Disclaimer again: Still don't own, but I guess I own the slaves from chpt 3 but w/e.
Katara made her way through the long, twisted hallways of the fortress. Every few minutes she had to duck into the shadows to avoid being spotted by a guard. But luckily their masks were tinted so they had a difficult time seeing anyway.
The fortress was huge. It had at last fifteen floors and each floor was huge. Katara didn't know where to go first, how would she find the prison and even if she did how would she get them out?
Suddenly she heard noises coming from down the hall. Katara ran and slipped into a door that turns out to have lead to a supply closet. She left it opened a crack so she could observe the passers-by.
"Azula, I am honored to have you visit my fortress," Prince Zuko's voice rang through the hallway.
"Don't patronize me, brother." Came Azula's return snap. "Trust me, I don't want to be here any more then you want me here. I'm simply here to make certain that the Avatar does not escape before he is shipped to the Fire Nation."
"I assure you, the Avatar is heavily guarded and under the tightest security possible. 8 guards are guarding him and I have the only key to his or his friend's cells. He's not going anywhere. If you are dissatisfied by my assurance, and wish to see for yourself, I will gladly take you."
Their shadow passed in front of the closet where Katara was hidden and then moved on down the hallway. Katara came out and began slowly following them down the hallway.
It was hard keeping a safe distance, but keeping the Fire nation prince and princess in sight. The fortress was big and it would be easy to get lost.
Azula and Zuko began descending a flight of stairs and Katara had to wait. If she followed them, they would see her shadow. She waited until she could no longer hear their footsteps then took a cautious step after them, then another. She quietly made it to the base of the staircase, but after that she didn't know where to go.
She thought she heard voices from down the hallway and decided that way was the best bet. She hurried along, trying to be as quiet as possible. Luckily, there were no more guards patrolling the corridor.
Suddenly, she was grabbed by the arm and pulled into a side room. She almost screamed but a hand was clasped over her mouth. A light was turned on and Shao Mei was standing there.
"What are you doing?" she hissed.
"Trying to follow Prince Zuko and Azula."
"What!" Shao Mei cried, "you'll be caught, and this will have all have been for nothing."
"How else am I supposed to find my brother?" Katara asked.
Shao Mei sighed, "you really don't know what you're doing do you?"
Katara shook her head, "not at all."
"Your brother is most likely in the basement cells, which are under very tight security. Few people are trusted with key to those cells."
"Prince Zuko has one, he has the only copy of the key I want. I heard him and Azula talking."
Shao Mei looked at her as though she was being seen in a new light. "What did you say?"
"Zuko has the only key." Katara said, "why?"
"This, this is golden. Why this is the best thing so far."
Katara starred at her, "What are you talking about?" Something else struck her. "And why aren't you tied up?"
Shao Mei smiled, " Some Concubines, especially if they are favorites, get special privileges when they are not needed by their masters. I have free reign of the fortress as long as I'm there when I'm needed."
"Then why can't you escape?"
Shao Mei pulled up her pant leg and exposed a small metal box strapped to her leg. "This device will explode if I left the Fortress premises. It has to be unlocked by a key. And I know how to get that key."
"You do?" Katara asked, "how? Tell me."
"Think hard Katara. Prince Zuko is the only one with that key; he carries it with him everywhere. He's all alone in this fortress where the only female life is his sister and a few other slaves who have already been claimed by other generals. You're unclaimed and have free reign of this fortress."
A look of horror flashed across Katara's face, "you don't mean-"
"Yes, I do. I'm glad you've finally caught on."
Shao Mei led her to the door. "Prince Zuko's room is down this hall, room # 104. Its currently unguarded and unlocked." She thrust a bag into Katara's hands. "These might come in handy."
"But-" Katara stammered.
"You can do this Katara," Shao Mei said, "You're pretty and could easily be alluring. And the best place to hide is in plain sight."
"But-" Katara tried to say again.
"Do it for me, for Shay and Leela, for Ling and Shang. For your brother and even possibly the avatar. It's a small price when you think about it."
Katara sighed, "I can do it."
"Good," said Shao Mei, " I don't know when Zuko will retire, but it should be soon, hurry up."
Katara started towards the door.
"Oh, and Katara." Katara stopped.
"Good Luck."
A/N: What will she do? What's in the bag? How will he react. Coming up next. Mature content warning ahead.