Chapter 8

"So, what is place?" Toph repeated, wishing, not for the first time, that she could actually 'see' like everyone else.

"It's – I think it's some kind of…library," Aang replied, gazing at the seemingly limitless rows of impending shelves that disappeared into the distant darkness of the large room. Torches were lit and glowing dimly on the wall near the entrance, but other than that, it was filled with darkness. He firebended a bright torch in his palm, in an effort to get a better look at the secret room.

Toph sighed in disappointment. All this way just for some stupid books? She'd been hoping for something interesting, like…a dungeon, or torture chamber. Or even a secret pantry. Not a library. "Who keeps the library this far underground?"

Aang shook his head, a gesture that was completely lost on his blind friend, "He's already got that huge library upstairs. You know, the room with the large window and the comfy sofas. This isn't the library, or at least not the main one. Maybe it's the place where they keep the books they don't want people to know about." Aang suggested.

"What? Like all the mushy romance books? What a great idea. I'll have to do that with Mom's collection back home." Toph grinned.

"Not exactly what I was thinking, but, I guess. Why would Zuko need romance books?"

"Yeah, especially the trashy ones. Father says only loveless housewives read them."

"Huh? Why are they called 'Trashy'?" Aang asked in earnest. He may be fifteen years of age, but there were still a few things he was ignorant about.

"…oh, you know, because they're all about how the characters get together and…do couple stuff…like what we caught Sokka and Suki doing that time. It was when we were all at Kyoshi Island for her birthday, remember that?"

Aang shuddered at the memory. He and Toph had been looking for them to ask what they wanted for dinner. It was the last time he was ever going to looking for them when they were both gone simultaneously. "Don't remind me. They actually write books about that kind of stuff?"

"Yeah, apparently they're quite popular. I don't get it either." Toph replied,

"So, do you think there might be any of those kinds of books down here?" Aang asked, eyeing the shelves wearily,

"Hmm…well, if Zuko did own any books like that, I suppose he'd be too embarrassed to keep them anywhere else other than in a secret underground room. But somehow, I don't think he's really the reading type, no-matter what the book. Maybe they belonged to Azula, and he shipped them down here."

Aang laughed. "Azula? Reading a romance book? Yeah right. Do you really think she seems like the type of person who reads?"

"Well, I don't know her very well, since the only time we ever met was when were fighting, and at her trial, but something tells me she didn't have a boyfriend. Where else would she get whatever it is people get out of romance, if not from books?" Toph remarked, joining his laughter.

Aang sobered up when he remembered what had happened to her, "You don't suppose she's lonely in prison, do you?"

Toph couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Don't tell me you feel sorry for her! After all the times she tried to kill you, you can't honestly feel bad about what happened."

Aang shrugged. "I can't help it. She's still a person, no matter how crazy – "

"Don't forget dangerous, and malicious, and would kill you in an instant if she got the chance," Toph added,

"But still, she can't be all bad. I mean, there must have been a time when she was…I dunno, just a normal little girl, who liked to play with dolls. And now she's in solitary confinement for the rest of her life. Don't tell me you don't feel at least a bit sorry for her." Aang interjected.

"No, I don't. She chose her fate when she did all those evil things. She's not like normal people, Aang, she's merciless. Do you think the families of all those people she killed are thinking of how unfortunate it is for her to be locked up?" Toph asked, "No, of course they're not. And you shouldn't be either. It's safer for the world if she's kept out of it."

Aang looked down at his feet uncomfortably. "I understand that she's done a lot of bad things, but I still think life-imprisonment is a bit harsh. Blame it on being the monk if you have to, but I can't accept that she's all bad. There's got to be a bit of goodness in her. And who knows, maybe she can change."

Toph sighed. "I doubt it, but I can see there's no point arguing with you. I forget that I'm talking to the boy who couldn't even bring himself to kill Ozai."

"I thought we agreed that what I did was the best option in the end." Aang reminded her stubbornly.

Toph shook her head. "Whatever. I'm still uneasy about these people being…alive, and therefore able to, I dunno, cause more trouble. But I guess Zuko's handling it fine, so we won't have to worry about that. It doesn't matter now anyway, right? Azula and Ozai are both locked up for life, and if a certain do-gooder Avatar doesn't try to interfere, they should stay that way, where they can't do anything."

Aang sighed. For all his good intentions, he had to admit that if Azula and Ozai weren't contained as they were, they would most likely cause trouble. It was painful to admit, but Toph was right. Not that it made him any more comfortable with the idea.

"Come on, Twinkletoes, forget about it for now. It's been three years, I'm sure they've gotten used to it or something. Let's just go explore Lord Hothead's collection of dirty books. We might find something we can black-mail him with later." Toph grinned wickedly. Even after all this time, Zuko was still one of her favourite people to antagonise.


It had been several hours since her bath, and Azula was still smiling over her new plan. Finally, after all the time she had spent bored out of her mind, she had something to focus on other than the next meal, or annoying her brother on his occasional visits. Freedom finally seemed a possibility once more. And she felt more alive than she had in months.

The ex-princess was very much aware of the guard, Haydin, who was pivotal to her new plan, as he stood on duty just metres away. Despite the rock wall between them, in her silence, she could hear each breath, each foot-shuffle, each whistle, as it was amplified by the surrounding hall. She knew he was there, and chances were, he was thinking of her. In fact, her plan depended on it.

If she was to use Haydin in her plan, Azula realised that she needed to make him like her, no, love her even. To bring it to the point that he would do anything she asked, without a thought about his duty as a prison guard. It wasn't an easy feat considering the circumstances, but she was certain that if it could be done, she could do it. After all, she had managed to capture the city of Omashu, practically all on her own; how hard could it be to seduce a guard? Especially one so young and new to the role.

She thought back to her brief time in the holding cells, in the few weeks when she had been kept with the other female inmates in the imperial prisons before they had all been moved to the Boiling Rock. In her short time with these women, despite her contempt for many of them, she had managed to learn a lot, especially about bending the guards to do their will. Perhaps it was that Imperial Prison guards weren't as professional as the ones she had seen at the Boiling Rock and other jails, or maybe it was that these particular women were just good at manipulation. But whatever the reason, there were many instances Azula could recall of her inmates batting a few eyelashes to get extra rations at meal times, or whispering suggestively to get a few extra hours outside. She'd even noticed some of the women slipping off with some of the guards, mysteriously, for prolonged periods of time in the dead of night, with unknown rewards. But whatever the method, it was clear that these men could be controlled with the right motivation. And, of course, it was clear what the biggest motivation was.

Azula smiled wickedly and began her theatrics. She moaned and sighed, making noises associated with experiencing a bad dream, before taking a quick breath and loudly panting.

A satisfying clink of the metal window opening was heard from the door.

"Ah…Miss Azula? Are – are you ok?" asked Haydin uneasily, his voice betraying his dilemma of duty over personal concern.

"Oh, I'm fine," Azula replied, putting on the most innocent voice she could muster, "It was just a bad dream,"

"…oh, ok then,"

"Thanks for your concern," she said sweetly, remembering to maintain the impression of breathlessness.

Haydin hesitated for a moment before shutting the window once more.

If it weren't for the noise, Azula felt like she could dance. There was no doubt to her that the seeds of affection were planted in his mind. But now, it was time for her to rest. She knew it would be foolish to attempt any more "flirting" today, after the massive leaps she had already made. It would be best to let the boy stir in his own thoughts for a while, and try more tomorrow. But Azula knew that she needn't worry about acting too quickly. She didn't have a deadline. She was imprisoned for life; she had all the time in the world.


Katara searched through her draws, trying to find her winter cloak. She spotted the thick, furry blue garment underneath a pile of tunics and whipped it out, folding it tightly and packing it into the waiting bag on her bed. She and Zuko had decided not to bother waiting, now that they had directions to Adelle Island, and were to leave right away. The sooner they set out, the sooner they would find Ursa, and the quicker they could return in time for the party.

Without warning, a figure appeared in the open doorway.

"Going somewhere, Katara?" Suki asked,

Katara looked up suddenly, wondering how she was going to explain the plan to the Kyoshi Warrior, "Um…yeah. Zuko and I got a lead about the possible location of his mother. We're going to go and try to find her. We'll only be gone a few days,"

Suki raised a questioning eyebrow "You're going with Zuko to try and find his mother? Now? Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" Katara shrugged,

"It's his birthday next week. With the big party. There's plenty that still needs to be done before then. And besides, this is the first time in years we've all been together like this, and now you two are going to shoot off for a while? I thought we were supposed to be catching up."

"We will catch up, after Zuko and I get back. And don't you think there'd be no greater birthday present for him than having his mother there to share it with him?"

"But what if you go all that way and it turns out that she's…you know, dead?"

"If that does happen, then sure it will be hard, but at least he'll have closure. You can't know what it's like not knowing, Suki. It's just…impossible to describe."

"But how would you know? You knew that your mother was dead."

"Yes, but for years I didn't know what had happened to dad. And there was mystery about mom's death, who killed her, and why; it ate away at me for years. But three years ago, Zuko helped me overcome that. We went and faced my mothers' killer, and I've since been able to finally move on with my life. And now it's my turn to repay the favour. He went with me on my wild-goose chase, so I'm going with him on his."

"But are you sure this is really a good idea? I mean, you've just broken up with Aang, I'm sure you're pretty confused about a lot of things right now. I don't think running off on some adventure with Zuko is the best thing to do."

"What does any of that have to do with this? What are you trying to say, Suki?"

"I'm just saying, sometimes, after you end a relationship so suddenly like that, it's not the best idea to go running off with some other guy."

"Are you suggesting that just because Zuko and I are going to be alone together for a couple of days, that we'll somehow hook up, because I'm confused about my feelings?"

"Well, they're your words, not mine."

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! Zuko and I are just friends. Nothing like that is going to happen." Katara replied, hardly believing that Suki could suggest such a thing, "And Aang and I were finished a long time ago, there's no 'confusing feelings' there. And besides, Zuko loves Mai. Nothing's going to happen."

"Have you seen Mai around here lately?" Suki pointed out,

Katara faltered, "…well, no, but I assumed she's visiting her parents, or something."

"Sokka told me that she and Zuko split up months ago."

"…that still doesn't change anything. Nothing can happen between us. He's the Fire Lord, and I'm the daughter of the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe. How many people do you know date people from other nations? It just doesn't work that way."

"Well, actually, Sokka's from the Water Tribes, and I'm technically Earth Kingdom." Suki reminded her,

"That's different." Katara snapped,

"How?"

"Well…firstly, neither of you are benders, and besides, you're from Kyoshi Island. You're barely Earth Kingdom. And even if something like that were possible, don't you think I'm old enough now to make my own decisions? I'm 17, Suki, I'm not a stupid kid anymore."

"I know, and if you and Zuko want to be together, that's great – "

"There's nothing going on between us." Katara assured her quickly,

"I know, I know. I just don't want you to do anything you might regret later." Suki gazed at her friend, concerned. "I trust you Katara, and I'm not saying that it would be bad if something did happen. I just want you to be weary of what could happen. Don't be naive about it; you guys have a bit of a history, even if it was only a friends-thing before," she added quickly before Katara could protest, "You never know what's going to happen, and being alone together sort-of increases the chances of stuff like that. And if it doesn't work out, it could mean the end of your friendship with Zuko. And I know how much he means to you, so be careful. I don't want you to regret anything. Just promise me you won't do anything impulsive, ok?"

Katara considered her words soberly. "I appreciate your concern Suki, but you're going to have to trust me here. I can take care of myself."

Suki nodded sternly, "I hope you're right, Katara. For your sake, and his, I hope you're right."

Katara nodded as Suki took her leave. She shook her head to rid her mind of the awkward thoughts of the conversation. She didn't think of Zuko as anything more than a friend, right? So what was the problem? She was just a friend helping a friend. Nothing more. Suki was just seeing phantoms.


"You never know what's going to happen, and being alone together sort-of increases the chances of stuff like that…"

Zuko could hardly believe the conversation coming from her room. He had arrived a few minutes ago to let Katara know of their departure time, and had been greeted by this…confusing discussion. From what he had gathered, Suki was lecturing Katara about going on their trip, and its implications. What she was suggesting was…outlandish.

The Kyoshi warrior was suggesting that he and Katara could…he couldn't finish the thought. It was too confusing. That's so…crazy, he thought, bewildered, Katara's my friend. We could never…

Or could we? Another voice intervened,

No, of course not, he corrected himself,

And why not? She doesn't appear to be dating the Avatar anymore. What's stopping us? The voice persisted,

She's a Waterbender, and one of my dearest friends, and –

Attractive, smart and single,

No! It would never workjust no…Zuko's voice of reason failed to find reasons why.

Suddenly, Katara's door creaked open as Suki prepared to leave. Thinking quickly, Zuko turned and sprinted back down the hall, and around the corner, before turning back and walking slowly towards Katara's room again, acting as if he had just arrived. Suki appeared while he was still several metres away.

"Hey Suki," he greeted, using all effort to keep his breathing regular after the sudden bout of exercise,

"Zuko," she nodded, eyeing him warily for a moment before returning to her own room.

Zuko sighed in relief as she left. She doesn't suspect a thing,

Don't be stupid, she saw right though your guise, the nagging voice argued,

Shut up stupid voice!, Zuko told himself. He sighed wearily, "And they say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness,"

"I guess it runs in the family then,"

Zuko was shocked to find Katara standing smugly in her doorway. "Oh, hey," he flushed in surprise,

"Are you ok? You seem out of breath," Katara commented,

"Oh, it's…just…those damn stairs." He lied, referring to the massive connecting staircase around the corner, "I…I don't like stairs,"

Katara was sceptical, "Right. Anyway, did you want something?"

"Yeah, we're leaving in a few hours. I've asked the stable hands to prepare two Ostrich Horses for us. Have you told the others what's happening yet?"

"Well, I told Suki just then. I'm sure she'll tell Sokka, but I'd better say goodbye to him anyway. And I couldn't find Aang or Toph. So I guess I'll have to leave it to Suki to tell them too when they come back from wherever they are."

Zuko nodded, "Yeah, they're probably exploring more of the palace. You guys didn't stay here for very long last time, so there's still much of this place you all haven't seen,"

"Maybe when we get back you could give me a tour," Katara suggested,

Zuko smiled, "Sure, I'd – that'd be good,"

They stood there for a moment, just looking away, until Katara broke the silence, "Well, I'd better say my goodbyes. I'll meet you in the stables?"

"Do you know how to get there?"

"Yeah, it's in the back of the outer court-yard, right?"

"Yeah, I guess I'll see you then," Zuko nodded once more before heading back to his own rooms to finalise his bags. He tried his best to ignore the new possibilities Suki had unwittingly planted in his mind.


Yay for chapter 8! Damn Aang for demanding more pointless dialouge. What I wrote there wasn't originally intended, but i couldn't get rid of it cos it just seemed to fit. Ah well, not you'll have to wait until next chapter to see what I originally intended to happen there.

I hope you guys enjoyed it. You know what to you; give me a shout-out. Review :D I love to hear your comments.

Later, Tiger-cub684