A few hours later, everyone was eating breakfast. It was nice to have a warm meal after so long. Aang and Sokka ate savagely, while Katara and Kyoto very politely slipped the muffins into their mouths. Zuko, however, barely took a bite. As the meal was devoured, the room became silent. Finally, Zuko spoke. "I had my guards search the base during the past 10 hours. Zhao is yet to be found. Personally, I think they just aren't looking hard enough…" he said as he closed his eyes and tightened his fists. "However, if he isn't on the base, he must be looking for the Avatar right now. We're going to have to take one of my ships, and search. The boats can't go past 10 miles per hour, so he couldn't have gone too far. His boat was found missing this morning, and he hasn't been found, so he just left. If we leave right away, we'll find him right away." The rest of the teenagers just stared at him with a look that said "Wow…someone's been planning." And it was true, Zuko had bags under his eyes.
Zuko's uncle Iroh packed food and tea, while Zuko packed clothing and weapons. Sokka looked at Zuko and said as bravely as he could "You're positive you can track him?" Zuko glared. "Of course! Who do you think I am? We'll find him in no time, then have him seached, arrested, and…" Zuko said with a small smile. "Maybe beaten a bit."
All four entered the boat quietly. All but Zuko had no idea what was to come. No idea if they could even find Zhao, and if they did, what to do.
Katara was busy inspecting the boat with Aang, to get his mind off of seeing Zhao. Normally, Aang had no hear of such things, but the horror of thinking he saved Kioshi Island, then seeing it in that indescribable state…it completely destructed his brave interior.
Sokka was looking out the window calmly. He was with Kyoto in the main room of the boat, while Aang and his sister were up top. He pretended to be thinking about Zhao, but deep down he was thinking about Kyoto and him…together. He couldn't help it. She reminded him of Suki somehow…but not just that. She was a different person, a person he had come to love.
Kyoto smiled. "Whacha thinking about?" Sokka blushed slightly. "Nothing much." Kyoto sat down next to him. "I hope everything goes well, Sokka. I really do."
Sokka looked at Kyoto carefully, and looked into her eyes. Her beautiful…almost hazel green eyes. "It will…I promise." Then, Kyoto leaned close to Sokka, and put her head on his shoulder. "With you there…I know you're right."
After a few hours, when Kyoto had fallen asleep, and theothers were resting, a loud blare could be heard. Zuko rushed down into the main room, where Sokka, Aang, and Katara were looking around wildly, now just hearing the blare. Kyoto awoke, rubbing her eyes. Zuko said "Everyone prepare to do what we must! Zhao has been spotted!"