Book 4 Air

Chapter 36 Find Me

"Again, thank you coming Avatar Aang." Kuei said as he bowed his head.

"Of course, I'll send you a messenger hawk after I've returned safety to Goaling." Aang said as he bowed respectfully to the Earth king then waved goodbye to Bosco the bear. The furry beast grunted as Aang left the room. 'Hopefully our plan will help the riots…' Aang thought pleased with his conversation with the Earth King.

Walking out of the palace walls, Aang tugged on the slender box underneath his robe. "Now to meet Toph and take her back to the Fire Nation." Aang thought with a smile as he entered the carriage to meet his bison near the gates.


Slowing her pace as she continued down the vast red hallway of the Fire Nation Palace, Katara panted. Her heart was screaming against her chest as visions of a hurt airbender plagued her thoughts. 'I've betrayed him…I-I don't deserve this…I-I…' Katara thought as she let her tears fall down her rosy cheeks.

Nearly tripping from her long dress, Katara steadied herself against the wall. Her hands gripping on the golden rim as she braced herself up. The waterbender continued to breathe, heavily. 'I can't see him now…I can't face him…' Katara thought as she paced onward into the dim lighted hall. Suddenly she heard footsteps closing in, frantic Katara entered into the nearest doorway, hiding from the unseen figure approaching from behind. Looking in front of her, Katara was in an unfamiliar room. The room appeared to be a type of large patio room with all the walls made of stained glass. Golden wooden frames rose from the top into a dome, as the center was shaped, in a form of a crystal lotus. The room was breathe-taking and fairly elegant.

Slowly, Katara walked up to a small couch tracing her fingertips over the soft material. Unaware of the door opening and the person entering the room.

"Katara…" a voice called out, soft and quiet.

Katara lowered her head, not looking back at the person behind her.

"It's hard…So many people expect better of me. I push harder and do my best. Yet it never seemed to be enough." Katara said lightly.

"Everyone…They seem to judge me because I'm the Avatar's girlfriend." Katara said softly as she allowed the lord to speak.

"It's because you are so strong, Katara…" Zuko said truthfully as he then paused.

"I've always thought this…" Zuko started to say as he stared at Katara's long brown hair and slender back.

"If I had never been born, my mother would definitely have had a better a life." Zuko said as Katara listened, his words tugging at her heart.

"She was still so young; she was the princess, the mother of my nation." Zuko said as he lowered his head.

Katara turned her head back, lightly gazing at him. "Zuko…" the waterbender said lightly.

"I've always been second best, if…I could have just-done better…If I had never been born-

"Zuko!" Katara cried out as Zuko lifted his head.

"You idiot!" the fierce waterbender cried out as her eyes whelmed up with tears.

"Don't say such things!" Katara said heartfully as Zuko paused.

"Katara-I think you're misunderstanding something-

"Idiot! What can you solve by doing that? How can you say something so naïve like that?!" Katara said cutting the lord off.

"It's exactly what you're saying!" Zuko said out in defense.

"But I'm still alive!" Katara said as she looked dead on at the Fire Lord.

"It's because you're here!" Katara said as her cheeks flushed.

Zuko's eyes widen as he stood still.

Katara lowered her head, "No matter who you like…No matter who you spend your life with…I don't care!" Katara said passionately as she lifted her head up as she stepped forward.

"I just want to be able to see you, Zuko!" Katara said.

Katara then closed her eyes as she took a few steps backward.

"That's why…That's why you can't say things like, 'If only I have never been born.'" Katara said as she trembled lightly, gazing away at the teen's stare.

Zuko's jaw set as he looked up at her, "It will be the eighth year since my mother's banishment. I'll count the days, the months, even years. Until the day, that I find her… Until then, will you be with me?" Zuko said as his cheeks turned hot red.

Katara gasped as her cheeks turned just as red.

"That way, we can do this together. No one will tell us what to do, or get in our way!" Zuko said devotedly, "My life will be yours until the day I die!"

"Z-Zuko…"Katara managed to breathe out as her eyes widen.


The view of a lean airbender stepping out of the carriage was seen as he came face to face, with his beloved Appa. The huge bison jumped down as he licked the boy his large tongue, slurping the airbender's face. Aang laughed as he rubbed the bison's nose, lightly pushing him away.

"So Avatar Aang, shall you be heading off to the Fire Nation, and report the news to the Fire Lord?" General How said as he smiled.

"Yes, But I'll go get Miss Bei Fong first." Aang said as he jumped up on Appa's new saddle.

"Very well, a message will be spent to the Fire Nation Palace, to inform your arrival." The general said with a bow.

Aang nodded his head then grabbed the reins from the saddle, "Appa, Yip-Yip!" the airbender called out as the large flying beast leaped up into the air and flew into the skies.

As Aang felt the cool breeze flow pass him, he suddenly picked up the sweet scent of water lilies again. The fragrance tickled his nose as he shrugged it off. Appa flew higher into the sky, as Aang could see the distance swamp of the waterbenders pass the large valley up ahead.


Toph stopped her earthbending as she felt the decreasing soil shift from her feet. The earth was moister than the dry desert land she walked on further behind the trail. Walking at a fast pace, Toph continued on as she cringed feeling the wet earth getting muckier with every step. She didn't like it; she couldn't 'see' her way as clearly. Stubbornness soon took over as she suddenly ran at full speed.

Passing by the many trees surrounding her as the trail disappeared in the shallow depths of brown water. Huge splashes of mud squirted in between her toes as she lifted one leg up then down the other. The mud was so thick; Toph almost got stuck in the swampy water.

Feeling with her hands, Toph managed to find a huge root sticking out from the ground as she pulled herself up. Climbing up the solid branch, Toph wiped away the dirt from her face. The humid air surrounded her, making her sweat and pant as she continued to feel her way around the branches and brace herself from falling back into the murky waters below. Suddenly clicks and roars echoed in the distance, Toph shut her eyes. Feeling like she was being watched by some unknown creature, ready to attack.

She didn't want to admit it, but she was lost. Toph couldn't remember her way back much less see. Feeling all of her frustration and dread fill into her head, the petite girl sat down and hugged her knees. It wasn't often the girl let her feelings out, nor show any fear…But it finally took its toll on her…

Cupping her ears from the sounds increasing in volume, Toph cried out.

"Aang! Anyone! Please find me…" Toph begged as she hid her bang's hid her eyes.


Waking up from her restless sleep, Mai rose from the bed and walked into the small dining room. Noting the fire princess was gone, she became suspicious and on edge.

Hearing a creak of the door open, Mai turned her head. Instead of the princess, a bony tall man stepped in. His hair was ruffled and dyed with an odd green color on the side of his head. A huge golden hoop earring dangled from his left ear as he smiled a near toothless grin at the noblewoman.

"Ah, the fire noblewoman I assume…Come with me, Princess Azula requests you." The man said in a low scratchy voice. As the man turned to leave, Mai noticed the long jian sword on his side and tattered old clothes on his back. Mai narrowed her eyes, 'He's a pirate…What are pirates doing in this area?' Mai wondered as she left the house.

Walking down the open field, Mai began to notice more of the disgusting men; some appeared to be loading barrels along the market place as other smirked at the girl, covetously.

Mai continued on as she saw the fire princess seeming to be talking to the head captain.

"Ah, Mai there you are."

"Azula, what is the meaning of this? Why are these pirates here?" Mai asked demanding answers.

"They are here on my demand. I offer a trade for them. Help me enter into the Fire Nation, and then they can have their revenge." Azula said a matter-of-factly.

"And what do they seek to vengeance against?" Mai asked.

Azula smiled, "They wish for the new Fire Lord's head." Azula said with a wicked smile.

"Now enter into the ship, we'll be leaving by noon." Azula said as she turned her attention to the captain again.

Mai lowered her head as she grind her teeth, 'Damn her…So this is what she's planning.' Mai thought as she turned and walked to the beach.

'I have to stop her from entering into the harbor.' Mai thought as she clenched her hand.


Flying above the clouds as the bison hovered over the thick trees below, Aang felt happy. Everything was working out after all…

Distracted from his thoughts, Aang almost didn't notice Appa's concerned roar as a sudden gust of air flowed passed them. Loosing his grip on the reins, Aang cried out. It was a large twister dragged the flying animal and airbender into the twirling debris of leaves and dust. Spinning from the strong pull of the wind, Appa managed to free himself only to lose altitude in the sky. Falling into the thick trees below, Aang was separated from the bison as he fell into the dark depths below.


Oh my! Zuko opened up to Katara! What will she say? Oh no! Toph is lost in the swamp! Azula plus pirates! Oh dear! Will Aang find the lost earthbender? What will Aeron do to save Ursa? Stay tune and please review for a fast update!