Chapter 18
Zuko and Aang accompanied the White Lotus members to the docks, the fourth day after the attempt on Zuko's life.
"My dear Nephew, I am sorry we will be missing your birthday."
"It's okay Uncle, we can have a private meal when you return and all this business blows over. Where are you going first?"
"The White Lotus call has gone out; all members are convening at Ba Sing Se. We have permission from King Kuei to search the entire city, and the underground, for any sign of Long Feng, but if he survived the tortures that we can assume Azula put him through, I think he would have left the city; but it's a solid starting point. Also, I wish to check in on the Jasmine Dragon." Iroh said with a smile.
Zuko embraced his Uncle in a tight hug, before pulling away and bowing low to Iroh. Iroh chuckled, laid a hand on Zuko's shoulder, and walked off to the boat that would take him and the other Old Masters away.
Zuko rose, and stared after his Uncle, when someone tapped on his shoulder. Pakku stood beside Zuko, and each man stared out over the water,
"I trust you Fire Lord Zuko. Do not make me think I have misplaced my trust in you. Never make me, or any of the people of the Water Tribes, second guess your intentions or feel threatened by you again. I trust you will care well for my granddaughter, and know that if you don't, she beat me in a water bending match; she will not hesitate to drown you."
The water bending master walked away, without so much as a 'good luck finding your would be assassinator'. Zuko gulped hard.
Master Piandao appeared next to him. Zuko, although used to the heat of the Fire Nation felt a bead of sweat roll down his face. He hadn't expected mildly veiled threats from the world's great masters. Zuko at the swords master; he was smiling.
"Do ignore Pakku. He is really taken with Kanna's family, and they too have welcomed him with open arms. I think after so long along, the old man is happy for the first time since Kanna left him the first time. I do not think he really worries all too much for Katara, she is more than capable of defending herself." Piandao's face turned dark, and he fixed Zuko with a cold stare, "I have grown to respect Katara, but my main allegiance with your friends lies with Sokka. He was my student, and I feel a certain amount of responsibility for the boy. Protect him with your life." His expression lightened again, "When this is all over, again, I would be happy to take part in a sword fighting session with you my Lord." Piandao bowed to Zuko; it took Zuko a moment to remember he was a Fire Nation national, and he walked off towards the boat.
Aang was bowing to Master Jeong Jeong when Zuko turned. Jeong Jeong rose and turned, saw Zuko, bowed again, and set off for the boat.
King Bumi approached the pair;
"Now you boys be careful," He munched happily on a cabbage leaf. Zuko tried to keep a straight face, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"That's not a lot of restrictions Bumi." Aang said to his old friend, with a huge smile on his face
"I suppose not. Whatever, just behave, don't permanently destroy any cities and watch Momo."
Aang nodded to the affirmative, and embraced his aging friend.
When they broke apart, Zuko spoke, "Bumi, can you watch my Uncle...don't let him go over the top too many times."
"I shall try, young Fire Lord, but the Dragon of the West is a force of nature and cannot be controlled. But I shall try." The earth bending master King and the Fire Lord bowed to each other, and the final White Lotus delegate that had been staying with Zuko took to the boat, and Pakku powered them out into open water, bound for the Earth Kingdom.
"And now it's our turn." said Aang, sounding world weary.
The teenagers re-entered the Palace, and made their way to the dining room, which had become temporary war rooms, as the council rooms could simply not accommodate the number of friends and allies who had remained in the Fire Nation to help and had answered the call when it had gone out.
They entered the room, and saw their friends and allies from the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom sticking to one side of the room, and a large argument taking place between the Water Tribe members present.
Aang mumbled something about staying out of it, as Momo ran to his shoulder, leaving Haru for the first time in four days, and went off to feed Appa, and Nyla the shirshu, who had arrived with June late last night. Zuko had been surprised she had answered the call.
Zuko wished Aang had not run off, he may not like conflict but he was the Avatar, and nation arguments were supposed to be his speciality. Zuko considered running after him for a moment, before walking into the room, and plunging into the centre of the crowd of Water Tribe men. It didn't surprise him that Katara was at the centre, a deadly look in her eyes, aimed at her father and brother, and now, at Zuko.
"Zuko, move. I need to freeze my brother into a block of ice for a few days, and possibly freeze my dad's head."
"Zuko, please don't move. In fact, move more in front of me." Sokka man handled Zuko more in front of him, utilising him as a human shield.
Zuko met Katara's eyes, "What has happened?"
A small voice spoke up, "I'm afraid it is my fault young Fire Lord."
The Water Tribe men parted, and Kanna, the only person sat at this end of the large dining table, met Zuko's eyes.
"I wish to accompany my fellow countrymen, my cousins from the North and the Mechanist, on their journey. Sokka and Hakoda have allowed it, but my granddaughter disagrees with the decision."
"Because it will be dangerous Gran-Gran!" Katara exclaimed, looking at her grandmother, tears forming in her eyes
"My dear, I have seen my fair share of danger, and I do not wish to be the only person who answered the call for allies to be left behind. You need every pair of hands you can get, and Hakoda assures me I will not be in the way. Besides, Katara, with you going with your large group," she gestured to the majority of people on the other side of the room, "You can't be leaving them to come and heal our men. I may not be a bender, but I am a skilled holistic and medical healer. I can be of use, and if you are so concerned, I can remain on the air-o-plane and out of the conflict."
Katara's lip quivered, and the tears in her eyes threatened to spill over. Zuko took her hand and softly said her name in reassurance,
"Katara...I support your gran's decision. She has every right to help in any way she wishes. She clearly has trust in your country's men, as do your father and brother, and as do I. She will be fine."
Katara looked up at him, and the first tears spilled over, and Zuko understood.
Kanna was the only mother figure Katara had left in her life; she had not been able to prevent her mother's death, and she was damn well going to prevent Kanna's at all costs.
Katara sighed, and looked from her grandmother to her father and brother, who both flinched slightly as she turned to them,
"Fine. Take her with you, but she stays on the air-o-plane, and out of conflict." She raised a finger and pointed at each individual Water Tribesman, ice appearing over the tip of her finger, "She is in the care of you all." She turned and took off for the balcony of the dining room.
Zuko stared after her, contemplating if he should follow her, when Hakoda appeared at his side. Just what Zuko needed, more threats.
"I believe my father-in-law already had words with you?" Zuko's throat was dry, so all he could do was nod. "Then I don't believe I need to say anything, but as a return for that request being carried out, and not that I wouldn't have anyway, but I will watch Kanna with my life, to bring Katara happiness when this is all over, which I know will give you happiness. " He then turned and addressed his men, as well as Chief Arnook and his men, and the Mechanist who had hurried over, "We shall depart at dawn, through the sea and through the air. Go, prepare the boats and the air-o-plane, and rest." He dismissed his miniature army, and they went away to fulfil their jobs, leaving only Hakoda, Arnook, and Kanna from the 'adult' group in the dining room.
"Hakoda, let us go and make some preparations. Kanna, care to join us?" Arnook said, and Kanna rose, and the three left together leaving the 'kids' group to plan.
Aang, with Momo, appeared as the Water Tribe elders left, bowing low to them, and entering the room. Katara too came back in from the balcony, her eyes red and swollen, but dry. She nodded at Zuko, and spoke,
"Everyone. It's time to plan."
A/N So just a quick recap; White Lotus members, that we know, are Masters Pakku, Jeong Jeong, Piandao, Bumi and Iroh. The 'adult' group is Hakoda, Bato, Kanna, about 10 southern water tribe men, Chief Arnook, about 20 northern water tribe men, and The Mechanist, travelling by the mechanists air-o-plane, and the water tribe boats. The 'kids' group is Katara, Zuko, Aang, Sokka, Toph, Suki, Haru, Ty-Lee, 10 other Kyoshi warriors, Teo, The Duke, Pipsqueak, The Hippo, Boulder, June, Momo and surprisingly Mai, who is able to come because Azula is under deep protection. They will be travelling by Appa, Nyla, Piandao's eel hound, ostrich horse and on foot.
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