Chapter 17

He couldn't sleep. He just couldn't. Zuko went up deck. He stared at the moon, which he had been doing a lot of lately. He was so confused. He really wanted to see her. He was depressed and felt lonely. She cared for him and was always in high spirits. Of course she just thought of him as a brother. She had the avatar…

A wave of grief went over him. He breathed in deeply, trying to gain control. Why did he care? She was just a water peasant! But, again a wave of emotion took him. He had to admit that she was more than that. But why was he longing for her? He needed to catch the avatar!

As if on cue, a giant shadow went over him. His head shot up and he gazed at the sky. The flying bison.

"Uncle!"

Zuko ran down and quickly woke his protesting uncle.

"Zuko! What on earth are you doing!?"

"SHHH!"

Zuko dragged him up deck. When Iroh spotted the bison, he groaned. Here we go again.

"Uncle, what is the closest city or town in that direction?"

Iroh squinted his eyes and brought his hand to his beard. A smile broke across his face.

"Ah! Ishima! There is a beautiful festival held every year around this time. Ah, how much fun that would be!"

Zuko's brow furrowed. He wasn't looking for fun. He wanted the avatar. He wanted his throne. He wanted his honor. Nothing should get in the way. Not even…Katara. The captain had awoken and ran up deck.

"What is all the commotion!? Are we being attacked!?"

Zuko turned quickly to the elderly captain.

"Wake the crew and set our course for the town of Ishima."

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The next day, the trio reached Ishima. It was a busy and lively place. It wasn't as big as Ba Sing Se, but it was sure big enough and had much confusion. Everyone was excited about the 3-day-long festival which would start in two days. Katara loved the confusion. Sokka, on the other hand, was ready to choke the merchants screaming in his ear to buy their wares.

"SHUTUP YOU IDIOTS!!!!"

Katara slapped Sokka in the shoulder. Some people stopped to look and laughed at the hysterical boy. He ranted, he raved. He made more noise than anyone, telling them to stop making noise. Aang just laughed. Katara threw her hands in the air and went to a different booth. It was selling masks. So were many other booths.

"Excuse me sir, do we were masks in this festival?"

The man laughed openly at her.

"Yes! Everyone will wear masks!"

He continued to laugh, but jumped at his chance to make a sale.

"These masks are all on sale! Take your pick. Ah! A beautiful mask for a beautiful lady."

He grabbed and expensive, gaudy mask and flashed it in her face. She pushed it away as she reached for another. It was a simple, yet beautiful and elegant mask. It was a dark blue resembling the night. The moon and stars were scattered across it.

"I like this one."

The merchant stared at her.

"That, but its one of the cheapest ones I have! How about this-"

"I want this one."

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"Uncle, I don't think this will work."

Zuko stared at his crew. They were all elderly and wearing there uniforms. The avatar would definitely notice them!

"Uncle, we should all wear disguises and split up. We will all meet each other after the festival."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"Yes." Zuko turned to his crew. "Men! Everyone get into groups of four. We will all split up. Our main goal is to catch the avatar. Find disguises. We will meet after the 3 day festival."

Smiles broke across the men's faces. The festival didn't start for 2 days. That meant… FIVE DAY VACATION!!!

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"Sokka!"

Aang rescued the angry water tribe boy as a big man rolled up his sleeves.

"Hey, tattoo boy, I got my eye on your noisy friend!"

Aang waved at the man and smiled a nervous smile. He whispered angrily through his teeth.

"Sokka! Get your BUTT outside, NOW…"

Sokka just rolled his eyes as he followed the avatar outside.

"What IN THE WORLD did you do to get that man, that BIG man, so mad at you!!!???"

"Jeez, it's like no one has ever offered some constructive criticism!"

Aang didn't ask…He didn't want to know.

"Whatever. Let's just look for Katara."

Again Sokka just rolled his eyes.

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Hey everybody! Did you watch the finale? …sniffle…

Zuko can't be bad. He HAS to be planning something!

Thanks to the new reviewers! I'm working on the next chapter!

Thank you all so much for reading my fan fic!

Don't worry Zutara fans! Be strong!

Much love-

--Sahlili20