Sorry about not posting! I had writers block and didn't know how to write the chapters to make it work! SORRY! But luckily, I figured out a plan to help me make this work. Once again I'm REALLY sorry about not updating for so long. I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review for it! It's the only thing that makes me happy, and it makes me type more.
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"I remember the trip to Hiraku Island. It was a most interesting journey." Said Iroh.
"Yes it was. We didn't expect that surprise attack though, when we went there. Many of our men were wounded." Replied Zhao.
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"Captain, we are ready to go to Hiraku Island." Said a soldier.
"Good, we shall depart in a few minutes." Replied Zhao.
"All we have to do is wait for Zhang and Araura." Said Iroh.
"And here they come, right on time."
"General Iroh, Captain Zhao." Zhang said as both, he and his sister bowed.
"Welcome aboard Commander Zhang, and Lady Araura." Said Zhao.
"I am happy that both of you were able to accompany us." Said Iroh.
"We are both delighted to come." Said Araura.
A soldier approached the four. "Captain, shall we begin our departcher?"
"Yes, set a course for Hiraku Island in the Earth Kingdom."
The ship departed from the dock.
"I win again!" Cried Iroh happily, seeing how he won another game of pie sho against Zhao and Zhang. They both groaned.
"Oh, come now. How can you not beat an old man like me? I'm sure you'll win if we play again."
"They could try again, but will most likely fail." Said Araura as she watched the game.
"Oh really sister? Do you have any words of advice?"
"Yes, tell us Araura, what are we doing wrong?" Asked Zhao.
"Well, you both lack the ability to come up with strategic moves." She said cooly.
Iroh began laughing. "It's true, you both lack the ability."
"Strategies are not only used to plan battles for fights. They are also used for everyday battles, even if it's for a game."
"Oh really sister? Then please, show us how effective strategy is."
She sat down at the table and began playing against Iroh. The whole crew had watched the battle of witts. It had been an hour since they began playing. Both opponents studied the board carefully. It was Araura's move.
The crew was silent, until she made her move. Then, the crew roared in applause.
"Well, you have won." Iroh said unhappily.
She stood up. It was a well played game." She bowed to him, then faced Zhao and Zhang. "Now do you see how effective a strategy can be?" They were dumbfounded.
A soldier came up to them. "We are prepared to dock sir."
"Good, we shall leave the ship in the morning." Night had fallen awhile ago, so there was no point in leaving the ship.
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The ship was silent at the dock. The crew and everyone else was asleep, considering it was only a few hours until morning.
Araura was asleep in her room. She instantly opened her eyes and sat up in her bed. She sensed danger was near. She got out of her bed and walked to the deck of the ship in her red robe with gold trim. She stopped on the deck and listened closely. She could her footsteps in the far distance. It was coming from the South. She stood silently and listened. There were footsteps on the ships deck. Coming around from the corner. It came from inside the ship, so she knew it wasn't an intruder.
"Captain Zhao, what are you doing out here?"
"I could ask you the same thing Araura."
"I couldn't sleep. I just needed some fresh air."
He walked over to her. "It's 2 hours before dawn. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
He continued talking to her, but she didn't pay any attention to him. The footsteps were closer now. Closer, closer. They stopped.
"Are you listening to a word I'm saying?...Araura?"
"Zhao get down!"
"What?..." A bunch of boulders came hurtling at the ship, heading straight toward the both of them.
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Well there you go. I'm making these chapters short since it's easier to post them quicker, and since it's a short fanfic. But, this chapter does raise a few questions you all might be wondering about. Like how she could sense that danger was near, how she could her footsteps from so far away, and how she knew they were going to be attacked. Trust me, more questions will be asked. Also, you'll get to meet a very special character. Zhang's and Araura's father, Ryuuhi. Also, guess who else you'll get to meet in later chapters? Zuko as a little kid! So many questions, and so many more things. Sorry readers, but I can't tell you about what's going on. All I can say, which will appear quite often, is...
"Though power is what you crave, it shall bring you to the point of madness. Your lust for power has brought you to bring forth the hand of death. Though you may think, death will give you power, it will only further your search. For you,
Death, is only the beginning."
