The Search

Chapter 4: The Unknown

Days turn to weeks and weeks turned into months, for Damian that meant one thing: the airbender had overstayed his welcome.

The fire nation prince couldn't hide his annoyance anymore as he sat cross-legged, and arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against a tree. Watching Jon play some tune on his stick flute, very badly might he add kicking the air around him kicking up blades of grass with small swish in the winds. Raven, being very kind-hearted giggled and encourage Jon to continue. Damian had approached Jon, telling him how he thought the two could become friends for Raven's sake. Jon however gleamed saying he would love to be best friends with a prince. By this Jon happily said he would stay much longer so they could get better reacquainted, which Damian thought would only last a week at most... now going for three months.

Though he didn't know how they could get reacquainted since Jon spend every waking moment by Raven's side. Today of all days, Damian asked for Jason's aid in getting to keep the obnoxious airbender so he and Raven could spend some time together before he had to leave on his next expedition to search for his mother. The day had started out so right, Damian and Raven had been enjoying some good pastries before they picnic date had been interrupted by Jon who said Jason had to leave him early than expected due to an assignment Admiral Trigon wanted him to investigate.

"Thank you! You all have been a great audience!" Jon exclaimed rather loudly as he bowed down.

Damian returned from his thoughts and reached for the bronze chalice filled with cool water. He stopped when Raven offered him a small round pastry with a gentle smile on her face. He took it smiling back at her. Damn. Only she could calm his inner flame from erupting, how could he ever confess his feelings for her, Damian wondered.

A silence fell on them as the group ate quietly no one daring to speak. Damian ate the pastry Raven offered him and watched Raven beneath his lashes. Raven seemed to be lost in her own thoughts, as she watched the water in her chalice. Damian wanted to know what thoughts were running through her mind, he wanted to know all her fears and dreams, so he knew how to best serve her. He wanted to be more than friends. He wanted to hand the world into her hands, he wanted her to become his queen someday.

"This is nice."

Raven smiled softly as she continues to watch the water in her cup and break the silence between them as she continue to speak softly.

"Life is filled with dangers and unknown, it's up to us to find the light even when all seems impossible. Find what we're really meant to do in this life, find the purpose we were put here and understand the great spirits design for us. Maybe our purpose could be simple as bringing others happiness, maybe climbing the tallest mountains to know what above other than endless skies with gust of winds, explore the oceans depths and learn it's secrets. Go into the deepest and darkest cave and learn what the eye cannot see. Visit the ancient volcanoes and learning how they keep blazing for centuries till they erupt with full fury."

Damian and Jon stilled as they listened Raven speak. Damian never heard her speak like this before, as if she wasn't talking to them but to herself without even realizing it. Like she was lecturing herself just like a parent trying to reason with their rebellious child.

As if realizing she had their attention, Raven's face flushed the faintest of pink, "sorry I didn't realize I was talking out load."

"Wow Raven! You totally talked like a Sage right now!" Jon said.

Damian looked down for a moment before reaching out and placing his hand on hers. He locked eyes with her, giving her an understanding look; "you should never feel ashamed to speak your mind. Raven what you just said was deep and emotional, I may not understand from where it came but know you have my full support. I want to help you anyway I can. Please know you can reach out and lean on me."

"Wow, my hotman! That sounded deep and-"

"Hotman?" Damian looked at Raven with a flat stare, he could feel his brow twitch before he carefully turned and eyed Jon.

"Yeah... isn't that how folks in the Fire Nation like call each other?"

"I have never heard anyone call like that! And do you mind? I'm trying to be a good friend and you're not helping!"

"Sorry my hotman, haha I like that – keeping it – anyway how can Rae-rae depend on you if you're about to leave her?"

"Please refrain from calling me that... and Raven knows I will always protect her no matter what. I will do anything in my power as the future Fire Lord of the Fire Nation-"

"Then as my friend can I ask you to stop your search for the Avatar?"

Damian stilled and glanced at Raven as she stared right into his soul. He looked at her carefully, before speaking softly unsure what she meant. "What?"

"Since I can remember, since we met as children your one obsession been the Avatar, and I'm afraid that... that I may lose you on one of your searches."

"Raven... he took my mother, he chose to start this war by taking the Fire Lord's own daughter, how can you ask me that?" Damian held himself back afraid he would bark at her just like he barked orders to his sentries.

Raven continues to hold his emerald gaze, her face slowly turning to somber, "how do you know he's the Avatar?"

What? "Raven... I was there, my grandfather knew him and was there as well when it all happened. You know the thing I most desire is to bring him to justice for the crime he committed. Why are you siding... why do you want me to stop looking for him, wherever he is, I will find my mother."

"Please Damian, I just feel you are in danger if you continue to search for the Avatar. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if-"

"Prince Damian!"

The group flinch as they all turned and saw Jason Todd running towards them. Damian sighed heavily, his heart weighing in his chest, before he stood and faced Jason. "What's the matter Todd?"

"I apologize for disturbing you, but I come with a message from Admiral Trigon he wishes to see your plan for your next search. He believes he might know where you could start and young lord, one of his spies has returned with some intel you may want to hear immediately."

"Perfect, excuse me friends, but duty calls. Raven, I don't like where we left off, would it be okay if you and I can talk about it?"

Raven only nodded before rising, "Please watch out for our prince, Jason."

Jason bowed down, "Yes, my dear lady, Jon, was it? If I could ask if you could help Lady Raven carry these picnic items back to her home, it's not far."

Jon smiled and started picking up the plates and blanket with his air bending before following Raven back to her home and Damian was escorted back to the palace. He couldn't help but turn to watch Raven walk further away from him. Did she not trust him? Did she not trust in his abilities as a fire bender to care for himself before the Avatar? Nothing was going to stop him from reaching his one goal to bring the man to justice. Damian sighed heavily he had to make Raven understand that this was an oath he made to himself as a boy, a boy whose mother was take before him.