chelle18: Eventually? In his pants. :3 Haha! Jk. ...Or am I?
JLynJoyce: Don't worry, there's still a ways to go. :]
So, BIG twist revealed in this chapter. I wonder how many people will see it coming? Anyway, I hope you guys like it, because I've had this idea since before I even started typing this story. Enjoy!
The next morning, everyone was loading supplies onto Appa and getting ready to head for the fire nation. I glanced around. Something was missing… Where was Momo? And… Oh Agni, where was Aang?
"Okay, that's everything!" Sokka stated from where he sat atop Appa.
"No it's not…" Toph said before I could. "Where's Aang?"
Everyone glanced at each other before running off into the vacation house to look for him. I followed them, but something told me he wasn't anywhere near the house.
"Aang?" Zuko called out into the empty house. "Aang!"
"C'mon, Lazy Bones, let's go!" Toph said, shifting her feet a bit to get a better look.
They split up, but I stayed put. If Toph couldn't feel his presence, then he wasn't there. I walked slowly out onto the balcony of the second floor, noticing Aang's staff was resting against the railing. I picked it up and examined it just as the rest of the group came out onto the balcony.
"He left his staff…" Sokka said, taking it from me. "That's so strange."
"Aang's not in the house." Zuko said, pointing out the obvious. "Let's check the beach."
We all ran down to the beach, only finding Aang's footprints. They led out into the sea, but there was no sign of the air bender. A few explanations were tossed around, but they were all shot down. Katara then suggested everyone split up and look for Aang. Before I could even make a move towards him, Zuko was suddenly glomped by Toph.
"I'm going with Zuko!" She exclaimed excitedly. When everyone stared at her, she shrugged. "What? Everyone else went on a life-changing field trip with Zuko. Now it's my turn." She pulled him even closer, causing him to blush.
I tried my best to keep from laughing. Now I knew why she was so frustrated when she had interrupted us on the beach before. She had a crush on Zuko!
The fire bender glanced at me, giving me an apologetic look which soon turned into a hopeful one. Figuring he wanted me to go with them to make it less awkward for him, I shook my head as if to tell him he had to deal with the preteen earth bender on his own. His eye twitched, causing me to laugh quietly.
Sokka announced he would take Appa for a trip around the island to see if he could spot Aang from the sky while Katara and Suki said they'd head into town. I sighed, saying I'd check the caves and such around the cliffs of the island. Everyone headed off their separate ways, leaving me standing alone on the beach. I watched Zuko and Toph disappear into the jungle and smiled before walking the opposite direction down the shore.
I made my way farther down the sand in silence, allowing the water to encircle my ankles as it pulsed back and forth up the beach. Finally making it to the first cave, I took a deep breath before entering it. Igniting a small flame in the palm of my hand, I lit my way as I went deeper and deeper into the darkness.
I clambered across rocks and jumped over crevices, suddenly wishing I had chosen to wear shoes. My liking to being barefoot did not always work out for the best. Slipping on a wet rock, I fell to my knees, the flame I had conjured going out immediately.
"Damn it…" I muttered, standing back up. I could feel the blood trickle down my legs as I brought another miniscule fire to life in my hand.
"You won't find him here." A voice called out, echoing off the cavern walls.
I sighed. "I figured that much." Not bothering to look around for the source, I began walking back towards the entrance of the cave. I knew that the voice had not come from an actual human being.
"So, you've chosen to fire bend again, huh?"
A low growl erupted from my throat as I continued onward.
"Yes. Now leave me alone."
"You're not afraid?"
I began to fall again, but managed to grab onto the side of the cave and keep myself upright.
"No. I'm not."
I could almost hear the presence smile. "That's my girl."
A few hours, and caves, later, I arrived back at the vacation house. All eyes were on Zuko, who seemed deep in thought. When I limped up to the steps and sat myself down in an exhausted manner, their gazes shifted to me.
"Hana!" Zuko breathed, moving to crouch down in from of me. He placed his hands on my knees, but drew them back immediately when he realized I was bleeding. Glancing up at me in worry, he inquired as to what happened.
"I slipped." I said shortly, looking away.
Katara sighed and bended the water out of her pouch. After instructing me to hold still, she began working on the scrapes and cuts on my legs and feet.
"Did you find Aang?" Sokka asked hopefully. He was drenched in water. No… Saliva? I didn't take the time to ask. I debated on replying with a sarcastic comment, but thought better of it and decided not to.
"No. I didn't."
Everyone remained silent as Katara finished working on my wounds.
"There. You might have a couple scars for a while, but they should go away fairly quickly." She told me, bending the water back into her pouch.
I waved my left arm lazily in front of me. "Yeah, not too worried about scars."
She bit her lip apologetically, but said nothing.
"So, what was going on here before I arrived?" I asked, accepting Zuko's hand to help me stand up. He pulled me close against him as he spoke.
"Well, we've realized that Momo is missing, too, and…" He trailed off, sounding a bit unsure of himself.
"We were actually asking Zuko what we should do. Since, you know, he's sort of the expert on tracking Aang." Katara offered. "And… Well, what are we going to do, Zuko?"
He thought for a moment. "I have an idea." He said suddenly. "Everyone get on Appa."
The rest of the group stretched and began loading onto the bison. I made a move to follow suit, but Zuko held me in place against his chest.
"Are you okay, Hana?" He whispered, looking into my eyes.
I nodded, kissing him softly on the lips. "I'm fine, I promise."
He followed up my kiss with a firmer one of his own. When he pulled away, his expression was serious.
"Promise me something." He whispered, brushing a piece of stray hair out of my face.
I eyed him. "What is it?"
"Promise me you won't leave my sight for the next couple days?"
I took a step back. "What?"
"Hana," he began, glancing at the rest of the group who was pretending not to pay attention to us, "we have a rough journey ahead of us. Some of us… some of us may not come back."
"Zuko, stop it."
"No." He said sternly. "Listen to me. I want you by my side at all times. I don't want anything to happen to you. I don't know what I'd do if-" He stopped suddenly, his honey eyes twinkling with unshed tears.
I placed a hand on his scarred cheek, offering up a small smile. "I promise. But you have to make me a promise as well."
He raised and eyebrow, but remained silent, his way of telling me to continue.
"Promise you won't leave me." I paused. "Ever."
Leaning down, he kissed me even more passionately than before. Toph, who was standing on the ground near Appa, grunted in a mix of irritation and surprise.
"Come on, you two!" She yelled. "We have to find Twinkle Toes!"
I laughed against Zuko's lips before we parted.
"She has a crush on you, ya know." I whispered in his good ear.
He stiffened. "W-what?"
Giggling, I snatched up his hand and led him towards Appa.
"Why don't you help her up into the saddle?" It was more of a command than a question.
Zuko rolled his eyes, but did as I told him and helped Toph up onto the sky bison. A slight blush crept across her cheeks as he lifted her up. I smiled despite myself as I crawled up the side of the massive creature.
Zuko climbed up onto Appa's head and took hold of the reins.
"Umm… Yip yip?" He said, causing the bison to take off into the sky. I grabbed onto the side of the saddle as we lurched upward.
After about a half hour of silence, Sokka piped up from where he sat in the front of the saddle.
"Zuko, I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but why are we heading towards the Earth Kingdom? There's no way Aang's there."
"Just trust me." He stated, ending all conversation.
A few hours later, we arrived at the outskirts of some lowlife Earth Kingdom town. Zuko had Appa land in front of some bar. We all dismounted and headed towards the front door. As we entered, Katara glanced around warily.
"And the reason you've brought us to a seedy Earth Kingdom tavern is what now?" She asked.
Zuko lifted his arm and pointed at a young woman sitting alone at a table. "June."
My heart dropped down into my stomach at the sight of the girl. Her hair was dark brown, almost jet black. Parts of it were pulled back in a small bun held in place with a skull clip. She was dressed in a dark reddish-brown tunic with buckles in the front and a high collar, an outfit all too familiar to me. Red snake tattoos were present on her shoulders and her forearms were covered by long gloves matching her clothes in color. Her eyes were dark and emotionless; her lips were blood red. My whole body went cold as I stared at her. It couldn't be…
But it was.
Suddenly, a man ran at her. With a swift kick, she pushed him down to the floor and turned her attention back to her drink. But before she could take a sip, another man attacked her. She jumped out of the way just as his fist connected with the table.
"Oh yeah! That weird bounty hunter with the giant mole!" Sokka exclaimed, watching her.
"Mole?" Suki asked as June avoided another blow from the man. "Her skin is flawless!"
I took a step backwards. This can't be happening…
"She has this giant mole creature that she rides around on." Said Sokka. His voice sounded far away as I began to hyperventilate.
June danced around a third attacker, being careful to not spill her drink.
"The shirshu." Zuko explained. "It's the only animal that can track Aang's scent anywhere in the world. It's the one shot we have at finding him."
I took another step backwards, running into Zuko's chest.
"What's wrong, Hana?" He asked, taking hold of my upper arms.
I kept my gaze on June as she flung a man clear across the room. Afterwards, she caught her drink, which she had tossed up into the air, and finally took a swig. I was on the verge of a panic attack.
"I dunno who this June lady is, but I like her!" Toph exclaimed.
"Hana, you're shaking." Zuko whispered in my ear, pulling me closer. "Don't worry, she won't hurt you."
I'm not so sure about that…
I gulped as he began moving forward, pushing me along. The rest of the group began walking with us as well.
"Hey, wait a second… She helped you attack us!" Sokka exclaimed as June kicked out a chair and sat in it.
"Yup." Zuko said, rolling his eyes. "Back in the good old days."
I tried to dig my heels into the ground to stop from moving forward, but Zuko was too strong for me and didn't even seem to notice. We finally approached her table and I tried to hide my face behind my hair.
"Oh, look it's Prince Pouty." June said in a bored manner without looking up. "Where's your creepy grandpa?"
"He's my uncle." Zuko told her, tightening his grip on my arms. I tilted my head down more and held my breath. "And he's not here."
June smirked as she glanced at Katara. "I see you've worked things out with your girlfriend."
"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!"
"I'M NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!"
"Besides," Zuko said, trying to be romantic and tilting my head up, "this is my girlfriend."
I tried to pull away from his grasp, but the damage was done. June stood up quickly, causing her chair to fly clear across the tavern and smash into pieces against the far wall.
"Hello June." I whispered, looking up at her sheepishly.
She growled. "Hello, baby sister."
So, I know June is supposed to be from the Earth Kingdom, but I still think she looks more Fire Nation than anything. But that's just me, I guess. And I was actually surprised to learn that her name is, in fact, spelled June, not Jun. Huh… Anyway, now you kind of get the picture of how Hana looks since June is her older sister. :]