Zuko slumps into a chair across from me, and I raise my eyes to his tired face. He looks as exhausted as I feel, and I sigh. “Still nothing?”
He just shakes his head.
We’ve been in Araden for nearly two weeks. According to Twila, it’s been over a month since Aang disappeared. We’ve combed the city from top to bottom, questioned many of the people. And not one of them has any idea what could have happened to Aang. Twila mentioned once that there is a small group of rebels in Araden, who want to overthrow the Elders, but no one knows who they are.
At least, no one who knows is talking. And even if they did, Twila says the rebels have no reason to abduct Aang. He’s useless to them.
Zuko and I have been retracing our routes over the past two days, asking everyone we see, even if we’ve asked them before. And still, we’ve found nothing.
Not only am I beyond worried about Aang, I’m sick of Araden. Everyone here is so uppity and… inhuman. It’s like they think they’re above Zuko and I. Twila is the only remotely human person I’ve met, and even she is more haughty than any human I know. It makes me angry.
More than that, it makes me sad. This… isn’t how I pictured the spirits. If these people’s customs and ideals come from the spirits, then… I sigh again. I don’t want to think about it.
I don’t want to think about anything right now. I look up at Zuko, about to ask if he’ll spar with me--but he is fast asleep, his head on his arms. I brush his hair away from his face with a smile--then catch myself.
What am I doing? Just because we’re not enemies anymore, doesn’t mean we’re anything more than friends! Zuko hasn’t given me any sign that he wants to rekindle our previous relationship, and… and even if he had, would I want to?
Not wanting to ponder that disturbing question, I stand up and walk into the kitchen, looking for some food.
**__**
Kamil paced, trying to hold his frazzled mind together. It had been over four months, and Zuko still hadn’t returned! None of the letters he’d sent had received replies, and even Mai was starting to seem worried.
That alone was causing Kamil to stress out. Mai NEVER worried. She--
Footsteps behind him caused him to turn, and he saw Mai, hurrying toward him. Hurrying? MAI? What was going on?!
He rushed toward her, and she held out a canister. “A letter from the South Pole.”
With shaking hands, Kamil pulled the letter out. It didn’t have a ribbon, but he didn’t dwell on that. He needed to know when Zuko was coming home!
‘Kamil-
Sorry for the delayed response--we’ve had some strange storms lately and it wasn’t safe to send the hawk. Zuko left about three weeks ago to go a place called Araden. Apparently it’s a city deep in the pole, and they needed to talk to Aang. Aang left several months ago and hasn’t returned--Zuko and my daughter, Katara, went to find him. we don’t know when they’ll return. We’re just as worried as you, but there’s nothing we can do. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything.
-Chief Hakoda’
Kamil groaned, and Mai’s eyes widened. What were they supposed to do now? And why hadn’t Zuko told them about this Araden place?!
______
YESSS I MANAGED TO UPDATE EVEN WITH MY STUPID WRITER'S BLOCK ON THIS STORY WHOOHOO! *pats myself on the back* I'm REALLY working on this stupid block, I promise! Hopefully I'll work through it fast and get back to two or three updates a day. :) five comments! But you guys know that by now. :) You're all amazing... though I've said it before, I honestly cannot say it enough. *hugs everyone*
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The Sea of Ice (Sun and Moon Book 2)
FanfictionEver since Katara got her memory back, she's hated Zuko. And who wouldn't? After all, he lied to her and used her, or so she thinks... But now a new element has arrived, in the form of Twila, a girl from a place that shouldn't exist: a sea of ice be...
