Please apply the usual disclaimers since there is no imagineable way that I could ever create a world such as Avatar.

Chapter 10

Sokka stared down at a blank piece of parchment. There was a basket full of crumpled pieces of paper each with maybe two lines written on each before he discarded it. He had managed to write to his sister of the activities at sea. There really was not much to right besides that they were positive that Azula was in the Earth Kingdom. He still felt that he would never catch her in time though. They had not even set a course to head into the heart of the Earth Kingdom yet. They just seemed to drift out in the open water.

This letter was meant for Suki. He worried about her everyday but he found himself actually thinking of her less and less. She used to comfort him in his dreams at night. He would see her face in the clouds from time to time. He knew that at times he could be sickeningly romantic at times. Now all he felt was a constant dread. Azula could always slip by them and head south. If she did not find Suki and Ty Lee at Kyoshi Island, what would she do to the village? Would she think to head to the Southern Tribe?

Sokka managed to write the usual pleasantries. He wrote that he missed her and that he missed his father. He wrote that he thought of her everyday and that he worried about his safety. Then he got to the point when he would tell her what he had seen and what he had witnessed. Living with ice and water between them had honed their writing skills. They wrote to each other frequently of their daily lives and dreams. Anything as trivial as a bruise would be mentioned. How could he tell her about meeting with an assassin, the Hana House, or the slave ship?

"I was almost killed by a retired assassin. My back still hurts from evil twins. And I have looked evil in the face," he wrote before her abruptly wadded it up and threw it into the basket.

"Why can't I write this?" Sokka growled as he pulled another blank piece of parchment out.

He started to write again. This time he skipped the pleasantries and just started to write.

Suki, I have never known a world like this. There is death and cruelty everywhere. The most beautiful place I have ever seen is also one of the most sordid. How could we have not seen this during the war? I have run into assassins, prostitutes, and vicious murderers. A man's honor holds no sway in this world. Even the captain that Zuko trusts has adapted to live this kind of life. Sometimes I question how honorable she truly is and if she had ever paid for a quiet death of a foe.

A loud clang of the engine caused Sokka's hand to jerk. He swiped black ink across the parchment blotting out a good portion of what he had written.

"Damn you Empress," Sokka muttered as he actually ripped this one up into tiny pieces. He then put it into a bowl and set a candle to one of the piece and watched it burn. "Even you refuse me to betray your mistress' secrets."

The ship let out a long groan. This sounded a bit too human to come from the Empress. Sokka extinguished his candle and left his writing for another time. He grabbed his club and started to wander the corridors of the ship. He wanted to find the source of the groan but the ship was silent now. It was as if nothing had happened.

"Tap, tap, tap," he boots said as they hit the floor. Sokka moved slowly. He did not know how long he had been in his quarters. He had not seen any of the crew for most of the day. Taizo hadn't even managed to come by and bother him. Did the Dragons attack and missed him? Did they come silently and slaughter everyone except for him?

"Tap, tap, tap," he heard. It was not his feet. Sokka paused and saw a shadow coming towards him against the wall. He quietly backed up into the shadows and waited. The footsteps paused. Has he been found out? Sokka gripped the club and pulled it up over his head. If the intrude was not coming to him, he would attack, go down fighting.

"I have you!" Sokka roared and rounded the corner.

"Don't kill me!" he heard a gruff voice yell as he was immediately seized by the neck.

Sokka's eyes went out of focus immediately and the club was torn from his hands.

"Sokka, it's me Kerak. What has gotten into you?"

Sokka shook his head and looked again. He recognized the smooth head and the messy beard. "Kerak," Sokka said pleasantly. "It's good to see you. I haven't seen you all day."

"Do you do this to every person you haven't seen in awhile?"

Sokka laughed uncomfortably. He had a cheesy grin on his face as he looked up at Kerak. "Just the ones that I really like," he replied in a high voice.

"Then don't like me," Kerak said. He turned Sokka around and pushed him forward. "You can come with me to the engine room. Apparently you have too much time on your hands."

"Where's Inara?" Sokka asked as Kerak steered him towards the engine room.

"The captain is at her station," Kerak said.

Sokka thought it would be best to not say anything else. He did feel like he should finish his letter to Suki but there was nothing to say. At least the engine room would give him time to clear his head. Perhaps he could start over on the letter later. Maybe something mundane would enlighten him.

Not a single word was uttered between Sokka and Kerak. Kerak did not seem to be the talkative type. The entire time Sokka was on the ship, Kerak had muttered maybe a handful of sentences to him and they tended to be orders. Their boots sang the same old song as they marched towards the engine room. Sokka heard the familiar clangs and dings as they neared. However, he also heard that mysterious groan. Kerak and Sokka rounded the corner and entered Genji's domain where all things were mechanical and he ruled over every inch of it.

"What's making that noise?" Sokka asked as another groan rang in his ear.

Kerak was quiet for a moment as he listened. He looked over at a control board and an intercom system. Kerak quickly walked over and turned the intercom off.

"The captain is probably complaining to herself about Taizo again. She does that some times."

"That is completely understandable," Sokka replied.

"Ah, Kerak, Sokka," they heard someone say from above. They looked up and saw Genji on a platform about 10 feet over their heads. "I see that I am not completely forgotten."

"We try," Kerak muttered.

Genji didn't hear or at least pretended to not hear what Kerak said. He quickly climbed down the ladder and walked towards them.

"So, I see you have instituted the draft for this little matter," Genji observed.

"Draft?" Sokka questioned.

Genji gestured all around him. "We have to inspect, clean, and grease everything that you see here. She needs her physical today."

"This is no little matter," Sokka stated.

"Astronomical, tedious, boring, dull, maddening, immense, I have heard them all," Genji said with a slight shrug. "If we were at port Lord Inadu's men would do it for us but alas, we are not at port."

Genji then walked over to a storage room. It was not really a storage room but more of just a congregation of buckets, brooms, mops, brushes, rags, and what looked to be a very large rake all shoved into a corner with barrels arranged around them. Genji picked out his chosen tools and headed towards a vat of oil and a tub of less than clean water.

"Who is Lord Inadu?" Sokka asked.

"Inara's father," Kerak said.

"And your uncle," Genji merrily added as he filled the buckets with water. "He is the glorious Lord Kito and claims president above many of his own peers. Oh, can't forget the scrapers." Genji then hurried back towards the storage room and started to fumble around on his hands and knees looking for the rest of his equipment.

"And where is Kito?" Sokka asked.

Kerak let out a few choice grumbles. "Kito was the name of the small island that our family originated from. It is also where the title is derived from but the island was destroyed in a volcanic eruption centuries ago. Why?"

"Just curious," Sokka said quickly. "I didn't realize you two were cousins though. Is Inara's father your paternal or maternal uncle?"

Genji shouted, "Maternal," like Kerak would not answer.

"I can report on my own relations," Kerak yelled back.

"Kerak's mother is Inadu's little sister," Genji continued without much regard for Kerak. He got off the ground and went to collect his buckets. "She married below her rank for love." There was a sickening romantic tone in Genji's voice. "But you know the story. The sister is cast out of her family with her husband. They live a happy life in obscurity and poverty in a small house in the countryside. But they tragically die and the young son is swept up by the older brother who had forgiven his little sister years ago but could not go against his own father and risk his own inheritance. Truthfully, he and the captain are more like brother and sister than cousins." He then threw two aprons at them.

"Thank you for that history lesson," Kerak drawled as Genji set a bucket of water before his feet. "But you forgot to tell him on how I am not treated as if I am her brother. Inadu never lets me forget who my father was."

Genji shoved a scraping knife into Kerak's hand. "I didn't say that his lordship was perfect. Now get scraping."

Kerak actually gave Genji a less than friendly smile but it was still a smile. Sokka was given the same tools as Kerak without much joy in his given task. They put their aprons on and walked over to the gears and pistons. Sokka looked upon them with a bit of sadness.

Genji started to scrape off the old muck and grease of his own piston. His goggles were pushed back on his head so his hair was in strange disarray. Sokka hesitated for a moment in front of his own piston. He watched Genji work on the piston with what seemed to be a sort of caring affection. He had seen Genji look at Nayen with adoration but this ship seemed to be the one and only for him.

"How did you come to be the engineer?" Sokka asked.

Genji stopped scraping. He stared down at the gunk and muck silently. There was a twinge in his lips and he started to scrape again. "Now that is a direction question."

Kerak dropped his scraping tool to the ground and leaned on a clean portion of the machinery with a sly smile. "Those two imps have known each other for almost their entire lives. His father is one of Lord Inadu's most trusted stewards. The two practically grew up together in the same nursery. They were 7 years old and neck deep in trouble by the time I joined the family."

"My mother was her nanny so I was always with Inara and Nahito," Genji said.

"Wait," Sokka interrupted. "Who is Nahito?"

Kerak answered, "He is Inara's younger brother, or younger half-brother. Lord Inadu has had three wives and three children. His youngest son is only 2 years old."

"It has been kind of tragic," Genji said. "Inara's mother died in childbirth and Nahito's mother died 4 years ago in an accident."

"Does her brother have a ship?" Sokka asked.

"He doesn't have to," Kerak said. "He is Inadu's heir and so he stands to inherit everything."

"Except for the Empress," Genji added. "This beauty belongs solely to Inara. He dreams of being a politician or something cushy in the capital. He doesn't have our taste for adventure."

"Adventure as merchants," Sokka stated. "I imagine you never expected to take up a contract like this."

Kerak coughed. "No, not really," he replied and then started to work on his piston.

After a moment of nothing but the sound of scraping, Sokka decided it would be best to join them. He cut through his first swipe of grime with his scraping tool. It recoiled back in an ugly fashion. It smelled bad. There was no poetry in the world that could make it seem at least vital. Yes, this was exactly what he wanted to write to Suki about. He was putting his life on the line for the safety of the world by cleaning the pistons of a ship. She would be riveted to hear such news.

Sokka began to wonder how Aang was doing. He hoped that he had not gotten himself into trouble. Aang was the Avatar but he was not invincible. Then an\ sense of annoyance hit him. He had been wrapped up in prostitutes and murderers for far too long. He began to wonder if they were ever going to get hot on Azula's trail. Aang had reluctantly agreed to not actively seek out Azula. Sokka was supposed to be doing that but he had little control over his own movements.

The three of them formed a sort of rhythm as they worked. Kerak had longer, more methodical strokes. Genji worked with quicker and louder scrapes as he worked. Sokka was a bit more erratic. He would work steadily but become more frantic when a bit of grime would not cooperate. They worked steadily to their music. It was nothing joyful or entertaining. It was the byproduct of their labor and all they needed was Taizo standing over them with a whip as their slave driver.

"My, my, this does look like fun," Taizo said just on cue in a humorous tone.

The three stopped and glared at Taizo. He was impeccably clean with his hair actually combed. He observed Sokka and his crewmates with immense amusement. They were all disheveled and covered with muck. Sokka straightened his back and felt a series of pops go up his spine.

"Kerak, you should have taken the Tsunami," Taizo said.

Sokka frowned as he wiped his hands off on his apron. That was of little help since his apron was covered with the same greasy grime as his hands.

"Do you care to join us?" Sokka inquired.

Taizo shook his head. "I think I'll pass."

"Of course," Kerak said with a mischievous smile. "Sokka, you've been curious about all of us. I believe it is only fair that we elaborate on Taizo."

"Of course," Genji joined in and Taizo's smile immediately fell.

Taizo spoke in a flat tone. "Well, it is good that I have nothing to hide. But Sokka, if you must know, Inara broke me out of prison."

"Prison?" Sokka questioned.

Taizo nodded. "I was accused of murdering the local magistrate around 4 years ago. She knew I was innocent and that I wasn't going to get a fair trial. So the night before I was to be taken away, I was awakened by her and Kerak staging a dashing prison escape."

"I'm flattered," Kerak said.

"But how did she know you were innocent?" Sokka asked.

"I fit the role of a scapegoat," Taizo answered. "The constable had no idea of where to start so he found the local drunk who was also ex-military to pin the murder on. He didn't even have circumstantial evidence against me."

"Inara was able to eventually clear Taizo's name," Genji said.

"How?" Sokka asked.

"Aggressively," Taizo said with a broad smile.

All three men smiled at their collective memory. Sokka felt like he was left out of a grand joke or scheme and would never be allowed to know. His brows began to furrow together as he watched the memory swim behind their eyes.

"What about Nayen?" Sokka asked to bring them back to the present.

The three of them stirred from their thoughts.

Genji smiled at a new memory. "We found her as a stow away around 3 years ago. She was trying to escape her parents forcing her to marry a rich old man."

"She should have married him," Kerak muttered.

Genji shot him a look but Kerak did not seem to have seen it.

"So, how did the Avatar come upon you and your sister?" Taizo asked in a mocking tone.

"We busted him out of an iceberg," Sokka replied in an irritated tone.

Sokka did not find it funny but the three of them started to laugh. At this moment, he could think of a hundred things to write to Suki. He could write her about how difficult it was to be looking for Azula. Of course he would not mention that it was the company that was difficult.

In his irritation, he threw his apron and tools to the floor and started to walk away. Sokka was not looking where he was going when Nayen came running into the engine room. She recoiled and nearly fell over to prevent from rubbing up against Sokka like he was a disease.

"Ah Doc," Taizo greeted her. "We were just talking about you."

Nayen did not hear him. "Kerak, you have to get up on deck. Kaizen just pulled up portside in his ship. He's already on board. Wait, you guys were talking about me?"

"Kaizen," Kerak groaned and threw his apron to the ground. He grabbed a rag as he headed out of the engine room. "Everyone up top," he ordered.

There were the usual groans that accompanied Kerak's orders. Sokka had become accustomed to the ritual. Kerak gives out an order, everyone groans, and then it gets done. So, as the rules of nature implied, they all followed Kerak up top.

"I wonder why Kaizen is out at sea," Taizo lazily mused.

"It is probably because the princess is on the mainland," Kerak muttered.

"No, no," Tazio countered. "He would not run from something like that."

"I think he would," Sokka said. "Anyone who has ever said no to Azula should stay as far away from her as possible."

"It's hard to disagree with that," Genji said.

"It doesn't matter why he is here," Kerak interjected. "He's here and he can cause problems for us. Everyone be sure to get a count of his crew and to secure the ship."

"I don't think he will try to take over the ship," Nayen said. "He came over with only his butler."

Kerak ignored her or just chose to not remark on her comment. As they walked through the corridors, Kerak slammed his fist against one of the walls causing Sokka's heart to skip a beat. He was not the only one to have been startled. Sokka noticed a pause in everyone's step. Kerak had not seemed this concerned or irritated when they went into the town to find Kaizen. How he appeared to be angry and frustrated with the thought of the assassin on board of his ship.

Kerak came out onto the deck with everyone close behind. The deck was deserted except for a gentleman that Sokka immediately recognized. The scar across his eye was the tale-tale sign of the doorman who had let them into Kaizen's house. The butler regarded Sokka acidly and for good reason. His jaw was still swollen from where Sokka had kicked him during the fight. Besides the injured jaw, he stood upright with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Where is your master?" Kerak asked.

The butler did not answer. He looked up towards the wheel house and then back at Kerak.

"Of course," Kerak said sarcastically and then turned to the crew. "You three stay here with the Talker. Sokka, come up with me."

Kerak walked away abruptly forcing Sokka to trot behind him to catch up.

"Do you think there will be trouble?" Sokka asked.

"Nope, I just need someone to keep me from prematurely killing him."

Sokka's mind failed to calculate a snappy comeback to that so his tongue remained still. Thinking of what Kerak had said, Sokka squeezed around Kerak so that he could reach the door first. With Kerak so close, Sokka had no time to listen at the door for any sign of intrigue. He was forced to stumble in finding Inara backed up against the wall with Kaizen closing in.

Sokka immediately threw the door closed on Kerak's face. He heard a loud curse and Kerak's stumbles on the other side of the door. Sokka's blood started to boil with Kaizen only inches away from the captain. Reason and sense left him as he gritted his teeth and marched over towards Kaizen.

"Ah, Sokka," Kaizen greeted him as he leaned slightly away from Inara. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

Sokka gritted his teeth. "If you lay one hand on her…"

"Sokka!" Inara yelled shortly.

The forcefulness in which she shouted his name caused his feet to halt. His mind was still reaching towards Kaizen but his body refused to cooperate. He stumbled with his arms flaying everywhere to keep his balance.

Inara pushed Kaizen away with one hand to his chest. She came over and gently pushed him with one finger. Sokka's body had no choice but to inevitably fall to the ground with a loud thud. His head was then smashed with the door when Kerak burst in.

"What's going on?" Kerak demanded.

Sokka cringed in pain and rubbed his head. He was about to answer but Inara interrupted.

"Nothing, Sokka was just being a prude. There is no need to defend my honor. It has been long since compromised."

Sokka pulled himself up from the floor with little help from anyone. Everyone seemed to be drifting to their own corners for a bit. Kerak remained at the door while Inara floated to the helm. Kaizen slowly moved back against the wall where he could try to hide.

Kaizen had abandoned his rich, vibrant robes. He wore shades of black and gray, the colors of a man with no country. He was a far cry from the extravagant, urbane rake. However, he did manage to smuggle a few gold rings onto his fingers and an expensive belt around his waste. Now he seemed to be more of a mischievous pirate with a taste for the finer things in life.

Sokka had learned for his own enjoyment in the occasional indulgence. However, he also knew the price. He was to be chief one day. Chiefs of the Southern Tribe were not to parade themselves around in pretty clothes and expensive beads. He had to be strong and rugged. At least it was the fashion norm of the South Pole to dress head to toe in furs.

"So, Kaizen," Kerak finally said. "What brings you this far from the mainland?"

"Just the pleasure to hear your voice," Kaizen returned.

This response seemed to be humorous to Kerak and Inara. They smiled broadly at Kaizen without any hint of warmth.

Kaizen seemed to notice this as well. He narrowed his eyes at the merchants. Sokka watched as Kaizen turned his attention to him. There was no sympathy from Inara and Kerak.

"Are you running from Princess Azula?" Sokka finally asked to get the conversation moving in any direction.

Kaizen opened his mouth to reply and he thought about it for a moment. "I never run," he replied.

"Of course you don't," Kerak said sarcastically. "I bet the word got out. You're running alright but not from the princess."

Sokka knew he was on the outside of this back story, this secret history. "Please explain."

Inara said, "I would wager a bet that Azula's visit has somewhat tarnished Kaizen's reputation. Would it be unwise to assume that Jing Ke is now trying to muscle you out of the business?"

Kaizen was silent. This was enough to amuse Inara. Sokka watched as that familiar smile spread across her face. It was victorious, self-glorifying, and snide.

"I am retired," Kaizen finally answered. "There is nothing to muscle me out of."

"Retired," Inara chuckled. "You're nothing more than a Madame. You whore out others' talents as you reap the rewards."

"I believe our industries are very different," Kaizen said in a strained tone. "You should know this."

"Yes, yes," Inara replied passively. "The semantics and all are just tiring. Whores, assassins…blah, blah, blah. But Kaizen, if you are here for only conversation then you might as well move on. We must be on our way if we are to…Kerak, what are we doing?"

"World peace," he answered.

"Ah yes, world peace, something that we have probably been through already," Inara continued. "If you want conversation, the Floating Lotus is around. I'm sure Madame Asahi would welcome the company."

"I would think that you would welcome my visit since I come bearing news," Kaizen said.

Inara did not pay much attention to him. She waved off his statement and continued her work at the wheel.

"News," Sokka said and received a frustrated sigh from Kerak. "What news do you have?"

"News of Azula," Kaizen replied.

"I doubt you have any news," Kerak said. "And if you do, it is probably of no use to us."

"She's to the north," Kaizen stated abruptly. "The Rough Rhinos leave a very distinct trail. They are heading towards a colony."

"Which one?" Sokka asked.

"Probably Nagano," Inara replied. "It is near the old Pohuai Stronghold and its large enough to blend into the crowds. I doubt they will stay long though."

Sokka hurried over to a map. He traced their erratic course. "We're not far from the old stronghold. We might be able to move up inland and catch them before they move on."

"That is making a lot of assumptions," Kerak muttered.

"Like what?"

Kerak shrugged. "Well, we might want to take into account weather, if we will run into any of Edo's ships, and possibly we might want to consider that Kaizen might be lying."

"I wouldn't lie about something like this," Kaizen responded.

"I think we should trust him on this," Sokka sternly stated. "We have not had a lot of leads. The longer she is out there the more dangerous she becomes. We need to capture her before she is able to gather an entire army to march onto the Fire Nation or some poor city of the Earth Kingdom."

Inara and Kerak looked at each other. Sokka hoped that they were at least considering the idea. After all this time, he felt like they were chasing ghosts or phantoms. There was nothing that yelled, "Hey, we know where Azula is!" He was trapped on a ship that seemed to aimlessly sail the world. They had the most important task but nothing seemed to be coming together.

At last though, he saw some sign of hope. Inara nodded slightly to Kerak and Kerak frowned at her. The frown was a small victory to Sokka.

"Fine, we'll go check it out," Inara said. "And Kerak, I have some old merchandise below that Kaizen might be interested into. Can you kindly escort him off the ship and have Taizo bring that crate up."

Kerak grunted something that Sokka could not fully understand. He marched over and seized Kaizen by the shoulder. Kerak pulled him towards the door but Kaizen managed to reach out and take Inara by the nape of the neck. He pulled her into a full kiss that she seemed to not fight off.

"That's enough," Sokka growled and helped Kerak pull him away.

Kaizen gave Sokka a crude smile. "Victory is mine."

"Not yet," Kerak said and hauled Kaizen out the door.

Sokka closed the door firmly behind Kerak and then pressed his back against it like he could keep Kaizen from ever returning. He noticed that Inara smiled briefly at him before she turned her face from him.

"You shouldn't indulge a man like that," Sokka warned her.

Inara gave him almost a girlish giggle. "You are a prude," she said playfully.

"I am not," Sokka replied offended by the term.

Inara set the wheel and walked slowly towards him. Her heels clicked melodically against the metal floor of the wheel house. Tap…tap…tap…was all Sokka heard. Sokka held his breath for only a second as she stopped inches from him.

"You're not," she said inquisitively with her breath warm on his neck. She then ran a finger along his jaw line. "That is such a relief."

Sokka opened his mouth to say something but the words could not escape him. He was silent as she smiled up at him. He was silent as she walked away. Her hips swayed as she walked and her arms brushed lightly against them. Sokka tore his eyes away from her and stared up at the ceiling.

"Thank you for listening to me about going to the colony," Sokka said in a strained voice.

Inara dropped her tone, "It was nothing. We might get lucky and we might not. Either way, we have to take into every account that we get."

They were quiet after this. Sokka remained at his post against the door. He looked at either the ceiling or the map on the wall. His eyes traced their progression from the Fire Nation capital, to the Earth Kingdom, and their little sojourn out at sea. His eyes ventured down to Kyoshi Island and then to the Southern Tribe and he felt a pang in his heart.

"Kaizen is back on his ship," Inara said finally.

Sokka jerked his head towards her and saw her look blandly out towards the colony.

"Kerak will inform the crew," she said. "Once we arrive, you and I will go to shore to investigate. I have a few contacts that we may be able to bribe."

"That sounds like a plan," Sokka replied flatly.

"We'll be there in a day," she informed him.

Sokka nodded to her and then slipped out of the door. He quickly walked past the crew and down below deck. He nearly ran back to his quarters and closed the door firmly behind him. There was a cold sweat forming on his brow as he conjured Suki's face in his mind.

"Suki, I hope this is over soon," he whispered.