MAYA [Book 1 - Water]

Chapter 13 - To Omashu We Go

-Iroh's Point of View-

"Darn it! Darn it! Darn all of it!" Zuko shouted as he punches the wall. We're currently inside his quarters.

"HOW COULD I HAVE LET HIM ESCAPE AGAIN?! THAT DAMN AVATAR!" He shouted more. It's been hours already since we set sail away from Kiyoshi Island; still, no Avatar in hand.

"Don't be too hard on yourself Prince Zuko. We'll have plenty of time to catch the Avatar," I said trying to comfort him. He didn't reply to me, nor even gave me a glance.

Just then one of the crew opened the door to his room and went inside. 

"Sorry for the interruption Prince Zuko, but where do we head for now?" the crew asked.

"Now is not the right time for that talk. Let the Prince be for a moment. Just continue sailing," I said to the crew.

"No. Follow the Avatar's direction. He's going north. We might as well head north then. We'll try picking up information from nearby villages," Zuko said calmly as he walked in front of the crew. "Thank you for your great service," Zuko said. 

Well what do you know, my nephew does care.

"It is my pleasure, young Prince," the crew said and then he left.

Zuko then walked towards his bed and laid down on top of it. 

"You must be tired. I will leave you now," I said and walked towards the door but then Zuko said something that made me stop.

"That water tribe girl is definitely carrying mother's necklace," he said. I looked back at him and then he sat up; looking at me.

"Do you have any idea where Mom could be?" he suddenly asked. 

"I'm sorry Zuko, but nobody from the royal family nor the fire nation knows about her whereabouts," I answered.

"Then maybe someone from the water tribes knows," he said.

I looked at him silently; not saying a word.

"I think she might have met Mom. She might know something," he insisted.

That's impossible. Even if she does have Ursa's necklace, that girl must have not known who Ursa is, let alone her whereabouts.

"What do you plan to do about it then?" I asked my nephew.

"I might just have to look for Mom as well. If I'm lucky enough, then I might be able to take both the Avatar and that girl," he explained.

"Alright, so long as you will feel happy about it, then all I can do is support you," I said to him.

"You're not going to stop me? You were so opposed to me getting close to that girl before," he asked.

"Stopping you and belittling you is the last thing I would want you to hear from me. I want you to know that I am always supporting you. You are my family," I answered.

Zuko then smiled at me as he said, "Thank you, uncle. I wouldn't have gotten this far if it weren't for your help."

I nodded my head and then I stood up. 

"It's time you sleep. I'll leave you alone now. Have a good rest, my nephew," I said and then I went outside the room.

I went to my quarters and then I locked the doors. I walked towards my cabinet and then took out a painted portrait of a woman.