When they finally arrived at the Eastern Air Temple Chiara buried any remains they discovered as they made their long trek up one of the mountains. To her relief, however, they found the fewest bodies so far. Arriving at the top of the mountain they began their search for the Avatar, except for Chiara who spent her time learning whatever she could about the airbenders and the temple. She was saddened by the state of the architecture with much of it burned and collapsed, though the remains of the buildings were still impressive. The group had spent most of the day searching, and after crossing the bridge to the center mountain, they stopped for a break. It was after resuming their exploration that Zuko discovered an old man who was quietly meditating on a terrace.
"I don't believe it! I found the Avatar," he yelled excitedly.
Everyone went running towards his voice, and when Iroh arrived he studied the man very closely.
"It's been over a year, and I've finally found you," said Zuko as he slowly approached him expecting him to fight.
The man looked at him, but he did not move from his pose or even look like he felt threatened by him.
"Hello, I am Guru Pathik," said the man.
"You're the Avatar," insisted Zuko.
"You seek the Avatar, but I am not the one you're looking for," he said.
"You're lying. You have to be the Avatar. I'm taking you back to my father."
"Prince Zuko," said Iroh, "he is not the Avatar."
Zuko looked at his uncle. "What do you mean? Look at him. He has to be."
"One who's walked with the spirits," said Pathik looking at Iroh.
"It's an honor to meet you, Guru Pathik," said Iroh as he bowed. "You must forgive my nephew..."
"I don't understand, Uncle. How can he not be the Avatar?"
"I have already told you," said Pathik, "I am Guru Pathik. I know you seek the Avatar, but you will not find him here."
"Then why are you here, old man?" asked Zuko.
"This is where I live," he answered.
"Are you an airbender?"
"I am a spiritual brother of the Air Nomads."
Zuko was frustrated and looked annoyed. "What does that even mean?"
"It means 'no,' Prince Zuko," said Iroh. "He's not an airbender and he's not the Avatar."
"But maybe we should take him back to my father, just in case."
"Trust me," said Iroh. "If you take him back to the Fire Lord and he discovers that he's not the Avatar, he will not be so pleased."
Pathik looked around Iroh and saw Chiara standing near him. "One who flows like water..."
"Leave me with the Guru," interrupted Iroh quickly and loudly as he turned Chiara around and started pushing her away while grabbing Zuko's arm and pulling him along.
"Uncle, what are you do...?"
"Just go, Nephew," he demanded in a stern tone that told Zuko not to argue with him. "Take Chiara and your men and go search the rest of this mountain."
Zuko huffed fire at Iroh's abrupt dismissal but did as he was told. As they walked off he looked at Chiara.
"What was that about?"
She had heard Pathik's words, but she just shrugged. "Who knows?"
"What do you think about the old man?" he asked her.
"I think I want to talk to him," she said.
"You're right," he said as he stopped walking. "We should interrogate him."
"No, that's not what I meant. If he knew the Air Nomads, he must be over a hundred years old. Imagine what we could learn about their culture."
Zuko rolled his eyes. "You're just like Uncle."
"Aww. That's so sweet," she said as she grabbed his arm and pulled him along.
"It wasn't meant to be," he said dryly.
"I know, but it was."
By the time Iroh returned from talking with Pathik the others had built a campfire as it had grown dark.
"Did you find out what he knows about the Avatar, Uncle?" asked Zuko.
"The Avatar is not here," said Iroh.
"Did he say where he is?"
"He doesn't know, but he is waiting for his return."
"Why do you smell like onions and bananas?" Chiara asked him as she handed him a cup.
"Don't ask," he said taking the cup and quickly sipping some of his favorite ginseng tea. "We should return to the ship in the morning. We will not find the Avatar here."
They camped at the temple for the evening, and then set out the next morning to return to the ship.
As time passed there was no sign of the Avatar, and Zuko's banishment weighed heavily on him, and he was becoming more temperamental and moody. It had been over two years since his journey began, and they were on their way to port for shore leave, at Iroh's insistence, before sailing towards the Southern Air Temple.
One day, Chiara was leaning against the rail on the bow taking a break before going to work in the galley, while her long, dark curls were gently blowing behind her. A few of the younger crewman were in a group watching her from a distance.
"She is beautiful," said Tedo. "Her skin shines like bronze in the sunlight."
"I bet it's as soft as it looks," said Jozan.
"Did you ever notice how it seems to glow at night?" asked Tazah.
"Yes, she looks like a goddess," said Tedo.
"Look how her curls catch the light," said Tazah.
"How'd you like those wrapped around you?" said Jozan.
Zuko had been on the upper deck and was feeling angry as he overheard the men below, so he headed down to the lower deck.
"Watch what you say about her, Jozan," threatened Shoza.
"Ooh, are you interested in General Iroh's daughter," said Jozan.
"So what if I am?" said Shoza.
"So she's from the royal household. You don't stand a chance."
"I'd be afraid of Prince Zuko," said Tedo.
"With the way she fights, I'd be more afraid of her," laughed Jozan. "Though I'd still like to be wrapped in those curls," he said dreamily.
"You're speaking about a member of the royal family!" said Zuko in a deep, angry voice as fire came from his fists.
They all jumped to attention when they heard him.
"Don't you men have work to do?!" he said.
"Yes, Prince Zuko...," some of them said simultaneously as they scattered.
Zuko walked up to Chiara.
"Hey," she said. She had heard him yelling, though that was not unusual, but she thought he looked upset. "You okay?"
"Shouldn't you be working somewhere?" he snapped.
She was puzzled as he often complained that she worked too much.
"I...I was just taking a break. Did you need me to do something?"
"No. I just thought...well, you're usually working," he said more calmly.
"And you usually complain when I'm working," she said.
"That never stopped you."
She laughed which made him smile.
Later in the afternoon after working in the galley, Chiara was standing on the deck looking out at the water. Shoza, one of the young soldiers, approached her.
"Chiara, I have a tear in my shirt," he said.
He turned around to show her a tear at the seam on the back of the sleeve where it attached to the shoulder.
"Let me get a needle and thread."
"Do you need me to come with you?" he asked.
"No. I'll be right back."
She left to get her things. Meanwhile, Zuko had been on the upper deck watching her from a distance and wondering what they were talking about. When she reappeared, she walked over to Shoza and pulled out some thread.
Shoza had been quite infatuated with her as she had grown from a beautiful girl into a beautiful young woman while on board, and at fifteen she was now at an age when she could receive a proposal from a prospective husband. He had always been impressed with her when he watched her spar or sing or play an instrument, and he had watched her whenever he got the chance.
"You have a beautiful singing voice," he said as she worked.
"Thank you," she replied politely. "I enjoy singing with the General."
It was curious to him to hear her address Iroh as "General" rather than "Father," but he figured it was a royal's way of showing respect for rank.
"Where did you learn to fight with swords?" he asked her.
"Initially, the General and Prince Lu Ten taught me." He noticed the sadness in her voice as she spoke Lu Ten's name. "Then I studied under Master Piandao."
"Really? You studied with the Master?"
"Yes," she answered as she started threading a needle.
"You're really good."
"Thank you. He's a good teacher."
Zuko was feeling jealous and getting angrier the longer they talked. Iroh stepped out from the bridge and walked up to him noticing the smoke emanating from his fists.
"You seem upset, Prince Zuko. Are you okay?"
"I don't like the way Shoza's looking at her."
Iroh looked down at Shoza and Chiara. "They're just talking. It seems innocent enough."
"Do you have another shirt you can wear while I repair this one?" Chiara asked Shoza.
He started taking his shirt off showing his well-toned 24-year old physique. "I have another one, but I'll wait."
She took his shirt from him and started fixing it.
Iroh now felt uncomfortable seeing the shirtless young man talking to her, but he chose to remain calm so as not to encourage Zuko's anger.
"Look at him showing off and acting like she's his personal slave or something," said Zuko deeply.
"One of her duties has been sewing for the crew," said Iroh.
"And he couldn't just give her the shirt and go away instead of standing over her like that?"
Iroh chuckled at Zuko's jealousy. "Maybe he's just being friendly."
"A little too friendly," growled Zuko.
When Chiara finished, she pulled out her dagger and cut the thread.
"Nice knife," said Shoza. "Can I see it?"
She handed it to him and then started pulling his shirt right side out.
"Where did you get this?" he asked as he looked over it.
"Prince Zuko gave it to me."
Zuko was getting angrier as he watched him holding the dagger he had given her.
"Chiara!" he yelled unable to tolerate it anymore.
She looked up at him.
"Zuko," whispered Iroh, "do not get upset with her."
"O-Ozen needs you in the galley," said Zuko to Chiara. "He said it's urgent."
She nodded and then handed Shoza his shirt while she took her knife and put it in its sheath.
"Thanks, Lady Chiara," said Shoza as he bowed to her.
"Your welcome," she said bowing in return before walking away.
"Prince Zuko," said Iroh sounding as if he was about to admonish him. "That was not very nice. But it was a good idea," he added.
Zuko laughed to himself.
"What happens when Chiara realizes Ozen doesn't need her?" asked Iroh.
"It doesn't matter. Shoza isn't talking to her now," he answered.
Chiara went to the galley where Ozen was taking a break in between his work.
"You called for me?" she asked him.
He looked at her curiously. "Not that I know of."
"Oh..." She seemed puzzled. "Prince Zuko said you needed me and it was urgent."
"I haven't spoken to the Prince."
She laughed to herself as she realized what Zuko had done.
"Well, can you use my help?"
He smiled at her. "Well, there's not much to do right now, but did I ever tell you about the time young Prince Iroh disappeared from the ship near the island of the Sun Warriors?"
She smiled and sat down. "Tell me."
She remained in the galley for the rest of the day helping the cook. On her way to Zuko's cabin for dinner, Iroh saw her.
"Chiara, you were busy in the galley all afternoon?"
"Yes. Apparently, it was urgent," she said.
Iroh gently laughed. "Yes, it was quite urgent, otherwise Zuko might've set the ship on fire with his temper."
She shook her head. "Your nephew has a good sense of humor."
"He's just looking out for you."
"At least I got to hear some more stories of young Prince Iroh," she smiled.
"Oh, yes," said Iroh somewhat embarrassed. "I'm sure Ozen has quite a few of those stories."
"Such a troublemaker," she smiled.
"Well, I can't disagree with that."
She giggled before going to Zuko's cabin where she knocked on the door.
"Hey," he said when he opened it. "I haven't seen you all day."
"I was urgently needed in the galley."
He sheepishly smiled as he took the tray from her.
"Nice one," she said as she giggled.
They sat down and started eating.
"He doesn't need to treat you like his slave," he said.
"Ozen doesn't treat me like a slave," she said, though she knew he was not referring to the cook.
"Not Ozen. Shoza."
"He wasn't. He asked if I could fix his shirt. I sew a lot of the guys' clothes. I don't mind."
"Are they usually standing naked over you while you work?"
She laughed. "He...he wasn't..."
"He was all over you. Maybe you should just stick to working in the galley."
"I'm not sure why it matters where I work," she said.
"You're the only girl on board...and...and...you're really beautiful," he said softly.
"Aww. You really think I'm beautiful?"
"It doesn't matter what I think. I don't like the way Shoza looks at you. He's always watching you. Several of the guys do."
"I never noticed."
"Because you're always busy working while they're staring at you, or they do it when you're not looking."
"I'm sure they don't mean anything by it."
"You're a distraction to them."
The thought that she could be a distraction to his crew worried her. "I don't want to be a distraction," she said softly. "Maybe I should stay in the galley then."
"Good idea," he said.
After dinner they played cards until it was late and Chiara left to go to bed.
The next day Chiara remained in the galley with Ozen who was happy to have her help and someone with whom he could share his stories.
Late that afternoon, Iroh was in Zuko's room going over their course when one of the men brought his tea to him.
"That reminds me," started Iroh after nodding his thanks to the man who set the tray before him, "Prince Zuko, have you seen Chiara today? I haven't seen her for breakfast, lunch, or tea."
"She's probably in the galley."
"Still?"
"I convinced her to work there all day."
"All day?" asked Iroh, surprised. "Why would you have her work there all day?"
"So the crew isn't so distracted."
"How are they distracted?"
"I see the way they look at her. She's the only girl on board; they're always staring at her, and the crude things they say about her..."
"What crude things?" asked Iroh.
"Like...well...I'm not going to repeat them. But now they're talking to her."
"Zuko, you can't chase away every young man that speaks to her."
"Yes, I can."
"Chiara is growing up and will one day...get...married," he said as he dreaded the thought. "You cannot stop the course of her life."
"When we return to the Fire Nation, Chiara will be my wife."
"What?! You can't take her for your wife."
"Why not?"
"Because...because she is an orphan, and you will need a wife whose lineage can be traced. We do not know Chiara's parents."
"I don't care about her lineage."
"As Crown Prince of the Fire Nation you will not be allowed to marry her."
"I would think you'd approve of it. She'll remain in the family."
"She will always be family to me, Zuko..."
"I will make her Fire Lady."
"The Fire Nation will not accept her."
"The Fire Nation isn't marrying her..."
"You represent the Nation."
Zuko was upset that his uncle insisted he could not marry her, and Iroh was tired of the argument.
"We will leave this argument to another day," said Iroh. "For now, Chiara needs to be in the fresh air. She should not be locked away in the galley all day every day just to prevent her from talking to the crew."
"You saw Shoza yesterday. He was all over her."
"What next then? Will you lock her in the brig when you see her talking to Ozen?"
"I won't lock her in the brig," he said softly.
"I am releasing her of her duties in the galley," said Iroh.
He left his tea and walked out to go to the galley where he found Chiara diligently helping Ozen.
"Chiara," said Iroh, "when you're finished here, you may go take a break on deck."
"Ozen already made me take a break."
"You're done here, Chiara," said Ozen. "Do as General Iroh says."
Though Ozen had not given any indication, she wondered if she had done something wrong. She nodded and left to go up on deck.
"She is a hard worker, General Iroh. I had to force her to take a break earlier. And I was surprised to learn she was to work here all day from now on."
"Prince Zuko feels some of the men are distracted by her presence on deck."
"She is a beautiful young woman," Ozen laughed. "And I enjoy working with her all day, but it seems unfair to her."
"She will not be confined to the galley," said Iroh.
Zuko had been looking for Chiara when he finally found her at the stern looking out over the water, but before he could approach her, Iroh walked up to her, so Zuko stepped back so as not to be seen.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked Iroh when he was standing next to her.
"Not at all. Prince Zuko had no right to confine you to the galley."
"But if some of the men really are distracted, I don't want to cause any problems."
"Zuko is jealous. He insists that you are to be his wife once his honor is restored."
She stood in quiet thought.
"When that time comes, I'll leave the Fire Nation and head north," she said softly. "I won't allow him to truly be dishonored."
Iroh felt saddened at the thought of losing Chiara. He believed that she would be the perfect spouse for the Prince, but he feared that if it ever became known that she was from the Water Tribe and that she was a waterbender, it would be dangerous for her. He put his arm around her and she hugged him.
"We won't think about that now," he said.
Zuko was also saddened at the thought of Chiara leaving him, and he could not understand why she thought he would be dishonored if they married, but he was determined not to lose her.
A couple weeks later, Chiara was washing clothes on deck one afternoon when one of the younger soldiers approached her.
"Lady Chiara, I got some blood on my pants," said Tazah as he held them out to her.
"Oh no, are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah. Just a cut," he said showing his bandaged arm.
She took the pants. "I'll get them clean."
"Thanks."
She started working on the blood stain.
"Maybe...maybe you could teach me how to play Pai Sho later," he said.
"You should ask General Iroh," she said. "He's a much better play...
"Chiara!" called Zuko as he started walking over to them.
"Thanks, Lady Chiara," said Tazah as he quickly bowed. "I'll get them later."
He walked away as Zuko arrived.
"What did he want?" asked Zuko.
"Blood stain," she said as she showed him.
"And Pai Sho? I told Uncle you were a distraction; he didn't believe me."
"At least he was still wearing pants," she said.
"Don't you have work to do in the galley?" he snapped not amused by her remark.
"Prince Zuko," said Iroh as he walked up to them. "She already worked in the galley today."
"I warned you she was distracting the crew," Zuko said to him. "He asked her to teach him how to play Pai Sho."
"I told him to ask you," she said to Iroh.
"He probably cut himself on purpose just for an excuse to talk to her," said Zuko.
"What?!" said Chiara shocked by his accusation.
"Zuko, I wish to speak to you privately," said Iroh.
"But..."
"Now," he insisted.
Zuko reluctantly followed Iroh inside where they could talk in private.
"Zuko, Chiara is my daughter. You will not order her to work in the galley."
"It's the only place where she can work without the men...flirting with her."
"I will not have her working in the galley all day because of your jealousy. You need to let it go."
"Tazah asking her to teach him Pai Sho is a distraction."
"Pai Sho is recreation, not a distraction," said Iroh. "The only one distracted by Chiara is you."
"You're the one who had to bring her on board."
"Then next time we make port I will put her on the next ship returning to the Fire Nation and send her home."
Iroh left the room and went to the deck where Tazah was talking to Chiara again.
"General," said Chiara, "Tazah is interested in learning Pai Sho."
"Oh, that is wonderful," said Iroh. "I will be happy to teach you."
Chiara laughed to herself.
"Uh...uh...thanks, General Iroh," said Tazah.
"We can start your lessons tonight."
"I-I look forward to it."
Tazah bowed to them before walking away.
"Maybe Zuko is right," Iroh said softly to Chiara.
"So back to the galley?" she asked.
He chuckled.
"Or should I just head north now?"
"No, not yet," he said. "How about a game of Pai Sho?"
She smiled. "Just as soon as I get this blood out."
