Part Two

Zoe knew what he was going to do before he could do it. His legs shifted and she saw his muscles tense as he prepared to jump in front of Azula's deadliest weapon. For her, to save her.

But, with the reflexes Zoe was proud to claim she had, she threw out her arm and the wind followed at such a rate it could have brought down a whole forest. And with it Zuko was flying out of harms way. But, before she had a chance to think of what to do next the speeding lightening was upon her. She closed her eyes willing death to take her. However, what she had not noticed amidst the fear and adrenaline was the frantic scratching and rustling in her shirt. That was until a small weight was lifted from her front and a sickening shriek like squeal filled the air. Zoe's eyes opened in shock, where was the pain? The darkness? Her eyes widened in horror as she saw her little baby rabbit-hen fall, scorched, to the ground in a lifeless, crackling lump.

Azula's maniacal laughter was what brought Zoe back to reality. Blue fire was being sent toward her. But she couldn't move. Her terror and pain was paramount. Huan was dead, as limp and pathetic as a toy lying lifeless on the ground… as was Zuko. Her heart thumped loudly in her ears; did she throw him out of the way too hard?

"Zoe move!" screamed Katara, pulling a wall of water in front of her to block the flames. But, the powerful, comet strengthened fire burst through the water shield and Zoe was littered with scolding droplets of the liquid.

This snapped Zoe out of her trance. "Katara!" she screeched, "go help Zuko! Heal him!" she cried, whipping herself out of the way of the next blast of flames by creating a tornado around her body.

Katara did as she bid, but couldn't get close as Azula shot her next blast at her. Zoe knocked the mad firebender out of the way with another billow of wind. Azula growled furiously, that maniacal glint still in her eye and turned toward Zoe. Fire burst from her feet and her hands and she was zooming toward the airbender at top speed.

Zoe flew out of the way again. She sped around pillars. She threw waves of wind at the firebender. But, she was not able to stop for long enough to get proper aim before more blue fire was speeding toward her.

Spinning around another pillar Zoe tripped falling flat on her back atop a drain of trickling water. Breathing heavily she stared above her where wooden palings crisscrossed along the ceiling. Without another thought she jumped up, using the air to lift herself to the ceiling and waited. Waited for the sound that would tell her Azula was coming.

"Where are you filthy air peasant?" snarled Azula and Zoe held her breath so as not to give herself away. Just a little closer… "No point hiding like the cowards your people are, soon enough I'll catch you." she sneered. Nearly there… "Then you will be wishing your filthy rat hadn't saved you!" There!

Zoe jumped from her hiding place right down in front of Azula, and then before she could raise her fist full of flames Zoe drew her hand threw the air so fast she might have almost thought it didn't happen.

But it did, Azula felt all of the air in her lungs, her body be sucked out of her, rushing threw her mouth. Her eyes went wide, her vision blurred, her head spun and then she collapsed, unconscious, to the ground.

Zoe fell back onto a pillar, leaning on it and breathing heavily. Katara ran over, chains in her arms (from where Zoe had no idea.) and she fixed them around Azula's wrists, attaching her to the metal grills that covered the ground, blocking the drain. When she regained consciousness she would not be able to move.

"Zuko? Is he OK?" demanded Zoe quickly. She stood up properly and ran over to his body that Katara had propped up into a sitting position before the waterbender had a chance to answer her. Zoe fell to her knees at Zuko's side, her hands shaking, and she moved his head to lie in her lap. The hair at the back of his head was dry and bristle-like as it was coated in dried blood, but there was no wound.

"I healed the wound, but he hit his head pretty hard. He's still unconscious." said Katara shakily, kneeling down by Zoe's side. Zoe stroked his hair lightly, a few tears finally escaping from her eyes. He had so very nearly taken that lightening for her…If he had of…would he still be…?

"He's going to be fine, Zoe." assured Katara, laying a hand on Zoe's shoulder and Zoe nodded appreciatively.

"I just…can't believe how close that was." She admitted shakily.

Katara nodded in understanding, but before she could speak Zuko stirred. Zoe leant over him, watching his eyes begin to flutter, her heart thumping faster, willing him to wake.

Suddenly, a blood-chilling scream echoed through the courtyard. A scream soon to be followed another agonized moan and whimper. Zuko sat up very suddenly shouting, "Zoe!" and Zoe he got, but not how he expected as his head collided painfully with hers.

"Uuuggh!" cried Zoe clutching her forehead as Zuko fell back dazedly into her lap.

"Z…Zoe?" moaned Zuko his world spinning above him. Another hysterical scream shook the air and the three benders looking toward the source fearfully.

"Its…Azula." said Katara quietly, a note that sounded nearly like pity in her voice.

"What happened?" demanded Zuko groggily, trying to work out if this was real or something conjured from his unconscious mind.

Zoe stroked his hair off his forehead gently, not letting him sit up. "You're an idiot, that's what happened." said Zoe, the tears rolling down her face betraying her calm, controlled voice.

Zuko lifted a hand to touch the tear stained cheek. "The lightening…I…you-"

"Huan." said Zoe, her throat closing up at the admittance that brought the horrible truth down upon her with force. "She's…dead." Zuko was silent. He was in complete disbelief. That little rabbit-hen had saved Zoe's life, just when she had refused to let him do so. "Don't you ever try to do something so stupid again." hissed Zoe, her voice becoming more broken with each word as she tried to keep herself together.

But, before he could answer another ear shattering screech tore through the silence.

"I'm…going to go check on her." said Katara uneasily.

"Wait." said Zuko, "help me up." questions could wait… arguments about who is more stupid and reckless could wait. "I want to…see her."

Zoe and Katara helped the firebender to his feet and he swayed on the spot for a moment. Zoe wrapped her arm around his waist quickly and he put an arm over her shoulder.

He clutched his head with his free hand, "Agh, what happened?"

"We'll talk about it later." said Zoe quietly. She tried to focus on his warmth by her side, that he was there, alive. They were fine.

A/N O.O so I may have changed it a little bit… :S is that OK…?

Oh and don't worry...the next chapters will be longer again :)

OOh and the anonymous review lol, is that you readinfromphone? I was laughing my head off XD absolutely hilarious. Thank you! And Thank's heaps too all of you for the reviews guys :D they make my day. Thank you also Jo XD you always review and it makes me feel special XD