, though."

"And of course the pirate is a fan of the ships," I mutter.

"Of course! As a mighty and fearsome pirate, I will one day command a fleet of pirates greater than even the Red Sails at their prime!"

"It's nice to have goals," Aunt Azula adds. Was that sarcasm I detected there, Auntie? You've still got it.

"Last time Grandpa took me there, they were building a station for a rail-engine or something," she says, trying to remember the details, "I wonder if they finished it."

"Never heard of a rail-engine before," Sie adds. Unsurprising that Sie knows nothing about anything, but still, I haven't heard much beyond the name, myself.

"Aunt Azula, do you know anything about that?" I ask.

"Rail-engine? Oh, yes, I had heard something about that. A regular at my shop mentioned it in passing. It's apparently similar to the tram systems back in Ba Sing Se, so they were consulting. A Fire Nation Zaibatsu contracted him."

Sie grimaces, looking over at me, "So, how many of those Zaibatsu things do you guys have?"

"A lot," I answer, "Maybe ten major zaibatsu total. Most of them aren't quite as --" Okay, how does someone put this delicately? -- "Aggressive as the Mizukaze."

"I wonder who they ran over to get that guy to work for them," she adds, anyway. I don't know. So, assume I've never been to Ba Sing Se."

"They're carts driven by Earthbenders along long tracks," Aunt Azula says, "The city is far too large for an old lady such as myself to travel by foot."

"So where is this one supposed to go, Auntie Azula?" Ananya seems fascinated by this, actually. It's kind of cute, in her weird way.

"Omashu, I hear," she answers. "Quite impressive."

"That must take like a ton of Earthbenders!" she gawks, looking like she's imagining the logistics. "That's like days and days of travel by foot."

"Actually," she says, "The engine carries the cars along without Earthbenders pushing it forward. How it does that, I do not know."

"That sounds so cool! Kuzon, can we ride on it? Can we?"

"We don't even know if the thing's ready yet, Ananya!" Does she ever think things through? This is a recurring theme, and I don't like how it plays out. Ananya says something, I correct her, she ignores me and continues on anyway. And starting that last part right about now.

"Well, we should ride it, right, Sie?"

"Could be fun. Come on, Kuzon, don't be such a stick in the mud."

Duo, please tell me you feel my pain. Please! And he just shrugs in my direction with a sympathetic smile. That makes it a little better actually. It's just nice to have someone understand.


Walking on foot makes traveling take all that much longer, but the ostrich horses have enough to carry around with our supplies, and carrying the five of us on three birds just seems to be a recipe for disaster.

Shih-na doesn't seem to mind having me do my own work. By the way she seems to be smirking I think she quite approves of it, actually. I don't know how to describe an ostrich horse smirking, but that's almost definitely what she's doing.

The sun set hours ago, and the city is nowhere in sight. Whereas Ming Xi could be described as an industrial city of the modern style, Wushon is probably better described as its commercial sister city.

Whereas the broad natural harbor of Ming Xi hosts the ships being built by the Mizukaze Zaibatsu, the port of Wushon welcomes Water Tribe, Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom trade into its city with open arms.

Not that I've ever seen it, but the stories I've heard make it seem almost like it's made of silver, shining brightly even under the moonlight. How do I know this? Because I've listened to Ananya talk about it all day long and she's still not any closer to stopping than when she started.

I'm serious. When she puts her mind to it, she can talk.

"-- also! The city has every kind of food you can imagine. I once had this big, green fruit thing --"

"That's not that impressive," Sie has for the most part been the facilitator for our lovely chatterbox to continue enchanting us all with stories of the magical city of Wushon.

"You crack it open and there's all this water and red stuff and it's huge! Like, bigger than my head, no lie."

I don't know, Ananya, your head's pretty big.

"What do they call it?"

"They call it a water-melon. Whatever that is."

Fascinating.

"And this one place, it makes this cream --"

"Look, can we actually sit down and eat instead of listening to her talk about food? Kuzon, make her stop!" Sie expects me to provide us a miracle every once in a while and I in my unlimited wisdom do my best to produce one on occasion.

"Perhaps we should make camp," I say. "It's late, and we're not going to get anywhere by tiring out the ostrich horses and Ananya's mouth."

"Hear-hear!" Sie cheers.

"Hey!"

"Camping now may be a good idea, actually," Aunt Azula says. "There is a clearing nearby, off the main road. We have made good time today, actually, considering our late start."

So, we set up camp. A task made a lot easier with the addition of two additonal sets of hands. Sie and Duo volunteer to gather the firewood, so I take the time to sit down and try and gather some measure of focus.

"Kuzon!"

Oh, there's Ananya. She seems to be angry.

"Yes?"

"What's the big idea? Do I complain about you and your not-talking all the time?"

What does that even mean?

"And you're embarrassing me in front of Sie." What do you care if you're embarrassed or not? It never seems to bother you when you get embarrassed in front of me. "There you go again, just looking at me like I'm crazy."

"You are crazy."

"What's that supposed to mean!"

"Sie doesn't care. I think she likes you well enough without you trying to show off how much you know about wherever we're going." I sigh.

"But --"

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings," I mutter. Not that I'm really sorry about that. She needs someone to keep her ego in check, if you ask me.

"Well, okay."

"Apology accepted?"

"Yeah, accepted." That's good. Apparently Ananya holds a grudge like a wet fish. Good to know. I stretch out my arms and look at the starry skies. "Pretty, aren't they?"

"I suppose you have some Avatar-taught insight into the nature of the heavens?"

"It's big. Really big." She smiles, "Grandpa says it's kind of like, uh, look at those antlions." She points at something I assume to be an antlion. "You can barely tell that they're a fierce and community driven little bug from all the way up here, can you?"

"Never even heard of an antlion."

"You got to get out more."

"We just have fire ants in the Fire Nation."

"Same difference," she says, "The importance is the size."

"So to the cosmos we're just little antlions?"

She shakes her head. "We are the little bitty grains of dirt that live on a tiny little antlion. That's how big it all is."

"Makes it sound like we're kind of unimportant in the scheme of things?"

"Does, doesn't it?" she adds. "But Grandpa says that's not the case, in fact, it's why we're even more important. Every single one of us may be very small on our own, but we're never really alone, are we?"

She looks distantly at the stars, and sighs.

"I guess not," I add, weakly.

"Do you think your grandfather did something big enough to anger the heavens?" she asks. "The Spirit World is just as vast as this world, maybe even larger, there are lots of people and lots of spirits and what that man said --"

"That man's crazy, Ananya."

"I don't know, Kuzon. I've been thinking about it a lot and --"

"And what?"

"I can't think of why he'd do anything to you." She stares at me for a while. "Um, that's just what I understand. You're too nice, and kind of dumb actually. Really dumb. I mean what are you thinking half the time?"

Right now? How you totally ruined that moment. I thought we were actually getting to like each other just a bit there, and then you go and call me dumb? Better to be silent, Ananya, better to be silent.

"Better find Sie and Duo. They're taking forever with that fire wood. Um, going!"

That was awkward. I just watch her leave, unable to think of anything to say. What is up with her? She's been acting strange around me ever since we got to Ming Xi. Not that it's that different than how she normally behaves, but still.

I push myself off the ground and my fingers find something paper that fell to the ground.

I pick it up and look at it. In the low light all I can tell is it's an open envelope. I can barely make out the name, but it seems to be addressed to -- I need to squint to make it out, but I'm certain now that it's made out to me.

Did Ananya have this?

Before I can compose my thoughts on this -- none of them currently very pleasant -- a loud noise in the distance distracts me. I lift my eyes and see a bright light in the distance traveling across two mountain tops.

The noise almost sounds like the Western Dragon's engine, and it's punctuated by a loud whistle. A stream of smoke funnels into the starry sky after it, wafting like a dark cloud over everything. An engine -- driven on rails?

Could that be the rail engine everyone was talking about?

We really were making good time if that's the case. "We're back!" Sie calls, "You guys hear that racket?"

"Yeah," I answer. "Where's Ananya?"

"She wanted to explore some more," Sie answers, helping Auntie and Duo with the fire, "So she said she'd be back in like ten minutes. Looked like she lost something if you ask me."

No kidding. The fire sparks to life with a wave of Aunt Azula's hands and I can finally make out the writing much more clearly. It's addressed to 'My Dearest Kuzon' and I quickly look at the signature at the end.

"Nadesico," I murmur the name softly.

"What's that? Letter from your other girlfriend?" Sie jokes. I nod slowly, since it's mostly the case. "Oh! Let me see!"

"Hey! This is private!" I shout.

"Oh, don't be such a baby. I won't laugh too hard. What's her name? Is she pretty? I bet she's totally a girly girl. I bet you like the type. Probably says things like 'horrid' and 'dreadful'."

"Do you mind?"

"Not at all, do you?" Obviously I do!

I read over the letter quickly. She sent it shortly after I left, and she hoped it would reach me in the South Pole, which obviously never happened. I guess they sent it along to Ming Xi to catch up to me.

It's a personal letter, telling me about how things are going in the palace. She's 'overwhelmed' by my parents attempts to make her feel part of the family already, and it sounds like Mom's taken a real shine to her.

The Twins are still the same pain in the butt they ever are, teasing Nadesico relentlessly about the whole fiasco at my birthday party. It's so weird to think we would have been engaged then and there thanks to my Dad's brilliant idea to rush us both into it.

Not that I mind, but it's still kind of poor form.

Most of all, she writes, is how much she misses me. She's surprised by it, according to the letter, because of how little time we've spent together of late. I miss her terribly as well, and I wish I could see her right now.

I miss home, as well, and Mom, Dad, Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle Lu Ten -- I even miss the Twins! The idea that this place is only as big as an antlion doesn't offer much solace when everyone you've known is so far away.

"Hey, Kuzon."

I guess this is what they mean by homesickness.

"Kuzon!"

I know I can't go home until this task is finished, but I didn't think it would take so long. It just isn't fair -- "What!" Sie drags me to my feet.

"You're getting mopey."

And this gives you the right to just carry me around like a ragdoll how?

"Ananya's still not back. I'm getting worried," she says.

"Ananya's fine."

Sie looks at me, and probably detects that my tone's just a little icier than usual. Not that I think I was subtle about it at all. "Did I miss something? You two have a little tiff?"

"None of your business, Sie."

"No reason to be rude," she huffs. "I think we should look for her."

"Go ahead," I say. I could care less where Ananya's gone to at this point, but if it makes Sie happy, she can do whatever she wants. I return her icy glare with one of my own, and look back at the letter.

"Fine. We'll go find her then. Come on, Duo."

When they leave, Aunt Azula finally speaks up. "I see you finally received your letter."

"You knew?" I can't believe my own aunt would keep this from me.

"Of course I knew. Only a complete fool would miss the way she's been anxious around you since Ming Xi. I am surprised you did not press her on it sooner." I look up at her and shake my head. "If it's any consolation, she did not look at it out of any malice. She was merely curious about what sort of girl you fancied."

"I told her about Nadesico already."

"And that is only part of the story," she answers, "To be fair, Kuzon, you descibe her in ways idealized by young love. It is romantic, I'm sure, but it isn't realistic." How does she know, she barely knows Nadesico?

She laughs, "I see you're in a huff. But give Ananya a chance."

"Aunt Azula, how can you say that?"

"Because I think you'll find that Ananya has had quite a positive effect on you," she says, "And you'll find it harder to stay angry with her once she finds her way back here. She feels dreadfully guilty about it, you know."

That doesn't help. If she's so sorry about it, why did she do it in the first place?

"I fear where you overthink every step, she thinks far too little about them. Here," she hands me a cup of tea, fresh poured, "We all have our moments when we act without thought of the repercussions. Your little stunt at your birthday party was not one of your finer moments, wouldn't you say?"

"Okay, maybe not," I acquiese. However, that was different. My grandfather was being threatened! How can you compare that to reading someone else's mail?

"She's a very lonely girl, you know."

Ananya?

"She may act quite friendly on the outside, but when you get to my age you pick up a few things about people. Even if she acts as though she is everyone's friend, I do not think she has received the benefit of everyone reciprocating. Life with the Avatar is also quite a solitary one, atop that very large hill."

I don't think that excuses this, but -- why do I have to keep thinking about how sad she looks sometimes? It bugs me more than I like to admit. "I'll try and be civil."

"That's better. Go find Sie and Duo, they are looking in entirely the wrong spot."

You know, you could have told them that, right, Auntie? I guess I don't have a choice. I walk in the direction Sie and Duo went in, approaching the main road and seeing them frantically looking in the low light.

"Ananya!"

"She's not here," I mutter. "Come on."

"How do you know that?" Sie asks, crossing her arms. I appear to have made her mad. Wonderful. This night can't get any better.

"Aunt Azula told me."

"The old bag was holding out on us? Figures!"

Duo doesn't seem happy with Sie's choice of words, but he looks relieved to finally be able to stand up. I don't know why he was looking on the ground for Ananya, but I somehow imagine it's Sie's fault.

"So, why are you so moody all of a sudden, anyway?" she asks as we walk back. I don't know, Sie, maybe it could be that my friend all of a sudden reveals that she's readnig my mail and then pulls a vanishing act.

I don't see how any of that could possibly make me 'moody.' What do you think?

"What's with that look?"

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. You're acting like a total jerk about this. What happened? It was totally a lovers' tiff, wasn't it?" Sie cuts to the heart of the matter. I knew this was going to come up the second she started asking me about this and I didn't stop her.

So really, I can only blame myself.

She keeps prodding me to answer, but I don't. We're near enough to the camp that it only takes us a few minutes, and when we arrive, Ananya and Aunt Azula are waiting for us. Ananya looks like she just got caught stealing -- the little thief -- and Aunt Azula begins pouring us all cups of tea. "There, now we're all back together and ready to eat."

"They're not much," Duo says when he hands out the food, "But with what I had time for I made due."

"You kidding? I love these things!" Sie goes at them like crazy. They look almost like sushi, actually, but the fillings look different.

"What are they?" I ask.

"Kimbap. Try some." Duo smiles and I take a bite. They're actually really good! I am already glad we have Duo along with us.

Ananya doesn't seem to be so into her food. "I think I'll just get to bed, if that's all the same, Duo."

"Ananya, you should eat," Aunt Azula scolds, "We are only a few hours away from Wushon, and I think we would do best to push ourselves there as early as possible."

She takes a bite of one half-heartedly and sulks. Serves her right, if you ask me. Sie devours hers without even pausing. I'm really wondering how that girl stays so skinny, since she's going after Duo's now.

"Kuzon?"

I look over. Ananya shrinks when I look at her. "What is it."

"Are you mad?"

I don't think I even need to answer.

"I'm done eating now, Auntie Azula. I'm going to get some sleep. Good night." She drags her sleeping bag out a way where the area is clearest, and lays down, turning her back on the campfire.

"That was awkward," Sie observes. "Well, I'm stuffed now. I think sleep sounds good."

"A wise decision," Aunt Azula observes. "We should all get some rest."

"Go ahead," I say, "I'm going to stay up just a little later."

"All right," Sie says, "Night everyone."

While everyone else settles in to sleep, I instead turn and look at the stars, taking in the warmth of the slowly dying fire. I watch them move slowly in the night sky and wonder just how small they really are.


I wake to the find Duo shaking me awake gently. "Good morning," he says after he notices I'm awake. "The girls are getting the ostrich horses."

And they left it up to Duo to make sure I got up? I don't know why they'd miss an opportunity to terrify me again.

"I wouldn't worry about it."

I nod at Duo, who just shrugs back at me. I stretch out my arms and look around. The ostrich horses are being fed and Duo returns to his job of putting the packs back on their backs. Sie looks in my direction with a shrug.

Ananya doesn't even look at me. Fine by me. I don't think I even want to look at her.

Aunt Azula may think I overthink things, but sometimes I don't even know where to begin. Ananya and I need to have a long conversation about this, and I need to be certain that Aunt Azula isn't just covering for her.

Then, well, then I can decide how to deal with this.

See, that's entirely reasonable. I do not overthink things.

"Are you coming or not!" Sie shouts over at me, and I realize I've been standing around not doing much. Aunt Azula mounts atop Chihiro, and smiles at us. "Hey, how come you get to ride?"

"Because I am old."

Sie stands considering this for a minute, before finally pointing her finger at my aunt, and waving it around impotently, "You win this round, old lady."

"We'll be in Wushon soon, won't we?" Ananya asks. She looks at me, but when she catches me looking at her, she looks away. I don't know whether to say something or just let it be. Someone give me a sign on this.

Why am I even feeling guilty about this? She's the one who -- I can't stand this.

"We will."

"Can't wait! I got to see this ship of yours, Kuzon!"

I find myself watching Ananya more that she's not talking all the time. It's kind of odd to see her so quiet. She usually looks pretty small but right now she seems absolutely tiny. Maybe I should say something. This awkwardness is going to get to me by the time we reach Wushon at this rate.

But what do I say to her.

"We should get going," I think my aunt says, "Kuzon, do get your mind focused on the task at hand."

What is she talking about? I am focused! I am -- oh, great, I've been standing gawking around for the past minute haven't I? I'm glad no one pointed that out until now. Even Ananya's looking at me like I'm some kind of weirdo.

I need to stop everyone from staring. "Let's just get moving."

Thankfully they seem to listen. We're on our way pretty quickly and everyone goes back to their own business. Still, it's early, and everyone's still waking up. Even Ananya, in her uncharacteristic silence, yawns from time to time.

Now it's starting to really gnaw at me.

Ananya should not be this quiet. Sie's talking to Duo about -- well, something I can't quite understand. Seems like they're talking about home, I guess. Aunt Azula is pointedly ignoring everyone I think.

Which leaves me, unsurprisingly, alone in a crowd.

Sometimes my days just don't start any worse than this.

Hours pass slowly when you have no one to talk to, but we finally approach Wushon just as it's about noon. The silver city shines under the bright sunlight, and the smell of the ocean wafts pleasantly enough through the whole town.

"We're finally here!" Sie cheers.

"It's beautiful," I say. "You were right, Ananya." The girl tenses audibly -- which sounds about as painful as it could.

"Oh, yeah," she says, quietly. "It's really beautiful."

"Let's just get to the ship."

"We going to take that rail engine to Omashu or not, Kuzon?" Sie asks me, which just annoys me more. I don't have time for stupid questions like that. I've got to make sure I actually get Nadesico's reply to my other letter.

"You mean it's finished?" Ananya's voice perks up and I look abck at her.

"I saw it last night," I say, coldly. "If you didn't disappear all of a sudden, you would have too."

"You did? Really?"

"Now, now, Kuzon, there's no call to be rude."

"Sorry, Auntie," I say, quietly, even if I don't mean it. If Ananya thinks I'm just going to ignore what she did, she's got another thing coming.

"I want to see the station. What about you, Sie?"

"Why not," she shrugs, "Duo, you want to check this out? Good. Kuzon, come on, you too."

"I need to check on the ship," I answer, curtly, "If we decide to use the rail engine, maybe I'll see it then." I sigh, "Until then, stay out of trouble."

Why I even said that, I don't know. I know, watching them hurry towards the northern edge of town, that they're not going to listen to me. I look over at my aunt, who just shakes her head, "You are reacting poorly to this, Kuzon."

"How else am I supposed to react?"

She sighs, "Perhaps someone with a little sense."

"We need to check in on the crew, anyway," I mutter.

"Perhaps," she responds, frowning, "But it isn't any excuse."

The bay of Wushon is clear and blue, and a dark cloud wafts down from the northern sky, filling the sky with smoke and steam as a loud piercing whistle fills the air. The birds in flight scatter at the noise.

To be continued.

Author's Note: Apologies on the delay of this chapter. It took a monstrous amount of work to get started and even now, maybe not my favorite chapter considering I had to stuff it iwth transitory things, but at least the conflict is set for the Journey to Omashu arc. Hopefully next week will see another new chapter.