A/N Inspired by Salvage by MuffinLance, You Technically Kidnapped Me But You Don't Even Want Me For Hostage After I Pulled A Boston Tea Party On Your Week's Worth of Gruel and Now I'm On Probation by cereal_whore, and The Art of Burning by hella1975, all on A03

Don't expect this to be good, lol.

Sugawara is a waterbender and so is Yachi, and that's it from the Southern Water Tribe.

The first years are 14/15, the Second years 16/17 and the third years 18. Takeda and Ukai are responsibe adults, kind of (Ukai not so much)

I don't own Haikyu

Also don't expect me to be too mean to Kageyama because spoiler alert! I can't :)

Enjoy,

It'd been too long at sea for Kageyama's liking. He would rather stop in ports frequently, just so he could stretch his legs, walk without the sway of the boat. But there hadn't been a port for several days because of how far south they were going. It was getting chillier the further they went as well.

It wasn't as if he got much of a say in where they docked either, Oikawa always gave those orders, and Oikawa hated to stop. He hated the cold even more though, so Kageyama wasn't sure why they were headed this way.

"In search of the Avatar, of course." Oikawa said it as if he were an idiot when Kageyama asked.

Kageyama knew how important capturing the Avatar was to Oikawa, it was just as important to him. He couldn't go back home until he had him after all, so his sole purpose for the last two years, had been searching for him.

Technically, Oikawa hadn't even had to come with him on this journey, and certainly not for two years. Kageyama knew father would've rather had him home all this time than at sea with Tobio.

That was just one more reason for his father to be mad at him.

However, that didn't mean he was ungrateful for Oikawa's presence. Even if his older brother just made his life harder sometimes. Like ordering him around and not letting him do things his way. Kageyama didn't like being told what to do, and he liked it even less when it came from Oikawa.

"Tobio-chan, I need a foot massage."

To which he of course responded, "No," and stomped off.

The cold made Kageyama more irritable, he really didn't like it down this far at all, but the south pole was one of the last places they hadn't searched, scoured, or hunted for the Avatar.

As they were sailing, Kageyama stood up on the top deck, looking out over the ocean when he saw something in the distance.

He couldn't tell if it was moving towards them or if they were just moving towards it, but as they got closer he realized it was both. "Oikawa," Kageyama said, coming down below deck where Oikawa was working on something. It was probably boring.

"What do you want, you little brat?"

"There's a ship coming towards us. It doesn't look Fire Nation."

"Ugh, do I have to take charge ALL the time. You're a prince too, order them to fill the canons and start shooting."

Kageyama almost rolled his eyes. The last time he'd taken initiative, everything had coincidentally gone wrong and of course he had taken the blame for it, even though Oikawa had given the okay in the first place.

Now he always came to Oikawa and wanted him to give the order so he didn't get blamed again because he didn't like getting blamed for things not entirely his fault.

"Okay, I'll tell them it came from you."

"Why?"

"So then you'll get blamed if everything goes wrong."

"Oh my spirits, you little shit!" Oikawa's chair scraped against the wood as he stood up but Kageyama was already gone. Being younger had it's perks. Being a little shorter and able to duck under most of the crews' arms was one of them. If he cussed Oikawa always got blamed. He could eat a little more because he was growing. And on the ship, if he was disrespectful, he was just an annoying brat and got ignored.

It was nothing like back home, and Kageyama almost liked living on the ship better. He knew Oikawa didn't though, knew his older brother hated it here, and would much rather be at home.

Their father would much rather Oikawa be at home too.

"Hey!" Kageyama protested when Oikawa caught him in his arms, stopping him in his tracks. Oikawa was faster, stronger, a better firebender, and a better leader than Kageyama. Growing up, he'd always looked up to his older brother.

Somewhere along the way though, Kageyama supposed Oikawa had grown to hate him. They stopped talking, stopped playing, stopped everything they used to do together, and Kageyama still didn't know why.

Which was why it confused him when Oikawa had accompanied him on this fool's journey. And not only accompanied him but talked with him, teased him, chased him, and did what they used to.

It was odd to say the least.

"You think you can get away from me Tobio-chan~."

"You can tickle me later, which is what I know you're about to do."

He heard a groan and Oikawa's arms release him, "I hate when you're right." His older brother pouted. "Fine, let's go see the ship."

And as the moved from below, up to the main deck, he could see the boat was even closer than before. They should be preparing the canons to attack by now. "Tobio-chan, why didn't you tell me quicker?"

"I told you as soon as I knew what it was." Kageyama stated dryly.

"Sure you did, but knowing you, it probably took longer to realize than it would've taken anyone else."

Kageyama's eyes flared and he scowled at Oikawa, snarling softly. "Get over yourself Tobio-chan." Oikawa walked off to tell the soldiers to start firing, and Kageyama stood by, crossing his arms, glaring into the distance.

Life sailing on a boat was not ideal in the long run. It was not the easiest, the most relaxing, or the best view, unless you counted miles upon miles of nothing but ocean.

Sugawara was glad they were back home, but considering their next destination was the north pole, perhaps it hadn't been best to swing around back home first. It delayed the trip too much in his eyes, considering he already viewed life on a boat as not ideal in the first place.

He had to admit, however. It was nice to be home.

The crunch of ice and snow, the familiar, biting chill, the completely clear sky. And of course, the sounds of children playing, and women crying because everyone was home safe.

So much warmth despite living in the coldest place on earth.

"We only dropped by to visit, and make sure you were alright. It's certainly been a while." Sugawara said to Kiyoko, who nodded.

"It's nice to see you all again." She said. Her face showed nothing more than a small smile, but her entire body language radiated happiness, and the same relief he felt for her.

"Wow, you guys are all back!" Yachi came out of the tent, positively beaming. "I'm so glad you're okay Sugawara-san, you haven't been back for so long! We were starting to worry."

"I'm sorry, Yachi-chan, we'll try not to be gone as long this time."

Even though he knew that was a complete lie. It would probably still be a couple years until their next visit, possibly longer, depending on the war efforts, how many Fire Nation they encountered, and how many people died along the way. It included several other factors as well, but those were the main three.

"Hey, Sugawara-san, can I take Tsukki and Yamaguchi out fishing?" the young girl asked, looking a little nervous for his answer, "Or are you not going to be here long enough?"

"If they want, that's fine." Sugawara said, figuring they'd stay for at least a couple hours.

Yachi ran off to go find the other boys her age, and Sugawara turned back to Kiyoko, "How's she been doing?" without children her age around, it must've been hard. She had Kiyoko, but Kiyoko wasn't interested in doing most of the things Yachi did, such as fishing.

"She's been doing alright, busying herself with chores, and sometimes helping the other women look after the children. She's very helpful, although she doesn't have much fun anymore. I wish there was another young lady around her age."

"You're the closest she has, huh." Sugawara said sympathetically to which Kiyoko nodded, her shoulders slumped slightly, her eyes sad.

"Yes, and I'm afraid I'm not much."

"Hm… well she isn't going to be a child for much longer anyway. Maybe this is a good thing."

Kiyoko shook her head slightly, "She isn't going to be a child for much longer. That's exactly why this is a bad thing."

Sugawara could do nothing but offer her a shoulder pat and what he hoped was an apologetic expression. Considering her small smile, he was pretty sure he had succeeded.

"Tsukki, Yamaguchi!" Yachi rushed over to them, sliding on the ice almost as soon as she'd started, and barreled right into them, knocking both off their feet as well. "Sorry, I'm so clumsy." Yachi panicked, hurriedly getting up and trying to help them too.

Needless to say they all ended up back in the snow again. Tsukishima grunted and hauled himself up, not offering either of the other two a hand. "I hope you fall again." He told them.

Yachi, nor Yamaguchi said anything, but she could tell they were both thinking that was a rude thing to say. "Do you guys want to go fishing?"

Tsukishima scoffed, "Why would I ever—"

"—I'll go!" Yamaguchi cut in.

"—not want to go with you?" Tsukishima crossed his arms and started walking off to get spears.

"It's been a while, Yachi" Yamaguchi said as they walked more leisurely behind Tsukki.

"Yeah…" Yachi wasn't sure what to say to that. She figured she was supposed to tell him what had been going on lately, except that nothing had been going on, so she wasn't sure what to share.

"It's been boring for us on the ship. All we do is sail all day, work all day, eat, and then sleep. The only reprieve is when we get to port and can buy stuff in town."

"How are Earth Kingdom markets?" Yachi hadn't heard many stories about the markets there, and there weren't any to compare to in the south pole either.

"They're busy. Tsukki doesn't really like them." Yamaguchi laughed, staring at the back of the blonde's head, expecting him to react.

Tsukishima didn't and Yachi asked, "Wow, so there's a lot of shops, and people, and things to see right?"

"Yeah." Yamaguchi smiled.

Yachi suddenly wished she could visit a marketplace, but she knew the men in her tribe didn't get in that boat to go shopping. They got on it to fight. They warred with the Fire Nation, sinking their ships, and killing their soldiers. Yachi knew that was a place she wasn't allowed to be. One she would never be allowed.

Because she was a girl. And despite wanting to be with Tsukishima and Yamaguchi more often, and despite wanting to get out of this place, despite wanting to travel the world, she was also grateful. Because she didn't want to fight, couldn't even imagine having to hurt another person.

Even if that person was Fire Nation, and she was glad the warriors of her tribe were risking their lives to defeat them, but she could never do the deed herself.

Maybe that was cowardice, but it was how she felt.

"Hey, are you going to practice waterbending today?" Yachi jumped as she was pulled out of her thoughts by Tsukki.

"Uh… yeah."

"Fine, but you better not get me wet this time."

Yachi paused for a moment before letting a grin break out on her face, "I won't." she giggled.

"Sure you won't." Tsukki teased her lightly, rolling his eyes.

Tsukishima and Yamaguchi each took a spear and they set out towards the canoes.

Yachi didn't want to voice to them how it had been forever since they'd done this, she knew they all felt it. She hadn't seen them in almost two and a half years. It had been too long. She was twelve, and now fifteen. They were fifteen too now, and they had been fighting that entire time.

She still felt like a child next to them. Next to her friends who'd seen people die, who might've killed people themselves.

She felt too young, even if they were the same age, they hadn't seen the same things, and they hadn't fought the same war either. Hers was waiting for them to come home, wondering if they were alive while washing clothes and trying to get children to behave. Their war was sinking ships, killing soldiers, training with weapons, while waiting to come home, wondering if they were alive. If she was alive.

And she could tell, in the way they held their spears now. They weren't awkward as they'd been when they were twelve, they held the weapons like they knew how to use them.

That made her cheeks heat. She wasn't much better of a waterbender than the last time they'd seen her. What had she really been doing all this time?

When they got to the canoes, everyone climbed in before Tsukki pushed them off and they started floating down the current. Tsukki steered them in a general direction as they drifted. "So, what have you been doing, Yachi?"

"Oh, not much." Yachi said, "Just the usual. Looking after kids, washing clothes, practicing a little. Nothing special."

"I would say it sounds interesting, but," Yamaguchi trailed off, laughing apologetically.

"It's fine," Yachi giggled, "You're right. It isn't very interesting."

They hadn't been drifting long, but this was already the most fun she'd had in a long time. She used to play with the animals, and slide down the hills, and make things out of ice and snow, but when Tsukishima and Yamaguchi left, she'd had no one to do it with. So she gave up those things. They weren't as fun when she was by herself.

And she was getting older too, Kiyoko needed her help more, everybody did. So she'd let go of her childhood and done what she needed.

"Ooo, look, there's one." Yamaguchi said, leaning over the canoe.

"You better not tip us over." Was all Tsukki said.

The tips of Yamaguchi's ears turned red and he rounded on him, "That was one time, Tsukki."

"One time makes room for another." Was all he said and Yamaguchi ignored him in favor of the fish, swimming in strange sort of circles below them.

Yachi looked down over her side of the boat into the icy blue waters to see if she could spot a fish worth trying to waterbend.

She saw one then, it was swimming by the surface, darting around underneath the deep blue.

Taking a deep breath she glanced behind and saw her companions completely distracted with Yamaguchi's fish.

With nobody watching her, she felt it easier to relax and let the water meld into the bubble shape she wanted. She let herself feel like one with the water, and felt the water pull and push as she wanted it.

Now there was a bubble of water with her fish in it, although combined with the elation of her success she was having difficulties keeping it that way. "Hey guys, look I—"

At that point, Yamaguchi thrusted his spear back to impale the fish and ended up popping her bubble, sending the fish tumbling back into the sea and spraying them with water.

"Ugh, Yachi, I told you I didn't want to be wet." Tsukki complained.

"Well… well if Yamaguchi hadn't put his spear back it wouldn't have popped my bubble of water."

"Why didn't you tell us it was there? We would've watched out for it." Tsukki sounded annoyed, and Yachi was starting to get annoyed too, and Yamaguchi could sense the tension starting to rise between the two of them.

"I had just gotten it and was trying to tell you when Yamaguchi did it." She tried to explain herself, though it sounded more emotional and annoyed than she was wanting.

"Guys, can you please—"

"Right, it probably took you so long because it was taking too much of your concentration to waterbend."

"I'd like to see you waterbend!" Yachi said, crossing her arms. She didn't get mad at anyone but Tsukki, he was the only person who could push her buttons so much, and he usually did it by making fun of her waterbending abilities.

"Guys—"

"I don't have to, to know that it would be much easier than trying to learn how to wield a weapon."

"Oh yeah, well I—"

"Guys!"

They turned to look at Yamaguchi who was pointing helplessly at the rapids way too close for comfort since Tsukki was the only one who had a paddle.

"Uh oh…" was all Yachi had time to whisper before they all screamed.

The boat was instantly going much faster and Yachi was struggling to keep the boat centered so it didn't tip over. If it tipped over they were dead.

Rushing down the rapids, water splashing into Yachi's face, she could barely see what was happening. Yachi rubbed the salty water out of her eyes in time to see ice burgs closing in around the boat.

They were going to crash, "Go left, go left!" She screamed as they were heading straight for the collision.

Tsukishima didn't go left and their boat smashed into the ice burgs, throwing them all out on to the ice, Yachi nearly sliding off if Yamaguchi hadn't grabbed her hand at the last moment, centering them all on the block of ice.

They were all out of breath, panting, and shivering from cold for a moment before Yachi said, "I told you to go left, Tsukki."

"Yeah well why didn't you just waterbend us out of the way." Tsukki muttered.

"Ugh, why are you so stuck up," she threw her arms down in rage, "selfish," she did it again, "and… and, so immature!"

Compared to Nishinoya and Tanaka, no one would ever think of Tsukishima as immature, but Yachi saw the truth. He was always so concerned with having the last word, and that was nothing but childish.

"Uh… Yachi?"

"WHAT!" she threw her arms down again and heard a crack behind her.

Yachi turned right as the ice burg fell apart sending a wave that knocked their ice block backwards. She grabbed on to Yamaguchi for balance, and when she opened her eyes again, another ice burg had emerged from under the ocean, glowing blue.

"What is that?" Tsukki asked.

Yachi didn't know at first, and crept towards it, seeing a figure inside. It was person shaped. "There's someone in there." She murmured, suddenly horrified.

"It's probably dead." Tsukki said as she grabbed Yamaguchi's spear and started hitting the ice with it, again and again, hoping this would crack too.

Eventually, she did hear something, and was blown backwards by a sudden gust of wind, colliding with Tsukki, who held them both steady.

Then, the ice burg cracked at the tip and started breaking in half, opening to reveal a person, as Yachi had thought. "We should stay back… we don't know who that is." Yamaguchi said nervously.

Tsukki, meanwhile, had already started approaching the strange kid in orange robes, with orange hair, an arrow tip poking out on his forehead. "Could we throw it overboard?"

"We're not doing that, and stop calling him an it." Yachi said right as they heard a groan from the fallen boy and all scrambled backwards as far as possible.

"Do you think it bites?"

"Hush!"

Sugawara was helping everyone load some more stuff on to the ship when Yamaguchi ran up to him. "Suga-san!"

"Oh, Yamaguchi, it's good you're back, we need some help loading and then we'll be off. Where's Tsukki?"

"Uh," Yamaguchi trailed off and was trying to say something to him, but he was just panting, so then he pointed behind him. Sugawara looked behind around Yamaguchi then, tilting his head around the boy's body, as he was rather tall, to see Yachi, and Tsukki. But there was someone else in between them.

He was taller than Yachi, but much shorter than Tsukki, and even Sugawara, who was one of the shortest in the crew.

"Who is that?"

"He's… he's an airbender." Yamaguchi said.

"He is?" that was impossible. Hadn't the airbenders died out a hundred years ago?

"We thought it was impossible too. But Suga-san we saw him."

"I understand." Sugawara said, he had to talk to Takeda, Ukai, and Daichi about this.

Luckily for Suga, they were already on the boat, discussing the route they were going to take to get to the north pole, so he located them easily. "Excuse me, sorry for interrupting."

"You're too polite all the time, Sugawara." Ukai said.

Sugawara didn't take the bait, "Yamaguchi, Tsukki, and Yachi just got back. They seem to think they've brought back an airbender, asshole."

Ukai gritted his teeth and Sugawara gave him a smile. "An airbender?" Chief Takeda said, his eyes wide. "Are they sure?"

"They saw him airbend. And there were three of them so I don't think they all saw something that wasn't there. The boy also seems to be dressed in some strange clothes, orange and much too thin for these weathers to be precise."

"Orange? Those were the colors of the air nomads from all those years ago." Daichi said.

"I also saw him carrying some staff. I'm not sure if it's a weapon or not, although no one came back hurt. I doubt that an airbender would be hostile anyway.

"Bring him here." Takeda said, and Sugawara nodded, turning on his heel, out onto the icy tundra in a flash.

The boy was right there almost, looking no older than Yachi and beamed at him. "Hi, I'm Hinata, it's nice to meet you. Do you think we could go penguin sledding? I've always wanted to do that. This is the north pole right? I mean it's either that or the south. Come to think of it this is probably the south maybe."

Sugawara looked at the boy with a half-smile, "Actually Hinata, the chief would like to see you."

That got the boy's attention as he immediately stood a little straighter. "Okay," he said, although he seemed a little more cautious now. He wondered if that was because the boy had something to hide, or if he was just intimidated by the title.

Regardless, Sugawara led him away from the other three, Yachi looking the most concerned, and took him to the three leaders in their crew.

When Sugawara opened the door again, the boy stood even straighter than was possible and instantly bowed to Ukai, "I'm Hinata, I'm happy to meet you, Chief!"

"Ha, yeah, the Chief. What are you doing here, why were you hanging around those kids. What's your business, little boy," Ukai leaned forward, an exaggerated snarl on his face that made Hinata hide behind Suga, poking only his eyes out.

"Actually, I'm the Chief." Takeda said as Daichi kicked Ukai under the table.

"Oh, hi…" the boy paused. "I'm Hinata?" his introduction had already been ruined, so he wasn't sure what else to say.

"I'm Chief Takeda. And Sugawara tells me you're an airbender."

"Sure am!" Hinata said coming out from behind Suga, not standing as straight as before.

"Right, right, and you wouldn't happen to know the Avatar, would you?"

"Uh… nope! I have no idea who that is." Hinata said, folding his arms in front of him.

He was a terrible liar, though he might've fooled other crew members.

Sugawara and the three leaders were all much too entuned to people to be tricked. "Are you the Avatar then?" Daichi asked.

"Nope!" Hinata lied again, although Sugawara wasn't sure why he had to lie about that. Maybe he thought they would hurt him because of that, poor thing.

"Okay…" Chief Takeda said. This was big news, he was worried about asking too many questions right at the start. He didn't want to overwhelm the teenager, and he didn't want to leave the Avatar here, either. It would be stupid to leave someone as valuable to the war as that, here where he was defenseless.

Daichi was apparently thinking the same thing, "Say Hinata, would you like to come with us?"

"On your boat?"

"Yeah, we're going to the north pole. Have you ever been there?"

"Hm… no, I don't think so." He tried to remember. "But even if I had, I would love to go again!"

"Great!" Takeda smiled, "So, since that's settled, we just have to finish loading, and then we're free to take off."

Sugawara nodded and led Hinata back out of the room and off the boat where he immediately ran over to Yachi, presumably to tell her about going to the north pole.

Yachi watched Hinata run over to her shouting about something, until she was close enough to hear him say, "Guess what, I'm going to the north pole!" and she nearly choked. He was leaving too? She thought maybe the crew would think he was a liability, make him stay here… with her.

She was embarrassed to admit how badly she wanted a friend. "Isn't it awesome, we'll sail on a boat, far away, I love traveling!"

"That's great Hinata," she tried to sound happy for him. From his small frown she could guess she'd failed.

"What's wrong?" he asked to which she shook her head.

"Nothing, I just have to um… go get something!" she rushed off, back into the tent she shared with Kiyoko, where she just tried to breathe and not cry. She didn't want to cry.

"Yachi-chan? Are you okay?"

That was Kiyoko's voice, and Yachi recognized it, and she knew she had to respond, but she just couldn't. Another three years of this, maybe longer? Without anyone her age? She knew if she opened her mouth she would cry, and she didn't want that.

"Yachi…"

She slowly turned around, staring into Kiyoko's pretty blue eyes, searching her face for what she was thinking. As usual, she couldn't find it. "You'll need these." Was all Kiyoko said, giving her two bags. Two bags for what, she wasn't sure. Probably laundry. Before Yachi could explain that it wasn't her turn this week, Kiyoko was gone.

She sighed, not feeling like laundry, but figured it could take her mind off things for a little while. Distract her until they left. She opened the bag, only to find clothes, and some food, and… and Yachi saw a weapon.

Her heart seized for a moment as she searched her brain for an answer.

All at once it came crashing on top of her. Kiyoko hadn't given her a laundry bag. This was a travel bag.

Kiyoko was giving her what she needed to go with them. What else could this possibly be for?

She clutched the bag tight in her hands and made her decision then. She didn't have time to contemplate it, they would be done loading soon, and then everyone would be on the deck. It would be impossible for her to sneak on. So, she left the tent, rushing to one of the snow banks, hiding herself away, listening as people came and left. She peeked around the edge onto the land above.

And no one was there, no voices or bodies, absolutely no one, so she gripped her bags again and ran. On to the boat, ducking once again into the corner as Nishinoya and Tanaka went passed, laughing and joking.

Sugawara or Daichi might've caught her, but those two never paid any attention to their surroundings so they completely missed her.

She followed closely, but not too closely, behind them, keeping quiet, to the door that went below deck.

Opening it as quietly as possible, she slipped inside, closed it again, just as quietly and crept down the stairs and into one of the dark corners of the boat, her bags in her lap, knees to her chest, hoping no one saw her until it was too late to turn back, and hoping they wouldn't be too angry when they finally found her.

Still she had to do this, and Kiyoko seemed to think so too. So, she was here now, and she wasn't leaving.

As the ship sailed even closer, Kageyama identified it as Water Tribe. It was distinctly wooden, and it came from the south. There was nothing else it could be.

Oikawa loaded the canons and started shooting.

They all missed, however, because Oikawa was terrible at one thing, which was aiming, and he always insisted on being the one to aim and shoot, like an idiot. Because apparently canons were his favorite thing.

For being his favorite thing, he was pretty damn terrible at it.

So Oikawa missed, and the ship came closer, Kageyama's heart started beating faster. "Great, our surprise attack and we blew it. Nice job." Iwaizumi said sarcastically, clapping Oikawa on the back.

Oikawa only whined and crossed his arms. "Whatever, we'll just attack when they get closer, that was my plan all along."

"No it wasn't, you thought you could actually hit something for a moment, and threw everything you had into it, and now you're tired."

Oikawa whined again.

"Well you better quit complaining and prepare for an actual battle since you can't shoot anything without failing miserably."

"So mean Iwa-chan." Oikawa stomped away, below deck to prepare, and Kageyama just kept staring at the boat.

He could've sworn he saw something not blue and tan on that boat. Something orange and way too bouncy, but Kageyama couldn't tell what it was. It was worth investigating in his opinion either way.

"I should be chief, who would've thought bringing the Avatar with us would be a good idea." Tanaka whispered harshly to Daichi.

"Actually it was my suggestion." Daichi growled and Tanaka took a step back. "Listen, this ship was headed down south. Better to sink it now. And how would the Avatar be able to save the world trapped in the south pole. It isn't as if there's another transportation option."

"I hate it when you're right about things."

They were coming upon the ship much too fast for any of their liking, not thinking they'd have to deal with Fire Nation so soon. One thing was for sure, they had to sink this ship.

If they didn't, it might continue to the south pole, although there wouldn't be anything there, no one could take the chance they'd kill everyone.

When they were close enough to pull themselves in, the Water Tribe invaded the ship before the others had a chance to invade theirs. Daichi would rather not set the ship on fire.

He ended up locked, head to head in battle with a soldier, his hair brown, brushed to the side, and his eyes brown as well. "What are you doing all the way out here, Fire Nation?" Daichi spat.

"Looking for the Avatar, know him?"

"If we did, you think we'd leave him unguarded? Head that way and you'll only find women and children."

He could see the Fire Nation soldier consider this, and accept it, as Daichi was right. That would be stupid. It would also be stupid to travel with him on your boat, but a little less so, perhaps.

Something burned his shoulder, and that was how he realized the soldier he was fighting was a firebender.

Sugawara managed to escape the fighting, down below deck to see if these people had any supplies.

What he hadn't expected was to find anyone down there.

At first, Sugawara couldn't tell if the boy was with them, or if he was a prisoner. He had black hair like several people from the Fire Nation did, and he was pale. But the thing that stopped him, were those blue eyes.

So incredibly blue. Like Kiyoko's.

His moment of silence was interrupted, because the boy spotted him from behind his corner. Sugawara opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the blast of fire sent his way.

Definitely Fire Nation then.

Sugawara dodged, and bent some water from the water skins on his side, froze it, and threw some ice cycles at the blue-eyed boy. He was obviously surprised, perhaps not used to fighting a waterbender, and dodged, just barely. Although Sugawara hadn't been aiming for a fatal blow in the first place.

He came closer, kicking fire, and punched at Sugawara's stomach. Sugawara caught his fist, having the advantage of height and strength, although the boy was almost as tall as him.

He grabbed the other's forearm, redirecting his momentum down. It took all of Sugawara's strength to even try and restrain him, but Sugawara was no master waterbender.

And this child seemed very adept at his own element at least.

Suga wasn't used to fighting much either, he'd come down because he thought everyone would be on deck fighting.

He realized the only way out might be to kill this boy.

"Who are you!" he snarled.

"You're the one who started attacking first." Sugawara tried to stay calm, but this Fire Nation brat was working his nerve.

"I'm Tobio Kageyama Oikawa, and I'm the second prince of the Fire Nation!"

Interesting that the boy had a middle name. Furthermore, being a prince was valuable. If Sugawara managed to get his hands on this boy, perhaps they could use him as a trade off. In exchange for letting them pass, they wouldn't hurt him.

Making deals with the Fire Nation wasn't ideal, but they didn't have much of a choice in the matter. They were as outmatched as a whole as Sugawara was in this fight.

Sugawara just had to knock him out, that was all.

Easier said than done.

Kageyama came at him again, fire still blazing, hot as the determined look in his eye, as he tried to land another hit. Sugawara bent more water from his pouch, a long, thick strand of water, freezing it into a sharp, deadly weapon.

Speaking of which he should've brought actual weapons.

Kageyama hesitated now that there was a sharp object in Sugawara's hands, and the prince had no weapons to speak of.

"Come on. Or are you a coward." Suga baited.

And that did it.

Kageyama raged at him, his arm sticking out, as he went to simply burn Suga to death.

Sugawara dodged that though, more fluid than the boy in front of him.

Kageyama was fast, but not as Sugawara's ice melee weapon crashing down on his head.

The ice broke he hit the boy so hard, and Kageyama crumpled to the ground instantly.

Still, he didn't have long, possibly only a few seconds until Kageyama started to come to again. Even if he couldn't exactly fight, he could probably still shoot fire from his place on the ground, and Sugawara didn't want him to be free to do that.

Sure he could shoot fire from his feet, but Suga was pretty confident he could hold the boy in place.

So he reached into his bag (he always carried everyone's stuff) and took out a pair of handcuffs, clipping them on as Kageyama started to groan.

"Come on," Suga pulled the boy to his knees, and then his feet, even though Suga was supporting pretty much all his weight.

He hadn't gotten the supplies he'd come for, but he did get a way out of this fight.

He could only hope he wasn't too late to save everyone.

A/N Hope you liked, thanks for reading! Reviews are love.