Chapter 2

There are sometimes some things human beings can put up with but, she was no average human being. Of course her temper may rise, but that was only because she cared, yet there should be no reasons for her to feel so… so jealous. Yes, Katara felt envy for the attention that was being granted to someone else... Errr, other girls, rather than herself. She sat and watched Aang. He's a friendly guy, sociable, and kindhearted... in other words, was a big catch! Being Avatar; master of four elements, you really would have to watch out for your boyfriend.

She felt the need to do so there.

"Katara did you hear that? They started a fan club for me!" Aang seemed too content to notice anyway.

"Wonderful." She grumbled turning away. With her physical display, he still didn't take the hint until Katara grabbed him, averting him from the two girls. "Aang, we should get going and find somewhere to stay…"

"OH MY GOSH! ARE YOU LIKE, LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY? LIKE, I'D BE SOOOO AMAZING IF YOU LIKE, STAYED AT OUR CLUBHOUSE!" The waterbender cringed at this.

"She can't be fuc-

"Um, it's just down the street and we, like, made it look like the Western Air Temple." She spoke again trying to convince Aang. Katara wanted to just freeze her face to the nearest wall. Her left eyebrow began to twitch when Aang nodded his head at them causing two happy teenage girls to see stars.

Fuck life.

After walking what felt like ages, they arrived to their destination. Every now and then, Katara would hear both of her boyfriend's fan girls whispering what seemed to be like childish comments in each other's ears while blushing when glancing at Aang. Her irritation grew ever passing minute. Why do they have to be here anyway? Her eyes observed their "clubhouse", noticing, it looked nothing like the Western Air Temple. What kind of mockery was this? Can they be in the air first of all?

She rolled her blue eyes that now had an icy color. "You said it looked like the Western Air Temple, it looks nothing like the-

"Come on Aang! Let's go meet the other girls!" The slimmer young girl giggled, grabbing the Avatar's arm.

"Other girls?"

At that moment, Katara got on her knees and prayed to Yue, hoping that she would hear her prayer even if she wasn't shining out in the sky, because Katara knew she would go ballistic once she entered that absurd knock off of the Western Air Temple.

The spirits were experimenting with her patience.

Each step she took felt as if anguish had spread throughout her body, like an electrifying bolt making its way slowly to her pulsing organ. The young girl walked back as quietly as possible trying not to wake or alert anyone that she was there. Her footsteps were light and her breath faint. She knew better not to stay and eavesdrop on Zuko's and his father's conversation, but hey, it got quite interesting. She shook her head, Suki knew too much now though, the thought of the worse happening replayed like a broken record throughout her delicate mind. Blood, pain, suffering, or a 100 year war would arise once again being a never ending bitter dream.

She couldn't help what went though her imagination.

Teal eyes panicked noticing a pair of gold ones look back directly at her every now and then, though they did not notice, but felt her stare. She would duck slyly behind trees, rocks, walls, and under tables to avoid being caught.

They approached the Fire Nation Palace. The dawn illuminated the sky with shades of orange, pink, and baby blues, fading into a deep blue where the Yue and her stars were, eventually put to rest once the sun would be fully expose itself. She then paused at one of the palace's gardens, praying she wouldn't fall asleep from the lack of sleep. Suki knew that Ty Lee had taken the advantage to nap while Zuko and she were away. The acrobat didn't retort against her friend's intuition to follow him, it had suited her benefit.

Suki felt her eyes grow heavy. The tension in her muscles began ache, forming knots above her limbs, and under the tissue of her skin causing her to become weak, but her motivational mind encouraged her to not give up; remaining awake... But a quick five minute nap wouldn't hurt right?

"Suki?" The guard whipped her head around in a snap from hearing a soft voice. "Are you okay?" Mai stood there, with her hair completely down looking worried and tired as she ever did.

"Y-yes, I'm fine." Suki forced a smile as the other non-bender sat next her.

"I am worried about Zuko." Her eyes closed feeling the breeze as her lips bit one another, hiding each other inside her mouth but, brought them back to their natural form and continued. "He hasn't been himself lately, and I feel that he cares more about his stupid title than the people who love him." Suki didn't know what to say to her. It was possibly true that the Fire Lord cared more about his job than those who loved him, but isn't his job about caring for the people he loves... Isn't it?

Now she was just plain confused.

"Have you tried taking to him?" She knew well in her damn head that she's not good at this whole "soothing therapy" thing, and she doesn't want to be too blunt with Mai by letting her know that she was being selfish either.

"Yes, I did in fact." Mai paused and looked at her feet. "He's just too closed. I'm not sure if you've noticed any weird actions coming from him since you got here?" Mai asked noticing that the girl next to her went stiff at that moment.

"I..." Yep, she was screwed. "I have somewhat…"

Way to open that big mouth of your's Suki!

"Like what?" She turned her upper body towards Suki's direction.

"Well..." She shouldn't be doing this yet, there was no return. "Last night he took off." Mai nodded anticipating for more. "And I decided to follow to make sure he was safe. He was safe and all..." The Fire Lord's girlfriend had an irritated look on her face from Suki's long pauses.

"And...?"

"He went to go visit his father!" Her hand flew straight to her mouth, embarrassed for being a little too loud.

"What? Why?" Her expression was so full of emotion, something Suki had never seen before.

"He's unsure of what to do with the colonies in Earth Kingdom. So the best thing you can do is talk to him about it and-"

"Yes you're right. Excuse me while I finish this morning stroll and head back to my quarters to fix myself up." With that she the girl stood leaving Suki unfinished with her advice, and a pair of cold eyes that have witnessed their interaction.

Meanwhile...

Zuko finally reached private wing at six in the morning. Ty Lee stood like a statue as he passed her, noticing that Suki wasn't there.

"Where's Suki?" Ty Lee tensed at his question but regained composure and turned to look at him.

"She… had heard noises down the hall and decided to check what it was, my lord." She quickly averted her eyes, hoping that he didn't notice the lie that was aching to escape. Zuko's good brow furrowed as he was close to ask her why would Suki do that if that was Nami's job, but decided he was too exhausted to debate with her. Ty Lee sighed out of relief once he entered his private chamber. She anxiously chewed on her bottom lip, waiting for her friend's return.

No less than five minutes, Suki tirelessly walked up to a concerned Ty Lee.

"Why did you take so long? You look terrible!" She gave a worried concern at her friend's appearance. Suki did not reply, she was too worn out to even say a word. She plopped down next to Zuko's closed doorway, and fell into a dark paradise.

"You possessed an odd affinity for the weak."

"You didn't know whether to side with the hawk or the turtle-crab"

"I dove myself to save you."

The scent of ashes inhabited his nostrils, leading onto the confusion from that voice that he swore he shall lock away deep behind his mind one day. It was haunting him every passing hour. Before, they were just strange feelings, but now they evolved, turning into whispers from the remaining ashes, ashes, and more ashes of his father's dead inferno.

If only these damned pressures of the throne weren't eating his soul, then he would probably have a clear state of mind to handle his situations fairly. And yet, it was just too much at times. This life he was born into, he never asked for it to be this way. Cruel, stressful, unfair, but not uncaring. He couldn't add uncaring to the list because he had a handful of people in his life that cared about him; his friends, Mai, Iroh…

"The avatar is irrelevant… You trust him more than yourself"

There was that intruding voice again.

"I know you've been secretly meeting with Ozai." Zuko whipped his head. It was Mai. She stood there with a sorrowed look on her face.

Great, just fucking great.

"Who did you hear that from?" She noticed his face go beyond paler than it already was. His nerves were rising too.

"It doesn't matter, not from you!" She spat at him, pivoting away to leave knowing that this might get pretty ugly. Zuko sighed running his hands through his hair undoing his topknot. Why must she be so difficult with him? Did she not understand who she was going to marry?

She paused, her back still facing him. "You know what I've realized Zuko? You love your secrets more than you love me? But don't worry; they'll be kept when you're alone." Her voice broke somewhat at the end but still sounded strong as she walked to the door.

"What are you saying to me?"

She squeezed her palms shut. "Goodbye Fire Lord." It's over.

His eyes widen fully realizing what she meant. The temperature in the room rose at that moment.

"Mai come back- I order you to- UGH!" It was too late, the door shut and she was gone. A burst of flames came out of his palm and steamed the walls. He was so frustrated with everything and now this. Did the Spirits really hate him?

There was a knock at the door, but he didn't care who it was, so he didn't give permission to enter, yet, whoever it came in opened it anyway.

"I didn't give permission for you to enter."

"My fault. I'm sorry Zuko, when I asked her to talk to you about your father; I hadn't expected her to-

"How did you know about my father Suki?" Well did the whole damn Fire Nation Palace knew? It was biting him.

"I-followed-you-when-you-went-to-go-see-him!" She said rapidly, but he still understood. "Well, we just wanted to know if you needed help." Who the hell is this,we? "We're really worried about you Zuko… I-I… am really worried about you." She stuttered reaching out to come in contact with his hand. She tried to search for any feeling or emotion in his eyes till the door opened causing both of them to jump in alert.

"Fire Lord Zuko!"

"General Mak?"

"A message has arrived from the spies you sent to Earth Kingdom and your suspicions are conformed. King Kuei's army is on its way to Yu Dao!" Mak bowed to Zuko leaving.

"Father, you were right." Zuko muttered low and to himself so Suki wouldn't hear. He closed his eyes, hearing that certain voice once more.

If you are the Fire Lord, you will truly defend the fire nation citizens of Yu Dao.

"You sent spies!-

"That's none of your business!" He turned his heel to face the dark window instead of her, and yet, he could see her reflection through the elegant glass. Her face, it said it all; betrayal, hurt, and confusion. She bit her bottom lip out of the habit to find something to say.

"As your bodyguard, I would advise you to take things in consideration and think before you act, my lord." Maybe that would help.

"You question my authority Suki?" He smirked at her reply.

Probably not.

And she didn't reply back. All he wanted was for her to shut up. A loud silence echoed throughout the small room. She clenched her fist and lips tight. It felt hard as the pressure of her blood rushed out of her palms. The young Lord smirked to himself knowing she was too reluctant to say otherwise, though he would test it.

"Since there was no answer from you, I assume you mock the Fire Lord then." It wasn't a question anymore, it was a statement.

"No but you can take things less recklessly than sending out spies! Do you want another war to-"

"Silence! You don't understand what it's like to carry the weight of my people!" He shouted.

"I might not know what it's like to lead then." She said tinting some sarcasm. "But there must be a way to obtaining peace between nations!" Her head shook rapidly.

"I am not the Avatar for those reasons"

"But he is your friend."

Time stopped. Aang was his friend, but an image of the Earth King Kuei appeared. His thoughts were not his own right now. Ever since he spoke with his father, it twisted him. The agony within the hatred circled his mind causing the words between the growing stresses, stupefy him. He hated the fact that his father was right about coming to seek for his guidance in the future, and now... there was this damn conspiracy.

Do you think he'll treat the remaining of the fire nation colonies fairly?

In an attempt to restore his dignity he'll crush them.

It felt like his father was there, haunting him. His words were blood. His whispers were screams, and Zuko was the trapped victim in this vivid horror scene called life. He looked at Suki who had a bland expression, but sadness was swimming in her eyes.

"Tell me something Suki. Are you coming or not?"

She looked up. "Going where?"

"To aid my people. They need me, and I must do what I can whether it means to shed blood for them." He stated, turning to face her again. She stood there frozen. Now she knew what he asked of her, but little did her conscious know that he was yet again testing her.

"You can't do this! Earth Kingdom... I am one-

"You defied my signed contract once by not answering to my demand, and you do it twice! Do you know how that degrades your honor, or what that even means?" She saw his golden eyes filled with malice; it sent an odd shiver down her spine.

Suki bit her lip and replied. "Angi Kai." She whispered coldly.

"And I just happen to know the perfect person you shall duel with to redeem yourself." Zuko smiled at her. The temperature seemed to calm down a little, for now.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" She was furious. If she could bend every piece of metal in the world, this guy wouldn't never see the light of day. How could he come and claim her school as his? "THIS IS BEIFONG METALBENDING ACADEMY!"

The elderly man smirked. "No, we've came back to reclaim what is rightfully ours." Toph was taken aback for a moment, but still stood her guard. "This is Fire Nation territory belonging to all Fire Nation citizens established by Fire Lord Zuko!"

"That damn Sparky!" Toph cursed underneath her breathe. The firebending sifu scoffed at her insulting manner against his Fire Lord.

"Do not insult the Fire Lord before I-

"Before you what? I have my metalbending students that will teach your ignorant ass a lesson." Toph threatened him as her students behind her gave her a skeptical look.

The man before her busted into tears. "HA! SHAME YOU ON YOU THINKING YOU CAN SELL SUCH A FANTASY TO POOR DUPES! METALBENDING DOES NOT EXIST!" He continued to laugh at her so called "metalbending" threat. "I, Master Kunyo shall teach you a burning lesson you will never forget little girl!"

"BRING IT ON OLD MAN!"

And like always, Sokka added his five cents.

"WAIT! Let's handle this the peaceful way. I'm sure we can find a way to sort this out without fighting, right?" Everyone glared at Sokka, he smiled gave a wide smile. "Uhhh, well… how about a match to the sit instead?"

"As long as we still get to beat you up!" A small firebending boy yelled out of nowhere.

"How do I know you're not making this up Sokka?" Toph questioned him giving him a suspicious look.

"Well… Hey, where did The Dark One, Ho-Tun, and Penga go?" He pointed to the doorway's entrance. It was bloody empty. Toph felt her pulse faint.

"THOSE DAMN LILY LIVERS!"

The firebending master walked up closer to him with a quite satisfied look on his face. "Oh my, it looks like your students chickened out. You should do the same and save some sweat." Oh, but Toph wasn't going to let him off that easily. She lifted her right hand at him, motioning it rapidly up and down; the essence of the ground broke through the wooden floor. The earth she bended gripped his body. It took him on a wild ride, shaking him rapidly till he wasn't conscious. His students had a look of horror.

"I'll be back!" Toph exited with Sokka, walking away from it all.

She had to teach those damn lilly livers of hers a lesson.

A/N: Hoped you guys liked this so far. Leave a review of any thoughts or comments.

-SweetNightmares