Nine
Sano led Corin, Kari, and Yaeko down the boarding ramp onto the beach, leaving Captain Shin standing on the ship. "My men will mine fresh coal while you search." He told them. "That way we will have a full supply."
Sano thanked him, and the captain walked off, calling out orders.
"How do we conduct this search?" Yaeko asked, sounding bored.
Sano knelt, and traced a crude map in the sand. "This is the rough layout of the island. If they still stand, there are ruins here, two miles along the coast, here, near the center, and here, roughly a half mile into the woods from the east. We'll visit the ruins on the beach first, then move to the center."
"Okay." Kari checked her waterskin. "Is this place deserted?"
Sano shrugged. "It's supposed to be." He smiled inwardly as he led them away.
"This looks like it was a beautiful place once." Kari commented, running her hand along a stone bench.
"That fume of smoke coming from the ground says otherwise." Yaeko replied, pointing. A few yards away, a thin, dark plume of smoke rose from the ground. "Must be an underground fire."
Sano and Corin walked out of a building. "Hey, come check this out!" Corin called.
The girls joined them, and Corin brushed dust away from a mosaic on a wall. It was a tiled decoration of a man with blue arrows running along his body fighting a crowd of red armored soldiers.
"This is the avatar." Corin said. "He may not have been here, but this is a good sign."
"We know he was here, though." Sano brushed away from the last part of the mosaic. "Look." The avatar was surrounded by men laying on the ground, his tunic ripped to shreds. Facing away from the viewer, a large scar was clearly marked.
"He must have been here at some point." Kari breathed, excited. "Very few know about the scar."
"Let's check out the other buildings." Yaeko said. "After all, we've got two more places to search when we're done here."
Kari found the message just as they were about to leave. It was scratched hastily on a wall.
"The Avatar has told us to leave him. The Fire Nation approaches, and we run, terrified. I will stay, hiding, so his battle is not lost to time. When it is over, I will bring him to the inner city…" That was all that was legible, the rest faded with time and weather.
"Inner City must refer to the ruins farther in." Corin reasoned.
"Let's go, then." Sano said.
Ryu held the journal Mei had found close to his chest. He had already read the final passage four times.
"We've found what we sought." Mei said. Ryu looked up, and glanced at the squad of soldiers gathered around. He nodded.
"Yes. Let's head back to ship. Captain Li will need to know our new heading."
A soldier dashed into the camp, panting. "Prince Ryu, Lady Mei! Warriors have been spotted in the forest. They're heading this way."
"We need to assume anyone we don't know is an enemy." Mei told Ryu, who nodded. "Everyone, hide yourselves. We'll ambush them, and take as many prisoners as we can."
Sano's senses were buzzing, and he slowed down, looking around the woods carefully. "We're being watched."
"I thought this place was deserted." Yaeko said. Sano ignored her and knelt down, brushing at the dirt.
His sharp eyes caught the outline of an armored boot. "Fire Nation. I can't tell how old. Be ready to fight."
He and Corin drew their swords, and the girls readied themselves to strike as fast as they could.
The four walked into the wide cobbled court, and the attack came.
Ryu watched excitedly as the battle began. Only four attackers had made him believe it would be quick, but his men were thrown back by water, earth and steel. Before Mei could grab him, he darted out of his place, and the tallest fighter turned to face him.
Sano saw the boy come running, and his eyes widened when he saw a familiar way to his movements. In a flash, Sano sheathed his sword and stomped, a wall a fire rising to stop the burning missile sent toward them.
Sano tore his way through the attackers, and circled around his younger opponent, who had watched Sano's bending with interest.
"Who are you people?" The boy asked.
Sano realized who he was, and a small smile graced his lips. "Hello, little prince. Where is Mei?" The bender spun, heat trailing from his hand to melt the kunai thrown at him. He stopped when he felt something cold and sharp jab his neck.
"Here, boy." Mei said coldly.
"What should we do with them?" A soldier asked Ryu.
"Hey, prince!" The firebender called. Ryu turned to him. "Don't bother denying it. I know who you are, and I know all about your mother."
Ryu walked toward him, curious. "What do you know?"
"That she's in trouble, and I'm probably your best chance to save her." The man said. "I'm Sanosuke."
"I'm Ryu. How do you know about us?"
Sano smiled. "You aren't the only one who dreams of the moon spirit."
Wide-eyed, the young prince looked at Mei, who shrugged just slightly. "Let them go." Ryu ordered, his heart beating faster.
The soldiers cut them loose. "We're here looking for any signs of the Avatar."
Ryu laughed suddenly. "So are we." His expression became serious. "You said you talk to the moon lady?"
"Sometimes." Sano rubbed his wrists. "If you really want to know, Yue thinks we need to work together."
"Yue?" Mei asked. That was the name of the water tribe princess who had died years before.
"The moon spirit." Sano answered her. Then he smiled slightly. "You're just like what I was told."
"What do you mean? Who told you about me?' Mei asked, her eyes narrowing.
Sano shook his head. "It's not important." Curious, the firebender looked down at Ryu. "Did you find anything?"
Ryu pulled the journal from his tunic "This is…"
An explosion sounded in the distance. Sano cursed. "They've found us." He pushed the journal back to Ryu.
