Beneath the Alder Tree- Chapter 6: Planning
Disclaimer: I don't own AtLA
"Why are you here?" Zuko demanded, blades now drawn and at the ready.
"Now Zuzu, is that anyway to speak to your sister? Especially after keeping so many secrets," she paused her pacing, looked her brother in the eye, and smiled sweetly.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Azula," he replied evenly, staring her down unflinchingly.
"Don't lie brother, it's unbecoming. I know what you've been doing the past few nights. I find it incredible that you disappear behind this tree and the Blue Spirit appears from nowhere. Please, do tell me your trick, I would love to learn," she drawled out.
"You're speaking nonsense," he said flatly.
"No, brother, I've seen you. Taking on the mantle of a spirit long gone. You're helping the Water Clan. And you know what that is, Zuko?" She asked smoothly. "That's treason. And you know what happens to traitors," she smiled, an unsettling twinkle in her eyes.
"The clan only recognizes treachery of a member with infallible proof, you know that, Azula," Zuko's voice remained solid even under his sister's glare.
"Oh, but father has been looking so hard for a way to take you out of the picture, Zuzu. Do you really believe that he would ever want you to take his place as chief? Even if you are the only son? I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I killed you in an Agni Kai and declared your treachery to the tribe."
Surprise ran through Zuko's eyes. He stiffened and his voice began to shake. "No, father, he's been having me come to the elder's meeting with him. He's been showing me all of the tasks. He's planning on having me as his successor!" Zuko had to believe that. If it wasn't so he knew that any hope of peace would disappear.
"A weakling such as you? As chief? Father would never allow that. What he shows you he does to appease the portion of the clan that believes traditions must be followed. Why do you think he kept you around after our cowardly, pitiful uncle and cousin ran off? He should have finished you off the day he gave you that scar," she sneered, her mouth curing into a twisted smile.
"Take that back!" Zuko shouted a burst of flame emanating from his fists still clutching his swords.
"Now, now brother. If you truly want to fight, throw down your swords and we can do this the proper way." Azula stooped into her first stance, facing Zuko.
He stood still for a second. Uncertainty crossing his eyes. For the length of time I have known Zuko, I've learned that he has a soft soul and would never hurt another being without provocation. I knew the idea of fighting his sister in an Agni Kai tore at his consciousness. Agni Kais were fire duels used to settle disputes of honor in the clan and were often deadly. It was most likely only one of them would make it through this night alive if Zuko accepted the challenge.
His eyes hardened and he threw his swords to the side, taking the stance I had seen so many times. "Don't regret your decision," he whispered, whether to himself or her I know not.
Azula was the first to strike, stepping forward from her horse stance into a powerful punch with blue flame emerging from her fist. I had only heard the rumors that traveled through the forest, cold blooded fire they called it, but I did not actually believe it. Zuko easily evaded the flame and followed it with a form I recognized from his spars with Katara sending three flames in his opponent's direction. She dodged the flame and sent an onslaught of her own flying towards him.
As their fight continued I could not help but be pleased that the winter rains had come earlier that day, for without the extra moisture I'm sure that the grass would be scorched and the field set a flame. A battle of fire on fire was much different from that of water and fire. There was no push and pull it was all push, raw power, each strike building from the last. There was no dance, it was all fight.
Volleys of fiery kicks, spins, and punches raced back and forth. As they fought, each remained steady in stance, breath, and form, true masters in every sense. They were evenly matched each flame sent cut down or evaded, their core stances steady and strong. But I have learned over the years that when two equally skilled benders fight all is left up to luck. Who would catch a weak spot in the defense? Who would slip? Who would think they had the upper hand first? Unfortunately, luck rarely fell in Zuko's favor.
Azula began a torrent of punches. Zuko blocked each of them in turn, stepping back each time as he broke them. As he dispersed the last of the flames and began to step forward for the counter attack, Azula saw her opportunity. She quickly swept her leg out in a rounded quick. To avoid the flame, Zuko jumped back and tried to regain his balance, but it was too late, his root had been broken. Azula sent a second kick of flames at his feet and he fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
Azula quickly came up to his side and just as Zuko was attempting rise again she sent another pulse of fire from her fist. It knocked him back to the ground searing his shoulder. His cry of pain echoed among the trees and caused my branches to quake.
"Ah, ah, ah, brother. You should know to stay down once you've been defeated," She taunted as he curled into himself, gritting his teeth against the pain.
She strode up to him and placed her boot on his newly burnt shoulder pressing down to unfold him, he cried out in pain once more, now flat on his back.
"Now, Zuzu, what should we do with you, hmm? While I could just kill you here, father would have such a good time torturing you," she leaned forward placing more weight on his wound. He refused to cry out this time, gritting his teeth even harder. His eyes seemed to be going in and out of focus, as if he may pass out.
"But maybe I should continue some of that myself, hmm? Now that I think on it, you said a name when I got here. What was it again?" she talked as is musing to herself, but at the mention of this pained clarity returned to Zuko's eyes. He had given his sister the name of the woman he loved most in this world, the one person he wanted to protect above all else, and his fear showed. "Ah, I believe it was Katara, was it not?" Azula chuckled to herself at this. "Is that not the Water Clan chief's daughter? Wow, Zuzu, your treachery has no end does it?" She emphasized her last words with a swift kick to his shoulder and igniting a flame in her hand.
"So, when did you say she's coming? It must be soon if you mistook her for me," she goaded him.
"Don't you dare touch her!" Zuko spat back, but Azula pushed him back down with her heal and leaned forward, flame in hand.
"I wouldn't be making orders if I were you brother. Wouldn't want a second scar to match your first," she threatened.
At this Zuko made a sudden move. He jolted up, knocking Azula to the side, twisting back towards her and took his fighting stance once again. After regaining her balance, Azula began to laugh.
"You can't be serious," she said readying herself for a new fight. "This will be short work," she sneered.
And I am sad to say it was. I could tell the pain in Zuko's shoulder was eating at him though he did not show it on his face. He stood his ground through Azula's first volley of attacks and countered with his own. However his arm was stiff from the burn and he didn't have the mobility he needed. His fire was weak and the force of his sister's blitz soon knocked him to the ground again. He fell to the side, and when he tried to rise again, she scorched his calf and quickly added a flameless kick step that hit his head. I watched helplessly as he slipped into unconsciousness.
What happened next shouldn't have surprised me, but it did. Azula left his body where he fell and crossed into the woods. She was gone for only a few minutes before she came back with two other girls. One had a twinkle in her eye and a bounce in her step and the other girl walked silently, her eyes dead. All three were silent as they approached Zuko. When the two girls fully saw the scene the both seemed slightly surprised.
"I thought you were capturing him, not killing him, yet," the bouncy one said.
"He's alive, Ty Lee. Just… unconscious," the emotionless one drawled out.
"Exactly, so we need to hurry and get him back to village and restrained before he wakes up. We have some interrogating to do tomorrow girls," Azula smiled. "Mai, Ty Lee take his shoulders. His feet can drag."
"Shouldn't you be helping with the body, Azula. This ploy was yours to begin with," Mai sighed.
"Mai, you know I can't over exert myself tonight when I have to present my brother's betrayal to the clan tomorrow," she replied.
"Of course never," Mai whispered to herself.
"What was that?" Azula snapped at her.
"Nothing, I was agreeing with you, of course," Mai rolled her eyes, not that anyone but myself could see.
Once the girls stopped talking, they heaved Zuko up as if he were no more than a sack of grain. I could not help but think of the pain he would be in after regaining consciousness. I watched as they dragged him off towards the village. I sent a message on the wind to the trees in that part of the forest to keep an eye on the situation for me, not that the regular gossip would most likely do. It was hard not to worry for the boy.
By this time it was well into the night, in fact around when Zuko would have finished his work as the spirit, but all that lay as evidence in the field were his forgotten blades and a few muddy steps left from the fight.
When the third human approached that night, I knew exactly who it was. Only one other person knew about Zuko's nightly escapades.
As Lu Ten came closer he could tell something was amiss and when he caught site of the blades, he immediately began to look around for an attacker, but none was there. He studied the scene at length, retracing each step the opponents had taken. He then went to check the nook where Zuko had kept his mask. It was still hidden safely in my folds and just as the purples of dawn broke out across the sky, he took the mask and swords and raced toward the Fire Clan village.
As the days passed, I expected to see the odd trio again, but they never appeared to my relief. I found out later why.
The nights Katara continued to come to me waiting to see her lover, the Blue Spirit never ceased visiting her village. Each night goods were brought and each day her clan was glad to have received them. While I never saw the new spirit the gossip of the trees of late had been that Lu Ten had taken up the mantle in Zuko's stead.
But none of this mattered to Katara. Even in the days after Aang had come to find her she still came. Every night she wandered out to my branches as if she were lost hoping to be found, and each morning either Aang or her brother would find her in the field.
I could tell that Sokka knew something must have happened with Zuko, but he never mentioned it. He simply came at dawn to make sure that she came home. Aang seemed to think that his betrothed simply enjoyed coming out to my meadow on early morning walks, but as the days wore on he began to see something was amiss as well.
It was on the seventh night following Zuko's disappearance that she had a visitor.
She came when she always did, near the time she and Zuko would meet, and sat against my trunk. Her eyes were so weary and her face thin. I could see worry etched on her very being. She waited, barely moving, looking into the woods where he used to emerge beaming at the sight of her. She closed her eyes and a small smile spread across her lips. She must have been thinking of him. It was the smile I used to see when the two of them would sit quietly beneath my branches.
A rustle startled her from her memory. Alarmed she sat up and looked around, water at the ready. No one was there. She leaned back against my trunk, but a second time she heard a noise, this time she rose and walked around my base, and once again she found nothing, but when she turned to sit back down, she jumped back a step. A black hooded figure stood before her. Before she could strike the cloaked figure lowered his hood and began to speak.
"Please, child. I mean no harm. I have come only to talk with you," the aged man calmly said, a puff of steam dispersing in the cold night air as he spoke.
"Who are you?" Katara asked warily, not yet putting her water back into her pouch.
The man chuckled, "You are just like my nephew. You don't easily trust. That is good in times of war, but sometimes you miss an ally in the process."
Confusion still clouded her eyes and she repeated her question once again.
The crow's feet at the corner of each eye crinkled up with his smile, a gleam in his eye. "You know me. I am Iroh, former chief of the Fire Clan, but you, Katara, may call me Uncle."
At the recognition of the man's name, understanding swept across Katara's face and she sent her water flowing back into the pouch.
"But Zuko said you had left. He was devastated. What are you doing here?" she asked a confused crinkle settling on her brow.
"Even though Zuko thought that his cousin and I had left him, we were never far. The Fire Clan is a dangerous place at the moment which is why I have come to speak with you," Iroh stated.
"What, what happened to Zuko? Is this why he hasn't come?" Katara rushed. The worry on her face became even more apparent as she wrung her hands together.
Iroh replied to her with a simple nod.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"Your clan has been receiving visits from the Blue Spirit," he said. She nodded.
"Who do you think became the spirit?" he asked.
Katara looked at him questioningly for a second, but her eyes widened when she understood.
"That was Zuko? But the Blue Spirit has continued to come even though he has been missing, and he has never missed a meeting. Something must be wrong," she argued.
"Yes, child. But Zuko had his reasons. When you told him of your clan's troubles, he felt the need to help. So he became the Blue Spirit," Iroh shook his head, smiling to himself. "I shouldn't be surprised. It was his favorite tale as a child. But he disappeared from the village night after night and while it was very late and only the centuries were awake, his sister began to notice something amiss."
"But what happened to him?" Katara asked agitatedly. She had been wondering and worrying for nights on end and she was so close to knowing.
"To be honest we are not exactly sure, but my son, Lu Ten, went to speak to Zuko the night he disappeared. He told me he saw evidence of a fight and he found Zuko's dao blades when he had come here. After he saw them he went immediately to the village to try and find out what he could. All we know at the moment is that Zuko is being held as a prisoner and that he is not in a very good condition. Lu Ten thinks that he battled his sister, Azula, and something went awry. She has never been compassionate. Zuko could be seriously injured. Since then Lu Ten has continued to act as the Blue Spirit so that Zuko cannot be accused for the crime," he explained.
Dread crept across Katara's face. "I have to go get him! I can heal him!" she started to move to leave. Iroh grabbed her arm.
"No! Lu Ten and I already have plans in place to help Zuko escape. While there are many that support the current chief, I still have a few close allies that want to see the end of this war as much as we do," he started.
"Then why tell me if there is nothing I can do?" Katara interrupted. "To cause me more worry? I've known something was wrong, but at least I could hope he was ok. Now you expect me to simply sit here while he may be dying? I can't do that!" she exclaimed.
Iroh smiled sadly, "We don't expect that of you. I know how much the two of you love each other. I have seen what you share, but if you were hurt in this process, Zuko would never forgive us or himself, so we need you here. Lu Ten spoke to Zuko shortly before he was to meet you. We were going to see if your Clan could possibly work with a few outcasts to depose Ozai as chief, but since Zuko was discovered the plans have changed, and now we will be seeking refuge. Zuko will most likely be too weak to be on the run. If your people would be willing to harbor him, once he is well, we may have a chance to defeat Ozai and bring back the peace."
It was too much at once. Katara's hands found her face and she slid down to the ground. What Iroh was asking her was to reveal what she had been doing all these years. Sneaking out to see the enemy. Falling in love. Reveal her deepest secrets to her entire clan, to her father, not just to Sokka.
"I know I am asking much from you, but I believe that Zuko's life depends on it," Iroh pleaded.
Katara remained silent in her hunched form making no move to reply. Then she lifted her eyes to the old man. They no longer held dismay or despair, but determination. She rose, shoulders set. "What do you need me to do?" she asked, voice steady and strong.
Iroh smiled and went on to explain, "Lu Ten and I are planning in three days to penetrate the village and get Zuko out of there. I need you to be here waiting. I don't know how bad his injuries are at this point. He will most likely be in need of healing though. And then if we can get him to your clan's village to rest we should be fine. In the best possible case we will be able to get Zuko without anyone knowing till morning. It would give us plenty of time to make sure he's healed and makes it to your village."
"I can do that, but Uncle, convincing my clan may be hard. I know you had good relations with my father, but these past months of war have been hard for my people. I don't know how forgiving they would be of any Fire Clan members seeking refuge," she worried.
"Please try. If you really don't believe they would find the compassion in their hearts to help if we still come in our moment of need it may just work."
Katara nodded. "I'll speak with my brother. He already knows, so he may have an idea."
"Good. Good. Well then, I must be off. I will see you in three days, hopefully with little complication," Iroh once again smiled turning to leave.
Just as he was about to walk away, Katara spoke. "Thank you for letting me know. I haven't been able to sleep or eat for worrying lately. So thank you, and I wish you luck."
Iroh bowed to her in the fashion of the Water Clan. "I wish you luck as well, and Katara," he said as he straightened, "Please be safe."
"I will."
With that, the elder parted leaving a feeling of peace in his wake.
Katara remained for the night once again, but this time her nervous stirrings turned to quiet contemplation. But beneath her calm exterior I could feel her pulse racing. How would it feel, I wonder, to find out that a loved one may be near death, that their fate could depend on your ability to heal or convince, that there could be a way to end the war, to have peace almost with in your grasp but still so far away? I could only imagine what was racing through her mind that night as she once again awaited the light of day. I've always found the tenacity of the human spirit remarkable. Even in the worst of circumstances it seems to hope for better and fight for it.
As dawn once again veiled the earth in amber light, Sokka appeared at the forests edge. This time he did not need to walk all the way to my trunk to gain his sister's attention. Once she realized he was coming she shot up and ran, meeting him a bit farther from my base. The first thing she did was embrace him. He was surprised at first, but his arms slowly settled around her. He knew his sister well enough to know she just needed comfort at the moment. She would speak with time.
When she finally pulled away he could see the tears in her eyes and I watched the worry enter his.
"What is it, Katara?" he asked nervously, hands on her shoulders.
"Sokka, I need to talk to you and I need you to listen without interrupting. This is very important.
"Ok," he agreed with a nod and they moved to sit down.
Once settled, Katara began her story. She started from the first night Zuko didn't come for their meeting and how she had come every night since. Sokka nodded as I am sure he knew most of this. What he did not know however was what took place last night. When Katara first said Iroh visited her, Sokka nearly started protesting, but Katara reminded him of his promise. As she delved into the details of their conversation the crease in Sokka's brow deepened.
"Wait, Katara, stop just for a minute. You are saying that last night Iroh came to you and told you that Zuko is a captive in his own clan, seriously injured, and that Iroh and his son want to break him out and bring him here to meet you to then come to the Water Clan to ask for shelter? And that he has been our Blue Spirit this entire time? And you're going to believe him?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes, Sokka, I've known Zuko for years, you know this. We've never missed a meeting with each other before. I knew something was wrong when he didn't come that night and you know I've waited every night since. His cousin took over as the Blue Spirit which is why we have still been receiving gifts. This makes sense. He would come unless something prevented it," she tried to reason.
"But Katara, this is the Fire Clan we're talking about. How do you know you can trust them?" he asked.
"Iroh has worked with our clan in the past to preserve peace I don't see any reason why he would not do so now," she replied.
"And you said they think your jerkbender is in a critical condition?" he asked.
"It's what they've heard from around the village. They said that Zuko fought his sister and hasn't been doing well. I don't know more than that, but Iroh said he and Lu Ten would get him out and to here where I could heal him. Look, Sokka, I know this all sounds ridiculous and I am well aware of what this could mean but," she sighed, trying to contain tears, "I just can't imagine… if he died, Sokka, and I wasn't even able to try and help? I wouldn't be able to live with myself," she choked out in a whisper.
Sokka watched as her shoulders began to shake. Tears silently coming forth as the girl imagined the worst that could happen. He took her back in his arms, ever the protective older brother, but he couldn't protect her from this and his disgust with the situation showed on his face.
"You're only coming out here that night if I'm with you. It's too dangerous of a situation for you to come by yourself," he finally said when she stilled in his arms.
She looked up at him, a devilish bit of hope breaking through and she hugged him even tighter. "Thank you, Sokka," she whispered out.
"I still can't say I completely understand or support this, but as your big brother I am still going to protect you," he kissed her forehead. "I'll also relay this information to dad. Since it's from Iroh he may listen. We've all wished that Iroh were still chief. It's actually incredible he's alive. Most of our elders thought he had been killed."
"Maybe if you tell dad that you met Iroh in the woods and said that he wanted to rendezvous here, but with you. I'm sure you will be able to come up with a reason for it," she babbled.
"Ok, but Katara, please don't forget that your wedding is supposed to be a week from today. I know how much you love Zuko, but I don't know if his presence will change what has been set. And Aang has taken quite the liking to you. He is a good man and would treat you well. Just keep this in mind," he added.
Katara froze again. She glanced to the side. With Zuko missing she had forgotten about the marriage and I could see as the notion crashed on her like a wave. "I, I will, Sokka. I will," she mumbled to him.
"Good, now let's go. You need to eat this morning. You aren't getting out of it this time," he said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"I'll try," she gave him a small smile and wrapped her arm about his waist.
I watched as they headed back to their village. Her brother had softened since the first time he found out about her love. He seemed to understand, whether that is due to his own love, or just seeing how passionate his sister was I know not. But it made me think that just maybe people may one day be able to accept this love.
The forest was abuzz the next few days. Gossip flew from branch to branch, never ceasing. Word of the plan to rescue Zuko had spread along with it the news that Hakoda had told his son that if Iroh was indeed alive and came to him, he would welcome him as a friend. On the other side of the meadow however trees were whispering of the secrets the Fire chief was keeping. Few in the clan knew Zuko was being held as a prisoner and some were starting to wonder what had happened to the chief's son.
The days and nights before Katara was to meet Iroh and Lu Ten at my base passed quickly. She did not come back until the appointed evening with Sokka, just as he promised. As I watched them wait I could see her anxiety building. Every last thing that could go wrong must have been running through her head. And as she held her breath so did the forest. Tension was running high in the air. It was not going to be an easy night.
A/N: Hey all! So I finished my semester and here is this months update! Since I am on break I am hoping to get an extra chapter out, but no promises (because I would hate to disappoint.) I would also like to say thank you to all of you for reading, following, and favoriting, and extra special thanks to those of you who have reviewed! It brightens my day every time!
Review question: Is there any music you think of when you read this? (Or when you here a song do you think of this AU?) Just out of curiosity :D If not, tell me your favorite Zutara shipping song!
And my answer to the last review quetion as I promised: Just like the rest of you it's hard for me to pick a favorite quote. There are too many amazing quotes to pick just one, but the one I have to go with is, of course, from Zuko. It's "My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born. I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight, and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am." The reason for this is because I personally identify deeply with having to struggle and fight. I think that on some level everyone can. It's what makes Zuko, in my opinion, one of the best characters.
Also, if you are on tumblr and want updates on BTAT progress, little drabbles I write, or to check out my other crazziness you can find me at zukes-babe!
Thanks again! ~Harky
Update: Hey all, I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I am in a bit of a hiatus due to school and a few other things popping up making it hard to write. That said this story has NOT been dropped. It will be continued. (Hopefully during spring break) Stay awesome!