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The day passed by like a hungry snake, tense and brimming with anticipation. In its wake glided a starry night, its thousand colours sparkling over the ghostly silence of the forest.

Following Sokka's support of Zuko's plans, the rest of the group complied with various degrees of excitement. Teo and The Duke trusted Sokka implicitly, and set about gathering belongings here and there as they talked about the trip. Haru was skeptical, but silent. Whilst he didn't protest, his reservations were evident in his stiffness towards Sokka and his blatant refusal to converse with Zuko. Toph, on the other hand, was ambiguous. She, like her fellow earthbender, never outright challenged Sokka's decision, but she offered to stand guard to the firebender - which Katara believed was simply so she could hound him for more answers and monitor his heart rate as she did so. He wasn't as cooperative as he had been, and more than once, refused to answer a question that was remotely personal.

And herself? She wasn't sure what to believe. Katara trusted Sokka just as Teo and The Duke did - more, in fact. Without him, she doubted she would have been able to survive as long she had. It was his planning and his decisions that had kept them from capture so far, and she wasn't about to undermine his authority now. They all had reasons to distrust the Fire Nation - but Sokka, out of everyone there, would have been the first to refuse Zuko's help. The fact he didn't gave her reason to think that, perhaps, they were on to something.

That maybe he was still alive.

It hurt just to think about it, so she stopped.

Katara piled Toph's belongings into a rucksack. They were few and far between, but the earthbender was...occupied in the other room. What with Zuko encased in a cocoon of dirt under her watchful feet and all. Just because they were following his plan didn't mean they trusted him enough to roam free. He should count his lucky stars she hadn't kept him frozen - she had better things to do than babysit. Or admittedly, it was more that she didn't really want to hear anymore stories of what was happening. They were emerging into the real world soon enough, and she was basking in her last few hours of safety within these walls, out of earshot.

It would be the first time in three years that they would leave the Western Air Temple, with no intention of returning. It frightened her. They would be stripped of what kept them from the unforgiving face of the world, baring them to its realities. And as she stood at the entrance, on the threshold of a new beginning and an old life, it took all her restraint not to drop her stuff and crawl into a corner.

When she emerged into the entrance hall, Sokka and Haru were taking rounds of the temple, checking for any wayward belongings. It would not do to leave behind scents that could be traced back to them - as Zuko had kindly demonstrated. Teo sat on his wheelchair in the corner, counting his arrows and checking supplies. The Duke stood beside her, kicking a rock here and there to entertain himself, his bag strapped to his back. The eleven-year old had grown rapidly before her eyes, and it still stunned her that the boy before them was almost at the age he had been when setting out to change the course of history. Just the thought of sending The Duke out alone to find food had her in hysterics -

No. You can't think of him. You don't handle it well. You have to stay focused.

Shaking her head furiously to physically rid herself of any thoughts, she caught Zuko's eyes staring at her from across the room. He'd been silent for the past few hours, casually observing the group as they bundled around removing any traces of the last three years of their lives. Occasionally Toph would lower his prison so he could regain feeling in his body again, but even then, he'd quietly stand, stretch and wait for the earth to surround him once more.

His eyes never stopped analysing, though.

"Right, I think that's all of it," Sokka announced, wiping his hands as he entered the room. "Everyone ready?"

"What about Sparky here? What are we going to do with him?" Toph asked, pointing at the firebender.

Haru shrugged, swinging his rucksack over his shoulder. "We could just bind his hands or something. And we'll take turns watching him."

"Or - crazy idea - we could just let him walk free because this is after all, his idea."

They all whipped their heads at Zuko, who gave them a raised eyebrow.

"Well, gee, don't get too excited." he continued drily. "I'm simply pointing out that you'll be wasting your time and efforts. I'm not the enemy here, and I promise you, we'll be encountering some on the way." Zuko pointedly looked at the ceiling, avoiding their glares. "I mean, as someone who's been on the inside of things, I could really help if there was a problem. But if my hands are bound then..."

"Oh forget it! He won't hurt us. Toph, let him go. He can help with the luggage or something."

Bewildered eyes switched to Sokka, who was casually zipping his bag. He seemed oblivious to Teo's open-mouthed stare.

"Sokka..." Katara began, uncertainly. "Not that I'm trying to imply that you're insane or anything but-"

"Are you on the cactus juice again?" Toph interrupted, heated. "Or did you purposefully forget how he slammed you into the wall? I think you killed some brain cells there, Snoozles. It's one thing to follow this absurd plan of his - it's entirely another to assume he's one of us now. You're already risking everyone's lives, and I won't let you make another stupid decision that could cost us!"

Maybe Toph wasn't so ambiguous, after all.

Her brother took a deep breath, and turned to face the earthbender. "No, I haven't forgotten. I haven't forgotten that this is Prince Zuko, who chased us around the world. Who helped Azula capture Ba Sing Se. Who's had a hand in all the atrocities that have happened. Of course I haven't forgotten!" He threw his hands in the air. "But you know what? I can't afford to think of the past anymore! I don't think it was a coincidence he found us, and I might actually believe what he's saying. So yeah, I'm sorry, Toph, if I'm taking a leap of faith and an opportunity to leave this hellhole. Even if it means risking my life and putting it in the hands of a traitor. I can't stay here anymore." He sighed, and rubbed his face, looking more tired than usual. "Zuko's right in one sense. If we have him bound all the time and someone sees, it could raise a lot of questions. That, and I doubt it'll do much. He's a master firebender. I'm pretty sure he'd know how to escape if he really wanted to. Please, Toph. You don't have to trust him, but you can trust me." His voice became soft and pleading.

His words settled in the air like a rough blanket - uncomfortable and thick.

Toph glared at nothing, but didn't reply. A heartbeat, and she stomped her foot, the earth encasing the Fire Prince crumbling to the ground. Zuko stood up gingerly, brushing off the dust. He seemed oddly satisfied with himself, and that snapped something in the waterbender.

Katara stalked right up to him, the top of her head just about at his nose. "Fine," she said, a finger jabbed at his chest. "You've succeeded. We're going to help you. But I'm warning you." She looked into his eyes then, hoping it emphasised her words. "You and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past. So let me make myself clear. You make one step backward, one slip-up. Give me one reason to think you might hurt the people I care about, and you won't have to worry about the fate of the world anymore. Because you won't be a part of it. And this time, I won't hesitate."

Beneath the dim light of burning torches, he looked so much younger and softer. Only the striking stain of scar consuming his face damaged the image: a reminder of the tarnished family he belonged to, of the blood that ran through his veins.

Zuko nodded stiffly, his eyes ablaze and never leaving hers.

"Well, that was...dramatic. So, uh, are we leaving now?" Teo's voice broke the intensity, and Katara spun on her heel to stalk off, her heart hammering.

She moved to stand in the doorway, waiting for the others to pass her before she went on. She wanted a moment alone with the temple, a chance to say goodbye, as sappy as it sounded. They had some good memories here, despite it all. Sokka paused momentarily beside her and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and she returned his smile. Zuko brought up the rear, and she pointedly stared at at a rock to avoid his eye.

Just when he'd walked by her and she shifted to look into the entrance hall, a hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist. Hard. Without thinking, she turned and slammed her knee into his stomach. Zuko gasped and dropped her wrist, clutching his sides. The others were too far ahead to hear, much to her appreciation. This would have been difficult to explain.

"Don't do that," Katara snapped, guilt nagging her. She pushed it away. "I'm already jittery as it is!"

Yellow eyes narrowed, and he hissed through gritted teeth, "Right. Next time, I'll tap with you a ten foot pole. Psychos, all of you!" He groaned.

She drew herself up. "Psychos? Look who's talking! And there's nothing wrong with some defensive manoeuvres. I'm not helpless, I've survived."

"Oh, and I wonder who's to thank for that! Seems like you've already forgotten."

She didn't forget. In the catacombs, so long ago, she had almost met her end. But he hadn't done it. And now they were here, an ironic dance of destiny.

"Of course I haven't forgotten," Katara muttered, softly, guilt rising up again. "I'm sorry, okay. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Zuko stood up straight then, breathing a little more shallow. "Well, you could say it a little nicer, but I guess manners are somewhat too much to ask for."

She ignored the jibe. "What do you want, Zuko? Everyone's probably assumed that we've murdered each other, so I'd hurry it up."

The firebender regarded her in a cool stare. "Just thought I'd add something to your threats back there. It's all very well and good to assume I might want to hurt your loved ones, but I wanted to make my point clear, too."

He took a step towards her. She took a step back.

"This works both ways. I have people I care about as well, and if you lay a finger on any of them - even in the name of justice - then you'll have me to deal with. Understood?"

"Protecting criminals, are we?"

His voice was thin as ice. "Careful, Katara. Righteousness is a dangerous game to play, and frankly, there are no winners."

He turned to walk up the steps then, leaving the question to die on Katara's lips.


The silence in the cell was deafening.

He lay here, still and dreaming, his eyes moving under his eyelids in the soft rhythms of a sea. Though confined in a concrete box, with an all-consuming darkness, he roamed free in his mind. Not alone, no, never alone.

The floor below, a series of cages stand, row after row - unaware of the remarkable being above them. Flesh and shackles slammed against the bars, and those that had not lost their voices already scream into the air where no one cared to hear them. Not even him, in his faraway land. He could not hear their pleas to the unforgiving glares, their prayers for a hope that lies only feet away from them. To him, they did not exist - and they might as well not, for all they are and ever will be, lying within these formidable walls, in this manmade hell.

She struck him with lightening in his Avatar State.

As they rocked themselves back and forth, in between their sobs for help, they remember him.

He didn't see it coming.

It's a tale the guards have grown fond of telling, should some semblance of hope somehow survive in this place of despair.

The Avatar fell.

You would be a fool if you did not think so. Now bow to your superiors.


In this faraway land, he flew free. Unbound, unhurt, unperturbed. If it was an illusion, he couldn't say. He stood on a rock, gazing around at the misty surroundings. The world was peaceful here, safe. He took a deep breath, revelling in this moment of freedom. His memories were hazy, drifting with the ever-lasting wind.

What happened?

Where am I?

The catacombs...Azula...

Katara.

Oh no. I have to get back. I have to-

"Hello, Aang."


Your thoughts, as always, are appreciated.