Chapter 7: Tuka Of The Northern Water Tribe

Hi again, just making up for the time we lost between chapter 4 and 5.

Also, if you liked the story and wish to support this cause, feel free to do so, it would be highly appreciated and don't forget to leave a review.

until next time.

The sun hovered low on the horizon, casting a dim orange glow across Ember Island as the group gathered in the courtyard of the Fire Lord's vacation manor. The past few days had felt like a blur—filled with endless preparation, tense discussions about plans, and training sessions that pushed them all to the edge. Now, the time had come to leave the island behind and face the grim reality that awaited them. Sozin's Comet was drawing nearer, and the fate of the world lay heavy on their shoulders.

The manor was quiet, save for the distant sound of waves crashing against the rocky shoreline. Appa stood patiently in the open courtyard, his saddle already packed with their supplies, the group, though physically prepared, wore the weight of their responsibilities on their faces.

Zuko was the last to step outside, glancing over the assembled group. His brow furrowed with focus, but there was a heaviness to his expression. His eyes, darkened by sleepless nights, flicked over Katara, Suki, and Toph, who stood waiting.

"Is everyone ready?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying the urgency of what lay ahead.

"Looks like it," Suki replied, adjusting the straps of her gear. She glanced over at Toph, who was stretching her arms out, limbering up as usual.

Toph shifted her feet, her brow furrowing slightly as her seismic sense stretched across the courtyard. She paused, her head tilting to the side as though something had struck her as strange. "Wait," she said, frowning as she pressed her feet harder into the ground. "Where's Aang?"

A wave of silence crashed over the group. Zuko froze, his eyes narrowing. His gaze instinctively darted toward the house, as if expecting Aang to suddenly emerge from the shadows.

"Aang should've been here by now," Katara said, her voice tense as she glanced around the courtyard. "He always comes out to feed Appa. Maybe he's still inside."

Toph shook her head, her brow furrowed. "No, he's not. I'd feel him if he were anywhere nearby." She stamped her foot lightly, sending small ripples through the earth, listening to what the vibrations would tell her. "He's nowhere in the house."

"He has to be here somewhere," Zuko said, his voice tense with growing concern. "He wouldn't just vanish."

They quickly spread out, scouring the manor, the unease now palpable. The once-beautiful estate, with its expansive rooms and ornate décor, felt darker, its grand hallways now hollow as they searched, calling for Aang. Every corner, every room they entered held nothing but silence. Zuko's frustration began to simmer. Each room they left untouched, each shadowy corridor they moved through, only deepened the anxiety clawing at them.

They moved through the halls of the manor, checking room after room. The old, dusty chambers felt hollow, like echoes of lives long gone. The tapestries on the walls hung lifeless, the furniture untouched by time. But as they searched, they found nothing but empty spaces.

"He's not in the training room," Zuko said, his voice tight as he returned from the far end of the house.

"I checked the kitchen and his usual spots," Suki added, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Nothing."

Zuko clenched his fists, frustration flashing in his eyes. "Then where is he?"

The question hung in the air, unanswered.

They continued the search, but with each empty room, the panic within Katara grew. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her hands trembling as the realization began to sink in—Aang wasn't in the house.

When they finally reached the last room, Zuko stopped, his eyes narrowing as he noticed something out of place. There, leaning against the wall, untouched and gleaming faintly in the morning light, was Aang's staff—his glider.

"Wait, there's Aang's staff." Zuko's expression darkened. "Why would he leave his staff?"

Katara stepped forward, her breath catching in her throat. "He wouldn't," she whispered, her voice shaking. "He never leaves it behind."

Zuko's jaw tightened. Something was wrong—very wrong. He turned toward the others, his voice sharp. "Let's check the beach."

When they reached the beach, the vast expanse of sand stretched before them, empty and untouched, except for the occasional imprint of wind-dragged seaweed. The sun was higher now, casting long shadows across the sand, but there was no sign of Aang.

"He's not here," Suki said, her voice almost hollow. She scanned the shoreline, searching for any trace, but her expression quickly darkened.

Toph stepped forward, crouching down on the sand, her fingers pressing lightly against the ground. She closed her eyes, her senses focusing, feeling the faintest of vibrations through the shifting earth. The waves crashed nearby, but beneath the noise, she could feel something—small, uneven depressions in the sand.

"There are footprints," Toph said, her voice soft but certain. "Aang's. He walked this way."

Katara's heart skipped a beat, hope flickering briefly in her chest. "Where do they lead?"

Toph straightened slowly, her brow furrowing as she continued to feel the sand beneath her. "They… they go straight into the ocean."

The group stared at her, the words not registering at first. Katara's face went pale, her body tensing. "Into the ocean?" Her voice cracked. "No. No, that can't be right. What if he was captured? "

Her voice wavered with rising panic, but Zuko shook his head, his expression grim but steady. "No." He gestured to the sand, to the smooth surface where Aang's footsteps had been perfectly preserved. "There's no sign of a struggle. If someone had taken him, there'd be more footprints. More people."

Katara blinked, struggling to process his words. "But… his footsteps just vanish into the water?"

Zuko nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the sea. The waves lapped gently at the shore, calm and undisturbed, but something about it felt wrong—like a hidden current waiting to pull them under. "It doesn't make sense."

Suki stepped closer, her arms crossed, frustration written across her face. "Okay, so if he wasn't taken, and he didn't leave by force, what happened?"

Zuko didn't answer. His jaw tightened as he stared at the horizon, the vast stretch of ocean taunting him with its emptiness. He felt helpless, the silence around them growing more oppressive by the second. Every answer they sought seemed further away.

Toph tilted her head, her face scrunched up in thought. "Maybe… maybe he ran away."

Zuko's eyes snapped toward her, his voice sharp. "No. He wouldn't do that. His staff is still here, and Appa's still in the courtyard. Aang wouldn't run away without them."

After a moment of silence, Toph continued." Hey, anyone notice, Momo's missing too?"

The sun had climbed higher in the sky by now, the morning slipping away unnoticed as they searched the island. Hours passed, and as the day turned into late afternoon, the light began to fade again. Their search had turned up nothing—no trace of Aang, no clues to what had happened.

They reconvened in the courtyard as the evening shadows began to stretch across the manor. The atmosphere was thick with frustration and dread, the hours of searching taking their toll on all of them.

Suki was the first to break the silence. Her voice was quiet but filled with a heavy sense of defeat. "This is bad. First, we lose Sokka, and now we lose Aang. There's no way you guys will be able to face the Fire Lord now."

Her words lingered in the air, heavy with truth. The reality of their situation was sinking in, and the desperation was palpable. Zuko stood off to the side, arms crossed, staring out at the darkening sky. He was silent for a moment before nodding grimly.

"You're right," Zuko said, his voice low, "but that also means we can't afford to split up. Not anymore."

Suki turned toward him, her eyes narrowing in irritation. She held his gaze for a moment, her jaw clenched, but then her shoulders slumped, and she let out a long sigh.

"Fine," Suki muttered, her tone softening. "Then what do we do now?"

The group fell silent, each of them lost in their own thoughts. But as the silence stretched, all eyes slowly turned toward Zuko. He felt their stares, but for a moment, he didn't move. His gaze was locked on the horizon, as if searching for something—an answer, a sign, anything.

After a long pause, Zuko finally turned to face them, his expression unreadable. "Why are you all looking at me?"

Katara crossed her arms and tilted her head. "Well, you're kind of the expert when it comes to hunting the Avatar."

Toph nodded, grinning faintly. "Yeah. If anyone knows where Aang might be, it's you."

Zuko let out a long breath, turning away again as he mulled over their words. His past, his time spent relentlessly chasing Aang across the world, felt like a dark cloud that loomed over him. But now, that knowledge might be the only thing that could help them.

"I think…" Zuko said slowly, the pieces starting to come together in his mind. "I think I have an idea."

The pale light of morning filtered through the narrow windows of the tower room, illuminating the dark stone walls with muted shades of gold. Despite the luxury of the space—rich tapestries, polished wooden furniture, and a bed far softer than any prison bed should be—Sokka felt trapped. His body still ached from the "interrogation" Azula had subjected him to, on the Airship.

He tried to ignore the pain, focusing instead on the cool sensation of water gliding across his skin. The Water Tribe woman, had been tending to him for some time now, her hands moving fluidly as she directed her healing water over his bruises. The familiar glow of her bending calmed him, but not enough to shake the bitterness he felt knowing she served the Fire Nation.

Sokka shifted slightly, wincing as the sharp sting of a bruise flared up under her healing touch. His thoughts wandered back to the last time he had encountered her—at the Boiling Rock—and yet, despite all that had happened, he still didn't know much about her and then there's still the fact that she had aligned herself with the enemy, gnawed at him.

"Let me guess," Sokka muttered, breaking the silence with his trademark sarcasm. "You were sent by Azula."

Tuka didn't look up, her expression calm and unreadable. "Stay still," she said, her tone detached as her waterbending flowed seamlessly across his injuries.

Sokka sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, no problem," he muttered, staring up at the ceiling as if it would somehow make things less tense. Being treated by someone from his own people but sent by Azula, felt like a betrayal in itself, even if her intentions were unclear.

The quiet between them grew heavier, the only sounds in the room the soft hum of the water and Sokka's slow breathing. After a few moments, he couldn't resist breaking the silence again. "I didn't get your name earlier," he said, his voice softening just slightly. "Seems like we should at least know each other, seeing as how this is the second time you've patched me up."

Tuka hesitated for a moment, then continued her work. "My name is Tuka," she replied, her tone even. "Tuka of the Northern Water Tribe."

"Nice to meet you Tuka, I'm Sokka... Sokka of the Sou—"

She cut him off, her voice sharper now. "I know who you are. Princess Azula has spoken of you."

Sokka narrowed his eyes at her, his irritation flaring up. "Oh, great," he said, the sarcasm thick in his voice. "Azula's been talking about me? Must be all good things, right?

Tuka's face remained impassive, but her tone cooled as she spoke. "Yes, she told me all about you and your friends."

Sokka's irritation grew. He shifted slightly in bed, trying to contain his anger. "Did she now?" he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You know she's insane, right?"

Tuka's hands didn't falter as she healed him, but her voice cut in coldly. "Indeed, for having you treated."

Sokka's anger flared again, and he sat up a little, his voice rising. "From the wounds, she caused!" he snapped, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. How could anyone defend Azula after what she had done?

Tuka's face remained impassive, her tone cold as she spoke. "Be grateful you're still alive."

Sokka's breath caught in his throat. Grateful? Alive? The words hung in the air like poison, and Sokka could feel the anger bubbling up inside him. He clenched his fists beneath the blankets, his knuckles turning white as he glared at her. "Grateful?" he spat. "Alive? Are you listening to yourself? She's is a maniac! I can't believe you'd serve something like that!"

"Something like what?"

The words sliced through the air, cold and sharp. Sokka's heart jolted in his chest, and Tuka froze mid-motion. Neither of them had noticed Azula's arrival. She stood in the doorway, her amber eyes gleaming with barely restrained fury, her presence suffocating. She'd been standing there long enough to have heard their conversation, long enough for Sokka to know he had said too much.

His pulse quickened, but he forced his expression to remain neutral, though his hands clenched into fists under the blanket. He glared at her, unwilling to show any hint of fear.

Tuka straightened immediately, turning swiftly to face the princess of the Fire Nation, who stood poised like a predator ready to strike. Tuka bowed deeply, the tension in her shoulders evident.

"Princess Azula," Tuka greeted, her voice soft and respectful, though it wavered slightly. "I wasn't expecting you."

Azula's expression didn't soften. Her glare remained locked on Sokka, her fury barely concealed behind her calm exterior. "That's Fire Lord to you now, Tuka."

Tuka's bow deepened, her hands pressed together as she spoke with greater reverence. "Forgive me, I didn't know."

Azula's cold eyes finally shifted away from Sokka, and she waved a hand dismissively. "Rise, Tuka. Its okay, there will be plenty of bowing to do later." Her voice was flat, laced with irritation, as though the very act of being in the room with Sokka annoyed her.

Tuka stood slowly, her face composed, but there was tension in the air. Sokka, despite the pain in his body, could feel the unease radiating off the healer. Azula had that effect on everyone.

"How is he doing?" Azula asked, her voice smooth but laced with impatience.

"He's recovering quicker than expected," Tuka replied promptly, "but I still need to finish my treatment."

"Good," Azula said with a curt nod. Her voice lowered slightly as she added, "Once you're finished, have him sent to the palace immediately."

Sokka's heart skipped a beat at her words. The palace. That could only mean more interrogation, more torture—maybe even worse than before. He clenched his fists beneath the blankets, his mind racing. There was no way he was going to let her drag him off again, and again.

"You're crazy," he shot back, his voice filled with defiance. "If you think I'd go willingly.

Azula didn't even bother to look at him. She ignored his protest entirely, her attention remaining on Tuka, as if Sokka's defiance meant nothing. "Did you inform him regarding his little task?" Azula asked, her voice icy and detached.

Tuka hesitated, her brow furrowing. "No, I have not " She shifted nervously before adding, "Princ-Fire Lord Azula. If I may… are you sure this will even work?"

Azula's eyes flashed with a dangerous gleam, and she turned slightly, her posture rigid. "Of course," she replied, her voice sharp with irritation. "Do you doubt my intellect?"

Tuka's eyes widened, and she bowed her head quickly in submission. "No, never, It's just—"

Before she could finish, Sokka sat up, ignoring the pain that flared in his ribs. His eyes darted between the two women, his confusion and suspicion growing. "Tuka," he said, his voice low and cautious, "what is she talking about?"

Azula turned toward him then, her irritation finally spilling over into a sneer. Her amber eyes locked onto his, filled with contempt. "You know," she began, her voice dripping with disdain, "your foolishness never ceases to amaze me. That mouth of yours will surely get you incinerated.

Sokka, never one to back down, met her gaze head-on, his expression defiant. "I could say the same about yours."

Azula's eyes widened with fury, her face twisting with rage. "Ugh!" she hissed, her voice rising. "You insolent worm!" Her hand twitched, fire igniting at her fingertips, and she took a threatening step toward him, her anger boiling over.

Before she could strike, Tuka stepped between them, bowing low and extending her hands in a calming gesture. "Please, your majesty," she said quickly, her voice firm but cautious. "Not now. He needs to rest."

Azula's glare lingered on Sokka for a moment longer, the fire still crackling in her hands. Her breathing was sharp, her fury barely contained. Then, with a sharp exhale, she extinguished the flames and straightened her posture, forcing herself to regain control.

"You're right," Azula said with a cold, measured tone. "I would just be wasting my time."

She turned her attention back to Sokka, her eyes narrowing as she regarded him with thinly veiled disgust. "So," she began, her voice dripping with condescension, "you were thinking about warning your friends."

Sokka's body tensed. He remained silent, glaring at her, refusing to answer. He wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.

Azula's smile returned, this time a wicked smirk that sent a chill down his spine. "Well," she continued, "that's exactly what you're going to do."

Sokka's eyes widened in shock. His heart pounded as her plan began to unfold in his mind. She was going to use him to trap his friends, and he hadn't even realized it until now. She would force him to lead them into her grasp—right here, in the heart of the Fire Nation.

Azula seemed to savor his realization as she continued, her voice smooth and calculated. "Immediately after this, you will start writing the letter with whatever sob story you have in mind." She stepped closer, her smirk deepening. "Make it believable. Make them believe you escaped somehow. Then, you will bring them to me, so I can read it before we send them off."

Sokka's throat tightened. He tried to speak, his voice faltering slightly. "How's that even going to work. I don't know where they are," he protested. "I have no idea where they were headed after the Western Air Temple."

Azula had already turned her back on him, making her way to the door. But before leaving, she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming with cold amusement. "I don't care," she said icily. "You're smart. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

The sky above was painted in fading shades of purple and orange as the sun dipped lower, slowly sinking behind the horizon. The evening air was cool and carried the scent of the ocean as Appa soared high above the waves, his massive body moving rhythmically with the steady flapping of his tail. The group was quiet, huddled together on the giant bison's saddle, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The sun was setting on more than just the day—it was setting on their time.

They had one day left.

Zuko sat at the front of the saddle, his gaze fixed on the distant outline of land that was slowly appearing ahead of them. The Earth Kingdom. His plan was clear in his mind, but explaining it to the others was a different matter. It wasn't that he didn't trust them—it was that he wasn't sure how much hope he could really offer. Aang was missing, and without him, they stood no chance against the Fire Lord.

Time was slipping through their fingers, and every moment wasted felt like another nail in their collective coffin.

The wind whipped past them, the sound of Appa's steady breathing and the occasional grunt the only noise cutting through the silence. Katara was sitting to Zuko's right, staring at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Her brother was captured, Aang went missing, and now Zuko was taking them to the Earth Kingdom with little explanation. She trusted him—more than she once had—but that didn't mean she wasn't worried.

Suki broke the silence first. She shifted in her seat, glancing around at the others before turning her attention to Zuko, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Uh, Zuko," she began cautiously, her voice cutting through the wind, "I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but… why are we going back to the Earth Kingdom?"

Zuko's jaw tightened. He didn't turn to face her, his eyes remaining fixed ahead on the distant coastline. "Just trust me," he said, his voice low but determined.

Suki frowned at his response. "Zuko, that's not an answer. We've been flying an hour, and you haven't told us why we're heading back to the Earth Kingdom. We need to know."

Katara nodded, her concern evident as she chimed in. "She's right, there's no way Aang is there. He went missing in the Fire Nation. Why would he suddenly be in the Earth Kingdom?"

"I know what you're saying," Zuko said quietly, still not turning around. "But I have a plan."

The others exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. Zuko had proven himself to them time and time again, but in this moment, when everything felt like it was falling apart, trust was fragile.

Suki pressed on, her tone firm but not unkind. "That's still doesn't answer my question, Zuko." she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied his back. "You do realize, The comet will be here by tomorrow?"

The words hit Zuko like a punch to the gut. One day. It wasn't much time, and they all knew it. The sense of urgency was as thick as the wind that whipped around them. He could feel their doubt pressing in, but he couldn't let it sway him. He couldn't afford to fail.

Zuko's mind raced back to when he first met her. The bounty hunter. His thoughts wandered to June—the bounty hunter he had once sent after Aang and the others. Her shirshu, Nyla, could track anyone, anywhere, if it had something of theirs to follow. Right now, they had Aang's staff. It was their best lead, their only lead.

He replayed the memory of his encounter with June. She was gruff, ruthless, and only cared about the reward, but she was reliable. If anyone could help them track Aang, it was her. But convincing the others that seeking out a bounty hunter was their best option? That was a different story.

Zuko finally turned to face them, his expression grim but resolute. "We're going to find June," he said, his voice steady. "The bounty hunter."

Katara's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "June?" she repeated, the name stirring memories from their past encounters with her. "Why? What does she have to do with this?"

"Remember, June has a shirshu, Nyla," Zuko explained. "Nyla can track anyone, anywhere, as long as we have something of theirs to track and we have Aang's staff, so-."

A flicker of hope passed across Katara's face, though it was quickly tempered by caution. "You really think she can find him?"

Zuko nodded. "If anyone can track him, it's her."

Toph looked thoughtful, "It's risky," she admitted. "But it's better than flying around aimlessly hoping we stumble across him."

Katara's expression softened, the desperation in her eyes easing just a little. "Okay," she said, her voice quiet but resolute. "We'll trust you."

The tension between them seemed to lift, if only slightly. Zuko nodded gratefully, turning his attention back to the horizon. The Earth Kingdom coastline was growing larger, and they were getting closer to their destination. He could feel the weight of the plan pressing down on him, but for the first time in hours, he felt like they had a real chance.

As the sky darkened, the cool breeze turning into a chill, the group fell into silence once more. The enormity of the task before them was weighing heavily on everyone's mind. Sozin's Comet was only a day away, and they were running out of time.

Every second that passed was one more second closer to the comet, one more second closer to his father's inevitable victory if they couldn't stop him. But this plan—finding June, finding Aang—was their last hope.

He couldn't afford to think about what would happen if it didn't work.

"We'll find him," Zuko whispered to himself, his hands tightening on the edge of the saddle. "We have to."