While The Parents Are Away

Chapter 7

"Excuse me, but how are we passing the ten-year-olds as crew members?" Kya asked Bumi, who was trying to adjust the captain's hat on his head.

"Don't you mean, how are we passing the ten year olds as crew members, Captain?" he pointed to the hat.

"No." Kya looked at him dead cold, "It is a bit weird to have kids aboard."

"Actually," Zari ran in between them, "Most crews have a few young children aboard for the cleaning and such."

After a whole morning of sailing, almost everyone but Zari was ready for anything just to get a change of scenery. They all got up at dawn to explain to the King what they were attempting and get him safely onboard. He was now in his royal chamber, permanently repurposed into a prison cell by Azula.

"Good. I'm glad I'm not going alone to prison later today." Bumi looked at Kya.

"Very nice... At least I can handle myself. I think Zari would be better off going alone than with you, Captain." Kya giggled.

"I knew it! I knew you were jealous of the hat!"

"Yeah, right..." Kya rolled her eyes, "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I think I miss Tenzin. Usually we both just focus all our teasing on him."

"Well, you haven't been exactly kind to me until now..."

"It's because you act like you're the Team Avatar leader."

"Stop it, you guys!" Izumi pushed them apart, "We don't have a leader. We do everything together, remember? Like our parents did..."

"It's nice of you to think that, Izumi, but the old Team Avatar had the avatar. Of course our dad was in charge." Bumi said.

"Alright, then our leader is Azula." Izumi proclaimed and watched how Bumi and Kya looked at each other and then at her in disbelief. Even Zari was looking at her doubtfully.

"You know I'm right," Izumi continued, "We couldn't have done any of this without her. Remember that first morning without her? We were all fighting, yelling at each other, without food, without any supplies... And now, you're a Captain, I can generate lightning, Su and Lin are getting along and we're about to save our parents."

"And I get to go with you to the palace," Zari added, "If your parents agree."

"Well, that's great, cousin." Izumi smiled at him.

"I know! I can't wait to see the Royal Gallery... And we could spar in the Agni Kai chamber!" Zari shot a blue ball of fire out towards the ocean.

"Your fire is blue, too?" Bumi asked.

"Yeah, it's pretty cool, right?" the little kid smirked and fired a few more fire blasts into nothing.

"Zari!" Azula walked over, seemingly from nowhere, "You're supposed to be a non-bender today. So act like it."

"Sorry, Mother."

"Where are Lin and the little one? I think that's the Red Lotus on the horizon." Azula said making everyone look out to the east. She was right, there was a decent sized ship heading straight for them. No recognizable flag.

"They're below deck bending door knobs or something..." Kya said.

oooooooooo

"Come on, do it!" Lin yelled, watching Su just stare at a spoon.

"I can't!"

"Yes, you can. You cracked metalbending two days ago!"

"Maybe it's platinum!"