Chapter 36: The Quest for Info

I do Not own Atla

Previously on Avatar: The Journey Begins...

...

"Nothing..just at bad dream..but we have to get to the Firenation Colonies and find Katara... I have a feeling she's in one of the schools right now... Just get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us." Aang instructed as he got ahold of his emotions and laid back down on the saddle.

...

"Well done.. You both are superior warriors in swordsmanship." Ju stated while approaching the worn-out teens.

...

"Where are we going after this, sir?" One of the soldiers asked. Shino was silent until they boarded the battleship.

"Head to the Southern tip of the Earth Kingdom. There we will overtake and capture the small villages just like this one." Shino ordered as the ship left the dock.

...

And Now...

(Two Weeks Later)

"Where could she possibly be? We've been searching through all of these Firenation villages for over two weeks. Are you sure you saw her in a firenation school in your dream?" Sokka asked as they exited the fourteenth school that they had visited in hopes of finding Katara. Ever since Aang had that awful dream two weeks earlier, he had told them to start searching all firenation schools. However, they traveled in disguise so that way no one suspected anything, and also so they wouldn't get swarmed by lovestruck girls and Avatar fanatics.

"Yes Sokka, I am positive that I saw her in a firenation school. We just have to keep looking. We haven't even been to all of the villages yet." Aang answered with a slightly annoyed tone.

"Okay, I was just making sure." Sokka responded while putting his hands in the air as a silent surrender. Aang had been very irritable ever since the whole OnJi incident so even Sokka didn't want to do or say anything that would make Aang upset.

"What village should we go to next?" Suki asked as the gang walked up to a cave that Aang had earthbended for them to stay in.

"Well, the closest village from here is a small town call Guan-Yin. It's on the southern tip of the firenation and about a half a days journey from here." Sokka replied as he observed his map of the firenation.

"Alright, then let's go to Guan-Yin." Aang said as he walked over to Appa, and took off his headband that was hiding the rest of his arrow. Since everyone decided to go in disguise, Aang had reluctantly allowed his hair to grow out. It definitely took a whole bunch of convincing from Sokka to get Aang to go along with the plan, but in the end he did.

"Go tonight? We will not arrive on the outskirts of Guan-Yin until the middle of the night." OnJi was bold enough to state as she stood up from the ground and began walking toward the Avatar. Aang gritted his teeth to keep from lashing out at the bold young woman. After a few seconds, he finally turned around to face her and the rest of the group.

"Yes, tonight. If we wait to leave until morning then we will not get to Guan-Yin until after school is over. Plus, you really have no right to complain..if it weren't for you then Katara wouldn't have ran away in the first place." The Young Avatar responded as nicely as he possibly could at the moment; however, it still wasn't very at all nice.

"I already apologized many times, Avatar Aang... I just couldn't control myself.. I didn't intend for Katara to see us.. She just entered the clearing right as I kissed you.." OnJi lied as she turned around and began to force fake tears to stream down her face. "I feel terrible for doing this to both of you." She continued the false act while falling on her knees and sobbing even harder. Guilt instantly filled the young airbender's heart when he saw the young girl crying.

"I'm sorry OnJi.. I didn't mean to lash out like that. It's just that I love Katara with all of my heart, and just knowing that she is in a whole bunch of pain or even in danger... Makes me feel extremely upset and worried..." Aang apologized as he walked over to the young girl.

"It's okay, Aang. I understand.." OnJi said as she looked up at Aang with a half-smile. He then placed his arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick apologetic hug.

"So I guess we need to head to Guan-Yin.. Everyone grab your stuff. We are leaving now." Sokka ordered before standing up and heading towards Appa.

A few minutes later, Team Avatar was on their way to the next village that held the beautiful watertribe girl.

...

"I am so glad school is finally over with. All of this information is giving me a huge headache." Ning said as he and Katara walked down the path towards Ju-Long's house.

"I don't understand why you are complaining. We are learning about a very interesting culture." Katara remarked while looking over at her friend.

"Well, not many people find learning about the nearly extinct Airnomad culture interesting, Katara. You are like the only person who isn't doodling or falling asleep in class." The young Firenation warrior stated as he watched a sparrow-keat fly across the path. Katara wasn't about to argue with that statement considering it was completely true. None of the other firenation students found interest in the culture of the Airbenders, but for some reason everything about them fascinated her.

"You know, it's almost like you have an connection with an Airbender." Ning added thoughtfully causing Katara to frown. Something about just the mention of a connection with an Airbender caused her to feel great hurt and sorrow in her heart, but she didn't know why.

"Are you okay?" Her concerned friend asked when seeing her downcast face expression.

"Yeah, I don't know why, but when you talked about that whole 'connection' thing with an airnomad... I just felt really sad all of a sudden.." Katara replied with a sigh of confusion. Before Ning could even think of a way to comfort his friend, Ju-Long came running up to them.

"Hey Master Ju, is everything okay?" The young firenation warrior asked his teacher.

"No, I need both of you to help me with something...we need to speak in a more private place though. Come with me." The Master Swordsman answered while ushering them back to his house and then into the small shed in the back of his house.

"What is it, Ju?" Katara asked now growing a little concerned. The older man was silent a moment before turning around to face the two young warriors.

"I have received a message from one of my personal friends, Isamu of the Royal Guard. He is assigned to watch over and protect the governor of our neighbor village, Kyoumasa. It has came to their attention that a group of firenation people have been surrounding the village for a few days already. Although they haven't attacked, Isamu is still concerned about their intentions. He has asked for a few warriors to go and spy on the group in order to try and figure out their motives. I would like for you both to do this mission. You two are by far my best and most skilled students. Will you accept this task?" Ju explained as he looked at the two warriors. Katara and Ning exchanged glances before both nodding their heads 'yes'.

"We will do whatever it takes to insure that these villages remain safe and at peace. It is my destiny to help maintain the peaceful state of this world." Katara stated while stepping forward. Ning also stepped closer to their teacher.

"It is my destiny to help and protect Katara... I realized that the first day that I met her..."Ning told his Master before turning to face his friend. "I agree to help you on this quest. Together we are a team." He stated with a determined look on his face. "Together we are unstoppable." Katara finished with a smile as she also turned to face her partner.

"Very well, Let me explain the plan to you both then. You two are going to pretend to be a young couple who have just came from the yearly Kyoumasa Spring Festival. You will pretend to be lost and needing a place to camp. Katara, I will supply you with some custom made warriors clothing made for women, and Ning you really do not need any custom made clothing. However, I need you to go to your house and dress up in some formal firenation attire. Return here at dusk." Ju-Long ordered before taking a note out of his pocket and handing it to the young man. "Give this to your parents. Once they read this, then you will not have to worry about your parents scolding you for being out all night." He instructed as Ning took the note and placed it in his own pocket.

"Yes, Master Ju-Long. I will be here at dusk." The Warrior replied as he bowed and left to return to his own home. Once the young man was out of sight, Ju turned his attention to the young woman beside him.

"Come on inside, Mingmei has your outfit inside the house." He told Katara before entering into the beautiful home. "Mingmei, we need the 'Decieving Dress'." He called out as soon as they were inside. Within a few seconds his wife was standing in front of them with a baby on her hip and a mix of confusion and concern plastered on her face.

"Why?" Was her simple question as she stared intently at her husband. "I have a mission that-" He began to explain.

"Ju, You know that I can't possibly help you with a mission. We have two children to take care of, and I am not the skilled warrior I used to be." Mingmei interrupted her husband as she cradled her young daughter in her arms.

"I don't need the dress for you, Dear. Katara is going on a mission with Ning. She is the one who needs the outfit." Ju replied patiently as he gently took little Genji from her Mother's arms. Mingmei was silent a moment before sighing a long worried sigh and turning her attention to the young watertribe girl standing next to Ju.

"Please follow me, Katara. I will have to show you how to work the outfit." She stated as she walked into the Master bedroom. The young warrior soon followed her over to a blank wall that was beside their bed. Katara watched as Mingmei slid open a secret door to reveal a small hidden stairway.

"Please follow me." Mingmei said as she walked down the stairs. Once at the bottom of the stairs, Mingmei pushed against a small rock that was on the left side of the rock wall. This action made another door made of rock slide open. Katara then followed the young Mother into a small chamber that had many different things inside of it. On the left side of the chamber there were countless different types of weapons used for combat battles. The variety of weapons ranged from double-edged swords to numb-chucks, from spears to fighting fans. On the right side of the chamber there were many different types of battle armor and shields along with a medium sized wooden chest. Mingmei walked over to the chest and opened it up to reveal a stunning yellow dress with circular swirling black designs flowing delicately at the bottom. A red undergarment was also underneath it, but at the time all Katara could see was the red top showing from behind the dresses v-neck design.

"Oh wow, it is so beautiful." Katara gasped in awe whenever she saw the gorgeous gown. "How could this possibly be a warriors gown?" The young girl wondered as she took the dress from Mingmei.

"It is a disguise dress. You wear this over the red warrior outfit." Mingmei answered as she untied the red sash that was around the waistline of the dress. As soon as she did that, the yellow part of the dress fell revealing a very short brownish-red strapless dress. The outfit itself would cause any man's mouth to drop in pure seduction.

"Oh wow." The young girl stated when seeing the frisky warrior outfit. This reaction made Mingmei giggle a little.

"You will not have to undo the dress unless you are in danger. The good thing about this outfit is it gives you a few more seconds to react to an attack. If you have to undo the disguise then you will leave the enemy in a shock, it never has failed me before." The young Mother explained while handing the dress over to Katara. "Now go get dressed."

With those orders, Katara silently walked over to a changing screen and began to put on the disguise. About a minute later, Katara walked out from behind the screen with a uneasy smile on her face.

"How does it look?" Katara asked as she spun around to reveal the whole outfit. Mingmei smiled and nodded her head in approval. The dress complimented her petite figure perfectly, but also didn't reveal too much of the warrior's secret underclothes.

"It's perfect. Now lets get your hair fixed and make-up on your face." The Mother said as she ushered Katara up the stairs and closed the secret passage behind them.

"So did you and Ju used to be warriors for the Firenation or something?" Katara finally asked as she sat down in front of a mirror. Mingmei grabbed a brush from the stand in front of the large mirror and began brushing the young warrior's hair.

"Not exactly, my husband and I are a part of a world wide group known as the White Lotus. We are not a part of the highly esteemed council members of the White Lotus, but we are spies and messengers for them. During the war, Ju and I would often deliver messages or be sent on missions to discover the next attacks that the Firenation was planning. We have pretty much retired from serving since we now have two daughters to look after." Mingmei answered as she began pulling Katara's hair back into the traditional bun.

"Wow.. That is really neat." Katara stated with a smile.

...

It was finally dusk, Katara's stomach was filled with butterflies and her hands shook from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She loved this feeling of knowing she was about to embark on a mission. It was something she loved. Of course, Katara didn't know why she loved it or if she had ever went on a mission before; however, she knew that she must have in order for her body and emotions to act like they were.

"Katara, Ning is here." Mingmei told the young warrior as she entered her room. The Watertribe girl let out a long drawn out sigh and stood up to follow the former spy out into the main room. Once inside the main room, Katara noticed Ju giving Ning some final bits of information on their plan.

"I think the plan is very clear, Dear." Mingmei spoke up catching both men's attention. Ning's eyes widened and a huge blush surfaced on his face when he saw his gorgeous friend standing before him. Her lush dark brown hair held back in a perfect bun with her bangs falling on both sides of her face. Her beautiful face was adorned with a touch of make-up to enhance her already elegant features.

"Katara you look absolutely beautiful." The young warrior complimented while walking over to his friend.

"Thank you.. You look great yourself." Katara replied while examining her partner. He was wearing an outfit similar to Sokka's old firenation disguise, and all of his hair was pulled back in the traditional bun with a golden hairpiece in it.

"Now remember, you both have to act like an unaware couple lost in the woods. Katara, it is critical that you act helpless, innocent, and completely naive. Ning, you just act like a normal firenation villager. I want you both to find out what they are doing, what their plans are, and who is their leader. Here is a map of their exact location. I have an Eel-Hound waiting outside for you both. Leave the Eel-hound in Kyoumasa, and walk into the woods. Be careful." Ju finished explaining the plan before bowing to the two warriors.

"We will return later tonight." Ning stated before grabbing Katara's hand and walking outside to where the Eel-hound was waiting. He then helped Katara get on the large animal before jumping on himself and riding off towards Kayamasa.

...

"General Shino, sir. When are we going to ambush and attack Kayamasa?" Orochi, Shino's most trusted and skilled soldier, asked as he entered his leaders tent. Orochi had lush black hair that was tied back in a bun; he had amber eyes that glistened in the fires lighting. However, what stood out most about the middle aged man was a long scar that stretched across his face. Shino's small fleet had been camping on the outskirts of Kayamasa for about three days waiting for orders to attack, but none had been given so Orochi was volunteered to talk with his leader.

"Patience, Orochi. We will ambush this city when the timing is right. A certain person that is crucial to our mission has not returned to the village yet. Without the governor's dearly loved son, we will not be able to have the leverage over him." Shino replied as he stood up from his small throne and approached the strong and muscular soldier. "Until then, we must act like a band of tourist traveling the firenation. Pass the word around, and do not make any scenes or trouble with random travelers that may pass by our campsite." Shino further ordered. Orochi nodded his head in understanding before bowing and leaving the tent to spread the word.

'So that is what their plan is.' Azula thought to herself as she slowly lifted up the back of the large tent and climbed underneath it in order to exit it without being discovered. The whole entire time that those two men had been conversing the plan, Azula had been hiding in the very back completely unnoticed.

"What's the plan?" Ji asked his girlfriend once she entered the small tent that they shared together.

"Shino is waiting for the governor's son to return so that way he can have control over the Governor and his decision to follow him." The former princess answered as she sat down next to her lover and sighed.

"What's wrong?" Ji asked in concern when seeing the saddened look on his girlfriend's pretty face.

"It's just that.. I wish I could help stop Shino in some way. Ever since I have been treated like a peasant.. I have realized that all life is sacred, and everyone is equal and deserves the right to make their own choices. It hurts me to watch these people be mercilessly forced into this decision in order to protect the people that they love. I regret ever placing anyone in that awful situation back when I was a different person.. I never knew what it was like to love someone.. Now I do. I could never again ask anyone to choose between the love of their life and freedom. It's so heartless..." Azula explained as she leaned up against her boyfriends shoulder and rested the back of her head in the crook of his neck.

"I am so proud of you, Azula. You have become such a loving and caring person." Ji stated before giving the love of his life a passionate heartfelt kiss.

"You are the one who saved me, Ji.. You taught me how to love." The former princess responded before slowly standing up and looking towards the entrance of their tent. "I have a feeling that something is going to happen soon...that the opportunity for me to help defeat Shino is about to present itself." She continued before leaning down and giving Ji another kiss and exiting the tent. Ji also stood up from the pallet he was sitting on and followed Azula outside.

...

"This is it. Are you ready?" Ning asked Katara as they prepared to enter into the dark forest. The watertribe girl took a deep breath before looking at her friend and nodding her head 'yes'. Ning smiled a reassuring smile before offering her his arm. Katara accepted his silent request and rested her arm in the crook of his as they began walking down the darkened path. After a few minutes of walking, the two disguised warriors saw the glimmer of light from a camp fire.

"Hey there!" Ning called out to a middle-aged soldier who was sitting near the camp fire. The soldier jumped up and braced himself in an attacking position.

"Who goes there?" The man demanded in a stern threatening voice. Katara slowly crept behind Ning while acting like an innocent and scared young woman.

"My name is Tetsou, and this is my girlfriend, Amaya." Ning lied as he raised his hands in false surrender. "I'm sorry to bother you; we were just strolling in the woods and became lost. We saw a campfire and were hoping to find a place to stay for the night." He continued as he grabbed Katara's hand and pulled her out from behind him. The guard instantly relaxed and motioned for them to come forward.

"Welcome my friends, I am sorry if I frightened you. We would be honored for you both to stay the night in our humble camp ground." The soldier with a scar stretching clear across his face welcomed the disguised warriors.

"It's quite alright. I completely understand that you have to take precautions for safety. Thank you for your generosity." Ning stated as he walked closer and bowed to the man.

"It's our pleasure. I am assigned to be on guard duty at the moment so I cannot leave my post, but you can just walk over to the main campsite. If anyone stops you then tell them, Orochi gave you permission to enter camp. No one will try to harm you; you have my word." Orochi responded while pointing to a huge campfire that was in the middle of many different tents. Katara and Ning bowed once again to the guard, and then walked further into the campsite.

"So what are we going to do?" Katara asked as they approached the Bonfire in the center of the camp.

"Just keep quiet and listen for as much information that we can receive, I guess." Ning whispered back while taking her arm in the crook of his. "Hello there. May I help you?" A voice sounded from behind the two warriors. They both swiftly turned around with a surprised gasp.

"Hi, my name is Tetsuo and this is Amaya. We became lost in the woods, and Orochi has allowed us to stay here until morning." Ning informed immediately while smiling uneasily at the young soldier standing before them. Katara, on the otherhand, was staring intently at the man. Something seemed very familiar about him, but she just couldn't figure out why.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tetsuo and...Amaya. My name is Ji. If you are looking for a place to stay then I'm sure my girlfriend wouldn't mind you staying in our tent for the night. Please follow me." Ji responded while looking at Katara. He figured that Katara would have recognized him just as he had recognized her, but to his surprise she didn't. After a few minutes, they arrived at a small red tent on the outskirts of the campsite.

"Here we are. Please come inside." The Soldier told the two disguised warriors. They gratefully entered into the tent only to bump into Azula. The former princess stood silent and shocked at seeing her old former enemy standing a few feet away from her. She expected to be pelted with icicles or flooded with a giant wave, but to her surprise Katara merely smiled and bowed to her.

"Katara?" Azula asked with shock feeling her voice. The watertribe girl's eyes shot open and looked at the women and then at Ning. Before anybody could make an action or run, Ji intervened.

"Don't attack or try and escape..We are on your side. Katara, I know we have had our fair share of fights, but we really have changed. Azula and I only want what is best for the world now, and we want Shino defeated." Ji explained causing everyone to relax. Even though Katara had absolutely no idea what fights Ji was talking about, she still played along and acted like she did.

"Very well, I believe you. What information can you give us?" Katara asked while crossing her arms and staring at their new friends. Azula's face was full of total and utter surprise and confusion as she sat down on the floor of their tent.

"Tonight I overheard Shino talking with Orochi and telling him to act like we are nothing more than travelers. He has not ambushed the village of Kyoumasa yet, simply because they are waiting for the arrival of the governor's son. If Shino can capture the Governor's son then he will be able to force the Governor into surrendering under his rulership..just like he has done with over twelve other small villages." Azula began informing the spies while speaking in a whisper.

"Who is this Shino guy?" Ning asked the former princess as he also sat down.

"He is an evil heartless man who is power hungry and crazed. He is known around the world as General Shino of the Firenation. Everyone thinks that he is a loyal messanger and servant of Zuzu, but he isn't. He uses his social ranking to help him enter into the villages peacefully, and then mercilessly ambush the small villages.." The recovered firebending prodigy answered which caused Katara to gasp.

"That is terrible.. We have to stop him before he captures anymore villages." The watertribe girl stated in a whisper as she looked over Ning who was holding an emotionless face expression.

"Yes, you have to stop him, and you have to do it quickly." Ji agreed while walking closer to the young warriors. Ning stood up whenever the soldier walked up to them. Even though they just gave them this crucial information, Ning didn't put it past him to still attack.

"Then we should leave tonight." Katara responded as she looked over at Azula who was also getting up on her feet.

"I agree..Ji do you have any paper and an ink pad?" The male warrior asked as he scanned the small tent. Ji nodded his head 'yes', and then went over to a small chest. A few seconds later, he walked back with a sheet of paper, a brush, and an inkpad.

"What are you writing?" Katara inquired while approaching her friend.

"A letter explaining why we left at the first glimpse of sunlight. I'm thanking the 'travelers' for their hospitality and apologizing for leaving without saying goodbye. I told them that Anaya's parents are probably very concerned about her well-being so we had to leave as soon as possible. I'm writing this so that way no one thinks that Ji or Azula gave us information." The clever warrior explained as he rolled up the paper and handed it to Ji.

"Very smart thinking, Ning." Ji complimented with an impressed smile on his face.

"Thank you so much for the information you have given us. The village of Kyoumasa is indebted to both of you and so are we." Katara thanked with a respectful bow before turning to exit the tent. Before she could, Azula grabbed her shoulder and turned her around.

"You have to tell the gang and your boyfriend about everything. He's the only one who can save us now...and Katara..Thank you for believing me and trusting in my word." Azula instructed before pulling Katara into a quick hug good-bye.

"Umm.. Y-yeah.. I'll be sure to let my..boyfriend know about this.. Thank you both for risking your lives to give us this information. We will be back to rescue you both from Shino." Katara replied trying to hide her total confusion on who in the world was her 'boyfriend'. With those last words, Katara and Ning slipped off into the night and arrived back at the house at around three in the morning. Surprisingly, Ju-Long was awake whenever they arrived and greeted the young warriors at the door to his house.

"Did you find anything?" Their Teacher asked as the exhausted warriors walked in the house.

"Yeah, The people camping there are enemies. They are under the leadership of a man named Shino. The reason that his fleet hasn't attack Kyoumasa is simply because the Governor's son hasn't arrived. I guess he is planning on using the Governor's son as some sort of bait to make the Governor go along with his plans. Supposedly, Shino has already overtaken twelve other firenation villages. We don't know how he did that, because the people that gave us this information don't know how either." Ning informed as he sat down on one of the pillows that were in the center of the main room.

"Very well done, Ning and Katara. Who were these two new allies of ours?" Ju asked his students while also sitting down on another pillow.

"Ji and Azula of the Firenation." Katara replied as she also sat down next to the Ning. This news surprised the Master Swordsman.

"Princess Azula of the Firenation gave you this information? Then there must be some trick or plan behind it." Ju murmured thoughtfully.

"I don't think so.. Azula seemed very sincere whenever she told us this information." Katara stated with a yawn.

"We will not do anything further until I can receive better proof." The middle-aged man said as he stood up from where he was sitting.

"What? Master Ju, we have to do something." Ning spoke up while his eyes widened in surprise by his teacher's instructions.

"No, it could be a trap. We will not do anything. That information is not legitimate or from a trustworthy source." Was Ju's stern reply. "Ning you are welcome to sleep in the guest room for tonight. We have your school uniform in the room already. I had Mingmei go and pick it up from your house yesterday afternoon. You should both get some sleep. You two have school in a few hours." Ju finished before exiting the main room and walking down the hallway to his own bedroom.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing." Katara said as soon as he was out of hearing range. Ning nodded in agreement.

"Tomorrow at school I will try and find out who the Governor's son is..from there we can figure out what to do. Hopefully you will be able to remember your past soon so that way we can remember your 'boyfriend' that Azula was telling us to inform." The young warrior stated while standing up and helping his friend up.

"I hope so... I mean.. Azula and Ji both seemed so.. Familiar.. I just can't remember anything about them or why we fought. All I know is that the sooner I can remember my past.. The sooner we can help save the world." Katara whispered as they both walked down the hallway to their separate rooms.

"Well, goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow morning." Katara said as she opened the door to her room.

"Goodnight." Ning replied back as he also opened the door to his temporary room to sleep.

...

Dang a whole bunch of things happened in this chapter! Aang and the Gaang are going to Guan-Yin, where Katara is located, OnJi is still being a clever little jerk and manipulating Aang into thinking she some sweet innocent girl, and Azula has turned good? Ohh the power of Love ;) Like I said before, Katara and Ning are merely best friends. There are no feelings (besides fondness and friendship) between them. So please do not freak out. Katara still cannot remember anything.. Not even her 'boyfriend' that she needs to inform about Shino! Now Ju-Long also has told them not to do anything but to forget everything Azula had said, but of course Ning and Katara aren't going to listen! Oh gosh what is going to happen next? You shall see in a few days ^_^ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW GUYS! I RELY on those things! It is like giving a starving person bread! I NEED your opinions and comments! THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED! YOU GUYS ARE FEEDING THIS STORY! (I know that is kind of corny, but hey.. In a way it is true.) :)