Chapter four
"It seems we have a guest Prince Zuko." Iroh said from the left side of the boy, as they looked out at the ocean at the oncoming ship. The morning sun reflected off the black metal of the ship, giving it a smoky black color instead of just the plain black that it usually was.
However, seeing Zhao's ship did not concern Zuko in the least. Since yesterday, he had been going slow intentionally so Zhao could catch up with him, and he intended to shake the man off so he could begin going to his destination as soon as possible and make it there on time. His mind came back to the situation at hand, and he narrowed his eyes dangerously as the ship continued its course towards his own.
"I know." Zuko said.
"Should we stop the ship?" Iroh asked, "Zhao is not the kind of man we should be messing with. If anything, we should let him come and leave as soon as possible."
"Yeah," Zuko agreed with him.
Zuko turned around and shouted orders to the crew to stop the ship quickly. The crew did as they were told, doing it quickly and efficiently. Soon, the small Fire Nation vessel came to a halt in the water, only for a much larger ship to stop itself at its side. Soon, a ramp was lowered from the bigger ship down to Zuko's ship, and Zhao came walking down the path, with two other soldiers following behind him.
"It's good to see you again Zuko." He said upon seeing the boy, "And I see your boat is in good condition."
"What is it you want?" Zuko said, not having to force his anger on this man.
"I will get to the point. I have found the Avatar by following your ship. Due to your incompetence, he has escaped. I demand you stop your pursuit of the Avatar and instead allow me to do so instead."
"I was the one who made him escape?" Zuko shouted, "If it weren't for you I would have captured him! I was in the village under a disguise! I could have easily taken him in his sleep, but no! You had to come and invade the entire place!"
"Thankfully, my failure to capture the Avatar will hopefully be seen lightly when the Fire Lord sees that I conquered the Island for him."
Zuko felt the pit of his stomach go cold, "You conquered it?"
"Of course. Their fighters, the Keshi, no, Koshi, Kyoshi – ah yes, that's it! Their Kyoshi Warriors were protecting the Avatar, and in the end, are the ones who defended the Avatar so he could escape on his flying monster. I declared that treason to the Fire Nation, and arrested them all."
"They were never part of the Fire Nation." Zuko said silently.
"Oh, I think the occupational forces there will tell you differently." Zhao said with a smirk on his face.
"You've gone lower than I could have imagined if you put a bunch of kids to death for defended the Avatar." Zuko noted.
Zhao glared down at the boy, "I did not put them to death, I just sent them to a concentration camp in the Earth Kingdom. I am sure they'll enjoy their time there."
Zuko was very quiet, in fact, he felt like his could throw up in any minute. If Suki was taken there, the chances of her ever seeing Sokka again were close to nothing if she stayed there very long. He knew she was a strong girl, but even the horrors of that camp would break her. Zuko had only heard of the place occasionally from other higher ranked officers at the Fire Nation camps along the Earth Kingdom coast, but none of them have been good.
"You have changed Zhao." Zuko finally said calmly, "You have even less honor than I imagined."
"Whatever, you know nothing of honor." Zhao said, looking decisively bored.
"You are not welcomed on this ship." Zuko said, not allowing Zhao's actions to get to him, "Get off now."
"If you give me your word that you will not pursue the Avatar, I will do as you ask."
"No. Now get off my ship."
"You need to learn respect for your superiors; I guess that scar has taught you nothing has it?" Zhao said, taunting Zuko.
Iroh, sensing a near explosion coming from his nephew came between the two of them, "Please gentlemen, can we talk over a cup of tea, before this becomes a confrontational situation?"
Zuko glared at Zhao, but looked away, "There's no need uncle, there's no situation here unless if Zhao refuses to leave my ship." He turned to his crew, "Prepare to leave men, we're going to continue chasing the Avatar."
"Damn you boy!" Zhao shouted, "You will respect my orders!"
"You have no control over me."
"Then I challenge you to an Agni Kai over it." Zhao said, smiling as he knew Zuko would rise to the bait of this.
Zuko was walking to the bridge of his ship when he stopped. He was technically a master Firebender, and he knew that he had a good chance of beating Zhao, knowing the man's highly renowned temper. However, he could not reveal his abilities, not yet, not in front of so many witnesses, he had given his uncle enough reasons to be suspicious of him all ready. He finally turned around and looked at Zhao.
"Zuko, please, don't fight. Zhao is a strong opponent, and you are not obligated to fight." Iroh said next to the boy.
"I won't." He confirmed, "Now get off my ship Zhao." He said one last time before turning his back to Zhao and walking away.
"You don't have a choice!" Zhao shouted as he stepped forward and punched his fist out, sending a fireball straight at Zuko's back. However, Iroh quickly intercepted the attack, and turned an angry eye at Zhao.
"You would attack an opponent who is not even facing you Zhao?" Iroh yelled, "I would have thought that you had more honor than to do something so cowardly!"
Zhao looked at the old man, and then growled as he looked to Zuko, but finally looked away. He said nothing as he began to get off the ship and yell order to his own men. Soon, the ramp between the ships was gone, and Zhao was going full speed in the direction Zuko was going.
Zuko hadn't moved from his current position, not out of fear, but out of shock and uncertainty. He recalled from his past that he had fought Zhao in an Agni Kai, and he also remembered the time that the Fire Nation invaded Kyoshi Island. He carried out both acts in the previous timeline, but the fact that they had happened again, even if slightly differently bothered Zuko so much that it frightened him.
No, there's no way that history will have to repeat itself. He thought to himself for comfort, Remember why we came back – to fix our mistakes. He breathed in and out, allowing his running mind to calm down so he could focus on what was going on at the moment. Suki got taken prisoner again though, and that really got him concerned. It was far too early in this timeline, but it had happened…
"Uncle, where is the concentration camp that Zhao mentioned?"
Iroh was quiet for a moment, "I don't know if you would want to go there Nephew, it's a dark side of our nation."
"There's no light side." Zuko whispered. Thankfully his uncle did not catch it, "I want to know."
"It is actually on the path to Omashu, near the port that we'd go to, to reach the city." He said after a few seconds, "Tell me Zuko, what makes you so interested in it all the sudden?"
Zuko was silent for a few seconds before sighing, "Nothing uncle. Thank you for telling me. I am going to go in my room. I trust that you'll lead the ship to port."
"Of course," Iroh said, watching Zuko go into the ship with concern.
Aang sat on the saddle very bored, but kept quiet. Even though it had been a little over three days since they left Kyoshi Island, the mood that had set once they left the island had yet to leave. Sokka was still very depressed, and it affected the rest of the group. Usually it was Sokka who would make the trip more light hearted, but with him sulking and brooding most of the time, it caused their interactions at all on the flying bison to be very awkward. Even Appa and Momo seem to understand what had gone on, neither did anything to disturb Sokka.
Sokka didn't train when they landed like he had been doing for almost a week previously, and he wouldn't eat much. It was a big reaction to leaving Suki behind, but when it came to Zhao, it was understandable to why he was so miserable.
Thus, it came as no surprise that when Aang spotted Gaoling he smiled, knowing that he could finally get away from the depressing atmosphere for a little while. While he knew it was mean-spirited to be happy to leave Sokka, he just had to get out of the place for a few hours to get some breathing room. Even Katara visibly relaxed when the town came into view.
"We're in Gaoling." Aang said, breaking the silence.
Sokka didn't even look up to observe, but Katara looked around at the village surrounded by mountains, "It's still as beautiful as I remember." She said.
"Yeah…" Aang mumbled.
Again they fell into silence until they landed at the outskirts of the village, then they unpacked a few things just in case. When that was done, Aang assessed the camp and nodded.
"Sokka, would you mind staying here to guard camp while Katara and I go see Toph?"
"I don't care." Sokka said dismissively waving his hand.
"Please, try to take care of yourself." Katara said to him, before hugging her brother, and walking to town with Aang.
When they got far enough, they both let out a breath they didn't realize they had been holding. Katara let out a small huff, "I wish he'd snap out of it."
"Yeah."
"I mean, it has been three days! I have been doing almost everything for him! Even hunting some animals for him and skinning them!" She stuck her tongue out in disgust, "Ack! He doesn't care though, it's as if he is dead to the world! I know Suki is important to him, and I mean, I completely understand that, but he has to snap out of this soon. Right now he's a liability to your journey." She let out all the anger she had been feeling towards the Fire Nation and Sokka right in those few sentences.
"Feel better now?" Aang asked.
"Much."
"Though Katara," Aang began, "Sokka just lost the one he loves most. I know you lost your mother." Aang winced as Katara looked down at the words, "And you must know what it feels like. It's a horrible feeling. I got it when I realized I was the last Airbender all those years ago, and I get it every time I get separated from you for long periods of time. However, Sokka just lost Suki to Zhao. I don't know if you remember him or not, but he was the one who killed the moon spirit. He is ruthless, and to be honest…" He stopped, and blinked rapidly, "I don't know what horrible things he'll do to Suki, or the island. Last time it was Zuko who attacked, and he left when I did, but if one becomes an enemy of Zhao…"
Katara listened to everything he said, "I know you're right, I've known that all along, but I just want to hope for the best. I wish he'd put up a strong front for us instead of just completely breaking apart like this."
Aang didn't respond to that, "Just don't say anything to him that you'll regret later, ok? He has been going through a lot lately, and he doesn't need to think you're against him too."
"I know, I know. It's just, that it's so depressing to be around him…"
"I agree." Aang admitted. Neither said any more as they made their way into the village, following the main road down the paved street. It was a very nice place, both Aang and Katara marveled at the village.
"I forgot how nice it was here." She said, looking around.
"Yeah, it's very expensive looking; I almost don't want to walk on this road."
Katara rolled her eyes and continued walking, leaving behind Aang's inner turmoil. Aang rushed back to her, with a smile on his face.
Both of them put their plight in the back of their mind for now, instead they resigned to just have a good time with one another and try to cheer Sokka up somehow later. Even though it was a temporary fix, they both felt a huge wave of relief when the topic was put aside so they could be with one another without it dampening their spirits. They looked around the town, and they attempted to keep up the upcoming good mood by commenting on random things – clothes people wore, the weather, how wealthy a lot of these people were, buildings, and many other things as they distracted themselves.
However, they soon came across one building, that caused them to stop. It was an open gate, and inside was a courtyard where a bunch of children were learning Earthbending. It was Gaoling's Earthbending academy, or, as Toph usually referred to it: 'Pay me money so I can teach you almost nothing'.
"Hey, I remember this place." Aang said.
When the instructor of the academy came into their sight, both children involuntarily shuddered, "Yeah, I remember it too. That is the guy who chased after Toph, right?" Like before, the man wore rich looking clothing, and had very odd looking facial hair.
Aang thought for a quick moment, "I think so, what was his name again?"
Before Katara could reply, the man saw both of them standing in front of the establishment, and wasted no time in rushing over to them, "Hello! I am Master Yu! Would both of you like to take lessons on how to Earthbend? The first lesson is absolutely free!"
"I am truly sorry, but I am a Waterbender."
"And I refuse your offer; I have to go do some other things."
"That is unfortunate." The man sighed shaking his head, "I can tell you'd be my master pupil, and I was even thinking of giving you a discount because of that." He said, crossing his arms, and opening his eyes slightly as he looked down at the boy with a frightening smile.
As if on cue, two boys walked out of the Academy laughing with one another, "I learned so much today here!" He started.
At that point Katara stopped, knowing it was an act to try to get Aang to joining. Thankfully he isn't buying it. Katara thought to herself, watching Aang raise an eyebrow at the display, and a faint amused smile on his lips She then grabbed Aang's shoulder.
"Come on Aang, let's get out of here."
"Oh, you're not seriously going to let a Waterbender take you away are you?" The two boys asked Aang as he began to leave with her.
"Well, she's pretty smart," Aang said, feigning ignorance to the entire act, "And I do see that this place is so very, uh, good and all, but I think I should take her lead."
"Man, you're being whipped." The one to the right said, "I feel so bad for you. If some girl did that to me, I think we'd be separated… by a few miles at least after I launch her into the air." The two kids Katara's age laughed as they gave each other a high five.
Master Yu rolled his eyes, but pretended to go back into the Academy. He then watched the rest of the display, hiding in a very obvious spot, poking his head out the gate every few seconds to see what was going to happen.
"You don't explain the joke." Aang sighed, "That is the number one rule Sokka always told me. You should have just ended it at 'by a few miles', but you kept going and explained why you were separated by that long a distance, instead of letting us come to our own conclusion."
The two boys stopped their laughing and looked at Aang dumbly, but snapped out of it, "Whatever. I would believe you more if you joined the Academy for a lesson to show us what you're made of. Drop the girl and join us for a little bit."
At this Katara got annoyed. These morons kept talking as if she wasn't there, and it was driving her mad. "You two know I am here right?"
"What of it?" One of them laughed, "Going to splash me with some water?"
Katara's eye twitched, but she forced herself to calm down; they're only ignorant, stupid, moronic children. I can handle them… She let out a breath, "No, we're leaving now."
"Have fun with your girlfriend!" The two boys laughed, as if they had just told another joke, before walking back into the academy, leaving a confused Aang behind.
"I don't get it." He finally said, "Was that supposed to be an insult?"
"Just forget about them," Katara said, "I get a headache just thinking about those two moronic kids. And did Yu really think we would believe the act they tried to pull before we set them off on a tangent?" She let out another annoyed huff, "I can't believe how stupid some kids can be to think he is actually teaching them anything."
Aang laughed a little, but otherwise didn't say anything else.
The rest of the way to their destination occurred quietly, but thankfully for both of them, unlike earlier; their situation with Sokka was currently forgotten at the moment, allowing them to be much more at ease. The town, while wealthy, wasn't the biggest village, and the two of them came across the Bei Fong estate within a few minutes of wandering the place. The high walls were the first give-away, but perhaps the biggest was the picture of the winged pig.
"Well, how are we going to see Toph?" Katara asked, looking up the wall.
"I can Airbend over and search the backyard." Aang suggested.
"I guess that makes sense." Katara mumbled, "What would Sokka say…" she thought, bringing back memories of Sokka's currently situation. She bit her lip, but continued to think, "we should not meet her parents," She though aloud, "Because that way, they won't know it's the Avatar who 'kidnapped' their daughter, and they won't send anyone after us."
"Good idea - your inner Sokka is pretty smart." He said giving her a smile, before they wandered around the wall to a spot where no one in the village would see Aang Airbend over it. He jumped up a few times to make sure no guards were there, and then he finally turned to Katara, "I'll be right back, stay here."
She let out a sigh, "I'm only agreeing to this because there's no way I can go in with you and get out as fast as you can."
Aang laughed and gave her a quick kiss, "You shouldn't worry so much!"
"Whatever." She said, but Aang could see the light smile playing across her face.
Aang then jumped over the wall, and into the gigantic garden of the estate, and wandered around stealthily, rushing from bush to bush, and peeking his head out to looking around before moving to another area of the garden to repeat the same action.
"You know there's usually no guards back here unless if I call them myself."
Aang jumped from the voice coming behind him, but then he turned around, his eyes widening, "Toph!"
"Nice to hear you too Aang," She said, punching him on the arm, "I sensed you walking around outside the wall, but I wasn't sure if it was you or not. I am so used to our older body's footsteps. Though I should have known it was you, only an Airbender is that light on their feet."
Aang laughed rubbing the spot where she had hit him, and he hit her back in the arm, albeit a lot softer than she did, but the message was clear.
"I am so glad to see you again Toph." Aang then wrapped his arms around the girl, unable to resist.
"Yeah, yeah, it's nice to meet you again too." She said, patting him on the back.
As they parted Aang looked around, "How's the royal life treating you?" He tried his best not to laugh at her dress, but it was proving to be very difficult.
"Royal?" Toph laughed, "I miss my parents, don't get me wrong, but there's nothing royal about having to sit around looking pretty for their occasional guests, and very rarely do I get to train with Yu." She giggled slightly, "I have decided to just mess around with him this time. Every time he tries to teach me something new, I always 'mess' it up and end up hurting him."
"Sounds just like you Toph." Aang said smiling.
"So tell me, why did you come so early this time around? As you can see, it's pretty cold here during winter. I figured you all would wait until spring like last time and get me during the tournament. I had so many ideas for what to do to you when you volunteered to fight me this time."
"You have forgiven me for beating you that one time, right?" Aang asked, sounding nervous.
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"Ok, I am just impressed that you'd remember something so trivial like that." He admitted.
Toph laughed, "I remember a lot of things other people would think useless."
"Right, so anyway, to answer your original question: The reason we're coming for you so early is because you're a vital part of our team, and to have an Earthbender to help us would be invaluable in a few of the things we plan on doing, and as a Metalbender, you're perhaps the most important person of our team Toph – you can easily disable a Fire Nation weapon of war."
"Don't sell yourself short." She said after the description, "but you are right, I am amazing. Just one thing though, do you plan on going to the North Pole."
"I don't think we intend to, and if we do anything there it'd just be to convince them to help the Southern Water Tribes like they did before. I also might go there and hang out for a little bit, just so I have an excuse for my ability to use Waterbending at a master's level, but other than that, we hope to prevent the siege from happening."
"Good." Toph sighed, "I hate the ice."
"Oh, yeah, you're right." Aang said after thinking a little bit.
"Just one problem about how I am going to get away: my parents. Like before they won't let me do anything, and I think if we even told them I was the key to saving the world as we know it they wouldn't allow it, because it could hurt me." She made a mocking laugh, "urgh, I miss them, and then when I come back it's just, Argh!"
"You have to remember that you're back to square one with them." Aang reminded, "They haven't missed you after you ran away and came back again like you did before. I am sure given enough time away from you that they will come around again."
"You sound cruel." Toph smiled, "taking some parents poor baby away from them, oh Avatar, you are so different than I imagined."
Aang rolled his eyes, "I don't take pleasure in hurting your parents, the world just really needs you Toph."
"All right, meet me out here later tonight. That gives me the rest of the day to pack up for the trip, and gives me time to talk to my parents one last time."
"Ok, is there anything else you want to know before I head out?"
"Yeah, there is." Toph said, "Did everyone else come back too?"
"Yeah, all six of us did." Aang confirmed.
"How is Zuko doing?"
"Uh, he is doing fine I guess. He's still with the Fire Nation to be our inside spy, and he's having a hard time being with Iroh again, but he's otherwise doing a good job."
"Did he seem sad about seeing his uncle again?"
"Sad? No, I think he just feels guilty about how he treated his uncle at this point more than anything."
"Figures, that sounds just like him."
Aang wondered why she was asking so much about Zuko, but then remembered that the two had started a relationship with one another a few years before they went back in time (No matter how much each of them denied it), after Zuko got over his depression over the death of Mai. Now that brings a few complications, Aang thought, wondering how Zuko was going to deal with Toph and Mai, but he shook the thought off for now. Better to be thinking about the now rather than the future.
He answered a few more questions before Toph finally relented on the Zuko questions.
"Is there anything else I should know about everyone else?"
Aang paused on that, "Yes, I suppose there is."
"Well, spill it out."
"Suki was captured by the Fire Nation." He just came out and said it as blunt as possible like Toph would have.
"Seriously?" The girl asked her voice very quiet.
"Yes, a man named Zhao, someone you've never met-"
'I have heard stories about him." She insisted, "I know how he acts."
"Instead of Zuko invading Kyoshi Island he did. He captured every warrior on the Island I am sure, and imprisoned them all, or worse. I am worried for Suki," He admitted.
Toph took it in, "I imagine Sokka isn't taking it well?"
"Not at all." Aang confirmed, "He is in a state of depression, but it makes flying with him, camping, and everything around him almost unbearable. He barely ate in the last few days, and he is not taking care of himself anymore."
"He should be stronger than that." Toph sighed.
"I don't know," Aang mumbled, "if someone like Zhao took Katara, I would be furious. I wouldn't let anyone leave with her, even if it cost me my life. For Sokka to leave her behind like that… It probably killed him on the inside to do that."
Toph was quiet, "You're right." She then shook her head, "meet me here tonight; I think you should go calm down Katara now, she's pacing herself into the ground behind the wall." She said pointing in the direction the other girl was.
Aang chuckled, "All right Toph, see you later."
At that Aang Airbended over the wall and landed next to Katara, who didn't even jump as he appeared, she let out a sigh, "I take it you found her?"
"Yep, she'll be coming with us later tonight."
"Good, that will give her time to pack things and say good bye to her parents - indirectly anyway." Katara said with a sigh.
"She asked a lot about Zuko." Aang said with a smile, "I guess they really did care for each other, even if they didn't show it much."
Katara smiled at that, "That's so sweet."
Aang felt bad about what he was going to say next though, "I also told her about Sokka and Suki."
"I guess she should know about it…" Katara sighed.
"I felt the same way about tell her." Aang said, "But I knew she had to know since she was traveling with us. I explained it to her, so I don't think she'll confront Sokka about it immediately, but I do think she'll eventually do something if he continues on like this."
The two wandered into the village quietly, before Aang sighed shaking his head, "Want to look around for a little bit before we go back to camp?"
Katara smiled, "Maybe we can find something for Sokka to cheer him up."
Aang nodded, and the two began to browse around the village's market. Of course, being the wealthy village it was, everything was expensive, a little too much in their case. They had money, but they were saving it for when they truly needed it, and spending it on anything here felt like such a waste for them.
"Hey, kids, over here." A shop vendor called out. Aang and Katara looked over at him and had to physically hide their grimace by coughing. The man was not the prettiest person to look at, his hair was very greasy going down his shoulders, and he was missing one eye, and the smell! Aang and Katara tried their best not to gag when they came over to him, to be polite more than anything else.
"I've got all sorts of things for sale," He said sweeping his hand above his cart full of small stones, gems, and various other assortments of goods.
Aang and Katara glanced up at each other, and shrugged, taking a minute to look at the things before they backed away, "No thanks." Aang said, "We're not interested."
"Bah! You wouldn't know real treasure if it hit you in the face!" The man noted the arrow on Aang's forehead at that moment, and his eyes involuntarily widened for a moment before he returned them back to the kids, "Get outta here!"
Katara and Aang didn't need to be told twice as they ran a little ways from the cart before they slowed down and looked back.
"That man was one of the most disgusting looking people we've met." Katara decided.
"Yeah, he smells almost as bad as we do when we travel for a week without cleaning at all." Aang shuddered at the mere thought of it.
Unfortunately for the two of them, they couldn't find anything that they thought Sokka might enjoy, so they finally went back to their camp for the night, hoping in vain that Sokka would be in a lighter mood. Of course, when they got there, they saw Sokka sitting on top of Appa where he had been when they left, he hadn't moved a single inch in any direction.
"Hello Sokka!" Aang called out, "We found Toph, and we need to wait until it's night, then we'll go get her."
Sokka nodded along, "Right."
"Are you feeling better?" Katara asked, but she all ready knew the answer to that question.
He did not answer, only looking away.
"Please Sokka, you need to snap out of this." His sister nearly begged, "You're the one who plans our course, we need you."
Sokka again just ignored her.
Now Katara was getting angry, but she remember what Aang said, and let out a long winded sigh, "Fine Sokka, if you want to angst around all day, so be it!"
Aang slapped his forehead, knowing right there that this wasn't going to end well. He knew she said it dismissively, but it caught Sokka's attention, who turned to glare at his younger sister.
"Katara, you need to learn when to shut up!"
"What?"
"I just lost the one I loved - my wife - to Zhao! Who knows what that monster has done to her? She could be dead for all I know, and if not, maybe she's dying! I have no clue where we can find her, so I can't plot out a rescue mission like before! You need to learn when to shut your mouth Katara!" He let out a frustrated yell, "You have never lost Aang, so don't antagonize me when I 'angst' over Suki!"
Katara's eyebrow twitched, "Never lost Aang?" She asked, "You're kidding right? You must have forgotten when he nearly died twice before, or all the times he has gone missing! I was sitting next to his side, unsure whether he'd live or die! How dare you say that to me?"
"Yeah, and I remember giving you room when that happened! So give me the same courtesy!"
"You're kidding, right? You were always trying to get me to go outside to get fresh air, telling me to get away from it for a while! I am only doing the same for you because I love you!"
"Well I don't need your love right now!"
The two locked eyes, glaring at one another.
"Guys, please!" Aang said, not expecting it to spiral out of control to this extent, "We can't argue with one another! There's more important things to do than get mad at each other!"
"Hey," Sokka said, raising his hands as if he were innocent, "Katara started it, tell her that."
That was the last straw, Katara formed a whip of water and smacked Sokka across the head with it before returning it back to her pouch. Aang smacked his forehead again and let out a groan, while Sokka grabbed his sword and jumped out of the saddle. He unsheathed his sword, and the two of them faced one another, obviously beyond angry.
"You two will stop this immediately!" Aang shouted, his voice was booming loud due to his Airbending, "You're siblings! You shouldn't fight like this!"
The two looked at one another, and slowly it dawned on them what exactly they were about to do. Katara broke her stance, and couldn't even look at Sokka or Aang because she felt so ashamed, and Sokka wasn't doing any better. He was constantly berating himself in his mind for allowing himself to go so far to even attempt to fight his sister! They both went to opposite sides of their camp without saying a word, not looking at one another, both too deep in their shame and misery to care.
Aang let out another groan, How are we supposed to save the world when we can't even work together? He shook his head as he went up to Appa, and leaned against the Bison's head, MomoF took that time to look out of the saddle, and seeing that it was all clear, made his way over to Aang as well.
Zuko didn't know what to do. As his ship docked in the port, he could see a bunch of Fire Nation soldiers walking about, while a bunch of people selling their wares lined the docking area. The sun was beginning to set now, and Omashu was about a five day trip walking distance from here, so he hoped that he could make it there in time to meet Aang. However, what truly concerned him was Suki, he knew where she was, and he knew about the concentration camps - all six of them knew what they were, having liberated quite a few when they were together in the future.
There was his problem though, that had been all six of them, and every time they were barely able to do it. The camps were heavily guarded, and each prisoner was purposely malnourished, and made to be as weak as possible before they would eventually be either worked to death, or sold in slavery for the Fire Nation. Just thinking of it made Zuko's stomach churn, I have to get Suki out of there...
How though? They were all in their much weaker younger bodies. They could remember their bending forms, how to fight, and all that, but they were too weak. For the benders, it wouldn't be too much of a problem, they would just have to try to stay out of range of physical fighting, but for Sokka and Suki, and even him since he used the dual swords, it would be hard to get used to their weaker bodies for quite a while.
He smiled, imagining what Toph would say to him, Probably something along the lines of: you've always been weak, what's the problem now? He sighed at the self depreciating comment, I miss them. He thought miserably.
He thought back, thinking of all the courses of action they could do to liberate this concentration camp. He probably wouldn't be able to help, or would have to be shrouded in darkness the entire time, Toph would probably be their biggest asset in the situation... He growled, I will need to bring this up to them, He decided, Then we can figure out what to do. His course of action firmly in mind, Zuko finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Zuko, are you there? Zuko!"
Zuko turned to his uncle, "Yes uncle?"
"Why did you dock up here?" He asked, "I know you were interested in that concentration camp, but I really don't suggest you going there."
"No, that is not why I am here."
"Then what are we here for?"
"We're going into Omashu."
Iroh couldn't help but spit out the tea in his mouth, and gaped at his nephew, the lost tea forgotten, "Omashu?"
"Yes."
"How do you plan on getting into there?" Iroh asked, still in shock, "And why?"
"I have a feeling that the Avatar is there." Zuko said.
"Prince Zuko, that is not the wisest course of action, in fact, I think it's one of your most risky plans you've ever thought of. How exactly do you plan on getting into a heavily fortified Earth Kingdom city?"
"You and I are going in as refuges. Our men will stay on the ship."
His uncle nodded along, but he frowned when Zuko said, 'our' men, instead of his men. He knew something was wrong, but he also knew that it was in fact Zuko. What has gotten into you lately Zuko? He wondered, it was a good change, but it was such a drastic change from before that it alarmed his uncle a little bit.
"We'll need disguises as well, we'll just buy some rags from this village to wear, and then we'll head out immediately."
"If that is the case," Iroh said, going along with it for now, "We should cut out hair as well. So no one will be able to identify us easily."
Zuko thought of it, before grabbing a knife from his belt, "You're right." And then he cut his ponytail off.
Iroh widened his eyes, now he knew something was wrong. Zuko willingly doing that? Did meeting the Avatar do this to him?
However, rather than voicing his thoughts, Iroh went along with it and cut his hair too.
"Tell the men we'll be gone for about a week. Give them the week off in this town." Zuko said shrugging, knowing now that every out of character action he did wouldn't matter, not after this conversation with his uncle.
Iroh nodded, "Very well Prince Zuko." He said, going to the wreck room to tell the men the news.
Aang stood up from Appa, looking at the sky, "It's almost night." He said, but it didn't get any responses. He let out a sigh, and look on as both siblings were still tucked away in different sections of the camp. He knew they didn't have a problem with him, but with each other. It's up to them to fix this. He thought sadly, before stretching, "I am going to get Toph now."
No one answered, and he let out a groan. He was originally going to go alone, but he couldn't leave them like this, "Come on guys, let's go."
They didn't respond.
Aang looked on sadly at the two of them, and shook his head as he went on alone to get Toph.
It didn't take Aang long to get to the mansion where Toph lived, since this time he headed there as fast as he possibly could, and he went around until he was at the spot he and Katara had been earlier that day. Right when he was about to Airbend over the wall, the wall parted, and Aang froze, but calmed down visibly when Toph walked out. She turned around and closed the hole behind her.
"Took you long enough Twinkle Toes!"
Aang blinked at that, and then shook himself, "Wow, it has been a long time since I heard you call me that."
Toph laughed, "Yeah well, we're kids again, so I think I will start calling you guys nick names again! Where is Sugar Queen?"
"I wanted to talk to you about that actually." Aang said, looking away nervously.
"Wait, let me guess, Katara and Sokka got into a fight?"
Aang couldn't help but laugh at that, "You always seem to know everything."
"Yeah, it just seems like it would happen. Katara is always pushing people to do the right thing, and it can get downright annoying sometimes." Toph grimaced, "Trust me, I know."
Aang sighed, "Sokka needed to be brought out of his depression though."
"Always sticking up for your girlfriend." Toph sighed, "Whatever, so are they both giving each other the silent treatment or something?"
"They almost came to blows." Aang admitted, "They won't even talk to me."
Toph looked shocked, "Wow, seriously?"
"Yeah."
Toph sighed, "And I missed all the drama."
Aang shook his head, "You shouldn't joke about this, it's really serious."
"Yeah, yeah. Just take me to Appa so we can get out of here before my parents realize I am missing."
"Did you leave them a note?"
"Well, I would have, but I can't write." Toph said.
Aang laughed nervously, "Oh, right. Well lets go."
The two ran through the town, as quickly as they could, trying not to get any attention drawn to them. Fortunately, the cover of night kept them from being seen by everyone but one man.
Once they reached the flying bison, Toph knew at that moment that something was wrong. She felt Katara and Sokka sitting far apart from one another with their backs towards each other, and it was oddly quiet, no sound of a crackling fire or anything.
"Hey guys, here's Toph."
"Hey." Both of them said in a monotone voice.
"Let's get out of here." Toph said, "I am sick of this town all ready."
Everyone complied with the direction, and soon they were off. Katara and Sokka sat far apart, while Toph sat near Aang at the head of the bison.
"I am going to do something about this if it goes on for very long." She whispered to Aang.
"No, it's something they have to work out with each other."
Toph groaned, "I hate this."
"Yeah, me too."
In Gaoling the next morning, the servants of the wealthiest family in the town were running around, to everyone they would show a picture of Toph and ask where the girl was. It was causing quite an uproar, but one man knew the location, so he was brought to the Bei Fong Mansion.
Master Yu, along with Lao and Poppy Bei Fong sat across from a very dirty young man in front of them. They all didn't hide their disgust as they watched the man smile as he held up the picture of the young girl, "I know where she is."
His eyes were hidden behind his greasy hair, but he fingered it away so he could see them straight in the eyes, "The Avatar took her."
"The Avatar?" Lao said, "You've got to be kidding."
"Nope." He denied, "I was up last night, and I saw the two of them going away from town."
"I see." Lao said, "We only have your word on this though."
"It's my word, or none at all." He shrugged, "I am Shu by the way."
"Well, Shu, if we have no other lead, we'll listen to yours." Lao said, "But to think the Avatar stole my daughter? That's preposterous! Why would he want my helpless little girl?"
Shu shrugged again, "I don't know."
"If your lead is accurate, we'll send you and Master Yu to apprehend the Avatar and retrieve our daughter." Poppy said.
Both Shu and Master Yu looked about to protest, but it was cut short by Lao, "There will be quite a bit of money in it for the both of you of course." He said showing off a large chest of gold. Both their protests were gone at that moment.
"Now, we'll call you if we need you Shu, thank you for the lead." As he left, another man came into tell them where they thought they saw the girl.
Chapter four - End