Forbidden Love: Part One
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender. But I plan to own an AWESOME show one day.
Chapter 14: Questions and Answers
(Three Days Later)
"So Darri stabbed you?" Fire Lord Ozai double checked.
"Yes father, he grabbed one of Zuko's swords and stabbed me," Azula lied, "Zuko was there to save Katara from the rebels but I wouldn't listen. One got Darri out and Zuko was already busy keeping me from disintegrating that pregnant whore," she seethed, "then that dirty little North Pole peasant saw an opportunity and stabbed me."
Fire Lord Ozai stroked his beard. He was suspicious of Azula's story. He was sure his son stabbed her to save that South Pole peasant. But as long as Azula defended Zuko, he had no proof.
"Did he say anything before he left?" Ozai asked, "I mean before he was taken away."
"You're a survivor Azula, take care," Azula said the truth.
Ozai mused over those words. They did sound like something a hostage would say. But there were many alternate scenarios those words could've been said as well.
"We have to get Zuko back father," Azula said, "if people ever came to the conclusion that we can't protect our own or worse that Zuko defected to rebels, we'd be a laughing stock."
Ozai's eyes widened in horror. The prince of the Fire Nation defecting to rebels would put his power in serious jeopardy.
"I forget sometimes," Ozai admitted, "he doesn't act like a prince ninety percent of the time," he added.
"I know," Azula agreed.
"Anyway, you rest now my dear daughter," Ozai said and kissed her on the forehead, "sleep well princess."
"I will father," Azula said relaxing in her huge bed, "these bandages are scratchy," she complained suddenly.
"Get the doctor," Ozai snapped at an attendant, "keep him here until he gets it right," he instructed Azula firmly and left.
Azula's a genius, Ozai thought, even though she decided to lie to me to prove it.
Sokka sat with Katara as she did breathing exercises. Time for the baby's birth was approaching. Unless Katara remained pregnant for more than nine months.
"You're doing great Katara," Sokka said rubbing her shoulders.
"How long does a baby take to pop out?" Toph asked nearby.
Katara's right eye twitched. "Why are you here?"
"To support Sokka of course," Toph said with an angelic face.
"Right," Katara said slowly.
"Please focus on the exercises," the only nurse at the hideout said agave Toph a reproachful look.
Sokka, Katara and the others had made it to the hideout for the Freedom Fighters. The FF were different from a lot of Earth Kingdom rebels in that they had no earth benders among them and the majority of them and all the leaders were teens and children. But they made hideouts in the Fire Nation and they moved around a lot to avoid detection. They were also great fighters and knew how to dodge and counter many fire bending attacks and techniques. Right now they were in an abandoned part of a derelict town. They only had to watch out for passing patrols.
"Katara, I want to commend you for being such a good sport about this," the nurse said suddenly, "it can't be easy."
"I was in a dungeon by orders of the Fire Lord before coming here," Katara countered.
"True, but still," the nurse said and kissed her on the forehead, "that's enough exercises for tonight, straight to bed."
"Of course," Katara said and Sokka helped her up.
"Um, can I get some food for you guys?" Toph offered suddenly.
"I'm tired," Katara said pointedly and Toph deflated.
Sokka nudged his sister. "I'm hungry Toph, go ahead."
Toph brightened up significantly. "O it," she said and dashed off.
"Why do you tolerate her?" Katara asked frankly.
"Because she's a good person," Sokka said, "she has no family and I don't she has friends either, besides me."
"Oh," Katara said, "how friendly were you two?" she asked as they headed off to the general sleeping quarters for everyone.
"Katara, I didn't take advantage of the blind bender girl."
"Looks like she'd kill you if you did."
"Exactly," Sokka greed.
Katara giggled knowing she was right.
Zuko sat on a roof watching the Fire Nation Palace that was almost a blip in the distance. He wasn't allowed at the Freedom Fighters hideout. Their rules didn't allow fire benders under any circumstances. He understood since most of the members' villages and families were lost to the invading Fire Nation. Plus their original home and headquarters in the woods for the Freedom Fighters was burnt down by Fire Nation soldiers.
"I hope I made the right decision," Zuko said softly.
"Depends on what you define as the right decision," a voice said and Zuko turned to see Mai and Ty Lee, "you look good for a hostage, we have to fix that don't we Ty Lee."
"What?" Zuko asked confused.
"Azula told us the truth," Ty Lee said, "she however lied to everyone else," she revealed.
"Mai, Ty Lee I can explain.." Zuko started.
"Back off freak you nearly killed your own sister!" Mai snapped.
Ty Lee looked away her lip quivering.
Zuko backed down. The battle was lost before he could even explain.
"The fire nation's mourning your kidnapping," Ty Lee told him.
"Kidnapping? Who kidnapped me?" Zuko asked incredulously.
"Earth Kingdom rebels," Mai spoke up, "oh and Darri stabbed Azula while you were distracted keeping her from attacking Katara."
Zuko looked away from Mai's hate filled eyes. He barely looked at Ty Lee's disappointed ones. He knew both girls thought he was a traitor and that he nearly murdered his own sister in the process.
"What does my father say?" Zuko asked.
"He wants his son returned safely of course," Mai said matter of factly.
"How could you betray your nation Zuko?" Ty Lee asked in a small voice.
"I don't see it that way," Zuko told her.
"Spoken like a true hero of the other side," Mai said deadpan, "anyway, you are separated from your rebels friends right? This isn't some plot to get a fresh set of hostages?"
"No I only got Katara and Darri out," Zuko said, "the rebels and I have no further dealings right now."
"Good you can come home," Ty Lee said brightly.
Zuko looked away.
"Azula concocted the perfect plan in case you returned," Mai snarled, "you owe her enough to at least show your face."
"Ok, what should I do?" Zuko asked her, "say hi father, do you think he believes I was kidnapped?" he demanded, "I'll probably be in the tower in seconds."
"And?" Mai said and Ty Lee gasped in horror.
"Mai you can't be..." Ty Lee blasted.
"It's ok Ty I'm going home," Zuko said broken hearted that the only girl he loved from his nation hated him so deeply.
Mai frowned. "Zuko maybe..."
"I need you two to beat me up," Zuko said suddenly.
"What!" Ty Lee shrieked while it was Mai's turn to look horrified.
"I was taken and held by what are perceived as barbaric Earth Kingdom rebels," Zuko said simply, "they'd be extra awful to the Fire Nation prince wouldn't they?" he asked, "why sad faces, you have the chance to avenge Azula and our nation by beating me to a pulp," he added.
Mai's hand shook in rage. She knew why Zuko was doing this. She hit him by instinct.
"Mai!" Ty Lee cried.
"I..." Mai said, "give me a hand Ty Lee," she said punching a stunned Zuko in the stomach, "if you were ever his friend you'll help me save his life you springtime bimbo!" she exploded at Ty Lee.
A shocked Ty Lee did a cartwheel kick at Mai but Zuko blocked it.
"She's right, pretend she's me until later," Zuko said.
Ty Lee glared at a remorseful Mai.
"Gladly," Ty Lee said and punched Zuko in the mouth.
Chapter Completed.
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