AN: I spent a lot of time on this chapter...I know it sucks...the next chapter should be easier.

Chapter 15: Child of Instinct

Zethan was at a loss. They'd reached the coordinates, but no one was there. As much as she hated to admit it, when it came to tracking, she was at a loss. She called, and the Fire Lord came to her side. He looked around, and sighed.

"There was a battle here."

"How can you tell, sir?"

"The faint smell of charred metal, the sky's darker in this region, which shows the presence of smoke, and the pieces of metal in the water."

She gasped as she spotted a Fire Nation flag in the water.

"Do you think…"

"No, two ships entered this battle, and two left. Now we need to know which way Zuko went." He turned to the captain.

"Where do you keep your hawks?"

The cliffs were made of sandstone, which made them easily susceptible to Zuko's daggers. Using them and pure strength, he'd made it halfway up the cliff-face before the sun was too high. He had no idea how long he'd been climbing, just that it was hot. His shirt hung around his waist, and he chuckled lightly at the thought that at this rate, he'd have a tan.

Katara watched the speck that was Zuko grow higher and higher. She practiced her water-bending and kept a look out for ships. Thoughts ran through her head, and she began to experiment with some desalted sea water, mangos, and a leaf that had a tangy taste and Zuko said was edible.

Zuko pulled himself over the edge of the cliff, and began to wonder if nothing was up here; it was just some random urge he'd had to climb the cliff. He was instantly proven wrong. A bare 30 feet from the edge of the cliff was a scattering of adobe huts, all positioned in a way that proclaimed an abandoned village. He began to explore.

Sokka had taken a liking to Lieutenant Gi. They were moving between islands now, most of which were so small it took barely two hours to search them and head for the next one. Gi had taken the time to train with Sokka, and it wasn't long before Sokka's skills began to improve.

Suddenly Gi stopped and looked at something to their left. Sokka followed his gaze and beheld a red-tail hawk, which at the current moment was preening his wing, ignoring the small scroll tied to its talons. Gi walked over to the bird, untied the scroll, and the bird took wing and fluttered over to Sokka's shoulder, which it regarded as a perch, and continued its preening.

"What is it, Lieutenant Gi?"

"It a letter, addressed to Zuko. We'll take it to General Iroh, he'll know what to do."

"Why's it important? We could just leave it in Zuko's room until he gets back."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it had the royal seal on it."

Iroh and Anzha were playing a game of Pi-Sho when Gi and Sokka walked onto the bridge. Gi handed the letter to him.

"What's this?" began the startled general.

"It's addressed to Zuko, sir, and stamped with the royal seal. I deemed it important."

Without further questioning, Iroh split the seal and opened the letter. This is what it said.

To my precious son,

Word may have reached you of my ship's destruction, word even of my death. The Flames' Heart is destroyed, but I have escaped intact, for the most part. I write you because there is much you need to know.

First of all, I can never express how sorry I am for scarring you. It was a sacrifice that I needed to make for a plan conceived by a madman. It's is too complicated to explain, but I will happily do so at a later time.

Second, you are welcome back in the Fire Nation at any time. In fact, due to recent events, I implore you to return. If anyone should stop you, show them this letter. There is strength in numbers, and they will protect you.

You may be wondering why I asked you to return to the Fire Nation, and this is simple. Admiral Zhao has lost his mind. He attacked my ship after I confronted him, and now he seeks to destroy you and your uncle. I know Zhao's plan, and I know what he's going to do. I have to stop him, and I could do this better knowing that you're safe.

I am with Captain Zethan, who rescued Lady Natalani and me from the wreckage of the Flames' Heart. Please send word of your coordinates by return hawk.

I pray you'll forgive my misdeeds. I know nothing else to say.

Forever by your side, your loving father,

Ozai

Fire Lord

Iroh frowned at the letter before tucking it into his sleeve. "Your warning came a little late Fire Lord." Gi looked up, surprised.

"He's alive?"

"Apparently, yes, and he's with Captain Zethan."

Iroh motioned to a servant and told him to bring quill and paper.

Ozai was on the deck. Since they had no idea where to go, they'd anchored at the site of the battle. Natalani had done everything she could to try and calm him, but nothing was working. He was too emotionally distraught with worry for Zuko. Now, she merely walked up to him and took his good hand in hers.

"If Zhao has harmed a hair on his head, I'll kill him. I swear it."

Natalani just sighed. She herself wanted to destroy her previous husband, but she was a woman. Women weren't supposed to be so violent, and she'd learned her lesson well as Zhao's wife. Just then, a hawk dropped out of the sky, fluttering down to Ozai.

Ozai tore his hand from Natalani's to grab the letter tied to the hawk's talon. Natalani took the letter gently from him, opening it easily, then handed it back to him to read. He read it aloud, in a soft voice so that only she heard.

Brother Ozai,

I fear that your warning came too late. Zhao attacked us the same day that we learned of your seemed death. Zuko found a piece of the Flames' Heart's hull, and immediately assumed the worst.

Though the battle itself was a blur, it was cut short by the recent storm. Zuko and a girl from the Water Tribe, one of the Avatar's companions, were swept overboard during the fray. We yet know nothing of their fate, and we are searching nearby islands for the two. Anzha is with us, so please let Natalani know she is safe.

Our coordinates are listed below, but they may change as we continue to search for Zuko and Katara.

If you decide to join us, it is best you know that we are harboring the Avatar. He is our momentary ally, and I will not let you or any other Fire Nation officer have him.

Sincerely

Iroh

Retired General

Ozai looked up from the letter. "I hope he's safe wherever he is."

Katara was eating a mango as Zuko came up. She stared at him. "Apparently, you found a way down without climbing."

He nodded, and he was grinning broadly.

"No more caves for us, either." He went on to describe what he'd found on the cliff. Katara dropped the remains of the mango on the sand.

"Show me!" He grabbed her hand and they started running back the way they'd come.

In truth Zuko had no idea how he'd missed the path up the cliffs while exploring the island, but it was carved smooth and the slope was gentle, so they ran up it. When Katara saw the huts, she laughed gleefully. Taking her to a particular one, he watched as she sifted through the knick-knacks his explorations had produced.

Katara's heart leapt when she saw the small book that was in the pile, and she picked it up, opening it to the first page. The very first sentence made her heart drop to the floor.

Hmmmmm...I wonder what the book says...guess you'll have to find out later...