The Honor of Love (ATLA fanfic)

37. Finding Aang

"He must be somewhere on Ember Island, let's go and look for him." Katara said when we gathered on the beach to look for Aang. "I'm going with Zuko!" Toph exclaimed when she clung onto his arm. "What? Everyone else went on a life-changing field trip with Zuko, now it's my turn." She said with a big smile.

"Fine," I said, slightly annoyed by Zuko's blushing cheeks, "I will take Appa and look around the island with-"
"-Me!" Sokka said with a big smile.
"Alright," I said, surprised by his enthusiasm, "uh, Suki, Katara, you'll check the town?"
Katara and Suki nodded. "Sounds like a good plan, let's go." Zuko said.

Katara and Suki walked away to get into the town while Sokka was getting Appa. Zuko walked up to me, noticing my worried face. "Don't worry Iz, we will find him." Zuko said as he stroked my arm.
I sighed. "I just hope he's okay..." I mumbled, looking down at my feet.
"He is, and we'll get him. I will see you soon, okay?" Zuko said and he kissed me before walking away with Toph.

"Iz, are you coming?" Sokka asked. I turned around and looked at Sokka, who was on top was Appa. Sokka reached out his hand and helped me up on Appa. "Yip yip." He said when I was settled in. We flew over the beach, looking down the waves to see any sign of Aang. There wasn't any.

I laid my hand on my bump, stroking it gently. "Can you feel anything yet?" Sokka asked, looking at me.
"No, it's too early for that." I said while looking down at my small bump.
"I hope it's a boy, that's gonna be so much fun to teach him the way with the ladies." Sokka smirked.

I laughed and grinned broadly. Sokka looked at me and started to laugh as well. When we were finished laughing Sokka suddenly looked sad.
"Though I guess we won't be seeing each other much." Sokka said with a faint smile.
"We could meet somewhere half way twice a year." I said sheepishly. "Yeah, that might work." Sokka said, thinking about it.

"But first we need to fight and defeat the Fire Lord. And find Aang... Sheesh, I hope he's okay." I said, shaking my head.
"Do you think he ran away again?" Sokka asked carefully.
"I don't think so. He wouldn't have done that to us. He alone can defeat Ozai, he knows that. I'm sure he left for a reason."
"Well, it better be a good reason." Sokka grunted, "not because he got scared about what Zuko told him."

I rolled my eyes when I heard it. "Sokka, do you know why Zuko has been drilling Aang? It's not only about defeating Ozai. It's about defeating Zuko's father. Aang is the same age as when Zuko was forced to face his father in an Agni Kai. Zuko didn't do anything back then, too afraid to stand up to him. He doesn't want the same to happen to Aang."

"Oh..." Sokka replied quietly, "I didn't think about that."

We searched for hours, but there was no sign of him. We returned to the house, meeting the gang back there after an unsuccessful search for the Avatar.

"So what are we going to do now?" Suki asked. Everyone looked at Zuko.
"Why is everyone looking at me?" Zuko asked indignantly. "Well, you are kinda the expert of tracking Aang." Katara said. "Yeah, if anyone has any experience of hunting the Avatar, it's you." Toph said in agreement.

"Well, I guess I know someone who might be able to help." Zuko said carefully.
"Your uncle?" Katara asked.
"Uhm, no, not uncle," Zuko said and his voice cracked a bit, "someone else, you'll see."

We packed all our stuff and got on Appa. Zuko was taking the reins and guided us to our destination. I sat down next to him, my head resting on his shoulder.

"Zuko, I don't wanna tell you how to do your job, but why are we heading to the Earth kingdom?" Sokka asked, "there is no way Aang's there." "Just trust me." Zuko replied.
"The emo girl with the weird mole thing?" I suddenly asked when I thought about it.
"Exactly." Zuko whispered back.
"But... she's so scary. I don't think she'll help us after what we did to her animal."
"Iz, she's the only one who can track him. If you know someone else, do let me know."