Disclaimer: (My Yoda speak) If own this, you think I do, very silly you are.
A.N: Wow! I got so many reviews (wipes away a tear) THANK YOU!
SORRY thing took so stinking long, my teacher decided to have a test.
I hate math.
With an utter loathing that surpasses anything that a mere mortal should EVER feel at a single subject. (ahem) I really don't like it.
I wrote this on and off in my study breaks throughout the week.
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"Aren't you going to go after them?"
"Theres no need to go stumping through the forest," The princess said "they will come to me"
Mai didn't seem convinced as she glanced down at the body in the floor. Silently she questioned her leader's certainty.
Azula was always sure in herself, but never without reason, when she acted each detail was carefully calculated, every plan masterfully thought out and executed. But in this particular case the princess was basing her entire strategy on a dirty heap of blue in the floor.
"Do you have your doubts, Mai?"
Mai knew better than to openly criticize the plan, but one was not silent when the princess asked you a question. Her next words were spoken carefully, in a way that should please Azula.
"I just don't understand why anyone would risk their lives to come back for her"
It wasn't a lie, because this was somewhat what Mai was thinking, this girl was just one member of the group, it wasn't as if they couldn't get along without her. Why risk their lives and the avatar's freedom for one girl? Logically it made no sense.
"They seem to have a fondness for her," Azula explained as if the girl were a stray dog, but a hidden smile played on her lips. Mai knew from experience that this was a dangerous sign "and are willing to do stupid things to keep her safe"
Her lip twitched, causing her cheek to sting from her brothers blow, but the pain did not bother the Princess, its discomfort was a reassurance. A reminder of just how far some would go to keep the girl from danger.
"They will come, Mai," She said cruelly "make no mistake"
The girl in black robes made no attempt to voice anything that could be interpreted to mean otherwise.
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Appa was flailing about so fiercely that as they dived into the canopy several trees were snapped, the smaller ones uprooted. Branches fell and slapped the passengers but no one seemed to care, everyone was too hurt, too scared, too heart broken to put forth the effort of caring.
With a thud the bison hit the ground, his feet creating enormous ditches in the soft earth as he slid in the mud from the momentum of his landing. His legs slipped from under him, and Appa fell on his side, dumping out the occupants of his saddle. But Aang held to one horn, vainly trying to sooth the creature as it flung its head from side to side in terror.
"Appa! We're safe now!" He yelled over the bison's roaring "We're-"
A swift jerk finally detached the boy from Appa's head, sending him sailing through the air for a moment before the young monk created a wind to catch himself.
"Appa, please!" he begged, but it was as if he weren't speaking at all.
Thunder rumbled above them, Appa's gigantic eyes became even larger, he charged across the glade as if deaf and blind. Paying no attention to the yells of Aang or the others as he ran, no attention to the trees he smashed into, or where his friends were standing.
"Sokka MOVE!" Iroh yelled, seconds before a giant foot landed where the boy had been standing "Toph!"
The Earthbender glanced to acknowledge the old man.
"Bind him!"
Toph nodded, mentally chewing herself out for not thinking of something so obvious. She concentrated hard, this particular task was very difficult without her hands, if her rock was too loose Appa would just escape, more freaked out then ever. Too tight though and she might crush him.
Toph stumped her feet as if marching in place, with each contact she made with the ground a pillar of earth rose like a dull spike. Pinning the enormous creature who continued to vainly struggle and roar.
Aang landed on the animal's head, stroking his fur and speaking comfortingly to him.
"We have to go back," Sokka declared "now!"
"Are you nuts?!" Aang yelled "She almost killed Appa!"
He laid his head on the bison's fur, closing his eyes as he continued to talk him out of his fear.
"We lost Katara!"
The Avatar's eyes popped open, "What?!"
"We lost her back in Oasino"
Staring down from the bison Aang searched the group in disbelief. She wasn't here.
She wasn't here!
"What happened?!" The avatar screamed furiously "Why didn't you guys tell me she fell?!"
"Calm down. . ."
"No! We're going back for her, now"
"Aang, we cannot just march back back into Oasino. . ."
"Then you stay here!" He shouted at Iroh, "I'm going!"
"Me too" Sokka agreed.
"Your doing exactly what she wants you to do!" Zuko told them, "We have to stop and regroup before we do anything else!"
It wasn't that Zuko didn't want to help Katara or that he thought that the drop had killed her. He was almost certain that the waterbender had survived the fall, they had been fairly low when they lost her.
It bothered him immensely that she was trapped with Azula. Yes, Katara was aggravating, infuriating even, when she wanted to be, but Zuko wouldn't have wished that fate on his worst enemy.
Well, maybe Zhoa.
But they couldn't help her right now, the bison was still in a state of mild panic, not to mention the fact that they were weak, wounded, and had no plan.
When dealing with Azula one at least needed a plan.
"Oh, SHUT UP!" Sokka spat "If we hadn't come back for you she wouldn't have fell!"
The prince glared at him, why that little bastard.
"Don't you dare try to blame this on me!" He raged "I tried to help her! And if I hadn't stopped Azula she would have burned her alive!"
"You can tackle Azula but you can't reach down to help me pull Katara up?!"
Zuko's temper shot through the roof, when he spoke steam poured from his mouth "I climbed over the saddle to get her, I tried! Its not my fault you let her fall!"
Sokka threw himself at the waiting prince, but he would never reach Zuko. A large hand flew from nowhere and pushed him back.
"Enough!" Iroh shouted "None of us are to blame for this, we all did what we could to help. Standing in the rain, fighting amongst ourselves will not help Katara! We will get her out of there, but first we have to create a plan of action or we will each have a seat beside her!"
"If we wait how do you know that Azula won't hurt her?" Sokka demanded.
"Your sister is far too valuable alive and healthy," The old man stated "so that is the way Azula will keep her"
"I'm with Iroh" Toph stated almost emotionlessly "if we go back now then we won't be able to save her"
Everyone looked at Aang, they could squabble all they wanted but in the end it was his decision alone that would decide they're next action.
He was torn, Aang knew that what Toph had just said was right, they wouldn't be able to help her if they left right now. It was basic logic, common sense really, his team was weak and injured. Azula and her team had to be suffering from a mild version of this, but now she hung a huge advantage over their heads; Katara. A leverage that she would sell for all it was worth and ten gold pieces more.
But last night's bad dream kept replaying in his mind, it filled him with an extreme urgency to have her back in the group. Back with him.
He couldn't loose her, not like in the dream. But if he left now he'd be letting his other friends down as well as her. The decision should have been simple really, his choices being failure or possible victory.
"We wait," The airbender said quietly "and plan our next move"
Very relieved Iroh turned to the earthbender, "Toph could you make us a shelter?"
She gave a high kick, the ground rose and slid above them, creating a sloppy cave.
"First let us tend to these wounds. . ."
Sokka went to a far off corner of the cave as the others started chattering and pulling bandages from the saddle.
Sokka glared out at the rain, he could not forgive himself for being safe back in this forest while he knew she was trapped in Oasino.
He knew it had been a hard decision for Aang, and that deep down it was the right one, but couldn't help feeling disappointed in his friend.
Katara would have come back for you, he thought bitterly, Katara would have come back for any of you.
As he sat on the drenched ground he began sharpening his knife. He would get her out of there soon, he would get her away from Azula.
He would not fail a second time.
As the minutes passed, half a thousand silent prayers must have been said between the five that remained of the group , but Sokka slipped one more.
Please be alive.
He was aware when someone sat down beside him, Sokka refused to look at the old man. He believed that if Iroh had bent the lightning away then Katara wouldn't have fallen, and then he had spoke against Sokka's plans to rescue her.
He didn't know that the old man had questioned his actions on the bison at least a hundred times in the past five minutes. And though he knew that he never would have been able to focus well enough to bend the wild lightning. To let go of the saddle long enough to perform the delicate motions required, he felt the immeasurable guilt of a guardian that had failed.
Despite that he couldn't see the sun through all of the clouds, had asked Agni to watch over her. Hoping that the spirit would listen, even though she was a child of water.
"Sokka. . ."
"Just. . .! Just leave me alone alright?"
"I know how you feel," He said gently "but when we return you cannot let your guilt cause you to do anything regrettable. . ."
He glared at Iroh "How? How could you possibly know how I feel right now? My sister could be dead already, and we're just sitting here!"
"I'm sorry Sokka, I truly am. I would never wish any harm to come to Katara, but if we had rushed back then we all would have been captured; including Aang" Sokka turned away, Iroh merely kept his gaze on the back of his head"You understand that, don't you?"
Yes, Sokka understood it, he knew the logic in the old mans advice but that had made it no easier to follow.
Iroh watched him shrug, he feared that Sokka's guilt driven determination might cause him to get carried away today and act rashly. In a fight with his niece that could get the boy killed.
"I let her fall" Sokka murmured.
"You did everything you could"
"No, I should've. . ."
Sokka looked down at his hand, there were so many things that he should have done. He had known she was weak he should have been holding on to her in the saddle instead of arguing with Zuko. He should have moved faster, held on tighter, there were so many things that he should have done.
"I once led an attack against the city we now travel to," Iroh told him "Ba Sing Se, obviously I didn't succeed, but it was a great battle. . ." He paused, looking down at his hands.
Iroh raised his sword in triumph, initiating a cry of victory that swept across the field as the troops followed suite, raising there weapons to the sky.
The prince's eyes settled on a particular warrior standing only a few feet away. He was breathing hard, but his golden eyes were burning with the thrill of the fight. Iroh's eyes fell in his chest, a blade had torn through the armor, leaving a miniature tide of blood tinkling down his uniform.
"It wasn't a fatal wound," Iroh explained "I was about to tell him to go to the medical tent and get stitched up. . ."
Seeing the General's interest in him the warrior smiled and bowed respectfully, Iroh paused for a moment and smiled back.
"His name was Lu Tin," Iroh said, the pride in his voice smeared with sorrow "he was my son"
Sokka was shocked, Iroh had a son? He had never heard him talk about having a son before, and then his mind picked up on that simple word that held so much pain. Was.
He was my son.
Sokka suddenly knew that the old man was confiding something in him that was extremely personal and painful and so allowed Iroh his attention by turning to face him.
Iroh noticed an Earth Kingdom soldier stirring a bit behind the warrior, but saw no immediate danger.
"He had been left for dead," Iroh explained "mortally wounded, just barely clinging to life"
"We did it" Lu Tin said, sheathing his sword.
"Yes, we did," He agreed, a hint of sadness lingered in his voice, his gaze dropped to the dying man, who glared up at him hatefully. He turned back to his son "But remember that. . ."
Iroh's wise words were never finished, his eyes caught a quick movement from the ground where the fallen soldier lay. He realized what was happening more out of instinct than logic, he launched forward making a grab for Lu Tin, to pull him out of the way.
Too late.
Dark liquid was sprayed across Iroh's face, the general suddenly stopped, unable to move, unable to tare his stare from Lu Tin's face. His smile had disappeared, his eyes wide with a combination of shock, pain, and confusion.
Lu Tin stared back, embedded in his features was a silent plea that to Iroh was deafening.
Help me.
The old man closed his eyes and bowed his head "he fell. . . bleeding; a rock had been thrown through his chest"
Iroh opened his eyes, they seemed to be looking at something far away "I carried him to the healers, but, there was nothing that they could do but try and make him comfortable"
Iroh would never forget those hours of his son gripping his hand until it was numb, of wiping away the blood that was spewing from his lips.
Of telling him that he would be alright, and then praying to any spirit that would listen to make those lies truth.
Staring down at his dying child the mighty 'Dragon of the West' had found himself helpless.
He had found himself singing old lullabies and watching the calming effect it had over the once fierce warrior. Slowly the pressure gripping Iroh's hand weakened, until finally Lu Tin's hand lay limp within his and he knew that his son's sufferings had ceased.
"I abandoned the war on Ba Sing Se and returned home. So heartbroken and guilt consumed that I didn't care that my brother had succeeded me in the thrown. I thought that I didn't deserve to be a Fire Lord"
During the tale Sokka had become entranced by Iroh's words, but now he purposely looked away. Not out of anger or disinterest, but because it looked as if at any second Iroh might start crying, and it just didn't feel right to see another man cry.
"I know how you feel Sokka, I know how easy it is to fall into the sea of 'I should have's', I have fallen in more than once. " Iroh told him "No matter what we find or what happens, you did everything within your power"
Not far away Zuko sat, resting as he leaned against the stone wall, pretending to be asleep.
He had never heard his uncle explain the death of Lu Tin like that. A sadness swept over him as the two continued to talk, Lu Tin had been a good man, a good cousin to Zuko.
He would have been a great Fire Lord.
Again Zuko found himself amazed at the actions of his uncle, how he could use his own pain as a tool to help others. Zuko could never do that, Zuko couldn't stand the pain long enough to even help himself.
Sokka felt guilty, that was understandable, she was his sister, he had been the one to let her slip. So why did Zuko feel bad about it?
It wasn't as if Zuko had just sat back and watched it happen. He had climbed over the side to help, despite being weak and wounded. He had tried to help rescue her, she had fallen before he had had a chance to take her from Sokka.
The storm must be starting to clear up, the sun was becoming stronger, he could feel it. Though Agni's rays didn't touch him he felt the fire within him raise as if fed by a gentle breeze. As the sensation filled him Zuko considered asking the spirits for help or luck, but decided against it.
He had only asked for their help twice, once after his banishment, and once after Azula had wounded his uncle with lightning. Once they had ignored him and once they had had pity on Iroh and let Zuko have his wish to keep his uncle.
He was due for another letdown, and felt like to ask the spirits to look after her would be a jinx.
Besides, he thought confidently, Azula won't kill her, at least not until the avatar gave himself up to retrieve her. Then she'd likely do it just out of spite, but for the moment the waterbender was, in a twisted way, safe.
And she could take care of herself, he would give her that much, she had proved it on numerous occasions.
So there was no reason for him to feel guilty or worse yet, worried. It was pathetic, being in this group was causing him to become soft.
Would he have felt this way if Sokka had fallen instead?
Something told him no, but somehow that didn't ease his frustration with himself.
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Though her eyes remained shut, Katara realized that she was awake. She felt no desire to stir, her mind nearly numb with pain. Everything hurt, her body felt as if Appa had sat on her, no, more like the bison had tap danced on her.
Slowly her eyes eased open, but instead of seeing a canopy or sky Katara found herself staring at a wooden ceiling. She was in a house, whose house?
What happened?
Memories flooded back to her. She had fallen, where was she now?
An attempt to sit up resulted in a painful yelp as agony shot through the arm like a poison. Every nerve in her arm burned like a million white hot daggers tearing deeper into her flesh with every move she made. Katara tilted her head to examine the injury; her arm was swollen and outstretched.
She tried to move a few fingers, and though the attempt was excruciating, found that she couldn't. Katara knew without a doubt that it was broken.
A face suddenly appeared directly above hers.
"Your awake!"
Startled Katara stared up at the girl who smiled down with warm brown eyes, her thick braid hanging over her shoulder. "I thought you'd never get up!"
The pincher!
Katara's left arm, though bruised was otherwise unharmed, she brought it up, inwardly flinching at the pain it caused the broken one. She swept her fingers frantically over her chest, blindly searching for the strap of her water pouch.
"We took that bag" The girl informed her with an innocent smile "Azula said absolutely no water"
"How did I get here?" Katara demanded.
"Azula had one of the village men bring you here," Ty Lee said conversationally "before that you fell on a house"
I must have landed in my arm, she thought, biting her lip at the pain. Or had Azula done this to keep her from bending?
Thats when it hit Katara. She couldn't bend.
As if this realization had not sent enough panic through her Katara heard the clicking of steps as some being advanced outside the room she was held in. A door swung open and a disgusted scoff followed before they spoke.
"Ty Lee, I'm quite sure that I told you to inform me when she woke up"
The words, though spoken casually, sent a chill through Katara. She knew that voice, knew that she was glaring down at her before Azula's face ever came into her range of vision.
"She just did," Ty Lee explained, her smile shrinking so slightly at the princess's displeasure. "I was about to come and get you"
Azula paid her little mind, gracefully walking to a spot so that she was certain the water peasant would be able to see her. She stared down in disgust, the girl's robes were torn and filthy, the hideousness of the blue somehow intensified by the muddy stains and scorch marks.
Her braid was half fallen and matted with the blood that had dried on her face, apparently she had bumped her head during her landing. The arm, she noted, had increased in size from the swelling.
The sight of her wounded leg caused Azula to feel a pang of disappointment in her actions. She had obviously not done her ability justice; it simply wasn't gruesome enough. Although she'd known it hadn't been to the extent that she would have wished, Azula had been certain that the burn was worse when she inflicted it.
Katara could do nothing but stare up at her, Azula seemed completely unscathed from their battle except for a purple bruise that stained her left cheek. Her head was turned however so that this was only partially visible, she stood regal and proud, glaring down at Katara as if she were an insect.
Shes trying to intimidate me, Katara thought, she's letting me know how weak I am compared to her right now.
As if she wasn't already aware of that fact. Staring up at those evil amber eyes Katara felt her heart speed up considerably. She couldn't remember ever being more scared in her life, never more defenseless.
Katara was a warrior, a master of her element. She depended on her bending like a Samurai did his sword, it was their protection as well as their offense, their very soul. Without the it neither fighter was complete.
Now, though the power lay within her, it was impossible to summon her element properly with only one arm, a handicap that she knew she couldn't overcome. Besides that she had no water to bend.
She knew that if Azula wanted to she could burn her alive right now and Katara wouldn't be able to do anything to protect herself. She wouldn't even be able to try and run away.
And from the gleam in those monstrous eyes, Azula wanted to, wanted to dearly.
The princess raised an eyebrow at her, in a way not unlike her brother often did when annoyed or confused. "Your quiet,"
What did she want Katara to do, beg for mercy? Probably.
Katara narrowed her eyes, not if she dangled me over boiling oil.
Azula's jaw tightened, there it was, that defiance that ignited the princess's temper. "most prisoners in your position are anxious to know their fate"
"I won't be here long" Katara said confidently.
At this Azula smirked "Oh? Is the avatar going to rescue you?"
Katara's glare deepened, but she was silent, and so Azula continued, "Speaking of you're little rescue party; my brother, I noticed that he was wearing some water tribe atrocity earlier"
"You mean the coat?" Katara asked coldly, her eyes narrowed further in thought. Azula struck her as the kind of person who did nothing without a reason, why was she suddenly so interested in Zuko's fashion sense?
Azula watched carefully for some reaction from the waterbender as she spoke of Zuko, but sensed nothing but slight uncertainty. Her full lips pouted, she had judged from Zuko's reaction that it was possible that they meant at least a fraction of something to each other. Such knowledge proved true would have been quite entertaining when he came with the others to save her. It would have been fun to toy with them.
Of course the girls lack of interest didn't mean that Zuko didn't have a crush on her, Azula thought, that was a possible consolation that proved to be more exciting than the first option.
But then perhaps his fondness went no further than friendship, she considered, maybe he has a few morals after all.
Her lack of certainty was aggravating. Azula had a knack for seeing things that people tried to hide. Of accurately guessing personalities, strengths and weaknesses by the way a person presented themselves. The manner in which they spoke and the body language they used.
She had always been able to predict Zuko, he was like an open book, but it was hard to imagine him in this situation somehow. Maybe it was just difficult to imagine someone actually wanting to be with him.
Still, such knowledge could prove useful beyond just serving as her currant amusement, and was worth finding out.
"Tell me, what do you think of Zuko?"
Katara considered her answer, then spoke truthfully "I think he and Iroh got all the sanity in the family"
Azula stopped smirking, she bent her heel, pressing her foot down against Katara's burned leg. The firebender was rewarded with a painful scream that rattled the walls of the shack.
"Keep in mind that its by my decision alone that you are still alive, and that I am at liberty to change my mind whenever I wish" She snarled "I don't know how you spoke to those traitorous relatives of mine, but you will fear and respect me"
The breath was wasted, Katara hadn't heard her. Eyes clenched and teeth bared she could do nothing but slam her good arm against the floor to relieve the agony that shot through her limb. Her other leg flailed helplessly, weakly ramming into and kicking Azula, who suddenly seemed to be made of steel.
The pressure increased, Katara cried out louder. She forced her eyes open, unaware of the tears sliding down her cheeks as her eyes became fixed on the smile spreading across the princess's face.
The pressure slowly eased, satisfied Azula strode across the room to the door, she had better things to do than watch the filth in the floor squirm.
"Keep an eye on her, Ty Lee"
"Yes, Azula" She said quietly, her eyes on her lap. The door closed and Ty Lee looked at the figure in the floor.
Katara's eyes were shut, she felt drained from her struggle. Could you even consider that a struggle? It was pitiful! But what else could she have possibly done?
She made a fist, slamming it against the floor, flinching at, but not caring about the pain that the blow caused.
Did it make the princess feel big to abuse a wounded and disabled opponent? Her jaw clamped tight. I'm going to get out of here, and when I can find some water and heal myself, we'll see which one of us can walk away smirking.
Katara opened her eyes, looking at her disturbed guard, before closing them again.
Now she just had to think up a way to get out of here.
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Toph was laying flat on her back, eyes closed and feeling hard for Katara's familiar vibration.
"Anything?" Aang asked impatiently
"Quiet!" She growled, clenching her eyes tighter. She didn't want to admit it, didn't want to accept that she couldn't feel Katara at all.
Sokka sat crossed legged on the ground, studying one of his maps intently. It paid to know ones surroundings before going into battle.
"She has to be in one of the houses," Toph finally said "they must have wood floors, I can't see inside"
"Great," Sokka said "What about Azula?"
"I can't feel her either"
"How do we know she hasn't left with Katara?" The Avatar asked anxiously.
"Because she hasn't got the one she wants yet"
"And the people are nervous wrecks," Toph said, "they're scared witless"
"I thought you couldn't feel in the houses?"
"Some are walking around"
"That means Azula hasn't taken over" Aang said.
"She sees no need," Iroh stated "these farmers will not rise against her and risk their lives and lands for a girl they don't know. As long as they cooperate absolutely with her wishes, she won't think it worth her effort"
"Shes arrogant," Sokka pointed out "we can use that to our advantage"
"She has a reason to be arrogant," Toph told him "don't overlook that and get arrogant yourself"
"I'm not getting arrogant!"
Aang broke in "Knock it off!" He spat, his face enraged "the longer we argue the longer its going to take to get Katara back!"
Everyone was silent for a while. Granted Zuko hadn't known the boy very long but he knew that this behavior was unusual for the avatar, and that it had been worsening as time progressed.
He misses her, it wasn't a sympathetic thought, just an acknowledgment.
"You say that they're walking in the streets?" The prince asked.
"Yeah," Toph answered "what are you thinking?"
"Is there a place that they're specifically staying away from?"
Toph felt the ground "They're too scattered out to tell"
Zuko's eyes narrowed as his mind considered their options.
"Listen carefully," he said "I have an idea"
It was a simple plan, but that made it practical. As he explained it even those who were unsatisfied with their role was forced to admit that it was a good idea.
Three of them, Iroh, Zuko, and Sokka, would one by one creep into Oasino, after the weather that they had just had no one would think it odd if they kept their hoods on. Aang and Toph would remain on the forests border to complete there task.
The team would wait until night to act, when Azula would be most vulnerable and they could quickly escape into the shadows. If all went well the rest of the plan went something like; get in, grab her, and run like hell.
"We'll have to scatter in pairs," The prince said "separate her forces in the darkness and we have a better chance; If one does catch you it will be a two on one fight."
"I'll take Katara" Sokka said, it wasn't an offer, it was an informing.
"No," Zuko said neutrally "she was wounded before she fell, it's safe to say that she won't be much help if one of them catches you. She needs to go with a bender."
"I'll take her" Aang said.
"No," The prince repeated "your already a target, one she wants a lot more than your waterbending friend. You will stay with Toph"
Despite the way the boys face turned red with anger Zuko felt quite proud of that decision. Toph could sense an enemy long before they ever became aware of her presence and because of her blindness she would be completely unaffected by the dark, this gave her an immediate advantage over any opponent or pursuer.
Her stubbornness would force the avatar to obey the plan, and keep him from doing anything heroic. Yes, besides his uncle, Zuko considered Toph to be the most capable of safeguarding the avatar.
"Then who takes Katara?" Sokka demanded. The water tribe warrior didn't like what this was leading to. He did not.
"Either me or Uncle"
Sokka and Aang spoke the next word in unison.
"Iroh"
A look of distaste crossed Zuko's features but, though insulted, said nothing to dispute this.
"Then the water tribe boy comes with me"
Sokka was quiet, but his lip raised into a barely visible snarl. Making sure the
prince knew that he liked the arrangement about as much as he would enjoy having his arm mauled by a polar bear.
But he wouldn't complain, let Katara have the more powerful, more endurable partner; Sokka would put up with Zuko. After all that had happened to her, he didn't want to put her through the trial of putting up with the younger firebender.
Nor did Sokka want him to have any alone bonding time with his sister.
"We need to find a town or landmark to meet at afterwards" The said prince announced.
Sokka looked down at his map, then pointed to a spot on the paper marked by fading ink. "Theres some sort of shrine three miles North East of the village"
Zuko took a look, he wasn't enthusiastic about trusting a map that could fall apart of handled too roughly. But even if the place was nothing but marble rubble then that was all the more likely that it wouldn't be on Azula's map.
"There then," He said "do you all think that you can find it?"
"No problem" Toph said in her usual casual voice.
"Wait until morning before you come to the shrine," Zuko advised "use the sunrise to find your direction"
"Why wait?"
"We can't scatter in the same direction," He said "and if our paths start to meet Azula will catch on, does everyone understand?"
No one said otherwise.
"I'll go into town first," Zuko said "I'll need a cloak"
"You'll have to borrow Katara's"
This didn't bother Zuko, a cloak was something that was unisex. He had no problem wearing it as long as it wasn't some unbearably bright, ridiculous color. Or blue. He might as well just walk in holding a giant sign over his head that read 'Intruder is here!', if it was blue.
He was a bit surprised when a heap of dark fabric was tossed down at him. So it was black, he had trouble imagining her in this, it seemed too. . . dark for her, too morbid.
It was made of a cheap, rough fabric, cut in the most simple design imaginable. Perfect. No one would look at him twice in this.
Then he draped it over his shoulders and found that it hung about six inches above his ankles. So much for that notion.
"Isn't there another one?"
"Only Aang's"
Zuko glowered, the boy was foot shorter than she was!
"Fine," He mumbled "everyone remember the plan, keep out of sight until its your turn to act, and, Toph, make sure no one comes too close to the group"
"Careful there, Hot head," Toph teased "your starting to sound like a leader"
Sokka didn't like the sound of that "Just for the record, Aang is the leader, I'm second in command, Katara is third, then Toph, then Iroh, then Appa, then Momo, my socks, that rock over there, and then Zuko." Sokka took a breath "But in this case he makes a decent point"
"I think he's starting to accept you" Iroh said as Zuko's jaw tightened.
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It was obvious that he didn't belong here, he walked with a certain air about him, tall with long strides. It wasn't the walk of someone who had nothing, though that was obviously the pretense he was trying to pull off in that peasant cloak.
He was trying to make himself of little interest to those around him, but in a town where everyone knows everyone a hooded stranger does not go unnoticed or ignored. He is stared at, his presence silently questioned, but no one speaks to him, they wait, as soon as he has drifted beyond their sight they speak about him.
The figure watching knows not whether to be relieved or become more disturbed.
Well, its about time someone showed up.
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Zuko was well aware of the eyes watching him and kept his head nodded slightly so that the hoods fabric concealed his scar. As the stares increased Zuko found himself loosing faith in his own plan with every new face he saw and soon realized its major flaw.
No, Azula wouldn't pick him out of a crowd, but these people knew he didn't belong.
He should have waited until night to infiltrate Oasino. When the shadows could hide him from the eyes of his enemies and onlookers, just as they had the blue spirit on numerous occasions.
But there were no shadows now, soon there would be, but for now he had no choice but to stand in plain sight. It was unnerving. Especially when these people could be telling Azula about this new, hooded stranger.
He decided that the best thing to do was to give himself purpose, just walking around aimlessly was bound to draw more unneeded attention. So he bought a pear from a rude, grungy looking merchant's stand and settled himself on the ground. Leaned against what he assumed to be some sort of public building from the amount of people rushing in and out.
He sat, slowly and humbly eating the pear without really tasting it. His senses straining to overhear the conversations of the people who walked by.
He noticed that a man was staring at him with a look of loathing, and submissively lowered his head deeper in the hood. He wasn't worried much about him, if he knew who Zuko was he wouldn't waste time glaring at him, he'd be running to tell Azula.
No, this man likely thought him some useless drifter that he had best watch his pockets around.
With his face hidden in the hood Zuko continues to eat as if he were unaware of the mans glare. As he sat like this noticed for the first time that the dark cloth of the cloak smelled like sea water, sea water mingled with a woodsy smell. Yet there was something soft and feminine about it that he couldn't pick of of the odd mixture. Something that reminded him of one of the palaces gardens.
Zuko wiped the pear juice from his chin, for the god's sakes, who cares what this ratty thing smells like? If it wreaked like sea water? He'd spent the majority of two years in the company of that stench, riding on his ship searching for the avatar.
He heard heavy footsteps and turned his head slightly to see that the glaring man was walking up to him; there was about to be some trouble.
"Who are you?" He snarled.
None of your damn business, was what he wanted to say but Zuko answered"Lee"
"What are you doing here, Lee?"
For the love of Agni, don't breath on me, you disgusting ogre! I know giant bison with better hygiene than you!
"I said what are you doing here?"
I'm here to rescue a water girl from my insane sister. But I will gladly take some time out of my schedule to drown you in that mud puddle if you don't back off. "Just passing through"
"Why don't you just keep passing," he spat; literally. As the last word hit the air,a light mist of saliva did as well "we have enough strange company around here"
Why don't I just take my foot and shove it up your fat. . . "I don't mean anyone harm, just passing through," He said with extreme control as he wiped the mans spit off of his face. "whats this other company? More drifters?"
He scoffed "Freaking royalty"
"Royalty?"
"A fire nation, princess"
"Here?" The fire prince asked "Why?"
"To hell if I know, but we don't need anymore distractions with her around, so you keep to yourself and don't cause any trouble, do you hear me?"
Trouble? Of course not, I'm just going to steal Azula's hostage.
Zuko just nodded this time.
"In fact you should leave the first chance you get"
Finally, we agree on something.
"Trust me, I will"
He leaves, Zuko throws down his drool covered pear. So the people don't know what Azula's waiting for? That meant that he could casually ask questions without being turned in.
A shadow overcast him, Zuko looked up. His first thought was that the man had come back to verbally abuse him more, he gritted his teeth. This time Lee wouldn't be so submissive.
But when he looked up, ready to give a verbal lashing at the first ill comment made to him, Zuko saw that it was another man.
"You're names Lee, eh?"
"Yes" So he'd been listening. Why?
He gave a look and scoffed "Yeah," He said "you here alone, or did the others come too?"
Zuko narrowed his eyes "What others?"
"The way I figure it, there should be four more of you, and a 'big bison'"
Zuko glared at him from under the dark hood, there was no mistaking what he had just said or what he was talking about. He knew.
He studied the man, at the layers of dirt that soiled his clothes and skin. He was a poor farmer, someone that Zuko couldn't see his sister lowering herself to associating with.
So how did he get this information?
"Was wondering when one of you would show up," he said quietly "she's been here for hours"
"Who are you?"
"Ling"
"How do you know why I'm here?"
"I met her before all hell broke loose, she was looking for a place to stay" He said, no affection for the said girl showing in his voice, then told him "I saw you come into town, figured that you were one of those friends she was talking about. You stick out too much"
A silence passed, Ling spoke again.
"We can't talk about this out here, come with me and I'll tell you what I know about it"
Zuko wasn't a very trusting person "Why would you risk anything for her?"
"I''m not," He said "the sooner you're lot saves her the sooner the princess will leave to chase after"
"I see"
"Nothing personal, I liked the girl, this way both of us get what we want"
Ling turned to leave, Zuko considered whether he should follow, this could be a trap.
But Azula's traps didn't work like this, the princess did not sneak around and let others take the credit, she stood in the open, letting her opponent know who had beaten them.
Had this been Azula's trap she would have already revealed herself, would have already attacked, after all, he was wounded and alone. Here was as good of a place as any for an ambush.
Cautiously he followed.
Ling led him to a small shack that the prince considered nearly identical to the others, Zuko let him go inside first, then, hand on his hilt, followed slowly. The contents of the house were as would be expected from the outside, it was very. . . humble.
"Figured you would be after her," He said "I had the notion from the way she acted that she was important to your group"
Zuko scoffed, he could imagine her, standing on that porch, soaking wet and asking for board and all the while showing the pride of a queen. Or maybe she had given him one of those infuriatingly affective speeches she had a habit of administering. She made an impression wherever she was, that was for sure. Back in the group it had been strange without her annoying, hyper, presence. No one to calm down Aang or Sokka, to heal the wounds or hand out sappy words of hope.
Of course it had been a lot quieter too, a lot more peaceful when you could get her brother to shut up. No annoying, happy, do-gooder running around. . .doing good.
Still. . .
"You were right," He said in a smaller voice than he was used to using, but quickly regained his composure "what do you know about where shes being held?"
"What do you know about the ostrich-horse in my barn?"
"You caught him?"
"I knew someone was coming back for her, and that they might want their bird back," he said casually, watching the emotions in the boy's eyes "don't worry, lad. She's a strong girl, I could tell, she can handle that princess"
He said the title as if it were a syllable for weakness.
Obviously this man has never met Azula; Never looked her in the eye.
Zuko was certain that if he had he would never say the word princess again without a shiver.
"Thank you"
"Don't thank me just yet," he said "you owe me three bronze pieces worth of feed"
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A.N:
I know, kinda long and not so much excitement, but certain things needed to happen before hell breaks back loose again.
In the meantime PLEASE review!