Avatar: The Last Airbender

Part 7 (Bato of the Watertribe)

"Hey, look! A sword made out of a whale's tooth!" Aang exclaimed excitedly, picking up the weapon. You walked over, just as Sokka took it from the boy.

"Let me see that." He studied it for a moment before coming to a conclusion. "This is a watertribe weapon." He announced, looking back at you and Aang, who shared looks. "See if you can find anything else." Sokka instructed. Everyone split up, digging in the bushes.

"Did someone loose something?" Katara asked, walking over.

"No, we found something!" Aang told her, still excited.

"It's burned." You heard Sokka say. You looked over as he held an arrowhead up examining it. He rubbed his fingers on burn marks on a tree. "There was a battle. Watertribe warriors ambushed a group of firebenders." He declared. You raised an eyebrow. "The firebenders fought back, but the warriors drove them down this hill."

"You got all that from a few stray weapons and marks?" You asked, chasing him down the hill. "I'm impressed."

Sokka heard you, though he didn't show it, as he came to a stop on the beach, you smacking into his back, knocking you off balance. Aang caught you under your arms, and stood you upright again.

"So then what happened?" He asked, not breaking his focus. Sokka's shoulders slumped.

"I don't know. The trail ends here."

"Wait, look!" Katara shouted. You all looked to where she was pointing and you saw a ship, washed up on shore.

"It's one of our boats!" Sokka said, he and Katara running towards it.

"How did we miss that?" You asked yourself. Aang shrugged at you, following them over, you right behind him.

"No, but it's from his fleet." You heard Sokka say as you ran over. He turned to his sister. "Dad was here." He declared.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was dark, the only light coming from the moon. You watched it's reflection on the water, entranced by its beauty. The camp was made by the ship. Aang was laying on Appa's leg, asleep. Katara was in her sleeping bag, also asleep. You turned, and noticed Sokka staring into the fire, poking it with a stick. His unblinking eyes told you he was deep in thought. He suddenly turned and drew his boomerang.

"Who's there!?" He demanded. A figure stepped out of the shadows.

"Sokka?" It asked.

"Bato?" Sokka questioned back. You could see the grin on his face.

Aang stirred from his slumber.

"Who-the-what, now?" He asked. Katara also awoke.

"Bato!" She shouted quietly. She stood and she and her brother ran toward the man.

"Sokka, Katara." He greeted. Hey hugged him. "It's so good to see you two." He chuckled. "You've grown so much." He noticed. Aang walked forward.

"Hi, I'm Aang." He introduced, bowing.

"Where's Dad?" Sokka asked the man.

"Is he here?!" Katara questioned, excited. You and Aang shared a confused look.

"No. He and the other warriors should be in the Eastern Earth Kingdom by now." He answered. Sokka and Katara both hung their heads before they shuddered, feeling the cool breeze.

"This is no place for a reunion." Bato noted. "Let's get inside." He wrapped his arms around the siblings' shoulders, before turning slightly and signaled you and Aang to follow. You put out the fire with waterbending before chasing after them.