Illusions of Deception
Chapter Six
Chibi-Hotaru-Tomoe
FINALLY I am updating. I am so sorry it has taken me forever. In January one of our teachers/the basketball coach died, and even though I didn't know him very well it was still pretty hard (I've only known 2 people to die, and the first was 10 years ago) and then when I had finally finished the chapter, only a small part being left for a conversation between two people I will leave out because it might spoil something, I came home from watching the musical CATS at a local high school to find that our computer had blown up. That was about two weeks ago and let me tell you--I was mad, haha. So basically this is a not-as-good rewrite. Sorry if things seem a little fast, but it just isn't as much fun writing it the second time around. Thank you so much to my reviewers, though, and anyone who has stuck around!
"Yeah. Great idea there, Aang. They'll never notice a thing. We'll just pretend our very rare, sixty ton, flying bison is just a novelty item we got from a vendor over in Omashu--which, mind you, is now swarming with Fire Nation."
Even the deaf would not have been able to miss Sokka's sarcasm. With a quick shift of her foot, Toph succeeded in sending a shot of Earth at him, knocking him to his side.
"At this moment, I would rather have a giant bison with me if the Dai Lee or Azula showed up than you and your mouth," Katara rolled her eyes, crossing her arms deftly.
All of them cringed, knowing their arrival was a high possibility. After all, they had just left Long Feng's dead body, and it wouldn't take a genius to figure out who had done it, especially with the knocked out hypnotists and the missing group. With any hope, they would just think they wouldn't dare to return to Ba Sing Se.
"Besides," Aang added, "I'm not leaving him behind for anything." His comment was quick and decisive, leaving no room for arguing. Ever since the hypnosis, Aang had become more straight forward.
Frowning, Sokka finally shrugged. "Fine. But don't come crying to me when a certain fire bending nutcase starts shooting those bolt of lightning at you because she could help but notice a giant ball of fur with legs prancing down the streets." Slowly he propped himself up, making his way to his feet before brushing off the layer of dirt that had gathered on his clothes.
"Great, you agree. Now will you shut up?" Katara asked, her voice heavy with irritation. She was busy propping Jet into a chair made of Earth that Toph had bended, and she didn't want to have to deal with Sokka right then and there.
Jet had began to regain some of his movement from constant healing. She really didn't want him to start walking, thought. At this point she wasn't sure he could take two steps without causing his legs to snap.
"Bravo," Jet grinned, pleased at her biting remark. Sokka had to use all his better judgment not to slap the guy up the head. And still then it was a miracle he didn't leap forward, but Suki kept a warning hand on his shoulder.
"Okay, no matter what you say, this isn't going to help us. We need to get into the city as quickly as we can, remove Azula, and get out of Ba Sing Se as quickly as we can," Suki quickly began, using all the leadership skills she had gotten from being in charge of the Kyoshi warriors. "Then we can work on getting into the Fire Nation. Smellerbee, Longshot, meet at the checkpoint when you've regrouped the Freedom Fighters. We have four months, and once we have all gathered together we'll need to work fast, leading the forced into the Fire Capitol.
The two nodded firmly, and Aang frowned as Suki gestured to him, suggesting that he take charge. "Uh…we'll rest for tonight somewhere, just spend the day in the Market Place for any gossip about the Kyoshi warriors--"
"Oh!" Suki suddenly said, cutting him off only to turn to Smellerbee and Longshot. "I almost forgot. Could you two--if you manage to run into the real--"
She stopped however, any thoughts she had cut off when she realized she was talking to a void in their circle. Everyone else looked in amazement as well, wondering where the two could have gone without either of them noticing.
"They're gone," Jet's voice was small, lost slightly with his empty tone as he confirmed their thoughts. "There are no goodbyes among Freedom Fighters. There's only now, worries of tomorrow don't matter."
It was Sokka's turn to look to Suki, his expression slightly horrified at his own thoughts. "You'll have to go and gather the warriors."
"What? I'm not leaving you again. Not any of you. If the Dai Lee…"
"Look, we need you if we're going to win t his. Besides, if something happens with the Dai Lee, you will know and you can find a way to fix it. We all trust you."
"But Sokka--"
"No buts, no regrets, alright? Besides, what kind of war would it be without you girls?" It was a petty attempt to make her smile, yet it made him relax when he succeeded. Wiping a stray, uncommon tear from her eye, he leaned forward to kiss her softly before pulling away.
"I'll see you when we're all together again."
Without any more words, although she managed to give each of the others a hug, she was gone, quickly lost among the bustling crowd.
Sokka quickly swiped at his eyes before turning around to the others, his eyes seeking out Aang's. "Well, what do we do now?"
Frowning, realizing now that their group was down by three, Aang sighed before giving their instructions. "We make our way for our old place, but listen in on everyone's conversations. The sooner we find Azula, the sooner we can leave this place."
None of the others could find any complaint for his orders, wanting to leave the shadow of Ba Sing Se before it got a hold on them again.
"Look at them all, running around as if nothing is going on. They're completely oblivious to our presence. It almost takes all of the fun out of it."
"Almost. Just wait for their expression when they realize who we are, Mai!" Ty Lee's ever chipper voice cut through the monotone of Mai's.
Smirking, Azula absentmindedly flicked a strand of hair from her line of sight. "That's right, Ty Lee. These pathetic beings are going to be in for the shock of their life. I almost wish we had Defou with us." The last reference was to the royal artist, who in turn would paint her own portrait upon her return to the Fire Nation, a gift for her many accomplishments over the past year. The only thing she wanted now, besides the throne of Ba Sing Se, was an image forever a reminder of the horror on the Emperor's face just before she removed it from his shoulders.
"Aw, you should have brought him. He can sing the most amazing songs, too. Better than most of the court minstrels. And he makes the best moon cakes through all the nations! He made some for my tenth birthday, and they were absolutely amazing."
Even Mai had to smile now at Ty Lee's enthusiasm. She could even make plans of death and destruction sound fun and perky. Definitely a skill most of the stuffy generals lacked--which made the contortionist an interesting adversary. Who would ever suspect the cheerful girl decked out in an entirely pink ensemble.
"Well, we'll just have to make sure he's there for our welcome home ceremony," Azula shrugged absentmindedly, adjusting the band of the Kyoshi warrior around her forehead. It was rather an annoyance on her head, and she could barely stand the strings that hung by her temples. Still, with the smell of victory so near, she knew she would be able to handle such a small nuisance.
"Alright, girls. From this moment on we are Kyoshi warriors. Act as prideful for that small village as you are for your true home. Are you ready to take down a king?"
The two didn't have to say anything. They were prepared, they knew what they had to do for their country, and they were definitely ready for the glory that would be achieved by their victory…from both the Fire Nation and their own inner pride. Quickly they melded way into the market place, finding them tucked away inconspicuously amongst the refugees.
Damn you.
Zuko's thoughts were in a frenzy as his gaze strew across the city of Ba Sing Se. Damn you for everything. He could distinctively remember his hopes…how happy he had been in this city. At first he had hated it, no doubt, but it had definitely promised a better life for himself and his uncle. Yet now that it had stripped him of his last hope for something he would always want. How could he stay anywhere else now that his paradise couldn't be reached? And how could Iroh handle being in this cursed city again, even if it was a necessity? Zuko would much rather starve on a voyage to kill his father than to be back in the Earth Kingdom.
However, he wouldn't put Iroh through any more tragedy than he had to. So what other choice did he have than to go back to at least allow the old man to get some rest?
Sighing deeply as the hoard of clueless Earth Kingdom refugees scurried throughout the city, pretending as if the war they had spent all their energy towards escaping no longer existed. All because of the foolish antics of the Dai Lee. Zuko couldn't help but wonder how his uncle hadn't defeated the large city back during his original invasion. These people just stood there, ready for the taking. When the comet arrived, he knew that all the other nations could never stop the Fire Nation, even if they had hundreds of Air Benders left.
"Can we hurry so we can get out of this place before the Dai Lee realizes that we're not tucked away in their cave anymore?"
"Patience, Zuko," was all the old general said as he waved his nephew off. The moment he had entered the atmosphere of fine shopping, he had taken on a note of optimism. It wasn't too hard for the exiled prince to realize that Iroh was just using a façade to hide his true feelings--his own dislike for Ba Sing Se. He, however, was never one to bring emotions out. "It takes a lot of consideration when planning out a long vacation like this one."
Trust none other than the Dragon of the West to draw out their plans of escape into something that sounded like a calm, relaxing camping trip. Spirits, Zuko truly needed a vacation. Stress wasn't good for him. He was already getting more wrinkles than King Bumi. In fact, if he knew they were going on some sort of sightseeing adventure, he would be sorting through all of the items in the tents as well, all in a rush to get some time for himself.
That wasn't the true reason why he wanted to leave Ba Sing Se, however. It was that he wanted to leave before hearing any news. Anything that sounded like the death of the Avatar and his comrades. If only so he could leave in peace, creating his own scenario in his head to avoid any sort of guilty feelings that could surface.
Why do you even care? he heard a deep part of his conscience ask. They were never really your friends. It was just some stupid ploy that almost worked. Just be glad that you're free now. You don't have to go along with the stupid smiles, acting as if you are friends with the Avatar, that you actually tolerate that ridiculous Sokka, or you ever had any sort of feelings for Ka--for that girl.
And somehow, these thoughts only drove him further into the madness that was consuming him. He didn't even remember his old life much. He knew that he was meant to be with them all. With the others; the four individuals who were the biggest threat to the Fire Nations. And even Appa and Momo. He knew that Iroh felt the same way. Still, he wouldn't give in to any of it. Sokka had made it very obvious. He didn't belong. He was unwanted. And then there was perhaps the biggest pang to his heart.
He was unloved by the one person he wanted it form, just like when he was a kid. When he wanted the love of his father. And so he was now stripped of any caring he could receive from the blue eyed Katara.
"It's empty. There's no one within a hundred yards of this place except for an old couple sitting on their front steps. Probably watching a bunch of fireflies."
Sighing with relief at Tophs' reassurance, Katara sat at the embankment surrounding a pool of water before asking Aang to lower Jet to the ground.
"You guys need to go back to the old house now to get any supplies we left behind. You don't need to wait for me. Just gather anything together--clothes, food, whatever is still there. Just collect everything you can and meet us back here." Her instructions would have been easy to take in had she not been so calm. They would have understood frantic crying, but it was unlike Katara to seem so dead inside. Only Sokka had ever seen this side of her. When their mother had died, she had become a shell of a person. She spent weeks going about her chores, taking on her mother's as well. Sokka had just thoughts she liked to clean like he enjoyed practicing his warrior skills. That was, until he saw her broken figure inside their tent one evening. He was shocked he hadn't heard her wracking sobs before--they seemed to break through every barrier, including Sokka's own oblivious nature.
Now she had lost another thing she held close, and this time she didn't have memories to cherish, because those had been forged, not created through experiences of her own.
"Katara…do you want me to stay? I could look out and see if anyone comes." And I could keep you company, he thoughts to himself.
She shook her head, thought, rejecting his offer. "No, I'll be fine. You need to help Aang and Toph. I will be fine here."
Frowning, not quite sure what to do, Aang nodded in agreement for him. "She's right. Besides, we need to hurry and get back to the house before Azula gets word of where we had been staying and decides to stop in."
"And what if she's already there?"
Shrugging, Aang headed slowly towards Appa. "We're older and wiser now. We'll figure something out."
Raising an eyebrow, Sokka looked towards Aang in amazement. "Not to ruin your optimism, Aang, but you were already 112 years old. How much wiser can you get?"
"I didn't live that life," Aang stated pointedly before turning to Katara. "Well be back soon, I promise."
Nodding towards her three friends, she turned back to the pond, drawing a stream of water to her hands before setting to work on an exhausted Jet. His eyes were closed, but he was breathing, to her relief. Feeling a gust of air shift her hair, she knew immediately that they had finally left on Appa. Sighing, she realized that once again she was all alone with nothing but a groggy Jet to hear her.
"I'm so sorry," her voice was lower than a whisper, and she quickly wiped stray tears from her eyes. "If you hadn't met us again--if we hadn't made you take us to Lake Laogai, this wouldn't have happened. It's all our fault…all my fault. I didn't trust you. And you did this trying to save Aang. You're such a great person…"
"Katara, stop."
Looking up quickly, Katara managed to swipe any tears left over from her cheeks. "Jet, you should be resting. If one of your broken bones gets unset, the healing won't work as well."
Waving his hand to keep her from continuing, he sighed. "I'm fine. You're an amazing healer, Katara. Sure, I won't be skipping around for a while, but I don't need any coddling. I just want to let you know that I don't blame you. And I don't hate you. It isn't anyone's fault. Except maybe Sokka's," he joked before continuing, his voice gentler. "I know you miss him. I can hear it in your voice, and it doesn't take a genius to understand why. You love him."
"What are you talking about? No I don't."
"Yes, you do. You love him like I love Ty Lee, someone who I have never even had an actual encounter with. It's hard, so hard to believe that everything that we remember never happened. But you can't forget that you have people who care about you, and it's very possible a certain firebender may feel the same about you."
Katara couldn't help but laugh at his suggestion, shaking her head in disbelief. "Yeah. Right. He cares so much about me. He left me here, alone. All I could think about was him, and all he could think about was Sokka's big mouth."
"See, it's all Sokka's fault. Just let it out," Jet grinned, feeling even better when he noticed her smile. "I have never cared for the Fire Nation. When they took my family away, it became a deep hatred. But I fell in love with the one thing I had sworn to destroy--I bowed before the Fire Lord, and I lead his army with true patriotism. I grew to love his people, and his country. Hell, I married one of them, had children. I had grown up, I wasn't the boy I am now. Maybe it was better for us. Maybe we can look back at everything without prejudices."
Pausing, allowing his words to sink in, Katara reached over to touch his forehead. "Did you hit the ground a little too hard?"
"Damnit, Katara, I'm trying to be sentimental here. Can you just let a miracle happen?" Taking in a deep breath, he shook the hair from his eyes before going on. "I'm just saying that if we run into him again, don't throw it away. Take the chance and don't let it run away again. Unlike Ty Lee, Zuko shares your same feelings. It may have been pretend, but I know my Lord."
Smiling softly, not bothering to wipe the tears away this time, Katara gave Jet a gentle hug, careful to avoid his injuries. "Thank you so much. Who would have ever thought you could have your moments?"
"Don't forget. I'm still a ladies man. I know how to make them fall to their knees."
Laughing slightly, Katara brought water back to her hand, beginning the healing process again. "I don't doubt that. Especially if you're as cunning as you used to be.
"I wouldn't be Jet if I wasn't."
"MOMO!"
Sokka had no doubt in his own mind, as the flying lemur raced up Aang's leg to perch on his shoulder, that over half of the Earth Kingdom now knew they were there. Cringing, he quickly turned around. "Let's just get what we came for and get back to Katara and Jet."
He froze, however, when he saw the scene before him. "Guys, look at this?"
The others turned, Toph facing nothing in particular while Aang frowned. "What is it?"
"All our things are here…everything. Except there is more than we had. Look at this. There's no dust anywhere."
"So?" Toph asked, wondering where he was leading this. "They were nice enough of take care of the place."
"It's exactly my point. That means someone was taking the time to clean up after our time in that cave. Why would they have done it if they hadn't had other intentions?"
"Sokka, what are you talking about?" Aang asked, shoving a few strictly-vegetarian meals into his bag.
"They knew we were coming back, Aang. They were going to let us, for crying out loud. I bet you they had this all planned out, and they were using us for something."
"Then what did they want with us?"
"I don't know. And I bet you we never will. Now they probably want us as dead as Long Feng--which, I last checked, was pretty dead."
Toph's voice quickly cut in, a rare trace of worry in her tone. "Then what are we supposed to do? Should we even be in here?"
"I think we'll be fine for now, but we need to hurry. And just…don't tell Katara. I don't need her worrying any more than she already is."
Shocked by Sokka's uncharacteristic compassion, Aang found him smiling, kind of liking the change. "Okay. We'll just get back as soon as we can and just stay by the river tonight, all of us keeping watch until tomorrow. Once we find Azula, we're leaving the city for good."
"You would think, considering the fact that Ba Sing Se is supposedly a big trading city, they would have better items than this," Mai sighed, tossing aside a scarf from the Water Tribe before turning to a rather ancient looking Fire Nation kimono.
"That garment you're holding, young miss, is perhaps the largest going trend with the Fire Nation. Straight out of the market. I'm positive it would look absolutely marvelous on you. Go on, have a look."
Raising an eyebrow at the pressuring salesman, it was all Mai could do not to roll her eyes, and she heard the distinct sound of Ty Lee snickering in the background. She was positive no one had worn any of the sort in the past three centuries. She definitely wouldn't be caught dead in it now, even in a choice over the Kyoshi Robes.
"As…tempting as it is, I'm afraid I'm not allowed to wear anything outside my warrior ensemble." Her response was tight, given between clenched teeth. It took all of her self control and training as a noble to not throw the gown back in his face. "Sorry."
Frowning, the man quickly reached for another artifact, something that looked like a hair brush, from his collection. "How about…"
Before he could say another word, she turned quickly to Ty Lee, grabbing her arm and dragging her to the opposite corner. "Can we go to another tent now? This one smells all musty."
Giving a longing look towards a bunch of the trinkets she had found, Ty Lee sighed before nodding. "Okay. It's not like we don't have time to come back. You-know-who will probably be talking to the Emperor for a while."
Azula had gone on her own mission that day, alone for the sake of connecting the girl's talents together, to be a spokesperson for the 'Kyoshi warriors,' in an attempt to allow them admittance to the palace.
Mai agreed easily, although she mentally confirmed for her own sake that she would never set foot in that vendor's tent again. Were all of them that annoying? At least those in the Fire Nation showed more respect to one of her stature.
Skipping to the next one over, she found herself sighing slightly in contentment. No more frills or horrifying trades from other nations. Nothing adorned the walls and tables except for weapons of every kind. Especially blades, which littered an entire half of the store. Finally in an area she could really understand, she found herself melding with the metal knives.
"Oh, Miss, excellent choice. That is an exquisite piece of history from the great war when the great…"
Tuning out the rattle of the man behind her, it was all Mai could do not to shove it down his throat.
"So we pair up and each of us gets a tier."
Katara's plan seemed simple enough. Neither of them really wanted to split up, but there didn't seem to be a better way to find Azula throughout the levels of Ba Sing Se. "I'll go with Jet, just in case he needs some emergency healing. Sokka, I want you with Momo so that when you get captured, he can save your hide." Her comment was met with natural protest from her brother. "That leaves Aang and Toph."
"Hey, why are we always together?"
"What is that supposed to mean, Twinkle Toes?"
"I didn't mean it like that. I'm just saying that we're always put together whenever we pair off."
"We are not, I'm always with Sokka. What the heck is your problem?"
"I don't have a problem, you have the problem!"
The two siblings exchanged a look, unsure what had caused a sudden argument between their two younger companions. "Um…okay. One of you could go with Momo and I'll go with the other. Then we're all happy," Sokka suggested, giving a shameless grin.
"Oh no you don't. I'm not being accused of being uncooperative. I'm going with Twinkle Toes. Aang, we're going now!"
Watching after the two as Toph dragged the struggling Airbender towards their second tier destination, Sokka blinked before shaking his head. "And you guys say I'm nuts," he sighed, holding out his arm for Momo to land on before smiling at Katara. "Good luck."
"You too," she grinned, watching as he walked off, talking rapidly as if he was in deep discussion with the lemur.
"No offense, but he's really not all there," Jet informed her, leaning quite heavily on a stick that improvised as a crutch. Shrugging, Katara just turned her attention to the street they would soon have to make their way through.
"I know, but it's Sokka. What more could I expect?"
"Good point," he shrugged before walking slowly after her. "So are we really looking for a psycho, black haired, Fire Nation princess?"
"Pretty much."
"Sounds like fun."
Unable to stop her laughter at his enthusiasm towards chasing after perhaps the most dangerous person in Ba Sing Se, she nodded. "I guess if you're one who doesn't mind a little bit of adventure in your life."
The rest of their conversation was mindless chatter as they kept their eyes pealed for Azula, hoping to catch any sort of glimpse of a Kyoshi warrior's ensemble. Katara couldn't help but doubt that she would be on the lower tier, but that made it safer for Jet. She didn't quite trust him fighting anything yet, but to have him sit out indefinitely would have just caused him to throw the crutch aside and storm through the city, most likely injuring himself in the process. Why were boys so insistently thick headed?
All of these thoughts were cut off, however, when she heard a very familiar sound. She noticed by the way Jet turned his head that he noticed it too.
"I know, it is completely thrilling," came a monotone voice. By the tone, it was clear the individual thought it was anything but.
Turning around, Katara's thoughts were confirmed. It was, indeed, Mai. With Ty Lee, and she noticed Jet suck in a deep breath. All thoughts of logic went from her mind. These weren't her enemies, they were people who she had become good friends with. Who she could talk to about all of her problems and spent evenings with them when Suki and Toph weren't in town.
"Mai!" she grinned, racing towards them, not even caring that they were in Kyoshi uniforms. How could so many years be erased indefinitely from her mind? "Ty Lee!"
She didn't even notice as Mai's arm tensed before turning towards her, giving one quick flick of her wrist.
"Mai! Ty Lee!" Zuko had been going through the Market Place with Iroh, getting any supplies they would need for the journey. So far, he was stuck carrying twenty-four packs of all kinds of teas while Iroh haggled for another package. Mai and Ty Lee. The last he remembered, they had been over at the palace. Mai was one of his most trusted advisors, and Ty Lee…outside of being married to Jet, she was usually performing with a circus or playing with her children.
The voice that called to them, however, was even more familiar--and he by any right would have turned the other way to avoid her. To get out of her life like Sokka wanted him to. All these thoughts were pushed aside, however, the moment he heard another voice calling to her. One he also knew distinctly well, for it was the same tone the man had used countless times on the battlefield. This time, however, Jet's tone was one of near anguish as he called her name.
He was shocked that Iroh seemed to not have heard any of it as he patiently conversed with the man in front of him, and inside he nearly screamed. Couldn't he hear what was going on? In an instant the imported teas were at his feet, scattered amongst the dirt and feet of customer's waiting impatiently in line.
"Zuko, what are you doing?" his uncle asked, but Zuko had already raced off towards the direction of the voices. Iroh smiled to himself, watching carefully. He couldn't deny the fact that he was slightly worried about the girl. Spirits knew what was going on over there. This proved, however, to the others and maybe to Zuko himself, that he wasn't completely heartless.
When Zuko finally tore into the tent, he saw a scattered mess. He had to push his way through a crowd of people, and he couldn't see Mai or Ty Lee anywhere--not to mention that Katara and Jet were no where to be seen. But the moment he got his way to the center after a few rough shoves, he found his heart climbing to his throat. Jet kneeled on the ground, his hands shaking as he tried to decide what was the right decision; to remove the dagger embedded in her flesh of her side, or to leave it there. He had uncommon tears running down his cheeks as he pushed strands of hair from her eyes, shaking his head.
"Lady Katara. Please, Katara, just breath. Come on, damnit! I am not leaving without you, none of us are. You are going to make it or so help me, you will regret it."
Never before had Zuko seen Jet so helpless. Never before had he himself felt so lost. He didn't even know what had happened, nor was he a genius with healing. The only thing he knew was that, judging by the wound, it could very well be fatal.
And his last memory of her, besides him leaving her out of anger of her brother, could very well be watching her die.
There it is! Gosh, it is still so much of a relief for it to be up. It's been nagging at me for a long time. The only reason it's down now is because I was home sick for the past three days. Well, I love you all and hope you enjoy this chapter, even if the ending was a bit...abrupt. R/R, I'd love to know what you think of it (but please no comments on how quickly Suki left. I had a big thing written out and I just couldn't remember half of it so...yeah. I'd rather have it short than something that drags on and is a total bore.)