Another story of Bato had the children laughing, and he couldn't help a big smile that was on his face as well. Well, Aang was the exception as he was just sitting by the wall blankly, but none of them was paying attention to him currently. Suddenly Bato remembered that he got so lost in this chat that he forgot to relay an important information. "Ah, there's something I should tell you kids. I'm expecting a message from your father."
The news was met with excitement from both the siblings, as they asked simultaneously "Really? When?"
It caught Aang's attention as well, and he leaned in to hear better.
"Any day now." Bato continued "Your father said he'd send a message when they found a rendezvous point. If you wait here until the message arrives, you can come with me and see your father again."
The Avatar's anxiety kept rising with each warrior's word, and when Sokka started to say how they both missed their father, the kid felt he couldn't take it anymore.
He quietly left the room unnoticed, with only Momo accompanying him. Without much thought he took a road to the beach as well, but before he reached the boat, he noticed a familiar silhouette sitting on the sand. It took him a moment to realize that it was Zuko, and that nobody had even seen him leave.
The firebender noticed Aang's arrival as well and stood up, assuming that the kid had come for him. However, the boy just came closer and sat down on the sand with a sigh, hugging his knees. Zuko looked at him curiously, wondering if he should sit next to him as well. The prince could see that something obviously troubled the usually cheerful kid, but they weren't exactly friends with each other, and he wasn't sure if he was up for such a conversation.
He stood there, trying to decide what to do, when Aang murmured quietly "I can't believe they would leave me..."
"So that's what this is about? They told him they are going to stay with that warrior?" Zuko wondered quietly, still hovering above the kid awkwardly.
"Should I say something...? It's not my problem, and I don't even-"
His thoughts train got interrupted by sudden arrival of an Earth Kingdom messanger.
"I'm looking for Bato from a Water Tribe" the man announced, as he came closer to them.
Zuko looked at him puzzled, trying to figure out if the Water Tribe warrior's presence in the abbey wasn't supposed to be a secret. Before he could comment on this, Aang said loudly "I know Bato."
The messenger just handed him a sealed scroll upon hearing this, and Zuko couldn't believe what he had just seen.
"Passing a secret message to a kid, just because he said he knows a recipient?! That's ridiculous! If that's how Earth Kingdom's postal service looks like, how have we not won this war by now?"
The messenger, however, was already on his way back, obviously happy to finish his long delivery day. The prince finally tore his eyes away from him and looked at the boy. To his surprise, Aang had already ripped the scroll's seal open, and was looking at the map that was inside of it.
The feeling of unease washed over him, for he hadn't expected such action from the kid with usually unwavering morals. When the boy suddenly tumbled the map and hid it under his shirt, Zuko couldn't help but ask quietly "What are you doing?"
The kid winced with guilt, as he remembered he wasn't alone. "It's... Bato said he's waiting for a message from Sokka's and Katara's father about a meeting point. They... If they see this, they will leave me!"
He was almost on the verge of tears when he finished, but Zuko just glared at him.
"So you think you should just keep it from them? Keep them from meeting their father, who they haven't seen for so long, because you want to keep them around? You have no right for it." Zuko finished with disdain.
He didn't raise his voice at any point, but the kid seemed to shrink with guilt even more. Tears had already flown from his eyes, and he didn't know what to say; he just hugged his knees tighter, burying his face. The sight softened Zuko, and some of his anger disappeared.
He sighed and sat down beside Aang before continuing in a calmer voice. "I've read that airbenders weren't raised by their parents, but by their entire community, so maybe you don't understand. Missing a father, a mother... A parent, it's really painful. It's-"
"I know. I..." Aang interrupted him, and Zuko glanced at him with attention "I didn't even know my parents, but... Back in the temple, there was master Gyatso. I guess you could say he was like a father to me, teaching me everything, always trying to cheer me up when I was upset..."
As the prince listened to him, his thoughts drifted to his Uncle involuntarily. His teachings, his annoying excuses that only delayed their mission, his big grin as he was telling his lame jokes over the tea...
"I know I would be really upset if I had a chance to meet him again and someone took it from me. I just... I don't want to be alone again, you know?" Aang finished sadly, not looking at the teenager. Zuko felt bad for him, but he wasn't sure what he could say in this situation.
Eventually he offered carefully "Well, did they tell you that they would leave you to meet their father? Perhaps you could at least accompany them there, and visit them if they stay...?"
Aang looked at him perplexed, and replied "Well... They didn't say it, but... They seem so happy with Bato, it's like they forgot about me already. Do you think they will still want me with them...?"
It was time for Zuko to be confused, as he looked at the kid, gazing at him with such hopefulness.
"I don't know!" the prince answered with unease, and got up awkwardly to finish this whole uncomfortable conversation. "It's your... friends. Right? You should know them better."
Aang apparently didn't understand what made the teenager act like this all of sudden, but he thought about his words as he took the tumbled map out. He straightened the paper in his hands and rolled it up more carefully. He took a deep breath and got up, with new determination.
"You're right. They are my friends. They will..." he didn't finish his thought, but still he began to walk back to the abbey. After a few steps he halted however, and glanced back at the firebender. He asked hesitantly "Are you coming too?" and Zuko just sighed in reply, and moved to follow him.
It only took a few minutes for them to get back to the abbey. When they reached the door to their room, Aang took a deep breath and went inside, putting a smile on his face.
"Hey everyone! Sorry I was gone for so long."
Everyone's eyes fell on him, with a bit of surprise. Katara even said with a smile "Hey, Aang. I didn't even notice you left."
"Oh, you didn't... uh, right-" the kid began to have second thoughts, and he looked for some assurance, turning to Zuko who had just entered behind him.
The prince didn't say a word, but he saw how his arrival seemed to kill the light mood in the room. He tensed as he saw a question beginning to form on the older warrior's lips, but then Aang continued.
"Well, the thing is... uh, we were outside with Zuko, and then a messenger came with a letter for Bato." He spoke hesitantly, and the excitement that showed on his friends' faces only deepened his worry. But the words were already spoken, and so he reached to retrieve a scroll, handing it to Bato.
The warrior raised his brow as he noticed that the seal was broken, but Aang explained without prompting "I kinda... opened it... But there was nothing else inside except for this map, I promise!" he turned with guilt to look at Sokka and Katara "I'm sorry, I was just afraid that if you see this, you will leave me, and I-"
"Oh, Aang... You know we would never do that!" Katara protested, as she got up to give boy a hug. Sokka joined them in this, adding "Yeah. We do miss our father, but we gave you a word. Remember?"
"Thanks, guys."
Zuko watched the scene from the spot he had sat down against the wall, but as they started to hug, he felt uncomfortable watching. As he diverted his eyes, he noticed the lemur that was sitting in front of him, staring at his face. He almost asked it what its problem was, but he caught himself in time. He was already talking to the bison; it didn't need to get any weirder.
"It's a lemur, what could it possible want... Food? I don't have any. Uh, pets...? I-"
He cast another quick look to make sure no one was watching, and he reached to pet lemur's head. Momo immediately gave into it, chirping quietly, which brought Aang's attention as he was more sensitive to his pets' sounds. The kid didn't say anything though, only smiled to himself as he sat down by the fire with his friends.
The rest of the evening passed in a blink of an eye. The Water Tribe members continued to reminisce, and even though Aang didn't understand what some of the stories were about, he tried to enjoy them too. Zuko fell asleep soon, as he wasn't keen on listening to their tales. Eventually everyone settled for the night. Aang was a little wary of sleeping on the dead animal's pelt, but he didn't object when he saw how much comfort this brought to his friends.
When the first sun rose, Zuko carefully got up, trying not to disturb anyone. As he got out of the room he was surprised to see the nuns were already up as well, despite the late hour they stayed up to yesterday. It meant he would probably have a hard time to find a peaceful place for a morning meditation. He considered going to the beach again, when he heard a rhythmic noise. It took him a while but then he recognised it - a clopping of Komodo rhinos' hooves.
They were close. He frantically looked around, and dashed behind a closest hiding spot, which happened to be a well. He peeked from behind it right in time to see two riders in a Fire Nation armors enter through the abbey's gate on their steeds. His next panicked thought was "They are gonna see the bison!" but to his surprise Appa was nowhere in sight. He wasn't sure whether to be glad of this, or not, but he focused on watching the newcomers for now.
"Welcome, gentlemen. How can we be of service today?" the old nun asked kindly, having already arrived by the gate as well.
"Good morning, Superior. We have a wanted poster to pin up. Many people pass here so someone may help us catch him. I don't suppose you have seen this man?" One of the soldiers spoke, as he handed her a scroll.
Zuko felt his heart sink as he realized who was probably portrayed on the poster. The supervisor, however, took a look at it and replied promptly "I'm afraid we haven't seen such a person around here."
"Yeah, I thought so. But we have orders to spread them around, so just remember to hang in with the others." the soldier added, pointing at the wall that already had a few posters on, which Zuko noticed just now.
"Of course. Are you going to purchase something today, sir?" the nun asked with a kind smile.
"Nah, not today. But the perfume I got for my wife last time was great! Most of her last letter was just about how her friends were jealous about it!" he finished with a laugh.
The second soldier wasn't that chilled apparently, as he cleared his throat loudly "We have a few more places to visit, so we'll be on our way. Goodbye sisters!"
The soldiers took their leave then. The prioress looked at the paper in her hands once more, and slowly walked over to the said wall, hanging the poster next to others.
Zuko didn't waste time and came closer to take a look as well. To his surprise, there was an Avatar wanted poster already. He disregarded it to take a look at the new one. And there it was. His own face seemed to mock him from the poster - they didn't even put the scar on the correct side. He wondered for a moment if they did it on purpose, or if his father already forgot even his face. But the more important than his image was the message next to it.
"The Fire Lord orders the arrest of Zuko, the rebellious traitor, the Crown Prince to the Fire Lord. He attacked the Fire Nation stronghold and freed the Avatar, who was held there. Permission is granted to kill on sight."
He kept staring at it, unable to tear his eyes away from the last sentence.
"Permission is granted to kill on sight. So that's how it is, huh...?"
He didn't pay attention to the Superior, who was still standing there, studying his face now.
"So that's why you're accompanying the Avatar."
The prince flinched when he heard her, turning sharply in her direction. He took a step back, but he noticed that she was smiling lightly. He wasn't going to be fooled, so he asked carefully, "Why didn't you give me away? I understand you may be keen on hiding the Avatar, but I'm from the Fire Nation. And this is Fire Nation's internal dispute. You-"
"The poster says you had rescued the Avatar, and you have arrived here together. That's all we need to know. We won't be giving out any friend of the Avatar to the Fire Nation."
"I'm not his friend, though." Zuko said this before he had time to think it over, but the lady kept smiling.
"Well, you definitely don't act like his enemy either. And from my experience, most of the people on run from the Fire Nation aren't bad people." She added with a sad smile, turning to look at the abbey yard.
"And believe me, we've had quite a few of them here. Army deserters, or as they call them, traitors. People who are tired of fighting." she looked the prince in the eyes, unable to conceal the sadness in hers "When all life is sacred, how could we lend a hand in taking it from those who refuse to take it too?"
Although it sounded like a rhetorical question, Zuko felt like the prioress was challenging him to answer. He took a deep breath and said "It's a soldier's duty to fight. Those people you have saved probably had the blood on their hands too. Why would you save the enemy soldiers from facing their own country's justice?"
"Justice? Is that what you think this is? Forcing thousands of young people to fight under threat of death or prison, in a war that serves no one?"
Zuko shook his head slightly, facing away from the woman with a thought "She doesn't understand it too". Although, if he was asked why was she wrong, he wouldn't know how to explain why. The prioress noticed the stubborn look on his face, and it saddened her further.
"You are still but a boy as well, but know this - once you've seen horrors of war, you are never the same. And your Nation's soldiers have no way back once they realize it, because they'd be punished for deserting. Earth Kingdom's people also have no way out, because there is nowhere to escape to. Both sides suffer. And that is why we help here everyone who seeks refuge. Nation doesn't matter here, we're all just people in the end. Everyone deserves a chance to make up for their doings. And everyone should have a right to live in peace."
"What is this place? Speak, woman!"
"Just a humble herbalist institute. Is there something wrong?" the old woman wondered, as she turned to look at her cat "Did you get into trouble with the Fire Nation, Miyuki?"
The said cat just meowed, and the air around them started to get hotter. However, it was stopped by a simple "The Avatar's been through here. Let's keep moving."
Bato woke up not much later. He smiled as he saw his best friend's children sleeping next to the fireplace. A quick glance at the Avatar let him know that the kid was also still asleep, but then he noticed that the Fire Nation Prince was nowhere to be found.
He quickly dashed to the door and as he looked around the courtyard, he noticed the said firebender in the middle of conversation with a Superior.
He sighed with a relief and walked towards them.
"You wake up early, huh?" he asked the prince when he was close enough. The teenager furrowed his brows, but answered calmly "I do. So what?"
"Nothing, as long as you don't cause any problems. He didn't bother you, Superior?" the warrior asked the nun, who smiled in response.
"Not at all. We were just talking about the wanted posters. A new one was brought by the soldiers just a minute ago." she said, pointing at the wall.
Bato looked at the poster with curiosity, noticing that its content confirmed what the Avatar told him last night about that event. He tried not to wince as he read the last part of it.
"So it's true? You did break him out?" he asked conversationally, but it was the last thing that scarred teenager wanted to discuss.
"I don't want to talk about it." Zuko responded, and turned away to leave, but the man stopped him, putting a hand on his shoulder. It took a lot of self-control for the prince not to throw Bato over his shoulder for it.
"Wait. The others will be waking soon, and we'll be heading to the beach. You should come with us" the warrior said slowly, his curious eye finally noticed the bandage through the holes in Zuko's shirt.
"Fine. Then I'll wait by the gate." the prince replied, pulling his shoulder from under the man's grasp. He walked over to the gate and leaned against it with crossed arms. He didn't grace Bato with a look, missing a glare that the older warrior had sent him.
Such lack of respect from a youth was unheard of in the Water Tribe, and the man had to calm himself down, reminding himself that the teenager was raised in a Fire Nation palace, and probably lacked respect for anyone.
He took a moment to cool off before he went back to the room he was occupying, and by the time he got there all the children were already awake.
"Hey, Bato! Where have you been?" Katara asked with a smile.
"Yeah! Are we going to see the boat?" Sokka added grinning.
All the bad mood seemed to evaporate from Bato, and he responded lightly "Yes, we can go right away. Prince Zuko is already waiting outside."
"He is? I mean, uh, is it ok for him go with us?" Sokka ask surprised.
"Yes, I think there is no reason for him not to come, since he's in your group now."
Sokka exchanged looks with his sister, but Katara just shrugged. They got up to follow Bato outside.
As soon as they got out of the courtyard, Aang looked around for his animal buddy, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Wait, guys. Where is Appa?"
"He's, uh..." Sokka began, but he also realized the bison wasn't where they had seen him last night.
"Appa! Where are you?!" Aang called loudly. He was about to reach for his bison whistle, but they heard a loud grumble, and the bison landed in front of them the next second.
"Where were you, buddy?" Aang asked affectionately, hugging Appa's snout. Some of the sisters seemed to be confused with the commotion, but the Mother Superior came closer to the group.
"I'm afraid we owe you an explanation. The Fire Nation soldiers arrived here at the dawn. When we had heard them coming we urged your sky bison to hide in the forest behind the abbey. I hope it's alright?"
"Alright? You literally saved us, thanks!" Sokka said with a grin.
"But why were they here? Were they looking for us?" Katara asked with concern, and her brother got more serious as he heard it.
"No, no. They come here sometimes, but they leave us alone mostly. They brought another wanted poster, the one of your... friend." she explained, hesitating only for a moment as she remembered her talk with Zuko. "But you have nothing to worry about, we didn't tell them anything."
The Gaang exchanged surprised looks, and they all rushed to see it after confirming where it was. They stared at the poster with various emotions.
"Wow... He said they will call him a traitor, but... Kill on sight?" Sokka mumbled thoughtfully.
Bato joined them, looking at it grimly. "Apparently they treat treason very seriously in the Fire Nation. Come on, let's go." he urged them.
"Wait, look! There is poster of me too!"
They took a look at it as well. It showed Aang standing with his glider, with the message:
"Wanted - the Avatar. This fugitive knows airbending, can create whirlwinds, and flee like the wind. To those who attempt to catch him: Approach with extreme caution"
They looked at each other again.
"Well, at least it doesn't say to kill you." Sokka wondered, adding with awkward laugh "I mean, uh... Yeah, we should be going."
They moved in the direction of the gate where Zuko was still waiting. He was watching them as they checked the posters, and it already bugged him that they might be asking him about it. Still, when they reached him, he moved to follow them without a word, and they didn't mention it either.
"What do you mean 'The Admiral is not in the harbour'?!"
The young soldier was clearly uncomfortable, having to endure former general's rage, but his orders were clear.
"He's left to examine a lead on the Avatar not a long time ago. That's all the information he left, sir."
That's not what they agreed on yesterday. Iroh wanted to yell, but he knew it would be in vain. He should have expected this from Zhao, but somehow he thought he will have more time before such a situation will happen.
The old man had to head back and figure out a new plan. He already saw the wanted posters that were delivered from the homeland, and he shivered on thought that if Zhao finds his nephew today, he will be able to lawfully execute him on spot. Not that Zuko was gonna just let him do it, but he shouldn't have to face this.
Ozai is gonna pay for this one day, he will make sure of it. As if this monster didn't take enough from his poor boy yet. But this will have to wait for now.
His feet carried him back to Wani, where he found Lieutenant Jee talking to the harbour's captain. His friend noticed him coming back early, and it alarmed him immediately.
"General Iroh, is something wrong?" Jee asked immediately.
"Is there any way we can assist you, sir?" captain Iwai asked kindly, eyeing the former general.
"No, captain. There's no such need. A word, lieutenant?" Iroh said with a smile that would seem calm to almost everyone, but the people who knew him would be able to notice a tensed wrinkle on his forehead.
"Of course, sir" Jee replied immediately. He nodded formal goodbye to captain, who answered with similar nod to both of them.
After they left, Iwai took a while before allowing himself a smirk. Looking around the deck he noticed just the man he was about to look for.
Noren was just about to finish his deck-moping duty. One last sweep, and he straightened back up with a groan. He was still young, but it was one of the worst positions one's back could have to endure.
"You're Noren, right?" the captain asked nonchalantly, leaning his back on the railing.
There was something about the question that sent shivers down the young firebender's back. He took a calming breath, before turning to face the captain "Yes, sir. May I help you?"
"Oh. Isn't it just the question I was hoping you'd ask." Iwai smiled, and Noren's feeling of unease intensified.
When the young man didn't react, captain looked around the deck, and continued "I actually have a favour to ask of you."
He took a few steps closer, until he was standing right in front of the scared crewman.
"You see, Noren, Admiral Zhao is really worried about your superior. Former general Iroh is widely respected as a great warrior, brother of the Fire Lord. There is no one who would dare to question his honour. But... " he hesitated, shaking his head lightly with disappointment "His attachment to the traitorous Prince Zuko may cause him make a mistake. A crown shouldn't have to lose another loyal member, therefore we might have to help him before he does something he would come to regret later."
He gave Noren a moment to process it, and the young man eventually took a step back.
"You want me to snitch on Iroh?"
Iwai chuckled, spreading his arms in an innocent gesture "Call it as you will. But we have to help our dear general, whether he likes it or not."
"I'm sorry, sir, I-"
"No, I'm sorry... about your father. I've heard that he's fallen sick, right? Fortunately, his younger son is there to help him."
Noren froze in place. There was absolutely no reason for the captain to know his family situation, which meant...
"I don't need to remind you the Fire Lord Ozai's decree about mandatory enrollment of all firebenders, do I?" Iwai moved closer to look him closely in the eye. "If your brother's dishonorable doing became known, your family would be in big trouble. So I would consider cooperating with us if I were you." he finished and pat the younger man on the shoulder "Keep up the good work you're doing here, and you'll bring honour to your family. Just remember that if you'll betray us, you won't be the only one to regret it."
As Iwai walked away, Noren couldn't help but wonder how could his life go south so fast in the past few days.
"This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father." Bato explained to the Gaang, as he showed the kids his boat.
Sokka kept looking at it like hypnotised "Is this the boat he took you ice dodging in?"
"Yeah. It's got a scar to prove it." the warrior replied, smiling at the memory of it. "How about you, Sokka? You must have some good memories from your first ice dodging."
The teenager just let his eyes down, and his sister hurried with the explanation for him "He never got to go. Dad left before he was old enough."
Bato gave a short, awkward laugh "Oh... I forgot, you were too young."
Aang came closer, curious about another term he's never heard of "What's ice dodging?"
Bato turned to explain "It's a rite of passage for the young Water Tribe members. When you turn 14 your dad takes you..."
He didn't finish the sentence, as an idea appeared to him. He put a hand on Sokka's shoulder, and said "You know what, you're about to find out."
Sokka raised his eyes, and immediately a smile entered his face as he understood the implication. His first ice dodging!
"We can take my boat. I didn't think it would ever go through another round of ice dodging, but it will do well." Bato continued with a smile. He didn't have children of his own and the fact he could do it for his closest friend's son, filled him with pride.
"As for the crew, I..." He hesitated as his eyes fell on the Fire Nation Prince, who stood next to boat, without much interest.
Sokka followed his gaze and understood the man's discomfort. "Uhm... It's a Water Tribe tradition, and... You're like a family, Aang, but Zuko..."
The firebender turned upon hearing his name, and looked at them in confusion.
"What?"
"Well, I don't think you should..." Sokka started awkwardly, but Zuko interrupted him
"Go on a 'Water Tribe rite of passage' with you? I don't know why would you even consider it." he added with a raised brow. "I'd rather stay here if I have a choice"
Sokka felt a massive relief at this, and although he wasn't keen on leaving the firebender out of his sight, seeing that wanted poster of him actually added some trust. Or at least assured that the prince won't go against them. That, and Sokka really wanted to just go already - it his very first ice dodging after all!
Bato seemed to think the same way, as he already lead the kids towards the ship, after Katara and Aang offered to push it into the water with waterbending.
"Ok, it won't take long. Probably." the teenager said, not being able to keep the excitement now. He joined the rest on the boat, and Zuko watched as they sailed away a little distance, towards a system of undersea rocks that protruded above the sea surface.
The prince shook his head slowly at such odd custom, but then again, who was he to judge other nation's tradition. They may be considered underdeveloped in the Fire Nation, but Zuko has already gotten to observe them enough to say that they did well enough just by surviving in such harsh conditions.
He looked around the empty beach in search for something to do. He still couldn't firebend, and making a bonfire could take too long here, especially when he didn't even have a flint. All that was left was to do some training without bending. His wound still bothered him a little, but much less after the last session of his fire-absorbing. He was good enough to start getting back in shape, so it was decided.
He looked around carefully one more time to make sure he was alone, and he got down to his training. First he went through the basic katas he was always doing with his Uncle. Without actually bending fire, he didn't feel the need to strain his muscles as much, so he focused more about the precision. He knew in theory when he should breathe, and how, and yet without the fire it came much easier. As he finished, he was surprised how easily it came to him. It also seemed that the wound didn't limit him like he thought, so he decided to try the more complicated moves.
There was still pain when he swung his arm or twisted his torso, but it was bearable. He managed to finish the entire set of exercises from his short training routine. When he noticed the boat on the horizon, he sat down, satisfied with his progress, and waited for them to arrive.
The whole group seemed to be proud of themselves, and when Bato put the traditional marks on their foreheads after they reached the shore, they still kept smiling. After they were done, they were going to return to the abbey.
"So, what do we do now?" Aang asked happily, as they were getting closer.
Bato glanced at his tribesmen and said "Well, since a message arrived, and I've recovered enough, I though about leaving the abbey today. If you wish to join me, you can come as well."
The siblings looked at each other with a bit of uncertainty.
"We haven't seen dad for so long, but..." Katara started hesitantly.
"Yeah..." Sokka knew what she had in mind "But how long would it take? Where would it take us?"
He didn't ask those questions directly to Bato, but the warrior knew what was that about.
"Well, this map only marks the place where they left the actual message about your father's plan. For that we would have to go up the river, but before I got injured, we were planning on sailing towards the eastern Earth Kingdom."
"That's..." Sokka squeezed his eyes as he knew what decision they had to take "We can't allow ourselves such long detour."
Katara smiled sadly "Yeah. We need to get Aang to the North Pole."
Bato however put his hands on their shoulder with a warm smile, and then pulled the scroll out of his pocket "I'm sure your father will understand. He's already proud of you."
He handed the scroll to Sokka "I already know where to go. If you wish to find us later, I'll leave the message there for you."
"Thanks." Sokka smiled with gratitude.
They continued walking until they reached the abbey. The Gaang approached Appa, who grumbled pleasantly at their sight.
"Alright, then it's time to say goodbye, right?" Sokka asked scratching his head goofily, as he stood in front of the bison.
"I guess so." Bato replied with a smile "Take care of yourselves, and-"
"Avatar, wait!"
Everyone turned their heads towards the voice. The Mother Superior hurried towards them, with one more sister. "Are you leaving already?" she asked with worry as she came closer.
"Uhm, yeah. We should be getting going. Thanks for having us." Aang responded courtly.
"Just wait a little longer, please. We have something to tell you."