A/N: A relatively shorter, but an important chapter this one. Some action scenes coming up in the next chapter. As usual, read and review. Also, I have updated a two-shot Zutara romance, 'Scarred Bonds', and a short, humorous one-shot, 'Of Birds, Bees and Tsungi Horns'. Do take a peek at those two as well.
As usual, R&R.
Chapter 6
"Aang."
The man lay on the rattan cot, unmoving. The felt blanket that had been provided to him as a protection from cold lay somewhere on the floor. A fire burned merrily in the corner, with no apparent kindling. On the other side of the gate made of bone, Sokka stood chewing his lip. The Avatar had refused all meals and wouldn't talk to anyone.
"Aang, quit your sulking and have your food, please."
No response.
"I know you're awake," Sokka tried again. "Please, have your food. You haven't eaten a thing since last night. You can't keep this up."
The fire in the corner flared for a brief instant, before puffing out completely. The Avatar finally pushed himself up on the bed. Without a word, he put his hand in his cloak and procured an object. In the darkness, Sokka had to squint to see what he was holding up.
"I meant to give her this today," Aang said in a dead sort of voice. "But now the day is over, and I still have this in my hand."
"What is that?"
Aang sighed and walked up to the gate. Carefully, so as to not touch the bars of bone, he extended his hand and dropped the object on Sokka's outstretched palm. In the flickering light of the torches in the corridor, blue eyes widened upon realizing what he was holding.
"A betrothal necklace?"
It was a beautiful one, he had to admit. The stone was a Blue Topaz, carved with air and water symbols, hanging from a braid made of blue, yellow and orange threads. "I'm sorry Aang," Sokka said, unable to tear his eyes from the little necklace in his palm.
"Sorry?" Aang's voice was low and bitter. "You are sorry? No Sokka, you're not. Whatever happened to the Sokka I knew? What happened to the brother who stood in front of his sister, arms thrown out, when an Airbender showed up all of a sudden? What happened to the Sokka who pummeled the drunken man who had dared to pass a lewd comment about his sister? How did you change so much? How could you send her to a pit of viperlizards?"
Sokka looked up, his throat constricting. "I grew up Aang."
Apparently it was the wrong thing to say, for he snatched the betrothal necklace from Sokka's hand and went back to his rattan cot. "Growing up doesn't mean you abandon the ones you love."
"No. Growing up means understanding the ones you love and respecting their choices."
"Even if the said choice kills them?" Aang screamed. "Corrupts them? Changes them beyond recognition?"
Sokka nodded.
"So tell me Sokka," Aang asked, his face still hidden by the dark. "If I were to embrace alcoholism, would you as my friend respect my choice and let me be?"
"It's not the same thing and you know that."
"How is it not the same? Both are equally self-destructive if you ask me."
"Alcoholism serves no purpose!" Sokka screamed in frustration. "But what Katara is doing? It's for peace. For a greater good. It's completely different."
"I don't agree."
"I don't care," Sokka said, throwing his hands up in frustration. "You can either accept that Katara has taken a decision on her own and choose to respect that. Or you can have your hissy fit. I have had enough. Do as you please."
With that Sokka stomped away, leaving his friend in the darkness.
Katara was irritated. She had been meaning to find Jee and ask him to take her to Healer Kala's hut to grab some more of her clothes, when a soldier came up to her and told her that she was summoned. She had never taken well to being ordered around, even if it was a Prince who was doing the ordering. Swallowing her indignation, she reminded herself that this might be a good opportunity to get a small meeting in with the Prince. She had been unable to meet him earlier that day, for he had left by the time she had come to the training arena. The soldier led her to a small tent at the edge of the camp which was heavily guarded. The soldier asked her to wait and stepped inside. A moment later he was out again and signaled her to get in.
Katara didn't know what she had been expecting but it was most certainly not the scene that met her eyes. A petite, somewhat pretty woman sat on the cot, her face twisted in a grimace and feet planted firmly on the ground.
Prince Zuko sat on a stool, his face set in scowl and hands folded in front of his chest. A couple of soldiers stood on either side of the cot, their muscles taut, ready to spring at a moment's notice.
"Ah Katara," the Prince said, without taking his eyes off the other woman. "Perfect timing. Meet our new guest, Toph."
Unsure of what to say, Katara chose to remain silent. Apparently, he hadn't expected her to say anything, for he continued speaking. "She claims that she is blind. I am mostly inclined to believe it, but I want your opinion on it as well. Test her, will you."
Katara turned to look at the woman and for the first time she noticed the paleness of her eyes. Without a word, she encased her hand in water and walked up to the woman. "This will feel a little cold," she said kindly. "It's just water. I will place it on your eyes so it's advisable that you close them."
The woman, Toph, just nodded. With that permission, Katara placed her hands on Toph's eyes and felt it. Within moments of touching her, she knew that Toph hadn't been lying, she was truly blind. She was about to pull the water off when she noticed something else. Something she hadn't expected.
It was a swirl of energy that lay coiled within some people. People of a specific kind. Unintentionally, a gasp escaped her lips.
"What is it?" The Prince asked, instantly alert and on his feet.
Katara withdrew the water and poured it back into her pouch. "You're an Earthbender."
Immediately, the two soldiers around the cot had their spears pointed at her. Unfazed, Toph shrugged. "Sure am."
"But- but you're blind," Katara said, puzzled.
"Two on two! You're on a roll, Sweetness."
"Sweetness?" Katara was perplexed.
"The sweet tone you employ when approaching someone with your water made me think of the name," Toph answered.
"Why didn't you tell us you're an Earthbender?" the Prince asked in a dangerous voice.
"You didn't ask," Toph answered nonchalantly. "Besides, it's nothing to get your royal panties in a bunch about, Prince. As the Waterbender so astutely put, I'm blind. Which means even though I am an Earthbender, I never went beyond the very basics. All I can do, is push and pull a rock. Surely that doesn't scare you, does it?"
The Prince turned to look at Katara. "Any way to test if she's lying or telling the truth?"
Katara shook her head. "All I can say is that she's an Earthbender. I have no idea how good or bad she is."
"Once again," Prince said, sitting back down. "How did you reach here?"
Toph sighed and blew her bangs. "Parents and I. Went Omashu. Visit. Way back to Gaoling. Bandits attack. Family separated. I'm lost."
"Where did the bandits attack you?"
"Sengbok."
Prince Zuko's eyes narrowed. "What were you doing in Sengbok? It doesn't lie in between Omashu and Gaoling."
"I don't know!" Toph cried. "My father is a merchant. He often takes us to places without telling us where he's taking us or why. I don't question my parents. Do you?"
To Katara's intense surprise, Prince Zuko's face changed. Abruptly, he stood up. "I will resume the questioning later."
With that, he walked out of the tent, leaving four puzzled people behind.
She walked like a shadow, lithe and silent. Blending into the darkness, unseen and unheard. A small dagger hid in her sleeve as she made her way to her target. Her black hair was hidden under a scarf so as to not leave an unintentional evidence behind. Silent as the night, she crept into the room through the window, unknown to the guards posted outside.
Her target lay unmoving. Asleep and unguarded. Cocooned in a humongous four poster bed, the woman looked small. Her shapely figure was hidden under the silk blanket and her black, silky hair fanned her head in a glorious halo. Asleep, Princess Azula looked beautiful, even her assailant had to admit.
But asleep was the only way she would face the Princess. Awake, the woman was ferocious. She was a predator unlike any. And her task was to eliminate this predator. She would be the first one to admit that she was scared. Scared of what the Princess would do to her if she was caught. Scared of the consequences of failure. If this woman sat on the throne, she would make Fire Lord Ozai seem like a toddler having a temper tantrum.
Her feet touched the floor noiselessly. She could of course use a poison dart and be done with it, but it was risky and left too much to chance. What if the dart didn't pierce deep enough? What if Azula managed to alert a physician before the poison took effect? What if she had the antidote? No. Too many variables. She intended to kill the Princess once and for all. She didn't want to leave anything to chance.
Her eyes took stock of the large room, just to ensure that she was indeed alone with the slumbering woman. Assured that the only other occupant of the room was fast asleep, she pulled out her knife and tiptoed across the room. Three feet from the bed, however, she stepped on a loose floorboard making it creak. Instantly she froze.
Immediately alert, Azula shot up on her bed, the torches flaring. Within the few moments that it took Azula to adjust her eyes to the change in light, the intruder slipped behind the dresser, her heart thudding. Peeking slightly from behind her cover, she saw the Princess holding aloft a blue flame in her palm, her golden eyes scanning the room. Suddenly, the lethal gaze paused at the dresser, making her heart skip a beat.
Silently, Suki muttered a prayer.
