" So this is what was happening last night huh?" Toph says from the corner of the room where she is lying on her back, her hands behind her head. "I should have known. The vibrations I was getting were pretty unusual"
"Unusual?" Sokka raises an eyebrow, shooting me a suspicious look. I look back at my pupil squarely in his blue eyes and he hurriedly looks away, back to the white lotus tile on his hand. Its morning and after a very impatient night I am finally sitting in the courtyard, surrounded by everyone. I can't seem to find Teo, Duke and Haru though, they must be off exploring the giant temple again. It took a lot of convincing from Katara to prevent me from going and waking up Sokka in the middle of the night itself when she told me about Piandao and I had reluctantly agreed to wait till the morning which never seemed to arrive.
"I had always wondered why he would have given you a white lotus tile" Aang speaks up from my right side, where he is sitting on his knees, his eyes fixed on the lotus tile in Sokka's hands. " It makes sense now, in a weird sort of way"
"A secret society" Sokka seems to be in awe, his hand scratching his chin. " Well who would have figured that one out?"
I sigh, wearily rubbing my eyes. I couldn't sleep at all last night and my brain seems to be pretty muddled up for any coherent thoughts. I can feel the pair of blue eyes looking at me and after a few minutes I could feel her hand as she rests it on my right shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze. " So what is your plan Sokka?" Katara's voice floats up from behind me, where she is standing.
"Plan?" Sokka asks, his thoughts still lost in the lotus tile.
"Yes Sokka" Aang speaks up. " You are the plan guy remember? So what do you suggest?"
I look up as Sokka stands up and starts pacing the courtyard. "From what Zuko has told us, I think Piando must have given me the tile in order to find them if such a situation arrives. Its a lucky thing that my teacher happens to be a member of the same society that Zuko's uncle is in. So if we have to find the general, Piandao is the one whom we need to contact."
He stops pacing and looks back at us. "The only problem is, he stays in the fire nation. I don't think its a good idea to go back to the fire nation, not so soon after our invasion failed anyway. Azula must be lying in wait for us one way or the other and walking back into the fire nation would seem pretty suicidal just now"
"None of you have to come with me" I speak up. "I am doing this on my own"
" Don' be an idiot" Toph says as she gets up into a sitting position. " We are not going to let you go alone anywhere. You are a member of our group now, so stop thinking like a loner"
"Its not that" I say, feeling slightly irritated. " I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me. Not again"
Sokka looks at me with a weird look on his face and I could feel Aang stand up beside me.
" No one is going to get hurt Zuko" Aang says. " We are not letting you do this alone. Remember, you are as much, if not more, of a fugitive just like us. The fire nation is already searching for you high and low. If you are going to contact Piandao, you will need backup."
"Sokka" Katara walks up to her brother. "I know you can come up with a plan." Sokka backs away, looking a bit suspiciously at his sister, then turns his back on her and starts walking around the courtyard again.
I close my eyes, rubbing my temples with my hands. This is not going to work. I don't know why I let Katara convince me to wait and talk to everyone regarding this. Uncle is not their concern, I need to find him, I need to look out for him and I definitely don't want to drag everyone around with me. I could have infiltrated the fire nation, its my country and I know every nook and corner of the place.
I open my eyes and look at the water tribe warrior, as he stops right in front of me and sits down. Katara walks up behind him and sits to his right and I can feel Aang walking up to us too.
Sokka takes a deep breathe and releases it as if he is going to say something against his better judgment.
"Ok. First of all, this is one situation which can't really be planned about. All I can suggest is that we go back to the fire nation and infiltrate the city under the cover of the night. The only thing that can be planned for is what to do after and before that. I suggest we start on Appa till we are about a mile away from the fire nation. Then we go on foot from there, travel during the night. It will take us about a couple of hours on foot to reach the place where Piandao lives."
He takes another deep breathe and looks at me in the eye. " After getting hold of my teacher, you will ask whatever you have to and then we will have to walk back to the spot where we left Appa. If everything goes fine, we should be back by tomorrow morning."
He scratches his head as he looks away towards Appa. " Provided everything goes right and we manage to sneak in quietly even though there must be thousands of soldiers patrolling the boundary of the cities, not to mention what your sister might have planned."
"We have to take the chance" Toph speaks up but before she could complete her sentence, I find myself on my feet, a strange anger falling over me.
"No." I reply. "None of you is going to take any chance. I am not going to let you all risk yourselves for me. This is something I will have to do on my own"
"Actually" Katara's voice cuts through my thoughts and I turn to look at her, as she scratches her chin in a manner so identical to her brother that if I was not angry, I would have found it pretty amusing. "All of us don't have to get involved."
"What do you mean?" Aang asks her.
"For one thing, we can't risk you Aang. Not now, so soon after Azula and Fire Lord Ozai having found out about you being alive"
"But.." Aang protests which is cut down by Toph.
"Katara is right twinkle toes. You are definitely out of the picture in this case."
Sokka looks at his sister, then towards me and sighs. "You know Katara, you are right. Aang doesn't need to risk his neck here. Toph, I think you need to stay back too."
"What?" Toph says sharply. " If you think I am staying back Sokka, you have to think twice"
"Think logically here Toph" Sokka continues. "You are the one with the magic feet. So if we are going to split up, Aang needs to be with someone who can give a early warning, in case someone tries to sneak up on him. And who better to do that than you? Besides, Aang does need to catch up with his earthbending too, considering how firebending has been taking up his time lately"
"That leave me and Katara." He looks back at me as he continues. "You are going to need me for I know the area and Piando's house inside out. And I doubt he would listen to you, even if you tell him about Iroh, unless I vouch for you"
I glare at him though I know he is telling the truth.
"And we need another bender with us, someone who is more powerful in the night." He turns to look at Katara as he says so and she beams at him.
"I still think I need to come." Aang says reluctantly.
Katara walks up to him and places her hands on his shoulders. " I know you want to help Aang but believe me, we can manage this on our own and we will be back by tomorrow morning anyway."
"But what if something goes wrong? What if you get hurt?"
"I have healing abilities remember? And I would like you to show a bit more confidence on your waterbending teacher to be able to take care of herself"
Aang looks at her with large eyes and I look away, suddenly feeling as if I am intruding on their personal space. I look at Sokka and nod my head as he gives me a small smile. "You are not going to protest?"
"Will it do me any good if I do?" I ask him, the weariness creeping into my voice.
"Actually.. No" Sokka replies.
I turn to take a look at Katara who is now hugging Aang and turn back to look at Sokka. "Then I am not going to protest. I think I will take Uncle's advise this time and not let my ego and false pride get in the way of asking for help."
Sokka looks taken aback. "You know Zuko, I think I am really going to like you after all"
I feel myself smiling at that coment, Uncle's voice coming to me from a distant past.
"There is nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you"
You really know me inside out, don't you Uncle? I am not going to let you down this time, I promise.
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