A/N: I'M BACK! Did ya miss me? I missed all this like crazy! =D Ok, I was writing this chapter on my notebook while on bumpy car ride for HOURS on end while the sun was hitting my face sooo...I hope it's a good chapter. xD I have to give special thanks to my brand-new official Beta-reader, Miracleboy--/Robert! He rocks! And to my new replier, zukoluver! Ok, so let me not keep you waiting anymore! Please enjoy & comment.
Song: "Angel's Cry" by The Red Jumpsuit Appartus.
Why?: I couldn't find just the right for this chapter, but I think this song is soft, relaxing, and very meaningful in general of the feeling I'm trying to show. Especially in Zuko's part. ;-)
Chapter 11 ~ Making Plans
When Ty Lee entered the Avatar's home the atmosphere became tense. Aang had a million questions going through his mind but instead of scaring Ty Lee off with his verbal attack, Aang offered for them to sit down but Ty Lee shook her head and worryingly frowned.
Now Aang knew this talk wasn't going to be good. Ty Lee took a deep breath then blurted everything out at once,
"The name of the kidnapper is Sky. He's a year younger than Zuko, 17, though his body is young he is very old and wise mentally. He's from the Water Tribe which is why he has blue eyes but he disguises himself to be an Earth-Bender and is very good with illusions, though he's not a magician. He just makes things appear...differently than how they really are. He's smart, fast, and mysterious. That's all I know."
Ty Lee sighed under the Avatar's intense glare. "You did know."
He accused with suspicious eyes, but Ty Lee shook her head, "No Aang, well...not exactly."
Suddenly a curious question crossed Aang's mind, "Why did you lie to Zuko?"
"I didn't lie completely..." she fidgeted and finally decided to explain, "Mai is Zuko's girlfriend, and Mai is the one who knows the most about Sky. So I didn't want them to get into a fight because Mai would be...unwilling to talk about him."
Aang's eyes widened in deeper curiosity, "Why would she be unwilling?"
Ty Lee took another deep breath as Aang started to realize he had never seen her this stressed before.
"Well, because Mai and Sky sorta, kinda, used to be...together."
"What?!" Aang jumped.
Ty Lee rose her hands to try to defend her friend, "It was very short-term cause Mai knew she didn't love him; they just happened to meet and connect briefly. She feels very uncomfortable talking about him, not cause she cares about him, but because she feels...sorry for him."
Aang shook his head in sad sort of rage, who would feel sorry for a monster cruel enough to kidnap an innocent girl. His innocent girl especially.
Seeming to read his mind, Ty Lee said, "I told you, he makes things appear differently than what they really are."
The young Avatar stared Azula's former companion solemnly for a few seconds before finally asking, "Is there anything else I should know?"
Ty Lee thought for a moment but shook her head. Aang glanced at Katara's bedroom door and sighed painfully,
"Then we leave tomorrow."
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After the talk with the physic Sokka, Suki, and Toph had formed their own plan that was apart from the one they would have with Aang. The gang felt a little uneasy having to have their own secret but they knew it was the best...and maybe only...chance they had to save Katara.
Toph had her arms crossed and was silently stomping through the rumble while Sokka and Suki held hands and wore concentrated expressions, as they were deeply thinking about the significance of what Madam Velvet had said.
"Maybe...she had too much cactus juice? Ha-ha?"
Sokka shrugged and tried to smile dumbly but Suki just stared at him and gently shook her head while Toph deeply frowned.
"Ok. Bad joke. I was just trying to lighten the mood."
Sokka sighed and looked down regretfully. Suki patted his shoulder,
"Oh, we know you meant well Sokka. It's just...not the right time."
"What if maybe Blubber Brain has a point for once? Maybe we're just taking what the old crazy lady said too seriously."
Toph tried to sound indifferent but even she wasn't convinced with her own statement. Suki shook her head again,
"She does have a point though. All the elements need each other to survive. What if Katara's disappearance with this stranger and Zuko's...concern...does fulfill some sort of ancient prophesy?"
"Concern!" Toph scoffed again but said nothing else.
Sokka's eyes filled with deep grief, "I don't care about any prophesy...I just want my sister safely back. It seems this violence never ends."
Suki and Toph said nothing but their expressions mirrored Sokka's. Each of them expected something bad would happen and hoped their plans would be enough to help them through it...but no one could ever expect what truly would await them.
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Zuko's mind and body were on robotic as he walked into his room and changed his royal robes into more casual traveler's wear. He stretched and practiced with his duel swords until he was sweating profusely. Then he decided to sharpen the edges, pack his sack with various small weapons he could hide under his cloak, and then after practicing defensive hand combat for an hour, he stood in front of a tall mirror and stared at himself for a long time.
That's when he allowed himself to think. At first his expression was blank, but then it slowly started turning sadder and his golden eyes pierced with self-reproach and bitterness.
"What am I doing?"
He mumbled at his reflection and waited patiently, as if it would answer. He groaned and put his hands over his strained face, "I am going crazy."
He wanted to laugh at this comment but instead he groaned again and toppled to the floor. He couldn't move past this until he faced up to it, and Zuko knew he couldn't keep denying the fact that he was distancing himself from Mai...and getting closer to Katara.
He didn't ever think of why he wanted the Water-Bender's approval so much, or why he had put up with her snub and sarcastic remarks or demeaning jokes while he was training the Avatar, or why he was just as determined as she was to find her mother's killer, and most importantly why he head risked his life for her...in so many different ways.
He never questioned what he did for Katara because it was a non-thought process. Katara wanted something, he would help her get it. Katara was in danger, he would help save her. A deadly lightening strike would go toward her, he would put himself between them. It was a subconscious automatic reaction that his body act before his mind; But now that Zuko really was thinking about the why his mind only came up with one logical solution that was completely illogical....he was in love.
The shock of that realization hit Zuko harder than he imagined as the face in the mirror reflected utter astonishment.
How can it be?!
He and Katara were complete opposites! It would never work, they'd hurt too many people. He was fire and she was ice. Nothing would ever change that. Nothing ever could...and yet.
The bond they shared of growing friendship that started so bitter and cold, then went to a place of understanding, then betrayal, then sacrifice, and finally to ultimate forgiveness.
To the point that they would risk their very lives for each other and not ask why. Just know it was something they had to do...because they wanted to.
By now, Zuko's face became softer and a small small played on his lips. But he instantly put the thought down. He couldn't be sure what he was feeling and besides, what if Katara didn't feel the same way? He shouldn't get his hopes up. But he had already sparked the hope, and felt his heart starting to burn.
Whether it was love or not Zuko would only be focused on one thing for now...bringing Katara back. Letting once again his heart...act before his mind.
