Chapter Fourteen
"I really hate this…" Aang muttered, gazing down at the thatched rooftops of the tiny Fire Nation village from the relative safety of the jungle.
"You and I are both far too recognisable to venture into town." Iroh reminded him.
"I know, but I hate that the others have to go down there." He sighed, wrapping his arms around his legs as he drew his knees up to his chin. "I hate that they have to keep putting themselves in danger like this. They may not have wanted posters but they're still recognisable."
Iroh sighed deeply. Ever since their failure during the Day of the Black Sun hope had been in short supply. He couldn't blame the young Avatar for being so despondent, he knew better than anyone what his brother was capable of. Many of their allies had fallen and their every step was hounded…he was beginning to understand how they must have felt while Zuko was on their trail. But here it was so much worse, they were in the middle of enemy territory, a strange way to think of his homeland, a place where they could find no sanctuary. The young quartet had disguised themselves in order to blend in but it hadn't helped them much.
They had retreated to the jungles, far from the capitol, to make their plans for a counterattack, but with no allies to call upon things were looking very bleak. They had come across rumours of rebels, bands of freedom fighters no doubt made up of others who, like themselves, had evaded capture and were now trapped within Fire Nation territory, unable to get out. So in essence, they were as much prisoners as those who had been locked away.
There was a chittering from overhead and Momo came sailing down to twine himself around Aang's shoulders. The boy absently scratched the creature's head. Though he cared for the clever animal it was not the same as the bond he shared with Appa. The bison had been part of the attack, on loan to Hakoda and his Water Tribe warriors, his fate now as unknown as the warriors themselves. It was the second time he'd been separated from his animal guide, the second time he didn't know whether he was alive or dead, and it wasn't any easier than the last time. It was like losing a piece of himself.
He looked over at Iroh. The old man had the knife out again, turning it over in his hands. He smiled sadly. His firebending teacher had also lost a part of himself, and the fate of that part was just as unknown. But while the wanted posters remained he still had hope. Ozai, he had said, would surely make his son's capture or death widely known…or else he would let him live, let him suffer, use him as bait for the rescue he knew Iroh would attempt.
Both looked up sharply at the rustle of leaves, bodies tensed for battle. They relaxed when they saw Katara's familiar form emerge from the jungle. A grumbling Toph flopped to the ground beside Aang, muttering something about rhinos and why hadn't they warned her about where it had been standing and what it had been doing.
"We got some news." Sokka said brandishing a piece of paper in one hand, a piece of brightly coloured tropical fruit, identical to the ones Katara was offering Aang and Iroh. "The people are talking about someone named Bái Hǔ. Apparently he's the mastermind behind all these rebel raids we've been hearing about…"
He held out the scrap of paper. A freshly printed wanted poster.
"There's no picture…" Aang noted as he took it from Sokka's hand.
"Because Bái Hǔ is not a person." Iroh said. "It is a mythical creature…a legend…a spirit…the Guardian of the West…"
"Seems a pretty appropriate name for a rebel leader to adopt." Sokka said, brushing fruit pulp from his shirt as he reached for another piece. He shrieked as it was swept up by a passing arrow which narrowly missed his fingers.
Katara reached for her water pouch only to find it similarly snatched from her grasp. Toph leapt to her feet, twisting them this way and that, trying to locate their attacker, or, more likely, attackers, but she could feel nothing.
"They're in the trees, Toph." Aang warned. The accuracy at which the arrows found their mark could mean only one thing. Yu Yan Archers.
Toph yelped as she was bodily lifted from the ground.
"Or maybe not." Sokka said as he went to the aid of the diminutive earthbender who was dangling from the outstretched hand of a giant of a man who was attempting to save himself from the ferocity of her flailing limbs. He held out the other hand, gripping the top of Sokka's head to stop him in his tracks.
"Are these the ones we're looking for?" The mountain asked.
"Of course they are, Hageshii." The Yu Yan Archer snorted as he dropped from his perch above. "How many dark-skinned, blue-eyed Fire Nation kids have you met?"
"You won't take us without a fight." Sokka's muffled voice came from beneath the plate-sized hand.
"Aang!" Katara cried. "Get out of here!"
"I'm not going to leave you!" He shot back, twirling his staff above his head and dropping into a fighting stance beside her. "If we go down, we go down fighting!"
"What makes you think we want to fight you?" A third, extremely calm voice enquired.
"Lieutenant Hocho?" Iroh smiled in recognition. "It is good to see you."
"I wish I could say the same, General Iroh." The man replied, leaning heavily on his walking staff. "But I haven't seen a thing since the North Pole and that monster made of water…"
Aang dropped out of his fighting stance as he stared at the man with the cloth band around his eyes, a distressed look on his young face. He felt Katara's hand on his shoulder, could sense the concern on her face.
He had blinded this man…
"We do not serve Ozai." He told them. "We follow Bái Hǔ."
"He sent us out to look for you." The Yu Yan Archer said, slinging his bow over his shoulder.
The trio led the group through the thickest part of the jungle, though none of them seemed too keen on conversation, quickly silencing anyone who even tried to speak. Too many Fire Nation troops about, they'd whisper, not to mention predators to keep an ear out for.
Sokka hadn't liked the idea of things lurking in the shadows, wanting to eat him, so when they settled down for the night he'd volunteered to stand watch. It was well after midnight when his head began to loll.
"You really should get some sleep, kid."
He snapped awake at the sound of the Yu Yan's voice, Yumi he'd called himself. Toph had vouched for them all, but he still had trouble trusting anyone from the Fire Nation.
"We've still got a long way to go." He studied him through tattooed eyes. "And I don't feel like carrying you."
"But…" He glanced at his slumbering companions then back into the shadows of the trees.
"I'll take the next watch." Yumi rolled his eyes.
Sokka had barely closed his eyes it seemed, when his sister was shaking him awake. He rolled over, doing his best to ignore her until she spoke quietly to him.
"Do you want me to get Toph to wake you?"
"I'm up!" He sprang upright. "See how awake I am?"
"Wuss." Toph snorted.
"If you children are quite finished." Hocho said flatly. "We need to break camp. We have a lot of ground to cover today."
"Is it just me…?" Sokka mused. "Or is the Fire Nation seriously lacking in personality types? I mean…there's a few exceptions…but they're almost all surly, grumpy types…"
"Must be the heat." Toph nodded her agreement. "It certainly makes you grumpy."
"HEY!" Sokka protested.
"Keep it down!" Yumi hissed. "Or do you want to be led to Ozai in chains?" His deep amber eyes slid to where a komodo-rhino could be seen tethered to a fallen tree nearby. It had lifted its armoured head at Sokka's brief outburst, casting about with tiny eyes, seeking the source of the noise. No one dared breathe as its rider appeared and followed its gaze with a steely one of his own.
"What is it?" A voice called from nearby, and they could make out at least five more of the massive creatures, each with a mounted soldier.
Sokka gestured to the others, holding up six fingers and pointing to the group of soldiers, then pointing to each of them in turn to indicate that they had them outnumbered. Iroh shook his head, tapping his face just under his eyes, hoping the young warrior would understand that there was only six that they could see and that there could be more.
Yumi was scanning the trees above them. He smirked and very slowly drew an arrow from his quiver and notched it to his bow. He let it sail into the canopy and was rewarded with a cacophony of shrieks and cries as numerous brightly coloured birds took flight.
"It's just some macawakatoos." One of the soldiers snorted as the dismounted one tried to sooth his startled beast. "Let's move out."
"Quietly now." Hocho whispered pointedly after several long moment when he was certain they troops were well out of earshot.
They travelled the remainder of the morning in silence, stopping once for something to eat and a brief rest. The path was becoming less and less obvious, the jungle around them thicker and wilder, and it led them forever uphill. With the added hindrance of the stifling heat the group were beginning to tire.
"It isn't much further." Hocho said quietly, his keen ears picking up on the shortness of breath and the dragging feet. "We should be there by lunch."
"Lunch?" Sokka immediately perked up. Momo leapt from Aang's shoulder to the Water Tribe boy's, chittering nosily with similar enthusiasm. "Let's get moving!" He strode forward until he drew even with the blind man.
"If I'd known that was all it took to get him motivated I would have mentioned food earlier." Yumi deadpanned.
The sun had just slipped past its zenith when Hocho held up a hand for them to stop. They were right at the base of one of the island's smaller volcanoes now, its steep side rising high above the jungle's lush canopy. Hocho tapped his walking staff on a rock in a quick succession. It almost sounded like a tune…
…or a code…
There was the grating sound of stone on stone as an opening appeared before them.
"Single file now." Hocho began. Sokka cursed as he knocked his head on the low, rocky ceiling. "It's kind of cramped." Hocho finished.
"Thanks for the warning…" Sokka muttered as he rubbed his forehead.
"I could open it up a bit." Toph said, taking a stance.
"No." Yumi quickly pulled her out of it. "We keep the entrance narrow for a reason. If we're ever discovered…it would force our enemies into a single file too…"
"A bottleneck." Iroh nodded. "Far easier for you to defend yourselves."
"As much as we would regret turning on our own people." Hocho said softly. "We are at war…and war makes you do many things you regret."
"Tell me about it…" Aang mumbled as he gazed at the bandages that hid the man's eyes.
The tunnel suddenly opened up into a vast chamber of dark rock illuminated by an eerie red glow. There were numerous people going about various activities, Sokka's attention immediately captivated by the elderly woman stirring a large pot of delicious smelling stew.
"There you are!" A new voice sighed with relief. "When you didn't report in we started to get worried…hey…you found them!"
"Chey!" Katara beamed at the Fire Nation deserter.
"If he's here…" Sokka whispered as he nudged Aang, his quest for food momentarily forgotten as Chey exchanged meaningless pleasantries. "It's not too hard to figure out who Bái Hǔ is, huh?"
"We'll leave the Avatar and his companions in your capable hands then, Chey." Hocho said. "They seemed to know you…and we've got to report in any way."
"Then we better be allowed a little time to relax." Yumi snorted.
"Right, guys." Chey smiled as the trio moved off before turning his attention back to the group before him. "Alright…so…I guess I should take you guys to see Bái Hǔ then…" He glanced about the enormous cave. "If only I knew where he was…"
"Is this guy for real?" Toph asked as Chey wandered off, looking this way and that.
"Well…we don't really know him THAT well…" Sokka admitted. "But he was like this last time we met…"
"Oh!" Chey said suddenly. "She'll know!" He headed straight for a young girl with a long braid down her back. She turned to him, obviously listening to whatever he was saying.
"Where else?" She snorted as they caught up. "I swear! If I have to patch him up one more time after one of his idiotic workout sessions I'm going to go…MUSHI!"
Iroh's eyes widened, as the last word was directed at him. He frowned. "Song?"
"It's good to see you." She smiled. Then it faltered. "Oh…you're not Mushi, are you?"
"So…he's in the training area?" Chey interrupted. "I mean…he did say he wanted to see the Avatar as soon as we found him…"
"Of course…" The girl smiled. "And yes…he's training…AGAIN! But after all he's been through lately he should be resting! But will he listen to me? He's so stubborn…thinks he has to do everything himself…"
"Well…" Iroh placated. "Now that the Avatar is here I'm sure he will be willing to share the burden." He smiled. "Perhaps we should go and speak with him now?"
"How do you know that girl?" Toph asked as they took their leave of Song and Chey led them to the training area.
"My nephew and I met her some time ago." Iroh told her. She squeezed his arm as she sensed the change in his demeanour.
"I'm sure he's okay." She tried to sound reassuring.
"Probably more so than we know." The old man said cryptically.
Chey led them through another tunnel that opened into a similarly large chamber, though this one was far less welcoming. They looked down on a floor that was blackened and cracked, a bright red glow emanating from the fissures. At the far end of the space there was no floor at all, just a churning mass of molten rock, fed by a steady flow that cascaded down the far wall.
"This has got to be one of the most uncomfortable places I've ever been in." Sokka muttered.
Mid-way between the lava and where they stood a firebender was going through an intense training session…no doubt one of the idiotic workouts Song had mentioned. Aang watched with great interest, recognising the forms and moves Iroh had taught him, noting the precision in which each was performed. He was graceful, he was powerful, he was everything a firebender should be.
Then he changed. His precise movements became more fluid, less fierce, a gentle series of flaming arcs that seemed more ornamental than offensive until he produced twin filaments of fire and began pulverising stalagmites with them. Katara gasped a little at the sight of them, but then she had once been on the receiving end of such a move.
He paused for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts, before beginning to twist the fire whips around himself, faster and faster until they took on the appearance of a tornado, a spiral of flame dancing around his motionless form.
"What is that move?" Aang asked. "You never taught me that." He glanced at Iroh only to find his master's eyes equally wide.
"Fire Storm." The old man said. "It is very dangerous if you lack the will to control it."
The firebender had pulled his arms in close. Though it was difficult to tell with the distance, he appeared to have his palms pressed together before him. Then he quickly thrust his arms outwards sending the flames racing in all directions at once. His audience ducked instinctively though they were slightly higher then he was and the flames crashed into the rock below them, they could still feel the heat of them.
As they gingerly rose back up they found the firebender standing still, his back to them, his shoulders heaving from the effort.
"That guy is more powerful than a firebender has a right to be." Sokka shook his head.
Aang was looking for a way down to the training floor when Chey stopped him.
"He's not done yet." The former soldier told him.
The firebender was dangerously close to the lava now, talking deep calming breaths as he centred himself. He slowly reached out over the molten rock, lowering his hand towards it then flicking it upwards. A small amount of the red hot substance detached itself from the glowing lake to follow the movement. As quick and as small a movement as it had been, all who saw it were in awe. Even Toph, who could feel the movement of the liquid rock, was impressed. She sensed another change in Iroh as the firebender continued his juggling like movements.
"What's wrong?" She asked quietly.
"It does the heart proud…" He said. "To see the student surpass the teacher…"
Her sightless eyes widened as the implication of what he'd said sunk in, a smile slowly spread across her face.
The firebender was now manipulating a thin column of the stuff, the stiffness of his movements, the tension in his muscles, indicating it was no easy task. He could control one element within the fiery rock but was constantly fighting the other.
He let it fall, his hands dropping to his knees as he caught his breath. He seemed to glare at the most stubborn of fires. He took a few steps back and set his feet in a way that Katara knew all too well.
"That's a waterbending form…" She whispered.
He pulled his arms and torso backwards then rocked forward on the balls of his feet, thrusting his open palms forwards. A sheet of lava leapt upwards in a gentle wave. He repeated the move with greater force and the lava wave surged half way up the wall. Then he sat heavily on the blackened floor. It was hard to tell if it had been a deliberate act or if he'd fallen in exhaustion.
"That guy's crazy." Sokka commented, not noticing Iroh take a step forward in concern.
"Wait here." Chey said.
They watched as Chey crossed the distance between them and the firebender. He looked up as Chey bent to speak to him, glancing back over his shoulder to where they stood before responding. Chey nodded curtly and returned as the firebender dragged himself to his feet.
"He wants to talk to you." He looked at Iroh as he retuned.
"That does not surprise me at all." The old man said quietly. Toph squeezed his arm and smiled at him. He nodded and took the path Chey had to join the firebender near the lava. As he reached him, the obviously taller man turned towards him, his arms out as if he was trying to explain something, but Iroh just wrapped his arms around him in a powerful embrace.
It took less than a second for the other man to return it.
Sokka cocked his head to one side at the sight before him, glanced at the equally stunned Aang and Katara, then back at the firebenders again.
"I didn't know Iroh and Jeong Jeong were so close." He said in a confused tone.
Chey covered his mouth to hide his laugh, but Toph let out a loud, disgusted snort.
"And I'm the one who's blind!" The trio looked at her, not noticing that the two firebenders had approached them as she spoke.
"Sparky…" She greeted with a nod of her head.
"Toph…" He replied with a slight bow of his own, even though he knew she couldn't see it.
The trio stared at the Fire Lord's son, Katara blushing slightly at his barely clothed form, despite the fact that she'd seen both her brother and Aang in a similar state of dress. He didn't look all that different than the last time they'd seen him, if anything he was scruffier, a little more worn around the edges. He bore several still-healing cuts on his arms, several burns were evident and a rather nasty puncture wound pierced his left shoulder. Katara was shocked to realised that it may very well have been aimed at his heart.
But there was a change in him. A calmness, a serenity that he'd never possessed before. His golden eyes, once so full of fiery anger, were now filled with a gentle warmth.
"Take the Avatar and his companions to where they can rest…and get them something to eat." He was saying to Chey. He then glanced at the three faces that were still gaping at him. He arced his single eyebrow at their expressions before leaning closer to Chey. "And perhaps a little something to settle their nerves…"
Sokka seemed to take offence at that, and was about to protest, but was cut off by Chey.
"It will be done, Bái Hǔ." He said with a respectful bow.
Zuko's entire body stiffened as he looked at the Fire Nation deserter, some of that old fire in his eyes.
"Chey…" He said tersely. "How many times have I asked you not to call me that?"
He looked thoughtful for a few moments as he gave the question serious consideration. "I don't know…" He said finally. "I haven't actually been keeping count."
"Just take them and get them some food." Zuko said in exasperation as he turned to walk away, pausing as Iroh trailed after him.
"Go with the Avatar and get something to eat." He said to his uncle. "I'll join you as soon as I've cleaned up." But it was obvious that Iroh was not about to let his nephew out of his sight.
"We have tea…" Zuko told him. "Lots and lots of tea. Good, proper Fire Nation tea." But Iroh would not be deterred.
"Alright…fine…" Zuko relented, then looked pointedly at Aang. "WE'LL join you as soon as I've cleaned up. We have much to discuss."
"We do." Aang nodded in agreement.
"What happened to him?" Katara asked when the two firebenders had disappeared around a rocky corner.
"Yeah." Sokka frowned. "He used to be all…grrr!" He pawed the air with curled fingers and bared his teeth. "And now he's all…hmmm…" He put his palms together in a contemplative pose.
"Song!" Zuko's slightly irate voice drifted back to them. "I'm fine! Stop making a fuss!"
"For the most part…" Sokka added quickly.
"I don't really know…" Chey admitted. "He's not a big talker, or much into socialising. He pretty much keeps to himself."
"He obviously went through something pretty profound." Katara said. "You can see it in his eyes…"
"Or you're just seeing another part of him." Toph said. "I mean…did you ever really know him? You just saw the really obsessed guy who was chasing you around the world. Did you seriously believe that was all there was of him?"
"Well…now that you mention it…" Sokka said. "Yeah…pretty much…"
"In here…" Chey said as he stopped before a rocky opening. "It'll give you some privacy and…" He pushed aside a beaded curtain. "Itoko! Get off the table!"
"What exactly is that?" Sokka boggled at the unfamiliar animal draped across a low stone table. It lifted its head and surveyed him with large, dark eyes.
"It's beautiful." Katara smiled in awe, which obviously pleased the creature which tossed its fiery main as it turned to her with what looked like a smile.
"It's a kylin." Aang gasped with wide eyes.
"It's a what?" Toph frowned. She could sense it, but could not truly make out its shape. To her it was noting but flames…a brilliant and calming light…
"He's a pain in the neck is what he is." Chey snorted as he attempted to push the animal from its bed. "Cursed creature only listens to Zuko…"
"Really…?" Aang quirked a brow. "That's interesting…"
"Why is that interesting?" Sokka asked as he eyed the creature warily.
"Because he's a kylin." Aang said, approaching him carefully, his hand, palm upwards, held out before him.
"So you said…" Sokka muttered.
"What exactly is a kylin?" Katara asked as the creature sniffed the Avatar's hand.
"They're highly secretive and extremely spiritual creatures." Aang said as he began to gently stroke the creature's muzzle. "I've never seen one, but Gyatso told me about them. They're native to the Fire Nation, but they completely disappeared over a hundred years ago, when Sozin came to power. The monks took it as a sign that there was going to be trouble."
"Why?" Toph asked.
"Because they only appear when the land is ruled by a benevolent king. Or to a wise and just leader." Aang smirked at his friends. "And this one only listens to Zuko…"
"That's great Aang." Sokka said. "Now can you get it off the table so we can eat?"
"Itoko." A calm voice spoke.
They turned to find Zuko, neat and dressed, standing in the doorway, the beaded curtain still swinging behind him, his eyes locked with the creature's. Through a series of exhalations, snorts and tilts of the head, the pair seemed to come to some sort of understanding and the animal shifted his weight and rose himself gracefully from the table. He moved with fluid, languid motions to the far end of the table where he curled around the seat at its head.
Sokka leaned towards Chey. "Tell me he didn't just talk to that thing."
Zuko moved into the room, Iroh and a beautiful woman following him to the end of the table where they all sat regally, Zuko at its head, Iroh at his right and the woman on his left. The animal watched them, then lay his head by Zuko's hand, purring as the young firebender absently rubbed his ears, though he continued to watch Aang and his companions through half-lidded eyes.
"Should we…um…wipe the table or something?" Sokka asked as he too sat down.
"Itoko is a meticulously clean animal." Zuko said evenly. "His hygiene is probably the equal of anyone at this table." Toph burped loudly and picked something from her ear which she then flicked at the wall. "Possibly even more so. But if it would make you feel better, then by all means, go ahead and wipe the table."
Chey deposited a heavily laden tray at the end of the table.
"I'm good." Sokka grinned as a large bowl of stew was passed to him. He licked his lips before burying his face in it. Various other plates of food were distributed, then Chey took his leave.
Katara kept glancing at the Fire Nation trio as she ate. Zuko, she noticed, ate sparingly, feeding more to his animal companion that kept nudging his shoulder, than he did to himself. Iroh ate with a similar gusto to Sokka, while the woman ate with great refinement. It was the woman who truly drew her attention. Zuko hadn't introduced her, whether that was a deliberate action or due to some oversight on his part, she wasn't sure. But there was something oddly familiar about her…about the way she moved, the shape of her face, but most notably, the slant of her eyes. She wanted to know who she was, but it would be rude to come out and directly ask him.
"So, Sparky…" Toph leaned back, picking her teeth and propping her feet up on the table. "Who's the quiet lady with you?"
'Thank you, Toph…' Katara smirked to herself at the younger girls lack of ceremony.
"Oh." Zuko looked up from his own half-eaten food. It appeared it had been an oversight. He looked at the woman who smiled at him fondly. "This is Ursa…" He looked at Katara, almost apologetically. "…my mother…" He looked around at the others.
Katara was shocked for a moment, then smiled happily for the former prince.
"I thought her lost. Finding her certainly changed things…"
"How?" Sokka asked through a mouthful of fruit.
"I remembered who I am." He smiled.
"We've only been here about a week." Zuko was explaining as he led them through yet another tunnel. "There are still groups arriving so we have people out looking for them…that's how we found you." He glanced back over his shoulder. "Travelling through the Fire Nation is no easy task right now, even for the natives. I fear some of the stragglers may actually have been captured by patrols."
"Which is why you've been launching raids." Sokka smirked.
"Yes." Zuko confirmed. "And for supplies. There's a lot of warriors to arm…and mouths to feed…"
"Arm?" Aang questioned.
"We're not just hiding here." Zuko said. "Such an action would be pointless. We've been making certain plans…"
"Just how many people have you got in these caves?" Katara asked.
"I'm not entirely sure." Zuko admitted. "It's hard to keep count as more and more arrive every day. But I think there's at least ten thousand…"
"Ten thousand?" Sokka boggled. "You've managed to find ten thousand deserters?"
"Who said they were all deserters?" Zuko asked as they entered into another large chamber filled with people in reds, blues and greens. "You'll find all the nations are represented here."
Numerous structures of earthbending construction were dotted about the area giving it the appearance of a camping area.
"And more than a few familiar faces." He smiled as he ducked into one of the structures, pushing aside a piece of blue canvas with a moon motif that was acting as a door to gain entry. They could hear him talking to someone inside briefly before they both stepped out.
Blue eyes widened with delight as Katara and Sokka shouted "DAD!" in unison before hurling themselves into his waiting arms.
"I thought the Water Tribe warriors had been captured by the Fire Lord." Iroh cast a sideward glance at his nephew.
"They were." Zuko confirmed. "They were being held at Omashu."
"You freed them?" Toph asked.
"And the Earth Kingdom warriors." Zuko nodded. "Now we stand together."
"You weren't so keen on standing with us when we made you an honorary member of the tribe." Hakoda grinned at him.
"You smeared my forehead with soot and grease." Zuko snorted with a half smirk. "It took days to get that gunk out of my hair."
"Which is why we wear ours tied back." Hakoda teased. "I'm surprised you can see anything through that fringe."
Sokka was frowning. He wasn't sure he liked his father exchanging playful banter with Zuko like he was part of the family…some kind of long lost son…or nephew…or third cousin twice removed that you only see on special occasions.
Katara, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile. Zuko always put up this front…first the angry prince, then the tortured fugitive, now the reluctant leader…but every now and then she'd see through the cracks and she'd see that Zuko was as goofy a teenager as Sokka, as innocent and caring as Aang or as compassionate as she herself was.
Toph was right. They really didn't know him. They'd only ever seen him as an enemy. They'd never had time or inclination to look beyond the surface. They'd never thought about what his motivations might be, of why he was chasing them, though he had mentioned it had something to do with honour.
Now he had the same goal, he was trusted and accepted by her people. Could they put the past behind them and accept him too?
"Do they know?" Hakoda was saying to Zuko.
"No." Zuko shook his head. "We're heading there now."
"Heading where?" Sokka asked.
"The War Chamber." Zuko told him.
"You have a War Chamber?" Iroh asked.
"Well…I guess it's a War CAVE, but yes. Don't worry, Uncle. It's nothing like the last one I was involved with."
"Well…" A delighted voice cackled as they entered the bustling room Zuko had led them to. "Looks like we can go with Plan A."
"BUMI!" Aang launched himself at the old earthbender.
"We have received confirmation from Jee and Arnook." A familiar voice intoned, trying to ignore the rather loud reunion between the Avatar and his childhood friend. "They await your word to go."
"And Kuei?" Zuko asked.
"As far as we know he's still in transit. But we do know he has gathered several Earth Kingdom rebel cells to our cause. We should have word from him shortly."
"Master Pakku?" Katara gasped.
"It's good to see you're unharmed, Katara." He said with a smile.
Iroh had been studying the map laid out in the middle of the chamber. Wooden markers showed the location of allies within and without the Fire Nation. A marker baring the Water Tribe icon marked the Northern Water Tribe, who were poised at the edge of Northern Air Nomad territory, an Earth Kingdom marker sat beside them. Several more Earth Kingdom markers hugged the largest continent's western coast. There were a number of Fire Nation markers in the ocean between both groups.
"How have you managed to orchestrate all this?" Iroh asked, looking at his nephew.
"Captain Jee." Zuko said with a smile. "The Fire Lord believes him loyal. He's free to travel between nations. He's our main source for gathering and distributing information."
"That is an enormous risk for him to be taking." Iroh commented.
"Yes." Zuko agreed softly. "He's a good man…"
A terrifying shriek filled the room as a woman entered with a large messenger hawk on her gloved hand. It looked about imperiously then began to groom its glossy red feathers.
"News from Jee." She said, handing a miniature scroll to Zuko.
"Kuei's in position." He said as he quickly scanned the coded message, translating it easily due to continued practice. Pakku nodded and placed another Earth Kingdom marker, one that bore a golden top, on the map.
Aang couldn't take his eyes off the woman. With her pale skin, grey eyes and long silvery hair she didn't look like she was Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom or Water Tribe. Zuko noticed the look. He smiled
"Guanyin…" He said to the woman. "I don't believe you've met the Avatar."
"You're…a…a…" Aang stammered. "You're an…Air Nomad…"
"No. Not entirely." She smiled sadly. "But my father is."
"Perhaps you'd like to introduce him?" Zuko suggested.
AN: I would like to thank ASN member DragonTrainer who's post about Bai Hu, the White Tiger of the West, and Zuko's possible connection to the celestial creature that was the inspiration for the title Zuko has had thrust upon him by his allies...
Though Bai Hu DOES represent the season of autumn, the tiger is also the rival of the dragon in Chinese culture and in martial arts...and seeing as Zuko saw his sister as a dragon in his dream, I feel his being a tiger would be rather fitting...
Avatar: The Last Airbender and all related characters are (c) of Bryan Konietzko, Michael DiMartino, Nickelodeon and Viacom International Inc