Thanks Sparkysparkbo0mman and Znpk for reviewing!

(Yes, so I may have shifted with the Canon timings a bit, but it will play out better this way - Note: Katara still learned all those Waterbending skills from Hama, just at an earlier date- about as soon as they left Fire Fountain city).


~ Gopala of the Water Tribe ~

Ryuu POV

"Aimi - I'm Gopala, come with me. "

The man, Gopala, was covered completely from head to toe in black fabric - except his eyes. One shone shockingly blue in the moonlight, the other deepest brown. His skin, from what I could see, was tanned more like a Water Tribe citizen rather than Fire Nation. He lured me along with a sweep of his hand.

I expected to be led to the Royal Plaza part of the harbour, but instead, Gopala led me down a narrow path away from the preying eyes of the Fire Nation soldiers. I was a tad tentative about following him, but I had no other real option.

A sudden wind cut through me like a blade. Gopala hissed but mostly ignored the icy wind. We reached a cliff edge - at which I ground my teeth - but the mysterious man pointed to a rope attached to a rock. Narrowing my eyes, I shook my head.

"You have to be kid-"

He grunted and grabbed me by the waist. When I squealed, the man sighed and clapped a hand over my mouth. I got the message - Shut up. He wrapped a hand around the rope and began the treacherous descent down onto a Junk with red sails. Dropping me onto the boat with a slam, he flicked his hand and managed to dislodge the rope from its position around a rock.

"What... where are we going?"

Gopala pulled the anchor up and tugged at the rigging. The Junk made a slow start, but when we got going it bounced along happily. I clung to my swaddled clothes and took a last lungful of Zuko's sent. I know how weird that sounds but I was - at the time - sure that I was never going to see the Prince ever again. At the stern, Gopala ripped off his mask and snarled when he caught me staring.

From his jaw to his forehead was an elongated burn scar. It also reached down to his collar bone. Nasty, nasty scar. By the look in his eyes, he definitely wasn't going to let slip how he got it. I drew my eyes to the inky waves passing past us. I concentrated on them instead.

"Better get changed, " Gopala adjusted the sails, "In my cabin - or, if you don't mind being killed, you can keep on that uniform."

Taking initiative, I stumbled to my feet and started towards the cabin. Inside was comfortably decorated with intrecatly woven mats and wall hangings depicting all sorts of myths and legends. A bed of Koala sheep fleece was welcoming to say the least. I latched the hatch door shut and started pulling off my regulation dress.

Inside the red fabric was: Green and Gold lined Kimono-like tunic, my old light green sleeveless shirt, Dark green Knee-length baggy trousers and brown ankle boots. I grinned in silent thanks to Zuko while slipping into the clothes. A though occurred to me - where would I sleep on this ship? A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the Bounty hunter.

"Done in there?" Gopala knocked on the door.

I crawled over to the door and unlocked it. Gopala grunted at my new appearance. He pointed at my messed up hair. I touched it and pulled the ribbons from my hair. Gopala instructed that I tie it in just a top-knot - as it would be easier to work with.

We rounded a headland and parallel to a stretch of black volcanic beach. Gopala knelt down next to me and sighed as he helped me with my hair. He pushed his hood down and scratched his short cropped hair. He made a small sound of approval and sat back - staring ahead of us.

"Don't worry, Aimi, I know your friend - Prince Zuko. We met during his exile."

I gritted my teeth, "He never told me about you..."

Gopala laughed loudly, almost scornful in his tone, "Of course he wouldn't! It was Iroh who truly looked after me. Kind old man... Shame what's happened to him."

"Mmm, yes. Then - why are you helping me?"

The older boy gazed vaguely scanned the horizon line, "You're a friend of Iroh. He tells me that you're worthy..."

Before I asked what 'Worthy' actually meant, Gopala crossed to the sails and started messing about with them. He tugged at one - which gave us an extra burst of speed. I tucked my uniform in the corner of the cabin, knowing not what to do with it.

Eventually, I managed to fall asleep on deck - despite the bitter air and occasional freak wave. But nightmares proceeded and it wasn't the most restful sleep you could want. When I woke up, Gopala was staring through a telescope at the night sky.

"What are you doing? " I croaked. Gopala lowered the spy glass and set his jaw as we bounced past a tiny island, populated entirely by gaggles of seabirds and the occasional Iguana-Seal. My eyes felt heavy from tired confusion. Gopala - however - looked as if he could run five consecutive marathons.

"I watch the stars - Astronomy. Beautiful, isn't she?" He beamed proudly up at the night sky. It was the most beautiful night - clear and free of clouds and light pollution from any city of village. Gopala then pointed towards the moon. Telling me Water Tribe tales all about it. When the morning rolled around, we came in to a stuttery hault.

The gates of Azulon. They gave me the heeby-jeebies. Because the Junk looked like any other trading vessel, we made it through without much of an issue. Under the net and up back to follow the coast line. I recognized the way to Ember Island all to well. But, instead of following the sea current up to the holiday resort, we headed for an island in the middle of the archipelago.

Black Island. I remembered it from the maps in Zuko's room. The thought of him made my heart twinge.

"Get ready - these people don't take well to outsiders."

By all accounts, he was correct. A full-blown invasion force was waiting in the natural harbour of Black Island. As we passed and pulled into dock, Gopala leapt off of the Junk and pulled it further - to beach it. I wasn't so eager. Water Tribe war boats and a mingling assembly of Warriors.

As soon as I saw Earth Kingdom soldiers, I felt a bit better - but still terrified of what these people would do to me if they knew I had been a servant for a Fire Nation Prince. Gopala stuck his head up and growled my new name.

"Uh - I don't think it's safe for me..."

Gopala rolled his eyes and swung himself up onto the deck. He took both my wrists in one hand and literally pulled me off. I cried out as I face-planted into the sand. The boy then grabbed my collar and tugged me to my feet.

"Hey, Takumi," My guide called across to a Water Tribe warrior, "Where's Sokka?"

Sokka. Not Sokka - the boy whom Zuko and I had previous dealings with that weren't that positive... I gulped and had no choice in the matter as Gopala took my bicep and lead me towards a tent at the furthest edge of the beach. This wasn't at all going to go well.

...

Sokka was debating with an older man, who I presumed was his father. They scoured over a map of the Fire Nation - pointing and discussing the best way to get to the capital as quickly as possible. Gopala pushed me to the sandy floor and pointed at me. If this is what Zuko had in mind, then he was trying to get me killed. Old acquaintance - find them, I was sure that meant Zan the Combustion dude.

"I've found another recruit," Gopala told his fellow tribesmen. The tone of his voice was hard to define: half disgusted/ half pleased. Spirits- he was betraying Zuko. Well, not that he liked Zuko anyway. Alright, he was betraying Iroh.

"Spying?" The older man questioned. His footsteps crunched across the sand towards me. Sokka asked me to sit up. I did, if grudgingly, as told. He stepped back a bit when he say my face. I waved slightly, greeting them with a rather sheepish 'Hello.'

"You're Zuko's girlfriend! " Sokka yelled. I ground my teeth as Gopala explained how I was running away and he had been instructed to aid me - but thought better than letting me go. Mumbled profanities under my breath, Hakoda - Sokka's father - nodded along.

"You ran away?"

I grunted, agreeing to the question. It wasn't completely true but it was better then trying to explain everything.

"What were you going to do, when you were free?" He prompted.

To be truthful, I had no idea. Try to stay alive really. Not die. That was my plan - to not die. Hakoda scratched his cheek and turned to Sokka, who was still a bit jumpy about me. Gopala crossed his arms and began analysing the map. It gave me an idea.

"I can help you," I let slip. Sokka raised a brow.

"You tried to kill Aang and Katara. How can we trust you?"

I raised my hands and gestured as I spoke, "Well, if you think about it, when did I ever hurt you? Remember the Nuns? I let them take you. I was a servant, so..."

They obviously didn't believe me. Gopala didn't bother interrupting any more - he was too busy analysing the map. Hakoda glanced over at his son, who obviously wanted nothing to do with me. He held the grudge against me. I began pleading for my life.

"Please - let me join you and- and I can help lead you through the Royal palace! I know the way. I worked there until... I ran away."

Hakoda licked his lips and clapped a hand on his son's shoulder, "You can't hold a grudge forever. She will be useful if she actually knows the layout of the palace. "

Sokka still stood his stubborn ground. It was making me feel as if I was going to be thrown into the sea to drown - a Water Tribe punishment for treason that Iroh had told me about. How I missed the old man - I could really have used his peace keeping skills now.

"Dad, she worked for the Fire Nation... she could be a spy."

Hakoda swung his arm towards Gopala, "He bought her here. How would she realy information anyway?"

That made Sokka think. He scratched his chin and then threw his hands in the air. Hoping this was a good sign, I tried to smile up at the two Water Tribesmen. Sokka grumbled as he had no choice but to let me help them.

This was something I definitely did not want to screw up.