Author Notes: Thanks as always to DustyJack for turning this glob into something readable! And Centsikes did a wonderful painting of our favorite WT boys in a sweatlodge. Lazyartisan colored her 'critical decision' drawing. Both links are up in my profile! Groovy, guys!
One other real quick note… You know how sometimes you put up a chapter and you know you're going to get flamed to pieces for it? Oh yeah, this is SO that chapter. Just... don't take things too seriously, guys. I'm intentionally throwing as many wrenches in the plot as humanly possible so it doesn't end up being Season 1 with Zuko just there for extra comments, or something. (Hides behind ever helpful beta-reader).
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Sokka: I should have treated you like a girl when I should have treated you like a warrior.
Suki: I am a warrior (she kisses him), but I'm a girl, too. Now get out of here! We'll hold them off.
Sokka and Suki, The Warriors of Kyoshi
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Supper time was a communal gathering on the Island of Kyoshi. Long tables were set out and the villagers sat in groups, according to age and rank. Aang, Katara and Zuko sat together, with every girl under the age of eighteen on the island jostling and giggling to get as close of a seat to the Avatar as possible. Aang took this in good humor and amused them with a small airbending trick which made a handful of berries fly around in crazy circles between his fingers.
Zuko glowered down at his plate, moody from his bad day. Katara wasn't much better. She sat at his side, silently disapproving of Aang's showboating. Zuko couldn't help but notice how, even though the table was almost groaning from the weight of so many girls crowding for a spot, there was an empty seat on his other side. It seemed as desperate as the girls were to get close to Aang, none of them were willing to sit directly next to the disfigured kid.
Then, just as everyone had stopped chattering and was starting to tuck in, someone slid into the empty space beside Zuko. He caught a flash of a green uniform, and if anything Zuko's head dipped down lower. Great. Just what he needed. Another Kyoshi warrior.
"Hey Sokka," Aang chirped, "Nice dress."
Zuko glanced up, saw a familiar face now covered in a thick layer of lady's makeup, snorted into his cup of water, and promptly started to choke.
"Thank you, Aang," Sokka said, with as much dignity as he could muster while his little sister was overcome with a fit of giggles and his brother coughed and gasped for air.
"Sokka… w-why are you wearing a d-dress?" Katara could barely speak between her giggles. Oh, where was that portrait painter when she needed him?
He drew himself up, affronted. "It's not a dress. It's a warrior's uniform. Suki and the other Kyoshi Warriors are teaching me how to fight in their style. See, look. The silk threads symbolizes brave blood, and the golden insignia represents the honor of a warrior's heart—"
"Yeah?" Zuko had finally gotten his breath back and reached out to poke playfully at Sokka. "What does the lipstick represent?"
But before his fingers could touch, Sokka whipped out what could only be a closed fan and knocked his hand away. Zuko yelped, more out of surprise than pain, because the movement had been quicker than he could react, as quick as a striking snake.
Sokka smirked. "The warrior's philosophy is turning defense into offense, and using the power of an opponent's strength against them."
"That's like waterbending!" Katara exclaimed, mildly impressed.
Sokka smiled, the first true smile he'd had since they left the South Pole. "Yup!"
Zuko shook out his stinging hand, but he couldn't help the small grudging admiration for Sokka's nerve. His family wasn't the only one who was staring at his get-up. Some of the girls had peeled their adoring eyes from Aang and were now watching him — a boy in their warrior's makeup — with abject disapproval. Sokka didn't care. He bent to eat quickly, decked out in a dress and makeup, not bothered by their glares in the least. Unconsciously, it made Zuko sit up straighter in his own seat.
The other boy caught Zuko watching his behavior from the corner of his eye, and Sokka gave a ridiculous wink. "You know, I could put in a good word in with Suki. I'm sure she'd take on another pupil."
And Zuko considered it, really considered it… for the space of about five seconds. Finally, he shook his head. He was not going to wear a dress. Luckily, Katara stepped in and saved him from having to beg off with a bad excuse.
"No, we haven't practiced our bending in days," she said, and Zuko shot her a look of relief. She then turned to Aang. "You could show us what you know, and maybe we could all work on new techniques together."
"Oh… uh…" The young monk bit his lip, and sent a guilty look to the fluttering girls. "I sort of already promised I would go out with them."
"Aangy's taking us for a ride on his bison," one of the little girls announced with a glare right for Katara, hands on her chubby hips.
Now it was Sokka's turn to snort into his drink. "Aangy?"
"You can come along, if you want," said Aang, completely earnest, and not noticing the way that Katara's eyes had narrowed.
"I think you're letting this Avatar stuff go to your head." Her low tone was something the two brothers had learned the hard way not to mess around with. Both Sokka and Zuko leaned back from the table, instinctively distancing themselves from any sources of liquid.
Aang hadn't learned that lesson yet, and narrowed his eyes back. "You know what I think? I think you're jealous."
"Jealous?! Of what?!"
"Jealous that we're having so much fun without you."
"That's ridiculous!"
"It is a little ridiculous, but I understand."
"If you want to go traipsing with these little girls instead of practicing, I get it… I'm glad!"
"I'm glad you're glad."
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
Both Sokka and Zuko's heads went back and forth, following the conversation like a bouncing ball. At Aang's final words, Katara stood up so fast that she knocked against the table and all of the food shivered and jumped. "If that's the way you feel... C'mon, Zuko." She reached down, grabbing her brother under his arm and nearly hauling him to his feet. "We're going to have to practice alone." She didn't wait for him to respond, and he nearly had to scramble after her to keep from being forcefully dragged away.
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Suki already knew about Zuko's firebending ability, and they had both more or less announced that Zuko was a bender in front of the little girls, but they still thought it prudent to keep their practicing low key while they were at the island.
They cleared some space in the main common area of their suite. Katara found some clean water from a nearby pitcher, and Zuko pulled his flames from the lit candles. They sat traditional style, juggling their elements in easy, elegant circles above their heads. It was a deceptively hard process — requiring both concentration and breath control…
… which explained why Katara was having such a hard time today.
"Remember to breathe. In from your mouth and out your nose," Zuko repeated for what had to be the tenth time after her water accidentally collided with his fire in a hiss of steam.
Her face set in concentration and she pulled the water into a tight blue ring overhead. Almost playfully, Zuko sent a zip of fire through the center. But then something tight and angry crossed her face. "I bet he's not even careful with those girls… they could all fall out of the saddle the way he flies Appa!" The wheel of water wavered and then fell completely apart, showering them and extinguishing Zuko's fire.
"Ugh! Katara!"
"Sorry!" She stood up and waved her arms, summoning back the liquid and sending it to the pitcher.
Zuko growled and pulled his now messy hair back into a neater wolfs-tail before he did something quite rare; lit his own flame for bending. "Who cares what he is doing?" he asked, lobbing an idle ball of flame where it bounced against the far wall, leaving a scorch of soot before returning to his hand. "He's the Avatar. He can take care of himself."
"He told me he was just a simple monk." Katara snapped, "But now he's just letting this all… just go to his head!"
He sighed and extinguished the flame. It wasn't any good to practice by himself, anyway. "Give the kid a break. His whole people were wiped out by the Fire Nation. He's probably just… acting out or something."
But Katara wasn't listening. She was busy glowering out the window and Zuko distinctly heard her growl out the word, "Aangy" before she got up and walked out.
The firebender sighed, and wondered to himself when, exactly, he had become the sane sibling.
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Katara slammed open the flimsy wooden door with enough force for it to crack against the far breakpoint and then snap back into place with an equally loud crash behind her. Later on, she would look back on the day and feel a little badly for the way she was acting, for dragging her brother away from a perfectly good meal only to cut practice short.
Now all she could see were those twittering girls with their stupid doe-eyed expressions, and poor Aang — who was only a kid, after all, and very naive to the world — falling for their stupid charms.
Aangy. UGH!
She had meant what she said before. She was sure he wasn't being careful. They'd laugh at his stupid jokes and he would bush from the point of his bald head to the soles of his feet, and he probably would urge Appa up too high or too fast…
The path from the village down to the bay sloped downward, and Katara found her pace picking up as she went. Her thoughts grew darker with each step, and soon she was jogging with her fists tight and angry against her thighs — and then running full pelt; knocking away winter-bare branches and jumping through patches of nettles. Somehow, someway she knew that her worries had come to life and her friend was going to get hurt…
And then she was at the rocky beach overlooking the cold, blue bay. Appa almost looked like a white cloud hovering in the sky, and was so far out across the water that he was the size of Katara's hand when she held it out from her. Shielding her eyes from the brightly reflecting sun, Katara suddenly felt a little silly. They were far away, but she could see that Appa was traveling at what looked to be a sedate pace. She had been expecting crazy loopy-loops… but the bison could have been a plow-ostrichhorse for all he was hanging in the sky.
With a sigh, Katara dropped her hand and walked over to the nearest boulder. Brushing snow from the cap of the stone, she sat down. She would just stay here for a few minutes…
… a few minutes turned into an hour, and by then it was clear that Aang was going to continue flying Appa in long, sedate laps around the bay. Katara crossed her arms over her chest, feeling annoyed at herself, and at Aang for some reason — mostly because he hadn't acted out impulsively, and so now she felt like the unreasonable jerk.
Finally she got up, brushing out her long dress to straighten it of wrinkles. She was getting stiff and sore sitting like that. Maybe she should go check up on Sokka… what kind of little sister was she if she missed out on the opportunity to make fun of him in a dress?
She had no sooner turned than a piercing scream — so high and far away it could almost be mistaken for the wind — pierced the air. She looked to the bay again and saw something rising from the depths of the bay with a wedge shaped head and trailing whiskers. It was the Unagi… it had to be.
And it was reaching towards Appa.
"NO!" Katara cried, slapping her hands to her mouth in horror. But her shout was too little, too far to do any good. She had to watch, feeling helpless as the bison swerved to the right. The Unagi missed his target, but its great head crashed along Appa's side. The bison's deep roar of pain and surprise could be heard across the water, and a tiny speck with waving arms and legs fell from his saddle to the water below.
Katara didn't think. Her body acted for her. She sloshed into the water, heedless of her heavy, fur-lined dress, of the bone-aching cold, aware that she was out to shore and the poor girl was nearly in the middle of the bay. She would never reach in time.
Are you a waterbender or not?! snapped a voice in her head, sounding very much like Zuko.
Oh… Right.
She froze a thick block of ice in front of her, and, after hauling herself up, she centered her feet and repeated her 'ice berg bridge move' to create a frozen pathway about twenty feet out. "Hold on!" she yelled, dashing the length before pausing to lengthen the path. "Hold on! I'm coming!"
Meanwhile Aang had pulled Appa around, aiming a charge at the Unagi before sweeping away at the last second with a blast of air; keeping the sea-serpent's attention on himself instead of the little girl in the water.
One last shove, and Katara's ice pathway froze alongside the girl. She reached down, hauling the shaking, sobbing girl up onto solid ice. But the Unagi had not failed to notice what was going on nearly right beside it.
It looked down, and Katara looked up and it seemed for a long moment — although it was only a spare second or two — they locked eyes; blue against fishy green. The creature's jaws parted, and it dove down…
… but not before Aang got there first.
A wall of white, and a hand grasped Katara's — she didn't know when she had even held it out. She was hauled up, and up, feeling as if her arm was going to be wrenched from its socket, and only had the presence of mind to grab onto the little girl by the collar, carrying her along with her. The wind itself seemed to pillow under her feet, and abruptly Katara and the little girl found themselves in Appa's saddle.
But the Unagi was still reaching for them. Appa turned to the side, and those rows and rows of razor sharp teeth missed by bare inches. A blast of putrid fishy air swept over them all — the Unagi's breath. Appa slapped his tail across the choppy water and they were flying up and up, out to safety.
"Aang!" Katara meant for her voice to be a rebuke of some sort, but it came out more like a breathless gasp. Almost a thank-you.
And abruptly she found herself surrounded by all the little girls. Some were laughing out of pure relief, most were crying… but all apparently felt the need to be with a mother figure, and as eldest girl and hero of the moment, Katara fit the bill. She found herself crowded, and did her best to murmur comfort to them all… especially the fallen girl, Koko, who was clinging onto her with white-knuckled strength.
"Katara… that… that was amazing." Aang hovered, just off to the side, looking embarrassed and awed at the same time. She felt a warm tingle go up her spine. Aang, the airbending master, the Avatar, was awed at her? "You were so brave… I didn't know you could waterbend like that!"
She grinned — She couldn't help it. "Thanks, Aang… don't tell my brothers, though." She could imagine their very bad reaction to her being in danger; it involved Aang strung up by Sokka's best rope, and Zuko coming at him with fire ready.
Perhaps Aang had the same thought, because he grinned sheepishly. "I'm not saying a word."
Appa groaned under them, as if in agreement, and the young monk patted his head. "Appa promises not to say anything, either." But then the bison groaned again, this time in a lower note and Aang looked to him in concern before glancing out to sea.
No less than four grey ships were silhouetted just over the horizon. Even from this distance, he could see the red and black flags. The Fire Nation.
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"Out skulking again?"
At the sound of that voice, Zuko decided he officially hated Kyoshi island. From its stupid sea monster, to its sticky forests, to (and especially) its woman warriors. He hated it, and once he and the others moved on to the North Pole he was never, ever coming back.
He didn't turn around to acknowledge the voice. That didn't deter Suki. She had a long stride for a woman, and it was quite easy to catch up and match pace along side him.
They walked in silence for a few moments, around the winding path that took them through the outer perimeters of the village — where stone walled wells and ties for ostrich-horses rose from the ground. Zuko glanced at her from the corner of his scarred eye to see her watching him. He sighed. "What do you want?"
She arched a finely painted brow. "Who says I wanted anything?"
"I'm just walking. You don't need to follow me."
"Who says I'm following you? Maybe I'm just walking this way, too."
"Yeah right." But short of tackling her, he wasn't sure how to ditch the Kyoshi Warrior. She could probably outrun it, and by the set of her shoulders and the smug sort of air nearly leaking off of her…she knew it, too.
The boy and girl walked in silence for a few minutes. They made an interesting set; scarred Water Tribe boy and painted warrior. Zuko couldn't help but notice how she kept looking at him, just slightly out of the corner of her eye, and each time he caught her at it, he bristled. Until finally: "What?!"
"It looks like someone cut your throat."
"W-what?" He repeated, and this time his voice broke. It wasn't what she said that had surprised him — he had just been expecting her to accuse him of trying to burn down the forest or something. His hand reached up to absently rub over the swollen pink line that extended from just under his jaw on his right side and across to nearly the collar bone on his left. He hardly ever thought about it. When people stared at him, it was at his face, not his neck. "I mean, yeah… I guess." He rubbed at it absently and shrugged, turning away.
But she caught his wrist and before he could object she was standing close, examining it. She touched his jaw, turning his head to get a better look. "It looks like it was deep….What happened?"
"What do you think?" he snapped, shrugging away. He didn't like the pity in her voice just as much as he didn't like the suspicion. "And I don't see how it's any business of yours."
"I'm a warrior." She replied, hands on her hips, completely unrepentant. "I'm trained to fight and defend, and I was just… surprised, was all. Most would die from — from that."
"Well, I didn't." He wanted to leave it at that, and just walk away. But she would just follow him. He started to rub again at the scar, then realized what he was doing and forced his hand back down. "It messed up my voice. I couldn't talk for a few months afterwards." Until the first time he penguin sledded. He nearly grinned at the memory, and then caught himself, feeling her eyes still on him. "You should ask Sokka how I started speaking again… he can tell the story better than I can."
Suki rolled her eyes. "Oh, him." But before Zuko could bristle all over again at her tone, she continued, "He's quite the charmer, you know. Or at least, he thinks he is… but he's learning quickly." She grinned wickedly. "And he looks pretty good in a dress."
Zuko groaned. "This had better not leave this island. I don't know how my family could ever live it down."
"So, is that why you're not training with us?"
He stared at her, struck dumb, and she casually walked forward, flicking out a fan as if it was a true lady's ordainment, and not a sharp weapon. "Sokka said he's trying to become a warrior. I can respect him for that. He's taking his training seriously, and trying to better himself. You, on the other hand, would rather have your pride, and spy around the village—"
"I told you I wasn't spying!"
"And sulk in the forest," Suki continued, archly.
"I'm not— I wasn't—" He was sputtering, frustrated, and clenching his fists so tight that wisps of smoke were curling from between his fingers. The second he realized it was happening, he relaxed his hands, but Suki's sharp eyes picked up on it anyway.
"Careful," she said, "I have been training all my life to fight against the likes of you. If you want to spar, then we'll do it in the dojo." A pause. "I want to show all my girls how to defeat a firebender."
He grit his teeth, growling out, "Fine. You're on." And it would only occur to him later that perhaps this was what she had been after all along, and that he was being baited — quite successfully.
But before Suki could reply, before she could set the terms, the loud peel of bells rang through the air, loud and piercing even though they were some way from the village. She tensed and Zuko did, too, instinctively and looking around for a clue on what was going on.
"The alarm bells… we're being invaded!" All humor was gone from her voice, and somehow — Zuko couldn't quite figure out how — she seemed to grow taller, then. A new air of authority. "Get back to the village, and hide with the others. We'll take care of this." And before he could reply, she had sprinted off.
A shadow passed overhead, and through the tops of the trees he saw the white mass of Appa's belly. The decision was easy. If Suki was going to think he was going to hide away, she was crazier than he thought she was. "Aang!" he yelled, and ran to where the bison was landing; a clearing just outside the forest. "Wait up!"
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Kyoshi Island was well known for its deep, wide harbor. It was part of the reason why the fishing industry was so valued here. In the off season, the harbor could provide for every ship and its protected bays could shield all against heavy winter storms. Unfortunately the bay which had provided for them even when they were connected to the mainland Earth Kingdom was also more than enough to provide for the large Fire Navy imperial battle cruisers, commanded by Zhao.
The Fire Navy ships met no resistance when pulling into harbor. Almost simultaneously, the four bowspirits dipped and a small platoon of men backed by a calvary of Komodo Rhino's disembarked. Commander Zhao led the way, elegantly clad for war and sitting atop his own Komodo Rhino.
His amber eyes narrowed as he took in the sharp, rocky beach; the sticky forest that wouldn't provide very much cover for guerrilla resistance, and the wide path that led to the main town. It was quiet; he wouldn't be surprised if the locals were in hiding, or had fled outright… if they knew what was good for them.
"Set fire to the forest!" he ordered, indicating the platoon on the right. After all, the village didn't need to be viable for it to be useful to the Fire Nation. They were just in need of the harbor.
A cruel smile curved at the Commander's lips. He gave the order to march forward.
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"Is it Prince Iroh again?" Katara rasped, peeking around the far corner of the general store. She, Aang and Zuko had stayed behind, wanting to fight. The children and young mothers who were not Kyoshi Warriors were herded into the far caves at the foot of the mountain. There would be enough supplies there for a week of siege…. Hopefully they wouldn't need to use it.
Zuko braced himself against the edge of the building and glanced out, a quick furtive look. "No," he whispered, "They're flying different flags… they're coming up the path. Get ready."
She nodded, flicking her hand to a nearby well. A small stream of water leapt to her command and streamed through the air, coiling around her wrist like an affectionate blue snake. Her brother nodded and presently she heard the soft crackle of flame held in the palm of one hand.
There were so many Fire Nation soldiers… at least twice as many as this village had Kyoshi Warriors. She wasn't sure if she and Zuko could help too much — oh, how she wished she could have learned something useful from Aang! — but they weren't going to hide. They were benders, no matter how poorly trained and self taught. They had to help.
"Do you think Sokka's with the girls?" Zuko murmured, after a tense moment.
The thought of her eldest brother fighting in women's makeup and a dress caused a slight smile, even as her stomach clenched in renewed worry. He had better take care of himself. If he got hurt or killed, she… she would never forgive him.
The Fire Nation soldiers advanced, and Katara felt herself trembling, ready. Her and Zuko's plan was to wait for the Warrior's signal, and then strike from the side. But before the soldiers entered the center of town — a threshold marked by the intimidating statue of Avatar Kyoshi glaring down at them from up top her high pole — there was the sound of whistling wind and a abruptly, a yellow and orange figure landed in front of the calvary.
Katara gasped, looking reflexively behind her where, a moment ago, Aang had been waiting. To her side, Zuko gave a low growl, "Idiot! What is he doing?!" and Katara had to put a hand on his shoulder to keep him from rushing after the younger boy.
"What's this?" The man astride the lead rhino, a man with a face unshielded by helmet and confident, cruel features, gave a long laugh. "So this is what the people of Kyoshi have to defend them? A little boy?" He laughed again; a laugh that ended with a blast of fire aimed right at Aang's feet.
The young monk spun around, wielding his airstaff and knocked the fire harmlessly to the side. "No," he declared, and his young voice seemed to echo over and over again through the empty buildings and deserted streets. "I'm the Avatar."
It seemed to be just the signal that the Kyoshi Warriors were waiting for. At once three green-garbed warriors fell upon the mounted soldiers from their hiding places up top the roofs. Five more appeared from the side, wielding fans to engage them directly.
The leader, for his part, gaped at Aang for the space of two seconds and then fired a larger bolt of fire at him. Aang was far too quick, and before the flames had even left his hands he had jumped up and away in a rush of air that knocked Commander Zhao right off his rhino.
Katara and Zuko entered the fray. Stepping forward in a synchronized movement, they shot out fire and water in a long twisting ribbon, knocking two men off their mounts before the elements returned back to their hands.
"The rhinos!" Zuko yelled, seeing an opportunity. "Aim for the rhinos!"
Again their elements shot out, water following the rapidly flowing fire. They struck their target, the nearest rhino's backside. The animal let out a roar of pain and surprise, lifting up on its high feet, and throwing its rider. It swung its head left and right, blindly, panicked, and charged forward to crash into two other rhinos, throwing them into a rage.
The orderly lines of the Fire Nation soldiers had broken, and what had been a organized invasion now seemed to have disintegrated into a common brawl. Firebenders were falling left and right to fan-wielding girls. Commander Zhao was barking out orders, trying to get a fix on the child Avatar. But as Prince Iroh's men had discovered earlier, it was nearly impossible to hit the bounding, flipping, dodging boy. Aang retaliated in kind with powerful blasts of air that sent three men sprawling backwards.
In their excitement, and anxiety to do some good, Zuko and Katara had stepped out from their hiding place from in back of the general store, and were sending their elements into the fray wherever they could. Zuko was still aiming his fire, intending to terrify the rhino's, and Katara had gotten the idea to freeze water where the soldiers were standing, making them slip on patches of ice that were not there a second before.
The siblings didn't realize how exposed they were, and it was only by a stroke of luck that Zuko heard the quiet crunch of boots against stone above all the shouting and fire-blasting. He whipped around just in time to divert away a jet of fire aimed for himself and Katara. The jet arced over them both, crashing into the far wall of the building to their backs.
Katara retaliated with a wave of water that sprung up from the well, but the three firebenders were more than up for it and two blasts later, the wave was dissipated in a rush of steam.
The three firebenders advanced, boy and girl backed up nervously.
The lead firebender punched out, and Zuko took a deep breath, ready to call up a wall of flames to defend — but at the last moment something golden hit the firebender's wrist — a bladed fan — and knocked his arm away. A Kyoshi Warrior bounded into the fray, dealing a sharp upper cut to the firebender, which brought him down. The other two benders rushed towards the warrior, but she simply stepped aside and grabbed the backs of their necks, cracking their heads together.
Then, the warrior turned and she — no he — smiled.
"Sokka!" Katara cried, happily.
"You guys need to be more careful." Sokka grinned again, unabashedly proud of his own actions. Then he sobered. "The soldiers set fire to the forest." He pointed out towards the forest between them and the sea, where a wisp of smoke could be seen curling up towards the sky. "The warriors need a waterbender to help put it out."
Katara nodded. "On it!" And with one last grin for Sokka, she rushed through the thickened trees.
Sokka scooped up his fallen fans, and then nodded towards his younger brother. "Come on. Aang needs some backup."
"I can't believe," Zuko said with a barely concealed grin, as he followed Sokka back out to the fighting, "that you are still fighting in that dress."
Sokka's hand waved in the air. "Oh, it's not so bad. It's actually kind of freeing—" he stopped with a yelp, jumping back as a errant fireblast landed at his feet.
"Sokka!" But some of the fighting had spilled over, and a charging rhino broke between the two brothers, a saddle half cut and leaning crazily from its side. Zuko ducked below another wave of fire, and when he glanced up again Sokka had somehow moved twenty feet away, and was helping some of the warriors corral and take down a knot of benders.
All around him, men were fighting with painted women — screaming. The arid smell of smoke and cries of warriors filled the air, and hammered at his ears. He had often imagined battles… mostly after his dad went to war, but he never imagined it would be like this: Chaos. Fire and bladed fans flying in every direction, barked orders no one was hearing… screams of the wounded…
Something caught Zuko's eye — smoke behind one of the main buildings. A sinking feeling that he couldn't quite identify formed in his stomach, and he ran, leaping over a downed and moaning Fire Nation solider to round the far corner.
The brush grew thickly behind the buildings, in the space where the wood stopped and the forest began. Now that was all on fire, and backed up to it was the leader of the Kyoshi Warrior's. She stood, fans outstretched, facing down two Fire Benders, one with a Commander's sash.
"Take her alive, if you can," the Commander was saying, "She's the leader. The other girls won't fight if—"
And that was as far as he got.
Zuko centered his stance and reached out, grabbing for the blaze behind Suki. With a loop of his arms he pulled the flames towards him, around the Warrior girl and threw them in an overarching wave at the firebenders. The men yelled out, surprised by the sneak attack, and dove to each side. It was just the diversion that Suki needed. Her fan went sailing, hitting one of the firebender's in his helmeted head, and knocking him to the ground.
The Commander was first to return to his feet. He gave a bellow of rage and swung around, blasting a jet of such force and heat that Zuko had barely enough time to dive behind a rocky fence. He covered his head as pieces of chipped and melted rock exploded all around him.
Suddenly, the onslaught stopped. Suki jumped between them. Her bladed fans shot out: snick, snick, snap! And Commander Zhao cried out again, this time in pain, holding a deeply cut arm which bloomed blood against his chest.
The warrior turned and grabbed Zuko's arm, forcing him to flee with her; back behind the momentary safety of two sheds. "You need to go. I heard him talking before — he'll chase the Avatar. You have to leave, now!"
"No!" He shook his head, gripping her arm just as fiercely as she was grabbing him. "I want stay and fight."
Perhaps Suki saw some of the fire in his eyes. She paused then, and a soft sort of smile crossed her face. "I'm sorry," she said, "about before… I shouldn't have been suspicious of you because you're a firebender. You saved my life."
"And you saved mine," said Zuko, stubbornly. "We're even."
"It's not about being even! It's—" Then she hesitated once more, and Zuko was hardly prepared for it because at that moment it was the last thing on his mind… she leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek, and whispered, "Tell your brother I said thank you… now get out of here."
He looked at her, completely dumbstruck, but with the beginnings of a smile on his face. "Yeah…" Then, "Wait, what?"
But it was too late. With a low chuckle and a squeeze of his hand she was off again to rejoin her warriors.
He watched her go, touched his cheek, and visibly shook himself. Nothing had changed. The Kyoshi Warriors were still badly outnumbered, and worse, Zuko could see that the Fire Nation soldiers were starting to get over their initial shock and were regrouping. Suki was right. Leading them away would be the only hope.
Zuko found himself grinning, although he didn't quite know why. He touched his cheek again; there was a slight smudge of paint there.
OoOoOoO
Some minutes later, Appa was lifting into the smoky sky. All of the kids were stained with soot and grim-faced; from the air, the destruction of Kyoshi Island was easy to see. Katara and some of the warriors had done their best, but a large part of the forest was still burning. Some of the buildings had been caught by the flames as well — even the statue of Kyoshi was afire.
"I should have been able to stop them." Aang slumped over the side of the saddle, downcast and exhausted.
Katara reached forward, laying a hand on his shoulder. "This isn't your fault, Aang. We're doing the right thing… they'll follow us, and leave Kyoshi Island alone."
"Great. Then we'll have that Commander Muttonchops following us along with Old Prince Crazy." Sokka's words were muffled as he was trying to change out of the dress, and the thick neckpiece had gotten caught around his head. Katara rolled her eyes, and with a flick of her wrist, undid one of the ties so he didn't choke himself.
"The people of Kyoshi will rebuild," Zuko said, thinking of one warrior's strength in particular. Kyoshi Island didn't seem so bad, now... not really. "They're not going to let this get them down."
"But what if— I just wish…" the young monk trailed off with a sigh, and all was silent between them as they watched the island slowly grow smaller and smaller. Sure enough, once they were out of sight completely they could see the great ships pulling out of port… they were abandoning their siege. Maybe it wasn't worth it to fight these warriors with such little gain in resources — more likely Commander Zhao just saw a tastier prize ahead.
Sokka had finally struggled back into his normal clothing, and was now rolling out a map, smoothing out the edges on the flattest part of the saddle. "Okay everyone, I figure it will take some time for those giant ships to get up to speed. We'll circle around here," he pointed to a small ring of islands, just tiny dots on the map, "to throw them off. Next stop: Aang's Air Temple."
Aang visibly brightened a little at this, and for the first time he tore his eyes away from the island. "You guys will love it. There's so many old caves, and there's an airball court…" he gave another long sigh, but this one had a note of happiness. "I can't wait to see how it's changed in the last hundred years."
Zuko winced while Katara and Sokka shot each other a quick look. No one said anything.
OoOoOoO
It was a bitterly cold day, and Prince Iroh was glad for the warm furry little body curled around his neck. He had expected the lemur to leave once it had fed, but it seemed to enjoy his company. Iroh found that he did as well; the creature had a very endearing way of cocking its head to the side every time he spoke, and chattering something back.
He decided to name it Momo; the old word for peach.
The lemur shifted on his shoulder and stood up, the tail curling possessively around his neck a moment before a knock was heard on the door. "Come in." Iroh commanded, soothing Momo's questioning chirp with a pat on the head.
Lieutenant Izhar walked in, giving a deep bow. "The second shift teams have checked in, sir. There's no sign of the Avatar."
"He will come, Lieutenant. Keep the men alert."
"Sir…" Lieutenant Ji would be bold enough to ask how Iroh could be so certain. But Izhar was newly promoted to his position, and unsure of where the lines lay. The Prince saw it in his face anyway, even if he decided not to answer in full. He just knew, like he had known where the weak-points in the outer wall of Ba Sing Se were. Some had called it a gift… he preferred to call it the wisdom borne of long experience. No spiritual gift would show him the weak-points of an enemy's wall, and yet leave out the warning of his own beloved son's death.
"The Avatar will be drawn to this place, his homeland. There are two temples for the males. This is the closer."
"Y-yes, sir.," Izhar stammered and hurriedly bowed again before backing through the door.
Iroh turned again towards the window, sipping a warm cup of tea. His eyes were to the horizon, waiting.
OoOoOoO
Next up: Panic!At the Southern Air Temple
