Please apply the usual disclaimers.
Chapter 11
Suki stood on the frozen tundra staring towards the Fire Nation. She knew that Katara and Toph was their while she was exiled to the nether reaches of the world. They would be advising Zuko and Mai on the best course of action and ready for any attack.
Suki was a warrior. She trained and fought hard for her status on Kyoshi Island and now she was sent to guard a tribe that she knew Azula would have no interest in. She cursed Sokka quietly as she pulled the parker tight around her neck. The wind blew and ruffled the fur trim of her hood.
"Are you alright?" she heard a familiar sweet voice ask from behind her.
Suki did not bother to turn around. "We should both be at the Fire Nation Ty Lee," she muttered irritably.
"Our place is here for now," Ty Lee replied.
"No, our place is where Azula will attack. We both know that she won't bother coming this far south. There is nothing here of interest to her."
"This is the tribe of Sokka and Katara. We both know how much she hates them for her defeat," Ty Lee countered.
"She hates her brother," Suki argued. "Azula does nothing without calculation. This would be a waste of her time and there is no advantage to her to come here."
"But if she does, Chief Hakoda will need us here."
Suki heard a strain in Ty Lee's voice. She turned and saw the usually bright eyes of the optimistic warrior turn cold and dull. There was something different about Ty Lee now. Suki walked over to her and placed one hand on her shoulder.
"You know she won't come here," Suki repeated. Her voice was solid and sure. "That's why you don't want to go to the Fire Nation."
Ty Lee opened her mouth but paused. She did not say a word. All she could do was nod.
"Seven years gone and you're still scared of her," Suki realized.
Ty Lee pulled away from Suki's reach. "Of course I am," she muttered. "Anyone with any sense would be scared of her especially after what I did. I don't like having Mai at the Fire Nation in times like this but that is her place. I don't like the fact that Zuko allowed Sokka to go in search of Azula either but I have no control over that. I understand what is at stake but I cannot bring myself to face her again."
"You did it once and it saved Mai," Suki reminded her.
Ty Lee turned away. She became quiet and withdrawn. Suki did notice that at sunrise, one could catch Ty Lee staring towards the Fire Nation. She always thought that she came to Kyoshi Island in need of friendship and that next adventure. Now she wondered if it was fear. Even though the princess was locked away, it appeared that Ty Lee could not stand to be in the same country as her.
Suki wanted to say something to Ty Lee but she could not find the words. She quietly watched Ty Lee's mood change from somber to blissful. A bright smile spread across her face but her eyes were still vacant.
"But I am sure that Sokka will succeed. He is in good hands with Captain Inara," Ty Lee concluded.
Suki nodded but her attention was caught by the blue sails of Hakoda's small fleet. She stared at them like they were freedom and adventure. She could hear the men yelling as they loaded the ship with meat and other goods to be traded. Suki's legs immediately started to carry her towards the ship and Ty Lee let out a groan.
"What are you doing?" Ty Lee demanded.
Suki did not answer. The men all bowed to her out of respect as she approached. She noticed a few of Pakku's apprentices were readying the ship.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"We're heading to the Fire Nation," one of the men answered. "Katara has sent a message requesting food and supplies in case there is a siege."
"Do you mind if I tag along?" Suki asked.
The men all paused. They stared at her without an answer. Everyone knew that one day she would be the chieftess if Sokka would just stop stalling and propose. However, she was not the typical Water Tribe girl. She had a will that rivaled Katara's but they had an obligation to their chief.
"Um…have you talked this over with the chief?" he asked.
"I am not a member of this tribe yet," Suki reminded him. "I am merely visiting and now I wish to visit the Fire Nation. I am friends with the Fire Lord and the future Fire Lady. Oh, have you met Ty Lee? She grew up with both of them."
"Suki," Ty Lee whispered in almost a pleading voice.
Suki ignored her. "We would like to visit the Fire Lord and his fair lady. It really has been quite some time since we were able to…visit."
The men were just as unsure as before. They were all quiet as Suki grabbed Ty Lee by the elbow and dragged her onto the ship.
"There is a time that we all must conquer our fears," Suki whispered.
"Yes but my fear shoots lightening at people," Ty Lee pointed out.
"Are we ready to set sail?" Suki asked before Ty Lee could escape.
"Uh…yes."
"Then let's go," Suki insisted politely.
The men slowly untied the ropes and unfurled the sails. Suki knew they were all waiting for the chief to come drag her off the ship. But he came too late. They were already leaving the harbor when she could see his familiar figure against the white background with him waving a club at the ship.
"Are you happy? You get your next adventure," Ty Lee said sourly.
"This isn't an adventure," Suki said in a serious tone. "I have to make sure this ends well. I can't sit around like the little wife for news."
***
The Empress approached the colony with the stealth that Sokka had never seen. Inara usually pulled up into port and docked while they did whatever they had to do. This time was different. Perhaps it was because they were heading into Rhino Country and Azula was probably not far away.
Kerak stood at the wheel. The ship would not dock. It was down river from the village and the engines were to stay warm. Nayen climbed to the highest point of the ship to keep watch while Taizo patrolled the ship. He looked like he was ready to for war even though he was not leaving the ship. He rested his unusually large sword against his shoulder while the rest of his body was weighted down with knives and other weapons.
Inara was also suited up ready for war. There were leg guards, arm guards, swords, and knives. She wore black clothes over her usual red and she had a hood in her hand. Sokka recalled the night they had gone seen Kaizen. They wore cloaks but now she looked like Katara when she was bent on revenge.
"Get suited up," she ordered as she slung a pack over her back.
Sokka sighed as he pulled on the clothes that Taizo threw to him. He brought his sword, club, and boomerang. He watched as Inara went up to the wheel house to speak with Kerak. The light was failing and he could not hear them. He wanted to see their expressions but Taizo interrupted his study on human reaction as he made sure everything was tied on tightly onto Sokka's back, waist, ankles, everywhere.
"I'm set," Sokka stated.
"Just making sure," Taizo said. "Just be careful. The Rough Rhinos are not to be under estimated."
"I know. I've run into them before."
Taizo turned Sokka around and looked him in the eyes. "There are worse people than the Rough Rhinos. There are those who rival the princess. The captain will have your back but you have to have hers too. Do you understand?"
Sokka was taken aback by the seriousness in Taizo's voice. "I will," was drawn from Sokka's lips.
The two men stared at each other for a moment. Sokka was then startled when Inara slapped him on the shoulder.
"Let's go," she said.
Taizo pulled the mask over Sokka's mouth and nose. "She'll keep you safe," Taizo said as he walked over to the side of the ship with them.
Sokka noticed something that he had never seen before and it was something that he would have noticed. It was a small ballista mounted to the deck of the ship. He held his tongue as Taizo manned it. Taizo skillfully aimed it at a sturdy tree and shot. A rope trailed from the ship to the tree.
"So, I guess that's how we're getting to and from the ship," Sokka observed blandly as Taizo tied the rope to the railing of the ship.
"At least you're not swimming," Inara muttered.
Sokka shook his head as he followed Inara over the water on the rope. He looped his legs around the rope and carefully crossed to the other side. Sokka concentrated putting one hand in front of the other while ignoring how exposed they were in their compromising position.
When Sokka's feet touched solid ground, Inara was already ducking into the bushes and trees. Sokka followed closely behind her as they quietly made their way towards the colony. The colony's lamp lights glowed in the night as they stayed to the dark perimeter.
A couple of guards passed right under them as they crept along the shadows of the wall. Inara seemed like she knew her way around the colony. She easily ran across the wall and onto the rooftops of the buildings and houses. Sokka ran quickly to keep up with her without questioning her sense of direction.
Eventually, they ended up in a dark ally. Sokka was beginning to not enjoy being in dark allies with this woman. They leaned into the shadows. Inara did not move; she did not speak. Sokka knew better than to ask and so he didn't. They waited in silence until a cloaked figure walked into the alley. He walked with a steady step but a hooded head.
"Psst," Inara hissed.
The figure stopped and stood still. Inara then emerged from the shadows and pulled the mask from her face.
"Captain," the figure said in a low tone and slightly bowed his head to her.
"Jing Ke," she returned.
Sokka remained in the shadows. He watched as the man pulled the hood off his head. He looked like a man who had fought many battles. His face was scarred. He did not look at Inara with the eyes that Kaizen did though.
"I hear you may be giving Kaizen a bit of trouble," Inara said.
Jing Ke shrugged. "Perhaps," he replied guardedly.
"Are you possibly trying to push him out of the business?"
"What can I say?" Jing Ke responded. "It's a competitive market. Kaizen can't believe that he can control it forever. After the end of the war, the market was flooded with all of the soldiers with nothing else to do."
"And let's not get into the ordeal with forcing them to register with the Assassin's Guild," Inara added.
"Exactly," Jing Ke commented. He then looked past Inara's soldier. "But it seems unlike you to leave someone at your back."
Inara motioned slightly with her fingers to Sokka. Sokka complied and came from the shadows pulling his mask off.
"That's better," Jing Ke said as he briefly looked Sokka over. "Kaizen got comfortable. I saw an opportunity and I took it. He can just deal with it as far as I'm concerned. However, I highly doubt you came here to give me a slap on the wrist on behalf of Kaizen."
"That would be a waste of my time. I am here on my own accord. I want a bit of information if you don't mind."
Jing Ke raised an eyebrow. "The kind of information that you want does tend to put my health at risk."
"If this bit of information does put your health at risk then I will be more than happy to end your suffering," she replied coldly. "Are the former Rough Rhinos in town?"
Jing Ke seemed taken aback by the question but he slowly nodded. "They checked in three nights ago. We're being paid to keep people away."
"Keep who away?" Sokka asked.
"I imagine people like you," Jing Ke replied now really giving Sokka a good look over.
"Show me where," Inara demanded before Sokka and Jing Ke could continue e with their interlude.
Jing Ke looked like he was ready to refuse but Sokka caught a glimpse of a shimmering blade at Inara's side. Jing Ke's hand went to his own sword but Inara was quicker. She had her sword drawn and at his chin. Jing Ke quickly backed up against the wall and Inara had him pinned. Sokka drew his own sword too keeping his eyes opened for anyone else.
"I am not in the mood tonight," Inara snarled. "Now, I was courteous with you the first time. I rarely have to give anyone a second chance. Tell me where they are."
"Who do you think you are?" Jing ke demanded. "A Dragon?"
Inara's sword pressed deeper into Jing Ke's skin with a drop of blood slipping down the silver blade. Sokka watched her eyes turn cold but full of life with the corner of her lip curling slightly up. "If you don't answer me, you will wish I was."
Sokka watched as Jing Ke's sense came to him. Inara was persuasive in times like this. Jing Ke slowly raised his hands in surrender and Inara lowered her sword. Sokka closed in on them in case Jing Ke had a change of heart. He had seen how quickly those in Inara's industry did tend to change their minds.
Jing Ke answered, "They are staying at the Seeker's Inn." He ran his hand long his neck and then examined the blood that was smeared across his palm.
"Seeker's Inn?" Sokka wondered out loud.
Jing Ke shrugged just as confounded by the name. "It seems to cater to people like us. We have to hurry."
Just as skillful as Inara, Jing Ke disappeared into the shadows. Inara quickly took after him and Sokka behind her. They raced through the shadows skipping through the allies and leaping over people's heads. It was a strange sensation for Sokka to be completely visible to the world and yet still unseen. Only the stars and the faint glimmer of the moon knew what they were doing.
The entire time they ran, Sokka kept a careful look over his shoulder. He highly doubted anyone would follow them but he kept a careful log of every turn they made. The ship was at his back on minute and then it was off of his right shoulder. Inara would know the way back to her own ship but Sokka anticipated the chance of them being separated. He would have to find his own way back if they were. She would probably not wait for him.
They ran through the night for another couple of blocks until they reached a small building. The windows were ablaze with light and there was low rumble of voices inside. It was not quiet but still not robust like the usual port bars.
"The inn keeper keeps a steady bar on the ground level," Jing Ke explained. "All of the rooms are on the second and third floors. Hardly anyone stays long. No one anyone stays the night. The former Rough Rhinos stand out because of this. Come, I think I know where they are."
Slowly, they crept around the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. Jing Ke led them around to the back to the northern side. The alley was darker and there were fewer windows on the building facing it. Sokka noticed that the particular design and placement of the windows gave the occupants of the room a good vantage point of the alley.
"We need to be on that wall," Sokka whispered pointing to the inn. "We are too exposed over here."
Inara nodded so Jing Ke led them back around. They crossed over to the inn on a narrow plank that was conveniently kept on a neighboring building. Inara worked at setting up ropes and gear that she pulled out of her pack.
"Here, put this belt on," she said to Sokka.
Sokka did as he was told. Inara then threaded the rope through the loops and pulleys on the belt. Another pulley system was then secured to the building. He traced the rope that Inara had just outfitted him with to the gear and then there was a second cord that he traced to Inara's hand. She tied it to his belt and let some slack out on it.
"These are your claws," she said putting gloves onto his hands and knees. They looked exactly as they were called. "The gear over here will keep you from plummeting head first to the ground. Pull this cord to go up. If you need to retreat, yank it as hard as you can and be careful of your head."
Sokka began to understand the concept of the equipment. He tried not to imagine too much what she meant on her warning about his head. However, he was always the inventor and was fascinated by the gears and pulleys that Inara had managed to smuggle across the river on her back. He studied it closely while Inara strapped herself in.
Sokka noticed that Jing Ke was not outfitted with such an extravagant outfit. He had his own belt and was attached to his own rope. Sokka imagined that he would just do it the old fashioned way.
"Let's go," Inara whispered.
Inara then climbed over the edge of the building head first. Sokka leaned over and watched as she skillfully climbed along the side of the building as if she was a cat of some kind. Jing Ke then followed. He did not crawl but lowered himself head first. From above, Sokka could see Jing Ke's muscles strain from the activity of hanging upside down by nothing but his hands.
"Well, here goes nothing," Sokka sighed. He carefully did as Inara did. He slowly leaned over the side and placing his hands flat on the side of the building. He leaned hard to see if the claws would slip. They didn't; they stayed true. Clumsily, he inched his hands down and his lower body followed. It didn't seem that bad. He concentrated as he inched his way down one tiny crawl at a time trying to not slip and to not let his weapons rattle too much.
Inara was already down to the second floor. She carefully peered into one window after another. Sokka carefully followed her checking the rooms that were on his section of the wall.
"Well, at least the food isn't that bad," he heard someone say.
"I didn't come here for the food Ogodei. We've been here for three days waiting for her. We are drawing attention to ourselves."
Sokka stopped. He tried to get Inara's attention but he could not think of how to without being conspicuous. Her back was to him. He just hoped that she would head back up the wall soon.
"The princess will come," Sokka heard someone say.
He took a chance. He climbed around to the side of the window with the most shadows. There was a small trunk that blocked their view of him but straining his neck, he could catch a glimpse of a few people in the room. All he could see were three men. Two of them had their backs turned to him. However, he recognized the one face that he could see. The man was different now. Seven years had not been as kind to him as others. He had grown long hair that was pulled back but the facial hair was still the same.
"Colonel, there may be a chance that something has happened to the princess," someone out of sight mentioned. "I have heard that the Fire Lord has hired Lady Inara to bring her back."
The former Colonel Mongke let out a crude laugh. "I bet it is nothing but hearsay. I doubt the Fire Lord has the backbone to let loose a woman like her."
Sokka furrowed his brows at Mongke's comment. At that time, he heard a scrape. He looked down and he saw Inara starting to climb up. Slowly, he motioned to her. She nodded and signaled to Jing Ke to follow.
"But we can't wait here forever."
"We have paid the locals good money to keep us hidden."
"But if she really is looking for the princess, I doubt our money will have much sway over some of the…"
"We stay," Mongke said sternly.
About then, Inara and Jing Ke arrived. Sokka looked warily down on Inara's head as she found her footing to listen in.
"If we are to achieve victory, we all must stick to the plan," Mongke continued.
"Since when did we ever stick to a plan?"
"We do now," Mongke stated. "If we…" he paused for a moment. "Did you hear anything?"
Inara and Sokka immediately looked at Jing Ke. He shook his head innocently at them.
"No, I didn't hear anything."
"Me either."
"It was probably just the wind."
"Vachir, go take a look just in case," Mongke ordered.
Sokka nearly panicked and almost yanked on the cord. Just then, the wind picked up. Everyone on the wall was hit by a furious gust. Sokka was blown from the wall and hung onto the rope. Inara and Jing Ke were also blown from the wall and they were all dancing helplessly on the side of the building.
Vachir came to the window and looked out. He did not look in the direction where Sokka and the others had been blown. However, Sokka could see his eyes grow large and his jaw drop. "What the…"
A deafening roar consumed them. In the dark of the night, Sokka could barely make out the shape of a horrifying sight. From the east, a cyclone barreled towards them leaving a path of destruction.
"To the ground!" Inara yelled.
All three of them plummeted to the ground. Sokka and Inara landed hard nearly breaking their legs. Jing Ke, however, was entangled on the side of the wall. His rope was twisted and refused to allow him to escape.
Sokka sawed through the rope and cord with one of his claws. "Just cut yourself free!" he yelled.
Jing Ke was having enough trouble just remaining stable up on the wall. The high winds were furiously tossing him along the side of the inn. Sokka and Inara held onto each other to stay together. They were forced to retreat down an alley heading north as the cyclone consumed the inn and Jing Ke.
There was a split second that Sokka thought he was going to lose Inara. She was caught up by the wind and it seemed to try to carry her away. He clamped her arm in a vice like grip. He ducked into another, much narrower, alley and pulled her in tight to his chest. They crammed themselves against the wall as the roar of the cyclone consumed all of their senses.
Sokka held onto her tightly and called out helplessly to Yue. What could she do? He wanted her to come down and save them so badly. After all he had been through, for some reason this felt like this was the end. This was not a raging army, this wasn't a mad princess, this was nature at its worse.
"Don't just sit on your throne and watch!" he yelled up to her with his voice being drowned out by the cyclone. "Do something!"
Yue's face did not appear to him. The moon did not turn her face to smile on him. He was stranded and could not conjure either her or Suki's face for comfort. And yet, he did not feel frightened to die. He did not truly fight it but just wished it had come on better circumstance.
As always, it was not his time. The wind calmed and the night was silenced. Sokka and Inara found themselves pressed up against each other. Her head was pressed beneath his chin with her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Sokka's arms were wrapped around her back with his face buried in her hair.
"Is it over?" she breathed.
Sokka was shaken by the question. He loosened his hold on her and slowly nodded. "It is."
They slowly emerged with the rest of the colony. There was a clean path of destruction from east to west. It was straight as any road that a good Fire Nation city planner would create with the inn at the center of the lane.
"This isn't right," Inara muttered as she quickly pulled off the ripped, black clothing.
Sokka did the same as more and more people stumbled from their homes. People cried in agony to find loved ones buried in the rubble. Men immediately started to move the old bricks of the walls that were once homes and now were tombs. The women wringed their hands in their aprons as children clung to their robes. Some soldiers and guards came form the battlements of the walls and started to organize search and rescue operations.
"Let's go," Inara whispered. "There is nothing left for us here."
Sokka could hear a slight twinge of pain in her voice. The Rough Rhinos could not have survived the cyclone and Jing Ke had no chance. However, he could not imagine her pain was meant for them. He pushed the thought aside though. They slipped through the town unnoticed. The people were consumed with their grief to notice two strangers walking out of town.
There was no sense of hurry in their steps. They almost walked through the night like zombies. Their feet knew the path back to the ship and that was all they needed at the moment. Nothing made sense in their heads but at the same time nothing was being properly processed.
All Sokka wanted to do was to reach the Empress. He wanted to fall onto his uncomfortable bunk and rest his tired muscles. Sokka was lost in his thoughts. He did not think about beating death again and the chance to see Suki once more. He did not think about the cyclone even. His mind was so blank that he did not notice he and Inara were walking so closely that her skin brushed against his.
But the night was not over. Sokka could audibly hear Inara's pain as she let out a tired, mournful groan when they saw and orange glow. It was from the direction of the ship. Sokka groaned as they sprinted towards the ship. The night was not over. As they neared, they could hear the loud explosions and shrill screams of an attack.
Through the trees, Sokka could make out the Empress. She was under heavy attack but he could not see another ship. It must be blocked by the Empress or the tress. They ran through the forest. Sokka found himself pressing the palms of his hands to his ears.
"Who is attacking us?" Sokka yelled.
"I don't know," Inara yelled back. "It might be one of Edo's ships."
Just as she finished her sentence, an errant fireball crashed into the forest. Inara pushed Sokka out of the way. She bent the fire up that carried the blazing projectile away from them. But this was not the last. They were barraged time and time again by the catapults. They could not see their attacker though. They ran helplessly with the Empress standing ready to carry its captain away.
"We have to get to the Empress before it is destroyed!" Sokka yelled.
Inara looked at him with narrowed eyes. He read them instantly and he nodded. Inara pulled out a flare and Sokka immediately lobbed off the top. She lit it and a blue flare screamed up into the sky.
Almost instantly, Sokka heard the engines of the Empress power up. The gears and pistons churned with smoke billowing out from the smoke stacks. Sokka hesitated for a moment as he watched the Empress sail away to the south. She was heading to open water while they were left on land.
"We'll catch up to them," Inara said in a promising tone. She yanked Sokka by the arm and started to run back to the north.
The attack started to subside. They could not tell if it the attackers were chasing the Empress or not. However, the Empress would have a better chance of survival in the open water. Inara and Sokka ran helplessly into the night. Just when Sokka though they were safe, he heard the all too familiar scream.
"Get down!" he yelled pushing Inara to the ground.
Another fireball squealed over their heads. Sokka landed on top of Inara. He chanced to look back and he saw the familiar glow of hundreds of flaming arrows falling from the sky.
"Inara!" he yelled.
Sokka quickly rolled off of her. She pulled the flames from the arrow and created a shield above them. The arrows burned in the fire and the fire held the arrows at bay. Inara then threw the flames back from where they came from.
"Why is everyone trying to kill us!" Sokka yelled.
Inara pulled him from the ground and they started to run. They did not look back. They could hear shouts and explosions behind them. The earth trembled beneath their feet. Smoke consumed them and they heard the crackle of burning trees.
Sokka took a chance and pulled Inara back towards the water. Maybe whoever was attacking them would overshoot them. They expected them to run further and further away. If they could keep to the edge of the fire but keep heading back towards the water, whatever projectiles that were being fire would go right over their heads.
Inara seemed to be preoccupied with bending the flames away from them to notice where Sokka was steering them. He pulled her along beside him and watched as a fireball soar over their heads.
"First the cyclone and now this," Sokka complained as they ran.
Inara did not answer. She did not even look towards him. They ran together through the forest. They both knew nothing was right about that night but there was no time to think. They had to escape to fight another day. Sokka was beginning to think his luck was still with him. They were not being bombed. Everything was passing over them now. All they had to do was find a safe place to hide. He could not think of anywhere to hide though. He was not entirely familiar with the area. It had been years since he was in the area.
Sokka's heart raced as they continued to run. Suddenly, something felt wrong. Sokka could feel a scorching heat on this back. He looked back. The flaming bombs had changed in trajectory. The scream was horrifying as he saw them come closer and closer. He cursed the Spirits under his breath as they ran.
"Look out!" Inara yelled.
She turned on her heel as a fireball fell right onto them. She bent a massive fireball to counteract it but it was too close. The explosion when the two fireballs hit was a concussive force. Sokka and Inara were thrown yards away. All Sokka remembered was a sharp pain in the back of his head and then nothing. The attack was silenced and the fire dimmed.
Sokka had no knowing of how long he lied on the ground. He had no idea where Inara had been thrown. The next thing he saw was the piercing light of day. His eyes squinted against the burning light. His arms were too weak to raise a hand to block the glare.
There was the sound of steps. Sokka did not know who would be out there. Was it the enemy? Was it just someone who happened to be out? Whoever it was walked around for a bit before the footsteps came near Sokka. A large hand then pressed against his forehead and rubbed back his hair.
"Figures," a voice grumbled before everything faded to black again.
Note: Thank you for reading and still hanging in there with me.
