The Avatar Abandoned
Summary: Aang wasn't frozen for 100 years, he wasn't even born in the Eastern Air Temple. He was born into a family of travelling Air Nomads who were living in the Earth Kingdom of Ba Sing Se. However, when he was five, his parents discovered him playing with little figures made of fire; even though he was an Air Bender. Knowing their son could only be the Avatar - the first in over 100 years, they panicked and abandoned him in the Fire Nation, hoping they would never have to see him again.
Chapter Summary: In which Sokka is mistrustful of Zuko and Katara has her eye on Aang (according to Zuko).
Warnings: AU/AR, slash, Zukaang. Possible rating increase again.
A/N: Sorry about the long time without an update, but I did say I wouldn't update until I got four reviews for the chapter - and now you know. I WAS SERIOUS. I mean, come on, if it was a bad chapter, I could understand, but I thought that the last chapter was quite good! So, yeah, no excuses this time, I want my reviews or no update. Plus Easter and shopping got in the way, heheh. ._. Sorry.
Thanks to the following people for reviewing:
I LUV SETH - Haha, I felt kind of mean putting in the old man, so I'm glad you liked it.
PonyboySlashLover - Good, I was wondering if maybe stealing Appa from the circus was unoriginal/cheesy. Glad you thought it was good.
MMB - Neato, I'm so happy you like it! Especially as this is your first ZukAang! :)
xx-just a reader-xx- Holy shizzles, you CAN review! And would you prefer penguin-seals or polar-grizzlies? There you go.
Shadow Eclipse - Thank you, I'm so glad you liked it and reviewed! Here's the next chapter!
Aang lay on Appas head, twitching the reigns when the Bison started to fly off course. Zuko was lying next to him, still asleep, snoring softly. Iroh was sat in the saddle they had picked up after their second day of travelling. It was now the morning of the fourth day, but according to the map that Aang had spread across his lap, they should be in the South Pole before noon - especially good as they didn't have too many more supplies with them.
The sun fully emerged from beneath the polar icecaps, casting a orange glow on the snowy terrain below it. Aang squinted into the sunlight, his grey eyes scanning for something.
His eyes widened and he grinned suddenly, arm shooting out to shake Zuko awake, tugging the reigns to the right. 'Zuko! Wake up! It's the Water Tribe village!'
Zuko blinked his eyes open slowly, yawning and stretching. 'What?'
'It's the Water Tribe village!' Aang said, pointing excitedly. Zuko followed the Air-Benders line of vision and wasn't impressed with what he saw. He had heard stories of the Northern Water Tribe and how they had an entire city with Palaces and monuments all made out of ice - the Prince had expected something similar of their sister tribe.
But what lay below them could barely be described as a few huts. There were about seven ramshackle tents all squished together behind a wall that had obviously been patted together out of snow and was barely 10 feet tall. The most impressive thing - and it really wasn't that impressive - was a large igloo type structure, that must have been home to the Tribe Meetings at some point in it's life, but was now in a state of ill repair.
Appa landed on the ground just outside the village, managing to knock Zuko into the snow. Aang laughed and jumped off, helping up the disgruntled teen. 'I swear, it's like he does it on purpose ... ' muttered Zuko angrily.
'Don't be ridiculous - Appa wouldn't do that, would you buddy?' Aang asked the Bison, rubbing his head. Appa just replied with a non-committal Mmmrrrrgh. 'See? Appa said you're being silly.'
Zukos eye twitched at Aang, but chose not to say anything as a group of people emerged from behind the walls of the village, carrying battered-looking weapons, staring at the new-comers in distrust.
'Hi!' Aang called, waving to them, grinning from ear to ear. Zuko had to stop himself from face-palming.
'Who are you and what do you want?' a boy called out - he seemed to be the oldest male there, judging from the two seven year old kids that stood at the back and the girl who stood next to him - maybe a year or two younger.
'Are you the Water Tribe?' Aang asked back. The boy brandished a boomerang at him. 'Hey, we ask the questions! Who are you and what do you want?'
Aang rolled his eyes. 'I'm Aang and I came looking for a Water-Bending Master,' he answered, folding his arms across his chest. Suspicious blue eyes moved from him to Zuko. 'What about him?' Aang glanced up at Zuko. 'He's Zuko ... He just came with me because I made him,' the young Avatar replied, grinning. Zuko snorted and mumbled something that sounded like 'danger to himself and others' under his breath.
The girl took over, elbowing the boy out of the way, walking over to the two new-comers. 'I'm sorry about Sokka, my brother has the bad habit of suspecting everyone's going to attack us.'
'But Katara!' The Water Tribe girl glared at him and whatever he had been about to say withered on his tongue and died.
'Anyway, you were saying you need a Water-Bending Master?' Katara said, smiling at Aang, ignoring Zuko completely.
Aang face flushed under her attentions. 'Erm, well, yeah, that's why we came here ... '
'I'm sorry, but the only Water-Bender here is me - and I've had to teach myself what little I know,' Katara said honestly.
'Um, that's okay ... ' Aang mumbled, dissappointed, but trying not to let it show.
'You can come in and stay for the night,' said Katara, smiling, leading Aang towards the village. 'To make up for traveling such a long way for nothing.' Zuko glared at the Water-Benders back as he followed the two into the small Tribes home. Sokka glared at him.
'What?' the ex-Prince snapped.
'I don't trust you. You seem familiar,' Sokka said, still glaring.
'I don't trust you either, but that's because you seem like an idiot,' Zuko retorted, turning away from the Water Tribe boy. A snowball 'fmph'ed into the back of his neck. Zuko turned around slowly, fire in his eyes. Sokka stood there, another snowball clenched in his fist, tossing it up and catching it.
'I'm not the idiot,' the Water Tribe boy said, smirking. Aang groaned slightly, running back to where Zuko stood, knowing that this wouldn't end well if he didn't calm the teen down.
'Do you want to fight, peasant, because I know I could wipe the ice-caps with you!' Zuko snarled, his hands clenching into fists.
'Nephew, starting a fight would not be advisable,' Iroh called, still sitting in the saddle on Appas back - he had made himself a pot of tea, and he wasn't leaving it for anybody.
'Come on, Zuko, just leave it,' Aang muttered, tugging on the older boys sleeve. Zuko took in a breath through his mouth and let it out through his nose, calming himself, turning away from Sokka.
'Yeah, run away like your little brother suggested!' Sokka taunted. Zuko saw red and Aang didn't even have time to warn the stupid Water Tribe boy before Zuko threw a fireball at his head. Only his fast relexes saved Sokka from a severly burnt face.
'I knew it!' Sokka yelled. 'You're the Fire Lords son, and you've come here to finish us off!'
'Well it would take much to finish you off, even if we had come here for that!' Zuko retorted, flames covering his fists.
Aang looked between the two, knowing if something didn't defuse the situation soon then someone was probably going to die. He jumped between the two, holding out his hands, glaring at both of them.
'Stop it, both of you! You're acting ridiculous!' Aang shouted.
'Get out of the way, Aang,' Zuko hissed, looking right through the Air-Bender, shooting daggers with his eyes at Sokka.
'Yeah, kid, I don't want to hurt you like I will your brother,' Sokka said, staring right back at Zuko.
Aang rolled his eyes, and waved his hands suddenly, blasting both of the boys across the snow, Sokka actually ending face-first into a snow-drift. 'Okay, one, I said stop it, you didn't, I stopped it for you. Second, Zuko is not my brother, why does everyone think he's my brother?' Aang muttered the last bit half to himself, not really sure of the answer. 'And third, no, you couldn't hurt me if you tried.'
Sokka pulled himself out from the snow, rubbing feeling back into his head. 'What's an Air-Bender doing travelling with the Fire Prince?'
'I came here to find a Water-Bending Master,' Aang replied, rolling his eyes and helping Zuko to his feet. 'Can you think maybe why?'
'You're the Avatar!' Katara cried out, running over, beaming from ear to ear. 'You save the World and put everything right at last!' she gushed, practically fangasming over Aang. 'Wow, this is amazing, I need to introduce you to everyone!' And with that she pulled a slightly scarred Aang in past the walls of the village, leaving a confused Sokka and a jealous Zuko behind.
----
It was a few hours later and the entire village were gathered in the giant igloo, discussing plans. One of the women had made soup which, after tasting, both Zuko and Aang had 'donated' to Sokka - just to make up for any hard feelings, of course. Iroh apparently loved the soup.
'This map should lead you straight to our sister Tribe once you reach the North Pole,' Gran Gran said, holding out a withered scroll tied with a faded blue ribbon. 'There are many Water-Bending Masters in the North Pole as the Fire Nation haven't been able to find them and flush them out.'
'Thank you very much, Kana!' Aang said excitedly.
'Just make sure you do not lose that scroll - not only is it priceless among the Water Tribes, but it would be invaluable to the Fire Lord; he would finally be able to capture the last of the Water-Benders.'
'Of course,' Aang nodded, tucking the scroll away in his tunic.
Katara raised her hand slightly, speaking. 'Gran Gran, I want to go with Aang too - if that's okay with him. I need a Water-Bending Master too, I can't train myself to make the most of my abilities, I need someone to guide me.'
'Oh, no, nuh-uh, no way is my baby sister going to the North Pole with some Fire-Bending jerks!' Sokka shouted. Katara punched him in the arm - hard. 'Oww! What I meant was, if she's going, so am I!'
'Don't be stupid, there's no way that Aang, you, Katara, my Uncle and I can all fit on the Bison!' Zuko said angrilly. Aang punched him in the arm - hard. 'Oww!'
'It's okay, Zuko, with Kanas permission, I will be staying here to help their Tribe,' Iroh beamed. 'And possibly get the recipie for this delicious soup,' he said, winking at Kana.
Zukos eye twitched slightly. 'In that case, of course you can come with us!' Aang said, grinning from ear to ear. Katara smiled back and Sokka and Zuko shared a glance which seemed to say 'Oh, no.'
And how right they would be.
A/N: I don't like how I did Sokka ... he's so confrontational ... but meh, he has to be, at least in this chapter. Well, what did you think? Review and tell me, haha!
Also, I have a slight confession to make ... You remember when I said if I get 50+ reviews I would add a lemon? Well, I had already planned it for chapter 13 and I'll get my 50 reviews way before then ... So, erm, sorry. o3o But there will be one in that chapter, I promise! Don't throw things at me! D: