Chapter 15: Just Deserters

They stood at a crossroads. Sokka was alternating between frowning at a signpost and at his map.

He shook his head. "I don't get it. The only town ahead should be a place called Ha San, but that sign is pointing towards Gisiro."

Zuko nodded. "Gisiro is Ha San."

Aang frowned. "How does that work?"

Zuko sighed and shook his head. "Ha San was an Earth Kingdom town up until about, I don't know, twenty years ago. The Fire Nation changed the name to Gisiro. You must have an old map, Sokka."

Sokka began rolling up said map. "Whelp, that settles that, then. We're avoiding Gisiro. Everyone back on Appa."

Katara said, "Sokka, we need supplies."

Aang called out from further ahead, "Yeah, and it looks like they're having some sort of festival. Should be fun. I used to love Fire Nation festivals a hundred years ago."

Zuko strode up beside Aang and squinted at the poster he was reading. "Yeah, the Fire Days festival. I'd forgotten it was that time of year."

Katara and Sokka joined them. She asked, "What's the festival for?"

Zuko shrugged. "Nothing to major. It's just one of the minor Holy Days, that's all. A celebration of Agni's Eternal Flame."

Aang read, "A celebration of Fire Nation culture. Fire Nation food, entertainment. Bending displays."

He turned to them. "Guys, this could be a chance for me to see Firebending up close."

There was an awkward pause. Sokka said, "Uh, Aang. We have a Firebender. He's over there."

He pointed at Zuko, who waved at the Airbender with a blank expression on his face.

Aang said, "I know, I know, but… Well, Lee, you said that you didn't really Firebend anymore. That you were out of practice. This could be a good opportunity for both of us. I can see some Firebending and you can brush up."

Zuko shook his head. "I'm not going to Gisiro."

Aang whined, "Why not?"

"The Colonies aren't safe for me. I'm a deserter. Besides, Zhao's probably got my picture plastered from the Southern Air Temple all the way to the Northern. Same goes for you, Avatar."

Aang turned puppy-dog eyes on Sokka and Katara. Katara weakened immediately.

She said hesitantly, "We could… wear disguises?"

Zuko sighed and shook his head. He said, "Do what you want, I'm not going in."

Despite the GAang's best efforts, he didn't go in. He did cut a hole in one of their spare blankets and provided Aang with a poncho to cover his highly noticeable Air Nomad robes.

He waved them off. Katara hung back a moment and said, "Are you sure you don't want to come? It doesn't feel right to leave you behind on your own."

Zuko quirked the corner of his lip up at her. "Katara, even with the patch, I have a fairly distinctive face. Besides, I'll be fine. I'm used to travelling on my own."

She nodded, opened her mouth as if to say something before shaking her head. She waved at him and hurried off after Aang and Sokka. Zuko half-heartedly waved at her back.

Then he proceeded to set up a basic camp and enjoyed the silence after they left, broken only by the lowing of Appa and the chittering of Momo.

He built up the campfire and settled down before, choosing to meditate on the flames. It was a practice that he'd tried to maintain over the last few years; both his tutors at the Palace and his Uncle Iroh had stressed the importance of it. It was rare that he had the peace and quiet, not to mention the privacy, to do it properly.

The campfire rose and fell with his inhalations and exhalations. He allowed his eyes to drift shut and he focused entirely on the feel of the fire, how it aligned with his own inner flame.

Time passed. He was aware of it passing, but not how much. He was startled out of his meditation by the groans and grunts of Appa hurriedly rising to his six feet. Zuko shot to his, watching as the bison (and Momo, who sat atop his head) took off into the sky, leaving Zuko behind.

He watched as Appa flew in the direction of Gisiro, a blob of light that sat on the horizon. He watched as Appa became smaller and smaller as he entered the blob of light. Then he saw great fireworks burst and explode in the sky, showering the horizon is colour and sparks. Zuko thought he could just make out Appa disappearing amongst the harmless explosions.

He muttered under his breath, "That can't be good."

He began hurriedly packing his things away. Luckily the rest of the GAang's things hadn't been unpacked and were still affixed to Appa's saddle.

He strapped his sword-belt around his waist, settled his cloak, and then swung his pack on to his shoulders. Then he took off at a light jog into the forest.

Katara said firmly, "We need to find Zuko."

Sokka nodded. Chey frowned, "Who's Zuko?"

Sokka and Katara exchanged a glance and Katara answered, "Our friend. He was waiting outside the city with Appa and Momo while we went inside."

Aang said, "Guys, I'm pretty this is where we made camp. He's gone."

Sokka peered over the side of the saddle. He nodded. "Yeah, there's signs of a firepit there, and what looks like a few tracks heading into the forest. He must've relocated when Appa took off. Figured there might be trouble heading his way."

Aang looked back, a worried expression. "How are we going to find him?"

Sokka shook his head. "I don't know, Aang."

Katara bit her lip. She knew it was a mistake leaving him behind.

Chey said, "Maybe Jeong Jeong can help. He knows this region like the back of his hand, plus he has eyes and ears everywhere. He might be able to help find your friend?"

Aang nodded. "Okay, that settles it. We're going to see Jeong Jeong."