a/n:
Not to make this long, but I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to those that reviewed and especially those that left a few suggestions. I tried to take it all into account. Also, as part of my new dedication to pleasing my readers, I give you the next chapter...in a week...that is a new record for. My muse was keeping me up to finish this. It may not be that long, but its setting up for some moments in the next chapter. Also, the first part of this chapter I really have to thank Kimberly T. and Masayume85 for, you left awesome reviews and this is my small way of thanking you. I hope that you like it.
Just Friends
Chapter 14: Saved by the Bell…or Not
As the headmaster stood impatiently tapping his foot, all three heroes struggled with what to say. Internally the answers ranged from friends, teachers, partners, to none of his business. Just as they were opening their mouths to say something, or anything a loud ringing came from across the courtyard.
BONG! BONG! BONG!
Bells tolled not far from them and the school they were standing in front of suddenly began to disgorge its students. Wave after wave of children of varying ages swarmed in and around the small group standing still. Zuko, Katara, and Aang all let out sighs of relief, thinking this was their chance to escape. Talk about being saved by the bell.
As students started to form into small cliques and begin making their way home the crowd slowly thinned out. Aang was more then ready to say his good-byes and his eyes wandered the crowd looking for the best escape route. Suddenly a familiar face caught his eye, and he hers. Even as he turned quickly around he knew it was too late. A singular figure could be seen breaking away from one of the departing groups and making its way back through the crowd, going against the tide of humanity headed in the opposite direction. The headmaster, not to mention Zuko and Katara, were puzzled by the panicked and slightly red expression on the young monk's face. However, before they could say anything a raised voice called through the crowd.
"Kuzon!"
The voice's owner made an appearance shortly afterwards in the form of a somewhat out of breath girl dressed in a school uniform, her black hair swept up in a tail at the back of her head.
"Kuzon! Is that really you? It's been so long. Where have you been?" she paused to take in a breath and his current look, "Where is your hair? And what's with the clothes?"
Bewildered, Aang had to shake his head a few times to focus before he actually answered.
"On-ji!" he exclaimed, nervously holding out his hands in surprise, "Wow, huh? Go figure… running into you here… of all places."
"Well of course silly. I live here. Where else would I be," replied a smiling On-ji, unaware of the dynamics going on within the group.
"Oh well yeah, of course you'd be here. I mean, you're right you live here…its just I didn't expect to find you here… not that I wouldn't want to find you, or err… see you. It just caught me by surprise…not that it shoul-"
A shy giggle from On-ji cut off Aang's rambling and a deep blush took over his face as he stopped talking and stared awkwardly at the ground.
"So…Kuzon, are you going to introduce us?" Katara's voice interrupted, caught between annoyance and amusement, arms crossed over her chest. It was about time the tables could be turned.
"Yes, please do," said an equally amused Zuko; anything to get his mind off of their previous conversation.
"Oh…umm, right. I should do that," Aang stammered, "On-ji, these are my… friends. Yeah… umm. This is Katara and I'm sure you recognize Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation… I mean here… yeah, 'cause we are in the Fire Nation. Uh, guys, this is my friend On-ji, we were in the same class together at, uh, school." The young monk's nervousness was apparent in the way he kept rubbing his free hand along the back of his neck, eyes not making contact with anyone.
"You didn't tell me that you were friends with the Crown Prince," admonished On-ji, once she finally got a good look at Zuko, "wow, Kuzon. How do you guys know each other?"
"Funny story actually," the airbender answered with another nervous chuckle. He eyeballed Zuko and Katara for a moment, pleading clear in his expression. The only look he received back was of amused indifference. Pay back time for all the embarrassing things the monk had put them through in the last few weeks, not to mention in the last few minutes. It had been his idea after all, to have Katara wear a stomach and make her look older back when they first got in. He wouldn't be getting any help from them anytime soon. Looking at On-ji once more he noticed the expectant look in her eyes.
"Well, um, you know how the Fire Lord, err, Ozai was defeated by the Avatar and had his firebending taken away to keep him from using Sozin's Comet to take over the world?" said all in one breath, it took On-ji, as well the listeners a few moments to actually sort out what Aang had said. He stood who stood nervously tapping the tips of his pointer fingers together, eyes rolled somewhat skyward to avoid meeting the girl's gaze.
"Yeah…" said On-ji slowly, a question still lingering in the air. One hand was now on her hip, wondering what all this had to do with Kuzon. Unless…. Taking advantage of his silence and wary of his nervous and embarrassed movements, she stopped to really take in her friend's appearance and her eyes ultimately landed on the airbending medallion he now had around his neck and the arrow coming down his forehead. Suddenly it clicked in her mind.
"You're the AVATAR?"
"Hee, hee… guilty," chuckled Aang in response to On-ji's shocked exclamation, "oh, and by the way my name isn't really Kuzon, its Aang."
The three awaited On-ji's continued reaction to the sudden news, keeping an eye on the still astounded face of the girl, trying to decide which way she would go and react accordingly.
"Wow…so you're the Avatar," On-ji's voice was now much more subdued, "that actually explains a lot."
"Soooo… you aren't mad at me, for, you know, lying to you," asked the young monk, in wonder of her sudden calmness and seeming acceptance of the whole idea. Zuko and Katara were equally surprised.
"Look Ku-, oh, I mean Aang, yeah I am a little mad that you lied, but I get that it was for a good cause."
"You do?" all three replied in shocked unison, which only served to elicit further giggles from the girl.
"Well, yeah. Did you really think everyone here was for the war? I mean, technically you were the enemy, and I guess to some people you always will be in a way, but when you were here you actually got us to have fun and… cut loose a bit; break away from all that military, regimented, walk-the-straight-and-narrow-at-all-times life. So, thanks."
It could hardly register to Zuko, Katara, and Aang that this girl, just a simple, small town, Fire Nation girl; could prove to have so much insight. Maybe there was hope for the Avatar Firedancing Academy after all.
"Wow," it was now Aang's turn to say, "I guess I shouldn't have underestimated you then, huh?"
"No, I guess you shouldn't," she answered back with a playful, and dare he think it, flirtatious wink. The young Avatar could feel his ears growing red once more.
A wink which did not go unnoticed by Katara, who further tightened her crossed arms and tried not to pout. Yeah, she was almost certain that she didn't like Aang in that way anymore, but by the spirits, a girl liked to think that she could inspire some kind of loyalty, at least from someone who had professed to love her at one point. If Zuko noticed the slight huff coming from his waterbending friend, he chose to ignore it, but he could feel his heart fall just a smidge at her reaction. Meanwhile the headmaster had headed out again, still shaking his head slightly at the antics of today's young people and Aang and On-ji were still carrying on a conversation.
"You know, my dad is back from the war now. He was able to go back to doing what he used to before he was recruited for the navy," On-ji was saying, "why don't you come by? I'm sure he would love to meet you."
"Ah, well, err, the thing is…are you really sure he would be happy to, huh, meet me?" stammered out Aang.
Before he or On-ji could say anything else, the long forgotten Official Soto spoke back up, suddenly grabbing everyone's attention.
"That sounds like a splendid idea Miss On-ji," he beamed at them, reminding Katara eerily of Joo Dee back in Ba Sing Sei. She had come to the conclusion that most city officials, politicians, or government lackeys of any nation would set aside any prejudice if it meant garnering favor of someone in a position of power. If that meant the Avatar forming close ties with the Fire Nation, then so be it. She'd wager her mother's necklace that On-ji's father was someone is such a position.
"Yeah, Aang, go on. Meet the parents," muttered Katara, still put out, sarcasm evident in her tone.
"Really? You think it's a good idea," Aang said, excitement evident and completely missing the sarcasm in Katara's voice, "maybe this is what we need to really start connecting with the people of the Fire Nation. Just letting them know that we're willing to accept them, not just punish them for their participation in."
"Sure Aang," Zuko said wearily, noting Katara's expression, "that makes a lot of sense." And Mai thought that I was insensitive, he thought to himself.
Aang kept looking back and forth between On-ji's expectant face, Katara's stiff-shouldered stance, and Official Soto's eerie expression.
"Well ummm, I guess it would be okay. So long as my friends could come along," replied Aang.
"Of course," remarked On-ji brightly, too brightly for Katara's case, who noticed the once-over that the girl had given her briefly, though as usual Aang failed to pick up on the subtle look and tone. For a brief moment the waterbender wished that Toph were here to let them get an insight into the girl's emotional state.
Even knowing that such a meeting would be beneficial to the Avatar's as well as his own relationship with the Fire Nation people, Zuko found himself wishing for an excuse to get out of it. After the rough week they had had, the long ride only a couple hours behind them, (not to mention the unsteady emotional state of some of the group, ahem… Katara) he was in no mood to watch what he said or how he said it around company he would have to focus on impressing. All he really wanted was a few quiet hours back at the inn to gather his thoughts and be away from everything for awhile. Just as it seemed like there was no way out, Agni himself seemed to answer Zuko's silent plea.
From the direction of the inn one of the members of his escort, the young soldier Koru if he wasn't mistaken, came running and skidding to a stop in front of the captain first before being waved ahead to the prince.
"Your highness, urgent news from the Regent which requires your immediate attention," he panted out while attempting to stand at attention, "a message hawk just came from the Dragon's Oasis."
"Of course Koru, we'll be right there," responded Zuko quickly while trying not to sound too eager. Turning back to Official Soto he said, "I'm afraid that we must be going."
"Of course your highness," bowed Soto somewhat reluctantly, "but please allow me to go with you. Perhaps the matter can be resolved quickly and there will still be an opportunity for the Avatar and yourselves to dine with Miss On-ji's family."
After contemplating it for a moment he went ahead and nodded. He sent Koru running ahead while Aang said his goodbyes to On-ji, assuring her that they would do their best to keep the invitation. With quick steps and no side journeys this time they made their way quickly back to the offices of the city official. Koru was waiting for them when they arrived and led them inside where the remaining members of their escort were waiting. Zuko took the scroll and opened it, his eyes quickly scanning its contents before closing it once more. Before saying anything he turned to Soto who had been hovering at the edge of the group.
"If you please Official Soto, I need a few moments in private," he spoke, his tone indicating it was more of an order than a suggestion.
"What does it say Zuko?" Aang asked, once Soto had left the room.
"Uncle has received word about a rebel hold-out. They've taken control of the Boiling Rock," the prince informed them grimly, " but there are too few soldiers that Uncle can trust these days, and most of them are already spread too thin as it is."
"So where does that leave us," asked Katara, "is he requesting the use of the escort?"
"No," Zuko shook his head, "he can gather a force. The problem is that they've taken hostages and Uncle doesn't want any… mishaps occurring. The last thing we need is for the people to hear that hostages were killed whiled subduing rebels. People are still on edge with the recent changes in leadership."
Katara and Aang gave understanding nods. Hostages always made for a tricky situation.
"So this is what, a snatch-n-grab deal," inquired the Avatar.
"Basically. All we need to do is get the hostages out. Uncle and the soldiers will do the rest," agreed Zuko, plans already forming in his head.
"Great, so what are we waiting for? Let's get this show on the road," exclaimed Aang.
"Hold on a moment Aang, Uncle included something else in his letter," Zuko unrolled the scroll once more and his eyes scanned the document a moment before finding a place a he began reading aloud, "'it is imperative that the Avatar not be a part of the rescue. Aang must be part of the main force and remain in the public eye.'"
"What!" exclaimed Aang, grabbing the scroll from Zuko, "that can't be right! Why would he say that?"
Zuko just shrugged a bit, taking the scroll back. He could imagine a few reasons for the request, namely that the little monk didn't understand the concept of stealth. Aang liked the big entrance, and for the most part he was good at it. He knew how to please a crowd and get people's attention. Not to mention, with the kind of power that he had, subtle missions were not his forte. More like giant ice monsters, and swirling masses of all the elements. This mission required stealth. Next to him he heard Katara start speaking. She had come to much the same conclusion.
"Iroh needs you to pull off a real Avatar-sized performance with the rebels," Katara explained, "but at the same time he has to make sure that none of the hostages are put at risk. The Circle of Nobles will jump at anything to prove that Iroh is an unfit regent and then they can take greater control of the nation."
"We can do that as a team. I won't let anyone get hurt," Aang insisted.
"It isn't that simple Aang," Katara shook her head; "we just can't risk it. A small group using stealth has a much better chance of succeeding then if we all barge in there. Besides, it isn't that I don't have confidence in your abilities or think that you would intentionally let anyone get hurt, but you aren't the only factor."
At his puzzled look Zuko went ahead and elaborated.
"You might not hurt the hostages, but the rebels could and would if they saw themselves backed into a corner," the prince explained. Aang still looked a bit put out but they could see him slowly coming around.
"Ok, fine, I get it," he let out a quick breath of frustration, "so who is going to go in?"
Katara and Zuko looked at each other askance, and they couldn't quite keep the smirk from their lips.
"Time for a little under-cover recon," said Katara slyly, "just like the good 'ol days?"
"They say you shouldn't try to fix what isn't broken," replied the prince with an equally sly grin, "if it works, just let it be."
"Uh, guys…what are you talking about, who is going to go?" Aang asked again, pouting a bit at the inside joke that he didn't get.
"Us," Zuko and Katara replied in unison, turning to look at Aang at the same time.
"You two… alone?"
"Yep," beamed Katara, liking the plan more and more, "we've done it before. We can do it again."
"Yeah Aang," answered Zuko, but his grin turning once again to Katara, "what are friends for if not to infiltrate enemy territory together?"
"What indeed?" replied the waterbender, also looking back at Zuko.
It was about time they went back to doing what they do best.
~CelestialWonder
Hope you enjoyed. And please, keep those reviews coming. Any and all suggestions are welcome, or if there is a particular issue you want to see our heroes put through...just let me know. :)