Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own Avatar. If I did I would be living in a mansion and have millions of dollars. The only thing that I own is the plot, and hopefully, in the next chapter, a new main character!

Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Osha

He smiled, putting his arm up to cover his eyes. His plan had worked. His sister suspected nothing. As far as Azula knew, he was still her weak older brother, trying to get back in their father's good graces.

It amazed him how much he had changed. When he had first become exiled, all he cared about was catching the Avatar. That was the only way his father would restore his honor, his throne, his country. He now realized that there was other ways to get the Fire Nation out of Ozai's greedy possession. And how could someone, who had no honor himself, restore it to anybody else?

Yes, his views had changed. So now, with his uncle's help, he'd do everything he could to keep the Avatar out of the Fire Lord's hands. Hopefully, the watertribe peasant believed him. He knew there wasn't much of a chance of that actually happening, but if she did she would be very helpful.

He looked around his room. It reeked of Earth Kingdom items. Oh, well. He'd be back in his country soon, though he would be a traitor.

He discarded that thought quickly. He was only doing this to save the Fire Nation. If the Avatar had to destroy the whole Fire Nation of get to Ozai, he would. If he could challenge his father to an Agni Kai first, and win, he could call the war off and the Avatar would have no reason to come after him. He hoped.

Groaning, he rolled over, and eventually fell into an uneasy sleep.

-----

She woke up, sunlight shining across her face. She needed to find something to cover that stupid window.

Getting dressed, she went of her room, making her way to the deck.

"Katara!" Aang exclaimed as she went over to him. "I'm glad you're up! I was getting bored by myself. Can we practice waterbending?"

Laughing, she agreed. She spent the rest of the time until the others woke teaching Aang a new waterbending trick she had invented.

After a while their practice session was interrupted by Hagoda coming up to them. "Hey Katara, Aang. Where are the others?"

"Still asleep, I think," Aang answered.

"I'm awake," Toph called as she appeared on the deck. "I'm so glad I can go around a ship without having to hold on to someone."

"I couldn't agree more." They all turned to see Sokka.

"You're complaining? Try being blind," Toph retorted.

At that moment Bato came up to their little group. "We're almost at Osha," he said, pointing to a spot on the shore, which was steadily coming closer.

"I don't think we should be announcing that I'm here," Aang said, pointing to Appa.

"Aang, what do you expect us to do with Appa? He's a gigantic flying bison. We can't just cover him up!"

"Thanks, Sokka, for stating the obvious. What I mean is we'll have Appa wait for us in the woods, along with the bear. The Earth King and I will disguise ourselves in order to blend in."

"Leave Bascow?" the Earth King demanded as he entered the deck. "You're insane!"

"I agree with Aang. Appa and Bascow would draw too much attention and we don't want Zuko and Azula to find out where we are," Katara told him.

"But Bascow!"

"Bascow will be fine. Appa will take care of him and we'll have Appa bring him at night once we're in the palace," Aang told him.

"I guess that would work," the Earth King relented.

"Now that that's settled, let's get you two some different clothes," Hagoda said as he led Aang and the Earth King away.

-----

A pounding on the door knocked him out of his mediation. The flame he was tossing back and forth grew with his anger. He hated being interrupted while mediating.

"Zuko!" his sister called.

Getting up, he threw open the door. "What do you want?"

"Oh, nothing. Just that you and I are returning to the Fire Nation."

"What?"

"I just received a message from father. He wants us to return to the Fire Nation with Uncle. I guess we'll have to leave the city in the hands of Ty Lee and Mai. They and the Dai Lee will keep the city in order."

"We're going home?"

"See? Told you you made the right choice. We're leaving in an hour." She turned to go. "Oh, yea, I almost forgot. Uncle wants to see you. He doesn't look happy."

"Why would he? He's a prisoner and I just betrayed him."

"Good point. See him before we leave. The guards are getting annoyed and I'm getting annoyed with their complaining."

"Oh, if it makes you more comfortable, I'll be sure to go see him right away," he said sarcastically.

"Don't mess with me, Zuzu. I'm not in the mood," she said, walking away.

He shut the door, turning and shooting a fireball out the window.

It's for the Fire Nation, he thought. I can handle my sister. Besides, it's not my fault Uncle is a prisoner. I told him to run, save himself, that I would be fine. He didn't listen to me. There's nothing I can do about that.

He started packing, slightly calmer than he had been when his sister had first knocked.

-----

"Let me pass," Zuko ordered the guards. They hurried to obey, opening the door for him. As Zuko entered, they shut the door again.

Zuko approached the bars separating him from Iroh. "What is it Uncle?"

"Just checking up on you."

"I'm fine. We leave for the Fire Nation soon." He paused. "I told you to run. Why didn't you listen?"

"I stood by you when you were exiled, Zuko. Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?"

"But Uncle!"

"No buts, nephew. I'm staying, and that's that."

Zuko groaned.

-----

"Appa, go in the woods and stay out of sight," Aang told the bison. "Protect Bascow and bring him with you to the palace when I call. Now go on Appa.Yip Yip!"

Aang backed away as Appa took off, Bascow on his back.

Hagoda came up to them. "We're almost at Osha. Where's the Earth King?"

"Bascow!" they turned to see the Earth King leaning over the ship rail, waving at the small white speck in the sky.

"Stop that," Katara ordered, going over to him. "We're going to be at Osha in a few minutes. Bascow will be fine."

After pulling him off the rail, she turned to look at Osha, which was steadily growing closer.

Katara was worried. Someone was bound to notice Aang, he was the Avatar! And the Earth King would be easily noticed as well.

"Don't worry Katara. Nobody will notice Aang or the Earth King," Sokka said, trying to comfort her.

"I'm not so sure."

"Stop worrying Katara," Aang said, coming up to them. "It'll be fine."

Katara sighed, turning her attention to the city before them.

The city was huge. Not as large as Ba Sing Se, but as large as Omashu. It was one of the Earth Kingdom's largest cities. The city was on a large hill, the palace on the top. The noble's houses surrounded the palace, little miniature palaces themselves.

The city really was magnificent. Maybe, just maybe, nobody would notice them.

Their ship entered the dock. She walked over to her father, and they walked off the ship into the city.

As they started off for the palace, Katara noticed the stares they were receiving. Hopefully the people would be focused on the fact that they were from the watertribe, and not notice Aang or the Earth King.

Hopefully.

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