Chapter Thirty Eight

Searching

"Wake up, c'mon." An impatient voice sounded next to my ear. I felt a hard prodding to my arm, followed by another series of, "Wake up. C'mon, wake up." With more poking. I turned away from him, snuggling down under the blanket, wanting him to go away. But as more prodding and the singular voice remained, I grew more and more frustrated.

I flicked my head towards the origin of the voice, vaguely irritated, "Aang, let me sleep…five more minutes…" I mumbled sleepily, gradually drifting back into my dreamless slumber.

"What? No, just, uhm, wake up!" The voice was louder now and more impatient. There was a frustrated sigh that was joined by a soft thump. Neither the voice or the sigh sounded anything like Aang's or Sokka's, or The Dukes, Haru's, and Teo's. The person was definitely male, though.

As these thoughts slowly processed, I found myself being pushed awake, not by the male, but by some inner conscious. I was suddenly jarred into full conscious as my eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the sudden light and the now-blurry figure in front of me.

As my eyes focused, they rested on the figure, who was strikingly familiar looking, even with his head and facial features concealed by a black cloak. His lips and eyes were the only noticeable figure not shadowed by his hood. They formed into a slightly smug smile, "About time. I thought you were dead at first."

Suddenly, the memories came flooding back, of what happened to me last night. I then realized that this man had captured me after he knocked me out. In realization, and as anger seized me, I lurched forward, moving my hands upward in an attempt to attack him. But to my surprise, my hands were tied back…against a tree. I blinked, looking down, and a sigh escaped my lips. "Shit," I muttered.

The man looked unamused at my attempt, his golden eyes, watching me carefully. I noticed a few strands of black hair curling out from under the edge of the cloak. I stared him back, racking my brain. His name was on the tip of my tongue…but I couldn't quite pin it. "Vinca, is it?" He asked.

My stare turned to a glare. "Maybe." I replied rather stubbornly.

"It's a yes or no question."

I simply shrugged, which was kind of hard, considering my position. "If you tell me who you are I'll tell you who I am." I compromised, drawing my eyes back to his shielded figure.

His amber eyes rolled in a dramatic way, and with a sigh, he pulled down his hood. His eyes were back on me, watching my expression with a slightly entertained face.

I let out a squeak as I realized who it was, and I subconsciously moved backwards, hitting my already in-pain head against the tree. "P-Prince Zuko?" I stammered in surprise.

His raven black hair fell over his face, concealing his forehead. "Just Zuko is fine." He said. "Now, I'm assuming you're Vinca." Upon seeing my face he raised his eyebrow, "We had a deal."

I sighed, "Yes. I'm Vinca." I rested my head gingerly back against the tree.

There was a few moments of silence.

My anger soon overcame my sudden shock, "Let me go." I demanded squirming feverishly against the bindings. The ropes cut my wrists, causing me to wince inwardly. "You bastard, let me go! You have no right to keep me like this!" My voice cracked slightly. I then realized that I was parched, and starving.

Zuko leaned back on his palms, a sorrowful expression on his face. "I'm sorry. It's hard being good. It's new to me, and its harder than it seems."

I made the most menacing face I could brew, but that only made the former Prince crack a small smile. I sighed, and stopped thrashing. "Just untie me, please?" I asked, trying to be kind.

He hesitated, "I can't."

"And why is that?"

"Well, firstly, you'll ruin the chances of the Avatar and your friends accepting me into the group. And I really don't feel like chasing an airbender down." He replied smoothly, his eyes flickering upwards, studying the sky.

I frowned, following his gaze. The clouds were swirling around the rising sun, and the sky was slowly fading from his golden sunrise. It was beautiful, but I was too irritated to truly appreciate it. My eyes flickered back to Zuko. "Why do you want to join our group anyway?" I asked, watching him.

Zuko slowly looked back at me. "I feel like…who I was before wasn't really me. I've done so much bad and I just want to be good. And I feel like its my destiny to join the Avatar and take down my father and help restore balance. Plus…the Avatar needs a firebending teacher, doesn't he?" He offered a weak smile.

These words processed slowly, and I felt myself building a growing respect for this firebender, even if I had a particular dislike for the element, and sometimes the benders themselves. I let out a ragged sigh, "I suppose." I mumbled. Even with my newfound respect for Zuko I still couldn't trust him. Not yet.

A sigh escaped from his lips. "It's a bit stupid, isn't it? They'll never accept me."

"Who said I'll accept you?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I-I…uhm…oh. I guess you won't, will you? Considering that I…well, kidnapped you…" He trailed off, closing his eyes as his brows furrowed together.

I nodded. "Exactly."

Zuko bit his lower lip, "This is so…hard!" At the last word his voice increased into a yell, and he plopped back onto his back, his palms clenched into fists. "Nobody will already want me to join because I've chased them around the whole freaking world, and now they won't want me because I kidnapped you!"

I watched him silently. After a couple moments of only the sound of his harsh breathing, I spoke, "Looks like you've gotten yourself in a big mess." I commented.

"Really?" He snapped sarcastically, rolling his golden eyes.

A smile curved on the edges of my lips, "What are you going to do?"

"Does it look like I know?"

I shrugged, "I can help you."

He looked at me, "Why would you do that? After I chased your friends around the world, attacked you at Ba Sing Se, and attacked you again here and kidnapped you?"

Our eyes met, "Well, I think you are good. I mean, you haven't done any thing that bad to me, like burning me or killing me. Plus, you did leave your whole nation and your father which you have been trying to get you to love."

"Uhm…thanks, but that last part. How did you know that…?"

"I've heard tons of stories about your whole 'honor' mission." I smirked slightly.

I was still tied to the tree, but my tied were loosened only slightly so that they would chafe against my skin.

It was in the evening. Zuko had started a fire near me, and he was currently cooking two fish. I don't know how I was going to eat mine, considering that my hands were currently unavailable.

His back was hunched and his legs crossed underneath of him, one of his two hands holding a stick which held the two roasting fish, and the other was poking the fire. I watched him silently, respectively listening to his troubles and his stories about his Uncle Iroh, who I promised Zuko that I would meet one day. I smiled at the thought of this and settled back against the tree, closing my eyes and wondering what my friends were doing.

Katara had just finished two of three daily healing sessions for Olin, who had been restless all night. It wasn't infected; it was just a deep gash that had lost a lot of blood.

The waterbender migrated over to the kitchen supplies that were still packed on Appa's saddle. Aang was petting the flying bison affectionately, Teo, Haru, and The Duke were off exploring the Temple, Sokka was still lying face-first on his sleeping bag, Olin was poking at the fire, Toph, well, Toph was grumpy as usual when she was hungry, and Vinca was…

Where's Vinca? Katara paused momentarily. She hadn't seen the airbender all day, actually. She bit her lip, resuming her searching. "Hey, Aang," Katara said nonchalantly as she sifted through the supplies for the cauldron, "Do you know where Vinca is?"

The Avatar's head perked up at the mention of her name. His gray eyes roamed the camp, pausing on the airbender's sleeping bag. It was empty, and by his opinion, looked like it hadn't been slept on at all. "Maybe she's off flying on her glider? Why?" He stopped petting Appa and bit his lower lip. Her glider was still were she put it yesterday; propped against the water fountain.

"I was just wondering. I haven't seen her all day." She replied with a frown.

"She went meditating last night." Olin said, overhearing the conversation about his sister. A sudden flash of worry crossed his face as he stopped prodding the fire. His sister was definitely prone to danger, as much as she denied it. She seemed to draw it like a magnet. And even though she knew airbending and could very well defend herself, Olin couldn't help but feeling every bit responsible and as worried as he was. She was, after all, his sister.

Toph let out a long, loud yawn as she stumbled over and plumped down by the fire, rubbing her sightless eyes. "Sparkles is probably just out exploring. Don't worry 'bout her." She mumbled as she stretched, her toes wiggling as they shuddered. "Sugar Queen, I'm hungry!"

Katara tensed, ready to make a snappy comeback at Toph's demanding for food, but managed to hold it in. Everyone knew the earthbender was a force not to be reckoned with when she was hungry. Sighing, she suggested, "She's been gone all day. And all night. Maybe we should go look for her?"

"I told ya, she's fine!" Toph protested, her stomach rumbling.

The other members of Team Avatar glanced at each other in worry.

I licked my lips, letting out a sigh. I had just eaten - being fed by Zuko, embarrassingly so - and had just finished being hand-fed water. The sun was shimming down into the horizon, only the mere peeks of showed. The moon was already in the sky, without its stars dancing around it.

My eyes drifted back to Zuko, who was staring in a daze at the fire. He appeared to be deep in thought, and I considered talking to him but brushed away the thought. Now was my time to think to myself.

Olin is probably worried sick. And so is Katara, I bet, and Aang. I thought with a frown. I wonder if they're looking for me?

"We didn't see her." Haru said as the trio returned from their exploration hours earlier. Teo shook his head in agreement, and The Duke was silent.

Aang's shoulders slumped, "She's been kidnapped."

Katara frowned. "You don't know that for sure."

"Well, where else would she be?" Sokka sighed, crossing his arms.

Olin was silent, his eyes on the ground and a deep frown on his lips.

"Who would've kidnapped her?" Teo asked.

Sokka shrugged, "Someone might've followed us."

"Spirits…" Olin cursed, placing his head in his hands.

Toph grunted, "Vinca'll turn up, don't worry."

"Toph! She might be getting tortured…or worse…" Aang cried, rubbing a hand at the back of his neck.

Olin groaned.

"Fine then." The earthbender girl spat, "Maybe she left the Temple?"

Sokka rolled his eyes, "How would she do that?"

"She is an airbender, you know."

"Why did you attack me?" I asked, causing Zuko to glance upwards at me in surprise.

He blinked, "Um, it's not my fault you decided to attack me last night." He said defensively.

"You snuck up on me! What did you expect?" I scoffed, glaring at him.

The former Prince frowned, "Well, I guess I did…and sorry about kicking you in the head…I didn't mean to."

I stared at him in disbelief, "You didn't mean to?" I almost laughed aloud.

"You were supposed to roll away." Zuko mumbled.

I raised an eyebrow, but otherwise stayed silent.

"Sorry." He offered.

I shook my head. "I'm not forgiving you, yet."

"Do you trust me?"

"No."

"I expected that."

Toph crossed her arms defiantly across her chest, her hair falling over her sightless light green eyes, her lips forming a thinly pressed line. "I am not getting on Appa." She hissed.

Aang raised an eyebrow from his spot at the flying bison's reins, "Why not? You've rode him plenty of times before."

The earthbender shook her head, "I know that, Twinkles." She snapped bitterly, "But what help am I up on a flying bison? At least on the ground I can see." Toph explained.

The Avatar blinked, "But-oh. I understand. So you can go with Teo and The Duke, if you want." He suggested, placing his staff behind him.

"Good idea. I would've never thought of that by myself." Toph muttered, sarcasm lacing her words. She whirled around on her bare feet and marched over to the two boys.

Aang let out a tiny sigh, and took Appa's reins in his hands. He was about ready to command his companion to take flight, but was interrupted.

"Hey, Aang! Wait!" A voice was yelling. The Avatar glanced down, a surprised expression on his face.

There was Olin, and he was unsteadily climbing up onto Appa.

Aang passed his sudden surprise, and jumped down from the bison, "Olin, what are you doing? You can't come, you're hurt." He tugged lightly on the man's shirt, helping the stubborn male off of Appa.

"I have to go. Vinca is my sister, I have to go help look for her." Olin said, and motioned towards his injury, "And plus, I can walk on my own now. I'm feeling fine."

Aang bit his lower lip. He knew if he let Olin go, Katara would be angry with him. But if Olin was as determined as his sister, he would find a way to come, and might get hurt even more. Exhaling softly, he nodded. "Okay, you can come."

Olin grinned broadly, and Aang helped him up onto Appa.

"Ready?" He called back to him.

"Yup." Olin replied.

Aang flicked the reins, murmuring a quiet 'yip, yip!', and with that, they were pushed into the air, flying upwards.

"I might trust you if you untied me." I gave him a hopeful look.

He shook his head in the negative.

"But what are you going to do when they realize that you attacked and kidnapped me?"

"Uhm…"

"You aren't very good at this."

"At what?"

"Planning ahead."

Appa soared through the valley, gracefully dodging the upside-down homes. With a swift flick from Aang, the flying bison suddenly jeered upwards, bypassing the fog and drifting up to the land on top of the temple.

They landed with a soft thud which caused dust and various debris to shatter upwards. The Avatar leapt off, squinting, his eyes searching the flat land ahead. After a long two minutes of him scanning the prairie, his shoulders slumped and he resettled onto his companion.

As they took off back into the sky and flew down back into the valley to search the other side of the temple, Olin was on wide-alert, his gray eyes searching every single nook and cranny that he could see.

But soon, Aang realized that Vinca was not in the temple, at least, where they had checked. And as the young Avatar was slowly realizing, his crush must not be in the temple, but somewhere else.

Somewhere else…?

Suddenly, it struck him. The forest!

In the garden where he and Vinca were laying that day - a blush instantly tinted his cheeks at the memory - there was a forest under them. They had noticed if when they took the dive with their gliders to fly once again. It was a strange forest, but it certainly was a forest. Aang knew that the forest was probably the place were the airbending nuns would get their food.

With a growing smile, he redirected Appa in that direction.

Zuko ran his two palms over his face, a yawn escaping his lips. His head trailed over to his makeshift tent, and I could tell that he was considering retreating for the night.

"Go ahead." I said after a few seconds of him staring at his 'tent', "I'll be perfectly fine out here."

The former prince looked at me, and rose to his feet, stretching. He then reached over and tightened my ties.

I glared at him.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, and then began to walk over to his tent, "'night."

"Night." I muttered stubbornly as he entered his tent.

The flying bison neared the forest. By now, it was almost completely dark, but Aang could still make out the trees and the plants of this not-so-big area.

The forest was actually right under the temple - it was strange, really - the ground formed a mound, raising up for the abyss below, forming an area large enough for the trees to grow without competition.

Appa let out a groan, and the Avatar reached over and petted his friend affectionately. "We're almost there, buddy." He murmured, and with that, he started to descend.

Olin was gazing out, a look of awe on his face as he observed the forest. He wondered if earthbenders had helped aid in this land form, as it surely couldn't have just been there. But then again, you never knew.

The seemingly nonbender drew his eyes from the nearing forest to look at Aang, "How are we going to find her in here? It looks huge!" He asked, blinking.

The Avatar shrugged as Appa began to cruise just above the tips of the trees. "We can look from above tonight, and then tomorrow we can go search on the ground."

Olin was silent, occupied with looking over the edge of the saddle. His eyes narrowed as they focused on a little, flickering orange object just below. "Hey, what's that?" He pointed, and suddenly he knew, "It's a fire!"

Aang gusted himself to the man's side, taking a view for himself. "Maybe that's her!" And with that, he flew back to the reins and then they were descending towards the small flames.

Trees are so uncomfortable. I grouchily thought as I struggled to get into a position that wouldn't make my back ache. It was impossible, though, and I ended up just resting my head against the bark.

I closed my eyes, letting out a yawn. I was surprisingly tired after doing nothing but sit here all day.

My eyes flew opened at the sounds of…yelling? It sounded near, and I immediately straightened, staring wide-eyed ahead. My thoughts scattered, but all of them rounded to one simple thought; how can I defend myself?

Suddenly, there was a rustle behind me and a hand on my shoulder. A scream escaped my mouth before I could even think, and I was squirming, struggling against the ropes, my breathing coming out heavily. There was muffled talking but I couldn't hear them, and then, Zuko was standing outside by his tent, a surprised look on his face.

"Vinca," a familiar voice whispered, "It's just me. Olin. Olin and Aang."

My brother?

And Aang?

I froze, and then Aang was kneeling down in front of me, "Are you okay?" He asked, a concerned look on his face.

I subconsciously nodded.

"I'm going to untie-" Aang began to say, but was interrupted by a fit of more yelling.

"You're the one who kidnapped my little sister? What'd you do to her? If you laid one hand on her, I swear to the Spirits that I will wish you've never been born!" Olin was screaming at Zuko, who still hadn't snapped out of his shock.

My hands were still tied behind the tree and now Aang was standing up, his brows furrowed together, "Zuko? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, it's Prince Zuko, isn't it? Just because you're a damn Prince doesn't give you one freaking right to kidnap my sister, doing whatever the hell you want with her!" Olin's face was red and his hands were clenched in fists. Aang didn't look too pleased himself.

Zuko made a face, "I didn't do anything to her - and she attacked me, she -" he looked at lost for words.

I almost laughed, despite the situation, at Zuko's attempt of blaming it on me.

Olin lunged towards him, taking the firebender off guard.

No, Olin…! "Stop it! For Spirit's Sake, stop!" I screamed, my voice cracking hoarsely at the last word. I couldn't stand this fighting, not between my still-hurt brother and this firebender - this firebender that I came to respect, but also, this firebender who was the former prince of the Fire Nation. He could kick my brother's butt easily.

Suddenly, Aang was near them, and he was pulling Olin off of Zuko. Olin staggered backwards, heaving heavily, and Zuko jumped to his feet, looking furious.

"Don't fight-"

"I'll fight that coward any day!"

"I can kick your a-"

"Shut up!" I yelled, again. "Aang, untie me." I demanded a bit harshly, but I didn't care at the moment. I was tired and angry, and, truthfully, just wanted to get away from this tree. Once Aang had finished untying me, I stood, my feet throbbing as I stood. "Thanks." I mumbled.

Olin stumbled over, placing a hand on my shoulder, "Did…Did he do anything to you?" His hair was ruffled and a streak of blood was trailing from his nose.

I shook my head, "No. He didn't."

My brother didn't look like he believed me, and I figured as much.

"Come on, you idiot. Let's get you back on Appa." I said, nudging him forward gently.

Olin brushed away my hand stubbornly, "I can walk." He muttered, but his hand fluttered to his healing injury.

"It's hurting again, isn't it?" I asked, and when he nodded, I rolled my eyes, "You shouldn't have attacked him." I scolded as we reached the flying bison.

Olin let out a grunt, "That little bast-"

"Olin." I hushed him, helping him up on the saddle, "He didn't do anything to me."

My older brother sighed, "I don't care. The thing is, he kidnapped you. He made me worry about you -which I do on a daily basis, anyway - and he gave me the possibility that we would never find you, that you were hurt, killed…" He trailed off.

A frown curved on my lips, and I really wasn't sure what to say. "It's okay, I'm okay, everything is going to be okay." I murmured, "Love you, Olin."

"Love ya too, sis."

AN: That sure was an interesting chapter to write! Actually, I'm sorry if it sucked. I have a cold (I used two boxes of tissues when writing this) and I accidently didn't save the chapter, so...yeah...had to rewrite the whole entire thing. I was kind of angry when that happened, so, oh well. I know that those things aren't to blame for a sucky chapter, but I just thought I'd let you know, I guess. :)

On a sidenote, my vacation was great. And, KORRA FINALE SATURDAY. HOLY CRAP. (fangirls all over the place)

and, uhum...sorry if I didn't get Zuko's character right. And sorry about the cussing. I might've been taking my anger out for having to rewrite the entire chapter... ^^'

Thanks for all the support! :)