So thanks for the reviews guys! And guess what? SCHOOL'S OUT. That means more updates:) Well, in between soccer and marching band. But still, more updates :) Anyways, READ ON!

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own A:tLA. I'm workin on it though.

Chapter 9

xXxXx

"Zuko, that is crazy! We can't do this! Stop the ship! Turn it around" I cried, walking hastily after the stubborn prince. He just ignored me, and kept walking.

"Zuko.. Zuko! ZUKO!" I was getting mad now. I grabbed his arm and yanked him to a stop. He stumbled, and fell into me. Grunting, he straightened himself, then proceeded to glare at me. If looks could kill.. well, I'd be long dead, but you know what I mean.

"Don't tell me how to run my ship. I know what I'm doing."

"ZUKO! Those are Fire Nation waters! If we were spotted, we'd be dead! They'd capture you, and probably kill me!" I threw my hands up into the air. Slight dramatic, I know, but oh well.

"I agree with Ren, Prince Zuko. Sailing into Fire Nation waters.. Out of all the foolish things you have done in your sixteen years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish." Iroh said. Wait.. when did he get here? I just shrugged it off, and watched as the two men fought.

"I have no choice uncle." Zuko said solemnly. I about interrupted, but Iroh got to it first.

"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you? What if you are caught?" Iroh almost shouted. Whoa. I don't think I've ever seen Iroh shout.

Zuko was getting angrier and angrier. "I'm chasing the Avatar. My father will understand why I'm returning home."

Zuko was banished..? That must be horrible, to never be able to go home. But by his father! That makes it even worse! I knew the Fire Lord was ruthless, but to banish his own son.. that was horrible.

Iroh shook his head, looking sad. "You give him too much credit. My brother is not the understanding type."

He turned to walk away, and Iroh just shook his head again. I placed a hand on the old man's shoulder.

"We tried." I said quietly. He smiled up at me, and nodded.

"There they are! Helmsman, full steam ahead!" Zuko cried, pointing to something in the air. I looked up, and sure enough, there was the flying fluffy monster. And the 3 kids.

People on the ship started swarming around, shouting orders. There was a loud bang, and a fireball was flung into the air, towards the kids.

"Zuko! They're just kids! No older than me and you! You could hurt them!" I cried, running over to him. He shrugged me off.

"That's not my problem. I only want the Avatar. I have no concern for the other two."

I sat there stunned. Was he really that selfish? Obviously he was, because he kept ordering the catapults to fire at the kids, and some of the fireballs got dangerously close to them. I watched nervously. If I had nails I would've been biting them right about now.

I ran to the railing of the ship and looked out into the water. My eyes widened.. It was a-

"Blockade!" Zuko shouted. I ran over to Zuko, and Iroh walked to his nephew's side. The ship erupted into chaos, people shouting over people shouting. I winced as I felt a headache coming on.

"Technically," Iroh said, pulling on his beard thoughtfully, "You are still in Earth Kingdom waters. Turn back now, and they cannot arrest you."

I prayed that he would listen to his uncle. That he wouldn't be stupid and keep going. But he was Zuko.

He shook his head, and gave no order that we wanted to hear. Instead he walked to the railing and watched the other ships intently. I don't know what he was waiting for. Them to fire? To take us away?

"He's not turning around." He said to himself. I face-palmed mentally. Of course not, smart one.

Iroh was pacing now. "Please Prince Zuko. If the Fire Nation captures you, there is nothing I can do. Do not follow the Avatar." He begged. I looked at Zuko. At first it looked as if he was going to do what we said, and turn the ship around. His shoulders slumped, and he sighed. He looked at Iroh, then at me, then at the ground.. then back at me.

"I'm sorry.." He turned around, and shouted at his men, and pointed. "Run the blockade!"

The men looked bewildered, their eyes widening. I could tell that they didn't want to do this. But they couldn't argue. They nodded and scrambled off. I sighed and walked away, anger boiling up inside of me.

"Prince Zuko, the engines are damaged! We need to stop and make repairs!" The engine master said, running up to Zuko. I stopped and listened for his reply.

"Do not stop this ship."

He was really going to risk all of us for the stupid Avatar! He was so selfish! If the Fire Nation got me, I don't even know what they would do.. Probably nothing good..

It was a scary sight. Fireballs were hitting the water everywhere, some got really close to the ship. And they reeked like nothing I've ever smelt before. I was watching nervously, hoping none hit the ship, taking us out.

"We're on a collision course!" I heard Iroh shout from somewhere behind me. I spun around, and looked out into the waters. The ships were getting dangerously close. I could see one man with horrible side-burns standing on the deck of his ship. It looked like he was the leader of this blockade.

"We can make it!" Zuko argued. I spun around.

"How? How are we going to make it? The engines are damaged, there are more than 20 Fire Nation ships out there that want us arrested! How in the world are we going to make it?" I shouted, losing my tempter. Zuko stared at me for a minute, then turned the other way. I stormed off, to our room. Slamming the door, I blocked out the shouts from the deck and in other rooms.

I paced the room nervously, just waiting for us to be captured. There was no way we wouldn't be captured, so I knew it was coming. I sat there for about 10 minutes, waiting. But nothing happened.

Soon, the shouts stopped, and all was calm on the ship again. Walking cautiously out of the room, I saw that no more fireballs were falling from the sky. People had returned to normal, but were mumbling to one another. I was really confused now. Weren't we captured?

I ran out to the deck, just in time too. Zuko was talking to Iroh, and he was about to step into a smaller boat.

"Zuko!" I called out, running up to him and Iroh. He looked over, his face hard. "What happened?" I asked.

"They let us through. We weren't captured. We think Commander Zhao wants us to lead him to the Avatar. So uncle is going to set a fake trail while I go find him. He should be going to the temple." He explained. I listened and nodded, making up my mind.

"I'm going with you."

Zuko shook his head fast. "No, you're not. You're staying here." And with that, he turned around, got into the ship and sailed off. I stood there, watching him. As soon as he was out of sight, I turned to Iroh.

"I need one of those ships." I told him. He raised his eyebrow, and pulled on his beard.

"But Prince Zuko ordered you to stay here." He reminded me. I nodded.

"Yes, he did. But since when do I listen to him?" Iroh smiled, and nodded. He ordered the crew to get me a little ship like Zuko's. In less than 15 minutes, I was sailing away in the water.

The island on which the Fire Temple was on was pretty steep. I found this out as I trudged up the huge hill that led to the steps. Ughhhh, steps. Are they trying to kill me!

I was distracted for a moment, when I heard other voices behind me. Hiding behind a bush, I snuck a better look at them.

"Commander Zhao, what are we going to do once we capture the Avatar and the Banished Prince?" Someone asked. Commander Zhao.. he was the man from the blockade!

"Well, we'll take them both to the Fire Lord. I'm sure he would just love to see his son again." He chuckled darkly.

I gasped, and jumped out of the bush. I ran up the rest of the steps, staying quiet.

Finally, I made it to the doors of the temple. I swung them open, and walked inside the huge place. I tried to be as quiet as possible, because every little sound was echoed in the massive halls. I strained to hear something that could tell me where Zuko was.

I heard voices, and shouts from a large room down the hall. I ran to that room, and sure enough, there were the 3 kids, and Zuko. He had the Avatar in his grip, and he was holding him tightly.

"The Avatar is coming with me!" he said, holding him tighter. The boy looked so small compared to Zuko's muscular body. I felt like I needed to help him.

I ran into the room, and everyone's eyes fell on me. But I needed to warn Zuko more.

"Ren! What are you doing here? I told you to stay at the ship!" Zuko growled. The small boy and the two other kids eyed me, obviously recognizing me from last time.

"This isn't the time to yell at me Zuko! Zhao and his men are outside! Let the Avatar go, we have to leave!" I pleaded. The kids gave me a funny look.

Zuko's face hardened. "No. I'm not leaving without the Avatar."

I rolled my eyes. Not this again. I sighed, annoyed. Thinking fast, I came up with a plan. There was no water for me to bend, and never in a million years could I over power Zuko.. so.. that left me with airbending. Well, I was wanted for it, I may as well live up to it.

Running over to Zuko and the boy, I blasted a ball of air at them, knocking over Zuko, but the boy was able to jump over it. The boy stared at me, eyes wider than saucers.

"You.. you.. air.." He stuttered. I nodded, and pointed at his friends.

"Yes, now go. Soldiers are coming, and we can't help." I warned him. He stood there, staring at me, then smiled and nodded.

Zuko tried to get up again, and I ran over to him. Grabbing his hand, I pulled him up, and pulled him along. "Look, I'm sorry Zuko. But they're coming, and I don't want you to get captured."

Zuko stopped running, causing me to stumble. "You ruined it! I had him! I could have gotten away with him! But no! You had to ruin it! Just go back to the ship, don't bother with me. GO!" He shouted, furious. I stood there, blinking. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I blinked them back. This wasn't the time to cry.

I shook my head. "When you get caught.. Don't say I didn't warn you." And with that I ran off. Yeah, I ran off alright. Right into the arms of Commander Zhao.

"Oh ho ho, look at this boys. Its the girl from the wanted posters!" He exclaimed, looking at me. He grabbed my wrists before I could run, and twisted them. I cried out in pain.

Him and the other men laughed, and they led me back to the room I fled from. A Fire Sage was in the middle of giving a speech to 4 others and Zuko when we walked in. Something about protecting the Avatar. Zhao couldn't clap, because he had his grip on me, so he made my hands slap together instead.

"What a moving and heartfelt performance. I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand when you explain why you betrayed him." He said, eying the rebellious Fire Sage.

All eyes turned to us. Zuko's eyes widened when he saw me.

"Ren!" He started to run to me, but then thought about it.

"And Prince Zuko," Zhao said smirking, "It was a noble effort, but your little smoke screen didn't work. Two traitors and a wanted girl, all in one day. The Fire Lord will be pleased."

I gritted my teeth together and looked around the room. The Avatar was gone, but his friends were still tied up. Zhao handed me to one of his men, who proceeded to tie me up next to the Water Tribe boy. I smiled kindly at him when he looked my way, but he just glared.

"You're too late, the Avatar's inside and the doors are sealed." Zuko spit out at Zhao. He just shrugs.

"No matter. He has to come out sooner or later," he turns to his men, "When these doors open, unleash all your firebending power."

I gulped. The teens next to me looked nervous as well.

"How is Aang going to make it out of this one?" She asked the boy. He scoffed.

"How are we gonna make it out of this one?"

The room was tense as we waited for the doors to open. Suddenly there was a really bright light coming from the sanctuary. Zhao and his men got into fighting positions, and the light got brighter.

"Ready!" Zhao counted down.

"Aang! No!" The girl shouted.

"FIRE!" Zhao commanded. I closed my eyes as they all shot their fire at the doors. I expected to hear a scream, but I heard gasps instead. Cracking one eye, I saw that the fire was being held at bay, and instead was being turned into one big ball of fire. Then, the ball of fire started to.. open?

Then the whole room fell silent. Everyone's eyes widened, and someone broke the silence.

"Avatar Roku!"

Avatar Roku extended his hands, and blasted fire out in all directions. Its knocked over the soldiers and melted the chains bounding us. I looked around for Zuko, but he was nowhere to be seen in the commotion. Soldiers were running around, trying to get out of the temple. And it didn't help when Avatar Roku opened up a large crack in the ground, and lava started to spill out.

The room became really smokey, and it was getting harder for me to breath. I tried to run to a place where I wouldn't be trampled, but I could barely walk. The smoke was choking me. I tried to gasp, but only a small squeak was heard.

I looked around, and saw the girl looking at me, and that was the last thing I saw before collapsing.

XxXxX

"Katara, I don't think this is a good idea! She was travailing with Prince Grumpy. What if she's out to get us too?"

"Oh Sokka, shut up. Aang says she helped him escape. He says she nice. And its better than leaving her there to die."

"Hmp. Whatever."

I groaned slightly as I opened my eyes. Looking straight up, I could see the stars, and looking sideways I could see.. more stars, and two people. The boy and girl from the temple.

I sat up and looked around. I was in the air, flying? I was on the fluffy monster!

"Uh, hello. Its good to see you up." The girl said. I nodded, and looked at her, curiously.

"Oh! I'm Katara, by the way. And that's Sokka, my idiot brother. And that kid over there is Aang." She smiled at me. I returned the smile.

"I'm Ren. Its nice to meet you."

We sat there in a silence for a while, until eventually, everyone but me was asleep. Even Aang, the one controlling the fluffy thing fell asleep. I was a bit nervous, but I trusted it knew where it was going. I leaned over the side of its saddle and looked down at the water.

I hoped Zuko made it out, and was okay. Even though we fought before all this happened, I knew I was going to miss him a bit. But I guess I was travailing with Katara, Sokka, and Aang until I found him again.

Well, it took 8 chapters, but I finally got the Gaang in there. :) Like it? Hate it? TELL ME. Kay kay. I NEED FOOD. Bye. :)

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