Katara's POV:
It was a beautiful day for a walk through the market. Zuko and I were walking side by side as we went from stall to stall checking out everything the market had to offer. Zuko insisted on buying me some new clothing as well as some personal items and some things for Jia. I didn't want to impose on him and his uncle, it isn't fair that they have to pay for any of our things but they insist on it saying that we need these things and it would not be a waste to use their hard earned money to provide for us in our time of ultimate need.
We make our way from stall to stall when we come upon a stall stocked with toys. Thinking about how since the day I met Jia she had never had an actual toy, I would love to see her reaction to one. I turn to Zuko, "Lee… I know you have been so nice and giving to Jia and I as is but is they anyway we could get Jia a rattle? She's never had a toy and I can pay you back, I promise."
Zuko smiled, "Katara I already told you, it's no trouble. You and Jia need these things and I can't imagine not getting a toy for her, she's too adorable not to spoil."
I smile shyly back at him, before all of this I would never have imagined Zuko being so kind to me or even me accepting such kindness from him but with everything that has happened he has given me no reason to doubt him. He and his uncle took me in at my worst, though forced at first he calls me by my name and they both have been so kind and generous to me and Jia even allowing me to help out at the shop and trying to give me water so I can heal though I can't use my bending currently. The pure fact that they willingly gave me water to bend is enough to encourage me to trust them. They show me trust so why shouldn't I at least try to trust them in return.
In the end we got a stuffed toy for Jia as well as a rattle and a wooden flying bison. Zuko wanted to get more but I refused to let him do so, stating he already got us so much as it is now I can't possibly accept him getting us anything else. Zuko tried to tell me that he and his uncle have enough funds from working in the shop that they wouldn't know what to do with it and that they both still have money from when they lived in the palace but I wouldn't budge, I'm grateful for what they have done for me but I'd be damned if I take advantage of the kindness they have shown me.
With The Gaang…
Toph's POV:
The whole room was silent after Smellerbee stated we would find Katara with Zuko. It doesn't make sense that she would be with him of all people and if Azula is looking for them that means Zuko isn't keeping Katara captive for his sister. After everyone had snapped out of their shock, Sokka asked the most wondered question that was probably on all of our minds, "Wait, you said you haven't checked on them in a while, how do you know Katara is with them?"
Smellerbee had told us she had heard about how Katara had escaped and that a woman was seen with Zuko and his uncle not long after her escape. She told us that she has heard rumours about the tea shop and how the young man working there has a girlfriend and a child, the talk of the town. Everyone was flabbergasted at what she said, everyone all at once had an uproar in the room because it obviously couldn't be Katara because she's only been gone a month, where did this baby come from. Smellerbee had groaned and said if we do not believe her then she will just have to show us. We all agreed though there were still many questions including how she knows all of this and how she is so sure? How is she able to follow these people and not be caught?
The Next Day…
Smellerbee and Longshot stayed with us for the night so that we can get a head start of finding Katara in the morning. We all were confused about the whole situation but we all knew that we needed to at least check out what Zuko and his uncle were up to even if it's taking us to a trap. We don't think Smellerbee and Longshot would do anything to betray us but if the rumour is that there is a girl and a baby staying with Zuko and General Iroh then maybe it's to lure us, more specifically Aang in. We would have to be careful about how we go about this we wouldn't want to just jump into a trap and risk everything. We made a plan to go about this, first Smellerbee and Longshot will go to the tea shop and let us know if Katara is for sure there or not. Once we know she is there Sokka will go to see her and try to talk to her depending on the situation. We don't want to risk Aang getting taken by them or hurt and it would probably be best to have someone who she is close to, go talk to her and see if she'll come with us and find out why she didn't come find us sooner.
We head to the market circle, a town square type of area in the middle of the market and decide this is where we will all meet in an hour, giving Smellerbee and Longshot more then enough time to see if Katara is in the tea shop. Our chaperone Joo Dee let us be as long as we stayed in the market place, she would be informed if we leave by the Dai Li. We all split up deciding it would be less suspicious if we just went along with our normal routine of just roaming around separately rather then hanging around the circle and waiting for Smellerbee and Longshot to come back. As I made my way through the street I suddenly could see Katara through my feet, she was walking in the opposite direction of me and was with someone!
I decided to follow them from stall to stall I made sure to stay back from them so that I wouldn't be seen, whoever this guy was, he was not forcing Katara to do anything, here and there I heard her telling him he was buying too much and that she and someone named Jia didn't need everything that I guess they were being given. I start to make my own conclusions, this guy must be close with her, is that why she isn't coming back to us? Who is Jia? Why is all of this happening, I need to do something but what should I do?
I make my way closer and walk up behind them, "Katara!" I hear and yelp as she and the man she was with turn around. She immediately goes behind the man almost as if she's hiding, "Katara? It's me, Toph. What's wrong? Are you okay?"
The man cleared his throat, "Maybe we should go somewhere more private to talk?"
Azula's POV:
The day is going just as planned, after getting the Avatar to follow us to our dwelling we also followed him back to his. He will most likely try to find my brother, the water bender peasant and the damned baby and that's where I will be.
I make my way towards my uncle's and brother's residence, infiltrating Ba Sing Se and having info on all of these pathetic people is easier then uncle made it seem. I'm starting to think that uncle is more of a traitor than anyone thought. I will capture my brother and uncle as well as the water bender and take the baby then I will wait there for the Avatar to come and I will be victorious.
I meet the Dai Li just down the street from their apartment and glared them down, now dressed in the Kyoshi warrior disguise, "Men, the people we are about to ambush are people against us, against peace. They have come into Ba Sing Se to take over but we will take them down!" All the this crud is just a stupid speech so the citizens don't expect anything, but the Dai Li know exactly what I'm up to.
I lead the way to the front door, the men quickly go to either side of it and I kick the door down, the Dai Li flood into the room ready to take down and capture anyone inside.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this slightly shorter chapter! I appreciate all of your reviews and love reading them to hear your ideas and thoughts! :)