A/N: Hellloooo! Wow, it's been so long. First off, I am soooo sorry for the long wait. I could give you hundreds of excuses why I haven't updated, but it's still my fault for not trying when I should've and I hope you forgive me for that. Second, I would like to thank all of you who voted for me for Best Zutara FanFic. I didn't get far if you're wondering, but the fact that I got nominated was priceless and your votes meant the world. Last, but most importantly, if you reviewed on this or any of my stories, your amazing. I haven't had a chance to reply to all of you, but I'd like you to know that without your support and ideas, this story wouldn't be worth the fun and time. So thank you :) Also to those of you lurking, you know who you are O.O, a big thanks to you, too. And let me know what you're thinking :)

Enjoy!

"Jon Wei Peak?" I said as I stared at the map. "What makes you think that he'll be there?"

Zuko leaned over Appa's saddle as he pointed to the big island. I carefully leaned my head back to look up at him.

"It used to be a volcano so it has fertile farmland. Most retired generals and admirals go there. It's just a hunch, but it's worth a try," he said tonelessly. I blinked once and stared up at him. The rushing wind pushed back his hair and showed his sleek nose and high cheeks.

"I think we have a good start," I said looking back down at the map.

"Really?" he asked and I nodded. If there was anything Zuko could do well, it was finding people. And even though I'd probably never admit it, he was smart.

With a sigh I looked back at the early, grey sky before me. The air around was heavy and I tried to ignore the feeling of it sticking to my hair and skin. Zuko looked pleased with the weather and seemed content as he fiddled with his sash. He told me once that the air was like this all the time at the palace, just not as cloudy. Instead there was the heat the sun brought. I would never understand the Fire Nation.

Jon Wei Peak was really close to the little island we escaped to when Azula attacked. I mentally told myself that if we didn't find Yon Rha here, I would just fly us back to camp. As we descended closer, I pulled a cloud around Appa and landed quietly in near the shore and under the cliff. Zuko said that the port was on the other side of the island so we were less likely to be spotted here.

"Where should we start?" I asked as I slid off of Appa's head. "We can't just go ask around town can we?" I watched as Zuko jumped down and landed silently beside me.

"No. But we can listen. The town is small and so the gossip should be easy to decipher. If we hear his name or anything about a leader of the Southern Raiders, we know we just have to investigate the farms," he said as his adjusted his mask.

I blinked a few times as I stared at him before finally responding, "How can you be so sure we'll hear something?"

"Because," he said as he glanced around before motioning me to follow. I quietly walked behind him as we pressed ourselves to the base of the cliff and listened for any footsteps. "This is the last place we're looking." He gave me the smallest look that he knew one of my secrets and I scowled at him.

"What makes you think that?" I asked through my mask.

"You made your mind up before we landed. I saw it in your face." He had me stunned and I literally froze for a split second. I could only watch him quickly make his way up and over the cliff wall before I shook my head and followed. When did he learn to read me so well?

We quickly pushed through some brush and trees before the first building came into view. It was a small and vacant village house, and from the looks of it, it had been vacant for a while. I followed Zuko around the side that faced away from the main road and watched as he quickly peered into one of the broken, dusty windows. He glanced back at me for a moment and I nodded. This would be our hideout if things got out of hand.

We peered around a corner and looked up the road towards the market. It wove up around brush and rocks on the side of a hill before disappearing around a bend. I couldn't hear anything but wind and distant thunder, and no one was in sight. At that moment, Zuko grabbed my wrist and yanked me in the direction of a giant boulder up the side of the hill. I stumbled behind it and turned to give him a look just before he yanked me down next to him. Just then, a man pushing a small vegetable cart strode down the rode whistling. When he was gone, I turned and gave Zuko a incredulous look. He only blinked before he stood up and looked around.

"Sorry," he said.

"How did you hear that guy?" I asked.

"I can hear really well," he said with a shrug before he jumped over the rock and dashed up the side of the hill. "Come on."

"I thought you were just being paranoid again," I mumbled as I followed.

The town seemed dead. I couldn't tell if it was because of the upcoming rain or because most of the town's residents were retired and old. Zuko and I were ducked behind some barrels waiting for the right moment to cross the street when a tall man stepped up to a food merchant. I heard Zuko sigh in frustration and he leaned back a bit, but I perked up when I heard the man speak.

It was a strong voice, made a bit raspy with years, but sounded stern and familiar. I couldn't see his face, but my heart sped up when his profile flashed. Zuko noticed my reaction and looked over the barrels again before looking back at me. I shrugged and looked back in time to see the man begin to turn around. Zuko and I both ducked down quickly and I watched him peek between the barrels to watch the man.

"He's looking over here," Zuko whispered almost inaudibly. For a moment I thought it was my own thoughts.

I could hear the man talk with the merchant again for a few seconds, but I couldn't tell what they were saying over a distant wind chime.

"He's leaving," Zuko whispered as he lifted his head above the barrel. "Come on," he said and, catching me off guard, he dashed off down the ally behind us. I quickly followed and we ran along the length of two buildings before he stopped and peered over a fence.

"Do you see him?" I whispered over his shoulder into his good ear and he nodded.

He stood there and I watched his eyes dart around at the terrain in front of him. Finally he took a few steps back and motioned for me to move aside. I took a quick step to the left as I watched him sprint forward and leap gracefully over the tall fence. My turn. I took a few steps back myself, steadied my feet, and took the leap. I cleared the top easily and Zuko quickly caught me before I landed into some old shovels and rakes.

"Thanks," I said and he nodded as he set me on my feet.

"I almost hit them, too. Come on. He went this way," he said pointing down a cliffside.

We made our way down some steps and then onto a ledge that looked off into the valley where the volcano used to be. In the center there was a long river that snaked its way through the island. The market and small village was on one side at the top of the cliff where we stood. The valley and other side made up the lush and beautiful farmland. Below was a labyrinth of stairs carved in the cliffside that led down to the valley. Halfway down, I could make out the figure of the man.

Zuko pulled me down behind a rock and we watched as the man paused to shift the basket in his hands before continuing on. Then we jumped down the edge and carefully slid down to the ledge right above where he passed by. We laid down on our stomachs and peered over the edge to get a better look, but he stopped and looked directly above our heads. We both jumped back and held our breaths.

"Hello? Is someone there?" he said.

Finally his footsteps began again and we carefully looked over the side again to see him disappear around the cliffside down another set of stairs. I couldn't help the scowl that spread across my face. During the split second that he looked over at us, I caught sight of his face and my heart began to thud in my chest.

"That was him," I said to Zuko. "That was the monster."

A/N: I know, I know. This chapter was really short. But I really needed to post something for you guys. Also, I felt like, besides the many grammar errors I probably had, this was one of my best chapters. Anyway, I really hope you liked. And I'll do my best to get up a new chapter before the end of the week. Also, Zutara week will be here July 25-31! I'm so excited and WILL be participating again. :) I can tell you the topics if you don't know yet.

And here's a serious question! Do you like the way I am using the same storyline as Bryan and Mike, or do you think I should branch off and do my own thing? Because if this isn't working for you I would love to try something new.

P.S. I have decided to continue towards Sozin's Comet :) So expect a longer story XD

Thanks again.

~Biffel~