Eight
"Shin, the last place the Avatar was actually seen was here." Sano pointed at a small island on the large wall length map. "Near Iwo Jima."
"That's a five day journey from our current location." Captain Shin traced the route with his finger. "Fortunately, Fire Navy patrols are scarce near there."
"We would have close to two weeks to search the area if I'm not mistaken." Sano scratched his chin. "How long do you think we should risk it?"
"No longer than three or four days." Shin replied. "That way we can escape back to open sea before any patrols run through the area.
"Set the course, then."
"Iwo Jima." Mei spoke softly. Ryu looked at her, and she nodded.
The ship's captain waited as Ryu looked at the map spread out on the table. "How far are we if we use the engines at full steam?" Ryu asked.
"Roughly a four day journey." The man said swiftly.
"And we're sure this is the last confirmed appearance?" Ryu asked.
"There's no doubt." Mei told her young charge. "Your mother fought him there almost to her death."
"My mother?" Ryu looked at the map. "Before I was born, then?"
"Two years." Mei said.
Ryu sighed, then nodded. "Set course, Captain. If there are any clues, we have to find them."
Later that night, Ryu sat under the waning moon. It was harder to talk to the moon lady when the moon wasn't full, but he tried any way. Slowly, he fell asleep.
The ship was motionless. The crew all stood on deck, staring out at the water, which also seemed to have frozen in time. Ryu walked among them, looking at the still faces.
"What's going on?" Ryu saw Mei, and ran over to her. "Aunt Mei! What's happen…ing?" Mei was just as still as the others, her emotionless stare frozen.
"You're seeing what can happen." The moon lady was there with him. "If you fail, you will lose everyone."
Ryu stared around at the frozen figures, and realized they were nothing more than statues.
"I won't! I won't fail! I
won't fail!" Ryu jerked awake, shaking.
Sano spoke when Yaeko joined him on deck, not moving his gaze from the thin curve of light. "You wanted to know why I watch the moon? I wasn't lying when I said the moon was my mother's friend."
"I don't understand." Yaeko replied.
"Do you know the story about the moon?" Sano asked Yaeko, who shook her head. "Shortly after the Avatar returned, General Zhao, an evil firebender, led a force against the Northern Water tribe. He killed the physical form of the moon spirit, and it seemed like the world would be doomed."
"What happened?" Corin asked, forgetting himself. Sano looked up. Corin and Kari, looking abashed, joined the other two.
"I only know the story from my mother." Sano told them. "According to her, the Water tribe princess gave up her life to restore everything. You see, when she was a baby, the moon had given her a little of its life, so Yue was able to make the sacrifice to restore nature's balance."
"Yue?" Corin asked.
"Sokka's first love." Kari whispered sadly. "My father was there, with his uncle."
Sano stood up, and began pacing. "I should tell you all something, just so you understand me. I am not looking for the Avatar because I want to. I made a promise to my parents that I would find him. I don't think we need the Avatar." He started to walk away.
"You act as though you hate him, and you've never met the avatar." Corin spoke calmly. "Sokka has told me a lot of stories from before the Day of Black Sun. Did you know Avatar Aang was only twelve years old and…"
Sano spun, his face furious. "And he should have killed my grandfather when he had the chance! It was his fault all of this has happened, don't you get it?" He realized what he had just admitted, and his eyes widened. He turned away, and walked off.
"His grandfather?" Corin wondered out loud.
Kari shook her head. "Ozai, Corin. Sano is the son of Prince Zuko."
"He's been lying to us." Corin looked at Yaeko. "He didn't tell you either?"
Kari stood. "Before you call Sano's loyalty into question, you should consider mine. I'm loyal to my brother before anyone else." She left her two friends sitting there shocked.
Suddenly Yaeko grinned, and punched Corin's arm. "I told you there's nothing to worry about."
Kari found Sano standing by himself near the back of the ship, throwing flames into the water.
"You told them, didn't you." He said dully.
"I didn't say who Mom was." Kari replied .
Sano laughed wryly. "Its not hard to figure out."
"Are you mad at me? It was my secret too, and you told Sokka." Kari accused.
Sano shook his head. "I was worried, if they knew, that they'd lose sight of the goal. I told Mom and Dad I'd find the avatar, that I would stop grandfather, and that I'd keep you safe. I've only managed one of those things so far."
"Yaeko will come around." Kari smiled, and poked her brother's side. "She likes you."
"Quiet."
"Mom told you this would happen." Kari said, grinning. "When you used to pull girls' hair."
"You were only three. How can you remember that?" Sano demanded. He saw Yaeko and Corin standing nearby, and gestured for them to come over. "Would you like to help me figure out how my sister has such a damn good memory?"
"We've made better time than I imagined." The captain said, handing Ryu a telescope. "If you look, my prince, you can just see the island on the horizon. We'll arrive by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
Ryu lowered the telescope, and smiled. "This is great." He said. "Is Iwo Jima deserted, Captain Li?"
"Yes." Li nodded.
"Then what is the smoke that I see?" Ryu asked.
"From coal burning under the ground. The entire island is practically a coal bank. I intend to harvest some while you and a few guards are searching for any sign of the Avatar."
"Why, captain, are you so matter of fact about the idea that I am looking for our Nation's worst enemy?" Ryu asked. Mei had told him to ask.
Li rubbed his graybeard. "Because I owe your family a debt of honor. I was once the captain of a ship led by your uncle in exile, and I abandoned him."
"My uncle? Zuko." Ryu shook his head. "Mother never told me a great deal about my uncle, except that she finally understood him."
Li bowed low. "Would you care for me to tell you of him?"
"I would, Captain. Why was he in exile?" Ryu asked. "Start there."
The young guard glanced over his shoulder. He had been ordered to feed and water this prisoner only once a day, but he had rationed his own food to make sure she ate at least twice a day.
"My lady." He said in a whisper, and brought a large ladle of water into the cell. Azula lifted her head.
She had been chained with her arms over her head, and her legs bound together. She couldn't bend, not even the silly fire breath her Uncle had once used. "Hideo." She greeted weakly.
Hideo helped her to drink, then bowed on his way out of the door. He locked it as he spoke. "No word on Prince Ryu, my lady, nor of the Avatar. I was playing dice with a friend from the navy, and he tells me a rebel group captured one of our light fighters nearly three weeks past."
"Rebels?" Azula asked.
"Apparently there were a few survivors who managed to escape. They report a demon eyed firebender who used steel and flame, and the Blue Eyed Swordsman was also spotted.
Azula nodded, and as Hideo walked away, whispered one word.
"Sokka."