Truth | Avatar The Last Airbender

𝐼𝐼.

The sun rose over the distant horizon, painting the sky in pink and gold. Akira could feel her eyes droop with fatigue as her posture slacked.

Akira was certainly a night owl, spending most of the night staring at the sky or practicing her waterbending. She liked it better at night because less people were around. She hated people.

She walked across the deck, humming a simple tune to herself. It was the folk-song her father would always sing to her. He had learned the song on one of his many travels. A group of nomads had sung it to him.

A shoulder bumped into her, snapping her out of her thoughts. She stumbled back, glaring at the soldier.

"A simple, excuse me, would be nice," she huffed, folding her arms. The soldier eyed her down, "We are stopping at a village in an hour for supplies. Alert Prince Zuko. Maybe some of the villagers have information on where the Avatar is staying."

Akira nodded, cursing the soldier under her breath as she stormed towards Zuko's chambers. She'd give anything to see the Fire Nation soldiers finally get humbled.

Her knuckles tapped against the metal door, this time it opened. Zuko stared down at her, eyebrow raised in curiosity. "I said I was fine, Akira, stop being so-"

"Actually," Akira cut him off. "I came here to let you know that we're stopping off at a village soon. Maybe you can use this as an opportunity to ask around, see if you can get information on the Avatar. They've got a prison in this village. He could be hiding in there."

Zuko's mouth pressed into a thin line, as if he were embarrassed. "Right," he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, you can go back to your chambers. Meet me on the deck in an hour."

Akira nodded and walked off. How could she gain his trust if he won't even talk to her? She scowled, knowing that her plan was going to be trickier than expected.

Then, her eyebrows raised. An idea struck her like lightning. The village had a prison, so the security must be high. They were also part of the Fire Nation, meaning that they weren't welcome in the village.

The corners of her lips tugged up into a smirk as she entered her small, closet-like room. Zuko may be smart but his emotions always got the better hand.

Akira would simply use that against him.

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"Took you long enough," Zuko grumbled, tapping his foot impatiently as Akira joined him on the deck of the ship.

She rolled her eyes, holding back the urge to smack him. Be nice, she thought to herself as she walked off the ship.

The village was larger than most of the villages she visited. The houses were built from wood, green roof tiles blanketing them.

Melted snow was scattered across the ground. Akira paused when she saw it. This had been the first time she saw snow in years.

She picked it up, examining it. As expected, it was bitterly cold. She lifted her other hand, using her bending to manipulate the snow into forming a little snowman.

A smile painted across her features as she examined her work. Zuko peered over her shoulder, scowling.

"We've got no time for playing," he muttered. "We've got to start asking around about the Avatar. Let's go."

Akira frowned, placing the snowman on the ground gently and following after Zuko.

The first house they visited was occupied by an elderly woman. Despite her age and possible dementia, Zuko spared her no kindness.

Akira stood in the corner of the room, watching as her slammed his hands on the table. "Stop lying! You know where he is, just tell me already!"

The woman cowered back in fear, her scared and desperate eyes locking with Akira. Letting out a shaky sigh, Akira tore her gaze away from the woman.

"Zuko, let's just-"

"No!" Zuko cut Akira off, his fingertips sizzling. She knew he'd soon lose his temper and if he wasn't careful enough, he'd set the entire cottage on fire. "This woman is nothing but a dirty, lying peasant. And she's going to tell us where the Avatar is, whether she wants to or not."

The woman's hands trembled as she raised them in defense, "I'm telling you sir, I have no idea where he is! Please, I'm begging you, have mercy on me!"

"Enough Zuko," Akira stepped forward, glaring at the dark haired boy. "I'm going back to the ship. I can't play any part in you torturing this lady. And if you have any sense, you'll come back too."

She turned and left the cottage, biting back a smirk. She felt incredibly guilty for leaving the elderly woman alone to face Zuko, but sacrifices had to be made.

Zuko may be destructive and impulsive, but he's not a murder. Akira could tell. He doesn't have that murderous, malicious look in his eyes.

As she drew closer to the ship, she gave one final glance back at the cottage, smiling in triumph when she saw the smoke.

Her plan was falling into place perfectly.

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