The Boiling Rock

The cliff's rock brushed dust onto the sleeping as bugs crawled between the cracks. Appa let out a yawn as Momo slept on his forehead. Sen's mouth became dry as she slowly woke from her sleep. Sweat stuck to her forehead as she walked towards the fountain; the water made the bricks under her feet slippery. Sen blinked as her eyes tried to adjust to the night scenery. Out of her peripheral vision she saw the flash of a shadow. Sen dropped the water that was cupped in her hands as she tiptoed towards the flying bison. The shadow tossed a small sack onto Appa's saddle as he tried to climb on top of the bison's head. Sen crouched behind Appa's head as she heard whispering.

"Ok you caught me. I'm going to go rescue my dad. Are you happy now?" Sen's ears picked up the rough voice of Sokka, the water tribe warrior.

"I'm never happy." That voice was undeniably Zuko's and his comment caused Sen to let out a light giggle.

"What are you doing here, Sen?" Sokka peered over Appa; down at the laughing ex-general.

"You created so much racket I'm shocked I was the only one to wake up."

"You got thirsty didn't you?"

"Shut up Zuko." There was a light chuckle that came from her cousin's throat which caused him a nice, deadly glare.

"Well get your drink then go back to sleep." Sokka said as he got ready to take off.

"No way, I want to be part of this little adventure of yours."

"Also Sokka, she might have access to the Boiling Rock that we won't get." Zuko pointed out as Sokka let out a groan.

"The Boiling Rock! Do you two have a death wish or something?!"

"SHH! We're going to go save my dad. You can come along." Sokka held his hand on Sen's mouth until she nodded.

"We can't take Appa." Zuko, once again, pointed out.

"Why not?" Sokka questioned.

"Last time I checked Fire Nation prisons don't have bison day cares."

"He's annoyingly right Sokka."

"We can take my war balloon, let's go." The three began climbing a rope until they reached the grassy clearing. They ran over to the deflated balloon and began heating it up. It took both Sen and Zuko's firebending to raise the balloon above the clouds but finally they were flying. Sen sat down by Sokka's feet and began to do breathing exercises.

"So, um, did you guys like leave anything behind in the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked, looking at the passing clouds.

"We left our entire home behind." Sen growled, not opening her eyes.

" I know, I meant like boyfriends or girlfriends."

"I did have a girlfriend, Mai." Zuko chimed in a love sick voice.

"What about you, Sen?"

"No."

"What about Jet?" His name sent lonely shivers down her spine while tears threatened her eyes.

"He's probably dead." Her voice brought down the boys' moods as they heard the sadness infused in her cold tone. Sen felt a warm hand on her shoulder and when she opened her eyes she found herself staring into the sky blue eyes of the water tribe boy. His white smile against his tan skin was warm and heartfelt.

"Don't give up on him. Jet is a smart guy; he's probably hiding out somewhere right now." His comforting words finally pushed Sen over her limit and she let out a few tears. Sokka shoved Sen's face against his chest and held her close as she chocked back a few sobs. When Sen collected herself Sokka let go, she smiled as she looked at the boy and then she cocked back her fist and punched his left cheek.

"What was that for?" Sokka yelled, rubbing his sore cheek.

"For bringing up Jet."

"I bring him up, comfort you in your sadness and you punch me?!"

"I'm glad you understand."

"You hang out with Toph too much."

"Sokka I could've told you she was going to punch you and it wasn't because you brought Jet up." Zuko pitched in as they began to fly over the volcano.

"Then why did she punch me Zuko?"

"Zuko, say anything and I will punch you off this balloon."

"Well Sokka one thing you should learn abou-" The balloon suddenly began to lose altitude and they all grabbed an edge. Sen ran over to Zuko as they began to throw fire up at the balloon, desperately trying to regain control.

"The air on the outside is just as hot as the air in the balloon. WE'RE GOING DOWN!" Sokka screamed as they tumbled to the ground below. The broken war balloon lay shattered on the ground as the three tried to stay calm. Sokka was surveying the damage when Zuko began to kick the balloon into the boiling water.

"What are you doing?!" Sokka yelled at his companion.

"Keep your voice down, besides the balloons busted; it's better to cover our tracks if we can." Zuko replied in a hushed whisper, Sokka and Sen only stared at the prince until he passed them up a hill. Sen followed Zuko towards the prison with Sokka close behind.

"So what's the plan?" Sen whispered.

"We really don't have one," Sokka said nonchalantly causing Sen to stop her climbing as she stared in disbelief at the tan boy. Zuko grabbed her arm, pushing her up the hill while muttering something about hurrying up.

They finally reached the top and looked around. To the left was a guard tower overlooking the gondola and to the right was the prison where a few guards patrolled near them. Sen crouched down and closed her eyes so her ears could strain for the crunch of their boots on the gravel as they drew near. The boys quickly ducked down as Sen jumped on the closest officer, an admiral by the way the armor looked. Sen quickly used their shock to disarm him and knocked him unconscious. When Sen removed the helmet she noticed it was a female she had defeated and quickly stripped the admiral of her armor. She placed it over her clothes and looked over to see the boys doing the same. Sen quickly took the pins out of the unconscious girl's hair and pinned hers back. The boys both wore helmets and they quickly walked towards the gate.

"Are you sure you shouldn't be wearing a helmet?" Sokka whispered as they neared the gate.

"I'm not completely sure, guess we'll find out if they know that I'm a traitor." The girl said as she waltzed over to the approaching guards while Sokka and Zuko stared in amazement.

"Your cousin really has no fear does she?"

"No she has fear but she's learned to control it just like Azula does." Zuko claimed as he noticed the fear stricken guards bow in front of his cousin. Sen turned around, a smirk planted on her cream face as she motioned for the boys to follow her with a flick of her wrist. They all began walking down the corridors, passing armed soldiers with every step they took.

"Okay, you two ask around about upcoming prisoners while I check with the Bookkeeper. We should meet in the cafeteria after dinner." Sen began creating the plan while the boys feverishly nodded their heads. When she finished speaking, Sen turned and began walking away.

"Wait Sen, don't you need to know my dad's name before you begin looking?" Sokka pointed out, stopping Sen dead in her tracks. Embarrassment raged her face as she nodded her head, not turning around.

"That would be helpful."

"His name is Hakoda from the Southern Water Tribe." Sokka snickered as the group split up. Sen pushed through guards left and right as she made her way towards the record room.

"General Sen, what a surprise." Sen turned around as she just realized who spoke to her.

"Warden, how have you been?" She gave the man a smile as he strolled beside her.

"I didn't receive word of your arrival." He gave her a cross-stare as she picked up the suspicion in his voice.

"Fire Lord Ozai wanted me to check in and make sure all your records are up-to-date."

"Very well follow me." The Warden strolled down a wide hallway flanked by two soldiers. They took several turns and finally stopped in front of a large steel door. A faint smile pressed on Sen's lips as the soldiers opened the door. Papers were everywhere; they were piled high and stacked against every wall. Sen noticed the cabinets hidden under the piles of paper and the man hunched over his desk sorting more papers. The man's gaze slid over to the two people standing in the doorway.

"Oh Warden , why are you here?" the man bowed in front of them and rearranged the glasses on his face.

"This is General Sen, the Dragon of the North. She is here to see if our records are up-to-date."

"I can assure you, miss, these records are current." He hissed towards Sen, showing as much disrespect as possible.

"We'll see." Sen pushed past the man, causing him to fall, as she headed towards his desk. She began moving papers and scanning them quickly.

"See, I told you they-"

"What about upcoming prisoners? I don't see the list." Sen interrupted , glaring at the tiny man.

"I'll have to go get them. Don't mess with anything while I'm gone!" The Bookkeeper finally left Sen alone and she could read the names properly.

Hidacuro-Fire Nation; Offense five. Male.

Chamu-Fire Nation; Offense seven. Female.

Kira-Earth Kingdom; war prisoner. Female.

Sen continued to scan the names with her golden eyes. Slowly she turned each page, scanned the names then moved onto the next. One the third page Sen felt her breath catch in her throat. Her eyes widened as she read the name over and over.

Jet-Earth Kingdom; war prisoner. Male.