Aang stretched his arms and yawned as he walked out of the library. "Man, I don't know how you can just throw yourself into those books for hours."

"I don't know how you can slack off all the time and end up with the highest marks in class." Azula snarkily replied.

"Hey! I don't slack off, I'm extremely diligent about my studies."

"So that twenty-minute period of you dozing on and off while I finished the third page is considered diligence?"

Aang just yawned again and shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, it's worked for me this far." He said as he sat down on a bench sitting outside the library.

Azula rolled her eyes as she sat down next to him, "It's because you spent all that time running around at Toph's house. If we would've come here when I said you would've had more energy."

Aang smiled, thinking about how Azula was able to get along with his friends. "You seemed to enjoy it."

"Well, it was valuable sparring, I won't have to train when I get back at least."

Aang huffed in agreement. "Speaking of, how are things at home?"

"Fine." Azula said sharply.

"Have you spoken with your dad recently?"

Azula responded with silence. Aang stared at her quizzically, "Azula?"

"I.." Azula looked at him, before quickly looking away. "I can't talk about it.."

Can't talk about it? Aang was wondering if she'd been hiding something, so he continued to question her.

"Is there a reason we needed to finish this project today?"

Azula's jaw tightened as she started to feel like she was being interrogated. Stop asking me so many damn questions. That is what she wanted to say, but she controlled herself. "No. I just wanted to get it over with." She lied.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure idiot. There's nothing wrong with getting assignments done early." Azula said as she turned away from him, the look of concern on his face made her angry for some reason.

Why does it feel like she's avoiding me now? "Azula." Aang placed his hand on her shoulder gently.

"What do you want!?" Azula grew more agitated but she didn't move his hand.

"You don't need to lie to me." He said insistently. "If something's wrong, maybe I could help if you told me."

"You can't help me."

"Maybe not. Maybe it'll just help to get it off your chest."

Azula went quiet, the silence between them stretching on for several seconds.

"Azula, look at me." Aang gently tugged her arm to turn her head back towards him.

Aang looked directly into her eyes, analyzing the golden sphere that dilated as she looked back into his.

Eye contact unwavering, Aang opened his mouth to speak. "What's wrong?"

Azula looked down to get away from his oppressive gaze. Her face bright red, she felt the embarrassment could almost bring her to tears. How the hell does he read me so easily? She thought to herself.

I can't tell him.

"You.." Azula looked back up into his eyes. The smile on his face almost felt like it was teasing her. "You make me feel like some sort of fool." She said so incredibly earnestly, surprising Aang with how her quick demeanor had changed.

He turned away from her as he snickered, then proceeded to break out into all-out laughter. Azula looked at him with a questioning look, as she didn't even understand why he was laughing.

Aang wiped a single tear off his eye as he continued to laugh. "Man, you really are something special Azula." He said genuinely, with a tint of red on his face which confused her even more.

"What!?" She said as she blushed furiously at his expression. "What's that supposed to mean?" She couldn't figure out if he was insulting her or not.

"Nothing, you just say some interesting things at interesting times.." Aang said as his laughter died down.

"So you're insulting me?"

He turned back and looked at her, ignoring her question to get back to the main topic. "Is it really something that bad that you can't tell me?"

Azula went silent as she looked down at her hands, as Aang continued staring at her.

A few moments later Aang sighed, then broke the silence between them. "Ok, so you won't tell me. Fine, let's get going.." He smiled as he started walking, but it was clear he wasn't happy.

That feeling of guilt tugged at Azula's heart, and she tried her hardest to forget about it. But, the dejected look on his face caused her to break down. "Wait!"

Aang turned back, staring at her from afar.

She walked toward him but didn't stop to avoid facing him.

"Wait, where are we going Azula?" Aang yelled from behind as he followed.

"I need to go back home."

"But isn't your house that way?" Aang replied as he pointed in the other direction.

"No, back home, to the fire nation."

Aang's face lit up in shock. "The fire nation!? Why? When?"

"It's my father.. he's hiding something. I'm done with his games, so I need to fix it myself." Azula said with a tone that left Aang a little frightened.

"How do you plan on getting there? An airship ride would take a while, especially on a Friday.." He put his hand on his chin in thought.

"It's fine, I've flown on airships plenty of times before."

"Let me help. If you took Appa, it would definitely save a good amount of time."

"No way. I'm not here to get you involved with my problems. I just told you so you'd know I'm not around for the next few days." she said as she turned away from him and crossed her arms.

Aang smiled. "That's cute. Well, thanks then." he said as he stepped in front of her, but she still wouldn't meet his eyes. "So have you told anyone else this?"

"Uhh.." Azula hesitated. "No, I haven't. I just decided a few hours ago."

"Won't your father find out?"

"Definitely. There's nothing he can do though once I'm gone, he can't go back himself."

"Hmm.. Shouldn't you tell your brother, or Ty Lee and Mai?"

"No." She replied sharply.

"Why not?" Aang was slightly shocked at how quick she said it.

"My father.. My father will be furious about this when I return. If I get them involved.." She paused. "I won't do it. I'll tell my brother, but only after I leave."

"And you.. what'll you do when you get back?"

"I'll have to figure that out later."

Aang was worried by the lack of details. Shouldn't somebody have a plan for something like this? "So what exactly do you think will happen when you find whatever it is you're looking for?"

Azula sighed. "I don't know."

"Well this doesn't sound very well thought out… how can I let you just run into something like this all by yourself?"

"It's thought out enough. I'll be fine."

"I disagree. I'm coming with you."

"What? I said no already, I'm not getting you involved."

"Well too bad." Aang said as he stuck his tongue out at her. "We'll take appa, and it'll save a lot of time. Today's Friday, on Appa we could be back before Monday and you wouldn't miss any school."

"It doesn't matter if I miss one day of school, idiot."

"Yeah well that's just one reason. Secondly, I won't let you do something that sounds this dangerous alone. If you need to get out of there fast, Appa and I will be there to help." he said as he smiled genuinely.

Azula clenched her fists. He definitely had a point, her plan would become a lot easier if she had a bison but she didn't want to involve anyone else, in case of retribution from Ozai.

"Aang, listen.." she sighed, "I appreciate it but.."

"No buts! This is important to you isn't it?" he replied.

"It is.."

"And you said it yourself, Zuko, Ty Lee and Mai can't help because your father might find out." Aang took Azula's hand. "So let me help. Your father won't question me about anything, and you'll have better transportation!"

Azula sighed. "Fine.."

Aang jumped. "Wooh! a weekend trip to the fire nation!"

Azula snickered at him jumping. "You're such a child."

Aang smiled as he saw her laugh. "Let's head to my place so I can get him set up."

Azula nodded and they kept walking.

"Wait a minute. So what exactly is the objective here? "

"We're going to look for my mother."


"So what's the plan?"

"She's on ember island. It should be easy to get in and get out."

"How easy?"

"There may be a few guards, but I'll be able to find a route without having to fight anyone. And once we have her, they won't catch us with the bison."

He nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's get going."

Katara walked out onto the front porch.

"Aang?"

Aang gasped as the waterbender walked out. "Katara?! what are you doing here?"

Katara walked closer to the two of them, "Iroh invited me for tea. I'm thinking of taking a job at the Jasmine dragon." she walked closer towards the bison they stood next to. "Hi, Azula." she said with a friendly tone, suppressing her jealous thoughts from a few moments ago.

"Hey." Azula replied nonchalantly.

Katara looked at Aang as he fastened Appa's saddle. "So what are you guys doing this weekend?"

Aang and Azula quickly looked at each other, before Azula quickly averted her gaze away.

Aang quickly stepped in. "Uhh nothing, really.."

Azula jumped in too, "Yeah, nothing exciting."

Katara chuckled. "That loaded saddle says otherwise. If I had to guess, I'd say you guys are taking a weekend trip all alone…"

Aang and Azula both quickly turned red, flustered at what she was saying."

Katara huffed. "And with no adult supervision, you two sure have moved fa-"

"It's not like that!" Azula quickly interjected as she turned away, too embarrassed to keep listening.

Katara drew back at Azula's emphasis. "Oh? so then what's going on?"

Aang stepped forward, "It's not what you're implying Katara, we're.." Aang looked at Azula. "It's not a big deal if I tell her right?"

"We can't tell anyone. I already told you we don't involve anyone else."

"But she won't say anything to anyone.. right Katara?"

"Come on. If anyone can keep a secret it's me! Unless, like you're doing something illegal, then it depends.." Katara replied.

Aang froze, and his lack of response frightened Katara for a moment. "Wait! Is it something illegal?"

"Well…" Aang's hesitance made Katara jump from shock.

"Oh now you've got to tell me! I've never even seen you jaywalk aang, what illegal things have you been doing on your weekends!?" She pressured Aang and got much closer into his personal space.

Azula stopped her again. "He's helping me. we're going to the fire nation, I need to find someone."

Katara backed away from Aang, and walked over to Azula. "Oh wow. Who are you going to find?"

Azula hesitated, she felt uncomfortable giving out this information, especially to someone who she didn't know that well. But Aang looked at her, and it was clear in his expression that he trusted her, and she trusted him.

"My mother."

Azula noticed Katara's pupils dilated.

She opened her mouth once to speak, but closed it quickly. Katara recollected her thoughts, and then slowly spoke. "what happened to her?"

Unexpectedly, Azula immediately felt encouraged to explain, "She's.. she's being held hostage. but I'm going to free her."

Katara looked down at her feet, and the silence stretched between them for several seconds, before she finally looked up at Azula. "Can I help?"

Azula was caught off guard, "Umm, I don't think that would be a great idea. the two of us should be able to handle it."

Katara stepped in front of Azula, and grabbed both of her hands. "Please, let me help. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't. If your mother's in danger.. please. I won't hold you guys back or anything but you could use all the help you can get."

Azula still seemed reluctant. "I don't know.. I appreciate the offer but.."

Katara squeezed Azula's hands tighter, and bore into her eyes with a stone cold look. "Azula, I can heal, so I'll be there just in case anyone gets injured. Ok?"

The firebender just stood there shocked. Why was Katara so insistent on helping her? She thought back to the first time they met, when she referred to her as a peasant. It was just like Aang, a person she was cruel to, now offering their help. She knew she wasn't the type of person to do the same, and felt guilty for judging them so quickly before.

Aang placed a hand on Katara's shoulder to get her to calm down. "I agree with Katara." he looked at Azula. "We don't know exactly what we're walking into, and she could definitely help."

"Yeah, I know.. I.." She sighed before she spoke again. "I just don't need anyone else getting hurt because of me." Azula responded as she looked down.

"That's what I'll be there for!" Katara said as she smiled, and then proceeded to run over to Appa. She made it to his face and jumped up to hug his nose. "Hey big guy, looks like I get to spend the weekend with you!"

Azula sighed and facepalmed. "What has this turned into? How did I end up involving so many people?" She asked herself.

Aang smiled. "Well, if we're going down the inviting more people route, I definitely think we should ask Toph."

"What!? Are you crazy? What did I just say!?" Azula replied in disbelief.

"Think about it. Toph's the greatest earthbender there is.. She can see people through walls, so we'll always have an advantage. She's a human badgermole!" He said as he chuckled.

Azula sighed defeatedly, "Fine, but are you sure she'll be on board?"

"Well her parents are pretty strict.. But it can't hurt to ask her! Let's go!" Aang said as he tossed Azula into the saddle, and hopped onto Appa's head.


"Hmm." Toph placed her hand on her chin as she thought about their plan.

"So you're telling me.. us.. a bunch of high school students.. Plan to go on a jailbreak mission?"

"It's not a jailbreak mission. They're holding her hostage." Katara replied.

"Alright, then how much action are we talking? I wouldn't mind pummeling some firebenders." Toph questioned as she did her patented fist to palm gesture.

"Toph, we're trying to avoid fighting. With you there, it should be pretty easy to just get in and out." Aang spoke.

Toph gasped. "Seriously twinkletoes? Where's the fun in that!?"

"Let's worry about fun after we return." Katara replied.

"But if there's no fun, what's in it for me!"

"I'll help you play a prank on Sokka when we get back." He proposed.

"Hmm, that is a good deal. But I'll need something else as well."

Aang replied. "What's that?"

Toph pointed towards Azula, who was still sitting in the saddle drawing her plan.

"Haven't I made it clear already? I need her on the pro bending team!"

"Oh.. Weren't tryouts a few days ago?" Aang asked. "She didn't go?"

"No, she didn't. I haven't even seen her since then.. Maybe this is a part of the problem?"

Aang looked up at Azula, her eyes still locked in on her notebook. "Yeah, I haven't seen her like this before honestly. Whatever she found out, it must have been bad."

"You think so?" Katara questioned.

Aang sighed. "I'll tell you guys what it sounded like from Iroh. His brother, Ozai, her father, Zuko's father. Iroh describes him as a terrible man. A man who blasted his own son in the face, leaving him with that scar. A man who got banished from his own nation for treasonous crimes."

Katara and Toph grimaced at the thought of Zuko's scar. "The thought of someone doing that to their own child.. How could he.." Toph nodded in agreement.

"Sounds like the type of guy who needs his ass whooped. I hope we get to meet him." Toph chimed in.

"Well we're going to the fire nation so that shouldn't be a problem now." Katara replied.

"Yeah, I didn't ask Azula much about it, but she needs help. She was planning to try this alone, and I don't think that would've-."

Toph cut him off as she slapped him on his arm. "Yeah, yeah I get it twinkletoes your girlfriend needs our help, let's go." She said as she started walking towards the bison.

Aang looked down as his face slightly turned red. "Seriously, Toph? It's not like that.." He responded, but Toph was already ignoring him, hands behind her head walking away.

He sighed, and was suddenly reminded Katara was standing next to him when she spoke. "We should get going Aang, only a few hours before sundown." She forced herself to smile, and then turned as she walked back towards the bison.

Azula was interrupted by the sound of earth moving behind her, and when she looked up, Toph was flying into the saddle. "Hey Azula! So Aang tells me you need help on this mission of yours.."

Azula dropped her pen. "I do. We're going to the fire nation to find my mother."

"I see. Well, to be honest with you, it took a little persuasion for me to join you. I mean, I'd have to deceive my parents for the weekend, and that sounds like a lot of trouble for me, you know?"

"Persuasion?" Azula asked.

"Yeah.. Well not really, he said he would help me prank someone but that isn't what really interests me. I'm looking for something else.. Something from you."

Azula squinted her eyes. "What is it?"

"Remember when we talked about my pro bending team's tryouts? We NEED you on the team Azula. The firebenders on the team right now are idiots! I can't carry them all on my back if we want to win anything."

"Oh yeah.. I forgot about that." Azula was reminded of the conversation they had just a few days ago. Her mind had been in a tailspin ever since she got home that same day, and she completely forgot about everything at school.

"If you agree to join now, I'll come with you guys." Toph said earnestly.

Azula looked up in thought. "Hmm. I guess I did say I would, so sure."

"Yes! With you, now we really have a chance. I can't wait!" Toph exclaimed. "Now, what's this plan looking like?"

Katara hopped into Appa's saddle as they talked.

"I'll show everyone all at one time when I'm finished."

Aang yelled back at the three of them from Appa's head. "Everybody ready to go?"

"Wait a minute, twinkletoes! Shouldn't we bring your brother Katara?"

"For what?" Katara replied uncaringly. "He and Suki will probably relish the fact that they have the house all alone for the weekend." Toph replied as she hopped off Appa's back. She kicked into the ground and picked up a few chunks of rocks.

Azula responded as well. "Yeah, we don't need any more people. Having the bison makes this easy enough anyway."

"Alright, just asking! Let me pack a bag, and then we'll head out."

Hey, thanks for reading! Reviews appreciated!