(1) Augmentum | Zuko

Chapter Twelve

Aang sits cross-legged in front of Rana on the back of Noivern as he flies through the sky. He's trying to teach her some air-bending tricks. He's the only one that can now. Below them, Appa flies with Sokka, Katara and Wartotle, Vixen having joined Rockruff in the ball for rest. Clearly, the two of them are not huge fans of flying or perhaps Sokka. There is an apple resting between Aang and Rana in the saddle and he's trying to get her to move it, to spin it with air-bending. But she's not great at it. Not about thinking about it. Dark clouds roll in, covering the stars as she gets frustrated with herself. Aang knows she's shown air-bending before. She just has to actually think about doing it now. She lets out an annoyed breath at herself. Aang then shows off how easy it can be and she snatches out and takes the apple. She knows that if she was raised to be this True Elemental figure, this would be easy for her. But she wasn't. She should know all of this already. But she doesn't. Because Zhao never told her. Because he never thought to prepare her for it. Why would he? The Fire Nation knew that Avatar would stop them one day, why would they allow them a powerful ally in her? They wouldn't. She takes a bite of the apple whilst staring at Aang who sighs.

"It's been days, Rah" Aang complains laying back on the saddle. "You can do this" He reaches into the pouch next to him and takes out another apple as he sits up. "Just spin it once..." He holds out the apple towards her. "And we can take a break for the day"

"I can protect you just fine without learning this" She argues as lightning cracks through the sky above them. They both lookup.

"Maybe we should put a hold on this" Rana then points out. If a storm is blowing in then they need to focus on flying. Aang hums in agreement and then nods.

............

Aang sits on the back of Appa and sighs. He thought it would be easy. Teaching Rana some air-bending techniques, but she's stubborn. Too caught up in fire-bending techniques.

"Did she?" Sokka asks and gives Aang a look, Aang shakes his head and shrugs.

"She gets stuck in her head" Aang offers. "Thinks about it too much" He sighs and rests his chin in his hand. "Last time she did it, I don't think she even thought about it"

"So trick her into doing it" Sokka offers. Aang looks at him and raises an eyebrow.

"No" Katara scolds them both. "Because you'll both do something that puts her in danger"

"Hey, Aang" Aang looks up towards Noivern as Rana shouts at him. The apple hits him in the face, sending him off the side of Appa. Rana smirks. "How's that for air-bending?!" She shouts after him as the storm clouds dissipate above them.

..........

Days later; Zuko is sitting in the lotus position in front of an altar in his quarters on the ship. Four white candles are burning in front of him, the flames rise and fall with Zuko's rhythmic breathing. His face is calm and concentrated when the door to his quarters opens and Iroh enters the room.

"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar" Zuko points out before his uncle can say a thing. Iroh enters cautiously, a map tucked under his arm.

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

"Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader" Zuko reminds him. "Now whatever you have to say, I'm sure that I can take it"

"Okay, then... we have no idea where he is"

"WHAT?!" The four candles flare to the ceiling with Zuko's wrath. He stands quickly and turns around to face his uncle, his anger evident on his face. Iroh turns away from the flames and raises his right arm to protect his face. As the flames subside, he pulls a fan out of his robes.

"You really should open a window in here" Iroh comments fanning himself, Zuko snatches the map from him.

"Give me the map!" Zuko opens the rolled scroll and begins to study it. Iroh continues to fan himself.

"There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar, but he is impossible to track down" Iroh points out.

"How am I gonna find him, Uncle?" He looks down at the map marked with circled Xs and dotted lines connecting the reported Avatar sightings. The lines zigzag all over the landmass drawings. "He is clearly a master of evasive manoeuvring"

.....

Sokka, Katara, Rana and Aang riding Appa through the air. Noivern flies through the clouds above them sans saddle. Wartortle and Vulpix are nowhere to be seen. They've retreated into the crystal ball with Rockruff to rest. Flying constantly is hard on all of them. Less so for Noivern, he's a flying pokemon. Sokka stares down at a map looking rather exasperated.

"You have no idea where you're going, do you?" Sokka asks. Aang turns his head back to answer.

"Weeelll, I know it's near water..." Aang answers. Sokka stares out at the expanse of the endless stretch of water they are flying over.

"I guess we're getting close then" Sokka offers dryly. Rana leans back, fingers curling into Appa's fur as Katara sews, mending a garment. Aang has his head turned back, watching her. Momo, who is also watching Katara, is sitting on Aang's left shoulder.

"Momo, marbles please" Momo scrambles into Aang's shirt making noises. He returns with a marble and hands it to Aang. Aang smiles eagerly and cups the marble in his two hands. "Hey, Katara! Check out this air-bending trick!" Aang suspends the marble between his two hands and makes it whirl around and around in mid-air. He is grinning happily at Katara, wanting her attention. Katara is preoccupied, though, and does not look up from her sewing.

"That's great, Aang"

"You didn't even look" Aang argues, Katara stops her sewing and looks at him.

"That's great!"

"But I'm not doing it now" Aang whispers, disappointed. Sokka folds the map away and then relaxes against the back of Appa's saddle, he waves his arm dismissively in Aang and Katara's direction.

"Stop bugging her, airhead" Sokka scolds. "You need to give girls space when they do their sewing" Katara stops her needle in midair and turns her head towards Sokka. Her face is a mixture of annoyance and anger.

"What does me being a girl have to do with sewing?" Katara asks, Rana looks down and away not really wanting to get involved in this argument.

"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 comments.

"Right" Katara draws out. "Do you think Rana is better at 'girl' stuff too?" She asks. "With her being an impressive swordswoman and fire-bender?" Sokka looks at Rana who cocks her head and raises an eyebrow waiting for his answer.

"Well" Sokka comments, Rana and Katara share a look. Katara nods and turns back to Sokka.

"All done with your pants! And look what a great job I did!" Katara glowers at Sokka and throws his pants at him. They hit him in the head.

"Wait! I was just kidding! I can't wear these!" He sticks his arm through the big hole in the seat of his pants. "Katara, PLEASE!"

"Don't worry, Sokka" Aang reassures him. "Where we're going, you won't need any pants!" He gives a pull on the reins and Appa and swoops down in the sky, glowering. Katara looks at Rana who lets out a breath and shrugs. She has no idea what that means. She's not sure she wants to know.