Love Thy Enemy (3/61) PREVIEW

"Just wait until you see it, guys! The air temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world." Aang said, as he was making sure Appa's reins were tight around his horns. Katara heaved a great sigh, then said,

"Aang, I know you're excited about going home, but it's been 100 years."

"That's exactly the reason why." Aang replied, wide and filled with excitement. Katara then said, with a sad face,

"A lot can change between the time you left until now."

"I know that, but I want to see for myself." Aang then jumped off of Appa to wake Sokka, who was still sleeping, snoring loudly.

Aang tried to wake him up by shouting,

"Wake up Sokka! It's Air Temple time!" Sokka groaned and said,

"Sleep now, temple later." He then rolled over on his side and continued to sleep. Aang grabbed a stick and ran it up and down his sleeping bag while shouting, 

"Sokka! Get up! There's a bricklesnake in your sleeping bag!" Sokka jumped up, suddenly wide wake, and hopped around shouting 'Get it off! Get it off!', until he fell over, on his face. Katara and I giggled at the scene that just took place.

"Looks like Sokka's awake now." I said, smirking a little, earning a small scowl from Sokka. We all got on Appa and took off, but there was one thing bothering me, Aang's high hopes.

'I just hope he doesn't think he his friends from 100 years ago are still alive to this very day, when the Fire Nation started the war, they might have invaded the Air Temples too. He can't be that naive...can he?' 

"Uncle, I want the repairs make as quickly as possible. I don't want to waste much time here and lose his trail." 

"You mean the Avatar?" Uncle said, loudly.

"Don't say his name on these docks!" I hissed at him.

"Once word gets out about the Avatar being alive, every Firebender will be out for him, and I don't want anyone getting in the way." Then someone behind me said,

"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" 

"Captain Zhao" I muttered under my breath.

"It's Commander now. And General Iroh, great hero of our nation." 

"Retired General." Uncle said with a bow.

"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests anytime. What brings you to my harbor?" Uncle answered by saying,

"There are repairs being done on our ship." Gesturing towards it, the front of the ship practically mangled, with pieces of metal missing.

"That's quite a lot of damage." Trying not to tell him about what really happened with the group of kids and the Avatar, I said,

"Yes, you wouldn't even believe what happened. Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened." Uncle looked caught off guard, but then said.

"Yes of course. It was phenomenal..." He paused mumbled towards me 'Did we crash or something?'

"Yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom ship." I said.

"Really? Tell me all the thrilling details, over a drink of course." Commander Zhao mused, with a slight smirk planted on his face. 

'Can't I just leave now?'

"Sorry, but we have to go." I said, starting to walk away from him. Unfortunately, Uncle placed and hand on my shoulder and told me to 'Show Commander Zhao respect.'

'Show him respect my-'

"It would be an honor to join you. Would you happen to have any Ginseng Tea? It's my very favorite." Uncle said, as he walked of with Zhao. With both of their backs turned, I growled and threw flames at the ground.

'This was going to be a long evening...'

As we were flying over the clouds, I just couldn't look away. They were just so beautiful, and everything was peaceful until...Sokka's stomach disturbed it. The stomach's owner replied,

"Stomach be quiet, okay? I'm trying to find some food." As he looked through the bags. Sokka pulled a little sack out and emptied the contents into his hand, but only a few crumbs came out. Sokka asked, a little peeved, 

"Who ate all my blubbered seal jerky?" Aang said,

"That was food? I used to start the fire last night." Sokka groaned and fell back onto the saddle, and I heard him mutter, 'No wonder the flames smelled so good.'

'Looks like Sokka has to starve for a little while longer...' I thought with a little smile on my face. As we came to some mountains, Aang said that we were almost there. 

'Almost to the temple. Almost to Aang's old home. And almost to the skeletons of his friends.'

I saw Katara talking to Aang on top of Appa's head. Suddenly, Aang pulled up until a big building that was decorated with blue spires. As we got closer to the beautiful building, we all 'Wow'd' in awe.

"Aang, it's amazing!' Katara said.

"It's beautiful!" I said, I was sure I had huge grin plastered across my face.

'This place sure is going to be fun to explore!' I thought, completely forgetting about what might have happened to Aang's friends.