An Ambush?!

-Zuko's Point of View-

It's been two days since we set sail, yet still, we don't even have a single clue where the Avatar might be.

If only Zhao didn't delay everything that time, then we wouldn't have lost the Avatar's trail. I would have captured him already!

Okay, let's just relax Zuko. Don't let your anger get the best of you. I'm sure we'll find the Avatar soon. I just need to be a little more patient.

I'm currently here in my quarters, meditating. This really helps ease my mind and control my temper. The candles in front of me help me control my breathing. Whenever I inhale, the fire becomes smaller but, as I exhale it would be bigger.

This is actually one of the basics my uncle taught me. The power of fire is from the breath. The bigger release of breath, the bigger the fire.

After a few more breaths, I tried concentrating on the places the Avatar might go to. The Air Temples would be a great place to search but I don't have the proper vehicles for that. We would need one of the Fire Nation tanks but I don't have it.

Besides, even if the Avatar did visit the Air Temples, he wouldn't stay there for long. There's no one there to welcome him. I'm sure a quirky 12-year-old would want to go someplace else, but where?

I tried pondering deeper about it but then the door to my room opened.

"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar," I said without looking at who it was that entered.

"Well, there is news Prince Zuko, but you might not like it. Don't get too upset."

"Uncle, you told me that keeping a leveled head is a sign of a great leader. Now, whatever you have to say, I'm sure I can take it," I said calmly, still not looking back at him.

"Okay then... We have no idea where he is," Uncle replied.

"WHAT?!" I shouted as I let out a huge release of breath making the candles' flames burst.

I jolted up and stood in front of my uncle.

"You really should open a window in here," he said as he took out a hand fan and flapped it against his face.

"Ugh! Give me the map!" I took the map from his other hand and looked at it.

"There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar, but he is impossible to track down," Uncle continued saying as he keeps flapping the hand fan on his face.

We've been to seven locations and all of them are empty! None! No Avatar!

"How am I gonna find him, uncle? He is clearly a master of evasive maneuvering," I told him back.

I studied the map and tried to tie the knots and connect the location points hoping that I would have an idea where he could be, but I can't!

Where are you Avatar, and what are you planning to do?

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-Maya's Point of View-

Okay. It's been two whole days since that crazy happening in the Southern Air Temple where we almost got blown off the mountain.

Also, it's been two whole days that our travel was peaceful and quiet. Well, except for Sokka's shouting and snoring, everything seems to be going fine. We haven't encountered a single firebender or any kind of ambush from any kind of people yet.

I said 'yet' because I know that as long as I'm with these three, something life-threatening is bound to happen.

Also, I still haven't read Mom's letters as well. For some reason, I never really got the chance to. Whenever I would sneak up to get the letters, Aang would always be there stopping me.

I tried reading them at night when they were all asleep but for some reason, Aang always wakes up even before I could get the chest.

I tried reading them before they all woke up, but then again, for some freaking reason, Aang is already awake and full of energy as soon as I open my eyes.

WHAT IS UP WITH THIS MONK REALLY?! I tried getting away from his sleeping schedule but I guess he doesn't have one.

If only I knew, I should have just enjoyed sleeping a little bit longer.

Ugh! I feel drained! I can't sleep now though, we are currently traveling mid-air. Appa is going a little bit fast so I don't think taking a nap would be safe.

The surface below us is plain water; no dry land. I wouldn't want to be fish food just cause I fell asleep. I'd rather stay awake.

I'm currently sitting beside Sokka. He is looking at the map he brought with him, trying to locate where Aang was planning to go.

"You have no idea where you're going, do you?" Sokka asked Aang.

"Well, I know it's near water," Aang replied.

Near water?! WE'VE BEEN ON TOP OF THE OCEAN FOR HOURS AND THERE'S STILL NO LAND.

Is it really safe to let a 12-year-old kid lead the way? I mean, sure he's the Avatar and he's lived his life way longer before us but, does he really know where he's going?!

If we continue like this, we might end up as Fire Nation slaves before we get to reach the north pole!

"I guess we're getting close then," Sokka said sarcastically.

I let out a sigh and just didn't bother. I wanted to say something and help Aang navigate but I think I should just let him. That's right. I'll put my trust in this young Avatar no matter what.

I leaned my back against the edge of Appa's saddle and just closed my eyes.

"You can say anything you like to say you know?" Sokka suddenly said but only loud enough for me to hear.

"What? What do you mean?" I said as I sit up straight and look at him. Did this guy just read my mind?

He placed the map down and leaned back as well with his hands behind his head.

"I have been with you since we were young, and I know you better than anyone else, even better than Katara does" he continued.

"Where are you going with this? What are you trying to say?" I asked him again.

"I've noticed it since you were a child but ever since your mom died, you've become passive. You always keep things to yourself and never said anything," Sokka said as he looked at the sky.

I just stared at him with a confused look until he looks back at me.

"What I want to say is... Sometimes you don't have to think too much about what other people would say about you. If you want to say something then say it. You don't have to keep things to yourself. We're a family now remember?" he said.

Okay, Sokka... It's hard for me to take whatever you just said seriously because of the way you look. Pft-HAHAHA!

"You want me to say anything I want to say?" I asked him with a mischievous smile. He nodded back at me with his eyes closed.

"Okay then... You look ridiculous without your pants on," I said with a smirk.

"He-hey! I can't help it! It got stuck on a tree branch!" he shouted as he tries to cover his bare legs.

I can't stop laughing! HAHAHA!

Oh, Sokka... But still, thank you for always noticing the little details about me. I think if we'd met under different circumstances, I would've wanted a guy like you for me. You always see me when the world treats me as invisible.

"Thank you anyway, but you got me wrong. I didn't bother saying anything not because I was afraid of what Aang would think of me, but because I trust him. I want to put my trust in him, and I believe that he won't get us lost nor will he ever put us in danger," I said while gently looking at Aang.

"You really like him, don't you? For you to trust him like that," Sokka said while looking at Aang.

"No. I don't think I like him. I think he's just a friend that I want to help and support all my life. Besides, with the war going on. I don't think there's time for romance," I answered.

"I like you," Sokka suddenly said. My eyes grew wide as I looked at him.

He looked at me and said, "I like your attitude, your outlook in life, and your courage. The way you always encourage every one of us, and how you're always there for us. I like that about you."

"That's why you're the best cousin I ever had. Even though you're not really my real cousin, I'm glad I was able to grow up with you around," Sokka added with a gentle smile on his face. Then he gave me a little bump on the arm.

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-Sokka's Point of View-

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked Maya. She looked really shocked at what I said.

"Nothing... I thought you... Never mind," she answered. I smiled at her.

"You thought I like you? C'mon! You're my cousin! I'll never catch feelings for a relative you know? That's gross!" I teased.

"Yeah... Haha... That would really be weird," she awkwardly said.

"You're getting weird like Katara," I teased once more and then I laughed.

But to be honest, the moment I heard you say we're not related in any way, it may sound weird and selfish, but I was happy.

Maybe in another life Maya... But here, having you as a cousin is more than I could wish for. I just hope you'd realize your feelings for the Avatar and stop being dense.

Katara won't go for immature kids like him. I know Katara, she prefers the mature type with the same level of maturity as her.

No time for romance you say? That's just a hoax, an excuse. Once love hits, no matter what it takes, you'll definitely make time, even if making time means you'll need to wait.

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-Maya's Point of View-

"Hey, Katara! Check out this airbending trick!" I suddenly heard Aang say. Sokka and I both looked at him.

He took out two marbles and then he made them go into a circular motion using air.

"That's great Aang," Katara said but her eyes were fixed on sewing Sokka's torn pants.

"You didn't even look," Aang said as he stopped doing the trick.

Katara stopped sewing and then she looked at Aang, "That's great!" she exclaimed.

"But I'm not doing it now," Aang replied.

Yikes... That's an awkward conversation right there.

"I saw it Aang! It was a cool trick!" I said with a big smile, trying to ease the atmosphere before it gets awkward.

"Thanks..." Aang replied to me sadly while still looking at Katara.

Yikes... It's now more awkward than ever...

"Stop bugging her airhead. You need to give girls space when they do their sewing," Sokka suddenly said.

"What does me being a girl, have to do with sewing?" Katara asked with a little irritated tone in her voice.

Oh boy. Here we go again. Another sibling fight.

"Simple. Girls are better at fixing pants than guys, and guys are better at hunting and fighting, and stuff like that. It's just the natural order of things," Sokka explained.

Okay, hold up. What? What is this sexism I am hearing?

As much as I would like to stop them from quarreling, I think I might have to side with Katara on this one.

"All done with your pants! And look at what a great job I did!" Katara exclaimed sarcastically and then she threw Sokka's pants to his face.

"Ugh! Wait! I was just kidding! I can't wear these! Katara please!" Sokka pleaded as he passed his arm through the hole in his pants.

Katara didn't answer him and she just looked away.

Sokka then turned to me and said, "Maya! Please, help me out?"

I looked at him angrily and then I replied, "You sounded so cool and mature just a few minutes ago, but I guess now you wouldn't mind a little bit of air down there," and then I looked away from him.

"W-what? You too? C'mon, girls! Help me out! Aren't I a brother?" Sokka pleaded to the two of us but neither I nor Katara looked.

"Relax Sokka! Where we're going, you won't need any pants," Aang said and then he made Appa fly faster.

After a few minutes of not talking to Sokka, and him being sulky at the edge of the saddle, I grabbed his pants, finished up the sewing, and threw it right onto his face.

"There, your pants are fixed," I said while still grumpy.

Sokka grabbed the pants and then he cheerfully said, "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Maya!"

"Don't ever let me hear you talk like that again about women, or else you're on your own," I warned.

"I won't ever do it again. I promise," Sokka seriously said and then he hurriedly wore his pants.

"You're spoiling him for doing that. No wonder he grew up to be such a spoiled brat," Katara suddenly said.

"This is actually a warning. Right, Sokka? You won't do it again anymore right?" I asked with a glare on my face.

"Ye-yes! O-of course! You have my word," Sokka answered and then he leaned back.

"We're here!" Aang suddenly shouted and then he led Appa to an island filled with mountains.

We landed on the shore of the island, and as soon as Appa touched the ground Aang looked at the waters as if he was searching for something.

One by one, Sokka, Katara, and I jumped out of Appa's saddle.

"We just made a pit stop yesterday. Shouldn't we get a little more flying done before we camp out?" Sokka asked.

"He's right. At this rate, we won't get to the north pole until spring," Katara agreed.

"It's fine guys. I'm sure we can just stay for a while before we fly again. We won't take too long here right Aang?" I said as I looked at Aang.

"Huh? Oh yeah, right," Aang said but his eyes are fixed on the ocean.

"Maya, even if it's just for a while, a delay is still a delay," Katara told me.

"C'mon Katara! Just for a moment! Besides, Appa's tired already, aren't you boy?" Aang pleaded as he looked deeply into Katara's eyes and then gave Appa a nudge.

When Appa grunted a little, Aang nudged him as he repeated, "I said, aren't you boy?" And then Appa yawns loudly.

"Yeah, that was really convincing. Well, I guess staying for a few minutes won't be bad," Sokka agreed.

"Really Sokka? You're buying that?" Katara asked.

"What? Appa said he was tired. It's hard to argue with a 10-ton magical monster," Sokka replied.

"Then we're camping out!" I excitingly said. "Hey Aang, you heard that?" I said again, but when I looked at him he was already near the water.

"Guys look!" he shouted as he pointed towards the sea. After he said that, a gigantic fish leaped from under the water.

All three of us ran to where Aang was to get a closer look.

We were all dumbfounded and went silent. It was so huge! Imagine having that thing for dinner! It could feed you for weeks!

"That's why we're here! Elephant koi! And I'm going to ride it," Aang said as he one by one took off his clothes and left only his underwear on.

"Katara you've got to watch me!" Aang exclaimed.

So he is impressing Katara. I can't believe how lucky this cousin of mine is. The Avatar likes her! But why does it look like she's not attracted in any way?

Then Aang ran to the water and dived right into it, but then he jumps back up while shouting, "COLD!!!!"

All three of us were left there standing while watching Aang swim closer to one of the elephant koi fish. When one appeared, he grabbed its dorsal fin.

The koi fish jumped in and out of the water while Aang was riding it. He was waving his hands at us.

I then waved back at him and shouted, "Wooh! Go Aang!"

"He looks pretty good out there!" I told them.

"Are you kidding? The fish is doing all the work," Sokka disagreed.

I looked at Katara and although I saw her smile, she doesn't seem too excited about it.

"Alright guys, I'm going to set up camp now," Katara said and then she walked back to where Appa was.

"No Appa! Don't eat that! Maya! Help!" I suddenly heard a shout. I turned around and I saw Katara trying to stop Appa from eating wild bushes.

I hurriedly ran towards her. I pulled Appa by the rope tied to his horns and Katara tried to push him away from the bushes.

"Appa we're not sure if that's poisonous, stop that!" Katara shouted.

"Appa, stop! I know you're hungry but we'll find some proper food!" I shouted.

When both of us were struggling, Sokka suddenly shouted from the shore, "There's something in the water!"

Oh, come on! What now?!

Appa then suddenly stopped eating and it lay down. I think he was already full. How long has he been eating out?

Katara ran towards Sokka and I followed behind her.

"What's wrong?" Katara asked as soon as she got close.

"Aang's in trouble," Sokka replied and then he shouted, "AANG!"

"AANG GET OUT OF THERE!" I then shouted too.

"AANG! STOP NOW!" Katara shouted as well.

Momo was with us, he was jumping up and down in a state of panic. He's also trying to get Aang out of the water.

"Get back here Aang!" Sokka shouted once more.

We were all shouting his name and waving our arms trying to tell him to get out of the water but Aang just waved back at us.

Just then Aang got thrown to the water when the fish he was riding on was pulled down beneath the surface.

When Aang landed on the water, a huge dorsal fin emerged from underneath. This time it was ten times larger than the elephant koi and it was also dark in color.

As soon as Aang saw it, he started running on top of the water as fast as he could.

H-he can float on water?!

The large sea creature tried chasing him but Aang was too fast. Aang wasn't even able to stop himself that's why he ran to Sokka and both of them crashed into a tree.

The sea creature went away. Katara and I ran to where the two boys landed.

Sokka was completely knocked down to the ground, while Aang was already up on his feet, dressing himself up.

"Sokka are you alright?" I asked.

"Yup! Never been better!" he replied while sticking out his thumb.

I helped Sokka stand up and then Katara looked at Aang and asked, "What is that thing?"

"I don't know," Aang answered while wearing his shirt.

"Well, let's not stick around to find out. Time to hit the road," Sokka said as he brushed off the sand from his hands and clothes.

"Sokka's right. You got to do what you wanted to Aang, so let's head out. I guess we won't be camping for now," Katara agreed.

After she said that, people in armed suits pounced at us and ambushed us.

One grabbed Sokka on the underarms and pinned him down. The other one grabbed Katara's hood and blocked her vision. Another one grabbed Aang by the collar and threw him to the ground.

There was another soldier behind me who tried to wrap me in his arms but I grabbed him and threw him to the ground.

What is this? They're women!

Her reinforcements came and they all attacked me at once, so I was unable to fight back.

They blindfolded me and tied me up. I wasn't able to see but I guess that's what they also did to the others.

One by one they pushed us to the ground while tied up. I even heard Momo. Did they tie up Momo too? What do these people plan to do?

"I guess we could stay awhile," I heard Sokka say.

"We did not do anything wrong let us go!" Katara shouted.

None of the soldiers were talking. All of a sudden, they carried us and started walking.

"Where are you bringing us?" I asked but no one, not one of them answered.

Remember when I said, we weren't being ambushed by anyone yet? Well, here it is!

I regretted having two peaceful days... It's backfiring now.