Azula and I traveled back to the palace. She seemed happier than usual. I, on the other hand, felt…a little off. Sure, she directed lightning at the Avatar, and actually hit him, but I felt like what I did back there wasn't right. I don't know why. It…just didn't. I also had this feeling deep down that the Avatar was still alive. The Watertribe girl, Katara, she still has that special water. The water she was willing to use on me. Of course, I refused. She was just pitying me. If she does still have that water, she will most likely use it on the Avatar. She will save him. I just know it. Deep down, I can't put aside the thought. It haunts me. But I just can't tell Azula that the Avatar might still be alive.
"Father!" Azula called as we entered the palace. Her face gleamed in a way I have never seen before. She seems proud of herself. And I bet Father will be proud of her too. "Azula," he looked at me. "Zuko," his voice sounded disappointed that I came to show my face again.
"Don't worry, Father," Azula said. "He helped us." Father glanced my way and looked me straight in the eyes. He gave me a look that to me seemed like I should leave. I left for the next room. Some of the palace guards greeted me. It was nice to be treated like royalty but, I still felt wrong. I had two choices back there. I could have taken the Avatar's side, or Azula's. I chose to help my sister, but, was it the right choice? If so, why do I feel this way? Why do I feel like I could have done more?
Father wouldn't look at me during dinner but, somehow, he seemed happy. Not in a joyous kind of way but, like he was planning a surprise party. It is a little strange but it's better than his usual look. I looked at Azula and she seemed happy as well, but not as before. Dinner was quiet. The only thing that was said was when Father excused himself from the table. I couldn't ask Azula why Father seemed happy. He was probably proud of her for 'killing' the Avatar. I didn't want to tell her that the Avatar was alive either. If I told her that, she would begin searching for him, just like I have before. "What's wrong, Zuzu?" Her voice broke me out of my thoughts. "It's nothing, Azula," I replied. There was no point in bringing her into my head. There is a lot going on and I'm pretty sure she would get tired and walk off. She hasn't always been the listening type.
Just as I went into bed, Azula came into my room. "What's wrong, Zuzu?" she asked again.
"Like I said, nothing is wrong."
"I told Father about the Avatar," she said. "However, I changed a little something and said that you killed the Avatar."
"Me? Why?"
"What, you think he's still alive?" she checked.
"Of course not. He could never survive a blast like that." Unless the Spirit Water was used on him. That would be the only way. "I told Father to help you. You wanted to have honor, right?" Azula asked, sitting on my bed.
"Yes, but, why did you do that, Azula? You could have easily told Father that you killed the Avatar."
"Yes, I know," she stood and walked towards the door, "but I have my reasons." She closed the door. Why did Azula tell Father that lie? Why did she help me? What is the catch? I flopped down. The Avatar is going to need a Firebending teacher so if he is alive, he would be going into the Fire Nation to find one. He can't be too far. Maybe I'll find him in the morning.