As soon as the ship was repaired, they set sail again in search of the Avatar. One evening after dinner, while Zuko was meditating, Chiara quietly sat at the table in his room reading scrolls. During his meditation, the candles before him would grow and shrink in sync with his breathing. When Chiara noticed the candle providing her reading light syncing with his meditation, her eyes left the scroll and she gazed at the candles in front of him. She became mesmerized by the flames growing brighter and dimmer, something she had always found relaxing when in the presence of her favorite firebenders. It made her think of Lu Ten when she would sit with him during his meditation and follow the rhythm of his breathing and pretend she was making the flames brighten and fade. She had always been impressed by firebending, but she preferred her waterbending ability. And even though she had to hide it, she always treasured her gift of healing.
As she was staring at the flames syncing her own breathing with Zuko's, her concentration was broken when she saw the door open up slightly.
"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar," said Zuko not moving even to look at the door.
"Well, there is news, Prince Zuko, but you might not like it," said Iroh pushing the door open and entering the room. "Don't get too upset."
Chiara was already holding her breath in anticipation of Zuko's reaction.
"Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader," said Zuko calmly. "Now, whatever you have to say, I'm sure I can take it."
Chiara was still holding her breath.
Iroh was nervously tugging his beard. "Okay, then," he said. "We have no idea where he is."
The flames in front of Zuko flared up the wall to the ceiling. "What?!" he yelled as he stood up.
Iroh pulled out a fan as the flames died down. "You really should open a window in here," he said, fanning himself.
"Give me the map!" yelled Zuko snatching it from Iroh's hand.
He unrolled it on the table over top of the scrolls Chiara had been reading.
"Well, there have been multiple sightings of the Avatar," said Iroh. "But he is impossible to track down."
They were all looking at the zigzag pattern of Avatar sightings.
Zuko felt hopeless. "How am I going to find him?" he said, his voice filled with desperation. "He is clearly a master of evasive maneuvering."
"Maybe he doesn't know where he's going," suggested Chiara. "He hasn't been around for a hundred years; maybe he forgot his way around."
"All we can do is wait for more news," said Iroh.
Chiara moved back a little when the flame at the table flared up with Zuko's anger.
=====================
Days later Iroh joined Zuko and Chiara for dinner in the prince's quarters. Chiara had made their meal for them and was setting it out on the table as they knelt around it.
"Ozen said this fish came from Kyoshi Island's coast," she said placing a plate before Iroh.
He stared hungrily at the steaming fish. "They look a lot smaller than the elephant koi," he said.
Chiara smiled. She set Zuko's plate in front of him. "Those elephant koi could feed a whole village."
"This smells great," said Zuko.
He picked up his chopsticks anxious to eat his dinner, but there was a knock at his door.
"Enter," he called.
One of the crewmen opened the door and bowed. "Sir, the Avatar's been spotted on Kyoshi Island."
"The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island?" said Zuko eagerly, his meal forgotten. "Uncle," he said as he stood up, "ready the rhinos. He's not getting away from me this time."
He made his way towards the door.
"Are you going to finish that?" Iroh asked Zuko as he pointed to his fish.
Zuko turned back and grabbed the plate from the table. "I was going to save it for later!" he said, glaring at his uncle.
He turned to leave.
"May I stay on the island to practice with the Kyoshi Warriors?" Chiara asked Iroh.
Her request stopped Zuko in his tracks, and he turned from the door.
"What?" he demanded of her.
Chiara glanced up at him. "I would love to practice with the Kyoshi Warriors again."
"You're not staying there."
"But once you capture the Avatar, you'll return to the Fire Nation," she said. "I can stay on the island with..."
"No!" he said adamantly, stepping towards her. "You're going back home with us."
She was puzzled by the anger in his tone. "I wouldn't stay there forever..."
"You're not staying at all." He turned to Iroh. "Uncle, you can't let her stay on the island."
"He's right, Chiara," said Iroh. "It would probably be too dangerous for you at this time."
"But the Kyoshi Warriors are neutral in the war," she said.
"And if Prince Zuko attacks the Avatar on their island, it will likely draw them into the war against the Fire Nation."
Zuko stared at his uncle who was hoping his nephew was picking up on his hints.
"They didn't know I was from the Fire Nation before," she said. "They don't have to know who I a..."
"No!" said Zuko.
She looked at Iroh who shook his head.
"Yes, General," she said softly and obediently.
Zuko, feeling like he won that battle, left the room leaving Iroh and Chiara to eat their meal by themselves.
"I will deal with the rhinos after dinner," said Iroh as he began eating.
"I loved practicing with the Kyoshi Warriors," said Chiara as she began slowly picking at her food. "I would love to train with them some day."
"That would not go well with Prince Zuko."
"No, I guess it wouldn't." She poked at the fish on her plate, her appetite fading as she worried about the future confrontation on Kyoshi Island. "Do you think he'll hurt the Warriors?"
Iroh's hand halted halfway to his mouth. He saw the worry in her eyes, and he set his chopsticks on his plate. "You sparred with the Warriors. You know how efficient they are. And with the Avatar on their side, I'm sure they will be okay."
His attempt to console her did little to relieve her worry, and she took a few bites of her dinner before anxiously heading to the bridge to watch as they approached Kyoshi Island.
-----------------------------------
As they sailed closer to the island, Zuko left the bridge to prepare for his expedition.
"The fighting style of the Kyoshi Warriors has its roots in the Fire Nation," said Chiara as she helped him don his armor.
"Really?" he asked surprised by her knowledge.
"Yes." She was securing his shoulder pads. "They're also very suspicious of strangers, and they really don't like the Fire Nation, so be careful."
He was touched by her concern for him.
"They were going to feed the General and me to the unagi when we visited."
He looked at Iroh who confirmed his questioning expression with a smile and nod. His eyes grew wide at the thought that the islanders would be so savage as to feed her and his uncle to a giant eel. "What happened that they didn't?"
"The General has a way with words," she smiled.
Iroh let out a soft chuckle at the memory of their initial confrontation with the Kyoshi Warriors.
Chiara straightened Zuko's armor for him before looking into his eyes. "Please don't hurt them. I'd hate to see anything happen to them or the villagers."
"Nothing will happen to them if they hand over the Avatar," he said resolutely.
He narrowed his eyes at her as he wondered how she was going to react again to his bringing the Avatar aboard.
"Speaking of the Avatar, do I need to lock you in the prison hold now?"
"You might," she said unfazed by his threat.
He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Uncle, keep her with you," he ordered as he moved her next to Iroh.
He and his men mounted the rhinos and left the ship. Iroh and Chiara went to the main deck to wait for their return.
They stood at the rail watching from the ship as the men disappeared into the forest. It was not long before they spotted black smoke rising in the distance. Chiara immediately began worrying about the Warriors and the villagers.
"Was it necessary to destroy their village?" she said sadly.
Iroh, too, thought about the villagers they had met so long ago. "This will not help with their distrustful nature."
She sighed. "I guess I'll never get to practice with them now."
They continued watching and waiting for the men to return. Chiara wondered if the Avatar was actually on the island or if Zuko's interrogation just resulted in burning things when he did not get the answers he wanted. The questions in her mind were answered when she saw Appa fly up from the island away from the billowing smoke.
"There's the Avatar's sky bison." She could not help smiling as she gazed at the big, beautiful animal.
She and Iroh watched it soar into the sky. As it flew over the sea, they saw Aang jump from its head and dive into the water.
"What's he doing?" said Iroh as they both gaped at the Avatar's stunt.
Seconds later they saw the unagi rise from the sea with Aang holding onto its whiskers. Chiara was excited and relieved when Aang used the giant eel to put out the fires in the village.
"Ah, very clever," chuckled Iroh.
"The world needs the Avatar," she said softly.
When the smoke faded in the distant village, Aang hopped back on Appa and flew off. Zuko and his men returned to the ship empty-handed, but very wet.
"Too bad there isn't a waterbender on board," whispered Iroh making Chiara giggle.
The ship was soon back out to sea where they continued tracking the Avatar.
=========================
One evening after Zuko had returned from a short mission in his search for the Avatar, Chiara arrived at his room with their dinner. A spot of blue caught her eye as she was setting out their plates.
"Where did you get this?" she asked as she picked up a blue choker.
"I found it," he shrugged.
"On the prison rig?"
"Yes."
She studied the choker and the carving on its light blue stone. "The symbol for waterbending," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper as she gazed at the moon-shaped object with ocean waves engraved inside. "It's from the Water Tribe."
Zuko's eyes were immediately on her. "How do you know that?"
Her eyes met his. "I learned about it when I was traveling with the General," she said truthfully. "It's a betrothal necklace."
She laid it back down on the table and picked up her chopsticks.
"I'm sure the waterbender traveling with the Avatar will appreciate it when you return it to her," she said smoothly.
Zuko was not surprised she figured out who it belonged to, and he smirked at her, suspecting she also knew what he planned on doing with it. "Of course she will," he said. "When she hands over the Avatar."
She looked skeptical. "You think she'll sell out the Avatar for that?"
"She will if she wants it back."
"Or her betrothed can just make her a new one," she shrugged nonchalantly.
He stopped eating and glared at her, upset he never thought of that.
She pointed towards the choker with her chopsticks. "That just doesn't come close in value to the Avatar's life...or to anyone's life."
"We'll see," he said intending to go through with his plans anyways.
She shook her head and they continued eating.
=========================
Zuko continued following the Avatar's trail from the prison rig which led him to the coast of the Earth Kingdom where the group went ashore. During a break near a forest, Zuko found Chiara bent over the ground carefully pulling leaves off the plants in front of her.
"Chiara..."
Her left hand snapped back. "Ouch!" She cradled it in her right.
"What happened?" he asked walking up to her. "Did you get bit?"
"Stinging nettles," she said. She was looking over the tender, soon-to-be red spot on her hand.
"Why are you messing with them?"
She reached out and quickly pulled off a leaf. "I'm going to make nettle tea for the General."
Zuko rolled his eyes at her and his uncle's devotion to tea. "No tea is worth all that."
"Then I need to make you a cup too," she said, pulling off another leaf.
He gave her a wry look. "Where is Uncle anyways? The Avatar's heading towards Senlin Village. We need to sail farther up the coast."
"I saw him walk into the forest a while ago," she said pointing to the woods to her right before standing up and brushing dirt off her kurta. "He mentioned something about hot springs."
The prince rolled his eyes again, now at his uncle's laid-back attitude towards the mission.
"Uncle!" he called out as he walked into the woods with Chiara following him. There was no response and there was no immediate sign of him. "Uncle!" he called again. "It's time to leave! Where are you?!"
They spotted his clothes hanging on tree branches and headed towards them.
"Uncle Iroh!"
"Over here," came Iroh's calm voice.
They followed his voice through the branches.
"Uncle?" said Zuko when he saw him soaking in a pool of water. "We need to move on. We're closing in on the Avatar's trail, and I don't want to lose him."
"You look tired, Prince Zuko," said Iroh relaxing in the spring. "Why don't you join me in these hot springs that soak away your troubles."
"My troubles cannot be soaked away. It's time to go!" he yelled angrily.
Iroh made no attempt to move from his comfortable spot. "You should take your teacher's advice and relax a little."
"He's right, Prince Zuko," said Chiara. "You really should relax. I'll make you nettle tea."
Iroh perked up at the word 'tea,' but Zuko rounded on her. "Don't you start."
She only giggled at his surliness.
"The temperature's just right," said Iroh. "I heated it myself." He produced steam to heat the water again.
"Enough!" yelled Zuko as he waved away the steam filling the air around them. "We need to leave now. Get out of the water."
"Very well," said Iroh as he started standing up.
Chiara began turning away just as Zuko immediately covered her eyes and turned around moving her away from the scene so neither could see him.
"On second thought, why don't you take another few minutes," he called to his exposed uncle, his back still to him. "But be back at the ship in a half an hour or I'm leaving without you."
Zuko walked Chiara away.
"Ahh," moaned Iroh contentedly as he relaxed again in the pool.
"I can't believe he did that," said Zuko, appalled by his uncle's behavior.
"Yeah, I'm shocked by that too," said Chiara. "Thanks for the blindfold. I thought I was going to have to rub stinging nettles in my eyes to get rid of that image."
Despite his frustration over the delay, he could not help laughing.
"He definitely accomplished his mission," she said.
Zuko was puzzled. "His mission?"
"Getting rid of us," she said.
"I guess he did," he chuckled.
-------------------------------------
Hours later as the sun was setting, Zuko, followed by Jozan, Uzo, and Shoza, found Chiara still bent over flowers on the ground.
"Chiara, we have to go," said Zuko. "Has Uncle come back yet?"
She packed a dandelion she had just pulled into her bag. "I haven't seen him."
"I told him to be back in half an hour..."
Chiara stood up with her bag full of plants, and she and the soldiers followed Zuko as he stomped into the woods while grumbling about Iroh not knowing the difference between a half hour and several hours.
When he approached the spring, he saw that Iroh was not there. "Uncle," he called. "Uncle, where are you?!"
"Sir," said Uzo, "maybe he thought you left without him."
"Something's not right here," said Zuko as he looked around. "That pile of rocks..."
Chiara walked up and immediately knew what it meant. "Oh, no," she said placing her hand on Zuko's arm.
"It looks like there's been a landslide, sir," said Jozan.
"Land doesn't slide uphill," said Zuko. "Those rocks didn't move naturally."
"Earthbenders," said Chiara softly.
"My uncle's been captured by earthbenders."
"Not my General."
Zuko could hear the worry in her voice. "We'll find him, Chiara," he said. "Let's go."
They quickly returned to the ship where Zuko prepared one of the komodo rhinos while Chiara collected a bo staff and her sword.
"What's that for?" he asked as she rarely used the staff.
"Have you ever fought earthbenders?"
He thought about it. "In theory." He looked at her. "Have you?" he asked half-expecting her to say 'yes'.
"No, but I've studied them."
He climbed on his rhino and took her hand to help her climb on behind him. They left the ship and returned to the springs where they discovered ostrich horse tracks leading to a road.
They traveled all night, and by early morning they came across one of Iroh's sandals. They both felt relieved to find a sign that they were definitely on the right path. As they continued riding following the tracks on the road, a low roaring sound came from the distant sky. Zuko sat up straight in the saddle, his eyes wide when he spotted the Avatar's bison.
"The Avatar," he breathed.
"That sky bison is so beautiful," said Chiara dreamily as she watched it.
Zuko turned his rhino towards it not taking his eyes off the bison as it flew farther away.
"Wait," she said. "The General. We can't leave him."
He hesitated, still gazing at the sky, so Chiara jumped down.
He looked down at her. "What are you doing."
"You're going after the Avatar; I'm going after the General," she said walking the path backwards while talking to him. "We'll meet you back at the ship."
She turned forward and started running anxious to get to Iroh.
"You can't fight the earthbenders alone," he called to her.
"I'm not leaving him in their hands," she called back.
He sighed, but then tugged the reins and went after her.
"Here," he said holding out his hand.
She turned around and grabbed his hand allowing him to pull her onto the saddle behind him.
"I'll deal with the Avatar later," he said.
------------------------------------
They rode on until the tracks stopped. They both climbed down from the rhino and examined the area.
"It looks like there was a struggle here," he said.
Chiara was looking over the edge of the road. "Look at the dirt down there."
Zuko stood next to her and saw trails in the ground leading to a mound of dirt with more trails beyond it. "Let's go."
They followed the trails to a crater where they could hear voices. Carefully peering over the edge, they spotted Iroh with his hands chained to a rock and surrounded by five soldiers. Zuko noticed that Chiara tensed up.
"Stay here," he whispered.
"These dangerous hands must be crushed," they heard one of the soldiers threatening Iroh.
The soldier earthbended a boulder hovering it over Iroh's hands. Just as he started to bring it down, Zuko ran towards them, and jumping up, he kicked the boulder out of the way. He quickly brought his foot down on Iroh's chains, breaking them apart.
"Excellent form, Prince Zuko," complimented Iroh.
"You taught me well," he responded standing defensively as the soldiers gathered around them.
"Surrender yourselves," demanded the soldier. "It's five against two."
"Five against three," said Chiara as she joined Zuko and Iroh.
"You're still outnumbered," said the soldier.
"Uh, that's true," said Iroh. "But you are clearly outmatched."
The soldiers stomped on the ground pulling up boulders sending them towards the three. Swinging his chains, Iroh expertly used them to break up the boulders that had been hurled at him, while Zuko sent fire towards his two opponents forcing one back and causing another to fall beneath his own boulder. Chiara used her bo staff to redirect the missiles aimed at her, and then, running towards her opponent, she swung her staff over her head and down at his ankles knocking him off his feet. Catching a large boulder with his chains that nearly hit Zuko, Iroh sent it towards two of the soldiers, and Zuko, after dodging several missile attacks, sent fire towards his enemy who blocked it. As the earthbender began building a tall structure of rocks with which to attack Zuko, Chiara ran up behind the soldier taking him down with her staff before quickly running out of the way as the rocks fell upon him.
When Iroh walked over to them, they looked around to see their enemies defeated. Zuko put his hand on Iroh's shoulder.
"Now, would you please put on some clothes?" he said.
Iroh chuckled. "I would if I had some."
"I brought your clothes," said Chiara.
"You are so thoughtful," said Iroh.
"She did it more for us than for you," said Zuko flatly.
Iroh and Chiara were laughing. They made their way back to the rhino where she pulled Iroh's clothes out of a saddle bag. After he was dressed, they started back towards the coast. Chiara again rode behind Zuko while Iroh rode on one of the ostrich horses. They traveled all day, and after the sun had gone down, they stopped to eat and rest. While Iroh and Chiara relaxed by the small campfire drinking dandelion tea, Zuko disappeared alone into the nearby village of Senlin. When he returned to their camp, he was anxious to get back to the ship and continue tracking the Avatar.
=============================
Following his new lead, Zuko set course towards Crescent Island in the Fire Nation. As the sun was coming up, he stood on the bow searching the skies for the Avatar as they sailed through the Mo Ce Sea. Chiara, having heard where they were heading, ran up to the bow.
"Prince Zuko, is it true?" she asked breathless from running up from the galley below.
He did not take his eyes from his telescope. "Is what true?"
"Are you really taking the ship into Fire Nation territory?"
"The Avatar's heading to Crescent Island," he said. "That's where I'm going to capture him."
"HE WHAT?!"
They rarely heard Iroh so furious, but his voice boomed from the bridge when he learned the course the prince insisted on.
Chiara stepped up to Zuko. "Please turn the ship around," she begged him hoping she could convince him before Iroh came to the deck.
"I can't."
"But if you get caught..."
"I won't get caught," he insisted.
"Sailing into Fire Nation waters," said Iroh deeply, stepping out onto the main deck. His robes and hair were gently blowing in the wind as he took long militaristic strides making him look taller than he was, and the severe look on his face was enough to unnerve the bravest soldier. "Of all the foolish things you've done in your sixteen years, Prince Zuko," he chided, his fists clenched, "this is the most foolish!"
"I have no choice, Uncle," he said, still staring through the telescope.
"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you?! What if you're caught?"
His stern expression softened into one of worry which Zuko heard in his voice.
He turned to his uncle. "I'm chasing the Avatar," he argued. "My father will understand why I'm returning home."
"You give him too much credit. My brother is not the understanding type."
Zuko turned back to his telescope. "There they are," he said, spotting the Avatar's bison flying in the sky. "Helmsman, full steam ahead," he ordered. "Raise the catapult," he called out to his crew.
He left the telescope.
"You're going to shoot them down?" asked Chiara following him across the deck where they stood next to Iroh.
"Do you have another idea?" he asked her.
"What about meeting with him in neutral territory?" she suggested.
He scowled at her.
"Please don't do this," she begged as she watched the catapult rise from beneath the deck.
Iroh was cringing at the odor of the projectile loaded into the catapult. "Ugh, really, Prince Zuko," he said pulling out a fan, "couldn't you shoot them down with something more fragrant?"
Zuko launched a fireball igniting the missile.
Chiara placed her hand on his arm. "They probably won't survive that fall."
He glared down at her. "Do I need to lock you in your quarters?" he threatened deeply.
"What good is the Avatar if he's dead?"
Iroh gently took her arm to pull her away from Zuko.
"On my mark," the prince ordered. "Fire!"
Chiara held her breath as she watched the missile fly towards the bison. Her fists clenched when it nearly hit the creature.
Watching the projectile land in the sea ahead of them, Zuko's eyes caught another sight beyond it. "A blockade."
Chiara dropped her eyes from Appa to see the two rows of Fire Nation ships spanning the sea.
"Technically you are still in Earth Kingdom waters," said Iroh. "Turn back now and they cannot arrest you."
Zuko glared up at the Avatar who made no move to turn back. "He's not turning around!"
"Please, Prince Zuko," said Iroh, "if the Fire Nation captures you, there's nothing I can do. Do not follow the Avatar."
Zuko closed his eyes pondering his uncle's warning. He was sure that once he had the Avatar nothing else would matter. He was determined to keep following him. "I'm sorry, Uncle. Run the blockade!" he commanded the crew.
"Prince Zuko," said Chiara placing her hands on his arm, "please don't risk it."
His golden eyes fell onto hers. He could see the worry swirling around in the light green sea. Touched by the concerned look in her eyes he desired to obey her plea, but he was too determined to go after the Avatar. He placed his hand on hers but did not withdraw his order.
As their ship moved towards the blockade, the trebuchets on the Fire Nation vessels fired missiles towards the Avatar. Chiara watched as Appa dodged the barrage of flaming missiles. The bison disappeared into the clouds above, but the missiles began raining down around their ship striking the water sending waves over parts of the deck. Zuko quickly wrapped his arms around Chiara covering her to protect her from the incoming fireballs. The ship shook from a direct hit, and his arms tightened around her making it difficult for her to breathe.
When the ship stopped shaking, he released her before the next volley of missiles were launched and pulled her over to Iroh who stood near the tower.
"Keep her safe, Uncle," he said.
Chiara put her hand on Zuko's forearm worried about him returning out on deck, but Iroh pulled her away and covered her as more missiles fell around them.
"Prince Zuko," called a crewman, "the engines are damaged. We need to stop and make repairs."
"Do not stop this ship," he ordered.
Ahead of them, the Avatar made his way through the blockade. Zuko persistently followed him despite the ships spanning the sea drawing closer together in an attempt to prevent them from entering the Fire Nation.
"We're on a collision course," said Iroh as they watched the space between the ships narrow.
"We can make it," insisted Zuko.
When it seemed they would not make it through, the Fire Nation vessels slowed down allowing Zuko's ship to sail between them. Zuko and Chiara glared up at Commander Zhao as they went by while Iroh stroked his beard looking suspiciously at the commander considering what he might be planning.
Despite the damaged engines, they sailed on towards Crescent Island for the rest of the day. Zuko stood on deck anxiously waiting for their arrival.
"What's he up to, Uncle?" asked Zuko still troubled by Zhao letting him go. "Why didn't Commander Zhao arrest me?"
"That weasel snake's plan isn't obvious?" Chiara asked him.
Zuko looked at her.
"Because he wants to follow you," Iroh said to him. "He knows you'll lead him to the prize you're both after—the Avatar."
Zuko gazed back out over the sea. "If Zhao wants to follow our trail of smoke, then that's exactly what I'll let him do."
------------------------------------
When they neared the Fire Temple, Zuko went to the hold to prepare to leave on his own for the island.
"Uncle, keep heading north," he instructed. "Zhao will follow the smoke trail while I use it as a cover."
"Hmmm," said Iroh.
"He'll know by now that the Avatar's heading towards the temple," said Chiara voicing Iroh's suspicions out loud. "Where else would he be going?"
Zuko had not considered that Zhao would have figured out the Avatar's destination, but he felt he had no choice but to follow through with his plan. "Then I'll have to make sure I get to the Avatar first."
The door to the hold opened.
Chiara's biggest worry was that Zhao would capture Zuko and take him to the Fire Lord. She stepped closer to him. "Please be careful," she said placing her hand on his arm.
Her eyes sparkled with tears, and it touched his heart that she cared so much for him. He took her in his arms and held her reassuringly. "I will."
"Are you sure you don't need your Imperial non-Firebender to go?" she asked holding onto him.
Zuko chuckled as he released her. "I'm sure."
He climbed into the skiff. The crew loaded it onto the ramp from where it was slowly lowered down to the water. He left for Crescent Island while the ship continued its course north.
Chiara went up on deck and anxiously waited for his return.
--------------------------------------
Hours after sunset, she still stood on deck keeping watch for Zuko. As it grew later, Iroh, worried about her, joined her at the rail searching the dark sea.
"You should get some sleep, Chiara," he said. "It will do you no good to stay out here all night."
She continued staring at the dark horizon hoping to see some sign of Zuko. "The winter solstice is over. I would've thought he'd be back by now."
Iroh secretly felt worried too, but he did not want to cause her more anxiety by expressing his own concern. "Sometimes you are as impatient as Prince Zuko," he said frustrated by her stubbornness.
If she had not been so worried, she would have laughed at his remark. "I'm really worried about him, and there's been no sign of Commander Zhao either."
Iroh had noticed too that Zhao had not taken the bait. "Just as expected. But Zuko can be very resourceful, and his fighting skills have improved tremendously over the years." He looked at her. "Get some rest."
"I won't be able to sleep," she said. "I'll just pace in the cabin."
He understood her concern. He caressed her back before leaving her to her watch and going to his quarters to meditate.
--------------------------------------
Long after the sun had set Zuko was spotted from the crow's nest. Chiara quickly ran down below to meet him. As soon as he stepped off the skiff, she threw herself onto him wrapping her arms around his neck. Her sudden unexpected embrace caught him off guard, but he did not hesitate to put his arms around her and take advantage of having her so close.
"Maybe I should go away more often," he said, his voice low and gravelly.
She released him. "Don't you dare. I was so worried about you. It's so late."
"Zhao was there," he said.
Chiara felt angry. "I thought he might've followed you. We haven't seen him since you left. Did he get the Avatar?" she asked as she walked with him to his quarters.
"No. He got away." His voice was filled with disappointment.
In a way she was relieved that Aang got away, but she worried that it would not help Zuko's mood.
"Do you want me to make you something to eat?" she asked.
"No. I'm not hungry." He sounded tired.
When they entered his room, he started stripping off his armor while she helped him.
"Let me take care of your bruises," she said once the last of his armor was removed. "Lie down, close your eyes."
He was exhausted and feeling discouraged by another failed attempt to capture the Avatar, but he did as she directed. She began healing the wounds he acquired during his escape from the collapsing fire temple, and as always, he was amazed by how quickly the pain disappeared as she treated him. She wanted to ask him what happened, and she wanted to know more about the Avatar, but she did not think he would want to talk about it. When she finished, she tenderly caressed his head. Just as she was about to stand up, an idea came to her.
"Let me try something," she said. He wondered what she was going to do as she moved behind his head and knelt down. She caressed his head around his temples. "Close your eyes again."
As soon as he had them closed, she pulled out more water and began massaging his head adding in a healing technique.
A tranquil feeling washed over him, and he could not believe how relaxed he felt. "This feels really good, Chiara," he said. "What are you doing?"
"It's a...a relaxing technique I learned."
Every bit of tension seemed to melt from his body, and he did not ever want her to stop, but when she thought she did all she could for him, she put the water away and caressed his head as she did whenever she finished treating him. His body felt so comfortable and content, he had to force himself to sit up.
"Are you sure you don't want me to bring you some food?" she asked.
"No."
"You should get some rest then." She lightly ran her hand down his cheek before turning to leave.
"Wait." He grabbed her hand before she could step away and pulled her towards the bed until she sat down. He was hesitant to speak what was on his mind, but he felt he needed to tell someone, and she was the one person on board he was most comfortable speaking to.
"I saw Avatar Roku," he finally said.
"Really? Like a statue or..."
"No. It was actually him." He thought it sounded crazier hearing it out loud. "When Zhao attacked him..."
"Zhao attacked Avatar Roku!" she asked in shock.
"He and his men did, but Roku just sent it back at them." He could still see the wave of fire under the control of the Fire Nation Avatar. "It was incredible."
"What happened to Zhao?"
"I don't know. The fire blast Roku sent out melted my chains so I took off, but the fire temple's been destroyed."
"The whole temple?"
"Yes."
"I'm so glad you're safe," she said as she tenderly placed her hand on his wrist. She stood up. "Try and relax."
Not long after Chiara left, Zuko was lying in his room when he heard her erhu. She sounded close, too close to be on the main deck. Looking out his window he saw her in a spot not too far below his quarters. He realized she was playing their composition to let him know she was thinking about him, and his heart stirred as he thought about their days back in the Fire Nation. He returned to his bed where he lay down still relaxed by her treatment, and he drifted to sleep entranced by her music.