Author's Note:

Hello everyone and welcome to the first part of Sokka's lone journey. Thank you everyone for your continued support and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I own nothing.

A Lead

It had been strange for Sokka travelling by himself.

He had become so used to being with Aang and Katara he'd forgotten what it was like to be properly by himself. Before finding Aang he'd often gone on lone hunting trips, and not just to let the beast out, but he'd not actually ever spent several days travelling by himself.

In a way it was kind of fun, he stopped when he wanted to, ate when he wanted to and only had to find food for himself. That being said it was still lonely and he missed the banter he had with the others, even if it had been annoying at the time.

He shook his head slightly, yes it was lonely but he had to do take this journey, he had promised to meet them in Ba Sing Se and he intended to stick to that. Hopefully by the time they met he'd have found a way to control the beast.

He pulled out a map (yet another gift from Chief Arnook) from his backpack and studied it. He'd been making good progress considering he was travelling by foot and he was approaching the abbey where they'd found Bato, he was hoping the sisters there might have some leads for him. The nature of the place meant that travellers passed through there a lot and there was a chance one of them might've passed on a story or some news he could follow up on, even if it was just a rumour or two it would be a place to start. Rolling up the map, he put it back in his pack and increased his pace slightly, if things went well he'd reach the abbey before sunset.

As planned he walked through the abbey gate just before sunset and he saw the Mother Superior hurrying towards him.

"Sokka! I am slightly surprised to see you here."

Sokka politely bowed to her and she returned the greeting before glancing up the path behind him, "Your sister and the Avatar, are they following behind you?"

He shook his head, "No Mother Superior, they are currently on their way to Omashu. We split up because I have some business that I needed to attend to alone, I'm planning to meet up with them when I'm done."

She smiled, "Either way you are welcome to stay here for as long as you need, please let us know if there is anything we can help you with."

Sokka returned the smile gratefully, "Thank you. I'm actually looking for something in particular, have you or the other abbey sisters ever heard of a powerful wolf-like creature?"

She frowned slightly, "I'm afraid we have not." She looked thoughtful, "But there currently is a group of Earth Kingdom travellers staying here, they're sailing south and stopped in for supplies, they might've heard something of this wolf you're looking for."

He grinned, "Could I possibly speak to them?"

The Mother Superior gestured towards the main building, "Certainly, they are eating in the dining hall. You can speak to them over a good meal."

His grin grew, "Information and food? I'm there!"

The dining hall was exactly as its name suggested, it was a large hall with several tables where the abbey sisters ate.

There were quite a few of the sisters partaking in the meal and were scattered around the room in small groups, however there was a slightly larger group of people who were clearly the Earth Kingdom travellers and the Mother Superior led Sokka over to them. There were six in total, four men and two women, and they all broke off from their own conversation when they saw people approaching them. The Mother Superior gestured to one of the women, "This is Aoyun." Sokka bowed in greeting as the Mother Superior introduced him, "Aoyun, this is Sokka, he's from the Southern Water Tribe and was hoping you might have some information for him."

The woman was tall and lithe, her long black hair was largely loose but strands of it had been braided with beads, her clothes were more akin to light armour and were clearly designed to be practical. She stood and eyed Sokka, "Southern Water Tribe huh? You're a pretty long way from the South Pole kid."

"What are ye doing all the way up here?"

The one who'd spoken was a large bulky man, his brown hair was done up in traditional Earth Kingdom style and he wore a simple green tunic that showed off his bulging muscles. Beside him was a man of similar height but with less bulk, his black hair was cut short and his tunic was patterned and long sleeved, he spoke next, "I thought most of your tribe was fighting in the war."

Sokka shrugged slightly, "They are but I got left behind when they left home two years ago, I'm actually searching for something."

"How fascinating, a Water Tribe child searching the world alone. Are you searching for great power, riches, enlightenment, or perhaps some answers for deep questions within?"

This was the second woman, unlike Aoyun her head was covered by a hood, her clothes were flowing robes stitched with mystical patterns and in Earth Kingdom green. Her nails were delicately polished and she stared at Sokka in an unnerving way. The two men beside her were completely identical, both wore short sleeved tunics and their brown hair was loose though they had a single braid hanging down the side of their faces. They spoke alternately, "Don't mind her."

"Yeah, she's always doing her whole 'mystical' thing."

Aoyun smiled slightly and gestured to an empty seat, "Why don't you join us kid? I'll make the introductions." As Sokka sat she began pointing to the various people, "This is Dachuan and beside him is Fei." The bulky man smiled as the other nodded and Aoyun continued, "Our resident 'mystic' is Zhijian and the twins are Ping and Pong."

As the other woman bowed her head he twins grinned, "Our mother…"

"...just couldn't resist."

Aoyun looked at him, "So kid, now that's all done with. What were you wanting to ask us about?"

A plate of food was placed in front of him and Sokka thanked the abbey sister that put it there before answering, "Well you guys are travellers and have obviously been all over, so I was wondering if you'd maybe heard anything on your travels about a large wolf-like creature, or even a wolf-like man?"

Dachuan folded his arms, "A large wolf-like creature or man? Can't say I have."

Fei nodded, "We've encountered wolves before but I'm guessing that's not what you mean."

Sokka shook his head, "It wouldn't be an actual wolf, it would be a lot bigger and possibly both wolf and man at the same time."

"You mean it's a werewolf?" Zhijian had leaned forward and was staring at him intensely, "You are looking for one that is both man and beast."

The twins looked surprised, "But werewolves…"

"...are just made up."

Aoyun frowned, "Why are you looking for something that's only a story?"

Sokka looked around at them all, "Wait, you guys have heard of werewolves before? I thought they were only known about by the Water Tribes."

Fei shrugged, "Many travellers have claimed to have encountered a werewolf, though that was years ago during our parents time. No one really believes it to be anything but a story to be told round a campfire, it was possibly originally told by a Water Tribe traveller and spread."

"Well even a story would be useful, I kind of have no leads and I need somewhere to start."

Aoyun's frown deepened, "But why are you looking for one? It's a strange thing for a kid like you to be searching for."

Sokka hesitated slightly, wondering how best to answer without saying too much, but Zhijian made it so he didn't have to, "Curiosity is a strange thing Aoyun, I'm sure he has his reasons but there's no need for him to share them with us."

Dachuan gave a little huff of amusement, "Mysterious as always Zhijian, but you're right." He then looked thoughtful, "Thinking about it, I remember someone mentioning werewolves more recently, some professor guy…"

"Professor Zei." One of the twins supplied.

"He said he'd seen one out in the desert." The other finished.

Sokka looked at them in confusion, "Professor who?"

"Professor Zei." Aoyun answered, "We've met him a few times before at Misty Palms Oasis, he's spent years travelling into the desert in the south looking for some lost library."

Fei took up the explanation, "Last time we were there he claimed he'd seen a great beast striding the Si Wong Desert, he said it shifted back into a person right in front of his eyes but when he tried to follow it he couldn't, it disappeared."

"It was likely just a mirage caused by the heat." Dachuan stated, "I've been in that desert before and the heat can cause you to see all sorts of weird things."

Sokka grinned, "But it's the best and only lead I've got, looks like I'm heading for Si Wong Desert!"

The group stared at him stunned and the twins spoke with slight awe, "You're actually think it's true?"

"And you're going to the desert to find out?"

Sokka shrugged, "Yep, I need to find a werewolf and the desert seems to be a good place to start."

Aoyun smirked, "I have to admit, I like your determination." She eyed him, "I'm pretty sure nothing we say is going to change your mind, you're following this story regardless of how likely it is to be real." She smiled, "We may as well give you a lift."

"Huh?"

Her smile grew at his bewildered look, "The Si Wong Desert is way down in the southern third of the Earth Kingdom, it would take ages for you to get there on foot. That and Misty Palms Oasis where the professor usually embarks from is south of the desert, you'd have to cross the desert to get there. We have a ship and we're heading south by sea tomorrow, come with us and we can take you as far as Gaoling. It's on the southern coast so you can make your way to Misty Palms from there, the whole trip will be far quicker for you."

Sokka stood excitedly, "You'd really take me there?"

She shrugged, "We're heading that direction anyway so we may as well take you." She looked at him seriously, "Don't expect a pleasure cruise though, you'll have to pull your weight while travelling with us."

He grinned eagerly, "That's fine by me!"

She smiled, "Then you're more than welcome to join us."

The next day they were all up bright and early ready to start the voyage.

The traveller's ship was a small vessel that was a perfect size for the six-person crew and it held a decent cargo that Aoyun said they were going to trade on the way. Sokka eagerly helped them prepare the ship and found that it wasn't too different from the Water Tribe ones he'd helped sail before, he soon fell into sync with the others and it wasn't long before they were all set to go.

Carrying supplies given to them by the abbey sisters they set sail with Sokka waving goodbye to the Mother Superior who'd come to the beach to see them off. Soon the abbey faded into the distance as they headed out to sea and turned southwards towards Gaoling and the Si Wong Desert.

Sokka hoped he'd find a werewolf there.

PS-So Sokka's off to Gaoling and then the desert, with a bit of help from some OCs. Please let me know what you thought and I'll hopefully update soon.