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Chapter Eleven: Mother and Daughter

Azula looked at the wide expanse of the Earth Kingdom. It should have been mine. The whole world should ahve been the Fire Nation. She looked over at Mai, who also looked out at the openness of the fields. They had left Jelisa to deal with the Avatar and everyone else a few hours ago. Either she got rid of them or them did her in. It made not difference to Azula. Her only mission was to find her mother and let her see what kind of a monster Ursa had really created.

Walking down the incline, they came across a small Earth Kingdom town. Maybe one of them had seen Mother come through here. She walked into the town square. Merchants had their stalls lined up around the square and down the main path through. They sold anything from jewelery to produce, and even some rare teas. Breathing in the smells, Azula walked along side Mai. She had been in the prison for so long, she forgot what the susn felt like on her skin, or the smell of fresh berries.

Shaking her head clear, she concintrated on the task at hand. I will destroy Zuko and then I will take the throne. I want what was suppose to be mine. They took that all away and locked me up. So what if I was insane for a time. I am now thinking clearly for the first time in ages. I know what I must do. She walked towards the closest merchant to her. "Good afternoon, I am looking for someone. Maybe you can help me."

The merchant looked up at her. "My goodness, you look like my daughter in law. She has those same golden eyes. I thought it was rather uniquie feature she had." The older woman smiled at Azula and Mai.

"Actually, the woman I am looking for is my aunt. She disappeared many years ago, when I was little. She was like a mother to me." Azula sniffed a little, trying to get the older woman's sympathy. I will play this as far as I have to go.

Mai looked at Azula, wondering when she had become an actress and not a very good one at that. Shaking her head, she stood next to her.

The older woman stood up. "You poor dear. Maybe Tora is your aunt. She really doesn't like talking about her past. There must ahve been something terrible in it that she does not like to talk about to anyone. My son, may the spirits watch over him, was in the military, and fell defending Ba Sing Sei when the Fire Nation took it over four years ago. Tora and he loved each other very much." She wipped a small tear from the corner of her eye.

Azula wanted to gag, but she held it in. She hated all the emotional stuff. This woman was going to lead her to her mother even if she had to torch the whole town. Regainning the small composure she had lost. She looked at the woman. "Could you take us to her? I would like ot see for myself. I really would like to see my aunt a gain after so many years."

"Not a problem , my dear. Let me get my husband to watch the shop for me." She walked into the little shop behind her.

Mai turned to Azula. "Do you think it is a good idea do this? That woman could expose us and then it will lead Zuko and the others here before we are ready for them." She watched the stall out of the corner of her eye.

Azula pushed her long hair out of her face. She had left it down bacuse she was highly reconized with her hair up in the top knot that she favored. "Mai, this woman is old. I could take her out before she got word out on who we are. I have to know if it is my mother or not. She is the key to my master plan agaiinst everyone that ever hurt me, and getting my throne back."

"Whatever."

The old woman appeared out of the back with an elderly gentleman with her. "See. I told you she looked like Tora. Now, let's go see if she is your aunt."

--

Katara openned her eyes slowly. Her chest was still tight from the vines, so that let her know she was alive. But how? That asassain had me wrapped up tight. I should have never survived that. She sat up and looked at where she was. The same place she fell, but there was something off. She looked around for the other woman and finally found her. She was tied up and gagged next to a tree. The was a man standing over her.

About the same height as Zuko, his whole body was covered in black and brown garb, even his head. The outfit reminded her of the sandbenders the encountered in the desert. She groaned a little, feeling her chest to see if anything had been broken. It hadn't, but she would have nice bruises to show for the battle.

Hearing Katara wake up, the man turned and looked at her. "I am glad to see you are in one piece, Lady Katara." He walked over to her and held out his hand. "Do not fear me, I am here to help."

Still supisious of the man, she none the less took his hand. He pulled her gently to a standing position. "Thank you." She rubbed her aching ribs.

"I am glad you are not harmed too much. Jelisa has a very nasty temper and has killed many in the past." He glanced at the prone figure that he tied up. "She is not as bad as she seems though. At one time, she was quite pleasant."

Katara looked at him in shock. "You know this mad woman?!"

He shook his head sadly. "Yes, I knew her at one time. She had just been banished from the Northern Water Tribe. Badly beaten and nearly dead, my people took her in. They found her at the ocean's edge. We did not know how long she would have lasted if we had not found her." Exhaling a breath. "Sometimes I wish we had never found her at all. She has done so many wrongs in her life. I do not believe there is any redemption for her now."

Katara looked at the woman again. She young, but not as young as herself. She was hellbend to destroying anything that was Water Tribe, including her. "What happened?"

The man laughed, but it was strainned and full of pain. "That is not my story to tell. All I can say is that she went through hell to get to where she is now."

He walked away from Katara to pick the woman up and put her over his shoulder. Katara walked over to them. "What is your name?"

"Arawn." He walked toward the war balloon. "Come, we must meet up with your friends. I have a lot to explain. I have to talk to the Avatar. I have news that he will enjoy in these dark times."

She followed him to the balloon. Starting a fire in the boiler, the balloon began to rise. Above the trees they began to soar. No words were spoken between them, but Katara felt she could trust him.

They sailed for a little while until she saw the others. They had not gone far, but far enough they did not know what was going on. Arawn expertly landed the balloon and she jumped out. Running toward her friends, she caught her brother first. "I am so glad to sse you in one piece, little sis. I thought she would have killed you." Sokka hugged her tight, causing pain to erupt in her bruised chest.

She cried out in pain. Sokka let her go and looked at her. She waved him off. "Nothing's broke, but I am going to have a few nasty bruises in the morning."

Aang and Toph were the next to greet her. "You have to tell us everything. Who was she?" Aang gave her a small hug and she was grateful for his tender touch. Toph wouldn't even touch her, but Katara could tell she was concerned.

"Comeon guys, let her sit down. She will tell us all in good time." Suki pushed everyone away. "Zuko, you too. I know you care for her, but let's get her to the fire." She put an arm around Katara's shoulder and smiled. "You had us all worried, you know that."

Katara smiled and welcomed the help from the Kyoshi warrior. Walking toward the fire, she felt all eyes on her. She sat down on the bed roll that her brother laid out for her. Zuko sat behind her and she was glad for his warmth. "Alright, I will tell you what happened, but first I want you to meet the man who saved me. Without him jumping in, I would have surely died back there." She motioned Arawn to come over. "Everyone this is Arawn. Arawn, everyone."

Arawn bowed low to everyone. "It is an honor to be in the presence of so many great heroes of our time."

Aang was the first to stand up. "Thank you for saving Katara."

"It was my pleasure, Avatar Aang. It is my fault Jelisa is the way she is. I did not realize she was as twisted as she was when we saved her." He glanced back at the balloon. "I should bring her closer. She has been trainned as an asassain. She can get out of the ropes I bound her in." He walked over and grabbed her out of the basket of the balloon and wallked back over. "Could one of you bound her in Earth? That way I know she can not escape."

Toph stood up. "Not a problem. Just step back and let the Master work." She cracked her knuckles and twisted the earth til it made a four walled box with many holes. "There, that should hold her. If not then I am loosing my touch, and then it will give me a better reason to beat that chick's ass for messing with my friend's." She sat back down next to Aang.

"Arawn, didn't you have something to tell Aang. Then we can get to Jelisa." Katara smiled at the man.

"Ah yes, I did say that." Arawn looked at Aang, they sat down. "As you all know, when Sozin started the war, he wiped out the Air Nomads to destroy you, Avatar. He did not achieve either goal that day." He took a deep breath. "I have been sent to you by my people. Actually, I have been secretly watching you all for over three years. I had to find out if you all were ready for the information I am about to tell you."

Aang was nearly jumping with excitement. Anything to do about the Air Nomads, he had to know." Please don't stop."

Arawn shook his head. He pulled down the face covering. He was not that old. Maybe about the same age as the crazed waterbender. Katara was amazed. I thought he was older than what he is.

"Avatar, like I said, I was sent to tell you news. We had ot wait until the end of the war to reveal ourselves and finally return home. The Air Nomads were not wiped out that fateful day Sozin attacked. They were nearly destroyed, but by some small miracle, they found out about two hours before the battle. They got the younger children out of the temples and ontp the backs of bisons. Many of the older monks stayed to by more time for everyone else to escape. After a long and bloody battle, the Fire Nation won. Or so they thought." Arawn looked over at Aang. "You are not the last airbender, you never were. Your people live, or I should say, our people."

--

Azula and Mai followed the woman out of town and toward a small house. There were small children playing outside and a few women sitting there talking. Azula saw the woman that they said looked like her. She was talking to one of the other ladies.

"Tora! Come here for a moment dear. I have someone that wants to meet you." The older woman called to her daughter in law as they made their way down the hill.

Tora stood up, said something to the other woman, laughed and walked to meet them.

As eveyone drew closer, fear crept into the woman named Tora's eyes. The old woman, oblivious of what was going on, smiled at her. "I have someone here that thins you might be related to you. I will let you two find out." She headed to the house.

Azula looked into the eyes that were copies of hers. "Hello Mother."

Two cliffhangers in one chapter! That is a new record for me. Anyway, Hopefully you like the chapter. I have been getting cases of writer's block the last couple days. That's why they chapters have not been getting finished until the wee hours of the morning. (Between 4 and 5 am EST) Hopefully, it shall pass and I will be able to get back to getting them out at a reasonable time, and get more sleep. See ya!