Hi everyone!
Sorry it's been forever since my last update, here's the next Sasuke chapter!
(Also from here on out the updates should be weekly and on Sunday's instead of Mondays.)
Thanks for reading!
...
Sasuke Chapter 2
Once they lost the Avatar's trail, Iroh suggested they stop in a small Earth Nation town that was currently under Fire Nation control. It was mostly so they could get fresh supplies while docking relatively easy. During their stop Sasuke took the opportunity to take a stroll away from the cramped ship. Finally he came to sit on a stone bench just inside the village, waiting for Zuko and Iroh to finish with their shopping. He was terribly bored.
Suddenly Sasuke heard a couple of Fire Nation sentries talking. There were 3 of them, lounging on a nearby wall.
"Did you see those two? Too bad we broke up that catfight. Man, that was hot."
"Wish I was the warden, lucky bastard, having that pinkette all to himself,", said the second one, while the oldest of them replied:"Hey I wonder if the curtains match the drapes?"
Sasuke was interrupted from eavesdropping, when Zuko and Iroh came back from the marketplace, signaling him to join them on the walk to the was grateful for the distraction, the conversation turned his stomach. A random crewmember followed them with a cart full of food, spices and other supplies..
"Sasuke! We might have found something."
"I think, I might have just heard something as well."
Sasuke pushed up off the rock and discussed what he had heard with Zuko while they walked back to the ship.
"The shopkeeper back there mentioned that there was a prison nearby with all of the unruly Earth Benders held there, apparently her son was just taken last night. Uncle thinks it's a good lead."
"I agree, those two Fire Nation soldiers that just passed by were talking about a girl with pink hair and something about a lucky warden, sounds like the Avatar and his little friends might be there."
It wasn't as though Sasuke really cared about the Avatar,he was way more interested in the 'friend' who traveled with him.
The crew took seemingly longer than usual to get out of the port. Sasuke was anxious to leave, the sooner they could follow the Avatar, the sooner he could talk to Kakashi about Itachi.
Once they had finally gotten out to sea and caught the smoke trail on the horizon, they knew they had missed the Avatar. It privately made Sasuke feel vindicated for a short moment. since it wasn't smoke from a normal ship, it was the thick black smoke of destruction. Zuko urged them to go to the main holding carrier just in case they found a clue.
It felt like a waste of time, so Sasuke remained on the ship with Iroh, occupied with their latest game of Pai Sho, while Zuko explored the ruined ship.
It took a while but when Zuko returned the command deck, the usually enraged Fire Nation prince came in strangely calm. It made Sasuke wonder what he had found
"I trust you´ve found something useful, nephew?" Iroh inquired, his eyes never leaving the Pai Sho table.
"Perhaps, uncle." The tone of his voice sounded sinister.
"Oh? So where to next?"
Zuko left the main cabin to go below, "I'm not a hundred percent sure, so let's keep following the coast for a bit."
The helmsman nodded and Zuko continued below deck.
"What do you think he found?"
"Who knows? He'll be awfully moody, should it prove to be nothing," the older man lowered his voice conspiratorially , "I don't know about you but I'd just like to relax in a hot spring and drink my tea. My joints just ache all the time now."
"I can imagine."
And they played. Unsurprisingly, Sasuke lost.
Their next stop was an indulgence of Iroh's. He had heard of an amazing natural hot spring in this area of the Earth Kingdom from another General, who had discovered it on his last excapade, and was dying to try it out. Zuko threw a bit of a fit about trying not to lose the Avatar's trail, but Iroh calmly replied with the fact that they actually didn't have a trail they were following, so there was nothing to be done about losing him. His nephew gave in to his wishes, justifying it to himself that they might find something anyway.
Sasuke doubted they found anything of use at this stop, so all he did was walk around on shore and stretch his legs. Iroh and Zuko took the ostrich horses ashore to find those fabled hot springs.
A little while later Zuko returned to the ship, stating that they would be leaving in half an hour and grumbling about old men and something about being scarred for life. Sasuke didn't care to ask and Zuko didn't further explain. It seemed Zuko´s search head been fruitless.
Half an hour passed and then some. Zuko let out a deep sigh, the steam erupting from his lungs reflecting just how irritated he was.
"Should we go pick him up? It's likely he just fell asleep."
"Hmph."
Zuko stood up and brushed the backside of his pants of any dirt, before turning to mount his steed. A crew member brought Sasuke the last of the horses and they started their search.
Once they arrived at the hot spring, where Iroh had last been sighted, Zuko and Sasuke dismounted to investigate, pulling away branches to give them a better view of the area. In the middle of the clearing was a large bath with several jagged shards of earth pointing out of it. A rather uncomfortable looking tub, Sasuke thought.
"Uncle! Uncle! Where are you?"
Zuko looked around the area, poked through the bushes, but not much had been left behind. He muttered to himself:"Maybe he thought we left without him?", but his voice gave his concern away.
"I don't know, there's something strange about these rocks... it appears like a landslide, but rock doesn't move uphill so that is impossible..."
The prince turned from the bush, he was investigating, to take a closer look at the tub, for it was indeed rather strange.
"This is the work of earthbenders! They must have surprised him."
He was probably snoozing and an easy target, nude in the bath after all...
They both immediately mounted and set out searching for the old man. A path of tracks led away from the scene, luckily giving them an easy path to follow.
Their search had been going for a few hours, when they finally came upon a clue. A random sandal had been left in the middle of the road. Zuko stopped to pick it up, sniffing it. Sasuke chuckled at the sour look he gave the shoe.
"Yep, that's Uncle's."
And so they continued, finally knowing they were on the right path.
...
It was late afternoon. The search had continued, it was rather boring just following the tracks laid before them.
Sasuke watched the clouds go by, hoping they might get a chance to test out the skills they had been practicing on the ship. He was itching for some action. He frowned as one cloud looked a little different from the others, dark on the bottom...
Oh shit.
"Zuko. Look." He pointed up at the sky.
His search companion stopped and glanced up at the sky.
"The Avatar!"
Except the Avatar was heading in a different direction than the trail to his Uncle and Sasuke could see the conflict on his face.
"Hey, don't worry about this, you go after your uncle and I'll follow the Avatar back to where he's staying. I'm sure we'll get them this time! I'll mark my trail with a knife so you both can find me later."
"Yeah, okay! Just let me be the one to capture him. No matter what."
"Not a problem."
Sasuke turned and followed the bison in the sky.
He immediately regretted his decision.
There was no path to follow the Avatar, he would be going through dense forest the entire way.
Fucking great.
It was going to be next to impossible to follow the sky bison through a damn forest. Sasuke sighed and continued his futile mission through the brush.
...
The only reason Sasuke didn't lose the bison was it´s rate of travel. Damn, they were moving slowly. Strangely slow. Hell, if they had been traveling that slow this entire time, Zuko and him would have already caught them.
A few hours later and Sasuke was on foot, squatting in a half destroyed building in the village he had followed the sky bison to, spying on the Avatar. It wasn't too difficult once he was in the building, everyone seemed to be focused on something entirely more important than his presence. He wasn't close enough to pick up much conversation, but felt safe to assume that the Avatar would be there one more night.
...
Satisfied the Avatar's party wouldn't leave before they got back, Sasuke went into the forest to see if Iroh and Sasuke had followed his trail back to the village. The two were waiting where Sasuke had left his mount. The village was quite a ways from the shore, but not so far they couldn't make a decently quick getaway.
"Well? Tell us what happened!"
"I followed him back here, but it seems they're in the middle of something with the village? I think? The place is mostly destroyed it shouldn't be too hard to get him there. But regardless on that, what happened to the two of you?"
"It's a long story." Iroh's voice sounded exhausted. He requested they rest overnight and take the Avatar in the morning, it had been a long day and they were all tired, an escape with their prisoner would be easier when they were better rested.
Sasuke didn't know if he could sleep. The only thing occupying his mind was what he was going to ask Kakashi.
"Hello have you seen Itachi lately?"
"How have you been? I haven't seen my brother for a while, do you have any idea of his whereabouts?"
"Oh hey Kakashi! You haven't heard anything of my brother since he slaughtered my clan, have you?"
All of those were downright laughable.
Sasuke took a deep breath and shut his eyes, willing sleep to claim him.
...
His world being rocked awoke him from the surprisingly deep slumber Sasuke had attained that night. The sun was just about to come up, the sleepy gray dust still claimed the night sky. All Sasuke wanted was to go back to sleep, but Zuko wasn't having any of that.
"Sasuke we have to go! We might miss our chance at getting the Avatar!"
He sighed and they left to capture their prey.
Which were already gone.
As usual.
Sasuke wasn't even surprised at this point.
Zuko threatened the village leader, who spilled his guts quite quickly. A terrible coward of a man in Sasuke's opinion. He would have never made it in the Fire Nation, too soft. They left immediately once the man had told them the Avatar's next destination.
Avatar Roku's Island.
This was shaping up to be an exciting stop after all.
...
They caught sight of the Avatar around midday, and sped up to try and catch up to the fleeing party. Zuko called for ammunition to be brought forward. They lit the fireball and launched it at the bison once they were in range.
Damn did that stuff stink! Sasuke glanced over and Iroh was waving a hand in front of his nose as well, commenting on the stench. At least he wasn't alone in his dislike of the disgusting fireballs.
The crew launched fireball after fireball, and while their aim wasn't perfect they were forcing the Avatar to weave and dodge their attacks, and it even looked like maybe a couple hit. Sasuke was hopeful for a couple minutes but regardless of the hit they were still out of range. And a bigger problem appeared before them.
A blockade.
And they were sailing right into Fire Nation waters.
Which he and Zuko were currently exiled from.
Hell, they had been lucky that Zhao had let them leave the Fire Nation at all after what happened the last time they ran into him. (And it was almost undoubtedly Zhao behind this blockade.)
Iroh wasn't happy about this development.
"I have no choice, Uncle."
"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you!?" There was anger in his voice, a bite behind it that was normally absent. He was aware of what would happen to Zuko should he be caught.
It was not pleasant.
"I'm chasing the Avatar, my father will understand why I am returning home." Zuko was an idiot. Iroh just gave him a hard look.
"You give him too much credit. My brother is not the understanding type."
His nephew ignored the older man's advice and bellowed, "Full speed ahead, helmsman!"
Iroh glowered at the idiotic choices Zuko was making.
"Technically you are still in Earth Kingdom waters, if you turn back now, they won't arrest you!"
Zuko glared at his Uncle's advice.
He's only trying to help you, can't you see that he is one of the only human beings on this planet who cares about your existence?
"He's not turning around..."
"Please, Prince Zuko! If the Fire Nation captures you, there is nothing I can do. Do not follow the Avatar."
"I'm sorry, Uncle. Run the blockade!"
...
As they grew closer to the blockade, fireballs started edging closer and closer to the ship. And then one hit.
"Prince Zuko! The engines are hit! We need to stop for repairs!"
Zuko looked up at the crew member that had spoken, "Do not stop this ship."
Once they had sailed close enough to see the other ships clearly, it was quite obvious they were moving closer and closer together in an effort to stop their ship's advancement. Sasuke thought they should have stopped long ago and turned around. Yet Zuko never gave the order.
The ships on either side of them stopped, they had allowed them through. Sasuke narrowed his eyes in suspicion. There was no way they didn't know who this ship belonged to, it was the smallest the Fire Nation ever made and had a recent repair scar that He knew Zhao would more than recognize. Absolutely no way. Zhao was cooking up something.
After they had cleared the blockade, Sasuke watched the acrid trail of smoke ebbing from their engine trail behind them.
"What's he up to, Uncle? Why didn't Commander Zhao arrest me?"
"Because he wants to follow you. He knows you'll lead him to the prize you're both after... the Avatar."
"If Zhao wants to follow our trail of smoke then that's just what we will let him do."
...
Sasuke wasn't sure how it had worked.
Hell, even Zuko probably didn't know how it had worked, but it did. Once the trail of smoke was sufficiently thick, they had lowered a smaller vessel out the back hatch, using the disgusting black smoke as a cover for them. Iroh had remained with the main ship, heading north to try and lead Zhao off of their trail, while Sasuke and Zuko headed toward Roku's Island to catch the Avatar.
Avatar Roku's Island was magnificent. Floor after floor of beautiful architecture rose into the sky. The temple was created in the side of an active volcano. Talk about a young Fire Nation boy's wet dream. Sasuke was lost for words for a moment once they had reached the island.
"We have a mission, don't get distracted."
A short distance from the shore they saw the Avatar's sky bison.
"Well, looks like we're in the right place."
They left Appa be and continued up to the temple.
...
Once inside a loud crash alerted them.
"That must be the Avatar!"
Zuko started sprinting in the direction of the blast. Sasuke followed. Eventually they caught up with these Fire Sages that apparently occupied the building. Zuko and he lagged behind their group, just in case they turned their rage upon the wrong party. They opened up a secret door and inside was a secret passageway. Sasuke's jaw dropped, it was a gigantic cavernous stairway. There was no way anyone but Roku could have created it. They followed a bit closer to the Sages here, so they didn't get lost in the tunnels.
We are so close! Maybe I'll finally get my chance to talk to Kakashi!
They arrived just after the Fire Sages had entered the hallway before the Avatar's Sanctuary, Aang was right in sight, just behind a column a few feet away. The rest of his friends had apprehended the Fire Sages, trying to give Aang an opening. Sasuke watched as Zuko seized the opportunity, sneaking up behind the Avatar and pulling his arms behind his back.
"Now, Aang!"
"…"
"Aang, now's your chance!"
But Aang didn't rush forward as the girl had probably planned. Instead Zuko stepped out, holding Aang's hands behind his back the Avatar captured and he moving to make an escape.
"The Avatar's coming with me!"
Zuko pushed Aang towards the opening they had come through.
Kakashi stepped forward, pulling a katana off of his back, "Let him go, Zuko."
"Make me." A childish response, just like the child he was. Zuko took another step with the struggling Avatar.
The Sages escaped from their bindings and turned the tides on the Avatar's party.
"Close the doors! Quickly! Sasuke! Deal with him!" He gestured toward Kakashi.
Sasuke mirrored Kakashi's movement, brandishing a katana that was a nearly identical twin to Kakashi's blade, finally having a chance to test his growth against his old teacher. Maybe he could get close enough to ask his question. The real question however, was how to stop Kakashi from trying to kill him for two seconds.
While Sasuke was eyeing up his opponent, Aang kicked and thrashed his way out to freedom, then blasted Zuko back down the stairs. He shook his head, focusing on Kakashi again. The Avatar wasn´t important to him.
Kakashi finally attacked him, prepared to kill, a fire burning in his eyes.
"Kakashi."
"Sasuke." His tone was flat and distant, almost as if he didn't want to acknowledge that Sasuke had ever been his student.
Their blades met again.
"How's the secluded life, Kakashi? I heard they finally gave up on you. Can't wait to tell the Fire Lord who I ran into when I next see him."
"Hmph," clang, "From what I last heard, you and Zuko had been exiled? Tell me, when were you hoping to see him again? Next century?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Kakashi,
"Once I find Itachi, and hold him accountable for his crimes, I'll be welcomed home to restore my clan´s glory."
Kakashi hesitated for a moment, "Wait, didn't he...? I didn't know he left?" he asked in true confusion. It was clearly upsetting news to him.
Sasuke was just as confused. "He killed our entire family. Why wouldn't he have left the country?"
"That I have no idea about. It's been quite a while since I left."
"Then how do you know I'm exiled?"
Sasuke glanced away from their fight for a moment and saw Aang slip through the Sanctuary doors, Zuko had crawled back up the stairs and was now running after the Avatar. He looked back to Kakashi and quickly slid to the left to avoid a slice across the chest. Unfortunately he didn't move fast enough and the blade caught his arm. Hissing, he clenched his teeth and resisted the urge to press his hand to the wound.
"That's none of your business , and besides why would I tell you?"
Sasuke's hopes fell, the one person who might have lead on his brother, and he refused to answer. Kakashi kicked him in the side, forcing him to stay focused.
"You were my teacher once. That has to mean something doesn't it?"
"Now that you mention it, the market on the far left side of town, you know the one in that big square? I think that the cabbages there were excellent. Oh! And they had a huge sale on pomegranates every other Monday. Delicious."
Eventually all spirit had left the fight and blood was oozing down Sasuke's arm. Kakashi´s blade had cut deeper than he originally thought. He was starting to feel lightheaded, He now held his shoulder tightly with his other arm, not seeing sense in trying to be tough just to bleed out on the floor.
"That doesn't make any sense... decrepit bastard."
Kakashi sheathed his sword and stepped forward, "Shh, I hear a little rat coming."
"Why did you help the Avatar?"
Zuko was seething. Right. He had totally forgotten about that.
He took Sasuke's uninjured arm and pulled them through one of the large open windows, so they could crouch behind the wall and hide from whomever was coming. From where he was squatting, Sasuke couldn't see much of what was happening, but he did catch the confused look on the pink haired girl's face.
What was her name? Did I ever know it? Can she see us?
"Because it was once the Sages' duty. It is still our duty."
Through the steps to their left the eerily quiet sound of a single pair of hands clapping could be heard.
"What a moving and heartfelt performance. I'm sure the Fire Lord will understand when you explain why you betrayed him."
Sasuke couldn't see the asshole from where he was hiding, but the voice was all too familiar.
"Commander Zhao..."
"And Prince Zuko, it was a noble effort. But your little smoke screen didn't work,"
Well obviously, Sasuke thought.
"Two traitors in one day, the Fire Lord will be pleased."
His voice was filled with such a pompous timbre, Sasuke wanted to punch the bastard. He looked to his right and saw that Kakashi was no longer there. Sasuke climbed through the window and couldn't help a gasp of pain. He was growing increasingly lightheaded, his breaths were shallow and rapid. A Fire Nation soldier saw and rushed to capture him. He could only struggle a little. Sasuke just couldn't think anymore. Everything was so blurry.. He was led to a nearby column and tied to it, next to Zuko.
Looking up he recognized Zhao and the Sages, who were lined up waiting for the Avatar to emerge from the Sanctuary.
The kid wouldn't stand a chance.
"Hey! Sasuke!" Zuko hissed next to him.
Sasuke glanced at his companion, who was heating up his arms to try and burn through the ropes.
"What?"
"Can you get your sword? Did they take it from you?"
His sword was still on his hip, and luckily Zhao´s henchman hadn't bound the rope exactly tight. Sasuke struggled against his bindings for a moment and was finally able to get his sword loose. Maneuvering it to the ropes Zuko had already heated up was a different story, and it took him a few tries to get it right. Soon enouth however the ropes slipped away and they were free. Zuko ran towards the window but stopped when he saw that Sasuke hadn't moved a step. He was feeling quite faint and the edges of his vision were darkening real quick. Blood was trailing on the floor from his arm. Zuko hesitated for a moment but ended up taking Sasuke's good arm and looping it over his shoulder so they could escape. At some point on the way down, everything went black.
...
Sasuke awoke on the ship, in his quarters, his body feeling stiff and achy. His shoulder was bandaged. He touched the wound gingerly and winced at the sharp pain.
"That was a pretty nasty gouge you got there."
Iroh was setting next to him, sipping on a cup of tea. He picked up a teapot nearby and poured Sasuke a cup. Sasuke took the offered beverage and sipped on it. The contents soothed and warmed his body, pushing the pain to the back of his mind.
"Your tea always is the best remedy, Iroh. Thank you."
He sat up and looked around, there was nothing new, he just didn't know what to look at.
"Prince Zuko carried you all the way back to the ship. You should thank him, as soon as you have the chance."
"He should have just left me behind."
Iroh rose an eyebrow at his comment, "Do you really think Zuko would abandon a comrade and lose what little dignity he has left?"
"No, I suppose not."
They drank their tea and once the pot was empty, Iroh rose and walked to leave the room.
"You should get some rest, we'll be moving out in the morning."
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Only a couple of days." Iroh's hand was on the door and he flashed a smile at Sasuke.
An exasperated groan escaped Sasuke's throat, oh my gooooood we've been docked for this long waiting on me to wake up?
"Why didn't you guys just move on while I was out?" Sasuke couldn't look the old man in the face, what were they thinking?
"Have we lost the Avatar's trail? We could have lost him and it will be all my fault." He balled his fists in the sheets. Ah sharp ache from his shoulder made him reconsider and her loosened his grip again.
"It was at Zuko's request. We wanted to make sure we were close enough to civilization that if you needed more medical help it wouldn't be too far away. Plus we have a good idea of where he is going. There is a port town not too far from here that they will probably stop for supplies. Probably."
"I suppose. Good night, Iroh." Sasuke pulled the covers up to his chin and convinced himself to go back to sleep.
The next morning Sasuke awoke to the ship rocking like normal, they had finally moved out to follow the Avatar. His mind was no longer on the chase, however.
What could Kakashi's hint have meant? What did a certain market in the Fire Nation have to do with anything?
He pulled himself out of bed and unwrapped the bandage on his arm, time to see how it was healing. His finger traced the clean cut, careful not to actually put a finger in it.
The slice wasn't the deepest that Sasuke had ever endured but it sure had bled a lot when he received it. It was already starting to heal. A very good thing. He felt the ship lean to one side before straightening back out.
But back to Kakashi's hint.
He had sounded surprised that I have even mentioned Itachi leaving the Fire nation capital. What does that mean? Didn't Itachi leave? Kakashi left the Fire Nation a long time ago. He doesn't know shit, why did I ever think he would know anything?
Sasuke paced back and forth for a few minutes before shouting above deck roused him from his concentration.
He was just pulling on a black tunic over grey trousers when Zuko pounded on his door and walked in.
"Sasuke! My ridiculous uncle wants us to stop in this town, come on, maybe we'll find some sort of clue, although I highly doubt it."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. What could he possibly want anyway?"
Zuko fumed, smoke trailing from his nostrils, "A stupid lotus tile."
"Like, Pai Sho Lotus?"
He picked up a small coin purse and tucked it inside his tunic.
"I believe so. Stupid game."
"On the contrary, it requires vast strategic knowledge and Iroh is the best player I've ever gone against. The lotus tile is of the utmost importance to his strategy. Come to think of it, if he didn't have it, maybe I could beat him!"
They were walking up the ladder to the deck at this point. Iroh joined them with a smile and they walked into town, a few crew members following behind them.
"So you lost your lotus tile, Iroh?" Sasuke said as they strolled further away from the ship.
"I see Prince Zuko told you, ah yes, I have lost my treasured lotus tile."
"How unfortunate. We should have a match back at the ship tonight."
"Trying to take advantage of an old man's weakness? Never underestimate me, Sasuke, I always have something hidden up my sleeve."
They were silent for a while until they came to the first shop.
No tiles.
And the second and third and so on.
They scoured every shop on the pier and not a single one of them had lotus tiles, or Pai Sho tiles in general.
Not that that stopped Iroh from making purchases. One of the crew members was stuck carrying back a Tsungi horn, Iroh was insisting on a game night for all of the crew. Zuko refused to acknowledge the fact that he was a skilled player of the horn, but Iroh bought it regardless, maybe he had hopes of convincing Zuko to play it sometime.
Iroh caught him looking at the woodwinds section of the musical store they were wandering around and insisted on purchasing a flute for their music night. Sasuke tried to tell him that he didn't need to buy it, but Iroh insisted. Sasuke gave up his fight in hopes that if he played the flute, Zuko might break out his Tsungi horn skills.
Might get him to loosen up for once, that kid was way too uptight.
Zuko stood with his arms crossed as he and Iroh watched several crew members haul in all of the purchases the older man had made.
"I've checked all of the shops on this pier. Not a lotus tile in the entire marketplace."
Zuko turned to shout at him, "Good to know this stop was a total waste of time for everyone!"
"On the contrary! I always say the only thing better than finding what you were looking for, is finding something you weren't looking for at an excellent bargain!"
"I still can't believe you bought a Tsungi horn."
"Come on, it's for music night on the ship! And now we even have a woodwind player! Sasuke!"
Sasuke kept his mouth shut as the crew continued walking in. Iroh continued walking down the pier.
"Ooh! This place looks promising!"
He was referring to a pirate ship, so Zuko and Sasuke precautionary followed him inside.
Behind the counter, the captain of the ship and a crew member were speaking in hushed tones but they heard them nonetheless.
"We lost the little Water Tribe girl and the monk she was traveling with."
Zuko, having caught the end of the conversation, brushed past his uncle and walked up to two men.
"This monk, did he have an arrow on his head?"
Great. Now we've fallen to dealing with pirates.
...
Later that night, they were floating down a river with the pirate ship by their side, scanning the shore for the Avatar's party.
Zuko and the pirate captain were standing together conversing Sasuke hardly being able to understand..
"Shouldn't we stop to search the woods?"
"We don't need to stop. They stole a waterbending scroll, right?"
"Uh huh."
"Then they'll be on the water."
...
"Stupid!"
Sasuke's ears pricked up at the foreign noise, it was obvious that the captain and Zuko had heard it too, they were pulling their ship close to the source of the noise and shushing the crew.
A pirate and Zuko jumped off of the ship to go after the girl. Sasuke had the helmsman pull the ship ashore. The pirate reached her first but Katara managed to waterbend a whip strong enough to get him off of her. Zuko pulled her away,
"I'll save you from the pirates."
Sasuke huffed at this before jumping off of the boat to join them, a length of rope in tow.
...
Sasuke helped Zuko tie Katara to a nearby tree, most of it was Zuko though, he was surprisingly okay at tying knots. The girl struggled and tried to fight back.
A few of Zuko's crew and the pirates had circled the beach.
"Tell me where he is and I won't hurt you or your little friends."
"Go jump in the river!" Katara struggled against her bindings. Sasuke stayed quiet, he might not have felt this was right, but if it was a means to Zuko's end, he would help. Sasuke owed him a life debt now, and he wasn't one to leave such a debt unpaid.
Zuko changed his tone of voice to try and come off more reasonably.
"Try to understand, I need to capture him to restore something I've lost. My honor. Perhaps in exchange I can restore something you've lost."
He pulled a necklace out of his pocket and held it in front of the girl's neck. Sasuke recognized it as one she had been wearing when they had first met the water tribe at the South Pole.
When did he get that?
Katara's features revealed she was also shocked at Zuko's possession of the necklace. They quickly switched to rage when he moved to take it away.
"My mother's necklace! How did you get that?"
"I didn't steal it, if that's what you're wondering. Tell me where he is."
"No!"
The captain of the pirates stepped forward. It really was already becoming a boring argument; the girl wasn't going to give in, just as Zuko wasn't going to give up.
"Enough of this necklace garbage. You promised the scroll!"
Zuko pulled the scroll out of his tunic, and made a fireball underneath it, "I wonder how much money this is worth?"
Some of the pirates gave themselves away, gasping and few crying out 'no!'
"A lot, apparently. Now you help me find what I want, you'll get this back and everyone goes home happy. Search the woods for the boy and meet back here."
The captain narrowed his eyes at Zuko, obviously discontent with this new development.
"Fine."
...
Sasuke took a short nap while they searched the woods. There was more than enough people searching for the party, they didn't need him to go along. Just a few minutes later the pirates returned with two bundles, one containing Aang, and the other holding Sokka.
I wonder where pinkie and Kakashi are?
Zuko assessed that they had completed his orders and nodded,
"Nice work."
Katara looked guilty and tried to speak to Aang, "Aang, this is all my fault..."
"No, Katara, it isn't."
Iroh chimed in, "Yeah, it kind of is."
Zuko turned to the pirates, "Give me the boy."
"You give us the scroll."
Sokka's annoying voice cut in, "You're really gunna hand over the Avatar for a stupid piece of parchment!?"
Sasuke held his face in his hands. If only they had left the loudmouth at the damn campsite. Now we'll be lucky to get away with the Avatar, let alone this stupid waterbending scroll.
Zuko realized what was about to happen and tried to counteract it, "Don't listen to him! He's trying to turn us against each other."
The pirate captain assessed Aang, looking him over like a piece of property, then spoke to Sokka, his gaze not leaving the Avatar.
"Your friend is the Avatar?"
And sure enough Sokka didn't keep his mouth shut, "Sure is, and I'll bet he'll fetch a lot more on the black market than that fancy scroll."
Zuko was getting angry, "Shut your mouth, you water tribe peasant!"
Sasuke watched Aang, he looked like he getting a little nervous.
I guess I would feel nervous too, either Zuko taking me to his father to be killed, or possibly killing me on the spot, or being sold on the black market by pirates for who knows what.
"Yeah, Sokka, you really should shut your mouth..."
Sokka didn't listen, he was in his groove, "I'm just sayin, it's bad business sense. Just imagine how much the Fire Lord would pay for the Avatar. You guys would be set for life!"
The pirate captain pointed a gnarly finger at Zuko, "Keep the scroll! We can buy a hundred with the reward we will get for the kid." The pirates started to lead them away. Sasuke rose to his feet, this was definitely going to end in a fight.
"You'll regret breaking a deal with me!"
Sasuke rushed forward with Zuko and the rest of the crew that had joined them on the beach. They firebent a flame carpet underneath the pirates' feet, forcing them to jump back. The pirates retaliated with a slew of smoke bombs, sufficiently nullifying everyone's vision. Sasuke stayed alert and drew his sword. He kept the slim metal close to himself, to avoid wounding one of their own.
It was hard to make out anything.
At one point Sasuke was sure he saw the silver hair of his former teacher, but shook it off as an illusion created by the smoke.
"Sokka, Aang!"
"Over here!" Aang's voice.
"Aang you there?" Sokka.
"I'm over here! Follow the sound of my voice!"
"Where? I can't find you!"
"I'm right here!"
In a swift breeze, Aang blew the smoke away from his immediate location, but immediately regretted it. Sasuke could seem him directly to his left, along with several others, Fire Nation and Pirate alike.
Aang quickly realized his mistake and reversed what he had done, the smoke thickening around all of them again.
"Uhh, never mind! I'll find you!"
Sasuke lost sight of anyone and just started walking forward to try and escape the cloud. A random arm grabbed his and he ended up having to fight a pirate for several minutes, but it delayed his advance. Zuko would most likely lose the Avatar here.
Once he stumbled out of the cloud, he was alone, there were no ships in sight and most of the pirates were gone, most likely having taken Zuko's ship. And why shouldn't they, they are pirates after all.
So he started walking down the beach, around the cloud, and down the river.
Eventually he saw Iroh and ran towards him,. He came to a stop at the edge of the river near a cliff side. The Avatar's sky bison flew overhead, his entire party seated on it. Sasuke saw Kakashi looking at the three of them over the edge. Looking away, Sasuke saw Iroh was glancing up at Kakashi as well, and he could have sworn a tiny nod was exchanged between them.
Do they know each other!?