The first week on the ship seemed like eternity to Zuko who was not used to the constant droning of the engines and rocking of the vessel. He had traveled by water before, but it had always been recreation, and it was never for so long and with no hope of going home until he finished his mission. He quickly grew anxious to find the Avatar and return to the Fire Nation.
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It was still dark when they arrived at the location of the Western Air Temple. As the sky began lighting up before sunrise, Zuko, Iroh, Chiara, and several soldiers set out to find their way into the temple. It was not an easy feat since it was built underneath a mountain cliff, but when they set foot onto the temple area, most of them were in awe.
Zuko cared little for sightseeing and immediately set his men to searching the temple. Iroh stood near the balcony ledge gazing at the scenery while Chiara was staring up at the temple buildings carved into the mountain.
"This architecture is incredible," she said in awe of the construction. "The Air Nomads must've been a wonderful people."
"What a stunning view," said Iroh impressed with the sight before him.
Zuko stood next to him. "The only view I'm interested in seeing is the Avatar in chains," he said in a grave tone.
Chiara turned to him disgusted by his comment. "You really want to put a hundred year old man in chains?"
"How else will I control someone who can bend all four elements?"
She stepped closer to him.
"You know," said Iroh, interrupting what he worried might become an argument between them, "the Avatar hasn't been seen for a hundred years. The chances of finding him here are very slim."
Zuko refused to let that stop him. "First we'll check each of the air temples," he said stepping closer to the edge. "Then we'll scour the world searching even the most remote locations until we find him."
"Prince Zuko," said Iroh in a fatherly tone concerned for his health, both mental and physical, "it's only been a week since your banishment. You should take some time to heal and rest."
The prince rounded on him. "What else would I expect to hear from the laziest man in the Fire Nation?" he snapped.
Chiara immediately moved towards him. "Don't you dare talk to him that way...," she started, appalled by his disrespect.
Zuko found her eyes piercing, and he was stunned by her sharp admonition as she so rarely snapped at anyone.
"Chiara...," said Iroh gently pulling her back from Zuko.
"He has no right to speak to you like that," she said to Iroh. "You're the Prince of the Fire Nation and a great hero..."
"Chiara, it's okay...," he said trying to calm her down.
"It's not okay. I don't care if he was the Fire Lord, I won't stand here and allow him to disrespect you, especially after all you've done for him."
Iroh and Zuko both were wide-eyed at her defense of him, and rather than anger towards her, Zuko began feeling ashamed of his behavior.
Iroh sighed. "You are a master of self control," he said to her in a deep tone. She understood he was speaking of her hiding her waterbending. "You must keep your temper under control. If you were to speak out like that to the wrong person, the consequences could be dire."
She took a deep breath. "Yes, General," she said obediently.
Zuko understood through experience what Iroh was saying, and he would never want what happened to him to happen to her as well.
"May I look around?" she asked softly.
Iroh gave her a gentle smile. "Do not stray too far."
She walked off to explore the temple.
Zuko approached Iroh. "I'm sorry, Uncle," he said softly. "She's right. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. It's just the only way to regain my honor is to find the Avatar, so I won't rest...I can't rest until I find him."
They joined the crew in searching the temple for some sign of the Avatar. The complex was enormous. While everyone else was on a mission, Chiara spent the time admiring the architecture and exploring the various rooms wondering what they were used for by the Air Nomads.
Hours into their search, Chiara was anxious to find Iroh.
"General," she called running towards him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Did you find something about the Avatar?" asked Zuko anxiously.
She was breathless from her sprint. "There's a giant Pai Sho table."
Iroh's eyes grew big. "Oh, this I must see!" he said excitedly as he followed her.
Zuko just sighed and skulked off to search in a different direction.
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After exploring as much of the temple as possible, they decided to set up camp for the night and continue the search the following day. As the sun was sinking, Zuko stood at the edge of the temple lost in thought as he gazed blankly at the view.
"No luck, Nephew?" asked Iroh as he approached him.
"No. And it would've been more helpful if you hadn't been playing Pai Sho all day," he added, clearly annoyed.
Despite the displeasure in Zuko's voice, Iroh grinned. "It's not everyday one gets to walk on a Pai Sho board to make a play. You really should play at least one game; it is quite challenging."
"I don't have time to play games," he said trying not to lose his temper fearing Chiara might hear him and rebuke him again.
"You have your whole life ahead of you," said Iroh.
"And if I have to, I will spend every day of the rest of my life hunting the Avatar. I know it's my destiny to capture him."
Iroh placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You know, Prince Zuko, destiny is a funny thing. You never know how things are going to work out. But if you keep an open mind and an open heart, I promise you will find your own destiny someday."
Suddenly, the sound of singing caught their attention. They looked at each other as they both recognized the Fire Nation song for the dead, and they took off to find Chiara. They followed her voice running through a fruit grove and past a garden where they discovered her kneeling on the ground singing. The area was covered in ashes, and as they drew near to her, their eyes were drawn to the pile of bones in front of her. They stopped and stood quietly behind her as the beautiful haunting song echoed around them. The other soldiers who followed the singing also gathered around. They took off their helmets as they stood silently around the site of the remains. When Chiara finished singing, she laid on her lap a tiny little skull she had been cradling in her arms, and then she put her face in her hands and cried. Zuko's heart broke hearing her cry, and it reminded him of her crying over Lu Ten's death. He was just about to step towards her intending to hold her, but Iroh moved first, walking up to her placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Chiara...," he said, his voice slightly broken.
"There were children," she cried softly.
"Chiara, it is getting late. You should eat something."
She could not eat with her heart in so much pain. "How could they kill the children? What kind of a nation slaughters the young?"
Everyone standing there felt touched by her words, and both Iroh and Zuko felt guilty for the sins of their Nation.
"There was no one to mourn for them," she said. "They were just murdered and their bones and ashes left as if they meant nothing."
Iroh was reminded of Chiara's village.
She tenderly placed the skull with the other bones. She stood up, picked up a rock, and placed it near the bones. She continued placing rocks in a circle around the site. Iroh, Zuko, and the soldiers began helping her as her compassion stirred their own. Eventually, a large pile of stones covered the bones and ashes. Chiara pulled the ribbon from her hair and tied it to a stick she placed in the top of the pile. Though it was growing darker, Chiara went to the garden where she began collecting flowers. Iroh and the soldiers went to their campsite while Zuko remained near the grave watching Chiara gather flowers in her skirt. When she returned to the mound, he held a flame for her to provide light while she placed the flowers around the stones. After laying the last flower, they returned to the camp with the others. Chiara went straight to her tent where she remained for the evening.
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The following day Chiara had spent the time in a solemn vigil near the grave while the others continued their search, but they found nothing that would indicate the Avatar was there. By late afternoon, they started heading back to the ship mostly in silence. Zuko stayed next to Chiara during their return since he was worried about her, but she just quietly walked along without saying a word, so he remained silent too. The sky was dark by the time they made it to sea, and Chiara went to a secluded spot on the stern and stared out at the black water as it moved behind the ship lit up only by the moonlight.
When she did not show up for dinner, Zuko became more worried about her, so he went to find her. He knocked on the door of her cabin. There was no answer. He hesitated wondering if he should enter without permission. He knocked again. This time when she did not answer he opened it a crack without looking inside.
"Chiara," he called softly.
There was no sound except for the constant low drone of the engines. He opened the door a little more. It was dark, so he lit a fire in his palm and slowly entered.
"Chiara?" he called again.
He looked at the cot, but it was empty. He glanced around her room. It was the first time he had been inside her quarters, and he was stunned by the small size and simplicity. He turned to leave, and stepping out into the hallway he ran into Iroh.
"Oh, Prince Zuko...," he said startled by the unexpected presence of his nephew.
"Uncle, have you seen Chiara?"
"Not since we returned to the ship. She's not in her room?"
"No."
"Hmm...," he said thoughtfully. "Look along the edge of the ship. She loves to watch the water."
Zuko nodded and went to the deck where he walked the perimeter. He finally found her on the stern leaning against the rail. Just as he was about to approach her, he hesitated. He was amazed by the gentle glow of her skin as the light of the full moon seemed to reflect upon it. Her natural beauty was enhanced and she appeared to be a supernatural entity to him, one he almost feared to disturb. Hearing someone nearby, she turned and looked at him, breaking him from his trance.
"Hey," he said walking up to the rail next to her. "You didn't come to dinner."
"I'm sorry." She stood up straight. "I meant to bring you something."
She was about to walk off to get his dinner, but he stopped her.
"You're not eating?" he asked her.
"I'm not hungry."
He took her right hand in his pulling her back to the rail next to him, and he continued holding her hand as he placed his left arm around her. She leaned against him resting her head against his shoulder and they both stood quietly looking out at the water.
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Iroh had been getting more concerned about Chiara, and later that evening after she retired to her room, he decided to check on her.
"Are you okay?" he asked as they sat on her cot.
"Yes."
He let out a soft sigh. "I'm sorry for what you saw, Chiara. I'm ashamed of what my Nation has done...of what I have done."
She looked at him. "I don't blame you..."
"You should," he said to her surprise. His eyes were downcast. "What you saw at the air temple was no different than what was done to your village, to your parents."
"But you weren't responsible for that."
"If I had arrived sooner, or gave the captain clearer instructions..."
"Do you regret it?" she asked, though it was clear from his words that he did.
"Every day," he answered sadly.
"That's why I don't blame you. How many generals and soldiers don't regret it, but continue to slaughter the innocent without remorse?"
"Too many," he said softly.
"You chose to lead a different life, one deserving of forgiveness."
He was amazed by her forgiving nature and comforting words.
"You are a wise young lady, Chiara." He put his arm around her and she placed her head on his chest as he held her.
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The next day Chiara got back into her routine on the ship, and though she was normally quiet, she was quieter than usual. That night she ate with Zuko in his room as was custom for them.
"Your cabin is so...small," he said. "Couldn't Uncle put you in better quarters?"
"It's fine."
He was still bothered by it. "You don't even have a bed; it's just a cot."
"It's good enough," she said unsure why he was so concerned.
"At least let me have them put a bed in there."
"Thank you, but the cot's fine," she insisted.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "When we traveled the Earth Kingdom, we sometimes slept on mats under the stars."
He felt like she deserved better on his ship. He wanted to provide her with more luxurious accommodations.
"D-do you want to trade rooms?" he asked, not that he thought his room was luxurious, but it was definitely more spacious.
"What? No." She stopped eating and looked at him. "You would really do that?"
He nodded his head. "If you want this one. I'll just be spending more time in your new room than your old one."
She could not help a small smile at his generosity and she shook her head. "I couldn't take your room from you."
"We could share it," he said in a low voice.
"No," she said with playful sternness. "And that would not go well with the General."
Zuko softly laughed.
"My room's fine," she assured him.
He did not continue pushing the issue, but he still did not like that she was in such a small, drab cabin with few furnishings while his was a bit more roomy and comfortable.
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Later, after dinner she placed their plates and cups on the tray and then started cleaning up his room. He watched her with incredulity.
"What are you doing?" he asked her.
She was gathering clothes that were strewn around the room. "You got too used to your servants," she said. "Look at this mess."
"You're not a servant. You shouldn't be doing that."
"Go meditate or something and let me clean. I'm not eating dinner here anymore until this is cleaned up."
He softly laughed, but he decided not to argue with her. He took her advice and meditated while she tried to quietly clean his room. When she finished picking things up and putting things away, she sat on his bed and began mending one of his torn garments.
She was still busy when he finished meditating, so he sat next to her.
"You're still working," he said.
"There's still work to be done." She cut the thread on his shirt she just mended. She held it up. "Would you prefer the hole?"
"No," he smiled taking it from her. "Thanks."
She stood up and took it back from him, and he watched her put it neatly away with his other clothes. As much as he felt the work was beneath her, he appreciated what she did for him, especially seeing how clean his room looked. When she picked up the tray from the table he stood up.
"Are you leaving?" he asked.
"Yes."
He was enjoying her presence and not ready for her to leave.
"Do you have to?" he asked softly.
"Is there something you need me to do?"
"I think you've done enough." He was looking around. "I...I have some more scrolls," he said trying to think of an excuse to keep her there.
She smiled and then set the tray on the floor so they could read at the table.
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They spent hours reading together, and afterwards, she left to take their dishes to the scullery where she scrubbed them before going outside to stand on the bow and look out at the sea. The moon was still full and bright, and it shone down on her strengthening her and making her feel as though she could lift the sea in front of her. Zuko walked out onto the upper deck taking a break from his room. His eye was drawn to Chiara below who seemed to glow in the moonlight. She looked radiantly beautiful, and he felt himself pulled towards her. He left the upper deck and went below where he slowly approached her. Her hair was flowing gently behind her in the wind, and she almost looked like a spirit in the moonlight as he came nearer to her. Unable to resist contact, he reached out and tenderly grabbed a lock of her hair and allowed it to slide over his hand. She turned and looked up at him, her eyes meeting his golden one. She smiled at him which he enjoyed as she had been so reserved lately. He ran his fingers over her forearm which felt like silk to him.
"You should be resting," she said.
"So should you," he replied. He continued looking at her. "You look like you're glowing."
She turned back to the sea. "The moon's bright tonight; everything looks like it's glowing."
He smiled at her, but he still felt she looked more radiant than everything else, and he was about to tell her so.
"It's quite late," said Iroh walking up behind them. "You two should be in bed."
"You talk to us like we're children, Uncle," said Zuko.
He laughed. "You are children."
"But I'll be fourteen soon," he argued.
"Like I said, you are children," his uncle reiterated.
Chiara softly laughed as she turned towards Iroh. "Good night, General." She kissed him on his cheek. "Good night, Prince Zuko."
"Don't I get one of those?" Zuko asked of her kiss.
She wanted to giggle at his nerve.
"Yes," said his uncle to their surprise.
Chiara gaped at Iroh certainly not expecting his approval, but Zuko's expression was hopeful and expectant.
"When you have your own daughter," Iroh clarified with a devious smile.
The young prince's bright eye dimmed at his uncle's teasing, but Chiara just giggled as she walked off.
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The next morning after Zuko woke up and dressed, he decided to remove his bandage. Chiara had been replacing it whenever he asked her, but it had been annoying and uncomfortable to wear, and there had been no pain since her first treatment. He had not yet seen his own injury, and he only kept the bandage on because he dreaded uncovering the wound knowing it would draw everyone's eyes. He was also not looking forward to being blind in one eye, and the bandage gave the illusion that his sight was just hidden behind it. He was about to reach up and unwrap it, but instead he pulled out his knife and sliced through it taking it off all at once rather than slowly. He kept his eyes closed as he reached up and placed his hand on his lower cheek. His skin felt smooth. Sliding his fingers up towards his eye, he started to feel the rough skin over his cheekbone surprised that it felt more like a scar than the tender skin of a severe burn just over a week old. He continued moving his hand touching the scar following the edge, and then he ran his fingers over his eye. There was no pain. He was still amazed that Chiara's salve completely deadened the pain even when it was touched. If it was not for the rough skin and the blindness, he might think there was no injury at all—that maybe the Agni Kai had been a dream. But it was not a dream. He could feel the scar, and he knew if he could feel it, then everybody could see it. He was hesitant to leave his room as he was not sure if he was ready to endure the stares. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door snapping him out of his thoughts and causing him to jerk his hand away from his scar.
"Enter."
"I have your breakfast, sir," said the crewman who entered.
He stepped into the room and placed it on the table as the prince walked towards it.
"Where's Chiara?" asked Zuko. "Why didn't she bring it?"
The man was staring at the scar.
"I-I don't know, sir. I was just told to bring it to you."
He kept staring awkwardly.
"You have a problem?" snapped Zuko.
"Uh...no, no, sir."
He bowed quickly before turning to leave. Zuko knelt down at the table and picked up the chopsticks frustrated that Chiara had not brought his breakfast. He was feeling angry as he realized his crewman's reaction was going to be an ongoing occurrence for the rest of his life with everybody who looked at him. He really wished that Chiara had been the one to bring his food; he was sure she would not have stared awkwardly. Suddenly snapping him out of concern over his scar, it occurred to him that he was seeing with both eyes. He looked around the table and then around his room, and then he moved his hand in front of his left eye. His vision seemed completely unaffected. It was an unexpected surprise after having been told he would be blind. Forgetting about the scar, he ate his breakfast with his heart a tiny bit lighter.
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After breakfast, Zuko went to the bridge where Iroh was playing Pai Sho with another crew member.
"Good morning, Prince Zuko," he said jovially when he glanced up at him. He did a double-take when he realized his bandage was missing. He also noticed that the scar was not as dark or as large as he expected, especially considering the extent of the original injury. "You-you've finally been to the infirmary?"
"No," answered Zuko lightly.
Iroh was feeling a little apprehensive. "How are you feeling?" he asked worried that Zuko might blow up.
"I feel like finding the Avatar," he said sounding determined. "Where's Chiara?"
Iroh raised an eyebrow. "What do you want with her?" he asked almost defensively.
Taking in his tone, Zuko gave him a curious look. "I haven't seen her this morning."
"She's probably feeding the rhinos," he said as he put his attention back on his game.
Zuko was not ready to go into the darker interior of the ship yet, so he stepped out on the upper deck where he gazed out over the sea and took in the contrast of the bright blue sky as it met the brilliant blue-green hue of the ocean. He looked straight up and stared at the feathery, white clouds suspended above him. While he was enjoying the use of both eyes, Iroh eventually joined him.
"How is your eye?" he asked softly. "Any pain?"
"No. And I can see," he said, his voice carrying a hint of joy underneath. "I can see perfectly."
Iroh was surprised to hear it.
"I couldn't see out of it a week ago," he said. "Whatever Chiara put on it helped."
Iroh knew exactly what she had put on it, and though he was not angry, he was worried.
"It was probably just a coincidence," said Iroh. "Some wounds just take time to heal."
Zuko still felt it was Chiara's medicine.
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Later, Chiara was on deck enjoying the smell of the sea and the wind in her hair as she was taking a break before working in the galley for lunch. Iroh, upon seeing her, walked out on deck and stood next to her.
"Have you seen Prince Zuko today?" he asked trying to sound casual.
"No. I've been busy in the hold." She turned to him. "Is he okay? Did something happen?" she asked worriedly.
"Oh, he's okay," he said. "It...uh...it seems that his injury did not result in the blindness that was expected."
"That's great," she said nonchalantly, turning back towards the sea. Inside, her heart was doing cartwheels over the news.
"And I was quite sure the damage would have left a much more remarkable scar," continued Iroh.
"Sometimes it just takes the right medicine," she offered.
"Or the right waterbender," he whispered in her ear.
"I couldn't let him suffer like that," she said softly. "Not when I could do something. If I could've gotten to it sooner I would've been able to heal it without any scarring."
Iroh appreciated her care and concern for his nephew, but he worried about her safety. "You must be careful that no one discovers your gift."
"I promise he doesn't know I did it. He thinks it was a special salve."
He smiled at her discretion. He wondered how Zuko might react if he learned of Chiara's lineage, but after hearing him yell at her the first day on the ship, he decided he did not want to risk it.
"Hey, I was looking for you," said Zuko to Chiara walking up to them and standing next to her.
She looked up at him.
"You need something?" she asked.
Though he did not expect her to stare awkwardly, he was not sure why it was still a surprise to him that she did not look at him any differently or even acknowledge that he removed the bandage.
"I need to thank you," he started softly, "for whatever you put on my eye."
"You're welcome," she said. She reached up and tenderly touched his face happy to see both of his fiery eyes without any clouding. "Is there any pain?"
"No. I'm not blind either. My vision is normal."
"Good." More cartwheels.
He stood at the rail and they looked out over the sea. Iroh was happy for his nephew that his vision was not affected, and he was also relieved that Zuko did not suspect Chiara's ability.
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One day, while Zuko was practicing firebending on deck, Chiara approached him with her sword drawn. He smirked at her before attacking her with fire which she parried and deflected with her sword, an activity which they often enjoyed back home. Iroh had specifically wanted her trained by Piandao to fight against firebenders in case it ever became known that she was a waterbender. For years, Zuko, too, always practiced with her in order to train her against firebending due to Ozai often encouraging Azula to attack her. When a few of the crewmen saw them sparring, they were impressed by their skill. They gathered around like spectators at a sporting event, a few even placing secret bets on the winner.
Now part of their routine in order to keep up their skills, Zuko would spar with Chiara with swords and other weapons. They were both proficient in self-defense and various weapons which they used during their practice on deck. Sometimes, the firebenders would attack both her and Zuko while they only used their swords. The crew was amazed at the two when they fought, especially against each other, and many times during their sparring, the men would often gather around to watch them. Chiara also often practiced the moves of the firebenders with Zuko on the ship just as she did with him, Iroh, and Lu Ten back in the Fire Nation.
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One afternoon while Zuko and Chiara were battling with swords, Iroh was watching them as he sat drinking his tea. He was disappointed to see Chiara miss an attack which allowed Zuko to get the upper hand and win the fight.
"Chiara...," he called.
She bowed to Zuko before walking over to Iroh.
"How could you lose that fight?" he asked her in a low voice. "He was clearly open on the left and you missed your chance. You're better trained than that. Master Piandao would be quite disappointed."
Zuko overheard him admonishing her and was surprised he was so harsh with her.
"Uncle, she did good," he said in her defense walking to her side.
"She can do better," said Iroh. "If she had been fighting a real opponent, she would have been killed."
"That's why we're practicing," said Zuko.
"Then she needs to practice harder," he said sternly.
Zuko looked at Chiara and shrugged. "Still better than my father," he said of Iroh's rebuke. He placed his hand on her upper arm. "I think you did good," he added softly.
"So says the victor," she said smiling.
Zuko laughed as he walked off.
Chiara knelt down next to Iroh, and looking back to make sure Zuko was out of earshot, she leaned towards him and whispered, "I didn't want to defeat Prince Zuko in front of the crew."
Iroh was surprised. "You lost on purpose?" he said a bit too loud for her comfort.
"Shhh..." She looked back again relieved that Zuko was not around. "Yes."
"Do you do that every fight?" he whispered.
"No. Just when I feel like I'm winning."
As always, he was impressed with her wisdom.
"Do you do that in Pai Sho as well?" he asked.
"Never," she smiled. "But I suspect you do sometimes."
He laughed. "At least I know who to bet on now," he said.
Her jaw dropped. "Shame on you," she giggled.
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A couple weeks later when Chiara arrived for dinner, Zuko was not in his room. She had been worried about him as he had seemed a bit more somber than usual earlier that day when they were sparring. When she entered his room, she set their dinner on the table next to a piece of parchment which she recognized to be a recent Fire Nation missive. A few minutes later, Zuko entered the room.
"I'm sorry I'm late...," he started.
He saw the tears falling down her cheeks as he approached her.
"Chiara, what's wrong?"
She laid the letter on the table. He knelt down next to her and wrapped his arms around her allowing her to cry on his shoulder. He continued holding her caressing her head.
"This came today?" she said softly as she sat up wiping the tears away.
"Yes," he answered sadly.
"All those soldiers." More tears fell down her face. "The whole division."
"I know," he said in nearly a whisper.
"I'm...I'm not very hungry."
"Me neither," he said.
He helped her up and they walked to his bed where they sat down in silence as he held her hand. It took some time before Zuko could speak about it.
"It was deliberate," he said softly.
She looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"General Bujing sacrificed the entire division using them as a diversion in order to mount another attack."
When he first heard Bujing's idea in the war room, he felt angry. He imagined that his eyes reflected his outrage. In her eyes, he saw pain—anguish due to the senseless loss of his people. Knowing her as he did, he was sure she would have felt the same indignation that he did if she had heard the plan before it was carried out. Now, after the death of those soldiers all that was left was the pain of their sacrifice.
"How...how do you know that?" she asked, tears still sparkling in her eyes.
"He suggested it at the war council."
He defended a division of soldiers by speaking against a general...so the Fire Lord insisted on an Agni Kai.
As Iroh's words echoed in her head, understanding dawned on her, tears fell down her cheeks, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and held onto him to his surprise.
"You will make a most honorable Fire Lord."
He was touched by her words, and he relaxed into her embrace finding consolation and contentment in her arms.