Disclaimer: I do not, and never will, own Avatar: the Last Airbender.
The golden light from the torches stationed at regular intervals down the hall cast flickering shadows against the fire nation tapestries and cold steel walls. The loud sound of the sleeping guard's raucous snores was the only sound that disturbed the still silence.
It was near the third hour of the morning when a small cloaked figure, hood pulled firmly up, tip-toed into the hall where the prisoners were kept. The figure stepped silently over the sleeping guard and nimbly plucked the key ring from his hand. Smiling beneath its hood, the creature slipped over to the water tribe sibling's cell. After carefully inserting the right key into the door, a pale, delicate looking hand reached out from beneath the cloak and pulled the cell door open on well-oiled hinges. Taking a breath, the slight form slipped inside.
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When the cloaked shape had begun fumbling at their door, Katara and Sokka's heads whipped up, trying to ignore their bruises, and watching its every move. When it stepped inside, Katara's breath caught in her throat. It was too small to be Azula....who was it?
The figure stayed huddled by the entrance before slipping back its hood.
"You!" Katara whispered harshly, "The little girl behind Azula," Thinking to herself, Katara noted that the little girl's face wasn't blank anymore, simply filled with uncertainty and fear.
Sokka only glared. Fire Nation. The source of all his troubles. Even their children were no doubt scum. Especially ones that looked like Azula.
The girl took a breath before explaining in hushed tones.
"My name is Aza. I'm really sorry for what my sister did, I just didn't know how to stop it!" the words tumbled out of her mouth and the child looked up at them, shame, pleading, and undeniable sincerity in her eyes.
"Azula's your sister!" Sokka cried, forgetting to be quiet.
"Shhh!" Katara hushed.
"It's all right. I slipped a sleeping capsule into the guard's evening wine earlier. He'll be out all night," Aza explained, "Here, I brought you this,"
In her trembling hands, she held out two small loaves of bread.
"I couldn't hide anything bigger under my cloak," she explained.
"Please," Katara rasped out, both her and Sokka's eyes fixed longingly on the only sustenance that had entered their cell in two days.
Hesitantly, as if afraid they might hurt her, Aza stumbled forward towards Sokka, who did not have his hands bound, one of the loaves. Keeping an eye on the Azula's sister, he tore ravenously into his bread. Next, she held out the other loaf in front of Katara's mouth. The waterbender, after staring carefully into the girl's eyes to make sure this wasn't some cruel new torture of Azula's that would result in the bread being snatched away at the last moment, she bit of a chunk of the bread. Chewing faster and faster, Katara swallowed down every bite that was held out by Aza.
After Aza helped both prisoners get a drink of water Katara looked at the trembling girl.
"Thank you," Katara mumbled, "Why, though?"
In a shaky voice, Aza replied, "What my sister is doing is wrong. I'm going to help you escape. I know where your bison is, he's in a holding pen near my room and he's being taken care of very well. And I can help the Avatar get out with you,"
Sokka and Katara were silent for a moment, trying to see if they could trust her. Finally, after exchanging meaningful looks, Sokka answered.
"I have a plan," he began slowly, "If you would help us, we could escape. What's in it for you, though?"
Aza dropped her golden gaze. "I just want to come with you. I can't stay with my sister any longer, I'm afraid I'll end up like her,"
Sokka nodded acceptingly, "All right. Can you have our bison out of his stables tomorrow night? Then come unlock us and our friend and we'll fly off this ship,"
Aza nodded. "I'm pretty sure I can do that,"
Katara smiled at her, "Thank you," Well, that's two fire siblings that aren't evil. Who knew?
Aza smiled shyly. "I'm going to visit the Avatar, to bring him some food. Is there anything you want me to tell him?"
"Yes, please. Could you tell him that we're here for him? And tell him the plan,"
Nodding, Aza began to slip out of the cell. Before the door closed though, Katara called out softly.
"My name is Katara, by the way. My brother is Sokka,"
After the door closed, silent as a whisper, brother and sister exchanged looks.
"Huh, who knew? Zuko has two little sisters..." Sokka grinned, floating in the pleasantly hopeful mood the child had left in her wake.
Author's Note: Dun dun dun dun! (Dramatic music) The escape begins! :D I wasn't sure if I should include Aza's visit to Aang, but I decided not to since I really want to get this bit posted and I don't think I can write anymore right now since I'm reaaaally tired. Tell me what you think about what I did with Aza and who she is and all that.....