Freedom

Chapter 66: The Differences Between Men

I'm alive!! And back with another chapter!

The roads seemed endless, winding in different directions without a specific end goal in mind.

Zuko had minor knowledge of the area, although his memory was hazy. It seemed strange almost, heading towards the Western Air Temple. It was his first stop after he had been banished, the closest air temple to the Fire Nation. The route to the coast was the same one he had taken so many years ago, as he was escorted to his ship by Fire Nation Guards. His father had wanted to be absolutely sure he left the state, and didn't wander off into the Fire Nation country side.

The group drove the caravan until dusk, leaving it hidden in some trees and setting the ostrich horses loose. Hopefully when someone found the abandoned cart, they would already be long gone.

Together, looking like a rather odd rag-tag group of three, they moved through the trees towards the coast. If they could find a boat and take it out to sea, Zuko was confident that he could get them to the shores of the temple. He spent many a night out at sea, navigating with only the stars.

"You're sure you can navigate us to the temple?" Hakoda asked unsure. If they got lost out at sea, they were as good as dead.

Zuko nodded, not a hint of hesitation in his eyes, "I spent more nights at sea than most men my age..." he explained, "I know I can get us there..."

"If we get lost..." Suki began, her sentence trailing off as if better left unsaid. The only ones that would find them would be fire nation navy ships, which all three of them silently agreed they'd rather drown than be captured again.

"We won't get lost..." Zuko spoke firmly, not even letting the thought come to his head. But he internally knew if they were captured, his father would be less than forgiving for them escaping again.

Hakoda couldn't help but impressed that the younger man knew the skills of navigation, although he kept it silent.

He assumed the Fire Nation would be too civilized for such a sacred art, one coveted among the Water Tribes. Hakoda knew he could probably find their way to some sort of land, even though he was unfamiliar with the air temple and its coordinates. But if there was a small chance that he could be reunited with his children, he was willing to take the chance.

Once they reached the docks, they crept their way through the sea of boats, finding one that they knew could get them across the ocean in a somewhat timely manner.

Zuko looked back at the shore as Hakoda steered them away, taking a deep breath and trying to burn the sight of Fire Nation sand into his memory.

He didn't know when he would be back to his homeland, if he would ever be back.

His father knew of his identity, and surely already had wanted posters being scoured across the country. Everyone in the Nation would know his scarless face, if they didn't already after escaping the prison. His home wasn't safe anymore; in fact it wasn't home at all, and it hadn't been for a very long time.

"Do you think they're looking for you?" Suki spoke softly, her voice quiet amongst the calming waves. Her eyes were on Hakoda, as if Zuko weren't even there.

Hakoda shook his head, "Even if Katara or Aang wanted to... Sokka would keep them on track" he replied honestly, "He knows what needs to be done... and the mission was one where there was no going back to pick up survivors..."

Suki nodded, a small smile on her face as Hakoda mentioned Sokka's name. She looked into her lap and sighed, her breath a cold fog as a shiver ran through her skin.

Zuko immediately noticed the small shake of her shoulders as the cold chill of the ocean hit her skin. He held out his hands, "Here" he offered, opening the vent to the coal powered engine. Zuko sent a small blast of fire into the oven, stoking the flames to burn hotter and to withstand the cold air around them, "Warm yourself up" he offered