Disclaimer: Avatar: the Last Airbender belongs to Nickelodoean, Bryan Konitzko, and Michael Dante DiMartino, not me.
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Zuko was restless.
He shifted back and forth at his sister's side, watching her pore over the reports. Azula's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She steepled the fingers. "Again," she said. "I need to go over the information again."
"There are three traveling with the Avatar," the lieutenant said again. "Two from the southern water tribe, a boy around fifteen and a girl around fourteen. The girl is a waterbender, but not the boy."
"Those are the two we've encountered before," Azula said. "Both moderately competent, but nothing we cannot handle."
"The Avatar's third companion is a girl around twelve," the lieutenant continued. "A very small but very powerful earthbender. From what we've gathered, however, she is blind."
Azula stared into the distance. Zuko knew that look. That was the "I am formulating something, but you're not going to know what it is until it's too late for you to do anything about it." Finally she looked back at the lieutenant. "You're dismissed," she said, with a crisp wave of her hand. He left.
"What gives, Azula?" Mai said. "You've seen all three of the Avatar's companions before, but you made that man tell you all he knew four times."
Azula pushed herself off of the earth king's throne and paced. "I'm looking for a loophole," she said.
"Ooh," said Ty Lee.
Azula whirled around. "The water tribe boy is useless to us," she said.
"Cute…" Ty Lee started to say. Azula shot her a look. "But useless, yeah…"
"Our best bet is either one of the girls," Azula said, continuing her relentless pacing. "The Avatar is fond of that water-tribe girl, but she would be harder to nab." Azula stopped. "The earthbender. That will be the easiest for us."
"She's the one of the most powerful earthbenders in the world. I've heard she can even bend metal," Zuko objected. "How are you-"
Azula shoved her hand in his face. "Shut up, Zuzu," she said. "Firstly, it's not me, it's you three. You'll be the ones to get her. Second, she's blind. The lieutenant reported that she can sense vibrations in the ground, but the moment she's off the ground…"
"She's defenseless," Mai realized.
"We'll get her off the earth. Into water, or onto wood," Azula said. "She will be an excellent pawn." She plunked down onto the throne again. "This works best for the Avatar. Emotional warfare. Take away something he cares about, and he will do anything to get them back. Yes, the little earthbender will do nicely."
A servant entered the room and bowed deeply. "Your highness, your uncle wishes an audience," he said.
Zuko turned his head away. "Send him in," Azula said. "And look up, Zuzu, if you have any ounce of backbone left in you."
"Princess Azula, you should not speak to your brother like that."
"I can speak to him any way I like, Uncle," Azula said. She folded her hands. "What is it you want?"
Iroh looked around the throne room. "I see you have retained all of the earth king's décor," he said.
Azula's lips thinned. "Only the Dai Li know that the earth king is gone," Azula said. "To the rest of Ba Sing Se, he is still on the throne. I will keep the décor to keep up appearances, now tell me what you want before I order the Dai Li to take you away."
"I wish to return to my tea shop, niece," Iroh said.
"So you can plot against me?" Azula snorted.
Iroh held out his hands. "I am an old man, Princess Azula," he said. "My days of fighting are over. I wish to spend the rest of my days in my tea shop, making other people happy."
"You're a silly old fool," Azula said.
"I am," Iroh said, "but I would rather be a silly old fool than join with you."
Azula studied her uncle. "I may be getting soft," she said, "but I will let you return. The Dai Li will escort you. When you return, you are forbidden to mention any of this. Do I make myself clear?" Iroh nodded. "I will send the Dai Li to check on you at various occasions, without warning. If I discover even the slightest hint of rebellion, I will not hesitate to order your execution."
"I understand, niece," Iroh said. "I do not like it, but I understand."
"Then go," Azula said.
Iroh looked past her shoulder to Zuko. Zuko felt his face flame. His uncle stared at him for a moment, with an indescribable look in his eyes. Then Iroh turned and left the throne room, escorted by the Dai Li.
"Be glad you're staying with me, Zuzu," Azula said. "If you left, you would be just as much of a fool as he is."
I'd almost rather be a fool, Zuko thought, but he pushed it away.
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