Ones their new ship had reached close to shore the water tribes men had all ready packed up everything in their own ships and sailed them out to their newly aquired vessel where the water tribe ships were pulled on board in the same way that the scout unit had been.
Aang was delighted to find that there was room in the stables for Appa, and even their other two animal companions seemed to enjoy the hay.
The fire nation soldiers were just left on shore all tied up and left to figure their own way out of their ropes.
Zuko wasn't to concerned. One of them would figure how to get out of those ropes and free all the others. They would be fine.
And then as they were safely out on the waters… Aang was suddenly screaming that it was time to explore and ran excitedly around to get a look at everything now that he was on one of these ships without having to worry about escaping or being burned all the time.
Sokka was in agreement with Aang and they both started to dart around the place. Sokka wanting to examine all of the mechanic contraptions around and Aang just wanting to see everything.
Zuko how-ever was more focused and headed directly for the captains quarters. Which would also have a room used for meetings and plotting courses.
As expected those quarters were just below the helms mans room with easy access to the helm and a view to the deck and ocean.
There was a war hawk sitting on her peck and Zuko didn't even hesitate to scratch her under the neck.
Yes this one was female, which was evident from her smaller seize and greyish colour. Males would have a deeper brown almost orange colour.
"Hi girl." Zuko said. "Sorry about the ruckus. We'll make sure to take good care of you. Promise."
The war hawk replied in a slight purr and Zuko smiled. And then he turned to the table and drawers, pulling it all out to find documents and drawings which he sat down with to slowly start reading.
As Zuko read his brow started to furrow and his finger drum on the table. Well this certainly was something.
In the evening Zuko met the others at the deck holding a piece of parchment in his hand.
"What you got there Zuko?" Sokka asked.
"Intel. Found it in the captains quarters." Zuko said. "Looks like the fire lord has decided to focus almost all of his resources on finding me and Aang." he said. "They seem to be assuming we will be at the earth Kingdom. And there are orders to burn down the houses of anyone who is as must as suspected of hiding information. They are intending to comb the entire earth kingdom with a fine brush. And they can do it too now there is no earth kingdom military to stop them."
Sokka blinked. "That sounds… Pretty paranoid doesn't it?"
"The man is scared." Hakoda said. "As I travelled I did begin the hear the stories. People really love the Avatar and Prince Zuko. And the love the idea of the two working together to bring down Fire Lord Ozai."
"You guys are a threat to his authority." Sokka finished. "And at this moment. The only threat."
"Azula has ultimate command over the fleet. She's the one who ordered that even people who are suspected have their houses burned down." Zuko informed. "Looks like she's in the earth kingdom as well."
"Making herself popular among the mass's she is supposed to lead one day I see." Sokka commented sarcastically.
"This is a problem though." Aang commented. "How can we go to the earth kingdom when there will be fire soldiers looking for us everywhere? And I can't ask anyone to help us when they risk their house getting burned down in response."
"Yes. Our first priority has to be not to be captured and be ready at the day of the eclipse." Sokka commented holding his chin.
Katara smirked.
"What is it Katara?" Aang asked.
"Sokka is about to have an idea. It's going to be insane but brilliant." Katara said. "Look…" she held up three fingers. "Three, two. One!"
"I GOT IT!" Sokka shouted and they all looked at him. "Let's go to the fire nation."
"What?!" Zuko shouted. If he had had water in his mouth it would have been spewed all across Sokkas face.
"They are expecting us to be in the earth kingdom." Sokka grinned. "They have send all of their troops to the earth Kingdom to take complete control of Ba Sing Se and to look for us. They wont feel like they really need to defend their own nations either. So there will barely be any soldiers in the fire nation and they wont even be looking for us there! Nobody will be expecting us to be in the fire nation! We can just walk right in and relax for a bit."
"I… That… That's insane. You're insane." Zuko exclaimed. "Aang and I will be recognised immediately."
"Aang can wear a hat." Sokka said. "You can even grow out your hair Aang! Then no one will know! And as for you." he turned to Zuko. And then he licked his own hand so it was now filled with saliva, he grabbed Zukos bangs and just pulled it down to cover half of Zukos face. "There! Now you're just a normal angsty emo teenager."
Zuko was standing still. "That was disgusting." he said. "Do that to me again and I will kill you."
"Perfect." Sokka grinned. "You make a perfect emo Zuko. Or should I say… Lee?" he asked as Zuko shook his head to restore it to its normal unruly self.
Hakoda crossed his arms. "Sokkas idea makes sense." he said. "How-ever. We should not be travelling in such a big group. It would make it so much more likely to be noticed."
Katara halted. "Dad are you saying. We should split up?"
Hakoda sighed deeply. "It's not something I want. Believe me. I just got to see you again."
"yeah…" Sokka said. "How-ever the ones that really need to hide are Aang and Zuko. You guys would have an easier time traveling through the earth kingdom by yourself. And maybe find some allies for the invasion."
Hakoda nodded. "To split up only makes sense."
Zuko halted. "If you intend to use this ship… You're going to need a fire bender." he said. "You're going to need someone familiar with the fire nation military and knows how to navigate it and how to address commanders." and then he turned to Zhau-Li.
Zhau-Li looked at Zuko and then he nodded. "I see what you're getting at."
Nervously Zuko chewed his lip.
"I get it Prince Zuko." Zhau-Li said amused. "Where you are going now. You don't need a servant. But these guys need a fire bender and someone who knows about the military. It only makes sense. This is how I can best serve you! And help defeat the fire lord! And thus serve my nation who is being oppressed by his rule." he stated.
Zuko smiled a relieved smile. "Yeah." he said. "I will expect you to see you at the day of the invasion."
"You got it." Zhau-Li stated in a grin. "You can't keep me away."
"And I expect you to look after my man." Zuko addressed Hakoda directly. "If anything happens to Zhau-Li you're going to answer to me."
And Hakoda laughed. "Spoken as a true leader Prince Zuko." he replied amused.
Zuko smiled then he looked up. "The fire nation…" he breathed.
"You okay Zuko?" Aang asked.
"I… I haven't seen the fire nation for three years." Zuko breathed. And then he smiled. "You guys are going to love it! The beaches are warm and the sand can be almost as white as snow! And then there's the food. The food is great. Aang! We can go visit sun warrior Island!" he gasped.
"You mean. That island your uncle said we should visit!" Aang exclaimed.
"Uncle said that the last two true fire bending masters are there!" Zuko gasped. "Maybe they can help us too! I mean they are fire nation but uncle said we should go. He wouldn't say that if they weren't on our side right?"
"Of course he wouldn't!" Aang exclaimed.
Katara smiled. "You sure seem happy."
"I erh… heh." Zuko blushed scratching his neck. "I haven't seen my home country for so long. It feels like… Like it has been forever. Way more than just three years." he admitted. "The Earth Kingdom is great and all but it isn't… You know."
"Home." Aang helped him along in a amused smile.
"Yeah." Zuko nodded. "I'm looking forward to showing you guys. There are a lot of great things in the fire nation."
"We're looking forward to seeing it." Katara said.
"I'm not!" Toph exclaimed loudly and they all looked at her. "It was a joke you idiot!" she laughed waving her hand in front of her blind eyes. "If you guys are all for it. So am I." she grinned.
"Woah fire nation." Aang gasped and then he grinned. "That's going to be so cool!"
"Don't you mean…" Sokka hesitated. "So hot?"
"Shut up Sokka." Toph exclaimed hitting Sokka so hard in the arm that he almost fell down and the rest chuckled amused.
Well… Zuko supposed. This wasn't the most insane thing they had ever done.