A/N: Chapter 10, 11 and 12 will be up soon. Review please, and of course, enjoy!
Somewhere in the ocean
"Man, traveling by sea sure is slow," Avin said, scratching on the side of the boat.
"And BORING!" Toph shouted, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Well, it'll take a day or so to get to Crescent Island," Feizhi said, jumping down from the sail, "That would be the bad news."
"And the good news?" Avin asked.
"There's not a single enemy in sight. Not even another ship, as far as my eyes can see."
"And they see pretty far, if I remember right," Avin said, putting his hands on his head, "That should be good news, but it's actually a very bad sign."
"How so?" Feizhi asked, confused.
"Read between the lines. Let's assume that our enemies ARE, in fact, aware of my surviving our last battle against Zuko and Azula- which is very likely. So, if we assume this, wouldn't it also be safe to assume that they would send more than one platoon of soldiers? I'm one of the top threats to the Fire Nation, after all. Not to mention that the one platoon they chose to send went straight to the island we were on!"
"Maybe they got lucky and happened to land on our island. And they might have sent one platoon because they don't see you as much of a threat anymore." Toph argued.
"No, that's not it. Why send Azula and Zuko the first time around?"
"Maybe they were testing you, and decided you're not very skilled?" Toph teased.
Avin's eyes lowered, and Toph instantly felt uncharacteristically guilty. "I didn't mean it like that-"
"Nah, it's nothing," Avin shrugged, looking at his hand, "You do have a point. As a bender, I'm still a ways away from mastering my element. The fact that I seem to be on par with Aang's skills worry me…but that's another issue."
Avin clenched his fist, and went on, "My value to the Fire Nation lies in the rarity that is…me. I mean, other than Aang and I, point to an airbender. It's not my skill that makes me a threat; it's the fact I was born an airbender, and have that power."
Toph shuffled her feet. "I never thought of it that way."
"Of course you didn't," Avin smiled at her, "You're my friend. It would be terrible if you did think of me that way."
Suddenly, a great wave rocked the boat heavily, and Toph felt a swooping feeling in her stomach.
"Uggh…" Toph mumbled, as she leaned over the side of the boat, and-
"Toph gets seasick?" Avin grinned, as the young earthbender wiped her mouth off with some ocean water.
"Shut up," Toph replied softly, clutching her stomach.
With Aang
"We're almost there, you guys," Aang said, catching sight of Crescent Island.
"Still, I don't think Avin's group is there yet, so we'd better lay low," Sokka said.
"Why do you say that?" Katara asked.
"I don't know how he plans to get to Crescent Island, but it's not going to be faster than a flying bison," Sokka replied.
"You're right, Sokka," Aang said, "We'd better stay hidden."
Crescent Island
Avin stretched as he got off the boat.
"Man, was it cramped in there!" he said, yawning.
"Ughh, you're telling me," Toph said, jumping off the boat and stretching her arms, "You hogged all the space! Feizhi and I were squished together!"
"Hey, where is Feizhi?" Avin sheepishly asked, looking back towards the boat.
The firebender moaned softly as she rolled off the boat. "Damnit, Avin…Toph and I got closer to each other than I ever want to get to anyone again. Thanks a lot."
"Hey, hey! I need my sleep. Airbenders are in short supply, if you haven't noticed. I need to be at the top of my game, all the time!" Avin said, flexing his (admittedly unimpressive, Avin thought) muscles.
"Pshh, whatever," Toph said, pushing Avin out of her way, "Aang and the others should have been here by now, right?"
"Right," Avin muttered, getting up and dusting his jacket off, "They're probably on the island. Remember that they couldn't be too conspicuous in case enemies are around. We ARE technically in Fire Nation territory."
"Hmph," Feizhi said, frowning and looking at the ground, "I hadn't counted on coming home for a long time…"
Toph's head snapped up as she yelled, "They're here!"
She ran along the shore, Avin and Feizhi hot on her heels. They rounded a corner and saw Katara and Sokka resting on a small hill, and Aang setting up camp.
"Hey, you guys!" Toph shouted, running towards them.
"Toph! Avin! Feizhi! Am I glad to see you guys!" Aang said, as Toph tackled him to the ground.
Everyone started laughing at Aang's blushing face and Toph's mischievous smile.
"It's good to see you again, Twinkle Toes." Toph said, helping the monk up.
"Likewise." Aang said, grinning from ear to ear. He looked over at Avin, who only nodded and walked over to the small 'hill' Katara and Sokka were on.
"Nice job concealing Appa, guys," Avin said, rubbing a bit of grass off the bison, "Very subtle."
Aang decided not to reply to that, and instead asked, "Avin, you know where we're headed now?"
Avin closed his eyes, and thought for a second.
That could work…
"Yes," he replied quietly after a moment, "We're headed for the Fire Lord's palace."
Night
Everyone was moving quickly. Toph was helping Katara load all the things they'd need onto Appa, and Sokka was going over the plan with Aang and Feizhi for the millionth time. Avin still couldn't believe he had gotten them to agree.
Avin, unlike the others, stayed still, sitting on Appa. Trying desperately to remain calm, despite the tempest raging in his head.
Okay, we've gotten this far. We're going all the way. We can't stop now.
Of course we can! There's still time, we can warn them, it doesn't have to be this way-
No, no. It does. We've planned everything out perfectly.
But there's one factor we haven't planned for!
W-what's that?
That they're our friends!!
…you…idiot!
You know I'm right. In the time we've been with them, they've become our friends. Our first friends. And you want to betray them?!
No, don't you get it?! I'm willing to betray them because they're NOT our friends!
You're…you're lying.
The hesitation…I can tell you know. They're not our friends, they never were. They're just tools, pieces in our little game of pai sho, if you will.
And that's not right!
We're using them for a good reason!
Which is?
To rescue the only person who's ever shown us any kindness! Can you understand that?!
I…I know, but still…
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you.
It's okay…
But you know. It's our fault she's in there. We have to save her. We have to.
They're our friends…aren't they? Maybe they'll help us, if we're honest with them, they'll understand.
No. You know they can't be trusted. And they don't trust us.
What do you mean?
You know. You know they're not our friends. You know what we've been doing and why we've been doing it.
I'm sure I don't know what you mean.
Really? Then look in our bag.
Avin's head snapped up, and he reached for his bag, and emptied it.
Sheet after sheet of paper fell out, some written on or crumpled. Used and unused quills fell out as well, and Avin looked in shock as he realized the severity of what he had done.
You get it now? You don't have to pretend anymore at this point.
W-what is this?
You know. You know what this is for, and you know damn well who's been tipping the Fire Nation off to you guys.
"Oh, no…" Avin said, falling to the ground, pounding his fist on the ground, "What have I done?"
Don't act so surprised. You know, you played your part flawlessly. Making it look like there was a traitor in your group without incriminating yourself: It was a great way to throw attention off you, and at this point they won't realize your real motives until they're on the palace steps.
I'm nervous. I don't like this at all.
It's okay, don't be scared. Everything's going to work out alright.
I want to tell them. They're my friends.
Stick to the plan; we're so close…
Evil Avin, Good Avin, Sad Avin, Hopeful Avin…
But Avin no longer had any idea which one he really was.