Sokka sighed and Katara noticed.
The waterbender watched her brother and pain filled her heart, he looks so dejected. I'm glad Suki's okay but…it was hard to see her like that. Makes me wonder how messed up Azula is. Katara breathed in and heat of hatred consumed her, this is all Azula and Zuko's fault. Especially that bastard Zuko! I don't care what Iroh says, Zuko is not good. I was completely right when I told him I saw his face when I imagined evil. Conniving son of…he's as bad as his freakin' sister! Oh I swear…
"I see them!" Toph pointed from the side of Appa.
"Nice try Toph," Aang responded casually.
"Actually," Sokka said from next to her, very surprised, "she's pointing right at a boat that looks really similar to the one Oyaji described to us."
Katara perked up, her anger fleeting for a moment.
Toph blinked, "are you serious?"
"Yeah," Sokka responded.
"Woohoo! Score one for the blind kid!"
The group chuckled, with only a smile from Mai, as Appa descended. As the bison lowered, the seriousness among the group deepened and intensified.
Iroh closed his eyes with an exhale, here we go…
Appa cleanly slid into the ocean waves next to the boat, and Appa swam ahead of the boat.
With Appa's side facing him, Zuko's mouth hung open and his arms were slack. He quickly checked his sister to find her sleep, and then stared back at five pairs of eyes on him and an oncoming avatar.
Aang softly landed as softly as possible on the boat, in front of Zuko, and put his glider away. "Hello Zuko," the boy said amicably.
"Um, hi…I uh…I…"
"Your Uncle asked us to find you in return for him teaching me firebending. As a group we're not too enthusiastic about it, but we're doing what we have to. Please come with us."
"I wanted to join you anyway…" Zuko sighed and looked down, "but I don't know now. I don't feel worthy to be in your presence."
Aang blinked, very much surprised at the comment. He sat in front of Zuko, "what do you mean?"
"Take a look at my sister," the teen responded dejectedly.
Aang gasped. Zuko sighed again.
"Can you help her? Your friend Katara can heal people right?"
Aang nodded, a little uneasy.
Zuko looked up, "I know this is a huge favor and you'll probably say…"
"What is it Zuko."
"Sorry. Would Katara heal my sister?"
"WHAT?"
Zuko winced and noticed talk among the others in the background, "my ears…"
"What are you thinking? She's crazy. Why are you helping her? Why did you help her back in Ba Sing Se?"
Zuko's head hung, "I don't know…I was really confused back then."
Aang glared, "because of your confusion I nearly died and the world nearly lost its hope!"
"I know."
"What do you want from me Zuko! Seriously! I don't understand. You chase me all over the world for the past year and you help your crazy sister who, if I remember correctly, you don't exactly like either! What the hell is wrong with you! What's your deal?"
Zuko looked up at him, "I want to help you."
Aang gave him a look, "and now you want to help me? Do you have some sort of disorder?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Aang said heatedly, "you're coming with us one way or another so you might as well tell me now how I wouldn't understand…whatever it is I'm supposed to not understand."
"I'm not ready to talk about it, but all I can say is that I've been taught a lesson and I've been shown the right direction with a really hard kick in my ass. Azula and I have been through hell, and I don't know about her but I've changed, for good."
Aang snorted, "You also told Katara you changed, and then you backstabbed her."
Zuko avoided Aang's eyes, "I'm sorry for that. Like I said I was confused back then..."
Aang huffed and clenched his nose, "whatever, let's just get you and Azula on Appa."
"You're actually taking my sister too? No offense but I thought you'd leave her for dead."
"Mai and Ty Lee are on Appa. They were worried about her and asked us if…" Aang froze as Azula shifted and blearily opened her eyes. Zuko turned around.
Azula's eyes shot open at the sight of Aang, but she looked away, avoiding eye contact. She shivered a little and scrunched to a fetal position as a cold draft hit the boat.
Aang's interests piqued at her disinterest in him, "Yeah. Azula too." He said to Zuko, "Mai and Ty Lee were looking for her. They thought you two were traveling together and they asked to join us since we were searching for you."
Zuko nodded, "I understand. Um about Azula…I don't think she has the energy to get up and move onto your bison. We've been out her for two days and she hasn't moved from that spot since."
Aang nodded, "I'll bring Appa closer and you can climb up from his tail with her. I don't know how he's going to react to you two, but we'll figure something out."
Zuko looked a little wary, but agreed.
"Oh yeah." Aang mentioned as he was about to take flight, "About Katara…it's between you and her."
Zuko sighed, "That's what I'm worried about."
Aang flew away from the boat, and Zuko turned to his sister." We're going to board the Avatar's bison. Don't struggle."
Azula glared at him, and muttered through her knees, "weakling."
Zuko stiffened, sighed in frustration, and held out his hand. Azula accepted.
The Fire Nation boy led his sister a little closer to the front of the boat as Appa's tail got closer. Almost acting as a bridge up to the saddle, Azula understood that the siblings would have to climb on Appa's tail. Her eyes narrowed as much as possible.
Zuko blinked at her expression and heard a roar from the bison. Appa seemed to glare directly at Azula, and the bison prepared an attack with his tail. Zuko's eyes bulged as he pushed his sister back a little, "Wai…"
WAM!
Zuko flew approximately twenty feet to the right, skidded across the surface of the ocean once and painfully landed in the water face first.
"ZUKO," Ty Lee shouted in concern.
Mai immediately jumped into the water, and the rest of the group tried to calm Appa. Azula waited for the perfect moment…Appa's head turned, her eyes widened. Azula bolted at Appa's tail and she hopped onto the tail, did a flip, and neatly landed in the saddle.
All noise coming from the group and Appa ceased. The remaining members on the saddle, minus Ty Lee and Iroh, gawked in open awe at Azula's acrobatic display. She calmly sat, "what?"
A shifting in the water caused the group to gaze at their right. Mai slightly struggled with Zuko as both climbed into the saddle. Zuko was clutching his face; his teeth grit.
"Are you alright nephew?"
Zuko removed his hand, with his eyes clenched shut and very red in the face he responded, "I think so." Zuko opened his bloodshot eyes.
"Hmm, instead of Angry-Jerk maybe I should call you Tomato-Face from now on," Sokka pondered.
Most everyone laughed uproariously. Zuko seethed, Iroh had a smile, Ty Lee tried not to smile, and Mai remained impassive.
Azula in particular, was ecstatic, "Hahah…I didn't know you were a sparrowkeet at heart Zuzu!"
Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph felt a little uneasy playing jokes with their supposed enemy but dismissed such thoughts in a haze of mirth.
Ty Lee frowned and, like Mai, remained silent.
Iroh rubbed Zuko's upper back and whispered some comforting words. The former Prince nodded with his head down. Iroh slyly noticed Ty Lee glancing at Azula and going into quick bouts of contemplation.
Mai gave Iroh a slightly puzzled expression. Maybe she's trying to understand what Ty Lee is doing as well, Iroh pondered, and gave her a shrug.
Zuko sighed and whispered, "Ow...my face. Do we have anything cold? Like cold water or something?"
"I'm afraid not at the moment," Iroh said tiredly.
"Okay…It's good to see you again Uncle. I'm sorry…" Zuko's head hung down further.
Iroh smiled, "and for what are you sorry for, pray tell?"
"I betrayed you. And by betraying you I betrayed the Avatar and nearly got him killed, and…"
Iroh placed a warm hand on his shoulder, "it's alright nephew. I forgive you…"
Zuko's face lit.
"On one condition…"
Zuko frowned.
Iroh whispered seriously, "Please tell me what happened to Azula when we have some private time. I saw the markings…"
Zuko closed his eyes and hung his head in shame. He barely tilted his head in a nod.
Iroh sighed and smiled sadly, "I believe you did the best you could. I know you would never stoop as low as your father." The older man then chuckled, "Besides, you have too much of your mother in you."
At that Zuko smiled a little.
"Excuse me," Aang interrupted uncomfortably.
Iroh smiled, turning to the Avatar, "how may we be of service?"
Aang relaxed a little, "well we're wondering where to go next. I mean we obviously have to go to the Fire Nation soon, but we're not sure how."
"Ah, I see," the General replied, "perhaps we should discuss this over some tea."
Despite his inner turmoil, Zuko rolled his eyes in amused annoyance.
Aang nodded, "okay."
Zuko watched Sokka search one of their bags at Aang's request, and the Fire Prince quickly glanced at the rest of the group. His eyes first laid upon Toph; bored and picking her nose.
He nearly gagged and immediately shifted his eyes to Mai and Ty Lee. The Fire Nation girls had the sole attention upon Azula. Ty Lee quietly conversed with Azula; worry shamelessly covered the acrobat's face. Mai was silent, but Zuko guessed she was experiencing as much turmoil as Ty Lee. Trust Mai's face to stay solid as a rock…sometimes I wonder if she's truly from the Fire Nation.
Sokka and Katara had a mild argument as they both searched for a map.
Zuko felt a small prick of uneasiness sift through his bones at lightning speed. He turned, and Azula gave him a malicious smile. Zuko blinked, uh oh.
Azula turned to Ty Lee and casually carried on a conversation to Zuko's bewilderment. On his left, Iroh stroked his beard as the older man stared out to the sea.
"Did you guys find the map?" Aang asked the Water siblings.
Sokka and Katara paused, sat with their legs tucked under themselves, looked at each other, then back at Aang. Katara turned, "um, no. I think we lost it."
"Really?"
Katara nodded.
"I believe we are not too far from land," Iroh said, his eyes shifting to Toph briefly, "If we can get to land I can draw a map for all of us."
Toph, catching on, blushed a bit and kept her head low with a smile.
Aang shrugged, "okay."
The Avatar hopped to Appa's reigns and called out a "Yip, Yip boy."
Zuko, Azula, and Toph quickly grabbed a side of the saddle as Appa ascended.
Ozai sat contently amongst his favorite six advisors and three generals, "I have called a meeting, gentlemen, for us to discuss our future actions in dealing with our newly acclaimed territory." Gazing at each man briefly seated at a circular table with a large map of the world carved in the center, the Fire Lord smiled. "From my analysis of the citizens of Ba Sing Se and New Ozai, courtesy of our reports from Wan Deng Shu…" Ozai nodded at the man seated directly across from him. Wan Deng Shu bowed lightly.
"I believe assimilation sounds the most tantalizing of forced assimilations to the people of Ba Sing Se. We have several discourses and several approaches to achieve somewhat similar results. General Kwan, if you may…"
The man on Ozai's right immediately spoke, "At the current moment we have narrowed our most beneficial options, which will stir the least resistance from the Earth animals, down to three. Our first option is to slaughter them all, a personal favorite if I am not mistaken my liege?"
Ozai nodded, "a morning cup of Fire Wine watching the Earth trash being fed to the Mongoose Dragons is indeed true entertainment. Please continue."
"We have the option of sending all able-bodied women and children to labor camps along with sending the men to the front lines in Fire Nation armor. And our most diplomatic would be to selectively choose members of each social class and give them a tour of the Fire Nation - a small vacation if you will."
"I'll have to admit," Ozai pondered, "a change of pace may bring a little more excitement and intrigue to our situation gentlemen. Perhaps, we can mix a little of our second and third options? Any opinions?"
A sinewy man, devious in intent, rose, "Although this third option appears diplomatic, my lord, I agree that it is an interesting route. If I may elaborate on this choice…"
"You may."
"I believe we would be harkening back to the glorious reigns of our ancestors, the carefully, deviously double-edged diplomacy that had made our brilliant Lord Sozin a master in the arts of warfare. For we may offer this free vacation on the grounds that any refusal will result in undesired consequences for the dissenter." The man bowed and sat.
The man to his left, a burly man with a glint of gleeful hatred in his eyes rose, "I also agree with Advisor Tehn Lu. I believe, my lord, we will see a spectacular show amongst the people should some dissent. If there is no resistance then I see a smooth path of carving assimilation into the weak-minded Earth trash of the city. After all, my lord, we understand from our scientists that these mongrels simply lack the mental capacity to understand our intentions. For all they know, they are receiving a gift from the 'generous' Fire Lord Ozai. How stupid they are, my lord."
Ozai stroked his chin a little, "An admirable argument General Shang, but it is lacking. I refuse to be understood as generous…"
Shang nearly winced.
"However I will forgive the comment. I have seen the scientific results myself, and I agree wholeheartedly in those animals' lack of human intelligence. It is not their fault they are subhuman just as it is no animal's fault for their own existence."
Shang bowed and sat, "Thank you my lord."
Ozai already made eye contact with a general on his far left, "What say you Jiang-Ku?"
"My lord," the general rose, "if I may change the subject for a moment, I have some unpleasant news."
Ozai frowned, "you may."
"One of our scouts near the Earth city of Gaoling had trailed Prince Zuko and princess Azula and reports they sought refuge upon a Water Tribe ship."
Ozai blinked, his disposition taking a noticeable edge of rage, "Speak of them only as Zuko and Azula. Go on."
"The ship's destination is the South Pole, but our reports also state that the ship makes port on Kyoshi Island. We have reason to believe that Zuko and Azula were deposited on Kyoshi Island."
Ozai nodded, "anything else?"
Jiang-Ku nodded, "unfortunately our spies have also indicated that the Avatar is alive, and is currently traveling with Former-General Iroh, and Azula's two childhood friends."
"I see. Mai and Ty Lee. Hmm, this is disconcerting." Ozai pondered for a moment, "Jiang-Ku I want you and Shang to take a small army with you and find my children. Your orders are to invite my children back to have dinner with me. If they refuse, capture them and bring them here anyway. If they are with the Avatar and his group, kill them all except for Azula and her friends. Capture those three and kill Azula's friends on the trip back to the Capital.
In regards to the army, I want you to seek out our most specialized stealth squads. Yu-Yan Archers are mandatory. If the Avatar is present his Earthbending friend can see vibrations in the Earth with her feet. She is a living motion detector. The Avatar, the blind Earthbending girl, and my brother are your priority targets. Do you understand this order?"
Both generals rose and bowed humbly to heir lord, "Yes my liege."
Ozai smiled, "wonderful. Now go. Make haste. If I know my brother, they will attempt to infiltrate the Capital from the southwest."
Both generals nodded and immediately left.
Watching them leave, Ozai sighed a little and pinched his nose a bit, "I believe we all need a little entertainment from that little issue. I decree that we will organize a small vacation tour for the lucky Earth cur to visit our Nation. I am looking forward to dissent. I am thinking we hold a tournament of death for the rebels – it should be truly entertaining. If no one dissents…well I think we'll have to hold a small tournament anyway. What say you gentlemen?"
The men all raised their fists into the air, "FOR AGNI!"
Ozai smiled, "perfect. I will require General Xu, Jeong-Bok Soon, and Tehn Lu to stay for a brief period of time. Meeting is adjourned."
The four unnamed advisors rose from their seats, bowed deeply, and left.
Ozai gestured to the men and pointed to a smaller, circular table, "please let us sit here. No need to be so separate from each other."
The four men collectively traveled to the smaller table, almost in ritual precession. Ozai sat first, then the advisors, and finally Xu. Ozai smiled, "rest assured this will not take long."
The three men bowed.
"Jeong-Bok Soon, I would like you to compose a list of approximately thirty individuals. We want a near equal representation from each social class. Include a few children and fewer elderly. The list must predominantly be those from the age of fourteen to forty. Understood?"
"Yes my lord. You shall have the list by this evening."
"Always very punctual. It is a nice morning…perhaps I will join you briefly."
Jeong-Bok Soon bowed, "it would be my honor."
Ozai nodded, "General Xu, I would like for you to arrange the materials necessary for such a vacation plan to work. Any fine ship from our navy will be sufficient. Make sure the nobles, if they can truly be called such, have nicer accommodations than the lower citizens."
"I understand my lord."
"And Tehn Lu, I apologize but your task may be the most difficult of all."
"It is of no consequence my lord. I am honored to serve you."
"Good. Your task is to plan a route for this tour. See the tour as you see fit, although they must see the Capital at the least. However, the difficult aspect of your job is you must make our superiority - although it is absolutely true - disappear from the eyes of the Earth cur. This includes no open hostility from our people unless provoked. Are you prepared for this task?"
Tehn Lu bowed, "Your will is my command sire. I will not fail you."
Ozai smiled, "this is wonderful. In celebration of this event, I will be assigning General Liu to collect our most troublesome rebels for tonight's entertainment. Please give Liu my order, and our feast will begin at sundown tomorrow. Gentlemen you are dismissed."
The four men rose. Ozai grinned as the remaining men bowed and left. This is going to be fun.
Appa muttered as he softly landed next to a patch of sparse forest. Admiring the cliff-face and the ocean below, Zuko was lost in his own thoughts. He oddly felt at peace with the natural environment. He had an urge to meditate, but activity ensued instantly,
Aang immediately hopped off of his large friend and everyone else followed suit. Iroh helped Katara and Toph begin to set up camp as Mai and Sokka immediately set out to hunt.
Beginning to warm a broth, Iroh and Katara easily chatted about the dinner preparations. Toph casually set out different sleeping bags in a neat order while Aang constructed tents near each bag.
Zuko and Azula looked at each other and then at the group. Both were uneasy. Zuko gazed at his sister, "do we help?"
Azula glared, "don't you mean you should you help?" She whispered violently, "after all you broke my arm."
"Hi!" Ty Lee chirped happily at the two and gave Azula a careful hug. "You have no idea how good it is to see you again."
"Um…thanks," Azula replied a little awkwardly after the girls separated.
Ty Lee beamed, "I'm just glad you're okay."
"I'll leave you two be," Zuko replied, a little miffed from the exclusion.
He immediately walked towards Iroh.
Azula and Ty Lee watched him for a second. Ty Lee's smile instantly melted to concern. "Are you seriously okay?" she said lowly.
Azula sighed sadly, "no. This is going to hurt you, but I need to show you something…" she gazed at her acrobatic friend sincerely.
"Um," Zuko scratched the back of his head nervously, "Uncle…is it alright if we talk a little? Or, is there something I can do?"
Katara glared at him but said nothing.
Iroh looked up, "hmm? Could you repeat that please?"
"I said, is there anything I can help with?"
"We're fine," Katara said coldly, "we don't need your help."
Iroh almost ignored her, "is there something you wanted to talk about nephew?"
"GAAAH!" Ty Lee screamed.
Everyone rushed to a weeping Ty Lee. Hugging Azula she muttered nearly incoherent phrases of guilt, apology, and despair. Azula looked solemn and appreciated Ty Lee's sympathy.
"What happened?" The group heard Sokka's voice as Mai and he ran to Ty Lee as well.
Azula, morbidly humane, eased Ty Lee off. The acrobat cried with both hands to her face and squatted.
Azula sighed and slowly lifted her sleeve on her broken arm. Wincing a little from remnants of pain, she presented her mark to the group.
Mai and Zuko were absolutely horrified.
Author's Note: I was surprised that I got done so quickly. Anyway my semester ends in 2 weeks so you can expect another chapter a little after that date. Please Review.
