"Breathe in...Breathe out...feel the flame churning inside your very soul. Harness it, merge it's will with yours, become one with the flame...breathe in...breathe..."
"Soliel, haven't you trained enough today? Come on we're gonna be late! Sheesh its just a hunt you'd think were going to face the Masters with the way you're training!"
Soliel sighed in frustration as her friend Mara ran over to her. She had planned to spend the entire day on the mountain cliffs meditating and training, she should have known that such plans were too lofty for her.
"Did you need something Mara?"
"Not really, it just seems that we haven't really had time together since the Summer Solstice...and well i've missed you."
"We haven't have we? I really hadn't realized how long it's been..."
"How could you when you never even pause to think! Honestly Soliel, you're 17 years old you should be out making mischief, flirting with guys, making your dowry, anything! But no. You'd rather stay up in the mountains training from dawn to dusk, as if you're fire bending could improve!"
"It can and does. The Masters have taught me much, how could i possibly put it all into practice if I don't train?"
"You've already mastered fire bending and reached the level of a Dragon, are you trying become Agni himself?"
*sigh* How can i not strive to be like my father? It would shame him if i was not strong, the daughter of Agni-the Sun Princess-cannot be found lacking. I must prove to the gods that I deserve to move among them in the Spirit World.
"Come on Mara, let's return to the village wouldn't want to miss the hunt."
"Yeah I guess so; although we could stick around and watch the men bathe..."
"Mara!"
"I'm just kidding! Gosh Soliel you really spend way too much time up here."
"Agghhhh! Why can't things ever go right for me?"
"Calm yourself Prince Zuko, anger will not help you find the Avatar."
"I did not ask your advice Uncle!"
"You can thank me later!"
"Ugh...never mind"
Zuko turned away from Iroh and stalked toward the village they had just come from. He had been so close. The merchant said a group of kids had left on a flying bison just a day ago after buying enough supplies to last at least two weeks. The merchant had also said that the bison was injured which meant they would have to stop again soon.
"They'll most likely stop by a river or stream so that water witch can heal it."
"Did you say something Prince Zuko? You really must stop brooding you're scaring the villagers. Now why don't we have a nice cup of tea?"
"I don't want tea Uncle! I want to find the Avatar! Does my banishment mean nothing to you?"
"Come now Prince Zuko, let's not go around saying things we'll regret later."
"Regret is for women and old fools, not the Prince of the Fire Nation! Guard!"
"Yes your Highness?"
"Gather your men, I want you to search every nearby stream or body of water for the Avatar and his friends if you find them send word immediately!"
"As you wish Sir."
You can only run for so long Avatar.
"Steady Appa we'll land soon. Katara we need to land so you can finish healin Appa, he can't hold on much longer!"
"All right but be careful Aang we don't want anyone to see us."
"Sure enough, hang on tight!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The Sky Bison landed with a thud throwing Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph from the saddle.
"Geez Twinkle Toes you think you could've given us more of a warning or something!"
"Sorry Toph, Appa was far more tired that I thought..."
"Whatever, just let Sugar Queen get to work so we can blow this popsicle stand."
"What's your hurry? Listen we haven't seen Hothead in a week what makes you thing he's suddenly gonna pounce on us? Besides it would take him at least 3 days to travel this far into the Earth Kingdom even with his fastest ships."
"Sokka's got a point Toph, and besides we all need to rest; we've been flying nonstop since we left Omashu. I could really go for a nice bath right now and to be honest so could you."
"Whats your problem Sugar Queen? I've told you before it's a healthy covering of earth!"
"Would you two quick bickering and start making dinner, i'm starving over here!"
Katara turned and stomped off to where Appa lay soaking in the bed of the stream. If he wasn't my brother i would have frozen him solid by now. And It's been awhile since i've water bended...same with Aang come to think about it, he's been working so much on mastering Earth that we haven't trained in weeks. Even if he's the Avatar he's going to need a lot more stamina if he's going to defeat the Fire Lord.
"Katara!"
"Yeah Aang?"
"Don't pay attention to Sokka he's just worried that's all. Zuko's gotten far more desperate lately in trying to capture us. I'm actually starting to wonder if he might do it..."
"Don't say things like that! I'll fix Appa up and we'll be up ready to go in no time! We've just gotta stay positive, that's all!"
"You're right, thanks Katara!"
Aang waved and ran back to the campsite, Katara's watchful gaze following him. I wonder if he even realizes that if he fails there's no one left to save us?
Soliel and Mara continued down the mountain carrying baskets of Dragon's Fruit. As they walked they talked about various things. I wonder if Ran and Shaou would be willing to speak to gods on my behalf? The Dragons are allowed to move between the realms, and technically I am a Dragon so...
"Soliel are you even listening to me?"
"Sorry Mara, I have a lot on my mind."
"Well even so you need to make a decision and soon, you can't expect him to wait forever you know."
"What decision am I making?"
"You really haven't payed attention to a thing I've said. While you were daydreaming I was talking about Mahten. He's madly in love with you, you know, and plans to ask you to marry him sometime this summer. He's probably going to wait till the summer equinox festival, but that's just what I would do seeing as how special a day it is already."
"Mara please tell me you're joking. What on earth would ever make you believe that Mahten would even consider me for a wife? We're totally unsuited for each other. He expects a dutiful little wife who will hang on his every word and never challenge his reasoning, and I am anything but compliant, you of all people should know that."
"Well maybe, but you're the Princess of the Sun Nation, a Master Dragon fire bender, beautiful and not to mention you're the daughter of Agni! Your personality isn't exactly a qualifying factor here"
"Yeah and that's the kind of guy I want to marry, one who only cares about my position and bending ability. And Mahten doesn't even know I'm the daughter of Agni, and he's not the kind of person you could ever tell. If he found out he would either build me a shrine or have me burned at the stake for blasphemy. I could never marry him."
"Honestly Soliel, why do you have to be so darn picky? Mahten is one of our best and most handsome warriors, he will be a good leader for our people isn't that what you want?"
Soliel turned away from Mara and looked out over the village below. She studied it for a moment and then turned her gaze toward the horizon. With a sigh she shifted the basket to the other hip and turned back to Mara,
"I just feel like there's so much more."
The girls said nothing as they entered the village and gave the baskets of fruit to one of the merchants. Children laughed and called out chasing a mountain badger cub through the streets. Soliel smiled as she watched the kids continue their chase. I wish you could understand Mara. If I marry a Sun Warrior I'll be stuck here for the rest of my life. I love the Sun Nation, but compared to the Spirit World its just...
"Come on Soliel the warriors will be getting started by now!"
Soliel shook all thoughts of marriage and the future away and focused her attention on the upcoming hunt. Six warriors would branch out into the farthest part of the woods surrounding the village in order to hunt for the meat needed for the next couple of days. Each would be left to their own devices and would return at sundown. She had often partaken in these hunts and had even lead them but she knew that a safe and successful hunt required her full focus. Ironically Mahten was leading this hunt and was continually looking at Soliel much to her aggravation and Mara's enjoyment. Mahten was 2 years older than her, about 5' 11" and well filled out from his training. He was not a fire bending master but wielded it efficiently and effectively. Many girls considered him the most handsome man in the Sun Nation and the most eligible bachelor, but that did little to sway Soliel's opinion of the young man. He's far too wishy washiy for my taste and he lets people walk all over him in hopes of gaining others' approval. What point is there in that? I'm surprised Mara thinks he would make a good leader.
"Soliel? Is there something wrong or did you just not hear me give the signal?"
"Ahh hey Mahten! No I mean yes! Everything is fine i'm just feeling out of it that's all, my meditation was cut short today..."
"Well I hope that this won't effect your performance. I mean well you're one of the best hunters and it would be...that is..."
"I should go I'll see you at sundown."
"Right! See ya..."
Soliel took off putting plenty of distance between her and Mahten, and headed off toward the grove beside the river. After about an hour, her bow and arrow ever ready, she perched herself in a nearby tree and waited for her prey. It wasn't long until a young buck came to the river bank to drink. As he bowed his head Soliel let loose her arrow, piercing clean through his neck and felling him in an instant. She waited a moment before swinging down from her perch and moved toward the fallen animal. After a quick prayer of thanks for her success, she retrieved the arrow and began the process of cleaning the wound. She would need to wash the entire animal, skin it, and wash it again. It was very important that there be no chance of infection to insure that no one would fall ill. Throwing the animal over her shoulder she stood and made her way through the woods. Thank goodness the river is so close.
Zuko's guards made their way down the river bank searching the woods for any sign of the Avatar and his friends.
"They wouldn't be so dumb as to wait around here! Why don't we just call it a night, we haven't had a decent rest in weeks!"
"Yeah I agree! General what do you say? The men are weary and it's useless to keep searching when we all know that they are long gone."
"We will not rest until we've searched the entire grove be on your guard; fate may look favorably on us yet."
Several of the men headed toward the river when they came across a young woman. She was standing with her back to them, waist deep in the river washing the hide of a deer. The men stopped hidden among the trees whispering to one another.
"Isn't that the Avatar's girlfriend, the water bender?"
"Yeah its got to be her! Ok you two move along the sides, you three get as close as you can, and Janu you best get your bow strung, I want her down in one shot! Got it?"
"why do we need to surround her if Janu's just going to shoot her?"
"Listen this girl is the Avatars' water bending teacher, and has got one fierce temper we'll need all the support we've got!"
The men moved silently, signaling once they were in position. At his leader's command, Janu shot his arrow straight at the girl's spine hoping to paralyze her. Soliel had been preoccupied with her thoughts and failed to notice the men or their advancement. As she looked up from her work she sensed something flying toward her. Hoping she was not too late, she spun outwards trying to avoid being hit. Janu watched as the girl's head popped up and she moved to get out of the way, but she wasn't quick enough. The arrow caught hold of her side, just above the water, ripping into her flesh. Seeing she was hit the men rushed out of hiding and began to attack the girl. Darn it! An arrow. I should've been ready! Stupid stupid daydreaming! Soliel ignored her wound and turned toward the man ready to fight. I have to get out of the water, it will only slow me down. She did a quick look over her attackers. They're only soldiers, I can't sense any benders...all they have is their weapons. Agh well those goes me bending myself out of this one, stupid Sun Warrior Pledge. A brawl immediately broke out. Soliel did her best to defend herself without the use of her bending but there were six men and she was loosing blood at an alarming rate. She did not want to hurt any of them, they were not prepared to fight a fire bender, yet she could see no other was. She had sustained some serious injuries and was just about to unleash a fire whip when one of the soldiers picked up a large rock and smashed it against her head, knocking her unconscious. Soleil fell into the water and the men made a careful circle around her.
"Wow she sure is beautiful! I ain't never seen hair as pretty as that before, ya sure she's the one?"
"Of course we're sure what other water tribe girl would be traveling through the Earth Kingdom?"
"How do you know she's Water Tribe ain't they got dark skin or something?"
"She's got blue eyes and brown wavy hair you idiot only people of the Water Tribes have blue eyes!"
"Come on lets get her tied up so she doesn't escape. You there! Make a careful search of the area the others must be near by."
"We better gag her sir, I've heard that this woman don't ever shut up."
"Put a lid on it Sugar Queen! None of us care about who said what or any that nonsense! Sheesh!"
"Well excuse me for trying to be sociable!"
"That ain't sociable, sociable means ya let other people talk!"
"And who died and made you the expert on being social?"
"I was born into the aristocracy for crying out loud! You think I learned all that junk called etiquette from a Sea Monkey?"
"Well considering how you conduct yourself and your lack of hygiene that sounds about right!"
"That's it! You're gonna pay for that water girl!"
"I'd like to see you try!"
"Hey would you two knock it off! Honestly you guys are worse than a bunch of little kids! I'd rather run into a pack of Fire Nation soldiers than listen to you guys any longer! Man oh ...bvvvvhvhvh!"
"But out Snoozels!"
"Sokka I'm not sure you understand how to avoid getting pulverized..."
Aang turned away from Katara and Toph's glaring contest and pushed Appa forward. He watched as the sun sank below the horizon, it was a deep red color; it was strange really, he could've sworn it looked sad.
Zuko paced back and forth refusing to give into sleep. His men still hadn't returned to the campsite and he was getting impatient. I should of went with them! Those idiots probably either are walking in circles or let those kids get away! A moment later a guard entered his tent.
"Prince Zuko the men have sent word; they have captured one of the Avatar's companions and are making their way to the Palace."
"Did they say which one?"
"I believe it is a girl Sire."
"Is she Water Tribe or Earth kingdom?"
"I'm afraid I was not informed of the girls nationality Sir."
"Never mind then, send word to my Uncle. Tell the men we will meet them at the Palace We'll be heading there at dawn."