Hi! I'm back and settled at home. So here's chapter 8. I decided to go with the whole readers-know-what's-going-on-and-the-characters-don't approach to the story, cuz I'm not good with mysteries. Enjoy, review, tell me what think.
"The plan is coming together wonderfully." Tu and Sheng smiled at Ju Long. "You two did well. I'm assuming that Princess Azula is prepared?"
"She is knowledgeable. We didn't completely prepare her. However, she does have an idea of what will happen."
"And Ozai?" The general looked at them intensely. Nothing could go wrong. Everyone had to play their part perfectly.
"He doesn't know what happened." The two Dai Li agents were nervous. Kong hadn't caught up to them yet, and he was the one with the plan all sorted out. They each only knew pieces. "And what about you?"
They were meeting in the tunnels underneath the Fire Nation capital city. "I made it sound like I was attacked and the Kyoshi Warriors did nothing, which suggested they had helped with the attack." He grinned. "Since the Firelord is closely tied with the warriors as well as the Avatar, this may bring the whole lot of them down."
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
"It has to do with Azula. That's the only thing I can think of." Zuko threw out his theory.
"I don't know. She banished them. I have trouble thinking they would stay loyal to her." Suki argued.
"What if they want the Earth Kingdom back?" Kuei spoke up.
Toph shook her head. "They wouldn't think that small after having close to the whole world with Azula. I'm with Zuko on this one."
Sokka nodded. "It makes sense. But I don't get how they would've escaped or how they would get in there."
"There's not enough proof of anything!" Aang was frustrated. "Zuko, if you think it has to do with Azula, put more guards there. Same with you, Kuei. I just don't get how everything is operating! They were separated, there should be no way to get into the prison and I agree with Toph that they wouldn't think small, but I agree with Suki that their loyalty should be questioned!"
"Either way, I think we need more guards at the prison with the other agents. It may be a small group, but there may be more inside." Katara nodded at Suki's idea.
Katara looked towards the man she loved, then to the man she thought of as a brother. "We need to figure out what's going on. Zuko, we need to get back to the capital city. I guess that's what our plan should be. And everyone else should head back to their nations and keep an eye on things there. This doesn't have to be a world-wide problem." He nodded, looking at the door where Mai and Fai had disappeared to a few moments ago.
While everyone left, Aang patted his back. "I know this must be hard for you, Zuko. Trying to fix problems and take care of your family."
"It's not just that, Aang. It's Mai. She doesn't seem to be doing well since the birth. She seems unusually weak as well as open. I'm worried about her, especially with everything that's going on. I'm not sure she can handle it." He cradled his head in his hands. "And I don't know how to help her! Or him! And I'm trying to be the best father I can be, but I don't know how! I keep trying to get help from Uncle, but he's busy keeping Mai's mother at bay so we CAN be parents!" The paper he held in his hands burst into flames.
"Zuko, calm down. You're doing your best, and that's all that can be asked of you." Katara rested her hand on Zuko's shoulder.
"She's right." Sokka sat by his best friend. "We can help with Fire Nation stuff. And with your family. And I'm sure our dad would be willing to give you any advice he can." Zuko nodded and smiled at his friends.
"Thank you. I know I can count on you guys."
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ty Lee smiled as she painted on her warrior make-up. She had taken a few days off to relax and spend time with the members of the circus that was in town. But now it was back to work, guarding Azula. As she cartwheeled towards the prison.
"Excuse me, miss, but you aren't allowed in there." The outside guard stood in front of her, blocking her path.
She frowned. "I'm supposed to guard Azula. I'm Ty Lee, the chi blocker."
"Kyoshi warriors are not allowed to be in the prison at the moment. Generals' orders. The Firelord will make the final decision based on current information."
"I'm sure Zuko would want me in there. He appointed me in the first place." Ty Lee was still optimistic but had become more of a serious person. Working in a prison had shown her the harsher side to life and she had to get serious, fast. She'd been promoted to guarding Azula. She tried to move forward again, and the guard again blocked her.
"We can discuss this when the Firelord returns. Good-bye."
She ran home, worried about the security.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Aang and Katara were packing in their room. "I'm worried about Sokka and Suki." Katara looked across the bed at the Avatar.
"I understand that they're fighting, but there's nothing new to that with them." He shrugged at her.
"It seems different somehow." Aang walked around and rubbed her shoulders. Katara relaxed against his muscular chest.
"Don't worry so much, Katara. They'll work things out." He kissed her neck and she sighed, turning towards him.
"You're right." She ran her hands along his chest. "We have bigger things to worry about."
"Let's not worry right now." He pushed her against the door, kissing her. She moaned a little against his onslaught.
He nuzzled her neck, planting a few kisses along her collarbone. She moaned a little louder. Sokka, on the other side of the door, smacked his head and stalked off.
Toph felt and heard him coming. "You keep muttering like that and someone's going to think you're crazy."
"Crazy! I will be if I ever hear that again!"
This caught her off guard. "What did you hear?"
"Katara… moaning!" He grimaced.
"Do you want me to remind them we have to leave?" Toph spoke softly, surprising Sokka.
"If you wouldn't mind."
"You'll owe me!" Toph walked towards the room, smiling to herself.
