Chapter 25: War

KPOV

It has been months.

Months since we left the Kiyoshi Islands. In all honesty, I could barely count the days anymore. All of their troops were together finally, but still it was exhausting. Every step they made at taking back the Earth Nation, they also took two steps back.

I had power, this was true, but even I get exhausted. Zuko was silent next to me on the bed, I could barely sense his soft breathing, and hoped he was sleeping. Hoped he was sleeping more than I was. So many things kept me awake, the questions that filled my head. Questions for myself, asking myself over and over if this was what I wanted. Sacrificing all of these lives. Aang was doing his best, but even he was getting tired.

It was time for this to end. I was not going to allow this to end as it did before. I will not allow this war to go on for many years, as it had before, and cost the lives of thousands of innocent people. Even if it meant sacrificing herself.

I hadn't brought it up to anyone, and now, it was time. I slipped out of my bed and grabbed my clothes, changed, and headed up the stairs on the boat they were currently sailing in. Heading to Ba Sing Se. They felt it was the last straw, and hoped that with taking that city back, the Fire Nation would get cautious, and it would motivate people to fight back against the Fire Nation. Not that they weren't already. War and blood overed the lands, and it was devestating. So much worse than before. Azula wasn't stopping. Anyone who stood in her way was killed, their town burned to the ground and nothing remaining. Too many towns where they hadn't made it in time. Men, women, and children all burned; all that was left were bones and the stench of death filling the air. Even the ostrich horses were wary every time we entered one of the cities that had been burnt to the ground.

I was sick of crying. Sick of the death and destruction that followed them. Azula needed to be gone, and fast.

They hadn't come face to face with Azula on their journey throughout the Earth Nation, and in a way they were grateful, I could only imagine the kind of fleet she had around her, protecting her. But no longer would she be in control.

There was a small piece on the wall of the boats hallway that was loose, and I pulled out my emergency backpack out of it. A set of footsteps had be posed for a battle, even against my own friends and family.

"Look, Sugar Queen, don't think you'll be leaving on your own."

I sighed, relazed at Tophs voice. "If I'm not taking Zuko, then why would you think I would take you?"

"Because you know someone needs to pick up your babies at the end of this. Don't think I'm stupid, I've done this with you before, and I'll be here with you at the end of it."

I ran my hand through my hair. "Did you wake anyone up?"

"No, I can't imagine anyone here wouldn't try to stop you-us."

I nodded. I noticed her pack. "I see you've come prepared."

Toph shrugged. "Like I said, I know how you think. So what's the plan?"

"I'm going to assasinate Azula."

Toph paused and then nodded. "Alright, I'm in. Let's go."

Soft steps made their way to the top of the boat. It was dark, almost pitch black. I could see the light of the boats around us, the large army that was sent by both the Kiyoshi and the Southern Water Nation. I couldn't help the smile when they appeared, and the dent I must have put into my fathers pride. Even with them all, the war was in no way over.

I reached the edge of the boat, grapped Toph by the waist, and dove into the crashing waters. A bubble of air formed around us and I used my bending to push us through the water.

"Do you know where she is?" Toph murmured.

"Yes."

"And how would you know that? Why haven't you told anyone?"

"It's a little to late to be asking that, isn't it?"

Toph remained silent, and it was a few hours before I finally let us onto shore. "We are going to camp here for the rest of the night, and rise at dawn. No fire for now. The Fire Nation boats are a few miles of this coast. We'll stay here for the day, and then tomorrow night is when we sneak on board. I'll take first watch, and wake you up in a couple hours so I can sleep too."

Toph simply nodded, pulled out a blanket to wrap themself up and fall asleep. I looked up at the moon. Tomorrow was a full moon, and would be perfect for this type of mission. Every little thing that helped me mattered.

This was War.

Sorry this one is super short, but it's much needed! Just to let you know, i've planned out this story a little, and have now realized that I'm going to finish this story with like 5 more chapters. About that much, not for sure yet. Thanks everyone who's been reading along all this time, and sorry for the lag. Right when I said I was gonna be updating more, I broke my laptop! It was crazy. I got a new one thankfully. Well, please let me know how you thought of the chapter. I love getting reviews from everyone!