Thank you for your reviews. I had a hard time writing this chapter so that is why it took so long. I was a little unsure which way I should continue writing the story considering I had several possibilities. I hope you like.
Insanehouseaddict nice catch but nope not Sokka you will just have to wait and see. I guess I will have to be more like a ninja writer to hide some things from you.
As usual I do not own Avatar.
Chapter 4: Impatience
A half an hour before sunrise is a time of peace with the morning dew kissing the skin as soft as a mothers touch. The mornings breathe creating tiny clouds in front of his face, dime candles lighting the dark before the dawn only to lose to the ever present darkness. Zuko sat on a boulder at the edge of the camp meditating, waiting for the truth that never seemed to come. His mind calmed from the chaos of reality but never free from its turmoil. He sat patiently waiting for something or anything to wake him from his slumber.
After what seemed like lifetimes, the first rays of sum crept over the distant mountains, reaching out to touch his face. At that moment, Zuko took a deep breath in through his nose, down his esophogas and into his stomach. He waited just seconds before releasing his breath from his grasp. Zuko's eyes snapped open and he became alive with energy. Within seconds he was moving seamlessly through his kata. Flames erupted from his fingertips but yet he did not move from the spot where he sat vigil every morning for the last week.
With a flurry of movement, he brought his hands in a circular motion and pointed his fist to the sky. A great volcano came forth from his flesh, screaming at the sun. Zuko breathed deeply and centered his chi finishing the mornings exercise. Quietly he heard the gently rustling of a tent flap opening and closing and the footsteps that followed.
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Aang stirred from the unconscious of sleep. He could feel Katara's warm touch and the way her chest heaved with every breath. He opened his eyes and looked into the calm, almost peaceful face of his love, the face that betrayed the true torment and sorrow that she was experiencing. Aang had been sleeping in the same tent as Katara for the last week, ever since Sokka had left. He wondered if the new attachment Katara had for his was the reciprocation of his love or just her need not to feel alone.
Aang slowly released himself from the soft touch of his love, careful not to wake her from her slumber. At least while she sleeps he thought she can find some semblance of peace. Aang heard the scream of a mighty blast and he knew Zuko had finished his set. Aang often wondered how it was that no one ever awoke from the noise but then again, they had all been exhausted.
Aang eased the flap from the front of the tent and started to walk towards Zuko, still lost in thought from the morning hours.
"You know Aang," Zuko started, snapping Aang from his waking dream, "you should really get up in the morning to practice your set. There is nothing like the dawn to make you feel alive."
"What about dusk?"
"Dusk is another important time to practice but not for the same reason. At dusk, you can feel the sun setting and your power decreasing, you can still control it, but fire disrupts the harmony of the night. Dawn is the bringer of the new day. The first morning rays awaken the fire in your soul, fueling your inner fire giving you life. It is the second best feeling in the world."
"What do you mean by the second best?" Aang asked.
"Aang," Zuko sighed, "Sokka has been gone for a week and I do not think that he will be back anytime soon. Aang you know your set well enough to continue on alone for the time being. Just remember that fire comes from the breath and although it can be powerful and harsh, it can likewise be like water."
"Zuko what are you saying?"
"Alone Sokka will take weeks maybe even months to sort out what his life has become and what it may be once again. The pain of Sokka not being here has already began to take its toll on our gang and our mission seems to be as lost as he is. He needs guidance and I will help him with his journey."
"Zuko why not all of us go and help bring him back. Together we may be able to convince him to come back even faster."
"No Aang, to bring Sokka back you must understand why he is lost and although everyone here has undergone some sort of loss, it is not the same as the loss that he has experienced. I am the only true choice in this matter."
"But Zuko loss is loss. Katara lost her mother, I have lost my people. How is that any different than what Sokka is experiencing?"
"You disappoint me Aang. No loss is identical only similar. While one may loose a parent one may gain a people. A mother's love is not the same as loving someone you love so much and then losing them to a choice that you make, something that you can control. A mother's love will always be there in life and in death, but the love of someone like you and Katara is fragile and can break as easily as glass. Can you honestly tell me that you know how this kind of loss feels?"
"Can you?" Aang asked partly at the fact that Zuko was being as stubborn as to try this alone but also at the truth of his words.
Zuko sighed as his eyes filled with sorrow. "Yes." The answer was simple but the emotion and maturity with which he said it spoke more words than could be expressed in lifetimes.
"When I decided to leave the Fire Nation to teach you firebending Aang, I left Mai behind. I loved her so much and still do but I made the choice to sacrifice my love for the betterment of the world. I had never felt my heart ache more than at that moment. I left her behind to save her the problems that my decision would cause but all that happened was that I caused her more pain. I need to do this to help Sokka but perhaps I need to do this to save myself as well. I cannot help but wondering if the pain I put her through is the same pain that Sokka is feeling now."
"If that is the case then what makes you think that this decision will not cause me, Katara, and Toph pain?"
"I am not foolish enough to believe that this decision will not cause you all pain but Sokka cannot do this alone, he needs help and he will not accept it if we all hunt him down. I am the newest member to the gang and therefore I am not as close to all of you as you are to each other. I have to do this Aang."
Aang sighed knowing that he was finally defeated. Zuko spoke as though he had already lived a lifetime in his 16 years. Zuko has really matured since we first met. It must be the impact of General Iroh. "When do you leave?"
"Tonight, I cannot waste any more time or else I may never find him. Aang I have one more favor to ask of you."
"Anything, all you need do is ask."
"Drop me off on the Earth Kingdom Coast with Appa."
"Done, but here take this." Aang reached into his shirt and pulled out the bison whistle. "If you need us or are ready to return just blow the whistle. We will find you as soon as we can."
"Thank you Aang."
"No problem but I still do not like you doing this though. I am still learning firebending."
They turned and began walking back into the camp where Toph was finally up and the sound of Katara stirring reached their ears. "Aang I tell you this honestly, you have learned in just a week what it took me years. I do not even think Azula learned as fast as you are now."
"Really?"
"Absolutely, Aang just make sure you don't mention anything about this for as long as possible. We cannot afford rash action in this venture."
"You have my word Zuko."
"Good."
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The thundering footsteps and panging metal echoed throughout the hull of the metal ship. Azula slowly began to become more aware and annoyed by the careless actions of her crew. They had better learn to walk softer or else I will fry them.
With the end of that thought a sharp knock came at the door. "You better have a very good reason for waking me at this hour," she yelled as a soft creek indicated that the door was opening.
Sticking his head in through the door a soldier responded, "I am sorry princess Azula but the captain ordered me to inform you that we will be reaching dock in a half an hour."
Azula sighed, it seems that her work was never done and she wondered if she would ever be able to get a good night sleep, "Very well, wake the ladies Mai and Ty lee and prepare for departure."
"As you wish."
Azula threw the covers away from her body revealing pearl colored skin in a red satin nightgown. She swung her legs over the side of the bed as a hand made rushed to her side, fearful of the response if her timing was not completely perfect. The servant helped Azula with her armor before the Fire Nation Princess walked impatiently over to the mirror. Next, the servant put her hair up in the traditional royal Fire Nation top knot and took a few tentative steps away.
Azula analyzed every inch of her in the mirror, "Passable, if I was doing anything other than going after a few worthless rebels I would burn you for this work, improve or else."
"Yes, your highness."
Azula walked fast, eager to leave this awful continent behind her, until she at last came to the loading bay where she could she that everything was prepared for departure. Well, I guess they at least know how to be on time.
"Azula, I am so excited to be on this trip and you look lovely by the way. I love what you did with your hair, oohh and your makeup is abs…"
"Okay Ty lee," Azula interrupted, "I get the point. Now let's get moving I do not want to be here any longer than is absolutely necessary."
"Finally, I was really starting to get bored with this ship," said Mai.
Azula leapt gracefully onto the back of her kimono rhino and forced it forth onto the plank, leaving the ship with a determined and angry face. Just as Azula reached the bottom of the plank, a shadow crossed her face which caused her in turn to look upwards. A small bird flew overhead heading in a northwestern direction. Azula watched carefully as the bird got smaller and smaller, until it finally disappeared from her sight.
"Captain," Azula ordered impatience.
"Yes, your highness," replied Captain Gin as he rode up to be by her side.
"How much longer until we reach this worthless village?"
"Baring and interruptions we should be there by nightfall."
"Fine." Azula could not help but think about how much she did not like this man and what exactly was the purpose of that bird being here.
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"Sir," huffed a tiny man. It was obvious that he was running for a while to talk to the man in charge carrying a small bird on his shoulder. It was the same small bird that had passed by the Fire Nation ship some three hours before.
"Report," said a heavy, deep voice.
"Sir we have word from our man that the Fire Nation ship that was carrying the princess and her friends has docked. She and her men are currently heading to Makapu."
"How many men does she bring?"
"About twenty in all, including herself."
"Perfect, then now is the time."
"Yes sir," came the reply as a smile crept a crossed the large man's face.