AN: I'm so sorry for the late update! I'm really am. Because I haven't updated this in a while, this chapter is the longest one yet! This chapter is dedicated to all of those people who wanted me to hurry up with this chapter! Haha[=
DISCLAIMER:
Me: How many times must I say this?
Zuko: Every chapter of every story.
Me: *sighs*
Zuko: Want me to say it?
Me: Yes, please.
Zuko: zutara4evr only owns her characters and plots. NOT ATLA! And sadly, not me.
Me: *sighs again* I know. *wipes tear*
Breathless
Written: August 18, 2010-August 19, 2010
Posted: August 19, 2010
Chapter 4: Breakups, Makeups, and Secrets
The Firelord sat in the Royal Garden, meditating peacefully. He felt his inner fire rise as he bathed in the energy of the waking sun. He inhaled. Held it. Exhaled. He kept this pattern up for roughly around 10 seconds, before his peace was disturbed.
"WE WERE INVITED! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU! We've known him longer than you have, and you WILL let us in!" Zuko wandered through the palace halls until he reached the royal gates. He saw a pink clad girl angrily glaring at one of the guards, and a black clad girl looking away at something else. Zuko chuckled a bit to himself, and walked up to the guard.
"It's ok; you should know that they're always welcome here. Hi, Ty Lee; Mai." Mai brought her attention to the Firelord and smiled. She hadn't seen her boyfriend since a week after the war ended. Ty Lee begged her to come to Kyoshi for a while to help with warrior training. Zuko agreed and said they needed a small break from each other. She didn't like that, but accepted.
"YOU SEE! I TOLD YOU!" Ty Lee exclaimed to the guard, but then quickly turned to beam at the Firelord, "Hi, Zuko!" Following Zuko into the palace, Ty Lee turned to glare at the guard one last time, before returning to her cheery self.
"So what brings you guys here?"
"Oh, we were invited along with Sokka, Suki, and Aang. I was going to ride with them here, but I needed to stay an extra day to help a little warrior in training with her somersaults. Mai decided that she would leave with me, so I wouldn't have to go alone."
"Ah, how nice of you." Mai nodded, but continued to look at the walls. What was with him? He should be happy to see her!
"Mhm! Now where will we be staying?" Ty Lee asked, still beaming.
"Umm…OH! There's a free chamber down that hall, and the 5th chamber on the right. You should be right across from Suki and Sokka."
"Great! Thanks, Zuko!" And with that, the pink clad girl skipped her way to her room.
"That girl is as peppy as ever," Zuko muttered to himself. Mai laughed a little and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt him tense at her touch and she frowned.
"What's wrong? Didn't you miss your girlfriend?"
"Uh…yea."
"Well miss no more because I'm back." She leaned in to kiss him, be he politely put a finger to her lip to stop her.
"You should go get ready for breakfast." She frowned again, but nodded, and went in the direction she saw her friend go. Zuko breathed a sigh of relief and could hear everyone starting to wake up. He wondered if his waterbender was still asleep. He quickly and quietly slipped into her room. He noticed she was still sleeping, and smiled at her resting form. He pushed a few loose strands from her face, and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"My dear waterbender, it's time to awaken." His hot breath sent chills down her spine, and she woke up to see a devilishly handsome Firelord with his black hair down almost in his eyes, smiling at her. She reached up to push his bangs up so she could properly see his amber orbs.
"There're those beautiful eyes," she said as she smiled. He laughed a bit, and kissed her softly. Like a gentleman, he offered Katara his hand to help her out of the bed. She took it gingerly and kissed it. She saw him blush a little, and giggled a bit. After she was dressed, they walked hand in hand to the diner hall. The rest of the gang was there, including Mai, Ty Lee, and Uncle Iroh. Ty Lee kept poking Aang, asking him why his aura was such a dingy gray when the skies are filled with a loving blue. He only glared at his bowl in silence. No one dared to say anything to him. Sokka noticed Zuko and Katara's fingers laced together, and instantly snapped.
"HEY! YOU KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF BEFORE YOU LOSE THEM!" Mai turned to look for herself and Zuko quickly walked away from Katara. When he noticed Sokka was glaring at him. Zuko rolled his eyes.
"What's your problem, Sokka? I've held Toph's hand before to guide her, and I held you sister's hand to guide her. What's wrong with that?"
"It's different!"
"Can it, Snoozles and eat your eggs and tiger-dillo bacon. Stop making such a fuss before I pour my tea on you!" Toph threatened. Sokka sat back down at without hesitation, grabbed his tiger-dillo bacon and chewed on it hungrily.
"You were just guiding her to the diner room? I thought you two were going out" Ty Lee said, finally leaving Aang alone; although those words caught his attention. Mai almost choked on her eggs.
"What!" Mai was able to say with eggs threatening to slip down her throat without her permission.
"Who? Me and Zuko?" Katara asked frantically. Before Ty Lee could say anything, Mi Jah burst in the room with a scroll.
"Firelord Zuko! Firelord Zuko!" Mi Jah said in a worried tone. He stood up, and Mi Jah did a small bow.
"A scroll for His Majesty," Mi Jah said, panic overtaking her normal, calm side. Zuko looked at the parchment and his eyebrows burrowed in confusion.
"What does it say, nephew?" Uncle asked, sipping a cup of Ginseng tea.
"It says…I'm coming back."
"We don't care where you're coming back from, just tell us what the scroll says!" said Ty Lee in an annoyed tone. Zuko glared at her, and then she realized the error of her ways.
"Oh, sorry."
"Well. We have a while to think about the meaning of the message. Why don't we all go for a day on the beach, hmm?" Uncle said after a few moments of silence. Zuko nodded, the girls squealed in excitement…well all the girls except Toph and Mai. Everyone rushed to their rooms, and Ty Lee made a pit stop to Katara's room.
"Hey Katara, do you have an extra swimsuit? I seemed to have left mine back at Kyoshi.
"Sure. I'll send Sokka over with it since his room is closer to yours than mine.
"Okay, thanks!"
-OOO-
"Are you sure that nothing's going on between you and Ty Lee? Every time you look at her, she giggles! And why do you look at her?"
"Suki calm down! Nothing is going on between me and Ty Lee! She just has a small crush on me that's all."
"You promise me?"
"Yes, I promise." Suki stopped walking to kiss Sokka. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. They both backed away from each other when they heard an obnoxious cough.
"Excuse me Suki, but can I borrow my brother for a minute?" Katara asked, smirking. Suki blushed.
"Of course. I'll see you back at the room." With that, Suki scurried off.
"Aww Katara what do you want?"
"Go give this to Ty Lee, will you?"
"But why can't you do it?"
"Because I have to get into my swimsuit, and your room is closer to Ty Lee's than mine.
"Why didn't you just give it to her when she asked?"
"It was all the way in my suitcase and didn't want her to stand there wait." Sokka sighed, but took the blue and green swimsuit in his arms. Katara kissed his cheek, and smiled. He mumbled something that Katara couldn't really make out.
"…what am I the delivery guy?...little sister…" When Sokka arrived, Mai had answered the door. She was wearing a red top, and a long beach skirt.
"Yes?" she asked in her monotone.
"Here, give this to Ty Lee."
"No, you do it. I'm leaving." Mai walked past him, expressionless. He nervously walked in, the door still open.
"Hi Sokka! This is the swimsuit Katara 's letting me borrow?" Sokka nodded.
"Thanks for delivering it to me!" Ty Lee cart wheeled over to Sokka to hug him. He hesitantly returned the embrace. Just then, Suki opened her room door and looked across the hall to see her boyfriend and Ty Lee hugging in another room.
"You liar!" Suki said as she walked into the room.
"Suki no! You don't understand!"
"Oh I understand perfectly! Sokka you promised me!"
"Suki, I swear-"
"Sokka, we're through!"
"But-"
Before he could finish, Suki was out the door. The very thought of Suki leaving him left him breathless. Ty Lee quickly ran into the private bathroom to hide from any aggression that might come from Sokka. Instead, he just walked out the room and down the hall. He looked as if he might cry…He did.
-OOO-
Mai walked in to see a struggling Firelord trying to put on his beach robe.
"Need any help?"
"Hey Mai. Umm…sure." After she had helped him into the robe, she sat on the bed.
"Zuko we need to talk."
"Yes, we do. You first."
"Ok…why didn't you kiss me this morning? You've been acting like I'm not your girlfriend lately." Mai got up from the bed to wrap her arms around Zuko's waist to pull him closer. She then made her fingers lace behind his neck.
"I missed you, Zuzu." She leaned in to kiss him, but again he politely put his finger to her lips.
"What's the-"
"No Mai. It's time for me to talk. I think we should make this break away from each other…more permanent."
"What do you mean Zuko? Are…are you breaking up with me? ME?" When Zuko silently nodded, Mai flipped.
"Why, Zuko! Why do we have to go through this again? You broke up with me once, and we got back together! We're just going to get back together, so there's no need to-"
"No Mai. We aren't getting back together. You and I aren't right for each other. I found the person who's right for me. You should so the same."
"I know the person who's right for me! It's you, Zuko! I love you! Why do you think I almost got my butt killed when I saved you? I love you Zuko! Why would you do this? And if I'm OBVIOUSLY not right for you, then the heck is?"
"Katara."
"WHAT! YOU CHOOSE HER, A SOUTHERN PEASANT INSTEAD OF A NOBLE'S DAUGHTER? YOU'VE GONE MAD!"
"Some of the best people are."
"I won't let you ask her out."
"Ok. Don't, because we already go out."
"So basically you cheated on me?"
"No. I would've broken up with you sooner but unfortunately you weren't here."
"So that's it then? After all we had…it just suddenly disappeared? Poof?"
"We never had much anyway. Goodbye Mai."
"Why the heck are you telling me goodbye? I'm staying here for a while, remember! It should've been Hello!"
"Well HELLO! Welcome to my palace! But GOODBYE! You're leaving my life!"
"I never said I wanted that!"
"Well because you yelled at me when I told you we were through, I guess you kind of pointed it out!" Zuko saw a tear roll from Mai's eyes, and his anger died down.
"Look Mai. I hope we can still be friends, but my heart is Katara's. You have to understand that. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, too. I'm real sorry for what I'm about to do." With that, Mai left the room, quietly sobbing into her hands.
At The Beach
The sun was beating down on the Royal Beach on Ember Island. It was indeed a pretty awkward day. Zuko and Katara sat together under an umbrella, Suki sitting on one side of the beach, Sokka on the other. Ty Lee was apparently losing a game of Pai Sho to Uncle. Toph was just sitting by the tides, letting the waves crash against her feet. Aang was sitting alone in the beach house.
"Where's Mai?" Katara asked Zuko after she had time to think.
"I don't know. She kind of ran off when I broke up with her."
"So you're officially mine, now?"
"I was always yours." She giggled and leaned to kiss him. Zuko put his finger on her lips. He had been doing that quite a lot lately. She frowned just as Mai had.
"What's wrong?"
"Your brother."
"Sokka's upset for some reason. I'm sure he won't notice one little kiss…" Katara leaned in to kiss him, and this time, was successful. This time it was Zuko's turn to frown when she broke away.
"Zuko?"
"Yes?"
"I love you." Zuko grinned and kissed her again before whispering in ear like he had done this morning.
"I love you too, peasant." She giggled before she noticed Toph get up and walk away.
"We'll all head back to the palace tomorrow. I figured it'd be nice to stay here for a day." Katara nodded and got up.
"I'm going to go see what's eating Toph. She's been acting strange ever since the whole…incident." Zuko nodded before smirking as he saw Katara walked towards Ty Lee.
"Are you going to make this a girl chat thing where girls sit in a room and giggle and tell each other secrets?" She flashed a quick glare at Zuko.
"No. Hey Ty Lee, will come help me cheer up Toph?"
"Sure! Let's get Suki, too! I know she's mad at me, but we can make this a girl chat thing where we giggle and tell each other secrets!" Zuko heard Ty Lee, and couldn't help but laugh. Katara sighed and gave Zuko a small smile.
"Hey Suki, come on we need a girl talk." Suki sighed and agreed. As they began walking to the beach house, Katara quickly walked over to Zuko.
"We'll come to get you when it's time for dinner."
"We'll?"
"I'm going to have a little talk with these guys. Maybe get things straight between Sokka and Suki because from the looks of it, they aren't too pleased with one another. And I might as well explain to Aang we are going out-" This time Katara put her finger to his lips.
"You're a peacemaker just like me! Now I have to go because I think Ty Lee and Suki are arguing. Now I have to help them!" Zuko chuckled a bit and hugged her when he got up.
"Good Luck."
"You'll need it." And with that, Katara rushed up to Ty Lee and Suki who were in mid-argument.
"Guys! I don't why all of sudden you hate each other! Look, we have to go take every metal thing out of my room, ok?"
"What?" the two said in confusion.
"We're going to ask Toph some questions…"
-OOO-
Toph heard a knock on her door, and soft voice.
"Hey, Toph. Katara needs you to unbend her metal chain. Do you think you could help?" That voice belonged to Suki.
"Sure, Fangirl," mumbled Toph as she got up to open the door. She began to walk to Katara's room, the marks on the walls guided her because the house base was constructed by wood. She finally felt the right door, and knocked.
"Toph? Come in, Come in!" Toph did as Katara asked, and opened the door. She felt them all standing in the corner and their hearts were beating faster than usual.
"What's up with- AHHHH!" The girls threw themselves on Toph, Suki tying her legs, Ty Lee her arms, and Katara put a washcloth in her mouth to stop her yelling. After their work was done, they removed the gag and Toph began to yell even more.
"WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS! WHY AM I TIED UP! YOU BETTER LET ME GO OR AGNI SO HELP ME I WILL KILL YOU ALL!"
"Calm down. We'll untie you…but you can't try any tricks, and you won't leave until you tell us what we want to know, ok?"
"Fine! Just UNTIE ME!" The girls quickly untied Toph, and sat in a circle on the floor.
(AN: THE DIALOUGUE WILL BE PRESENTED LIKE IN PLAYS FOR THESE TYPES OF GROUP CHATS)
Toph: Why did you guys tie me up?
Katara: Well we wanted to ask you some things.
Toph: Was asking me just too much work?
Ty Lee: YEP!
Toph: Well I'm here now what do you want?
Katara: Do you like Aang?
Toph: Goodbye.
Toph got up to leave, but the door was locked. She felt them start walking towards her and she backed up into the corner.
Suki: C'mon Toph. We won't tell anyone.
Ty Lee: That would be dishonorable.
Katara: Tell us Toph.
Toph: NO! Leave me alone! Let me out of here!
Katara: Not until we know.
They had her cornered. No earth or metal anywhere. Nothing but wood. She had to spill. She had no choice.
-OOO-
The guard saw a figure coming towards him in the distance. He pointed his sphere at the figure.
"Who are-?" Before the guard could say another word, a shuriken sliced his throat; blood dripping and oozing from the wound. His legs had given way, and he collapsed onto the hard, stone ground.
"You're a pathetic excuse for a guard," was all he heard the dark figure say before his last breath. The figure continued to walk, until it reached their destination.
"Hey! Get away from there!" The person heard a guard say. They noticed the keys on the guards' hip. Another shuriken flew from the sleeves of the dark figure, also slicing that guard's throat. The figure leaned over the guard, and grabbed the keys. They rushed back to their place, and opened the door. They growled in frustration when they saw a large gaping hole made from lightening. It looks like the wall was hit with over 1,000 bolts each day.
"Hello, Mai," greeted someone from behind.
"I thought you would need help?"
"I did, but I had to find someway to channel my anger, and I used the wall. I didn't expect for that to be ticket out, but lucky me."
"I thought breaking you out would take forever. But I admit that didn't take as long as I thought, considering you broke out yourself."
"Yes, well I am that stealthy."
"I was wrong for what I did. Clearly it got me no where but more hurt than I already was."
"I don't know if I could ever trust you Mai. After all, you did decide to help my brother instead of me. How am I to know that you just won't switch on me again and tell him all of my plans? I'd have to kill you before they send me back in here to rot."
"Why would they allow me to kill people if it was just to throw you back in here?"
"Hmm…I suppose you hold a good point. I assume you'll be ready for a new plan?"
"Absolutely. I'm tired of being hurt. It's his turn now."
"Then what are we waiting for? We have a lot of planning to do for our arrival."
"Arrival? Where are we going?"
"To a prison to break out an old friend." The two laughed evilly, and began walking towards the dark forest on the other side of the prison.
-OOO-
"Hey Sokka, I need to talk to you."
"About what, Zuko?"
"Guy things."
"Ahhh I see. You want my advice on how to get a girl. Well I'm not in the mood, considering I just lost mine."
"WHAT? I know how to get a girl! And what happened with you and Suki?"
"Well-"
"Wait. We'll talk in Aang's room. He needs to be straightened out, too." Sokka nodded and they began into Aang's room. Zuko opened the door to see the bald monk meditating on the floor. He and Sokka stepped in, and closed the door behind them.
"I'm meditating."
"We know what you're doing."
"So why are you here?"
"We, all three of us, need to talk."
"About?"
"This little tantrum you're having,"
"Why Suki broke up with me," Sokka chimed in.
"And why you want to talk in the first place," Aang said slowly opening his eyes. Zuko sat down across from him, and Sokka sat beside Zuko.
"Look, Aang. I know you're upset about what happened the yesterday, but you have to leave it alone. There's still hope for you. What about Toph? She seems…ok."
"Toph?" The other boys asked in unison.
"Why her?" Aang asked.
"Well, because she deserves to be happy, and that's the only girl who's left."
"What about Ty Lee?"
"Really, Aang?"
"I know…what about Katara? I could try to win her over again!"
"It won't work."
"Why?"
"Because Katara is mine."
"You're lying."
"No I'm not. Katara is my girlfriend. And I doubt you have a chance with Ty Lee, no offense, but you and Toph would look good together." Aang stood up and hovered over Zuko.
"YOU LYING SCUM! KATARA IS MINE!" Aang was about to kick Zuko in the gut, but Sokka grabbed his leg, and pulled him on the ground.
"Calm down, Aang. We're here to talk not fight," Sokka said as if nothing but had happened, but then his calm face quickly went to anger.
"YOU'RE DATING MY BABY SISTER? DID YOU TOUCH HER? DID YOU DISHONOR HER? OH I SWEAR I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE THE FIRELORD I WILL KICK YOUR-"
"Calm down, Sokka. We're here to talk not fight," Zuko mimicked Sokka's words he had just used.
"Yes, I'm dating Katara. No I didn't touch or dishonor her. I'm not like that. But back to what we were saying…you and Toph look good together, Aang."
"Toph?" Aang scoffed again. "She doesn't like me."
-OOO-
"I TOTALLY KNEW IT! YOU LIKE AANG!" Katara chanted cheerfully.
"SHUT UP, KATARA BEFORE THE WHOLE HOUSE HEARS YOU!" Toph scolded.
"I'm sorry, but I knew there had to be another reason on why you didn't like On Ji. I didn't really believe her sweet and nice aggravated you because if that was the case, you would've killed me the day you joined!" All the girls laughed.
"Alright! Now you know I take fancy to twinkle toes, but what's up with Fangirl, and Circus freak?"
"WHY YOU LITTLE-"
"It's ok, Ty Lee. Toph gives everyone a mean nickname," Katara reassured, "But seriously, what is going on between you two?"
"That freakishly bendy ball of pink was hugging MY boyfriend!" Suki yelled.
"I TOLD YOU ALREADY! That was thanking him for delivering that swimsuit to me! Nothing happened!" Ty Lee yelled back.
"Oh? HE SAID YOU HAD A CRUSH ON HIM!"
"YEA, WHEN I WAS HUNTING HIM WITH AZULA! I DON'T LIKE HIM ANYMORE!"
"Hey Fangirl, how come you don't have hissy fit when I hug Snoozles?"Toph asked.
"It's different!"
"No it's not."
"Ok, you're right. I might've overacted a bit. I'm sorry Ty Lee," Suki turned to Ty Lee with an apologetic smile.
"It's ok, I understand. If Sokka was my boyfriend, I'd make sure no one would try to steal that hunk of a warrior," Ty Lee said dreamily.
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry…so what's up with you and Zuko, Katara?"
"Oh him…we're uh dating." The girls went into frenzy with questions.
"Really?"
"Oh my gosh!"
"When did this happen?"
"Did he break up with Mai?"
"Have you kissed him?"
"Is he a good kisser?"
"Is he charming?"
"Has he told you he loved you?"
"GIRLS! CALM DOWN! Now for the answers to your questions… the night we arrived, yes, yes, OH YES! Yes and defiantly yes." All the girls screamed in delight and giggled. Toph just shook her head.
"I knew there was a reason his heart ran a marathon whenever he saw you. Typical Sparky." Speaking of Zuko…
"Ladies are you in there?" Zuko asked from behind the door.
"Yeah, we'll be out in a minute, sweetie!" Katara called to him.
"Ok. Dinner's ready, and we've come to escort you!"
"We?" the girls said in unison. Katara walked up to the door to answer it; only to see a grinning Zuko. His hair was down and partially covered his eyes like they had this morning. He wore it down more often because Katara had told him he looked sexier with it down (AN: HE DOES! =D).
"Hello, gorgeous," said the grinning Zuko as he bowed to kiss her hand. She blushed at his actions.
"You're pretty gorgeous yourself."
"Are we going to listen to you two compliment each other or are we going to eat?" joked Suki.
"No, my dear. We're going to eat," replied a voice from behind Zuko. Zuko moved to his left to reveal Sokka.
"Sokka!" Suki cried as she ran to hug him, "I'm so sorry I overreacted! I love you and I'll never break up with you again! Do you forgive me?" Sokka laughed a little and embraced Suki tightly.
"Of course I do."
"Toph, will you allow me to escort you?" Aang asked nervously.
"Are you serious?" Toph asked, not believing her ears.
"Why yes, Miss Bei Fong, I am."
"Eh, why not. Let's go Aang." The whole group silenced. They had never heard her call Aang by his real name.
"Wow Toph. Did you just-"
"I know, I know! Just forget it. Aren't you suppose to be escorting me?" Aang smiled and replied.
"Yes I am."
"Who's escorting me?" Ty Lee asked, feeling a bit sad that all of the boys were taken.
"May I have the honor of escorting Miss Ty Lee as a dear friend?" Uncle asked in his…Uncley charm voice.
"Sure!"
The gang ate in peace. Everyone was happy, and enjoying each other's company. They laughed and talked about each other's dates…well not Ty Lee and Uncle… But at the end of the night, the ladies were kissed goodnight, *NOT TY LEE* and decided to all sleep in Katara's room to talk about what they liked about their dates. Ty Lee was allowed this one time to talk about Sokka and Zuko considering her date was an old wise man. The night went well. Everyone thought that their troubles were gone…when little did they know they hadn't even started.
AN: Well, I hope that liked this chapter! Sorry for the late update! SOOOO SORRY! Tell me what you think of this chapter! OOO MAI IS BACK WITH AZULA! What will happen with those two? STAY TUNED FOR A PREVIEW OF CHAPTER 4!
Chapter 5: Meet and Greet
"My Lord! I'm afraid all of the inner prison guards at the royal prison are dead. Your sister has escaped."
"WHAT! SEND OUT MY ENTIRE ARMY! SEND WORD TO EVERY NATION TO WARN THEM! TELL THEM TO HAVE EVERY INCH GUARDED! There's no telling where she is."
-OOO-
"Hello," Azula said to the person in the cell.
"Who are you?"
"How dare you not recognize the sister of the Firelord."
"I don't know what the Firelord looks like; and I don't know you."
"Oh, but I know you. I've heard that you have incredible power and abilities beyond amazing. I've also heard that those abilities are amazingly DARK. Is that correct?"
"What do you want?"
"To set you free. They locked me up just like they have did to you. We can help you escape."
"I know exactly how to escape, I'm just waiting for the right time, but you're Fire Nation. Why should I accept help from you?"
"Because with me on your side, we can do great things."
"No you mean with ME on YOUR side. Honey I could kill you right now if I wanted to, and trust me it's not a threat." For once in her life, Azula had the smallest millimeter of fear in her eyes.
"So, will you help us?"
"Why not? I planned on getting revenge anyway. I just needed the perfect distraction, and here you are."
AN: This chapter is called 'Meet and Greet' because Azula is meeting someone crucial to this story! Tell me what think about these chapters! Maybe if I had more reviews, I would've updated sooner =D