The Zutara Capfic Cruise!!!

[Victim ~*of *~Circumstances]

Stopping, after hearing her name Voc flipped around to see Hinata.

"Hi! Can you believe it! We're headed to the North Pole!" exclaimed Voc with excitement.

Walking over to Hinata's side she asked

"You want to go get some hot cider with me? I haven't seen anyone yet, either I woke up too early or I woke late again."

[mahatista]

Maha emerged onto the deck of the ship. The icy air was just the thing she needed to awaken her brain after more than 24 hours in bed.

They were just entering the gates of the Northern Water Tribe city. The fading sunlight glinted off the snowy structures as the whole picture faded to moonlight-bathed lavender. It was breath taking.

With a little help from her friends Maha made her way along with the group across the pathways of the city to the small circular door. Yugoda had told them they must not touch anything and not to drink the water from the oasis. It seemed strange that such a rule would have had to be made but they all agreed anyway.

When they entered the space they were awe-struck. It was as beautiful as THE TREE had been only more ... spiritual.



Bagpipe fell to the ground in tears and Lu patted her comfortingly on her shoulder. Skye and Sokka smirked at the emotion of the others but surrepticiously wiped their own eyes when they thought no one was looking.

[luthien]

Lu continued patting bagpipe on the back, telling her, "I understand. It's beautiful. Just beautiful." Lu could feel tears welling up in her own eyes as she marveled at the sight. Here it was: the home of Tui and La, the place where Yue had become the Moon Spirit, and the scene of the first great faceoff between Zuko and Katara. Even Pecan seemed to understand, and sat beside Lu and bagpipe with a hushed reverence.

[theweasleyboys]

"Yeah, but don't let the prettiness fool you," TWB whispered to Luthien, shifting her glance around the area just in case they weren't truly alone. "This is also the place where Avatar Kuruk lost his bride-to-be to Koh. I'd be on my guard if I were you!"

So saying, she straightened up where she stood and pretended to look as normally awestruck as everybody else.

[mahatista]

Heading back to the ship the party was silent, thoughtful. Sacred spaces are always surprising no matter how you prepare yourself for their impact.

That night they shared a grand buffet and watched the Iroh/Jee Experience perform a concert of original tunes.

They were on their way to the Catacombs. Another place of great Zutara importance. They all felt their bond strengthened from their experiences so far.

After Lt. Jee sang a stirring love song to end the performance, they made their way to their cabins for a good night's sleep. None of the wild partying would happen tonight. They were subdued and thoughtful as the ship glided it's way back toward the Earth Kingdom and Ba Sing Se.





CHAPTER 5[/b]






Maha was up before anyone. The warmer air of the Earth Kingdom waters was not as exhilarating as the arctic had been, but today she didn't need it.

On the bridge she complimented Jee on his beautiful singing voice as she went over the map and itinerary.

Day 1- South Pole (serving hot cocoa)
Day 2- Stay on the Ship (Dinner)
Day 3- Waterbending Scroll Riverside
Day 4- "Bato of the Water Tribe" Abbey/The Chase deserted town
Day 5- Spirit Oasis at the North Pole (serving hot cider)
Day 6- Crystal Catacombs/Jasmine Dragon tea shop
Day 7- Hot Springs/Royal Palace (including a tour, visit to the turtleduck pond, and formal feast)
Day 8- Zuko's Hot Air Balloon




"We'll be at Chameleon Bay in a few hours. From there it's straight to the Upper Ring and the underground city." Jee said.

"Aren't you excited Jee?" She asked him perkily.

"Of course I am." He said in a very unexcited voice.

Maha was beginning to wonder about this temperamental troubadour when she noticed activity on the deck.

[bagpipe turtle]

Bagpipe wandered around deck, hoping Chameleon Bay would come quickly. She was greatly looking forward to being the Catacombs, and from the sounds of the rest of the people on the cruise, they were, too.

"I hope you won't cry again at those Crystal Catacombs." A voice said behind her.
Bagpipe replied without turning around, "Oh, be quiet. The Spirit Oasis is a beautiful and touching place. I had every right to cry."
Whoever it was said lightly, "Okay, if you say so," then walked off, their feet clicking against the deck.

"Does anyone know when we'll get there?" Bagpipe asked to nobody in particular.

[The Blue Chibi]

Katara looked up from her deck chair, where she had been reading a scroll by the light of the full moon. "Zuko," she said softly, "why would you say such a thing to that girl?" He turned to see her, a rare smile on his face. "What do you mean?" She gave a tiny exasperated snort, and put down the scroll. Getting up, she said, "You know perfectly well what I mean. That oasis is special to many people, and you should respect it, too. Just because you haven't seen any of the amazing things that can happen there, doesn't mean they didn't exist. Besides," she lowered her voice and slipped her arm around his waist, "that was the site of our first major fight." She rested her head on the firebender's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"What? Huh? Er, don't be." He was startled by the turn in conversation, and looked down at her in bewilderment. "Why would you be sorry?" She hid her face against his arm and said, "Well... I thought I might have hurt you then, and I was so angry... I'm sorry..." He put his arm around her, trying to comfort her, and said, "Well, look, I'm sorry, too. I could have really hurt you as well, and I had no right to be fighting a girl --" "What?!" She looked up, her face flushed. "What do you mean, 'fighting a girl?' I'm not a little girl, I can hold my own against any master! And don't act like you could have hurt me, you didn't even come close!" She stepped away, her ribs heaving as she drew breath for another verbal assault. "And it's not like --"

"Katara." Sokka's voice cut across the sudden argument. "What?!" she screamed at her brother, and Zuko, holding his arms in a halfhearted defensive pose and completely confused by now, turned his head towards his friend. Sokka stepped towards the two and then stopped, evidently trying to say something and finding himself unable. Katara's anger evaporated. "Sokka, I -- what is it... are you okay?" She was more surprised than anybody to see tears rolling down his face as he turned away from them.

His voice breaking uncharacteristically, Sokka struggled to maintain composure as he said, "It's just... it's just, you two are standing there, and you've got each other, and you don't know for how long... and... and all you can do is fight!! I'm sick of it -- sick of seeing you two waste the hours you have left, and complaining about silly things when you could be, I don't know, taking care of each other or something, and..." His emotional outburst trailed off, and, putting his elbows on the railing of the ship, rested his face in his hands.

Katara, came to put her arm around him, frightened... and then she looked up at the moon and understood. "Sokka..." "I'm fine." "Sokka, I --" "Just go away," he said, embarrassed at having been seen so upset. She and Zuko looked at one another, and the firebender nodded. He took her hand and they slipped away, leaving Sokka at the rail. From the shadows came Suki, who rested her hand on his back and whispered, "It's okay, I'm here..." His tense shoulders relaxed, and he looked up, a small smile on his tear-stained face.

* * *

Later that night, a couple could be seen in the distance, walking hand-in-hand through the shadows on the ship's deck and reminiscing about the time they'd spent in the great capital of Ba Sing Se. "I'll show you my uncle's tea shop," one was saying, "and you won't believe what happened there..."

[mahatista]

Maha wiped a tear away after Chibi finished her story. As focused as they all had been on the Zutara moments they'd forgotten the much more important moment for Sokka and his first love. How painful it must have been for him. And she had thought he had teared up for the same vague reasons everyone had.

"I'll be extra nice to him today." Maha declared, not sure what she was promising.

As they pulled into the harbor at Chameleon Bay the crowd began getting excited. The catacombs would be beautiful with their glowing, faceted crystals and they'd been looking forward to it.

Maha noticed Sokka surrounded by several females; Pixar, Luthien, Bagpipe, Kai, all giving him compliments and asking him questions about all the things that he'd seen. He had perked up enormously since this morning. She shared a grin with Chibi and they followed the others ashore.

[LiveInThaskyE]

SkyE had indeed teared up when the group visited the North Pole, the scene was so beautiful. And now, as the travelers moved on shore, he promised himself that he would not cry again on the rest of this trip.

[Victim ~*of *~Circumstances]

Well, that was certainly an enjoyable experiance. Thought Voc in a moment of solitude. She had passed by the cabins and had heard the fight going on with Sokka.

Can't believe we forgot about Yue and Sokka. Poor Guy.. Walking up to the deck she saw Sokka and Suki in a tender moment.

"At least she's here for you." murmured Voc as she wondered what the trip to Ba Sing Se would bring. Staring at the moon shining in all its glory she contemplated about Yue.

She must have been an amazing girl. I wonder if we could've been friends.

Leaning onto the railing Voc breathed a sigh as she closed her eyes to feel the warm air currents as they neared Chameleon Bay. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and spun around seeing nothing there.

Hmm, must've been my imagination. As Voc walked towards the mess hall to get something to eat the apparition appeared once more away from the group's eyes.

Yue smiled as she spotted Sokka & Suki, blowing a kiss towards the couple she departed.

Sokka, I'll always be with you.[/b]

Sokka raised his head and turned away from Suki. He felt a calming breeze, cold, uncharacteristic in these parts but somehow it made him feel better.

"Suki, did you feel that?" exclaimed Sokka in wonder

"No, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just thought......deja vu. You want to go get something to eat?"

Suki laughed merrily as she hooked her arm with Sokka's, smiling at him she replied

"Alright, but promise me something?"

"What?"

"You turn that frown upside down." Suki kissed his cheek and Sokka blushed like an apple-cherry but let out a laugh of joy.

[mahatista]

The giant slide of the Dai Li before her Maha took a deep breath. It hadn't looked fun in the show but Chibi had squealed with delight on her way down soooo.....

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah" Maha shrieked humiliatingly, her heart lodged firmly in her throat as she slid at warp speed down the steep ramp.

"Wasn't that amazing?" Chibi asked, grabbing Maha's hand and hauling her up.

"Y-yes." Maha nodded shakily.

Then she looked around. Everywhere, above and below were glowing, glittering crystals. Like finely cut gems they adorned every inch of the space.

"Wow." Maha breathed taking it all in.

As more screams and hollers arose behind them, she and Chibi checked out the space.

[Solvabibble]

Solva looked down the Dai Li slide apprehensively. She wasn't too afraid of heights but the slope was incredibly steep. Sighing because she knew there was no other alternative, she got ready to slide down to join Maha and the others.

[mahatista]

As the crowd grew and they became accustomed to the otherworldly beauty of the space someone noticed something missing.

"Hey!" Called out Sokka. "Where are Zuko and Katara?"

"They didn't want to come. They wanted to talk." Iroh said.

"Ah." The crowd nodded. This was a place of extreme beauty and significance, but just beyond the rough arch in the glowing wall lay the large cavern where the worst had happened. It wasn't pleasant for anyone. But they couldn't have skipped this place. It was important that they come here.

"Shall I tell you how I was encased in crystal by the Dai Li? Twice?!" Iroh offered dramatically.

"How did you get out that first time?" Maha asked him, remembering all the theories that had sprung up after that episode.

"If one gives up ones secrets one has nothing but what all can see." He said mysteriously.

"And..." Maha prompted.

"I think he doesn't want to tell us." Bagpipe said.

"Oh, I see." Maha furrowed her brow. "You had a friend in the Dai Li right? Someone in the White Lotus. Right?"

Iroh just smiled slyly and walked away to confer with Jeong Jeong.

"Old men. Think they know so much." Maha grumbled and took some snapshots of the cave.

[The Blue Chibi]

Chibi went over to one of the green crystals covering the walls. She stuck out her tongue and licked one.

"Nope, it's a rock."

She turned around to see her friends looking at her strangely.

"Whaaat, I was just checking."

[Victim ~*of *~Circumstances]

Voc laughed at Chibi's antics. It reminded her of something Sokka would do but gave her a pat on the back.

"Don't worry, if it was rock candy you'd be the first to get some while we all watch in envy."

After that she surveyed the group and asked

"Can we take one as a souvenir?"