1Nothing to say here except...

READ AND REVIEW!

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The Avatar was heading north. The Northern Water Tribe. Zhao needed to plan thoroughly for this encounter. He got to work on putting together an invasion force. He considered asking Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, but he didn't want to risk something happening to her, and the Fire Lord blaming him for it.

The Fire Lord's brother, however...

Zhao headed to Iroh's ship one evening with a plan set in mind plus a backup plan.

"Admiral Zhao." Iroh greeted slightly suspiciously.

"General Iroh." Zhao smiled. "It appears the avatar is heading north for the Northern Water Tribe. We need a massive invasion force in order to apprehend him. I would be honored if you and Yori would join."

Yori scowled at Zhao and folded her arms. "And why would we join up with you?"

"Because if you do, I'd be willing to not only give you credit for capturing the Avatar, but I will also put in a good word for Zuko and Ursa. In order for the Fire Lord to lift the bounty off their heads."

Yori raised an eyebrow. "And if we refuse?"

"Then I'm sure the Fire Lord will understand when you explain to him why you betrayed him." Zhao smirked.

"That won't be necessary." Iroh stepped in.

"Very well." Zhao started walking off the ship. "I'm leaving at dawn. You have until then to decide."

Yori sighed and turned to Iroh. "What do you think? Do you trust him?"

"Zhao's pretty ambitious." Iroh replied. "I wouldn't put it past Zhao to turn us in if we don't join him."

"But if he's tricking us..."

"I guess we'll never know unless we try." Iroh shrugged.

XXXXXX

Aang and his friends made it to the North Pole in one piece. Aang was about to learn waterbending, Sokka had warrior training, and Katara had healing lessons. Zuko, however, was not fitting in. He was a firebending prince in hiding, and as far as Aang and his friends know, is not a bender.

Zuko couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable when he overheard conversations about the ruthless Fire Nation. He felt like speaking out, but couldn't.

Eventually, Zuko came to realize that he was just...too uncomfortable around the Avatar and his friends. He considered leaving for the Earth Kingdom, but it would take him days to float there on a boat. He decided to wait things out instead.

XXXXX

Sokka was starting to get suspicious of his new friend. He consulted Katara and Aang, who were talking about- what else?- waterbending.

"Hey, you guys notice anything weird about Lee?" Sokka asked them.

"No. Like what?" Katara shrugged.

"Well, like how he never talks about his past, or how he always changes the subject when I ask if he's been to the Fire Nation..."

"A man's past is his business, Sokka." Aang said.

"Yeah, and the Fire Nation obviously makes him uncomfortable, so why would he say if he's been there or not?" Katara asked. "You get so paranoid, Sokka. There is nothing strange about Lee."

"So you guys don't find anything strange at all about Lee?" Sokka threw his hands up in frustration. Katara and Aang shook their heads. Sokka gave in and sighed. "I guess I am just being paranoid. Anyway, I have a date." Sokka smiled broadly and left.

"Could you imagine Sokka saying that before now?" Aang asked Katara. She smiled and shook her head.

Katara couldn't stop thinking about Lee. Yes, he does keep to himself, but...he was kind of cute.

XXXX

Nothing seems suspicious as of yet, thought Yori. She wandered the corridors of he ship she and Iroh were on. She overheard two of Zhao's soldiers talking and decided to eavesdrop.

"I can't believe we're this close to the North Pole." One soldier said excitedly.

"I know!" His friend replied. "Think of the reward we'll get from the Fire Lord for helping Zhao capture the Avatar!"

Yori's jaw dropped in shock. What were they saying?

"Yeah! Plus Iroh and Yori will be locked up when Zhao turns them in!"

Yori gasped quietly. Zhao lied to her and Iroh. He was never going to give them credit for capturing the Avatar.

Yori ran to look for Ioh. They had to come up with a plan- fast!

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Sorry this is short, but I have to leave for church.