Book 1: Water

Sorry again guys. I have been working on this, but that whole 'social life thing' keeps popping up and getting in the way, which is still really weirding me out… but anyway, this will be the last update for a little while, because I'm going on holiday with my family. A holiday that will have no internet or even phone access for weeks… I'm not entirely sure I'm going to survive, but it should be fun anyway. I will keep working when I can, so don't worry.

You guys are the greatest and I can't tell you how awesome you all are. I'm sorry about the delay. I'm a terrible person.

Anyway, I hope you like it. :)

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Book 1: Chapter 9

Zuko and Rhian didn't stop for the rest of the night. They took Iroh back to the ship, picked up some guards and headed off, following the most likely route from where they'd seen the Flying Bison. Soon after, they came to a small village and Zuko went into intimidation mode again, Rhian subtly rolling her eyes behind him. At least they didn't have to destroy anything this time. Zuko terrorized a villager and they were told the direction the Avatar had gone in. They'd missed him by less then an hour.

Quickly as possible, they'd headed back to the ship and now where speeding across the waves.

This was not a good idea. The villager had told them about a temple Aang needed to get to before the sun set that day. The Avatar was going to the Fire Nation. The one place Zuko couldn't follow. And yet, here they were. Following. Because the fire prince refused to see reason.

Zuko stared through the telescope looking for the bison while Iroh and Rhian fidgeting behind him.

"Sailing into Fire Nation waters." Iroh said. "Of all the foolish things you've done in your sixteen years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish."

"I have no choice, Uncle."

"Zuko, this is stupid." Rhian snapped. "Please tell me that, if we can't get him before he crosses into Fire Nation territory, we'll turn back. Please!"

"If he crosses into Fire Nation territory, we'll follow. I'm not losing him again."

"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord, banished you?!" Iroh demanded. "What if you're caught."

"I'm chasing the Avatar! My father will understand why I'm returning home." He insisted.

Rhian scoffed. "Zuko, I haven't even met your father and even I know that's not true."

"You give him too much credit. My brother is not the understanding type."

"Listen to Iroh. I think he'd know, Zuko." Rhian said.

Zuko ignored them, turning back to the telescope.

"There they are!" He yelled. "Helmsmen! Full steam ahead!"

Rhian groaned. Was it to much to ask that they not see them before it was too late?

They hurried out of the way as the crew raised the catapult from inside the ship, quickly loading it and covering the ball in a foul smelling, flammable oil. Rhian covered her nose and Iroh fanned the smell away from his face.

"Ehhhg, really Price Zuko, couldn't you shoot them down with something more fragrant?" He complained.

Zuko ignored them still, which Rhian was getting rather annoyed with, and lit the ball on fire.

"On my mark." He said, arm raised to give the signal. "Fire!"

Rhian followed the fire ball's progress as it rocketed through the sky, narrowly missing the flying bison when the Avatar swerved. Her eyes followed it down until it crossed something more important to see. Rhian's eyes shot wide and she grabbed Zuko's arm. "Ahh, Zuko!" She said, pointing.

"A blockade."

Yeah, that's what that was. Hundreds of Fire Nation ships patrolled the border between Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom territory. Zuko was banished from the Fire Nation. If they caught him trying to cross, he was screwed.

"Technically, you are still in Earth Kingdom waters." Iroh said, stroking his beard. "Turn back now and they cannot arrest you."

Rhian rolled her eyes.

"He's not turning around!" Zuko yelled.

"Zuko, this is ridiculous!" Rhian said, trying one last time. There's only so much reasoning you can do with his stubbornness.

"Please, Prince Zuko." Iroh pleaded. "If the Fire Nation captures you, there is nothing I can do. Do not follow the Avatar."

Zuko closed his eyes, fighting with himself. "I'm sorry, Uncle." He said softly. Rhian sighed, mentally rolling up her sleaves. This was not going to be easy.

"Run the blockade!" Zuko yelled.

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Fireballs rained from the sky and Rhian ran to the front of the ship. She needed to see better, to know what she was doing. She deflected as many flaming projectiles as she could see, sending them off into the sea, trying to keep them from striking them. One landed too close to the ship, sending a wave of water over the deck. Rhian lost her concentration, focusing on pushing the water away and missed one fireball. The ship rocked under her feet, sending her crashing into the railing. Eyes wide and breathing heavily, she watched the smoke rise from behind the ship tower.

"Prince Zuko!" an engineer called. "The engines are damaged. We need to stop and make repairs!"

"Do not stop this ship." Zuko snarled, turning away. He locked eyes with Rhian and she could almost strangle him at this point. But the fireballs hadn't stopped, so she turned her attention back to them, grumbling under her breath about stubborn princes.

They watched as Sokka fell from the bision plummeting from the sky, Rhian's breathing caught and she even stopped protecting the ship, getting ready to catch him if she had too. But Aang and Katara managed to get to him in time and Rhian sighed, relieved.
With Aang shattering well aimed fireball head on, they broke through the blockade and Rhian grinned. Aang was one powerful bender. But now it was just them against the line of ships, and they were headed straight for it.

"We're on a collision course!" Iroh yelled.

"We can make it!" Zuko insisted.

"No, we can't Zuko!" Rhian called.

"We can!"

"You're an idiot!"

"Do not slow down!" She didn't think that one was directed at her, so she just glared and grabbed hold of the nearest rail. Getting ready for the collision.

But it didn't come. The Fire Nation ship stopped, letting them pass.

Rhian was shocked. What the hell was going on? Why were they being let through? Staring around for an explanation, she saw Zhao on the other ship, locking eyes with Zuko. They glared each other down until the ships passed.

Iroh stroked his beard thoughtfully as Rhian joined him and Zuko, gazing back at the blockade.

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They followed the Avatar until almost sunset, their ship billowing smoke behind them the entire way. The three stood on the observation deck, Rhian leaning against the wall, while Zuko looked into the distance, his hands tense against the railing.

"What's he up to, Uncle? Why didn't Commander Zhao arrest me?"

"Because he wants to follow you. He knows you'll lead him to the prize you're both after. The Avatar."

Rhian nodded. It made sense after all. Zhao hadn't been able to get close to the Avatar yet. If he had any intelligence at all, which he unfortunately did, he had to know following Zuko was the smartest option.

"If Zhao wants to follow our trail of smoke, then that's exactly what I'll let him do." Zuko said.

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Rhian would give him this, it was a ridiculous, dangerous idea, but it might work. If they were lucky.

"Uncle," Zuko said as their small boat was lowered down the back ramp. "Keep heading north. Zhao will follow the smoke trail while we use it as a cover."

Iroh, stroked his beard, shaking his head. Rhian sort of agreed with him. But maybe luck would be on their side.

Together, they unhooked the chain from the boat, sticking close to the ship at first, manoeuvring through the smoke and trying to keep out of Zhao's line of sight.

"What are you doing here? You could have been more use helping Iroh on the ship." Zuko said.

Rhian threw a coil of rope at him. "Please. Like there was any way I was letting you do this on your own. Put that over there."

"You don't even agree with this anymore. You told me not to come here." He said, putting the rope in the corner and turning the steer the boat away. She rolled her eyes. "That's because coming here was extremely stupid, and still is." She turned to him, leaning against the side of the ship. "I'm your friend, Zuko, and as your friend, it is my job to tell you when you're being an idiot, and to be by your side, even when your ideas are headed straight to Crazy Town. All I can do is try and help you."

"My ideas aren't headed to 'Crazy Town'!"

She snorted. "You just ran a Fire Nation blockade to get into waters you'll be arrested for entering and are now headed away from any kind of back-up in a small boat, taking the chance our luck will hold and a very intelligent, ruthless man who hates us won't notice our departure, while we hunt a very powerful bender. You're right, this particular idea sped straight past Crazy Town about eleven hours ago." She rolled her eyes.

Zuko said nothing, though she might have noticed a reddening to his features. The idea that Zuko was blushing made her grin like a mad women the rest of the way to Cresent Island.

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